The Chimes - East Lake United Methodist Church

The Chimes
October 2015
Volume 56, Issue 10
In the neighborhood for good!
What About Jesus?
I was in a coffee shop a while back talking with a church member about the
various ministries of the church. We discussed the outreach, mission and discipleship programs – the diner, the mission trips, and the Bible studies. I was
excited about the newest program of offering breakfast on Sunday mornings. I
said, “We just need to find a way to reach more people.” A man at the table
next to us stood up and said, with a bit of an attitude, “How about Jesus?”
I must admit, it made me mad. First of all, he was eavesdropping – a skill
at which I excel, but am not so happy when it’s turned on me. Secondly, it upset me that he was assuming that he knew anything at all about us. And third,
it made me mad, that maybe… just maybe… he was right. What if maybe, for
a moment, in all my excitement about what we do and the energy it takes to
do it, my focus had shifted from the main thing to something else. Wow!
We have a loving, inclusive congregation here. We do more programs here
than most people think should be possible. But the only thing that really
matters is, are we offering people the love of Jesus? Are we so filled with the
peace of Christ, with the love beyond our imagining, that we can’t help but
share it? Do people hear it in our voices? See it in our faces? Know it in our
actions? Do people come here because we have something they are missing? Do they have to come here to get it or are we taking it to them
wherever they are?
I am reminded of a song by Scott Wesley Brown that says:
I could wish you joy and peace to last a whole life long
I could wish you sunshine or a cheerful little song
Or wish you all the happiness that this life could bring
But I wish you Jesus, more than anything
Cause when I wish you Jesus, I've wished you everything!
In all the wonderful things we do, with all the people we meet, may our
purpose always and only be to share the love, and the hope of Jesus.
Peace,
Sally
FIRST: Putting God first
in living and giving, our
stewardship program for
2015, will begin on Sunday,
October 25 and continue
through Sunday, November
15. You are invited to a
churchwide study during
the Sunday School hour
each of these four
Sundays, culminating in
our Commitment Sunday
on November 22. Please
make plans to join us in
Wesley Hall at 10 a.m. for
this important time.
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October 2015
Finance Update
Budgeted pledges for August: $21,926
Pledged gifts received in August: $18,810
Income for August from all sources: $48,775
Total Expenses for August: $41,329
Great news! The deficit was reduced by
$7446 in August due in part to $11,129 in
income for the Diner and Bakery.
Welcome to the family of God!
We are excited to announce the baptism of Derick
LeMont King, a member of our youth group, and his
brother Joshua Mikel McKinney, on Sunday,
September 27, in the 9:00 service. Their mom, Shun
Hardy, along with several other family members, stood
with the boys as they took this important step in their faith
journey. Welcome, Derick and Joshua!
2015 deficit through August ($10,360)
Our Third Annual Golf Tournament
was another success!
More details to come in
next month’s Chimes!
Millenials & GenXers!
Greetings to all the GenX* and Millennial** folks in our community!
We have talked for some time about gathering monthly for fellowship and connection. It's hard to pick a time and event that suits
everybody, but let that not stop us from trying. This month we will
join together for dinner on Saturday, October 24 at 5:00 at Los
Arcos Mexican restaurant. It's in the Crestwood Festival Center
across from Home Depot. If you can make it, let me know by e-mail
([email protected]) so we can have enough room to eat
together. And if you can't make it, but are interested in future events,
let me know so we can keep you in the loop. We'll vary it up by
day, time, and event so that hopefully everybody can make it at
least some of the time.
Jennifer Sanders
*Gen X – those born between 1965 and 1980
**Millennials – those born between 1981 and 1997
East Lake United Methodist Church
7753 First Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35206
(205) 836-3201 (church office)
(205) 836-3203 (FAX)
Rev. Sally Allocca – (205)821-8804
Rev. Cheryl Hinnen – (205)532-0494
Barry Norris – (205) 540-1820
Jane Phares – (205)821-8632
www.eastlakeunitedmethodist.org
4 Chimes
The
The Chimes
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News from Rev. Cheryl
This October, our youth are looking forward to fun and games in addition to the opportunity for spiritual renewal!
Our youth are meeting with our joint youth group on Sunday, October 4, at Avondale UMC. The youth Discovery
Weekend Retreat is coming up October 16-18. This year, our Discovery Retreat theme is "Refresh." Our youth
are invited to "refresh" their spiritual lives as we explore God's love through the sacraments. You may support our
youth participants during the weekend in four ways:
1. Pray for all youth and retreat volunteers.
2. Write letters of support for the youth (names available on Sunday, October 11).
3. Attend the Discovery Prayer service at East Lake UMC on Saturday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m.
4. Cook/serve dinner for the youth on Saturday, October 17.
As always, our children's Halloween Carnival will be held on Saturday, October 31, from 5-7 p.m. Please help us
to get the word out and collect candy, snacks, or school supplies for our big event! We will set up carnival
decorations on Thursday, October 29, from 10 a.m. - noon. Volunteers are needed for setup and working shifts on
the night of the event.
Our church and extended East Lake family members are invited to join us for a picnic on the lawn on Wednesday,
October 7, from 5-6 p.m. We will have dinner and lawn games on the front lawn of the church. Please plan to
bring a potluck dish to share .
Grace and peace,
Cheryl
Music Notes ’midst Organ-izing
Fall is finally here! For those of you who prefer one of the other three as your
favorite season, you’ll just have to give me a pass as I revel in this time of year. It
seems that we all have several times to begin again. There’s of course the first of
January on the calendar. Then there’s the Sunday of Advent 1, which begins our
church’s liturgical new year. For many, autumn is a time of new beginnings; the
sleepy times of summer are done; the academic year begins; things just get off to
a fresh start.
That’s certainly true here at the church. The choir is going back to the early
8:00 rehearsal time on Sunday mornings. We’re learning some new anthems, and
will soon also be practicing on Saturday mornings as we prepare for the Lessons and Carols service on December 20,
only twelve weeks from now. I’m also beginning a small organ repair project at my parents’ church. And just to catch
you up elsewhere, the first phase of the St. Andrews project mentioned two months ago is complete, and they are
thrilled!
Lastly, allow me to offer my deep thanks, profound gratitude. In the last 2 ½ years my dear mother and aunt, three
more significant parental figures, two beloved choir members, and a month ago my feline soul mate, THOR, have all
passed away. Without any exaggeration, I don’t see how I could have made it without you, my beloved church. Your
memorials, cards, calls, and most importantly, your love, have sustained me. In the book of Job, we are reminded
that "in His hand are the souls of every living thing." As Bach loved to say, "To God alone be the glory!
I love you all so very much,
Barry
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October 2015
ADULT MINISTRIES
Joymakers in October!
Joymakers, we have something new for October!
On Tuesday, October 13 (yes, Tuesday), we’ll go to
brunch at Another Broken Egg restaurant in
Mountain Brook Village. It’s a very nice breakfast
place (but you can get a hamburger if you’re ready
for lunch at 10 a.m.!) Some of the fancier dishes
are a little pricey for our usual places (and the
servings are HUGE), but if you just want something
like eggs and bacon, or a couple of pancakes, the
prices are very reasonable.
Let’s meet at the
church to leave at 9:40 in
order to be there by 10.
And if you think you might
want to split a fancy entrée
with someone, bring along
a friend!
BOOMERS!
We had so much fun last year that we must do it
again! Wear a costume or not—but there will be
prizes for the best! Friday night, October 23, at 6
p.m. in the Diner. Bring some creepy eats!
OCTOBER Birthdays
1
2
3
*Roy Miller
4
5
6
7
8
*Janice Rivers
*Laure Smith
9
*Lou Stegall
10
11
*Susie Knedlik
12
13
14
15
*Yvonne
Duncan
16
*Henry
Williams
17
18
19
20
*Carol Rigsby
21
*Vernon King
22
23
*Lois
McCraven
24
25
26
27
*Eric Carey
28
*Tom Duley
29
*Jessica
Fountain
30
*Andy Hooper
31
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“Keep on praying for the saints . . .”
Ephesians 6:18
Please pray for the members of our church family who
have had surgery, who have been in the hospital or
rehab during the last month, or who are currently in
the hospital or in rehab at press time:
Wavernia Luster
Louise Powell
Gary Sandridge
Marge Vandine
We extend our sympathies . . .
To Wavernia, Ja’Leshia (Angel), and Curtis
Luster in the death of their daughter and sister,
Reina Harris Johnson on September 20.
To Jimmy and Carol Smith in the loss of Evelyn
Lindsay, who passed away on September 25.
Evelyn was a member of the church her whole life, a
leader, and a much loved part of our church family.
Please keep these families in your prayers.
.
Memorials & Honoraria
Gifts have been given to the church in memory of:
Charlotte “Bonnie” Hassell
Steve & Stephanie Holcomb
Judy Jolly
Sara & Robert Jemison
Jerry Ray
Tricia Ray Hill & others
Jean Price
Madelon & Fred Rushing
Charles Walker
The Walker Family
I thank my God every time I
remember you
Philippians 1:3
Worship Attendance in September
Here is the report of our worship attendance during the past month.
Sunday, September 6
9:00 a.m. – 55
11:00 a.m. – 48
Total in worship – 103
Sunday, September 13
9:00 a.m. – 62
11:00 a.m. – 42
Total in worship – 104
Sunday, September 20
9:00 a.m. – 64
11:00 a.m. – 37
Total in worship – 101
Here are some startling statistics: Our average attendance for these first three weeks of
September is 103 people. Last year, 2014, during the same period of time, our average was 131.
What happened?! Well, over the past year we’ve had 14 deaths, but seven of those folks were
homebound and hadn’t been able to attend for an extended period. We also got 6 new members
during the last year. SO, the net was the loss of 1 attending member. Where are the rest of our
folks?
Worship is the part of our spiritual life that inspires us and strengthens us for our work in the
world as Christians. When each of us joined the church, we vowed to support the church with
our presence, among other things. Plus, we have so many exciting things coming up this fall, and
we don’t want anyone to miss out! If you know of anyone who is not attending, please give them
a call and let them know they are missed!
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October 2015
Lectionary Readings for October
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11 (CEB)
Sunday, October 4 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide
Job 1:1; 2:1-10
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Psalm 26, or Psalm 25
Mark 10:2-16
Sunday, October 11 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Hebrews 4:12-16
Psalm 22:1-15
Mark 10:17-31
Sunday, October 18 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide
Job 38:1-7
Hebrews 5:1-10
Psalm 104:1-9, 24,35c
Mark 10:35-45
Sunday, October 25 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Hebrews 7:23-28
Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22)
Mark 10:46-52
Movement & Music
(a music class for parents and
children four years old and
younger)
Saturday, October 10
10 a.m.
In the first floor meeting
room
Remember EACM in
October!
Our item is
Cornmeal!
See Sally, Jane, or Deb if you’d like to reserve a place at the table!
The Chimes
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From your lay leader . . .
Wow. What an operation we had here at the church
on Sunday, September 27, as part of Magic City Miracle!
STOP HUNGER NOW, an international humanitarian
agency based in Raleigh, North Carolina, was here, along
with our brothers and sisters from Vestavia Hills UMC,
a troop of Girl Scouts, and many more volunteers, including our bishop, Debra Wallace-Padgett! Together,
over the course of the afternoon, we packaged 34,000
meals. Let me say that again—34,000 meals! How exciting is that?! These meals will be delivered to a place in the world where there is famine, or at least
food insecurity. There could have been no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
I’ve got to give a shout out to the following folks who came and helped: Sally Allocca, Don Brice,
Karen Brice, Bob Chapman, Billy Coupland, Joy Dorriety, Mike Dorriety, Doreen Duley, David Evans,
Doug Ford, Mopsy Forsee, Tom Forsee, Shun Hardy, Mattie Lou Harrison, Carol Hay, Cheryl Hinnen,
Serenity Johnson, Victory Johnson, Frances Killingsworth, Derick King, Larry Knedlik, Susie Knedlik, Lin
Livingston, Janice Malone, Clay Morrison, Molly Morrison, Pamela Padgett, Barbara Patton, Carole
Pierce, Linda Pierce, Marshall Spencer, Connie Stone, Kathryn Stroud, Tanisha Tarver, Jane Walker,
Martha Worrell—and if I left anyone out, I’ll feature you specially in the next Chimes! There was so
much going on that it was hard to know who all was there!
My friend Denise Williams, who is the Missions Director at VHUMC, is already talking about having a
repeat in the spring—so if you couldn’t come this time, you’re in luck—you’ll have another chance!
I’m cheering for you,
Jane Phares
Joyful servants! And the hairnets were an
extra added perk!
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October 2015
October 2015
Thursday, October 1
Diner & Dominoes – 12 noon (Diner)
Wednesday, October 14
Adult Bible Study – 11 a.m. (Fireside Room)
Saturday, October 3
East Lake Market – 8 a.m. until noon
Thursday, October 15
Diner & Dominoes – 12 noon (Diner)
Sunday, October 4
Traditional worship – 9 a.m. (Sanctuary)
Sunday School – 10 a.m. (various classrooms)
Alternative worship – 11 a.m. (Wesley Hall)
Friday, October 16
Youth Discovery – through Sunday, October 18
Tuesday, October 6
Women’s Group – 5:30 p.m. (Diner)
Wednesday, October 7
Adult Bible Study – 11 a.m. (Fireside Room)
Trustees Committee meeting – 1 p.m. (back
room of the diner)
Picnic on the lawn – 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday, October 8
Diner & Dominoes – 12 noon (Diner)
PEER Harvest Feast – 6 p.m. (Gabrella Manor)
Saturday, October 10
East Lake Market – 8 a.m. until noon (last day)
Movement & Music – 10 a.m. (First floor
meeting room
Sunday, October 11
Traditional worship – 9 a.m. (Sanctuary)
Sunday School – 10 a.m. (various classrooms)
Alternative worship – 11 a.m. (Wesley Hall)
Finance Committee meeting – 2 p.m. (Office
Conference Room)
Monday, October 12
Leadership Team meeting – 10-12 noon (First
Floor meeting room)
Tuesday, October 13
Joymakers outing to Another Broken Egg – Leave
church at 9:40 a.m.
Sunday, October 18
Traditional worship – 9 a.m. (Sanctuary)
Sunday School – 10 a.m. (various classrooms)
Women’s group – 10 a.m. (Parlor)
Alternative worship – 11 a.m. (Wesley Hall)
Wednesday, October 21
Adult Bible Study – 11 a.m. (Fireside Room)
Thursday, October 22
Diner & Dominoes – 12 noon (Diner)
Friday, October 23
Boomers Halloween Party – 6 p.m. (Diner)
Saturday, October 24
GenXers and Millenials gathering – 5 p.m. (Los
Arcos-Festival Center)
Sunday, October 25
Traditional worship – 9 a.m. (Sanctuary)
Sunday School – 10 a.m. (various classrooms)
Alternative worship – 11 a.m. (Wesley Hall)
Family picnic – following 11:00 service (Ruffner
Mountain)
Wednesday, October 28
Adult Bible Study – 11 a.m. (Fireside Room)
Thursday, October 29
Diner & Dominoes – 12 noon (Diner)
Saturday, October 31
Children’s Halloween Carnival – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.