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Publication of First, Christ & Worton UM Churches

Chestertown, MD 21620

Office: 410-778-0911 e-mail: christumc1@gmail.com

Printed on January 29, 2015

Pastor Tonya Pastor Asher

From Pastor Asher

Occasionally I am asked to explain what

apportionments are and why all United

Methodist churches pay them.

The United Methodist Church is involved

in a remarkable ministry around the

world. While this sentence sounds cor-

rect and looks good on paper, it is not

quite correct. I think that the right way to

say it is, “The PEOPLE of the United

Methodist Church are involved and do

remarkable ministry around the world.”

The truth is that organizations do not

have a personal relationship with God,

and organizations do not get involved in

mission and outreach. It is the members

of individual church communities who are

inspired by God’s grace in their own lives

Continued on Page 2

— 2 —

to come together, nurture their relationship with God and

with each other, acknowledge their differences, and unite

in order to be tools in God’s hands in every corner of

God’s Creation, with the aim to make disciples for Jesus

Christ (Matthew 28:16-20) for the transformation of the

world.

Together, we can extend a helping hand so that our

neighbors can overcome formidable obstacles in times of

crisis. Together, we can reach children, families and

communities who have experienced devastation in the

wake of disaster. Together, we can spread the gospel of

peace and encourage cooperation locally, in our country

and around the world. Together we can help survivors of

natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. To-

gether we can invest in vulnerable communities, helping

them to become self-sustaining. Although we cannot

cure diseases like malaria, together we can implement

the most effective solutions known at this time to prevent

these diseases from claiming lives. Together we can

equip the next generation of Christians to lead the

Church and society.

There is energizing synergy in being united and focused

by a common mission. By combining and focusing our

efforts, each dollar spent goes further, reaches more

people, and does more good.

Apportionments are the mechanism that allows the

PEOPLE of the United Methodist Church to do together

what we cannot do as individual communities.

“Apportionments” is the amount that each individual

— 3 —

church community is asked to pay in order to support

the ministry of the people of the United Methodist

Church as a whole; in other words, the apportionments

that our church pays helps support regional, national,

and international missions. Apportionments is one of

many ways that the United Methodist Church comes to-

gether to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Apportionments remind us that our faith and devotion to

God is bigger than our immediate area. Apportionments

remind us that all of us share the same planet and are

tasked with taking care of our living environment

(Genesis 2:15). Apportionments remind us that all Meth-

odists are connected to God and to each other whether

they are down the road a piece or on the other side of

the globe.

I think of apportionments as our share of the global min-

istry of the United Methodist Church. I also think of ap-

portionments as the fuel for connectional ministry. Ap-

portionments are one of the ways that we work together

as neighbors and God’s children united by the blood of

Jesus; it is a vehicle that brings God’s Love and Grace

into every corner of the known world (Acts 1:8).

As a seminarian, one of my graduation requirements

was to go on a cross-cultural trip. I ended up going to

Nicaragua and Costa Rica. During that trip we wit-

nessed first-hand the plight of the Christians in these

countries, we heard their stories and we saw their chal-

lenges. When our delegation came back to the USA, we

made a joint decision to start raising money for Chris-

tians in Nicaragua. I did several presentations around

Philos,

Asher

— 4 —

our conference; one student painted a poster and was

selling prints; another student made and sold jewelry. Af-

ter we finished our fund-raising efforts, all the money was

sent to our hosting church in Nicaragua. Our hosts used

the money to buy a dairy farm. The church sold milk and

milk-products on the open markets and used the pro-

ceeds to fund free schools for orphans in the country

where a majority of children did not have parents or re-

sources to attend public school. In addition to free educa-

tion, these children were also provided with breakfast and

lunch; for most of them it was their only source of nutri-

tion. While these efforts were done outside of the United

Methodist Church’s Apportionment system, it is an illus-

tration of how apportionments work; we put our efforts

together and the results were bigger than the sum of

what we could do individually.

Philos,

Asher ************************************************

“The Destiny of Man is to unite, not to divide.

If you keep on dividing you end up as a collection of

monkeys throwing nuts at each other

out of separate trees.”

― T.H. White

— 5 —

From the Desk of Pastor Tonya:

Reasons To Celebrate

As I write this we are preparing to celebrate Souper Bowl of

Caring Sunday. In 1990, Brad Smith, a youth leader in

South Carolina prayed a simple prayer with his youth group.

“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help

us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to

eat.” Since then youth groups across the country have

raised over ten million dollars in cash and food. Those

same youth groups decide which local charities the collect-

ed donations go to help. Our donations from our combined

efforts will go to the Community Food Pantry. We have a

long history of celebrating the Souper Bowl of Caring. It is a

simple effort that brings the whole church together and di-

rectly impacts our community. This year we celebrate the

Souper Bowl together, being the church in the bigger sense

of the word and we make a greater impact. Let us continue

our journey that enables us to reach out to more people, to

care for more people, to share the love of Jesus with more

people. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish togeth-

er.

Blessings,

Pastor Tonya

— 6 —

Some Thoughts on Miracles From the Desk of Andy Anderson

While listening to the message last Sunday the word

“miracle” brought to mind an article I had recently read.

The article was written by the late Catherine Marshall

and in it she refers to the “Law of Relinquishment”. She

shares the story that she had been ill for six months with

no results from medical specialists or from her persistent

prayers. Then she discovered a story of a missionary

who had been an invalid for eight years. She too had

prayed that God would make her well so she could con-

tinue her work as a missionary but with no results. Finally

she gave up and prayed: All right. I give up. If you want

me to be an invalid, that’s your business. Anyway, I want

you even more than I want health. You decide. Ms. Mar-

shall writes that in two weeks the missionary was out of

bed, completely well.

Then Ms. Marshall came to the same point of being tired

of praying for healing with no results. And she proceeded

to say to God, I’m beaten. God, you decide what you

want for me. As a result, Ms. Marshall says she soon ex-

perienced the presence of the Living Christ in a way that

wiped away doubt and revolutionized her life. And from

that moment she says her recovery began. She goes on

to say, “How can we make obedience real, except as we

give over our self-will in reference to each of life’s epi-

sodes as it unfolds?” She says that’s why it shouldn’t

surprise us that at the heart of the secret of answered

— 7 —

Please Join Our Bible Studies!

Two Bible Study Groups are now available.

Adult Bible Study meets every Monday at 7pm at

Christ UMC.

Women’s Bible Study begins a new study on Thurs-

day, February 5, at 6pm at Ruth McGuire’s home.

Please join us and enjoy learning more about God

as we share

great conservations

and each other’s company!

Call 410-778-0911 for information.

prayer lies the Law of Relinquishment. *

Do you think the stories shared by Ms. Marshall are sto-

ries of miracles? In Luke 22:42 from the New Living

Translation Bible one can find the following: “Father, if

you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away

from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine”. How

do we reach this point where we can totally relinquish

our will (our desires) and fully trust God to make the de-

cisions for us?

* The article by Catherine Marshall was first published in Guideposts in

the October, 1960 issue and reappears in the January 2015 issue of

Guideposts as a Guideposts Classic.

— 8 —

Messages of Thanks

Special thanks to my church family and friends for their prayers,

calls and other messages of encouragement during and following

my November stay in the hospital.

God Bless,

Andy Anderson

I wish to thank the congregation for all the kind support that Kay

and I received during my recent medical emergency. Our spirits

were buoyed up by the warmth shown us by the members of

CUMC who took the time to contact us with caring words of en-

couragement and who remembered us in their prayers. My re-

covery is truly a vivid testimony to the power of prayer. We are

blessed to be part of such a warm, friendly and caring congrega-

tion. Thank you for being you.

Herb Wilkinson

Thank you for your generous contribution in 2014 to the Good

Neighbor Fund. Since we have had an increase in the number of

clients who are in need of help with utilities and housing, your do-

nation will be put to good use.

Judi Hannigan

Director, Good Neighbor Fund

Dear Christ Church Family,

We so enjoyed sharing time in worship with you! You have

blessed us and our ministry!

We appreciate your generous contribution to our ministry. May

— 9 —

God continue to bless your church and the many outreach minis-

tries you do.

In His Service,

Ragghi Calentine & Boe Harris-Nakakakena

********************************************

CUMC Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Tuesday, February 17, from 5pm

until pancakes run out

It's PANCAKE SUPPER time again and I hope everyone is

ready for our delicious pancakes & sausage. This year we

are hoping to have our grocery items donated so that the

"Love Offering" we receive may go directly to our Mission

Project "Stop Hunger Now."

If you are able to donate an item for the supper, please

bring it to Church on the 15th. Here are some possible gro-

cery items:

* Maple Syrup {approx. 2 bottles}

* Complete Pancake Mix {large bags to feed about 50

to 70 people}

* Sausage Patties {approx. 10 to 12 packages]

* Jar of Applesauce

We will also need some help to mix the batter, flip the pan-

cakes, serve and help clean-up after the supper.

This event is always a great time for fellowship so please

join us. Thank you so much for your generosity!

— 10 —

Unity Prayer

Loving and Gracious God!

We praise you for coming to live among us

in the person of Jesus Christ.

We thank you for Jesus giving us an example and

a vision of what our lives could be.

We thank you for Jesus redeeming us on the Cross.

We thank you for your guidance in our lives through

the person of the Holy Spirit.

We come to you asking for mercy, guidance and wisdom

as we deal with being divided in so many ways.

Unite us in common vision and mission as we serve you

by serving the world in which we live.

We pray that the Spirit of Jesus (Philippians 2:5)

will make us one in service and love.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

“And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to

love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)

— 11 —

Weekly Prayer Calendar

Sunday

Ask God to give the sick, sorrowful, and suffering His peace and strength. Pray for those experiencing physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, and family struggles.

Monday

Pray for the men to be godly fathers, husbands, and leaders. Ask God to bless those who are single and to use them in ways

that they would be unable to serve if they were married. Ask God to help church members become men of integrity in their

communities.

Tuesday

Ask God to bless your pastor, the music and educational direc-

tors, the youth director, and all those who teach. Pray that God will speak through the teachers and use them to help the

church grow closer to Him.

Wednesday

Pray that the women of your church will be godly wives, moth-ers and leaders. Also ask God to bless those who are single and use them in ways they would be unable to serve if they

were married. Ask God to help church members become wom-en of integrity in their communities.

Thursday

Pray that God will protect the young people—from toddlers to teens—from illnesses, accidents, temptations, and predators. Pray that they will grow up to be strong men and women of God and that, even as youngsters, they will lead others to Him.

Friday

Ask God to build strong families within your church. Petition God’s help for any families currently struggling.

Saturday

Pray for spiritual growth. Ask God to give all members a hunger for God and a yearning to share Him with the lost. Ask God to remove any barriers holding your church back from growing

spiritually.

Daily

Visit our On-Line Prayer Chapel or review prayer needs from Sunday

bulletin and pray over these needs. You can find our prayer chapel @ http://cumcchestertown.wordpress.com/prayer-chapel/

— 12 —

Young Disciples Corner “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of

God is near. Repent and believe the good

news!” Mark 1:15 (NIV)

Word Search Puzzle

— 13 —

Christ sent us to preach the Good News to

our friends and neighbors.

Believe the Good News!

Mark 1:15 (NIV)

— 14 —

Life Line Screening

On Friday, February 6

starting at 9am at Christ UMC

A Preventative Health Screening

for strokes, heart disease & aneurysms

is coming to your neighborhood!

Pre-registration is required. To register for your

appointment and receive a special $10 discount

please call 1-888-653-6450 or visit

lifelinescreening.com/community-partners

FUMC Youth Group Soup Sale

Soup sign-up sheet is out this

weekend. Orders are due on

the 15th and will be available

for pick up on the 22nd. May

call office at 410-778-2977.

— 15 —

Operation Christmas Child

On September 27th, during the 10am Worship Service

at Christ UMC, missionaries and representatives from

Operation Christmas Child will do a presentation.

Below is a list put together by First UMC of suggested items

to collect every month. Please cut it out & put it on your re-

frigerator. If we all get a few things every month we’ll pack a

tremendous amount of boxes this year!

January- Please save the fronts of your Christmas cards. Many

of them have beautiful pictures that will bring joy to a family.

February- Matchbox cars, Balls and Hair Ribbons

March- Small Blankets, musical toys such as harmonicas or

horns

April- small stuffed animals (watch for after Easter sales)

May- shoelaces, combs and drawstring bags

June- washcloth and soap

July- Crayons and Magic markers

August- Pencils, Pens, Pencil Sharpeners and Scissors

September- Paper pads and Glue sticks

October- Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

November- Hard candies and Gum

Other items you might want to consider:

Coloring books, Socks, Jump ropes

Travel sewing kits, Barrettes,

Small packs of tissues

T-shirts, Stickers

— 16 —

Community Board

The Christ UMC Schedule of Worship Service & Sunday

School: The Worship Service begins at 10am, Adult Sunday

School is at 8:45am, and Children’s Sunday School is at 10am.

The First UMC Schedule of Worship Service & Sunday

School: The Contemporary Service begins at 8:30am, the Tra-

ditional Service at 11am, and Sunday School is at 9:30am.

The Worton UMC Schedule of Worship & Sunday School:

The Worship Service begins at 8:45am with Sunday School im-

mediately following the service.

Adult Bible Study Mondays at Christ UMC at 7pm.Pastor Ash-

er & Pastor Tonya are co-leaders.

Women’s Evening Bible Study Will resume on Thursday,

February 5, at 6pm at Ruth McGuire’s home.

CUMC Prayer Line Meetings are each Tuesday at 11am.

CUMC Choir Rehearsals are each Wednesday at 6pm.

WUMC Prayer Meetings are each Thursday at 7 pm.

Joint Worship Service on Sunday, February 1, at 10am, at

First UMC. Pastor Asher will be preaching.

Life Line Screening at CUMC on Friday, February 6, from

9am-12:30pm. Please call 1-888-653-6450 to register & to re-

ceive a special $10 discount.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast at CUMC on Saturday, February 7,

at 8am.

— 17 —

Community Board - Cont.

SPRC Meeting at CUMC on Monday, February 9, at 7pm.

UMW Meeting at CUMC on Thursday, February 12, at

1:30pm.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Suppers on February 17:

at Christ UMC at 5pm and at Worton UMC at 6pm. There is

no charge, but free will offerings will be collected.

Ash Wednesday Service at Potter’s House on February 18

at 7pm.

Church Council Meeting at CUMC on Tuesday, February

24, at 7pm

Joint Worship Service on Sunday, March 1, at 10am, at

Christ UMC. Pastor Tonya will be preaching.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast at CUMC on Saturday, March 7, at

8am.

Finance Meeting at CUMC on Tuesday, March 10, at 7pm.

Trustees Meeting at CUMC on Tuesday, March 17, at 7pm.

The Lenten Cantata will be at CUMC on Saturday, March

21, at 5:30pm.

Lenten Liturgical Service at Worton UMC on Wednesday,

March 25, at 7pm.

The Backpack Ministry is looking for volunteers to help with

packing & delivering food to Worton Elementary School stu-

dents. Please call John Miller 410-778-9246.

— 18 —

Community Board - Cont.

CUMC Worton UMC

Nov 23 64 24

Nov 30 98 28

Dec 7 62 28

Dec 14 54 28

Dec 21 85 26

Dec 24 76 30

Dec 28 38 20

Jan 4 90 22

Jan 11 51 16

Jan 18 68 25

Jan 25 58 23

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT RECEIVING NEWSLETTER

You may either access the newsletter online or pick up a copy from the sanctuary vestibule when you attend the worship ser-vices.

You may access the newsletter online at: http://wesleyanjourneyman.wordpress.com/

Attendance Statistics since the last Lamplighter

— 19 —

Pastor Tonya McClain

First UMC

105 N. Mill St., PO Box 227

Chestertown, MD 21620

410-778-2977

Rev. Peggy A. Johnson

Peninsula-Delaware

Conference

Bishop Felton Edwin May

Resource Center

139 N. State Street,

Dover, DE 19901

Website: www.pen-del.org

Phone: 302-674-2626

Toll Free: 1-877-736-3351

Pastor Asher Tunik

Christ & Worton UMC

401 High St., PO Box 262

Chestertown, MD 21620

410-778-0911

Rev. Gary Moore,

Superintendent

100 Peachblossom Rd Ste 8

Easton, MD 21601

eastonds@goeaston.net

Phone: 410-770-9673

Office E-mail: eastondistric-

toffice@goeaston.net

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