ST. JAMES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH2945 Main Street, East Troy, WI 53120 262-642-7642

Rev. Bill Busch

Following the Cross

October 2019 PASTOR’S PONDERINGS

All Things ConsideredFor the past couple of months, I have been talking about how the purpose of each of the churches in our Regional

Shared Ministry is to make disciples or active learners of Jesus Christ. But did you know that purpose is at the core of the United Methodist definition of a Professing Member, and that commitment to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ is found in our Baptism, Confirmation and Membership vows!

Of course, one of the first components of Discipleship includes inviting and welcoming everyone to worship with us and benefit from the ministries of our church whether they wish to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ or not. It is important because inviting people to worship and the various ministries of the St. James Church is how people come to discover our church and realize how amazing it is to be a part of our church family. When someone starts to connect with us, we need to understand how they wish to relate to the church, knowing this desire helps us to appropriately relate to them! Why? Because an important part of Discipleship is to actively participate in relationship or Christian fellowship !

Last month I took some time and described the biblical definition of “fellowship,” the rich, beautiful and growing relationship of faith which connects true Christians. Unfortunately, in our American culture, the word “fellowship” has transitioned into a casual social interaction between people while having a hot beverage.

We find the biblical call for making disciples and Christian fellowship from Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age .” That is our purpose as a church, to go and make Disciples and be willing to be in fellowship, that calling at the core of the definition of being a Professing Member of the United Methodist Church! So being a Professing Member means to actively participate in intentional and active discipleship within the ministries of our church!

We are continually working to better care for our members, especially reaching out to the professing members who have slipped out of our midst. In our Community Regional Shared Ministry, we will continually work to better identify and care for those who are no longer in fellowship. For a three year period, we attempt to discover and meet the changing needs of those members; but if we cannot reconnect with them, they may be transitioned into the Baptized Membership.

So what is Baptized Membership? Did you know there are two groups within the Baptized membership? The first group is Adult Baptized Members, individuals who have been baptized, but are still seeking in their faith; or they may profess their faith in Christ, but choose not to commit to actively participate as a Disciple of Jesus Christ in our fellowship. Baptized Members are under the full care and ministry of the church and we continually reach out to them, inviting them deeper in discipleship. They have full access to weddings and funerals without any cost of building usage; however, they do not have the privilege of vote or Administrative Council leadership. The second group within the Baptized Membership is the Baptized Children whom we guide to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior through our ministries.

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(PASTOR’S PONDERINGS - CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

Our hope is to reach out to those in our church family who have slipped from our fellowship and those in our Baptized Membership and offer them a way to grow deeper as a Disciple of Jesus Christ who is committed to

live out their faith in our Church family called the St. James Church!Understanding membership is very important! It is key in our tradition as United Methodists and it helps

us to be better at our purpose of making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World and the building of the Kingdom of God! I would like to invite you to prayerfully consider participating in the Nurture Care Ministry which will be created! This ministry will help us better care for our members as well as help each other discover our calling – the purpose for which God created us. It is a powerfully fulfilling ministry for those who are called and if you feel you are called, please contact the St. James office and let us know!

May the Lord richly bless and keep you! Pastor Bill******************************************************************************************

JOIN US IN OCTOBER WHEN WE CONTINUE OUR SERMON SERIES –

“REALLY?”

In life, we often ask “Really! Did this really have to happen?” Out of that exasperated question we usually follow up with questions like: Why did this have to happen now? Is God really fair? Where is God when I need Him? Why is it, when I need God the Most, is usually when I have the hardest time feeling His presence? Will I get through this? All good questions addressed by the Old Testament Prophet Habakkuk with the intent to help us grow in faith and trust in God. *********************************************************************************

Worship in October October 6th Sermon Series Continues: “Really?”

“Oh God, Not Them”Pastor Bill Busch Preaching

October 13th “God, Why Do You Seem the Furthest Away When I Need You Most?”

Pastor Bill Busch PreachingOctober 20th “But God, Look at What They’re Getting Away With!”

Pastor Bill Busch Preaching

October 27th “God, What Are You Going to Do?”Pastor Bill Busch Preaching

EAST TROY MANORWORSHIP SCHEDULE IN OCTOBER

October 3rd Pastor Bill October 10th Brad Balgord October 17th Joyce Reed October 24th Brad BalgordOctober 31st Brad Balgord *************************************************************

SECOND HELPINGS

Our Second Helpings meal, Monday, September 16th had a little Mexican flare to it, with Taco’s, Spanish rice and refried beans, topped off with strawberry poke cake and cool whip!! We were blessed with 83 people enjoying the meal.

Thank you everyone for your food donations and your help in serving and cleaning up after the meal! The Second Helpings Committee************************************

HELP ST. JAMES UNITED METHODIST

CHURCH SUPPORT THE EAST TROY FOOD PANTRY

Don’t forget to bring your items for the food pantry each Sunday! These items are “always” needed no matter what month or season, they are: Laundry soap, dish soap, sugar, flour, and cookies.

The theme for October is “Healthy Snacks” items needed are: Peanut Butter, Jelly, Pudding, Jello and Healthy Snack Bars.

HOPE BOOK CLUBThe Hope Book Club will meet on Tuesday, October 15th at 7:00 p.m. We will be discussing Mary Pflum Peterson’s book, “White Dresses.” It’s an intriguing book about three generations of mothers and daughters and their relationships between each other, the church, and so much more.

Please read the book by October 15th and join us for a lively discussion. Contact Kathy Anderson or Darlene Milne if you have any questions.

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ACTIVE THREAT RESPONSEPlan on staying after church on Sunday, October 20th for a brief introduction to and instructions on what we need to do in the event of an active threat while we are in church. Deputy Dan Nelson from the Sheriff Department will be doing the presentation.

WELCOME CENTER MORNING COFFEE

Have you seen our new beautiful set-up for our early Morning Coffee Time before Worship? If not please stop in on Sunday morning and in the Welcome Center you will notice our beautiful new counters; made by Brad Balgord.Thank you Brad for your beautiful craftsmanship!

We are in need of people to help at this beautiful center on Sunday mornings! It involves making coffee and supplying simple snacks and fruit, putting it out and cleaning up after worship. Thank you for considering helping with this wonderful ministry. If you should have any questions about this, please talk to Brad Balgord or Tom & Chris Rossmiller. You can also call the church office for details.

*******************************************SAMARITAN PURSE

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

The annual Operation Shoe Box project time is here. Let’s start filling our pre-made boxes with school supplies, toys, etc. Boxes and brochures are on the ledge in the Welcome Center. Please don’t pack any candy or toothpaste.

We marvel and Thank God for each and every shoe box St. James fills.

These will be taken to Burlington the first Saturday in November. Yes, a time to shop!!

.

5 GOALS FOR REGIONAL MINISTRY

1. Hospitality/Assimilation2. Make more use of media during

Sunday service with sermons relating to life experiences.

3. Strategic Planning and Leadership Development CANEI – Continuous and never-ending improvement

4. From Serve US to Service – from inward focus to outward focus – Community.

5. From Survival Mentality to Generosity (Abundance Thinking)

STRATEGIES Continue introducing resources

from Shift (Dr. Phil Maynard and Fusion (Nelson Searcy.)

Continue to develop media; work on methods of doing this in all church areas of communication.

Develop and implements 18 month strategic planning process.

Incrementally implement ministry ladder.

Continue to develop technology ministry by expanding our website, and social media and YouTube presence.

Continue to develop and improve the connection between giving and discipleship:

o Use the introduction to the offering time to share what the Bible says about giving.

o Provide notes to first time givers;

o Provide a message on quarterly statements.

*******************************************AUGUST 2019

GIVING TOWARDS CHURCH BUDGET

TOTAL: $7,293.75

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES IN OCTOBER TO:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WISHES IN OCTOBER TO:

October 8 Zackary Hudzinski October 10 Dianne KegleyOctober 12 Dawn MildebrantOctober 13 Kay HolleOctober 15 Linda Clark October 17 Richard HowesOctober 23 Joanne GaleOctober 24 Alexis WerthOctober 26 Dorothy ClarkOctober 28 Janice Reith

October 1 Rick and Kathy Anderson October 4 Steve and Carolyn WerthOctober 19 Tom and Kathy SondereggerOctober 20 Larry and Ann WeberOctober 25 Robert and Linda Clark

Take a Moment . . . To Grow Closer to God!Shaped to Serve

God has made each of us a unique individual shaped to serve and to glorify Him!

Now in regard to spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” (1 Corinthians Chapter 12:1-7)

Pastor Bill has given each of us an opportunity to identify our individual and unique spiritual gifts. The “Shape Analysis—How to Discover God’s Plan and Purpose for Your Life,” is available in the Narthex. This inventory will help us to discover how God shaped and formed us for the specific purpose of building the Kingdom of God.

Imagine how a parent would feel if their Christmas gifts to their children were never opened, never recognized; never used. Imagine how the Lord must feel when he has given gifts to us that he intends for us to use, and yet we never take the trouble to find out what they are, never put them to work, and then excuse ourselves from serving our church by saying that we can’t do anything!

When Jesus told the story of the lost sheep, some people listening to him, wiped away a tear because they knew how it felt to be lost among the crowd. Jesus told the story because He wants us to understand that we have a Father who sees and cares for all of us. All of us are equally valuable to him. All of us have been given special gifts, gifts that God wants us to use to glorify Him, to bring others to Him, and to have a spirit-filled life.

We are God’s hearing, speech and action here on earth—agents of love and support for Him. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) God created us; gave us spiritual gifts for the specific purpose of building up the Kingdom of God. There is no room for excuses in the Grand Commission.

As members of St. James, we are experiencing a new beginning. We have a new pastor; we are participating in Regional Ministry; we are blessed with hearing the Word from a variety of pastors and lay speakers. We will have the opportunity to test our faith by accepting change as well as by using our gifts to strengthen and to grow our church.

A faith family works together. What can you do to find your gifts and to use them to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. You can read. The four key chapters describing spiritual gifts are Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4. You can pray. Ask God to show you what spiritual gift (s) he has given you. You might pray, “Open my eyes and show me where I fit in the body of Christ.” You can ask. Go to several friends who know you well and ask them to tell you what spiritual gifts they think you have. Your friends may have seen evidence of a spiritual gift at work in your life that you never even considered. (“Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gifts”, Ray Pritchard, 1990)

The last section of the Shape Analysis is entitled, “Finding God’s Direction for your Life.” The information taken from the survey will give you the direction in which God desires you to invest your life. With His help, as He works through us, we will build the Kingdom of God and experience the anointing that He has planned for us.

Take the time to complete the “Shape Analysis.” Identify your spiritual gifts and how you can use them to strengthen our church and to serve our Lord.

Praise be to God! Judy McFarlane

STRAIGHT FROM THE ARK!

A Mission of St. James United Methodist ChurchOur mission at Noah’s Ark Christian Day Care is to provide a safe, fun and spiritual

environment for children. Enrollment

Infants: 6 Toddlers: 5 Preschool: 12 School-age: 14Total Enrolled: 37

Staff Highlight

Welcome MS. Alex

Hello my name is Alex Driscoll. I work in the infant room. I love working with babies, but also any age. I love watching them grow up and seeing the wonderful talents they have. I went to Burlington High School and graduated in June 2018. I am attending Gateway Technical College to get my Associates Degree and then transferring to Parkside to get my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I also have a boyfriend of 3 months and he has a 7-year-old brother who we love spending time with and going places with him. I look forward to getting to know all the families and Children.

OCTOBER 2019Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesda

y Thursday Friday Saturday1 2

AA meets in Fellowship

Hall 7:30pm

3

East Troy Manor Worship

10:30 a.m.

4”

5

6Worship 9:00

a.m.w/

Communion

Sunday School during

Worship

7 8Regional Ministry

meeting @ 1p.m.

9 United Methodist Women meeting

1:00 p.m.Day Care

Board meeting 5:00

p.m.

AA meets 7:30pm

10East Troy

Manor Worship 10:30 a.m.

11 12

13Worship 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School during

Worship

14 15NEWSLETT

ER DEADLINE

HOPE Book Club meets at 7:00 p.m.

16Red Bird

Circle meets @Heritage

1 p.m. Mary-Martha Circle meets at 1:00 p.m. AA meets in Fellowship

Hall@ 7:30pm

17East Troy

Manor Worship 10:30 a.m.

All AD Council

reports due in church office

by 12 noon

18 19

20Worship 9:00 a.m.Active threat

training after

Worship Sunday

School during Worship

21AD

Council/Finance meeting

@7pmSecond

Helpings meal 5:30

p.m.

22 23AA meets in Fellowship

Hall@ 7:30pm

24Day Care Mission

Project 9 – 11 a.m. with

schoolagers

East Troy Manor Worship 10:30 a.m.

25Day Care to deliver lap robes to nursing

home

26

27Worship 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School during

Worship

28 29BUNCH for

LUNCH MEET

30AA meets in Fellowship

Hall@ 7:30pm

31East Troy

Manor Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. James United Methodist Church2945 Main StreetEast Troy, WI 53120

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October Following the Cross

Published monthly by St. James United Methodist Church, Editorial CommitteeRev. Bill Busch and Maureen Loehe, Administrative Assistant

Deadline for November 2019 Issue: Tuesday, October 15, 2019 (Submit to church office)

Phone # (262) 642-7642 Church Office Hours:

Monday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday, 9:30 – 4:30 p.m., Friday 11 – 4 p.m.

Worship HoursWorship – Sunday morning @9:00 a.m.

Sunday School – 9:00 a.m. during worship, children are dismissed to class after Children’s Time

(September – May)Our Website: easttroyumc.org

Our email address is: church@easttroyumc.org

Our Mission Statement “…Love God, Love One Another, and Serve the World.”