Forgiveness
"To err is human, to forgive divine!” (Alexander Pope)
It is normal for people to make mistakes. I have to admit though, that the force with which people proclaim “no one is perfect” is peculiar, since we never hear anyone claiming to be perfect or rarely even sounding like they think they are perfect. Jesus was, of course, perfect. Scripture is referred to in James 1:25 as “the perfect law of liberty.” Psalm 19:7 says, “the law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” So yeah, the Bible is a perfect and divinely inspired book. When we forgive others, that can be divinely inspired as well. Forgiveness is quintessential because we live in a fallen world where the erroneous is so prevalent. It’s hard to fault someone for not being perfect.
However, we come up with many ways to find fault. Sometimes it’s quite easy. Some of the most common character flaws include controlling/possessive, impatient/irritable, stubborn/unaccommodating, provocateur, lazy/thoughtless, nosy/distrusting, blame-shifter, score-keeper, complainer, lust for power, jealousy, greed, vanity, anxiety, spitefulness, pettiness, cowardice, dishonesty, cruelty, self-denial, naïveté, gullibility, messiness, insincerity, arrogance, vengefulness, delusion, rage, self-pity, selfishness, hypocrisy, entitlement, prejudice, defensiveness, prudishness, unfairness, tactlessness and paranoia - just to name a few. No wonder Jesus said, “let the one without sin, cast the first stone.”
All sorts of people make mistakes. That list might include spouses, children, co-workers, politicians, first responders, medical professionals, church leaders, teachers, laborers, artists, athletes, entertainers, etc. We are all bound to witness and experience offenses from others and sometimes to be the offender, whether intentionally or inadvertently. When that happens, it’s natural to ask, “who is to blame?” When there is a car accident, it’s paramount at least for insurance purposes to determine who was at fault. Sometimes when there’s mistakes made, we are at fault. Sometimes we need to be the one to forgive. Forgiveness usually helps, whatever the issue.
Don Henley wrote these lyrics in a song having to do with a break up called, “The Heart of the Matter.” -
I'm learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand,
All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning again
I've been tryin' to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore.
Forgiveness is good and even required. Jesus said in Mark 11:25, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Forgiveness is a good choice. Is there someone we need to forgive? Is there someone we have wronged? Let’s remember, “to err is human, to forgive divine.” Jesus even forgave those who crucified him. May God help us all to do what’s divine.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Mo Dunn
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You are Invited to celebrate their
High School Graduation!
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Drive Thru Graduation Party for Kaylor Martin
Sunday, May 30, 4- 5:30pm
The Farm
13395 Wolf Rd.
Drive Thru and congratulate Kaylor!
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Open House for Jade Forbess
Saturday, June 5, 2-9pm
The Wolff Family Home
634 Riverside Ave., Defiance
RSVP to rnchad@gmail.com or phone/text Lynnette at 419-789-0333
Stop by and congratulate Jade!
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Saturday, July 17
$16 each
Reservations and money
due by June 1
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Saturday, June 5 & July 10
9 am - 4 pm
Bring your current scrapbook project and come work and share with fellow scrapbookers.
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Homemade Donuts Drive Thru |
Homemade Donuts Drive Thru
3rd Saturday of every month,
Next dates: Sat., June 19
& Sat., July 17,
starting at 8am while supplies last
Ayersville dozen for $4
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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!
Donations also needed. Check out the list below and email us, call us or sign up on the bulletin board at church if you can provide.
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Breakfast and Lunch food
will also be for sale!
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Bring in your donations for
our Rummage Sale!
Friday, June 25, 9am - 4pm
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.
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Sunday, June 27, 11am - 2pm
Pulled Pork Dinners, Homemade Ice Cream, Antique Tractors, Classic Cars, Barrel Train, Wagon Rides, Kids Games and more!
Make plans to help with and/or support this event! Help needed on the day of the event and also Wed. June 16 at 3pm for making of ice cream, Wed., June 23 at 6:15pm to shred pork, and Sat., June 26 at 9am to set up. If you can donate or help, please email us, call us or sign up on the bulletin board
at church
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Help make homemade noodles!
Watch for date announcements in the announcements and
Friday E-blasts!
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Board and Staff will meet
on Tuesday, July 13 at 6:30pm
Everyone is welcome to attend!
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Click here or on the picture for June and July's Church Events Calendar.
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Collection ideas for Operation Christmas Child:
June: Girl Items - Purses, hair bows and ribbons, clip on earrings, jewelry, watches, cups, sewing items, spoons & forks
July: Sunglasses, hats, beach balls, outdoor play games,
flip flops, drink cups, jump ropes
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Collection continues for this year's Operation Christmas Child with different gift suggestions each month. 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. |
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Continue to
Worship God
through Giving
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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
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Give online through Tithe.ly |
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Happy Birthday!
Lori Nafziger June 6
Frank Tressler June 10
Maribeth Peoples June 12
Caleb Adkins June 13
Bob Baldwin June 17
Brenda Kent June 21
John Hoshock June 25
Pat Vandemark June 25
Karen Kratzer June 30
Laura Walters July 1
Tim Nafziger July 4
Jackson Stambaugh July 6
Faye Hall July 9
Leann Gerken July 12
Ashlee Tressler July 13
Tracy Frederick July 13
Joyce Cavanaugh July 14
Amanda Baldwin July 15
Bella Stambaugh July 15
Maverick Edmonds July 15
Bill Rohn July 16
Brandon Baldwin July 18
Ty Ramsey July 19
Luke Delano July 19
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Happy Birthday!
Jim Austermiller July 20
Clarence Dinnen July 22
Jeremiah Johnson July 23
Ben Baldwin July 25
Dane Ewers July 28
Dottie Tobias July 30
Addison Zartman July 31
Happy Anniversary!
Larry & Mary Brown June 4
Doug & Leann Gerken June 16
Bryan & Amanda Baldwin June 18
Tim & Mary Jo Kohl June 24
Bill & Dolores Rohn June 26
Rick & Denice Edmonds July 17
Ken & Kathy Ludwig July 23
Bob & Pat Vandemark July 23
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.
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Ayersville United Methodist Church, 27728 Ayersville Rd., Defiance, OH 43512
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