the voice - Anderson First United Methodist Church
Transcription
the voice - Anderson First United Methodist Church
THE VOICE A Newsletter of First United Methodist A Message From the Senior Pastor Among my favorite movies is the Robert Redford film A River Runs Through It. Some of you may remember that outtakes from it have appeared in a sermon or two. But, I’m quite sure I have not mentioned my favorite scene. If you haven’t seen it, Craig Sheffer and Brad Pitt star as the two sons of a Presbyterian pastor in Missoula, Montana. The brothers learn the art of angling from their father who regards fly fishing as a sacred act. Though fly fishing is the central metaphor for the story, that image is surrounded by a variety of deeply insightful glimpses into this sometimes wonderful, sometimes tragic, life we share. So, my favorite scene? An old fashioned church picnic. That’s right. The Reverend Maclean’s local flock gathers in a grassy meadow for a carry in dinner. Under sunny skies the congregation enjoys fried chicken and a little gossip. Pies made famous by local women are savored, young men and women court, friendships are enjoyed, and life is celebrated. To me it is a picture of the church as it should be – children playing and laughing surrounded by nurturing adults, all being formed in the faith. I have read that the era of the church picnic is long past. Megachurches of thousands of members simply can’t pull it off, and when they try something is just lost in the numbers. A variety of other challenges, including large societal shifts, make the joy of a good old church picnic hard to replicate. I for one would like to fight back. I’d like to bring back the church picnic. So let’s give it a try at Davis Park on Sunday, 5:00 PM, May 15th. For quite a few years now we have had a Davis Park spring event to do visioning or to be inspired by a good speaker. This year we’d like to just have some fun and fellowship. So put it on your calendar. There will be award winning pulled pork, brisket, and stuffed pork loin smoked on site by Hoosier-Que-Daddy. (As seen on the T.V. show Barbecue Pitmasters.) All the sides will be carry-in by our members. There will be some good entertainment by Carl Erskine and his friends. Come on out; renew friendships and make some new ones; let’s have a church picnic. Note: Please call the church office (643-6977) and let us know you are planning to be there. Beverages, meat and place settings will be provided. Bring a side dish to share. First United Methodist May 2016 Vol 53 Issue 5 page 1 Table of contents 1 A Message From Pastor Jeff 5 Helping Hands/Community Café 2 Adult Ministries 5 Fall Mission Trip 3 Children’s Ministries 5 Thank You 3 Youth Ministries 5 Mark Your Calendar 4 May J.O.Y. Lunch 6 March Memorials 4 Bon Amis Schedule 6 Music Interns 4 Summer Eats 7 God at Work at FUMC Adult Ministries Study Opportunities Our Sunday School classes for adults continue to meet on a weekly basis. The Friday morning Bible study at 9:00 am began Beth Moore’s study When Godly People do Ungodly Things on April 29. Contact Peg Peter if you would like to join them for this study. Any of these groups would welcome new people interested in studying at any time. United Methodist Women News Bible Study Circle: May 5, 9:30 am North/South Parlor Hostess: Sue Williams Co-Hostess: Betsy Bachman Lesson: Harriett Wheeler Circle Leader: Merrillyn Vance Friendship Circle: May 5, 9:30 am—Davis Park Hostesses: Gail Landwehr, Camille Roudebush, Dorinda Cassiday, Bev Duncan Circle Leader: Mary Falkenberry Lydia Circle: May 10, 7:00 pm North/South Parlor—It’s Play in May!! Hostess: Johanne Coleson Circle Leader: Peg Peter Mission U (formerly School of Christian Mission) will be held July 19-22 on the campus of DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. Sampler Day for 7:00 pm July 22—4:00 pm July 23 Mission U is scheduled for Saturday, July 23. On July 22, the Indiana Conference of United Methodist Women will be holding a new conference, aimed specifically at young women beginning in 9th grade up to age 39 to learn more about United Methodist Women at the conference and world level. This conference is sponsored by United Methodist Women of Indiana, and attendees will incur no cost, except in getting to and from the campus. There will be Worship, Hands on Mission Projects and Workshops for all. Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops, tablets and phone. See Peg Peter for an application to attend if you are interested. First United Methodist May 2016 Vol 53 Issue 5 page 2 Children’s Ministries: Following Jesus in Showing Compassion Ministry Update: Do you remember the Good News Garden of last summer? Our weather was a challenge, but some wonderful produce came from that little patch of ground out at Davis Park. The children will give it another go this year as well; this time with fewer veggies and more fruit. Planting day is Sunday afternoon, May 1st. That day is also our final Step by Step Kids afternoon until fall. We’ll celebrate a wonderful year with a pizza party. Who’s Who Feature: Ryan Falkenberry is 4 years old, a preschooler at the Learning Tree and a new big brother. Ryan is your “fix-it” guy. He loves taking things apart and putting them back together. Hammers, screwdrivers and wrenches are among his favorite tools. But he also loves to “help out” with any task that needs doing, stacking chairs, picking up sticks, counting out shoes for Changing Footprints, and caring for baby brother, Connor. This year Ryan is playing T-Ball for the first time with the Midnight Top Spot Pirates and loves it about as much as he does watching The Floogles, a cartoon of tiny, happy aliens who are discovering all about the earth. Next time you see him, give Ryan a high-five and pray for him, that he will continue to follow Jesus in showing compassion. Youth Ministries: Pulse May Schedule April 30—Paint Day May 1-- Pulse May 8-- Community Café May 15—Pulse Kidznite-All Church Picnic May 22—Camp Cookout @ Bethel UMC and Summer Kickoff May 29—Youth Sunday Practice June 4—Sara’s Open House @ Davis Park June 5—Youth Sunday & Bake Auction On May 1 the youth will start a new study series entitled VIVA! Grace. Subjects include Burdened, Come and Rest, Grace and Yoked. Janine and Sara Spurgeon would like to invite their church family at First United Methodist Church to Sara’s open house on Saturday, June 4 at Davis Park from 1 to 4 pm. Help them celebrate this significant event in Sara’s life. First United Methodist May 2016 Vol 53 Issue 5 page 3 Upcoming Events May J.O.Y. Luncheon—May 20 The J.O.Y. program for May is still in planning stages. Reserve the date of May 20 from 11:30 am—12:45 pm for lunch and a speaker. Check the bulletin, the e-news and church announcement screens for more information when it becomes available. J.O.Y. is open to all individuals 65 and older. Invite a friend to join you. Please call the church office to make your reservation. A donation of $7 is requested to defray expenses. 2016 Bon Amis Schedule May 24-25—Overnight trip to St. Louis There is room for two more people to go on this trip. Please contact Pastor Donna immediately if you are interested. Thursday, June 16—Fort Wayne The group will visit the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, enjoy lunch at the Cork and Cleaver restaurant, and tour DeBrand’s Fine Chocolates. The zoo is regarded as one of the top zoos in the country and includes Australian, African, and Indonesia Rain Forest exhibits as well as a variety of rides. The cost of the day is $50. The bus will leave the church at 8:15 am and return approximately 5:30 pm or so. Saturday, July 2—Symphony on the Prairie The group will take its annual trip to Connor Prairie to attend the patriotic Star Spangled Symphony concert of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The group enjoys table seats, a box supper from McAlister’s Deli, and the fireworks show after the concert. The cost is $40, and the bus leaves the church at 5:30pm. The remaining tickets for this trip are reserved for members of the First United Methodist congregation. Friday, August 19—Louisville, Kentucky The group will head south for a day in Louisville starting with a lunch buffet cruise on the Ohio River on the Belle of Louisville, the oldest operating steamboat in the United States. After the cruise the group will visit Slugger Museum and Factory, the location where Louisville Slugger bats are manufactured. The cost of the day is $50. The bus will leave the church at 8:15 am and return approximately 6:30 pm. Summer Eats Returns Summer E.A.T.S. is a summer travel group that explores Anderson area Tasty Surprises. Once a month during the summer months of May through September you are invited to join the group and let the bus take you to a restaurant in the surrounding area for an enjoyable lunch. The trips may include a second stop for dessert. The cost will be $30 each time and includes all expenses (lunch, dessert, and bus). Individuals of all ages are invited, and the number will be limited to 20 each month. Please call the church office to register. A $10 deposit is required at time of reservation and full payment due two weeks prior to the date of the trip. Tuesday, May 17—Lunch at Vera Mae’s restaurant in Muncie and dessert at Concannon’s Bakery Café in Muncie June (date to be announced)—Mrs. Wick’s Pies and Restaurant in Winchester July (date to be announced)—Tina’s Traditional Old English Kitchen and Tea Room in Carmel August (date to be announced)—Mayberry Café in Covington and Coldstone Creamery in Noblesville September (date to be announced)—Kopper Kettle in Morristown and Good’s Ice Cream in Anderson First United Methodist May 2016 Vol 53 Issue 5 page 4 Serving & Outreach Opportunities May Community Dinner Helping Hands Non-Food Pantry Listed below are the teams scheduled to cook at the The Helping Hands Non-Food Pantry Community Café for the month of May. will be open on Wednesday, May 11 and May 25. There are always opportunities to May 1—Pat Murphy donate to this ministry. May 8—Youth/Angela Smith Following is a brief list of the most urgent May 15—New Hope UMC needs for the Helping Hands Non-food Pantry: May 22—Cheryl Eiler May 29—Chris Taylor Paper Towels Dish Soap Tissues Shampoo Laundry Detergent June 5—Crossroads Also remember we offer a mini-food pantry for Deodorant for both men and women our Sunday evening guests, and non-perishable food items are always appreciated when you do- They continue to need: Toilet Paper Razors Toothpaste nate them. Toothbrushes Feminine products Men’s Toiletries Fall mission trip to Louisiana The dates for the fall mission trip to SagerBrown UMCOR depot in Baldwin, Louisiana, are fast approaching. The dates are Sunday, September 11-Friday, September 16. Team members have the opportunity to serve in a variety of ways—receiving, sorting, packing, and shipping supplies for disaster relief around the world; providing maintenance on the campus; working in the sewing room; or working in the community on special projects such as housing rehab. Call the church office to make your reservations for the team by May 15, 2016. The cost for team members is $100 per person and travel expenses. This is a great opportunity to show Christ’s love to others and to have a great time and to develop closer relationships with others from First UMC. Consider signing up today! Please contact Pastor Donna with any questions. Special Thanks To: The congregation—Thank you for your generous contributions to the Easter offering. Almost $9000 was given. Louise Melander and the Lifters— 40 persons responded to the call to commit to prayer for every person in our congregation for at least 3 months. Thanks to Louise for coordinating the ministry and to all who volunteered to pray! Mark Your Calendar May 2 Book Club—9:30 am—Church Library The Dog Who Could Fly - Damien Lewis May 15 May 17 May 20 May 24-25 First United Methodist All Church Social—Davis Park Summer Eats—Vera Mae’s Cafe Joy Lunch Bon Ami Trip to St. Louis May 2016 Vol 53 Issue 5 page 5 March 2016 Memorials John Mendel Garnet Weatherford Marilyn and Jim Ault John Molesphini Gail Brant Sharon Thuma Mary Cummins Connie Skeels Charlotte Marmon Nancy and George Hawes Carol and Bill Reid Sharon and Ron McNabney Betty and Meredith Church IN Senate Democrats Nina and Tim Kline Karen and Cliff Ambler John Mendel to Youth Scholarship Fund Judy and Jim Wessar John Mendel to Bus Fund Carol and Jerry Hardacre John Mendel to Margaret Ann Hudson Library Louann Krall and Judy Jackson John Mendel to Davis Park Lynn and Al Rowley Dorothy Miller Barbara Farrar The Wright Group Dorothy Miller to Margaret Ann Hudson Library Jackie and Forest Todd Dorothy Miller to Bus Fund Carol and Jerry Hardacre Kathryn Beigh Joan and Joseph Richardson Marilyn and Richard Schmidt Kathryn and Max Beigh to Davis Park Butterfly Garden Jerry Burand Shirley Culler Larry Beehler Betty and Meredith Church Virginia Musser Miriam and Charlie Jones DeeAnn and Howard Williams Joanne and Frank Figge Pat and Don Moore Bob Harruff Sheri Lantz Cathy and Kevin Kelich Brenda and Guy Mettert Mary Mendel Gayle and Bob Scircle Jayne and Frank Beeler Diann and Brad Conrad Dr. and Mrs. Fred Culler Mr. and Mrs. Allen Beaty Karen and Rick Autry Marilyn and Jim Ault Mary Ann and Robert Edwards Jane Barrett Carol and Bill Myberg Coyner Family Marsha and Mike Coyner Bonnie and Dave Craig Jill and Terry Murphy Ann Hardacre Shirley Culler to Community Café Pat Conrad Susan and Mike Shuter and Family Beverly and Dennis Mattert Dr. Landwehr and Perenatal Center Staff of IU Ball Gail and DeWayne Landwehr Robert Abshire Shirley Culler to Youth Scholarship Fund Vicki and Joe Snyder Shirley Culler to Davis Park Butterfly Garden Jerry Burand Velda Jane Brown to Youth Scholarship Fund Joyce and Bill Mathys Rosemary McGuire to Youth Scholarship Fund Joyce and Bill Mathys Rosemary McGuire to Music/ Choir Fund Suzette Melson Bob Harruff Bill Hardacre to Bus Fund Carol and Jerry Hardacre Thanks and Congratulations to our Senior Music Interns Perhaps you’ve noticed them in the choir, or seen them in the building, or heard their voices on Sunday morning. This year we have been blessed with several interns from AU who enhance our music program. Four of these young people will be graduating this coming May from Anderson University. Olivia Hacker, Olivia Gnagey, Mort Garringer and Otis Jeffries are all seniors graduating this year. Here’s what a couple are planning after graduation: Otis Jeffries will graduate from AU with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance, he will spend the summer performing in Clinton, Iowa, and will begin pursuing a Double Masters degree at Bowling Green State University this fall. Olivia Gnagey will return to Dayton, Ohio, and earn her certification as a personal trainer and a wellness coach while auditionin at several performance venues. Eventually she hopes to move to New York City or Chicago and begin working there as a fulltime performer. God has much in store for all of our interns. Godspeed to you all. First United Methodist May 2016 Vol 53 Issue 5 page 6 God at Work at First United Methodist Volunteer Ministries…this is what I see… Have you ever stopped to realize that one of our ushers is the first person you see as you walk into our sanctuary on Sunday morning? Ushers greet you with a smile, sometimes your name, often a hug or handshake. I have to smile because I think they’re having fun! These are men and women who have a personal relationship with Christ. I imagine this, not because they tell me that when they volunteer to be an usher, but because they have chosen to serve in a ministry that marks them as a visual representative in our church. They stand at the door of God’s house serving God’s people. This is what I see: serving as an usher is more than the tasks involved. It’s more than handing out a bulletin, receiving our tithes or tidying the church after service. It’s a ministry that gives from the heart of a servant who has made a decision to serve according to his or her gift. We have twenty-eight such people in our church. Thank you for your service. I hope you consider your usher ministry one of honor. I know I do……Kathy Kean Join your neighbors in showing your patriotic spirit Show your love of Country and support to your local Boy Scout Troop 208 sponsored by the First United Methodist Church. Scout Name : For $35 a year your local Boy Scouts of America Troop 208 will emplace and take down a 3’ x 5’ American flag on your front lawn 5 times a calendar year (Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, 9/11, and Veterans Day). Help raise money to support the boys' Scout Activities. Name ____________________ Address__________________City____________State________Zip Code__________ Phone Number________________ Cell____________ _ Make check payable to: Troop 208 For information contact Charity Gosler at 765-621-4357 or at [email protected] To subscribe by mail, mail payment to Charity Gosler, 7605 Charlotte Dr., Ingalls, IN 46048 Please visit our Troop website: Troop208Anderson.com May 29—Worship at Davis Park—9:00 am Downtown Worship at 10:45 am First United Methodist May 2016 Vol 53 Issue 5 page 7 First United Methodist Church 1215 Jackson Street Anderson IN 46016 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 909 Anderson, Indiana Phone: 765-643-6977 Fax: 765-642-5232 E-mail: [email protected] RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Visit us on the web at andersonfirst.org and follow us on Facebook Sunday, May 29, 9:00 am Davis Park Worship Downtown at 10:45 am Sunday, May 15, 5:30 pm First United Methodist May 2016 Vol 53 Issue 5 page 8