` 120 WEST MAIN STREET, NEW HOLLAND, PA 17557 Church Phone: 717-354-0226 Website: http://nhumc.us/ Pastor: Ray Voran Pastor Email: revoran@gmail.com
JULY 2015 We talked about Ruth for several Sundays. I encourage you to read the whole book if you have not read it recently. It is only a few pages long and contains a wonderful story -- really it is a fairy tale that happens to be true. As we said in the sermons, it also contains a number of lessons for us … teaching us some things about God and about ourselves and about what it means to follow Him. One of the lessons from Ruth that I mentioned during the sermons (but did not really dwell on) is the fact that there is an unlikely hero. Ruth is a foreigner, from the land of Moab. This did not make her a mortal enemy of the Israelites, but it certainly did not make her a good friend either. Plus she was a young widow. A widowed immigrant is not what the people in that day expected their heroes to look like. However, God often chooses those who do not seem to be likely choices. Ruth turns out to be the grandmother of King David. When Samuel goes to David’s father to anoint one of his sons as the new king, Jesse (father of David) brings all of his other sons but forgets all about David. God chooses the one who was completely overlooked. When God calls Moses to lead the people out of slavery in Egypt and to take them to the Promised Land, Moses tells God, “You have the wrong person.” In fact, even when God assures Moses that He knows what he is doing, Moses tries again and again to change God’s mind. Gideon, from the book of Judges, does the same thing, saying, “I am the least significant person in the land. I could never do what you are asking me to do.” In fact, this happens again and again throughout the Bible. The prophet Isaiah says “Depart from me, God, I am not good enough to be your prophet.” Jonah runs away (or tries to run away -- his plan does not work out so well). Jesus spends much of his time with sinners and outcasts. He chooses disciples who are basically fisherman and other normal working guys, plus a hated tax-collector and a zealot who was likely a criminal. It turns out that God sees things differently than we do. We see our weaknesses, God sees possibilities. We see what we can’t do. God sees what He CAN do (if only we let him). All those folks (among others) in the Bible successfully served God not because they were so great, but because they were willing to follow God and let Him have His way with them. So the lesson is rather simple. The task God puts before us may appear daunting. We may be tempted to say, “You have the wrong person God- I cannot do that!” Yet when we place
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ourselves in His hands, prayerfully go about His work, and trust in Him to provide the outcome, there is no limit to the blessing that may come! -- Pastor Ray
Our Worship Service starts at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday. 10:00 a.m. Time of Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Sunday School
Contacting Pastor Ray ~ email: revoran@gmail.com Home: (717) 656-0812 Cell: (717)333-6939 Look for me on Facebook: Ray Voran
Regular Events Knepper Care Group – Second and Fourth Mondays, 7:00 p.m. Naval Care Group – Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. Community Senior Center – Second Thursday, 10:00 a.m. Community Meal – Third Thursday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. LUMINA ministry – Second Thursday
Coming Events July 5, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Snow Cone VBS Kick-off July 12, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fundraiser at Isaac’s Restaurant in Ephrata July 19 to July 23, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Vacation Bible School 2
Notes from the Pastor: As you probably know, I move from New Holland EUMC to Honey Brook UMC beginning July 1. This does not have any effect on my ministry or responsibilities here at New Holland UMC, but it may have some effect on my weekly schedule. I realize that I will probably make adjustments to this; but as of now, I plan to be at New Holland UMC on Mondays, and also Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I will be at Honey Brook UMC on Wednesdays and also Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Of course, you can send me a message or contact me via my cell phone or email whenever necessary.
Or for more information contact Julie Mitton at 717-572-6202
VBS Kick-off Night
Vacation Bible School Sunday, July19, through Thursday, July 23 6-8 P.M. Our theme is Everest -- where kids will embark on an icy expedition and overcome obstacles with God's awesome power. We will anchor kids in rock-solid Bible truths that will guide them through life's challenges. Ages Preschool - 6th. To register a child or to volunteer please visit: https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/Nhumc/g pgs/home.aspx 3
Join us on Sunday, July 5, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for Snow-Cones and a chance to register for our Vacation Bible School being held from July 19 to July 23 at 6:00-8:00 p.m. Come support this fun event. We need some helpers for this event. Please sign up on the sheet at the back of the sanctuary.
Jeffrey and Karen Miller are very excited to announce the marriage of their son, Ryan Jeffrey Miller to Kristen Joy Lichty on Saturday, June 13, 2015. Kristen is the daughter of Ron and Jan Lichty of New Holland. Ryan is also the grandson of Betty Hostetter. Please pray for them as they start this new chapter in their lives. Address of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Miller 214 E. Main Street, Apt. 2
4 Leola, PA 17540
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July 5 Francesca Artus July 12 Jim Boose July 19 Tim Hess July 26 Sandi Rapp Tellers
Thanks and Cheers
Thank you to all our church friends for the many thoughts and prayers. We are so grateful for the meals you have provided. We also want to thank Pastor Ray and Val for their visits, texts, and phone calls. – Liz and Mark Lennon Thanks to each of you who remembered me on my birthday. Be blessed! -- Dottie Baer Thank you to everyone who provided items for the Summer Arts and Crafts bake sale. And thank you to Heather Bressi for being in charge! --Pastor Ray
July 5 Sandi Rapp & Karen Miller July 12 Tim Hess & Win Hall July 19 Pat Williams & Selma Wells July 26 Tim Hess & Win Hall
Free Community Meals 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. July 16, 2015 Third Thursday of every month Ranck’s United Methodist Church at the New Holland United Methodist Church
Dinner is served with all ages welcome. -- Dee Kopicz, Outreach Chair at Ranck’s United Methodist Church (610-223-8207)
SERVER SCHEDULE FOR THIS MONTH Nursery
July July July July
5 Heather Bressi, Beatrice Gauthier 12 Shirley Givler, Vanapolie Gauthier 19 Loretta Zimmerman, Arentz Menard 26 Jane Keene, Marvin Mondesir Lay Readers
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Prayer and Praise
July July July July July July July July July July
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Pat Wissler Tracey Hess Dorothy Weidman Collin Corrie Barbara Mask Alice Weiler Betty Heal Lynne Corrie Shirley Givler Marvin Mondesir
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♫♫ Happy Anniversary July 8 Pastor Dan & Cecilia Unrath Please call the church office (354-0226) so we can update our records if your name was missed.
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• Joann Souden, who is undergoing tests for cancer • Ellen Ludwig, daughter of Ethel Ludwig, who was recently in the Ephrata Hospital • Friend of Francesca Artus, recovering from an appendectomy • Annmarie Hope Lennon, daughter of Mark & Liz, health and rapid growth
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