SEPTEMBER/2013 McPherson KS 67460 1010 S. Maple St. Going ...storage.cloversites.com/mcphersonfreemethodistchurch/documents/… · like to visit about estate planning or writing a

The Apostle Paul speaks to

unity in the body of Christ —

the church — with candor

and grace:

“...Speaking the truth in

love, Paul writes, we will in

all things grow up into him

who is the head, that is,

Christ. From him the whole

body, joined and held to-

gether by every supporting

ligament, grows and builds

itself up in love, as each part

does its work (Ephesians 4:15

-16).”

Throughout the months of

September, October, and No-

vember, the McPherson FMC

is on a journey BENEATH

THE SURFACE and into the

interior places of our lives.

We are exploring what Scrip-

ture has to say in regard to a

biblical integration of emo-

tional health, a relationship

with Jesus, and the classic

practices of contemplative

spirituality.

Our primary text is God’s

Word. The secondary text is

pastor and author Peter

Scazzero’s book, Emotionally

Healthy Spirituality. The ba-

sic premise of the book is that

it is impossible to be spiritu-

ally mature while remaining

emotionally immature.

What does a truly healthy

biblical community of faith

look like? What are the signs

of unhealth? How much of

my day is spent in activity

and how much time do I

carve out to spend

with God?

Sunday School classes

and small groups are

engaging in the study.

Sunday morning mes-

sages dovetail with

those studies. And the

Daily Office guide-

book (see article below)

further reinforces the teach-

ing/preaching as students in

middle school, high school,

and adults engage in the

practices that can take us all

deeper into the things of

faith as we strive to be

whole people taking the

Gospel to a fractured and

hurting world.

Scazzero’s book, an accom-

panying workbook for

classes and small groups,

and a specially-tailored

Daily Office guidebook are

available from the church

office at minimal cost.

Going Deeper

The Daily Office

While the term “daily office” is

new to many, the practice of the

Daily Office has been happen-

ing in the church for centuries.

In other church traditions it is

also known as fixed-hour

prayer, or liturgy of the hours.

The Daily Office differs from

what we typically think of as

“quiet time” or “devotions.” It

offers structured times and

guided prayers throughout the

day, and Scriptures focused on

practicing the presence of

Christ. A Daily Office guide-

book tailored to BENEATH

THE SURFACE is available

for $2.00.

In addition, beginning Sep-

tember 2 (Labor Day), the

Daily Office is offered every

Monday and Friday morning

at the church (Bykota class-

room, use south entrance) at

7:00 a.m. It will last no more

than 30 minutes. Materials are

provided for each participant.

Coordinator Jennie Hall will

oversee this Monday/Friday

gathering for any who would

like to “bookend” their week

with contemplative worship

and prayer with other like-

minded believers.

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SEPTEMBER/2013

1010 S. Maple St.

McPherson KS 67460

620.241.7176 (office)

620.241.7179

(Outreach McPherson)

on the Plazaon the Plaza

Sunday, September 15, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Lakeside Plaza Apartments, 729 Kerschner Drive

Meat, beverage, table service provided

Bring: lawn chair(s), salad (A-L) or dessert (M-Z) to serve

10-12

Inflatables for the kids; games for the young-at-heart

More instrumentalists are needed in order

to expand the orchestra, which also min-

isters two to three times per month in

worship services. The current orchestra

consists of a small brass ensemble that

occasionally accompanies the Celebration

Choir for some of their special numbers.

Other instruments are needed and wel-

comed.

WORSHIP BAND

If the choir or orchestra do not fit your

particular skill set, there are also four

worship bands that each minister once a

month, as well as a “Fifth Sunday” band

that ministers once a quarter. While there

are currently sufficient numbers of vocal-

ists, the need remains for a few more bass

players, guitarists (acoustic and/or elec-

tric), piano/keyboard players, drummers,

or perhaps some other instrument outside

the standard rhythm section (banjo any-

one?).

Each of these music groups has a unique

contribution and level of comfort that it

brings to Worship Arts, but all are chal-

lenged to stretch themselves musically,

stylistically, and spiritually. One over-

arching philosophy is that in our expres-

sions of worship through music we are

allowing ourselves to become a tangible

picture of the diverse unity represented in

Christ’s Body.

If you are interested in participating in

any of these ways, contact Pastor Dallas

CELEBRATION CHOIR

The Worship Arts program is looking for

more voices to join the Celebration

Choir! This intergenerational group of

music lovers ministers two to three times

per month in Sunday morning worship, as

well as special performances of choral

worship music at key moments in the

Christian year -- especially during the

Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter sea-

sons. Participants meet for practice each

Wednesday evening at 6:30 in the choir

room (northeast corner of building)

where they also take time to support one

another through prayer, encouragement,

and fellowship.

ORCHESTRA

We will host our eighth Financial Peace

University class beginning later this

month. Note the specifics:

Monday nights from September 30 -

November 25

9-week format, 1 ½ hour commit-

ment per week (6:30-8:00 p.m.)

Childcare is available

A limited number of scholarships are

available

In a video and discussion format

Useful for high school students up to

senior adults

Discusses financial principles critical

to people in any walk of life or fi-

nancial position

Deadline to sign up is Thursday,

September 19

The ministry position of Pro-

moter/Administrator for FPU remains

unfilled. Would you prayerfully consider

this post? Following are the basic respon-

sibilities:

Interest in helping people who are

ready for a significant change in

their life.

Passionate

about seeing

God do sig-

nificant

work in peo-

ple’s lives.

Able to in-

vest time

and energy.

Follow up with potential class mem-

bers early in the process.

Distribution of posters and flyers

(already in a template format)

Regular contact with college stu-

dents who provide childcare for the

meeting several families who have asked to schedule this visit. If there are others in the church who would like to visit about estate planning or writing a will, Calvin Hawkins would

ESTATES AND WILLS: Chris DeBacker, Regional VP for the Free Methodist Foundation will be in McPherson on Monday and Tues-day, October 21 and 22. He’ll be

be happy to add them to Chris’s schedule. Contact Calvin at [email protected].

Page 2

Calling All Musicians!

Adult Ministry

M CPHER NOTES

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY...and a ministry opportunity!

S E PT EM BE R 20 13

MARKETPLACE KICK-OFF is

Wednesday, September 4, for children

through Grade 5. Pizza and a beverage is

provided at 6:00 in the Tree House Room

for $1.00 per child.

From 6:30-7:30, children age 3 through

Kindergarten will enjoy special program-

ming in Room 226, led by Leah Smith

and Missy Mayse.

Grades 1-5 will participate in games,

sentence scrambles, trivia, as well as a

story time and prayer. A Space Walk and

other games will also be provided.

For the remainder of the school year,

Marketplace will offer quality teaching

and care. Teaching themes will include

Lydia, Jonah, Mary’s Song (Advent),

Jesus Teaches Us to Pray, Joseph: God’s

Dreamer, and The Great Dinner.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

It isn’t too early to begin planning for this

special ministry to children around the

world. Here is how you can contribute:

September 18 and 25 — empty shoe

boxes

October 2 — school supplies

October 9 — small toys (no guns or

army men)

October 16 — toothbrushes, tooth-

paste, combs, washcloth, bar of soap

in a baggie

October 23 — socks, hair clips,

small flashlights

October 30 — draw a picture or

write a note

November 6 — assemble boxes

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

Sept. 12 — Play Date Field Trip

(Dairy Queen and playground); age

3-Kindergarten; meet at Jan’s (308

N. Elm) at 9:00 a.m. Parents’ help

welcomed!

Sept. 14 — Breakfast at Jan’s, 9:30-

11:00 a.m., Grades 1-5; reserve your

spot by calling 242-6775.

Sept. 27 — Girls’ Movie Night at

Jan’s, 6:00-8:00 p.m., age 3—Grade

5; pizza and Veggie Tale movie

Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26 — Play Date at

Jan’s, 9:00-11:00 a.m., age 3—

Kindergarten

Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 — Play Date

Oct. 10 — Play Date Field Trip (Fire

Station); age 3—Kindergarten; meet

at Jan’s at 9:00 a.m.; Parents’ help

welcomed!

Oct. 11 — Boys’ Movie Night at

Jan’s, 6:00-8:00 p.m.; age 3—Grade

5; pizza and Veggie Tale movie

Page 3

Children and Youth

Church Parking Lot

Thursday, HALLOWEEN, October 31, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Space Walk and Hoops (inflatables)

Calling all cars! Bring a trunk full of goodies for our neighborhood children. Decorate

your car. There will be a prize for best decorated. Call Jan to register your car for this

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE? There’s a popular slo-

gan being uttered by today’s youth. “YOLO.” YOLO

(You only live once) is used as justification for us to

live however we want, and to do what feels good.

The call of Jesus, however, is a call to deny yourself,

take up the cross, and seek God’s kingdom first. The

“YOLO” mentality is in direct opposition to the life

that God has for us. And what’s more concerning is

that it simply isn’t true.

You don’t only live once. Christianity promises that

the life we have is one that will continue after death.

We’re invited to join with God in restoring the world

to what it was intended to be.

Each of us has a role in the

restoration of all things

(Acts 3:21). Our feeling of

identity and purpose should

come from this understand-

ing. We’re not here by acci-

dent, and “YOLO” flies in

the face of the mission

we’ve been given.

Each Sunday evening, high

school students meet in the

youth area for a REMIX gathering. During the next 12 weeks these

students will learn about the life that Jesus has for them. We will com-

bat the “YOLO” mentality with the Truth…. Life that Jesus talks about

is so much better than we’ve ever imagined!

Fall

2 All Day Office Closed (Labor Day)

8 12:00 p.m. Youth Dinner

9 7:00 p.m. Sarah Buehrle Bridal Shower

11 8:15 p.m. Trustees’ Meeting (Dining Room)

12 7:00 p.m. Youth Cabinet (Youth Room)

14 9:00 a.m. Breakfast at Jan's for Grades 1-5

15 5:00 p.m. All-Church Picnic (Lakeside Plaza)

18 7:35 p.m. Finance Team Meeting (Deb’s Office)

20 10:00 p.m. HS 5th Quarter

21 7:00 p.m. Jolt! Mystery Party

23 7:00 p.m. Missions Meeting (Deb’s Office)

25 7:00 a.m. See You at the Pole

25 7:35 p.m. BOA Meeting (Dining Room)

27 6:00 p.m. 3s—5th Grade Girls’ Movie Night @ Jan’s

30 6:30 p.m. Financial Peace University Begins (Parlor)

September

SUN

9:15 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

Sunday School (various locations)

Worship Service (Sanctuary)

Remix

MON 7:00 a.m. Daily Office (B.Y.K.O.T.A. Room)

TUE 1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting (Church Office)

WED

6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Teach us to Pray (Parlor)

Marketplace

Jolt!

Choir Practice (Choir Room)

Praise Band Practice (Sanctuary)

THU 8:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly)

Play Date at Jan’s (308 N Elm)

FRI 7:00 a.m. Daily Office (B.Y.K.O.T.A. Room)

SAT 7:00 am Men’s Prayer Group (Dining Rm)

Weekly Happenings

Adult Ministries - Fall 2013

This Fall provides excellent opportunity for spiritual growth. An

important center for growth is adult Sunday school classes that

meet from 9:15-10:00 a.m.. There are seven adult classes as well as

an excellent staff of teachers. If you are not currently in an adult

Sunday school class, now is the time to join. The Fall Sunday

school curriculum for most of our classes is based on the same

theme as our sermon series, with the majority discussing

“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.” This book, workbook, and

Daily Office are available at greatly reduced prices. If you are not

in a class, meet us at The Welcome Center on Sunday morning at

9:15. We will take you to a class and/or start a new class for inter-

ested persons.

Another great place to be this Fall is in the Parlor on Wednesday

evenings at 6:30 p.m. for “Teach Us to Pray.” Prayer is a vital

component of growth.

If you’re interested in a community/cell/small group, contact Pastor

Tom Mayse at 245-2470. Together, we are getting Beneath the

Surface. Spiritual growth is our priority, our focus, and our desire.

Please join us on this journey to wholeness.

Staff

Deborah Somerville Senior Pastor

[email protected]

Dallas Burgeson Associate Pastor

[email protected]

Zach Fleming Pastor of Student Ministries

[email protected]

Jan O’Dell Children’s Ministry Director

[email protected]

P. Thomas Mayse Pastor of Visitation

[email protected]

Dawn Young Middle School Coordinator

[email protected]

Brian Kasiska Office Manager

[email protected]

Notes of

Appreciation As a general rule, all

“thank you” notes and

announcements are

posted and regularly up-

dated on the bulletin

board in the lobby. If you

would like an item in-

cluded, contact Brian in

the church office.