OCTOBER Good News newsletter 2016

From Pastor LizDear Friends,

“Now as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you - so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking” (2 Cor. 8:7). We who are Christians have been empowered by God. Through faith in Christ, we experience God’s power and realize afresh that God owns everything. God is our Source! On a daily basis, God demonstrates again and again His abundant power as He “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Tim. 6:17). As we are empowered by God, we respond by grace. Like the Macedonian Christians, we begin by first giving ourselves to the Lord. When that happens, our resources - which are gifts on loan to us from God - will follow. First, there is the matter of our time. Time is like a giant bank account into which God daily deposits 86,400 seconds. How we use our time reveals where we have placed our priorities. We can consume those precious moments on ourselves and our pleasures, or we can use them for God’s glory in ministry to others. The choice is up to us. The same thing is true concerning our talents. However God has gifted us. What is of utmost importance is for us to use our talents in the Lord’s work. The outreach of the Gospel in this ministry is made possible only as God’s people do just that. Then there is our witness. Recently, I've become aware of several church studies that indicate that for a church to be viable and successful into the next century it must average 165 people in worship each week. If you look around on Sunday morning, you soon realize that we have a way to go. Sure, we sometimes get close to that number, but usually we are far from it. Witness is a scary word to many people, but studies have shown that the most effective way to get a person to church is that they be asked by a friend or neighbor. This works seven times better than being asked by the pastor. If we are truly serious about our commitment to Christ and His church, we must become serious about our witness. When was the last time you asked a friend, neighbor, co-worker, inactive member, or anyone to come to your church with you? Give it a try, invite someone to church. Make a point to do it weekly. As someone has said, “Shepherds do not beget sheep. Sheep beget sheep.” And that process begins through simple invitations to worship. Put your faith into action. Finally, there is the matter of our treasure. Perhaps more than anything else, how we use our money reflects what is really important to us. In fact, as we review the record of how we have spent the financial resources God has entrusted to us in the past few months, we will have a powerful testimony of that which we value most. As you consider your life during this time of stewardship emphasis, will you - like the Macedonian Christians - excel in the “grace of giving” by first giving yourself to the Lord? Will you respond, by grace, through giving your time, talents, witness and treasure for God’s glory in this ministry? Will you then covenant with God, by faith, to give in the coming months as God provides, even if you do not know the source of the funds? Please ask God to give you specific direction concerning what you should give. Then, please complete your Faith Promise Card and bring it with you to the worship service on “Harvest Celebration Sunday,” October 23, 2016. Thank you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for your faithful financial support in the past. Thank you as well for being “Empowered by God” and for “Responding by Grace” here at Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church.

~Blessings Grace and Peace, Liz 

New Member Sunday Set If you’ve been attending Chestnut Hill UMC, but have never joined, or if you are looking for an exciting church home where all are welcome, and we really care about you and this community, speak to Pastor Liz! On Sunday, October 30, we will hold “New Member Sunday” and encourage you to join that morning. If you are already a member, but would like to recommit to the

church, we invite you to renew your vows during the 10:30 a.m. service. We need you to make a commitment! Please pray about this. 

5 Talent Academy ~ October 4, 2016Registration is now open for the 5 Talent Academy, Equipping People for Ministry Outside the Walls of the Church event to be held 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4. This event will be live streamed in Lynchburg. Featured speaker is Andy Crouch, executive editor of Christianity Today and author of several books, including “Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing”, “Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power” and “Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling”. Pastor Liz is hoping to get a team of five to attend. Please let Pastor Liz or Monica know if you wish to attend

Gifts & MemorialsIn Memory Of:

Lester E. FainterGiven by: David & Eleanor Maxham, Fred & Sue Norvelle, Jimmy & Barbara Blunt

 

October is Pastor Appreciation MonthWe’re going to be circulating a card to thank our District Superintendent, Rev. Scott Davis, for his leadership and ministry to the 89 churches of the Lynchburg District. 

~Charge Conference Date Set~ Our Lynchburg Central Cluster of churches will have their 2016 Charge Conference on Sunday, November 13, at 3:00 p.m. at Mead Memorial UMC. Make plans to attend this once-a-year meeting and find out what your church has done in the past year and hear about what other churches in our cluster are doing. 

Annual Stewardship Campaign to

Begin in October “Money is deeply and significantly symbolic. It isn’t just a silver coin or a piece of engraved paper; it represents our time and our talents as well. It is symbolic because when we give of our money, we are giving of ourselves. And the contrary is also true; when we withhold our money, we are withholding of ourselves.” Real stewardship means more than giving money for God’s work on earth. It involves offering all that we are and all that we have to

serve our Creator, who is the Giver of all in the first place: body, mind, spirit, talent and energy. Stewardship is fulfilling God’s plan for us as we live, serve, and give our all for the one who made us and keeps us here on earth. There is a story about a man who understood the requirements of being a faithful steward. Another man observed his seemingly tireless work on behalf of his church and the community and asked the man why he did so much to serve God, and needy people, in the town where he lived. The worthy steward replied, by saying that he believed God was Lord and King over all the earth. He believed it was a privilege to serve as a servant and use his life to work on behalf of the kingdom of God. He might also have said that we Christians often pray for God’s Kingdom to come and for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. If that is so, why shouldn’t we try to help make the prayer come true by being worthy servants of the Lord here and now? Prayer: “Lord of us all, make us restless, until we find rest by loving and serving you. Help us to remember daily that Jesus lived on earth as one who served. Guide us so that we may do the same. In his name.” Amen.

1 Pat Short2 Robert Boswell3 Margo Allen

Nancy LeeEmily VandeBogart

4 Connie Harris5 Michael McGlothlin

Herman Steward6 Kirsten Bell

Tim CristDennis Tolley

7 Kenny BusicCheryl Powell

9 Owen StinnetteJeremey VandeBogart

11 Landen Glass12 Camden Mason

Jeannie White14 Wade Ware16 Burton Brooks

Terry PalazziAnne-Elaine Tiller

17 Suzanne Marshall

Blake Phillips18 Sharon Rickmon19 Connie Yost20 Dan Powell21 Steven Kinzer22 C.O. Bell25 Frankie Hardwick

Gene Harris28 Jacqueline Busic

Cheryl Thomas29 Wes Robbins

Ricky Smith31 Robert Baunach

OCTOBER Birthdays

Children’s MinistryKingdom Kids has begun and is going great. We are asking for volunteers to help prepare dinner on Sunday, October 16th. We need you to prepare and serve food. Contact me for more information.

Our trip to the Washington DC Zoo is a go for one Saturday in October!! I am in the midst of finalizing all plans for this trip. Watch Sunday’s bulletins for more information.

It’s that time again to start collecting for Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes. All items collected must be SMALL so they can fit in the shoe boxes. We need toys, school supplies, books, bibles, wash cloths, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. Remember to keep all items small!

And lastly, mark your calendar for Monday, October 31st, for our annual Trunk-or-Treat, 5:30 p.m., here in our parking lot. Last year we had many cars with different themes, with many children participating. So let’s come together and make this a safe, happy time for the children.

~Jody Underwood, Lay Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Top of the Hill will meet on Monday, October 24, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. More information

will be provided later.

FRIENDS WHO CAREPlease send your reports of visits and phone calls each month to Scottie Nuckols, 1250

Jefferson Oaks Court, # 44, Forest, VA 24551. Or e-mail to mx55566@gmail.com. On your report please note the month and year, names of those visited (or called) and the number of times visited or called that month and any comments of our pastor. Please try to get this information to Scottie by the 5th of the month. We express our appreciation to all the volunteers who participate in this ministry of compassion.

A total of 26 visits and 92 phone calls were made in AUGUST. 

Mission NewsIn our food chart for August we collected 16 packs of toilet paper for a total of 164 rolls.  Park View Mission was joyous.  Thanks to all who participated. 

For October, Park View is requesting canned meats, canned fruit, diapers size 5 & 6, and as always toilet paper.  Your donations help to keep this mission going and serving our community. 

~Thank-you from Linda Jessen & the Mission Committee 

FOOD CART ~ “OCTOBER”In OCTOBER we will be collecting “Canned Meats, Canned Fruit, Diapers (sizes 5 & 6), Toilet Paper”. This will assist people through Park View Community Mission.

Please place in the food cart, located in the Commons. Help those in need.

The Merry Marthas Circle will meet at church on Wednesday, October 12th, for a program by Capt. Donald Dohlman on the Salvation Army. We will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

Read Ahead Each Sunday The lectionary provides us with readings from the Gospel, the Epistles (Letters) the Old Testament and the Psalms. The lectionary follows a three year cycle, which when finished will have covered the majority of the Bible. Pastor Liz believes that reading ahead will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the service.

For Oct. 2, 2016 ~World Communion Sunday, the Scriptures are Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, & Psalm 137. The sermon text is Luke 17:5-10 and the message is “Signs of Commitment”.For Oct. 9, 2016 ~ the Scriptures are 2 Timothy 28-15, Luke 17:11-19& Psalm 66:8- 12. The sermon text is Jeremiah 29:1-14 and the message is “Do Your Best, Always”.

For Oct. 16, 2016 ~ the Scriptures are Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 & Psalm 78:1-4, 9-16. The sermon text is Matthew 21:28-31 and the message is “Not a Social Club”.For Oct. 23, 2016 ~ Stewardship Sunday the Scriptures are Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 & Psalm 42 The sermon text is Mark 12:41-44 and the message is “Just A Mite”.For Oct. 30, 2016 ~ All Saints’ Sunday the Scriptures are Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 & Psalm 119:137-144. The sermon text is and the message is “Climbing Toward Change”.

A big thank you to all those who came to church on Sept. 7 to clean prior to Homecoming! They scrubbed, dusted, polished, swept, trimmed shrubbery, and pulled weeds. These are the people who came and worked for several hours to make our church "sparkle": Linda Jessen, Frances Unruh, Ann Ruhland, Carolyn Stewart, Marsha Burks, Neta Pearson, Pat Short, Jimmy and Barbara Blunt, Judy and Dan Robertson, Sylvia and Hylton Glass, Linda Wright, Sue Norvelle, Jo Edgreen, Scottie Nuckols, Ruth Ann Harris. Many thanks to all the people that made our 65th Anniversary and Homecoming a huge success. A great turn out, fellowship, and good food was enjoyed by all.

~Co-Chairs, Sylvia Glass & Judy Robertson Members of Chestnut Hill UMC:

Thank you so much for the beautiful and warm pink prayer quilt! I am overwhelmed by your gifts of prayer and sewing. I understand many people participated in the hand-tied threads.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.~Susan Sommerkamp

 

   A Special Note from “Churches for Urban Ministry”

Lisa Schafer writes: “Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church has ALWAYS been such a strong

supporter of Churches for Urban Ministry, and most of all for our Camp Timothy Program.  However, I failed to acknowledge CHUMC in newsletter that just went

out.  I listed all of the churches who have given financial support this year, and you all have!  But I listed the incorrect Chestnut Hill Church.”

Lisa sends her apologies and will correct this in the next FOCUS. The completed letter has been posted on the bulletin board. 

CHURCHES FOR URBAN MINISTRY CITRUS SALE   We will begin taking orders on Sunday, October 2nd. Orders must be received by

Sunday, October 30th. You will have the option this year to buy a box of fruit and donating it to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Order forms will be available from the church office and placed in the Commons.

 World Communion Day Celebrated on October 2

On October 2, the famous, infamous, and those of us in between, will gather at a common table around the world. This is the day when the Christian faith celebrates World Communion Sunday. We come to the table from the North and the South, the East and the West. It is a great privilege to share this meal. There is no cost to us. The cross is a sign that reminds us of the great cost to the host. Please share the Eucharist with us at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday October 2. Offering envelopes will be provided in the bulletins. 

What Is the History of World Communion Sunday?→Following the Great Depression, a Presbyterian church in Pennsylvania first

celebrated a World Communion Sunday in 1936. Collecting a special offering, people discovered they could raise the most money to alleviate suffering by working together. →The idea spread to churches of various denominations and was soon adopted by a predecessor of the National Council of Churches.→October 2, on World Communion Sunday, United Methodists celebrate a church that is universally inclusive of all. 

John Wesley on Money and GivingWhat did John Wesley (the founder of the Methodist Societies) teach about money and giving? To Wesley, sharing material goods was a cornerstone of the Christian faith. His sermon, “The Use of Money,” is a helpful starting point. Wesley admonishes Christians to:• “Earn all you can..” For Wesley, work was a means of participating in God’s creative, healing activity. As we earn all we can, we give ourselves to God’s mission to the world.• “Save all you can.” Wesley endorsed a simplified lifestyle. He could not justify acquiring luxuries while poor people lacked life’s necessities.• “Give all you can.” Wesley’s words confront us today: “Save all you can, by cutting off every expense which serves only to indulge foolish desire...waste nothing ... then ...give all you have to God.”What is the Wesleyan theology of giving? Here is the essence of it:• Giving is rooted in God’s very being. Life is grace, a free, unearned gift from God, who invites us to share.• Giving is indispensable to Christian discipleship. It is part of holy living. Growth in discipleship inevitably includes growth in giving.• Giving includes more than the products (the money) of our labor. We also give by refusing to take from others what is necessary for their abundant life. Simplifying our lifestyles and preserving the earth’s resources are forms of giving in the Wesleyan tradition.• Giving involves friendship with the poor. To Wesley regular visitation with the poor was essential for Christian discipleship. Renewal will come to The United Methodist Church when we welcome the poor into the church’s life.• Giving involves building communities of justice. Giving in the Wesleyan tradition goes beyond individual charity to building communities of interconnectedness, justice, and compassion. Wesley made no distinction between delivering medical care and proclaiming the gospel.• Giving includes advocating on behalf of the voiceless. Wesley spoke out against child labor, the inhumane treatment of prisoners, the slave trade, and excessive interest charged to the poor. As John Wesley said: “Money is an excellent gift of God, answering the noblest ends. In the hands of his children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked...a means of health to the sick, of ease to them that are in pain. It may be as eyes to the blind, as feet to the lame....”

-Bishop Kenneth L. Carder of the Mississippi Area

  

 

Those Who Serve ~ OCTOBERUSHERS: Fred Norvelle, Head Usher

NURSERY CAREGIVERS:October 2 ~Elaine Clarke, Eleanor MaxhamOctober 9 ~Kay Allen, Kirsten TillerOctober 16 ~Margo Allen, Brenda TorianOctober 23 ~Linda Jessen, Robbie HodgesOctober 30 ~Ann Ruhland, Linda Wright

GREETERS:October 2 ~Marsha BurksOctober 9 ~Pat ShortOctober 16 ~Kitty BurgessOctober 23 ~Elaine ClarkeOctober 30 ~Barbara LeFew

CHILDREN’S CHURCH (Ages 4-11)October 2 ~Stay in service.October 9 ~Children’s ChurchOctober 16 ~Stay in service.October 23 ~Children’s ChurchOctober 30 ~Stay in service.

OFFERING COUNTERS:

Frank Stewart, Carolyn Stewart, Jane White* * * * * * * * * * * *

GOOD NEWS is published monthly for members and friends of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church. Send articles to the church office by the 15th of the month. 

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OUR ATTENDANCE SUNDAY SCHOOL WORSHIP

8/28 44 739/4 48 789/11 38 679/18 Cancelled 135

Our Church Financial PictureThrough the end of August 2016

General Operating Funds:

Needed to meet our 2016 Budget $ 240,042

Needed to meet our budget to date $ 160,028

Actual receipts to date $ 141,866

Shortfall to meet budget to date $ 18,162

Actual expenditures to date $ 129,597

Overage meet expenses to date $ 12,269

Joy In Missions Funds:

Our Giving Goal for 2016 $ 11,600

Needed to meet our goal to date $ 7,733

Actual receipts to date $ 7,813

Special Offerings* (not budgeted):

Received to date $ 5,6,37

Dispersed to date $ 4,443

*Christmas, Easter, Annual Conference,

World Communion, etc.

2016 Joy In Mission Donations

To date, the following amounts have been paid to the missions indicated.

Missionary Covenant Relationship $ 1,250

UMCOR(One Great Hour of Sharing) $ 0.00

Free Clinic $ 250

Heart Havens $ 451

Missions~Food for Families $ 910

Interfaith Outreach $ 500

Meals on Wheels (Souper Bowl) $ 1,024

Habitat for Humanity $ 250

Churches for Urban Ministry $ 250

Adult Care Center $ 250

Daily Bread $ 250

Camp Timothy $ 500

Society of St. Andrew $ 560

Good Neighbor $ 0.00

Heifer $ 0.00

UMCOR-Non-Administrative $ 0.00

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank $ 250

Undesignated $ 0.00

Thank You for Your Generosity

 

   

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church

4660 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502

Phone Number: 434-239-8423: FAX: 434-239-7209

E-mail: chestnuthillumc@comcast.net

On the web: www.chestnuthillumc.net

Church Office HoursMonday-Thursday9:00 am—3:30 pm

Friday9:00 am-1:00 pm

DIRECTORY OF CHESTNUT HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Sharma Lewis Richmond Area Resident BishopScott Davis Lynchburg District SuperintendentLiz Ecklund MinisterVernie Barrow Minister EmeritusMonica C. Campbell Administrative AssistantWilliam Sperrazza Director of Music MinistryJudy Martin BookkeeperElaine Clarke Lay LeaderJody Underwood Lay Children’s Ministry CoordinatorChris Glass Lay Youth Ministry Coordinator