Holiday Craft Bazaar
December 3
9:00 am?4:00 pm
First United Methodist Church
Sponsored by First United Methodist Youth Group

Autumn has officially arrived and we enter into the season of change. The weather cools; the leaves change colors; the trees become bare. In the process of God enacting the seasonal change, He will provide us with beautiful panoramas and landscapes. No doubt we will also experience some beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Thank you, O Creator, for filling our visual senses.

As we enter the month of October, we also will witness once again, the reality of a “holiday” that has become synonymous with Satan?that being halloween. I don’t even want to capitalize the word (even though my spell-checker says I should), because it would give the day a sense of legitimacy. I do not, however, suggest that families cannot have fun with halloween. When our children were small, Brenda would dress them up as angels, as hoboes, or as, like, you know, Valley Girls?gag me with a spoon and all that. We would go to the doors in the neighborhood, and on many occasions, have brief “catch-up” conversations with people we knew. I always looked forward to it?especially the party we would have at the church. I would like to see us host a Fall Celebration party, where our children can dress up in costumes (perhaps concealing their identities in order to make me guess who they are). I would like to participate in games and refreshments with them and to continue to build relationship with them.

The Youth Group (UMYF) will be going on a hayride sometime this month. Perhaps we?ll even have a bonfire, roasting marshmallow, making smores (my spell-checker doesn?t recognize the word ?smores?, but the youth know what they are). As for our children, I need your help. I need 3 or 4 of you (maybe 2 or 3 couples with children or grandchildren) to plan this party. The mornings of October 22nd and 29th are open for such a party?whichever works best for you who will step forward for this God-opportunity. Last Sunday?s service with the baptisms and the children?s story show us that God is doing something with children in our church. It?s time that we do something for them beyond Sunday mornings. Please join me in prayer for our children. Will YOU be willing to help me with my hope? (Please call me ASAP / 277-1347).

I hope to see you in church this month. I pray that we become like-minded in the importance we place on being in Worship Sunday mornings. It?s not a matter of law?but a matter of gratitude?a matter of showing the One who loves us so that we love Him?a matter of teaching our children?modeling an example to them?all the while, guiding them to a relationship with Jesus Christ. God is placing a great burden on my heart for people on the periphery of church. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you move inside.

Always in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark

The church will be open every Saturday in October from 12:00-2:00 p.m. for prayer. Please make yourself available for this opportunity. God wants to hear from you.

There will be a prayer request board to which you may attach a prayer in a sealed envelope.

There will also be a prayer vigil on Thursday, November 3, from 6:00 a.m. thru 6:00 p.m. here at the church. You will be allowed to pray, meditate and/or worship the Lord as you wish to do. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Lord, let your light shine in me. Let the world see your Spirit alive and working in me. Amen.

LAY WITNESS WEEKEND
“Harvest of Grace” Service Schedule

Friday (November 4)
4:00-6:00 p.m. — LWW Guests arrive at the church
6:00-7:00 p.m. — Fellowship Meal (Provided by the church) for our congregation
7:00-8:00 p.m.– Worship Gathering

Saturday (November 5)
8:30-9:00 a.m. — LWW Guests meet at the church
10:00-11:00 a.m. — Coffee hour (Groups meeting in homes)
12:00-1:00 p.m. — Lunch (Congregation)
1:00-2:00 p.m. — Men and women meet separately at the church
3:00-5:00 p.m. — Visit shut-ins/nursing homes
6:00-7:00 p.m. — Fellowship Meal (Carry-in) for our congregation
7:00-8:00 p.m. — Worship Gathering

Sunday (November 6)
8:30 a.m. — LWW Guests meet
9:00 a.m. — Sunday School
10:00 a.m. — Coffee Fellowship
10:30 a.m. — Worship service
12:00 p.m. — Lunch for LWW Guests and LWW Committee
6:00 p.m. — Celebration & Joy Service

Childcare is available Friday & Saturday evening.

Kathy will be working from the Church kitchen area and her home. She will be checking the answering machine frequently for messages. If you need to contact the Church Office, please leave her a message and she will get back to you as soon as possible. The April newsletters will be late. Kathy is not able to use the copy machine and the computer, until the smoke soot is cleaned up in the office area.

The infants from Noah’s Ark Daycare have been relocated to the Diplomas Program at the Richmond High School temporarily. Food preparation for the daycare will be done at various sites.

Come on Saturday the 26th and join in! You’ll be glad you did.

Has it been almost a year since all the media attention on a movie called “The Passion of Christ?” The promotion of this movie began even before it was finished. Mel Gibson approached the church community to get the word out. The record numbers of viewers proved that their efforts paid off. And although the movie failed to take the big awards, still the story of the Passion spread throughout the world.

Gibson’s movie revealed the horror of what God’s son, Jesus Christ suffered. It was even more graphic than what is portrayed in the gospel accounts of the Passion. Many who viewed “The Passion,” as amazing as it may seem to those who are most acquainted with the story, saw and heard the story for the first time. Many were left wondering, “Why?” Perhaps you are one of those individuals who still wonder, “Why?” Why would Jesus endure such pain and agony, especially if he is the Son of God.

John records the words of Jesus in the 16th verse of the 3rd chapter. Look that up and you will be reminded once again of something you already knew. Jesus’ suffering was all a part of God’s plan of redemption. The Romans and the Jewish officials thought they “took” Jesus’ life. But that was not the case. Jesus “gave” his life so that we might live! And that is the wonderful news of Good Friday. And then came Easter morning. The Resurrection on Easter morning has given those in Christ a resurrection hope–a living hope (I Peter 1: 3-9). As we continue our observance of Lent and approach Passion Week and Easter Sunday, may we be reminded of this hope. Share it with others. Get the word out about Jesus just as Mel Gibson got the word out about “The Passion.” Invite and bring someone to church soon, for soon and very soon, we are going to see the Lord.

As I close, I wish to extend a special invitation to those of you who are reading this but have not been coming to church. We miss you. Over the years, I have heard many reasons why people drop out. “My feelings were hurt.” “No one pays any attention to me.” “I disagreed with a decision that was made.” “I don’t like the color of the carpet.” “Someone offended me.” There may be some truth in the reasons people give. But often times, I have
discovered that more often than not, people’s reasons have been based on misinformation or misunderstandings. If you are looking for reasons not to come to church, you will always come up with more reasons not to come than to come. But those who come to church have chosen to come up with more reasons why they should come. As for me, along with the many blessings I receive, there is one major reason why I have chosen to invest my Sunday mornings in church. It is found in Hebrews 10:25. The Day is approaching. What habit will you possess as you face the Lord? Always…

In Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark

All women of First Church are invited to join our group and learn about the world and what we missionary-minded women do around this globe in the name of Christ. Please call Edna or Donalee by Wednesday, March 2, if this will be your first time to meet with us. Edna— 966-0158 and Donalee— 962-7323

UMW members — Please note this will be our Self-Denial Offering program. Remember— Thursday, April 28, WE WILL HOST THE DISTRICT MEETING AT FIRST CHURCH. There may be about 200 women from the Rushville District attending this annual Spring meeting. A guest speaker will be here, also. MARK YOUR CALENDAR— April 28

Have you talked to Wanda Logan yet about the reading program? Only 4 books per year will qualify you, (from a specific book list). This is part of our educational work. If you like to read, see Wanda!!!