The Shepherd | January 2014

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Here we are on the threshold of a New Year, saying, as is common on this time of year, “Where has the year

gone? It seems only yesterday that we were ushering the New Year of 2013 and here it is 2014 already.” We

sense how time seems to pass “faster” when we wish we could hold it back or it seems to go “slower” when we

anxiously await a future moment of special joy. We comment on how time seems to pass so much faster as we

get older. None of this defines time; however, it only speaks of how we experience time.

We all keep track of time and sometimes are overwhelmed by all we do. There are deadlines to meet,

appointments to keep, students have assignments to be turned in. Schedules, calendars and clocks have become

masters in our society. In his book Time Wars, Jeremy Rifkin writes that the idea of our lives and the events in

them being controlled by blocks of allocated time is, in terms of centuries at least, a relatively new idea. The

idea comes from the Benedictine monks, "whose passion for organizing and filling every minute of the day, grew

out of St. Benedict's conviction that 'idleness is the enemy of the soul.'" Not until the 15th century did clocks

begin to rival churches in the town squares of Europe. It wasn’t until the 17th century that clocks had minute

hands. Surely much has been gained in terms of production and organization, but when life became divided and

subdivided into hours, minutes, seconds – even milliseconds and nanoseconds (whatever they are!) - many

things were lost. We experience those losses every day. Our distance from the natural rhythms of life keeps

increasing. We also live at an increasing distance from the ancient but timeless understanding that each day,

each moment, is an unearned gift from a gracious God, rather than spent for something else. As a new year

begins, we have an opportunity to rethink time.

There was an ancient teacher, whom we know through the writings of Ecclesiastes. This wise person

understood time quite differently from the way we understand it today. The writings come from after the

Babylonian Exile, an experience that had taught the Hebrew people that life was never going to be a walk in the

park and that which is most sacred in life is not to be taken lightly and wasted. For him, things are the way they

are, set in motion by God. In the face of a world created by God, one should not waste energy railing against life.

Since there are so many things over which we have no control, the wisdom of Ecclesiastes reminds us to not

worry about what we can't control and enjoying the gifts God gives, Ecclesiastes' other prescription for life is

that always and forever we are to stand in awe before God, from whose mighty acts, nothing can be added or

taken away. God is the creator of time. In fact, we all live in God’s time. God sets the rhythm of life – so truly -

“There is a time for everything, a season for everything under heaven. . .”

(Ecclesiastes 3: 1)

See you in church!

A PUBLICATION OF GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

From the Study of Pastor Machovec

January 2014

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STUDY

MONDAY’S FOR MEN

Monday’s at 6:45 pm in the

Stage Room. All men

welcome!

PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY

Thursday’s at 10:00 am in the

Library. All are welcome!

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

Sunday’s at 10:30 am

Classes for all ages!

Call the church office or visit

www.gsumparma.com/sunda

y-school for more

information.

WORSHIP

WORSHIP SERVICES HELD

EVERY SUNDAY MORNING!

Tra d i t i o n a l S e r v i c eT ra d i t i o n a l S e r v i c eT ra d i t i o n a l S e r v i c eT ra d i t i o n a l S e r v i c e

9 : 1 5 AM9 : 1 5 AM9 : 1 5 AM9 : 1 5 AM

�

P r a i s e S e r v i c eP r a i s e S e r v i c eP r a i s e S e r v i c eP r a i s e S e r v i c e 1 1 : 2 5 AM1 1 : 2 5 AM1 1 : 2 5 AM1 1 : 2 5 AM

SERVICE

GOOD SHEPHERD’S

SUMMER MISSION:

The West Virginia

Service Project

June 22-27, 2014

McDowell County, WV

www.experiencemission.org

See page 4 for more

information!

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YOUTH NEWS

By Jennifer Self, Youth Director

[email protected]

All Youth Grades 7-12th welcome!

During the month of December the

youth focused on advent in Sunday

School. At the youth Christmas party

we enjoyed food, games and a very

entertaining gift exchange. The

meaning of the season was not

forgotten as we sent greetings to

those who are unable to make it to

church and prepared gifts for a

family in need.

Youth retreat

January 24-26, 2014

Sign up by January 16th!

Sorry NO late sign ups!

See the youth newsletter or church

website for more information and

sign up instructions.

Church News

BIRTH OF JESUS PLAY & ADVENT PROGRAM REPORT

By: Julie Weigand

The play and program was a success! We had 65 people

attend and walk through the play. Guests viewed the play

in groups. While waiting for their group to be called,

guests had the option to make a cross ornament, glass

luminary, or enjoy cookies and beverages provided by the

Family Ministry Board. There wasn’t a quiet moment in

the Fellowship Hall or Stage Room that evening. Even with

a microphone in hand I had to make trips around the hall

and stage room to make people aware their group was

ready to go. I did not mind one bit. This meant people

were having a good time. There were so many smiling,

appreciative faces throughout the night and upon leaving.

We touched lives that evening through the word of God.

After the guests had left, the clean up crew started

working to restore the church for worship the next

morning. They did not waste any time! I was amazed at

how fast the church was put back together. A visiting

family offered to help clean up! They joined us in

restoring the church and we invited them to eat with us at

the After Party. Overall, it was an amazing night for those

involved and those who attended. I feel so blessed for all

the support from my husband, father, Pastor Bob

Machovec, and all the volunteers and donators. It was a

blessing to organize this event. Everyone has a gift from

God; and with all our gifts put together an amazing

program came together. Thank you to all who

volunteered and donated! You hold a special place in my

heart. Let’s continue to find fun and exciting ways to

spread the word of God!

NEW PICTURE DIRECTORY

Please sign up by the end of January in the Narthex or by

calling the church office for your free church directory.

Pictures will be taken on Sunday mornings in the months of

February and March between 10:15 am and 11:30 am and

Saturday, February 15 and Saturday, March 15th between

11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Pictures will be casual-faces only-so we can put names with

faces. We need photographers!! Contact the church office if

this interests you.

UMC MARKET

Start supporting GSUMC through

online shopping

You can support Good Shepherd

through some of your online

shopping! Here is how:

- Log onto www.UMCMarket.org

- Join and register yourself (it’s free)

- Register our church “Parma Good

Shepherd”

- When you are signed into UMC

Market, you can then visit the sites

you would like to make online

purchases from. If this step is not

taken first, the church will not receive

the donations through your

purchases.

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THE WEST VIRGINIA SERVICE PROJECT

JUNE 22-27, 2014

Appalachia’s poorest families urgently need your

help to make their homes warmer, safer, and drier.

But they can help change your life, too! This coming

summer we will travel to McDowell County, West

Virginia to participate in home repair as well as Kids

Club, a program that provides structured activities

to the youth of Gary, West Virginia. Go to

www.experiencemission.org to learn more about

this mission experience. Registration forms can be

found at church entrances. The cost of the trip is

$490. The trip is multi-generational and is open to

teens ages 14 (going into 9th grade in the fall of

2014) and up. There will be fundraisers planned to

help offset the cost. Please call or e-mail Bev

Schultz with any questions.

[email protected] 440-237-0317

Church News

Upcoming Events

VALENTINE'S DINNER | FEBRUARY 8, 2014 AT 6:00 PM

All proceeds will be used as scholarships for summer

campers. The cost is $35 per couple. Reservations can be

made until February 2nd in the Parlor after worship

services or by contacting Elizabeth Whited.

Please contact Elizabeth Whited at

[email protected] or (440) 884-1127 with

questions or to make your reservation.

DIRECTORY UPDATES

Eagle, Chuck & Sandy

(440) 652-6669

18286 Crystal Lakes Drive

North Royalton, OH 44133

THANK YOU

I’ve been so blessed by the

outpouring of support & prayers

since my surgery. Sending you all a

note of heartfelt gratitude.

-Mary Alice

A BIG thank you to our luminary

helpers: Cathy Neczypor, Glenn,

Barb, and Ben Kindel, Betty Mead,

and Dave Eiben!

I would like to thank all those

involved in the Christmas Cantata.

You talent and dedication is a

blessing.

- Lynn Campbell, Choir Director

Another thank you to all those who

made The Birth of Jesus Play and

Advent Program possible! What a

blessing you all have been to not

only me, but this church, and to

those who were touched by the

program.

- Julie Weigand

All of us on the church staff want to

thank you for your generosity

through the Love Offering. The

luncheon December 8, 2013 was a

wonderful (and delicious) gift during

this special season. Thanks to

Marcia Schroeder and the SPRC for

their work in making this possible.

Your continuing support is truly a

blessing!

On behalf of all on the church staff

- Pastor Bob

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

If you have had, or will have your 50th Wedding

Anniversary this year, Good Shepherd would like to add

you to the celebration plaque in the main hallway. Please

let the office know and we will be glad to include you in

the list of those we honor for faithfulness in marriage.

News From The Pews

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News from the Pews: THANK YOU

continued…

Thank you for your support of the

Christmas offering

Over the past several years Good

Shepherd has had a tradition of

receiving a special offering during

Christmas and at the Christmas Eve

service. A Christmas letter was mail

which included a special envelope

for your offering at Christmas. For a

number of years, we have also

received a “White Christmas”

offering. It has been our practice

(and tradition) that both of these

offerings are used for mission and

ministries beyond the walls of Good

Shepherd. Your support allows us to

literally reach out in the name of

Christ to every corner of the world.

Thank you.

Dear Good Shepherd UMC,

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS.

Thank you for letting us meet in

your Church for our 12 Step

meeting. Also, thank you for your

prayers and love.

-“Free to Be Me” Wednesday

Women’s group

To the Pastor & Church Members,

The greatest story ever told, the

greatest truth you’ll ever hold. The

greatest peace the world has know –

a Christmas gift for all to own. The

Angel said to them, “Do not be

afraid I bring you good news of great

joy that will be for all the people”

(Luke 2:10). How wonderful it is to

share His good news with you! Have

a Very Merry Christmas. We thank

you very much for helping our

group! God Bless!

- Nicotine Anonymous Group

Tidbits and Trivia – How much do you know about the history

of the United Methodist Church? See if you know the answers

to these trivia questions:

1) In a recent survey conducted on the United Methodist

Facebook page, which hymn was ranked #1 as the most

favorite hymn in the hymnal?

a. How Great Thou Art

b. Old Rugged Cross

c. Here I Am Lord

d. Amazing Grace

2) John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement,

once said: “An ounce of ____ is worth a pound of

knowledge”

a. Faith

b. Hope

c. Love

d. Peace

3) What does the flame symbolize in the symbol of the

United Methodist Church?

a. The Holy Spirit

b. John Wesley’s experience of God on Aldersgate

Street in which he described as “a strange

warming of the heart”

c. The union of the Methodist and Evangelical

United Brethren churches

d. All of the above

4) Who was a bishop of the United Brethren church?

a. Milton Wright – father of Wilbur and Orville

Wright

b. Daniel Anthony – father of Susan B. Anthony

c. John Ross Key – father of Francis Scott

d. William Nightengale – father of Florence

Nightengale

5) In what year did the former Methodist Church and

Evangelical United Brethren Churches united to form the

United Methodist Church?

a. 1949

b. 1976

c. 1968

d. 1954

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Prayer Concerns

Living with Cancer

- Elena Katanic (Friend of Steve

Kather)

- Howard Evans

- Ron DeVera

- Linda Carder

- Sharon German

- Heidi MacIntyre

- Hilda Carey

- Carol Setny (Don & Lynn

Campbell’s aunt)

- Jim Jira (brother of Beverly Merk’s

son-in-law) (Untreatable cancer

of the pancreas, liver, and lungs)

- Shelley Codney (Rosemary

Russell’s daughter)

- Jennifer Santoro (Richard Hillson’s

cousin)

- Julie Weigand

(Daughter of Bob & Blanche

Weigand)

- Stephanie Jane Lesiak

Those Serving in the Military

- Matthew Whited, Airman, US Air

Force, Technical School Kessler

AFB

- John Long (Father of Kaleb Long)

- Rachel Cepis Rice, North Carolina

- L Cpl Glenn Schroeder, United

States Marine, Deployed

Keep in Your Prayers

- Cathy Wade

- Pat Smith (Friend of Judy

Grimm)

- Donal Cooke

- Vinnie Saviano

- Bob Anderson

- Vikki Neczypor

- Jamie & Tristan Grimm

- Lois Ditata

- Rosemary Russell

- Charles & Doreen Peak

- Genny Taylor

- Lillian Stalnaker (Athenian

Assisted Living)

- Nancy Beets

- Frank & Judy Molnar

- Phyllis Haller

- Gladys Holmberg

- Barb Wolfe

- Walter Krueger

- Bob (Son-in-law of Don &

Sally Bloom)

- Ed & Kathy Bock (Friend of

MaryAnn Herron)

- Brian & Cindi Brendza

- Bob Mead

- Ruth Weinhardt

- Marilyn Harner

- Virginia Garrett (mother of

Alan Garrett)

- Jean Carpenter

- Norma Klaich

- 12 Step Groups/Support

Groups

- Those out of work/those

feeling lonely

In Recovery

- Joseph Kather

- Bob Alexander

-Susan Dodge (Surgery)

- Mary Alice Lesiak

(Spinal Surgery Nov. 14)

- Diane Fradette

(Surgeries 11/5, 12/3, 12/18)

Those who are Pregnant

- Julie (Podway) Weigand

- Jessica Griffith

- Kassie Beets

- Michelle Bissell

- Diana Kuschmider

- Carrie (Norsic) Roller

Upcoming Surgery

- Nancy Beets

- Diane Fradette (2/6)

In Hospital

- Mark Soberay (Nephew of

Heidi Hillson) (Critically

injured in PA bus accident)

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1 2 3

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5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

January 20 1420 1420 1420 14 WEDNESDAY | 1/1

New Years Day

The church office is closed.

THURSDAY | 1/2

- Pastor’s Bible Study, Exodus Room, 10:00 am

- Trustees Meeting, Library, 7:30 pm

SATURDAY | 1/4

- Caring Dinner, 1:00 pm

MONDAY | 1/6

- Mondays for Men, Stage Room, 6:45 pm

TUESDAY | 1/7

- Rachel Circle Meeting, Stage Room, 12:00 pm

- Disciple XIV, Exodus Room, 7:00 pm

- Disciple I, Library, 7:00 pm

THURSDAY | 1/9


- Discipleship Ministry Board Meeting, 7:30 pm, Parlor

SATURDAY | 1/11

- GSUMC Staff Outing, Cleveland Food Bank, 8:00 am

SUNDAY | 1/12

- GSUMC Bowling League, Yorktown Lanes, 6:30 pm

MONDAY | 1/13


Program Staff Committee Meeting, Office, 7:00 pm

TUESDAY | 1/14

- Christian Ed. Committee Meeting, Library, 7:00 pm

THURSDAY | 1/16


FRIDAY | 1/17

- Grief Support Group, Parlor, 2:30 pm

SATURDAY | 1/18

- Rose’s Bible Study, Youth Room, 11:30 am

SUNDAY | 1/19

- West Virginia Service Project Meeting, Stage Room,

12:30 pm (Following the Praise service)

MONDAY | 1/20


TUESDAY | 1/21

- Disciple XIV, Exodus Room, 7:00 pm

- Disciple I, Library, 7:00 pm

THURSDAY | 1/23


- Staff Parish Relations Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm,

Library

FRIDAY | 1/24

- Youth Retreat, Camp Wanake, 6:30 pm

*Meeting at church

SUNDAY | 1/26

- Membership Class, Exodus Room, 10:30 am

- Youth Return from Retreat, 10:45 am

- GSUMC Bowling League, Yorktown Lanes, 6:30 pm

MONDAY | 1/27


THURSDAY | 1/30


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Inside This Issue

From the Study ................ 1

Growing Together............ 2

Church News................. 3-4

Upcoming Events............. 4

News from the Pews..... 4-5

Prayer Concerns............... 6

January Calendar ............. 7

Happy New Year!Happy New Year!Happy New Year!Happy New Year! From the Good Shepherd Staff!From the Good Shepherd Staff!From the Good Shepherd Staff!From the Good Shepherd Staff!

The Shepherd | January 2014

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Transcript of The Shepherd | January 2014