May 2016 - Center United Methodist Church

Center United Methodist Church
P. O. Box 179 • Welcome, NC 27374 • 186 Center Church Road
www.centermethodistwelcome.org
Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pillsbury, Pastor
MAY
2016
THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR FOR MAY
WHO IS IT THAT IS BLESSED?
“I will surely bless you . . .” Hebrews 6:14
CHURCH STAFF
Pastor
Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pillsbury
Office: 731-6616
Home: 731-8208
Cell: 239- 7041
[email protected]
Assistant Pastor
Rev. Edward L. Evans, Jr.
Home: 764-5242
[email protected]
Youth/Young Adult Minister
Dr. Hunter Duncan
Home: 336-414-8728
[email protected]
Music Director
Wini Hinkle
Home: 731-6237
[email protected]
Boy Scout Director
Jeff McCrary
Cell: 336-407-9649
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant
Joyce Rector
731-6616
[email protected]
E-News
[email protected]
or
[email protected]
please note
e-mail changes for
ALL ENEWS
UPDATES!!!
I find myself writing this Newsletter article in a radically different mindset, mostly in
part because Divie and I will be moving onto another appointment at the end of June
2016. How strange to move and to take on another appointment, to close up a ministry
among those who you have come to admire and love, but this is one of the key elements
of the call to Ordained Ministry, that is, being ready to serve and minister where we are
sent.
So, in this difficult transition time, as Divie and I prepare to move on toward
shepherding another congregation, I continue to ask the question that I preached on
April 24, 2016, “Who is it that is Blessed?” and specifically, “Why are the people at
Center so royally blessed?”
There is no counting the number of times that people have come to me, looking for
solutions to problems, guidance for how they might change a condition in their lives, or
in other words how they might obtain a healing, change of life, another chance, or a new
direction in life. What all of us are looking for is really nothing more than A BLESSING
FROM GOD. But how do we get these blessings, lifts in our lives, new start overs? I am
convinced that Obedience to God’s Call is the prerequisite to God’s Blessings.
Reflecting on my EIGHT full years with you, I recall walking into this Church
knowing that I was “Everyone’s Pastor.” I pray that as “everyone’s pastor,” that I
modeled my life after Jesus Christ who is “Everyone’s Lord.” But lest we forget, every
one of us is called. All of us have a great responsibility to make Jesus known wherever
we are: be it within our families, our work: any place. We are FIRST and foremost
Christians. And as a result of our faithfulness, our obedience to Jesus, we find our lives
and families are richly blessed.
People who live obediently following the Ways of Jesus should not be surprised to
find that God Blesses them and that their lives are more joyful and at peace, that they are
part of physical healings, healings of emotional and dysfunctional elements in their
lives, added years to their lives, financial success, new opportunities . . . and the list goes
on. People that don’t want to have any relationship with Jesus should not be surprised to
find that their lives are exempt of Blessings. BLESSINGS AND MIRACLES come to
people who have the marks of Christ in them, who are endeavoring to live according to
the will of God. Obedient followers of Jesus can be assured in finding an open door to
Jesus who invites the faithful to: “Ask and it will be given you” (Matt. 7:7). But those
who are not fully committed to Christ – those part-time Christians that are really nothing
7
more than a secular, me and mine come first, should NOT expect to be blessed!
6
“The Greater our Obedience to God – The more deliberate we are in maturing our
4
Christian Character - the more Blessings and Gifts we will have.” Jesus said, “Pay
- to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still
attention
5 be given to you. For to those who have more will be given . . .” (Mark 4:24more will
6 Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:38). Jesus also said, “To whom much has been given, much
25*Also
0
is required;
and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be
5 (Luke 12:48).
demanded”
d
o
n
a
Continued on back of page…..
Continued from front of page…………
In closing, as I reflect on Divie and my eight years with you, may I say that this Church has been filled with
Blessings and Miracles, not only in our lives and families but in everything that has occurred in our Church. And the
reason for all your blessings? Your Blessings have come because of your Obedience to Jesus Christ, your blessings
have come because of your Christian Character that stand outs above the masses. Center United Methodist Church
people are NOT living below the line, in the secular sense, but in “LIVING ABOVE THE LINE” in the Christian
Kingdom where blessings flow abundantly!
Miss you already, Praise God that Divie and I were sent to Center
.
Your Friend and Pastor - STEVE
DIVIE’S CORNER
“The Power of Prayer”
Dear Church Family,
It is wonderful to be back again in Church worshiping together. I am so thankful for Center Church and the
presence of the Lord so strong in the church. I love the warmth and love of the people for each other and for the work of
the ministry and the life of the Church.
We are living in a fast changing world outside the Church. We live in a world of sound bites, short texts, flash
images, all kinds of substitutes for the real thing. We are being brain washed by the world and the promise of offering
us something new and better. We hear the same sound bites on television, which is constantly on in some places. We
are all using the new technology. People in our own circles are copying the ways of the world, their expressions, even
using the same terminology, the same phrases in every conversation, like: “The bottom line is,” or, “at the end the day. .
.” We are told what to say, what to believe, and how to live.
We are also being sold a worldly way of living, slowly the principals, morals, the real truth is being covered
up and washed away by what is acceptable in today's world, by what looks beautiful, and is comfortable for everybody
no matter what they believe or how they live.
In my life time I have witnessed how the values that were held sacred and precious to us and in our Christian
country have been taken away by the people of the world, who have "sold out" for their own benefit, for profit and
selfish gain. It is becoming more difficult every day for those who live and work in today's world to keep our own
principals alive. Our little children will never know the innocent world I grew up in.
Dear friends, we who are still under the spiritual mantle, in a Church that still teaches and preaches the
Gospel, must be more vigilant, to speak up and out against anything that weakens the Christian message and the
Church.
I am concerned about the Sabbath Day. Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy is becoming a custom of the past. In my
lifetime, I witnessed all the Churches in every town filled. Cars were parked all the way down the street. Everybody
went to Church, if you didn't you were called a heathen. Christian people of the country would not tolerate anything
that was not acceptable as keeping the laws and principals acceptable, sacred to God. We were truly a Christian
Country.
The Sabbath, was given to us, and taught, as a safe guard of our spiritual health, our spiritual life. The Lord
knew that we needed time to take care of our spiritual life. We still need time to withdraw for worship, for United
Prayer and Christian fellowship. We need to keep in touch with the matters that concern our Church and the life of the
people we love. We need to be reminded constantly by the voice of God in the Church to attend to the care of our soul,
by sound preaching and obedience to God and in our world. We need to reach out beyond our circle to save people from
the worldly way people are offered of selfish, sensual living.
Continued on next page……
Continued from previous page…..
My whole life has been safe guarded, kept sacred by the power of prayer and in and by the life of the Christian
Church. I have shared the life of and with the faithful and most wonderful saints who have not compromised, who
have continued to sacrifice, time and energy, to keep the Church alive and well. My life has been filled, from day one,
by the most remarkable people, of miracles, and wide open doors that came through the life of the Church. I have
been blessed here, in this Church, by wonderful people who never miss any opportunity to give, never complain, who
always keep a sweet spirit, always volunteer, again and again, to the most difficult jobs, in order to tend to the work
of the Lord at Center Church.
The greatest gift we all have, dear friends, is the message of the Gospel truth, the Salvation Story, the Life
and Message that Jesus taught. We Christians have the value of United Prayer, the Prayer of the Church People and
of a faithful God who never fails to answer the prayer of a willing and humble seeker. We have this Church and our
personal ability to keep the Church vital, alive and growing. We can keep the Church spiritually alive by our renewed
commitment to the life of prayer, by our constant witness of the truth to our family and friends.
The secret that has kept my spiritual life together and well, all these years, has been the power of prayer,
setting time aside for communion with God in prayer, for being faithful to God’s will in my life and the life of the
ministry. The power of prayer changes who we become. The things that are not possible in this world with men are
possible with God, through the power of prayer. I have found it true in my life.
My constant prayer is that God will have mercy on all of those who have forsaken their Church and have
settled for the shallow life, the way of the world. I pray that God will continue to bless this wonderful Church by
enriching the life of the young, encouraging the faithful leaders, and especially the life of each of you, individually,
who are faithful members of God’s Church, and the CHURCH ETERNAL.
I close with a verse from the Gospel of Mark. “And JESUS looking upon them saith, with men it is impossible, but
not with God: for with God all things are possible (10:27 KJV).”
Love always, Divie
THE UNITED METHODIST MEN
NO REPORT OF THE APRIL, 2016, MEETING
CHILDREN’S ROTATION SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Attention Parents for Children Kindergarten through 5th Grade!!
As many of you know, we are having to make some adjustments with our rotation
Sunday School and Children’s Church due to the Fellowship Hall being under review.
All sign-ins will take place in the old sign-in room. We will be combining our K-3rd
graders and they will meet in the old sign in room. Our 4th graders will meet in the
Library with Deena Tolley. We are migrating our 5th graders to join the middle school
classroom, which we are excited about!!!! The middle school classroom is upstairs
above the high school class next to the Faith Seekers Class.
Children’s Church will temporarily meet in the Faith Seekers Sunday School Class on
the second floor above the high school room. This is where you will pick up your
children after Church until further notice.
UMW Meeting Minutes 04-12-16
Audrey Wagner, Holly Leatherman, Lisa Bates, Molly Long, Kim Craver, Marlene Wood, Rena Meredith, Karen Tysinger,
Anita Scott, Karen Koontz, Marsha Black, Johnsie Wallace, Elizabeth Baker, Glenda Stabler, Libby Leonard, Denise Dorwart,
Ruby Blackmon, Lucinda Black, Marcia Craver, Jenny Jackson, Vickey Kepley, Beth Leonard, Steve Pillsbury, Reida Snyder, Kay
Hedrick = 25.
The CUMW met on Tuesday, April 12 with the above 25 members present.
Lisa Bates called our meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Jenny Jackson led us in devotions.
Denise Dorwart shared the response moment.
Molly Long delivered the program on being a Martha.
Minutes were approved.
Reida Snyder gave our treasurer’s report. The beginning balance was $3835.14. The ending balance was $3271.20
A motion was made by Jenny Jackson and seconded by Marcia Craver to make a donation of $100 to the American Children’s
Home.
Molly Long gave an update on Threads of Love. They will meet again on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:00 pm.
Upcoming Events:
The next Chicken Pie Bake is on Saturday, April 23. The other bakes this year are on September 10 and November 5 (for the
Chicken Pie Supper on November 11).
Day Apart Prayer Breakfast is on April 30 at Oak Forest UMC. The cost is $8.00. A part of the meeting includes “Project
Pocketbook”. We were asked to bring used (nice) or new pocketbooks or book bags for women at Homeless Shelters to church by
Sunday, April 24. Debbie is also putting this information in the church bulletin. A box will be provided in the Narthex area for
these items.
The Spiritual Growth Retreat is June 10-11. The retreat begins on Friday at 6:45 pm and ends Saturday at noon. The theme is
“Pray.”
A motion was made by Beth Leonard and seconded by Libby Leonard to give $50 to both the Day Apart Prayer Breakfast and
the Spiritual Growth Retreat for Undesignated Giving.
VBS is July 17-22. UMW will help with meal on opening night. We will provide hot dogs, chips, dessert and snack. Tim
Williams will grill the hotdogs. We need volunteers to assist with this. A motion was made by Reida Snyder and seconded by
Marlene Wood to spend up to $200 for VBS dinner and snack.
Old Business:
We will assemble the college and military packages at the close of the meeting.
For our picnic in May, we will meet at Reida Snyder’s house for a picnic at 6:00 pm. Please bring food to share with everyone.
New Business:
Beth Leonard shared on behalf of the Goodwill Committee. Discussion was made about visiting Abbott’s Creek and/or
Grayson Creek. It’s difficult to come up with a time in which UMW members can commit due to work and other daytime
commitments.
Please see Karen Tysinger if you are interested in the Blood Drive.
Audrey Wagner read the cards and notes that have been sent to the group.
Steve closed with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Audrey Wagner, Secretary
Lisa Bates, Vice-President
Next meeting: Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Hostesses:
All Members
Social at Reida Snyder’s home
Devotions:
Karen Tysinger
Program:
Social at Reida Snyder’s home
Community Outreach Project:
None
Response Moment:
Lucinda Black
Thinking of You Cards:
Debbie Williams
Brooks Howell Missionary Birthday Cards
(Asheville):
Glenda Stabler
Special Events/Reminders:
Set a date for our visit with Abbott’s Creek Rehab and Grayson Creek residents in June
Goodwill Committee will provide details of the visit and will provide the favors
FUN DAY AT THE PARK FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO 5TH GRADE-MAY 22
Fun Day at the park! Sunday, May22, from 2-4 PM at Lake Thom-a-Lex.
A fun day is planned on Sunday, May 22, to enjoy the playground, food, fun, sun,
and fellowship for children birth to 5th grade.
A sign-up sheet will be located in the Toddler room and in the sign-in room for
Children’s Sunday School beginning in May or you may contact
[email protected]. Refreshments will be provided. All kids are encouraged
to wear Hawaiian shirts and be ready to kick off the summer season.
CUMC SENIOR LIVE WIRES GOING TO CODY CREEK-THURSDAY, MAY 19-4 PM
Seniors, join the Live Wires on a trip to Cody Creek Thursday, May 19. We will meet at the church at 4:00 PM
to travel up to Dobson to eat at the restaurant. It is a very nice location and meal. Please let Karen Tysinger
know if you are going by May 15 to arrange transportation.
UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVE AT CUMC ON SUNDAY, MAY 1, IN THE CFC
Center United Methodist Church will have a blood drive on Sunday, May 1, from 12:00 until 4:30 PM
in the Christian Fellowship Center. Be sure to make your appointment on line at redcrossblood.org
or by calling 1-800-733-2767. You may contact Karen Tysinger at 336-250-6398. Please plan now
to give blood so others can have life.
CHILDREN’S SUMMER MISSION PROJECT:
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” – Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
This summer the children will be doing an 11 week curriculum during Sunday School on how Bible lessons
can relate to their favorite cereals. Each week, the children will be asked to bring a certain brand of cereal to
donate to the “Greater Things Outreach Center” in Welcome. Here is a list of each week’s lesson for the
children to start collecting the cereal. Not only can the children participate but our Church family can as well.
Please contact Angie Leonard at 336.250.7033 with any questions. Thank you for all you do for our children!
June 5: Lucky Charms Cereal
June 12: Frosted Flakes Cereal
June 19: Captain Crunch Cereal
June 26: Cocoa Pebbles Cereal
July 3: Trix Cereal
July 10: Apple Jacks Cereal
July 17: Cheerios Cereal
July 24: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
July 31: Cocoa Puffs Cereal
August 7: Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal
August 14: Rice Krispies Cereal
May 1
Acolyte
Cross of Christ Bearer
Bible Bearer
Toddler Nursery
Infant Nursery
Ushers
Greeters
Children’s Time
Children’s Church
Flowers
May 8
Acolyte
Cross of Christ Bearer
Bible Bearer
Toddler Nursery
Infant Nursery
Ushers
Greeters
Children’s Time
Children’s Church
Flowers
Mycah Kepley
Alayna Evans
Sadie Reid
Mitzi Tesh
Brittany Hobbs
Tad Leonard (Head)
Mike Craver, Ronnie Craver,
Tim Craver, Ronnie Dorton
Clifton and Lynda Beck
Mike and Kim Craver
Jennifer Brinkley
Joseph & Wendy Talley
Date Available
Kate Anderson
Danielle Shillinglaw
Millie Margaret Talley
Tina Fulcher
Vickey Kepley
Tad Leonard (Head)
Brett Dorwart, Curtis Dorwart,
Willie Everhart, Jamie Fountain
Charles and Vickey Kepley
Gray and Barbara Boger
Lisa Bates
Julie Fountain
Angie Leonard
May 15
Acolyte
Gretchen Feezor
Cross of Christ Bearer Gracin Hill
Bible Bearer
Franchesca Colorio
Toddler Nursery
Debbie Wood
Infant Nursery
Shirley Craver & Emily Coleman
Ushers
Tad Leonard (Head)
Floyd Freedle, Don Grubb,
Donald Hamilton, Jeff Hardiman
Greeters
Gregg and Glenda Stabler
Richard and Terri Bates
Children’s Time
Steve Long
Children’s Church
Sarah Williams
Flowers
Date Available
DON’T FORGET TO FILL IN YOUR IMPORTANT
DATES FOR FLOWERS ON OUR ALTAR!
2016 Calendar has a lot of blank spaces!
Please fill in the Sundays you will be putting flowers
on the Altar. The information for the Sunday bulletin
should be given to Joyce Rector by email
([email protected]), by note or by phone (7316616) the week before the flowers are to be placed in
the church.
May 22
Acolyte
Hadley Smith
Cross of Christ Bearer Kate Anderson
Bible Bearer
Finn Noel
Toddler Nursery
Michael & Jennifer Kurtzman
Infant Nursery
Amy Akins
Ushers
Tad Leonard (Head)
Rocky Hedrick, Tommy Henderson,
David Hill, Tony Hill
Greeters
Steve and Molly Long
Rocky and Kay Hedrick
Children’s Time
Beth Leonard
Children’s Church
Ruby Combs
Flowers
Date Available
May 29
Acolyte
Cross of Christ Bearer
Bible Bearer
Toddler Nursery
Infant Nursery
Ushers
Greeters
Children’s Time
Children’s Church
Flowers
Colby Adkins
Malachi Purdy
Gentry Smith
Anna Evans
Philip and Jennifer Brinkley
Tad Leonard (Head)
Dennis Johnson, J. C. Johnson,
Joey Johnson, Pete Jones
Chris and Stacie Michael
Bob and Toby Fox
Samantha Evans
Tina Fulcher
Date Available
JUNE NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
MONDAY, MAY 16 - 12:00 PM
All events are listed on the calendar. Formal
announcements must be given to the church office.
Ongoing events will be listed as scheduled unless
changes are given to the church office.
DAILY E-NEWS UPDATES
Please check e-news for updates on joys,
concerns, and announcements. If you do not receive
daily e-news, please contact Henrietta Hayes to be
added at [email protected] or
[email protected].
SENIOR LIVE WIRES NEED YOUR HELP!
The Senior Live Wires are collecting the small samples of
toiletries usually given when staying in motels/hotels.
They will be making up packets to take to the nursing
homes. If you have any of these new items or new personal
care items you would like to give for this on-going
ministry, there will be a box in the Narthex to collect them.
MAY, 2016
Sunday
1
7:30 AM UMM Meeting (CFC)
8:30 AM CenTered Service (CFC)
10 AM Sunday School
10:30 AM – 4:30 PM Blood Drive
(CFC)
11 AM Worship-Children’s/VBS
Ministry Moment
4 PM Youth Council (Youth
Room)
5 PM Hand Bell Practice
6:00 PM Youth (CFC)
6:00 PM Worship Committee
(Friendship Sunday School Class)
8 Mother’s Day
Monday
2
7 PM Boy Scouts
9
8:30 AM CenTered Service (CFC)
10 AM Sunday School
11 AM Worship
7 PM Boy Scouts
15
16
8:30 AM CenTered Service (CFC)
10 AM Sunday School
11 AM Worship
3-5 PM JAM Kids (CFC)
5 PM Council on Ministries
(Friendship S. S. Class)
6 PM Admin. Board Meeting
(Friendship S. S. Class )
6 PM Youth (CFC)
7 PM Boy Scouts
Tuesday
Wednesday
3
4
12:00 Chamber
of Commerce
(CFC)
6 PM Sunday
School
Leadership
Meeting
(Friendship
Sunday School)
7 PM Cub
Scouts
6:30 PM Youth
(CFC)
6:30 PM Children’s
Choir Practice
7 PM Chancel Choir
Practice
10
6 PM UMW –
(Reida
Snyder’s
House)
7 PM Cub
Scouts
17
7 PM Cub
Scouts
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
Thursday
5
6
7
3-10 PM Set Up
for Special Needs
Prom (CFC)
All Day for set
up for Prom
6-9 PM 2nd
Annual Special
Needs Prom
(CFC)
12
13
14
6:30 PM Youth
(CFC)
6:30 PM Children’s
Choir Practice
7 PM Chancel Choir
Practice
All Day
Sportsman’s
Banquet Set Up
(CFC)
All Day
Sportsman
Banquet Set Up
6 PM Banquet
(CFC)
12-5 PM Baby
Shower (CFC)
18
19
20
21
6:00 PM Children’s
Ministry Com.
(Children’s Sign In
Room)
6:30 PM Youth
(CFC)
6:30 PM Children’s
Choir Practice
7 PM Chancel Choir
Practice
4 PM Live
Wires - Cody
Creek
23
24
25
26
10 AM Sunday School
11 AM Joint Worship Service
(Sanctuary)
12 PM Church Family Meal
(CFC)
2-4 PM Children’s Fun Day (Lake
Thom-A-Lex)
3 PM JOY Kids-Movie
5 PM Evangelism Meeting
(Friendship S. S. Class)
6 PM Youth (CFC)
7 PM Boy Scouts
3-9 PM
Pickin’ &
Grinnin’ Set
Up & Practice
(CFC)
6 PM Cub
Scouts Ice
Cream (In Cub
Scout Room)
6.:30 PM Youth
7 PM Chancel Choir
Practice
3-6 PM P & G
Setup (CFC)
6 PM Hot Dog
Supper (CFC)
7 PM Pickin’ &
Grinnin’(CFC)
29 Memorial Sunday
30 Memorial
Day
31
7 PM Boy Scouts
Saturday
11
22
8:30 AM CenTered Service (CFC)
10 AM Sunday School
11 AM Worship-Communion
Friday
2-6 PM Feeding
the Homeless
Shelter
(CFC-Kitchen)
27
28
6 PM Threads
of Love (CFC)
MISSION OFFERING
First Sunday – Community Mission Offering
Second Sunday - Macaroni & Cheese
and Sugar Offering
Third & Fourth Sundays - Breakfast Cereal for Greater Things Outreach
Center
Fifth Sunday – Crisis Ministry Cash Offering
CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
P.O. BOX 179
WELCOME, NC 27374
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
WELCOME, NC 27374
PERMIT #22
Address Service Requested
Pickin’ & Grinnin’ at Center
Come join us for an evening of Pickin’ & Grinnin’ in the
Christian Fellowship Center on
Thursday, May 26, at 7:00 PM
A Hotdog Meal will be sold for $5 starting at 6:00pm
The Offering this month will be given to:
Backpack Program for Local Schools