July Scripture Memory Passage

Transcription

1 Traditional Worship Service - 9:00 AM Contemporary Worship Service - 10:30 AM Find us on Facebook: Lithopolis United Methodist Church Follow us on Twitter: LithopolisUMC Website: July Scripture Memory Passage Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. 2 Peter 1:6-7 NLT

2 June 27, 2015 Dear colleagues and friends in Christ Jesus: Yesterday the United States Supreme Court issued a long-awaited and important decision regarding same-sex marriage. The decision now makes it legal for same-sex couples to marry throughout the United States. The decision also calls for any legally performed marriage done in one state to be recognized under the law in all states. At the heart of the decision was interpreting the 14th Amendment which guarantees equal protection and due process of law to all citizens. Together we are all thinking about the meaning of the Supreme Court decision and the teaching and ministry of the church. The court s decision did not seek to resolve biblical, pastoral or theological debate of the church or any religious institution. The decision was directed only at state laws that bar same-gender persons from marriage. In fact the majority opinion affirms explicitly under the 1st Amendment the right of religious organizations to protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and central to their lives and faiths The authorized teachings and practices of The United Methodist Church are unchanged at this time. Every four years we hold a General Conference which decides what the official teachings and practices of The United Methodist Church will be going forward. May 10-20, 2016 the General Conference will meet in Portland, Oregon. An equal number of lay and clergy delegates from each Annual conference will make up the more than 800 voting delegates that will decide how United Methodists will live and work missionally for the next four years. They will take up the many petitions to the General Conference on a wide variety of topics. To be sure there will be many petitions on human sexuality, marriage and pastoral ministry. Please pray not only for the delegates from West Ohio but all the delegates. Pray for the missional work of the General Conference. Engage the process by submitting petitions if you feel led to do so. In the meantime let us not be demure in pursuing the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, of loving without reserve every child of God and embodying beloved community. Yours through Jesus Christ, Gregory V. Palmer Resident Bishop, Ohio West Area

3 2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT Clergy and lay members from across the West Ohio Conference convened at Lakeside Chautauqua on the shores of Lake Erie for the 46th session of the West Ohio Annual Conference, held Sunday, June 7 through Wednesday, June 10, This year continues the theme Becoming the Beloved Community: Taken, Blessed, Broken, and Given, using the word Broken to shape the direction of this year s Annual Conference session. During the 3-day session, the members of the West Ohio Annual Conference tended to the business of the annual conference, voted on recommendations and reports, elected a General and Jurisdictional Conference delegation, worshipped, sang and celebrated the mission and ministry of our West Ohio United Methodist congregations. Highlights of note for the week included the Celebration of Ministry Service, Memorial Service, Retirement Service, and reaching the $3.5M goal for Imagine No Malaria. During his Episcopal Address, Bishop Palmer began by reminding the members of the annual conference of the 5 "asks" from his 2014 address and praising the year's accomplishments. The world is hungry for the living bread, said the Bishop. He challenged each of West Ohio s districts to engage in eight bold new ideas that the individual local church has not done before throughout the coming year. The Bishop also called members into a season of prayer and weekly fasting for the 2016 General Conference. Prior to adjournment, the Bishop fixed appointments and commissioned newly elected delegates asking members to pray over them and the work they will do on behalf of the annual conference and denomination. Tired from a long week of important business, members slowly made their way out of Hoover Auditorium to travel back home. While the sessions this year were long, the unity of the annual conference continued to be evident. Through the leadership of Bishop Palmer, both lay and clergy members were blessed with direction and care. May we continue to bless others with the same as we travel together in challenging theological times. RESULTS OF VOTING 1.PASSED Recommendation #1 Council on Finance & Administration Recommendations Calendar Year 2016, 2016 Mission and Ministry Funding Plan (electronic vote) 2.PASSED Recommendation #2 Conference Center Building (electronic vote) 3.PASSED Recommendation #3 Recommendation to Sell Camp Asbury (electronic vote) 4.PASSED Recommendation #4 Commission on Equitable Compensation (electronic vote) 5.PASSED Recommendation # Board of Pension and Health Benefits (electronic vote) Some editorial data provided to the body during the report. The Journal will reflect the updated version. (electronic vote) 6.PASSED Recommendation #6 Resolution For Review Of WOC Financial and Apportionment Strategies. Friendly amendment changed pg. 45 line 15 from "feasible" to "missionally beneficial." (electronic vote) 7.PASSED Recommendation #7 Petition to the 2016 General Conference of the UMC for a Study and Global Conversation about Marriage. (electronic vote) (Will be submitted to General Conference)

4 2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT RESULTS OF VOTING CONTINUED- 8.INDEFINITELY POSTPONED Recommendation #8 Petitioning the 2016 General Conference to Form a Task Force to Consider All Common Way Plans to Keep our Church United Despite Differences on Same Gender Marriage and Ordination Eligibility 9.PASSED AS PLURALITY BALLOT (electronic vote) (All will be submitted to General Conference) Recommendation #9 Resolutions Petitioning the 2016 General Conference Regarding Fossil Fuel Divestment; Petition for General Conference Regarding General Board of Pension and Health Benefit Investments PASSED Recommendation #10 Petition for General Conference Regarding a Change in The Book of Discipline PASSED Recommendation #11 Petition for General Conference Regarding a Change in The Book of Resolutions ~ ~ I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 On Sunday, June 7, 2015, we collect a special offering that wrapped up our Imagine sermon series. On that Sunday we asked you to imagine a world without malaria and you responded by giving $3,456 in a single offering! What a blessing!! That offering along with thousands of other offerings helped the West Ohio Conference to raise over $3.5 million to go towards the United Methodist Church s $75 million No More Malaria campaign. Today every 60 seconds one child dies from malaria but just 15 years ago two children died every 60 seconds. We are making substantial improvements and now with more treated mosquito nets, more clinics and more medicine we can Imagine No Malaria! Your donation of $3,456 translates to somewhere between lives saved!!! What an impact you are making for the Kingdom. Thank you for your generosity!!

5 SERVING SEGMENT This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:12 As I promised in my first segment, I have been learning more about the ways I can join you in the ministry of service. As is true with most things, once I earnestly sought the ways that I could serve, I found that there are boundless opportunities. It s also true, that as I am made aware of these serving opportunities, I see that I have rarely purposely extended myself to serve. I have tried to serve in the home and, until my recent retirement, at work. I will say that in those roles I have looked for ways to love and extend myself, but in other serving domains I have fallen woefully short. So this month, rather than tell myself how miserably I have failed to genuinely reach out, I have contemplated ways I could step up my serving walk. Located by the Information Desk in the Welcome Center are hard copies of ways to serve in the home, church, local area, and world (my girls will tell you I like that old fashion kind of information). In an effort to move forward with giving more of myself, I have decided each month to work my way through one serving opportunity for each category. So what follows are my new efforts at serving. First, Serving in the Home: I chose Ask for help when you need it, don t just expect it. That was easy! Secondly, Serving in the Church: I agreed to share my God moment during UMW Sunday. Thirdly, Serving in the Local Area: I participated in the Lung Run at Easton to support the daughter of a former colleague. Lastly, Serving in the World: I finalized plans to spend a week in Kentucky with the SOWER Project, helping build a home for a local resident (I have to admit this is a big step for me and I am feeling somewhat unsure as to what to expect). In telling you about these service projects I am certainly not trying to toot my own horn (after all, my service so far has involved asking, talking, walking and registering), but rather to show that I made an effort to be intentional about serving as I take on this new role in the church. I know that many of you have faithfully served in these areas as well. This congregation is so full of love, generosity, and Christ-like serving. From now on I want to fill this segment with your experiences. I encourage you again to share your stories so we can encourage one another to be the hands, mouth, and feet of Christ! Remember to contemplate the quote, What have I done to make a positive difference in the lives of others that I would not have done if it were not for my relationship to Christ? Opportunity to Serve Lifeline Christian Mission July 18 th, 10:00-2:00. A reminder that we will be going to their warehouse in Columbus to do a variety of jobs, appropriate for all ages and abilities (sorting and boxing clothing, shoes, food, etc.) We will meet in the church parking lot at 9:15 to carpool. Watch for the sign-up card in the church bulletin. The sign-up is limited to 30 and you can join us by checking ( ) the box on the Connection Card in the bulletin. Minda Taylor Lifeisgood030@yahoo.com

6 Youth Pastor Info Bill Weaver Ministry Newsletter Effectively inspire and equip students to develop a faith of their own JULY 2015 High School Youth Sundays 6:30-8:30pm Meet at the Church s Gym Open to 9 th 12 th grades *Not July 5 th * Middle School Youth Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm Meet at the Church s Gym Open to 6 th 8 th grades *Every Wednesday* July 6 th -10 th Vacation Bible School volunteer opportunities all week July 8 th Combo Night for 6 th -12 th graders July 11 th Youth Service Day: Ronald McDonald House 9:30am) July 18 th Church Service Day: Lifeline Mission 9am) August 16 th Combo Night for 6 th -12 th graders Week of August 23 rd Guardrails Message Series begins (move-up week) Sept. 19 th -20 th Pointfest at Cedar Point (park and concerts) PARENTS :30pm Meet at the Church s Gym Open to 6 th 12 th grades Time of Open Gym *July 24 th Only* On Tuesday, May 19 th, the church decided to purchase the house next to the Multi-Ministry Center (57 East North Market Street, Lithopolis) and dedicate the house to become the youth house. Over the summer, we will be preparing the house to be fully functional by August 16 th or no later than Sept. 6 th. Please be aware of work day opportunities and also opportunities to donate or purchase furnishings for the new house! We invite you to sign-up to receive a weekly sharing what we are teaching each week, what questions you can ask your child each week, and what will be taught the following week. To be put on this list, please send an to bill@lithopolisumc.org and put in the subject line list and then in the body part of the your name(s) and your child(ren) s name..

7 Rock City is going strong and growing weekly. The kids are having fun and getting strong biblical training. ANYONE is welcome to stop in and watch and listen any week it is a joy!! Rock City is for ages 4 through 5 th grades. We still have a need for Volunteers, 6 th grade and up, to help on Sunday mornings. We have many jobs and helping an hour or so a month is a great way to interact with these children. If you are interested or want more information contact Michelle Tichenor at or mtichenor2@gmail.com. It is never too late to volunteer and you will get a really nice t-shirt!! We are also in need of snacks, if you would like to help with these, let me know! THANK YOU to those you who have donated snacks! N RSERY NEWS We are being blessed with a large number of babies and toddlers. Please consider volunteering in there once every month or two. There is a sign up outside the nursery door or talk to Stacia, our nursery coordinator. Please take a moment and say Thank-you to our wonderful nursery staff and volunteers. They do an excellent job keeping our babies and toddlers happy and safe. If you would like to donate snacks to our nursery, they can use animal crackers, pretzels, cheerios and graham crackers. Reminder: Our Nursery is for babies & toddlers from birth until age 4. At age 4 they are welcome to join Rock City Kids Ministry. CHILDREN S COORDINATOR ASSISTANT If you are interested in working with Rock City Kids, we are hiring a part-time assistant. Contact Michelle Tichenor CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES DIRECTOR Michelle Tichenor mtichenor2@gmail.com (614) We sponsor a child in Haiti, Michelot. Please continue to send offerings with your child to help support Michelot. August, 19 th at 5:30 p.m. We will be doing some crafts from our upcoming VBS with all ages of children. No Community Dinner this month. See you August 19 th! HAITI

8 SAVE THE DATE! July 6 th July 10 th 9:30 a.m. Noon This year s theme is SonSparks Lab! We are looking for many volunteers, please sign up on the Connection Card, online at Lithopolisumc.org or see Michelle Tichenor for an application. The Information Desk can always help you out with this!! It is not too late to volunteer. C O L U M B U S COLUMBUS ZOO: ZOO AND AQUARIUM On Saturday, August 29 th the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church is sponsoring an event at the Columbus Zoo. The purpose is to honor the generosity of our children in the Imagine No Malaria campaign. Our VBS raised over $ for this last year. What s the cost? $5.00 each (West Ohio is covering the rest). Adults are also $5.00. What s included? Admissions, parking, animal demonstrations, buffet lunch at noon, $5.00 Zoo Cash for each child, caricature artists, face painters and handimals. YOU MUST BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE. Order forms will be at the INFORMATION DESK. Your orders must be received by July 31 st. ANY questions let me know. Michelle T

9 GROUPS GET CONNECTED LIFEgroups Interest Groups Fun Groups BETH MOORE BIBLE STUDY Children of the Day 9 Week Women s study begins July 14 th Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. Is family life a challenge? Is work driving you crazy? Do you know God has a purpose for your life, but you can't figure out what it is? Know that your circumstances are not coincidental. And God's timing is impeccable. Join Beth Moore on the Thessalonian shores as she walks you through the truth of each verse of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. In this study, you'll face crises, afflictions, relationships, doubts, concerns, and fears. Sign up on the Connection Card or call the office at

10 As summer is upon us, it can only mean one thing. The Trash & Treasure sale is not that far away. The United Methodist Women are requesting that you start or continue saving your treasures for donations to the sale. Besides your donations, volunteers (daytime and/or evening) are needed to make this a successful mission for our community. If you have large items that need to be picked up, want to volunteer or have questions, please contact Angie Rickly at (614) or arickly124@gmail.com. Our goal is to raise $7,000 for the Building Program of the Community Food Pantry. We will start collecting donations on Sunday, Aug. 2 nd at 1:00 pm to Wed., Aug. 5 th 7:00 pm in the Church Multi Ministry Center. The sale will be held on Friday, August 7 th and Saturday, August 8 th. The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program sponsored by The Upper Room of the United Methodist Church. It is a 72 hour spiritual renewal weekend that any person may attend through sponsorship by someone who has been on the walk. Our walks take place at Reynoldsburg UMC several times a year. It strives to provide persons who attend with the opportunity to become more intentional and fruitful in their spiritual walk and to become better able to share the Good News. The next Men s Walk will be July 9 th - 12 th The next Woman s Walk will be August 6 th - 9 th For more information check out the pamphlets in the welcome center or contact Chuck Miller, or chuck s ktm513@gmail.com or Lani Honesty at Compassionate Care Corner See, I am doing a new thing! I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 Our Compassionate Care Practice wants to help you make your way through the dessert! If you are going through a rough time and need resources or guidance, please let the office know and we will help in any way we can! Don t go through these hard times alone!! Lynn Whetstone has volunteered to head up the phone prayer chain so if you don t receive and would prefer to be called when people are in need of prayer, please let Shelly know or sign up on the Connection Card. Have a great July!! The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. John Pierpont Morgan Extravagant Generosity Kathy Spencer Shelly Horn, Administrative Assistant Kspencer88@att.net shelly@lithopolisumc.org (614) (614)

11 Lithopolis United Methodist Church Welcomes this year s New Members April 26 th, 2015 Jim & Dianne Myers Beatrice Wetherell May 3 rd, 2015 Nat Floyd Tara Floyd Pamela Harris Tammie Hart Tyler Hart Brian Malinowski Helen Marteney Barbara McKinley Bill McKinley Karen Morrison Eric Schwab Tanya Schwab Sheri Spelman Scott Spelman Brooke Spelman Cody Spelman Cory Spelman Nick Swisher Rachel Swisher

12 Extravagant Generosity The Heart for Giving Time and Talents How much of my time does God want? How much of my time do I want to give? Time is a gift from God and we get to decide how we want to use it, but do our priorities of time match what God has said in the Bible? First, "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, and soul." To love God deeply involves building a relationship with him. That can be a chunk of time. It could involve reading the bible to understand what he is all about, listening to him through prayer and meditation so he can bring more clarity to our understanding, and study and conversation with others to develop further clarity. Second, "and love your neighbor as yourself". Can we divide our neighbors into categories? God talks a lot about taking care of our family first, and I would believe that would include the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs; maybe others. Are the rest of the neighbors included next or do Christians come before non- Christians. Is this where we spread the gospel in our daily life? I don't have an answers for those, maybe you do, but I can see a chunk of time being use here. Third, what can I do with the body of believers to expand the gospel through the united efforts of the church? God gave you gifts/talents when you were born. It is usually something you do well and enjoy. Find the nitch where that can be used to further the church as the church furthers the kingdom. The key to how much time we give to God is dependent on our relationship with him. The better we know him, the more we'll see what he's done for us through his love and the more we'll love him. "We love him because he first loved us." Isn't generosity an outflow from our love?

13 LIFE EVENTS Baptisms Harper Caroline Heslep, daughter of Todd & Katy Heslep Bella Faith Tennant, daugher of Dan & Tamasha Tennant Charis Gabriel Tennant, son of Dan & Tamasha Tennant NOTE OF THANKS To Pastor Russ & The Congregation, We wish to express our deepest thanks for all the prayers during our son-in-laws illness and for the prayers, cards, etc. after his passing. They really helped to ease our pain. Sincerely, Bill & Patty Spires JULY S COMMUNINTY DINNER Cancelled. Please join us Wednesday, August 19 th at 5:30 p.m. as we resume our monthly community dinner. We encourage you to invite family, friends, and neighbors etc. to come for a time of food, fellowship and fun activities for kids! Donations for the meal are accepted but not expected. We are always in need of volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, the sign- up sheet is located on the bulletin board by the entrance doors. If you have any questions contact the office at

14 SCHEDULES FOR JULY /5 7/12 7/19 7/26 Acolytes 9am Tanner Swartz Eli Rickly Allison Snider Zach Warner Good Shepherd 9:00am Good Shepherd 10:15am Sharon Murphy David Plummer Jessie Mills Marlys Fergus Amy Mayne Cathy Burden Bob Jones Muriel Beers Greeters 9am Bruce & Bunny Palmer, Greg & Sandy Shafer Mike Smith & Cindy Wilson, Charles & Barbara Morrison Steve & Pam Schilling, Dennis Click, Carla Jacobs Mike Lehman, Sandi Ritchey, Dennis Click, Carla Jacobs Greeters 10:30am Well-Wishers 11:30am Guest Services 8:30am Aaron & Sam Farley Aaron & Sam Farley Jay & Jodi Brown Jay & Jodi Brown Brian Malinowski, Mike Loeffler Sandy Tootle, Kathy Spencer Brian Malinowski, Mike Loeffler Karen Tennant Bonnie Sallee Ty Hart, Rachel Swisher Cindy Wilson Bunny Palmer Ty Hart, Rachel Swisher Diane Price Bonnie Sallee Guest Services 10:00am Lynn Whetstone, Kathy Spencer, Noreen Mattei, Besty & Ryan Hess Marilyn & Ken Lysinger, Karen Tennant Cindy Wilson Bunny Palmer Shelley Gallion Janell Coffman Jodi Brown, John Cline Minda Taylor Holly & George Mattei Ushers 9:00am Jess Mills, Paul Speakman, David Smith, Mike Upperman Jess Mills, Paul Speakman, David Smith, Mike Upperman Jess Mills, Paul Speakman, David Smith, Mike Upperman Jess Mills, Paul Speakman, David Smith, Mike Upperman Ushers 10:30am Mike & Minda Taylor Jim & Muriel Beers Mike & Minda Taylor Jim & Muriel Beers Mike & Minda Taylor Jim & Muriel Beers Mike & Minda Taylor Jim & Muriel Beers NURSERY ATTENDANTS - Lisa Hovendick, Jan Jones, Stephanie Lysinger, Brenda Perry, April Totten, Kris Creviston, Kristy Lilley, Mary West and Brenda Fisher are our regular Nursery Attendants. Stacia Nepa is our Nursery Coordinator. They rotate Sundays and special events so that our children always recognize a face in the nursery.

15 LUMC Attendance & Financial Giving Information for June 2015 Combined Attendance 6/7 6/14 6/21 6/28 Worship Our Gifts Capital Funds $3,728 $3,124 $2,433 $1,577 General Contributions $10,103 $12,807 $6, $7,672 LITHOPOLIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM PASTORAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Russ Tichenor Pastor PastorRuss@lithopolisumc.org Carl Spencer Administrative Lay Pastor Carl@lithopolisumc.org Bill Weaver Director of Youth Ministries Bill@lithopoilsumc.org Ken Marckel Minister of Visitation bbbc2937@gmail.com Michelle Tichenor Director of Children and Family Ministries Mtichenor2@gmail.com Stacia Nepa Nursery Coordinator Stacia@lithopolisumc.org Collins Cranmer Contemporary Service Worship Leader Collins.Cranmer@igelco.ocm Joe Carter Technology Coordinator Jcarter183@gmail.com Amy Bratton Treasurer Amy@lithopolisumc.org Shelly Horn Administrative Assistant Shelly@lithopolisumc.org Kimberly Weaver Connections Coordinator Kimberly@lithopolisumc.org Pam Sprang Parish Nurse Pasprang06@hotmail.com Pastoral Care & Counseling Needs Pastor Russ Tichenor or Bill Weaver * pastorruss@lithopolisumc.org * bill@lithopolisumc.org Licensed Professional Christian Counseling Always Hope Counseling, LLC Kathy Spencer, MA, PC * alwayshopecounseling123@gmail.com (Fee based on ability to pay)

16 Inviting people to be in relationship with Jesus and each other so lives and communities are changed Lithopolis United Methodist Church 80 N. Market St., P.O. Box 42 Lithopolis, OH Phone: Fax: Find us on Facebook: Lithopolis United Methodist Church Follow us on Twitter: LithopolisUMC Website: THE LITHOPOLIS LINK Linking Church and Home JULY 2015