The Church Mouse March 2017 Hilton United Methodist Church Love Fear This past November I bought a shirt printed with this logo (Love over Fear). It was a fundraiser for my brother, Chris, and his wife Amanda as they embark on a journey of adopting TJ. TJ is a 2-year-old boy from Columbia with Downs Syndrome. Sometime soon, I would like Chris and Amanda to share their story of how they came to the decision to adopt TJ. But, let me give you a little of TJ s story: A few weeks after TJ was born in a small village in Columbia his mother died. It was abundantly obvious that TJ had Downs Syndrome. His grandparents grieving and faced with caring for TJ s older siblings contemplated having him killed. You see, in Columbia, a child with Downs Syndrome is regarded as evil. Through their eyes, I see the fear. Could TJ have caused their daughter s death? I don t believe that for even a second, but when a culture regards birth defects and illness as being caused by sin, a person can see where the fear takes over. In an effort to save her baby brother, TJ s 19-year-old sister traveled to a nearby orphanage. She gave her brother away knowing that in the midst of her fear, her love for him was so much greater. What great love she must have had for TJ, to hand him over to someone else and trust that he would be given a better life in the orphanage. There is so much more to this story and it is not my story to tell. Many events have led Chris and Amanda to pursue adopting TJ and bringing him to the USA. This has not been without a sense of fear. Fear of raising enough money to pay home study, adoption, visa, and travel fees. Fear of taking on a special needs child for the rest of their lives. Fear of how family and friends would respond to their decision. (We have gotten behind them 100%) 1
But, this journey has also been witness and testimony to much love. Love of Christ; that 2 people with promising careers and 2 children would open their home and hearts to TJ. Love; to make sure that this child is able to live life to the fullest. Love; to have that same child already regarded as a grandchild, nephew and cousin by extended family. I would like to choose love over fear every time. However, I know that often my fear gets in the way of following God s path for my life. Fear of the unknown or change Fear of being uncomfortable Fear of losing my sense of privilege Fear that I will need to give up something. These fears can be overcome. Most all of them can be overcome only with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Sometimes we use our relationship with Jesus to justify our fears. However, I pray we can more often dig deep into our relationship with Jesus to overcome our fear. This Lenten season may each of us become introspective of what causes fear in us and rely on Jesus to respond in love instead of fear. It will not be easy! It just might be uncomfortable! However, if we respond in love. The resurrection will be all that more powerful and alive in us! See you in worship!! Pastor Jennifer There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life fear of death, fear of judgment is one not yet fully formed in love. I John 4:18 (The Message) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GriefShare is Going to Resume! Wednesdays starting March 15 th - 1:30 p.m. Church Multi-Purpose Room (couch area) Open to ALL (The community is invited!!) Pastor Jennifer is resuming the GriefShare group on Wednesday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. starting March 15 th. This group will meet weekly for 13 weeks. Please call or email the church office with your intention to attend. Also, you may join the group at any time throughout the session. Please feel free to join us and bring a friend. 2
CREED: What Christians Believe and Why Wednesday March 1 st began the Christian season of Lent. A period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) to prepare ourselves for Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Typically, Lent is used by the church to prepare converts and allow current Christians a time of reflection and repentance. January and February were a study of Nehemiah and the building of the walls of the city of Jerusalem. More importantly a building of our hearts to turn toward God. Starting March 5 the entire congregation (children and adults) will begin a new series for the season of Lent. This series is based on the book, CREED: What Christians Believe and Why, by Adam Hamilton. Have you ever recited the Apostles Creed in worship and wondered why you were saying, I Believe and whether or not you really did believe those things? Maybe you have not taken the time to memorize the creed or really pay attention to what it says. The Apostle s Creed is a historic statement of foundational Christian faith. Maybe you have wondered why it makes a difference in your everyday life? What we believe about God affects how we live. This study in small groups and in worship will hopefully begin conversations about what Christians believe, why we believe it, and why it matters. Please consider obtaining a copy of the book. You may call the church office to order a copy or order your own at Amazon.com for Kindle or paperback. Pastor Jennifer Green Lenten Luncheons 2017 Each Wednesday in Lent: March 8 th to April 5 th 12:00 pm Noon At St. George s Episcopal Church 635 Wilder Road Hilton *** Please note the change in location for this year! Lunch, video and discussion on Jesus' Resurrection: Then and Now by theologian N.T. Wright. Pastor Jennifer will be leading the discussion on Wednesday March 29th on "Paul's Interpretation of the Resurrection of Jesus." Hilton United Methodist is also responsible for providing lunch on 3/29 (at St. George s). Please see Janet LaBorie if you are willing to make soup, sandwich's, serve, or clean-up. 3
Lent 101 Lent begins on March 1st this year. Here a shortened version of an article on the Upper Room website, a daily devotional guide that includes publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. What is Lent? Lent is a season of the Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. When is Lent? It's the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter. So the real beginning of Lent is Ash Wednesday? Yes. Ash Wednesday usually begins with a service where we recognize our mortality, repent of our sins, and return to our loving God. We may make resolutions and commit to change our lives over the next forty days so that we might be more like Christ. In an Ash Wednesday service, usually a minister or priest marks the sign of the cross on a person's forehead with ashes. Why ashes? In Jewish and Christian history, ashes are a sign of mortality and repentance. Where do the ashes come from? On what we now call Palm Sunday, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem while people waved palms and cheered him on. Less than a week later, Jesus was killed. The palms that were waved in joy became ashes of sorrow. We get ashes for Ash Wednesday by saving the palms from Palm Sunday, burning them, and mixing them with a little oil. It's symbolic. What do Christians do with ashes? At an Ash Wednesday service, folks are invited to come forward to receive the ashes. The minister will make a small cross on your forehead by smudging the ashes. While the ashes remind us of our mortality and sin, the cross reminds us of Jesus' resurrection (life after death) and forgiveness. It's a powerful, non-verbal way that we can experience God's forgiveness and renewal as we return to Jesus. Why "DO" Lent? How do I start? Are you searching for something more? Tired of running in circles, but not really living life with direction, purpose or passion? It's pretty easy to get caught up in the drama of classes, relationships, family, and work. Our lives are filled with distractions that take us away from living a life with Christ. We try to fill the emptiness inside us with mindless TV, meaningless chatter, stimulants, alcohol, too many activities or other irrelevant stuff. We run away from life and from God. Lent is a great time to repent -- to return to God and re-focus our lives to be more in line with Jesus. It s a 40 day trial run in changing your lifestyle and letting God change your heart. You might try one of these practices for Lent: FASTING: Some people have been known to go without food for days. But that's not the only way to fast. You can fast by cutting out some of the things in your life that distract you from God. Some Christians use the whole 40 days to fast from candy, TV, soft drinks, cigarettes, or meat as a way to purify their bodies and lives. You might skip one meal a day and use that time to pray instead. Or you can give up some activity like worry or reality TV to spend time outside enjoying God s creation. What do you need to let go of or fast from in order to focus on God? What clutters your calendar and life? How can you simplify your life in terms of what you eat, wear or do? Learn more about or design a fast. http:// alivenow.upperroom.org/2014/10/30/fasting-and-freedom SERVICE: Some Christians take something on for Christ. You can collect food for the needy, volunteer once a week to tutor children, or work for reform and justice in your community. You can commit to help a different stranger, co-worker or friend every day of Lent. Serving others is one way we serve God. Learn how giving of yourself is prayer. http://www.moyoliving.org/how_tos/3 PRAYER: Christians also use Lent as a time of intentional prayer. You can pray while you walk, create music or art as a prayer to God, or savor a time of quiet listening. All can be ways of becoming more in tune with God. Visit The Upper Room Living Prayer Center to learn more about prayer. http://prayercenter.upperroom.org/resources/resources-methodschristians from many different traditions celebrate Lent. How will you use the time to grow closer to God? Complete article can be found here: http://www.upperroom.org/en/lent101 4
Trustees Corner Trustees continue the work of finishing up the sanctuary updates, hang bulletin boards, pictures, first aid kits, fire extinguishers and other odds & ends. Thanks to all who have suggested placement of furniture and other items. The history cabinet has been relocated to the multi-purpose room. Special thanks to the Worship Team for the display in the cabinet. New signs have been hung. The lighting and electric updates have been completed. Please remember to check with Trustees before you hang anything or donate something. We understand what you are doing is important but we are trying for consistency and upgraded looks. Please do not tape a note or flyer to the wall. Bulletin boards are strategically placed so everyone can see information. If you see something in need of repair or updates please fill out a blue Fix/Repair form and place it in an offering plate or the office. Forms are located on the table in the Narthex. Even if you have mentioned something to a Trustee please fill out the form. Sometimes we get busy and forget a spoken word. With the closing of Noah s and no longer having Sunday School on the third floor Trustees are working on a plan to better use our spaces on both the second and third floors. First up is to clean out spaces to know what is available. The second floor is in need of some TLC and upgrades. Interested in working on the team? Contact a Trustee or Jennifer. Trustees are: Bob Bunt, Jamie Coonan, Ken Fuller, Liz Gliszczynski, Sharon Kron, Nancy Manning, Dave Pulci and Diann Sneddon. Hello Church! What an incredible past few months we have had as a Youth Group. We have grown numerically but most importantly, The youth have grown spiritually. Lighthouse as a whole has been looking for a way to show the love of Christ to others locally and around the world. Lighthouse partnered with Elevating Haiti to raise $1260 that will be used to build a bread oven and feed 300 children one meal for an entire year!!! WOW. The Holy Spirit has been in our words and actions and have been so exciting to watch. Jaime and Sara Camilari (Elevating Haiti) gave our youth group 20 tickets to the Elevation Worship concert in Syracuse, NY! The teens and I are so excited. On behalf of myself and Lighthouse Youth Group, we thank everyone of you for your continued prayers and support. God has great plans for this group meeting in the church basement!! In Him, Joe Neri 5
Lost and Found In the fellowship hall on the bookcase are many things that I m sure several someones are going to miss. There are: two pairs of nice gloves, a gentleman's hat-- tan with 3 organization pins near the brim, Bowls and dishes left many weeks ago from a dinner or luncheon. A large insulated mug 2 light weight jackets hanging on the coat rack. Please take them home or they go in the garage sale Thanks Game Night Nurture Team is hosting a pot luck dinner and game night on Saturday, March25th. We will eat dinner at 6:00 pm and begin games at 7:00 pm. Bring your favorite dish to eat and your favorite game to play. No sign up is necessary. UMW Our March Meeting is March 7th at 7 PM in the multipurpose room. All are welcome to attend the meeting. We will update you on the plans for the garage sale and I hope to have information for you regarding reupholstering the two Altar chairs. District Communion Breakfast The District UMW Communion Breakfast is April 8 th. Registration begins at 9:30 am. We will experience Worship and Communion together and then enjoy breakfast. The cost is $7.50. A signup sheet will be posted in the Narthex and you can pay Linda Barnard. They have not given me a deadline for registering for the breakfast but I am asking you to sign up and pay by March 26 th. The breakfast is being held at Aldersgate UMC on Dewey Ave. We will car pool and those going should meet at church by 9 AM. Graduates Lori and I have been making a list of 2017 graduates. To this date we do not have any high school students listed--do you know of any? Our college graduates are Noah Cole, Jessica Mucci Jessica Swanson and A.J. Englebert. Are there other names we should add to the list? Janet 6
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! CALLING ALL CHURCH FAMILY MEMBERS! The HUMW is looking for donations for our Spring Garage Sale We are going to have another 2 day sale and this year some of the proceeds will go to a local ministry. The more we make the more we can donate! We need everyone s help so please if you re not already, start collecting those donations now and let s make it the best sale ever!!!!! Date: Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22, 2017 Time: Friday Saturday 9:00 AM 4:00 PM 9:00 AM 3:00 PM At this time, these are some items that will NOT be accepted (more items may follow) All items donated must be clean and in working order; Air Conditioners or Humidifiers (Safety Reasons) Bowling Balls (balls are drilled for owner) Car Seats, Cribs or Playpens (Safety reasons) Televisions (newer lighter models accepted) Encyclopedias (no interest) Used Bike Helmets (Safety Reasons) Adult Clothing, shoes (Baby clothes up to 1 yr accepted) Please direct all questions about the sale directly to the Co-chairpersons Carol DeNeve email: cdeneve1@rochester.rr.com cell phone: 585-750-2501 OR Linda Ballerstein email: lmamb@rochester.rr.com cell phone: 585-749-1896 Thank you for your help in making our sale successful. More information will follow in the Church Weekly Bulletins and our Church Family email list. 7
Volunteers for March 2017 Lay Liturgists Greeters 5 Sue Sutherland 5 Marj & Ed Earnhart 12 Ron Jamerson 12 Val Brackley & Paul Rosten 19 Pat Holenbeck 19 Wayne & Sharon Miller 26 Maxwell Jamerson 26 Barb Hare & Agnes Smalley Ushers Guides 5 # 6 Dennis Sneddon 5 Ann Hurlimann & Pat Butts 12 # 1 Ed Earnhart 12 Pat Holenbeck & Nancy Manning 19 # 2 Jim Lee 19 Charlie & Alice Maxwell 26 # 3 Will Rickman 26 Ray & Sharon Perkins Sound Booth: Nursery Assistant 5 Bob Comstock 5 Troy Davis 12 Pat Holenbeck 12 Brianna Neri 19 19 Emma Jamerson 26 26 Will Green Acolytes Coffee Hour 5 5 Liz Gliszczynski 12 12 Sharon Kron 19 Will Green 19 Nancy Manning 26 26 Diann Sneddon Communion Servers 5 Bob & Karen Blank; Sam & Sue Emerson; Sparky Hess & Linda Barnard 12 19 We will be having Communion each Sunday in Lent. If you would like to sign up to serve, 26 Please visit www.signupgenius.com search for Hilton UMC. Or call the church office. COMMUNITY SHARING SUPPER - MARCH 11 th The next Sharing Supper will be held on March 11 and will be from 5:30 am - 6:30 am. The chefs for this month will be Pat and Ed Hollenbeck along with others that will be doing prepping, set-up and clean-up. Many workers make light work. It is open to both our church family members and friends along with community people. We welcome families with children which makes for a more lively atmosphere. Come and join us for a wonderful meal, conversation and you may even see someone from the community that you have always wanted to meet. See you there. 8
March Anniversary * Allan & Bernice Blossom March 29, 1947 70 years Yes, you read that correctly! Allan and Bernice Blossom will celebrate their 70 th Wedding Anniversary on the 29 th. We give thanks to God for each of them and for the wonderful example of marriage that they are for all of us. Congratulations! If you would like to send them a card, their address is 95 Hill Rd, Hilton 14468. March Birthdays 1 Lynn Heglund Sparky Hess 2 Annika Groth Bev Thompson 5 Ron Gary 6 Deb Bunt Troy Davis 7 Alea Floyd Brian Hurlimann 9 Hye-Bin Song 11 Gloria Hamm John Zobel 13 Nick Mucci 14 Evan Fish 16 Nick Earnhart Declan Helmer Greg Schuler 18 Barb Gorton 21 Alexander Groth 22 Mac McKenzie 24 Christy Sadecki 25 Alicea Bunt 27 Carol Weaver 28 Peggy Colucci Wayne Miller Dave Smalley 30 Hope Bunt Carol Confer Married Couples! How would you like time together that you will both remember and cherish for years to come? Imagine, no phones, no kids, no cooking, just a wonderful get-away weekend for the two of you. You will have 48 hours of getting to know each other like never before, growing closer through better communication skills, and rekindling the romance! Whether you have been married 1 year or 50 years, United Marriage Encounter is for any couple who want to enrich their good marriage. Isn t the special love between you and your spouse worth a weekend of TLC (Tender Loving Care)? United Marriage Encounter is an international Christian ministry offering Christ s love to strengthen and build marriages. A team of Christian couples, including one clergy couple, present the weekend. They give a series of talks about marriage and your relationship with each other and God. After each talk, everyone is given a question. You jot down your reflections on that question. Then, in the privacy of your hotel room, you discuss your reflections. The next weekend in the Rochester area is: April 7 th April 9 th, 2017 At the Holiday Inn Express in Webster. For more information on the next weekend in Rochester, pick up a brochure in the church, visit the website at www.unitedmarriage.org or contact: Richard and Karen Zielinski at (716)652-9162. 9
The Hilton United Methodist Church 21 West Avenue Hilton, NY 14468 March 2017 ** If you no longer wish to receive the HUMC monthly newsletter, please be a good steward of our church s money and let us know. Thank you. Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World Rev. Jennifer Green Pastor Patricia Van Vleck Office Manager Office Phones: (585) 392-8761 (585) 392-3460 Parsonage Phone: (585) 392-8094 E-mail address: humc98@rochester.rr.com pastorjennifer@rochester.rr.com Website: www/humcny.org Sunday, March 12 th 10
11