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Open Hearts . Open Minds. Open Doors

Dear friends, We are safely back in Paw Paw after a beautiful vacation in Scotland, the land of my birth and the place where most of my family live. My parents who live in South Africa joined us there for what was the biggest gathering of our family ever. We reconnected with aunts, uncles and cousins and met others for the first time. It had been 29 years since I saw my cousins before this trip and we parted vowing to never let that happen again. This was the first time that Susan, Natalie and Cameron got to meet my family in Scotland. As they listened to the stories told by my aunt Irene, uncle Graham, my cousins and their kids; they came to learn more of their own stories. They came to know a little more of the stories that have shaped my identity and therefore their own. We are all story shaped people. When we respond to God's prevenient grace working in our lives and become disciples of Jesus Christ, we become part of a larger family whose story is shaped by the Gospel. The prophet Isaiah calls Israel to " Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you"(Isaiah 51:1-2). The genealogies in the Bible remind God's people of their roots in creation and their destiny in the Creator's plan (Matthew 1:1-25). In his book "A Brief History of Christianity" Carter Lindberg, Professor Emeritus of Church History at Boston University, says that "Christian identity is clearly stated in the historical shorthand of the Christian creeds that confess faith in the historical person of Jesus Christ who was born, suffered and died." Christians, in Lindberg's words " put a unique spin on this history when they confess that this his-torical Jesus is also the historic Christ who was raised from the dead and who return to complete history." As Christians then, we are a unique community of believers whose identity is formed by both the historical past and the historical future. Christian identity then is rooted in history. How many times have you heard complaints about "the young people of today"? Are you one who complains about " the young people of today" and their lack of a Christian iden-tity? If I had a dollar for each time I have heard this, even in my short time in Paw Paw..........

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C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A S T O R ’ S P A G E

The only way to shape young people as a community of Christian disciples is to connect with them and

tell them the stories of God's activity in the world and in their lives.

How can we expect children to know their story, to know their place in the history of God's activity in

the world if we, as older adults, won't tell them the stories of Jesus?

Friends since my arrival here you have told me how important children's ministry is to you. We have new

Sunday school materials coming that will enable Sunday school for kindergarten through 6th grade to be

held in one room. Requests have been made for volunteer faith mentors to help lead Sunday school but

unfortunately no one has responded up to the time of my writing these words.

Please, if you claim to take your faith seriously, especially if you are one of those who lament the lack of

a Christian identity or ethic in today's young people, step forward and be one of a team of faith mentors.

You don't have to have teaching experience and our goal is to have enough people so that you will only

have to lead one Sunday per month.

Diane Grimm and I look forward to hearing from you soon, our materials are on the way and our open

house is Sept 8.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling.

Please answer his call.

Peace be with you.

Pastor Trevor

Hello,

As, you may or may not remember, I took on the project of fundraisers a couple of years ago. I felt at the

time that we needed to find ways to make a little money for our general budget. I think it simply needed

someone who likes to plan and organize¸& I do.

So, for the fall, I need to know if the congregation is willing and ready to begin the community soup &

salad dinners. The plan is to hold them in October & November, skip December & resume them for Janu-

ary, February & March. We held them on the 2nd Saturday of each month as it did not conflict with the

other churches in town.

As always, we already assist the Men’s group at the Swiss Steak Dinner, which this year is scheduled for

September 27th. So keep your calendars open so we can have plenty of help. More hands make the

work easier on all.

Some other areas I have thought about are:

A winter craft show with bake sale.

Shirts that have the Methodist logo on it.

That’s all I can think of for now, but would love any suggestion you may have. So, call me or leave me a

note.

Thanks to all

Betty Shafer

(269) 207-7776

Information Update

Please use the yellow sheets you have been given (or

take one from the foyer table) to update your infor-

mation and provide birth dates! Thank you! ~L

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Hello to all,

Wow, can you believe it, by the time you read this it will be September and we will be headed into what I

have a feeling will be a really busy fall.

I am happy to announce that we have a new custodian, you all know David Wareman. He joined our staff

last week. Please make him feel welcome to this position. If you have a question or concern, you can leave

him or I a note in our mail box.

Spring and summer was real busy for the trustees and many others as we completely cleaned, painted and

made repairs to the parsonage. All was in preparation for Pastor Trevor and his family to join our church. My

thanks to everyone who assisted in this, project as their home is very nice and welcomed them here. Our last

expense, we hope for awhile, is we had to replace the washer, & that was done this week.

Your board has a couple more projects we need to complete before fall sets in too hard. First, we need to

trim bushes and some of the trees. I will be announcing a date for this in the near future and would appreciate

some extra help from the congregation. If you have a chain saw, hedge trimmers or can haul brush, we can use

your help.

Second, we need to restripe the parking lot. Currently it is almost impossible to see where one should

park. This will likely be a Saturday morning in order to get help from those that work during the week. We

have purchased the stripe machine and the cans of paint to make it easier. If we can get several people to help

who have gas blowers, it will speed the process of getting the dirt off the asphalt. Stay tuned for a date.

I struggle when I write these as I am always asking for help for another project in the church or at the par-

sonage. Unfortunately, it is never ending; there is always something that needs to be worked on. If you were

in church on August 18th, you heard an excellent sermon from Rev. Sandra Reynolds. The message I took

home, is this church belongs to all of us. We all need to step up to the plate and pitch in. Do you have a pas-

sion or something you would like to take ownership for, please let me know? It can be as small or as large as

you want it to be.

I will close on that note and hope to hear from you with a new idea or plan for the church. Remember,

you will never be alone in anything you choose to do, unless of course you want to be. Thank you & may God

bless I will close on that note and hope to hear from you with a new idea or plan for the church. Remember,

you will never be alone in anything you choose to do, unless of course you want to be. Thank you & may God

bless you.

Betty Shafer

Trustee Chairperson

Important Tidbits:

*October newsletter items need to be into Lori by Sept. 19

*Please wear your name tag on Sunday morning and if you need one, sign the sheet on

the name tag rack.

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Remember our Shut-ins with a card or visit:

Parker Assisted Living (Mattawan) - Kay Bush

White Oaks Asst. Living: Evelyn Falan

Cass City Medical Facility (Cassopolis): Elsie Fleming

Maple Lake Asst. Living: Bruce & Jean Dahms

Those at home: Donna Hickok, Pat Cutshaw, Miriam Cronk, Norma Stull, Ruth Barrett

Aaron Bloomfield Jonathan Goodrich Tim Reese Willard Wingate

Kyle & Joshua Earl Scott Wayman Shane DeHuff Calvin Bright

Byron Blasky Juston Kuch David Kirby David Paul

Donald Meijer James Weingate Jeff Johnson Jeff Shilts

Rob Willsea Rob Richard Baker Jason & Tasha Shafer

Todd Christensen Keaton Nielsen Michael Gower

Rondy Carpenter Gerry Tapper

Jackie Ploof Kevin Linder Howard Carpenter

Dee Allen Kolby Nelson

Evelyn Falan Ruth Barrett

Charlie & Leah Moses George Mabey (Carol Pearce’s father)

Ginger (Dave Wareham’s Sister) Judy Kolb (Lisa Latterner’s mother)

Dear Paw Paw Methodist Church & Family,

On behalf of the Van Buren County Habitat for Humanity, I would like to thank

you for your generous donation of Swiss Steak dinner for our food booth at the

2013 Van Buren Youth Fair. Our customers really enjoyed this meal. We re-

ceived many compliments.

Fundraises like the fair food booth is one of the ways we achieve our mission’s

goal. We appreciate your support of our mission to provide affordable housing

and in doing so build a better community for all.

Sincerely, Phyllis Allen

Everyone is a Minister

We would like to invite you to minister to our children through working in teams of two

for the children’s Sunday School program starting this fall. If you are willing to help out

on a rotation basis, please call the church office and leave your name with Lori or

Barb.

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9/02 - Mary Hassing

9/02 - Gaye Kelly

9/04 - Rita Brennan

9/06 - Jackie Ploof

9/09 - Beverly Reshman

9/11- Duane Dehuff

9/12 - Phil Gist

9/17 - Arnold Harvey

9/20 - Doug Lombard

9/23 - Jeani Boutell

9/25 - Allison Wilton

9/26 - Courtney Wilton

9/26 - Camille Huss

9/30 - Virginia Snell

9/30 - Casey Van Brussel

September Sermons September 1st~Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Message: “Who Should be at the table?”

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:4-13, Luke 14:1, 7-14 (sermon focus), and

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

September 8th-Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

(Community Worship service at Wine and Harvest Festival)

September 15th-Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Message: “That Lost Feeling”

Scripture: Jeremiah 4:11-12;22-28, Luke 15:1-10 (sermon focus)

September 22nd~Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Message: “Holy Tears”

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:18—9:1 (sermon focus), Luke 16:1-13

September 29th~Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Message: “A Hallelujah Life)

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, Psalm 146 (Sermon focus)

Dear Paw Paw UMC,

We thank you all for the gifts and food and the openhouse. It was wonderful to experience the warmth and love expressed. We appreciate all of you and

will miss you . In Christ,

Joe & Nona

HarvestFest

Community Worship Service

September 8, 2013

Lake front Pavilion

10:30 a.m.

Pastor Trevor will be

preaching

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Hospitality Liturgy Greeters Ushers/

*Communion

Stewards

Nursery Date

Terri Jones 9/1*

Tricia & Becky Terri Jones 9/15

Terri Jones 9/22

9/29 Terri Jones

Tuesday, October 8th at 6:30 p.m.

At Copper Grill Restaurant.

Winter Collection for CIS Kids

Bring socks, slippers, hats, and mittens for

CIS kids.

It’s time to start thinking about fall! September marks the beginning of the school

year and a return to regular worship. It’s time to start thinking about how you

want to be involved in the life of our church. Perhaps you would like to help with

Sunday school. Maybe you’d like to be a liturgist and help lead the service.

Do you like to be creative? One of the ways you can express creativity is by creating the power points

for Sunday worship or navigating them. There are lots of opportunities to get involved! We need YOU!

Think about how you would like to help and keep an eye out in the newsletter and bulletins for upcom-

ing volunteer opportunities. Prayerfully consider giving your time to Christian Education, being on a

committee or being a worship leader. Don’t hold back and wait to be asked, step up and take the lead!

We are a family. I grew up in this very church. We’ve shared many things over the years and I learned

so much from you. Now it is my honor to give back and serve you as your music director. You’ve heard it

takes a village to raise a child; well, it takes a congregation to run a church and grow disciples.

In Christian Love,

Chris Mortimer

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It’s hard to believe school is starting again for our students! We are truly ex-

cited about the new families that are joining our “family” here at PPUMCC!

Please keep our center staff and families in your prayers as we transition to a new

school year. We wish our school-age students much success with their new year

also.

The center is hosting a “family fun” event on Sunday, September 8 on the front

lawn of the church. A free hot dog lunch will be served starting at 12:00 noon.

We will also have a bounce castle available for the children to play in. Bring your

family and lawn chairs and join us for a great spot to view the parade at 1:00. We

will have the bounce castle open after the parade for the children to enjoy. If you

would like to provide cookies for the lunch, please drop them off at the church of-

fice sometime the week of September 1-7th.

We welcome volunteers at the center. Please contact me if you are interested in

this ministry with our little ones!

Diane Grimm, Director

Childcare wish list…

Glue sticks

Washable markers-primary & bold colors

5” Fiskars kid scissors

Small bottles of school glue (1.25 oz. & 4 oz. sizes)

Large crayons (preschool size)

Play-doh-primary colors

Masking tape

Goldfish crackers and veggie straws

100% juice

Select-a-size paper towels

Disinfecting wipes

Baby wipes

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United Methodist Men

Swiss Steak Dinner

Friday, Sept. 27th

Smart911 Smart911 is a free service that allows citizens across the

U.S. to create a Safety Profile for their household that includes

any information they want 9-1-1 to have in the event of an

emergency. Then, when anyone in that household dials 9-1-1

from a phone associated with their Safety Profile, their profile is

immediately displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker providing addi-

tional information that can be used to facilitate the proper re-

sponse to the proper location.

At a time when you may be panicked, or unable to communi-

cate, or it could be unsafe to communicate, Smart911 ensures

that the details you would need to tell 9-1-1 are immediately

available in the event you cannot verbally provide them.

Go to Smart911.com to sign up.

Choir & Bell Rehearsals begin:

Wednesday, September 4th

JuBELLation will meet from 6-

7:15 p.m.

(anyone interested in ringing hand-bells is welcome to join)

Chancel choir will meet from 7:30—8:30 p.m.

Come join in the fun and fellowship!

**Do you want to ring but don’t know how or don’t know music?

That’s o.k. We’ll teach you!

Give it a try!

Paw Paw Community Chorus Begins

Rehearsals…

The Paw Paw Community Chorus, spon-

sored by the Paw Paw High School

Choirs, will be accepting new members

for the 14th Annual Christmas Concert

Through September 30ths. The chorus

meets at 7 p.m. on Monday nights

starting September 9th at the First Pres-

byterian Church in Paw Paw. If you have

any questions, please contact:

Bill Buhl (269.716-0318)

Gretchen Hudeck (269.668-2059)

Or

Theresa Vaughn (269.668-4631)

4:30 —7:00 p.m.

Tickets: Adults: $9

Ages 3-12: $3

Ages under 3 and over

90 —Free.

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Paw Paw United Methodist Church

420 W. Michigan Ave.

Paw Paw, MI 49079

Paw Paw United Methodist Church

420 W. Michigan Avenue

Paw Paw, MI 49079

Phone: (269) 657-7727 Fax: (269) 657-7728

E-mail: admin@pawpawumc.com

Or

pawpawunitedmethodistchurch@gmail.com

Website: www.pawpawumc.com

Pastor: Trevor McDermont

Childcare: Terri Jones

Organist/Pianist: Kim Hatfield

Chancel & Bell Choir Director: Chris Mortimer

Monthly Committee Meetings-

United Methodist Men– Sept. 8th @ American Legion

Ad Council—Sept. 12th at 7:00 p.m.

Trustees– Sept. 10 th at 7:00 p.m.

UM Childcare Ministry– Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m.

Please Join us on Sunday:

Fall Schedule begins Sept. 15

9:30 Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Fall Worship