Messiah’s Monthly Messenger Vol. 19, No. 7 • July 2019

THOUGHTS FROM OUR PASTOR Greetings Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I give God all the Glory and Praise for being appointed as your Pastor. I look forward to all the ministry and mission work we will accomplish together. So, what does that really mean? Being a Pastor… To many people, it is the person who is in-charge of OR responsible for a church or congregation. Merriam-Webster defines pastor as a spiritual overseer and gives the history or etymology from the 14th or 15th century English translation of a French word for herdsman or one who is responsible for feed. Some other common titles: priest, parson, clergyman, cleric, padre or father, and finally preacher (of which I am not a fan, to me it has an incorrect connotation). I like to think of pastor in relation to pasture. You know… pasture, a place where the flock comes to be fed, cared for, encouraged and supported, to lay down their burdens, to rest from their daily activities … so that they can then go back out into the world strengthened and prepared for whatever comes their way. The pastor is one who cares for and guides the flock. A person who has been called to support, heal, encourage, offer direction, definitely challenge from time to time, all-the-while staying faithful to their Lord and Master.

From time-to-time I will share some of my background: where I was born, raised, educated, where and when my call to ministry occurred, and many other bits and pieces of my personal history. HOWEVER… My most immediate responsibility is to get to know you, what your individual faith and life stories are, understand our call to ministry in this community, and see how I can offer guidance on this walk of faith together. I have already mentioned to some folks that I will ask a lot of questions… the who, what, when, where, why, and how – open-ended questions. This is done so that I can gain knowledge and understanding, so please do not be offended when I ask. When you visit me in the office, I will probably be streaming music. On a monthly basis, I hope to share current Christian music that I am listening to. I am a huge fan of , his newest CD “I Know a Ghost” is getting lots of airplay on right now. I have a couple songs which I really like, but the song “Red Letters” might be my favorite. Give it a listen, then let’s talk about it! Who is your favorite artist? What style or genre of music do you listen to? Is that different than your preference for ‘church music’? If so, why? Shalom,

God’s Peace Be With You. Pastor Randy Zeiler

Messiah United Methodist Church 1300 N. Beaver St. York, PA 17404 717-843-4574 www.yorkmessiahumc.org [email protected]

Sunday Service: 10:30 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

DISCIPLE TOWN

For July, students in grades K-6 will have activities and projects on the second floor on these dates: July 21 and July 28.

During the rest of the month, busy bags and books are prepared in the first floor coat room and library.

If you have something to contribute to the newsletter, you can email me at [email protected] or drop a note in the newsletter mailbox at the church by July 20! All creative ideas are welcome!

July 14 and August 25 are designated Messiah UMC t-shirt Sundays.

You can wear your Messiah t-shirt or a green t-shirt if you so choose!

PARAMENTS FOR THE SANCTUARY

We need to replace the white paraments in the Sanctuary (altar frontal and pulpit and lectern scarves). If you would be interested in contributing to this fund, please let Debbie Haar know. You are welcome to put a donation no matter how small in an envelope with the notation parament fund and place it in the offering plate. We would like to be able to order the new paraments by September 1 to have in place on All Saints Sunday in November. We greatly appreciate any donations that you might make towards this project.

2 | Page

SPONSOR FLOWERS JULY LITURGISTS

We need someone to sponsor flowers on July 7 Sunday, September 1. If interested, please Mindy Inners contact Debbie Haar or the church office. Thank you! July 14 Chuck Gembe

July 21 PASTOR BOB’S NEW ADDRESS: Beth Green

Robert Vizthum July 28 8865 Center Pointe Drive Liz Berger Baldwinsville, NY 13027

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN We will be having our annual indoor summer picnic on Monday, August 19, 2019! We will be having a salad bar and potato bar for dinner and a sign-up sheet will be posted by July 7 on the UMW bulletin board near the West entrance. Potatoes and Salad will be provided but we are asking participants to bring a potato or salad topping along to share with the group.

We are also looking for any Flamingo decorations you may have. Please contact Debbie Haar if you have something we can borrow!

Our program is entitled “Do the Flamingo” and we will share a Julia Bettencourt devotional followed by a presentation from Nicole Smith from the York Health Bureau who will give a presentation on falls prevention and A Matter of Balance. All the women are invited attend as well as men to learn about the Matter of Balance class that could possibly be held at Messiah.

We will be also be inviting the ladies from Calvary UMC and St. Paul’s UMC in Manchester. Any questions, please contact [email protected].

3 | Page

ITEMS NEEDED FOR 2019 YORK CITY DAY CAMP

Sandwich and snack bags; paper plates (lg thin plates); 9 oz. paper cups; napkins; 10 inch heavy duty paper plates; Spaghetti sauce; Peanut butter; Jelly (strawberry or grape); Cereal; Pop tarts; lemons; food coloring; baking soda; cornstarch; dish soap; corn syrup.

Crafts: Modeling clay (the kind you bake to harden); printer paper (2 pks); brown lunch paper bags; beads (any type); flower pots; soil; seeds or plants; microfiber gloves; plastic pipettes. Items can be put in the box under the west entrance bulletin board. Thank you!

RESTAURANT FUNDRAISERS

Thank you for supporting the restaurant fundraisers for Messiah! Many of us eat out after church, so why not support our church? To date, we have raised $342.11!! We are still waiting for the Primanti Bros. figures to come in. This is such an easy way to raise funds, as it does not cost us any money to set these up. Since July is a busy month with July 4th, Pastor Randy’s arrival, church picnic and vacations, we are taking a break this month. Thank you for your support and look for next month’s location in your August newsletter!

MISSION CENTRAL HUB NEWS

Our local Mission Central Hub has chosen a new project and requests our help: School backpacks for students at Goode Elementary school.

Our congregation is asked to buy and donate composition books. We'll be collecting these items for the remainder of the school year. There is a donation basket at the West Entrance until mid-July. Thanks for your help with this project!

If you have any questions, please contact Carol Peel.

4 | Page

HELP WANTED

Looking to help grow Messiah? Do you have an idea to reach out to our neighbors? Fundraising ideas? Willing to make a few phone calls or some copies? Don’t want to present your idea at a meeting? Write it out and put it in an envelope with Outreach/Activity meeting on it and we will discuss it. Pastor Randy will be joining us for this brainstorming and planning session Wednesday, July 17th at 6:30 pm, location to be announced. I am hopeful the parlor will be too small and we will need a larger room!

Can’t attend?? You can call or email me with ideas, concerns or suggestions: 717-818-7462 or [email protected]

-Amy Olson Shewell

UNITED METHODIST MEN

Prayer Breakfast & Meeting Prayer Breakfast

Saturdays at 8am Thursdays at 8am

Round the Clock Diner Astoria Diner on Rt. 30 1900 W Market Street, West York July 6 August 3 July 18 September 7 August 15 October 5 September 19 November 2 October 17 December 7 November 21 December 19

5 | Page

THE INFLUENCERS

By Judy Berger

I had begun my second year of teaching, had just moved into my first apartment, and was trying to figure out life. I was stressed and I had a tendency to worry about everything.

That’s when I met Irma Gainer, or rather that’s when God put Irma in my life. Irma was a teacher’s aide, assigned to my special education classroom. She was the mother of three and a pastor’s wife who had recently lost her husband and was now raising her youngest son alone. Newly employed, Irma, I am sure, was also trying to figure out life and her new circumstances.

Irma stood 4’10” but what she lacked in height she made up in spirit! Though life was not easy for her, Irma remained strong in faith. She prayed about everything and stayed optimistic and full of hope. She was an

amazing friend who, by example, helped me in my faith journey by bringing me into a closer relationship with God.

When I was going through a particularly difficult time that year, Irma gave me a slip of paper which contained this scripture: “Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians: 4:6-7. I carried that in my wallet for at least 30 years and it helped me through many situations.

Do I still worry? You bet! But the difference is that now I pray and let God guide me. Thank you Irma!

Who was your Influencer?

Send your tribute to [email protected]. If you prefer, please see me and I will help you put it on paper!

-Deb Firebaugh

6 | Page

COMMUNITY AID UPDATE… NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

On Wednesday May 29th, Beth Green, Ruby Olson and I were fortunate to tour and learn about the newest Community Aid thrift store coming to York. Here are few interesting facts:

• Community Aid was founded in 2009. • This is Community Aid’s sixth thrift store in Central PA. Other locations are in Selinsgrove, Mechanicsburg, Hanover, Lancaster and Harrisburg. • This store will be on the site of the former Queensgate Mailman’s store. (Most recently the Bon Ton.) • The York store will be the second largest store at 68,000 sq. feet. • Since 2009, Community Aid has given back more than $13.2 million to their communities. • More than 800 churches, charities, and first responders receive financial support from Community Aid.

When you are gathering your donations and going through clothing, do NOT throw away stained or items that may be torn or have a hole in them! Put them in with your donations!

We were surprised to hear this too! They carefully look over every item thoroughly. If they see a stain or small tear the inspector will place that item into one of two areas. If it is still wearable with a minimal spot, it goes into a bin. That bin is bundled into 1300 lb. bales and sent to third world countries or disaster areas. If it is stained and torn, those go to another bin, again to be baled. These bales are sent to companies they have contracts with and are used in their machine shops, service centers, etc. They throw away as little as possible and recycle as much as they possibly can.

We were amazed to see that the store was actually gutted down to the outer shell. We learned that this was done because much of it was out of code and most of the store was still original. The original non-operating HVAC system was removed and recycled to make more room. The store is being built with the environment in mind and is earth friendly.

Community Aid also prides themselves in the time and resources they invest into their employees. They are willing to hire if you have a criminal background, struggled with addiction, etc. They believe in giving second chances and will help their employees with the resources to help them with those issues. Team members begin making at least $12/hr. Full time employees also receive a competitive full benefit package. If you know someone that may benefit from this or just needs a job, please reach out to Beth Green. Once we receive information on job postings, we will share that with you. Public transportation also stops there if that is needed.

A September grand opening is the projected timeframe. Stay tuned for more information and updates!

-Amy Olson Shewell

7 | Page

REFIT at MESSIAH

On Tuesday June 4th, Messiah’s REFIT group celebrated 8 years of fitness here at Messiah. We had an evening filled with prizes and fun among friends! Our fitness classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall. You are welcome to join us at any time!

YOUTH CALENDAR

If you have any questions about Youth activities, please contact Youth Coordinator Breanne Brunner at [email protected].

July 28 Mini-golf

Aug. 25 Rollerskating

Sept. 13-15 Uprise Festival

Sept. 15 YOCO United youth rally

Oct. 13 Crop Walk

Godly Thoughts  People don’t care how much you know ✞ ✞ unless they know how much you care. A monthly collection of inspiring quotes meant to  You can have tons of religion without inspire reflection, prayer, and growth. By Dee Gembe an ounce of salvation.

8 | Page

JULY BIRTHDAYS JULY ANNIVERSARIES

1 Robert Inners II 5 Kirk and Jan Frey Jay Dacheux 7 Abby and Jared Hartman 2 Dennis Miley 10 Larue and Ruby Olson Judith Enterline Takoda Allen Shultz 16 Tudor and Patti Williams

7 Brenda Musser 17 Emily and Joe McQuerrey Emmett Hartman 20 Ronald and Nancy Wagman 11 Arlene Haines

12 Jeffrey Green Charles Peters MISSED BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY Bruce Rost, Jr. If somehow we’ve missed you, call the church 14 Mark Newton office. We’ll be glad to add your name to our list. Jonathan Shuff Call the church office at 717-843-4574.

16 Dennis Lease Kenneth Siders SONG RECOMMENDATION 18 Inga Miller Joshua Wolpert Kyrie Eleison by Vineyard Worship 19 Marge Rost Jeffrey Galloway https://bit.ly/2X8mbKE 20 Kathy Gorgas

22 Diana Patrizio

24 Charles Gembe

25 Chris Olson Faith Whare

26 Amy Shewell Colton Fourhman

27 Tim Fourhman

29 Nancy Geesey

30 Michael Rutter Nathan Waltersdorff

31 Candice Wolford Emmanuel Etokebe

9 | Page