Making disciples of Jesus Christ around the corner and around the world!

1101 State Street | Bowling Green, KY (270) 842-8171 | www.statestreetumc.org

“ C l e a n l i n e s s C o u l d B e N e x t t o U n - G o d l i n e s s ”

“Cleanliness is next to godliness.” I’m not sure who said this, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jeffer-

son, Minnie Pearl--I have no idea. My mother always led me to believe that it was in the Bible;

“Jay, please clean-up your room, you know what the Bible says, ‘cleanliness is next to godli-

ness.’” Years later, it was a great shock to me to discover that this saying was not in the Bible at

all!

Although it’s not a direct quote from the Bible, the saying has and continues to operate with some

authority in my life. In most areas of my life, I try to live as if it were true. Contrary to what some

of you have sometimes witnessed firsthand, I do like a clean office, a clean desk, a clean car, a

clean yard, a clean house. I like clean hair, clean teeth, and a clean body. In most areas of my life,

I try to practice “cleanliness is next to godliness.”

However, whenever I think about life and ministry in a church, I am not so sure “cleanliness is

next to godliness” is always true. First of all, let me be clear, in 30 years of ministry, I have never

served anywhere that had a better custodial and maintenance staff than we have here at State

Street. Ms. Betty, Pam, Dennis, and the folks with New Con cleaning service do an amazing job!

Having said that, please understand that in a church that is alive and growing, there is going to be

increasing activity, increasing outreach, increasing hospitality to any and all who we are blessed

to serve through our church’s ministries. As a result, you and I may see an occasional soda can, a

piece of paper or some other debris lying around inside or outside our church buildings. We

might see an occasional scuffed wall or stained carpet. We might see some “uncleanliness” in and

around our church and what I am suggesting is that “uncleanliness could be next to godliness,”

could be evidence that we are in fact doing God’s work and God’s will.

Sadly, I have been in churches that look like they’re never used. Pick-up the loose Sunday bulle-

tins on your way out after worship and the church is pretty much ready for next week. At first,

this may appear to be good news custodially and financially, but ministerially speaking, it is very

sad. I believe a church that is alive and growing is a church that is used, not just on Sunday, but

every day. I am always suspicious of a church that looks like nobody is ever in it. The only build-

ings that I can think of that always seem to look like no one ever uses them are museums and

funeral homes.

So, as strange as it may seem coming from someone who has always tried to live by “cleanliness

is next to godliness,” I would have to say that in relation to the church’s property, “cleanliness

could be next to un-godliness.” A church that looks like it’s never used is probably a church

that’s never used. A church that looks like no kids and youth are ever there is probably a church

where kids and youth are never there. Constant cleanliness in and around a church building could

be a sign not of faithfulness to God, but of unfaithfulness.

So, the next time you come to church and see a soda can or piece of paper lying about, a scuffed

wall or a stained carpet or floor, please don’t complain to our Trustees or our custodians, they all

love this church as much as anybody. I would recommend just simply picking up the piece of

trash, bow your head, and give God thanks that you are part of a church that is alive and growing!

Much grace and peace,

D r . J a y

March 4th-5th

Confirmation Retreat

February 14th

11am Faith Builders

Valentine’s Party

February 1st

7:00pm Mission & Service

Team Meeting

February 16th

7:00pm

Administrative Board Meeting

February 16th

5:30pm Trustees Meeting

February 28th

Youth Mission Trip

Signup Deadline

February 21st

5:00pm Youth Group

Chili Bowl

February 10th

6:15pm Ash Wednesday

with Taylor Chapel AME

Coming Soon:

March 2nd

Potato Bar Youth Fundraiser

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LIBRARY LINE - FEBRUARY

In 2015, our Library added 26 books,

eight of these in the Early/

Juvenile collection. The most recent

work acquired was the latest edition

of Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations

(2012). Its Call Number is 808.88 Bar.

Library Line –Marv Leavy Gifts Given to the Church

Faith Builders

February

February 14th—11:15 am

Valentines Day Party

Fellowship Hall

March

March 13th-11:15 am

“All About UMCOR”

Inspiring presentation by

Rev. Denise Honeycutt.

Refreshments will be

provided.

In Memory of Nina Bennett

Given to the Endowment Fund by the Nahm’s

In Memory of Dan Modlin’s Sister

Given to the Library Fund by Caroline Flora

Given to the Foundry by the New Life Sunday School Class

In Memory of Alice Nicely’s Brother

Given to the Endowment Fund by Mr. and Mrs. Don Burton

Given to the Help Ministries Fund by Mr. and Mrs. James Holland

In Memory of Ann Pfisterer’s Sister

Given to the Help Ministries Fund by Mr. and Mrs. James Holland

Given to the Endowment Fundy by Dot Brown

In Memory of Mattie Magee

Given to the Endowment Fund by Dot Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Don Burton, Mildred Bradford,

Dorothy Dodson, Sandi Jenkins, Ina Ree Wright, Kathy George, Pathfinders Sunday School

Class, Harriett Downing, Dr. and Mrs. William McCormack, Juanita Milton

Given to the Food Ministries Fund by Rachel Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Fullen

Given to the Choir Fund by Juanita Denham

Given to the Help Ministries Fund by Ann Pfisterer

Given to the Parking Lot Fund by Betty Bostick

In Memory of Vivian Wendt

Given to the Food Ministries Fund by Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Fullen

In Honor of Jay & Marion Smith

Given to the Endowment Fund by Phylis Robe

In Honor of Cindy Bright & Kevin Mays

Given to the Help Ministries Fund by Phylis Robe

In Honor of Lee Young

Given to the Choir Fund by Phylis Robe

In Honor of Steve Schnacke

Given to the Ky. United Methodist Children’s Home by the Westray’s

In Honor Mike Bishop

Given to the Choir Fund by the New Life Sunday School Class

In Honor the Westray’s

Given to the Parking Lot Fund by Betty Bostick

Gifts Given, cont. In Honor the Skiles

Given to the Help Ministries Fund by the

Norbert & Jane Stegeman

In Honor the Canter’s

Given to the Food Box Fund by Norbert &

Jane Stegeman

“Cross Roads: Encounters with Jesus on the Way to Calvary”

A Lenten Sermon Series Beginning February 14th Many persons encounter Jesus the last week of his life as he makes his way to Calvary. Their lives were literally “at a

crossroads” as they encountered Jesus on his road to the cross. Who were they? What were they like? What can we

learn about ourselves from their crossroads experiences with Jesus?

Beginning Sunday, February 14th, join us for a five-week sermon series as Dr. Jay explores their encounters with Je-

sus to help us understand the significance of Jesus’ suffering and death and what it means to live as his followers to-

day.

February 14 Disciples with Jesus in Prayer

February 21 Judas

February 28 Peter

March 6 Pilate and Herod

March 13 Simon of Cyrene

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Birthdays!

Please Remember Our Special Friends in Prayer:

Prayer Requests

Please Note: The names of persons for whom prayer has been requested will remain on our prayer list for one month unless we are notified otherwise.

The names of the homebound and ill of our church family as well as our church leaders and military will be kept on our list indefinitely.

Pamela Jukes 01

Caitlin Gover 02

Michael Vitale 05

Kraig Richardson 05

Addie Holland 06

Michael Bessette II 08

Brad Knee 08

David Cole 09

Landon Turner 09

Shannon Vaughan 09

Sarah Lowe 12

Daniella Emerson 14

Amy Knight 14

James Rogers 14

Richard Cooper 15

Mills Turner 15

Kelly Woodrum 16

Jeff Greer 18

Lisa Cummings 20

Derrick Potter 20

Annette Richards 20

Janet Turner 21

Lindsay Summers 22

Sheryl Chapman 23

Ernie Collins 23

Beverly Parrish 23

Kristin Peterson 23

Trent Young 24

Barbara Grider 26

Maggie Vaughn 26

Jane Gillaspie 27

Marion Napier 27

McKenzie Proctor 27

Anniversaries!

Charley & Julie Pride 6

Kenneth & Charlene Utley 6

Pam & Leroy Buck 14

Valerie & Jim Bullington 23

Recent Requests:

Shawn Angel

Hal Rogers

Debbie Drake Davis

Anita Morris

Charles Morris

Pat Mitchell

William C. Harlin

Elwood Austin

Ruth Compton

Dean Meadows

LaDonna Killabrew

Tom Kelley Meador

Nomam Nakhal & Family

Haytham Nakhal & Family

Hiba Nakhal & Family

Hiam Nakhal & Family

Barry Givens

Norman Greenwell

Kim Lee

Steve Skaggs

Gary Vance

Amanda Vance Boggs

Tom Webber

Joy Graham

On Going Requests: (Church Family)

Sue Bullington

Richard Hoffman

Bob & Jane Gillaspie

Pam Buck

Sarah Lowe

Marilyn Laney

Betty Satterfield

Debbie Modlin

Jenna Binion

Arthur Carman

Lavinia Rogers

Virginia Fullen

Corinne Meeks

Joyce Robertson

June Cooper

Suzanne Vitale

Bill Franklin

Ronna Lee Hunter

Juanita Denham

Joyce Pershing

Jenks Britt

Carrie Gilreath

Glenn Eisert

Our Military:

Schuyler Purdue

(Marines)

Sympathy:

The Family of

Marcella Brashear

The Family of

Anna Smith

On Going Requests:

(Friends & Family) Taylor Sutton

Linda Anderson

Graham Mitchell

Sharon Payne

Retirement Village

Lovell Parsons

Jackie Mathison

Ken Whitfield

Magnolia Village

Bill McCormick

Village Manor Frederica Williamson

Sarah Watson

Ed & Barbara Neale

Colonial Manor

Sue Bullington

Homebound Greenwood

Madge Bailey Nursing Home

Geneva Duff Mary Ann Slate

Richard Hoffman

Ina Ree Wright Bridgepointe

Carolyn Brake

Massey Springs Nancy Napier

Sally Mayfield

SSUMC Food Pantry Needs: Remember to check the bulletin each week for items

needed for the food pantry! Groceries are distributed

to those in the community who come in and ask for

food assistance. Donated items should be placed in the

white bins located near the church office and near the

fellowship hall.

Please make sure that donated items have expiration dates. Many thanks to Bob and Louise Canter for their leadership in this

ministry and to all the volunteers who assist them!

3rd 5:30—6:00 pm Dinner

5:50—7:10 pm Choir/classes

7th 8:08 and 10:00 am Worship

9:00 am Sunday school

10th Ash Wednesday

5:30 - 6:00 pm Potluck

6:15 Ash Wednesday service

14th Valentine’s Day/ Boy Scout Sunday

8:08 and 10:00 am Worship

9:00 am Sunday school

17th 5:30 - 6:00 pm Dinner

5:50 - 7:00 pm Choir/classes

21st 8:08 and 10:00 am Worship

9:00 am Sunday school

4—5:30 pm Hero Night

24th 5:30 –6:00 pm Dinner

5:50- 7:10 pm Choir/classes

28th 8:08 and 10:00 am worship

9:00 am Sunday school

FEBRUARY AT A GLANCE

Need more info? Contact Rev. Cindy Bright, Minister to Children and Families at

cbright@statestreetumc.org or 842-8171, ext..3

20th Palm Sunday/ Palm parade

26th Easter Egg Hunt

27th Easter Sunday

SPECIAL DATES IN MARCH

Send your child to camp this summer! Camp dates have been set and our United Methodist camps continue to offer exciting and life changing experiences for every age and interest.

Church camp can be one of the most defining experi-ences of a child’s life and spiritual growth, so we hope all of our children will have the opportunity to attend.

Partial scholarships are available for any active mem-ber children who wish to attend. Please feel free to

contact Pastor Cindy if you have any questions about scholarships or camp. Check our the options online at

http://loucon.org.

ACOLYTE SCHEDULE

Feb. 7—Kendall Sim-mons/ Kathryn Porter 14- Boy Scout Sunday/ Owen Renfrow / Caleb Wagoner 21- Natalie Porter/Hailey Fulcher 28—Kendall Simmons/Emily Burrell

CHILDREN’S CHURCH HELPERS Feb. 14 — Lucretia/Sally/Remi Feb. 21— Pam/ David/ Tanner Feb. 28— Shannon/ Brittany/ Lydia

SNACK PROVIDERS NEEDED FOR FEBRUARY!

Do we have heroes in disguise right here at State Street?

Kids of all ages are invited to come find

out Sunday, February 21st from 4—5:30

pm. You’ll complete your own hero mis-

sion while you learn about Bible heroes.

You’ll find out how you can be a hero

every day and hear about the greatest hero of all time!

Invite your friends to join you for fun, games, crafts, and

activities plus yummy superhero food.

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For more information., contact Jami Unland, Minister of Student Formation at Students@statestreetumc.org or 842-8171

BOWL

February 21st

5:00-6:30 pm

WKU Intramural

Fields

UMYF Sunday Nights

Sunday, Feb 7th No Youth (Super Bowl)

Sunday, Feb 14th

“Faithlink”

Sunday, Feb 21st Chili Bowl

Sunday, Feb 28th RITI Service Project

Join us for food, fellowship, and Bible study

5-7 pm in the youth room on the 3rd floor

Wednesday Night Gatherings

“Dinner and a Movie”

Feb 3rd

Goblet of Fire

6:00 - 7:10pm

Feb 10th

Ash Wed Service

6:00 - 7:10pm

Feb 17th

Goblet of Fire

6:00 - 7:10pm

Feb 24th

Goblet of Fire

6:00 - 7:10pm

upcoming events

February 28th - Mission Trip Sign up Final Deadline: $30 Walmart gift card March 2nd - Potato Bar and Silent Auction Fundraiser (Mission Trip)

Beginning in March

Character is a four-week Bible study designed to help

teens develop Christ-like behavior in their daily lives.

Teenagers will consider the ideas of truth, how they

use their words, how they view their possessions, and

what it is to be a person of integrity.

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Join the Music Ministry and share more than just a song. Share in fellowship, friendship, worship and

Minute ‘Men’ Ministry

Don’t forget that we have men and women

ready to assist you with tasks around the

home. No need to get on that ladder - call

Lee and she will send someone your way to

change light bulbs and smoke detector

batteries.

February Children’s Choir Schedule

10th - ASH WEDNESDAY NO CHILDREN’S CHOIRS 14th - Carolers sing “I Will Sing of the Mercies” 21st - Cherubs sing “Go Tell” 28th - Choristers sing “In His Time/I Love You, Lord”

Minister of Music, Worship and Congregational Care

The Hand Bell Choir will Play the prelude

On Sunday, February 28th

Music Ministry Birthday Dinner Monday, February 8th 6:30 @ Lee’s House

Beverly Parrish, Marion Napier and Glenn Eisert

February Scripture Reader/Offertory Prayer Schedule

14th Cindy Bright (8:08) BOY SCOUTS Steve Schnacke (Prayer) 21st Megan Simmons(8:08) Marion Smith (10:00) Keith Skiles (Prayer) 28th Shellie Allen (8:08) Megan Simmons (10:00) Larry Snyder (Prayer)

February Greeter Schedule

7th Gail Dycus/Natalie Porter (8:08)

Linda/Don Howell (10:00)

14th Frank/Celia Conley (8:08)

Heather Lasley/Becky Leavy(10:00)

21st Alex Burrell/Steve Schnacke (8:08)

Tara/Tristan Martin (10:00)

28th Pam Funk/Mary Hutchins (8:08)

Gera Nelson/Bill Parks (10:00)

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE Wednesday, February 10th @ 6:15. We will once again be

joined by our friends at Taylors Chapel A.M.E. Church.

They will be joining us for our meal, as well. It will be a

pot-luck meal and we ask that everyone bring a little extra for

our guests. Lenten Devotionals will be

available before and after the service at all sanctuary doors.

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Room In the Inn

As you read this, we will have completed

the halfway mark of hosting Room in the

Inn (RITI) at State Street, with only 5

dates left this season. Plunging tempera-

tures reinforce the need for us to be a place

that opens its doors to those living on the

streets.

With only a few weeks left, there are still

multiple opportunities for many to serve

this amazing homeless ministry. Here are

the most critically-needed spots:

Feb. 14th Female overnight host

Feb. 29th 7 am Clean up

Mar. 13th Male and female overnight

hosts

Sack lunches

Mar. 14th 7 am Clean up

Mar. 27th Male and female overnight

hosts

Items needed: White cotton or wool

socks, deodorant, pocket hand warmers.

PLEASE NOTE—we cannot distribute

clothing items unless we have enough of

the same for each of our guests. Individual

items can be donated directly to Hotel, Inc.

We also do not distribute hotel bottles of

shampoo, conditioner, etc. Those can be

given to Salvation Army.

Please contact Kevin Mays at

270 303-0761 to volunteer or provide

items.

February Focus: Help for Guatemalan Missions

Sheena’s Christian Soldiers, a mission out of Monroe County, was

formed by two brothers in honor and memory of their missionary mother.

Each year, this mission sends a team to Guatemala to minister to people

through a medical clinic and a dental clinic. While they are there, they

also spend time with children in an orphanage in Guatemala City and lead

a worship service each night in whichever village they served during the

day.

Last year, your giving allowed the team to purchase several pieces of

equipment, dental instruments and lots of medicine. State Street’s Abi

Lyon will be going with the team again this year, and you can support

her, the team and help the people in Guatemala in several ways.

Leave an offering on the communion rail when you come Feb. 7th.

These donations will be used to purchase dental chairs as well as

medicine and dental instruments.

Donate bottles of saline/eye drops. The villages are very windy and

dirt getting in people’s eyes causes all types of problems.

Donate “readers” of any kind. On a previous trip, there was a man

able to read his Bible for the first time because he received some

reading glasses.

Donate bottles of children’s liquid acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Donate bottles of children or adult vitamins.

Pray for Abi and the team.

Please place your donated items in the mission box

outside the church office.

The Faithfulness and Generosity Report

Because of your generosity during the Christmas Eve offering and the

January Communion offering, the Mission and Service Team has been

able to contribute the following amounts to the following ministries:

Christmas food boxes 2150.00

Churches United in Christ Help Ministry 2270..00

Habitat for Humanity 5000.00*

Hotel, Inc. 1061.54

* State Street UMC will be one of 12 churches partic-

ipating in a Habitat Apostle’s Build this Spring. For

more information, contact Marty Elmes, Art Robb,

Mike Hall or call the church office.

DID YOU KNOW? As a member of Churches United in Christ Help Ministries, State Street UMC was a part of distributing

just over $77,000 to Warren County residents who found themselves unable to pay their utility bills last year. 28% of those funds

came directly from SSUMC. Applicants visit one of the five participating churches, get screened using Charity Tracker and can

receive help once every 12 months. If you would like to volunteer in this ministry-especially if you would be willing to help with the

bookkeeping– contact Keith and Sally Skiles at sallyskiles@gmail.com or skiles66@bellsouth.net.

The Circuit Writer

State Street United Methodist Church 1101 State Street

P.O. Box 3340 Bowling Green, KY 42102-3340

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit Number 325 Bowling Green, KY

Return Service Requested

State Street Staff

Senior Pastor ~ Dr. Jay Smith

Associate Pastor for Faith Formation ~ Rev. Cindy Bright

Minister of Music, Worship, and Congregational Care ~ Lee Young

Minister of Student Formation ~ Jami Unland

Pastor for Small Group Development ~ Rev. Kevin Mays

Children’s Ministry Assistant ~Gina Bingham

Organist & Communications Coordinator ~ Julie Pride

Finance Manager ~ Tricia Hendrix

Church Hostess ~ Betty Lee

Housekeeping ~ Pam Fitzgerald

Maintenance ~ Dennis Jones

The “Not So” Newlywed Game

Join the Faith Builders on Sunday, February 14th @ 11:15 in the Fellowship Hall as we celebrate Valentine’s Day with our version of the

Newlywed Game. Vernon and Jessie Martin, Nevil and Sandra Speer, and Joe and Abi Lyon

will compete in a game of laughter and fun.

We will also sing some of our favorite love songs from years gone by. Everyone is asked to bring some sandwiches and/or sweets to share.

We hope to see you there!!!

Feb. 10th 6:15pm

Youth will be

serving during WNG.

Youth need to be in

the kitchen by 4:45

March 2nd

Boston Mission Trip Potato Bar & Silent

Auction Fundraiser