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4004 State Road 21 S

Keystone Heights, FL 32656

KEYST ONE UNIT ED METH ODI ST

CHURCH

A Note from our Associate Pastor

Phone: 352-473-3829

Fax: 352-4730710

WWW.keystone-umc.org

Making Christ the Keystone of Our Lives

Non-Profit

Organization

U. S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 9

At the heart of every person who has influenced

my life towards God is a word called grateful!

Gratitude is not just a nice attitude, it is the mind-

set of every peron who has pondered what God has

done for us and continues to do for us through Je-

sus Christ!

Grateful people are happy people. They appreciate

even the “little things” of everyday life that so of-

ten go unrecognized by others. You will also

notice about grateful people that they are pleasant to be

around. They will listen with genuine interest when

someone else is speaking. You will not find them trying

to “one-upmanship” someone else’s story. They allow

others to have their fair share in everything.

It is not surprising, nor by accident, that the nine fruits of

the Holy Spirit are at the core of the grateful heart: love,

joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self control! (Galatians 5:22-23)

We would do well to just be still and, prayerfully before

God, give thanks for a grateful heart! Anything else

speaks of the sin of ingratitude!

Truly thankful in my heart and praying the same for you.

I love you,

Tom

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AUGUST 2018

A while back, I heard Joel Osteen use an illustration that’s been told in many sermons over the years. It’s one of those “preacher-stories” that gets used again and again — but it’s a good one,

so I’ll tell it here one more time.

One day a farmer’s old mule fell into an empty well. The farmer was disap-pointed because it was a good mule, but he concluded that the mule could-n’t be rescued, since the well was too narrow and too deep to retrieve the animal. He decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth saving, and his only option was to fill the well with dirt. [I know this sounds like a ter-rible way to put a mule out its misery.

Remember, it's only an illustration.]

The farmer grabbed a shovel and be-gan to fill the well with dirt, one shovel full at a time. It turns out that the ani-mal wasn’t as close to dead as the farmer had guessed. When he felt that first pile of dirt hit his back, he instinc-tively shook it off and trampled on it. Another pile landed on him and he shook it off and trampled it. This went on all afternoon: shake the dirt off, trample it, and step a little higher, shake the dirt off, trample it, and step a little higher. Finally, after a few hours of this, that mule had risen to a new height; he was able to step triumphant-

ly out of the well.

Osteen finished the story saying, “What’s interesting is that the dirt that was meant to

bury him actually saved his life.”

Another story about a well.

His illustration reminds me of the story of Joseph, how his brothers had the idea of throwing him in a well. They were tempted to kill him, though they ultimately decided to sell him into slavery, settling on destroy-

ing his life rather than ending it.

God, however, had a different plan for Jo-seph — a plan that would make him the second most powerful man in all of Egypt. Instead of dying in a well or living as a slave, God destined him for wealth and power and prestige. And God gave him the opportunity to save his brothers from star-

vation.

Years later, long after Joseph had recon-ciled with his brothers, they were still afraid he would seek revenge, but Joseph had a different perspective on his life. He said, “You intended to harm me, but God intend-

ed it all for good.” (Genesis 50:20)

When you’re down, you can be sure that there will always be someone willing to throw a little dirt on you. Remember that mule: shake it off and trample it; it will help you step up. This difficult situation may appear to have the power to destroy you, but by God’s grace, it will actually serve the purpose of taking you to the next level.

This is a good word in difficult times!

See you Sunday,

Pastor Jeff

“Trackers of Truth” powered by Seedbed Kids will begin on Wednesday, August

15th at 6:30pm upstairs in the MMC for children & Tweens. Wednesday night din-

ner will served at 5:45pm. Our new program will be one that disciples the whole

family. Parents please visit Seedbedkids.com to create an account for free disci-

pleship tools which include a weekly animated video, character podcast and scrip-

ture memory songs. We can’t wait to see you children & Tweens, as we meet in

our new space.

The Tweens book study “Shaken” by Tim Tebow will resume

at 5:45pm each Wednesday evening in the Fellowship Hall.

Tweens will get their dinner and meet together until 6:25pm

and then dismiss to normal programming. Be on the lookout

for a special message from Tim Tebow to our KUMC

Tweens….

After Wonderful Wednesday dinner Pastor Jeff and Dr.

Farmer each week offer a Bible Study for Adults. Why not

join us for dinner and then stay for the informative and inspir-

ing Bible Study.

The KUMC Youth

would love for you to

join them on Sunday

and Wednesday for Bi-

ble Study! Sunday

morning 9:15. Sunday

night 5:30, and Wednes-

day at 6:15.

We have various Sunday

School classes for all ages

Preschool, Kindergarten,

Elementary, Tweens, Mid-

dle School and High

School.

Call 352-473-3829 for

times and information.

After he retired he moved to Jaffrey, New Hampshire

where he continued an active life of writing, lecturing,

preaching, and teaching. He died on February 4, 1944.

In 1901 while he was serving the First Presbyterian

Church in Chicago, he received word that the two daugh-

ters of his brother Howard died of diphtheria, While still

in shock over the loss of these children that he dearly

loved, he wrote this hymn as a means of comforting him-

self and his family. He went to the quarantined house of

his brother and standing outside he sang it for them. The

following Sunday was communion Sunday and his choir

sang the hymn for its first public performance. Since that

time it has become a favorite hymn of consolation for

many.

There is a place of quiet rest,

Near to the heart of God;

A place where sin cannot molest,

Near to the heart of God.

Refrain:O Jesus, blest Redeemer,

Sent from the heart of God;

Hold us, who wait before Thee,

Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,

Near to the heart of God;

A place where we our Savior meet,

Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release,

Near to the heart of God;

A place where all is joy and peace,

Near to the heart of God.

Dr. Tom Gensel

Near to the

Heart of God Cleland Boyd McAfee

Cleland Boyd McAfee was one of five

sons and one daughter born to John A.

McAfee and his wife. He was born on

September 25, 1866 at Ashley, Missouri.

This family was deeply involved in Park

College, Parkville, Missouri. In fact this

school was founded by Cleland’s father

and Colonel George Park in 1875. It

started with 17 students. Now it is Park

University. The University has 17,000

students in thirty-eight campuses that

are scattered all over the United States.

It was at this small college that Cleland

did his undergraduate work. On finishing

there he entered and graduated from Un-

ion Theological Seminary in Chicago. On

graduating, he returned to teach at Park

College where his brothers and his sister

were also serving. He was also the pastor

of the college church from 1881 to 1901.

He then served as pastor of First Presby-

terian Church in Chicago and Lafayette

Avenue Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn.

From 1912 to 1930 he was professor of

systematic theology at McCormack The-

ological Seminary in Chicago.

Connect Card Request

Every Sunday our Pastors ask that we fill out the

CONNECT CARD that is attached to our Bulletin.

This is a very important part of our connection with

our office and Pastors.

Please make sure you write your full name legibly

and mark which service you attend. If you are a visi-

tor please mark and give us your address, phone and

email. Mark if you want to attend dinner on Wednesday.

If you have any prayer requests let us know.

On the back are various items you could let us know

about. If you would like to meet with one of the Pastors or

join our church. This is a great help. Please fill out all

items needed. Thank you!

August Birthdays JoAnne Sayers 1

Larry Sullivan 1

Ben Walker 3

Juanita Hall 3

Lynda Ferri 3

Rachael Bush 4

Daniel Martinez 4

LaDonna Hart 4

Julie Elbert 5

Christopher Geiger 5

Brian Kendrick 6

Kathy Moore 6

Sandy Sullivan 7

Vicki Brabham 7

Mia McLeod 7

Daniel Wilcox 8

Katelyn Gruel 8

Bruce Bach 9

Katie Payne 9

Brenda Holloway 10

Deane Martin 11

Suzie Batten 12

Nicholas Wells 12

Sloan Lybarger 13

Cindy Shea 13

Jimmy Dennis 14

Killy Killmyer 14

Lynn Redman 18

William Grayson Roberts 18

Dixon Hennig 20

JoAnn Rust 21

Hunter Knapp 21

Rhonda Gray 21

Nancy Roberts 23

Leo Prieto, Jr. 23

Christian Rangler 24

Danny Etheridge 24

Madalyn Killmeyer 25

William Chiappini 25

Ana Arrants 25

Alexander Miles 26

Emily Vaughan 26

Dakota Black 26

Nancy Rembert 27

Mallory Wasik 27

Eddie Gorman 28

Muriel Lafontaine 28

Logan Thorson 28

Carol Golden 29

Sandra Holsbeke 30

Silas Ray Tabler 30

August Anniversaries John and Laurie Crittenden 8/04 34 years

Rev. Dennis and Ann White 8/05 57 years

Jack and Helen Lewis 8/06 47 years

Karl and Lindy Butts 8/07 36 years

Dr. Tom and Peggy Farmer 8/07 52 years

John and Sara Daugharty 8/15 36 years

Bill and Chris Peters 8/18 34 years

Henry and Kathy Barrow 8/26 51 years

Concert—August 8—7:00pm

Join us Wednesday, August 8 at 7:00 pm in our sanctuary for a solo concert by trumpet player and singer Denver Bierman. Denver will present a program

of favorite hymns and other musical surprises all in his own unique style. Denver has toured the country, both as a solo artist and as the leader

of Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. There is no admission charge other than a free will offering.

Denver Bierman

in concert

Wednesday, August 8

7:00 pm

Bob and Bonnie Wright 8/28 47 years

Randy and Brenda Holloway 8/31 16 years

programs for the Children and Youth

programs.

Angel and her kitchen group are hard at

work planning meals (and maybe some

surprises) for all of us. Thanks to all who

have volunteered but it’s never too late

to volunteer to help. No skills needed!

See you on August 15!

DON’T FORGET TO MAKE

RESERVATIONS!

We have all enjoyed our time off from

our Wednesday meals but I’m sure we

are ready to get started back!

Not only will we have Don’s Famous

Chicken, and our wonderful String

Band, but all of our programs will

begin again.

Pastor Jeff and Dr. Farmer are prepar-

ing their usual great Bible studies!

Tammy and Joe are planning new

teers, Linda Stanley and Barbara

Carroll, especially, for all their hard

work and many extra hours they put

in to make this a success!

We are very blessed with a large

quantity, high-quality donations

right now! Please, like our page on

Facebook, Keystone United Meth-

odist Thrift Shop, for weekly sales.

We are doing fill a bag right now.

Every week is a great sale! Come

and see us soon!

We appreciate your donations! As

The Thrift Shop is thrilled to an-

nounce that we were recently able

to give $500 to Community Church

for their back to school event;

$2650 to Lake Area Ministries;

$2000 to the Love Fund at KUMC;

$2000 to UMCOR; and transfer

$5000 to the thrift shop mainte-

nance fund for a possible new

building...in the future; and $250 to

the KUMC youth group for youth

summer suppers.

A huge shout out to all our volun-

you can see, everything adds up and

benefits our community. Reminder,

please do not put fragile or valuable

item in the Dropbox, they may be

broken or removed before our vol-

unteers can get them out. And thank

you for not leaving donations under

the Pavilion. Please bring them

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Satur-

days 9-noon so our volunteers can

help you unload.

Wonderful Wednesday Starts Back August 15!

Thank you from David

Thrift Shop Summer News

Thank you to all the many members of my church family who have assisted me through my recent move and life transition. I SHOULD be thanking you all individually, but I am so overwhelmed by the many gifts and friends that I am sure I have not been able to keep good track of which gift comes from which person. So please accept this THANK YOU to:

The many people who have prayed with me and for me during this time, including those who some-times stayed late after rehearsals to be a listening ear. Everyone who gave me furniture, much of which is nicer than anything I would have purchased for myself. The half dozen friends with pick-ups and trailers who helped me move furniture, and one who also gave me a free mow of my new one-acre lot. The choir, bell choir, and many other friends who have helped me with countless gifts for my kitchen, towels & bedding, and tools for the yard. Those who gave me gift cards or cash, which I am using for the few remaining needs I have for the kitchen, and to pay for new beds which I let my sons pick out.

Life brings ups and downs to all of us, and I am thankful to be walking through those with such a caring church family. On to the next chapter! Dave Golden

Healing Prayer Ministry

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not

your hearts be troubled, neither let them be

afraid. John 14:27

Healing prayer is non-denominational and

offered to everyone. It is hands-on personal

prayer. Our prayer team is called to healing,

have been trained to recognize and pray for

various situations, and all have unique spir-

itual gifts. Healing prayer consists of quiet

moments with the Lord; we go quietly into

the presence of the Lord and pray for healing.

All prayer is confidential! We will not dis-

cuss your concerns or presence with anyone

without your permission. If you have heard

otherwise, and want prayer for healing, why

not come see for yourself what is being of-

fered. Come see that the Lord wants to com-

fort you, bless you, and heal you.

Healing prayer is offered by appointment.

Appointments are available by calling Jim or

Sandy Wolfe, 352-475-5211 or Ann White, 352

-473-2842.

We want to pass on some observations from

our experiences with people who come to us for

prayer. So many times we see where answered

prayer is not an immediate healing, but a pro-

cess. Sometimes, through prayer, an individual

realizes they are living in sin, against God's will.

They repent and work hard at changing their life.

Healing takes place as they place their trust more

in God and less in worldly idols and ideals. Many

times an individual is led, by the Holy Spirit, to

other means of healing - vitamins, herbs, or

change in lifelong habits to a healthier way of liv-

ing. And other times there is deliverance, which

in some instances is necessary for healing. There

is always healing after prayer. Many times we

don't see with our eyes the wonders that are be-

ing worked. God heals in His time and His way.

Jesus is still healing today! Come, expect a mira-

cle!!

…that at the name of Jesus every knee should

bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is

Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:10-11

Lord, Teach Us to Pray Seminar

Aldersgate Renewal Ministries will be having a local church event titled "Lord, Teach Us to Pray". The venue for this seminar is the Fleming Island UMC. They are located at 7170 US 17, Fleming Island, FL, 32003. The dates are August 24-26, 2018. Fleming Island contact to register is: Heather Harding, their pastor, email: heather@fiumc.org or call 904-284-3366. The cost is around $20.00 pp, but was not set at the deadline for this newsletter. You can go ahead and register though. KUMC contact is Jim Wolfe, email beamoflight@windstream.net or call 352-475-5211. Aldersgate coordinator is Tina Roach who has preached at KUMC's 8 am service a few years ago when we were rotating lay servants in the pulpit. A short ARM description is as follows:

"Is God calling you into a deeper intimacy with him? The Lord, Teach Us to Pray seminar is a team-led prayer experience to equip participants in their personal prayer lives. Experience the joy of a spirit-filled prayer life." If you would like more in-depth info about Aldersgate Renewal Ministries, what they do and who they are, go to Aldersgaterenewal.org. Click on "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" seminar and get all the info you want, need or wish to learn. Be ready for a powerful Holy Spirit filled seminar and weekend. It will change you. You will be filled with the Holy Spir-

it! Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Thanks and God Bless, Jim Wolfe.

Florida United Methodist Children’s Home

SHOEBOX PACKING PARTY

What a fun time we had at our Christmas Shoebox Packing

Party on July 18th. Our Youth, Children and Adults came

together to pack 122 boxes. These boxes will be put in with

other boxes that are packed and will be delivered in Novem-

ber for distribution to children in countries all over the

world.

KUMC received this certificate from

Florida United Methodist Children’s Home

thanking us for our support.

Our total giving in 2017 was

$28,002.00. Thank you congregation for your giving!