THE JOHN WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. August, 2018 MISSION STAFF

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1 THE JOHN WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MISSION We, as individuals and as a congregation empowered by the Holy Spirit, strive to serve God by walking with Christ to reach the individual, touch the community, and serve the world. John Wesley United Methodist Church 1927 West Kemper Road Cincinnati, Ohio Phone: (513) Fax: (513) Website: address: info@jwumc.com Worship Services: 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. SUNDAY MORNINGS Sunday School: All ages 10:30 a.m. Children s Church: 9:30 and 11:30.m. August, 2018 STAFF Pastor RJ Davis PastorRJ@jwumc.com Youth Pastor Derek Smith pastorderek@jwumc.com Certified Lay Minister Dave Conaway Dave@jwumc.com Office Mgr. Christie Riggsby christie@jwumc.com Office Associate Pim Kremer pim@jwumc.com Worship/Communications Coordinator Diana Davis diana@jwumc.com Director of Children s Ministry Lee Ann Hieber childrensministry@jwumc.com Handbell/Chancel Choir Director Joanna Duhaime jiduhaime@gmail.com Organist Sam Melson Accompanist Tisha Patton Worship Band Director Robb Horton robbhorton1@gmail.com E.L.C. Admin. Beth Hoendorf beth@jwumc.com Have you ever wished that you had a better understanding of what you read when you read the Bible? If that is you then you will want to take advantage of a Dig Deep class. This 5 to 6-hour class will give you a solid foundation for deepening your understanding of God s Word. The class teaches you some methods that will open to you the wonderful treasures found in scripture that have the potential to transform your life. You will also be introduced to numerous study aides and will be given an opportunity to do some hands-on group study that will help cement your learning for the day. Dig Deep will be held on Saturday, August 11 th, beginning at 9 AM. Please Pastor RJ at pastorrj@jwumc.com or call the church office at to make your reservation. Reservations are required and must be made by Wednesday, August 8 th. Bring a sack lunch, your favorite writing utensil, and a rested and ready mind and you are set for a morning of learning that will pay dividends in your life for years to come. Messenger Issn July 27, 2018 Published Monthly by John Wesley UMC Issue #226 Newsletter articles and photos due by 12:00 noon on the third Thursday of the month to: messenger@jwumc.com. 1

2 During the month of August, we are continuing our summer preaching series: The Games People Play. We are using some of the games that many of us have in our homes, games that we grew up playing, to help us find ways to deepen our relationship with God. Sometimes it will simply be the name of the game that contains the lesson for us. Sometimes it will be the way the game is played. There will be some for which both are true. A unique piece of our series this year is that it is a collaborative preaching effort between myself, our Certified Lay Minister, Dave Conaway, our Youth Pastor, Derek Smith, and one of our certified Lay Servants, Nancy Barker. The games we have talked about so far are UNO, Clue, Solitaire, Sorry!, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Aggravation, Twister and Jenga. As we begin the month of August we will turn our focus toward the game of Dominoes. The game of Dominoes is a tile game and the earliest form of game tiles were found in the possessions of a Chinese soldier named Hung Ming who lived from CE. One source says that the game of Dominoes was developed in 1120 CE, while others say that date refers to the standardization of the game not its inception. The game was introduced to Europe in Italy in the 18 th century. There is debate over whether the European tile set came from China to Europe or was invented independently. Playing the game is pretty simple. From the hand of tiles (bones) you drew at the beginning of the game you play a domino end to end on any previously played domino that matches the number of dots (pips) on one end of your tile. Other than the six double tiles all other tiles have non-matching ends. We will use this this game to remind us of how the early church began to spread beyond Israel. On week 2 we will use the game Connect Four. Connect Four, a 2 player connection game, was first sold by Milton Bradley in 1974 and involves each player dropping red or black discs into a vertical grid. The first player to connect 4 of their color in a row, vertically, horizontally or diagonally, while trying to block their opponent from doing the same, wins the game. We will use this game to illustrate how we go through life trying to make the right connections, but in the end the only connections that matter are the ones that keep us in relationship with God, the church and each other. Week three of August finds us using the game, Risk to answer the question, Does God mean what he says? Risk was created by a French film director in 1957 and released as Conquest of the World. Parker Brothers purchased it in 1959 re-releasing it under the name Risk and today it is one of the most popular board games in History. It is a game of strategy, diplomacy, conflict and conquest, a game where alliances are built and also dissolved. The goal is to occupy all territory on the board by eliminating the other players. We will use this game to show that God can be trusted to honor the alliance he makes with us; that his strategy is the only clear one; that he truly wants to occupy all of the territory of our hearts and lives, not destroy, but fill us with his love. Finally in week four you will hear the message, Life: Living a Life That Matters, based on the popular board game, Life. This game was originally created in 1860 by Milton Bradley as the Checkered Game of Life. On its 100 th anniversary in 1960 it was modernized and introduced as The Game of Life. This game simulates a person s life as they travel through life from college to retirement, jobs worked, marriage and possibly children along the way. Just as in the game of Life, there is a Day of Reckoning coming in which we will all be judged according to the way and for whom we have lived our lives. We will use this game to illustrate what living a life that matters looks like and to whom it matters. We hope that you are enjoying this summer series and will continue to join us in our endeavors to reach, touch and serve. RJ and Dave 2

3 Christians Growing in Grace Thoughts from Romans 8:1-17: [God] has breathed his Spirit into our hearts - life-giving, heart- changing, sin-killing, joy-bringing. I know him as my generous Abba and myself as one of his beloved children, an heir of God and a fellow heir of Christ. - Bill Brownson We are currently seeking interested individuals for our Director of Children s Ministry. Lee Ann Hieber is stepping down and moving away next year. This is a part time position. If you are interested contact Andy Shreve at (513) or anshreve@gmail.com by Friday, August 24, I simply cannot express in words just how thankful I am for my church family. You have been there for me throughout my journey with my sister Lorraine, through prayer, support, and loving kindness toward both of us. But your being there for us during the 5 weeks that she was nearing and at the end of her life was nothing short of phenomenal. Special thanks are extended for all the prayers that were said, the daily visits to Lorraine s hospital and hospice room from one or more people from the church, Pastor RJ and Diana traveling to far Eastern KY to support the family and lead the funeral service, which was awesome. And the cards I ve received from so many people afterward. You have been God s hands to Lorraine and now to me and my family. Thank you so very much. Wanda Parrott and family Did you know that we are coming up on the Jubilee 50th Anniversary of John Wesley United Methodist Church? A small group has begun planning for a year of celebratory events, beginning with the 50th anniversary of our first service (Fall 2019) and culminating with the 50th anniversary of our consecration (May 2020). We'd like to involve our current and past members in both the planning and many activities. How can you help? If you would like to be involved with the planning committee, contact Steve Cammarn (stevecammarn@gmail.com, ); If you have ideas or proposals for events, feel free to contact Steve; Finally, we'd like to invite past members to the many activities planned. However, we may not have current contact information for past members -- but perhaps you do! Please send these to Steve at stevecammarn@gmail.com. 3

4 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED S.O.U.L. PANTRY CLEANING AUGUST 11TH Since S.O.U.L. has no paid staff, member churches take turns cleaning the pantry once a month. It's our turn on August 11. We meet there at 10:00 or carpool from church. With 5 or 6 volunteers, we can be done in a couple of hours. Mark your calendar, and let Cheryl Harper know if you can help out - sharper44@fuse.net or Thanks!! A HUGE THANK YOU FROM S.O.U.L.!!! Thank you to everyone who donated school supplies for the families in our community. That was a huge help to the budget for each of these families. We all know how exciting it is for kids to get that new box of crayons, needed backpack, etc. You helped put lots of smiles on little (and big) kids' faces. Ordinary income at six months show us with $236, which is 44% of the projected income for the year; so the financial gurus who put together our budget figures last winter were just a little short in their projections. Ordinary expenses at six months were at $263,514.15, which is 49.2% of the projected expenses for the year; so our committees have been quite good at holding down our ministry and maintenance costs. Capital expenses in 2018, which fall under the other expenses category for conference accounting purposes, were $ for the first half year (which is considerably less than in previous years when we funded some major projects). This year s capital expenses so far include the following: digital mixer for music, narthex furniture, garage wall shelves, and emergency lights over exits. Ordinary Income for June was $32,643.34, and ordinary expenses were $43,

5 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 Yes, it s that time of year when we start thinking about back-to-school shopping, getting ready for a new school year and Rally Day! This is when our 3 rd graders move up to the intermediate Sunday School class, Ignite, and our 5 th graders move to the Youth Sunday School class. This is also the day, September 9 this year, when we present Bibles to our 3 rd graders during worship. If you have a child who will be in 3 rd grade this year, please call the church office ( ) and give Christie your child s full name so that we can have a Bible inscribed and ready for him or her. The sooner you call the better! Thank you, Miss Lee Ann This Photo by Unknown Author is New Materials for Teachers & Learners The Church Library has a small set-aside budget each year for new reference materials. This year s allocation purchased a wonderful set of four Rose Bible Reference Books that will be of interest to all of us. Book pages may be copied by teachers for students in limited amounts for permanent use. Because Rose is a Baptist Publishing House, some of their theological views may differ slightly from Methodist ones, but most all of it s contents are significant for all. One book from this set was featured last month. It was Volume 2, Book of Bible Charts. This month s Feature is Then & Now Bible Maps with accompanying CD Rom. (The CD itself cannot be reproduced because of copyright laws.) See where Bible places are today via Bible Maps with clear plastic overlays of modern cities and countries. The CD contains a JPG of each map to use in your own Bible material as well as PDFs of each map & overlay to create your own handouts or PowerPoint programs. This book is located in Stack 5 near the window wall, on the Christian Education Shelf (Pink Label.) Come join the JW Men s Group! We meet on the first Saturday of the month. Join us for a study in room 8 at 8:00 AM followed by 9:00 AM breakfast at Frisch s on Hamilton Ave. Our new study is Made for a Miracle by Mike Slaughter. Call Bobby Woodward ( ) if you have questions. 5

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7 Devotions Along the Way By Gary Ward I first played golf in high school. No lessons - just grip it and rip at it golf. To say I was bad is an enormous understatement. But I persevered and kept playing into my 20 s right up to the day I threw a five-iron, which incidentally traveled much farther than the ball I d just hit! Forty years passed before I picked up another club. Golf, like life, isn t easy. I remember a scene from a movie made in the late 1930 s in which the comedian W.C. Fields is playing golf with the legendary Bobby Jones. Jones, who had perhaps the most beautiful swing in the history of the sport, effortlessly hits a laser off the tee, soaring high and deep down the center of the fairway. Fields, in his unmistakable vocal style says, Ah, yes. You get no credit for that shot. Anyone could play with a swing like that. Try playing with a swing like mine! Golf is a lot like life. And like life, golf has more than one set of rules, more than one way to play the game. I submit for your consideration the format for Scramble golf in which a group of 2-4 players each tee off. One of the shots will be the best of the group. The others retrieve their golf balls, place them in the general location of the golfer s ball with the best shot, and then they play on from there. This happens for each shot and each hole. I like this format! If golf is a metaphor for life, may I suggest that the Christian plays and walks the course with our Lord, Jesus Christ. In life, Jesus hit every fairway, every green, and sank every putt. In the scramble of life, Jesus was perfect on our behalf because He knew you and I wouldn t be. As followers of Christ we should always endeavor to walk in our Lord s footsteps. But metaphorically speaking, should you find yourself in the deep rough perhaps even the rough on the wrong fairway remember with Whom you are playing. Humbly seek His forgiveness, then pick up your ball, turn and go to where the Savior is waiting. His grace makes it possible to play on from there. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we re a free people free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. Ephesians 1:7 (The Message) 7

8 The smell of new crayons will soon be in the air as well as the excitement of finding bargains for school supplies it s time to gather supplies for Festival of Sharing! We have the privilege of putting together basic supplies for people who are in real need. Our gifts are shared with people in the United States and many places in the world. All supplies and completed kits need to be at the church by Sunday, September 9, 2018, by the end of the Sunday services. The smell of new crayons will soon be in the air as well as the excitement of finding bargains for school supplies it s time to gather supplies for Festival of Sharing! We have the privilege of putting together basic supplies for people who are in real need. Our gifts are shared with people in the United States and many places in the world. All supplies and completed kits need to be at the church by Sunday, September 9, 2018, by the end of the Sunday services. UMCOR is again requesting School and Hygiene kits that we have been gathering for many years. (We no longer assemble Layette or Refugee Kits.) Emergency Cleanup Buckets are in great demand following the devastating floods in too many of our communities each year. These are the items needed for each kit: Hygiene Kits: One hand towel measuring approximately 15" x 28" to 16 x 32 (no fingertip, bath, dish towel or microfiber) One washcloth One wide-tooth comb One finger nail or toenail clipper One bath size bar of soap in the original package One toothbrush (in the package) Ten standard size bandages Please do not add toothpaste to the kit. Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure. You may also choose to include an additional $2 to cover shipping expenses. School Kits: One pair of blunt scissors (rounded tip) Three 70-count spiral notebooks or notebooks totaling pages. (no loose-leaf or filler paper.) One 30-centimeter ruler (12") One hand-held pencil sharpener One large eraser Six unsharpened pencils with erasers One box of 24 crayons (only 24) You may choose to donate $3 to cover the cost of a fabric bag and shipping. MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEXT PAGE 8

9 Emergency Cleanup Buckets: One five-gallon bucket with resealable lid (if bucket has been used, clean well but do not use if it has held chemical of any kind) Four scouring pads Seven sponges, including one large One scrub brush Eighteen reusable, lightweight dry cleaning towels (e.g. Handi wipes) One 50 oz. or two 25 oz. bottle(s) of liquid laundry detergent One oz. bottle of liquid disinfectant dish soap One oz. bottle of household cleaner that can be mixed with water (no spray bottles) One package of clothespins Clothesline, two 50 ft. or one 100 ft. Five dust masks Two pairs of heady-duty waterproof dishwashing gloves (latex-free, non-surgical) One pair of work gloves (cotton with leather palm or all leather) heavy duty contractor type gallon trash bags on a roll and removed from carton One 6-9 oz. bottle of non-aerosol insect repellant. All cleaning items must be new and all liquid items must be capped and securely tightened. Place all items into the bucket, making sure they are packed securely to avoid damage during shipment. Snap the lid on tight and seal with packing tape. The processing fee for this kit is $3. We gratefully accept any items to make these kits and completed kits. As you purchase and pack these items, please visualize the person(s) receiving these very needed supplies and pray for the individual(s). Final Collection Date: Sunday, September 9,

10 The mission of The CREW, John Wesley s Student Ministry is to provide opportunities for youth to: know that they are accepted, grow in accepting Christ, and go and accept others. 1 st Timothy 4:12 Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. What is coming up in the Student Ministry Wednesday Night Youth Group We start at 6:30PM and wrap things up at 8:00PM. There is time for fellowship, worship, hearing the Word, and small groups to make it all connect to each student on a personal level. No Sunday School for the Summer Wednesday 10th - 11th - Back to School Lock IN Sunday 19th - Parent Pastor Meeting in room 6B 10:45 Sunday 26th - Sunday School begins 10

11 Questions and Answers What are Stephen Ministers? Stephen Ministers are laypeople who receive 50 hours of Christian caregiving training in their congregation and then provide one-to-one Christ-centered care to hurting people. Each Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week for about an hour. They also meet with their Stephen Leaders and fellow Stephen Ministers twice a month for ongoing support and continuing education. In what types of caregiving situations are Stephen Ministers used? Stephen Ministers are equipped to provide high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to individuals facing a variety of crises or life challenges people who are experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, financial difficulties, hospitalization, chronic illness, loss of a job, loneliness, a spiritual crisis, or other life struggles. Is Stephen Ministry only for John Wesley UMC Members? Stephen ministers can provide care to members and nonmembers. This makes Stephen Ministry a powerful resource to Reach, Touch and Serve beyond our walls. If you or someone you know needs this kind of Christ-Centered Care, contact Pastor RJ, Gary Ward or Susan DeNyse. 11

12 Birthdays 3 Lisa Benson 7 Darlene Cook, Amy Mackey 8 Leslie Stoelting, Samantha Tabor, Zoe Gravitt, Jane Murphy 9 Art Kuhn 10 Stefanie Williams 11 Brian Singson 12 Patrick Henebry, John Butts, Melissa Shreve 13 Caressa Poehlmann 14 Lynn Dixon 15 Gilbert Koch, Bo Gravitt, Dale Martin 19 Cheryl Borden 23 Kevin Puccini, Theresa Anderson 24 Larissa Waldorf 28 Gail Brannon, Ella Gravitt 29 Sheri McCoy 30 Bea Overgaard, Jessica McCoy Anniversaries 1 Mike & Marilyn Shultz, Josh & Laura Rinehart 10 Tom & Kim Robertson 11 Jim & Carolyn McCann 12 Harold & Sue Ann Kraus 13 Bill & Lee Ann Hieber, Scott & Amy Shreve 14 Tim & Kari Weidner 15 Steve & JoAnn Faig 16 Ray & Sue Bross 17 Don & Lila Butts, Devin & Brandy Patton 18 John & Missy Butts 20 J & Melissa Hamann 23 Mark & Donna Upton 26 Bruce & Sandy Hayes, Brian & Nikki Singson 31 Mark & Jenny Wulfhorst 12