First United Methodist Church. 301 S. National, Fort Scott, KS (620) Parsonage (620)

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1 Newsletter NOVEMBER, 2017 Volume 21, Number 11 Pastor Steve Cole SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 WORSHIP SERVICE 10:30 From the Colemine For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 The context of this passage is that the people of Israel were sent into exile in Babylon. God told them they would be in exile for seventy years. This was because they had turned away from God and went after other gods. This was the consequences for their actions. Even then God had not forgotten them, he would re-establish their kingdom if they would seek him. There was a future for them and God would not let them die out. They did come back and we read about that in Ezra and Nehemiah. This makes me think about the future of the church. Not just the individual churches, but I mean the church as a whole, Christianity in general. What is the future of Christianity? Will it continue to exist in the future or will it die out? We hear about the numbers of people attending church services are down and even churches closing their doors. The number of people that claim to be Christians is down over the last fifty years. We know of churches that once had thriving congregations are now down to a handful of the faithful. I don t know what will happen to the church in the future and I don t think anyone else does either. Also, I don t think programs and new gimmicks are going to solve the problem. I think we do have a future and a hope and the church will continue to be here. We just don t know what that will look like or what form it will take, but if we stay faithful to God and seek him out, we can put our future in his hands. Amen. Pastor Steve Mission Statement The mission of the of Fort Scott, Kansas, is to share the good news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to exemplify the love of God by knowing Christ, growing in Christ, serving Christ and sharing Christ. 301 S. National, Fort Scott, KS (620) Parsonage (620)

2 November Anniversaries: None submitted November Birthdays: 1-Dale Smilie; 2-Pam Brown; 3- Sheryl Bloomfield; 4-Billy Webster, Joan Hembree; 5- Dean West, Debbie Stevens; 6-Sharon Short, Travis Majors, Trevor Majors; 8-Jane Williams; 9-Cindy Foxx; 10-Susan Carnes, Chris Comstock; 11-Danette Popp; 12-Hilary Grant, Patricia Magee; 14-Dorothy Kivett, Bradley Culbertson, Karley Stark; 15- Debra Wood; 20-Chris Brown, De Covey; 21-Joe Tourtillott, Ty Post; 23- Bryan Davis; 24-Lindsay Majors; 25-Gary Brown, Jennifer Carnes, Hannah Hughes, Richard Magee; 28-Scott Stoughton. Fun for the Family Support the United Methodist Women at their bake sale on November 18th during the monthly Friendship Soup Lunch in. The bake sale will begin at 11 a.m. There will be a lot of yummy baked goods and treats to purchase. This is their yearly fundraiser and they appreciate your support! Welcome to the newest member of First United Methodist Church Denise Ward who joined on October 15, Extending Sympathy to Darrel and Sheila Burt, upon the death of Hazel Burt. Larry and Charlotte Swaim, Lisa Collier, Aaron Swaim and their families, upon the death of Charles Kellogg. Sheryl Bloomfield, Jennifer Sciara, Matt Bloomfield and their families; & Nolene Whiteside, upon the death of Tim Bloomfield. Help decorate the church for Christmas after worship on Sunday, November 26th. Your help would be appreciated. Each year on the third Saturday of November, United Methodists across the conference gather at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence bringing cash and goods to meet the needs of the hungry in the bounds of the Conference and around the world. In 2017, the Bishop's Round-up Against Hunger will be Saturday, November 18, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence, Kansas. As has been done the past several years, First United Methodist Church s Round-Up items will be kept local and given to the Beacon. A list of items needed is posted on the bulletin boards. If interested, take a copy of the list and return your Round-Up items to the east wall in the church sanctuary prior to November 18th. I want to thank everyone who sent cards and greetings for my 90th birthday celebration. Each one was very much appreciated and I enjoyed reading the cards multiple times. It s good to be back in Fort Scott! Betty Reed

3 Wednesday Work Group Report for October Listed below are items that have been completed by the men as of Changed light bulbs in Exit signs - Replaced ceiling tile on first floor of the education wing - Finished replacing bathroom flooring in the second floor bathroom at the parsonage - Attached Sunday Only signs to several of the Handicapped parking signs in the south parking lot - Drained the sprinkler system for winter - Sealed stone on the church near the door - Mopped floor - Still mowing and trimming the lawn in October! - Replaced outside spotlight fixtures on the front lawn - Shampooed the foyer carpet to the west entrance of the sanctuary Thank you to everyone who said prayers on my behalf that enabled God to provide the medical staff to give me back normal life activities. Gloria Shankel Faith Builders in November We continue with our study of covenants. In November we discuss everlasting covenants. On November 5, we discuss Faithful God, Unfaithful People On November 12, we visit Promise of a New Covenant. November 19 has us discussing The Mediator of a New Covenant. And on the last Sunday in November we will study Promises to Remember. In an upcoming look at December, we will be covering Faithful: Christmas through the Eyes of Joseph, an Adam Hamilton DVD Study. We would love to have you join us for coffee and fellowship. Ron Wood Remember those who have served or are currently serving in the military. Tell a veteran or active service member that you appreciate their service to our country! The Sunday Morning Explore Christmas Program will be presented during worship on December 3, Let the children prepare your hearts and minds for the Christmas season. Friendship Soup Lunch The November Friendship Soup Lunch will be November 17 beginning at 11:30 a.m. and lasting until 1:00 p.m. in at FUMC. The soup lunch this month is sponsored by the ASP Mission team. The menu will include chili, a variety of soups, desserts, and a drink. Free will donations will be accepted. Plan to bring your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers for a nice lunch and time of fellowship! Everyone is welcome! In addition to the soup lunch the UMW will hold a bake sale beginning at 11:00 a.m. including lots of yummy items! Thank you to those who sent cards, called, said prayers, or stopped by just to visit since my recent surgery. Your thoughtfulness, caring, and support have meant a great deal to me. Thanks Bunches! Marla

4 Bobbe Ward Barbara (Bobbe) Ellen Clark Ward was born July 4, 1931 in Uniontown Kansas. Her parents were Alton & Ellen Clark. She had one brother Richard and one sister Sylvia Clark Bybee. She grew up doing farm chores before and after school: milking cows, gathering eggs and bringing in water for her mom to cook with. Family gatherings at holidays provided lots of food and fun. Bobbe attended schools at Uniontown and graduated from Uniontown High School. She knew Daniel (Danny) Ward from school in Uniontown, even though he was two years older. After high school, he joined the Marines. He wrote her love letters which she still has today. They were married July 24, 1948, at the Redfield Methodist Church parsonage. They lived in Florida and California while Danny was in the military. They made their home in Fort Scott following Danny s years in the military. Once back in Fort Scott, Danny went to work for Western Insurance until he retired. The Wards had three children: Clark married to Marla Cheney, Mark married to Lisa DiNardo, and Rebecca. Bobbe was an at-home mom until Rebecca was in 4 th grade. She worked as a secretary at Eugene Ware Elementary School until her retirement. Bobbe has four grandsons, four granddaughters and three great granddaughters. Rebecca shares: Mom made sure we went to Sunday school and church every Sunday. After church, she always had a big meal cooked for us. She continued this tradition when the grandkids came along. When it was someone s birthday, she would cook whatever meal they wanted. Bobbe loves to sew, quilt, knit, crochet and cook. She always has to have something to do when watching TV, usually knitting. She has attended her children and grandchildren s sport and school activities. Mom has always been such a happy, pleasant person, shares Rebecca. Bobbe was involved in square dancing, coffee club and attended Friday evening music at the pavilion. Mark states, She loved the social life of a small rural community. Church has always been important to Bobbe. Over the years she has been involved in United Methodist Women, Sunday school, helped with funeral dinners, greeting, getting ushers and always helped make noodles for the Beacon chicken noodle fundraiser. She was a Cub Scout den mother as well. Every Sunday you will find Bobbe, with a big smile on her face, sitting in the row with her long-time friends. Rebecca says, Mom never had an enemy. I never heard her say a bad word about anybody. She definitely followed her Christian beliefs in life. Special events at the church are the baptisms and weddings of her children and grandchildren. She has many wonderful memories of Christmas Eve and Easter services as well as special singing groups who perform at the church. Her biggest hope is for our church is to continue growing with new people and young people joining. She loves her church and wants it to survive forever. Submitted by Jan Hedges

5 November S. National Fort Scott, KS Each Monday: #5:00-7:00 p.m. Next Steps at FUMC Each Wednesday: *9:00 to Noon-Work at the church >5:30-7:00 p.m. (FFiHN) Feeding Families in His Name meal served in SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 All Saints Day 2 All Souls Day 3 4 1:30 Book Group- 4-9 p.m. First Thursday Stitchers- 5 Communion ~ Daylight Saving Time ends ~Sandwich sales fundraiser ~3 p.m. Church Conference-FUMC 6 #NS 7 p.m. Bourbon County Parish meeting-west Liberty UMC 7 9 a.m. Fiber Fellowship- Noon-Mahjong group- 7 p.m. SPRC meeting - 8 *Wednesday work 1:30 Book Group- 7 p.m. HOCROC meeting Fundraising meal (spaghetti) after worship p.m. XYZ Club- 7 p.m. Christian Education meeting a.m. Quilts to Comfort- Noon-Mahjong group- 7 p.m. Board of Trustees meeting- 15 *Wednesday work 1:30 p.m. Book Group- 6 p.m. Memorials & Gifts Committee meeting-pastor s Study 7 p.m. Administrative Board meeting- 16 December newsletter articles are due 17 11:30-1:00 Friendship Soup Lunch-Fellowship Hall, sponsored by ASP Mission team and UMW Bake Sale at 11 a.m. 1 p.m. DAR meeting- 18 Bishop s Round-Up Douglas County Fairgrounds-Lawrence, KS 10 a.m.-noon is reserved 19 Help bring Christmas decorations down out of storage after worship Noon Tailgate Party-Fellowship Hall 20 #NS 21 9 a.m. Fiber Fellowship- Noon Mahjong group- 7 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service- FUMC 22 *Wednesday work 1:30 p.m. Book Group- 23 Thanksgiving Office Closed 24 Office Closed United Methodist Student Day Decorate the church for Christmas after worship 27 1 p.m. XYZ Club- #NS 28 9 a.m. Quilts to Comfort- Noon-Mahjong group- 29 *Wednesday work 1:30 p.m. Book Group- 30 6:15-8:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall reserved Dates, times and activities may change. Watch the bulletin for updates.

6 301 South National Fort Scott, KS Return Service Requested Visit our website at The people of the United Methodist Church Open hearts Open minds Open doors Here s your November, 2017 Newsletter from. 301 South Fort Scott, KS Phone: (620) Fax: (620) pastor@firstumcfsks.org OR secretary@firstumcfsks.org Uniting for ministry through the Bourbon County Cooperative Parish Church Office Hours: 8:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00-3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m.-noon Friday During June, July and August 8:00 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday