FRIENDLY VOICE MAY 2016

Transcription

1 FRIENDLY VOICE MAY 2016 LANGHORNE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 301 E. Maple Ave., Langhorne, PA (215)

2 MAY 2016 Greetings Friends, If you have ever seen the rock musical or listened to the album, Jesus Christ Superstar, you probably remember the catchy song with the lyrics when the apostles sing the question What's the buzz? Tell me what's a-happening. Then Jesus sings in response, Why should you want to know? Don't you mind about the future? Don't you try to think ahead? There is a buzz that s happening throughout our church, and also throughout many other churches, and also in the higher levels of our conference. There are questions concerning worship attendance, connectional giving, membership and support of missions. Questions surrounding the observations of decline and possible short term and long term solutions. Questions about what things to possibly change or cut. Questions about how to reach new people for Christ and grow disciples. In a recent meeting with the District Superintendent, Rev. Tracy Bass asked What is it that makes our church relevant in our community? It s NOT just a place for people to gather and worship. When the church figures out how to make relevant changes in it s community it will attract people and draw them in. The millennial generation wants to belong to the church that is relevant and they will give generously of their time, talents, service and financial support when they see a church making a difference. Can we identify any life-changing stories in the areas of Faith, Tithing/giving, Prayer and/or Ministry to and with our community? Rev. Bass also asked us to get a sense of dialogue going on in the church, SPRC, Finance regarding possible needs to cut salaries, change spending habits or cut costs in some way. And also, to consider wat might be the financial barriers we find in our way. He will be holding quarterly meetings to help churches discern answers and game plans to address these issues. In the meantime, we need to be asking the questions and striving to discern the answers and direction for God s church at and in Langhorne. That s the buzz my friends! Let s not just shoo it away like an annoying gnat. In the love of Jesus, Pastor John 2

3 May Sanctuary Servants May 1 Worship Assistants, 8:00... Erika Paton Worship Assistants, 9:00... Ron Cookson Greeters, 8:00... Bob & Charlotte Downs Greeters, 9: Elmer & Marybeth States Ushers, 9:00... Hansen Family Contemporary Assistants, 11: Raab Family May 8 Worship Assistants, 8:00... Lyn Wallace Worship Assistants, 9:00... Jeannette Hesser Greeters, 8:00... Dot Gannon Greeters, 9:00... Vic & Ruth Compo Ushers, 9:00... Sunday School Kids Contemporary Assistants, 11:00....Curtin Family May 15 Worship Assistants, 8:00... Linda Rutledge Worship Assistants, 9:00... Holly Rogerson Greeters, 8:00... Audrey Kent Greeters, 9: Ron & Louise Cookson Ushers 9:00... Cookson s Contemporary Assistants, 11:00... Daeche Family May 22 Worship Assistants, 8:00... Erika Paton Worship Assistants, 9:00... Jerry Hill Greeters, 8:00... Ken MacAlister Greeters, 9: JRainbow Girls Ushers 9:00... Rowlands & Stockburgers Contemporary Assistants, 11: Bev Eick & Carol Annucci May 29 Worship Assistants, 8:00... Erika Paton Worship Assistants, 9:00... Jerry Hill Greeters, 8: Ken MacAlister Greeters, 9:00....June & Bill Gill Ushers 9: Rowlands & Stockburgers Contemporary Assistants, 11: Bev Eick & Carol Annucci 3

4 MAY CALENDAR. Mon., May Trustees Mtg., 7 p.m. Tues., May 3. Bucksmont Squires, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4...Community Dinner, 5 p.m. Girl Scouts, 6 p.m. Wesleyan Choir, 7:30 p.m. Thur. May Praise Team, 7 p.m. Fitness Class, 7 p.m. Sat., May Men s Ministry, 8:30 a.m. Sun., May HAPPY MOTHERS DAY Tue., May UMW, 7 p.m. Bucksmont Squires, 7 p.m. Wed., May LAMA, 12 p.m. Girl Scouts, 6 p.m. Wesleyan Choir, 7:30 p.m. Thur. May ,...Praise Team, 7 p.m. Fitness Class, 7 p.m. Fri., May 13..Sr. Lunch, 12:00 p.m. Mon., May 16.. Stewardship Mtg. 7:00 p.m. Tue., May Forward Look, 12 p.m. SPR Mtg., 7 p.m. Bucksmont Squires, 7 p.m. Wed., May 18...Community Dinner, 5 p.m. Girl Scouts, 6 p.m. Wesleyan Choir, 7:30 p.m. Thur., May Praise Team, 7 p.m. Fitness Class, 7 p.m. Sat., May Prayer Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. TLA Mtg. (To Live Again) 1:00 p.m. Mon., May Shared Meal 6 p.m. Tue., May 24...Bucksmont Squires, 7 p.m. Wed., March Girl Scouts, 6 p.m. Wesleyan Choir, 7:30 p.m. Thur., March 26...Praise Team, 7 p.m. Fitness Class, 7 p.m. Sat., March 28. Men s Ministry, 8:30 a.m. 4

5 Stewardship When we joined the church we promised to support the church through our time, talents, prayers, presence and treasures (gifts). The Stewardship team has communicated with you about many of these characteristic by sharing how the people of LUMC help at the church, are involved in the community, shared prayers, and we have held several fundraisers. For May we would like to focus on our Presence. Presence is defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as: The fact of being in a particular place: the state of being present The area that is close to someone Someone or something that is seen or noticed in a particular place, area, etc. As we pondered the word, it made us think of attendance at church and at church events. In a discussion, one of our church members referred us to an article by Chris Russell. He writes a blog. The article is called 4 Important Reasons You Should Commit to Church. We would like to share his points with you regarding Presence. We hope that you will enjoy it. Chris Russell has spent the past 25 years actively involved in ministry through pastoring, church planting, writing, Christian radio, and special speaking around the country and in seven different countries. He is passionate about communicating the truths of God's Word in a creative, highlyrelevant way. Chris has three kids and happens to be married to his best friend, Leigh. He currently pastors a church on the north side of Cincinnati. When he's not pastoring or blogging ( he runs a real estate company in his "spare"time ( He believes that A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) is one of his 'spiritual gifts.' 4 Important Reasons You Should Commit to Church by Chris Russell I would like to suggest to you four reasons why church is a big deal a REALLY big deal! Let me give you some reasons why you should plan to be in church every single possible moment you can. 1) The local church is a central part of God s strategic plan for your spiritual growth. I have often heard the statement, Well, I don t need to go to church to be a Christian. On a slight technicality, that may be true, but it is certainly far-removed from God s true plan. Jesus said, On this rock [Peter s statement that Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God] I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not be able to stand against it (Matthew 16:18). You see, the church is Jesus idea, not man s idea. It seems like we should pay attention to His plan since it came directly from Him. When a person says they don t need the church that is a departure from God s plan. I would advise against that. 5

6 2) You are basically a composite of the five people with whom you spend the most time. When I was a youth pastor, I could easily see how friends could influence young people for either good or for bad. Now that I am a pastor to big people, I can see that tendency is true for them as well! Even adults are influenced by their friends and the people with whom they spend time. I have come to believe that we are basically a composite of the five people with whom we spend the most time. It is important, therefore, that we choose those people well. That is why it is so valuable for us to be in church every time the doors are open. We need to expose ourselves as much as possible to other followers of Christ who will draw us nearer to God. Paul said it like this: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13 NIV) We need the support of other believers if we are truly going to grow in Christ. 3) You need the voice of the church to counteract all of the deception that is crammed into your mind all throughout the week. Paul warns believers in Colossians 2:8, Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (NKJV) The word for cheat in this passage refers to kidnapping another person. We need to be careful that we are not kidnapped by false ideologies, by wrong thinking. The term traditions refers to teachings. Do you realize how many ungodly teachers are speaking into your life every week? Internet. News media. Hollywood. Music. Co-workers. Friends and family. The list seems never ending. With so many messages streaming into your life every week that can kidnap you and take you away from God, it is extremely critical that you spend as much time in church as possible to fill your mind with godly wisdom and discernment. Soak in all you can whenever you can! 4) Weekly ministry in a local church helps to build up your spiritual muscles. In Ephesians 4, Paul says that we all are gifted in different ways. When we use our own particular gifts to serve within a church, it is a like a body with many body parts that all work together for a common goal. As Paul discusses serving in this chapter, I find it interesting that he threw in the comment in Ephesians 4:14 in which he says,... that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. In other words, when we use our spiritual gifts by serving within the local church community, we somehow become better-grounded theologically. It will be more difficult for us to be deceived into thinking things that are not true according to God s Word. Isn t that amazing? Serving makes us more theologically astute. I m not exactly sure how that works, but I do know that I have observed it to be true in my own life as well as in the lives of so many I have watched to grow in their journey with the Lord. Holly Rogerson and The Stewardship team. 6

7 THE RETURN OF THE GIVING TREE The Stewardship Committee has brought back the GIVING TREE, they are once again encouraging everyone to take fruit tags off the Tree. On the inside of each fruit tag will be a dollar amount and a goal for the church. When you pick a tag off the tree, hang onto it until God provides that amount. Then return the tag and the money as soon as possible. The donation can be done anonymously or you may use your envelope number to receive tax credit. Then you are encouraged to return to the Giving Tree and repeat the process. REMINDER: This giving is above and beyond our normal tithing/giving. 7

8 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN 2nd Tuesday every month - 7:00 P.M. Fellowship Hall Please join us Tuesday May 10th, at 7:00 pm for our United Methodist Women's meeting - Faith, Fellowship and Please join us for this month's United Methodist Women (UMW) meeting, in Fellowship Hall. We will continue our program on the Beatitudes, "The Blessedness Of Meekness", plus we will prepare spring greetings cards for our homebound and also start a service project for incarcerated women. Please join us and bring a friend! All are welcome at this open meeting! Beatitude #3: Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matt 5:5). In the first Beatitude ( blessed are the poor in spirit ) we discussed emptying of our lives to increase the filling of the spirit into us - that we must become poor in our personal self/spirit to become rich in God s blessings from HIS SPIRIT. In the second Beatitude we learned that mourning over our sins drives us to God and there we find the comfort we truly need. In the third Beatitude we will discuss how the meek (i.e., those who humbly submit to the will of God) will enjoy the blessings of God here and now. So, please bring your stories of blessings from God! United Methodist Women (UMW) Stop Human Trafficking United Methodist Women stands against the exploitation of those forced to submit to civil injustice as a result of their basic needs or position in society. As many as 30 million people internationally have fallen victim to human trafficking, and the epidemic has become the second largest criminal activity behind the sale of illegal arms. As advocates for social justice, United Methodist Women will continue to work for the rights of those exploited by this cruel trade and end this all-too-prevalent form of modern-day slavery. 8

9 Congregational Care Message Serving HIM by serving one another thru Compassionate CARE, Unceasing PRAYER, and Burden BEARing As Minister of Congregational Care, I attend various meetings searching for resources that will benefit our congregation and community. HealthLink is a free dental clinic serving uninsured, low-wage earning adults in Bucks & Montgomery Counties. You can see if you qualify by going to or by picking up an informational bulletin from our information rack in Fellowship Hall. Please feel free to contact me if you are in need of assistance I might be able to help. Bill Bryan -- bbryan1026@verizon.net or call Angel Tree Year Round Prison Ministry Bill Bryan is looking for a few women in the church who would be willing to correspond with female inmates. Currently we only have one woman from our Angel Tree parent list. Her address, birthdate and release date will be provided, as well as, information about her children. I connect with the incarcerated fathers every other month by writing them a letter and sending them a copy of the Men of Integrity devotional (these are provided by our Men s Ministry). My mailing list includes Angel Tree parents still incarcerated, church members, and others who have reached out to us. I m also working on a list of the Angel Tree caregivers, who are mostly women, and I d like to reach out to them in the love of Christ as well. So, I will be looking for women to connect with these women too. If you think you would have an interest in sending a note of encouragement, a thinking of you, praying for you, etc. to either a female inmate and/or female caregiver of children with an incarcerated father please give Bill a call at , or contact him at bbryan1026@verizon.net. 9

10 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - CAVE QUEST - JULY 25-29TH 9am-noon Please see the flyer below and sign up to help us at VBS this year! we are excited - and it starts on Christmas in July - the 25th - yes VBS is a GIFT! We would love to have your help!! Stay tuned for donations requests... (like real or crafted camping gear, old lights... all types... for a WHOLE room of "lights"... precious gemstones, and rocks! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Volunteers (and participants) please sign up at CAVE QUEST - FOLLOWING JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD PLEASE JOIN US! Join us as the hands and feet of God to bring this year's VBS to LIGHT - for the children - for the children s families and friends - for you and your families and friends - and especially for GOD! We can't be more pleased then to crack open this year s VBS kit and travel deep down into our FAITH! We PRAY the children will be as blessed with these Bible adventures as we are! The five days of Bible stories this year are a marvelous, unbelievable blessing that allows us to SHARE God's Word. God IS so great that His Light is shining for us... for us to KNOW Him better! God wants us all to know that Jesus is the Light of the World He is our Light to follow! In the caves (and sometimes in life) it is dark - but there are magnificent sights to see - there are many opportunities to explore - and we will only be able to truly appreciate them when we shed light on them. Yes, Jesus is our gentle guide - Jesus sheds LIGHT - we can truly appreciate life for now and forever when we look to Jesus's LIGHT Ask Jesus to SHINE IN and THRU our hearts - to open us to allow us to share His Love with others. JESUS GIVES US: HOPE, COURAGE, DIRECTION, LOVE AND POWER. Any Questions? Please contact co-leaders Debbie Letham ( ) or Kim Smigiel ( ) at DebbieLetham@gmail.com or KSmigiel@hotmail.com Please be aware that we participate in our UMC district's SAFE SANCTUARY PROGRAM - and this year IT IS FREE and ONLINE to perform the registrations and background checks... EVERYONE (over age 18) needs to make sure their registration is done every three years...thank you for your compliance and compassion and cooperation! Registration may be done online and free at the following links or contact us and we will walk you thru them: PA criminal background check link (ACT 34): PA Child Abuse Clearance: Please get a code to enter into your application from Bill Bryan to help organize them more easily.. Please get copies (either printed or by ) to Debbie, Kim, or Bill - thanks! If you are under 18, you DO NOT have to fill out these forms BUT we would request (every three years) the names of 2 character references, thanks 10

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13 Our Church Finances Finance Committee, Chuck Boyle, Chairperson We have started off 2016 in a stable position from a financial perspective thanks to the support of our wonderful church family. I am sure that we will face challenges as we move forward, but together we will meet these challenges. Please allow me to share with you some highlights from our April 2016 financial reports. If you have questions or would like a more detailed look at our church budget or current financial statements, please put a note in my mail box outside of the church office. A brief summary is noted below for your reference: LUMC Financial Summary Report April 2016 Total revenue is $2,300 above our budget for the month of April, bringing our year-to-date total revenue to $1,300 above budget. So far we are in OK shape from a revenue perspective. Year-to-date revenues from offerings are $1,800 above budget as a result of a one-time yearly offering of $5,000 and the loss of revenue due to the canceling of services because of snow on 1/24/2016. Easter offerings came in under budget by $800, Wednesday night dinner revenue is exceeding budget by $800, income from the McKay Fund is exceeding budget by $800, and a number of other revenue categories are below budget by amounts less than $500. Expenditures for the month are $4,100 less than budgeted, contributing to the year-to-date expenditures falling $6,900 below our budget. Expenses are looking good so far. Utility expenses are $5,300 less than our year-to-date budget because of energy saving investments by our Trustees and a warmer winter. Water and sewer expense is $800 below the year-to-date budget. The copier expense is $500 below the year-to-date budget. Net operating revenue for April is $6,300 greater than budget which makes the year-to-date net operating revenue $8,200 higher than budgeted. For the first four months of the year, LUMC is in a stable financial position. The roof loan payment for April was greater than the congregational receipts and other receipts by $600. We are, though, still in a stable position with this loan as we have adequate reserves to cover the monthly shortfall. In May the loan will be paid down by $29,000 from the general fund as approved by the finance committee and the administrative board. 13

14 Our Church Finances Our cash position continues to stay positive. Per recommendations from the finance committee and the approval of the administrative board it was decided to put to work an accumulated excess in the LUMC general fund equaling $40,000. The general fund will retain a balance of $30,000 after this disbursement which should be adequate for our operating needs. The $40,000 excess will be used to pay down our roof improvement loan ($29,000), increase our Conference apportionment payments to 75% of what is requested by the Conference, and staff bonuses ($8,500). Please note the below summary: LUMC Cash Summary Report April-16 Account Amount Total Cash $ 114,658 Designated Accounts $ 36,440 Memorial Account $ 423 Capital Improvement Fund $ 8,045 LUMC General Fund Balance $ 69,751 Pending Disbursement $ 40,000 (Staff Bonus, Roof, Conference) LUMC General Fund Balance $ 29,751 Thank you for your continued support. Together as a church family we will meet the challenges that face us. 14

15 Another reminder that the kitchen is in constant need - 6 and 10 inch plates (sturdy paper or foam), 12 ounce cold drink glasses, iced tea & lemonade mixes,mini-moos, (coffee creamers), and instant mashed potatoes, canned carrots the red cold drink glasses (for the Shared Meal), Thanks for your continued support! The kitchen staff would like to take this opportunity to thank the Stewardship Committee, and all of you who have taken from the Giving Tree - and donated to the kitchen fund. We have just purchased a steam cabinet which will make it much easier for us to keep food warm for serving, without drying out, and help us avoid burns from carrying hot trays to Fellowship Hall! We express our condolences to the families of: Theodore E. Chemey, Jr. Robert G. Hess 1/1/33-4/18/2016 And 5/1/22-4/24/2016 On their recent passing 15

16 MARCH SENIOR BIRTHDAYS Send our Seniors a Birthday Card and let them know you are thinking of them!!!!! May 16 Maralyn Wayles, 1900 Byberry Road, Bensalem, PA Les Tomlinson, 561 Clarissa Lane, Penndel, PA Ruth Campo, 61 Milton Street, Feasterville, PA May 17 Joan Cunningham, 209 Aspen Ave., Langhorne, PA May 22 Karen Arner, 117 Winding Lane, Newtown, PA May 23 Andrea Bryan, 104 Hollow Road, Levittown, PA May 28 Joe McDonald, 1276 Thames Crescent, Yardley, PA May 29 Ernest Pietsch, 400 Station Ave., Langhorne, PA May 30 Jane Schmidt, 26 Tupelo Lane, Langhorne, PA May 31 Joyce Rowan, 164 Clearview Avenue, Langhorne, PA

17 Langhorne United Methodist Church 301 East Maple Ave., Langhorne PA, (215) lumc-online.org JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP! Sunday Worship Hours: Traditional Worship, 8:00 & 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship, 11:00 a.m. Sunday School, 10:00 a.m. John Lutz, Senior Pastor, Bill Bryan, Minister of Congregational Care, Erika Paton, Lay Leader, Church Secretary, Bryan Sengdala, Choir Director, Anthony Vigile, Contemporary Worship Leader, Kerry Fenton, Organist, Pete Curtin, Youth Director, Amy Hansen, Treasurer, Amy Rodda, Steeple Kids Director, 17