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First United Methodist Church St. Charles, MO September 23, 2009 Vol. 39, No. 18 www.fumcstcharles.org |
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Can Someone Translate? The word would appear, and then be replaced by what looked like nothing more than squiggly lines to my untrained eyes. (Note - Robin’s blog is located at http://bit.ly/rrrblog - Ed.) I erased and then started again--same issue. Then I noticed that my blog editor was set up to type in Hindi! How did that happen? Not sure at all. Perhaps it was the result of a virus I was hit with last week. It did give me pause to reflect on what it means to need translation. God is in the business of transformation. At times the Church seems in the business of translation. We learn, teach, reach and scramble to understand with depth and maturity the faith and what it means not only for ourselves (sticking with a "me only" is a baby faith) but for the world. It is translation when we are formed by the scriptures so that our thoughts, actions, and words are faithful in our current context. It is translation when we choose at times to alter the way we do things so that it is more accessible to those who have no idea what the Christian insider ways or language may mean. It is translation when we take God's call to the churches and apply that to our goals and mission for this church. It is translation when we know what is unique about what United Methodism offers in hope to the world and live that in all its strengths and weaknesses. When that translation is at its best, God then can use it to transform us so that we are no longer in need of milk, but ready for meat; so that our faith isn't a mile wide and an inch deep, but the center of our being, actions, and hope. As we prepare to worship on the 27th of September, using a small portion of our time to take a spiritual depth assessment, it will then be translated into ways to make our faith deeper, stronger, relevant, and life transforming. This tool will help us translate our needs into future programs, classes, emphasis and sermons. I hope all of you will make a great effort to be with us that day.
Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity Stress. Anxiety. Fear. These words capture well the state of mind of many of us in America today. We have witnessed dramatic market losses, the collapse of the world’s largest insurance company, and many bankruptcies and mergers. Every day seems to bring another piece of economic uncertainty. A recent survey found that over three in four Americans are stressed about the economy and their personal finances. Half were worried about providing for their family’s basic needs. Over half of respondents reported feeling angry and irritable, and reported laying awake at night worried about this. The report concludes that, “The declining state of the nation’s economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide.” Join us in worship beginning on Sunday, October 4th for a sermon series entitled Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. Our nation is experiencing what many have described as the “American Nightmare.” Increasing consumer debt, declines in savings, lower income growth, and a volatile stock market are all a part of our economic insecurity. We have lived in a society that tells us “you deserve it now,” whether or not we can afford it or really even need it. All of us have struggled with these issues at one time or another. They are important issues that we cannot ignore. This is why, over 6 weeks, we will be having a churchwide study and worship emphasis called Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. During this time we will explore what the Bible teaches us about financial management through corporate worship and Sunday school/small group study. Stay tuned for more details about these opportunities. We’ll hear expert advice and stories about what others have learned by working through financial challenges. Each week we will provide you with some practical tools you can use to assess your financial situation and develop a financial plan with a Biblical foundation. At the conclusion of the emphasis, we will have the opportunity to make personal commitments of our offerings to God through our church in the coming year. We will consecrate these commitments in the worship service. I hope that you will join us in the coming weeks as we look at how we can manage our financial resources and truly experience simplicity, generosity, and joy.
Did You See? Have You Heard? Did you see? The dumpster on Jackson. Full to the brim as our Neighborhood Action folks helped an elderly neighbor clean out her basement. Through the actions of the mission team to engage the area around the church, they identified the need, collaborated with the city for a dumpster, and helped make living easier for someone who could not do it themselves. Did you know-Where do those pew pencils come from? For 22 years a member has anonymously been donating the pencils in memory of her husband. Isn't that a faithfulness that inspires? A simple tool, but one we use over and over. Have you heard? The Littlest Angels sang this past Sunday. Their first time some sang, some stared wide eyed at the congregation, some looked a little nervous. No one cried!! Our children's choirs sing the prelude the second and third Sundays. Take a moment to visit the 9:30 service or sneak in before you start your Sunday School Classes. Have you heard? The Sunday School class on Evil: Sin, Satan, and Psychology taught by the author Cindy Epperson has a record turn out. Not only are many classes combining (way to model learning as our first choice rather than staying in our own little groups) but new folks are coming too. Way to go youth for modeling Christian behavior by moving your Sunday School classes to other areas of the building to accommodate the huge turnout. A great class. The church showing Christian behavior. What a win-win. Did you know? The power of one--the additional giving of a dollar per person is helping us to maintain ministries and has added up to a couple hundred dollars to our offerings each week. It matters. Thank you for keeping your ones and bringing them to church! (and thanks to our counters for all those ones!)
Stewardship Luncheon On behalf of First United Methodist Church, the Stewardship Team would like to thank you for your faithfulness, generosity and support. We also cordially invite you to attend our Celebration Luncheon on Sunday, October 4th at noon in Wesley and Asbury Hall. Again, the purpose of this luncheon is to say “thank you” to you, the faithful members of First United Methodist Church, and to celebrate all that God has done through us during 2009. In order to ensure that we have enough food and adequate space to accommodate everyone who wants to come, please reserve your spot today by calling the church office at 947-0066 or completing the sign up form and dropping it in the offering plate. Also, if you would like to help with set up or clean up for this luncheon, call the church office or indicate that on your sign up sheet as well.
Cornerstone Employment Network The Cornerstone Employment Network is a weekly Friday morning gathering of people who are looking for work or searching for a new career. This network provides emotional support and spiritual encouragement for individuals and their families who are between jobs or careers. Each meeting will focus on a relevant topic to those attending and a free breakfast will be provided. Reservations are requested each week in order to prepare for the breakfast. Please contact the Cornerstone United Methodist Church at 636-379-5334 or go to www.umcornerstone.org for more information.
Who: Cornerstone Employment Network
Harvest Hayday Don’t miss this fun, annual event for children! All kids (up through 5th grade) are invited to come join the fun with their parents. Kids are invited to come enjoy story time, trunk-or-treating, and an assortment of games! A chili / hot dog dinner will be served from 4:30-5:30. Prices are $5 for adults; $3 for children ages 5-10; and for children 4 and under, free. $15 will be the maximum cost per family. Each child is invited to come in costume (nothing too scary, please) and is asked to bring one canned food item to donate to the FISH Food Pantry. Pre-registration is not required, but please help us be good stewards of our food purchases and call 947-0066 for dinner reservations.
1st Year List Below is a list of all persons for whom we have no record of attendance in the last two years. Please review the list and let us know if your name is on the list and we are in error. We recognize that errors can occur in tracking attendance. Each person on the list has been sent a letter asking for clarification of their status with this church. They may choose to inform us that they now attend elsewhere, or that they wish to remain in fellowship with this church, or that they wish to be removed from the membership rolls. If you are a parent of an adult child that is on the list, the adult child should contact us if they wish to remain on the membership rolls. Thank you for your help in this process.
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A Look Ahead FUMC October Calendar September 27—Shining Stars (9:30 service) (1st—5th grade) October 10—UMM Meeting, 8:00 a.m., Wesley Hall October 11—Children’s Sabbath October 18— Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes: Mission Possible October 25: Flu Shots, seasonal (excludes H1N1) - more info in the future. New Backpacks Our Elementary School Counselors sometimes have a need to send a child home with personal items, or a few cans of food. These are typically children from limited income homes. To help the School Counselors, we are collecting "gently used" backpacks. If you have any backpacks, in good condition, that you are finished with, please consider bringing them to church and dropping off at the desk or the collection barrel in the Atrium. Thank you. - The Missions Team. Festival of Sharing The Festival of Sharing collection table will be in the Atrium until September 27. We are collecting four types of kits: Readin' and Writin', Baby Bundle, Personal Hygiene, and Prison Pack. Pack descriptions and examples are available at the collection table. World Communion Sunday October 4 is World Communion Sunday. As part of our worship celebration that morning we are looking for people who would be willing to say the Lord's Prayer in languages besides English at our four worship services that Sunday. If you know a foreign language and would like to participate in worship that day, please contact the church office. Big City Studios: Evan Almighty How about a movie? At Big City Studios we have been "filming" the story of Noah. What is Big City Studios? It is worship....kid style...every Sunday morning at 10:45. All families are welcome to join the Big City "crew" for a showing of "Evan Almighty" on Sunday, September 27, at 5 p.m. in the MPR. Parents must attend with child. We will enjoy pizza and popcorn. Feel free to bring a blanket and even a pillow! Sign up by contacting Dawn Orndorff at 947-0066 or dawnorndorff@ sbcglobal.net or by pew card. Big City Studios: Evan Almighty Just a friendly reminder regarding church small groups: if there is a cost listed this cost normally covers expenses related to books or other materials for that particular group. Your payment helps to cover such costs and assists us in offering financial assistance to those who wish to participate in such small groups but do not have the financial means to do so. If you are someone who would like to participate in one of our small groups and desires a financial scholarship, please contact Pastor Jimmy Cooper via phone (636) 947-0066 or email jcooper@fumcstcharles.org. All scholarship requests are kept confidential. C.H.A.M.P. C.H.A.M.P. (Citizens Helping American Military Personnel) was formed in March of 2003 at the beginning of the war in Iraq. The group’s purpose is to show appreciation of overseas active military personnel, wherever they may be, with ties to St. Charles County by sending letters and care packages. It is hoped that these packages will bring a small piece of home and provide some comfort while distance separates the military from family and friends. Mission Possible! will be partnering with C.H.A.M.P. in November to assemble care packages and write letters. Please pick up a collection bag on October 18 with a list of items needed. Please return these bags on Sunday, October 25. Mark your calendar for November 15 and plan to join Mission Possible as we come together as a church to support this mission. New Babies Congratulations to the following families on their newest additions!
Deaths Our deepest sympathies are extended to the families of those who have died recently:
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You are receiving this e-mail because you are a member or attendee of First United Methodist Church and you specifically requested to receive the electronic version of the Spire. If you no longer wish to receive the Spire electronically, you may unsubscribe from this list. Comments? Thoughts? Let us know. Articles to be included in the October 14 Spire are due in the Church Office by Wednesday, October 7. You may also e-mail them to spire@fumcstcharles.org. Please put the word "Article" in the subject line. Download the PDF print version of this document. (Optimized for 8.5" x 14" paper) Download the PDF of the October Calendar for FUMC. (Optimized for 8.5" x 14" paper) Our mailing address is: First United Methodist Church 801 First Capitol Drive St. Charles, MO 63301 Our telephone: (636) 947-0066 Our website: http://www.fumcstcharles.org Copyright (C) 2009 First United Methodist Church. All rights reserved. |
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