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Grace UM Church Staff Members
Pastor: Rev. Dr. John D. Miller
Director of Lay Ministries: Barb Dittman
Secretary: Brittany Adams
Finance Secretary: Eva Palmer
Custodian: Bill Lamberton
Organist: Joseph Emanuele |
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Services are available on YouTube and our website www.graceoilcity.org
https://www.graceoilcity.org/worship-service-recordings.html
Sunday 5/19/2024 Sunday School @ 9:30 AM
Sunday 5/19/2024 Service @ 10:45 AM
Rev. Dr. John D. Miller
Pentecost Sunday
Sermon: The Holy Spirit Conspiracy
Scripture: Acts 2:1-8, 12-18 (NRSV)
Ushers: Tom Peebles and Judy Guyton
Greeter: Arlene Wise
* Hymns:
“Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire” #603
“Glory be to the Father” #70 |
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Sunday School for Adults: New Space
You are invited to the 9:30 Adult Sunday School Class which will now meet in a more convenient space: the former Kindergarten room in the hallway off the sanctuary and just beyond the “Pastor’s Office.”
Looking Ahead
May 18th The memorial celebration of Dan Wrhen’s life will be held in the Grace UMC sanctuary at
11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 18.
May 19th Pentecost – Wear RED to signify the filling
by the Holy Spirit |
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Ruth M Smith Center: Warren Gives – May 15th
The Ruth M Smith Center is a residential facility that serves the needs of youth and vulnerable adults. Located within the boundaries of the W Pa Annual Conference, the United Women in Faith (formerly, United Methodist Women) provide support. The Community Foundation of Warren County sponsors a one-day event from 6:00 AM to 10:00PM to receive on-line gifts for charitable organizations within Warren Conty, including the Ruth M Smith Center. Each organization becomes eligible for a proportion of the Community Foundation annual grants. Please support Ruth M Smith Center on May 15th at “warrengives.org.”
Celebration of Life Memorial: Dan Wrhen, May 18th
The memorial celebration of Dan Wrhen’s life will be held in the Grace UMC sanctuary at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 18. Linda and family invite you to join them as they remember and celebrate Dan’s life among us. Visitation time will be a short time before and after the service. Everyone is invited to join the family and continue the celebration of Dan's life at the Knights of Columbus Hall located behind the church. For future contact with Linda Wrhen, 2416 Old Nantucket Court, Sun City Center, FL 33573. |
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PREPARING FOR SUNDAY'S MESSAGE
Come and Worship!
"The Holy Spirit Conspiracy": May 19
Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday, May 19th, wear RED
There was wind, the flames and the loud shouting that everyone understood in their own language. What was going on? The most obvious accusation leveled at them as fisherman: “They’re drunk.” Peter countered, “Not even these fishermen would be drunk at 9:00 in the morning.”
Jewish men from all over the Diaspora have gathered for this required agricultural festival. These disciples of the crucified, resurrected and now ascended Christ, are just waiting for some “power from on high” that would clothe them. Would it tickle? Hurt? Itch a little?
Rest assured that the Spirit presents itself in three open spaces of our lives: In the unpredictable, in the place of risk, and in those areas over which we have no control. That describes the Church being born in the midst of controversy and confusion, and being re-born in every age. I think it’s a Divine Conspiracy to get us to hear the Wind.
I look forward to seeing you in the sanctuary on Sunday, 19th, wearing red, or being seen by you on-line at 10:45.
Rev. Dr. John D. Miller
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REV. NELSON T. THAYER – Pastoral Appointment to Grace UMC
On Sunday, May 5th, Cindy Fultz announced to the congregation the appointment of the next pastor, the Rev Nelson T. Thayer. His appointment will begin July 1st following completion of the Rev Dr John D Miller’s ministry with Grace UMC.
Nelson, and wife Linda, come with an amazing array of gifts and experiences in ministry. After serving 40 years as a Pastor in the WPAUMC, Nelson retired in 2016. A graduate of IUP (BA) and Wesley Theological Seminary (MDiv), he also completed five units (2,000 hours of clinical supervision) of Clinical Pastoral Education. While serving local churches, Nelson also served as a staff Chaplain at Cumberland (MD) Memorial and West Penn (Pittsburgh) Hospitals, volunteered as an ambulance EMT, helped to found a Meals-on-Wheels program, built houses with Habitat for Humanity, served as a Mission Ambassador to Southern Africa (Republic of South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe), co-founded and directed the Mission Barn (a charter member of the UMCOR Relief Supply Network), chaired several Conference committees, and sang in multiple choirs and community choruses. He currently chairs the WPA UM Commission on Archives and History. He and his wife, Linda Thayer, are parents to 3 children (and 2 grandchildren) and currently live in Franklin, PA. |
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Baby Bottle Boomerang: Fill A Bottle
The Life Center in Franklin provides a ministry of life changing services to meet the physical and spiritual needs of women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy. Pick up and fill up a baby bottle with coins and bills from now until Father’s Day. Bottles are available in the Grace UMC sanctuary or the office. More information is available at “herlifecenter.com.”
Pick your bottle: Mother's Day, May 12, 2024
Return your bottle: Father's Day, June 16, 2024 |
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From The Pastor's Desk:
Graduating?
If you are graduating from high school, college, or other degree/certificate program in 1924, Grace UMC would like to recognize your accomplishment. The tradition has been to acknowledge Grace graduates on the first Sunday in June. Plans are being made. Please contact to the church office 814-677-3013, or the secretary at secretary@graceoilcity.org. (Grace family members: Please pass on the names of 2024 graduates so we don’t miss someone.)
An Invitation to Join
If you have even considered becoming a member of Grace UMC, and wonder what that entails, call the church office, 814-677-3013, or email me at jdmiller@graceoilcity.org.
Scholarships for Graduates: June 1st deadline
A scholarship fund is part of the legacy of Grace UMC. We are seeking members to help review the scholarship process and help accept and review any applicants. We expect to make applications available in the near future. Please contact either Cindy Fultz about your willingness, or call the church office: 814-677-3013. |
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Put on your Calendar
May 18: Dan Wrhen Memorial: Celebration of Life at Grace UMC, 11:00 a.m.
May 19: Pentecost – Wear Red
May 23: RightNowMedia zoom call re new resources – 1:00
Towne Towers afternoon visit: join visit; prepare cookies (see Barb Dittman)
May 26: Trinity Sunday and Memorial Day weekend
June 2: WORSHIP TIME CHANGE to 10:00 a.m.
Holy Communion
June 16: Worship leader and preacher: Barb Dittman
Father’s Day
June 30: Casual Dress Day for worship: John’s last Sunday as appointed pastor
PICNIC celebration – immediately following worship (Bring families) |
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The United Methodist 2020 (postponed) General Conference: Confused?
To view the video, “Wrap-Up of the 2020 General Conference of the UMC,” go to www.umc.org. You can get a sense of the spirit and Spirit, the international diversity of the delegates, some sense of how it is organized and what legislation was adopted. The adoption of “Regionalization” allowing adaptations of the UMC policy and practices in different global contexts is a Constitutional amendment. Every member at every Annual Conference globally will have their vote tallied to see if the necessary support is there for the change.
Other legislation included the adoption of completely revised “Social Principles” for study. The deletion of the exclusionary language that prohibited a homosexual from responding to God’s call to ordained ministry has been dropped. This allows all people to enter the multi-step process that may lead to ordination.
Though I was not present at this postponed General Conference in Charlotte, NC, having been a former delegate and interested in our polity and practices, I will gladly have a dialogue with anyone seeking more clarification on the actions. Together we can learn accurate information. Beware of opinions that seek to divide the church by misinformation or limited perspective. |
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Barbara Dittman, Director of Lay Ministries
Contact BarB at Grace UM
814-677-3013 Ext. 104
Office hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs. - 9:00 - 1:00 |
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BarB's Blurbs!
Celebrations and Get-togethers - On Thursday, May 23rd, we are going to have another get-together with our Towne Tower friends. Please note the change of day, from Tuesday to Thursday. The time is 2:00-3:30. The theme is "Patriotic Red, White, and Blue." A sign-up sheet is on the table at the back of the sanctuary. If you can bring 1 dozen cookies, that would be great! Please wear red, white, and/or blue.
On Tuesday, June 18th, another time with our Towne Tower friends is being planned! The theme will be determined soon.
On Thursday, June 20th, a get-together for secret prayer partners to reveal their identity is being planned! The location is John and Diane Miller's home! The time and food will be decided soon.
On Sunday, June 30th, there will be a casual church service with lunch to follow the service.
Some packets of notecards with the church's picture on them were recently purchased. They are available for people to use to send messages to their family and friends! If you would like to make a contribution to defray the cost of these notecards, please do so! Thank You!
I wanted to find out more information about why we celebrate Pentecost Sunday! This is the time that the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and the birthday of the church. The research I found was the seven promises of Pentecost: wisdom, understanding, counsel, courage, knowledge, reverence, the fear of the Lord. The symbols are the flames, the dove, and the wind. Can you imagine if you were there with the apostles and received the Holy Spirit? We each can receive this Spirit and be witnesses telling people everywhere about Jesus! Are you ready? Me, too!
Love you all! Have a great week! BarB
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HOPE 21: “A clothing boutique ministry”
Operating Day: Mondays 6:00pm-8:00pm
*Please save your old plastic grocery bags and bring them in to the church to be used for bagging clothing.
Still excepting donations of clothing and accessories such as shoes, boots, scarves, hats, belts, gloves, coats, professional clothing, dance wear, uniforms, socks, jewelry,
and school/work bags. |
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Quilting and Fellowship
The Merry Quilters are stitching on Mondays from 10:00am until 3:00pm in the lounge/library next to Grace Hall. Both experienced quilters and and any who would like to become a quilter are invited to join us. Visitors welcome, too! Access to the lounge is currently through the room outside the ladies restroom on the ground floor. Bring a bag lunch if you’d like to join us for lunch at noon. Questions?
Call Cindy Fultz, 814-673-5058. |
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A Quarter for your Meter
Your thoughts may be worth only a penny, but your presence at the church during weekdays is worth much more. Oil City has metered the parking lot behind the church. Plus, they issue tickets for parking violations.
Here is the church offer. On the secretary’s desk is a small bowl with change for the meter. If short of change, step in, grab a coin, and help the Oil City Parking Authority a dime or quarter at a time, rather than $5.00 as a first-time violator (who was caught). You are loved and worth every penny, dime or quarter. |
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Prayers of Joy and Concern
Andrea Ziegler recovering from surgery
Sally Bowser at home recovering from heart issues.
Jim Whaley – medical tests
Kathy Flockerzi cancer treatments.
Anita Eberle is home but still recovering.
Adrianna – HS student at crossroads.
Medical/Health concerns:
Rev David, Vickie Fisher, Jason Cox, Josh Keebler, Dorothy Heckathrone, Don and Sherry Emick, DeAnna Mahle, Josie McMullen, Sue Reitz, Gracie Singleton, Linda Stine’s niece, Susan Maurer, David Miller, Blaine Beers, Chip & Peggy Nunemaker, Amy Dykins.
Kate Shaffer as she progresses through cancer treatment.
Marcia Hannan, sister of Rita Hale, for return of cancer.
Ginny Taylor as she progresses through cancer treatment.
Denny Perry who received a kidney transplant, prayers for healing.
May prayer emphasis will be praying over families and pastors.
The ministry of Grace Church in our community and around the world.
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
District Superintendent Rev. Deborah Ackley-Killian |
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