A Message from Pastor Jason: VOLUME 2, ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER 2016 Friends, I have some good news: God’s goal is not to make sure we’re happy. Life is not about our be- ing comfortable and happy and successful and rich and pain-free. Rather, life is about becoming the person God has called us to be. We will rarely hear that message in much of our consumer-driven Christianity today. All the more reason to say it again: Life is not about us! So then … what is it about? It’s about God. How can I say that with assurance? Because of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: There- fore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficul- ties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. That’s it! As Paul sought to fulfill the Great Commission in Europe, he faced innumerable tri- als. He mentioned only a few. Nevertheless, Paul understood what life is about … and he went with it for the rest of his days. We must do the same. When you and I boast of our strengths, we get the credit … and we keep going under our own head of steam. Bad plan. But when we boast in what Christ is doing in the midst of our brokenness, inabilities, and inadequacies, then He comes to the front where He belongs. His strength comes to our rescue. He is honored. It’s all about Him. You see, the very things we dread and run from in our lives are precisely what brought con- tentment to Paul. Let’s not miss that as we read through Paul’s list. These are contexts of contentment! And, Paul tells us how he did it: because “when I am weak, then I am strong”. Paul understood that it wasn’t all about him. It was about God. What a way to live our life! Content in everything … knowing that divine strength comes at the time when human weak- ness is evident. Paul’s attitude of unselfish humility prevented him from keeping meticulous records of the wrongs done to him in Rome, or anywhere else for that matter. He was in prison by divine appoint- ment. Paul understood that God had prepared his situation beforehand, and the apostle willingly sub- mitted to his situation. How could he? It was all about God. Let me add that this sort of humility doesn’t mean we walk around looking like the poster child for the book of Lamentations. On the contrary, Paul exhorts believers to have an attitude of joyful ac- ceptance. That’s right—joyful. Paul minced no words about how believers should act: Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, chil- dren of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you ap- pear as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14-15) Paul sought an attitude of joyful acceptance, free of petty disputes, bickering, and whining—he pled for authentic joy. I urge us to live this way … and the results will amaze us. After all, it’s not about us. It’s about God. Blessings, Pastor Jason
Transcript
A Message from Pastor Jason:
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 9
SEPTEM BER 2016
Friends,
I have some good news: God’s goal is not to make sure we’re happy. Life is not about our be-ing comfortable and happy and successful and rich and pain-free. Rather, life is about becoming the person God has called us to be. We will rarely hear that message in much of our consumer-driven Christianity today. All the more reason to say it again: Life is not about us! So then … what is it about? It’s about God.
How can I say that with assurance? Because of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: There-fore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficul-ties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
That’s it! As Paul sought to fulfill the Great Commission in Europe, he faced innumerable tri-als. He mentioned only a few. Nevertheless, Paul understood what life is about … and he went with it for the rest of his days. We must do the same.
When you and I boast of our strengths, we get the credit … and we keep going under our own head of steam. Bad plan. But when we boast in what Christ is doing in the midst of our brokenness, inabilities, and inadequacies, then He comes to the front where He belongs. His strength comes to our rescue. He is honored. It’s all about Him.
You see, the very things we dread and run from in our lives are precisely what brought con-tentment to Paul. Let’s not miss that as we read through Paul’s list.
These are contexts of contentment! And, Paul tells us how he did it: because “when I am weak, then I am strong”. Paul understood that it wasn’t all about him. It was about God. What a way to live our life! Content in everything … knowing that divine strength comes at the time when human weak-ness is evident.
Paul’s attitude of unselfish humility prevented him from keeping meticulous records of the wrongs done to him in Rome, or anywhere else for that matter. He was in prison by divine appoint-ment. Paul understood that God had prepared his situation beforehand, and the apostle willingly sub-mitted to his situation. How could he? It was all about God.
Let me add that this sort of humility doesn’t mean we walk around looking like the poster child for the book of Lamentations. On the contrary, Paul exhorts believers to have an attitude of joyful ac-ceptance. That’s right—joyful. Paul minced no words about how believers should act: Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, chil-dren of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you ap-pear as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14-15)
Paul sought an attitude of joyful acceptance, free of petty disputes, bickering, and whining—he pled for authentic joy. I urge us to live this way … and the results will amaze us. After all, it’s not about us. It’s about God.
Blessings, Pastor Jason
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 9 P AGE 2
How to Reach Us Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. M-F
Installation date set for Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi as our new Episcopal leader...
Saturday, October 22, 2016
2:00 p.m. at the Crossfire Campus of Butler First United Methodist Church.
Everyone is invited to attend this very special cele-bration of our new Bishop.
Bishop Moore-Koikoi officially begins her service in Western Pennsylvania on September 1st. You can read more about her on our Conference web-site at www.wpaumc.org.
We hope that you’ll join us in welcoming Bishop Moore-Koikoi to Western Pennsylvania.
The Crossfire Campus is located at 1802 N. Main St. Ext., Butler, PA 16001.
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Sunday, Bring your whole
September 11th family & join us!
Bring a friend too!
Kickoff Sunday...
Begins with: Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 a.m.,
Followed by: Fellowship in the Café at 10:00 a.m.,
Then: Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.
A note from our Program Director, Carrie Rodgers - Change to Fall Electives:
Last month I ran an article, a long article, about the upcoming fall electives being
focused around a study of the “Vertical Church”, but plans have changed.
Please watch our website (www.cabotumc.com), bulletins and the Welcome Center for a list of the upcoming fall electives that have been chosen. Not all electives will be based on “Vertical Church” but instead on subjects that God has called individuals to lead.
Please be sure to sign-up in the Welcome Center for your elective, or you may
As of now we have one Sunday School Adult offering, one morning class for women and one weeknight class for men.
We strive to offer a variety of Adult Elective classes at a variety of times — something for everyone, at every place in their Christian journey and something that works with everyone’s schedule.
Please contact Carrie Rodgers ASAP if you feel God has called you to lead an Adult Elective this fall. Kick off Sun-day is September 11th so we need to get books ordered and the sign up sheets out.
Thank you for prayerfully considering leading an Adult Elective.
GriefShare made up of a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences.
You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
GriefShare support groups are led by people who fully understand and have been educated in what you are going through and they want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable Grief-Share resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life.
GriefShare Meetings will be held every Tuesday from September 13th to November 22nd. They will take place in the Library and will run from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
If you are interested in joining this very helpful/meaningful group please contact Karle and/or Marilyn Anderson at 724-355-1985 for more information.
Attention all 7th through 12th Graders:
Fall is upon us and it’s time to resume ROCK Youth Group activities!
Sunday School begins on
Sunday, September 11th from 9 to 10 a.m.
in the youth room.
Youth Group officially kicks-off on
Wednesday, September 14th from 6 to 8 p.m.
We are planning a fall calendar full of service activities, fun events and lessons
to grow your faith. Bring a friend and join us!
The Sower’s Chapel
Charity Golf Scramble
Saturday, Sept. 3rd
2:00 p.m.
The Sower’s Chapel will be holding it’s annual Charity Golf Scramble on Saturday, September 3rd at Birdsfoot Golf Club at 2:00 p.m. and everyone is in-vited to participate.
For more information see the flyers in the Welcome Center or contact Carrie Rodgers at [email protected].
The event benefits the Freeport Meals On Wheels, Cabot Food Bank and the West Af-rican Church Building Mission Work.
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 9 P AGE 6
SAVE THE DATE FOR OCTOBER. . .
Oct. 2 Bible Bikerz Ride to Farmers Inn
Oct. 2 ROCK Youth Scavenger Hunt
Oct. 19 Food Bank/Community Meal
Oct. 21 Pumpkin Party
Oct. 22 Meet Bishop KoiKoi
Belated birthday wishes to...
Butch Yates Aug. 2nd
Erin Wimer Aug. 20th
Hunter Oskin Aug. 24th
Allee Oskin Aug. 27th
And a belated Happy Anniver-
sary to Kathy & Evan Wimer
(50 years) and Bonnie & Butch
Yates (48 years)!!
September Penny Offering…
(17th & 18th) UMCOR Disaster Relief for Louisiana
By Linda Unger (Sr. Writer for Global Ministries)
Days of torrential rain inundated the state of Louisiana, beginning August 11.
Flooding has impacted at least 40,000 homes, and about 30,000 people and
1,000 pets have been rescued from high water in homes and cars. At least 11
people are known to have died in the disaster.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) released 2,950 cleanup
buckets to United Methodist churches in LaFayette and Baton Rouge, areas se-
verely affected by the floods, for distribution to affected households. UMCOR
stands ready to release another 2,000 cleanup buckets to go to the most vulner-
able places as identified by the Louisiana Conference.
The state of Mississippi also was affected by flooding, and UMCOR has readied
relief supplies to go there, when the water recedes.
Greg Forrester, UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response executive, urged all people of
goodwill who want to help in Louisiana and Mississippi, “Do not self-deploy.
You mean to help, but at this stage your presence could unintentionally become
an obstacle,” he said. He also urged people not to send unsolicited aid, such as
clothing.
“The best ways to help are to assemble and send cleanup buckets and to support
the UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response Advance, #901670, with your dona-
tions,” he stated. Our September Penny Offering will go to UMCOR U.S. Disas-
ter Response, Advance #90167. It will help UMCOR respond to this and other
disasters across the United States.
Audio/Visual
Technician
Help Needed
A critical part of our worship
services, our audio and video,
needs to add some help. We are
hoping to do even more with our
audio and visual areas of our ser-
vices in the future, and in order
to achieve this we could use more
help.
If you have any interest in learn-
ing how to run the audio system
or the visual systems we would
ask that you get in touch with either Jerry Purcell or Corey Purcell or let the office know of
your interest.
Training sessions will be offered
starting in September.
Jerry Purcell
As our kids go back to school:
Train a child in the way he
should go. And when he is old
he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6
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Prayers:
Vern Reith recovering at home
Rob Briggs recovering at home
Dorothy Bouch receiving rehab therapy at Concordia
Vi Laidlaw recovering from recent surgery
Michelle Caldwell recovering from recent surgery
Janet Buchan recent stay in But-ler Hospital
Jessica Kennedy now at Asbury Theological Seminary
Glenna Wetzel recovering from dental surgery
Flo Parker issues with pace-maker
Raj Boehm awaiting answers on health concerns
Sandy Alt last round of chemo
Nancy Nagle ongoing heart is-sues
John Creese Cancer diagnosis
Joan Miller heart issues
Ryan Farr sleep study
Shelby Moser travel
Becky Dankin Cancer diagnosis
Tommy Dagan
Ronnie Didonato
All Louisiana flood victims
Baby Abraham
Ruth, Becky & Toni (various is-sues)
Praises: Andrea Woodiel arrived safely in Tibet. Justin will arrive in one month.
Graham Cousins is doing much better and returning to school.
Patty & Cliff Black had a great visit with their new grandson.
Vern Reith is doing much better and grateful for all the prayers, etc. and especially for Kim.
Anniversaries & Birthdays Secret Sisters Family Reunions
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ And as always, please keep our Pastor, Church Staff, and every member of our congregation in your prayers.
Birthdays
September 5th Leo Nagg
September 7th Jennifer Snyder
September 7th Michelle Moser
September 17th Elaine Hinderliter
September 22nd Caleb McQueen
September 24th Janet Morris
September 27th Jason McQueen
September 29th Maria Travis
In Memory of & Prayers for:
The family of Bill Rome
The family of Merlene Hildebrand
The family of Ron Clapper
The family of Bob Lewis
The family of Jim Emery
The family of Chad Wilson
Anniversaries
September 4th Shelly & Mark Hack
September 24th Donna & Glenn Nagle
September 30th Jennifer & Jason Snyder
September 8th
Tyler & Melissa Bachman’s
Wedding Day!
Congratulations
to Marcia Segraves!
Congratulations to Marcia Segraves who, along
with Kathryn Helfer was recognized by the But-
ler Health System Foundation for the Women of
Legacy Award. The award is given to women for
their accomplishments and contributions to health care in the
region.
Among her many contributions, Marcia served on the Butler
Health System Board of Trustees who were part of the team
that conceived and implemented plans for the patient tower
on BMH’s Main campus and the Medical Office Building at the
Crossroads campus.
The award was presented at the BHS Crystal Ball in March.
