Disciple Fast Track Genesis-Exodus - Fall 2019

Small Groups being Formed Workbooks / Reading Lists

All-Church Study Begins September 8

Dear LUMC Family,

Our mission as a church is… To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

I am excited to invite you to join in an all-church study this Fall focusing on making disciples through Bible Study. We are utilizing a new version of Disciple Bible Study called Disciple Fast-Track.

Our study this fall will entail the foundational Old Testament books of Genesis and Exodus. Participants should start the daily readings on September 2. You will find a reading list for Genesis elsewhere in this newsletter. And you can pick up at the church a bookmark with a reading list for both Genesis and Exodus. Pastor Matt and I will be preaching from these books of the Bible on Sunday mornings as well.

To be successful in this study, we’ll need to set aside 20-30 minutes each day - morning, evening, mid-day, or a combination of times. Most days involve the reading of 1 or 2 chapters from the Bible. I also encourage participants to read 1 page or section of the Study Manual for that week so that it’s not all left for the end of the week. Be creative! Perhaps you could read one scripture in the morning; one at noontime, and the Study Manual in the evening.

Because of a generous gift, the study manuals are just $10. If you can, please put an extra $10 in the offering.

On the days that have more than two chapters of reading, do the best you can, and don’t worry about not getting it all done! You will benefit from the reading you do complete.

While you can do the study on your own, I strongly encourage you to join a small group. There is much to be gained by the relationships that develop and the learning from each other that happens.

How can you join a group?

Fill out a bulletin insert at the church.

Call the church office and let Kris know.

Let me know: sjcramer1@gmail.com; 513-978-7351

Let’s see what God does in each of our lives as we commit to studying His Word this fall!

Sincerely,

Pastor Steve

Worship Plans

Monthly newsletter of Lebanon United Methodist Church September 2019Monthly newsletter of Lebanon United Methodist Church September 2019

Sunday Worship: 8:30 traditional; 11:00 casual

Child Care Provided 8:30-12:00 Sunday, September 1 Boiling Point (last in series: Confronting Our Subtle Sins) James 1:19-25 Holy Communion

Fall Series: Genesis - Finding Hope

In Our Beginnings Sunday, September 8 - KICK-OFF SUNDAY! Have You Found Your Place? Genesis 1:1-2:4; Children: Psalm 19:1 Sunday, September 15 Are You Stuck? Genesis 11:1-9; Children: 1 Corinthians 1:31 Moments for Mission: Dave & Donna Jacobsson Serving in DR Congo with Mission Aviation Fellowship Sunday, September 22 Whom Does God Want You to Let Into Your Life? Genesis 18:1-16; Children: Romans 12:13 Sunday, September 29 You Want Me to Do What?! Genesis 22:1-19; Children: James 1:3

Lebanon United Methodist Church Lebanon United Methodist Church

September 2019September 2019

September Volunteers

Ushers

8:30 Service Tom Miller, Wil Weisenfelder, Bill Childers, Bob Kniffen

11:00 Service Tom Russell, Tom Hoverman, Mark Poff, Jeff Warning

Altar Flowers

September 1 September 8 Carol McDonel September 15 Linda Gallond September 22 Kim & Debra Phillips September 29 Altar Guild

Mowing September 5 Stan Roberts September 12 Scout Troop 57 September 19 Dad’s Class September 26 Trustees Counters September 1 Mike & Patty Saxion John & Karen Robinson

September 8 Mark & Jennifer Niessel Jeff & Cindy Warning

September 15 Wayne Ralph & Wil Weisenfelder

September 22 Jeff & Jennifer Ensman Ron & Cindy Wood

September 29 Don & Lynn Mitchell Mike & Julie McGinty

Acolytes September 8 Abby & Lori Baker Haleigh & James Anderson

September 15 Amanda Kniffen & Carrie Riedel Hazel Greene & Audrey Kuhns September 22 Abby & Lori Baker Braydon Crockett & Ava Knecht September 29 Amanda Kniffen & Carrie Riedel Jacob Kaercher & Lily Blankenship

Sunday School There’s a class for you!

Classes resume September 8 at 9:45am

Children & Youth classes are upstairs in the Education Building

Children’s Classes Pre-k - Kindergarten, Room 201 1st - 3rd grades, Room 202 4th - 6th grades, Room 205 These classes will be using “Epic Teachings of the Bible” which explores lessons from the Old and New Testaments to build a foundation that guides them in living God’s way.

Youth Classes 7th - 8th grades, Room 203 Using Kingdom Quest, each chapter of these lessons called a "Kingdom Key," contains related Scriptures that help teens learn to question, reflect, start to journal and apply truth to their lives. 9th - 12th grades, Room 204 Following the All Church Study of Disciple Fast Track

Adult Classes Wesley Beacon, Heritage Hall Wesley Beacon will begin "Eternity is Now in Session" by John Ortberg. In this study Ortberg thru scripture will recaptures the New Testament definitions of salvation, eternal life and the Good News of the Gospel.

Men’s Class, Room 7 Dennis Rainey calls men to boldly forge into courageous manhood. “Stepping Up” Defines courage throughout the five stages of manhood and commissions men to honestly evaluate where they stand in their duties of masculinity. Rainey then prepares men to bravely master their life purpose by developing a strategic plan and establishing a winning vision.

Going Deeper, Chapel; New Start, Office Conference Room; Women’s Connections, Rm 100These classes will be following the all-church study, Disciple Fast-Track.

September Calendar

Sept 2 Labor Day - Office Closed

Sept 3 9:00am Endowment Committee

1:30pm History Connection

7:00pm Scout Planning meeting

7:00pm Trustees

Sept 8 Kick Off Sunday

1:30pm Ronald McDonald House Quilters

4:30pm Financial Peace University (weekly)

Sept 10 6:30pm Den 2 Pack 618

7:00pm Chapel Bell Rehearsals begin (weekly)

Sept 11 7:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsals begin (weekly)

Sept 12 5:30pm Community Dinner, LUMC serves

Sept 15 5:00pm Pack 57 Meeting

Sept 16 7:00pm Chrysalis Board Meeting

Sept 22 1:30pm RMH Quilters

Sept 22 - 29 Interfaith Hospitality Hosting Week

Sept 25 1:30pm Lebanon Fellowship @ Otterbein

Sept 29 4:00pm LUMC annual Church Picnic @ Ft. Ancient

Weekly Events

Tuesday 9:00am Men’s Bible Study

Wednesday- 5:30pm Community Dinner

Thursday - 5:30pm Community Dinner 7:00pm Praise Team 7:00pm Boy Scouts

Sunday - 8:30am Worship 9:30am Fellowship Time 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship

Children & Youth @ LUMC Sunday School Promotion Sunday is also Kick-off Sunday! Join us September 8 for the new year of classes! Come early, 9:15 - 9:45am, for the Sundae Sunday. Then, join us at the 11:00 service for a Sunday school teacher tunnel welcoming students back to an amazing 2019-20th Sunday school year. Introducing our Sunday school teachers for 2019-20 Pre - K : Kim Dillon & Darlene Gage 1st-3rd: Teri Morr & Liza Johnson 4th-6th: Dave & Lisa Persons and Jenn Ensman & Stew Morr Junior High: Leanne Kniffen High School: Matt Wright Joyful Noise (bell choir leader for pre-3rd grade): Leanne Kniffen

Children’s Worship Offered to all children three years old and potty trained - 4th grade right after the children’s message at the 11:00 service. Children will worship in their own way upstairs in the Children’s Ministry wing of the Education Building with singing, drama, crafts, and Bible stories. Parents may pick children up after the church service.

Children’s Worship Leaders for 2019-20 Pre-K : Melanie Wages & Stephanie Wright 1st - 3rd: Malinda Carter & Mili Blankenship

Nursery Staff (for babies six months through three years old, 8:30-12:00 each Sunday) Linda Gallond Emily Moody Theresa Raper Christine Work High school helpers: Beth Wages & Mary Baker

Each year, third graders are trained to bring the light of Christ into our

weekly church services. If you know a third - 8th grader who would like

to be an acolyte, please contact Melanie Wages.

Emma & Sammy King had a great time at the ”Movie in the Courtyard”! They also made a “Forky” craft, a character from

the Toy Story Movie.

Chameleons- 4th - 6th grades We welcomed in our new 4th grade students at a pool party at the Countryside Y in August. We had 10 Chameleons attend and 24 total people including other family members. We talked about the upcoming year, shared some food, and had great fellowship during this time. We're looking forward to getting the new school year kicked off in full force very soon.

Journey - 7th & 8th grades

The Journey Youth Group started the school year off with an awesome 250' blue foam slip and slide at Miller Eco Park. There were several other youth groups at this event and it was a blast. We'll be serving at the Warrior Backpack Program and other great ministries this year.

Opportunities... “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment

greater than these.” Mark 12:31

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Warren County - What is it???

IHNWC is able to function as a family shelter as a result from a dedicated network of volunteers, who serve at host churches. Each evening, IHNWC houseguests are transported to a local church. These churches rotate hosting responsibilities on a weekly basis. Once IHNWC houseguests arrive at the host church and enjoy a warm meal prepared by church volunteers.

The houseguests that do not work third shift will retire to their rooms each evening, where they will sleep as a family. Early the next morning, the houseguests prepare breakfast, and are back on the IHNWC bus to return to the Day Center.

Once at the Day Center, it's all about business. Houseguests get to work making appointments, finding employment (a requirement to stay longer than two weeks), meeting their case manager, handling legal matters, and fulfilling their requirements needed for housing. No day at IHNWC is an easy day; houseguests always have something to do in order to prepare for their departure from the program. Those who are in the IHNWC program also spend one hour of each week performing community service, which is something that will come in useful later.

Once a family is ready to depart from IHNWC, they are entitled to shop in the Heaven & Hearth furniture ministry in order to furnish their new home.

LUMC is excited to prepare for another IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) hosting week,

September 22 - 29. Due to a restructuring of volunteers, we are only in need of overnight hosts and those willing to donate pantry items for breakfast and lunches.

Overnight Hosts description – 2 adults are needed each night to spend the night at the church, seeing to the security of both guests and LUMC property, and to handle any emergencies that may arise during the night. They oversee and facilitate the morning routine of wake-up, clean-up, set up cold buffet breakfast, and safe departure of guests to the Day Center on Warren Street. *Arrive at 9 pm and depart next morning after routine reorganization of kitchen/dining area 7-00-7:30am.

If you would like to volunteer or would like to know more about IHN, please contact Karen Meadows, LUMC’s coordinator at 513-225-8626 or meadowsk_L@yahoo.com. Sign up sheets will be available in the Courtyard Lobby.

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to

angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:1-2.

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Serve up a Taste of Hope by preparing and serving a meal at Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House. Come together with your friends, family or small group to help provide the nutrition kids need to heal and to allow parents more time to focus on their critically ill children. Each Taste of Hope meal serves around 100 people who are staying at Ronald McDonald House. Each event costs $400, however, LUMC’s missions team is co-sponsoring, so your cost is only $20 per person. There are 12 spots available for LUMC’s next opportunity, Sunday, October 6. Interested? Call the church office at 932-4834 to reserve your spot.

September Birthdays & Anniversaries

9/1 Steve & Pam Bowman*

Linda & Dan Michael*

9/2 Hope Bone

Caroline Giordullo

Andrew Hutchinson

Alex Warning

Roger & Georgie Clark*

9/3 David Yelton

9/4 Jenna Anderson

9/5 Leslie Shimer

9/6 TJ Raper

9/7 Bella Willingham

9/8 Don Heaberlin

9/9 Bryan Greene

Francesca Willingham

9/10 Brenda Kalkbrenner

9/11 Frank Watson

9/12 Tom Ackerman

Linda Michael

Erin Swisher

Jason & J J Cefaratti*

Matt & Sumer Garner*

9/13 Jane McConvery

Tom & Kelsey Andrews*

9/15 Pat Messner

Amalia Sturgeon

9/16 Andy & Heather Plum*

9/17 Joanne Woods

Sara Robinson

9/18 Jerry Ashman

9/19 Jojo Riedel

Jen Willingham

9/20 Daniel Swisher

9/21 Bryce Davis

9/23 Christy Baker

Jon Blankenship

9/24 Mike & Melanie Wages*

9/25 Patty Saxion

Amy King

9/26 Paula Miller

Fred Grimm

9/27 Zach McGinty

Benjamin Wages

9/28 Candi Simmerman

Adria Greene

Evie Burns

Greg & Michelle Strunks*

David & Kathy Winks*

9/30 John Hicks

9/30 Dean & Ellen Froelich*

Mike & Patty Saxion*

Announcements Into the Word, Into the World Daily Readings

GENESIS September 2 Articles in Bible re: O.T. 3 Genesis 1:1-2:3 - God creates 4 Gen 2:4-25 - Humans created 5 Psalms 104, 145 - Praise to Creator 6 Ps 147 - God provides Is 40:12-31 - God the Creator 7 Study Manual p. 8 - 14 8 Day of Rest - Sunday Worship 9 Gen 11 - Babel, Shem 10 Gen 3 - Adam and Eve 11 Gen 4 - 5 Cain & Abel 12 Gen 6 - 10 Noah & the Flood 13 1 Kings 6:37 - 7:12 Solomon 1 Kings 10:14 - 11:40 Pride 14 Study Manual p. 18 - 24 15 Day of Rest - Sunday Worship 16 Gen 12-13 - Abram, Sarai, Lot 17 Gen 14-16 - Abram, Ishmael Malachi 3:1-10 - The tithe 18 Gen 17 - 19 - Everlasting covenant Ps 16 - Song of trust 19 Gen 20 - 21 - Isaac 20 Jonah 1-4 - Invitation to whole earth 21 Study Manual p. 28 - 34 22 Day of Rest - Sunday Worship 23 Gen 22 - God tests Abraham 24 Gen 23 - Death/burial of Sarah 25 Gen 24 - Search for Rebekah 26 Gen 25-26 - Death of Abraham birth of 2 nations, covenant with Isaac 27 Deut 6 - Teach the children Psalm 105 - God’s faithfulness 28 Study Manual p. 38 - 44 29 Day of Rest - Sunday Worship 30 Gen 25:19-34 - Birth of 2 nations Gen 27-28 - Brothers, Jacob’s dream

October 1 Gen 29-30 - Deceiver deceived 2 2 Sam 15:1-19:8 - Family alienation 3 Gen 31-33 - Jacob wrestles, Esau’s grace 4 Gen 34-36 - Revenge, Isaac buried Matt 5:21-48 - Jesus-reconciliation 5 Study Manual p. 48 - 54 6 Day of Rest - Sunday Worship 7 Gen 37, 39-40 - Joseph: slavery, prison, interprets dreams 8 Gen 41 - Prep for famine Gen 42-43 - Joseph’s brothers 9 Gen 44-45 - Joseph tests his bros 10 Gen 46-48 - Jacob in Egypt 11 Gen 49-50 - Jacob’s blessing Romans 8 - Good out of evil 12 Study Manual p. 58 - 64 13 Day of Rest - Sunday Worship

Teddy Bear Ministry The Teddy Bear Ministry is a cooperative effort of

our entire church. We began in June 2018, asking for new or “gently used” stuffed bears. Your response was incredible! Not only did we receive bears, but also “wannabe bears” (including rabbits, dogs, a frog and even a giraffe from Kenya!).

In our first year, 193 bears and “wannabe bears” have left our church sanctuary and been given away, some traveling hundreds of miles. That’s 193 people, young and old, friends and strangers, who have received the love of Jesus and the support of our church.

If you know of someone who is ill or lonely, or who needs a little friendly support and a tangible reminder of God’s Love, please take a stuffed animal from the sanctuary and brighten someone’s day. You will find that in giving, you too will be receiving.

Security Team Since the end of May, the Security Team has helped

monitor LUMC’s facilities on Sunday mornings. This small team is looking for another six individuals to join the monthly rotation of volunteers who cover the 8:30am and 11am services. Please consider joining this team – if interested, contact Pastor Steve, Pastor Matt, or Jeff Ensman.

Coffee With Pastor Steve (New Member Class) Sunday, October 6, 2:30-5:00pm At the Parsonage, home of Steve & Emily Cramer 300 W. Park, Ave., Lebanon Interested in learning about Lebanon UMC, its history, mission and vision, and what it means to be a member? Join Pastor Steve and Emily in their home for coffee and conversation! Learn the basic beliefs of the Christian faith and the United Methodist Church. Get to know other new folks in our congregation and share your experience in church and/or in the Christian faith. While there is no obligation to become a member, participants will have the opportunity to join the church that day, or in a worship service at a later date.

Please call, text, or email Pastor Steve if you’re planning to attend: 513-978-7351; sjcramer1@gmail.com. Or simply call the church office at 513-932-4834.

Dayton Tornado Relief Thanks so much to everyone who contributed

to our summer effort to help victims of the Memorial Day tornadoes in Dayton. These funds will be used by our United Methodist West Ohio Conference to help people who have not been able to get other assistance. Your gifts will make a real difference in the lives of some of our “next door” neighbors in Dayton.

While the final tally is yet to come, we have definitely received over $8500 for this purpose. Once again you have followed Jesus’ instructions when he said, “love your neighbors as yourself”.

Ladies Night Out with Aspire Women’s Events 1 night - 3 hours Just for women An evening full of laughter, learning, stories & music, Friday, October 11, 7:00pm at Berachah Church, 1900 John’s Rd. Middletown. Author & speaker Barb Roose, comedy by Kristin Weber and worship with Mia Koehne. Advance tickets are $20 for a group of 10 or more. Let’s take a group! Tickets will go fast! Interested? Contact Kris at the church office at 932-4834.

Marriage 101: The Third Option Fall Session begins after Labor Day

The Marriage School has announced the beginning of its fall session. There are two nearby locations: Lebanon Presbyterian Church - Sundays, 4:00-6:00 p.m. starting September 8; and Montgomery Community Church, Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. beginning Septem-ber 5.

Who can benefit?

Stable Marriages: Tom and Cathy have been happily married for over 30 years. They enjoy a harmonious relationship and share the same faith and values. However, they experienced increasing conflict when their adult son would not leave the nest. This challenge led them to the TMS’s Third Option meetings where they gained new communication and conflict resolution skills. They currently serve on TMS staff as Facilitator and Prayer Team.

Terminally Unhappy: Wayne and Sharon have been married for over 35 years and have experienced a high-conflict marriage throughout. In her words, “We tried everything. One counselor even dumped us saying he couldn’t help us.” They discovered TMS’s Third Option meetings and cite it as the thing that has really transformed their relationship. Their only regret is that they didn’t find it sooner. They currently serve on TMS staff as a Sharing Couple.

In Crisis - Separated or Divorce-bound: Ed and Amy heard about TMS’s Third Option program as he was preparing to leave her and their two adopted children for another woman. They were both touched by the meeting and committed to attending steadily for over a year. They have continued to attend and have experienced a miraculous turnaround in their marriage. They continue to grow and now serve as a Sharing Couple at on the TMS staff.

The Third Option is a practical and proven path to a healthy, functional marriage. 14 skills-based lessons that help couples build stronger, more fulfilling marriages. Skilled facilitators who have overcome serious challenges in their marriages. Couples encourage and support each other. Each session stands alone, so couples can start anytime in the cycle of topics. No fee. Childcare provided if needed. Ask Pastor Steve for more info or go to themarriageschool.net.

ONU Campus Visits & Scholarships Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, a United Methodist affiliated university locat-

ed 2 hours north of Lebanon, invites interested high school students and their families to attend one of their fall Polar Preview Days offered on Saturdays, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, or Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. This program is free. A campus tour along with information sessions on academic programs, financial aid, and student life will be offered. Go to onu.edu/visit to register.

There are also possible scholarship opportunities to help United Methodist students attend college. Students can earn ups to $4,000 to attend ONU through the United Methodist “Dollars for Scholars” program, and up to $1,000 Through the United Meth-odist Church General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. These scholarships are in addition to academic scholarships from Ohio Northern.

Plain Truth Podcast with Dr. David Watson & faculty from United Theological Seminary Afraid to pick up the paper or watch

the evening news? Then, join us on Wednesday, Sept 18th at 7:00 PM as Faith Community UMC (8230 Cox Road, West Chester, OH 45069) presents a panel discussion on “How Scripturally-based Methodists can respond to societal changes that are occurring to-day.” Led by Dr. David Watson, Academic Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at United Theological Seminary and his team, the group will present a lively and informative discussion with an opportunity for questions later. Meet & Greet plus refreshments before and after.

LUMC’s History Connection Pastor Steve has initiated a group who is updating the LUMC history. Our current book stops

at 1963 and a lot has changed since then! If you would like to join this group, Pat Matthews, Susanne LeFeber, Diana Linkous, Kristie Hoverman, Pat Brooks and Jack Hedges digging into the rich history of LUMC, please contact the church office at 932-4834.

You’re Invited to the All-Church Picnic!! It’s a great time that everyone is invited to attend! Burgers, hot dogs, drinks and table service is all provided. What to bring: Last names starting with… A-M: Desserts N-Z: Side Dish Cash for the corn hole tournament (raising money for missions)

There will be fun activities for all ages!

Please RSVP by writing PICNIC next to your name on the attendance book or call the church office at 932-4834.

Feed Nicaragua Food Packing Event This is a partnership of Countryside Y, Lebanon United Methodist Church, Lebanon Presbyterian Church, and the Nicaraguan Children's Education (NiCE) Foundation. We will be packing 75,000 meals to send to the children of Nicaragua! The event will take place Saturday, November 9, beginning at 9:00am in the lower level gym adjacent to the Family Aquatic Center at Countryside Y. There are a variety of jobs for all ages. Children 7 and under should be accompanied by an adult. To sign up to help, use this QR code to go https://goo.gl/P9RBYy

In addition to volunteering your time, please consider making a donation toward the cost of supplies for these meals. Questions? Contact Jeff Ensman at 513-314-5829 or Keith Taylor at 937-414-7042.

Financial Peace University offered at LUMC Financial Peace Class - Sundays, 4:30-6:30pm; Sept. 8 - Nov. 3 at LUMC. This class will be led by recent FPU graduates, Matt & Chelsea Wood. Due to a generous gift, LUMC participants will only pay $10! Child care is available upon request. To register, please contact the LUMC church office at 932-4834 or Matt at wood.matthew91@gmail.com or Chelsea at chelseawood4216@gmail.com.

Musical Notes from Dave We Need YOU!!! Michelle Johnson and I invite you to join us we begin our new choir seasons. The members of the Chancel Choir would be overjoyed to have new voices in every section. And, there is an immediate need for more tenors, altos, sopranos, and basses. If you are in the Chancel Choir…have been in our choir…or would like to be our choir, we’d love to have you join us!

Please pray and consider being a part of our 8:30 worship services by singing in the Chancel Choir. Our rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 11th at 7:00pm. We practice each Wednesday at 7:00pm. in the sanctuary.

The Chapel Bells begin their season with their first rehearsal on Tuesday, September 10th, at 7:00pm. The bells practice every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm in the sanctuary.

If you have any questions, please contact me at the email address or phone number listed below. Remember friends, there is a place for you in our choirs. Dave Parry Email: dparry83@gmail.com Phone: 513-505-2688

Veteran’s Day Celebration, November 10 Lebanon United Methodist Church is once again honored to have military historian and New York Times best –selling author John Wukovits speak at 1:00.

John will talk about his book Soldiers of A Different Cloth which tells the inspiring story of over 30 Chaplains and missionaries who experienced WWII by parachuting into Normandy on D-Day, walking the Philippine Bataan Death March , living in the holds of the infamous Hell Ships and battling the cold, hunger and unrelenting shelling in the Arden's during the Battle of the Bulge. .

John will also speak about his latest book Dogfight over Tokyo which is the account of the final air battle of the Pacific and the last four men to die in WWII.

The film adaption of his book Hell From the Heavens : The Epic Story of the USS Laffey and World War II’s Greatest Kamikaze Attack, directed by Mel Gibson and staring Mark Wahlberg is nearing completion. The film centers around the incredible story of the USS Laffey ‘s 90 minutes of chaos during the Battle of Okinawa where four bombs and as many as eight kamikaze hits failed to sink the ship while it battled without navigation, communication and air support.

Lunch and beverages will be served in Fellowship Hall after the 11:00 worship service in honor of all veterans and their commitment to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.

Restoring Joy by Pastor Matt

What’s the easiest thing for you to lose? Your glasses? Your keys? Your wallet? Your mind?

For many of us, the easiest thing to lose is our Joy. You can lose it with one phone call or email, a letter or conversation. You can watch a movie or a show on TV and lose your joy. It can be one of the easiest things in the world to lose but it doesn’t have to be that way.

When God’s children aren’t filled with Joy, it makes God look bad. Cranky Christians are a bad witness. They look like they’ve been baptized in vinegar because they are never really smiling or filled with Joy. God wants us to be witnesses with our life including our countenance.

The Christian life can be summed up in three words: righteousness, peace, and joy.

Romans 14:17 says, “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of righteousness, peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit” (NLT).

If you’ve ever gone through that period where you feel like you’ve lost the spark and you’re not as close to God as you used to be and you’re just going through the motions of life, you need to know that it’s quite easy to get your Joy back if you search in the correct place.

The first step is to admit you’ve lost it. Take a moment and look at your past and ask yourself a couple of questions: Has there ever been a time in your life when you were closer to God than you are right now?

Today is a good day to restore and rebuild your joy. However, you’ve got to start by admitting that you’ve lost what you’ve had in the past and ask God about it; He’s waiting to restore it, He wants to restore it.

David prayed in Psalm 51:12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” and God did.

Recognize God as Joyful. We can be helped greatly in our journey towards joy if we learn to see God not as a taskmaster, but as the God of the Universe with a smile on His face.

My Grandpa sent me a letter a few years ago about Zephaniah 3:17 I read it several times because it was such a new thought for me. “The LORD your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” God sings! I had never even thought about the fact that God sings. Angels, birds, people, sing etc.…We don't often think of God singing, but He does - and He sings over His people. This is how much joy and delight we give to the LORD - that He breaks into song!

Question: How well do you think you know God? Did you ever consider that God sings? Remember, Joy is one of God’s characteristics and this same loving, saving, forgiving, singing, joy filled, God loves you and desires to restore your Joy. When we recognize God as joyful we will be more drawn to Him. Listen, God is not an unapproachable judge just waiting for us to mess up so He can unleash His wrath. God has created us to be His delight therefore God finds great joy in you! He exults over you in happy song. Recognize God as Joyful. Joy is the flag that flies over the castle of our hearts announcing that Jesus is in residence today.

“The joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Ways You can Help at LUMCWays You can Help at LUMC

Monthly collections for:Monthly collections for:

Interfaith Hospitality Network Day Center. Interfaith Hospitality Network Day Center.

September’s collections items: Men’s & September’s collections items: Men’s &

Women’s razors, feminine hygiene Women’s razors, feminine hygiene

productsproducts

Lebanon Food PantryLebanon Food Pantry: Canned & boxed : Canned & boxed

foodsfoods

Girl Scout Troop 45678Girl Scout Troop 45678: collecting plastic : collecting plastic

lids to be recycled into a park benchlids to be recycled into a park bench

Please bring all donations to the Please bring all donations to the

Courtyard Lobby.Courtyard Lobby.

Computer help needed Computer help needed for the church office!for the church office!

Looking for someone who can help with Looking for someone who can help with updating the church website. The company updating the church website. The company we are with is rolling out a new, better we are with is rolling out a new, better version, however, I don’t speak version, however, I don’t speak programming language! If you are a programming language! If you are a website literate person, looking for a way website literate person, looking for a way to give back to the church, please contact to give back to the church, please contact Kris in the church office at Kris in the church office at lumc@lebumc.org or 513lumc@lebumc.org or 513--932932--4834. 4834.

Lebanon United Methodist Church

122 East Silver Street

Mailing Address: 200 East Silver

Street Lebanon, OH 45036

Phone: 513-932-4834

E-Mail: lumc@lebumc.org

Web: www.lebumc.org