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February 2022
Waterville UMC Ambassador
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Dear Church Family,
When considering what to write this month the words of a hymn continued in my spirit, “O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made.” These opening words of How Great Thou Art state so clearly the writers praise and joy of God as he declares the awe of considering all of God’s creation.
The psalmist in Psalm 8 writes in verse 1, “O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.” Both authors are praising God. When was the last time while praising God you experienced his holy presence like the psalmist and the writer of the hymn?
Psalm 150 states clearly that everything that lives is to praise God,
“Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
2 Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!”
Praising God is our response to the awesome gift of grace we are given in Jesus when we experienced salvation and grow daily in the likeness of our savior. In this psalm we are given direction in what to give praise for and some of the ways we can express that praise.
How and when do you praise God? Praising God is one of the ways we declare our love for our creator, our savior and the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. God is always with us. Do we thank God with our praise for never leaving us, for always loving us no matter what we have done or will do and God’s abundant provision for every part of our being?
In the days and weeks ahead I would encourage each of us to study God’s Word and to praise God each day. Let the joy of the Lord flood into our spirits’ as we intentionally praise God. I have discovered the peace of God while giving praise when my life has been a wreck. You can too. It is amazing how God shows up in every circumstance when we start with our praise of our loving and gracious God. Try it!
Pastor Mike
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As many of you know the United Methodist Church has been embattled for 50 years around the issue of LGBTQ persons be ordained and appointed to local churches. Presently our denominational rules do not allow a person living in a LGBTQ relationship to be ordained.
During this General Conference (General Conference have nearly 900 delegates that represent worldwide United Methodist) it is fully possible that United Methodist rules will change. As a result, many congregations have left and likely many more after this meeting will leave the United Methodist Church.
For me and many United Methodists the issue is Biblical Authority. The people who are theologically Centrist and Progressives feel that the scripture is dependent upon the cultural setting and therefore can be ignored. This is a very simplified explanation.
At General Conference a document is being considered that would allow congregations who hold fast to Holy Scripture without changing or ignoring some parts can exit with all their assets. Presently a trust clause states that we hold all our assets unless the church would close or leave the denomination.
To talk about these complex issues, I am inviting you to attend one of several small group meetings. Please let me know if you desire to join via zoom. All the meetings will be in the church basement.
- Sunday, February 13 at 9:00 am.
- Tuesday, February 15 at 5:30 pm.
- Monday, February 21 at 1:00 pm.
- Thursday, February 24 at 10:00 am.
Please call the church, 419-878-3645 and leave a message with which meeting you will attend.
Pastor Mike
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Our Vision – Share, Celebrate, and Teach God’s Love
Our Mission – Serve. Connect. Love. Give.
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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!
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Serving meals to the New Beginnings workers
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January 27: Chili lunch went so well they ran out of chili! |
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Ministry of Construction Report
What a month January has been! So much progress has been made on our new church and the end is in sight!! This baby has all parts in place with refining of the electrical and plumbing systems, then final touches like flooring, finishing the portico, and outside wall coverings. Doors and windows are looking great and ceilings are going in. We have kept the workers well fed with our hospitality and with lunches this month by Barb Crandall, Charlene Monroe and Pam Denman. The rest of the lunch dates have been filled in, thank you all so much!
The sweeping crew has included Dan and Kim Breen, John Nicholson, Tom Wiggins, David and Ann Nightingale, Kyle Galton, Bobbie Westfall, Tom Kahl, Josh and Amy Hankins, Robin Lipinski, Casey, and the two of us. We even worked on New Year's Day, no overtime was involved! The list for February and March is up at church, please sign up. Who knows, maybe we won't even need to 'clean up' all those dates. See you February 6 as our church family will have a walk through and prayer time after worship in our current building.
Continue to keep the workers in your prayers for safety and good health and that supplies can be delivered on time.
Showers of (or snowy) blessings,
Paul and Cherl Matla, MOC Directors
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New Beginnings Walk Through
February 6. Following worship
We will have a congregation only walk through of the new building and a time of prayer.
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PRE-MOVE POTLUCK –
February 20 after church.
The purpose of the potluck is to put stickers on the items that will be moved to the new building from a list assembled by the Trustees. For additional information contact Char Monroe.
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Wanted
We are looking for pictures of congregation members and friends to make a pictorial directory.
If you need help with getting a picture let Char know.
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Church Council is looking for a team of members to lead an Open House Committee for the new building. The purpose of the committee will be to plan and organize events for the community for the year. For example, Easter Egg Hunt, 4th of July, Parents Night Out, YMCA Summer Camp, Movie Night, Trunk or Treat, Secret Santa are some of the potential events that could be hosted. Partnering with the Rotary, Chamber, City Council and Waterville Primary may be needed. If interested, contact Pastor Mike or Charlene Monroe.
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Youth Alive Super Bowl Party!
6:30 pm until Halftime
At the Church
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2021 started off like an all-time winner and I was projecting the most income in the last 13 years. But, alas, heavy rains really damaged the tomatoes, watermelons and the last three plantings of sweet corn. All in all, we recorded $13,500 receipts for this year with a 13-year total of $169,577 for the new church fund. It is exciting to see the new church getting finished.
Thank you to you all for your loyalty for buying my vegetables!! I try to produce a top- quality product at a reasonable price, but it was difficult in 2021. As all farmers say, "next year is going to be better".
Since I turned 90 years old in 2021, I have asked for more help in the garden. Thanks to Sarah, from down the street, and my daughter, Debra for helping put the garden to rest for the Winter. If you are so inclined next year, please let me know if you are able to help next year and I will contact you when those jobs are appropriate, and I can use the help. I start in mid-March and put the garden to bed around Nov. 1.
God Bless you in 2022!
John Nicholson
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Missions Committee Focus for February 2022
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The mission focus for February is the two local food pantries:
Anthony Wayne Community Food Ministry - Housed in Waterville Community Church. The AW Community pantry distributes food the second and forth Tuesdays of every month from 4-6pm. AW Community Food Ministry assists approximately 100 need-based AW area families with a menu selection of both non-perishable and fresh food.
Anthony Wayne Food Pantry - Located at Zion United Methodist Church, Whitehouse. The Zion pantry has been serving those in need since 1995; it is open the first and third Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm.
Donations of the following most needed food items will be much appreciated.
- canned meat,
- canned fruit,
- cereal,
- pop tarts and other breakfast items,
- plan peanut butter,
- mac and cheese,
- canned vegetables,
- soup (preferred chicken noodle and cream of mushroom),
- egg noodles, and
- ravioli or other canned pasta (for children).
Your generous donations can be placed under the long table in the choir room!
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If any of us were asked to shop in November and buy $55 worth of shoebox items for each of the shoeboxes you hope to pack in 2022, most of us would think “That’s just too much”. But think about spending just $5 each month on an item you find on sale, chances are most of us would say “well, that much I can do… But what should I buy?” |
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This year, we encourage you to go on a $5 shopping spree each month for items to pack in this year’s shoeboxes. At the beginning of each month a list will be posted of suggestions of things you can buy. Each month will have a theme such as school supplies or hygiene, but remember, these are just suggestions. If you find a great deal on something – don’t leave it at the store just because it’s not on this month’s list! Many of these items cost less than $5 so you can buy a couple, one for our church packing party, and 1 or 2 for your own boxes in November. If you would like to participate but can’t get out to shop for any reason, you can also give $5 to Anne or any Missions Committee member and we will shop for you. As you shop, bring items in, place them in the OCC bin which is now near the drinking fountain.
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”Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love”. Mother Teresa |
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Did you know about additional ways you can contribute to our church? |
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Thrivent Action Team - Do you have Thrivent Insurance? Did you know each year you're eligible to apply for up to $250 to kick start a project or help an ongoing mission of the church (Missions, Youth, Outreach, etc.) through completing a Thrivent Action Team application? You need to be a Thrivent Insurance customer to participate. Go to thrivent.com/tmnactionteam for more information.
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Amazon Smile by using Amazon Smile and listing our church as the charity, your purchase automatically designates 5% of the purchases to our church. That 5% costs you (the buyer) nothing. Make sure you are using Smile.Amazon.Com and designate Waterville United Methodist Church your charity in your account profile.
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Kroger Cares - Waterville United Methodist Church is a charity on the Kroger Community Rewards page. This is linked to your Kroger card and we receive money back from your purchases. All you need to do is register your Kroger card with WUMC via the website, https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards, and follow the directions.
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20 more requests were filled and delivered on February 1st.
The teachers are extremely grateful for all your generous donations!
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Through November:
- 129 coats
- 70 scarfs
- 50 hats
- 8 gloves
- 13 blankets
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JANUARY ATTENDANCE
January 2: 85
January 9: 126
January 16: 129
January 23: 102
January 30: 111
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February Card Ministry Liaison
Terry Myers
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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.
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Jeff Monroe February 1
Rebekah Deardurff February 2
Kyle Galton February 2
Barb Long February 2
Art Meade February 5
Brooklyn McMillan February 6
Clay O. Studer February 6
Mary Ann McVicker February 7
John Rose February 8
Dee Vasko February 9
Cathy Landis February 11
Olga Topuzova-Meade February 11
James Caldwell (Former Pastor) February 13
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Bob Hires, Jr. February 13
Bonne Spychalski February 13
Jacob Hires February 15
Rod Rose February 18
Sue George February 20
Susan Deardurff February 21
Doug Lynch February 24
Frank Lipinski February 26
Brian McMillan February 27
Katherine Monroe February 27
Ainsley Bollinger February 28
Eva Suchocki February 29
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Independent Bible Study and Activities |
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There are also apps through Bible Gateway and You Version to help guide you through this experience. Choose the one that works for you! |
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The February 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.
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If you have an immediate need or a Pastoral need, please call Pastor Mike Denman at 419-469-0156 .
Office hours are generally Monday through Thursday 9 AM to Noon, but may vary. Please call ahead at 419-878-3645 if you need to visit the office.
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Waterville UMC | 419.878.3645| Email Us |
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