Greece United Methodist Church THE ENLIGHTENER April 2018 Message from the Pastor: If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Things are not always as they appear. Through the winter things are cold and gray, the trees are bare. Things appear to be dead. It takes having a visitor from the South, and their comments, to really realize how bleak it gets here! Yet we know from our experience that every spring the crocuses pop out of the ground, the trees begin to bud, and the grass takes on its spring green color. The new life that Spring brings to nature is a gi! of God that we have come to expect and look forward to each year. That hope gets us through many a dreary day! The symbols of Spring have become the metaphors for new life in Christ: eggs, bu%erflies, flower bulbs. Having that kind of faith and expecta(on is harder in our own lives. When our lives are dark and cold and bare, it is awfully difficult to see that newness may come. We don't an(cipate God's healing touch which will bring new life to what appears to be death. We believe the promise of Spring because we have seen it. New life for ourselves does not seem as sure. God sent Jesus into our world to give us the assurance of God s willingness and ability to bring new life to us not just in the sweet by and by, but today. As Jesus walked among us, he came to know our struggles and pain. As he was crucified, he knew our suffering and death. On Easter, however, when he le! the tomb and met the disciples in their grief, he showed that our suffering, our pain, even our death are not the end, even though they appear to be. Joy is more real, and more powerful than suffering. Life is more real and more powerful than death. Resurrec(on is more than one of the miracles of Jesus from our distant past. It is more than simply something we can hope for a!er death. It is both of these. But it is also a gi! of God that we can claim here and now. It is ours everyday if we turn to God in faith. Resurrec(on is not limited to Easter Day, or to the Easter season. It is ours if we believe the proof of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Resurrec(on is not a return to the way things were; the risen Christ s(ll bore the nail prints in his hands. But it is a new and be%er life - beginning at pain and sorrow and moving forward into wholeness and joy. As you observe the symbols of the Easter season coming forth in the Spring season (crocuses, bu%erflies, birds' eggs) believe that you also can share in God's gi! of life in Jesus Christ. In Christ's love, Pastor Ma%
Table of Contents: Weekly Scripture Pg. 3 Discipleship Hour Schedule Pg. 3 Easter Sunday Services Pg. 3 Widows & Widowers Pg. 3 Spring Clean-up Pg. 4 Salem Nutri(onal Pg. 4 Food Shelf Request Pg. 4 UMW Clothing Sale Pg. 4 Annual Book Sale Collec(on Pg. 4 Undy Sunday Pg. 4 Chicken BBQ Pg. 4 Weekday Small Group Studies Pg. 5 Page Turners Pg. 5 Habitat for Humanity Pg. 5 Sanctuary Renova(on Pg. 5 UMW Pg. 6 Outreach Pg. 6 Finance Report Pg. 7 Lay Leader Message Pg. 8 Birthdays/Anniversaries Pg. 9 Congrega(onal Updates Pg. 10 Sunday Worship Servants Pg. 10 Calendar Pg. 11 Let s Get Connected! Excellent opportunity to share with your friends and family all the GUMC has to offer. Website: greeceumc.org Facebook: Greece UMC Twitter @GreeceUMC A PRAYER CHAIN REMINDER: We have an acve prayer chain, both through e-mails and phone. You re invited to be part of that; just call Bill and Gail Mason at 453-9038. Also, if you have a prayer concern of any kind that you want to share, contact Bill and Gail at the number above or by e-mail at wmason@rochester.rr.com. We only send out prayer concerns when we receive direct requests. Altar Flowers: If you would like a formal arrangement placed in honor/memory of a loved one, contact Be8y LaMonica. Arrangements are $25. Anniversary Ministry: Please contact me of your special day at 621-4034. Thank you, Dick Hamblin Birthday Ministry: We would love to recognize your special day. Please e-mail the office to let us know if your birthday is not on our calendar. greeceumc@fronernet.net Deadline for all newsle8er arcles is the 15th of each month by 12:00pm. Please e-mail to Deb Babbage at dbabbage@rochester.rr.com. Thank you. 2018 Fundraiser Updates Thank you to all who have helped in some way to make our fundraising successful. These fundraisers help support our church and the many ministries we have to offer our community. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed! Chicken BBQ (Eat-in TBD) Thu. Apr. 19, 4:30pm -sellout Chicken BBQ Thu. May 17, 4:30pm-sellout Booksale Thu.-Sat., June 7-9 Summerfest Sat., June 9, 9:00am-2:00pm Chicken BBQ Thu. June 21, 4:30pm-sellout Chicken BBQ Thu. July 19, 4:30pm-sellout Chicken BBQ Thu. Aug. 16, 4:30pm-sellout Chicken BBQ Thu. Sep. 20, 4:30pm-sellout Pulled Pork BBQ Thu. Oct. 18, 4:30pm-sellout Thank you for your support! Pasta Dinner Buffet $425.78 Sub Sale $226.30 Chicken & Biscuits Dinner $600.04 St. Patrick s Day Dinner TBA
All Are Welcomed to Worship! Tradi onal Worship Service: 9:00am Discipleship Hour for all ages: 10:00am Praise & Worship Service: 11:00am Worship Scripture April 2018: What follows are the Lectionary Readings for each Sunday. Each week, the theme of the services will usually emerge from one of the prescribed readings (often the Gospel). We invite you to read through the lessons prior to Sunday. It can be a healthy discipline and enhance the experience of worship. 4/1: Acts 10:34-43 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Psalm 118:1-2,14-24 John 20:1-18, Mark 16:1-8 4/8: Acts 4:32-35 1 John 1:1-2:2 Psalm 133 John 20:19-31 4/15: Acts 3:12-19 1 John 3:1-7 Psalm 4 Luke 24:36b-48 4/22: Acts 4:5-12 1 John 3:16-24 Psalm 23 John 10:11-18 4/29: Acts 8:26-40 1 John 4:7-21 Psalm 22:25-31 John 15:1-8 Congrega(onal mee(ng for sanctuary renova(ons. See pg. 5 for updates. 7am Sunrise 9am Traditional Service 11am Praise & Worship Sundays, 10 11am Discipleship Hour Join us Sunday mornings for Bible study & fellowship. Adult Class: Kerrison Room, Facilitated by Kara Down Grades 1-5: Room 9, Facilitated by Jenn Barth & Karen Ingle Grades 6-12: Room 10, Facilitated by Pat McMann Widows & Widowers: Group will be meeting Sunday, April 15th, at 2:00pm in Kerrison Rm.
Please join us each month as we help to stock the shelves at the Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf. This month we are collecng: Low-sugar Jelly Pudding Jello Low-sugar Canned Fruit Chunky Soup Your donaons of food help to feed our neighbors in the Greece and Charlo,e areas. Spring Cleaning Day at the Church Saturday, April 7th 9am 12pm Coffee and Donuts will be available. (Rain Date April 14th) Undie Sunday: April 29th Please bring in new packaged children s underwear to give to our local schools for children in need. Thank you 2018 Annual Book Sale Book Collection Do you have books laying around? Puzzles you ve done multiple times? Are you looking to get rid of them? Look no further. Starting May 1st We re looking for new or gently used books, CDs, DVDs, Blue Rays, and puzzles to sell at our annual book sale. You can bring your donations to the King Common Closet area. *(Please no VHS tapes, cassette tapes, magazines, encyclopedias, or textbooks.) UMW Used Clothing Sale Saturday, April 28th 9am 1pm, Fellowship Hall We are looking for donations of clean, unwanted clothes, shoes, handbags, sheets, towels, etc. Please bring in your donations in starting Monday, April 9th. All donations can be placed in the King Commons coat room. Salem Nutritional Center Tuesday, April 17th 9:00am 2:00pm Please join us for a morning of serving. Meet/leave Church at 9:00. At 9:30, lunch prep begins. Serving 100 150 hungry people at noon. Return to the church at 2:00pm. We need 10 people there each time. It is a very satisfying ministry. Information for the April Newsletter Budgeted Income as of Week #10 03/11/18 Budget Total Pledges Non-Pledges Needed YTD Received Needed YTD Received Needed YTD Received $58,798.46 $57,219.82 $36,730.77 $37,746.00 $7,980.77 $9,439.00 Current Income (Usable) vs Expenses as of the end of February 02/28/18 Usable Spent +/- $45,547.82 $53,681.01 -$8,133.19 GUMC Fundraisers Please sign up and support the upcoming Chicken BBQ Fundraisers. The first one will be Thursday April 19 th. These fundraisers help fill our budget gap and contribute to the good work of GUMC. Missions Fund Pledge Campaign The 2018 Missions Fund Pledge Campaign results are being compiled and final totals will be reported next month. If you have not submitted your pledge card, there is still time to turn it in to support this important effort. Just drop it in with the next collection or put it in my church mail box. Best regards, Bill Kostyshak, Financial Secretary
All are welcome to join any or all studies. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors. Tuesday Book Group: New Book! 31 Proverbs To Light Your Path By Liz Cur(s Higgs Dinner and Devotion Meetings are the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 5:30-6:30pm in Fellowship Hall All are welcomed to join us for soup, salad, & scripture. 4/4: Chapter 1 4/18: Chapter 2 We meet Tuesdays @ 10:00am in Kerrison Room. Contact Linda Hoffman for informa(on. (458-2248 or mhoffman@rochester.rr.com) All are welcome to this group which meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:00am in Kerrison Room. If you have ques(ons, contact: Linda Hoffman, facilitator lmhoffman@rochester.rr.com Page Turners Monthly Book Club: April Selection: The Invention of Wings By Sue Monk Kidd New Date!!! Everyone is welcomed to join us Thursday, May 3rd at 10:00am in the Kerrison Room for discussion. May Selecon: How Dare the Sun Rise by Sandra Uwiringiyimana Habitat for Humanity Our coalition has over 60% of the funds already raised. Next on our agenda is our annual Sticky Lips BBQ sale in May watch for more info on that. The plan is to start a build in early July. The selection of a homeowner and a location are yet to be decided. We ll be working closely with Flower City Habitat to have that in place by then. The picture above is the completed house at 83 Eddy St. The local affiliate is working closely with the City of Rochester with the possibility of starting to include the rehab of so called zombie homes and other rehabs. This is in part because the City wants to tackle these problems and the fact that the area that we ve been building in (Josana) is almost complete. As these homes are identified, the actual rehab will be reviewed and if not feasible, the lot itself would be considered for a new build. Regardless, the affiliate is looking to more growth. If you think you d like to get involved in any way, please contact me at 453-9038, or at wmason@rochester.rr.com. I can always use someone to represent our church (the founding church) at meetings I m not able to attend. Bill Mason On March 3rd, twenty-six members of the church met to hear about the new sound system and to discuss ways to make our sanctuary more accessible. The mee(ng, led by Tom Klingenberger, ended with two ac(on items suggested by members: 1. remove the first pew on the East side of the sanctuary and move the railing (as was recently done on the West side with the piano) which would improve the flow to and from the doorway and 2. add railings to the three steps leading to the altar area so those needing a li%le extra help can make their way to the altar. Many ideas came up and further discussion will take place at the next meeng, Saturday, April 7th at 9:30 in the sanctuary. Everyone is most welcome to come, listen and be heard.
Message from Outreach: YaY! Our Mi$$iON Sunday pledges filled up the boxes: so far, 44 pledges have been made, totaling $16,750. Additional pledge cards will cheerfully be received any time. A myriad of thanks to our featured speaker, Christopher Scribani, Assistant Director of Development at the Open Door Mission. Undie Sunday, our ongoing mission, pops up again April 30 our final collection for this school year. One of the schools has specifically requested girls & boys sizes 4T & 5T and size 6 for boys. Thanks for contributing. Finally, let s start thinking about our next project (our last until the August/ September school supplies collection): the annual CROP Walk, this year on Sunday, May 6, hosted by Messiah Lutheran. Watch the bulletin and the May newsletter for detailed info on how you can participate by donating some bread or stepping up to tread. (Contact Glenna Johantgen, 663-0449, with your questions.) One person can change one life: be the one! GREECE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Executive Committee Meeting: Monday, April 2nd at 6:30 p.m., Room 9. Gale Huber, President. Circle Meetings: Miriam Circle: Monday, April 9 th, at 6:30 p.m., Room 9. Pastor Matt will speak about his trip to Saipan. General Meeting combined with Ruth Circle: Tuesday, April 10 th, at 12:30 p.m., Room 9 Genesee Valley District Communion Brunch: Saturday, March 24 th, at the following churches: Fairport, Hilton and Dansville. Registration: 9:30-10:00 a.m. Service: 10:00 a.m. Brunch following the service. Theme: It Only Takes a Spark. Cost is $7.50. Reservation deadline is March 18 th. Used Clothing Sale: Saturday, April 28 th, in Fellowship Hall, 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Starting on Monday, April 9 th, your donations of clean unwanted clothes, shoes, handbags, sheets, towels, etc. may be put in the King Commons Coat Room. Please clearly mark them for the Clothing Sale. Fellowship Hall drop-off & set-up: Thurs., April 26 th, 5:00-7:00 p.m. and drop-off & sorting: Fri., April 27 th, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Daughters All Banquet: Friday, May 11 th, 2017. More info next month. Church Women United: Friday, April 6 th, April Bible Study. Third Presbyterian Church, Johnston Hall, 4 Meigs, St., Rochester 14607 Program begins at 10:00 a.m. Refreshments will be provided. Please bring your Bible and a brown bag lunch and stay afterwards for conversation and lunch.
Office Update: The Staff Parish Rela(ons Commi%ee (SPRC) is looking for a person to fill the posi(on of Church Office Administrave Assistant. This is a part-(me posi(on (15-16 hrs, 4-5 days/week). Du(es of the Administra(ve Assistant include recep(on of visitors and phone calls, providing clerical support to Pastor Ma%, keeping the calendar, typing and copying of bulle(ns, le%ers, newsle%ers, and other documents, and office organiza(on. The ideal candidate has: A pleasant demeanor in person and on the phone. Strong computer skills. Ability to u(lize computer programs and willingness to learn. Experience with Word, Excel, and Publisher. Knowledge of office equipment Strong organiza(onal skills with the ability to mul(-task, excellent (me-management skills, and the ability to priori(ze work. A%en(on to detail and problem-solving skills Ability to train and supervise office volunteers. Ability to take direc(on, but also work with minimal supervision. Pa(ence and adaptability to change as needed. E-mail resumes to: me%y2rod@aol.com with the subject line Church Office Administra(ve Assistant before April 9, 2018. GUMC SUMMERFEST 2018 This year our festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 9 th from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. We are re-vamping our festival this year. We are going to offer this day as an opportunity to anyone in the church and to the community to rent a space for a garage sale. This will be parking lot spaces only. ($15.) We will continue the book sale, the strawberry booth and chicken bar-b-que. I have spoken to some of our past participants/vendors and some of them are still interested in coming. If you or anyone you know are interested please contact me! This is a fund-raiser for the church and a family event so we reserve the right to disallow inappropriate material. There will be complimentary coffee and sweets for participants during the morning set up which starts at 7:30 a.m. Thank you and I hope to see you in June! Feel free to email with any questions. &haron Neary Sharonlneary@gmail.com _tear off here _ NAME EMAIL ADRESS PHONE Type of items you will be selling: Number of parking lot spaces desired @$15 each Please make your check out to Greece United Methodist Church and mail to GUMC, 1924 Maiden Lane, Rochester NY 14626, marked ATTN: Summerfest 2018
Thoughts from Lisa Kostyshak The Meaning of Easter The meaning of Easter is that God loves us and cares about us, Desiring only the best and highest good for us. He s the God of peace, love, and joy. He s the source of every good and perfect gi!. The greatest gi! God can give us Is His Son, Jesus Christ. In Him God s grace and love Are extended to us To meet all of our needs. Easter begins in our hearts When we receive God s Son, Jesus Christ, by faith. May you come to know His blessings in your life always In every way in everything! May His life in You Be the REASON for Your Easter Celebraion He who has the Son has life. 1 John 5:12 h,p://ruthmelody.blogspot.com/2010/04/meaning-of-easter.html
Nursery: 4/1: Sally Lepi & Cameron Theile 4/8: Karen Ingle & Melissa Dunn 4/15: Kim Whittemore & Rhiannon Miller 4/22: Barb Miroff & Debbie Symonds 4/29: Sally Lepi & Gale Huber Projectionists: 9:00am 11:00am 4/1: Neva Benson Melissa Dunn 4/8: Kara Down Earle Rdiley 4/15: Norma Rapini Cheryl Sheldon 4/22: Earle Ridley Ellen White 4/29: Neva Benson Melissa Dunn Ushers: 9:00am Cindy Lane, Steve Nash Ray & Gale Huber Liturgists: 4/1: Dennis Wake 4/8: Tom Hinterman 4/15: Sally Lepi 4/22: Karen Pearson 4/29: Karen Klingenberger 11:00am Brett Zeller Counters: 4/1: Earle Ridley, Sue Hogeman, Barbara Mert 4/8, 4/15: Tom & Karen Klingenberger, Chris Collins 4/22, 4/29: Keith Kroon, Melissa Dunn, Norma Rapini The Worship Commi4ee is looking for people who want to aid their fellow worshipers each Sunday. See below how you may help enrich our worship me: Altar Guild: If you are interested, contact Kathy Murray at kathykearnsmurray@gmail.com Communion Stewards: If interested, contact Mary VandeLogt at mevgolf@rochester.rr.com Ushers: Contact Tom Hinterman in person, or Hinterman.Tom7@Gmail.com Nursery: If interested, contact Sally Lepi at slepi20002000@yahoo.com Projeconists: If interested, contact Lisa Kostyshak at lkostyshak@gmail.com Choir: If interested, contact Sharon Neary, choir director at sharonlneary@gmail.com Praise Band: If interested, contact Ed Klingenberger at edk@rochester.rr.com April Birthdays Not available for web edition. April Anniversaries Congregaon Updates Passings: Walt Standhart 2/14 Sylvia Harris 2/21 New Address: JooSoo Son & Sankyun Kim Don & Marty Cronise Not available for web edion. Contact church office for further informaon. No Current Address: Kellice Lewthwaite Temporary Away: Alyson & Daniel Pignato New Email: Sharon Neary Not available for web edion. Contact church office for further informaon. Letter of Gratitude: Thank you to all who helped make Pretzel Sunday a success. It was wonderful how everyone pitched in and made enough pretzels for BOTH services. Awesome job!! Debbie Babbage Not available for web edition.
April 2018 as of 3/15th. Please see Website for Updates. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Easter Sunday Sunrise Service 7 AM Tradional Service 9 AM Praise & Worship 8 Tradional Worship 9 AM Trustees 10 AM Discipleship & Educaon 10 AM Praise & Worship Service 15 Newsle4er Deadline Today Tradional Worship Service 9 AM Discipleship & Educaon 10 AM Praise & Worship Widow/Widower Group 2 PM 22 Tradional Worship 9 AM Discipleship & Educaon 10 AM Praise & Worship 2 Silver Squares Victory AA 5:30 PM to 7 PM UMW Execuve 6:30 PM 9 Silver Squares Square Dancers Victory AA 5:30 PM Miriam Circle 6:30 PM 16 Silver Squares Square Dancers Victory AA 5:30 PM to 7 PM LaClair Party 12 PM Girl Scout 6 PM Victory AA 5:30 PM 29 30 Undie Sunday Tradional Service 9 AM Discipleship & Educaon 10 AM Praise & Worship 23 MS Society Support Group 10:30 AM Silver Squares Square Dancers Silver Squares Victory AA 5:30 PM to 7 PM 3 Tuesday Book Study 10 AM Praise Band pracce 7 PM 10 Tuesday Book Study 10 AM Ruth Circle UMW Meeng SPRC 7 PM Praise Band pracce 7 PM 17 Salem Nutrion Center 9 AM Tuesday Book Study 10 AM Finance Commi4ee 7 PM to 8 PM Praise Band pracce 7 PM 24 Tuesday Book Study 10 AM Praise Band pracce 7 PM 4 Dinner and Devoons 5:30 PM Bell Choir 6:15 PM Choir 7 PM 11 Bell Choir 6:15 PM Choir 7 PM 18 Newsle4er Crew Chicken BBQ food prep 1 PM Dinner and Devoons 5:30 PM Bell Choir 6:15 PM Choir 7 PM 25 Bell Choir 6:15 PM Choir 7 PM 5 Atria Sr Bible Study 10:30 AM Women's AA Boy Scout Troop #195 7 PM 12 Atria Sr Bible Study 10:30 AM Women's AA Boy Scout Troop #195 7 PM 19 Atria Sr Bible Study 10:30 AM Women's AA Chicken BBQ set-up 3 PM Chicken BBQ - Drive Thru 4:30 PM Boy Scout Troop #195 7 PM 26 Atria 10:30 AM Women's AA Clothing Sale Drop-Off 5 PM to 7 PM Boy Scout Troop #195 7 PM 6 Crea(ve Hands 1:15 PM AA 7:30 PM 13 Crea(ve Hands 1:15 PM AA 7:30 PM 20 Crea(ve Hands 1:15 PM AA 7:30 PM 27 Clothing 9 AM - 6 PM Crea(ve Hands 1:15 PM AA 7:30 PM 7 Spring Church Clean Up 9 AM to 12 PM Congregaonal Meeng 9:30am 14 Emmaus Gathering 8:30 AM Su%er Birthday Party 9 AM to 7 PM 21 Pa%erson Birthday Party 8:30 AM to 10 PM 28 UMW Clothing Sale 8 AM to 2 PM Cub Scouts #173 Crossover 6 PM to 9 PM