The Messenger First United Methodist Church of Wausau 903 Third Street Wausau, WI 54403
NON PROFIT
september
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
2015
PERMIT NO. 542
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Church Purpose:
Sunday, September 13 8:00am - Morning Chapel 10:00am - Worship “Science or Meaning” Genesis 2:18-25 Other Events: First day of Sunday Morning classes
Sunday, September 27, United Methodist Women 8:00am - Morning Chapel 10:00am - Worship “Prescription or Description” 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 *We observe Open Communion. All are welcome at God’s table.
THE MESSENGER
Sunday, September 6 8:00am - Morning Chapel with Communion* 10:00am - Worship with Communion* “What Do We Do with This Stuff?” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF WAUSAU
Live and Share God's Love
Sunday, September 20 8:00am - Morning Chapel 10:00am - Worship “Morality Tale or Story” 2 Samuel 11-12
Never-Before Revealed Secrets of the Bible! In 1997, a book called The Bible Code was published by a journalist named Michael Drosnin. The point of the book was that the original Hebrew text of the Old Testament contained secret messages, many of which foretold the future.
WAUSAU, WI 54403
Sermon Series: The Problem with the Bible
FROM PASTOR JERRY’S DESK
Sometimes this code could be retrieved by counting “equidistant letters.” Suppose you took every fiftieth Hebrew letter in Genesis (not counting spaces) and then put them together, adding spaces where necessary. It might spell out a secret message! Or here’s another way it might work. Put all the Hebrew letters of a Bible book in rows, with the same number of letters (say 100) in each row, and print them in squares with justified margins. It would look like a Word Search puzzle. Then, just as with a Word Search, you try reading it backwards and forwards, up and down, and diagonally. Amazingly, words appear! By this method, Drosnin found that the ancient Hebrew manuscripts predicted the assassinations of both JFK and Yitzhak Rabin! (In the consonantal Hebrew: YPhK and RBN.) The book sold millions of copies. But it’s just possible that Drosnin was working with a few suspect presuppositions. For instance, he presupposes that God was involved in the writing of the books right down to the individual letters. He also presupposes that the apparent meaning of scripture – the stories, songs, laws, teachings, and speeches – are at one level just a pretext for other, hidden, messages. And he presupposes that the current events of about the turn of the 21st century were just so darn important to God that the writing of the Bible was shaped by God’s need to insert messages about our time in books written thousands of years earlier. Think about it! The Bible predicts JFK’s death! We must be incredibly important if even the Bible is really all about us! As I say, I think all these presuppositions are, shall we say, suspect. But Drosnin worked with one other premise, which I believe is accurate. He presupposed that people would uncritically accept any rubbish so long as it had the word “Bible” attached to it. That much, at least, is true. Why is that? Because we know that the Bible is somehow from God, but we don’t really know what’s in it. Why don’t we know the Bible? Because, let’s face it, it’s hard. It’s written in literary forms that we aren’t familiar with, using strange metaphors, referring to people and places we’ve never heard of. It’s long, and it’s confusing. It already feels like a secret code to us, so Drosnin’s bilge sounds credible. This fall, we’re going to try to make the Bible more accessible, in two ways. First of all, on Wednesday nights and during Sunday education time, I’ll be repeating my Scripture Core class, surveying the actual content of the Bible and showing how it fits together. Second, in my sermons, I’m going to talk about strategies for approaching the Bible, with sensitivity to its own time as well as to ours. I’m going to talk about what the Bible really is – and what it isn’t. Because the Bible actually matters – not as a weapon or a gimmick, but as a doorway to discovering God yesterday, today, and forever.
Phone 715 842-2201
Website: www.fumcwausau.org
2 0 1 5 G F O R C E V B S
To the Members of First UMC, Thank you so much for your warm welcome to First UMC and to Wausau! I really appreciated Dan Marzu, Jerry Evans, Jerry Morris and Mike Zahn helping load and unload my furniture and belongings. My first week here was VBS! That was a great opportunity to get to know some of the children, youth and adults. I look forward to working with your children and youth as we learn about God and grow in our relationship with God and with each other through Faith Quest, Confirmation, Children’s Music and other opportunities. I am also excited about starting rehearsals with the Chancel Choir and the Jubilate Ringers. I am going through music and am looking forward to preparing for leading our church in worship of our loving and gracious God. One of our first challenges is finding an accompanist. Please be in prayer as we seek someone who will compliment the ministry and worship of our church. Thank you again for the opportunity to minister with you in this place, Martie
R A M P U P !
WE PRAY TOGETHER - NOW LET’S PLAY TOGETHER! We are taking a bus trip to see Christmas on the Farm by the Clauson Family on Saturday, December 5th? The cost for the show, dinner & transportation is $61 per adult and $38 per child (12 and under). Family & friends are welcome! Full payment will be due by October 15th. A deposit of $20 each will hold your spot. Checks should be made to FUMC. This will be fun for the whole family. Please let the Office (8422201) or John Ohnstad (845-1366) know - or indicate your interest by signing up in the Parlor.
STAFF Pastor:
Gerald Morris jerry@fumcwausau.org
Faith Formation/Music Coordinator:
Martie Pahris
martie@fumcwausau.org Accounts & Records Supervisor:
Karen Kellbach
karen@fumcwausau.org Secretary:
Arlene Trull arlene@fumcwausau.org
Building Engineer:
Andy White
903 Third St; Wausau, WI 54403 Office Hours: Mon-Thurs - 9:00am-4:00pm Web-site: www.fumcwausau.org E-mail: fumc@fumcwausau.org
CARE
Resources for Ministry Financial Update - JULY 2015 YTD Revenue
Expense $ 137,274.78
Pledged Offering
$ 140,336.46
Salaries & Benefits
Non-Pledged Offering
$
26,315.90
Programming
$
13,929.64
Other
$
32,181.57
Apportionments to Conference
$
31,136.00
Building Operating Expenses
$
33,303.24
Total Expenses
$
215,643.66
$
-16,809.73
Total Revenue
$ 198,833.93
Net YTD YTD 2015 Pledged & Non-Pledged Offerings compared to YTD 2014 YTD 2015 Total Expenses compared to YTD 2014 YTD 2015 Other Income compared to YTD 2014
1,073.00 lower 14,325.71 lower 13,654.72 higher
YTD 2015 Endowment Transfer compared to 2014
15,000.00 higher
2015 Financial Audit Report Every few years, we bring in an outside auditor to look over our books, examine our processes, and make suggestions. After all, the money we manage was entrusted to us by you for ministry. We had an audit in 2012, and this past month we had an accountant from Hack CPA come out and spend two weeks with Karen Kellbach, our Financial Records Supervisor. Here is a summary of his report. Gary, the accountant, did find a few discrepancies that he could not reconcile. In the end, we had to adjust our balance by adding $254.66 to our books. That’s how far we had gotten off balance in three years. Gary’s comment on this: “A high degree of accuracy by your current financial records supervisor is indicated by there being few errors found and that the requiredamount of adjustment was a relatively small dollaramount considering that last time we assisted with a reconciliation was August 31, 2012.” Gary did make some suggestions on things that the finance committee can work on: consolidating and updating our policies into a single document, establishing a regular external review of bills paid by electronic fund transfer, and most of all training a second person as a back-up to Karen Kellbach. So long as she is the only one who knows how to perform many of our financial tasks, we are exposed to considerable risk of confusion. So there are some things to work on. But you needed to know that we are continuing to be careful with the money you give, that Karen has (again) been shown to be trustworthy. Part of your stewardship is to give financially to the church; part of our stewardship to you is to be faithful and careful with those gifts. Page 10
September 12 - Church Workday On Saturday, September 12, between 8:00am and 2:00pm, the Board of Trustees and the Aesthetics Committee invite everyone to drop by the church and help with some deep cleaning and small maintenance. Donuts will be provided in the morning, and we will grill lunch in the courtyard. Quilters are especially invited to use their talents to create a new banner for the Fellowship Hall. Yes, we know it’s ArtRageous Weekend. It will already be a good day to be downtown. Spend some of the day with us, and then enjoy the attractions and exhibits that start two blocks away.
Milestones Deaths: Several of our members are grieving for loved ones who have died. We grieve with them. We grieve with Joe Riehle, whose mother, Belle Riehle, died June 6. We grieve also with Carrie Hockerman, whose grandmother, Ethel Cairns, died on July 4.
facebook.com/WausauFUMC WiFi Network: FUMC Public (password: fumcpublic)
Janet Wyrick Jace Cole
2
Jerry Evans Chloé Larson
14 Dan Emmerich Julia Ebert
22 Catherine Koss 23 Lawrence Muelver
16 Betty Fraser* Cheyenne Schepp Ginny Grothe
24 Dave Seiser Cathy Hamblin
3
Morgan Stamp
4
Dawn Decker Jerry Volkman
17 Jim Boelz Bruce Brandenburg Patty Gokey
25 Bernadette Bruner
6
Will Wyrick
18 Ann Harmon
And we grieve with Beth Rohland, who lost two family members in one week. Beth’s cousin, Deanna Witte, died on August 2, and then Beth’s grandmother, Wilma Gilmore, died on August 5.
7
Ray Nowaczyk 19 MaDonna McMahan Kathryn Schmidt Joyce Scheffler Curt Day Rob Rybarczyk Jessica Wenzel
27 Nick Harvey Dennis Sauer Lisa Dahl
Be in prayer for all who mourn, especially these we know and love.
11 Grace Wylie
We grieve with Sue Carole Volovsek, whose mother-in-law, Olga Volovsek, died on July 21.
Baptism: But we also rejoice. We welcomed Wynter Tesch into our fellowship on August 23 through the Sacrament of Baptism. Wynter will begin our Confirmation program this fall as she seeks to deepen her faith in Christ.
8
10 John Burke
12 Barbara Day Sue Carole Volovsek
20 Leah Stratton 21 Florence Ross* Mary Borchardt Dave Branson Martie Pahris
26 Betsy Larson
28 Leslie Waterman 29 Kay Harmon 30 Doris Carlson James Wadinski Porter Emmerich
* Signifies an honored elder in a senior facility. We invite you this month to remember these members in your prayers.
A Dementia-Friendly Church - Special Class Offered Through the Downtown Memory Café, First UMC Wausau has already reached out to the seniors of our community who struggle with memory loss issues - in themselves and their loved ones. But is there more we can do?
FUMC Wired Website: fumcwausau.org With links to the weekly sermon (text and podcast)
1
Savvy Seniors will meet at 11:30am on M o n d a y , September 14 (not on the 7th, which is Labor Day), at Red Eye on Washington Street.
Starting Wednesday evening, September 9, Cindy Wachsmuth of Azura Memory Care (and a regular volunteer at our Memory Café) will offer a foursession exploration of dementia for those seeking to help, especially in the church. Sessions include “Praising Beyond Dementia” and “Cognitive Rehabilitation and Memory Enhancement: Evidence-Based Interventions for Older Adults.” People interested in working with our Memory Café, this class is ideal for you, as it is for those who are dealing with dementia personally. Class will begin at 6:00pm, September 9, 16, 23, and 30, after dinner at 5:15pm. Page 3
CARE / OUTREACH Mission u Report
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Circle Meetings September 3 - Love-Hope Circle 5:30pm - Chang Garden 7:00pm - Church Parlor September 9 - Mary-Faith Circle 9:15am - Church Parlor.
Wisconsin United Methodist Women’s Mission u wrapped up Friday, July 25, with an Overview Day of spiritual growth, hymns, and fellowship. The 4-Day event with three studies was held at the Westwood Conference Center in Wausau July 20-24. Including Overview Day, 200 people attended Mission u. Between the 4-Day event and Overview Day, $2,143 was raised for the UMW Mission Pledge and $900 was raised for United Methodist Children's Services. On Overview Day, Michelle Hopp led a Bible Study on Luke 13:10-17 talking about Jesus’ loving interpretation of the law, Dr. Larry Goebel talked about John 9:1-41 and disability theology, and Rev. Fernando Siaba led the cultural study on Latin America. Finally, Laura Ida and Rev. Mary Kathryn Pearce summarized the “Created for Happiness” study.
Other Upcoming Events August 27 6:30pm - Executive Committee September 2 9:30am - Sunshine Gals September 19 9:00am - District Annual Gathering; Wisconsin Rapids September 27 UMW Sunday September 29 6:30pm - Unit Meeting
SAVE October 4TH FOR THE WAUSAU AREA CROP WALK For the 38th year, area residents have an opportunity to participate in an anti-hunger walk that benefits people in need around the world as well as those receiving assistance from our local food pantries. CROP is a relief effort of Church World Service. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised will go to The Salvation Army, The Neighbors Place and local pantries. Walkers or their sponsors may choose one of 180 cooperating religious and non-sectarian relief organizations (see Interaction.org). We will walk the first Sunday in October, beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Marathon Park bandstand. There will be 2k, 5k and 10k routes to accommodate walkers of all ages and abilities. For more information or to request a pledge envelope, call Margaret Getzin at 715-842-9254.
GROWING FAITH COMMUNITY GARDEN The ecumenical community garden that our church supports, along with a half-dozen other downtown churches, is looking for volunteers to help with the watering and harvesting of the vegetables. We also need straw bales! The community garden is looking for straw bales for next year’s garden. If you are interested in volunteering or have bales that you would like to donate or that we can purchase, please contact Jeff at 715-571-3418 or 715-8488378 . Page 4
Part of caring for each other is getting to know each other outside of church - as real people. Preferably real people with hot dogs, hot cocoa, and marshmallows. Here’s your chance!
September 27, after church, join a caravan to Willow Springs Gardens (5480 Hillcrest Drive, off Highway K) for an afternoon of fall games and fun. Good for kids, for parents, for singles, for all. Cost: $6/adult or $2/child (The Packers play Monday of that week.)
Conference and Connections Introducing Forrest Wells
Church Conference, 2015
In 2014, the Wisconsin Annual Conference voted to re-organize our district structure and add one District Superintendent to the four we already had. The Conference was responding to the sense that churches no longer knew their DS. Often it felt that a DS only had time to deal with churches in crisis. But churches that were doing well - or even just getting by - are also a part of our conference connection.
For the sake of those who did not grow up United Methodist: here’s what a church conference is. This is an annual meeting at which all church members can vote and at which we take care of certain annual business matters. These include: updating membership, presenting our team and committee leadership for the next year, voting on the pastor’s salary, and so on. Even more than this, though, it can be a time of worshiping together, celebrating our ministry, and imagining our future. The church conference takes place in the fall of every year.
Through this change, we are now a part of a new district called the North Central District, and we have a new DS, Forrest Wells, who is already living here in Wausau. Since we should be seeing him regularly, you should know a little about him. Forrest comes to this role after serving as the Lead Pastor at the Cargill UMC in Janesville; but before that, he was a District Superintendent in the Madison area. He knows this area though. One of his first appointments was in Plover. Forrest is known in the Conference as a listener, someone who can work well with others despite personality and theological differences. He is a member of the “Clergy Covenant Team,” which was formed for the purpose of teaching ministers how to get along with each other. He approaches the superintendency as a pastor first and administrator second. Just before taking his new role, Forrest took a sabbatical leave. Half of his planned leave - a trip to the Galapagos Islands - was cancelled when the boat he was supposed to take sank; but before that, he spent several weeks in Turkey in the ancient cities that witnessed the rise of the church. Here is Forrest on that trip:
One of the first signs of Forrest Wells’s pastoral approach to his new position as District Superintendent is that he wants to lead the annual church conference for every church. This, of course, used to be the normal arrangement; but in recent years, we have been meeting in a circuit-wide day of conferences where the conferences themselves were led by elders from other churches. This year our church conference will be just us, will be held in our own building, and will be led by our District Superintendent. What that means, though, is that Forrest has to spread out the conferences with the 55 churches he serves over several months - which means some churches are having their church conferences much earlier than usual. Like us. Our church conference will be on October 12 in our Parlor. Forrest will meet with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee at 6:15pm, and the conference itself will begin at 7:00pm. Again, all are invited, but it is especially important for our leaders to be there. Mark this date.
Join Bishop Jung on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Join Bishop Jung on a ten-day journey to the Biblical Lands of Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan February 16-25, 2016. Extend the trip with the option of an additional four days to explore more of the Wonders of Jordan and Petra. Flights will depart from Chicago to Tel Aviv. For any questions, contact Rev. Forrest Wells at frwells@wisconsinumc.org. For more information or to register, go to the conference website: www.wisconsinumc.org/Resources/ Documents/ENews/HolyLand2016.pdf. Page 9
FAITH FORMATION FAITH QUEST Faith Groups: 8:45–9:45am; Worship at 8:00 and 10:00am
DIG INTO THE BIBLE, CALL OF THE DISCIPLES September 13-October 11, 2015 Grades 2 through 5
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Mark 1:17-18
Confirmation At First UMC, Confirmation is no longer a year-long class for 8th graders. Confirmation is a process - which may begin as early as 6th grade or as late as adulthood and continues until its goals are met. An information meeting, explaining our process, is meeting at 11:15am in the B. K. Smith Room on Sunday, August 30. If you are interested in knowing more and can’t make that session though, please contact Jerry or Martie.
Scripture Core Class Three years ago, Pastor Jerry taught the Scripture Core class, covering the entire arc of the Bible’s story and how it is connected, in eight sessions. This class will be offered again this fall, on both Wednesday nights (September 9 through October 28 at 6:00 following supper at 5:15) and Sunday mornings (8:459:45am). All classes will meet in Room 101 (by the 3rd Street entrance). Page 8
OUTREACH
VBS 2015 G-Force: God’s Love in Action We had a great time at VBS, August 3-7, led by a team from North Central College. Joining with First Presbyterian Church, we had 17 children, 3 youth, and several adults who participated. The children learned about God’s love for all of us and that we are to share that love with others. Special thanks to Kirsten Hornby and the adults who prepared dinner for us each evening. Please take a look at the pictures from VBS on the second page.
Children’s Music From September 9 through October 28 we will be having a children’s music activity on Wednesday evenings from 5:45 - 6:30. We will be learning about God’s grace and love through music. This will be for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. At 6:30pm, the children will move to the Theater Room to watch a video until 7:00pm. Please encourage your child or children to attend. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS If you would be willing to volunteer to teach children on Sunday mornings, be a shepherd in Faith Quest, help provide child care during worship services, or show the children a video on Wednesday evenings, please contact Martie at the church. The more people we have involved, the better. Thank you.
September Mission Offering Personal Needs Closet Twice a year, we designate our monthly mission offering to our own Personal Needs Closet. So far in 2015, we have been visited 446 times by over two hundred different families. That adds up to 837 individuals that we have helped through this ministry. In February, the last time the PNC was our Mission Offering, we held a large drive and you gave generously, pulling the PNC account out of the red and giving us a solid foundation. That foundation has held. We are still in the black in the PNC account. But it’s getting low again. This month, we continue to support this ministry that has had such a huge impact on so many lives. Remember that for cash to go to the monthly Mission Offering, it needs to be in one of the small brown envelopes in the pew.
Bring 4th Food On August 23, the Fourth Sunday of the month, remember to bring canned goods. This month we support the Presbyterian Food Pantry.
A Ministry Story - Pastor Jerry We got a call at the church. A woman - let’s call her Sandy - was looking for help for her family of five. Her husband, a welder, had gotten laid off three months ago. He had just been called back to work, and she had just gotten a job herself, but they had bills piled up and rent due. Worse, the house they had been renting for three years was falling apart, and the landlord had done nothing. WPS had just shut off their power, the electrical system was so unsafe, and they had nowhere to go. We do have a small fund, supplied entirely by your donations, by which we can help people one time. So we began working with her. Sandy arranged for a place at an extended stay motel starting on Friday, when her husband got his paycheck, and we arranged to pay for two nights in a hotel until that time. (When she needed one more night, a member who was in the office paid for that night from her own pocket.) But that’s not the end of the story. When Sandy came to the office to meet us and pick up the checks we had made out to the hotel, she began telling me about the state of the rental home they had had to flee, about the outlets that sparked and once started a fire when used, about the upstairs floors that sagged when her children walked on them, about the falling plaster. A shadow appeared at my elbow. It was Karen Kellbach, our Financial Records Supervisor, who also (as it happens) is the City Council representative for District 8. Karen took over the questioning. Who is the landlord? How has he responded? He said, “Just don’t use the upstairs”? Really? The upshot is that Karen went with Sandy that day to view the home, after which Karen got on the phone with the city inspectors, who came out the next morning and condemned the home as unfit for human habitation. Karen has delivered that report to the proper authorities and is working on “rent abatement” for Sandy’s family. As of this writing, Sandy’s family has found a new home, a farmhouse that they love and that they are paying much less rent for. Whether you knew it or not, this is the sort of thing you are a part of at your church.
Point In Time Count / Project Connect On July 29-30, for the fourth time now, our church served as the base for the Housing and Homelessness Coalition’s semi-annual count of the county’s homeless population. The count went all night and then early in the morning, our church served breakfast to all who came - both volunteers and homeless while representatives from different programs and agencies met with those who live without roofs, to help them find other options. This year, the teams counted 17 people sleeping outside, which is almost double the number counted last July. We served about 60 breakfasts. Thank you to Gwen Carey for heading up the breakfast team. Page 5
Sunday 30
31
8:00am 8:45am 10:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:15am 1:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm
7
8:00am 8:45am 10:00am 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm
LABOR DAY
Morning Chapel - Communion Office Closed Adult Education Hour 6:00pm Yoga New Life UMC Worship - Chapel Worship - Communion Coffee Hour Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship
13
14
8:00am 8:45am 10:00am 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm
Morning Chapel 11:30am Savvy Seniors Adult Education Hour - Red Eye New Life UMC Worship - Chapel 6:00pm Yoga Worship Coffee Hour Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship
20
21
8:00am 8:45am 10:00am 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm
Morning Chapel 6:00pm Yoga Adult Education Hour New Life UMC Worship - Chapel Worship Coffee Hour Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship
BRING 4th FOOD SUNDAY
28
UMW Sunday 6:00pm Yoga 8:00am Morning Chapel 8:45am Adult Education Hour 10:00am New Life UMC Worship - Chapel 10:00am Worship 11:00am Coffee Hour 1:00pm Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship 12:00pm Hayride & Corn Maze - Willow Springs Garden Page 6
Tuesday 1
Morning Chapel 6:00pm Yoga Adult Education Hour 7:00pm Ministries Council New Life UMC Worship - Chapel Worship Coffee Hour Confirmation Meeting Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship Community Dinner - First Presbyterian Church Downtown Churches' Picnic - 400 Block
6
27
Monday 10:00am 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm
Wednesday 2
Program Staff 9:30am Sunshine Gals Visitation Team 7:15pm Chancel Choir Worship - Mt View Worship - Kennedy Park
8
9
10:00am Full Staff 1:00pm Personal Needs Closet Open 5:30pm Board of Trustees
9:30am 5:15pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:15pm
Mary Faith UMW Circle Meal Children’s Music Adult Classes Children’s Bells Jubilate Bells Chancel Choir
15
16
8:00am Messenger Articles Due 10:00am Program Staff 6:00pm Staff-Parish Relations Committee 7:00pm Finance Committee
5:15pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:15pm
22
23
1:00pm Prayer Shawl Gathering 6:00pm Care Council 7:00pm Welcome and Communications
5:15pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:15pm
Meal Children’s Music Adult Classes Children’s Bells Jubilate Bells Chancel Choir
29
30 5:15pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:15pm
Meal Children’s Music Adult Classes Children’s Bells Jubilate Bells Chancel Choir
6:30pm UMW Unit Meeting
Meal Children’s Music Adult Classes Children’s Bells Jubilate Bells Chancel Choir
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
3
4
5
8:30am AA 10:30am PNC Steering Committee
Office Closed
10:00am Working in Growing Faith Community Garden
10
11
12
Office Closed
8:00am Church Work Day 10:00am Working in Growing Faith Community Garden
17
18
19
8:30am AA 10:30am Downtown Memory Cafe 6:00pm Missions Team 6:30pm Worship Design Team
Office Closed
8:30am
24
25
26
Office Closed
9:00am
1
2
3
8:30am AA 10:30am PNC Steering Committee 6:30pm UMW Executive Committee
Office Closed
8:30am 2:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm
8:30am
AA Worship - Forest Park Love Hope UMW Circle - Chang Garden Guatemala Mission Meeting
AA
District UMW Annual Gathering - WI Rapids 10:00am Working in Growing Faith Community Garden
Personal Needs Closet Open 10:00am Working in Growing Faith Community Garden
Page 7
Sunday 30
31
8:00am 8:45am 10:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:15am 1:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm
7
8:00am 8:45am 10:00am 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm
LABOR DAY
Morning Chapel - Communion Office Closed Adult Education Hour 6:00pm Yoga New Life UMC Worship - Chapel Worship - Communion Coffee Hour Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship
13
14
8:00am 8:45am 10:00am 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm
Morning Chapel 11:30am Savvy Seniors Adult Education Hour - Red Eye New Life UMC Worship - Chapel 6:00pm Yoga Worship Coffee Hour Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship
20
21
8:00am 8:45am 10:00am 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm
Morning Chapel 6:00pm Yoga Adult Education Hour New Life UMC Worship - Chapel Worship Coffee Hour Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship
BRING 4th FOOD SUNDAY
28
UMW Sunday 6:00pm Yoga 8:00am Morning Chapel 8:45am Adult Education Hour 10:00am New Life UMC Worship - Chapel 10:00am Worship 11:00am Coffee Hour 1:00pm Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship 12:00pm Hayride & Corn Maze - Willow Springs Garden Page 6
Tuesday 1
Morning Chapel 6:00pm Yoga Adult Education Hour 7:00pm Ministries Council New Life UMC Worship - Chapel Worship Coffee Hour Confirmation Meeting Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship Community Dinner - First Presbyterian Church Downtown Churches' Picnic - 400 Block
6
27
Monday 10:00am 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm
Wednesday 2
Program Staff 9:30am Sunshine Gals Visitation Team 7:15pm Chancel Choir Worship - Mt View Worship - Kennedy Park
8
9
10:00am Full Staff 1:00pm Personal Needs Closet Open 5:30pm Board of Trustees
9:30am 5:15pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:15pm
Mary Faith UMW Circle Meal Children’s Music Adult Classes Children’s Bells Jubilate Bells Chancel Choir
15
16
8:00am Messenger Articles Due 10:00am Program Staff 6:00pm Staff-Parish Relations Committee 7:00pm Finance Committee
5:15pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:15pm
22
23
1:00pm Prayer Shawl Gathering 6:00pm Care Council 7:00pm Welcome and Communications
5:15pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:15pm
Meal Children’s Music Adult Classes Children’s Bells Jubilate Bells Chancel Choir
29
30 5:15pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:15pm
Meal Children’s Music Adult Classes Children’s Bells Jubilate Bells Chancel Choir
6:30pm UMW Unit Meeting
Meal Children’s Music Adult Classes Children’s Bells Jubilate Bells Chancel Choir
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
3
4
5
8:30am AA 10:30am PNC Steering Committee
Office Closed
10:00am Working in Growing Faith Community Garden
10
11
12
Office Closed
8:00am Church Work Day 10:00am Working in Growing Faith Community Garden
17
18
19
8:30am AA 10:30am Downtown Memory Cafe 6:00pm Missions Team 6:30pm Worship Design Team
Office Closed
8:30am
24
25
26
Office Closed
9:00am
1
2
3
8:30am AA 10:30am PNC Steering Committee 6:30pm UMW Executive Committee
Office Closed
8:30am 2:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm
8:30am
AA Worship - Forest Park Love Hope UMW Circle - Chang Garden Guatemala Mission Meeting
AA
District UMW Annual Gathering - WI Rapids 10:00am Working in Growing Faith Community Garden
Personal Needs Closet Open 10:00am Working in Growing Faith Community Garden
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FAITH FORMATION FAITH QUEST Faith Groups: 8:45–9:45am; Worship at 8:00 and 10:00am
DIG INTO THE BIBLE, CALL OF THE DISCIPLES September 13-October 11, 2015 Grades 2 through 5
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Mark 1:17-18
Confirmation At First UMC, Confirmation is no longer a year-long class for 8th graders. Confirmation is a process - which may begin as early as 6th grade or as late as adulthood and continues until its goals are met. An information meeting, explaining our process, is meeting at 11:15am in the B. K. Smith Room on Sunday, August 30. If you are interested in knowing more and can’t make that session though, please contact Jerry or Martie.
Scripture Core Class Three years ago, Pastor Jerry taught the Scripture Core class, covering the entire arc of the Bible’s story and how it is connected, in eight sessions. This class will be offered again this fall, on both Wednesday nights (September 9 through October 28 at 6:00 following supper at 5:15) and Sunday mornings (8:459:45am). All classes will meet in Room 101 (by the 3rd Street entrance). Page 8
OUTREACH
VBS 2015 G-Force: God’s Love in Action We had a great time at VBS, August 3-7, led by a team from North Central College. Joining with First Presbyterian Church, we had 17 children, 3 youth, and several adults who participated. The children learned about God’s love for all of us and that we are to share that love with others. Special thanks to Kirsten Hornby and the adults who prepared dinner for us each evening. Please take a look at the pictures from VBS on the second page.
Children’s Music From September 9 through October 28 we will be having a children’s music activity on Wednesday evenings from 5:45 - 6:30. We will be learning about God’s grace and love through music. This will be for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. At 6:30pm, the children will move to the Theater Room to watch a video until 7:00pm. Please encourage your child or children to attend. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS If you would be willing to volunteer to teach children on Sunday mornings, be a shepherd in Faith Quest, help provide child care during worship services, or show the children a video on Wednesday evenings, please contact Martie at the church. The more people we have involved, the better. Thank you.
September Mission Offering Personal Needs Closet Twice a year, we designate our monthly mission offering to our own Personal Needs Closet. So far in 2015, we have been visited 446 times by over two hundred different families. That adds up to 837 individuals that we have helped through this ministry. In February, the last time the PNC was our Mission Offering, we held a large drive and you gave generously, pulling the PNC account out of the red and giving us a solid foundation. That foundation has held. We are still in the black in the PNC account. But it’s getting low again. This month, we continue to support this ministry that has had such a huge impact on so many lives. Remember that for cash to go to the monthly Mission Offering, it needs to be in one of the small brown envelopes in the pew.
Bring 4th Food On August 23, the Fourth Sunday of the month, remember to bring canned goods. This month we support the Presbyterian Food Pantry.
A Ministry Story - Pastor Jerry We got a call at the church. A woman - let’s call her Sandy - was looking for help for her family of five. Her husband, a welder, had gotten laid off three months ago. He had just been called back to work, and she had just gotten a job herself, but they had bills piled up and rent due. Worse, the house they had been renting for three years was falling apart, and the landlord had done nothing. WPS had just shut off their power, the electrical system was so unsafe, and they had nowhere to go. We do have a small fund, supplied entirely by your donations, by which we can help people one time. So we began working with her. Sandy arranged for a place at an extended stay motel starting on Friday, when her husband got his paycheck, and we arranged to pay for two nights in a hotel until that time. (When she needed one more night, a member who was in the office paid for that night from her own pocket.) But that’s not the end of the story. When Sandy came to the office to meet us and pick up the checks we had made out to the hotel, she began telling me about the state of the rental home they had had to flee, about the outlets that sparked and once started a fire when used, about the upstairs floors that sagged when her children walked on them, about the falling plaster. A shadow appeared at my elbow. It was Karen Kellbach, our Financial Records Supervisor, who also (as it happens) is the City Council representative for District 8. Karen took over the questioning. Who is the landlord? How has he responded? He said, “Just don’t use the upstairs”? Really? The upshot is that Karen went with Sandy that day to view the home, after which Karen got on the phone with the city inspectors, who came out the next morning and condemned the home as unfit for human habitation. Karen has delivered that report to the proper authorities and is working on “rent abatement” for Sandy’s family. As of this writing, Sandy’s family has found a new home, a farmhouse that they love and that they are paying much less rent for. Whether you knew it or not, this is the sort of thing you are a part of at your church.
Point In Time Count / Project Connect On July 29-30, for the fourth time now, our church served as the base for the Housing and Homelessness Coalition’s semi-annual count of the county’s homeless population. The count went all night and then early in the morning, our church served breakfast to all who came - both volunteers and homeless while representatives from different programs and agencies met with those who live without roofs, to help them find other options. This year, the teams counted 17 people sleeping outside, which is almost double the number counted last July. We served about 60 breakfasts. Thank you to Gwen Carey for heading up the breakfast team. Page 5
CARE / OUTREACH Mission u Report
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Circle Meetings September 3 - Love-Hope Circle 5:30pm - Chang Garden 7:00pm - Church Parlor September 9 - Mary-Faith Circle 9:15am - Church Parlor.
Wisconsin United Methodist Women’s Mission u wrapped up Friday, July 25, with an Overview Day of spiritual growth, hymns, and fellowship. The 4-Day event with three studies was held at the Westwood Conference Center in Wausau July 20-24. Including Overview Day, 200 people attended Mission u. Between the 4-Day event and Overview Day, $2,143 was raised for the UMW Mission Pledge and $900 was raised for United Methodist Children's Services. On Overview Day, Michelle Hopp led a Bible Study on Luke 13:10-17 talking about Jesus’ loving interpretation of the law, Dr. Larry Goebel talked about John 9:1-41 and disability theology, and Rev. Fernando Siaba led the cultural study on Latin America. Finally, Laura Ida and Rev. Mary Kathryn Pearce summarized the “Created for Happiness” study.
Other Upcoming Events August 27 6:30pm - Executive Committee September 2 9:30am - Sunshine Gals September 19 9:00am - District Annual Gathering; Wisconsin Rapids September 27 UMW Sunday September 29 6:30pm - Unit Meeting
SAVE October 4TH FOR THE WAUSAU AREA CROP WALK For the 38th year, area residents have an opportunity to participate in an anti-hunger walk that benefits people in need around the world as well as those receiving assistance from our local food pantries. CROP is a relief effort of Church World Service. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised will go to The Salvation Army, The Neighbors Place and local pantries. Walkers or their sponsors may choose one of 180 cooperating religious and non-sectarian relief organizations (see Interaction.org). We will walk the first Sunday in October, beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Marathon Park bandstand. There will be 2k, 5k and 10k routes to accommodate walkers of all ages and abilities. For more information or to request a pledge envelope, call Margaret Getzin at 715-842-9254.
GROWING FAITH COMMUNITY GARDEN The ecumenical community garden that our church supports, along with a half-dozen other downtown churches, is looking for volunteers to help with the watering and harvesting of the vegetables. We also need straw bales! The community garden is looking for straw bales for next year’s garden. If you are interested in volunteering or have bales that you would like to donate or that we can purchase, please contact Jeff at 715-571-3418 or 715-8488378 . Page 4
Part of caring for each other is getting to know each other outside of church - as real people. Preferably real people with hot dogs, hot cocoa, and marshmallows. Here’s your chance!
September 27, after church, join a caravan to Willow Springs Gardens (5480 Hillcrest Drive, off Highway K) for an afternoon of fall games and fun. Good for kids, for parents, for singles, for all. Cost: $6/adult or $2/child (The Packers play Monday of that week.)
Conference and Connections Introducing Forrest Wells
Church Conference, 2015
In 2014, the Wisconsin Annual Conference voted to re-organize our district structure and add one District Superintendent to the four we already had. The Conference was responding to the sense that churches no longer knew their DS. Often it felt that a DS only had time to deal with churches in crisis. But churches that were doing well - or even just getting by - are also a part of our conference connection.
For the sake of those who did not grow up United Methodist: here’s what a church conference is. This is an annual meeting at which all church members can vote and at which we take care of certain annual business matters. These include: updating membership, presenting our team and committee leadership for the next year, voting on the pastor’s salary, and so on. Even more than this, though, it can be a time of worshiping together, celebrating our ministry, and imagining our future. The church conference takes place in the fall of every year.
Through this change, we are now a part of a new district called the North Central District, and we have a new DS, Forrest Wells, who is already living here in Wausau. Since we should be seeing him regularly, you should know a little about him. Forrest comes to this role after serving as the Lead Pastor at the Cargill UMC in Janesville; but before that, he was a District Superintendent in the Madison area. He knows this area though. One of his first appointments was in Plover. Forrest is known in the Conference as a listener, someone who can work well with others despite personality and theological differences. He is a member of the “Clergy Covenant Team,” which was formed for the purpose of teaching ministers how to get along with each other. He approaches the superintendency as a pastor first and administrator second. Just before taking his new role, Forrest took a sabbatical leave. Half of his planned leave - a trip to the Galapagos Islands - was cancelled when the boat he was supposed to take sank; but before that, he spent several weeks in Turkey in the ancient cities that witnessed the rise of the church. Here is Forrest on that trip:
One of the first signs of Forrest Wells’s pastoral approach to his new position as District Superintendent is that he wants to lead the annual church conference for every church. This, of course, used to be the normal arrangement; but in recent years, we have been meeting in a circuit-wide day of conferences where the conferences themselves were led by elders from other churches. This year our church conference will be just us, will be held in our own building, and will be led by our District Superintendent. What that means, though, is that Forrest has to spread out the conferences with the 55 churches he serves over several months - which means some churches are having their church conferences much earlier than usual. Like us. Our church conference will be on October 12 in our Parlor. Forrest will meet with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee at 6:15pm, and the conference itself will begin at 7:00pm. Again, all are invited, but it is especially important for our leaders to be there. Mark this date.
Join Bishop Jung on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Join Bishop Jung on a ten-day journey to the Biblical Lands of Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan February 16-25, 2016. Extend the trip with the option of an additional four days to explore more of the Wonders of Jordan and Petra. Flights will depart from Chicago to Tel Aviv. For any questions, contact Rev. Forrest Wells at frwells@wisconsinumc.org. For more information or to register, go to the conference website: www.wisconsinumc.org/Resources/ Documents/ENews/HolyLand2016.pdf. Page 9
CARE
Resources for Ministry Financial Update - JULY 2015 YTD Revenue
Expense $ 137,274.78
Pledged Offering
$ 140,336.46
Salaries & Benefits
Non-Pledged Offering
$
26,315.90
Programming
$
13,929.64
Other
$
32,181.57
Apportionments to Conference
$
31,136.00
Building Operating Expenses
$
33,303.24
Total Expenses
$
215,643.66
$
-16,809.73
Total Revenue
$ 198,833.93
Net YTD YTD 2015 Pledged & Non-Pledged Offerings compared to YTD 2014 YTD 2015 Total Expenses compared to YTD 2014 YTD 2015 Other Income compared to YTD 2014
1,073.00 lower 14,325.71 lower 13,654.72 higher
YTD 2015 Endowment Transfer compared to 2014
15,000.00 higher
2015 Financial Audit Report Every few years, we bring in an outside auditor to look over our books, examine our processes, and make suggestions. After all, the money we manage was entrusted to us by you for ministry. We had an audit in 2012, and this past month we had an accountant from Hack CPA come out and spend two weeks with Karen Kellbach, our Financial Records Supervisor. Here is a summary of his report. Gary, the accountant, did find a few discrepancies that he could not reconcile. In the end, we had to adjust our balance by adding $254.66 to our books. That’s how far we had gotten off balance in three years. Gary’s comment on this: “A high degree of accuracy by your current financial records supervisor is indicated by there being few errors found and that the requiredamount of adjustment was a relatively small dollaramount considering that last time we assisted with a reconciliation was August 31, 2012.” Gary did make some suggestions on things that the finance committee can work on: consolidating and updating our policies into a single document, establishing a regular external review of bills paid by electronic fund transfer, and most of all training a second person as a back-up to Karen Kellbach. So long as she is the only one who knows how to perform many of our financial tasks, we are exposed to considerable risk of confusion. So there are some things to work on. But you needed to know that we are continuing to be careful with the money you give, that Karen has (again) been shown to be trustworthy. Part of your stewardship is to give financially to the church; part of our stewardship to you is to be faithful and careful with those gifts. Page 10
September 12 - Church Workday On Saturday, September 12, between 8:00am and 2:00pm, the Board of Trustees and the Aesthetics Committee invite everyone to drop by the church and help with some deep cleaning and small maintenance. Donuts will be provided in the morning, and we will grill lunch in the courtyard. Quilters are especially invited to use their talents to create a new banner for the Fellowship Hall. Yes, we know it’s ArtRageous Weekend. It will already be a good day to be downtown. Spend some of the day with us, and then enjoy the attractions and exhibits that start two blocks away.
Milestones Deaths: Several of our members are grieving for loved ones who have died. We grieve with them. We grieve with Joe Riehle, whose mother, Belle Riehle, died June 6. We grieve also with Carrie Hockerman, whose grandmother, Ethel Cairns, died on July 4.
facebook.com/WausauFUMC WiFi Network: FUMC Public (password: fumcpublic)
Janet Wyrick Jace Cole
2
Jerry Evans Chloé Larson
14 Dan Emmerich Julia Ebert
22 Catherine Koss 23 Lawrence Muelver
16 Betty Fraser* Cheyenne Schepp Ginny Grothe
24 Dave Seiser Cathy Hamblin
3
Morgan Stamp
4
Dawn Decker Jerry Volkman
17 Jim Boelz Bruce Brandenburg Patty Gokey
25 Bernadette Bruner
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Will Wyrick
18 Ann Harmon
And we grieve with Beth Rohland, who lost two family members in one week. Beth’s cousin, Deanna Witte, died on August 2, and then Beth’s grandmother, Wilma Gilmore, died on August 5.
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Ray Nowaczyk 19 MaDonna McMahan Kathryn Schmidt Joyce Scheffler Curt Day Rob Rybarczyk Jessica Wenzel
27 Nick Harvey Dennis Sauer Lisa Dahl
Be in prayer for all who mourn, especially these we know and love.
11 Grace Wylie
We grieve with Sue Carole Volovsek, whose mother-in-law, Olga Volovsek, died on July 21.
Baptism: But we also rejoice. We welcomed Wynter Tesch into our fellowship on August 23 through the Sacrament of Baptism. Wynter will begin our Confirmation program this fall as she seeks to deepen her faith in Christ.
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10 John Burke
12 Barbara Day Sue Carole Volovsek
20 Leah Stratton 21 Florence Ross* Mary Borchardt Dave Branson Martie Pahris
26 Betsy Larson
28 Leslie Waterman 29 Kay Harmon 30 Doris Carlson James Wadinski Porter Emmerich
* Signifies an honored elder in a senior facility. We invite you this month to remember these members in your prayers.
A Dementia-Friendly Church - Special Class Offered Through the Downtown Memory Café, First UMC Wausau has already reached out to the seniors of our community who struggle with memory loss issues - in themselves and their loved ones. But is there more we can do?
FUMC Wired Website: fumcwausau.org With links to the weekly sermon (text and podcast)
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Savvy Seniors will meet at 11:30am on M o n d a y , September 14 (not on the 7th, which is Labor Day), at Red Eye on Washington Street.
Starting Wednesday evening, September 9, Cindy Wachsmuth of Azura Memory Care (and a regular volunteer at our Memory Café) will offer a foursession exploration of dementia for those seeking to help, especially in the church. Sessions include “Praising Beyond Dementia” and “Cognitive Rehabilitation and Memory Enhancement: Evidence-Based Interventions for Older Adults.” People interested in working with our Memory Café, this class is ideal for you, as it is for those who are dealing with dementia personally. Class will begin at 6:00pm, September 9, 16, 23, and 30, after dinner at 5:15pm. Page 3
2 0 1 5 G F O R C E V B S
To the Members of First UMC, Thank you so much for your warm welcome to First UMC and to Wausau! I really appreciated Dan Marzu, Jerry Evans, Jerry Morris and Mike Zahn helping load and unload my furniture and belongings. My first week here was VBS! That was a great opportunity to get to know some of the children, youth and adults. I look forward to working with your children and youth as we learn about God and grow in our relationship with God and with each other through Faith Quest, Confirmation, Children’s Music and other opportunities. I am also excited about starting rehearsals with the Chancel Choir and the Jubilate Ringers. I am going through music and am looking forward to preparing for leading our church in worship of our loving and gracious God. One of our first challenges is finding an accompanist. Please be in prayer as we seek someone who will compliment the ministry and worship of our church. Thank you again for the opportunity to minister with you in this place, Martie
R A M P U P !
WE PRAY TOGETHER - NOW LET’S PLAY TOGETHER! We are taking a bus trip to see Christmas on the Farm by the Clauson Family on Saturday, December 5th? The cost for the show, dinner & transportation is $61 per adult and $38 per child (12 and under). Family & friends are welcome! Full payment will be due by October 15th. A deposit of $20 each will hold your spot. Checks should be made to FUMC. This will be fun for the whole family. Please let the Office (8422201) or John Ohnstad (845-1366) know - or indicate your interest by signing up in the Parlor.
STAFF Pastor:
Gerald Morris jerry@fumcwausau.org
Faith Formation/Music Coordinator:
Martie Pahris
martie@fumcwausau.org Accounts & Records Supervisor:
Karen Kellbach
karen@fumcwausau.org Secretary:
Arlene Trull arlene@fumcwausau.org
Building Engineer:
Andy White
903 Third St; Wausau, WI 54403 Office Hours: Mon-Thurs - 9:00am-4:00pm Web-site: www.fumcwausau.org E-mail: fumc@fumcwausau.org
The Messenger First United Methodist Church of Wausau 903 Third Street Wausau, WI 54403
NON PROFIT
september
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
2015
PERMIT NO. 542
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Church Purpose:
Sunday, September 13 8:00am - Morning Chapel 10:00am - Worship “Science or Meaning” Genesis 2:18-25 Other Events: First day of Sunday Morning classes
Sunday, September 27, United Methodist Women 8:00am - Morning Chapel 10:00am - Worship “Prescription or Description” 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 *We observe Open Communion. All are welcome at God’s table.
THE MESSENGER
Sunday, September 6 8:00am - Morning Chapel with Communion* 10:00am - Worship with Communion* “What Do We Do with This Stuff?” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF WAUSAU
Live and Share God's Love
Sunday, September 20 8:00am - Morning Chapel 10:00am - Worship “Morality Tale or Story” 2 Samuel 11-12
Never-Before Revealed Secrets of the Bible! In 1997, a book called The Bible Code was published by a journalist named Michael Drosnin. The point of the book was that the original Hebrew text of the Old Testament contained secret messages, many of which foretold the future.
WAUSAU, WI 54403
Sermon Series: The Problem with the Bible
FROM PASTOR JERRY’S DESK
Sometimes this code could be retrieved by counting “equidistant letters.” Suppose you took every fiftieth Hebrew letter in Genesis (not counting spaces) and then put them together, adding spaces where necessary. It might spell out a secret message! Or here’s another way it might work. Put all the Hebrew letters of a Bible book in rows, with the same number of letters (say 100) in each row, and print them in squares with justified margins. It would look like a Word Search puzzle. Then, just as with a Word Search, you try reading it backwards and forwards, up and down, and diagonally. Amazingly, words appear! By this method, Drosnin found that the ancient Hebrew manuscripts predicted the assassinations of both JFK and Yitzhak Rabin! (In the consonantal Hebrew: YPhK and RBN.) The book sold millions of copies. But it’s just possible that Drosnin was working with a few suspect presuppositions. For instance, he presupposes that God was involved in the writing of the books right down to the individual letters. He also presupposes that the apparent meaning of scripture – the stories, songs, laws, teachings, and speeches – are at one level just a pretext for other, hidden, messages. And he presupposes that the current events of about the turn of the 21st century were just so darn important to God that the writing of the Bible was shaped by God’s need to insert messages about our time in books written thousands of years earlier. Think about it! The Bible predicts JFK’s death! We must be incredibly important if even the Bible is really all about us! As I say, I think all these presuppositions are, shall we say, suspect. But Drosnin worked with one other premise, which I believe is accurate. He presupposed that people would uncritically accept any rubbish so long as it had the word “Bible” attached to it. That much, at least, is true. Why is that? Because we know that the Bible is somehow from God, but we don’t really know what’s in it. Why don’t we know the Bible? Because, let’s face it, it’s hard. It’s written in literary forms that we aren’t familiar with, using strange metaphors, referring to people and places we’ve never heard of. It’s long, and it’s confusing. It already feels like a secret code to us, so Drosnin’s bilge sounds credible. This fall, we’re going to try to make the Bible more accessible, in two ways. First of all, on Wednesday nights and during Sunday education time, I’ll be repeating my Scripture Core class, surveying the actual content of the Bible and showing how it fits together. Second, in my sermons, I’m going to talk about strategies for approaching the Bible, with sensitivity to its own time as well as to ours. I’m going to talk about what the Bible really is – and what it isn’t. Because the Bible actually matters – not as a weapon or a gimmick, but as a doorway to discovering God yesterday, today, and forever.
Phone 715 842-2201
Website: www.fumcwausau.org