The BELL
HISTORY OF “THE BELL”
Volume 1, Number 1 was printed in September 1943 as a church paper to be mailed to servicemen.
It was also made available in foyer for the congregation.
In September 1946 “The BELL” was printed and mailed to all members as a church communication.
Happy 67th birthday to “The BELL”
The Bell
January 2012
Pastor’s Point of View
As we begin a new year, it always fascinates me to listen to or watch the recaps of all the things that have happened in the year past. On TV or in other media, there are top 10 lists or the worst list, or the best list or the (you name it) lists of what happened in 2011. We always look back and we always look forward.
We know what has been, we are unsure of the future. As we look to the future we anticipate what might be.
What do you expect this New Year of 2012 to bring?
Personally, I expect that 2012 will bring joy and sorrow. I expect that I will be well, but also will experience some illness. I expect some of life to be challenging and some to be easy.
I also expect the unexpected. Some call that Murphy’s Law.
As pastor, I expect to experience exciting and vibrating ministry with the people of Union Park United Methodist Church that makes a difference for many people in the name of Jesus. I expect to walk through some valleys and difficult times with some of you. I expect to share wonderful times with some of you. I expect that together we will continue to find ways to be Jesus to those in our church, programs, neighborhood and world.
I expect that together we will find ways to not only sustain church, but to grow in many different ways.
In these expectations, I hope we all know some certainties as well. I am certain that Jesus is Lord and Savior.
I am certain that the Holy Spirit is with us always to guide, direct, comfort and empower.
And I am certain of God’s steadfast love that undergirds all of us, no matter what.
Now that is good news for a New Year.
If you are well, and home, see you in church!
God Bless,
Rev. Lee Webb
You’re invited...
To Virginia Croskery’s Faculty Recital
Friday, January 13th 7:00 PM
At the Great Hall on the Simpson College Campus
If you’d like to go, but need transportation,
please contact the office at 262-2875.
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
-Philippians 3:13-14
Mission Updates from Cathy Webb
Thank You for Your Gifts!
On behalf of the Mission Committee we would like to that the members and friends of the church that give of their gifts for so many projects!! We will be finalizing the year end report in mid-January and get that information out when it is completed.
There are so many great things we have done over the year such as: Storm relief, Red Bird Mission, Hunger efforts, Thanksgiving Ingathering, Nothing But Nets/Imagine No Malaria, Heifer Project, Blankets, etc. Please consider regular mission giving throughout the year to projects. The more we give the more we receive in many ways. God Bless you!
Worship Updates from Tom Williams
Happy New Year.
Have you made a new years resolution yet?
Remember to consult The Master Planner, the Lord God Almighty, as you're making your plans for this coming year.
I have learned over the years that my plans only work if they coincide with God's plans.
Remember we are saved from sin and for service.
Consider how you can be in God’s service both to your church and your community.
We hope to see you in church on Sunday.
Remember there is no Saturday service this winter
Evangelism Report from Virgil Hillman
What a pleasure it was working on this committee.
We accomplished a lot in the past four years which you as members can be proud of. Small groups were started, ice cream in the park, cookies to visitors, continued expanding the safe harvest party, back-to-school supplies to students, National Night Out, and the Valentine concert dinner.
It has been fun and the committee will be in good hands with Cathy Webb as the new Chairperson.
Virgil Hillman, Chairperson of Evangelism
Special Thanks!
Dear Church Family,
Bev and I would like to thank you all for your caring and concern during my 33 day stay at Methodist Hospital. Pastor Lee's faithful visits were so welcome and appreciated. Thank you to UMW for the gift to mission in my name. Thank you ALL for your visits, cards, calls, and especially your prayers. Prayer is so powerful and that is what carries us through all of this. Chemo will begin in a couple of weeks, but we pray that it will not keep us away from church and our faithful church family.
God Bless you All— Gary & Bev Eyerly
Volunteers needed!!
We are seeking volunteers to staff the nursery on Sunday mornings from 10 AM until about 12 PM (until the last child leaves).
We would like to have multiple volunteers to be able to rotate! If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact the office or sign up on the clipboard that is passed during worship.
Lectionary Scriptures for January for
Personal Devotions and Study
Sunday, January 1st —Epiphany Sunday
Isa. 60:1-6 Ps. 72:1-7, 10-14
Eph. 3:1-12 Matt. 2:1-12
Sunday, January 8th—1st Sun. after Epiphany
Gen. 1:1-5 Ps. 29
Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11
Sunday, January 15th—2nd Sun. after Epiphany
1 Sam. 3:1-10, (11-20) Ps. 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Cor. 6:12-20 John 1:43-51
Sunday, January 22nd—3rd Sun. after Epiphany
Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Ps. 62:5-12
1 Cor. 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20
Sunday, January 29th —4th Sun. after Epiphany
Deut. 18:15-20 Ps. 111
1 Cor. 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28
With Deepest Sympathies...
Judy Lind passed away October 28, 2011after a short illness that was complicated by chronic medical conditions in Mesa, Arizona. (We just got word of this in the office and wanted to pass it on to you.)
Muriel Brill passed away on December 22, 2011.
Please pick up your 2012 offering envelopes In Fellowship Hall!
Also, the 2012 Directories will be out the first week of January too!
If you have any last minute changes, please get those to the office ASAP! Thanks!
Positive response for all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it!
You say: “It’s impossible”
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: “I’m too tired”
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: “Nobody really loves me”
God says: I love you (John 3:16 John 13:34)
You say: “I can’t go on”
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 Psalm 91:15)
You say: “I can’t figure things out”
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: “I can’t do it”
God says: You can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13)
You say: “I’m not able”
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: “It’s not worth it”
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)
You say: “I can’t forgive myself”
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 Romans 8:1)
You say: “I can’t manage”
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: “I’m afraid”
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: “I don’t have enough faith”
God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
You say: “I’m not smart enough”
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: “I feel all alone”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
Lay Leadership for 2012
Administrative Council 2012 (October 17, 2011 revision)
Union Park United Methodist Church Officers
([nr] designates that this position is not rotating [ ] designates year term of office ends), *means may participate with voice and vote, blue means accepted position,
Pastor - Lee Webb
Children’s Ministry Director – Lynnette Moore [nr]
Director of Youth Ministry – [nr]
Chairperson Administrative Council - Kevin Moore (14)
Lay Member Annual Conference - Roberta Peters (14)
Alternate Lay Member Annual Conference - Kevin Moore (14)
Lay Leader - Gary Broadston, Gene Hatfield (12)
Church Treasurer - Virgil Hillman [nr]
Recording Secretary – Kathy Hillman (14)
Director of Youth Board – From Committee _______________________ (12)
Youth member – *From Youth Board _______________________ (12)
Chairperson Missions – Kathy Hatfield (12)
Coordinator Worship – Tom Williams (12)
Chairperson Evangelism - Cathy Webb (14)
Chair/Co-Chairpersons Board of Trustees – *from committee __________________ (12)
Chairperson Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee – Sandy Adams (12)
Chairpersons Finance – Laurie Robison Jerry Waugh (13)
Chairperson Permanent Endowment – Bob Ervin (13)
Permanent Endowment Treasurer – Kris Barkley [nr]
Chairperson of Education – Steve Peters (14)
Chairperson Scholarship – Kris Weinheimer (14)
Financial Secretary – Loretta Downs [nr]
Church Historian - Virgil Hillman [nr]
United Methodist Women President – From UMW, Roberta Peters ________________________
United Methodist Men President – From UMM - _______________________
President Union Park Conservation Club – (from club)
Chairperson Lay Leadership - Rev Lee Webb [nr]
Camping Coordinator – Jan Birkinbine [nr]
Kitchen Coordinator – United Methodist Women
Wedding Coordinator - United Methodist Women
Church Prayer Ministries - Kevin & Lynnette Moore, Karen Wilkinson [nr]
Members At Large:
2012 2013 2014
Ray Morris Nita Brower Joanne Zust
Sandy Adams _____________ ____________
**A complete copy of committees is available in Fellowship Hall.**
Please feel free to pick one up.
Thank you to those of you who are willing to volunteer
to serve at Union Park UMC.
Thank you for your time, energy, and personal investment in the church!
January Birthdays
01 Doris Kingery
01 Terri Fisher
02 Shirley McClelland
06 James Brown
08 Mikeal J Blackford
13 William Palmer
16 Nathan Clement
17 Jessica Handel
18 Dick Bachman
19 David Clement
20 Bill Crawford
23 Tom Williams
29 Iva Goddard
January Anniversaries
02 Lucille & Robert Estrada
08 Joan & Dwayne Feight
24 Cindy & Robert Kodis
New Year’s Prayer
(Anonymous)
Holy Father,
God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows.
We praise You for Your unequaled greatness.
Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead.
Help us in Your new year, Father, to fret less and laugh more.
To teach our children to laugh by laughing with them.
To teach others to love by loving them.
Knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us.
So that Love could be with us, and we could know You.
That we could share Love with others.
Help us, Father, to hear Your love song in every sunrise,
in the chirping of sparrows in our backyards,
in the stories of our old folks, and the fantasies of our children.
Help us to stop and listen to Your love songs,
so that we may know You better and better.
We rejoice in the world You loved into being.
Thank You for another new year and for new chances every day.
We pray for peace, for light, and for hope,
that we might spread them to others.
Forgive us for falling short this past year.
We leave the irreparable past in your hands,
and step out into the unknown new year knowing
You will go with us.
We accept Your gift of a new year and we rejoice in what's ahead,
depending on You to help us do exactly what You want.
I say it again, we rejoice!
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Office Hours:
Mon.-Thu. 12:30 PM-5:00 PM
Fri. 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Newsletter deadline: Please have items in for the newsletter by the 3rd Monday of each month!
Got corrections? Please notify the office at 262-2875 or unionparkumc@msn.com. Thanks!
