September 2010 Clarion.pub

Community Clarion
COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Volume 40,
Issue 9
September 2010
Grandpa’s Hands
Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head
down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I
wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I
asked him if he was OK.
He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," he said in a clear strong
voice.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make
sure you were OK," I explained to him.
"Have you ever looked at your hands," he asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I
guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making. Grandpa smiled and
related this story:
Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your
years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out
and grab and embrace life.
• They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.
• They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back
• As a child my Mother taught me to fold them in prayer.
• They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.
• They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war.
• They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.
• They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.
• Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.
• They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my Parents and Spouse and
walked my Daughter down the aisle.
• Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best
friend's foot.
• They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
• They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.
• They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.
And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me
down, and again continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of
my life But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And
with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my Grandpa's
hands and led him home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and wife I think of
Grandpa. I know he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of
God and feel His hands upon my face.
Pray for those people who come to your mind as you read this. Continue praying for one another. Pass this on someone you consider a friend. Pass this on to one not considered a friend as this is something Christ would do.
Inside this issue:
From the Pastor’s Desk
2
Prauer Concerns
3
Memories of Years Gone By
4
Missions Reports
4
Worship & SS Helper Info
8
Bulletin Board
9
Kid’s Page
10
Calendar
11
Page
From the Pastor’s Desk
Starting August 29th…
“Unwrap Your Spiritual Gifts”
Are you a Christian? Have
you have invited Jesus Christ
to be your Savior? If you answer “yes”, then you have
been given one or more precious “gifts”. Christ has
given to every believer
“spiritual gifts” to be used to
build up His Church and
carry on His mission and
ministry in the world. Do you
know what your gifts are? If
so, are you using them for
His glory?
At the very heart of Christian discipleship – of growing
and maturing as a Christian – is discovering and using
those gifts Christ has given has given us. And yet I find
that so many Christians either don’t know what their
spiritual gifts are or are not developing and using them
as Christ wants them to. When a believer fails to use
his or her spiritual gifts, they do not feel fulfilled in their
Christian life. Additionally, important ministries in the
church go undone, or must be carried out by others who
are stretched too thin to be effective, or burn out. Is it
any wonder, then, that so many of our churches – including CUMC - are not growing? Growing churches
result when each member is using their particular gifts
for God’s glory!
On Sunday, August 29th, I will begin a 10-week Fall
message series to help “unwrap your spiritual gifts” - the
gifts that Christ has given to you. We’ll learn what the
various spiritual gifts are, and how we can develop and
use them more effectively. And my prayer is that, by the
end of this series, we will all discover and use our particular gifts!
So come join us for Worship each Sunday morning
(10:45 a.m.) this Fall and “Unwrap Your Spiritual Gifts.”
And don’t forget - bring your family and friends, too!
Their gift (or yours) might just be the missing piece our
church needs to really get growing!
Pastor Don
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Church Officers
and Members:
Church Conference Date Set
Mark your calendars for Sunday,
November 7th – 4:00 PM – at Elyria:
Asbury UMC! That’s the date for this
Fall’s Church Conference with our District Superintendent! This year we will be
“clustered” with Asbury and Elyria: First
UMC! Our hope is that, by conferencing
together, we can find ways to support
one another and/or combine our efforts
to better serve our common mission field
of Elyria.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
CLASS TO BEGIN
Pastor Don is planning to hold a Membership Class this Fall, for adults and
Sr. Hi youth who would like to join our
church, learn more about becoming a
member, or as a refresher for current
members. Contact Pastor Don by
Sept. 12th so that materials can be ordered. We will tentatively start classes
on Sept. 26th, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Are you facing a crisis?
Is your loved one sick?
Has someone close to you died?
Do you need someone to listen?
Help is just minutes away at CUMC.
Who Should You Call?
First call Pastor Don at 365-8734. If Pastor Don is not available, call the office at 440-365-7391.
Specific Help Available
For Lay Counseling support call Ginnie Baillie, Lay Counseling Minister, at 440-365-7391.
For visitation, meals brought in, rides to the Doctor or assistance for shut-ins,
call the office at 440-365-7391.
For funeral dinners, call Alberta Haas at 440-365-5326.
For help with moving, household repairs, or other odd jobs around the home the DOERS can help.
The primary focus of this ministry is widows, widowers, and seniors. Call Adam Baillie at 440-365-3200.
For information or questions about church activities or if you can’t reach any of the other people listed above,
call the church office at 440-365-7391. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. M-F.
C.U.M.C. Prayer Chain
Call Alberta Haas (365-5326) or the E-mail prayer chain contact Candi Thompson at clthompson@eriecoast.com.
PLEASE BE IN PRAYER FOR ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS LISTED BELOW
IN THE ARMED FORCES
Justin Berry
Jacob Brown
Roy Cooper
Amanda Gray
Adam Mathews
James Morrison, Jr.
Jen Murphy
Tom Murphy
Daniel Quigle
Step-Grandson of June Miller
Nephew of Cora Campbell
Son of Chuck & Pat Burkey
Daughter of Becky Sklenar
Grandson of Gerry Brown
Son of one of our Food Pantry Patrons
Daughter of Sandee Daggett
Son-in-law of Sandee Daggett
Grandson of Mary Hendershot
Eddie R. Rivera
Ryan Schaffer
Matt Sharp
Ashley Sklenar
Ben Sklenar
Lynne Sklenar
Ché Stedman
Jesse Tubb
SHUT INS
Tillie Bonafield, Jessie Carrick, Joanne Meschke, Evelyn Miller, Rev. Ronald Ober,
William & Louise Rogers, Donna Roseborough, Evonne Searls, Dolores Turner
Friend of Becky Sklenar
Friend of the Leidenheimer’s
Nephew of Sharon Moehle
Niece of Becky Sklenar
Son of Becky Sklenar
Daughter-in-law of Becky Sklenar
Nephew of the Doebele’s
Nephew of the Doebele’s
ONGOING ILLNESS
Keith Boggs
Liz Gibbs
Wreatha Goforth
Diane Harbst
What is prayer? Prayer is our direct line with heaven. Prayer is a communication process that allows us to talk to
God! He wants us to communicate with Him, like a person-to-person phone call. Cell phones and other devices have
become a necessity to some people in today’s society. We have Bluetooth devices, Blackberries, and talking computers!
These are means of communication that allow two or more people to interact, discuss, and respond to one another.
To many people, prayer seems complicated, but it is simply talking to God.
Pray for each other.
Pray with faith.
Pray with worship and reverence.
You will know with confidence that God can hear you when you pray, so open that line of communication! Pray,
knowing that no matter how far you roam, your connection with Him can never be lost!
Page 3
Memories of Years Gone By - Lily Jacklitch, Historian
The first Worship Service
in our original church building
(now Fellowship Hall) was
held on Christmas Eve 1965.
300 people attended.
On January 23, 1966,
Community UMC was consecrated by Bishop Kerns. The
new church building was
turned over to the congrega-
tion by the Contractor on
February 13, 1966.
On April 17, 1977, the
mortgage on the original
church building was burned
and on February 28, 1978
our new and present Sanctuary was completed.
Mission Reports
Joy in the Harvest - Lowell & Claudia Wertz
Construction of Joy’s library facility, in the new Community Center, is finished! Donated books are being unpacked and book shelves are being built.
Over five thousand, donated books that were shipped
with last furlough’s container project, now have a beautiful
new home.
Now the job of getting the library up and running
begins.
IT will take lots of training of staff and work to get the
books cataloged and the library organized. We plan to use
a new computer based library system called Mandarin Library Automation.
The vast majority of books are excellent Christian
books.
Most pastors here cannot afford their own personal libraries. We expect they will make use of this great new
resource.
Good News
Every month I receive letters from those of you who
support Good news. Some of you write to tell me how
grateful you are for the work of this ministry. Others of you
write because you’re discouraged about the United Methodist Church.
Your letters of concern for and disappointment with the
UM Church and your local church always touch my heart.
I know many of you have remained faithful during the most
difficult times and in the most discouraging settings. I can’t
tell you how grateful I am for you. And I never forget that
we at Good News have a sacred trust to speak for you as
we promote biblical truth and scriptural holiness.
The promises in God’s Word are true. His promise
never to leave us or forsake us is true. His promise to heal
our broken hearts is true. His promise to forgive our sins is
true. His promise to transform our hearts and makes us
Page 4
Donations of designated funds and more books, will
be greatly appreciated for the library. We praise and
thank God for each person who donated books to the
container project.
Lowell taught the preaching class for the degree program students this year at Lake Tanganyika Bible college.
Mary Schott and Tessa Ratner served on the panel to critique the sermons. The “Dr. Lloyd Perry Method” of expository preaching was used and some excellent sermons
were prepared and preached.
We were privileged to have a team of 12 from harmony
Zelienople UMC in PA during June. Seminars, plumbing
work, computer classes, youth work, Bible Schools for kids,
sewing, library, preaching, radio station work, a “visitors
choir”, are some of the work accomplished. Most of the
team stayed for a month.
new creations is true. And his promise that “he who believes in me, even though he die, yet will he live” is true.
We live in strange times. We live in an era when many
who claim to speak for God, when some who are ordained
in the United Methodist Church, and when even some who
are appointed as our leaders, refuse to stand for the Word
of God and the truth of what God has revealed there.
Well, they can stand together if they like and claim that
they are too educated or too broad-minded or too liberal of
heart to believe what the Bible says.
But I choose to stand with John Wesley. I choose to
stand with the historic Christian Church. And I choose to
stand with you.
Thank you for allowing Good News to work on your behalf as we try to reform and renew the United Methodist
Church. Together we can make a difference.
Yours in Christ, Rob Renfroe
Worship Helpers for September
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
Dick & Carol Branting
Gordon & Linda Brunson
Head Usher - Kathy Gibbs
Names of other Ushers
not available
at time of publication
Hugh Knapp
Chuck Shaffer
Lee Forster
Martin Dunkel
Children’s Moments
9/5 Rob Taylor 9/12 Mavis Brown
9/19 Linda Brunson 9/26 Pastor Lare
Children’s Activities Helpers
Nursery
9:30 Becky Sklenar
10:45 9/5
MaryLou Doebele, Holly Leidenheimer, Anna Daniels
9/12 Becky Sklenar, Alex Craig
9/19 Holly Leidenheimer, Maria Hartwig, Gabby Schramm
9/26 Carol Blaner, Lily Jacklitch
Growing Up Church
9/5
Linda Brunson, Sue Short
9/12
Linda Brunson, Mavis Brown
9/19
Linda Brunson
9/26
Bill & MaryLou Doebele
Substitutes Helen Buckwald, Pat Gregory, Pam Taylor, Melody Dyer
News from the Library
Bright yellow school buses, children, crossing
guards, football games and bands playing...all traditional
sights and sounds of September! It's hard to believe that
another summer has passed, isn't it?
Here at Community United Methodist Church,
we're getting ready for "school", too! "Here and
Now...There and Then", Beth Moore's Revelation Bible
Study is about to begin! If you haven't already read it, you
may want to borrow one of the 2 copies of The Beloved
Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus, by Beth
Moore. It is suggested reading before beginning the
study. In the August Clarion, we published a list of several
other items related to this study -- here are a few, as a
reminder:
* Revelation, by Charles Caldwell Ryrie
* The Vision of His Glory -- Finding Hope
Through the Revelation of Jesus Christ, by Anne Graham
Lotz
* The Training of the Twelve, by A.B. Bruce
* Revelation Unveiled, by Tim LaHaye
* DVD - "The Gospel of John: For God Loved the
World So Much..."
The Beth Moore Bible study begins at 6:30 pm on Thursday,
September 9, in the CUMC Parlor. (Please note there are
other dates and times for this study.)
In addition to focusing on the new Bible study, we
want to bring to your attention a couple of new fiction books
we have purchased recently. Karen Kingsbury, a beloved
Christian author, has a new book in her Above the Line series, entitled Take Four. And, Tamera Alexander's newest
book in the Timber Ridge Reflections series is Within My
Heart. Be sure to stop by the Library soon to check these
out.
Remember to bring your children to the Library,
too! We have lots of children's books and videos for all ages
to enjoy. As the cooler temperatures arrive, we will have hot
chocolate and cookies....mmmmm, good!
With the end of summer will come the end of another Summer Library Contest, so watch the October Clarion
for a list of the contest winners!
Page 5
Announcements for the Congregation
Bob and Ethel Eppley have moved to Colorado. Ethel has asked that we share their new address and phone number
with you.
Robert & Ethel Eppley
1331 Hecla Dr., Apt. 120
Louisville, CO 80027
(303) 926-3023
Jane Miller has volunteered to be our flower chairperson. Please contact her to order altar flowers at 440-808-1627.
She will also be in charge of the holiday flowers, Christmas and Easter. Thanks to Jane for her willingness to serve!
I am saddened to announce that there will not be an Acolyte Ministry in our church, as of September 1, 2010. If anyone
is interested, please contact Sandee Dagget or Pastor Don. As it stands right now, nobody has volunteered. The head
usher will be responsible for lighting our candles prior to the beginning of our worship service.
Sandee Daggett, Worship Team Chariperson
The city of Elyria office of community development received funding through the U.S. Department of Energy to develop
an energy efficiency program to reduce homeowner energy usage, thus saving money on monthly utility bills. Two programs have been developed.
The first program is the Thermostat Program. Approved applicants will receive a free Energy Star Programmable Thermostat which includes installation.
The second program is the Weatherization Rebate Program. This program specifies the installation of gas furnaces,
hot water heaters or tankless and attic installtion. The Weatherization Program provides rebates ranging from $1,000
to $2,500 toward the cost of energy saving upgrades.
Eligible upgrades include the following:
• Energy Star Gas Furnace AFIE>=95
• Hot water tanks with .62 or greater energy factor or Tankless
• Attic Insulation
Participation requirements are:
• Resident of the City of Elyria
• Owner occupied housing unit
• Installation must result in a minimum 15% energy savings over existing furnace or hot water tank
• Installation of attic insulation will require a 10% energy reduction
The amount of rebate is based on household income but is not restricted by income. A minimum of 123 rebates will be
issued on a first come, first serve basis.
Any questions? Call Mary Bird at (440) 326-1540.
Life Line Screening at Cross Community
Thursday, October 14, 2010 representatives from Life Line (www.lifelinescreening.com) will be doing Preventative
Health Screenings at Cross Community Church located at 525 Abbe Rd. N. The package cost for the four ultrasound
screenings is $139.00.
Guess What’s Coming in September - Grandparents Day!
The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County,
West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to
persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978,
proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.
When is Grandparents Day? In 2010, Grandparents Day falls on Sept. 12th
Page 6
Happy Birthday!
9/1
9/3
9/5
9/6
9/7
9/8
9/9
9/10
9/12
9/15
9/20
9/26
9/27
Evonne Searls
Pat Woods
Jacob Baker
Herschel Short
Ken Radabaugh
Kent Gibbs, Jr.
Gordon Brunson
Tina Knapp
Carol Sharrock
Jacob Dyer
Halley Cooksey
Michael Hoefs
Larry Beatty
Perry Burns
Trisha Williams
Michael Hill
Ronald Ober
Bob Woods
Helen Belcher
9/1
9/7
9/12
9/16
9/22
Happy Anniversary!
Rollie & Carol Green
John & Mary Snider
Clarence & Helen Belcher
Don & Rosemary Lare
Ken & Aggie Hicks
John & Christine Dugovich
September Meetings
9/5
8:00 a.m.
UMM Breakfast Meeting
9/7
12:00 p.m.
Dorcas
7:00 p.m.
Trustees
9/8
7:00 p.m.
1st night of Adult Choir
Practice for Fall
9/12 12:00 p.m.
Genesis Luncheon
9/13
6:30 p.m.
Compass Group at CUMC
9/14
6:30 p.m.
Worship Committee
9/17
1:00 p.m.
Caring Crafters
9/21
6:00 p.m.
Finance Committee
7:00 p.m.
Admin Council
This list reflects all meetings that were on the calendar as of 8/17. If you are a chairperson for one of
our church teams, please help avoid scheduling conflicts by posting your meeting dates and location on
the office planning calendar. Please do not depend
on the church secretary to post or remember your
meetings. If they are posted on the calendar then
they will be included in the Clarion and the Bulletin.
Thank you for cooperating with this request.
Food Pantry
Canned Soup
Box of Cereal
Hot Meals
1lb Margarine
Food Collection Sunday
is September 5
Classes for Fall
Start Day/Time
Date
9/9
Thurs. 6:30pm
9/13 Mon. 12:30pm
9/13 Mon. 7:00pm
9/14 Tues.10:00am
9/26 Sun. 9:30am
Name
Revelation Study
Revelation Study
James Study
Revelation Study
Membership Class
Men
or Women
W
W
M
W
M,W,&Youth
Notes to All Committee Chairpersons
1. Budget requests for 2011 are due on or before 9/14. If you
do not submit a request your budget will be set at zero.
2. For each of your committee meetings there should be minutes. A copy of those minutes (except Staff Parish) should
be submitted to the office after each meeting. There is a file
for every committee in the permanent records of the church.
For many of the committees, the folder is empty. Please
submit copies of all your missing minutes to the office as
soon as possible.
Page 7
Kids Page
Page 8
Community United Methodist Church
September 2010
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
8:00 am
Quilting
7:00 pm
Nomination & Leadership Development
Committee
5
6
8:00 am
UMM Breakfast
9:30 am
Sunday School
10:45 am
Worship
Friday
3
7
8
9
10
8:00 am
Quilting
7:00 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice
6:30 pm
Women’s Bible
Study
12:00 pm
Food Pantry Open
5:00 pm
Hot Meals
16
17
13
14
15
9:30 am
Sunday School
10:45 am
Worship
12:00 pm
Genesis Luncheon
9:30 am
1stPlace Bible Study
12:30 pm
Women’s Bible
Study
6:30 pm
Compass Group
7:00 pm
Men’s Bible Study at
Kistler’s
10:00 a.m.
Women’s Bible
Study
6:30 pm
Worship Committee
8:00 am
Quilting
7:00 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice
19
20
21
22
9:30 am
Sunday School
10:45 am
Worship
9:30 am
1stPlace Bible Study
12:30 pm
Women’s Bible
Study
7:00 pm
Men’s Bible Study at
Kistler’s
6:00 pm
Finance Comm
7:00 pm
Admin Council
8:00 am
Quilting
7:00 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice
26
27
28
9:30 am
Sunday School
10:45 am
Worship
9:30 am
1stPlace Bible Study
12:30 pm
Women’s Bible
Study
7:00 pm
Men’s Bible Study at
Kistler’s
29
4
12:00 pm
Food Pantry Open
5:00 pm
Hot Meals
12:00 pm
Dorcas Luncheon
7:00 pm
Trustees
12
Saturday
11
18
12:00 pm
Food Pantry Open
1:00 pm
Caring Crafters
5:00 pm
Hot Meals
6:45 pm
Patriot Stage Band
Practice
23
24
25
12:00 pm
Food Pantry Open
5:00 pm
Hot Meals
30
8:00 am
Quilting
7:00 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice
Page 9
Return Service Requested
9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. –Morning Worship
COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
680 Abbe Road, N..
Elyria, OH 44035-3044
Phone: 440-365-7391
Fax: 888-776-2342
E-mail: cumc10@windstream.net
A Bible Based, Christ Centered Ministry
Our Mission:
To Glorify God by Equipping
and Ministering to the Saints,
Proclaiming Christ to the Lost,
and Serving the Needy.
Food Pantry
Open every Friday from
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hot Meals
Served for the community
every Friday at 5:00 p.m.
Visit us on the Web at
www.elyriacumc.org
Page 10