2015 November

Thoburn United Methodist Church
Thoburn News
Volume 44 Issue 11
November 2015
From the Pastor
Inside this issue:
Rethink Christmas
2
Daylight Savings Ends
2
Library News
3
UMW
3
UMM
3
All Saints Sunday
4
Organ & Tissue Donor Day
4
Stewardship Sunday
5
UM Student Day
5
Advent Begins/Communion
5
Calendar
6-7
Outreach
8
Charge Conference
8
Mission Opportunity
8
Christian Sympathy
9
Poinsettia Order Form
9
Thanks
10
Congratulations
10
Nursery Schedule
10
Treasurer’s Report
11
Noisy Offering
11
Christmas Projects
12
Thoburn’s Mission:
“To share the love of
Jesus Christ with all people.”
Dear Friends in Christ,
Adam and I are excited to be working on a goal set
by the church of developing a third worship service.
We’ve been pleased with the number of people willing
to assist in the planning and eventual beginning of this
new service.
This new service will have a casual format with more
modern Christian songs. Our anticipated start date is
Thursday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m. We will meet in the
sanctuary and we are expecting the service to last
45 minutes.
If you are interested in being a part of this new service,
we could certainly use your help. We will need assistance
in childcare, greeters, tech personnel (sound and video),
hospitality, and a number of other areas. Please let either
Adam or I know if you are feeling led to serve in one of
these areas.
This is a great opportunity for us at Thoburn to reach
out to our surrounding community. Many people work
various shifts or for other reasons are unavailable for
Sunday morning worship. Others are simply looking for
a different style. Even if this is not for you, please invite
others to come and prayerfully support this ministry.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Pastor Ken
T H O BU RN NE WS
PAGE 2
Rethink Christmas
When the Season of Advent has rolled around in years past, I have tried to remind the church of Jesus
Christ to focus on Jesus Christ at Christmas! What I have found is that by the time we get to Advent,
the church is already immersed in the madness of the Season! So I thought I would use my space in this
month’s newsletter as a kind of preemptive strike for Jesus being the center of our Christmas Season.
The challenge every year is to “rethink Christmas,” to make certain we are honoring Christ in our
holiday celebrations. As Ginghamsburg UMC pastor Mike Slaughter has reminded us: “Christmas is
not YOUR birthday!”
So what we’ll be doing during Advent, and, if this article achieves its desired intent- leading up to
Advent- is rethinking Christmas. We will sing many songs throughout the Season about the salvation
the Christ child was to bring. We will be rethinking what it means to be “saved” this Christmas.
The coming of the Messiah was the fulfillment of long awaited promises of God. We will be rethinking
those promises as well. And there is another birth story that coincides with the birth of Christ- the birth
of John the Baptist, who preached a message of repentance. We will be rethinking repentance in this
Season of Advent.
Mary was called upon to serve the Lord in a way unlike anyone had ever been called upon to serve (or
ever will again). Advent, then, is the perfect time to rethink “service.” And finally, Christmas is a time
to celebrate and to strengthen our relationships with others. We will be rethinking relationships as well.
Hopefully we will all begin to think now about what our Christmas celebrations are going to look like.
How does a “saved” people celebrate Christmas? What do God’s fulfilled promises mean for my life
today and every day? What does repentance have to do with Christmas? How does Mary’s “Yes” to
God inspire me? And who can we reach out to as God has reached out to us in Christ?
Let’s celebrate the Season like sold-out Jesus people. And let’s start thinking about how to do that now.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Adam
Time Change November 1
Daylight Savings Time ends at
2:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015.
Please remember to turn your clocks
back 1 hour on Saturday night.
V O LU M E 4 4 I S S U E 1 1
T H O BU RN NE WS
PAGE 3
Library News
NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL LIBRARY MONTH
Help us celebrate by visiting the Thoburn library and checking out a book!
Many new books have arrived so there are lots for everyone - adults and
children alike. The library is open when the church is open!
UMW Circles
The Mary Reed Circle of the
UMW will meet Monday,
Nov. 2, at 7:00 p.m.
The Isabella Thoburn Circle
will meet on Wednesday,
Nov. 4, at 11:00 a.m.
The program, “Welcoming
Through Giving” will be given
by Karen Shoemaker. Members
will make their pledges for some
of our mission work for 2016.
Elaine Hunter will have the
pledge service and Connie Smith
will have devotions.
Lunch will follow at Mehlman’s.
Devotions will be given by Kay Day.
Linda Bean and Melissa Reinbold will
be our hostesses.
See you then!
UMM
The United Methodist Men will again have their trailer at the St. Clairsville
Christmas Parade on November 19.
The guest speaker for the November 21st meeting, we will be Matt Mowrer.
Matt recently attended and participated in the 23rd World Scout Jamboree, which was
held in Japan. More than 30,000 scouts and leaders from 161 countries around the
world converged on Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan, in August and early September.
The Methodist Men will deliver fruit baskets to shut-in’s after their December 19th
meeting.
PAGE 4
T H O BU RN NE WS
All Saints Sunday November 1
All Saints Sunday will be observed at Thoburn on November 1. During
our worship services that morning, we will be remembering members of
our church who have passed away during the last year. We will invite
family members or friends of those persons to bring forward a candle
which will be placed on the altar table as part of a visual worship focus.
Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday November 8
On Sunday, November 8, we will join with faith
communities throughout the country to observe
National Donor Sabbath. National Donor Sabbath
helps to increase awareness of the critical need for
organs and tissues and the miracle of transplantation.
Last year more than 29,000 organ transplants were performed in the United States
and more than 1 million Americans received a tissue transplant. Men, women and
children’s lives were saved or enhanced due to generous, caring strangers. Unfortunately, the national waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant is rising at an
alarming rate with now more than 123,000 individuals currently on the waiting list.
Although the need is very great, some people choose not to donate because of some
commonly held misconceptions and myths about organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Many believe it is against their religion, when in fact ours and all other major
religions in the United States supports organ, eye, and tissue donation. Other people
believe that it will cost money to become a donor. The truth is there is no cost to the
donor’s family or to their estate. Finally, people assume that they are too old to be
an organ, eye, and tissue donor. In fact, the oldest organ donor in the United States
was 92 years old and he donated his liver to someone in their early 60’s. Anyone,
of any age, can register their decision to donate and medical professionals will
determine what can be donated at the time of death.
On Sunday, November 8, look for the worship bulletin insert that will provide you
with more information and tell you how you can be involved.
T H O BU RN NE WS
PAGE 5
Stewardship Sunday November 15
By now you may have received a mailing asking for your commitment
to help keep our church fiscally strong. On Sunday, November 15, we
will be receiving financial commitments to support our ministry together.
A financial commitment card was included in the aforementioned
mailing. We are asking you to complete and return those cards on
November 15, so that we might plan responsibly for our 2016 ministry budget.
We hope you will prayerfully consider your financial support of our church as we
take a next step toward being the church we feel we are called to be. Obviously the
need is there. But the very best reason to give is out of gratitude for the ways God
has blessed us. All that we have, all that we are, and all that we have the potential
to be are gifts that God has given to us. Our faithful stewardship is a way of saying
thank you to the Giver.
United Methodist Student Day November 29
On Sunday, November 23, we will recognize United Methodist
Student Day, which calls the church to support students as they
prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. A leaflet/offering
envelope will be provided in the worship bulletins that day. Your
generous gifts support United Methodist scholarships and student
loans for qualified United Methodist applicants through the U.M.
Student Loan Fund, administered by the General Board of Higher
Education and Ministry (GBHEM).
First Sunday of Advent / Communion November 29
On Sunday, November 29, we will celebrate the
start of the Advent Season with the sacrament
of Holy Communion at both services.
N ove mbe r 20 1
Sun
Mon
Tue
1 2:00am Daylight Savings Time Ends
2
3
Food Collection Sunday
All Saints Sunday
9:30am Alpha/Omega Choir
9:30am New Member Class
2:00pm Children’s Program Practice
5:30pm Boy Scouts
6:00pm Bible Study
6:00pm Adam Davis Small Group
6:00pm Nick Myser Small Group
8
Election Day
4
11:00am Isabella Thoburn Circle
5:30pm Cub Scouts
6:00pm Ken Gifford Small Group
7:00pm Mary Reed Circle
Recycle Sunday
Organ & Tissue Donor Sunday
9:30am Alpha/Omega Choir
9:30am New Member Class
2:00pm Children’s Program Practice
5:30pm Boy Scouts
6:00pm Bible Study
6:00pm Adam Davis Small Group
6:00pm Nick Myser Small Group
9
15
Stewardship Sunday
9:30am Alpha/Omega Choir
9:30am New Member Class
2:00pm Children’s Program Practice
2:30PM Forest Hill Worship Service
5:30pm Boy Scouts
6:00pm Bible Study
6:00pm Adam Davis Small Group
6:00pm Nick Myser Small Group
16
22
Noisy Offering Sunday
9:30am Alpha/Omega Choir
2:00pm Children’s Program Practice
5:30pm Boy Scouts
6:00pm Bible Study
6:00pm Adam Davis Small Group
6:00pm Nick Myser Small Group
23
29
30
Scholarship Sunday
UM Student Day
First Sunday of Advent
Communion
9:30am Alpha/Omega Choir
2:00pm Children’s Program Practice
5:30pm Boy Scouts
6:00pm Bible Study
6:00pm Adam Davis Small Group
6:00pm Nick Myser Small Group
Wed
6:00pm Celebration Ringers
6:00pm Cub Scouts
10
1:30pm UMW Board Meeting
6:00pm Daisies
6:00pm Ken Gifford Small Group
7:00pm Trustees Committee
5:30pm Cub Scouts
6:00pm Ken Gifford Small Group
6:00pm Daisies
6:00pm Ken Gifford Small Group
5:30pm Cub Scouts
6:00pm Ken Gifford Small Group
6:00pm Celebration Ringers
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:00pm St. C. Council of Churches East Richland Friend’s Church
7:00pm Finance Committee
7:30pm Outreach Ministry Team
17
6:00pm Celebration Ringers
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:00pm SPR Committee
24
6:00pm Celebration Ringers
6:00pm Cub Scouts
4:00pm Youth Choir
4:30pm Wesley Bells
6:00pm Amy Aspenwall Small Group
6:00pm Youth Group
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:30pm Sanctuary Choir
11
4:00pm Youth Choir
4:30pm Wesley Bells
6:00pm Amy Aspenwall Small Group
6:00pm Youth Group
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:30pm Sanctuary Choir
18
4:00pm Youth Choir
4:30pm Wesley Bells
6:00pm Amy Aspenwall Small Group
6:00pm Youth Group
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:30pm Sanctuary Choir
25
4:00pm Youth Choir
4:30pm Wesley Bells
6:00pm Amy Aspenwall Small Group
6:00pm Youth Group
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:30pm Sanctuary Choir
ove mbe r 20 1 5
Thu
Fri
Sat
5
6
7
13
14
11:00am Isabella Thoburn Circle
4:00pm Youth Choir
4:30pm Wesley Bells
6:00pm Amy Aspenwall Small Group
6:00pm Youth Group
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:30pm Sanctuary Choir
3:00pm Membership Care Ministry Team
6:30pm Boy Scout Roundtable
12
4:00pm Youth Choir
4:30pm Wesley Bells
6:00pm Amy Aspenwall Small Group
6:00pm Youth Group
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:30pm Sanctuary Choir
2:00pm Order of the Arrow
6:00pm Scout Advancement Meeting
7:00pm Scout Committee Meeting
19
4:00pm Youth Choir
4:30pm Wesley Bells
6:00pm Amy Aspenwall Small Group
6:00pm Youth Group
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:30pm Sanctuary Choir
4:00pm Youth Choir
4:30pm Wesley Bells
6:00pm Amy Aspenwall Small Group
6:00pm Youth Group
6:00pm Cub Scouts
7:30pm Sanctuary Choir
10:00am Library Ministry Team
20
21
8:00am UMM Breakfast Meeting
6:00pm St. C. Christmas Tree Lighting
6:30pm St. C. Christmas Parade
7:30pm Church Council
(note time change)
26
Office Closed
27
Office Closed
28
PAGE 8
T H O BU RN NE WS
Outreach
Christmas Parade
Operation Christmas Child
The St. Clairsville Christmas Parade
will be held on November 19. The
Outreach Ministry Team will again
be sharing hot chocolate and cookies.
There will be a sign-up sheet in
the Narthex for donations of both of
these items.
We will again be filling shoeboxes to be
sent to needy children both at home and
abroad. We would like to challenge our
congregation and community to fill 200
boxes. We will need the boxes filled and
monetary donations to cover shipping.
We can do this!!!
Charge Conference December 2
Our annual Charge Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2,
at 7:00 p.m. at Scott Memorial UMC in Cadiz. The Charge Conference is the
annual business meeting of the church at which leadership officers for the
coming year are elected and reports on the ministries of the church are given.
Our congregation will meet together with Bell Chapel, Cadiz Scott Memorial,
Carrollton First, Mt. Pleasant (Carroll County), Richmond, Shadyside Lincoln
Avenue, Steubenville Finley and Wintersville. Our District Superintendent,
Rev. Jim Winkler, will preside at the Conference.
All members of the church are voting members of the Charge Conference.
Members of Church Council are especially encouraged to attend.
Mission Opportunity
Don Redmond, layperson of Toronto Riverview UMC, who has taken
about 10 mission trips to Senegal, is planning another two week trip for
either January or February 2016. If you are interested in taking part in this
trip or would like more information, please contact Don at 740-537-4486.
PAGE 9
T H O BU RN NE WS
Christian Sympathy
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF:
Elizabeth Morgan “Ellie” King, of St. Clairsville, who passed away
Monday, September 14, 2015. (Daughter of Tom and Kathy King)
Norma J. Eells, of St. Clairsville, who passed away Thursday, September 24, 2015.
Thomas Ballog, of Pickerington, who passed away Sunday, October 18, 2015.
(Brother of Barbara (Jim) Baugh)
Poinsettias
With the Holidays quickly approaching, it is now time to
place your orders for poinsettias. The cost is $9.00 per plant.
Please return this completed form, with payment, to the church
office or place in the offering plate. Orders must be received by
Monday, December 14th.
Note: We ask that the poinsettias remain in the
church until after the Christmas Eve services.
In Memory of/in Honor of (circle one)
Name: __________________________________________
Given By: _______________________________________
Amount Enclosed: _______________
T H O BU RN NE WS
PAGE 10
Thanks
Dear Church Family,
Many thanks to all of you
who donated items for the
St. Clairsville Coat Closet
located at First Presbyterian
Church. We collected over
125 gently used items.
Thank you Church Family for all the prayers,
cards, and encouraging words for our recent
illness and recovery. We are blessed to be a
part of a caring congregation.
In Christian Love,
Kurt and Pam Stubbs
Outreach Ministry Team
Congratulations
CONGRATULATIONS TO MEGAN AND GREG COOK on the
birth of their daughter, Savannah Ragen, who was born Monday,
October 19th. She weighed 7lb, 12oz and was 20 inches long.
The proud great grandmother is Elsie Cook.
Nursery Schedule November 2015
8:30
10:45
November 1
Mary Mowrer
Em Mowrer
Lori Custer
Gabe Hays
November 8
Shawn Meier
Judy Coutts
Kayla Custer
Nick Myser
November 15
Amy Baugh
Alison Newell
Kristen Dubowski
Jen Fulton
November 22
Dotty Meigh
Chrissy Stack
Paula Murphy
Phyllis Roberts
November 29
Kari Fillipovich
Cherel Husek
Dan Young
Jo Prosser
Thank you for taking care of our little ones.
T H O BU RN NE WS
PAGE 11
Treasurer’s Report
Report of Treasurer for September, 2015:
The Operating Fund progresses as follows:
Current Month General Fund Income:
Current Month General Fund Expenses:
Difference for Month
$ 24,085.47
$ 28,157.22
$ ( 4,071.75)
Additional designated offerings collected:
$ 1,951.00 September SGG
$ 396.00 Meals for Missions
INCOME
2015 YTD Budget
$263,062.53
2015 YTD Actual
$263,352.81
Difference
$ 290.28
EXPENSE
2015 YTD Budget
$303,127.11
2015 YTD Actual
$294,971.62
Difference
($8,155.49)
Respectfully submitted,
Shawn Meier, Treasurer
Noisy Offering
Thank you for your Noisy Offering of $310.89, collected during September
for the Operation Christmas Child project. Your generosity is appreciated.
Adopt A Child
The St. Clairsville Council of
Churches is again participating
in the “Adopt A Child” Program.
If you would like to purchase a gift for
a child or children in need, please call
Cheryl Martin at 695-9628.
Gifts must be dropped off at the church
office by December 9th.
St. Clairsville Council of Churches
Christmas Project
Distribution will take place
on Friday, December 11,
at Calvary Presbyterian Church
and the St. C. Food Pantry.
Donations needed include:

Blankets, Pillows, Pillow Cases,
Sheets, Towels, Wash Cloths

Children’s Socks, Mittens,
Gloves, Underwear

Personal Care Items such as
Bath Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant,
Facial Soap & Creams, After Shave
Lotion

Facial Tissue
Thoburn Uni te d Me thodi s t Churc h
209 East Main Street
P. O. Box 4
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone:
Fax:
740-695-0770
740-695-4137
Pastor’s e-mail: [email protected]
Associate Pastor’s email: [email protected]
Church e-mail: [email protected]
PLEASE TAKE NOTE:
Newsletter items for next month should be
submitted to the Church Office no later than the
15th of each month. Dr op off or e-mail to:
[email protected].
Published Monthly
November 2015
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Visit us on the web!
www.thoburnumc.org
THOBURN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Sunday Worship 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School 9:30 a.m. (for all ages)
Pastor: Rev. Kenneth A. Gifford
Associate Pastor: Rev. Adam Davis
Deaconess: Ginny Moore
Office Manager: Megan Doyle
Assistant Secretary: Julie Kirsopp
Organist: Joyce Crouch
Pianist: Linda Steffl
Worship Music Director: Marian Martin
Financial Secretary: Julie Kirsopp
Treasurer: Shawn Meier
Custodian: Bill Eddy