FOR THE JOURNEY June, 2016 - Vol. 23, No. 6 HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47 This Robbservations: Real Joy is Contagious! Article is inspired in part by the Chewbacca Mask Lady. If you don t know who that is please take a moment and Google that term and watch the viral video that has made a Texas mom, Candace Payne, a household name. On May 19, the 37 year old mother of two uploaded a video of herself in her car having just purchased a Star Wars Chewbacca mask at a Kohl s store as a birthday present to herself. She put the mask on and then began to laugh uncontrollably at the sound effects and her own reflection in her dashboard selfie video. You can t watch the four minute video without at least breaking a smile and very likely laughing out loud yourself. Seriously, if you haven t seen it, pause right now and do so. The video smashed Facebook video records, racking up over 50 million views in the first 24 hours it was up. As of this writing it s up to around 145 Million! Stores selling Chewbacca masks are now sold out, everywhere. Candace Payne from Texas has now appeared on Good Morning America as well as other shows and has become a viral video star, all because she let a little genuine joy show. The Chewbacca Mask Lady is a Jesus-follower as she revealed in one online Christian publication that her joy comes from The Lord. She has a background in Musical Theater from a Christian college and is a worship leader at her church. There s nothing in the video that would necessarily reveal that, but you don t have to dig very far to learn it. We don t know Candace s entire story but besides being part of a churched family we ve learned that her husband of fifteen years is a sober drug addict in recovery and they have two young children that are their pride and joy. Candace is joy-filled because she has faith and gratitude in this world. And it s compelling to want to know more, to want to have that kind of joy for ourselves. Countless numbers of people are now flocking to get their hands on the toy Chewbacca mask, not realizing that the joy that Candace expressed in her video was already in her heart before she ever put on the mask. It s a joy that is real, lasting and a free gift from God who loves us all. I think the Chewbacca Mask Lady just schooled all of us in something essential when it comes to being Church. I can t help but imagine that this is what it must have been
like for the Church s beginnings that we learn about in that beautiful little snippet from Acts, chapter 2 where Peter and the others began letting their joy show and it became the foundation of a community that touched and saved souls. Just before the scripture quote I offer above we learn that the church grew by 3,000 people on day one! When the joy was flowing and they showed glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. The beginning of our story is one of the Church going viral! When the Holy Spirit came into the lives of those first believers they took courage and let their joy show and people couldn t help but be drawn to it. The Good News of Jesus resurrection and the presence and power of God s Spirit got shared thousands of times over until just about everyone had heard something about it. Day by day, the number grew. For my fellow Star Wars fans out there and for all of us I compel you to remember that you have that power too. The same Spirit that birthed the Church we have inherited today is the same Spirit who brought contagious laughter to millions over the past few days through a bubbly Texas mom who allowed her witness to come through a goofy toy Chewbacca mask. Indeed, The Lord works in mysterious ways, but we all know it when we see it! What do people see when they look at you? Are you letting your joy come through in some way? I think Candace s story is evidence that it doesn t take much. At the end of her video Candace wisely observes, It s the simple joys! It just takes a little courage to let God show you what God has done and to allow that gratitude turn into genuine joy. And after that you ve got to let it out! Smile more. Share your story. Laugh! Invite others to find what you have found. Break bread with glad and generous hearts. Tell others they can know this joy as well and it has nothing to do with the many kinds of masks this world tricks us into wearing. It s about the true, holy, beautiful, abundant-life-giving Spirit of Jesus that we can all invite into our hearts each day. We simply aren t being the Church if we fail to share joy. As Candace says right at the start of her video, I m really excited to share with you something I got! That attitude is the key to the whole idea and experience of Church! And as she exclaims near the end, That is the best present ever to myself! Y all have a blessed day. I ll take that benediction, and I ll do my best to share the simple joys that save the world. How about you? Pentecost Joy to You, Pastor Robb Summer Worship Schedule Begins May 29th at 9:30 a.m.
MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS FOR JUNE Summer Worship Service 9:30 a.m. June 5 June 12 June 19 June 26 Lay Readers Stacey Curtis Joey Bohl Janet Carson Merry Weiland Children s Moment Annie Allen Sharon Fortune Robb McClintock Cheryl Muller Host Team 9:30 Coffee Fellowship Nursery Volunteers Greeters 10:30 Gary & Becky Gochanour Anne Allen Becky Gochanour Dan & Carolyn Johnson Cyndee Kaiser Shirl Gillette Cheryl Muller Sandi Hysell Dan & Judy Shuck Bob Schwartz Cheryl Muller Fritz Family Aaron Athas Cyndee Kaiser Cindy Peterson Allie Athas Jen Norlander Ulla McClintock Dan & Carolyn Johnson HOPE CHURCH STAFF Pastor.... SS & VBS Volunteer Coordinator Office Manager... Pianist.. Choir Director Rev. Robb McClintock Renee Marino Betsy Larson Andrea Blaeser Rebecca Wilkinson John Weiland articles should be submitted to the church office by the 20 th of each month. Contributions are welcome. Connecting with Our Pastor Pastor Robb s office hours are generally 11AM to 3PM, M, W, Th, depending upon other meetings and scheduled appointments. You can also reach him promptly by sending an email to (robb.k.mcclintock@gmail.com) which he frequently checks or by sending a text to 715-933-0383. When the situation is less urgent, messages can be left with the church office 715-835-5310. Due to HIPPA privacy laws, our ability to find out when persons are hospitalized is limited so please notify him whenever pastoral care is desired
Preaching the Word Date Text Message 6/5/16 * Luke 4:14-21 Why Ask Why Bruce Gardow 6/12/16 Luke 5:1-11 Don t Get Too Confident Bruce Gardow 6/19/16 Father Knows Best Chris Van Beek 6/26/16 Galatians 5:1,13-25 Outdoor Worship Jesus Fruit * Communion Sunday Come and help out Saturday, June 11 th from 9-11 by helping clean inside the church. We have a list of areas that need cleaning, dusting and painting. There is a sign up list for cleaning sanctuary chairs need to be cleaned (we have a machine to clean them). Please bring your own gloves if needed. Please see clipboard sign up. Any questions please contact Renee Marino~ 715.577.1134 Sunday, June 26, 2016, 9:30 am Outdoor Worship and All Church Potluck and Outdoor Games Enjoy worship outdoors, and then stay for a potluck and outdoor games of croquet, volleyball, bocce ball. A signup sheet for the potluck items will be available the month of June.
Women of Hope Summer Break Monday Evening Bible Study meets every Monday except holidays from 6-7p.m. at Hope. We continue to study the New Testament and everyone is welcome including families. Women's Bible Study will be meeting the 4 th Monday of each month. The next meeting is June27th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions please call Cindy Hanson at 715-878-4941. Hope Book Club Summer Break Senior Prime Time Meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the Hope UMC library followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
Lawn Mowing at Hope Summer is here and the grass is green and growing at Hope. We are in need of some volunteers to mow the lawn. You need to be at least 21 years of age to use the equipment. A rider and Push mower are provided in the Garage. Please sign see clipboard to sign-up for week to mow. Any questions please contact Ed Gumbert at 715.831-0835 or any Trustee. Thank you for help keep Hope yard trimmed. To the many groups and individuals that make Hope UMC such a great community! We give thanks for: Those who have helped with funeral luncheons and set-ups. Kathy/Ed Gumbert Lois/Irv Nelson Mike/Cindy Clauson Lamar/Gayle Murphy Chuck/Jan Lorentz Cari/Jake Jacobson Kay Lee Cheryl Muller Judy Ganong, John/Merry Weiland Sarah Nelson Middle/High School Youth Barb Teasdale Cindy/Terry Hanson Mike/Lynne Larabee Sharon Fortune Joey Bohl Dan/Judy Shuck Nancy Troyan Joanne Mellema Renee Marino Allie/Aaron Athas Becky Gochanour Do you know someone or some group at church that should be acknowledged or thanked? Call or e-mail Joanne Mellema from the Stewardship Committee at 715-833- 8549 or mellemjr@uwec.edu.
Barnyard Roundup Preview Party! Come join the party and see what VBS is all about this year! Sunday, June 12th, after the 10:30 service, meet us in the Fellowship hall. Come and learn about how you can be a part of the ministry this summer. A light lunch will be provided. Day of Mission The Day of Mission is almost here! Have you filled out your participant registration form yet and turned it in at your church? No? Why not? It's only one day of spreading God's love to YOUR community. It's one day of being a great neighbor. It's one day of helping the homeless. It's one day of following the book of Acts (Come on! You don't know what that means? Read the book of Acts in the Bible. It's after the Gospel of John). It's only one day! One day on June 25th. One day that starts with breakfast at Chapel Heights UMC in Eau Claire at 8am. One day of blessing your neighbors in need and sweating a little bit. One day of packing up shoes for Sole4Souls that you have donated at your local churches. One day of helping to create a green space for Altoona. One day of spreading the love of reading to some awesome communities. One day with a fellowship supper at Altoona UMC at 5pm. It's just one day that could lead you down the path to two days of helping your neighbor, then to three days, four days, five days... Blessings, Michelle Stoffel
Sunday School News June 2016 Congratulations to those that were confirmed this year at Hope, and our High School Seniors. Confirmands: Andrew Gochanour, Chloe Hite and Linnea McClintock Graduates: Harley Smaltstig, Alie Barrie & Nicole Schneider Thank you to all that volunteered this school year! Your donated time and talents working with the children and youth this school year was greatly appreciated! High School class: Allie Athas & Justin Norlander Middle School class: Sharon Fortune Bible Story leader: Cindy Clauson Music Leader: Aaron Athas & Rebecca Wilkinson Adventure Bible Leader: Bernie Allen Beginner Bible Leader: Ruth Nyland Shepherds and Substitutes: Jennifer Norlander, Joey Bohl, Sandi Hysell, Anna Nyland, Becky Gochanour & Alberto Larrabee Barnyard Roundup Jesus Gathers us Together is our theme for VBS and will be held Sunday-Wednesday evenings: August 7 10, 2016. Save the date! See clipboards or display in the main entrance for more information on how you can volunteer or donate for this year s adventure. Julie Marino June 11th Proverbs 22:6 says to "train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Have a safe and blessed summer everyone!!
REGISTRATION FORM (ONE FORM PER FAMILY) August 7th-10th Youth/Child s Name Grade entering for 2016-2017 school year Age 1: 2: 3: 4: Mailing Address Parents E-mail: Mother s Name: Phone number Father s Name: Phone number Do you give permission for photographs of the youth/child named above, taken at Hope UMC to be used for displays within the church, for advertising of church programs within the community, or on the church web-site or social media? (Please circle one) YES NO There are various opportunities to volunteer for before and during the week of VBS this year. Would you like to be contacted and hear how you can help? YES NO In case of emergency, who should we contact if parents cannot be reached? Please provide name, phone number & relationship to child/youth: Allergies or other medical conditions: Home church: Name of special friend your child might like to be with: Forms can be returned to: Hope U.M.C, Attn: VBS, 2233 Golf Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 *2 weeks prior to VBS you will receive a confirmation letter with more information. Any questions please call: 715-835-5310 or 715-577-1134