Pastor’s Desk

Greetings to the Saints of Northwoods! Oh my, what an awesome year we experienced! To date we have had 53 new disciples join with us to celebrate the life of Jesus and we have several more joining Northwoods at the end of this month! Our Deployed Spouses program was shared world-wide with our fellow United Methodist brothers and sisters. We even received a donation of $500.00 from someone in Arizona who read the article. Simply amazing! The tithe of our finances and our commitment of service grew this past year. Due to HIS benevolence at work through you we will begin this new year with apx $27,000.00 in surplus while also spending apx $40,000.00 for needed maintenance and building repairs. While worshipping, you should have noticed a sharp increase in the number of children and babies now present among us, Praise the Lord! There is so much more I could elaborate on in regards to HIS blessings among us this year. However, as we begin the new year of 2017 I humbly offer the following

devotion. In it Henry Blackaby reminds us of a powerful spiritual truth: “No amount of activity for God will ever take the place of a heart right with HIM”. “No amount of activity for God will ever take the place of a heart that is right with Him. Through the ages, God’s people have been persuaded that they could please Him through their service and their offerings, regardless of their heart condition. King Saul offered generous sacrifices, hoping God would overlook his disobedience (1 Sam. 15:22-23). David may have assumed that after all he had done on God’s behalf, God would overlook his sin (2 Sam. 12:7-15). Ananias and Sapphira thought that their generous gift to the church would compensate for their deceitfulness (Acts 5:1-11). Paul was certainly one who had thought his zealousness would please God. After his conversion, however, he concluded that even if he had faith to remove mountains, gave all he had to feed the poor, and offered his body to be burned for the sake of God, and yet had a heart that was not right, it would all be for nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3). We are susceptible to the same misunderstanding as all of these people were. We can be deceived into assuming God is more interested in our activity for Him than He is in the condition of our heart. God has consistently made it clear that He will not be pacified by even the most generous offerings and zealous service if our hearts are not right with Him (Mic. 6:6-8). No matter how much we do in God’s service, regardless of how active we are in our church, no matter how honorable our reputation in the

Christian community, He will not overlook a sinful heart. His desire is that we devote ourselves to knowing Him and loving Him with all of our hearts.” In 2017 will we be open to HIS transformational change within each of us so we can continue becoming what our Heavenly Father desires for us to be as a local church called Northwoods United Methodist Church? Join with me as we start 2017 believing and trusting in this statement: “You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you. Wherever you are, God has put you there; HE has a purpose in your being there. Christ who lives in you has something HE wants to do through you right where you are. Believe this, trust in HIM, and go forth in 2017 in HIS grace, love and power”. Come Lord Jesus… we humbly ask, let 2017 be a year of hearts being open to the power of your Holy Spirit as we continue becoming the children and church you desire for us to be. Debby and I wish each of you a spiritually blessed “Happy New Year”!

In HIS Love, Pastor Jerry

THE MESSENGER Issue 182 January 2017

Website: www.northwoodsumc.org

Follow us on:

Service Times & Activities Sundays: 8:45 am Praise & Worship

10:00 am Sunday School

11:00 am Traditional Worship

12:00 pm Senior Adult Lunch (3rd Sunday)

12:15 pm United Methodist Youth

1:00 pm Hispanic Worship

Mondays: 5:30 pm Deployed Spouse’s Dinner (2nd Monday)

7:00 pm Hispanic ESL

Tuesdays: 10:00 am United Methodist Women/ Naomi Ruth Circle (3rd Tuesday)

6:00 pm United Methodist Men (2nd Tuesday)

6:00 pm United Methodist Women/ Lydia Circle (2nd Tuesday)

6:30 pm Young Adult Fusion (1st & 3rd Tuesday)

Wednesdays: 10:30 am Women’s Bible Study

6:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm Praise Choir Rehearsal

8:00 pm Hispanic Young Adults

Thursdays: 6:30 pm Ladies Bible Study

Fridays: 6:00 am Men’s Bible Study

7:00 pm Hispanic Bible Study

8:00 pm Hispanic Worship Rehearsal

Saturdays 10:00 am Sharing & Caring Widows Group (2nd Saturday)

Prayer Concerns Our Men and Women of our Armed Forces and their families Clarence Amos Irene Amos Ashe Family Maureen Baldwin Cleve Baysinger Margaret Bectin Chris Belfiore Bell family Bremerman Family

Bess Brickley Ian Brinkley Barrie Brough Kandey Butler Lisa Codwise Thomas Connell Ron Cox Ann Craft Billy Craft Linda Crews Lauren Downing Jodi Dudley Maureece Dudley Stacy Dudley Helen English Jeremy Evans Holman Fite Brandon Flowers Megan Foster Gloria Gardner Tracy Green Lee Gwin Faith Handley Weston Haskell Jessy Haynes Carlos Heath Ricky Heath Hennessy Family Krystle Hensley Connie Hess Karen Huffman Hummel family Nancy Hunnicutt Susan Hunt Lou Hunter Connie Jenkins Killen family LaPuente family Kent Leighty Malhotra family Susan McCauslin Helen McDonald Jane Miles Charlie Miller Briar Morgan Paul Morris Keith Mosier Gay Murphy James Nicholson Kelly Nicholson Joyce O’Laughlin Phil Payne Ted Persaud Mike Powell Faith Provencal Stephanie Pfadenhauer John Reichl Joey Richardson Patrice Richardson Kathy Ross Rostad family Peggy Saba Faafetai Saelua Fia Saelua Naina Saelua Talaotaua Saelua Ron Sarmenton Denni Schachemeyer Shatley Family Alix Short Zachary Simpkins Amanda Smith Mary Smith Edith Snyder Lucas Stanford Dave Stevens Raymond Stith Clay Strasser Theo Tice Stanley VanDevender Laura Walton Katie Whatley Ben Whitney Whitney Wickesberg Wrochet Family Jeff Zima

FOOD PANTRY Each Communion Sunday you are invited to bring a bag or box filled with these items as a love offering. Please

know that any items from the list are appreciated at any time.

For one adult (1 week of meals): 1 Box of instant rice 14oz 2 cans of fruit 15oz

2 cans of soup 16oz 2 bx Mac n Cheese 7.25oz 1 box Saltines 4pk 16oz 1 jar Peanut Butter 16oz

1 jar Jelly 13 oz 2 cans evaporated milk 12oz

2 cans of vegetables 15oz 1 can Pork ‘n Beans 15oz 4 cans meat (tuna, chicken, SPAM, etc) 5oz

1 box 10 pack variety instant Oatmeal

Rick Baldwin can do “the leg work” for you! If you would

like him to do the shopping, make sure to give Rick your $25 and he will get the list and bring it to the church! To

date, your generosity has provided more than 70 units of groceries for our Food Pantry.

“As we come to be fed on Communion Sunday, in turn we feed

others as Jesus would have us to do.”

The nursery is always in need of supplies and we would like to ask for assistance from our church family. If you feel so inclined, these are the supplies we regularly use. Please drop them off in the nursery or you can give them to LeighAnn Swigart. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Goldfish crackers Veggie straws Kleenex Paper towels Baby wipes Diapers/Pull-ups all sizes 6 oz Dixie cups Crayons

NAOMI RUTH CIRCLE

Naomi Ruth Circle met Tuesday, December 13th at 10:00 am in the fellowship hall. There were 15 members present and three guests, Debby Lewis, LeighAnn Swigart, and Barbara Crossman. 2017 officers were installed by Pastor Jerry; two mission pins were presented: One to LeighAnn and one will be presented to Shelia Barth at a later date for the Mission work they do in our church. Thank you for all you do in our church.

We welcomed three new members to the Naomi Ruth Circle, Pamela Flowers, Catherine Grant and Linda Baysinger. We welcome you with open hearts and glad you are with us.

2017 Membership books were distributed at our party. The United Methodist Women’s’ new Quadrennial theme is “The Summons”. To follow: “And He said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people’ ” Matthew 4:19 (NRSV).

Lunch was served and everyone had a good plate full of good food. Thank you for the food for our Christmas Party. Gifts for Christmas Cheer were opened and there were lots of great gifts. Jean Livingston and Ruth Cox delivered them to Christmas Cheer after the meeting. This is always a blessing for us to do and know some child will have a toy at Christmas. Thank you for these gifts.

Tuesday, December 13th (our meeting date) marked 12 days until Christmas. Ruth Cox gave a program on the 12 days of Christmas. Members were given a day of the song and a picture to hold up for their gift. It was enjoyed by all. Great signing ladies!

Forty blankets were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville on December 3rd.

We would like to share how God has blessed us this year in our disbursements. District Pledge $1,520.00 CWU Dues 35.00 Candle burning –Jean Livingston/ Marian Shiver 72.00 Southeastern Conf. D.Holland 64.50

Northwoods Building fund principle 800.00 Food Pantry –Mem. Pattie Baldwin 75.00 Four cartons copy paper –church 106.96 Plaque w/names 85.54 Chrismon tree 60.00 Festival of Trees 200.00 Northwoods Pantry 100.00 Office Supplies 100.00 Food Pantry –Mem. Nova Smith 50.00 Heifer International, Inc. 500.00 Penny & Prayer 138.96 Prayer & Self Denial 92.00 World Thank Offering 80.52 Gifts to Mission Honor – Dr. Jerry Lewis 5.00 Memory - Pattie Baldwin 5.00 Mission Pins (2)-LeighAnn Swigart/ Shelia Barth 80.00 Methodist Children Home 50.00 Children Home – special project 100.00 Scott Hunter, Missionary 250.00 VBS –Northwoods UMC 100.00 Second Chance 50.00 Onslow Ministries – meds 100.00 Onslow Co. Outreach 100.00 MATCH 50.00

Church Women United will meet Friday, January 6, 2017 at Infant of Prague at 11:30 a.m. at which time our officers will be installed. Cost of luncheon is $4.00. Let Marian know if you are attending. We are looking forward to another year being in the service of our Lord. He is so good all the time.

January Birthdays:

Wanda Howard 6 Margie Murphy 17 Ruth Cox 31

Happy New Year!

LYDIA CIRCLE We had a good time decorating for the Christmas Dinner, it turned out beautiful! Our next meeting is January 10, 2017. We will be responsible for dinner and can again follow what the deployed spouse dinner does the evening before, the theme is football foods, so please think about items such as chili, chicken, nachos, dips, etc.

The next Senior Adult

luncheon will be Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 12

noon in the Fellowship Hall. Someone will be in

the foyer to collect the

$7.00 per person for two Sundays – January 1st &

8th. Please pass the word to friends and neighbors. Don’t miss the great food and fellowship!

SENIOR UPDATES

Some of you have asked for the opportunity to learn how

to crochet so, we have scheduled a learning session Sunday January 22, 2017 at 3pm in the library. Please

bring a “G” size crochet needle and soft red coat yarn not rug yarn. We will learn the beginners stitch.

1. Alaska Cruise, September 1 – September 9, 2017 8 day/7 nights aboard the Norwegian Jewel. $2299.00 per

person inside cabin, $2599.00 per person outside cabin (porthole) $2699.00 per person outside cabin (window)

$2999.00 per person balcony cabin package includes: round trip airfare, 1 night hotel in Seattle and guided

tour, onboard gratuities, bus driver, cruise cabin,

shipboard meals, port charges and all taxes/transfers in Seattle. Towns visited are: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway,

Alaska and Victoria British Columbia. Call Onslow Senior Services 989-3004 or 3008.

2. To contact the Social Security Administration, call 1-888-491-1885 or 1-800-772-1213.

3. For free legal assistance and advice for seniors, call

Legal Aid of North Carolina, Monday – Friday, 9am to

2pm at 1-800-672-9304.

COUNCIL ON MINISTRY

The next Council on Ministry meeting will be held in conjunction with the half-day Leadership Retreat on January 21st. In addition to our regular Council meeting, we will discuss and plan 2017 and the direction Northwoods is heading. If you are a member of a committee, you are highly encouraged to attend this workshop. All disciples of Northwoods UMC are invited to attend.

Men are invited to attend the Methodist Men's Breakfast on the second Thursday of each month, at 0730 (7:30 AM), at the Golden Corral on N Marine Blvd (near the Walmart). Please continue to donate food for the Food Pantry - donations are welcome at any time. The point of contact for the food pantry is Rafe Saba. Remember to also bring food as a pantry offering on Communion Sundays (first Sunday of each month). Methodist Men's Renovators does basic home maintenance jobs, in return for donations, to support various Methodist Men's programs (Scholarships, etc.). If you have jobs for the Men's Renovators, please submit your ideas to any Methodist Men member, and we will assess if we have the expertise to do them, and then schedule them accordingly. The Methodist Men's Bible study is studying the book of "Acts" in the Bible. No special materials are required - just bring a Bible. The men meet each Friday at 0600 (6:00 AM), at the church Fellowship Hall. Come and explore with us how the Church first got started. The next meeting is scheduled for 10 Jan at 1800 (6:00 PM). We have a joint meal with the Lydia Circle women's group before we break out for the meeting. Child care is available. The women are responsible for food and clean-up for this meeting. Please remember to bring your dues ($5.00 per month or $60.00 per year). This funding is essential toward meeting some basic expenses.

A DAILY DEVOTION FOR THE NEW YEAR

If we in the church would follow this what kind of a church, community, and world would we have? The morning prayer especially strikes me....all day long you are working for good in the world. He does that through me, through us. Am I allowing God to work through me for good in the world? OPENING PRAYER In the morning: New every morning is your love, Great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. At noon or mid-day: God of mercy, this midday moment of rest is your welcome gift. Bless the work we have begun, make good its defects and let us finish it in a way that pleases you. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the evening: As you have made this day, O God, you also make the night. Give light for our comfort. Come upon us with quietness and still our souls that we may listen for the whisper of your Spirit and be attentive to your nearness in our dreams.

Empower us to rise again in new life to proclaim your praise, and to show Christ to the world.

Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)

Christ Has No Body Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks

Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet

with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands,

with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body.

Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks

compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but

yours. Born in Spain, Teresa entered a Carmelite convent when she was eighteen, and later earned a reputation as a mystic, reformer, and writer who experienced divine visions. She founded a convent, and wrote the book The Way of Perfection for her nuns. Other important books by her include her Autobiography and The Interior Castle. May the Christ who walks on wounded feet walk with you on the road. May the Christ who serves with wounded hands stretch out your hands to serve. May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart open your hearts to love. May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet, and may everyone

you meet see the face of Christ in you. Amen.

MFM I am excited and honored to be taking over for Alyson Schumacher as the Deployed Spouses Dinner Coordinator at Northwoods UMC. As a military spouse I understand first-hand the need for friends and the community to come together to help one another. As a military community we are all too often reminded of the hardships this type of work demands from the service member and their families. I believe having a deployed spouse’s dinner one night a month helps the family of a deployed service member gain strength and support from one another, even if it is for a few hours. I know it has for me! As a spouse attending the deployed spouses dinner, I am reminded of Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur on another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” As the coordinator, it is my goal for every volunteer and spouse to feel such encouragement and community through this gathering. I hope that every deployed spouse will feel welcome and come join us on Jan 9, 2017 at 530 for some much needs strength, unity, encouragement and adult conversation. The theme for this month’s dinner is football finger foods. Volunteers are always needed, not only to supply the yummy food, but to help set up, serve and clean up! Check out the SignUp at http://signup.com/go/myosyF to see where you might be able to lend a hand. Please contact me with any questions at militaryfamily@northwoodsumc.org. Thank you in advance for your service to our community’s military spouses. Elizabeth Smith

Free Leadership Development Webinars

Register at www.umcdiscipleship.org/webinars Contact: Jacqui King – Director, Leadership for

Congregational Vitality jking@umcdiscipleship.org

615.340.7295 Tues., January 17 @ 8:00 PM EST – Leadership

Overview: Leading Congregations Effectively in a Global

World – The world is dynamic. Technology creates new avenues for leaders from around the world to meet, pray,

study, connect, and serve God together in a global context. This webinar will help leaders discover tools for

reaching new people, praying for healing community,

focusing on increasing spiritual practices, engaging in relevant outreach, and celebrating a culture of

discipleship. Tues., January 24 @ 8:00 PM EST – Church

Council: What’s My Role? Begin the year for new and

continuing leaders by connecting your leadership with an overview of the year ahead. The church council or

leadership team will discover important support resources for building and overseeing a comprehensive

plan for ministry and discipleship. Additional resources for discerning the feasibility of using a single-board

leadership model, conducting community assessments,

and evaluating decision-making practices are included. Tues., January 31 @ 8:00 PM EST - SPRC: What’s

My Role? Understanding the roles and ongoing responsibilities of staff parish relations committee (SPRC)

is crucial for creating a healthy work place for all staff.

Since building effective and vital ministries is our focus, this webinar explores strategies for goal setting, practices

for increasing staff accountability to your congregation’s goals, benefit recommendations, and ideas on promoting

positive relationship development.

Tues., February 7 @ 8:00 PM EST - Trustees – What’s My Role? – The trustees committee is elected by

the congregation to lead in the stewardship of property. Participating in this webinar will help provide trustees

with key tools for managing current and future property. This administrative leadership role involves implementing

new ideas for effective property utilization, and managing

property and assets. Whether you are a new trustee or a continuing trustee, consider this time of the year a good

time to look at the big picture of your responsibility.

Archived Webinars: Maybe you missed the webinar

for your leadership area or you want to share it with the team. Webinars are archived for future use. Identify the

webinar, click the link, enter the requested information, and the webinar will be immediately available for you to

view or to share during your meeting, program, or training event. Access the archived webinars at

http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadership-

resources/archived-webinars.

Jan 1 Available

Jan 8 Available

Jan 15 Available

Jan 22 Available

Jan 29 Available

GREETERS Jan 1 8:45 am Marge Zima

11 am Tala & Siona Saelua

Jan 8 8:45 am Alfredo Ruiz 11 am Martha Lawrence

Jan 15 8:45 am Rick Baldwin

11 am Jessica & Siona Saelua

Jan 22 8:45 am Carolyn VanDevender 11 am Martha Lawrence

Jan 29 10 am Rick Baldwin

Greeters – If you are interested in

greeting at services, please let Rick Baldwin know! 910-340-3151 or rbaldwin1@ec.rr.com

USHERS

Jan 1 8:45 am - Jerry Zima & Randy Fitzgerald 11 am - Tavita Saelua & Jess Saelua

Jan 8 8:45 am - Jim & Cheryl Moody

11 am - Ray Eckenrode & Field Kellogg

Jan 15 8:45 am - Derrick Mangas & Rusty Smith

11 am - Zach Nichols & family Jan 22 8:45 am - Rick Baldwin & Brandon Hipp

11 am - Field Kellogg & Brad Tobias

Jan 29 10 am - Randy Fitzgerald & Rusty Smith

Ushers – If you cannot be there on Sunday,

please FIND A REPLACEMENT and let Rick Baldwin, Usher/Greeter Coordinator know ASAP! Thank you!

Date Worship Sunday School Dec 4 8:45 - 104/ 11 - 75 39 Dec 11 8:45 - 109/ 11 - 78 43 Dec 18 8:45 - 120 / 11 - 74 n/a Dec 24 6:30 - 223 Dec 25 10 - 98 Average 8:45 - 111/ 11 - 76 35

Church General Fund Statement of Activities as of November 30, 2016

• Revenue $218,064.90 • Operating Expenses

– Evangelism/Outreach $3,243.28

– Education $3,318.22 – Ministries

(Children, Youth, Adult, Family) $399.76

– Connectional Apportionments $27,815.40

– Worship $3,782.19 – Stewardship/Finance $189.50 – Trustees $41,540.46 – Administrative $12,364.06

– Pastoral Support $8,290.80

– Personnel Expense $85,945.85

Total Operating Expenses $186,889.52

Operating Income (Loss) $31,175.38

·· Cash Available $20,419.71

2017 Financial Requirements (Note: All Calculations are based on 90 Giving Units)

Debt Retirement Funds Required Monthly $5,165.39 Need $57.40 per month from each giving unit

General Fund Funds Required Weekly $4,492.78 Need $49.92 per week from each giving unit

2017 Budget per Giving Unit: $216.32 (General) Plus $57.40 (Debt)

$273.72 per month

2017 Budget + 48 mo. Debt Rtmt payoff: $216.32 (General) Plus $89.50 (Debt)

$305.82 per month

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Joseph & Kristin Sabel

2 Ann Funk George & Irma Potter Bruce & Mariah Sutherland

3

Elizabeth Reeves Gary Norsen Robert & Kaiti Wicker

4

Raymond Lemmon Doug Fox Bruce Sutherland

5

Ashlen Huett John Heap Carmen Casillas

6 Wanda Howard Doyle & Diana Evans

7 Audrey Sutherland

8

Field & Patricia Kellogg

9 Matthew McKinley Sean & Nicole Fantana

10 Charlene Nichols Meagan Ross

11 Terry Shaw

12

Ed Fox Hannah Stewart Nancy Smith

13 14 Brad & Debra Tobias

15 16

Kylie Murphy Damian Foxx Jakob Peterson

17

Margie Murphy

18

Teddy Walsh

19

Rick Moser Brandye Jackson Aydon Rice

20

21

Randy Fitzgerald Spencer Hardy Lillian Fite Frank & Holly Miller

22

23

David Jewell Faye Huett

24 25 Collin Wicker

26

Isabel Fulghum

27

Katharine Reeves

28

Siona Saelua Dakota Jenks Steve Herrington

29

Don & Vera Strong

30

Helen McDonald Zack Moser Bobby Hubbs

31

Ruth Cox

January 2017 Birthdays

Anniversaries

Upcoming January Events:

Jan 1 – REGULAR WORSHIP SERVICES (8:45 & 11 am) Jan 2 – OFFICE CLOSED Jan 3 – Fusion (6:30 pm Fellowship Hall) Jan 4 – Choir Rehearsals resume (6 & 7 pm Sanctuary) Jan 5 – Boy Scout Special Event (6:30 pm Fellowship Hall)

Jan 8 – Worship Committee (10 am Pastor’s Office) Jan 9 – Deployed Spouse Dinner (5:30 pm FH) Jan 10 – Lydia Circle/UMMen (6 pm Fellowship Hall) Jan 14 – Sharing & Caring Widows Group (10 am Library)

Jan 15 – Hospitality Meeting (10 am Hospitality Center [old nursery]) Jan 16 – Trustees Meeting (6:30 pm Foyer) Jan 17 – Naomi Ruth Circle (10 am Fellowship Hall) Fusion (6:30 pm Fellowship Hall) Jan 19 – Generosity Meeting (6:30 pm Pastor’s Office) Jan 21 – Leadership Retreat/Council on Ministry (9am FH) Jan 22 – Usher/Greeter Recruiting & Refresher (10 am Sanctuary) Jan 23 – SPR Meeting (6:30 pm Parsonage)

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward…………………Raleigh Area

Rev. Linda Taylor…………Sound District Superintendent

Alexis Lopez….......…………………..Hispanic Ministries

Roger Brault………………...……...….……….Lay Leader

Elizabeth Soukup…………………..……Church Secretary

LeighAnn Swigart……………….……Financial Secretary

Linda Johnson…..……………….……..Preschool Director

Jared Johnson….…...…...……………………....Custodian

Chaplain Todd Mallory………………….Associate Pastor

Rev. Dr. Jerry D. Lewis……………………………..Pastor

Church Office Hours

Monday – Thursday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

***CLOSED*** JAN 2ND