First Connection
January 2013
First United Methodist Church
Every year around Christmas my Uncle Ernest gave new calendars to the regular customers of
his gas station. Being family, we always got one too. In addition we received calendars from the
bank, the insurance agent, and our home heating oil supplier. The custom continues today, as people
receive calendars from local businesses and from charities they donate to.
Here we all are again, taking down our old calendars and putting up new ones. “Ring out the
old, ring in the new”—that’s the motto of partygoers and of everyone who undertakes New Year’s resolutions.
The arrival of the new year is a good time to read Ecclesiastes, because there “The Preacher” (he doesn’t have a name) addresses head-on the matter of time. Occasions come and go, says
THE PASTOR’S POUND
The Preacher, and even things that seem new have occurred before
“An ounce of
and will occur again. (For instance, “Gangnam style” music
common sense is
sounds like ’70s disco to me. But then, what do I know?) “Everyworth a pound
of clergy.”
thing is beautiful in its time” is The Preacher’s way of saying enjoy the present. If you can’t enjoy it because it’s too painful, then
— John Adams
grit your teeth and endure it because sorrow, like everything else,
will sooner or later be gone. The opening phrase of Ecclesiastes,
“All is vanity,” is better translated, “All is transitory.”
Some people think that Ecclesiastes is doleful and pessimistic. I say it is realistic: everything
is transitory. Things happen—good things and bad—but essentially it is all to the good, because at the
center of it all is God, who gives life as a thing to be experienced, the vehicle by which we come to
know God.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) wrote, “Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all who breathe
away.” He was paraphrasing Psalm 90, another realistic yet ultimately hopeful commentary on the
passing of time. The psalm includes a petition to God to “teach us to count our days that we may gain
a wise heart”—wisdom being, according to the biblical writers, the sense of what is really important in
life, namely, to know God.
The purpose of calendars is, of course, to number those days. But the psalmist and The Preacher—as well as Jesus, the apostles Paul and Peter, and other biblical writers—admonish us to mark the
passing time with hearts tuned to that which transcends time, namely, the saving love of God, given at
Christmas in the person of his Son Jesus Christ.
Curtis N. Hurley
My family and I express our heartfelt thanks for the kind gift we received from the church at Christmas, as well as for other gifts we received from some of you individually. I count it a privilege to be
your pastor and am deeply grateful for the way you have embraced my family also. May God lead us
all into the new year with renewed devotion to him and with eager expectation for what he has in store
for First United Methodist Church.
CHURCH NEWS
Thank you
The Community Sharing Foundation would like to
thank you for your generous contribution. With your help,
we can continue to distribute food to the needy of Fayette
County. Your faithful support this past year has been a BIG
HELP!!
David Gettinger-President
Thank you so much for your gift! Your investment in the
future of our students is very much appreciated. Your gift
enables us to continue pointing new classes toward the
blessed light and to help them find the calling that inspires
them to the world.
May your blessings be abundant in these special days!
Indiana Wesleyan University
Dale Richmond
Director of Church
Relations
A much delayed thank you for a job well done to all who
worked in the dining room at the 49th Tasty Luncheon. For
serving drinks and busing the tables Steve Holmes, Bonnie
Schultz, Dick Swain, Bill and Janie O’Brien, and Hilton and
Brenda Henry. For keeping the tea and water flowing to
the serving stations Suzy Maines, Laura Hurley and David
Hurley. For set up in the craft area Steve Holmes and Jim
Gibson and for take down, David Simpkins and Calvin
Sorrell. Your dedication to this project is greatly
appreciated.
A very special thanks to Helen Lawson, Jeanna Hushour
and Phyllis Smith for all their time and work in decorating
the sanctuary and interior of FUMC, Craig Lawson, Jahn
Lawson and David Hurley for exterior decoration, David
Hurley for decorating the dining room Christmas tree and
Pastor Hurley and Helen Lawson for arranging the
poinsettias.
Jim Wicker
Sanctuary Steward
Another year has passed and I wish all of you
a Happy, Blessed and Prosperous, New Year,
and thank you for your generosity in every
thing you do for me and this church. You make
my job here a pleasure because of your warm
thoughtfulness, and friendship. I truly
appreciated your prayers and concern for my
family this past year I love coming to work
and that’s because of all of you. I believe
God placed me here and there are things he
wants me to do. I do my best to serve him and
all of you. Thank you and I look forward to
this New Year.
Bonnie
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thank you continued:
Thanks for remembering me for Christmas. It is the
happiest day of the year. Easter is probably the most
important as Jesus gave His life for us. I am reading a
couple of books about Heaven now. Have wrapped lots of
presents, maybe 30 or more. We will have our gift
exchange the weekend after Christmas as Teresa in on
duty at her hospital on Christmas. We had our great
grandchildren this afternoon and made decorated cookies.
My son-in-law celebrates his birthday on the 22nd and I on
the 24th. Hope all is well with you and members of our
class. I wish you and our Sunday School class a special
Holiday season. Best of love to you all! Congratulate Mabel
on her can ministry and thank her for her card. Her son
just had his 58th on 12-12-12! Dick is still running for
Heifer! What a man!
In His hands,
Ed Slaybaugh
I visited Hattie Vaught Christmas Day. She proudly showed
me the many cards from her church family. She sends a big
thank you! She is doing well and the Sterling House has a
Sunday afternoon worship time.
Can report: 2012 total was $1500. donated to Regenstrief
Community Youth Center. Thanks to each member
contributing cans to this cause. Cans-Cans-Cans makes it
happen. Can we top it this year??
Thanks again
Can Lady
Mabel Brockley
426 W 7th St.
The Sefton Sisters’ Legacy
Most people at First UMC and in the
Connersville community at large know by now of the
generous bequest that Hilda Sefton left to the church,
a gift that includes money left to Hilda when she was
predeceased by her sister Marie Elliott. The money is
to be used in two ways: for capital expenditures
relating to the physical property, and for mission,
especially locally. Nothing of the bequest goes to the
First UMC general fund.
From the sale of property, all proceeds were
distributed to local mission agencies. Clothing and
other items were also donated to local recipients.
From the initial distribution of the bequest, a
tithe was given to the Indiana Conference and repairs
were made to the boiler and to the buckling walls of
the east fellowship hall and the parsonage basement.
From the final distribution, received only a
few weeks ago, a tithe was given to the First UMC
Mission Fund, from which allocations will be made in
2013.
Commitment Sunday Report
Financial Donations
Thanks to everyone who responded with commitments to
support First UMC for 2013 through the stewardship of what you
have received from God. Thirty-nine cards were returned, and
ten of you increased your giving commitment over last year.
Thank you for believing in your church! God is good all the time.
Approximately 95% of our expenses this year have
been provided for by your donations of good and
usable clothing and household items. This includes
sales in the stores as well as our recycling
projects. 95% is the highest percentage we have
ever reached!! This is due, in part, because it
has been an exceptionally good year for our
recycling. The other 5% must come from financial
donations. We could use your financial donations
to makeup this difference
IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
Date
Dec 02
Dec 09
Dec 16
Dec 23
General
Fund
$3087.00
$4276.00
$5177.00
$3425.00
Misc
Fund
$167.95
$189.70
$654.85
$130.00
Attend
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80
86
102
MISSIONS
2ND SUNDAY GIVING
JAUARY 13, 2013
Please bring your donation of “Crackers to the mission
table in the back of the sanctuary for this month’s donation to
Community Sharing.
SALVATION ARMY
HELPING HANDS
The third Sunday of each month is “Serving at the Lord’s
Table” from 5:00pm till 6:00pm. Carolyn Doub from the Women’s
Bible Study group will be serving Sunday, January 20th. This is
a much needed mission. The sheets for the 2013 new year
Sundays are on the podium in the back of the church. If you or
your organization could reserve a Sunday it is a very rewarding
service.
UNITED METHODIST MOUNTAIN MISSION
Our trucks will be in your area Monday, January 14th, 2013, at
Connersville Grand UMC and Grace Ave. UMC. If you have any
material to donate, please have it at these sites before the 14 th.
Specific urgent needs (in addition to all the other wonderful
good and usable items you donate to the Mission!)
First United Methodist Women
Faith Hope Love in Action
NOTE: There will be no Circle meetings in January and
February of 2013.
Spiritual Retreat:
January 24-25, 2013
(begins Thursday 7:00pm Eastern time until lunch Friday)
Rev. Carol Fritz, Leader
Theme: Put Your Whole Self In: Mind, Body & Spirit
Romans 12:1-2
Canyon Inn at McCormick’s Creek State Park
451 McCormick Creek Park Rd., Spencer, IN
877-922-6966
Registration deadline – January 14, 2013
Thursday night dinner NOT included.
If you are interested in going, form is in “Mission Messenger”
or you can see Sylvia Gibson or Elizabeth Holmes.
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THIS RETREAT, THERE WILL BE
ANOTHER ON: March 15-16, Friday/Saturday at Epworth
Forest, North Webster. Both Spiritual Growth Retreats begin
at 7pm Eastern Time and end following lunch the next day.
Children’s Winter and Summer Clothing & Shoes
Men’s Winter and Summer clothing and Shoes (Special need:
Men’s Suits)
Small kitchen appliances
Underwear for all ages.
_Special items needed for use at the Plant
Colored Copy Paper
Tall Kitchen
33 Gallon size
Windex
Bowl Cleaner
Pine-sol or other Cleaner
Dishwashing Soap
2
Garbage Bags –
Safety Pins
Bleach
Liquid Laundry Toilet
Hand Soap
Paper Towels
Toilet paper
FOR THE NEW YEAR
H old fast to your faith (Hebrews 4:14)
A ssemble with the saints (Hebrews 10:25)
P ray earnestly every day (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
P ray for great blessings (Malachi 3:10)
Y ield not to temptation (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
N eglect not your talents and opportunities (Galatians 6:10)
E xamine yourself daily (2 Corinthians 13:5)
W ork diligently for the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Y ield your members to righteousness (Romans 6:ll, 16)
E xercise yourself in godliness (1 timothy 4:7)
A im for a perfect, mature faith (Hebrews 6:1)
R edeem the time (Ephesians 5: 15-16)
Continued:
and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,, In the
midst of this darkness
“I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”
Birthday
Greetings
January
Jan 01
Pastor Curtis Hurley
Jan 01
Kathy Grizelle
Jan 13
Sarah Plough
Jan 20
Brenda Henry
Jan 20
Ron Cooper
Jan 22
Jerry Lewis
Jan 23
Libby Morris
Jan 25
Joanne Guttman
Jan 25
Alan Webber
Jan 27
Hatti Vaught
Jan 29
Kerry Halberstadt
Jan 29
Wayne Ekstrom
Jan 30
An Ekstrom
Jan 30
Helen DuBois
Jan 31
Eric Moore
**********************************************************
I am still the Light
Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there
They were filled with such joy; they didn’t know what to say
they remembered nothing of what happened earlier that day
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse
“This is heaven” declared a small boy
“We’re spending Christmas at God’s house”.
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same
then He opened His arms and He called them by name
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw3 all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe,
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools.”
“I’m taking back my nation.
“I’m taking back my schools.”
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“Come now my children let me show you around.”
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
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Great Read! The 2013 United Methodist Women’s Books
Each year the women of our church are afforded the
opportunity to grow in faith through reading. These books
can be read for credit or non-credit.
In reading for credit, the requirement for Plan One is
to read a book from each of the five reading categories below
and be a regular reader of Response magazine. Plan Two is 10
books, Plan Three, 15 and Plan Four, 20.
The books are available to all women in our Church,
and many of our women read one or more in 2012. The 2013
books listed below can be found on the shelf below the library
bulletin board in January and on the fireplace mantle
afterwards. Books from the past 5 years, also available for
credit or non-credit reading, are on the mantle in the library.
All of these books are divided according to the five categories
and are color coded for easy selection. Read and grow.
Education For Mission:
Julie Clawson, Everyday Justice (The global impact of
our daily choices).
Mary Ann Kirby, I am Hutterite (The fascinating true
story of a young woman’s journey to reclaim her heritage).
Large print
Leadership Development:
Megan McKenna, This Will Be Remembered of Her
(Stories of women reshaping the world).
Alex and Brent Harris, Do Hard Things (A teenage
rebellion against low expectations) Youth
Nurturing for Community
Shelina Zahra Janmohamed, Love in a Headscarf
(Author’s dealing with an arranged marriage brings her a
better understanding of herself and her Muslim faith).
Claudia Guadalupe Martinez, The Smell of Old Lady
Perfume (Story of sixth grader Chela, who deals with the
community of family and friends). Children’s novel
Jorge Ramos, A Country for All (An immigrant
manifesto).
Stephanie Spellers, Radical Welcome (Embracing
God, the other, and the spirit of transformation).
Allan S. Teel, Alone and invisible No More
(Empowering elders to stay at home and lead happier and
healthier lives).
Library continued:
Cindy Woodsmall and Miriam Flaud, Plain Wisdom
(An invitation into an Amish home and the hearts of two
women). Large print
Social Action
David Almond (Ed.) Free? (Stories about human
rights). Youth
Ash Barker, Make Poverty personal, (Taking the poor
as seriously as the Bible does).
Sally Dyck and Sarah Ehrman, A Hopeful Earth (Faith,
science and the message of Jesus).
Debbie Macomber, One Simple Act (Discovering the
power of generosity). Large Print
Kevin Salwen and Hannah Salwen, The Power of Half
(One family’s decision to stop taking and start giving back).
Spiritual Growth
Renae Brumbaugh, Morning Coffee with James (This
daily devotional includes the text in James for each day).
Adam Hamilton, When Christians Get it Wrong
(Exploring some Christian attitudes and behaviors that young
adults see as wrong). Large print
Anne Jackson, Permission to Speak Freely (Is it
possible to be honest in faith and in church? Essays and art on
fear, confession and grace). Youth
David Jeremiah, Signs of Life (Back to the basics of
authentic Christianity – exploring the marks that identifies us
as Christian).
River Jordan, Praying for Strangers (An adventure of
the human spirit-praying for a complete stranger every day of
the year). National bestseller
Enuma Okoro Reluctant Pilgrim (A moody, somewhat
self-indulgent introvert’s search for spiritual community).
Prayer List
The monthly newsletter lists all persons
currently on the First Church prayer list.
The Sunday worship bulletin lists names
that were verbally submitted the previous
Sunday, those turned in to the church
office the ensuing week, and updates when
there is new information. Please provide
to the church office updated information
concerning persons on the list whenever a
change occurs in their circumstances.
You are encouraged to keep your own
personal prayer log of everyone named in
the bulletin and newsletter and pray for
these persons daily. You are also invited
to be a part of the Intercessory Prayer
Ministry that meets 1 p.m. every Monday in
the lounge.
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Ed Abbott, intestinal
Trudy Adamson, Beth Butsch’s aunt, cancer. Pray for
peace at the end.
Dave Chapman, friend of Lori Klopfenstein, heart
Carol Coon, broken pelvis, recovering at home
Vickie Cunningham, Laura Hurley’s cousin, cancer
Wayne Ekstrom, at home
Elena Evans, friend of Brianna Baucom, cancer
Stephanie Free, cancer
Dan Gingler, Kellee Cobb’s father, stroke
Charles Heck, multiple health problems
Ron Hockersmith, Ava Moore’s brother, clot in brain
Elizabeth Holmes, knee replacement, recovering at home
Esther Hurley, Pastor Hurley’s mother, seizures
Kaitlin, Gilda Lewis’s cousin, difficult pregnancy
Lillian Kehl, Estella Copple’s sister, broken hip
Joanie King, heart
Matt Lewis, Jerry Lewis’s son
Charles Locke, pneumonia
David Low, friend of Hurleys, Parkinson’s disease
Dan Lutz, friend of Gilda Lewis, cancer
Paul & Frances McCombs, health problems
Shirley McCoy, hospitalized
Harold & Mary Ann McConkey, health problems
Brenda McGriff, friend of Ken Larmore, cancer
Fran McLaughlin, infection
Dale Moore, Ava’s husband, health problems
Ray Morris, Sylvia Gibson’s nephew, liver
Sandy Morrison, cancer
Christy Mosley, friend of Gilda Lewis, liver
Travis Pence, Penny Pence’s son, looking for work
Dee Radigan, friend of Mabel Brockley, thanksgiving for
improvement
Daniel Ramsey, friend of Ashlyn Baucom, cancer
Danny Roszell, friend of Sam Harvey, health problems
Cathy Sliger, infection
Mel Wadle, director of Bev Jobe Ctr, health problems
Melissa Webber, hip surgery and infection
Hettie Wagner, cancer
Paul Weston, Ava Moore’s brother, heart
Laurie Wheeler, Joyce Peak’s neighbor, back surgery
Jacob White, seriously injured in farm accident
We extend our sympathy to:
Rhonda Burchett on the death of her mother Vivian
Lindsey
Carol Hoffman on the death of her sister Virginia
Reineking
Ramona McKinney on the deaths of her sister Mary JoAnn
Bonea and of her brother-in-law
And to the families of:
Diana Kelly
Charles & Mildred Leedke
Clara Richardson
JANUARY 2013
Sun
Mon
OFFICE OPEN
Tue
1
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
2 OFFICE CLOSED
3 OFFICE CLOSED
4 OFFICE CLOSED
5
9
10 CLINIC
11
12
18
19
25
26
HAPPY NEW YEAR
6
7
OFFICE OPEN
8
REGULAR SCHEDULE
FOR OFFICE
OFFICE CLOSED
TRUSTEE MEETING
6:30PM
13
14
15
16
17
20
21
22
23
24
CLINIC
UMW SPIRITUAL
RETREAT BEGINS
27
28
ADMINISTRATIVE
COUNCIL MEETING
6:30PM
29
30
31