Somerset UMC Newsletter - The MessengerMarch 2020

Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev Karen K Walters

Somerset UMC137-41 East Main Street ~ POB 237Somerset, Ohio 43783740.743.1029email – Somerset UnitedMethodistChurch@gmail.comwebsite – SomersetUMC.org

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Faith GrowsIt is popular today to talk about

speaking one’s truth. To speak one’struth is to tell one’s story. Christfollowers are encouraged to examineand share their faith journeys. Callingit a journey implies faith is not staticbut dynamic. Faith grows anddevelops as life happens. Dr. James Fowler’s classic book, Stages ofFaith, provides a platform to measure and examine our faith journey.Fowler and other writers affirm we mature in faith just as onematures emotionally and psychologically.

Jesus continually encouraged his followers to take discipleshipto the next level, to explore and live in deeper and higher expressionsof being children of God. The words of Jesus call across the centuriesurging today’s disciples to grow in faith. We remember Jesus saying,“the one without sin should cast the first stone.” And he said, “Do notforgive 7 times, but 7 x 70. Living fully into the teachings of Jesusrequires mature faith.

Some of us are quite content to remain in the comfortable realmof church socials, fellowship meals, and low commitment groups.Those are comfortable but do they push us to grow?

Five areas of focus help to deepen faith. First is the understandingand articulation of current self-identity. We change over time, so weask, who am I today? Basic to Christian identity is the realization ofbeing God’s child. God is very creative; therefore, each person isunique; blessed with particular personality, spiritual gifts, skill setsand talents. Christian formation happens when our basicunderstanding of self integrates the truth of Psalm 139:14: I praiseyou, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are yourworks; my soul knows it very well. Personal life issues as well ashistorical events we experience factor in developing faith.

Secondly, it is important to examine our understanding of God.God is …. what, who, where, why, when…? How do we experienceGod? Are we expecting a bolt of lightning or a still small voice?

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A third area of focus for growing deeper faith is figuring outwhere God and Self meet and/or are joined.

Also, living in holy community is important for faithdevelopment. We need to be connected and in relationship with otherpersons on the journey. Prayer, challenge, accountability, and supportemerge from living in holy community with others. It is one of thebest expressions of church.

Finally, one who experiences a maturing faith will embrace theworld with God’s love. The words of Jesus, “when you did it to oneof the least of these, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40) will be away of life.

So analyze your faith journey. Are you growing? Are you exactlywhere you were when you came to faith? What do you need to do totake the next step?

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Daylight SavingsDaylight Saving Time is a bizarre

moment when we change the clocks andconfuse everybody. Somehow this givesus more daylight to work with, but fewpeople can explain how or why (or if) it works.

But it's coming. We'll spring ahead on March 8 and everyone willlose an hour of sleep — and potentially show up to church an hourlate. Remember to set them forward on Saturday, March 7!

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Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee. Trust Him when theystrength is small. Trust Him when to simply trust seems the hardestthing of all. [

Food Pantry NeedsThis month, the greatest needs in the food pantry are shampoo

and conditioner, liquid soap (hand and/or body), dish detergent andlaundry detergent. You can always bring in non-perishable food

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items. Toilet paper, feminine productsare also always in short supply.Remember we support kids who need itwith food for the weekend so any kid-friendly, easy to cook or non-cook items

are welcome – individual applesauce or fruit cups, pudding cups,microwave mac/cheese are some examples.

Please support our food pantry.[

Does God seem far away? Who do you think moved?[

Annual ConferenceEvery year the Foothills District invites any lay person who

wants to attend Annual Conference as a voting member to do so inan at-large capacity.

Somerset UMC also has an opening for a lay member of annualconference. The difficult part: there is no financial remunerationavailable. One must travel to Lakeside (near Port Clinton) and spenda few days in a house or hotel.

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Community Lenten Services March 1 Pastor Rushmeyer at Hopewell UMCMarch 8 Pastor Queen at Olivet Church of the BrethrenMarch 15 Pastor Edwards at SUMC (Soup Supper 4:30-6:30)March 22 Father Carmody at St. Paul’sMarch 29 Rev. Walters at Good HopeApril 5 Pastor Hansen at Holy Trinity

All services start at 7 p.m.

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For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God forsalvation to everyone who has faith Romans 1:16

[Sewing Day Katherine Reichley

Debi Strohl had the vision of a sewing group that would gatherat the church once a month to work onprojects to give away to those in need. Atthe end of February we donated nine burpclothes, seven blankets, and 37 bibs to HelpMe Grow in New Lexington. We received agift of flannel fabric this month so we can make more blankets, andwe also have supplies to make more pillow case dresses. The groupmeets the second Saturday of the month from 9 am to 12 noon. Thenext meeting is March 14. Please join us for all or part of the time. Bring a sewing machine if you have one. Scissors, thread, yardsticks, and other items are welcome. There are always a few peoplewho are cutting and preparing materials so no sewing experience isrequired. We would love to have you join us and feel free to bringa friend. We have community members participate on a regularbasis. There is plenty of work to do and plenty of people in ourcommunity and around the world to help.

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Yesterday...He loves me! Today...He’s just the same! How longwill this continue? Forever...Praise His ?Name!

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Please Pray...Junction City’s Good Shepherd UMC,

which stood near the intersection of Walnut andMulberry Streets in Junction City, is one of theoldest buildings in the village. It recentlyburned. Since 1875, the church has providedregular services for members of this small PerryCounty village. Please keep the congregation in your prayers as theyface many difficult decisions. [

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Food for ThoughtWe don't make friends by talking. We make friends by listening.

"Many people listen with the intent to respond, not tounderstand." Stephen R. Covey.

A couple of hunters are out in the woods when one of them fallsto the ground. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes arerolled back in his head.

The other hunter starts to panic, then whips out his cell phone andcalls 911. He frantically blurts out to the operator, “My friend Bubbais dead! What can I do?”

The operator, trying to calm him down says, “Take it easy. I canhelp. Just listen to me and follow my instructions. First, let’s makesure he’s dead.”

There’s a short pause, and then the operator hears a loud gunshot!The hunter comes back on the line and says, “OK, now what?”

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Ohio Primary ElectionThe Ohio Presidential Primary Election is

coming up on Tuesday, March 17. Please vote andvote your Christian values. To accommodatevoting, Sheridan schools will be closed that day.

Ohio holds open presidential primary elections,which means all voters, regardless of party, can

participate. On Election Day, you may choose one party’s primaryballot. This decision is private and does notregister you with that party. An unaffiliatedvoter may vote the Official Questions & IssuesBallot if there is one for your precinct.

If you are unable to vote in person onElection Day, you may want to request anabsentee ballot in order to vote by mail. Ohioallows any registered voter to request anabsentee ballot.

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Specific Ways to Pray for Your Pastor by Thom Rainer

We all need prayer. We all need to pray. Pastors specifically needprayer. The Enemy will do whatever he can todestroy the ministry of your pastor. Will youconsider praying for your pastor in these specificareas?L Pray for wisdom for your pastor. Theseleaders are often confronted with incrediblychallenging situations and decisions. They needGod’s wisdom to continue to be the leader of thechurch God has called them to be.L Pray for your pastor’s protection. Yourpastor will be attacked in so many different ways. Your pastor willbe tempted again and again. The Enemy seeks to destroy. The Enemywants your pastor’s ministry destroyed.L Pray for your pastor to withstand the critics and bullies. Someof the critics and bullies are overt and aggressive. Others are passiveaggressive. All are painful. And every pastor has them.L Pray against discouragement from comparison. Before this weekis over, a church member will likely tell your pastor to listen to apodcast by another pastor “to learn how to really preach” (actualwords spoken to a pastor). Other pastors will hear numerouscomments about another "great" church in the community. Themessage is real and painful: You don’t measure up, pastor.L Pray against discouragement from members leaving. It’s hardfor your pastor not to take it personally. It’s really hard when peopleask why the pastor “let” someone leave.L Pray against discouragement from decline. Two out of threecongregations in North America are declining. That is a painfulreality for your pastor. That is a discouraging reality for your pastor.

L Pray against discouragement from disunity. “Iwish I had every minute back I had to spendrefereeing church members.” Those are the actualwords of a pastor. The Enemy loves it whenchurch members fight one another.

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L Pray for discernment for “yes” and “no.” Pastors are pulled ina multitude of directions. They are expected to be in many meetings,many social events, and many pastoral situations. They are reallyexpected to be omnipresent. Pray they will be able to say “no” moreoften. Pray for their families who often get the scanty leftovers of thepastor’s time.L Pray for financial pressures. Many pastors are underpaid. Theystruggle day by day with financial challenges. Actual quote from adeacon: “I like for our pastor to be underpaid. It keeps him humbleand dependent on God.” That deacon is enjoying a life of leisurefrom inherited wealth.

L Pray for gospel opportunities. Pastorsare energized when they have theopportunity to share the gospel.Unfortunately, many of them are too busyto take time to do so. The demands of thechurch are just too great. These pastorslive lives of inverted priorities and

frustrating days. Do we really want healthy churches? Do we really want to defeat

the Enemy in these battles?Pray for your pastor.Start today. Take five minutes of each day to pray for your

pastor. It may be the greatest contribution you can make to yourchurch.

[Save the Date

On April 3, 6:00-7:30pm, we’ll gather to paintflower pots, fill them with some flowers. This is anevent that’s happened the last couple of years. Thepots can be used as invitations to our Easter/Holy Week services.This is for folks of all ages - kids too!

[If you put a small value upon yourself, rest assured the world will notraise your price. [

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Kroger Plus CardThe Kroger Plus Card you have probably had for years will not

only give you discounts on food and gasoline purchases but can alsogive a cash reward to the First UMC of up to 5% of your purchasesand it costs you nothing.

All you have to do is register your Kroger Plus card withSomerset UMC. It's simple and takes just a few minutes. Please note:this must be renewed each year during April.

Somerset UMC's number is RF232. Now each time you swipe your card, Somerset UMC will receive

a donation. Some churches have raised as much as $10,000/yearthrough this program so thank you for supporting your church in thisway!

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Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’dhave preferred to talk. - Doug Larson

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Evangelism GoalEveryone at SUMC is challenged to pray for at least one

unchurched person for at least one minute every day at 1:00 pm. Ifyou cannot possibly pray for one minute at 1:00 pm, you may wantto choose another time. The important thing is to pray!

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Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? Corrie Ten Boom

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ChoirThe choir practices Wednesday evenings @

6:30 to prepare for Sunday mornings. We’d love tohave you join us!

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I do not at all understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets uswhere we are but does not leave us where it found us. -Anne Lamott

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St Patrick’s DayMarch 17th is St Patrick’s Day. Wear some green!

Maybe even dance a jig!St Patrick went to Ireland to bring them Christ.

And he did! By the time he died (on March 17, 461)70% of Ireland was Christian. He did it by creatingcommunities where the Christian faith was lived.Truly lived. People found it so very attractive, theycame and asked how they too could know this life-changing, transforming God. When Patrick was calledby God to go to Ireland, it was ruled by Druids who practiced humansacrifice. While there was danger at coming to a land to show theman entirely new way of living, Patrick said Yes to God and went toIreland. And that’s why we celebrate Patrick to this day.

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My personal joy is not someone else’s responsibility; it is myresponsibility Joyce Meyer

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The First Day of Spring is March 19.Believing there will be a few folks celebratingthe arrival of spring (and the end of winter!).Enjoy your last days of winter and especiallycelebrate the start of spring!

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If man is man and God is God, to live without prayer is not merely anawful thing: it is an infinitely foolish thing. - Phillips Brooks

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Lenten StudyThe church is gathering on Sunday

mornings at 9:00am to discuss thefoundations of the faith: how do we becomedisciples? How do we grow closer to Christeach day? Come a few minutes before 9:00 to grab a cup of coffeeand join us in the Narthex. This study assumes no knowledge andgets us all on the right path for our Christian (and Lenten!) Journey.

[We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of workis the same. - Carlos Castaneda

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World Day of Prayer is March 1 – spend a fewextra minutes praying that day.

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Here is a test to find whether your mission on earthis finished: If you're alive, it isn't. - Richard Bach

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Help the PastorAs you probably know, the Ohio Legislature

passed a bill a few years ago, prohibitinghospitals from providing lists of patients toanyone (including pastors). They no longer call apastor when you are admitted to the hospital. Ifyou’re admitted to the hospital, please have afamily member call the pastor (in most cases, a chaplain will call foryou too). There is no other way for the pastor to know you are in thehospital, unless you call. It is helpful as well to let the pastor knowwhen you’re released - a trip to a hospital following your releasetakes time away from helping someone else.

[Before we can see the cross as something done for us, we have to seeit has something done by us. –John Stott

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