S I D N E Y F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H The roots of the First United Methodist Church in Sidney are planted deeply into evangelical field of thought. Evangelicals are Christians who believe in the centrality of the conversion of born again experience in receiving salvation, believe in the authority of the Bible as God s revelation to humanity and have a strong commitment to evangelism or sharing the Christian message called the Good News. The word evangelical comes from the Greek word evangelion, which is a translation of good message. Evangelicals are known for their deep belief that they are to share the good news of Jesus to the whole world at any cost. Recently the evangelical perspective has been challenged in several fronts. As America becomes a more diverse society and we are challenged to be open to different cultures, the idea of one group having a truth that they say is the only way seems David Chivington Lead Pastor offensive. In other fronts, the evangelical is criticized, even by the church itself, for being judgmental, angry and even hostile to the very people they claim they are bringing Good News. Many see evangelicals as moral police determined to impose their notion of right behavior on others. Evangelicals seem no different than the Muslim fanatic who wants to enforce sharia law on their societies. Yet, evangelicals cannot turn their back on the mandate they clearly read in the Gospel of Matthew to go into all the world and make disciples. So, what is an evangelical to do? Start with love. Notice how people loved to be with Jesus. All kinds of people: tax collectors, prostitutes and outcasts were attracted to Jesus. Rather than judging them, Jesus loved and honored them by giving them a place at this side. It was often in his love that he exposed their thirst for living water. Evangelicals are known for taking a different approach. Labeling and even demonizing individuals. Love has the power to win the stranger. We are even commanded to love our enemies. I long for the day when people describe the church as the people who love well. As part of love, begin with a listening ear. This is a basic principle in relationships. When we speak without listening, the good news we are trying to communicate goes unheard. People will listen once we show love. Listening places value on people. It sees the treasure in each of us. It makes a difference if I see someone as a potential convert or someone whom God already loves. This gives direction to my final suggestion. See yourself as a servant. Live your life in a way that it draws others to faith rather than repels them. If we do not, none of our words matter. Be dispensers of grace by your deeds long before you talk about the grace of God. I suggest it is time we live into the meaning of evangelical. Let it be good news. David Chivington Lead Pastor dchivington@sidneyfirst.com 937.492.9136 Pastor s Point Is Good News Vanishing? 1 Crossfire Youth 5 Stewardship 2 Kid s Ministry 6 Missions 3-4 COOL Preschool 7
Last September, Sidney First was introduced to an annual stewardship campaign entitled The New Consecration Sunday. The theme of the campaign was What is God Calling Me To Give? Since we are aware that true Biblical stewardship starts with the understanding that God owns everything already, perhaps a better question to ask is What is God allowing me to keep? If we focus on the latter question instead of the former in our daily lives, it becomes much easier to let go of our stuff and rely more on Him. With this in mind, think back to last fall when you filled out an Estimate of Giving card during the Consecration Sunday service. We were all asked to find our current level of giving on the presented chart and then grow in our faith by pledging to increase our giving by one percent for the upcoming year. The goal is to continue to increase our giving back to the church each year until we reach (or even surpass!) the tithe or ten percent of our income God asks of us. Have you been able to live into this faith and trust that God will sustain you? Or have you allowed fear and apprehension to creep in and you are continuing to hold onto what was never really yours to begin with? In Malachi 3:10, God states in reference to tithing: Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I have to admit that I have fallen short in this test of faith my whole adult life. Tithing is an easy concept to understand, but it is a difficult one to put into practice for many people including myself. However, I have committed to make tithing an important personal goal of mine as an act of worship to my God. Please, prayerfully consider doing the same. Consecration Sunday has given me a tool to intentionally and incrementally give back to God what is His, in spite of my human need to hold on tightly to what isn t even mine. I find it s much easier to return my blessings to God when I focus on what He is allowing me to keep and care for my children, my wife, my home, my life instead of focusing on what I am letting go; and for these blessings, I am forever thankful. Rusty Schwepe, Chairperson Stewardship Committee Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 -Page 2-
Missions. What does that mean? The definition states a task, a goal or the act of sending. Naturally there are many reasons why people go on mission trips. Some go to teach children, to deliver food or health supplies, or to teach about Christian values, about Jesus and salvation. Personally, I am not a preacher and find it difficult to talk to strangers about my Christian beliefs. Over the years, though, I have found another way to share my beliefs. I use my talents to build and repair people s dwellings. This might be in the form of fixing a bad porch floor, patching a leaky roof, or building a handicapped ramp. It also might be something as simple as washing a window or picking up some trash in the front yard. This began innocently in 2001 when Kathy Reiff asked me if I would be the construction foreman for a mission trip she was leading to Jackson, Ohio. She was working through Jackson Area Ministries (JAM), a Methodist outreach program to help the needy in that area. Labor Day weekend we built a handicapped ramp for a needy woman. Kathy organized the trip, and we built a long ramp in three days. One of the things I learned early was that if I used my skills, God would multiply my talents, and we could accomplish a lot more. As a team, we could accomplish more than the individuals alone. Kathy left the next year we skipped a year and have continued ever since 13 years and counting. My wife, Cherie, called it a Labor of Love and the name stuck. People like coming on this trip because we leave on Friday evening, work Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning, then return Monday afternoon. They can do missionary work on a weekend and not have to take off a day from their job. It has also become an ecumenical group as we work with a large team from Anna St. Jacobs Lutheran and other churches. The team has grown from the original 11 to near 30 recently. With that many workers, we typically break into groups and work on multiple projects. One year, we had four groups working in three counties on different projects. When we are on these trips, we stay in a host church located in the area of our planned mission work. JAM works in a 15- county area of south eastern Ohio. Cherie leads a team who cook for the group. After supper, we have free time when some choose to read, sleep or play games. We always have a good time. The second mission group goes to the same area, Appalachian Ohio. This group goes for a week in March and works on larger projects. We typically have 7-9 people and do heavier construction. Two years ago, we started building a house for the homeless in Jackson. In a week we built the house up to and including the sidewalls. Another team from another area continued the work we started. This past spring, half the group built a handicapped ramp and the others worked on an old house trailer in Sciotoville, east of Portsmouth. We removed 16 of the ceiling/roof, built and installed new trusses, then put on a new roof. Next we hung drywall for a ceiling, finished and painted it, and finally replaced the soft floor in the living room. Anita, the owner, looked at me and said, I don t have to worry about the rain anymore. In the past, when it rained, she had six buckets sitting around to catch the water. This team acted as the hands and feet of Jesus doing good works. Anita considers this her miracle. All mission team members pay to go on these trips. They are sacrificing both their time and money for missions. The money is used to pay for the meals and the materials they use. Both of these groups are always looking for more help, more people to do God s work. If you have a special skill, God can use it. Some people say they have no skills, but God can use whatever you have. A few years ago, I asked a banker if he was going on our next trip, and he responded by saying, If you can find something for me to do, I will. He came on that trip and many more. On last spring s trip, he had improved to be able to install roofing on the top of the trailer. On another trip, I heard a woman say, I came to help others, but I think I received the most from the experience. -Page 3- Con t. on Page 4
If you have ever even considered going on a mission trip, either of these trips are good beginnings. We are open to all, and everyone can make a difference. Step outside your box. Consider going on a mission trip. (Scholarships are available.) Paul Soliday Team Facilitator Pictures of our mission trip to Southern Ohio. -Page 4-
It has been an incredible 2014-15 school year as we transitioned from two separate junior and senior high ministries and combined them into one awesome Wednesday night! In wonderful John Wesley tradition, our Wednesday evenings are filled with fellowship, food, worship, God s Word, small groups and games! Here are some highlights from this past year: 10 youth completed and were confirmed in their faith; 9 of which became members. An average of 50 youth attend Wednesday evenings. 40+ youth and adults attended a night of worship at Winter Jam in Cincinnati. Small groups went Christmas caroling at nursing homes in December. 150+ children, youth and families attended a skate night in April. 3 Shades of Blue Concert in December. Mission trips to Tijuana (July 14) and Nashville (January 14). Topics this year included: You ll Get Through This, Prayer (prayer labyrinth included), Love, Friendship and Being a Disciple. We have had a incredible volunteer leadership staff that has made this transition and progression absolutely amazing. If you see these people, please thank them for their time: Scott and Diana Huffman, Bill Ordean, Brian Huffman, Brian Kramer, Kelli Skidmore, Tracy Porath, Lisa Heaton, Keith Fultz, John and Heather Goubeaux, Keith Brown and Teresa Ditmer. Have a great summer, and keep a watch for events happening through the summer and as things happen at our Facebook page or Instagram page! July 6-11 Tijuana Mission Trip July 17-18 Guy s Summer Night at Kramer s July 31 Crossfire Youth Band plays at Shelby County Fair August 8-15 Tar Hollow Christian Adventure Camp (applications online at sidneyfirst.com) TBA Girl s Summer Night TBA Various Crossfire Summer Fun Nights facebook.com/sidneyfirstyouth Sidneyfirstcrossfire Twitter.com/Sidney1stYouth David Porath, Youth Pastor Sidney First UMC 937-492-9136 www.sidneyfirst.com -Page 5-
Contact Eileen Hix if there any questions I can answer or get you connected! ehix@sidneyfirst.com, 937-492-9136 ext. 111 Watch for info in Bulletin or on Facebook: Kidz First at Sidney First UMC What s Next? For July, August & September of 2015 Summer Sunday Programming *Jr. Church 9-10 am service: Kids starts in the sanctuary and are dismissed just before prayer time to the fifth floor. There we have interactive lessons where they learn more about Jesus. *Kidz Hour 10-11am: Happens between services in the big room on the fifth floor where we have varied activities always pointing to Jesus. *Traditional Sunday School 11 am-12 noon: During the second service, preschool through 6th grades are on the fifth floor. Kids are divided into grade classes for learning on their own level. **Fall Sunday School and Wednesday Night Programming Will return on September 2nd! Calendars & Newsletters! On the first day of every month, there is a new calendar for all the upcoming events along with a parent newsletter with family ideas on deepening your faith and encouraging your children in their growth. On the wall by the elevator on the 5th Floor. A VBS Thank YOU!!!!! Thank you to ALL who made Vacation Bible School possible by giving supplies, using your talents and serving, bringing kids, or praying. It was the coolest week of the summer! Sometimes its all down hill, But oh the HILL. Trust God! A VBS Thank YOU!!!!! Thank you to ALL who made Vacation Bible School possible by giving supplies, using your talents and serving, bringing kids, or praying. It was the coolest week of the summer! Can t wait for next year!!!! Camp Union 2015 season Our 79th year Our Theme: CHRISTm as at Camp Union Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 Kick-Off Celebration: Sunday, June 14, 2015 6:30 pm This will be our only Sunday Night Worship Service for the camp season. We invite the public to attend our weekly Family Night Services at the conclusion of each camp session. Dates and Ages for Camps: First Chance: July 13 14 Kindergarten and 1st Grade Elementary 1: July 6 9 2nd 4th Grade Elementary 2: July 20 23 3rd 5th Grade Jr High Camp: June 22 26 6th 8th Grade Sr. High Camp: June 15 19 9th 12th Grade College Age Retreat: July 31 Aug 2 HS Grad 23 years old Annual 5K Benefit: August 1 Along with the 5k walk/run, there will be a free 1/2 mile Fun Run around camp's perimeter for our younger friends! Afterwards, join us for a Closing Celebration complete with 5k awards, fellowship and a delicious lunch while enjoying music from Jeremy Liles! The mission of Camp Union -Page 6-
The COOL Preschool would like to thank ALL of those who give so generously of their time and resources to the ministry. We were amazed and humbled by the donations given for the Sundae Sunday. Thanks to our volunteers Betsy Gosciewski and Nancy Brown, we now have a Parent Resource Center in operation. Additionally, because of teacher volunteer Barri Grandey, our preschoolers have benefitted from more 1:1 activities. You are all such a blessing. We are now enrolling for the 2015-16 school year. This ministry is for potty-trained children 3-5 years old, whose parents desire to have a Christian education for their child. Interested parents can contact me through the church office. Classes begin in September, and the program runs Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 am 11:30 am. Spaces are limited, so contact us soon! Thank you for all you do for these precious children! Vickie Schwepe Director -Page 7-
230 E. Poplar Street Sidney, OH 45365 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Sidney, OH 45365 Permit #158 Phone: 937.492.9136 Fax: 937.492.1409 Email: sidneyfirst@sidneyfirst.com Web: www.sidneyfirst.com 6-9 Youth Mission Trip to Tijuana, Mexico 9-12 Emmaus Women s Walk #66 14-17 Luke s Stamp Camp 19 Church Conference 12:30 pm Tabernacle 26-August 1 Shelby County Fair Fairgate 6-9 Emmaus Men s Walk #62 8-15 Tar Hollow Christian Camp 17 First Day of School Sidney High 19 First Day of School Sidney Grades 1-8 24 First Day of School Sidney Kindergarten 6 Celebrate! Sunday 7 Labor Day Church Office Closed 9 Back to Church Startup Activities Wed. Evenings