Circuit Writer MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE ERLANGER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NOVEMBER 2015 Pastor s Pen I ran across this letter recently that may help all of us have a new appreciation of what Thanksgiving is all about. DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: Some friends invited me to their apartment for Thanksgiving this year, but I refused. I ve had a miserable year death of my husband, financial problems, sickness. It would be hypocritical for me to say I m thankful. You ll probably disagree, but can you understand why I feel this way? D.R. DEAR D.R.: Yes, I can understand your feelings, but most of all, I want to assure you that God knows what you ve been going through and understands why you feel this way. The Bible says, But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15). When bad things happen to us, it s not easy to be thankful for them or for anything else, for that matter. But as millions across our country gather today to celebrate Thanksgiving, my prayer is that this Thanksgiving will mark a new beginning in your life. Yes, God understands how you feel, but he loves you and wants to help you overcome these feelings and give you hope for the future. And he will do this, as you turn to him and ask Christ to come into your life. We re never alone when we know Christ, and even in life s darkest moments he never abandons us. Jesus invitation is for you: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
Take time today to list the good things that are still a part of your life, and then thank God for them. Thank him, too, for Jesus Christ, and ask him to help you trust your life and your future into his hands. As a footnote, in the next few days thank your friends for their invitation, and let them know you value their friendship. Rev. Graham As Rev. Graham responds in this letter, I share the faith that Thanksgiving will be a new beginning in all of our lives that reminds us of the good in life. We get so bogged down in the business of life, in the politics that discourages Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods. Psalm 95:2-3 us all, in the chores that need to be done, and really grieving about things that are often beyond our control. But it is a choice to be thankful. THAT IS SOMETHING WE CONTROL. And there s always something that we can be thankful for. May this be a new beginning for all of us, and may the season of gratitude last all year long.
ADVENT 2015 Advent begins on November 29. The church will again make available to the church an advent devotional for the members to use in their devotional time. The title of this year's Advent devotional if Lift Up Your Heads written by Martin E Marty. Dr. Marty was a professor at University of Chicago Divinity School, editor for The Christian Century magazine and the author of over 60 books. The advent devotional will be available for you to pick up at the church beginning November 15.
Activate Love. Transform Lives. Change the World. Erlanger United Methodist Men s Day at Gold Star Chili, 10 Kenton Lands, Erlanger, KY 41018. (859)341-5700 Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 from 4:00 pm till 11:00 pm and present this Flyer and 15% of your sales will benefit the Erlanger United Methodist Men.
October 2015 Tithes and Offering Tithes $18,348.00 Sunday School $201.00 Loose Plate $123.00 GECDC $10,182.29 Interest/Dividends $58.75 Miscellaneous $625.00 GENERAL FUND TOTAL $29,538.04 Misc. $820.00 Adult Ministries $36.00 Emmaus Emergency $42.00 Emmaus Various Proj. $58.00 Emmaus Zimmerman $53.00 Good Samaritan Fund $143.00 Holiday Offering $28.00 Ida Spence $126.00 Laws $10.00 Manna Mission $109.00 Memorials $12.00 Mission $1,140.00 Reimbursements $1,911.69 UMCOR $1.00 Women in Mission $141.00 Youth $254.00 Zimmerman's $10.00 Building Fund $1,131.36 SPECIAL GIFTS TOTAL $5,170.05 GRAND TOTAL $34,708.09 Our 2015 Church Budget is $309,282.00 (The 2016 Budget has not been made yet. In recent years, there have been only modest increases in the budget each year. Currently, tithes and offerings and miscellaneous income support about 2/3 of that budget. Income from Grace Edgett Child Development Center provides the other 1/3.) We have had 115 giving units at church this year. (A giving unit is a person, or couple, or household that gives to the operating budget of our church. If a husband and wife both make individual gifts, they count as two giving units. If they give together as a couple, they would count as one giving unit) At $20,000.00 as an annual income for each, a tithe from everyone would generate $230,000.00 for the church. At $30,000.00 for an annual income for each, a tithe from everyone would result in $345,000.00 for the church. At $35,000.00 for an annual income for each, a tithe from everyone would generate $402,500.00 for the church. So you see, we don t need a church of RICH people to meet our church s financial needs. We just need a church of TITHING people who want to practice what the Bible teaches. Imagine the good we could do with a tithing church! If our budget were $325,000.00 per year, with 115 giving units, everyone would only need to give an average of about $55 per week to meet the budget. IF 115 PEOPLE WOULD GIVE $65 PER WEEK TO THE CHURCH, WE WOULD RECEIVE $388,700.00 IN A YEAR S TIME FOR THE CHURCH BUDGET. - For some that s a stretch, no doubt. - Some spend that much for movies each week. - Many spend that much eating out each week. Everyone must decide in their own heart what is right for them to give. Please pray about what God wants YOU to give to the work of the Gospel. Your gift makes a difference!!
From the Erlanger United Methodist Men Hi Folks. Thank you for all your support for all our fund raisers. It is much appreciated. Our fund raiser dinners are completed for this year. We will be starting 2016 in January with the Soup &Sandwich lunch after church. Date will be announced later. In our November meeting we will be giving away our money to various missions that you have helped support us with. Thank you very much. Gold Star Day is November 11, 2015. The Gold Star located in Erlanger on Kenton Lands Road. Thank you for your support. We are proud to be part of the General Commission on United Methodist Men This is a national organization. We give them support and they do great mission works all over the world. Men come join us in getting the Lord s work done. It is very rewarding. Canned goods update for the United Christian Volunteers. Thru October 31, 2015, 3,822 food items have been delivered. Emphasis in November 2015 is on Thanksgiving Fixings items. Our goal for 2015 is 4,000 food items. There are many folks in the local area that can t afford enough food for their families. Your support has gone a long way in helping this cause. Thank you. Whatever you bring will be greatly appreciated. Have you checked out the remodeled church in the playground yet? It is really nice. We would like to invite all men to join the Erlanger United Methodist Men. Our next meeting is November 7, 2015, Saturday, 9:00 am at Erlanger UMC in the Asbury Room. Thank you and GOD Bless you all. The mission of the General Commission on United Methodist Men is to assist men to know Jesus Christ, to serve Him, to grow spiritually and seek daily to do His will.
Annual Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Cake Auction For the Ida Spence Mission Saturday, Nov. 7 th, 5:00 7:30 p.m.at Immanuel UMC Cost is $10.00 for Dinner, Auction and entertainment from children of the mission. (Tickets are in the church office or purchased at the door) Moravian Blessing Come, Lord Jesus, our guest to be And bless these gifts Bestowed by Thee. And bless our loved ones everywhere, And keep them in Your loving care. NOVEMBER Birthdays & Anniversaries Kathy Sandel 11/02 Carl Neumeister 11/02 Greg Sandel 11/03 Bev Glenn 11/04 Rev. Gene Barbour 11/08 Barbara Burgan 11/14 Zech Shepherd 11/24 Glenn & Sue Wells 11/14 Jim & Nancy Johnson 11/21
Daylight Saving Time Ends November 1 st. Don t forget to move your clock back One Hour, Saturday Night before Bed!
November 2015 Sun 1 st Daylight Saving Time Ends 9:00 am Communion / Chapel 9:15 am Sunday School / Tone Chyme 10:30 am Worship 4:30 pm Devotions 5:30 pm Youth Mon 2 nd 7:00 pm SPRC Tue 3 rd 10:00 am Disciple Bible Study 7:00 pm Disciple Bible Study Wed 4 th 11:15 am Adult Ministry Road Trip 12:00 pm Evangelism / Caring Team 6:00 pm Sunday School Education Meeting 7:00 pm Choir Practice Thur 5 th 11:00 am Women In Mission Sat 7 th 9:00 am Methodist Men Meeting 5:00 pm Ida Spence / Spaghetti Dinner Sun 8 th Veterans Recognition 9:00 am Communion / Chapel 9:15 am Sunday School / Tone Chyme 10:30 am Worship 4:30 pm Devotions 5:30 pm Youth Mon 9 th 6:15 pm Finance Meeting 7:00 pm Administrative Board Tue 10 th 10:00 am Disciple Bible Study 7:00 pm Disciple Bible Study Wed 11 th Veterans Day 10:30 am Children s Chapel 4:00 pm UMM Gold Star Day 6:30 pm Mission Meeting 7:00 pm Choir Practice Sat 14 th 6:00 pm Children s Movie Night Sun 15 th Operation Christmas Child Dedication 9:00 am Communion / Chapel 9:15 am Sunday School / Tone Chyme 10:30 am Worship 4:30 pm Devotions Tue 17 th Wed 18 th Sun 22 nd Tue 24 th Wed 25 th 5:30 pm Youth 10:00 am Disciple Bible Study 7:00 pm Disciple Bible Study 1:00 pm Evangelism Team Meeting 7:00 pm Choir Practice 9:00 am Communion / Chapel 9:15 am Sunday School / Tone Chyme 10:30 am Worship 2:00 pm Christmas Decorating Party 4:30 pm Devotions 5:30 pm Youth 10:00 am Disciple Bible Study 7:00 pm Disciple Bible Study 10:30 am 7:00 pm Children Chapel Choir Practice Thur 26 th Thanksgiving Day Sat 28 th 5:00 pm Manna Mission Meal Sun 29 th United Methodist Student Day 9:00 am Communion / Chapel 9:15 am Sunday School / Tone Chyme 10:30 am Worship 4:30 pm Devotions 5:30 pm Youth Thur 12 th 6:00 pm Prayer Group Thanksgiving For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
What are YOU Thankful for? PRAYER CORNER With Pat Barbour REMINDERS FROM THE WORD Dear Brothers, (and sisters) warn those who are lazy; comfort those who are frightened; take tender care of those who are weak; and be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. Always be joyful. ALWAYS KEEP ON PRAYING. No matter what happens, ALWAYS BE THANKFUL, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18