Dear Waynesburg First Family, As our time together comes to an end I wanted to share two things that have happened recently in our congregation.

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1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us. Psalm 67:1 The newsletter of First United Methodist Church of Waynesburg May2016 Dear Waynesburg First Family, As our time together comes to an end I wanted to share two things that have happened recently in our congregation. First, the Church Council, at its April 10 th meeting, made changes in church officers. Herb Wise will be chair of the Finance Committee. Lisa Schleicher will be the church treasurer. Nancy Beabout will become a trustee. Marilyn Facemire will be a member of the Staff Parish Relations Committee after approval of the Church Council at its next meeting. A list of all church officers can be found on the bulletin board in the narthex (main entrance) of the church. Thank you to all who served so faithfully as church officers during my time with you. Second, also at the April 10 th meeting of the Church Council I was asked where we were on the possible addition to make the church building accessible. My response was we were in a holding pattern and that the next step would be to form a team to begin exploring possible funding options. They gave me permission to form a funding study team. I will invite those who were identified by those of you who participated in the Capital Campaign interviews as leaders to be part of the team. I will let you know in the June newsletter who agreed to be members of the team. There are still several issues to be addressed and approvals to be received before ground can be broken for the possible new addition. The District Superintendent and your new pastor are aware of what is happening. In Christ s Love, Pastor Gary Pastor Gary Grau s Office Hours: Varied (see bulletin) Church Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Please join us for Sunday Services: 8:30 am & 10:45 am F.I.S.H. Club 9:30 am Children plus Adult Ed Classes First United Methodist Church 112 N Richhill St Waynesburg, PA firstumcpa@windstream.net

2 Sermons and Scripture Lessons for May 1 st The River of Life Revelation 21:22-22:5 8 th Perfectly One John 17: th Even Greater Works John 14: nd The Spirit of Truth John 16: th Rich Waddel preaching Food for Thought Nothing impure will ever enter it (the New Jerusalem), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb s book of life. Revelation 21:27, New International Version I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:16-17, New International Version May 1 Youth Schedule for May Youth Group with dinner, games, and a lesson from 5-7 pm. Bring a friend! May 8 No Youth Group! Happy Mother s Day! Have a great day with your family! May 15 Youth Group with dinner, games, and a lesson from 5-7 pm. Bring a friend! May Homeless Ministry in Pittsburgh! Meet at the church at 10:30 and return around 5:30. Bring money for dinner on the way home. May 22 Youth Group with dinner, games, and a lesson from 5-7 pm. Bring a friend! May 29 No Youth Group! Have a great Memorial Day weekend! Thank God it s summer! *All guys are encouraged to come to a young men s Bible study held weekly on Thursday s at Alex s apartment for Bible discussions and food. We will be going through the book of 2 Peter. This schedule is subject to change. Please don t hesitate to contact Alex if you have any questions! Cell Phone: (724) Office Phone: (724)

3 UMW met on Wednesday, April 13 with Mary Zollars, circle leader, leading the devotions. During the meeting the 2016 budget was approved. Jane Ross gave a brief report on the Mission Study Day, March 19. The study leader, Jody Barnhart, discussed Latin America: Peace and Faith. Several members enjoyed a salad brunch hosted by the Washington Street UM Women on April 5. Janice Gottschalk presented an impressive program about Erin s Café. On Saturday, April 16 the Greene Sub District Coffee Chat was hosted by the Mt. Morris UMW. The ladies presented the skit, What is the Good Life? The theme of the skit was being environmentally-friendly is just good economics. Luncheon was served on the nicely decorated tables to a group of women who enjoyed the good fellowship of the morning. Carol Carter conducted the program, Call to Prayer and Self-Denial. Our next meeting is at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, May 11 in the Parish House with Kaye Schultz serving as circle leader. The program will be presented by Jill Peth, Outreach Coordinator for the Greene County Library System. Just a reminder every woman in the congregation is automatically a member of the UM Women. Please try to attend our meetings we only meet five times a year. The Way, the Mission and Youth newsletter for our church, is available. Grab one now to check out what has been going on with our church s mission and youth programs and to find out how you can get involved in these programs. They are located on the tables in the back of the sanctuary. Prayer Focus The Prayer Focus for May and June will be Jesca Namacula, an 8 year old who the Youth Group sponsors through Uganda Christian Solutions. Jesca lives in the town of Mukono, Uganda with her seven brothers and sisters and her parents. Please pray that Jesca gets the health care and schooling that she needs. The yearly sponsorship costs $360 and covers her tuition, school uniform, food while at school, and a mosquito net. If you would like to make a donation, please make payment to the church, noting that it is for the Youth Group s sponsorship of Jesca Namacula. Thanks for your support!

4 Liturgical Colors Pentecost The liturgical color for Pentecost is Red, symbolizing fire the symbol of the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit overpowered the barriers of culture and race. The first Sunday after Pentecost celebrates the Trinity, and the color again is White or Gold. The season after Pentecost is the longest season of the liturgical year and is a continuation of the "Time of the Church" that began on the Sunday after Epiphany. It explores the mission of the church and uses the color of Green, symbolizing growth. Applying Bible Principles to Stewardship When Samuel was seeking someone to succeed Saul as King of Israel, he examined the sons of Jesse. In that process, he considered their stature and physical characteristics in great detail, only to be told by God,... man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. That modus operandi on God s part has not changed over the centuries of time. He still looks at the hearts of men and women. He is not as interested in how things appear on the outside, but what they are really like on the inside. And God s scrutiny extends to every area of our lives, including our giving. Specifically, He wants to know not just what or when we are giving, but why. He is not so concerned about the amount or the percentage but with the reason or motive why we give. It s not that amounts or percentages are not important, for they certainly are. But what is of greater importance is why we give. If we only give out of a sense of duty, to impress someone, to keep a commitment we made, or to do our part, we ve missed the point. If we only give a certain amount or percentage because we ve always given that way, we ve missed the point. If we parcel out money to help poor ol God pay His bills, we ve missed the point. God owns it all! He doesn t need our money to pay His bills. He doesn t want us to give out of a sense of obligation or duty or habit. Nor does He want us to give to impress someone else. He wants us to give out of hearts motivated by love for Him in response to His love for us. He wants us to give as part of our worship and praise to Him. He wants us to give because giving is part of His way of growing Christians.

5 The Cafe has been feeding folks in record numbers...sometimes totaling 70 meals. Our budget is shot, but we were granted a bridge of funding that will last us until Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation funds us again, God willing. The money has come from the Western PA Conference Mission Poverty Team. We are so grateful to God. In order to stretch the budget for this next three months and next year, we would welcome cookies from the congregation at any given time (they freeze) in amounts of 6-10 doz. Any kind of cookie. The patrons are helping clean up and set up when needed. When the food is gone, we close. Once we were gone by 7:30 PM because 60 servings had been served. The volunteers are hanging in there, but we can use more on Wednesdays. Call Janice Gottschalk ( ) to set up a day to visit and check us out. We will explain the ministry and determine if you can see yourself serving the Lord in this way. Our 4th Anniversary will be held on Monday, August 1, Can you believe it has been 4 years already and we will start number 5 in August. We have had babies, weddings, major surgeries, deaths and many life changes among this group of patrons. We are a slice of life and we want to be loved and show our love to others. May God continue to bless Erin's InsideOut Cafe's relational ministry. Janice Gottschalk, Coordinator VBS June 27-29, 2016 We re bringing the beach right to our church this year! This year s Vacation Bible School Surf Shack will run from Monday, June 27 Wednesday, June 29 from 5:30-8:30. There will be lots of music, games, crafts, teaching, and food! We will have a greater need for volunteers than years past, so please consider helping us make this year s VBS the best one yet! See Alex to find out how you can serve. Preparation starts with spreading the word and inviting parents and children to be a part of this. FISH CLUB MEETING We are currently in the process of discerning how to revamp our FISH Club and children s programs for the summer and fall. There will be a brief brainstorming meeting on Sunday, May 1 following the 10:45 service in the sanctuary. Also, this will be an informational meeting about June s VBS, Surf Shack. If you are interested in helping out with these programs or simply would like to give your ideas, please plan on attending. We would love your involvement!

6 Washington District Conference Sunday, May 1st at 3 p.m. at Jefferson Avenue UMC An offering to benefit the Flint water crisis will be part of the District-wide offering received at this year s District Conference, checks should be made payable to Detroit Conference. Write #0918 Crossroads District Water Response in the memo line. Prison Ministry News.. We are currently studying the last two (2) purposes as presented by Rick Warren s 40 Days of Purpose. Those purposes concern our ministry or service and our mission. We were reminded that God created us to ADD to life on earth, not just take from it. We do that by serving others, thereby serving God and fulfilling the purpose of ministry. The Bible reminds us that God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God. Paul reminds us in Romans 12:1 Because of God s great mercy.offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service. Sometimes the men in our sessions find that a little surprising. They have not always been in loving environments and have only been concerned with their own needs, never thinking about the needs or desires of others. Mr. Warren states that If I have no love for others, no desire to serve others, and I m only concerned about my needs, I should question whether Christ is really in my life. A saved heart is one that wants to serve. The last purpose is on missions. The first thoughts of the inmates are that they cannot practice that purpose while in prison. As we get into the final lessons, we realize that any of us, including the men inside the prison walls can be a missionary. In the Great Commission Jesus said, Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. (Matthew 28: 19-20). That command can start with the inmates spreading the Good News of Christ to the unbelievers they are with every day. Telling others how they can have eternal life is the greatest thing we can do for our family, our neighbors, even our fellow cellmates. The men are reminded that what better testimony than to tell others of God s love and saving grace, no matter the sins they may have committed. Aren t we glad that Jesus loves each of us UNCONDITIONALLY! We are looking forward to a great graduation to celebrate the hard work of each of the men in completing the required reading, homework and discussion of the PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. Look for details of graduation in our next news article. Connie, Marilyn, Shirley, Rex

7 Old Business: Mary Zollars conveyed a message from some of the church members asking us to put financial information into the church newsletter on a regular basis. It was decided that Lisa will put into the newsletter each month the summary of Income, Expenses, and the net Profit/Loss and also the total Designated Funds. A copy of the detailed report will be hung in the office and a note will be included in the newsletter instructing congregants who want more information to look in the office. Jeff/Pastor Gary will ask Linda to put in the information from the Trustees. Church Financial Summary March 2016 Beginning Checkbook Balance: $ 45, Total Revenue: 15, Total Expenses: 24, Net Income Gain/Loss: ( 8,669.73) Ending Checkbook Balance: 36,494,17 Total Designated Funds Balance: 37, Trustees The trustees met on March 30 th. Wayne Lumber has completed renovations in the bathrooms. Beth Day has begun work on the windows. Craig Chess received the necessary documentation to present to the bank for using a checking account. CS&E is being contacted for quotes on a water return to the boiler, insulating pipes, and a new valve. Light bulbs in the church office were converted to LED to determine if the sensor controlling the lights will need replaced. Chuck Ankrom s bid of $9,345 to lay tile over all existing basement tile was accepted (social hall, curtain area, kitchen, hallways, and dishwashing room). The bid of $2,500 from Ames Construction to remove, replace, prime and paint two rows of shakes on the parsonage was accepted.

8 Jumonville has Openings for Summer Staff If you 18 or older, check us out at and get all the details and online forms to begin the process. Call us at (724) if you have any questions. A Community That Prays Together Stays Together Join us at the Greene County Fairgrounds (Bldg. #9) at 5:14 p.m. on May 5th. Coalition For a Brighter Greene March and Rally Schedule: March for Greene Sat., May 14, :15-8;30 a.m. Registration at 1st Baptist Church (303 W. High St.) 9 a.m. March begins, proceeding through town and ending at the Greene County Fairgrounds Noon Rally at the Fairgrounds Guest Speakers: Teen Challenge USA & Pastor Eric Johnson Recovery Resource Fair Prayer with Local Pastors Music and Food 1:30 p.m. Closing Remarks by Gary Tennis, PA Dept. of Drug & Alcohol Programs Secretary Your prayers and your presence will make a difference! Please go to our website MarchForGreene.com or marchfor greene@gmail.com for more information.

9 May Chancel Choir Practice Thursdays 7:00 p.m. Birthdays Greene County Hymn Sing May 8, John Lipscomb at Mt. Morris UMC Upcoming: 5 Janet Cree Madeline McCarty 6 Ron Lohr 10 Katie Olczak 11 Herb Wise 14 Chase Patton 18 Katherine Gottschalk June 12 At Jefferson UMC Peace with Justice Sunday Encourage living a gospel of peace May 22, 2016 Your gift empowers peacemakers and those who courageously stand for justice both in the United States and around the world. 21 Marilyn Facemire 23 Eddie Powers 24 Nicholas Patton 25 Linda Olczak 27 Kathy Gaston Wayne Hart 28 Joy Gensler Did we miss anyone s birthday? Call the church office or send an to get your special day in the newsletter Call firstumcpa@windstream.net 2016 Offering Envelopes If you wish to have an envelope assigned to you please contact Linda in the church office ( ) Pray always ~ without ceasing! Please call prayer requests to: the church office at If you would rather , send them to Wayne Hart at: wahart@windstream.net (Subject: Prayer Ministry)... May Announcement List May 1..Youth May Lynn Bussey May 15.Nate Duer May Jeff Cree May Rich Waddel

10 May 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 Noon FISH Club/VBS Antioch 5- Youth Chancel Choir Christian Family Week May Mother s Day Hymn Sing at Pine Bank UMC UM Women 12 Chancel Choir General Conference May :15 AM- 2 PM March for Greene 15 Pentecost Noon Church Council 5- Youth Group General Conference May Chancel Choir Sheep & Fiber Fest May :30-5:30 Homeless Ministry 22 Peace with Justice Sunday 5- Youth Group 23 Newsletter Deadline Chancel Choir Memorial Day 31 NEWSLETTER ARTICLES ARE DUE TO THE CHURCH OFFICE BY Monday, May 23rd or earlier.