The Grapevine · 2018. 4. 23. · The Grapevine irst United Methodist hurch 117 N. Second Street...

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CLARKSBURG, WV

PERMIT #74

The Grapevine First United Methodist Church 117 N. Second Street Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301

304.623.3397 website: www.cfumc.org email: [email protected]

MAY 2018 Issue ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Pastor Greg Godwin, Senior Pastor

304-952-1526 [email protected]

Rev. Harry Jenkins, Associate Pastor

Don Gardner, Director of Music and Operations

Jocelyn Blackwell, Director of Children’s Ministry

Brett Miller, Organist

Debby McCune, Secretary

John Greaver, Head Custodian

Don Barickman, Evening Custodian

“Holy, Healthy, and Loving community to Know Christ and to Make Christ Known”

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Sunday Sunday School - 9:30 am

Morning Worship 10:45 am Children and Youth Groups/Choir

See Calendar Wednesday

Meal @ 5:15 pm Service @ 6:00 pm

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

F R O M T H E

D E S K O F T H E

A S S O C .

P A S T O R

2

M I S S I O N T R I P

F O O D D R I V E 3

S T E P H E N

M I N I S T R Y

W I Z A R D O F O Z

4

L I G H T & L I F E 5

W E D N E S D A Y

V E S P E R S &

F E L L O W S H I P

M E A L /

M O N A S T I C

M E A L

D I S T R I C T

C O N F E R E N C E

F E E D M Y S H E E P

G R A N D A G E R S

B A N Q U E T

6

O U T R E A C H

C . O . M . E .

M O T H E R /

D A U G H T E R

B A N Q U E T

F U M C W O M E N

7

G R A D U A T E S

5 K R U N

C H A N T I C L E E R

C H I L D R E N ’ S

C H O I R

K R O G E R C A R E S

8

M E E T I N G S

U S H E R S

V A N D R I V E R S

B I R T H D A Y S

N E W S L E T T E R

F A C E B O O K

9

C A N - D O K I D S

W . I . M E A L

P R O J E C T

1 0

M A Y C A L E N D A R

1 1

The Grapevine FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Clarksburg, West Virginia

M A Y

2 0 1 8

Dear Friends,

First United Methodist Church

has been blessed for 40 years of

continuous ministry with Don

Gardner. He has primarily led

the music ministry for the

congregation along with

children, youth, and church

operations at various times over

the years..

He came to First UMC with his

family when St. Paul’s Methodist

Church and First UMC merged.

He grew up with the nurture of

this congregation and went off to

Wesleyan and Southern Methodist University to refine his

musical gift. Since 1978, he has shared his musical gift with

us and the larger Clarksburg community.

He has been a blessing to us and we wish him well in his

retirement. We will celebrate his ministry on May 20.

Plan to attend this great day and invite others you know that

Don’s life has touched.

Peace,

Pastor Greg

Celebrating Don Gardner’s 40 Years of Ministry at First Church Sunday, May 20, 2018 @ 10:45 am

~~ Dinner to follow in Fellowship Hall ~~

FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR

FROM THE DESK OF THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR — Rev. Harry Jenkins

PAGE 2

THE PREACHER IN HEBREWS

Doing background reading for the teaching of the book of Hebrews, I came across a quote by

Thomas Long, that spoke to me so strongly, I wanted to pass it on. The writer believes Hebrews is actually

a sermon preached in a rabbinical style to a church feeling rather discouraged. And so, he reflects on the

“Preacher”.

“The Preacher is not preaching into a vacuum; he is addressing a real and urgent pastoral problem,

one that seems astonishingly contemporary. His congregation is exhausted. They are tired—tired of serving

the world, tired of worship, tired of Christian education, tired of being peculiar and whispered about in society,

tired of the spiritual struggle, tired of trying to keep their prayer life going, tired even of Jesus. Their hands

droop and their knees are weak (Hebrews 12:12) attendance is down at church (Hebrews 10:25), and they

are losing confidence. The threat to this congregation is not that they are charging off in the wrong direction;

they do not have enough energy to charge off anywhere. The threat here is that, worn down and worn out,

they will drop their end of the rope and drift away. Tired of walking the walk, many of them are considering

taking a walk, leaving the community and falling away from the faith.

We recognize the problem, of course, but the Preacher’s response may astound us. What is most

striking about Hebrews is that the Preacher, faced with the pastoral problem of spiritual weariness, is bold

enough maybe even brash enough, to think that Christology and preaching are the answers. The Preacher

does not appeal to improved group dynamics, conflict management techniques, reorganization of the mission

structures, or snappy worship service. Rather, he preaches—preaches to the congregation in complex

theological terms about the nature and meaning of Jesus.

This Preacher does not float around on the surface where the desires of people cluster eagerly

around this or that fad; he dives to the depths, to the hidden places where profound symbols work on the

religious imagination to generate surprise, wonder, gratitude, and finally obedience. As strategies go, the

Preacher’s approach to ministry is so out of phase, so counter-intuitive, so in violation of the notion that

congregations are allergic to serious theological thinking, that it probably should be seen as refreshing, and

maybe even revolutionary.”

Harry

PAGE 11

Tues. 01– 12:15 pm Monastic Meal

Wed. 02— 5:15 pm Fellowship Meal ($4.00)

6:00 pm Wednesday Worship

Thurs. 03— 4:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal

5:30 pm Disciple Bible Study

7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Fri. 04— 6:00 pm Mission Gala (at Bridgeport Center)

Sat. 05— 6:00 pm C.O.M.E. Event at Quiet Dell UMC

till 2:00

_______________________________________________

Sun. 06 - 9:30 am Church School / Mission Meal Prep

10:45 am Holy Communion Service

Children’s Church during worship

12:00 pm Lunch for Children & Youth

12:15 pm Children & Youth Choir Rehearsal

1:00 pm Children’s & Youth Activities

Mon. 07— 6:00 pm Staff Parish Relations Committee

Tues. 08— 12:15 pm Monastic Meal


6:00 pm Wednesday Worship Service




Fri. 11— 6:00 pm Mother / Daughter Banquet

Sat. 12 - 8:30 am 5K Run for Open Hearts Ministries

T.B.A. Chanticleer Children’s Choir

_________________________________________________

Sun. 13 - 9:30 am Church School

10:45 am Sunday Worship Service/Mother’s Day

Children’s Church during Worship


5:00 pm Finance Committee

NO Outreach Committee

6:00 pm Church Council (to be confirmed)

Wed. 16- 5:15 pm Fellowship Meal ($4.00)


Thurs. 17— 12:00 pm FUMC Women

4:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal


7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehears

——————————————————————

Sun. 20— 9:30 am Church School

10:45 am Sunday Worship Service

Mon. 21— 12:00 pm Feed My Sheep

Tues. 22- 12:15 pm Monastic Meal

Wed. 23— 6:00 pm Grand Agers Banquet

NO Fellowship Meal nor Vespers

6:00 pm Trustees




__________________________________________

Sun. 27— 9:30 am Church School

10:45 am Sunday Worship Service

Mon. 28— Memorial Day—Offices Closed




6:00 pm Trustees




If you have any questions or would like more information on

Can-Do-Kids, you can contact Jocelyn Blackwell

at 304-669-3675 or e-mail [email protected]

PAGE 10

He has risen and is ALIVE!

Come and join us every Sunday for Children's Church

during Worship and our afternoon activities!

Activities Every Sunday at 1:00—2:00 p.m.

CAN-DO-KIDS

News for Children /Youth

and their Families.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

W. I. MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS’ MEAL PROJECT

During the school year, several teachers & parents have been providing meals each weekend

for students in need. These are kids whose only meals are at school.

We’ll provide a small breakfast & lunch for 7 days throughout the summer

for 40+ kids from W. I.

We have helped with this project the past six years

and had a tremendous response from you - our church members.

Here are ways YOU can help…..

Food Donations – only following items (we are on strict menu)

Juice Boxes Cheese Stix (indiv. Wrapped)

Cheese slices (indiv. wrapped) Cereal Boxes

Call Anita Burns if you would like to donate items.

Large quantities can be bought economically at Sam’s Club.

Monetary Donation – Designate cash or checks to “W.I. Project”

Send to or drop off at church OR place in offering plate.

Time Donaton - Sign up to organize for a week.

Contact Cheryl Moorhead (677-9859) or Anita Burns (782-3021)

with questions and if you would like to help.

PAGE 3

Mission Trip

June 20 through June 24, 2018

Mill Creek, WV

Schedule

Wednesday through Friday -

work on building project

Friday 3:00 - 7:00 pm -

Community Spaghetti Dinner -

(fundraiser for Tyrand)

Saturday - Trip to Cass Railroad, Cass, WV

Sunday - attend church at a local congregation

Return to Clarksburg Sunday afternoon.

The mission has housing for work teams. This is an intergenerational project sponsored by the youth and children

ministries. Participation will be very flexible. Contact Pastor Greg for more details.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

LETTER CARRIERS FOOD DRIVE

SATURDAY, May 12, 2018

The annual nationwide Letter Carriers Food Drive will be on

Saturday, May 12, 2018.

The Post Office Letter Carriers request non-perishable food be placed at residents’ mail box sites for collection. The food will be taken to the Eastpointe Post Office for sorting and distribution to

local food pantries.

Volunteer drivers are needed for the following:

*drivers to follow the mail carriers route to collect the food.

*volunteers are needed at the Eastpointe Post Office

collection site to sort the food.

*volunteers to transport the food supplies to the food

pantries. (In our case it will only need to be transported

to the Mustard Seed.)

Drivers following the Mail route need to report to the Eastpointe Post Office between 8:30 am—9:00 am on Saturday. For those working the Post Office dock, arrive 12:00 noon.

Food Drive leaders are Pat George at 304-918-3425 and Becky Wade.

For any questions, please call Rita Looker at 304-623-4572.

THANKS and tell your friends to leave FOOD for their needy neighbors.

Stephen Ministry can help people of all ages in many situations. Take a moment to read these words from a 30 something woman who agreed to having a Stephen Minister:

Since I have had a Stephen Minister, my life is unbelievably different, I feel connected with God in a way I never felt before. I didn’t realize what a barrier my issues were, and I didn’t want to share them with anyone, I guess maybe I didn’t even want to share them with God. Even if you know intellectually that God is there, sometimes it feels like it doesn’t mat-ter because there is no one to help. I think having a Stephen Minister shows a way to actual-

ly see help. Having a person right in front of me, who had signed on to listen to me and not judge; it felt safer than burdening a friend, maybe saying too much, or even talking to a family member, who somehow might feel guilty and think they were at fault.

My Stephen Minister was a sweet lady, extremely caring, her voice was always calm when she spoke. There was love in her voice, in our sessions, a lot of love there. When I thought God maybe couldn’t do something in my situation, she reminded me that He could, I knew God was powerful enough but I was too weak. She always had faith in my situation and kept believing, so one of us had faith even though much of the time it wasn’t me, but there was always faith for my situation present. I don’t think I knew how to trust people before I had a Stephen Minister and I needed to learn that.

To me, I think having a Stephen Minister means not being alone. I know how I was before and I know how I am now, and that having a Stephen Minister in between made a huge difference in my life.

You too, whatever your age, can feel the difference a Stephen Minister can make during critical times. If you or someone you know needs to feel that difference, contact Referral Coordinator Cheryl Moorhead,

304-677-9859 or Rev. Harry Jenkins, 304-623-3397. It will make a difference!

REMEMBER – Stephen Ministry is Caring and Confidential

STEPHEN MINISTRY … CARING MOMENTS

CONGRATULATIONS TO FIRST UMC MEMBERS

who helped make the “Wizard of Oz” school play a success!

Charles Marshall (Prop Crew Chief) is the son of Clifford and Jean Marshall.

He is a junior at RCB and has previously been in the RCB production of Rock of Ages

(prop crew) and the one act play The End of Summer (Prop Crew Chief).

AND

Kate Thrush—Munchkin / School Teacher 3 / Poppy / Jitterbug.

Kate is a second grade student at Nutter Fort Primary School.

Job Well Done Charles and Kate!

We’re Proud of You!

MAY BIRTHDAYS

01 Drew Blurton

01 Julia Lopez

02 Brett Floyd

02 Beth Skidmore

02 Jane Lynn Squires

03 Amy Reinhart

05 Patrick Fubio

06 Patrick Moore

07 Carter Allen

07 Thatcher Allen

08 Rod Rogers

08 Katie Seybert

10 Tim Dyer

10 Tom Dyer

10 Alexander Richards

11 Mary Demoss

11 Kolby Rice

12 Mike Cunningham

12 Clarice Jenkins

11 Suzanna Goodyear

13 Gary Mills

13 Eric Phillips

13 Danielle Sexton

13 Misty Tichenor

15 Elizabeth Baker

15 Victoria Tayman

16 Vince Patton

17 Eric Lewis

17 Ben Smith

18 Kristin Fornash

18 Lauran Kirk

19 Shirley Corder

19 Spencer Cox

19 Ben Davisson

19 Betty Tonkin

19 Cathy Wilson

22 Robert Williams

23 Will Schindler

24 Laura Rodrigues

24 Meredith Seibert

25 Brandon Kroll

25 Betsy Turner

27 Curt Diaz

27 Shirley Murphy

29 Hope Blackwell

29 Mike Dyer

29 Coleman Wait

29 Jason Williams

29 Susan Hanby

30 James Allen V

30 Kim Caruso

30 Debbie Lear

Happy Birthday to All!!

JUST A

REMINDER …

Monday, May 7

6:00 pm Staff Parish Relations Committee

Tuesday, May 15

5:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting

5:00 pm Outreach Committee Meeting

6:00 pm Church Council

Wednesday, May 23

6:00 pm Trustees Meeting

PLEASE MAKE NOTE AND PLAN TO ATTEND!

If there are

corrections

or omissions,

please accept our

apologies,

and let us know.

Thank you

MAY USHERS

Sue Brandimarte, Al Cox, Ike Skidmore,

Tim Thompson, Jack Brandimarte—team captain

MAY VAN DRIVER

Carl Lantz

ARTICLES for the

JUNE GRAPEVINE

need to be in the office by

Wednesday, May 9th.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULE PAGE 9

If you see something great on our Facebook

page, don’t just “like” it, “share” it so all of your

facebook friends see it too. Thanks!

Kroger

Community

Rewards

& Clarksburg

FUMC …..

Please sign up!

If you are already signed up, please

renew your enrollment on line! This is

a win-win for you and your church …

you still get rewards, and our church

gets 5% rebate on all your purchases

— gas, groceries.

Go to website: https://

www.kroger.com/

Sunday, May 13th

CHANTICLEER CHILDREN’S

CHOIRS to perform

at FUMC on

Saturday, May 12

6th ANNUAL 5K Run for OPEN HEARTS

sponsored by Stealey UMC

The race takes place on the Mayor’s Fitness Trail at

Veteran’s Memorial Park, in Clarksburg.

Saturday, May 12th—Start time will be at 8:30 a.m.

The entry fee is $20.00.

The churches that contribute to the Open Hearts Ministries

will be competing against one another.

Registration can be completed at www.runforopenhearts.weebley.com OR

www.runsignup.com/Race/WV/CLARKSBURG/RUNFOROPEN HEARTS5K.

CONGRATULATIONS

To our 2018

high school graduates

Nathan Fubio

Lucy Thompson

We wish you much success

with your future endeavors.

If we have missed anyone graduating

from high school this year, please let us know.

PAGE 5

Light and Life

I love seeing our church steeple lit up in the night sky. (Thanks, properties committee.)

It is such a powerful reminder to our community of “Emmanuel” — “God with us”. It is a reminder that, though the darkness comes, light prevails. Love wins.

Part of the Sermon on the Mount as found in the 5th chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew says, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to the household. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

That last part is essential—-”...and glorify your Father in heaven”. Not for our glory, but for God’s. Our lighted steeple—our very building—is a witness that God is in the world, in the center of Clarksburg and Harrison County.

That light becomes a beacon at times, leading folks to First Church and, we hope, to God. Throughout this issue of our newsletter you will find stories about many upcoming church activities.

I want to tell you about some of the other things that happen in our church home

=============================================================================================

Once a month, our dining room is filled with a strange cry, “How! How!” I hear that and know that the 4-H kids have arrived!

Recently, our Can-Do-Kids room was stocked with colorful boxes of cookies. Yep, Girl Scouts.

“Hey, want a cup of coffee?” There is always coffee, strong and plentiful when the 7 weekly AA/NA groups are around, and they always ask if we would like to share a cup.

ARSE? No, no, I’m not mildly cursing in Old English. That is the acronym of the Association of Retired School Employees, who meet here for occasional local meetings and for their annual state-wide conference.

And, depending on the day and time, you could find old guys playing basketball, young folks practicing soccer, more 4-H kids cooking their way around the world, and adults learning a little conversational Spanish. Bonnie’s Bus might be parked outside doing cancer screenings. Or the sanctuary might be filled to capacity with folks enjoying music by the Chanticleer Children’s Chorus or even “Three Redneck Tenors”.

A light...a beacon….a shelter….a home: First Church is all this and more. “To God be the glory!”

“Let your light shine….

“….where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is sadness, joy;

where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light.”

From the Prayer of St. Francis

Fellowship Meal at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday Worship from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Join us at 5:15 p.m.. for a home-cooked meal ($4 donation) in our church parlor.

From 6:00 to 6:45 p.m., an Evening Prayer service is offered.

Even if you don’t come for the meal, do come for the worship.

Sunday morning worship is still our primary service,

but if you can’t come on a Sunday, do get your weekly worship on a Wednesday.

Questions? Contact Don Gardner at [email protected] or 304-623-3397.

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP MEAL

MONASTIC MEALS Each Tuesday in May

Prepared meal ($3.00 each) in our parlor,

eaten in silence while scriptures and other sacred books are read.

12:15-12:45 p.m. Come earlier for silent meditation.

If you would like to attend, or to cook one of the meals, call Don at 623-3397.

PAGE 6

“Get out of those rocking chairs

and come to the banquet!”

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 at 6:00 p.m.

70 years or older? This evening is for you!

Great food -- Great entertainment

All at no charge for you -- be our guest!

Plan now for the 2018 banquet .

Questions? Contact Penny Arnold.

“GRANDAGERS BANQUET”

DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Sunday, May 6th, 3:00—5:00 p.m.

Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Buckhannon

MONDAY, MAY 21.

MARK YOUR

CALENDARS ...

NEXT Outreach Meeting is June 19th.

NO May meeting.

PAGE 7 OUTREACH

CELEBRATION OF MISSION EVENT (C.O.M.E.) at Quiet Dell UMC

Our Wesleyan District Celebration of Mission Event, which

supports our WV Mission projects will be held, at Quiet Dell United

Methodist Church, on Saturday, May 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The day will include lunch and an auction—including specialty baskets,

baked goods and crafts. This year we will be making a donation of underwear to the

Ebenezer Community Outreach and $300.00 to the Southern District

Church Community Ministry (Hope in the Mountains). This is a project

similar to Open Heart Ministries here in Harrison County. This event is

held each year at several locations in the state. We would like for you

to come out, have a good time and support this event.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER BANQUET

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Each year at Mother-Daughter Banquet,

we honor those women who have guided us in faith and love.

This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, May 11th

, at 6:00 p.m.

Come enjoy a delicious meal, inspiration and lots of fun

Menu : Baked Steak, Scalloped Potato, Spring Vegetables, Garden Salad, and Ice Cream Sundae!

Suggested donation: $6.00 / $3.00 for children 9 and younger

Call the church at 623-3397 to make your reservation to attend this year’s banquet

For more information, contact Don Gardner

THE WOMEN OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST

will meet on Thursday, May 17th, at noon, in the fellowship hall.

Mary Kay Patterson will be the hostess.

We hope to see you there.

PLEASE COME AND JOIN US . FOR A DELIGHTFUL TIME OF FELLOWSHIP.

The Grapevine · 2018. 4. 23. · The Grapevine irst United Methodist hurch 117 N. Second Street...

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Transcript of The Grapevine · 2018. 4. 23. · The Grapevine irst United Methodist hurch 117 N. Second Street...