From: South Charleston United Methodist Church
P O Box G
South Charleston, Ohio 45368
TO:
APRIL 2015
“GROWING DISCIPLES TO SERVE CHRIST”
Corner of Church and Jamestown Streets
SCHEDULE
Sundays Worship: 9:30 AM
Children’s Sunday School following children’s message -Open for all Children
Youth & Adults Sunday School following fellowship time
CONTINUE TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER…..
Names omitted for privacy . . . Our Nation, and all our shut-ins. Also, remember those who are away serving our country.
Our list of Volunteers
Acolytes
APRIL 5 – TBA
APRIL 12 – Adrienna & Layla Roach
APRIL 19 – Gracey Ferguson & Kody Keehner
APRIL 26 – Tanner Stoops & Mackenzee Klontz
Altar Flowers
APRIL 5 – Easter Flowers
APRIL 12 - Peters
APRIL 19 - Saunders
APRIL 26 - Toops
COMMUNION STEWARD
Joyce Edmiston (April 2 – Maundy Thursday)
USHERS & GREETERS FOR APRIL -
GREETERS – Clarence & Jeri Severt
USHERS – Bill Mattinson & Lee Simpson
NURSERY WILL BE OPEN AND UNSUPERVISED
SAVE THE DATES
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday – 8:30 AM Prayer Group
Every Tuesday at 9:30 AM – Women’s Bible Study
Every Wednesday at 9:30 AM Sewing Group, except for April 22nd
Every Wednesday at 5:30 PM Bell Practice
Every Wednesday at 6:00 PM Junior Choir Practice
Every Wednesday at 6:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice
Every Sunday at 6:00 PM Pastors Bible Study, cancelled April 5-19 and will resume April 26
UPCOMING DATES TO SAVE!!
Wednesday, April 1 – Ad Council Meeting - 7:30 PM
Thursday, April 2 – Maundy Thursday – Church Open 3-7 PM – Communion Available At 5PM Pastor Jeff will give a brief mediation entitled “A Last Supper Reflection”.
Friday, April 3rd – Good Friday Community Service at SCUMC with Rev. Bill Reisenweaver and special music by our Chancel Choir – 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 5 – Easter Community Service at 6:30 AM at the Presbyterian Church 9:30 AM – Easter Morning Worship and Celebration of the Risen Christ here at our church
Wednesday, April 8th – Rebekah Circle at 10:30 AM, home of Nancy Peters
Thursday, April 9th – Martha Circle at 7 PM, home of Ginger Bageant
Sunday, April 12th – Tour of Churches at 2 PM
Tues, April 28th – Worship Committee Meeting after the Women’s Bible Study
Sunday, May 3rd – ‘Honoring Our Queens Tea’, 2:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, May 9th - UMW Bake Sale at Shoemakers IGA
FROM THE PASTORS DESK
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2
Boy, do we ever have reason to be “filled with laughter.” After all, the Lord has done great things for us. We are an Easter people! We serve a resurrected Jesus. If that doesn’t give us reason to smile and to laugh I don’t know what does. Sadly though, too many followers of Christ go around with a serious, glum look on their face. They remind me of a lawyer in Columbus who runs an ad where he comes at the camera with a huge scowl on his face, pointing and saying, “I don’t get paid, unless you get paid.” I tell Kathy that this is a guy you don’t want to invite to a party. His face is always so deadly serious, even depressing.
How about you? When people look at you do they see the joy, the joy of Jesus? In the spirit of the resurrected Jesus, the one who brings great joy and hope to our lives, let me share a story that I hope brings a smile to your face.
My friend is a rather old-fashioned lady, always quite delicate and elegant, especially in her language. She and her husband were planning a week's vacation in Florida, so she wrote to a particular campground and asked for a reservation.
She wanted to make sure the campground was fully equipped, but didn't quite know how to ask about the toilet facilities. She just couldn't bring herself to write the word "toilet" in her letter.
After much deliberation she finally came up with the old-fashioned term "bathroom commode." But when she wrote that down, she still felt that she was being too forward. So she started all over again, rewrote the entire letter, and referred to the bathroom commode merely as the B.C. "Does the campground have its own B. C.?" is what she finally wrote.
Well, the campground owner wasn't old-fashioned at all, and when he got the letter he just couldn't figure out what the woman was talking about. That B. C. business really stumped him. After worrying about it for a while, he showed the letter to several campers, but no one could imagine what the lady meant, either.
So the campground owner, finally coming to the conclusion that the lady must be asking about the location of the Baptist Church, sat down and wrote the following reply:
"Dear Madam:
"I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take the pleasure of informing you that a B.C. is located nine miles north of the campground, and is capable of seating 250 people at one time.
"I admit it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly, but no doubt you will be pleased to learn that a great number of our people take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive early and stay late.
"If you don't start early, you probably will not make it in time. The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that right now, there is a supper planned to raise money to buy more seats.
"They're going to hold it in the basement of the B.C. I would like to say it pains me very much not being able to go more often, but it surely is no lack of desire on my part. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, particularly in cold weather.
"If you decide to come down to our campground, perhaps I could go with you the first time you go, sit with you, and introduce you to all the other folks. Remember, this is a friendly community!!"
Smile, God loves you! Live, laugh and love as a child of the Risen Savior.
Happy Easter,
Pastor Jeff
SPECIALHOLY WEEKSERVICES
1. Thursday, April 2- Maundy Thursday- an informal time of remembrance of theLast Supper. The church will be open from 3 PM to 7 PM with Communion available to anyone who wishes to come and partake. At 5 PM Pastor Jeff will give a brief mediationentitled " A Last Supper Reflection".
2.Friday, April 3- Good Friday- 7 PM - Community service here at our church with Rev. Bill Reisenweaver giving the message and special music by our Chancel Choir.
3.Sunday, April 5- Easter- Community Sunrise Service- 6:30 AM at Presbyterian Church,9:30 AM Easter Morning Worship and Celebration of the Risen Christ here at our church.
ONE WAY TO SHARE DURING LENT
Our Mission Giving Focus during Lent is the ‘Imagine No Malaria’ campaign. The campaign focuses on 4 critical areas: Education, Communication, Prevention and Treatment.
The West Ohio Conference churches have raised 90% of the $3.5 million goal during the last two years. Imagine No Malaria is a United Methodistconnectional effort, involving 18 Annual Conferences in the United States, in a global partnership with Melinda & Bill Gates Foundation, United Nations Foundation, and others.
Use the Lenten Coin Folder or INM envelopes (available on the back sanctuary table) to help save lives.
EASTER OFFERING
The Administrative Council has designated the Easter offering will go to the General Fund to help defray the utility bills, especially the gas bill,from this past winter. Your donations to this offering are greatly appreciated.
TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSINGS
Temporarily the office will be closed on Tuesdays on the following dates:
March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12
I am sorry for any inconvenience.
PASTOR VACATION
Pastor Jeff will be away from April 6 to April 22nd. If any needs during that time, please contact Carolyn Peacock at 740/974-7246 or the church office.
SOUTHEASTERN STAFF APPRECIATION
Our church wants to say “Thank You” to all of the Southeastern Staff for the wonderful things that they do for our kids. Staff Appreciation Week is the week of May 4th and we are asking that our church congregation donate goodies (cookies, individual snacks, candy, snack bars, etc.). We will need these by Sunday, May 3rd and they can be taken to the kitchen whenever it is convenient for you. After church on the 3rd we will assemble the goodies into four groups-one for Southeastern Jr. and Senior High, one for Miami View, one for the Bus Garage and one for the Board Office. The items collected will then be delivered on Monday, May 4th. This is being spearheaded by the Education, Outreach and Worship Committees.
MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY
Our church will hold a special time of remembrance during the Worship Service on Sunday, May 24th. We will be remembering members, constituents, and immediate family members of our church family who have passed away since Memorial Day last year. If you have someone that you would especially like remembered, please contact the church office by May 12th.
SOUTH CHARLESTON BICENTENNIAL WALKING TOUR OF CHURCHES
The Bicentennial Committee of South Charleston is sponsoring a walking tour of three churches on Sunday, April 12. St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church and South Charleston United Methodist Church.
The tour will begin at 2 pm at St. Charles Church. Our church will be the last stop. Following our presentation, refreshments will be served in the lobby.
The tour is free; however, in order to have an idea of how many will be in attendance; tickets will be available. Barbara Patton, Church Historian will have tickets available on Sunday morning, March 29 and April 5. Tickets may be picked up at the church office during the week from 9 am – 11 am Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For more information, contact Barbara at 462-8921.
Those touring our church will be given a brief presentation of our history and architecture; time will be allowed to view Don and Sally’s display and our Archives room. The Archives room is rich in our church history, as well as some South Charleston historic pictures. The tour will end with the refreshments.
As I want to make our church available to everyone; our doors will be open from 2 pm. If you are unable to walk on a tour or know someone else unable to walk on a tour; please feel welcome to visit anytime between 2 and 4 pm.
Thank you,
Barbara Patton, Church Historian
UPDATE FROM FIDEL
Our veterinarian friend, Fidel from Colombia, sends greetings to our church family with a ‘big and strong hug’. Fidel was married to Liliana on March 21st.
KAIROS COOKIES MINISTRY
Anyone wishing to provide cookies for the Kairos Prison Ministry for April 16 - 19 week end or for the April 23-26 week end, or to donate money toward this ministry, please contact Barbara Patton at 462-8921 for further details and more information. Thanks you.
HONORING OUR QUEENS’ TEA
Our annual Mother’s Day Celebration will be Sunday, May 2nd, at 2:00 p.m. This year’s teawill include recognition of ladies in the church who are over 80. All mothers and/or daughters are encouraged to attend this special event. Refreshments will be provided. Reservations are requested to Circle Leaders or Kathy Smalley.
CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION – Food for Thought!
Kathy S., Enid, and Kathy M. attended an excellent Miami Valley District UMW Spring Event on March 21st at Normandy UMC in Centerville. Ninety-five women worshipped together, participated in Bible Study, and explored opportunities for mission, education, service and advocacy for good stewardship of our resources.
Mark your calendars for the next district event - a spiritual growth retreat (Resurrection Women Revisited) on May 23rd at Union UMC in Englewood, OH.
2015 PRAYER and SELF DENIAL
Our March UMW meeting included the annual ‘Prayer and Self Denial’ program. This year, the offerings for ‘Prayer and Self Denial’ help with services for retired United Methodist missionary personnel. UMW has a rich heritage of mission work for women and children, beginning in the late 1800’s with Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist missionaries. Now we have the opportunity to help make a difference. ‘Prayer and Self Denial’ gifts may be given to Kathy M. – UMW Treasurer.
MISSION PERSONNEL BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Send a birthday card or e-mail birthday greeting to a mission worker who shares your birthday. We have the opportunity to give encouragement to our workers in the mission field. Everyone is invited to participate. Forms to register are on the sanctuary table.
KITCHENETTE BROOMS
The UMW sponsors the Kitchenette Broom fund raiser for local missions and outreach. Consider purchasing a new broom to help with your spring cleaning.