Pastor Sunny’s Rays · Prayer List 2 Rummage Sale 2 UMW News 3 Sunday School News 4 CROP Walk 4...

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Prayer List 2 Rummage Sale 2 UMW News 3 Sunday School News 4 CROP Walk 4 Trustees 4 Did You Know 5 Helping Hands 5 Celebrations 5 (cont) Sunny’s Rays 6 Calendar 7 The Prayer of Jabez comes from the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we read: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me in- deed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." The prayer is composed of four parts. First, Jabez asks God to bless him. Second, he asks God to enlarge his territory or increase his responsibility. Third, he prays that God will be with him and stay close. Lastly, Jabez asks that God keep him from harm so that he will be free from pain. The prayer reveals that Jabez understands what many people do not -- there is only one God and He should be the center of our work, of our very lives. God wants to bless every life. But, we must first make the choice to invite God into our life and ask for His blessings. Jabez wants to succeed and increase his sphere of influence for God. The specific sphere of influence is not important. What is impor- tant is that when we want to reach for goals and accomplishments that we have God on our side. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." It is critical to understand and practice this in a close relationship with God. Further, it is equally important to stay close to God and rely on His continued support and guidance throughout life. {I now carry a frog in my car as a reminder that we are to fully rely on God}. Jabez clearly un- derstands this and knows and prays specifically to the One who can protect him from evil and pain -- God. At the end of the verse it is clear that God approved of this faithful prayer by granting it. It is also important to see that Jabez was pas- sionate in his plea to God: "He cried out to the God of Israel." God wants to hear that we need Him through passionate prayer. The Prayer of Jabez reminds us that everybody struggles with choosing to rely on himself or on God. Whether you are a focused Christian or just searching to find out more about God, life is a growing process. And to help us grow thru that proc- ess God has given us several amazing gifts. One of those gifts is prayer. It is very clear in reviewing the Prayer of Jabez, as well as the rest of the scripture, that God is faithful in caring for those who seek Him, those who reach out for help and guidance, those who recognize their own shortcomings, those who are willing to step out on the faith of a prayer. Jabez sets a great example for us on how God wants everyone to come to Him through constant and passionate prayer. Big things can happen from a little prayer. Case in point, when we were stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, we attended the Community UMC and I was the head of the Visitation Team, hospital and hospice visits were my duty, other parishioners did most of the home visits. (We were all volunteers, (continued on page 6) Pastor Sunny’s Rays Cuba United Methodist Church 49 East Main Street • Cuba, NY 14727 www.cubaumc.org November 2009 Inside this Issue...

Transcript of Pastor Sunny’s Rays · Prayer List 2 Rummage Sale 2 UMW News 3 Sunday School News 4 CROP Walk 4...

Page 1: Pastor Sunny’s Rays · Prayer List 2 Rummage Sale 2 UMW News 3 Sunday School News 4 CROP Walk 4 Trustees 4 Did You Know 5 Helping Hands 5 Celebrations 5 (cont) Sunny’s Rays 6

Prayer List 2

Rummage Sale 2

UMW News 3

Sunday School News 4

CROP Walk 4

Trustees 4

Did You Know 5

Helping Hands 5

Celebrations 5

(cont) Sunny’s Rays 6

Calendar 7

The Prayer of Jabez comes from the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we read: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me in-deed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." The prayer is composed of four parts. First, Jabez asks God to bless him. Second, he asks God to enlarge his territory or increase his responsibility. Third, he prays that God will be with him and stay close. Lastly, Jabez asks that God keep him from harm so that he will be free from pain. The prayer reveals that Jabez understands what many people do not -- there is only one God and He should be the center of our work, of our very lives. God wants to bless every life. But, we must first make the choice to invite God into our life and ask for His blessings. Jabez wants to succeed and increase his sphere of influence for God. The specific sphere of influence is not important. What is impor-tant is that when we want to reach for goals and accomplishments that we have God on our side. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." It is critical to understand and practice this in a close relationship with God. Further, it is equally important to stay close to God and rely on His continued support and guidance throughout life. {I now carry a frog in my car as a reminder that we are to fully rely on God}. Jabez clearly un-derstands this and knows and prays specifically to the One who can protect him from evil and pain -- God. At the end of the verse it is clear that God approved of this faithful prayer by granting it. It is also important to see that Jabez was pas-sionate in his plea to God: "He cried out to the God of Israel." God wants to hear that we need Him through passionate prayer. The Prayer of Jabez reminds us that everybody struggles with choosing to rely on himself or on God. Whether you are a focused Christian or just searching to find out more about God, life is a growing process. And to help us grow thru that proc-ess God has given us several amazing gifts. One of those gifts is prayer. It is very clear in reviewing the Prayer of Jabez, as well as the rest of the scripture, that God is faithful in caring for those who seek Him, those who reach out for help and guidance, those who recognize their own shortcomings, those who are willing to step out on the faith of a prayer. Jabez sets a great example for us on how God wants everyone to come to Him through constant and passionate prayer. Big things can happen from a little prayer. Case in point, when we were stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, we attended the Community UMC and I was the head of the Visitation Team, hospital and hospice visits were my duty, other parishioners did most of the home visits. (We were all volunteers, (continued on page 6)

Pastor Sunny’s Rays

Cuba Uni ted Me thodis t Church 49 Eas t Main S treet • Cuba, NY 14727 www.cubaumc.org

November 2009

Inside this

Issue...

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PAGE 2 THE SHEPHERD’S MESSENGER NOVEMBER 2009

Prayer Requests Our World situation The Rothfus Family

THOSE AT HOME Alice Sweet Adaline Wakefield Jan Clement Ernestine Greene Mayme Giles Alicia Bradley

Those at other residences

CUBA CMH Lucille Wildrick Laura Clayson ABSOLUT HOUGHTON John Lawton WATERS OF WEST FIELD Dawn Durkee BATH VA CENER John Visser IRIS PARK COMMONS Marge Bly EDEN HEIGHTS- BUFFALO Jane Wright

Mountain View District Prayer for our Churches, Pastors and Leadership November 1 Canissteo/Robert Dean 8 Cuba/Sunny Mauser 15 Dalton, Nunda & W. Sparta (New Hope Cluster) Burton Smith 22 Delvan & Sardina/Terry Willford 29 Friends in Christ/ Pam Klotzback

Military personnel and their families...

Bob Aaronson Daniel Bunk Kevin Desaults Brad Frank Mark Keenan Justin Linza Carl Randall Alfred Reynolds Greg Reynolds Brandon Snyder Justin Sweet Dan Thompson Ron Truax Miles Ward Eric Young

Our continued prayers go out to ALL military personnel who are serving our country by active duty & reserve status, both in the States, and abroad. Our List of Military Names is provided by the Weekly Prayer Group for our Military men and women and our world situation. Gatherings are held on Monday’s at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Angels Roman Catholic Church at 50 South Street in Cuba. All are welcome to attend. For more informa-tion, contact Ray Perkins at 585-968-1467

Another Successful Rummage Sale

submitted by Deb Battistoni The UMW would like to thank every-one that helped with our fall rummage sale, whether it was by donating items, unpacking, working the sale hours or packing the remaining items to go onto another mission. We took in over $800, of which $70 was from the $1 a bag sale. The UMW has set aside $300 from this sale to help fund the Christmas Help a Family project (we help two needy families). Larry and Sandy Lathrop came to take the clothing and some house wares - they weren't sure if they were taking a trip to Kentucky or would donate to Wellspring Ministries in Angelica/Belfast where the public can get free clothing. The books that remained went to the Cuba Library Book sale, and the remaining items were taken by Cindy and Deb to the Friendship Transfer station's Mission building (run by a group from Rochester). We are a sharing church, always try-ing to help those in need. Our next sale will be May 6, 7 and 8.

Prayer LIST Update

Please keep our prayer

list up to date. Requests made in assure

proper spelling. You can do this in the attendance pads on Sundays, or drop your request off at the office, or email. If you call your re-quest in, please spell out the name. Thank you in advance for

your assistance on this.

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PAGE 3 THE SHEPHERD’S MESSENGER NOVEMBER 2009

UMW NEWS By Patti Petroni, President

United Methodist Women

The ladies met on Saturday morning, October 10th starting off by enjoying a delicious brunch prepared by Pastor Sunny and Mary Ann Pfouts. After getting our fill of coffee, juice, fruit, and delicious breakfast casseroles, Mary Ann gave a treasure's report and Sue Simmon's handed out reading certificates to Shirley Mosher, Doris Kellogg, Kay Wetzel and herself. Congratulations La-dies! We put the finishing touches on planning Women's Sunday and discussed projects. We have 2010 calendars for sale at $6, we will sponsor "Toys for Kids" run by the Cuba Chamber of Commerce by donating a wreath for their "A many Splendored Evening", and we are donating to "We Care About You" a project for foster children in Nome, Alaska. If you are interested in help-ing us with this last project please see the bulletin board in the hallway outside the sanctuary. Women's Sunday was held on October 18th. I want to thank all the ladies that participated: Donna Lawton, Patti Petroni, Judy Zayac, Deb Battistoni, Shirley Mosher, Doris Kellogg, Shirley Poore, Sue Simmons, and Jean Higby. Thank you to Beth Shook, our guest speaker, for enlightening us on her work with the Ameri-can Red Cross in Allegany County and nationally. Needed: A new President for UMW beginning January 2010. See Patti, if interested. Calendars: 2010 Wall Appointment Calendars: see Judy Zayac $6 Recipe Books: $12 see Patti or Cindy

'Holiday Family Assistance Program": We will once again help out two families in our area with a $500 gift certificate to Wal-Mart. The women have raised $847 but we need your help with the rest. Please consider giving by placing your pocket change or any amount in the two containers located in the sanctu-ary. Next meetings: Nov. 14th...hostesses are Patti and Judy Z. Dec. 12th..hostesses are Deb and Barb There will be a gift exchange in December...between $5- $10 Only those that bring a gift will exchange.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

When you are at your wits end, you’ll find that God lives there.

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PAGE 4 NOVEMBER 2009 THE SHEPHERD’S MESSENGER

Sunday School

submitted by Patti Petroni

Our children are busy working for others. The children in all grades are busy decorating gro-cery bags to be distributed to the congregation on Sunday, October 25, and Sunday, November 1. These bags can then be filled with grocery items and returned to the Green Street foyer and will be delivered to the Cuba Food Pan-try. We'd like these bags to be returned no later than November 15th for delivery in time for Thanksgiving. Ideas are boxes of stuffing and potatoes, cans of cranberry sauce, canned vege-tables, and items such as cereal, boxed meals, tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly etc... Mone-tary donations are always welcome to purchase fresh meats and provide gift cards. The children will also be actively engaged in the Community Thanksgiving dinner being held on November 21st by coloring placemats and waiting on ta-bles. The older children have been collecting magazines to be placed in baskets and delivered to shut ins and the nursing homes. You will also see that our children will be present in helping out at the Trustees Election Day Spa-ghetti Supper. Thank you for supporting the children and all these endeavors.

Trustee Happenings

submitted by Patti Petroni

The biggest news is that Paul Tsujimoto and Rob Cornell made a road trip to New Jersey to pick up the 100 blue padded chairs purchased for Wesley Hall. They have all been unpacked, hung on the rack or stacked. Thank you to Rob and Brandon Cornell, Gary and Josh Enderle and Louis and Patti Petroni. The old cold brown chairs are available for take out and are located in the first and second grade Sunday school room. The new chairs cannot leave the church. In other news, our investments are doing better as the stock market is rising. The Trus-tees continue to make necessary repairs to the build-ing. The Trustees will sponsor the annual Spaghetti Dinner on Tuesday, November 3 from 4:30 to 7 PM. Please come out and support this group. All proceeds go to the up keep of our church. The next meetings of the Trustees are October 26th and No-vember 23. All are open to our members and begin at 7 PM

C R O P WALK 2009 (submitted by Donna Y. Lawton)

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon Sunday October 4, 2009, for the annual CROP Walk at the CRCS track. I didn’t count total walkers; but CUMC was officially represented by 8: Michael Hupp, Joe Hughes, Katelyn Cornell, Joshua Enderle, Judy Zayac, Mary Ann Pfouts, Doris Kellogg, and yours truly. As of October 11, there was $635 in pledges. Michael ran 14 laps, and his younger brother (Christopher) ran 4! His mother was on the sideline “cheering” us on. I would like you to know that his grandfather, two aunts, and two cousins walked also, although one aunt and his grandfather represented two other churches. I call this a true family affair! ALL the walkers (and supporters) are very important! Thank you!

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PAGE 5 THE SHEPHERD’S MESSENGER NOVEMBER 2009

NOVEMBER Helping Hands Nursery 1: Sandy Tsujimoto 8:Reserved for you! 15:Reserved for You! 22:Reserved for You! 29: Reserved for You!

Ushers Nick & Liz Abraham

Acolytes 1: Josh Tsujimoto 8: Katelyn Cornell 15: Michael Hupp 22: Erica Goble 29:Jasmyn Dorsey

Altar Guild

Greeters 1:Reserved for You! 8:Reserved for You! 15:Reserved for You! 22:Reserved for You! 29:

Liturgist 1: Rob Cornell 8: Michael Kunz 15: Dirk Cox 22: Joyce Enderle 29:Judy Zayac

Children’s Moment 1: Judi Hughes 8: Reserved for You! 15: Reserved for You! 22: Reserved for You! 29:Reserved for You!

Altar Guild Mary Hupp Sandy Tsujimoto

Birthdays 2 - Samira Nasser 3 - Molly Axe Tim Kunz 4 - Robert Butts Tom Cilvick Sandra Visser 5 - Aaron Appleby Amy Fry 6 - Norma Andrus 8 - Joel Battistoni Tom Krott 9 - Sue Simmons 10 - Paula Burlingame 11 - Lon Sweet 13 - Ann Hayward 14 - Judy Krott 15 - Calsey Bump 16 - Lisa Kellogg Bruce Metler 17 - Joyce Amundson Marjorie Bly 18 - Teri Violet 21 - Carey Donahue Dawn Enders 22 - Ryan Morris Logan VanNess

23 - Sandra Allis Dave Battistoni Kelly Brickey Andrew James Paul Karle 24 - Larry Clayson 25 - Jonathan Clayson 26 - Kelly Hasard 29 - Judy Bowker 30 - David Williams

NOVEMBER CELEBRATIONS

Anniversaries

2 - Rex & Marcia McIntosh 8 - Tom & Darcy Eastham 10 - Dick & Jean Bowers 12 - Tom & Debbie Donahue 13 - Bryan & Sharooz Manhardt 23 - Robin & Laurie Torpey 24 - Tom & June Odell Please submit any changes to any month’s celebrations to [email protected] or call the church office. Thank you for your help!

submitted by Dean Wildrick

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with the denomination’s North Georgia Annual Conference to assist with recovery efforts from flooding in 17 counties, caused by severe storms moving northeast from the Gulf of Mexico. The deluge resulted in at least nine deaths. Teams interested in volunteering for flood cleanup and repairs should contact the conference’s call center at (678) 533-1443. Donations for United Methodist participation during the initial phase of recovery can be made to U.S. Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670, and placed in church offering plates or given electronically.

We are also involved in the far East disasters through UMCOR. ."

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PAGE 6 THE SHEPHERD’S MESSENGER NOVEMBER 2009

no one got paid). I went to the Loving Kindness Hospice Center to visit a man and his family as they were standing vigil over him. When I walked into the room I spoke to his wife and daughter first, and they both agreed that he was in a lot of pain and they just wanted his suffering over. I walked over to his bedside and spoke to him; “Hello, Frank. How are you doing today? , I asked him. He said he was really tired and hurting and he just wanted to go to God. I asked him if that was what he wanted me to pray. He looked lovingly and somewhat questioningly over at his wife and daughter and with tears rolling down their cheeks, they silently shook their heads yes. My prayer was short and simple: “Gracious and loving God, we come here today with heavy hearts. Hearts that are hurting and scared. Lord, you are our creator, you know our pain and our fears. Help us as we say good-by to our dear husband, father and friend. Lord, we ask that you take him to the other side of the river where there is no more pain. Hold him in your tender and loving arms now, dear God. We ask this in the name of the giver of eternal life, Jesus Christ. AMEN” As I bent over him with the oil, he made a gasp for breathe, a smile came on his face and he crossed into God’s arms. That small prayer was answered in a powerful way---instantly. While there were tears in all of our eyes at that moment, there were also smiles on our faces as well because right in front of us the prayer was answered. That was a pretty big event. Prayer is a beautiful gift from God. It is a vital component of relationship building. If there is no means of com-munication there can be no relationship. God is all about relationship. If we look at the Ten Commandments we see that they all relate to relationship with God, relationship with family, and relationship with neighbor. Jesus teachings were also about those same issues. It is through relationship that we will see church growth, both numerically and spiritually. Prayer will see us through whatever lies ahead of us in this world. If you are looking to start a relationship with God or improve your existing relationship with Him, start with prayer. God answers prayers when you trust Him (1 Chronicles 5:20). Praying to God also pleases Him (Proverbs 15:8). We can all learn from Jabez and faithfully pray to God always in everything that we do. And as always remember that God loves you and so do we.

Pastor Sunny

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Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1

Sunday School

Bible Study 11:15

Food Pantry

2

Ad Council

7:00pm

3

Election Day

Spaghetti

Dinner 4:00pm

4

Bible Study 1:30p

Choir Practice

7:00p

5

Bible Study

10:30am

6

7

6-8am Kung Fu

Class

8

Coffee Hour

Sunday School

Bible Study 11:15

9

Finance 7:00pm

Angel Food

Deadline

10

11

Bible Study 1:30p

Choir 7:00pm

12

Bible Study

10:30am

13

14

UMW 10:00am

Angel Food

Distribution

15

Sunday School

Bible Study 11:15

16

17

18

Bible Study 1:30p

Choir Practice

7:00p

19

Bible Study

10:30am

20

21

6-8am Kung Fu

Thanksgiving

Dinner 1-4pm

22

Sunday School

Bible Study 11:15

23

Trustees Meeting

7:00pm

24

25

Bible Study 1:30p

26

27

28

6-8am Kung Fu

Class

29

Sunday School

Bible Study

Hanging the

Greens

30

Pastor Vacation 11/ 9 through 11/16

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Shepherd’s Messenger CUBA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

49 EAST MAIN ST. • CUBA, NY 14727

www.cubaumc.org• Pastor Sunny Mauser

The Shepherd’s Messenger is a publication of the Cuba United Methodist Church, and is published monthly to report news & keep members and friends informed of church pro-grams and events. Deadline for article submis-sion is the third Monday of each month at 9:00 am. Please email articles to Editor’s email address, or drop articles off to the church of-fice.

Editor/Secretary: Mary Ann Pfouts e-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Tues,& Thurs 9-2:30pm Wed. 1-5pm

Pastor: Rev. Sunny Mauser e-mail:[email protected] Pastor’s Office Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Church Entrance During Office Hours: Please use the ramp door facing E. Main Street.

Church Mailing address: Cuba United Methodist Church 49 East Main Street Cuba, New York 14727 (585) 968-1041

Website: www.cubaumc.org