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PASTOR KATHY’S REFLECTIONS
On Sunday, June 12 we celebrated Pentecost Sunday: the Birthday of the church! The scripture lesson for that day was taken from Act 2: 1–21, which made reference to the following Old Testament words spoken through the prophet Joel:
“In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams. “
Joel 2:28
At Pentecost, God’s church was born: every follower was awesomely awakened and dramatically empowered by the Holy Spirit. Visions and dreams were cast by God!
Just like those members of the early church, we too are called to see visions and dream dreams. We too are empowered by God’s Spirit, the caster of visions and dreams.
In the book The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson, it states that “Vision is a desirable picture of a future state. Vision informs others what they are exchanging their lives and time for. Vision is like the North Star – a point of reference that guides and directs … vision is the picture in your mind of what could be and what you hope will be.”
During the month of July, the sermon series is called Visions and Dreams and will guide us through an exploration of the following dimensions of Smithville United Methodist Church:
· July 3 Visions & Dreams: Hospitality
· July 10 Visions & Dreams: Service
· July 17 Visions & Dreams: Spiritual Growth
· July 24 Visions & Dreams: Worship
· July 31 Visions & Dreams: Generosity
"I believe God wants us to dream, and to dream big, because He’s a big God who wants to do big things and He wants to do them through us." (John Maxwell, Put Your Dream to the Test).
Reflection: “We are called to be Spirited people, powerful as the wind in doing God’s will, energetic as fire in extending the love of Christ. Let us be builders of understanding and makers of peace, this day and every day. God’s Pentecost project is far from finished: you and I are in the thick of it …”
You are God’s gift to the world. Blessings this and every day. Pastor Kathy
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Words from your Lay Leader-
Sharon Fairlie
Aren’t you excited about how SUMC is reaching out to the community? We are helping by contributing money along with the First Christian Church and Good Shepherd Catholic Church, to provide meals for hungry kids, we are collecting change for our sister city, Smithville, Mississippi as well as the people in Joplin, Missouri. We are teamed up with First Christian Church to play in the church softball league, July will be a fantastic Vacation Bible School, we are working to help our church be trained for emergencies and the planning continues to make this year’s car show a community affair.
At the Missouri Methodist Conference, I listened to the pastor from the Joplin United Methodist Church tell his story about the aftermath of the tornado. There were many people from his church helping each other, and others, but the most poignant story was about one of his parishioners seeing barefoot people trying to walk through the debris and glass, to the office to file for help. He stood there in front of the building, took his shoes off and gave them to those without shoes to walk through the glass to the office. Once they were safe inside, his shoes were returned to him so he could repeat the act, giving his shoes over and over again. This was a small act but it had such impact.
We are learning that the church is not just the four walls we meet in for worship every Sunday. It is how we treat people on a daily basis, how we take care of others, how we see a need and act in a kind and loving way. As we sang Sunday morning, “We Are the Church”, no matter where we are, no matter what day it may be.
I don’t feel I am alone when I say I feel such helplessness sometimes with all the problems our world is currently facing. Then I read all the areas our own conference is helping, so many countries, and so many people. Recently I had a conversation with a member of our church, and it made me extremely proud when he said, we may not have a fancy building but we are connected with the world by our apportionments. We are doing what Christ taught us by example and only for the Glory of God! Thanks be to God!
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USHERS
FOR JULY The ushers
for the month of July are: Gene and Sandy Littrell, Ron Hill and Jim
Nelson.
Sign up for these Opportunities to Serve. The table to sign up is on the east wall of the Great Room under the opportunities bulletin board.
Car Show - September 17th
Prepare Sunday Youth Suppers
Lifeline Screening
Disaster Workshop
CERT Training
Coin offering for Joplin and Smithville, MS
Merit Badge Counselor Training for Scouts, July 10th - contact Ruth Dickinson (532-8724)
Please mark your calendars for July 6th & 13th at 6:00 pm for a disaster workshop here at SUMC. This will be led by Pastor Kathy and Rev. Sally Baehni.
MEETINGS CANCELED
There will not be any Trustees or Worship Committee meetings in the month of July.
No Youth Group meetings on July 3rd (holiday weekend) and July 17th (helping with VBS). The Youth Council meeting has been changed to July 10th at 4:00 pm.
We are still taking applications for the fall enrollment. Please contact the church office for more information (532-3200).
VACATION
BIBLE SCHOOL Sunday,
July 17th thru Friday,
July 22nd 6:00
pm to 8:30 pm Contact Ramona Emery or
Becky Mast for more information or to register
The following are items needed for Vacation Bible School. Please give any items to Nancy Lowe or leave in the Library.
Paper towel tubes Cooking magazines
Ribbon Washable markers
Yarn Fabric markers
Felt Buttons
Fabric remnants (9x9 inch squares) Card stock
Kitchen or Food themed stickers Sequins
Cookie cutters (We can return them if you want them back just mark the bag and I will make sure they are returned)
Plain 4x4 inch white or off white or almond tiles (50 are needed)
Thank you for your help
Nancy Lowe
“Vision . . . is a clear mental image of a preferable future, imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstance.” (George Barna, The Power of Vision)
SUMC will be hosting training for CERT on July 8, 9 and 16th. Lunch will be provided on both Saturdays. Please sign up on the Opportunities to Serve table or call the church office (532-3200).
July 11 6:30 pm Field 1
July 18 6:30 pm Field 1
July 25 8:00pm Field 1
Contact Ramona Emery at 816-225-0787 for more information.
The Ad Council is
having a planning retreat on Saturday, July 23rd.
SNACK
PACKS UPDATE 160
snack packs completed - 40 children for 4 weeks!!
SMITHVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SUMC is honored to start hosting the monthly meetings of the Chamber of Commerce. They will be held on the second Wednesday of each month starting on July 13th. The meetings are 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Have You Taken Control of Your Health Today?
Life Line Screening will be at Smithville United Methodist Church on Monday, July 25, 2011 offering five safe, painless, non-invasive preventive health screenings that are typically not a part of a routine physical.
Save $10 on either package by signing up early. There is a sheet on the signup table.
To be more proactive about your health and live longer for yourself, your family, and your community, call to register at 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners. You can learn your risk of having stroke or vascular disease, prices range from $129 to $159. There is no time like the present to take action!
“It is very dangerous to go into eternity with possibilities which one has oneself prevented from becoming realities. A possibility is a hint from God. One must follow it.” (Sören Kierkegaard)
SUMC ART CLASS
Now
on display in our beautiful public library is our latest exhibit. As you enter
the library, look to the left in the large exhibit case. The paintings will be
there until the end of the month.
The art group meets each Wednesday, at the church, at 10:00 a.m. It is not a
"ladies group". We have two men in the class who are among our best
artists. If you aren't interested in painting with a brush, bring a pad of
drawing paper and some drawing pencils and sketch. Available are charcoal and
colored pencils, as well as drawing pencils in Hobby Lobby or Michaels. We'll
help you get started and there is no charge.
We encourage anyone to join us, church members or not,
beginners or advanced; you are really welcome.
Martha Urquhart 532-3772
BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES
07/01 Dennis Lowe 07/01 Matt and Renae Clarkson
07/03 Jeanette Armstrong 07/09 Paul and Nancy Meers
07/06 Elijah Starnes 07/18 Richard and Judy Shepherd
07/07 Michelle Gager, Ausytn McComas 07/20 Jim and Jeanette Armstrong
07/08 Molly Bliss, Susan Summers 07/24 Travis and Kylee Glaser
07/11 Homer Curtis 07/28 Johnny and Angie Viebrock
07/12 Lesa Allison, Elizabeth Mewmaw 07/31 Russell Fries & Ruth Dickinson
“Dream lofty dreams, and as you
dream, so shall you become. Your Vision is the promise of what you shall
one day be. Your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.”
(James Allen)
Samantha Leonard
07/13 Sidney Atkins, Ryan Lowe
07/17 Laura Bissen
07/21 Sandy Miller, Virginia French,
David Tipton, Joseph Crider
07/26 Jackson Krull
07/27 Paul Meers
07/29 Sue Ehnen, Olen Chestnut,
Denise Willadsen, Jackson
St. John,
07/30 David Anderson
07/31 Susan Cook, Zelma Clower,
Philip Anderson
