One important practice that goes along with regular Bible reading is reflection. The reader takes note of what a passage of Scripture is saying, what the writer is trying to communicate and what the passage says to the reader. It could also be that a verse or part of a verse catches the reader’s attention, and the reader reads over the verse several times. The latter happened

to me during one of my devotional times. I was reading Colossians 1:15-28 when part of verse 18 caught my eye. It was as if the hands of the Holy Spirit reached out

from the page and took hold of my face to focus my attention. The section of verse 18 that I reflected on was this: “… so that he might come to have first place in everything.”

Because God raised Jesus from the dead, God has made him in charge of all things. He’s Lord of the Church and of our church. He’s ruler over all nations and rulers. He’s your boss and my boss.

The truth that Jesus is to have the first place in my life struck me. Yes, before I read the latter part of verse 18, Jesus had first place, I believe. But for some reason, I needed that reminder. I

don’t know why that is, but I’m happy for him to be in the top spot!

Pastor Mark†

Mark your calendars – Our United Methodist Men

will be sponsoring the

Community Meal and Back to

School Bash again this year

– COME JOIN THE FUN as

we send our kids back to

school – August 18th @5pm. More info to come!!

MEETING MINUTES FROM THE SPECIAL CHURCH CONFERENCE

A Special Church Conference of the members and friends of Duff Street United Methodist Church was held at the church’s Multi-ministries building at 204 Baker Avenue, Clarksburg, on July 2nd at 7:00 pm. The meeting was presided over by District Superintendent Rev. Mary Ellen Finegan for the purpose of approving the new building plans and financing for the new sanctuary scheduled to be built by Pray Construction Company beginning in August 2019.

Rev. Finegan opened the meeting with a prayer. The first order of business was to elect a Recording Secretary for the meeting. Michelle Campbell was nominated by Michael Crim and the nomination was seconded by Bruce Nutter; a verbal approval was taken by attendees and with no opposition, she was approved.

An attendance registration pad was passed for all to sign. Additional attendees not listed include District Church Building and Location Committee Chairperson, Rev. Greg Godwin, District Church Building and Location Committee Member, Rick Chamberlain, and Pray Construction Project Manager, Erich Reggi.

Rev. Finegan confirmed with the attendees that all were familiar with the new plans, having previously approved a $3 million facility on March 22, 2015, this new design would now be a $1.2 million sanctuary. Attendees were asked to confirm this change and by a show of hands confirmed approval with no one opposing.

A Financial Statement for the Building Program (copy available in the church office) was distributed to all present noting results of the major funds campaign, cash on hand specific to the building fund and recommendations for financing construction. Attendees were asked to review this information and by a show of hands confirmed approval with no one opposing.

Mr. Erich Reggi of Pray Construction was introduced and came forward for a brief description of Pray’s proposal to marry the amount we are able to spend with the church’s needs to create a new worship center for Duff Street Church. After which Mr. Reggi answered many questions.

With no other questions proposed, Jim Eakle, Chairman of the Building Committee, thanked Mr. Reggi for his dedication and availability by both phone and email throughout this process.

Rev. Finegan reminded everyone that “God is in charge!”

Additional specifics to the process: The new building and existing parking lots are the collateral for the loan. Huntington Bank has been chosen by The Building Committee to finance the Construction Loan. The Building Committee will negotiate the details of the project with Pray Construction but the Trustees are responsible for signing the final contracts as well as the loan documents from Huntington Bank. Bruce Nutter, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, is authorized to sign said documents. Neither the Board of Trustees nor Bruce Nutter are held personally liable but sign on behalf of the church. Anyone is invited to attend building team meetings and may voice ideas but Building Team members have final say. The next meeting is scheduled for July 28th @ 5pm.

With no further discussion, members were asked to complete their ballots with a simple check mark by either yes or no to proceed with the building and financing of the new sanctuary as outlined above. Ballots were collected by Michelle Campbell and were counted by Rev. Greg Godwin, Rick Chamberlain and Jim Eakle. The result was turned over and read into the minutes by the recording secretary – 43 YES and 3 NO. Rev. Finegan confirmed the acceptance of the plans by the church and considered the meeting done.

Duff Street Pastor, Rev. Mark Smith, closed the church conference with a prayer of thanks.

United Methodist Women Picnic

Wednesday, August 14th

6:00 p.m.

Bring your favorite Covered Dish

Clarksburg Nutter Fort Park

Maple Shelter Everyone welcome to experience great fellowship, good food, and the chance to learn more

about our United Methodist Women group. Invite and Bring a friend. Drinks, plates and

utensils provided.

Stealey & Duff Street UM Food

Pantry

Open Each Tuesday

9:30 am - 1:00 pm at Stealey UM

Church

521 Milford St.

School starts soon! Time to start preparing the weekend bags of food

for students at North View and Wilsonburg Elementary Schools. We

will start collecting items to be included and the first assembly will be

on Wednesday, September 4th at 1:00 p.m. in the Duff Worship area.

We will continue to do 50 bags a week for each school. Our first bagging

will be for 3 weeks and will do a second assembly on Wednesday,

September 25th. Come help and be a part of this ministry. For further

information, call Carolyn Green at (304) 622-2965.

Donations for the weekend bags of individual fruit, pudding, granola

bars, cereal, oats, snacks, Raman noodles, mac & cheese, soup, etc.

will be helpful. Monetary donations are always needed.

Have extra vegetables from your garden? – If you have extra

vegetables, remember the food pantry. Bring in any extra zucchini,

squash, tomatoes, peppers, or greens and we will distribute to families.

..

through our presence: Worship Sunday God’s Big

8:45 11:00 School Backyard

July 7th 58 72 13 15

July 14th 69 81 16 16

July 21st 73 70 20 14

July 28th

through our service to others: August 4th – Bryce & Johnnie

Lay Hospital Visitation & Prayer Chain: August 11th – Caleb S. & Carson

Wayne & MaryAnn Moore – 304-623-3155 August 18th – Grant & Caleb R. August 25th – Megan & Riley

Hospitality Team: Jim Harris & Arlene Iaquinta

Ushers: 8:45 - Bob Fowler & Jerry Paugh Communion Servers: 8:45 – Pam, Eric & Erica Simmons and Pearl Arnett 11:00 – Don & Beverly Phillips and Mark & Crystal Goodwin Greeters: 8:45 – Nancy Fowler

through our prayers: for our military: Jeremy Glass, Jared Hammitt, Sgt. J R Hinkle, Matt Hoalcraft, Amanda Landers, Int’l Security Guard Stephen Lindsey, Sgts. 1st Class Nate & Bryanna Moccia, Kiersten Posey, Mstr. Sgt.

James Queen and Pvt. Zachary Shields

for our shut-ins: Chuck Arnett, Alice Bodenheimer, Rose Carr, Ron Channel, Rosemary Cottrell, Mary Cunningham, Martha Hammitt, Robbie Hood, Bruce Hudkins, Elaine LeBenne, Louise Minnich, Charles & Betty Pratt, Molly Stonebreaker and Helen Stutler for healing: Tonya Allen, John Batcheller, Brody, Robin Byrd, Carol, Coalton, Bill Cochran, Hobert Corley, Cynthia, Daniel, Dorothy, Kent Fetty, Christen Halpenny, Sharon Hardy, Martha Hawkins, Heidi Heflin, Stan Heflin, Sharon Hood, Judy Huntermark, Crystal Johnson, Trey Lousey, Kayla Maxwell, Dustin McCune, Rebecca Mearns, Mike, Susie Palmer, Pat, Jerry Paugh, Robert Perine, Rich, Richard, Sam, Correnda Sedlock, Jim Simpson, Jim & Kim Spear and Lisa Stanley

through our gifts: June 2019

General Fund Income $20,098.81

Expenses: 24,781.67

Difference ( $4,682.86)

Building Fund Income $21,257.01

Expenses 0

2019 Budget - $305,852 Monthly - $25,488

Do you often forget your tithe, pledge or checkbook and don’t carry cash? Contact your bank and set up an auto-draft - no worries and your monthly support is here even when you can’t be.

Duff Street Calendar of Events

office hours: Mon-Thur 9am-3pm

Sundays: 7:45am - Breakfast

8:45am - Contemporary Service

9:45am - God's Big Back Yard

10:00am - Sunday School

11:00am - Traditional Worship

Mondays: 10:30am – Guided Prayer Time

5:00pm - TOPS

Tuesdays: 9:30am-Food Pantry@StealeyUMC

Chancel Choir on Vacation

6:30pm - Men's Group

Wednesdays: 7:00am - Prayer Breakfast

Thursdays: noon - Eat, Study, Pray Group

6:00pm – Scouts Resume

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED ON FRIDAYS

4 Communion Sunday

5 6:00pm – Staff Parish Team Meeting

9-10 Board of Global Ministries sponsoring a multi-

ministry outreach workshop-see Kim Wheeler

for details

12 6:00pm – Finance Team Meeting

7:00pm – Trustees

13 7:00pm – Children/Youth Ministry Meeting

14 6:00pm – UMW Annual Picnic

@Clarksburg City Park

17 11:00am – Eagle Scout Award Ceremony

18 5:00pm – Community Meal & Back to School Bash

19 6:30pm – Church Council Meeting

22 6:00pm – Scout Meetings Resume

28 5:00pm – Building Team Meeting

6:00pm – Chancel Choir Practice Resumes

*NOTE NEW DAY & TIME

Bruce Nutter 1 Robert Rohrbough 1

Gavin Webster 1 Corrie Burlas 6

Bob Fowler 7 Cody Gilmore 8

Rosetta Sirrine 8 Doug Wilson 8

Beverly Phillips 13 Cole Kirby 14

Shane Scott 14 Ashton Nardella 15

Greg Glover 16 Bonnie McGowan 16

Steve Osborne 16 Polly Dennison 17

Terri Arbogast 19 Sarah Crim 20

David Kirby 22 Storm Kirby 23

Elizabeth Brand 24 Edna Osborne 24

Kiayra Higgins 27 Don Davis 28

Jackson Goodwin 28 Sara Webster 28

Louis Harris 29 Jasminea Chien 29

Lu Bush 30 Phillip Green 30

Alexander Kirby 31

Rex & Elizabeth Carder 1 Mike & Debby Wagner 1 Frank & Kathy Marino 2

Jim & Donna Eakle 3 Jim & Katy Crim 4

Bill & Carolyn Norris 4 David & Pat Webster 8

Scott & Diane Williams 11 Wayne & Mary Ann Moore 17

Braden & Carol Swaney 19 Greg & Kathy Goodwin 22

Mark & Kim George 25 Melvin & Edna Osborne 26

Bob & Nancy Fowler 27 Jim & Kim Spear 28

Ken & Patty Hammitt 29 Chris & Angelia Davis 31

Feel free to join us for any calendar event

listed – it’s YOUR church – BE INVOLVED!

Sunday’s @Duff Street

7:45am Breakfast

8:45am Contemporary Service

9am God’s Big Back Yard

10am Sunday School

11am Traditional Worship

DUFF STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

204 Baker Avenue, Clarksburg, WV 26301 phone: 304-624-7951

duffstreet@gmail.com www.duffstreetchurch.org FaceBook@duff.church Twitter@DuffStChurch

204 Baker Avenue Clarksburg, WV 26301

Mark Smith, Pastor rev.markesmith@gmail.com

Michelle Campbell, Admin.Ast. duffstreet@gmail.com

Rob Murphy, Director of Youth & Childrens Ministry

robmurphy3@yahoo.com

Candace Walker, Music Director

Danny Marshall, Custodian

Karie Abston, Nursery Supervisor

Crystal Johnson, Nursery Assistant