@UMCMerced THIS MONTH... Bobby Jo Valentine to return to UMCMerced!

Transcription

1 THIS MONTH... Volume 16, Issue 7 July 2016 Sharing the liberating love of Jesus to empower and mobilize all in service for God. Bobby Jo Valentine to return to UMCMerced! Singer/songwriter Bobby Jo Valentine will return to UMCMerced on August 14th to hold a CD release party for his new album. Bobby Jo performed with us in October of 2014 and is excited to visit again. The concert will be held in our sanctuary at 7:PM on August 14th; suggested donation of $10 per person. We d love to fill the church, so invite a friend to enjoy Bobby s songs of hope and inspiration! Read more about Bobby Jo on page 2! The United Methodist Church of Merced Inside this issue: Mission u Yosemite Parkway Merced, California change service requested Money Matter$ 3 Food Pantry 4 July calendar 5 Sunday Services 9:30AM worship 10:45AM Sunday School 12:PM Hmong worship

2 Page 2 Bobby Jo Valentine (continued from page 1) Hope-folk. Soul-pop. Poetic rock Bobby Jo Valentine s music exists outside the lines of any genre, but the music s thoughtful lyrics and catchy melodies reach listeners on all paths of life. The authentic, universal, uncanny nature of his songs have won him Songwriter of the Year at West Coast Songwriter s Association twice in 2011 and He s sold 16,000 albums and performed more than 500 concerts all because of devoted fans and friends who grow in number after every concert. His wide range of expression has made it hard for the industry to package, but it s the same reason his songs are gaining a loyal following around the nation. A few songs have broken through the static. Bobby s music has appeared on radio and television, including a commercial for the recent Ford Fusion, ABC s The Morning Blend, and the award winning film The Groom s Cake. His music has received airplay from KGO, KRSH, and other radio stations nationwide. Bobby is a proud supporter of equal rights for all people. He believes that we re all in this together, that the arc of the universe is long, but bends toward justice, and that real justice means justice for everyone. Bobby is a constant supporter of LGBT rights and performs at Pride festivals and benefits and for LGBT youth programs all over the US. He has also been invited to perform for many child protection, child homelessness, and domestic violence prevention non-profits, including the national Safe Place Network. Mission U 2016 to be held Every year, United Methodist Women members prepare for faithful living and action by participating in mission studies. Mission studies are offered each year - a geographical, topical, and spiritual growth study. These studies motivate, inform, and enrich our commitment to global ministry. Local leaders are trained to lead one of the three mission studies through the organization's Mission u program offered around the country. Those leaders, in turn, are able to lead mission studies in their local and district groups. This year s topics include: The Bible and Human Sexuality, Climate Justice, and Latin America - People and Faith. Events will be held in Merced (August 5-7), San Rafael (August 20), and Roseville (August 27). Visit unitedmethodistwomen.org or more information.

3 Page 3 Money Matter$ With five months completed for 2016, I can now report the numbers that are contained in the financial reports for the month of May year-to-date. All income categories combined totaled $121,929 and, individually, most categories fell below the budgeted amounts. When compared to the same month one year ago, total income decreased by $24,012 or 16.5%. Total expenses of $124,926 were $1,201 below the amount budgeted for the period of May YTD. Included in total expenses paid was $11,354 in apportionments, which represents five-twelfths of the total due for Total Expenses exceeded Total Income by $2,998. Pledged income in May fell short of the monthly budgeted total by $2,414, and remains behind the budgeted total year-to-date by $6,540 (or 6.8%.) We ve seen unpledged giving in the first five months fall noticeably below expectations, now down 27% compared to the budgeted number. This is five months in a row that Unpledged Income did not meet the budgeted number. The church s bills must be paid timely which means we will have to dip into reserve funds if expected giving continues to drop. Let s see if we can get back on track with our July giving! Remember, you can always find the most current financial report in the Fireside Room. For more detailed financial data, please feel free to contact me directly in person, by phone, or by (larry@umcmerced.org). In Christ s service, Larry Hall Treasurer, Church Administrator To the United Methodist Church of Merced, As I near my retirement, I would like to thank the congregation for providing me the opportunity to fulfill God s calling. As I reflect upon my years of pastoral service from 1993 until now, I am honored to have received immeasurable support from the Church. I will pray for continued success of the church and continued growth of the Hmong ministry. The support and love bestowed upon the ministry is truly a reflection of God s love. Even more so, the church has shown immeasurable love towards my family. Through the years, my family has received immense support and guidance; and the church was instrumental in the success of my children. I understand that I will never be able to repay all the kind gestures, but I would like to say thank you for everything. As I retire and move onto my next chapter in life, I will hold onto the memories shared with everyone at the United Methodist Church of Merced. As I leave now, I leave with a smile on my face and with fond memories of love and compassion. Sincerely, Pastor Wang Pao Thao

4 Page 4 July Birthdays On your birthday, our prayer intercessors thank God for your birth and life and ask God to bless you in a special way. 7/1 Lacie Perez 7/2 Ger Lee 7/3 Clarice Tolladay Barbara Cameron 7/6 Roy Davenport 7/8 Elaine Lee Jenni Durbin Daniel Lavilla George Zuniga 7/9 Myrtle Jacobs Glenda Policastro 7/10 Spencer Pfeiff Kalel Thao 7/11 Dave Hetland Anna Greenawalt 7/13 Claudia Speziale Yulia Vang 7/14 Naomi Buyao 7/15 Genie Knorn 7/17 Michele McCabe 7/20 Lilianna Ortega 7/21 Beverly Watland 7/22 Dorane White 7/24 Harlan McCollum Lynn Morrison 7/25 Jane Chapman 7/26 Phoebe Benjamin 7/27 Shannon Drouillard 7/28 Max Green Angie Thao Andrew Neufeld 7/30 Samantha Sparks Julia Vang 7/31 Mary Rough United Methodist Church, Thank you so much for the generous scholarship money. I am so grateful to have been awarded this scholarship and also to be a member of the church. Being a member of the church has been such an honor and has opened up many opportunities for me. Unfortunately, I will be out of California for my summer job during the service where the scholarships will be handed out, but again, I feel very lucky to have received the scholarship. Thank you! Kelcy Smiley Good Neighbor Food Pantry Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of the month! Our Good Neighbor Food Pantry distributed 68 boxes of food in June. 12 volunteers helped pack and distribute the food bags and offer clothing. If you wish to help, give a check (made out to the church with a notation for the food bank) or bring a sack of non-perishable groceries from home. Our next food distribution will be July 21st. We are continuing the clothing ministry in conjunction with the food pantry distribution. Jackets and clothing, especially for children, are greatly appreciated. If you would like to be a part of this mission by picking up food, packing food bags, or distributing bags and c lo thing, please call Terry Kruest ( ) or the church office

5 Volume 16, Issue 7 Page 5 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat July 2016 Inside Story Headline This story can fit develop and write your own when you re finished writing words. articles, or include a calendar your newsletter, convert it to a of upcoming events or a special One benefit of using your Web site and post it. offer that promotes a new newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse con- product. tent from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports. While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers. A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to You can also research articles or find filler articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short. Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, 17 Inside Story Headline AM Worship Office Closed 7:30AM - FSR 9:30AM This story can fit words. Food Pantry Selecting pictures or graphics is an important Leadership part of adding (prep) Food Pantry content to your newsletter. Hmong Worship Bible Study 6:30PM - FSR 5:PM - WH 5:PM - WH 12:PM Think about your article 4:PM - and FSR ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context. Hmong Comm. Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose 6:PM - and room import 7 into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols Food Pantry News AM Worship Office Closed Muslim Comm. 7:30AM - FSR 9:30AM 8:AM - rooms 5, 7 Our Good Neighbor Food visited and served 50 Gently Journey worn 4 Justice children s Hmong Worship Bible Study Pantry distributed 142 meals at the D Pastoral Street Care clothing 6:PM is - in FSR high demand. 12:PM bags of food 4:PM in - June. FSR Shelter on the 9:AM first - FSR Hmong Comm. Twenty volunteers helped Wednesday in June. If you would 6:PM - room like 7 to be a to pack and distribute the To sign up to provide part of this mission in food bags and offer clothing. Please remember 11 to the 12 Fireside Room. 13 food, packing 14 food bags, 15 this meal, see the sheet in Merced by picking up the 10 give either a check We are continuing the or distributing bags and (made out to the Office church Closed clothing ministry in conjunction with the food est at or the clothing, call Terry Kru- AM Worship 7:30AM - FSR with a food bank notation) or bring a sack of pantry distribution. church office at Estate Sale 9:30AM Mom s Club Grief Support 2908 Sunnyfield Dr. 9:30AM - room 7 2:PM - FSR Hmong Comm. 8:AM - 1:PM Hmong non-perishable Worship groceries Clean, usable items may 6:PM - room 7 12:PM from home. Bible Study be left in the box in the The Van Dyken 4:PM Family - FSR Sunday School hallway. 24/31 AM Worship 9:30AM Hmong Worship 12:PM 25 Bible Study 4:PM - FSR Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image. Office Closed 7:30AM - FSR Grief Support 2:PM - FSR 28 Hmong Comm. 6:PM - room 7 Caption describing picture or graphic. 8 9 The first Sunday of the month is Food Pantry Sunday. Next food distribution is June 18th Caption describing picture or graphic Estate Sale 2908 Sunnyfield Dr. 8:AM - 1:PM Muslim Comm. 11:AM - rooms 5, 7

6 Volume 16, Issue 7 Page 6 We pray for those in hospital or care facilities Pacifica Senior Living Virginia Taylor Hylond Ray Adams Joanne Sasaki Myrtle Jacobs Anberry Health Care (Atwater) Norma Kilinsky Park Merced Enid Olive Phoebe Benjamin Lorraine Morris Roy Harris Harvey Schlintz Courtyard Health Care Center (Davis) Mary Maxfield Other prayers for the people Wayne Smiley Connie Jones Don Hoornaert Dorane White Annie James Guy Near Richard Huntley Mary Ellen Wood Harlan McCollum Sara Bates Bill Stockard Pat Davey Kitty Towe Shirley Phillips Hal Hambley Jim Kilinsky Wes Shrum Tom Keene Nancy Reding Steve Landis Fran Demro Jeannette McCollum We hold in our hearts...missionaries serving throughout the world....united Methodists standing for justice for immigration reform....families who have lost their homes to fires, floods, tsunamis and other natural disasters....all those affected by violence and war at home and abroad....our military personnel and their families at home....the homeless. The United Methodist Church of Merced Rev. George S. Bennett - Lead Pastor Rev. Joseph Vang - Hmong Pastor Rev. Victoria Schlintz - Pastor in Residence Warner H. Brown, Jr. - Bishop California-Nevada Conference of the UMC Debra Brady - District Superintendent (Central Valley) California-Nevada Conference of the UMC Office hours: Tuesday through Thursday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM Friday: 8:30AM - 12:PM laura@umcmerced.org umcmerced.org Transportation is available for Sunday worship. Contact Larry Hall ( ) before noon on Friday. For pastoral emergencies, call Pastor George ( ). Your call will be returned as soon as possible.