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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 6/23/2024 Sunday School @ 9:00 AM
Sunday 6/23/2024 Service @ 10:00AM
Rev. Dr. John D. Miller
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Sermon: Do All the Good You Can
Scripture: Mark 10:17-31 (NRSV)
Ushers: Tom Peebles and Judy Guyton
Greeter: Judy Cochran
* Hymns:
“Ye Servants of God” #181
“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 21st COMMUNITY PRAYER at 7:00 p.m at the Oil City Community Alliance Church
June 25th Administrative Council Meeting: Tuesday, at 3:00 p.m. You are invited to participate in the Grace UMC Administrative Council meeting.
June 30th “THANK YOU” Celebration: After Sunday Worship Service at John and Diane Miller's home. |
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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 23
Kallie Smith
June 24
Jim Borchert
June 25
Shane/Jenny Wheeler
June 26
Brad/Allison Deeter
June 27
Rebecca Oakill
Nancy Simpson
Corey White
Kalynne Ziegler
Mike/Amy Highfield
June 28
Caroline Smith
Phyllis Weltner
Jane Whaley
Jeff/Cindy Forshee
June 29
Sydney Lamberton
Steve Scheer
June 30
Zachary Webber
Nancy Novicki
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PREPARING FOR SUNDAY'S MESSAGE
Come and Worship!
"Do All the Good You Can": June 23
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
WORSHIP: JUNE 23RD (10:00 a.m.) “Do All the Good You Can”
How dull is that sermon title? I should be able to come up with something more inspired than that. “Do Good,” well, duh. Then again, one person’s good may be another’s bane. Feeding the troops may be seen as a different “good” than feeding refugees. Which is good?
In Mark 10: 17-31, Jesus is confronted by a wealthy young man and asked, “What is good enough to get into heaven?” Jesus started where I believe most of us would start, “Good behavior is expected, like follow the commandments I just named.” What interests me is that Jesus said one other thing is important, “Sell what you have and give to the poor.” Extended comments from Jesus included how hard it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom, or live under the way God reigns.”
Peter blurted out what others were probably thinking. “We have left everything and followed you,” so we are in good standing, right? Is it about behavior?
Looking at the second “rule” for Wesley’s United Societies, “do all the good you can,” sounds like behavior. However, sanctification is “what God does in us,” forming us into the whole person God believes we can be. Checking our behavior is a way to measure our growth, not earn a reward. Exercising improves our health. Exercising the gifts of the Spirit improves our health and the health of the world. A sanctifying good behavior is about growing with the Spirit’s help.
Where is the greatest temptation that gets in our way? What commandment did Jesus “not” reference? The one on Idolatry – no others gods, no graven images, or measurement by stock portfolio. What does wealth and power often become? Our idolatry is to achieve, enjoy for ourselves, take credit for, control ourselves and others.
I’m looking forward to seeing you, or being seen by you, in worship at 10:00 a.m., this Sunday, June 23rd.
Rev. Dr. John D. Miller
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“THANK YOU” Celebration: June 30th
I’ve often joked that I have “failed retirement.” Furthermore, I’ve said, “If I was going to fail retirement it could not have happened in a better church.” In spite of the pain from losing long-time church friends through disaffiliation, I have sensed a spirit of cooperation, hope, and commitment from all you remain in leadership and worship. Hence, rather than a setting of conflict, I’ve been invited into a community seeking hope in God’s healing. Thank you, Lord.
Later, I will try to explain what this year has meant to me as I continue to be open to the Spirit’s guidance, often reluctantly. But let me assure you, this Celebration after 10:00 a.m. worship, June 30th is offered as a way for Diane and me to say THANK YOU for inviting us into your lives. Likewise, it’s a chance to begin a new time of growth in the Spirt as you welcome the Rev Nelson Thayer, and spouse Linda, into your life. You are so blessed to have their leadership and gifts for Grace’s next phase of ministry.
Anyway, you, family, and any one you want to introduce to Grace UMC are invited to worship and picnic. (On-Line worshippers, don’t be bashful. Come on down.)
MENU:
From the big smoker in the parking lot, “Little Guy Grilling” will provide smoked and pulled brisket, pork, and chicken (with sauces) plus all the fixings, like mac & cheese, slaw, fruit, dessert, drinks and more. (If rains, we just move into Asbury Center.)
DRESS CODE: For both worship and eating, CASUAL!
WHAT TO BRING: Yourself, if outside, maybe a camp chair, but everything else will be provided and you will be served. Take home containers will be provided (no wasted food) for a shut-in, neighbor, or your next meal. Parking: spread out to upper lot and bank lot.
THANKS: Say thanks to Rob Ziegler for a coordinating this celebration with “Little Guy Grilling.” Further thanks to the Miller brood: Kelly Martini, Carrie Chelko and Adam Miller for funding this Celebration. (Hope you’ll meet a couple of them) |
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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.
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.
BABY BOTTLES – New Life Center - CONGRATULATIONS
Fifteen (15) Baby Bottles for The New Life Center have been returned to support their ministry. Congratulations! Another mission outreach for the grace-filled people of Grace UMC. (Three (3) bottles are unaccounted for. If you have one to turn in, please drop it off at the church office asap.)
COMMUNITY PRAYER
This Friday, June 21st at 7:00 p.m., there will be gathering at the Oil City Community Alliance Church, 411 Seneca St. to pray together as the Christian community in Oil City for our local businesses. Everyone is welcome to join in this prayer endeavor.
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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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, a group of Grace friends went to Towne Towers to see our wonderful friends! We had a super time talking about Summertime and playing a charades game by acting out some things we can do in the summer! Many Academy Awards should have been given to the actors!!!!!!!! We ate some fresh fruit salad and yummy cookies! We were invited to come back again in July! The plans are to celebrate the birthday of America! Please plan to come and share some special moments with some fabulous friends!
Some packets of notecards with the church's picture on them were purchased! They are available for people to use to send messages to family or friends! If you would like to make a contribution to defray the cost of these notecards, please do so! Thank You!!!
What are you doing on Sunday, June 30th? Hopefully you will be attending the church service to be a part of the many people who want to thank Rev. Dr. John D. and Diane for their ministry with Grace UMC. If you are like me, I so appreciated John's sermons, jokes, and inspirations! Where did the last 10 months go? It will be hard to say, "Good-bye!" Maybe the words should be, "See you later, Alligators!!" John and Diane, thank you for all you did to continue the ministry at Grace UMC! May God's blessings be with you as you continue on to the next chapter in your lives! Psalm 121 and Philippians 4:13
Love you all! Have a great week! BarB
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St. Joseph’s 85th Annual 4th of July Celebration
July 4th 11 AM – 4 PM
Parish Grounds – 112 Rectory Lane – Lucinda PA
I-80 Exit 60 – Rt. 66 North 10 Miles
Post-Festival Finale – St. Joseph's Liberty 5K Run/Walk – July 6th 8 AM
Lucinda Train Station – 1040 Lander Drive – Lucinda
Clarion County’s Oldest Independence Day Celebration! Traditional all-you-can-eat Chicken & Ham Dinners – Homemade pie & Soup with our famous Homemade Noodles. Games of skill & chance for all ages – Live Entertainment – Festival Food – Bingo. Over $40,000 in Cash & Prizes including several Handmade Quilts, Portable Hot Tub and a $5,000 Grand Prize. Event held Rain or Shine – canopy covered. Handicap accessible. Parking shuttle available. Nearly 2,000 dinners served each year. Dining Room serving 11 AM – 3 PM; Takeouts available 11 AM – 2 PM; Dinner ticket sales open at 10 AM. Adults: $13 Children 6 – 12: $6 Children under 6: Free.Proceeds benefit St. Joseph Catholic School. Come Celebrate!
Info at: 814-226-7288 |
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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
Donna Boocks’ cousin, John Reavie has passed away.
Donna Boocks’ sister, Bonnie Rihel is scheduled for MRI and in a lot of pain.
Leeann McCullough’s father, Robin Hart.
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, Don and Sherry Emick, DeAnna Mahle, Josie McMullen, Gracie Singleton, David Miller, Blaine Beers, Chip & Peggy Nunemaker, Amy Dykins, Ginny Taylor.
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.
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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