Grafton United Methodist Church 973 Mechanic Street Grafton, Ohio Church Office:

Transcription

1 Grafton United Methodist Church 973 Mechanic Street Grafton, Ohio Church Office: September 2013

2 THE Church County fairs are in full swing, children are beginning school, it's apple picking time, and time to vision for the future of THE Church. I was quite deliberate in not saying OUR church. We are part of a larger, living organism than Grafton United Methodist Church so it is my vision that we would see ourselves as part of THE Church of Jesus Christ. Preacher, what do you mean by THE Church of Jesus Christ? Great question! I mean that while our hearts are near and dear to Grafton United Methodist Church our vision, our hopes, and our support go far beyond our local setting which is one of the reasons it is so exciting to be a Christian in this day and age. Our reach, even as we consider ourselves small, has a big impact on the world. Our touch has been felt as far away as Afghanistan and as close as the neighbors next door. This is possible because of your generosity of time, talent, and treasure in answering the call of the Holy Spirit. As September is one of the 'start up' points in the year it is time to start on our knees individually and collectively praying about how we will support the ministries of GUMC and beyond. Ask yourself, How can I give time, talent, and treasure in such a way that it is truly reflective of my love for Jesus? How can I become an effective witness through time, talent, and treasure that mirrors what Jesus has done for me? These questions are important as the new church year gets underway. Standing still is not acceptable. The only place a Christian can acceptably stand is at the foot of the Cross waiting for the Holy Spirit to give direction. As part of new beginnings I want to share my covenant to my Lord through this congregation. With the strength and power of the Holy Spirit: I am committed to expressing RADICAL HOSPITALITY wherever I am and always seeking opportunity to extend the WELCOME of CHRIST I am committed to presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ authentically and as enthusiastically as the Holy Spirit reveals in me. I am committed to Christ and this congregation to provide opportunities for members, guests, 'seekers', whomever to discover, explore, and grow in faith. I am committed to tithing through GUMC and have increased my present level of giving by 15% These are my new beginnings. Will you also start anew? Will you also be committed to the Lord and THE Church? For your edification, please read: Jeremiah 29: and Isaiah 43: and John 1:1 FROG Pastor Dee

3 Serving the Lord September 2013 Lay Liturgist Greeters and Ushers 1 Barbara Abbott Bob and Mary Brandal and Melissa and Kevin Baldoza 8 Marilyn Chavalia Lloyd and Judy Miller and Joe and Diane Mendlik 15 Judy Schultz Larry Smeltz and Arlene McGaughey and Chris Clapper and Ryan Tomes 22 Chris Clapper Chuck and Barb Stephens and Diane Lach and Shirley Groves 29 Shirley Groves Kellie and Aiden Berstling and Shana and Molly Stonestreet Children s Time 1 Shana Stonestreet 8 Erin Byrne 15 Theresa Carter 22 Margie Lisle 29 Erin Byrne

4 2 Rob and Shelia Overy 4 Ed and Joann Stinnett 10 Todd and Sarah Steele 20 David and Pat Coffman 26 Chuck and Barb Stephens 30 JJ and Kim Justice OCTOBER 2 Don and Judy Schultz Make Plans Today and Mark Your Calendar Come Dine With Us September 14, 2013 at GUMC in the Lower Level Everyone is invited to share a meal and some conversation. Dinner is served from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Won t you join us! We ve got a seat saved just for you! PRAISE SERVICE from 6:00-6:30 p.m. upstairs in the Sanctuary 3 Ashley Reisinger 4 Chris Hoffmaster 9 Courtney Elliott 10 Erin Byrne Ben Hawke 16 Anita Wheatley 18 Helen Cutter 21 Mary Brandal 22 Jacob Foster 24 Matt Byrne Nathanial Hoffmaster 29 Peggy Toomey OCTOBER 4 Joe Yusko III 6 Sandy Hawke Alzheimer s Group Monday September 16 at

5 September 2013 S UN M ON T UE W ED T HU F RI S AT Holy Communion Open Table 6:00 pm OutReach 9:00 am Finance Praise Team Rehearsal Birthday and Anniversary Sunday Blood Pressure Sunday 5:30 pm Trustee 7:00 pm Administrative Council Hinds Feet on High Places CARILLON ARTICLES DUE 4:30 pm 8:30 am Breakfast Club at Harvest Cafe Praise Team Rehearsal NOON S/PPR Consultation 5:00 pm Come Dine With Us Community Meal 6:00- Praise Service in Sanctuary All Church Leaders responsible with Charge Conference material and information PLEASE have your material and information to the office no later then Thursday, September 19 will resume: September 11, is for children 1 st grade through 6 th grade. See you then!

6 September 2013 S UN M ON T UE W ED T HU F RI S AT Blood Pressure Sunday Alzheimer s Hinds Feet on High Places Disciple 1 at the Miller s 4:30 pm Traveling Light ALL CONFERENCE PAPERS DUE TO GUMC OFFICE Adopt a Soldier Opportunity Sunday Hinds Feet on High Places Disciple 1 at the Miller s 4:30 pm Traveling Light 6:45 pm Worship Committee 11:30 am Lunch Bunch at Harvest Café 29 Change for Change Sunday 30 1 Hinds Feet on High Places Disciple 1 at the Miller s 2 4:30 pm Traveling Light Back to School back to normal! the Church Office will return to normal hours Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 am 1:00 pm

7 Please remember those that are not able to be with us due to health and/or physical restrictions. They would LOVE to receive cards, phone calls and visits of ALL kinds at ANY time. Calls and visits are always welcomed. YOU could be the one to make the difference in someone s life! Shirley Bartlett 1117 Hickory St Grafton Audrey Brown Crook St Grafton Dorothy McGill 1116 Hickory St Grafton Al Groves 1024 Woodland Chase Grafton At Center Ridge Health Campus: Center Ridge Rd North Ridgeville Lois Blackburn Rm Sarah Glunt Rm 702 and Emil Morris Rm 207 At Keystone Pointe: At Abbeywood: 383 Opportunity Way LaGrange Leona Fischer and Mary Walker 1210 Abbey Rd South Rm 319A Elyria Laverne Newell At Towne Center Main Street Care Center 500 Community Dr Avon Lake Dorothy Shively Rm Deadline for October Carillon Articles and Information September 11 Praise Team rehearsals: 10:30 a.m. the 1st Saturday and2nd Saturday of each month! Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! (Psalm 100) Join us!

8 The Room (Written by Joshua Harris) In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was the one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory wouldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to the one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled At My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done In My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath At My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I had expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own hand writing. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quantity of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented. When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test it's size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at it's detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards!!" In an intense frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. I leaned my forehead against the wall, and let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared The Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled the handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as he began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch his response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!!" I shouted, rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written in His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written. Special Note from Chris Long at Laugh & Lift This story is often misattributed to a Brian Keith Moore. It turns out that this is not accurate. I have verified that it was written by Joshua Harris in 1995 based on a dream that he had.