St. Paul s Newsletter Sunday, November 12, 2017 Guided by God s love, our purpose is to make disciples of Jesus Christ through the Nurture, Outreach and Witness ministries, and to obey the commands of God. If you have an e-mail address and would like to receive our newsletter electronically, please let us know at info@stpaulscambridge.com 2017 COMMITTEE & CONTACT INFORMATION Pastor: Rev. Bonnie Shively (pastor@stpaulscambridge.com) Administrative Council Chairperson: Robbie Hanson (rchanson74@gmail.com) Board of Trustees Chairperson: Jeff Ruark (trustee@stpaulscambridge.com) Finance Committee Chairperson: Fred Redmer (treasurer@stpaulscambridge.com) Communications Chairperson: Scott Redmer (communications@stpaulscambridge.com) Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee Chairperson: Tammy Hodge (trheapraisinghim@gmail.com) Nurture Ministries Overseers: Lisa Hines (lhines1511@yahoo.com), June McKelvey (410-943-0992) Outreach Ministries Overseer: TBA Witness Ministries Overseer: TBA Memorial Fund Chairperson - Scott Daniels (443-521-4577) Membership Chairpersons: Toni Insley (info@stpaulscambridge.com) Health Ministries Chairperson: Dot Bradshaw (443-225-5394) United Methodist Men President: Don Kinnamon (410-463-1193) Worship Committee Chairperson: Nancy Hebdon (410-228-0391) es: 8:45 Contemporary Service Reader: Millie Morales Scriptures: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Matthew 25:1-13 Next Week: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30 9:45 Sunday School Gleaners Devotions: Jean Fountain Teacher: June McKelvey Richardson s Men Devotions & Teacher: Phil McKelvey Prayer List 11:00 Traditional Service Reader: Fred Redmer Winnie Walters Luke Redmer Ms. Kitty Jones Randall Bradshaw Rev. Tina Whaley Ronnie Potter Helen & Kermit Hines, Sr. Larry Zeigler Ida Taylor Gabe 8 yr. old cancer patient Angela Hill Kim Presley Kaitlyn Andrews Mace & Becky Tall Charlotte Hinkle 1 Marilyn Carr Peggy Ruark Jaime Ellen Kinnamon Jackson Bradley Unsaved loved ones Families Our Schools Our Service Workers Those needy Our pastors Our church If anyone would like a visit from Pastor Shively, please contact the church office.
Pastor s Pause: Rev. Bonnie Shively Decisions, Decisions But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. - Joshua 24:15 NIV Have you ever been challenged with making decisions? What should I fix for dinner? What should I wear today? Where should I invest my money? Who should I date? Where should I go on vacation? What career should I pursue? Should we move? What doctor do I select? Should we take the job offer? Is this the person I am to marry? Do I buy these shoes are those? There are people that are intuitive and they make decisions because they trust their gut more than their brains. These individuals often take flying leaps without little information. There are those that have little trust in their cognitive reasoning skills nor do they rely on their instincts therefore these folks normally follow the path of least resistance. There are those that place all their trust in their mind alone. They place no faith in their hearts desires. These people normally stall and wait and contrast and brew forever insisting that with just a little more knowledge, the choice will be made clear. So, what is your ultimate strategy in making a decision? Consider Gods formula for making the right decisions. 1. Ask for Gods direction: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 2. Seek His will in his word. Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105. 3. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. 4. Lean not on your own understanding: Seek the advice of Godly men and women. Prov. 11:14 Most of us think we can figure things out on our own. But, if we re serious about making wise decisions, we must fight against that internal inclination to trust in our own understanding. Proverbs 28:16 - If you think you know it all, you're a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others. Have you ever made a decision you later regretted? Have you ever put off a decision you later wished you would have made? Do you recall a decision you made that looking back you are so thrilled you made that choice? Have you ever made a decision that now you are so glad you said no to that decision? Why are decisions so important? Because your Life is the TOTAL of all your decisions and their corresponding actions - (1) THOUGHTS create ACTIONS, (2) Actions create HABITS, (3) Habits create CHARACTER, (4) and Character creates DESTINY Your decision today determines your destiny tomorrow! Blessings, Pastor Bonnie 2
Upcoming Events JOY Group Meeting The JOYs will meet in the on Monday, November 13 th at 1:30 PM. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. For any questions call Jean Fountain, Leader at 410-228-3916. Ladies Prayer Breakfast The next Ladies Community Prayer Breakfast is to be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017. The breakfast will begin at 8 a.m., and is to be held at St. Paul s UMC, Cambridge. All are invited. Please call 410-228-1424 for more information. Shoebox Blessing On Sunday, November 19, St. Paul s UMC will be blessing the filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Be sure to bring your shoeboxes with you to worship to have them pass on an extra blessing to the children who will receive them. Church Council Meeting There will be a Church Council Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14 th at 6 p.m. in the. Anyone interested in welcomed to attend. It's time for our Fall Membership Class! Sunday, Nov. 19 th 12:30 pm Any adults wishing to join St. Paul's UMC by profession of faith or transfer from another church, please contact the church office. This class is also open to those members that might like to have a refresher about the United Methodist Church. Finance Committee Meeting Our next Finance Committee Meeting is to be held on Monday, November 20 th at 6:15 p.m. This meeting will take place in the. Encounters with Jesus Fred Petze is leading this bible study, held weekly, 9 11 a.m. on Mondays in the Church Parlor. 3
Community Thanksgiving St. Paul s UMC will be hosting this year s community Thanksgiving worship service. This service will be held on Tuesday, November 21 at 6:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there. Community Thanksgiving Dinner Grace UMC, 501 Race St., Cambridge, is proud to host their 14 th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 23 at noon. This is a free event, and they are expecting a significant number of attendees. Grace UMC is currently asking volunteers to assist with the many tasks that are required for this type of event. To volunteer, or for more information, please contact their church office at 410-228-4353. Advent Bible Study Pastor Bonnie Shively will be leading this year s Advent Bible Study. This study will begin on Monday, November 27 th and continue every Monday through Dec. 18 th. The study group will be meeting in the Church Parlor, from 5 to 6 p.m. The book, The Wonder of Christmas Once You Believe, Anything is Possible will be available at the church for $10.00 each. Please contact the church office at 410-228-1424 for more information. 4
Youth Ministry News Middle School group - Thursdays at 3 p.m. The Conversation Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. High School group - Sundays at 6 p.m. Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry St. Paul s UMC is once again getting ready for Operation Christmas Child. Our youth group Packing Party will be held on Sunday, November 12 at 5 p.m in the. Please consider donating an item or two to be included in these shoeboxes. Monetary donations can also be made. Shipping costs are now $9.00 per box. Health Ministry News NEEDED: USED WHEELCHAIRS IN GOOD CONDITION Our donated medical equipment stock is out of wheelchairs, as is Pleasant Day, our backup supplier. If you have a wheelchair you re not using, please bring it in to the church 10-2 weekdays and let Toni know you brought it, or bring it on Sunday to. It will be a blessing to someone. HEALTH TIPS FOR LOSING WEIGHT 1. Start the day with a high protein breakfast 25 grams protein, 350-400 calories. 2. Keep a photo diary of everything you eat during the day helps downsize meals. 3. Use an app to track what you eat. 5
Missions News 6
2017 Shadow of the Steeple Instead of delivering food boxes this year, the Shadow of the Steeple will provide food cards/vouchers so people can select the food that works best for them. A box for names to receive cards will be placed in the sanctuary alongside a stack of Christmas cards and some sticky notes. To enter a name: 1. Write the name and address on the envelope. 2. Attach a sticky note with the number of people in the household and phone number. 3. Drop the card in the box. Deadline for names is December 15th. Thank you for helping to make this project a success! 7
Ministry Opportunities Altar Needs As we close out 2017 and think ahead to 2018, St. Paul s UMC has altar needs that we have to address. We are in need of Altar Stewards for the months of February and July for 2018. We are also currently in need of Communion Servers and Altar Flower donations for the months of November and December, 2017. Please prayerfully consider donating your time and/or your resources to help us fulfill these needs. Visitation Ministry Team St. Paul s UMC is looking to create a team to assist us with visitation. Training will be provided. Please contact the church office for more information. St. Paul's Gatherings Pastor Bonnie is looking for ways to have conversations with the St. Paul's family. This helps us get to know one another better as we share thoughts, ideas, history and a vision for the future. We are looking for people to host these gatherings in their homes or if you are unable to open up your home, perhaps you might consider hosting here at the church. For more information or to be a host, please contact Pastor Bonnie. 12 8:45a Contemporary 11a Traditional 5p Operation Christmas Child Youth Packing Party in 13 9-11a Bible Study in Church Parlor 1:30p JOY Group Meeting in 6:30-8:30p OCC Shoebox Drop-Off 14 Upcoming Calendar 15 6:30-8:30p OCC Shoebox Drop-Off 10a-12n OCC 7p Combined Shoebox Drop-Off Choir & Praise Band Practice in 6p CHURCH Sanctuary COUNCIL Meeting in 16 1-3p OCC Shoebox Drop-Off 3-5p P23 Youth Group Meeting 4p C-SD High School Cross Country Banquet 6:30p Study Group The Conversation in Church Parlor 17 18 6:30-8:30p OCC 8a Ladies Shoebox Drop-Off Community Prayer Breakfast in 10a-12n OCC Shoebox Drop- Off 8
19 8:45a Contemporary w/shoebox Blessing 11a Traditional w/shoebox Blessing 12n-3p OCC Shoebox Drop-Off 12:30p Membership Class in Church Parlor 6p Four:12 Youth Group Meeting 26 20 7-9a OCC Shoebox Drop-Off 9a Operation Christmas Child Truck Departs 9-11a Bible Study in Church Parlor 6:15p FINANCE Team Meeting in 27 21 9a-2p Youth Director Is In 6:30p Community Thanksgiving 28 22 29 23 Thanksgiving Day 30 Church Office Closed 24 25 Dec. 1 2 8:45a Contemporary 11a Traditional 3 9-11a Bible Study in Church Parlor 5-6p Advent Bible Study in Church Parlor 6p NOMINATIONS Team Meeting in Church Parlor 4 9a-2p Youth Director Is In 5 7p Combined Choir & Praise Band Practice in Sanctuary 6 7 3-5p P23 Youth Group Meeting 6:30p Study Group The Conversation in 6p GIGGLES Dinner Meeting 8 9 8:45a Contemporary w/holy Communion 11a Traditional w/holy Communion 2p Covered Dish Dinner w/caroling 6p Four:12 Youth Group Meeting 7p Praise Concert for Cold Weather Shelter in Sanctuary 9-11a Bible Study in Church Parlor 5-6p Advent Bible Study in Church Parlor 6p TRUSTEES Meeting in 9a-2p Youth Director Is In 6p Food Pantry Packing Party in 3-5p P23 Youth Christmas Dinner 6:30p Study Group The Conversation in 6:30- Combined Praise Band & Choir Practice in Sanctuary 7-8a Food Bank Delivery in Church Parking Lot 7-10a Basement Shops Open 9-11a Food Pantry Open 9
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