40 Days: An invitation to

ARRIVE in a New Age.

By Reverend Joe Sanford

(Exodus 15-40 & Matthew 4:1-11)

Every year we greet the time of Lent which

begins on Ash Wednesday. This year Ash

Wednesday is February 26th. We will have

two services that day: one at 7am and one at

7pm. You’ll have the opportunity to come and

receive the ashes as a sign of our coming from

dust and eventual return to the dust. We

confront our own mortality and confess our

sin before God within the community of

faith. We focus on the dual themes of sin and

death in light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus

Christ.

The practice comes from honoring Jesus’ forty

days in the wilderness after he is baptized and

before he begins his ministry in Galilee. His

forty days honors Israel’s forty years in the

wilderness after they had passed through the

Red Sea on their way out of Egypt and before

they entered into the Promised Land. So why

is this all necessary?

Each biblical account of time in the wilderness

marks a time of transition. The people, Israel,

who left Egypt were not the same people who

entered the Promised Land. They were not

only one generation older, but they had finally

left Egypt behind them in every way. No

longer did they consider themselves in

servitude to an oppressive power—

Pharaoh. They had become God’s people who

would honor God as their

king. Of course we know

from the story that it

didn’t take long for the

people to lose their way,

but in that moment they

arrived into Canaan they

had become a different

people ready to be the

The Trumpet Sounds | March 2020 Sellersburg United Methodist Church

firstborn (a popular way to refer to Israel as a

whole) of God.

Jesus of Nazareth had lived a somewhat

mysterious life up until his baptism. Only one

Gospel account has a glimpse of Jesus beyond

a toddler (Luke), and even then we get a few

minute span of a twelve year old Jesus in the

Temple being confronted by his parents who

had been searching for him. Basically, we

have nothing of Jesus’ life to go on from birth

to maybe around 30-35 years old. What was

he doing for the first part of his life? Probably

living a normal existence in an occupied

Gentile-laden part of the country of Israel—

witnessing atrocity, high taxation, political

strife, and the normalcy of human childhood

and early adulthood. But then…he comes

onto the scene with John the Baptist, is

baptized, and marches out into the wilderness

for forty days.

His reception of the Holy Spirit led him to

spend forty days (a symbolic way to say “a

significant amount of time” which, again,

connects his story to the people, Israel, from

the Exodus narrative) by himself

fasting. Having just been proclaimed as the

one who embodies the calling of Israel from

Isaiah 42, and receiving the Spirit in a clear

echo of Genesis 1, Jesus is transitioning. He

came to John to receive the water and be

declared as “God’s Son.” He then is led into

the wilderness by the Spirit “so that he might

be tested.” The temptations all revolve

around the question, “What kind of Son of

God will you be?” Will he be a Messiah who

uses this incredible divine power to satisfy his

own needs, who displays himself in a

spectacle to woo the people, or who seeks a

life of power, wealth, prosperity, and security

like the rest of the world’s kings? Jesus rejects

all of this to claim the will of God as the

foundation for his life and purpose.

He emerges from the forty-day wilderness

adventure having arrived at a tried and true

understanding of his identity and purpose. He

has arrived onto the scene as the Messiah of

God. Now we can ponder and discuss and

debate about what kind of power and

anointing he possessed before the baptism

scene with John, but for all for Gospel authors,

these would be irrelevant.

The point is that he is ready to begin his

work. The forty days proved to be a way for

him to embody the calling of Israel and

prepare himself for all that lie ahead. And this

is where we come into the story.

The Trumpet Sounds | March 2020 Sellersburg United Methodist Church

We enter into this forty day period

(remember, we do not count Sundays) of

Lent. We are invited to fast and enter into the

story of Israel and Jesus so that we might

enter a time of transition and preparation

with the goal of arriving into the wonderful

Easter morning as a people renewed and

ready to share in the new life of the new age

of the new Kingdom which bursts forth from

the empty grave.

Will you join God’s children on the

journey? Will you fast? Will you allow

yourself to be tested so that you can

remember that we only need rely on God. All

we will ever need is to pursue the will of God

for our lives. We cannot fix the world and we

cannot heal ourselves. We can scratch and

claw and bow down and do our best to live

out spectacular moments in an attempt to

convince the world and ourselves that we

have it all together and we can provide

ourselves all we need. But…we aren’t really

fooling anyone. We aren’t fooling

ourselves…and we certainly aren’t fooling

God.

May you embrace the next forty days (not

counting Sundays) as an opportunity to leave

the old life of self-satisfaction behind and

simply practice a simple fast to see what God

might work through our time of testing. Give

up eating lunch… give up looking at your

phone beyond direct communication… give up

reading the latest political gossip… give up

talking for two hours ever day… give up

watching TV… give up eating meat… give up

coffee (yikes!)… give up worrying… give up

taking any work home… give up

_____________. Spend the day in prayer and

listen for what God may be inviting you to fast

from for Lent. Then use any and all time of

testing/temptation to pray, read scripture,

listen to praise music, call a Christian friend, or

whatever will be of benefit to your soul.

Embark on the journey of Lent with the

intention of arriving in a new age of your life

Easter morning. Don’t try and reason it all out

or understand it all right now. If you could

figure it all out, you wouldn’t need forty

days. But we do need the time to allow the

Spirit to work in the wilderness we enter. You

just might emerge into a whole new purpose

for your life… and you wouldn’t be alone in

this reality.

Grace & Peace,

Rev. Joseph Sanford

ALPHA

Coming Soon By Bob Waterman

If you have ever

wondered about the questions of life, such as

Why Am I Here? Why Did Jesus have to Die,

and other questions, please plan to join the

next Alpha class. Dates coming soon.

The Trumpet Sounds | March 2020 Sellersburg United Methodist Church

2020 SUMC Governing Board Chairperson: Lisa Nale

Vice Chair: Stewart Daily

Staff Parish Relations Rep.: Pamela Gaines

Staff Parish Relations Rep.: Kathlynn Kahl

Finance Team Rep.: John Wesson

Finance Team Rep.: Bill Nunn

Finance Team Rep.: Dianne Merillat

Trustees (MOMs-Ministers of Maintenance)

Rep.: Dave Pickel

Trustees (MOMs) Rep.: Craig Waltz

Trustees (MOMs) Rep.: Dwight Elrod

Lay Leader/Member: Connie Schlieker

Pastor: Rev. Joseph Sanford

Secretary: Janet Sims

SUMC Scouts

Thanks to everyone who made Scout Sunday

possible. The boys looked sharp and the

brunch was amazing. Troop #7 thanks

everyone who donated and encouraged their

ministry!

The Cub Scouts meet Sunday at 4:30 PM. The

Boy Scouts meet Tuesday at 6:30 PM.

SUMC NEWSLETTER

We need more pictures and stories to share in

the newsletter each month. Remember a

picture is worth 1000 words! Email the church

office before the 15th to make sure it’s

included.

SUMC Online sellersburgumc.com

@sellersburgumc on Facebook & Instagram

The Trumpet Sounds | March 2020 Sellersburg United Methodist Church

January Attendance & Financial Report

9 AM 11 AM Total

1/5 69 44 113

1/12 70 54 124

1/19 61 45 106

1/26 71 46 117

Average 115

Income

25,195.75

Expenses

Administrative

1,104.02

Facilities Operating

Expense

3,247.63

Ministerial Programs

1,798.65

Conference Tithe

2,341.50

District Tithe

351.21

Other Expenses

247.89

Payroll

14,083.17

Total Expenses

23,174.07

Net Income

2,021.68

SUMC FPU UPDATE The Fall 2019 SUMC

Financial Peace

University Class (FPU),

a nine-week series,

finished in mid-

December, 2019 with

eight persons

completing the class. The graduation

celebration dinner was held at the church in

early February. Financial Peace University,

developed by Dave Ramsey, teaches how to:

• get out of debt through budgeting,

• set-up an emergency fund,

• be a careful buyer,

• invest,

• prepare for retirement,

• buy insurance (life, health,

homeowners, and auto),

• get a mortgage and

• other financial items.

For the Fall class, the members paid-off $

14,589.56 in debt during the nine-week class.

One member actually became debt free

during the nine-week class!

Watch the church newsletter later in the

spring, for the SUMC Financial Peace Yard Sale

scheduled for April 4. This yard sale will be

used to help the FPU class further reduce their

debt. If you are interested in attending the

next FPU class at SUMC, contact Pastor Joe or

e-mail the church office.

The Trumpet Sounds | March 2020 Sellersburg United Methodist Church

SUMC Youth Update By Lori Rice

It’s that time of year

again, time for a lot of

fun, a lot of food

and a whole lot of

JESUS!!! Camp

Freedom 2020 registration is open. Camp will

be July 4 – July 8 at Lincoln State Park.

Registration is open for youth that have

completed 5th grade by the time camp starts

to age 18 (grouped appropriately)

The camp cost will be $85 per camper.

Scholarships are available.

To register for Camp Freedom you must

complete a paper registration form. The

registration forms must be filled out

completely and payment must accompany the

forms for each camper in order to register.

Registration is not complete until payment is

received. Registrations are accepted until

camp capacity is met. First come, first served

policy. Camp fills up every year, so get your

spot now!!! Cost should never be a reason a

youth does not participate in any activity our

youth group participates in.

Please see Lori Rice

for camp forms or

more information.

CENTER FOR LAY

MINISTRIES

By Elda & Jack Myers

THANKS for 141 pounds of soup and crackers

collected on "Souper" Bowl Sunday! The total

cash donation amount was $777. The winning

entry was “Chicken

Avocado Lime Soup”

prepared by Allison

Sims!

There is still a need

for volunteers at the

pantry. If you have

1/2 a day of even 2

hours that you could

help, please call Megan Willman at 812-989-

0485. She will explain the duties of a

receptionist, interviewer: the less strenuous

jobs. In the pantry, a volunteer shops with the

client as well as stocks shelves. Also you can

shadow a volunteer to help you decide. Give it

a try; it's rewarding!

CLM will receive $17,830 in food only gift

cards from the December Meijer Simply Give

campaign!"

Thanks again,

Jack & Elda Myers

The Trumpet Sounds | March 2020 Sellersburg United Methodist Church

Young at Heart

February Birthdays!

Young at Heart Come join the fun. Next

meeting is Wednesday,

March 4th at 11:30 AM.

In addition to our pitch-in lunch, we will have a

special guest speaker from SOAR.

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

Regina Lucas 1

Margaret Ross 2

Joyce Hecker 10

Janet Sims 13

Yvonne Frederick 19

Flora Childers 21

Dallas Kopp 21

Dianne Merillat 21

Matthew Werle 22

Dena Werle 24

Bob Hess 25

Marie Mosteller 25

Donald Broady 28

Regina Kerber 28

Denman Jones 28

Daniel Yost 31

Please help us update our records.

If someone’s birthday is missing (or misplaced)

contact the church office!

The Trumpet Sounds | March 2020 Sellersburg United Methodist Church

SEDER MEAL The River Ridge Cluster of the United

Methodist Church is hosting a Seder

Meal. We welcome you to join us on this

Maundy Thursday evening to experience a

taste of the Passover meal similar to that

when Jesus served the company of disciples at

ther Last Supper. https://whoozin.com/JHN-

WGJ-NRC7-7VR9

HYMNS THAT TEACH YOUR

HEART By Janice Jones

Growing up I remember my dad singing " The

Old Rugged Cross" a favorite hymn of his.

Mother would sing "Amazing Grace" one of

her favorites. I remember telling Mom during

my school days that my favorite was "How

Great Thou Art". Well, I really have no favorite,

but hymns do speak to the very “present" one

is in.

The two favorites I'm listing here are my

"testimony" hymns that clearly answer two

basic questions someone might ask me: "Why

do you believe in Jesus Christ?" and "Being

alone why are you not concerned about what

lies ahead for you?"

My answer for these two questions are found

in the hymns: "He Lives" and "Because He

Lives." Quoting here just the refrain of both

supplies my total trust in my life God has given

me:

"He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He

walks with me and talks with me

along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives,

salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He

lives? He lives within my heart."

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow;

because he lives, all fear is gone; because I

know He holds the future, and life is worth the

living just because He lives."

SUMC FAMILIES-IN-MINISTRY By Lauren Sanford

Whether you are in the midst of raising young

children/youth or you value the blessing of

growing and sharing in your personal Christian

faith alongside your community as a family, we

invite you to join us.

SUMC Families-in-Ministry will meet March

29, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Country Lake Christian

Retreat in Underwood, IN for a Loving God in

Solitude and Simplicity Day Retreat. Let’s

step away from our distractions and listen to

the quiet. We will participate together in

painting bird houses and spend time exploring

the retreat center (prayer walk, trails). All are

welcome!

Please text or call Lauren Sanford if you’d like

to be added to the Families-in-Ministries

group on the Remind app (for the latest

updates). 317-371-5070.

The Trumpet Sounds | March 2020 Sellersburg United Methodist Church

RIVER RIDGE CLUSTER The February meeting of the Cluster was held at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church with most of the 9 churches represented. Sellersburg UMC will again host our Good Friday service on April 10, 2020, 7:00 p.m. The order of worship is being planned by Pastors Joe Sanford and Ken Corder. All of the congregations will be represented in the service. Tony Goforth is assembling and directing a mass choir to sing during the service. Members and friends from each congregation are welcome to participate in the choir; further details will be forthcoming. The Cluster is also hosting a Maundy Thursday service and is being planned for April 09, 6:30 to 8:30 at New Chapel UMC, Jeffersonville. Reservation forms will be out soon. Once the congregations have registered, the opportunity to share will be offered to the community. The program will incorporate a Seder Meal reminiscent of the meal Jesus served the night before his death. Pastors Dan Tucker and Tim Lorentzen along with John Shive are planning the service and Seder Meal. Please remember the congregations in prayer as we seek to do God's will of fulfill the commandment to take Jesus Christ to the world thru worship, music and fellowship. With grace and peace, Janet Werle, River Ridge Cluster Chair

Sellersburg United

Methodist Women March 12 New Adventures Circle – 10 a.m.

March 16 Lydia Circle at 7 p.m. in

Fellowship Hall. Carol Eagan will speak on

“Hope, Health, and Transition.” All ladies of

the church are invited.

March 21 Spring District Meeting at 9:30

a.m. at Pekin UMC. Cecelia Whitfield will talk

about the mission she founded, “Use What

You’ve Got Prison Ministry.” For information

about carpooling, contact Phyllis Hunefeld

(502-693-3696 / phyllis.hunefeld@gmail.com).

March 29 UMW Sunday, one service at 10

a.m., pitch in lunch afterwards. Lauren

Sanford will deliver the message.

No Well Circle this month

March 2020 sellersburgumc.com/events

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs.

Fri Sat

1 1st Sunday in Lent Worship 9 & 11 AM Sunday School 10 AM Cub Scouts 4:30 PM

2

3

Pastor Joe’s Bible Study 9:30 AM & 6:30 PM Faith Kitchen 11:00 AM Speed Church Boy Scouts 6:30 PM

4

Young at Heart

Luncheon 11:30

WOW / JUMP & Teen

FUEL

6:00 PM

Choir 6:45 PM

5

Praise Band

6:30 PM

6 AA 6:00 PM

7

UMC Lenten

Prayer

Breakfast—

Corydon, IN

9:30 AM

8 2nd Sunday in Lent Worship 9 & 11 AM Sunday School 10 AM Cub Scouts 4:30 PM

9

10 Pastor Joe’s Bible Study 9:30 AM & 6:30 PM Faith Kitchen 11:00 AM Speed Church Boy Scouts 6:30 PM

11 WOW / JUMP & Teen

FUEL

6:00 PM

Choir 6:45 PM

12

New

Adventures

Circle Mtg.

10:00AM

Praise Band

6:30 PM

13 AA 6:00 PM

14

15 3rd Sunday in Lent Worship 9 & 11 AM Sunday School 10 AM Cub Scouts 4:30 PM

16

Staff Meeting

6:30 PM

Lydia Circle

Mtg. 7:00 PM

17 Pastor Joe’s Bible Study 9:30 AM & 6:30 PM Faith Kitchen 11:00 AM Speed Church Boy Scouts 6:30PM

18

WOW / JUMP & Teen

FUEL

6:00 PM

Choir 6:45 PM

19

Praise Band

6:30 PM

20

AA 6:00 PM

21

22 4th Sunday in Lent Worship 9 & 11 AM Sunday School 10 AM Cub Scouts 4:30 PM

23

Governing

Board 6:30

PM

24 Pastor Joe’s Bible Study 9:30 AM & 6:30 PM Faith Kitchen 11:00 AM Speed Church Boy Scouts 6:30 PM

25

WOW / JUMP & Teen

FUEL

6:00 PM

Choir 6:45 PM

26

Praise Band

6:30 PM

Ministers of

Maintenance

7:30 PM

27 AA 6:00 PM

28 UMC Lenten Prayer Breakfast Salem, IN 9:30 AM

29

5th Sunday in Lent

ONE SERVICE

10:00AM

Cub Scouts 4:30 PM

30 31

Pastor Joe’s Bible Study 9:30 AM & 6:30 PM Faith Kitchen 11:00 AM Speed Church Boy Scouts 6:30 PM

April 1st

WOW / JUMP & Teen

FUEL

6:00 PM

Choir 6:45 PM