November 2015

November
2015
Germantown UMC
525 Farmersville Pk
Germantown, OH
45327
937-855-2102
Sunday Worship:
9:00 Tradi6onal
11:15 Contemporary
“Now all glory to
God, who is able,
through his mighty
power at work
within us, to
accomplish
infinitely more than
we might ask or
think.”
Ephesians 3:20, NLT
April 2013
“You can’t fly with the load you’re carrying”
One of the most wonderful passages of
Scripture from the Old Testament
prophet Isaiah:
“but those who wait for the LORD shall
renew their strength, they shall mount up
with wings like eagles, they shall run and
not be weary, they shall walk and not
faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, NRSV)
When I woke up, I knew that this was a
message for all of us.
Every pilot knows that overloading a
plane will keep you from flying (even big
airliners have learned this the hard way).
We find hope in this promise and gain
strength in its fulfillment. We know that
when we wait on God, God provides
everything we need to fulfill His will.
Of course, you all know my love for
flying. I was thrilled when I took my first
single engine when I was about 8 years
old. Then when my family flew an airliner
to Kansas one summer, I wanted more
layovers so that I could experience the
sheer thrill and power of takeoff (my
mother sat beside me clutching the air
rests with her eyes closed!) I once had a
senior minister who had a plane, and we
would talk all about flying. Of course, I
finally was able to pursue my own
dreams of flying 15 years ago.
I once had a dream that I was trying to
get my aircra< off the ground. What at
one "me seemed easy now was
impossible. Then suddenly I heard a voice
as if from heaven itself, “You can’t fly
with the load you’re carrying.”
And the same principle applies for
Chris"ans. How can we fly if we are
carrying burdens we were never meant to
carry? How can we soar to new heights of
spirituality when we burden ourselves
with the things of this world?
We all have our own burdens: financial,
rela"onal, health issues, etc. We worry
about our kids, grandkids, the economy,
the environment, the elec"ons, terrorism,
our job, our re"rement… have I got
everyone? So if you are having trouble
flying, start wai"ng on the Lord.
Gary
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy
burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you,
because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
(Ma8hew 11:28-30, NLT)
Page 2
GLORIFY
Stewardship Sermon Series
Who can forget the classic John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd movie “The Blues
Brothers”? This is a story of two brothers who are obsessed with blues music and
a lifestyle devoted to making music… no maGer the legal consequences. Brother
Jake gets out of prison and immediately goes with his brother Elwood to visit their
childhood home, a Roman Catholic orphanage. They learn that it will be closed
unless $5,000 in property taxes is collected. The brothers visit an evangelical
church service where Jake has an epiphany: they can legi"mately raise the funds
by re-forming their rhythm and blues band. Elwood calls the quest “a mission
from God.”
Jesus was on a mission from God. At the beginning of His ministry, He went to His
hometown synagogue Nazareth, open the Book of Isaiah, and read His mission to
His friends and family. Then He said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in
your hearing."
Then all of you can join
together with one voice,
giving praise and glory to
God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:6,
NLT)
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are commanded to go
out with the same mission as He had. During the
month of November, we will explore what that means
as “We’re on a Mission from God.” Come join us.
November 8
“We Are Called”
November 15 “Break the Chains”
November 22 “God's Favor”
Upcoming Sundays
All Saints Sunday—November 1
We will remember the saints from
our church who have gone onto
glory. Please come for this very
moving worship.
Bible Sunday—November 22
We will give the new Deep Blue
Bible to our 3rd Graders. Deep Blue
is the new curriculum we are using
in our Children’s Sunday School.
Advent Begins November 24
Advent is the "me to “prepare”
for the coming of the Christ Child.
Would you like to help us
celebrate Advent by being part of
ligh"ng the Advent Wreath? We
would like to find 10 individuals/
families to help us. Please contact
the church office.
Page 3
GROW
Upcoming First Sunday Classes
We don’t grow in our Chris"an lives
through osmosis – sleeping in church!
We are to “put on our new nature, and
be renewed as we learn to know our
Creator and become like
Him.” (Colossians 3:10) God works in
us, transforming us as we “work hard to “This will con&nue un&l we
show the results of our salva"on,
all come to such unity in
obeying God with deep reverence and
our faith and knowledge of
fear.” (Philippians 2:12)
First Sunday offers monthly topical studies on various aspects of the Chris"an life
and our discipleship here at Germantown United Methodist Church. Each class
begins at 3:30 PM, includes dinner, and concludes at 7:00 PM.
Jump in at any "me. Become inten"onal in your faith!
November 1: Chris"anity 101
God’s Son that we will be
mature in the Lord,
measuring up to the full
and complete standard of
Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13,
NLT)
December 6: The Story of Christmas- Part 1
December 13: The Story of Christmas- Part 2
October Youth Ac6vi6es
Nineteen of us aGended Tom’s Maze on Sunday,
October 25th. We have made this an annual event.
Many of our teams completed the Maze, but Leann
Gilbert and I were the first to complete our map and
leave the maze. A<er 10 years of aGending with the
youth group, I finally managed to finish before the
kids! A<er the maze, we returned to Wetz Lane for
pumpkin carving and a bon-fire.
The youth traveled to Southpark United Methodist
Church in Dayton to assist with their caramel fund
raiser on October 27th. With 20 of us in aGendance
we were able to hand wrap approximately 150 full
boxes of caramels. It is always a joy to catch a glimpse of the group spor"ng their beau"ful hair nets! The kids look
forward to catching up with the friends they have made each year. Southpark has made home-made caramels as a
fundraiser for over 50 years. It is about a 3 week process. All boxes of caramels were pre-sold in June. We will be
returning on Monday, November 2 to wrap again!
Thank you to Shauna and Jason Mayville, Paul and Rae MeG, Tonya Norris, Chris Kitchel, and Rachel Lauver for
driving.
Page 4
GIVE
Financial Update
Well, the parking lot bill came and has been paid. We thank God that we had the
money, but wow, it was painful.
As a result, it looks like we will have to delay appor"onment payments again. We’ll
see how things are shaping up once the October financials are finalized.
During our Fall Stewardship drive, we have asked the congrega"on to pledge to
the 2016 Church Budget and a one year pledge to the Mortgage. That’s right. We
are transi"oning from a three year commitment to a one year commitment.
“Give away your life; you'll
find life given back, but
If you have not turned in your pledge card, we ask you to prayerfully consider
not merely given back—
doing so and turning it in to JoAnn Weaver or into the office for JoAnn.
given back with bonus and
The Give Team will be working on next year’s budget in the coming weeks. If you
blessing. Giving, not
have a ministry and receives funding from the church budget, begin thinking about
your 2016 needs.
ge4ng, is the way.
Generosity begets
generosity." (Luke 6:38,
The Message)
Giving Recap: As of the end of September 2015
Item
To Date
Budgeted Need
Last Year
Offering
$181,220.41
$215,916.93
+3.6%
Total Income
$189,662.92
$215,916.93
+1.1%
Expenses
$192,637.94
$215,916.93
+3.6%
Mortgage
$61,701.74
$71,029.75
-31.3%
Appor"onments
$6,985.00
$23,548.58
-72%
Missions
$2,753.82
$3,143.09
-23%
“Bring all the &thes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If
you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you.
I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put
me to the test!” (Malachi 3:10, NLT)
Page 5
GO
Tinkerbell’s Closet
What an amazing homecoming season for our ministry! We have served
approximately 450 individual girls since the beginning of September. Girls
from all over the Dayton, Springfield, and Hamilton area have u"lized our
ministry. We are set up as a bou"que with all dresses hung, sorted, and
displayed by length and size. Approximately 15 volunteers have made our
ministry a success this fall. When the girls arrive, we do our best to make them
feel like princesses. It is our goal to help them realize that their beauty comes
from inside.
All girls are welcome to choose one dress, one pair of shoes, and various
accessories. Very few girls have le< without a dress. We see so many girls
come in with self-esteem issues and frowning faces. When they leave they are
smiling from ear to ear knowing they are important and beau"ful just as they
are.
Our supply of dresses never ends! Threads Clothing Ministry in Miamisburg
and Cody’s Caring Closet in Huber Heights send us all of the formal dresses,
dress shoes, and jewelry they receive. With the dona"ons from our clients and
community members, we stay supplied in smaller sizes. However, we are
always in need of plus size dresses.
Currently, Tinkerbell’s Closet is open from 6-8pm on Thursday evenings
(except holidays.) Our hours will change during the prom season to
accommodate more girls.
Would you like to volunteer with us? We are in need of volunteers to help
mend dresses and replace broken zippers. We also need volunteers to be
present during open hours and to sort and organize dresses as they arrive. If
you’re interested in helping, please contact Kathy Kitchel, 937-684-1446, or
Rae MeG, 937-219-8230.
2016 Youth Mission Trip
The youth will be traveling to Athens, Ohio, this summer to serve with
Good Works, LLC. Our trip will take place June 26-July 2, 2016. The Good
Works organiza"on serves the people living in Appalachia in Southeast
Ohio. Our work retreat will allow the youth to serve those living below the
poverty level. They will be living in community while preparing meals for
those living in the Timothy House. Timothy House houses individuals who
are striving to get back on their feet and into their own permanent
housing. In addi"on we will be doing home improvement projects within
the community and serving on the Good Works proper"es. In the
evenings, we will be par"cipa"ng in Bible study, group discussion, and
“Therefore, go and make
disciples of all the
na&ons…” (Ma8hew
28:19, NLT)
Deadline for submiCng
ar6cles is the 20th of each
month.
Page 6
GO (Con6nued)
Basketball Hoop and Nothing but Nets
Living Grace S. S. Class will be conduc"ng a fundraiser on Sunday, November 8,
with the goal of raising $1000 to fund the installa"on of an in-ground
Basketball Hoop and dona"ons towards the “Nothing But Nets” organiza"on
which works to prevent malaria in third world countries. We will be hos"ng 2
separate fundraising opportuni"es: a Basketball Themed Bake Sale and a Silent
Auc"on.
This is a great way to con"nue suppor"ng the GUMC mission of “Building a
Christ Connec"on” with a focus on Youth in our community. We invite
everyone to help make this a fun event! If you have any ques"ons, please
contact Julie Smith at 937-231-8772 and/or [email protected]
St. Paul’s UMC Partnership
Thank you for stepping up, once again, to help out St. Paul’s UMC with
the Rice & Beans challenge. GUMC has filled the pantry shelves with
your abundant dona"ons of Rice & Beans. This will go directly to helping
those in need by placing food on tables that might otherwise be empty.
This month, our clothing giving will go to St. Paul’s. They take clothing,
etc., plus household items. Please mark MISSIONS and place in the righthand closet as you enter the church. You may leave items on the
Genslinger’s pa"o as well, 228 N. Plum or call at 937-855-3687 for pickup. You are so very much appreciated as evidenced of a young man
giving me a hug for bringing things to the missions. Remember, the mission also takes household items.
OUR VISION: FAMILY MINISTRY
Upcoming Family Events
Date
Event
November 8 Family Potluck and Game Night
December 12 Happy Birthday Jesus Party
March 2016 Scavenger Hunt
Page 7
AROUND THE CHURCH
Page 8
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
•
Trustees (10/6): S"ll working on retaking possession of the Market Street building,
dealing with some leaks.
•
Grow Team (10/20): Worked on Trunk or Treat and Bible Sunday.
•
Go Team (10/26): We have 6 names so far for Christmas Adopt-A-Family.
Opera"on Christmas Child boxes due November 22.
•
Ministry Council (10/26): Began working on Family Ministry plans for 2016
Upcoming Church Mee6ngs:
•
•
•
•
The mission of Germantown
UMC is:
Trustees: November 3, 7:00 PM
Give Team: November 8, 12:30 PM
Grow Team: November 17, 7:30 PM
Administra6ve Board/Charge Conference:
November 30, 7:00 PM
Building a Christ
Connec6on
Visitusatournew
address:
germantownchurch.com
orFacebook!
Germantown United Methodist Church
525 Farmersville PK., Germantown, Oh 45327 (937) 855-2102
Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Fellowship Time/Coffee/Donuts 10:00 – 10:15
Sunday School Classes 10:15
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:00am to 4:00pm, Friday 9:00am to noon
Rev. Gary K. Wheeler, Pastor
[email protected]
E-mail: [email protected] Website: ww.germantownchurch.com
For any emergencies, not during office hours, contact Pastor Gary at
(937) 204-4400.