March 2016 Volume 7, Issue 3

Dyer United Methodist Church

2016 Church Street Dyer, IN 46311 219.865.8947

engaging the community with unconditional love

Inside this Edition: Lent 2016 Sermon Series, Pray for our Missionaries, Engaging in our Community Opportunities, News from the Wellness Ministry, Easter Breakfast sponsored by

the UMM, Pictures from the Chili Cook Off and of the Team who went to Israel, etc...

I want to talk about the road to the cross. I want to talk about the road Jesus walked

to the cross. And I want to talk about the road we walk to the cross. Our sanctuary this Lenten Season includes an old rugged cross at the top of what appears to be a hill. I see that hill representing the hill called Calvary; the hill Jesus climbed with His cross in tow. I see that hill as the hill Jesus was crucified on. I see that hill as the hill where Jesus sacrificed His life for

me, and for you, and for every other human being. We are using that “hill” during our worship services this Lenten Season to help our journey to Good Friday and ultimately Easter, be more meaningful. Each week we’re spending some time considering where we need

God’s help; where we need His forgiveness, what our wilderness looks like, what repentance feels like. We’re leaving our prayers, our confessions, our hopes, our apologies and all of the other things that hinder us from accepting Jesus and loving Jesus and giving our lives to Jesus, at the foot of that cross. I love the image of the hill leading up to the cross. Even more though...I love it that this year, on our way to Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we are lining that road with all of the things we need Jesus to help us with, all of the things we need His forgiveness for, all of the ways we need His guidance, His strength, His grace, His mercy. My prayer for all of us as we continue the journey, is that we will recognize the connection between the display we are building in the sanctuary, the dis-play that leads us to the cross...and the real life journey we are on in this life with Jesus at our side; the journey that takes us through mountains and valleys, ups and downs, good days and bad days, but that also leads to the cross where Jesus gave His life to make all things new. And I pray, as we approach Holy Week once again, that we will do so having prepared ourselves to make it personal; to make the cross Jesus died on be for us and to make the resurrection, the victory He claimed over death, be for us as well. How blessed are we to have such a Savior as He!

Easter Blessings, Pastor Jim

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March 6, 2016 More Than We Can Imagine

Luke 15:11-32

March 13, 2016 A New Thing John 12:1-8

PALM SUNDAY March 20, 2016

Let Us Praise Him Luke 19:28-40

EASTER SUNDAY March 27, 2016

The Gift of New Creation John 20:1-18

During the month of March we have three young people from our church going on mission trips. Please keep them in your prayers as they go out into the world to teach, help, and love. Rebecca Albright is traveling with the Kelley Institute for Social Impact group from IU. She will be going to Granada, Nicaragua to work with local businesses. She will be teaching them business skills to help their businesses become sustainable and improve the local economies. Rebecca will be traveling March 13-20, 2016. Jamie Clark is traveling with the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. She will be going to Hayesville, North Carolina to help those living in extreme poverty. She will be helping with poverty assistance, home repairs, and the firewood ministry. Jamie will be traveling March 12-20, 2016. Lucas Delahunty is traveling with Iliana Christian School. He will be going to Uganda to work with an orphanage. He will be building bathrooms and washing stations, working in the classrooms, and sharing our Father’s love with children who have no earthly parents. Lucas will be traveling March 23-April 3, 2016. God has moved in the lives of these three people and placed incredible opportunities in front of them; opportunities to teach skills, bring hope, improve health and, most of all, to share His love. Rebecca, Jamie, and Lucas - we pray for God’s blessings on you and the people you will help while on your trips.

We have a new

opportunity to engage

Kahler Middle School

with unconditional love!

The teachers would love

to have people help

them make copies. This can be done on any day at any time. Principal

Newton will give us a brief training and then you can just set up a time to

come that fits around your schedule. Committing to this one small act

can make a huge difference for the teachers.

For more information, please call the church office (865-8947).

Saturday, March 12 @ 10am Join us as we learn from one of Dyer UMC’s favorite baker’s and engage our community at the same time!

Gourmet Muffin Baking Class Make gourmet muffins to share with our postal workers

as a way to thank them for all they do while engaging them with unconditional love.

To sign up for the class, please contact our church office: 219-865-8947 or office@dyerumc.org

March 12 10:00am

Change Their Water,

Change Their World

Thank you to those who have filled

their water bottles with dimes!

*Each water bottle holds

approximately $40 worth of

dimes.

*Last trip we collected over

$1000 in dimes!

*We will be collecting the

dimes until June 1, 2016.

The money raised will help support the clean

water programs as well as support the 2016

Mission Guatemala Team’s project fees.

Food Pantry Needs:

□ Large Cans of Soup or Chili □ Ravioli or Sloppy Joe □ Hamburger Helper □ Spaghetti Sauce □ Pasta or Rice □ Breakfast Items

Thank you for your continued support!

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“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…” Matt. 25:35

We have 6 opportunities every month to fulfill these words of Jesus!

First Monday

Food Pantry (Dyer UMC) 9-10:30a Contact: Dave Koester (219)865-1801

First Wednesday

The Night Ministry (Chicago) 5:30-9:30p Contact: Diane Meyer (219)840-0335

Second Saturday

The Crib (Chicago) 6:30-9a Contact: Charlotte Lane (219)381-0682

Third Monday

Community Breakfast (Dyer UMC) 8:30-10:30a Contact: Jackie McBee (219)865-9599

Third Monday

Food Pantry (Dyer UMC) 9-10:30a Contact: Dave Koester (219)865-1801

Fourth Thursday

Rescue Mission Meal (Hammond) 5-8p Contact: Melissa Cornett (219)682-4543

Servants are needed for all six opportunities. If you are passionate

about feeding the hungry, please contact the person listed.

More Mission Opportunities...

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News from the Wellness Ministry

From Johnny and Janice Tazbir

March is National Nutrition Month and part of lent.

Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days, surely you

can give up one dietary bad habit. MyPlate (see the

picture below) is a reminder to find your healthy eating

style and build it throughout your lifetime. Everything

you eat and drink matters. The right mix can help you

be healthier now and in the future.

All food and beverage choices matter – focus on variety, amount, and nutrition. Focus on making healthy

food and beverage choices from all five food groups including fruits, vegetables, grains, protein

foods, and dairy to get the nutrients you need.Eat the right amount of calories for you based on your

age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity level. Building a healthier eating style can help you

avoid overweight and obesity and reduce your risk of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and

cancer.Choose an eating style low in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Make small changes to

create a healthier eating style.

Eat less of these foods: whole milk and other full-fat dairy foods, red meat, processed meats, highly refined and

processed grains and sugars, and sugary drinks.

Eat more of these foods: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and seafood, vegetable oils, beans, nuts, and

seeds. Make half

your plate fruits

and vegetables. Focus on

whole fruits. Vary your

veggies. Make half

your grains

whole grains. Move to low-fat and

fat-free dairy. Vary your

protein routine. Eat and

drink the right

amount for you.

source: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

DYER UNITED

METHODIST

Sunday, March 27th 8 a.m. or after Church

$6.00 per person/$22.00 per family

Assorted Egg Casseroles, Hash Brown

Casserole, Biscuits & Gravy, Fruit, Coffee Cake,

Donuts, Juices, Coffee & Milk

Join us for fun in the Fellowship Hall!

Come Celebrate with your Church Family!

Proceeds will Benefit our Church Missions!

During lent we are offering an alternative worship service on Wednesday nights.

It is an opportunity to reflect on Sunday’s sermon, be in communion with each

other, share a meal, and pray for each other.

When the early church met, it wasn’t in beautiful sanctuaries. It was in common

rooms around a table. In Acts 2:42 scripture tells us that they “devoted

themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of

bread and to prayer.” That’s dinner church!

This service is for you to invite new friends, to come to if you can’t make it to

Sunday Worship, or if you went to Sunday’s worship and you just want to reflect

more on the topic through the communion and conversation with your

neighbors around the table.

Join us every Wednesday.

Arrive anytime between 5:15—6:00pm to help prepare.

Dinner church begins at 6:00pm.

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Lucas needs your help!

He is collecting soccer balls

and school supplies to share

with the kids at the

orphanage in Uganda.

There is a container in the lobby to collect

these items. The last day to bring them in is

March 20th.

Dear Church Family, Thank you for your generous “love offering” gift! We are truly blessed to be part of this wonderful Congregation. Thanks again!

The Dyer UMC Staff ♥

Please email or send any information for the newsletter by the 15th

of each month to: office@dyerumc.org.

The Chili Cook-Off and Trivia Game was a huge success. We raised over $300 for our History Room. Thank you to everyone who entered their chili into the contest. Congratulations to the winners: Megan Clark, Tom Lane and Vicki Polyak!

Pictures from the team who went to Israel during February 2-11, 2016. You can learn about their

adventures and view more pictures on Facebook

The Sea of Galilee

The Holy Land Classic Team Front Row: Pat Beisner Carol Ondra, Lavonne Conner, Dave Koester, David Miller. Back Row: Pastor Jim, Donna Cerasoli, Jeanette Lesich

Bishop Michael Coyner and his spouse