March 2018 FORBES MESSENGER Table of Contents Pastor’s Corner pg. 1 Worship in March pg. 2 Prayers UMW pg. 3 UMM ACT Youth Group Confirmation UM Lent Quiz Quiz cont. pg. 4 Birthdays Lent Schedule Thank You Stewardship pg. 5 Pasty Report Party Member’s Feature pg. 6 Minnesota Food Share (insert) Calendar (back of cover) Pastor Karen’s Office hours: Tues. 12-2:00 pm Wed. 10-12:00 pm Cell: 507-219-0258 Email: [email protected]Crystal’s Office hours: Wed. and Thurs. 9-2:00 pm T: 218-624-9390 Cell: 218-343-7924 Email: [email protected]Website: www.forbesproctor.net Pastor’s Corner It is in times such as these that I am so glad to be called a United Methodist. Ever since John Wesley set the example towards combining personal and social piety, we have been known as the denomination involved in speaking out for the voice- less and confronting injustices in our world. Once again our hearts ache and our blood boils at yet another school shooting. We may not be able to speak out to such an atrocity from a political perspective, but we can and should speak out from an ethical one. When you became a member of Forbes UMC, you took a vow to resist evil and injustices in whatever forms they may take. As one United Methodist voice said, “That’s a clear call for an ethical response to current events as I ’ve ever heard.” This paragraph taken from our Social Principles is another reminder of the United Methodist call to be engaged and active in making our world a better and more peaceful place in every way that we can. The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not just responding to all the other 'mind-makers-up' that exist in our society." One response that you can do right now is join me, plus a few other faithful pray- er warriors, in prayer around a lighted candle. Maybe to say we will be simply praying might be a little lame, we intend to make our voices heard and give God an earful using both scripture and our hearts as we “cry out to God” Wednesday evenings after the Lenten worship. Do it for our children…they need us! Or if you just want to stop and pray wherever you are and join us in this prayer, based in part on St Francis’ “Peace Prayer.” Lord God, we pray that you would arm us with courage and compassion sufficient to the challenges of these days and make us heralds of your grace and instru- ments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; Where there is harm, let us bring healing; Where there is prejudice and intolerance, let us offer understanding; Where there is enmity, let us be agents of reconciliation; Where there is despair, let us speak hope; Where there is doubt, let us speak faith; Where there is fear, let us kindle courage; And where there is darkness, let us offer the light of your mercy that enlightens the whole world. Meet us in our fear, Lord God, and embolden us to side always with the defense- less. Protect all who put themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe. Thwart the plans of those who harbor hate and plot violence. Grant our elected leaders the wisdom to know what is right and the courage to do it. And bless this nation and people that we might be a blessing to the world you love so much. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
It is in times such as these that I am so glad to be called a United Methodist. Ever since John Wesley set the example towards combining personal and social piety, we have been known as the denomination involved in speaking out for the voice-less and confronting injustices in our world.
Once again our hearts ache and our blood boils at yet another school shooting. We may not be able to speak out to such an atrocity from a political perspective, but we can and should speak out from an ethical one.
When you became a member of Forbes UMC, you took a vow to resist evil and injustices in whatever forms they may take. As one United Methodist voice said, “That’s a clear call for an ethical response to current events as I’ve ever heard.” This paragraph taken from our Social Principles is another reminder of the United Methodist call to be engaged and active in making our world a better and more peaceful place in every way that we can.
The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not just responding to all the other 'mind-makers-up' that exist in our society."
One response that you can do right now is join me, plus a few other faithful pray-er warriors, in prayer around a lighted candle. Maybe to say we will be simply praying might be a little lame, we intend to make our voices heard and give God an earful using both scripture and our hearts as we “cry out to God” Wednesday evenings after the Lenten worship. Do it for our children…they need us!
Or if you just want to stop and pray wherever you are and join us in this prayer, based in part on St Francis’ “Peace Prayer.”
Lord God, we pray that you would arm us with courage and compassion sufficient to the challenges of these days and make us heralds of your grace and instru-ments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; Where there is harm, let us bring healing; Where there is prejudice and intolerance, let us offer understanding; Where there is enmity, let us be agents of reconciliation; Where there is despair, let us speak hope; Where there is doubt, let us speak faith; Where there is fear, let us kindle courage; And where there is darkness, let us offer the light of your mercy that enlightens the whole world.
Meet us in our fear, Lord God, and embolden us to side always with the defense-less. Protect all who put themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe. Thwart the plans of those who harbor hate and plot violence. Grant our elected leaders the wisdom to know what is right and the courage to do it. And bless this nation and people that we might be a blessing to the world you love so much. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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WORSHIP IN MARCH/ PRAYERS
Prayers If you feel spiritually led and would like to take part in intercessory prayer, please contact our prayer chain ministry at Forbes. Please pray about this decision and if you decide at any time that you would like to be on the prayer chain, contact any of the following: Betty K. Johnson (624-5325), Mary Ann Suliin (624-5543), Florence Bonkowske, Nancy Kalland, Nancy Krause, Phyllis Jensen, or Roberta Kephart. Prayer is very powerful. All requests are kept confidential.
Remember those who are in nursing home and assisted living residences: Frances (Myrtle) Shunk, Keystone Bluffs Assisted Living: 2528 Trinity Rd. Duluth, MN 55811 Rueben and Barbara Kroll, Keystone Bluffs, 2528 Trinity Rd. Duluth, MN 55811 (218)279-4398 Dennis Lonke, Viewcrest Health Center, 3111 Church Place #206, Duluth, MN 55811
Prayers go out to our Church Family Laura Condon, Dennis Lonke, Doug VonBusch, Bev Semmelroth, Max Semmelroth, and our missionary in Liberia, Mary Randall Zigbou. (Please notify the church office if you would like your name deleted or added.)
Please pray for those serving our Country and for the United Methodist Mission, Missionaries, Deaconesses, and Mission Personnel serving around the Globe.
Worship in March 9:20 am choir practice, 10:00 am Worship, coffee and fellowship follows
March 4 Third Sunday in Lent Holy Communion Exodus 20:1-7 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22
March 11 Fourth Sunday in Lent UMCOR Sunday Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 108:1-3, 17-22 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21
Celebration of Ministry Sunday and Potluck
March 18 Fifth Sunday in Lent Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:1-12 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33
March 25 Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-13 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1-15:47 Mark 11:1-11 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
March 29 Holy Thursday Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35
March 30 Good Friday Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Psalm 22 Hebrews 10:16-25 John 18:1-19:42
April 1 Easter Sunday Holy Communion Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 John 20:1-18
April 8 Second Sunday of Easter Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 1 John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31
According to The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, “In every local church there shall be an organized unit of United Methodist Women. The UMW is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole person through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. Membership shall be open to any woman who indicates her desire to belong and to participate in the global mission of the Church through United Methodist Women.” New UMW Website: www.umwonline.net Tips and help-UMW is reconfiguring and streamlining their online communities. UMW Gathering: Thursday, March 8th at 12:30 pm Lois Circle: Monday, March 19th at 12:30 pm Leah Circle: Wednesday, March 21st
UMW Gathering is Thursday, March 8th at 12:30 pm in the Fellowship Room. Program is: Legacy/Inheritance of United Methodist Women, a continuing journey of women in mission since our beginning. No hostesses are signed up, if you can serve coffee and a treat please call either Betty Johnson (624-5325) or Nancy Krause (879-2650).
Men’s Fellowship/ Maintenance Day Our next fellowship coffee and maintenance day is Tuesday, March 6th 9-12:00 pm.
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Men’s Fellowship and Coffee time Join us for fellowship and coffee on Tuesdays, March 6th and 20th, 9-10:00 am. Mark your calendars.
Students are expected to attend Lenten Services, beginning In place of Confirmation class.
Please let Pastor Karen know if you are unable to attend at 507-219-0258 or [email protected]
ACT Youth group meets on Wednesdays and
alternates between Forbes and United Lutheran
Church of Proctor. Jr. High meets 6-7:00 pm and
Sr. High meets 7-8:30 pm.
ACT Youth group will meet at Forbes for the month of
March.
Regular communication is sent out by Josie Watzcak,
ACT Youth Group Director.
The United Methodist Lent Quiz
1. What does the term ‘Lent,” which mean comes from ‘lencten,’ mean?
__Sacrifice __Time __Spring__ March Madness
2. How were ashes imposed in the early church?
__The shape of a cross was drawn on the forehead. __Ashes were smeared across closed eyelids.
__Ashes were poured or sprinkled over the head.
3. Why do people give things up for Lent?
__To follow the example of Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness. __To help us focus on prayer and devotions. __To give the acquired savings to the poor. __All of the above.. (continued on page 4)
QUIZ cont. / BIRTHDAY / LENT SCHEDULE / THANK YOU
March Birthdays If you and/or a family member’s birthday is not included on this
month’s birthday list, please contact the church office so it may be
Included in the future.
3/2 Mert Gellatly 3/3 Jennifer Jensen 3/4 Francie Wilmot 3/8 Barbara Kroll 3/10 Charrie Mencel 3/11 Ken Sievers 3/12 Barb Kivisto 3/13 Adam Erkkila Rick Fleischauer 3/16 Jimmy Bryant 3/17 Kennan Reyelts 3/19 Seth Johnson 3/20 Kayla Erdmann Andrew Reyelts 3/23 Bradley Bishop 3/25 Davia Klint 3/29 Brian Bushnell Kim Bishop 3/30 Marina Giuffre DJ Talarico
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4. What snack food has significance during Lent?
__Chocolate __Pretzels __Popcorn __All of the above.
5. Many people fast during Lent. How often did John Wesley fast?
__Twice a week __Twice a month __Rarely __He did not fast.
6. Why does Lent last 40 days?
__To represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, tempted by Satan. __To recall the 40 days and nights the earth was flooded in the Old Testament. __To remind us of the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the de sent.
7. What do some United Methodist not sing at Lent?
__Doxologies __Alleluia __”In the Garden” __The communion liturgy
8. Which hymn, based on St. Patrick’s prayer, would be a good Lenten devotion?
__”Jesus Walked This Lonely Valley” __”Christ Beside Me” __”O Happy Day, That Fixed My Choice” __”Come and Find the Quiet Center”
9. True or false? Sundays are not counted in the 40 days of Lent.
__True __False
10. When early Methodists in America sat in a church on a mourner’s bench, they would:
__ Repent their sins __Experience a new birth __Rededicate themselves to Jesus __All of the above (from www.umc.org: answers: 1. spring, 2. ashes were poured or sprinkled over the head, 3. all of the above, 4. pretzels, 5. twice a week, 6. to represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, tempted by Satan, 7. alleluia, 8. “Christ Beside Me”, 9. True, 10. all of the above)
I want to thank each of you for your prayers, cards, notes, phone call, taking me to appointments, brining me nourishing food. You make this community a better place.
Florence ‘Flo”
Wednesdays, February 28th, March 7,14, and 21st.
Soup Supper 6:15-6:45 pm Worship 7-7:30 pm
Pasty Report
January 2018
As of January 26, 2018
Sales income______________$ 7,397.00
Expenses________________ <$ 2,254.63>
Total for ministries_____ $ 5,142.37
For program budget____$4,628.13
8% for missions_____ _ _$ 411.39
2% for equip. maint____$ 102.85
Pasty two cents worth_ $ 71.00 For pasty equip maintenance
Thank you to all who made our Mission & Ministry Fundraiser sale another success. Pasty Committee
Pasty report for January 2018.
Made 1652 pasties.
New record
Pre-sale 1550
@ $4.50 per pasty
Cost $1.37 per pasty
STEWARDSHIP / PARTY / PASTY REPORT
Stewardship
Here they go again… Stewardship… “Lifting up Stewardship like we don’t have anything better to do with our time and energy along with our hard earned money then give it away.” The truth is, if you give – you really will receive. And if you give – give with your heart! Put yourself in a place of grace beside that homeless person without a job, not knowing where his or her next meal will come from. It’s cold outside. The ground is hard and unforgiving. The world is a cruel place for some people. Not everyone has had the same op-portunities as most of us. We can and should help!
Here at Forbes our Mission is to help those less fortunate then us. We support a Methodist community that houses a congregation who be-lieves in social justice and helping the least of our brothers. Consider what you stand for as you contribute to Forbes.
Our General Budget has improved, but you can be assured it will be followed by another dip. The Finance Committee is taking this very seriously and is in the process of asking each church committee to submit a plan as to where they could cut costs to offset a future deficit. The Finance Committee would also welcome any thoughts from the congregation as to ways to lift Forbes up toward financial security. So put on your thinking caps, think about eating out one less time per month and contributing that 10 or 20 dollars more to the General Budget here at Forbes.
God Bless you for listening… You are appreciated…
It’s a Party! An invitation to everyone who worships at Forbes Untied Methodist Church in Proctor.
We will be married 60 years in 2018, and we want to have a party to celebrate. Please come and join us.
The date is set for Saturday, April 7, 2018 starting at 1:00 pm. There will be music and food so please come!
Hope to see you all! Love, Grace and Paul Sandstrom
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Member Feature
Something to think about – “In a world where you can be anything…Be kind!” unknown author
What is happening in America today and why is it happening? There are as many answers to this question as there are people. The important thing is that we are asking and after we ask, we need to listen. We need to listen to what others have to say – openly. And further more, we need to hear opinions that are unlike our own; really hear what others are saying.
Our country, the United States of America, is an amazing country with amazing people who have come together from all over the world to live with freedom of speech. We don’t always agree with what others say. We don’t always agree on what others do and we definitely don’t always agree with other’s politics, but until we listen to all sides & hear what the different messages are and until we let our message be told and heard by others, we will not move forward.
We have a great country with a great political process available to us. Things are a bit flawed, to say the least, but if we want change, we have to be a part of it. We cannot just sit on the sidelines and talk into our coffee cup. We cannot keep talking to people with the same opinions as us and avoid conversations with people who do not have like opinions.
Conflict is uncomfortable, I’ll be the first to admit it; but healthy exchange of differing opinions is good. It takes effort and patience and above all, an open mind. It is worth it. We all have to stop moving exclusively in our own circles and somehow bump inside someone else’s circle – someone we do not relate to; someone with a different path to where they stand today.
We are what is happening in America today and why it is happening. Slow down and listen – speak your mind, but above all else, make room for healthy confrontation. John Wesley would be proud of you!
Hi – Donna here, trying to tell you a little about myself as it relates to my faith today. I am a happy person, full of many emotions. My family has always been there for me even when I wasn’t there for myself. I am lucky enough to be married to my best friend Chuck and we have two amazing kids - Scott and Elizabeth. We are so very proud of both of them as they come onto their own. I project self-confidence, but that wasn’t always how I felt. These last few years I feel like I have come unto myself. My faith is a big part of that. It is a quiet faith with a hands-on approach and Forbes has given my faith that avenue to grow. Forbes is friendship at its best - a congregation of accepting individuals who gave me opportunities to define myself as a whole. For so long I let others define who I was; a way of life our daughter Liz called selfless. Others call it codependent, while I saw it as fear. It was a fear of not being accepted as me – just me. Now I know that I am absolutely just like I am suppose to be and my spirituality and acceptance of God’s love has grown ten fold since accepting that I am just the way I am suppose to be. I am just the way God made me.
I’m pretty active here at Forbes as a committee member on Missions, ROC, Pasties, Relay for Life and Finance. I love to write and enjoy being creative in what ever I do. I recently accepted the challenge of becoming one of your Lay Ministers. Thank you.
MEMBER FEATURE
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March 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3
4 8:45 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship
5 6-9:15 pm Drivers Education 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study
7 10:30-12:00 pm Adult Bible Study 5:30 pm Choir 6:15-6:45 pm Soup Supper 7-7:30 pm Worship 6-7:00 pm Jr. High ACT Youth Group 7-8:30 pm Sr. High ACT Youth Group
8 12:30 pm UMW Gathering
9 10
11 8:45 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 6-9:15 pm Driver’s Education Celebration of Ministry Sunday
14 10:30-12:00 pm Adult Bible Study 5:30 pm Choir 6:15-6:45 pm Soup Supper 7-7:30 pm Worship 6-7:00 pm Jr. High ACT Youth Group 7-8:30 pm Sr. High ACT Youth Group
15 6:30 pm Admin. Council
16 17
18 8:45 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 6-9:15 pm Driver’s Education April “Messenger” items due
19 12:30 pm Lois Circle 6-9:15 pm Driver’s Education 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study
20 9-10:00 am Men’s Fellowship and Coffee 10:00 am History Committee 6-9:15 pm Driver’s Education
21 10:30-12:00 pm Adult Bible Study 5:30 pm Choir 6:15-6:45 pm Soup Supper 7-7:30 pm Worship 7:30 pm Leah Circle 6-7:00 pm Jr. High ACT Youth Group 7-8:30 pm Sr. High ACT Youth Group
22 23 24 4:30 pm ACT meeting at Untied 7:00 pm - 9:00 am TPUMMS Youth Lock-in at Forbes
25 8:45 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Palm Sunday
26 27 28 29 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service at Forbes
30 7:00 pm ACT Good Friday Service at Forbes
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Forbes United Methodist Church
33 Grove St.
Proctor, MN 55810
Calendar of Events:
Our vision is to be an open, trusting, accepting community for all ages where God’s Spirit
and a Christ-like attitude invite us to risk, try new things, and grow in love and compassion.
Lenten Worship Schedule: Soup Suppers Wednesdays through February 21st,
6:15-6:45 pm, Worship following 7-7:30 pm
March is Minnesota FoodShare Month
March kicks off the Minnesota FoodShare Drive in Minnesota as well as the Campbells Soup Trophy Contest between the Area Churches. During the Month of March, local churches as well as the Proctor Food Shelf will be accepting donations of food and money to build up resources to carry them through the year. Money and food collected during the month will be tallied and the total will be calculated into a per-centage of all food collected in Minnesota and that percentage determines how much money our Food Shelf receives from the funds donated by the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. Last year the FoodShare Drive raised $8 million dollars and 4.7 million pounds of food across Minnesota. This year the Drive will go from February 26th until April 1st.
The Campbells Soup Trophy Contest is a local competition between the churches in the community. Last year’s winner was Forbes United Methodist with a total of $3,287 and 389 pounds of food collected. The challenge is out there to top last year’s results and see if one of the other churches can take the trophy away from Forbes.
It would be great to see the business community involved by challenging one another to a contest or do something with patrons and employees. We all can do our part by dropping off food and money at the Proctor Food Shelf, Proctor City Hall or one of our local churches. The Food Shelf is open every Wednesday from 10 am until 1 pm. Let’s do all we can to make this our best year yet and strive to stamp out hunger in Minnesota. Thank you to all the generous people who help out those who are hungry.
March is Minnesota FoodShare Month
March kicks off the Minnesota FoodShare Drive in Minnesota as well as the Campbells Soup Trophy Contest between the Area Churches. During the Month of March, local churches as well as the Proctor Food Shelf will be accepting donations of food and money to build up resources to carry them through the year. Money and food collected during the month will be tallied and the total will be calculated into a per-centage of all food collected in Minnesota and that percentage determines how much money our Food Shelf receives from the funds donated by the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. Last year the FoodShare Drive raised $8 million dollars and 4.7 million pounds of food across Minnesota. This year the Drive will go from February 26th until April 1st.
The Campbells Soup Trophy Contest is a local competition between the churches in the community. Last year’s winner was Forbes United Methodist with a total of $3,287 and 389 pounds of food collected. The challenge is out there to top last year’s results and see if one of the other churches can take the trophy away from Forbes.
It would be great to see the business community involved by challenging one another to a contest or do something with patrons and employees. We all can do our part by dropping off food and money at the Proctor Food Shelf, Proctor City Hall or one of our local churches. The Food Shelf is open every Wednesday from 10 am until 1 pm. Let’s do all we can to make this our best year yet and strive to stamp out hunger in Minnesota. Thank you to all the generous people who help out those who are hungry.
