John Stewart United Methodist Church Family Newsletter May ... · John Stewart United Methodist...
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John Stewart United Methodist Church
Family Newsletter
May 2016
Spring Planting: Growing Love
“I believe, but I don’t need that
organized religion stuff.” These
words, or some variation are all too
often repeated by people who follow
God, who don’t reject Jesus, but who have decided they don’t need the
“church.”
Too many Christians have fallen into a pattern of falling in love
with God without working to deepen that love relationship. And is this
any surprise? Our relationship with God mirrors the exact same pattern
of how we are in relationship with each other: We fall in love, expecting
that our first hours of romance will carry us indefinitely. But this is
simply not true. To live a fully mature and rewarding human relationship,
one must not only “fall” in love, but must also “grow” in love. One must
not only “fall” in love with God, as a first step in Christian living, but
must “grow” in love with God. This means that Christians are committing
to a way of life that involves lifelong learning—a learning that leads to a
deeper and deeper ability to love God and love neighbor.
Unfortunately, too many religiously active Christians have settled
for the romance relationship with God rather than submitting
themselves to the work of deepening their relationship with God.
Growing in love with God is not just about practicing all the right
behaviors that we practiced when we first surrendered our lives to God
through Jesus Christ. We may worship regularly, read our Bible
regularly, say our prayers regularly, and even volunteer as a community
servant regularly. Yet, this is not enough. If our worship attitude has
not changed from the beginning, if our way of Bible reading has not
changed from the beginning, if our prayer form has not changed from
the beginning, if our approach to community service has not changed
from the beginning, then maybe we are not “growing” in our love with
God.
So here’s the challenge: Have we truly “grown” in our love with God
lately? If so, how do we know? Is worship more about God than about
our own desires? Is our Bible reading more about the desire for God to
speak to us rather than our desire to confirm what we’ve already
believed? Is prayer more about listening than speaking or thinking? Is
community service more about other persons needs than our desire to
be noticed? So, take the test. Are we growing in love with God?
“I believe, but I don’t need that organized religion stuff.” Perhaps
we’ll hear these words less often as we commit ourselves to growing in
love with God. Yes, we who are most active in the life of any
congregation confess that we have not always stayed on the grow in love
with God path. We have wandered. May we come back to the path,
encouraging one another, leading one another, and loving one another as
God has loved us.
Blessings! Pastor Brian
PRAYER CALENDAR
May 2016
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Praise God for
His goodness.
2 Pray for a cure
for cancer.
Ask God to guide new Christians.
4 Pray for comfort for those mourning the loss of a loved one.
5 National Day
of Prayer – Thank God for USA’s right to pray with a group without fear.
6 Praise God for His grace.
7 Pray that the
students will have a safe Prom night.
8 Mother’s Day Thank God for your Mother who gave you life.
9 Be with
students who are having difficulty learning in school.
10 Give
caregivers the strength and patience they need.
11 Thank God
for our prayer chain persons who so willingly talk to God for others needs.
12 Ask God to
forgive you for gossiping about someone.
13 Pray for
someone who feels trapped in a hopeless situation.
14 Pray for our
school teachers..
15 Pentecost Thank God for sending us His Holy Spirit.
16 Pray for
newlyweds to keep God in their lives.
17 Thank God
for your gift of faith.
18 Thank God
for an answered prayer.
19 Be grateful for nurses. .
20 Give us
patience.
21 Thank God for always being with us in our journey of life.
22 Help me to
be patient when God says “Wait.”
23 Thank God
for His gift of Eternal Life.
24 Pray for safety for travelers during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
25 Help me to
make prayer a part of my decision making process.
26 Thank God
for people who have influenced you during your life.
27 Help me not to worry but to trust in God!
28 Help me to
share my faith with others.
29 Be with those
facing surgery.
30 Memorial
Day Remember those who have gone on before you to be with Jesus.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.
*FOR YOUR INFORMATION*
**DON’T FORGET ABOUT BECCA’S CLOSET FOR ALL OF YOUR FORMAL
NEEDS. CALL THE OFFICE AT 419-294-2867 TO SCHEDULE AN
APPOINTMENT
OUR YOUTH ARE GOING TO BE PARTICIPATING IN YOUTH MISSION WORK CAMPS
THIS SUMMER. THE FIRST GROUP WILL BE HEADING TO BLUE KNOB PA ON JUNE
12-17. THE SECOND GROUP WILL BE HEADING TO COPPERHILL TN ON JUNE 19-25.
PLEASE CONTINUE IN YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP FUND THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY
FOR OUR YOUTH. Appalachian Mountain Mission Trip Blue Know PA
In the town of Altoona and the surrounding areas in the Appalachian Mountains, mission trips allow youth to serve
families and ministries in need through hands-on projects. These projects include painting, home repair, roofing and
building wheelchair ramps. Local churches and missions will also be served during this mission trip as groups lend a
hand to help maintain and improve their facilities, showing the love of Christ throughout an area in need.
Lodging: Groups will stay at apartment style college dorms at Penn State University, Altoona campus. Our housing
location is in a beautiful mountain setting with plenty of outdoor recreation areas and hiking trails. All meals are
provided except two lunches and two dinners during free time.
Area Adventure Activities & Attractions: Whitewater rafting, swimming, hiking trails, amusement park, Hershey
Amusement Park & Pittsburg
Fun and Christ-Focused Mission Trips in Appalachia Copperhill TN
Youth groups will experience an unforgettable week of hands-on mission projects, exciting music and programs, and
group-building high adventure activities. Our Copperhill camp is located in Tennessee, just miles from Georgia and
North Carolina, allowing for service projects in all three states. Youth groups have the opportunity to reach out and
minister in these areas where closed businesses and industries have left people with little means to provide for their
families. Mission trip work focuses on home repair and renovation; however, it is the relationships formed with those
served that will be remembered forever.
Lodging: Whitewater Camp is in a beautiful mountain setting with bunk houses, chapel, sports fields, dining hall, and
high adventure facilities. All meals are provided except two lunches and two dinners during free time. **Please note:
some of the terrain at Copperhill can be a little tough on individuals as it is in the mountains.
Evening Adventures at River Camp: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings after dinner and before chapel, group
activities are included such as: climbing wall, swing by choice, river swimming trips and sports challenges.
Free Time Adventure Choices: During free time on Thursday and Friday, groups will have the opportunity to purchase
packages for adventure activities at Whitewater Express.
H.O.P.E ~ Helping Others through Purpose and Encouragement. Reaching out to those
dealing with chronic illness to offer education, information, service opportunities, coping skills
and support through a faith- based approach.
We’d love to have you and your family member or caregiver join us for our next meeting. And
please note that you are welcome to attend just one or all of the meetings whatever works for
your schedule!
May 11 Debbie Dilley, Patient Navigator, “tips for staying organized through diagnosis and
beyond”
May 18 “An afternoon of HOPE: a field trip to offer hope and encouragement to others”
May 25 Picnic Gathering (location to be announced)
Meetings will be held in the 2nd floor Patient Education Room (except where noted) at Wyandot
Memorial Hospital
For more information please contact Karen at 419-294-3267 or email Lori at
John Stewart’s Call
From the book, Missionary Pioneer, John Stewart (man of Colour) By
Joseph Mitchell.
Published in 1827
In this situation he remained for some time, bewailing his wretched case,
when as he walked out one evening he heard the sound of singing and praying
proceed from a house at no great distance. It proved to be a Methodist prayer
meeting. His prejudice at first forbade his going in; but curiosity prompted him
to venture a little nearer, and at length he resolved to enter and make known
his case, which he did to the few who were in attendance. Here he was
encouraged to seek with all his heart the last blessing. Soon after this he
attended a Camp-Meeting, where he remained for some time with a heavy heart,
and disconsolate mind. He at length resolved to distinguish himself by taking
place among the mourners of the assembly, where he lay deploring his case all
night, ever until the break of day, at which time “the sun of righteousness” broke
into his dark bewildered soul. Peace, and “joy in the Holy Ghost” now succeeded
and he could shout “glory to God in the highest,” with “The morning starts” that
witnesses his deliverance. Not until then were the deep rooted prejudices
against the people called Methodists removed from his mind. It was then that
he untied himself to the people, and their God to be his God. For the space of
three months he went on his way rejoicing, prosperously laboring for body and
soul. About this time, being one evening at private devotion, suddenly he heard
a sound which much alarmed him: and a voice (as he thought) said to him-
“Thou shalt declare my counsel faithfully,” at the same time a view appeared to
open to him in a Northwest direction, and a strong impression was made on his
mind, that he must go out, that course into the world to declare the counsel of
God.
Christian Food Center:
Most needed items:
Canned Meats
Canned Fruits
Canned Vegetables
Canned or boxed Potatoes
Canned or Boxed Soups
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Canned or Boxed Meals
Canned or Dried Beans
Pasta
Rice
Cereal
Pancake Mix & syrup
Toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, bar soap, laundry & dish detergent, etc.)
Box Tops for Education are still being accepted. The United Methodist Women send them to
Red Bird and McCurdy Missions. A blue box with yellow tape for the labels is in the Library
Room. Thank you for your continued support in this mission
Mission Statement: To faithfully make disciples for Jesus Christ through worship, education, service, and outreach.
Vision Statement: “To continue the ministry of John Stewart through Worship, Education, Service, and Outreach to the
Community, Nation, and World.”
PRAYERS FOR HEALING:
Wayne Geissinger Luke Morris (Band Director, Jason Morris’ Son)
LONG TERM AND EXTENDED CARE CONCERNS:
Remember these persons with a card, call or visit
Susan Kibler Jim Gottfried Jim Herring Rev John Hoover Jack Houser Rosie Jordan
Martha Kuenzli Joan Leigh Neva McEldowny Mike Rothlisberger Bob Titus George Walton
MILITARY:
Ryan Graham Tony Jones Bill LaRowe Nathan Kuenzli Matthew Turk Bryan A Grove
CONDOLENCES FOR THE MONTHS OF MARCH & APRIL:
The Family of Molly Gamber
The Family of Dorothy Wolfe
The Family of Ida Mae Brown
Wednesday Community Meals @ 5:30 pm
Help is needed for our Wednesday Community Meals. Needed are people to
set up tables and chairs, and clean up after the meal. The meal does not have
to be anything special, just something you like to prepare.
If you have questions contact Scott Goodman.
Prayers and Squares
Ministry:
The Prayers and Squares organization began in 1992 in
California as a response to the question: “what can we do to help folks who are in the
midst of a challenge, health needs, etc?” The members from John Stewart UMC are
chapter #968 of the organization. Everyone recognized the fact that quilts have become
prayer quilts as a result of the prayers that are tied into them. It is not important how
large or small it is, how simple or intricately patterned, the emphasis of our ministry is on
prayer.
Ours is a caring ministry, not a celebratory one. Prayer quilts are appropriate for
anyone who is experiencing physical, emotional, spiritual, or some other life crisis, and
who feels they could benefit from being ‘covered in prayer’ with the quilt being a tangible
sign of God’s ever present Grace, available to all of us.
We share in the task together on Mondays at 9:30 a.m. until around noon. We
always dedicate the early gathering time to prayer led by Rev. Catherine Hiner.
Since our beginning on June 14, 2010, we have completes and distributed nearly
250 prayer quilts to folks living in our area. Their response has shown the gratitude we
all feel to be a part of this ministry together.
The quilts were sewn and tied together by our group working together, although
some of the ‘tops’ were designed and created while working on them individually, and
some have been a collective project with individuals creating ‘blocks’ to be sewn together.
It is in the tying of the threads that will then be knotted by the congregation, friends and
fellow worshipers, that the concentration of prayers are included.
Projects added to our list of accomplishments include preparing almost 300 small
placemat sized quilts that were given to the Wyandot County Council on Aging as gifts to
those who receive Meals on Wheels. Many quilt tops created and donated to campers at
the Paul Newman “Hole in The Wall Gang Camps”, one being located south of Mt. Gilead,
Ohio. Also quilts for the patients at the James Center of Ohio State University Hospital,
as well as quilts donated to the local pregnancy center and Quilts of Valor donated to
Ohio Veteran’s centers, and for three years we created nearly 300 medallion pieced
donations to Hospice of Wyandot County that were presented at memorial services, and
most recently we created tote-bags that brought donations to a Youth Mission Trip.
The first Friday of each month we have what we call a “Sit and Sew”. During this
time we work on many of the projects that keep our fingers and sewing machines busy,
creating quilts and pillow cases of craft scraps that are sewn and donated to the Wyandot
County Humane Society as pillows for the animals in their care. We always seem to have
something to share together too!
Beginning in late 2011, we began a new opportunity of crafting “Pocket Prayer
Quilts” made especially to be slipped into your pocket or purse. Throughout the day when
your fingers touch the cross that is tucked inside the little quilt, may you be mindful of
God’s love and grace for you. A small basket is placed at each entrance to the church
and contain many of these small Pocket Prayer Quilts. It is our hope that you will feel
free to take one; or more to share with someone who might have recently asked for
prayers from you, or our church family. The Pocket Prayer Quilts are a tangible symbol of
God’s peace. Say a prayer and pass one along in the form of a tiny gift to remind
someone of that everlasting love. For further information, please call President, Cathy
Hiner at 419-429-9909.
John Stewart United Methodist Women (UMW) hosted their annual Mother-Child dinner on
Sunday, May 1, 2016. Members and guests were served by men of the church. Northwest
Plains UMW Shepherdess Barbara Coats offered table grace. Tables were decorated by
Susannah Hope Circle using a Snoopy theme with Charles Schulz cartoon character favors.
Food was provided by the Sisters in Faith Circle. As a culmination of a month-long mission, the
UMW coordinated the collection of monetary donations in baby bottles for Voice of
Hope/Bethel Ministries.
The evening program, arranged by members of Myrta Moody Circle, was provided by Earl
Musick from Bucyrus. Mr. Musick is a professional cartoonist, humorist, illustrator, comedian,
spokesperson, and humor writer. His cartoon work has appeared on the web, in movies, on
television, in newspapers and magazines, in books, as greeting cards, as calendars, as t-shirts,
as posters, as coloring books, as comic books, in advertising, and much more. He was the
featured guest on a PBS special about careers in cartooning and was filmed for a PBS special
featuring the business of clean comedy. Throughout the evening’s program, Mr. Musick
interspersed anecdotes from his many endeavors with his sketches and shared his Christian
faith and calling. Signed sketches of cartoon characters were given to some of the children
present.
L-R Carol McPherson, Myrta Moody Circle member, Earl Musick, cartoonist
Upcoming Sermons:
May 8 “Maturity: Can’t Say Enough.”
May 15 “The Power Behind Our Tools.”
May 22 “Do You Know What’s Next?”
John Stewart United Methodist Church
Family Newsletter
February 2016