Pastor’s Reflections
“I Need Your Help”
When I first came in to the ministry, back in Indiana, I had to go to a series of training sessions supposedly designed to tell me all the things I hadn’t learned in seminary. I thought I was smart enough already, as did most of the other younger pastors, but apparently the bishop and district superintendents had their doubts. I don’t remember much about these sessions; in fact, I only remember one piece of advice. It came from one of the true good old boy pastors, a tough-talking veteran of many years. He said this:
“You are going to encounter people who don’t like you, or don’t support you, and maybe even want you to fail. What you do is go to them and say, ‘Look, I know you don’t like me, but I need your help.’ And you know what? They can’t refuse you.”
Turns out that bit of wisdom has worked for me. No, I don’t do it just that way. I wouldn’t say to someone, “I know you don’t like me.” It’s not my style — and I hope I don’t seek to manipulate people quite so blatantly. But I do operate on the assumption that most people really want to help, regardless of their feelings for me personally. They didn’t join the church just to get fed. They want to make a difference. They want to make the world a better place. And if the pastor, as a representative of the church, asks them to do something, they want to say yes if they can, because, and I say this very deliberately, they want to trust that somehow, someway, the pastor is actually speaking for Christ.
I feel this is my greatest responsibility as a pastor — asking people for help. The church needs the service of its members, but the members also need to be in service in some way. They want to contribute and to have someone acknowledge and affirm that their contribution is needed. This is often especially true of people who are new to the church, and part of my job is to give them that opportunity.
But I also believe this isn’t just my job: asking others to help is your responsibility as well. We Christians, regardless of our official role in the church, all represent the church. And we are to bring others into ministry as best we can by consciously inviting them into our various Christian endeavors, and then encouraging them, thanking them for their time and energy, showing we value them and their contributions. Sometimes this is hard for us — we may feel strongly about our piece of the action, that it is for us alone and nobody could do it better. Sometimes this is true, but we still need to be open to how God works through other people.
I know I am the product of the encouragement of countless others. My ministry would never have been possible without all these Christians — famous and obscure, young and old, living and dead — who saw something of worth in me. They actually thought I could be of help. They were the voice of Christ, calling me to help bring heaven to earth.
Let us all be that voice of Christ.
Peace,
John Wagner
Join Us May 6!
UMW’S May Salad Luncheon, Baked Goods & Flower Sale
Tickets are currently available for the United Methodist Women’s annual May Salad Luncheon, Flower & Bake Sale. The UMW Salad Luncheon will be Wednesday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased from the church office.
The UMW invites all to participate in this event by preparing one (or more) salads (12–16 servings) and/or their favorite baked goods. If you ordered flowers through the UMW, they will be available for pick up on May 5, from 3 to 5 p.m., and at the event on May 6, from 11 to 1 p.m.
Proceeds benefit local organizations and UMW district special missions. For more information or to learn about joining the UMW, call the church office, 513-423-4629.
Presentation from the Dornons—May 3
Please join us in welcoming the Dornons home! Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal, have returned to the United States for a visit and will be leading presenting a program at First United Methodist on Sunday, May 3, at 4 p.m. They will give an overview of their work in the Tansen Hospital and provide time to answer questions.
We have invited other United Methodist churches to this event. If you would like to help the Mission Committee with hospitality, please contact the church office.
Prostate Cancer Support Group—May 5
The Prostate Cancer Support Group will meet on Tuesday, May 5, at 7 p.m. As usual, we will meet in the Asbury Room at First United Methodist Church. Everyone is invited for this meeting with a special guest speaker.
There will be no formal meetings conducted in June, July or August of this year. As always if you have Prostate Cancer concerns or you are undergoing any form of treatment now or throughout the summer please contact Mike Snyder at 513-423-7092.
Sunday School Guest Speaker—May 10 & 17
On May 10 and 17,* Dr. Emma J. Justes will bring a special message during Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. Dr. Justes is Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling in the Emma Toussant Chair in Pastoral Theology at United Theological Seminary. She has ministered in American Baptist, Reformed Church in America and African Methodist Episcopal Churches. Her teachings approach crisis, grief, aging, transitions, human sexuality and discipleship from a pastoral care viewpoint.
During her time with us, Dr. Justes will present a series on grief. We hope you will join us for this special Sunday School series.
*Please note: These dates have been updated from those in recent bulletin announcements. Les and Debbie Dornon will lead Sunday School on May 3.
Graduation Sunday—May 17
On Sunday, May 17, we will recognize our class of 2015 graduates. If you or someone you know is graduating soon or has graduated recently, whether from high school or college, please contact the church office with names and graduation details.
Hospice Memorial Service—May 17
First Church will host Otterbein Hospice on Sunday, May 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. for a memorial service and reception. While this service will focus on patient losses since last November, the service is open to the public. All who are grieving the loss of a loved one are welcome in this time of remembrance.
$5 on the 5th Offering—May 31
On the next fifth Sunday, May 31, the Mission Committee is collecting for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR assists communities affected by war, conflict or natural disaster. All money put into the collection jars or designated on your offering envelope on May 31 will go to UMCOR to help replenish supplies and resources. First Church has supported UMCOR in the past, and the Mission Committee thanks you for your continued support of this vital agency of The UMC.
Comedy for a Cause: Laughs for Life Change—June 5
All Middletown area churches are invited to join First Presbyterian and the United Methodist Gathering for Laughs for Life Change on Friday, June 5, 7 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, Middletown.
Nationally renowned Christian comedian Jeff Allen headlines this benefit show. Allen will be joined by local favorite Jeffrey Jena, for an evening of “comedy for a cause” to benefit the ReStart and Recovery ministries of The Gathering.
Tickets are available at First Presbyterian and The Gathering, at
itickets.com or at 800-965-9324.
Tickets are $20 for General Admission and $30 for a VIP Pass that admits the ticket holder to a backstage pre-show social time with Jeff Allen and Jeffrey Jena.
Ticket holders are asked to bring donations of personal hygiene items to benefit the Rosa Parks Elementary School.
For more information, call 937-681-7641 or visit umcgathering.com.
Home Assignment
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
Les and Debbie with their church worship team in Tansen.
Four and a half weeks ago we left Tansen — and I can’t even count the number of hours and miles we have traveled since! Starting with the nine hour bus trip into Kathmandu, then the flights from KTM to Doha, Doha to Philly (where we landed in a snow storm and had to make other flight arrangements to Cincinnati because our Dayton connecting flight was cancelled) and continuing on with trips to Phoenix, California, NYC (to meet with the mission board) and then a road trip to Wisconsin for a CME course for Les…. Thinking about it makes me more tired than actually doing it!
We have just started on our presentations about Nepal — we did one in Phoenix for Dad’s Rotary club, and last night were at the Springfield Community Church near Brookville, IN. We are doing what is called “Home Assignment” by the board — it used to be called furlough, but I think that sounded too much like a rest! We are loving special things about the U.S. we have missed — hot water from the taps for hand washing, smooth roads and nice cars for travel, organ music, four part harmony and hymns, yummy foods and, of course, meeting with friends and family we haven’t seen for a long time!
We loved being in worship with you on Easter Sunday and the Sunday after, as well – but we are really looking forward to sharing with you about our work in Nepal on Sunday May, 3. Between now and then we’ll be in Peoria, IL, Valparaiso, IN, and Zeeland, MI!
In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)
P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: Hope for the Hills
Remember, every third Sunday of the month we collect donations to support Les and Debbie’s work in Nepal. You may drop your donation in the collection jars or add it to your regular offering using your envelope; just write “Dornons” along with the designated amount.
Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard
A Month of Celebration
Just when the excitement of Easter is waning, we take a look at May and realize that it is a month filled with celebration Sundays!
The first Sunday of the month is “Dornon Sunday,” and we will enjoy a creative skit while learning about missions in Nepal.
The second Sunday is Mother’s Day and each woman and girl in the sanctuary will receive a flower in honor of this special day.
Graduation Sunday is the third Sunday, honoring our high school seniors as well as college, technical school and other graduates. This Sunday is also Ascension Sunday, a liturgical celebration, with our children helping us release balloons to watch them “ascend” to the top of the sanctuary on Sunday!
Wearing red is the dress for the day on the fourth Sunday, when we celebrate Pentecost, another liturgically special day celebrating the birthday of the church. This is always a unique Sunday with a true sense of “spirit”!
We round out the month of May celebrations with Trinity Sunday as we honor the mystery of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
If you are new to our church, or are new to a worship that uses these celebrations, Rev. Wagner would be happy to answer any questions. These celebration Sundays are teaching moments in our faith that help us to create a solid foundation of biblical truths through message, song, the visual arts and action. May is a month of Sundays you don’t want to miss! See you there!
First Friday Concert Series 2015
MAY 1 KETTERING BANJO SOCIETY
…and now for something COMPLETELY different! What could be crazier than a room full of enthusiastic banjo players? A favorite of the First Friday crowd, we welcome this fun bunch back to our line-up this year. Last time they played, they snuck in a tuba!! See what surprises come from this bunch of riverboat showstoppers.
JUNE 5 VIVA LA STRINGS
This ensemble is new to our series. So many people had heard them perform in other venues, our office was flooded with glowing recommendations as a perfect match for our First Friday concerts. A polished string quartet + perfect acoustics equals another glowing recommendation! Classical and popular favorites will delight and satisfy.
This concert series wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, The Barnitz Fund and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you for helping us make downtown Middletown a destination for the arts!
Community Ministries Corner
Join the Pantry Team!
Now is YOUR chance to join the Pantry Team! Beginning the end of May, the Pantry will need people willing to work on a rotating basis:
- Check in customers as they come to shop (approximately 1:45 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays)
- Check out customers after they have finished shopping (1:45 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays)
- Buy groceries for the Pantry and deliver to the church anytime Wednesday through Sunday noon. (Money and grocery list provided. Must be able to lift groceries in and out of vehicle.)
- Put those groceries on the Pantry shelves. (Must be done before 1:45 on Tuesday)
- Restock the shelves after Tuesday’s Pantry and generate a grocery list for the Pantry buyers. (Must email grocery list out no later than 10:00 a.m. Wednesday)
We’re pleased to say that we’ve already had some individuals volunteer to help, however we still need more. Our hope is to have enough people volunteer so that no one has to work every week unless they want to.
Please contact Patty McGraw at 937-746-9487 or the church office if you’d like to join the team. Thank you!
May Birthdays
1 Lynn Benoy, John Regensburg
4 Sarah Dean, Jacob Halsey, Pat Jenkins
6 Marcy Andrews, Shirley Fields
7 Pat Bolin, Judy Thorn
8 Adam Wilson
11 Luke Dornon, Joyce Anne Finch
13 Bill Pratt
14 Peggy Kramer, Rebecah Symon
18 Daisy Byrum
19 Brenda Byrd, Jim Gayhart, Mark Mills, Don Youtsler
20 Mary Nichols
21 Andrew Clinard
22 Vickie Frazer
24 Bob Stephenson
25 Dee Young
26 Marlene Bradley, Tammy White
28 Mabel Borders, Becky Douthett, J.J. Peil
29 Ellen Denney, Marian McGuire