` 120 WEST MAIN STREET, NEW HOLLAND, PA 17557 Church Phone: 717-354-0226 Church Fax: 717-354-7942 Website: http://nhumc.us/ Pastor: Ray Voran Pastor Email: revoran@gmail.com
AUGUST 2013 Well, I looked back over my notes and discovered that I have been preaching about the parables of Jesus since January 20 (with a few weeks off for Easter and vacation, and such). On the one hand, that is a long sermon series; but on the other hand, Jesus’s parables contain many of His most profound teachings, and I trust that this time was well spent. I realized though that even with all these weeks of sermons we did not cover every single parable. One that we missed is found in Matthew 25:31-46. Usually titled “The Sheep and the Goats,” it is one of the parables Jesus told during the final week before the crucifixion. Now I do not know a whole lot about either sheep or goats – I imagine you could find those who are especially fond of both of them; but in this parable, you would rather be a sheep than a goat. The sheep are the ones who have helped those that they saw in need – offering food, water, clothing and shelter; visiting the sick and those in prison – and offering their service to Jesus through these actions. The goats represent people who ignored the needy that they saw and actually ignored Jesus in the process. Two thoughts … 1. The way we behave matters to God. We know that we are saved by grace. We do not earn God’s love or our salvation (think of John 3:16, Acts 2:21, Ephesians 2:8-9, etc.); BUT our response to God’s grace demonstrates how much it really means to us (read James 1:27 or I John 3:1718 and also this parable about sheep and goats). The only way we enter into fellowship with God is by His grace, but when we are there, we should be filled with a heart that strives to do good to others. I think that sounds close to a contradiction but God does not seem to mind, and I figure if God can live with it, we should be able to as well. And then … 2. Throughout the parable, Jesus makes one point over and over again. In fact, He says it so often you almost get the feeling that He thought we might be slow to catch on … “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to Me.” I remember a professor in seminary telling us that you can tell what a society truly believes about God by the way they treat those who are the most vulnerable. If we really believe what we as Christians say we believe about God, it should have an impact in how we treat those who are at the bottom of society’s ladder; the ones it is easy to ignore. So, while we will not have a sheep and goats sermon this time around, I hope we are able to put the message into practice. Blessings, Pastor Ray
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Our Worship Service starts at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday. Sunday School is at 10:15 a.m.
Everyone is encouraged to come, lend a hand, as we complete yard work for shut-ins or other projects. Regular IGNITE worship services will resume on September 7.
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 – First and Third Mondays, 7:00 p.m. Naval Care Group – Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. Bazaar Workshops – Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Community Senior Center – Second Thursday, 10:00 a.m. Seniors meet at Yoder’s Restaurant – Third Saturday, 11:15 a.m. Burgers-n-Bibles –First Thursday, 11:30 am, at Wendy’s Restaurant LUMINA ministry – Second Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Special August Events IGNITE service project – August 24 Vacation Bible School – each Sunday at 10:15 a.m. VBS Worship program – August 25
Ignite News Due to busy summer schedules for those involved, the IGNITE Service will not be meeting regularly throughout the summer. We WILL meet again on August 24 for some service projects, to be explained later. 2
The Call:
An LED Team Update By Kip Wolf
Humble Beginnings and Rich Heritage The Rev. David Dickson is quoted as having said that “this part of Lancaster County was not, at first, friendly toward the fervor and experiential religion of the people called Methodists”. But the Methodists in New Holland have been steadfast for over 200 years. Preaching is said to have started with itinerant preachers and in the home of John Davis as early as 1797. The first Methodist minister said to reside in this area and preach from his home was Isaac Davis, ordained in 1803. In 1828 irregular services began in a log school house, and later in 1836 a ½ acre property was purchased at the north east corner of East Main Street and Heister Avenue where a handsome two-story meeting house was built. However, the society struggled and could not continue to maintain the property. It was eventually sold to the East Earl School district around 1841. Worship services and Sunday school continued to be held irregularly in the first meeting house and the log school house from 1841-1860. Then, in 1860, God sent revival through a Methodist Home Missionary and the Methodist meetings being held in the Town Hall, resulting in a number of people being converted and a new society being organized: the New Holland United Methodist Church (NHUMC) was formed!
Saints Before Us - Investing in the Future
The NHUMC society purchased the old school house in the rear of The New Holland House and worshipped there until 1871. Groundbreaking for current building occurred in spring 1871 on land donated by Jacob Mentzer with an estimated value of $700. The initial building project completed in 1872, at a cost of $4,266 (a lot of money at that time). Upon completion of the building, the congregation had only $1,600! Yet the mortgage was reduced (burned) to $400 in 1873: the first documented evidence of the result of the faithful commitment and material stewardship of NHUMC being blessed by our Lord! Ever faithful and trustworthy stewards, many renovations occurred over the coming years. First, cement pavement was laid in front of the church by the Epworth League in 1896. Next, stained-glass gothic windows replaced the original plain rectangular windows, electricity was added, painting was touched up, and new pews and carpet were set in the sanctuary from 19041905 (of note, the rag carpet was woven locally after women of the church had sewn rags together for it). The basement was dug out by men of the church to allow for a furnace, kitchen and lavatory in 1923. Also that year, the partition between the Sunday school room and the furnace room was removed, and hard wood floors were laid. Land east of the building was purchased in 1924 to allow for expansion. A primary room was added to the Sunday school room on the north-east corner, land was graded, front door altered, and building exterior was painted in 1924. A TwoManual Wicks Twentieth Century Pipe Organ was purchased and installed in 1937 at a cost of $1,575 (again, a significant material investment made in faith). The church was again painted and floors sanded in 1941, a building committee was formed in 1944, and a new furnace was added in 1945. When NHUMC separated from sharing a pastor with Leola in 1946, a parsonage was needed for the first full-time pastor at NHUMC. A home was purchased in September 1947 with a mortgage for $6,000 (paid in full by 1949). An education wing (the Epworth Building) was added to the church building in 1956, with plans for further expansion. Significant renovations including central air conditioning, handicapped accessibility with elevator, a new narthex, new kitchen, and expanded sanctuary were completed in 1998. And most
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recently, the furnace was replaced in 2012, again through the faithful and trustworthy stewardship of NHUMC members.
A History of Trustworthy Service NHUMC has consistently shared resources and been trustworthy stewards in New Holland since our official beginning in 1860. The Rev. David Dickson reminded the faithful that “caring is sharing”; and, that from the earliest days, “we have interpreted Christian stewardship as involving sharing of the building, as well as our time and substance”. For example, from 1910-1921, the New Holland Mennonite Church held worship and Sunday school services in the NHUMC church building. Various community groups, Boy Scout units, and the New Holland Nursery School have all used our building over the years. In addition to sharing material resources, NHUMC has a history of sharing pastors with other churches. These part-time pastors had once been part of the “Enterprise Circuit”, which included Bird-in-Hand, Saudersburg, Bareville, Hinkletown and New Holland. Later, in 1888, we shared a pastor between New Holland, Churchtown and Morgantown. Later, the New Holland – Leola pastoral charge was formed in 1904. Then, in 1946, NHUMC installed our first full-time pastor!
Looking Forward Our contemporary concerns provide us the opportunity to continue the long history of faithful and trustworthy stewardship at NHUMC. Whether determining the strategy for UMC retirement fund contribution, working through competitive bids and capital campaign support for the roof replacement, or considering the path back to a full-time pastor at NHUMC, we are presented regularly with opportunities to Ignite the LIGHT in ways that are pleasing to God. We have a long and faithful history at NHUMC, and a bright future ahead. Please join the LED Team in planning and walking with faith into our future! Look for posters and bulletin inserts describing our strategic “road map”, and ask God where you can contribute: where you are called to “care and share”. Won’t you prayerfully consider your role in New Holland, your gifts and blessings, and how you are investing in the future?
4 Reading: I Corinthians 4:1-2
Free Community Meals 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. August 15, 2013
___ Bible Characters (Joseph, Moses, Samson, Gideon, David, Paul, John the Baptist, Ruth, Mary) ___ Stewardship/Tithing ___ The 12 Disciples ___ Spiritual gifts ___ A Christian approach to politics (Is there such a thing?) ___ How can we live Christian lives in an increasingly anti-Christian society? ___ Is hell real?
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)
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL POSSIBILITIES (4-6 WEEK STUDIES) We are considering topics for Adult Sunday School and hope that all of these will be beneficial for our church family. Each session would last 4 – 6 weeks. Please scan the following topics and make your voice known about any that you would find interesting and would be willing to attend. There are extra checklists on the table at the bottom of the stairs that you can fill out and place in the secretary or pastor’s mailbox. ___ Study a book of the Bible (I am thinking of shorter books such as Jonah, Malachi, Ecclesiastes, Habakkuk, James, OR Ephesians) ___ Survey of Revelation and end times ___ What do the OT laws mean to us today (if anything)? ___ What makes Christianity unique among world religions? 4
Blessed are of who news.
the feet those Bring good
Annual Conference 2013 by Loretta Zimmerman
Since I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Annual Conference again this year, I felt I should share some of the highlights of my experience. The theme this year was “Physical/Spiritual/Relational Wholeness.” As Pastor Ray shared, a great emphasis was put on “Imagine No Malaria,” and offering and messages expounded on this ministry. An offering of over $9,000 was received. I was particularly moved by a message by Rev. Dr. Kirk B. Jones on “Self-Care Strategies” reminding us to go to the back of
the boat to rest (like Jesus) to prevent personal burnout when we are under pressure in whatever ministry we are called. We need to live at a sacred pace, taking moments to be loved by God and stop trying to do it all. The delgates packaged 19,848 dehydrated meals to be distributed to schools and orphanges in Haiti by “Stop Hunger Now.” The American Red Cross was there for a blood drive. I never realized that PA never has enough blood in their banks and always has to resort to other states to cover our needs. The usual voting on the 18 resolutions was accomplished and budget approved. Finally, on the last day everyone who was in attendance had hands laid on them and prayer was lifted up for them individually. It was a particularly moving experience for me, and I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit there. There were lots more things that occurred, but these were the highlights for me. -- Loretta Zimmerman, Delgate Annual Conference
We were happy that we could serve 75 participants. Last year the total served was about 35. Next year we would like to serve some of the people who attend our church for the Community Meal that we partner with Ranck’s U.M., held once a month on the third Thursday. Both agencies were surprised we had so many participants. Thanks to all that helped, Win Hall, Lay Leader
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Thanks to Win Hall for organizing the food voucher event at the church. It is wonderful that over 75 people came and were able to receive help! Praise God! -- Pastor Ray
Thank
you for all the cards, letters, phone calls, and prayers during my surgery. – Shirley Givler
Thanks for the used ink cartridges you The Food Voucher Distribution On June 19, 2013, the New Holland United Methodist Church, along with the Office of Aging and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, distributed food vouchers (for a value of $20 in $5 increments) to be redeemed with local growers. To qualify for these coupons, you had to be 60 years of age and older, and your income could not exceed $21,257 for a single person or $28,694 for a couple. 5
bring to the office. They are a help to our office supply budget since I can turn them in for rebates. -- Vera Asper
SERVER SCHEDULE FOR THIS MONTH Nursery Aug. 4 Cathy Williams & Paula Gauthier Aug. 11 Pat Williams & Beatrice Gauthier Aug. 18 Loretta Zimmerman & Vanapolie Gauthier Aug. 25 Heather Bressi & Arentz Menard
6 Lay Readers Aug. 4 Aug. 11 Aug. 18 Aug. 25
Ray Welk Selma Wells Francesca Artus Jim Boose
Birthdays: August 2 Bert Schroll August 2 Fred Wissler August 4 Karen Miller August 5 Jeff Miller August 7 Leroy Riehl August 8 Dalton Brendle August 10 Loyda Brendle August 10 Pat Williams August 15 Michelle Bell August 18 Eileen McComas Anniversaries: August 9 Leroy and Dana Riehl August 25 Larry and Pat Knepper August 26 Larry and Barb Huber Please call the church office (354-0226) so we can update our records if your name was missed.
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Prayer and Praise
• Carson Jones, 4 years, relative of Julie Mitton, recoving from car accident • Veronica, granddaughter of Betty and Gordon Heal, medical concerns • Shirley Givler, recovering from surgery • Thomas Stauffer, III, age 15, recovering from heart surgery • Mitch Kraeling, 22-yr. old nephew of Diane Artus, who is fighting bone cancer • Bert Schroll, recovering from surgery • Victims and family of the Oklahoma tornado • Retea Pagdanganan (a senior at GSHS), daughter of Yvonne Stolzfoos’ coworker, brain surgery treatment • Ron White, neighbor of Sandi Rapp, receiving cancer treatment • Stena McCarty, friend of Virgina Meck, stage 4 cancer • Judy Fisher, friend of Virginia Meck, breast cancer • Dina McCarty, friend of Shiela Arment’s mother, stage 3 cancer • Dottie Hararas, sister of Cathy Williams, treatment for cancer • Peggy Graber, family friend of Dave and Judy Trost, treatment for cancer
‘Twas the Night… Contributed by Norece Richwine
‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. 7
8 The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head And Mom in her rocker with the baby on her lap Was watching the Late show while I took a nap.
The people whose names had been written with love He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without a sound While all the rest were left standing around.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only we had been ready tonight.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head It was Jesus, returning just like He said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the book of Life which He held in His hand Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; When He said, “It’s not here” my head hung in shame.
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In the words of this poem the meaning is clear, The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There’s only one life when comes the last call We’ll find that the Bible was true after all! -- Unknown