Praying Through The New Year

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Ronald Lane
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Praying Through The New Year Source: West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Greetings, Dear Ones in Christ Jesus: For several weeks I have been reading and praying through John Wesley s

It's the possibility of having nothing that jerks my chain. And yet this prayer invites me to see every aspect of my life through the lens of my relationship with God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Nowhere in Scripture are we told or led to believe that being a disciple of Jesus is like laying on a flowery bed of ease.

1 Praying Through The New Year Source: West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Greetings, Dear Ones in Christ Jesus: For several weeks I have been reading and praying through John Wesley s Covenant Prayer. It is a rich gift. It is also a hard prayer to pray. It sort of whiplashes me. I mean, who would not want to have all things? It's the possibility of having nothing that jerks my chain. And yet this prayer invites me to see every aspect of my life through the lens of my relationship with God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I belong to God, and for the sake of God s mission, will, and glory, I pray this prayer. Nowhere in Scripture are we told or led to believe that being a disciple of Jesus is like laying on a flowery bed of ease. You certainly cannot look at the life of Jesus of Nazareth, from its inconvenient and inconspicuous (to the world) beginnings, to its bloody end, and conclude that to follow him ensures comfort, convenience, or ease. However, one can be assured that a disciplined following of Jesus will allow alignment, purpose, mission, service, joy, and peace to flourish in our lives. So as a new calendar year unfurls, I choose to pray this prayer, and I invite us to pray it together. I have strong, clear memories of praying this prayer with the church as a part of Watch Night and New Year s Day services. I also recall that many times, neither I nor the community prayed it again until a year had rolled by. I hope that will not be my story in Praying the Covenant Prayer more frequently may not make it easier to pray, but it may add more depth, breadth, and nuance to the prayer. It may allow us to embrace the love, joy, and peace that we need and that the world craves. May it be so. HAPPY NEW YEAR! +Gregory V. Palmer John Wesley s Covenant Prayer I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, Exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it Leadership and Ministry Teams pg 3 Financial Letter pg 2 Children s Ministry Activities pg E. High St., Springfield OH (937) HighStreetUMC.com /HighStreetUMC

2 2017 Financial Challenge High Street is facing a difficult challenge in our finances for If we want to continue our current staffing and programing, we need to find significant additional funds for Our stewardship goal for pledged giving for 2017 is $290,000. This is the amount that will allow us to continue our current ministries without making cuts. As of December 28th, there are 15 pledging units who pledged in 2016 but who have not returned a 2017 stewardship form. This group of 15 pledged approximately $42,000 in So, in round numbers, as of December 28th, here is where we stand. Pledged for 2017 $181,000 Possible additional pledges (above) $ 42,000 Pledge Goal for 2017 $290,000 That leaves our potential deficit at anywhere from $67,000 to $109,000. We do not have any additional funds held in reserve to help meet this shortfall. We will obviously need to make very significant cuts in our spending unless this gap can be closed. There will be a Development Team working to raise funds to offset some of the deficit, but a further increase in pledged giving needs to be a part of the solution if we are to avoid cutting staff and programming. Here is what we are asking you to prayerfully consider: If you pledged in 2016 and haven t yet returned your 2017 stewardship form, please do so as soon as possible, and consider a generous increase in your pledge if possible. If you have already returned your 2017 stewardship form, thank you. In light of our deficit, please consider contacting the church office and increasing your pledge if you can. If you haven t pledged in either 2016 or 2017, please consider a pledge at this time. To meet the budget goal, we will need everyone to help. We need more pledges and if anyone can increase their giving that would be helpful. Anyone with development experience or contacts please contact the pastor. Continue to pray for God s breakthrough and commit to help anyway you can. Finance Team Children s Ministry Activities New Sunday School Class! On January 8, we will be launching a Middle School Sunday School class at 9:30, in the Carr Room. Our teacher is Lisa Ringwalt, and the class will be following the Middle School Deep Blue curriculum. ( Deep Blue is used in our Preschool through grade 5 classes.) If you know a Middle School (grade 6 8) student, please spread the word. Thank you, Lisa, for volunteering for this important ministry. Klinking for Kids. January 29 is a fifth Sunday and we will be klinking for kids. The purpose of our Klinking offering has shifted this year to be kid-focused. Money raised will be used to support various projects at Lagonda Elementary School, including KidsHope. Faith Friends reserve the date. Saturday February 11 will be our annual Faith Friends Valentine s Dinner Dance (aka pancake supper). More information will be forthcoming. 2 C e l e b r a t e N u r t u r e S e r v e

3 Leadership Council: January 2017 Chairperson Larry Taylor Lay Member of AC Bob Chapman Lay Leader Ryan Roosen UMW Representative Cathy Tuckerman Pastor Steven Fewell Ministry Team Chairs: Children s Discipleship Martha Crawmer Missions Cathy Tuckerman & Becky Bonerigo Communications Susan Roosen SPR Ruth Fischer Congregational Care Sharon Crews Trustees Bill Brougher Welcome Bonnie Pinkerman Worship Chris Moore Finance Rodney Engelbrecht Youth Discipleship Curt Hefner Prayer Bonnie Pinkerman Fellowships Bereavement: Sally Asper & Cathy Tuckerman s Congregational Meals: Theresa Carnes & Donna Myers s Sunday Mornings: Ruth Fischer & Becky Bonerigo Sanctuary Series: Becky Bonerigo & Janet James s Celebrations: Nancy Dietrich, Ann Bonar, Sally Moore Lay Leadership: Lay Leader: Ryan Roosen Pastor Steven Fewell, Chair Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Sharon Crews Linda Green Margaret Stupp Staff-Parish Relations: Lay Leader: Ryan Roosen Pastor Steven Fewell Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Susan Taylor Jerry Cubbage Janet James Jim Miller Ruth Fischer, Chair Ellen Stickney Adam Drain Lynda Gildea Steve Wilkins Trustees: Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Fred James Suzanne Binz Glenn Kaffenbarger Bill Brougher, Chair Bill Bonar Steve Harbaugh Al Stickney Susan Roosen Harold Crews Finance: Chairperson Rodney Engelbrecht Financial Secretary Marcia Lyons Pastor Steven Fewell Church Treasurer Roger Baker Leadership Council Chair Larry Taylor Assistant Treasurer Tom Sherwood Lay Leader Ryan Roosen UMW Representative Cathy Tuckerman Trustee Representative Al Stickney Investment Team Chair Al Stickney SPR Representative Lynda Gildea Member-at-Large Steve Wilkins 230 E. High St., Springfield OH (937) HighStreetUMC.com / HighStreetUMC 3

Beginning Sunday, January 8, 2017 Using stories and experience, Mark Batterson shares seven prayer circles that will help parents pray for their kids.

their child s life theme. Facilitated by Marcia Lyons. Source markbatterson.

and abuse it" ( 160) The Advent dinners at High Street were the green of the traditional red and green Christmas colors in December.

The response was positive and initiated interest and ideas on how to incorporate more earth sustainability practices at High Street.

In The February issue of High Notes we will highlight what has been done to the building in our cost saving/ environmental initiatives.

4 Beginning Sunday, January 8, 2017 Using stories and experience, Mark Batterson shares seven prayer circles that will help parents pray for their kids. In this book parents will learn how to: create prayer lists unique to the their family, claim Godinspired promises for their children, turn their family circle into a prayer circle, and discover their child s life theme. Facilitated by Marcia Lyons. Source markbatterson.com Environmental Justice for a Sustainable Future The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church remind us that "all creation is the Lord's, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it" ( 160) The Advent dinners at High Street were the green of the traditional red and green Christmas colors in December. Instead of using disposable plates and tableware we used traditional and used the dishwasher. The response was positive and initiated interest and ideas on how to incorporate more earth sustainability practices at High Street. If you would like to be proactive in this mission please contact the church office at office@highstreetumc.com. In The February issue of High Notes we will highlight what has been done to the building in our cost saving/ environmental initiatives. Sanctuary Series Sunday, January 22, 2017 CONNECTED IN CONCERT In tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Springfield native Lauren Kelley presents a musical retrospective of the great women of gospel, including Shirley Caesar, Rosetta Tharpe, Clara Ward, and Dr. King's favorite gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson. I forgot to include this list in the Christmas Update and think it is not to late to publish now. My apology. Marcia Poinsettias Given in Memory of: Sonny Ward Dr. H. Owen Ward Pat Rector Kathryn Rector Lois Wittke Bill Wittke Cathy Tuckerman Guy Tuckerman Margie Crosbie & Family Tom Crosbie Maripearl Kitchen Jack Kitchen Lynda Gildea Jim Gildea Sharon Crews Jerry Hockman Harold Crews Jane Crews Cheryl & Dan Walter Harriet & Joe Walter, Richard Stickley The Brooker Family Neil Miller Saundra Steinberger Pauline Colli Tom & Susie Sherwood Jill Sherwood & John Margaret & Diane Stupp Our Grandparents Tim & Debbie Voss Our Moms, Clara Voss & Betty Barton Ryan & Susan Roosen Barbara Smith Sally & Chris Moore Jack & Charlotte Moore Sally & Chris Moore Howard R. Meeker Ron & Becky Bishop Our Parents Jim Miller Marilyn Jim Miller Umbaughs & Millers Binz, Krauss, & Christello Families Jeff Binz Nancy Dietrich Donn Dietrich Henrietta Bean Our Family Douglas Parsons My Family Linda & Kenny Green Our Parents Poinsettias Given in Honor of: Ginny and Gary Slack Carol Todd Brian Lebaroff,& Kristen Lombardo and Matt Crosbie Margaret & Diane Stupp Bob & Jan Chapman Jill Fewell Our Family Our Children and Grandchildren Our Grandmother, Mary Wagner Dixie Stupp s recovery Family and Loved Ones Our Family Thank you Suzanne Binz for organizing the flower sale and watering the plants during the Advent season! 4 C e l e b r a t e N u r t u r e S e r v e

1 Elaine Stevenson Sherry Therrell 2 Lemohang Mokhalinyane 3 Aidan Bayliss 4 Megan Hartwell 5 Sally Dickey Chris Moore 6 Joyce Amlin Ruth Ann Shuey 10 Margie Crosbie 11 Stanley Everingham Bob Johnson

27 Suzanne Binz 28 Teresa Ames 29 George Walters Lois Wittke 30 Carolyn Hobson 30 Joe Parsons 31 Sonny Ward 01/14 Jim & Joyce Tolle 01/21 Al & Henrietta Bean 9:30am 11:00am December 4 89 39 December

5 1 Elaine Stevenson Sherry Therrell 2 Lemohang Mokhalinyane 3 Aidan Bayliss 4 Megan Hartwell 5 Sally Dickey Chris Moore 6 Joyce Amlin Ruth Ann Shuey 10 Margie Crosbie 11 Stanley Everingham Bob Johnson Jayson Phillips Mabel Reed 15 Shelba Mossbarger 16 Gary Slack 20 Meghan Ryhal 24 Guinevere Bayliss 25 Henrietta Bean Marcella Thompson Bob Yingst BOLD = Age 90 and above! 27 Suzanne Binz 28 Teresa Ames 29 George Walters Lois Wittke 30 Carolyn Hobson 30 Joe Parsons 31 Sonny Ward 01/14 Jim & Joyce Tolle 01/21 Al & Henrietta Bean 9:30am 11:00am December December December December 24 Christmas Eve. 5:30pm 25 7:30pm 193 December 25 9:30am 40 Year-to-Date Income $346,696 Year-to-Date Expenses $336,155 Children s Ministry Martha Crawmer Missions Cathy Tuckerman Becky Bonerigo SPR Ruth Fischer Trustees Bill Brougher Welcome Bonnie Pinkerman Communications Susan Roosen Worship Chris Moore Congregational Care Sharon Crews Finance Rodney Engelbrecht Lead Pastor Steven Fewell Dir. of Children s Ministry Martha Crawmer Lay Minister of Visitation Walt Brooker Office Manager Marcia Lyons Custodian Larry Lytle Music Dir. Traditional Worship J. Chris Moore Contemporary Worship Leader Kent Brooks Sound Technician Paden Frank Nursery Caregivers Michelle Halbirt Brenda Tovar 230 E. High St., Springfield OH (937) HighStreetUMC.com / HighStreetUMC 5

Calendar of Events ~ January OV: Oakwood Village DH: Dining Hall Commons: C Sanctuary: S Wesley Room: WR Entire Church: EC Carr Room: CR NA: Noah s Ark PR: Private Residence YFR: Youth Fellowship

Tuesday, January 3 1:30pm TAL C Wednesday, January 4 1:00pm Disciple 1 C 7:00pm Disciple 1 C 7:00pm Finance Team CR Thursday, January 5 10:00am Dedicated Prayer Hour C 3:00pm Book Club OV 6:30pm

6 Calendar of Events ~ January OV: Oakwood Village DH: Dining Hall Commons: C Sanctuary: S Wesley Room: WR Entire Church: EC Carr Room: CR NA: Noah s Ark PR: Private Residence YFR: Youth Fellowship Rooms Choir Room: CHR Education Wing: EW Sunday, January 1 9:30am Sunday School Children & Adult Monday, January 2 9:30am Traditional Worship Service S 1:00pm Knitting Group Church Office Closed Tuesday, January 3 1:30pm TAL C Wednesday, January 4 1:00pm Disciple 1 C 7:00pm Disciple 1 C 7:00pm Finance Team CR Thursday, January 5 10:00am Dedicated Prayer Hour C 3:00pm Book Club OV 6:30pm Dedicated Prayer Hour C Saturday, January pm Leadership Council /Ministry Team Retreat CR 10:00am Knitting Class WR 1:00pm Knitting Group WR 2-6pm Emmaus Team Meeting C/S Sunday, January 8 9:30am Sunday School Children & Adult 9:30am Traditional Worship Service S 5:30pm Emmaus Board Meeting CR 7:00pm Emmaus Gathering S/DH Monday, January 9 5:30pm Bell Choir Practice CH 6:00pm AAUW C 7:00pm Trustee Meeting CR Tuesday, January 10 1:30pm TAL C Wednesday, January 11 1:00pm Disciple 1 C 7:00pm Disciple 1 C Thursday, January 12 10:00am Dedicated Prayer Hour C 4:00pm Communications Team WR 6:30pm Dedicated Prayer Hour C Saturday, January 14 10:00am Youth Knitting WR 1:00pm Knitting Group WR 2-6pm Emmaus Team Meeting S/DH Sunday, January 15 9:30am Sunday School Children & Adult 9:30am Traditional Worship Service S 6 C e l e b r a t e N u r t u r e S e r v e

7 Calendar of Events ~ December OV: Oakwood Village DH: Dining Hall Commons: C Sanctuary: S Wesley Room: WR Entire Church: EC Carr Room:CR NA: Noah s Ark PR: Private Residence YFR: Youth Fellowship Rooms Choir Room: CHR Education Wing: EW Monday, January 16 Office Closed Martin Luther King Day 5:30pm Bell Choir Practice CHR 7:00pm Leadership Council C Tuesday, January 17 9:30-1:30pm High Street works at OHFS 1:30pm TAL C Wednesday, January 18 1:00pm Disciple 1 C 7:00pm Disciple 1 C Thursday, January 19 10:30am Dedicated Prayer Hour C 6:30pm Dedicated Prayer Hour C Saturday, January 21 8:30-12:30pm High Street works at OHFS 10:00am Youth Knitting Class WR 1:00pm Knitting Group WR 2-6pm Emmaus Team Meeting S/C Sunday, January 22 9:30am Sunday School Children & Adult 9:30am Traditional Worship Service S 3:00pm Sanctuary Series S/C Monday, January 23 5:30pm Bell Choir Practice CHR Tuesday, January 24 1:30pm TAL C Wednesday, January 25 1:00pm Disciple 1 C 7:00pm Disciple 1 C Thursday, January 26 10:00am Dedicated Prayer Hour C 6:30pm Dedicated Prayer Hour C Saturday, January 28 8:30-12:30pm High Street works at OHFS 10:00am Youth Knitting Class WR 1:00pm Knitting Group WR 2-6pm Emmaus Team Meeting S/C Sunday, January 29 9:30am Sunday School Children & Adult Klinking for Kids Sunday 9:30am Traditional Worship Service S Monday, January 30 5:30pm Bell Choir Practice CHR Tuesday, January 31 9:30-1:30pm High Street works at OHFS 1:30pm TAL C OHFS = Open Hands Free Store Missing in the above calendar is the new Middle School Sunday School class at 9:30am in the Carr Room. We sure to check our online calendar at for additions, deletions or changes. 230 E. High St., Springfield OH (937) HighStreetUMC.com / HighStreetUMC 7

8 230 E. High St., Springfield OH (937) HighStreetUMC.com / HighStreetUMC 8

What s New In Winter Sermon Series IN THIS ISSUE

What s New In Winter Sermon Series IN THIS ISSUE January September 2018 2017 H I G H N OT E S Monthly Newsletter of High Street UMC where What s New In 2018 Winter Sermon Series It s an exciting time for us here at High Street United Methodist Church