NWH HAPPENINGS SERMON SERIES: GONE FISHIN

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Volume 35 Issue 5 May 2016 Worship Building Up Reaching Out NWH

Thank you, Carla Berryman, Fay Penning and Mike Berryman for

May 8 Mother s Day Smells Like Fish Matthew 13:24-30 NEW SERIES

22 Trinity & Confirmation Sunday Turned Upside Down 2 Corinthians

1 Volume 35 Issue 5 May 2016 Worship Building Up Reaching Out NWH HAPPENINGS SERMON SERIES: GONE FISHIN May 1 A Fish Story CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF SERVING! We caught these 3 preparing lunch for the Watoto Choir. Thank you, Carla Berryman, Fay Penning and Mike Berryman for blessing them and for your humble and joyful service! May 8 Mother s Day Smells Like Fish Matthew 13:24-30 NEW SERIES EXTREME MAKEOVER May 15 Pentecost Turned Inside Out Acts 2:1-13 May 22 Trinity & Confirmation Sunday Turned Upside Down 2 Corinthians 13:14 May 29 Memorial Day Weekend Past to Present to Future Northwest Hills United Methodist Church 7575 Tezel Road San Antonio TX

2 FROM PASTOR DAVID... David Trawick Senior Pastor LGBs. No, I m not writing about THAT. LGBs are Little Grey Birds, a phrase used by some birders. Some people are mystified by the fascination bird-watchers have with their hobby. A bird is a bird. Unless it s something really big, colorful or different. You know when you see a black vulture, a great horned owl, a cardinal, or a blue jay. Most other birds fade into the LGB category, just another little grey bird. But if you take a closer look, you will be surprised at what you see. An LGB sitting in the shady branches of an oak tree, seen through binoculars and with a bit of sunlight on them, turns out to be a beautiful specimen you ve never before noticed. LGBs can, in fact, be a brightly colored Eastern Bluebird, Scarlet Tanager, or Painted Bunting. And even those that are not brightly colored can be very distinctive, with shades of grey and brown marking an Eastern Phoebe, house wren, mockingbird, or house sparrow, each one unique. God doesn t see LGBs. God sees each one for what it really is. God sees people the same way. Not according to some broad category of race, class, gender, nationality, age, tattoos and piercings or not. God sees each of us individually. He sees each person s uniqueness, each person s value and beauty as someone created by him, created in his image, loved and wanted by him. That s how he sees YOU. What if we learned to see people the way God sees them? No more seeing people as LGBs, but seeing each individual as unique, valuable, irreplaceable. Each one his special creation. Each one loved by God and wanted in his family. And what if we treated them that way? Imagine the love of Christ flowing through us to every person we meet out in the community, to every person who walks in the church doors. Imagine our desire to tell them about Jesus. Imagine what could happen. Now, what if we didn t just imagine, but we put flesh and blood on that dream? Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God You are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6, 7) And so is every person who crosses your path. See you Sunday! MAY REACH OUT SATURDAY MAY 21 This month we will meet at Providence place from 10 am-2pm. We will be working with the students at the Center for Higher Independence at Providence Place. We will plan several activities of games, and crafts as well as have a team to put together a meal for us all to share. This is going to be an amazing opportunity to meet some very special friends and share in fun and fellowship. You will not want to miss out so make sure to stop by the Connection Center to sign up. There are about 40 students so we will want to have LOTS of NW Hills folks to really be able to serve them well. Here s a little bit about their program: At Center for Higher Independence, we work with young adults with disabilities and those who are deaf. We provide work and life skills training that give them the confidence and ability to live more independently. Graduating from high school usually means moving on to college or a job. For young adults with disabilities, that is not always an option and CHI can be a real and welcome alternative. We re proud of the results of our program, which was established in Our graduates achieve their personal level of independence they hold jobs, live in their own apartments, ride buses wherever they want to go. Our Center for Higher Independence provides a campus experience where young adults with disabilities learn to take responsibility for their lives. They manage tasks of daily living in a way they never dreamed possible shopping and cooking for themselves, cleaning their homes, managing their money and open up bright new futures for themselves. Once you pick your place to serve and sign up, an will be sent the week of the reach out. In it we will have information with address and contact information. So come on, join in the fun! You will not be disappointed. MAY 2016 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 2

TEAM JESUS ON THE MOVE! Kelly Voorhies Volunteer & Mission Coordinator SOUTH SUDAN May 18-31, 2016 The time is near when our South Sudan Mission Team will head out.

3 TEAM JESUS ON THE MOVE! Kelly Voorhies Volunteer & Mission Coordinator SOUTH SUDAN May 18-31, 2016 The time is near when our South Sudan Mission Team will head out. We will be working alongside the ministry Amy Jorgensen is connected with called Confident Children out of Conflict. Our goal is to share the love of Christ with the children that are in the orphanage as well as bring some different crafting skills for them and the girls in the brothels. These skills will allow them to earn income in a different way and hopefully be able to move out of the brothels and all that comes with that. In a place that may seem hopeless, in Christ there is always hope. These children and girls need to know this or be reminded of this. They are not forgotten nor ever alone. Our God is a loving God and cares deeply for them. He gives them power through the Holy Spirit and a purpose for His kingdom. How can we not go and share? Your call for this mission? PRAYER! Please cover this mission, the team (Marianne Heyne and Kelly Voorhies), Amy, the girls, children and staff with prayer. You are also invited to write a letter of encouragement to the team members. Details are available at the Connection Center and letters should be returned by Sunday, May 8. We will be posting on Facebook as we are able so make sure to follow us there and see the mighty hand of God at work! NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) June 19-25, 2016 Our team of 9 is making final plans for their mission that lies ahead. We will be serving adults with special needs and the elderly, women that are in drug and alcohol recovery, children whose mother is in recovery, a family in need of flooring, the homeless, and dogs in a shelter that need walking. This is sure to be a powerful week to see God at work in the people we serve as well as for those serving. As with any of our mission trips, we would love to have your prayers. You may also write letters of encouragement to these team members, too. Stop by the Connection Center for those details. Lastly, if you would like to help by providing a financial donation, you may do so. We will be providing meals and activities that require supplies at the different places and would love to have help covering those expenses. Make checks to NW Hills and designate NOLA. Thanks! UPDATE FROM ABUNDANT LIFE CENTER, MALAWI Moses Njobvu Director From scones to a tea room. The women started learning how to sew and knit, then they learned how to bake scones. After one year of successful scone making, knitting and sewing, the women have made enough money to embark on a tea room construction so that 70% of the scones will be sold together with tea in this store. It will also be a show room for all the products made by the groups. We are excited to see this building come to completion. Surely lives will never be the same again! Abundant Life continues with the community feeding program which is aimed at improving the nutritional status of the children. We can now boast that since we started running the program, there has been a reduced number of poverty and disease related deaths in the community! Famine continues to ravage Malawi. Last year Malawi was hit hard by hunger, but this year we are hit even worse and it has been indicated that as many as 3 million people will face extreme hunger due to El Nino that hit most of Sub Saharan Africa and Malawi was not spared. The President declared Malawi a disaster nation. This week we are taking stock of how the harvest is going with people we work with. The stories of hunger are very rampant in the communities and this year it is going to be worse. Many that farm will not be able to feed their family for even 3 months let alone a year. Continue to pray for the work being done through Abundant Life Center. If you would like to make a donation to Abundant Life, please make your check payable to Northwest Hills UMC and designate Abundant Life. The soon to be new Tea Room! MAY 2016 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 3

4 Robert Lindberg Stewardship Chair Stewardship: The Healing Power of Music What does the Bible say about...music, Songs, and Musical Instruments? Music fills the courts of heaven as heavenly beings praise our Lord and Creator. When God created the world, the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy (Job 38:7). God created man in His own image, to be an instrument of praise. He gave humans the ability to sing and to make music with musical instruments to complement the voice. Music was an important part of the worship service at the temple. Certain groups of the Levitical tribes were designated as temple musicians and singers, offering their praises to God. David had a real gift of music, providing soothing harp music to King Saul when the king was distraught. David also commissioned most of the instruments and songs for the temple services. He also wrote music of the songs in Psalms, the longest book in the Bible. Ref: "What Does the Bible Say About: Music, Songs & Musical Instruments." What Does the Bible Say About: Music, Songs & Musical Instruments. Web. 20 Apr As you are driving down the road listening to testimonies on K-Love about God s gift of the right song at the right time, have you ever wondered about the accomplishment of stewardship through music? Have you listened to one of the musical artists speaking about God s inspiration for creating that special song? I know I have; especially when I needed the Holy Spirit s help dealing with situations within and beyond my control. Stewardship comes in many forms (i.e., providing physical, intellectual, and/or emotional support, interacting socially, giving financially, performing vocationally, and growing spiritually). If you listen carefully to a song s lyrics, you will find one or more references to above mentioned forms. Why is this so? Have you wondered why music is so powerful? In Aluede, C.O. and Ekewenu, D.B. research paper titled Healing Through Music and Dance in the Bible: Its Scope, Competence and Implications for the Nigerian Music Healers, five kinds of music therapies were identified. The five healing therapies address specific issue(s) that an individual may be dealing with: Anxiolytic music therapy: Music meant to free one from fear, fright or anxiety. Tensiolytic music therapy: Music meant to relieve one from physical or mental pain as a result of labour. Algolytic music therapy: Music meant to relieve physical pain. Psycholytic music therapy: Music meant to loosen a person from the grip of evil forces. Patholytic music therapy: Music meant to relieve grief of bereavement, heavy loss or heavy burden borne on one s mind. Each of the above music therapies can be found throughout the Bible. The sixteen examples below are provided for your leisurely reading. 1. Praise and worship of God (Nehemiah 12:46) 2. Merry making (Psalms 100:1-5) 3. Mocking (Job 30:9; Lamentations 3:63) 4. Thanksgiving (Nehemiah 12:8; 12:27) 5. Surprising and terrorizing enemies (Judges 7:18-20) 6. Warding off evils (1 Samuel 16:16) 7. Warning (Judges 5:1-3) 8. Coronation of Kings (1 Kings 1:39-40) 9. Soothing troubled mind (1 Samuel 16:23; Psalms 32:7) 10. Prayer and supplication to God (Psalms 119: ) 11. Prophesying (1 Samuel 10:5-6; 1 Kings 3:15) 12. Accompaniment to work (Numbers 21:17; Judges 9:27; Jeremiah 31:4) 13. Celebrating work accomplishment (Judges 9:27) 14. Deliverance (Exodus 15:2; Psalms 126:2) 15. Rebirth (Jeremiah 31:4-5) 16. Healing (Psalms 30:11-12; 1 Samuel 16:14-23) Songs of the Month "Need You Now (How Many Times)" by Plumb "I Know Who I Am" by Jeremy Camp Hurricane by Natalie Grant Yours in Christ, Bob MAY 2016 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 4

CHILDREN S MINISTRY Natalie Long Children s Minister Highland Lakes Children s Summer Camp Make plans now for your children to attend Highland Lakes Summer Camp.

We grew closer in our walk with Christ while engaging in activities such as water sports, archery, worship, crafts, engaging lessons, sports, gaga ball and much more!

5 CHILDREN S MINISTRY Natalie Long Children s Minister Highland Lakes Children s Summer Camp Make plans now for your children to attend Highland Lakes Summer Camp. Last year we took 24 kids and 13 adults and had a blast! We grew closer in our walk with Christ while engaging in activities such as water sports, archery, worship, crafts, engaging lessons, sports, gaga ball and much more! There are two sessions designed with the age of your child in mind. Children entering 2 nd -4 th grade- July 29 th -30 th $80 registration deadline - June 15 th Children entering 4 th -6 th grade- July 25 th -28 th $210 - registration deadline June 15 th We will be giving kids the chance to fundraise for camp so they can lower the cost of camp. Details to come! Vacation Bible Camp Vacation Bible Camp is around the corner! As of April 21 st, we only have 25 more spaces available and are still looking for crew leaders. At Cave Quest the kids will learn to follow Jesus, the light of the world through games, sciency gizmos, crafts, snacks, fun skits and awesome worship! We can t wait to learn with your kids! THE BIBLE ACCORDING TO KIDS Children say the funniest things about Scripture. Here are a few examples: In the first book of the Bible, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off. THE WAY YOUTH WORK CAMP July Chris Baxter Youth Minister This year, the Way Youth Ministry is combining its Mt. Wesley Mission Trip with summer camp. The 2016 Way Youth Work Camp will take place July at Mt. Wesley in Kerrville. Cost is $140 for two trips in one. Eligible youth are incoming 6 th graders through 2016 high school graduates. The trip will start off exactly like a Mt. Wesley Mission Trip. We will unload our gear the first day and immediately get to work. The next two days will follow the same schedule with swimming, movies and other evening activities included. The last day, when we would normally pack up and head back home, we will instead begin recreation time and transition into summer camp. Camp will follow the same basic schedule as in years past with worship, teaching, small groups, big games, messy games, etc., except there will be air conditioning and Mt. Wesley meals. To register, Chris Baxter at chrisb@ nwhills.org and he will send you a registration link. If you have any questions, contact Chris at or chrisb@nwhills.org. Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterward, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Amendments. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him. When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta. MAY 2016 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 5

Monthly Events CLASS 101, Sunday, May 15 3:00 to 6:00 pm What it means to be a Christian What it means to be a United Methodist What it means to be a member of Northwest Hills UMC This class is for

Class 101 is required before becoming a member of Northwest Hills. Class is led by Pastor David Trawick.

6 Monthly Events CLASS 101, Sunday, May 15 3:00 to 6:00 pm What it means to be a Christian What it means to be a United Methodist What it means to be a member of Northwest Hills UMC This class is for anyone wanting to find out more about becoming a Christian, about the United Methodist Church and about being a member of Northwest Hills Church. Class 101 is required before becoming a member of Northwest Hills. Class is led by Pastor David Trawick. There is a sign up sheet at the Connection Center, if you wish to attend the next class or call the church office at to reserve a place. AGING PARENT SUPPORT GROUP *SPECIAL DATE* Sunday, May 1, 3 pm, Library Because of Mother s Day, the group will meet the week before. If you are taking care of an aging parent, this is a great support group. For more information, contact Roberta Crickmore at or berta292002@yahoo.com. LADIES OF LEISURE Meets Every Friday, 11:30 am The ladies meet each week at a different restaurant just for fun! If you would like to be included in the fun or would like more information, contact May Lang at (210) or maylang@sbcglobal.net. UNITED METHODIST MEN S BREAKFAST Saturday, May 14, 8:00 am UMM will be meeting at Golden Corral, located on the access road of 1604 & Bandera Rd. Any questions contact George Hampton at TEXAS RAMP PROJECT Building Freedom for the Homebound Saturday, May 7 & 21, 8:00 am. We build accessibility ramps for the homebound. So, if you like working with power tools and get satisfaction in doing a job that betters another person s life, this is for you! Sign up at the Connection Center. For more information contact Ron Gloyd at (210) REACH OUT DAY MAY 21 Magdalena House We will be serving from 9 a.m.-noon at Magdalena House. We help out with inside and outside clean up, maintenance and repairs. The work varies each month and it is a wonderful place to serve. We do get to meet the residents and their children at times and we are always blessed. Make sure to sign up if you want to join us in this opportunity. Here s a little bit about their ministry: Magdalena House is a transitional home in San Antonio that serves mothers and children who have fled dangerous and abusive lives by providing transformation through education, nurturing community, and programming. We rescue the least and the lost, sharing hope for a new beginning. Based on the concept of covenant relationships, Magdalena House provides: HOME: A beautiful, safe and nurturing transitional home near the Medical Center for mothers and their children. HELP: A program of supportive services for both mother and child that focuses on educational and vocational assistance, a Life Enrichment Series. Spiritual Formation, loving community and outsourcing to other agencies. HOPE: A process that works towards self-awareness and achievement of personal goals in education, vocation, work, parenting, household management and spiritual formation. We strive for radical hospitality and an authentic family environment. Once you pick your place to serve and sign up, an will be sent the week of the reach out. In it we will have information with address and contact information. So come on, join in the fun! You will not be disappointed. PRIME TIME POTLUCK LUNCH Monday, May 23, 11:30 am Anyone age 60 and older is invited to attend. Bring a yummy dish to share and stay for a fun activity! Have you liked us on Facebook? Go to Northwest Hills UMC and join us! After you click like, press the drop down menu and click get notifications and we will show up on your newsfeed. MAY 2016 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 6

7 Tuesday, May 24 9:00 am Mother s Day Out Clean Up Thursday, May 26 10:00 am Mother s Day Out Board Meeting Sunday, May 1 8:00 am Needlecrafter Craft Sale 9:45 am Sunday School Fellowship 3:00 pm Aging Parent Support Group Friday, May 6 7:30 pm Young Adult Movie Night 8:00 am Texas Ramp Project 5:00 pm Youth Choir Play Saturday, May 7 Sunday, May 8 MOTHER S DAY 8:00 am Silent Auction 6:30 pm Troop 228 Committee Meeting Wednesday, May 11 6:30 pm LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR SPRING SEMESTER Thursday, May 12 6:30 pm Eagle Board of Review Saturday, May 14 8:00 am Mother s Day Out End of Year Program 8:00 am Texas Ramp Project 8:00 am United Methodist Men Sunday, May 15 3:00 pm Class 101 5:00 pm Board of Trustees Meeting 7:00 pm Finance Committee Monday, May 16 Wednesday, May 18 South Sudan Trip - the team will return May 31 Thursday, May 19 Last Day for Mother s Day Out Friday, May 20 6:00 pm Pack 400 Promotion Ceremony Saturday, May 21 8:00 am Texas Ramp Project 11:15 am Confirmation Sunday, May 22 Friday, May 27 Young Adult Camping Retreat Sunday, May 29 7:00 pm Troop 228 Patrol Leaders Council Sunday: Monday, May 30 MEMORIAL DAY Church Office is Closed Monday: Tuesday: WEEKLY EVENTS 12:30 pm AA 3:00 pm Youth Choir 5:00 pm The Way Youth Game Night 6:30 pm Church Prayer Group 7:00 pm AA Women 12:00 pm AA 1:00 pm Needlecrafters 5:30 pm AA 6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop 228 7:00 pm AA 9:00 am Mother s Day Out 5:15 pm Worship Band Practice 7:00 pm Crew 228 Meeting 7:00 pm AA 7:30 pm Adult Choir Practice 8:15 pm AA Spanish Wednesday: 9:00 am Mother s Day Out 6:30 pm Wednesday Night Activities 7:00 pm Handbells 8:00 pm NA 12-Step Program Thursday: 9:00 am Mother s Day Out 7:00 pm AA 8:15 pm AA Spanish Friday: 8:30 am Community Bible Prayer Group 11:30 am Ladies of Leisure Lunch 12:00 pm AA 7:00 pm AA Saturday: 9:00 am AA 10:00 am TOPS Weight Loss 7:00 pm AA Spanish Monday, May 23 11:30 am Prime Time Potluck Lunch 7:00 pm Administrative Council MAY 2016 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 7

Auction will be from 8-11:30 am Winning bids will be available for pick up after 12 pm BAGGAGE CLAIM A Modern Day Parable Presented by the NW Hills Youth Choir, Saturday May 7th at 5:00 pm Sanctuary

They find the lodge full of animated goofballs, and a screwy bellhop who keeps tossing their luggage into the cavernous canyon that lies below the hotel.

8 Auction will be from 8-11:30 am Winning bids will be available for pick up after 12 pm BAGGAGE CLAIM A Modern Day Parable Presented by the NW Hills Youth Choir, Saturday May 7th at 5:00 pm Sanctuary Join the D Baquel family on vacation at a much-publicized bed & breakfast. Their stay goes awry. They find the lodge full of animated goofballs, and a screwy bellhop who keeps tossing their luggage into the cavernous canyon that lies below the hotel. Sam, the father, becomes increasingly unraveled as he keeps traversing the 347 flights of stairs to retrieve his belongings. You will laugh until you cry and find yourself asking "Who are these people?" This is a great opportunity to bring non-christian friends to hear the saving message of Jesus. SPARES & PAIRS NIGHT OUT Saturday, May 21 If you are in the 30's - 40's age range, a "spare" or a "pair", we would like to invite you to join us for a "night out". Our goal is to create friendships with those in a similar stage of life and just have some good fun! This month, May 21, we would love for you to come laugh with us! We will be attending the 8 pm showing of Nick Griffin at the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club located in Park North Shopping Center. Tickets are $20 (ticket + tax + svc chg). Watch the Sunday bulletin for more details! Be sure to sign up at the Connection Center! If you would like more information or in need of a babysitter, please contact Amy McLean OR Debbie Checque MAY 2016 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 8

Worship Building Up Reaching Out NWH HAPPENINGS CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF SERVING!

Volume 35 Issue 6 June 2016 Worship Building Up Reaching Out NWH HAPPENINGS SERMON SERIES: CALLED CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF SERVING! We caught Sean Kelly and Keith White volunteering their time to repair a