Reverend E. Susan Wenner

Transcription

1 First United Methodist Church of Windsor, NY July 2018 Volume 31 Issue 7 LAMPLIGHTER PASTOR S PEN Dear Friends and Families of Windsor UMC, Reverend E. Susan Wenner As I began the transition of moving from Corning to Windsor, I did some preparations for my July sermon series. The primary theme became God s presence that is with us, in illness, in celebrations, while we are being healed, and when we are searching for God s Truth. This theme brought to mind one of my all-time favorite Psalms Psalm 139. Whenever I come across Psalm 139 in my nightly devotions I rejoice (my understanding of prayer will come at a later time). Psalm 139 begins: O Lord, You have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up;... Later in the words of this Psalm it asks the question, Where can I go from Your Spirit? or in our language, Where can I ever go, where You are not there? It s a very appropriate Psalm for me as I move. The First United Methodist Church of Windsor is a family of Christian Faith and love whose mission is to learn, live and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know through faith that God is already with you and will be in Windsor when I get there. What a comfort! It is not just God s presence in various locations that we would find ourselves, but also various situations. In our sermon series we will explore how God s presence and healing presence is whenever we need to know that God is present with us. Psalm 139 states: If I say, Let only darkness cover me, and the light about me be night, even the darkness is not dark to You, the night is bright as the day; for darkness is as light with You. We often find ourselves in dark places of illness or grief, and Psalm 139 comforts us that God is present with us even in those times just as God promised us within Scripture, and the life-death-resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Join me, and our Windsor fellowship, to discover the truth that God knows us completely and is present with us in every day that we journey in our faith. Grace and Peace, Pastor Sue

2 Volume 31 Issue 7 Page 2 LAEL S MUSIC NOTES Always keep singing Ephesians 5:19 As you sing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts... As United Methodists, singing is in our DNA. Hymns have been developed for the diverse family of God by the people called United Methodists; for example, retirement communities, Native American, hymns for sign language, and hymnals in world languages and traditions. This is how we acknowledge with joy, the salvation of Souls. JOHN WELSLEY S DIRECTIONS FOR SINGING I. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please. II. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can. III. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing. Sanctuary Choir IV. Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan. V. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound. VI. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first. VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven. From John Wesley s Select Hymns, 1761 (Taken from the United Methodist Hymnal vii) Cherub Choir Junior Choir

3 Page 3 LAMPLIGHTER The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 MISSIONS COMMITTEE Carol Carpenetti & Geri Tow Thank you to all who participated in the Bread for the World Letter Writing Campaign. We sent in 77 letters to our representatives in Washington. Our voices, joined with others, will help to make a difference! The Mission Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, July 31 6:30 pm to plan for some upcoming activities/events for Fall. If you have any thoughts and ideas for Mission, please let us know prior to that meeting. If you have a heart for missions and would like to serve on the committee, we would LOVE to have you! Take a few minutes to read and reflect on the reading below. It s about getting connected. Let s be more connected to God and to one another. I Saw Jesus Today by Vinita Hampton Wright I saw Jesus on the train today. He had worked a long shift, his coveralls a patchwork of sweat and grime; yet he joked with a coworker in the adjacent seat. I saw Jesus awhile later, as the crowd filed onto the stairs to the streets below he was a young girl with two small children in tow, her nerves clearly frayed. And then, in the grocery story, there was Jesus again, a check-out clerk who smiled and wished me a good evening. The next time I saw him, he was stuck in traffic, his business suit rumpled and his eyes weary. And when I walked by my neighbor s house, Jesus sat on the front step, passing the time with a friend. When Jesus came to share our human existence, he changed what it means to be ordinary people going through the day. Each one of us has a purpose and a place in the world. Each of us experiences pain, fatigue, humor, and hope. If we look more intently at the people we encounter on a typical day, we will see who they truly are persons loved by God. Regardless of appearance or situation, the woman, man, or child before you is brimming with holy possibility. Consider that you are gazing into the eyes of God. Understand that Jesus comes to you in many faces and places.

4 Volume 31 Issue 7 Page 4 JULY EVENTS A MONTH OF SUNDAYS 2018 Greeters July 1 Norm Quinn July 8 Megan & Lisa Henley July 15 Shannon Price July 22 Helen & Todd Lampman July 29 Wendy & Greg Eggleston Lay Readers July 1 Cheryl Mogenson July 8 Roberta Petrosanti July 15 Brianna Ashman July 22 Carina Seeley July 29 Wendy Eggleston Coffee Hour Hosts July 1 S/PPR July 8 Worship July 15 UM Men July 22 Sunday School July 29 Trustees TRUSTEES MEETING Thursday July 12 6 pm RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE Saturday July 14 9am - 2pm Fellowship Hall to register: or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code WINDSOR PASTOR S GROUP Tuesday July am Imagine No Racism Room 7 Summer practices Sanctuary Choir Alleluia Hand bell ensemble Sundays at 10:00 am So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 JOB OPENING Interested in the position of church custodian? 10 hours per week are required. Please submit a letter of interest to the church office; Att: Gail Bagg S/PPR PO Box 36 Windsor NY 13865

5 Page 5 LAMPLIGHTER EVENTS IN AUGUST FRIDAY BAND CONCERT HOSTS Friday August 3 6:00pm Please plan to bake delicious blueberry treats and have them on the Village Green by 5:00. Music will be provided by Friday at Fred s. Bring your lawn chairs and sit a spell. SERVICE ON THE GREEN Sunday August 5 11:00am The annual Windsor Churches United worship service will be on the Village Green at 11 am! A lunch will follow and our church will provide macaroni salad and drinks. If you would like to contribute please see Carol Carpenetti. CORN FESTIVAL AND TRACTOR SHOW Saturday August 26 noon The Windsor partners are sponsoring the second annual corn festival in Klumpp Park. We will have a food booth roasting corn. We need your help to make this a success! Contact the church office if you would like to help in any way S/PPR will meet again on August 21 SUMMER CAMP UPDATE The following WUMC youth will be attending Sky Lake camp in June or July : Sophia Bagg, Mackenzie and Lily Freer, Emily and Gabriella Forbidussi, Bradley Mogenson and Nathalia Stack. Please keep them, as well as the counselors and staff in your prayers. An Upper New York Camper responded about their 2017 camping experience: "Before this I never really followed God and Jesus. The camp has created a connection between me and God. I will always remember that God is real, God loves me, and God wants a relationship with me. I really felt a connection to Christ and I want to remain connected, I know that if I abide in God, God will abide in me." Keep bringing your cans and bottles for Bob Bennett to recycle so that we may continue to provide our youth the opportunity to experience summer camp at beautiful Sky Lake.

6 Page 6 LAMPLIGHTER LAY SERVANT MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Owego UMC July 17, 24, 31 and August 7 Tuesdays, 6-9pm Registration is July 17 5:30 pm Come to the Waters - Rev. Viki Andrews Required book: NONE - per be a disciple requires UMW Hymnal, bible and other materials to be downloaded if doing the class via internet. Leading Worship - Rev. Timothy Middleton Required book: Worshiping with United Methodists (REVISED) Hoyt Hickman Participant's Book Heritage for Youth - Rev. Bill Prentice *Ages who have completed their confirmation. There is no book or class fee required, only $5.00 fee for materials. Park Terrace Community UMC September 28 Friday 5:45-9:00 pm September 29 Saturday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 Basic - Paul Reed Required book: Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Participant's Book by Brian Jackson, Sandy Jackson Spiritual Gifts - Rev. Bill Prentice - Required book: Each One a Minister William J. Carter Participant's Book Course Fees: $10.00 Late Registration: $15.00 Financial assistance may be provided for books and course fees. (607) Make checks payable to: UNYAC Please mail checks and registration to: Binghamton District Office 53 McKinley Ave. Endicott, NY Registration Form For Lay Servant Classes Name: Address: Church: Phone: Cell Phone: Pastor's Signature (required for Basic)

7 Volume 31 Issue 7 Page 7 ALL COMMITTEE CHURCH CHAIRS Please plan to meet this summer with your members and include Pastor Sue ON GOING SERVICE PROJECTS NEED YOU JUNKIN FOR JESUS Metal recycling project at Danwood Products. Cleaning up around the yard? Have no where to go with your scrap metal items? Drop items off at Dan Burdick s business or call to arrange pick up All metal recycling monies are given to the church. NO GARBAGE PLEASE! The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23:11 CANS FOR CAMP If you don't already, please consider bringing your cans and bottles to the bin in the church parking lot. The nickels add up and are all used to help pay registrations to send youth to Sky Lake Summer Camp. SERVE BREAKFAST On the second Sunday every other month we help with cooking, serving and clean-up of a Free Breakfast Meal served at First Endicott United Methodist Church. 7:45 arrival in Endicott and back in time for worship. No special skills needed! Check the signup sheet. For particulars speak with the McNultys or Carol Carpenetti. GOD S BREAD CHOW pantry The CHOW food program is open to anyone. CHOW is a program to supplement your food needs. Applications are available in Fellowship Hall. We serve the families of the Windsor School District. Hours of operation are Tuesdays from 9:30am until Noon. Volunteer opportunities are also available. Every Tuesday starting at 8:00am we are usually done by 9:00am sorting and bagging the food for our members. There are also volunteer hours available from 9:15am to noon to assist families who pick up their food. On occasion we need help with picking up extra food at the CHOW pantry or gleaning fields. If you are interested in helping in anyway, please contact Jill Skinner at , or leave a message at the church office or wumc1@tds.net NURSERY PROGRAM during Worship Guided by Safe Sanctuaries, there must always be two persons (one 18 or older) in the nursery. There are times when Emily and/or Rita are not available. Additional substitute volunteers are necessary. Please prayerfully consider donating your time to this important extension of our worship. Please call the office ( ) if you feel you can offer a Sunday or two.

8 Rev. E. Sue Wenner, Pastor First United Methodist Church PO Box 36 Windsor NY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 2 Windsor NY Our Friends at: Everyone Welcome! Parking behind church Sunday: Sunday School for all ages 9:30am Sept - June First United Methodist Church of Windsor 56 Chapel Street Windsor, NY Pastor: cell Pastor s revsuewenner@aol.com Office: Office wumc1@tds.net Secretary's hours: Tues. Thurs. Fri 9am - 2:30pm Website: umcwindsorny.org Facebook: umcwindsorny/ Sanctuary Choir practice 10:00am Worship Service: 11:00am 1st communion, 3rd healing Coffee Hour follows worship Tuesday: God s Bread food distribution 8:30am Wednesday: Council mtg. second of the month 6:30pm Thursday: Soup and Salad Dinner 5:00 pm second of month Sept - Apr Trustee mtg. second of month 6:00pm Friday: Pie Night last of month 6:00pm Oct to April