The Owego United Methodist Church, 261 Main Street, Owego, NY 13827

The Flame

The Owego United Methodist Church, 261 Main Street, Owego, NY 13827

Telephone: 607-687-2417 Email:

Website: www.owegoumc.org Flame Articles to:

The Flame may be read on our website owegoumc.org – if you are not

receiving your newsletter by email and wish to do so, please let the church

office know so we can add you to the list. Thank You!

Purpose Statement: Who We Are – The people of the Owego United Methodist Church are being transformed by the biblical message and the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, so as to grow and flourish as children of a loving God.

What We Are Called to Do – Our purpose is to use God’s empowering spirit through acts of faith, fellowship and service to share Christ’s love that we may be a blessing to the world for the glory of God.

Senior Pastor: Rev. James W. Stevens Editor/Typist: Sandy Berwald

OUMC Worship Schedule – September 2016

Sunday, September 4, 2016 Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture: Genesis 6:9-22

Sermon: “God’s Crazy Call” Rev. John A. Martin

Sunday, September 11, 2016 Communion Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Sermon: “Rejoicing In Heaven” Rev. James W. Stevens

Sunday, September 18, 2016 Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Sermon: “Say WHAT?!” Rev. James W. Stevens

Sunday, September 25, 2016 Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Sermon: “You Aren’t My Mother!” Rev. James W. Stevens

I remember the first time I felt the melancholy of Fall. I had just returned home from college for the weekend, and I went out to see if my dad would be able to come hunting with me that morning. He was working on the car, lying on a piece of cardboard, and he responded that he couldn’t make it. I knew he wanted to, but had other things that had to be done. It was a particularly difficult time in my dad’s life, and as he lay there on the cardboard, I was amazed to see how old he suddenly looked. He was, at the time, 52, but truly he was in the Fall of his life. He would be gone before his 63rd birthday. I was struck with a sudden homesickness that stunned me, and yet I was there at home. Surrounded by the seasonal death in nature that Fall so poignantly portrays I was really overwhelmed. I didn’t go hunting after all, but stayed and helped my dad with the car, knowing I wouldn’t have him forever.

Fall does that to me now every year at some point. With the melancholy, however, comes another thought. It is this thought that sustains me every day of my life, every season of the year, in good times and bad. Death will be destroyed. Fall will no longer exist seasonally, and even more importantly, relative to life itself. Then comes the color, and the beauty of a blue sky, sunshiny day with lower temperatures, and even lower humidity, and I realize that even in the dying there is the profound beauty of the promise of what is to come.

I look forward to seeing my parents again. My dad and I will not, however, I suspect, be going hunting. I will, however, have him forever. And in spite of the array feelings it invokes, Fall is still my favorite time of year. Praise be to God for His promise!

Rev. Stevens

August 23, 2016

Sisters and brothers in Christ,
Words cannot describe the severe flooding that the residents of Louisiana have suffered through. The flooding has brought devastation to countless people in the Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church and throughout the state. You can find details about the flooding and response on the Louisiana Conference website: www.la-umc.org.
I ask you to support the people of Louisiana and the United Methodists who are responding with both your prayers and your gifts.
First, let us hold up all those impacted by the flooding in prayer. Let us pray for those who have lost loved ones to find healing and for those who lost property to feel hope for the future. Let us pray for the United Methodists in Louisiana and beyond who will be caring for the hurt and broken people of Louisiana. Let us pray that we as the United Methodist Church can be a shining light for all those who are suffering and truly be God's love in their lives.
Second, I ask that you consider taking an offering at your local church on one of the three coming Sundays (Aug. 28, Sept. 4, or Sept. 11). Checks for the offerings received may be sent to the Conference Office, 324 University Ave. 3rd Floor, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210, with "Louisiana Flooding Advance #901670" written in the memo line.
Much like with the response to the West Virginia flooding, opportunities for individuals and groups to serve on work teams will be shared in the coming days.
One of the most amazing things about being United Methodist is our connectional system. Though our connection, we can support people around the country and throughout the world in their times of need. Thank you for being a part of that connection.
Grace and peace,
Bishop Mark J. Webb

Sunday School at the Owego United Methodist Church

Sunday School begins on September 11, 2016 at 9:00 am. We have classes for preschool through High School. We meet in the Ruey B. Stickney Memorial Chapel at 9:00 am for worship, offering, prayer, singing, and sharing then at 9:15 am, we go to our assigned individual classrooms.

If you are a parent of young children – wondering how to help your child develop a set of values in this world so full of temptations – Sunday School attendance makes a difference!

If you have older children and wonder how to help them make friends with others who share a love of God – Sunday School attendance makes a difference!

If you were raised in the Church, but have been absent a while and want to regroup – Sunday School is a comfortable, non-threatening place to do that!

If you seek to develop and strengthen talents such as oral reading, singing, or drama – Sunday School offers opportunities for all of these and more!

If you want to learn more about God’s plan for you – as revealed in the Bible, come to Sunday School – that’s what we do!

And what is expected of you? Well, you do have to rise and shine by 9:00 am, but there is no dress code – (except that which you mom requires) – so come and join us on September 11th at 9:00 am in the Chapel.

Colleen Dewey-Wright, DeeDee Jones, & Marilyn Ochs

Meet Your Sunday School Teachers

“Getting to Know You” – Lyrics of a familiar song, but not always easy in a large Church like ours; so each month in the Flame, we will feature a short Bio of our Sunday School teachers and will start with people our youngest children meet – Our preschool teachers: Brenda Conti and Joe Borrelli.

Brenda Conti, mother and grandmother, is married to Paul Conti. Her children are: Jesse, Cody, Nicholas, Vinnie, Austyn and David. She is a certified teacher with a B.S. from Binghamton University and her masters from Elmira College. The family lives on Front Street.

But the facts don’t begin to describe this multi-talented woman. You may see her painting sets or acting in our church Mystery Dinner Drama, working with “Angels Over Afghanistan” to set-up their big yard sale fund raiser, or planning the acolyte schedule for Sunday Worship. Because she does all of these and more.

And then there is her co-teacher, Joe Borrelli, father and grandfather, and married to Deborah. From his first marriage, he has 3 sons, Anthony (you often see his by-line in the Binghamton Press), Jonathan (who just got his Doctorate), and Jeremy (an undersea archeologist). When he married Deborah, he gained two daughters, Pam and Jessie, and grandchildren. We see Ben and grandpa enjoying Sunday School and all the activities for children in our church

Joe has a B.S. and two Master Degrees and is employed at Lockhead Martin. His background in scouting and camping have given him a rich skill level in working with children and he seems to intuitively see the child that is unsure or afraid and is right there to help. Like Brenda, he also is multi-talented. You will see him at the sound booth during church or taking the lead in our Mystery Dinner Theater, and always with a friendly smile or greeting!

So to conclude, God has taken hold of the heart and mind of these two and called them to serve and through their devotion to God, our church and our children are blessed. Thanks be to God!

Attention singers, musicians, and enthusiastic church members!

We are always looking for new members for the adult Chancel Choir!

Have you sung in high school and always wanted to sing again?

Do you love praising the Lord in the congregation?

We are looking for YOU! Singers of any age and experience are welcome!

Rehearsals – Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Praise the Lord at services on Sunday at 10:30 am

Contact Megan Burrell ( or 908-240-5871 with questions!

Cherub, Celebration, and Teen Choirs

Psalm 66:1-2 – “Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of this name; give to him glorious

praise.”

Can it be that it is that time again? Time for our Youth Choirs to begin!!!

Youth Choirs – please note the following information:

Cherub Choir – for youngsters in K, 1, and 2

Rehearsals are on Sunday morning at 8:30 am – (before Sunday School).

First rehearsal will be September 11, in the Music Room (second floor, room 204)

in the Barton Education Building.

Celebration Choir – for youth in grades 3 – 6

Rehearsals are on Friday afternoons at 4:45.

First rehearsal will be September 9, in the Music Room (second floor, room 204) in the Barton Education Building.

Teen Choir – for teens in grades 7 – 12

Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings after the 10:30 service.

First rehearsal will be September 11, in the Music Room (second floor, room 204)

in the Barton Education Building.

Interested? Questions? Call the Church Office (687-2417).

Looking forward to a new year!!!

Karen Harper

Missions Up-dates…

We thank everyone who generously donated school supplies for the students in Haiti.

We are grateful to all who have been donating extra vegetables every week to Garden Share, as well to all who have donated to the Sky Lake Campership Fund when choosing produce. Garden Share will continue through the end of the growing season.

If you have a college student in your family, please give Sandy their current college address so they can receive the Flame. Email addresses are also a good way for our college students to receive the Flame.

Our church will again be sponsoring a Christmas Dinner for the community. Many people are served a delicious meal in our church, and many volunteers deliver the meals to shut-ins. We are so grateful to one of our church families who is making 30-40 pairs of mittens for this project.

We will be collecting the following items which will be wrapped and distributed:

·  Jigsaw puzzles with 200-500 pieces. Gently used puzzles will be welcome, but please be sure all the pieces are included.

·  Word search puzzle books. Large print would be great.

·  Stuffed animals.

If you are able to donate any of these items, please bring them to the missions table beginning on October 2nd.

As always – the Mission Committee thanks you for you continued support of our efforts to help others in our church, our community, our country, and the world.

A Note of Thanks

Dear Owego United Methodist Church,

My husband and I would like to express our sincere thanks, gratitude, and love to the United Methodist Church family in Owego that have prayed and still continue to pray for us. We believe in the power of prayer and thank God for all of you. We both are improving and taking things day-by-day.

Blessings,

Mark & Amy Paris

Now is a good time to set things aside for the annual Fall Rummage Sale sponsored by the Dortheans. It will be held on Thursday, October 6th, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and Friday, October 7th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Please bring in your gently used, good, clean clothing, white elephant and other “treasures” starting Sunday, October 2nd.

Thank you for your continued support.

Harvest Dinner

We will be having our Harvest Dinner this Fall on October 22nd. Like last year, we would like to have some tables of homemade crafts for our Country Store. Please think about what your specialty is that you could donate to this table. Jams, jellies, pickles, sewing, knitting, crocheting, woodworking, etc. are just a few suggestions.

All proceeds go back into the church funds. Thank you for your generous support.

Fall Schedule for Dortheans

The Dortheans will be meeting on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at 1:00 pm in room 106 of the Barton Education Building. We would be happy to welcome any new members.

·  October 5th – we will host the Western Broome Retired Teachers’ luncheon

·  October 6th & 7th – we will hold our Annual Fall Rummage Sale

·  October 22nd – we will have our Harvest Dinner and Country Store sale

·  November 18th – the Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Fellowship Hall