The September Beacon
From the Pastor

Dear Church family,
 
Last month we asked you to fill out a survey about worship.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out that survey!  Overall, the results are very positive and many of you said truly kind things. 
 
One issue we asked about specifically was our worship time.  (We currently worship at 9:30 AM with fellowship time following and Sunday school beginning at 11:00 AM.)  Over the past few months, I have had several people inquire about worship beginning a little later.  For some of our members getting to church at 9:30 AM is difficult.  (Some of you might be surprised to know that the inquiries have come primarily from older members.)   Based on these inquiries, the Lead Team started to think about the possibility of moving the worship time.  We looked at the pros and cons of several different times and then asked the congregation their opinion.
 
On the survey, several choices were given, including "as is."  The majority of those who took the survey chose "as is."  The second most common choice was "Worship from 10 -11 AM; Fellowship from 11 - 11:15 AM; and Sunday school from 11:15 - noon."  Even though the majority chose worship "as is," the Lead Team has voted to move the worship time to 10 AM, as of September 11th, because this slight time change will help those who have trouble getting here at 9:30 AM and  it will also be a more welcoming start time for our community.  We hope that you understand our decision to give this new time a try.  If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to give me a call or send me an email.  I'll be happy to chat with you.
 
Peace,
Rev. Stephanie Roberts White
253-759-3539


So, to reiterate...
Service times are changing!
As of September 11th, Sunday start times will be as follows: 
  • Worship will begin at 10:00 AM. 
  • Fellowship Hour will go from 11:00 AM to 11:15 AM
  • Sunday School (for all ages) will start at 11:15 AM and run until Noon.
Sermon Series

A new Sermon Series starts September 11th (the same day as the Back to School Bash).  Entitled, What Disciples Do, the series will range from September 11th until November 20th.  Titles are as follows:
  • 9/11 -- Disciples Seek People for Christ and Church
  • 9/18 -- Disciples Resist Greed
  • 9/25 -- Disciples Practice Generosity
  • 10/2 -- Disciples Take Their Faith Home
  • 10/9 -- Disciples Make the Best of Babylon
  • 10/16 -- Disciples Wrestle with God
  • 10/23 -- Disciples Don't Judge
  • 10/30 -- Disciples Live by Faith
  • 11/6 -- Disciples Affirm Resurrection Hope
  • 11/13 -- Disciples Take Their Faith Public
  • 11/20 -- Disciples Give Ultimate Allegiance to Christ
Titles like these and scriptures from Luke, First and Second Timothy, and Isaiah (among others) makes this autumn an exciting place to be at Mason.
Calling All Students
Blessing of The Backpacks:  The Return of the Pack

September 4th (Sunday)

Calling students from pre-school to Doctoral  candidates (and everyone in between)! Be sure to bring your backpack to church on September 4th for a special new school year blessing! 
Grandfather Roy Wilson
The Final Medicine Wheel

Since Lent of 2010, Grandfather Roy Wilson has faithfully lead the monthly group called the Medicine Wheel.  However, at age 89, he has decided to retire. 
As a celebration of his leadership with us, the Medicine Wheel group is sending him off with a Potluck Dinner on September 7 at 5:30 PM, with the final Medicine Wheel at 7:00 PM. 
All are invited to come and celebrate Grandfather's time with the folks of Mason UMC.


Make a Joyful Noise

Chancel Choir is getting ready to begin for the year ahead! Come and join us as we begin rehearsals Thursday September 8th at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary!
Join us!  No need to audition: we'll find a place for you!

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth
Save the Date

Join Pastor Stephanie this Fall for an exciting new study opportunity!  Disciple Fast Track meets the needs of a hectic world. Participants receive a thorough introduction to the Bible, but in almost a third less time than the original Disciple Bible Study.  

We will meet together on Wednesday mornings from 10 AM - 11:30 AM from September 7 - November 23 (for the Old Testament) and January 11 - April 5, 2017 (for the New Testament).  There will also be an evening opportunity on Sundays from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM from September 11 - November 27 and January 15 - April 2.  Each class must have a minimum of four participants.   You can sign-up for either Wednesday or Sunday Classes in the Mason foyer or by calling the church office (253-759-3539).

Mason U Presents:

Book Club coming in October!
Public Faith in Action: How to Think Carefully, Engage Wisely, and Vote with Integrity  by Miroslav Volf and Ryan McAnnally-Linz.  Published by Brazos Press.  Available at major booksellers including cokesbury.com. 
From the publisher: "Christian citizens have a responsibility to make political and ethical judgments in light of their faith and to participate in the public lives of their communities--from their local neighborhoods to the national scene. But it can be difficult to discern who to vote for, which policies to support, and how to respond to the social and cultural trends of our time.  This nonpartisan handbook offers Christians practical guidance for thinking through complicated public issues and faithfully following Jesus as citizens of their countries. The book focuses on enduring Christian commitments that should guide readers in their judgments and encourages legitimate debate among Christians over how to live out core values. The book also includes lists of resources for further reflection in each chapter and "room for debate" questions to consider."


Happy Birthday to:
September 1st
Jack Starr & Zeke White

September 3rd
Erin Graham
 
September 4th
Denny Denend

September 5th
Heather Dobbins & Dave Pflueger

September 6th
Kathy Emerson

September 7th
George Hoivik

September 9th
John Hickman

September 13th
Ted Brosius

September 14th
Jack Borden

September 16th
Courtney Strickland

September 17th
Devon Kaapana

September 19th
Diana Glassman

September 20th
Peggy Barton

September 21st
Marian Kelley

September 22nd
Molly Turner

September 23rd
Joella Oldfield-Stettinius

September 25th
Marliss Swayze

September 26th
Mark Emerson & Tom Glassman

September 28th
Karen Nelson & Earl Strawder


Fall Into a Good Book

Fall into a good book from the Mason Church Library in September!

Our library continues to grow!  Recent donors include: Mary Forsberg, Roberta Larson, Larry Stetson, Bob and Jeri Ward, and one anonymous donor.
 
 
What's new in Children's books?
  • Moses in the Bulwashes, is a colorful picture book, part of an eight book series about people of the Bible and Jesus' life.
  • The Song of Francis by Tomie DePaola

What's new in Fiction?
  • Karen Kingsbury's new series about angels walking on earth makes you believe it could happen: Chasing the Sun -- Book 1.
  • Two new titles by Debbie Macomber
  • October Song by Beverly Lewis -- short stories from the Amish country
  • The Way of Women by Lorraine Snelling with a Mt Saint Helens setting
New Non-Fiction
  • Heaven is For Real Special Movie Edition
  • Love Our Vets by Welby O'Brien
  • Wesley and the People Called Methodists by Richard Heitzenrater
You can find the new books on the window counter in the library.  Checking a book out is easy.  Give it a try!
Helping Those In Need

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is helping people affected by the floods in Baton Rouge.  Please click here: Louisiana floods if you are able to donate.

Rachel called UMCOR Headquarters to ask if there was any mission to help the earthquake survivors in Italy.  There hasn't been a specific initiative for Italy, but you can donate to their International Relief fund here.

A Big Thank You!
We would like so say a big "thank you" to all of the volunteers from Mason Church who provided support in so many ways to the Juried Art Show.  We couldn't have done it without you!
 
Here are some of the ways: painting panels, moving equipment for set up, displaying the art, coordinating docents, being a docent, counting ballots, taking down the show, doing security, making special flyers and signs, setting up and taking down a reception, ironing cloths, placing and removing special plants.
 
A special thank you to Gary and Roberta Larson who have been a part of the Juried Art Show for all 18 years! And to Gene Kester for having the vision to begin a Juried Art Show 18 years ago in conjunction with ProArta.
 
And thank you to Mason Church for sponsoring this show year after year!   
 
In gratitude,
Rachel Johnson and Lavonne Hoivik

Please submit articles for the October Beacon by Monday, September 19th.