The OPEN DOOR. A Ghost story (of the Holy variety) Heard through

Transcription

1 Heard through The OPEN DOOR Manchester Road Wildwood, Missouri Phone: FAX: Volume 14 Number 5 October, 2018 Editors: Chylene Daub & Shirley Giebel A Ghost story (of the Holy variety) As a life-long Methodist, I ve sung the words of the Doxology-- Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost many times, and repeated I believe in the Holy Spirit in the Affirmation of Faith. But it was late at night at the end of one of the darkest days in my life that I experienced a visit from the Holy Ghost. In 1985, I resigned my job of nearly 13 years to launch not one but two start-up businesses within five months of the other. It meant being leveraged to the teeth, and since I was my sole support, I even joked it was something akin to jumping free fall from an airplane. My public relations firm took off and it supported the fledging press clipping service. Not able to do everything myself and with five employees who badly needed their jobs depending on me, I relied on a bureau manager a person I thought I knew and could trust. Unfortunately that trust was betrayed and through an unauthorized transaction I was thrown into a financial crisis. I could see no way out but to close up shop, sell my house and lose everything to make good on debts. I was standing in my bedroom, alone and defeated. The Holy Ghost came not as a voice from outside, not from any prayer or thought of my own, but an indwelling voice that addressed me and said clearly: Shirley, don t let this ruin your life. I was suddenly filled with such an energy and clearness of purpose. I went back to the office and worked 23 straight hours burning with that almost superhuman energy and with little sleep for several days was able to clear up the mess and set in motion options to offer employees--at the end of which, I knew there was a clear path forward. The experience was so real and empowering even though the simple words spoken to me were certainly not Biblical, prophetic, a blueprint or even a comfort. But I only have to recall that moment to know with all certainty the words came from the Holy Spirit and the life was my spiritual one. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ACTS 1:8

2 Another Chicken Dinner for the Record Books! Many people probably remember the phrase Chicken Every Sunday. At Bethel UMC, we could make that: Successful Chicken Dinner Every September. On Saturday, Sept. 15, Bethel once again brought the community together to enjoy a delicious dinner of fried chicken and great fellowship. It takes many hands to contribute to the success, starting early in the morning, and flowing all day with shifts of folks coming to participate. There was a line of customers waiting for the doors to open at 2 p.m. and the afternoon brought in a steady stream of people. We served from 2 until 7 p.m., and finally closed the doors by 8 p.m. How many served? We served between 575 to 600 halves of chicken, along with the homemade potato salad, green beans, slaw and applesauce. Co-chairs Nina Lantz and Carla DeSalme expressed their appreciation for all of the volunteers who worked, especially Boy Scout Troop 456 who came in for the clean-up crew. Nina said, We had a very successful dinner, and we look forward to next year!

3 A Glimpse behind Bethel s Ol Fashioned German Potato Salad Step 1: The Committee (aka Carla & Nina) go shopping, shopping, and more shopping!!! Part of the tradition, a trip to Soulard s Market for those potatoes. Step 2: The Friday morning crew fry bacon (LOADS of bacon), chops onions and hard -boiled eggs for the potato salad. (And, they chop items for Nina s cold slaw.) Step 3: In the wee hours of Saturday morning (2 or 3 a.m.!), 2 guys crawl out of their beds and head to Bethel to cook the potatoes. Due to the stealth nature of their assignment, pictures weren t taken. Word on the street is that it was these two guys this year. Why SO early? So the potatoes can cool off enough to be handled. Step 4: At a more reasonable (but still early hour!), the Potato Peelers assemble and work their magic on the 200 lbs. of potatoes...peeling and cutting them up. (There might be a little chatting/visiting going on to pass the time.) Step 5: While all that peeling is going on, the gravy is made. A HOT job! FINAL Step: Quality control! Step 6: Time to assemble all the ingredients!

4 NEW HOURS! Tuesday Friday 8:30 a.m. 3 p.m. (Office closed on Monday) Thank you for all your support and prayers for my dad, John Snider. It was so nice to have your help and kindness. He loved the church so much!! He made so many friends. Please accept this donation on behalf of my dad and our family. Love, Tony, Chris, Tyler & Hannah Fishback Care and Connection October 7th will be our second Care and Connection Sunday. Once again, we ll send some folks out two-by-two to visit those who are currently homebound. Others will be invited to write notes of encouragement that we ll drop in the mail. I hope you ll plan to participate in this important ministry that serves to keep our home-bound more connected to the life of Bethel. Tom and Elaine Hellweg request that you join them in celebrating their 60 th Wedding Anniversary on Oct 7 th during the Bethel UMC Fellowship Hour at approx 10:30am No Gifts Please Cards Appreciated

5 Bethel s Stone Soup Recipe Remember the story of Stone Soup? It started with a pot of boiling water and a stone. Then each person brought a little something to add to it and pretty soon there was enough food to feed the whole village. The story is a take on the loaves and fishes in the Bible. And the Bethel version is that red grocery cart parked outside Fellowship Hall. We do our part and add a can of chicken, a box of cereal, a boxed dinner or other items for our soup recipe. The items end up at the Circle of Concern food bank that serves our community and nearby ones as well. Have you ever wondered who sees that the red cart s foods are organized and delivered? Bethel volunteers always seem to answer the call when the red cart gets full! (We re always looking for additional volunteers!) Bethel s Baking Bags: A Prime Ingredient The baking bags which Bethelonians assemble during Faith in Action Sunday have been amazing and so popular at Circle of Concern. The elements going into these bags flour, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder and vegetable oil --are seldom among the usual food contributions. Yet these are staples we often take for granted in our home kitchens--especially as Thanksgiving (and baking season) nears. The bags make a big difference in many lives. When receiving news that Bethel would be doing the baking bags again this year, Michelle Lepak of Circle of Concern exclaimed: This is fantastic news! We are so grateful to have Bethel as friends of Circle and so grateful for your constant support. Mark your calendars: Faith in Action Sunday, November 11! Bags must be delivered to Circle of Concern by November 15. The September 23 church bulletin announced Sunday September 30 as the first collection Sunday. Your baking bag items can be placed at the altar rail or in Fellowship Hall. Here is a suggested schedule for donations, but if you prefer to bring everything at once, please feel free to! September 30: 1 lb. box Baking Soda & 12 oz. Baking Powder October 7: 2.0 to 2.5 oz. Ground Cinnamon October 14: 2 oz. Pure Vanilla Extract October 21: 48 fl. oz. Pure Vegetable Oil October 28: 5 lb. All-Purpose Flour November 4: 4 lb. Granulated Sugar (continued on next page)

6 (Stone Soup continued) Donation Option to Purchase Items If you prefer, or if purchasing and bringing items is difficult, a contribution designated for Bethel Baking Bags is an option. The funds will be used to purchase items by our mystery shopper. If you guessed Diana, our church secretary, as the shopper, you re right! Diana keeps a tally of collections by the week. About one week away from the deadline, she plugs the figures into a spreadsheet, and gathers some prices for the needed items. She often get tips from members about where a sale or bargain exists (she says they are very helpful!). She then calculates how many bags we can complete with items/money donated. On the Monday before Faith in Action Sunday, Diana calls local grocers to place the order using the cash donations. If the orders can t be delivered, she picks them up. (Volunteers in the shopping process are welcome of course!) We are looking forward to again making Bethel s special stone soup -- putting our faith in action on November 11!!! Annual Charge Conference Oct 13 from 10 a.m. noon at Eureka UMC Remembering Our Military for the Holidays We are planning to send holiday boxes to our active military again this year. We mailed boxes to 10 men and women serving our country last year, and we need to update our mailing list. Please let us know if you have a new address for your loved one who is in the military. Items that we jam-pack into the boxes include treats such as granola bars, cookies and candy, beef jerky or beef summer sausage, and drink mixes like coffee, hot cocoa, or flavor packets for water. Also popular are writing supplies, personal items (like lip balm and cough drops, shampoo) and entertainment items such as crossword puzzle books. AND, boot socks are mentioned as a favorite on almost every website. We will let you know when we will start collecting. The boxes will be sent before Thanksgiving. We will have a list of suggestions for items in the sanctuary in October.

7 DATE A/V BREAKFAST GREETERS USHERS FELLOWSHIP 7-Oct 14-Oct 21-Oct 28-Oct 4-Nov 11-Nov 18-Nov 25-Nov 2-Dec 9-Dec 16-Dec 23-Dec 24 Dec p.m. 30-Dec G Hayes C DeSalme C DeSalme J Camden G Hayes M Muthukumaru C DeSalme J Camden G Hayes M Muthukumaru C DeSalme J Camden A Strickland Dave Strickland & Mike Lantz Carla DeSalme & Alison Verbeck Gary Hayes & Angie Strickland Rick & Diana Camden Dave Strickland & Mike Lantz Carla DeSalme & Alison Verbeck Gary Hayes & Angie Strickland Rick & Diana Camden Dave Strickland & Mike Lantz Carla DeSalme & Alison Verbeck Gary Hayes & Angie Strickland Rick & Diana Camden VACANT - Pastry Sunday? Brenda Krueger (Front); Tom & Elaine Hellweg (Elev. Area) Ron Guentz & Brenda Krueger Tom & Elaine Hellweg (60th wedding anniversary celebration) Ruth Anne Krueger & Jewel Dougan (Front) Bert Foster Sheila Olive Jim & Judy Baugus (Front); Tom & Elaine Hellweg (Elev. Area) Don & Roberta Verbeck (front) Brenda Krueger (Front); Tom & Elaine Hellweg (Elev. Area) Jim & Judy Baugus Carol & Jeff Fothergill Ron Guentz & Brenda Krueger Elaine Hellweg & Carla DeSalme Helen Krudop & Suzi Hladky Ruth Anne Krueger & Katie Schuch Ruth Anne Krueger & Jewel Dougan (Front) Bert Foster Sheila Olive Jim & Judy Baugus (Front); Tom & Elaine Jim & Judy Elaine Hellweg & Hellweg (Elev. Area) Baugus Carla DeSalme Don & Roberta Verbeck (front) Brenda Krueger (Front); Tom & Elaine Hellweg (Elev. Area) Tom & Diane Koonce Ron Guentz & Brenda Krueger Helen Krudop & Suzi Hladky Carol Fothergill & Shirley Giebel Ruth Anne Krueger & Jewel Dougan (Front) Bert Foster Sheila Olive Jim & Judy Baugus (Front); Tom & Elaine Jim & Judy Elaine Hellweg & Hellweg (Elev. Area) Baugus Carla DeSalme Shirley Giebel (Front) Shirley Giebel (Front) Helen Krudop & Suzi Hladky We have Sundays with opportunities to serve. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the church office at Try it, you ll like it!

8 Bethel United Methodist Church Manchester Road Wildwood, MO October News! Bethel United Methodist Church 8:00 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Issues Group 8:30 9:00 a.m. Breakfast Served 9:25 10:30 a.m. Worship 10:30 10:45 a.m. Fellowship Love God, Love Others, Serve All! 10:45 11:45 a.m. Additional Small Groups