FIRST CHURCH WINDOWS
March 2011

Walk the Walk
“...whoever says, ‘I abide in Him,’ ought to walk just as he walked.”
1 John 2:6

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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
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Rev. Sam Mountain - Senior Pastor
(pastorsam@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
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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.

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IN WINDOWS THIS MONTH

From the Pastor’s Heart
Announcements
The RYVER
Tiara Club
Missionary Messages
Wings of Prayer
Birthdays and Anniversaries

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The submission deadline for the April issue of Windows is March 10th.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WINDOWS!

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FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART

What an exciting time of the year! Mr. Ground Hog says spring is just around the corner after another cold, snowy winter. I believe many are hoping Mr. Ground Hog is right. (On February 18, the temperature reached 68 degrees.) The Phillies’ starting four pitchers are looking good. Our World Series hopes may be more than a dream. I hope the sports forecasters are right. As we watch the times we live in, so many have built their life upon things that are unsure that lead to a discontentment. However, as we know, the defining promise for FUMC for many years has been “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) God is in control and our hope is in Him. Now that is something to get excited about.

When Jesus was with the disciples, there were a few important things he wanted them to know: His love for them and in them and their love for others. Jesus was speaking of a life of contentment. Apostle Paul knew this well when he was writing to some of the churches, particularly the church in Philippi, when he wrote “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

As we continue this year under the theme of “A Year Under Construction 2011” and seeking God’s leading in the future, consider this question that John Maxwell wrote about in his book “Think on these Things”:

Which Tent Do you Live In?

The contented man looks beyond
his circumstances and sees a better day;
The discontented man looks at
his circumstances and sees no other way.

The contented man understands
the purpose for which he was born;
The discontented man looks at others’ success
with a face that is filled with scorn.

The contented man has surrendered
to a purpose that demands his best;
The discontented man has selfishly hoarded much
and, grasping for more, he will not rest.

The contented man has placed his values
on things that will forever last;
The discontented man has placed his values
on things that will soon pass.

The contented man is anchored
to clear goals and hardly ever sways;
The discontented man has no goals that anchor him
and many times dismays.

The contented man counts his blessings
and names them one by one;
The discontented man counts others’ blessings
and thinks he has no fun.

All of us live in one of two tents - content or discontent…
In which tent do you live?

May each of us choose to walk with Jesus in such a way that we can know that whatever may come our way, we can say, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

In Christ’s love and Service,
Pastor Sam

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ATTENTION!

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GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO
BEGIN THE LENTEN SEASON

On Wednesday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m.

Join us for our prayer and Lenten service. There will be brief reflections, music and encouraging meditation. All in attendance will receive a daily devotional guide called “The Sanctuary For Lent 2011” which gives you devotions for every day throughout the Lenten Season.

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CHILI COOK-OFF and LOL NIGHT!

It’s just around the corner – no, not Spring although that is, too – but our church family chili cook-off on March 19th! What a great time to show off your chili recipe – vegetarian, bean-less, turkey, Cajun, hot, mild or secret recipe. Come join the fun as we sample and vote on our favorite entries while enjoying a meal with our extended church family. Dinner is at 5:30 PM and will be followed by our LOL (Laugh Out Loud) comedy showcase. Don’t want to make chili? Just come and enjoy the food & fun. To sign up to enter your chili or just come to eat – see Jennifer or Jonathan Schwehm, Jay or Heather Ramirez or stop by the church office. Want to have a chance to be on stage and show your funny side? See Jay Ramirez or leave a message for him in the church office.

Dinner: scrumptious
Cost: free
Entertainment: hilarious
Opportunity: PRICELESS

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UPCOMING EVENTS

In March:
* For kids:
March 5th 10:00 am – Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels. Call the church office to register your child or grandchild!

March 23rd – 6:45 pm Veggie Tale movie night. Invite your friends, family, neighbors for a fun movie & refreshments!

* For women:
March 11th 7:00 pm– Tiara event - Details coming - we are daughters of the King!

* For men:
March 12th 8:00 pm – Men’s breakfast. Call the church office to register!

* For everyone:
March 9th (Ash Wednesday) 6:00 pm – prayer time in the sanctuary and beginning of our Lenten study series.

March 19th 5:30 pm – Chili cook-off and LOL (Laugh Out Loud) night … cook, eat, laugh … enjoy time with your church family in a relaxed, casual setting!

In April:
* Sunday services:
April 3rd 10:15 am - GSC Sunday
April 10th & 17th 10:15 am - On the Way to the Cross
April 24th 10:15 am - After the Cross

* Events:
April 16th – Community Men’s Breakfast with speakers from Phillies, Eagles and Sixers. Details coming!

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2011

Mark Your Calendar:
June 27 to July 1

Be in prayer about how you can help make VBS 2011 better than ever! There will be many serving opportunities at Son Surf Beach Bash!

For more information contact
Nicole Meyers

If you know where you’d like to serve, please let me know!

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THE RYVER YOUTH MINISTRY OF FUMC

A ministry of students
loving God, loving people,
connecting with our neighbors

Senior High (grades 9-12) meets on Sunday nights and Junior High (grades 6-8) meets on Wednesday nights, both from 6:00-8:00 pm (for relationship building and spiritual topical discussions), and everyone meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am (for deeper Bible teaching and spiritual life training) except for the following:

ryver staff – (first Sun) – for all youth leaders – praying, planning, preparing
All-ryver Games – (first Wed; all grades) – come meet people through sit-down games, open-gym, etc.
All-ryver Serving – (last Sun; all grades) – focused on meeting needs in our surrounding community
All-ryver Worship – (last Wed; all grades) – experience God through music, teaching, and arts

COMING EVENTS

Youth Leaders Conference - 3/11-3/12
Pray for our youth leaders this weekend who will be attending the Youth Specialties Conference in Philadelphia for open hearts and minds to learn all that God wants to teach us to move us forward. Leaders - Shawn will be in touch with more details and info.

Lol! Night - Saturday, 3/19 - 5:30 pm
Don't miss this outrageous night with the church family - good food and hilarious entertainment (and yes we will again be part of the entertainment!) More info is on the way.

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TIARA CLUB
Daughters of the King

The Tiara Club meets regularly on the second Friday of each month, with an occasional Saturday thrown in for those who can't make it on Fridays. You don't need to “join” anything - if you're a woman, you already belong!!

Keep an eye on the church bulletin for information about our upcoming events. Here's a peek at some of the things we are planning:

March - Presentation at the church (To be determined.)

April - Fellowship House outreach project

May - Women's Tea

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“Come to the Tea Party!”
Saturday, May 14, 2011

A time of faith, fellowship and fun for women and girls of all ages!  Look for more information in the April Windows.

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Bible Studies for Women

Tuesday mornings @ 9:00 am “Effective Parenting in a Defective World” (Stokes Ave.)

Wednesday evenings @ 6:45 pm “Believing God” (Parlor)

1st & 3rd Tuesday @ 7 pm “The Life You Always Wanted” (Parlor)

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Did you know two out of three teenagers stop going to church after they graduate from high school?

Did you know statistics show that six out of ten twentysomethings were active in church in their teens, but have since stopped going altogether?

Did you know 70% of those that drop out of the church do so between the ages of 18 and 22?

Did you know one of the reasons college students had for attending church at home was the sense of belonging and community that the local church created?

Did you know that First Church currently has a dozen students in college?

And did you know that they need to know we love and care for them?

We’re happy to introduce an exciting new ministry opportunity:

Adopt-a-College-Student!

Do you have time to show one of our college students that First Church still cares? If you choose to “adopt” one of these young people, you’ll be matched up with a student and will be given his or her school address. You’ll then be asked to keep in touch with your student through notes, cards, emails, and an occasional care package. You’ll be developing a relationship that could make a huge difference in the life of one of these great kids.

To “adopt” a college student or for more information, see or contact Susan Gibbins-Davis. If you would like to be a part of this exciting new ministry opportunity, there’s a student waiting for you!

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MISSIONARY MESSAGES

Mark and Carol Hepner

Thanks so much for your years of interested support, encouraging words, and faithful prayers during our career with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Lord-willing, Mark will be making another trip to Papua New Guinea later this year. What a privilege it is for us to be able to keep working toward the goal of making the eternal promises of God’s word accessible to His people in the towns and rural villages of that far-away island country- a work which a great many of you, together with us, began “long ago.”


Lorraine Enright

God is blessing us as we work with young children at the Kafakumba Training Center. Teaching upwards of 600 children the Bible and English has been very rewarding. In May, about 200 young men will be coming to two sessions of Pastor’s school. These young people will serve in several countries – Zambia, Tanzania and the Congo. It costs about $320 to train each student and it takes eight years to accomplish the training. There is also work with the pastor’s wives and children as they learn. Please pray for these important activities.


Ken and Jan Hibbs

We are grateful for your faithful support and we need your prayers that we’ll remain strong. Our trip to Peru in November was blessed and we saw our ministries continue there. We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last year and we feel/see a lot of changes in each other but we praise God that His promises never fail.


Melvin Floyd School of Evangelism

Please pray for the 29th class at the School of Evangelism that begins on April 7, 2011 and ends May 26, 2011. The fall classes begin September 10. The classes teach each student the most skillful and effective way to witness and lead others to the Lord Jesus Christ as they go forth carrying out the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20.


Fellowship House

Please pray for the safety of the children, the staff and others who visit Fellowship House. Drug fights recently caused the death of an innocent 20 year old woman who was waiting for a sandwich at the deli three houses away from Fellowship House. Security cameras were purchased and installed at the facility and precautions in how children arrive and leave the Fellowship House have been put into place.


Woody and Sue Lewis

The manual I wrote of 13 Bible studies for new Christians, “Going Further with God,” should come out in February or March. I am excited for this “tool” of which there are VERY few in French of any kind. It can be used individually, in one-on-one discipleship and small groups. Already some individuals or groups, including two college campus organizations, are asking for it, but it’s not out yet! Pray that it would roll off the presses by early March at the latest; some want to use it by then. Also, pray that God would use it as believers, new believers and non-Christians get into the Word. Also pray that the additional $2500 still needed for the cost of printing one thousand copies would be provided


Ken Rudy

This year I plan to be in Cambodia from about July 25 to August 8. I would love to have some folks from Collingswood come along. The team members would go through Cross World. This is a great opportunity to see the mission field through the lens of the people who are on the ground, serving the Lord in a third-world context.


Chuck and Bev Truxton

There was significant violence in Jos again. We wanted to let you know that we are safe and to thank you once again for your prayers for us. The truth is that there is violence on a daily basis, and we are not always sure when it makes the international news. Please hold us up in prayer daily. It would seem that most of the wounded were brought to our hospital. Dr George Chima, chief medical director of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, where Bev works, was quoted saying “The doctors have been busy caring for the wounded.”


Dana and Debbie Cherry

This is definitely a season in our lives for saying goodbye to special people. We attended the funeral of a dear friend and supporter. He went to be with the Lord after a long battle with cancer (the same which took Debbie’s dad’s life in Nov.) In late January we said goodbye to Dana’s aunt, Doris. She too has died after a long battle with the same cancer. She was in terrible pain so we are thankful she is no longer suffering, but it is still hard to say goodbye. Please be in prayer for Dana’s family, especially his dad and Doris’s children, Debbie & Terri. We are so blessed to have you in our lives, to have such a faithful support team and to have been in the States these months to share God’s love with those that are hurting.

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WINGS OF PRAYER

Until I get there, focus on reading the scriptures to the church. 1 Timothy 4:13

Dear Friends in Christ and Partners in Prayer,

Today I would like to talk to you about the Bible. As Christians each one of us should own a Bible, and I would like to think that many of us have more than one. With so many different versions, it is a big help with Bible study to consult a version that clarifies a verse that is difficult to understand. In the verse above, Paul is telling Timothy about the importance of reading the Bible to the church.

Each Sunday Pastor Sam does that before his sermon and then refers to that reading many times during the sermon. It gives us an insight into the meaning of the scriptures. We are also encouraged in the word to pray and to pray without ceasing. Prayer is such an important part of our worship time spent with God, and reading the Bible and prayer go hand in hand.

Pray for our country and for those who are in authority over us. Pray for our president that he would ask God for guidance in decisions that he must make in order to serve the public well. Pray for our military men and women and for their safe return soon. Pray for our church and for Pastor Sam. Pray for our Sunday School and for the teachers who prepare a lesson every Sunday. And last but far from least, pray for all who are on our church prayer list. Their names are as follows:

Marilyn Ellis, Ruth Carey, Ted Rudderow, Michelle Foti, Joe Cileone, Ken Landis, KJ Schmitt, Nancy Marino, Ken Steward, Betty Averell, Arnie Arnold, Bea Wiilliams, Nancy Kearney, Jack Latch, Jason Piligno, Kim Aurig Hartke, Annie Hartke, Lily Reckeweg, George Stevens, Christine Fink, Florence Keller, Cynthia Fuester, Warren Creely, Mildred Young, Helen Lewin, Betty Andrew, Caroline Gerelus, Paul Gaehring.

As I close this letter, I ask you to keep your Bible within reach at all times and read it faithfully. And as children of God let us remember the old song from our Sunday School days:

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes that’s the book for me
I stand alone on the Word of God
The B-I-B-L-E

Love from your prayer partner,
Betty Stoms

“Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Hebrews 12:2

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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

BIRTHDAYS
March 2 Caroline Gerelus
March 3 Christa Ballinger
Matthew C. Schmitt
March 5 Harold Shallcross
March 6 Joan Elfreth
March 7 Steve Schoch
March 9 Lorraine Rudderow
March 11 Mark Burgoon
March 12 John Cluelow Jr.
March 14 Cheryl Averell
March 16 Ean Meyers
March 18 Robert Elfreth
Brad Mountain
March 23 Shirley Grube
March 26 Bob Holmes

ANNIVERSARIES
March 12 Betty & Jack MacNamara
March 22 Brent and Nora MacGlauglin
March 30 William & Suzanne Hoover

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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Celebrating 100th Birthday

You are invited to the 100th birthday Celebration/ Open House Reception for Julia Slimm on Saturday, March 12th, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in the Collingswood Manor Chapel, 460 Haddon Ave., Collingswood NJ. No RSVP required. We are doing a memory book for Julia. If you can make the party or not, please send a memory and a picture if you have one to: Betty Parsons, 5 Rosemont Drive, Myerstown, PA 17067.

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The Symbolism of Ashes

On the first day of Lent, pastors in many churches dip a finger in ashes (often made by burning palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday) and make a cross on parishioners’ foreheads.

God’s people have used ashes as a sign of mourning, humiliation and penitence. In the Old Testament, ashes were used as a purification offering. The New Testament speaks of repenting in “sackcloth and ashes” (Luke 10:13, NRSV).

On Ash Wednesday, Christians are pained because our sins — private and public — led to Jesus’ death. With repentant hearts, we begin the season of Lent, knowing it leads to resurrection on Easter Sunday

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BIBLE QUIZ

Just before the Last Supper (John 13), Jesus took off his outer robe, poured water into a basin and began washing his disciples’ feet. One disciple, however, protested having the Lord wash his feet. Jesus told the reluctant man that unless he allowed Jesus to wash his feet, he really had no share in Christ’s leadership. The disciple then relented. He said Jesus could wash not only his feet but his hands and head, as well.

Choose the name of this disciple from the list below:
A. Peter
B. John
C. Andrew
D. Judas

Answer: A (See John 13:1-9.)

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Five Lessons From A Palm Tree
Author unknown

The uncompromising righteous shall flourish like the palm tree,
be long lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful;
they shall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon,
majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible.
Planted in the house of the Lord,
they shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Growing in grace, they shall still bring forth fruit in old age,
they shall be full of sap of spiritual vitality
and rich in the verdure of trust, love and contentment.
They are living memorials to show that the Lord is upright
and faithful to His promises;
He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Psalm 92:12-15

In the hurricanes in Florida - buildings fell, but the palm tree flowed with the wind. We need to be rooted in Him! Pine trees were uprooted in Florida. Some of us can be pine trees that fall apart in the storm. What can we learn from the palm tree?

1. A Palm tree is not easily uprooted. It’s actually impossible. The secret is in the root system. The roots go 2-3 miles deep. Abide in Him! Proper connection to the vine in the storm makes you stronger.

2. You can cut a Palm Tree, but you cannot kill it. Its strength is not in its outward shell, but the inner part. If you take the bark off of a regular tree all the way around, it will die. It depends on that outward shell. We can depend on the Spirit living in us.

3. It bends but does not break. The Palm Tree has the ability to bounce back. In strong wings they bend over, but afterwards it stands back up and it is actually stronger. God puts a bounce back in your spirit. Don’t give up!

4. The fruit of the Palm Tree is out of the reach of the predator! It is preserved. John 15:8. Fruit shall remain. He can preserve your spiritual future, family, your finances, your job, your health etc.

5. There is 1 thing that can kill a Palm Tree. The Palm Tree cannot endure the cold. It absolutely has to stay in a warm environment. Put it in an environment that is cold and you’ll kill it. If you are cold spiritually, check your environment. Check your life. If you are cold, it will affect your fruit. Intimacy with Him brings you heat. Be responsible for keeping yourself fired up in the Lord! If you are cold, you are dying spiritually. Make Him be the center of your whole world. Don’t be a mediocre Christian, don’t be lukewarm.

Tap into your root system: Jesus Christ!

“I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser. Any branch in me that does not bear fruit, he cuts away; and he cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more excellent fruit. You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the Word which I have given you. Dwell in me, and I will dwell in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever lives in me, and I in Him bears much fruit. However, apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:1-5

Some pretty good lessons from a palm tree! May God’s love enrich our lives as we put them to practice.

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The First United Methodist Church
201 Dayton Avenue
Collingswood, NJ 08108

Loving God...Loving People...Connecting With Our Neighbors