ASHLEY UMC SEPTEMBER 2009
NEWSLETTER
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TO RENEW THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST IN OURSELVES,
OUR CHURCH, AND OUR COMMUNITY
Church Phone #
740-747-2295
Web Site: www.gbgm-umc.org/ashleyumc
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Pastor:
Sheryl Seitz PH# 740-362-3809 e-mail:
revsherylseitz@yahoo.com |
Youth
Director: Melanie Goodman Cell:
740-815-6406 e-mail: MelGoodman50@yahoo.com |
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Sept
1, 2009 Dear
Friends: Did
you ever hear a newborn baby cry?
Did you ever wonder why that baby would cry? Because of a very basic need that the
Creator placed in each of us, we have the need for acknowledgment. |
For
a baby, that need must be communicated through limited means of communication –
so the baby cries in order that someone will know that he/she has a need. However, research has proven that without
acknowledgement and attention, babies can die.
This ailment is called “failure to thrive” and the death is attributed
to lack of attention.
In
our churches today, we are experiencing this “failure to thrive”. As humans, even adults,
simply want someone to acknowledge our existence – our presence. As a church, we are called to reach out to
other humans, to acknowledge others and to love them as Jesus has loved us. The
Sometimes,
this simply means that we extend our hand on a Sunday morning to say hello to
someone that we don’t know. Sometimes,
the way to acknowledge others is offering to hold a door open when they might
be struggling. Other times, this form of
human acknowledgment is listening to someone who wants to talk – to be
heard. And of course, we must pray for
one another – always.
Greeting
our visitors on Sunday and at other functions is a wonderful opportunity to open
the door to new relationships and human acknowledgement. Letting new folks know where the restrooms
are located, where the children would find activities to occupy them during
service, what to expect during service, inviting them to other activities and
to generally make them feel welcome.
These are ways that we can open doors and allow new relationships to
develop.
There
is a contemporary Christian group that recently had a popular song called “If
We Are the Body”. Casting Crowns who
wrote music delivered a powerful message:
“It's
crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
CHORUS
But
if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road
CHORUS (1 x)
Jesus
paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ
CHORUS (2x)
Jesus is the way”
If we are the
body of Christ, what are we doing to serve Him?
How are we reacting to others who cry out for acknowledgement? How do we serve others who are hurting and
needing compassion?
As we continue to
pray for our brothers and sisters in the church and community of Ashley, please
ask God to lead you to provide a word of encouragement to someone new. Ask that He would show you who is hurting or lonely and then how would He have you be a
friend to that person who is crying out for attention.
Peace and
blessings to each of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that you have the love of Christ in
your heart and that you will seek God’s direction in your life as we all travel
down this road of life together.
In His
Service, Pastor Sheryl
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FREE COMMUNITY DINNER: The
free community dinner is planned for Thursday, September 17th
. If you are willing to help,
please contact Melanie Goodman. If you
are willing to manage the October 15th dinner, please contact Margaret VanSickle. |
HERITAGE SUNDAY & ORGAN CONCERT/MUSIC
A couple of weeks ago,
Emma Smith accidentally fell and broke her hip.
The good news is that she is recovering quite well from the accident and
the required surgery. She is currently at
the
The annual crop walk is fast
approaching in early October. If you are
willing to walk, can provide a donation, and/or moral support, please contact
Dave Thurston.
Key
Ministry Fall event is scheduled for Oct 4, 2009. It will be an enjoyable evening of music, worship,
and fellowship. For more information, contact
Dave Thurston.
HOME BOUND MEMBERS Ann Babcock, Ruth
Bennett, Dick and Erma Bilikam, Ruth Bonsel, Lucille Caroll, Sylvia Gray, Doris Graham, Maebelle
Henry,
Doris Kiefer, Jeanette Myers, Mary Kay Piatt, Elizabeth Thatcher
Please
remember each of the above with a card, telephone call, or visit. If you are
willing to deliver a newsletter to one of the above, please contact Dean
Baldwin, 740-747-2450.