---Submitted by Pastor Katie

Philippians 4:4 reads: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” And that is exactly what we are going to do as we begin a four week sermon series focusing on the book of Philippians and finding the JOY Jesus brings.

This sermon series will begin on September 21^st as we celebrate Rally Day looking at how we are called to find joy by Living with Christ. The other topics are Imitating Christ (September 28^th), Following Christ (October 5^th) and finally Rejoice in Christ (October 12^th – Harvest Home). With special music, special drama, perhaps even the blessing of a liturgical dance, our worship will be filled with JOY as we seek to rejoice always.

There will also be a special activity for children in Sunday School each week around that week’s sermon theme. If you are interested in helping participate in worship in a special way, please see Pastor Katie.  

On September 20^th at the church from 3:00 to 6:00 the social hall of the church will be turned into the kitchen of the next Iron Chef or Emeril Lagasse or the next Food NetWork Star.

The King’s Kids will gather to place their chef hats on and prepare dinner Lasagna to be exact (with adult supervision and help for the baking and heavy lifting).

While the lasagna is baking the King’s Kids will be make a desert.  Bring your children for a fun afternoon

This is all for fun, fellowship and explore new talents  We do however, need RSVP by Sept. 14th, so that proper supplies are purchased.  Each child will have their personal pans, ingredients., and chef hats.   

Monday Night Disciple Series: Jesus in the Gospels

Our Monday night Bible Study begins September 15^th at 6:30 pm. Continuing for 30 weeks, this year we will do an in depth study of the gospels seeking to grow in our knowledge and faith.

If you are interested, please contact Jeannette Kuhn or Pastor Katie so that we might reserve a book for you.  

 

Sandwich and Study

Sandwich and Study will begin again for the fall on Wednesday, September 17^th at noon. We gather for lunch and fellowship and then take time to study the Word of God.

We will start with a study focusing on the book of Matthew called, “The Kingdom of Heaven.” This 12 week study that helps us look heavenward as we walk with Jesus. All are invited to come.

 

As always the youth & young adults of Garfield have been very active.  Many of our young adults helped with VBS and were there to enjoy the VBS reunion as well.  On Aug. 17 a group of over 20 headed down to Washington D.C. to experience a Nationals baseball game in their new stadium.  The tickets, metro, and food were free to all who attended.  While the game was fun the metro ride was the most exciting for many of our group, especially on the ride home when a small fire on the train forced our evacuation.  All was well and while we waited for the next train we were treated to a free show of firefighters running around to make sure everything was taken care of.

This fall won’t be different than the summer.  It will still be busy for our young people.  Bible Study continues the first and third Sunday of the month.  The leaders have done an amazing job and thanks be to God our group has maintained high participation.  This study has brought interesting, passionate discussions from everyone and the food we’ve been having ain’t been bad either. 

Our group also wants to put together a float for the Mummers Parade in Hagerstown.  We’ve been talking about this for most of the year and we will need your support and prayers.

Our youth groups have been blessed by the Lord, and I think that we can confidently say that our youth groups have been a blessing for our community and congregation.  Keep the young people of our church in your prayers, and always encourage them to find their place in our church family. 

As fall rolls in and we begin to focus on the daily grinds of work and school lets remember that we are a church family looking to grow our youth.  If we all invite just one young person we together can reach our goals. 

To the youth of Garfield get ready for another season full of excitement and fun. To the adults of Garfield just sit back and prepare to be amazed by what our youth can do.

  

The Age Level & Family Ministry that we have a picnic scheduled at Pen Mar Park for Sat., Oct. 4th  12:00 to 3:00. 

The weather is always so nice. We will fellowship, laugh, and have a wild game of the Price is Right for those who would like to participate. Lunch items, burgers, dogs, and chips, paper products will be provided, bring your own drink, and lawn chairs encouraged.

Coming in November. AL&FM thought it would be nice to start an annual cookie exchange.  A sign up sheet would start in November. end in beginning of December and we would have a small fellowship to exchange our cookies on a Saturday.  This provides your Christmas with a variety of cookies. More information on the cookie exchange as it approaches.

 

With bathing suits shoved to the back of the closet and fall on our mind things are back in full swing at Garfield. Plan to come to worship on September 21st for Rally Day where we will celebrate our community, our fellowship and of course our Lord.

There will be special activities for the children during the 9:00 Sunday School hour (including cooking, drama and dance) and our new sermon series, "Finding Joy" begins.

Also starting in September will be our new book study as part of the Adult Life Application Class.  This class takes scriptures with the help of religious authors and pastors and studies their content and discusses how this is relevant in today’s world and how we the students can use scriptures in today’s world.

The book is entitled “Crippled by the Greatness of God by James MacDonald and is based on scriptures from the book of Isaiah. 

This study will look at topics of the awesomeness of God, the sovereignty of God, our identity in God.

 

Make a Difference in Your Community and

Your World

As September approaches, Chris and I are amazed. Eden is turning 1. With a family birthday party planned and flowers ordered for the altar at both Garfield and Middletown to celebrate with the congregations, we can hardly believe how the time has passed. Wrestling over what we would give her for her birthday, Chris and I walked through the aisles of Toys R Us. What would be perfect for her? What could she possibly need?

Needless to say, we walked out of the store with nothing in our hands. Because of the generosity of grandparents, hand-me-downs from congregants, and aunts who spoil her, Eden needs nothing! And as we began to think about the difference between need and want, Chris had a wonderful idea. We decided to sponsor a child in her honor through World Vision.

Hopping on their website, I was looking for a child who could use our support. For $30 a month, we could provide food, shelter, clothing and an education for a child from another country. For less than a dollar a day we could change the life of a child dramatically. And while providing food, shelter, clothing and education, this child would also get to hear about Jesus. Talk about amazing.

While searching through the profiles of children from around the world, I was amazed. There were so many children who could use our help. Which one would we pick? But then we found her. Elsa.

Elsa, who lives in Guatemala , is the same age as Eden . Born the same day – September 13, 2007. Could it be more perfect? She has four brothers and one sister, and while too young to go to school, is not too young to go to Sunday School. As we agreed to sponsor her, I realized – Eden is very blessed. And perhaps this friendship, with a girl she will never meet, would change her life the same way it will change Elsa’s. Perhaps she will learn just how easy it is to share the love of Christ.

As you and your family get back into the swing of things, as back to school shopping fades into a distant memory, I ask you to think about how you are making a difference in our community and in our world. There are so many little ways. Maybe it means bringing a can of soup to church on Red Wagon Sundays or reading to the children at the local elementary school. Perhaps it is holding the door for someone as they struggle to carry their groceries to the car or welcoming a visitor to worship. Every time we put someone else first, we witness to the love of Christ.

Please do me this favor, as September 13^th comes around, please pray for my daughter, Eden – that she become a strong woman in Christ. And please pray for our sponsored child, Elsa, that she too might become a strong woman in Christ. And remember, together -- our faith, our witness -- it does make a difference.

 

Hey Kids and Youth check out pages seven and eight for the newsletter designed just for you and by you.  And what a catchy name – Just Us and Jesus, doesn’t that say it all?

This is a newsletter contains events about what is happening at Garfield for Just Us.  It contains special accomplishments that have happened in your day like you went to a friend’s party and something really funny happened and you want to share.  Maybe you or your friends have a question about God and/or the Bible – submit your questions to Just Us and Jesus newsletter.

The newsletter will be available at church and you can get your “subscription” by calling Linda Reeder at 301-824-5237.  Also at the church is a form to complete for the “celebrating your day” section of the JU&J next issue. 

Choir practice resumes September 24^th at 7:30 p.m. – Your voices are needed and welcomed.  Possibly Wednesday evening is not a good time for you, come September 24^th and voice your preference of rehearsal date & time.

 

New brochures on memorial giving and estate planning are in the entrance way. These brochures help you know how to include the church in your estate planning. It deals with endowments, testamentary trusts, bequests, memorial gifts, honor gifts, estate planning gifts, remainder gifts, and gifts of assets. Gifts made to the church through your will can have a lasting impact on the work of Christ here at Garfield .  

Join us on Saturday, October 25^th from 6:30 to 8:30 as we experience SLIME TIME. Children and their parents will play games, make snacks, earn candy, and hear the gospel. Children are invited to wear their costumes or dress silly. We are looking for donations of:

individually wrapped candy

empty 2 liter soda bottles

rubber bouncy balls

mini-marshmallows

pretzel sticks

gumdrops

balloons (to be filled later)

Donations can be left on Pastor Katie’s desk. We are also looking for adults and teens willing to help lead games for the younger children. Please see Linda Reeder or Pastor Katie for information. 

Saturday, September 13^th from 9 am to noon there will be a training on Stewardship led by Daryl Williams, the Executive Director of the United Methodist Foundation, at Mt. Zion in Myersville. It will cover the stewardship in the local church, including the biblical understanding of stewardship. To register, please see Pastor Katie.  

--Submitted by Pastor Katie

August 10^th, we dedicated our new playground as we prayed for the children and families who would use it, gave thanks for God’s faithfulness and sang “Jesus Loves Me.” The playground has monkey bars, two swings, a glider, and a slide..  

On August 10^th, a few members led the service at Reeder’s.

It is always a blessing to go and share in worship with the residents at Reeder’s Nursing home. Our pianist played the piano and read scripture while Pastor Katie shared a brief sermon.

November 23^rd is the next date scheduled to lead the 4:00 service. Please plan to attend. 

 

This is just a reminder that if you are planning on having surgery, are going through a difficult time, or just need someone to talk to, please contact Pastor Katie either by email (pastorkatiebishop@yahoo.com) or by phone (301-846-4098).

She would love to stop by and pray with you at the hospital, plan to stop in and visit you at home, or even bring Eden with me for a special treat!

 

Dear Friends and Supporters

Thank you for the gift of $155 received July 31, 2008 to be used for the republication and distribution of Strength for Service to God and Country.  The book is now in its seventh printing and that is a testament in itself to donors like you who have helped transform editor Evan Hunsberger’s dream into reality.

At a time when public service personnel, including the military, are facing many unique challenges in order to protect us, spiritual sustenance is required to sustain that response and to be filled daily with God’s word.  Strength for Service to God and Country is supplying that basic need.

Thank you again for being a partner with us in carrying out the Lord’s work at a time when our country is looking for appropriate ways to respond to the vents of post September 11 and have changed the world in which we live.

May God continue to bless you in all that you do for others.

Peace and grace

Larry Coppock

General Commission on UMM

 

What a wonderful job was done on the Sunday School Picnic.  Although a hail storm blew up around 2:30 and cut the picnic a few hours short it was still a great success.  People were glad to see the roast beef and kettle fries had returned along with the time honored tradition of chicken corn soup and Paul Kuhn’s Steamers.

This picnic is a success each year because of you and your hard work and prayers.  For that each one of us deserves a hearty pat on the back.  Well done!!! 

As we grow in Christ and in leadership, our conference will be hosting a Discipleship Academy . The Academy will meet on Saturday September 27^th from 9 am to 3 pm at Christ Church Ballenger Creek in Frederick and then for 5 more weeks on Tuesday nights again at Christ Church Ballenger Creek.

The academy will be Focusing on Church Leadership, the academy has five courses you can follow: “Challenges of the Church,” “Stewardship,” “Spiritual Leadership,” “Christian Formation,” and “Strive for 5.”

Pastor Katie will be attending the Academy and we hope that you will consider attending as well. Please see her, visit www.bwcumc.org/academy or look at the flyers in the entrance way for more information.

 

 

Income	2007	2008
Month	7542	9921
YTD	55067	63087
Expenses	2007	2008
Month	10994	9620
YTD	56773	75076
Sunday School/Missions	2007	2008
Sunday school	185	182
YTD	1250	1540
Missions	885	2320
YTD	5682	5587
Attendance	2007	2008
Worship	398	277
YTD	2442	2812
Sunday School	98	80
YTD	561	731

Our nominations committee will meet again on September 4^th to finalize nominations for the year. If you feel called to serve in a new and different way, please see Pastor Katie.  

Thank you for turning in your yellow response cards to help discover what Garfield does well, what Garfield can improve on and what you would like to see happening at Garfield

The last Sunday to turn in cards will be September 14^th. Please see Pastor Katie for details.

Charge Conference has been scheduled for Sunday, October 26^th at 2 pm at Grace UMC in Hagerstown . This is the annual gathering of information about our church including financial and statistical data. Also, the nominations report is voted on and pastoral compensation is set.

While our charge conference is happening, other churches are also meeting with District Superintendents and Discipler Guides.

After the meeting there will be worship service where our church and other churches will be given the opportunity to share praises celebrating God’s work.  All are invited to attend.