First United Methodist Church Circuit Writer Sunday Morning Worship 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Fellowship time 10:45 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Sunday School May 6, 2018 A Platform For Life Job 33:3-4 Romans 8:26-39 Pastor Ron Russell May 13, 2018 - Mother s Day Very Special People Mothers! Proverbs 31:15-21 Matthew 20:20-23 Pastor Ron Russell May 20, 2018 - Senior Recognition Herb Buwalda May 27, 2018 - Memorial Day Sunday God And Country Jeremiah 10:23-24a Galatians 5:22-23 Pastor Ron Russell Inside this Issue Pastor s Page......2 Tommy & A Faithful Friend.....3 Missions, S.O.S, F.F.F., Wed. Meals & Miscellaneous and Correspondence...4 Birthdays/Anniversaries & Volunteers....5 Calendar............ 6 Youth Page....7 FUMC STAFF Ron Russell, Pastor Jeff Hernley, Director of Youth Ministries Sarah Houser, Director of Children s Ministries Jeanne Weaver, Administrative Assistant Cassie Huys, Office Intern Greg Krider, Treasurer Larry Carlson, Lay Leader Anna Bates, Financial Secretary Maria Belmont, Custodian Peggy Yeater, Organist Craig Baker, Chancel Choir Sam Pohl, Hand Bell Choir Pastor Ron Russell Office Phone: 574-825-2585 Cell Phone: 502-396-3033 Email: revrugg@aol.com
Page 2 Pastor s Page From the Pastor s Desk.. May 2018 There is something very powerful about acquiring and maintaining a clear conscience. I am very thankful that back ---- way back in the day while at seminary, I learned from a Professor of mine how to do this. I asked God to bring to my mind any person I may have offended over my lifetime up to that date. After making this list we were instructed to begin with the very most difficult one first. Then each one after that will perhaps be easier. Very close to the top of wonderful growth in faith, was that activity of gaining a clear conscience. From I Timothy 1: 19 it tells us; And keep your faith and a clear conscience. Some people have not listened to their conscience and have made a ruin of their faith. Being in His footsteps, we need to do the right thing always. A minister in Southern Indiana was telling a story of driving from his church to another church and was running behind. He started driving 15 and 20 miles over the speed limit to try and get there on time. While doing this he remembered that he had a Christian bumper sticker on his car. This man whose name was Bob started thinking, and his conscience bothered him. What will people think if they see me speeding with that bumper sticker on the back? When asked if he slowed down, he said no, I pulled over and pulled the bumper sticker off and got back up to speed. By the way you might notice that a lot of preachers don t have bumper stickers on their cars. We need to set good examples and remember, that without saying a word, we are still preaching by our example. I also believe that the closer we walk with Christ, the more tender our conscience will become. When you walk obediently with God, don t allow Satan to make your conscience feel guilty. Even if Spirit controlled people feel guilty, God is greater than our conscience. An effective way to have a consistent faith walk ----- is to maintain a clear conscience. In His Steps,
Tommy & A Faithful Friend Page 3 Tommy The Church Mouse May 2018 It s hard to believe this is May already and spring is finally in the air. Praise the Lord. Yes, even for mice it is great to see the warmer weather, because just like humans we love the warmer temperatures. I will be outside more during the day so I won t be so underfoot for Maria who keeps the church so clean. Speaking of busy with activities, the church is buzzing with all kinds. The trustees are constantly doing some upkeep, repairing or adding to the church building so all of us might enjoy the building even more. The outside yard work with all the grass seed being planted and landscaping going on, is so beautiful. I love the many different events, activities and Bible studies that go on during the week. The Youth and Children are so busy and we have five graduating seniors, what a joy. Pastor Ron wanted me to remind all the kids to get their pictures in and any paperwork for scholarships ------ because they are already past due and you do not want to miss getting your pictures up on the screen or any monies you might receive for college. God bless all of you and don t be surprised if you see me around, but don t be afraid, I am friendly. Until Next Time Faithful Friends April s Faithful Friends were Lonnie and Terina Franks. Lonnie had his own Tool and Die shop and a lot of his work came from the businesses in Warsaw. Terina used to have a business doing alterations and made many bridesmaid dresses. She now works at The First State Bank of Middlebury. We all know what amazing jobs they have done as Chairs of our Mission Committee. They have headed up many mission trips for our church. Thank you both for your leadership and excellent example. You have been willing to do the hard work for the benefit of others. Reminder, one of their projects is the upcoming Garage Sale at the pavilion in May. A big hug to both of you!!!!! May s Faithful Friends only dated for one year before they got married. They met at the Hot Spot for singles in Shipshewana called BJ Zorrito. They love to travel and spend a lot of their time now south like many of us. He does a lot of shuffling around when down there. She has made it a hobby to Monkey around. Oh my, what does she do?????? They are a fun couple to be around. Like many of our congregation, they were not raised Methodist but were attracted to our church because of our friendliness. They really like all the room we now have to move around during coffee time. They didn t understand why I picked them but that was easy. They are just a good example of who are, humble and happy to be in the presence of Christian friends here at First United Methodist church. Love you both. Are they sitting next to you at the Wednesday night meals? Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when God s people live together in unity!
Missions & S.O.S (Sisters Of Strength), F.F.F, Wednesday Evening Meals & Misc., Corr. Page 4 MISSIONS EARTHLY TREASURE S SALE It s Earthly Treasure s Sales time and Missions committee will need YOUR HELP! This will be held during the community garage sale days May 17,18 and 19 at the church pavilion. This will benefit the Mission trip in October and other mission giving. We will NEED DONATIONS OF ALL KINDS, please bring donations on Wednesday May 16 th to the pavilion. Let us know if your items need to be picked up. We will need bake sale items for the BAKE SALE. We will need people to help set up on Wednesday, May 16 th. We will need helpers to assist shoppers and keep things tidy. The church family can come shop Wednesday, evening, May 16 th for the early bird sales! Please see sign up sheets on the Mission table in Fellowship Hall to work a shift or two. If you have any questions, please contact Lonnie & Terina Franks. Lonnie Cell: 574-612-5746 Terina Cell: 574-612-3876 What is Elderberries? The best explanation for Elderberries is an opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal and a great opportunity to fellowship with your peers. Elderberries invites anyone age 50 and over to meet every fourth Friday in the commons area of our church. The idea for this meeting started a couple of decades ago when a few people met on the fourth Friday of the month to fold, stamp and mail the monthly Circuit Writer. After awhile, as the church continued to grow, those involved began bringing a lunch to share as the process grew longer and longer. Soon others joined in and Elderberries was founded. With new technology, it s no longer necessary to fold, stamp and mail our newsletter, but Elderberries has continued on - every fourth Friday of the month. So, come and join us next month!! There is a sign - up sheet on the table by the mail boxes (so we know how much food to prepare) and we hope to see you at our next get together. Ladies Are you interested in meeting other ladies in our church? Lunch with us and learn to know our sisters in Christ. For further details, call either Nancy Heathman: 248-701-9201 or Joyce Krider: 574-537-1245 There will be a Staff Parish meeting May 8th @ 6:30p.m. Look for the Recipe Corner next month Senior Sunday is May 20th! Please mark your calendars for this special day. Family, Fun and Fellowship We had a great time at Trivia Night. Attendance was around 30 people. Truly challenged our minds. In June we will be having our Father s Day service at the pavilion, followed by a carry-in picnic. We hope to see everyone there. Sliced ham will be provided. (Sisters Of Strength) S.O.S October 21st - Crock Pot Cook Off right after church November 3rd - Bazaar Next S.O.S. Mtg. - May 21st, 3rd Monday instead of 4th; due to Memorial Day Holiday. Wednesday Night Meals As you know our Wednesday night meals are coming to an end. Some have asked where the money is going that we collect from the meals. Our Wednesday night meal paid for the lettering on the new van. We have also purchased some much needed items for the kitchen. The money from previous years is in an account in case we need it. $5,000.00 of that account was given to the building fund. The money was put to good use. May 2 - Spaghetti and Meat Balls May 9 - Tater Tot Casserole May 16 - Pulled Pork May 23 - Breakfast May 30 - Potato Bar On a Saturday in May, the youth group will have a car wash at the church as a fundraiser with all donations going to the purchase of the new van. Again date and time is not set so more information will be sent out at a later time. The 24 th annual Old Timers meeting will meet May 8 th from 1:30p.m. to 4:00p.m. They will meet at the Essenhaus Conference Center. Everyone is welcome to come, reminisce and learn about Middlebury s yesterdays and years. For more information call 825-2010 or 825-0978. May 3 rd at 6:00p.m. the Golden Deeds will be honoring Dr. Keith Barkow at the Essenhaus Conference Center. Everyone is invited, so, come join and celebrate the honor! If you need a ticket please talk to Pastor Ron, Don Weirich, Jerry Drake, Henry Yoder, John McKee, or Mitch Miller.
Page 5 Birthdays/Anniversaries & Volunteers 05/01 - Marv Miller 05/02 - Brad Fiandt 05/02 - Gordon Groves 05/03 - Dennis Stalter 05/04 - Delbert Schmucker 05/14 - Rex Gleim 05/16 - Joe Livings 05/17 - Mike Judson 05/19 - Lesley Lashley 05/22 - Peggy Judson 05/23 - Paul Wilkey 05/24 - Dan Frederick 05/24 - Dian Wilkey 05/25 - Kay Kaehn 05/26 - Kathryn Wasson May Audio & Visual May 6 - Duane & Linda Stickel May 13 - Lee Brekke & Cassie Huys 05/28 - Tony Chapman 05/28 - Julie Whitehead 05/29 - Nathan Whitehead May 20 - Scott Crist & Miles Houser May 27 - Don & Patti Weirich May Julie Whitehead, Ch.....825-3940 Jeanette Robinson........825-1295 Kay Brekke....911-1417 Patti Weirich...825-9185 Linda Miller..... 535-4605 Peggy Nappier...825-1626 Find the Church! There is a picture of the church hidden in the newsletter. See if you can find it. May Worship Leader Deb Doeden May Altar Flowers May 13 - Steve & Peggy Yeater May 20 - John & Deb Doeden May 27 - Steve & Peggy Yeater Finance Committee Counting May 6 - Sam Hoover, Greg Krider May 13 - Rosie Long, Rod Nappier May 20 - Joe Livings, Doug Whitehead May 27 - Lynda Hershberger, Sam Hoover 05/01 - Scott & Sheree Crist 05/05 - Brian & Brittany Calvert 05/11 - Paul & Dian Wilkey 05/13 - Sam III & Jill Hoover 05/15 - Max & Joy Fiandt 05/17 - Phil & Cindy Houser 05/18 - Harold & Kathryn Wasson 05/20 - Richard & Shelia Smith 05/21 - Kevin & Susie Gipson 05/22 - Steve & Darcy Ebersol 05/22 - Jack & Mary Personette
Page 6 2018 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 See Wednesday 6p.m. - Comfort Ladies 6p.m. - Golden Deed s Award Night 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 See Sunday 6:30p.m. - Staff See Wednesday 6p.m. - Comfort Parish Meeting Ladies All - Church Carry - In @ 11:45a.m. 1:30-4p.m.: Old Timers' Meeting 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Mothers Day 6p.m. - Newcomers See Wednesday Mtg. See Sunday Set up for Earthly Treasure Sale Pre-Sale for Church 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 See Sunday 6:30 - S.O.S. See Wednesday 11:45a.m. - Mtg. Elderberries Senior Sunday 27 28 29 30 31 See Sunday Memorial Day See Wednesday Church Office Closed Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Prayer meeting 10:00 a.m. - Bible Study 5:30 p.m. Meal 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Youth & Kids 7:00 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal Sunday 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Fellowship time 10:45 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Sunday School
Youth Page Page 7 Ailie Belmont will be graduating from Northridge High School on June 3rd. She will attend Taylor University in the fall. She will be majoring in Youth Ministry and minoring in Multimedia Carli Hammond will be graduating from Northridge High School on June 3rd. She has decided to work for a year and help teach the Northridge Raider Dance Team. She will then attend college and major in Elementary Education. Kristie Karch will be graduating from Northridge High School on June 3rd. She will attend Ball State University in the fall. She will be majoring in Theatre Design and Technology and possibly minoring in Spanish or Film. Director of Youth Ministries, Jeff Hernley Office Phone: 574-825-2585 Cell Phone: 574-536-6501 Email: ljhern3@yahoo.com Cassie Huys will be graduating from Northridge High School on June 3rd. She will attend Ball State University in the fall. She will be majoring in Architecture and is undecided in her minor. Her open house is June 9th at FUMC from 1-4p.m. Katie Lashley will be graduating from Fairfield High School on June 3rd. She will attend Purdue University in the fall and will be studying Athletic Training while she is there. Katie has decided not to have an open house but will celebrate her graduation with a family dinner. Director of Children s Ministries, Sarah Houser Office Phone: 574-825-2585 Cell Phone: 574-849-1269 Email : sjhouserx3@gmail.com
First United Methodist Church 720 South Main Street P.O. Box 347 Middlebury, IN. 46540 Phone: 574-825-2585 Fax: 574-825-4198 Email: fumcm@maplenet.net www.fumcmiddlebury.org Lifting the love of God, and the teachings of Jesus Christ First UMC is a church that grows disciples with: A Heart for Christ Bended Knees for Prayer A Mind Transformed A Passion to Share the Good News Open Arms of Love A Spirit of Servanthood and Stewardship