First United Methodist Church, Alpena

2013
The Cross and the Flame
by Faith Hawkins
THE CROSS, symbol of Our
Lord’s sacrifice for all souls.
The Truth; the Word
like an eternal flame living, burning
ever in our hearts.
A torch high-held to spread the
news unto all lands to all people.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
To Grow in our understanding of God
To Grow in our Love for God
To Grow in our commitment and service
To Witness to others about our faith journey
First United Methodist Church
STAFF
Rev. Gene Bacon, Pastor
pastor@alpenafumc.org
Sandy Jarmuzewski, Adm. Assistant
office@alpenafumc.org
David Reeves, Custodian
Loretta Beyer, Organist
Mary Louise Hart, Organist
Jim Hart, Choir Director
Wellington Dean, Heating
Maintenance
OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday
8:30 am until 3:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am until 12:00 noon
Answering machine for after-hour calls
Office: 354-2490
Parsonage: 356-1846
E-mail: office@alpenafumc.org
pastor@alpenafumc.org
Web: www.alpenafumc.org
WATZ 1450 am airs service on Sundays
at 11:30 AM
Inside this issue:
Parson to Person
Announcements
September
Schedules
Monthly Calendar
Worship
Schedule
10:00 am—Worship
Holy Communion
served on the first
Sunday of each
month
First United Methodist Church
167 South Ripley Blvd., Alpena, MI 49707
September, 2013
CROSS & flame
PARSON TO PERSON
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS ON SUFFERING
In last month’s newsletter I wrote about death and its effect upon us, especially upon the church community. In the
weeks since, I have continued to reflect upon Kirby’s death (particularly wrenching because of his youthfulness) and
now find myself thinking about Toni Wright, one of our most faithful members who died just recently. The great
theological dilemma is simply this. Why? Why do the good suffer and die? If God is both good and all powerful
(we believe that God is both) then why does God allow the suffering and death of good people? If God were good,
God would want to stop it. If God were all powerful, God would have the power to stop it. So why doesn’t God
stop these things from happening? So the argument goes, especially when people are praying fervently for a different
outcome.
Theologians have come up with two main perspectives on these questions. One idea, most prevalent through the
Middle Ages, was this. When Adam and Eve broke covenant with God, all of the earth was corrupted. Before the
Fall, the Garden of Eden was indeed a Paradise. There was no pain, no discomfort, no disease, no old age, no death.
Suffering and death were the natural consequences of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. If we think of Sin as that
which separates, then the break with God that occurred at the Fall, separated us from ourselves (Adam and Eve were
suddenly ashamed of their nakedness); from each other (Adam blames Eve); from the natural world (Eve blames the
serpent); and, of course, from God (Adam and Eve both hide from God). Jesus would be sent, in part, to conquer sin,
suffering and death. He, himself, was sinless, and faced and conquered both suffering and death in his own life.
Ultimately, all who embrace Christ, will also be freed from both suffering and death at the end of time, as we read in
Revelations 21:4.
The second perspective, sees the story of Adam and Eve less literally, and suggests that God created the universe as a
vale of soul making. From this perspective, God wants us to seek an always deepening relationship with Him, freely,
without coercion. This means that we must be free to welcome or reject God and God’s grace. God deliberately
created a world with suffering as a component as a means of guiding us toward deeper relationships on earth and
divine/human relationships both now and in the life to come.
Think about it. If there was no pain, ever, not even discomfort, what would motivate us to move beyond pure
selfishness? There would be no need to help anybody else, because nobody would ever need help. They, too, would
be perfectly comfortable. Also, if we were perfectly comfortable physically, mentally, and emotionally, why would
we feel a need to deepen our relationship with God? We would already be perfectly comfortable all of the time.
(That’s the definition of a world without pain). So God created a world in which pain was at least a possibility to
encourage us to help others in pain and to seek Him when we, ourselves, faced life’s difficulties. And since, “into
each life some rain must fall,” we all have many opportunities to help each other and seek Divine assistance. This
explains, too, why intercessory prayer for others or for ourselves cannot “work” every time. If it did, we would soon
figure it out. Thus whenever we experienced the slightest pain of any kind we would simply pray it away, and there
we are back to an absolutely pain free world.
This does not mean that God deliberately sends pain our way. The world may well work by natural laws. If we are
exposed to carcinogens then we will more likely come down with cancer. If we fall we will be hurt. It’s simply the
way hard objects affect soft bodies upon impact. It does mean that we will probably face pain at one time or another,
and most likely many times. When we do, we can either choose to turn to God and offer aid to others, or we can
reject divine and human assistance and suffer alone. Ultimately, it’s our response to pain and suffering that is the
most important thing.
I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Gene
CR OSS & F L AME
Hearts to Home income is always appreciated!
Hearts to Home
Month
Money Collected
# Of Families
# Of Individuals
# Items Distributed
May
$208.28
2
3
40
June
$106.58
12
28
243
July
$146.99
5
8
96
August
$52.00
8
18
178
The deadline for submitting articles for the
October issue of the Cross & Flame
Newsletter is
Thursday, September 19, 2013 @ 4 PM
CANNOT ACCEPT AFTER THIS TIME
Limit—2 full pages per submission.
.
SEPTEMBER MEETINGS
Trustees: 6pm on Sep. 17th
Ad Council: 7pm on Sept. 17th
GOOD NEWS—NOT SO GOOD NEWS
The Finance team is happy to report as of the end of August
all bills are paid. That’s the GOOD NEWS. NOT SO
GOOD NEWS; The apportionments are not paid and the
total amount due at the end of December will be $23,060.
Apportionments are our fair share of the United Methodist
Church’s world-wide Ministry and mission. This is our
opportunity to do God’s work throughout the world where
help is needed.
The Finance team is offering a challenge to the congregation
beginning with the first Sunday in September to have apportionments paid in full on December 31 HOW?????
According to our calculations our balance due as of the end
of August is $23,060. There are 18 Sundays left this year,
and if each family contributed an extra $6.39 a week or a
total of $115, our apportionments would be paid in full.
Will you take the challenge? If you cannot do the complete
amount perhaps some of it??? There also may be some of
you who are passionate about paying the apportionments in
full and will contribute a little more.
We will keep you updated on the progress made.
September BIRTHDAYS
2nd— Clarann Boylan
Todd Smith
3rd— Lillian Broad
4th— Elaine Reeves
5th— Andrew Ponce De Leon
6th— Richard Scott
10th— Edwin Smolinski
12th— Cindy Markowski
13th— Russell Anderson
Phyllis VanWormer
14th— Gerald Broad
Mary Pilarski
15th— Stan Brockenbrough
17th— Jim Anderson
18th— Ryder Kolnowski
19th— Candi Houchin
Nicole Ponce De Leon
20th— Lois Damoth
21st— Darwin Badder
Matt Gies
William Ritze
22nd— Eulah Benson
25th— Kenneth Cook
Jackie Witter
26th
Rebecca Bey
28th— Sam Boyer
29th— Phillip Alexander
Kajtia Couitcher
If you do not see your birthday
listed, please call the church office.
CR OSS & F L AME
EVENTS
Joy Fellowship Salad Luncheon
Wednesday, September 3 at 11:00 am
After the business meeting, we will enjoy a salad luncheon. Each lady is asked to bring an ingredient to add to
the salad such as cukes, tomatoes, onion, cheese, radish, etc. If you have a special dressing you wish to share,
please bring it. The officers will furnish the greens, rolls, desserts, and beverages. This has always been a fun
way to begin our fall meetings and a good meeting to attend for all who are thinking of joining us. All women
are welcome. This September meeting is also the time to bring our THANK OFFERINGS.
Church Grounds Work Bee
Friday September 6 at 9:30 am
We are overgrown. So bring your trimmers, cutters, rakes, clippers and we will clean up our greenery.
Everyone is welcome for an hour or the day!!!
Fall Church Picnic
September 8 after Worship Service
There is a sign-up sheet for desserts and salads on the small bulletin board by the sanctuary door. The Men’s
Club is providing the meat and cooking. Hope to see everyone there!
Sunday School
starts on September 15
Charge Conference
September 22 at 3:00 pm
ALPENA COTTAGE PRAISE GOD
As of August 16th we have reached the goal of giving $3700. for the
renovations at the Alpena Cottage in the Bishop Judith Craig
Children’s Village, Monrovia, Liberia. Thanks you for your generous
gifts to make this ministry to the children possible. Hopefully the
Cottage can adequately provide for the needs of kids for another 16
years and beyond.
*********************************************************
UPCOMING PROGRAM
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, BUT NOT REALLY READY TO ASK
JOY Fellowship is sponsoring an informative meeting on pre-planning a funeral,
a funeral service, and even information on the funeral luncheon.
Wednesday, October 2 at 10:00 am
JOY is extending an invitation to everyone, both male and female who are interested in
becoming better informed regarding the funeral process.
Chad Esch from Bannan Funeral Home will present information to be considered when preplanning a funeral. Rev. Bacon will share ideas and thoughts to help in planning the
service, and Pauline Buchner will provide suggestions and ideas for luncheons. What an
opportunity to become informed in all aspects of pre-planning a funeral. What a deal!
If you plan to attend or think you might, please let Gerry Beamish know (595-3385)
so we have adequate materials for everyone.
***********************
Our Faith Response
General Fund
Year-To-Date thru
8/25/13
Needed each week
Received for Current Expenses last week
4182
3010
Needed Income Y-T-D
Income Received Y-T-D
Expenses Y-T-D
Difference
141950
130224
131209
-985
-
*Apportionments Due Y-T-D
Apportionments Paid Y-T-D
Due - Not Paid Y-T-D
Apportionments Remaining
20884
12014
8870
19916
Apportionments are our fair share of the United Methodist Church's world-wide Ministry and mission, and is included in our annual budget.
Also Received: WATZ $20, Church in the Park $28, Hearts to Homes $13, Maintenance Fund $85,
Memorials $40, Kennedy Fund $100
WATZ Behind $94
CR OSS & F L AME
SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE
1st –
8th–
15th –
22th -29th—
Greeters
Jeannette Marusak & June McDonald
Ray & Gerry Beamish
Bill & Mary McConnell
Pat & Shirley Brandt
Welly & Barb Dean
Liturgists
1st 8th 15th 22th 29th -
Don Witt
Jackie Witter
Lillian Broad
Pauline Buchner
Peggy Stanton
Sound
1st— Welly Dean
8th— Russ Anderson
15th— Welly Dean
22nd _ Russ Anderson
29th— Welly Dean
Counters
2nd- Norma Smith and Donna Smith
9th- Pauline Buchner and Don Witt
16th- Bob Strong and Cathy Moore
23rd - Mike Barnett and Carol Boyer
30th— Connie Ratz and Burt Wright
Couriers
1st– Ron Smith
8th– Gene Smith
15th- Mike Barnett
22nd—Bill McConnell
29th- Al Ratz
Visitation Team
4th— Ken and Mary Cook
11th—Carl and Carolyn Anderson
18th—Ken and Loretta Reynolds
25th—Welly and Barb Dean
Ushers
Craig Klemens, Dick Scott, Don Kurtz, and
Darwin Badder
Nursery
1st— Jackie Witter
8th— Norma Smith
15th— Nichole Kolnowski
22nd— Marie Witt
29th— Nichole Kolnowski
Acolytes
1st— Zach Cook
8th - Cassie Anderson
15th—Spencer Kraft
22nd—Natalie Koproski
29th— Lillian Broad
Sermon Titles and Text
1st – Luke 14:1, 7-14
“Beggars”
Though we sometimes judge
beggars, the radical dependency
they experience may be good for the
soul. Besides we are all beggars at
one time or another.
8th - Philemon 1-21
“Oops!”
Though we sometimes judge
beggars
How should we deal with our
mistakes?
15th - Jerry Broad
22th - Luke 16: 1-13
“A Difficult Parable”
Jesus uses this parable of a
dishonest steward to teach his
followers about total commitment to
a singular goal, faithfulness in
serving God.
29th—Luke 16: 19-31
“Clear vision”
Learning to see and understand
important spiritual l realities with
clarity.
CR OSS & F L AME
SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
—
—
If you wish to have your anniversary included, please contact the office with your month and day.
Patriot’s Day
September 11th
We will never forget!
Thank you to all who contributed to the outdoor
sign. We have raised in full the funds needed and
look for construction to begin shortly!!!
A sincere THANK YOU to all who worked so
hard to make the Rummage Sale a success.
United Methodist Women
LOST
The large tomato soup can from the
mission table is missing.
Please help us find it.
CR OSS & F L AME
Our Faith Response
General
Fund
Year-To-Date thru
8/25/13
4182
3010
Needed each week
Received for Current Expenses last week
141950
130224
131209
-985
Needed Income Y-T-D
Income Received Y-T-D
Expenses Y-T-D
Difference
*Apportionments Due Y-T-D
Apportionments Paid Y-T-D
Due - Not Paid Y-T-D
Apportionments Remaining
20884
12014
8870
19916
*Apportionments are our fair share of the United Methodist Church's
world-wide Ministry and mission, and is included in our annual budget.
Also Received:
WATZ
Church in the Park
Hearts to Homes
Maintenance Fund
Memorials
Kennedy Fund
WATZ Behind
20
28
13
85
40
100
94