July 2016
Restoring Hope in the God of Second Chances! The HEART of the Matter What an amazing year this has been! One year ago on July 5th, I was introduced to many of you for the very first time. What a sight that must have been! I can’t help but wonder what you were thinking or feeling at that moment; I’m sure there were more than a few doubts, questions and perhaps a little resentment that your church was changing. What you thought or felt I really don’t know, but what I do know is that my stress was through the roof. My heart was racing, my knees knocking, my stomach turning as I stood before you that Sunday hoping that together we could do some amazing things. Since that first Sunday I’ve learned so much from you that has helped shape my faith and life in so many ways. On this first anniversary, it seems like an ideal time to share a few of them with you and ask you to share what you might have learned this year.
We use laughter, playfulness and humor to unite us. “clothed with strength and dignity, they can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25 I know it’s not a spiritual discipline, but I think it should be! All healthy relationships need a regular diet of humor to survive the inevitable storms we all face. When we find people we can laugh with, we feel accepted and free to be ourselves. I find that Mt. Pleasant people are serious about silliness! They laugh easier, fuss less and basically enjoy one another’s company more because they can relax and be who they are, not who others expect them to be. So let me ask you, would you rather be among people pretending to be perfect or among people who accept the past as the key to a better future? I thought so, me too!
We are the risk takers, the change makers, the innovators. We’ll never insult God with small thinking, sacred cows or safe living. People here are very creative! It seems as though some churches exist to maintain the building and its history, but here people are more important and the future more exciting than maintaining a museum. Do you really understand how radical this attitude is in the “it’s all about me” generation? I love it! I believe Mt. Pleasant people will do whatever they can, give whatever they have, in order to help others and share Jesus even if it means changing! So naturally they sing louder, pray harder and love deeper all because God remains at the center of their existence. Now be honest, who doesn’t love that!! It’s been a fast year filled with adventure among new found friends. All my hopes and prayers have been answered beyond my wildest expectations! Now, with Anthony on board, I suspect this coming year will be filled with just as much if not more excitement. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Ok folks, let’s buckle up and let’s go…
Nothing is more invigorating than serving God with friends! (Ps 526:2-3 (Msg)) Blessings, Steve
1 Debbie Ball ~ JD & Jill Beane
3 Brandon Duckworth ~ Jimmy & Rhonda Moore Andrea Faye Hodges ~ Jay & Jacque Henry Anthony & Cori Farr 4 Tim Burdette 5
Lillian George ~ Betty Jo Pryce-Morehead
6
Ural Hunt ~ Jane Duckworth
7
Janet Whited
9
Megan Tincher ~ Honor Farr
11 Lisa Smith ~ David Spaur 12 Janet Beeson ~ Stella Bargeloh ~ Tyler Bagley 13 Brad Burge ~ Lexi McKinney ~ Doug & Kelly Williams Cody Metz 15 Alicia Beeson 16 Brandon Valentine ~ Cody Burnside 17 Tina Evans ~ Alex Cappadona ~ Bobby Bagley 18 Dave Morehead ~ Guy Tornabene 17 Tina Evans ~ Alex Cappadona ~ Bobby Bagley 18 Dave Morehead ~ Guy Tornabene
19 Dana & Janet Whited ~ Kyle Haverty 20 Derek Sheppard ~ Mark Dugan 21 Jo Ann Hardin ~ Ted & Wilma Pratt ~ Frank Hughes 22 Delores Bibbee ~ Abigail Moore ~ Justin Taylor Erik & Donna Linsell 23 Doug Full ~ Steve & Gina Starkey 24 Steve & Sharon McCoy 25 Deb Caltrider ~ Dave Mendenhall ~ Harmony Carson 26 Kyle Criss
Bread Bakers 3 Ann Mayhew 10 Carol Dobson 17 Roger & Jodi Hodges 24 Rose Armstrong 31 Jeanne Dye Children’s Church 3 Sherry Hess ~ Melanie Garrett 10 Betsy Offenberger ~ Lisa Smith 17 Melanie Matheny ~ Janet Beeson 24 Susan Whited ~ Christie Schwendeman 31 Linette Gedon Communion Stewards ~ 1st Service 3 Mike & Jane Duckworth ~ Doug & Lori Full Communion Stewards ~ 2nd Service 3 Jon & Dana Mader Greeters ~ 8:15 am 3 Pearl Buchanan & Janet Hinton 10 Dave & Betty Jo Pryce-Morehead 17 Bob & Debbie Sheppard 24 Dave & Jan Bargeloh 31 Eddy & Ruth Ann Sheppard Greeters ~ 10:45 am 3 Chris & Brenda McKnight ~ Ian 10 Blake & Christina Johnson 17 Greg & Elaine Cappadona 24 Mike & Leslie Coe 31
SAK PAK SAK PAK NEWS Come and join our 1st Craft/Flea market/Yard sale. There are vendors and craft artists coming to this show. I would also like to have people come and just sell some of their best yard sale items. Sometimes we have things we would like to sell but don’t have enough to have a great big sale. This is your opportunity to take part in a large sale by just setting up one table. We will have a hotdog and bake sale that day too. Our 2nd annual golf tournament will be August 2. Get a team together to play golf, fellowship, and have some fun. Register at church office, golf course or call me … 304-481-3361. We have packed for 27 families/50 kids this summer. Only 3 packs left before school starts again.
Dear Members of Mt. Pleasant, Thank you so much for all of your love and support. I am touched by your kindness and sincere courtesy in light of my graduation. The compassion in this church has made me honored to be known such wonderful souls. I shall forever thank the Lord for allowing me to experience such kindness and for having such a wonderful church family.
Thank you for supporting this program. Without your prayers and gifts this program would not be able to continue. If at any time you would like to visit the SAK Pak room and see how things are done, please just let me know. We would love to have you stop by.
Thank you and God Bless,
Karissa Mendenhall
Sherry Hinton
A Message from Pastor Anthony “It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.” ― Leo Buscaglia Dr. Leo Buscaglia, known as the “love doctor’ penned the abovementioned words as an expression of how we are to interact with our fellow mankind. To me, it is a charge for all of humanity to go beyond the average efforts to make a real difference in the world. We, as Christians, can also relate a well-known commandment to Dr. Buscaglia’s quote. When asked by the Pharisees what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said this: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” –Matthew 22:36-40 (KJV) WOW! Jesus always knew what to say, didn’t He?
This charge by Christ changed the world forever. We, as Christians, build everything on these commandments. When reflecting on the past few weeks at Mt. Pleasant, I can’t help but to consider this passage from the word. There is certainly no doubt that Mt. Pleasant is ALIVE AND WELL! This congregation is responding to the great commandment in the most beautiful way possible. The mission team from Tampa has been consistently working with folks from our church to make a lasting, real difference within our community. In addition to the mission team, we have tremendously enjoyed our week of vacation bible school with over 100 children joining with us!! How awesome is God to have blessed us with such wonderful opportunities to love Him and love others as ourselves? I consider it an overwhelming blessing to have gotten this opportunity to serve alongside the people of Mt. Pleasant. We would like to thank each of you for the warm welcome, the assistance we have received during our transition, and encouraging words for the future. The hills of Mt. Pleasant are ringing with the vibrant praises of His people!
Pastor Anthony
Sunday School 2012 Avg Weekly Attendance YTD 68 2015 Avg Weekly Attendance YTD 58 General 2012 Avg. Weekly Offering YTD $6,548 2015 Avg. Weekly Offering YTD $6,330 2014 Avg. Weekly Offering YTD $6,504
1st Sv 2nd Sv Total 72 142 215 65 128 193 Designated Total $1,608 $8,157 $1,347 $7,677 $871 $7,375
Number of Hand Crosses Delivered - 225
We give up things we love for things we love even more. It’s an honor to sacrifice for Christ, His Church, and His Mission.
The Right Question: Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions. Clif Christopher, an expert on improving financial stewardship, has said that often what appears to be a money problem may only be a symptom of a deeper illness. He offers three questions when churches think they have financial problems. Are you sure your problem is money? (is there ongoing hardship in the community or just apathy) How good is your worship? (are people inspired by the Presence of God to become fully devoted followers of Jesus?) How clear and compelling is your small group process? (are people expected and encouraged to grow, study, mature?)
United Methodist Women We are women with a Purpose! "United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
Just a reminder that there will be no meetings for the United Methodist Women in July and August. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, September 13, 2012. An announcement will be made soon about a special event that we will sponsor this fall. Have a wonderful summer!
You have a caring heart and a generous spirit and I’m so grateful that my life has been touched by both. Thank all of you for the love, concern, cards and especially the prayers. Don’t know what we would do without this church. God is good! Love,
Dana and Janet Whited
Pearl Buchanan President
Trustees
For a time, the thought had occurred that the time for trustees’ contribution to the July Spire had expired. Relief. But the thought was quickly dashed as the wrath of the all present editor became known. A text appeared, “YOU STILL HAVE TIME”. As the cell phone was thrown aside onto a cluttered shelf, a medallion appeared. And on the medallion an inscription, For God So Loved The World That He Gave His Own Son <John 7:56> . Punched out in the center of the medallion was the outline of the cross. What have you given lately? Sometime all we have is time. Sometimes all that is needed is time. As this is written, the mission team from St. James UMC of Tampa, Florida is camping out at the church and is working on a number of projects throughout the community. Showers were built so the mission team had a place to clean up after a long hard, hot day of work. The showers are temporary, but can be setup in an emergency when needed. And, oh by the way, Vacation Bible School is going on. If you haven’t seen a busy church lately, you need to stop by one evening. Wow! But this is what the church does. And it takes time. It takes your time. What do you have to give? Please contact one of the trustees with any concerns, problems or issues. And you are always welcome to any of the trustee’s meetings. We usually meet @ 7 pm the on the first Monday of the Month.
The Trustees