Finley’s Newsletter VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 FINLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH APRIL/MAY 2014

FROM OUR PASTOR

April/May 2014

Dear Finley Church Family,

My son said to me the other day,

“Dad, I can’t wait to be able to

mow the lawn again!”

This statement kind of sums up

all of our feelings about this

long and tiresome winter we

have had to endure. I “Amen”

that lawn mowing urge – we all

want to see the grass grow again

and for the weather to warm up

and spring forth!

Easter has its element of

anticipation within the Church

Body. The Choir has been

preparing for months. Messages

are centered on Jesus, the cross

and His resurrection. Family

plans are also being made to

gather people together – because

God has given them to us as

gifts. The cross of Jesus Christ

has so many meanings within

the main meaning of our

salvation. The cross calls us to

our own denial. Jesus calls us to

“Deny ourselves, take up our

cross and follow Him.”

Easter has its anticipation and

excitement with new

possibilities for those who

believe and follow Christ as

Lord. At our “Leadership Day”

last January we were

anticipating what God wants to

do next here at Finley United

Methodist Church. Our SPRC

(Staff Parish Relations

Committee) has been working

hard to discern over an

Associate Pastor we are soon

going to hire - who will be full-

time. This position will minister

to three needed areas in every

growing church: 1) Senior High

Youth; 2) Young Adults (as

God is giving us more – both

singles and young couples); and,

3) Small Group Ministries (Fall

& Spring 6-8 week discipleship

groups).

My vision for the Church is to

have a comprehensive ministry

(I call it an umbrella) from ages

birth to adult. Each and every

age group must be strong so as

to REACH, RETRAIN,

RETAIN and RELEASE people

into the world. Reaching the

lost, Retraining those reached,

Retaining those who have come

to Christ and Releasing them to

reach the world for Jesus.

An anonymous donor in our

church came to me at the end of

summer wanting to see us go in

a direction of hiring a “full-time

associate pastor.” This includes

salary and a medical package.

This is a miracle and one which

will propel us into deeper

effectiveness for now and the

future. My prayer – as I have

said to our leadership – is to see

Finley Church reach as many

people as we can and to make

this Church strong 10-20 years

into the future. With God’s

power and blessing, this will

happen. Proactive decisions

made now will bring fruit later.

Pray with me as we are trying to

discern as a SPRC who this

person would be in this newly

formed associate position. Our

funds will last two years, and so

after this point, which is some

of the reason I write, Finley

Church will have to be

“proactive” in raising the salary

for this additional staff person.

I believe – with God’s favor and

power, just like God’s power at

His resurrection, the Lord can

and will do just this for Finley

Church.

In His service,

Your Shepherd – Pastor Jerry

Ernst

__________________________

Begin Your Easter Sunday Morning

with the Early Service

CELEBRATING THE RESURRECTION !

April 20, 2014

8:30 A.M.

April / May 2014 Finley’s Newsletter

NEW MEMBERS Received into the membership of Finley on March 2, 2014 were: Imagene Hendricks, Adam & Elizabeth Howell

BIRTHDAYS

April 14 Imagene Hendricks 1638 Pershing Avenue Steubenville OH 43952 April 17 Loren Welch 256 John Scott Highway Schaffer Plaza Steubenville OH 43952 April 19 Coral Rohrabaugh 102 Winks Way Wintersville OH 43953 April 26 Vincent Petrozzi North Carolina May 9 Sarah Sawka 103 West 9th Avenue Columbus OH 43201-2003 May 11 Steven Quigg 416 Red Hill Road Pequea PA 17565 May 25 ST Luke Cotturone 8801 Section Line Road Interlochen MI 49643 May 29 Joe Rohrabaugh 102 Winks Way Wintersville OH 43953 May 30 Ken Sawka P. O. Box 310216 Chelston, Lusaka Zambia

BIRTH Lydia Jane Brubaker was born February 3, 2014 to Sean & Amanda (George) Brubaker. She weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and was 19 inches long. Her grandparents are Rev. Doug & Joyce George; great-grandparents are Paul Dean & Margaret George.

SYMPATHY &

PRAYER

Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to: The Family of Tommi (Kelley) Saemenes in her death, February 3, 2014 Flip Granatir & Family in the death of his brother Richard “Rich” Granatir, February 3, 2014 The Family of Clarence “Whis” Whisman III, in his death, February 18, 2014 The Family of Ralph “Bud” Pierce, in his death, February 24, 2014 Louis & Katie Smith & Family in the death of their great-grandson, Emmett Dakota Weir, March 15, 2014

BAPTISMS Lucy Mae Pease, October 27, 2013 and Natesha Nicole Hicks, March 30, 2014

SUNDAY EVENING SERVICES

APRIL 6

JONATHAN &

SUZANNAH JORDING

APRIL 13

FOOTWASHING

SERVICE

APRIL 20

WORSHIP

COMMITTEE

APRIL 27

PASTOR JERRY

MAY 4

SUNDAY SCHOOL

NIGHT

MAY 11

PASTOR JERRY

MAY 18

PASTOR JERRY

MAY 25

TBA

April / May 2014 Finley’s Newsletter

PRAYER AND FASTING WEEKENDS

April 5 & 6 May 3 & 4

Please pray for men leadership

in the church, salvation of unsaved loved

ones/youth/children, 1 on 1 witnessing, outreach programs,

visitors, revival, etc.

COME CELEBRATE WITH US AT A PASSOVER SEDER MAUNDY THURSDAY The Passover Seder is a Jewish

ritual event that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Passover, of course, is a time of remembrance to thank God for the blood of the lamb which marked the homes of his children. When the life of the first-born of every family in Egypt was taken, the death angel passed over the homes of those who were marked by the blood. This annual celebration is significant in the life of the Jewish people and has been a tradition for centuries. At Finley, we will be creating a Seder so we can learn about the importance of the event and how it fits into our understanding of the Bible.

Do you know what these elements are: Charoset, karpas, maror, matzah (and others)? Come, learn, and eat them! Some are very tasty! This Pesach service will begin in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 17, with singing of Israeli music, followed by removing the Chametz and observing the service of remembrance. Don’t know what all of that means? Come and learn. After the Seder we will go to the sanctuary for Communion. Special note: Even though this is a Passover “meal” it is only symbolic, so you will want to eat dinner before you come. Also, this service will be longer than a usual service. You should allow about 1 ¾ hour from beginning to end, to manage your time schedule. Martha Sisler __________________________

EVANGELISM

Our spring/youth revival will be held June 1st - 4th with Pastor Luis Martinez preaching and an Asbury University ministry team leading the music. All Sunday services will be held at Finley while Monday through Wednesday the services will be at the Ministry Center on Raynes Road. There will be refreshments for all following Sunday evening's service downstairs in the fellowship hall. Please mark your calendars, pray for the services, and plan to attend. Tom Call, Chair

_______________________

FINANCE COMMITTEE

_________________

The audit of Finley United

Methodist Church Treasurers’

financial records is complete.

The audit disclosed an

aggregate balance of all church

treasurer accounts at the end of

2013 to be $52,180.83. The

aggregate balance of all church treasurer accounts at the end of

2012 was $48,704.75. This

indicates that Finley Church

spent $3,476.08 less than was

collected in 2013. Even

though our 2013 church budget

was considerably higher than

the church’s actual income, the

Finance Committee commends the various church treasurers

who used reasonable spending

discretion to stay within their

budgets. This same type of

spending discipline will be

needed in 2014 to repeat this

positive trend.

Paying off our roof

replacement debt will be our

biggest financial challenge in

2014. Our Chase line of credit

balance as of this writing is

$40,238.11. Your continued

support toward our annual

church budget and to eliminate

this debt is appreciated. Our

Finley family is to be commended for its faithful

stewardship in both service

and financial giving over the

years.

Larry Sesto, Chair

April / May 2014 Finley’s Newsletter

_______________________

MISSIONS ___________________ O.M.S. News: There’s a lot of new work going on across the various fields where O.M.S. ministers. The field of Haiti has announced the new Bon Repos Report. It’s a rapidly growing community just north of Port-au-Prince. They’ve purchased 3.18 acres of land and will build a community church, install wells & build 35 new homes. Please pray for funds and manpower. The field of Brazil is looking for a new location for the Olinda Church. Please pray they will be led to the right location that provides enough space for large classrooms and sanctuary to facilitate future growth. Ask for God’s blessings on the new partnership between O.M.S. Christian Missions Church and the Japan Holiness Church. Pray as they make future plans for evangelism through this partnership. Another new development is the Change in Leadership at O.M.S. – Dr. Robert Fetherlin. Bob and his wife (Esther) come to O.M.S. with 33 years of experience with the Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA). They spent 8 years serving in Mali, West Africa and the past 25 years in leadership at C&MA national headquarters. Bob &

Esther will officially begin service July 1, 2014 when he becomes the 10th president in the O.M.S.’s 113-year long history. Prayer Requests: Pray for Y.W.A.P. as they continue the work on “their” schoolhouse. Pray for Flat Rock Homes. Pray for The Ury’s. Pray for Mark & Eszti Landerholm. Urban Mission: Pray for the “Challenges” Jelly Bean Challenge and its success. Jelly beans are needed for their April food distributions. Please also help by bringing bags of jelly beans and put them in the Urban Mission box in the coat room by April 11th. Feinstein Challenge – during March & April monetary donations and donated food items to the Urban Mission will be eligible for partial cash match. Finley’s Missions Committee is placing cans in Sunday school rooms and anyone able; please drop your spare change in them for it will go the Urban Mission for the Feinstein Challenge. Cans will be collected April 27th after Sunday school. Thank you, Gloria Malone __________________________

Children & Youth Camp

Ministry

Believe it or not, it is time to

begin thinking about signing

up for church camp this

summer. The early bird

deadline is May 1st, 2014.

Children and youth can

download their camp forms

from the websites listed below,

get them from Abbey Ernst or

check with the church office.

Church camp is a wonderful

opportunity for spiritual

development. If you feel led to

financially support this ministry and make an impact

on a young person’s life, you

may make a donation for camp

scholarships by writing a

check to “Finley UMC” and

put in the memo, “Children’s

Camp” or “Youth Camp.” For

more information, visit the

United Methodist Conference

camp website at www.EastOhioCamps.org or

www.EOCSummercamps.org

______________

FINLEY’S PANTRY ______________

We would like to thank UMB Bank (Toronto, OH / Kansas City, MO)

for their generous donation to our food pantry.

April / May 2014 Finley’s Newsletter

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

ALL DAUGHTERS

TEA MAY 17TH

Keep watching for more information in April and May. We will REQUIRE reservations this year

No walk ins Hope to see you then ________________________

Recognition of Finley’s High School and College Graduates will be May 18th at the 10:45 a.m. Worship Service.

Looking Ahead…… Question: What is hot, fun, tiring, energetic, draining, loud, fulfilling, surprising, yummy, spiritual, and much, much more??? Answer: Vacation Bible School

Coming to Finley United Methodist Church July 7th-11th, 2014 6:00pm-8:30pm

“Weird Animals - Where Jesus’ Love Is One-of-a-Kind”

UPCOMING EVENTS:

April 1, 15 7:00pm Choir Practice 8:00pm Cantata Practice April 2, 9 11:00am Bible Study & Prayer 5:00pm KidMo & Middle School Youth 6:30pm Senior High Youth April 5 & 6 Prayer & Fasting Weekend April 6, 13 Palm Sunday, 20 Easter, 27 8:30am Worship Service 9:30am Sunday school 10:45am Worship Service 6:30pm Worship Service April 7 10:30am Prayer in Prayer Room 6:30pm UMW Meeting April 8 7:00pm Trustee Meeting 7:00pm Choir Practice 8:00pm Cantata Practice April 10 6:00pm Staff Meeting 7:00pm Commissions/Committees 8:00pm Administrative Council April 12 9:00am Finley Cleanup Outside April 14, 28 10:30am Prayer in Prayer Room April 16, 23, 30 11:00am Bible Study & Prayer 5:00pm Middle School Youth 6:30pm Senior High Youth April 17 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service

April 18 Good Friday April 21 Church Office Closed April 22 10:30am Senior Friends April 26 9:00am Sunday School Teachers Breakfast May 3 & 4 Prayer & Fasting Weekend May 3 10:00am Sunday School Teachers Breakfast May 4, 11, 18, 25 8:30am Worship Service 9:30am Sunday school 10:45am Worship Service 6:30pm Worship Service May 5, 12, 19 10:30am Prayer in Prayer Room May 6 7:00pm Choir Practice 7:00pm Trustee Meeting May 7, 14, 21, 28 5:00pm Middle School Youth 6:30pm Senior HighYouth 7:00pm Bible Study & Prayer May 13, 20 7:00pm Choir Practice May 8 6:00pm Staff Meeting 7:00pm Commissions/ Committees 8:00pm Administrative Council May 17 1:00pm All Daughters Tea May 27 10:30am Senior Friends 7:00pm Choir Practice ___________________________ Articles for the June/July/August newsletter are due May 19th. Please email your article to newsletter@finleyumc.org, or you may put your article in the news-letter mailbox, or give to Kathy in the church office. Thank YOU!

Finley’s Newsletter www.finleyumc.org

Finley United Methodist Church 958 Lincoln Avenue Steubenville, OH 43952-3223

Rev. Jerry Ernst, Pastor

newsletter@finleyumc.org office@finleyumc.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

April/May 2014

EASTER APRIL 20, 2014

8:30AM, 10:45AM & 6:30PM WORSHIP SERVICES

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID STEUBENVILLE, OH

PERMIT NO. 7

SUNDAY SCHOOL SURVEY

Please help us to make Finley United Methodist Sunday School the best it can be by filling out this

brief survey. You may mail it back to the address below, or bring it to church and put it either in the

mailbox in the cloakroom or in the offering plate when the offering is taken.

PLACE A CHECK ON THE APPROPRIATE LINE. THANK YOU!!

Age:

18 - 25 ___ 26 - 35 ___ 36 - 45 ___ 46 - 55 ___ 56 - up ___

Do you regularly attend Sunday School at Finley United Methodist Church?

Yes ____ No ____

If “Yes”, what are reasons you enjoy coming? (Check all that apply.)

Learning about God’s Word ___ Helps prepare me for worship service ____

Fellowship ____ Sharing prayerful concerns ____

Encouragement ____ Spiritual Development ____

Other ____ (Please explain.) _______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

If “No”, what are reasons for not attending? (Check all that apply.)

Have never tried it ____ Shut-In or live out of area ____

Never have been asked ____ No class offered for my age group ____

It’s my only day to sleep in ____ I don’t know anyone in the class ____

Afraid to be asked to pray ____ Afraid of being “put on the spot” to

answer a question or give an opinion ____

Other ____ (Please explain.) _______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Name (optional) __________________ Mail to: Finley United Methodist Church

958 Lincoln Avenue Steubenville, OH 43952