“Winners never quit, and quitters never win!”
Transcription
“Winners never quit, and quitters never win!”
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK… …GIVING UP! “Winners never quit, and quitters never win!” -Vince Lombardi Stirring words, for sure. But wrong. All through history, especially Biblical history, winners have quit one thing and moved on to another. Matthew tells us that Jesus left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea where he began his ministry (4:13). Simon Peter and Andrew quit fishing and followed Jesus (4:20). Saul quit breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord and became an apostle (Acts 9:1-22). And the quitting has continued, right up to the present day. Abraham Lincoln quit being the owner of a general store and entered politics. Julia Childs quit the CIA (that’s right!—who wouldn’t confess if questioned by that voice?) and became a worldfamous cook. Harrison Ford quit being a carpenter when he was offered a part in a little movie called “Star Wars.” Clearly, quitters sometimes win, when they discover the upside of giving up. In the parable of the two sons, Jesus tells a story to the chief priests and elders— a tale of a man with a couple of sons who are needed in his vineyard. The father asks the first to go into the field to work. The son doesn’t want to alter his own plans so he says he won’t. But later he changes his mind and does the work his father asked him to do. The father went to the second son and made the same request. This son said, “Sure, Dad. Right away.” But he didn’t go. So Jesus asks, “Which of the two did the will of his father?” Which one was the real winner? The priests and elders quickly responded that the first son was faithful. They grasped that the son who quit what he was doing to do his father’s bidding was the real winner. Discovering exactly what you need to do is the upside of giving up. Jesus then told the chief priests and elders that tax collectors and prostitutes would get into heaven before them. I can imagine the chief priests and elders snorting at Jesus, “People like that can’t be winners.” Often it is the quitters, the ones willing to change, who lead the way into the kingdom of God. So when do we know when it is time to give up? Hint #1 - Your heart is not in it. When my children were little and wanted to quit something, I wouldn’t allow them during the season or time period that we were in, but I would support them when it was appropriate afterwards. If we are going to change our lives, if we’re going to try something else, we have to be ready to quit whatever it was we were doing before that something showed up. Hint #2 - You cannot see the path forward. When Jesus enters the Temple, the chief priests and elders come to him as he is teaching and ask him where he gets his authority. Jesus knew it was a trap, so he answers their question with a question, thereby trapping them. The religious leaders didn’t see a good path forward. They were left with considering the truth of what Jesus was teaching. But they didn’t. They remained stuck on the path they were on, instead of listening to what Jesus had to say. Hint #3 - You’ve been avoiding what God wants you to do. The first son in the parable was avoiding what his father wanted him to do, but changed his mind and went to work. We face that same challenge. And fortunately, Christians throughout time have wrestled with the question of what God wants them to do. How do we get there? Clarify the goal of our life - to have a loving relationship with God. This helps in making the choices we need to make. Maybe it’s starting a new business, going back to school, getting married, or changing jobs. The goal is to follow Christ. Once the goal is clarified, we can tackle the complexities of decision-making. This is when we figure out how to stop avoiding what God wants and how to work in God’s vineyard. And our decisions need to continue to be examined. The upside of giving up is that it puts us in a position to change our lives for the better. If we feel that we’re avoiding what God wants us to do, we need to stop what we’re doing, clarify goals and define what it means to have a loving relationship with God. We should figure out what changes need to be made in order to start using our time and talents as workers in God’s vineyard. The good news is that by quitting, we might, in fact, be winners. Certainly, it’s a win-win when we choose to follow Jesus and move into a more loving relationship with God. Blessings, Bill The men of CHCUMC meet on a monthly basis at the Central Highlands Church for breakfast, study, and fellowship. These meetings begin at 6:30 am to accommodate work schedules and will occur on Wednesday, October 1, 2014. SLIME TIME AT CHCUMC THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD AT 7:30 PM IN FELLOWSHIP HALL DiscipleLand Bible Curriculum Children Today: …Know more about video games than they know about GOD …Love peer approval more than they love JESUS …Serve themselves before they consider the needs of others It has been said the vast majority of Christian kids today are spiritually malnourished. Over the years I have been overwhelmed with the curriculum choices that come across my desk. When one tries to compare any curriculum theme and content to another, it’s difficult to say which the best is. They all have excellent materials. The BIG question is which satisfies the Christian education goals of CHCUMC, teaches sound Biblical lessons and are presented in ways that reach our “Tech Savvy” kids of today. Working with Eric Wilkins, we established Christian Education objectives/outcomes for preschool through high school seniors. These objectives made it helpful to identify which curriculum meets the needs of our Christian Education Program for our children and youth, preschool through 5th/6th grade. As a result, Disciple Land Bible Curriculum was my choice to use for our Sunday school, preschool through 5th grade students. DiscipleLand Bible Curriculum follows a plan for preschool, thru 5th grade to ensure that “children will achieve a balanced growth in Bible knowledge, Christ like character and faithful conduct to live and serve as devoted followers of Jesus”. Children need to build a firm foundation in God’s Word and grow into solid disciples of Jesus Christ with our help through essential Bible training. DiscipleLand for Preschool is divided into the Old and New Testament. The children are starting this fall with the Old Testament sequence; Discover God where they are introduced to God’s greatness and plan. The first of the 8 Old Testament sequences is titled God Made Us (Genesis 1-13) and is followed by God Knows Us (Genesis 18-50). The student book includes beautiful, realistic artist pictures of the Bible Story and a life lesson in addition to learning activities. However, the feature for parents and their child to do together called Parent Partner is especially nice. DiscipleLand COREBIBLE is for grades 1st through 5th/6th. It consists of 24 sequential quarters of curriculum divided into 6 learning levels according to age at the elementary level. In addition to classroom materials this curriculum comes with its own online content for each weeks lessons. Students can visit 5 different pages of resources to explore and enrich weekly lessons. Students simply use the link: http://www.disciplezone.com. There are 3 dials. No code is needed. The first dial is set to the level and the second dial is set to the unit quarter. Eric Wilkins, 3rd, 4th, 5th grade class, is level 3 and quarter unit A. Debbie Walter’s 1st and 2nd grade class level is level 1 and quarter unit A. This is a great feature for children and their families to experience and learn together. This curriculum also offers a wealth of downloadable resources for teachers. I hope that students and parents make us of the resources. I pray through classroom lessons and involvement of our children with their families, they learn to know, love and serve God. Heroes & Heroines of the Bible Bulletin Board Stop by Fellowship Hall each Sunday and see the Bible characters that we are learning about as part of our Sunday school opening time. We will be learning about each of these individuals and their godly virtues. Our bulletin board lets us know: Adam & Eve sinned. God promised to send a hero to save the world from sin. Bible heroes and heroines each reflect godly attributes. Jesus is the hero who came and has all these characteristics. Thanks to Debbie Zora for her creativity and devotion to the children’s choir. They will perform at least once a month at the worship service. Debbie will also be working on a Christmas program with the children. HIGH SCHOOL POST HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH SUNDAY GROUP STUDY The uncommon high school group study series By Jim Burns CHCUMC is offering a unique Sunday group study series for high school (9th-12th) and post high school youths. This is a 5-book series for studies that provide Biblical perspective with topics of interest to youth that are straight forward, relevant and relatable to young people’s lives. It provides them with needed information necessary to make wise, faith based decisions related to their everyday life, chores and problems. The uncommon series provides the types of experiences and content that will capture young people’s attention. The series of 5 books in the study are: Winning Spiritual Battles The Christian Life Resisting Temptation Parents and Family Dealing With Stress and Crisis Each uncommon group Bible study contains 12 sessions which are divided into 3 stand-alone units of 4 sessions each. The author, Dr. Jim Burns, is a three time Gold Medallion Award winning author of books for church leaders, children and youth ministry, parents, students and children. The uncommon high school group study is endorsed by such individuals as Doug Field, Simply Youth Ministry, and Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life. SUNDAY GROUP STUDY 9:40 – 10:40 SENIOR HIGH AND POST HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH Lead by: Jonathan Zora, Mark McCall, Brian Chorba and Jason Kracun **HELPER (S) WANTED** FRIEND’S CLASS (3rd, 4th, 5th ) Looking for committed helper (s) to work with Debbie Walter, starting in November with the Friend’s Class. Call Debbie at 412-751-0511 or email [email protected] with questions. Woodland Fairies Deep in the woods, beneath the trees The forest creatures call to me They call my name even knowing not How my name to them was taught. The dappled sun rays catch my eye As leaves filter sun beams from a cloudless sky Quietly I step on dew covered moss Making no sound so the moment’s not lost And there they dance in a circle so bright The woodland fairies with their wings of light This is how I found them when I was a child My family of fairies in the forest wild I tried again as an adult to see These tiny creatures beneath that tree But they would not appear to this woman now grown I guess they’re reserved for a child’s eyes alone. Louise Patterson It's that time of year again when everyone begins to think about getting their home ready for winter. There are always rain gutters to clean, painting to do, shrubs to trim and all sorts of odd jobs to do before cold weather sets in for another year. So this might be the time when you could use a hand -- or two. Why not contact the Hands of the Carpenter for some assistance? If you would like some help, just contact Carol at the church office (412-751-0511) or Nevin Ulery (412-384-3574). You will be put on the "to do list" and can expect a call in the near future to check on the type of assistance you may need. From January through August of this year the men and women of the Hands of the Carpenter have assisted with projects for 16 "clients" from throughout our community. Will you be next? Or will you volunteer to be part of the Hands of the Carpenter team serving our community? At least twelve folks have already helped so far this year. We would really appreciate having some new faces on our community outreach team. CHICKEN AND BISCUIT DINNER fundraiser SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2014 CENTRAL HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 100 timothy drive, Elizabeth, pa 15037 3:00 – 7:00 pm ADULTS $9 CHILDREN $5 (12 years and under) Benefits chcumc ministries Every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 11:00 AM, the sanctuary will be open for a time of prayer. It is important to set aside time for prayer and just quiet time to listen for God’s voice. I would encourage you to consider praying at this time of the week with us at the church; however, if it is not convenient for you to come to church to pray, perhaps you could set aside that time to pray at home. WOW (Women of the Word) Come, search the scriptures and enjoy the fellowship. The new study is “Broken and Blessed”. They will meet again on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the parsonage. For more information call Nancy at 412-751-6143. MEALS ON WHEELS OF ELIZABETH FORWARD How can you offer YOUR help and support? As a kitchen aide… One day a week (Monday thru Friday) for about an hour to an hour and a half to help package the food. As a driver or runner… One day a week (Monday thru Friday) for about two hours (starting around 9:15 am). People who are willing to use their vehicle/gas to deliver the meal to each address and those willing to take the meal into each home. Some acquainted with each route would ride with you until you become familiar with it yourself. Then you can choose to be a runner for that route or have a runner accompany you. If you become ill or have a doctor’s appointment or are taking a trip on your “scheduled” day, no problem; another volunteer fills in for you. Adopt a Senior… If you or an organization you may be associated with would like to adopt a senior who currently is a recipient of Meals on Wheels, all you have to do is get in touch with Josette at (412)-751-2230. The seniors pay $5 a day for their meals. Even though this seems like a small amount of money, sometimes a senior might be bogged down with utilities, taxes, and medications. SPAGHETTI DINNER SPONSORED BY ELIZABETH FORWARD BAND BOOSTERS at CENTRAL HIGHLAND COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 100 Timothy Drive, Elizabeth OCTOBER 25, 2014 FROM 4PM TILL 7:00 PM BUY YOUR TICKET AT THE DOOR $8 FOR ADULTS $5 CHILDREN 6 YEARS AND UNDER CARRY-OUT AVAILABLE! Oglebay Festival of Lights Friday, November 14, 2014 This annual holiday light show is one of the nation's largest, covering more than 300 acres over a six-mile drive throughout the resort. Friday, November 14 12:00 - Depart by bus from Central Highlands Community United Methodist Church 2:30-3:45 Tour the Zoo/Train Exhibit/Laser Show - The zoo features its annual model train display at the O-Gauge Model Train Exhibit and the entertaining holiday laser show is at the zoo's Benedum Theater . Walk the outdoor path to see many animals or view the ones at the indoor exhibit. 4:00-4:45 – Visit the Hilltop Gift Shops and Gardens – Enjoy shopping and stroll the Christmas Tree Garden. Introduced in 2003, the Christmas Tree Garden consists of 30 live trees decorated with various colored lights. Nestled amid the Christmas Tree Garden is the Nativity Display. The life-size Nativity was designed and created by a local artist, and has been a much-loved display at the Winter Festival of Lights since 1985 5:00-6:00 – Dinner at Wilson Lodge – Enjoy a delightful dinner Bufftet including a salad bar, hot food bar with veggies and pasta, dessert bar, and carving stations featuring roast turkey and tenderloin of beef. Adults $56.00 Child (12 and under) $17.00 Sign up in the Narthex or Contact Lois Leggett for more information 412-310-6155 POINSETTIA TIME Fashion Show By Phyllis’ Fashions Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 1:00 pm Central Highlands Community United Methodist Church Donation: $10.00 (lunch included) Sponsored by Central Highlands United Methodist Women. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER OCTOBER 14TH UMW MEETING Preschool Happenings Well we have completed one month of preschool and I am so pleased with how well everyone is adjusting. In a short time we have already accomplished so much. Both classes have had fun learning their colors; and the 4 year olds have learned their shapes as well. Now we will jump right into fall celebrating all things fall at the beginning of the month then finishing October by learning about all the fun aspects of Halloween. The 4 year olds will enjoy their Fall Festival, a day full of fun, games, and crafts. Both classes will celebrate Halloween with a parade, songs, and a party. Until next month, Tracy Thornton Can you knit or crochet? Would you like to make a shawl, which the Shepherds distribute to persons that need the comfort of a warm shawl to help them through a recent hospitalization or sick spell? If you would like to knit or crochet a shawl for the Shepherds, please let Lynda (412751-5493), Judy (412-384-3574), or Millie (412-751-7031) know. They will see that you get the yarn and a pattern (or use your own pattern). The congregation has been very supportive of the Shepherds, by donations that are used to buy yarn, stamps, and plastic food containers to deliver the hot food to members of the church. There has been three or four persons that have been doing all of the knitting and/or crocheting. More help would lighten the load. Thank you in advance! The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 23rd at 7:00 pm in Pastor’s Lounge. Lynda Krol and Darlene Basic (co-chairs) Central Highlands United Methodist Women is for all women of the congregation. Our Purpose: “The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as a whole person through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.” We will have our next meeting on Tuesday, October 14th at 12:00 noon. Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy dessert served by the hostesses. The meeting will follow lunch with Carol presiding. Phyllis will have devotions. Mina will have an interesting program. We have several events planned for the fall. We have been asked to serve dinner to the Washington District Minister’s Chorus. The chorus will be in concert at our church on Thursday, October 16th at 7:00 pm. We will be serving the member of the chorus dinner at 5:30 pm. Mark the date on your calendar for an evening of great music. We will have our annual Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon on Sunday, November th 9 at 1:00 pm in the activity center. “Fashions by Phyllis” will be showing new fashions for the fall and holidays. The theme will be “Poinsettia Time”. The cost of the tickets will be $10.00 for adults and $4.00 for children (10 years or under). Tickets will be available after our October 14th meeting. No tickets will be sold at the door so we can plan accordingly. Deadline for the tickets will be our Wednesday, November 5th meeting. Again we ar4e asking for your donations of salads and dessert. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Mark the date on your calendar for a “Ladies Day Out”. Call Carol Barr (412-751-7648) if you have any questions. Looking ahead to the holidays our Christmas Luncheon will be Saturday, December th 13 at the Youghiogheny Country Club. It will be a lunch menu and we will be entertained by Rev. Janet Lord and Rev. Arnie McFarland. There will be menus to choose from and more information in the November Highlander. Keep the date in mind and start the holiday with us. We had a nice fall day for our September meeting. Reports were given by the officers. Elaine Ross is now our Secretary-Treasurer. Mina Burkett is filling in for Cheryl Copeland as program coordinator. Millie gave her report on the shut-ins. She asked that we keep them in our prayers and send cards to them. Our shepherds are doing a good job helping those in need. Since this was our first meeting of the year, we had a fun program. Mina and Phyllis had us making bead bracelets. There were a few beads rolling on the floor, but we did really well with them. It was nice seeing our friends again. Come and join us for an afternoon of good fellowship. If you need a shower or wedding gift, keep our RADA knives and utensils in mind. Our box sets would make a nice gift. Judy Yuhas (412-751-7019) will be happy to help you with any item as will any UMW officer. Just takes a phone call. The cooler weather is making it feel like soup and sandwich for lunch. Please keep saving the Campbell Food labels. The Ruth M. Smith Center is one of our missions and they appreciate your help. Thank you for your support. We hope you’ll join us for our fall events. Also mark the date of our Tuesday, October 14th meeting on your calendar. Bring a friend and lunch for two. See you there, Publicity, Sandy Franks **THERE IS A BOX IN THE NARTHEX FOR THESE ITEMS** This is a list of infant items that will be taken to Magee Hospital by B. J. Berich. BABY LOVE LAYETTES Items Needed: Sleepers with feet Any warm wear for winter Onesies – Long sleeve and short sleeve Hooded bath towels Baby wash cloths Fitted crib sheets Pack and play sheets Comb and brush sets Socks Bibs Burp Cloths Plastic bottles Sizes for Clothing: 0-3 months 0-6months Newborn size is needed occasionally NO Diapers, please NO oils, creams, lotions or powders Any questions, please call B.J. Berich at 412-384-9114. If cash donations are received, they are used to purchase anything that is needed before she delivers the items to Magee Hospital. TO BE OR NOT TO BE……………THAT IS THE QUESTION! Shakespeare surely knew how to get to the heart of a matter…..TO BE OR NOT TO BE, he says, THAT IS THE QUESTION! Every day, I am faced with a similar question….to DO or NOT TO DO, THAT IS THE QUESTION! TO BE OR NOT TO BE A UNITED METHODIST WOMAN…THAT IS THE QUESTION OF THE MOMENT. YES OR NO! NO…Already involved in too many things, I don’t need another meeting to go to! YES…But, here is a group that is focused on things that really matte to me..A chance to grow spiritually and become involved in a ministry of caring. NO…I’ve heard the meetings are boring..and I have plenty of that in other places, don’t need more of that. YES…Well ok, maybe there ARE times when the programs don’t seem interesting, but I’ve heard the UMW allows freedom for everyone to be involved in helping to bring about change and after all, maybe I need to expand my own interests. NO…I don’t have to belong to a group to become involved in helping and supporting other people…I can find enough to do right in my own neighborhood. YES…You’re right about that..There is need all around us and more to be done than there is time (or will) to do it. But there is something to be said for the support and strength that comes from doing things together..with other people. NO…But I need time for ME..I find myself getting so involved I don’t have time to just ENJOY LIFE and have some plain fun! YES…United Methodist Women allow for that kind of creative, supportive fellowship. We would become burdened and guilt ridden if we did not give attention to lighter moments and fun experiences...a prime example is the retreats..Christmas gatherings…School of Christian Mission..and simply getting together for sheer pleasure. NO…I understand you have to make a pledge to belong to United Methodist Women..sounds like that might just be another way the church is “trying to zap you”! YES…Although the support of mission and ministries throughout the world is a major part of belonging to United Methodist Women and such support does take money..the major emphasis is not on the pledge. If one is able, she makes a pledge, according to her own ability as she determines. If she is not able to make a pledge, she is welcome as a member of the local UMW unit. LEADER..My..My..My..so many things to consider…while one part of me says NO..the other part of me says YES..this can be an opportunity to expand my own understandings about the ministry of our church…an opportunity to know more about member of my own church family and broaden the fellowship which we already enjoy! Maybe, I just better go ahead and say it: YES! COUNT ME IN! “Thank you” to Rev. Starr and all of you for your prayers and cards of comfort. The Hobaugh, Hanzes and Wandell Families. Thank you so much for all of the love and support when my mother died. The food, cards & visits were very much appreciated. Our church family is very dear to us. Judy & Nevin Ulery OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS October 1 4 5 6 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Sandy Wrona John Wall Christina Nock Ben Durant Terri Worrall Ralph Gronlund Patrice DeMarco Josh Jordan Art Gronlund Sue Ann Semich Grace Hemminger Ron Ziegler Bill Ullom Gene Heintz Christopher Ianuale Courtney Duffy Albigail Evans Lynann Falosk Darene Trickett Kathleen Veres Eric Kettering Shawn Laney Laci Schwirian Grayson Thomas 21 22 24 25 26 28 30 31 Don Ulbrich John Veres Damian Painter John Villella Chase Parker Brookelynn McPherson John Walker Ryan Hemminger Kamerin Krise Ella Heaton Ruth Krise Allene McCall MON YOUGH CHURCH DARTBALL LEAGUE Oct. 6 13 20 27 Highlanders Christ Dravosburg Port Vue West Side Central Highlanders Wesley Port Vue West Side Christy Park OCTOBER The Ministry of Serving Greeters: 8:30 10:00 Judy Yuhas Ellen Gainer 412-751-7019 412-881-3697 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5 12 19 26 Hospitality: 8:30 11:00 8:30 11:00 8:30 11:00 8:30 11:00 Tom & Joyce Gallagher Patrice DeMarco Helen McConnell Bill & Donna Firczak Bill & Elaine Ross Bill Ullom Joe & Joyce Newmeyer Youth Millie Ulbrich 412-751-7031 ……………………………………………………………………………………… 8:30 11:00 Judy Ulery Buddy Lepley Head Ushers: Carol School 412-751-0511 ………………………………………………………………………………..…… 8:30 5 12 19 26 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 Don Ulbrich, Ralph Gronlund, Nevin Ulery and Art Gronlund Scott Biddle Fred Brassart Dave Copeland Tim Durant, Madison Messina, David Smith, Sara Beatty, and Ben Durant Liturgists Carol School 412-751-0511 ……………………………………………………………………………. 12 8:30 Lizy Ashton 11:00 Eric Wilkins 19 8:30 Louise Patterson 11:00 Buddy Lepley 26 8:30 Linda Schneider 11:00 David Smith Acolytes Carol School 412-751-0511 ……………………………………………………………………………… 5 11:00 David Smith 12 11:00 Sami Kracun 19 11:00 Madison Messina 26 11:00 Lizy Ashton Millie Ulbrich’s team will audit in October. Bill Elaine Ross 302 Covy Court Elizabeth, PA 15037 ARTICLES FOR THE NOVEMBER HIGHLANDER MUST BE IN THE OFFICE BY OCTOBER 15TH.