PLEASANT HILLS UNITE D METHODIST CHURCH The Good News The mission of Pleasant Hills UMC is to offer Christ through meaningful worship, faith centered education, compassionate outreach, genuine hospitality, and to be His hands, feet, and heart in the southwest communities of Greater Cleveland and the world. Rev. Dr. Beverly Hall, Pastor May, 2018 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Worship Service “Messy May” May is messy, isn’t it? The weather is still unsettled, but the gardens and plants need to be planted. That’s messy, especially when it rains a lot. Mother’s Day and Memorial Day are celebrated this month – with all the “messy memories” those two days bring. Add to the hectic mess of May – the end of school, Proms, graduations, and some weddings. There is a lot to do as the grass grows and lawn maintenance begins. Spring cleaning becomes a necessity. Getting the winter “smudges” off the windows and cleaning up branches and debris from the winter storms, all add to the mess we have in May. This brings stress, doesn’t it? I have a plaque that reads, “I’m too blessed to be stressed!” I bring it out in May to remind myself that God’s blessings abound and I need to slow down and give God thanks – for the sunshine and the rain, for the beautiful flowers springing forth, for the trees budding and even the birds and butterflies beginning their new lives. Spring is here! New life abounds. School will soon be out, vacations loom and graduates will begin another chapter of their lives. The possibilities are endless! But with new life, mess happens. Even in our spiritual lives, mess happens. However, if we focus on God, we will get through the messiness of our lives and sparkle and shine for Jesus!
Speaking of “sparkling and shining for Jesus,” we worship together and support missions and a wide variety of ministries throughout the year. Consider these opportunities in May: May 3, the MH churches will sponsor a National Day of Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at the MH Rec Center. Come together to pray with other churches and Christians in our area. Tuesday, May 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the MH Rec Center, I’m speaking on “The Fear Factor for Senior Adults.” This is a FREE educational event sponsored through the Senior Connection. Our Church- wide Outdoor Spring Cleaning Day is at the church from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 followed by a Piano Concert by John Nilsen at 6 p.m. in our sanctuary (desserts and fel- lowship will follow – a free-will offering will be taken). “Change the World Sunday” is May 20 with a potluck luncheon following the 10:30 service (see the article about this event). That Sunday we will take a Noisy Can offering for our Food Pantries. The Sr. Connection is help- ing with a lunch at the Rec Center on Thursday, May 24 at 11 a.m. (See me for more details). Don’t forget to bring in the requested items for our UMCOR personal dignity and school kits. There are a lot of opportunities for service and focusing on Jesus. So, the month of May might be messy! With the mess comes our call to do God’s work in our community and in the world. For our church, May is HUNGER AWARENESS MONTH. Let’s focus on helping those in our area who are hungry – physically and spiritually. Let’s live into the messiness of May.
In Christ’s Joy! Rev. Bev Hall
THE GOOD NEWS 1 MAY 2018 In the Margins You Can Help! Last month, I wrote about hunger throughout Cuya- hoga County. I talked about the Cleveland Food Did you know (or remember) that we collect Bank and how they service our local food pantries. used cell phones, coupons, old eyeglasses, May is HUNGER AWAREESS MONTH for Pleas- and printer cartridges? There are places ant Hills. Normally, we would be getting ready for a marked for these collections above the food Hunger Walk. We have an exciting NEW idea! In- bins in the lobby area. Any questions? Call the stead of our traditional hunger walk, we are doing a church office! Change the World Pot Luck lunch. (Details are in another article!) Why are we focusing on hunger We CAN make a difference in our world! concerns and our local food pantries? Here are some stories I hope will help you understand the need in our local communities: Don’t forget the “Change for a Change” jar by Ann George, the founder and director of the Parma Heights Food Pantry, recalls overhearing a conversa- the entry doors (on the round table). We count- tion in line at the supermarket. It was between two ed the change and we have collected $134 older women. They were commenting on the price of since we started this project! Get rid of the jin- food and how they were barely able to get by at the gle in your pocket or purse and help us change end of the month after paying their utility bills and the world for Jesus! doctor bills. They didn’t have enough money to buy food. Poverty not only impacts the inner city but our own local communities. Another story Ann shares is that of a Ford Plant worker who took his pension buy out in a lump sum payment. It looked like a lot of money at first, but now he has trouble paying for his DON'T BE A DING-A-LING!! groceries because the money has been used and there are no reserve savings to tap into. It isn’t only older people who are hit with financial disasters. People drop by the church all the time for help with rent, gas, and food. The other day, a wom- an called the church and asked for help for her 6 chil- dren. She’s a single mother and couldn’t make her waitressing job’s paycheck last till the end of the month. I’m proud to tell her about the three food pantries we support. Each Food Pantry is unique and can help in different ways. Parma Heights helps with clothing and school supplies as well as food. Middle- burg Heights provides help with utility bills and medicines that are too expensive for their clients to purchase on their own. They also provide school sup- Come, hear those bells! plies and winter hats, mittens, and gloves. The Brookside Hunger Center provides hot meals as well as grocery items. So May is Hunger Awareness Month for Pleasant SUMMIT BELLS Hills. Look at the needs around us! See the faces of people YOU have helped! Think about what you can give to our food pantries this month as we celebrate Handbell Ensemble all the mission and ministry that make Pleasant Hills so special. Pray for our food pantries and their cli- ents. Most of all, be AWARE that food insecurity is real! HERE!! (Hear)? SUNDAY, APRIL 29TH Rev. Bev 4:00 PM
THE GOOD NEWS 2 MAY 2018 FINANCE MINISTRY
As we end the first quarter of a new year, our pledged giving exceeded the estimated giving by $7,985.60. However our total offering was $3,760.57 less than estimated. We have re- ceived what our money counters call “Bail Out” money which enabled us to pay $2,872.28 toward our Conference and District askings.
A few scriptures to remember as we give generously to Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church:
Acts 20:35 It is more blessed to give than receive. Corinthians 2: 9:7 God loves a cheerful giver. Mathew 6:24 You cannot serve both God and money. Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it … Hebrew 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; … The Finance Committee will be meeting this evening to make decisions on requests for funding from the $21,177.42 we have in Endowment Fund Earnings. These funds will make it possible to buy and do things for which we did not have General Funds. Our Endowment Funds were invested beginning in 1994 by eleven donors, many of whom are no longer living or have no current affiliation with Pleasant Hills. We are grateful to them. Possibly you would like to invest in an endowment fund so future projects can be funded. Pick up a brochure!
Let’s continue to pray for Pleasant Hills Church in its ministry and mission.
Mary Tuley, Finance Chairperson
THE GOOD NEWS 3 MAY 2018 Save the Date for a Change the World Day Potluck Luncheon – May 20th
Let’s support families in need through- out our community by supporting our local food pantries: Middleburg Heights, Services in May Parma Heights and Brookside. Following the 10:30am worship service, all are in- vited to enjoy fellowship and food at a May 6 – Communion by Intinction Potluck Luncheon in lieu of our annual Acts 10:44-48 Hunger Walk. The children will be help- “In Jesus’ Name.” ing too with a Noisy Can offering during worship service! May 13 (Mother’s Day) John 17:6-19 We’ve put a twist on the Potluck to do “For US!” our part in Change[ing] the World! In addition to bringing a dish to share, you May 20 – Pentecost Sunday can share a dish with a family in our Journey, John 15:26-27 community too. If you are willing to “The Day the World Changed” share your secret recipe, bring a copy of 10:30 - Service the recipe along with the non-perishable John 16:1-11, ingredients to the Potluck and your do- “How Do We Change the World?” nation will be given to one of our local The Noisy Can and love offerings food pantries. Since our church commu- will go to our three local food pantries. nity may want your secret recipe too, we would like to make copies available at May 27 – Memorial Sunday the Potluck for others to take home and Romans 8:12-17 enjoy your dish later! Please feel free to “Spirit Led, Spirit Fed” share a different recipe with the food 2 p.m. Brookdale pantries instead or a donation of any non-perishable food items. And, if for whatever reason you would prefer to not share your secret recipe (like your go-to brownie mix), no worries! Recipes are not required. All food donations and freewill offerings collected will be donat- ed to the three food pantries. If you would like to share your recipe with the church community, please email your recipe to [email protected] by Fri- day, May 18th or bring your printed reci- pe with your dish on Sunday morning.
We hope to see you there for fun, fel- lowship and good will!
THE GOOD NEWS 4 MAY 2018 Personal Dignity Kits National Day of Prayer & School Kits On Thursday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m., the Mid- We are putting together personal dignity dleburgh Heights Churches are sponsoring kits and school kits for UMCOR for An- a National Day of Prayer at the Rec Center nual Conference this year. (in room A). Join other Christians as we Each week we would like you to bring in pray together over local, state, and nation- a different item for those kits. al concerns. Invite others and experience the powerful movement of God’s Holy April 1 – washcloths Spirit in our community.
April 9 – bath-size bars of soap (3oz. & up)
April 15 – combs (large and sturdy – no pocket sizes) and hand held pencil sharp- eners
April 22 – fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers) Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study
April 29 – hand towels (15’X25” up to Rev. Bev continues to lead a Bible Study 17”X27” – no kitchen towels) at Brookdale at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays.
May 6 – toothbrushes (single brushes in We are studying the Gospel of Matthew. original containers only, no children’s Anyone of any age is welcome to join us! brushes) and 2 ½” erasers The Brookdale residents love to hear oth- er opinions (and guests are ALWAYS May 13 – adhesive bandages (3/4” to 1”size only) welcome)!
May 20 – $2 for shipping and 24 count box of crayons (ONLY 24 count) SUPER HEROES
May 27 – blunt scissors (not plastic – SUPER HEROES of the BIBLE is our Storyteller’s round tip only) and unsharpened pencils theme for the remaining portion of the school year. Join Jenny Dusseau as she uncovers God’s amazing June 3 – 30cm rulers and pads of paper super powers in the people of the Bible! 81/2X11(spiral notebooks are OK).
We will pack these on June 3, so plan to stay later after the service!
THE GOOD NEWS 5 MAY 2018
MAY BIRTHDAYS
Harper, Sue May 1 Dear Church Family, Fiffick, Jessie May 2 Riccardi, Bill May 3 Thank you for all the cards, prayers, hugs Ricupero, Crista May 4 and other expressions of sympathy and Haslett, Bryan May 5 caring during the loss of my Dad, Mike’s Treher, Anna Lee May 5 surgery and recovery. Haslett, Danielle May 7 Snyder, Marcie May 8 We appreciate your thoughtfulness and Davila, Vic May 9 know we are blessed to have you. Ruprecht, Brandon May 9 Rogers, Ruth May 10 George, Ann May 11 Love, Mike & Bonnie Hnytka Hnytka, Marc May 15 Gillahan, Avery May 16 Ruprecht, Bryan May 17 Snoddy, Robert May 17 Anderson, Amanda May 19 Buchanan, Louis May 19
Torowski, Alexandra May 19 Gardner, Tami May 20 Mutti, Hannah May 21 Weakland, Joy May 21 Lawrence, Michelle May 23
Gardner, Kat May 27 Ricupero, Angel May 30
Anniversaries
John Nilsen Piano Concert Bill & Kelly Marcus May 1, 2010 May 19th John & Melanie Gibbons May 8, 1982 Everyone welcome to come and Vic & Deborah Davila May 8, 1982 bring guests Dean* & Phyllis Chelton May 31, 1953
Lunch Bunch Thursday, May 10th at 12:30
Blood Drive
Sunday, April 29th 6950 Ridge Rd, Parma, OH 44129 8:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
THE GOOD NEWS 6 MAY 2018