The newsletter of First United Methodist Church of Waynesburg February 2015

Transcription

1 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:10 The newsletter of First United Methodist Church of Waynesburg February 2015 Dear Waynesburg First Family, May the grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ continue to be with you in I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:3-4, New International Version) May God Almighty bless us and make us fruitful and increase our numbers. (Adapted from Genesis 28:3, New International Version) Well here we are in the second month of the New Year. I don t know about you but I find it hard to believe that January is already over. As I get older it seems that the days and months go faster each year. We know that s not true because each day is 24 hours long, each hour is 60 minutes long and each minute is 60 seconds long. God has given each of us 86,400 seconds to use each day. This month we will have 2,419,200 seconds to do God s work. Oh wait, we do have to sleep; if we sleep 8 hours a day that leaves 1,612,800 seconds to serve God. How are you doing? You may answer, but Pastor I have to go to work. I have to eat. I have to transport the kids here and there. I have to I have to I have to. Did you know that the Apostle Peter said, If anyone speaks, they should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To God be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. Serve God in ALL that you do! In Christ s Love, Pastor Gary Pastor Gary Grau s Office Hours: Varied (see bulletin) Church Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Please join us for Sunday Services: 8:30 am & 10:45 am F.I.S.H. Club 9:30 am Children plus Adult Ed Classes First United Methodist Church 112 N Richhill St Waynesburg, PA firstumcpa@windstream.net

2 Scripture Lessons and Sermon Titles for February 1 st 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Be Careful (subject to change) 8 th Reconciliation Service with Rev. Bill Parker 15 th 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, We Preach Jesus 18 th 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, We Commend Ourselves 22 nd 1 Peter 3:18-22, Christ Suffered Once Food for Thought Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9, New International Version and Grau Youth Schedule for February February 1 - Super bowl party in the Social Hall from 6-10:30 p.m. Bring a snack to share! February 8 - Dinner, games, and a lesson from 5-7 p.m. Bring a friend! February 15 - Snow tubing at Nemacolin Woodlands! Meet at the church at 12:30 p.m. and return around 5:30 p.m. February 22 - Dinner, games, and a lesson from 5-7 p.m. Bring a friend! *** All guys are encouraged to come to a young men s Bible study held weekly on Thursday s at Alex s apartment for Bible discussions and food! This schedule is subject to change. Please don t hesitate to contact Alex if you have any questions! Cell Phone: (724) Office Phone: (724)

3 Prison Ministry News. On January 4, we had a combined Christmas Cantata with our choir and graduation for LIFE and 40 Days at SCI Greene. We were welcomed at the prison chapel with a full house for the service and truly blessed with the program. As it was the first graduation for our 40 Days program, we asked for feedback from the group as to how the subject material impacted or changed their thinking. Following is one of the replies which sums it up better than we ourselves could. To begin with, the round table discussions shall we say was a Forrest Gump experience each week as different topics were brought to the table from the book and I quote life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get, and so it was that each session became thought provoking and stirred a hunger to hear more and to search my soul with the word of God as the flashlight and the Holy Spirit as the battery so to speak. Also it made me to see that no matter what age in years I may be, God s word is timeless in its purpose and direction for my life. We are excited to be starting our next 40 Days session and, as always, ask you to keep us and the inmates in prayer as we diligently seek to carry God s message to those less fortunate than ourselves. SOUPER BOWL PARTY THE ANTIOCH CONNECTION WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO ATTEND THE VIEWING OF SUPERBOWL XLIX ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 IN THE SOCIAL HALL AT 6:00 PM. PLEASE BRING A CAN OF SOUP TO BE DONATED TO THE LOCAL CORNER CUPBOARD FOOD BANK. ALSO, PLEASE BRING A HOT OR COLD SNACK TO SHARE. WE WILL HAVE FRESH POPCORN AND BEVERAGES. IF YOU CAN'T MAKE THE GAME, PLEASE BRING YOUR SOUP CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHURCH SER- VICE OF YOUR CHOICE ON FEBRUARY 1. WE WILL MAKE SURE IT GETS TO THE FOOD BANK.

4 Café Thanks Their Patrons, During December we had countless blessings from Erin's Birthday Party to the movie The Nazareth Story. Serious soup weather has started. Patrons are sharing their extra canned good for Vegetable Beef Soup. Chicken Noodle soup and Ham and Bean soup have appeared on the menu. Sloppy Joes, hotdogs and meatball subs are favorites. The desserts have been provided by Uncle Wally and kind church members who remember us with sweet leftovers or who bake especially for us. We have had Bibles donated to us for café patrons to read. Someone offered to leave them around town, which I turned down because they were meant for the patrons. The Bibles are conversation starters as to which version is most helpful, etc. We had a huge box of candy donated to the café. Limited to two pieces of candy each, it took us two days to eat it and then someone took home the empty box which measured 18" x 30 ". No kidding. Right now, several patrons are having sinus infections, but they still come when they can. Once in a while we deliver if someone calls and can't get out. We also had a visit from Ferd, our music director, on Monday, January 19, who played popular songs from the past including hymns and a polka which was the undoing of one volunteer who tried to show us how to polka. Let's just say she's danced her last polka. Everyone likes the new placemats and matching tables clothes which were paid for by a donation from UMW and designed by Uncle Wally. They are bright and cheery and look like Joseph's coat of many colors A donation of dinner rolls January 21 will spark a meal that goes well with dinner rolls. Plans are in the works for aprons to be donated for the volunteers to wear. The aprons will have the Methodist cross and flame and some community minded flamingos plus Erin's Inside stitched on them. That will be exciting. (continued on next page)

5 (Café... Continued ) Our volunteers are so good and caring to our patrons and each other. If someone needs a night off from the written schedule, another volunteers to cover. Everyone knows what tasks need to be done when we open The café is visited by families, singles, old, young and in-between averaging from15 to 20. Drop in one Monday or Wednesday if it's not a major holiday from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. We'll be here even if it's freezing out. We even have a church mouse, now. A church cat seems appropriate, too. Blessings and thanks to all who have supported the café and those who are thinking about it. See you soon! Janice Gottschalk, Coordinator "The Prayer Focus of the Month for February is concerning the Ebola epidemic in Western Africa. To help provide long-term solutions in the fight against the virus, we will be taking up an offering from now through February. Checks can be made to the church, and please make a note that it is for UMCOR Global Health - Advance Special # Thanks!" 2015 Laity School Sunday, Feb. 22, Mar. 1, 8, 15, :30 p.m. at 1st UMC of Washington Six courses will be offered for all who desire to take the next step in their Christian journey. [Lay Servant Ministries (youth & adult), Preaching, UM Heritage and Polity, Racism, Pastoral Care, and Evangelism] Class size is limited. Cost $20 Course descriptions and registration forms are on the tables in the back of the church.

6 Student Fellowship Luncheons The next lunch will be on February 22nd. In the past, the response from the students has been fantastic, with up to 140 diners filling up the entire Fellowship Hall and the Sunday School rooms. Of course, we couldn't do this without your generous donations of delicious food. Thank you so much for your help! If any of you have questions (or suggestions for stream-lining our lunches), please contact me, KC Waddel Do You Want to Grow Closer to Christ? The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program s approach seriously considers the model of Christ s servanthood and encourages Christ s disciple to act in ways appropriate to being a servant of all. Several of our church members have attended this conference/retreat and highly recommend it. Mark you calendars and inquire about the Spring Walks. You leave here on Thursday evening and return Sunday evening. Men April 16-19, 2015, Women April 30-May 3, 2015 Free Books to whoever wants them! Check out the books on the lower left most shelf in the connecting room between the church and the parish house. (Behind the piano.) If you would like any please feel free to take them home.

7 Mission Trip Being Planned A mission trip is currently in the beginning stages of its planning to Belize City, Belize in August Stay tuned for more information! What can I do to help? We often wonder how we can help with things around the church and then maybe we tell ourselves that we re not physically able or don t have the time, we don t know what to do or a myriad of reasons that we are not able to help. We have a wonderful fellowship hall and church kitchen that are used on a regular basis for Sunday School, church dinners, dartball, youth group, etc. This activity is wonderful and adds a great deal of life to our church! As with any kitchen/fellowship hall, we use cleaning supplies, dish cloths and towels, paper products, etc. These kitchen items are not included in the normal church budget and are stocked by the kindness and generosity of many of the church members. It would be wonderful to have more people helping to make sure that our stock is plentiful. As you are shopping, if something is on sale or you have a good coupon.throw an extra item in your cart for the church. If you re not sure of where to place the item in the kitchen, just set it anywhere in the kitchen and one of the church kitchen ladies who knows her way around the kitchen will be happy to place the item in the proper storage area. Here are a few suggestions of things that you can donate to help with the fellowship related items of the church. We use these items on a regular basis and will always need them. Liquid dish detergent Paper plates (full size, dessert size) Cups (both hot and cold) Napkins, lots of napkins J Dish clothes and dish towels Creamer for coffee Coffee (regular and decaf) Sugar packets (regular sugar, equal, splenda, truvia, etc) Plastic silverware Zip lock bags (all sizes), saran wrap, foil, etc. Many of these items do not cost much individually and if everyone helps out just a little, we will have everything that we need! Yours truly, a faithful Church Kitchen Lady

8 All in Men Men That Conquer March 6-8, 2015 At Camp Allegheny (100 Camp Allegheny Dr., Stoystown 15563) Cost $110 Hosted by UM Men RSVP by Feb. 22nd Register at Butler and Washington Districts Laity Evening with Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton At Aliquippa First UMC (2816 Broadhead Rd., Aliquippa, PA Take Exit 10 off of Rt. 376 to Green Garden Rd., Bear right. At the second light turn left onto Broadhead Rd. Travel 1/2 mile to top of hill. Church is on the right.) Wed., February 25, p.m. Gathering and Lite Refreshments 7 p.m. A Time with Our Bishop

9 Prayer Meeting We are having weekly prayer meetings at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays in the sanctuary. Come join us for an open time of prayer that will be done by 8:30 a.m. Check us out on Facebook The First United Methodist Church is now on Facebook. Please search for us by name and Like us. You will then be alerted to church activities and be able to see pictures of what s happening at the church. Feel free to add updates to the page. We want people to know that things are happening at First UMC and that we want them to be a part of it! Ask your friends to Like us too! * * * * *UMCOR Kits* * * * * Mission Barn Needs: Supplies of all kits (except cleaning buckets and birthing kits) are nearly exhausted at many UMCOR depots. Eastbrook Mission Barn Director, Nelson Thayer, suggests monetary donations to help replenish the supplies for kit materials. Donations may be designated for the Mission Barn.. Coming Soon: First Church will be putting together sewing kits. UM Women are selling RADA There are 2 catalogs available for browsing in the office. Give orders to Frances Crawford or leave them in the office. Make checks out to the United Methodist Women. Friday Faith Café First Friday of the Month 7:00 9:00 p.m. Live Christian Music No cover charge - Free refreshments 625 Fayette Street, Washington, PA West Washington UMC Hall

10 February Birthdays 1 Joe Olczak 2 Brooke Roberts 3 Jim Facemire Julie Anderson Did we miss anyone s birthday? Call the church office or send an to get your special day in the newsletter Call or firstumcpa@windstream. net Greene County Hymn Sing February 8, 2015 at Washington Street UMC Upcoming Mar. 8, 2015 Jefferson UMC Brandon Lindsay 7 Jeff Cree Lee Robinson 8 Mary Ann Grau 9 Brooke Orosz 11 Amber Duell 12 Connie Hart 13 Terry Bennett 15 Cullen McElligott 16 Caitlyn Duer Isabella Mariner 17 Dan Corwin Tom Headlee New Church Directory Coming Soon 2015 Offering Envelopes Please pick up your 2015 offering envelopes from the back pew under the windows. If you do not have an envelope number and would like one assigned to you please call the church office. ( ) Thanks! Pray always ~ without ceasing! Please call prayer requests to: the church office at If you would rather , send them to Wayne Hart at: wahart@windstream.net (Subject: Prayer Ministry) Aliza Mariner 18 Gary Grau 22 Dan Ridout Christian Mariner Presslie Mariner 25 Clyde (Butch) Whyte Craig Alderson Haley Lipscomb... February Announcement List February 1.Youth February Lynn Bussey February Kurt Gottschalk February Jeff Cree Sharon Kennedy

11 February 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 6 PM Souper Bowl Party 6-10:30 PM Youth Group Super Bowl Party 2 Bible Baptist # AM Prayer Mtg. 7 PM SPRC 5 6:30 PM Bell Choir Chancel Choir :30-5:30 PM Youth Group 7 PM Hymn Washington Street UMC 9 Waynesburg Nazarene AM Prayer Mtg. 12 6:30 PM Bell Choir Chancel Choir Happy Valentines Day 15 Noon Church Council 12:45-6 PM Youth Group- Snow tubing 16 President s Day Home AM Prayer Mtg. 7 PM Ash Wednesday Service 19 6:30 PM Bell Choir Chancel Choir 20 Newsletter Deadline Lent Begins Noon Student Felllowship Lunch 5-7 PM Youth Group 23 Home AM Prayer Mtg. 26 6:30 PM Bell Choir Chancel Choir NEWSLETTER ARTICLES ARE DUE TO THE CHURCH OFFICE BY Friday, Feb. 20th or earlier.