McMasters United Methodist Church
200 Church Street
Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania 15145
Office: (412) 823-1988 Parsonage: (412) 823-1018
November 1997
"From the beginning of the world God's invisible qualities -- His eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that humans are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.."
ROMANS 1:20-21
Practically every child has been taught from the time they begin to talk to tell people ''Thank you!" when others, give them something or do something nice for them. If my siblings and I failed to respond with gratitude, the phrase we heard was "Now, what do you say?!?!" My parents wanted us to learn to express our gratitude, not just as an act of courtesy and respect, but also as a way of helping to develop character in each one of us.
One time I failed to offer an appropriate expression of gratitude after a neighbor had given me a great deal more money than the job of shoveling snow had warranted. After telling me the extra money I received would be given to some special project where need and gratitude were greater than my own, my mother made me go back to that neighbor's house -- under her watchful eye -- and thank the elderly gentleman for his generosity. I told our neighbor that he would never know how grateful I was for the extra money.
It is an old story: ingratitude carries serious penalties. One of the oldest stories is found in the first chapter of Romans. It says that although we human beings know God, we don't give Him the thanks that He so rightly deserves. And when we fail in this way, there are consequences: God doesn't bless us in the way that He wants because our lack of gratitude closes us off to Him.
We need to pay attention to this if we don't want to suffer the same consequences for our thankless spirit. Besides that, Christians have an even greater reason to be thankful to God, an even greater reason to show and tell God that we are thankful -- He has not only revealed Himself to us through Jesus Christ and promised to be with us always, but, also through Jesus Christ, He has given us the greatest gift of all ... our salvation, eternal life, a home in heaven .... need I go on!!!!!
Look around you! God is pouring out every wonderful blessing imaginable! There are plenty of reasons to say to God "THANK YOU!!!"
PRAYER: Lord, receive glory today through my thankful spirit. I am so grateful for who you are and what you do. Show me more reasons today for which I can give you thanks. Help me not only tell you how thankful I am, but also show you my gratitude by living a more faithful, obedient life. Thanks for everything! AMEN!
NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF PRAYER AND BIBLE READING
Here are some suggestions for prayer and scripture reading for the month of November. We hope you will find them helpful as you spend time each day in prayer and Bible study. God bless you in this endeavor!
| SCRIPTURE SUGGESTIONS | PRAYER SUGGESTIONS |
| 1. Genesis 5:21-24 | Seek a closer fellowship with God |
| 2. Deuteronomy 3:23-29 | Give God thanks for the good land He has given us |
| 3. Deuteronomy chapter 4 | Give God thanks for the great people of faith who have blessed our lives |
| 4. Jeremiah 31:15-20 | Praise God for hope |
| 5. Job 19:23-29 | Praise God for the opportunity to know God on a personal basis. |
| 6. II Kings 2:1-14 | Give God thanks for our Sunday School teachers who are teaching the faith and leading others to God. |
| 7. Matthew 17:1-13 | Ask God to help you love Him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength |
| 8. Acts 7:52-60 | Pray for those who are persecuted and suffer because of their faith in Jesus Christ |
| 9. Romans 16:17-27 | Ask God to help you be firm in your faith |
| 10. I Corinthians 16:10-24 | Pray that you will do all your work in love |
| 11. Philippians 4:8-23 | Thank God for supplying all your needs |
| 12. Psalm 118:1-9 | Thank God for His great love. |
| 13. Hebrews 11:7-16 | Pray for an increase of faith |
| 14. Revelation 7:13-17 | Pray to be counted among the faithful |
| 15. Revelation 8:1-15 | Pray unceasingly |
| 16. I Chronicles 16:7-27 | Give thanks and praise God for all His wondrous works |
| 17. Ezra 3:8-13 | Give God thanks for our Church |
| 18. Nehemiah | 12:27-30 Pray for our pastor, Rev Mattner |
| 19. Matthew 25:31-46 | Pray for the hungry and lonely, especially that our Thanksgiving Diner would reach these people. |
| 20. Psalm 95 | Praise God for His faithfulness |
| 21. Psalm 106:47-48 | Give God thanks for your salvation |
| 22. Ephesians 5:1-20 | Give God thanks for His help and guidance |
| 23. Psalm 72:12-13 | Ask God to open your ears to His call, your eyes to see people in need and your heart to respond. |
| 24. Isaiah 29:20 | Pray that oppression and cruelty in the world will cease and that you no longer will find ways to do evil. |
| 25. Matthew 26:17-29 | Thank God for Christ's great sacrifice |
| 26. I Corinthians 11:23-26 | Thank God for the forgiveness of your sins |
| 27. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 | THANKSGIVING DAY: Give thanks in all circumstances |
| 28. Psalm 103 | Continue to give praise and thanks to God! |
| 29. Matthew 15:29-39 | Ask God to help you to be more generous in Your giving |
| 30. Matthew 24:35-44 | FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT: We begin our preparations for celebrating Christ's birth. Ask God to revive His work in you so that you will be ready to celebrate Christ's birth. |
God of creation, we thank you for the earth that receives our plantings and for the sun and rain that bring them to glorious flower. Lord of life, we thank you for the people who reap the harvest and turn it into food for our bodies. Spirit of love, we thank you for the communion with you, which kindles our joy in creation and stirs our affection for one another. Come into our presence now that we might commune with you and you with us. All glory and honor be given to you, O Lord, our God, AMEN!
I want to thank everyone who helped in any way at the time of my loss. For those who prayed, shed tears, sent notes, and brought food - thank you for everything! God Bless you all and thank you again!
Love, V Skinner
To Our Friends at McMasters Church... Thank you for the many kindnesses shown to us while we danced at your church. A special thanks to the board members who were sympathetic to us when we asked for a rent reduction and to the ladies of McMasters who always served us such delicious dinners. You truly always showed a Christian spirit. We will miss you.
The Flutterwheels Square Dance Club
B and A Farmer and D Klinzing want to thank the church family for their prayers, cards and visits during our recent hospital stays and recuperation. We especially thank Rev. Marti for her "on the spot" visits. The prayer chain really works. Seems most of the summer has been spent either in the hospital - doctor's office, or in bed! Thanks again!
The H Michaels Family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers, sympathy cards and for attending his Memorial Service. We also wish to thank you for all your prayers and comfort. The wheat from the church was lovely and everyone has been so kind. Thank you!
My great niece, after a month in the hospital, is now home. On October 8th she underwent skin graft surgery on her ears. The healing from the 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her face, ears, neck & arms is a very slow process and will take months, but already she has come a long way. A letter of thanksgiving and an update from the family is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office. I, too, express my appreciation to my church family for your prayers and concern.
A Simpson
Thank you again for your kind support and contributions to our Food Bank.
Pantry Network of the Eastern Suburbs
Sponsored by the Choir of McMasters United Methodist Church
Saturday, November 8, 1997 4-6 P.M.
November 2, 1997
Mark your calendars for Sun., Nov. 2, 1997 as we welcome Rev. Fred Leasure to McMasters Church. Rev. Leisure, director of the United Methodist Foundation, and he will speak at both the 8:30 and 10:45 morning worship services. A Soup and Sandwich Luncheon will follow the 10:45 worship service. You won't want to miss this worship opportunity as Rev. Leasure shares with us. See you on Sunday, November 2nd!
Thank you to all who helped in making our Roast Beef Dinner and Craft Show such a success! You ladies work so hard and deserve a hand. Thank you so much!
We will not be having a Flea Market in November. Our next Flea Market will be December 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
If you would like to order silverware gift items from the UMW, please get your orders to me by November 24th if you would like them in time for Christmas.
| Our THANK OFFERING Service will be on Sunday, November 16th at 10:45 a.m. Nancy Denardo, Vice President of the Pgh-East District UMW, will be our guest speaker. Special Thank Offering Envelopes will be in the bulletin that day. Please join us for this special service. |  |
Everything needs to be In place by Thursday, November 20, 1997 to serve another successful Thanksgiving Dinner at McMasters. Share with other community members the blessings you have known. Arrangements have been made with the grocer to order the turkeys and extra cooking supplies to prepare this glorious meal. For that purchase, well need monetary donations. Below Is a listing of other needs you may be able to help us to gather:
As always, any food donation not used directly for the Thanksgiving Dinner will be forwarded to the Turtle Creek Valley Food Pantry.
HAVING RECEIVED OF THE LORD, WHAT WILL YOU GIVE?
The deadline for the DECEMBER Newsletter will be Sunday, November 23, 1997. Articles can be turned in to the church office. Thank you!
Nursery Helpers are needed for November! Please call the church office to volunteer. Please help us! Thanks!
THE FOOD BANK ITEM FOR NOVEMBER IS PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS. Your generosity is appreciated!
November is the month during which we celebrate Thanksgiving. Of all the ways we can show and tell God how grateful we are is by worshiping Him. We worship every Sunday at 8:30 and 10:45 AM. Come and worship! Give thanks to the Lord your God!!!
| 2: | STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY: Our guest speaker will be Rev Fred Leasure, Director of the United Methodist Foundation. | |
| 9: | VETERAN'S DAY CELEBRATION: Come and join us in a special celebration in which we will honor members of our church family who served in the military. The message for the day will be "The End Result" and the scripture lesson will be Genesis 28:10-22, I John 3:10-18 and John 15:9-13. | |
| 16: | THANK OFFERING SUNDAY: The United Methodist Women will lead this special service, with Nancy DiNardo as the guest speaker. | |
| 23: | THANKSGIVING SUNDAY: We will celebrate and give thanks to God on this Sunday before Thanksgiving Day. The message is titled "Filled with Gratitude" and the scripture lesson is from Philippians 4:413. | |
| 30: | FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT: We will begin our preparations for celebrating the birth of Christ. The message will be "The Miracle We Need" and the scripture is from Luke 21:25-36. |
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COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE |
Come and join with our brothers and sisters in Christ from the other churches in Turtle Creek as we boldly witness to the greatness and goodness of God in our COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING WORSHIP SERVICE. The service, sponsored by the Turtle Creek Association of Churches, will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 1997 at 7:30 pm. Hosting the service this year will be St Colman Catholic Church. The speaker will be Rev Joel Wilcher from the Electric Heights United Methodist Church. The other pastors in the community will be taking part in the service as well. The offering for the evening will be taken in two parts. Persons attending the service are asked to bring paper products, baby diapers, and soap, all of which will be given to our community Food Bank. Also, all monetary gifts will be used to help underwrite the cost of emergency needs that arise from time to time with individuals in our area. Would you please plan to worship and give thanks with grateful hearts.
| Mission Shares for 1997 | $13,325.00 | |
| Paid Thru 9/30/97 | 6,509.80 | |
| Amount Due by 12/31/97 | $ 6,815.20 |
Our Church has always believed that paying our Mission Shares in full has been a top priority. As you can see, the above information indicates that there is still much work to be done. Just as we did last year, we can accomplish this goal and make up the outstanding balance in the next two months. An of us can take part by continuing to be faithful with. our financial stewardship and our prayers. If you would like to make a special gift for mission shares, you can do so by specifying "Mission Shares" on the envelope. Remember, we all need to participate for us to reach our goal.
S Glasser, Finance Chairperson