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T H E V I S I T O R
Christ United Methodist Church Exists to: Connect Persons to God and to One Another (Worship/Fellowship)
Help Meet Needs (Service/Every Member a Minister)
Reach Out to Share Jesus Christ (Evangelism)
Instruct in Christian Growth (Discipleship)
Send Persons in Ministry (Missions)
Transform the Community of Bowling Green
Newsletter Date
January 2018
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
I am so excited to be part of the life and ministry of Christ Church in 2018.
I hope YOU are excited and looking forward to what God has in store, as
well. There is no way to know what is around the many corners of this
year, but we can absolutely know that Jesus Christ will be waiting for us at
every turn. How wonderful to be able to walk with that kind of assurance
and confidence.
If you are like me, you can look back over your shoulder and see God’s hand at work in your life
as 2017 unfolded. You can see the times of protection. You can see the times of strength when
your own strength had worn thin. You can see the times of great joy and victory. You can see the
times of defeat and sadness. All of these times make up the past year and some of those moments
cast shadows that reach all the way into 2018. We all know a new calendar doesn’t come with
completely blank pages. That is a good thing. As 2018 begins, we don’t have to reinvent the
wheel of experience every day.
What did you learn in 2017 that will help and guide you into this New Year? What new thought
will give you energy and direction? What mistake will rise up and put the breaks on your life
when you are faced with a similar situation or decision? What wise choice will stand up and
invite you to follow in its steps once again? What words of counsel did you give to your children
that has been a light to their path? What words of direction will you need to share at least one
more time before the year is over? Again, you see, this New Year has last year’s shadow cast all
across it.
But, this New Year also has light that 2017 never saw. 2018 will present opportunities for the first
time ever in so many different ways. What will you do? How will you react? Why will you have a
sense of direction when you face new paths and rough waters? Again, look back over your
shoulder. See where you have been. Go back over the lessons you learned. Revisit the
conversations that shaped you. Remember the friends who blessed you. Recommit yourself to the
Savior who loves you.
So, let me throw out some ideas of ways to move ahead in 2018. Could this be the year you
decide to get into the Wednesday Dinner and Discipleship - WD2- - study? Is this the year you go
on a Walk to Emmaus spiritual retreat? Is this the year you take a step towards tithing? Is this the
year you volunteer at Vacation Bible School? Is this the year your musical talents come out from
under that bushel and shine in the life of the church? Is this the year you jump back into Sunday
School? All of these opportunities at Christ Church and so many more outside of Christ Church.
Yes! 2018 could be the year …
Be sure to read through this Newsletter and see the different opportunities for ministry. Some are
just around the corner, others are a few weeks or months away. Make your plans. Get out that
almost clean calendar and start setting aside time to worship and serve and give. What a great way
to live in 2018!
Your friend,
Pastor David
Attendance/Stewardship 3
Birthdays 5
Children’s Ministry 2
UMW News 5
Youth News 4
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 1
New Year’s Day
Church Offices Closed
January 3
9:30 UMW Prayer Shawl
10a UMW Meeting
11:30a UMW Luncheon
January 7
Epiphany Sunday
Communion Sunday
Miracle Offering Collection
January 9
6:30p Vision Team
January 10
WD2 Resumes
5:30 WD2 Dinner
6:00p Small Groups
January 11
6p Trustees
January 13
8a UMM workday
At WKU Wesley Foundation
January 14
5:30p Youth Parent Meeting
January 15
Martin Luther King Day
6p Finance
7p Church Council
January 19-21
Winter Blitz
January 26-27
Women’s Retreat
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Contact numbers for Pastor David & Pam
David’s cell 270-791-4967
Pam’s cell 270-799-1083
Children’s Ministry
Message from Melissa
Page 2
Our Christmas Mitten Tree in the YCC was a huge success again this year! The hats and mittens that were donated will help to keep many children here in Bowling Green warm this winter. Thank you! Christmas Play Congratulations to all of our children for a wonderful performance in their annual Christmas play. A special thank you is extended to Amy Berry, Angie Gordon and Randy Hanes for all they did. Kids RULE (Read, Understand Learn, Explore God’s Word) will have its first meeting of the new year on Wednesday, January 10th. WD2 dinner is from 5:30-6:00 pm followed by our class time from 6pm – 7pm. VBS 2018 is still months away but mark your calendars now and Save the Date! VBS 2018 is scheduled to take place from Sunday June 3 – Thursday June 7, 2018. In the event, that school closings for winter weather impact us, our backup dates are June 10- June 14. A reminder to all parents: Sunday School is a wonderful place for your children to grow in their knowledge of the Lord. Start the New Year off right by having them attend a Sunday School class.
A huge thank you to everyone who made our Advent and Christmas celebrations so beautiful – from
decorating the church, to participating in services, to leading music and liturgy… it was a beautiful and
blessed celebration of Jesus. Now as we begin our new year, let us be mindful of the vision of the church –
to be a place where people connect to God and to one another. And let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another—and all the more as time goes on (Romans 10:24-25). Here are three ways we
can consider doing that this month:
1. Contemporary worship gathering: January 21 at 12:30pm
The band will be gathering after the second service on January 21 to discuss the music in the second
service. If this topic interests you, we’d love for you to join us. People are welcome to bring new
songs that they would like us to use, share opinions or concerns about songs we’ve used in the past,
and generally be involved in the conversation of how and why we worship together. Please let me
know if you’d like to join us!
2. Women’s retreat
The women of the church are invited for a night away at the Narrow Way Bed and Breakfast in
Lucas KY on January 26 and January 27. This time together will focus on having time to spend with
each other and will allow time for rest. The cost is $59 if 13 people sign up, and less if more people
sign up. Breakfast is included in the price. More details will be forthcoming. Please email
[email protected] or contact Brenda at 270-792-9130 to find out more. (Save the date:
women’s Bible study will resume February 18!)
3. Glory Baby Cut-a-thon
Glory Baby is a ministry that provides burial gowns for infants to families experiencing loss. We
will gather on January 28, 5:30-7:00, to cut apart gowns that have been donated to the cause. Please
bring a seam-ripper or scissors. Contact Melissa for more information.
O U R S T E WA R D S H I P
A N D AT T E N D A N C E
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7
Servants for January
Memorial
Contributions
8:45 Service
Greeters
Ron & Carol Wilson
Communion Servers
Bruce & Diane Allen
Karen & Doug Rohrer
11:00 Service
Greeters & Communion Servers
Dean Meadows, Jana Layne
Becky & Woody Harrell
Buford Smith
Building Lockup
Woody Harrell
Budget for the Year $593,363
Needed per Week $11,411
Received
Dec 3 $14,381
Dec 10 13,460
Dec 17 9,543
Dec 24 7,994
Dec 31 12,422
Budget to Date $593,363
Received to Date $528,042
Building Fund Loan Balance $82,836
Received 2017 $16,055
STEWARDSHIP OF ATTENDANCE
S.S.
8:45 10:00 11:00
Dec 3 166 135 94
Dec 10 151 167 102
Dec 17 188 160 51
Dec 24 134 106 85
Dec 31 118 112 64
Page 3
M.E.A.L.S., Inc.
In Memory of
Georgie Hanes
Building Fund
Kenny & Carolyn Marks
Richard & Karen Garden
In Memory of
Audra Simpton
Building Fund
Bill & Joyce Buckman
In Memory of
Anna Walkup Landscape Committee
Tim & Linda Tidwell
Rick & I, as well as our extended family, would
like to send sincere and humble thanks to our
church family for the cards, comforting words,
prayers, hugs, food and flowers sent to our family
at the time of our mother, Audra Simpson’s, death,
but also over the last few years of her illness. We
have been deeply touched and overwhelmed by
your kindness and caring. She was especially
blessed to call Christ UMC her church home the
last years of her life.
From Michael
Page 4
In our student ministry we are looking at the new year with a great deal of anticipation. We believe God is
going to do big things this year. We are already looking forward to our summer mission trip and what God
will do in and through us as we serve him. Before we get there, we have some great opportunities coming up
in January.
First, we will be kicking WD2 back off on January 10th. We just finished a study in the book of Matthew and
in January we will be starting a new study by Francis Chan on Prayer. Prayer is one of those Sunday School
answers to many of our questions but for most of us prayer life can feel flat and uninspiring. We will spend a
few weeks right at the beginning of the year growing in our prayer life together.
On January 7th, we will jump right back into our Sunday Night Gatherings as well. On the 14th we will also
have our annual Parents Meeting at 5:30 pm, while the youth are playing and eating.
We are especially excited about Winter Blitz in January. We will travel to Louisville the 19th-21st and gather
with United Methodist Youth from all over the Kentucky Annual Conference for worship and teaching. This
is always a powerful weekend and there is still time for youth to sign up!
Christmas Miracle Offering January 7
Communion Offering
The Thailand Methodist Mission, which works in evangelism and among children caught up in the sex trade, is raising money to purchase land and build a new church—Fire of Glory Church. Our Christmas Miracle Offering this year will go to help build that church. We will receive this offer-ing on January 7, Epiphany Sunday, as our first communion offering of 2018. Some may want to give their offering on or before December 31, for tax purposes.
Angel Tree Thank You
A big Thank you to all who contributed to this years
Prison Fellowship Angel Tree program. Helen Terry
makes many of the phone calls to the caregivers of the
children, Shirley Lowe wraps dozens of gifts, and others
help by sorting the wrapped packages as they are
brought back into the designated family bags to be de-
livered by YET another group of you! Many of you
took angels from the tree and bought and wrapped your
gifts while some gave money to buy for them. Once
again this year EVERY child in KY got presents
through Angel Tree! Our church bought for 94 children
– a total of 188 gifts! On behalf of all those children
you loved on—THANK YOU!
FUNERAL MEAL COORDINATORS NEEDED
The job of Coordinating meals for the family after a funeral needs a new coordinator or co-
coordinators! Linda Holian and Pam Grout, with Deloris Gaddie’s help, have been in
charge of getting people to make food, prepare the tables, serve food and clean up. If you
are interested in taking the position or in asking questions about it, we would be happy to
talk to you. This position is open immediately. Thanks to all who have been so helpful to
us in ministering to the families in this way.
January Birthdays United Methodist Women
If you would like your birthday listed in
The Visitor, please call the church office.
The United Methodist Women meet January 3rd at 10:00 a.m. in
the Potpourri Classroom. The prayer shawl team meets at 9:00
in the library. Carol Douglas and Linda Holian will provide a
warm lunch. Come join us for fellowship.
Page 5
Carolyn Marks 1/1
Karen Rohrer 1/3
Taylor Gilbert 1/4
Conner Twyman 1/6
Gerod Truelove 1/6
Margie Bonds 1/8
Susie Brooks 1/8
Gage York 1/8
Shan Winquist 1/9
Luciana Bull DeGaetano 1/9
Sophie Moore 1/10
Jim Rennirt 1/10
Martha Lloyd 1/10
Doug Rohrer 1/10
Wes Chou 1/11
Stephen Harmon 1/14
Deloris Gaddie 1/15
Randy Nielsen 1/15
Stuart Foster 1/16
Jeana Withers 1/18
Aaron Gordon 1/18
Lonell Rennirt 1/22
Kevin Gilpin 1/22
Kenny Marks 1/24
Patty Wintuska 1/25
Richard Strout 1/30
Gail Williams 1/31
Scott Tylicki 1/31
UMAF
United Methodist Adult Fellowship
Adult Fellowship Breakfast at Brindee’s Jan. 12 -
9:00am The Adult Fellowship will meet at Brindee’s
Restaurant, 2001 Russellville Rd, to enjoy a delicious
breakfast on Jan. 12 at 9:00am.
Please contact Ron or Carol Wilson (270-746 9956) if
you can sponsor a future activity.
On February 23, right here at Christ Church, join thousands of business leaders across the country for a full 1-day live-stream retreat to hear from experts, be encouraged, and discuss how to connect your faith and work. Visit https://www.workasworshipretreat.org/ for more information or to register ($25).
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you
gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me...”
Matthew 25:35 Thank you CUMC congregation for the tremendous support
you have shown the M.E.A.L.S., Inc. ministry during
2017. Together, we have served four times during the
year. Each time we had 30-35 volunteers and were able to pro-
vide food to 310-315 people in need of food. Additionally, our
church donated 354 cans of soup to go into the Christmas Din-
ner boxes that were delivered to these individuals and fami-
lies. Each box contained a ham, fresh fruit, and 13 items
(provided by the 13 church participants), so our neighbors we
serve can have a traditional Christmas dinner. Also, thank you
for all the plastic grocery bags you bring in. The program uses
over 300 of these bags every week. Our next opportunity to
participate with this ministry is March 3rd. We hope you can be
a part of CUMC volunteers on that date. Our prayer is that our church can continue to be a blessing to
those in need of food assistance in this new year. M.E.A.L.S.,
Inc. is a wonderful way to serve the Lord by serving others. If
you have any questions or need additional information, please
call Helen Terry @ (270) 991-9075 or (270) 745-0943.
2018 M.E.A.L.S., Inc. Dates March 3rd
June 2nd September 1st December 1st
WD2 Welcome We would like to thank those who donated their time this fall to
bring us a varied menu for our WD2 meals. Thanks to Angie
Gordon, Doris Whitmer, Shirley Lowe, Juanita Cox, Dawn
Spicer, Our menus included lasagna, spaghetti, meatloaf,
chicken pot pie, BBQ sandwiches, sub sandwiches, chicken
strips and pizza.
If you would be interested in signing up to provide a meal for
WD2, please contact the church office. Any reasonable cost is
reimbursed. We currently feed approximately 70 people.
WD2 will resume on January 10.
Pastor Dean will be leading a group called "LIVING TRUTH"
during the winter session of WD2. The focus will be on apply-
ing teachings and incidents from the life of Jesus to our every-
day lives. It will combine Bible study and discussion in an open
setting.
Page 6
M.E.A.L.S., Inc.
Barbara Thompson, who transfers from
Peace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin
Merry Hardin & family on the death of her father,
Harold Campbell
Madisyn & Mea Taylor on the death of their great
grandmother, Martha Taylor
Tom Lohmann on the death of his brother,
Al Lohmann
Shan & Rick Winquist and family on the death of
her mother, Audra Simpson
Paulette & Larry Wells and family on the death of
her mother, Anna Walkup
Jenny Lou Pierce & family on the death of her
grandfather, James Royster Sowders
Kory & Christy Twyman and family on the death of
grandmother, Ada Francis Twyman
Sympathy
Anaclare Cobb, who transferred her
membership in November.
(not pictured, Abigal)
CHURCH STAFF
Dr. David Grout ............................................... Pastor
Rev. Michael Romans Associate Pastor/Youth Pastor
Melissa Bull ...... Minister of Music and Discipleship
Patty Wintuska ......................... Children’s Director
Kelli Truelove .................... Assistant Youth Director
Jeanie Orr .................................................... Organist
Bonnie Hanes .... Administrative Assistant/Treasurer
April Taylor ................................ Nursery Supervisor
Shan Winquist ........................................ Lay Leader
Angie Gordon …………… Minister of Visitation &
Congregational Care /Director of The Learning Tree
Lorenzo Hall, Jr. .......................................... Security
Worship Services
Sunday Worship ~ 8:45
a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School ~ 10:00
a.m.
Nursery provided for all
Sunday Services
Youth Activities ~ Sunday
at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
716 Cave Mill Road
Bowling Green, KY 42104
842-4343 & 842-8762
Church Fax: 842-6776
Office hours: 8:00-2:00
Monday thru Thursday
Our E-Mail Address:
Our Web Page:
www.christumcbg.org