January/February Good News newsletter 2017

From Pastor Liz Dear Friends –

I want to start on a personal note. I want to thank each and every one of you for all the support and love you have shown me the last quarter of 2016. With my lingering illness and ongoing tests I know that I have let you down and have not always been as fully present as I should have been. Instead of grumbling and complaining you have ministered to me in wonderful and grace filled ways. You have all been Christ to me. What a gift. I particularly want to thank Monica Campbell, Judy Martin and Judy Lease who stepped in and picked up the slack. Thanks.

Happy New Year – Welcome to 2017! Not everyone begins their new year on January 1: Jewish, Muslim, Chinese, and other calendars begin the year on other days. In fact, our traditional Christian year begins the first Sunday in Advent - the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Our own civil New Year’s Day has not always been January 1. Although that date goes back to the Romans, the Roman year originally started with March. That is why the names September, October, and November literally mean “seventh,” “eighth,” and “ninth” month respectively.

Now, what can we do and what should we be doing as a church so this year and future years are as bright and exciting as the ones we have left behind?

First and foremost – please be in prayer for Chestnut Hill UMC and all its ministries. Our ultimate job as a Christian community is to make new disciples of Jesus Christ. What are you specifically doing to make new disciples? When was the last time you invited someone without a church home to come worship with you on Sunday morning? Make it a goal to ask at least one person a month to come to church with you and the church will grow.

Support the church with your presence – be here whenever possible. Support the church with your gifts – not just to give to help with the church budget, but because we need to give back to God a portion on what God has given to us. Support the church with your service – if something needs to be done, don’t wait to be asked, volunteers are always needed. Look for new ways Chestnut Hill can be in mission ministry to our community, state, nation, and world.

My prayer is that God will bless us as a congregation in this New Year and that each of us might be blest as individuals as well.  Blessings, Grace and Peace, Liz 

Sermon Series Starting!   As a commitment to follow God this year, starting on January 15, Pastor Liz will be preaching a new and important sermon series, Learning to Hear God's Voice. We will cover such topics as: “How to Hear God Speak,” “How God Talks to You,” “How to Recognize God's Voice,” and finally, “Receiving Guidance from God.” We all have questions we want to ask God, and we especially need to hear His word for us. The question is: how do we know it is God, and how can we clear out all the secular noise and hear Him speak directly to us? This series will help you do that. After the

Covenant Service on the 8th , it may be the most important thing you do to start 2017 off right.  

Coming Up...District Leadership Training Event

Sunday, February 26, 2016 ~Heritage UMC. ~ 2:30-5:30 p.m. 

2106 Christmas OfferingWe collected $ 6,552.00 for our Christmas offering. Thank you to everyone for your continued support. The Merry Marthas will meet on Wednesday, January 11, at the home of Frances Unruh at 10:00 a.m. We will have a Prayer & Self-Denial program and offering, and planning for 2017.

~Judy Robertson

**NOTE: We will meet on Wednesday, February 8, place and program to be announced later.

 

UNITED METHODIST WOMENThe Annual District UMW Breakfast on Dec. 3rd was very well attended by our Unit. In addition, the United Methodist Men cooked & served us a wonderful Breakfast - enjoyed by all. Our UMW Unit Luncheon & Baskets for our "shut-ins" was also delightful - wonderful food, Christmas music courtesy of our Music Director Will, & great fellowship. 25 Baskets & gifts were delivered to our absent Church members! My sincere Thanks to all of our members for your help & dedication.

Reminder - Don't forget to give your $3.00 District Dues @ your first meeting of 2017 - Georgia Mason has to turn this money in to the District Office by March 10th ! As always - a "huge" THANK YOU" to all of you for your time & dedication to our purpose !

~Much love - Linda H. Wright - President, UMW Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church extends Christian love and sympathy to the family of Mildred Holloran and especially to her sister, Kathleen “Kitten” Boswell. Mrs. Holloren passed away on January 4, 2017. Many thanks to our church family for prayers, cards, and food during our recent health situations. A special thank you to all of you that stepped in and covered for us during the holiday celebrations. Happy New Year to all!!

~Sylvia & Hylton Baskets Needed: When you are visiting yard sales this summer be on the lookout! We are in need of baskets for our shut-ins fruit baskets that are prepared at Christmas. If you acquire any please let Beryl Martin know. 

Address ChangeFrances CallahamThe Elms of Lynchburg2249 Murrell Rd., #107, Lynchburg, VA 24501 

Top of the Hill will resume on Monday, January 23, 2017, 11:00 a.m. Let’s be creative

and have a good time. Bring a sandwich. Dessert and drinks provided. 

FRIENDS WHO CAREPlease send your reports of visits and phone calls each month to Scottie Nuckols, 1250

Jefferson Oaks Court, # 44, Forest, VA 24551. Or e-mail to mx55566@gmail.com. On your report please note the month and year, names of those visited (or called) and the number of times visited or called that month and any comments of our pastor. Please try to get this information to Scottie by the 5th of the month. We express our appreciation to all the volunteers who participate in this ministry of compassion.

A total of 1 visit and 28 phone calls were made in NOVEMBER.

Gifts & MemorialsIN MEMORY OF:

Charles “Chuck” RoupeGiven by: Vernelle Roupe

Virginia “Ginger” RobertsGiven by: Wilton & Kitty Burgess, Gene & Connie Harris

M. Elise “Stonie” StoneGiven by: Betty Bell

Lester FainterGiven by: Charles & Betty Wood

 IN HONOR OF:

Linda Jessen, Jody Underwood (For U.M. Family Services)

Given by: Buddy & Barbara LeFewShirley Wood

Given by: Ken Wood 

Christmas OfferingIN MEMORY OF: Helen Everidge

Given by: Wayne EveridgeOur Parents

Given by: Buddy & Barbara LeFewWilliam Mason

Given by: Georgia MasonDan Perrow

Given by: Robbie PerrowHenry Zachow

Given by: Ruth Ann Harris 

Children’s Ministry

Kingdom Kids has started. We will be meeting at Fort Hill United Methodist Church, 4:00 p.m. It runs until Sunday, February 19th. All kids are invited to participate.

~Jody Underwood, Lay Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Mission NewsThe Food Cart was full as usual for November.  Thanksgiving was the order of

the month.  We collected 12 packs of toilet paper that equaled 135 rolls; I pack of diapers equaled 23 diapers; 39 boxes of Mac & Cheese;19 cans of vegetables; 16 cans of meat; 5 jars of peanut butter; and 3 boxes of cereal for a total of 55lbs. of food items.  A big thank-you to Jody Underwood who collected 176lbs of food for Park View Mission.

In December we spread joy with the items that we collected.  In the cart we had 6 rolls of toilet paper; 101 diapers; and 62 food items for a total of 51 lbs. of food.  Park View Mission is grateful for all that we do in support of this food mission.  We make a difference in our community for numerous families.

The Mission committee would like to thank all who support our outreach missions through your gifts of money, gifts for the angels, the clothes you give to the mitten trunk, the time you donate to drive for Meals on Wheels,  and many of the other things that different groups participate in.  This is a very generous congregation.  May God bless this church and all of our members.  Happy New Year!

We will collect for Jan & Feb.  Kraft Mac & Cheese, Pasta and sauce, instant potatoes, dish soap, and toilet paper. 

~Thank-you from Linda Jessen & the Mission Committee

~Thank-you from Linda Jessen & the Mission Committee 

FOOD CARTFor the month of JANUARY/FEBRUARY we will be collecting items for the Food Cart for Park View Community Mission.

Food Cart for JANUARY/FEBRUARY“Mac & Cheese, Pasta and sauce, instant potatoes, dish soap, and toilet paper.”

Please place in the food cart, located in the Commons. Help those in need.  

Read Ahead  Each Sunday The lectionary provides us with readings from the Gospel, the Epistles (Letters) the Old Testament and the Psalms. The lectionary follows a three year cycle, which when finished will

have covered the majority of the Bible. Pastor Liz believes that reading ahead will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the service.

For January 15, 2017: the Scriptures are Isaiah 49:1-7 (NRSV); 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 & Psalm 40 The sermon text is Luke 8:4-15 and the message is “How to Hear God Speak”.

For January 22, 2017: the Scriptures are 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 (MSG), Matthew 4:12-23 & Psalm 27. The sermon text is Job 33:14 and the message is “How God Talks to You”.

For January 29, 2017: the Scriptures are Micah 6:1-8 (CEB); Matthew 5:1-12 (CEB) & Psalm 15. The sermon text is I John 4:1 and the message is “How to Recognize God's Voice”. 

February Birthdays1 Autumn Hendricks2 Andrea Baughman3 Rebecca Beiler4 Dylan Phillips5 Johnnie Kinzer

Kayleigh Morris7 David Maxham

Jodie Odenbach9 Michael Phillips10 Gary Regan11  Debra Higginbotham

Jason McGlothlinMaris Tiller

13 Paul Crosby, Jr.Lanie JayBarbara MurrellKirsten Tiller

15 Richard PuseyTed Stables

16 Bob EliumDoris Finch

17 Christopher Gibson19 Patricia Binkley20 Sue Barker

Bonnie Buchanan22 Karen Gunter23  Ty Burgess

Kimberly Rutledge25 Elaine Clarke

Ian RichardsonJan Wiley

26 Donald Yost28 Charles Moore

John White, III

GOOD NEWS is published monthly for members a nd friends of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church. Send articles to the church office by the 15th of the month.

OUR ATTENDANCE SUNDAY SCHOOL WORSHIP

9/25 34 4810/2 36 6310/9 40 6510/16 33 61

Those Who Serve ~ JANUARYUSHERS: Fred Norvelle, Head UsherNURSERY CAREGIVERS:January 1 ~Elaine Clarke, Pat MooreJanuary 8 ~Kay Allen, Kirstin TillerJanuary 15 ~Margo Allen, Brenda TorianJanuary 22 ~Linda Jessen, Robbie HodgesJanuary 29 ~Ann Ruhland, Linda Wright

GREETERS:January 8 ~Jane WhiteJanuary 15 ~Elizabeth AshworthJanuary 22 ~Marsha BurksJanuary 29 ~Pat Short

CHILDREN’S CHURCH (Ages 4-11)January 1 ~Stay in Service.January 8 ~Children’s ChurchJanuary 15 ~Stay in Service.January 22 ~Children’s ChurchJanuary 29 ~Stay in Service.

OFFERING COUNTERS:Brenda Torian, Eleanor Maxham

~February~USHERS: Fred Norvelle, Head UsherNURSERY CAREGIVERS:February 5 ~Jody Underwood, Jane WhiteFebruary 12 ~Elaine Clarke, Pat MooreFebruary 19/26~ TBS

GREETERS:February 5 ~Elaine ClarkeFebruary 12 ~Linda WrightFebruary 19 ~Kitty BurgessFebruary 26 ~Barbara LeFew

CHILDREN’S CHURCH (Ages 4-11)February 5 ~Stay in service.February 12 ~Children’s ChurchFebruary 19 ~Stay in Service.February 26 ~Children’s Church

OFFERING COUNTERS:

Jerry Lease, Judy Lease, Valerie Witt

Our Church Financial PictureThrough the end of November 2016

General Operating Funds:

Needed to meet our 2016 Budget $ 240,042

Needed to meet our budget to date $ 220,038

Actual receipts to date $ 196,413

Shortfall to meet budget to date $ 23,625

Actual expenditures to date $ 174,505

Overage meet expenses to date $ 21,908

Joy In Missions Funds:

Our Giving Goal for 2016 $ 11,600

Needed to meet our goal to date $ 10,633

Actual receipts to date $ 10,350

Special Offerings* (not budgeted):

Received to date $ 6,356

Dispersed to date $ 5,040

*Christmas, Easter, Annual Conference,

World Communion, etc.

2016 Joy In Mission Donations

To date, the following amounts have been paid to the missions indicated.

Missionary Covenant Relationship $ 1,250

UMCOR(One Great Hour of Sharing) $ 0.00

Free Clinic $ 250

Heart Havens $ 451

Missions~Food for Families $ 1,555

Interfaith Outreach $ 500

Meals on Wheels (Souper Bowl) $ 1,024

Habitat for Humanity $ 250

Churches for Urban Ministry $ 250

Adult Care Center $ 250

Daily Bread $ 250

Camp Timothy $ 500

Society of St. Andrew $ 560

Good Neighbor $ 0.00

Heifer $ 0.00

UMCOR-Non-Administrative $ 0.00

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank $ 250

Undesignated $ 466

Thank You for Your Generosity

    

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church

4660 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502

Phone Number: 434-239-8423: FAX: 434-239-7209

E-mail: chestnuthillumc@comcast.net

On the web: www.chestnuthillumc.net

Church Office HoursMonday-Thursday9:00 am—3:30 pm

Friday9:00 am-1:00 pm

DIRECTORY OF CHESTNUT HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Sharma Lewis Richmond Area Resident BishopScott Davis Lynchburg District SuperintendentLiz Ecklund MinisterVernie Barrow Minister EmeritusMonica C. Campbell Administrative AssistantWilliam Sperrazza Director of Music MinistryJudy Martin BookkeeperElaine Clarke Lay LeaderJody Underwood Lay Children’s Ministry CoordinatorChris Glass Lay Youth Ministry Coordinator