NEWS FROM THE GROVE September 2015

Transcription

1 NEWS FROM THE GROVE September 2015 Mark Bowyer, Pastor 668 Wakemans Grove Road, Edinburg, VA Office: Web Address: FROM PASTOR MARK: A Vital Ministry Journey Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we are on a journey- a journey of ministry. Not that we are being ministered to, though that is important. It is a journey of ministry that we are all called to do- a journey of ministry to our families, our friends, our enemies, and our community. And it s a vital ministry. As a brother reminded us yesterday at the Vital Ministry Journey Celebration, there are people- lots of them- headed for a future and an eternity with Jesus Christ. There are peoplelots of them- in pain and in need. We are called to minister to them. For further evidence that our ministry is vital, I include these comments by Bill Hybels, Pastor of the Willow Creek Church in South Barrington, IL: And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 Who is ultimately building the church? I believe the local church is the hope of the world. But the first 18 years of my life, the one word I would have used to describe the church was hopeless. I thought that at the very best I would be minimally engaged with the church for the rest of my life. The church we attended when I was growing up was one I practically wanted to protect people from coming to so it wouldn t do more harm to the reputation of Christ. But in the next stage of my life, my perspective changed on the local church from hopeless to hopeful. I learned in one of my seminary classes about how God moved in the early church, and the professor would say things like, Why can t someone in this room chuck their life plan and give their life to building the local church like this? Vision is a picture of a future that creates passion in people. It propels people forward who would normally be comfortable with the status quo. It puts a bounce in your step when you d normally be dragging your feet. I was seized by a vision of what the church could be. Of the church s vision and power and potential. I determined I would seek to play some role in this. I moved to Chicago to help a friend build a youth group, and without realizing it I had signed on to the ride of a lifetime. From this beginning, the Willow Creek Church was born. I then moved from feeling merely hopeful about the local church to finally realizing, The local church is the hope of the world. The hope of the world is not government, academia, business, but the church because it is to the church that God has entrusted the message of salvation, which truly changes people s lives and hearts. And I realized this meant we need to enable everyone in the church to make the maximum contribution they can, and we need to get leaders to lead, and we need to teach everyone to serve and to give generously, and invite young people to be a part of things as soon as they can. And then it occurred to me that we need to see every church reach its full redemptive potential. And I m really eager to see that day. What gives us confidence that the church will endure to the end of history? Many empires and massive companies that seemed durable have simply evaporated. Why will it be different for the church? Because Jesus is building the church. Continued on page 6

2 Happy Birthday to these special September people: Sept. 1 Barry Arey 4 Ethel Estep 4 Ayla Williams 5 Connor Wakeman 5 David Hash 5 B.J. Silvious 5 Tabitha Silvious 5 Andie Miller 6 Jasmine Wakeman 6 Tammy Bullock 8 Kaydence Wakeman 9 Nelson Wakeman 10 Tessa Feller 10 Zachary Funkhouser 12 Jaydn Bly 13 Jamie Lam 14 Paul Feller 14 Lisa Tamkin 15 Bill Lam 15 Frankie Myrtle 16 Jedidiah Crowder 16 Austin Wakeman 18 Jeanie Funkhouser 19 Kim Dodson 20 Jeremy Wakeman 21 Sydney Tharp 21 Kenny Funkhouser 21 Chip Wood 22 Carrie Proskey 24 Dean Minnick 25 Morgan Hollar 25 Dennis Wakeman 27 John Lam 27 Todd Lam 27 Lacy Kreitzer 29 Loretta Wakeman 30 April Baker 30 Joseph Hill If you have additions or corrections for the birthday and anniversary list, please contact Gloria Markley. Best Wishes to these special couples celebrating anniversaries this month: Sept. 2 Mr. & Mrs. Kurt George 5 Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie Hoffman 6 Mr. & Mrs. Fred Garber 6 Mr. & Mrs. Bradley Tusing 7 Mr. & Mrs. Edward Trelawny 9 Mr. & Mrs. Mike Richman 13 Mr. & Mrs. Martin Burner 13 Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Foltz 14 Mr. & Mrs. William Wakeman 15 Mr. & Mrs. Tim Schweigert 17 Mr. & Mrs. B.J. Crisman 19 Mr. & Mrs. Al Vann 25 Mr. & Mrs. Daron Dodson 27 Mr. & Mrs. John Hunsaker 28 Mr. & Mrs. Barry Arey 30 Mr. & Mrs. Todd Lam Kids For Christ (KFC) After-School Program The Kids For Christ After-School Program will kick-off on Wednesday, September 16 and continue through Wednesday, October 28 from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Please contact Mandy Tharp for more information. Volunteers are needed for teachers, recreation and to help in the kitchen. Winter Worship Schedule Beginning September 6 through May 29: 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Page 2

3 THANK YOU Dear Lula Wakeman Hardy Scholarship Committee and Church Family, Thank you so much for your continued financial support as I work towards my degree in Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Zachary Funkhouser Dear Congregation Members, Thank you for your very generous donation to Family Promise of Shenandoah County. Your efforts and contributions from the Under the Oaks Picnic are greatly appreciated. Without the kind support of friends and volunteers like you the Family Promise program could not succeed. Again, thank you for your generosity as we move forward to serve homeless children and their families in Shenandoah County. Please keep these families and the Family Promise Program in your prayers. Very sincerely, Family Promise of Shenandoah County Board Members and Volunteers Dear Church Family, Thank you very much for the generous scholarship. It will go along way to help me with my college expenses this year. I am blessed to be a part of such a good family! Sincerely, Aaron Bowyer George Jr. has headed off to college and would appreciate a note of encouragement. George Daugharty C/O Grove City College 200 Campus Drive#771 Grove City, PA His cell is unchanged: A total of $5000 was disbursed for the Fall Semester by the Lula Wakeman Hardy Scholarship Committee to: Aaron Bowyer Zach Funkhouser Kaitlyn Wakeman Gabe Dodd Duke McCaffrey George Daugharty Ashlee Dirting Churches that have committed to the Family Promise Program: Host Congregations are: All Souls Anglican Church Antioch COB Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp Lebanon Lutheran Church Mt. Hermon UMC Restoration Fellowship Church Saumsville Christian Church St. John s Bosco Catholic Church St. John s UMC Strasburg Assembly of God Strasburg Christian Church Valley Pike COB Wakemans Grove COB Support Congregations are: Christ Church UCC Community Mission COB Emanuel Lutheran Church Manor Memorial UMC Mt. Calvary UCC Reformation Lutheran Church St. Paul s UCC Strasburg Presbyterian Church Valley Gospel Church Walker s Chapel COB Wesley Chapel UMC Zion and St. Jacob s Lutheran Churches The Lord is working through many people and many churches! Page 3

4 SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NURSERY (1 & 2 year olds) All year: Diana Barton Gloria Markley Linda Miller PRESCHOOL (3-5 year olds) 1st & 2nd Qtr.: Donna Lear 3rd & 4th Qtr.: KINDERGARTEN 1st Qtr.: Daniel and Amber 2nd, 3rd, 4th Qtrs.: Jean Kohne FIRST GRADE/SECOND GRADE 1st, 2nd, 3rd Qtrs.: Karey Mullins 4th Qtr.: THIRD GRADE 1st Qtr.: Susan Neff 2nd Qtr.: 3rd Qtr.: 4th Qtr.: FOURTH/FIFTH GRADE 1st, 2nd, 3rd Qtrs.: Laryn Ritenour 4th Qtr.: JUNIOR HIGHS (6th, 7th & 8th Grades) All Year: Mandy Tharp CBYF (9th 12th Grades) All Year: Kristi Zirkle EXPLORERS Mark Bowyer ALPHA LOGOS John Dove will find teachers within the class GOOD SAMARITIANS Teachers within the class SEEKERS Fred Garber Gary Shipe Harold Ebersole FRIENDS IN CHRIST Libby Rocco Ronnie Hoffman George Daugharty Diana Zirkle ADULT Ned Conklin Donna Shrum Jean Wilkins A special thank you to Darrin Toby Markley for getting teachers for this year and to all the teachers who prayerfully considered and said yes!! You will notice there are some blank spaces where teachers are needed. Would you please prayerfully consider teaching in one of these slots. We need folks willing to step up and teach our children! Thank you for listening to God s call. SUNDAY SCHOOL SINGERS DIRECTOR Laura Funkhouser SUNDAY SCHOOL SECRETARY Sharon Foltz Page 4

5 Let Us Help You! For the past several years the Deacons have budgeted money to assist with the payment of anyone who needs to attend counseling at the Family Life Resource Center ( ) in Harrisonburg. The FLRC offers counseling in marital problems, divorce, parent-child relationships, addictions, etc. If you need help to pay an insurance co-pay or if you do not have insurance for counseling, please consider letting this fund help you. You would sign a release of information form which would give permission for a bill to be sent to the church. This will all be held in strict confidence. The cost for counseling is $110 for the first hour and $80 for each succeeding hour. The Church will cover 80% of the patient s responsibility up to five visits. Please contact Pastor Mark to arrange for services. The Deacons are always available to give assistance in any way be it financial aide, visitation in homes, hospitals, meals, anointing services, etc. Sometimes things happen of which the Deacon s are not aware. So if you know of anyone in the congregation or community who needs assistance, please let one of the Deacons know. The Deacons names and phone numbers are printed in the bulletin each week. Don t hesitate to call! Prayer is Top Priority Make prayer the number one priority of your life. It was through prayer that Jesus saw victory and blessing. Who doesn t want that? We all need to be prayer warriors. Music Ministry at Wakemans Grove Church Wakemans Grove has always been blessed with a strong musical ministry. This is only possible through the dedication and commitment of singers coming to rehearsal and parents making a priority to bring their children to practice. Music is an excellent way to imbed the word of God in your heart and singing is good for the soul! Please see if one of our musical groups will be a good fit for you. Wakemans Adult Choir - open to all interested adults who want to come out and join in the fun of making music for the Lord. Rehearsals on Wed. at 8:00 starting September 9 th The Grove Youth Band - youth focused band with a contemporary sound. Rehearsals on Wed. at 7:00 starting September 9 th Wakemans Grove Junior Choir children s choir - K thru 6 th grade. Rehearsals on Wed. at 6:15 starting on September 16 th Sunday School Singers - ages 1-4, practice during the Sunday school hour. Libby Rocco Choir and Band Director 1. If you miss anything in life don t miss prayer. 2. If you need to miss any service of the church, don t miss the prayer meeting. 3. If you find yourself so busy that you don t know what to do first pray first. 4. Always let God have the last word; in other words when you pray, take time to listen. ~ source unknown Page 5

6 Continued from front page: Jesus is not directing the angelic choir, taking long naps, or doing crossword puzzles. He is completely focused on building his church, the hope of the world. One of the greatest privileges in all of life is when Jesus taps you on the shoulder and says, Hey Brian (or Fred or Melinda or etc.), I have a critical role for you as I am building my church in this world. And I ve been preparing you your whole life for it. How do you say no to that? How do you blow that off? How do you say I ve got my own thing going on, and I want to build my retirement and golf game instead. Don t be that guy. You ll regret it forever. Don t say no thanks, I m building my thing. In my view, the morning prayer of every sincere Christ-follower on earth should be Lord, today I freshly commit myself to your work as you build your church in the world. I commit all of myself to the role you ve assigned to me in the building of your church. Have you ever prayed that prayer? How about praying that prayer every day for the next 30 days? Could you imagine if the 2 billion people in this world who claim to be Christ-followers prayed that every day and sought to do it? My mind can barely grasp what would happen in the church and in the world if we were to do this. Will you say to the Lord, Yes, I will join you fully in your work of building your church? -These are notes from Bill Hybel s closing message at the Summit Conference, We here at The Grove have been saving for and talking about a building program for years now. And I believe one day, perhaps sooner than we expect, that building will come. But until that time, let us remember that every day we are a part of the ultimate building program- the building, leading, serving, and spreading of the church- the body of Jesus Christ. And there are plenty of people in our lives and in our community who are waiting to be reached- even if they don t know it yet; even if they don t act like it yet. Jesus is who they need, and we the church are the ones Jesus chooses to tell them about Him! I believe that our Vital Ministry Journey we recently completed has given us a glimpse into how we can best answer this call. I believe and hope that small group ministry will increasingly become part of our DNA as a church. As we get together in small groups and talk and listen and pray and choose to act in new ways, we work together to carry out our God-given mission as the hope of the world! We will be discussing some new small group possibilities soon. As this discussion unfolds, I hope and trust you will be open to being a part of answering God s call in some new and fresh ways! The Man In the Mirror by Patrick M. Morley LIBRARY REPORT Twenty-five years ago Patrick Morley wrote his first edition of this book and now gives us an updated version that examines the many difficult issues facing men in today s rapidly changing social and moral atmosphere. He helps men think about the choices they make and how those choices impact the lives of those around them. The original book was selected as one of the 100 most influential Christian books of the last 100 years. He offers helpful and achievable biblical solutions to empower every man to become the person God created him to be. Other new additions Fiction 1. Words Spoken True by Ann Gabhart 2. The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis 3. On Her Own and The Decision by Wanda Brunstetter DVD Dolphin Tale - A boy named Sawyer discovers an injured dolphin, who is brought to a marine hospital and named Winter. Unfortunately, her injuries cost Winter her tail, without which she may not survive. But with Sawyer s devotion, a marine biologist and the expertise of a brilliant prosthetist who works to create a new tail, Winter may have a second chance at life. Happy reading and viewing. Librarians, Pam McCubbin Barbara Garber Page 6

7 ONLINE TITHING AND FUND CONTRIBUTIONS Wakemans Grove's website, now offers online tithing and fund contributions. These secure transactions are through PayPal, and you do not need to be a PayPal member to do this. This happens the same way as any online transaction - funds get debited directly from your debit or credit card. At this time, there isn't an option for automatic weekly or monthly withdrawals. This is a great way for people to give an offering if you're away or not able to come to church. You can designate a specific fund, memorial name, or envelope number. Just follow the instructions. Please contact Angie Vann if you have any questions about using the online tithing. Family Promise Update The August meeting of Family Promise of Shenandoah County was held at Wakemans Grove Church. Lowes of Woodstock has adopted Family Promise s Family Center at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital as their 2015 Heroes project and as such will be donating $2500 worth of materials and much labor to paint, clean, and help renovate the building. In addition, Valspar has agree to donate all needed paint!! The hospital needs to complete some of their work in order for FPSC to begin work. Mt. Calvary UCC has signed on as a support congregation and Walker s Chapel COB has submitted their confirmation letter to be a support church as well. Conversations continue with other congregations regarding possible hosting. The FPSC website has been updated with the PowerPoint available as well as a Pay Pal button for those who wish to give online. The address is There is a total of $26, in the treasury with a generous donation of 150 shares of stock valued at $5, as of July 14. Although the annual budget is $100,000, at present there is a need of about$17,000 to open. The next Family Promise Community Meeting will be held on Sept 15 at Strasburg Assembly of God at 556 Ash Street with Prayer meeting at 6:00pm, Orientation for Newcomers at 6:30, and Community meeting at 7:00pm. Bring a friend along to learn about FPSC. God is at Work!! PLEASE VISIT Family Promise ONLINE AT: OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AT OUR WEBSITE AT Page 7

8 THE ANNUAL SHENANDOAH COUNTY PREGNANCY CENTER WALK FOR LIFE Date: Saturday, September 26, 2015 Where: Shenandoah County Fairgrounds Track Time: 8:00 a.m. to Noon Distance: Two Miles Please consider joining the Wakemans Grove Church team for the Shenandoah County Pregnancy Center Walk for Life just contact Lynda Burner to obtain a Sponsor Sheet and join in the fun! Even if you choose not to walk, please feel free to join the other associated activities held in connection with the walk which include: Walk For Life Opening Ceremony: 9:00 AM Saturday morning Todd Gilbert, our Representative to the Virginia House of Delegates, will give the opening remarks, and corporate prayer. Yard Sale on Friday and Saturday: 8 AM 2 PM inside the Exhibit Building at Gate 2. Donations are currently being accepted for the Yard Sale donations should be in good condition and are tax deductible. Donations may be delivered to the Pregnancy Center on Cedar Wood Lane in Edinburg or call to arrange for pick up. Motorcycle Run for Life: Registration starts at 9 AM at the Fairgrounds on September 26 th. Door prize winners will be drawn at the lunch stop. A $15 suggested donation per bike, $20 with passenger. The funds raised during this Walk for Life will stay here in Shenandoah County and help the Pregnancy Center continue to provide a compassionate response to women and men who are facing an unexpected pregnancy or struggling with the responsibilities of parenting. The Center provides assistance through prenatal education as well as transportation to doctors appointments when the need arises. Through the Center s education program, parents, both mothers and fathers, learn to understand their infant, toddler, adolescent or teen so they can teach their children and love them as well, all in a loving Christian environment. The Center also sponsors a clothing exchange, dispenses emergency diapers and formula. Please mark your calendars to participate in this worthwhile event on September 26th! If you would like to make a donation to the Wakemans Grove Walk for Life Team, please see Lynda Burner or Karen Hoffman donations will be collected each Sunday beginning September 6 th through September 20 th, after the morning worship service in the vestibule. Please support the Wakemans Grove Team with your generous donation. Lynda Burner Pregnancy Center Representative Page 8

9 Greetings from the CBYF The CBYF kicked the summer off with a cookout and get together at Lake Laura. Youth and Advisers enjoyed time swimming in the lake, eating and fellowshipping together. Individual youth and advisors were busy this summer enjoying time with family and friends on vacations to various places. In August we went to Greenfield and enjoyed singing praises with the residents there and focusing on the gifts God gives us. On August 21 st we celebrated the end of Summer at the Dodd s with a campfire and S mores and more fellowshipping. As we look towards the fall, we will begin planning for our annual Apple Butter Boiling which will be October 16 th -17 th. This is an event that couldn t happen without the help of our church body. Mark your calendars now to participate in this great day of fellowship, fun and hard work. A sign up list will be posted on the bulletin board soon to secure your jar of Apple Butter. Blessings, Youth and Advisors REVIVAL SERVICES AT WAKEMANS GROVE CHURCH September 27 - October 1, :00 pm nightly with Nancy Sollenberger-Heishman Nancy Sollenberger-Heishman serves as part-time coordinator of the Spanish-Language Ministry Training Programs for the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. Heishman previously served as interim pastor of Cristo Nuestra Paz in New Carlisle, Ohio, and interim coordinator for the SeBAH-CoB program. As a former mission co-coordinator for the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic, she also served as director of theological education for Iglesia de los Hermanos en la Republica Dominicana. She holds a master of divinity degree from Bethany Theological Seminary and will continue to co-pastor West Charleston Church of the Brethren in Tipp City, Ohio, with her husband, Irv Heishman. Nancy and Irv are the parents of two children; Tim is a student at Bethany Seminary and Jeni is a recent graduate of Eastern Mennonite University.She also served as Annual Conference Moderator in Revival will begin with the 11:00 am worship on Sunday, September 27 and continue each evening through Thursday at 7:00 pm. On Sunday morning following the service a covered-dish meal will be held to meet and greet Pastor Heishman. Page 9

10 WEDNESDAY PIECEMAKERS Vacations, employment opportunities, new grand babies, and ill family members have presented challenges to attendance this summer. However, we were able to accomplish much. Twelve comforters were donated to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital and to various members of the congregation as well as the community. We also plan to have a quilt show one Sunday morning after Worship. One of our older sewing machines went bad and a member of our group graciously donated a brand new Singer machine to take its place. We got a pleasant surprise via from a lady in Colorado, informing us that she had bought the 2006 quilt that we made for the Disaster Auction. The quilt was named Aunt Sukeys Choice and was pale yellow, green, and blue. We have been unable to establish how the quilt got to Colorado. On July 19 we led devotions for the residents of Greenfield at the Comfort Inn. Fourteen members attended as well as honorary members John Hunsaker and Gary Wakeman. On September 26, we will participate in a church sponsored Community Outreach Event here at the church. We will display many of the comforters that we have made and answer questions about the Piecemakers. We are making a scrap quilt from 12 ½ inch squares. The squares are being made from small pieces of material that would have been discarded. The quilters have been very busy working on the quilt for the 2016 Auction. They have been able to turn it several times this summer. The invitation remains open to all to join us on Wednesday mornings from 9 am-12:00. Page 10

11 September 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 9:00 Piecemakers 7: Prayer Mtg 7: Band 8:Adult Choir :00 Piecemakers 7: Prayer Mtg 7: Band 8:Adult Choir : Fac. In Use in afternoon 7:00 Church Board 3:45 Girl Scout Mtg. 7:00 4-H Mtg Piecemakers 4:30 KFC 7: Prayer Mtg 7: Band 8:Adult Choir Edinburg Ole Time Festival :00 Piecemakers 4:30 KFC 7: Prayer Mtg 7: Band 8:Adult Choir 24 8:30 Golf Tournament 6:00 Dinner for Golfers :00 Community Open House Event :00 Oct 1 REVIVAL 12:00 Covered-dish Meal 7: Revival 7: Revival Piecemakers 4:30 KFC 7: Revival 7: Revival 7:00 Revival Page 11

12 CHILDREN S CHURCH Children s Church will be held on the first and third Sundays of each month, beginning with the first Sunday in September. Children ages 3 years to 2nd grade are welcome to attend. During the months of September through May we will be studying about Bible Heroes and how we can use that in our life today. Sherry Arey is coordinating Children s Church this session with help from many others. Love Feast We invite everyone who is in the love and faith of Jesus Christ to participate in our fall Love Feast on Sunday, October 4 th at 6:00 p.m. The service will include a Self-Examination, Fellowship Meal, the Feetwashing (or handwashing) and the Bread and Cup Communion. There will be a nursery provided for those who have younger children. If anyone needs a ride to the church for Love Feast, please contact one of the Deacons or the Church Office. Please set aside the evening of October 4 th for this important service of blessing for us as Brethren. WAKEMANS GROVE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 668 WAKEMANS GROVE ROAD EDINBURG, VA Page 12