the update newsletter · 2019-08-21 · 2 galatians 5:22-26 - two different ways of living 22 but...
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The United Methodist Church of Ephrata 117 C Street NW Ephrata, WA 98823
Thank you for supporting the work of the church through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness as we pursue our mission:
“We Serve God by Serving Others”
Office Hours Monday through Wednesday
9:00am to 1:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-12:00pm
Phone: (509)754-4664
Email: [email protected]
Pastor Don Dunn…[email protected]
Administrative Assistant: Tresa Poe……[email protected]
Custodian: Jamie Downing
Pianist: Betsy Pecka
www.umcephrata.org facebook.com/umcofephrata
The United Methodist Church of Ephrata
“We Serve God by Serving Others.”
The Update Newsletter
September 2019
Vacation
Time to go on vacation! Bobbi and I traveled to Neah Bay, our first trip that
direction. It was cooler and Bobbi located various sites to visit. We were away from
August 9th to August 15th.
Vacations are healthy “time outs” for people. We once traveled to England in
2003. I was in a running shoe ware shop and one of the shoe consultants in conversa-
tion said as we left “Happy Holiday.” It seemed strange to use that word as it was not
Christmas. I learned that in England if people are on a vacation, they are on a holiday.
The interesting thing is that Holiday has the close association with Holy-day, a term used for
festivals, ceremonies, events, National and global time off. Sabbath in the Ten Commandments was
for work stoppage. Sabbath was observed to remind people that they were no longer slaves to
Pharaoh – a day to rest, and a day of resistance to earning and spending. We can learn much about
Sabbath – for me the big thing is the rest since God rested from His work on Sabbath.
I hope many of you have taken time for vacation and returned rested with pictures and
memories.
Happy Holiday,
Pastor Don
Holiness
The Master would frequently assert that holiness was less a matter
of what one did than of what one allowed to happen. To a group of
disciples who had difficulty understanding that, he told the follow-
ing story:
There was once a one-legged dragon who said to the
centipede, “How do you manage all those legs? It is all I can do to
manage one.” “To tell you the truth,” said the centipede, “ I do not
manage them at all.” Anthony de Mello, S.J., One Minute Wisdom (Gujarat, India: Gujarat Sahitya Prakashm 1985). P. 124.
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Galatians 5:22-26 - Two different ways of living
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become arrogant, make each other angry, or be jealous of each other.
This passage may be a timely prayer guide to consider. We pray “thy Kingdom come’”
to acknowledge God’s sovereignty in our lives and our World and the hope that is ours for the
common good of all people.
This beautiful hope filled text from Galatians is in such stark contrast to the changing
times in which we live. We more often see the earlier portion of Galatians 5:16-21 where the
negative behaviors known as “works of flesh” or “selfish-desires” are listed and sadly obscure
the good things mentioned above in Galatians 5:22-26.
It is a strange vision in our “modern” world where as Christians we live amid a great
deal of choices, news, and information that lack “the fruit of the spirit.” For many of us, we may
recall times, places, and people, where goodness seemed more intentional. I think church still
occupies that Hope filled, Jesus’ way, of life.
With the recent news of mass shootings in Gilroy California, El Paso Texas, and Dayton
Ohio, and also the immigrant workers in Mississippi, my heart is saddened. It seems like a
daring proposal to consider God’s Kingdom way of living with an internal peace of mind that
also reaches outward with love for the neighbor.
I found the following article to share for this column…
Kindness
Kindness is the overflowing of self upon others. We put others in the place of self. We treat them as we would wish to be treated ourselves. We change places with them. For the time self is another, and others are self. Our self-love takes the shape of complacence in unselfishness. We cannot speak of the virtues without thinking of God. What would the overflow of self upon others be in Him the ever-blessed and Eternal? I was the act of creation. Creation was divine kindness. From it as from a fountain, flow the possibilities, the powers, the blessings of all created kindness. This is an honorable genealogy for kindness. Then, again, kindness is the coming to the rescue of others, when they need it and it is in our power to supply what they need; and this is the work of the Attributes of God towards His crea-tures… Moreover kindness is also like divine grace; for it gives us something which neither self nor na-ture can give us. What it gives us is something of which we are in want, or something which only anoth-er person can give such as consolation; and besides this, the manner in which this is given is a true gift itself, better far than the thing given: and what is all this but an allegory of grace? Kindness adds sweet-ness to everything. It is kindness which makes life’s capabilities blossom, and paints them with their cheering hues, and endows them with their invigorating fragrance… Last of all, the secret impulse out of which kindness acts is an instinct which is the noblest part of ourselves, the most undoubted remnant of the image of God, which was given us at the first. F.W. Faber, Spiritual Conferences (Thomas Richardson & Son, 1859), p.2.
Pastor Don
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“I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141: 1-2
One of the most wonderful gifts we are given is the gift of prayer. We can pray for one another in times of need as well as times of celebration.
To join the email prayer chain, email Tresa at [email protected]
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please let us know if someone should be added or taken off our prayer list by contacting the church office: Also contact the church office if you know of some-
one in need of a visit by our Congregational Care Team or Pastor Don.
Bob St. Clair Jr
Ed Sivula
Doug Jensen
Ron Gardner
Steven Grass
Brian Davisson
Renee Muse
Al Davisson
Steve Smith
Justin Townley
Gail Catlow
Joe Hatch
Eleanor Gausman
Dan Anderson
Randy Senn
Ed Warren
Marlene Fisk Warren
David Prince
Abbie Thorndike
Ralph Schonder
Dennis Ackerman
Amy Torrens-Harry
Rayce & Tiffany Barnes
Tabatha
Susan Aldridge
David Thompson
Julea Dunn
Marie Marsh
Amy Torrens-Harry
Mike Dell
Dick Ross
Eric Moulton
Tom Pheasant
Francie Hernandez
Shirley Johnson
Kathleen Neuberger
Jeremy Warren
Kierra Smith
Jessica Smith
Chris Wash
Kevin Harmon
Michael Oliveira
Prayers for Health, Healing, and Well-Being
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The Community Memory Café will meet Monday, September 9th, from 1:30 - 3pm in our Social Hall.
The hosts for the snack time is Ann Chandler.
The Welcome table will be served by Bobbi Dunn and Ellen White.
Please spread the word that the Community Memory Café serves those with various forms of memory loss as well as their caregivers, spouse, or relative/friend.
Grief Support: For those going through the challenges of loss-perhaps recently, or from years ago. Meeting every first and third Tuesday of every month from 6 to 7pm, with Penny and David Clees.
Caregiver Support Group: Every second Wednesday of the month from 10 am until 11 am. Come and find support and understanding. Come and tell your story. Come and have time to rest in the caring arms of Christ’s love. If that time does not work for you, please call and set up a time to meet with Pastor Don.
Bible Study: Pastor Don leads a Bible Study group every Wednesday at 2pm in the Fireside Room. All are welcome and encouraged to join.
Please start thinking about our Fall Auction on November 3rd, and what you may be able to contribute. Thank you!
Men’s group will start up again on September 7th at 8:30am. Join us for
breakfast, conversation, and a program.
All men are welcome
September 16th will be the next UMW gathering at 1pm in the Social Hall.
Program by Joan Jensen.
Hostesses are Ann Chandler and Marilyn Grass.
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Special dates Labor Day, September 2nd
National Grandparents Day, September 8th Patriot Day, September 11th
Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th – October 15th Constitution Day, September 17th
First day of autumn, September 23rd
The Evangelism Committee is hoping to begin a new service to our Congre-
gation. We would like to be able to offer transportation to and from the doc-
tor, dentist, and physical therapy appointments, etc. to those who cannot
drive and need help with getting to their appointments. We need volunteers. This will be on
an as needed basis. If you would be interested in helping with this outreach, please contact
Vera Senn at [email protected] or call/text (509) 750-1014
SAVE THE DATE: On October 2nd at 7 PM there will be a
Jewelry Party Fundraiser in the Social Hall. All are welcome!
The Eleventh Of September Written by Roger J. Robicheau ©2002
We mourn their loss this day this year Those now with God, no danger near
So many loved ones left do stand Confronting loss throughout our land
My heart goes out to those who do No one can fathom what they view
I firmly pray for peace of mind Dear God please help each one to find
And to our soldiers now at war God guide above, at sea, on shore They are the best, I have no doubt
Our country’s pride, complete, devout The finest force you’ll ever see
All freedom grown through liberty One final thought comes clear to me
For what must live in infamy Absolutely – We’ll Remember The Eleventh – Of September
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SERVERS
Community Dinner Report for July
The monthly community dinner continues to be a popular event for our community. We had a total of 43 plated dinners and 12 take home meals for our July dinner. This is down from previous months. Grant County Journal continues to provide at least two notices. We would like to thank Louise S., Marilyn B., Bob B., Lonny H. for helping with service and Marilyn G. and Vera S. For providing desserts. ALL are appreciated. Thank You! - Camille and Christy Price
Please join us for Community Dinner on
Thursday, September 26th, at 5:30pm.
Invite friends, family, and neighbors.
All are welcome!
DATE
September 1
Labor Day
Weekend
September
8
September
15
September
22
September
29
Assistant
of the Day Bob Bluhm Ed Rogers Denis Plew
Lonny
Holleman Bob Bluhm
Ushers Joan Jensen Lonny
Holleman Vera Senn Christy Price
Marilyn
Bluhm
Greeters Betty Rogers Bob Bluhm Linda
Bryant-Smith Denis Plew Barb Deycous
Liturgist Vera Senn Camille Price Ann Chandler Bobbi Dunn Linda
Bryant-Smith
Coffee
Hour Ann Chandler Christy Price Tura Yount Jennifer Sager
Pie Social
Vera Senn &
Mary Fulk
Lead
Counter
Linda
Bryant-Smith Denis Plew
Linda
Bryant-Smith Denis Plew Mary Mantz
Assisting
Counter
Margaret
Trieber
Louise
Ingebrigtson Marilyn Grass
Margaret
Treiber
Louise
Ingebrigtson
Flowers
Nick & Ellen
White
(48th Wedding
Anniversary)
Camille &
Christy Price
(38th Wedding
Anniversary)
Communion
Servers
Camille Price
& Tura Yount
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Rob Mantz September 2nd
Paul Morris
September 4th
Bob Del Mar September 5th
McKinley Fulk
September 13th
Jackie Driver September 20th
Nick White
September 24th
Donna Anderson September 26th
September 2 Labor Day, Office Closed September 3 Quilters, 9am Grief Support Group, 6pm September 4 Bible Study, 2pm September 7 Men’s Breakfast, 8:30am September 9 Memory Café, 1:30-3pm September 10-11 Pastor Out of Office September 10 Quilters, 9am Trustees Meeting, 7pm September 11 Church Council Meeting, 5:15pm September 16 United Methodist Women, 1pm September 17 Quilters, 9am Grief Support Group, 6pm September 18 Bible Study, 2pm Newsletter Folding, 9am September 24 Quilters, 9am September 25 Bible Study, 2pm September 26 Community Dinner, 5:30pm September 29 Pie Social after Worship Garden Oasis Service, 3pm
Mark Your Calendar
Tom & Dolores Pheasant
Sept. 5th - 65 years
Nick & Ellen White Sept. 11th - 48 years
Camille & Christy Price Sept. 19th - 38 years
Ed & Louise Sivula
Sept 27th - 50 years
If I missed anyone’s
birthday or anniversary
please let me know.
Thank you! Tresa