paw paw umc news september 2019 · 2019-09-11 · paw paw umc news september 2019 2 as a follow up...

Paw Paw UMC News September 2019

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Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors

TRUE OR FALSE – YOU DECIDE

In the 1976 movie Network, the character of Peter Finch portrays a man who is fed up with life. He is a newscaster and he is mad about everything. His influence over the airwaves causes many people to shout out of their windows, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” Ironically, the movie seems to have been prophetic given our current political climate. My belief is that many politicians today have either watched this movie and taken it on as their mantra; or, they simply believe what the character of Peter Finch portrayed – they believe life is worthless and hence, are mad about everything.

Are Christians to be concerned about how our politicians are demonstrating their hatred today and of how that is the daily diet of news casting? I believe we are to be very concerned. I am not “mad as hell” about it but I am sickened by it. I am sick of hearing on a daily basis the lies that are being broadcast in what are supposed to be the markets of truth – news casting. My statement of truth is that for a long time now – about the last 10 years or so – pretty well anything said on the major news networks is either pure lie or twisted truth to satisfy an agenda. That is why I only listen on rare occasions to just check my premise. A steady diet of such garbage will not stunt your physical growth but it will stunt your spiritual growth.

I am also concerned about a lack of desire by many Christians today to know the truth. Our truth comes from the Word of God. Let me be clear – there are many today who are peddling a Gospel Message that says “you’re Ok and I’m OK.” The result is that Christianity is becoming the religion of “Ok-ness” – the world is OK so why worry about eternity? Everyone is going to heaven anyway – as many Christians be-lieve; and, those who are not Christian don’t believe in an after-life anyway – so why worry? When you’re dead, you’re dead.

My calling is to preach and teach the Gospel which is the truth because the message is about Jesus who said, “I am the Truth.” I preach Christ crucified and risen from the dead. That is the Christian belief based on the Biblical teaching which has with stood the test of time. I am calling for others who will stand with me in proclaiming the truth about Jesus. He is our Savior – not a politician or politics in general. Jesus is the one who has given us the hope of eternity – not some politically motivated legislation.

Currently, we have the freedom to make such proclamations in this country. That will soon go away. Our freedom is slowly being eroded. As a Christian, I have long believed the best citizens are the Christian citi-zens. If someone would like to challenge me on that and have a public debate, I will be happy to oblige. The joy of life is knowing that Jesus is Lord of all and Lord of my life. I simply want as many people as pos-sible to know this eternal truth. This is what will “save” our country for the next generation.

We are starting a Bible Study on September 8 that will last for 12 weeks. We are studying the Gospel of John. The way we will be studying is called Methodical Bible Study. This is a way of studying the scrip-tures that allows for each person to come to their own conclusions about what the scripture say and what they proclaim. Why won’t you consider joining us? Each study time is from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the church building. The daily newscast will not give you the truth. Our Bible Study will allow you to discover what the Truth really is.


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As a follow up to our previous letter in August, we want to provide further information in preparation for a Church wide meeting on September 15 following worship.

We have communicated that our church finances are currently in jeopardy. We are running a deficit on a monthly basis up to five thousand dollars in the General Fund. The purpose of our second Church wide meeting is to give more detail and to review what is being done to address this issue.

The Finance Committee has reviewed all monthly expenses and has determined what budget cuts can be made without damage to our ministry outreach. Actual cuts that have been made are Pastoral travel and expense reim-bursement. This amounted to $3,000.00 under consideration and research, we are looking at a change in the Pasto-ral Healthcare insurance, utilities, pest control expense and others. Also, some funds have been re-purposed that were in dormant designated funds. The biggest debt we currently have is the Pastoral Healthcare Insurance. As of 1/1/2019 we had a past due obligation of $43,000. Because we are struggling with a General Fund deficit of $53,000 this year, we will not be able to pay any of the 2019 obligation for insurance. Therefore, on 12/31/2019 the debt for Pastoral Healthcare Insurance will be about $65,000.

The question has been raised as to why it took so long to bring this issue to light. There have been several changes in leadership positions in the last two years such as Administrative Council Chair, Financial Chair and Treasurer along with other members of the committee. As a result, it has taken several months to get a handle on what the true picture is. However, for several months the Finance Committee has been publishing in the Newsletter the giv-ing and expenses in a bar graph. This has been designed to let everyone know that our giving has not kept up with our expenses.

Significant changes in our ministry outreach will be the result if we do not resolve the financial problems in the near future. There could be changes to all staff positions. Such changes could include having a half-time pastorate or being required by the Conference to become a two point charge; or, changes to our music program. We want very much to avoid such changes. As indicated above the next Church-wide meeting on September 15 will be your opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions on how to deal with the financial issues we are facing.

We have noted that many people have made a switch from designated and church loan funds to general fund giv-ing. This is very helpful and we want to encourage the continuation of this trend. We do ask that you make this a matter of prayer that God will guide us as a congregation in addressing this issue of finances.

Administrative Council & Finance Committee


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Church General Fund Finances

The Graph below shows the church income compared to church expenses. The

Pink Bars represent Income and the Purple Bars represent Expenses. When the

Purple Bar is higher than the Pink Bar it means the church spent more money than

it earned. When the Pink Bar is higher than the Purple Bar it means the church

earned more than it spent. The red writing tells you how much more the church’s

expenses were than income that month. The black writing tells you how much more

income there was than expenses that month. This graph shows that both income

and expenses vary month to month.

As of August 31 2019 the Balance in the General Fund check book was

$2,978.19

This graph shows the funds in the general fund. The general fund is used for pay-

ing the church and parsonage utility bills as well as payroll for the church staff.

The church Financial Information is available to everyone, either stop by, email or

the call the office at (269)657-7727.

$7,519.05

$8,511.00

$9,950.80

$11,565.00

$12,789.00

$11,991.13

$10,596.00

$12,544.96

$10,923.18

$9,365.00

$10,984.44

$11,488.20

$12,958.90

$11,495.27

$11,997.48

$8,901.31

$0.00

$2,000.00

$4,000.00

$6,000.00

$8,000.00

$10,000.00

$12,000.00

$14,000.00

January February March April May June July August

General Fund Income Compared to General Fund Expenses

Income Expenses

Net Loss

-3,404.13

Net Loss

-845.00

Net Loss

-1.033.64

Net Income

$76.80

Net Loss

-$169.90

Net Income

$495.86

Net Loss

-$1,401.48

Net Income

$3,643.65


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1 Meredith LeBaron

2 Mary Hassing

4 Rita Brennan

6 Jackie Ploof

11 Beverly Brooks

Becky Knapik

15 Ryan Decker

20 Dough Lombard

Norma Whiteman

27 Camille Huss

Gizmo Pierce

30 Virginia Snell

9 Ed & Elaine Poole

20 Rich & Holly Neterer

Confidentiality Statement

If for some reason you would prefer your name/

number NOT be listed in the bulletin or newsletter

OR you prefer to NOT have your picture on our

church website, please contact the church office

(269) 657-7727, M-TH (9 am– noon). Thank You Please call the office if we missed your birthday

or anniversary or if it is incorrect!


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Bible Study is starting. It will be

12 weeks, September 8 to No-

vember 24. Sunday evenings at

the church 6:00—7:30 PM. We

will be studying the Gospel of

John.

September Preaching Calendar

September 8

Sermon Title: What Do you Believe?

Scriptures: Exodus 4:1-5 John 20:30-31

September 15

Sermon Title: The Deity of Jesus

Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-10 John 1:1-5,14

September 22

Sermon Title: The Good & Bad of Signs

Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-7 John 2:1-11

September 29

Sermon Title: The Question of Testimony

Scriptures: Isaiah 35:5-6 John 5:31-40


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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1.

2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7.

8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

15.

16. 17.

18. 19.

20. 21.

22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

29. 30.

September 2019

6:30 Finance/Ad

Council

Thrift Shop

AM Shift:

Tricia Rumsey

Suleyka Small

9:30 Sunday

Worship

7:00 Trustee’s

10:30 Sunday

Worship

10:30 Sunday

Worship

10:30 Sunday

Worship

Member Meet-

ing: 10:00

10:30 Sunday

Worship

7:30 Choir

7:30 Choir

7:30 Choir


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Date Hospitality Liturgist Greeters Nursery

9/1

Communion Picnic Sue Danielson

Bob Graham & Sandy Nondorf

Please Sign up

9/8 Please Sign

Up Please Sign Up

Laurel Sherburn

Lee Johnson

Please Sign up

9/15 Please Sign

Up Please Sign Up

Morene & Lyle Huggett

Please Sign

Up

9/22 Please Sign

Up Harley Pierce Please Sing Up

Please Sign up

9/29 Tom & Carol

Pillars Betty Shafer Please Sign Up

Please Sign Up

Bronson Commons:

Kay Bush

23332 Red Arrow Highway

Mattawan, MI 49071

Those at Home:

Jackie Ploof

38347 CR 374

Paw Paw, MI 49079

Charles & Leah Moses

413 W. St. Joseph

Lawrence, MI 49064

Beverly & Jerry Reshman

132 North Street

Paw Paw, MI 49079

Maple Lake Assisted Living

Jean Dahms

677 Hazen St. Rm. #16

Paw Paw, MI 49079

Norma Stull

677 Hazen St. Rm. # 24

Paw Paw, MI 49079

Donna Hickok

677 Hazen St.

Paw Paw, MI 49079

New Friends

Please Remember

these friends with a

card or visit


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Paw Paw United Methodist Church 420 W. Michigan Ave. Paw Paw, MI 49079

Please Join us on Sundays:

Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.

Paw Paw United Methodist Church

420 W. Michigan Avenue

Paw Paw, MI 49079

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

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.paw pawumc.com

Pastor: Rev. Dr. David Small (269)303 -8062

Organist/Pianist:

Director of Music: Christine Mortimer

paw paw umc news september 2019 · 2019-09-11 · paw paw umc news september 2019 2 as a follow up...

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