ASHLEY UMC  SEPTEMBER  2009  NEWSLETTER

 

TO RENEW THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST IN OURSELVES, OUR CHURCH, AND OUR COMMUNITY

 

 

214 E. High Street, Ashley, Oh 43003

Church Phone # 740-747-2295

Web Site: www.gbgm-umc.org/ashleyumc

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

  

 

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.

 
c:\program files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\Sheryl 071309.jpg

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 United Methodist Church as a whole has been challenged to “Rethink Church” – to think outside the box.  We have been challenged to be a church of ten thousand doors – Open hearts.  Open minds. Open doors.  We need to think about how we, at Ashley United Methodist Church can be the church – the hands and feet of Jesus – here in Ashley Ohio and in our surrounding communities

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

 

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.

 

Text Box: The Peebles Herzog Company completed all repairs on our church organ.  We celebrated Labor Day weekend by using it during our worship service on Sunday, September 6th .  The fund drive that was initiated to help pay for the repairs is gaining steam. Five of the ceremonial organ pipes are now filled. We thank all who have contributed. If you have not already made a contribution, please prayerfully  consider the opportunity.    
  
To further celebrate the restoration of our church organ and to mingle with our current and former members and ministers, we are planning a homecoming celebration, concert, and music for Sunday, October 11th  , Heritage Sunday.   Among others, Mr. Max Bunker, has agreed to return to perform a recital.  This will be your opportunity to visit with former friends, some of our previous pastors, and to meet our new pastor, Sheryl Seitz.  The concert(s), music, food, and fellowship should be enjoyable. Please mark your calendars and watch for forthcoming correspondence. We do hope you will plan to attend! 

Since the Heritage Sunday program is a work in progress, please share your ideas with Twila Trimble 740-363-5864.  By the first of October, we will publish the Heritage program.
 


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 Wintersong Village Nursing Facility, 478 S Sanduskky, St., Deaware, Oh 43015 .  Please send cards, and, if possible please pay her a visit.  It is expected that she will be in recovery at the facility for another month. 

 

Crop_WalkThe 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.

 


September 2009

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

 

 

1

2

3

4

5 MORROW COUNTY FAIR  PORK PRODUCERS’ BOOTH

6 MORROW COUNTY FAIR PORK PRODUCER’S BOOTH

7 MORROW COUNTY FAIR PORK PRODUCERS’ BOOTH

8 TRUSTEES  (7PM) &  FINANCE (8PM) MEETINGS

9 Ruth Bonsel HB

10 Heritage Sunday Meeting 6:30 pm &

Outreach 7:30 pm

11

12 Amber Chaney HB

13 Ashley Manor Service 2pm

14

15 UMW (7pm)

16 Worship Committee 7:30 pm

17 FREE COMMUNTIY DINNER  5 -6:30 pm

18 Pastor’s Office Hours 4 -6 pm

19 Georgia Fronk HB

20

21 Pastor’s Office Hours 4 – 6:30 pm

22 COUNCIL (7PM)

23 Dean Baldwin & Bob Fellows  HB

24

25

26

27   Louise Henry

    HB         

28Mary Lou Shoemaker HB

29

30

Sunday School 9:30 am; church 10:30 am

Bible Study Wed 9:30 am @ Ashley Villa

AA Meeting 6:00 pm Fridays

Computer Support Saturdays 7:00 pm @ church

HB = Happy Birthday

The following Was Provide by Twila Trimble and is Similar in Thought to Our Pastors Message

 

THE U IN JESUS

 

Before U were thought of or time had begun,

God stuck U in the name of His son.

 

And each time U pray, you’ll wee it’s true,

You can’t spell out JesUs and not include U.

 

You’re a pretty big part of His wonderful name,

For U He was born; that’s why He came.

 

And His great love for U is the reason He died,

It even takes U to spell crucified.

 

Isn’t it thrilling and splendidly grand,

He rose from the dead, with U in his plan?

 

The stones split away, the gold trumpet blew,

and this word resurrection is spelled with a U.

 

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,

He felt there was one thing he just had to mention.

 

“Go into the world and tell them it’s true

That I love them all – just like I love U.

 

So many great people are spelled with a U,

Don’t they have a right to know JesUs too?

 

It all depends now on what U will do,

He’d like them to know, but it all starts with U.