Spiritual Entrepreneurs
begins September 23/24
During every period of renewal, the church has been universally committed to six theological principles. These 6 principles for risking renewal are:
1. The Lordship Principle: a clear focus on Jesus Christ as the object of faith.
2. The Biblical Principle: scriptural truth as the primary source for what we
believe and do.
3.The Liturgical Principle: discovery of new worship forms.
4. The Covenant Principle: commitment to the integrity of membership.
5. The Priesthood Principle: equipping the laity for ministry.
6. The Leadership Principle: spiritual entrepreneurship.
The church must have Christ-centered persons; they must be spiritual entrepreneurs who are committed to these God inspired principles. Commitment to the prophetic message of these principles is essential for renewal to take place in the church today. Join us as we explore these Godly concepts in an effort to gain renewed passion and faithfulness.
Church renewal is more than an increase in numbers and budgets. Many gimmicks can be employed to persuade people to come and sit in church pews. If our only goal were to increase attendance, we could even pay people to attend church. But until people become committed to being faithful to the will of God, their attendance is no more meaningful than membership in any other human organization or club. Church renewal consists of people in community with one another, dreaming God's vision, believing Christ's victory, and living out the Spirit's work. The evidence of renewal will be seen in transformed lives. Join us for this journey of renewal.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Lane
MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERY
Start up funds are needed for the new First United Methodist Church Basketball Academy. Our mission is to involve children in a transformational relationship with Jesus Christ through sports. Basketball Academy for 5th and 6th grade students will begin October 31st with 3rd and 4th grade beginning after Christmas. Please consider making a Love offering towards the new Basketball Academy Mission by indicating Basketball Academy in your check memo. Thank you.
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
Drop-off boxes are in the Narthex. Monetary contributions are also welcome to be used for postage when mailing the completed kits. Thank you for your donations!
INGATHERING UMCOR
SEWING KITS --- foster independence rather than dependence. Cottage industries often grow out of sewing classes where these kits are used to practice skills.
3 yards cotton or cotton-blend fabric (one piece)
1 new spool matching thread 1 package hand sewing needles
1 sewing scissors 5-8 matching flat buttons.
Fold fabric and lay other items on top. Seal in Ziploc bag.
HEALTH KITS --- help disaster victims reclaim their dignity and self-respect and are used as teaching tools with children. When people maintain personal hygiene, their overall health improves. Add $1.00 for toothpaste to be purchased by the UMCOR Depot.
1 new hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”) 1 new washcloth
1 bath sized bar of soap in wrapper (3 oz or larger) 6 Band-Aids (3/4”)
1 large sturdy comb (not pocket sized)
1 new toothbrush (in original sealed wrapper) (no child-sized)
1 nail file or fingernail clipper (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
Fold the towel and washcloth ad lay the other items on top. Place in a Ziploc bag.
SCHOOL KITS --- provide tools for education, which changes lives. In countries where children don’t have books, school supplies, or classrooms, a school kit may be their only education resource.
3 notebooks, approx. 8 ½ x 11 wide ruled (210 to 250 sheets total) spiral or bound
1 30 cm metric 1 box of 24 crayons (ONLY 24) 1 2 ½” eraser
1 blunt scissors 1 hand pencil sharpener 6 unsharpened pencils with erasers
All items are to be placed in a sturdy cloth bag, 14”x16” finished size with 22” handles. DO NOT put any of the items in a Ziploc bag. Empty school bags are also needed.
LAYETTE KITS --- provide women with basic supplies for the needs of their new babies.
6 cloth diapers 2 gowns or sleepers 2 diaper pins
2 receiving blankets 2 shirts or 2 one-piece bodysuits (Onesies)
2 baby washcloths 1 sweater or jacket open in the front
Bundle items inside one of the blankets and secure with diaper pins. Baby sweaters or jackets may also be sent. Patterns for a knitted baby sweater or for a sewn jacket are available from the district representatives.
IOWA – NIGERIA KITS
TAILORING KITS
1 package hand sewing needles 1 package non-rusting sewing pins
1 tape measure with centimeters (5/8”x60”) 1 quality all purpose/sewing scissors (8”)
1 card white buttons (at least 6, 1/2”, flat) 1 spool white thread (400 to 500 yards)
1 spool dark thread (400 to 500 yards)
Place in appropriate size Ziploc bag.
LAYETTE KITS
1 receiving blanket 2 diapers and 2 diaper pins 1 baby washcloth
1 lightweight gown or sleeper (small size) 1 undershirt or onesie (small size)
Wrap all items in the blanket and pin; place in appropriate size zip lock bag (let all air out of bag).
ART HILL’S RETIREMENT CELEBRATION
NEXT STEP CONFERENCE
Invite your friends and neighbors…
Saturday, September 17th to a free dinner and a movie at 6:30 p.m. in WFH immediately following the Saturday night church service.
Everyone is invited to join Toby for a wonderful morning of music, laughter, inspiration, prayer and friendship on Sunday, October 23 at the 8:30 and 10:45 services. Toby and his wife Barb Waldowski of Orange County, CA were featured soloists on Dr. Robert Schuller’s “Hour of Power” program for 20 years, giving over 125 solo appearances on that program. In 1977, the couple started a traveling ministry throughout North America that lasted 26 years. During those years, the Waldowski’s recorded 11 albums, gave over 4,000 concerts and were guest soloists two Billy Graham Crusades, one of which took place in Toby and Barb’s home state of South Dakota. After reading the Janette Oke book Love Comes Softly, Toby was compelled to write a theater musical to the story which he completed in the summer of 1992. The musical reached the stage in the summer of 2003, and since then, Toby has done nine productions and 139 performances of the musical in 31 cities throughout America and Canada. Over 17,000 people have now seen the musical on stage.
Come watch the MSPS students as they take part in the KHS Homecoming parade on September 23 at 3 pm!
FALL/WINTER YOUTH GROUP SCHEDULE
October 9 & 23 –
4 to 6 pm at church
October 30 - UNICEF Party –
October 30 - UNICEF Party –
3 to 6 pm at church
November 13 & 27 - 4 to 6 pm at church
December 4 & 18 - 4 to 6 pm at church
November 13 & 27 - 4 to 6 pm at church
December 4 & 18 - 4 to 6 pm at church
Thank you to all who helped at the pancake breakfast! We get many compliments on our hospitality. Kay Jensen
Thank you to Kay Jensen for her organization and coordination of the pancake breakfast.
Thank you for the birthday cards. What a nice surprise. They arrived on my birthday. I am doing well. I had a culture shock when I arrived back home, but now it’s okay thanks to my family. Thank you again to my wonderful church family for your love and support.
Maria Diminet, Moldova Foreign Exchange Student
I want to express my heartfelt thanks for all who have shown your love and concern while I was making the long trips to Missouri to be with Larry. He has moved to Iowa now. His address is 606 N. 7th Street #210, Knoxville, IA 50138. He would enjoy your visits and letters. Frances Kirkwood
Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for your continued support spiritually, emotionally and financially. I am blessed to be
surrounded by such caring people. Thanks again!!! Sincerely, Kaurie
Thank you to everyone that donated supplies to MSPS! Your support is greatly appreciated and will help kick off the school year in a very positive way!! Katie, Nancy, Carrie, Jennifer, and all the MSPS students
Condolences to Jim Findley and family on the passing of his grandfather.
Condolences to Phil Bauer and family on the passing of his mother.
Condolences to Doris Werts and Lela Todd on the death of their sister/niece.
Condolences to the family of Barbara Garrison on her passing.
Condolences to Paul and Margaret Umble on the passing of their grandson.
Condolences to Jim Findley and family on the passing of his grandfather.
CONDOLENCES
Condolences to Roger DeYoung and family on the passing of his mother.
Condolences to Phil Bauer and family on the passing of his mother.
Condolences to Doris Werts and Lela Todd on the death of their sister/niece.
WIN! WIN! WIN! When you buy Fair Trade Equal Exchange teas and coffees 1) you receive a quality product, 2) small growers in 3rd world countries receive better prices for their products and 3) UMCOR receives a portion of the sales. Check out the products at the display in the Narthex. In doubt? Talk to some of our happy users!
CHARGE CONFERENCE IS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 FROM
2:00-4:00 PM AT FUMC
LECTIONARY SCRIPTURE September 3-4 Exod. 12:1-14 Ps.149 or Ps. 148 Rom. 13:8-14 Matt. 18:15-20 September 10-11 Exod. 14:19-31 Exod. 15:1b-11, 20-21 Rom. 14:1-12 Matt. 18:21-35 September 17-18 Exod. 16:2-15 Ps. 105:1-6, 37-45 or Ps. 78 Phil. 1:21-30 Matt. 20:1-16 September 24-25 Exod. 17:1-7 Ps. 78:1-4, 12-16 Phil 2:1-13 Matt. 21:23-32
The Wesley Brothers on Knowledge and Vital Piety
THE wesleys understood that Christian life should involve both learning and devotion. From an early age, John and Charles received excellent education, first from their mother, Susanna, and in later life from formal university study. They knew that learning could add to their love for God, so study took its place alongside prayer, fasting, Holy Communion, and other spiritual practices as an important component to disciplined life before God. Although John Wesley sometimes called himself a "man of one book" because of his reliance on the Bible, he was widely read, and he understood the value of studying history, logic, and philosophy for understanding Christian faith. He used the search for truth in any form in service of God, and he read both theology and classical literature into advanced age. The phrase "knowledge and vital piety" comes from a hymn by Charles Wesley that was sung at the opening of the Kingswood School for children. In founding this school, John Wesley wanted to provide for children an education that would bring together intellectual understanding and religious devotion. Still in operation today, the Kingswood School continues to seek this goal for its students. The idea that early formation would result in lifelong holistic growth in faith is one that has remained important for education in the Methodist tradition. For this reason, Methodists were among the earliest and strongest supporters of Sunday schools. John Wesley wanted the same kind of holistic formation for Methodist preachers. Wesley expected them to lead a life of holiness and to promote holiness in Others, but they were not equally educated. In order that Methodist preachers might be as learned as possible, John Wesley provided them with material for study and expected them to spend time every day reading. He selected some of his own sermons to serve as guides for their preaching, and he published commentaries on the Bible to introduce the preachers to biblical scholarship that they would not have had access to otherwise. In addition, he collected, edited, and abridged many works in theology into a Christian library of fifty volumes. Publishing houses, colleges, universities, and seminaries have carried forward Wesley's commitment to education by making theological scholarship accessible and affordable. Methodists preached assurance of God's love, and they sought to help people have a genuine encounter with God that would provide the foundation for ongoing relationship with God. Piety was vital when God's love for them enlivened Christians so that their practices were not empty displays, but instead became means of grace that enabled them to grow in love. The emphasis on personal experience did have its danger. John Wesley warned against "enthusiasm," which involved a kind of unthinking emotionalism. One of the reasons for valuing sound learning was that it could help interpret experience. However, rationalism was just as dangerous as emotionalism because it could lead to reliance on one's own powers rather than on God. So again, the combination of knowledge and vital piety was crucial for keeping the balance that would lead to genuine growth in faith. United Methodists honor this heritage when we seek both solid understanding informed by the best resources we have available and deeply spiritual lives formed by regular participation in the means of grace.
Bishop Coyner John wesley declared that we in the Methodist revival tradition "bring together those two so long divided: knowledge and vital piety." By that phrase, he meant that faith always yearns for increased learning and that education should illuminate our acts of worship and piety. Some people say our United Methodist Church is a "thinking church"—not to imply that other denominations do not think, but to emphasize that we in the tradition of John Wesley affirm the essential need for education. Thus it is that the followers of John Wesley have started schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries wherever we have taught the gospel. Africa University is perhaps the latest and best example of our desire to promote both knowledge and vital piety, or education and faith. Nearly every United Methodist Church has a Sunday school or other forms of educational classes for children, youth, and adults. Why? Because we affirm that a faithful person is also a thinking, learning, and growing person. Faith is not limited to a set of doctrines or assents to which one concurs but never challenges or debates. Faith includes education such as Bible study, small-group sharing, discussion, and growth. Often the month of September in the United States is a time when churches offer "Rally Days" or other starts of the Sunday school year. Such a special day is a time for the pastor to assume her or his role as teacher and to include teaching the importance of being a "thinking church" and "thinking Christian." Since so many people in our world (and even some long-time members in our churches) are biblically illiterate, it may be helpful to offer beginning Bible study classes to help persons get started on the road to an educated faith. We United Methodists believe that Bible study is also informed by the traditions of the faith, the use of reason, and the experience of the Christian community (not just individualistic experience) in knowing God's will. Modern followers of Wesley have described this holistic understanding of theology and learning as the Wesley Quadrilateral of scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. While not a term that John Wesley used himself, the Discipline summarizes the central point of the Quadrilateral in this way: "Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason." Beginning with the 1972 Book of Discipline and revised in 1988 to clarify its meaning, this teaching about the Wesley Quadrilateral is included in the section of the Discipline entitled "Our Theological Task." That section is worth studying! Sarah Meaner Lancaster has described the use of the Wesley Quadrilateral this way: The word "quadrilateral" does not mean "equilateral" (where all sides would be treated equally), and the current statement makes clear that Scripture has primary place in theological reflection. The other three, though, have essential roles to play. The point of approaching theological reflection as described in the Discipline is not to choose one as decisive over the others, but to find how they mutually inform us of what God would have us understand. That focus upon faith seeking understanding is a part of our Wesleyan heritage. Celebrate it during the month of September.
DON’T MISS THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY!
What? 1. Discovery Weekend encourages and invites individuals who choose to participate in a six-week Bible study and prayer development experience. 2. Discovery Groups help individuals discover the power of prayer and what Jesus taught regarding spiritual growth. Consisting of not more than ten persons each, the groups meet weekly for one hour, using the study guide "Spiritual Growth Insights from Mark's Gospel".
Discovery Weekend coming September 17 and 18 with Dynamic guest preachers. Plan to join us!
