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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 6/16/2024 Sunday School @ 9:00 AM
Sunday 6/16/2024 Service @ 10:00AM
Barbara Dittman, Lay Minister
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost;
Father's Day
Sermon: Trust The Journey
Scripture: Proverbs 3: 5-6 and Philippians 4: 10-20 (NRSV)
Ushers: Tom Peebles and Judy Guyton
Greeter: Arlene Wise
* Hymns:
“O Worship the King” #73 (vv.1-2,5)
“Glory be to the Father” #70 |
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Sunday School for Adults: New Space
You are invited to the 9:00 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
June 16 Barb Dittman, Director of Lay Ministries, will lead worship and preach this Sunday, June 16th. Welcome and support Barb as she shares her message from God’s Word.
Father's Day
Baby bottles for Life Center are due back to the Church.
No Adult SS on June 16th
For this next Sunday, the 9:00 a.m. adult SS study has been cancelled.
June 18th Towne Towers Gathering:
On Tuesday, June 18th, we are going to have another get-together with our friends from Towne Towers 2:00-3:30. |
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Happy Birthday & Anniversary to our Grace Family this week! Although some of these members may have been absent from our lives for a while, let us take a moment to stop and remember them in prayer on their special day.
June 18
Tina Goeparth
Bob/Ginny Taylor
June 19
Travis Pearsall
John/DeAnna Mahle
June 20
Jay Bickel
Lee Green
Wendy Mellring
June 21
Dylan Highfield
Chris/Kerry Hepler
June 22
David/Gail Kulling
David/Deborah Moore
Bill/Vivian Todd
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PREPARING FOR SUNDAY'S MESSAGE
Come and Worship!
"Trust The Journey ": June 16
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Worship This Week
We are all on a journey! It is called the journey of life! How is your journey going? Two of my favorite Bible verses are Proverbs 3:5-6 and Philippians 4:10-20. Come this Sunday to Church! We can explore these two scriptures together! And we can learn and encourage each other on this journey we call life!
Barbara Dittman, Director of Lay Ministries
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SPEAKING of FUNDING MINISTRIES
Missions Support: The projects chosen for 2024 have already been totally funded. Hallelujah! The 2024 annual budget was for $20,000. Into May giving has exceeded $21,000. Even though the Askey Fund supports the mission projects involving children and youth, giving by the congregation has exceeded what is needed for all the chosen projects of 2024.
What’s next? Some traditional projects were not included in the budget due to transitions – theirs and ours. Now the mission team can review how to distribute the blessings from you. Thank you for your generosity. God has blessed you to be a blessing to others.
Ministry and Operations: The news is less celebratory!
2024 Revenue and Expenses: One comparison is “giving revenue” compared to the “actual expenses” for 2024. We are at a deficit of approximately $11,500. Of course, the first half of any budget year includes huge expenses: insurance and taxes, for example. Typically, giving lags when people travel, vacation, etc. However, my impression is that regular supporters maintained their normal giving. Goals: Increase giving by increasing interpretation of Grace ministries that need funded. (Yes, the building is an instrument of ministry for worship, study, fellowship, education and staging of outreach.)
2024 and 2023 Comparisons: Obviously, comparing the actual revenue and expenses for the first-half 2023 congregation and the first-half 2024 congregation is of little help. Changes due to disaffiliation effected both revenue and expense. However, of interest to me is that the operating deficit in the first half of 2023 was approximately double what the operating deficit is this year. Hence, some sense of perspective is provided. The 2024 congregation is doing as well as last year at this time.
How are deficits handled? First, understand that bills are being paid. Reserve funds provide a buffer to monthly deficits. Second, traditionally, Memorial Funds have been transferred to cover actual deficits. In the first half of 2023 approximately $26,000 was transferred. Though the Administrative Council has not yet met, this is one of the options to be considered for this year’s deficit.
Goal: Continue to pray, discern and act on increasing your giving to the ministries of Grace UMC. |
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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:
WORSHIP TIME: 10:00 a.m.
Word is still not spread far enough. Worship has changed to the summer schedule: 10:00 a.m. Tell friends, neighbors, and other church members.
Worship: June 16th – 10:00 a.m.
Barb Dittman, Director of Lay Ministries, will lead worship and preach this Sunday, June 16th. Welcome and support Barb as she shares her message from God’s Word.
No Adult SS on June 16th
For this next Sunday, the 9:00 a.m. adult SS study has been cancelled.
BYOBB: June 16th
June 16th, Father’s Day, is the day to BYOBB (Bring Your Own Baby Bottle) with your offering to support the ministry of the Life Center in Franklin. This local ministry helps meet the physical and spiritual needs of women and men facing an unwanted pregnancy. For more information see: herlifecenter.com
Administrative Council Meeting: Tuesday, June 25th at 3:00 p.m.
You are invited to participate in the Grace UMC Administrative Council meeting on Tuesday, June 25th at 3:00 p.m. Any interested church member is welcome to attend. Review of church progress, and decisions about current needs and future directions will be on the agenda. Your participation also sets the stage for welcoming Grace UMC’s new pastor, Rev. Nelson Thayer.
CELEBRATION: June 30th
Sunday, June 30th is the Miller’s last day as pastor and spouse with the Grace Church family.
Worship at 10:00 a.m. is casual dress – prepare for a picnic style luncheon.
Picnic-Style Celebration after worship: It may not be a pig roasting on a spit in the parking lot, but expect a picnic/barbeque-style celebration after worship. All items will be furnished. Bring your appetite. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors. Bring a lawn chair – if weather good we’ll sit outside. If not, off to Asbury Hall.
Thank You, Grace-filled people: The Miller children are sponsoring all costs for this celebration as a way to say thank you for your involvement with Dad in ministering to each other and the community in this year of turmoil and transition.
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. |
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Put on your Calendar
Reminders:
June 16th – Father’s Day: Return full Baby Bottles to support the Life Center ministry
June 18th – Towne Towers get together: Join in the visiting and new relationships.
June 20th – Secret Prayer Partners “Reveal;” Lunch at the Millers in Rockland. Watch for details.
June 30th – Casual Sunday and Farewell Picnic: Dress for a picnic after worship – a good time for all. |
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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 Tuesday, June 18th, we are going to have another get-together with our friends from Towne Towers! The time is 2:00-3:30. The theme is "Summertime!" A sign-up sheet is on the table at the back of the sanctuary. If you could bring 1 dozen cookies, that would be great! Wear some bright summertime clothes!
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 at 12:00 noon and Diane will be providing food!
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!
Today, June 16, we are observing Father's Day! My father was a wonderful man and his Christian teachings continue to influence my life today! Is your father still alive? If he is - give him an extra hug today! If he is in glory, thank God that He is wrapping His arms around your father in Heaven: Happy Father's Day to all you fathers! And if you are a father figure to someone be the best you can be for that someone! The greatest Father all of us can have is our Almighty God!! Have a great week!
Love you all, 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
Cork and Carol Nelms health concerns
Carson Fennick recovering from motorcycle accident.
Deb Rae Miller upcoming surgery.
Matt Henderson who is struggling with ALS.
Jim Whaley – medical tests
Kathy Flockerzi cancer treatments.
Anita Eberle is home but still recovering.
Adrianna – HS student at crossroads.
Medical/Health concerns:
Judy Hards’ sister Amy dealing with Scleroderma, Rev David, Vickie Fisher, Jason Cox, Josh Keebler, Dorothy Heckathrone, Don and Sherry Emick, DeAnna Mahle, Josie McMullen, Gracie Singleton, David Miller, Blaine Beers, Chip & Peggy Nunemaker, Amy Dykins.
Andy, nephew of Judy Hards, battling colon cancer.
Kate Shaffer as she progresses through cancer treatment.
Marcia Hannan, sister of Rita Hale, for return of cancer.
Ginny Taylor.
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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