Shaft United Methodist Church

Newsletter

July 2010

Rev. Harry Burchell , Jr., Pastor

Draw Me Nearer

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8 (KJV)

Where am I on my walk with God? Where are you? Do we feel the intimate presence of Jesus in our daily lives? Can we feel the Holy Spirit comforting and guiding us? Or , does it seem as if God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are standing far away on the other side of a chasm or a deep, wide river? Each of us needs to look at our journey with God. Just where are we?

As I thought about a topic for the newsletter (rather than a canned article), I first chose to write about the turmoil and strife in our world and how they affect our walk with God. But when I started to write the article, the topic just didn't fit what I wanted to say. I was rambling but not getting anywhere. Then the remembered something Pastor Burchell had said in many of his sermons: “We are in this world, but we don't have to of this world.” We all have to live and function here on earth, but we don't have to let the world pull us away from God. So scratch that topic. Someone smarter than I can tackle it!

As each of us must do, I ask myself where I was on this journey. We are shaped by the events in our lives and by the way we handle those events: the triumphs and celebrations of the mountain top and the deep valleys of disappointment and regret. Phillip Yancy in his book, Where Is God When It Hurts , tells the reader that “It's how we handle the joys and adversities in our lives that determines our relationship with God”.
Reflect on a time when you were happiest and on a time when you were the saddest. I can remember the joy I felt when Bob returned from Vietnam and the joy at the births of our sons. They were just some of the many mountaintops. Did I remember to thank God at these times? Then came the valleys: death of loved ones, loss of jobs and illnesses. I, like many others, questioned God and even got angry and bitter. It's during these very low points in our lives that Paul writes in Romans 8:26-27 that the Holy Spirit helps us by” interceding for us groans that words cannot express”. Through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, we move from bitterness to peace. Does that mean everyday is an “A+” day? No, but everyday can be a “God Day”.

There is an old hymn that we sang quite often when I was a youth (long, long ago!): “Near to the Heart of God”. Most of us of a certain vintage age can sing the song from memory.

1. There is a place of quiet rest; near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace; near to the heart of God.

2. There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God.

A place where we our Savior meet; near to the heart of God.

3. There is a place of full release; near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace; near to the heart of God.

Chorus : Oh Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,

Hold us who wait before You , near the heart of God.

A place of quiet rest where the world can't intrude. That's what we need. A place to meet our Savior and release our problems to Him – “Near to the Heart of God.” Whatever we face, we have an anchor to hold us steady in the storms of life. The Bible tells us not to look for God in the loudness or busyness of our world, but in the still small voice. Find a place of quiet rest. God is there.

Rev. William Price in one of his sermons told about an older couple who had been married many years. One day they were riding in the car to see the beautiful autumn colors. The wife asked, “Why is it we don't sit close in the car anymore?” Her husband looked at her and replied, “I didn't move!”

So it is with God. He hasn't moved. Have we?

Dear Heavenly Father, We need to be near to you for comfort and strength. Draw us nearer through your Son. In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

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Happy Birthday

July 1 – Amy Clise
July 1 – Alison Eller
July 2 – Belinda Keller
July 3 – Tiffany Miller
July 7 – Nick Atkinson
July 8 – Irvin Ziler
July 8 – Randy Drew
July 11 – Helen Keady
July 15 – Noah Curtis
July 17 – Gertrude Hersch
July 17 – John Winner
July 20 – Elizabeth Clise
July 21 – Keith Neilson
July 28 – Sarah Skidmore
July 31 – Kathleen Sigler

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Happy Anniversary

July 4 – Harold and Carol Skidmore
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Ushers for July: Shayna and Kayla Staggs
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A Big Thank You

Thanks to everyone who came out to help clean the church during our “LOVE YOUR CHURCH WEEK” It was a very special week. There are still more things to be finished before fall. A sign up sheet is available with jobs that still need to be tackled. The Fellowship Hall will be cleaned after the new flooring has been installed. There are many items that were in the basement that are no longer of use to the church. These items are $.50 each. The green folding chairs are $1.00 each, and the sturdier black chairs are $5.00 each. The money from these items will be used in God's Helping Hands Fund and the money from the chairs will be used to help defray the cost of the new chairs that were purchased for the Fellowship Hall.
FYI: Kathy Skidmore and her family traveled to Hagerstown to purchase 80 new chairs for our church. If you would like to contribute to the cost of the chairs, each one cost $25.00.
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Sunday School and Church Literature
SKiddy and Carol sent out two boxes of the used church literature to “Eagle's Nest” last week. In the box of literature was an anonymous donation of $5.00 to help with postage. Keep placing your Upper Rooms, Sunday School literature, Bible and other Christian literature in the box that is in the back room. Also, keep putting you pennies in the container on the altar. That money is sent with the literature to help pay for distribution costs. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Shoes For Orphans' Souls
Kathy Skidmore is already purchasing shoes for our August “Shoes for Orphans' “Souls”. If you would like to contribute toward the shoes she has already purchased or toward the purchase of more shoes, see Kathy, our resident bargain shopper!
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From the Staggs Family

On behalf of Shayna , we would like to thank all our church family for all the cards and gifts that Shayna received at her 16 th birthday celebration. We would also like to thank all those who stayed after church to share in a time of fellowship and birthday treats. It has been a very difficult last few years for our family, and we just want to thank our church family for exemplifying the love of the Lord by enfolding our family in compassion and love.

Congratulations
~ Jovan Schneider was named “Music Student of the Year” at Gallagher Middle School in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Way to go, Jovan!
~ Kimberly Farmer and Wes Hurdle were united in holy matrimony on June 12, 2010. Kimberly is the granddaughter of John and Donna Winner.
~ Sharon Ashby (Hey, that's me!) retired from teaching as of June 30, 2010 .
~ Shayna Staggs just celebrated her 16 th birthday. Her family and church family surprised her with a party on June 13 th .
~ Alice Stevanus was surprised on June 27 th with a very special 80 th birthday celebration at our church. If we all lived our lives like Alice , the world would be a better place. We love you, Alice!

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Interested?
A “Visitation Committee” is being formed for our church. If you are interested in becoming part of this team, please put your name on the sign-up sheet or see Kathy Skidmore. The goal of this team is to visit shut-ins and nursing home residents as an outreach ministry. Nine people have already expressed an interest. A meeting will be scheduled in the next few weeks.
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Administrative Council News
** There were 14 people present at the council meeting on June 10 th .
~ The council voted to purchase 80 sturdy chairs for use in the Fellowship Hall. Each chair is $25.00, and our resident shopper, Kathy Skidmore, will be in charge of getting the chairs. Members of the church will have a chance to donate money toward a chair.
~ Volunteers are needed to paint the utility building and to help house clean the church.
~ The council discussed the possibility of forming a “Visitation Committee”.
~ Approved having a special collection on June 13 th for Tara Buskirk's mission trip tp Costa Rica . Money from the “Helping Hands Fund” will be added to the collection.
The next meeting of the Administrative Council will be July 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m .
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Thanks to Paul and Phyllis Howsare for their generous donation toward the publication of the newsletter.
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*~ The special gifts presented to our dads on Father's Day were given in memory of Joseph Layman be “his girls” Faye Wolford, Carol Skidmore and Pauly Coakley .
~~ Thanks to Chris Skidmore, Pauly Coakley and Michelle Lent for conducting our morning worship services while Pastor and Betty were on vacation.

The Number “40” in the Bible

The number 40 is used many times in the Bible. In her book of Bible trivia, Robyn Martins looks at numbers in the Bible. Here is what she found in her research. The number 40 stands for a generation and/or for a time of chastisement and trial. Following are some of the examples she cites in her book (page 66):

~ The Flood. Water flooded the earth for 40 days. Genesis 7:17
~ Moses was on Mt. Sinai 40 days receiving instructions from God.
Exodus 24:18
~ It took 40 days to embalm a person back when Jacob was alive, or actually when Jacob was dead. Genesis50:3
~ The Israelites ate manna for 40 years until they finally settled in Canaan .
Exodus 16:35
~ The representatives of each Israelite tribe explored Canaan for 40 days until returning with their report to Moses. Numbers 13:25
~ After the Israelites put a nix on conquering Canaan , they were forced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Number 32:13
Saul David, Solomon and Joash reigned as kings for 40 years.
~ Elijah traveled 40 days until he reached Horeb . 1 Kings 19:8
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Which Prophet?

1. This prophet asked if a leopard could change its spots.
2. This prophet saw a flying scroll in a vision.
3. Who talks about the sword of the Lord?
4. This prophet at a scroll.
5. A seraph touched this prophet's mouth with a hot coal.
6. He made an axe head float on the water.
7. Who was slapped in the face for calling one of King Ahab's prophets a liar?
8. This prophet wrote the shortest book of the Old Testament.
9. This prophet lost his shade tree to a hungry worm.
10. He was a shepherd and a fig tree gardener.
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According to Solomon's proverb, what is in Wisdom's right and left hands?
(Read Proverbs chapter 3.)
What are the four rivers in the Garden of Eden?
(Read Genesis chapter2.)
What did John the Baptist eat?
( Read Matthew chapter 3.)
Who is the “father of lies”?

(Read John chapter 8.)

Shaft United Methodist Church
c/o 60 Victoria Ln .
Frostburg, MD 21532

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue thee in my love.”

John 15:9 (KJV)