THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER “Serve, Teach, and Love As We Grow In Faith” ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ MAY 2015 Where Is God When You Need Him? Last Sunday I shared that recently my faith was shaken by circumstances in my life. I was so focused on the trial that was disrupting my ministry and my life that I ne- glected to focus on the One who could keep me on track and give me clarity on this ob- stacle. Recently I came across the following story in my files. The story affirmed for me the abiding presence of The One who has the answers to all of life’s uncertainties. I hope, in sharing this story with you, that you will call it to mind the next time you feel your faith threatened by circumstances in your life. A father took his son into the forest, blindfolded him and left him alone. The son was required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shone through it. He was not allowed to cry out for help to anyone. His father told him that once he survived the night, he would be a MAN. He could not tell the other boys of this experience, because each young man must come into manhood on his own. The boy was naturally terrified. He could hear all kinds of noises. He was sure he was surrounded by wild, dangerous animals, if not some human want- ing to do him harm. The wind blew and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold because he knew it would be the only way he could become a man. Finally, after a frighten- ing night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been on watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to him. Just because you can't see God doesn't mean he is not there. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." May you receive the blessed assurance of God’s Abiding Presence, today and every day. Pastor Kathy A Blessing from God’s Heart to Yours Today may there be peace within you. May you trust that you are exactly where God meant you to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of God’s faith in you and may you have faith in others. May you use the gifts that you have received and pass on the love and grace that has been given to you. May this prayer allow your soul the freedom to sing, laugh, dance, praise and love.
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THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NEWSLETTER “Serve, Teach, and Love As We Grow In Faith”
Last Sunday I shared that recently my faith was shaken by circumstances in my life.
I was so focused on the trial that was disrupting my ministry and my life that I ne-
glected to focus on the One who could keep me on track and give me clarity on this ob-
stacle. Recently I came across the following story in my files. The story affirmed for me the
abiding presence of The One who has the answers to all of life’s uncertainties. I hope, in sharing
this story with you, that you will call it to mind the next time you feel your faith threatened by
circumstances in your life.
A father took his son into the forest, blindfolded him and left him alone. The son was required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shone through it. He was not allowed to cry out for help to anyone. His father told him that once he survived the night, he would be a MAN. He could not tell the other boys of this experience, because each young man must come into manhood on his own. The boy was naturally terrified. He could hear all kinds of noises. He was sure he was surrounded by wild, dangerous animals, if not some human want-ing to do him harm. The wind blew and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold because he knew it would be the only way he could become a man. Finally, after a frighten-ing night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been on watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to him. Just because you can't see God doesn't mean he is not there. "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
May you receive the blessed assurance of God’s Abiding Presence, today and every day.
Pastor Kathy
A Blessing from God’s Heart to Yours
Today may there be peace within you. May you trust that you are exactly where God meant you to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of God’s faith in you and may you have faith in others. May you use the gifts that you have received and pass on the love and grace that has been given to you. May this prayer allow your soul the freedom to sing, laugh, dance, praise and love.
You can view it on our website at brfumc.org, or we can email it to you each month. Let us know if you would prefer this way of reading your monthly newsletter.
Join us on Wednesday Evenings from 4:30-6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The menu for the month of May: May 6 Meatballs & Mashed Potatoes Vegetable Desserts Beverages May 13 Macaroni & Cheese Lettuce Salad Desserts Beverages May 20 Pulled Pork Sandwiches Macaroni Salad Desserts Beverages THIS IS THE LAST CHURCH FAMILY NIGHT MEAL UNTIL NEXT FALL Every week there will be hot dogs and peanut but-ter/jelly available. Plan to join us on Wednesday evenings. Everyone is Welcome!!
I cannot believe this is the last month of Sunday School
already. It seems like we just began the year!
Here’s what the Sunday School classes will be learning
about in May:
May 3: The Hidden Treasure Matthew 13:44
May 10: The Lost Sheep Matthew 18:12-14
May 17: Complete run through of year-end program
A BIG THANK YOU to all of the Sunday School teach-
ers and helpers:
Jennifer Meyer/Jessa Ammann: Pre-school
Danielle Dougherty/Chloe Baker: Kindergarten and
1st Grade
Chris Stewart/Jake Ernst: 2nd, 3rd, 4th Grade
Roxie Hostrawser: 5th, 6th, and 7th Grade
Carol Jarrett and Josh Ward—Music
Our program could not exist without volunteers!!!!
YOUTH BIRTHDAYS
MAY 3 Jaxson Brown
MAY 4 Caleb Ellingson
MAY 5 Karnelia Sroka
MAY 8 Kyle Hansen
MAY 11 Sawyer Schoolcraft
MAY 12 Noel Rogers
MAY 15 Alexander Olson
MAY 24 Boston Gilberg
MAY 25 Benjamin Breining
Brett Dougherty
Josh Ward
MAY 26 Emma Rogers
MAY 28 Braiden Elmore
MAY 31 Zachary Johnson
Health Kits for Homeless Shelters
and Programs by May 15
The Mission Outreach Committee is currently gathering,
organizing, and purchasing items to be included in 30
health kits for men, women and children. These kits are
intended to be used for homeless individuals at the Har-
bor House Crisis Shelters at Superior, WI and the North-
cott Community House in Milwaukee. These shelters
and programs are sponsored by the Wisconsin Confer-
ence of the United Methodist Church. The deadline for
this project is May 15, 2015.
For your convenience, there is a Health Kit display
board and designated basket in the Gathering Area.
From the display board you may either: (1) select an
envelope listing certain needed items which cost less
than $5.00, or (2) select an envelope in which you may
place a suggested donation of $5.00 or more. If you
choose to write a check, please make the check payable
to the Black River Falls United Methodist Church and
write “Health Kits” on the memo line. Small items are
encouraged as all of the items for each kit must be
placed in one gallon zip-lock bags.
Many thanks to Pastor Kathy, members of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, and members of the congregation for their kindness to me at the time of the celebration of my
20-year anniversary and during Administrative Professionals Week. I thank God for giving me the awesome opportu-nity to work in this place with so many special and caring people — both co-workers and church family members. I am truly blessed! Jill Prochaska
Please Let Us Know . . . If you know of someone who is in the hospi-tal or who is working through medical issues at home, please call the church office (715-284-4114) so that the Pastor is aware of the need and can respond accordingly.
If you know of an individual or family that is working through health issues, hospitaliza-tion, or some other crisis and could benefit from the gift of a meal, please call the church office (715-284-4114) and Jill will pass the in-formation to the Casserole Crew.
We will be reading and discussing the following books in
the next few months:
Still Alice by Lisa Genova (May)
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
(June)
No meetings in July and August
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (September)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Join the Casserole Crew!
We are in need of an updated list of people who would like to be on our church’s the Casserole Crew. Members of the Casserole Crew are willing to make casseroles occasionally for members in our church family who are sick, have a death in their family, or because of other circumstances. There is a sign-up sheet on the Information Station in the Gathering Area. This will be available during the month of May. Please give us your name and current telephone number where you can be reached. Thank you in advance for your willingness to be a part of this important ministry in our church.
May 6th will be the last Worship-
On-Wednesday until the fall. The
Wednesday meals will continue
through May 20th.
On Sunday, May 3rd, five young people were Con-firmed in their faith during the 11:00am worship service. Stephanie Brauner, Alex Hoffman, Lauren Perry, Sam Rogstad, and Jacob Woods have spent the last two years growing their faith through studying God’s Word, weekly classes, mission pro-jects, and sharing with each other what it means to be a person of faith.
I want to thank the Confirmands’ mentors—Roxie Hostrawser, Tom Epps, Rhoda Gulso, Jim Hornby, and Mark Hoffman for the time they have spent encouraging and guiding their students in faith.
I also want to thank the parents who gave their support and encouragement to their students as well as to the Confirmation process.