2012 Skylands District Day of Learning

2012 Skylands District Day of Learning

DATE:                       2/18/2012

LOCATION:             First UMC (Newton) 111 Ryerson Ave, Newton, NJ  07860

TIMES:                      Starts 8:30 am             Ends 1:15 pm

Event Schedule
8:30 am- 9:00 am – Registration (light breakfast provided)
9:00 am – 9:45 am – Gathering Worship
10:00 am- 11:30 am – First Session Workshops
11:45 am – 1:15 pm – Second Session Workshops

Note:  No lunch break will be provided

The workshops you can choose to attend will include the following:

 Staff-Parish Relations Committee- SPRC members & Pastors

  It All Begins Here: Making the Best of a Few Workers – Lay Leadership, Spirit Team, Missions, Worship/Music

 The Promise and Purpose of Discipleship – open to all

 Life-Changing small Groups- open to all

 Stewardship 201 – Finance and Stewardship

 Children and Prayer – Sunday School teachers, Youth Workers etc.

 Growing a Healthy Church with Natural Church Devbelopment – Visioning, Worship, Staff Parish, Ad Council

 Are You a Facebook Official? – Evangelism, Witness, Spirit Team, Communications

 Youth Leader’s Tool Box – Youth Workers, Pastors

 Employee-related Taxes – SPRC, Finance and Treasurers

 Year-End Statistical Reporting – Pastors, Finance and Treasurers

 Worship and Media – Worship Committee, Lay Leaders, Pastors

 Intro to Lay Speaking – open to all

 Vacation Bible School – Children and Youth coordinators, Pastors

 General/Jurisdictional Conference Q & A – open to all

 

Brochures are available in the church vestibule. Registration is due by February 13. There is no charge to attend these workshops. Funding for the District Days of Learning is provided by your contributions to the Shared Ministry Fund.

Pastor’s Pen

Dear Friends,
I + you = we

This is an equation for the church at work. It’s like that great hymn #558 in our United Methodist Hymnal. The refrain reminds us “I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.” None of us can or should try to be the church on our own. Likewise, the “we” cannot exist without our participation.” The church, by definition, is the collective Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul goes to great length to explain to us how every part of the Body is important, and serves different functions.
We United Methodists are blessed to be part of a denomination that is called “connectional.” That means that we are not only part of a community here in Milford, but part of a national and international community as well. Sometimes people see that larger structure as the big, amorphous “they.” But that’s simply not the case. It is you and I, along with many others, who make up this larger community of faith. We elect persons to represent us and our views in the larger church. We are able to help people in need across the world because the network of ministry is already established. United Methodists are able to make a powerful statement for the sake of Jesus Christ in our world. It is definitely a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
As we begin this new year of ministry together, I invite you to consider where you fit into the equation. Be part of the “we” that serves our God every day.

Blessings,
Linda

Come Follow Me

Giving a message of trust in God, Sunday’s anthem was S. Albrecht’s & J. Althouse’s “Come Follow Me”

Who Ya’ Gonna Trust?

This Sunday our scripture is about God being the only One we can trust completely. Psalm 62:5-12 describes God as a rock, a fortress, our salvation, and our refuge. It identifies anything of this world which we might want to trust as “nothing.” Come this Sunday and join us in sorting things out. In an insecure world, find out where your security lies.

See you in church!
Linda

(photo credits clockwise from left: Mark Holthusen, Melissa Clifton, Getty Images, subrosa-blonde.blogspot.com, photobucket.com - scorpio_chika)

Souper Bowl of Caring

Sunday, February 5th our church will be taking a donation for the Souper Bowl of Caring charity.

“Using the energy of the Super Bowl to mobilize youth in a united national effort to care for people in their local communities who are hungry and those in need.”

This is the Mission Statement for the Souper Bowl of Caring. This charity is a national movement of young people working to combat hunger. Last year the charity collected $9,605,368.08 in cash and food items to give to 10,173 different charities. 100% of your donations will be given to a local hunger-relief charity. Bring a can of soup on Super Bowl Sunday, and wrap a donation around it with a rubber band to help out your community.

Harvest Festival – October 1, 9 am -  4 pm: Dozens of vendors, Unique Gifts & Crafts, Pike County’s Best Breakfast, Apple Dumplings & Ice Cream, Hot dogs, Burgers, Sausage & Peppers – Good Food, Good Friends, Great Fun!

World Communion Sunday – October 2 &  MUMC Church Conference @  6:00 pm (SPRC @ 5:00)

Gideons in worship — October 9

Steeple dedication — October 16

CROP Walk –  The Tri-States CROP Hunger Walk raises funds to fight hunger in Milford, Matamoras, Port Jervis, and around the world. Food collection, music, and other family activities make it a great way to help those in need. Join your friends, family and neighbors as we walk to end hunger one step at a time! Walk is Sunday October 16, 2011. Registration begins at 1:30 PM and the walk begins at 2:00 PM. Impact your community & world – walk with us!

Fifth Sunday All-generational worship– October 30

Dedication of shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child — November

Advent starts — November 27

No Services Sunday

There will be no services on Sunday August 28th.

Blessing of the Back Packs

Don’t forget! This Sunday we will bless students’ backpacks, teachers’ briefcases, even lunchboxes! Young or old, school or work – bring your bag, and I
will say a special blessing. I will also have a small reminder of God’s love for you to carry in your bag.

Please bring with you any donations of school supplies and/or lunch box foods for the families in our area who need our help. We will bless them with prayer, keeping in mind those who will receive them.

See you in church!

Pastor Linda

Back to School Blessings

BACK TO SCHOOL

Rulers* Crayons*Backpacks*Lunch boxes*Loose-leaf paper*Pens and Pencils*Spiral notebooks*Computer supplies

It takes a lot of supplies for families to send their children back to school.  For many, the expense is overwhelming.  We can help!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 Please bring donations of school supplies and food for school lunches to worship. As we bless the backpacks of our own children, we will bless the supplies that will go to local children and families in need.  Be blessed to be a blessing to others.

Life is tough.  Sometimes we think we’ve got it covered.  Then, when we least expect it… SPLAT!

This Sunday we will read Psalm 86, verses 11-17.  It is David’s prayer asking God for help with people who are threatening him. But he doesn’t ask God to zap the bad guys.  He asks God to grow him spiritually so that his faith gives him what he needs to deal with things.   Something to think about!  Join us Sunday as I unwrap it further. See you in church!

Linda

Aagghh…!!
VS.
Aahhh…..

Which is your more common expression these days? If it is the top one, God understands and wants to help. In this Sunday’s scriptures, we will read that the Holy Spirit “does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.”

Join us for a very quiet, reflective service of renewal. See you in church!

Linda

The Water Cycle

Hi – Do you remember this diagram from your science class? It teaches us how God provides a way for our earth to maintain and renew itself day after day, for all time.

In our scripture for this coming Sunday, God tells us that His Word is like the snow and rain that comes down from the sky to water the earth. It continually renews us and promotes new growth.

If you are feeling a bit crispy around the edges these days, why not check out this side of God’s nature. Find out how you can avail yourself of this renewal that our faithful God offers. If you are feeling “well-watered,” then I invite you to come help us praise God for it.

See you in church!

Pastor Linda

Summerfest!

Our church festival will be July 16th starting at 9am. There will be great vendors, fellowship, food,  and strawberry short cake. Come join the fun.

Book Study This Sunday!

The Shack by William Paul Young will be the topic for group discussion on Sunday evenings, June 12 and June 19 from 6-8 p.m. The group will meet at a beautiful setting by a pond and a “shack” just off Schocopee Road in Milford. The site is easily accessible by car. There are restrooms available. In the case of inclement weather, the group will meet in a very comfortable building on site. A sign-up sheet is in the lobby of the church. Please read the entire book before the first session.

Adult Sunday School

Come and join the adult Sunday school class as we study Five Practices of Fruitful Living, by Robert Schnase.

Our study begins at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. There is no need to sign up, just stop by and join us!

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Thursday Service Worship at 7p : Jesus has a last meal with his disciples.  He sets the model for our sacrament of communion, and teaches the disciples what servanthood means.
Good Friday Vigil at Presbyterian Church Noon- 3pm The 7 last words of Christ.  Reverend Hale will be speaking on the first words, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Easter Sunday Sunrise Service 6:00a at Milford beach
Easter Service 10:30a in the sanctuary  Jesus’ victory over death is proclaimed and celebrated.

There will be no Sunday School or early worship on Easter Sunday.  Worship at the church will be at 10:30a.

Soup Suppers & The Apocalypse of John

This Wednesday 6pm in the fellowship hall. Free will offering. Lecture Series to follow supper. The Rev. Lloyd Kenyon will continue his discussion of the New Testament, with the Apocalypse of John.

Thirsty?

Our scripture this coming Sunday tells us about God’s people traveling through a spot of wilderness where they couldn’t find any water to drink. It causes them to whine a lot, and doubt God’s faithfulness. Of course, God comes through in a dramatic, wonderful way.

If you’re feeling a bit ”dry” these days, or if you ever have, please join us in worship this Sunday. You will be offered refreshment for your soul.

See you in church,

Linda

Weather

The Lenten Soup Supper & Lecture Series scheduled for tonight has been cancelled. Stay home if you can, and be safe.

Lift High the Cross