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Psalms 34:14 Phil was the big practical joker. He would do anything for a laugh, usually at the expense of someone else. Often his jokes lacked good taste, and more than a few caused hurt feel-ings and pain. None of that fazed Phil. He pushed and teased until many people wanted to have nothing more to do with him. When people reacted in anger to his stupid tricks, he dismissed them as having no sense of humor. Everyone likes to have fun, but fun should never hurt anyone. Fun at other people's ex-pense is selfish and cruel. God wants us to reach out to one another in love, spreading hap-piness and joy through the good things we do, not the evil. If we will dedicate our lives to the happiness of others, then our fun will be fun that everyone can enjoy. Crosswalk devo-tion There seems to be a lot of evil in the world. The children saying sticks and stone will break my body, but your words will never hurt me, is not true. Words do hurt people. If we just focused on loving each other and focus on doing no harm to one another we could make such a huge difference in our life but, also the world. Jesus told us to love as he loved us. Mothers teach us how to love by the way they help us through our childhood. Let us put into practice what we have been taught and see what could happen. Happy Mother's day to all you who bare the weight of raising a child(ren) or like child per-son. God Bless, Your Brother in Christ Pastor Russ Alley

M A Y / J U N E 2 0 2 1

West Point UMC

Russ’s View From The Front Pew

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May 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Lion’s Club Car Show

2 3 4 5 6 National Day of Prayer Noon service

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9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 Ascension Sunday

17 18 19 20 Mission Mtg 11 AM

21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

June 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

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Mason Birge, Nellie VanSickle, Donna McCall, all the people and business’ ef-fected by the coronavirus both physically and financially, Justin Chase, Art & Linda Bilyeu, Carolyn Rosen, All of our schools, teachers and students, Haley Smith and the Meadows family, Virginia Emerick, Kay Chase, Ted & Carol Stout, Eva Hamilton, Allison & Elaina Lesher, James, Janet James, Matthew Holtman, Trevor Rosen, Diane Gaither

The family and friends of Betty VanMeter, Mary McNabb, Linda Pearl and all those who have recently passed.

Traveling Mercies, unspoken concerns, families in distress, emergency re-sponders, healthcare professionals, firefighters, victims of bullying, children of abuse, the Country of Israel, the Homeless, people struggling with illnesses, our Country & Elected Officials, Accident Victims, Teachers, essential workers and all those who are working to help fight the Corona Virus, victims and fami-lies of recent shootings.

All our men and women in uniform, particularly those serving in harms way.

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May 2nd Call to Worship: Ps 22:25-31 Sermon: Abiding with Jesus Scripture: John 15:1-8 May 9th—Mother’s Day Call to Worship: Ps 98 Sermon: Greater Love Scripture: John 15:9-17 May 16th Call to Worship: Ps 93 Sermon: Who do we belong Scripture: Acts 1:2-11

May 23rd—Pentecost Sunday Call to Worship: Ps 104:30-35 Sermon: Spirit moved Them Scripture: Acts 2:1-8 May 30th Call to Worship: Ps 139:1-6 Sermon: Memorial Day Remembrance

Scripture: Romans 13-7

June 6th Call to Worship: Ps 138 Sermon: What is Sabbath rest? Scripture: Genesis 3:8-15 June 13th Call to Worship: Ps 20 Sermon: Growing into new life Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24 June 20th—Father’s Day Call to Worship: Ps 107:1-3, 23-32 Sermon: When the Storms of life hit us

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41 June 27th Call to Worship: Ps 30 Sermon: Stewardship is not simply a once-a-year item Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-33

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United Methodist Women

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With the lifting of State restrictions on gatherings and people receiving the Covid-19 vaccination, if members of the UMW are interested in meeting in-person for our June 9th meeting, please let me know. This is traditionally our “Dine-Out” meeting that includes our significant others. We could dine-out (suggestions appreciated) or perhaps have a carry-in, but eat outside, if a member of the UMW would like to offer to host the meeting. As June 9

th is a Wednesday, meeting at Cadet Park may be a possibility as well. Please let me know your thoughts

on the above ideas. You can reach me best on my cell phone (765-426-8973) as I am working both at home and on campus. The UMW would like to extend an invitation to the ladies of the church to join our group if you are already not a member. We meet during the following months: March, April, June, September, and December. Please con-sider joining us. Membership is open to all ladies ages 18 & up. If you would like to talk with a current member about the UMW, following is a list of our current members: Brenda Alley, Mary Barnett, Corky Byers, Kay Chase, Darlene Christian, Betty Dexter, Virginia Emerick, Ashley Everett, Sandi Gayler, Jane Haan, Eve Ham-ilton, Vicki Harbath, Pam Katter, Robin Leuck, Teresa Luttrell, Rae Ritchie, Ruth Shedd, and Carol Stout. Lisa Snider, UMW President

I want to thank you all for the usher and liturgist volunteers that I have so far. If you would like to help in greeting our family and friends and/or help with church service please let me know. I would like to extend an invitation to all our Veterans (and to family members who have loved one's past and present) to say thank you for their service to our country. I will need a picture of the Veteran (husband, wife, brother, sister, son or daughters-in-law, grandson or granddaughters) you would like to remember by May 9th. These will be displayed on May 30th. Please be sure to mark with your name (so I can get them back to you). I will need the veterans name, branch of service and dates of service if possible. They do not have to be in uniform. Thank you for all the kind words the Worship committee is receiving for our work on Sunday morning service, it is greatly appreciated. Thank you Betty Dexter

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BALANCE SUMMARY THRU MARCH 2021

ACTUAL YTD ANTICIPATED

YTD ANNUAL BUDGET

INCOME $ 30,552.00 $ 28,083.00 $ 112,343.00 $ 2,469.00

EXPENSES

STAFF (63%) $ 16,957.00 $ 18,138.00 $ 72,554.00

BUILDING (14%) $ 4,446.00 $ 4,131.00 $ 16,520.00

PROGRAM (12%) $ 542.00 $ 2,586.00 $ 10,350.00

TITHE/OFFERINGS (11%) $ 2,931.00 $ 2,673.00 $ 10,695.00

TOTAL (100%) {2% cushion} $ 24,876.00 $ 27,528.00 $ 112,343.00 (2,652.00)

General Fund $ 10,661.82

Savings $ 6,126.76

Building Fund $ 23,535.00

Wesley Foundation Dinner

It is that time when our congregation serves dinner to the Wesley students at end of semester. This year the dinner coincides with recognition of the graduating seniors

on Sunday May 2nd. Plans are underway with Pastor Glen. If you would like to con-tribute or help serve contact Bev or Lee Matthews.

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REQUEST FROM TRUSTEES:

The Trustees are looking for a volunteer to take over the

job of maintaining the Church’s flower beds (weeding

and watering) for the 2021 spring-fall year.

Karla Ross over the past several years has taken this

service on and has done a fantastic job as the gardens

always looked beautiful. The Trustees want to thank

her for all her years of service but the time has come for

someone else to take over If you can help, please contact Phil Katter at 572-2687.

The April Mission Moment included the wish list the Villa has for their residents. The purpose is to help individual residents who have a hard time buying necessities as well as fun items for the whole group to enjoy. I have listed those items below. The list is extensive, but widely ranges in cost….something for everyone to search for. Please give it careful consideration. Any donations can be left at church. If you want us to do the shopping, we are happy to. Just mark you envelope or check with “Mission”. Don’t forget our next meeting, Thursday May 20th at 11 am. We will continue talking about future projects. Please bring your ideas and join us. Thank you for supporting Missions. Thank you, thank you!!!! Villa Wish List: Pillows, Pillow cases, White wash cloths and Bath towels, Kleenex, Shampoo, Conditioner, shower gel, shaving cream, deodorant, razors, Cotton balls, band aids, Women’s underwear and bras. As-

sorted sizes, Men's underwear, large-x x large, Toothbrushes & paste, denture cleaner, adhesive and

cups, Christmas decorations, indoor and out, Educational DVDs, Holiday or all occasion greeting cards, Dry erase markers, Twin sheets, x long or deep pocket, Stamps and ink pads, Coloring books,

colored pencils, markers, gel pens, Large photo/scrap books, Card stock, stickers, glue stick, hot glue sticks, blank cards w/envelopes, Small Knick knacks for bingo…no candles, 70-18x24” cork

bulletin boards to place outside each residents door to post notes, cards and artwork.

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Here are some items to keep in mind for the upcoming year. July: August: September: October:

ELC meeting notes from April 19th

ELC met virtually using Zoom with some members in the sanctuary. Combining those in person with virtual is more complicated. Steve is working towards hosting the meetings through the camera used for broadcasting worship services. Business discussed included approving the finance reports. The Trustees have arranged with Marcus Haley to mow the church grounds this summer. Thanks Marcus. The furnace and air conditioners have been recently inspected for the church and parsonage. Steve is working on developing an estimate of the cost of locating the computer used for worship near the sound board at the entry to the sanctuary by the existing sound cabinet. This location will make the support of worship and broadcasting easier for one person to control. Missions has requested some dedicated storage on the main level. The purchase of a storage rack on wheels was approved to be located in the Sunday School room. The unit should be movable if needed. The cost is ex-pected to be around $200. World Day of Prayer is coming up. Look for details in the newsletter of how you may participate. The Worship Team needs liturgist and usher volunteers. Please see Betty Dexter if interested. The Pastor Parish Committee will be doing pastor evaluation in May. Contact Corky Byers, Ruth Hawley, or Robin Leuck if you would like to share comments. The Bylaws were amended to state that the ELC will meet at least every three months. There has been limited agenda items the last few meetings. Lee Matthews

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You can also sign up for free with Amazon to donate to the Wesley Foundation each time you shop.

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Office Hours

Please call for an appointment Friday is the Pastors Day Off

Pastor Russ Alley

Cell phone: 574-808-0828 Church Phone: 765-572-2256

Parsonage: 765-572-3160

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Mr. & Mrs. Jack Chase May 01

Mr. & Mrs. Randy Leuck May 18

Mr. & Mrs. Kyle Babiak June 01

Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy Jameson June 03

Mr. & Mrs. Gary Stout June 11

Mr. & Mrs. Aron Meihls June 20

Mr. & Mrs. Art Bilyeu June 26

Jayden Gayler May 5 Johnathan Hollis May 8

Allison Lesher May 21

Marshall Snider May 22

Finley Snider May 31

Teresa Hullinger May 3

Hunter Meihls May 08

Russ Alley May 11

Kathy Engler May 14

Randy Ross May 14

Delite Ritter May 17

Justin Ledford May 18

Kyle Katter May 18

Karen Vester May 18

Linda Kerber May 21

Brenda Alley May 22

Logan Burke May 27

Mason Birge June 5

Sandra Snider June 8

Jeremy Jameson June 13

Jack Mellon June 15

Angie Meadows-Wilson June 20

Gary Gayler June 22

Kayla Liggett June 22

Jerry Harbath June 24

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Our Vision Statement

We envision the West Point United Methodist Church to be the focal point of our community and to be a welcoming church reaching out to everyone; offer-ing all the opportunity to know and serve God; providing fellowship; offering spiritual leadership; and teaching the Word of God.

Love God, Love Others, Serve to Love

For more information about West Point UMC, contact us at 765-572-2256 or wpumc@tds.net. Also, please check out our website at www.umcwestpoint.org or our Facebook page.

Sunday School: 9:00 AM Traditional Worship 10:00 AM

West Point UMC 4923 Monroe Street Post Office Box 8 West Point, IN. 47992