PASTOR KATHRYN BISHOP HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO GARFIELD BY THE BISHOP AND HIS CABINET FOR THE YEAR. 2008-09

 

We are pleased to announce Pastor Katie Bishop will be serving as our full-time Pastor here at Garfield for the coming year effective July 1st.  She came here last year 2006-07 while still in seminary, starting out as part-time associate pastor.  This year, 2007-08, after graduating from seminary, she became full-time associate Pastor working alongside Pastor Randy.  In that time we have come to understand her goals for our congregation and the ministry she has to share.

As we celebrate having our own full-time minister to serve and nurture our community, nearby towns and villages.  We are each called to step forth in our journey with God.  This is an opportunity, through Faith, as members of our church to make this Discipleship Adventure successful.  We're all in this together!

 

--Submitted by Pastor Katie

Pull out your detective hats and magnifying glasses! The youth are at it again! Join us May 25th at 6:00 pm for our Mystery Dinner Theater.

In the middle of Garfield's "prom" the coveted leis worn by the king and queen are stolen. Who took them? Was it snobby Hannah Lulu, the most popular girl in school? Or her boyfriend Al Oha? Maybe it was Hannah's best friend  Penny Apple. Or perhaps the new kid Jim Akah. Could it have been the shy geek, Coco Nutta? Certainly not Principal Sandy Wave! 

Dinner will consists of Spaghetti and Chicken and will be prepared and served by our youth.

Come for the fun, the delicious food, and help us raise money for charity.

Please sign up for the dinner either by contacting Jeannette Kuhn or signing up in the back of the sanctuary!

Editor’s Note:  The play has been written by and directed by our very own Pastor Katie.

 

Our annual dinner honoring the women of our church is scheduled for May 4^th at 5:00 p.m.

The menu will be served by the men of the church will include vegetarian lasagna, pork tenderloin, macaroni and cheese, lettuce salad, rolls and desert. 

You will not want to miss this meal.  Sign up at the church as soon as possible so an accurate count is achieved and adequate food is prepared.

 

 

Well the Rock-a-Thon is all over with and everyone is finally rested up again, and proud of our accomplishments.  If you haven’t heard yet the youth were able to raise $1,800 for The Children’s Organ Transplant Association, and that money has been sent already.

We were also happy to have a great turnout.  We saw 46 people throughout the night, coming from 3 different states, and numerous churches.  The food was great and the Bible study at 12 midnight was the icing on the cake because we heard that several people were inspired by her message.

The youth feel like I’m always thanking the congregation, but once more.  Thank you for the support that you always give to the youth.  This congregation is an example of how all churches need to support the next generation of Christian leaders!  Keep your schedules clear for the Spaghetti Dinner Theater coming May 25.  Our youth group is facing so many exciting new things including growth both in numbers and most importantly spiritually, so please keep praying for them.

 

 

Outrigger Island is the name of this year’s Bible School and will emphasize the ABC’s of becoming a Christian.  The lesson, crafts, snacks and games are all exciting.

Children of all ages are welcomed and encouraged to attend and adult volunteers are needed. 

 

 

Happy Spring Bingo is being planned for May 2^nd at 7:00 p.m. at the church social room

Bring a “springy” item and we will play Bingo until we tire, run out of prizes or until the caller cannot longer call Bingo, whichever comes first.

This is a great time of fellowship and fun, so come on down.

 

Mark your calendars for these future activities at Garfield coming in June

June 15 – Spring Hike to Washington Monument – all are welcome

June 16^th thru the 20^th is the Vacation Bible School from 6:30 to 8:00 – all children welcome - your help is needed

June 22^nd is Youth Sunday – always a great service.

 

 

The Life May Brings

It’s late April and it’s raining outside.  It’s been raining all day, and I’m thinking about last month’s article when I was talking about April showers.  There hasn’t been much sun shining lately and I’m looking at the calendar trying to push into the month of May.  I remember last month’s article reminding us of the promises of sunshine and flowers starting to come to bloom when May gets here.  I’m not seeing any flowers blooming on the calendar, but I am seeing that there are a lot of things going on, and they all have the promises of new life.

Here are a few things happening in May.  We have a special baptism service coming up early in the month.  Many of us will go to Grossnickle church where we will have a baptism service for those who wish to be baptized by immersion.  We’ll gather together, sing some songs that lift up Jesus, share some scripture that tells the story of God giving His Son so we can be forgiven and saved.  And then we will have the baptisms.  The picture of this is a picture of what Jesus did and what we have because of that. Jesus died on the cross and was buried in the tomb. Three days later Jesus was raised to new, eternal life.  In baptism, we take on that same life with Jesus.  When we are immersed into the water, it’s a symbol of our old, sinful self dying and being buried. It’s also a sign of the baptized being completely immersed into Jesus.  And so when we are raised out from the waters, it’s representative of being raised up into a brand new life. And there it is.  New life just like the new life that comes in the month of May.

So we start with this immersion baptism service that speaks of new life for everyone who participates.  And then just a couple weeks into the month we have another great celebration.  It’s the celebration of Mothers Day.  We’ll gather together over meals that are prepared to celebrate.  We will recognize the moms in our church and give gifts to the ladies in the church and strive to let them know how much we appreciate them.  And we will give thanks for our moms because after all, if it weren’t for mothers none of us would be here! Is there anything that speaks more of life than a mother with her child? A mom brings a new life into the world and nurtures the baby as she watches it grow into a beautiful life. What a great thing a mom is, and just as great is a mom who takes a child under her wing and becomes a spiritual mother to the one who has never had someone in their life to tell them about Jesus.  Giving life in a biological way is an absolute miracle. Giving life in a spiritual way is an absolute miracle that has no end. There is nothing more honorable than giving life to another. There is nothing more promising and filled with more hope than to lead someone to eternal life in Jesus. Mothers Day is the celebration of life. New life just like the new life that comes in the month of May.

There’s one more celebration this year in the month of May. That is the celebration of Pentecost. Pentecost celebrates the day God poured out the Holy Spirit upon all His people.  Jesus is the way to new life. The Holy Spirit is the power and action that makes this new life full and abundant and beyond what we could even imagine. The Holy Spirit is the power that raised Jesus from the dead and raises us to new life as well.  It is the Holy Spirit that lives in us after we give our lives to God, and empowers us to live lives that honor God and brings to us joy, peace and hope.  What Jesus has done to give us life, the Holy Spirit magnifies that life all the more, because by the Holy Spirit, God lives in us and leads us to life just like that of Jesus.  Jesus said that when He goes, we will receive a gift that will enable us to do what Jesus did.  That gift is the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit that enables us to live is the celebration of life.  New life just like the new life that comes in the month of May.

Last month I wrote about the rain and storms of April, but promised that because of them, it would lead to buds and blooms and beautiful flowers of May. Those buds and blooms and flowers all speak of new life.  There are lots of things going on in May, and it all speaks of life. And it all goes back to life that can only be found in knowing Jesus. He alone gives life.  New life just like the new life that comes in the month of May. If I were looking for life, or needing to know there is more to life than what many people have, I would look to Jesus. He can give new life.  The new life just like the fresh, spring-filled, new life that comes in the month of May.

 

Spring Cleaning

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:10-12

There is something cathartic about spring cleaning. In preparation for the Yard Sale, Chris and I took some time to do a little spring cleaning. Pulling out all of the things from both our furnace room and the storage space under our stairs we began the tedious work of sorting through things. Having just been in our house under a year, many of the boxes we pulled out were boxes from the move we have yet to unpack!

“Katie,” Chris began, “if we haven’t used it yet, is it really that important?” Sorting through the boxes I found clothing we would never wear again, old computer parts, and trophies from softball. I found pictures from when we were dating, old notebooks full of class notes from college, and books we have yet to open and will probably never open. Perhaps Chris was right, if I haven’t used it yet, is it really that important?

As people of faith, we too are called to “spring cleaning.” In Psalm 51, David cries out to the Lord, begging for forgiveness. He writes, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” David’s cry for forgiveness, his recognition of his sinfulness, and his repentance draws him ever closer to God, pulling him more and more into God’s Holy Presence. We too are called to cry out – “Lord, create in me a pure heart! Renew my desire to be faithful.” When we take time to clean our hearts and seek forgiveness, we find renewal through our Lord.

Take time this spring, as you witness the new life budding around you, to see pull out the old boxes hidden deep in your heart. As you seek to have a new and clean heart, may the Lord help you see what really is important! And may the Lord bless and keep your family this month!

Grace and Peace, Pastor Katie

 

P.S. – Last month I talked about my garden – and it is growing! I had to share a picture to prove it! Remember that with God, anything is possible!

 

 

 

Women’s Bible Club Continues

Please join us on May 3rd at 7 pm at the Beall house. (There will be no meeting on May 17^th).  The book is easy to jump into! Babysitting is available, if you reserve a spot for your child. Please contact Pastor Katie for information or to reserve childcare.

 

 

We will be having an immersion baptism service at Grossnickle Church Saturday, May 3 at 7:00.  Anyone wanting to participate should let Pastor Katie or Rev Randy know as soon as possible.

Also, we will be receiving new members in our churches May 18.  Anyone who would like to become a member of our church should contact the pastors as soon as possible.

Pastor Katie and Rev Randy will be attending Annual Conference May 22-24. Please keep this time in your prayers as the Conference considers the direction of our church.

 

Remember to remember

One Memorial Day, some children were asked what the holiday meant to them.

“That’s the day the swimming pool opens!” answered one eager boy. What he didn’t realize or appreciate was that he can freely go to the pool because more than one million people have put their lives on the line to preserve America’s democracy. Many of them have died so citizens of other countries might also enjoy the privileges of political, social and economic freedom.

Memorial Day is our opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifices of many of America’s best citizens. They made the supreme sacrifice on our behalf, so please remember to honor these heroes on May 26.

 

 

Income	2007	2008
Month	7972	11154
YTD	20026	26416
Expenses	2007	2008
Month	6525	9749
YTD	20568	27517
Sunday School/Missions	2007	2008
Sunday school	204	283
YTD	519	727
Missions	0	339
Attendance	2007	2008
Worship	323	506
YTD	830	1187
Sunday School	105	135
YTD	266	319

 

The “M” word

During a science lesson, a second-grade teacher demonstrated how a magnet can pick up metal objects such as nails and screws.

Afterward, she said, “My name begins with the letter ‘m.’ I pick up things with my power. What am I?”

A boy quickly answered, “You’re a mother!”