First Connection. First United Methodist Church. July The monthly newsletter of

Transcription

1 First Connection The monthly newsletter of First United Methodist Church July 2016 First United Methodist Church 729 Central Avenue Connersville IN Church Phone: (765) Pastor Doug Barton Secretary: Bonnie Schultz Webmaster: Kevin Bastian Church web site:

2 Where Are We America? Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. I love our Nation and I am proud to be a Citizen of the United States of America. This Independence Day I want you to do two things: 1. Give thanks to God for our Country and the freedoms we enjoy and for all those men and women who served and those now serving to secure and protect our freedoms and safety. 2. Pray. Offer God a prayer of thanksgiving and plead for His divine mercy and guidance for the future of our Nation. May we live up to the phrase One Nation Under God. We need to seek God's guidance! Let me share with you some interesting and informative thoughts I have collect over the years. Thomas Jefferson said, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can liberty of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever." Here are some interesting definitions: Communism: You have 2 cows, the government takes 1 and gives you part of the milk. Socialism: You have 2 cows, the government takes 1 cow and gives it to your neighbor. Fascism: You have 2 cows, the government takes both and shoots you. Bureaucracy: You have 2 cows, the government takes both shoots one milks one and pours the milk down the drain. Capitalism:(Of course we understand this one) you have 2 cows you sell one, and buy a bull. Could the USA be headed down a path similar to that of ancient Rome? Five Reasons Rome Fell: 1. The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home. 2. Increasing taxes and spending of public money for bread and circuses. 3. The mad craze for pleasure, with sports becoming more exciting and more brutal. 4. The building of gigantic armaments, when the real enemy is the decadence of the people. 5. The decay of religion, with faith fading into mere form. Where do you think we are? The average age of the world s greatest nations has been 200 years, and those nations progressed through this sequence. From Bondage to Spiritual Faith From Spiritual Faith to Great Courage From Courage to Liberty From Liberty to Abundance From Abundance to Selfishness From Selfishness to Complacency From Complacency to Apathy From Apathy to Dependency From Dependency back again to bondage. (Alexander Fraser Tyler The Decline and fall of the Athenian Republic Complacency and Apathy also destroy Churches! In the 1830 s Alexis de Tocqueville toured America. When his tour had been completed, he made this observation (and I paraphrase): I have toured America, and I have seen most of what you offer. I ve seen the richness of the fields and the wealth of your mines. I ve seen your industrial might, the beauties of the rivers, the streams, the lakes, and the grandeur of the mountains. I ve noticed the abundance of the forests and the marvelous climate with which you are blessed. In none of these things did I see the cause for the greatness of America. It wasn t until I went into your churches that I saw the reason for America s greatness. America is great because America is good; and as long as America is good, America will be great. If it ever ceases to be good, it will cease to be great. Pray for our nation and for God to raise up godly men and women to lead us to once again be one nation under God. God Bless America Pastor Doug

3 CHURCH NEWS Electronic Giving We now have the capability of receiving your weekly, monthly or yearly giving through a service called Vanco Services, LLC. You can give through your own checking or savings account or by using your credit card. The process i simple, all you need to do is set up your own account and password on the link which is written below. There you will fill out your demographics as well as your bank or credit card information. You will be able to give once or on a regular schedule such as weekly, monthly, etc. Your own account information and record of giving is available to you at any time. You will designate how you want your giving directed such as general fund, mission fund, love offering, etc. when you give. This service is secure and guards your personal information. Remember that this method of giving is optional, just a handy way of giving especially when you are unable to be present in worship. It is available anywhere the internet is available. You may continue your giving in the same manner you do so now, either by placing it in the offering plate on Sunday or by bringing or mailing it to the office. Procedure: 1. Go to website <connersvillefirst.org> in your search engine or in the internet address bar. 2. If a list comes up click on First United Methodist Church Home- Welcome 3. From the menu on the right of the web opening page, click on links. 4. Click offering button, you should now have the on line giving page. 5. First create your own account and password, click create your own profile. 6. Enter your then create your password. 7. Click on continue and that will bring up the donation information page. 8. After you are satisfied with your entry, push process to complete the transaction. 9. You may revise this at any time after your account is created, including your personal information, banking information, your schedule of giving, amount of your offering or designated giving. To access your account enter your and password each time. If you have problems with this process, please talk to Kevin Bastian, Webmaster. Thank you, Bill Smith, Finance Chair ********************************************************** All Aboard the Glory Train! Plans are underway for Vacation Bible School! This year s theme is Glory Bound! Dates are July 7 th and July 8 th from 5:00 8:00 p.m. I could use as many helping hands as possible. The time to minister to young people is NOW! You can be a good example by just being present and willing to help! Please see Ava or Bonnie for more information. BLOCK PARTY: With emphasis on children/youth, there is a special event being planned, a Block Party, Taking our Neighborhoods Back! This event will be held Saturday, July 23 rd from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Free food, free clothing, games, music, and ministry. Special thanks to the FUMC Mission Team for their generous support in backing the Block Party! Please see the flyer posted on my office door and bulletin insert for more information. ***************************************************** MISSIONS July s giving is to Grace UMC. Items to donate are canned goods, & any non-perishable items. Please place your donation on the table at the back of the Sanctuary. Thank you for your generous donations to this, and all our Missions. ********************************************************* Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9 1

4 JULY BIRTHDAYS July 03 July 10 July 14 July 17 July 18 July 19 July 24 July 24 July 29 July 29 Christina Smith Jenny Coon Pastor Doug Barton Phil Greene Kevin Bastian Jim Wicker Larry Clawson Joe Wheeler Betty Riebsomer Pastor Dave Galbraith ******************************************************** JULY ANNIVERSARIES July 04 July 10 July 18 July 19 July 25 July 28 July 31 Sam & Cathy Harvey Dave & Marla Simpkins Joe & Bonnie Schultz Craig & Carol Howell Dick & Jean Swain Chris & Beth Ann Orth Gary & Gayle O Neal ***************************************************** IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING General Date Fund Missions Attend June 05 $ $ June 12 $ $ June 19 $ $ June 26 $ $ $ $ Total $32, ******************************************************** Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 UP BEAT POEMS BY A BEAT DOWN POET (IN LOVE WITH LIFE) By Shirley Stanley McCoy BE OR GOOD CHEER! The roses in our lifetime are God s blessings on the way, as we struggle with our living and we cope with each today Though sometimes we cannot see them for the tears that fill our eyes, a hope sustains us-they ll be there on morning s new sunrise Though troubles boom like thunder to bombard our hearts with fear, Jesus bids us NOT to be afraid, for He is always near To be with us and to guide us through life s ever stormy sea, aren t you glad we have a Savior who TRULY loves both you and me? ********************************************************** United Methodist Women Faith-Hope-Love in Action NO Susanna Circle in July: Next meeting August 16, 2016 Hostess TBA, watch bulletin Eve Circle: Thursday July 21, 6:30PM Helen Lawson, Hostess Devotions: Gayle Siebert Lesson: Jeanna Hushour 2

5 NO UNIT MEETING IN JULY NEXT MEETING IN October, TBA **************************************************************** Thank you to all for the get well and bereavement cards I have received. They are truly appreciated. Sylvia Gibson **************************************************************** CHILDREN/YOUTH MINISTRY All Aboard the Glory Train! Plans are underway for Vacation Bible School! This year s theme is Glory Bound! Dates are July 7 th and July 8 th from 5:00 8:00 p.m. I could use as many helping hands as possible. The time to minister to young people is NOW! You can be a good example by just being present and willing to help! Please see Ava or Bonnie for more information. Speaking of thanks, a huge THANK YOU from our Youth for supporting their parking lot sale. They were able to raise $ for missions! Not only did you support them with your donated items, so many of you helped with the sale and pricing of the items. That is team work and such a wonderful example for our kids! At Sunday School class the following morning, the kids commented that they didn t know how they could have done it all without your help! KIDS FOR CHRIST With emphasis on children/youth, there is a special event being planned; BLOCK PARTY, Taking our Neighborhoods Back! This event will be held Saturday, July 23 rd from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Free food, free clothing, games, music, and ministry. Special thanks to the FUMC Mission Team for their generous support in backing the Block Party! Please see the flyer posted on my office door for more information. ********************************************************** Little Jesus come to me, make a good child out of me. My heart is small, no room at all, except for thee, My little Jesus. Amen 3

6 PRAYER: The monthly newsletter and church website list all persons currently on the First Church prayer list. The Sunday worship bulletin lists names that were verbally submitted the previous Sunday, those turned in to the church office the ensuing week, and updates when there is new information. Please provide to the church office updated information concerning persons on the list whenever a change occurs in their circumstances. Prayers for: Fruitful Congregation Journey, All outreach missions of FUMC, upcoming elections We extend our sympathy to the families of: Patty Flowers, Jeff Councellor Charlene Crabtree & Lois Moore ***************************************************** You are encouraged to keep your own personal prayer log of everyone named in the bulletin and newsletter and pray for these persons daily. Melvin Alston, Kate McCollough s nephew, Chrone s disease Len & Marge Bastian, requests prayer Dennis Boughner, cancer returned, pray for recovery Mabel Brockley, doing better, at Arbor Trace Myrna Carlson, treating cancer, needs prayer Michael Faulk, still in treatment, doing better Sylvia Gibson, doing much better Barbara Good, cancer Nancy Harrell, cancer returned, pray for healing Ron Hockersmith, heart problems Craig & Carol Howell s son Charlie, health issues Darrell Maines, treatment for back Kate McCollough s co-worker, head injury Shirley McCoy, having good days Melvin & Jackie Meal, need prayer Karen Miles, upcoming surgery for knee replacement Michael Moore, heart procedure Opal Moore, cancer Jesse, Gretchen & Jasmine Rae, requests prayer Betty Riebsomer, moved into new apartment Steve Wicker, needs prayer Vicki Wieand, cancer Joe Wheeler, still have therapy for hand 4 New Additions to the Church Library Thank you to Carol Clawson for donating the following Joyce Meyer books to the library. Joyce is a popular Christian Women s author. Battlefield of the Mind; Winning the Battle in Your Mind. The Confident Woman; Devotional. I Dare You: Embrace Life with a Passion. Look Great Feel Great; 12 keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now. Seven Things That Steal Your Joy; Overcoming the Obstacles to Your Happiness. Start Your New Life Today; An Exciting New Beginning with God. These books can be found on the library desk in July, and afterwards in section 248. Dick

7 JULY, 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat OFFICE CLOSED OFFICE CLOSED 8 9 COMMUNION SUNDAY TRUSTEE MEETING 6:30PM VACATION BIBLE 5:00 8:00PM VACATION BIBLE 5:00-8:00PM INDEPENDENCE DAY OFFICE CLOSED WOMEN S BIBLE EVERY MONDAY 12:00 NOON NO SUSANNA CIRCLE OFFICE CLOSED FINANCE COMM MEETING 6:30PM EVE CIRCLE HELEN LAWSON HOSTESS 6:30PM BLOCK PARTY SETUP 8AM-1PM 2:00-7:00PM OFFICE CLOSED 29 OFFICE CLOSED 30 31