Highlights August 2014 Rockville First United Methodist Church Inside this issue: Prayer Concerns/Facts & 02 Figures Thoughts from the Pastor 03 In Memory 04 August Worship Schedule Service Seekers 05 FCJ Consultation 06 Cluster Fundraising PVCPC Fish Fry 07 Fellowship Diner Choir to Begin Hospitality in Worship Our Thanks Service Circle News 08 Homecoming Celebration 09 E-pistle from the Bishop 10 August Calendar 11 Our Mission Statement: “Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world…” 11 Page 2 Rock v ille Fir st UM C Hig hlig ht s Recent Prayer Concerns “and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.” James 5:15 Family and friends of Randy Roswell; family and friends of Shirley Lien; family and friends of Maxine (Lou) Swaim; family and friends of Steve Bundy; Betty Lewis; Rev. Alvin Wilson; Keegan Shields; Sue Smith; Chase Smith; Lauren Wilcox and son Isaiah; Alice Alderson; Adrian Muir; Jami Britton; Betty Campbell, Kris Dennison; Rochelle O’Toole; Mitch Leonard; Linda Holycross; Robert Stevens; Michael Milligan; Dick and Penny Peel; Tim Simic; Cindy Jacobs; Westfield Friends Church pastors Marleen and Steve Pedigo; our FCJ Prayer Team; Rosedale Buddy Bag program; Operation Classroom; Klausmeier family missions; our United Methodist leaders; missionary Megan Zuber, missionary, Nepal; missionary Kevin Cauley, Africa; Parke Vermillion Community Pregnancy Center; our schools; community and government leaders; the children of Parke Co; Kairos ministry; inmates & staff of Rockville Women’s Correctional Center and the Parke Co. Jail; homeless children and adults; peace on earth. Remember Our Shut-ins Our shut-ins: Jennie Jerome; Louise Michael; Pat Reeder; Helen Graham Keep in your prayers our troops in active service: Major Jason W. Neumann, Tallahassee, FL, son of Linda and Mark Spelbring; Rob Graham, Navy, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, grandson of Helen Graham; Lance Catlin, Marines, grandson of Lenora Douglas; Col. Keriem Taylor Kvalevog, Pentagon, friend of Bill Swern and daughter of Pastor Barbara Taylor Clodfelter. We thank the following for their past service: Grandson of Don and Linda Navel, Nathan Muckerheide, Afghanistan; Lt. Col. Michael J. Simek, Marine Reserves, son-in-law of Diana Ruark; Adam Black, friend of Milligan’s; Aaron Mathis, son of Kathy Allison; Kevin George, brother in-law of Jenifer Swinehart George; Scott Kimmell; Tomas Brock, grandson of Karin Woodson; Tim Simic, son of Carol Keller; Luis Villalba, son-in-law of Starr Smetana; Jenny Brock, granddaughter-in-law of Karin Woodson; Jake Podgurski, grandnephew of Guy Gregg; Jeff Elliot & Jeffery Smithsons, friends of Darlene Ayres; Robert & Russell Graham, grandsons of Helen Graham; Christopher Winkler, Michael Hussey, Josh Colagia, Michael Anderson, Justin Hussey, cousins of Randy Randall.; Army Captain Tim Simic Rockville First UMC Facts & Figures Date Sun. School Worship Attendance Attendance Tithe & Offerings 07/06/13 17 76 4001.00 07/13/13 12 66 2601.00 07/20/13 09 63 1524.00 07/27/13 15 82 2758.00 $10,884.00 Needed monthly to enable the church’s ministries: $12,629.00 2014 Avg. Worship Attendance 76 Page 3 Rock v ille Fir st UM C Hig hlig ht s From the Pastor’s Desk WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOD’S PEOPLE By now many of you have heard that on August 18th I will be presenting a one-man drama, “The Book of Job”, at the Ritz Theater in Rockville (see related article in this newsletter), and I hope you’ll make it a point to see it. I say that for two reasons: 1) the performance will directly benefit the Parke County Community Food Pantry, since the only “admission fee” is a donation of non-perishable items for the pantry (I will receive no compensation for the performance); and 2) the biblical book of Job has so much to say to us about coping with suffering and loss, especially when we’ve tried our best to live according to God’s will. In case you don’t know the story, Job is described in the story as “a blameless and upright man who fears (reveres) God and turns away from evil.” He’s also a man whom God has blessed with a wonderful family and a very successful farming operation that’s made him very wealthy. But one day Satan suggests to God that if God would just take all of that away from Job, “he will curse you to your face.” So, in a move that I’ve yet to understand, God gives Satan permission to have his way with Job, as long as he spares Job’s life. Soon afterward there comes a fateful day in which Job loses just about everything—his family, his farm, his labor force, and his own health. And although three of Job’s friends come to comfort and support him, he finally gives in to despair and “lets God have it”, so to speak, demanding that God show his face and explain himself or, better yet, apologize, to which his friends respond by criticizing him for his attitude and accusing Job of wrongdoing. In case you haven’t read the book of Job all the way through, I don’t want to spoil the ending for you. But I’ll tell you one thing—it certainly has some interesting twists to it! Anyway, as I’ve been working on the memorization for this drama, which is just over an hour long and uses only the words of the Bible, I’ve found myself thinking quite a bit about what I’ve been memorizing. And the thing that continues to amaze me is that even though God finally does show up in response to Job’s demand, he never answers the main question that Job (like most of us when we suffer) has been asking: “WHY?!” Instead, God reveals himself to Job in a way that leaves him without answers, but with something that the Bible suggests is even better. As a pastor friend of mine once put it: “Job didn’t get answers, but Job got God.” I have to be honest, though. While that statement may sound wise and good, I don’t necessarily like it, because to me it sounds too much like one of my least favorite passages in the entire Bible, which is James 1:2-4, where James says that we should “count it all joy” when we’re faced with all sorts of trials, because “the testing of your faith produces endurance”, which then results in us becoming “mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” Pardon me, but if you don’t mind, I’d much rather find an easier way to joy and maturity. Wouldn’t you? Yet I find virtually the same thing in Romans 5:3-5 where the apostle Paul says, “What’s more, we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” OK, so maybe the next time I’m faced with hardship (did you catch that I said “maybe”?), what I should do— maybe what I will do—instead of demanding to know why is to simply say, “Lord, somehow help me to see you in all of this and to grow through it.” Maybe. Pastor Dave Page 4 Rock v ille Fir st UM C Hig hlig ht s In Loving Memory of Randy Roswell Our dear friend, Randy Roswell, 52, of Rockville died suddenly Saturday, July 5th at Union Hospital in Terre Haute. Randy was born December 20, 1961 in Syracuse, Kansas to Frank Roswell and LaVeta Rooney Roswell Edmonds. He was formerly the custodian of Rockville First United Methodist Church with 18 years of service. Recently he was employed by Rockville Coin and Jewelry Shop and Antiques on York in Rockville. He also had his own mowing service in Rockville and it was a common sight to see Randy on his John Deere mower going from one job to the next, always greeting with a friendly wave and smile. Randy loved flea markets and garage sales, looking for that special sports card and other items to add to his collection of memorabilia. Survivors include his mother and stepfather LaVeta and Victor Edmonds of Rockville; two brothers, Tony Roswell of Florida and Jim Edmonds of Rockville; one uncle, Donnie Rooney of Shelburn, Indiana; two aunts, Alice Stillwell of Rockville and Kathryn Salisbury of Rockville; several cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father in 1966. Randy was a 1981 graduate of Rockville High School. He was a member of Rockville First United Methodist Church since March 2009, and the Putnam County Coin Club. August Worship Schedule Date Sermon Title Scripture Text(s) July 27 “Thy Will Be Done...In Rockville?” John 18:28-40; Acts 4:13-31 (2nd in series: “The Power of a Praying Church”) August 3 Pat Ballinger and Dave Lash speaking Acts 2:29-42 August 10 “Manna on the Menu” Exodus 16:1-3, 11-26 Holy Communion (3rd in series: “The Power of a Praying Church”) John 6:1-14 August 17 “Forgive Us Our Trash Passes” 2 Chronicles 7:11-20 (4th in series: “The Power of a Praying Church”) Revelation 3:14-22 “ArmorAll” Luke 4:1-15 (5th in series: “The Power of a Praying Church”) Ephesians 6:10-20 “A Heart Like His” Luke 9:35-38 August 24 August 31 (Last in series: “The Power of a Praying Church”) Page 5 Rock v ille Fir st UM C Hig hlig ht s August Service Seekers Altar Flowers Greeters 03 open 10 open 03 Diana Lows 17 Diana Lows 10 Imogene Rahn 24 Dale and Mary Alice Barnes 17 Karin Woodson 31 open 24 Sally Zuber 31 Bob and Mary Anne Jones Scripture Readers 03 Rob Belcher 10 Shelly Gregg 17 open 24 Sally Zuber Don’t forget our Food Pantry! ANY non-perishables you can contribute is most appreciated. Please leave your contributions in the large east classroom downstairs beside the tubs marked “Food Pantry”. Thanks to those who have helped in replenishing our food pantry. 31 Dave Lash Please call the office, 569-5356, if you can read scriptures on any of the above open dates. Thank you! 1 Jennifer Ader; Don Navel 5 Marilou Cox 6 Mary Marty; Martha Holaday; Rebecca Dunn; Katrina Miller 7 Katie Edington; Amy Curtis Haulk 10 Michael Stites; Sean Stites August Birthdays 11 Sydni Bare 13 Dale Lynn Lee 17 Lucas Hayes; Florence Clark; Sally Zuber 18 Brecken Lewis 20 Emily Hayes Call the church office (569-5356) 24 George Waltz to have your birthday included if 27 Daniel Milligan; Helen Graham; Michael Runyan you don’t see it here or want to 28 Cheri Peacock include it in future newsletters. 20 Natalie Geiger Page 6 Rock v ille Fir st UM C Hig hlig ht s Our “FRUITFUL CONGREGATION JOURNEY” Consultation is August 27-28. YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VITAL! As reported in last month’s newsletter, on August 27-28 (Wed-Thurs), a three-person team will be at the church to conduct a series of interviews and discussion sessions, all aimed at helping our congregation better fulfill our Godgiven mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Please read the schedule below, paying special attention to where your participation is requested, and contact the office if you have any questions. Thursday, August 14 6:30 p.m. A “Pre-consultation Workshop” will be held at the church for anyone who would like to get a detailed preview of the upcoming consultation. Wednesday, August 27 9:30 a.m. Consultation Team arrives 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Interviews with the Pastor and Secretary 12:15-12:45 p.m. Lunch for the Consultation Team 12:45-5:00 p.m. 45-minute interviews with each of the following: Lay Leader, Administrative Council chair, Staff-Parish chair, Finance chair, Music Director, KFC Director 5:00-5:45 p.m. Focus Groups (participants will have a chance to share their thoughts about strengths and weaknesses of the church, along with their hopes/visions for the future of the church) Group 1: Administrative Council members Group 2: “Open” group for regular worshipers who are not on any committees (Note: If you consider yourself to be in this group and would like to participate, but did not receive a letter of invitation, please contact the church office right away.) 6:00-6:45 p.m. ALL-CHURCH POTLUCK MEAL (Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.) 7:00-8:30 p.m. CONGREGATIONAL WORKSHOP (This session will focus on cultural changes and challenges for effective ministry in the 21st century. Everyone is welcome and strongly encouraged to attend; Administrative Council and staff are expected to attend.) 8:30-10:00 p.m. Consultation Team begins writing our church’s “Ministry Action Plan” (MAP), which will consist of specific plans for improving our effectiveness as a church. Thurs., August 28 Morning Consultation Team completes writing Ministry Action Plan and presents it to Pastor 12:00-12:30 p.m. Lunch for the Consultation Team 12:30-1:30 p.m. Consultation Team presents Ministry Action Plan to anyone interested (Everyone is invited to attend, but key leaders and staff are strongly encouraged to attend.) After this the Team leaves. —FCJ continued on page 7 Page 7 Rock v ille Fir st UM C Hig hlig ht s —FCJ continued from page 6 After the Consultation: Three identical “Town Hall Meetings” (each of which will be open to anyone who wishes to attend) will be held at the church at different times. These meetings will include prayer, presentation of the Ministry Action Plan, and a time for questions or comments to be received and discussed. The dates/times of these meetings are as follows: - Tues., September 9, 6:00 p.m. - Wed., September 10, 1:00 p.m. - Sun., September 14, 11:30 a.m. (after worship) A brief “Church Conference” will be held at the church on Sunday, September 28, 11:30 a.m. (after worship) for the purpose of voting on the Ministry Action Plan. In keeping with the United Methodist Book of Discipline, this conference will be conducted by our District Superintendent, and only full members of the church will be able to vote, though others will be welcome to attend. The vote (which will be to accept or reject the entire Ministry Action Plan) will be conducted by paper ballot, and the results will be announced before everyone leaves. If the MAP is accepted, then the Pastor will briefly share what the next steps will be (e.g., a special “Day of Prayer”, follow-up workshops, etc). PLEASE NOTE: If you plan to attend either of the Focus Groups and/or the Congregational Workshop on August 27th, please contact the church office no later than August 11th. Thank you! Cluster Fundraising for Rosedale Buddy Bags and Operation Classroom Underway During August our "cluster" of UM churches will be collecting funds for two projects to benefit school children. One is for scholarships for Operation Classroom in Liberia & Sierra Leone (Africa); the other is to help get the Rosedale "Buddy Bags" ministry off to a get start for its second year. Please help by placing your donation in a pew envelope indicating which project(s) you'd like your donation(s) to fund, then place it in the offering plate. Make checks to First UMC and write the project name on the memo line. Thank you! Park Vermillion Community Pregnancy Center Fish Fry The PVCPC is inviting all to join them for a Fish Fry Friday, August 15th -, 4:00-8:00 pm at Clark’s Reception Hall, east of Rockville on highway 36. Cost is $9.00 for adults and $6.00 for children. Fried fish, green beans, coleslaw, apple sauce, bread and butter, tea and lemonade. Page 8 Rock v ille Fir st UM C Hig hlig ht s Fellowship Diner Fri., August 29, 6-7:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall Everyone Welcome—FREE Meal Being Served. Bring a Friend or Neighbor! Attention Choir Members! Our first choir rehearsal is on September 4th at 7:00 p.m. We are going to sing in church on September 14th. We would welcome any new members! Come and join us! —Mary Alice Hospitality in Our Worship Services-Entertaining Angles As Christians we are repeatedly reminded in the Bible to "show hospitality to strangers", and it's especially important that we do so with our guests who bless us with their presence on Sunday mornings. Because so many in our congregation do so well with welcoming guests on an informal basis before the worship service, the Worship Committee recently decided to experiment with not having a formal greeting time during the service, unless for some reason a formal greeting time might be helpful (for example, lots of guests present for a baptism or special event). So let's continue extending a warm welcome to ALL those share in worship on Sunday mornings, especially when we remember the words of Hebrews 13;2 -- "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for, by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it." Many thanks to Joe Swinehart for mowing and trimming the church yard this summer. It is greatly appreciated! Thanks too to Larry and Charla Malone for watering the outside flowers each week. They have been beautiful! Service Circle News The Service Circle quarterly hostess committee for July through September is: Marilou Cox, Mary Alice Barnes, Sue North and Wanda Nickle. Their next meeting will be September 17th, 9:30 a.m. at the home of Mary Alice Barnes. Devotions will be given by Sue North. Hostesses for this meeting will be Sally Zuber, Jean Birch, Mary Ann Jones and Lois McGrannahan. All women of the church are invited. Your Rockville First United Methodist Church family invites you to a Homecoming Celebration Sunday, September 21, 2014 Summer will soon be over, but what better way could there be to enjoy the last weekend of summer than to “come home” to where faith, family, and friends await you? We’ve planned a very special Day for you! It will begin with a wonderful time of worship at 10:00 a.m. that will feature lots of great music, a unique “Children’s Chat”, and an uplifting message from God’s Word. Then, after the worship service, there will be a bountiful “pitch-in” lunch (drinks and tableware provided), complete with a fun look back through the years, as we celebrate the history of First UMC in songs skits, and photos. There will also be games and treats for the kids. Do you have any old photos you’d like to share on that day? Bring them with you! Don’t think you’ll have a dish to share for the pitch-in? No problem; there will be plenty to go around! This is your chance to recall wonderful memories, renew precious friendships, and simply rejoice in the Lord. So mark you calendar today and, if possible let us know you’ll be coming. You can call the church office at 765-5695356, e-mail us at [email protected], or send us a message on Facebook. Oh, and be sure to invite others to come with you. We’ll be looking forward to seeing you, and saying to you… Welcome home! “Ripe for Renewal" 7/29/2014 I am writing from England, where I am on a Wesley Tour to learn more about John and Charles Wesley and about the beginnings of the Methodist revival movement in the Church of England -- which, of course, came to America and resulted in our United Methodist Church as well the other branches of Methodism, now with over 75 million members worldwide. I am also learning about the haunting similarities between the 18th century Church of England and the 21st century United Methodist Church in the United States. Here are some of those commonalities: The Church of England in Wesley's day and the UMC in the US in our day: The high economic status of its members (the sociological principle of "redemption and lift") separated them from the masses and kept ordinary people from feeling welcome or hearing the Good News Clergy often lived away from their people, focused upon their careers, and saw ministry as a job. The church used outdated methods of teaching and preaching the faith. The church and the clergy focused upon arguments about morality rather than proclaiming God's grace for all. Music and liturgy were morose and lethargic. Passion for the Mission of the church was replaced with second-hand support of missions and charity. Education of the clergy was valued over wisdom, common sense and fruitfulness in ministry. The church worked hand-in-hand with the government and other social constructs to maintain the status quo of the society. Preaching was focused upon "the head" and not "the heart." Laity were excluded from meaningful leadership. This may sound like a very negative and pessimistic comparison but the point is that the church was ripe for renewal and revival in Wesley's day, and it is in our day, too. I already see signs of such renewal and revival today: More and more of our congregations are feeding the poor, providing free medical clinics, ministering to the children of their community, etc. Our key leaders, including our active bishops, are focused upon increasing the number of vital congregations. Many of our younger clergy seem more committed to the mission of the church and less focused on their careers. Words like "evangelism" and "renewal" are no longer seen as alien to our church. Many efforts are breaking forth to make worship and preaching relevant and lively. Ministry is using more and more of the latest media and methods of communication. We are trying hard to be a more outwardly-focused church. Laity are leading the way in many of these positive changes. Will our United Methodist Church in the US find renewal and revival? I pray so. I have given 40 years of ministry trying to help (including many failed efforts). I continue to see both a dying old church and a new church being born. Learning about the persistent, prayerful, patient and passionate work of the Wesleys reminds me that such revival and renewal requires many people working to achieve it. It also requires God's grace to fill us with such a Spirit. My prayer is: May it be so, Lord, and may I do my part. Please join me in that prayer. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord… Colossians 3:23 August 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Pastor Dave 2 Vacation 3 4 6 7 8 11 Deadline to 12 13 14 6:30 FCJ 15 4-8 PVCPC 16 Gregg/ RSVP to FCJ Focus Groups and/or, Workshop on April 27th 6:30 Trustee meeting Pre-consultation Workshop Fish Fry, Clarks Reception Hall Woody Wedding 21 22 23 Special music: Communion Special music: Alleni Wicker 17 18 Special music: Jayci Wicker 7 Book of Job drama by Pastor Dave at Ritz Theatre 24 Special 25 music: D. Lash, J. Goddard, R. Akers, R. Belcher 31 Special music: Janie Pound, Ray North 9 7 Men’s Bible Study Amy McCallister 10 5 7 Men’s Bible Study 19 6:30 Depression support group 20 7 Men’s Bible Study 26 7 Men’s Bible Study 11 Wells Memorial Service 27 12:15-5:45— FCJ interviews, Focus Groups 6pm All church potluck dinner 7pm All Congregational Workshop 28 12:30— FCJ Consultation Team present Ministry Action Plan to all 29 6-7 Fellowship Diner 30 Rockville First United Methodist Church Office Hours: M-TH, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Web: www.rockvilleumc.net August 2014 Regular Church School and Worship Schedule: Adult Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. Children’s Church: 10:15 a.m. (Grades Kindergarten—6th grade) Contact Information: ~Pastor Dave Marty~ 765-505-2884 Email: [email protected] ~Church~ 128 North Market St., P. O. Box 142, Rockville, IN 47872 Church Phone: 765-569-5356 Church email: [email protected]
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