November 1^st will be our next bazaar.  This is approaching very fast.

We are always looking for new craft ideas and ways to make our bazaar better.  So if you have any new ideas, please see the bazaar chairpersons.

Also, we will need lots of baked items to sell and the fruit pies sell very well, as do the cakes, breads, cookies and rolls

We will need lots of jellies and canned items, also a very good seller and all of your craft items or items that have been quilted or hand made.

Candy making will be on October 6^th and 7^th and plenty of candy cutters are needed (a good time for fellowship).

We are holding workshops on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at the church.  Please come and bring your ideas.

We need everyone’s help in making the Bazaar a success.  Think of ways you can contribute because everyone can. 

--submitted by Pastor Katie

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, mini-marshmallows, pretzel sticks, and gumdrops 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.

 

Finding Joy – A Sermon Series

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 continue the last two weeks of a four week sermon series focusing on the book of Philippians and finding the JOY Jesus brings. This sermon series will began on September 21^st as we celebrated Rally Day and took time to find joy by Living with Christ. The last two weeks will cover the topics of Following Christ (November 5^th) and finally Rejoice in Christ (November 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.

 

 Can you believe that the youth and young adults of Garfield have committed to a Mummer’s Day float, and are readying themselves to begin construction?  There are some things that the entire church congregation needs to know.  First we are thankful to the Dennis Lewis family for allowing use to use their trailer.  We also need to thank Andrew Brown for once again designing our float and finding the ways to make that design work. 

Our theme will be an island theme that goes along with our Outrigger Island VBS.  On the float you’ll see the ocean, the beach, hear the songs from VBS and hopefully see and hear many of the young people from our church greeting the parade spectators.  We will need to know who wants to be on the float and for that we will create a sign up sheet.  It is important to realize that when you do sign up to ride you are committing yourself to being at a certain location at a certain time, and since this is a judged event those details will be taken seriously.  The specific details will follow with the sign up sheet.  We would love for all of our youth to be on the float, but if you can’t commit then please don’t sign up because the entire team will be counting on you.

As I mentioned this event is judged and you all know that I have a bit of a competitive streak that runs through me, so I'm expecting great things.  There is an entrance fee as well as the costs associated with the construction supplies and costumes.  While the youth group does plan on paying for most of these ourselves as we usually do we will be asking for both monetary and supplies donations.  We will also need adult volunteers to help us. 

Lastly, it has come to my attention that the Parade is scheduled for the same day as the Bazaar, November 1^st.  Isn’t it exciting that our church will be doing two outreach missions in one day?  Hopefully our community will be able to handle so much Christian love, service, unity, and excitement coming out of Garfield!  Our youth, the future of our church, are motivated, and excited behind this project, so as a church we must be motivated and excited to support them.  As always I ask for your prayers for our youth, and I can’t wait to see you all along the parade route!

 

The altar is always open for prayer, but especially during the last hymn of and after worship. After worship, we would like to have some Prayer Partners available to pray with those in need. All you need is to be willing to pray and eager to reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Please see Pastor Katie with questions or to volunteer. 

Are you having a hard time hearing Pastor Katie in worship? Several people have shared that it is hard to hear Pastor Katie when she is preaching in worship. She is working on speaking more slowly and clearly, but you too can do something to help! Hearing Assists are available in the back of the church (near the sound system). They fit over your ear and magnify the sound. And, if you would like to bring your own headphones from home, they can also fit in the Hear Assist boxes found in your pew.

 

 

 

 

 

 A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

While shopping at the grocery store, I got stuck behind a mother and her son who looked to be about three. They happened to be going down all the same aisles and I could not help but overhear their conversation as they shopped. “Mommy,” the boy would begin. “Do you know what would make me really happy?” he would ask. “Mmm,” the mother would reply nonchalantly as she checked off items on her list. “If I had Coco-Puffs, I would be really happy.” And Coco-Puffs would go into the cart.

Down the next aisle, as I looked over spaghetti sauce, I could hear him begin, “Mommy, do you know what would make me really happy?” “Mmm,” the mother replied again as she too surveyed the sauces. “I would be really happy if I had gummy bears.” And gummy bears went into the cart.

This charade continued and continued throughout the store until the mother had finished her list and ice cream, a balloon from the flower department, dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, cookies from the bakery, gummy bears, and Coco-Puffs filled the cart. They arrived at the aisle next to me in the check out. As I surveyed her cart, I thought about how often we try to use things to make us happy, to help us find joy. Silently reminding myself that food, money, a nice car, or any number of things would never fill that void, I vowed to teach Eden that lesson when we started grocery shopping together.

In the midst of my silent critique, the boy began, “Mommy, you know what would make me really happy?” Before she could reply, he burst out-“A kit-kat Bar!” As the clerk scanned the kit-kat bar, I picked up a kit-kat bar and added it to the belt. While it might not help me find joy – it certainly can’t hurt!

As we continue through the sermon series on finding joy, we come to the harsh reality that our society is quick to see things as the solution for our hurt, our depression, and our disillusionment. We are a “buy something to be happy” society, and yet in reality things – even kit-kat bars – leave us feeling even emptier then before. The only true solution for our sadness, for our apathy, for our hurt and pain is found at the cross of Jesus. And when there is nothing else that makes us happy, my hope and prayer is that we will turn to the cross, that we will turn to Christ, and find the joy of our salvation. With it comes hope, with it comes peace, and with it comes the joy we have been searching for all of our lives.

May God bless you and your families as you continue to find joy!

 

Charge Conference

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.

Monday Night Disciple Series: Jesus in the Gospels

Our Monday night Bible Study continues every week at 6:30 pm. This year we will participate in an in depth study of the gospels seeking to grow in our knowledge and faith. It is not too late to join! Please come!

Sandwich and Study

Sandwich and Study has begun again. We gather for lunch and fellowship and then take time to study the Word of God. We have started a study focusing on the book of Matthew called, “The Kingdom of Heaven.” This 12 week study helps us look heavenward as we walk with Jesus. It is a “hit and miss” study, where you don’t have to be there every week. Just come when you can!

 

Each month you see on the calendar that the United Methodist Men meet on the first Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. and the United Methodist Women meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m.  You may wonder what these groups do?  They are both service groups, service to their church, to their community and to their God.

The UMM meet for breakfast at the Parlor House in Waynesboro, PA for a time of fellowship, devotion, prayer time, project coordination like Service to Our God and Country devotions for our service men and other ideas that you may bring.  Not to mention a good meal.

The UMW meeting for fellowship, devotions, to plan coming events and projects of outreach such as meals following funerals, mission projects.

Both men and women are needed, wanted and encourage to check out these groups.  Bring your ideas and join the fellowship.

 

All through the spring and summer this year, we looked to the sky for blessings from Heaven.  We prayed for rain to grow our crops, we asked God for sunshine to get our harvest in storage.

Each and everything thing that came from our harvest this year is a testament to our faith.  We plant small seeds having faith that they will produce large plants.  We nurture the plants having faith that will bear much fruit.

Now it is October and time to share that “fruit”.  Each October we have a harvest home collection of food for our food banks and missions in the area.   Bring a portion of your bountiful harvest on Sunday October 12^th and share the blessings from God.

 

Our annual fall hike is schedule for October 19^th at 1:00 in the afternoon.  As in the past you know that this is a great time of fellowship and exercise.

Over the years we have hiked to Black Rock, Washington Monument, Hog Rock in the Catoctin Mountains, but there is always somewhere new or an old favorite.  Tina and John King always do a great job of picking out new or favorite hiking spots that are not too hard, steep or difficult for those of us who only hike once a year.

After a nice hike we always come back to enjoy a wonderful potluck meal.  So mark you calendars now to go for a walk in the beauty of God’s creation.

 

 

Again this year our family time together will be a picnic at the Pen Mar Park on October 4^th at 1:00 p.m.  There will be “cook out” dining and a wonderful time together, and a game of the Price is Right.

With our own “Bob Barker” known to us as Linda Reeder you know it will be a great time.  Come test your shopping skills, have a great meal, and fellowship.  This is an afternoon for the entire family from 1 month to 100 so bring your lawn chairs and enjoy.

The park is located on High Rock Road at the Mason Dixon Line, this site was selected in 1871 by Colonel J. M. Hood of the Western Maryland Railroad and approved by the WMRR directors as the location for the development of an amusement park.  The park was opened to the public on August 31, 1877.

In 1878, the WMRR completed construction of a two and one-half mile road to High Rock (altitude 2000 feet), where a two-floor observatory with a tower was built, offering a clear view of over 22 counties in four states

Attractions in the park when it was dismantled in March of 1943 included:  Scenic Lookout, Roller Coaster, Movie Theatre, Dance Pavilion, Picnic Shelter, Miniature Train, Photo Studio, Concession Stand, Carrousel with Penny Arcade, Dining Hall and Children's Playground.

So come join us on October 4^th for a picnic lunch and fun, fun, fun! 

Dear Katie Bishop and Members:

On behalf of the staff and student body, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you the Garfield UM Church members for the donations made to Smithsburg Elementary School.  Have trust that all the items you sent will be put to good use for our students.

A great big “THANK YOU” goes to each and everyone one of your members for the support that you have given us.  We appreciated everything that you have done for our student body.

Sincerely,Linda Whittington, Secretary

 

Thank you for donating school supplies to Sabillasville Elementary School’s students.  We deeply appreciate your generous spirit and support.

Your kindness helped many students.

Sincerely Karen Locke,

Sabillasville Principal

 

Income	2007	2008
Month	11324	14183
YTD	66391	77270
Expenses	2007	2008
Month	10088	9687
YTD	66862	84762
Sunday School/Missions	2007	2008
Sunday school	191	217
YTD	1441	1757
Missions	0	250
YTD	5682	5837
Attendance	2007	2008
Worship	342	385
YTD	2784	3197
Sunday School	81	100
YTD	642	831

The King’s Kids Chef Day was a grand success.  Fifteen children and 14 adults gathered to make individual lasagna and desert.

Each child was greeted with their very own tray with their name, kitchen towel, spoon and of course a chef hat.  As the ingredients were lined up on the table and everyone filled their pans the fun began. Which comes first the meat, the sauce or the noodles, then repeat.

Of course you can’t have dinner without desert and everyone made their own.  A lot of fun was had when it came time to “beat” the cookie for the mud pie desert which was then put into a graham cracker shell and topped with nothing less than a worm.

While the adults baked the lasagna songs were sung about the joy in Christ and then to the playground to work up an appetite.  Then back into the church where a blessing was said by Pastor Katie and more fellowship and eating their creations.

 

 

 

Liana walked down the church isle under four ceiling fans and by two high powered wall unit air conditioners. A virtual wind storm. An acolyte’s nightmare. Liana skillfully and carefully made her way down the isle without the light going out. I noticed as she walked she kept her eye on the light. That’s it, I said to myself, as we keep our eye on the light, the light of Christ, we can make our way when the challenges are great.

As disciples in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, we have been making our way toward God’s vision of what it means to be the church for more than 200 years. As we enter the fall and a new quadrennium, this is an important time to lift up the light and vision we claim God has for us.

Our vision is that we will become like Christ, literally be the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), as modeled in the early church and witnessed in Acts 2. This vision is of a church that is:

Spirit-filled and led (Acts 2:1-4),

Welcoming all people (Acts 2:5-13),

Building on the tradition and hopeful about the future (Acts 2:14-21), and

Worshipping passionately, connecting disciple to disciple through radical hospitality, developing through intentional faith formation, serving like Christ through risk-taking mission, and sharing God’s extravagant grace (Acts 2:41-47).

The vision is built on a firm foundation laid by faithful disciples who have gone before us. They have enthusiastically grown mission, disciples, spiritual leaders and congregations. Today, we build on a holy and bold Wesleyan history that has been courageous in its mission and passionate in telling the story of salvation. It is this legacy that supports and sustains everything we do.

We are experiencing hopeful signs and wonders across the conference that is building on the legacy and creating a legacy for new generations:

In the Western Region, children splash through puddles on their way to Grace Church in Hagerstown after school where they are welcomed by Harold and Roger to Camp Reach. Camp Reach began six years ago as an outreach of the Grace UMC. The afternoon consists of a quick snack, time to care for homework, some rowdy games to work off energy, a “life-lesson” from the Bible, and then dinner when their parents arrive to pick them up. This ministry has grown to more than 100 and the congregation is growing in disciples, worship and mission outreach.

In the Baltimore Region, a team of laity and clergy developed and are implementing a comprehensive strategy for Baltimore. The Hope for the City Plan outlines 10 actions that will grow congregations and their ministry in the city. It is a collaborative approach engaging urban and suburban congregations and church resources such as the Board of Child Care, our camps, and the national Shalom Zone Initiative. It has received funding from the Patterson Foundation, started training seven new Shalom sites and sent 60 children who were impacted by murders in Baltimore to Manidokan or West River Camps.

In the Washington Region, Rev. Donna Claycomb began as the pastor of Mt. Vernon Church in Washington, D.C. two years ago. She built on a vision developed before she arrived of what this historic church would mean to its community and the region. She worked to strengthen partnerships for the vision with nearby Asbury Church, City agencies, Wesley Theological Seminary, and a for-profit developer. She also added growing a young adult ministry to the vision. This month, the church celebrates a doubling of worship attendance (35 to 70), new young adult members and leaders, a renovated main sanctuary building, plans for new outreach ministries and new facilities for children, youth, adult and community ministry.

In the Southern Region Westphalia UMC in Upper Marlboro is growing its ministry, particularly with children. This summer, its Enrichment Camp served 100 youth, using Prince Georges County School System’s summer curriculum. The camp is conducted in partnership with Forest Memorial UMC in Forestville, which provides the space for the camp. Many of the families have joined Westphalia Church which is recognized throughout the community and county as a leading community servant. The church also has a vision to plant the camps at several church campuses in the region.

This is our vision in action. The Baltimore-Washington Conference has set a spiritual BHAGG, Big Holy Adventurous Godly Goal, to grow and support at least 600 congregations by 2012 that are becoming like Christ, embody the early church model and bear three of the fruits found in Acts 2 – 1) making new disciples, 2) growing worship, and 3) engaging in and giving to mission. From 2005-2007, 272 congregations have evidenced all three fruit in a given year. That’s more than half way toward our goal. It is a 300 percent increase from where we started. In addition to these congregations, several hundred additional congregations are bearing significant fruit in one or more of these areas. We are on track for our BHAGG, but more importantly we are transforming lives and communities through the Gospel’s radical love. We are becoming more like Christ!

Like Liana though, we face strong winds that seek to blow out the light. Our challenges include:

A changing economy that is forcing all of us to make hard decisions

A growing concern within society about the motives and agenda of the church (more and more we hear non-church goers saying, I like Jesus, I’m just not sure about the church)

Some of our congregations are shrinking and they are fearful about the future

A decline in new spiritual leaders to pick up the mantle of pastoral ministry

Our differences sometimes get in the way of our working as one to grow mission, disciples, spiritual leaders, and congregations

These and other challenges create disorientation and even fear within the church. Today’s messengers from God, just like the first century angels heralding Christ’s birth, call out to us, fear not! We need not fear as we keep our eye on the light of Christ, focus on our vision, and celebrate the progress God is making in our midst.

You are invited to share in this discipleship adventure. For those who are experiencing God’s fruitfulness, reach out to your sister congregations with prayer, encouragement and support. Share your learnings and how God is helping you to overcome your challenges.

For those who have are working hard but the harvest has not generated the fruit you anticipated, do not give up. Focus on what God is providing. All things will happen in God’s time. Pray for God’s fruitfulness and continue to work the plan God has laid on your heart.

For those who are discouraged, or fearful about the future, we want to walk with you. Contact your Adventure Guide to set time to explore how God can rekindle your hope and courage to face your challenges. (Adventure Guides are conference staff, superintendents and associates, who have responsibility for supporting, coaching, training and planning for up to 30 churches and their pastors.)

This is a time for each of us personally and as congregations to review our ministry and identify and recommit to how we will celebrate passionately in worship, connect as one through radical hospitality, develop through intentional faith formation, serve like Christ in risk-taking mission, and share God’s extravagant grace. It begins with prayer and moves to holy conversations within our congregations in church council meetings, small group gatherings, Bible studies and the committees of the church. Your adventure guide is ready to support you in this process.

During the worship service Liana leaned over to me and told me she liked being an acolyte. I had the sense that bearing the light of Christ was special to her. May your joy be full as you bear the light of Christ in your congregation and community. Be adventurous and re-capture the spirit of an eight year old, the courage of a 28 year old and the wisdom of a 78 year old

 

Everyone can serve

            Look for opportunities to serve; don’t wait to be asked! Remember: You can serve without being a part of an “official” ministry. We all can:

            extend the word of welcome, whether or not we are official greeters;

            be listening, caring friends, whether or not we are official lay counselors;

            be ready to give reason for the hope that is in us, whether or not we are on the evangelism

team;

            be enthusiastic participants and ready to give a hand, whether or not we are on the

planning or cleanup committees.

My church

My church is composed of people like me. We make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I bring them.

My church will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with those things.

Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be! 

CHRISTIAN CHUCKLES