1st United Methodist Church of Gouverneur

http://ummgathering.org/NG/   The United Methodist Men will gather July 12 – 14, 2013 in Nashville, TN for their every 4 years gathering.  Details can be found on the website link listed previously or here: http://www.gcumm.org/men/events/2013/07-12/11th-national-gathering-of-united-methodist-men

The UNY Conference UMM is planning to charter a bus to provide transporation.  Information for that can be found below.

Subject: Bus for the National Gathering in Nashville July 12-14, 2013

   Have you signed up for “The Gathering” yet?  That’s the United Methodist Men’s National Gathering in Nashville,TN July 12th-14th, 2013. This event is held  every 4 years. Go to the website:GCUMM.org and check it out.  Time is short and the event will be GREAT!  You won’t want to miss it.  I have 6 from my Men’s group going.  How about your group?  We have a 56 passenger bus, with a bathroom, from Geneva, NY at $175.00 per person. We need $2700.00 down to sign the bus. I need people to let me know if they will ride the bus and send a down payment to Dave Evans for $60.00 so we can contract the bus.  If you can send all of the cost now that would be even better.  Please let me know how many from your District or Men’s group will take the bus ASAP.

Thanks, Buddy Heit  1-315-945-4388    agapefeast@tds.net

David Evans e-mail: davidevansd@yahoo.com
Address:  511 Park Lane Drive
              Utica, N.Y. 13502

SUNDAY MORNING NOTES

 May 5 – Communion, UMW Mission Award, Acts 16:9-15, Paul and Lydia

 May 12 – Mother’s Day, Sunday School ends for the summer. Acts 16:16-34, Paul in a jail cell.

 May 19 – Pentecost, wear red for flames!

Acts 2:1-21, Happy Birthday to the Church.

No communion. Judy Sibley, preaching.

 May 26 – College Graduates, Romans 5:1-5, How is you patience doing?

CONFIRMATION CLASS

 It’s not too late to join our confirmation class – we just started April 28^th.  Persons in grade 9 and older are invited to explore their faith and make a decision about church membership. We meet on Sunday mornings, 9:30-10:30. The projected date for Confirmation Sunday is June 23^rd.

HOW ABOUT A VISIT TO CUBA!

 Marthalynn Sweet will be sharing with us about her mission trip to Cuba. She was one of the teens taking part in the North East Jurisdiction’s Mission of Peace.

Wednesday, May 1 @ 5:30 p.m. for a potluck supper.  She will start her program at 6:30.

HOUSEWARES SALE, MAY 11^TH

 Don’t miss a double opportunity:

 1) Clean out some of those things you don’t use any more and create space at home by bringing donations to Room 105.

(Drop off anytime before the Friday, 17^th setup. Please, no shoes or clothing.)

 2) Come shop and find your perfect items!

LOOKING FOR MILITARY CONNECTIONS

 We know of at least three church families who have Dad deployed to Afghanistan right now. During this month, we’d like to reach out with an extra dose of love and prayer support for these men, their families, and others who may be separated by military service. If you have a family member, friend or neighbor in the service, please call or email with their address and a complete list will be available in a bulletin.

          WHO’S

    GRADUATING?

 Please share the names of those with a First UMC connection

that are graduating from college or high school this year.

College grad celebration – May 26.

High school grads – June 23

May 26      -        PEACE WITH JUSTICE OFFERING

THANK-YOU’S

 We have the promise of a timed sprinkler system for our veggie beds, and others have expressed interest in keeping an eye out for weeds, etc.  Thanks.

 The special music and dance during Holy Week was awesome. Thanks to bells, choir, dancers, brass and our talented staff – volunteer and paid! It adds so much.

 Thanks for all the Pizza Sale support!

CAMPERSHIP UPDATE!!!

 A lot is happening to help get our children and youth get into a week of summer camp! The latest fundraisers are: Pizza Sale, Hot-Diggitty Dogs in the park on June 15 and a yet to be scheduled Car Wash. So far we’ve raised a over $2000 toward our goal of $10,000.

 $50 & Go! Families are asked to pay the first $50 toward each camper registration, and, with our $10,000 goal in mind, we can pay the additional camp cost for up to twenty campers.  Don’t wait too long to register. Popular camp weeks can go quickly.

 Special camp donations can simply be marked “camperships” and will be credited to your giving account. And if you have an idea for fundraising, speak up!

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

begins May 30^th in Syracuse

Pastor Beth and our Lay Member, Dan Sweet, will be off to Syracuse and the OnCenter for this year’s annual conference session. Clergy and laity from across the Upper New York conference come together  for three days to worship, celebrate ministry, ordain new clergy and conduct  the business that will guide us next year. Other familiar faces there: Glenda Schuessler, Birney Kellogg, Becky, Paul and Marthalyn Sweet.

NATIONAL MEN’S GATHERING

July 12-14, 2013

Belmont University, Nashville TN

ummgathering.org

Dynamite Worship, Great Music

Hands on Mission Projects

Workshops Galore

Registration: $199 before June 1,

then $299,

Lodging on campus: $100.

 GUYS – get talking to one another. We do have some men interested in going and there may be opportunity to share travel with others from northern New York.

YOUTH GROUP

Our youth group will be meeting on Friday evenings, now and on through the summer!

GRANTS, FUNDING???

We have had the opportunity to utilize various grants to really boost up some of our outreach ministries, such as We’ve Got Your Back, Friday Luncheon and our Garden. If your company, employer or civic organization offers a community outreach or educational grant program keep the church in mind. Email or drop information off at the church office. Thanks.

 Baptisms

Brayden Kirby, son of Leigh Ann & Josh

Moriah Leslie, daughter of Christine

Stephanie Rodriguez, daughter of Christine

Ariyonna Savage, daughter of Tiffany

PRAYER MINISTRY

 You may have noticed that prayer request from one Sunday are no longer being listed in the next week’s bulletin.  The worship team has been discussing other ways to keep the importance of mutual prayer before and an integral part of worship and our weeklong faith journey.

 Idea 1  - Since our previous method often included prayer requests that were a week old we’ll provide a “Prayer Post-it” for your own notes and comments from worship. Check the back table in the sanctuary for half sheets that will give you space to make both prayer and other worship notes.

Idea 2 – More folks have commented that they missed our Lenten Prayer Partners as done a year ago. So, we’re starting the option of a monthly prayer partner. Those that choose can exchange names with an intentional commitment to hold that person in prayer for the month. Then we’ll switch names, add more people, etc. This may be an additional prayer commitment or a means to get started in regular intentional prayer for others.

Idea 3 – If you used the previous listing of prayers in your prayer life, speak up. Only two have mentioned their disappearance.

Where?  behind the church in the lower parking lot

When? spring, summer, fall

Who? anyone willing to help

What? gardening in raised beds.  The seeds have been started and are growing.  A date for planting will be scheduled in May or June, weather depending.  Assistance is needed with planting, weeding, general garden care.  If you are willing to help, please contact Karen Lancto through the church office (287-2440).  Thank you to Carol Venton for donating a timer to assist with watering the garden.

Who benefits?  we all do!  Produce is used for the Friday lunch program.

If you are interested in the benefits of Christian summer camp for your child, grandchild or neighborhood child please read this article: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/nurturing-resilience/201202/summer-camps-make-kids-resilient

Pastor Beth has announced that Confirmation Class will meet on Sunday mornings, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, beginning April 28 and continuing until Confirmation Sunday, June 23.  This particular class is for students in grades 9 – 12.

Details: the class is an opportunity to explore your faith, learn about the United Methodist Church, and claim your relationship with Jesus Christ.  Sometimes Pastor Beth will be the leader and sometimes the Adult Class will take the lead.  Topics: Christian faith, what is scripture, what do you believe about God, what is a United Methodist, what gifts or interests do you bring to the church, what are the responsibilities of a member. . . .and much more!

Please contact the church office (287-2440) to sign up or complete a registration form you can request from the office.

The camping scholarship committee extends the invitation to apply for funds to support your child/children or family to attend summer camp at Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center, Greig, NY (www.aldersgateny.org) or one of the other Upper New York camping sites.  Camping scholarship application forms can be obtained from the church office (Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 1 PM) or near the camping bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.  The committee asks that the family pay the initial $50.00, or as much of the fee as able.  Please submit an invoice to the committee to facilitate payment of the bill.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

Sunday School’s last day and “grand finale” for this year is May 12^th!  The children will have the full Armor of God on and will give a presentation at the 11 am service. If your child doesn’t attend Sunday School, why not let them make their own Armor of God and join us at 10:30 am in the Sunday School room 102?  The armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the spirit.

 (May 12 will be the final day for Sunday School until the meetings resume on October 6.)

   Please encourage your children and bring them to Sunday School to learn important information and use tools to be part of the solution.  Every Sunday morning from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, Room 102.  See you there!

While sleeping late can be nice, have you considered the benefits of Sunday School attendance for your child. Here are 10 reasons to make it a priority in your family.
1. Age Targeted Teaching: Where else can your kids get Biblical instruction that’s focused toward their developmental abilities?
2. Friends: In Sunday School, your child will build positive friendships with their peers by discovering God’s Word together.
3. It’s Fun: Sunday School is not Disney Land, but our teachers do work hard to teach the Bible in ways that are relevant and fun for kids.
4. Spiritual Mentors: A dedicated teacher can be a Christian role model who supports you and helps inspire the faith of your child.
5. Systematic Bible Learning: Our curriculum is designed to give a broad foundation, so children will understand how all the parts of Scripture point to Christ.
6. Praying Teachers: Our teachers consistently pray for your child’s faith to grow. Coming to Sunday School gives another occasion for God to answer those requests.
7. Big Reward For a Small Investment: If you’re already coming to church, just come a little earlier. That one change will equal over 800 hours of additional Christian teaching before your child graduates.
8. Send the Right Message: Making Sunday School a priority shows your kids that God’s Word really does matter more than pillow-time.
9. Adult Bible Fellowship: While the children enjoy their class, you can fellowship with other adults in your own Bible study group.
10. You’ll Be On Time: Families who come to Sunday School always get to worship on time. It’s the easiest way to avoid being late.

From www.ministry-to-children.com

All Sunday worship services are in the sanctuary at 11 AM unless otherwise noted.  Nursery care is available for children up to age 5 during the worship service.

April Notes

April 28 – 5^th Sunday of Easter

Acts 11:1-18, “It’s Okay”

May Notes

May 5 – Communion, UMW Mission award, Acts 16:9 – 15, the story of Paul and Lydia

May 12 – Mother’s Day, Sunday School ends for the summer.  Acts 16:16- 34, the story of Paul in a jail cell.

May 19 – Pentecost, please wear red for flames! – Happy Birthday, church!  Judy Sibley will be preaching (NO communion), Acts 2:1 – 21.

May 26 – College graduates honored, Romans 5: 1 – 5 – How is your patience doing?