Shaft United Methodist Church
Newsletter
February 2012
Rev. Harry Burchell, Jr., Pastor
The Light of the World
Scripture readings: Matthew 5:14- 16 & John 8:12 -9:5
In John 8:12 Jesus spoke these words, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life ”( NIV). Light is an amazing phenomenon. I don't understand the scientific laws about light, but I do know I am grateful for it. Walking through a strange room or building without the aid of light is a challenge. Traveling along a dark, unfamiliar street at night arouses fear and anxiety in us. Driving on a highway that is devoid of lights or on a dark country road can be extremely dangerous. Imagine trying to land a plane when there are no runway lights.
Flicking on the light in a room or hallway, walking along a well lighted street, driving along a highway with many overhead lights gives us a feeling of security that we sometimes take for granted. Light is our ally in a dark world. It gives a means to determine difficulties in the path and decide which way to go. A world without light? Difficult indeed!
Just as God's natural light is a comfort to our physical well-being, so His son, Jesus, is the comfort and light of our spiritual well-being. Walking life's path without Jesus to guide our way is like walking blindfolded in an unfamiliar room. We stumble, bump into things and fall over objects that are in our way. It's the same in our spiritual life if we walk the journey with Jesus. Imagine a room that so dark that nothing is discernible. Now imagine the soft glow of one candle. As our eyes adjust and the candle continues to burn, the room and its contents slowly take form. Isn't it similar when Jesus enters our hearts to light the way? A warm glow begins and Jesus gently takes us into His loving arms. He becomes the “light of our world”. What a wonderful feeling to know that no matter what we may encounter; Jesus will be there to show us the way; to give us strength to face our problems. He simply offers Himself as Savior and Friend.
An old hymn has these words,“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.” ( J.Scriven ,C . Converse) Another hymn by Alfred Ackley reminds us that we “never walk alone”. Each of us is facing or will face problems that seem overwhelming, but if we remember to rely on Jesus, the burden will be lighter. Someone once said, “God didn't promise a journey free of trials but He did promise to give us the strength we need to get though it.” No path is too long or too bumpy if we keep our eyes on Jesus.
Each day may we look to Jesus to show us the right path to take and to help us face the day with a thankful heart. Amen.
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Happy Birthday
Feb. 1 – Susie Symons
Feb. 3 – Harvey McKenzie
Feb. 6 – Dennis Loar
Feb. 7 – Shirley Albright
Feb. 9 – Meredith Lent Fe
Feb. 10 – Elaine Clise
Feb. 19 – Marsha Staggs
Feb. 19 – Nathan Ashby
Feb. 21 – Arlene Fatkin
Feb. 21 – Benny Sweitzer
Feb. 22 – Aaron Fitzgerald
Feb. 25 – Lori Brown
b. 25 – Carolyn Brown
Feb. 26 – Fred Loar
Feb. 28 – Royce Howsare
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Happy Anniversary
Feb. 2– Bill and Jenna Howsare
Feb. 17 – Benny and Marie Sweitzer
Feb. 23 – Bernie and Kelly Garlitz
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Ushers for February: Harold and Carol Skidmore
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Sincere Sympathy
We offer our sincere sympathy to the family of Willard Harvey who went to heaven on Jan. 15 th and to the family of James Ziler who went to heaven o Jan. 17 th . We know that the Holy Spirit will minister to these families to give them the strength they need as they mourn the loss of their loved ones ..
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Ryan Garlitz just got back from a mission trip to Nicaragua . He went on the trip to help build a church in this impoverished country. Ryan was the hands and feet of Jesus.
Congratulations
~ Seth Loar was named to the Dean's List for the first semester at Frostburg State University .
~ Jovan Schneider was chosen to participate in the All State Honor Band for the state of Rhode Island .
~ Scott Dean and Katie Dean were selected to participate in the All State Honor Band for the state of Iowa .
~ Mark Ashby will be one of the main actors in Cumberland Theater's production of “Boeing, Boeing”.
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Continue to bring in nonperishable items to help keep the George's Creek and Frostburg Food pantries stocked. January collection was given to the Frostburg Food Pantry. In February we will collect for the George's Creek Food Pantry. Reminder: Donations tend to drop off after the holidays. Thanks to Elaine Clise for delivering the food to the local pantries.
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Wounded Warrior Project
The final total for our Wounded Warrior Project was $ 2,500.00 : $2147.00 from our fundraisers and $353.00 from the church. We topped last year's total by $1000.00. Now it's time to decide if we want to do WWP for this year. Last year's committee did a wonderful job with raising money and with the Veteran's Day program. If you think this project is worthwhile and/or you would be willing to help, please let Bob or Sharon Ashby know. Thanks to everyone who helped with the Wounded Warrior Project.
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Are You Interested?
Our Care Groups have fallen by the wayside. Recently, several people have expressed an interest in starting them up again. Instead of meeting in someone's home, the group or groups could meet in the Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments could be served. We need someone who would be willing to see if there is enough interest. There may even be a group that would like to meet during the day. Give it some thought.
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Feb. 9 – 7:00 p.m. Administrative Council Meeting
Lent
Lent is the forty days in the Christian year which leads to Easter. The word Lent comes from Anglo-Saxon and Germanic words meaning spring, a time for new life and growth. For Christians Lent is a time of prayer and spiritual renewal. The season of Lent emphasizes the need to grow spiritually. It is a time of preparation. It is also a time for those to come forward who wish baptism or confirmation. During Lent Christians take time for self-examination. Some people choose fasting as a means to examine their spiritual lives. Others choose to become more active in God's work. Still others decide to change habits that keep them from being near to God.
The purpose of Lenten reflection through discipline is to strip away those things which clutter our lives or keep us from a close relationship with God. It is also a time to reflect on the sufferings of Jesus in light of our own sin and unrighteousness. Jesus died so that we might have eternal life.
Lent is also a time of prayer. Some Christians add extra prayer time during Lent. The traditional symbol for Lenten prayer is a pretzel. The symbol dates back to the fifth century Christians who made dough with flour, salt and water. The dough was shaped into the form of two crossed arms as a reminder to pray. The arms were called the “little arms of bracellae ” which later were called “ bretzel ”. The pretzel was only eaten during Lent – a reminder to pray.
The color of the altar paraments during Lent is purple, a symbol of sorrow and repentance. Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days where He was extremely tempted by Satan. Jesus resisted the temptations by drawing strength from His Father. We can strengthen our spiritual lives and increase our faith if we put our hand in God's hand. We can give our best to God.
How can we observe Lent in a way that is meaningful? It's up to each of us to make a choice. We could:
~ attend all church services during Lent.
~ work at developing a more understanding nature.
~ become more active in church activities.
~ increase church or mission offerings.
~ increase personal prayer time and Bible study.
~ help with a local charity.
The list could go on and on. An amazing thing happens as we observe Lent through these sacrifices and change; they may become part of our daily lives after Lent is over! We will be changed; closer to God. Reflection. Repentance. Change. These are the focal points of Lent.
Feb. 22 – 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service at Grace UMC .
Do you remember the Lenten ” dime” folders we used to fill?
Hidden Elijah
The following nonsense story hides ten words or names associated with Elijah. Can you find then? (Note: Words and names are strung between the words in the story.
It's a brave new world the sales rep said as he drove through Cuba . Along the way he was pleased with his new car, mellowly grooving on the local jazz, a rep hat hanging low on his brow (as a haberdasher once taught him). When the car came to a halt, a rebellious group surrounded him. If I represent my products well, he thought, who rebels? Let them watch. A riot, I feel, is hardly the worst that could happen
Words to find: Ahab Altar Baal Carmel Chariot Elisha
Fire Horeb Raven Zarephath
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Words of Thanks
On behalf of the family of Dottie Booth, I want to thank the congregation for all the prayers offered for Dotty and our family. To say the least, the road has been an extremely difficult road to travel but has been worth every bit of struggle and endless nights of lack of sleep because it brought Dotty home to the Lord. For this I give praise to God Almighty.
I want to thank those who sent cards to Dotty because they helped her feel God's love first-hand. Thanks to all the ladies who helped with the dinner as it was very much appreciated. I noted to Kenny that it was the first time that all our family sat down together for a meal.
Thank you for the donation from the church. It was used to pay her caregivers' last bill since I didn't have access to Dotty's funds when they needed to be paid. In return, being a firm believer in the concept of “Paying It Forward”, we are donating this money [from the family] to be split equally between the meal fund and missions.
Marsha
A very generous donation was given to the church in Dotty's honor from: Donald Booth, Sr., Donald Booth, Jr. and Ruth, Marsha Staggs and Kenny, Amber Ward and Eric, Laura Moulden and Adam, Shayna and Kayla Staggs, Sophia Ward, Kennedy Moulden .
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In Loving Memory
Ten years ago on Feb. 12, John Ronald Fatkin left his earthly home to go to be with Jesus. Each one of us, who knew Ronald, has fond memories of his kind and caring ways. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a dedicated advocator for students, a diligent church worker and most profoundly a humble Christian. We miss Ronald more than words can express, but his legacy lives in each life he touched.
Shaft United Methodist Church
c/o 60 Victoria Ln .
Frostburg, MD 21532
Words to Ponder
“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Mother Teresa
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Pericles