February 2019 Town Hall Meeting Sunday, February 10 3:00 p.m. All are invited to a Town Hall meeting led by Rev. Johnson on Sunday, February 10 th at 3:00 p.m. The purpose of the Town Hall is to provide information on the called Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church to be held in St. Louis on February 23-26. This special session of the General Conference will receive and act on a report from the Commission on a Way Forward, a 32-member commission authorized by our 2016 General Conference and subsequently appointed by the Council of Bishops with the task of examining existing paragraphs in our United Methodist Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality. Our intent will not be to debate, nor certainly to take a vote on these three basic proposals. Rather, the Town Hall will be informational, an opportunity for Rev. Johnson to outline the plans, to answer questions, and to pray for the delegates to the Special Session. Rev. Siegfried Johnson Sr. Pastor Jeff Meek to share Kennedy assassination research Thursday, February 21 3:00 p.m. Christ of the Hills UMC We are pleased to host COH member and JFK assassination researcher, Jeff Meek who will give a presentation on the Kennedy murder. Meek has spent decades researching Kennedy s death, traveled to Dallas, Texas numerous times to conduct interviews, and recently, through the Hot Springs Village Voice, published a magazine on the JFK assassination. Meek s presentation, The JFK Assassination: The Investigations, The Controversies, will also include a detailed example of how U.S. government intelligence agencies withheld information from the 1964 Warren Commission and the 1978 House Select Committee on Assassinations. Among the many topics Meek will discuss are investigation findings, the single bullet theory - magic bullet, Lee Harvey Oswald s mysterious trip to Mexico City, the Zapruder film, the possibility of a second shooter, Oswald associates, and plots to kill Kennedy in Chicago and Tampa that were known to security officials. Following his presentation Meek will take questions from those attending the event. This presentation is open to the public. Come listen to a fascinating discussion on what is still considered by many to be a crime of the century. Jeff Meek looks over recently released CIA documents. 700 Balearic Road Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 501-922-4503 www.cohumc.com
Become a Member Sunday On Sunday, February 17 you are invited to become a member of Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church. COH receives members in the following ways: - Profession of faith and baptism - Transfer from another United Methodist Church - Transfer from another church/denomination We affirm the baptism a person may have had as a member of another church. The United Methodist Church does not require a person to be re-baptized in order to become a member. When transferring one's membership from a church other than United Methodist, an affirmative response to the following membership vow is required: "Will you be loyal and faithful to the United Methodist Church and support it with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?" If you feel God is leading you to join the Christ of the Hills church family, please indicate this on the registration pad and/or contact Kathy Bracke in the church office (501-922-4503). Please feel free to talk to one of the pastors if you have specific questions you would like to address. Is Stephen Ministry Calling You????? We have many needs for care in our congregation and community; people experiencing divorce, grief, terminal illness, relocation, empty nest, retirement, hospitalization, loneliness and many other stresses or challenges. Often people with needs suffer silently or do not request or receive the level of care they really need. Trained Stephen Ministers expand the care COH can offer by equipping and organizing members to provide Christian care. This gives us a special group of people with the gifts, skills, and calling to bring Christ s ministry to those who are hurting. Do you feel called to become a Stephen Minister and help provide this Christian Care to those in need? A new training class will begin in March. If you would like more information, please visit the Stephen Ministry table on Sundays February 17 and 24 in Fellowship Hall between services or contact Rev. Regina Turner at 501-922-4503. Noon Lenten Worship and Communion Services Beginning Ash Wednesday, March 6 and ending on Wednesday, April 10 Christ of the Hills will offer a mid-day worship and communion opportunity. Commencing at 11:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, there will be a 30-minute worship and communion service. Following the service at 12:00 p.m., a light lunch will be available in Fellowship Hall. Teams of volunteers will coordinate and prepare the meals. This special Lenten Worship series will replace the 5:15 p.m. service. Join us during this special time during the church year to reflect and renew your faith. Lenten Devotional Daily Journey to the Cradle and the Cross Beginning Ash Wednesday, March 6, the Lenten Devotional will be available by e-mail. This is a continuation of the devotional we used during the Advent season. If you were on the e-mail list for the Advent devotional, you will automatically begin receiving this one. You may also pick up a printed copy in the Information Center the first week of March. If you wish to receive the e-mail, and were not included in the Advent list, please e-mail kathybracke@cohumc.com.
Growing In Grace Lenten Video Presentation Thursday, March 14, 2019 2:00-3:00 p.m. Why is blood significant to God? How blood is associated with sin and redemption? Was Christ s blood different from the blood of mankind? Facilitated by Daryl & Shirley Taylor Please sign up in the Information Center or online. In the midst of WWII a small group of art experts are commissioned by Roosevelt as soldiers and sent to the European theater to protect historically important buildings and monuments, and to locate vast troves of priceless art looted by the Nazis. Discovering art in castles and mines, they race against time as the Nazis scramble to destroy everything they can. Starring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett Bill Murray, Matt Damon. Wednesday, Feb. 20 5:45 p.m. Bring your comfy folding chairs and join us in Fellowship Hall for this free, fast-paced, entertaining historically based film. Hot Dogs.Popcorn.Theater Candy Fellowship Lay Hospital Visitation Our pastors are on call 24/7 but just like you and me, they need some time off. That is why the Lay Hospital Visitors are so important! Volunteers go to Hot Springs to visit church members who are in hospital on Saturdays and Sundays. Can you donate a brief amount of time ONLY four times during the year on a Saturday or Sunday (your choice)? Such a small gift to people who need a kind word of encouragement! Training is available; you will get as much out of it as you give. Contact Pamela Williams either by e-mail at laprofpam@att.net or by phone (501-773-0324). Sat., May 4 IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!!!! The sale is only successful if there are lots of items to sell. GET READY NOW IS THE TIME to clean out garages, storage areas, closets and cabinets - any place where you put those things that are no longer used but are too good to throw away.so start gathering your donations. Include new, unused items for re-gifting. Other popular categories are sporting goods, electronics, knick-knacks, dishes, linens, books, records, CDs, DVDs, decorative items, collectibles, jewelry, furniture, and seasonal items. Proceeds go to local charities. SORRY, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT: Clothing (donate to United Methodist Outreach), pianos, large Christmas trees, picture-tube TVs, magazines, stereo consoles, VCR players, recorders and tapes. UMW HAS A STORAGE UNIT FOR LARGE ITEMS FOR THE GARAGE SALE Do you have furniture, a large item or multiple boxes to donate to the UMW Garage Sale? If you have an immediate need for storage, we have a unit at Balboa Storage. You may pick up the key at the COH office. WE ARE UNABLE TO PICK UP YOUR ITEMS AT THIS TIME. If you have questions, please contact Paula Mathews (915-8097) or Jan Koepp (915-8097)
UMW AR FOOD BANK Work Dates UMW volunteers will be going to the AR Food Bank on Tuesday February 12 th and Thursday, February 14 th. If you can go either day, please contact Kristi Chance, 501-915-0357 or klchance61@gmail.com. We meet in the lower parking lot and leave by 8:00 a.m. with a return in the early afternoon. All women are welcome to share in this wonderful mission outreach. Tuesday, March 5 Noon-4:00 p.m. Tickets: $10.00 per person Sold in blocks of 4 or 6 ONLY Lunch & Snacks included Door prizes Silent Auction Ladies AND gentlemen are invited to bring games of all kinds...bridge, backgammon, mahjong, bunko, dominoes, Monopoly, etc. Tickets are available during the week in the church office or between services in Fellowship Hall on Sun, Feb. 10, 17 & 24. Deadline to purchase Feb. 27
All Christ of the Hills men (members and visitors) are invited to attend our monthly breakfast meetings, the second Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Come and join us for a great breakfast, a devotion, interesting speakers and good fellowship! AR FOOD BANK VOLUNTEERS 1st Thursday and Friday 3rdThursday and Friday Leave the Upper Parking Lot at 8:00 a.m. All COH men are welcome to come and help February Food Donations United Methodist Outreach Place items in the baskets at the front door and at the Fellowship Hall door. If you wish, monetary donations are always accepted. Just put your donation in the offering envelope found in the pew and label it Food Pantry or bring it by the office. Be sure to join us FRIDAY, FEB. 8 TH at 8:00 a.m. Our guest speaker will be Micah May Dir. South Central & South AR Fellowship of Christian Athletes Micah, originally from Malvern, AR graduated Magna Cum Laude in Mechanical Engineering from Arkansas Tech University. He felt led into the ministry and became a youth pastor of 40 students. Within 3 years they had over 200+ students coming to the youth group. AR FCA per capita has more students come to know Jesus than anywhere else in the United States. Through FAC in 2018, there were over 998 students make commitment to Christ in the South-Central AR area alone. All COH men, Members & Visitors, are welcome to be a part of the United Methodist Men YOU CAN HELP Recycle Reduce pollution Raise funds for missions ALUMINUM CAN COLLECTION: Please support the mission work of the United Methodist Men by depositing your empty aluminum cans in the UMM trailer located in the far corner of the upper parking lot. Drive by any day of the week and make your deposit. Your contributions are greatly appreciated! NOTE: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CANS ARE SECURELY BAGGED -NO LOOSE CANS!! Used Printer Cartridges Please support the mission work of the United Methodist Men by recycling used printer cartridges. A recycle box has been placed in Fellowship Hall (under the table by the office door) for the collection of used cartridges by our church members, friends and neighbors. These cartridges must be genuine cartridges with print heads (HP, Canon, Dell, Apple Compaq, Lexmark, etc.). They cannot be damaged, remanufactured or refilled. NO INK TANKS (without print head). NO LASER TONERS. BEVERAGE CANS ONLY PLEASE.
Have you visited our church library lately???? The shelves are packed with over 3,000 books and videos ranging from Bible reference material to autobiographies; fiction to children s books. If you have a few minutes, please be sure and stop in and see what might interest you. Dottie Williams our librarian does an amazing job keeping us up to date on new releases and current material. The library card catalog is also available online. You can access it from our web page at www.cohumc.com. Look under the Ministries tab and click on Library. The UMW Reading Program is a means to broaden our understanding and sensitivities to the needs and concerns of all persons in today's world. By offering a diverse listing of books, the program allows for a variety of ways to grow and mature in our Christian faith. In addition to the books, the program includes the two magazines published by the General Board of Global Ministries. Response Magazine is the official magazine of the UMW and New World Outlook is the mission magazine of the United Methodist Church. UMW Reading Program shelves are located on the right-hand side as you enter the library. Stop in and pick up more information about the Reading program or contact the program coordinator, Joi Burton at 501-226-3103. This biography provides insight into Eleanor Roosevelt in regard to the spiritual influences that made her so active in social justice issues. This is just a sample of the many titles available for the UMW Reading Program! Each Sunday volunteers from six core churches prepare and feed sack lunches to those in need in Hot Springs. The core group of churches is Christ of the Hills UMC, Holy Trinity Episcopal, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Community of Joy Lutheran, Kirk in the Pines Presbyterian and Oaklawn UMC. Additional volunteer assistance is provided by Mountainside UMC and First UMC in Hot Springs. In 2018 7,354 lunches were served to the needy!!! Volunteers are always welcome and needed, so if you feel called to assist in this program, please contact Jane Garrison (501-282-3846) or Ralph & Kristi Chance (501-915-0357). We are deeply thankful to everyone for your dedicated service and support. PLANNED GIVING When you need a will, it s too late to have one drawn. And don t forget your church!
Your caring helps.. To the We Care Ministry: Thank you for the payer bear which represents the prayers prayed for our son s surgery. He has done so well and we truly experienced God s strength and peace. Love in Christ, J & G Moore, El Dorado AR To Care Zone 13 You are the BEST GROUP Ever!!! Thanks for helping a neighbor that called for food at Christmas for his family. You came running to help and it was so appreciated!!!! Thanks to the generous giving by YOU, Christ of the Hills members, the Missions Committee was able to reach out to the community and the world by donating to the following organizations: February: Oaklawn Racetrack Ministry Camp Aldersgate Care Giving & Grief Group Christ of the Hills has a Caregiver and Grief Support Group that meets, in confidence twice a month. It is not limited to Christ of the Hills members. If you are caring for someone, this group can help you, regardless of your care receiver s illness. If you are working through a loss, we can help. We meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 11 a.m. in Classroom 6. The meetings are an hour long; you are not required to sign up to attend, just come! If you need to bring your care receiver, there will be someone available to stay with them, however, please let the group leader, Art Jungnickel know. This group is not limited to COH members so if you know of someone in need, please have them contact Art Jungnickel at 922-4888. What Is Stephen Ministry? Stephen ministry is a system through which members of Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church are trained and organized to help provide Christian care giving to members of our congregation and community. This will multiply the amount of caring ministry COH can provide by giving us a whole team of skilled caregivers who are equipped to bring Christ s healing love to people who are grieving, in crisis, or experiencing other stresses in life. Stephen Ministry is based on the idea that all Christians are ministers. The responsibility for passing on God s love is for all Christians, not just for a chosen few. God has given us all gift for ministry and called us to put those gifts to use. If you have need of a Stephen Minister in your life, contact Rev. Regina Turner at 922-4503. 3rd Friday of each month 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Social time 6 p.m. Play starts at 6:30 p.m. Used to play but feeling rusty? Don t have a partner to bring along? Everyone is welcome to play - You do not have to be a COH member No partner is necessary Questions: Call Bill or Kathy Jervis 922-3376 Cost: $3.00 to cover refreshments
Bell Ringer The monthly newsletter of Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church 700 Balearic Road Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 Rev. Siegfried S. Johnson, Senior Minister Rev. Sheila Jones, Associate Minister Rev Regina Turner, Associate Minister Rev. Kenny McKay, Minister of Music Office telephone: 501-922-4503 Office hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday 8 a.m.-noon Website www.cohumc.com e-mail cothumc@cohumc.com Sunday Morning Worship Services Traditional Services 8:40 a.m. & 10:10 a.m. The Gathering Praise & Worship Service 11:15 a.m. Mid-Week Worship & Communion 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Evening Sunday Nursery available Adult & Children Education classes We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation Hello February Saturday, February 2 Thursday, February 14 Monday, February 18