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The United Methodist Church of Ephrata 117 C Street NW Ephrata, WA 98823

Thank you for supporting the work of the church through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness as we pursue our mission:

“We Serve God by Serving Others”

Office Hours Monday through Wednesday

9:00am to 1:00pm

Thursday 9:00am-12:00pm

Phone: (509)754-4664

Email: office@umcephrata.org

Pastor Don Dunn…...pastor@umcephrata.org

Administrative Assistant: Tresa Poe…….office@umcephrata.org

Custodian: Jamie Downing

Pianist: Betsy Pecka

www.umcephrata.org facebook.com/umcofephrata

The United Methodist Church of Ephrata

“We Serve God by Serving Others.”

The Update Newsletter

September 2019

Vacation

Time to go on vacation! Bobbi and I traveled to Neah Bay, our first trip that

direction. It was cooler and Bobbi located various sites to visit. We were away from

August 9th to August 15th.

Vacations are healthy “time outs” for people. We once traveled to England in

2003. I was in a running shoe ware shop and one of the shoe consultants in conversa-

tion said as we left “Happy Holiday.” It seemed strange to use that word as it was not

Christmas. I learned that in England if people are on a vacation, they are on a holiday.

The interesting thing is that Holiday has the close association with Holy-day, a term used for

festivals, ceremonies, events, National and global time off. Sabbath in the Ten Commandments was

for work stoppage. Sabbath was observed to remind people that they were no longer slaves to

Pharaoh – a day to rest, and a day of resistance to earning and spending. We can learn much about

Sabbath – for me the big thing is the rest since God rested from His work on Sabbath.

I hope many of you have taken time for vacation and returned rested with pictures and

memories.

Happy Holiday,

Pastor Don

Holiness

The Master would frequently assert that holiness was less a matter

of what one did than of what one allowed to happen. To a group of

disciples who had difficulty understanding that, he told the follow-

ing story:

There was once a one-legged dragon who said to the

centipede, “How do you manage all those legs? It is all I can do to

manage one.” “To tell you the truth,” said the centipede, “ I do not

manage them at all.” Anthony de Mello, S.J., One Minute Wisdom (Gujarat, India: Gujarat Sahitya Prakashm 1985). P. 124.

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Galatians 5:22-26 - Two different ways of living

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become arrogant, make each other angry, or be jealous of each other.

This passage may be a timely prayer guide to consider. We pray “thy Kingdom come’”

to acknowledge God’s sovereignty in our lives and our World and the hope that is ours for the

common good of all people.

This beautiful hope filled text from Galatians is in such stark contrast to the changing

times in which we live. We more often see the earlier portion of Galatians 5:16-21 where the

negative behaviors known as “works of flesh” or “selfish-desires” are listed and sadly obscure

the good things mentioned above in Galatians 5:22-26.

It is a strange vision in our “modern” world where as Christians we live amid a great

deal of choices, news, and information that lack “the fruit of the spirit.” For many of us, we may

recall times, places, and people, where goodness seemed more intentional. I think church still

occupies that Hope filled, Jesus’ way, of life.

With the recent news of mass shootings in Gilroy California, El Paso Texas, and Dayton

Ohio, and also the immigrant workers in Mississippi, my heart is saddened. It seems like a

daring proposal to consider God’s Kingdom way of living with an internal peace of mind that

also reaches outward with love for the neighbor.

I found the following article to share for this column…

Kindness

Kindness is the overflowing of self upon others. We put others in the place of self. We treat them as we would wish to be treated ourselves. We change places with them. For the time self is another, and others are self. Our self-love takes the shape of complacence in unselfishness. We cannot speak of the virtues without thinking of God. What would the overflow of self upon others be in Him the ever-blessed and Eternal? I was the act of creation. Creation was divine kindness. From it as from a fountain, flow the possibilities, the powers, the blessings of all created kindness. This is an honorable genealogy for kindness. Then, again, kindness is the coming to the rescue of others, when they need it and it is in our power to supply what they need; and this is the work of the Attributes of God towards His crea-tures… Moreover kindness is also like divine grace; for it gives us something which neither self nor na-ture can give us. What it gives us is something of which we are in want, or something which only anoth-er person can give such as consolation; and besides this, the manner in which this is given is a true gift itself, better far than the thing given: and what is all this but an allegory of grace? Kindness adds sweet-ness to everything. It is kindness which makes life’s capabilities blossom, and paints them with their cheering hues, and endows them with their invigorating fragrance… Last of all, the secret impulse out of which kindness acts is an instinct which is the noblest part of ourselves, the most undoubted remnant of the image of God, which was given us at the first. F.W. Faber, Spiritual Conferences (Thomas Richardson & Son, 1859), p.2.

Pastor Don

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“I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141: 1-2

One of the most wonderful gifts we are given is the gift of prayer. We can pray for one another in times of need as well as times of celebration.

To join the email prayer chain, email Tresa at office@umcephrata.org

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please let us know if someone should be added or taken off our prayer list by contacting the church office: Also contact the church office if you know of some-

one in need of a visit by our Congregational Care Team or Pastor Don.

Bob St. Clair Jr

Ed Sivula

Doug Jensen

Ron Gardner

Steven Grass

Brian Davisson

Renee Muse

Al Davisson

Steve Smith

Justin Townley

Gail Catlow

Joe Hatch

Eleanor Gausman

Dan Anderson

Randy Senn

Ed Warren

Marlene Fisk Warren

David Prince

Abbie Thorndike

Ralph Schonder

Dennis Ackerman

Amy Torrens-Harry

Rayce & Tiffany Barnes

Tabatha

Susan Aldridge

David Thompson

Julea Dunn

Marie Marsh

Amy Torrens-Harry

Mike Dell

Dick Ross

Eric Moulton

Tom Pheasant

Francie Hernandez

Shirley Johnson

Kathleen Neuberger

Jeremy Warren

Kierra Smith

Jessica Smith

Chris Wash

Kevin Harmon

Michael Oliveira

Prayers for Health, Healing, and Well-Being

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The Community Memory Café will meet Monday, September 9th, from 1:30 - 3pm in our Social Hall.

The hosts for the snack time is Ann Chandler.

The Welcome table will be served by Bobbi Dunn and Ellen White.

Please spread the word that the Community Memory Café serves those with various forms of memory loss as well as their caregivers, spouse, or relative/friend.

Grief Support: For those going through the challenges of loss-perhaps recently, or from years ago. Meeting every first and third Tuesday of every month from 6 to 7pm, with Penny and David Clees.

Caregiver Support Group: Every second Wednesday of the month from 10 am until 11 am. Come and find support and understanding. Come and tell your story. Come and have time to rest in the caring arms of Christ’s love. If that time does not work for you, please call and set up a time to meet with Pastor Don.

Bible Study: Pastor Don leads a Bible Study group every Wednesday at 2pm in the Fireside Room. All are welcome and encouraged to join.

Please start thinking about our Fall Auction on November 3rd, and what you may be able to contribute. Thank you!

Men’s group will start up again on September 7th at 8:30am. Join us for

breakfast, conversation, and a program.

All men are welcome

September 16th will be the next UMW gathering at 1pm in the Social Hall.

Program by Joan Jensen.

Hostesses are Ann Chandler and Marilyn Grass.

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Special dates Labor Day, September 2nd

National Grandparents Day, September 8th Patriot Day, September 11th

Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th – October 15th Constitution Day, September 17th

First day of autumn, September 23rd

The Evangelism Committee is hoping to begin a new service to our Congre-

gation. We would like to be able to offer transportation to and from the doc-

tor, dentist, and physical therapy appointments, etc. to those who cannot

drive and need help with getting to their appointments. We need volunteers. This will be on

an as needed basis. If you would be interested in helping with this outreach, please contact

Vera Senn at vmlouise@gmail.com or call/text (509) 750-1014

SAVE THE DATE: On October 2nd at 7 PM there will be a

Jewelry Party Fundraiser in the Social Hall. All are welcome!

The Eleventh Of September Written by Roger J. Robicheau ©2002

We mourn their loss this day this year Those now with God, no danger near

So many loved ones left do stand Confronting loss throughout our land

My heart goes out to those who do No one can fathom what they view

I firmly pray for peace of mind Dear God please help each one to find

And to our soldiers now at war God guide above, at sea, on shore They are the best, I have no doubt

Our country’s pride, complete, devout The finest force you’ll ever see

All freedom grown through liberty One final thought comes clear to me

For what must live in infamy Absolutely – We’ll Remember The Eleventh – Of September

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SERVERS

Community Dinner Report for July

The monthly community dinner continues to be a popular event for our community. We had a total of 43 plated dinners and 12 take home meals for our July dinner. This is down from previous months. Grant County Journal continues to provide at least two notices. We would like to thank Louise S., Marilyn B., Bob B., Lonny H. for helping with service and Marilyn G. and Vera S. For providing desserts. ALL are appreciated. Thank You! - Camille and Christy Price

Please join us for Community Dinner on

Thursday, September 26th, at 5:30pm.

Invite friends, family, and neighbors.

All are welcome!

DATE

September 1

Labor Day

Weekend

September

8

September

15

September

22

September

29

Assistant

of the Day Bob Bluhm Ed Rogers Denis Plew

Lonny

Holleman Bob Bluhm

Ushers Joan Jensen Lonny

Holleman Vera Senn Christy Price

Marilyn

Bluhm

Greeters Betty Rogers Bob Bluhm Linda

Bryant-Smith Denis Plew Barb Deycous

Liturgist Vera Senn Camille Price Ann Chandler Bobbi Dunn Linda

Bryant-Smith

Coffee

Hour Ann Chandler Christy Price Tura Yount Jennifer Sager

Pie Social

Vera Senn &

Mary Fulk

Lead

Counter

Linda

Bryant-Smith Denis Plew

Linda

Bryant-Smith Denis Plew Mary Mantz

Assisting

Counter

Margaret

Trieber

Louise

Ingebrigtson Marilyn Grass

Margaret

Treiber

Louise

Ingebrigtson

Flowers

Nick & Ellen

White

(48th Wedding

Anniversary)

Camille &

Christy Price

(38th Wedding

Anniversary)

Communion

Servers

Camille Price

& Tura Yount

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Rob Mantz September 2nd

Paul Morris

September 4th

Bob Del Mar September 5th

McKinley Fulk

September 13th

Jackie Driver September 20th

Nick White

September 24th

Donna Anderson September 26th

September 2 Labor Day, Office Closed September 3 Quilters, 9am Grief Support Group, 6pm September 4 Bible Study, 2pm September 7 Men’s Breakfast, 8:30am September 9 Memory Café, 1:30-3pm September 10-11 Pastor Out of Office September 10 Quilters, 9am Trustees Meeting, 7pm September 11 Church Council Meeting, 5:15pm September 16 United Methodist Women, 1pm September 17 Quilters, 9am Grief Support Group, 6pm September 18 Bible Study, 2pm Newsletter Folding, 9am September 24 Quilters, 9am September 25 Bible Study, 2pm September 26 Community Dinner, 5:30pm September 29 Pie Social after Worship Garden Oasis Service, 3pm

Mark Your Calendar

Tom & Dolores Pheasant

Sept. 5th - 65 years

Nick & Ellen White Sept. 11th - 48 years

Camille & Christy Price Sept. 19th - 38 years

Ed & Louise Sivula

Sept 27th - 50 years

If I missed anyone’s

birthday or anniversary

please let me know.

Thank you! Tresa