Pastors Note - northbendumc-ohio.com
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Faith News North Bend United Methodist Church March, 2016 Pastors Note March is the month that the church spends in reflection, penitence and spiritual renewal while observing the season of Lent. A friend recently shared his 13 year old daughter’s reflection on Lent. She said, “It is the time of year when people renew their New Year’s resolutions that they have given up on.” While we all laughed at his sharing this story… we knew that there is a lot of truth to what she said. We have started treating Lent as a season to give something up or enjoy a good fish fry. This is not what Lent is about. Lent is a time when we as Christ followers reflect on our Spiritual health. Are we healthy spiritually? Are we doing all we can do to grow? Are their things we need to give up? These might be tangible things… but I think sometimes, it is our thinking. Are our thoughts and words, as well as deeds, pleasing to God? Take the month to do a little Spiritual Spring Cleaning… look at you thoughts, words and deeds. Are they the thoughts, words and deeds of a Jesus follower? Prepare yourself for the Glory of the Risen Christ this Easter! With Love, PBA
Transcript of Pastors Note - northbendumc-ohio.com
Faith News
North Bend
United Methodist Church
March, 2016
Pastors Note
March is the month that the church spends in reflection, penitence and spiritual renewal while observing the season of Lent. A friend recently shared his 13 year old daughter’s reflection on Lent. She said, “It is the time of year when people renew their New Year’s resolutions that they have given up on.” While we all laughed at his sharing this story… we knew that there is a lot of truth to what she said. We have started treating Lent as a season to give something up or enjoy a good fish fry. This is not what Lent is about. Lent is a time when we as Christ followers reflect on our Spiritual health. Are we healthy spiritually? Are we doing all we can do to grow? Are their things we need to give up? These might be tangible things… but I think sometimes, it is our thinking. Are our thoughts and words, as well as deeds, pleasing to God? Take the month to do a little Spiritual Spring Cleaning… look at you thoughts, words and deeds. Are they the thoughts, words and deeds of a Jesus follower? Prepare yourself for the Glory of the Risen Christ this Easter!
With Love,
PBA
Remembering a mockingbird
February 22nd, 2016 By Matt Rawle
Ministrymatters.com
Harper Lee never enjoyed being in the spotlight. It’s not because she shied away from telling a powerful story, but because it’s hard to be the focus of the spotlight while focusing the light itself. “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is more than the greatest American Novel; it is an unassuming vessel in which the Gospel walks around in our own skin. It’s one thing to hear the parable of the good Samaritan from the pulpit or bible study, and know that we should be a neighbor to all, but inviting my Deep South neighbor into a familiar Maycomb courtroom so that our holy imaginations can expand beyond our cultural assumptions, changes the very images we see when we close our eyes and think of the “other.” Lee taught us how to tell our own story through Scout’s adventures, to meet violence with a lamp, rocking chair, and a newspaper, to question our assumptions that we just know are true, and to never fear reaching out to the graceful and mysterious Boo Radleys of the world. A book is a funny thing. The words on the page are bound together with spine and covers, but the idea within it is as timeless and unbound as Lee herself is as she now rests in the heart of God. Lee suggested that a mockingbird simply sings a song for all to enjoy, but the song she sang continues to disrupt our neat Maycomb lines in which we want everything to fit and know its place. Harper Lee will be missed, but her story will continue to focus an incarnational light shining toward justice.
Risk-Taking Mission & Service
Lord, when was it that we saw you
hungry and gave you food, or thirsty
and gave you something to drink? And
when was it that we saw you a stranger
and welcomed you, or naked and gave
you clothing? And when was it that we
saw you sick or in prison and visited you?
Matthew 25:37-39
Let Us Pray!
E-Prayer Group: Wanting to help in the
power of prayer? Join the e-Prayer Team!
If you are interested, contact Dianne Koch
(513-479-0248) or [email protected].
You'll receive emails sent from the
weekly prayer requests submitted at
Sunday service, as well as information
about helping when a member of North
Bend UMC is in need.
Flying Pig Marathon/
KIDS’ MARATHON
This year we are doing things a
little different. We are asking that
an adult sponsor a child who will
be participating in the 26th Mile
for $10. The Flying Pig Kids’
Marathon 26th Mile is a special
event where these kids can complete the 26th mile of their
incremental marathon on the actual Flying Pig Marathon
course finish line. Using the Hog Log to tally their miles,
kids also learn to make healthy nutrition choices and
exercise their brains with reading. It’s all about being smart,
eating well and moving more; healthy habits that we hope
will stick around for good.
Our Mission:
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world
TRAM Shopping list
Food Items: Spaghetti noodles,
pasta sauce, peanut butter, jelly,
canned ravioli, canned vegetables,
cereal, boxed macaroni and cheese,
canned soup, ramen noodles. Non
food: toilet paper, paper towels.
Personal Items: toothbrushes,
toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo,
bath soap.
Item of the month: Personal Items
Lent Madness: The Madness has begun. In
the back of the Sanctuary the big bracket is
up. It will be updated weekly as well as
information about your saint. Pick a “saint”
and cheer them on. Who will win this years
Golden Halo?
Photos for the New Church Directory: Starting Sunday, February 21st, we will begin taking photos for the new church directory. This is voluntary, but remem-ber we want new people to know who you are. Please also take the time to check addresses, phone numbers as well as adding email addresses as well as birthdays/anniversaries.
Easter Festivities Easter Pot-Luck Breakfast: Join us Easter Morning to celebrate w ith a w onderful
breakfast and fellowship. There is a sign-up to let us know what your yummy food offering will be.
Contact James and Nicole Hopkins if you have any questions @ 513-259-9940 or
Easter Egg Hunt: Bring the kids, the young and young at heart, to our Easter egghunt
after church on Easter Sunday. We will have separate hunting grounds for the little ones as well as
the older ones.
Candy: W e w ill need candy to fill the eggs. Please consider br inging in pre -wrapped
candy for our hunt.
Kroger Plus Card
North Bend UMC will receive proceeds from your Kroger
shopping, and it doesn’t cost you a thing! You can enroll
anytime, but you need to re-enroll once a year to benefit
North Bend UMC! Please follow the steps below to enroll for
the first time or re-enroll your Kroger Plus Card.
1. Go to www.kroger.com/communityrewards.
2. Sign into your online Kroger account (or create an account if you don't have one).
3. Click Kroger Community Rewards and search for “North Bend United Methodist Church" or our organization's number:
4. Under "Select Your Organization" click the dot for North Bend United Methodist Church, then click Save.
5. Use your Kroger Plus card every time you shop at Kroger. Your purchases will earn money for North Bend UMC!
Prayer Requests
Shut-Ins and in Care Facilities: Mildred Medeiros; Jeanne Springmyer; Janet Zerhusen
Ongoing Prayers: James Acra; Baby Remy (friends of Dennis & Gloria George); Rhonda Conley (Betty Brown’s cousin); Mary Griffith; Wayne Hamilton (Pastor Beth Anne’s Dad); James & Nicole Hopkins Family and extended family; Jean Hunter (John Carson’s sister) & Mike, Steve, Wade; Martha Johnson (request of Dolores Upchurch); Philip King (Karen’s Stepson); Terry Meyers; Katie Morgan; Belinda Osborne-Adams (friend of Joelyn Gandenberger); Jason Paulin (Don’s son); Sherry Pierce (Suzie and Cliff West’s daughter); Everett Reamer; Barbara Seibert (Lee Howard’s daughter); John and Grace Stirnemann; Eugene and Mabel Whitmer (Gloria George’s parents)
Serving Our Country: Matthew Hamilton; Matt Heath; Jacob Schweier (now in Okinawa); JR West; Josh Gross; all persons in the Armed Forces; all first responders: police, fire & EMS.
Our Community, Nation and World: Laura Meyers (our
missionary serving in India); all persons in places of war, suffering,
abuse, disaster and danger; struggling families; congregations,
pastors, and families in transition.
Education Corner
Wednesday Group’s Study: Coming soon, we will be starting our study on the book of James, by renown author Max Lucado. “Do your Monday actions reflect your Sunday worship? How about your claims to faith? James, the half-brother of Jesus, wasn’t impressed with talk...James shows the importance of living a genuine life of faith.”
Come join us starting on Wednesday, April 6th!
Children’s Sunday School
(Age 4 years -Grade 4): Children will start in the worship service and leave for their class after the time Especially for Children. They can be picked up immediately following worship.
March 6th: Jesus Washes Feet (John 13:1-17)
March 13th: Jesus Celebrates Passover (Luke 22:7-10)
March 2oth: Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40)
March 27th: Jesus Lives (John 20:1-18)
Tween Bible Study:
Unit 1: Dive Deeper into…...Lent and Easter
Session 1: Sharing Communion
(The last supper)-Souls on Fire
Session 2: Su erring (Jesus’ Betrayal, Arrest, and Trial)
Session 3: Death (Jesus’ Death)- Souls on Fire
Session 4: Resurrection (Jesus’ Resurrection)
WISH LIST
*Laptop or Desktop
Computers (more
than one for after
school study time
would be wonderful)
*Drop Ceiling in
Fellowship Hall
and… well we can think big can’t we.
Souls on Fire
We meet on
the 1st, 3rd
and 5th
Sundays of
the month
at 4pm.
We worship
together, learn together and have
fun together.
Join us and bring your Bible and
your fun!
Contact Pastor Beth Anne Crego or
James Hopkins about Souls on
Fire.
Extravagant generosity
North Bend UMC Financial Outlook.
Below is our income to date compared to our budget. As you can see, we are staying close to what we
budgeted.
Actual Income Budgeted Income
Tithing Income:$96,420.36 $97,500.00 Total Giving: $108,779.77 $102,615.00
Actual Expenses Budgeted Expenses
$95,663.38 $113,050.34
Did you know?
Apportionments have been paid 100% district and 40% conference. We are going to have great financial
needs soon due to major upkeep repairs on the church. Such as the roof and HVAC system. Thank you
again for being faithful with your Tithes, Offerings and Gifts.
Cub Scout Pack 178:
After a wonderful time at the
Pinewood Derby and earning
new badges, our scouts are on
their way to advancement.
Coming up:
Cub World Open House on Saturday, March 12th
from 9-noon.
Pack Advancement: Sunday, May 15th
If you are interested in scouting, Contact John
Crego at 513-444-6567 or
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Birthday:
March 5: Alexis Swain
Anniversary:
If your birthday or anniversary was not
listed, please either call the church
office or send an email to
North Bend United Methodist Church
January, 2016
Data Entered
YTD
Breakthrough
goal 2016
Passionate Worship:
Average worship attendance per week
42
55
Radical Hospitality:
Total of all professions of faith this year
Total of all baptisms this year
0
0
3
4
Intentional Faith Development:
Average number of small groups / week
Average number of people in small groups / week
Percentage of weekly worship attendees
In small groups
3
14
25
4
15
75%
Risk Taking Mission and Service:
Total of all people engaged in missions/
Outreach this year
45
Extravagant Generosity:
Average amount of giving toward budget /week
Total of apportionment giving this year
1844
2,115
100%
Breakthrough Goals
In January 2015 the Leadership Team set goals for 2015 regarding number of people in worship, num-
ber of people involved in small groups, weekly giving, number of baptisms and professions of faith, and
other markers that indicate our fruitfulness in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transfor-
mation of the world. These goals are shared below so you can see how we started and ended the year of
2015.
How to Find us:
Over the past year, we have worked hard to bring North Bend UMC into the 21st century, by utilizing digital
technology and media. The reason we did this is that more than 85% of the population now goes to the
Internet to locate information about ANYTHING as well as to find an address, telephone number or
directions.
North Bend UMC has a Facebook page. You can find us on Facebook at North Bend United Methodist
Church- Ohio.
We also have a website. You can find it at http://www.northbendumc-ohio.com. The site is still under
construction, but it is up and running. Soon you will be able to see pictures, the newsletter, as well as audio files
of the sermons!
North Bend UMC Calendar of Events
March
March 1: Ad Board meeting 6:30 p.m.
March 2: Wednesday bible study 10:00 a.m.
March 6: Souls on Fire 4th Sunday in Lent
March 9: Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
March 13: 5th Sunday in Lent
March 16: Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
March 20: Souls on Fire; Passion/ Palm Sunday
March 23: Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
March 24: Maundy Thursday
March 25: Good Friday
Start of Spring Break
March 26: Holy Saturday (no color prior to sunset)
March 27: Easter Sunday
April
April 3: Souls on Fire
April 4: Back to School
April 5: Ad Board meeting 6:30 p.m.
April 6: Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
New Study Starts!
April 13: Wednesday Bible Study !0:00 a.m.
April 17: Souls on Fire
April 20: Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
April 27: Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
May
May 1: Souls on Fire
May 4: Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
May 8: Mothers Day
May 11: Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
May 15: Souls on Fire
May 18: Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
May 25: Wednesday Bible Studay 10:00 a.m.
May 26: Last Day of School
May 29: Souls on Fire
February Sermon Schedule
March 6th: Reconciliation
March 13th: Where is your
Confidence Placed?
March 20st: Pam Sunday
March 27th: I’ve Seen the Lord!
