NEW CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TIDINGS · 2019-01-26 · The Daffodil Principle Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come

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76 Congers Rd. www.newcityumc.org Rev. Barbara Hoffman, Pastor

New City, NY 10956 New City United Methodist Church [email protected]

845-634-1758 Parsonage 845-323-4814 Cell 609-744-2485

Volume 44, No. 1 Mary H. Gardella, Editor 845-634-9381 Email:[email protected]

NEW CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

TIDINGS

Happy New Year Friends!!!

It’s a new year, an empty page, a fresh start! Think about the possibilities!

We often make resolutions to lose weight or to exercise more, and those are good (I need to do both), however,

often what we need to change in the new year are our minds…our attitudes…our ways of seeing and thinking. We

have a great example in Jesus. If we strive to develop the “mind of Christ” in ourselves all other things will fall in

line.

One of the things I love about Methodism is that we have a Book of Discipline that is a guide for ministry, for faith,

for theology, and for Church Administration. Many other denominations or independent churches don’t have this,

and they go off willy-nilly on their own.

I can say the same thing about Christianity. We have a book of discipline (or discipleship) that guides our ministry,

faith, administration, and theology…it’s called the Bible. Studying Jesus, through Scripture, can help us to develop

the “mind of Christ” in ourselves. It is one of the only ways I know to become closer to Christ, to get to know the

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mind of the One we follow, to allow Jesus to speak back to us, and to answer all the questions we may have about

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CONTINUED

the mind of the One we follow, to allow Jesus to speak back to us, and to answer all the questions we may

have about the Christian faith.

Now, I know, that for some of our more liberal folks “Bible-study” has become associated with

“fundamentalist” Christians, and therefore has gotten a bad name. However, I want to assure you, that it is

not like that in MY Bible studies. In fact, when you study the Bible in one of my classes, I believe it will help

you to be able to refute fundamentalist Christians on many important points. Those who have taken part in

one of my Bible studies have definitely grown closer to Christ and closer to one another.

So, I challenge you in this New Year to work on changing your mind into the “mind of Christ” through Bible

study. I would like to start some small group Bible studies in the new year. If you would like to work on

changing your mind into the “mind of Christ,” please let me know and I will arrange a small group Bible study

for you.

Many blessings and have a wonderful New Year,

Pastor Barbara

PRAYER CORNER

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creator has come. The old has gone,

the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Change you thoughts and you change your world.”

Norman Vincent Peale

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Sunday, January 6

Worship and Holy Communion and Sunday School 10 a.m.

Epiphany Sunday

Choir Practice

Sunday, January 13

Worship and Sunday School 10 a.m.

Choir Practice

Sunday, January 20

Worship and Holy Communion and Sunday School 10 a.m.

Choir Practice

Sunday, January 27

Worship and Sunday School 10 a.m.

Choir Practice

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Wow, what a great Advent season culminating in our candlelight Christmas Eve Service. Thanks to all who made

this time so special. especiallyö:

To Pastor Barb for inspiring us with her sermon series on the hymn “Silent Night” which celebrated its

200th anniversary in 2018;

To our Music Director, Diana Hughes, and the choir for enhancing our services with their “joyful noise

unto the lord”

To Judy Troia for coordinating the greens and poinsettias which made our church look so festive;

To all who participated in our much loved tradition of the Greening Service;

To Lyn Harper, who initiated and directed the show, and her talented troupe whose performance in the

“Christmas Shoe Tree” both entertained us and reinforced Jesus’s message of caring for “the least, the

last, and the lost”. And thanks to all who donated shoes.

To Bill and Diana Hughes and their friends and family who once again presented an outstanding concert, a

gift of classical, opera, jazz, musical theater, and, of course, Christmas music. And to Konrad Soong for

again coordinating the affair.

To Joyce Brooks and the Fellowship Committee for coordinating the refreshments after our special events

and to all who helped set up/ clean up or brought goodies to share.

To all those who labored behind the scenes: from putting up the crèche; to ushering; to serving during

worship; to oh so much more.

To mangle some metaphors, it not only takes a village to raise a child; it takes a congregation willing to donate

their time, energy and talents to make a successful advent season.

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Happy 2019

December/January Sunday School News

** First I’d like to thank the children and parents for a beautiful presentation of the LIVE NATIVITY during the Greening

service. **

Parts they played Children

*Bringing forth the Manger Arianna Smith

*Seting Nativity figurers Chase Zellner

*Mary Kali Soong

*Joseph Tyler Soong

*Angels Kate Nolan and Olivia Persaud

*Shepherd Ryan Nolan

*Kings William Persaud, Stephen Sprague,

and Shana Christian

*Animals, (donkey, sheep, cow, duck) Jake Ripani, Sekou Edwin and Noa

Almiron Johnson

***IT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY MEANINGFUL! ***

The children made beautiful Christmas trees out of pine cones glitter and seqins for each member of the church.

* Our Bible verse for January is*:

“God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

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*Unit 2: **We will learn about Healing Families. **

***Our New Year’s Prayer is***

John Wesley’s Rule

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

Peace Be With You All,

Patricia Javenes

Sunday School Superintendent

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Access our online donation service by clicking on the QR bar code below or by

accessing our church website: www.newcityumc.org

People-to People

Food Collection

Sundays

January 6

And

February 3

CUMAC Food

Collection

Sunday

January 20

How Else Can We Get 5%?

Every time we buy food store gift certificates, the church earns 5% of the price. That means for every $100 you buy, the church gets $5 for free! How can we beat that fund raising capability? Please keep us in mind as you do your shopping. The shopping you do can also bring benefits to the church if you use our food certificate program. Certificates may be purchased after worship in Fellowship Hall.

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Bernice Marshall-Matthews is a disciple who makes disciples. A leader in Asbury United Methodist Church in Atlantic City,

Bernice has been bringing students to IGNITE for the last five years. Bernice, who has health challenges, moved from an

IGNITE chaperone to a spiritual force raising money to sponsor kids from the congregation and from the community to bring

to IGNITE 2018. Some of the students from her congregation also attended IGNITE through GNJ sponsored scholarships.

The result? Two of the students who attended IGNITE in October have asked to be baptized. One person who registered for

IGNITE through Bernice’s community outreach, now wants to be involved in the church. The young people she brought five

years ago, now hold leadership positions in the congregation.

Miracles are happening, right here, right now in GNJ. This occurs because of the Holy Spirit winds that are blowing through

United Methodists like Bernice and the generous giving through shared ministry by our congregations.

That’s why shared ministry is so important. When your congregation gives 100% of their shared ministry, you allow United

Methodists across the connection in Greater New Jersey to carry out our mission to equip spiritual leaders who will make

vital congregations that make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

UMC of New City has given 100% of their shared ministry for 2018 through November 30. Thank you for your commitment to

our shared mission. How do you feel about where your congregation is at this point? How might you share with your

congregation the story of Bernice and what shared ministries is doing through GNJ?

UMC of New City is blessing to God and United Methodists in Greater New Jersey. Thank you for your leadership.

Keep the faith!

John

Bishop John Schol

The United Methodist Church

of Greater New Jersey

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In 2001, a member of our congregation, Kevin Boyd built our Memorial Garden as an Eagle

Scout project. While not used for many years, on November 17th the ashes of two souls were

interred in the garden. A brass plaque honoring their souls will be affixed to the wall by the

garden in the near future. If anyone would like to place the ashes of loved ones in the garden

they should contact the pastor to make arrangements. The cost for interment is $850, which

pays for the plaque and perpetual care of the garden. A committee was formed under the

board of trustees and we hope to remake the look of the garden in the spring. Anyone looking

to support the Memorial Garden can donate money to the church by designating the donation

for the Memorial garden.

Thanks, Chuck and Sue Delo

Sunday, January 6

Sunday, January 21

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The Daffodil Principle

Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come see the

daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to

Lake Arrowhead.

"I will come next Tuesday, " I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's

house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in the

clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see bad enough to drive

another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."

"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car."

"How far will we have to drive?"

"Just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!"

"We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around."

As we close the books on 2018, we are pleased to report that we were able to give the church over $35,000.00. This

is an increase of just over $1200.00 from last year. In addition our donations have increased as well as the number

of customers we receive each week. So as we look forward to 2019 the health of our thrift store is excellent. That

being said, now more than ever we need “more” help. More sorters, more drivers to Salvation Army, more

donations (ties, sheets, towels), more workers each week, and more prayers so that we can continue to see this

ministry thrive.

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2019!

Sue and Pat

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"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the

church, I saw a hand-lettered sign that said, "Daffodil Garden."

We got out of the car and each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, we turned a corner of

the path, and I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone had taken a

great vat of gold and poured it down over the mountain peak and slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic,

swirling patterns-great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, saffron, and butter

yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted as a group so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its

own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"But who has done this?" I asked Carolyn.

"It's just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home."

Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house that looked small and modest in the midst of all that glory. We walked

up to the house. On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking" was the headline.

The first answer was a simple one."50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman.

Two hands, two feet, and very little brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

There it was, The Daffodil Principle. For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman

whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun ~ one bulb at a time ~ to bring her vision of

beauty and joy to an obscure mountain top. Still, just planting one bulb at a time, year after year, had changed the

world. This unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. She had created something of

ineffable (indescribable) magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.

The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration. That is, learning to move

toward our goals and desires one step at a time ~ often just one baby-step at a time ~ and learning to love the doing,

learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort,

we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.

(Editor’s note: New Year’s resolutions – those wishes and plans for changes in our lives which may produce a burst

of activity and which (at least in my case) may also produce regrets when they are abandoned not too long after New

Year’s. This article seems appropriate for this season of resolutions and from time to time, we reprint it to emphasis

the old adage that every journey starts with a first step. So whether your resolution is one of the perennials, to lose

weight, exercise more, eat more healthy, learn something new or, perhaps even, work on your relation with the Lord,

take that first step and you may be surprised at the result!)

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