Fumc september spice newsletter by Isabella Yosuico

September 2013

Go Girls!

School Days New pencils are sharpened, and notebook pages are ready to be filled. Somewhere a first-grader is learning to spell, a high school student is solving an equation, and a college class is completing a lab assignment. School days are here, and learning is happening all around us…but is it also happening in us? As adults, are we still taking notes, experimenting, and solving complex problems? Most of us spent years in school classrooms concentrating on learning—until we graduated. After the ceremonial hat toss, much of the geometry and complicated chemistry formulas we learned end up collecting dust in the distant corners of our brains. But while it’s inevitable that we graduate from school, we never graduate from life. And life is full of interesting things to explore and learn! Today, for example, you could try kale chips for the first time, learn how to say “bird” in French (oiseau), or practice paddling a kayak. This learning, both from life and from God, is no classroom experience—it’s a real-life experience. Instead of just studying books, God wants us to learn from our teacher—Jesus. It’s interesting to note that rabbis were the teachers in Jesus’ day; and to learn the most they could, students would follow the rabbi closely in small, tightly pressed together flocks. Everywhere the rabbi went, they followed—so close that they were always covered in the dust kicked up from his sandals. And this is exactly what Jesus wants us to do. Follow him so closely through life that we are covered in his dust, always listening for what he has to teach us in the everyday lessons of life: the solutions to complex problems; the geometry of relationships; the history of his love, grace, and redemption. We may not be in school right now, but it’s never too late to start learning from God. So let’s put on our walking shoes, grab a sharp pencil, and open the notebook of our hearts. Let’s follow in the dust of his sandals and listen for the words of truth and love he wants to impart to our lives each and every day.

A ministry of: FUMC Berkeley Springs 49 South Green St. Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 304.258.2766 | gofirst.org Pastor Andrew Cooney

THE WORD “Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.” — Proverbs 18:15 (The Message)

Think About It What are three new things I could try today? 1.________________________ 2________________________ 3.________________________

September 2013 | Page 2

“Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5b By Bonnie Weber I usually write on life lessons from a quilt, but no thoughts would come, for my heart has been heavy lately for my daughter who recently lost a dear friend tragically, as well as others who are experiencing deep grief. In my crying out to God for wisdom and peace, His words have been popping into my head and heart, and they aren’t the ones I like to deal with. Has this happened to you? A song you haven’t thought of or a Bible verse just won’t let go of your mind? The song “All Things Work Together for My Good” has been on replay in my mind and God’s words from Thessalonians “Be joyful always, pray continually and in all things give thanks” have been mine. I have to dig deeper into the meaning of the messages. First, all things work together for my good comes from Romans 8:28; the second part of the verse says “to those who love him and are called according to his purpose.” God’s purpose is not to make us “happy,” but to fulfill His purpose in our lives; To accept what is happening, knowing that God is in the midst of their suffering and to trust Him to turn it for good. Second, by giving thanks in all things, we have to surrender our will and allow God to work, doing it His way, knowing He is there. What circumstances in your life, painful or joyous, did God work for your good? How did that event change you and bring you and your walk closer with Jesus Christ? What journey did you travel before you could pray those difficult words or have you not reached that point? I am sometimes very slow and I hang on trying to fix the situation only to make it worse. Life is full of brokenness, but one reason Jesus came was to heal the broken hearted. When I start holding on to the pain and sorrow, I am reminded of the times when He changed my sorrow into joy. I can trust Him to work in my daughter’s life just as He has in mine.

See page 3 for an encouraging Bible example of these principles at work.

Meet Bonnie Weber… Spouse: Wayne Weber Kids/Grandkids: Two daughters, Lisa 44 and Leslie 41, and three granddaughters, Taylor 16, Maddie 14, and Emma 10 Job: I was born in North Dakota, met Wayne there and moved back to his home town of Berkeley Springs in 1969. Hometown: Became a Christian: I chose Jesus as my friend at age 7. Favorite Bible verse/books: Hebrews. I love the faith stories. Because of that I am most passionate about children getting to know Jesus at a very young age. Most people don't know: I have a ministry doing hair for the deceased. Favorite pastimes: Spending time with family and friends, sewing, reading, crafting, decorating, and gardening. Women's ministry to me means: I love the opportunity Women's ministry provides to share my interests with other women.

SAVE the DATE! October 25 to 27: Fall Women’s Retreat At Beautiful Skycroft, near Frederick, MD Nature, pool, spa, fitness center, sports and more!

Check it out at:

www.skycroft.org Are you a fan of Lisa Chan? We have a free Lisa Chan DVD from her True Beauty series. Email The Spice. First person gets it!

September 2013 | Page 3 Case Studies in Faithfulness: Joseph By Isabella Yosuico Part 3 – Standing Firm Genesis 39 After last month’s disturbing detour with Judah and Tamar, we return to Joseph, picking up as Potiphar, Pharaoh’s Captain of the Guard, buys Joseph as a household slave. I imagine myself as Joseph, faithful and formerly favored son, now sold at market like cattle at the hands of his own brothers. I’d feel hurt, bitter and foolish, questioning God and the powerful dream I’d had of the bowing sheaves. (Truth is, the reason I think this is because I have felt this very way when things haven’t gone my way.) In reality, we don’t know what Joseph was feeling, but we do immediately learn that “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man,” (v2) so much so that even Potiphar took note, in that “the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands,” promoting him to overseer (v5). So from the start, God is working in what superficially would seem to be a really bad situation, using Joseph in a mighty way as head of the estate—not only blessing Joseph with the privileges he surely enjoyed in a leadership role, but also blessing the household administration (v5), and bearing witness to his master and others of his God. I invite you to pause here and call to mind a situation you’re in that looks really bad. Can you see any blessings for yourself or others? Are you bearing witness by your attitude under pressure? Unfortunately, one of the others who took notice was Potiphar’s wife, who liked Joseph’s looks and made a pass at him (v7). We get a sense of Joseph’s character and faith from his response. Not only does he refuse, explaining his loyalty to the boss, but he also affirms his commitment to God (v9). Potiphar’s wife apparently wouldn’t cool off, badgering Joseph “day after day.” Joseph stood strong. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that we’re all subject to temptation, but that God will provide strength to resist and a way out. Naturally, we need to be willing to take the way out, standing for God, as Joseph did. I’ve been subject to temptations big and small and have been more or less successful in resisting at different times. Usually, I can see that when I’ve given in, it’s been a deliberate choice not to take the way out God graciously provided. Consider the temptations you struggle with. Do you take God’s way out or live on the edge? Hell Hath No Fury… Eventually, Potiphar’s wife sought revenge for Joseph’s rejection, and claimed that Joseph had tried to take advantage of her. Potiphar got angry and had Joseph placed in prison. Again, were I Joe, this would be about the point at which I might throw in the towel, but the Scripture shows no sign of that. Verse 21 tells us from the onset of his imprisonment, “the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” who again put Joseph in charge. Chapter 39 closes with “…the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed” which calls to mind Hebrews 13:5. Humility + Faith = Peace + Purpose Even in the worst and seemingly unjust of circumstances, God is with us and can bless us and others through our faithfulness. No doubt, God was not only working through Joseph, but in Joseph. Whatever the reasons Joseph landed in these hard spots—first slavery, then prison—I strongly suspect that this season of intense trial mellowed Joseph’s pride, matured him, honed very valuable leadership and administrative skills, and deepened his reliance on and faith in God as preparation for what was to come and God’s glorious purpose. This remains true for us today. Can we sabotage God’s purpose in the trials that come our way? I believe Romans 8:28, but also believe that surrendering whole-heartedly to where God has us is key to maximum peace, purpose and spiritual profit. If you’re in hard circumstances today, whatever the reason, I urge you to actively trust God, believing that God knows the beginning from the end (Psalm 139:16). Like Joseph, let’s do whatever it is he’s put before us to do, moment by moment. We know how Joseph’s story ends, but Joseph did not…and perhaps in those dark moments, the dream he once had seemed cruel or foolish. Yet all we see is a portrait of steadfast faith, and the fruits of faithfulness for many. Prayer: Dear Father, you know the beginning from the end. Please, help me to trust you moment to moment, that your good purpose would be fulfilled in and through me in your time. In Christ’s name. Amen.

September A Taste of What’s Happening for Women

Sun 1

Mon 2

Tue 3

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

4:00p Church Picnic The Blue

9:30a Stitches ‘n’ Hooks –9/13 meeting will be Women’s Bible a planning meeting for projects, dates Study and times. FUMC Please attend and share your ideas! Begins new series! Contact: Bonnie Weber

9:30a Women’s Bible Study FUMC

hooks to share.

3:00p -5:30p

GO Friends!

STARTS 25

9:30a Women’s Bible Study FUMC

6pm 9:30a - 4:30p Stitches ‘n’ Hooks Beth Moore Social Hall Living Proof Live Please bring crochet The Blue

26 3:00p -5:30p

GO Friends!

UPCOMING: October 25 to 27: Fall Women’s Retreat Women’s Ministry Leadership Team Sarah Fisher, Women’s Ministry Coordinator: sfisher@gofirst.org | 304.258.2766 Cindi Close Gretchen Close Linda Romano Bonnie Weber Isabella Yosuico