the messenger

2020 First United Methodist Church in Niles

~~growing together in our knowledge, love, and service of God

A PRECIOUS GIFT !!

As I am writing this article, I am hoping and praying you receive this

newsletter by Saturday, 30 May 2020. Why? Because it deals directly with our

Celebration of Pentecost on Sunday, 31 May 2020, which is the birth of “Christ

Universal Church” through the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.

This precious gift of God’s Holy Spirit is opened to us through the 14th, 15th,

16th and 17th Chapters of the Gospel of John. This precious gift is offered to

every believer of Jesus Christ, those who love and obey Jesus. Listen to John

14:15-16, “if you love me, obey me; and, I will ask the Father and He will give you

another comforter, and He will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit

who leads into all truth.” (Living Word)

The study of the “Holy Spirit”, the third person of the Trinity is a worthy study,

which cannot be covered in a few paragraphs in an article. But I can share a few

basic truths we should understand, because they will assist us in our daily lives.

First: that the Holy Spirit is a promised precious gift from God (John 14-17).

He will lead us into all truth/the word of God.

Second: that God the Father promised His outpouring upon our lives; “I will

pour out my Spirit upon all flesh”. (Acts 2:17) 9 Romans 5:1-5)

Third: Jesus shares, we will recognize and “know this gift because he dwells

with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). This simply means God’s Holy Spirit will

constantly be our guide.

Fourth: we are to personally nurture a personal relationship with the Holy

Spirit. In other words, the activity level of the Holy Spirit in our lives is up to each

of us. The question is: “Will we permit the Holy Spirit to cleanse and transform

our hearts and minds?” The Apostle Paul challenges us with these words: “Be ye

transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Friends, It is absolutely true that in every believer there is the awesome

process of God’s power available to us. A power that enables each of us to be

overcomers of any situation or circumstance that life may throw at us. Yes, even

Covid19!! His is a unique power that enables us to make thoughtful, good

decisions. He enables us to manage all our feelings and emotions. He enables us

to transform negative harmful attitudes into positive, constructive attitudes. He

enables us to transform low self-esteem into positive self-images by confirming

that God loves ME!! I am somebody special!! We can wake up in the morning

recognizing that God has given ME another precious day of life. WHAT A GIFT!!!

Yes, be thankful!

Friends, we have been given the greatest gift anyone could receive….God’s

power living within us. But we must first recognize, accept and then permit the

Holy Spirit to do a good work within us/me!

HOW?? JUST ASK!!

James writes: “You have not, because you ask not!” Please read John 14-17

and

James 1:5-8.

Friends, it is up to each of us! He loves you and he’s waiting to hear from

you.

Blessings & always in our prayers. Keep Safe!

Pastor Barry French

Worship with us…. Sundays @ 10:00 am

In Ministry Together…. Rev. Barry C. French Office Secretary…. Leona Krepps

Organist/Pianist…Bonnie Hamer Choir Director….Sam Mohn

Groundskpr/Custodian…. John Hoso

Thank you for all your prayers, cards, and phone calls that I received during my recent surgeries. A special thank you to Peggy and Doug Sansom and Elaine Walker. Your kindness was overwhelming. Joyce Bowman

~~Rachel Circle News~~ Rachel Circle will continue to abide by the mandate of the Methodist Church until

the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. We will not have meetings until everything is

back to normal. Becky and I will notify all members when the meetings will

resume. Stay safe. Linda

Our congregation is getting older and we have many

people who are not able to physically work for the church,

but they contribute their time. This is true of our lay

leaders this month. Bill and Mary Alice Neiss have been

active members of our church for many years. When I

called Mary Alice for some information, she modestly said

there were other people that have done much more for

the church, but I disagreed. Mary Alice grew up in a small

town in Pennsylvania called Kinlock, about 25 miles

outside of Pittsburgh. She met Bill at a dance in Warren.

Bill is a native Niles boy whose parents and sister all

attended our church. When their children were young,

Mary Alice taught Bible School. She later became a shut-in

visitor. Her first assignment was visiting people in their homes but under the guidance

of Rev. David MacDonald, she graduated to calling on people in nursing homes and

passing the word of God and our church to the people there. Bill and Mary Alice keep in

close contact with their son, Brian, and daughter, Treva. They have four (4)

grandchildren.

Bill has done many of the physical jobs needed at the church. He has worked on the

grounds and set up tables for Community Meals. He worked on the telephone system at

the church, straightening out our problems. Bill worked for the phone company and

when he retired, he felt he needed something to fill his time, so he became a custodian

for the Howland School System. This was a comfort to Mary Alice who was a school bus

driver for the district. Mary Alice and Bill are true church members who help our church

succeed.

1. How long have you been a member of our church?

Bill – all his life, Mary Alice – since 1959

2. Do you ever get frustrated? Yes, but it’s no big deal.

3. What keeps you going? Being good parents and helping people.

4. What do you see as the future of our church? Hopefully, we can all stay together.

5. What is your favorite role in our church? Rachel Circle

6. What do you hope for the future of the church? growth, success and love

Altar and table in Narthex were beautifully done by Sharon French and

Elaine Walker respectively.

2020 Thanks to our veterans and soldiers who gave the

ultimate sacrifice for our freedom~~~~Their memories

remain!!

IN MEMORY OF.... IN HONOR Colleen Aliberti Ray & Thelma Thornton (Parents) Elaine Thornton (Sister-in-law) JoAnn Baugh William & Pauline Hunter (Parents) Bill Hunter (Brother) Bob & Sue Bullock Alfreda & John Robinson All Veterans Dolly & Bill Bullock Bushwaukers Robert & Debra Fink Wanda Sullivan Lois Fink, Robert Fink Sr. Our beloved dog, Grissom Barry & Sharon French Reverend Bill & Janet Buell Richard & Becky Hanks Loved Ones

Linda Haydu Loved Ones

Pat King Ray & Thelma Richards (parents) Bob & Patrice Kish Loved Ones Joe & Joyce Lukz Loved Ones Debbie Parsons/ “Grandpa Leonard” Chikosky The Parsons Family Pat Pfeifer & Family Bill Pfeifer & Annie Christine Chuck & Nancy Phillips George Sr. & Virginia Johnson Linda, George Jr. & Matt Johnson Evelyn Rice Mary Steib Mary Solley Dale Solley Family The Nine Family Dan & Mary Lou Taneyhill Danny Taneyhill, Jr.(Son) Russell Joseph (Son) Elaine Walker Loved Ones

Thank you to the above-mentioned church members who are

sharing the red geraniums this Memorial Day Weekend in

memory and honor of loved ones and friends.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2

6:30 pm

Finance Mtg

(CANCELLED)

3 4 5

6

7 Live Streaming

Service @

10:00 am until

further notice

8 9 6:30 pm

Trustee Mtg

(Cancelled)

10 11

12 13

14 Live Streaming

Service @

10:00 am until

further notice

15 16 6:30 pm

Finance Mtg.

(Cancelled)

17 1:00 pm

Rachel Circle

(Cancelled)

18

19 20

21 Live Streaming

Service @

10:00 am until

further notice

22 23 6:30 pm

SPRC Mtg

(Cancelled)

24 25

26 27

28 Live Streaming

Service @

10:00 am until

further notice

29 30 6:30 pm

Leadership

Mtg

(Cancelled)

06 Bill Shield 15 Shawn Spowart

07 Chuck Phillips 16 Doris Beck

09 Dick Bullock 18 Scott Gudaitis

10 Jeff Wallace 20 Bill Jones

Rebecca Edwards 24 Carolyn Lorent

Doug Sansom Nathan Hafely

13 Judy Shields 29 Martha Richards

14 Chad Ries 30 Frank Starkey

We would like to update our contact information. If you would please take a

moment, complete the following form (by PRINTING) and mail or take to the

Church office.

Contact Information

NAME ____________________________________________________________________________

STREET ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________

CITY _____________________________STATE _______________ ZIP______________________

CELL PHONE NO. ________________________________________________________________

LAND LINE PHONE NO. _________________________________________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________

If you would like to receive “The Messenger” in an e-mail, please check

YES ___ or NO ______.

GENTLE REMINDERS ~~

1. Worship service for the month of June 2020 are still on hold as of

printing.

Services will continue to be live streamed.

2. You may feel free to come into the Chapel, during office hours on

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9:00 am and noon, to pray at

your discretion.

3. Please call the office (330-652-1439), check our Church Facebook page or

check with WKBN News Page as to any continued cancellation dates.

OFFICE HOURS

for the month of June will be:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

(9:00 am – Noon)

NILES FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

608 North Crandon Avenue

Niles, Ohio 44446