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And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE The Ross Community United Methodist Church 2943 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45013 Pastor Grant Montgomery
June / July 2012
To our beloved Church Family, This is my last letter to you. I want you to know what an honor and privilege it has been serving as your Pastor for the past twelve years. You have been such a wonderful blessing to Ann and me. You will always be in our hearts. We will never forget you. We will miss your hugs and smiles and your love and support. We have had many "God-Moments" together. Any good, by God's grace, we have done is because of your prayers, affection and goodwill. We have had a blessed journey together. While in prison, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Philippians Church -- a church he founded and loved. His words of affection that he expressed in Chapter one reflect the feelings and thoughts Ann and I have for our beloved church. Here are a few of his words. "When I pray for you and remember you my heart is full of joy, because of all your wonderful help in making known the Good News about Christ." "I am sure that God who began the good work within you will complete that work." "How natural it is that I should feel as I do about you, for you have a very special place in my heart." "With the tenderness of Christ - only God knows how deep is my love and longing for you." "My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for each other, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge." "May you always be doing good and kind things which show you are a child of God" I say "Amen" to God's words! On February 15, 1860, President elect Abraham Lincoln was boarding a train for Washington, D.C. He had spent over a quarter of a century in Springfield, Illinois. It was his home. It was a chilly rainy day. He gave a short speech of goodbye. He spoke of that "Divine Being" who attended George Washington, and concluded with these words: "Without the assistance of that Divine Being I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him, who will go with me, and remain with you - let us all confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell." Ann and I are not leaving town! We will always be your friends, but we are saying goodbye to pasturing a church we will always love. We sing two choruses of parting after worship: "Go in Love" and "Shalom." Ann and I go in love and peace. We know likewise that God will continue to bless you with his love and peace. Sincerely, Grant and Ann
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How Lucky We Are How lucky we are to have someone in our life that makes saying goodbye so hard. In just a few short weeks Pastor Montgomery will turn his robe over to his successor, take a right turn on Route 128, and for the first time in 12 years, drive away from Ross Community UMC as the “former Pastor”, replete with his name on bronze, on a plaque hanging somewhere on a wall to mark his time as Pastor. But as he takes the inevitable last glance in his rear view mirror, he shouldn’t see a building with a plaque marking his time, but instead, he should see scores of people who entered that church who were touched by God. Some will be there in spirit only, having moved away or moved on to a Heaven that awaits all believers. Some will be there to say God Speed! Some will be there to say God Bless You! But all of them will be there to say Thank You! Thank you for making the decision so many years ago to answer the call to be a proud disciple for the Lord! Thank you for sharing your family and the sacrifices they made so you could be our Pastor! Thank you for providing comforting words in our time of need! Thank you for providing guidance and direction to lost souls! Thank you for encouraging relationships with God on a personal level. Thank you for being a mentor to our youth! Thank you for being our Pastor! Most of all, thank you for making saying “Goodbye” so hard.
!
-‐submitted by Jim Rechel
ANNIVERSARIES June
2 Bill & Linda Wright 2 Phil & Brenda Brown 10 Leroy & Millie Singleton 13 Denzil & Helen Burch 15 Wayne & Linda Estep 19 Bill & Mae Prentice 23 Lonnie & Kae Parrott
July 4 Lloyd & Bev Papet 16 Paul & Debbie Gilman 19 Don & Barb Rechel
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TRUSTEES REPORT This is the last time to write about the renovation of our lobby area. As of this writing the baseboard and lighting is being installed. It was Grant’s wish to redecorate the church and we have completed it to perfection. I cannot tell you all the accolades we have received. “The floor is beautiful”, “The colors blend very well”, “It doesn’t look like the same place, it looks so much bigger”, “I feel a very warm presence upon entering the church”. Grant, I feel our committee has done you proud. This project pulled us together as a church family and we enjoyed each other’s company in completing the project. Because of this working togetherness, when I asked for people to sign-‐up to clean the church the response was overwhelming. The yard sale was a great success. Church members arrived at 7:00 a.m. to set-‐up and direct vendors to their spots. As the day went on, hundreds of people enjoyed a great day of shopping and were able to see a great church family at work. This is an example to passers-‐by that our church is alive and well. I sincerely hope and pray our new pastor will bring continued support as we grow our church for the next generation. Nothing else is acceptable. Bud Kottman, Chairman Trustee’s
June 2012
Well, another year is winding down for UMW. We do not meet during the summer months, so our next meeting will be in September.
We have had a successful year with highlights of a big jewelry / bake sale in November 2011, when we made $471.82 for our scholarship fund. At the same time we sold wristbands to the Tri-‐County Mall’s Evening of Magical Giving and made $115. We sold the jewelry and cookbooks at the yard sale the church had on May 12, 2012 and made $112.00 more! (This was selling the jewelry for $.50 each and the cookbooks for $1.00!) Again, we want to thank everyone who contributed jewelry and baked goods. In December 2011, we had a fun Christmas Dinner and a very nice Mother/Daughter Banquet in May 2012. This year we have one scholarship winner, Alex Creighton. We will be pleased to honor Alex and award her the scholarship on June 3, 2012. Our next meeting will be Sept. 11, 2012 at 10:00am at the church. We would like to see many of you there. We enjoy refreshments and interesting discussions, but most of all the companionship of each other. Won’t you plan to join us? Submitted by: Beth Casbeer
Marcus and Beth Casbeer will take communion to anyone who wishes to receive it. Just let them know at church or call them at 756-‐0115.
Sermons on Tape
Sunday service tapes are on the table in the narthex and are free of charge. If anyone would like a tape of a particular service, just let Marcus or Beth Casbeer know and they will be glad to make you one.
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Treasurer's Report Financial Status as of 05/08/12 Cash Assets: General Operating Fund $39,755 Building Fund 5,289 Choir Robe Fund 637 Heifer Fund 1,233 Savings 23,191 Memorial Fund 695 Missions Fund 3,734 Inner City Children's Fund 1,010 Youth Fund 3,176 Total Assets $78,721 General Operating Fund: Average monthly offering $10,040 Average monthly expenses $7,691 Building Fund - Renovation Update
Initial Fund
Balance $4,200 Donations 2011 & 2012 33,843 Transfer from Memorial Fund 10,000
Renovation
Expenses (42,754) Volunteer Labor Priceless! Remaining Fund Balance $5,289 - Debbie Gilman, Treasurer
INFORMATION CORNER
Pastor: Grant Montgomery 867-‐9284 Lay Leader: Marcus Casbeer Assistant Lay Leader: Leroy Singleton Pianists: Lori Campbell & Craig Eppich Praise and Worship Leader: Joan Daugherty Choir Director: Sally Rechel Nursery Attendant: Robin Montgomery (Ages birth through four years old) Prayer Chain: Beth Casbeer 756-‐0115 Newsletter: (interim) Phil Brown 868-‐2338 [email protected]
NOTICE HEARING ASSITANCE
Auditory assistance devices are available for
worship services. Contact Assistant Lay Leader LeRoy Singleton for more
information.
June 7 Steve Jacobs 8 Bill Wright 9 Barb Winsted 10 Paul Gilman 11 Lonnie Parrott 16 Earl Winsted 18 Jena Botting 20 Earl Whirls 22 Michael Ratliff 28 Trudy Schreiner
July 2 Sherri Dykes 2 Mae Prentice 2 Leroy Singleton 5 Leslie Fisher 7 DJ Creighton 7 Nicole Edington 9 Luke Botting 10 Bud Kottman
July 10 Rose Ann Ratliff 13 Preston Bressler 14 Maggie Schoepf 17 Sara Winsted 19 Phil Brown 20 Jeremy Winsted 29 Brenda Oliver 31 Don Hegner
SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE
9:30 – 10:15
Sunday School for Adults
10:15 – 10:30 Fellowship
10:30
Church Service
Children’s Sunday School during Church Service
Monthly Meetings
U.M. Women:
Second Tuesday of the month @ 10:00 am
Trustees, Nurture
& Missions Committees:
Second Wednesday of the month @ 6:30 pm
Administrative
Council: Second Thursday of the month @ 6:30 pm
U.M. Men
Last Saturday of the month @ 8:00 am
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Missions continue to assist four families monthly with food items. Additional families are assisted with food and clothing from the Sharing Closet on an as needed basis. The Sharing Closet has undergone Spring Cleaning with items no longer appealing sold at the Yard/Craft Sale to make room for new ones. A huge “Thank You” to everyone who volunteered their time, donations and support to make our first yard sale a success. We also thank those who worked selling hamburgers, hot dogs, bagged snacks and drinks. We cannot forget our neighboring church, McGonigle/Millville United Methodist Church who sent donations from their yard sale, offered information and suggestions. We were joined by 30 plus vendors. Scout Pack 923 supported the event selling lemonade and baked goods. Other vendors represented Thirty-‐one, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Tastefully Simple, Candles, Jewelry, Baseball Collector Items and the usual yard sale items. Vendors came from Greater Cincinnati and Indiana. Many expressed a desire to join us again next year and the customers expressed how pleased they were with the set up. It cannot go without mentioning the overwhelming support of so many from our own church family. I believe the following statement, which graced McGonigle/Millville United Methodist Church Sign, says so much:
“Progress involves risk. You cannot steal second if you leave your foot on first.”
We’ve taken the step and removed our foot from first base. We opened our grounds to others. We may experience some errors and bulks; but the game continues, and in the end we certainly can make a difference in our community and Ross Community UMC. Only the Lord knows when we’ll be “Rounding third and heading for home” but hopefully with each new risk, we’ll make a difference in His world. Dates to Remember: June 3 Bonnet Sunday & Graduation Sunday
We need to make this a day to remember for Grant. This is one of his wishes and I’m certain the ladies can find a hat of some sort to wear on this day.
We will recognize our High School and College Graduates. June 10 New Members and Baptism Sunday June 17 Grant’s last sermon
“Father’s Day” No Nursery or Children’s Church. June 23 Saturday - 4:30 p.m.
Grant’s Retirement Banquet and Recognition. Reservations need to be made by June 9. Please sign up on Sunday morning or phone Beth Casbeer at 756-0115. No Nursery. June 24 Sunday
Pastor Mark Montgomery will conduct the Retirement Service. We ask for additional items for Coffee Hour on this day to accommodate the anticipated attendance.
No Nursery or Children’s Church.
Submitted by Judy Kottman
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Continuing prayers for the vision of Ross Community United Methodist Church, Pastor Grant and Ann, Bev and Lloyd Papet, our President, our nation and our military personnel, Gary Brown (due to
ongoing heart problems), Vicki Hilton, Mary Bliton, Dorothy Gard, Steve and Linda Jacobs, Donna Montang (who has a brain tumor), Jake Phelps and family, Jo and Randy Anderson’s great grandson Tyson and family, Zack Brockman (7 year old son of a co-‐worker of Brenda Brown’s), Peggy and Carl Nauman, Annette Hegner (ongoing health issues), Jason Johnson (Reba and Bob Burnette’s nephew who has a brain tumor).
Visit RCUMC web page for a color version of this newsletter. http://www.rosscommunitymethodistchurch.org
The Choir season is winding down and we are all looking forward to a break for the summer. Our final Sunday for singing will be June 3, Graduate Recognition and Bonnet Sunday. We will return one additional Sunday, June 24, as we celebrate Grant's service at Ross. I would like to thank everyone for your support this year with our annual nut sale. We raised over $680.00! We intend to use the funds for enhancements to the audio equipment. The Trustees are currently evaluating those needs. We will be selling nuts again in the fall. We will be adding a few more selections to our order as many of you asked about items we did not have available. We are still trying to get a feel for what sells the best and what you would like to have for yourself and for gifts. Overall we are pleased with your participation in and enjoyment from the Nut Sale. :) I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you, the congregation, for your support and appreciation. I can't tell you what it means to have you come up and thank me or one of the choir members for the music. Many times we have not been able to sing due to members being out of town or illness, and you have mentioned that you miss having us sing. That means so much! We all put a lot of time into preparing for each Sunday and those words of appreciation are a blessing. We have also been blessed with Dori, playing her guitar, Karen, playing her coronet, and Chip on the drums. It has made such a difference in what we have been able to bring to the service! One last thank you to Joan, Craig, and Chip for the Praise and Worship music. Their dedication and commitment to their music ministry at Ross is steadfast. We are so blessed to have the talents and gifts of so many that bring music to the ears and the hearts of our congregation.
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord Eph:5 Sally Rechel
June 3 Wayne & Linda Estep June 10 Steve & Linda Jacobs June 17 Jerry & Betty Merz June 24 Dick & Anita Massey July 1 Don & Barb Rechel July 8 Steve & Carol Skinner July 15 Butch Foster & Trey Foster July 22 Debbie Gilman & Lois Lynch July 29 Bill & Brenda Oliver August 5 Phil & Brenda Brown August 12 Roger & Judy Creasy August 19 Glen Renner & Jim Rechel