From the Pastor:
It is time again to write a monthly newsletter article and my mind is going in many directions. We are moving toward charge conference and the holiday season is already upon us. The Wi-Fi is out at the church and I seem to be running behind on everything. Something needs to change. It is time to sit back and listen to God. I want things to get done yesterday but God has other plans. As I thought about this, I was reminded of a poem by Helen Steiner Rice entitled:
“A Prayer for Patience”
God, teach me to be patient–
Teach me to go slow–
Teach me how to “wait on You”
When my way I do not know…
Teach me sweet forbearance
When things do not go right
So I remain unruffled
When others grow uptight…
Teach me how to quiet
My racing, rising heart
So I may hear the answer
You are trying to impart…
Teach me to LET GO, dear God,
And pray undisturbed until
My heart is filled with inner peace.
And I learn to know YOUR WILL!
I hope you find it helpful and your life less stressful. God is wonderful!
Yours in Christ,
Barbara
Choir practice: Our choir practice continues on every Monday at 7 pm. We are learning the music for several specials during Advent!!! Please come and enjoy fun fellowship and praising our Lord with song!
HOPE FOR THE CHILDREN–JAMAA LETU ORPHANAGE: We have done it!! We have collected funds to support our 3 orphans at the Jamaa Letu Orphanage in the Republic of Congo. We have $1491.00, (which includes $91.00 donated by the Sunday school class). Thank you so much!! This make a BIG difference in these girls’ lives to have funds for their schooling, daily care, and a loving, safe place to live!! Please keep them in your prayers.
Camas Prairie Food Bank: Some needs of holiday’s food ideas to help are: Jello pudding – canned milk – canned fruit – pumpkin. As always we use anything and everything. Thanks again. Carlene of the Camas Prairie Food Bank, Inc., P.O. Box 686, Grangeville, Id. 83530, Location: 411 E. North St., 983-5475. Website is: http://www.camasprairiefoodbank.org/
United Methodist Women (UMW): Our next UMW unit meeting will be on Wednesday, November 9, 10:00 am. All are invited to join us.
On Monday, November 21, 9:00 am, we will be making our Famous Methodist Mincemeat. Apple peelers are always need so please come to help peel apples and enjoy the fellowship! (Men are also very welcome!)
Our Bazaar will be on Saturday, December 3. Be sure to keep that in mind as you make your jams and jellies. Any and all crafts are always welcomed! Any homemade candies and baked goods seems to be our best sellers so if you can be sure to plan on helping us.
UMW PURPOSE – The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose Purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative supportive fellowship; and to expand concept of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
The Sharing Circle. We are trying to meet every Wednesday if several are coming. Please come and connect with our sisters in Christ. We are sharing and fellowship time based on the Upper Room for that day. All are welcome!
Social Action Priorities for 2017
Climate Justice. Climate Justice requires policies for real reductions in emission, international and national agreements to mitigate climate change, and human rights framework to protect God’s creation for present and future generations.
Economic Justice/Wealth Inequality. The United States has seen a major concentration of income and wealth in the top one percent during recent decades, making life harder for the majority. Minimum wage jobs cannot sustain a family.
Mass Incarceration. Our current system of mass incarceration criminalizes communities of color and creates a permanent subservient underclass. Felons face discrimination for jobs, rentals, loan applications and education.
Maternal Health. Women are still dying in childbirth and children continue to die from preventable diseases. Many communities lack access to good healthcare. The impact is greater for African-American, Latina, and Native Americans. Environmental and social factors contribute to this disparity.
Fun at the NP UMC on Halloween: Members of the congregation of the NP UMC had a fun time on Halloween. Vern and Lee Ann McMaster, and John Lee passed out candy to 50 Trick-or-treaters. Included with the candy was a handout telling of the church’s worship time at 8:30 am on Sunday. Both McMasters were in costume as was John Lee which delighted the children as did the ringing of the church bell.
Members are planning to make Christmas wreaths using evergreen from Denis’ Ranch. Fun is hopping at NP UMC – come join us at worship on Sunday at 8:30 am.
The Snippet Corner: The Sermon of John Wesley- Sermon 48 – Self Denial ~
- But may not this very consideration make it reasonable to inquire, if much has been said and Wrote on the subject already, what need is thee to say or Write any more I answer; There are no inconsiderable numbers, even of people fearing God, who have not had the opportunity either of hearing What has been spoke, or reading what has been wrote, upon it. And, perhaps if they had read much of what has been written, they would not have been so much profited. Many who have Wrote, (some of them large volumes.) do by no means appear to have understood the subject. Either they had imperfect views of the very nature of it, (and then they could never explain it to others.) or they were not sensible of the absolute, the indispensable necessity of it. Others speak of it in so dark, so perplexed, so intricate, so mystical a manner, as if they designed rather to conceal it from the vulgar, than to explain it to common readers. Others speak admirably well, with great cleanness and strength, on the necessity of self-denial; but then they deal in generals only, without coming to particular instances.
Dave Hammond the Churches Historian (The History Hound)
Note from your editor: I am hoping to receive information from members, groups for each issue. I would like it by the 25th of each month in order to have time to print it before the first of the month. You may send it by email to grangevilleumc@mtida.net. Thank you to all that sent articles this month. The quotes that are used as fillers are from church bulletins or were announced at church services. Next newsletter will be for 2 months, January and February with info needed by December 28. Thank you, Rose
Grangeville UMC 