Finley’s Newsletterfinleyumc.org/newsletter/NewsletterFebMar2013.pdfMarceline Van Kirk, Diane & Larry Sesto, Mike & Angela Van Kirk & Families in the death of their husband, dad,

Finley’s Newsletter VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 FINLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FEB/MAR2013

FROM OUR PASTOR

February 1, 2013

Dear Finley Church family,

It is hard to believe 2013 is here

and we are already into

February. God has helped us in

many ways here at Finley and I

thank Jesus for how He has

supplied our needs this past

year. Praise God to whom all

blessings flow!

There is a verse which keeps

reoccurring in my life to read

and look upon for wisdom from

God’s Word. Psalm 119:37

states to, “Turn my eyes from

worthless things, and give me

life through your word.”

This could also be a theme verse

for us as a Church Body this

New Year. This simple verse

can mean many things in our

current generation. To turn

from something is to go in the

opposite direction or to swerve

so as not to hit it. For the

Christian seeking to live a life

pleasing unto Jesus it means

there are so many things we

need to avoid in life.

We need to – as the verse says,

“Turn my eyes from worthless

things.”

The Bible gets specific. It tells

us our “eyes” are the physical

part of our being that needs

turning. If we don’t look upon

something evil, then we won’t

get involved with it or be

tempted by the first glance.

This can mean television

programs, all types of media and

communication, and even

material items we can see and

thirst after by coveting them.

It can mean not only what we

see but also what we hear, too.

We may be hearing spiritually

rotten conversation at work or in

school, but when we turn our

attention on those discussions –

we have turned our “eyes” like -

the scripture says. We have so

many things to turn from in life

in order to stay true to Jesus.

This is why Jesus needs to be

the One we turn to first.

God has designed us first to see

and then to want something.

We see delicious food then we

desire to eat that food. We see

something we would like to

wear and then purchase it. We

look at an advertisement and our

mind makes the decision to

reject or accept the offer.

Satan knows we must see and

dwell upon something before

acting upon it. This is why

temptation (avoiding it) is an

everyday battle. This Scripture

tells us a second thing with a

promise to the believer, “and

give me life through your

word.”

God honors those and rewards

those who seek spiritual food in

His Word. The Bible and its

precepts give us sustenance.

Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32,

“If you continue in my word,

you are truly my disciples; and

you will know the truth and the

truth will make you free.”

My prayer is we will continue

seeking Jesus through

discipleship in the Word of God,

the Bible.

In my prayers,

Pastor Jerry Ernst

February / March 2013 Finley’s Newsletter

Birthdays

February 16 Sam Yuricic Villa Vista Room 516 1800 Sinclair Avenue Steubenville OH 43952 February 16 Sue Sawka P. O. Box 310216 Chelston, Lusaka Zambia February 20 Pastor Delbert Lash 3375 County Road 39 Bloomingdale OH 43910 February 21 Margaret Achhammer 164 Hilda Circle Bloomingdale OH 43910 February 21 Isaac Sawka P. O. Box 310216 Chelston, Lusaka Zambia March 6 Hannah Graner Casilla 3532 Cochabamba, Bolivia March 10 Wanda Whanger 138 Sunshine Park Steubenville OH 43952 March 29 Edith Henry Country Club Manor Room 210A 575 Lovers Lane Steubenville, OH 43952

BIRTHS Amiah Lynn was born October 4, 2012 to Christopher Battlochi & Kayla Bailey. She weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 19½ inches long. Great-grandmother is Dona Ryan. Austin Fredrick Ryan was born October 7, 2012 to Fred & Lauren Ryan. He weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces and was 21 inches long. Great-grandmother is Dona Ryan. Lucy Mae Pease was born January 5, 2013 to Joseph & Kristen Pease. She weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces and was 21 inches long. Grandparents are Dave & Susie Siburt.

SYMPATHY &

PRAYER

Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to: Edith Strohmeyer & Family in the death of her son, Joey Strohmeyer, November 28, 2012 Sonya Arnette & Family in the death of her dad, Rick Arnette, December 3, 2012 Harold & Debbie Griffith & Family in the death of his uncle, Norvin Fust, December 13, 2012. Marceline Van Kirk, Diane & Larry Sesto, Mike & Angela Van Kirk & Families in the death of their husband, dad, & grand-father, William ‘Wolfe’ Van Kirk, December 15, 2012.

SUNDAY EVENING SERVICES

FEBRUARY 3

PASTOR JERRY

FEBRUARY 10

KEN SAWKA

FEBRUARY 17

PASTOR JERRY

FEBRUARY 24

PASTOR JERRY

MARCH 3

PASTOR JERRY

MARCH 10

PASTOR JERRY

MARCH 17

PASTOR JERRY

MARCH 24

PASTOR JERRY

MARCH 31

TBA


Ruth Falter & Family in the death of her daughter-in-law, Vicki Falter, December 18, 2012. Jaclyn Horvath & Family in the death of her uncle, Evan Pilati, December 29, 2012. Wayne & Lu-Ann Ensminger & Family in the death of his brother, Larry Ensminger, January 7, 2012. Georgeanne & John Clark & Family in the death of her uncle, John J. Riggs, Jr., January 13, 2012. __________________________

“Stepping Up: A Beth Moore Women's Retreat”

February 22-24, 2013

at Camp Wanake, Beach City, OH

The cost is $99 if postmarked before February 11

($109 after February 11) To register online go to [email protected] or call 330-756-2333

PRAYER AND FASTING WEEKENDS

February 2 & 3

March 2 & 3 Please pray for salvation of unsaved love ones, youth/children, overall growth at Finley, an evangelistic mindset, 1 on 1 witnessing, outreach programs, visitors, revival

WORSHIP

__________________________ The Worship Commission will be offering a 6 week Lenten study beginning Wednesday, February 20th at both the morning and evening Bible Studies entitled "When God's People Pray" by Jim Cymbala. The books are available for $10.00 each. A signup sheet is on the bulletin board and you may give your money to Elaine Goble. Prayer can change lives and circumstances like nothing else can. What are the keys that unlock its power, that turn prayer from a mere activity into a vital link with God and all his resources? In "When God's People Pray" Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, shows you and your small group truths about prayer that God has used to turn his own church from a tiny, struggling inner-city congregation into a vital, thriving community of believers who pray with passion, focus, and faith. Featuring teachings by Jim Cymbala and video interviews of ordinary people who have received extraordinary answers to their prayers, these six sessions will help you pray with new confidence. The topics which will be covered are: *God's Heart for Us *The Amazing Power of Prayer *Obedience in Prayer *The Word of God and Prayer *Why Prayer Matters *Creating a Prayer Ministry in Your Church

__________________________

FINLEY UNITED

METHODIST WOMEN

The Marguerite\Finley Women’s Missionary Circle would like to invite all the women of the church to join us as we pray for, learn about and financially support international, national and local missionary projects. Our circle has taken on the Finley Pantry as our missionary project. At this time we are bringing supplies to the meetings to supply the pantry. We will be checking with those in charge to see if there are other ways we can help and try to come up with a plan to do that. At this time we meet the first Tuesday of February, April, June, September and November at the church. Due to a conflict with choir practice, which has been moved to Tuesdays, we will have to have a discussion about our options. Please watch for the announcements in the bulletin for our meeting day and time. In addition to these five meetings, in May The United Methodist Women with the help of Food and Fellowship and the youth sponsor the All Daughter’s Tea. In July we attend the afternoon Missionary service at Hollow Rock Camping Meeting and have lunch together.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings this year. The United Methodist Women’s Executive Committee

mailto:[email protected]


Youth Happenings _____________________

__________________ We've had a busy start to the

New Year with our youth group

in the month of January. We've

begun our campaign to collect

items for Operation Christmas

Child shoeboxes, which we will

be continuing to accept specific

things each month. We are still

collecting hats and mittens

through the rest of this month.

They can be placed in the tub in

the cloak room at the church.

February will begin new items;

toothbrushes, toothpaste,

washcloths & bars of soap.

We're excited to have a larger

amount to pack in the shoeboxes

by the time November is here

when we'll deliver them to the

collection site. (If you'd rather

make a monetary donation for

the kids to do the shopping for

you, see Pam Granatir, Gabriel

Thomas or me.) Thank you for

your help with this worthwhile

project and watch for each

month’s items to be announced

in the church bulletin.

On Saturday, January 18th, we

enjoyed a night of ice skating at

Wheeling Park Ice Rink.

Several of the youth were first

time ice skaters, but did very

well and can't wait to go again.

Thanks to Brenda Cook for

chaperoning with Jeff and me.

We are preparing Valentine

boxes/care packages for our

former youth who are in college

locally or away from home. Our

youth will be writing letters of

encouragement to be placed in

the boxes before we send/

deliver them. We miss each one

of these young men and women

and want them to know that

we're still thinking of them and

praying for God to help in their

college lives.

We'll begin to count pop tabs

soon for our annual donation to

the Ronald McDonald House.

Our group has been counting the

tabs themselves for the last few

years, along with some help

from a few adult volunteers. If

you'd like to help count pop

tabs, please see Pam, Gabriel or

me. (You can also talk to one of

the youth if you have more to

donate or want to help count.)

We'll be taking our annual trip

to the Ronald McDonald House

in March to deliver the tabs and

tour the facility. We'll also be

taking the kids to McDonald's

afterwards.

Congratulations to Gabriel

Thomas our youth president for

being appointed to the

Administrative Council of our

church. It will be nice to have

his representation for the youth

on the council.

Our theme this year for our

group will be "Stay Connected".

We have several of our youth

wearing the T shirts with this

logo and have recently bought

more for the ones who've not yet

received one. We want to

emphasize staying connected to

God and other Christians

through prayer, Bible study,

fellowship and living a holy life.

Pray that each youth will realize

their need to please God in all

they do or say, that they each

have a repentant, surrendered

heart to His will.

Game Night this year will

generally be the fourth Sunday

evening of each month at 6:30

pm unless there are special

services in the Finley sanctuary.

It will always be announced in

the church bulletin.

On Sunday evening, January

27th, we enjoyed a presentation

by Abbey and Gabe Ernst on

their mission trip to Guatemala.

Thanks to Arlene Bailey for her

help on Wednesday nights in the

kitchen at the ministry center,

for serving our teens. We'll miss

you!

I want to take this opportunity to

invite any youth from the 7th to

12th grades to join us. We meet

on Wednesday nights at 6:30

pm for fun, food, and

fellowship. We have prayer and

a Bible lesson every week and

enjoy time to discuss topics

related to young people. We as

leaders are concerned for the

souls of our young people of

Finley and the local community.

We pray that God will continue

to use us for His glory and that

the young lives we are

connected with will be changed

as a result of being a part of the

Finley Youth Group.

We look forward to God's

leading in 2013!

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Kathy Gilkey, Youth Director

__________________________


OPERATION

CHRISTMAS

CHILD __________________________

The Youth are collecting

items for Operation

Christmas Child throughout

the year. February’s items

are toothbrushes and tubes

of toothpaste. March’s

items are washcloths and

bars of soap. You may bring

these items to the church

and put them in the

container in the coat room.

Thank You! _______________________

FINANCE COMMITTEE

_________________

The terms of ex-officio Finance

Committee members Esther Van

Dyke (former Benevolence

Treasurer) and Bill Anderson

(former Lay Leader) expired at

the end of 2012. The Finance

Committee thanks Esther and

Bill for their service and

contributions to Finance. We

welcome ex-officio members

Diane Sesto (new Benevolence

Treasurer) and Harold Griffith

(new Lay Leader). During 2012

Kathy Thomas and Beth Howell

were appointed to Finance to fill

two vacancies occurring during

the year. Kathy will serve as

Assistant Church Treasurer and

Beth will serve as Assistant

Financial Secretary. Pastor

Jerry Ernst, Church Treasurer

Joy Clements, Financial

Secretary and Administrative

Board Chair Greg Byers, will

serve with Finance Committee

Members Keith Wilson, John

Young, and Larry Sesto.

The Administrative Board set

our 2013 church budget at

$258,514, which is a $5,600

increase over the budget for

2012. Our projected budget

revenue for 2013, based on

historical data, is estimated to be

approximately $250,000. As

information, during 2013 this

will require a weekly income of

$4,971, or a monthly income of

$21,543, to meet our budget.

Continued faithful giving will

be necessary again this year to

finance the various ministries of

our church. Biblical tithing is a

necessary ingredient to further

God’s kingdom in our

community and beyond. The

Finance Committee thanks those

members of Finley who have

sacrificially tithed their income

and have sustained the various

ministries of this church over an

extended period of time.

Biblical stewardship also

involves spending the church’s

finances wisely. Those who are

empowered to make purchases

for the church should do so

responsibly. All expenditures

should be made with the

underlying thought to further the

kingdom of our Lord Jesus

Christ and to achieve the

mission of Finley United

Methodist Church.

Last January the Finance

Committee offered an easy and

convenient way for members to

give their tithe. If you happen

to have a computer and pay bills

through your bank’s on-line bill-

pay system, this is an easy and

convenient way to give to the

church every month. You can

even designate on the bank

check where to apply your

donation. A few members

already use this convenient bill-

pay service for their regular

monthly tithe/offering.

Along with the Board of

Trustees, the Finance

Committee wants to thank all

those who gave to the Roof

Fund and made it possible to

pay for the new flat roof on the

north side of the church

building. Because the Trustees

plan to replace the leaking roof

over the main church building

this spring, the roof fund

remains open. We hope to

accumulate a reasonable down

payment on this project by the

time actual work begins. This

would limit the amount we will

have to borrow. The Trustees

will again maintain a light board

on the sanctuary platform that

will display the progress of

paying off the project. To

donate to the roof fund, you can

simply mark your tithing

envelope “Roof” or “Roof

Fund” and the amount. When

you contribute to the roof fund,

please do not take the amount

from your normal tithe or

offering. This only makes it

difficult to meet our established

budgeted expenses. Prayer and

fasting will direct your

individual stewardship, both in

your service and your giving.

_______________________


MISSIONS _______________

Youth with A Purpose Boys Home, Inc. is in need of a tutor to help with homework after school. There is also an upcoming opening for an intern to live at YWAP and help in their ministry to the boys. Anyone interested in either may contact Bob & Kate Moore at 1-330-679-1013, or email them at [email protected]. YWAP is located at 36128 Hazel Run Road, Salineville, OH 43945. P.S. Thanks to Finley Church for your support _____________________

To all members: I am collecting recipes for my cookbook that I am putting together. I will be selling this cookbook to raise money for the American Cancer Society for the Relay for Life of Steubenville. The girls and I are doing this again this year. We are also looking for anyone who would like to walk or save change for this cause. We are doing this in memory of my mother, Grace Cannon, who died from cancer in April of 2003. Again, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Michelle, Amber & Clara Anderson

___________________

"CANS FOR KIDS

FOR CAMP"

We are collecting year round. The container is just off the fellowship

hall at the bottom of the stairs to place your sorted cans. ThAnks!

__________________________

FINLEY’S PANTRY

IN FEBRUARY & MARCH WE WILL BE COLLECTING LAUNDRY DETERGENT & CLEANING SUPPLIES.

THE CONTAINER IS IN THE COAT ROOM TO

PLACE THESE ITEMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

______________________

**Mark your

calendars NOW for

Finley Vacation

Bible School 2013

July 8th-12th

6:00-8:30pm

"Kingdom Rock" -

Where Kids Stand

Strong for God

GAME

NIGHTS

FEBRUARY 8 &

MARCH 1

6:00PM

BRING A GAME

AND A SNACK

_________________

HEY KIDS.....

Go on finleyumc.org and click

on the link Finley UMC Kids

That will take you to the

CHILDREN’S website..... You

can see pictures of yourselves

from SKY VBS also videos,

events, quizzes to earn

CANDY, and MORE!!!!

REMEMBER! TURN YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD, SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 9TH

DAYLIGHT SAVING BEGINS ______________________



_______________________

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 2 & 3

Prayer & Fasting Weekend

February 3, 10, 17, 24

8:30am Worship Service

9:30am Sunday school


6:30pm Worship Service

February 4, 11, 25

10:30am Prayer in Prayer Room

February 5

6:30pm Marguerite\FWM Circles

7:00pm Choir Practice

8:00pm Cantata Practice

February 6, 13, 20, 27

11:00am Bible Study & Prayer

5:00pm KidMo

6:30pm Youth

7:00pm Bible Study & Prayer

February 8

6:00pm Game Night

February 9

9:00am Worship Meeting

February 12, 19



February 14 Valentine’s Day

No Meetings

February 18 President’s Day

Office Closed

February 26

10:30am Senior Friends



March 1

6:00pm Game Night

March 2 & 3

Prayer & Fasting Weekend

March 3, 10, 17





March 4, 11, 18, 25

10:30am Prayer in Prayer Room

March 5, 19



March 6, 13, 20, 27

11:00am Bible Study & Prayer

5:00pm KidMo

6:30pm Youth

7:00pm Bible Study & Prayer

March 10 Daylight Saving Time

Begins

March 12


7:00pm Trustees


March 14

6:00pm Staff Meeting

7:00pm Commissions/

Committees

8:00pm Administrative Council

March 20 Spring Begins

March 24 Palm Sunday





March 26


8:00pm Cantata Dress Rehearsal

March 28 Maundy Thursday

7:00pm Communion

March 29 Good Friday

March 31 Easter



6:30pm To Be Announced

___________________________

Articles for the April/May 2013

newsletter are due March 20th.

Please email your article to

[email protected], or you

may put your article in the news-

letter mailbox or give to Kathy in

the church office. Thank YOU!


Finley’s Newsletter www.finleyumc.org

Finley United Methodist Church 958 Lincoln Avenue Steubenville, OH 43952-3223

Rev. Jerry Ernst, Pastor

[email protected] [email protected] RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

February/March 2013

EASTER MARCH 31, 2013

10:45AM WORSHIP SERVICE

JESUS DIED FOR ALL OUR SINS!

JESUS WAS RISEN EARLY THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID STEUBENVILLE, OH

PERMIT NO. 7

Documents

Finley’s Newsletterfinleyumc.org/newsletter/NewsletterFebMar2013.pdfMarceline Van Kirk, Diane & Larry Sesto, Mike & Angela Van Kirk & Families in the death of their husband, dad,