fumc_april spice newsletter

7/28/2019 FUMC_April Spice Newsletter

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B All You Can Be!Is growing in faith an inside-out process or an outside-in one? Or both?Think about the flower gardens being planted this spring. How do theygrow to be their very best? Its the outside environmentthe sun, soil,and waterthat has the greatest influence on flowers becoming theirbrightest and most beautiful. Can your outside environment affect thegrowth of your faith too?

Yes! In fact, how we live on the outside has a great deal of influence onour inside growth. And one thing is sure, God did not intend for us togrow alone. He desires for us to live in close fellowship with otherChristians, like flowers in a garden, because its there where webefriend others who believe in Jesus, find a place to belong, share what

we believe, and togetherbecome all God designed us to beat ourbrightest and most beautiful.

The outside life we live is where we are part of the gardenand part ofGods planting for the display of his glory. So how do we grow morefrom the outside in? There are four basic principles, the 4 Bs, ofoutside-in living, that will help you to be all you can be:

Befriend. There are different types of flowers planted all around you.Be intentional about being part of Gods gardenmake friends, be afriend, share faith and fun with friends.

Belong. Well-designed flower gardens have borders and are plantedwith flowers that have similar needs for sun, soil, and water. Find, join,

or create groups where you feel a sense of belonging and sharecommon interests. Dont try to bloom on your own; stay in closeconnection with your friends in faith.

Believe. Food, water, and light are necessary for flowers to grow.Study, worship, share, and pray regularly together with other Christians.

Become. Show off your brightness and beauty! Be yourpart of Godsgarden as you put love on display and become all God created youto be!

A ministry of:

FUMC Berkeley Springs49 South Green St.

Berkeley Springs, WV 25411

304.258.2766 | gofirst.org

Pastor Andrew Cooney

THE WORD

In their righteousness, they willbe like great oaks that the Lordhas planted for his own glory.

Isaiah 61:3

Think About It

Who are the peopletheflowersin your life thatGod has planted in the gardenaround you?

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April 2013

Go Girls!


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April 2013 | Page 2

Life Lessons From a Quilt

Miss Carries Quilt By Bonnie WeberThe widows offering:but she, poor as she is,

has given everything she has.Mark 13:44

For some of you who dont know me, I had a beauty salon in my home for about 33 years. One day this sweet little

lady with the most beautiful hair and an even more beautiful spirit came into my salon. We started talking about

quilting and my desire to learn. She mentioned she had been quilting all of her life and still enjoyed the art, having

won many awards for her craft.

One day she said she would make me a quilt if I furnished the material. This lady was 89 years old with poor

eyesight, shaky hands, really quite frail. I was so touched by her gesture and offered to pay her. She said

absolutely not, it would be a gift or not at all. I promptly lined up a bundle from my large stash of fabrics,

coordinating the colors, anticipating this beautiful piece of art coming my way.

Every time I saw Carrie she would tell of the progress she was making on my quilt. One day many months later she

came with a big bag and an even bigger smile. She had finished my quilt! I could hardly wait to see it. I opened thebag and oh no, this wasnt my quilt. It wasnt anything like I thought. The fabric wasnt even mine, (did I say she

was a little forgetful), even some of the pieces were coming apart at the seams and it looked old and worn.

She stood there with this big radiant smile and pure love showing through. What could I say to not disappoint?

How could I not appreciate the time and effort she had put into this gift?

Carrie taught me a valuable lesson that day. A gift isnt always what we expect, but when it is given with such a

love as she had, its always perfect. Her skills werent the best, but her heart was. She has since passed away, but

her quilt is still our familys favorite. It has comforted us when we were sick, wrapped us up for a nap. It was given

out of a great love and it still gives us love today. Her gift reminded me of The widows offering. God taught me

to know the richness of a gift, by the heart of the giver. To receive love freely and place no quality standards on it.

What of ourselves have we given just because of love? Christ gave us the perfect gift out of pure unselfish love.

The best He could give, He gave His life for us. What joy it must be for Him when we open His gift and accept that

love. To be COMFORTED in His love.

New Every MorningGreat is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:23

Just like the mercies of God, morning glories bloom anew each day, making

it a favorite faith-inspiring flower that is easily grown in gardens or containers.

Follow these simple steps this spring, and you will be rewarded with vibrant

blooms every morning through the first frost of fall.

1. Lightly file the morning glory seeds, and soak them in

water for 24 hours before planting.

2. Sow seeds indoors in pots six weeks before the last frost in cold climates or outdoors in the garden when the

temperature is above 60 degrees.

3. Cover seeds with inch of soil; as seedlings grow, thin to 6 inches apart.

4. Grow morning glories in full sun, and provide a trellis, fence, or other support for climbing vines.

5. Water when dry, and do not over fertilize.

6. Enjoy! Butterflies and hummingbirds will love the big blooms and fragrance of your morning

glories, too!


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April 2013 | Page 3

God In the EverydayBy Linda Romano

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the

work of our hands for us

yes, establish the work of our hands.Psalm 90:17

One day while sorting winter things to clean and pack away for another year, I found a lone glove whose mate was left behind in

an unknown place. As I looked at the perfectly good glove and considered it's worthlessness to me, God snapped my focus to His

vision for that glove.

My thought immediately went to 'what I can do with that glove when it's made available to be used by Him'? He helped me see

that I can comfort someone, offer a helping hand to someone in need, pat a back with encouragement, hold a hand of someone

who needs to feel someone is present and cares, dial a phone number to someone who needs to hear a word of kindness or joy,

reach out in Christ love to befriend someone. Wow, quite a list of valuable deeds, when a willing hand is put inside that glove.

And several lessons for me as well. I was placing value by looking at the outside of the glove, only considering its usefulness to

ME! God's vision was SO MUCH MORE and NOT at all about me.

It's so easy to 'set about my work vigorously' as the Proverbs 31 woman and 'not eat the bread of idleness'; but am I working to

meet my own compulsions and needs, or to let God work through my hand to meet other's needs through Him? I have a wholenew perspective about that lone glove and will NOT be discarding it anytime soon. It reminds me of the lessons learned and the

amazing delight when I'm open to God showing up in the everyday!

As you prepare for the change of season, listen carefully, there may be an unexpected 'lesson' for you in the process. God IS in

the everyday!

The Original Morning Glory Muffin

These cinnamon-scented muffins, filled with delicious fruit, nuts, carrots,

and coconut, are an irresistible morning treat! Created by chef Pam

McKinstry in 1978 for her Morning Glory Caf on the island of Nantucket,

this recipe has been chosen by Gourmetmagazine as one of its top 25from the past 50 years. Yum!

Morning Glory Muffins (makes 16 muffins)

1 cups sugar 1 large apple (peeled and grated)

2 cups flour 1 cup crushed pineapple (drained)

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 2 cups grated carrots

2 teaspoons baking soda cup chopped pecans or walnuts

teaspoon salt 3 large eggs

cup shredded, 1 cup vegetable oil

sweetened coconut 1 teaspoon vanilla

cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda,

and salt in a large bowl. Stir in coconut, raisins, apple, pineapple, carrots,

and nuts. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with oil and vanilla. Add to the

dry ingredients, and mix well. Fill greased muffin tins, and bake for 35

minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out dry. Cool

in pan for 10 minutes before removing muffins and placing on rack to

complete cooling.

These muffins taste even better the day after baking

but you may have trouble waiting that long!

4 Friends and

4 Flowers

Try this fun way to apply the 4 Bs

of growing in faith with your friends

this month:

Pick a different flower to represent

each of the 4 Bs: Befriend, Belong,

Believe, Become, and make abouquet with one or more of each

kind.

Use the bouquet to remind you to

plan 4 faith-growing activities with

4 friends this month that fit each

B category. And dont forget to

share theflowers with the

friends in your

garden!


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April 2013 | Page 4

Plant and Garden SwapBring to share with other garden lovers.

Saturday, April 27 | 1-3pm.Blue Building, Fearnow Road

What to bring: Perennial plants or vegetable starter plants, house plants;

NO ANNUALS at this time. Any garden items you would like to swap, such

as pots, tools, lawn ornaments, bird feeders, hoses, cages, etc.

Please have your plants in a container of sorts and/or wrapped in a plastic

bag and wet paper towel to keep the roots moist.

Label with the plant name, sun or shade and any facts you have. Your

name would be helpful for questions.

Bring whatever you want, but you MUST take any un-swapped items.

You may take whatever you want, theres no limit, but please be considerate of others.

Invite family and friends to come and participate!

We could use some help around 12:00 PM that day with set up. If you can help, please let us know. Contacts: Sarah Fisher, Shannon Payne, and Brenda Bailey.

April Book Club

April 22, 20136:30 8:30 pm

Book: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

By: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

April Book Club Hostess:Isabella Yosuico1236 pious ridge road | Berkeley Springs

304-676-3843 |[email protected]

Time & Date ChangeStitches & Hookssession times havechanged. Please checkthe calendar on page 6for details.

Food Carrier Project

Bonnie will be teaching how to make a foodcarrier, but bring whatever you want towork onand a friend, too!

Please contact Bonnie at 304-258-5989 or

[email protected] you have anyquestions or comments.

Thanks!

A Chance to Serve

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone,

and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:10 ESV

Here are just a few opportunities to serve our church family and

the broader community.Go ahead. Try it!

Nursery workers (especially for 11am service)

Sewing VBS banners

GO Friends leaders and substitutes

GO Friends craft prep

VBS help (June 24-28)

Womens Retreat Planning Team

Contact: [email protected] | 304.258.2766

Stitches n Hooks News
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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March 2013 | Page 5

Repenting of PastaSeeking comfort in the only lasting Source.by Isabella Yosuico

March roared in like a lionand I dont mean the weather. Mamma was in the

hospital with pneumonia for eight days, five in intensive care and one at deathsdoor. No sooner was she discharged, did my son Isaac land in the emergency room,

close to pneumonia himself, and needing several days of round-the- clock nebulizer

treatments. And so it went.

But Jehovah Jireh (God the Provider) showed up over and over, providing comfort, power and grace to do everything that

needed doing. Even so, by the end of that second week, after the boys were safely in bed, I made myself a large amount of

pasta and ate it all, sighing into a carbohydrate coma. The next day, I grazed on a steady stream of Easter treats and assorted

leftovers. Then, the still small voice spoke to me, come to me, the endless stream of living water.

Never be thirsty (or hungry, or lonely) again.

But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a

spring of water welling up to eternal life.

John 4:14

Lovingly confronting the woman at the well, Jesus spoke to her deepest need, the one shed tried hard to satisfy with a string of

men. Like the Samaritan, Ive sought relationships, food, alcohol, success, money, shopping, busy-ness, even religiosity to ease

my discomfort, slake my thirst, and fulfill my deepest longing. God wants us to have something deeper: true rest in him.

Find true rest.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29

Even while God had provided all I needed for two weeks, left alone with my feelings in the

quiet aftermath of the storm, Id felt compelled to self-medicate with carbs rather than

seek him further for the rest I so needed. After the mighty brief spell of false comfort from

a surge of endorphins, all I had to show for it was five more pounds on the scale and

remorse added to my emotional hangover. The short-lived source of comfort had becomea burden in itself. This trajectory is all too familiar. The bill always comes due.

Thats because were designed to find our comfort and fulfillment in Christ alone (Rev 21:6,

2 Cor 1:3). From his bottomless wellspring does our own stream of living water flow (John

7:38) to live this life, with all its joys and challenges.

Lose to win.

But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in

weakness.Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power

of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Ive shed the five pounds, but not the tendency to seek comfort from some thing or

someone, other than God. I know that if I can sit with the discomfort long enough, God will

show up, revealing himself and myself, thereby freeing us from the slavery to fleeting comforts that cannot satisfy like living

water. The gateway to this freedom is the frank confession that Im hopeless without him and need his power to overcome,

trusting that his grace is truly enough.

(Please note all the words in red! Jesus himself, the man-God, spoke as flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:18) knowing first-hand what

we face.)

Prayer:God, help me rest in you. Forgive me for seeking solace and satisfaction in countless others places. Grant me the wisdom to

pause long enough to allow you to satisfy me with streams of living water. You ARE enough!

Freedom!If these reflections cause a

reaction in youanger,

shame, justification run,

dont walk, to the cross (Jer

2:25-27 ERV). If hes brought

something to the surface,Hes also prepared to grow

you through it.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon

me, because he has anointed

me to proclaim good news to

the poor. He has sent me to

proclaim liberty to the

captives and recovering of

sight to the blind, to set at

liberty those who are

oppressedLuke 4:18


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Design and base content 2013 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO, group.com/women. Permission to photocopy granted for local church use only.

March 2013 | Page 6

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

9-12pm

Stitches n Hooks

Social HallPlease bring crochet

hooks to share.

6-8:30pm

Stitches n Hooks

Social HallPlease bring crochet

hooks to share.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

6:30pm

Book Club

Isabellas HouseSee page 4 for details.

1-3:00pm

Plant & Garden

Swap

Blue Building

28 29 30

UPCOMING:Fall Womens Retreat: October 25 to 27

Womens Ministry Leadership Team

Sarah Fisher, Womens Ministry Coordinator:[email protected] | 304.258.2766

Denise Bergen

Gretchen Close

Linda Romano

Bonnie Weber

Isabella Yosuico

Newsletter questions or comments? Contact [email protected]

AprilA Taste ofWhats

Happening for Women
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

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