gobin memorial united methodist church 307 simpson street, po … · 2017-12-16 · gobin memorial...
TRANSCRIPT
We live so that all people will know they are loved by God.
Good News From Gobin Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church
307 Simpson Street, PO Box 66, Greencastle IN 46135
765-658-6010 fax 765-658-6025 [email protected]
www.gobinumc.org
Worship Opportunities During Advent UMW Unit Meeting What Are You Doing Christmas Eve? Nativity Open House at the Wrights
2
Silence and Other Surprising Invita-tions of Advent Christmas at DePauw Note from Michael Beeman:
3
December Birthdays
Congregation Handbook Updates
Remembering Individuals in
Assistance Centers
4
Easy Tithe
Administrative Council Nov. Notes
Numbers Check for October En-
dowment Income and Life Insur-
ance Proceeds Help Our Church
5
Collage of Pictures from 11-16-14
Thanks for Meals at Beyond Home-
less
Hats, Gloves, Scarves, & Mittens,
(Oh My!!)
6
Gobin Activities Calendar 7
Activities at Gobin Calendar 8
Transformers
Affordable Care Act
9
Thank You for Your Generosity
Cleaning Invoices Vs. $ for Ministry
10
Jobs to be Performed at Church 11
A Prayer for Those Affected by
Ebola
Cookie Sale is Almost Here
The Little Red Wagon
12
# Giving Tuesday—Transform the
World
13
New Advent Christian Education
Opportunities
14
The Pastor’s Point!!! for December 2014 Happy New Year!
By now, November
30 has likely come and gone
and we are well into the sea-
son of Advent, which marks
the official new year of the
church. I love this season.
Although, to be honest, I
love any change of season in
the church year. I love
changing the banners and
paraments - in this case from
the greens of ordinary time
to the blues and purples of
Advent. And in true Mr.
Rogers fashion, I will hang
up my green stole in my of-
fice closet and bring out the
purple stole.
I love the opportu-
nity to focus on a different
stage in the life and ministry
of Jesus, as well as the op-
portunity to emphasize a
different facet of our life of
faith. Here in Advent, we are
waiting. We are anticipating.
We are yearning. Yearning
for Christ to come, to bring
peace and justice in our
world. We long for God’s will
to be done on earth as it is in
heaven. We will celebrate
Christmas, I promise! And it
will be a true celebration.
But we’re not there yet. It’s
good for us to wait.
I’ve included a won-
derful article from Taylor
Burton-Edwards, the direc-
tor of worship resources at
the General Board of Disci-
pleship of the United Meth-
odist Church in Nashville. It’s
worth the read, and is guar-
anteed to enlighten your
perspective on this holy sea-
son.
~Rev. Bryan Langdoc
The first Sunday of
Advent in 2014 is November
30, and we move into Year B
of the lectionary. During this
year of the three-year lec-
tionary cycle, we will read
through Mark's gospel, en-
gage the stories of David's
family, and spend consider-
able time in the epistles of
Ephesians, Hebrews and
James.
Advent is a season
for remembering and cele-
brating the culmination of all
things in Christ. During Year
B, we are working with a
gospel (Mark) that includes
no stories about the birth of
Jesus. So the focus on the
culmination or end of all
things this year is perhaps
the most insistent of all
three.
Consider these read-
ings and this season a chal-
lenge, or perhaps an invita-
tion, to see and experience
Christmas, when it actually
arrives (December 24 after
sundown!), through the
lenses through which most
Christians since the fourth
century have viewed it. Ad-
vent puts Christmas into its
proper place, not as a com-
forting destination or early
winter way station, but
rather as nothing less than
the completely disruptive
inbreaking of the God who,
through this birth, makes all
things new. Advent helps us
understand just how the
news of the birth of Jesus we
celebrate during Christmas
Season (December 24-
January 6) is so very good. In
Advent we see, decisively,
how God's reign marks the
breakdown and end of every
other reign. What the bibli-
cal writers knew, and we still
know, is that every human
reign is disordered, sinful,
full of injustice and oppres-
sion. Those who hold power
find ways to make their dis-
ordered reigns seem normal
or even good. But those
damaged by such disordered
reigns-- the silent or silenced
ones including the poor, the
sick, the dying, the outcast,
the hungry and the perse-
cuted, among others-- know
in their bodies and often
carry in their psyches for
generations wounds and
scars that give a very differ-
ent testimony.
Advent tunes us in to
their voices. Advent reminds
us that the good news we
seek, indeed the only really
good news there is, is pre-
cisely for them and those of
us among them, and be-
comes good news for all only
in their redemption. Advent
lays before us starkly their
usually silenced voices,
(cont’d on pg. 2)
2014201420142014
DECEMBERDECEMBERDECEMBERDECEMBER
Page 2 Good News From Gobin
the voices of prophets who speak to
them from God, and the assurance
that indeed the worlds that try to
keep them silenced for their own
benefit have only one future -- utter
destruction and replacement by
God's reign.
As such Advent can, if we let
it, disorient us from the dominant
culture's experience and expression
of "Christmastime" and its many
ways to ignore or domesticate the
wild prophet, Jesus, loudspeaker and
embodiment of this world's end and
God's reign coming upon us.
When the gospel readings
switch from Mark to John in the
third week (December 14, 2014), we
hear the testimony of John the Bap-
tist that his own radical ministry that
called people to repent and be bap-
tized was only foretaste of what the
Coming One would do. When we
hear from Luke in the fourth week, it
is not to the "comforting manger"
that we go, but to a teenage girl who
is told that she will be made preg-
nant by God and that the baby she
will bear will sit on David's throne,
deposing all other claimants and pre-
tenders, forever.
Forever.
The old world ends. The
awareness of the destructiveness of
our world prepares us for the joy of
the world being remade in Jesus.
That's why we call the message of
Jesus "gospel." Let the celebration
of Advent help you and your wor-
shiping community celebrate this
good news!
Worship Opportunities During Advent
(All services in Gobin Church sanctuary unless otherwise noted).
Checking, Decking and Dashing
Sundays @ 10:30am
Preparing the Way - A Midweek Advent Service
Tuesdays @ 7pm (Dec. 2 - Dec 23)
Ecumenical Morning Prayer
Thursdays @ 8am (Dec.4 - Dec.18)
College Student Group - Advent Book Study
Wednesdays @ 11:30am @ The Hub
Christmas Eve Worship
December 24 @ 7 pm
UMW Unit Meeting
Thursday, December 11th
1:30pm
Thoughts and Memories of My Time as
a Missionary child in India
by Betty Dean
All women are invited to come and join
the United Methodist Women’s group.
This meeting will be a joint meeting for
all 3 of our Circle Groups. We will have
our business meeting followed by t he
program by Betty Dean on her time in
India when she was a little girl. Light
refreshments will be served.
What Are You Doing Christmas Eve?
Have you ever wanted to sing during the
Christmas Eve Service? NOW is your
chance. A small choir will be formed to sing
some special music for that very special ser-
vice on Wednesday, December 24th at
7:00pm. If you are interested please con-
tact Barbara Pare’ at
765-653-6142. All are wel-
come.
Nativity Open House at the Home of Jack and Betty WrightNativity Open House at the Home of Jack and Betty WrightNativity Open House at the Home of Jack and Betty WrightNativity Open House at the Home of Jack and Betty Wright
717 Highridge Avenue, Greencastle
Sunday, December 7, 1-5pm
Sunday, December 14, 1-5pm
Come and see approximately 1091 different
nativities from many lands and in many formats.
If you are unable to attend one of the above times, please call
Betty at 765-653-3369 and perhaps some other time can be
worked out.
Our house is east of the DePauw Observatory, just after High-
ridge Avenue curves around to the north, joining Highwood
Page 3 December 2014
To Gobin UMC:
I am very grateful to have kept in touch with Gobin for this long, from Dr. Burton’s welcome
and the cookies offered my first Sunday in 2005 to my last Sunday in 2009 when I still did
not know my next steps. Since graduation, keeping in touch with Gobin has contributed to
forming my career choice in international development with various non-profits in coun-
tries like France, Burundi, Palestine, and now South Sudan. Seeing my religious beliefs
and passion for international politics converge this way was honestly an unforeseen con-
sequence of many classes with Professor Nasr, PT’s sermons, and other lectures at De-
Pauw. But most of all, the warmth, hospitality, and beautiful worship at Gobin is what I
carry with me. Thank you for keeping me as part of your family. I pray that the many stu-
dents that cross DePauw’s campus will equally benefit from God's love extended through
Gobin UMC.
Grace and Peace,
Michael Beeman
"Silence: And Other Surprising Invitations of Advent": A Book Study for College Students led
by University Chaplain, Maureen Knudsen Langdoc, Wednesdays Dec 3, 10 and 17 from
11:30-12:30 in the Hub.
Advent is the Christian season of waiting and preparation. In the midst of both the frenzy of the
holiday shopping and the stress of the end of a semester, this book study group reflects upon
the significance of our own experiences of waiting and longing. Advent offers the gift of silence
and other surprising invitations. For more information, and/or a copy of the book, email
Christmas at DePauwChristmas at DePauwChristmas at DePauwChristmas at DePauw
Want to enjoy a new Christmas
tradition on the DePauw cam-
pus? Come out on Wednesday,
Dec. 3rd at 7:00pm as several
musical groups, including our
own Gobin Choir, will sing carols
as the Christmas Tree in front of
Ubben Quad, directly east of the
Student Union Building, will be
lit. Join in the spirit of the sea-
son with other while enjoying
apple cider, hot chocolate, and
Christmas cookies. Hope to see
you there!
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYSDECEMBER BIRTHDAYSDECEMBER BIRTHDAYSDECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
12/04 Fischer Barcus
12/10 Robert Harbison
12/12 Mariette Bargen
12/12 Joyce Jones
12/14 Jim High
12/18 Carol Sweet
12/21 Maria Mecum
12/25 Harriet Watson
12/25 Landen Newlin
12/28 Millie See
12/29 Charles Dobson
12/29 Sara Culler
12/30 Callie Bailey
12/30 Veronica Pejril
12/30 Lorena Edenfield
12/30 Susanna Howard
12/31 Sally Sunkel
Page 4 Good News From Gobin
Congregational Handbook UpdatesCongregational Handbook UpdatesCongregational Handbook UpdatesCongregational Handbook Updates
P. 29 Naylor, Audrey* P. 29 Naylor, Audrey* P. 29 Naylor, Audrey* P. 29 Naylor, Audrey* ---- change of addresschange of addresschange of addresschange of address
1240 Wells St.1240 Wells St.1240 Wells St.1240 Wells St.
Burton, MI 48529Burton, MI 48529Burton, MI 48529Burton, MI 48529
Gobin Membership as of November 25 is 191Gobin Membership as of November 25 is 191Gobin Membership as of November 25 is 191Gobin Membership as of November 25 is 191
Position
December
7
December
14
December
21
December
28
Ushers
Jeff Hansen
Gayle Hansen
Beth Ann Hansen
Kelly Hansen
Paul McGill
Betty McGill
Leland Zellers
Jean Zellers
Harriet Dobson
Nettie Smithers
Lois Underwood
John Schlotter-
beck
Ross Davies
Beth Watson
John Baughman
Alisa Isaacs-
Bailey
Communion
Steward
Fellowship Mickey Meehan Carol Krag Lottie Barcus Anne Kinton
Counters Dick Sunkel Fran Allen Doretta Poynter Pat Clover
Assisting in
the Nursery Barb Rice Lisa Lazar Amber Hecko Kathy Sanders
Children’s
Church Denise Thede Teddy Shuck Teddy Shuck Alisa Isaacs-Bailey
Jane Irwin
SERVING ON SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER SERVING ON SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER SERVING ON SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER SERVING ON SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER
Dick Shuck will be the Trustee of the month for December.
Remembering these individuals by sending a card, making a phone
call, visiting, or including in prayer would be appreciated.
Asbury Tower Residents: Asbury Tower Residents: Asbury Tower Residents: Asbury Tower Residents: Dorothy Buechler, Pat & Robert Clover,
Dorothy Edenfield, Virginia Hanna, Helen Houck, Joyce Jones, and
Kent & Maria Mecum.
Hickory Creek at Sunset: Hickory Creek at Sunset: Hickory Creek at Sunset: Hickory Creek at Sunset: Loretta Bumgardner
Mill Pond Campus: Mill Pond Campus: Mill Pond Campus: Mill Pond Campus: Jocie Kircher & Carolyn Schenk
GOBIN NOW HAS ONLINE GIVING THROUGH EASY TITHE
We are excited to announce that you can now make your donations to Go-
bin online on our website at www.gobinumc.org or via text message from
your smart phones and electronic devices. If texting, please text your amount to 765-253-4477 to get
started. Got questions? Check with Denise, and she will try to help you.
Page 5 December 2014
Endowment Income and Life Insurance Proceeds Help Our Church’s FinancesEndowment Income and Life Insurance Proceeds Help Our Church’s FinancesEndowment Income and Life Insurance Proceeds Help Our Church’s FinancesEndowment Income and Life Insurance Proceeds Help Our Church’s Finances
The interest and dividends we earn from our endowment accounts greatly help with our
annual church budget. If you would like to learn more about our endowments, how you
can add to them, or how to establish a new endowment, please give Joe Ferguson or
Lottie Barcus a call.
Also, another way of assisting the church is to name Gobin as a partial beneficiary on
your life insurance policy. You might consider naming Gobin to a 10% amount of your
policy or more if you wish.
Joe or Lottie will be happy to meet with you for discussion.
NUMBERS CHECK for OctoberNUMBERS CHECK for OctoberNUMBERS CHECK for OctoberNUMBERS CHECK for October
October Receipts: $14,356.18
October Disbursements: $13,685.59
Year to Date Receipts as of 10/31/14 $143,494.36
Year to Date Disbursements as of 10/31/14 $146.820.30
($3,325.94)
October Average Attendance: 108
ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS– NOVEMBER 3, 2014
1. Joe Ferguson was authorized to invest $80,000 of the Organ Fund in a CD or Government
Certificate. Approximately $6,000 will be held out for ongoing maintenance of the organ. At
this time he is strongly considering a 61 month CD that will pay 1 ½% if held to maturity.
2. Staff-Parish approved the recommendation of the Trustee’s to hire one part-time employee to
do maintenance of the building. They would work approximately 22-25 hours a week at
$11.50 per hour. They would be trained by people at DePauw and others. The Trustee’s do
have a job description.
This has been approved but will not be acted on until we have a balanced budget.
3. 46 units have pledged $120,352. There are still some pledges that may come in from people
who have pledged this year. This amount is ahead of the $108,902 from 55 units that
pledged in 2014.
Page 6 Good News From Gobin
Dear Gobin Family,
I just wanted to thank everyone who has taken the opportunity over the last several months to provide a meal for Beyond Homeless. I am grateful for all of the volunteers, individual and groups. We now are taking December off due to other people who have committed to provide Christmas dinner. Please keep the shelter in your prayers and keep thinking of ideas for meals in the new year. Gobin will start providing meals again in January on the 22nd. If you would like to provide a meal separate from Gobin please email Lyn Smith at [email protected] as she is the meal coordinator.
Thank you again for your generosity, Anne Kinton
Sunday, November 16, 2014
A Day of Baptisms, Special Guests Nancy Carew with
Robert and Ann Newton and Princess Jusu, and the
Blessing of Several Prayer Shawls. Pics by Marilyn Culler.
Hats, Gloves, Scarves, and Mitten (OH MY)Hats, Gloves, Scarves, and Mitten (OH MY)Hats, Gloves, Scarves, and Mitten (OH MY)Hats, Gloves, Scarves, and Mitten (OH MY)
The Mitten Tree is up just outside the church office awaiting
more decorations of winter wear accessories. Don’t forget to bring
in a scarf or hat to place on the tree. It has been an odd season of
warmth and bitter cold to date, so the hats, gloves, scarves, and
mittens are sure to come in handy to the kids that need them. Just
a few more days now. Bring in your items by December 8th to in-
sure we can get them passed out to the Johnson-Nichols Clinic and
the Beyond Homeless Shelter.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 5:30pm Fllwship
at Putnam Inn
7:00pm
Advent Study
8:00pm GIFT
3
4
9:30am UMW
Exec. Board
10am Office mtg
5
6
8am-noon
Gobin Holiday
Cookie Sale
9am-1pm
FCJ Team Mtg
in Martinsville
7
9 Fell. Time
9:30 Sun. Schl
10:30 Worship
5pm Bells Reh.
8
6-8pm Transformers
6:30-9:30 FCJ Clergy
Mtg in Martinsville
9
5:30pm Fllwship
at Putnam Inn
7:00pm
Advent Study
8:00pm GIFT
10
6pm Genesis
Christmas
Dinner Party
11
10am Office mtg
1:30pm UMW
Christmas Unit
Mtg
7pm
Admin. Council
12
13
14 9:15 Chr Reh. 9:30 Sun. Schl
10:30 Worship
11pm—1am Mid-
night Breakfast
15
6:00pm District
Clergy Christmas
Party at Sullivan
First UMC
7:00pm Missions
16 5:30pm
Fllwship at PI
6:30 Circles
7pm
Advent Study
7:45pm Allies
8:00pm GIFT
17
18
10am Office mtg
19
20
21 9 Fell Time
9:30 Sun. Schl
10:30 Worship
12 Fundraiser
Lunch
3-5 Prayer Shawl
5pm Bells Reh.
22
23 5:30pm Fllwship
at Putnam Inn
7:00pm
Advent Study
24
7:00pm Christ-
mas Eve Service
25
Christmas
Day—Church
Office Closed
26
Church Office
Closed—Paid
Holiday Time
27
28
9 Fell Time
9:30 Sun. Schl
10:30 Worship
29
Church Office
Closed—Paid
Holiday Time
30
5:30pm Fllwship
at Putnam Inn
31
Church Office
Closed after
noon
December2014 GOBIN ACTIVITIES
Newsletter
Deadline
Page 7 December 2014
Pastor’s
Sabbath
Pastor’s
Sabbath
Pastor’s
Sabbath
Pastor’s
Sabbath
The Sewing Bee will take off
the month of December and
resume on the 4th Thursday
of each month in 2015!!
ACTIVITIES AT GOBIN
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2:30-5:30 RIC
4:00 pm TOPS
2 9-12 Tot’s Time 2:30-5:30 RIC
4-6pm Exalt! reh.
4:30pm Daydream
Believers rehearsal
3
2:30-5:30 RIC
4
4-6pm Exalt! reh.
in sanctuary
6:30-7:30pm Bailey/Brems
Dress Rehearsal
4:30 pm PCCS
5 6-9pm Maureen
Bailey & Patrick
Brems Recital in
sanctuary
6:30-8:00pm
Lisa T Girl Scouts
6
2-5pm Girl Scouts
Mother/Daughter
Craft Project in Col-
onnade Rm.
8:00 pm AA mtg
7
1:30pm Lisa Trigg’s
4-H That One Club
8
2:30-5:30 RIC
2:30-5:30pm
Kessler/Handy
Dress Rehearsal
4:00 pm TOPS
9 9-12 Tot’s Time 2:30-5:30 RIC
4-6pm Exalt! reh.
4:30pm Daydream
Believers rehearsal
5:30-8:30 Parents
& Divorce Class
10
2:30-5:30 RIC
11
2:30-5:30 RIC
4-6pm Exalt! reh.
in sanctuary
4:30 pm PCCS
cooking in kitchen
12
7pm Recital for
Megan Kessler &
Kaitlin Handy in
sanctuary
13 10:00am Dress Rehearsal for
Community Cantata
7:00pm Community
Cantata
8:00 pm AA mtg
14
15
4:00 pm TOPS
16 9-12Tot’s Time
17
18
4:30 pm PCCS
cooking in kitchen
19
6:30-8:00pm
Lisa T Girl Scouts
20
1:30-4pm
Greencastle Commu-
nity Reiki Share
8:00 pm AA mtg
21
22
4:00 pm TOPS
23
9-12 Tot’s Time
24
25
26
27
8:00 pm AA mtg
28
29 30
9-12 Tot’s Time
31
December 2014
Page 8 Good News From Gobin
Page 9 December 2014
Transformers
A workshop featuring Phil DeVol was held at The Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics on October 29, 2014. The event was sponsored by Transformers and was made possible in part thanks to an Im-pact Grant given to Transformers by the United Way of Putnam County.
Phil DeVol is the author of Bridges out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities, Bridges to Sustainable Communities: A system-wide, cradle-to-grave approach to ENDING POV-ERTY IN AMERICA, and Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World and other books on the subject of community sustainability.
During the workshop, 78 members of the community actively listened to Mr. DeVol discuss key points and action plans in order to help communities such as Putnam County put an end to poverty. Mr. DeVol explained that in order to reduce poverty, all the necessary people to be ‘around the ta-ble.’ This includes individuals, institutions and community/policy makers, as well as the poor, middle class and wealthy. This is called the Triple Lens approach. Mr. DeVol also discussed the causes of poverty. He explained that poor choices by individuals are not the only cause of poverty. Three other causes must be taken into consideration in order to minimize poverty in a community: human and social capital found in the community (availability of resources), exploitation of individuals in poverty, and political/economic structures and
policies. Many other key topics were discussed including the need for addition attention to children pre-birth to K and reliable public transportation.
The participants adjourned for a catered lunch by Monical’s Pizza, and a group met for an afternoon session with Mr. DeVol to begin creating an action plan for our community. Facilitated by Vic Hunter, the afternoon session produced, in part, the following outcomes:
1. Expand the PCCC to include not only the individual and institution levels of the triple lens but also the community and policy making piece.
2. Bring to fruition the needs of the Getting Ahead Graduates which will build bridges to their future story.
3. Make sure that the Bridges out of Poverty concepts and language as well as the Getting Ahead classes go beyond Greencastle and out into the county.
4. Develop Bridges out of Poverty Certified Trainers
5. Develop more Getting Ahead facilitators.
For more information about Transformers, be sure and check out the Transformers section of the church website. www.gobinumc.org/transformers
Affordable Care ActAffordable Care ActAffordable Care ActAffordable Care Act
If you are uninsured and believe you or someone you know might be eligible for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act health exchanges, please contact a Navigator at the Johnson Nich-ols Health Care Clinic (765-653-6171). The Navigator can assist you in determining eligibility, help you to navigate and enroll in the available health plans and provide tax credit information. The Navigator can also assist in enrollment in Medicaid. The Johnson Nichols Health Clinic has relo-
cated to the Medical Office Building, Suite 1300 of the Putnam County Hospital.
Page 10 Good News From Gobin
Cleaning Invoices Vs. Money for Ministry
by Bryan Langdoc
Have you ever wondered what it takes to clean a building the size of Gobin? Well, it’s a lot for one person, or
even two or three to do. For the past few years, we’ve been using a local cleaning service to care for our custodial
needs. Frequent turnover of cleaning staff and limited hours are just some of the many reasons our current situation
is not ideal. It has never seemed a good fit, and everyone involved agrees: it’s not working.
As our contract with the cleaning service comes to an end on December 31, we have an opportunity to
try something new. We have a couple of options here. First of all, the trustees have worked to produce a job descrip-
tion for the direct hire of a cleaning/maintenance position at Gobin. The Staff-Parish team reviewed the job descrip-
tion and agreed to bring it to our administrative council meeting on November 3. As we sat around the conference
table that Monday evening, the motion was made to hire a cleaning/maintenance staff member as per the presented
job description. The motion had a quick second, and we began to discuss. It was at that point a crazy idea came about.
What if we (Gobin) took responsibility for cleaning Gobin? We are many. And many have already been working to
clean and care for the building. What if we made it official? What if we made a list of all the cleaning/maintenance
needs of the church, and presented it to the congregation? If we did this, we could use the money saved for the mis-
sion and ministry of the church. We’re talking about somewhere between 15 and 20 thousand dollars. Would we
clean our church if it meant investing that money in children’s ministry? In new outreach opportunities? It was at this
point that I volunteered to clean the bathrooms. I seem well suited for that kind of work. For one thing, I am at church
pretty often. For another, I change multiple diapers everyday, so there would be some sort of continuity.
So I guess it’s up to you, people of Gobin. Can we do this? Look through the list provided. Would you be willing
to cross some of those things off the list? I’ve got the bathrooms. But there are a few other things left.
We’re still working on the best way to facilitate a sign-up for the various “opportunities” listed. In the mean-
time, familiarize yourself with the list. This is what it takes to care for our church. Are we up to the challenge?
Thank You for Your Generosity
Wonderful news! You have been Extravagant in your Generosity! Denise is still receiving pledges, and we are thankful for all.
We know you have pledged your financial gifts, but you have also pondered the other ways you will be generous to the ministry of Gobin. You have prayed and listened to God's word speaking in your life, and are opening to new ways to live in the kingdom of God daily. We thank God for you.
We have had 48 people pledge for 2015 so far for an amount of $125,772.00. In 2014 we had 55 people pledge for 2014 for an amount of $108,902.00. We hope the increase in pledged dollar amounts will enable Gobin's ministry in increasingly meaningful and effective ways, but we also know many of you give joyfully of your time and talents, whether or not financial increase is possible. We are just as thankful for you. You are the saints among us. Thanks be to God.
We invite you to pause in your preparation for Christmas and consider this opportunity. Many years ago, a Gobin pastor invited us to add the Baby Jesus to our Christmas lists as if he were our Beloved Child. Some of us have done so by buying gifts of equal value or giving money anonymously to someone in need. My children, when smaller, particularly enjoyed identifying and finding ways to con-tribute to the significant Christmas joy of children in their schools, understanding that such a gift had an impact on the number of gifts they would themselves receive. Others have given their Christmas/ Birthday gifts to Gobin in a financial offering either during Advent or at our Christmas Eve service.
Will you, in your Christmas budgeting and gift giving, remember Jesus? If you will, please write Baby Jesus on your gift envelope. Questions? Please call Beth Watson (765-301-0087) or Teddy Shuck (765-721-3193). Beth Watson
Page 11 December 2014
JOBS TO BE PERFORMED IN THE CHURCH
The Trustees are seeking the assistance of our members to perform regular jobs in the church
weekly and monthly, or as needed. Please look over this list and select the job(s) you will take
responsibility for performing as required.
1. Changing all air filters in the church once a month
2. Checking the level of salt in the water softener system once a month
3. Weekly cleaning of all windows inside and out (main entrance and Wesley Hall)
4. Daily vacuuming and dust mopping (main entrance and Wesley Hall)
5. Daily cleaning and stocking of restrooms on main floor, off sanctuary and nursery
6. Daily cleaning and stocking of restrooms in lower level of church
7. Weekly dusting of pews and dust mopping of main sanctuary
8. Weekly dusting of balcony pews and railing
9. Weekly sweeping of stairs leading to main sanctuary and colonnade room
10. Weekly wet mopping of kitchen floor
11. Replacement of burned out light bulbs weekly/monthly
12. Daily emptying of all trash receptacles in lower level of church
13. Daily emptying of all trash receptacles in sanctuary and office suite
14. Daily emptying of all trash receptacles in Wesley Hall classrooms
15. Weekly cleaning of the Rainbow Room, Library and Special Meeting room
16. Weekly cleaning of Wesley Hall classrooms
17. Weekly cleaning/sweeping of all outside walks and entrances, and picking up trash
18. Daily inspection of the HVAC/Heating/Cooling units and checking all thermostat settings
19. Weekly cleaning, dust mopping or wet mopping of the Narthex floor and steps depending
on weather
20. Weekly storing of tables and chairs in Colonnade Room (if not needed)
21. Semi-annual floor treatment (spray-buff)
22. During the winter months monitoring the main entrances for snow removal and/or
spreading salt as needed
23. During summer months the weekly mowing of church lawn and picking up trash around
the building’s outside area
24. During the summer months the weekly maintenance of outside landscaping
25. Monthly inspection of all window wells and the removal of any debris that might prevent
draining
26. Periodically inspect the playground equipment for safety and cleaning that area as
needed
27. Weekly checking of all the recycle bins within the church building to make sure they are
emptied of contents
28. Semi-annual shampooing of the carpets in Wesley Hall classrooms
29. Weekly checking of thermostat on kitchen refrigerator and the deep freeze
Page 12 Good News From Gobin
THE LITTLE RED WAGON THE LITTLE RED WAGON THE LITTLE RED WAGON THE LITTLE RED WAGON
Help us fill the Little Red Wagon each Sunday morning with your donations
of non-perishable food items. The Food Pantry is ALWAYS in need of food
to distribute.
A Prayer for Those Affected by Ebola
Gracious God, we call you the Great Physician. We pray your healing power to touch those bodies that now shake with fever, ache with pain, and are too weak to sus-tain the demands of life.
Gracious God, we know you are a Mighty God.
Grant access to medical care for the most vulnerable in West Africa. Protect doctors and nurses who kneel at the bedsides of the sick and the dying. Provide resources in places of lack. Guide churches and church leaders. Empower all who work tirelessly to be Christ’s hands and feet.
Gracious God, we believe you are Hope for the hopeless. Hold parents who’ve lost children. Gently father and mother children who’ve lost their parents. Make your presence known to those who are dying alone, in the streets, in wastelands, without friends or family. Speak tenderly to all who feel abandoned by the world’s governments and systems of power. Give strength to our friends in West Africa who feel that “life more abundantly” is an unfulfilled promise.
Gracious God, we know you are the Light overcoming darkness.
Why should we be afraid?
Help us, O God, to trust in your unchanging nature in times of uncertainty.
Grant us peace that Ebola or anything in this life that would threaten to undo us, is not impossible for you.
Hear our prayer.
Amen.
Cookie Sale is Almost Here! Cookie Sale is Almost Here! Cookie Sale is Almost Here! Cookie Sale is Almost Here!
The 23rd Annual Holiday Cookie Sale will take place on Saturday, December 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Come to the Colonnade Room (basement) of Gobin Church to select from a wide variety of homemade Christmas cook-ies. Two sizes of containers will be available for you to pur-chase and fill: small, $5 and large, $11. The proceeds will be used for the Putnam County Food Pantry and the Gobin Kitchen Fund.
We need your help! All UMW members, please bake at least 10 dozen cookies. Other members and friends that can contribute, we ask that you bake at least 3 dozen cook-ies if possible. Cookies should be small to medium in size so they fit in the cans easily. Baked goods can be dropped off during the day on Friday, December 5th by 4:00 p.m. in the Colonnade Room.
Please tell your co-workers, friends and neighbors about the great opportunity to buy delicious homemade holiday cookies.
Even some of our youth back in 2004 came to get cook-
ies!! Pictured are Sara Culler and Harriet Watson.
Page 13 December 2014
# GIVING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 *** TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD# GIVING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 *** TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD# GIVING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 *** TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD# GIVING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 *** TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD
On December 2, you can extend the spirit of giving thanks into the Advent season by par-
ticipating in UMC #GivingTuesday. Every gift made online through The Advance at
www.umcmission.org/give on Dec. 2 will be matched up to $1 million by the General Board
of Global Ministries.*
*Global Ministries will allocate the matching funds dollar for dollar up to the first $1 million
in gifts to Advance projects received online on Dec. 2 between 12 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.
EST. A maximum of $2,500 per individual gift to a project will be dispersed as matching
funds. A project may receive a maximum of $25,000 in matching funds.
Last year on UMC #GivingTuesday, United Methodists collectively raised a record $6.5 mil-
lion on line through The Advance. 11,000 individuals and churches in 34 countries gave
more than 16,300 gifts to mission and ministries they believe in. It was a wonderful sign of
commitment and Extravagant Generosity, maximizing the impact of thousands of United
Methodists coming together on one day to transform the world.
UMC #GivingTuesday is part of an international movement and offers an opportunity to
start off the holiday season by giving instead of getting by supporting organizations that are
transforming the world. Visit www.umcmission.org/givewww.umcmission.org/givewww.umcmission.org/givewww.umcmission.org/give to search the 850 Advance projects
and give. Or choose one below.
Advance Projects worthy of our money connected with the Ebola Epidemic. are:
Advance 982450 International Disaster Response for personal protection kits,
gloves and gowns
Advance 3021951 UMCOR Sustainable Recovery and Development, for health fa-
cili- ties materials to prevent contagion, train 200 health workers
Advance 3021770 UMCOR Global Health for essential medicines and pop up tents
Advance Projects connected with Imagine No Malaria:
Advance 3021190 to eliminate malaria deaths by 2015 by supporting UM hospitals,
clinics, and health boards across Africa
Advance 982015 for Nothing But Nets
Advance Projects connected with Princess Jusu and Nancy Carew:
Advance 13037Z for Princess Jusu’s salary
Advance 3021062 for the dormitory and training center for women in Monrovia
Advance 13911Z for Nancy Carew’s salary
Giving Tuesday is an alternative to the recent US consumer driven shopping traditions of
Black Friday, Local Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. 100% of all gifts given through
the Advance go directly to the designated project. UMC #Giving Tuesday is the perfect anti-
dote to overspending during the Christmas season.
And really, ask yourself, “Is one day of giving thanks enough?”
Non-Profit Organization
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Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church
307 Simpson St.
P.O. Box 66
Greencastle, Indiana 46135
Phone: 765-658-6010
Email: [email protected]
WE’RE ON THE WEB!
WWW.GOBINUMC.ORG
We live so that all people will know they are loved by God.
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contact the church office at 765 contact the church office at 765 contact the church office at 765 contact the church office at 765----653 653 653 653----6003 or [email protected]. 6003 or [email protected]. 6003 or [email protected]. 6003 or [email protected].
New Advent Christian Education Opportunities Begin Next Sunday, Nov. 30th
Several new opportunities for Sunday School classes will be starting up for the Advent season beginning on Sunday, No-vember 30th. Children in grades 1-5 will begin a new curricu-lum called “The Way of the Child”. This curriculum offers “a calming, centering, meditation style, which deepens a child’s connection to God.” Three of our Sunday School classes will be taking a journey with Adam Hamilton in a 5-week series en-titled “The Journey”. Our Middle School, High School, and a
new Adult class will watch a 10-15 minute vignette where Adam Hamilton retraces the steps of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. The Sharing Spirits class will offer a different series by Adam Hamilton entitled “Revival”. The video follows the life of John Wesley and his definition of a Wesleyan Christian and were we, too, can rediscover our spiri-tual passion. Finally, the Rainbow Class is studying “Desert Wisdom: Saying From the Desert Fathers”. We hope you will join us for any of these opportunities to grow!