The Messenger First United Methodist Church Newsletter 446 Camden Avenue, Moorestown, NJ

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1 First United Methodist Church Newsletter 446 Camden Avenue, Moorestown, NJ Rev. Stephen Donat, Pastor Rev. HeyYoung Horton, Associate Pastor Glenn Rodgers, Director of Music Karen Murray, Director of Christian Education Kathy Clawges, Director of Youth, Sr. High & College Sam Rotz, Director of Youth, Middle School Bonnee Noyes-Bongiorno Parish Nurse Devika Gill, Director of First Light Learning Center Join us for Worship - Saturday 5:30 pm, Sunday 8:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am Visit us on the Web at: -or- us at: church@meetwithgod.com NOVEMBER 2013 VETERAN'S APPRECIATION SERVICE Sunday, Nov. 10th beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. We invite all veterans, men and women presently serving in the armed forces, their families and friends to join us! Refreshments to follow in the Fellowship Hall. COVENANT WEEKEND November 23rd & 24th (all services) Please join us as we make our Personal Covenants with God, an expression of our plan for spiritual growth in the coming year. GROUNDS FOR GOOD COFFEE HOUSE Join us on Friday, November 1 in Fellowship Hall for another great evening of music, art, coffee and fellowship at Grounds for Good Coffee House. This month's featured musicians are Norm Dorrell and Colleen Farrell, who will play a variety of selections. Admission is free, but donations and proceeds from the sale of baked goods will benefit the Warrior Transition Unit. Doors open at 7:30, with music kicking off around 8. COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE Tuesday, November 26, 7:00 pm First Baptist Church 19 W. Main St., Moorestown CALENDAR OF EVENTS COMING IN DECEMBER - CHURCH-WIDE ADVENT STUDY/ SERMON SERIES Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam by James W. Moore To order your participant's guide, please contact Karen Murray, education@meetwithgod.com Page 1 Nov. 1st Nov. 3rd Nov. 3rd Nov. 6th Nov. 10th Nov. 11th Nov. 11th Nov. 12th Nov. 16th Nov. 16th Nov. 17th Nov Nov. 20th Nov. 21st Nov Nov. 26th Nov. 28th Nov. 29th Grounds for Good - 8:00-11:00 pm Daylight Saving Time ends All Saints Concert - 7:00 pm Sing-Along at Mt. Laurel Ctr. - 10:30 am Veteran's Service - 2:30 pm Chick-fil-A fundraiser - 5-8:30 pm Miriam Circle - 7:30 pm Acolytes - 6:00-7:00 pm Property Day - 8:00 am Adult Fellowship - 6:00 pm Men's Breakfast - 7:45 am Host IHN Internat'l Women's Friendship Grp-10am Evensong - 7:00-8:00 pm Covenant Weekend - all services Community Thanksgiving service-7:00pm Thanksgiving - 1st UMC dinner 3:30-6pm Church office closed

2 FROM PASTOR STEVE Human nature being what it is, there is always a fine line between a routine and a rut! Practices that were once begun with enthusiasm and a high level of commitment can erode over time, as we continue to do them, but with a slightly decreased intensity. Eventually, we may start to wonder why we're even bothering - and then, that's it. Or, we simply stop doing them, without ever actually making an active decision to do so. It just 'happens'. This sort of thing can happen to practically everything important in life to us - including very important things. From keeping a marriage or friendship vibrant, to saving money, to exercise, learning a new skill but perhaps especially to our spiritual commitments. In the Parable of the Soils, Jesus warned us about the variety of different ways that the Seed of God's Word in us can become unfruitful - the Enemy can grab it when it is still young and vulnerable, we can live on emotion (with no depth) so when trouble comes, we die, the 'thorns' of the cares of this world and the lure of wealth can simply choke it into submission (Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23). Thanksgiving to construct Personal Covenants with God. These are documents in which we carefully and prayerfully consider how we will respond to God's call in our lives in the coming year. In other words, how we intend to be followers of Jesus Christ in the following areas: our personal plan for Spiritual Growth, Service, Giving, and Community (i.e., who is walking with us in this journey?) The idea behind these covenants is that if we have no plan, no named destination, we can be certain that we are going to get there! (Nowhere!) These covenants are our personal road maps ( * they are not recorded, read, or tallied up by anyone but you and God). I've always believed that you take your commitments seriously, so this is our way of saying, God, I'm serious about my decision to follow you. With God's help, I will walk this way, and 2014 will be a year of prosperity in Christ. Let's pray together that this routine will not ever become a rut! Peace Pastor Steve The point of this parable is to call us to be diligent. To be aware that even this most important thing in our life can be diminished, even lost without constant attention. Two familiar words to us are drawn from the same root - Disciple and Discipline. And they are related in practice, as well - there is no discipleship without discipline. When Jesus calls us to 'follow him' and we say 'yes, Lord!' we enter a life of a constant struggle to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in order to keep our path steady. Because this life is a struggle! If there is any area in our lives that is vulnerable to fading due to a lack of attention, it is our spiritual life! I've seen this in my 34 years in ministry again and again. I've experienced it personally, as well. That is why for the past 10 years, we have taken time in all the worship services in the weekend before AN OPEN INVITATION TO THANKSGIVING DINNER As Thanksgiving draws near many of you will be busy making your plans. Some will travel away while others will be making arrangements for receiving loved ones. First United Methodist Church, Moorestown would like to celebrate this Thanksgiving with you. If you would like to join us for a community Thanksgiving celebration, you and your family are welcome! Dinner will be Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28th, from 3:30-6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. If you would like to be our guest, contact Pastor HeyYoung at by Nov. 27th. Share this welcome with others! Page 2

3 FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 Hungering and thirsting after the One who gave His life for us; isn't that a great picture? I know there have been times in my life where I have been very hungry and definitely thirsty and was extremely happy after those physical needs were satisfied, though as the scripture implies I was soon hungry again. Obviously Jesus is talking about a spiritual hunger, a spiritual thirst that ONLY He can satisfy. That leads to an obvious question; how do we TRULY satisfy the hunger and thirst that He is referring to? I believe the most obvious way is to be in a constant growing relationship with Him. We can do that by studying His Word, by being in Community, by intentional development of our Prayer life and certainly by attending Worship. These are all ways that our spiritual hunger and thirst will be satisfied but I'd like to add one more by stepping out in Faith. There is so much that can be gained by SHARING how Christ has changed you, how He revealed His desire for your life to you and how your faith has grown. We ALL have a story to tell. As you prepare for the next 'season' of the calendar year and perhaps the next 'season' of your life be reminded that your story may be the one that helps to bring someone closer to being 'satisfied'. However, you are NEVER truly satisfied unless you drink from the Fountain of Living Water and feast at His table. To God be the Glory! Karen Murray, DCE Just a Few Reminders Our Church Library is open Everyday during regular office hours and on Sundays. Come visit the Library, see our New Shelves & check-out a book, movie or CD. Our Thursday Youth Program is for children ages 5-6 th grade. All are welcome! The program includes dinner, choir & fellowship! The Sunday School Classes have plenty of room. Feel free to join one! Classes meet at 9:30 & 11:00. Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 3rd Remember to set your clocks back 1 hour before you go to bed on Nov. 2nd! MARK YOUR CALENDARS Fall Property Day is scheduled for Saturday, November 16th, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Come out to help beautify your church, and enjoy some fun and fellowship. Watch upcoming bulletins for more information. Page 3

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5 HELPING THE HUNGRY As the Holidays approach we are very busy shopping for gifts, cards, and food. Let us not forget the Food Pantries of Moorestown. Last year each pantry was serving thirty to forty families each month. As the year continued each pantry has seen an increase slowly rise. Some families have been able to manage on their own, but many have not been able to survive without the help they have received from St. Matthew' Lutheran's and Bethel AME's food pantries. These pantries can not survive without the help of First United Methodist, Hope, and Our Lady of Good Counsel. St. Matthew and Bethel count on First United Methodist to help to continue supporting hungry families. Some of these families do have jobs, but are making minimum wage, working part-time, or disabled. Most are receiving food stamps, which will be reduced by twenty percent this Fall, and another four billion reduction in funding for food stamps as of October 1st. To date St. Matthew fed one hundred and thirty-eight families in August. This is the highest number in their history. We can all help make the holidays just a little brighter with a can or two. If every member brings one can in November, we can reach out to the hurting world and make a difference. Thank you all for your support. Marilyn Arbittier Outreach Committee Co-Chair Deaths: Rev. William Moyer on October 13, 2013 OUR MISSION STATEMENT First United Methodist Church is a community of faith committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with a hurting world through words and actions. LIGHT HARBOR CHRISTMAS STOCKING Starting November 23, a Christmas stocking will be hanging in the narthex. Help share the joy of Christmas with residents at the Mt. Laurel Center for Rehab and Healthcare who have little or no family contact. Just remove the name tag with a gift suggestion from the stocking, write your name and phone number next to the person you selected on the sign-up sheet by the stocking, and have fun shopping. Please wrap your gift, attach the name tag you took from the stocking in a visible spot, and drop it off at church by Sunday, December 15. If you have questions, please call Margie Morgan at Please do not include anything else, like candy or lotions, in your present since some residents have food restrictions or may be confused and try to ingest the lotion. HELP FILL OUR MITTEN TREE 1st UMC will again be sponsoring a collection of gloves, mittens, hats & scarves to help those in need in our communities to stay warm this winter. Helping is easy! As you do your shopping this coming Christmas season, just pick up an extra item or two, and place your donations on the Mitten Tree found in the Sunday School lobby (by the elevator). Or, let your children pick out an item that they think a child their age would like, and hang it on the tree before Sunday School! And if you like to knit or crochet, hand-made items make wonderful donations. The Mitten Tree will be in the lobby beginning Nov. 23rd, and donations will be collected until Dec. 15th. All items will be donated to Emergency Services of Burlington County. Last year we collected 447 items! Please help us once again to help so many in this season of giving - if each of us makes a small donation, together we can make a big difference. Page 5

6 MUSIC NEWS A schedule is provided below for rehearsals in preparation for the Christmas Music Service on Sunday, December 15 at the 9:30 and 11:00 worship hours. You are welcome to come and sing in this service even though you may not currently be a member of one of the singing groups. Please, however, make an effort to be at as many rehearsals as possible. (The musical Fear Not by Rouse and Vader will not be the chosen music as previously announced. A collection of seasonal songs, carols, and anthems will form the program.) Here is the rehearsal schedule: Mondays, 7:45-8:15 pm, November 18, 25, December 2, 9 Thursdays, 8:00-8:45 pm, November 14, 21, December 5, 12 Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am, December 14 Glenn Rodgers, Director of Music The Practice of Gratitude Happy November! With the celebration of Thanksgiving this month, it seems like the topic of thankfulness is in everyone's heart and mind. Reading about gratitude, I came across this statement that really hit home: Gratitude is a continual celebration of life. It's easy for me to get so caught up in life's daily routine that the most beautiful moments can go by unnoticed, or at least unappreciated. When I stop, as I did during this reading, I began to think about some of the gratitudes in my life - they are endless. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name (Psalm 100:4). To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. (Thomas Merton - Thoughts on Solitude ) Remembering some of the challenges in life, then remembering the people who God put in my life to help with these challenges, clearly show that God is always there. I'm sure you all can think of at least one difficult situation that made you stronger. God's plan for us is evolving each day! May Thanksgiving Day be for you the start of an endless list of gratitudes. God bless you all. Kathy Appleton Associate Lay Leader THANKSGIVING FOOD COLLECTION The Outreach Committee is doing the Thanksgiving food collection a little differently this year, but we are still going to do it for the food pantries of the two churches in Moorestown - St. Matthew Lutheran and Bethel AME. We have decided to collect only food for a Thanksgiving dinner. A box should contain: 1 large box of stuffing mix 2 large jars of gravy 3 cans of vegetables 2 cans of cranberries 1 large box of instant potatoes or 2 large cans of sweet potatoes 2 large cans of fruit There is also a need for foil baking pans and gift cards for turkeys or hams from Shop Rite or Acme. If folks would rather make a monetary donation, please make checks payable to either St. Matthew Lutheran Church or Bethel AME Church, both in Moorestown. Donations of cash can be left in our Church office or given to Sharon Zollers. The food boxes will be collected in the Music foyer at First UMC through Nov. 10th and delivered to the two churches on Nov. 13th. The Outreach Committee wishes to thank everyone for their generosity in providing a holiday meal for those less fortunate in our neighborhoods. *Please note: First UMC and St. Matthew CANNOT store fresh vegetables or turkeys, and Bethel AME has a limited amount of space. If you have a turkey to donate, please call Bethel AME, Questions, call Sharon Zollers, , or Marilyn Arbitter, Page 6

7 MIRIAM CIRCLE Dear Friends, A NOTE OF THANKS The November meeting of Miriam Circle will be held on Nov. 11, at 7:30 pm in the Church parlor. Lucy Townsend will lead us in devotions. Shirland Daglian and Georgie Jenkins will be our hostesses. Janet Ash will lead us in our Pledge service and our commitments for the coming year. Ladies please come out and join us for an evening of Christian fellowship. MOORESTOWN CHURCH WOMEN UNITED TO CELEBRATE WORLD COMMUNITY November 1st Living in Community - Opening Doors of Opportunity will be the theme for the World Community Day gathering of Church Women United in the Moorestown area, with women of the Bethel A.M.E. Church presenting the program. The event will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 205 West Main Street, Moorestown, beginning with a continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and followed by the program at 10 a.m. The event is open to the community. ADULT FELLOWSHIP On Saturday, November 16th, Adult Fellowship will meet for their covered dish get-together. Our program will be the Cherry Hill West Jazz Band. We meet at 6:00 PM for socializing followed by our always delicious covered dish dinner at 6:45 PM. For reservations please call: Shirland & John Daglian, or Sherry & Jack Evans, Don't forget your place settings and a delicious covered dish. Come and enjoy a real good time. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, It is with a heart full of gratitude that we give our love and thanks to each of you for your expression of love and care, and the gift you shared with us a few weeks ago. Quite overwhelming and humbling. We will cherish the words, and the plaque, and tell of this amazing church in Moorestown, N.J. that ministers to the physical, and spiritual needs of the world in mighty ways and intimate ways. As we prepare for Ron's retirement in North Port, Fla., we owe who we are today to God's grace and love, but also to the amazing gifts and talents, opportunities and ministries given to us here at First United Methodist of Moorestown. How rich and blessed we are because of each of you and our pastors. Our friendships are rooted and grounded in the bond of God's love and will never be broken. We hope to see many of you on your visits to Florida, and a stay at our new home, where there will always be an open door, and open hearts for you. It will be a joy for us to share this new area with you, at the beginning of your trip to delight in the variety and beauty of God's handiwork, or the end for a bit of respite before you head north. We will be back for many visits here with family and friends, but in the meantime, God has invited us into this new chapter of our lives to continue serving Him as we share His love with a hurting world. We give thanks for all of you, and pray God's grace and blessings to continue to envelope FUMC as you shine your light for Jesus. We look forward to hearing the good news about the ministries here at this community of faith that is committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with a hurting world through words and actions. Ron and I will be forwarding our new address and telephone number to the church office. Our love, grace and peace. Eucharisteo. Carol and Ron Griffith Page 7

8 NURSE NOTES Many of you may have seen the commercials on television and heard the stories of men and women who have had the shingles. As baby boomers age, shingles are becoming a topic of conversation and importance. Shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster, is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus, (VZV) the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has chickenpox and the illness has cleared, the virus remains dormant (inactive) in the nerve tissues of the body. When the immune system is compromised through physical or emotional stress, such as disease, drugs such as steroids or chemotherapy, the virus reactivates and causes shingles. The shingles virus is common in people 50 years of age or older, and 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Shingles often presents as a burning pain or tingling sensation. Others describe more intense neuralgic pain. The virus spreads along nerve fibers to a particular area of skin supplied by the nerve involved. After the initial pain, numbness or itch, the virus then presents as a blistering type of rash located on one side of the body. Typically shingles will last 2-4 weeks, but pain may last months or years after the rash has subsided. This type of pain is referred to as post herpetic neuralgia. During the course of the illness, shingles may cause interference with activities of daily living. Some of the TV commercials paint a picture of pain and the inability to perform common routines such as dancing, swimming, exercising, etc. Some people may feel depressed, or develop a loss of appetite leading to weight loss, inability to concentrate, and overall feeling of anxiety. There is a vaccine available to reduce the risk of shingles. Zostavax is a single dose vaccine recommended for those who have had chickenpox. The CDC recommends the vaccine for those 60 and older. There are contraindications for administration of the vaccine. Anyone with compromised medical health, weakened immune systems, allergies to components of the vaccine itself, allergies to the antibiotic Neomycin, pregnant women, those receiving chemo, radiation and other medical treatments, etc., should not receive the vaccine. As always, check with your primary care physician to discuss your health history and immunization recommendations. Side effects of the vaccine are similar to that of the flu vaccine. Most side effects of the vaccine are localized swelling, soreness, and redness at the injection site. If you would like to read more about the shingles virus and Zostavax, I highly recommend checking out the US Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. The CDC has valuable in-depth information regarding the shingles illness and vaccine. As always, develop a practice of writing down specific questions for your doctor and bring the list with you to your next visit. If you are approaching 50 years of age, make a point of asking about the shingles vaccine. Here's to your good health! Bonnee Noyes-Bongiorno, RN Parish Nurse Shingles is not passed from person to person. However, a person with shingles can transmit the Varicella-Zoster Virus to a person who has never had chickenpox. The person will develop chickenpox, not shingles. Page 8