“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be
as white as snow...”
Isaiah 1:18
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WORSHIP THE LORD WITH US!
Sunday Worship
--------------
Contemporary Praise and Worship: 8:30 am
Sunday School for all ages: 9:45 am
Traditional Worship: 11:00 am
11:00 service broadcast live on WFIL 560 AM
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FIRST CHURCH WINDOWS is published by:
The First United Methodist Church
201 Dayton Avenue
Collingswood, NJ 08108
Phone: (856)858-1186
Fax: (856)858-1775
E-mail: info@fumccollingswood.org
Church Staff
------------
Rev. Dr. William B. Wilson - Senior Pastor (WBWilson@fumccollingswood.org)
Mr. Shawn Zook - Youth Director
(shawn@fumccollingswood.org)
Mrs. Elizabeth Averell - Director of Music
Mrs. Maria Gianfrancesco - Church Secretary
(maria@fumccollingswood.org)
Office Hours
------------
Monday – Closed
Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
(Closed for lunch 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm)
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FIRST CHURCH WINDOWS is online at www.fumccollingswood.org.
FIRST CHURCH WINDOWS is available via e-mail. Send an e-mail to ewindows@fumccollingswood.org to subscribe.
====================
IN WINDOWS THIS MONTH
The Pastor’s Corner
Announcements
Preaching Schedule
Tiara Club
The RYVER
Missionary Messages
Wings of Prayer
GNJUMC Scholarship Info
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Financial Notes
--------------------
The submission deadline for the March issue of Windows is February 10th.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WINDOWS
====================
THE PASTOR’S CORNER
By Pastor Bill Wilson
Editor’s Note: This month’s Pastor’s Corner is Pastor Bill’s letter from the Charge Conference Report.
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Dear Friends at FUMC,
I write to you for my seventh year as your Pastor. It is with joy in Jesus Christ that I continue as the Pastor and Shepherd of this flock.
It is with joy that we are able to offer two quality worship experiences each Sunday morning with their distinctive style. We are gifted with wonderful musicians who set a marvelous tone for our worship services. We find ourselves at FUMC to be particularly blessed to have several fine Lay Speakers and Worship leaders. We now have 6 active lay speakers plus several people who are willing to step forward to lead us in music and the Word.
The opportunity arose for me to become the Coordinating Pastor of Frances Childs UMC. Several of our lay speakers as well as others have used their gifts and graces to minister at FCUMC. This relationship has opened a door for this congregation to explore the possibilities of how our local churches could work together for the cause of Christ here in Collingswood and the surrounding area. The Church Council gave a unanimous approval for me to discuss with our District Superintendent of how we might begin such a conversation.
Disciple Making continues to be one of my major emphasis as Pastor of this Church. I am currently teaching Disciple Bible Study with nine students and assisted by Ellen Wagner. We have also formed a team to attend the conference training “Making Disciples 101.” Our lay leader Doug Wagner is coordinating this process. I continue to rejoice at the countless number of people who have stepped forward to serve in ministry. It is awesome to see our church truly grasp a real ministry of the laity.
New ministries are in development as I write this report. The Tiara Club (women) under the leadership of Joan Steward are planning programs and outreach to the women within and without the fellowship of this church. A new Sunday School class entitled “Crossroads” is under the leadership of Steve and Linda Schoch. The primary focus group is young adults. The Bittles are going to be leading another couple small group. Others are being led to begin new small groups. It is exciting to see people catching the vision.
I rejoice in the wonderful ministry of our witness/outreach team. They have planned so many events to reach out and touch our neighbors. We have had fun fairs on the parking lot, door to door distribution of door hangers, new advertising campaigns and so much more. Recently, Dean Stefano has stepped up to lead this effort and I am so appreciative of his and his team’s efforts.
We are so blessed with a wonderful mission program and a great social witness through such efforts as Pregnancy Care Center, Fellowship House, the Food Pantry and so much more. God is at work touching hearts of people with His love through the diligent ministry of these areas.
We continue to face our challenges with the realization
that God is still in charge. Here are some of the challenges I see:
A. Unifying FUMC under one central vision for ministry
in our community and the world.
B. Growing in love with one another and working as
a team to fulfill the Great Commission.
C. To continue to shift the focus from “my church”
to “Christ’s church” in all that we do and say.
I continue to be involved in the greater connection
by serving as:
* Vice Chair and psychological reviewer for the district
committee on ministry.
* Treasurer of GNJAC Board of Ordained Ministry.
* Chair of the Rules Committee for the Annual Conference.
* Elected delegate to the regional jurisdictional
conference on the UMC and an alternate delegate to the General Conference.
I would like to thank my staff and the people of this church who have been so supportive of my ministry to lead this body forward into the 21st century. Without your help I could not have accomplished this work among you.
And I want to thank my loving and extremely supportive family (Dawn, Wil & Lou) for their love and support for the ministry and most of all for their belief in me as a Pastor, husband and father. They give me the strength and support I need in facing the challenges of ministry each day.
Continuing to Fulfill God’s call,
Pastor Bill
“How priceless is your unfailing love!”
Psalm 36:7
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LENT
On Ash Wednesday, February 6, Lent begins. During this 40-day period, Christians reevaluate their spiritual lives. It's a time for us to have a spiritual check-up and to strive to live the Christian life more faithfully and more intentionally.
One might go on a spiritual retreat, for example,
spending time with a prayer warrior, Bible expert or theologian. During
Lent, attending the various church services and study opportunities can
help people grow spiritually and become more informed about the Christian
faith.
Our pilgrimage through Lent should inspire us to
serve God more faithfully in our daily lives.
WHY ASH WEDNESDAY?
Traditionally, the Christian church has observed the seven weeks before Easter as a time of penitence and spiritual self-examination. Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, derives its name from the ancient practice of marking the foreheads of worshipers with ashes from the unused palm branches of the previous year. Ashes historically have had a dual significance.
First, they are Old Testament symbols of sadness and humility. Job, in the midst of all his troubles, cried out to God from the ash heap.
The second symbolic meaning of ashes is as a reminder of our mortality. Each of us faces the inevitability of physical death. Our bodies and material possessions eventually will turn to dust and ashes. This is a reminder that we dare not trust in things that crumble. But Lent does not leave us on the ash heap. It begins with Ash Wednesday, but ends with Easter. And Easter proclaims that, through Christ, God resurrects us from our dust and ashes, makes us new creatures and brings life out of death!
====================
First Church has need of several people to help in various ways with our little ones. Can you give even a week or two to help us out? We need your help to keep our programs and activities for the children running. We want to provide worship experiences for the children while their parents are worshipping. We also want to give our children’s workers a break so they are not “on duty” every week. We cannot do this without your help. Please prayerfully consider where you might be able to help.
The Infant and Toddler Nurseries at both the 8:30 and 11:00 services are still looking for volunteers. We’re also looking for someone to coordinate the Nursery during the 11:00 service. Can you help us? Are you willing to spend one Sunday a month caring for our little ones while their parents are worshipping the Lord? If so, please contact Kathy Boswell or call the church office.
THANK YOU!
====================
WE’RE SEARCHING FOR VOLUNTEERS
We need your help.
First Church needs your help.
The Lord needs your help.
Technical Ministries and the Laptop Team provide the “behind the scenes” personnel and equipment that are needed for our services. Each Sunday, we are responsible for the lights and sound for our services, the feed to WFIL for our radio broadcast and for running the projection system in the Sanctuary. We serve the Lord by enabling His message to be seen and heard by others. But we need your help: We need YOU!
We are looking to expand our teams. We need people willing to learn how to run our sound boards, lighting controls and laptop. Best of all, you don’t need any experience - just a willingness to learn. Do you want to be a part of these ministries within our church? If you just want to learn how the laptop works, that’s fine. If you just want to learn the sound and lights, that’s fine too. If you want to learn it all...GREAT! If you are interested in helping us out, you may contact us as follows:
Technical Ministries: Phil Boswell
(lights and sound)
Laptop Team: Val Zediker
You are also welcome to drop by the sound booth or control room and talk to any of our operators.
Even if you don’t feel led to join Technical Ministries or the Laptop Team, there are plenty of other opportunities to serve the Lord in our church: Nursery, Greeters, Ushers, just to name a few. The Lord is calling you and he has a place for you to serve in His church.
====================
Have you ever explored your backyard or neighborhood to see what lives there? Hi - I’m Cooper, Stan’s loyal dog. I have great insights into what’s going on in the Big Backyard (my word for the neighborhood.) It’s hard to believe that it is time to be thinking about Vacation Bible School at First United Methodist Church of Collingswood. We are in the planning stage for the week of Monday, June 23rd thru Friday, June 27th, 2008 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm everyday. We are looking for teachers and helpers. As we get closer to these dates, we will let you know how you can help to contribute to this mission for children. Please pray for this program. If you would like to help, please contact Cheryl Averell.
GOD’S BIG BACKYARD
Where kids have a blast serving Jesus!
====================
February 3
“Welcome and Go Home”
Matthew 17:1-9
February 10
“What does it take to vision for the future?”
Matthew 4:1-11
February 17
“Seeking Jesus”
John 3:1-17
February 24
“Barrier Breaking”
John 4:5-42
ATTENDANCE
Sunday
Weekend of 8:30 11:00 School
-------------------------------
November 4 89
116 132
November 11 76 155
139
November 18 84 116
132
November 25 90 122
143
December 2 86
86 136
December 9 95
105 127
December 16 88 118
139
December 23
282 116
December 24 5:00 108
7:00 235
11:00 85
December 30 82 105
106
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TIARA CLUB
Daughters of the King
“How great is the love the father has lavished
on us that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!”
1 John 3:1
Tiara Club is a women’s ministry of First Church. How exciting it is to recognize our identity in Christ as daughters of the King, yes, princesses. And that is what we are. Not because of anything we’ve done but because of the love God has lavished on us. The Tiara Ministry’s purpose is to provide varied opportunities for fellowship that will encompass interests of the full magnitude of ladies of our congregation. Attend as many or as few events as you want but know that we would love to see more of you. No matter what your age, 10 - 110 as long as you can behave like a lady, (or princess) you are welcomed to join us. We will get to know women in our church, outside of our Sunday School classes and small groups and have opportunities to reach out to family members and the community during some events as well as have some opportunities to be in ministry as we reach out in service. Let’s worship God through our outreach within these walls as we help to make every lady feel welcomed. After all, we are all sisters in this, our church family. Consider this a personal invitation to be a part.
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The Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study is meeting and it’s not too late to join them. All ladies from the church are welcome to attend. They are being led by Bert Stevens. Ladies can meet at 9:30 in the Parlor for coffee which is followed by the study from 10:00-11:00.
The Tiara Club was able to lend great support to the Witness committee as we “baked til we dropped” in December. Some of the frozen goodies are still being distributed. It was reported back by Witness committee chair Dean Stefano that the committee members were welcomed into the homes of new Collingswood residents where they shared information about First Church. Our new neighbors especially liked the welcome gift of our baked goods. Thank you to all who contributed.
In looking at the great sign up posters made by Nicole and Rose last year, it is obvious that the event enjoyed by most of us ladies is …dare I say…eating. Our next Tiara Club event will be on Friday, Feburary 29th. Let’s plan to have dinner together--details are not finalized. Our choices will be a covered dish dinner where we share a favorite recipe at the church or dinner out at a local establishment . You’ll have the chance to vote on your choice through the e-mail from FUMCTiaraclub.com e-vite or by registering your choice outside the parlor at church. When the votes are tallied the final details will be announced in the church bulletin.
In April we will hit the road for a one day or two day conference being presented by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Yes, it is being held at two different times and locations so you can choose the one that works best for your schedule. On Saturday, April 4th the one day conference is being held at Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ. On Friday/ Saturday, April 18th/19th it will be held in Downingtown, PA. The keynote speaker at each is Lysa Terkeurst, President of Proverbs 31 Ministries. For more info on the ministry go to www.Proverbs31.gospelcom.net (At this site you can also receive a free daily devotional.) For more info on the conference or to sign up call Linda Schoch. There will be more details including times and price in the March Windows.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity...
She speaks with wisdom.”
Proverbs 31:25-26
====================
wade in. dive deep. saturate the world.
wade Sr. High - Sundays, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Jr. High - Wednesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 pm wade in to
see what this Christian faith is all about through interaction with people
and the Bible.
deep Sundays, 9:45 - 10:45 am dive deep into a love relationship with God and others who know Him through Bible study, worship, prayer, and interaction with people.
saturate Sundays, 11:00 am - where noted allow God to saturate the world with His love through you as you discover your gifts and become equipped to use them in ministry and service.
COMING EVENTS
Super Bowl Party Sunday, 2/3, 6:00 pm
Great food! Great game (hopefully)! Great commercials!
Or just hang out and play games with great people! Open to grades
6-12. Cost: No charge, but we will accept donations for the food.
JH Keswick Meeting - Wednesday, 2/6, 6:00 pm
Mandatory for all Junior High students attending
the MWA at Keswick - going over important info for the weekend.
MWA - February 8 - 10
Please pray for our JH group at Keswick this weekend.
Serving at Keswick - Saturday, 2/23
We'll be leaving the church at 10 am to go to Keswick
and return around 9:30 pm. We'll serve lunch and dinner with free
time in between to use the facilities. Money you raise will go towards
the NYGO trip this summer. Please sign up by Sunday, February 17 (14 or
older).
Fast Food Feast (SH only) - Sunday, 2/24 - 6:00-8:00
pm
The unhealthiest of all potlucks (Hey, it was your
idea, not mine), but Mmmmm…! Sign up for what you will bring, and
make sure you come with some friends ready to eat loads of good (taste,
that is) food!
Treehouse Trip (JH only) Wednesday, 2/27, 6:00-8:00
pm
Please be at the church at 6:00 tonight we'll meet
briefly and head over to the Treehouse Coffee Shop for the rest of our
time. Bring $$ for goodies or come ready to perform for Open Mic (if you
want). We'll be back at the church by
8:00 pm.
====================
Lorraine Enright, Congo and Zambia
Dear Friends at Collingswood First:
Thank you for your faithfulness with your prayers
and gifts for God’s work in Congo and Zambia. We were so thrilled to have
a Pastors’ School in Congo for over 80 pastors this year. We are expecting
over 100 pastors in May to be in training there. Our prayer is they will
win their people to Christ. Truly God is working in a wonderful way. Please
keep praying for Pastors’ School, Family Camp, women’s and children’s work.
God bless you all!
Melvin Floyd, Philadelphia
Thank you so much for your prayers, financial giving and faithful support for the past year of 2007. The Mel Floyd School of Evangelism will hold its 23rd class on Saturday mornings during the months of April and May. It is my deepest desire to train and equip more dedicated urban Christians to go out into the streets of our inner cities and adjoining areas to win countless souls to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Danny, my son-in-law and Esther, my daughter, have
a new addition to their family. Charity, born in August, now joins her
sisters Faith and Hope and her little brother, Daniel. Danny and Esther
are doing an outstanding job ministering fulltime. One day they will succeed
Betty and I as a team, directing the ministry of Neighborhood Crusades,
Inc.
Please continue to pray during these tough economic
times that we will not be forced to cut back in our outreach ministry of
soul winning, reaching the lost at any cost for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bert and Hazel Lohr, Georgia
This summer, and even now, we have drought conditions here. Since the governor had a prayer service on the Capitol steps we have had some rain, but still need much more.
You have probably read or heard in the news about some of the turmoil in Pakistan. Please pray for the Lord’s will to be done about holding an election. Pray also for the protection of Christians and for their spiritual growth in these troubled times.
This fall our church started an AWANA club. For any who may not be familiar with this program, it emphasizes Scripture memory work and has a lesson, food, and games. Bert helps several boys with their memory work. He also continues to visit patients at the veterans’ clinic and in nursing homes along with serving as chaplain for the local American Legion post.
In October when Bert was out for a walk he stubbed his toe on the edge of a driveway and fell. Somehow a bone was broken in his right foot. Instead of the plaster cast of the old days, he has an ace bandage and a plastic and velcro “boot.” It is easier for him to be a passenger than a driver for now.
May you be blessed as you celebrate the birth of our
Savior and know His direction in the year ahead.
Thomas and Glenda Lowell, Georgia
Project Hannah has celebrated 10 years of the Women of Hope programming! We rejoice that these messages of HOPE are broadcast worldwide in more than 40 languages. The ministry’s prayer calendar is translated into 27 languages and distributed globally to prayer groups in more than 90 countries.
As we look back over the past year and towards the future of a new one, we remember that Glenda has had major foot surgeries in September 2006 and September 2007. She is still having discomfort and trying to be patient through the healing process. This year she is program coordinator for her ladies circle at church, continues to serve on the fellowship food committee and sings in the chapel choir. In her spare time, she writes short stories and devotionals for Chinese listeners who want to learn English. They are sent to Hong Kong for editing and returned for her to record them in our home. Please pray for this new outreach.
After five years, Tom was just beginning to enjoy
his retirement; however, some changes are taking place at Trans World Radio
as well. Sensing that the time was opportune for leadership transition,
David Tucker announced his intention to step down from the role as Chief
Executive Officer and the Board of Directors has asked Tom to assume the
position of CEO during this time of transition. A search committee has
been appointed to oversee the Board’s search for the next leader of the
TWR ministry. Your prayers for Tom will be very much appreciated as he
once again picks up his briefcase and occupies an office at the International
Headquarters.
Thelma Braun, Kentucky
Isn’t Christmas a wonderful time of the year? And you know, writing a Christmas letter is a real delight for me because of the constant, busy, work schedule that keeps me from writing to dear friends.
Last year’s letter, I notice, was dated November 24, 2006, and that was just one day after Thanksgiving when all the family gathered here for an unforgettable day of celebration for the Lord’s goodness — what a day that was! But the day after that letter was written, my trip to the hospital’s ER ended with the astonishing announcement that I could expect to live just four to six weeks longer. Wait a minute -how could that be for someone with my iron constitution? Let’s see — 54 weeks have passed since that foreboding estimate. You can’t believe everything you hear, can you?
Instead, there was the delightful trip to Wheaton for Alicia’s beautiful wedding to Josh Broggi on December 17, a happy Christmas here in Kentucky with Chris and Marcia and Paul’s family, and then two trips to do ER’s work in Bangladesh, Burma and India this year. How do I explain it? I’m nonplussed too, except for knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that God answers prayer, and I have a host of wonderful praying friends!
All that I do know is that I’m feeling fine, enjoying
the full schedule of ER work and remembering my favorite paraphrase of
Philippians 4:6 -Worry about nothing; pray about everything. I’m expecting
to go to Haiti in January for a women’s conference, perhaps to Nepal and
India in March/April, and the months after that seem filled as well. That
means that you’ll have to keep me on your Prayer Priority list, for in
a way I’m living on borrowed time, and every day is precious.
Keith and Char Brown, Georgia
The radio ministry into China we’ve been involved with for a number of years continues to be effective and used in a powerful way by the Holy Spirit. A listener wrote:
“1983 was the most memorable year of my life. I had barely turned 20 when my father died leaving the family heavily in debt. I am the oldest son and the family burden on me was unbearable. I even contemplated suicide. One evening I accidentally turned on the radio and heard a voice saying: ‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.’ I was deeply moved. I learned to pray and received great comfort.”
Because you share in our support you are helping many Chinese like this man to find hope in Christ.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and
I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
====================
Dear Friends in Christ and Partners in Prayer,
Once again we are facing a New Year with all its challenges.
In searching for a Bible verse to use with this letter, I found this one, which will help us to deal with challenges. The verse is Psalms 73:26, “My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my health. He is mine forever.” Isn’t that a comforting verse? Memorize it and take it with you into the new year.
Speaking of the new year reminds me that I should be making a New Year’s Resolution. The best one I can think of is to resolve to be a better person, one who puts God first in all things and by doing that, God will take care of the rest.
We have an obligation to pray for one another and as a Christian we should take that privilege seriously.
I know some of you very well, but others I don’t know at all. However, my prayers include each of you and I hope that you will pray for me, too.
If you would like to pray with others, there is a prayer meeting held on the first Sunday of each month in the church parlor at 7:00 pm. You don’t have to pray aloud if you don’t care to, but your presence is welcome.
As usual, we ask you to please pray for those who
are on our prayer list noted in the bulletin. Their names are as
follows:
Dorothy Cockerham, Kathy Fletcher, Mary Newell, Bob
Klessel, Anna Stroup, Terry Carroll, Grace Welch, Clem Kocher, Carolyn
Dugan, Evelyn Service; Evelyn Kuchera, Merry MacLaughlin, Dorothy Williams,
Betty MacNamara, Charlene Lugo, Dr. George Covintree, Tom Costello, Allison
Crist, Ruth Carey, Linda Hamm, Brian Cain, Betty Andrews, Jason Piligno,
Evelyn Hales, Florence Hare, Florence Keller, Rosetta Millbury, MaryAnn
Kaighn, Gladys Rambo, Bill Davis, Caroline Gerelus, Nancy Tirpack, Karen
Clay, Charlotte Earle.
I would like to close this letter with this thought. Before us is a future all unknown - a path untold. Beside us is a friend well loved and known. That friend is God.
Have a blessed New Year, friends, and be happy in the Lord.
Love from your caring partner,
Betty Stoms
“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of
your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins...”
Psalm 79:9 NRSV
====================
United Methodist Higher Education 2008
Greater New Jersey Annual Conference Scholarships
For information and a GNJAC Application
visit www.gnjumc.org
or call the Conference Office at 1-877-677-2594
DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2008
Conference Merit Awards
* Membership in United Methodist Church, GNJAC
* Student in a United Methodist college
* Nomination by local church
Rev. Ralph A. Kappler Memorial Scholarship
* Membership in United Methodist Church, GNJAC
* Financial need
* Nomination by local church
* Undergraduate student
Frances Nelson Scholarship
* Membership in United Methodist Church GNJAC
* Goal of Full-Time Christian Service
* Undergraduate student
* Yearly application required
* Previous recipients given priority up to four years
of college
Emily S. Garrison Nursing Scholarship
* Membership in United Methodist Church, GNJAC
* Enrollment in a nursing BS degree program
* Career goal: Nursing
Conference Trust Fund Scholarships
* Membership in United Methodist Church, GNJAC
* Financial need
* Academic merit
* Undergraduate student
Ethel Snyder Book/ Inez R. Irons Scholarship
* Daughter and/or Son of a United Methodist clergy,
GNJAC
* Continuing education after high school
General (National) Opportunities
For information and application forms for the
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
The United Methodist Loans and Scholarships Program
visit www.gbhem.org
or call the Scholarship Department at 615-340-7344
or the Loan Department at 615-340-7346
National Deadlines vary
Doris and Arthur Mandeville Scholarship
* Membership in United Methodist Church, GNJAC
* Full-time graduate student
* Financial need
* Goal: Ordained ministry or Christian Education
GNJAC Educational Society
* Seminary, graduate student
* Goal: Full-time Christian service in GNJAC
* Contact: Jo Malessa
418 Linden Avenue
Riverton, NJ 08077-1307
856-786-0293
E-mail: ma_malessa@comcast.net
====================
Birthdays
---------
Feb. 6 Marilyn Ellis
Feb. 7 Stan Sheaffer
Feb. 8 Florence Twigg
Feb. 10 Carol Vernon Grant
William Jungclaus
Ruth Smith
Feb. 12 Kacey Ehret
Dan Wallace
Feb. 17 Louis VanPelt Jr.
Feb. 18 Marva Wallace
Feb. 22 Cheryl L. VanPelt
Feb. 23 Philip Sheaffer
Barb Oliver
Ruth Wolf
Feb. 27 Jennifer Kennedy
Feb. 29 Jennifer Skalko
Ruth Davis
If you have not already done so, please give your
dates
(birth dates and anniversary dates) to the church
office in writing or
by e-mail: maria@fumccollingswood.org.
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Deaths at First Church
Dave Duffey
December 12, 2007
Ken Kaign
December 12, 2007
====================
The Bible as a Letter
Søren Kierkegaard, a brilliant 19th-century
philosopher, said this about the Bible: “The Bible should be read as a
letter from God with our personal address on it.”
How true! The Bible tells us who’s behind our amazing lives. The Bible makes clear the source of our existence and explains how we’re to live out our years on Earth. The Bible gives us the best rules for living with others and for living in our own skin.
Scripture tells us of the wisdom of saints and the foolishness of scoundrels. It explains how God tries to relate to us. It guides us and provides strength and courage through our daily lives.
The Bible tells how God walked among us on Earth in the person of Christ. Most importantly, it details how Christ revealed God’s immeasurable love for all humankind.
Finally, the Bible assures us that God not only cares for us here and now but will care for us in the hereafter. Forever and forever!
====================
OPERATIONS THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007
--------------------------------
Nov. Receipts: $24,285.33
Nov. Expenses: $27,074.61
YTD Receipts: $346,315.17
YTD Expenses: $347,032.58
FAITH PROMISE THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007
-----------------------------------
Goal: $15,500
Received: $1,626
DOLLARS AND CENTS
Weekend
Faith World
Of Operations
Missions Radio Promise Service
-------------------------------------------------------
Nov. 4 $8,204
$3,486 $494 $376
$113
Nov. 11 $4,313
$1,936 $327 $75
$71
Nov. 18 $5,196
$1,957 $194 $60
$38
Nov. 25 $6,452
$1,647 $163 $780
$439
Dec. 2 $5,192
$3,066 $937 $60
$62
Dec. 9 $6,786
$3,358 $797 $315
$17
Dec. 16 $7,000
$2,228 $195 $1,290
$267
Dec. 23 $8,146
$9,943 $245 $290
$32
Dec. 30 $8,737
$9,854 $1,747 $600
$630
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse...and see
if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much
blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
Malachi 3:10
====================
The First United Methodist Church
201 Dayton Avenue
Collingswood, NJ 08108
Proclaiming the Good News in the 21st Century