OCTOBER 2019 Luray United Methodist Church Luray United Methodist Church Luray United Methodist Church Luray United Methodist Church 1 West Main Street, P.O. Box 606 Luray, Virginia 22835 Pastor Erich Bennett Office: 540-743-6540 Parsonage: 843-0389 Fax: 743-9109 Email: [email protected]The Corner Journal The Corner Journal The Corner Journal The Corner Journal Inside this Issue: Holiness of Heart & Life Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. – Romans 6:19 Striving for holiness is a hallmark of the Chrisan life. It should be for us as important at the gains we seek to make in our physical health and well-being, beering ourselves in our relaonships, being good and growing in our work, and perhaps even rise above our efforts at doing good things in our neighborhood. As believers here at LUMC, I think we ‘get’ that we’re supposed to be good and do good, but how many of us are really striv- ing for holiness. During October, I want us to look at meaningful scripture that can in- spire us to see the value in this pursuit and also help us dive deeper into what our tradi- on as Methodists means for this. You see, we are uniquely posioned by the grace of God to be a vessel for the Holy Spirit, and then for the Spirit to work thru us to make a difference in the world. So o-en, we forget that before we can be God’s light to others, we have to nurture and create the right condions for that holy light to set us ablaze and make us on fire with God’s light shining in us. The verse above is important for us. So I hope you will reflect upon it, even memorize it as we make this journey together. As God’s new creaon, we are called to be changed people, not simply to acknowledge God’s amazing grace and assume God is saying, you’re ok as you are. God is seeking dra- mac and life-altering changes in us – changes that are hard – but changes that are for our benefit and for others as well. Join me as we think and talk about holiness of heart and life this October in our worship messages. I hope to see you Sunday! Grace & Peace, Erich Communion to Nursing Homes - Sunday, October 6th Heritage Fesval Saturday & Sunday October 12 & 13th Come Support our UMM BBQ Sandwich Sales Trick or Treang on Main Thursday, October 31 4-6:30pm Please bring full sized Candy Bars to the Church to be handed out on the corner of Main & Broad Streets Month At A Glance 2 Poem by Walt Gordon 3 Helpers Needed 4 From our Treasurer 5 Mission Opportunity 5 Church Helpers 6
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The Corner Journal · Deibert & John Jennings Please Pray for those in Senior Centers & Nursing Homes: Betsy Campbell: 110 Luther Rd. Dickson, TN 37055 Frances Smith: Dogwood Village
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OCTOBER
2019
Luray United Methodist ChurchLuray United Methodist ChurchLuray United Methodist ChurchLuray United Methodist Church 1 West Main Street, P.O. Box 606 Luray, Virginia 22835
Pastor Erich Bennett Office: 540-743-6540 Parsonage: 843-0389 Fax: 743-9109
If your anniversary is this month and you do not see your names,
please contact the church office so we can update our records.
OCTOBER LURAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PAGE 3
Dear friends in Christ, I want to share a wonderful trip that Nancy & I took in the year 2000. It was the passion play in Oberammer-gau, Germany. The story goes that there was a great plague many years ago. The people asked God to spare them. They were spared, and these people made a pact that every 10 yrs, the area of Oberammergau would put on a presentation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The play in 2000 ended by the children of that area run-ning to see our risen Lord. Can you Imagine? This play made me realize that we owe our European friends a lot of credit for the presence of Christ in our country. After contemplation and prayer, I wrote this poem: “Trip of Ages”. Nancy & I highly recommend, you take advantage in 2020 of this amazing production.
Trip of the Ages Complacent at home in a land of content without realizing European descent. There the sacrifices of the ages unfold creating a story that has to be told.
America the beautiful where freedom rings concerned with acquiring material things. We need to take hold and get a good grip, and grasp our heritage on a European trip.
Since the days of our Lord in the old holy land Europe was there but lacked something grand.
Our land was there too in magnificent accord waiting for Europe to bring us the Lord.
Springing North by the disciples and Paul First into Europe Then Europe to all.
Our nation of freedom can’t credit itself, without Euro-pean influence pulling Christ off the shelf. Our nation is great because Christ is our guide. All our shortcomings we have laid by his side.
When we thank God for the birth of his son, We thank him for all the work he has done. In our prayer of Thanksgiving, three centuries of grace, Europe's seven-teen hundred years stares in our face.
Let’s all accept Christ by the whole world adored and give Europe some credit for the “Trip of the Lord.” Written for Nancy Gordon & Linda Edmonds in 2000 with the Untied Methodist Women of Ottobein and Luray UMW in mind. By Walton Gordon
FELLOWSHIP SNACK:
Can you volunteer to provide Fellowship Snacks?
Next Open Dates: Nov. 3 & 17 and December 1, 15 & 22.
Please let the church office know if want to sign up.
VANCO Online Giving
We con�nue to hope that more will par�cipate in online giving.
Online giving means that you can automa�cally make your
monthly or weekly �the contribu�on to the church even if
weather or personal reasons keeps you from a�ending church.
You can give either by making a recurring dra- from your
checking or savings account or by using a debit or credit card.
See our web site’s home page (www.lurayumc.org) and click the
eGiving bu�on in the header to get started. You also can
download the Give + app from Google Play or the iTunes stores.
See Walt Surra� for details or ques�ons. Your giving is crucial
to the con�nued viability of our work in Luray and beyond.
Correc�ons & Updates - LUMC Pictorial Directory:
Carey & Julia Verba 1309 Serenity Ridge Rd. Luray
Dave & Millie Covington 144 Wesley Harris Circle,
Greensborough, NC 27455 D)336-338-0550 M)540-810-8910 Frances Smith 120 Dogwood Lane #319, Orange, VA 22960
Brad & Carla Chamberlain - No landline, use cell phones
Daughertys: 71 Howard St. SE, Apt #4106 Atlanta, GA 30317
Bruce Clark new cell: 540-669-7036 Helen Harman: 746-9489 [email protected] Gail Kyle 22A N. Deford Ave. Luray
If you have updates or changes, please contact the church office.
OCTOBER LURAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PAGE 4
2019 Ladies Book Club
The Ladies’ Book Club meets at 6:30pm
on the third Thursday of most months.
Next Gathering: October 17 at Missie Deibert’s home Sons of
Encouragement by Francine Rivers. In this five book series, meet
the Biblical equivalent of superhero sidekicks in Aaron, Caleb, Jon-
athon, Amos & Silas.
Preschool is underway and it is turning out to be
another Beau�ful Year!
The Sounds of Li7le Voices, Feet & Laughter!
Currently we have 1 Space in the 4yr Program.
Pray for all Teachers & students.
CHURCH HELPERS ARE NEEDED FOR 2020! Would you like to help our church on a rotation basis? Can’t commit to a weekly volunteer position? Becoming a Church Helper is a way to help the church on a rotation basis, sometimes once a month or one month a year - the possibilities are Endless!
Please write your interest and which service you can help during on your white slip and place it in the offering plate, or send us an email: [email protected], or call the church office.
CHILDREN - Acolytes are needed for both services. Lighting Candles & Helping with first Sunday’s Communion is a great way to help the church, and you get to help Pastor Erich! Contact the church office or Robin Stevens if you can help
USHERS - Consider serving your church as an usher. More vol-unteers are needed so call Meredith at 743-4804 if you would like to be added to the schedule. Men and women are welcome.
GREETERS - Needed for both worship services. Be the face of LUMC by welcoming everyone to morning Worship!
READERS - Needed for Both Worship Services. Reading Scrip-ture is a wonderful way to help during Worship services.
NURSERY HELPERS - Needed during both Worship services. Help our Nursery Staff, Toyia take care of our small children dur-ing services. Come get a hug!
COUNTERS - Needed after the 11am Worship service. Help an-other church member count and deposit the church offering. Con-tact Jon Sisler or the church office.
AV TECH - Showing slides during Worship is needed at both services. You will be trained, so no worry if you feel you don’t know what to do.
Clip boards will be circulating soon for 2020 Altar Flowers and Fellowship Snacks.
Thank you so much for your time and dedication to Luray United Methodist Church!
Thank you for your service: David Angier, USA
Jim Ashanky, USCG
Captain, Erich Bennett, USAF - Active! Dan Bogdewic, USN
2nd LT. Thomas Butler, USMC - Active!
Brad Chamberlain, USN
Bill Cook, USA
David Covington, USA
Patrick Daugherty, USAF
Don Garner, USN
Walton Gordon, USA
John Graves, USA
Wesley Grieve, USA
Larry Hakel, USA
Gerald Judd, USA
Cathy Mauck, USA
Sam McNeely, USMC
George Nosek, USA
Doug Raeburn, USMC
Bill Ricketts, USA
Jimmy Sullivan, USN
Walt Surratt, USA
Reed Tate, USA
Jeff Thomas, USA
Charles Yates, USCG
Keep Our College Students in Prayer: Eva Bogdewic, UVA
Andrew Chamberlain, LFCC
Scott Emert Cassie Hutton, Radford
Danielle Martin, VT
Caroline Suddith, JMU
Cheyenne Wilson, So. Adventist Univ, TN
Alex White, Harvard
Christmas is Coming and so Is Rev. Irina from
Stavropol! Please mark your calendars now that Rev Irina Mitina, District Superintendent of the South District and Pastor of Stavropol United Methodist Church will be visiting Luray this year during the Christmas period. She will arrive in Luray on December 27th and she will be preach-ing at the worship service on December 29th. We will have a combined service that day so we don’t overload her with work while she is here and so we can all fellow-ship with her following the service.
In addition, as noted elsewhere in this newsletter, she will be present for a meeting with those persons interested in learning about our trip to Stavropol next summer. More information will be forthcoming so please keep your eyes open to news in Keeping In Touch and/or future Corner Journals.
OCTOBER LURAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PAGE 5
UNITED METHODIST WOMENUNITED METHODIST WOMENUNITED METHODIST WOMENUNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Faith – Hope – Love In Action Elly Hakel, UMW President
United Methodist Women
Let You Light Shine – Ignited for Justice
“Ignited For Justice” is the call to you and me to “do some-thing.” The four UMW priorities for 2019-20 are: Just Energy for All (Climate Justice) Interrupt the School-to-Prison Pipeline (Criminalization of Communities of Color & Mass Incarceration) A Living Wage for All (Economic Inequality) End Maternal Mortality (Maternal Health)
I challenge each of you to pray, read and make it a priority to take a specific action(s) this year. These areas of concern can easily be found in the newspapers, there are books available, or go to www.unitedmethodistwomen.org All change begins with one small step. Let’s step up to impact our world now and for generations to come. You can make a difference on behalf of women, children and youth! For me personally, it will be to take steps for Climate Justice. What is your one step(s)?
Soup & Salad Supper, Monday, October 14, 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Come and share in the fellowship with our ladies and guest from other congregations and learn about PA-CA, Page Alliance for Community Action. Megan Gordon, di-rector will be our guest speaker. Bring a friend, a neighbor and a sampling of your favorite salad. See you there!
Luray UMW hosts the Harrisonburg District on Saturday, Breakfast meeting November 9, “Looking Ahead Together”; Racial Justice Program, 9 – 11 am. We will be furnishing breakfast for 60+ guests. If you can help furnish a breakfast casserole or baked goods, please give me a call at 743-
2485.
This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome and share fellow-ship with United Methodist Women from across the Harrison-burg District. Guest speaker will by Rev. Costella Forney, Pas-tor of John Wesley UMC in Harrisonburg. She will speak on Interrupt the School-to-Prison Pipeline - mass incarceration. Come, learn and share in fellowship.
Mission Prayer Focus: Oct 4: Nicaragua, Amanecer Mobile
Health Clinic. Providing free health clinic services to 60 remote
towns through a dentist, a doctor and medications. October 10:
Nigeria. North Conf Agricultural Development Program. In-
creasing the economic and physical health of the members of the
North Conf of UMCN. Oct 20: Wesley Community Centers of
Savannah, Ga. Oct 28: Evangelical United Methodist Church of
Ecuador. Mentor and missionary Sara Flores.
A Message from the Treasurer It came to my attention recently that we’ve been putting apples and oranges in front of you each week in our bulle-tin’s financial statistics and this has led to concern and confusion. I am sorry that I didn’t think more carefully about the data we are providing and to ensure that they are consistent as well as accurate.
First the bottom line: the general fund is financially fine, in fact we are in very good shape, so we don’t have to worry that we can’t pay our bills. If you read no further than this, that’s ok. If things become unsustainable, don’t worry we will tell you clearly. It is true that the Debt Retirement Fund contributions are not keeping up with our monthly payments, but we have enough reserves to handle this cur-rently. It is not, however, sustainable in the long term.
Now, if you are reading on, the “apples and oranges” prob-lem arises mostly because the income to the preschool is not processed by the Financial Secretary and not reported as General Fund income, but income to the preschool is deposited in the General Fund bank account. The expens-es paid for the preschool are reflected in the data of the Treasurer, reported in the Expense Data and those expens-es are paid by the General Fund bank account.
Now a note about the preschool. The preschool is a vital ministry of our church and is a very visible outreach into our community. The preschool is financially structured within the General Fund of the church, it has budget line items just like other committees and salaries of the teach-ers are paid by Luray United Methodist Church. However, the budget process for the preschool determines income necessary to provide for all the anticipated expenses. In this regard, the preschool is self-sufficient. It does not, however, have separate bank accounts from those of the church.
As always, please see me with questions, concerns or clari-fications.
Mission Opportunity for 2020! The Missions Committee will be offering a mission trip to visit Rev. Irina in Stavropol, Russia next summer. Walt and Sharon Surratt will lead a team to visit the United Methodist Church in Stavropol, worship with our fellow Methodists, visit Novotroitskaya and see the work Irina’s church is doing there with the Roma people. At this point we have no idea if our trip will include any work, but even if it doesn’t, there is great benefit in a ministry of presence, just showing that you care enough to come!
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Walt or Sharon and let them know. A brief informational get together will be planned soon and we will meet with Rev Irina when she is here in December to learn more (see more about her visit elsewhere in this Corner Journal).
OCTOBER LURAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PAGE 6
OCTOBER CHURCH HELPERS
COMMUNION STEWARD:
Faith Carlson
ACOLYTES 830/11:
10/ 6 Drayvin Stevens / Jeremiah Benne�
10/13 Cameron Knight / Eli Benne�
10/20 Aaron Grieve / Allison Atkins
10/27 Maci Knight / Bella McCoy
USHERS 11am:
10/ 6 John Graves & Jon Sisler
10/13 Berkley Benne� & Ron Vickers
10/20 Wanda Butler & Meredith Houff
10/27 Charlie & Laura Yates
GREETERS - 8:30:
10/ 6 Sue Raeburn
10/13 Robert Spencer
10/20 Robin & Caden Stevens
10/27 Cerenity & Drayvin Stevens
GREETERS - 11:00:
10/ 6 Charlie & Laura Yates
10/13 Jane Thompson & Meredith Houff
10/20 Robert Spencer
10/27 Daniel Brubaker & Bill Duke
READERS - 8:30:
10/ 6 Be�y White
10/13 Jim Ashanky
10/20 Cathy Ashanky
10/27 Lisa Bogdewic
READERS - 11:00:
10/ 6 Walt Gordon
10/13 Meredith Houff
10/20 John Miller
10/27 Carol Miller
COUNTERS:
10/ 6 Chris Deibert & Alice Gray
10/13 Walt Gordon & Alice Gray
10/20 Walt Gordon & Jim Grieve
10/27 Ron Vickers & Jim Grieve
AUDIO VISUAL: 830 / 11am
10/ 6 Karen Grieve / Robert Spencer
10/13 Garne� Brockman / Bill Duke
10/20 Jeff Jennings / Ron Vickers
10/27 Sam McNeely / Robert Spencer
NURSERY - 8:30:
10/ 6 Be�y White
10/13 Carla Chamberlain
10/20 Elly Hakel
10/27 Sheryl Brockman
NURSERY - 11:00:
10/ 6 Missie Deibert
10/13 Faith Carlson
10/20 Candice Benne�
10/27 Be�y White
FLOWERS:
10/ 6 John Graves
10/13 John Graves
10/20 The Ashanky’s
10/27 The Angier’s
SNACK:
10/ 6 The Knesh’s
10/13 The Brockman’s
10/20 The Hakel’s
10/27 The Verba’s
REGULARLY SCHEDULED WEEKLY MEETINGS & EVENTS:
Illumine Sunday Group - Sunday evenings - 7pm - Fellowship Hall