To My Friends, There are two parts to this epistle. First, a fun part; next a more serious part. You decide. A preacher went to his church office on Monday morning and discovered a dead mule in the churchyard. He called the police. Since there did not appear to be any foul play, the police referred the preacher to the health department. They said since there was no health threat he should call the sanitation department. The sanitation manager said he could not pick up the mule without authorization from the mayor. Now the preacher knew the mayor and was not too eager to call him. The mayor had a bad temper and was generally hard to deal with, but the preacher called him anyway. The mayor did not disappoint. He immediately began to rant and rave at the pastor and finally said, “Why did you call me anyway? Isn’t it your job to bury the dead?” The preacher paused for a brief prayer and asked the Lord to direct his response. He was led to say, “Yes, Mayor, it is my job to bury the dead, but I always like to notify the next of kin first!” ___________________________________________________________ We resume our Fellowship Meal & Lectionary Study for the fall on September 5th. If you lack a list of Lectionary scriptures, then you may pick it up in the office. These texts are also printed in the Sunday morning worship bulletin for your convenience. ___________________________________________________________ Wesleyan Study In addition, because more than a few people have asked, I am going to offer a study on a Wesleyan view of the Christian faith. We will have these sessions on September 23rd, 30th, and October 7th. The evenings will be 90 minutes. We will begin at 6:00 pm with a generous interlude scheduled. Those who have been lifelong Methodists as well as those who haven’t will perhaps learn about the history/tradition of our United Methodist church. We will begin with the Epworth Parsonage and move on toward Oxford, the Holy Club, and from where the Methodists came. Methodism is a Protestant denomination that emerged within Anglicanism during the 1700s that sought to inspire a deep evangelical character within the Church of England. Methodism originally was a zealous evangelistic movement that heralded a

simple gospel for the common people, championed an evangelical Arminian theology of salvation, pioneered an approach to evangelical sanctification known as Christian “perfection,” and motivated thousands of ministers who selflessly embraced an itinerant, “circuit riding” ministry. This ministry often included celibacy and poverty for the cause of Christ. In the 19th century Methodists established colleges, seminaries, and moved more into mainstream evangelicalism. Today the United Methodist Church ranks as the third largest single denomination in America (after Roman Catholicism and the Southern Baptist Convention).

Come join us as we adults try to catch up to our confirmation classes in our understanding of the Methodist/Wesleyan denomination! --David Mosser

Salado United Methodist Church

650 Royal St./ PO Box 771 Salado, TX 76571

254-947-5482 Website: www.saladoumc.org

Facebook.com/saladoumc

Sunday Mornings 9:00 am Worship (Traditional) In the Worship Center 10:00 am Sunday School 11:15 am Worship (Contemporary) In the Historic Chapel Communion is served the first Sunday

of every month. All are welcome.

Wednesday Evening Fall Programming

Begins September 5th 5:00 - 7:30 pm FourTwelve Youth 5:15 - 6:00 pm Fellowship Meal 6:00 pm Pastor’s Lectionary Study 6:00 pm Handbell Practice 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm M&M Kids 7:00 - 8:30 pm Choir Practice

GREETERS

SEPTEMBER 2: 9:00 am: Miriam Jordan, Karleen Martone SEPTEMBER 9: 9:00 am: Lyn Alley, Cheryl Powell

SEPTEMBER 16: 9:00 am: Jack & Weeta Evans

SEPTEMBER 23: 9:00 am: Marsha Brown, Becky Butscher

SEPTEMBER 30: 9:00 am: Terry & Juli Bergstrom

USHERS

SEPTEMBER 2: 9:00 am: Ken Horak, Lyn Alley, Barbara Stabeno 11:15 am: Tracy Family SEPTEMBER 9: 9:00 am: Tommy & Robin Hale, Gary & Liz Lusk 11:15 am: Sandi Emmons, Dana Haas SEPTEMBER 16: 9:00 am: Mark Brooks, Joe Mikeska, Steve Lazarus 11:15 am: Steigerwalt Family SEPTEMBER 23: 9:00 am: Jack & Weeta Evans, Chuck & Eileen Whitacre 11:15 am: Bud & Glenda Croom SEPTEMBER 30: 9:00 am: Paul & Shirley Cox 11:15 am: Meghan Corder, Riley & Maxwell Ramirez

CONNECTIONS September 2018 Volume 8 Number 9

MEN’S EMMAUS GROUP meets at Johnny’s every Wednesday at 7:00 am.

WOMEN’S EMMAUS GROUP meets at McCain’s every Tuesday at Noon, and Thursdays at 7:30 am at Lynette’s on Church St.

STAFF meets every Wednesday at 10:00 am in the SUMC Library.

CHOIR meets every Wednesday at 7:00-8:30 pm in Chapel - Please join us!

MONDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY meets every Monday morning at 10:15 am in Room 117. If you are interested in participating, please contact Diane Morgan 254-466-1308 or Trenaise Engleking 254-913-7695.

HANDBELLS will meet Wednesdays at 6:00 pm in Portable 3. Contact Wes Roach for more information at wroach@saladoumc.org.

PRIMETIMERS Prime Timer’s Coffee Break is every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:00 am in the Worship Center.

TRASH TO TREASURE TEAM This is a mission project making mats for the homeless out of plastic grocery bags. All ages are welcome! Meetings are every Tuesday morning at 9:30 am during Primetimers. We are still collecting bags in the atrium. To date, over 50 mats have been distributed to the homeless through Feed My Sheep.

TEXAS RAMP PROJECT meets Thursdays at 6:00 pm.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY meets every Wednesday at 9:00 am in Room 113.

Sunday Worship Services

September 2nd Communion Sunday - James 1:17-27 September 9th - James 2:1-17 September 16th - James 3:1-12 September 23rd - James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a September 30th - James 5:13-20

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN will meet Monday, September 17th at 5:45 pm in Room 117.

FINANCE will meet Wednesday, September 26th at 7:15 pm in the SUMC Library.

TRUSTEES will meet Monday, September 24th at 6:30 pm in the SUMC Library.

SUMC GARDEN GUILD will meet Thursday, September 6th at 9:00 am in Room 120.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP will meet every other Thursday, starting September 13th at 7:00 pm in Room 120.

Welcome to the Salado United Methodist Church Family: Marilyn Springer Don & Cecelia Little

&Meal from 5:15 - 6 PM // Cost: $6/Adult, $3/Child

RSVP to tbass@saladoumc.org or 254-947-5482 by 10 am Monday prior to the meal. Meal information is listed on the website, in the worship bulletin, and in the weekly e-blast.

See program times on the front cover.

M&M Kids Kickoff ‘ September 5th

SALADOUMC.ORG/MINISTRIES/CHILDREN

Join us for the M&M Kids Kickoff September 5th from 6 - 7 pm!

m&m kids offers music, mission projects, and bible lessons for children in grades k-6. we also offer m&m mini’s for children ages 2-5 (PreK), which includes a short lesson

with fun games and crafts, (in the nursery). this year, our 6th graders will have a special m&m kids class just for them.

everyone is welcome! Learn about what is happening in m&m kids this year.

we’ll have a chance to meet each other, have fun, enjoy snacks, play games, and sign up.

The NEW Shepherd Ministry offers many different opportunities to use your specific strengths to care for the congregation.

Pick up a brochure, email sumc@saladoumc.org, or visit www.saladoumc.org to learn more and volunteer today!

5 pm - 7:30 pm / Meal at 5:30 pm Email pcorder@saladoumc.org for information.

Sophomores - Seniors

5:30 - 7 pm / Various Locations

Visit www.saladoumc.org or Email pcorder@saladoumc.org for location.

September Youth Activities for Grades 7—12 Youth Sunday School meets Sundays at 10 am in the Youth Activities Center.

facebook.com/saladoumcym twitter.com/saladoumcym Instagram.com/saladoumcym

Sign-up for our email list by emailing Paul at pcorder@saladoumc.org.

Salado umc small groups will run September 23 - November 11.

This is a great way to experience community within the church! Group information will be available for sign-up in September.

SUMC Family Promise Host Week September 16 - 23, 2018

Van drivers, meal providers, and overnight volunteers are needed to help the

homeless families we will be hosting as they work to lift themselves out of

poverty. Sign-up in the atrium, or contact Rolly at rcorrea@saladoumc.org.

SUMC Missions & Outreach is currently forming the planning committee for the

Be part of the planning! Contact rcorrea@saladoumc.org.

30th Anniversary J.A.I.L. Ministry Banquet SUMC Missions & Outreach is sponsoring two tables at the 30th Anniversary J.A.I.L. Ministries Banquet on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 6:15 pm at the Bell

County Expo Center. Seats at our tables are FREE for the first 16 people to sign-up. If you are interested, contact Rolly at rcorrea@saladoumc.org by October 1st.

SUMC Belmopan, Belize Mission Trip November 5th - 10th The total cost of the trip is estimated at $1,000, and your plane tickets serve as your deposit.

If you are interested, contact Rolly at rcorrea@saladoumc.org before October 20th.

Learn more about SUMC’s mission work in Belmopan at www.saladoumc.org.

September 9th / 9 & 11:15 am Services Contact Kristen Von Gonten at Kristenvg@saladoumc.org if you have an incoming 3rd

grader to make sure she will have a Bible for them at the appropriate service.

3RD & 4TH GRADE BIBLE CAMP AT GLEN LAKE SIGN UP DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 10TH For more information, see http://glenlakecamp.com/bible-camp-faqs/