The Central Connection

Transcription

1 C E N T R A L U M C The Central Connection -Messages and Opportunities- November, 2012 This Edition Pastor s Message UMW, Mission Outreach Stewardship Campaign Charge Conference Lectionary Readings/ Volunteers of the Month Birthday List/Single Mingle Children's Page Calendar Address Page I came across a devotional by Joyce Meyer that gave me pause to think about the business of my life. She stated that, It is easy to get caught up in our cares, errands and worries to the point that we lose sight of what matters most. I know that is true for me unless I am intentional about my devotional life. Meyers goes on to say, There s an interesting little story at the end of Luke Chapter two about when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem for Passover when He was twelve years old. After the festival was over, they left to go home supposing He was with them. I wonder how many times we suppose God s with us when we ve wandered off to do our own thing? Now here s the interesting part. Mary and Joseph had traveled a day s journey before they realized Jesus wasn t with them and then it took three days to find Him. Three days! The message here is that it s easier to lose that special presence of God than it is to get it back once we ve lost it. How true that is. Once we get out of the habit of spending time with God it is hard to re-establish that vital relationship again. As a church we need to encourage one another in our personal devotional lives, that is why we provide devotionals like the Upper Room. It is in spending consistent time with God that we draw closer with him, so that in times of hardship we can remember that we are not facing our trials alone. The challenge that I want to present to you this month is to spend time reading Scripture, using some kind of devotional (there are many to choose from), coupled with Prayer. See what a difference this can make in your life, I know that I will. Serving Christ Together, Pastor Steve

2 Since 1881 for all their many blessings United Methodist Women have been collecting coins to be used for mission in the United States and around the world. At Circle meetings this month our World Thank Offering for this year will be collected. Rebekah Circle meets November 13 th at 10:30 a.m. (note time change) at Suzanne Peeler s home. Emily Morgan is providing refreshments. Susanna Wesley Circle meets that evening at Connie Davis s home at 6:30 p.m. for a pot luck dinner. All ladies are welcomed to join us. Mission Opportunities during the Holidays We are called to serve in many ways throughout the year. However, as we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons we become more aware of those in need and our obligation to serve. Our Food Pantry is always in need of support, with both financial and food contributions. The past several years Central has provided volunteers for the Salvation Army s Red Kettle campaign, and we will be doing so again this year. Also, we will once again be decorating our church Christmas tree with gifts of hats, gloves and scarves for needy local children. We ask for your support of all these worthwhile programs. Jim Printy 2

3 In early October, seven members of Central traveled to southwest Virginia to assist in another mission work trip. Over the past year we have made four previous trips to Pulaski to assist with reconstruction of homes damaged by an April 2011 tornado. On this trip we ventured a little further south to the the home of David and Patty Fields. The Fields home, and in fact almost the entire neighborhood, was destroyed by the April tornado. Mr. Fields, a truck driver, was in Canada when the storm hit. Mrs. Fields, and three daughters were asleep when the tornado buried them in the rubble. Miraculously none of them were hurt. Since then, with the assistance of many volunteers, the Fields home has gradually been rebuilt. Our task was to build a deck. Our work team was lead by Jeff DeLong and Diony Detablan, with lots of assistance from Ellen DeLong, Luz Detablan, Vicki Printy, Vince Ennis and Jim Printy. After three days of work we came very close to completing the deck, but ran short of materials on our last day (in addition to being subjected to cold, rainy conditions). One of the benefits of our work trips, in addition to the service we provide, is the friendships we make in serving Christ. We were hosted by Pleasant View UM Church in Abingdon, where we were able to sleep and prepare meals. The community outreach being provided by Pleasant View was very inspiring, and gave us many things to ponder as we returned to Central. We truly loved meeting and working with the Fields family, especially the five year old daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Fields spoke openly of their faith, and are very thankful for what all the numerous volunteers, and God, have done in their lives. They have been so inspired that Mr. Fields stated in the future he would like the family to go on a foreign mission trip to build a school. We believe we now have friends in Glade Springs that we will be able to visit any time we travel I-81 south. -Jim Printy 3

4 Thank you to everyone who participated in the Stewardship Campaign by returning their Estimate of Giving Cards. If you would still like to turn in your Estimate of Giving Card you may do so at any time; either on a Sunday morning or by mailing it directly to the church office. Once again we thank you for giving to the Lord! YOU ARE A BLESSING!!! Moreover, it is required of stewards that they may be found trustworthy. 1 Cor. 4:2 4 4

5 %PDF-1.5 %âãï Sunday 4th Ruth 1:1-18 Psalm 146 Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 12:28-34 Sunday 18th 1 Samuel 1:4-20 Psalm 113 Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18), Mark 13:1-8 Sunday 11th Ruth 3:1-5 Psalm 42 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:28-34 Sunday 25th 2 Samuel 23: 1-7 Psalm 132: :1-12 Revelations 1: 4-8 John 18: UM Student Day Offering 10 0 obj <</Linearized 1/L /O 12/E /N 1/T /H [ ]>> endobj Don t forget to thank our Volunteers of the month obj Jim & Sandra Clemmer are Central s Volunteers of the Month for November! This couple is amazing. They both serve in numerous capacities here at the church and spend like all the other volunteers, countless hours here making a difference in the lives of others. Thank you Jim & Sandra! You are a blessing for sure! 5 5

6 November Birthdays 3 Joe Hill, Jean Smith, Barbara Snyder, Virginia True 7 David Reed 8 Elinor Hutchison 9 Henry Gutshall, Sarah Huffer, Shawn Melton 17 Catherine VanFossen 18 Susan Black All single adults are invited to join the group for a meal with great conversation, and laughter. 19 Jing Ma 20 Jason Melton, Sherry von Oeyen, 21 Jim Harris 27 George Hanger May God Bless Your Special Day with Joy and Love!!! Please contact the church office if your name is not on the list and should be (or vice versa) *so that we may correct our records. 6 6

7 OH GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!! 7 7

8 CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LEWIS BEVERLEY PO BOX 953 STAUNTON, VA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage Paid Staunton, VA Permit No. 93 NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 Central United Methodist Church Located on the corners of Lewis & Beverley Streets Staunton, VA Telephone (540) Fax (540) centralumc@centralumcstaunton.org On the Web: Pastor- Rev. Steve McMillion pastor@centralumcstaunton.org Editor: Dana Wade 8