Pastor Dick - Faith Alive United Methodist Church

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 9
SEPTEMBER 2015
FAITH ALIVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
September Thoughts from the Pastor:
“Fear Not...!”
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
PASTOR’S
MESSAGE
1
MICAH’S
BACKPACK
3
WOMEN’S
WORKSHOP
4
WESLEY’S
QUADRILATERAL
6
SEPTEMBER
CALENDAR
7
MISSION OF
THE MONTH
8
CHURCH
OFFICE HOURS:
8:00 AM—4:00PM
To contact us:
Fear is something that we all deal with from time to time. The world we live in is
filled with things that could cause us to be afraid. It seems that all too often we tell
one another to “watch out,” “be careful,” “take care,” etc., because there are things
we do fear and there are daily hazards to avoid.
Hundreds of words have been created in our English language to describe our fears
and phobias. The two most common human fears are acrophobia, a morbid fear of
heights, and claustrophobia, a morbid fear of enclosed places.
Here is a sampling of a whole group of words that have been created to describe
fears that are associated with spiritual or church matters:
theophobia
hagiophobia
teleophobia
hamartophobia
peccatiphobia
homilophobia
musicophobia
ochlophobia
or demophobia
staurophobia
hogyphobia
stygiophobia
thanatophobia
taphephobia
fear of God
fear of Saints and holy things
fear of religious ceremonies
fear of sin
fear of sinning
fear of sermons
fear of music
fear of crowds
fear of crosses or crucifixes
fear of demons
fear of hell
fear of death or dying
fear of cemeteries
Phone: 610-852-2805
Fax: 610-852-3556
There is even a word, panatophobia, that means the morbid dread of everything!
Pastor Richard Wilcock
Our human fears or phobias can sometimes seem humorous to others, but they can
be devastating to the person who is crippled by their bondage.
Home: 610-598-4000
Cell: 717-606-2327
Director of Education
faedu@ptd.net
Church Office E-mail
faithalv@ptd.net
Church Administrator
faadmin@ptd.net
www.faithaliveumc.com
OUR IDENTITY
“Faith Alive is a
people with a
passion to share
Jesus Christ.”
It seems that over and over again the Bible records the words of God and Jesus telling us to “fear not,” “do not be afraid’ and “do not fear.” Both the King James (KJV)
and the New International Versions (NIV) of the Bible record literally hundreds of
such uses of these phrases throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Sometimes our fears are so real that they can paralyze us so much that we are incapable of action. In situations where we are extremely fearful, it is comforting to know
that Jesus can come to us and tell us to “fear not."
There are several stories in the New Testament involving Jesus calming the fears of
the disciples. We find one of the more memorable occurrences in the 14th chapter
of Matthew’s Gospel, beginning with the 22nd verse. In this story the disciples are in
a situation in which they are overcome with fear. In fact, verse 26 in the New International Version says that the disciples were “terrified.” Verse 27 relates how Jesus
LIVING FAITH
Page 2
responded to their fear: But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
(Matthew 4:27 NIV)
Many of our fears are so relatively minor that we can avoid them or deal with them with little discomfort.
But occasionally we have a fear that traumatizes us to such an extent that we are unable to function in a
normal way.
The apostle Paul wrote these words of advice in a letter to his young protégée, Timothy: “...God hath not
given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)
To the fearful Roman Christians who were undergoing various forms of persecution, the apostle Paul
wrote: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV)
Do you have fears that cause you great distress? If so, Jesus would tell you, “Take courage, I am right
here with you. Don’t be afraid!”
Pastor Dick
THANK YOU
TREASURER’S REPORT
July 2015
INCOME
$32,014.88
General Account
Fund Account
EXPENSES
$30,218.88
$1,796.00
$48,637.10
(Pre-Pay Fuel)
General Account
$34,076.78
General Account
$14,000.00
Fund Account
$560.32
I deeply appreciate the bracelet that was
gifted to me by my Faith Alive Family. I look
at it as a token of faith and shall treasure it
always.
Jenna Haydt
A sincere “Thank You” to my friends at Faith
Alive for the lovely inspirational bracelet. I
shall think of you whenever I wear it.
Olivia Haydt
4 Sundays—Average Attendance 224
Doris I. Serfass, Treasurer
Our Daily Bread
The new issues of Our Daily Bread
have arrived! Pick up your
copy in the Narthex or take one to
share with a friend!
CLEANING APPEAL
Cindy Swatt, Cleaning Coordinator, is asking for persons
to consider committing to clean here at the church.
Several persons are out with physical health conditions &
there are a few openings in the schedule as well.
Cleaning takes 1-2 hours of your time, 1 time per
month. If you were thinking about giving a
hand—now is the time!
Contact Cindy @ 610-377-1772.
THANK YOU
Dear Faith Alive Congregation,
On behalf of the Palmerton Junior High faculty and
students, I thank you so very much for the generous
donation of school supplies. We have many students
that will greatly benefit from your thoughtful
donation.
Thank you all again for your kindness. It is truly
appreciated!
Sincerely,
Rich DeSocio, Palmerton Jr. High Principal
ATTN: KIDS ALIVE TEACHERS!
The new Kids Alive rotating schedule is available on
the bulletin board in the Narthex!
Page 3
LIVING FAITH
MICAH’S BACKPACK
OUR CHILDREN NEED YOU!
Micah’s Backpack Program2015-2016 School Year
The number of our community’s children who need our help for healthy
meals during the weekends is increasing. How can you help?
1. Donate
food items …
Check the Complete List in the newsletters each month, or pick one up at the Micah
Cart in the narthex.
Check the Currently Needed List in the bulletins weekly, or pick one up at the Micah
Cart in the narthex.
2. Donate financially …
Use an envelope found on the Micah Cart in the narthex.
Place your donation into the offering plate on Sundays.
3. Volunteer …
Pack the backpacks here at the church;
Deliver the backpacks to the schools.
4. Contact …
Sam Heiney (610-826-2033), Paul Lanchantin,
Julianne Heiney, Chrissy Rehatchek.
MICAH’S BACKPACK PROGRAM
Complete Shopping List Revised - June 2015
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
PEANUT/NUT FREE POLICY—at schools’ request:
Check ingredient list for peanuts, peanut oil, or any nuts; and
statements such as “made in facility that handles peanuts/nuts”.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ITEM:
DESCRIPTION:
CEREAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . individual boxes or cups
JUICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . individual boxes or pouches
MAC n CHEESE . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..individual serving size
CHICKEN and HAM KITS
SALTINES or RITZ Crackers . . . . .8 sleeves per box
Any PASTA w/SAUCE . . . . . . . .. . 7.5 oz can or microwave cup
CHICKEN SOUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.5 oz can
VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP . . . . . . . 10.5 oz can
RAMAN NOODLES . . . . . . . . . . . . packs or cups
“COMPLETE MEALS”
VEGETABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . corn, beans, carrots, peas
7.5 oz can, or microwave cup
FRUIT / APPLESAUCE . . . . . individual cups—non-refrigerated
PUDDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . individual cups—non-refrigerated
GELATIN (with or w/out fruit) . . . individual cups—non-refrigerated
MICROWAVE POPCORN
FRUIT SNACKS
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1) Check Micah’s Display Cart in Narthex for: Currently Needed
List—Complete Shopping List—Donation Envelopes
2) Drop off your food donations at our cart.
3) Place Donation Envelopes in the offering plate.—We’ll use
monetary donations to purchase additional food items.
TRUSTEE ON CALL
To obtain mechanical service within
our church facility, please
contact the following
Trustee in the event of an
emergency:
August 30-Sept. 5, 2015
Jerry VanLuvanee 610-261-0439
or cell 484-547-5307
September 6—12, 2015
Donna Bottcher cell 610-392-7376
September 13—19, 2015
Leonard Swatt—610-377-1772
or cell 484-464-1468
September 20—26, 2015
Ron Graver—610-377-8087
or cell 610-984-2793
September 27—October 3, 2015
Renee’ DeHaven—610-377-3501
or cell 610-217-9202
WOMEN’S GROUP
“Faithful Believers”
The women’s group “Faithful Believers”
will meet on Monday, September 14th,
2015, @ 9:00 AM in Leah’s Room.
Dan Propson will be the speaker.
All women of our church are welcome
and are encouraged to join us.
Refreshments will be served!
FMI Contact Rose Frantz
@ 570-386-5586
F.A.M.E.
The marriage encouragement
group F.A.M.E. will not meet during
the month of September. The next
meeting will be held at Faith Alive
on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015,
7:00 PM, in the fellowship hall.
HOMEBOUND MINISTRY
The Homebound Ministry will be
visiting our shut–ins on
September 2nd & 16th, 2015
If you are interested in joining
them, contact
Lilly McFarland for a meeting time
@ 610-377-1097.
LIVING FAITH
Page 4
A Dynamic Women’s
Bible Study
Attention: All Adult Sunday School Classes
On September 6th @ 9:45AM All Sunday School Classes will meet in
Leah’s Room. Special speaker, Andrew Kennedy, will be here to share
about his work with Gospel for Asia. Andy is originally from the area
and has relocated to Texas to work as support staff for Gospel for Asia
– he has a heart for the Lord & a powerful calling on his life.
Join Andrew, his wife, Sharon and son, to see & hear what they have
been working on with Gospel for Asia.
A Free-will offering will be received to further the ministry & share
the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Throughout 10 weeks of exciting,
engaging intrigue, participants will
plunge into the heart of Genesis, to
God's remarkable
pursuit of
relationship
and to the
unfolding
of His
earthly
plan: that
through
one nation,
and ultimately, one
man, all people on earth will be
blessed. Many of the most profound
and enduring concepts in the whole
counsel of God’s Word are initiated in
this marvelous book of beginnings.
Starts:
Tuesday September
15, 2015 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Room 113
Estimated cost: $16.00
Sign-up in Narthex
 FMI: Contact Dottie Hine @
570.386.4304
Rally Day
We Need Ice Cream Toppings!
Chocolate Syrup
Caramel Syrup
Bananas
Malted Milk
Heath Toffee Bits
Crushed Peanuts
Sprinkles
Crushed Oreos
Whipped Cream
Maraschino Cherries
Sliced Strawberries
Sign up what you will bring
in the Narthex!
LIVING FAITH
Page 5
CHRISTMAS CHORAL
Faith Alive Choir 2015
Christmas Choral
Celebration
Plans are under way to begin
rehearsals for the 2015
Christmas Choral Celebration.
Rehearsals begin on
September 10, 2015.
Christmas Choral rehearsal is open
to anyone desiring to sing with the
choir. You do not have to be a
choir member to participate.
Rehearsals are Thursdays as
follows:
Choir Rehearsal 6:30PM
Christmas Choral Rehearsal
7:00PM
For additional information contact
Eileen Sowden @ 610-377-4119
YOUTH GROUP
Save Shoeboxes!
October’s Mission of the
Month will be
Operation
Christmas Child.
Remember: Save your
shoeboxes & plan now to
gather supplies to
pack a shoebox!
NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL SERIES
Contemporary Adult Class #4 - Room 113
Sam Heiney, Teacher
YOUTH GROUP
SEPTEMBER MEETINGS
Sunday, September 6th
No Youth Group Meeting
(Labor Day Weekend)
Sunday, September 20th
Youth Group Meeting @ Faith
Alive from 6—8 PM
Sunday, September 27th
Youth Group trip to
Bloomsburg Fair
Leave church @ 2:00 PM
All youth from 12 years to 12th
grade are welcome!
FMI contact Matt Henshue
@ 570-704-6585
MEN’S GROUP #2
Tuesday’s, 7:00 pm, Room 113
Sam Heiney, Leader
NEW SERIES
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 20, 2015
Beginning September 22, 2015
THE LIFE YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE
from GOD’S PSYCHIATRY
With John Ortberg
6 part DVD series
Part IV: The Keys to the Kingdom
THE BEATITUDES



What does true spiritual life really look like?
What keeps you from living such a life?
How can you pursue it?
Charles L. Allen
8 week series
Come, join us.
No sign up necessary.
SAFE SANCTUARY MANDATORY TRAINING
January 2015 has seen some changes to its Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law which have rolled
down hill and affect what we do here at Faith Alive. On October 24, 2015, we will be holding a mandatory
training session which is required by the State through Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance to update
and train you regarding these new laws and reporting procedures. This training session is for all Monitors,
Teachers, Employees, Nursery Volunteers, Kids Alive Volunteers, and anyone having direct contact with
children or youth. This session will be on Saturday morning, October 24, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00
noon. Please plan on attending this session. Keep an eye out for a sign-up sheet to be in the Narthex
soon. There is a 50 person limit to this training.
For any questions, please contact Carla Hill at 484-464-3024 or by email at cbthill@msn.com.
LIVING FAITH
Page 6
Crop Walk 2015
EDUCATION & GROWTH
From the Desk of Faith Alive Director of Ed—Daniel Propson
Crop walk is sponsored by CACPAC
to be held Rain or Shine
Sunday October 11, 2015
Greetings from the Education Office!
“Wesley’s Quadrilateral”
Deuteronomy 11: 20 speaks to the nation of Israel commanding them to write the words of the Lord upon their doorposts.
This is to be a constant reminder of the importance of keeping
the Holy Scriptures in full view and in remembrance at all times. God tells
His people to talk about them in their comings and goings, place them on our
hearts and souls, keep them in view, and teach them to our children.





Crop walkers walk to
provide food for local
emergency programs in the
US & the world. What a
perfect opportunity to help
raise awareness & meet the
need of hunger.
The walk is in the Palmerton Area—
Rain or shine!
Distance is 5.3 miles
Rest Stops are provided
The objective is to relieve world hunger
25% of pledges are directed to the
CACPAC Good Samaritan Fund.
Children & dogs are welcome!
Be a walker or sponsor today!
Registration & Pledge Forms are
available. Contact is Beverly
Hargreaves 610-826-5932
Adult Bible Study
At Faith Alive we believe that the Holy Scriptures need to be the foundation
of all we do and say. John Wesley gave us an inspired method to understand
and apply them to our lives. It’s called “John Wesley’s Quadrilateral.” In the
upcoming weeks you may notice a difference in the halls and classrooms of
Faith Alive. Not only will John’s Wesley’s Quadrilateral be displayed in our
halls, but the Scriptures themselves will be displayed as a constant reminder
of who we are and why we’re here.
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 119: 11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee.” KJV What better way to do this than to employ the original method implemented by God Himself?
Daniel Propson
— Charge Conference 2015 —
The Annual Charge Conference with the District Superintendent is
scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2015 @ 7:00PM.
Staff Parish Relations Committee will meet @ 6:30PM with the DS
All Church Council Members are expected to be present—likewise, the
conference is open to anyone interested to listen in.
As a true child of God, the Authority
of the Believer is one of the things
received through Christ when the
soul makes contact through Calvary.
The enemy has sought to hold back
this knowledge from God’s people.
The rapidly approaching end of
the age is witnessing a tremendous
increase in the
activity of the powers of darkness.
There is an urgent
call for believers
to exercise their
God-given authority to which the
powers of the air
must give place when
challenged!
Join us for an in-depth study
of the book
“The Authority of the Intercessor &
The Authority of the Believer” by
Rev. J. A. MacMillan.
We meet every other Thursday,
2:00 PM in Leah’s Room.
The next class meets on
September 10, 2015!
FAITH ALIVE CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
2
Men’s Group #1
6:00 PM
AA Meeting
Ala-non
Ala-teen
Wednesday
Thursday
3
Homebound Ministry
AA Group
Friday
4
10:30 AM
Saturday
5
Sounds of Faith
8:00 AM
AA Group
10:30 AM Choir Practice
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
Prayer Meeting
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
6:30 PM
No Adult Bible Study
No God Squad
Puppets
No F.A.M.E.
Men’s Group #2
7:00 PM
Sounds of Faith
7:00 PM
6
7
8
9
10
Holy Communion
AA Group 10:30 AM Men’s Group #1
AA Group
10:30 AM
Worship & Kids
6:00 PM
Prayer
Time
Prayer Meeting
Alive!
6:30 PM
6:00 PM AA Meeting
7:00 PM
8:30 & 10:45 AM
Ala-non
6:30 PM
Ala-teen
6:30
PM
Sunday School for
Happy Labor Day!
Children
9:45 AM
Men’s Group #2
Office Closed!
All Adult Sunday
7:00 PM
School Classes
Sounds of Faith
meet in Leah’s
7:00 PM
Room—Special
Speaker—Andrew
Kennedy 9:45 PM
AA Group
13
14
17
Rally Day Combined
Service
9:30 AM—11:00 AM
(No Kids Alive!)
Faithful Believers
(Leah’s Rm) 9:00 AM
15
16
11
10:30 AM
12
Sounds of Faith
8:00 AM
Adult Bible Study
2:00 PM
God Squad Puppets
10:00 AM
Choir Practice
6:30 PM
Christmas Choral
Rehearsal 7:00 PM
Emmaus Walk Team
Meeting
8:00 AM— 4:00 PM
(kitchen, F.hall, Music rm.,
Room 113, & 2 Classrooms)
18
19
“The Patriarchs” Ladies
Homebound Ministry
AA Group 10:30 AM *Newsletter
Group (Rm 113) 9:30 AM
Articles Due*
AA Group
10:30 AM Choir Practice
AA Group 10:30 AM Men’s Group #1
6:30 PM Bowman Park
6:00 PM Prayer Meeting
7:00 PM Christmas Choral
Prayer Time
Youth Retreat
Hot Dogs & Build
6:30 PM
Rehearsal 7:00 PM
6:00 PM AA Meeting
Your Own Sundae
Ala-non
6:30
PM
Church Council
11:00AM
6:30 PM
No Adult Bible Study
7:00 PM Ala-teen
Men’s Group #2
7:00 PM
Sounds of Faith
7:00 PM
Sounds of Faith
8:00 AM
God Squad Puppets
10:00 AM
20
26
21
22
23
24
Worship &
AA Group 10:30 AM
Kids Alive!
8:30 & 10:45 AM Prayer Time
6:00 PM
Sunday School for
all Ages
9:45 AM Vision Team Mtg.
7:00 PM
Youth Group
6:00 PM
“The Patriarchs” Ladies AA Group
10:30 AM AA Group 10:30 AM
Group (Rm 113) 9:30 AM
Adult Bible Study
Prayer Meeting
Men’s Group #1
2:00 PM
7:00PM
6:00 PM
Choir Practice
AA Meeting
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
Ala-non
6:30 PM
Christmas Choral
Ala-teen
6:30 PM
Rehearsal 7:00 PM
Men’s Group #2
7:00 PM
Sounds of Faith
7:00 PM
27
28
Worship &
AA Group 10:30 AM
Kids Alive!
8:30 &10:45 AM SPRC (Charge Conference) 6:30 PM
Sunday School for
29
all Ages
AA Meeting
Ala-non
Ala-teen
9:45 AM Charge Conference
with District Super—
Youth—Bloomsburg intendent 7:00 PM
Fair—Leave @
2:00 PM
30
10:30 AM
“The Patriarchs” Ladies AA Group
Group (Rm 113) 9:30 AM
Prayer Meeting
Men’s Group #1
7:00 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
Men’s Group #2
7:00 PM
Sounds of Faith
7:00 PM
25
Emmaus Walk:
*Board— 2:00PM
(Adult Classroom)
*Gathering—6PM
(Sanctuary)
Sounds of Faith
8:00 AM
God Squad Puppets
10:00 AM
Wentz Memorial
Dinner (f.hall)
3:30 PM—7:30 PM
Faith Alive United Methodist Church
678 Pine St
Palmerton, PA 18071
Address Service Requested
DATED MATERIAL ENCLOSED
Join Us @ Faith Alive UMC
678 Pine St, Palmerton, PA 18071
(Located in Bowmanstown)
610-852-2805
We’re on the Web! www.faithaliveumc.com
Phone: 610-852-2805
Fax: 610-852-3556
Email: faithalv@ptd.net
MISSION OF THE MONTH
September Mission:
Care Net of Carbon County—Baby Bottle Collection
 Pick up a Baby Bottle in the Narthex
 Place the bottle in an area where you would have loose
change, such as by the washer, in the car, or on your dresser
 Deposit your spare change throughout the month of
September
 Return bottle to the baby bassinet by the last Sunday,
September 27, 2015.
As we give our “pocket change”, pray for a “heart change” for women
who are abortion minded or engaged in at-risk lifestyles.