“Reaching, Teaching, and Serving in Christ’s Name”

RICHMOND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

9:15 A.M. - PRAISE SERVICE

10:30 A.M. - WORSHIP SERVICE

10:30 A.M. - CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL

Pastor Georgette Gaston

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: MON. - THURS. 7:00 A.M. - NOON

CHURCH 740-765-4957 PARSONAGE 740-765-4163

CHURCH WEB SITE: www.richmondumc.org SECRETARY’S E-MAIL: secretary@richmondumc.org

PASTOR’S E-MAIL: pgeo.05@gmail.com

DIRECTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP’S E-MAIL: bushgreg@hotmail.com

Find us on Facebook: Richmond United Methodist Church

RICHMOND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

P.O. BOX 332

RICHMOND, OH 43944

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 62

Steubenville, Ohio 43952

A NOTE FROM PASTOR GEORGETTE

Circuit Rider

JANUARY 2018 Richmond United Methodist Church

Volume 34 / Issue 1

In a world of self-help gimmicks and quick fixes for the world's ugliness,

it's easy to become skeptical, even cynical about the possibility of living in

a world of love. It's not unusual to get a sigh or an eye roll when someone

says, "we just have to love one another". Yet, Jesus not only commanded

that we love one another, he gave specific instruction for the only way

"loving one another" can happen. In Mark's Gospel (12:28-34), Jesus

debated with the religious, who were adamant that adhering to strict

religious laws (crafted by them) was the only way to love God. Mark

says, when the religious realized Jesus' was wise, they decided to test him

and asked," Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus

replied, “The most important one is Israel, listen! Our God is the one Lord, and you

must (emphasis added) love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all

your mind, and with all your strength."

Jesus led his rebuttal with the most important component of love, the heart. He went on to

include the soul, mind and last of all strength. It's interesting that Jesus mentioned strength last.

Could it be that the challenge of his own humanity taught him that depending on our human

strength can get us in trouble? When we depend on our own ability to love, the "eye roll" of

skepticism will surely follow. But when we commit our heart, soul, mind and strength to loving

God, something happens in us that transforms our ability to love. We begin to change and the

world changes with us...one heart, one soul, one mind at a time. This is why the second most

important commandment Jesus said "is this, You will (emphasis added) love your neighbor as

yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” Love God. Love people. Period!

Beginning January 1, 2018 (what a great way to begin the new year!), we will begin a journey in

worship to learn more fully what it means to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with

all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength." with United Methodist Pastor,

Rudy Rasmus' book entitled Love. Period. When All Else Fails. The Kitchen to Corner Class

(meets in the Fellowship Hall) will dig deeper into Rev. Rasmus' theology of love during small

group time beginning at 10:30. Don't roll your eyes, join us and discover a more powerful way

to love!

Agape, PG

Volume 34, Issue 1

LEADERSHIP RETREAT

All new and continuing team members

of Administrative and Program Ministry

Teams are invited and encouraged to

attend our 2nd annual Leadership Retreat

on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This meeting

REPLACES all regularly scheduled

meetings for January 2018, except where

otherwise noted. This is a time of learning

our "team positions", and getting to know

more about one another! We'll also work

on our 2018 "game plan".

ANYONE interested in learning more

about who we are and what we're here for

is invited to take part in this special

morning of learning, food and fellowship!

MISSION TRIP TO LIBERIA

Has God been nudging you toward

stepping outside your "mission" comfort

zone? Are you looking for some like

minded folk up for a life transforming

adventure? Then listen up! Pastor

Georgette is planning a return trip to

Camphor Mission in Liberia for January

2019. We will partner with Pastor

Kimberly Arbaugh from The Bridge in

Carrollton. Space is limited! Talk with

Pastor Georgette and watch the

newsletter, Facebook and

announcements for more information

coming soon!

2018 OFFERING

ENVELOPES

The 2018 offering envelopes are available

on the back ledge in the sanctuary. CHILI COOK-OFF &

CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT

Counted is hosting a Chili Cook-off and Corn Hole

Tournament, Saturday, January 27th at noon.

Chili cook-off will be judged with prizes.

NEHEMIAH WINTER

MISSION TRIP

Family Winter Mission Trip to

Nehemiah Mission is planned for

February 16th - 18th.

The cost is $40.00.

There is a sign-up sheet on the Hospitality

table. See Heather Cooper for more details.

KIDS 4 CHRIST (K4C) AFTER SCHOOL

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY FOR KIDS K-3rd GRADE

K4C will be starting back up one day per week (Tuesday's) from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., January 16th - March 20th.

We have opportunities for teaching, homework, meals, childcare, media and helpers/floaters. Your gifts and service are making this happen. Help for a week or a whole semester. Please contact Shari Tice 740-765-4216 or Wendy Byers (740-765-2042).

Please prayerfully consider helping this Ministry reach the young children in our area.

Volume 34, Issue 1

January 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Office

Closed

2

3 9:30 a.m.,

Prayer meeting

10 a.m.,

Women’s

Renewal

4

4:30 pm,

Praise

Practice

5

6

7 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free Blood

Pressure Screening

6 p.m.,

Jr. Youth Group

8

9

10

9:30 a.m.,

Prayer meeting

10 a.m.,

Women’s

Renewal

11

4:30 pm,

Praise

Practice

12 13 9-11:30 am, Leadership Retreat at

RUMC

14

15

16

5 p.m.,

Kids4

Christ

17

9:30 a.m.,

Prayer meeting

10 a.m.,

Women’s

Renewal

18

4:30 p.m.,

Praise

Practice

19

20

21

6 p.m.,

Jr. Youth Group

22

23

5 p.m.,

Kids4

Christ

24 9:30 a.m.,

Prayer meeting

10 a.m.,

Women’s

Renewal

25 2 p.m.,

UMW

Meeting

4:30 p.m.,

Praise

Practice

26

27

28

6 p.m.,

Jr. Youth Group

29

6:30 p.m.,

Nurture

Meeting

30

5 p.m.,

Kids4

Christ

31 9:30 a.m.,

Prayer meeting

10 a.m.,

Women’s

Renewal

Volume 34, Issue 1

ALTAR FLOWERS

Jan. 7: Given by John & Judy Slater

in memory of son, Andy P. Slater

Jan. 21: Given by Rose McConnell

in memory of David McConnell

Jan. 28: Given by Donna Blake’s children &

their families in honor of her birthday

JANUARY USHERS Warner Sanders,

Jim Drylie, John Slater

& Harry Thomas

8 Rob and Ann Tinney

11 Pam & Andy Smith

3 Ed Frye 4 Zac Kramarich 4 Diana Ware 7 Gina Judy 7 Chuck Woodward 10 Shari Tice 13 Brenda Serdar 13 Mary McConnell 14 Charli McConnell 14 Elizabeth Sutton 15 Jeff Householder 15 Dalton Arnold 16 Ruth Steiner 17 Sharon Coleman 17 Jeff Liggett 17 Josh McConnell 18 Albert Brehm 19 Paula Brehm 20 Kara Drabick 22 Valerie Gubanez 23 Gay Warren 24 Alaina Warren 24 Ryan Kramarich 26 Katelyn Pollock 26 Alec Taylor 28 Linda Birney 28 Debbie Kinney 29 Cindy Matuska 30 Amy Browning 30 Matthew Dennis 31 Abby Taylor 31 Robert Scott, Jr. 31 Meghan Scott 31 Lara Householder

GREETERS

FOR JANUARY

9:15 a.m. Service Jan. 7 - Ki & Janice Kiaski

Jan. 14 - Karen Hibbs

Jan. 21 - Peggy Pratt

Jan. 28 - Peggy Pratt

10:30 a.m. Service

Jan. 7 - John & Judy Slater

Jan. 14 - Larry & Linda Petrella

Jan. 21 - Dave & Connie Somerville

Jan. 28 - Gay Warren

JANUARY

ACOLYTES

Jan. 7 - Tristin Arnold &

Josie Proffitt

Jan. 14 - Katie Phillips &

Josie Barker

Jan. 21 - Alaina Warren &

Max McConnell

Jan. 28 - Josie Proffitt &

Grace Browning

The Office will be closed on

Jan. 1.

Volume 34, Issue 1

OUTREACH UPDATE

The Outreach Committee thanks all who helped make this year's Christmas

outreach a success. There were 61 teen toiletry bags donated to Urban Mission Ministries for its Christmas distribution.

Many thanks!

JR. YOUTH GROUP SCHEDULE

Jan. 7 - 6 p.m., meeting

Jan. 14 - No meeting

Jan. 21 - 6 p.m., meeting

Jan. 28 - 6 p.m., meeting

*******************************

SR. YOUTH GROUP

SCHEDULE

Watch bulletin for schedule

THANK YOU!

The Sr. Youth would like to thank everyone who supported their cookie dough sales. They made 51 tubs of cookie dough and collected $527 in sales.

Thank you to the Worship Committee,

all those who participated & worked behind the scenes.

You really made a difference!

Christmas 2017

WOMENS RENEWAL

RESUMES Wednesday, January 4

at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Watch Night Celebration!

It was a lot of fun!!

WATCH NIGHT CELEBRATION

Volume 34, Issue 1

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY--

Nurture, Outreach, Worship,

Discipleship Short term service opportunities are here and waiting

for you! Serve for a specific ministry event or longer.

Contact the church office (secretary@richmondumc.org

or 740-765-4957) to get connected with a ministry that

fits your gifts!

Do you enjoy connecting with others through cards,

phone calls or visits? The Nurture Team is a great

place to put your hospitality to work.

Does serving in the community and building

relationships excite your soul? The Outreach Team has

many opportunities to serve a little or a lot.

Is creativity in ways that make worship more

meaningful, sensory and tactile a way you can express

your creativity? The Worship Team welcomes creative

folk looking for a way to serve Christ and express their

gifts

Are you an organizer, educator, a person who

enjoys helping people connect the dots through

learning? The newly created Christian Ed./

Discipleship Team works with Kids4 Christ, Jr. & Sr.

Youth, Sunday small groups, short term studies & VBS.

MINISTRY TEAMS

RUMC is transitioning from ministry

committee work to ministry team work.

While committees and teams can

produce similar results, committees are

assigned tasks to complete. But the

purpose of a team is not only to complete

a task, but to build one another up, help

one another refine and define their spot

on the team so that it will fulfill it's goal.

Moving from committees to ministry

teams is one more way RUMC is living

into its unique purpose as we continue to

refine and define how God is equipping

us to "Reach, Teach & Serve in Christ's

Name." Administrative Ministry teams

(Trustees, Finance, Nominations/Lay

Leadership & SPR) will continue to

serve three year terms. Leadership/

Admin. Council will serve one to three

year terms, or more as the team members

discern. We want to make space for

fluidity in Program Ministry Teams

(Nurture, Outreach, Worship, Christian

Ed./Discipleship), so that people feeling

led to serve, have opportunities to "test

the waters" before jumping in. Pastor

Georgette welcomes your questions in

this time of transition!

CONGRATULATIONS To Josh & Natasha McConnell on the birth of their son, Callen Dean, who

was born Dec. 11th. Congratulations also, to grandparents, Tom & Mollie McConnell & great grandparents, Kenny & Linda McConnell.

CONVERSATIONS

ON A WAY FORWARD

All EOC clergy and laity are invited and

encouraged to participate in intentional

Conversations on a Way Forward as we think

about the challenges that our differences around

human sexuality present us at this time in The

United Methodist Church. A conversation will take

place in our area at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February

3, 2018 @ Thoburn UMC in St. Clairsville. Please

join the conversation! We will carpool from the

RUMC parking lot at 8:45 a.m. Reservations are

free, but required. Please RSVP to Pastor

Georgette by January 28, 2018.

Volume 34, Issue 1

SPECIAL

THANK YOUS

“Just wanted to say thank you

for the cards and all the prayers.

I am so blessed to have all of you as my church

family.” Love, Henni Crain

To my family and friends at RUMC, “I want to

thank each and every one of you for all the beau-

tiful cards, phone calls, texts, thoughts and

prayers during my recovery time on my knee

replacement. It really meant a lot! I’m doing

great! Love to all!” Jennifer Webber

The family of John Riley acknowledges with

deep gratitude your kind expression of

sympathy.

Bob Birney would like to thank the ones

involved in purchasing the hearing assist ear

buds. He really enjoys being able to come to

church, since he is now able to hear everything!

He also wants to let those know that suffer from

hearing loss that he would be glad to

demonstrate how they work.

Thank you to Heather Cooper for directing

the Children’s Christmas Play, to Greg

Bush for running the sound and all those

who helped and participated. Thank you

also to the “Counted” Ministry for serving

at the cookie reception, as well as, all those

who donated cookies.

January 7th 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Please meet in the Fellowship Hall

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Next Meeting:

Thursday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.

Location: Fellowship Hall

Program: Gloria Mercer

Hostess: Peggy Pratt

All women of the church are

welcome to attend.

2018 UMW OFFICERS

President: Sandy Burruss

Vice President: Gloria Mercer

Honorary Vice President: Pastor Georgette

Secretary /Program Resources: Barbara Grimm

Treasurer: Joyce Proffitt

Prayer Calendar: Marguerite Andres

Supportive Community: Betty Hout, Linda Hout

& Peggy Pratt

Nominating Committee: Cheryl Cline, Sue Frye

&Twyla Pollock

Hospitality: Marguerite Andres, Barbara Grimm,

Sandy Burruss & Debbie Thomas

Planning Committee: Gloria Mercer, Sandy Burruss,

Sue Frye, Joyce Proffitt &

Barbara Grimm

Publicity: Barbara Grimm

OUR SYMPATHIES

To the extended family of John Riley, Sr., who passed away Dec. 5th.

Also, to Kathy Gill & family on the death of her sister, Karen McClain, who passed away Dec. 8th.

CONGRATULATIONS: To Ethan Tice & Jordan Byrley

on their marriage, December 16th.