FAIRFAX MESSENGER. Corner Professing or Confessing. Pastor s APRIL Fairfax United Methodist Church. - Rev. Roger Cary

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net Sunday Worship: Sunday School - 9:30 am Worship - 10:30 am Channel 61 Broadcast - Tues.

1 FAIRFAX MESSENGER APRIL 2012 Fairfax United Methodist Church 305 N. Broadway P.O. Box 318 Fairfax, MO Office Hours: 8:00 am 12:00 pm Mon Thurs Office: Fax: Website: Sunday Worship: Sunday School - 9:30 am Worship - 10:30 am Channel 61 Broadcast - Tues. 4:00 pm Wednesdays: Promise Keepers - 6:00 am Pastor Roger Cary Pastor s Hours: 8:00 am 12:00 pm Tues Thurs Fri & Sat: by appt Study: Cell: fairfaxumc@fairfaxmo.net Pastor s Corner Professing or Confessing As I write this I am reminded that this is intended for the month of April. The month begins with Palm/Passion Sunday on the same day as All Fool s Day. What a way to begin a month s journey. In many ways though, it is appropriate. All three of the monikers are in some way appropriate. Palm Sunday is often what people want to hear this coming week. Stories of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem are ones that make us feel good, satisfy our desire for lifting up a new King. What happens though is a stark reminder of All Fool s Day. People fell into this false sense of security as they believed this person Jesus had come to secure their release from Roman oppression by some divine force. Instead it would become a week in which Jesus saw his disciples and other followers desert him; the religious right have him arrested and tried in a kangaroo court, made fun of, beat with a whip until his flesh was hanging in shreds, and then finally nailed up on a cross like a common criminal and left to die. At this point your probably wondering how the title of this article relates to the words you have read. The majority of the people Jesus had walked among, had healed, and had taught, became professing Christians. What does that word really mean? According to Webster: pro fess verb \prə-ˈfes, prō-\ Definition of PROFESS transitive verb - Rev. Roger Cary 1: to receive formally into a religious community following a novitiate by acceptance of the required vows 2a : to declare or admit openly or freely : affirm b : to declare in words or appearances only : pretend, claim These are the first two definitions we are given when we look up this world. I am struck by the fact that both of these remove the inward activity of being truthful with our self. Confessing on the other hand, is inwardly centered. Again, according to Webster: 1: to tell or make known (as something wrong or damaging to oneself) : admit <he confessed his guilt> Continued on page 2

Continued from page 1 2a : to acknowledge (sin) to God or to a priest b : to receive the confession of (a penitent) 3: to declare faith in or adherence to : profess 4: to give evidence of Many people

Professing that Jesus was the messiah was a simple matter of saying, I believe or I am a follower of Jesus. Action was often only in words.

2 Continued from page 1 2a : to acknowledge (sin) to God or to a priest b : to receive the confession of (a penitent) 3: to declare faith in or adherence to : profess 4: to give evidence of Many people were professing members of Jesus entourage but few were confessing members of that group. Even the disciples were professing and not confessing at Jesus arrest. Professing that Jesus was the messiah was a simple matter of saying, I believe or I am a follower of Jesus. Action was often only in words. Peter became the first confessing member of the disciples when we hear about his acknowledgement of his failure in Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:72, and Luke 22:62. (John s gospel records that Peter denied Jesus three times but makes no mention of his weeping.) Later the Apostle Paul (formerly known as the Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus) would proclaim the death of Jesus Christ over and over in his writings and letters to the many churches he founded or helped found. In 1 Corinthians 1:23, Paul is writing to the church at Corinth, a church in turmoil and at odds with each other, and gives them this piece of advice, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. For Paul, preaching Christ crucified was a confessional activity. In reminding others of the death of Christ and the forgiveness of sin, Paul was reminding himself of his own past and how he had been one of those who had caused the suffering and death not only of Jesus, but later Stephen. For Peter, this weeping and confession would continue until his death on a cross also. It is said that even as he was placed on the cross he asked to be placed upside down as he was still not worthy to die the death his Savior had. Paul is said to have run to the chopping block to be beheaded. Each of these confessed by giving their life just as Jesus had done for them. They were not professing Christians, instead they were confessing Christians ; Christians with so much passion they were willing to give their life to spread the message of the good news. As we enter April and the Palm/Passion story and then Resurrection Sunday (Easter) and throughout the rest of the month I would challenge each of you to spend time asking if you are a professing Christian or a confessing Christian? Amen. Common English Bible (CEB) Our Children will be singing on Palm Sunday April 1st Five volunteers traveled to Second Harvest Thursday, March 15th. Those helping to pack 50 food boxes for the elderly were: Pastor Cary, Roger and Suzanne Southard, Jeremy Pfaff, and Bob Sefrit.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be held this spring! May 21-25 from 5:00-8:00 pm. The Baptist Church is in charge this year and the theme will be "Babylon." Any volunteers are welcomed!

Our church will be in charge of providing a snack on Wednesday evening, May 23rd - if you would like to help with that, please let me know. Thanks, Beth Graves Volunteers needed for.

If you would like to learn more about it and/or be a volunteer, please join us on Sunday, April 15th at 3:00 in the Conference Room at the church.

3 Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be held this spring! May from 5:00-8:00 pm. The Baptist Church is in charge this year and the theme will be "Babylon." Any volunteers are welcomed! Please contact Beth Graves if you are interested in helping one day or all of the days! Our church will be in charge of providing a snack on Wednesday evening, May 23rd - if you would like to help with that, please let me know. Thanks, Beth Graves Volunteers needed for... Pastor Roger will be instructing a group of volunteers who are interested in serving our Lord, our church, and community by taking communion to area shut-ins. If you would like to learn more about it and/or be a volunteer, please join us on Sunday, April 15th at 3:00 in the Conference Room at the church. We will organize groups and the particular Sundays you would be responsible for. We hope you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to touch the lives of others for Christ! Helping Hands of Friendship Have a project that you cannot, or should not, do yourself? The Fairfax United Methodist Church would like to extend a hand of friendship by helping members of the Fairfax Community who might need some help with a small project! Please call the Methodist church office ( ) and give a brief description of the job/jobs you need completed, your name and address, and phone number and someone will call you back to discuss details and let you know if it s a project that our team can successfully handle.

New Addition There is a new addition to our technology center at the back of the sanctuary.

If you see Jim, please be sure to thank him in person!

Lauren Oxendine, Lumbee, Robeson County, N.C. Spiritual Connections is a youth-mentoring project of the faith-based Sacred Pathways Inc. in Robeson County, N.C., that provides food and other basic needs to low-income people.

4 New Addition There is a new addition to our technology center at the back of the sanctuary. Jim Powell, a member of the Westboro United Methodist Church made the "cross and flame" symbol to decorate the front of it. He did a great job and we appreciate him sharing his time and gifts with us. If you see Jim, please be sure to thank him in person! Native American Ministries I want to broaden my horizons, share my culture and all that I ve learned, and try to show people there can be a better life for everybody. Lauren Oxendine, Lumbee, Robeson County, N.C. Spiritual Connections is a youth-mentoring project of the faith-based Sacred Pathways Inc. in Robeson County, N.C., that provides food and other basic needs to low-income people. While its roots are among the Lumbee people, the project is racially diverse, like the county it serves. Supported by United Methodists through the Native American Ministries Sunday offering, Sacred Pathways counsels and nurtures young people, teaching them to work cross-culturally to improve their lives and their communities. That includes seeking answers to widespread poverty and decreasing numbers of school dropouts, teen pregnancies and gangs. Members of the interracial Youth Leadership Cabinet, drawn from area high schools, learn critical thinking skills, team building, self-esteem and personal goal setting. They also learn to respond creatively to concerns such as saving the environment and fighting global hunger and homelessness. This program taught me so much that I will take with me wherever I go, says Lauren Oxendine, 19, who made new friends and discovered a passion for community service as a cabinet member. I want to broaden my horizons, share my culture and all that I ve learned, and try to show people there can be a better life for everybody. Your gifts on Native American Ministries Sunday fund ministries that pave the way for those who aspire to serve Christ s church by making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Because of your generosity, young people like Lauren discover a world worth saving, congregations become stronger, seminarians prepare to serve, and communities are transformed. Please give generously on Sunday, April 22nd when we will be celebrating this Special Sunday. We have included an envelope with this Newsletter for you to use for your donation. Please either bring the envelope with you on March 18th or mail to the church office at Fairfax UMC, PO Box 318, Fairfax, MO

5 Stewardship: Receipts for March 1-27, 2012: Offerings: First 2, Attendance: 58 Second Third 1, Fourth 2, Fifth Total Offerings: 6, Received Received This Month To Date Altar Flowers Building Use Bulletins Donations for Events Festival of Sharing Food Pantry Human Relations Misc. Income One Great Hour of Sharing Peace with Justice Special Offerings-Other Sunday School UMCOR Web Site World Communion TOTAL BUDGETED General Account: Received to Date Total Income: 26, Needed to Date Total Income: 13 wks of budget for , Scholarship Meeting Tuesday, April 10th at 7:00 pm we will be having a meeting to discuss what scholarships may be given out this year and to verify guidelines etc. This meeting involves the Ad Council Chair, Trustee Chair, and Nurture Chair. Plus, we would like anyone who has had past experience with the scholarships to join us as we need to come up with guidelines for our process. Serving our church in April will be: Ushers: Mark & Debbie Sly Acolyte: Braden Graves Communion Steward: Jayne Martin and Lois Wiley Flowers: Esther Southard in memory of loved ones Lay Reader: DeAnna Coggin Bulletins: Apr 1 - Roger & Suzanne Southard in memory of Phil Southard Apr 8 - Roger & Suzanne Southard in memory of Lauren Southard Apr 15 - John & Sandy Burke in memory of loved ones Apr 22 - Esther Southard in memory of Doyle Southard Apr 29 - Nancy Gaines Web Site Sponsor: Bob and Amy Sefrit The Ministry team will be meeting on Thursday, April 5th at 9:00 am at the church to distribute small bags of jelly beans and a special message to the workers and patients at Community Hospital-Fairfax and the nursing home in Tarkio. We would welcome anyone who would like to come and join in this Jelly Bean Ministry! Sign Up Sheets We still need: Oct. and Nov. for Website Sponsors; May and July for Acolyte; May through Nov. for Communion Stewards; Aug through Dec. for Lay Reader; and weekly bulletin sponsors throughout the rest of the year (that sheet is still by west doors). Please call the church office if you can sign up for any of these last openings!

6 Thank You Office Closed Monday, April 2nd UMW E.E. Meeting Wednesday, April 11th at 6:30 pm UMM Meeting Wednesday, April 25th at 6:00 pm The family of Doris Taylor would like to thank our wonderful church family for the many ways you have cared for us throughout her sickness and at the time of her passing. The thoughts and prayers were very comforting to all of us. We appreciate the cards, food, plants, memorials, and every act of kindness shown to us. A special thank you to Pastor Roger for his comforting words and to the UMW for the delicious luncheon. April Birthdays Amy Sefrit 04/02 Tracy Barnes 04/04 John Gilbert 04/04 Dale Kemerling 04/04 Josh Oswald 04/07 Markus Shepard 04/07 Elizabeth Martin 04/09 Ashley Oelze 04/10 Bill Hecker 04/10 Ryan Hopkins 04/13 Sandy Burke 04/16 Mendy Houghton 04/17 Nevaeh Pruett 04/18 Rusty Pruett 04/22 Jayne Martin 04/24 Ellen Simpson 04/28 Gale Ball 04/30 April Anniversaries Danny & Alice Kemerling 04/12 Roger & Julie Cary 04/17 If you or your loved ones are not on the list, contact the church office: umc@fairfaxmo.net or with your info and we will get our records updated. Thank You to everyone who contributed to our Spring Forward Bake Sale on March 11! We raised $406 towards church camp. HOTLINES: Child Abuse and Neglect Elderly Abuse and Neglect Gambling Addiction BETSOFF ( ) Mental Health Crisis Line Missouri School Violence Poison Control Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Suicide Prevention Lifeline TALK ( )

7 United Methodist Women Our UMW group is having their Spring Brunch Thursday, April 12th at 10:00 am. We will be having a guest speaker. Meditating on the events of Jesus final days and his resurrection can be profound. The challenge for most of us is shutting out the noise and distractions of everyday life long enough to quiet our souls and listen to the Spirit of God. We, at Fairfax United Methodist Church invite the community to experience the stations of the cross from April 1 - April 6, This journey will be available: Sunday evening from 6 pm through 8 pm; Tuesday from 9 am through 12 pm; Wednesday 9 am to 5 pm; Thursday from 9 am through 12 pm; Friday 1 pm through 6 pm. (The church will be dark at this point). This is an interactive journey through various stations that will aid in your faith journey as we prepare for Resurrection Sunday (Easter). There are 13 stations; each with their own specific set of experience instructions. Members of various faiths will be available to listen and help you connect should you desire it. If you have any questions feel free to contact Charla ; Pastor ; or Darla-Church

8 TEEN BE-ATTITUDES BE humble enough to realize you still have a lot to learn BE ambitious enough to know you can be anything you want to be. BE easy enough on yourself to enjoy, to laugh, to have fun. BE mature enough to take responsibility for what you do. BE confident enough to see that who you are inside is more important than how you look outside. BE proud enough to take care of your body, your mind, and your spirit. BE wise enough to choose your friends carefully. BE absolutely sure that, wherever you go, whatever you do, YOU ARE LOVED.

9 April 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Passion/Palm Sunday Stations of the Cross: 6:00-8:00pm Liturgy of the Palms: Mark 11:1-11 Psalm 118:1-2 Liturgy of the Passion: Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15: Easter Day Community Sunrise Service: Presbyterian Church FUMC Easter Worship: 10:30am Pleasant View Worship Service: 3:30pm 15 Volunteer Meeting: 3:00pm Acts 4:32-35 Psalm John 1:1-2:2 John 20: Native American Ministries Sunday (offering) Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48 Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10: Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, Corinthians 15:1-11 John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8 Stations of the Cross: 9:00am-12:00pm Scholarship Meeting: 7pm Deadline for May Newsletter 4 Promise Keepers: 6:00am God Squad: 3:10-5:00pm Stations of the Cross: 9:00am-5:00pm 11 Promise Keepers: 6:00am UMW E.E.: 6:30pm Promise Keepers: 6:00am 25 Holy Week Promise Keepers: 6:00am UMM: 6:00pm Office Angels will be needed in the afternoon 5 Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday Worship: 7:00pm Stations of the Cross: 9:00am-12:00pm 12 UMW Spring Brunch: 10:00am Fairfax United Methodist Church PO Box 318, 305 N. Broadway, Fairfax, MO Pastor Roger Cary PO Box 308, Fairfax, MO Good Friday Community Good Friday Worship: Fairfax UMC Stations of the Cross: 1:00-6:00pm :00 am 12:00 pm Tues Thurs Fri-Sat by appointment (cell) fairfaxumc@fairfaxmo.net Office Hours 8:00 am 12:00 pm Mon Thurs umc@fairfaxmo.net Fax: Worship Schedule Sunday School: 9:30am Worship: 10:30am Channel 61: 4:00pm Tues Pastor s Hours

10 FAIRFAX MESSENGER APRIL 2012 Fairfax United Methodist Church 305 N. Broadway P.O. Box 318 Fairfax, MO Address Service Requested Fairfax, MO U.S. Postage Paid Non-Profit Org. Permit #10 EastEr HappEnings April 1st Palm Sunday April 1st 6th Children s Choir singing during our 10:30 am Worship Stations of the Cross (see article for times) April 5th Maundy Thursday FUMC Maundy Thursday Worship 7:00 pm April 6th Good Friday April 8th Easter Sunday Community Good Friday Service 12:00 pm here at the United Methodist Church Community Easter Sunrise Service 7:00 am at the Presbyterian Church Fairfax UMC Worship Service 10:30 am - Children will be playing bells Pleasant View Worship Service FUMC is scheduled to give the service at 3:30 pm

FAIRFAX MESSENGER. Corner. Pastor s JANUARY Fairfax United Methodist Church. - Rev. Roger Cary

FAIRFAX MESSENGER. Corner. Pastor s JANUARY Fairfax United Methodist Church. - Rev. Roger Cary FAIRFAX MESSENGER JANUARY 2013 Fairfax United Methodist Church 305 N. Broadway P.O. Box 318 Fairfax, MO. 64446 Office Hours: 8:00 am 12:00 pm Mon Thurs Office: 660-686-3314 Fax: 660-686-9505 Email: umc@fairfaxmo.net