CUMC July 2016 Newsletter - Calvary United Methodist Church

July 2016 Newsletter
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Calvary United Methodist Church
PO Box 237, 6 Franklin Street
Lawrenceville, Pa 16929
570-827-2627
Email: (Church) calvaryumc@epix.net or (Pastor) maryfdotson@gmail.com
Website: www.calvaryumcpa.org
Pastor Mary’s Musing
If you’re on Facebook, you have seen your share
of memes.  Those of you not following Facebook
are probably wondering, “Just what is a meme?”
A general definition is “an activity, concept,
catchphrase or piece of media that spreads from
person to person often through the internet.” A
meme often is a caricature of something we hold
dear. Online, a meme is a humorous image, a
video – sometimes it is not a sarcastic remark, but a
helpful saying. Over the years I have seen my
share of memes that attempt to be encouraging and
biblical, yet come up short. The disconcerting part
for me is these half-truths often become ‘gospel
truth’ for many who see them.
During the month of July, I’ve decided to move
away from the lectionary, and with the help of Adam
Hamilton, look at some “Half Truths”-- exploring
what the bible really says.
Beginning July 10, 2016 we will look at the
saying: “God helps those who help themselves!”
We will consider what people are trying to convey
when they say this phrase and examine the ways
this half-truth does not portray the whole truth of the
Bible. We will take an in-depth look at grace and
how we receive blessings from God even though we
cannot earn them nor deserve them.
In preparation for this message, I invite you to
read and meditate on Psalm 10:14b, 17-18a,
Psalm 18:6, 16 and Psalm 121:1-2.
and how we interpret it. We will see how this saying
oversimplifies
scripture.
Check
out
Deuteronomy 23:12-14 in preparation for this
message. In addition, we will consider how Jesus
and his disciples looked at scripture in new ways
(“you’ve heard it said… but I say”). It will be a
couple of weeks before I get to this saying, you may
have time to read A.J. Jacobs book, The Year of
Living Biblically or Rachel Held Evans book, A
Year of Biblical Womanhood. It’s easy reading
and gets to the point of a literal interpretation of
scripture.
As always, I pray that each of us is continuing to
be doing what we can to live in the Spirit!
Two of my favorite memes:
Other half-truths we will look at:
“God won’t give you more than you can
handle,” Scripture for preparation: 1 Corinthians
10:13 and Psalm 46: 1-2.
“Everything happens for a reason”, Scripture
for preparation: Deuteronomy 30:19-20a. We’ll look
at the implications of fatalism and our Wesleyan
theology of freedom to choose versus a traditional
Calvinistic look at scripture.
“Love the sinner, hate the sin” in preparation
for this message, read and reflect on Matthew 7:1-5.
We will explore the definition of sin and look at the
so called 7 deadly sins and how “love the sinner
does not quite go far enough.
Finally, we will explore the saying, “God said it I
believe it, that settles it!” During this sermon, we
will explore how we approach the origin of the Bible
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Mary
United Methodist Women (UMW)
Calvary’s Sewing Ministry
Annual Rummage Sale Update
We will be sewing Saturday, July 16, 2016, from
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Join us for a day of fun and
laughter as well as maybe learning something
new and different! We hope to finish our
emergency totes, but we still need more tooth
brushes and combs and files, etc. to put in them.
Our quilts are slowly getting done and should be
ready to give by fall.
So, come and join us, bring your sewing
machine or use one of ours. Bring a project to
work on or help with something we have. Lunch is
always the best part…we all bring a dish and
Wow! Are these folks are great cooks! Hope to
see many of you join us come anytime and stay as
long as you like, we have a lot of fun.
For some time, you have been hearing about
the “Mile-Long-Sale” in Lawrenceville on
July 8th and 9th. The UMW folks, along with
anyone who is willing to help, will be sorting
and pricing items on July 6th and 7th. You may
start bringing in your donations for this sale on
Sunday, July 3rd – not before please – and on
through the week, as it convenient for you.
We will have lots of tables set up in the
Fellowship Hall and you may place your bags,
boxes, or other containers on any of the
tables, and we will work with them from
there. Larger items may be left on the floor in
the area under the basketball hoop. This is a
labor intensive effort on our part but your
clean, saleable donated goods are very much
appreciated and what makes the sale a
success. If you have any questions, you may
call Kay Hoag at 570-916-4397 or
570-835-5095.
Linda Kilborn (607) 368 2849
***************
In the month of June:
 75 households were served by the Strait
from the Heart Food Pantry
 6 households were served by the
Lawrenceville/Tioga-Millerton Salvation
Army Service Unit
 3 households were served by Calvary’s
Friends in Deed (FID) ministry
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THESE
MINISTRIES!!!
THOUGHTS ON
STEWARDSHIP…
From your Finance
Committee
THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD! THERE
ARE LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED.
***********************
To send a card….
Are you familiar with the Ray Boltz song, “Thank
You for Giving to the Lord”? Read through the lyrics to
the verses, each followed by the chorus:
I dreamed I went to heaven
and you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of
gold beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing,
then someone called your name.
We turned and saw a young man
running and he was smiling as he came.
And he said, "Friend you may not
know me now." And then he said, "But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday
School when I was only eight.
And every week you would
say a prayer before the class would start.
And one day when you said
that prayer, I asked Jesus in my heart."
Then another man stood before you and said,
"Remember the time a missionary came to your
church and his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money, but you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave and that's why I'm here
today."
One by one they came far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched by your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made, unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.
And I know up in heaven you're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand and you stood before the
Lord. He said, "My child, look around you, great is
your reward."
CHORUS: Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
As we begin July at Calvary, half of the year is
behind us. Your giving has supported Sunday School
and missions and Boy Scouts and AA and a food
pantry and worship and fellowship and space for all of
that to take place and much more.
Pauline Castle, 578 Hunters Drive, Unit C, Carmel,
IN 46032-2829 (one of Calvary’s parishioners);
Jane Kilbourne, 80 Station Road, Lawrenceville,
PA 16929 (one of Calvary’s parishioners);
Kathleen (Condict) Hayes, 117 Guthrie Street,
Waynesfield, OH 45896 (one of Calvary’s
parishioners);
Donald Howe, Emeritus Adult Care Home,
Room #44, 120 Creekside Drive, Painted Post, NY
14870 (one of Calvary’s parishioners);
Donald & Roberta Stratton, 19427 Route 287
Lawrenceville, PA 16929;
Caroline Newcomb, 1662 Tioga River Road,
Tioga, PA 16946;
Donald Burnside, PO Box 476, Lawrenceville, PA
16929 (one of Calvary’s parishioners);
Shirley Bailey, 75 East Main Street,
Mansfield, PA 16933;
Donald Stewart, 88 Mechanic Street,
Lawrenceville, PA 16929;
Virginia Stephens, 939 Park Hill Road, Tioga,
PA 16929 (one of Calvary’s parishioners)
***************
We are continuing to collect your
unusable copper, aluminum, metal or other
recyclable items that can be turned into scrap
along with collecting your
returnable 5¢ soda cans
and
water
bottles.
Please be aware that
tin cans are no longer
accepted. Contact Rob
Abel (570) 418-2669 to
pick them up or you can
deliver
your
recycling/returnable items to Rob Abel at
12 Ryon Circle, Lawrenceville, PA.
The
proceeds from the recyclable/returnable items
benefit the building debt retirement.
The Isaacs
The Isaacs, a multi-award winning family group who began singing 35 years ago are based out of
Hendersonville, TN. The vocalists are mother Lily Isaacs, and siblings Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and
Rebecca Isaacs Bowman. Playing their own acoustic instruments and joined by other band members, The
Isaacs have a unique style that blends tight, family harmony with contemporary acoustic instrumentation
that appeals to a variety of audiences. Their musical style has been influenced by many genres of music
including bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, and country, contemporary, acoustic and southern gospel.
They perform frequently at the Grand Ole Opry, are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos
and Concert Series, and travel internationally throughout the year to perform to welcoming fans in
countries such as South Africa, Norway, Holland, Scotland, Ireland, Israel, Canada and many more. Concert
venues include civic centers, auditoriums, arenas, fair grounds, parks, churches and other locations. They
have been nominated at and performed on the Dove Awards, IBMA (International Bluegrass Music
Association) and NQC (National Quartet Convention) Awards, the ICMA Awards (Inspirational Christian
Country). Other notable performances include CMA Fan Fest (Country Music Fan Fest), Carnegie Hall, and
many professional sporting events, including a Cincinnati Bengal's football game, Nashville Predators
Hockey games, and an Astros/ Braves baseball game. The Isaacs have won over 7 Doves in various
categories and have had several Grammy nominations in their career. They feel blessed to be able to travel
and spread the message of hope and grace through song and story.
Lily Isaacs
Lily Isaacs is a vocalist and matriarch of the group. She was born in Germany after World War II to two
Polish Jewish Holocaust survivors and moved to the United States when she was 2 years old. She grew up in
the Bronx, NY studying theatre and performing on Off Broadway and in 1968 recorded a folk album on
Columbia Records with her friend as "Lily and Maria." She became a Christian in 1971 when a death in the
family brought her and patriarch Joe Isaacs to church for the first time. Soon after, they began singing
Christian music and laid the foundation upon which the Isaacs ministry has been built. Also a 30-year breast
cancer survivor, she was the inspiration for a hit country song called “I'm Gonna Love You Through It”,
co-written by Sonya and Jimmy Yeary, recorded by Martina McBride. Lily's testimony has been an
inspiration to people around the world, so much that she has written an autobiography about her life's
story. Her love for Jesus has brought her through every chapter of her life and she loves to sing and share
about His love.
Ben Isaacs
Ben Isaacs is the bass player and vocalist for the Isaacs. He and his wife Mindy have three children: Jacob,
Kyra and Cameron. He spends much of his time off the road in the studio producing not only The Isaacs, but
also many well-known artists including, The Gaither Vocal Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Karen Peck, and
Cherryholmes, to name a few. He has been nominated for over six Grammys and has been voted Producer
of the Year several times in the Absolutely Gospel Awards. He also has produced several Dove award
winning albums. He has played bass and sang on numerous artists projects including Don Williams, George
Jones, Merle Haggard, Trace Adkins, Doyle Lawson, JD Crowe and Paul WIlliams. He has been voted Male
Vocalist of the Year and Musician of the Year in several prominent award shows. Ben accepted Christ as a
young boy and has always had a heart for ministry and helping people.
Sonya Isaacs Yeary
Sonya Isaacs Yeary is the mandolin player and vocalist for the Isaacs. She is married to singer/songwriter,
Jimmy Yeary, and they have one son, Ayden. After her solo adventure with country label Lyric Street
Records, she began writing songs professionally and has had songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Leann
Rimes, Martina McBride, Vince Gill and many more. Many gospel artists have also recorded songs she and
Becky have written, and she has won several Doves for her songs. She also enjoys singing background
vocals for such artists as, Reba, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill to name a
few. Many kids will recognize her as a background singer for Miley Cyrus in the Hannah Montana movie
and on soundtrack performances on Disney Films Geppetto and My Neighbor Totoro. IBMA, SGMA, CCMA
have nominated Sonya for Female Vocalist many years running and she has won various awards in all these
genres. Sonya believed on Christ at 6 years old. She has dedicated her life to spreading the gospel and
shining God's light wherever she goes.
Becky Isaacs Bowman
Becky Isaacs Bowman is the guitar player and vocalist for the Isaacs. She is married to
singer/musician/minister, John Bowman. They have two children, Levi and Jakobi. Becky started writing
songs as a teenager and has written songs that many artists have recorded. Her first number one song was
“Stand Still” and she has since had charting songs recorded by many artists. Some other songs you may
recognize written by Sonya and Becky are Heroes, winning Bluegrass Song of the Year from the Dove
Awards, and Waiting in the Water, Your Cries Have Awoken, The Master, and a Miracle Today. She has sang
background vocals on a variety of artists projects including, Paul Simon, Alabama, Dolly Parton, Don
Williams, Merle Haggard, Trace Adkins, Russ Taff, and Jason Crabb, to name a few. She has been nominated
and awarded Female Vocalist and Songwriter of the Year in several awards programs. Becky has a passion
for the Lord and loves to minister through song and testimony.
CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
LAWRENCEVILLE PA
July 2016
◄ June 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
August 2016 ►
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
VBS CONCLUDES
3
8:30 & 11 am Worship
Services
Greet: R/J Abel
Liturgist: Chris Y
4
INDEPENDENCE DAY
(Calvary office closed)
7 pm AA
5
6
7
UMW RUMMAGE SALE
SET-UP / HALL IN USE
UMW RUMMAGE SALE
SET-UP / HALL IN USE
1-5pm Pastor’s Office hrs.
4 PM CALVARY
CHILDCARE
6 PM TRUSTEES
6:30 Scouts
6:30 Scouts
6:30 pm Praise Team
7 pm AA
13
14
10
11
12
7 pm AA
6 PM MISSIONS
7 PM FINANCE
1-5pm Pastor’s Office hrs.
6:30 Scouts
7 pm Adult VBall
6:30 Scouts
6:30 pm Praise Team
(Sanc.)
7 pm AA
17
18
19
20
21
6:30 Scouts
6:30 pm Praise Team
7 pm AA
8:30 & 11 am Worship
Services w/Communion
Greet: I Burnside
Liturgist: Larry B
8:30 & 11 am Worship
Services
Greet: E/L Huels
Liturgist: Carl M
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
7 pm AA
FOOD DELIVERY
1-5pm Pastor’s Office hrs.
6:30 Scouts
7 pm Adult VBall
2-6 PM STRAIT FOOD
PANTRY & CLOSET
Sat
2
10 am-Noon Addiction
Support Group
8
L’VILLE MILE LONG
SALE
UMW RUMMAGE SALE IN
FRIENDSHIP HALL
9
15
16
L’VILLE MILE LONG
SALE
UMW RUMMAGE SALE IN
FRIENDSHIP HALL
10 am-Noon Addiction
Support Group
10am-2pm Sewing
Ministry Group
22
23
CALVARY UMC→→
HOSTING TIOGA CO.
HOMELESS INIT. →
→→→→→→→→
→→→→→→→→
→→→→→→→→
→→→→→→→→
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
6 PM LEADERSHIP
1-5pm Pastor’s Office hrs.
6:30 Scouts
7 pm Adult VBall
6pm Bible Study
6:30 Scouts
6:30 pm Praise Team
(Sanc.)
7 pm AA
8:30 & 11 am Worship
Services
Greet: L Stermer
Liturgist: Nancy T
7 pm AA
31
8:30 & 11 am Worship
Services
Greet: M/P Casbeer
Liturgist: Greg C
BP check & Coin
Notes: Pastor’s Office Hrs: Tues. 1-5pm & by appt.
Pastor’s Community Hrs: 7:30-9am, 1st/3rd Wed.:Rotsell’s, 2nd/4th Wed.: Dana’s
Parish Nurse Office Hrs:
Tues./Thurs., 9:30am-Noon
Mission Items: Pizza mix , Hamburger or Tuna Helper, Toilet paper, Adult Toothbrush
Collection
7 pm AA
BEGINNING SUNDAY, JULY 3, ITEMS DONATED FOR THE UMW RUMMAGE SALE MAY BE BROUGHT TO THE
FRIENDSHIP CENTER