From the Pastor s Office...

Transcription

1 Monthly Newsletter First Brethren Church South Bend, IN Volume 3, Issue 4 May, 2017 From the Pastor s Office... Inside this issue: Busy, Busy, Busy! It just seems that there is so much going on right now, and it s not even May yet (while writing this), when so much takes place at the end of the school year. I m not complaining, because it reminds me of the kitchen sign that says, Thank God for dirty dishes; They have a tale to tell. While others may go hungry, We're eating very well With home, health, and happiness, I shouldn't want to fuss; By the stack of evidence, God's been very good to us. God has been very good to us, but it is easy to get overwhelmed. Personally, I would rather be busy than just sit around with nothing to do (when does that ever happen?), so let s take a few moments in May to thank God for the availability to be busy. Busy for self. I will admit that I can place a lot of things in this category: Gardening, beekeeping, bathroom remodeling, etc. Busy for Family. We have need to be in Chicago 3 times, Janna s graduation, wedding anniversary, ECA band concert, Mother s day, etc. Busy for/with the Church Family. Various Activities: Rummage Sale, Pork Chop dinner, BCE board, Board of Directors, Friday Night Coffee, Men s breakfast, etc. Busy for Others. Graduation parties, food pantry, Romanian mission trip, prayer, etc. Busy for God. Worship, Bible study, Holy Spirit leading, living the Holy life. I m not going to write a poem like the one above, but within the busyness of life, we sure can see the blessings of God. I have been blessed with a home to work on, a garden to plant and eat from, and bees to take care of for honey. I have been blessed with a wonderful family: Janna, Joshua, and Maria that I can come alongside and celebrate their accomplishments. I m definitely blessed with a wonderful church family that loves the Lord and we can serve together to help others know, grow, and show Jesus Christ. Busyness for others is being ready to serve as the need arises. Finally, and most importantly, busy for God reminds me of how great a God we have that cares for us and wants a relationship with us. Just think, God could have created us but not even care about us. We are blessed with a God that loves, cares and serves His creation. If you are busy, please least take a few minutes to count your blessings because you are busy. There would be no busyness without the blessings that come from it. Thank God for busyness because it reveals to us that there are important things in our lives that need to have attention. This reminds me of a gospel song that we sing, Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God has done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your many blessings, see what God has done. I pray that your May is full of thanksgiving and praise, for even in the busyness, we can see God s hand of blessings. If you need prayer, have spiritual questions, or just need someone to listen to you, please feel free to contact me. I am never too busy to serve you (fyoungen@att.net, or ). God Bless you all. Bee Holy. Pastor Fred May Volunteers 2 Birthdays, Anniversaries 3 Youth, Library & More 3 May Calendar 4 Future Events, Grads 5 June Volunteers 6 News from Benjamin 7 Upcoming Events Thursday, May 4, National Day of Prayer, 12-1pm Friday, May 5, Food Pantry, 10am-12pm Saturday, May 6, Rummage Sale, 9am-3pm Saturday, May 6, Pork Chop Dinner, Carry-out 4-7pm Monday, May 8, BCE Meeting, 6:30pm Sunday, May 14, MOTHER S DAY Monday, May 15, Board of Directors Meeting, 6:30pm Friday, May 19, Food Pantry, 10am-12pm Friday, May 19, Friday Night Coffee Bible Study, 6:30pm Saturday, May 20, Men s Breakfast, 8:00am Sunday, May 21, Graduation Sunday, 9:30am Sunday, May 21, Deacon/ Deaconess Meeting, 12:00pm Monday, May 29, MEMORIAL DAY

2 Page 2 May Volunteer Schedule May Volunteer Schedule SUNDAYS Greeters 5-7 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Evelyn Zigler 5-14 John & Suzanne Bush 5-21 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Arthur Barry 5-28 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Sherrie Benko * * * If anyone else is interested in being a Greeter, please contact Bonnie Coffman at Thank you. * * * Hosts 5-7 Bev Wolf 5-14 Jan Kary 5-21 Bev Wolf 5-28 Jan Kary This is a ministry that expands hospitality to our Sunday morning guests. Please contact Bev Wolf, Nursery 5-7 9:30am - Cindi Jewett 10:45am - Cindi Jewett :30am - Paula Freed 10:45am - Connie Wood :30am - Angela Scott 10:45am :30am - Corinne Freel 10:45am - Kathy Hollister Please contact Peggy Baer ( ) if you are willing to help volunteer staff the nursery. Thank you. * * * * * * * NOTE: Blood Pressure Screening This will be available on Sunday, May 7 in the Conference Room next to the library starting at 9:00am. Please call Sandy Sherrod at if you are interested in helping with this ministry. Thank you. SUNDAYS Van Drivers We are in need of additional drivers. If you can help, please contact the church office at Dennis Wood 5-14 Dennis Wood 5-21 Carolyn Lawson 5-28 Jack Kary Financial Stewards 5-7 Judy Rose-Walley & Kathi Ginter 5-14 Angela Scott & Linda Kohman 5-21 Jack Kary, Sr. & Becky Reynolds 5-28 Jack Kary, Jr. & Kathy Plaia * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MONDAYS Monday Morning Mailers 5-8 Sandy Sherrod 5-15 Jan Smith 5-22 Judy Rose-Walley 5-30 Sandy Sherrod Please contact Sandy Sherrod, with questions. Friday Night Coffee May 19, :30pm Please join us for a great time of fellowship and discussion on Prophecy. ~ Men s Prayer Breakfast will be Saturday, May 20 at 8:00am. Trustee of the Month - Kris Wright Stamp out Hunger Food Drive Saturday May 13 If you are interested in helping, please contact Brandy Love at the Food Bank (574) ext See the kiosk by the office for positions needing to be filled. We earn free food for our Food Pantry for everyone that helps.

3 Page 3 MAY BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES Birthdays 5/2 - Rick Baer 5/4 - Annalisa Campbell 5/4 - Valerie Wagers 5/5 - Dana Richard 5/6 - Matt Zuber 5/9 - Hunter-Rae Gilbert 5/13 - Ann Wisniewski 5/14 - Adrianna Ward 5/22 - Karen Carson 5/22 - Cindi Jewett 5/23 - Clara Mossell 5/24 - Dennis Wood 5/26 - Kevin Kohman 5/26 - Pam Jenkins 5/26 - Clara Snyder 5/27 - Jeaniece Bumgardner Anniversaries 5/2 - Randy & Paula Freed 5/8 - Todd & Ann Wisniewski 5/10 - Pastor Fred & Janna Youngen 5/11 - George & Thelma Spanos 5/14 - Chad & Corinne Freel 5/20 - Michael & Becky Reynolds 5/22 - Kevin & Linda Kohman 5/26 - Robert & Judith Heying 5/28 - Brian & Tracy McKee LIBRARY NEWS I would like to thank Cheryl Kisner for sharing some of her books from her library and studies with us. I will be cataloging them as soon as I get back to Indiana. In the mean time I ll get you have a glimpse of some of them: Living Water for Thirsty Souls 250 Joshua in the Holy Land AF The Gathered & Scattered Church 260 The Cup of Our Life 243 Help Me I m Afraid 243 Help Me I m Discouraged 243 I ll be back in Indiana for Mother s Day and I look forward to seeing all or you then. Suzanne Bush, librarian May 7 - Shut-In Visit May 14 - Riverwalk Clean-up May 21 - What does it mean to be Brethren? May 28 - Downtown Scavenger WHEN: May 1, 2017, Monday / 11:00am - 10:00pm WHERE: Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Eddy St. Commons, Notre Dame WHAT: All food orders: Dine-in, Carry-out, and Gift Cards included! WHO: You, just mention to the cashier that you are with the First Brethren Church Youth Group fundraiser. (Make sure Fundraiser is on the receipt to receive credit for your purchases. HOW MUCH: 20% of all sales + an additional $1 for every milkshake purchased will be given back to the church as proceeds from our fundraiser.

4

5 Page 5 Saturday, May 6, 9am - 3pm At First Brethren Church All donated items may be dropped off at the church the week of May 1-5. Proceeds will go to sending our youth to Camp and Engage Youth Conference. Volunteers will be appreciated for sorting items, set-up before Saturday, Help during the sale, and clean-up afterwards. THANK YOU! Congratulations to our graduates ~ High School Graduates ~ Future Plans Dominic Martinez South Bend Career Academy Lauren Swanson Clay High School, South Bend IUSB or Ivy Tech for Visual Comm. or Criminal Justice ~ College Graduates ~ Meredyth Grenert Janna Youngen NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Thursday, May 4, 12-1pm First Brethren Church 4909 S. Ironwood Dr., South Bend ~ or ~ Battel Center, 904 N. Main St., Mishawaka Please come join in prayer before our Great God for our nation! Battel Event will also be broadcast LIVE on WUBS 89.7 FM Master s Degree in Social Work, University of Southern Indiana Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies, Moody Bible Institute May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence. ~ II Peter 1:2-3

6 Page 6 June May Volunteer Schedule SUNDAYS Greeters 6-4 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Karen Carson 6-11 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Kathi Ginter 6-18 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Sally Wagner 6-25 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Sandy Sherrod * * If anyone else is interested in being a Greeter, please contact Bonnie Coffman at Thank you. * * * Hosts 6-4 Bev Wolf 6-11 Jan Kary 6-18 Bev Wolf 6-25 Jan Kary This is a ministry that expands hospitality to our Sunday morning guests. Please contact Bev Wolf Nursery 6-4 9:30am - Cindi Jewett 10:45am - Cindi Jewett :30am - Paula Freed 10:45am - Connie Wood :30am - Angela Scott 10:45am :30am - Corinne Freel 10:45am - Kathy Hollister Please contact Peggy Baer ( ) if you are willing to help volunteer staff the nursery. Thank you. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Blood Pressure Screening This will be available on Sunday, June 11 in the Conference Room next to the library starting at 9:00am. Please call Sandy Sherrod at if you are interested in helping with this ministry. Thank you. Monthly Food Pantry Dates 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month - 10am-12pm Please pray for God s blessing on this ministry. SUNDAYS Van Drivers We are in need of additional drivers. If you can help, please contact the church office at Dennis Wood 6-11 Dennis Wood 6-18 Carolyn Lawson 6-25 Jack Kary Financial Stewards 6-4 Glen Scott & Kathi Ginter 6-11 Bev Wolf & Linda Kohman 6-18 Jack Kary, Sr. & Becky Reynolds 6-25 Jack Kary, Jr. & Kathy Plaia * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MONDAYS Monday Morning Mailers 6-5 Sandy Sherrod 6-12 Jan Smith 6-19 Judy Rose-Walley 6-26 Sandy Sherrod Please contact Sandy Sherrod with questions, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Friday Night Coffee June 9, :30pm Please join us for a wonderful time of fellowship and a great time of discussion on Prophecy. ~ MEN S PRAYER BREAKFAST will be Saturday, June 17 at 8:00am. All men are invited for fellowship, good food and a dedicated time for prayer and Bible reading as a group of men. Trustee of the Month - Rich Hollister FLAG DAY - Wednesday June 14, 2017

7 Blessings TO everyone! It s hard to believe that I am writing my report for the May newsletter is going fast. I hope everyone is saving all their treasures (anything you no longer want but is still in good condition) for the Youth Rummage Sale on Saturday May 6 from 9am - 3pm. You can drop off your donations May 1-5 by appointment. Help will be needed in lots of ways. Besides donations and buying, things like sorting, pricing, working the day of the sale and other ways that maybe I can t think of. This is a fundraiser for our Youth to go to Camp Shipshewana and Engage Youth Conference. Another way the youth are raising funds is the sale of Disciple s crosses. The crosses come in different colors and make great gifts. Remembers, it s never too late to start buying Christmas presents. Keep your ears and eyes open for other fundraisers. You can go to Five Guys Burgers & Fries on Monday, May 1 and say you are with the FBC Youth Fundraiser and monies will come back to our youth. Camperships are always welcome. Any amount donated will help. Just mark your offering envelopes Camperships. Please pray for our youth, the camp and Engage Conference. May 6 will also be the Spring Pork Chop Dinner, carry-out only. Help will be needed. We will need cookies, people to set-up and clean-up, pack the dinners, grill the chops, etc. (Please, please drop some of the pork chop pieces for me!) These chops are very good. I just had another great ideal for those Disciple s crosses. They will make great graduation gifts. As I write this, details to honor the graduates have been set so be on the look out for more information. Come to think of it, you can have crosses made in the graduate s school colors. Please pray for Pastor Fred as he will be flying to Romania to meet up with the Moody Chorale. It sounds confusing to me. Pray for safe travel and to make all the connections. Also pray for all the Chorale as they share the good news of Jesus with music. If you don t know, Joshua (Youngen) is also a member of the Chorale. Pastor Larry will be preaching that Sunday so be sure to come to hear him. And don t forget to stay for a 2nd hour class. I know to many of you Memorial Day weekend is the start of summer vacation, time at the lake, cottage and so one. I want to wish everyone a great summer. Come when you can and keep in touch with the church. Remember FBC is on-line. Keep the church and all members and friends in your prayers. The good news is that FBC is not going on vacation. There will be worship services and 2nd hour every Sunday. The bills will keep coming (not good new) so send your tithes and offerings if you can t be here. God bless you, Benjamin

8 4909 S. Ironwood Dr. South Bend, IN (574) Return Service Requested We re on the web! firstbrethren.org "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. ~ Psalm 139:16 Saturday, May 6, 9am - 3pm At First Brethren Church 4909 S. Ironwood Dr., South Bend Come see all the goodies available for you to purchase! All proceeds will go to sending our youth to Camp and Engage Youth Conference. THANK YOU!