Faith United Methodist Church 522 East 6th Street Cheyenne, WY Phone: (307)

Transcription

1 Faith United Methodist Church 522 East 6th Street Cheyenne, WY Phone: (307) MEMORIAL DAY In honor of all the veterans as well as our active service members. Thank you for all you do! Sent with a prayer to: MAY 2017 See JUNE calendar on next page B=Birthday A=Anniversary Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat B= Kris Hollingsworth 6 7 B= Russ Howe 8 B= Landis Howe 9 10 B= Audrey Wren 11 B= June Bristow Board Meeting 14 MOTHER S DAY B= Dorothy Allen B= Linda Talkington :30 pm UMW B= Jan Baber Helping Hearts Meeting 29 B= Shari McWilliams MEMORIAL DAY JUNE Calendar

2 Designated Giving for June: CRMC s Home Away From Home: We are asking for individually wrapped toothbrushes, travel size toothpaste, and individual drinks that don t need to be refrigerated like Capri Sun, or box juices, etc. Home Away From Home is a program of Cheyenne Regional Medical Center that provides sleeping rooms, meals, laundry facilities and other services to outpatients and family members from out of town who require an extended stay. Your donations will be greatly appreciated! Congrats to WANDA ROMERO who will be 99 years old on July 1st! JUNE 2017 B=Birthday A=Anniversary Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 B= Sheryl Lawrence B= Elaine Lamb B= Mary Hart 9 10 B= Jodie Miller A= Ken & Bonnie Merklin ANNUAL CONFERENCE 16 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 17 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 18 ANNUAL CONFERENCE FATHER S DAY B= Sharon Prince SUMMER BEGINS A= Gene & Elaine Lamb B= Penny Franz B= Terry Vore 30 B= Bernadine Woods JULY 1 B=Wanda Romero 99 years old

3 Seeds of Faith Faith United Methodist Church May/June 2017 The Vision of Faith United Methodist Church is to empower all people to seek the fullness and assurance of God s Love. The Mission of Faith United Methodist Church is to invite everyone into a loving community, explore the Good News of God s Love, and serve God and our neighbor throughout the world. Dear Friends and Members of Faith UMC: The Christian Calendar is broken into several different seasons; each celebrating the central mystery of our faith. Each year has two Christ-centered cycles: Advent-Christmas-Epiphany and Lent-Easter-Pentecost. Each cycle begins with a season of preparation (Advent and Lent) followed by seasons of celebration (Christmas-Epiphany and Easter-Pentecost). The seasons after Epiphany and Pentecost are called Ordinary Time because they stand between the Christ-centered cycles and have no central theme. Beginning on Easter, we have entered into a new season of the Christian Calendar. The Easter Season, also known as the Great Fifty Days, begins at sunset on Easter Eve and continues through the Day of Pentecost. During the Easter Season, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, ascension of Christ and the giving of the Holy Spirit. The Sundays in the Easter Season often include: Holy Humor Sunday, Ascension Sunday, Mother s Day (not officially part of the Christian Calendar) and Pentecost Sunday. Holy Humor Sunday, or Bright Sunday, was a custom that was initially developed by the Greeks and was observed the Sunday after Easter. It was to be a day of joy and laughter in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Some services were based upon the themes of the joke is on you, Satan and claims that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. Churchgoers and pastors played practical jokes on one another, told jokes, sang silly songs and danced. Maybe we should consider incorporating Holy Humor Sunday into our worship schedule next year. Ascension Day commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven. After His resurrection, Jesus preached, encouraged and stayed in relationship with his disciples. Ascension Day marks not only the resurrection of Jesus from the dead but also His exaltation to Ruler and Lord. Celebrating Ascension is a reminder for us to reinvigorate our commitment to ministry as we participate in the Kingdom of God each and every day. Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Easter, comes from the Greek word for fiftieth. Greekspeaking Jews called the Jewish Feast of Weeks the Day of Pentecost. The Feast was originally an agricultural festival celebrating and giving thanks for the first fruits of the early spring harvest. With the destruction of Jerusalem, the Feast was refocused to God s gracious gift of the Torah (law) on Mount Sinai. In the present day, churches recognize this day as a day in which the church received the gift of the Holy Spirit enabling the people of God to be witnesses of Christ s love. Each year, we have new life experiences and encounters with Christ. As we celebrate the different seasons of the Christian Calendar, our new experiences allow us to develop a deeper love and dependence on Christ. As the flowers begin to push through the dirt, may this Easter Season be as new and colorful in your world as the awaiting May flowers. Grace and Peace, Pastor Leah

4 Wednesday Night Bible Studies returns on May 10 th at 5:30 pm. We will be studying: The Maccabees. Scripture Readings 5/7/2017 Acts 2: /14/2017 John 14:1-14 5/21/2017 John 14: /28/2017 Luke 24: /4/2017 Acts 2:1-21 6/11/2017 Matthew 28: /18/2017 6/25/2017 Matthew 10:24-39 Our sympathies to Keitra Blackmore in the loss of her brother, Caleb Jefferson. 12 th ANNUAL CHEYENNE DAY OF GIVING May 12, 2017 The Day of Giving will be the focus of our Designated Giving for the month of May Let s fill the donation baskets to overflowing! Your donations will be sorted and given directly to the following agencies, according to their wish lists: Boys & Girls Club of Cheyenne, Comea House, Home Away From Home, Family Promise, Magic City Enterprises, Needs, Inc., St. Joseph's Food Pantry, Salvation Army, Safehouse Services, and Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless. Suggested donations: Non-perishable food items such as pasta, peanut butter, cereal, boxed meals, and canned goods. Personal care items such as regular and trial-size shampoo, conditioner, and lotion; razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, bar soap, deodorant, and diapers. Craft items such as scrapbooking supplies, stamps, ink, paper, markers, beads, and kits. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged people in our community. Please keep these in prayer for health, safety, and wellness: Ministry of Faith UMC Places facing War and Unrest Bishop Oliveto and Conference Leaders Our Government Leaders Sharon Cloyd Norma Wilkins & family Cheryl Cates & family Ilene Windom Donna Cool Delbert Hansen Lamb family Ellen Jaeckel Bonnie Merklin Thelma Harrell Howe family Joan Allen Shari McWilliams Please keep these families in prayer who grieve: Damon & Mary Hart & family Russ Howe & family The family of Tony Sofia The Fournier family Keitra Blackmore LuAnn Wall and family Faith UMC Hospice Cookie Ministry Get Involved!! This ministry was conceived by LuAnn Wall four years ago because of blessings she received from a similar program. Cookies are delivered to Davis Hospice Center every Monday morning to be enjoyed by staff and residents. Thanks to all who have participated in this ministry. We have volunteers thru the month of May. We are looking for people to help in the summer by donating cookies or money, and/or by delivering the cookies. Details and sign-up sheets are available in the back of the sanctuary, or contact Connie Fournier ( ) for more information. Let s make this an all-church ministry!

5 HYMN NOTES The inspiring true stories behind our favorite hymns Blessed Assurance by Fanny J. Crosby Nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:12 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood! This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight! Visions of rapture now burst at my sight! Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. Perfect submission, all is at rest. I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. Frances Ridley Havergal and Frances (Fanny) Crosby never met, but they became dear pen pals - - the two most famous women hymnists of their age, the former in England and the latter in America. Havergal once wrote a poem about her American counterpart: Sweet, blond singer over the sea,/ Tuneful and jubilant! How can it be,/ That the songs of gladness, which float so far,/ As if they fell from the evening star/ Are the notes of one who may never see/ 'Visible music' of flower and tree..../ Oh, her heart can see, her heart can see! /And its sight is strong and swift and free.... Another of Fanny's dearest friends was Phoebe Knapp. While Fanny lived in the Manhattan slums and worked in rescue missions, Phoebe lived in the Knapp Mansion, a palatial residence in Brooklyn, where she entertained lavishly. She was an extravagant dresser with a wardrobe full of elaborate gowns and diamond tiaras. Her music room contained one of the finest collections of instruments in the country, and Fanny was a frequent houseguest. One day in 1873, while Fanny was staying at the Knapp Mansion, Phoebe said she had a tune she wanted to play. Going to the music room, she sat at the piano and played a new composition of her own while the blind hymnist listened. Fanny immediately clapped her hands and exclaimed, Why, that says, Blessed Assurance! She quickly composed the words, and a great hymn was born. Many years later, D.L. Moody was preaching in New York at the 23rd Street Dutch Reformed Church. The Moody/Sankey meetings had popularized Fanny Crosby's hymns around the world and had made the blind poetess a household name. But whenever she attended a Moody/Sankey meeting, she refused to be recognized, disavowing acclaim. This day the church was so crowded she could find nowhere to sit. Moody's son, Will, seeing her, offered to find her a seat. To her bewilderment, he led her onto the platform just as the crowd was singing "Blessed Assurance." Moody, Sr., jumped to his feet, raised his hand, and interrupted the singing, "Praise the Lord!" he shouted. "Here comes the authoress!" Fanny took her seat amid thunderous ovation, humbly thanking God for making her a blessing to so many. From "Then Sings my Soul" by Robert J. Morgan

6 FROM THE UMW: A very special THANK YOU to each and every person who bought a ticket and attended, to all the men who assisted in many ways, and to those that prepared the food, and to Becky Rohrer for the wonderful program. Because of YOU, the Ladies Spring Event was a great success! Your participation of this event enables us to continue to support our many missions. We could not do this without you! Our next meeting will be Thursday, May 25th at 6:30 pm in the fireplace room. All ladies of the church are welcome and encouraged to attend! A sincere THANK YOU to all the ladies who prepare coffee, drinks and snacks in the Fellowship Hall after the church service. The food is delicious and it is a good time for sharing and fellowship! Transfer member on 4/2/17: Shari McWilliams Pastor Leah Coleman contact info: It is summer season and time to travel and vacations. Please remember to continue to give to the church as there are bills that have to be paid every month. Your generosity is very much appreciated to keep our church within its yearly budget. Office Hours: Wednesdays 2 to 4 pm Cell Phone: (307) pastorleahcoleman@gmail.com Church phone: (307) Can t make it to church but you still would like to donate? You can donate to our church using PayPal on the website: and click on the PayPal link! Thank You! Family and friends gathered to celebrate my mother s life Betty Lee Green on Monday April 17, 2017 at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, CO. Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated and I want to thank you. It says in Isaiah 60:22 When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen and again His timing was a miracle. LuAnn Wall and Family

7 Our Easter Lily Garden In Honor Of Crosby, Charley, Jamie, Donnie, Kiley, Leslie, Chad, & Janice Our Children, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren My Three Children and and Their Families In Memory Of Larry Allen Husband Frank Baber and Son Greg Mattis Grandpa Robert Coleman Harold Gipe Mother Dorothy Harper Patsie Hart and Bobby Hisaw Eleanor Hildreth Ethel, Virginia, Helen, Jeanne David, Isabel, Russell and Lucile Earlene R. Long and Chandler Love Howard & Mae Merklin and Elmer & Nellie Munden Brothers Fordyce & Jerry and Our Parents Tony Sofia Jack Talkington, Ron & Darlene Spier Martin & Mina Ferguson Dusty Wall From Elaine & Gene Lamb Donna & Bernard Newland Linda Talkington From Joan Allen & Family Jan Baber Leah Coleman Penny Franz James (Ed) Harper Damon & Mary Hart Jeff & Vicky Hildreth Elaine & Gene Lamb Damon & Mary Hart and Christopher Love Ken & Bonnie Merklin Donna & Bernard Newland Darlene Seward Linda Talkington Duane & LuAnn Wall Thanks to everyone who participated in our Lenten and Easter activities: *Ash Wednesday was well-attended and meaningful. *Palm Sunday was different and inspiring to all those that attended. *Thursday Maundy service at Grace UMC was a meaningful service that included singing, scripture and foot and/or hand washing. Pastor Laura Rainwater and Pastor Leah Coleman shared the service and did a great job together. *Good Friday service at Faith UMC was attended by both friends and members of Grace UMC and people from Faith UMC. Pastor Laura and Leah shared the readings along with other volunteers and they did a wonderful job. It was a solemn, inspiring service enjoyed by those present. *Easter breakfast was delicious and everyone enjoyed the good fellowship. A special THANK YOU to the ladies in the UMW for the wonderful meal and setting of the tables and the cleanup. *The Easter service was awesome with joyful music from our Bluebird choir and the wonderful message from Pastor Leah. A special THANK YOU to the ushers and greeters, lay readers, candlelighters, people who sang special music, our choir and piano players: Connie, Tawn and Virginia. A very special THANK YOU to Pastor Leah for her leadership and enthusiasm in making this Lenten and Easter season more meaningful and a wonderful experience.

8 Do you recycle your aluminum cans? Did you know that if you bring them to the church, someone will take them to the recycling place and donate the money to the church? Bring your cans and toss them over the fence in the back! What do you do with old, worn out ink cartridges from your printer? Did you know that we can turn them into Office Depot for $2.00 credit? Bring your old cartridges and leave them just inside the box in the office and Penny Franz will take them to Office Depot for a credit on our office supplies! Save your Campbell s Soup Labels!! Place give us the entire labels for your convenience and put in the large Campbell s soup cans near the front and back doors of the church. Box Tops for Education needed by McCurdy Ministries Bring to the church and the box tops will be mailed to McCurdy. A sincere thank you to Linda Talkington and Sharon Prince for volunteering to bag all the recycled paper in the church and put in their recycle bins every week. Evidence of the Resurrection John Stott suggests, "Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection. It was the resurrection which transformed Peter's fear into courage and James' doubt into faith. It was the resurrection which changed the Sabbath into Sunday and the Jewish remnant into the Christian Church. It was the resurrection which changed Saul the Pharisee into Paul the apostle and turned his persecuting into preaching." YOU HAVE WINGS, DON'T YOU? When your last name is Angel, you hear all the jokes. Once, my wife and I dropped into a chapel for a cup of tea. Afterward, we called a cab. A halfhour later, it finally pulled up. "Sorry about the delay," the driver said. "But when I read the message left on my board, I thought it was a hoax. It said, "Pick up two angels from the Methodist church." Being much concerned about the rise of denominations in the church, John Wesley tells of a dream he had. In the dream, he was ushered to the gates of Hell. There he asked, "Are there any Presbyterians here?" "Yes!", came the answer. Then he asked, "Are there any Baptists? Any Episcopalians? Any Methodists?" The answer was Yes! each time. Much distressed, Wesley was then ushered to the gates of Heaven. There he asked the same question, and the answer was No! "No?" To this, Wesley asked, "Who then is inside?" The answer came back, "There are only Christians here." (1 Corinthians 1:10-17)