August 6, 2008
It only takes some difficult economic times to make us realize how good we have had it. For instance, just look at the $4.00 a gallon gas, the rising price of our food, etc. We have had it pretty good, haven’t we?
As you read this you are probably asking yourself, “What can I cut back on or give up so I can have enough gas in my car and food on my table?” This is an interesting place to be because it is where we really see what our priorities are... what things do I consider important...what sacrifices will I make to have those things I deem important. To the person of faith, this exercise in making choices can be really challenging...with the growth of the giver and the ministry of the church hanging in the balance.
Sedge Garden and all the other churches in the world are anxiously waiting to see what choices we and others make. Summers and stewardship have always been difficult for churches, but when you add in our present economic picture, it can be very difficult.
As you look at your giving statement that was recently mailed, take into consideration that we are running an operating budget deficit. Our July General operating expenses exceeded our contributions by $2230 and this is without paying our monthly commitments to the district ($1417) and conference ($4685). We hope to make up for this deficit, as we are look forward to a five-Sunday month in August.
Our Finance Committee realizes that the rest of 2008 will be a real test and challenge for all of us. Each of us can make a real difference if we seize the opportunity to be faithful in our choices as it affects the ministry of our church.
I leave you with this thought: The practice of Christian stewardship is more than an obligation. It is a privilege.
On behalf of the Finance Committee, and really the whole church, thank you for your financial gifts!
Ellis L. Rouse, Jr.
Senior Pastor
“Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back -
given back with bonus and blessing.
Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Luke 6:38 (The Message)
SGUMSM NEWS
Sedge Garden United Methodist Student Ministry
“SEED PLANTING”
SUNDAY NIGHT MEETINGS: (P.U.L.L.L. = Progress, Unite, Love, Learn, Laugh)
(8/17) NO Student Meeting!
(8/24) 5-7pm; Praise band meets at 4pm; Doors open at 4:30pm and close at 7:30pm
(8/31) 5-7pm; Praise band meets at 4pm; Doors open at 4:30pm and close at 7:30pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEETINGS IN AUGUST: (P.U.S.H. = Pray Until Something Happens)
(8/13) Regular Student Meeting from 6-8pm; Doors open at 5:30pm and close at 8pm
(8/20) Regular Student Meeting from 6-8pm; Doors open at 5:30pm and close at 8pm
(8/27) Regular Student Meeting from 6-8pm; Doors open at 5:30pm & close at 8pm
THURSDAY NIGHTS: (BIBLE STUDY/DISCIPLESHIP)
(8/14) 6:30-8pm in the Youth Room; 12 Steps to a New Day for Teens
(8/21) 6:30-8pm in the Youth Room; 12 Steps to a New Day for Teens
(8/28) 6:30-8pm in the Youth Room; 12 Steps to a New Day for Teens
UPCOMING EVENTS:
(8/9) Event at the home of Mike & Sharon Hennis; Students meet at the church at 3:45pm. Bring swimsuits (1-piece or modest tankini’s), Towel, Change of clothes optional. Parents pick students up by 8:15pm.
(8/15-17) SpiritUs 2008 at Ft. Caswell; those who are participating in this event will be receiving a packet in the mail with all the information about the trip. Be looking for it before Monday, August 11th.
*Every Sunday afternoon, the Student Ministry has committed to picking the Garden.
(8/20) The Duncan’s head to UTAH! WE WILL MISS YOU GREATLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“GARDEN GABB”
This month is one I have been dreading for a while. Why so, Bryan? Two of our students will be heading to college; one will be pursuing work/college; and two will be heading to Utah with their parents who have been a big part of the Student Ministry. By the end of the month, 7 people that I have come to know and love will be transitioning into another arena of life. Selfishly, I want the three graduating seniors to stay, yet I know it is time for them to take the next step. I want the Duncan family to stay here until Fiona and Andy graduate and enjoy many more good times with them. In my heart this week…I feel a sense of loss. I feel like so many parts of my life are being slowly removed. There are also a couple of other situations that have made me feel that sense of loss, that I cannot mention which have caused me to ask, “God…why all this…why all at the same time…how does this fit into the grand scheme of things…what am I to do with all this?” My heart is aching just like it did so many times in the Army when good friends would get transferred to another place…Just like it did when I experienced friends of mine going through great hardships….Just like it did when I realized we needed to pull the life support plug for my Dad to let him pass on to what He had lived his whole life for; to be with Jesus.
It has been in these moments of feeling a sense of loss, that God has shaped and molded me the most. When I realized the depth of love I feel for others, but also the depth of love God has for me. It is in these moments when I have been inspired to write songs, reach out to people in ways I normally do not, and feel a sense of what community is all about. It is in these moments where I have been challenged to love, care, and cherish the moments I have with people a little more. Cherish the smiles, jokes, laughs, puns, hugs, winks, handshakes, experiences, moments, tears, sadness, trials, and valleys. Cherish those intimate glimpses of perfect harmony that are gone almost as soon as you realize they are happening. To my friends who are leaving and to those who are experiencing the “leaving”…I love you all! I cherish the moments together! I would not trade anything for them! I know that God will guide you onward and upward towards His high calling! God Speed!
In Christ, Bryan
Our Prayers
We offer our prayers for this week’s members of our Circle of Concern: Paul Dennison at Bradford West; Ed Heath at Britthaven; Virginia Stafford at The Oaks; Melissa Trott at Springwood Care Center; and Betty Pennington at Kerner Ridge.
We continue to keep in our prayers the following church family at home: Kenny Kerstetter (Peggy Mumaw’s nephew); Clayton Smith (Amy Oakley’s father); Shirley Smith; Pat Sink; Leslie Brendle; Dot Pegram; Larry Robbins; Bill Manuel; LeRoy DeBusk; Polly Freeman; T.S. Williams; Geneva Lee; Omar Lee; Trooper Shawn Blanton’s Family; Lea Fox; Barbie McLean; Denise Smith; Dale Stack; Stephanie Miller; Eastlin Thompson; Vinny DiGerolamo; Jerry Ring; Vernon Ross; Russell Brendle; Amy Macumber; Joy Sloan; James Whaley; Ronnie Kluttz; Ott Freeman; Mary Dolesh (David Dolesh’s mother); Laura Tice; Sue Atkins; Betty Hemphill (Tim Hemphill’s mother); and Jewell Lankford.
We continue to keep in our prayers our nursing home residents: Veatrice Elliott at Salemtowne; Paul Dennison at Bradford West; Betty Pennington at Kerner Ridge; Etta Saunders at Heritage Woods; Gerry French at Britthaven; Joe Taylor at Arbor Acres Fitzgerald Health Center; and Maureen Weavil at Winston-Salem Rehab & Health Center.
Please keep in your daily prayers our church family military members: Brian Chapman, Tommy Gentry, Michael Gordon, Justin Hoyle, Cliff Tice, Sam Tice, Michael Tumlin, Tom Seuberling, Jeff Duncan, and Trey Vaughn.
Please help us keep our Circle of Concern current. If you would like to add a name or remove a name from the Circle of Concern, please call the church office at 788-2297.
About Our Folks
Congratulations to Nikki Huyett, daughter of Andrew and Gale Huyett, who graduated from the 2008 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy in Kernersville.
Congratulations to Lauren and Tiffany Sheets, daughters of Allen and Michelle Sheets, for their first place winnings in the Kernersville Area Swim Association Meet.
Notes of Appreciation
Special thanks to members of the Cookbook Committee for their donation of scholarship money for two residents of the UMAR homes in Forsyth County that will attend Camp Tekoa in September.
Dear Sedge Garden Members, Thank you so much for all the towels, wash cloths, kitchen linens and all the glorious vegetables that you continue to shower us with. The ladies look forward to your bounty each week.
Charldene Noll, Program Coordinator
Forsyth County Ladies UMAR Homes
Dear Church Family, Thank you for your prayers, kind words and many cards I received when my brother, David, passed away. Roger Tumlin
Special thanks to the Fellowship Class for providing lunch for 25 high school students who are here working with Habitat International’s Youth Immersion Program.
Our Vacation Bible School children and adults donated 240 food items and $203.95 to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Dear Friends at Sedge Garden, We want to thank you all for everything Sedge Garden is/has done for the residents of Arbor Ridge. You have provided us with chairs for our July 4th family picnic, a wonderful Bible Study and more! It’s a pleasure to have so many members of your church as residents here. You’re a special group! Sincerely, Julie, Social Director
The American Red Cross collected 46 units of blood at the Blood Drive. Thanks to everyone that made this Drive so successful.
Dear Church Family, I want to extend my sincere thank you to everyone who supported my soldiers and me during my recent deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Through your letters, packages and prayers you provided the support we needed to get through this tough time away from our families. From the soldiers of A CO, 1-38 INF, 4th SBCT, 2nd Infantry Division, thank you and I hope to see everyone soon. Sincerely, Captain Justin Hoyle
Sympathy
We extend our Christian love and sympathy to John Ross, Jr. and family on the death of John’s father, John H. Ross, Sr., on July 27.
New Member
We welcome Steve Williams to our church family. Steve is married to Suzanne and they live at 5150 Toucan Lane, Kernersville. Their telephone number is 785-4854.
August Mission Tree
Our Giving Tree items for the month of August are school supplies for Hall Woodward Elementary School. Special supplies needed are baby wipes, glue sticks, Kleenex, paper towels, gallon size zip lock bags, colored pencils, one subject notebooks, jumbo crayons, jumbo pencils, hand sanitizer, pocket folders, children’s underwear, sweat pants and book bags. No time to shop, then make a monetary donation and we will do the shopping for you! Please place your donated items under the tree in the Commons area.
Administrative Board Meeting
Our Administrative Board will meet on Sunday, August 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the Brian Ray Holland Fellowship Hall. At the last Administrative Board meeting the Strategic Planning Committee and Trustees were asked to interview architects to do a Feasibility Study for our congregation. They have completed those interviews and are ready to give their proposal at this meeting. Anyone who would like to see and hear this proposal is invited to attend.
Family Promise of Forsyth County
Family Promise of Forsyth County, a network of interfaith congregations and community organization dedicated to helping homeless families with children, is growing momentum that is definitely God driven. Join us at our next community meeting on Tuesday, August 12, at Bunker Hill United Methodist Church for updates on the wonderful happenings taking place and to learn how you can help. For further information please call Debbi Butner at 816-0576.
Address Update
Captain Justin Hoyle
1705 Dock Street, Apt. 421
Tacoma, WA 98402
Crisis Control Item of August
Cooking Oil
Container located in Narthex and near Manuel Classroom
College Students’ Addresses
If you have a son or daughter attending college, please call the church office with your student’s college address. The church will mail each student a biweekly newsletter and we will make available the college addresses to our church family so they can keep in touch with our students while they are away at college.
United Methodist Men’s Meeting
Wednesday, August 13, 6:00 p.m.
Brian Ray Holland Fellowship Hall
Invite a friend to come with you!
Children’s Choir
Children’s Choir for ages kindergarten through fifth grade will begin on Wednesday, September 3. Our new time is 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. Come learn sign language to songs, learn how to play hand chimes and handbells, and words to new songs. We will share our music on the second Sunday of each month in the 10:55 a.m. worship service.
Windows/Doors Project Update
Work on the windows and doors is nearing completion. The office staff are saying they can already see a difference in the cooling. Please prayerfully consider a donation toward this project so when the bill comes in August we can pay it in full.
VIPs to sing at Arbor Acres on Thursday, August 21, leaving the church at 2:30 p.m. Please call Doug in the church office if you have questions.
Sunday, August 17
“Canned Food Sunday”
Don’t forget to bring your canned foods or monetary donations
as we help replenish the food pantries in our community.
First Fruits (8:30 a.m.) and our 10:55 a.m. service combining and worshiping
at 10:55 a.m. on Sunday, August 31.
Please mark your calendars!
