PASTORS’ PEN

God’s Word says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor...labor in vain.” George Washington

wrote, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” Edmund Burke wrote, “The only

thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” When I hear that beautiful song,

“America the Beautiful,” I am again reminded just how blessed this country of ours is, and we all know to whom

belongs the glory and thanksgiving for all of these blessings, Our Heavenly Father. America has been blessed

because it was built upon God, but be well assured, if America ceases to be built upon God we will cease to be

blessed!

God’s Word, our “Founding Fathers,” and even current historians recognize

that our country was not so much built upon mere religion as it was upon the

Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we should ever stray from that foundation, those

who would follow that generation of unfaithfulness would suffer a terrible

fate. I have heard it said that every generation honors those who have gone

before them, but dedicates itself to live for those who will follow them.

America, hear the words again… “The only thing necessary for the triumph

of evil is for good (for Godly) men to do nothing…Unless the Lord builds

the house, those who labor…labor in vain”! Can America long endure this

moral and holy decline within the very soul of its being? No! We must con-

fess that we have done little to stop, let alone slow down, this moral

“slippery slope” by our indifference and our desire for acceptance rather

than truth!

“Independence Day,” July 4th… Yes, the celebration and/or the honoring of our past patriots for their commit-

ment to services given for all the blessings that we cherish as Americans. But our birthday as a nation is much

more than a celebration of the past…it must be a dedication of our present age for the purpose of blessing our

future! In other words, it is a dedication of good men doing something for God and country so that those who

follow us will find us faithful in offering them the same blessings that we cherish here and now. But those bless-

ings are not guaranteed to be passed on to the next generation automatically if we are unfaithful to God today!

I pray that God will bless America…and I know He will if we follow Him. “If my people, who are called by my

name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from

heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Be well aware brethren, our allegiance is to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit first, and coun-

try second. We are called to worship God and to place Him far above any nation, government or leadership…but

be assured that if we seek God first and God’s Word is proclaimed and lived across our land…America will pros-

per and we will have many 4th of July celebrations in the future.

-Pastor Ed

July 2013

The Gathering

COMING EVENTS

BIG BASH This year we will be having our

annual Big Bash on Sunday, July

7, from 6:30-10:00 p.m. at the Life

Center. There will be food and

games for all ages, and you can

watch the fireworks at the Black

Squirrel golf course. If you would

like to work for a shift, please con-

tact Tom Smith, 849-1309, or sign

up on the form in the bulletin. We

will be working in one-hour shifts,

some inside and some outside.

Everyone is welcome!

PRIMETIMERS On Wednesday, July 17, the Primetimers will visit the Recreational Vehi-

cle/Mobile Home Hall of Fame near the toll road in Elkhart. They fea-

ture very early models, as well as current ones. Cost for the tour is $7 for

a group rate. Lunch will be at Callahan’s Restaurant, ordering off the

menu.

The bus will pick up at Greencroft at 9:00 a.m., and we will leave the

church at 9:30 a.m. We expect to be home around 2:00 p.m. If you have

questions, please call Bob Morris at 534-2791.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Vacation Bible School will take place on July 28-31, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

at the Life Center.

The theme this year is

“Oh What A Mess!”

The children will be

learning about people

from the Bible who

faced some messy

situations in their

lives, including Jonah,

David, and Joseph.

Each day the snack,

craft, and activities

will go along with the

story and they will

learn in a fun, messy,

yet safe environment.

If you can help with food/snacks, or as leaders, or at stations, please con-

tact Aimee Brinson, 343-4770.

MOVIE On Sunday, July 21, we will be

showing a free movie, “Pilgrim’s

Progress” at the Life Center at 4:00

p.m. Free popcorn will be served.

Everyone is welcome.

YOUTH NEWS

YOUTH OF THE MONTH Congratulations to Katie Herschberger who is

June’s Youth of the Month. Katie is a joy to be

around and always displays a positive attitude.

She seems to genuinely enjoy church and

youth group and has shown a desire to learn

more and share her faith with others. Katie

takes part in every aspect of youth group such

as Wednesday night group, Bible study, prayer

breakfast, mission trips, Sunday school, and

work projects. Katie will be traveling with the

group when we go to Myrtle Beach on

July 7th. She will be spreading the word of

God to the people in South Carolina. Give

Katie a big high five or hug when you see her.

-Brad Miller, Youth Pastor

FOOD NEEDED We are in need of some food donations for the youth mission trip to Myrtle

Beach. I have included a list of food items that we could use. Through your

already generous donations we have enough money to cover the food we

need, but the youth have been presented with a few opportunities to bless

some people with food, clothing, and projects and would like to use some of

that extra money to be able to do more of that on the trip. Their donations

and work will bless a homeless shelter, residential treatment facility, and

some locals in need of help. Any food that can be donated will help with

those needs by freeing up the extra money. If you feel led to donate you can

deliver food to the Life Center kitchen or Downtown kitchen (be sure to la-

bel what it is for) by Friday July 5th at 12:00pm. Or if you feel like it would

be easier to donate a few dollars to put towards the groceries, that is fine as

well. You have all blessed us so much already and I cannot thank you

enough for that, but this one last push for help will help tremendously.

Thank you and God Bless.

-Brad Miller, Youth Pastor

Food needed: donuts, cereal, juice boxes, fresh fruit, milk, eggs, pancake mix, sausage, muffins, orange juice,

maple syrup, peanut butter, jelly, lunch meat, bread, cookies, potato chips, ground beef or hamburger, patties, hot

dogs, hamburger/hot dog buns, taco seasoning, spaghetti, chicken, noodles, green beans, cheese (slices or shred-

ded), lettuce salad, salad dressings, tomatoes, brownie or cake mix, pudding cups, plates, plastic silverware,

napkins, drink mix.

P.S. The youth group will share about their mission trip experiences during the worship service (at both church

sites) on Sunday, July 14.

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No.136

Goshen, IN

First United Methodist Church

214 S. Fifth Street

Goshen, IN 46528

Phone: 533-9518

www.goshenfirstumc.org

www.goshenlifecenter.org

Address Service Requested

“Thank you for my beautiful pink carnation birthday flower, delivered by Mary Ann Eash. I enjoyed her visit.”

-Mary Dieter

“I want to give many thanks to so many persons for their prayers, visits, flowers, and cards I received during my

hospital stay and recovery. I express my appreciation to the Fisherman S.S. Class for their prayers and meals

they provided. May God richly bless each of you.” -Barb Allyn

“Thank you for the lovely prayer shawl for Gerald. The shawl is a reminder of your prayers and concern. We

appreciate the time and care Marilyn took in making it. Gerald went to be with our Lord on May 18, 2013. He

has been restored. Praise God. Thank you for the blessings you gave to Gerald.” -Mary Ann Spranger

“So much has happened since my Charlie left for a better place on May 22. However, I feel I must thank every-

one for all your special gifts of love and concern. If it was an expression of sympathy or get well by a note, card,

flowers, call, visit, or a prayer, thank you very much. A very special thanks to Ed and Brenda. I appreciate all

the kindness and gentle thoughts. I hope to recover and be back on track in the near future.”

-Frances Sloan

HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAYS! July 1

Kathy Seltenright

Gail Whitehead

July 2

Travis Elliott

Moriah Holley

July 3

Linda Davis

Roberta Knopfer

Brandon Denning

Phil Gran

July 4

Bob Salisbury

Suzanna Harp

July 5

Matt Smith

Jenny Gooderham

July 6

Bud Schrock

Tyler Bowen

Sara Stump

July 8

Glen Dennis

Tyler Groves

July 9

Ryan Rheinheimer

July 10

Jonathan Salisbury

Carter Cork

Marvin Shepherd

Ryan Price

July 11

Dennis Bailey

Ed Moyer

Ken Haines

July 12

Jackie Park

Connie Taylor

Jean Grevengoed

Cooper Middaugh

July 13

Brenda Gruver

Donna Shirk

Nancy Conrad

Mike Goven

Trent Trammell

Jessica Johnston

July 14

Miriam Nowak

Merv Lambright

Tara Layne

Denette Showalter

July 15

Beth Graber

Jordan Weddle

Steve Fidler

Rodney Spencer, Jr.

July 16

Armando Ponce

Ellie Sheeley

July 17

Janet Miller

Connie Wright

Madeline Colglazier

Marilyn Bayak

July 18

Nikole Plank

John Hamblin

July 19

Donna Hostetler

Mark Whitt

July 20

Dorothy Rock Lane

Madison Fackelman

Olivia Brinson

Tyler Brinson

JoAnn Kackmeister

Ted Fairfield

July 21

Warren Vance

July 22

Dick Weaver

July 23

Dorothy Brown

Julie Howar

July 24

David Tucker

Mick Luce

July 25

Debbie Beres

Alex Wiess

Chuck Gooderham

Theresa Sailor

Lauren Riegsecker

Michael Riegsecker

July 27

Linda Taylor

Barb Battles

July 29

Mary Adams

Jeff Middaugh

July 30

Susan Miller

July 31

Richard Good

Thomas Nowak

Xander Carroll

Blake Carroll