Finley’s Newsletter VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1 FINLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FEBRUARY / MARCH 2017

FROM OUR PASTOR

February / March 2017

Dear Finley Church family,

I know this is a New Year and I

should write on starting over

and forming holy habits (such

as: attending Church, reading

the Word, prayer, exercising and

spending more time with your

family). But, I have had this

thought in my mind, one which

has never entered before, that I

should say something to our

congregation about leaving

something behind after you are

gone from this earth.

I believe, as a society, we are in

for some difficult days ahead.

The only hope for our society is

Jesus Christ and His Church. In

the future, Christianity will

become less-and-less appealing

and the cost more severe. God

placed in my heart this question,

“Why not support God’s

Church both while you are

here (on earth) and in the

future (when you are in

heaven)?”

I remember when I first arrived

here at Finley United Methodist

Church in July, 2008. Within

the first two weeks, a godly

member, whom I had never met,

gave “ahead of time.” He put in

his Will a wonderful gift to be

used for Finley Church. It was a

true blessing because we had so

many unusual bills to pay and

four restrooms that were being

remodeled. I thought to myself,

“Art Moran had the future

insight (vision) to give to His

Master, so the Church He loved

- could continue to be a beacon

of Christ’s love in Steubenville,

Ohio.”

Some people call this “paying it

forward” or “generosity beyond

the norm.” I would describe it as

“selfless, extravagant missional

giving - while you are still

living.”

We sing the Doxology every

week after we collect the tithes

and offerings for God’s Church.

It is a part of Worship (placing

God first and trusting Him to

meet our needs). Then we sing

collectively as a response back

to God, “Praise God from

whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all Creatures here

below; Praise Him above, ye

heav’n-ly host; Praise Father,

Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!”

Why not plan ahead of time and

bless your Church beyond the

grave? After all, we are

resurrection people

(1st Corinthians 15:42-58). The last

two verses of this passage

states:

“(57) But thanks be to God, who

gives us the victory through our

Lord Jesus Christ. (58)

Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be steadfast, immovable, always

abounding in the work of the

Lord, knowing that your labor is

not in vain in the Lord.”

This is what the Lord put on my

heart – and our labor for

Christ’s Kingdom is never “in

vain.”

Praise God from whom all

blessings flow!

In Christ’s service,

Pastor Jerry Ernst

February / March 2017 Finley’s Newsletter

SUNDAY EVENING SERVICES

February 5 Pastor Jerry

February 12 Youth and Young Adult

Modern Praise Service

February 19 Prayer & Intercessory Service

February 26 Evangelism

March 5 Youth and Young Adult

Modern Praise Service

March 12 TBA

March 19 Prayer & Intercessory Service

March 26 Pastor Jerry

BIRTHDAYS

February 2 Barb Young 209 Norris St. Steubenville, OH 43952 February 16 Roy Marker 153 Oak St. Weirton, WV 26062 February 17 Lillian Humes 2315 Commercial St. Mingo Jct., OH 43938 February 17 John Vincent 108 Carlisle Ave Mingo Jct., OH 43938

February 17 Sue Sawka PO Box 511208 Chipata Zambia

February 20 Delbert Lash 3375 County Road 39 Bloomingdale, OH 43910

February 21 Isaac Sawka PO Box 511208 Chipata Zambia

February 21 Margaret Achhammer 8775 County Highway 39 Bloomingdale, OH 43910

March 6 Hannah Graner

Iglesia

Evangelica Dominica

Apartado 727

Santa Domingo

Dominican Republic

March 10 Wanda Whanger

138 Sunshine Park

Steubenville, OH 43952

March 26 Rich Amick

212 Rex Avenue

Wintersville, OH 43953

BIRTHS Zetta May Wilson was born

October 31, 2016, to

Craig and Martha Wilson

She weighed 7 lb. and 3 oz.

and was 20” long

Hester Wilson is the proud

Great Grandmother

Michael Dean George was born

November 28, 2016, to

John & Emily George.

He weighed 8 lb and 9 oz.

and was 20.5” long.

Pastor Doug & Joyce George

are the proud grandparents.

Luna Selene McElwain was

born on December 2, 2016, to

Michelle Benedict.

She weighed 9 lbs and 1 oz and

was 21 inches long.

Proud Grandma is Carol

Benedict.

February / March 2017 Finley’s Newsletter

Amelia Charity George

was born on January 4, 2017,

to Wes and Susan George.

She weighed 8 lb and 12 oz

and was 23 “long.

John & Sandy Gribben and

Pastor Doug & Joyce George

are the proud grandparents.

Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to: Carol Benedict and Family in the death of her Dad, Leonard “Dutch” Kessler. Lois Flouhouse and Family in the death of her husband, John Flouhouse. Carol McKee and Family in the death of her husband, David McKee. The Family of Carol Grimes.

Dear Brothers and Sisters

in Christ, God impressed in my spirit the

other day a key important

phrase for the Church of today.

Do You Believe?

Pretty simple right? But let’s

take it one step further for the

Church of the 21st century.

Do you Believe…

… in God the Father

… in Jesus Christ the Son

… in the Holy Spirit

… that Jesus is your Saviour

… in eternity

… in a place called Heaven There is a Hell, It is real, Jesus

spoke of it. Jesus is returning for

His glorious bride. In the gospel,

the word of God is true. God

answers prayer all the time.

… in sanctification

… in Holiness

… in redemption

… in revival

… in God’s love

… you are healed

… you are forgiven

… in Grace, Gods riches at

Christ’s expense

… in mercy

… in God’s faithfulness

… in righteousness

You Christians are victorious. You

get the point. If you have doubt in

any of these, ask God to reveal

“Himself” to you. Seek Him with

all your heart, mind and soul. You

are in the invisible war. The battle

is upon you

Are You Ready?

Thank you . . . to everyone who contributed to the New

Door Fund and the Major

Improvement Fund. We have

collected enough funds and the

remaining doors have been

ordered and will be installed

soon.

The Trustees plan to have new

flooring installed in the

Fellowship Hall this year. If

you would like to contribute

directly to this project, please

use an offering envelope and

mark “Fellowship Hall

Flooring” in the section labeled

“OTHER” Thank you

Guatemala Mission 2016

THANK YOU to all who

prayed for our team and

supported us financially so we

could serve in Guatemala this

past November. There are so

many blessings and praises to

report. Our team consisted of 18

total members – nine from Ohio

and nine from Maine. We

served with Impacto Ministries

in Zacapa, Guatemala, where it

is VERY hot (90+ degrees). Our

main focus was to help with a

VBS. We served three different

churches, leading classes and

providing the crafts for

approximately 400 children. We

also ministered to a large group

of youth and women. Some of

our team worked on building a

house for a family of four. The

father of this family helped with

the construction, and through

the interaction of our team

members and with the help of

Impacto staff, he accepted

Christ as his personal Savior. It

was such an encouragement to

see him bring his family to

church and his son to VBS.

Another highlight was for us to

visit four families in the village

of San Jorge. One particular

visit stood out to us as we

visited the family of Luis, a man

who had worked in the melon

fields, but now was in a wheel

chair. While working, he

unknowingly drank water that

was contaminated with

chemicals, leaving him

paralyzed and unable to speak.

Both his daughters had to quit

school to take care of him. We

brought food and supplies to

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://violamahr.typepad.com/.a/6a013487d467bb970c0154342bf3e1970c-500wi&imgrefurl=http://violamahr.typepad.com/violamahr/2011/08/&docid=aED2QNFgOd13vM&tbnid=uO1JerbFjFjKCM&w=400&h=281&ei=ifzIVM2sIY_asAStiIHoCA&ved=0CAMQxiAwAQ&iact=c

February / March 2017 Finley’s Newsletter

them, but all of us felt so

helpless because we could not

lighten their daily burden. Luis

needs physical therapy, but

there is no money for

transportation to help him. Next

year when we return, we plan to

collect the nutritional drink,

Ensure, to help people like Luis,

who need more nutrients in their

diet. We are thankful to God for

such a wonderful and productive

week in Guatemala, along with

safe travels. All of us remained

healthy, with very minor issues.

We have so many blessings to

thank God for that we easily

take for granted – fresh water to

drink, food on our tables, a

home to cover us, and our good

health. We are very grateful for

your partnership in helping our

team serve for this one short

week of the year. This mission

experience has become

extremely valuable to each of

us. God bless you for your

prayers and financial support.

Pastor Jerry and Abbey Ernst,

Gabriel, Harper and Josiah

Ernst, Debbie Griffith, Angela

VanKirk, Sam Edwards

RANDOM ACTS OF

KINDNESS

- Send someone a hand

written note of thanks

- Make a card at home

and send it to a friend

for no reason

- Visit an elderly shut-in

in the nursing home

Do You Know Me ???

∙ I love to swim.

∙ I have a cat named Trouble.

∙ I like to bowl, crochet and

paint

∙ I help with Bible School.

∙ I help in the Nursery.

∙ I help my mom and dad.

⁓I belong to Finley and I

believe most of you know

me. GUESS WHO . . .

Last issue’s Guess Who

(November/December/January)

Angela VanKirk

If you want a 2016

statement of your

giving, please see Greg

Byers, Kathy Thomas or

call the church office

The Prayer Room needs

pray-ers Monday mornings

at 10:30.

It also needs pray-ers

Sunday mornings to pray

for prayer cards and

Preacher as he’s preaching.

Helpers are

needed for the

children’s departments

during the 10:45

worship service on

Sundays. Please see

Patty Grodhaus or call

her at 740-381-5423,

and let her know you

can help.

YOU can make a

difference in the lives

of area children. If you

can commit to every

Wednesday, OR you

can commit to a couple

of Wednesdays a

month, or just randomly

when you’re able. Pick

the age you like

working with then call

the appropriate person

for details:

Elementary Age

Angela VanKirk

740-632-5934

Middle School

Sean & Lexi McKitrick

740-632-9440

High School

Derek Trout

337-396-1566

February / March 2017 Finley’s Newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 1, 8, 15, 22 11:00 Bible Study & Prayer 5:00 Kidmo 5:00 Middle School Youth 6:30 Senior High Youth 7:00 Bible Study & Prayer February 3, 10, 17, 24 6:30–7:30 N.A. meeting February 5 8:30 Worship Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Worship Service 6:30 Youth & Young Adult Praise Service February 6, 13, 27 10:30 Prayer February 7, 21, 28 11:30 Staff Meeting 7:00 Choir Practice

February 11 11:00 UMW Meeting - Call to Prayer and Self-denial February 12 8:30 Worship Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Worship Service 6:30 Prayer & Intercessory Service February 14 7:00 Choir Practice 7:00 Trustees Meeting

February 19, 26 8:30 Worship Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Worship Service 6:30 Worship Service February 20 President's Day Office Closed

February 21, 28 7:00 Choir Practice

*** March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 11:00 Bible Study & Prayer 5:00 Kidmo 5:00 Middle School Youth 6:30 Senior High Youth 7:00 Bible Study & Prayer March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 6:30–7:30 N.A. meeting March 5 8:30 Worship Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Worship Service 6:30 Youth & Young Adult Praise Service March 6, 13, 27 10:30 Prayer March 7 11:30 Staff Meeting 7:00 Choir Practice 7:00 Trustees Meeting March 9 7:00 Commissions/Committees 8:00 Administrative Council March 11 11:00 UMW Meeting - 2 cents & a Prayer

March 12 Day Light Savings Time 8:30 Worship Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Worship Service 6:30 Prayer & Intercessory Service March 14, 21, 28 7:00 Choir Practice March 19, 26 8:30 Worship Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Worship Service 6:30 Worship Service March 20 Spring begins 10:30 Prayer

Articles for the April / May 2017 newsletter are due by March 20th. Please email your article to newsletter@finleyumc.org, or you may put your article in the newsletter mailbox, or give to Sharon Christopher. THANK YOU!

mailto:newsletter@finleyumc.org

Finley’s Newsletter NONPROFIT www.finleyumc.org ORGANIZATION

Finley United Methodist Church U.S. POSTAGE 958 Lincoln Avenue PAID Steubenville, OH 43952-3223 STEUBENVILLE, OH

Rev. Jerry Ernst, Pastor PERMIT NO. 7 Associate Pastor Derek Trout newsletter@finleyumc.org office@finleyumc.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

February / March 2017

Have you tried our . . . Youth and Young Adult Modern Praise Services ?

February 12th and March 5th at 6:30 p.m.

Prayer and Intercessory Services February 19th and March 19th at 6:30 p.m. March 12

th

Daylight Savings Time begins

Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead

http://www.finleyumc.org/