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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 6/09/2024 Sunday School @ 9:00 AM
Sunday 6/09/2024 Service @ 10:00AM
Rev. Dr. John D. Miller
3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Sermon: Do No Harm
Scripture: Mark 2:23-3:36 (NRSV)
Ushers: Tom Peebles and Judy Guyton
Greeter: Helen Chapel
* Hymns:
“All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord” #554 (vv.1-4)
“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 8th Parsonage outdoor work day at 8:00-10:00AM
June 9th 10:00AM Sunday Worship Service
June 16 Baby bottles for Life Center are due back.
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 9
David Kulling
Cory Vogan
Charles/Amber Guyton-Baran
June 10
Paul Brown
June 11
Jim Borchert
Suzie Herrera
Scott/Kate Shaffer
June 13
Chole Grandin
June 14
Sally Bowser
Brad/Julie Arnink
Dan/Julie Berryman
June 15
Larry Shaffer Sr.
Jim/Cathy Fink
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GRADUATES RECOGNIZED: Charlie Motter and Matthew Myers
In case you missed it, call up the June 2nd Grace UMC worship service on YouTube. Two graduates were recognized - Charlie Motter and Matthew Myers. Present with their parents and grandparents, both young men shared words of thanks for the care of Grace folks as they grew up. Pray for them as they enter the next steps of their lives.
Left to right: Paul Myers, Kiley McFadden, Matthew Myers, Charlie Motter, Mark Motter, Heather Motter. |
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PREPARING FOR SUNDAY'S MESSAGE
Come and Worship!
"Do No Harm": June 9
Third Sunday after Pentecost
Worship This Week
Background:
As John Wesley’s ministry grew outside the walls of the Church of England, a small group of people approached him so he might “advise them how to flee from the wrath to come.” Beginning with that request, “societies and class meetings” were formed. “Having the form and seeking the power of godliness” people met “to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love…” The purpose was “to help each other to work out their salvation,” echoing Paul’s encouragement to the church in Philippians 2:12.
Phew! If you read that far, thank you. The religious language is archaic and often obtuse. Basically, John Wesley developed a way for people to grow as disciples of Christ. Though “working out their salvation” smacks of “works righteousness,” i.e. becoming good enough for God to save, more context is needed.
The biblical use of “salvation” if often contextual. “Soteria,” or its root, “sozo,” may mean deliver, rescue, protect both in body and soul. The good news is that God initiates justification, i.e. offers forgiveness of our sin/separation from God and any guilt because of it. The language leans toward the legal. Wesley says justification is what our gracious God does for us in Jesus Christ.
The second gift of God’s branch of salvation is sanctification; what God’s Spirit does in and through us. The language is very medical – restoration, renewal, born again. Health is offered, we have the choice to accept or ignore. (Like going to the doctor for a diagnosis and then deciding whether we’ll take the medicine, change our lifestyle, etc. to become healthier.)
Societies and classes offered a process of sanctification, becoming healthier as disciples, and accountability, joining with others on our journey.
Sunday’s Message:
“Do No Harm” is one of the “Rules of Wesley’s United Societies.” Rules can be healthy, or they can be abusive. Rules can guide our formation in healthy ways or can be cudgels to deform us with religious blows. Jesus’ two experiences with Pharisees in Mark 2:23-3:6 challenge the “laws” about the Sabbath. He poses a good rabbinical question: “On the Sabbath, is it ‘lawful’ to do good or harm; to save a life or kill?”
How can we help each other grow as life-long learners, i.e. disciples and students, of Jesus Christ?
PS: A quiz on salvation, justification, sanctification, classes and societies will be administered to all attenders. Only a passing grade will get you entrance to worship in the sanctuary. (Not really!)
I’ll look forward to seeing you in worship Sunday, or being seen by you, at 10:00 a.m. REMEMBER: worship time changes to 10:00 a.m.
Rev. Dr. John D. Miller
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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 CHANGE – 10:00 A.M.
Worship: 10:00 in the sanctuary
Sunday School – adults: 9:00 in the first floor former “Kindergarten Room”
It’s okay to slip in late.
PARSONAGE “Yard” WORK: Saturday, June 8 – 10:00 a.m.
Join the Trustees this Saturday morning, 10:00, at the Grace Church parsonage at W. Second. Spring yard work is on the agenda – trimming, shrubbery, plantings, weeding, etc. Bring your good spirit and tools and we’ll be done in no time.
(May be easier to park in the church lot and walk up the alley.)
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
JUNE 30th CELEBRATION - “Thank You Grace”
After worship at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 30th, a “Bar-b-que” style celebration will be held as the Millers say goodbye and thank you to the members of Grace. Funded by the three Miller offspring, Kelly Martini, Carrie Chelko, and Adam Miller, we encourage you to “dress down” for worship, invite family and friends, and be open to a good time. You have blessed Diane and me in this year. We want to say thank you.
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:
Parsonage Work Day: Saturday, June 8th
Bring your gardening and lawn tools, plus a good spirit and join Trustees for Spring clean-up day at the Parsonage.
Beginning time is 10:00 a.m. Major focus is yard work, shrubbery trimming, etc.
“Many hands make light work.”
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! The time and food will be determined 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!
How is your month of June going? Here are more holidays to celebrate- National Ketchup Day, National Running Day, National Drive-In Movie Day, National Doughnut Day, National Outlet Shopping Day, and National Loving Day! Or every day we could celebrate how much God loves us and is with us forever!!
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 (grandson of Darrell & Gayle Smith) recovering from motorcycle accident.
Vernon Flinchbaugh and family as he begins hospice care.
Deb Rae Miller upcoming surgery.
Carla Wheeler healing recovering from a fall.
Matt Henderson who is struggling with ALS.
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, Gracie Singleton, Linda Stine’s niece, 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.
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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