the gathering april 2012
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Goshen First UMC Monthly NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
PASTORS’ PEN
“God is Good, All the time!”…“All the time, God is Good!” There is always in our God a hope that “does not
disappoint us!”
On the southern tip of Africa there is the Cape of Good Hope. It is a few miles west of the actual dividing point
between the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans and it is here that the warm waters of the Agulhas currents meet the
cold waters of the Benguela currents. The meeting of these currents causes great and violent waves and storms to
occur that makes navigating and sailing in these waters very difficult and fearful to travelers. In fact for many
years because of this, voyagers would not go beyond this point because of the fear of what was beyond…and no
one knew what that would be. Fear of the unknown and of the violence of the passageway caused the ancient
world to call the area the “Cape of Storms.” It is amazing how the fear of the unknown and the storms of life can
paralyze us, or even cause us to be fearful of what lies ahead in life’s many situations and in eternity itself.
But then in 1488 a Portuguese explorer by the name of Bartolomeu Dias rounded the cape successfully, and then
later on in the 16th century Vasco De Gama sailed around the cape and beyond the fear and storms of the raging
waters to the shores of India and beyond. From that time on the name of the cape changed to “The Cape of Good
Hope” for they discovered that good things do lay ahead always to those who trust. Their hope would not disap-
point them!
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me
though he die yet shall he live.” Jesus has risen from the dead…He
lives! He has passed through and beyond the storms of all of life’s
fears and miseries and announced to those who believe, “There is
Hope to all who believe upon me!” Easter is the celebration of life
and hope, it is the assurance that… “All the time, God is good!”
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is
gone, because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living
just because He lives!”
Storms are inevitable—it’s not if they will come, but when they
come in our lives. But as Easter Christians, we can daily have the
blessed assurance that our hope in the promises of God will not dis-
appoint us ever! For greater is our God than any storm or disaster of
life in this world that we must travel through. “Though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou
art with me.”
Jesus Christ is our Hope, Always! Happy Easter today and every
day!
Pastor Ed
April 2012
The Gathering
COMING EVENTS
EASTER EGG HUNT We will have our second annual
Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April
7, at 2:00 p.m. at the Life Center.
All children, ages preschool to 5th
grade, may participate. Adults are
needed to help with sign-ins, set-
up, and clean-up. Contact Aimee
Brinson, 343-4770, if you can help.
Come and join the fun!
RUMMAGE SALE Our spring Rummage Sale will
soon be here so it is time to clean
out your closets, basement, and ga-
rage. The dates are April 13, from
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and April 14,
from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. You may
bring your items to the south end of
the gym on April 9, 10, and 11.
We needs lots of help, especially
on Thursday, April 12, to set up,
and on Saturday, April 14, to tear
down. Contact Patty Krebs, 612-
2048, if you can help.
PRIMETIMERS On Thursday, April 19, the
Primetimers will visit an Amish
chair factory near Howe, and then
have lunch at Ester Hostetler’s
Amish farm. The meal will in-
clude chicken and beef with all
the trimmings, and pie for dessert.
The cost is $16 per person, and
your money must be given to
Wilbur Hostetler by April 9.
The bus will pick up at Green-
croft at 10:00 a.m. and we will
leave the church at 10:30 a.m.
We expect to return around 3:00
p.m. If you have questions,
please call Bob Morris at 534-
2791.
SPAGHETTI LUNCH The youth will be having a fund-
raiser meal for everyone on Sun-
day, April 22. They will serve spa-
ghetti and salad. There is no
charge, but donations are welcome!
Serving will begin at 11:30 a.m. at
the downtown campus, and at
12:00 noon at the Life Center.
Come and enjoy a good lunch and
support our youth group! All pro-
ceeds will go toward the youth
summer mission trip to Cleveland,
Ohio, on June 10-16, 2012.
BASHOR CHIL-
DREN’S HOME The Bashor Children’s Home Aux-
iliary will meet on Monday, April
9, in the school cafeteria at Bashor
Home on CR 15 in Goshen. Cof-
fee time, with refreshments, will be
served by St. Mark’s UMC at 9:15
a.m. The 9:30 a.m. program will
be given by Marc Roth, from Holy
Cross. Everyone is invited to at-
tend.
MAUNDY THURS-
DAY SERVICE We will be having a Maundy
Thursday service and communion
on April 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Downtown sanctuary. Everyone
is welcome. If you would like the
church bus to pick you up, please
call the church office, 533-9518.
MOVIE NIGHT We will have a free movie night
at the Life Center on Sunday,
April 15, at 4:00 p.m. The movie
we will be showing is “How to
Train Your Dragon.” Everyone is
welcome!
Spring is in the air. Changes are happen-
ing everywhere! The grass is starting to
get green. The trees are starting to bud.
The flowers are starting to bloom. The
changes that take place when the dor-
mant comes to life with the dawning of a
new season has arrived. This reminds
me of the changes that are going to be
taking place in the life of the church and
in the life of my family over the next
few months.
In fact, many changes are going to be taking place in the life of the Karnes' family over the next couple of
months. We have a daughter who will be graduating from high school (there is no way I am that old). We have an
exchange student who has been with us for most of a year and has become part of our family who will be return-
ing home to Germany in June. We are preparing for the move to Columbus Indiana, which means that we have to
find a house to live in. We will be making the transition from Youth Ministry to working with adults. There are
just a lot of changes happening.
I do have to let you, my church family, know that I have truly enjoyed my time in ministry here at Goshen First
UMC and the Life Center. This has been a wonderful time of my life, and it has helped me to grow as a pastor
and as a person.
I have made many good friends along the way, friends that I will miss very much when I am gone.
Yet I have to let you know that I am excited about the new opportunities that God has given me. This is why I
want to leave you with this ... My prayer for you!
I pray that you continue to do ministry in a way that glorifies God by holding true to His Word and being about
His Kingdom ... You all do a good job of that and don't ever let that change.
I pray that you continue to reach the lost and change lives with a giving heart ... I love the heart for missions, both
locally and other places, that this church has.
I pray that you continue to build up children, youth and families ... no one else in the world is doing it ... It's up to
the church to make sure it happens.
I pray that you continue to do the things that make you the church that God has called you to be.
Thanks again for allowing me to partner with you in ministry for the past five years. I know that it will be both a
sad and joyous day when the moving truck shows up on June 5th to take us to our new home.
God Bless, Jeff Karnes
(over)
LYNDON SCHOLAR-
SHIP FUND The Dick Lyndon Scholarship
Fund was established with the goal
of providing matching grants to
undergraduate students attending
Christian colleges. This is a won-
derful way the church can help our
own college students attend the
school of their choice, and the
grant money is essentially doubled
as the school matches the church’s
gift. We are currently supporting
four students with these grants and
more are expected next fall.
We would like to continue this
program, but the Lyndon Fund is
in need of more funds. If you
would be interested and able to
contribute to this fund, contribu-
tions may be made in any amount,
by anyone, and at any time through
the year. The Foundation Scholar-
ship Committee determines how
grants are awarded. Gifts or me-
morials may be sent to the church
office or placed in the offering,
with a notation designating it for
the Lyndon Scholarship Fund.
Thank You!
SPECIAL MUSICAL PROGRAM Although the resurrection is the focal point of our faith, it was-
n’t the end of our story. After the resurrection, Jesus gathered
his disciples together before He ascended into heaven and told
them to go into all the world and share His message.
On Sunday, April 29 we will celebrate that mandate and re-
commit ourselves to the glorious task of partnering with God
to bring His message of hope to a lost and hurting world. This
dynamic musical will be presented by choir, orchestra, and
soloists and will feature some video footage of ways that our
congregation has and continues to touch the world around us
with His love. We are still looking for photos, and video clips
of mission trips and outreach events. If you have some we
could use, please contact Pastor Steve at stevecam-
Don’t miss this powerful worship experience – Sunday, April
29 at 9:00 a.m. at the Downtown Campus.
OPEN GYM Beginning on April 2nd, the
church will be offering open gym
basketball at the Life Center. If
you are at least 16 years old,
please join us for fun and fellow-
ship with others from the church
and community. Please invite
your friends. The schedule will
be every Monday evening from
7:00-9:00 p.m. and every Tues-
day from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
We will begin our time with
prayer and follow that with two
hours of basketball. You may
come and go as you please.
Hope to see you there!
C O N G R A T U L A -
TIONS, MATT!
Matt Smith, husband of Bobbi
Smith and son of Tom & Pam
Smith, enlisted in the U.S. Army
National Guard on September 15,
2011. On October 31, 2011, he
left for Fort Leonard Wood, Mis-
souri, to complete his Basic Com-
bat Training and Advanced Indi-
vidual Training. He graduated
from all of his training on March
23, 2012, and is now residing back
home in Goshen, where he will
continue with his civilian job at
R.S. Pest. His active duty training
with the National Guard will con-
tinue to take place one weekend
each month, as well as two weeks
throughout the year, with his unit
stationed in Ft. Wayne.
WELCOME—NEW MEMBERS We want to welcome the following people who will be received into membership on Easter Sunday.
Jeff and Barb Battles
Jeff and Barb Battles live at 66423 Prairie View Drive in Goshen. Jeff works at Goshen Plumbing and Heating and Barb
works at GDC, Inc. They have three grown children: Josh & Rachel Battles, Midwest City, Oklahoma, Nick Battles in
Goshen, and Cameron and Kara (Battles) Yoder and granddaughter, Quinn, in Goshen. Regarding hobbies, Jeff enjoys
fishing, bowling, and camping, and Barb enjoys baking, crocheting, and reading.
Aimee Brinson
Aimee Brinson and her husband, Tony, live at 1817 Amberwood Drive in Goshen. They have five children: Tyler, Payton,
A.J., Olivia, and Karlee. For hobbies, Aimee enjoys kids, singing, and leading fitness classes here at the church. Aimee is
Co-Director of Children’s Ministries here at the church, and Tony and Aimee help out with the youth group and leading
worship at the Life Center.
P.K. Carvajal
P.K. Carvajal lives at 913 S. 15th Street in Goshen. She has four sons: Anthony Gay in Florida, Adrian & Stephanie Gay in
Goshen, Adam Gay & Misty Rink in Goshen, and Joe Oliver in Goshen. She has one granddaughter, Ashlyn Gay in Ala-
bama, and another granddaughter is due in June. P.K. enjoys traveling, walking, gardening, photography, scrapbooking,
and going on mission trips.
Darren & Michelle Griffith
Darren and Michelle Griffith live at 305 Alexis Drive in Milford. They have a two-year old daughter, Vienna. Darren
works at Lakeside Chevrolet, and Michelle is an elementary schoolteacher at West Noble School in Ligonier. Darren’s
hobbies include cars, traveling, and working outdoors in the summertime. Michelle enjoys coaching softball, traveling, and
spending time with family.
Melody Hartman
Melody Hartman lives at 19208 Tarman Road in New Paris, and she has a daughter, Jessica. She works at KMC Controls.
Melody is a motorcycle enthusiast, and she also enjoys puzzles, reading, and fishing.
Eric & Hilda Johnson
Eric and Hilda Johnson live at 18122 Hedgewood Drive in Goshen. They have three adult children: William Ragsdale who
attends here, Melissa who lives in Elkhart, and Michael who lives in Indianapolis. Eric and Hilda have their own busi-
ness—Johnson’s Lawn Maintenance, which includes lawn mowing and landscaping. Eric’s hobbies include fishing and
hunting, and Hilda enjoys reading and painting.
William Ragsdale
William Ragsdale lives at 16389 County Road 40 in Goshen. He has three children: Ashley, Jessica, and Nick. He works
at KMC Controls. William is a motorcycle enthusiast, and he also enjoys raising chickens, and fishing.
Shirley Showalter
Shirley Showalter lives at 1410 Winsted Drive in Goshen. Shirley has one son and three daughters: Jeff & Paula Showalter
who attend here, Pamela & Lee Barker from Elkhart, Patricia Kaska from Mishawaka, and Paula Stanage from Elkhart.
Shirley has five grandsons: Cory Showalter, Timothy Showalter, Broc Stanage, Jon Showalter, and Tyler Stanage, and three
great-grandchildren: Eli, Evan, and Bryn Showalter. For hobbies, Shirley enjoys playing bridge, cooking, reading, and en-
tertaining.
Lawrence (Larry) & Julie Springer
Larry and Julie Springer live at 424 East Jefferson Street, Apt. 5, in Goshen. They have three children: Marlanna, Marc,
and Garrette. Marc is a senior at Goshen High School and Garrette attends the Goshen Middle School. Larry is a student at
Ivy Tech in South Bend, and Julie works at Foamcraft in Goshen. For hobbies, Larry enjoys fishing, church activities, and
spending time with family. Julie enjoys art, singing, and crafts.
Jeffrey Yoder
Jeff Yoder lives at 18889 East Fourth Street in New Paris. He works at Trans-Art Manufacturing Company in the Automo-
tive Air Conditioning department. His hobbies include fishing, race, baseball, and football.
Ixiamas, Bolivia: An update from Mateo and Rachel Parsons Tenorio
Greetings from Bolivia! Thanks so much for your support and prayers for our project in Ixiamas, Bolivia. We
are going through some more changes this year, but are encouraged and always seeking God’s will.
It is rice harvest time again! Farmers spend most of their days from mid-February to April in their fields picking
rice by hand. From experience I have learned that it is a long and arduous process; it is a lot of work just to get
one plate of rice! We usually plant 3-4 acres of rice which goes towards the self sustainability part of our project.
RACHEL PICKING RICE
Once the rice harvest is done, most farm-
ers take a little break from their fields and
come to live in town looking for random
jobs. Starting in May, we hope to take
advantage of their spare time to offer them
educational opportunities in sustainable
agriculture. We are coordinating with a
Bolivian university (Universidad Mayor
San Andres) to offer short term trainings
to the local farmers on such topics as: low
cost irrigation systems, control of leaf cut-
ter ants, soil fertility, proper use of pesti-
cides, controlled burning and raising
chickens and pigs.
JESUS MASHING UP HOT PEPPERS TO MAKE AN
ORGANIC INSECTICIDE
(over)
The social status of Ixiamas is rapidly changing. There is now night school for adults to get their high school de-
grees, and more and more people are interested in advanced studies. A few graduates each year have enough
money to go study in La Paz, but the majority of these few students soon come back to Ixiamas without finishing
their studies. They are either too lonely in a big, cold city that they are not used to; or they run out of money. It’s
just a real challenge for anyone to get any advanced degrees and thus improve their lives and chances of getting a
good job.
In one of our recent meetings with the townsfolk, we saw that apart from agriculture and veterinarian, many
young women want to study to be secretaries. There is a need for good secretaries in Ixiamas, and this education
will give these ladies a great advantage in getting a job. We are coordinating with a well known technical school
in La Paz to give secretarial classes (and in the future others) in Ixiamas. We are also helping the ladies with
their cooking classes; Rachel has taught the baking portion since 2010.
Apart from our work with the adults, we also are starting Saturday afternoon activities with children following
the Spanish version of “AWANA”. We hope to bring spiritual development to the children of Ixiamas and help
them learn the basics of Christianity. This program will also include crafts and other activities that will bring a
positive diversion to their lives.
Please keep us in your prayers as we coordinate with the people of Ixiamas and the university and technical
school to offer training courses this year. This is a new project for us; we have many expectations but also many
unknowns. We hope to start a scholarship program for the training courses, and also the children in the AWANA
program. Please stay attentive to see how you can help and connect with the people we are serving in Ixiamas.
As always, we strive to serve the Lord the best we can, but there are often many unexpected obstacles here in Bo-
livia. I have learned a lot this past year and to just “let go and let God”. A great lesson for anyone! Your prayers
are greatly appreciated. Keep it up! -Mateo & Rachel Parsons Tenorio
DELFINE PRESENTING HER FINAL PROJECT,
CHICKEN “FRICASE”
MATEO LEADING ACTIVITIES WITH SOME CHILDREN
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No.136
Goshen, IN
First United Methodist Church
214 S. Fifth Street
Goshen, IN 46528
Phone: 533-9518
www.goshenfirstumc.org
www.goshenlifecenter.org
Address Service Requested
THANK YOU!!
“You’re so good at making people
feel better—you know just what to
say and how to say it. Thank you
for your thoughts and prayers. The
Lord bless and keep you (Num
6:24).” -David & Kim Stark
“A big thanks to Harvey Hansen
for the great TGIW meals he deliv-
ered while my Harv was at the Ma-
ples. Also, thanks for such an en-
joyable visit with Harv at the hos-
pital from Pastor Ed.”
-Bonnie Elder
COMMUNION Pastors Ed and Brenda and Pam
Kling will be serving communion
at the following places:
Tuesday, April 3, at 1:30 p.m., at
Waterford Crossing.
Monday, April 9, at 1:30 p.m. at
Evergreen Place.
Monday, April 9, at 3:00 p.m. at
Greencroft Healthcare.
If anyone desires to have com-
munion brought to your home,
please call the church office, 533-
9518, and we will schedule a
time.
CALLING ARTISTS! All you artists out there--this is
your time to shine! Coming soon
to services, we will be doing a se-
ries called, “The Art of Living for
Christ.” During this series, we are
in need of all the artists out there to
show us what they can do! What
type of art, you may ask? Folk art,
visual arts, crafts, performing arts,
pottery, culinary arts, painting,
YOU NAME IT! We would love
to have examples of your artwork
to display at both campuses
throughout this series, as well as
have people who are interested in
potentially helping DURING ser-
vices! Interested or have a special
art to share? Contact Steve Cam-
pagna through e-mail at stevecam-
[email protected]. Thank you so much for all that you
do!
April 1
Marcia Parsons
Pat Robbins
April 2
Nancy Lantz
Shelley Tucker
Jeremy Stutsman
Hayden Bailey
April 3
Dale Showalter
Sara Showalter
April 4
Eric Brown
P.K. Carvajal
April 6
Laura Miller
David Hodges
Nell Hoogenboom
April 7
Sharon Anglemyer
April 8
Wesley Meier
Mackenzie Kyle
John Cornell
April 9
Tony Krebs
Jeanette Salisbury
Tom Snobarger
April 10
Katheryn Giddens
Michael Cork
Stephen Skelton
Rebecka Franklin
April 11
Patricia McKinney
April 12
Kris Kaericher
Al Lane
April 14
Thomas Perrin
Beatrice Briggs
Gage Wiles
April 15
Barb Allyn
Kenda Shorthouse
Marilyn Wallace
Brock Blankenbaker
Zoey Williams
April 16
Marjorie Zollinger
Joni Miller
April 17
Melissa Fowler
Kim Sheets
April 18
Tim Yoder
Morgan Fetters
April 20
Randy Fackelman
Cassidy Trammell
April 21
Diane Bachman
Nolan Miller
April 22
Brodie Bender
Lisa Giddens
April 23
Ruth Fry
April 24
Darlene Dechant
Rick Crowder
Lauren Altenhof
April 25
Kim Karnes
HAPPY APRIL BIRTHDAYS!
April 26
Rosalie Rock
Jim Yoder
April 27
Gordon Moore
Drew Elliott
Meghan Rheinheimer
Steve Campagna
Paul Goven
April 28
Lexus Tucker
April 29
Kim Stark
David Hart, Sr.
April 30
Bonnie Nicolai
Andrew Ketcham
Andra Goven
BIBLE HUMOR
What kind of man was Boaz before
he married Ruth? Ruthless.
What do they call pastors in Ger-
many? German Shepherds.
Who was the greatest financier in
the Bible? Noah. He was floating
his stock while everyone else was
in liquidation.
Which Bible character had no par-
ents? Joshua, son of Nun.