Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27 :14 The newsletter of First United Methodist Church of Waynesburg February 2016 Dear Waynesburg First Family, May the grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ continue to be with you in 2016. I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:3-4, New International Version) May God Almighty bless us and make us fruitful and increase our numbers. (Adapted from Genesis 28:3, New International Version) The Church s season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10 th. Lent is a period of forty days, not counting Sundays, during which the Church invites the followers of Jesus to reflect, repent and recommit to Jesus. Reflect on your life since last Easter. What successes have you had in being obedient in following Jesus? Where have you failed? Have you grown in discipleship? Have you stayed where you were? Have you slid backward? Is love for God and others the cornerstone of your life? Repent of disobedience. Repent of thoughts and practices that have hindered your discipleship and spiritual growth. Repent of your prejudices. Recommit to your first love, Jesus! Recommit to allowing the Holy Spirit to control your life. Recommit to supporting Waynesburg First UMC through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness. Oh, by the way. Reflect, repent and recommit can be applied to your immediate families also. Just replace Waynesburg First UMC with the words, your immediate family. Remember: God first, family second then everything else. 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 15370 724-627-5951 firstumcpa@windstream.net www.waynesburgfirst.org
Sermons and Scripture Lessons for February 7 th Listen to Him Luke 9:28-35 10 th Ash Wednesday Be Careful Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 14 th Rich Waddel preaching 21 st Look Luke 13:31-35 28 th Do You Think Luke 13:1-9 Food for Thought "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before human beings, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1, New International Version Matthew Youth Schedule for February Feb. 7 Super Bowl 50 Party in the social Hall at 6:15 p.m. Bring your favorite snack to share and come hungry! Feb. 14 Youth Group with dinner, games, and a lesson from 5-7 pm. Bring a friend! Feb. 21 Snow tubing at Nemacolin Woodlands. Leaving directly after church. More to follow. Feb. 28 Youth Group with dinner, games, and a lesson from 5-7 pm. Bring a friend! *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 1 Peter. This schedule is subject to change. Please don t hesitate to contact Alex if you have any questions! Cell Phone: (724) 504-7699 Office Phone: (724) 627-6055
Liturgical Colors Lent Lent is a season of preparation for the whole congregation. Most of this time of preparation is symbolized by the color purple, though the season is bracketed by the mourning Black of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Purple is associated both with the sovereignty of Christ and with penitence. Self-examination, study, fasting, prayer and works of love are disciplines historically associated with Lent. Conversion literally, the "turning around" or reorientation of our lives towards God is the theme of Lent. Both as individuals and as a community, we look inward and reflect on our readiness to follow Jesus in his journey towards the cross. The forty days of Lent correspond to the forty-day temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and the forty-year journey of Israel from slavery to a new community. Applying Bible Principles to Stewardship One of the most familiar of all Bible passages is 1 Corinthians 13, which is known by many as the Love Chapter. Many people Christians and non-christians alike have committed part or all of these thirteen wonderful verses to memory. But most people probably do not realize that one of the greatest truths concerning giving is taught in this passage. The Apostle Paul, writing under the direct and divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. In other words, according to this verse, our giving is to be motivated by love. If it is not, then it has absolutely no value to us. The question here is not how much we give, or how frequently we give, or the manner in which we give, but why we give. And it is based on the principle taught so clearly in Romans 5:8, But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. When we were nothing but sinners, Christ died for us. When we had nothing but the refuse of sin in our lives, Christ died for us. When we were strangers to God s promises, Christ died for us. Long before we could ever love Him, He provided convincing evidence of His love for us by dying for us on Calvary. And that s why We love, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). One of the ways in which we demonstrate our love for God is through giving. If we give out of a sense of obligation or because the church needs the money or because we feel we have to give, we miss the point of 1 Corinthians 13:3. We also miss the blessing that comes from giving out of a heart motivated by our love for the Lord. When we give because of that motivation, our giving provides a tangible expression of our love for Him as we give in response to His love and grace. As the offering plate passes by you next Sunday at church, you might want to pray this prayer of thanksgiving and commitment: Lord, thank you for loving me before I could love you. Thank you for demonstrating your love by dying on Calvary for me. And thank you for the privilege of giving to you today as I worship you through this expression of my love for you.
Prison Ministry News. We have started a new session of 40 Days with 22 new inmates. We are all excited to start with the new group in finding our purpose for being here on earth and discussing the opening statement of the study It s not about you. It is always interesting to discuss our purpose at the beginning of the 20 weeks and then, again, at the end of the 20 weeks. Usually we get quite different responses about our reason for being here after studying Rick Warren s Purpose Driven Life book. We, as the facilitators, are always in awe at what we realize from discussing the study and are in agreement that we learn new things, as well as the inmates, each time we present the program. That reminds us of reading God s word, that no matter how many times we read the scriptures, we always learn something we had not known before. Following is final thoughts from one of the inmates from our last group. Purpose Driven Life Group to me is a shining example of when the Lord says to complete the commandment To honor only God and no other and love your neighbor as yourself. The group and the steps and studying we do is full of care and compassion for each other. Also showing me that the Lord wants me to bring other to Him and to really get involved and to live the word. The group has also shown me that I can be assured the Lord loves me, forgives me and wants good things for me in my life and to share that good news with others. Also it really inspires me the dedication and care that the volunteers bring to us to live as prime example of living for Christ. We appreciate your prayers as we continue to do that which God has called us to do. Connie, Marilyn, Shirley, Rex
ERIN S INSIDEOUT CAFE The cafe has a new look...3 Keurig coffee makers, new headwear that is disposable and the occasional ball cap. Our young lady volunteers enjoy taking your hot drink order. On January 12, we celebrated the life of our fellow patron and friend, Mary Jurovcik, who went to her heavenly home, January 7, 2016. Cafe style, we served a light meal of chili con carne, home made corn bread and white bread, salad and pie and met Mary's family. Thanks for remembering the cafe with your extra desserts and sides. We love them!! Blessings, Janice Gottschalk, Café Coordinator
Bishop s Day on the District Final Thoughts: Visions for the Journey February 16, 2016 First United Methodist Church Washington, PA 6:00 PM Gathering, Conversation and Finger-food 7:00 PM Opening Worship 7:15 PM Final Thoughts: Visions for the Journey Bishop Bickerton 8:00 PM Question and Answer 8:30 PM Closing Worship 9:00 PM Going Home The Way, is the Mission and Youth newsletter for our church. 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. Opening Spring 2016 Gateway Senior Housing 1-2 Bedroom Apartments at 325 E. High Street, Wbg. Must be 62 + and meet income guidelines Contact Jason at 724-880-0373 See the flyer on the bulletin board if interested. Prayer Focus The Prayer Focus for February is the nearly 100,000 people of Flint, Michigan whose lives have been severely affected by contaminated water. To help provide clean water filters, please make a special offering to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response Advance Special #901670. Thanks for your help!
Spring Student Fellowship Luncheons Dates: Sunday, February 28th Sunday, April 24th (Last one till Fall) Covered dishes and help will be greatly appreciated, as well as your attendance. A sign up sheet will be on the tables in the back of the church. Thanks for all your help!!! Washington District Lay Servant Ministries School February 7 March 6, 2016 Mark your calendars now! Plan to attend Lay Servant Ministries classes in the new year! The school will be open to anyone who wants to be inspired to a deeper commitment to Christ, to be equipped for more effective discipleship and encouraged for leadership and service. Classes will be held five Sundays during Lent, February 7 th, 14 th, 21 st, 28 th & March 6 th from 2:00 pm. 4:30 pm. at the First United Methodist Church of Washington. Classes offered: Basic Course for Lay Servant Ministries Spiritual Gifts Leading Worship Small Groups Story Telling Cost $20 More information & registration forms are on the tables in the back of the church.
February Birthdays Choir Practice Bell Choir Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Thursdays 7:30 p.m. 1 Joe Olczak 2 Brooke Roberts 3 Jim Facemire Julie Anderson Brandon Lindsay 7 Jeff Cree Lee Robinson 8 Mary Ann Grau 9 Brooke Orosz Greene County Hymn Sing February 14, 2016 at Washington Street UMC Upcoming: March 13, 2016 at Oakview UMC 11 Amber Duell 12 Connie Hart 13 Terry Bennett 15 Cullen McElligott 16 Caitlyn Duer Isabella Mariner 17 Dan Corwin Tom Headlee Aliza Mariner 18 Gary Grau 22 Dan Ridout Christian Mariner Presslie Mariner 25 Haley Lipscomb Sharon Kennedy Did we miss anyone s birthday? Call the church office or send an e-mail to get your special day in the newsletter Call 724.627.5951 2016 Offering Envelopes Offering envelopes are ready to picked up from the pew in the back of the church. If you wish to have an envelope assigned to you please contact Linda in the church office (724-627-5951.) Pray always ~ without ceasing! Please call prayer requests to: the church office at 724-627-5951 If you would rather email, send them to Wayne Hart at: wahart@windstream.net (Subject: Prayer Ministry)... February Announcement List February 7.Youth February 14.... KC Waddel February 21........Rich Waddel February 28........Wayne Hart
February 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Noon Church Council 5-7 PM Youth 8 Dartball at Oakview UMC 9 10 7 PM Ash Wednesday Service 11 6:30 PM Bell Choir Chancel Choir 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 6:15 PM Youth 7 PM Hymn Sing Dartball at Hewit Presby. 6-9 PM Bishop s Day on the District 6:30 PM Bell Choir Chancel Choir Kairos Overnight 21 5-7 PM Youth Group 22 Newsletter Deadline Dartball At Home 23 24 25 6:30 PM Bell Choir Chancel Choir 26 27 28 Noon Student Luncheon 12 PM Youth Group 29 Dartball Home NEWSLETTER ARTICLES ARE DUE TO THE CHURCH OFFICE BY Monday, Feb. 22nd or earlier.