Better Together

ST. JOHN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
July/August 2013
Pastor’s Notes:
Better Together
The theme for this year’s Annual Conference was “Alive in Christ Together.” And a phrase we heard over
and over again is that we are “Better Together.” This is true. A conference can do what a district cannot do. A district can do what a church cannot do. But a church can do what an individual Christian cannot do. That is one reason why we are “Better Together.”
Our Conference can (and has) bought a large warehouse for the collection and distribution of mission aid
materials. You probably could not do that, I certainly could not do that. But together as a conference we were able
to pull it off, and today that warehouse is called “Mission Central” located in Mechanicsburg. And even they do not
do it all in Mechanicsburg. They realize that they are also, “Better Together” when they work with others. So they
have set up 24 HUBs, one of which is located in our Annex house.
“Better Together” is true of the church as well. We can do things as a church that we cannot do as individuals. We just completed an amazing Carnival and VBS that you will read about within this Newsletter. No one person could have done either of those by themselves. You see we are “Better Together.”
But if we are going to experience the possibility of “Better Together,” we need to work together. This requires us to sometimes put our own ideas and agendas aside as we work to further the Kingdom of Christ here in
Grantville. If everyone is doing their own thing, we will never be “Better Together.” Our current vision is Children
and Youth. Many have been working together as we have seen these past couple of weeks. But let us all get behind this effort, helping, where we are able, to reach more children and youth for Christ.
God Bless you all,
Pastor Dennis
“If you don’t have a Bible,
Movie Night & Pizza at the Church
Friday, July 12
Pizza served at 6 PM - Movie at 7 PM
Once you see the world through Jimmy's eyes, it will never look the
same again. Based on the bestselling novel by Robert Whitlow, “Jimmy” is a
heartfelt family drama about a mentally challenged teenager (Ian Colletti)
who sees beings no one else can. Jimmy doesn't always understand what
he sees and hears, but he remembers it all with uncanny accuracy, which is
why his lawyer father asks him to testify in a crucial trial. Jimmy's testimony
saves the man from jail but has far-reaching consequences for himself, the
people he loves, and their community.
Filled with quirky Southern characters who feel familiar but surprise
us, the cast includes Ted Levine (Monk), Kelly Carlson (Everwood), Gregory
Alan Williams (Remember the Titans), and Bob Gunton (The Shawshank
Redemption). Jimmy has also been awarded the Dove Foundation's highest
honor of five doves for viewers 12 and older.
GET ONE
If you’ve got a Bible,
READ IT.
If you read the Bible, BELIEVE IT.
If you believe the Bible, LIVE IT."
I found the following after we had a speaker from The Gideons recently. I thought it
was appropriate to print here
- - Submitted by Carol Adams
Annual Conference Recap
On behalf of your delegate to Annual Conference, Beth Messner, I would like to give you a brief update on
Conference. A more detailed recap of Conference along with videos can be found on the Susquehanna Conference
website, www. susumc.org.
Many at Conference had a chance to get to know our new Bishop, Jeremiah Park. Bishop Park has an
amazing enthusiasm for God and the church and also has a wonderful spirit about him. He is know within the United Methodist Church as the “singing Bishop” and now I know why. Often in between items on the agenda he would
break into a chorus of a hymn and we would all join along. We are blessed to have him as our Bishop.
Conference has several worship services, one of which recognized those who have passed away, mostly
retired pastors and their spouses. The Friday evening worship service was for the retirees. We recognized the faithful service of 30 retirees. Saturday contained the ordination service. Two were ordained elders, and 5 others were
commissioned as provisional or associate clergy. It was also recognized that nearly 20 had received their license
to be Local Licensed Pastors. If you have any questions what all these different categories are, see me and I will
be glad to let you know.
As for the business of the conference: A budget of approximately $12.3 million was approved, a 1.9% increase over last year (which was a decrease from the 2012.) This will fund the administration and ministries of the
Conference, as well as allow the Conference to pay their apportionments to the General Conference.
The Pension plan for pastors will be changing in 2014. Pastor’s will now be required to pay a $750 individual deductible, however, the amount to taken from the pastor’s base salary has dropped from 8% to 7%. Also, to
receive the full pension amount from the General Board of Pensions, pastors will be required to make a personal
contribution of 1%.
Three resolutions were approved: The first on Mental Wellness set May as Mental Health Awareness
month and set the third Sunday of May for a suggested special offering. Also, it called for a day of prayer for Mental
illness on Tuesday October 8th.
The second called upon the Conference to urge the state legislature to approve the Racial Justice Act, relating to racial discrimination concerning the death penalty. The final resolution set up a task force to study the Israel
/ Palestine situation and determine whether divestment of Conference investments in companies that help Israel,
could help bring about a just settlement for all concerned.
If you have any further questions about what took place at Conference, see Beth Messner or myself.
Pastor Dennis
Greetings from Christopher Cassel
St. John’s UMC,
Hey there everyone! How is everyone doing these days? Anything new and or exciting? Well, I hope and pray
all is well with everyone and their families.
I’m so sorry I haven’t written in so long. I’ve been so busy and a little mentally unstable. I just been going
through so much emotionally, and sometimes it gets the better of me. But, I’ve been working through it all with God
by my side. He has blessed me and has been here for me from the very beginning. So, it’s been getting better for
me one day at a time.
Anyway, I have completed all my Bible Study programs. I still learn something new every day, and that’s a
blessing from God.
You know it’s just so hard trying to walk a true Christian life in a place like this. Cause, the devil’s everywhere here. But, I pretty much do everything right every single day. I do my best. I have a pure heart for God, and I
know it’s the life I want forever. So, I try to read scripture all day when I get a second. It keeps my mind renewed
and set in the right place.
Well my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Keep strong in your faith everyone.
I will write again. Hope to hear back soon. I love you all. Stay safe. God Bless. - Christopher Cassel
Feast in Praise
Speaking of pretzels………The Knitters
(Knitting for Ewe and God’s Fellowsheep)
were talking about food (imagine that!) and
Eloise Walmer was telling us about some
“Seasoned Pretzels” that she makes. I remembered that my Son-in law makes some
very yummy garlic pretzels… and I came home
and found the recipe! They’re just the thing
for munching on with a cold beverage on a hot
Summer night!
The chart below is a condensed version of the Financial Report for May 2013. A complete report of the most
recent financial statement is always posted in the south
narthex. If you are ever interested in seeing a copy of any
month’s report please let Pastor Dennis or myself know.
Year over year comparisons are unfavorable with a yearto-date operating deficit of $15,610 versus a deficit of
$12,015 for May YTD 2012. At some point the continued
deficits in the operating fund will necessitate action as the
general fund was down to $257 at the end of May. Your
continued financial support of the church is much appreciated and necessary to continue to minister to our community and to nurture our congregation. Thanks to each and
every one of you for all your support and all you do. A
special thanks to the Men’s Sunday School class for their
recent generous donation. Please take time to remember
our growing prayer list as well as Pastor Adams and his
family and the church itself in your daily devotions.
- - George Kline, Finance Chair
GIVING
ACCOUNT NAME
Targets
May 2013
ENVELOPES
LOOSE PLATE
CHURCH SCHOOL
MISSIONARY
SUBTOTAL
TRUST FUND
INTEREST CHECKING
INTEREST & G/L INVESTMENTS
MISCELLANEOUS
TOTAL RECEIPTS
DISBURSEMENTS
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/SS
CONGREGATIONAL CARE/OUTREACH
WORSHIP
MISSIONS
PASTOR-PARISH
TRUSTEES
FINANCE
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
STEPHEN MINISTRIES
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)
May
Actuals
Targets
YTD 2013
Year-to-date
2013
Prior YTD
13,025.00
2,525.00
250.00
200.00
16,000.00
1.00
900.00
599.00
17,500.00
11,823.00
2,358.00
243.20
345.00
14,769.20
0.42
892.62
600.00
16,262.24
69,760.00
12,000.00
1,240.00
1,000.00
84,000.00
1,275.00
4.00
900.00
5,821.00
92,000.00
64,624.00
13,064.60
1,145.20
1,060.00
79,893.80
2,248.87
4.05
892.62
1,462.50
84,501.84
70,625.00
11,245.40
1,399.80
1,107.00
84,377.20
1,888.30
7.86
1,121.92
90.00
87,485.28
255.00
315.00
190.00
1,600.00
7,800.00
3,500.00
3,140.00
600.00
100.00
17,500.00
291.75
556.55
127.94
4,768.72
7,040.19
2,022.39
4,494.28
599.09
19,900.91
4,570.00
1,575.00
950.00
8,000.00
41,200.00
18,900.00
13,505.00
3,000.00
300.00
92,000.00
1,092.22
1,791.94
897.55
8,468.72
39,157.65
23,087.15
22,434.71
3,181.89
100,111.83
1,419.13
1,675.20
760.81
10,077.15
39,412.66
21,310.39
21,565.49
3,279.72
99,500.55
(15,609.99)
(12,015.27)
-
(3,638.67)
-
Ken’s Garlic Pretzels
Mix together: 1 Cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon dill weed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 package ranch dressing (dry)
Pour over:
1-16 ounce package of broken pretzels, (the fat
kind!) in a 9X13 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees
for 2 hours, turning well every ½ hour. Cool and
enjoy.
FYI, Weezie says she uses “Wege” pretzels.
This is NOT her recipe…if you want hers, you’ll
have to ask her for it!
While looking for the pretzels recipe I came
across a recipe for Pretzel Pie. About 10
years ago a friend of mine told me he was
bringing it to a picnic. I was curious about a
pie made of pretzels! Well, it turns out that
just the CRUST is made of pretzels and it’s
more of a strawberry pie! Well, not even a pie,
because it’s made in a 9X13 pan! At any
rate…it’s quite good and satisfies that
“sweet/salty” craving!
Baked Goods Needed
Pretzel Pie
We need your help during the Grantville Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival in July. This is the biggest fund raiser for the year for the
United Methodist Women. We need baked goods and help Thursday, Friday and Saturday. (UMW will not be there Wednesday.) It
can be for any amount of time, an hour or all evening or somewhere in between. We need cookies, cakes, pies, fudge jellies,
whatever you can provide. Please contact Janet Sandy or Nancy
Allen. Thank you!
First layer: Mix: 2 cups of crushed pretzels
¾ cup melted butter
3 Tablespoons sugar, and press into the bottom
of a greased 9X13 pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 5
minutes and cool.
Second layer: Mix: 1-8 ounce package of softened cream cheese
1 cup sugar
8 ounces of cool whip, and spread over crust
Third layer: Mix: 2-3 ounce packages of strawberry jello
2 cups boiling water…stir until jello dissolves and
add
2-10 ounce packages of frozen strawberries.
St. John’s now sponsoring
Boy Scout Troop 262
Visit the church website, www.grantvilleumc.org/boyscouts.html
Or the troop site: www.grantvillepa.com/troop262
For more information
Chill until slightly jelled and pour over cream
cheese mixture. Chill until firm and garnish
with more cool whip.
2013 VBS - Everywhere Fun Fair
This year's VBS, "Everywhere Fun Fair" was a HUGE success! We had a total of 57 kids who attended at least one
time! Most of these children are not from our church, but
some come to VBS every year. There were 27 children
who signed up for VBS while they were at the Kid's Carnival on June 15th. ALL of those children did come to VBS.
At this year's VBS, we learned about being good neighbors
and sometimes our neighbors are in other countries. We
"visited" Japan, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Australia, and
Mexico. We learned that neighbors are friendly, giving,
bold, forgiving, and welcoming. The kids also like it when
we dress in a different color each night so we had gray,
red, blue, white, and green. We would like to thank CCO
for providing the free meals each night. Every meal was so
good! The kids (and the parents) appreciate that. Thank
you to all who helped in any way with VBS this year!
Kid’s Free Carnival
Thank you to everyone who gave of their time, talent ,and donation of canopies. Without your support, we could not
touch the many lives of the children in this community. Thank you again. Sue Heitsenrether and Deb Sheaffer