N   E   W   S Back to Menu L  E  T  T  E  R Vol. VI No. 2 February, 2004

Charge Times  Canaanville United Methodist Church

INSIDE  A Perfect Record                                1 Family Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 United Methodist Women     . .  . . . . . 1 Mission Trip . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . .. . .  1 Valentine’s Day Party . . . . .  . . . . . . . 2 Music for Missions . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . 2 An Unexpected Gift . .. . . . . . . . . . . .  2 40 Days of Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Ash Wednesday Service . . . . . . . . . . .2 It’s a Girl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Happy Birthday to. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Happy Anniversary to . . . . . . . . . . . . .2   Canaanville Mission Statement To make and nurture disciples of Christ who reach out to the community with Christian Love. Charge Times Canaanville Stewart United Methodist Charge Submit newsletter items to:  Bonnie Carroll by the 20th of each month.  Send to: 18040 Mush Run Rd. Stewart, Ohio 45778 or e-mail to ad297@seorf.ohiou.edu  Charge Web Site: www.gbgm-umc.org/canstewumc E-mail to: jlambert1124@msn.com

A PERFECT RECORD         by Pastor Jim Just as the weather forecaster predicted, it began snowing about 1:00 p.m. today. As we discussed the weather this morning at church, we made our plans for the day based primarily on this report. Some said, "I’m not going anywhere." or "You won’t catch me out on the roads." But others were determined to carry on with their plans. I hope that turned out okay. Needless to say, we place quite a bit of trust in the weather forecaster. This is especially true if the forecaster has been accurate a few times more recently. Did you ever wonder why that is so? Why can the weatherman win our trust so quickly that we will, in a sense, base our lives on his or her words, but then it is difficult to trust God, who has never been wrong, never told a lie, and wants only the best for us. I have to admit that there are days when I struggle with this like everyone else. So, I would like to make a suggestion: If you catch yourself not trusting God when the storms of life seem to be rolling in, look to the One who calms the storm with His word. Just as Jesus spoke peace to the storm, He has given peace to His followers. He said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This means that whatever the situation, peace of mind is available to us no matter what storm of life we face. There are hundreds of other promises from God that will help us each day. You don’t have to worry about whether they are accurate. God’s record is perfect.

Family Night      Sunday February 29th we will return to Hope Drive to share a Potluck dinner and time of fellowship and games.  If you are unable to come but would like to contribute food, please contact Kathy at 662-4801.    Women’s Society The first meeting of the New Year will be Wed. Feb. 4th at 7:00 p.m.  Due to the  unpredictability of the weather, refreshments are Potluck. Mission Trip Our own Bill Elasky and Chuck Carroll will be joining Rev. Frank and Catherine Hare on a mission trip to Rancho Ebenezer in Managua, Nicaragua Feb. 7-18.  Rancho Ebenezer is where Mark Hare, Presbyterian Agricultural Mission Worker, has been serving for the past several years.  They will be assisting to upgrade the electrical systems there.  Bill would like to take school supplies and some extra money to help out the local community.  Funds are also needed for the electrical supplies. If you are interested in assisting financially with this project contact Bill at 662-4801 or Chuck at 662-3694.

Valentine’s Day Party Stewart church invites people of all ages to a Valentine Party Saturday  Feb. 14 from  6:00-8:00 p.m. There will be games, pizza and lots of fun! Moms and Dads of school age children are invited to drop off the kids and take their sweetheart out to dinner!           Music For Missions Athens First United Methodist Church will be presenting the Second Annual Music For Missions event in their sanctuary on Friday evening, February 27th.  Some of Athens' finest musical talent will provide the joyous noise for the missions program in support of Herbert and Mary Zigbuo's educational and rebuilding work in Liberia.  Athens First has a longstanding covenant relation with the Zigbuos, and the Music For Missions program has developed as their major fundraiser for their efforts. The hope is to fill the sanctuary with folks seeking a wholesome and positive musical experience on February 27th beginning at 7:00pm.  Highly-accredited local performers include John Horne on guitar and vocals, Brian Turner (our "house pianist") on piano, and The Athens Recorder Consort.  Headliners Otis Crockron and Banners Of Praise from the Grace Christian Center will get this bunch of United Methodists and our guests out of our seats!  Admission is free and, in the tradition of good United Methodists everywhere, a freewill offering will be received.  All proceeds will go to support the Zigbuos and their educational mission in Liberia.

An Unexpected Gift On Sunday Jan. 18th Mr. Ron Welsh spoke to the congregation of Canaanville Church and made a generous presentation on behalf of the estates of Ruth and Helen Hanning.  The Hanning sisters were born a couple miles from the church across the river. They attended Canaan School and went on to graduate from Ohio University.  Ruth became a school teacher in Nanesville and Helen worked for Sinclair Oil Co in New York.  Upon retiring, Helen moved back to Ohio to live with Ruth.  For several years, Helen has been sending monthly checks and enjoying the newsletter. In preparation for receiving this generous gift, the administrative council voted to tithe 10% of the gift to missions outside our church.  If you would like to make suggestions for the tithe, please contact Pastor Jim or Chuck Carroll, chairperson of Administrative counsel. 40 DAYS OF PURPOSE Today the average life span is 25,550 days. That’s how long you will live if you are typical. Don’t you think it would be wise use of time to set aside 40 of those days to figure out what God wants you to do with the rest of them? This is the reason we are planning a 40 day Bible study during Lent based on the book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Billy Graham and Franklin Graham had this to say about Rick Warren’s book: "Make sure you’re not missing the point of your life - read this book." and "The Purpose Driven Life will guide you to greatness  - through living the Great Commandment and the Great Commission." Individually, we will begin the daily readings on Ash Wednesday, Feb 25, the first day of Lent. Then on Tuesdays, beginning March 2, we will gather at 7:00 p.m. to learn more and discuss the lessons of the week. We will meet March 2,9, & 16 at Canaanville. Then we will meet March 23, 30, & April 6 at Stewart.

The book and study guide will cost about $15. Feel free to pair up with someone to share the book and the expense. If you cannot afford the cost of the book, please let Pastor Jim know and we will see that you have a book to use during the study.     Ash Wednesday Service There will be an Ash Wednesday service Feb. 25th for the charge at Stewart 7:00pm.  If you saved your Palms from last year, give them to Pastor Jim and he will use them for the Ash Wednesday service.  Congratulations to Steve and Marjan Cuckler, Delaware, Ohio on the birth of daughter, Liberty Madison born Dec. 9, 2003.  Libby weighed 7# 10 oz.  Congratulations to proud grandparents, Bill and Phyllis Cuckler.    Happy Birthday to.... Roger Wolfe        2/3 Tammy Miller        2/4 Chris Needs        2/8 Larry McPherson        2/8 Pastor Jim Lambert    2/9 Nirvana Zimmerman    2/12 Beckey Mansfield        2/14 Ashley Needs        2/17 Lana Hines        2/17 Kathie Korb        2/17 William Schall, Jr.        2/20 Margaret Bush        2/22 Bruce Morgan        2/23 Ann Storer        2/26 Tiffany Lairson        2/28        Happy Anniversary to... Bruce and Margaret Bush     2/13