September 2013

Homer United Methodist Church

UNTO YOU… Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who will minister to all creation through service

and words that heal and free.

Inside

Page 2 A Note from the Pastor

Homer High School Needs

Page 3 Committee Updates

Page 4 Lectionary Readings

Page 5 September Events

Page 6 Methodist Moment

HUMC Cares for Kids Every Friday from July 12 to August 30, members of Homer United Methodist Church have made sack lunches to hand out to homeless and hungry teenagers outside the Midtown Café.

On July 10, our church hosted a community meeting that was attended by thirty church leaders, business people, health care workers, parents, and teenagers to discuss ways that we as a community could stand in the gap for homeless teenagers. During the school year, teens who attend school can qualify for free or reduced breakfast and lunch; however, there’s no food available to them in the summertime. The community members brainstormed ideas, and Homer UMC volunteered to take on feeding teens on Fridays.

Rob Way, director of the Midtown Café, gave us permission to set up in front of his café since it is a safe place for teenagers to go. Every week, members of HUMC packed thirty meals on Friday mornings, and Pastor Lisa and Sherry Stead took turns passing them out to teenagers in the afternoon. Stickers on the brown paper bags told the kids that the meals were prepared for them by friends in Homer who love them.

This ministry caught the attention of the media, and both Pastor Lisa

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September 2013

A Note from the Pastor Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It has been a busy and beautiful summer here in Homer, Alaska! Joe and I received a wonderful and warm welcome from the congregation, and we are starting to settle in and feel at home.

Looking out over the bay from my office window while I write this, I cannot help but to think of one of my favorite scriptures: I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2). Surrounded by the beauty of Kachemak Bay, I feel the richness of God’s blessings here in Homer.

I have seen the generosity of this congregation as we have worked to feed the homeless and hungry teenagers of our community. I have witnessed the care this congregation shows to creation, not only through formal services like the Blessing of the Animals but also through the way people light up with excitement talking about their neighborhood cranes, eagles, and moose calves. Community meals have been attended by residents and visitors to Homer, which allows us to demonstrate the hospitality that Christ instructs us to show to strangers.

I look forward to Christian education and small groups starting up soon so that we all have the opportunity to get to know our brothers and sisters better and to share in Christian fellowship. Please continue to pray for the missions and ministries of Homer United Methodist Church and for all of our leaders.

Peace, Pastor Lisa

Fall Small Groups are starting soon!

Keep an eye out in church for the Small Group sign up sheet. There are a variety of offerings to match your interests. Small groups allow us to get to know one another better by giving us the opportunity to meet, fellowship, and share our interests with one another. Email your ideas for small groups to Pastor Lisa at lisamarietalbott@gmail.com.

Homer High School Several teachers and staff members from Homer High School have contacted the church asking for help with supplies for their students in need. Please bring your donations to the church office.

pens beef jerky

pencils deodorant (mostly for boys)

notebook paper soap with travel case (unscented)

spiral notebooks shampoo (unscented)

3 ring binders socks

granola bars tea (various flavors)

fruit cups toothbrushes and toothpaste

Then the little children were brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who

brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven

belongs.” Matthew 19:13-14

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September 2013

Committee Updates

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The STAFF-PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE (SPRC) met on Thursday, August 1st. The committee discussed staff evaluations and considered how to make the nursery more child & parent friendly. Chair: Franco Venuti

The FINANCE COMMITTEE met August

13th. There was discussion of ways to positively give information in the church bulletin regarding the finances of the church. Our apportionments are paid up to October. We will try to have this on a ten-month plan next year. An audit is required annually. We will be asking for two volunteers to go forth with this important task. Online giving on our website has been successful. It can be accessed at www.homerumcalaska.org/Donate.html. This is very user friendly and we discussed ways to put special donations on this webpage along with the tithing component. We will be working towards a procedure that clarifies the facility use fees for weddings and funerals. Our next meeting is scheduled for September 10th at 6:00 pm. Members are: Fran Van Sandt, Dave Nofziger, Jim Hornaday and treasurer, Mari-Ann Gross. Co-Chairs: Caroline Venuti and Joan Evans.

The WORSHIP COMMITTEE invites you

to share special music in a worship service. If you would like to share, please let Shawnie know and she will coordinate with Pastor Lisa to use these special musical gifts in our services.

We appreciate the preludes our musicians prepare to set the mood for our worship services, and so we encourage the congregation to listen prayerfully. Also, after the benediction, as the light of Christ is going out into the world, we ask everyone to wait quietly until the music increases volume, signaling that the acolytes have left the sanctuary.

We encourage the Trustees to work on signs to show visitors our front entrance door and where there is additional parking. Does anyone know what happened to the sign with the United Methodist cross and flame that was on the west side of our

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church before the addition was built? It was a work of art by Harold Gnad, and we would like to locate it or have one like it again, using the UM logo that is recognizable even from a distance.

Stay tuned as we plan for observances of Veterans’ Day, All Saints Day, and Thanksgiving this fall. Chair: Dotty Cline

The NURTURE COMMITTEE met three weeks ago to develop a calendar of activities such as fellowshipping together, educational studies, pot-lucks, games, music, art, and small interest groups. We also discussed aiding our church family when there is illness, tragedy, concerns, and joyous occasions.

Pot-lucks will be the first Sunday of each month. Small groups, Christian education classes on Sundays, Bible studies offered during the week, men’s and women’s fellowships such as the men’s breakfast discussion group and the United Methodist Women unit will continue. A sign-up poster for small groups will appear shortly, Christian education classes for the Fall session will begin on September 8, and a parent time for sharing will also begin on September 8. You are invited to join the nurture committee at our next meeting, September 22 after worship service. Chair: Pat Wise

The OUTREACH COMMITTEE thanks Sherry and all the people who helped with the community meal. We are always so appreciative of all of you who contribute to the meal with food and your help the day of the meal.

We will have an outreach committee meeting September 8th after church in the orange room. Remember the Philippine Culture night on the 4th of September and the sea food dinner and the talk by Pat McBride on September 13th for the fund raiser for the Volunteer in Mission trip to the Philippines. Chair: Ruby Nofziger

Choir will be starting Tuesday, September 10th at 5 pm. We’re looking for sopranos,

altos, tenors, and basses.

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September 2013

Lectionary Readings

September 1, 2013 Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 81:1, 10-16 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14 September 8, 2013 Jeremiah 18:1-11 Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-25 September 15, 2013 Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Psalm 14:1-7 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10

September 22, 2013 Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 Psalm 79:1-9 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13 September 29, 2013 Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-3

Continued from page 1

and Sherry Stead were interviewed by newspaper and radio reporters. This has helped raise awareness of homelessness in Homer and the possible need for a youth shelter to provide safe housing and information for teenagers. The community of Homer seems to be surprised by the number of homeless teenagers in the area. Last year, 57 homeless students were identified through the school district, and the majority were teenagers. This number does not include those teenagers who have dropped out of school because of issues of transportation or economics.

The community’s generosity has been touching. On multiple occasions, people have stopped by the church office to make donations after reading about the ministry in the paper or hearing about it from their friends or children. Community members have also donated food and supplies and have offered larger items like beds.

Homeless and hungry teens need our continued support. Page 2 of this newsletter lists needs identified by faculty and staff at Homer High School. As the school year progresses, other needs may surface, particularly warm clothing once winter arrives. You may donate either items or money.

The most significant offering you can give to this ministry is your prayers. The teenage years are difficult for kids even in the best and most stable circumstances. Homeless teens are particularly vulnerable, and their physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health are all impacted.

As Christians, we are called to care for the less fortunate. Jesus consistently instructs people to care for the poor, for widows, and for orphans. We are called to give to one another out of gratitude for all that God has given to us. Our own generosity is a response to God’s generous gift of love, seen in Christ’s sacrifice.

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to

help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

1 John 3:16-18

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September 2013

1 SUNDAY 9:45 Adult Sunday School 11:00 Worship

Ed and Blythe Stanton’s visit Potluck after worship 2 Monday All day: Food Pantry 3 Tuesday 9:00 TOPS

5:00 Tiger Scouts 5:00 Cub Scouts 5:30 Overeaters’ Anonymous 6:00 Cub Scouts 4 Wednesday 5:00 Cub Scouts

6:15 Women’s AA 7:00 Randy Weiser’s presentation on the Philippines

5 Thursday 8:30 Men’s Breakfast 3:00 Girl Scouts parent meeting

6:30 Trustees’ Meeting 6 Friday 7 Saturday 8 SUNDAY 9:45 Adult Sunday School

10:00 Kids’ Sunday School 11:00 Worship 12:30 Outreach Committee

9 Monday All day: Food Pantry

5:00 Fresh Start 7:00 Boy Scouts

10 Tuesday 9:00 TOPS 5:00 Tiger Scouts

5:00 Cub Scouts 5:30 Overeaters’ Anonymous 6:00 Cub Scouts 6:00 Finance Committee 11 Wednesday 5:00 Cub Scouts

6:15 Women’s AA 12 Thursday 8:30 Men’s Breakfast 11:30 High school lunch 13 Friday 6:00 Fish Dinner for Philippines 7:00 Pat McBride’s presentation 14 Saturday

15 SUNDAY 9:45 Adult Sunday School

10:00 Kids’ Sunday School 11:00 Worship

16 Monday All day: Food Pantry 5:00 Fresh Start 7:00 Boy Scouts

17 Tuesday 9:00 TOPS

5:00 Tiger Scouts 5:00 Cub Scouts 5:30 Overeaters’ Anonymous 6:00 Cub Scouts 18 Wednesday 5:00 Cub Scouts

5:30 UMW meeting 6:15 Women’s AA

19 Thursday 8:30 Men’s Breakfast

11:30 High school lunch 20 Friday October Newsletter articles due 21 Saturday 22 SUNDAY 9:45 Adult Sunday School

10:00 Kids’ Sunday School 11:00 Worship

12:30 Nurture Committee 4:30 Garden Club Potluck 23 Monday

All day: Food Pantry 5:00 Fresh Start

24 Tuesday 9:00 TOPS

5:00 Tiger Scouts 5:00 Cub Scouts 5:30 Overeaters’ Anonymous 6:00 Cub Scouts 25 Wednesday

5:00 Cub Scouts 6:15 Women’s AA

26 Thursday 8:30 Men’s Breakfast

11:30 HUMC hosts the high school lunch 5:30 Community Meal

27 Friday 28 Saturday

SEPTEMBER

29 SUNDAY 9:45 Adult Sunday School 10:00 Kids’ Sunday School 11:00 Worship

30 Monday All day: Food Pantry

5:00 Fresh Start October 1 Tuesday

9:00 TOPS 5:00 Tiger Scouts

5:00 Cub Scouts 5:30 Overeaters’ Anonymous 6:00 Cub Scouts 2 Wednesday

5:00 Cub Scouts 6:15 Women’s AA

3 Thursday 8:30 Men’s Breakfast

11:30 High school lunch 4 Friday 5 Saturday

6 SUNDAY 9:45 Adult Sunday School

10:00 Kids’ Sunday School 11:00 Worship

Potluck by Men’s Group 7 Monday

All day: Food Pantry 5:00 Fresh Start

8 Tuesday 9:00 TOPS

5:00 Tiger Scouts 5:00 Cub Scouts 5:30 Overeaters’ Anonymous 6:00 Cub Scouts 6:00 Finance Committee 9 Wednesday

5:00 Cub Scouts 6:15 Women’s AA

10 Thursday 8:30 Men’s Breakfast

11:30 High school lunch 11 Friday 12 Saturday

September 2013

Methodist Moment: Hymnody hym no dy: the singing or composition of hymns

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, did not write a systematic theology that detailed Methodist beliefs. Instead, Methodists became known as people who sing their faith. John Wesley and his brother, Charles Wesley, wrote thousands of hymns, articulating themes in Methodist theology from the doctrine of the Trinity to the importance of communion to the celebration of church holidays. John’s and Charles’ words and music are still sung regularly, and their hymns can be found in The Faith We Sing and The United Methodist Hymnal. “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” “Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast,” “Soldiers of Christ, Arise,” and many others are still used regularly in worship. Check out the index of authors in the red hymnal and see how many songs we still sing that were written by John and Charles Wesley. The next time you’re singing a hymn, think about the words and how they express our Methodist beliefs.

Homer United Methodist Church 770 East End Road Homer AK 99603 (907) 235-8528 humcalaska@gmail.com www.homerumcalaska.org