FREEPORT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 211 Fourth Street, Freeport, Pennsylvania 16229

FREEPORT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
211 Fourth Street, Freeport, Pennsylvania 16229
Telephone and fax: 724-295-2476
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: Mon - Thurs 10:00-3:00
Jim Young, Pastor
Lisa Hanz, Secretary/Treasurer
Volume 5, No.11
from the Pews from FUMC November, 2014
Do you ever get tired of trite, simplistic, pat answers to difficult questions? I do. I saw this on
Facebook today:
The sentiment is sweet and in many cases, most in
fact, the message holds true: faith does enable us to
cope, trying times usually do pass; patience often
leads to fulfilled dreams and living through pain
certainly produces endurance, character and hope.
(Romans 5:3-4)
However, there are times when real life throws us a
curveball we just can’t hit: chronic pain with no
realistic relief in sight, tragic and unexpected loss
that defies explanation, a diagnosis of a cruel and
terminal illness, brutal memories that never seem to
fade. When we face situations such as these trite,
simplistic, pat answers fall flat and can even be
hurtful. Where do we turn to find the support we
need in situations that are beyond our own strength? Where do we find hope when there isn’t
any to find?
As a pastor, I’m expected to have a pretty good handle on how our system of belief responds to
difficult, seemingly hopeless circumstances. For example, the Christian doctrine of faith is
foundational; we base our message of salvation and the promise of eternal life on putting one’s
faith (trust, belief, confidence) in the forgiveness of sin through Jesus’ work on the cross and
His victory over death on the Day of Resurrection. It is that faith that tells us that ultimately, no
matter what happens here on earth, we have a glorious hope that is beyond our wildest
imaginations. When we wrestle with life and death issues it is this promise to which we cling.
Having faith in Christ is the central message of the entire Bible; it is THE GOOD NEWS, in all
times, in all places, for all people.
But how does that help me get through today when I hurt so bad I can’t stand up, or my mind is
in such turmoil that I can’t think straight, or I’m so depressed I don’t even want to get out of
bed? Solid doctrine and sound theology are great, but today I need something more.
When we are in a sincerely difficult, seemingly hopeless place what we typically crave is a
friend and companion; someone to lean on and hold us, someone to understand our tears,
frustration and anger, someone to love us in the midst of our brokenness, someone that doesn’t
expect us to just “get over it” or “get right with God and get ‘happy’”, someone that accepts our
humanness, just as we are – not only as we “should be”.
You have probably heard me say something like, “true Christianity is not a religion, it is a
relationship.”
The difference between religion and relationship is the difference between:
 Being a member of the church and being a child of the living God.
 Knowing the autobiography and knowing the One Who wrote of the Book.
 Understanding systematic theology and having the Spirit give you understanding.
 Measuring people by the rules and being forgiven when you don’t measure up.
 Seeing God as the Law Giver and knowing the Lord as “Lover of my soul”.
 Knowing the doctrinally ‘right’ answers and knowing that you are truly loved.
Religion is impersonal, cold, analytical, calculated, intellectual, and ultimately lifeless.
Religion provides the unyielding framework for pat answers; religion establishes simplistic
absolutes that compress people’s lives into uncomfortable contortions or forces them to
compartmentalize secular from sacred, church from state, Sunday morning from the rest of the
week.
But a relationship with God is everything religion is not. Relationship is personal, heart-felt,
honest, flexible, forgiving, encouraging, and life-giving; relationship gives you a Friend and
Companion that walks with you through all of life.
Our minds may want some religion, but our souls hunger for relationship, especially when that
curveball is headed in our direction.
If you are going through one of those times when circumstances are overwhelming, my prayer
is that the Lord wraps His arms around your soul, providing perfect peace; may your Friend
give you His comfort and His strength; may you catch a glimpse of how much He loves you.
If your life is ‘good’ right now, that’s great. Nonetheless, I encourage you to seek His presence
and cultivate a deep, personal connection with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Learn to discern
His voice, see His movement in and around your life, and obey His guidance; because,
someday, you will need that Someone to lean on that you can call ‘Friend’.
Sincerely in Jesus’ Name,
Pastor Jim
GREETERS
2 – Jim and Margie Swartz
9 – Chuck and Debbie Sarver
16 – Alex and Janeann DeLeon
23 – Grace Fatchet
30 – Gayle Brenneman
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LAY READERS
2 – Cassandra Steinke
9 – Cassandra Steinke
16 – Edith Smock
23 – Edith Smock
30 – Elaine Brenneman
********************
NURSERY ATTENDANTS
2 – Janene DeLeon & Shannon Murdock
9 – Janene DeLeon & Gayle Brenneman
16 – Janene DeLeon & Ashley Kuhn
23 – Janene DeLeon & Mandy Crytzer
30 – Janene DeLeon & Dee Baum
********************
CHANCEL FLOWERS
2 – Grace VanDyke
9 – Harry Crytzer
16 – Paul Mainhart
23 – Jason and Gayle Furer
30 – Curt and Suzanne Frampton
******************
BIRTHDAYS IN NOVEMBER
2 – John Geist
- Suzanne Frampton
4 – Judith Mitchell
6 – Debbie Sarver
7 – Grace McQueen*
8 – Matthew Fergus
9 – Ella Mae Beale*
11 - Carol Hale
- Cole Clepper
13 – Renee Alchier
- Hope Albaugh
17 - Larry Smith*
18 - Sabrina Surgil
20 – Joni Lauffer
21 - Jackson Murdock
26 - Jane Bures Hunt
27 - Zane Geist
*******************
* -Denotes the 80 and over club. Please wish these
people a special happy birthday!
**If we do not include your birthday, it is probably
because we do not have the date on file. If you do
want your birthday published, be sure that the
office.
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MEMBERS AT HOME
These are the “members-at-home” for the month of
November. Since they are unable to get out and
come to church, a card, letter, or a visit from you
would be greatly appreciated.
November
2 - Sue Snyder
Rosebrook
723 South Pike Road
Sarver, PA 16055
9 – Georgeanne Swartz
Chicora Medical Center
160 Medical Center Road
1st Floor – Fairgrounds 314-B
Chicora, PA 16025-2612
16 - Harrison and Ella Mae Beale
593 Freeport Road
Freeport, PA 16229
23 - Mardelle Humes
190 Parker Road
Sarver, PA 16055
30 - Amber and Tina Peck
617 Shook Drive
Freeport, PA 16229
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COMMUNION STEWARD
-Lenora Hancock-
Remember, on Sunday November 2, daylight
savings time ends. Make sure you turn your clocks
back one hour on Saturday, November 1st . (So
you’re on time for church and Sunday school)
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OUR FAITHFULNESS AT WORSHIP
DAY
10/5/14
10/12/14
10/19/14
10/26/14
TOTAL
83
71
77
68
Average
75
Please come and join us on Sunday!
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The names of the members of our congregation
who have been a member for 50 years will be
recognized on Sunday, November 2nd . The
people who will be acknowledged this year is Linda
DeMeno and Diana Risch. Last year’s 50-year
member was Anne Bish.
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VITAL STATISTICS
Anniversaries: Harry & Regina Crytzer, Nov. 1st ,
(65 years).
Michael & Casie Rock, November 5th .
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The Freeport Food Bank is always looking for
volunteers. If you are interested in helping, below
are some ways you can assist:
Distribution to clients: 1st Tuesday of each month:
4 to 6 p.m. at the VFW (lifting required)
The commemoration of All Saints Day will be held
on Sunday, November 2nd at the 10:45 a.m.
worship service. During this special service, the
names of the members of our congregation and
any loved ones who have passed away during the
year will be remembered. A family member or
friend will receive a rose in their remembrance.
The members of the congregation and loved ones
we hold in remembrance for All Saints Day are
Janice Strausser, Harold Donnell, Fern
Ruppersberger, Ruth Hale, John Costantino
“Cossy” (Sue Bowser’s father), Fred Swartz, and
Jim Donner (Kathy Young’s father). Please join us
on November 2nd for this meaningful worship
service.
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Food Bank Board Meeting: 2nd Tuesday of each
month: at FUMC at 9:00 a.m.
Food delivery: 2nd Friday of the month: 11 am – 12
noon (lifting required)
Food delivery: Last Tuesday of the month at the
VFW from 9 – 10 a.m. (lifting required)
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Our Sunday School children will be distributing
grocery bags in Church on Sunday, November 2nd
for you to fill with non-perishable food items, paper
products, bath soap, etc. If you would like to
donate, please bring filled bags to the Church by
Sunday, November 16th. You may place your bags
in the Narthex (to the left) as you enter the Church.
Thank you, in advance, for your help for those in
need in our community.
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Anyone who would like to rent the social hall for
showers, birthday parties, etc. should call the office
at (724) 295-2476, and we will take down the
information to bring it to the Administrative Board
for final approval. Thank you.
Just a reminder, anyone who would like to use the
social hall for any event, please call the office to
make sure that date is open to avoid any conflicts
since the calendar may change from when the
newsletter goes out. Thank you.
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This November newsletter mailing includes a
special Thanksgiving offering envelope. Please
drop it in the offering plate or mail it to Freeport
UMC, 211 Fourth Street, Freeport, PA 16229.
Thank you for your support. If you are receiving
your newsletter by email, it will be in the November
2nd bulletin.
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On Tuesday, October 21st, Joann Singer, Edith
Smock, Colleen Crytzer, and Gayle Brenneman
went visiting some of our members-at-home who
are no longer able to come to church as they would
like.
First on the list was Jim Cattley. After a lot of
driving (we weren’t sure where we were going) and
some directions from Mr. Cattley, who we had to
call on the phone (thank goodness for cell phones),
we found the house (next time we will follow the
GPS). Jim would like to be with us for Sunday
worship more, but is unable to drive that far
anymore. He recalled about his experience when
coming to choir practice in which he had no brakes
coming down Freeport Hill and wrecked his car. It
was a scary experience for him. We had a very
nice visit and learned more about Jim’s family and
his grandchildren and children.
We left Mr. Cattley’s and went to Longwood where
Dick and Betty Wilson live. We had a nice lunch
and Betty got caught up on the news from Freeport.
We then went to see Dick at their apartment and had
a very nice visit with them.
Our last visit was to see Edith Beale at the
Presbyterian Senior Care Home. Edith is going to
be 94 on her next birthday. She was very delightful
to talk to. She knows and remembers a lot about
Freeport. Edith told us about going to Detroit to
live with her uncle during the war. She was one of
Rosie the Riveters (working on the airplanes) and
after a short while, became an inspector. It was a
great story, and if you know Edith at all, you know
it must have been very hard for her to leave her
family and friends and go away to Detroit. When
she came back from Detroit, she married Harold
Beale. They were almost married for 25 years (he
passed away the day before their 25th wedding
anniversary). Edith misses Freeport terribly, but
realizes she has to be at the home, and she likes her
surroundings and says she enjoys the people.
All in all, it was a great day for all of us. I think we
on the visiting team received as much enjoyment
from the visits as our members-at-home do. We
would like more volunteers on the visiting team. If
you think you would enjoy it as much as we do,
please contact anyone from the visitation team
(Joann Singer, Gayle Brenneman, Dolores Fowler,
Dee Baum, Lenora Hancock, Edith Smock, and our
newest member, Colleen Crytzer).
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TURKEY & BISCUIT DINNER
Freeport Kiwanis and will hold a turkey and biscuit
dinner on Saturday, November 8th from 4 – 7 pm at
the Freeport United Methodist Church benefiting
the Freeport Area High School Swim Team.
The price is as follows: (Take out is available)
Adults: $8.00
Children 6 and under : FREE
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SPAGHETTI DINNER BENEFIT
donate a baked good, please email Joe Weltner at
[email protected]. For more
information on the Freeport Grows Community
Garden, please visit their website:
http://freeportgrwoscg.wix.com/freeportgrows
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CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
It is time once again to order poinsettias to
decorate the sanctuary for Christmas.
If you would like to provide a poinsettia(s) in
memory of or in honor of a loved one, friend or
even a Sunday school class or teacher, please
complete the order form below, tear off and place it
in the offering plate or return it to the church office.
The Freeport Renaissance Association is sponsoring
this event but this is a benefit for the Freeport
Grows Garden.
DEADLINE for ordering is November 30th . Make
checks payable to: Freeport United Methodist
Church. Indicate for “poinsettias”. PAYMENT
MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR ORDER.
Freeport Grows Community Garden is a Gold
Award project for Freeport Senior High School
student Riley Farneth. The garden will be located
on 5th Street beside Wolfie’s Pizza Hearth.
THE COST IS $7.50 per plant. You have two color
choices (red or white) of a 6” potted poinsettia.
Please fill in how many of each color you want.
Riley can only accept a maximum of $250 total in
donations; however, she can receive gift cards and
supply donations with no limit.
She is working very hard and getting this
community garden put together, but changes in
some details have made her occur more costs than
anticipated. A few of us on the FRA thought it
would be a great gesture to her and the community
to put this spaghetti dinner on for her to raise funds.
ALL proceeds will go towards her cause.
When: Sunday, November 16th from 12pm –
6pm
Where: Freeport United Methodist Church
Social Hall
Tickets:
$7.00 presale (Tickets are on sale at The Canvas
and Freeport Area Library)
$8.00 at the door
Eat in or take out
We are also having a $1.00 dessert table.
We can always use your help! If you are interested
in volunteering to help at this event or would like to
IN HONOR OF
_____________________________________
IN HONOR OF
_____________________________________
IN MEMORY OF
_____________________________________
IN MEMORY OF
_____________________________________
COLOR/HOW MANY:
RED______________ WHITE ____________
GIVEN BY
_____________________________________
PHONE NO.___________________________
AMOUNT INCLUDED $7.50 @ x
___________________ = _______________
(How Many)
(Total)
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