Text Box: Greater Things John 14:12 May 22, 2007 Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church 4809 Bell Hill Road, Bessemer, AL 35022 Fax: (205) 428-6135 Office: 428-4056 Parsonage: 425-5388 FLC: 428-4920 e-mail: Pleasant Hill4809@aol.com Bobby Scales, Minister e-mail:RobtScales@aol.com Cell Phone: 746-4547 Monica Hararger, Student Minister e-mail: PHImpactyouth@aol.com Web Page Address: www.ph-umc.com

Text Box: Missions Eyeglasses/Cell Phone Collection – During the month of June we will be collecting old eyeglasses and cell phones. It has been two years since we have collected. By now I am sure many of us have again accumulated out of service cell phones and eyeglasses that are just sitting around gathering dust. The Lion’s Club will get the old eyeglasses cleaned and ready to be used by people in third world countries to help them see better. The cell phones are reprogrammed to only dial 911 and are given to battered women to assist them in calling for help. So begin getting your unused cell phones and eyeglasses together and look for the collection box in the Family Life Center on June 3. American Flags for Enterprise Students – Our Mission Project to provide American Flags for the temporary classrooms of the students at Enterprise High School was a great success. The flags were presented to Beverly Sublette (Susanne Russell’s and Elizabeth Sublette’s mother) at the Mother-Daughter luncheon on Saturday, May 12. Ms. Sublette was very much honored that our church showed our love to the students in this way. She shared an incident at the Junior College where they are holding classes. She said that there was an area divided into four pods to provide classrooms. She was going to deliver a message to one of the students. A bell rang and all of a sudden students in all four pods stood and gave the Pledge of Allegiance even though they could not see a flag to salute. We sometimes take our freedom for granted – but what a beautiful sight Ms. Sublette had to see students pledging allegiance to “one nation under God”. Thank you all who contributed and made this gift possible. With Jesus All Things Are Possible, Delbra Rivers, Missions Coordinator


Text Box: LOOKING BACK 25 Years Ago This is an excerpt from an article on the history of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church that appeared in the journal of the West Jefferson County Historical Society Winter Edition 1984. This article was written by Mrs. Ruby Hodge, Pleasant Hill’s first formally elected historian and former teacher at McAdory School. “The year 1982 will always be a year to be remembered. The Sesquicentennial was celebrated throughout the year as ‘150 years with God.’ Scrapbooks were prepared and placed in the library. Two time boxes were built and filled with various information about the Church of Today. These boxes were sealed the last Sunday of the year and labeled not to be opened until the year 2032 A D which would be the 200th Anniversary of the Church. A Sesquicentennial gift of money was collected, dedicated and put into a special bank account to be used at the 200th Anniversary of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Celebration. The year closed with a Historical pageant written and directed by one of the young men of the church.” Frances Howard, Church Historian


Text Box: There will be no Joy Circle meeting in May, but they will meet at the home of Carol Deal on June 18 at 7:00 p.m.


Text Box: Heritage Committee The Heritage Committee is collecting stories about the church, church events, incidences that have happened over the years, etc. to be made into a booklet near the end of the year. But please don’t wait until then to send us your story or anecdote. It can be something funny, sad, spiritual or unusual. It can be something you know from your own experience or have heard someone else tell. If you do not type and want to write it out in longhand, that is fine, just be sure it is legible. Also, if you are not comfortable writing the story but would be willing to tell it, please contact Vickie Herring or Jean Baswell and they will be glad to meet with you and listen to your story and write it for you.The main thing is that we get your story. Please sign your name so we will know who to contact if we have a question. If you have E-Mail access, you may send it to Vicki at greenfire@uab.edu or greenfire55@gmail.com T-shirt orders may be placed through June 3. Graphic representations of the old and new sanctuary are not available yet but will be on the shirt back. Pleasant Hill UMC 1832-2007 175 years of Seeking.... Serving.... Sharing.... in the name of Jesus And then He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mark 16:15 (quote in red)


Text Box: LIVING STONES Bobby Scales I can’t remember the first day of my life but my birth certificate says it all began on August 29, 1939 in a delivery room at Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I was the first of three sons born to Ann and Lindon Scales. Brother Harvel was born the next August 8, 1940 and baby brother Gary arrived the next August 24, 1941. Because of the closeness of age our relationship as brothers resembled that of triplets. When I was around three years of age my father answered God’s call to be in pastoral ministry and soon after moved our family to Nashville to begin theological and vocational training for that office. Some of the earliest memories of my childhood revolved around that demanding trip from Tuscaloosa to Nashville. We did not own an automobile so friends helped move us along with all our possessions in an old, small house trailer that would be our home for the next few years on the campus of Trevecca Nazarene College. As I think back on those years I realize that it was a difficult time for my parents living in a small, drab trailer, working part time jobs on the campus, while attending school and caring for three small babies. But I am also aware that I am the recipient of a beautiful heritage of faith evident in the God trusting life of my parents. There were difficult times and sacrifices to be made but nothing diminished their joy in serving God. That example still feeds my soul to this very moment. Thus began our experience as a family living in parsonages and serving churches. That journey allowed us to meet and know many wonderful people as we lived in Gallatin, Tennessee, Blountstown, Florida, Russellville, Alberta City, Langdale and Sheffield, Alabama. I graduated from Sheffield High School in 1957 and upon graduation attended Trevecca University for one year and then enrolled in the University of North Alabama. While attending UNA I started dating Twink Sanders and my life changed forever. The greatest gift of my life apart from Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior is the privilege of having Twink as my wife. To describe the beauty of Twink as a person, wife, mother and radiant child of God is beyond the ability of mere words. What an incredible human being God allowed me to share life with. September 18, 1962, we were blessed with the birth of our only child, Robert C. Scales, Jr. When we were given the news that he was born with Spina Bifida we had no idea what was in the future for us. We soon discovered that his condition was severe and physical limitations would be significant. Robert spent the first ninety days in the hospital in Florence, Al., and by divine providence we were led to bring him to Birmingham and thus began our journey associating with and depending on incredibly competent medical care that allowed us to have forty two years of beautiful life and love with our precious son. The key components of my live that I have shared thus far would be empty apart from my decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life. God used Twink to lead me to a humble surrender of self in confessing my need of God in my life and a commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord of my life. That decision led Twink, Robert and I to join the Tuscumbia United Methodist Church and put God first in our lives. Over several years as we grew spiritually God began to deal with me creating a hunger in my being to do more than I was doing. Through times of prayer, reflection and encouragement from others it became clear that God was calling me to serve as an ordained minister within the United Methodist Church. And so we began the journey much like the one my parents began years before. The Tuscumbia Methodist Church hired me to be one of the associates and I enrolled in college to finish my degree enabling me to enter Seminary. One year later after completing 36 hours at the University of North Alabama, I graduated and enrolled in Seminary at Emory University. In mid-June we moved to Alexander City, Alabama accepting our first official appointment to the Duncan Memorial/Buttston charge on the Roanoke District. Three years later following graduation from Candler School of Theology we continued our journey as clergy. The Churches we have served are as follows: Tuscumbia, Duncan Memorial/Buttston (Alexander City), Union Hill (Gadsden), Southside (Gadsden), Central Park (Birmingham) and Pleasant Hill. The eight years that we have served and lived among the wonderful people of Pleasant Hill have been the greatest years of our lives. As Twink and I leave here we literally leave a part of ourselves. This is where Robert died and went to heaven. This is where we have been loved and cared for and nurtured. This is where our faith has grown deep and this is where you have allowed us to love you. This is Home. Bobby Scales



Text Box: Ladies Retreat Atlanta, Georgia August 10-11, 2007 Anyone planning on going on the Ladies Retreat must have their money in to Susan Blackmon no later than May 27. If you have any questions, contact Susan.


Text Box: Kid's News I hope everyone enjoyed the Children's Talent Show on Wed., May 16. We raised almost $400 for the children's ministry. Thanks to all who showed up and to everyone who contributed to this ministry! A big thanks to everyone that prepared the food, served and helped with clean up. Thanks also to Alan Brooks for being the sound man and to my fellow MC, Joey Harbarger. Coming up in Kid's Club, we will have Game night & Ice Cream sundaes on Sunday, May 27. Then don't miss our Summer Kick-off Party with water slides, pizza & snow cones on Sunday, June 3. Don't forget to wear your swimsuits and bring a towel. Sunday, June 10 - There will be no Kid’s Club. Vacation Bible School (July 15-19) This year's theme is "Sonforce Kids - special agents". We need some station leaders and lots of crew leaders, so if you are interested in helping this year, please let me know and be sure to attend the first VBS meeting on Sunday, June 3 at 3:00pm. Tonya Koll




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Need a Few Good Men

 

That's right! We need some more "good men" to sing in the choir. Our requirements are:

(1) that you have a body temperature of 98.6;

(2) can carry a tune with or without a bucket

(3) you have a desire to sing. That's it! No "basic training & No "weight or height requirement!! Call Alan. We meet on Wednesday nights from 7-8:30 pm.

Brass Players!!

I have had a few responses to our call for brass players. I am also hearing from our congregation that some of you have not been coming forward with your past about playing an instrument. If you remember last time, I mentioned that we are assembling a "Brass Choir" for Sunday, July 1 to play some patriotic songs as a part of our 11 o'clock service. Please give me a call. If you need an instrument, I can probably help you find one.

Thanks, Alan

Thank You

 

I wish to thank my Pleasant Hill Church family for all your love, concern and cards during my illness.  A special thanks to Bobby for his visits and prayers.

                     Love,

                        Martha Welch

MARK YOUR CALENDAR  FOR JUNE 20 AT 6:30.  At this time we will welcome our new minister, Rev. Alan Head, and  his family and our new members since last January.  You will not want to miss this special  event.

READING IS A PICNIC

Pleasant Hill UMC Media

Library

Children’s Summer Reading

Program

 

  The READING IS A PICNIC summer reading program for children will begin on Sunday, June 3, and conclude on Sunday, July 29, at 12 noon.  During these eight weeks, children will be encouraged to read  books from Pleasant Hill’s Media Library.  Participants must register in the Media Library.  There will be two age categories -  children through age 7 and children age 8 through age 12.  The child in each category who reads the most books will receive a $20.00 gift certificate to Momma’s Ice Cream and Coffee, Inc. at Letson Farms Shopping Center.  In addition, there will be a weekly drawing in each age category for a new book from the names of those children who have registered for the program in the Media Library.

  Keep in mind books read must be from Pleasant Hill’s Media Library.  For very young readers, these may include Pleasant Hill Media Library books read by parents to their children.  If your child does not have a Pleasant Hill Media Library system number, parents must come by the library to complete a registration agreement prior to your child’s checking out materials.  Reading Record forms will be provided for documenting books read.  Keep in mind also - only books begun on or after June 3 should be included in your child’s Reading Record.