McMasters United Methodist Church
200 Church Street
Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania 15745
Office: 823-1988
READ: Philippians 3:13-14
As we begin a new year, I want to suggest some resolutions that will
enable you to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and know the peace
and joy that comes from Him:
I pray that 1997 will be a faith-filled year as you seek to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and making other disciples in His name!
Here are some suggestions for Bible reading and prs er for each day
during the month of January. Spending time each day in the study of scripture
and prayer is a way to reflect and find renewal. Please spend time each
dav in these important activities!
| SCRIPTURE SUGGESTIONS | PRAYER SUGGESTIONS |
| 1: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8, 11 | Ask God to help you remember that He will be with you through all the seasons and experiences of the new year, as well as to remember to look to Him for guidance all through the year. |
| 2: Genesis 1:1-27 | Ask God to do His creative and re-creative work in and through you. |
| 3: John 9: 1-7 | Pray for those who are sick. |
| 4: Jeremiah 32:36 44 | Pray for those who feel hopeless. |
| 5: Psalm 8 | Rejoice in and renew your relationship with God. |
| 6: Matthew 2: 1 -12 | Pray for the mission outreach of the Church. |
| 7: Psalm 104 | Thank God for the beauty of the earth. |
| 8: Isaiah 43:1-3a | Thank God for your salvation. |
| 9: Mark 14:22-25 | Give thanks for Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf. |
| 10: Matthew 6:25-33 | Pray for greater faith and trust. |
| 11: Luke 21:14 | Pray for improved stewardship for you and for our Church. |
| 12: Ephesians 3:1-13 | Pray for the evangelization of our community and the world. |
| 13: Colossians 1: 1-16 | Pray that you will know and do God's will |
| 14: I Timothy 4:1-10 | Pray for our Sunday School teachers and staff. |
| 15: Revelation 21:21-27 | Pray for our District Superintendent: Rev. J. LaVon Kincaid. |
| 16: Deuteronomy 33:1-7 | Thank God for His blessings and ask Him to show you how to share those blessings with others. |
| 17: I Samuel 7:1-12 | Pray for the unsaved that they might give their lives to Christ. |
| 18: Psalm 33:13-22 | Pray for guidance |
| 19: Psalm 42 | Pray for those who are grieving. |
| 20: Psalm 90: 1-12 | Give thanks for the gift of eternal life. |
| 21: Psalm 103 | Pray for a deepening of your experience of eternal life. |
| 22: Isaiah 31:1-5 | Pray for deliverance from sin. |
| 23: Isaiah 41:1-13 | Give thanks for how God works in your life. |
| 24: John 6:1-13 | Pray for those who are hungry. |
| 25: Romans 6:1-11 | Pray that you might be "alive to God." |
| 26: Ephesians 1:1-14 | Thank God for His love. |
| 27: Hebrews 13:8-14 | Thank God for His consistency and dependability. |
| 28: Revelation 1: 1-3 | Pray that you will be led to a deeper understand of God's Word and will. |
| 29: Revelation 2:8-11 | Pray for the ability to withstand evil and temptation. |
| 30: Revelation 21:1-7 | Give thanks for God's presence with us. |
| 31: Ephesians 4: 1-16 | Pray for unity in the Church. |
| IN THE COMING YEAR . . . | "If you are uncertain of which of two paths to take, choose the one on which the shadow of the cross falls." |
We are beginning a new year! Often at the beginning of a new year we make resolutions, things we want to do and goals we hope to accomplish in the new year. I hope the resolution that tops your list has to do with your spiritual growth, more specifically, with worship attendance. Resolve, with God's help to worship regularly during 1997 and so grow in God's love. You can worship each week at 8:30 am and 10:45 am.
| 5: | HOLY COMMUNION & LOVE FEAST "Gifts That Can't Be Exchanged" |
Matthew 2:1-12 |
| 12: | "Back To the Future" | Matthew 28:16-20 |
| 19: | "The Hour Strikes" | Mark 1:4-11 |
| 23: | "What Good Is It?" | I Samuel 3:1-10 John 1:35-51 |
Included in the newsletter this month is important information concerning our Church for the new year. You will find the list of officers and committee members elected at Charge Conference. Keep this list handy so if you have an idea or some concern for a particular area of our ministry, you will know the committee and/or the person with whom to speak. Also included will be the 1997 Budget, also approved at Charge Conference. Other information, like program goals and committee reports, will be shared with everyone in worship on Sunday, January 12, 1997. The booklet with all the information will be available in the church office after that date.
For the first quarter of this new year there will be two different Bible studies offered. These two experiences have been planned in response to requests made and feedback received about previous Bible studies and the needs of folks. We hope you will note the times of these studies and plan to participate in one of them. It is a great way to feed your spirit and equip yourself to be a more faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
This study will be a seekers study for persons who are new or relatively new to the faith. It will emphasize the basics of our faith and discipleship as they are found in the Gospel of Matthew. This class will be taught twice on Thursdays, at 10:30 am and at 8:00 pm. These will be identical sessions. The classes will begin on Thursday, January 23, 1996 and continue until Thursday, March 13, 1997.
The group studying The Psalms chose the Book of Revelation for the next study. This awesome book can be very helpful for Christians living in a time such as we live in right now, and as we try to sing the Lord's song in this strange land. This class will meet at 7:30 pm on Tuesday evenings, as well as at 10:30 am on Wednesday mornings. We will begin on Tuesday, January 21, 1997 and Wednesday, January 22, 1997, and conclude on March 11 and 12, 1997, respectively.
For both of these studies, all you will need to bring is your Bible and a spirit open to God's Word and the work of God's Spirit!
"The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that's the book for me! I stand alone on the Word of God, The B-I-B-L-E!"
The deadline for the February Newsletter will be Sunday, January 26, 1997. Articles can be turned in to the church office. Thank you!
Isn't it strange how a $10.00 bill looks so large at collection time, yet so small at the supermarket?
Isn't it strange, that reading a church bulletin and newsletter is a chore, but reading a 30 page newspaper is a daily habit?
Isn't it strange, how long an hour is spent when in worship, yet so short playing golf, fishing, camping, or attending a ball game?
Isn't it strange, how we applaud if a game goes into extra innings, but lament if worship goes over ten minutes?
Isn't it strange, how laboring it is to read a chapter of the Bible, yet we read 300 pages of a novel?
Isn't it strange, that many Christians cannot explain the Plan of Salvation, yet can explain the theory of evolution in great detail?
Isn't it strange, how people scramble to get a front row seat at a sporting event, yet fight for the back pew in church?
Isn't it strange, how concerned parents are to have children complete their homework, but could care less about their children's Bible lessons?
Isn't it strange, that church members can spew all the names of movie stars, yet can't name the twelve disciples?
Isn't it strange, how many people will spend thousands of dollars making a home here, but no preparation for their eternal home?
Isn't it strange --- or is it?
A correction to last months newsletter (sorry for the error!):
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to and thanks to all
the United Methodist Women for the fine job and all the help you have given
to me as your president in the last two years. I love you all. In Christ's
name...
M Schoff
Thank you all for your many cards and prayers during Mr. Brown's illness.
Your kind expressions of sympathy were also greatly appreciated!
F Brown
I want to thank everyone who sent cards, gave me gifts and tasty treats
during the Christmas holiday. I also want to thank the entire congregation
for the special Christmas gift you gave me and the other employees of the
Church. Thanks for all we share together in the cause of Christ!
Rev. M.A. Manner
I would like to thank all the women who helped make the Thanksgiving
Dinner a bigger success than any other year. Thanks to all you helpers
and volunteers and for the generous donations. Just remember, without your
help and many hours of your time, the dinner would not be possible. Thank
you!
R Birchall
Thank you sincerely for sharing our sorrow. Your kindness is more deeply
appreciated than we kind words to express.
E Ford and sons
Thank you to the United Methodist Women and the congregation for their
generous gift!
J Bercik
Many thanks to you all for your many Christmas cards and your generous
gifts!
P Aubele
We had an exciting December with many celebrations of the holidays. On Nov. 30th we participated in the "Hanging of the Greens" to help make the church beautiful for Christmas. There was no meeting on December 1st but we were treated to a program by Rev. Mattner about Christmas Customs Around the World on Dec. 8th.
On December 15th we went caroling at Hamilton Hills, the new LGAR Home and the Shut-Ins while we distributed the Christmas ornaments that were made. Then we returned to the church for a Christmas Party and gift exchange. This day was a huge success!
There will be no Youth Fellowship until January 12th when J Matta will
be our guest speaker.
Thursday, January 9, 1997 at 7:00 pm. All members of the Youth Council please take note of this meeting and plan to attend.
I'm happy to announce that we purchased 100 new chairs and 2 new carts to hold the chairs. I would like to thank everyone who purchased chairs or gave a donation toward the chair fund.
We may have a few dollars left after we pay for the carts - this will go toward a few more chairs. Again, a big THANK YOU and God Bless each of you.
THE CHAIR COMMITTEE
JANUARY 25, 1997
Monroeville United Methodist Church
8:30 am until 12:30 pm
The Pittsburgh-East District will be sponsoring a series of help shops to launch the Church into the 21st Century. There are 12 workshops being offered. If you are a member of one of our committees, especially if you are newly elected, attending the help shop for your committee can be a very helpful way of becoming orientated to the work you will be doing. Or, if you have an interest in one of these areas, feel free to attend. The workshops being offered are:
If you'd like to participate in one of these workshops, please see the pastor or call the church office for registration information. Rides will be available for those who 'd like to attend.
We are pleased to report that the Community Thanksgiving Dinner was a huge success! We served approximately 140 traditional Thanksgiving dinners (including take-outs).
Your many generous contributions paid for the the groceries and the balance of $629.99 was sent to the Pantry Network of the Eastern Suburbs. Thank you all who volunteered many hours in preparing the delicious menu and to those who contributed towards this worthy cause!
Plans are being made for a Valentines Day Dinner Dance on Friday, February 14, 1997!
The committee will be meeting on January 7th at 7:30 PM to make the arrangements! Look for more information in upcoming bulletins!
Saturday, February 1, 1997 from 4 to 6pm.
Tickets will be available soon from the United Methodist Women.
Effective with the January / February 1997 issue, the price of Moody Magazine will be increasing to $2.00 each.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 12th at 12:00 Noon. 1997 UMW Handbook is being worked on but we wanted you to know that the hostess group for the UM Men's meeting on January 6th as well as the UM Women's meeting on the 12th will be the Executive Committee.
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Revised: January 12, 1997