Methodist Messenger

A monthly publicat ion o f the United 2 Serve Parish o f the Washington Dist .

Summer 2020 724-258-7054

PJ’s Ponderings

Growth Groups, UMYF,

Committee Meetings, Food

Bank News

Birthdays, Anniversaries,

Memorials, Church Picnic

Sunday Schedule, Food

Distribution, Friday Night

Praise

Matthew 25 Table, Financial

Updates

Robert M. Stewart Mem. Lib

VBS, Feed My Sheep

Elrama UMC

19 Downer Ave.

Elrama, Pa.

First UMC

430 W. Main St.

Monongahela, Pa.

Ph. 724-258-7054

1

2

3

4

5

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

“To Change the World by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ Who Make More Disciples”

Love, Learn, Grow, Serve

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Change is never easy and this pandemic is causing a lot of change in our

lives. The change is necessary so that we can protect one another and at the

same time do ministry together. We are slowly beginning to reopen. You will see

within the pages of this newsletter future meetings, gatherings, Bible studies

and so much more. We do all of these things with a sense of following guidelines

that are both earthly and heavenly.

It is our goal to invite everyone into ministry whether it is physically at

the church or it is virtually from your home. For that reason all meetings we will

be conducted both in person and digitally. If you do not feel comfortable coming

to the church for a meeting please let the office know and we will make a Zoom

conference call available to you. The 10:30am and 6pm worship services will be

live on Facebook and the nightly back porch devotions will continue.

You will also notice that worship will look differently as well. At FUMC

we are asking all persons to RSVP for each service either through our website or

with the church office. This will let us know who is in worship. We are asking

all persons to wear masks, to stay home if you are sick, to use hand sanitizer

when you enter the building and to sit in designated areas. Please know that our

custodians are working hard to make sure that the facilities are cleaned and

ready for worship. At EUMC we will be continuing with outside worship at

Elrama VFD at 9am on Sundays. The plan is to do this throughout most of the

summer. If the weather is only slightly inclement then we will continue the

service. If it is severe then we would invite you to join us online at 10:30am. Our

hope is to slowly invite folks out of their cars and under the pavilion to worship.

Towards the end of summer we will transition back into the physical building.

Please know that we are here for you. If there is something that you need

please let us know. You and your family are in our prayers daily. I also need

you to know that for now I will continue to not visit in homes, hospitals or

personal care homes. I am still available to you through phone calls, texts and

emails. Slowly we hope to return to some type of normal. For now we will

worship, serve, study, and do ministry in new ways. Knowing that the Lord our

God will bless us, lead us and guide us through these days. Remember it is the

Lord who has called us and together we answer that call. It is also the Lord who

adds to our numbers and he is doing exactly that in these days. God bless you

my friends and we hope to see you soon.

Along the Journey,

Pastor Jude

PAGE 2 Methodist Messenger MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Disciple 1 Study:

Pastor Jude will begin an in depth basic

Bible Study class this fall at both churches.

Disciple Bible Study has been around for years

and has proven to help those who take part in

it to dive deeper into their faith and to

understand the Word of God better. Please

plan now to join with Pastor Jude for this

powerful and enlightening study. The cost of

the study book for the fall is $16. We will be

looking at the Old Testament for 12 weeks.

First UMC - Sunday nights, 7pm to

8:30pm beginning August 30th

Elrama UMC - Wednesday nights, 7pm

to 8:30pm beginning August 26th

Youth Group Summer Retreat

When - Thursday, 7/16 to Saturday, 7/18

Where - Jumonville

Cost - $50

Who - Youth (finishing 6th-12th) affiliated

with United2Serve Parish

RSVP - Let Pastor Jude know by 7/6

6/3 7pm FUMC Re-Open Group

6/8 7pm FUMC Trustees

6/15 6:15pm FUMC Finance /Stewardship

6/15 7pm FUMC Church Council

6/17 7pm EUMC Church Council

6/22 7:30pm Charge SPRC @ FUMC

6/29 7pm FUMC Nominations

7/6 7pm FUMC Trustees

7/13 6pm FUMC Outreach & Witness

7/13 7:30pm FUMC Christian Education

8/3 7pm FUMC Trustees

8/17 6:15pm FUMC Finance/Stewardship

8/19 7pm EUMC Council On Ministries

8/24 7pm FUMC Worship

8/25 7pm FUMC Endowment

8/31 7pm FUMC Trustees

Monthly Community Food Bank

Church, we wanted to let you know that the

Washington County Community Food Bank has

decided to distribute food in a different manner

throughout the county. This means we will no

longer be hosting the monthly distribution at

FUMC. They have moved the distribution to

Charleroi and are doing it as a truck to trunk

distribution. We have arranged with them to

continue to deliver to the Mon. Manor on the

second Thursday of each month. More info will be

coming as to how you can volunteer for this

ministry as we distribute food to our neighbors at

the Mon. Manor and continue our relationship with

them. Thank you for your prayers and service.

PAGE 3 Methodist Messenger MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

9:00 AM Elrama Worship 10:30 AM First Traditional Worship 6:00 PM First Contemporary Worship

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

6 Buzz & Mildred Carey 7 Robert & Judy Foster 7 Ryan & Kim Lorenzi 7 Tom & Linda Richey 15 Sean & Sarah O’Brien 18 Rich & Pam Koch

3 Alana Bright 11 Alessandra Nobili 5 Lilly Cheskawich 12 Josh Copenhaver 5 Ruth Corrin 15 Kaitlyn Sanner 6 Chad Ramsden 18 Christopher Carroll 6 Rachel Urso 18 Barb Stoffel 7 Stella Carson 19 Travis Meyers 7 Pam Koch 20 Travis Carroll 7 Dan Krapp 21 Krista Joll 7 James McConnell 24 Karen Kedzuch 8 Twila Ramsden 25 Scott Criss 8 Wendy Yohe 26 Emma Cheskawich 9 George Eckert 26 Dave Reynolds 9 Tom Ruschak 27 Brian McConnell 10 Stacey Chambers 27 Jeff Roman 11 Terry Keeling 28 Hayley Kubincanek

MEMORIALS HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR: BY: Sandra Barger Ellis Tom & Linda Richey Rick Ross Mona Rae Williams Library Memorial Frank Nahar Mona Rae Williams Library Memorial Frank & Debbie Carson Lucille M. Meucci Al & Theresa Chorney Doug & Jane McKenery Jerry Thompson Bill & Joan Kilpatrick Charlene & Jeffrey Smith Lois Klein Paul J. Gitnik Jim & Janet Ruperto Don & Sandy Carson Frank & Debbie Carson Kenneth & Nancy Wiech Karen Ambrose Tom & Linda Richey Dave & Sally Savarino Suzanne Sala & Family Frank & Jane Pascarella Lloyd & Susan Price Chuck & Mary Beth Klein Ray & Joan Meucci Mona Rae Williams Library Memorial

SAVE THE DATE August 23, 2020

CHURCH PICNIC

Where: Jumonville Dinning Hall

When: August 23, 2020 12:15 Gather Lunch is $9.00 Contact the office if you need a ride

Worship Service will begin at 3pm

July 3rd & August 7th

7pm

Simpson Chapel

(Please Use Chapel Doors)

Mon. Manor Food Distribution Thursday

6/11, 7/9, 8/13 @ 11am

To volunteer please contact the

Church office

PAGE 4 Methodist Messenger MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Matthew 25 @ First UMC Cleaning Aids

The June collection for City Mission is cleaning. Most likely, all of us have used more cleaning products in the last several months than usual. The Mission is no exception. Suggested items follow: *Corn Brooms *Toilet Tissue *Paper Towels *Bleach *Anti-bacterial Wipes Floor Cleaner, Window Cleaner, Scouring Powder, etc. What you use they use. *most needed.

FYI Our Church bought 4 goats and 3 ducks from the World Vision collection during Lent this year. Collection of cleaning products will end on Thursday, June 28. Heads up! Matthew 25 July collection will be school supplies. These supplies go to the children who live at the

Mission and those whose parents go to Samaritan Care for food. Crabtree Kovacicek Veterans House is a 22 bed residence. Research shows that veterans recover best when they

are together. The goal for City Mission is to help those who put their lives on the line to heal in a safe and comfort-able environment. When they arrive at City Mission they are given shelter, food, clothing, and medical care free of charge. They begin the healing and transformation to bring them to renewed hope in God’s grace.

—Above information taken from pamphlets published at City Mission. Ongoing collections: food shared by our pantry and Samaritan Care, can tabs, inspirational literature, grocery

bags. These items have been added to the most requested food list at City Mission: Canned Ravioli Spaghettios Breakfast Bars Granola Snack Size Chips Saltines Graham Crackers Boxed Cereal Pop Tarts Instant Oatmeal Hamburger Helper Tuna Helper Flavored Rice This is the food that is placed on the table in the Chapel and shared between City Mission and our church food

FUMC FINANCIAL UPDATES General Fund – Thank you for your continued support of the Current Expenses. The current expenses take care of both the basic operational expenses of our local congregation as well as our fair share of the mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church across Western Pennsylvania and around the world.

Beginning Balance (January 1, 2020) $17,818.72 Income Offerings 49,563.02 Fundraisers (Net) 2,146.34 Miscellaneous Income 30,287.00 Endowment Income ______ 12,000.00 Total Income $ 93,996.36

Expense Church Office 2,750.30 Pastor 29,494.17 Lay Staff 19,031.09 Church Facility 9,468.54 Parsonage Utilities 3,406.38 Program 1,898.29 Connectional Apportionments 7,865.00 Total Expense $ 73,913.77 Ending Balance (May 31, 2020) $ 37,901.31

EUMC FINANCIAL UPDATES General Fund – Thank you for your continued support of the Current Expenses. The current expenses take care of both the basic operational expenses of our local congregation as well as our fair share of the mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church across Western Pennsylvania and around the world.

January - April 2020 Receipts & Disbursements

Income: January $2,784

February $4,770

March $2,140

April $4,150

Total Receipts $13,844

Expenses: Connectional Apportionments $2,033

Staff Salaries $7,078

Church Facility $4,104

Program $400

Total Expenses: $13,685

Ending Balance (Apr 30,2020) $159

PAGE 5 Methodist Messenger MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

FUMC ROBERT M. STEWART CHRISTIAN LIBRARY Even though we are currently living in a period of limited activities, you can still come to our library and select a good book,

DVD, or CD. Seven new books have been added to our collection as well as a series of 6 CDs.

Non-fiction

AGENTS of Babylon by Dr. David Jeremiah

Dr. Jeremiah’s book tells us what the prophecies of Daniel reveal about the end of days.

Memorial book for Frank Nahar, father of Marcia Babiak; grandfather of Tracey Bavuso.

Hill Women by Cassie Chambers

Cassie’s granny was a child bride who raised seven children in Owsley County, one of the poorest counties in both Kentucky and

the country. She tells of her life and the women who raised her.

Memorial book for Rick Ross, brother of Cheryl Brazelton.

Laughing All the Way by Karen O’Connor

This book will warm our heart and tickle your funny bone.

Fiction

The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck

This novel deals with the healing power of stories. All the members of the Story Society are broken and they have found commu-

nity in sharing their stories with one another. Eventually they reach a point where they must confront the secrets they wish they

did not have to tell anyone.

Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlaugh Brown

A story of four strangers as they embark together on a journey to gain new understanding of friendship, spiritual truths, ad a deep

life with God.

Two Steps Forward by Sharon Garlaugh Brown

Sequel to Sensible Shoes. The four women persevere in their faith.

There’s No Place Like Holmes

Book 20 in the Guideposts Series Secrets of Wayfarers Inn.

Media

Six CDs in the Generations Series by Pastor Jamie Rasmussen, Scottsdale Bible Church, Scottsdale, AZ.

1. Introduction to Generations 4. Generation X

2. The Greatest Generation 5. Millenials

3. Baby Boomers 6. The Next Generation

THANK YOU

“Feed My Sheep”

Currently, the “Feed MY Sheep” program is being served by individual volunteers rather than teams from church. That is the desire of City Mission. We will be notified when they want us back in service. When we do, the shepherds must submit a waiver. The waivers will be in our church office.

Thank you for your kind words, cards, gifts and

prayers during this very difficult time of the

passing of my mom. I lived with my mom for

45 years-so many memories my family has to

share. She was such a wonderful presence in

our everyday lives. I am so blessed that I was

able to care for her in our home.

Kim Carroll & Family

VBS Under Construction...Stay tuned… We want to make VBS Covid-19 safe and comfortable. Please stay tuned to United2Serve on Facebook or call FUMC’s office for more info. (724-258-7054)

Methodist

Messenger Serving Christ

In Monongahela, Elrama

and around the world.

SUMMER

2020

United 2 Serve Parish 430 West Main Street Monongahela, PA 15063

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED