OCTOBER Good News newsletter 2017Our ministry vision for the Virginia Annual Conference is “to be disciples of Jesus Christ who are lifelong learners, who influence others to serve.”  

From Pastor Liz:Dear Friends –

“Now as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you — so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking” (2 Cor. 8:7). We who are Christians have been empowered by God. Through faith in Christ, we experience God’s power and realize afresh that God owns everything. God is our Source! On a daily basis, God demonstrates again and again His abundant power as He “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Tim. 6:17). As we are empowered by God, we respond by grace. Like the Macedonian Christians, we begin by first giving ourselves to the Lord. When that happens, our resources — which are gifts on loan to us from God — will follow.

First, there is the matter of our time. Time is like a giant bank account into which God daily deposits 86,400 seconds. How we use our time reveals where we have placed our priorities. We can consume those precious moments on ourselves and our pleasures or we can use them for God’s glory in ministry to others. The choice is up to us. The same thing is true concerning our talents. However God has gifted us, what is of utmost importance is for us to use our talents in the Lord’s work. The outreach of the Gospel in this ministry is made possible only as God’s people do just that.

Then there is our witness. Recently I've become aware of several church studies that indicate that for a church to be viable and successful into the next century it must average 135 people in worship each week. If you look around on Sunday morning you soon realize that we have a way to go. Sure, we sometime get close to that number, but usually we are far from it. Witness is a scary word to many people, but studies have shown that the most effective way to get a person to church is they be asked by a friend or neighbor. This works seven times better than being asked by the pastor. If we are truly serious about our commitment to Christ and his church, we must become serious about our witness. When was the last time you asked a friend, neighbor, co-worker, inactive member, or anyone to come to your church with you? Give it a try, invite someone to church. Make a point to do it weekly. As someone has said, “Shepherds do not beget sheep. Sheep beget sheep.” And that process begins through simple invitations to worship. Put your faith into action.

Finally, there is the matter of our treasure. Perhaps more than anything else, how we use our money reflects what is really important to us. In fact, as we review the record of how we have spent the financial resources God has entrusted to us in the past few months, we will have a powerful testimony of that which we value most. As you consider your life during this time of stewardship emphasis, will you — like the Macedonian Christians — excel in the “grace of giving” by first giving yourself to the Lord? Will you respond by grace through giving your time, talents, witness and treasure for God’s glory in this ministry? Will you then covenant with God by faith to give in the coming months as God provides, even if you do not know the source of the funds? Please ask God to give you specific direction concerning what you should give. Then, please complete your Faith Promise Card and bring it with you to the worship service on “Harvest Celebration Sunday,” November 5, 2017. Thank you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for your faithful financial support in the past. Thank you as well for being “Empowered by God” and for “Responding by Grace” here at Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church. ~Blessings, Grace and Peace, Liz

Lay Servant TrainingOctober 20 & 21, 2017

Friday 6:30pm—9:00pm Saturday 8:30am—4:00pm

Chestnut Hill UMC 4660 Fort Ave., Lynchburg VA

Cost: $20.00 please register before October 10, 2017Make checks payable to Lynchburg District Lay Servant Ministries.

Registration forms available in the church office.Continental breakfast, lunch & refreshments will be served.

Basic Course—This is an introductory course to equip new leaders and renew current leaders. It focuses on three primary areas of the Lay Servant Ministry: Caring, Leading, and communicating and includes material on Wesleyan heritage. Instructor - Rev. Marci HuntsmanLeading Worship - Hoyt Hickman explains the basic pattern of United Methodist worship within the broader context of Christian worship. Drawing upon five basic principles, the author explains the formative nature of worship and how it can revitalize persons' lives. These principles are: God's Word is primary; active congregational participation is crucial; spontaneity and order are both important; worship should be relevant and inclusive; and worship is communion. Instructor - Rev. Dawn ComptonU.M. Heritage- How did we get here? United Methodist History in America: We will first briefly explore the life of John Wesley in England and in the “New country” then we will study the roots of Methodism in America mostly throughout the 19 and 20th centuries. Instructor - Rev. Amy Beth ColemanAging & Ministry - Churches must be intentional in developing ministries which provide a place of welcome, spiritual nurture, and empowerment in ministry with adults who are aging. This advance LSM course is a practical guide for building these ministries with three goals: (1) gain a greater understanding of the issues and concerns of aging, (2) become informed about intentional ministries with midlife (age 50) and older adults, and (3) increase knowledge of resources and opportunities for spiritual formation for the second half of life. Instructor - Martha StokesU.M. Policy/Justice in Everyday Life, a Lay Servant Ministries advance course, takes an in-depth look at the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church—the church's attempt to speak on contemporary issues with which it is confronted today. The book covers topics such as: natural world, social community, economic community, political community, Biblical foundations of the Social Principles, teaching the Social Principles. This book is for anyone interested in studying the Social Principles in greater detail. Instructor - Rev. Rick Ecklund

 

Member Care Meeting

If you are interested in assisting with maintaining close contacts with our existing parishioners and want to learn how to attract visitors and ma  ke new folks welcome, please attend our meeting on Tuesday, October 10 at 10:45 a.m. Pastor Liz will discuss her beliefs on how to be a more inviting church and give demonstrations on “Shepherding Ministry” to welcome visitors. If you are interested in making new disciples and

keeping the old ones, please attend this very important meeting! 

Blessing of the Animals In OctoberWe will be holding a Blessing of the Animals on October 14 at 3 p.m. on our back portico. Each year, on or near the Feast Day of St. Francis, which falls in October, Christian churches all over the world hold this very special service. We will bless any pets or animals that you wish to bring that afternoon. We will accept offerings of money, food or pet supplies for the Lynchburg Humane Society. Please be sure that all pets are controlled - on leashes, reins, in cages or tanks. Also be prepared to clean-up after your pet. This will be a community-wide event. God saw that all creation was good, and gave it to the human family for use in his service. Even in today's mechanized society, many people keep animals for food, work, companionship, or recreation. Concern for the well-being of animals is a sign of mercy in a human person; cruelty to or neglect of animals is inhumane. 

Sunday, October 1, 2017On October 1 the famous, infamous and those of us in between will gather at a common table around the world. This is the Sunday when the Christian faith celebrates World Communion Sunday. We come to the table from the North and the South, the East and the West. It is a great privilege to share this meal. There is no cost to us. The cross is a sign that reminds us of the great cost to the host. Please share the Eucharist with us at 10:30a.m. on Sunday, October

1. Envelopes will be provided in the bulletin.

Read Ahead  

Each Sunday The lectionary provides us with readings from the Gospel, the Epistles (Letters) the Old Testament and the Psalms. The lectionary follows a three year cycle, which when finished will have covered the majority of the Bible. Pastor Liz believes that reading ahead will increase your

understanding and enjoyment of the service.

Oct. 1, 2017 ~World Communion Sunday~the Scriptures are Exodus 7:1-7 & Psalm 78. The sermon text is Matthew 21:23-32 and the message is “Louder Than Words”.

Oct. 8, 2017 ~the Scriptures are Exodus 20:1-4, 12-20 & Psalm 19. The sermon text is Matthew 21:33-46 and the message is “Pharisees”.

Oct. 15, 2017 ~the Scriptures are Exodus 32:1-14 & Psalm 106. The sermon text is Matthew 22:1-14 and the message is “I Don’t Have Time”.

Oct. 22, 2017 ~the Scriptures are Exodus 33:12-23, Matthew 22:15-22 & Psalm 99. The sermon text is 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 and the message is “Guidelines for Giving”. Oct. 29, 2017 ~Reformation Sunday ~the Scriptures are Deuteronomy 34:1-12 & Psalm 90. The sermon text is Matthew 22:34-46 and the message is “Do You Love God and Neighbor?”. 

The Merry Marthas Circle will meet on Wednesday, October 11, at 10:00 a.m., at Judy Robertson's home. We will have our annual UMW Pledge Service. 

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church extends Christian love and sympathy to the family of Phyllis P. Phillips and especially to her sister, Edna Wyatt. Mrs. Phillips passed away on September 5, 2017.

And also the family of Joyce Hammersley and especially to her sister, Kitty Wildemann, and her granddaughter, Christine Donald. Mrs. Hammersley passed away on September 14,

2017.

Top of the Hill We will meet on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. Bring a

sandwich. Dessert and drinks provided. Program to be announced at a later time.

FRIENDS WHO CAREPlease send your reports of visits and phone calls each month to Scottie Nuckols, 1250

Jefferson Oaks Court, # 44, Forest, VA 24551. Or e-mail to mx55566@gmail.com. On your report please note the month and year, names of those visited (or called) and the number of times visited or called that month and any comments of our pastor. Please try to get this information to Scottie by the 5th of the month. We express our appreciation to all the volunteers who participate in this ministry of compassion.

A total of 45 phone calls and 13 visits were made in AUGUST. 

Children’s Ministry

We will have a Fall Celebration on Saturday, October 28th at Chestnut Hill UMC. This will replace Trunk-or-Treat. We will have a fun place for the children to come in their costumes, play games, Bob for Apples, and get pictures made! All is invited! I need a lot of volunteers to make this fun for the children. ADULTS you can come dressed up too, run a game, help serve food, popcorn, cotton candy. This will be in doors. Times and more information to be announced.

~Jody Underwood, Lay Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Mission NewsThe Food Cart for August was bountiful as usual.We collected 38 food items for a total of 36lbs. of food.  We also collected 7pks. of toilet paper for a total of 64 rolls.  Park View Mission depends on your generosity to help keep the mission going. They always send a thank-you.

For October they are requesting boxes of Hamburger Helper, Mac and cheese, and Stove Top Stuffing.  Also diapers sizes 3 to 6 and toiletry items.  They are completely out of toiletry items and toilet paper is always in short supply.  If you want to help but are unable to shop you may write a check to the church and designate it for Park View food for families and we will include it with money from Joy in Mission that we send.  Thank-you again for your support of this local mission.  We love our neighbors through our support of Park View Mission.

~Thank-you from Linda Jessen & the Mission Committee

FOOD CARTFor the month of OCTOBER we will be collecting items for the Food Cart for Park View Community Mission.

Food Cart for OCTOBER

“Hamburger Helper, Mac and Cheese, and Stove Top Stuffing.  Also Diapers sizes 3 to 6 and Toiletry items.”

Please place in the food cart, located in the Commons. Help those in need.

Gifts & MemorialsIn Memory Of:

Chuck Roupe (His Birthday)Given by: Vernelle Roupe

Jeanette CyrusGiven by: Kitty & Wilton Burgess, Gene & Neta Pearson,

Gene & Helen Mays, Margaret Ayscue

In Honor Of:Shirley Wood

Given by: Kenneth Wood 

We are grateful to Chestnut Hill members and friends for cards, calls, and memorials in memory of Jeanette. She loved her church and church family. These have been trying times and your thoughts and prayers are seeing us through.

~Again Thanks, Kenneth & Mary Kay, Stephen & Bainy, & Kyle Cyrus

 

OCTOBER Birthdays1 Pat Short2 Robert Boswell3 Nancy Lee

Emily VandeBogart4 Connie Harris5 Michael McGlothlin

Herman Steward6 Kirsten Bell

Tim CristDennis Tolley

7 Kenny BusicCheryl Powell

9 Owen StinnetteJeremey VandeBogart

11 Landen Glass12 Camden Mason14 Wade Ware16 Burton Brooks

Terry PalazziAnne-Elaine Tiller

17 Suzanne MarshallBlake Phillips

18 Sharon Rickmon19 Connie Yost21 Steven Kinzer22 C.O. Bell25 Frankie Hardwick

Gene Harris28 Jacqueline Busic

Cheryl Thomas29 Wes Robbins

Ricky Smith31   Robert Baunach 

2017 Charge ConferenceThe 2017 Charge Conference of Chestnut Hill UMC and the Central Lynchburg Cluster will be held on Sunday, November 19 at 3:00p.m. at Marsh Memorial UMC. This is the major business meeting of the church year and everyone is urged to attend.

 

Stewardship Moment – October 2017

“Money is deeply and significantly symbolic. It isn’t just a silver coin or a piece of engraved paper; it represents our time and our talents as well. It is symbolic because when we give of our money, we are giving of ourselves. And the contrary is also true; when we withhold our money, we are withholding of ourselves.”

Real stewardship means more than giving money for God’s work on earth. It involves offering all that we are and all that we have to serve our Creator who is the Giver of all in the first place: body, mind, spirit, talent and energy. Stewardship is fulfilling God’s plan for us as we live, serve, and give our all for the one who made us and keeps us here on earth.

There is a story about a man who understood the requirements of being a faithful steward. Another man observed his seemingly tireless work on behalf of his church and the community asked the man why he did so much to serve God and needy people in the town where he lived. The worthy steward replied by saying that he believed God was Lord and King over all the earth. He believed it was a privilege to serve as a servant and use his life to work on behalf of the kingdom of God. He might also have said that we Christians often pray for God’s Kingdom to come and for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. If that is so, why shouldn’t we try to help make the prayer

come true by being worthy servants of the Lord here and now?

Prayer: Lord of us all, make us restless until we find rest by loving and serving you. Help us to remember daily that Jesus lived on earth as one who served. Guide us so that we may do the same. In his name. Amen. 

DEFINITION OF STEWARDSHIPAll of creation is contained within a single seed. As the seeds grow, so do the needs of the church. The needs of the church are many: time, talents and resources. As we rapidly approach the harvest season, we need to think

about reseeding our church for future growth. Stewardship is the act of returning part of the harvest back to the giver. 

Evangelism Recently I've become aware of several church studies that indicate that for a church to be viable

and successful into the next century it must average 125 people in worship each week. If you look around on Sunday morning you soon realize that we have a way to go. Sure, we sometimes get close to that number, but usually we are far from it. We have many more members on the roll. Why don't they come to church? Where are they now? What happened to change their commitment to Christ? What can we do as a congregation to get them back? What can we do to attract the young families in our area who never have been to any church? These are difficult questions! Evangelism is a scary word to many people, but studies have shown that the most effective way to get a person to church is they be asked by a friend or neighbor. This works seven times better than being asked by the pastor. If we are truly serious about our commitment to Christ and his church, we must become serious about evangelism. For if we are serious about evangelism, then the people will come on Sunday mornings. Then we could expand our programs, expand our physical plant, have a larger financial base, and spread the Good News about Jesus Christ to more and more people. When was the last time you asked a friend, neighbor, co-worker, inactive member, or anyone to come to your church with you? Give it a try, invite someone to church. Make a point to do it weekly. As someone has said, “Shepherds do not beget sheep. Sheep beget sheep.” And that process begins through simple invitations to worship. Put your faith into action.

~Pastor Liz  

Those Who Serve ~ OCTOBERUSHERS: Fred Norvelle, Head Usher

NURSERY CAREGIVERS:October 1 ~Brenda Torian, Kirsten TillerOctober 8 ~Ann Ruhland, Linda WrightOctober 15 ~Jody Underwood, Jane WhiteOctober 22 ~Elaine Clarke, Pat MooreOctober 29 ~Linda Jessen, Robbie Hodges

GREETERS:October 1 ~Marsha BurksOctober 8 ~Pat ShortOctober 15 ~Kitty BurgessOctober 22 ~Elaine ClarkeOctober 29 ~Barbara LeFew

CHILDREN’S CHURCH (Ages 4-11)

Information will be provided in the bulletins.

OFFERING COUNTERS:

Hylton Glass, Sylvia Glass, Maggie Musgrove 

GOOD NEWS is published monthly for members a nd friends of Chestnut Hill United Methodist

Church. Send articles to the church office by the 15th of the month.

OUR ATTENDANCE SUNDAY SCHOOL WORSHIP

8/27 35 509/3 34 559/10 33 659/17 31 579/24 35 65 

Our Church Financial PictureThrough the end of AUGUST 2017

General Operating Funds:

Needed to meet our 2017 Budget $ 232,777

Needed to meet our budget to date $ 155,185

Actual receipts to date $ 126,861

Shortfall to meet budget to date $ 28,324

Actual expenditures to date $ 124,368

Overage meet expenses to date $ 2,493

Joy In Missions Funds:

Our Giving Goal for 2017 $ 11,600

Needed to meet our goal to date $ 7,733

Actual receipts to date $ 7,554

Special Offerings* (not budgeted):

Received to date $ 5,152

Dispersed to date $ 4,730

*Christmas, Easter, Annual Conference,

World Communion, etc.

2017 Joy In Mission Donations

To date, the following amounts have been paid to the missions indicated.

Missionary Covenant Relationship $ 625

Interfaith Outreach $ 250

Park View Missions~Food for Families $ 400

Society of St. Andrew $ 250

Adult Care Center $ 125

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank $ 125

Camp Timothy $ 500

Churches for Urban Ministry $ 125

Daily Bread $ 125

Free Clinic $ 125

Good Neighbor $ 500

Habitat for Humanity $ 125

Heart Havens $ 125

Heifer $ 0.00

UMCOR-Non-Administrative $ 0.00

Undesignated $ 350

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS:

Meals on Wheels (Souper Bowl) $ 1,260

UMCOR(One Great Hour of Sharing) $ 350

Thank You for Your Generosity

 

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church

4660 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502

Phone Number: 434-239-8423: FAX: 434-239-7209

E-mail: chestnuthillumc@comcast.net

On the web: www.chestnuthillumc.net

Church Office HoursMonday-Thursday9:00 am—3:30 pm

Friday9:00 am-1:00 pm

DIRECTORY OF CHESTNUT HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Sharma Lewis Richmond Area Resident BishopScott Davis Lynchburg District SuperintendentLiz Ecklund MinisterVernie Barrow Minister EmeritusMonica C. Campbell Administrative AssistantWilliam Sperrazza Director of Music MinistryJudy Martin BookkeeperElaine Clarke Lay LeaderJody Underwood Lay Children’s Ministry CoordinatorChris Glass Lay Youth Ministry Coordinator