Waterville UMC Ambassador

July 2021 Waterville UMC Ambassador

Dear Church Family,

May the peace of God be upon us as we faithfully serve our Lord.

Romans 10:14-17 states, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

Our faith and the faith of those who have not yet experienced Jesus in their lives comes from God’s word that describes Jesus coming into this world, living a life fully dependent upon God and in full obedience to God. It is as we experience more fully the presence of God through the study of God’s word that our faith increases. We all must regularly consider how much time we are spending in Holy Scripture each day. For we can hear from the Holy Spirit the truth regarding our walk with God as we live more like Christ each day.

What about those who are not exposed to the stories of Christ each day or not at all? As Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to share with the church in Rome, faith comes by hearing the Word. It is through the Word we come to a better understanding of Jesus command to each of us to go and make new disciples. As we share our God stories with others then the Holy Spirit can work in their lives to increase their faith that one day they too will meet Jesus as savior and lord.

One of the great blessings of our new building is the ability to serve our community in new ways. We will have new opportunities to share the gospel by serving our community.

May the power of God be upon you as you are used by God to be a holy messenger to those persons God puts in your path. Sharing the message of Christ is a gift from God and a command by God for every one of us. Let us be faithful in the loving of others into the kingdom of God on earth and in heaven.

Blessing,

Pastor Mike

Our Vision – Share, Celebrate, and Teach God’s Love

Our Mission – Serve. Connect. Love. Give.

10:30 AM

Opportunities to worship and praise the Lord with WUMC:

In Sanctuary

In Courtyard - Please bring your own chair.

Park in car near the church and tune to FM 90.5.

Live Stream via You Tube at www.watervilleumc.org.

Watch the recording of the worship service on-line when available at www.watervilleumc.org.

Praises to the Lord!

Finance & Stewardship

Facts, Figures, FYI’s

Thank You: Pastor Mike and your Church Council would like to thank you for your generosity and willingness to share your financial resources. May God continue to bless each of you and this congregation, as we work together doing His work of sharing the good news with others.

Quarterly Statements: Your 2nd Quarter Giving Statements will be emailed on Wednesday, July 7th. For those who receive hardcopies, they will be sent via US Mail the week of July 5th.

Contribution Options: Many of you have dropped off your tithes and offerings to the church or sent them via the US Mail. Thank you! Since we are not sure how long we need to continue social distancing, this may be the time for you to consider an alternate method for your giving, especially if you make payments through electronic banking. Here are two options currently being used and may be of interest to you.

(Option #1) WUMC Direct Deposit Program: A specified amount is automatically transferred from your checking account to the church’s checking account electronically on the 15th or the last business day of each month or on both if you choose. Details are available on our website www.watervilleumc.org or at the church office.

(Option #2) Bank Electronic Payment: You set up WUMC as a payee on your on-line bank checking or savings account. You enter the amount, follow the procedures and a check will be mailed to the church. See your bank or financial institution for details. NOTE: If you choose this option, please list all designation(s) for your giving on the memo line, such as: General Fund, Capital Fund, Mission, etc.

“Money is an excellent gift of God answering the noblest of ends”

John Wesley

Please contact the Church Office or Tom Wiggins @ financialsec@watervilleumc.org if you have any questions about anything related to finance or stewardship.

Ministry of Construction Report

Ministry of Construction is off and running. The 5 leadership positions have been filled and people are signing up to help the committees. They are: Appreciation Team, headed up by Melva Robinson; Prayer Team, headed up by Karen Wiggins and Dan Breen; Hospitality Team, headed up by Barb Crandall; Publicity Team, headed up by Char Monroe, and Volunteer team headed up by our office staff Sandy and Kourtney.

Announcements have been made in church about the ministry and people are responding to help. About 20 people went to the construction site on Sunday and wrote Bible verses and the church’s vision and mission on the steel beams. Hospitality and prayer are off and running with good results. A prayer box has been set up at the work site. WAN bags are being given to workers with hand written notes of appreciation. Publicity is beginning to happen and volunteers are being kept track of. As the building progresses, we will need someone to coordinate volunteers for the nightly clean-ups. Thanks to all who are helping to shower our workers with blessings.

Paul and Cherl Matla, MOC directors

New Beginnings Ministry of Construction Teams! We have opportunities to serve and make a difference in the lives of those building our New Beginnings Building. See the worship bulletin and the bulletin board for details! Sign up sheets are on the bulletin boards.

The Sale of 102 North Fifth Street

Our team consists of three trustees: Christie Wielgopolski, Trustee Chair; Steve Crandall; Penn Pritchett and Jim Page, Treasurer. We have listed our building with Miller Diversified.

Please pray for the Lord's guidance as we move through this process.

Independent Bible Study and Activities

CLICK HERE FOR THE JULY BIBLE READING

There are also apps through Bible Gateway and You Version to help guide you through this experience. Choose the one that works for you!

The JULY HomeTouch is another source of reading the Bible. Start today! There are also fun word games that we share in the weekly blast.

Click on HomeTouch picture to open. OR...check the bulletin board, we post copies each month...OR if you know someone who may enjoy receiving the monthly HomeTouch in the mail, we do have a mailing list we can add them to.

The prayer team is asking for the support of the rest of the congregation to join them in praying specifically for the the Prayer focus of the month.

July's Theme - Intercessory Prayer

July 4 – Get a vision for the heavenly things

July 11 – Trust in God and seek a meaningful connection with Him

July 18 – Work for meaningful connections instead of waiting for them to come to you

July 25 – The body of Christ

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRAYER FOCUS

Youth Mission Trip - June 20-25 to Nashville, TN

“Our group was joined by 78 others from Alabama, North Carolina, and Ohio for the Week of Hope in Nashville, TN. Our groups served adult daycare centers and children’s summer camps.”

Quote from one of our youth after the first day, “I love it here!!”

The youth were the focus of the children's Sunday School's last Project with a Purpose. On June 23rd, they packed goody bags for the youth and adult leaders that would be attending the Nashville mission trip. The bags included snacks, a personalized notecard & Bible verse, and theme day items.

July 12-15 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Waterville Community VBS is back at Zion Lutheran Church this summer for children ages 4 - completed 4th grade. Registration has ended.

We are in need of volunteer crew leaders to help VBS be a success! This year will be separating the students into 3 main groups (PreK-K, Grades 1-2, and Grades 3-4). We need 10-12 adult volunteers to work together to help the children in these crews. You would not be responsible for the content or the activities for the evening. This will be provided by other adult VBS leaders. Your role would be to help monitor the kids and keep them engaged in the activities.

If you have any questions or you are interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie Shelton (sshelton171@gmail.com) or Bobbie Westfall (Bobbie_Westfall@hotmail.com)

We will be having Children's Summer Sunday School this summer. The theme of the Sunday School lessons will be "Sports Club" from Trueway Kids. The goal of this program is to share the Gospel message with children and introduce them to the Christian life through a sports theme.

Children will learn that God has made them special, but that we have all fallen short of His standard. They will learn that Jesus came to be a substitute for them. Children will then be reminded of Jesus’ call to follow Him and be introduced to living a Christian life.

Missions Focus for July 2021

Hygiene & School Kits

Mission Focus for July and August 2021

The third week in November will be here before we know it!!!

This year the Missions Committee is focusing on both Hygiene Kits and School Kits for July and August, rather than assigning one type of kit to a specific month. Feel free to donate items for either kit during these two months.

In the face of natural disasters, violence, and grinding poverty, Hygiene Kits can mean the difference between sickness and health for struggling families; and School Kits can give children in these impoverished communities and refugee camps some of the basic tools for learning.

Your support makes a tremendous difference in the lives of so many people both here at home and around the world. Each kit represents a person whose life will be changed because of the simple items contained within.

Please donate only items from the lists below. The Festival of Sharing is very particular that items be the same in each kit.

Click to view Hygiene Kit List

Click to view School Kit list

Please place your items in the basket under the Mission Bulletin Board.

July Operation Christmas Child Focus:

Sunglasses, hats, beach balls, outdoor play games, flip-flops, drink cups, jump ropes

JUNE ATTENDANCE

June 6: 110

June 13: 104

June 20: 110

June 27: 84

The JULY Card Ministry liason is Terry Myers.

Please reach out to her at profmyers@sbcglobal.net if you know of someone who needs an encouraging words through a card. Words of love can change a moment and often a life's direction.

Char Monroe July 10

Thomas Quinn July 10

Emerson Colyer July 11

Kristin Denman July 12

Lisa Galton July 13

Pamela Denman July 19

Christina Wielgopolski July 20

Chris May July 21

Bill Gregory, Jr. July 23

Jane Schwind July 23

Amy Hankins July 24

Carolyn Myerholtz July 24

Lucy Topuzova July 24

Gloria Peyton July 25

Isaiah Wittenmyer July 27

George Gregg July 28

Amy Peel July 28

Happy Birthday to you!

(If you have a Birthday that isn't listed here, please call the church office so we can add you to our birthday list!)

WUMC God and Golf

Several of our church members gather every Monday at White Pines Golf Course just west of Neapolis (1640 CR 2, Swanton, OH) and play nine holes. It’s nothing formal or organized, we just get together to play for fun and fellowship. We have 2:00pm and 2:08pm tee times set up through October. All are welcome! Any questions, please contact Tom Wiggins or Pastor Mike.

2021 West Ohio Annual Conference Summary

The 52nd Session of the West Ohio Annual Conference was held virtually June 6-7. The theme was perseverance from Hebrews 12:1-2.

Legislation included passing the 2022 budget, passing the Commission on Equitable Compensation, and passing Board of Pension recommendation.

A Recommendation about the Christmas Covenant was referred to West Ohio Conference General and Jurisdictional Conference delegations. A Recommendation ‘Love as the Image of God” passed. The last Recommendation “Call to West Ohio Annual Conference to recognize and validate persons’ calls to ordination without prejudice toward sexual orientation or gender identity” was tabled.

Two provisional deacons and seven provisional elders were commissioned. One deacon and nine elders were ordained. Three Deaconesses were commissioned. The 2022 West Ohio Annual Conference will be held June 2-5 at Lakeside. The Annual Conference Planning Committee was authorized to determine the location of the 2023 conference. Bishop Palmer is also serving short term with the Illinois Great River Conference July 1 to December 1 while their bishop is on medical leave.

Cherl Matla, Church delegate to West Ohio Annual Conference