Pastor’s Reflections
Not Guilty. Just Grateful.
Occasionally someone will suggest that a minister’s life must be a difficult one because “you have to listen to everybody’s problems.” I appreciate the sympathy, but in reality it’s not such a great burden. It’s truly a great privilege to be trusted, and likewise to be with people being honest about their difficulties in life.
And if I do get a little tired of hearing sad stories it’s more than offset by the fact that so many people do just the opposite – they tell me how fundamentally grateful they are. This is also one of the great privileges of my job.
I visited an older gentleman the other day, someone who has enjoyed pretty good health up till now. These days he sits in a chair, in a small room in a nursing home, alone with his thoughts and his TV. When I showed my face he was glad to see me, but not because he was particularly miserable before I came. After a bit of conversation about his medical condition he stated that despite all appearance he regarded himself as unusually “blessed.”
“I am so blessed!” he said. “I am so blessed to have this chair!” It was indeed a nice wingback chair, very comfortable I suppose. But that was not his only blessing. “I have wonderful kids!” He went on to describe them, praise them, brag a bit. “And the staff here, they are great!” he exclaimed. And he teared up, grateful for all God had blessed him with.
As I said, the room was small. And I’m sure his children were decent folks, but not perfect. And the staff of every nursing home I’ve ever visited can get grouchy and impatient.
And yet my friend wants me and everyone to know he is blessed.
I know it might seem like self-serving flattery, but I sense this kind of gratitude in a lot of people around this church. It’s almost as if they have chosen to feel blessed – a truly courageous choice when you think about it. They’ve seen suffering, but they are going to say it’s fundamentally OK.
All this makes my job so much more fun. I get to work alongside people who are serving not out of guilt for the most part, but out of gratitude. If asked by an outsider to describe you I might say, “They seem glad to be offering their services, glad they have gifts and talents to share, glad they can be part of building the kingdom, glad to give something back. They are not doing it out of fear of punishment or criticism.”
I see this attitude displayed by my friend in the nursing home. As he was sitting in his nice chair he seemed to want to talk about his ministry, about how he might continue to serve others given his physical limitations. We agreed he could be especially kind and encouraging to the staff – let them know he understands how hard they have to work. We agreed he could pray for people – and I said I would help him get an updated church prayer list as often as possible. He may be praying as you read this.
On November 22, just prior to Thanksgiving, we will celebrate “Thankfulness Sunday” through prayers, songs, and a recommitment to serve Christ. In the past this has been called “Loyalty Sunday” or “Pledge Sunday.” Frankly, I just don’t want to do that this year. We just went through a big capital campaign and I feel I’ve been asking for your loyalty and pledges throughout most of 2015. This will be a Thankfulness Sunday, where we act not out of loyalty or guilt but gratitude.
Can we do that? From what I’ve seen, I am pretty sure we can. This is a blessed congregation.
Peace,
John
$5 on the 5th Offering
Every 5th Sunday of the year, the Mission Committee likes to do a special offering to a worthy cause. On November 29th, a special offering will be collected for the Salvation Army. All money put into the collection jars and designated on your offering envelope will go to help this cause.
The Salvation Army is well known for the Red Kettle fundraising event during the Christmas season, and their thrift stores all throughout the country. They also help the community by providing food/meals, toys to the children during Christmas, counseling services, day camps for children, and worship services.
The Salvation Army is celebrating their 150th anniversary, as well!
Junior Church News
Thank you to all those who came and helped out with the Magical Missions Carnival back in September. The event raised $177.00 for the United Methodist Children’s Fund for Christian Mission.
During the month of November, Jr. Church will focus on “Blessings & Birthrights.” The message that the children will learn is “God blesses us.” The Bible verse of focus is from Numbers 6:24: “The Lord bless you and keep you.”
Jr. Church is still in need of teachers and teaching assistants during the worship service on Sundays. If you love to teach and spend time with kids, this would be a great opportunity for you. Please call the church office if interested. Thanks!
Say Cheeeeeese!
On November 8th try to make it to church if you can. There will be a photographer here to take a congregation photo in front of the church outside. With our new pictorial directory and church website in development, we want a captivating picture of our church. What better way to display our church than a picture of the people who worship there. It has been a while since we had a group photo, as you can tell by the picture below. So come down to the church with your Sunday’s best and a big smile! Who knows this might become a yearly tradition!
Sunday School Picnic, June 1914, Middletown, OH
The Giving Tree
Time to start our Christmas thinking when we prepare for joy of the miracle of His birth.
We at FUMC have a wonderful history of reaching out to those we do not know at this time.
The Giving Tree is a ministry that provides a gift of clothing and a toy to children of various ages. We know that many of these children get no other gifts. Please make room in your hearts once again for bounteously sharing with one of His children. These are children in need not of just the material things we provide but the generosity of hearts and prayers we extend to them.
The Giving Tree with the gift tags stating the ages of children will be available close to Thanksgiving time. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
Thank You Note
We would like to thank Rev. John for his time and visits, and for all the cards and prayers we received over the last few weeks. You are an awesome church. We love each and everyone of you!
Linda & Johnny Schmitt
United Methodist Women present their annual
“Cookie Walk”
December 12th, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., in Weatherwax Commons.
Pick up a bag or box of cookies, candy, cupcakes, or snacks and put them on a Peppermint Candy Tray. You will want to have these treats on hand during the Christmas Season. Also pick them up to have on hand for that late night snack. Yummmmm! And let’s not forget that “Cookies” make a wonderful Christmas gift for someone very special. As a side note, if you or your friends have a nut allergy, it is good to know that all nut related cookies and treats are sold in a separate room. Cookies, candy, cupcakes, or snacks sell for $6.00 a pound. For an additional charge of $3.00, we will wrap your cookies on our Peppermint Candy trays.
Our special Peppermint Candy Trays come in all sizes and prices. But they are truly a special addition to our cookies. You see after you eat the cookies the Peppermint tray can be broken up and eaten as a treat all through the winter months.
See you at the “COOKIE WALK!”
*All proceeds benefit in house and local missions.
UMW Annual Christmas Luncheon
Held at BROWNS RUN COUNTRY CLUB in Middletown, Ohio on December 5, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. Entertainment will be provided by: “The Performing Arts Academy.”
Menu:
Festive Green Salad
Roll with Butter
Chicken Tetrazzini with Broccoli
Dessert
Coffee or Tea
Cost of the ticket: $13.50 includes gratuity. (Please make checks payable to the UMW). Tickets may be purchased from any United Methodist Women member by December 1st.
Valet service available (not included in the ticket price).
Questions? Please call the church office at 513-423-4629.
Hatiya Village Fellowship in Nepal
Update from Dr. Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
About 10 km outside of Tansen is the village of Hatiya. There is a small group of believers there, and 3 Saturdays a month someone from the “mother” church in Tansen comes out to lead their worship. This week it was Amrita, who is a good friend of Debbie’s. Debbie and Amrita were able to get a taxi to drive them out through some beautiful countryside to the little back room where the believers meet together. (One Sat. per month, the believers come into Tansen for church and for communion.) There were 9 of us who sang hymns, worshipped and prayed together for a couple of hours. Amrita gave the message, and then we went around the room, each sharing needs before we prayed together. Requests were varied – one lady asked for prayers for her water buffalo who isn’t giving good milk. Another lady’s husband is working in Malaysia, and she is living with her parents with her small son. Her parents are not believers, and are constantly giving her hassles about her Christian faith. One man asked for prayers for his granddaughter, who at 8 years of age has been in school 3 or 4 years and still can’t read or write. All of these believers face daily troubles which we never have experienced – but their joy and willingness to come to meet together (some walking up to 2 hours one way) was a real inspiration. These are our brothers and sisters in Christ – thanks for your prayers for them!
In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)
P.S. To see more photos and stories, please visit our blog:
dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com
Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard
SAVE THE DATES!
Before you read this article, go ahead and get your calendar off the fridge, grab a pen, and get ready to fill in those dates with Advent/Christmas activities at FUMC. Participating in these events will greatly offset any feeling that the meaning of Christmas has succumbed to commercialism.
Sunday, November 22nd Hanging of the Greens 4:00 p.m.
Join family and friends as we decorate the church and then join in a meal and a brief Hanging of the Greens Service. All ages welcome! It’s informal and fun!
Each Sunday in Advent our theme is “And a Little Child Shall Lead Them.” If you have children or grandchildren, the month of November is important for Sunday School and Children’s Church attendance to get them ready to participate in Advent and Children’s Christmas Programs. Bring them to church and be a part of helping create memories and Christian teachings they will never forget!
- Tuesday, Dec. 8—Community Christmas Dinner
- Sunday, Dec. 13—Children’s Christmas Program and Potluck
- Sunday, Dec. 20 and Monday, Dec. 21—All Church Christmas Caroling to Shut-Ins
- Thursday, Dec. 24—Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
First Friday Concert Series 2015
NOVEMBER 6 | YUN KIM HUGHES
One of the country’s preeminent pipe organ recitalists, Yun brings our 32-rank Reuter pipe organ to life with exciting and unusual selections! Listeners have come to expect anything from classical, jazz, spirituals, or contemporary selections from one of Yun’s concerts. For anyone who thinks organ music is stuffy, you’ve never heard it played from Yun’s exceptional and creative repertoire!
DECEMBER 4 | CINNAMON PEPPO
Let the craziness of the holidays be swept away by the relaxing sounds of the harp. Cinnamon has planned a wonderful mix of classical, Broadway standards, and Christmas favorites sure to recharge our soul for this busy season!
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!
SHALOM Season is Here!
SHALOM (interfaith housing of the homeless) will begin this season at FUMC starting Sunday, Nov. 29. The signup board is in the north foyer and any questions can be answered by John Tack (513-571-6487). Even if you can’t be present, donations of breakfast foods, fruits and snacks are appreciated and recently homeless folks seem to appreciate gifts of men’s and women’s socks, cold weather gear and backpacks. Blessings to you all that are inspired to assist as evening or overnight hosts, food preparers for breakfast or dinner, or any other way!
Thank You!
The Pantry/Emergency Food Committee wishes to recognize and thank:
- The generous people of the congregation who contribute the funds and food to keep the Pantry and Emergency Food Programs operating.
- The many volunteers who give of their time, talent and love to this ministry.
- And Bethlehem Lutheran for joining us in our Harvest of the Heart food drive this year.
The Gospel comes alive because of you. “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat….” Matt. 25:35
November Birthdays
1 Matthew Palmer
2 Pat Duffey, Rose Morgan
7 Danica Murphy
9 Gracen Pass
10 Patt Gibson, Elaine Slama, Kathi Wilson
11 Herman Emmert, Marilyn Grandey
12 Sally Jo Inwood
13 Makenzie Taylor
14 Joni Regensburg
16 Eddie Rosenbaum
17 Cheryl Davis
18 Carol Byrd
19 Dominique Dunfee
21 Phyllis Cox
23 Nancy Haney, Janet Crawford
25 Leo Davis
28 Mike Hieber
29 Bill Thorn
30 Les Dornon