the grapevine · 2018. 4. 23. · the grapevine irst united methodist hurch 117 n. second street...
TRANSCRIPT
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
CLARKSBURG, WV
PERMIT #74
The Grapevine First United Methodist Church 117 N. Second Street Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301
304.623.3397 website: www.cfumc.org email: [email protected]
MAY 2018 Issue ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Pastor Greg Godwin, Senior Pastor
304-952-1526 [email protected]
Rev. Harry Jenkins, Associate Pastor
Don Gardner, Director of Music and Operations
Jocelyn Blackwell, Director of Children’s Ministry
Brett Miller, Organist
Debby McCune, Secretary
John Greaver, Head Custodian
Don Barickman, Evening Custodian
“Holy, Healthy, and Loving community to Know Christ and to Make Christ Known”
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Sunday Sunday School - 9:30 am
Morning Worship 10:45 am Children and Youth Groups/Choir
See Calendar Wednesday
Meal @ 5:15 pm Service @ 6:00 pm
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
F R O M T H E
D E S K O F T H E
A S S O C .
P A S T O R
2
M I S S I O N T R I P
F O O D D R I V E 3
S T E P H E N
M I N I S T R Y
W I Z A R D O F O Z
4
L I G H T & L I F E 5
W E D N E S D A Y
V E S P E R S &
F E L L O W S H I P
M E A L /
M O N A S T I C
M E A L
D I S T R I C T
C O N F E R E N C E
F E E D M Y S H E E P
G R A N D A G E R S
B A N Q U E T
6
O U T R E A C H
C . O . M . E .
M O T H E R /
D A U G H T E R
B A N Q U E T
F U M C W O M E N
7
G R A D U A T E S
5 K R U N
C H A N T I C L E E R
C H I L D R E N ’ S
C H O I R
K R O G E R C A R E S
8
M E E T I N G S
U S H E R S
V A N D R I V E R S
B I R T H D A Y S
N E W S L E T T E R
F A C E B O O K
9
C A N - D O K I D S
W . I . M E A L
P R O J E C T
1 0
M A Y C A L E N D A R
1 1
The Grapevine FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Clarksburg, West Virginia
M A Y
2 0 1 8
Dear Friends,
First United Methodist Church
has been blessed for 40 years of
continuous ministry with Don
Gardner. He has primarily led
the music ministry for the
congregation along with
children, youth, and church
operations at various times over
the years..
He came to First UMC with his
family when St. Paul’s Methodist
Church and First UMC merged.
He grew up with the nurture of
this congregation and went off to
Wesleyan and Southern Methodist University to refine his
musical gift. Since 1978, he has shared his musical gift with
us and the larger Clarksburg community.
He has been a blessing to us and we wish him well in his
retirement. We will celebrate his ministry on May 20.
Plan to attend this great day and invite others you know that
Don’s life has touched.
Peace,
Pastor Greg
Celebrating Don Gardner’s 40 Years of Ministry at First Church Sunday, May 20, 2018 @ 10:45 am
~~ Dinner to follow in Fellowship Hall ~~
FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR
FROM THE DESK OF THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR — Rev. Harry Jenkins
PAGE 2
THE PREACHER IN HEBREWS
Doing background reading for the teaching of the book of Hebrews, I came across a quote by
Thomas Long, that spoke to me so strongly, I wanted to pass it on. The writer believes Hebrews is actually
a sermon preached in a rabbinical style to a church feeling rather discouraged. And so, he reflects on the
“Preacher”.
“The Preacher is not preaching into a vacuum; he is addressing a real and urgent pastoral problem,
one that seems astonishingly contemporary. His congregation is exhausted. They are tired—tired of serving
the world, tired of worship, tired of Christian education, tired of being peculiar and whispered about in society,
tired of the spiritual struggle, tired of trying to keep their prayer life going, tired even of Jesus. Their hands
droop and their knees are weak (Hebrews 12:12) attendance is down at church (Hebrews 10:25), and they
are losing confidence. The threat to this congregation is not that they are charging off in the wrong direction;
they do not have enough energy to charge off anywhere. The threat here is that, worn down and worn out,
they will drop their end of the rope and drift away. Tired of walking the walk, many of them are considering
taking a walk, leaving the community and falling away from the faith.
We recognize the problem, of course, but the Preacher’s response may astound us. What is most
striking about Hebrews is that the Preacher, faced with the pastoral problem of spiritual weariness, is bold
enough maybe even brash enough, to think that Christology and preaching are the answers. The Preacher
does not appeal to improved group dynamics, conflict management techniques, reorganization of the mission
structures, or snappy worship service. Rather, he preaches—preaches to the congregation in complex
theological terms about the nature and meaning of Jesus.
This Preacher does not float around on the surface where the desires of people cluster eagerly
around this or that fad; he dives to the depths, to the hidden places where profound symbols work on the
religious imagination to generate surprise, wonder, gratitude, and finally obedience. As strategies go, the
Preacher’s approach to ministry is so out of phase, so counter-intuitive, so in violation of the notion that
congregations are allergic to serious theological thinking, that it probably should be seen as refreshing, and
maybe even revolutionary.”
Harry
PAGE 11
Tues. 01– 12:15 pm Monastic Meal
Wed. 02— 5:15 pm Fellowship Meal ($4.00)
6:00 pm Wednesday Worship
Thurs. 03— 4:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal
5:30 pm Disciple Bible Study
7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Fri. 04— 6:00 pm Mission Gala (at Bridgeport Center)
Sat. 05— 6:00 pm C.O.M.E. Event at Quiet Dell UMC
till 2:00
_______________________________________________
Sun. 06 - 9:30 am Church School / Mission Meal Prep
10:45 am Holy Communion Service
Children’s Church during worship
12:00 pm Lunch for Children & Youth
12:15 pm Children & Youth Choir Rehearsal
1:00 pm Children’s & Youth Activities
Mon. 07— 6:00 pm Staff Parish Relations Committee
Tues. 08— 12:15 pm Monastic Meal
Wed. 09— 5:15 pm Fellowship Meal ($4.00)
6:00 pm Wednesday Worship Service
Thurs. 10— 4:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal
5:30 pm Disciple Bible Study
7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Fri. 11— 6:00 pm Mother / Daughter Banquet
Sat. 12 - 8:30 am 5K Run for Open Hearts Ministries
T.B.A. Chanticleer Children’s Choir
_________________________________________________
Sun. 13 - 9:30 am Church School
10:45 am Sunday Worship Service/Mother’s Day
Children’s Church during Worship
Tues. 15— 12:15 pm Monastic Meal
5:00 pm Finance Committee
NO Outreach Committee
6:00 pm Church Council (to be confirmed)
Wed. 16- 5:15 pm Fellowship Meal ($4.00)
6:00 pm Wednesday Worship
Thurs. 17— 12:00 pm FUMC Women
4:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal
5:30 pm Disciple Bible Study
7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehears
——————————————————————
Sun. 20— 9:30 am Church School
10:45 am Sunday Worship Service
Mon. 21— 12:00 pm Feed My Sheep
Tues. 22- 12:15 pm Monastic Meal
Wed. 23— 6:00 pm Grand Agers Banquet
NO Fellowship Meal nor Vespers
6:00 pm Trustees
Thurs. 24— 4:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal
5:30 pm Disciple Bible Study
7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
__________________________________________
Sun. 27— 9:30 am Church School
10:45 am Sunday Worship Service
Mon. 28— Memorial Day—Offices Closed
Tues. 29— 12:15 pm Monastic Meal
Wed. 30— 5:15 pm Fellowship Meal ($4.00)
6:00 pm Wednesday Worship
6:00 pm Trustees
Thurs. 31— 4:45 pm Handbell Rehearsal
5:30 pm Disciple Bible Study
7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
If you have any questions or would like more information on
Can-Do-Kids, you can contact Jocelyn Blackwell
at 304-669-3675 or e-mail [email protected]
PAGE 10
He has risen and is ALIVE!
Come and join us every Sunday for Children's Church
during Worship and our afternoon activities!
Activities Every Sunday at 1:00—2:00 p.m.
CAN-DO-KIDS
News for Children /Youth
and their Families.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
W. I. MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS’ MEAL PROJECT
During the school year, several teachers & parents have been providing meals each weekend
for students in need. These are kids whose only meals are at school.
We’ll provide a small breakfast & lunch for 7 days throughout the summer
for 40+ kids from W. I.
We have helped with this project the past six years
and had a tremendous response from you - our church members.
Here are ways YOU can help…..
Food Donations – only following items (we are on strict menu)
Juice Boxes Cheese Stix (indiv. Wrapped)
Cheese slices (indiv. wrapped) Cereal Boxes
Call Anita Burns if you would like to donate items.
Large quantities can be bought economically at Sam’s Club.
Monetary Donation – Designate cash or checks to “W.I. Project”
Send to or drop off at church OR place in offering plate.
Time Donaton - Sign up to organize for a week.
Contact Cheryl Moorhead (677-9859) or Anita Burns (782-3021)
with questions and if you would like to help.
PAGE 3
Mission Trip
June 20 through June 24, 2018
Mill Creek, WV
Schedule
Wednesday through Friday -
work on building project
Friday 3:00 - 7:00 pm -
Community Spaghetti Dinner -
(fundraiser for Tyrand)
Saturday - Trip to Cass Railroad, Cass, WV
Sunday - attend church at a local congregation
Return to Clarksburg Sunday afternoon.
The mission has housing for work teams. This is an intergenerational project sponsored by the youth and children
ministries. Participation will be very flexible. Contact Pastor Greg for more details.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
LETTER CARRIERS FOOD DRIVE
SATURDAY, May 12, 2018
The annual nationwide Letter Carriers Food Drive will be on
Saturday, May 12, 2018.
The Post Office Letter Carriers request non-perishable food be placed at residents’ mail box sites for collection. The food will be taken to the Eastpointe Post Office for sorting and distribution to
local food pantries.
Volunteer drivers are needed for the following:
*drivers to follow the mail carriers route to collect the food.
*volunteers are needed at the Eastpointe Post Office
collection site to sort the food.
*volunteers to transport the food supplies to the food
pantries. (In our case it will only need to be transported
to the Mustard Seed.)
Drivers following the Mail route need to report to the Eastpointe Post Office between 8:30 am—9:00 am on Saturday. For those working the Post Office dock, arrive 12:00 noon.
Food Drive leaders are Pat George at 304-918-3425 and Becky Wade.
For any questions, please call Rita Looker at 304-623-4572.
THANKS and tell your friends to leave FOOD for their needy neighbors.
PAGE 4
Stephen Ministry can help people of all ages in many situations. Take a moment to read these words from a 30 something woman who agreed to having a Stephen Minister:
Since I have had a Stephen Minister, my life is unbelievably different, I feel connected with God in a way I never felt before. I didn’t realize what a barrier my issues were, and I didn’t want to share them with anyone, I guess maybe I didn’t even want to share them with God. Even if you know intellectually that God is there, sometimes it feels like it doesn’t mat-ter because there is no one to help. I think having a Stephen Minister shows a way to actual-
ly see help. Having a person right in front of me, who had signed on to listen to me and not judge; it felt safer than burdening a friend, maybe saying too much, or even talking to a family member, who somehow might feel guilty and think they were at fault.
My Stephen Minister was a sweet lady, extremely caring, her voice was always calm when she spoke. There was love in her voice, in our sessions, a lot of love there. When I thought God maybe couldn’t do something in my situation, she reminded me that He could, I knew God was powerful enough but I was too weak. She always had faith in my situation and kept believing, so one of us had faith even though much of the time it wasn’t me, but there was always faith for my situation present. I don’t think I knew how to trust people before I had a Stephen Minister and I needed to learn that.
To me, I think having a Stephen Minister means not being alone. I know how I was before and I know how I am now, and that having a Stephen Minister in between made a huge difference in my life.
You too, whatever your age, can feel the difference a Stephen Minister can make during critical times. If you or someone you know needs to feel that difference, contact Referral Coordinator Cheryl Moorhead,
304-677-9859 or Rev. Harry Jenkins, 304-623-3397. It will make a difference!
REMEMBER – Stephen Ministry is Caring and Confidential
STEPHEN MINISTRY … CARING MOMENTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO FIRST UMC MEMBERS
who helped make the “Wizard of Oz” school play a success!
Charles Marshall (Prop Crew Chief) is the son of Clifford and Jean Marshall.
He is a junior at RCB and has previously been in the RCB production of Rock of Ages
(prop crew) and the one act play The End of Summer (Prop Crew Chief).
AND
Kate Thrush—Munchkin / School Teacher 3 / Poppy / Jitterbug.
Kate is a second grade student at Nutter Fort Primary School.
Job Well Done Charles and Kate!
We’re Proud of You!
MAY BIRTHDAYS
01 Drew Blurton
01 Julia Lopez
02 Brett Floyd
02 Beth Skidmore
02 Jane Lynn Squires
03 Amy Reinhart
05 Patrick Fubio
06 Patrick Moore
07 Carter Allen
07 Thatcher Allen
08 Rod Rogers
08 Katie Seybert
10 Tim Dyer
10 Tom Dyer
10 Alexander Richards
11 Mary Demoss
11 Kolby Rice
12 Mike Cunningham
12 Clarice Jenkins
11 Suzanna Goodyear
13 Gary Mills
13 Eric Phillips
13 Danielle Sexton
13 Misty Tichenor
15 Elizabeth Baker
15 Victoria Tayman
16 Vince Patton
17 Eric Lewis
17 Ben Smith
18 Kristin Fornash
18 Lauran Kirk
19 Shirley Corder
19 Spencer Cox
19 Ben Davisson
19 Betty Tonkin
19 Cathy Wilson
22 Robert Williams
23 Will Schindler
24 Laura Rodrigues
24 Meredith Seibert
25 Brandon Kroll
25 Betsy Turner
27 Curt Diaz
27 Shirley Murphy
29 Hope Blackwell
29 Mike Dyer
29 Coleman Wait
29 Jason Williams
29 Susan Hanby
30 James Allen V
30 Kim Caruso
30 Debbie Lear
Happy Birthday to All!!
JUST A
REMINDER …
Monday, May 7
6:00 pm Staff Parish Relations Committee
Tuesday, May 15
5:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting
5:00 pm Outreach Committee Meeting
6:00 pm Church Council
Wednesday, May 23
6:00 pm Trustees Meeting
PLEASE MAKE NOTE AND PLAN TO ATTEND!
If there are
corrections
or omissions,
please accept our
apologies,
and let us know.
Thank you
MAY USHERS
Sue Brandimarte, Al Cox, Ike Skidmore,
Tim Thompson, Jack Brandimarte—team captain
MAY VAN DRIVER
Carl Lantz
ARTICLES for the
JUNE GRAPEVINE
need to be in the office by
Wednesday, May 9th.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULE PAGE 9
If you see something great on our Facebook
page, don’t just “like” it, “share” it so all of your
facebook friends see it too. Thanks!
PAGE 8
Kroger
Community
Rewards
& Clarksburg
FUMC …..
Please sign up!
If you are already signed up, please
renew your enrollment on line! This is
a win-win for you and your church …
you still get rewards, and our church
gets 5% rebate on all your purchases
— gas, groceries.
Go to website: https://
www.kroger.com/
Sunday, May 13th
CHANTICLEER CHILDREN’S
CHOIRS to perform
at FUMC on
Saturday, May 12
6th ANNUAL 5K Run for OPEN HEARTS
sponsored by Stealey UMC
The race takes place on the Mayor’s Fitness Trail at
Veteran’s Memorial Park, in Clarksburg.
Saturday, May 12th—Start time will be at 8:30 a.m.
The entry fee is $20.00.
The churches that contribute to the Open Hearts Ministries
will be competing against one another.
Registration can be completed at www.runforopenhearts.weebley.com OR
www.runsignup.com/Race/WV/CLARKSBURG/RUNFOROPEN HEARTS5K.
CONGRATULATIONS
To our 2018
high school graduates
Nathan Fubio
Lucy Thompson
We wish you much success
with your future endeavors.
If we have missed anyone graduating
from high school this year, please let us know.
PAGE 5
Light and Life
I love seeing our church steeple lit up in the night sky. (Thanks, properties committee.)
It is such a powerful reminder to our community of “Emmanuel” — “God with us”. It is a reminder that, though the darkness comes, light prevails. Love wins.
Part of the Sermon on the Mount as found in the 5th chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew says, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to the household. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
That last part is essential—-”...and glorify your Father in heaven”. Not for our glory, but for God’s. Our lighted steeple—our very building—is a witness that God is in the world, in the center of Clarksburg and Harrison County.
That light becomes a beacon at times, leading folks to First Church and, we hope, to God. Throughout this issue of our newsletter you will find stories about many upcoming church activities.
I want to tell you about some of the other things that happen in our church home
=============================================================================================
Once a month, our dining room is filled with a strange cry, “How! How!” I hear that and know that the 4-H kids have arrived!
Recently, our Can-Do-Kids room was stocked with colorful boxes of cookies. Yep, Girl Scouts.
“Hey, want a cup of coffee?” There is always coffee, strong and plentiful when the 7 weekly AA/NA groups are around, and they always ask if we would like to share a cup.
ARSE? No, no, I’m not mildly cursing in Old English. That is the acronym of the Association of Retired School Employees, who meet here for occasional local meetings and for their annual state-wide conference.
And, depending on the day and time, you could find old guys playing basketball, young folks practicing soccer, more 4-H kids cooking their way around the world, and adults learning a little conversational Spanish. Bonnie’s Bus might be parked outside doing cancer screenings. Or the sanctuary might be filled to capacity with folks enjoying music by the Chanticleer Children’s Chorus or even “Three Redneck Tenors”.
A light...a beacon….a shelter….a home: First Church is all this and more. “To God be the glory!”
“Let your light shine….
“….where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is sadness, joy;
where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light.”
From the Prayer of St. Francis
Fellowship Meal at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday Worship from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.
Join us at 5:15 p.m.. for a home-cooked meal ($4 donation) in our church parlor.
From 6:00 to 6:45 p.m., an Evening Prayer service is offered.
Even if you don’t come for the meal, do come for the worship.
Sunday morning worship is still our primary service,
but if you can’t come on a Sunday, do get your weekly worship on a Wednesday.
Questions? Contact Don Gardner at [email protected] or 304-623-3397.
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP MEAL
MONASTIC MEALS Each Tuesday in May
Prepared meal ($3.00 each) in our parlor,
eaten in silence while scriptures and other sacred books are read.
12:15-12:45 p.m. Come earlier for silent meditation.
If you would like to attend, or to cook one of the meals, call Don at 623-3397.
PAGE 6
“Get out of those rocking chairs
and come to the banquet!”
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 at 6:00 p.m.
70 years or older? This evening is for you!
Great food -- Great entertainment
All at no charge for you -- be our guest!
Plan now for the 2018 banquet .
Questions? Contact Penny Arnold.
“GRANDAGERS BANQUET”
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Sunday, May 6th, 3:00—5:00 p.m.
Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Buckhannon
MONDAY, MAY 21.
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS ...
NEXT Outreach Meeting is June 19th.
NO May meeting.
PAGE 7 OUTREACH
CELEBRATION OF MISSION EVENT (C.O.M.E.) at Quiet Dell UMC
Our Wesleyan District Celebration of Mission Event, which
supports our WV Mission projects will be held, at Quiet Dell United
Methodist Church, on Saturday, May 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The day will include lunch and an auction—including specialty baskets,
baked goods and crafts. This year we will be making a donation of underwear to the
Ebenezer Community Outreach and $300.00 to the Southern District
Church Community Ministry (Hope in the Mountains). This is a project
similar to Open Heart Ministries here in Harrison County. This event is
held each year at several locations in the state. We would like for you
to come out, have a good time and support this event.
MOTHER-DAUGHTER BANQUET
FRIDAY, MAY 11
Each year at Mother-Daughter Banquet,
we honor those women who have guided us in faith and love.
This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, May 11th
, at 6:00 p.m.
Come enjoy a delicious meal, inspiration and lots of fun
Menu : Baked Steak, Scalloped Potato, Spring Vegetables, Garden Salad, and Ice Cream Sundae!
Suggested donation: $6.00 / $3.00 for children 9 and younger
Call the church at 623-3397 to make your reservation to attend this year’s banquet
For more information, contact Don Gardner
THE WOMEN OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST
will meet on Thursday, May 17th, at noon, in the fellowship hall.
Mary Kay Patterson will be the hostess.
We hope to see you there.
PLEASE COME AND JOIN US . FOR A DELIGHTFUL TIME OF FELLOWSHIP.