The Visitor. New Church Directory. Coming Soon. Fall RUMMAGE SALE. Vicksburg United Methodist Church. Photos will be taken Sept.

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1 Vicksburg United Methodist Church The Visitor Volume 24, Issue 9 September 2017 Inside This Issue Pastor s Article 2 Prayer 2 Mission Moment 3 Birthdays/Anniversaries 3 Sunday School 5 Mail Bag 5 Kids Hope 5 UMW 5 Youth Ministry 6 Calendar 7 New Church Directory Coming Soon Photos will be taken Sept. 10, 11, 12, 13 Sign up now for your FREE 8x10 photo and FREE church directory. Visit OR Visit our website: vicksburgumc.org and click on the words at the bottom of the picture. Then complete Lifetouch's form. VERY QUICK AND EASY. Don't forget to log off. If you need help call Aurelia Reed or the church office WE NEED YOUR PHOTO TO MAKE OUR DIRECTORY COMPLETE Church Staff Pastor Rev. Greg Culver Administrative Assistant Polly Preston Financial Assistant Darcy Osborn Choir/Praise Band Director Tamra Stamm Custodian Paul French Heart & Hands Teacher/Director Amber Morris Heart & Hands Teacher Kelli Young Heart & Hands Assistant Amber Smith Kids Hope USA Director Barb Bladt Youth Director Hank Stamm Newsletter Editor Polly Preston Fall RUMMAGE SALE On Thursday, unless noted otherwise, clothing is $1/ bag, 6th bag free! WE ALSO NEED SHOPPERS! We have lots of good stuff and many bargains! Come, shop and save! All monies earned will be used for local and area mission programs! Celebrate an organized home & garage! Wed., Sept a.m. to 6 p.m. Thur., Sept a.m. to 3 p.m. Drop off dates: Mon., Sept. 25, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. & Tue., Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to noon. Also appreciated: Large paper grocery bags, pants/skirt hangers, and food for the workers! Needed: Clean, gently-used clothing, electronics, jewelry, tools, toys, decorations, books, movies, appliances, furniture, garden & household items, crafts, etc.! Volunteers needed Men and women! Any time - YOU choose the days and hours - just show up - no experience necessary!

2 Page 2 The Visitor September 2017 Integrating & Simplifying for GOD S BIG STORY: GO, GO, GO! Dear Fellow Pilgrims, The fall church season is upon us, and here is what we are thinking: Integrating worship Starting on Sunday, September 10, we will begin experimenting with a single, integrated worship service using Scripture stories from the Narrative Lectionary. An alternative to the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary is a four-year cycle of Bible readings that follow the sweep of the whole salvation story, from Creation through the first years of the early church. Woven together, Sunday by Sunday, we will hear the breadth and variety of voices from within GOD S BIG STORY. There will be stories of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Jesus, and Paul. The stories tell of hope and disappointment, suffering and redemption. In all the varied contexts, we find God dealing with the complexities of human life. Each Sunday will feature a major episode in Scripture, arranged in a narrative sequence to help us see GOD S BIG STORY in a way that is cohesive, dynamic, and life-changing. From September into Advent GOD S BIG STORY begins with the early chapters of Genesis, moves through the stories of Israel s early history, the exodus, the kings, prophets, exile, and return. From Christmas to Easter we will enjoy a sustained look of one of the four gospels (forthcoming is John s Gospel!). The Sundays from Easter to Pentecost will feature episodes from Acts and the letters of St. Paul. Our goal for a single, integrated 10:30 worship service is that it will be a holy proclamation of what God is doing, shared together with renewed intentionality and excellence. Thus, we would like to integrate our best efforts with all our various gifts and talents, musical and otherwise into one, integrated worship service that will be GOD S BIG EVENT for the week! We have so many options to play with so that no two Sundays will be quite the same! The Worship Committee s hope is that as we listen to the many different voices within GOD S BIG STORY, we will learn more about who we are as a congregation and where God is leading us in our own time and place. Simplifying Sunday school We would like to try another experiment: simplifying the Sunday School for all ages around the common GOD S BIG STORY lesson so that our hearts and minds are prepared for GOD S BIG EVENT WORSHIP! The Education Committee s hope is that as we converse with one another about what we are hearing from the many different voices within GOD S BIG STORY, each one of us kids as well as adults will also learn more about who they are in God s eyes and where God is leading on the road of Christian discipleship. For more insight into this simplifying experiment, please read our Sunday school superintendent Darcy Osborn s article in this newsletter. The theme for the fall season is about travel and journeying with each week using the title Go... Each week will add its own flavor to that journey. We believe that worship is the most important thing we do as the called-out people of God. Everything we say and do regarding our mission must have vibrant, intentional, excellent worship at the foundation. God is holy, and the holy is encountered through GOD S BIG STORY leading into GOD S BIG EVENT. Everybody is invited to come along! Together in Christ, Pastor Greg September Sunday Schedule: September 3 Thirteen Sunday after Pentecost Holy Communion Scripture: Psalm 146 End of Summer Psalms: Song for a Lifetime September 10 Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:4a Go Create September 17 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Scripture: Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14 Go Sacrifice September 24 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Scripture: Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17 Go Bless PIT CREW (Personal Intercessory Team) What is the PIT Crew? The PIT Crew at VUMC is made up of people in our congregation who spend twenty five minutes each Sunday morning praying for the pastor and his family. Everyone is welcome to be a part of this vital ministry. You may sign up for certain Sundays or join us on a drop in basis when your schedule allows. Why is praying for the pastor important? In his book, Partners in Prayer, Dr. John Maxwell says, "Many people think pastors have few problems, and they mistakenly believe that people in full-time Christian service have special favor with God that protects them from the ordinary difficulties of life. But nothing could be further from the truth. Pastors experience all the same difficulties as their church members do, plus they have the incredibly demanding job of leading a church." He adds, "Without the supernatural power of God released through a praying congregation, pastors and churches often never reach their potential in God. However, when pastors are prayed for, they are equipped to carry out God's plans." Pastor Greg was pleased to learn that we have a format in place to support him and his family in prayer. We invite you to be part of the team-----every prayer counts! If you would like more information, please call Barb Bladt at or Brad Addis at WHAT: PIT Crew WHEN: Sundays 9:30 to 9:55 WHERE: Chapel

3 September 2017 The Visitor Page 3 Two easy ways to support your local community: What is Plus 10? The +10 program is the fundraiser that addresses local hunger all year long. By picking one or more weeks during the year to donate $10 or ten dollars worth of food, you support Generous Hands and South County Community Services throughout the year. The signup sheet is on the tall mission hutch near the office. You can designate funds or food to either Generous Hands or SCCS. Undesignated funds are split equally between the two organizations. Make checks payable to VUMC, put +10 in the memo line along with your designation if desired, or place the food in the basket in the hall by the library. What is the 7 s all about? The Perfect Number 7. The number 7 is the most used number in the Bible. We are asking you to take a look at your one dollar bills, and if it has a 7 on it, please donate it to Missions. See the circled 7 s below. Mission Moment The number 7 symbolizes completeness or perfection. On the 7 th day God rested from his labors. Samson s sacred Nazirite locks were braided in 7 plaits. In the 7 th year, the Hebrew slave was to be freed. 7 days of the feast of Passover 7 branched candelabra in the Menorah 7 things that are detestable to the Lord (Proverbs 9:1) 7 deadly sins Six days shall you labor, but the 7 th is the Sabbath, keep it holy. The monies donated to Missions from the 7 s program is used to support all six lanes of missions plus local charities like Community House, Habitat for Humanity-Kalamazoo Valley, Open Doors (housing for homeless families), and others. There are envelopes on the Mission table marked 7 s for the dollars you may wish to donate. Thanks Your Mission Team Church Leaders Church Council John Cleveland (Jcleveland327@gmail.com) Finance Don Dailey (ddaileymsu@gmail.com) Trustees Joe Gruber (jbgru31@gmail.com) Personnel Andrea Read (readandrea28@gmail.com) Pastor Parish Noni Heikes (noniheikes@hotmail.com) Caring Ministries Barb Addis (Bb1a2b3@aol.com) & Vera Walker (vrwlkr@yahoo.com) Global Missions Tom Aitken (twaitken@att.net) Diana Pomeroy (dlpomeroyus2000@yahoo.com) Memorial Ken Franklin (drkenfp@mac.com) Worship Brad Addis (braddis109@aol.com) Preschool Advisory Board Jessica Hawkins (jessijean317@hotmail.com) Wills & Trust Chris Morris (morrislaw@ameritech.net) Nominations Pastor Greg Culver (gpculver@mac.com) Abuse Prevention Hank Stamm (henrystamm3rd@yahoo.com) Lay Leader Brad Addis (braddis109@aol.com) September Birthdays and Anniversaries Birthdays 9/1 Gary Corsaut Kylie Tuinier 9/3 Wyatt Hardy Carmen Moreno- Parsons Kelsie Tuinier 9/4 Emily Corsaut 9/5 Aurelia Reed James Tarner 9/8 Megan Burke 9/9 Carla Bland 9/14 Tamara Young 9/15 Cynda Buckallew Rodger Hughey Susan Moberly-Hayes 9/16 Nanci Linebaugh 9/17 Chuck Walker 9/19 Ron Avis Ashley Dibble Bud Lash Keith McClish 9/20 Millie Hackett Jody Tuinier 9/22 Lori Ensing 9/23 Julie Oswalt 9/24 Michael Hoy 9/25 Cathy Johnson Sharon Pendola 9/27 James Barrett Mary Burke 9/28 Jessica Hawkins Betsy Myers Beverly Nimmo Carl Pauli 9/30 Kim Hardy Morgan Wood Anniversaries 9/1 Ryan & Kris Miller 9/2 Robert Parsons & Carmen Moreno- Parsons 9/5 Ron Wolak & Cheryl Lee 9/14 Carl & Denice Pauli Loren & Holly Tarner 9/18 Joe Hayes Sr. & Susan Moberly-Hayes 9/19 Christopher & Stacy Emmert 9/25 Rob & Carla Bland 9/29 James & Phyllis Barrett Greg & Becky Berndt Ron & Sharon Steinacker 9/30 Daniel & Caryn Zonyk

4 Page 4 The Visitor September 2017 Flowers and Snacks Are Needed Flowers are needed for the altar for the month of September. If you can provide an arrangement, please sign up in the narthex. We also need goodies for coffee hour. The signup sheet is at the Welcome Center. Red Cross Blood Drive Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. One donation can help save the lives of up to three people. You can help by giving blood on Friday, Sept. 15, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Register online at redcrossblood.org or by calling Walk -ins are always welcome! Volunteers to work the Blood Drive are also needed. Set up is from 9 to 10 a.m., and tear down is from 5 to 6 p.m. No heavy lifting is involved. Shift workers are needed to help with signing in donors and assist with nourishment. Please call Jessica Hawkins at Food donations are also needed: cookies, breads, 100% juice, veggies, fruit, cheese, crackers. Please call June French at ScripCents The order dates for ScripCents for this month are Fridays, September 1 and 15. The orders need to be in the office no later than 2:00 p.m. on ordering day. Mark Your Calendars! Handbell and Chancel Choir practice will begin Wednesday, September 6. Handbell choir will meet in the sanctuary from 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Chancel Choir will meet in the sanctuary from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Please contact Tamra Stamm with any questions at or tamrastamm@hotmail.com. Children s Chairs Are Needed Darcy Osborn is looking for seating for the kids for Sunday School. She would like to use bean bag chairs, big, over-sized pillows, or kid -sized, fold-up "butterfly" or "saucer" chairs (they have a collapsible metal frame, with a removable cloth covering), for a variety of comfy seating. If you have any of these types of chairs, please contact Darcy at or darcyrosborn@yahoo.com. Newsletter Deadline The deadline for the October issue of The Visitor is Monday, Sept. 25. Items must be received, preferably via , by end of day to be included. The newsletter will be ed on Sept. 28. Susanna Wesley Susanna Wesley will resume their monthly meetings Thursday, September 21, at 9:30 a.m. in the Taylor Room. Janet Noel and Sharon Steinacker are the hostesses. All women in the church are welcome to attend for fellowship, devotions, and refreshments. New Sunday Worship Schedule beginning September 10 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship United Methodist Committee on Relief s (UMCOR) Hurricane Harvey and Texas Disaster Response Please support this work with your gift to US Disaster Response, Advance # There are several ways to support UMCOR s relief work. You may either bring your check to Vicksburg United Methodist Church (please write the Advance # on the memo line). Or you may mail directly: Advance GCFA PO Box 9068 GPO New York NY Or donate by phone: Please call Or on the internet: Here's a great way to reach out to a neighbor with young kids! Invite them to Thursday Play Gym a fun, inexpensive, "play with me" group for 1- to 5-year-olds and their favorite adult. Brochures are available at the Play Gym Welcome Center. Sign up online at facebook.com/ events/ /? ti=as or by calling the office. NOW REGISTERING FOR THE NEXT SESSION which begins October 5.

5 September 2017 The Visitor Page 5 Sunday School News Sunday, September 10, 2017 starts our new Sunday School year! I, Darcy Osborn, am so excited to be VUMC s new Sunday School Superintendent! Here's what happening... Katie Geiger is staying on as teacher of the elementary aged kids and as a co-teacher with me. Matt Barton and Hank Stamm will teach our middle school and high school ages. Don and Charlene Dailey will continue to lead our "Connections" class, and John Cleveland returns to lead our "Kum Join Us" class. We're eager to teach and learn, and stirring on our enthusiasm is the new format we are going to try. All classes will base their study on the same scripture each week, using materials Pastor Greg is using in his sermons, and tailor-fit to the age level of the students. We feel this way of studying will accomplish a few things. Primarily, it is an important part of our mission, to make Disciples of Christ. Secondly, it will bring about the synergy we want throughout the congregation, as we study the same scripture before each worship service. As we leave Sunday School to attend worship together, think of the impact it will have as we sing praises to our Heavenly Father and hear Pastor's message in-line with what we've just studied! What strength this will bring to our loving church family to go out into this hurting world! We will have so much to share...i can hardly wait! I thank God for our church family, and for you every day and pray you find your way into one of our many Sunday School classes, starting at 9:00 a.m., September 10. Following Sunday School, continue with us, worshiping our Loving God with your church family, at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. I look forward to working with your children and seeing you in church! Your Sister in Christ, Darcy Osborn Dear VUMC Scholarship Committee, thank you for awarding me a scholarship this past spring. It will be put to good use as I start pharmacy school and pursue a career as a pharmacist! I appreciate the kindness and love I feel from the church family. Thank you for always being welcoming. With love and blessings ~ Hanna Ouvry I would like to thank all those involved in the senior citizens luncheon held recently. The food was yummy and the discussion lively. I enjoyed the informal get together to get to know the pastor and his wife. Thank you so much. ~ LaVon Rolfe Kids Hope USA Kids Hope USA is a national mentoring program. The model is simple: a church and a local public school form a partnership. Mentors in the program commit to meet with one child, the same child, one hour weekly for at least one academic school year. In many cases these relationships begin in early elementary and continue through fifth grade. Mentors focus on selfesteem and social skills as well as academic progress. Anyone who can give one hour weekly from October through May would be a welcome addition to this rewarding ministry. We have the church: Vicksburg United Methodist Church We have the school: Tobey Elementary We have the children: At-risk students We need: YOU For more information about being a mentor or a prayer partner, please call Barb Bladt at Mail Bag Dear VUMC family, thank you all so much for giving me so much support and guidance growing up. This church family has given me all the tools to go out and spread the love of God. Through this church s countless ministry opportunities, I have grown in my spiritual life as well as formed many lasting relationships. I also want to thank you for the very generous scholarship. I am very excited to see where God s plan will take me in the next few years. Thank you again ~ Abbey Oswalt Thanking you for making the 2017 Backpack Bonanza such a great success...we could not have done it without your help! ~ Generous Hands, Inc. and SCCS Important 2017 UMW Dates September 23 District Annual, Sodus UMC. Join the Kalamazoo District United Methodist Women for their 45 th Annual Meeting at Sodus Chapel Hill UMC 2071 Naomi Road. 9:30 am 2:30 pm. The guest speaker will be Pastor Karin Orr talking about avoiding pastor disaster. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Register by Sept. 16 online at Information flyer and registration form also on UMW bulletin board in Narthex or at church office. We can car pool! September Rummage Sale set up and sale! October 14 Conference Annual, Mt. Pleasant UMC watch upcoming newsletter for info on this. November Christmas Bazaar! More on this in October newsletter! Just a Note: There are still patterns and easy instructions for the infant kimono gowns we are sewing for the Midwest Mission (UMCOR) Distribution Center. They can be found on the Missions table outside the church office. We will be taking finished gowns to the Sept. 23 District Annual meeting. Also: Please turn in clean metal can lids and pop tabs by Sept. 17 as we will be taking these to the District Annual mtg.

6 Page 6 The Visitor September 2017 Youth Ministry News 2018 SUMMER MISSION TRIP I want to thank you for trusting me to take part in our student s life. I am excited about the opportunity to continue investing in their faith formation through effective youth ministry during the school year and a YouthWorks Summer Mission Trip experience in Onancock, VA, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, from July 13-21, On the Eastern Shore, our group will have the opportunity to serve and to learn from those who love this community. Our youth will complete work projects, help serve in a local food bank, visit with nursing home residents, and spend time with adults with disabilities. We ll also serve at Kids Club, which is a unique experience on the Shore, as most of the kids who come are the children of Hispanic immigrants working in the community. In the evenings, we ll get to enjoy much of the town s beauty both in the natural surroundings and in its people. A 2016 youth participant in Onancock had this to say, This was one of the best experiences of my life. I ve never felt closer to God and my family in Christ. I would go back any day to spend time with the community and the friends I made. I want this to be more than just a short trip. This may become a significant part of our youth s life journey, by helping them connect their Christian faith to actual transformation, personally and in the world. The environment will be set for our students to grow in their Christian faith while investigating their strengths and wrestling with current life issues. It is my hope that when our students return home, you ll see someone who has been changed by the power of Jesus Christ and convicted to live a life of obedience to Jesus and his Kingdom. If you would like to take part, we almost always have room for adult chaperones to attend as well! How Much & When Is It Due? Overall Youth Cost: $375, in three payments: $100, September 21, $125, January 15, $150, March 1. Adult Cost: $150 Adult costs are lower because adults are giving up a week of pay at work, or at least using a week of vacation time to volunteer so that our youth are able to attend these events. There are currently 20 youth/young adult spaces and 3 adult spaces available for this trip. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact me. I m excited to have your student attend this event with us. There will be an information meeting covering this trip and all of our student ministries, Tuesday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m., where we hope to answer any questions you may have! RAW (9 TH -12 TH GRADE) Our High School students will be taking on a five-week series entitled, Living Out God s Purposes. This series is designed to help teenagers understand how Mary lived out God s purposes in her life and how they can pursue these purposes in their lives, too. The first week (REACH) communicates the importance of Mary s life in the redemption story and how we also play a role in helping others hear the message of Jesus. Week two (CONNECT) focuses on the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth and the support and encouragement that they found from each other. We ll see that this same type of community is essential to how God created us. Week three (GROW) focuses on Mary s knowledge and understanding of Scripture and how she used God s Word to find encouragement in her situation. Students will be challenged to study and to memorize Scripture so that it might also impact their lives. In week four (DISCOVER) we explore Mary s uniqueness and how it led to her path of serving. In the same way, each of us is uniquely made and shaped for ministry. In week five (HONOR) we ll examine how Mary morphed her everyday activities into acts of worship. We ll challenge teenagers to approach their everyday activities as opportunities to worship God. HELIX (7 TH -9 TH GRADE) Sometimes I can t see the forest for the trees it s an old, cheesy cliché, but it s true. As youth workers, we spend time teaching from a specific book, chapter, or verse of Scripture. Sometimes we teach characters, sometimes we teach principles, sometimes we teach topics, and sometimes we teach doctrine. All of those things are important, but it s also essential that our students gain an overview of Scripture as a whole what we can refer to as God s Big Story. Our 7 th through 9 th grade students are reaching a point in their lives where connecting the dots of all they re learning becomes increasingly important; this series will help us bring a big-picture perspective of Scripture to their lives. Although this is not a series on worldviews, it will give your students a basis for their Christian worldview. God s story expressed in these four parts will help your students gain understanding and answers along their faith journey. Each lesson has two key words that your students can memorize and use as handles for remembering God s Big Story. As you encourage your students to remember how each of these words describes the part of God s story that you re studying, your teenagers will more easily remember the part and how it relates to things they see and experience every day. As students see how things fit, they will begin to see how God s story answers questions they may have about their faith. ROUTE 56 (5 TH & 6 TH GRADE) Our newest ministry for 5 th and 6 th grade students will be getting an Intro to the Bible! This two-lesson study about the Bible takes a look at what the Bible is and why it matters to us. In a world that often tries to discredit the Bible or dismiss it as merely literature instead of God s authoritative word, it s essential for all of us to have a firm grasp on the importance of Scripture. Week 1 looks at how the Bible is God s message to us, its authority, and the importance of regularly spending time reading it. Week 2 examines why the Bible matters to students lives today. We will take a look at how the Bible teaches us right from wrong, and prepares us for God s work.

7 September 2017 The Visitor Page 7 September 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2:00p ScripCents due Pastor Greg s day off. Please contact him only in an emergency :00a Worship 4 Labor Day OFFICES & PRESCHOOL CLOSED 5 11:00a UMW Exec. Committee 7:00p Trustees 6 7 6:30p Scouts District Round Table 8 4:30p Community Tailgate at VHS Pastor Greg s day off 9 10 New Worship Schedule begins 9:00a Sunday School 10:30a Worship Church Directory portrait sessions 11 Church Directory portrait sessions 12 Church Directory portrait sessions 10:00a Staff meeting 6:30p Scout cmt mtg 13 Church Directory portrait sessions 1:00p Caring Ministries meeting 7:00p PPRC mtg 14 5:30p Preschool Board meeting 7:00p Worship Committee 15 11a-5p Blood Drive 2:00p ScripCents due 6:30p Scout Pck mtg 16 7:00a Loaves & Fishes 17 9:00a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 18 7:00p Finance Committee 19 6:30p Personnel Committee Scout signup night Council reports due :30a Susanna Wesley 22 Pastor Greg s day off. Please contact him only in an emergency. 23 9:30a District Annual UMW mtg at Sodus Chapel Hill UMC 24 9:00a Sunday School 10:30a Worship Rummage Sale setup 25 9a-6p Rummage Sale drop-off 6:30p Church Council Newsletter items are due 26 9:00a-noon Rummage Sale drop-off 27 9a-6p Rummage Sale 28 9a-3p Rummage Sale 29 Pastor Greg s day off. Please contact him only in an emergency. 30 Sunday (beginning the 10th) 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. & 12:45 p.m. Heart & Hands Preschool Tuesday 2:00 p.m. Sew What Now God Weekly Activities Wednesday 10:30 a.m. SCCS Wednesday Winners 2:30 p.m. SHED (7th-9th grade outreach) 5:00 p.m. HELIX (7th-9th grade) 6:00 p.m. Handbell choir practice 7:00 p.m. Choir practice Thursday 10:00 a.m. PlayGym 5:30 p.m. ROUTE 56 (5th-6th grade) 6:00 p.m. Play Gym 6:30 p.m. RAW (high school) Friday 10:00 a.m. Knit & Stitch 2gether

8 We are alive in Christ. We love God, we care for one another, and we help people here and around the world. Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Church Office Hours Mon-Thurs: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The Visitor September