July, 2017 In the book of Ezra, we find Ezra making his way to Jerusalem. In order for him to do this, he needs volunteers to help him. In the eighth chapter, he has put out the request for volunteers and he finds none, so his work is halted. Very few were willing to volunteer when their services were needed. Paul reminds us in Romans 12 that God has gifted each of us with abilities so we can make a contribution to building God s kingdom. The Bible says to us that we shouldn t wait to be asked, rather we should be looking for opportunities to serve. When we don t volunteer and offer our gifts, we hinder the work of God. Peter writes in 1 Peter 4 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. So where are you using your gifts in the life of the church? Our human nature is that we want to be asked so that we feel needed and that makes us feel good. That is understandable, but how does the work of the church ever get accomplished if we never step forward and offer our gifts to serve God. Perhaps our response is that we are too busy or whatever reason we may have that we cannot give some time. There is lawn to mow, bushes to trim, landscaping, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, Prayer group, Shepherd Ministry, Worship assistants, people to call and visit, fundraisers for various projects and the list goes on. On May 7, there were about 30 of you who attended a vision/planning session to offer ideas and listen to each other to see where Chapel Hill UMC is and where we are headed. It was in the gathering that we determined the vision for Chapel Hill for 2017 is this REFLECTING GOD S LOVE WITH OPENNESS AND HONESTY AND WITH A WILLINGINESS TO SERVE. If we are to live out that vision, is there a willingness to serve? Over the next couple of weeks, the trustees will be posting various projects that they need help with. There will be a listing of the projects and you will have the opportunity to sign-up to do them. Many will not require much other than your time. A group of folks have been meeting on Thursday evenings learning about first impressions and hospitality. We are learning about how we receive and interact with guests, although much of what we are learning applies to how we interact with each other and make each other along with guests feel welcomed and at home here in chapel Hill. We are beginning to think about what we can do differently to being more open and willing to serve (vision statement). So, can we find ways to grow or do we sit in our pews where we are comfortable and just continue as we are and have been doing? Our attendances, participation, and income continue to decline. Ezra, Paul, and Peter recognized the need for volunteers and how important it was for people to volunteer and serve God. Where can you serve your church today? Where can your gifts and talents be used to nurture and sustain Chapel Hill? Would you please pray about your involvement here? Plans are being made to have a membership class in July and August on Sunday afternoons. There are at least 4 who have spoken with me about this. Are the others of you who would be interested in becoming members? Please let me (pastor) know if you are interested. Don t forget the push to make July 2 World hug day. A national Hug Day would this would be for all humans willing to stand with others regardless of religion, race, politics, ethnic or national differences, to state that human life is sacred. Is it possible that hugs could change the world? The purpose is for humans to make the statement that we need to work together as to not harm or hinder a sacred life from reaching their full potential. We can make a difference in the world and just maybe a hug is where we begin. What do you think? World Hug Day on July 2, 2017? Will you help us? Here is a hug to each of you! Grace and peace to you, Pastor Mark 1
Preparation for worship Search me, God, and know my heart lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24, Sermon: What Does God Require Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 17-21 Sermon: My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Sermon: Outdoor Worship - What Are We Yielding? Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Sermon: Good Seeds or Weeds? Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 VBS Sunday No Youth Activities planned for this month! 2
Wish list: crackers (2-3 boxes) block or brick cheese (cheddar or colby) 3-4 blocks raisins (large box not the individual ones!) HERE ARE THE VBS NEEDS FOR THE UPCOMING VBS WEEK END July 29 and 30, 2017 mini-marshmallows mini-pretzels Volunteers needed: small group leaders M & M s (large bag not the individual ones) craft helpers Honey Nut Cheerios or equivalent pre-school helpers beach balls (8-10 medium size ones) kitchen helpers jump ropes (8-10 regular ones) registration helpers Christmas trees (lit or unlit we will be using to create a forest) decorations/prepping camping equipment (tent(s), lanterns, camp stools/chairs, etc) package of white balloons (we will need approx 30 balloons total) monetary gifts to purchase craft supplies/misc items 3
07/01 Norma Goldner 07/06 Jackson Harner 07/07 Anna Peters 07/08 Aleena Nelson 07/10 Mark Mitchell 07/12 Betty Arnt Jim Robertson 07/13 Roberta Faher 07/14 Dezirae Borr Bailey Dustin Carol Martin 07/15 Marcia Allen Betty Jewell Barbara Moore 07/16 Janet Hahn 07/21 Esther Peters 07/23 William Brady 07/28 Beth DeCoursey Art Moore 07/30 Karen Rodgers 07/01 George and Virginia Skibbe 07/06 Daniel and Anne Turbyfill 07/07 Stephen and Amy Peters 07/17 John and Deb Harris If we have missed a birthday or anniversary, or have you listed incorrectly, please call the office so that we may update our information. Join us following worship on Sunday, July 23 where we will celebrate this month s birthdays and anniversaries with a Potluck! 4
Lay Participant Forms Please sign up for lay participant positions. Liturgists: Greeters: Coffee Hour: Nursery: The sign up sheets are on the foyer table. Contacts: Liturgists: Greeters: Coffee Hour: Nursery: Linda Bennett Karen Hook Sandy Keath Bob Wesner 944-4181 463-8535 208-0115 463-5050 THE LAWN MOWING SCHEDULE IS OUT ON THE TABLE IN THE FOYER. Keep in our prayers Pastor Mark and Those individuals who are serving within our church fellowship and our community. May their lives show Christ in all they do and say. All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! (Psalm 145:10, ESV). Indeed, we gather to praise and bless the Lord. Welcome. 5
NOTES FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE: January1 thru May 31, 2017 Income $56,664.09 Expenses: Administrative $ 999.71 *Apportionments $ 1,668.00 Education $ 78.77 Finance $ 135.47 Lay Leadership $ 265.00 Nurture $ 195.02 Outreach $ 200.00 Payroll Taxes $ 710.42 Salaries $ 42,725.27 *Trustees $ 17,772.26 *Worship $ 1,202.37 Total Expenses $ 65,952.29 *(Money from Chem Flex account used to help pay expenses) Capital Improvements paid to date: (Money from CD s used to pay for these projects) Roofing $ 20,399.00 Sidewalk $ 3,965.00 The Finance Committee would like to thank you for your continuous and faithful giving. Have you seen our website? It REALLY needs a makeover. Do you know something about building or maintaining websites? I am looking for some help to boost our website. If you can help or know someone to help, please contact me (the pastor) at email mjmjumc@gmail.com or text at 517-414-0180 or home at 925-4528. 6
Save the Date! July 15 & 16 All Church Event Everyone is encouraged to come! Members, Family, Friends, Neighbors, Co-Workers, etc. Come and go as your schedule allows. Friday Evening through Sunday Evening Camping Saturday All Day - Games, Crafts, Fellowship 3:00pm - Tournament Games all ages and skill levels welcome! 6:00pm - Cookout and Potluck Hot Dogs provided 8:00pm - Camp Fire, devotions, singing, and of course S mores! Sunday 8:30-9:30am - Pancake Breakfast 9:30am - Sunday School 10:30am - Outdoor Worship bring a lawn chair! All Activities will be held at Chapel Hill UMC Rain or Shine 7
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Communion 3 4 Prayer Group 10 am 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Loose Change Offering Trustees Meeting 7 pm Prayer Group 10 am Church Campout 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Church Campout Pancake Breakfast Finance Meeting 6 pm Prayer Group 10 am SPRC Meeting 7 pm Newsletter Information Due Scrapbooking 6:30 pm Outdoor Service 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Potluck Prayer Group 10 am Ad Council Meeting 7 pm Newsletter Goes Out VBS ALL DAY Hot Dog/ Ice Cream Family/ Community Cook-Out 30 31 VBS in AM 9
A Reflection of Christ s Love Chapel Hill United Methodist Church 4071 Naomi Rd Sodus, MI 49126-9768 CHAPEL HILL NEWS July 2017 Phone: (269) 927-3454 Parsonage: (269) 925-4528 E-mail: chumcsodus@comcast.net Website: www.chumcsodus.org Summer Church Office Hours Thursday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Friday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm In case of emergency when the office is closed, please try the parsonage (925-4528). Adult Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. Mark Mitchell, Pastor 10