Waterville UMC Ambassador

August 2021 Waterville UMC Ambassador

Dear Church Family,

Have you ever asked yourself this question; is my relationship with God what I want it to be? Another question, is God pleased with your relationship with him? If you answered no to either of these questions, what are you doing in your life to be able answer both questions with a yes?

Paul wrote to the romans these words in Romans 10:9, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This step of faith begins our journey of an ever growing relationship with God.

As we read in the gospels the way Jesus taught his disciples we discovery that meeting and following Jesus is the beginning not the end. As Christ called his disciples they left everything behind to follow and learn from the master. As Jesus was about to go to the Cross he introduced the teaching of the coming Holy Spirit. We see the most concise teaching in John 14 and 15.

Jesus declares that the very presence of God would be with the disciples through the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit would continue to teach them and empower them for fulfilling God’s plan for their lives.

Jesus often would demonstrate the power of God through signs and wonders. It was not uncommon for Jesus to teach and demonstrate the way of a disciple then send His disciples out to serve through the same power with signs and wonders. One of the common struggles for us as disciples is the going out and doing what God is teaching in the season of life we find ourselves in.

Our daughter Kristin tells of the youth group trip in which the youth were taught a spiritual truth in the morning and then being dropped off in Chicago to practice what she had learned. One of the lessons taught how to begin a conversation with a person that would ultimately lead to the discovery as to their faith in Christ. Our family enjoys fishing. Kristin went into a city park and began a conversation with a person who was fishing off of a bridge. Before the afternoon was done Kristin was fishing with the young man and discovered he was unchurched.

So, back to the original questions. What is the condition of your relationship with God? Every relationship requires work. For our God relationship to grow we must interact with God. This interaction includes reading and studying God’s word, learning to hear God speak as we pray and ultimately basing every decision upon two or more questions. Is this God’s plan for my life and will I bring Glory to God in every action?

Any of us who live by faith in Jesus will be taught by the Holy Spirit and then have the opportunity to put the lesson into practice. Jesus sent first disciples out to practice their lessons. As Jesus’s disciples today are we willing to practice what Jesus is teaching?

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.

Contribution Options: Many of you have dropped off your tithes and offerings to the church or sent them via the US Mail during the pandemic shutdown. Thank you! In addition, many began using alternative methods for making contributions, especially 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 15^th 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

Our ‘baby’ (New Beginnings church building) is progressing quite nicely. An ultrasound would reveal that the skeleton is in place (steel framing) and is covered with skin (roof). As our ‘baby’ grows, so does the need for prayers as more and more workers will be involved in the process. These workers are being showered with blessings by receiving a bag of goodies with a thank you note from our church and weekly water/Gatorade and treats. If you are interested in helping in any way, contact the church office to be added to the list of ‘helpers’ for the birth of this baby or sign up on the bulletin board at church. Weekly treats are taken care of through September 21, but there are still at least 4 to 5 months after that before this ‘baby’ will be born, so sign up to help. The workers have added prayer requests weekly to the ‘prayer mailbox’ at the worksite. Keep these requests and the workers and families in your prayers.

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.

Spread the Word!!

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

Independent Bible Study and Activities

CLICK HERE FOR THE AUGUST 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 August 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.

August's Theme -

Spiritual and Religious Belief

August 1 – Six Topics of Spirituality

August 8 – 1.) A Belief in a Personal Relationship with God

2.) A Connection and Relationship with Others

August 15 – 3.) Spiritual Journey, Guide or Struggle

4.) Spiritual Essence of Self

August 22 – 5.) Spirituality Expressed in Actions

6.) Integral Spirituality

August 29 – Praying for God’s Continued Sanctification of the Methodist Faith

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRAYER FOCUS

Eight of our children and 8 adult volunteers recently took part in Vacation Bible School. It was hosted by Zion Lutheran Church and held July 12th through the 15th.

The theme was Treasured Discovering You're Priceless to God

Click here to enjoy a VBS Video

Youth Mission Trip Testimonials

This mission trip was full of many good memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I met so many new people from other churches and developed friendships from within our youth group as well. Volunteering at an adult daycare came with its ups and downs, but I loved talking to all of the residents about their lives and sharing stories with each other. One of the residents that I really connected with said a prayer one day and within his prayer he included that “we are all worth it to God.” This was the theme of our Week of Hope and it felt like God used this man to say it in his prayer and it really spoke to me. Overall this week was such a great time and I already miss it and can’t wait to go back next year! -Lily Croy (Sophomore at Anthony Wayne High School)

My 2021 mission trip in Nashville, TN was well spent at an educational summer camp for children in kindergarten - grade 8. While at this site, I helped students read, sew, memorize and interpret bible verses, and best of all we got to have fun together! My favorite part was playing in the four square tournament held by the directors of the camp. Other activities outside of my site consisted of walking through Nashville, practicing for the annual lip-sync battle, and making new friends. This trip meant a lot of things to me and was definitely one of the more challenging worksites I have volunteered at. God challenged me to use empathy and patience with the children and I am so grateful for the experience. -Mia Moffitt (Sophomore at Perrysburg High School)

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 Committee Focus for August 2021

Hygiene & School Kits

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 Mission items in the basket in the front lobby

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

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

JULY ATTENDANCE

July 4: 87

July 11: 98

July 18 82

July 25: 81

August Card Ministry Liaison

Mary Williams

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Please reach out to her at mgwilliams747@gmail.com 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.