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Missions - Archive
THANKSGIVING DINNER AT HOPE
Served on Thanksgiving Day
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Feast for Friends
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 22
12:00 Noon
Join us for Thanksgiving Day Dinner. A turkey dinner with all the “fixins” will
be served at noon to anyone in the Ephrata/Akron area that needs a meal or perhaps is
alone on the holiday. Of course, this will also include anyone from our own church family.
We will also be providing the meal for those in the community who already receive Meals on
Wheels. If you, or you and your spouse are alone for the holiday, please plan on joining
us for Thanksgiving Dinner. As mentioned earlier we will share our Thanksgiving meal
together at noon on Thanksgiving Day. If you know of anyone in the area that we can
invite, please give the name and phone number to Peg Peuler or send it to the church
office.
If you are able to join us, please R.S.V.P. by completing the following information and
returning it to the church office. You can also place it in the offering plate and the
ushers will be sure it is forwarded to the proper persons.
We look forward to sharing Thanksgiving Dinner with you!
Several years ago we had the pleasure of providing Thanksgiving Dinner for many of our
neighbors in Ephrata, Akron, and Denver areas. We invite anyone that needs a meal that day
or perhaps does not have any family in the area and might otherwise spend the day alone.
We also provide the meals and delivery for the Meals on Wheels program. We partnership
with the Akron Church of the Brethren in this program. They served the meals last year,
therefore it is our turn this year. Please contact Peg if you are at all interested in
this Outreach program. Sign-up sheets will be on the bulletin board in the Narthex and
distributed throughout the Sunday School rooms during the month of October. It takes many
hands to make little work of this day. Those of us that participated two years ago were
truly blessed by those we served. Be a part of this outreach and contact Peg today. You
will truly be blessed.
NEWS REGARDING THE SERDYUK FAMILY
(Our Ukrainian family that we are sponsoring)
What a blessing it has been to get to know the Serdyuk family. The Lord has blessed us
with a Christian Russian family to sponsor. Throughout many of our conversations and after
getting to know Anna and Yuriy better, it is obvious that they share the same love of the
Lord as we do. They are still overwhelmed by the generosity of Hope members. They have
often shared that words cannot express the feelings they have. I think one thing that is
quite overwhelming to them, is that we would provide for total strangers! But isn't that
what God instructs us to do?
With the generosity of many Hope members, we have now provided them with all the material
items they need to set up housekeeping and to begin their new life in America. You all
have been so generous. At the writing of this article, Yuriy has not found employment. He
is a skilled carpenter and has pictures of beautiful work that he did in the Ukraine. Our
first information that we received about him being a leather craftsman was incorrect.
Yuriy also attended an electrician school for two years and worked on the electric trains
that transported persons in the Ukraine.
If you know of anyone that would be willing to interview Yuriy, please contact Peg ,
Crystal, or Mary Jane. He is getting discouraged and is feeling much pressure to begin
providing for his family. As you continue to pray for the Serdyuks - put yourself in their
shoes. They are a young family in a strange country and want the same things we do ... to
be able to provide for their family and live a peaceful life. I encourage you to get to
know them. You will be blessed just as I have been. I have wonderful stories that I will
carry in my heart always.
Hope Members...you have made a difference in their lives! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
WINTER MISSION PROJECT
FEBRUARY 4-25, 2001
Children and youth - and, of course, - parents and adults, will be collecting dimes and
dollars for "Change the World - Saving Kids' Lives" - the same theme as the
youth "30-Hour Fast" on Feb. 23-24. Each Sunday School classroom will have a
"World Globe Bank."
Children will be invited to bring coins each Sunday thru Feb. 25 and all Hope members will
be invited to help fill a "Globe."
Look for more details in the bulletin and be aware that some Sunday morning you may be
asked to empty your pocket of change for this Winter Mission Project.
EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) continues to respond to the extreme needs
as a result of the earthquakes in El Salvador and in India. If you would like to get
information, go to the Conference Webpage: www.epaumc.org ... and click on News and Info.
If you would like to make a donation to help the UMCOR in their emergency response, please
mark your envelope - UMCOR - Earthquake. If you choose to designate your offering for El
Salvador or India specifically, please indicate that also.
Let's keep all of those whose lives have been devastated by these earthquakes in our
prayers. It is our first and foremost response.
Helping
Other
People
Everywhere
T H A N K Y O U ' S R E C E I V E D
KEECH PLANE FUND (A MESSAGE FROM JIM KEECH, MISSIONARY TO NIGERIA)
The Keech plane is almost ready for take off! Words cannot adequately
express our thanks to you for the generous response you have given to our appeal for
contribution to purchase an airplane for the Nigerian Air Ministry currently being
performed by Jim Keech.
Just several months ago, we asked you to help this project by your
financial giving. You reached deeply into your pockets and sent it in, targeting it for
missions far from home. With great rejoicing, we announce that we reached our goal (and
went slightly over the top) by the desired deadline of May 2000.
With the help of a grant from the General Board of Global Ministries in
New York, the $500,000 is in hand and we will let you know when the plane is purchased and
put into service. This plane was much needed for several reasons, not the least of which
is the cost of fuel in Nigeria. Now, contrasted to the (imported) fuel costing $15-$17 per
gallon, Jim can "fill up" the tank for 50 cents a gallon of domestic fuel.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. We love you.
(THE KEECH PLANE FUND HAS REACHED ITS GOAL! A SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE
WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS EFFORT!)
LUMINA (LANCASTER UNITED METHODIST INNER-CITY ALLIANCE)
Greetings! I am writing to acknowledge and give THANKS for your
generous contribution to LUMINA. We deeply appreciate your support! It is our pleasure to
serve GOD in Lancaster city. Of course, we are spiritually encouraged to have you as
partners in our mission.
May God richly bless your ongoing outreach efforts as individuals and
as a congregation, and may you experience the freshness and power of GOD's Holy Spirit in
many marvelous ways!
Walking in the LIGHT, Sally A. Wisner, Church & Community Worker
(HOPE UMC CONTRIBUTED TO LUMINA)
RED BIRD MISSION
Thank you for your continued support of the ministries of Red Bird
Mission. Support is always needed in many areas, both financially and in-kind gifts. Gifts
of clothing, labels, furniture, and household items are gratefully received and put to
good use right along with your monetary donations. We are especially joyful for the 21
students who have plans to go to college and for one student who is entering a trade
school this fall. As a donor, you should be joyful that your gifts have given another
group of young adults an opportunity to succeed in a culture where lack of success is the
standard. We sincerely thank you for your past gifts!
In Christian Service, Brian T. Barker, Dir. of Development
(HOPE UMC CONTRIBUTED TO RED BIRD MISSION)
M I S S I O N S N E W S
Helping
Other
Meet the Serdyuk Family
People
Ukrainian Family Outreach
Everywhere
We have been given a wonderful opportunity to help change the life of a family. Not to go
into too much detail, but if you were not able to attend the congregational information
meeting concerning this program, following is some of the information that was shared.
After much discussion with
PRIME-ECR (the local representative of UMCOR Refugee Ministries), Pastor Kirby, Crystal
Allen, and me, the concept of this project was presented and approved by the Council On
Ministries and the Administrative Board.
God has placed in our care a family that needs a new home. Yes, they are a refugee family;
however, not what we might think of when we think of refugees. They are a family that has
chosen to flee from their country for a better life in the United States. "Refugees
are ordinary people, but they are caught in extraordinary circumstances."
Let me introduce you to: Yuriy (the father), Anna (the mother), and their two children,
Marina (age 6) and her sister Olga (age 2). Yuriy is a shoe and leather repairman and also
has experience in installing kitchen cabinets. At the present time he is doing any kind of
work he can find. There are not many jobs available in the Ukraine. I was told that at
times when Yuriy does work, he often does not get paid. Anna stays at home with the
children. They have chosen to move to this area because Anna has a sister who lives in
Rothsville. I had the privilege of meeting Anna's sister, Olga, and her husband. Olga and
her husband have been living here There is much organizing to do prior to their arrival.
Please prayerfully consider how you might be able to make a difference in this family's
life. Complete the "volunteer/support" sheet (insert) and return it to the
church office ASAP. We will be taking a special offering on Sunday, March 4, to cover the
start-up costs for housing the Serdyuk's. First and foremost, please pray that the family
will arrive safely and that we will be able to find affordable housing for them.
The Serdyuk family hopes to be here by early April, sooner if possible. They have been
approved by PRIME since August but, according to Olga, they are having problems obtaining
their passports. Please keep the Serdyuk family in your prayers as we prepare for their
arrival.
M I S S I O N S U P D A T E
Helping
Other
People
Everywhere
Mark & Deirdre Zimmerman's last letter dated Sept. 30 tells of
their medical work - the joys and the concerns - at Patan Hospital. It was with
thankfulness that we read that the pastor's son (Anugraha) in the Small Nepali Christian
Church which they attend received good news with his biopsy report that came back from
America. After weeks of illness and surgery, he was back in his church giving God the
glory.
Mark & Deirdre have moved into a 3rd-story apartment, a 5-minute
walk from Patan Hospital. Deirdre works with the mission's community nutrition program.
She is also working on several projects with the hospital, including staff training and
developing a tube feed mix for Patan Hospital patients.
Mark continues as Medical Director of Patan Hospital.
A new children's ward is set for completion in early 2001, a new
private clinic is planned, and Patan Hospital has more offers to get involved in teaching
medical students. Mark is deeply involved in the administrative work which his position
entails. He wonders how long he should remain out of full-time clinical medicine.
Meanwhile, they continue to be actively serving the Lord where God leads them.
Let's continue to support the Zimmerman's and their vital ministry to
Nepal with our gifts and our prayers.
Mission Highlight
This month I
would like to share some exciting news about Dr. Mark Zimmerman, a Missionary in Nepal. Dr. Zimmerman is the Medical
Director at Patan Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. The members of the Wide Awake
Sunday School class at Hope have been sponsoring Dr. Zimmerman for many years. He
has been to Hope on several occasions to share his ministry.
We recently
received a letter from Dr. Zimmerman updating us about his Mission work in Nepal. He wrote that a major expansion of the
17-year-old hospital, which will be a Children's Ward, is under construction that
began in October 1999. He also noted that "Nepalis have some old folk
notions about diabetic diets." Therefore, he consulted a dietitian who had recently come to the
United Mission to Nepal and arranged to work with her on a diet brochure for
diabetics.
The most
exciting news from Dr. Zimmerman is that this dietitian became near and dear to his heart; they fell in love, and were
married in Ireland on March 2. After their honeymoon in Europe, they plan to go to
Atlanta for a couple of months so his wife, Deidre, can become a United Methodist
Missionary. Praise the Lord for bringing two special people together and continuing
His work together.
We would like to send Mark and
Deidre a wedding present. Many felt that a "Wedding Ring Quilt" would be very appropriate coming from
those of us in the heart of the quilt country. If you would like to share in the giving
of this gift to Dr. and Mrs. Zimmerman, please forward your financial contribution to
the church office marked "Zimmerman Quilt". On Sunday, April
30, we will have a sample quilt of what we will be purchasing for the Zimmermans.
Thank you for your continued support of the Many Mission projects at Hope
Church!
"YOU" Served 33 Families An Easter
Meal!
Thanks again to
the generosity of Hope members 33 families in the Ephrata area were able to enjoy an Easter meal. It was a great
pleasure to see so many familiar faces return again on Maundy Thursday to worship with
us at Hope. After the worship service, our visitors joined us downstairs for
fellowship and the food distribution. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that Hope is
reaching out and ministering to those persons in our own area who need a little help every
now and then. Isn't it what being a Christian is all about? Helping Other
People Everywhere! Thank you.
EPHRATA AREA SOCIAL SERVICES
The 2nd Sunday of each month
is designated as Food Bank Sunday. We are always in need of
non-perishable foods, such as: peanut butter, jellies, cereals, Hamburger Helper, spaghetti and canned
foods. Canned meat products such as Spam, ham, beef stew, etc. are always needed. Feel free to drop off your food
anytime. You don't have to wait until the 2nd Sunday. This is a very inexpensive way to participate in a missions
outreach program. This could be a neat way to introduce your children to a missions project. The next time you go for
groceries, why not buy an extra can or two of food and drop them in the Food Bank baskets? Remember, next to the Food Bank baskets
is a can for you to deposit your Campbell soup labels. Let's not forget this important missions
project. We need your labels!
Last update: 12/20/2006
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