Grafton United Methodist Church 973 Mechanic Street Grafton, Ohio 44044 Church Office: 440-926-2034 http://www.graftonumc.org March 2019
Dear Friends, The Church Is From God Thanks to all who shared their thoughts about the 2019 General Conference on the index cards at church last month. Below is the plan that I shaped from your thoughts a series of discussions in the Sunday School hour. This will allow us to have dialogue, conversation, even disagreement. The foundation for our discussion will be this declaration made when adults join the church: Dearly Beloved, the church is from God and will be preserved to the end of time so all might worship and receive the sacraments, so Christian fellowship will grow, so disciples increase in faith and service, and so the world might come to know the saving love and mercy of Christ. All people, of every age and station, stand in need of the means of grace that the church alone supplies. I m reminded of one of the guiding principles of Disciple Bible Study that we expect disagreement and are confident that it doesn t bother God as much as it bothers us. It is disconcerting when we disagree with someone we love. Libby and I have experienced this as we re going through the seemingly endless series of decisions about remodeling the kitchen in our retirement home. One thing that I ve (re)learned is that disagreement need not be personal. If Libby likes a flooring that I do not like, it doesn t mean that she thinks I m a rancid garden slug. And vice versa. It is more difficult when our disagreement covers moral values not kitchen flooring. But the same understanding applies: we respect each other, listen to each other, care for and claim each other, even when we disagree. While disagreement can make us feel uncomfortable, it also helps us grow. So here s your invitation to join us for six Sundays in March and April. The Church is From God A Discussion of the United Methodist General Conference and the Social Principles about Human Sexuality Sundays, March 10-April 14. 9:00-9:45 in Howard Tran Hall. - March 10: What you HAVE to believe to be a United Methodist. - March 17: Bring a stone to Sunday School. (Seriously!) - March 23: Report of General Conference decisions - Part 1. - March 30: Report of General Conference decisions - Part 2. - April 7: How might General Conference decisions affect our lives and this church. - April 14: Grace and Holiness: Moving forward in faith that the Church is From God. God bless you in this Lenten season, Pastor Bob
Serving the Lord March 2019 Lay Liturgist Greeters and Ushers 3 Carol Morley John and Anita Wheatley 10 Stan Benko Kellie and Aidan Berstling 17 Larry Smeltz Jason and Stan Benko 24 Anita Wheatley Joe Mendlik and Bob Overy 31 Chris Clapper Diane Lach and Shirley Groves 10
Deadline for April Carillon Articles and Information MARCH 13 Alzheimer s Group Meeting Monday March18 th at 6:30 pm 22 Bob and Mary Brandal 26 Rick and Marilyn Riddle 2 Audrey Stevenson 3 Bob Morley 4 Gail Rubesne 5 Bob Hawke 7 Joe VanKerkhove 8 Rachel Potter 10 Marge Sayers 12 Marilyn Chavalia 13 Joe Mendlik 20 Amy Bajko Olivia Benko 27 Clark Benko 30 JJ Justice
Lent begins on Ash ~ March 6 Top Ten List: THINGS YOU CAN TRY FOR THE LENTEN SEASON 10. Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, texting, tweeeting, insta-grams or e-mail and all things electronic for one day every week. (or everyday of Lent!) Use the time to read & pray. 9. Start a prayer rhythm. Say a prayer every time you brush your teeth, hear an ambulance, or check your e-mail. Before you text someone, pray for them. 8. Read one chapter in the Bible each day. (Matthew's a good book to start with. Psalms, too.) 7. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe even yourself.) 6. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Give the money you save to help folks in crisis or disaster. 5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 30 minutes a day in silence and prayer. 4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week and be aware of how many people have helped you along the way. 3. Be kind to someone each day. 2. Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work. 1. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, prison ministry or a Habitat for Humanity project. From an article by Rev. Penny Ford
INFORMAL ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE March 6, 2019, 6:00-6:30 In the Old Testament, marking oneself with ashes was a sign of repentance and humility, a way of saying, I m sorry, a way of calling out to God for help. Ashes were also part of the creation story that we are made from dust and ashes. On Ash, we ask Jesus to sanctify our experience in Lent, that it would be holy and lead us to God, that our Lenten sacrifice would be, not successful, but fruitful in strengthening our faith and closeness to God. Whatever we give up for Lent, we give up under the grace of Christ. So, if we make a mistake and eat what we ve promised not to eat, or do what we vowed not to do, Jesus forgives us, lifts us up, and sets us back on our feet. That s what the ashes signify, that we cannot be perfect, that we are human beings who mess us, that we need Jesus to live in us so our spiritual life deepens and grows. The informal Ash Service will be March 6 from 6:00-6:30. We ll have Scripture reading and singing. You don t have to come forward to receive ashes (given in the sign of the cross, on one s forehead). There will also be the opportunity to be anointed with oil (on the forehead or hand) and receive a prayer of blessing. In these things of worship, we offer ourselves to God, trusting that he will come, be with us, touch us, speak to us. He does this not because we have earned it. (We re ashes; we don t deserve help from the God who created all things.) But God comes, loving and blessing us, because he chooses to. He comes in the grace of Jesus Christ, who forgives us and died for us. May you have a blessed Lent and a joyful Easter, Pastor Bob
Please remember those that are not able to be with us due to health and/or physical restrictions. They would LOVE to receive cards, phone calls and visits of ALL kinds at ANY time. Calls and visits are always welcomed. YOU could be the one to make the difference in someone s life! Pete Bokesz 1210 South Abbe Rd Room 225 Elyria, Ohio 44035 Phone: 440-213-1474 Mary Dawson 13720 Durkee Rd Grafton 44044 Ruth Sayles 10760 N Durkee Rd Grafton 44044 WINTER WEATHER Closing Procedure If you are wondering whether a Bible Study or a Sunday Worship Service will be held due to hazardous weather conditions, there are a couple of ways to check: #1. First and most important: DON T COME TO CHURCH IF IT S NOT SAFE. We care about you and don t want anyone to be in danger because of the weather. If your walk or drive or other conditions are not safe for you, we trust you and bless you to stay home. #2. During the week, if schools are closed, then the church is closed. The office will not be open and we ll not have evening meetings. Pastor Bob will be available by phone. His cell number is 440-773-7461. You can also leave messages on the church answering machine. #3. For Sundays, as a general rule, the church will be open unless safety personnel ask that no one travel the highways. Pastor Bob can walk to church and is glad to lead worship without the organ, praise team, or other support services. This way, others who can come to church safely can count on the church being open. If the church is closed, it will be announced on TV Channels 3 and/or Channel 5.
S UN M ON T UE W ED T HU F RI S AT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10:00 am Worship Service Holy Communion Open Table Birthday and Anniversary Sunday OutReach Meeting 6:30 pm Finance Meeting ASH WEDNESDAY 4:30 pm Youth Informal Ash Service 9:30 am Women s Study 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10:00 am Worship Service Blood Pressure Sunday Trustees Meeting 7:00 pm Administrative Council CARILLON ARTILCES DUE 4:30 pm Youth 9:30 am Women s Study Praise Team Rehearsal 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 10:00 am Worship Service 6:30 pm Alzheimer s Meeting 4:30 pm Youth 9:30 am Women s Study Praise Team Rehearsal
S UN M ON T UE W ED T HU F RI S AT 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 10:00 am Worship Service 4:30 pm Youth 9:30 am Women s Study Praise Team Rehearsal 31 3 4 5 6 10:00 am Worship Service Change for Change 1 OutReach Meeting 2 6:30 pm Finance Meeting 4:30 pm Youth 9:30 am Women s Study PLEASE STAY HOME FROM CHURCH when you re sick. It s flu season. Take care of your friends. Don t give them your illness. COME TO CHURCH IF You re healthy You re exhibiting low-grade signs of sickness (headaches, minor sore throat, etc.) You don t have a fever You have a dry cough You are no longer contagious PLEASE STAY HOME FROM CHURCH IF YOU HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS: Fever of any kind (You re contagious) Cough with mucus Severe sore throat Runny nose Persistent cough Vomiting
My many thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers during both of my knee replacement surgeries. I continue to be a work in progress, getting stronger every day! With this in mind, I will be returning to the Church Office on Monday March 4. I SO look forward to being back with you once again! The Office will be open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. As always, With Joy Diane Mission Opportunity The East Ohio Conference is going to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in March for one week July 21-27, 2019 Anyone who is interested should contact the leader: Sandy Bittner at 216-524-5816, or email Sandy144@cox.net This is a wonderful opportunity to try a mission trip! Spring District Conference & Leadership Training March 30, 2019 8:30-12:30 at Norwalk First UMC 60 W Main St Norwalk (Workshops begin at 12:30) Please see the February issue of the District Newsletter for a list of workshops available and the registration slip to sign up for a workshop