PAGE 2 UMW Annual June Dinner

UMW Fall Events & Meetings

PAGE 3 UMW - continued

Cooperative School of Christian Mission Book Talk News

PAGE 4 Church Yard Sale

Thrifty Threads Closet Ocean Grove Choir Festival

Vacation Bible School

PAGE 5 Summer & Fall Family Fun

PAGE 6 Finance Committee

Mission Projects Kick-off

PAGE 7 Mission Projects - continued

Scholarship Pasta Buffet

PAGE 8 Scholarship Pasta Buffet

PAGE 9 Prayer Shawl Ministry

PAGE 10 Memorial Day

In Dr. Ben Carson’s book ‘Think Big,’ he quotes poet R. L. Sharpe: Isn’t it strange

That princes and kings, And clowns that caper

In sawdust rings, And common people

Like you and me Are builders of eternity?

Each is given a bag of tools, A shapeless mass, A book of rules;

And each must make— Ere life is flown— A stumbling block

Or a stepping stone.

In Romans 9:30-33 the apostle Paul writes, “What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not obtained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.” As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

These words could very well have been inspired by the Old Testament writings of Isaiah (8:13-15), where we read: “The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread, and He will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel He will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem He will be a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.”

The “Stone” in these Biblical verses is none other than Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, who came among us as God’s perfect representation. “He will be a stone that causes men/women to stumble;” Why? Because He will not be the Messianic image some people anticipated. He will not wear a kingly crown, but a crown of thorns. He will not be bowed down to, but lifted up on a cross of shame. He will not come with armies and warriors at His side, but with grace, forgiveness, and peace. He will come in as a humble servant instead of a sovereign king to be served.

And you know, we are God’s representatives here on earth today. If we call ourselves ‘Christian,’ we are our Lord’s agents, diplomats, and envoys. As Nathan C. Shaeffer once wrote: “At the close of life, the question will not be, "How much have you gotten?" but "How much have you given?" Not "How much have you won?" but "How much have you done?" Not "How much have you saved?" but "How much have you sacrificed?" It will be "How much have you loved and served," not "How much were you honored?"

Yes, the REAL question is, ‘Are we being Jesus’ representatives in our world today?’ Each one of us has to answer for him/herself. How much have I given? How much have I done? How much have I sacrificed? How much have I loved and served? … think about it.

Make a personal commitment to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, as known in and through the Scriptures, and become one of His servants, not one of His stumbling-blocks.

See you in church; Sunday’s at 10 AM. Sincerely,

Pastor Ken Robinson

May – August

2013

Hopewell United Methodist Church 20 Blackwell Ave. Hopewell, NJ 08525

609-466-0471 Visit our website @ www.hopewellmethodist.org & now on

Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/HopewellMethodistNJ

Inside t his issue

United Methodist Women ’s Annual June Dinner Meeting You're invited to join us on Tuesday June 4 at 6:30 pm for a supper of salads and desserts and a talk by the leader of a new Hopewell non-profit.

Collection: Fabric donations are being sought: Cotton, cotton/poly blends of colorful fabrics, of any size larger than 8 inches. (This about the size of a bandana) If you like to make a monetary donation that is fine also.

Our Speaker: Ellyn Ito of Seeds to Sew International

About Seeds to Sew Seeds to Sew International Inc. is a Hopewell-based 501(c)(3) focused on improving the lives of women and girls in compromised communities through education and job skills training. They currently have operations in rural communities in Kenya where they offer sewing and beading programs.

Participants in the sewing program learn to sew Enkiteng Gift bags as a way to practice their sewing skills. These patented, eco-friendly, re-usable cloth bags are sewn from fabrics donated by seamstresses here in the US. Participants in the Enkisoma beading program craft beautiful, handmade jewelry in colorful Maasai designs. Seeds to Sew markets these unique products here in the US and all net proceeds are returned to the program participants which enables them to send their children to school, purchase land or invest in other small enterprises.

Seeds to Sew is active with local area schools, faith-based organizations, colleges and universities to raise awareness about the impact of education in developing countries and inspiring students and other community members to gain perspective on how choices made in the western world may impact the many corners of the world.

There is a sign-up sheet posted on the Church bulletin board in the Sunroom.

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Conference Fall Spiritual Retreat Mark your calendar, iPad, iPhone for

September 14, 2013

It will be held at the Pineland’s Retreat Center in Browns Mills, NJ.

Our speaker will be Kem Monk speaking on the topic “Prayer as a lifestyle”. Consider taking this time to strength and renew your relationship with God. It will be an Awesome Spiritual Retreat!!

Cost $12 which includes lunch.

UMW Fall Events & Meetings

BBooookk TTaallkk NNeewwss

Come join us on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 pm when we will be discussing the book by Laura Schroff called “Invisible Thread: the true story of an 11 year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive and an unlikely meeting with Destiny” June 18 A new author for our group is Cathy Gohlke. Her book “Band of Sisters” will be our topic of discussion. July 30 we will discuss a timeless book by Rev Charles M. Sheldon called “In His Steps” August 20 we go back and visit a favorite author of ours, Richard Paul Evans, and discuss the first book in his newest series called, “The Walk”

You can find a copy of any of these books on the library book cart in the Sunroom. Hope you are able to join us for any or all of these discussions. Anyone is welcome to come, even if you haven’t read the book yet.

Mission U (Cooperative School of Christian Mission) Georgian Court University, Lakewood

July 12-14 Also available as a one day event for all ages on July 27 at

Calvary Korean Methodist Church, East Brunswick

Learning Together for Transformation of the World This will be an opportunity to study current issues impacting society based on recent mission study topics. Mission U is open to members and non-members of United Methodist Women. Each Mission U event offers classes on topics covering three themes: Spiritual Growth, Geographic & Issue Study. The studies give particular attention to the responsibilities of women in the fulfillment of the mission work of the church. Youth, children, men, and clergy are welcome to study and learn with us. Brochures & registration forms can be found on the table in the Sunroom hallway. If you have any questions, see Pat Grant.

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District UMW ANNUAL BREAKFAST MEETING

Saturday, October 5th Cookstown UMC

9 AM – Noon Program: Human Trafficking

Conference UMW

Annual Meeting

Saturday, October 19th 9 am – 3 pm

Korean UMC in Cherry Hill

59th Annual Choir Festival July 14, 2013

7:30 pm Great is Thy Faithfulness

Directed by Dr. Jason Tramm

The Choir Festival will be held in the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove. Featuring over 1,000 singers, exciting guest conductors, brass

and the magnificent Hope-Jones organ There is no charge for registration or admission; however an offering will be received.

July 22 – 26 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Hopewell Presbyterian Church Theme this year is

“A Pilgrim’s Path”

Church Yard Sale

The town – wide Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, June 8 so begin now to clean out closets, attics, basements, etc. Bring your donations to the dining room in Burton Hall after June 4th and put them on the tables according to their category. We will accept large items for the sale but please remember that if we cannot sell it, it will be your responsibility to see that it is taken away.

Thrifty Threads Closet

The United Methodist Women have received permission from the Administrative Council to reopen a clothing closet in Burton Hall to be an emergency source of clothing. Sometimes people find themselves in a situation in which they need quick access to clothing (a fire, a flood, loss of income, etc.) The closet will be set up in the Thrifty Threads room. We are looking for donations of new or used clothing in good condition, without stains or tears. The racks will be marked by category (Men’s clothing, Women’s clothing, children and youth clothing) and hangers will be available to hang them up. We will also accept shoes and other accessories. Thank you for your help with this ministry.

PAGE 4

Hopewell Borough Council of Churches

July 20 th at 5:30 pm

In recent years when we’ve put up the Christmas tree in the sanctuary, the subject of making some new Chrismons for the tree has come up. So this year, we are going to have a Family Night devoted to making some new Chrismons and repairing some of the older ones. The date is July 20th. We’ll start with supper at 5:30pm and then work on Chrismons. Precut patterns will be available along with pictures of how they could be decorated. Explanations of the different Chrismons and their meanings will also be printed out to guide you. Please bring a pair of scissors and tweezers if you have them. We will be working with gold braid, small pearl beads and gold beads, beading needles and thread and glue. More information will be printed in the bulletin as the time draws closer.

PAGE 5

September 21 Now is the time to start thinking about our Talent Show that will take place this fall. Can you play an instrument, sing, put on a skit with some friends, lip-sync, dance, or do a comedy act? These are just a few ideas. We know there are a lot of other ideas and talents out there. A sign-up sheet is located on the Family Fun board in the Narthex. There will be a potluck dinner starting at 5:00 pm with the show to follow. Come on out and enjoy the show even if you don’t care to participate. Bring your friends and family. It will be a fun time for all!

Family Fun

August 17 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat will be playing at the Open Air Theater in Washington Crossing State Park. It will be a wonderful evening to enjoy the great outdoors and enjoy this marvelous play. Since it is an outdoor production the theater encourages tickets to be ordered the week of the event.

August 25 at 5:00 pm A Trenton Thunder game night is being planned. The cost will be $8.00 per person and the game will start at 5:00 pm. If you would like to go and have not yet signed up please let Sharon know ASAP or sign up via the sign up sheet located in the Narthex. The exact number of tickets will need to be ordered no later then August 1st.

Family Fun

An Update from the Finance Committee

Here is the latest update from your Finance Committee. Last May, we told you about ways your monetary gifts are used by the Church. We mentioned special gifts that helped fund the Wings of the Morning Ministry in Africa and the CUMAC ECHO program in Patterson, NJ (an extensive food pantry, clothing and aid ministry). Because of these gifts and others made throughout the world-wide United Methodist Church, Wings of the Morning now has a new airplane that will greatly expand their medical ministry. We also let you know that although the monthly receipts were less than our expenses for the first four months of the year, we were blessed to have some surplus funds that we were able to use to offset this deficit.

However this year our congregational support for the first four months has decreased from $47,841.00 to $40,290.01. In the first four months of 2013 we were blessed with special gifts of $2,250. This year our cash balance has gone from $10,685.55 to a negative $11,322.52, which we borrowed from our designated funds.

As summer is soon approaching and revenues usually decrease, your assistance is requested to meet this need and improve our financial condition. Please prayerfully consider how you may help the church. Thank you for any help you can give.

The Finance Committee

Check out the Family Fun bulletin board for more exciting upcoming events. There is a spot on the bulletin board (in the Narthex) for notable event fliers.

These events are not being organized by Family Fun but they may be of interest to you and your family.

PAGE 6

Christmas in July This year’s ‘Kick-off’ for Operation Christmas Child will take place on Sunday, July 21. A display of shoeboxes wrapped in festive Christmas paper will be available for you to ‘adopt’ in the Sunroom that day and throughout the summer.

Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child. It is a mission project that everyone can participate in. Bring the gift-filled shoebox back to church on Sunday, November 17th or drop it off ahead of time and place it on the display table in the Sunroom.

Special treats will be available to celebrate this Kick-off during Fellowship Time.

Fall Mission Projects Will Kick-off This Summer!

PAGE 7

Harvest Time Kick-Off

On Sunday, August 18 we will be having a Harvest Time kick-off for our food collection for HomeFront’s Thanksgiving Baskets. A display of Harvest bags will hold the items we would like to collect for each basket. Last year we were able to give HomeFront 5 completed baskets. Let’s try for 6 this year! Special treats will be available to celebrate this kick-off during Fellowship Time.

Scholarship Pasta Buffet Fundraiser

April 20

PAGE 8

Results from the Pasta Dinner

Served 96 guests plus workers Receipts $1,532.00 Expenses 247.67 Sent to Scholarship Fund $1073.67

Results from last year’s dinner

Served 131 guests plus workers Receipts $1,532.00 Expenses 185.99 $1346.01 Donations to Scholarship Fund 2100.00 Sent to Scholarship Fund $3446.01

PAGE 9

Prayer shawl ministry touches people with love

The United Methodist Women of HUMC continue their outreach of Christ's love through their prayer shawl

ministry. And we're seeing results!

We heard from Shirley Garrison about how it impacted her. She wrote the below to let us know how

meaningful her prayer shawl was to her.

"When our UMW decided to do a prayer shawl ministry, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be

the recipient of one. Due to a fall of Oct. 1, 2012 I was in the hospital for a month. During that time, our UMW

president, Pat Grant, brought me a beautiful shawl that was crocheted by my own granddaughter. A beautiful

prayer came with the shawl.

The nurses and visitors all commented on how beautiful it was and asked where it come from. I then would

show them the Hopewell United Methodist Church label and the beautiful little cross that was sewn in one

corner. The shawl kept me warm in body and in spirit. I was wrapped in it my entire hospital stay, and those

who asked received a message of our ministry."

Our brother in Christ, Barry Davison, also received a shawl from his own congregation in Delaware during a

medical issue with his back. He wrote to describe how the shawl touched him.

"I found the gift of the shawl a wonderful outreach to me when I was in pain and recovery. The shawl

represented the gift of love and caring of Christ through the members of my church family.

God shows his love in many ways and one way is the caring for others around us. That shawl says, "We care

and we will comfort you". The making of a Shawl is a lot of work and it bestows a blessing not only on the

receiver, but also the giver."

Shirley also wrote about giving shawls to others. She said:

"I found out just how good it feels to give someone a shawl, when recently Phyllis Schanck and I took one to

Betty Okerson at Foothills nursing home. She was cold and Phyllis told her- “We have just what you need” and

wrapped her in the shawl. Betty was thrilled. It was just a little thing, but the prayer shawl ministry reminds us

of God’s continuous love through all of life’s adversities."

The UMW has created about a dozen shawls so far and distributed half of those. We plan to send some to our

sister church in Belmar, NJ to help those who are recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

If you would like to contribute to the project, either through donations or creation of prayer shawls, or if you

know of someone who needs a shawl, please see Pat Grant.

We honor the memory this day of those who gave their lives for our country and keep their families and friends in our prayers.

Let us also remember and give thanks to God for the One who laid down His life for us on the cross so that our death in Him might truly be a blessed death.

The psalmist wrote, “In the Lord I take refuge.” Psalm 11:1

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May 27, 2013

Hopewell Memorial Day Parade

Sunday, May 26th

1:00 pm