Locust Leaves Newsletter for November 2015

Midway Locust Grove United Methodist
Please join us for worship.
Sunday School: 9:15
Worship: 10:30
Communion first Sundays.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Ministries & Missions
2
Spaghetti Dinner
3
Grow in Faith
4
Births, welcome, get well 5
Looking at 200 years
6
Community book event
7
View from a Pew
9
Food Ministry, Poetry
10
Calendar
11
Kitchen Update
12
THIS MONTH
See Calendar Page 11
Mondays at 7-8 a.m.
Wake Up With God
All are welcome.
Mondays — 6:30 p.m.
Boy Scout Troop 68
Tuesdays —7 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study
Wednesdays — 6:59 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal
November 1
DST Returns
Fall back one hour
November 10 – Noon
Second Tuesday Lunch
November 11
VETERANS DAY
November 22
Locust Leaves items due
November 22—29
National Bible Week
I had a subscription to Sports Illustrated for years, before my children
took over the house (and everything
in it). I don’t have time to read a paper copy or a digital copy anymore. I
let my subscription lapse. I regularly
receive invitations to renew. The
folks who publish Sports Illustrated
miss me quite a bit. They want me
back.
Volume 28
Number 11
November 2015
Beyond
the Pulpit
Pastor
Dennis
Harper
Throughout the narrative of Scripture, God is always inviting people
back. The Bible is full of people who break promises, make bad decisions,
do foolish things, and downright terrible things. Yet, God invites these
people back into a renewed relationship. As November begins with Advent and Christmas in sight, we are all invited to renew our relationship
with God and one another. Let the Spirit of the risen Christ be renewed
within you.
Why do you say...
“My way is hidden from the Lord
my God ignores my predicament”?
28
Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the creator of the ends of the earth.
He doesn’t grow tired or weary.
His understanding is beyond human reach,
29
giving power to the tired
and reviving the exhausted.
30
Youths will become tired and weary,
young men will certainly stumble;
31
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will fly up on wings like eagles;
they will run and not be tired;
they will walk and not be weary.
Isaiah 40:27-31 (CEB)
2
Locust Leaves
An Opportunity to Serve
Women reading Paul’s letter
Calling all women who want to learn more
about the Bible and what it means in our lives.
The Women’s Bible Study continues reading
Paul's Letter to the Romans.
The group meets in the
first classroom beyond
the Nursery on the
left. Each study time
begins at 7:00 p.m.
and ends by 8:30. New
members are always
welcome into the group.
Contact Marjorie McFann
by phone at 573-445-5650 or
by email at [email protected] for more
information.
Do for others what you want them
to do for you.
Matthew 7:12
Our Sunday morning nursery is a wonderful
gift that we give the families with young children
who attend worship. Kaitlyn Gebhardt is our
nursery worker who works with our children
every Sunday. At least one other person is
needed to serve with her so that our children are
looked after and well cared for. We are in need
of a few more folks to serve in our nursery on
Sunday morning. The schedule is set on a quarterly basis, and with enough people serving you
are only needed once or twice in that time.
Thank you for all the ways you support our ministry with children in our church and community.
If you have any questions please be in touch
with Rev. Dennis ([email protected]) or Kelly
McCarville ([email protected]).
Here are the items we are lifting up:
Standing prayer requests
Each Sunday Rev. Dennis reminds us of our
prayer responsibilities, and has asked that we include these three items in our regular prayer times.
Our Kitchen and Fellowship Hall remodeling project. Prayerfully consider your support for
this important project and pray for its completion.
Our ministry to the youth and children of
our community. May the Holy Spirit help us to
reach out to, learn from, and make a difference in
the lives of young people and their families. This
included our Vacation Bible School July 6-9.
November 1
Moreau
November 8
Brown
November 15 (Open)
November 22 Karen Moore
November 29 (Open)
One of the best means of sharing and
bringing joy to others is to host one of
these after-worship fellowships.
Please add your name to the sign up
sheet on Fellowship Hall bulletin board or
call Kathy Koehler at 875-8772.
The youth of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. There have been 7 suicides since December
on the reservation, some involving youth as young
as 12 years old. These youth feel that they are
without hope. They envision a future consisting
only of poverty and despair.
Start by doing what’s necessary;
then do what’s possible;
and suddenly you are doing
the impossible.
St. Francis of Assisi
Locust Leaves
3
Kitchen Cabinet Update
Spaghetti Dinner focuses attention on welcome center remodeling
As a reward for contributors and a
reminder of the project ahead, the
Kitchen Cabinet hosted a spaghetti dinner October 25.
Funding for the project is close to its
goal, but needs about $5,000 to assure
the remodeling of the kitchen and fellowship hall proceeds as planned.
Home-made desserts topped off the
Hy-Vee catered spaghetti, salad and
bread immediately following worship.
The scheduled deadline for donations is November 30, but gifts will
continue to be accepted throughout the
rest of the year if necessary.
Construction is scheduled to begin
the first week of January by Sandy
Cunningham Construction, with completion in time for our Easter breakfast
hosting of the congregation from Midway Heights Baptist Church.
Our Kitchen Cabinet, left to right, Nedra Moreau, Beth Luetjen, Louise Stanley, and Kathy Koehler, have coordinated the
funding and planning for the remodeling of the kitchen and
Fellowship Hall.
The event was truly a family affair, with generations of adults, children and grandchildren enjoying the food and the recreational activities
available at our church.
4
Locust Leaves
Intentional Faith Development Opportunities
MLGUMC Adult Activities
Adult Sunday School is a facilitated study of a
book called Renegade Gospel by Mike Slaughter. The book will show you how to be a renegade
for the true Jesus.
A small group of men are wanted and needed to
study and to learn from a book called No Men
Left Behind by Patrick Morley. The book tells
how to build and sustain a thriving Men’s Ministry
in your church. We need men here for a fall 2015
start. Sign up with Gary Hughes and get a book.
Continuing growth and education is important.
Please come join us!
GROW in FAITH by your ACTIONS
Ambassador qualification - Four church members have already completed all four introductive
faith courses to qualify as a MLGUMC Church
“Ambassador at Large.” The courses introduce
you to our church and starts you thinking about
how to Bring, Connect and Serve God’s people.
Enhancing our faith is a great way to increase our
ability to serve God. Are you ready to start? All
you need to do is to contact Gary Hughes for the
courses.
Our church’s four recurring courses in
INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT:
Class 101 - Discovering MLGUMC Church
This course was developed to orient new members, mature youth and others interested in our
church history and beliefs. Next course is scheduled at 9:15-10:15 am November 7th, 2015 at
church.
Class 201 - Growing in Christ
This course was developed to focus on personal
growth in being like Christ in attitude and behavior. The course uses the Five G’s of Grace,
Growth, Group, Gifts and Good Stewardship to
provide examples of how you can change. This
course is scheduled for 9:15-10:15 am November
15th at church.
Class 301 - Spiritual Gifts
This course was developed to find your personal spiritual gifts that have been given by God.
The course is tentatively scheduled for three
sessions in January 2016. This is an excellent
course that all can benefit from attending and participating in.
Class 401 - Calling to Mission
This course was developed to help each
individual find a personal mission for your spiritual gifts.
This course is being scheduled for January
2016 at church.
The Intentional Faith Development (IFD)
Small Group has developed a ministry that will
help us grow in faith outside of weekly worship.
IFD members have developed four foundational
classes that will cover the basics of our Christian
faith and our United Methodist beliefs and structure, as well as our program opportunities. After
completions of the four classes, members will be
promoted to “Ambassador at Large” for Jesus
Christ.
Future MLGUMC Adult Activities
A new Marriage Group based on an Alpha
Marriage course will be offer in February 2016.
The meetings will be scheduled by the group. This
effort focuses on couples talking and not group
discussions, and includes casual, fun fellowship.
If you are interested in participating in a marriage
group in 2016, talk to Gary or Kathy Hughes.
An Alpha course may be taught at the New
Horizon UMC church later this year.
Our Intentional Faith development (IFD) Small
Group needs people to support and to develop
2016 IFD Dreams for the church. IFD needs people with a variety of spiritual gifts and talents to
teach courses, plan meals, facilitate Alpha and
Marriage events, lead Sunday school classes and
many other activities. Tentative dream schedules
are being arranged. These faith development efforts depend upon you challenging yourself to
help our church family CONNECT with others to
lead them into a relationship with Jesus Christ,
and further strengthen faith in individuals in our
community. Have IDEAS?? Contact Gary Hughes
or Margaret Preus.
In Christ,
Gary Hughes
Locust Leaves
5
November 2015
Rhett Emerson O’Neal
September 30, 2015
1 Leon Brown
1 Ann Elder
6 Brendan Rost
7 Dani Brown
7 Betsy Wharton
11 Kristopher Rankin
12 Glenna Johnson
24 Michelle O’Neal
27 Alyson Price
November is named for
the ninth (novem) month
of the Julian calendar,
prescribed by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. It became
the 11th month on the
Gregori an cal endar,
which was introduced by
Pope Gregory XIII in
1582. It was adopted by
England and the American colonies in 1752.
If someone’s name does not appear here
and they do have a birthday this month,
please let Kim know by email
and she will update our records.
Rhett Emerson O’Neal makes his first appearance at church October 25 with mom and dad, Michelle and Travis O’Neal. Rhett was born on September 30 at 5:01 a.m., weighing 7 lbs. 3 oz and
measuring 20.5 inches long.
Big sister, Dalli, is in love and a big helper to
mommy and daddy. Others in his MLGUMC family are grandparents Joe and Hope Burkart and
great-grandmother Jerry French. Let’s welcome
Rhett to our church family.
Kathy Hughes is recovering at home from major back surgery, and faces an expected five to six
week recuperation. While it is a bit early for visits
at this time, cards and notes would be appreciated,
and can be sent to Kathy at 7101 North Sycamore
Creek Road, Rocheport, MO 65279.
Know something nice about someone?
Let us know about it
for KUDOS.
We Welcome . . .
Rev. Dennis welcomes the newest members of our
congregation October 18.
Brittany Clayborn,
Cloie Clayborn, Abbie Clayborn, Deb Patterson,
and Chris Patterson became members following
worship. Please welcome our new members to the
Locust Grove UMC family.
6
Locust Leaves
Looking ahead to looking back
With the remodeling of the kitchen and fellowship hall set to begin with
the new year, it seems appropriate to look back at the arrival of the facilities.
The photo above shows the new addition to the west side of the sanctuary
in 1954. It has been expanded twice since then.
In 1950, the Rev. J.D. Randolph was assigned as minister in charge of the
Rocheport Circuit, which included the churches in Rocheport, Woodlandville
and Midway. In the spring of 1951, Sunday School, which had been closed for
a short time, was reopened, with Buford Watson as superintendent. Attendance increased rapidly, and classes became too large for the small Sunday
School rooms available.
The confusion of several classes meeting in the same room, along with the
need for dining space for church suppers prompted thoughts of an addition to
the church. Rev. Randolph had promoted building projects at numerous other
churches, and pushed forward with the addition.
A building committee was organized in October of 1951, with Lance Henderson as chair. Virgil Koch, a contractor and church member, agreed to build
the 30 x 40 foot wing joining the sanctuary to the west. A 12 x 28 foot kitchen
was to be built on the north and the old kitchen to be remodeled into a Sunday
School and furnace room. In addition to generous cash donations, Koch donated back the $300 contractor’s fee allowed by the building committee.
A total of $9,263.09 was received through cash donations, Lord’s Auction
and anniversary gifts. A gift of $300 and a loan was obtained from the Church
Conference Board. In less than a year after the loan was received, it was paid
off on December 28, 1953.
An open house was held on June 14, 1953, with Bishop and Mrs. Ivan Lee
Holt attending. The building was dedicated on June 6, 1954, with Bishop Holt
giving the address.
An education wing of six classrooms was added to the building in 1966,
and was expanded by the addition of eight more classrooms and three restrooms in 1990.
Work is schedule to begin on the remodeling the first week of January,
2016, with completion planned in time for Easter services.
Locust Leaves
7
Community events important use of welcome center
In addition to church activities, dinners, and
fellowship, the remodeled welcome center will be
an important asset to the community.
A good example of this use was a reception October 25 for the introduction of new book on the
seven one-room schools that consolidated into the
present Midway Heights Elementary School in
1957.
Mike Trial and Yolanda Ciolli chose to hold the
introduction of their book in the heart of where the
subject matter occurred. Our church was the perfect choice, and two hours of reminiscing with former classmates from decades earlier was a true
indication of the value of preserving our past.
The book reviews each of the seven schools,
Midway, Linden, Everett, Lathrop, Valley Springs,
Hickory Grove, and Huntsdale. with photos of
many of the classes of the 1940s and ‘50s.
At left, Daryle Moreau points out his position in
the Valley Springs photo on the cover of the book.
The event was an extravaganza of renewing acquaintances from more than half a century ago in
Boone County’s one-room school houses.
8
Locust Leaves
Volunteers are needed Nov. 14
for packing and loading household
Help is needed to support Bill and Jane DeGeal’s
move to Texas on Saturday November 14 from 9
to about 11 AM . They are long time members of
our church and now live at Lenoir Independent Living apartments in Columbia. Their children will take
the DeGeal’s things by U-Haul to a new care facility
in Texas.
If you can help, please call Gary Hughes for details at 573-874-6740.
November 11, 2015
What is it about Second Tuesday?
Of course, it’s the lunch at Locust Grove. But
is it the fellowship, the great food carried in just to
share with friends, or the creative table decorations
by Helen Brown (a door
prize winner at left)? Or
is it Mary Kaye’s fabulous door prizes awarded
following the meal? It
may be a different answer
for each person there;
you’ll just have to find
out for yourself on the
second Tuesday of each month, noon to 1:00 p.m.
Mark your calendar to join us.
Midway Locust Grove UMC has long been a fellowship of service. For some of our members and
their families, that has included service in the U.S.
Armed Forces. For this Veterans Day, we would
like to recognize those among us who have served
in any branch of the military.
Please send the veteran's name, branch of service, and years of service or era in which they
served (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, etc.)
to Beth and Michele Hager-Harrison-Prado at
[email protected], or pass the info
along at church no later than Thursday, November
5th. Thanks!
Wesley Covenant Prayer
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou are mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
Locust Leaves
The Evidence of Things Not Seen
“Then it came to pass that Lazarus the beggar
died, and was carried by the Angels into Abraham’s bosom; the rich man also died, and was
buried. And in Hell the rich man lifted up his eyes,
being tormented, and saw Abraham far off, with
Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out: ‘Father
Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus,
that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and
cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame’.
But Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in
your lifetime received good things, and Lazarus
evil things, but now he is comforted, and you are
tormented. … Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore,
Father, that you would send Lazarus to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he
may testify to them, lest they also come to this
place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They
have Moses and the prophets; let them hear
them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if
one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31
But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses
and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded
though one rise from the dead.’ ” Luke 16: 22-31.
“4
Now there are many gifts, but one Spirit;
5
and there are varieties of service, but the same
Lord; 6 and there are many activities, but it is the
same God who empowers them all in everyone.
7
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit
for the common good. 8 For to one is given
through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to
another the utterance of knowledge according to
the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same
Spirit…. 11 All these are empowered by one and
the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. “Corinthians 12:4–9, 11.
“It’s what you don’t see that matters most”,
a solemn voice intones most mornings, as I listen
to the local newscast. Although this is actually an
advertisement for a local foundation company, I
find that as I listen, it reminds me of an important
spiritual concept: the importance of faith.
At one time in my life, I didn’t have much
faith. When I was younger, I prized my independence and self-sufficiency. I had lost my Father at a
young age, and my Mother and I had never been
close. After I finished College, I took pride in my
ability to support myself and live on my own.
Like so many young people, I felt invincible. But,
after I encountered severe health crises involving
9
a multiple pregnancy, and later my husband’s
health problems, I turned to prayer. To my surprise, I really felt that my prayers were being heard
and answered. My faith began to grow.
Today, even though my life, like all of yours, is
by no means easy, it brings much joy as well as
challenge. And, I couldn’t imagine getting through
my day without prayer. My faith is the rock that I
cling to. As Dennis continually urges us to do, I
have tried to share my faith with others who do not
have a church home. However, if you have tried to
talk about God with a non-believer, you know
what a challenge this truly is. A non-believer will
put forward every possible argument as to why
God doesn’t exist, why belief in God is illogical,
that a just God would not have created an unfair
world, and finish by stating that there is no “proof”
of God, and that they will only believe if they have
incontrovertible proof.
Yet, as Jesus illustrated in the parable of the
Rich man and the poor beggar Lazarus, if one does
not believe when presented with credible testimony and prophecy, one will not believe even if
presented with a risen body brought back to life!
Indeed, we all know that story of doubting Thomas, but he did come to believe when he saw the
risen Christ. As Jesus gently admonished him,
“You have seen and believed, Thomas. Blessed are
those who have not seen, and yet believe”.
But as Paul reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians, faith is a gift. Some are given Faith as spiritual gift, seemingly effortlessly, but the rest of us
have to develop it. We trudge through life, sometimes feeling like Sisyphus, the Greek mythological king of Corinth, forever pushing rocks uphill
only to watch them roll back down again. But, if
we turn to God through prayer, and feel his love
and answering support, our faith will grow. And
every time we call on The Lord, and feel his presence in our lives, our Faith gets stronger, step by
step.
Why is Faith so vital? If we truly believe, we
will feel “ the assurance of things hoped for”. The
certainty that there is a God, that he loves us, and
that one day we will see him face to face. That one
day, we will be re-united with those we dearly love
and have lost. One day, we will no longer feel
physical or emotional pain. One day, we will truly
understand God’s plan for not only our individual
lives, but for the whole universe. One day, we will
be continually bathed in the Love of God and the
peace that passes understanding.
For as Paul said, “Faith is the evidence of
things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). When the Holy
Spirit enters our lives, we are no longer spiritually
blind. And, I believe, it is what we don’t see that
matters most.
10
Locust Leaves
By
Mary Kaye
Baumann
Ramen Noodle Slaw
Several months ago we had some fellow
“Edheads” (fans of Carl Edwards) from Tennessee drop by for a visit. Among the “goodies” they
brought was a Ramen Noodle Salad. It was delicious! She gave me the recipe, which follows.
Ramen Noodle Slaw
2 3-oz. pkgs. of chicken flavor Ramen noodles
1 16-oz package of coleslaw mix
1 cup toasted sliced almonds
1 cup toasted unsalted sunflower seed kernels
1 cup toasted pine nuts
½ bunch chopped green onions
½ cup sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
Before opening, crush Ramen noodles into
small pieces. Open packages and set aside flavor
packets.
Place noodles in large mixing bowl. Add slaw,
nuts and green onions.
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, oil, vinegar, and contents of the flavor packets. Pour over
slaw, mix and chill overnight.
P.S. Over the years I have collected many
cookbooks and cooking magazines, and I hate
to throw them away so am offering them to
anyone who wants them. They will be located
at the church under the “FREE” sign. Please
help yourself.
Join us for 2nd Tuesday Lunch
One of the pleasures of these monthly lunches is
to see how Helen Brown decorates our tables. The
other pleasures include good food, good fellowship and door prizes. Mark your calendars for
noon on second Tuesdays.
Poet’s
Corner
Old Dogs
As we go thru our lives from day to day,
We make friends, we make not friends, come what may.
But there is one life form I wish to expound,
Few things are as endearing as an old hound.
Old dogs come in all shapes, patterns and sizes,
On birthdays and holidays, they never ask
what the prize is.
On days that are hot, and days that are cold,
An old dog’s tail wag beats a pot full of gold.
They acquire the wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job,
Seeking only acceptance, and a scratch on the ear lobe.
They know when we’re up, they know when we’re low,
I can’t figure out how, these things they just know.
They’re happy to greet us, ready to extend a paw,
In our absence, they’re content to lay around in straw.
We keep them in water, we keep them in food,
They repay our kindness by improving our mood.
What they could tell us, if only they could talk,
They might even say something funny
when out on a walk.
Of the things I have seen, and things I have found,
Few things are as endearing as an old hound.
Earl Waddell
One Path
We come to this day and this place
By separate garden paths.
We come with shared dreams,
In search of a shared life.
Our two paths have become one,
As we do with our wedding vows.
We have come by separate paths,
And are joined by hand and heart
On the single path to our future.
Gene Baumann
Locust Leaves
Please re-confirm dates
and times of listed events.
Check Worship bulletins
for events not posted
on this calendar.
11
Give us your events
for our December calendar
Midway Locust Grove
United Methodist Church
2600 N. Locust Grove Church Rd.
Columbia, MO 65202
Pastor: Rev. Dennis Harper
Church phone: 573-445-4667
Parsonage phone: 573-446-9264
Pastor’s cell phone: 816-769-3705
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Office: Kim Nielsen,
[email protected]
Find the hidden cross in this issue.
Visit our Web Site: www.midwaylocustgrove.com
Volume 28 Issue 11 November 2015
Our Mission
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Bring people to Jesus Christ
By embracing our community with God’s love and grace.
Connect people to Jesus Christ
By encouraging people to grow in faith through prayer,
fellowship, study, and worship.
Serve people in the name of Jesus Christ
Join us for lunch,
12:00 noon
Tuesday, November 10.
Bring a dish to share.
By empowering ministries of compassion and outreach.
Locust Leaves Editor: Gene Baumann
[email protected]
445-1998
Kitchen project nears finish line to goal
For the last update before press time for
Locust Leaves, the Kitchen/Fellowship
Hall remodeling project had reached just
nearly 93% of its funding goal with
a total of $65,392 given.
The deadline for raising the funds is
November 30, with construction
to begin January 4, 2016.
Will your gift be the one to
put us over the top?
$65,392