(January 2014) (EPWORTH MESSENGER)

("Souper" Bowl SundaySuper Bowl Sunday is Feb. 2. At Epworth, it is "Souper" Bowl Sunday! Rose Circle will offer various homemade soups for your dining pleasure. Enjoy a bowl of delicious hot soup as you enjoy the game. The soup will be available in the narthex immediately following services for $5 a quart, or your greater donation. Soups are freshly made and must be refrigerated. Rose Circle supports various missions within the church and community and thanks you in advance for your support.) (Adopt-a-Family) (Dear Loving and Caring Epworth Family,A gigantic THANK YOU to each and every one who so generously donated of their time, talent and resources to provide for our Adopt-a-Families. It is overwhelming to see all the items donated and the money so generously donated to purchase food and other needed items. It is impossible to thank each person individually for what you have done. Perhaps you bought a toy or clothing for a child. Perhaps you spent hours making sure the boxes were filled and familys needs were met. Perhaps you helped to unload the groceries and distribute them. Perhaps you wrote a check or gave cash. Perhaps you helped with the distribution. Perhaps you remembered these families in your prayers. For whatever way you participated, we thank you very much. The families who were recipients of your generosity thank you very much as well. Rose Circle ) (MESSAGE FROM YOUTH PASTOR, MIKE KNOPP) (I am a little surprised that this December marks the end of my second year as youth pastor. The time has flown past. We've completed another busy year of youth activities from the large (VBS and All Saints Party), medium (Corn Maze and Messy Olympics), and our smaller weekly endeavors. Unfortunately, weather canceled our Christmas caroling. The middle/high school youth are interested in making the trip to Winter Jam this year (January 4). If you are interested in going, please let me know. We also have a family movie night scheduled for January, so start making plans and spreading the word! A final, special thank you, to everyone who works with our youth programs. The seed you sow today will blossom into something wonderful in time. Thank you,Michael Knopp) (Inside Newsletter) (Johnny Staats and friends will be coming to Epworth on Saturday January 25 for a special fundraiser for Jeanie Triplett. This will be quality bluegrass and some of your gospel favorites as well as good food and fellowship. Most of you know Jeanie is in her second round of chemo therapy fighting ovarian cancer. Proceeds will help her with medical expenses. We could use a little help getting all this together, if you would like to help, call or see Celiaat 273-0372. ) (Due to the Christmas holiday, the church office will be closed on Dec. 24 thru Jan 1, 2014. It will reopen on Jan. 2. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year) (Message from Rev. DeaneStewards for JanuaryKwire KornerMemorial ReportBirthday Calendar) (Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors) (January 2014) (Church Office Closed) (Epworth Messenger) (MEMORIAL REPORT) (General FundDonation made in the memory of Lewis Buzz Casto by:Paula, John & Rae Knopp, Carolyn Tippens, Jim & Polly Hughes,Eleanor Mills, Carolyn Carmichael and Barbara Conley Bobbie Goff in Honor of Benny Hunts 70th BirthdayBarbara Conley in Honor of Janet StrohlFrank & Janet Strohl, in Honor of Shelia LokantAndrew CallersRob & Judy Fisher m/o Lewis Buzz CastoBrenda Winters m/o Gene WintersRoger& Jane Winters m/o Lois WintersAdopt A- FamilyIngrid Lee m/o Rick SimmonsIngrid Lee m/o Lewis Buzz CastoJohn & Ellen, Evan & Laura Huffman m/o Thom & Elaine Kessel StoneGreta Tyler in Honor of Mary TillinghastGreg & Dee Fisher Shockley in Honor of Ingrid Lee) (Dear Epworth family and friends,Merry, merry Christmas, and may you be blessed in the New Year! Im writing to you in mid-December, when the days are short and dark. History and archeology tell us that in cultures around the world, including many who did not know about the Christ child, people looked and longed for the return of the light, and held festivals and celebrations near the solstice, to ward off the darkness and then celebrate when the days started to grow longer. Im reminded of the beautiful passage from Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.... and also of the passages in Isaiah and Romans (and indeed through much of scripture) that speak of the universal human longing for God, even when people dont know exactly what they are looking for. Part of our shared ministry as the Church is to tell people the story that they are longing to hear, a story of love and redemption, of healing and hope. We do this with spoken words, songs, with sign-actions or sacraments such as Holy Communion and the candlelighting service on Christmas Eve; we also tell the story of Gods love through our actions. This season, Epworth volunteers have helped 35 families through the Adopt-A-Family program, sent 12 Days of Christmas packages to another twenty-some folks, encouraged our college kids with finals packages, prepared and sent Shoeboxes to low income kids in foreign lands, and worked through a wide variety of social and community organizations to deliver many kinds of assistance to those in need. Im grateful for our resources and ability to help. Thank you to all of those who were able to lend a hand, say a prayer, give a dollar, offer a smile or a word of encouragement to someone in Christs name. Jesus promised that this faithfulness will be rewarded; I can tell you that the smiles and thanks from some of the Adopt-A-Family recipients was completely rewarding! I wish you all could see the results that I see. Doing good helps the giver and the receiver. May we all continue to be blessed and a blessing.My kids (and granddaughter!!!!) will be here soon, and I hope to spend some relaxing time with them before our New Year pulls us forward into another round of activity and excitement. My prayer for you, and for our church, is that the love of God becomes so real and powerful in our lives, that we SHINE with it, and are always willing to walk through the darkness to bring others to the light.I love you. Terry ) (Sanctuary Renovation FundDonation made in m/o Lewis Buzz Casto by Delbert & Lydia Ludwig and Benny & Brenda Hunt John & Cookey Gunther m/o Jerry CrossCompassion Fund Anonymous donor in honor of Bobbie & Vernon FisherMemorial FundMike & Rachel Tillinghast in honor of Rev Terry DeaneLarry & Celia Parrish in m/o of Lewis Buzz Casto and in honor of Hazel Parsons) (Message from Rev. Deane) (Rose Circle Update: the book study has changed to Travelers Gift it was incorrect in the last newsletter) (Dear Epworth Church family,Thanks so much for my finals care package! I called my mom and thanked her, and she said I need to thank all of you. Epworth is a great place for us and we are so grateful. Love, Lia Deane ) (THANK YOUWe would like to thank the Ripley Rockets 4-H for their generous donation to our Epworths Adopt-a-family. It is such a blessing when so many families are in need this time of year.) ( PRAISE SERVICE for January will be at Epworth Church with the 11th Hour Singers. However, the service will be on January 26, the fourth Sunday night of the month. Please note the change of date. ) (MEETINGThe Ad hoc committee will meet on Jan. 9th @ 7pm in the sanctuary to discuss possible sanctuary renovations. Everyone is welcome to attend.) (Support our church for FREE while shopping online! Sign up to the churchs new fund-raising program, www.umcmarket.org, which has been approved by the General Council of Finance and Administration.GCFA has partnered with hundreds of your favorite stores and online travel sites. A percentage of each purchase from your online shopping will be paid as a commission to our church.After you register, add Epworth UMC Ripley, WV as your church/organization. Need help signing up? Go to our website for more information. www.epworthumcripley.org/umc-market.html or call Ralph at 304 372-5519) (Do you want your kids to be safe?Sure you do! And so do we here at Epworth. Thats why we require all volunteers and staff who work with children and youth to have training in our Child Protection Standards. Six persons were able to attend the December session offered here at Epworth; the district training event is in January (see the flyer in this newsletter). You must attend this training or contact our Child Protection Coordinator Mike Knopp to receive alternate training in January. ) ( CHURCH DIRECTORYPlease add/update the following names and addresses to page 11 of your directory.Devon Nuckles*367 Third AveRipley, WV 25271Allen & Monica French*603 Lone Oak RoadCottageville, WV 25239Julie Marple131 Sheriffs DriveRipley, WV 25271) (AssignmentJan. 5Jan. 12Jan. 19Jan. 26LiturgistJohn HardmanAlex ParsonsSara MooreYouthGreetersRyan, Jenny, Jadyn, Wyatt & Willow SimonPaula KnoppRae KnoppMike & Ritta CasdorphHaley Taylor, Pamela Johnson Alyssa PerryAcolytesTori RotenberryWyatt SimonSummer HartleyLauren BaileyBrock MatsonLuke MatsonColton PepperChase PepperInfant NurseryMonica FrenchSusan CurryRachel CastoLisa BaileyToddler NurseryTonya GorrellJanice StempleAmy PerryLaura TaylorChildrens ChurchGeorgia WebbMike KnoppJulie MorrisErica McVayRalph SummersPaula KnoppBeth MillerGeorgia WebbHead UsherFrank HughesKeith RakeButch BarnetteJim Perry) ( Stewards for January) (Is It Cool To Sing in The Choir?As I sit here musing about what in the world I will write about this time around, my thoughts are immediately brought back to the Joes Run Youth Choir who sang in our fellowship center last night. There were twenty of them ranging in age from a command performance by a three-year old to a few adults in their twenties. The overwhelming majority were teenagers. One fact that I felt astonishing was that at least 50% of the group sang solos during their program for us! And most of those who didnt sing solos read Scripture and gave a devotional talk.These kids were not in the least embarrassed to be singing in the choir; not afraid of sharing their talents with all of us; not freaked out by what their peers would think; nor were they reluctant to share their faith by praising God! Yes, butof course they must be different types of kids. Lets check. So, how did they dress? Well, they dressed like any teenager of today would dressjeans and shirts! How did they act? They were polite and friendlylike many teens are today. We even served snacks and they scarfed down all those sweets and soft drinks like all our kids do, too! So, would it appear that these kids thought singing in the choir was cool? Hmmm..Now, lets turn our attention to Epworth. We love to listen to our little cherub choir. They look so sweet and just sing their little hearts out, dont they? Weve even got a chimes choir made up of a bit older youth who will play for us during the Christmas season. Its wonderful! Of course, we all know our chancel choir and the love we have for singing, clear at the other end of the spectrum. But, what happened that we have no middle school choir or a teenage choir? Does singing suddenly become un-cool after the age of cherubs? Does the fact that activities like all manner of sports, dance, hanging out, and every push-button gadget that so many kids have, compete with church activities? Do these extra-curricular activities compete with or take precedence over church activities? Only individual families can answer these questions.Now, lets look at our Epworth Chancel Choir.we currently have members ranging in age from twenty to 90. We frequently have a few teenagers or college youth sing with us during our Christmas cantatas. This year is no exception. We love having them and pray that we might influence them to participate in their churchs choir someday wherever they may go and that they, in turn, will influence their children to do so also. That example is so important. Just look at the relationships within our choirwe have 4 married couples, 3 mother-daughter duos, 1 sisters relationship, one daughter-in-law, 1 niece, and 1 grandson-both grandparents combo. How many of us began singing as children in our churchs choirs? Was it cool back then, is it cool now, or does God really care? Only we can answer these questions.Grace & Peace,Joyce LawhonChancel Choir Director)

( Sunday School Sundays 9:45 amWorship Sundays 11:00 amMuffins and More Tuesdays 10:00 amHandbells Wednesday 5:30 pmChancel Choir Wednesday 7:00 pmWed Night Youth Wednesday 6:30 pm) (Pastor: Reverend Teresa DeaneOffice Phone: 304-372-3493Office Hours: Tues. thru Friday 9am to 12pmPastors Cell: 1-304-380-6813) (Epworth United Methodist Church) ( Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Ripley, WV 25271 Permit #6 ) ( 299 North Church Street Ripley, WV 25271 ) (Epworth United Methodist Church)