TIDINGS OF WELLER FEBRUARY. Come! Experience God s love with the Weller Church Family.

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1 TIDINGS OF WELLER FEBRUARY Come! Experience God s love with the Weller Church Family. Sunday Morning Traditional Worship 8:30 A.M. Sunday Morning Contemporary Worship 11:00 A.M. Baby & Toddler Nursery through 4yrs available at both services Wednesday Evening Prayer Time, 7 P.M. (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) Sunday School for all ages 9:45 A.M. Church Office Hours: Tues.-Friday 8:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M. (301) for Pastor Bob: Pastor@wellerumc.com for Sandra Valentine, Church Secretary: Secretary@wellerumc.com Your Gateway to Grace God s Valentine for You Valentine s Day. The words conjure up images of hearts and flowers, chocolates and little cupids, greeting cards and stuffed animals with I love you tattooed somewhere on their furry exterior. Valentine s Day, as we celebrate it, is a good time to remember the loves of our lives. But, like our celebration of Christmas, this day has become yet another exercise in consumerism. - In 2012, Americans sent an estimated 150 million greeting cards and spent an average of $126 for Valentine s Day, providing a $17.5 billion input to the national economy. - By comparison, average spending on Christmas was around $750 and added an estimated $580 billion to the economy last year. - About 196 million roses are prepared for Valentine s Day each year. - And here are two of the saddest Valentines Day statistics: according to one survey, 53% of women said they would end their relationship if they didn t get something; and, 14% percent of women send themselves flowers this day. It seems the business of Valentine s Day has taken us far from the original intent of the day, which was to honor an early saint of the church. Valentine s Day was established to remember the martyrdom of one or more saints by the name of Valentinus in the 200s AD. In the Middle Ages, the day was associated with the tradition of courtly love, with knights pledging their honor to protect fair damsels from whatever evil they might face. But it was 18 th century England where the modern practice emerged of expressing love through hand-written cards, flowers and candies. Mass produced cards became a big business in the 19 th century, while the 20 th century made accessorizing this day a must. All of this seems far removed from the love God demonstrated for us in Christ. And yet, when it comes to love and loyalty, we are no different than our Hebrew and early Christian ancestors in the faith. How many times did the people of Israel turn away from God s love and break God s commandments? How many times did the first Christians sin and seem beyond hope of redemption? Too many to count. And yet God never gives up on God s people. Here are the words of the prophet Jeremiah: Weller United Methodist Church 101 N. Altamont Avenue Thurmont, Maryland Pastor: Rev. Robert E. Kells, Jr. The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jer 31:31, 33). What better Valentine could we receive than God s love, written on our hearts? That Valentine came to us in the form of a man Jesus, the Son of God. In Jesus, there was no mistaking this message that God s love is for us; it is complete; and, it is unrelenting. The gift of the Holy Spirit fulfills the promise from Jeremiah that God s law and God s love will be inscribed on our hearts. The Holy Spirit is working God s love into us, like yeast being worked into dough. This is not something that happens in one day. It takes a lifetime for God to work God s love into us. But God will never leave this job undone. And that is very good news for Valentine s Day, or any other day. So when you receive your Valentines this year, remember the best Valentine of all is the one that comes to you, postage free, straight from the living God. Affirm Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as we care for others and tell people about Him. Affirm~Care~Tell Peace, Pastor Bob

2 February Birthdays 02/01 Hannah Hooper 02/03 Jeremy Bailey 02/04 Andrew Mathias; Sabrina Mathias 02/05 Matthew Roberts 02/06 Alan Harrison; Madison Kiessling 02/07 Dorothy Clever; Janet Thompson 02/08 Stephanie Kiessling 02/09 Agnes Stitely 02/11 Merle Dawson 02/12 Fred Henning; Ian Rinehart; Jolane Souris 02/13 Rick Wivell; Caitlin Merico 02/14 Jared Grimm 02/15 Jared Fahnestock 02/17 Keith Valentine 02/18 Michele Merico 02/19 Erica Lockney 02/20 Megan Clark; Troy Angell; David McGuire; Nick Smith 02/25 Joan Staub 02/27 Nicole Riffle; Nicholas Humerick 02/28 Anna Lea Weihrer; Kaitlyn Herbert February Anniversaries 02/12 Louise & Robert Shaffer, Sr. March Birthdays 03/01 Jerry Clem; Sarah Kells 03/03 Carol Stevens; Tar Bowers-Seek; Skyla Smith; Brody Mathias 03/04 Linda Henning 03/05 Bob Miller; Dakota May 03/06 Carol Miller; David Grimm 03/08 Ernest Staub; Steven Wastler 03/09 Arlene Fogle; Bruce Reed 03/11 Alan Brauer, Sr. 03/15 Kyle Eyler 03/17 Catherine Pitt; Melissa Mathias 03/18 Lee Eyler, Sr. 03/22 Louise Shaffer 03/24 Nancy Lewis 03/29 Paul Hahn; Destiny Wastler 03/30 Lydia Baust March Anniversaries 03/01 Vickie & John Howes 03/19 Joni & Tom Lindsey 03/25 Sandy & Richard Shaffer 03/31 Diane & David Stottlemyer 2 Church Council 2013 Pastor Rev. Robert E. Kells, Jr. Organist Lori Eyler Administrative Board Paulette Mathias-Chair Wes Hamrick-Vice Chair Cemetery Roy Clever Finance Committee Kay Miller & Peggy Royer Lay Leader Catherine Pitt History Committee John Hart Nominations Committee Rev. Robert E. Kells, Jr. Membership Virginia Gelwicks SPRC-Staff Parish Relations Cindy Hart Stewardship Ethel Brauer Trustees Committee Tom Shaffer Council on Ministries Bob Miller Dorothy Clever-Vice Chair Care Committee TBD - OPEN Church School Youth/ Children-Paulette Mathias, Pat Alexander Adult-Roy Clever Fellowship Committee Karen Younkins Missions Committee Kelly Alexander, Pat Alexander Public Relations Noelle Hallman United Methodist Women Dorothy Clever Worship Committee Michele Merico Youth Council Jr. & Sr. High- Debbie Stull, Stephanie Kiessling Greeters 8:30 02/02 Betty & RJ Shorb 02/16 Paulette & Dennis Mathias Acolytes 8:30 02/02 Krista Royer 02/16 Skyla Smith Scripture Readers & Call to Worship 8:30 02/02 Nancy Rice 02/09 Boy Scouts 02/16 Bob Fahnestock Nursery Assistant 8:30 02/02 Peggy Royer 02/09 Louise Shaffer 02/16 Charlene Stitely Greeters 11:00 02/02 Vickie & John Howes 02/16 Barb Barbe Acolytes 11:00 02/02 Jacob Wastler 02/09 Emmalee Miller 02/16 Josh Miller Scripture Readers & Call to Worship 11:00 02/02 Alison McGuire 02/16 Josh Miller Nursery Assistant 11:00 02/02 OPEN 02/09 OPEN 02/16 OPEN Combined Svc. 2/23 Greeters: Jenny & Matt Roberts Acolyte: Megan Clark Scripture Reader: Debby Shultzaberger Nursery Asst: Katy Bowers and Makayla Sermons 02/02 Why, God? Why God s love prevails - Roman 8: /09 Prayer 101: What Prayer is All About - Luke 11:1-2; Rev. 3:20 02/16 Prayer 101: The Varieties of Prayer - 1 Tim 2:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 02/23 Mission Sunday Guest Speaker: Jessica Hogan The will perform one Sunday a month. There is no set schedule. Check bulletin for changes We appreciate your service to God and our church! If you are unable to attend church on your scheduled date, please make substitution arrangements and notify the office. Thank you. ) Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 Communion 5:45 p.m. Youth Super Bowl Dinner 9 Prayer Shawl Ministry during services 16 Puppet Ministry 3 p.m Fellowship Dinner 4 p.m. Talent Show 5 p.m. 23 Mission Sunday 8:45 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. Combined Service 3 Prayer Shawl Scout Leaders 7 p.m. 10 Trustees 17 Missions 24 Worship 4 Puppet Ministry 6 p.m. C.O.M. Practice 11 Membership 11 a.m. Ad Board 18 Missions Cantata Rehearsals: 12 UMW 1 p.m. Prayer Time 19 Alpha Course Bible Study 26 Prayer Time 6 p.m. Alpha Course Bible Study All bulletin information/announcements are due to office by noon on Tuesdays. Thank you! 28

3 Youth Group News...All youth grades 6-12 are invited to the Kiessling's for a Super Bowl party! We'll eat, watch the game and play a few games of our own. Bring a snack to share. Arrive at 5:45pm and pick up by 9pm. Questions? Call Stephanie High-school conference "Impact" in O.C. is coming up on March 21, 22, & 23. Please let the youth leaders know if your child is interested in attending by Feb. 3rd, so we can take advantage of the early registration discount. Thanks! Stephanie Kiessling and Debbie Stull, Youth Group Co-Leaders. The suggested food items for the Thurmont Food bank are: canned meats, peanut butter, jelly, canned soup, saltine crackers, toiletries, and anything else you would like to donate. Also, you can make a monetary donation made payable to Weller U.M.C. and mark it Food Bank. The food bank is at St. John's Lutheran Church, 15 North Church Street, next to the fire station. Since many people are homeless or in transition, pop-top cans and items that don't need to be baked are helpful. Thank you for your help! Saving helps! The UM Women will be saving pop tabs and education labels to benefit children, comfort families, and advance research. Along with those listed above, fronts of cards will also be collected. WOLFGANG CANDY The Missions Committee is selling Wolfgang Candy. Candy will be available for pickup on Sunday, March 28th before and after the services. All profits from the sale will help sponsor mission trips for youth for this summer. All order forms and payments are due by Sunday, March 2nd. Order forms and payments may be placed in the offering plate or in Sandy Valentine s mailbox. Please make checks payable to: Weller UMC Memo: candy Thank you for your support! Photography Notice: Please note that photographs taken during church activities and services are used for keeping our church archives up-to-date and for use in our bulletins, newsletters, website and facebook account. We ask that no tags, comments or changes be made on these photos for security reasons. If you prefer not to have your child s photo used in any of these areas, please notify Kim Clever or Pastor Bob so we can assure your request is honored. Thank you. 10 JOIN US IN PRAYER The Prayer Group: Scripture tells us that Christians most powerful resources is communion with God through prayer. Please join us as we gather for prayer on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at in the library. Everyone is welcome! DINNER AND A SHOW, 16 FEBRUARY The next fellowship dinner on Sunday, 16 February, at 4 p.m., will feature some great local talent from right here at Weller. Our talent show has nine acts signed up to provide entertainment and inspiration for your faith journey. There's no better way to spend a winter Sunday than with hot food, friends and good entertainment. Be sure to join us for the greatest show in town! Please bring a dish to share. Drinks are provided. OCCASSIONAL VOLUNTEER NEEDED The church must inspect the boiler regularly for insurance purposes - weekly during the heating season and less frequently in the off-season. John Hart has been doing the inspection for years, but we need to train a back-up for when he isn't available. If interested, please contact John, Tom Shaffer, or the church office. Date Worship VITAL STATISTICS Attendance & Offering Sunday School Offering 05 Jan $ Jan Jan Jan 87 N/C Sunday Total 11, Needed per month $16, There will be a healing service on 16 February at both 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. 3 A SPECIAL THANK YOU Dear Church family, Thank you so much for the wonderful food. Everything was so good, loved the cakes! You made the day so easy and special for us. The Ridenour s ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS Congratulations to the winners of the Great Weller Chili cook off: 1st place - Christine Miller 2nd place- Bob Follin ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE on March 5, 2014 Weller United Methodist Church Joint service with Deerfield UMC Budget for 2014 was accepted. Still looking for a fire proof safe to store important church papers in. Refurbished computers for the church office have been purchased and are being installed. Weather cancellations will be done by phone chain, and Facebook. We have received responses from letters sent to non-attending members and are revising our membership roles. At this time we are not hiring an assistant nursery attendant. 25 people signed up for the "Why God" bible study. Next Ad Board meeting is February 11, 2014 at All members are welcome to attend. VOLUNTEER PAINTERS AND SNOW REMOVERS NEEDED The Trustee s Committee is looking for volunteers who are interested in painting the inside of the church. No date has been set at this time for the painting. Also, volunteers are needed to remove the snow/ice on the church sidewalk and steps. If you can help with any project, please sign up on the clipboard that is being passed around the next few weeks, or contact the church office and your name will be forwarded to Tom Shaffer, Trustees Chair. Thank you! Weller UMC is looking for someone to coordinate vacation bible school this year. Plans will need to be made soon. If you feel inspired to lead this very important ministry, please let Bob Miller or Pastor Bob know. Thank you!

4 COLLEGE STUDENT VALENTINE BAGS It s time to start thinking about Valentine s Day already, believe it or not! Each year we try to give some support and encouragement to our college students by giving them a treat bag. It s a way to let them know we re thinking of them even when they can t always be with us. We accept wrapped candy, granola bars, crackers, and other snack items as well as home baked cookies or candy. We will also accept small non-food items that might be useful to a college student and that would fit in the bag. If you don t have time to shop or bake, monetary donations are useful to fill in items where needed and for postage to mail items if the student is not nearby. We ll accept donations in the box in the hallway until Sunday, February 9 th. We ll also be passing a clipboard with an envelope and sign up list attached. If you are the parent of a college student who attends Weller, please let us know on the back of the green slip or by calling the church office. If the student is away from home, please include their mailing address. Thank you very much for participating! If you have any questions, call Pat Alexander at Thurmont Ministerium 2014 Lenten Services Schedule Sharing Bread Mondays: March 10th at : St. John s Lutheran Church, Thurmont, Pastor Linda Beck March 17th at : St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Utica, Pastor Bert Lane March 24th at : Harriet Chapel, Pastor Sally Joyner-Giffin March 31st at : Weller UMC, Pastor Bob Kells, Pastor Ray Dudley, and Pastor Elza Hurst April 7th at : United Church of the Brethren, Pastor Joanne April 14th at Noon: TBA HELP US SELECT WELLER S TOP 25 SONGS Billboard has one, so does itunes. Now it s time for the Weller UMC Top 25 Favorite Songs List! All during the month of February, you can vote for your favorite hymns and praise songs. See the insert in the weekly worship bulletin. Once the voting is completed, we ll publish the results in the March newsletter. Let your voices be heard! Help us make the Weller Top 25 your playlist for singing God s praises. VOLUNTEER PAINTERS AND SNOW REMOVERS NEEDED The Trustee s Committee is looking for volunteers who are interested in painting the inside of the church. No date has been set at this time for the painting. Also, volunteers are needed to remove the snow/ice on the church sidewalk and steps. If you can help with any project, please sign up on the clipboard that is being passed around the next few weeks, or contact the church office and your name will be forwarded to Tom Shaffer, Trustees Chair. Thank you! January - Bob & Louise Shaffer February - Bob & Louise Shaffer March - Barb Barbe 5 OPEN 2 Roy & Dorothy Clever 2 Lee Taylor 12 Dottie Kline 9 Fred Henning 9 Grace Andrews 19 R.J. & Betty Shorb 16 David & Kim Grimm 16 Dennis & Paulette Mathias 26 David & Kim Grimm 23 Bob & Sandy Fahnestock 23 Phyllis Wynkoop 30 OPEN SON OF GOD MOVIE 2014 Altar Flowers Below is the chart for altar guild and flowers for the year There are three (3) openings: March 30 and August 17, 2014 and January Also, we are in need of an Altar Guild helper for the month of April. If the date listed for you does not suit, or if you are able to fill in an open date, please call the Dorothy Clever or the church office. Thank you for your generosity. April - May - Virginia Gelwicks & Jody Hahn June - Kay Miller & Bill Clayton 6 Gary Roberts 4 Fred Henning 1 Earl & Sylvia Weant 13 Paul & Debby Shultzaberger 11 R.J. & Betty Shorb 8 Henry & Pat Alexander 20 Joan Freeze 18 Anna Lea Weihner 15 Edgar Woods 27 Virginia Gelwicks 25 Agnes Stitely 22 Rick & Kathy Wivell 29 Gary Roberts July - Nancy Eyler August - Joan Staub & Debbie Stull September - Kathy Wivell 6 David & Kim Grimm 3 Jim & Peggy Royer 7 Earl & Sylvia Weant 13 R.J. & Betty Shorb 10 Ken & Anita Drye 14 Nancy & Bill Rice 20 Nancy Rice 17 OPEN 21 Jody Hahn 27 Dottie Kline 24 Kay Miller & Bill Clayton 28 Bob & Christine Miller 31 Dennis & Paulette Mathias October - Karen Younkins November - Dorothy Clever December - Nancy Rice 5 Kim Lavigne 2 Kim Lavigne 7 Pat Black 12 Fred & Karen Younkins 9 Jody Hahn 14 Ruby & Susan Storer 19 Fred Henning 16 Fred Henning 21 R.J. & Betty Shorb 26 Barb Barbe 23 Jody Hahn 28 R.J. & Betty Shorb 29 Peggy & Jim Royer Weller UMC is thinking about organizing a movie night to see The Son of God in theaters. The movie comes out February 28. This is a movie that will share the life-changing message of Jesus life, death, and resurrection. We are not sure of the date or location for the movie, but we would like to know about how many people would like to see this film as a group. If you are interested in going to the movie, please contact Henry or Pat Alexander, patalexander@prodigy.net (301) or the church office at secretary@wellerumc.com (301) Thank you. HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT WELLER S LIBRARY LATELY If you missed the Why Bible Study, the church library has a copy of the book and DVD for the course. While you are at it, take a look at other books in the library for bread for your spiritual journey. 4 9

5 Have you been searching for something that makes you feel good inside, allows you to be creative, and have fun with others? Have you been looking for a way to share yourself with God and your church family? Look no further! The Weller Youth/Adult Choir, Youth/Adult Choir and are looking for YOU! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Each group will meet every Thursday, beginning February 6, at the times below: - 5:00-6:00 pm in the sanctuary Youth/Adult choir - 6:15-7:15, in the handbell room downstairs. Adult & Youth Choir - 7:30-8:30 in the sanctuary. Weekly rehearsals will continue until the Easter Cantata performance on April 27. You can sign up on the clipboard during Church on Sunday mornings or call Debby Hope to see you at one or all of the rehearsals. Bring a friend. Mission Committee News January 2014 Thank you for donating enough Health Kit items to fill nine kits completely. We are still collecting these items as an ongoing project so please continue to check the lists on the lower shelf in the narthex so that we can complete more of these. We hope to deliver these to Mission Central in Pennsylvania very soon. The deadline for items is February 23 in order for them to be delivered on March 6th to Mission Central and we are trying to collect as many as we can by that date. Please check the list below for urgent needs for the people of the Phillipines affected by Typhoon Haiyan: First Aid Supplies peroxide, sterile gloves, bandages, gauze, tape, Neosporin. Personal Care Items- soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene supplies, hand sanitizer. Baby Items diapers, baby bottles, baby formula, Pedialyte. These can also be placed in the Mission Box in the hallway. If you have any questions, please call Pat Alexander at or Kelly Alexander at Our Lady Mt. Carmel 3419 Friends, This list is a summary of food donations to the Thurmont Food Bank for It shows us that Weller is among the top contributors - - number 5 out of 18 churches. Your donations to the Food Bank are a great blessing to the needy in our community and a mark of the tremendous generosity you continue to display as God s people. Well done, Weller! And thank you for your faithfulness. Pastor Bob 5

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