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Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
Ephrata, WA
Permit No. 5
The United Methodist Church of Ephrata 117 C. Street NW, Ephrata, WA 98823 - (509)754-4664
E-mail: [email protected] Return Services Requested
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:
“Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.”
January 20th
Office Hours Monday through Thursday
9:00am to 1:00pm
www.umcephrata.org www.umcephrata.org
The Update January 2016
The United Methodist
Church of Ephrata
“Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.”
Pastor Harriet Wilkin…[email protected]
Administrative Assistant: Sheryl Downey……[email protected]
Custodian: Jamie Downing
Nursery Attendant: Hannah Heflin
Come Visit Our Website!
www.umcephrata.org
In This Issue
Calendar Page 6
Care Ministry Page 10
Community Dinner Page 2
Epiphany Video Page 11
Finance Update Page 10
Pastor’s Corner Page 3
Pastor on Vacation Page 3
Pastor’s Notes Page 4
Prayer List Page 5
Retreat Page 4
Server Schedule Page 2
Supper Bowl Page 11
Teen Gift Bags Page 9
Youth Schedule Page 9
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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DATE January 4th January 11th January 18th January 25th February 1st
11am
To
1pm
Marilyn Grass
Vera Senn
Mary Morin
Barb Deycous
MLK Jr. Day
Closed
Mary Holleman
Diane Thompson
Dawn Amick
Marna Kellams
January Servers
Sunday, January 31st
Assistant of the Day: Lonny Holleman
Usher: Gary Archer
Greeter: Sandy Archer
Liturgist: Vera Senn
Coffee Hour: Marna Kellams
Lead Counter: Mary Mantz
Assistant Counter: Mona Kaiser
Flowers:
Sunday School Teacher: Katherine Reeve
Sunday, January 24th
Assistant of the Day: Don Morin
Usher: Mary Morin
Greeter: Ann Chandler
Liturgist: Camille Price
Coffee Hour: Volunteer
Lead Counter: John Morris
Assistant Counter: Margaret Treiber
Flowers:
Sunday School Teacher: Maggie Reynolds
Sunday, January 17th
Assistant of the Day: Camille Price
Usher: Christy Price
Greeter: Barb Deycous
Liturgist: Mona Kaiser
Coffee Hour: Mary Holleman
Lead Counter: Kathy Buhl
Assistant Counter: Mary Morin
Flowers:
Sunday School Teacher: Christy Price
Sunday, January 3rd
Assistant of the Day: Bob Bluhm
Usher: Marilyn Bluhm
Greeter: Dawn Amick
Liturgist: Linda Bryant-Smith
Coffee Hour: Marilyn Bluhm
Lead Counter: Denis Plew
Assistant Counter: Louise Ingebrigtson
Flowers: Ed & Betty Rogers
Sunday School Teacher: Christmas Break
Communion: Sandy Archer & Connie Chadwick
Sunday, January 10th
Assistant of the Day: Ed Rogers
Usher: Betty Rogers
Greeter: Marilyn Grass
Liturgist: Ann Chandler
Coffee Hour: Volunteer
Lead Counter: Linda Bryant-Smith
Assistant Counter: Marilyn Grass
Flowers:
Sunday School Teacher: Jamie Downing
Maternity & Infant Closet Schedule
Please join us for Community Dinner,
Thursday, January, 28th, at 5:30pm. All
are welcome. Invite your friends and
neighbors.
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Feb 7th, 2016—is Supper Bowl Sunday!!!
Whether or not the Seahawks make it through the play-offs and to the Supper Bowl, we can still collect Food for our local Food Bank.
Starting in January, the youth will be working on collection boxes and other items on Wednesdays (Jan 13, 20, and 27) in preparation for the Supper Bowl collection on Feb 7th.
Please bring in non-perishable food items and place them in the boxes in the lobby of the church, just out side the sanctuary. For more information contact Pastor Harriet.
Epiphany Video
Why are the animals different in some Nativity sets? Why do the Magi travel on camels or elephants? Jeanne Honeycutt and volunteers maintain a Nativity museum with over 400 manger scenes for First United Methodist Church in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Jeanne has done extensive research on the history and origin of elements common and uncommonly seen in Nativity sets. She shared her knowledge for this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV1ANEzpf5Y
http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/new-ways-to-see-the-nativity-scene
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FINANCE UPDATE *
In an attempt to be transparent and inform you of our financial outlook, the Finance Committee includes a monthly financial update in our church Newsletter. Please note, the giving totals for this month’s information only records giving through the end of November 2015.
Giving to General Fund As of November 2015
2015 Budget $153,390 New Balance $105,839
Treasurers Report As of November 2015
Year to Date Income $111,688 Year to Date Expense $109,509
Percentage of Apportionments Paid As of November 2015: 75%
We thank you for your financial support of the church’s ministries and programs!
If you would like information on your giving or an update on your progress toward your financial pledge to the church, please contact someone on the Finance Committee by phoning the church office at 754-4664. * Figures are rounded to the nearest dollar.
GRIEF TALKS
For those going through the shadows, pain, tears and fear of the grief season. Grief talks meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the Fireside Room. Quilters meet every Tuesday at 9am
CARE MINISTRY
Merry Christmas to all my church family. I wanted you to know that we have some exciting changes coming in the New Year for the Care Ministry team at our church. Please come in and see me Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am in Pastor Harriet’s office, or call 760-9747 for evening appointments.
Sandy Archer
January’s Men’s Group will be
held on the second Saturday, Jan-
uary 9th, at 7:30am. All men are
welcomed and encouraged to join.
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Happy New Year!
Rest, Relaxation and Fun
Those three words are what come to my mind as we, the church and as individuals come off the Christmas high and settle into the winter of snow. Rest from the hectic days leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth. Relaxation to take time to reflect on the excitement of the birth of Christ. Fun, we are to have fun. For us here in the Pacific Northwest, God has
blessed us with snow this year. I realize that last several years, this area has not had much in the way of the special wintery white blanket that we call snow, but is not grand to see?
It is amazing that at this time of year, for those of us who have been raised in the Northern parts of the United States, Christmas just doesn’t seem right, unless snow is on the ground. Now that Christmas is just a faint memory, I pray that we continue to receive the beautiful white fluffy snow so that we can even go out and play and have fun. From what I understand there is even a church up near one of the local ski areas.
Have you ever noticed how quiet it is when the snow is falling and after the snow stops? Just listen to the peace. Listen to the quiet. We are to take time to be quiet, to rest, to relax and even have fun.
This time of rest, relaxation and fun can be done even through devotional materials. As the New Year is now underway, what type of devotional material speaks to you: reading, music, movie, art, gardening, farming, crafting, etc.? If you are looking for ideas please e-mail, call or stop by the church to meet with me. I have a list of materials that I can gather together depending on how you learn and enjoy being in relationship with God.
Blessings,
Pastor Harriet
Pastor Harriet will be on vacation from January
4th through January 10th. She will still be here to
lead Grief Talks on Tuesday, January 5th, at 6pm.
Pastor Harriet will also be gone between January
22nd through January 24th for the District Clergy
Retreat.
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Care Ministry:
In October 2015, Sandy started the Care Ministry. The Care Ministry was started to help support the Caregivers in our congregation to help with having forms available to help with navigating the medical system. This ministry is close and dear to my heart. I know first-hand the importance of having medical information when seeing a doctor or when needing to go to the hospital. The forms that Sandy is providing are forms that I created while I was my Mom’s caregiver and from Jim’s experience as a paramedic.
On February 7, 2016, we will have a special Sunday; “Care for yourself and Love for Family.”
Sandy will have a table setup with packets of the forms and be available to chat with regarding the Care Ministry.
Starting Wednesday, February 10th, 2016 – every 2
nd Wednesday of the month I will be leading a
Caregiver Support Group. Come find support. Come tell your story. Come and have a short Bible Study.
Lenten Study:
There will be no Sunday school class for the youth and adults in the month of January. We will restart Sunday school class for the youth and adults on Sunday, February 14
th and will meet
through the season of Lent each Sunday in the Social Hall. All are welcome to join us.
Lenten Bible Study on Sunday mornings (that will also available online): will be based on several resources, the theme will be “Loving Yourself Through Lent.”
Pastor Harriet
Walking Together in Truth Clergy and Laity Retreats Laity retreat: March 4-6, 2016
Lazy F, Ellensburg "Doesn't wisdom cry out and understanding shout? Atop the heights along the path, at the crossroads she takes her stand. By the gate before the city, at the entrance she shouts: I cry out to you, people; my voice goes out to all of humanity." Proverbs 8:1-4
You are invited to join with clergy and laity at the upcoming Seven Rivers District retreats as we ex-plore truth. This is a place to find rest and renewal, build relationships, ground yourself spiritually, and gain leadership tools and techniques. Come and be in community with others from the Seven Rivers District as we learn, worship, rest and play. "Truth is a way of being - a journey, a process, a spirituality, a relationship with God through Christ, a way to see the world as God sees it, and a way that leads to action to restore the blessings that flow from God to all." Eric Law, Holy Currencies
To Register contact the Church office for more information.
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YOUTH GROUP SCHEDULE 2016
January 10th: Apples to Apples
January 24th: Broom Hockey
February 7th: Ice Skating
February 21st: Life-Size Sorry
March 6th: To Be Scheduled
March 20th: Scavenger Hunt
April 10th: Art Garden
April 24th: Bowling
May 15th: Ice Cream Social
TEEN GIFT BAGS
A week before Christmas some of Santa's busiest elves were at work in our Fellowship Hall filling tall shopping bags with gifts for area teens. Colorful hats and scarves, stacks of socks, toiletries, gloves, wallets, jewelry, puzzle books, playing cards, candy, gum and other items were used to fill 45 bags for girls and 65 bags for boys ages 12-18. Later in the week Tom Pheasant and his team moved the gift bags to the ERC where they became part a the "Christmas basket" for families served by the Ephrata food bank. Nancy Wenke headed up the teen gift program this year and donations from service groups, our congregation and the community made this project a success. United Methodist Women, a longtime contributor to the teen gift program donated $100 for socks.
Youth Gatherings:
Grades 6-12
Wednesdays, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Come to hang out, to play games, watch movies, or to work
on art projects, etc.
Invite your friends
Snacks and beverages will be provided
Social Hall Open:
January 13th, 20th, and 27th.
Sundays,
9:00 am to 9:40 am
Lenten Bible Study starts February 14th.
Check out our website!
www.umcephrata.org
Linda, Nancy, and Dolores filling up teen gift bags. 110 gift bags ready to go!
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THE ART OF EXTRAVAGANT WELCOME Baptism and Family Celebrations
Ideas on Outreach and Hospitality From Church Consultant Mary Scifres
“I have called you by name and you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1-7)
Joyously and frequently celebrate baptisms, birthdays, new jobs, and answered prayer, and invite others to celebrate with you.
Recently, I received an invitation to the baptism of a friend’s new baby. I’m not the baby’s godparent. I’m not a blood relative. I’m not a co-worker or even a particularly close friend to this family. But they were celebrating, and they extended the invitation widely and festively. They invited dozens of us to join them in worship for this special day, to attend the church potluck dinner afterward, and then to gather at their home in the afternoon for a more informal celebration. This young family has inspired me to re-think “family celebrations” in terms of church invitation and hospitality.
What if we encouraged one another to celebrate life’s transitional moments and joyous gifts in worship with our church community? What if we began inviting a broad group of friends to join in the celebration? So many gifts of extravagant hospitality could emerge. A small family or a single adult would not feel so lonely in times of celebration. A church would be given the opportunity to rejoice with the one who is celebrating. Guests from all walks of life would be intentionally invited into the church community at a time of expressed gratitude. Church members and new friends alike would experience a focus on thanksgiving and celebration—a focus that role models the very attitude of gratefulness that strengthens us all, and displays one of the brightest spots of Christian community: Thankfulness. So, let’s party together more this year. Let’s give thanks often. Let’s lift one another up as we celebrate life’s precious gifts and times of transition. And let’s invite many others to celebrate and rejoice with us! Celebrate good times! (Kool & the Gang) ©2015 Mary J. Scifres for Mary Scifres Ministries at www.maryscifres.com Permission is granted to subscribers for reprinting, editing, and adapting in your church.
January 1st: Leslie Hovland, Mildred Johl, James Moore, Vivian Moore, Mike Treiber, Justin VanEss, Steve VanEss January 4th: Rebecca Gipson, Lonny Holleman January 6th: Marian Falk January 7th: Bev Dell, Joan Warner, Bob Winters January 9th: Vera Senn January 14th: Pat Boyd, Shirley Morris, Mike Reynolds January 15th: Jamie Gipson January 16th: Gail Luddington January 17th: Dick Hoyt, Marna Kellams January 20th: Kyle Smith, Albert Treiber January 26th: Gary Archer January 27th: Ken Slininger
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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 Sheryl at [email protected]
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayers for Pregnant Moms & Their Babies
Because of our Maternity Closet and our concern for moms and babies, we are asking for the congregation to pray for those whose due date is near and also pray for God’s precious little ones:
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 someone in need of a visit by our Congregational Care Team or Pastor Harriet.
Prayers for Health, Healing,
and well-being
Steve VanEss
Cammy Hatch
Cleta Helmick
Jim Fisher
Rosetta Barnes
Cherie McGruen
Melissa McKnight
Ken Gausman
Eleanor Gausman
Irene Gans
Bob Winters
Duane Ward
Bob Cegnar
Randy Senn
Lynette Follett
Kahl
Dan Anderson
Prayers for Those Suffering From
Long-Term Health Problems
Bob St. Clair Jr
Ruth Walker
Hazel Scoby
Susan Smith
Mary Baird
Dick Hoyt
Ed Sivula
Doug Jensen
Ron Gardner
Steven Grass
Shirley Morris
Brian Davisson
Renee Muse
Richard Hart
Al Davisson
Orin Smith
Justin Townley
Bill Nelson
Steve Smith
Bill Nelson
Bob Craig
Vonn Cabe
Ray Gans
Chris Wash
Kevin Harmon
Andrew Michaud
Michael Oliveira
Lane Jensen
Prayers of comfort
Loved ones of :
William Lowry
Lowell Moore
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Newsletter Folding, 9am
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday
3 4 5 6
11 12 13 10
17 19
31
20 18
24 25 26 27
Worship, 10:00am
Communion
Sunday School 9:00am
Care Ministry9:30am-
Trustees 7:00pm
Worship Team, 5:30pm
GRIEF TALKS, 6:00pm
Finance 5:30pm
Quilters 9:00am
Quilters 9:00am
Quilters 9:00am
Quilters 9:00am
Worship, 10:00am
Worship, 10:00am
Worship, 10:00am
Church Council,5:30pm
Sunday School 9:00am
Youth Group 6pm Christian Ed. 7pm
Worship, 10:00am
Church Office Closed
Youth Gathering, 3pm
Care Ministry9:30am
Sunday School 9:00am
Youth Gathering, 3pm
Sunday School 9:00am
Youth Group 6pm Youth Gathering, 3pm
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Newsletter Folding, 9am
www.facebook.com/umcofephrata
Saturday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1 2
7 8 9
14 15 16
30
21 22 23
28 29
Community Dinner 5:30pm
Care Ministry 9:30am-11:30am
Worship Team, 5:30pm
Men’s Breakfast 7:30am
Church Council,5:30pm
Christian Ed. 7pm
Youth Gathering, 3pm
Care Ministry 9:30am-11:30am
Youth Gathering, 3pm
Youth Gathering, 3pm
