The Salem Weekly Update Salem United Methodist Church Newsletter - Published Weekly

October 2, 2019

Pastor The Rev. Benjamin Wolf

Music Director Lynne Isley

Caretaker Jerri Sharpe

Sound/Video/Technology Ron Goras

Phone: 336-376-6513 Email: salemumc@gmail.com Website: www.salemumcofac.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalemUMCofAC

PASTOR’S THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK I mentioned on Sunday how I was originally thinking of focusing some on a little phrase from our Scripture lesson from Jeremi-ah: “terms and conditions” in verse 11. This phrase has significance in the passage because it emphasizes how Jeremiah followed the letter of the law in this land purchase. Remember the context of Jere-miah’s land purchase we discussed on Sunday: as we see in the beginning of the chapter, the armies of Babylon surrounded the city. God’s people have already suffered some measure of defeat to these armies ten years pri-or, resulting in some of their number already being in exile. The Holy City’s destruction was all but guaranteed, as was the people’s removal from the Holy Land. Nearly every physical sign of God’s covenant and favor was about to be destroyed. On top of all that, Jeremiah was in a sort of jail, locked up by the king for bringing the word from God that defeat was imminent and time for surrender had come. In the face of all this, Jeremiah decides to buy land. And not just buy land, but Jeremiah took the time to follow the letter of the law. With the inclusion of phrases like “terms and conditions,” we see that he followed the de-tails of a legal system that was hours away from being nullified as the Babylonians took charge. Such a purchase seems like a poor investment, but Jeremiah was obeying God.

His careful attention to the terms and condi-tions was more than just the work of a detail-oriented person. His precision was a message from God to the people about God’s faithful-ness even in apparent defeat.

Maybe the words “terms and conditions” means something else to me than it does to you. How often have you seen a short novel pop up on your computer or phone entitled some-thing like “terms and conditions” or maybe “license agreement”? This is the legal agreement that you must agree to in order to use almost any-thing in our increasingly digital age. Whenever you update your device or install a new app, you are almost cer-

tainly affirming some company’s terms and conditions, contained in some extremely long, densely worded document. I imagine I’m not alone in my failure to carefully study each of these agreements that pops up. While these agreements are usu-ally harmless, containing legalese protections for the company so they can clearly say they told you not to use your phone for illegal en-deavors, sometimes you tapping “agree” in-stantly waives some of your rights. One of my credit card companies recently got some publicity (but not much because it’s just about as boring to read about terms and conditions as it is to read them) by updating their terms to prohibit class action lawsuits by its customers. It certainly helps this multinational bank when its customers will just agree to terms that say they can only fight this Continued on page 2

(continued from page 1) giant one-on-one. These little details can have big consequences! But, unlike so many of us who rarely even skim these agree-ments which may bind us for a life-time, Jeremiah read the terms and conditions of his purchase that will likely not even be recognized by the new regime. But he did this act in front of some of his people, and he commanded that the records of the sale be stored carefully, because he wanted to show them that it mattered - the Promised Land of God mattered. Yes, Jeremiah proclaimed with his mouth that God said “Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land,” but I bet people took notice because of his ac-tions - he put his money where his mouth was, showing them by his actions that he knew this promise would be fulfilled. I say all this not to guilt you into read-ing every legal agreement that pops up on your screen. I say this because how we live - from the smallest details of our lives to how we make the big decisions - can or cannot show people our faith. Jeremiah knew from God that this defeat wouldn’t be the end of Israel. That’s a great thing to know in your head, but a pretty hard thing to show or help others believe when a ferocious enemy is bombarding your stronghold. The alignment of even his smallest actions to the words he proclaimed showed the people that Jeremiah knew this truth to his core. What are your core truths? I hope one of them for us all is how Jesus has utterly saved us from sin and made us citizens of a Heavenly kingdom. There are a lot of terms and conditions that go along with this - in fact, a whole Bible of them. It’s easy to say to your friends that God is all-powerful or that God is love, but, for a lot of people, that’s as hard to see and believe as it was for those about to be captured in Jerusalem to believe that this wasn’t the end. But, how you live in the ordinary, what you do when apparently no

one else is watching, the outrageous love you show that doesn’t make any sense - that can be like buying a field in soon-to-be-conquered land. It can be that sign that you can see something beyond what’s right in front of us. Our world still needs Jer-emiahs, people willing to obey God in every detail, to help see the work God is still doing here.

As I asked you on Sunday, I ask again: Who are the people who are hurting the most around you? What can you do today to tangi-bly show them that God is still with them? Grace for the journey,

Pastor Ben

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UPCOMING WORSHIP & STUDY Sunday, October 6th: Opening Assembly

@ 9:15 am followed by Sunday School Classes for all ages at 9:30 am

Sunday, October 6th: Worship Service @ 10:30 am (Holy Communion)

A Note from the Fall Festival Team: Remember to call and reserve any stew and/or BBQ from this year’s Fall Festival. Many folks just assume their stew & BBQ orders transfer over each year but we need to be able to plan better. Please call or text Debbie Stump at (336) 264-9379 or John Greeson at (336) 380-7586 to make sure your stew and/or BBQ is on order. Thanks for supporting your church building and maintenance fund! NOTE: there will be a Finance Committee

meeting @ 3:00 pm on Sunday, 20 October to work on the 2020 Budget...we need all members present!

So, we have only received 2 responses to our call for volunteers for our 2020 Worship Leaders. Our Worship Services are truly blessed by the participation of our laity. We are especially blessed to see our Youth taking up the mantel of serving God through the use of their talents as they lead us in worship. Please consider signing up now to serve God by leading in our worship services. We need volunteers to serve as a litur-gist, give the prayers of the people, be acolytes, and to help serve communion. A little apprehen-sive about this ? Don’t worry, Pastor Ben is there to help and as the picture denotes: God is always with you and will make sure your partici-pation is a blessing. Please see either Pastor Ben or John Greeson (Lay Leader) to get on the list to help make our Worship Services are a true blessing to God!

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CONTINUING OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Worship Leaders for Sunday, October 6th: Feleasha Todd (Liturgist); Faith Paris (Prayers of the People); Joseph Nelson, Cedric Dodson, Cole Whitfield (Acolytes); Jack & Debbie Stump, Kristen & Leah Crutchfield (Communion Servers) Lighthouse Kids Workers For October 6th : Kristen Crutchfield, Jennifer Whitfield, Leah Crutchfield Opening Assembly Leader for October 6th: Connie Wolf Ushers for October: Gerald Paris, Dennis Cole, Jody Andrews, Brad Andrews Greeters for October: Eddie Shambley, Leah Crutchfield Offering Counters for October: John Greeson & Joanne Morse Snack Pack Team for October: Paula Ellis & Rachel Paris/Pack; Richie Page/ Deliver

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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

• Tonight, Wednesday, October 2nd: Fellowship

Dinner @ 6:00 pm at Mebane Hursey’s

• Tonight, October 2nd: Choir Practice @ 6:30 pm; please come out & join us for fun & fellowship as we lift our voices to Christ (note day change!)

• Friday, October 4th: Youth Dinner @ Chick-Fil-A & Efland Rodeo (meet @ Church @ 6:00 pm)

• Saturday, October 12th: Fall Festival

• Tuesday, October 15th: Lay Leadership meeting @ 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall

• Wednesday, October 16th: Youth Field of Faith @ SAHS Athletic Stadium @ 7:00 pm

• Sunday, October 20th: Finance Committee Meeting @3:00 pm

Calling All Voices: we desperately need Bass, Tenors & Altos: COME JOIN OUR CHOIR! WE PRACTICE EVERY

THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US!!

A Note from your Lay Leader: we continue to ask folks to step up and join the choir; our numbers are dwindling. For health reasons, we lost two of our guys, leaving just two. Us two guys are struggling and hate to even think of taking a Sunday off. We are also down to a couple of altos in the ladies section. I believe music is a very important component of our worship service. Lynne works very hard putting together our music and works diligently with the choir (especially the two guys) to make the music as joy-ful, pleasant and fulfilling as possible. Yes, one could argue that making a joyful noise to the lord is all that is important , but it does help if the sounds that surface are pleas-ant, in harmony and truly bring honor and glory to God. Lynne works hard at that and so does the choir. But we need an infusion of gifts. We’re not looking for virtuosos. We are simply looking for someone who is willing to spend an hour each week at prac-tice (Thursdays from 6:30 to around 7:45 pm...and have some fun doing it. We have a lot of fun at choir practice and really enjoy the company. Please, consider coming out to join us...I think you will find it fun and rewarding. Peace in Christ, John

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Preparations for our 2019 Fall Festival are wrapping up for our Next Saturday, 12 October event. Thanks to all who have stepped forward so far to volunteer to assist. We still need volunteers for “pot bosses” to make sure our stew gets put together correctly on Friday and Saturday and also need someone (maybe even a couple of folks) to assist with making the hush puppies. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for the workers we will need the week of the event. If interested is helping make the hush puppies, see John Greeson or Dennis Porterfield to sign up. We spent a lot of funds upgrading and fixing our parsonage this past year. We also replaced the upstairs air conditioner and we need to do some more structural repairs to the building and the parking lots. We desperately need to replenish our building and maintenance account! The Annual Fall Festival is our yearly opportunity to do so. But it takes the whole church to pull off! Naturally, we covet your prayers for a successful event. We once again are accepting monetary donations to buy the ingredients to make the stew, barbeque, slaw and such. A donations box is in the narthex. We’ll just be asking for deserts and drinks towards our meal on 12 October. NOTE: If you would like to make a pre-order, call Debbie Stump at 336/264-9379 (she can accept a text at this number as well) or email her at: deborahstump24@gmailcom. You can also call John Greeson at 336 380-7586 and let us know how any quarts of stew or pints of BBQ you would like to reserve. Stew goes for $8.50 per quart and BBQ for $7.00 per pint. Keep in mind that strew orders do not “roll over”

year to year so be sure and contact Debbie to make sure you will get the stew you want.

Who doesn’t love a Country Store? Brings back memories of good times and good folks. Time to stock the store. Use your hands and minds to craft something special. Or if you absolutely can’t, most likely you know someone who will be happy to assist you by contributing something. Variety is the key because God made us all different. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Best sellers always begin with Fried Apple Pies.

Jams and Jellies, Cookies, cakes, pies, candy, cupcakes

Pumpkin bread, banana bread, blueberry muffins

Ham biscuits, Candy Apples, popcorn balls

Baby items: crocheted, sewed, knitted.

Handcrafted jewelry

Kitchen items such as potholders, dishcloths, dishtowels Lots of other items you can bring. These are just a few that come to mind. Think what you can bring, we love unique and different items. We want to have folks come ready to refresh their kitchen staples, dress their babies, stuff their stomach, and get those homemade jellies and pickles. Remember the kids in attendance as they love to come pur-chase something themselves from the Country Store.

Again this year, we would like to have items

in the store by Friday night.

Thank you from Vickie Wilson & Sandra Arnold

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We are planning our next fun bus trip! White Star Tours is offering a Washington DC – Passport to the Embassies trip departing on Friday, May 1, 2020 and returning Sunday, May 3, 2020. The price is $429.00 per person (double occupancy, single room $568.00.) Please let me know if you are interested right away so I can get your name on the list. I need $25 from each traveler no later than January 15th and the final payment is due Sunday March 8th 2020. Price includes: transportation, 2 nights lodging; 2 Breakfasts; 2 Full course dinners; visits to Hillwood Estate Museum & Gardens, Passport DC-Embassy Open House Tour, Smithsonian Institutions Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Guided tour of illuminated monuments including Air Force Memorial, Marie Corps Memorial/Iwo Jim Statue, Washington Monument, National World War II Memorial, and many more, George Washington’s Mount Vernon home; a Souvenir gift, luggage handling, taxes & meal gratuities. White Star also provides NTA Travel Protection Plan to protect your trip investment. To enroll go Online at http://nta.aontravelprotect.com and use the Tour Operator Location #386097. If you would rather you may call 1-800-388-1470. If you want a copy of the information they sent me ask and I can provide you a copy. Thank You, Sheila B. Greeson 336-376-1133 or 336-380-0233 or sgreeson9@triad.rr.com

A kind word to us from Shaun Jenkins of Alexander Wilson who heads up the Snack Pack Program at the school: “First of all, I want to thank everyone for helping make the snack pack program run smoothly this first month! I think we have gotten into a groove and our numbers are balancing out each month!” That thanks is for all of YOU at Salem as who stepped up to support this ministry by providing the food for this first semester. Thank YOU!!!! Shaun also gave a request for anyone willing to contribute towards funding children who can’t afford to pay their way for the 5th grade field trip

to DC. The cost of the trip is $230 per student and she said anyone wishing to help can donate as little as $5 or whatever you feel comfortable with. If you choose to write a check make the check out to Alexander Wilson Elementary and write a note at the bottom that says:“5th grade trip to DC” and get those checks or cash to me or Faith and we will take care of getting the monies to the school. If you have questions about this don’t hesi-tate to call either one of us. Thank You! Sheila B. Greeson 336-376-1133 and Faith Paris 336-376-8971

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ALL YOUTH (GRADES 5 THROUGH 12) ARE INVITED TO COME TOGETHER FOR AN EXCITING YEAR OF FELLOWSHIP, LEARING AND SERVING TOGETHER!

THE YOUTH GROUP USUALLY MEETS EVERY OTHER SUNDAY FROM 2:30 TO

4:00 PM; HOWEVER, KEEP CHECKING THIS PAGE FOR CHANGES (SEE BELOW). WE ARE SO PROUD OF WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY REPRESENT SALEM. IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS INSPIRING TEAM, PLEASE CONTACT ANY

YOUTH OR YOUTH LEADER!

Lil’ Beamers

Small But Powerful! Lil’ Beamers, our ministry for kids up through pre-kindergarten kicks off this Sunday (October 6th). There will be a new class for these kids dur-ing the Sunday School hour and nursery and class available through the whole worship hour, all upstairs. Interested in being a teacher or assis-tant? Contact Debbie Stump!

Here is a view of our Youth Group upcoming schedule of events:

Friday Oct 4th – Meet @ Church @ 6:00 pm for Dinner @ Chick-Fil-A then Efland Rodeo Saturday Oct 12th – Fall Festival – Youth asked to help with Take-out Wednesday Oct 16th – Field of Faith @ SAHS athletic stadium. Pizza beginning @ 7pm & the program beginning @ 7:30pm. MYF Kick-Off at Salem - TBD Sunday Oct 27th – Decorate for Trunk or

Treat (time TBD) Friday Nov 8th thru Sunday Nov 10th - Pilgrimage May 2020 – Youth pack Snack Packs

• Birthdays: Sherrie Elkins (Sheila Greeson’s sister and frequent choir quest soprano)

• Anniversaries: John & Jessica Dodson, Greg & Jessica Carter, Jerry & Elaine Williamson

• All the work Kim DeMauro did to support the people of Ocracoke as they try to recover from the hurricane...and Kim thanks the church for all the prayers

• Debbie & Dennis Cole being back in church following a couple of weeks caring for Dennis’ uncle and getting him settled into a assisted care facility

• Bill Cook (Dennis Cole’s uncle) - following several significant health developments, placed in assisted living...pray for Dennis & Debbie as they manage the care

• Hurricane victims on Occracoke • Family of Betty Vaughn • Mason Witt (5-year old son of

friends of Lin & Rick Neeley) - facing a lot of pain (even neu-ropathy) following multiple sur-geries and facing more surgeries

• Mia MCMullin (Paula Ellis’ daughter-in-law) - cancer

• O’Neal family of Ocracoke - lost home & business in hurricane & discovered daughter has cancer

• Rosa Lefler - due to declining health has been admitted to Alamance House...pray for her comfort as well as Curtis as he deals with this very tough issue & looks to managing the care - cards & letters welcomed, ad-dress is:

Alamance House, Rosa Lefler #307 2766 Grand Oaks Blvd. Burlington, NC 27215

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“God knows what we are going

through when we grieve, and He

wants to assure us of His love and

concern. He also wants us to turn

to Him and bring our heartaches

and burdens to Him.”

Billy Graham

This week we lift up our praises to God for:

This week we lift up our prayers to God for: