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PASTORS’ PEN It has been a strange year for weather across the United States and even the rest of the worldan unusually long and harsh winter, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, forest fires, and now the destructive power of a hurricane. These storms with their destructive powers have seemed to somehow had their impact on part of the country around us. Many have been caught up in the disasters and heartaches. Storms that can come up in a moment’s notice, like a dark cloud in the sky that quickly turns into a violent and deadly storm, are not always simply lim- ited to the weather either. There are other kinds of storms that can suddenly pop up in life also. In a moment our world can change from a world of peace, tranquility, and everything is okay, to…being engulfed in life and death battles. In 1991, off the Jersey coast, a man by the name of John with his six-year old daughter, went for a boating adven- ture for the day, not knowing that there was a terrible set of two storms brewing just off the coast. When they were approximately six miles off the coast in their boat, “The Andrea Gail,” the storm hit so suddenly and vio- lently it caught them unprepared. Quickly the boat was capsized and their lifejackets were swept away with the boat. With high waves all around them, John realized he could not swim the six miles back to shore holding his six year old daughter. He gave her instructions and a prom- ise. He reminded her “that she had learned how to float on her back and because she had learned that skill, re- gardless of how terrible the storm or high the waves, she could stay afloat on her back and be safe as long as she wanted to.” Then he said, “I am swimming to shore, but I will be back to rescue you.” John began his long swim for shore. A few miles out from the shore, the Coast Guard found him and picked him up. Then faithful to his promise, in the midst of the night with searchlights piercing the darkness and cutting past the high waves, they found her…safe and well after floating for nearly five hours. When asked, “Mary, how did you do that?” she said, “Daddy said that I could do it and that he would rescue me, and Daddy always keeps his word.” In John 14, Jesus says to his disciples, and to us…“Let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me…” In the 23 rd Psalm God’s Word says, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for Thou art with me…” Psalm 144 reads, “Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters.” Time and time again God’s Word reveals to us that our Heavenly Father does not keep us from the storms of life, but He does keep us while we are in the midst of the storms of life; He holds us, sustains us, strengthens us, and provides for us during the storms. And He who made Heaven and Earth and all that is…Is Faithful! “Let not your hearts be troubled…trust in God and in His Son Jesus!” Peace I offer, His Peace I give to you; go in peace and may the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, now and forever! Amen! God Bless You All! -Pastor Ed September 2011 The Gathering

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Page 1: The Gathering September 2011

PASTORS’ PEN

It has been a strange year for weather across the United States and even the rest of the world—an unusually long

and harsh winter, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, forest fires, and now the destructive power of a hurricane.

These storms with their destructive powers have seemed to somehow had their impact on part of the country

around us. Many have been caught up in the disasters and heartaches. Storms that can come up in a moment’s

notice, like a dark cloud in the sky that quickly turns into a violent and deadly storm, are not always simply lim-

ited to the weather either. There are other kinds of storms that can suddenly pop up in life also. In a moment our

world can change from a world of peace, tranquility, and everything is okay, to…being engulfed in life and death

battles.

In 1991, off the Jersey coast, a man by the name of John with his six-year old daughter, went for a boating adven-

ture for the day, not knowing that there was a terrible set of two storms brewing just off the coast. When they

were approximately six miles off the coast in their boat,

“The Andrea Gail,” the storm hit so suddenly and vio-

lently it caught them unprepared. Quickly the boat was

capsized and their lifejackets were swept away with the

boat. With high waves all around them, John realized he

could not swim the six miles back to shore holding his six

year old daughter. He gave her instructions and a prom-

ise. He reminded her “that she had learned how to float

on her back and because she had learned that skill, re-

gardless of how terrible the storm or high the waves, she

could stay afloat on her back and be safe as long as she

wanted to.” Then he said, “I am swimming to shore, but

I will be back to rescue you.” John began his long swim

for shore. A few miles out from the shore, the Coast

Guard found him and picked him up. Then faithful to his

promise, in the midst of the night with searchlights piercing the darkness and cutting past the high waves, they

found her…safe and well after floating for nearly five hours.

When asked, “Mary, how did you do that?” she said, “Daddy said that I could do it and that he would rescue me,

and Daddy always keeps his word.” In John 14, Jesus says to his disciples, and to us…“Let not your hearts be

troubled, believe in God, believe also in me…” In the 23rd Psalm God’s Word says, “Though I walk through the

valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for Thou art with me…” Psalm 144 reads, “Reach down your

hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters.” Time and time again God’s Word reveals

to us that our Heavenly Father does not keep us from the storms of life, but He does keep us while we are in the

midst of the storms of life; He holds us, sustains us, strengthens us, and provides for us during the storms. And

He who made Heaven and Earth and all that is…Is Faithful!

“Let not your hearts be troubled…trust in God and in His Son Jesus!” Peace I offer, His Peace I give to you; go

in peace and may the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, now and forever! Amen! God Bless You

All! -Pastor Ed

September 2011

The Gathering

Page 2: The Gathering September 2011

COMING EVENTS

TGIW MEAL AND CLASSES The TGIW meal and classes will start up again on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at the downtown campus.

Everyone is welcome. The meal is at 5:00 p.m., and classes are at 6:15 p.m. Children’s classes are available at

6:15 p.m. downtown: child care will be available for birth-toddler, and activities for children pre-school-5th

grade will be available. The senior and junior high youth group meets at the Life Center at 6:00 p.m.

There will be four adult classes offered for the fall term, from September 7 through October 19:

Bible Study, by Pastor Brenda Fritz Pastor Brenda will be teaching a year-long class entitled, “Disciple: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study.”

This class is an overview of the entire Bible with outside reading assignments weekly. It is a great study to have

a better understanding of how the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament.

Spiritual Development-Hot Topics, by Pastor Ed Fritz and Pastor Ben Whirledge How do we interpret what we hear on the news and the events happening around us in light of God’s Word?

Some topics to be discussed are:

-September 11—Lessons learned

-Debt Crisis

-Middle East Conflict

-End of the World...End Times

-Media “Input Generation”

Family Development-Sacred Marriages - by Dave and Connie Brinkruff Families are under pressure! Come and join this group as we focus on living out our faith daily in our families.

Stewardship As A Lifestyle-Financial Peace University Come and join Dave Ramsey, a world class financial analyst, and discover proper management and stewardship

of resources. This class will empower students to establish healthy personal financial practices.

The Disciple University calendar for 2011-2012 is:

Sept. 7-October 19 - Fall classes

Oct. 26-Dec. 14 - Advent classes

(No TGIW on November 23)

January 11-Feb. 22 - Winter classes

Feb. 29-April 18 - Spring classes

(No TGIW on April 4)

Page 3: The Gathering September 2011

OUR FOOD PANTRY

We wanted to give an update on our church’s food pantry. From January

through July 2011, we served 160 families, with an average of 25-30

families per month. We continue to see many needy people come

through our doors, and they are always so grateful for the food we give

them. We want to thank you as a congregation for your support of the

food pantry. Some of you support the food pantry with your monetary

support, and others bring food in for the pantry. The Roose-Greenwalt

S.S. Class brings in food and non-food items once a month for the pantry,

which helps out a lot. We receive “free” food from the Federal Govern-

ment every other month, but that may be cut back 50% because of up-

coming budget cuts. We are thankful for a congregation that supports the

food pantry and keeps it going from month to month. We also want to

thank those who drive to South Bend to pick up the food from the Food

Bank and bring it back and put it on our shelves! We appreciate their

hard work! So thank you to everyone who helps with the food pantry in

some way! -Harriet Martin

NEW MINISTRY We’ve had the Healing Shawl Ministry for 10 years. Now we are adding an additional prayer shawl ministry.

The Pocket Prayer Shawl is a mini shawl that is knit while praying for the person receiving it. These colorful

pocket prayer shawls are available for persons to pick up and use themselves or pass on to others in need. You

will find them in baskets at the downtown church and at the Life Center. May God bless those knitting and re-

ceiving these pocket prayer shawls.

PRIMETIMERS The Primetimers will go see the Snite Museum of Art at Notre Dame on

Thursday, September 15. The beautiful Snite Museum of Art includes more

than 24,000 works representing many of the principal cultures and periods of

world art history. Collections feature Rembrandt etchings, 19th century

French art, 19th century European photographs, 20th century art, Northern

Native American art, Chicano art, and African art. Admission is free.

Lunch will be at Tippecanoe Place, with a choice of three menu items:

grilled ham on rye, club wrap, or ceasar salad.

The bus will pick up at Greencroft at 10:00 a.m., and we will leave the

church parking lot at 10:30 a.m. We plan to return about 4:30 p.m. If you

have questions, please call Bob Morris at 534-2791.

Page 4: The Gathering September 2011

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No.136

Goshen, IN

First United Methodist Church

214 S. Fifth Street

Goshen, IN 46528

Phone: 533-9518

www.goshenfirstumc.org

www.goshenlifecenter.org

Address Service Requested

“I wish to thank my church family very much for the lovely pink carnation I received for my 71st birthday. It

lasted beautifully and was most appreciated.” -Roberta Knopfer

“I want to express my thanks for the pretty pink carnation for my birthday delivered by Erv and Betty

Herschberger. I truly appreciate it. Thanks to all.” -Sue Harp

“Thank you to my church family for the beautiful carnation, and thank you to Janet Miller and Dora Aust who

delivered it.” -Fannie Mabie

“I want to thank the church, and Janet Miller and Dora Aust, for delivering the carnation for my birthday. It made

my day.” -Dorothy Hess

“I want to thank Janet Miller for delivering my red birthday carnation. Also it was nice to visit with her mother

who was an old neighbor from years ago. To top my birthday off, thank you Harvey and your two delightful

grandchildren for delivering my extra special card. Peg and I also want to thank you for your prayers during her

surgery. A special thank you to Pastor Ed and Pam for their visits.”

-Morrie Herring

Page 5: The Gathering September 2011

September 1

Nancy Sorg

Aaron Wilkinson

September 2

Jeff Johnson

Rose Zellers

John Auer

September 3

Terri Price

September 4

Tanya Swihart

Max Johnson

September 5

Dr. Leslie Haney

Rene Neff

Jeremiah Chico

September 6

Charly Stutsman

Rev. Brenda Fritz

Amie Kyle

September 7

Jack Blankenbaker

Laura Sorg

September 8

Brenda Becker

John Dechant

Charles Toth

Amanda Peffley

September 9

Raelene Perrin

Beth Snow

September 10

Cammi Waggoner

Melissa Yoder

Phil Stoll

September 11

Joe Miller

September 12

Earl LaCounte

Linda Peters

Shirley Cripe

September 13

Jack Farrell

Hannah Weirich

Kathy Grant

September 14

Jeannine Johnston

Denise Lambright

September 17

Lamar Paflas

Natalie Anne Miller

Tammy Bowen

September 18

Miriam White

September 19

Perry Haimes

September 20

Ken Shorthouse

Nancy Eckelbarger

September 21

Leo Seltenright

Linette Schwinn

Penny Mabie

September 22

Chuck Hart

Betty McKnight

September 23

Susan Vance

John Eldridge

Ned Cook

Samuel Yoder

September 24

Sarah Nowak

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS!

September 25

Erv Herschberger

Shirley VanGilst

September 26

Christopher Robbins

September 27

Joanne Swanson

September 28

Andrew Weddle

Ruth Bullis

Karlee Crume

Jordan Lloyd

September 29

Leslie Weirich

September 30

Betty Miller

Ray Streit

FOR SALE A small spinet organ is for sale. If

you are interested, please contact

Wayne or Arlene Randolph, at

533-7183.

THINK ABOUT IT “Don’t be afraid to give your best

to what seemingly are small jobs.

Every time you conquer one it

makes you that much stronger. If

you do the little jobs well, the big

ones will tend to take care of them-

selves.” -Dale Carnegie