Seminary United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Seminary United Methodist Church 285 N Seminary Street Roanoke, Indiana seminaryumc.org seminaryumc@frontier.net To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world September 2016 Volume 13 - Issue 9 Adult, Youth and Children Sunday School 9:25am Worship Service Sunday Announcements 10:05am Service 10:15am Church Office Hours Monday - Thursday 9 to 12 and 1 to 5 Pastor Jim Tormey Cell jimtormey@yahoo.com Islam vs Christianity - Part 3 The reason I started this series of articles was to address the statement that was made to me. Islam is a religion of peace, not violence. I have heard this over and over again. However, you like me may be asking the question. If it is a religion of peace then why are they trying to kill so many people? Why in the name of Islam are they blowing themselves up and chopping off people's heads? Now, I understand there are many practicing the religion of Islam who are peaceful, but many seek violence. So here is a few facts from the Quran to clarify this peaceful religion. First, for example, within months of the Hijrah, Muhammad claimed to receive a revelation that amply clarifies the issue (Pickthall s translation): Now when ye meet in battle those who disbelieve, then it is smiting of the necks until, when ye have routed them, then making fast of bonds; and afterward either grace or ransom till the war lay down its burdens. That (is the ordinance). And if Allah willed He could have punished them (without you) but (thus it is ordained) that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are slain in the way of Allah, He rendereth not their actions vain (Surah 47:4, emp. added). In his popular translation of the Quran, Muslim scholar Abdullah Yusuf Ali offered the following comment on this verse: When once the fight (Jihad) is entered upon, carry it out with the utmost vigour, and strike home your blows at the most vital points (smite at their necks), both literally and figuratively. You cannot wage war with kid gloves (1934, p. 1315, parentheses and italics in orig.). ISIS Muslims are simply following the teaching of the Quran regarding both their practice of beheading their enemies as well as their warfare. As you can see, there is a calling for the infidel, us, to die, to be beheaded. I am not sure how you translate that into a belief in peace. To compare that to our faith Jesus told us, You have heard that it was said, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy. However, I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44 (NASB). While we believe in eternal life through the blood and grace of our Savior, Islam calls for earning your way to heaven with no guarantees you will make it. One last quote from the Quran. Warfare is ordained for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth, ye know not. They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the Continued on Page 3

2 Seminary at a Glance Scrip Update Did you know that since we started selling Scrip cards in late 2014 through mid-may 2016, we made a profit of $1,012.74? That's all profit that funded our 2016 VBS!!!! Thank you to all who support our Scrip program! This total is the amount of rebate money our church received from the Great Lakes Scrip Company. As most of you know by now, each time we sell a Scrip card, the buyer pays for the face value of the card, and our church receives a percent rebate from that sale. Some cards return as little as 1.0% and some cards return as much as 25%!!! A few of the higher percent rebate cards are L.L. Bean (16%), Fannie Mae Candies (25%), Bath & Body Works (13-20%), Buffalo Wild Wings (8-15%), White Barn Candle Company (13-20%), Talbots (13%), O'Charleys (13%), Land's End (16%)...[Those with a percent range offer different denominations for each of those Scrip cards and those denominations return a different percent rebate] And don't forget you can buy cards for your everyday shopping and for gift-giving...as of September 1st there are ONLY 114 days until Christmas! :) ~Jenny and Vicky

3 To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel his people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can (Surah 2: , emp. added). There are many other articles within the Quran that call for violence and I encourage you to explore these. Even though those who follow Islam are, in some cases called for violence, we as Christians are called to love them and pray for their redemption. God seeks that no man should perish without Him. He seeks the relationship even of those who are trying to do harm to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Matthew 5:44 (NASB) But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, For further information check out; category=8&article=5116 ~Pastor Jim PPR Committee Report Seminary UMC would like to give a THANK YOU to our former custodians, DeLynn Johnston and her son Michael. DeLynn and Michael unplugged the vacuum and put down the dust rag for the last time on August 12 th. Michael is off to college and we want to wish him every success. They have done an awesome and faithful job. Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you!!! ~Carol Johnson Here s the Scoop! Saturday, September 10th is coming soon. The wonderful tradition at the Fall Festival of Community Ice Cream Outreach Event is finally upon us. We wait for it all year and are very excited that it s finally here and held at Seminary United Methodist Church. We have sign up sheets at the church or everyone to volunteer for their favorite job. We are in need of scoopers, dippers, sprinklers and bakers...just to name a few. So pick your favorite job, sign up and make a difference in our community. The activities will be from 4:00pm to 6:00pm (plus some scoopers earlier in the day). ~Vicky and Nancy PVC Poles Many of you saw the PVC poles in the Wesley Gathering Room on Sunday, August 21st. And many of you wondered what in the world they were! In June we borrowed several poles like this from Emanuel Community Church for VBS. We hung small banners on them indicating grade levels and set them throughout the sanctuary for VBS. That way the children could see the grade level signs and knew where they were supposed to sit, along with others in the same grade. We asked Doug Tellas if he could make some for our church to use so we wouldn't have to borrow them again. And he very willingly agreed!!! In addition to using them for VBS, Kathy Tormey plans on using them routinely as grade level signs for Kids Club. And I'm sure all of us will think of other ways we can use these new pole signs. A huge thank you to Doug Tellas!!!! We appreciate your talent!!!! ~Jenny and Vicky Our Deepest Sympathy Please keep in prayer the family and friends of Michelle Hathaway at her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 3

4 4 To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world Fall Festival Parade Information 1. Float prep Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 in Gross' barn at 9796N 300E, Roanoke (near DeFords). 2. If you are willing and able, we would like to have a few red and white full bloom mums (not Moms...Steve Eisenhut!) to add more "festiveness" to the float. You are welcome to take them home after the parade or we will take care of them if you do not want them. 3. If you are willing and able, we would love to have anyone from the church to walk with us along the parade route. We will be passing out red, white, and blue glow sticks that are attached to a card with SUMC service info, kids club info, and ice cream social info. Whew! I think that is it. If you have any questions, call or see Tom or Jenny Gross. Thank you in advance for the all the help, prayers, and support you give. We are truly blessed to have such a loving and supportive church family. Pray for a beautifully mild sunny day...not too hot for our walkers! Thank you!! The Gross Family Food Bank A BIG thank-you goes to the Homemaker Club of Roanoke that continues to contribute monthly to our food pantry. We appreciate all they do to help our community families in need. Financial Report Through 32 Sundays we are about $3800 behind last year. Our expenses are in line with budget. United Methodist Women UMW Women of Faith held their scheduled meeting on Aug. 9 th, 2016 at the home of Shirley Wolf. Thirteen members attended. Devotions were given by Murial Mosher to open the meeting. Prayer requests were mentioned for eight people and community concerns. The minutes of the previous meeting, July 12, and the Executive Board meeting, held on July 25 th, were read by Secretary Vicky Eisenhut. Pat Swaidner, Treas., reported that $ was in the general fund, $ was in the funeral fund and $1, was in the memorial fund. Secret pal names were drawn and recorded. They are on file with the secretary, Vicky Eisenhut. A new address for Barb Truex, 400W 7 th St, Peabody Home, N. Manchester, IN 46962, was distributed along with a name, address, phone number list of all members. The nominating committee, Ann Spahr and Carilyn Dearduff was reminded to have a slate of officers available for the election to be held at the September meeting. In closing a Letter from Aunt Martha was read, followed by the lesson given by Vicky Eisenhut. What Makes Us Full? She used scripture to remind us what makes us full in our spiritual lives. Suggestions of Cheerful, Faithful, Helpful, Hopeful, and others were mentioned.. She gave everyone a cup to hold and asked each to reflect on what makes our lives Full. We were reminded to avoid other fuls hurtful, sinful, wasteful among others. Refreshments were served by hostess Shirley Wolf. A door prize was won by Merry Elliott. The next meeting will be September 13 th, 2016 to be held in the Wesley Gathering Room at 7:00 pm, hosted by Pam Sagers and Vicky Eisenhut. Carol Johnson will be the lesson leader, presenting a program on UMW s place in the church and what our money goes for. ~Shirley Wolf, President Country Store A big "Thank You" to Doug Tellis for his donation of a handmade doll bed! It was only in the store for a few days before it was sold. Do you know we have nice greeting cards and note cards available? Come in and check them out. ~Carolyn Hartley Johns and Jo DeFord

5 Sunday Communion/Loose Change 4 11 Scrip Orders Due Scrip Orders Due September 2016 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00pm Women of Faith 5:00pm Weight Watcher Roanoke Fall Festival :00am Crafty Corner Group 7:00pm Women of Faith Election of Officers 5:00pm Weight Watchers 19 5:00pm Weight Watchers 7:00pm Admin Council :00am Appleseed Quilting Bee 23 Movie Night - Miracles from Heaven 24 7:00pm Trustee Meeting :00am Crafty Corner Group Coming Soon

6 Seminary United Methodist Church P.O. Box 40 Roanoke, IN September 3 September 5 September 10 September 13 September 14 September 17 September 18 September 21 September 21 September 22 September 22 September 24 September 26 September 29 September 30 Larry Lahr Kathy Tormey Jeremy Tormey Bernice Abbett Pat Swaidner Angie Nicholson Rick Cannici Marie Clark Kathy Cary Joe Hiner Sam Hamilton Peggy Keller Keith Hartley Brenda Conn Jim Tormey September 13 September 14 September 16 September 18 Marv and Diana Hathaway Doug and Janet Tellas Sam and Merry Elliott Frank and Deb Ule If your birthday or anniversary is missing from this list, or if you have just joined our church family, please contact Nancy Hartley at or the church office to have your name(s) added to the list.