July 2015 - Goshen First United Methodist Church

The Gathering
PASTOR’S PEN
July 2015
John 20:18 "Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: 'I have seen the Lord'!"
A young sailor was on his first trip sailing across the ocean on a large ship, when a
huge and terrifying storm arose. Even the hardened and experienced crewmen were
found down in the belly of the ship...frightened about what might be their outcome.
This young man continuing on his way eventually arrived at the control room. He entered, and with the force of the storm behind him…slammed the door shut. From
there he stood and watched as the captain wrestled with the controls of the entire ship,
with all of his strength and skill. Suddenly the captain turned to him, acknowledged
his presence, smiled, and returned to his task. The young sailor left the captain to his
work and returned to the rest of the crew. Upon seeing him, his fellow sailors asked if
he knew the outcome of their plight. He answered them by saying, “All is well”.
“How do you know”, they asked and he responded to their question by saying; “I have seen the face of the
captain”.
Have you seen...in your heart, and soul, and mind... the face of God?! When God’s hand is upon the steering
wheel of our lives...regardless of the weather conditions...we can know that…“All is Well with My Soul”. This
"Truth and Assurance" can be ours, it's available for everyone of us, and it always offers us God's peace and
comfort instead of the world's fear and turmoil that sometimes surrounds us. To have that assurance that “He
who was and is and shall always be”... is still in control of our lives and our world...this truly is our strength and
our comfort and there is no need to live in fear!
And now this month we celebrate our nation’s birthday. We remember the past sacrifices of those who have
gone before us and we celebrate all of their efforts with thankful hearts. Yet when we look at our current
events...we find ourselves in difficult and insecure times. Then we consider the future based upon what we see
today...and we are forced to ask ourselves...can we long endure let alone survive?
These fears and worries have seemed to become the spirit of many if not most Americans these days. I hope it is
because first of all that we cherish this gift of life and the freedoms that so many others have sacrificed to give us.
But I also pray for us as a nation, a "nation under God", that we will again ask ourselves the most important of
questions...questions and their answers which will determine our future as well as answer the question..."can we
long endure?".
Let us ask all of our nation's leaders and then hold them accountable..."Have you seen the Lord? And are you
looking for Him?" And then, let us do the same to ourselves, each of us, the same questions. If we are to navigate through the storms of life...I pray that God will be at our controls!
Have you seen the face of God? Are we looking for Him? Is He at the controls? GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Pastor Ed
COMING EVENTS
BIG BASH
SUMMER PICNIC
This year we will be having our annual Big Bash
on Sunday, July 5, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the
Life Center. There will
be food and games for all
ages, and you can watch
the fireworks at the Black
Squirrel golf course. If
you would like to work
for a shift, please contact
Tom Smith, 849-1309, or sign up on the form in the bulletin. We will be
working in one-hour shifts, some inside and some outside. Everyone is
welcome!
We will be having another church
summer picnic on Wednesday,
July 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the GPS
Building by the Life Center. This
is a time for food and fellowship
together. Everyone is welcome!
Everyone should bring one or two
dishes of food to share. Drinks
and table service will be provided.
The youth group will have a Cornhole Tournament at the Big Bash at
7:30 p.m. Registration is from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and the cost is $20 per
team ($10 per person). All proceeds will go to the youth group’s 2016
mission trip!
PRIMETIMERS
FLAG FOOTBALL
On Thursday, July 16, we will visit the
home of Gene Stratton-Porter in Rome
City, Indiana. We will visit “Limberlost,”
an Indiana State Historic Site, the restored
home and beautiful gardens where Gene
wrote the best-selling children’s books
including “Girl of Limberlost,” “Freckles,”
and “At the Top of the Rainbow.”
Admission is $4.
Flag Football will be starting in
August, but we are having registration for it in July at the Life
Center. This is for children, ages
5 through fifth grade.
She was also a nature photographer, artist, and musician. We will visit
her Cabin, Garden Shed, Carriage House, and gardens.
Thursday, July 16, from 6:00-8:00
p.m.
Lunch will be at Gangsters Grill at Hudson, ordering from the menu, featuring steaks, sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, and more.
Saturday, July 18, from 10:00 a.m.
-12:00 a.m.
The bus will pick up at Greencroft at 10:00 a.m. We will leave the church
parking lot at 10:30 a.m. We will return around 3:30 p.m.
If you have questions, please call Bob Shirk at 875-5915.
The dates are:
Saturday, July 11, from 10:00 a.m.
-12:00 a.m.
LUNCH WITH THE BUNCH
On Sunday, July 26, we will be having “Lunch
with the Bunch” at the Life Center after the
morning worship service. Pizza will be
provided. Everyone should bring a salad or
dessert to share. The purpose of this lunch
is to help members of the Life Center get
better acquainted with one another. So come
and enjoy!
NOTES
Don’t forget to turn in your Ministry Menu! You may place it in the offering plate or turn it in at the Church
Office. We want to hear from all of you!
If you would like to receive the monthly newsletter on E-mail rather than through the mail, please contact Harriet at the church office, 533-9518.
First United Methodist Church
214 S. Fifth Street
Goshen, IN 46528
Phone: 533-9518
www.goshenfirstumc.org
www.goshenlifecenter.org
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No.136
Goshen, IN
Address Service Requested
“Thank you very much for your contribution to my trip. It is much appreciated!”
-Amanda Peffley
“Thank you so very much for being a partner with Waterford Elementary School this year! The gifts of time,
food, snacks, clothing, prayer support, and supplies were greatly appreciated! We couldn’t have selected a better
group of individuals to have gotten to know, and work with, in order to support our students, parents, and staff!
Thanks again! We are looking forward to another great year!”
-Katrina Overton, Waterford Elementary School Principal
“We would like to thank you so much for your generous contribution for the Mitch Garrison Memorial Fund.
We sincerely appreciate your kindness during this difficult time. Thanks.” -The Dave & Kim Garrison Family
HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAYS!
July 1
Kathy Seltenright
Gail Whitehead
Maya Yoder
July 2
Travis Elliott
July 3
Linda Davis
Roberta Knopfer
Brandon Denning
July 4
Bob Salisbury
Suzanna Harp
July 5
Matt Smith
Jenny Gooderham
July 6
Bud Schrock
Sara Stump
July 7
Elaine Moon
July 12
Jackie Park
Connie Taylor
Jean Grevengoed
Cooper Middaugh
July 13
Brenda Gruver
Donna Shirk
Nancy Conrad
Mike Goven
Jessica Johnston
July 14
Miriam Nowak
Merv Lambright
Tara Layne
Denette Showalter
July 15
Rodney Spencer Jr.
July 16
Armando Ponce
July 22
Dick Weaver
July 23
Dorothy Brown
July 24
Mick Luce
July 25
Deb Beres
Chuck Gooderham
Theresa Sailor
July 27
Linda Taylor
Barb Battles
July 8
Tyler Groves
Bryce Gast
July 17
Janet Miller
Connie Wright
Madeline Colglazier
Natalie Stewart
Chris Pearson
July 9
Ryan Rheinheimer
July 18
Nikole Plank
July 10
Jonathan Salisbury
Carter Cork
Marvin Shepherd
Ryan Price
July 19
Donna Hostetler
Mark Whitt
THINK ABOUT IT
July 20
Dorothy Rock Lane
Tyler Brinson
Olivia Brinson
Cameron Nickerson
Ted Fairfield
“Best friends are people you know
you don’t need to talk to every single day. You don’t even need to
talk to each other for weeks, but
when you do, it’s like you never
stopped talking.”
-anonymous
July 11
Dennis Bailey
July 28
Christy Miller
July 29
Jeff Middaugh
July 31
Jerry Mabie