It’s a Risky Thing
to Live
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
Fritz Chery reminds us that everything in this life is a risk. We are given only two options - take the risk and expect results or don’t take a risk and expect nothing. God uses people who are willing to get out of their comfort zone. Sometimes, God expects us to take a risk.
It’s said, “great things never come from comfort zones.” We might face a relationship risk, a witnessing risk, a family risk, a business risk, a job risk, a life decision, or even a medical risk. Whatever we are facing, we can know that the Lord is with us and will help us. When we are called to step out in faith, we should realize that God is greater than any problem. We might take a minute and remember who is in control. Psalm 46:10 tells us, “Be quiet and know that I am God. I will be supreme over all the nations; I will be supreme in the earth.” And God gives us “power, love, and sound minds.” We face challenges with the help of the Almighty.
I’m currently preaching a six week series based on John Ortberg’s book, “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.” I hope you can follow the entire series either by attending our public worship services or by watching them online. We also have a weekly Bible study covering his book. Experiencing some risk in life is unavoidable. When we follow Christ it becomes especially unavoidable. We can be like Peter though, who stepped out of the boat. If we start to sink, Jesus will lift us up. Are we hiding in a cave like David, who needed to do that for a while when King Saul was after him? There’s good news for cave dwellers! We don’t need to be afraid.
What risk are we facing? Maybe we need to “take the risk or lose the chance” or possibly for any one of us the time calls for “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” If we want it, we can go for it. We have the option to take a risk. We can’t always play it safe in life or we’ll die wondering. Of course, we need to avoid foolish and unnecessary risks. But we don’t live in a bubble where there aren’t any risks. Risk is part of life. Giving Jesus control of our lives and obeying him is actually the safest way to proceed. He loves us and like a shepherd leads his sheep. If we’re willing to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, then God is willing to take care of the rest! (Matthew 6:33)
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Mo Dunn
|
|
|
|
Sundays at 9 am
in person and online
or sign up to receive an email link
|
|
Bible Study
"If You Want to Walk on Water,
You've Got to Get Out
of the Boat"
|
Sunday, May 2 at 5pm
Come learn and fellowship!
|
|
|
Help make homemade noodles!
Tuesday, May 4 &
Wednesday May 5
1pm
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, May 8
9 am - 4 pm
Bring your current scrapbook project and come work and share with fellow scrapbookers.
|
|
Board and Staff will meet
on Sunday, May 16 at Noon
Everyone is welcome to attend!
|
|
Homemade Donuts Drive Thru |
Homemade Donuts Drive Thru
3rd Saturday of every month,
Next date: Sat., May 15,
starting at 8am while supplies last
Ayersville dozen for $4
|
|
|
Ayersville High School Baccalaureate |
Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30pm
Everyone is welcome to come
as we worship and pray
for the class of 2021!
|
|
|
|
|
Attention High School and College Graduates:
Please send us your picture by Sunday, May 16 so that we may recognize your achievements on Graduation Sunday which will be held on Sunday, May 23. Make plans to attend to receive a gift and attend the reception in your honor.
|
|
7 students are participating in the Confirmation classes taught by Pastor Mo. The class will conclude with an overnight retreat beginning Friday, May 21 - Saturday, May 22. The Service of Confirmation will be held on Sunday, May 23. Please be in prayer for this group. |
|
|
|
Drive Thru Graduation Party
for TJ Nafziger
Saturday, May 22,
1 - 3pm
Ayersville UMC
Stop by and congratulate TJ!
|
|
|
|
Saturday, July 17
Outfield Seats
$14 each
Reservations and money
due by June 1
|
|
|
|
Climb aboard for
a VBS adventure!
Monday, June 21 thru
Thursday, June 24, 9-11 am. Invite friends to join in the fun! Lots of help is needed! Sign up to share the love of Jesus with kids!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bring in your donations for our Rummage Sale! June 25 and 26 in conjunction with the Ayersville Garage Sales. We will also have a Bake Sale and Craft Sale. If you would like to have your own table, you can set one up and donate a portion of your profits to the church. Lend a hand to this project!
|
|
Saturday, June 26
and Sunday, June 27
Watch for more details!
Make plans to help with and/or support this event!
|
|
|
|
|
Click here or on the picture for May's Church Events Calendar.
|
|
This month's collection idea for Operation Christmas Child:
Boy items: tools of all kinds, duct tape, flashlights & batteries, work gloves, wallets, watches, harmonicas, ball caps, sports balls, string or zip ties, utility apron or belt, spoons and forks.
|
Collection continues for this year's Operation Christmas Child with different gift suggestions each month. For the month of May, be on the lookout for sales on items for boys. You may bring donations to the church and place them in the collection box outside the Sanctuary. Spread love to children around the world by giving them the gift of Jesus. |
|
Continue to
Worship God
through Giving
|
|
Offering plates are in the back
at each worship service or
Send donations to:
27728 Ayersville Rd.,
Defiance, Ohio 43512
or a donation drop box is available
under the carport at the church
|
|
Give online through Tithe.ly |
|
Happy Birthday!
Lois Brown-May 1
Bill Zartman-May 4
Jarrett Marckel-May 5
Zoey Ewers-May 8
Wilma Limber- May 8
Matthew Kent-May 8
Linda Loeffler-May 9
Stephen Baldwin-May 11
Bob Vandemark-May 12
Greg Lime-May 12
Kendyll Booher-May 18
Trevor Waldron-May 18
Tristen Frederick-May 19
Shelley Kent-May 20
Jerry Stevens-May 22
Jen Noaker-May 24
|
|
Bret Booher-May 27
Megan Stambaugh-May 27
Ken Marckel-May 28
Rod Martin-May 29
Jerry Vandemark-May 30
Brian Hall-May 30
Happy Anniversary!
Trevor & Kris Waldron - May 2
Jim & Denise Austermiller - May 3
God's blessing to you on your special day! If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary this month, we rejoice with you too! Please let us know so we may add it to our calendar.
|
|
Bryant, a youngster about four years old, loved having ice cream after dinner every evening. He would sit on his mother's lap and have a small bowl for dessert. Unfortunately, he developed the habit of licking the bowl afterwards to "make sure he got it all".
This went on for a while, much to his mother's displeasure. Finally, trying to tactfully hint that it was not such a great idea, she said, "You know, when I was your age, my mother said that licking my dish was a VERY impolite thing to do."
Bryant thought a minute, and then responded, "Well you can do it now if you like, because I don't mind at ALL!"
|
|
Ayersville United Methodist Church, 27728 Ayersville Rd., Defiance, OH 43512
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
