The Circuit Rider - Bishop - Bishop United Methodist Church

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The Circuit Rider
The Circuit Rider
Bishop 1st United Methodist Church
205 N. Fowler Street
Bishop, CA 93514
Return Address Requested
October 2012
Nonprofit Org
U.S.Postage Paid
Bishop, CA
Permit No. 16
Newsletter for October
Worship Service & Children’s Sunday School 9:30 a.m.; child care provided
OUR STEWARDSHIP
Our Prayer Concerns: Prayer Chain -- call Margaret Phelps 872-6608
Don Larson, Kris Walden, Ryker Carr, Joan Stathem, Carmen Matson, families of
Helena Spratt & Chase Taque, Paul Selvidge, family of Rev. Ralph B. Martin,
Laurel Triatik & her move to Iowa, Lance Corporal Jacob Smith, Lee Walker,
Scott Kneip, KJ Evans, Jason Brown, Julie Wagoner, Pam Cutter, expectant
mothers, elderly parents, those awaiting test results, those looking for work, the
violence in our world, the upcoming elections.
For Email Prayer Chain, email [email protected]
Our Presence:
Our Gifts
9/2 – 106
9/9 – 144
9/16 – 121
9/23 – 129 9/30 – n/a
Thank you for your faithful giving – to support the mission & ministry
of your church!
Our Service and Witness Our thanks to – Our newsletter folding/prep team
each month! (& to Barbara Walker, our faithful bulletin folder each week);
Cliff Beck & Pat Powell for special music; Marcia Weiland for a wonderful
Opportunity Sunday; Margaret Phelps & Russ Meader for lights on Methodist
Center steps; Rev. Ed and Martina McRae & the United Methodist Women for
a great potluck & program on the Mongolia mission trip.
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The Circuit Rider
October 2012
The Circuit Rider
First United Methodist Church
205 N. Fowler Street
Bishop, CA 93514
Phone 760-872-7701 www.bishopumc.org Fax 760-872-6214
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 6
October 7
October 13
October 14
October 19
October 28
October 31
November 3
November 4
Youth Pizza Fundraiser
Faith in Action Sunday
North District Conference
World Communion Sunday
Friday Nite Live Dinner Out
Family Fellowship BBQ @ Stevens
Community Harvest Festival
UMW Bazaar
Commitment Sunday /
All Saints and Communion Sunday
Alternative Christmas
“Fall Back” to Pacific Standard time
Friday October 19 at 6 pm
LET’S EAT OUT!
IMPERIAL GOURMET RESTAURANT (DUTCH TREAT)
Join us for Dinner, Fellowship and Fun.
Bring some friends.
Please call to let us know you are coming.
We need to make reservations.
Bob or Marcia 387-2212
ALL ARE WELCOME
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October 2012
Don’t just go to church —
BE the CHURCH!!
Faith in Action Sunday
October 7, 2012
Here is how you can be
a part of this journey:
Worship!
On October 7th, Worship will be at 5:00 pm in the Methodist Center
Baked Potato Bar Dinner to follow our celebration!
Donate!
See list on the next page for items needed for the Faith in Action projects.
Bring items to Worship or to the Church Office before October 7th.
Participate!
Faith in Action Sunday —
Sunday morning, October 7th
Join us on Sunday morning as we participate in hands-on service projects
for our community, nation and world. Sign up for one of these exciting
projects and make a difference! Projects include Healthy Classroom Kits,
Knit Scarfs & Caps, “Soles For Souls” shoe collection, Care Kits,
Birthday Cards for missionaries, Cookie Bake for MOMs Holiday Boxes,
Community projects — cleaning up, winterizing, raking leaves — and more!
Celebrate!
Sunday evening, October 7th at 5 pm
Worship Together on Sunday evening, October 7th
at 5:00 pm in the Methodist Center!
We will celebrate what God has done in us and through us!
Delicious Baked Potato Bar Dinner to follow our worship time.
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October 2012
Donate items for the Projects
Bring to church before Faith In Action Sunday, October 7th
For Healthy Classroom Kits
Goal is 40 Kits for 40 classrooms!
(for elementary classrooms in Bishop)
Hand Sanitizer
Tissues — all sizes
Surface Cleaning Wipes (Lysol, Clorox, Kirkland, etc. brands)
Toilet Paper
Coffee cans (need “old style” metal/plastic coffee cans —
with straight sides and plastic lids OR other comparable containers)
For “Soles4Souls” Shoe Collection (New OR Gently Worn Shoes)
Souls4Soles accepts all types of shoes: athletic, running, dress, sandals, pumps,
heels, work/hiking boots, cleats, dance, flip flops, just as long as they are New OR
Gently Worn. ALL sizes — kids through adults — are needed.
For Care Kits
Goal is 50 Care Kits
Hotel/sample sizes of shampoo, lotion, conditioner and soap
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Disposable razors
Granola bars
Wash cloths
Combs
Bottles of water
Supporting Bishop Sunshine Rotary’s collection.
Needed are gently used bras of ALL sizes & styles, including athletic bras, nursing bras
& camisoles. When you donate a bra, you give a former slave a job.
For Bra Collection
Baked Potato Bar Dinner!
After our evening Worship for Faith in Action Sunday, we will enjoy a baked
potato bar dinner! Still needed are shredded cheese, broccoli pieces, sour
cream, diced onions, salsa, butter pats as well as salad and desserts.
If you can bring one of these, please call Emily Braffet (873-4950)
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October 2012
Sermon Series -- “Committed to Christ”
What does a disciple of Jesus look like? How can you spot a
transformed Christian? Can I grow and change and mature in faith?
This Fall, we will consider these questions and explore steps we can
take in being “Committed to Christ.” Prayer, Bible Reading,
Worship, Witness, Giving and Service are some of the steps we will
examine. Sermons titles include “ “Have You Read It?”
“A Privilege To Be Here?” “Can I Have a Witness?” “Does It Feel
Good?” “Blisters For Jesus?”
Along with our times together in Worship, a daily devotional book available for anyone
who would like to go deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ ($3.00).
“Committed to Christ” book is available on the back table in the Sanctuary
or from the church office.
Men’s Breakfast
For all men (Methodist or otherwise!)
Every Thursday morning at 7 am –
Join us for breakfast and study in the Adult Lounge.
We finish at about 8:15 am
All men are welcome to join us. See you there!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is Your Calendar "Falling" Into Place?
It's time to be thinking about decorating at church! Thank you to Steve and
Marlene Stevens for saving their corn stalks for us to share. Thank you to Emily Braffet,
Penny Kehus, and Andra Gleinn for their willingness to decorate our sanctuary for
November and our harvest in-gathering! If you would like to help please notify any one
of these ladies asap.
We need volunteers to help with planning and decorating our sanctuary for
December as well. Believe it or not, Advent is just around the corner!!! Please let
Pastor Kathleen, Worship Chair, Donna Turner or Sue Camphouse know right away if
you are willing to work on this wonderful project that blesses so many people who visit
our sanctuary during the Advent/ Christmas/ New Year/ Epiphany season.
Thank you in advance for your servant hearts and willing spirits!
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October 2012
ANOTHER REASON TO DONATE TO
OVERFLOW BLESSINGS
Incredible as it may seem, a quilter was discovered by her husband late one day when
his stomach began to rumble due to missing both breakfast and lunch. At first, he
thought she must have simply forgotten to cook but after he walked into her sewing
room and saw only her tiny feet sticking out from a huge mountain of fallen fabric, he
realized she had been immoblizied and knocked out by the huge quilt stash stored in
her closet. It is not clear if the local quilter is out of intensive care but all visitors are
asked to stop by the home and take a few yards of fabric so that her husband can at
least have room to walk. He said in an earlier interview that she would want her friends
to enjoy her fabric and put it to good use. He cautioned other husbands to check in on
their wives if any mealtimes are missed or the same tragic event could happen to them.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a covered dish (it’s the Methodist way).
Submitted by Jaye Jackson and edited by the Newsletter Editor.
Walk to Emmaus Weekends
Coming Up in October
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the
local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. It is
sponsored through “The Upper Room” and the General Board of Discipleship.
The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with a 72-hour short course in Christianity,
comprised of fifteen talks by lay and clergy on the themes of God's grace,
disciplines of Christian discipleship, and what it means to be the church. The Walk
is wrapped in prayer and meditation, special times of worship and daily celebration
of Holy Communion, and a powerful sense of the presence of Jesus Christ.
El Shaddai Men’s Weekend dates are Thursday evening – Sunday evening, October
11-14. On the next weekend is the El Shaddai Women’s Weekend -- October 18-21
(also Thursday evening – Sunday evening.) The Walks take place at Wesley UMC in
Riverside. Additional information can be found at www.upperroom.org/emmaus
Interested in learning more? Please talk to Pastor Kathleen. Several folks from our
church have participated in the Walk to Emmaus and would love to share their
experiences with you!
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October 2012
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS
Sunday, November 4
Alternative Christmas is an opportunity for members of the congregation
to honor their friends and family with donations to a variety of church and charitable
organizations. This years’ charities include; UMCOR, Angel Tree,
Heifer International, the Summer Youth Mission Trip,
and three local ministries overseen by the United Methodist Social Services
– Soup Kitchen, Friendship Center, Spirit of Recovery,
The gifts of Alternative Christmas allow us to express love by sharing our
blessings with those who are in need both here and throughout the world.
Please join us on November 4th following Worship,
in the Methodist Center to visit and review the information
at the various organizations’ tables. Printed cards will be available
for you to give the friend or family member you are honoring by your gift.
Thank you for considering an Alternative Christmas gift
to remember and acknowledge those you love.
If you have any questions or are unable to join us on the November 4th, you can still
participate by contacting Vicka Stout at 873-5939 or Pastor Kathleen at 872-7701.
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October 2012
Holly Berry Tour Planned!
Save the date of
Sunday afternoon, December 16th
from 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Art Show and Sale
Delicious Christmas Refreshments
Home Tour of Five Homes all decorated for Christmas!
If you would like to be a part of the Holly Berry team coordinating this fundraiser
for our church, please contact Tracy Aspel or Pastor Kathleen.
Family Fellowship BBQ Picnic
Mark your calendar! On October 28th, following the
worship service, the Stevens have once again
graciously offered to host us at their home for our
BBQ for families with children and youth. Bring a
dish to share and join in the fellowship, good food,
homemade ice cream and games (billiards, croquet,
trampoline, ping-pong and more). Hope to see you
there on October 28th from 11 am to 3 pm.
RSVP’s are appreciated and can be done so via email
to [email protected] or by calling the church
office at 760-872-7701.
Advent Devotional Booklet
We will once again be preparing a devotional booklet for
Advent/Epiphany with contributions from the people in the
Eastern Sierra Mission Area Churches (Bishop, Big Pine, and
Independence). Sign-ups will be available starting the 1st
Sunday of October and the devotions will need to be completed
by Sunday November, 11th. If you are interested in helping to
create this valuable devotional resource for our churches
and local community, please let Pastor Matt know
or sign up on Sunday.
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October 2012
Bishop First UMC Youth Group Fundraiser at
Saturday, October 6th
from 4 pm to 8 pm
The youth group will receive 20% of sales to
support upcoming youth events & retreats.
Come in and enjoy a pizza, sandwich,
or salad or order take out
and our youth will gladly deliver.
Nik-N-Willies Pizza & Subs
760-872-2410 - 214 W. Line St., Bishop
We celebrated the Baptism of
Ajia Autumn Saunders
on Sunday, September 23, 2012
Welcome to God’s family, Ajia!
Exploring the Church!
Membership Class
What does it mean to be a United Methodist? What are
the vows of membership? What about the history and traditions
(and just who is this John Wesley guy?) What is the church’s
mission and ministry today? Where are we going?
COME and explore these questions and more on Sunday
mornings, October 28 & November 4 at 8:30 – 9:15 am in the
Adult Lounge. Hot coffee and breakfast goodies provided.
Please contact Pastor Kathleen to let her know you
are interesting in participating
(call the church office or email [email protected])
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The Circuit Rider
October 2012
Pastor Kathleen’s Corner
Much of the conversation in our country centers on the upcoming election. It is everywhere – on
our computers (including facebook and tweets), on the television and radio stations, in all the
spaces that we gather with other people. Much of the conversation is helpful – focused on how
to improve our country, uphold our freedoms, how to move in the right directions. But parts of
the political conversations are painful – with misinformation, negative advertisements, hate
posts on facebook and more. How to respond? Should we have an opinion? Yes. Should we
care about our country? Yes. Should we vote? Yes. But it’s time we talk politics in a way that
models the teachings of Jesus rather than mocks them. I have read several articles (internet
addresses of two of them are at the end of this column) that have pointed out things we as
Christians need to remember and ways to impact the political climate around us. They were a
“wake up” call to me as well as a challenge! I have modified/edited the articles below. Would
love to hear your feedback and comments -- remember, it is not a discussion if you do not listen
to the other side.
Here are some things to remember about politics and the upcoming elections:
1. People in both political parties go to church.
God is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. No political party has a monopoly on the will of
God. There’s a Christian Left and, perhaps even less well-known, there’s a secular Right.
Christians should be engaged in politics, but not defined by political lines.
2. Political talk radio and cable “news” only want ratings.
Remember, we live in a time where news stations would rather incite than inform the electorate
if it means better ratings. If we give our favorite political ideologues more time than we give
Jesus, we are following the wrong master. There are unbiased, logical and accurate news
sources out there. But it’s up to you to be a good steward of information—to fact-check for
yourself and make decisions based on facts.
3. Those who argue over politics don’t love their country more than others.
They just love to argue more than others. Our passion for issues comes out of a deep and
abiding love for our country. Just because someone disagrees with you does not mean they
somehow hate this country. We need to rise above the vitriol and learn to love our neighbors
the way God commanded us (yes, even the presidential candidate from the other side.)
4. Thinking your party’s platform is unflawed is a mistake.
The social policies of your party were constructed by imperfect politicians fueled by ambition.
Every four years, the parties adopt a current, updated platform at their respective conventions.
And while they stay on general tracks, every four years the platform evolves to meet the needs
of a growing, modernized and changing party. Neither the Republican party or Democrat party
of today looks like it did 10 years ago. We need to know when to change our views to meet a
changing culture—and when to stand by them.
<< continued on next page >>
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October 2012
5. Scripture tells us to pray for our governing leaders (2 Timothy 2:1-4) and to
respect those in authority (Romans 13:1-7).
Translation: if you’re mocking your governing leaders on Facebook, the Holy Spirit is grieved.
God commands us to pray for our leaders—for their wisdom, for their hearts and for them to be
led by Him. Christians are called to offer a witness to the world that rises above name-calling
and insults. Period.
6. Don’t be paranoid.
America has functioned and even thrived under both Democrat and Republican leadership. God
is the only one truly in charge. Great leaders come in all shapes and sizes. We will not fall apart
as a nation as a result of a single election. And if we believe God is in control, we have to
believe that God is the one in control.
7. Stop saying, “This is the most important election in the history of our nation.”
It’s not. The most important election in the history of our nation was when Abraham Lincoln was
elected president. Before that, we thought it was okay to own people. Every generation thinks
it’s living in the most important moment in history. We’re not, our parents were not and our
children probably won’t be. And that’s OK. There will be another election and another one after
that. We’re all striving to grow and become a better nation with every election.
8. Pray for the Election!
Again – would love to hear your input and comments. I believe that the church can be a
meeting ground – for all sides of the conversation — a community where people of diverse
opinions and perspectives can gather, talk, debate and argue. Church can be an excellent place
for people to wrestle with difficult issues, share perspectives and learn from one another. But if
such discussions are going to be fruitful, Christians have to ground their comments in values
such as love and respect and make a commitment to search for the truth in a spirit of
gentleness. We, as disciples of Jesus Christ, are called to show the world a different way –
and that way is not just “politics as usual.”
Grace and peace be with you!
Pastor Kathleen
Sources:
7 Things Christians Need to Remember About Politics by Bryan Roberts
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/politics/7-things-christians-need-remember-aboutpolitics
Ten Things Christians Need to Remember About This Election Season
by Ben Gosden
http://mastersdust.com/2012/09/24/ten-things-christians-need-to-remember-about-this-electionseason/
P.S. Thanks for all the birthday wishes!
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October 2012
Save the Date: Charge Conference @ Bishop UMC
Saturday, December 15 @ 8:30 am in Methodist Center
(more details in November newsletter!)
COMBINED PICNIC AT BIG PINE
On Sunday, 9/16, a small but quality group of folks from Bishop, Big Pine
and Independence Methodist churches met at the Power Plant in Big Pine
for a picnic. A good time was had by all as you can see by these pictures.
As always, the Methodists came through again and we had an abundance
of delicious pot luck foods.
Fun times!
Sponsored by the Eastern
Sierra United Methodists
(Big Pine / Bishop /
Independence)
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October 2012
United Methodist Women News
UMW CHRISTMAS BAZAAR –
NOVEMBER 3
Ladies and Gentlemen – get those crafty hands
busy. The UMW Bazaar will be Saturday, November
3 and that is ONLY a little over six weeks from now.
Any craft donations or items for the Granny Table
will be appreciated. For further information, help,
etc. contact Josie Van de Stroet at 872-2425
or Jody Cutler at 873-3691
New Books in the Reading Library!
Looking for a good read? Check out these new books on the UMW Reading List –
now available! Green Church, Forgotten Girls, Allow God to Wear Your Face,
Inheriting the Trade, Talking with God in Old Age
October Dates October 2
October 2
Gleaners meeting @ 10 am in Adult Lounge
Board meeting @ 12:30 pm in Adult Lounge
A group of over thirty people came to share in a potluck and a program presented by
Martina and Ed McRae. We were delighted to see the photographs of Mongolia and the
playground that the team built for a United Methodist Mission there. This is part of what
the UMW unit is all about, of course: mission, especially for women and children.
(see article and pictures elsewhere in this newsletter!)
Do you hope to see a new direction in how that's accomplished through UMW? Do you
have ideas about what the women in our church want to do and how they want to spend
their time? We need fresh ideas and energy! The Nominating Committee will be
contacting women soon, to see if there are any leaders willing to step into board
positions for 2013.
Karen Scott
Know of someone in our church family who is ill? In the hospital? Now in the
Care Center or Sterling Heights? Please … contact the Church Office.
(We would rather hear the same information over and over – than not hear at all!)
Call 760/ 872-7701 or email [email protected]
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October 2012
Bishop UMC Youth Group News for October
Pizza Fundraiser – Nik & Willie’s – October 6th
The youth group will be working at Nik & Willie’s from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
The youth group will receive 20% of sales plus tips to fund upcoming youth events.
Parents are needed for shifts to drive youth for deliveries. Remember to grab some
flyers to hand out to family & friends.
Faith in Action – October 7th
Instead of going to church on this Sunday we are going to go into the world and BE the
church. Last year, we helped out our sister church in Independence and this year we
will be doing work in Big Pine Community UMC. We will meet at the church at 9:00 am.
Breakfast will be provided and we will return to Bishop at 1 pm at the latest.
At 5 pm, we will meet again to celebrate the many projects that occurred that day over
dinner (baked potato bar) and worship together.
Bible Study continues on Mondays @ 2:30 pm
We will look at a different persons from the Bible and discover their extraordinary stories
and see how God worked through these unlikely persons through the curriculum:
re:form Ancestors. A youth Bible study that explores the ancestors of our faith by
exposing the real, unpolished and unexpected personalities of Old and New Testament
Bible characters. With re:form Ancestors, youth discover similarities between
themselves and the many unlikely people selected by God to do extraordinary things.
In October we will continue our journey looking at our Old Testament ancestors
studying: Joseph, Moses, Rahab, and Deborah.
Upcoming Calendar
Monday, October 1st 2:30 pm
Saturday, October 6th 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Sunday, October 7th 9:00 am
Sunday, October 7th 5:00 pm
Monday, October 8th 2:30 pm
Sunday, October 14th 6:30 pm
Monday, October 15th 2:30 pm
Sunday, October 21st 6:30 pm
Monday, October 22nd 2:30 pm
Sunday, October 28th 11 am to 3 pm
Sunday, October 28th 6:30 pm
Monday, October 29th
Youth Bible Study
Nik & Willie’s Fundraiser
Faith in Action (meet at Bishop UMC)
Faith in Action baked potato bar & worship
Youth Bible Study
Youth Group
Youth Bible Study
Youth Group
Youth Bible Study
Family Fellowship BBQ
Youth Group
School Out – No Bible Study
Coming Up - Mark Your Calendar
February 16-18, 2013 Spirit Quest (Jr. High) & Youth Alive (Sr. High)
June 17-26, 2013 Mission Trip to Denver, CO with Denver Urban Ministries
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October 2012
Program on Mongolia Mission Trip
Summer 2012
Rev. Ed and Martina McRae
United Methodist Mission in Mongolia
BEFORE
AFTER Playground built for school
and neighborhood children
AFTER Picnic structure built
Part of the crew
and folks connected with Mongolia