For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1Corinthians 1:18
November 2013 Volume 2, Issue 11
Inside This Issue:
The Circuit Writer • Words of Wesley, page 2 • Theological Word to Know, page 2 • Church Calendar, page 3
• Church Worship Schedule, page 4 • Faith is Fun, page 5 • A New Ministry, page 5
The Blessing of a Food Bank
Celebration Sunday
Through the generosity of the congregation of our church, community organizations and businesses, and donations and memorials by individual citizens, our food pantry continues to provide food to those in need in Shiner. The food pantry opened for the first time in August 2011 in a very small classroom with one set of shelves and an ice chest. We now have adequate shelving, a refrigerator, and a freezer donated by individual church members. Because church members give generously on the first Sunday of each month to the food pantry, we are able to purchase food from the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent in Victoria for seventeen cents per pound. For a small additional fee, they deliver our food order once a month. Also, members of our church and community members who have gardens donate fresh vegetables and fruits during harvest times. The Shiner Rotary Club donates fresh bread weekly. Morgan Bulk, Inc. of Gonzales donates fresh double-yolk eggs twice monthly. Clients requesting aid from our food pantry are elderly citizens relying on Social Security, grandmothers raising grandchildren, and people working for minimum wage with several children. In addition to providing food assistance each Thursday morning, several church members prepare a delicious breakfast for clients. Cont on pg.2
Our discipleship emphasis, Committed to Christ, culminates in a celebration of ministry on Sunday, November 24th. During our worship service we will recognize ministries throughout our church and celebrate the work we have been able to do through the faithful participation of our members. Afterwards, we’ll gather for our Thanksgiving luncheon and thank God for the blessing of life and ministry We are hoping all of our church members and friends will be in attendance. See you then!
State of the Church It’s good for a church when people are talking. At Shiner FUMC, people are talking. Some are talking about our Sunday morning worship services. They appreciate and look forward to the fellowship they find during that time. They’re talking about our new video equipment and loving the idea of replacing our sound system. People recognize who hasn’t been in church lately and are talking about ways to encourage them to return. There’s been talk about what we need to do to enhance our music during worship. Also, a lot has been said about our new furniture in the narthex and prayer room. Cont. on pg 2.
The Circuit Writer
Page 2
State of the Church (Report of Pastor to Annual Charge Conference) It looks like “we care about our church,” some have said. People have been talking about studying the Bible, attending Sunday school and discussing what activities might help to invite others into a life of faith in Christ. Now, that’s real talk. We can’t stop talking about how much of a blessing our Food Bank is. There’s been great talk about seeing “new people” around at different times, but it’s still apparent more people need to realize faith is more than talk. I’ve talked a lot about us getting L.O.W.D. Now, I’m ready for leaders in our church to carry that conversation forward. Let’s continue to talk about asking God to show us how to identify, equip, evaluate and support leaders in our church. Let’s talk about real outreach that leads to people knowing Christ as Lord. Let’s talk about ensuring our church is a welcoming and inviting one. Let’s talk about how we intentionally help people grow in their discipleship. It’s been said, “Talk is cheap.” That is true if talk is all we do. It is my feeling that our conversations are leading us to greater faithfulness to God. There is a lot of celebrating to talk about. Likewise, there are areas of concern we need to discuss. So, here is what you and I can talk about to prepare us to May God continue to grant us mercy and grace as we seek God’s will in all we do. Sisters and brothers, God help us to remain joyful in our hope, patient in our afflictions and faithful in our prayers. Blessed Beyond Belief,
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. Psalm 127:1
Theological Word to Know Sitz im leben This refers to the “situation in life” (German translation) that make up the context of a reading of scripture. It refers to the community setting of a particular people, helping us know about the culture, circumstances and other aspects of social life.
Food Bank Everyone enjoys this time together as we share food and prayer. Many new friendships have formed, and it is a wonderful opportunity for people to spend social time together. This part of our church ministry allows us to feed not only the body, but also the soul and spirit. Volunteers for the food pantry give a combined Let love not visit you as a transient guest, 120 hours per month . If you are interested in but be the constant ruling temper of your soul. learning more about this mission, come by on —Sermon, On Pleasing A ll Men Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 and check us out!
Words From Wesley
4 Administrative Board Meeting at 6:01 p.m. Zumba, 6pm
11 Zumba, 6pm
18 Zumba, 6pm
25 Zumba, 6pm
3 Communion Sunday Nursing Home Devotion, 3pm
10
17
24 Newsletter Deadline
Community Thanksgiving Meal
Mon
Sun
26 Zumba, 8am Men’s Breakfast, 8am
Zumba, 8am Men’s Breakfast, 8am Emmaus @ Weimar UMC
19
Zumba, 8am Men’s Breakfast, 8am UMW, 6:30pm
12
5 Zumba, 8am Men’s Breakfast, 8am Shiner Quilter’s Meeting, 6pm
Tue
27
20
13
6
Wed
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
28
22 Zumba, 8am Food Pantry, 9-11am
14 Zumba, 8am Food Pantry, 9-11am
7 Zumba, 8am Food Pantry, 9-11am
Thu
www.shinerfumc.org
29
22
15
30
23
16
9
2
1 All Saint’s Day
8
Sat
Fri
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the world
NOVEMBER 2013
The Circuit Writer
Page 4
How United Methodist Respond to Disaster Sandy assumed several forms – tropical storm, hurricane, Conference’s Brooklyn relief office. “They are the best… even “superstorm” – as it charted a path of destruction from they come in ready and willing to work.”United Methodist assistance to Sandy survivors is focused on those having the Caribbean to New York State at the end of October trouble recovering on their own. 2012. Whatever the description, the results were the same for hundreds of thousands. “These are hardworking people,” said the Rev. Everywhere in Sandy’s path, the people Tom Vencuss, director of Sandy recovery for the known as Methodists have been there to help New York Annual (regional) Conference. survivors. “People have used up whatever funds have been available to them.” The survivors shared common threads of need: immediate relief, assessment, repair, Low-income households, the elderly and disabled rebuilding and renewal from the emotional have priority, said Bobbie Ridgely, director of A and spiritual toll. Future with Hope, the Greater New Jersey Conference’s Sandy recovery organization. A rebuild averages four to five months and could take up to a year, but The United MethSince many volunteer in mission teams plan six odist Church has become well known for dismonths in advance, the advertisement and reaster case management. “UMCOR is the gold cruitment for spring and summer of 2014 is crustandard,” said Bobbie Ridgely, director of A Future with cial right now, says UMCOR’s disaster relief coordinator Hope, Greater New Jersey’s Sandy relief organization. for the U.S. Recovery from Sandy is expected to take years, Volunteers are the backbone of United Methodist disaster so relief coordinators have to keep Sandy on the frontresponse and nobody knows that better than the people who burner for a long time. set up the work opportunities. “I love my Methodist volunteers,” declared Gillian Prince, who works in the New York
Sunday Worship Schedule For November (Please let us know if changes are necessary) Flower
Lay Reader
Prayer Ministers
Ushers
Organist/pianist Donor
3rd Paul Koone 10th Carolyn Hilscher
Pat Lee
Communion Sunday
Irene Cerny Don Minear
Joe & Betty Sestak
Carolyn & Fred Hilscher Paul Koone,
17th Howard Esse Dick & Bev Nance
Howard Esse,
Irene Cerny
Tom Bays, D.J. Truman 24th Laura Stluka
Pearl Roberts
Deborah Richmond
Don Minear
The Circuit Writer
Page 5
Faith is Fun
UMW News The Shiner UMW held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 8th. After a delicious supper, a brief meeting was held. It was noted that $60.00 was collected for the school backpack drive recently held. A total of $489.00 was also collected during the silent auction held during the Ice Cream social. A big THANK YOU goes out to all who donated. The UMW sent $300.00 to the Methodist Children’s Home as a donation this year. Also up for discussion was upcoming senior scholarships. The UMW also supplied the meat for our 5th Sunday meal on Sept. 29th. Also discussed was the upcoming Trunk or Treat on October 31st. It was decided to give $50.00 to the pastor to be used for purchasing candy or any other item for the children.
A Few Announcements •Our basket
Communion Ministry Many of us look forward to sharing Holy Communion each month, recognizing it as a means of experiencing God’s grace. Jesus gave us Communion, in part, as a way to remember his own life, God’s presence with us and our calling to live a Christ-centered life. It is a blessing to share that experience each month. But what of those in our church who are unable to celebrate with us? It should be our priority to ensure they have the opportunity to participate in God’s holy meal. And that’s what we’re doing! Here are 3 ways you can help us offer Communion to our homebound members: 1)Let us know of family members and friends who are physically unable to attend church. 2)Be a part of a small group that takes Communion to our church family. 3)Pray for those who are unable to be in church. Let us know how you want to be a part of our Communion Ministry.
offering on Sunday, November 3rd will be for a special mission project of our church. The offering will be taken at Communion •We are taking orders for Christmas poinsettias. You can pick up an order form in the narthex. Orders are due by November 24th. •Operation Christmas Child is upon us. We have shoe boxes ready to be filled with items for children around the world, just in time for Christmas. Boxes are due by November 10th. •What do you think about how the narthex looks? Have you seen the prayer room lately? Please thank Cheryl Bates and Toni Rogers for work in updating both of those rooms. •We are still looking for people to be a part of our new Outreach & Welcoming teams. Can you believe we’re going to try to get work done without having a lot of meetings?! •During Advent, beginning December, we are having a special sermon series entitled Christmas Is Not Your Birthday.
Shiner First United Methodist Church P.O. Box 122 102 Church Street Shiner, TX 77984
Circuit Writer: November 2013 Rev. John Fletcher, Pastor Mary Kristynik, Church Coordinator Text “SFUMC” to 39970
Phone: 361: 594. 3830 | Fax: 361. 594. 3660 Sunday School 9:30 am | Sunday Worship 11:00 am Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm www.shinerfumc.org /ShinerFUMC
Reading With the Pastor Christmas Is Not Your Birthday
Happy Birthday Paul Koone /Deane Novosad11/16 Ashlei Fletcher/John Fletcher 11/17 Emily Gill/ Pearl Roberts 11/21 Don Kaspar 11/24 Dana Cimrhanzel/Julianna Rankin 11/27 Glynn Myers 11/29
We are basing our Advent sermon series on this book. It’s an easy read that will help us consider what the real meaning of our Christmas celebration is. Readers will also find practical ways to celebrate the holidays with more faithfulness and intention. Find a copy! Pastor John blogs at www.anotherjohn.com
Happy Anniversary Elson & Karen Schreiber 11/6 Tray & Paige Rankin 11/18 Doug & Laura Kaspar 11/19