Close the Deal
by Robin Roderick

While giving my order at Starbucks this week, the young woman at the register asked me, “Aren’t you the pastor of that big church up there on the street?”

"Across from Rally's?"

"Yes, that's the one."

"It's First United Methodist, and yes, I am."

She then began to tell me how she was riding her bike and saw our sign saying, Seven Deadly Sins. She said it stopped her in her tracks and made her think, “Whoa!” We had a great laugh and a bit of good discussion about the Seven Deadly Sins and the Beatitudes while the line was empty.

Picking up my coffee, I headed out to the car very happy. Then it hit me - I didn't invite her to come and actually worship with us! ACK!

Getting back out of the car I saw a whole bunch of folks going in. Having enough sense to not run them over in order to tell someone else the Good News, I waited in line behind a half dozen coffee folks.

Getting to the front again, I looked at her and said, "I forgot something important—service times are 8:00, 9:30, 10:45 and 11:00. Come and have a listen this weekend."

We both grinned. I headed back to the car. She worked up a few more espressos. But we let God into the time we had shared.

So you are going to meet someone this week - don't forget to actually invite them to worship! And don't be surprised when it actually happens.

Sewing Club

The Sewing Club met for the first time on Aug. 18 and got a good start making blankets, flannel diapers, and cotton infant gowns. We want to give a special thanks to Dee Leitman for the generous donation of her fabric which will be made into blankets and clothes to be used by children throughout the world.

We will also be making satin baby crib sheets for children in Haiti. A medical mission team to Haiti reports many children have bad skin diseases and normal cotton/poly or knit fabric sheets are very irritating for them. We were asked if we would make some sheets for them to take on their next mission if the fabric was provided to us. Of course, we are happy to do so.

I am thrilled to see this mission developing in unforeseen ways to serve God and all of the children He loves. We will meet again on Tuesday, Sept. 1, in room 301 to continue our work.

If there are any other church members who sew who would like to come, you would be welcome. You do not need to sign-up ahead of time. Just come. You may contact Sue Boughton at 636-947-1301 or via e-mail at boughstl@charter.net.

Walk to Emmaus

Emmaus, a spiritual renewal program meant to strengthen churches by developing Christian disciples and leaders, has two upcoming events this fall to replenish your souls.

The first of these events will be the Men’s Walk to Emmaus Weekend (#123) on September 17-20 at Camp Wyman in Eureka, MO. The women will get their turn a month later for Walk #124, also at Camp Wyman, on October 15-18, 2009.

If you’re interested in participating in either of these events, please call either Dave Raposo at 636-284-9328 and Pattie Raposo at 636-284-9329. Additional information is also available at www. moeastemmaus.org

Festival of Sharing

Each year at this time we began collecting funds and building kits for the Festival of Sharing. Festival of Sharing is an inter-faith effort, led by the Missouri Conference, to gather resources to address issues of hunger and poverty in Missouri and other parts of the world.

Members from churches all over Missouri will come together on October 17th, in Sedalia to bring their donations and to celebrate.

We will be collecting four types of kits (now called packs for Missouri distribution): Readin' & Writin' , Baby Bundle, Personal Hygiene, and Prison Pack. Collection baskets and specific information as to what goes into each pack will be provided in the Atrium starting August 26.

We will deliver our contribution to the regional collection center on September 27th.

ESL at
by Nancy Cooper

Over the last few years, St. Charles Community College (SCCC) has used First United Methodist Church on Saturday mornings as a site for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adult learners. This past year has had the greatest number of students using FUMC: 60 students total, who had a combined total of 1387 hours of instruction in reading, writing and listening skills.

We look forward to inviting SCCC back this September as they assist more people in assimilating into our community at large through these ESL classes.