The Gathering PASTOR S PEN. September 2015

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1 The Gathering PASTOR S PEN September 2015 One of the recent contemporary songs that has blessed so many persons says... "My Life is in you, Lord My Strength is in you, Lord My Hope is in you, Lord In You, it's in you." In Psalm 91, God's Word says..."he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty...He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Our God and all of His promises to us...they are our Shelter, our Refuge, and our Fortress. God is a place of protection...a place of rest...a place we can turn to for safety, the One we can turn to as a stronghold who will "keep me" in His care as a hiding place when we are fearful...much like hiding behind a mother's apron when we were children. With God...this is "The Place"...the "Only Place" of rest and security against all enemies and all fears in life. Our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, also gave us an open invitation..."come unto me, all who are weak and heavy laden (burdened), and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Don't you just love that word..."come". Any time, at any place, in any situation...night or day, I am here for you and I am right beside you and together by God's power and strength...we will find renewed strength and overcome that which causes us anguish; simply...come, and God is there. God is our "Help...a very present Help in times of trouble". His arms are open wide to receive His children...he welcomes and receives all who run to Him! "You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday...i will rescue him...i will protect him...i will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him...and show him my salvation." (Ps.91:5-16) Do you know the song...can you hum or sing it with me...i am sure most of you know the tune. But most importantly, I pray you know the truth of His promises and the Person...Our God and Our King. "My Life is in you, Lord My Strength is in you, Lord My Hope is in you, Lord In You, it's in you." May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Pastor Ed

2 COMING EVENTS HOG ROAST We will have our annual Hog Roast on Sunday, September 13, at the GPS Building. Games will begin at 4:30 p.m., we will eat at 5:30 p.m., and we will have music at 6:15 p.m. Meat and drink will be furnished, but please bring a dish or two to share. Come and enjoy! PRIMETIMERS On Thursday, September 17, the Primetimers will visit Hastings Pioneer Village. The village is a real gem located just south of Nappanee, an opportunity to take several steps back in time. Visit the general store, meeting house, church, barber shop, dentist office, school, caboose, and several log cabins. A special treat will be ice cream. Lunch will be at Country Café in Nappanee, ordering from the menu. The bus will pick up at Greencroft at 10:15; we will leave the church parking lot at 10:45 a.m. If you have questions, please call Bob Shirk at FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY COURSE A Financial Peace University course will begin on Monday night, September 14, at 6:30 p.m., at the downtown campus. Bobbi Smith will be teaching the course. This course will meet for nine weeks, every Monday night. If you are interested in being a part of this class, please contact the church office, If you have questions regarding the class, please contact Bobbi Smith, M E M B E R S H I P CLASS We will be starting a church membership class for all those who are interested. It will begin on September 20 and continue through November 15. We will meet at 5:00 p.m. every Sunday evening at the Life Center. Pastors Ed and Brenda will be leading the class. If you are interested in being in this class, please call the church office, TGIW BEGINS Our Wednesday evening TGIW meal and classes will begin on September 16 at the Downtown campus. The meal is at 5:00 p.m. and the classes begin at 6:15 p.m. There will be two adult classes. Pastor Brenda will teach a Parenting class, and Pastor Ed will teach a New Testament Survey class. Children s classes will meet in the basement, and the youth will meet at the Life Center. Everyone is welcome.

3 On April 3 through April 8, 2016, the youth will be traveling to Camp Tipton in Maryville, Tennessee to help those in need of home repair. The projects may include painting, roofing, plumbing, flooring, and more. This is an opportunity for our youth to not only learn new skills, but to show Christ s love in a mighty way and to be His servants to a community in need! During the entire month of September, we are hosting a Puzzle Fundraiser to raise funds for this trip! For the fundraiser, you have the opportunity to sponsor a piece (or as many pieces as you would like!) for $10. Once your donation is received, your name will be written on the back of a puzzle piece, and once the pieces are sold, the puzzle will be constructed so the youth group will have a beautiful keepsake to display that shows the love and support of our church family! I hope you will partner with us to raise the funds for this exciting journey that Christ is calling us forth to do. Please fill out and detach the bottom portion of this sheet to send in with your donation by the due date of October 4. Thank you for your servant s heart! -Bobbi Smith, Youth Pastor For we are God s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 _ Welcome to the Puzzle Fundraiser! Each puzzle piece costs $10, and you may purchase as many pieces as you like. There is no limit! Please fill out the following information and return it in an envelope along with your donation. Place the envelope in the offering plate, or turn it in to the church office (214 S. 5 th St, Goshen, IN 46528) by NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 4! Once you purchase a piece, your name will be written on the back of a piece, and once the pieces are all sold, we will have a keepsake showing all of our wonderful supporters who helped make this trip possible! Thank you so much for being an active part of our ministry! Name of Donor: Donation Amount: $ Number of Puzzle Pieces Purchased:

4 Dearest Friends and Church Family, In January of 2011, my husband and I were advised to take Dave Ramsey s Financial Peace University class that was being offered at our church. My husband had taken the class once before, and as a married couple, we decided to take the course together. Within the thirteen weeks of class, we came together in a mighty way and began taking the steps toward vigorously paying off our debt. Now, four years later, I am proud to say that we were able to incorporate Dave Ramsey s principles in a way that forever changed our lives and our mindsets. We are debt free, except for our mortgage, and we are on track to pay off our home early! What a difference it makes in our lives to be able to better serve our mighty Father and use the resources that He has so graciously blessed us in a way that blesses others! During this class, we learned that everyone has a story, and each of us plays a part in making choices that can lead to a bright financial future. My husband and I realized very quickly, that our money is not our own, it is from God, and we want to continue to be good stewards for Him. We work diligently at making wise financial decisions, and through much prayer, we would like to offer you a wonderful opportunity to experience the same hope and financial freedom through Christ that we have! Beginning on Monday, September 14 at 6:30pm at the Downtown Campus, my husband and I will be offering Dave Ramsey s Financial Peace University. This is newly consolidated nine-week course that leads you through the baby steps of getting rid of debt and walking toward a bright financial future. The cost of this class is $83, which includes all class materials (i.e. books, workbooks, forms, online tools, etc.). What a joy it would be to walk this journey toward financial peace with our very own friends and family! Please consider joining us on September 14 to strengthen your finances and grow together in Christ! If you would like to sign up for the class, please contact Harriet at the church office: For questions regarding the class, please contact Bobbi: or banglemy@gmail.com. Blessings to you, Matt & Bobbi Smith banglemy@gmail.com

5 First United Methodist Church 214 S. Fifth Street Goshen, IN Phone: Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No.136 Goshen, IN Address Service Requested I want to thank the church for the flower that John & Lois Fidler delivered to me last week for my birthday. It was real thoughtful. -Dorothy Hess I want to thank my church family for the lovely birthday carnation and also to Jeanette Salisbury for delivering it. I appreciate it. -Sue Harp My most sincere thanks for the condolences and support from our church family with Jean s sudden passing. Ed and Brenda were there for me at almost the moment I found her and stayed with me. You have shown me God s love and how much Jean was loved. I thank you with all of my heart. -Bob Morris

6 HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS! September 1 Nancy Sorg Aaron Wilkinson Boden Stutsman September 2 Jeff Johnson John Auer Jaden Keim September 3 Terri Price September 5 Doc Haney Emily Denning Andy Swain Mike McCallister September 6 Charley Stutsman Rev. Brenda Fritz September 7 Jack Blankenbaker Tanner Phillips September 8 Brenda Becker Amanda Peffley Suzan Wilkinson September 9 Betty Sherck Sarah Holt September 10 Cammi Waggoner September 12 Earl LaCounte Shirley Cripe Doug Tarman September 13 Hannah Weirich September 14 Denise Lambright Jeannine Johnston September 15 Tim Phillips September 16 Wendy Yoder James Pearson Amy Gingerich September 19 Perry Haimes September 20 Nancy Eckelbarger September 21 Linette Schwinn Penny Mabie Gretchen Martin September 22 Chuck Hart Betty McKnight September 23 Susan Vance John Eldridge Samuel Yoder Pippin Stutsman Nathan Hopper September 24 Sarah Nowak September 25 Erv Herschberger Shirley VanGilst September 26 Christopher Robbins September 27 Joanne Swanson Mason Kupke September 28 Andrew Weddle Karlee Crume Jordan Lloyd September 29 Leslie Weirich September 30 Ray Streit Cindy Detwiler Brad Hanshew THINK ABOUT IT When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you re the one smiling and everyone around you is crying. -anonymous The happiest of people don t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the most of everything that comes along their way. -anonymous When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile. -anonymous In the end, it s not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away. -anonymous