Dear Jesus, Thank you! Thank you for being the “word” that comforted my mother on the day I was born; And for my baptism, a baptism that spoke of a blood that would cover my scorn. Thank you for being the inspiration that caused my dad to smile; As he held me in his arms for the longest while. For two souls who were born in the year 1970, Two pairs of eyes and two strong hearts; That would one day meet and make a new start. Thank you for being there on our wedding day; And for blessing our vows and the words we would say. Thank you for Luke, Olivia, Gabby and Emma; They are 15, 17, 19 and 21, Three beautiful girls and a handsome son. They are gifts from above and never a bore; Although I’m glad we stopped at four. Thank you for that Friday, which for some reason we call Good; An old rugged cross, upon Golgotha it stood. Beaten beyond comprehension, your body there hung. I can’t even imagine how those nails must have stung. Thank you for bearing the sins of the world; Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, and Sloth. And for the three dark days you laid buried under a cloth.

(continued on pg 2)

A New Year’s Poem of Gratitude By Pastor John Calendar Highlights

Jan 8 - United Methodist Women

Jan 12 - Boomer’s Chili Cook-Off

Jan 13 - Youth Group & J-Squad Resume

Jan 15 - Senior Lunch & World Missionary Press

Jan 19 - Knitting Fellowship

Jan 20 - Confirmation Classes Begin

Jan 22 - FPU begins

Jan 27 - Usher Breakfast

Faithnews JANUARY 2019

(Cont. from pg 1)

How the angels in Heaven must have been silent, As they remembered that day not too long ago, When to Bethlehem in Judea they were called to go; To announce to some shepherds living in a field, That the world’s Savior had come and He was ready to build, For them and for all a Kingdom, a Kingdom of love, truth and light. But from their thoughts and memories they were brought to the present, For Sunday had dawned and your lungs, they began to fill with air; And as Satan watched from afar he surely found it unfair; That your Father would find a way, a path, a song of Amazing Grace; That not only His Son, but that all who would believe should see His face. For “when we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, Than when we’d first begun.” And so I sing your praise today; As a new year begins and an old one drifts away, For the sacrifice you gave and for the love that is ever new, From the depths of my heart and from the bottom of my soul, I just wanted to say, thank you!

Recently there was an opportunity for the Stephen Ministers and Leaders to attend a Continuing Education class on Loneliness held at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Edwardsburg, MI. One of the handouts there contained this quote: What we spend our time watering is what we will grow. Stop and think about that a little in light of the results of the recent congregational survey.

We thank you all for taking the time to complete this survey. The results were very helpful. One hundred eight (108) surveys were completed and returned. One of the statements was: “I pray regularly for our Stephen Leaders, Stephen Ministers, and Care Receivers.” This statement had the lowest rating of all ten statements. Only 48.1% indicated they pray regularly for this program. We appreciate the honesty and also the prayers of those who pray regularly for the Stephen Ministry Program. We ask for your prayers to continue to “water” this ministry.

In contrast, 77.8 % indicated a strong agreement that Stephen Ministers are needed and provide a valuable service to Faith United Methodist Church. Many of you (84.3%) believe God is working through Stephen Ministry to bring healing and the love of Christ to hurting people.

The work of the Stephen Minister is not to provide therapy, nor does it replace the need for a professional counselor if one is needed. The work of the Stephen Minister is to provide encouragement, support, to be a good listener, and to show the love of Christ and His acceptance and forgiveness when one is hurting.

The first Stephen Leaders attended training in early 2016. They then began the process of training Stephen Ministers. The first Care Receivers were assigned to Stephen Ministers early in 2017.

The Mission statement of Stephen Ministry at Faith is: Christ caring for people through his disciples for the transformation of our congregation and community.

The Vision statement of Stephen Ministry at Faith is: To continue to develop a Christ-Centered Ministry that is effective and powerful to bring Christ’s love and care to hurting people.

-Submitted by Linda Schrock, Stephen Leader

Discipleship...

Disciple Bible Study: The Prophets - Mondays @ 7pm starting January 14 in the Conference Room.

Financial Peace University - Tuesdays @ 6:30pm starting January 22. Order materials at www.financialpeace.com/groups/1079099?c=ccf

The Ladies Bible Study meets Wednesday evenings at 5:15pm in the Conference Room. We will be starting Beth Moore’s Entrusted on January 9.

On Sundays, during the Growth Study hour (9:40-10:40am), the Widows group will be starting Jesus Code toward the end of the month. The Followship class (rm 115), led by Vickie Stevens, will be going through the book I Hear Voices...and That’s a Good Thing!. The study celebrates the voices of the Bible who continue, every day, to strengthen and encourage us when we not only hear but listen to them.

On the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7pm you’re welcome to join in on the study Parables from the Back Side. This study offers a new understanding of twelve of Jesus' parables by viewing them through the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character.

Breakthrough Student Ministry (7-12 grade)

The Veteran’s Group meets every other Thursday in the Parlor starting January 10. We will be going through the Foundations of Freedom series. Learn how our founding fathers used the Bible as a blueprint for America's freedoms.

Some of our continuing studies & opportunities are:

Lunch & Learn - 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 11:30am

Choir & Handbells - Wednesdays @ 7pm

Men’s Fellowship @ Michael’s Italian Restaurant - Mondays @ 6pm

Pickleball - Wednesdays @ 6pm

Mom’s Connect - 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 6:30pm

Breakthrough Student Ministries (Youth Group) - Sundays @ 5-7pm

J-Squad (5th & 6th grades) - 2nd & 4th Sundays @ 5-7pm

This month we begin with a fresh start! We will start back up in 2019 on January 13th from 5-7 pm. We will begin

the year with a new curriculum, #THINK. We will spend time walking through tough issues in our culture and

discovering what scripture says. We’ll cover topics this month like tattoos and tolerance, and finish up on

January 27th with a Q & A with Pastor John! We will also be trying some new things this month, so come join us, it

is going to be great!

Confirmation begins January 20th at 9:00 am!

If you would like to join, there is still room! Contact Pastor Sarah as soon as possible to reserve your spot.

Save the date!

The second annual “Soup-er Bowl” lunch is coming on February 3rd, right after service! All proceeds will go toward

the Breakthrough Student Ministry’s Spring Retreat.

If you are looking for a Life Group to join or perhaps a new Sunday School class, contact Pastor Sarah and we can find you a spot! There is always room at Faith to gather, grow, live and launch!

More Faithnews......... Mary Stamper, on behalf of the Missions Committee,

would like to thank each of you for your cheeseball purchases. It was another successful fundraiser.

Many families and children were touched by your generous gifts donated for the Angel Tree, Mary’s Gift, Coats for Susanna’s Kitchen, and the Mitten Tree. Thank you for supporting our community.

Hello Everyone! I want to thank everyone who helped make the Christmas program possible. I am so proud of all the children who participated. They were so excited and happy to give the message of the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ. We are still looking for Sponsors for our Bible Buddies program. This program is to support a 3rd grade child throughout the year. The cost is $30 which supplies them with a Bible. If you are interested, please see me at the children’s check in table. We also have staff and volunteer positions open for Sundays and week day evenings. As our church is becoming more active we are seeing this need for our nursery and childcare programs! If you are interested, please contact me. We would be happy to have you on our team! Thank you for the support of our Faith Kids. - Vanessa R.

Thank you from Kingdom Kids to the groups and individuals that helped set up, tear down, served, and supplied cookies for our 2 Christmas programs. Your service was noticed and deeply appreciated. - Erica S.

Stewardship Report Annual Budget $868,000

Rec’d YTD (12/23) $773,409

We are going to Guatemala with Jungle Medic Missions July 13 - 20, 2019! The team is forming now and if you are interested in going contact John Bachman. If you cannot go, you can still participate. We are in need of vitamins, pain reliever, cold & cough medicine, anti-fungal cream, triple antibiotic ointment, antacids, pre-natal vitamins and saw palmetto tablets. You can place your medicine donations in the suitcase in the Narthex. Please check the expiration dates to ensure they are good past July 2019. Thanks for your participation!

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NEXT BUS TRIP - SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2019 We will visit the following attractions: Biltmore in Asheville, NC, Pigeon Forge, TN (Dolly Parton Show and Dinner), Smokey Mountains Opry Show and Dinner, Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg, TN, New Found Gap (guided tour) plus one mystery surprise attraction. Included in cost: travel by motor coach (guided tour by S and S Travel), luggage handling (one piece per person), 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners, motel accommodations, and all attractions. We will also visit Waldens Creek UM Church where the church ladies will serve us one of our lunches followed by entertainment by Hills and Hollows. Cost: $913.00 per person (2 in a room), $849.00 per person (3 in a room), $818.00 per person (4 to a room), $1136.00 (1 in a room). We will be able to sign up for this trip starting in March. Any questions? Call Joan Stiver 238-6879.

There was a delay in shipping. We

thank you for your patience and will

let you know when they arrive.

1/5 Renay Bemiller 1/12 Julia Radeline 1/22 Aniston Atkinson

Colyn Chris Betty Wiseman Ava Brewton

Don Griffey 1/13 Paul Byler Shirley Shoup

Brian & Emily Mills 1/14 Rylee Dahlman 1/23 Jesse Radeline

John & Jackie Wade David Harding Jaxon Rosenberg

1/6 Dustin Crump 1/15 Norma Alber 1/24 Larry Bellamy

Casey Radeline Clyde Durr Kelly Collins

1/7 Ken Beery David & Danice Harding 1/25 Hannah Snodgrass

Gene Bohn 1/16 Isaiah Bowen 1/26 Alexandria Mills

1/8 Steve Shoemaker Karen Lockhart 1/27 Dan Carlson

Ramona Sutphin Helen Pollock Jim Stiver

1/9 Jennifer Bennett 1/17 Heather Simon 1/29 Tim & Peggy Frick

Jen Havlish 1/19 Karen Miller 1/30 Bob & Cathy Barnes

1/12 Betty Cripe Matt Szabo Ashlyn Goering

Bill McDowell 1/20 Billy & Vicki Bridenstein

George & Angie Oliver 1/21 Lilly Grove

If we’ve missed your birthday or

anniversary, please let the office know

so we can add your special day.

1

Happy N

ew Y

ear! O

ffice Closed

2 5:15pm Ladies B

ible Study

6pm P

ickleball 7pm

Choir P

ractice

3 6:30am M

en’s Breakfast B

ible S

tudy @ M

ayberry 7pm

Trustees M

eeting

4 5

6 8:30am T

raditional Worship

9:45am G

rowth S

tudies 10:45am

Fam

ily Worship

12:30pm S

mall G

roup (Lockhart)

7 6pm S

mall G

roup (B

ortner) 6pm

Men’s F

ellowship @

M

ichael’s Restaurant

8 1pm U

nited Methodist W

omen

4pm S

tephen Leaders 6pm

Stephen S

upervisors

9 5:15pm Ladies B

ible Study

6pm P

ickleball 7pm

Choir P

ractice 7pm

Handbell R

ehearsal 7pm

Sm

all Group (P

letcher)

10 6:30am

Men’s B

reakfast Bible

Study @

Mayberry C

afé 10am

Intercessory Prayer T

eam

6:30pm M

issions Com

mittee

6:30pm G

uatemala T

eam

7pm V

eteran’s Group

7pm D

aycare Com

mittee

11 12 4pm

Boom

er’s Chili

Cook-O

ff

13 Choir

8:30am T

raditional Worship

8:30am Y

outh Council

9:30am D

onut Drop-In

9:45am G

rowth S

tudies 10:45am

Casual W

orship 5pm

J-Squad

5pm B

reakthrough Youth

14 11:30am

Lunch & Learn

6pm M

en’s Fellow

ship @

Michael’s R

estaurant 7pm

Disciple B

ible Study

15 11:30am

Senior Lunch

4pm W

orld Missionary P

ress 6:30pm

Mom

’s Connect

16 5:15pm

Ladies Bible S

tudy 6pm

Pickleball

7pm C

hoir Practice

7pm H

andbell Rehearsal

17 6:30am

Men’s B

reakfast Bible

Study @

Mayberry C

afé 10am

Intercessory Prayer T

eam

7pm F

inance Com

mittee

18 19 10am

Knitting

Fellow

ship

20 8:30am

Traditional W

orship 9am

Confirm

ation Class

9:45am G

rowth S

tudies 10:45am

Casual W

orship 12:30pm

Sm

all Group (Lockhart)

5pm B

reakthrough Youth

21 6pm

Sm

all Group

(Bortner)

6pm M

en’s Fellow

ship @

Michael’s R

estaurant 7pm

Disciple B

ible Study

22 4pm

Stephen Leaders

6pm S

tephen Supervisors

6:30pm F

inancial Peace

University

23 5:15pm

Ladies Bible S

tudy 6pm

Pickleball

7pm C

hoir Practice

7pm H

andbell Rehearsal

7pm S

mall G

roup (Pletcher)

24 6:30am

Men’s B

reakfast Bible

Study @

Mayberry C

afé 10am

Intercessory Prayer T

eam

7pm V

eteran’s Group

25 26

27 8:30am

Traditional W

orship 9am

Confirm

ation Class

9:30am U

sher Breakfast

9:45am G

rowth S

tudies 10:45am

Casual W

orship 5pm

J-Squad

5pm B

reakthrough Youth

28 11:30am

Lunch & Learn

6pm M

en’s Fellow

ship @

Michael’s R

estaurant 7pm

Disciple B

ible Study

29 6:30pm

Financial P

eace U

niversity

30 5:15pm

Ladies Bible S

tudy 6pm

Pickleball

7pm C

hoir Practice

7pm H

andbell Rehearsal

31 6:30am

Men’s B

reakfast Bible

Study @

Mayberry C

afé 10am

Intercessory Prayer T

eam