March 2015 - St. James United Methodist Church
Transcription
March 2015 - St. James United Methodist Church
ST. JAMES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2945 Main Street, East Troy, WI 53120 Rev. Lorrin Radzik 642-7642 Following the Cross March 2015 Pastor’s Ponderings Grace and Peace in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord! By the time you read this newsletter article, you’ll know that we are in the midst of the season of Lent. This year, we’ve chosen to focus our attention on the theme of Covenant. A Covenant is a promise made between two parties. Throughout Lent we will be exploring some of the covenant relationships that occur in Scripture. Our Bibles are full of examples of covenants between God and people, between two or more groups of people, and between individuals. During this Lenten season, we’ll be focusing our learning on some of these covenant stories. Lent is also a time for us to think about the ways that we live into our covenant relationships. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are people of a new covenant, given new hope and salvation. Here at St. James, we are also in covenant relationship with one another. As members and friends of this church community, we live in relationship with one another. We seek to become a body of believers who challenge and support one another – who build each other up and care for the needs in our community. And in the United Methodist Church, we live out our covenant in a unique way, through the connectional nature of our church. We are bound to one another, and we are designed to partner with and rely on each other throughout the connection, both here in our community and around our annual conference, but also around the world through our giving and prayers. The connectional system of the United Methodist Church binds us in covenant relationship to one another and challenges us to begin thinking outside the box about the ways in which we can share in ministry together. Our connectional, covenantal relationships are just one of the reasons that we are participating in the Imagine No Malaria initiative during Lent this year. In the Wisconsin Annual Conference, we have challenged ourselves to raise $1 million dollars for Imagine No Malaria this year. Our goal as a congregation is to raise $2000 dollars by Easter Sunday – to save lives through the purchase of bed nets and lifesaving diagnostic testing and medication. Every dollar counts. Just $2 will buy a diagnostic test, $5 will pay for lifesaving treatment, $10 provides a bed net that can protect a family. How will you help make a difference and save lives this season, by giving up excess and by living into the covenant that we have made together, as United Methodists? Walking with you as we seek to save lives, Pastor Lorrin EAST TROY MANOR WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR MARCH March 5th March 12th March 19th March 26th Joyce Reed No one needed per manor Dolores Rich & Friends Brad Balgord *********************************************** SECOND HELPINGS We were privileged to serve 88 people at our February 16th Second Helpings meal, of meatball stew, lettuce salad, rolls & cherry pie, served by the Davis team (Jean & John O'Brien, Lois Crubaugh, Dick Howes and Karen & George Davis). Thank you to everyone for volunteering to help & provide some of the food. We still have several months to fill in for the year. Please check the list on the bulletin board and prayerfully consider serving one month. NIV bible, Romans 12: 11-13: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people in need. Practice hospitality.” The Second Helpings Committee ****************************************** EAST TROY FOOD PANTRY Don’t forget to bring your items for the food pantry each Sunday! These items are “always” needed no matter what month or season, they are: Laundry soap, dish soap, sugar, flour, and cookies. The theme for March is: “Lunch or Dinner,” the items needed this month are: Boxed Potatoes, Hamburger Helper, Macaroni and Cheese, Rice Products and Ramen Noodles. We know that you have been missing Impact! over the past few months. Don’t worry – the wait is over! Impact! is back! Join us on March 1, 2015 for an Impact! focusing on the season of Lent. Together we’ll explore some common themes and practices that can help us grow in our relationships with God and with one another during this special season of the church year. Plan to stay and join us as we explore our faith together! See you there! ************************************************* CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Children and grandchildren are a blessing to us, especially when we able to be their caregivers! As many of you know, Maureen has requested and the SPRC has approved a new four day work week for Maureen, in order that she might care for her granddaughter on Fridays each week. This means that the Church Office will be open Monday through Thursdays between the hours of 9:30am and 4:30pm. The Church Office will be closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Office Staff will have remote access to the voicemail in the Church Office, and will attend to any voice messages upon their return to the Church Office. In the event of an emergency, Pastor Lorrin can be reached at any time on her cell phone at (262)345-2269. This number is published in your weekly bulletins, on our church website (www.easttroyumc.org) and is also recorded on the outgoing message for our voicemail system. Please don’t hesitate to contact a member of SPRC if you have concerns or questions about this change to our office hours at St. James. Bill Garvens SPRC Chairperson World Day of Prayer On Friday, March 6, St. Peters Catholic Church will host World Day of Prayer. The worship service will begin at 1 p.m. This years’ service was written by women living in the Bahamas. Each year a country is selected to provide the service and message which is celebrated in every country in our world. In these trying times, world-wide prayer is needed for those suffering war, plagues, oppression, poverty, grief, and alienation. If you cannot attend the service, please pray on March 6 for our world and for individuals in need of our love and support. ****************************************** DISASTER REPONSE MINISTRY April 24, 2015 Spiritual and Emotional Care Class Conference: Wisconsin Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Location: St James United Methodist Church East Troy, Wisconsin 53120 Contact: Tom Rossmiller, DRC Wisconsin Conference tomarossmiller@centurytel.net H: (262) 642-3727 C: (262) 757-5206 April 25, 2015 – Leadership Training Spiritual and Emotional Care Class Conference: Wisconsin Time: 8:30 am – 11:00 am Location: St James United Methodist Church East Troy, Wisconsin 53120 Contact: Tom Rossmiller, DRC Wisconsin Conference tomarossmiller@centurytel.net H: (262) 642-3727 TRUSTEE NEWS – EXTERIOR SIGNAGE Recently the East Troy Village Board adopted a new signage ordinance. All businesses and properties with exterior signage were asked to review the ordinance to insure that they are in compliance and, if necessary, to obtain permits. Tom Rossmiller, on behalf of the St. James trustees, met with the building inspector to review the rules. He found out that the daycare banner, the signs on our railing and the signs on the white wooden post (all in our front yard) are not in compliance. As a result, we have removed the daycare banner and have been given until spring to remove the signs mounted on the railing and on the white post. Event signs, such as the one for Second Helpings, cannot be on display permanently but can be displayed four times a year and up to 20 days each time. Please see me to find out what the new ordinances are; I have a copy of the complete set of rules. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Also, thanks to Tom Rossmiller for looking into this matter for us. John Milne, Trustee Chair ****************************************** AGAPE HOUSE CHRISTIAN PRAYER AND COUNSELING SERVICE As many of you know, we have been fortunate to work with Carol Hayes of the Agape House Christian Prayer and Counseling Service for the past few years, first in the Wesley House, and most recently, in the old library of our church. At the February Meeting, the Administrative Council voted to end our rental of space to Agape House as of March 31, 2015 because we have a need for the space that is being utilized by this organization. Our goal is to use the space downstairs (the old church library) as a dedicated space for our youth as we kick off youth ministry here at St. James, allowing our youth to have their own space to pray, worship, and play as they continue to grow in their faith. We wish Carol and Agape House the best as they continue to provide services in Walworth County and as they seek out new space for this ministry. The Administrative Council Take a Moment . . . To Grow Closer to God! Shaped to Serve God has made each of us a unique individual shaped to serve and to glorify Him! A defining moment is a time in our lives that has the power to change the direction of our life forever. These moments can be good, or they can be devastating depending upon the decision we make at the time. Defining moments are an opportunity for us to show who we really are and what we are made of. I had my first defining moment when I was 8 years old. I lived in Milwaukee, and my mother had enrolled me as an accordion student at Beihoff’s Music Studio. Every Saturday I would lug my 12 bass accordion to the streetcar line and travel to 54th & North Avenue to take my lessons. At the end of each season, all of the students would form an accordion band and present a concert. Accordian concerts were very popular at that time, and the auditorium where we played was always full. Each student also played a solo as part of the concert. When it was my time, I walked to the center of the stage and looked at all of the people who were looking back at me. I started to cry and ran off the stage. I found my parents in the audience and hid in my mother’s lap. I thought that was the end to it, but it was not to be. Strangers sitting around my parents started to tell me that they really wanted to hear my solo. Because of their encouragement, I left the safety of my mother’s lap, went back up on the stage and played my solo. Why do I think of that as a defining moment? Because, I played back that experience in my memory many times. I remembered that people I didn’t know encouraged me. I remembered the safety of my mother’s lap, but still I left it to do something that just moments before, I was afraid to do. I remembered that I went on to play tenor saxophone solos in high school. I remembered giving educational presentations to large audiences; and yes, even giving sermons in church. Because of that defining moment, I gained confidence in myself, and that confidence helped me to make good decisions as I grew older. Without that experience, who knows what my life might have been. Our Biblical heroes also had defining moments—moments that changed their lives. God has given us many role models to help us mold, shape and direct our lives. Joseph experienced a defining moment when he chose to reject the advances of his master’s wife. Another defining moment came when Joseph grasped his God-given responsibility toward his family. Abraham was asked by God to leave his home and travel far away. Jesus’ baptism and temptation were defining moments in His life and ministry. Peter’s great confession was one of his defining moments. And, read about Moses, Mary and Joseph, Paul, Jonah, Adam and Eve. How did they react to their defining moment? God’s people have defining moments every day. The decision is whether we are going to give our Lord the best we have or save it for ourselves. Experiencing a defining moment demands obedience and trust. If we obey and trust Christ, the rewards are great. James 1:12 reminds us that, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to all who love Him. Jeremiah tells us that the Lord searches the heart and tests the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10) Mrs. Meany was my business teacher at East Troy High School. One day she told me that she thought I should consider studying to become a business teacher. I admired her and wanted to be like her. I spent 30 years in the classroom as a business teacher and career coordinator. The day she gave me her advice surely was one to remember—a defining moment that defined my life. Praise be to God! Judy McFarlane Worship at St. James UMC for March 2015 March 1 March 8 March 15 March 22 March 29 Living as People of the Covenant Living the Commandments God’s Covenant with Us A New Covenant: Christ as High Priest and Ruler Palm & Passion Sunday Worship ********************************************************************** HOLY WEEK Lent is upon us and it's time to begin thinking about your worship opportunities for Holy Week! St. James UMC will offer a variety of services for you to participate in and to reflect on Christ's life, death, and resurrection during Holy Week and we invite you to worship with us - to live fully into the emotions of Holy Week as we walk together on the journey to the cross and to the empty tomb. March 29, 2015: Palm & Passion Sunday Worship - 9:00am at St. James UMC April 2, 2015: Maundy Thursday Worship with Bethel & Caldwell - 7:00pm at St. James UMC April 3, 2015: Good Friday Worship with the Mukwonago Area Churches - 12:00pm at First Congregational Church in Mukwonago (located next to Fields Park) April 3, 2015: Good Friday Worship with Bethel & Caldwell - 7:00pm at Caldwell UMC April 5, 2015: Easter Sunrise Service - 6:00am in the Fellowship Hall at St. James UMC April 5, 2015: Easter Morning Breakfast - 7:00am in the Fellowship Hall at St. James UMC April 5, 2015: Easter Worship - 9:00am in the Fellowship Hall at St. James UMC ******************************************************************************************** HEIFER INTERNATIONAL We would like to say “thank you” to everyone that supported the Heifer Project mission. Your loving gifts and thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated in this ministry. This was St. James ongoing mission from November 15 until February 15, 2015. Dan West, the Heifer International founder and missionary worker, said people need, “a cow, not a cup.” Yes, our congregation helped Fill the Ark of animals, so many families can be self-supporting. For almost 70 years, a simple idea born out of Christian Faith has transformed millions of lives. We are deeply grateful for the total gift of $583.42 and your faithful support of Heifer’s mission. It is exciting to think this money will be sent to Heifer International to purchase animals for needy families. Thank you for your donations!! NEW YEAR, NEW COMMITTEES… THIRD SUNDAYS As you know, we have restructured our committees into a few basic areas: Nurture, Outreach, Witness, and Resource Ministries. The purpose of the Nurture Committee is to care for the needs of church members. This includes caring for Christian Education and Spiritual Formation of all members and regular attenders. The purpose of the Outreach Committee is to care for people both inside and outside of our church. This includes events that help us reach out into the community by providing services or resources, and ministries that help us connect to others who might not otherwise be a part of St. James. The purpose of the Witness Committee is to care for the witness of the church in the community. The witness committee works in conjunction with the Outreach Committee to invite new people to church, participate in ecumenical and community events, and to strengthen ties to our community. The Resource Ministries of our Church help us function. They include Trustees, Administrative Council/Finance Committee, Staff Parish Relations Committee, and Nominations and Leadership Development. The Resource Ministries Committees each have different guidelines for their meetings. If you have questions, please get in touch with Pastor Lorrin. The Nurture, Outreach, and Witness Committees each meet quarterly and will be meeting on the third Sundays immediately following worship. Committee members are invited to get their coffee/snacks and gather near the stage at the designated table(s) for their meeting. The schedule for these meetings for the rest of 2015 is as follows: March 15: Witness April 19: Nurture May 17: Outreach June 21: Witness July 19: Nurture August 16: Outreach September 20: Witness October 18: Nurture November 15: Outreach December 20: Witness We look forward to this new year of ministry at St. James as we work together to plan ministry long into the future and we hope you will join us and become a part of all the exciting things we are doing! YOU’RE INVITED TO YOUTH GROUP AT ST. JAMES Who: Youth in Grades 6-12 What: A time of prayer, worship, food, fellowship and fun as we grow together in our faith! When: Second Sundays of the month from 6pm-8pm beginning March 8th! After our wonderful Youth and Confirmation Retreat at the end of January, our youth decided that we want to spend more time together learning about one another, having fun, and growing in our faith. On the second Sundays of the month, from 6-8pm, we invite all youth in grades 6-12 to come and be a part of our new youth ministry. Join us for our kickoff event on March 8th – there’s sure to be lots of laughter, games, and fun. On March 8, come and join us for a fun evening when we’ll dream together about all that we’d like to do and be, and we’ll even talk about whether or not we’d like to go on a mission trip this summer. If you have questions, talk to Pastor Lorrin and plan to come for a night of fun! See you there, Pastor Lorrin ******************************************************************************************************************* A NEW POLICY FOR EVENT PLANNING If you have already taken a look at the calendar for this month, you might have noticed that there’s a lot going on here! It’s wonderful to have such an active and vibrant church community that plans a variety of fellowship, learning, and worship events throughout the month. Over the past few months, we’ve seen an increase in the demands on our space at St. James and also in the number of events being planned. As a result, at its February meeting, the Administrative Council passed an Event Planning Policy for use at St. James. This policy is designed to help us communicate event information with church members and guests, as well as to help us reserve space and avoid conflicts on the calendar with other scheduled events. The Administrative Council believes that our new event planning policy, a copy of which is included with this newsletter, will allow us to keep an up to date calendar (both electronically and in the newsletter) and also help us plan for the many types of events that we offer while also helping us avoid scheduling conflicts and help get the word out about all that we are doing. If you are planning an event that you would like to be included on the church calendar, and/or that utilizes church space, please fill out an Event Planning Form. These forms are located in the mailboxes (outside the office) labeled Event Planning Forms, and submit it to the office. You can also download an Event Planning Form online on the Calendar and Events page. Once your form is filled out, please submit it to the office and the appropriate people will consider approving your event and return the form to you. Thank you for your cooperation with this new policy that will help us create an organized calendar and schedule of events for our church. The Administrative Council ST. JAMES UMC WEBSITE Did you know that St. James keeps an up to date calendar of all our activities and events on our website? In addition to the calendar published here in our monthly newsletter, you can find the most up to date information about what’s going on and how you can get involved by visiting our website at www.easttroyumc.org. If you haven’t been there in awhile, you might be surprised to find what’s there! On the website you can download a schedule of Confirmation Classes, learn about the latest Bible Study offerings, find out what the schedule for Impact! our Intergenerational Sunday School, looks like, and even read past issues of Following the Cross and the Weekly News. There are fun things like staff biographies and photos, and even access to a downloadable PDF copy of the St. James UMC church directory.* Our church website is meant to be a tool and resource for you, so we encourage you to explore all the items that you’ll find there and suggest new and helpful content to the Church Office. *A note on the directory – access to the directory is password protected on the website. Any member or friend of St. James can call (262) 642-7642 or email the office church@easttroyumc.org to receive the password for access to this area of the website. *********************************************************************************************** UNITED METHODIST WOMEN United Methodist Women began their year of work on Wednesday, February 11. This year’s program will include several speakers who are working with mission programs embraced by the Methodist Church and our women’s group. Kim Huffman will speak on African missions; Sarah Burris, Samaritan’s Child; and Patricia Ruppe, Missions to Build Community. Additionally, our local UMW will participate in several fundraisers whose proceeds will be given to local and state UMC missions as well as St. James’ missionaries. All St. James members are invited to attend the guest speaker presentations to learn more about the spiritual work of the UMC and UWM. This year’s program is, “Welcomed by God, Welcoming All.” God is the originator of welcome. In the beginning of biblical time, God welcomed us into creation and into existence. We experience the same love and welcome in Jesus Christ. This welcome is not only to make us wanted and accepted, but it is also an invitation to share in God’s work. God’s welcome motivates us and compels us to extend the same welcome to others. We are transformed as we express welcome. We welcome you to our meetings, and to share your love by supporting us in our programs and fund-raisers. Much needs to be done in our community, state and world. Join us! HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES IN MARCH TO: March 2 Andrew LaPlant March 3 Bill Hoefs March 6 Elizabeth Weinkauf March 7 Michael Spees March 9 Ginny Zimmer March 14 Rick Anderson March 15 Ann Weber March 18 Heather Hughes March 20 Lois Crubaugh March 20 Steven Link March 21 Kathy Sonderegger March 27 Ruth Howard March 28 Jeff Judd March 29 Hagen Anderson *************************************************************************** HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WISHES IN MARCH TO: March 27 March 31 Bill & Diane Garvens Norm & Betty Saffran ********************************************************************************************************* VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL The Education Committee is in search of a Director for Vacation Bible School this year – could we be looking for you? Vacation Bible School is a big undertaking, and one that allows us to reach into and engage the lives of children in our church, daycare, and community, but we cannot do it without your help. If you are interested in serving as the Director for Vacation Bible School, please talk to Pastor Lorrin or to Carolyn Werth before March 15, 2015. If we cannot get a Director and enough volunteers, we cannot do VBS this year! *************************************************************************************** THANK YOU: Thank you while I was in the hospital, for the cards and phone calls. Also thank you during my five week stay in therapy at Maplewood. I am back in my apartment in Pine #284. Blessing you in Christ, Maud Key STRAIGHT FROM THE ARK! A Mission of St James United Methodist Church Our mission at Noah’s Ark Christian Day Care is to provide a safe, fun and spiritual environment for children. We are a state licensed not-for-profit religious organization. Every day the children choose structured activities and also participate in prayer time. Our role is to present a well-rounded curriculum that focuses on the child and includes social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development under professional and personal care. Our duty is to treat each child with respect, dignity, and self-worth which will help a child develop a positive self-image, and constructive interactions with peers and caregivers. At Noah’s Ark we strive to communicate openly and encourage you to be involved, and your ideas, thoughts, and suggestions are always welcome. All the children receive the highest quality Care in a healthy, safe, spiritually filled environment. Report from the Director This month we will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday! We have two weeks filled with fun activities including making green eggs and ham. We will also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing our finest green clothing and trying to catch a sneaky leprechaun. We are looking forward to Spring and can’t wait to get outside more. In April we will kick off our Spring fundraiser to raise funds for more sand for our sandbox. Enrollment Infants: 4 Toddlers: 5 Preschool: 7 School-age: 11 Curriculum / Themes for the Week March 2-6 Theme: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss March 9-13 Theme: Dr. Seuss March 16-20 Theme: St. Patrick’s Day March 23-27 Theme: Weather Total Enrolled: 27 March 2015 Sun 1 Mon 2 Worship 9 a.m. w/Communion IMPACT!!! At 10:00 a.m. Confirmation Class meets 11-12:30pm 8 Worship 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. 15 Tue 3 Bible Study w/Pastor 10:30-12pm 16 Worship 9 a.m. Sunday School Bible Study 10:00 a.m. w/Pastor Witness meeting 10:30-12pm @10:00 a.m. NEWSLETTER Confirmation Class DEADLINE meets Second Helpings 11-12:30pm 10 Girls Scouts meet in Fellowship Hall 6 – 7:30 p.m. 17 meal 5:30 p.m. 22 Worship 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. 29 Palm Sunday Worship 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Confirmation Class meets 11-12:30pm 23 Crafters meet 9 -11 a.m. Bible Study w/Pastor 10:30-12pm 30 Bible Study w/Pastor 10:30-12pm 5 Fri 6 Sat 7 World Day of Ecumenical Prayer @St. Worship service Peter’s Catholic @Troy Center UMC Knitters meet Church 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 11 -12 p.m. Girls Scouts meet in AA meets in Choir Practice Fellowship Hall Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. 6 – 9 p.m. 7:30 p.m. OFFICE CLOSED SPRC meeting @7 p.m. Crafters meet 9 -11 a.m. 4 Thu East Troy Manor Worship 11 a.m. Bible Study w/Pastor 10:30-12pm 9 Wed 24 BUNCH for Lunch meets 31 11 12 13 15 18 19 20 21 United Methodist Women meet 12 p.m. Day Care Board meeting 6 p.m. East Troy Manor OFFICE Worship 11 a.m. CLOSED Knitters meet 11 -12 p.m. Girls Scouts Choir Practice meet in Ecumenical 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall Worship Service@ Staff meeting 6 – 10 p.m. UCC Church 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. AA meets in Fellowship Hall 7:30 p.m. Red Bird Circle meets at The Heritage at 1p.m. Mary-Martha Circle meets 1 p.m. Ecumenical Service @Bethel UMC @7pm AA -7:30 p.m. 25 East Troy Manor Worship 11 a.m. Knitters meet 11 -12 p.m. Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Circle of HOPE 7:30 p.m. 26 6 pm Potluck @St. East Troy Manor James – 7pm Worship 11 a.m. Ecumenical Worship Knitters meet @St. James 11 -12 p.m. AA meets in Choir Practice Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. @7:30 p.m. OFFICE CLOSED 27 OFFICE CLOSED 28 St. James United Methodist Church 2945 Main Street East Troy, WI 53120 **************************************************************************** March Following the Cross Published monthly by St. James United Methodist Church, Editorial Committee Rev. Lorrin Radzik and Maureen Loehe, Administrative Assistant Deadline for April Issue: Monday, March 16, 2015 (No late articles can be accepted) (Submit to church office) Phone # (262) 642-7642 Church Office Hours Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday 11:00 – 4:00 p.m. Worship Hours Worship – Sunday morning @9:00 a.m. Sunday School – after Sunday worship 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. (September – May) Our website is: easttroyumc.org Our e-mail address is: church @easttroyumc.org
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