the gathering - · pdf filethe gathering . coming events ... and let us know which ministries...
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PASTOR’S PEN "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1 One of the most constant and emphatic truths that is often re-peated throughout the Psalms is the assurance about how God feels about all persons, "His Love endures for ever". On June 19th we celebrate "Father's Day" and take time to remember all the many ways our Fathers have touched our lives. It's not easy being a Father, and yet the most common name that Jesus used for God was...Father, and it appears to me from reading about Je-sus' birth and his early experiences in his earthly life with...Joseph, I can't help but think that Joseph was also a very good Father. With this being my first "Father's Day" without my own earthly fa-ther here, it has caused me to remember some of my greatest joys that my father shared with me, and in all those memories one con-stant always remained true....My Father Loved Me! As much as that is true of my "earthly father" it is even more true of Our Heav-enly Father's love for all of us. The Word of God reminds us that, "nothing can separate us from the love of God". In a world where love and compassion seem to be conditional, it is a cherished real-ity and gift that God's love for us is unconditional. Hear these words from Psalm 136: "Give thanks to the Lord of lords, His love endures forever. To Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. Who by His understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. The One who remembers us in our low estate, His love endures forever. And who freed us from all our enemies, His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of Heaven, His love endures forever." No where will we read in God's Word that Our Heavenly Father's love for us has conditions attached to it...that it's based on our conduct and/or performance. Every person needs to know that we are lovable and loved by someone, we need this almost as much as we need to be able to breath. Yet, sometimes because of our con-duct, our failures, our faults, or how we think the world around us views us...we can begin to feel unworthy of others...unloveable. But be well assured, as ever-present is our Heavenly Father's strength and wisdom avail-able for us, so is His Love for us! "Jesus loves me this I know...!" God our Father loves us...He loves you, His love for you endures for ever and nothing can ever cause Him to feel anything different from that for You! "God is love" and His love belongs to you! "His love endures forever!" May Our Heavenly Father's love fill your hearts always! Pastor Ed
June 2016
The Gathering
COMING EVENTS
PIZZA WITH THE
PASTORS We will be having two “Pizza
with the Pastors” in June. On
June 12 we will have “Pizza
with the Pastors” at the down-
town campus at 11:45 a.m., and
on June 26 we will have “Pizza
with the Pastors” at 12:00 noon
at the Life Center. Everyone is
welcome, but this is especially
for those who are new or recent attenders to our church. This is a way for
you to get acquainted with the pastors and staff. Please RSVP to the
church office, 533-9518, if you plan to attend.
PRIMETIMERS The Primetimers will be going to
Warsaw on Tuesday, June 14.
The first stop will be Warsaw
Biblical Gardens, and a $6 admis-
sion fee. Then lunch will be at
Schoops Restaurant, ordering
from the menu. The next stop
will be Winona History Center,
and a $4 donation. Then on to the
Billy Sunday Home. He was a well-known Chicago White Stockings
player/evangelist. There will be a free-will donation.
If you plan to go, pay your $10 to Bob Shirk by Sunday, June 12. The
bus will pick up at Waterford Crossing at 9:00 a.m., and Greencroft at
9:15 a.m. We will leave the church at 9:45 a.m. If you have questions,
please call Bob Shirk at 875-5915.
OUTSIDE WORSHIP On Sunday, June 19, the Life Cen-
ter campus will meet at the GPS
Building at 10:30 a.m. for their
Sunday morning worship.
The downtown campus will meet
as usual in the downtown sanctu-
ary at 9:00 a.m.
Everyone
is invited
to join in
worship at
10:30 a.m.
at the GPS
Building.
CELEBRATION There will be an “End of the
School Year” celebration with all
of the kiddos from preschool age
to 5th grade (the grade your child
will be completing) on June 3 at
the Life Center from 6-8 p.m.
VBS Vacation Bible School will be a
Kingdom theme event this year
while kiddos learn about the Ar-
mor of God and how they can use
it in their everyday lives. VBS
will take place on June 26-29 at the
Life Center from 6:00-8:00 p.m. If
you would like to help, contact
Aimee Brinson at 533-9518.
BIG BASH This year we will have our annual Big
Bash on Sunday, July 3, beginning at
7:00 p.m. at the Life Center. There
will be food and games for all ages,
and you can watch the fireworks at
the Black Squirrel golf course. Mark
your calendar — more details will be coming later.
Volunteer Ministry - Ministry Menus On Sundays during the month of June, we will be distributing
Ministry Menus for the coming program year, which is Septem-
ber 2016-August 2017. Our goal is to have everyone using their
God given spiritual gifts to serve in the life and ministry of the
church. The Ministry Menu gives you the opportunity to sign up
and let us know which ministries you want to be involved in.
You will receive a booklet which explains all the various minis-
tries in the life of our church, and a separate form which you
should fill out and return. We will also have speakers each Sunday in June to explain and highlight
some of the ministry areas. We ask that you prayerfully consider how you feel God is calling you to
serve, look over the ministry opportunities and descriptions, mark your form, sign it, and place it in the
offering plate or return it to the church office. If you are not able to get a form at church, please call the
office at 533-9518 and we will be glad to send you a form and booklet. Or if you have internet access,
you may download a form from the church website at goshenfirstumc.org Thank you and God bless
you as you serve the Lord and participate in the ministry and outreach of the church!
Ben Whirledge, Volunteer Ministry Coordinator
YOUTH NEWS Another year has passed so quickly! I cannot believe that we are already celebrating another year of
graduates! I hope everyone has the opportunity to applaud and to take
a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of some of our youth and
young adults. In our very own church, we have a family of youth that
are rising up and using their own gifts and talents to be a light and set
an example for all generations.
These many youth and young adults are truly an inspiration to all of
us, and they are preparing for a new and wonderful journey ahead as
they continue to use their gifts and talents to glorify and serve our
Holy Father. I hope that as a family, we can continue to lift up these
young people in prayer and ask God to use them to better His kingdom
as they step out in faith during these upcoming years.
I would like to congratulate the Class of 2016! May you truly be a brilliant light for the world!
-Bobbi Smith, Youth Pastor
GOSHEN 1ST UMC CHILDREN’S MINISTRY There will be a lock-in for 5th and 6th graders (the grade your child will be entering in the fall) on July 15th-16 at
the Life Center campus starting at 6:30pm Friday to 10:30am (for 5th graders) and 2:30 (for 6th graders) as we
will be taking the new 6th graders for their final “Movin’ On Up” party ( pizza, ice cream, laser tag, and roller
skating) before they head off to the youth group! For more information about this event or to see how you can
get plugged in to the Children’s ministry, contact Aimee Brinson at [email protected] or 574-
533-9518 Ext. 104. In Christ, Aimee Brinson
GRADUATES We wish to congratulate the following high school and college graduates from
our church:
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
Kyler Altenhof - son of Angie Altenhof and Mark Altenhof - graduating from
Goshen High School. He will be attending Ball State University in the fall,
majoring in music education with an emphasis on teaching/directing and
composing.
Eric Colglazier - son of Mark & Susan Colglazier - graduating from Northridge
High School. He will be attending Ivy Tech to pursue a degree in Cyber Security
and Application Design.
Alison Colglazier - daughter of Mark & Susan Colglazier - graduating from
Northridge High School. She will be attending Indiana University, and will be pursuing a degree in Travel,
Hospitality, and Event Management.
Karoline Fowler - daughter of Melissa Fowler and John Fowler - graduating from Goshen High School. She
will be attending Manchester College to go into pre-med.
Tyler Groves - son of Eric & Kris Groves - graduating from Goshen High School. He will be attending Ivy
Tech for general courses and then attending Purdue or Indiana State for an Engineering B.S. degree.
Alexis Johnston - daughter of Jeannine Honderich - graduating from Goshen High School. She is planning to
attend Indiana University-Bloomington in the fall and will study marketing or education.
Audrey Miller - daughter of Gordon & Sharon Miller - graduating from Goshen High School
Jackson Miller - son of Tim & Monica Miller - graduating from Goshen High School. He will be attending the
University of Indianapolis to study chemistry as an undergraduate, and then on to graduate school for pre-med.
Ryan Mitchell - son of Scott & Natalie Mitchell - graduating from Goshen High School.
Hunter Pearson - son of James & Chris Pearson - graduating from Goshen High School.
Jonathan Salisbury - son of Stephen & Jodi Salisbury - graduating from Goshen High School. He is planning to
attend an electrical trade school and some day to be an electrician.
Rodney Spencer Jr. - son of Alicia Spencer - graduating from Goshen High School. He will be attending South-
western Michigan College to study Automotive Technologies.
Cassidy Trammell - daughter of Jenny Gooderham - graduating from Culver Academy.
Andrew Weddle - son of Jeff & Julie Weddle - graduating
from Goshen High School. He will be attending Grace Col-
lege & Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, where
he plans to earn a B.A. in Counseling and a minor in Graphic
Design.
COLLEGE GRADUATES
Thomas Miller - son of Kendall Miller - graduating from
DePaul University. He will be going to IU graduate school in
Bloomington.
Michael Riegsecker - son of Don Riegsecker - graduated from
Grinnell College. He is currently searching for employment in
his field of studies.
Jamie Yoder - graduating from Indiana University East.
Lauren Yoder - daughter of Sherri Snider - graduating from
IUPUI in Indianapolis.
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
“Many thanks to my church family for the lovely birthday carnation. A special “thank you” to Lenette Burckhart
for giving up time on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to deliver it.” -Nancy Stump
“Thanks for the huge birthday card! I love all of you!” -Pat McKinney
Items for sale: small wheelchair (for small adult or child), and portable basketball hoop. If interested, contact
Ann Bender, 534-4132.
“On behalf of the E3 Survival Skills for Life Program which is a partnership between Goshen Middle School and
Amigo Centre, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to you folks at the First United Methodist Church! The support
of the E3 program by your congregation has been a tremendous blessing! Your prayer support, providing men-
tors for the program, the use of your GPS building, and your financial support have all been very much appreci-
ated! I trust that your congregation has been blessed by your involvement with the E3 program. If you know of
someone who has an interest in becoming a mentor for the program, please extend an invitation to them. In the
fall we will again need another 10-12 mentors as a new group of 6th graders begin the program.”
-Cheryl Mast, E-3 Program Coordinator
HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAYS! June 2
Phyllis Blough
Dave Parsons
Chris Martin
June 3
Jay Saenz
Ashlyn Stark
Nancy Cook
June 4
Janet Taylor
Tom Conrad
Jamie Lehman
Abram Schwinn
Clayton Koher
June 5
Glenda Brechtel
June 6
Marty Myers
Stacey Yoder
Rory Hart
June 7
Jeff Caton
June 8
Kaylee Shepherd
June 9
Jo Snyder
April Blankenbaker
June 10
Nick Ragsdale
Doug Nicholson
Alison Colglazier
Eric Colglazier
June 12
Trayce Stewart
June 14
Julie Miller
June 15
Jodi Salisbury
Kris Sorg
Jackson Saenz
June 16
Jayden Everest
June 17
Matthew Cork
June 18
Brenda Wilkinson
Steven Yoder
June 19
Bennett Brown
Clair Motts
Courtney Sponseller
June 20
Jackie Lung
Chris Toth
Bonnie Elder
June 21
Diane Miller
Chance Hanshew
June 22
Beth Pettit
June 23
Michelle Eckelbarger
Elaine Anderson
June 24
Gene Weaver
Faith Gailey
Zoe Huff
June 26
Lewie Weaver
Boden Brown
Richard Sponseller
Kimberly Duca
June 27
John Fidler
Kelley Cork
Tina Cork
June 28
Laura Haney
Drake Crowder
Linda Stevens
June 29
Kaden Sheets
THINK ABOUT IT
The following quotes are from
Corrie Ten Boom.
“You can never learn that Christ is
all you need, until Christ is all you
have.”
“Don’t bother to give God instruc-
tions, just report for duty.”
“If the devil cannot make us bad,
he will make us busy.”
“You will find it is necessary to let
things go, simply for the reason
that they are too heavy.”
“Some knowledge is too
heavy...you cannot bear it...your
Father will carry it until you are
able.”
“Love is larger than the walls
which shut it in.”