Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors, the People of the United Methodist Church Messiah United Methodist Church 408 Dominion Commons Way Chesapeake, VA 23322 Messiah Messenger October 2014 Volume 18, Issue 10 It’s VA Grown Apple Sale Time! Amazing Grace Sunday! October 12, 2014 Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. ‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me home! Messiah has come through a year of challenges that have included dangers, toils and snares! Our entrance has moved off of Dominion Blvd to Cedar Road, (complete with a new stop light.) We have a new address, including a new zip code. It has looked to the folks outside the church that we must be lost under a mountain of dirt and concrete, or drowned in the floods of the parking lot. NEVERTHELESS, God through Jesus Christ has brought us through into a new beginning. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, together, making disciples, during and following construction. We are the church of Jesus Christ in ministry to the world, outside our doors, near and far. It is time that we celebrate the milestones of our passage into this new era. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures. T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relived. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far And Grace will lead me home. 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’ve first begun. John Newton (1725-1807) Messiah’s Purpose (Who we are)  As believers in Jesus Christ, we are dedicated to serving God by helping others come to know Christ and by nurturing and teaching people through example about life in Christ. Messiah’s Vision 2015 (Where we are going)  Messiah United Methodist Church will be a vibrant church family that fills the sanctuary for worship services and meets the spiritual and Christian education needs of people of all ages and stages in life. People will be brought to Christ; and together, we will grow in the knowledge and love and God. We will reach out in ministry to our community, provide resources to reach our goals, sustain our programs, and support good works in our community and the world. Goals (How we are going to get there)  We will provide a nurturing environment for people to grow and mature in Christ.  We will reach out into the community to help those in need and work to include people of all ages and stages in life in our church family.  We will provide worship opportunities and programs that save the lost, praise God, inspire followers to serve Him, and equip the congregation to take Christ into the community.  We will provide resources to accomplish our Purpose and Vision. Messiah Preschool News OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS Anniversaries 10/5 Karla & Steve Waltner 10/18 Lisa & Clayton Spruill 10/26 Darlene & Jim Farley Birthdays This wonderful, colorful mural was painted by Janet Lantz and can be seen in the foyer going out to the playground. Thanks, Janet! 10/9 The children have all returned to Messiah Preschool and have all acclimated quite well! We still have openings for three and four year-olds! 10/10 Bev Parrish You are all invited to our Christmas Program -- Monday, December 16th and Tuesday, December 17th at 9:15 a.m. Our Christmas break will be from December 18th to January 5th Alex Hickey 10/10 Peyton Harrison 10/13 Cindy Rugraff 10/15 Beverly Matthews 10/19 John Cullipher 10/27 Mary Cuulipher 10/28 Jamie Maciejko LIVE BIG in October: Children’s Sunday School 1. B.I.G. Theme: Place orders for Fuji, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Stayman, Winesap and Granny Smith apples The Stories of Kings 2. B.I.G. Idea: We believe that the stores of faithful kings help us to be faithful leaders for God. 3. Bible Verse: “The Lord is King! Let the earth rejoice” Psalm 97:1 October Lessons Oct. 5 Lesson: David Activities: Crown puzzle Shepherd/King card game Oct. 12 Lesson: Solomon Activities: Kingly armbands Wisdom Books Oct. 19 Lesson: Josiah Activity: Growth Chart Remember & Follow Oct. 26: Lesson: Jesus, King of Kings Activities: Jesus, Name art Kingly review Messiah’s VA Apple Sale Between Sept. 22-November 7, 2014 Pick up at the church -408 Dominion Commons Way (off Cedar Rd.) November 15th 8:30am-1:30pm Order apple butter and apple cider too! Prices listed on church website: Messiahunitedmethodist.com or call the church office at 757-436-1682 Children’s fun activities on pick up day! United Methodist Women Missions without Money Campbell soup labels are collected for the Wesley Community Center. This center serves those through acts of advocacy and with programs designed to effect reconciliation, collaboration, self-sufficiency and economic justice. There is a box in the narthex for your labels. Farm Fresh 123-4 Community Program - Save the bottom portion of your receipts and help Crestwood Intermediate School get free stuff at the end of the school year. There is a collection box in the narthex. Box Tops for Education - We are collecting the box tops for Crestwood Intermediate School. You can find these box tops on some of your favorite grocery items - Pillsbury, Ziploc, Hefty, Green Giant, Nestle, etc. Postage Stamps for UMCOR (United Methodist Council on Relief) Save your canceled postage stamps. The stamps are sold to a stamp collector and the proceeds are distributed through UMCOR. Stamps should be trimmed to a border no closer than 1/4 inch around the outside edge. Do not peel the stamps from the envelope. Place them in the collection box in the narthex. Norfolk Flower Card – If you have a card, don’t forget to pick up your Daisies for October! Food Closet – The food closet item for October cereal/oatmeal. Items NEW LOCAL MISSION! Messiah began partnering with other Chesapeake churches last month with “Adopt-a-Lot” ministry. No, this is not a clean up, but distributing a light breakfast and snack items to those brothers and sisters who live in their cars and spend their nights in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Battlefield Blvd. Spearheaded by Jeff Rodeheaver, 2-5 persons are needed to gather at 6:45 a.m. on designated Saturdays (for October: 10/4 & 10/18) at the Wal-Mart to distribute bags to people in their cars. Also needed: nourishing food items that require NO heating or utensils- fresh fruit, individual packages of cracker sandwiches (peanut butter, cheese), string cheese, etc. Toiletries: tissues, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, tooth brushes, paper towels, etc. One of the churches furnishes hot breakfast sandwiches to go with the bagged items. If you able to pick up any of these items, Messiah will collect non-perishable items in a box in the narthex (next to the Food Closet Item container) to donate any perishable items, please see Jeff, Jan Lawrence, or Pastor Ellen. We did it! 10,584 packages were filled and sealed for may be placed in the container in the narthex. And we supplied 6 water filters UMW News The Annual UMW Yard and Bake Sale was a big success! Military News Ready or not, it is time to start thinking about the holidays! Messiah currently has one military person serving overseas as a geographic bachelor, Mark Parks. He will not be home for the holidays. I will be sending Mark a Christmas package from the church. Since it takes longer for overseas mail to be processed during the holiday season, the package will be mailed during November. If you would like to donate items to include in the package, either place your donation in the box labeled, “Military Christmas Package”, located in the narthex, or give it to me. I will be collecting items during the month of October. If you aren’t sure what to donate, monetary donatations are greatly appreciated. We made over $1,000 and this money will fund our mission in the upcoming year. Thank you to everyone who donated, sorted, priced, baked goodies to sell, made purchases, set up and cleaned up. N ot only did your donations help the UMW raise money for missions, but the following organizations received donations from us: Rena B. Wright Primary School – Clothing Crestwood Intermediate School – Clothing Since Mark is living on a ship, thus space is very limited. Small individual iitems are best. Some ideas are:  Playing cards  Chewing gum  Candy (hard and chocolate)  Crackers  Peanuts  Toothpaste  Postage stamps  NEX Gift cards  Microwaveable items  NO LIQUIDS OF ANY KIND Thank you for helping with this project. If you have any questions, please contact me. Cindy Parks B.M. Williams Primary School – Children’s books and puzzles Wesley Community Center – Clothing and shoes Eggleston Services – Remainder of donations As you can see, the yard sale not only provides funding for the UMW missions, but also helps other organizations help others in our community. SERVING FOR OCTOBER - M.Y. October Calendar of Events: 10/5 – Yard Work at the Parrishes – Time TBA 10/12 – Rev. Paul Phillips will be doing a Lesson on Learning About encouragement 10/19 – Lesson FUN & GAMES 10/26 – Lesson SURPRISES!! Scripture Readers 10/5 Melody McPherson 10/12 Susan Mitchell 10/19 David Abeshaheen 10/26 Bob Parrish Sunday School Pre-K-2nd Martha Phillips/Amy Turner Join Pastor Ellen on Sunday mornings at 10:00 to grow, learn, and discover more about the power of faith and God’s awesome love for us! Acolytes Josh Bender Lucas Guzzo Childen’s Church Annette Kellum/Nan Tarbell 3rd- 5th Cindy Rugraff Join M.Y. Zone on Facebook Use your Facebook account (or ask to go on a parent’s account) and join the group M.Y. Zone. Then get in on the Nursery Attendants Rachel Espirit discussions between group members, offer ideas or suggestions, or post your thoughts on a topic. It’s a great way for us to support each other between meetings! MY Zone Points: You can earn points each week at MY Zone meetings and M.Y. W.A.Y. Café for things like bringing your Bible or bringing a friend, and for bringing yourself to MY Zone. 10 points in a month earns you a small prize! M.Y. Life, M.Y. Zone Contact info: Messiah church email: [email protected] .Messiah Church office: 436-1682 [email protected] [email protected] Greeters 10/5 Susan Mitchell 10/12 Jim Rugraff 10/19 Vicki Cartos 10/26 Donna Kumjian Communion Servers Lisa & Bob Vincent OCTOBER 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday 1 Thursday 2 6:30 Praise Band 7:00 Choir 5 6 7 9:45 Sunday School 10:00 Youth Bible 11:00 Worship COMMUNION 6:00 MYouth 12 9:45 Sunday School 10:00 Youth Bible 11:00 Worship “Amazing Grace Sunday” Pig Pickin’ BBQ after service! 6:00 MYouth 19 13 14 15 Meals on Wheels 6:30 Praise Band 7:00 Choir 9:45 Sunday School 10:00 Youth Bible 11:00 Worship 6:00 MYouth 3 Saturday 4 Office Closed 9 6:30 Praise Band 7:00 Choir 10 11 Office Closed 16 17 18 Office Closed Scouts 4:30-5:30 20 21 9:45 Sunday School 10:00 Youth Bible 11:00 Worship 6:00 MYouth 26 8 Friday 22 23 6:30 Praise Band 7:00 Choir 27 Scouts 4:30-5:30 28 29 6:30 Praise Band 7:00 Choir 24 Office Closed 30 31 Halloween! Office Closed 25