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!!!!!

Dyer United Methodist Church 2016 Church Street

Dyer, IN 46311 219.865.8947

www.dyerumc.org

October 2014

Volume 5, Issue 10 Published Monthly Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

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Page 2

Look what happened last month!

“I” WITNESS NEWSLETTER

“I” WITNESS NEWSLETTER Page 3

A Note from Pastor

A few months ago I took a leap of faith and started a young adult bible study. The study I started became our church’s first Go Group. I was nervous to lead a bible study; however, after praying about it I knew God was calling me to do it. Pastor Jim has continually encouraged us to go out and emerge ourselves into the community, in hopes that we will be able to reach people who don’t have a church family. Starting this bible study, I had no idea what I would get in return from it, but we have encouraged each other through reading the bible, praying and serving together. We have also learned that once we begin to do these things, God will equip us to reach out to other people and give us new opportunities. If we do not prepare ourselves by growing our relationship with God, and strengthening our faith, God will not provide us with a faith sharing opportunity; if we aren’t ready to share our faith why would He put us in a situation to share it?

Since the start of this Go Group I have found myself studying the bible and praying more frequently. Because of this, I believe God prepared me for an opportunity that I was blessed to experience. Upon arriving at my Go Group on Wednesday night, I spotted a familiar man walking through the parking lot. I had seen this man earlier in the week at my job in Merrillville. He is a homeless man who stops into my store to rest on his walks throughout the day. On our last encounter I inquired about the book he was reading and he told me that it was about Jesus. He asked me if I was religious and I opened up to him, telling him that I was indeed a Christian. Hearing this, he excitedly read a passage to me from his book. He was able to share his faith with me that day. When I saw him at Applebee’s, I immediately believed God was giving me an opportunity to invite him and share my faith. There were too many things that had to happen that day for our encounter to be labeled a coincidence. So I caught up with him and asked him to join me for a bible study that night and he happily accepted.

The experience we shared at the table that night was a great one. We both went through the discussion topics and even got to share our testimonies with each other. I cannot stop thinking about how amazing it was that God allowed me to cross paths again with that man. He even prepared me to approach a stranger, ask him to dinner, and join my Go Group. God worked through me that night. I know I would not have had the courage or confidence to approach someone that I did not know, and lead a bible study with them even a month ago. God pushed me that night, because I had prepared myself. Through Him I was able to do what I once believed impossible; He prepared me.

I believe, through God, all of us have the power to do something like this. I am strongly suggesting and encouraging everyone to join a Go Group, read your bible, and pray. God is calling all of us to Him and it is in our power to answer that call. Allow him to work in your life and prepare you. I can feel that God is working in me; this experience is proof of that. Through prayer and studying the bible, I have been able to open my mind to the opportunities that God is placing in my life.

Courtney Myers

A Go Group Testimony from Courtney Myers

Dear Dyer UMC Family,

I am happy to announce that at our Church Conference on September 8, our church

voted to move into Step 3 of the Fruitful Congregations Journey process. This means

that we have decided to accept and commit to accomplish the 5 ministry action plans

in the report from Church Development. Copies of the report are available on the information desk in the lobby.

The Step 3 process will begin on Sunday, October 26 at 9am, with a service of Prayer and Forgiveness led by

the Rev. David Schramm. This service will help us focus on the power of prayer and forgiveness so that we can

prepare ourselves to move forward, as a congregation, and find new and exciting ways to reach the unconnected

people in our community with the love of Jesus. I hope you will make plans to join us for this meaningful

experience.

Blessings,

Pastor Jim

“I” WITNESS NEWSLETTER Page 4

Current Sermon Series

Games We Play

September 28, October 5 & 19, 2014

One of my fondest memories as a child is of the games I played with my brothers, sisters and friends.

We loved playing games! Recently, I started thinking about some of the games we played as children

and realized that we still play them as adults. Through this series, we'll consider the games we play in

our Christian lives; some good, some not so good. Let's spend a few weeks considering our discipleship

through the eyes of a child. It's game time!

September 28, 2014 Follow the Leader Matthew 4:18-22

Most of us played Follow the Leader when we were children; it's a great game and the rules are simple;

just choose a leader and do what the leader does. Participants in this game are supposed to say what the

leader says, go where the leader goes and do all of the things the leader does. Follow the Leader is a

game we play as adults too; the question we must ask ourselves is this, "Who is the leader I am

following?" Is it Jesus; or do you follow someone or something else? He is calling you to follow Him;

will you play?

October 5, 2014 Hide and Seek Revelation 3:14-21

Hide and Seek is a great game that children have been playing for years and years. The rules of this

game are simple too; one person is the seeker and the rest of the people are the hiders. The game begins

with the seeker begins to count and the hiders run off to find their hiding places. The game ends when all

of the hiders have been found by the seeker. In our relationship with Jesus we sometimes get confused

about which part we play. Scripture can help, it says, "I stand at the door and knock...." Jesus is the

seeker...will He be able to find you?

October 19, 2014 Flashlight Tag Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus spoke to His disciples; those who had committed to follow Him, and said, “You are the light of the

world...let your light shine before others.” Followers of Jesus have been commissioned to carry His light

into the dark place of the world. Children have been playing Flashlight Tag for many years. The person

with the flashlight seeks the people who are in the dark and shines the light upon them. This is a game

Christians should play as often as we can. We are the light of the world because we have the light of Je-

sus in us; what if we went out and found people to share that light with? Tag! You’re it!!

“I” WITNESS NEWSLETTER Page 5

Fall Festival !

Children’s Christmas Program!

Mark your calendars for our annual Fall Fest.

It will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 beginning at 4 p.m.

Join us at the ARK, our Family Activity Center

located at 13501 109th Avenue Dyer, IN 46311.

We'll have hayrides, hot dogs, & s'mores around a bonfire.

For more Information, contact Donna George at 219.613.3580 or email at donnaegeorge@sbcglobal.net.

Children's Christmas

Program!

It's hard to believe, but

yes, it's that time again.

The program this year is

called "Unfrozen-Do You

Want to Meet a Savior?"

...and yes, there is a nod to "that" movie in the program.

It promises to be lots of fun and very meaningful.

If your child is interested in being involved,

please contact either Donna George at 219.613.3580

or email at donnaegeorge@sbcglobal.net or Juanita Jarecki at 219.322.6309

or email at juanitaj88@gmail.com.

“I” WITNESS NEWSLETTER Page 6

Upcoming Events

Sign up for email event reminders at www.dyerumc.org. Go to the calendar page.

Pastor Jim Clark .................................... .�..james.clark@inumc.org

Music Director Juanita Jarecki������.���...juanitaj88@gmail.com .

Office Administrator Diane Sinish������������office@dyerumc.org

Nursery Coordinator/Custodian Angie VanDeursen���.��...vandeursen@sbcglobal.net

At Your Service

Go Groups are now forming!

To pray, study the Bible (The book of Mark first) and discuss ways we can be in service to our community.

Wednesday Nights at 7PM: Applebee’s Go Group: Young Adults (18-30ish) Applebee’s in Schererville, Route 30.

Thursday Nights at 6:30PM. Subway Dyer (977 Sheffield)

More groups will be forming in the community very soon. Please pay attention to the “Go Group” Bulletin board for upcoming group information.

Matthew 28:19

“Being a church that leaves the building.”

Charge Conference October 26, 2014

This year’s Charge Conference is October 26 at 6:00PM at Hobart First United Methodist Church.

~ Everyone is welcome to attend ~

~ Leaders are highly encouraged to attend ~

Our next Community Breakfast is October 20, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Are you a couple? Do you get hungry?

Do you enjoy fellowshipping with other couples?

Come join the couples ministry on October 4th at 5:00PM for a Progressive Dinner.

Contact Nancy Forsythe 219-322-5532 or Bonnie Johnson 219-730-7906 for more information.

Did You Get Your Flu Shot Yet? Sunday, Oct 5,

8-9AM & 10:15-11AM

Healthchek will be in the church office administering flu shots for those who are

interested. The cost is $30.00.

DUMC Fall Blood DriveDUMC Fall Blood DriveDUMC Fall Blood Drive

Sunday, Oct 26, 2014 One Donor Saves Three Lives!

Look for the BIG RED HEARTLAND BUS in the DUMC Parking Lot

from 8:00AM-Noon.

Sign up in the lobby. Walk-ins Welcome! Contacts: Diane & Brad Schwent @ 219.322.4449.

Please remember to eat something and bring your I.D.

The Finance Team has adopted a brand new stewardship program this year called, "Extravagant Generosity." This four week

program will begin on Sunday, November 2, 2014. Following is an excerpt from material we'll be using. Extravagant Generosity describes practices of sharing and giving that exceed all expectations and extend to unexpected measures. Fruitful congregations thrive because of extraordinary sharing, willing sacrifice and joyous giving out of love for God and neighbor." In addition to letters explaining the process and focused sermons each Sunday; you will have the opportunity to prepare yourself through a 4 week devotional book entitled, "Practicing Extravagant Generosity: Daily Readings on the Grace of Giving." These helpful devotional books can be purchased for $9.00 each. Please call the church office for ordering information.

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Beatniks on ConkeyTheatre/Coffee House

PLAYS, MUSIC, VARIETY SHOWS, MAGIC, IMPROV AND MORE

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09-24-2011 10:35:39

Stan’s Towing & Auto Salvage

77th Ave

Outdoor Storage

Chip & Janet Lukasik

Mailing Address Line 1 Mailing Address Line 2 Mailing Address Line 3 Mailing Address Line 4

Weekly Service Times

Sundays 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:15 a.m. Fellowship Time

10:30 a.m. Sunday School (All ages)

Prayer Gathering 7:15 a.m. Sunday Mornings

www.dyerumc.org 219-865-8947

October Meetings

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors 2016 Church Street Dyer, IN 46311

Children’s Ministries Monday, October 6 6:30PM

Worship Team Monday, October 6 7:00PM

N.O.A.H Tuesday, October 7 6:30PM

Trustees Tuesday, October 7 7:00PM

Kid’s JAM Teacher Training Meeting

Sunday, October 12 Following Sunday School classes

Mission’s Team Monday, October 13 7:00PM

Staff-Parish Monday, October 20 7:00PM

DUMC Staff Tuesday, October 21 10:00AM

Finance Team Tuesday, October 28 6:00PM

Ad Council Tuesday, October 28 7:00PM

Join us for Youth Group Sunday Evenings at the ARK 13501 109th Ave, Dyer, IN