Trinity United Methodist Church February 2014 Inviting, nurturing, and equipping all persons to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Changing Hearts and Minds: It s a Godthing. We first learn about changing our minds at a very young age. You doubt me? Watch a young child wrestle with the decision of choosing an ice cream flavor or a particular cookie. This struggle to decide is not unique to children. We grown ups wrestle with what we consider bigger more important decisions like, purchasing a different car or repairing the current one; moving to a different, perhaps more user friendly home or remaining in what has been home for decades; or which of several medical opinions and suggestions should be followed. It begins at an early age. Over time we learn to embrace the power to choose. Unfortunately, we are fooled into thinking that we are in control. The delusion is exhausting. We do make many decisions. And, those decisions impact our lives. However, both who we are and who we become is not about any of us or any of the choices we make on our life s journey. And yet, it is. How we change, how we are individually and communally transformed is God s work with us and for us and through us. It is not something we do alone. Together with God s help, we become. We are shaped and at times shaken into what later appears to be someone completely different. That s what we are going to ponder for four weeks beginning February 9 th. How has God changed God s people? How has God changed us? And, how is God working, right now to change us? Using scripture to guide us in connecting to the stories of the Biblical giants: Moses, Hannah, Zaccheaus, and Paul we will gain new insight into how God uses all of us. I look forward to seeing each of you in worship. And, I am inviting you to hang around for The Muddle Huddle immediately following the conclusion of worship. This will be a time to ask questions, to dig deeper, and together make sense of what we just heard. May we be open to the changes God guides us to and through, just as our ancestors were.
I feel like we have been given a gift. This year we have time. Actually, we have three weeks that we didn t have last year before we journey into Lent. Last year Easter was March 31 st. This year it is it isn t until April 20 th. So, who cares? Why does the timing of Easter make a difference? I care. I care as your pastor because this time allows us and encourages us to embrace these weeks to grow closer to God, deeper not just faster. During this time: four weeks in February and the first week of March we have time to reflect and remember and reshape who it is we understand God is calling us to be individually and as a community. I have said this before but I firmly believe worship is the key to our relationship with God. Worship is transformational. We all need to continue to step outside ourselves and move closer to God. We do that by worshiping the One we know as Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer; the One that is not any of us or any of our stuff. Do whatever it takes: reschedule obligations, postpone appointments, record the big game, call a friend to give you a ride. Make worship a priority. I also firmly believe that we grow closer to God by participating in small groups. I hope many of you will join The Muddle Huddle. Some of you may want to consider huddling at another time at a different place to both grow closer to God and one another as you ponder each week s sermon. Let me know how I might help you in that process. The reality is we cannot and will not change if we keep doing what we always have done. God will of course be nudging us and encouraging us and providing opportunities but we have to respond and embrace this gift, this time. Continuing to do what we have always done, and expecting a different outcome is what many claim to be the definition of insanity. We wish we were different. We wish things were different. This year we have the time to live into the changes that God intends for each of us and all of us. This year, may we embrace the gift. We have time. The days will be getting warmer and brighter. May your spirit transform as well. Blessings and shalom, Barb
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: February 1 Betty Stark 3 Jackie Lamson 4 Jessica Sylvester Russell Baise 8 Gwyn Dehn 9 Aaron Norling 13 Shelbea Love 16 Laura Peek 17 Jennifer Whiteford 25 Braedan Yohe 26 Russ Anderson 27 Roger Welton A Special Thank You to Pastor Barb for the meaningful service for Lola. To Denise and Janette for putting the video together. The ladies for the delicious lunch and time to visit with our family. Mary Hughes, Dora Davis & Nelson & Rhonda Higdon Are you feeling powerless over your life and ready for change? HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO: February 14 Bill & Elise Fears 21 Marshall & Phyllis Werth WHEN: Every Thursday TIME: 7:00 pm WHERE: Ottawa Community Church 824 W. 17th Ottawa, KS 66067 Thank You from Barb Mid-January I found a package on the front pew with a card. The card included a lovely note, but was not signed. Maybe that was the givers intent. I do want you to know that your thoughtfulness is appreciated. The gift is being put to good use although you may have misunderstood, or not what I meant by the Bible not being chronological. Again, thanks so much. This Newsletter is a monthly publication of Trinity UMC Denise Collins, Administrative Assistant Rev. Barb Clinger, Pastor All Articles need to be turned into the church office by the 23rd of each month. Office... 785-242-1428 Church email address: otumc@sbcglobal.net Phone: 785-242-4318 Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. Celebrate Recovery is now in over 19,000 churches worldwide. For more information on this Christ centered recovery program go to. www.celebraterecovery.com Breakfast at Trinity Reminder Come for food and fellowship Every 4th & 5th Saturday 7:30am to 10:00am Menu Changes Come see what is being served
Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others. 1 Tim: 6:18 From a financial perspective for 2013, we would need to say, Tell them they were generous, and shared with others. The they are you! You, our faithful givers, gave generously in 2013. Not only were we able to pay all church bills, we also were able to pay 87.63% of our mission share to Conference, AND give almost $ 4607.00 to other worthwhile ministries such as: Communities in Schools, Hope House, Camp Chippewa, Boy Scouts, Bridges to the Future, Imagine no Malaria, Breakfast at Trinity, and the Methodist disaster fund we refer to as UMCOR. As you refocus on the New Year, do not underestimate the worth of your giving. Through your giving and participation in Trinity s ministries, you, yes, you have touched thousands of lives giving them hope. Thank you for making it possible. I pray we all can continue to follow the words written in 1 Timothy. And I pray that you will continue your support of Trinity s ministries in 2014. Faithfully, Kathy Brooks Finance chairperson UNITED METHODIST WOMEN As a new year begins, we seek ways to be in mission! Our two circles meet on the 3 rd Thursday of the month, one in the afternoon (Beverly Hjorth, chair) and one in the evening (Judy Love, chair). A general meeting is held every 3 months. New members are VERY welcome. February 10 LEAF (Legislative Event for Advocacy in Faith) in Topeka at First United Methodist Church. The theme this year is IM- MIGRATION. There will be workshops and speakers, with a special section featuring Bishop Scott Jones relating the Methodist views on immigration. A registration fee of $30. Are you interested??? Call Peggy at 242-1967 February 16 -- A special day as we celebrate United Methodist Women s Sunday. Pastor Barb will preach. Following worship, please join us for a Soup/dessert lunch for a freewill offering to support our card ministry, reading program, community mission and pledge to the Five Rivers District of the Methodist Church. Come and eat!!! WANTED Trinity needs those of you who shop at Country Mart to buy the grocery gift cards available at the church. It has been decided by the finance committee that the profit from these cards will be the money that funds the Breakfast at Trinity ministry. (The free breakfast on the 4 th Saturday of every month) Here is how the grocery card program works: You buy the cards from the church and use the card at our local Country Mart store, just like a bank card. The church buys more cards from the store with a 5% discount. This 5% discount can be enough to buy the groceries for the Breakfast at Trinity ministry. Your grocery money will then help buy groceries to feed others. How cool is that! Usually we buy cards with a value of $100 each, but we can buy them at any $25 increments, so if $100 isn t right for you, just give one of us a call and we ll start buying the amount you need. Think about your grocery lists for the holidays. Could you help the church when you grocery shop? One of us listed below has cards to purchase at church each Sunday, or you can contact the church office and someone there can get information to us concerning your card needs. Thanks, Betsy Hedges Kathy Brooks Carolyn Auwater
Worship and More: Changing Hearts and Minds: It s a Godthing A Late-Winter Sermon Series *February 9 th From Oppression to Leadership Exodus 3: 7-11 February 16 th From Sorrow to Celebration 1 Samuel 1: 6-17 February 23 rd From Despicable to Honored Luke 19: 1-10 March 2 nd From Hatred to Love Acts 9: 1-6 Troop 118 News It is disappointing and yet, I so understand. As of Dec. 31, 2013 Troop 118, the Boy Scout Troop that claimed Trinity as its Chartering Organization, no longer exists. Their scoutmaster resigned and no one was willing to step up to take that leadership position. Without a scoutmaster, they cannot be chartered and therefore are no longer a troop. It is possible that they could become active once again and we could hold their charter in the future. Meanwhile the boys are connecting with the troop that is charted out of First Methodist. The Board of Trustees will be making decisions about the property that was used by the scouts. May God continue to bless the scouts as they learn new life skills and may those who led this troop in the past never doubt the impact they had on the lives of many.
TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 628 NORTH CEDAR OTTAWA KS 66067 Return Service Requested Spring Fling Auction There s been a change and it just may be great news for many of you. Our auction to raise money for Hope House has be slightly delayed. NEW DATE: Sunday, March 23 rd immediately after worship. This will give you more time to create crafts and to clean out your closet, attic and basement to find those collectables and antiques you no longer need. Don t forget baked goods, and services (babysitting, car washes, or meals) are always great auction items. Your donations can be brought to the church AFTER March 17 th that way we will not have our items in the way of our Cub Scouts. Remember the office is open 8-noon Monday-Wednesday and the main building is only open as needed. Thanks so much for your support and participation in this great event.