Contents:

Message from Pastor ........................................... 1 Worship Schedule ................................................. 2 Church Picnic ........................................................ 2 Message from Church Council.............................. 2 United Methodist Women ................................... 3 Bazaar Buddies ..................................................... 3 Children & Youth Ministries ................................. 3 Events ................................................................... 4 Prayers of Joys & Concerns .................................. 5 Birthdays & Anniversaries .................................... 5 Calendar ............................................................... 6

and more!

August 2015

I completed four courses in Theology, Bible History, Discipleship, and Leadership. The theology and leadership courses were taught by our Bishop Grant Hagiya. He is a wonderful teacher that, together with the 15 other class members, made for informative and exciting classes. Yes, I said theology can be exciting! See the Bishop’s blog about our classes at http://greaternw.org/servant-leadership/

Most of all, I want to thank everyone in the Colby UMC community for the patience and support I have received as I have learned about how to do ministry. I have received so much more from you than you have received from me. Bless you all.

~Pastor Brian

I can’t tell you how good it feels to come home to Colby after a month away. I was greeted by so many hugs and welcomes! The sad part was returning to prepare for Greg Bishop’s service. It was so hard to be away from you all at such a difficult time. I

was thinking and praying about you all the time, along with the other Local Pastors in my classes.

Thank you to all of you who made sure our services and other activities ran smoothly. Particular thanks to John Mueller, Rev. Bill Clarke, and Rev. Bob Ward for filling in. I am so pleased to have a lay speaker like John interested, willing, and able to share his message.

Lay Servant (formerly Lay Speaker) training is available, and I would encourage anyone who has any desire to share their thoughts through preaching to sign up for a basic or advanced class. I will be sure to post them as they become available, often in the spring. There is also Certified Lay Ministry training coming up in September. This more complete training is fantastic preparation for ministry, or just personal growth. See the details at http://www.pnwumc.org/event/certified-lay-minister-training-intro-to-ministry-overview/

My time at Western Jurisdiction Course of Study (COS) at Claremont School of Theology was very intense and, frankly, exhausting. Particularly with a number of issues at our hotel that made sleeping some nights very difficult. Just imagine a bus load of Chinese Junior High aged kids arriving to their rooms at 1:00am. Their rooms were just above many of ours.

Message from the Pastor

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Date Scripture & Highlights

August 2, 2015 10th Sunday after Pentecost Holy Communion

Read: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a; Psalm 51-12 (UMH 785); Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35 Sermon: “Bread of Life”

August 9, 2015 11th Sunday after Pentecost

Read: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33; Psalm 130 (UMH 848); Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35, 41-51 Sermon: “Bread Enough for All”

August 16, 2015 12th Sunday after Pentecost

Read: 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14; Psalm 111 (UMH 832); Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 Sermon: “Bread, Body, Blood, and Life”

August 23, 2015 13th Sunday after Pentecost

Read: 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43; Psalm 84 (UMH 804); Ephesians 6:10-20 Sermon: “More than Bread”

August 30, 2015 14th Sunday after Pentecost

Read: Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 or Psalm 2 (UMH 795); James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Sermon: “Blessings Surround Us”

August Worship Plans

~Message from the Colby UMC Council~ The Church Council has asked the Trustees to proceed with insulation installation, roof removal and roof replacement for the church building. The work is estimated to cost no more than $40,000 and will be funded from portions of the Memorial and Capital Funds currently available in church accounts. These anticipated expenses will significantly reduce available Capital Fund reserves and your continued generosity to replenish the Capital Fund is greatly appreciated. Your earlier gifts to the Memorial and Capital Funds make this urgently needed work possible.

Thank you and God bless our Church,

The Colby United Methodist Church Council

Church Picnic!

August 2nd, 1pm

Jack & Jeanne Munro’s 4090 Arvick Road SE

Port Orchard

Lemonade, Ice Tea, Water, and Hot Dogs will be provided. If you would like something else to drink or something else to throw on

the grill, please bring that and your dish to share.

There is a potluck sign up sheet in the fellowship hall.

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No UMW Meeting for August

The UMW will be taking a break for the months of July and August. Meetings will

resume on September 2nd at 7pm. We will have a guest speaker from T.C. House. The

topic will be Domestic Violence.

The UMW meetings are an opportunity for women at Colby United Methodist to

strengthen our community of women and support each other in fellowship.

The purpose of UMW “is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons

through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand

concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.”

If you have any questions, please give us a call. Phone numbers listed below.

Ledine Wilson Jennifer Sather

President Vice President

(360)876-3245 (360)871-0244

Bazaar Buddies

What is Bazaar Buddies? A group of women who get together to make things (and have a lot of fun and laughs while working) to sell at our annual November Bazaar.

When & Where do they meet? At church in the upstairs front classroom (unofficial ‘Buddy Room’) on Mondays from 10am-2pm. (Don’t forget to bring your lunch.)

What kind of things do they work on? Aprons, potholders, embroidered dish cloths and pillow cases, baby blankets & sweaters, hats, ornaments, and assorted decorative and kitchen items.

What do they do with the money made at the Bazaar? The money raised in the Bazaar is used to support local, national, and international organizations that help those in need. Some of the organizations we support are South Kitsap Helpline, Kitsap Community Resources, Stand-up for Kids, Etta Project, Coffee Oasis-Port Orchard, Discovery Alternative High School, UMCOR, Tacoma Community House, and Red Bird Mission.

If you have an idea or have seen something in a magazine or on Pinterest, that you think would be a good item, bring it with you and give the group a try.

If you have any questions, please contact Cindi Irish (360) 871-1376.

Youth Group!

Colby’s Youth Group is on break for the summer and will resume in September.

Keep an eye on Facebook and check with John Mueller for more details.

Dorcas Circle Is taking a break for the summer.

Meetings will resume on the last Saturday of the month

starting September 25th 9:30am - 2:00 pm

Bazaar Buddies, PM (aka Sewing Buddies)

Bazaar Budddies, PM meets on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm - 8:30pm. If you’ve ever wanted to help make items for the Fall Bazaar, but couldn’t make it on Monday mornings. here’s your chance. Bring an idea that you’d like to work on or come go through the idea folder to see if something appeals to you.

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August Preaching Focus

The Lectionary for the first four weeks of August is on the Sixth Chapter of the Gos-pel of John. I would highly recommend that you read through that chapter from be-ginning to end in a single sitting. In my Bible, that chapter is just 2 1/2 pages. Reading an entire book of the Bible in one sitting can provide a much different experience of scripture than the short passages we read each Sunday and the Gospel of John is just 37 pages in my Bible. An hour or two well spent.

Much of John 6 references bread, and the bread of life. I will be focusing my preaching for these 4 weeks on bread as well. And it also seems appropriate that we serve communion each of these 4 weeks. John Wes-ley directed his people to have communion as often as possible, daily in fact. He reasoned that we need constant reminders that we are one with Christ, and Christ’s body, here in this time and place.

Be sure to join us for each Sunday you are in town. If you are vacationing or traveling, take time to worship where ever you are. Each church offers its own style of worship. We would love to have you drop bulletins from the churches you visit by the office so we can share your travels.

~Pastor Brian

UMW News

During August, UMW is collecting $$$$ for Tacoma Community House (TCH) to be used for their Domestic Violence outreach.

CASH or CHECKS made out to Tacoma Community House would be appreciated. The funds will be used to buy appropriate gift cards, to help individuals move on with their lives.

The first UMW meeting on September 2nd at 7pm will feature a guest speaker from TCH. The topic will be DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend. A field trip to TCH will occur later in the fall.

Ledine Wilson, President Jennifer Sather, Vice President

John Mueller and Beth Watson Married on July 4, 2015

in New York John and Beth’s Colby UMC family

honored them with a wedding reception on Sunday, July 12, 2015 at Colby UMC.

Greg Aubrey Bishop August 27, 1954 - July 5, 2015

Greg’s memorial service was held at Colby UMC on Saturday, July 25, 2015.

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If you have a prayer request, please contact: Ev Small (360) 871-2045 or

Diane Bishop at dianeb@wavecable.com

Joy and Thanksgiving The gift of friendship

Health Concerns Prayers for Ed Fund, Jeanne Munro’s dear friend’s husband, as

he is recovering from a serious foot surgery Prayers for Courtney who is suffering from back pain and

scoliosis that the pain can be controlled without surgery Prayers for Claudia Geasland, now at Manor Care in Gig

Harbor Walt and Betty Juneau as Walt continues to recover from

surgery at home Continued healing for those who have had surgery recently Prayers for Cindy Kothandaraman for healing from a severely

infected leg wound

Wisdom and Courage to seek and do God’s Will All church leaders, here at Colby and everywhere

National & World Concerns For an end to racial injustice and for our society’s tolerance of it For tolerance and peace throughout the world Wisdom and guidance for our elected leaders

Peace, Strength, and Encouragement Prayers for Diane and Natascha Bishop, all of their family and

friends as they are mourning the loss of Greg Bishop Connie Fessler’s great-niece, Courtney, who suddenly lost her

husband on June 25th. Prayers for John and Lea Campbell. There is a mass in Lea’s

chest. Pray for peace. Prayers of comfort for Laurie Anderson’s Uncle Dick who is in

declining health Prayers for the homeless Those seeking employment Those struggling with addiction Those struggling with mental illness All of our young adults struggling to find God’s way

Protection Prayers of travel mercies for everyone on their journeys throughout the

summer All active duty military, including Rusty Hoffman & Aaron Hoff

Birthdays & Anniversaries

August Birthdays 3rd Debbie Frost 6th Adam Beaver Connie Fessler Bernie Hargrave 7th Bonnie Hollon 10th Marie Dick Greg Hannan David Hollon 19th Kathy Walter 21st Walt Juneau 28th Tamara Rice 30th Jasmin Mueller

August Anniversaries 3rd Greg & Lisa Hannan 20th Adam & Robin Beaver 26th Rob & Jane Shafer

Ongoing Prayers

The Leonard’s toddler grandson, Brody, and his parents as they face difficult decisions regarding his treatment of a brain tumor

Marion Hill suffering from a damaged shoulder

Bernie Boyd undergoing chemo for breast cancer

Marion Hill’s brother Art as he once again is being treated for prostate cancer

Continued prayers for Ken and Edie Peckham

For Becky McDonald, dear friend of Beth Watson, diagnosed with Thyroid cancer

Ed Craford dealing with cancer

Calls, Cards, and Casseroles

At some time or another, everyone needs some extra care. As a congregation, we seek to support

one another through times of illness, hardship, and grief. Everyone can be a channel of God’s blessing through congregational care.

Jennifer Sather coordinates these effor ts. Please let Jennifer know if she can call on you to offer care. You may specify if you’re able to send cards, make phone calls, offer rides, visits, short respite care, and/or meals.

Contact Jennifer at (360) 871-0244 or jsather0244@wavecable.com

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 10:30am Worship 1pm Church Picnic at Jack & Jeanne Munro’s

3 10am Bazaar Buddies

4 6:30-8:30pm Bazaar Buddies PM

5 6:30pm Bible Study

6 7pm Trustees

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8

9 10:30am Worship

10 10am Bazaar Buddies

11 6:30-8:30pm Bazaar Buddies PM

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13

14

15

16 10:30am Worship

17 10am Bazaar Buddies

18 6:30-8:30pm Bazaar Buddies PM

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20 21

22

23 10:30am Worship

24 10am Bazaar Buddies

25 6:30-8:30pm Bazaar Buddies PM

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27

28

29

30 10:30am Worship

31 10am Bazaar Buddies

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Colby United Methodist Church PO Box 4299, South Colby, WA 98384 Phone: (360) 871-3365

Pastor’s Email: colbyumc@gmail.com - Office Admin Email: colbyunited@gmail.com - Website: www.colbychurch.org Pastor: Brian Nelson Editor & Production: Duana Dugan

The Staff of Steeple notes reserves the right to edit submitted articles for clarity and to fit available space.

Colby United Methodist Church SE Harvey & Southworth Drive SE PO Box 4299 South Colby, WA 98384

3-31 Mondays Bazaar Buddies 10:00 am 4-25 Tuesdays Bazaar Buddies PM (aka Sewing Buddies) 6:30 pm 5 Wednesday Bible Study 6:30 pm 6 Thursday Trustees 7:00 pm

August 2015 Meetings & Upcoming Events

August 2015