@UMCMerced 899 Yosemite Parkway Merced, California 95340-5137

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THIS

MONTH...

November 2019 Volume 19, Issue 10

@UMCMerced

Sharing

the liberating

love of Jesus

to empower and

mobilize all

in service

for God.

Inside this issue:

Pastor’s Musings

2

finance

3

UMW

5

social action

8

October

calendar

9

89th Annual Holiday Bazaar

The United Methodist Women welcome eve-ryone @UMCMerced to take part in our Holi-day Bazaar. This is a great opportunity to get to fellowship with the people of our church. The bazaar will be held December 7th with set-up and preparation during the prior week. There are many opportunities to do-nate items or labor (and have a great time!)

continued on page 4

Page 2 @UMCMerced

Pastor’s Musings Rev. Ella Luna-Garza

Philippians 1 ~ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remem-

ber you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from

the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to com-

pletion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my

heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with

me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that

your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern

what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that

comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.

Yes! I give thanks for YOU!

As we enter into this season of thankfulness that begins with appreciating the works of the Saints and contin-

ues through our thanksgiving celebrations, I can’t help but give an overarching sigh of gratitude.

I am thankful for the Saints which through their witness have sought us, taught us, and brought us to faith for

it is by their living testaments that we have had models of faith, examples of faithful discipleship,

and proof of God’s faithfulness.

The saints passed on the stories of Christ. They worked in and for the Body of Christ. They used their words,

actions, thoughts, and love to share the goodness of God. We learned at their feet, sharing bread with them,

singing hymns with them, perhaps studying with them or holding deep conversations with them. It is because

of them that the faith continued to us.

A few weeks ago, I told you of Amy, the 93 year old serving on the board of trustees at her church and on ex-

ecutive committees of the United Methodist Women, SPRC, and evangelism teams. She was and remains

intentional in serving God, the church, and others as a faithful response to what God has done for her.

This is one of the witnesses to our faith that has helped form me into the disciple I strive to be today.

Another woman helped me - her name was Olivia Leal, my mother. In her strong and bold ways, she modeled

a grateful heart. Praise was forever on her lips. In her humble and quiet ways, she memorized chapters of

scripture, full psalms, and hymns. She studied and asked questions. And she worked. Although not a learned

professional, she was skilled in cooking and cleaning and making crafts. She cleaned the Sunday school

rooms, fed the masses, rolled thousands of tortillas, scrubbed toilets, and tended to children.

continued on page 5

I can now report the

numbers that are con-

tained in the financial

reports for first nine

months of 2019 year-to-

date.

All income categories

combined totaled

$213,655 and, individual-

ly, most categories fell

short of their respective

budgeted amounts.

When compared to the

same month one year

ago, total income in-

creased by $7,637 or

3.7%. Pledged and Un-

pledged Income catego-

ries combined were

$6,903 or 3.9% less than

September 2018 year-to

-date! This year we had

$15,104 more in grants,

gifts, and endowments

compared to the same

period last year.

Total expenses of

$230,339 were $292 be-

low the amount budget-

ed for September year-

to-date. Included in to-

tal expenses paid was

$18,375 in conference

tithing. Total expenses

exceeded Total In-

come by $16,684.

Remember, you can

always find the most

current financial report

in the Fireside Room.

For more detailed fi-

nancial data, please

feel free to contact me

directly in person, by

phone, or by email -

larry@umcmerced.org.

In Christ’s service,

Larry Hall Treasurer

Church Administrator

Page 3 @UMCMerced

Money

Matter$

Youth Christmas Institute

The CA/NV Conference will host the NorCal

Christmas Institute December 26 to 30 in So-

nora. This five-day retreat is open to all

youth and young adults grade 7 and up. En-

joy nature and God’s creation, connect with

other youth, and help our youth program

grow. Contact Adam in the church office for

more information and to save your spot!

Church Women United will

hold a celebration on Friday,

November 1, from 9:30AM to

11:30AM @UMCMerced in the

Wesley Hall. The gathering -

‘Resolve to Love’ - will start with

a light brunch followed by a pro-

gram and fellowship time.

All women are invited to attend!

Food Pantry

Page 4 @UMCMerced

Bazaar (from page 1)

We welcome donations of…

Christmas items for our Christmas Room handmade crocheted, sewn, or knitted items for our Boutique Room gently used sellable items for Art & Attic Treasures sellable items for our Silent Auction pies, muffins, scones, etc. for Matty’s Tea Room jams, jellies, relishes, etc. for the Margaret Freed Jam & Jelly Room cookies, breads, and other baked goods for the Bake Shop homemade candies, popcorn, and snack mixes for the Candy Shop

Help is needed for set up for luncheon on Friday afternoon and clean-up after the bazaar. (Men are welcome too!) Call Denise Rohm (209.605.3164) or the church office to volun-teer. Luncheon tickets can be purchased from Joyce Hambley (209.617.8119).

Mark your calendars and join us for this worthwhile, fun-filled event!

Fellowships

Kathryn Parker Monday, November 4 @ 1:PM

@ Dorane White 2715 8th Avenue, Merced

Marilyn Chan Thursday, November 21 @ 10:AM

@UMCMerced fireside room

Jane Kies Thursday, November 21 @ 1:30PM

@ Linda Glidden 601 East 20th Street, Merced

Hearts & Hands Monday, November 25 @ 6:30PM

@UMCMerced fireside room

Executive Board Thursday, November 14 @ 9:30AM

@UMCMerced library

General Meeting Thursday, November 14 @ 10:AM

@UMCMerced fireside room Remember to bring your World Thank Offering!

Meetings

Page 5

11/1 Aku Vang 11/2 Sandy Davenport 11/4 Barbara Jamison 11/8 Lorraine Morris 11/9 Evan Avery 11/11 Stephanie Cox Jennifer Manilay Chris Sulio 11/12 Arlette Flores 11/16 Kay Chapman Linda Glidden 11/18 Jol Manilay 11/19 Juan Ortega 11/20 Joel Shade 11/21 Lisa Pfeiff 11/22 Gary Graham 11/23 Taryn Kruest 11/24 Jay Mitchell 11/25 Rose Drouillard 11/26 Hal Hambley 11/28 Mary Maxfield

Pastor’s Musings (continued from page 2)

She also tithed and headed a team in prison ministry. She single-

handedly corresponded with over 1600 inmates, telling them of

the love of God and reminding them that they were each a person

of sacred worth. I give thanks for Amy and my Mom. I give thanks

for you, too. You see, you are the present saints carrying on the

work of the Church and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

Like Paul to the Philippians, I am encouraged by your works and

the potential of the good work already begun in you which I trust

God will bring to completion on that day.

Today, some of you are serving this congregation in leadership.

Some of you are serving God in your jobs. Some of you are sup-

porting the church through presence and gifts and tithing.

The Church continues because of you. And I am thankful.

Over the past year our church has been led by Amanda, Arlette ,

Betty, Cathie, Christine, Cindy, Crystal , Dee, Denise, Diego, Do-

rane, Ella, Jackie, Jennifer, Jennifer, Joel, Joyce, Ka, Koua, Larry,

Laura, Nadine, Nancy, Rachel, Steve, Terry, Timothy, and Victoria

as officers and staff of this community of faith. In the year to

come, a few of these persons will start serving in other ways and

the leadership council @UMCMerced will add Kelly, Stephanie,

Don, Dan, Tom, Sierra, Susan, and Charlene. The council is not the

only way to serve, nor is it the only way to support your church.

Throughout the year we’ll have various community events, pro-

grams, outreach opportunities, youth initiatives, children’s pro-

gramming, worship services, cleanup days, shared meals, bible

studies, prayer groups, and spiritual formation and ministries go-

ing on that will be open for your participation and support. They

will only continue with your help, support, prayers, your pres-

ence, and your gifts. So please - keep up the work of the saints!

I indeed give God thanks upon every remembrance of you!

To God all be all glory and praise!

Counting it all joy in thanksgiving,

Pastor Ella

Help Stock

our Shelves!

The Merced County Food

Bank is struggling to keep

food stocked to supply our

neighborhood food pantry.

Help stock our shelves by

bringing non-perishable

goods for @UMCMerced to

distribute to those in need.

Food may be dropped off

behind the counter in the

Sunday School wing.

We appreciate

your support of

this community

ministry!

Our Good Neighbor Food Pantry offers food and clothing

to our community in need. This is one of the many ways we @UMCMerced

strive to help God’s people in our area. Your support is always appreciated!

Donations of non-perishable food and clean, gently used clothing can be left in

the Sunday School wing. Volunteers are welcome to help fill bags, organize

clothing, and distribute these items once a month.

Our next distribution will be November 21 with prep on November 20. Work

begins both days at 5:PM in the Wesley Hall. Volunteers with a pick-up truck

are also needed to help transport food from the Food Bank to our facility.

For more information or to lend your services to this community mission,

please contact Terry Kruest (209.631.1057).

Prison Project

Holiday Gift Packets

On your summer trips and travels, have you

collected any items for the holiday gift bag project?

We continue this program, now in its 14th year, on be-

half of the women at Central California Women’s Facil-

ity in Chowchilla. Sample size soap, shampoo, condi-

tioner, hand lotion, tissue, and toothpaste are needed,

as well as unused greeting cards with envelopes, adult

toothbrushes, combs, and small note pads. A dona-

tion container is located behind the counter in the

Sunday School wing.

An estimated 2700 gift bags will be packed again this

year at Wesley UMC in Fresno on December 7th and

delivered to the prison the week before Christmas.

For more information, please contact Dave Hetland at

209.388.1608.

Page 6

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Food Pantry News

visited and served 50 meals at the D Street Shelter on the first Wednesday in June. To sign up to provide this meal, see the sheet in the Fireside Room. We are continuing the clothing ministry in con-junction with the food pantry distribution. Clean, usable items may be left in the box in the Sunday School hallway.

Gently worn children’s clothing is in high de-mand. If you would like to be a part of this mission in Merced by picking up the food, packing food bags, or distributing bags and clothing, call Terry Kru-est at 631.1057 or the church office at 722.5777.

Our Good Neighbor Food Pantry distributed 142 bags of food in June. Twenty volunteers helped to pack and distribute the food bags and offer cloth-ing. Please remember to give either a check (made out to the church with a ‘food bank’ nota-tion) or bring a sack of non-perishable groceries from home. The Van Dyken Family

The first Sunday of the month is Food

Pantry Sunday.

Next food distribution is June 18th.

Page 7 Volume 19, Issue 10

Caption describing

picture or graphic.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

OFFICE

CLOSED

2

Muslim Comm.

11:AM - rooms 5,7

3

Worship

10:AM

4

Bible Study

4:PM - FSR

5

Yoga

8:30AM - room 6

6

Pastoral Care

10:AM - FSR

7

Men’s Breakfast

7:AM - FSR

Journey 4 Justice

5:PM - FSR

8

OFFICE

CLOSED

9

10

Worship

10:AM

11

OFFICE

CLOSED

Bible Study

4:PM - FSR

12

Yoga

8:30AM - room 6

13

14

Men’s Breakfast

7:AM - FSR

UMW

10:AM - FSR

15

OFFICE

CLOSED

Newsletter

Articles

DUE

16

Muslim Comm.

11:AM - rooms 5,7

17

Worship

10:AM

18

Bible Study

4:PM - FSR

19

Yoga

8:30AM - room 6

20

Food Pantry

(prep)

5:PM - WH

Leadership

6:PM - FSR

21

Men’s Breakfast

7:AM - FSR

Food Pantry

5:PM - WH

22

OFFICE

CLOSED

23

24

Worship

10:AM

25

Bible Study

4:PM - FSR

26

Yoga

8:30AM - room 6

27

28

OFFICE

CLOSED

WE GIVE

THANKS!

29

30

November 2019

Hylond

Ray Adams

Joanne Sasaki

Park Merced

Phoebe Benjamin

Hal Hambley

Roy Harris

Leone Sherwin

Rev. Ella Luna-Garza - Senior Pastor

Rev. Victoria Schlintz - Pastor in Residence

Minerva Carcaño - Bishop California-Nevada Conference of the UMC

Debra Brady - District Superintendent California-Nevada Conference of the UMC

We pray for those in hospital or care facilities

@UMCMerced

Prayers for the people

Phil Nelson Mildred Pitts Connie Jones Guy Near Jeane Hetland Jack Drouillard Mary Ellen Wood Rene Garza Tom Keene Bobbi Robinson Liz McCabe Joan Stribling Lorraine Morris

Page 8 Volume 19, Issue 10

Office hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:AM - 2:30PM 209.722.5777 laura@umcmerced.org umcmerced.org Transportation is available for Sunday worship. Contact Steve Landis (209.769.6626) before noon on Friday.

We hold in our hearts and prayers...

...missionaries serving throughout the world. ...United Methodists standing for justice for immigration reform. ...families who have lost their homes to fires, floods, tsunamis and oth-er natural disasters.

...all those affected by violence and war at home and abroad. ...our military personnel and their families at home. ...the homeless.

Courtyard Health Care Center (Davis)

Mary Maxfield