First United Methodist Church - Logansport First UMC
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March 2019 The
First United Methodist Church
Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your
bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy
sacrifice-- the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship
him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform
you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to
know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the
privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't
think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of
yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our
bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with
Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each
other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the
ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve
them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving,
give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift
for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is
wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring
each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be
patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be
eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless
them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other.
Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! Never pay back
evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to
live in peace with everyone.
How Do We Get To Harmony?
The United Methodist General Conference ended a week ago and I’m still processing all that happened. It
was an incredibly difficult experience; it has actually taken a toll on me both emotionally and spiritually. I
need a retreat and am trying to figure out when and where I will be able to do that.
I’m grateful that we reaffirmed our teaching on marriage which is consistent with what the church has taught
for 2000+ years. I believe that I was contending for the faith delivered to us by the Saints as the book of Jude
calls us to do.
But my heart is really heavy post St. Louis. We are a deeply divided church. The One Church Plan, which
would have redefined marriage as between “two people” was only rejected by a vote of 56% to 44% of the
General Conference Delegates. Now you need to know that General Conference Delegates tend to be a bit
more liberal than the average United Methodist in the pews. We have a geographical election system;
Continued on Page 2
The Alive February 2019 Page 1
Church News
delegates from the Western United States are almost exclusively liberal. The General Conference is also
50% clergy and pastors are often more liberal theologically than their church members. But the bottom
line is we are very divided.
The experience in St. Louis was very painful for all of us—regardless of where we are theologically. Those
who thought that the body would affirm their belief that we should ordain sexually active LGBTQ persons
and redefine marriage were crushed when it didn’t happen. Those of us who hold to a traditional view of
marriage don’t like being called homophobic or having our views compared to a deadly virus. Delegates
from Africa felt like they were victims of elitism and racism. It was beyond ugly.
Over 35,000 people watched this family feud in person or by the live webstream. My friend Chris Ritter
said “the people back home can’t unsee this.” He’s right. Neither can the delegates.
A number of years ago when I was serving a church with a large youth group the youth leader and I spent
an entire year teaching our teenagers out of Romans 12. We kept going over those verses and asking God
to help them take root in our souls. In the wake of GC 2019 I find myself meditating on this passage
again—especially the part that says “so far as possible, live in harmony with one another.” How do we
United Methodists get to harmony? This is my prayer today.
My friend Joseph Mulungo, a General Conference delegate from the
Democratic Republic of Congo, came to visit First UMC last week with
several delegates from Tanganyika Annual Conference. I specifically asked
him to share his story about peacemaking among the Bantu and Pygmie
peoples who are literally at war with one another. I’m trying to learn from
Joseph and others. Jesus said, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.” How can I
be a peacemaker between the warring “tribes” within our church?
I’m hoping that as we head toward the next General Conference in
Minneapolis in May of 2020 that leaders across the theological spectrum can
be convicted that a repeat of St. Louis isn’t good for any of us or the
Kingdom of God. I’m praying we can find some sort of solution that allows
for a gracious creation of separate expressions of Methodism for those who can’t agree on human
sexuality. More than that, I’m hoping that we can work on really loving each other. I’m committing myself
to that effort.
May God bless us all as we move forward from General Conference 2019 and into the future.
Blessings and peace,
Beth Ann
Beth Ann’s Phone: 812-550-4736 • Email: revbethanncook@gmail.com • Instagram: revbethanncook
First United Methodist Church • 800 E Broadway • Logansport • IN
Church Phone: 574-753-3491 • E-mail: loganfirst@comcast.net
The Alive February 2019 Page 2
Church News
Lenten Special Offering
The Missions Committee has decided to support Evangelism in
Tanganyika in the Democratic Republic of Congo with our special
Lenten offering. On March 1 during a special luncheon at First Church
we were blessed to hear from Tanganyika pastors & lay leaders who
tirelessly work to build bridges of peace and to reach the lost despite
formidable challenges of poverty and political unrest.
As you consider your Lenten offering, please keep in mind:
$20 pays for the salary of a pastor for one month.
$150 buys a bicycle and a bible for a pastor.
$4,000 would pay to build a new church that would serve 200-400 people.
Dear First Church friends,
As you may know, I am leaving my position at First Church on March 14 to accept a full
time positon with the Division of Family Resources in Rochester. I am excited to begin this
new season, but will greatly miss the wonderful people of First Church! I have enjoyed
getting to know you, working with Pastor Beth Ann, Elaine, Penny, Marjorie, and the LCM
staff. I consider you all to be dear friends. First Church is very fortunate to have Pastor Beth
Ann at the helm. Her integrity and sincere love for people has been an inspiration. I have
been blessed by her uncompromising faith and her grace towards all people.
May God bless First Church for the many ways you have cared for the people in this
community and around the world. Your light shines brightly for Christ.
With love and deepest respect, Lori Shewman
Administrative Assistant Position
First Church has an opening for the position of Administrative Assistant. This team
member’s ministry consists of providing administrative support to Pastor and Lay
Leaders so that together we can fulfill our vision to Reach, Equip, and Send for
Jesus Christ. Duties include:
Lives a life in agreement with the orthodox, Wesleyan faith found in the Book
of Discipline.
Oversee internal and external church communications-bulletins, newsletters,
Constant Contact, and website.
Serves as receptionist.
Maintains church calendar, databases and files.
Assists Pastor with scheduling appointments.
Attends staff meetings and collaborates with Treasurer, Music staff and Little Children’s Ministry staff.
For a complete list of duties, attributes, and skills please contact the church office. Resumes can be sent to the church
office or by contacting Marge Miller at 574-753-7903.
The Alive February 2019 Page 3
Church & Community News
rustee Report
The Finance Committee had its first meeting of
the year on February 19. As we looked at January This last month the trustees and its many helpers
Financials giving was down and expenses were up, have been busy maintaining our building. Small
both effected by the January weather. Any help in jobs but necessary to keep things working.
this area would be greatly appreciated.
Mary Ingram provided her painting skills to
Elaine reported that we have several people who change the color of the old stalls in the new
are taking advantage of electronic giving. If girls restroom.
anyone wants information about this please Vic Sutton has be busy replacing toilet parts,
contact the church office. light fixture ballasts and lights in the church
office and other places in the building.
The LCM finances were reported on, as they had a Wilkinson Heating and Plumbing repaired a
very good year financially in 2018. Blessings to heater in the church office.
Belinda Jordan and her staff. I replaced an emergency light at the top of the
stairs leading to the balcony.
The Finance Committee will meet again in April.
We also completed the sale of our van. LCM
Jerry Miller, Chair purchased a new bus as a replacement for that
van.
If others have completed building work that I am
not aware of, we appreciate it and would like to
know what you’ve done so we can properly
Lenten Breakfast Schedules
acknowledge your stewardship to us all.
Women: Continental Breakfast will be served at 8 AM
with a program following from 8:30-9:30.
Steve Longenecker, Chair of the Board of Trustees
March 9 Main Street UMC
March 16 Lifegate Assembly of God
March 23 First UMC, Pastor Beth Ann speaking
March 30 Onward Christian Church
April 6 Walton Christian Church
April 13 Pisgah Christian Church
April 20 Webb Chapel UMC
JOY Circle
JOY Circle will meet Wed,
Men: Breakfast will be served at 6:29 AM. March 13 at 9 AM in the
March 9 Lifegate Fellowship Hall. All
March 16 Crosswinds women of the church are
March 23 Webb Chapel invited to attend.
March 30 Pisgah Christian Church
April 6 Church of the Nazarene
April 13 Walton Christian Church
April 20 Calvary Presbyterian Church
The Alive February 2019 Page 4
Concerns & Schedules
Prayer Concerns Church Leaders March Door Hosts & Sunday Volunteers
Stephanie Mathews Our Bishop Sign up on the Mission Bulletin Board in the Café Area.
Family of Chad Lambert Bishop Julius Trimble
Education Nursery Narthex
Those recovering from Conference Wing Hallway
surgery Superintendent
Filling the position of Rev. Lori Blinn 3 8:15 Liz Billman Penny Schaefer Heather Platt
Administrative
Associate 10:45 Teresa Popejoy Conna Kitchel Larry Kitchel
Assistant
Superintendents 10 8:15 Liz Billman Penny Schaefer Heather Platt
Rev. Lamar Imes Kendra Hall
Military Service
Rev. Rob Seewald 10:45 Teresa Popejoy Conna Kitchel Larry Kitchel
Braxton Baker
Alex Karnafel Church Cluster 17 8:15 Liz Billman Penny Schaefer Max & Paulene
Crosswind UMC Waltz
Matt Karnafel
10:45 Teresa Popejoy Conna Kitchel Larry Kitchel
Oakley Lewellen Pastor Nick Robinson
Joshua Lyons 24 8:15 Liz Billman Penny Schaefer Max & Paulene
First UMC Waltz
Tim Strubell Pastor Beth Ann Cook 10:45 Teresa Popejoy Conna Kitchel Larry Kitchel
Nursing Homes Main Street UMC 31 8:15 Liz Billman Penny Schaefer Max & Paulene
McKinney Place Rev. Colleen Hardin Waltz
10:45 Teresa Popejoy Conna Kitchel Larry Kitchel
Beverly Hess Wheatland Avenue UMC
Bert Stover
Woodbridge
Pat Siefert Indiana Laity Delegates
Mike Doering To Called GC 2019 1st Service
Tyler Best Scripture Reader:
Alison Curts Brian Newell
Praying Together Ed Fenstermacher
To help us partner with Communion Prep:
John Lomperis
you in prayer, please Amy Land Steve & Kit Clary
submit all requests in Leanna Zimmerman
writing so we can add Café Servers:
Doris Clark
the names to our written Mar 3 Doris Regan
Jim Ottjes
prayer list. (Even if you Mar 10 Conna Kitchel
have verbally requested Laity Alternates: Mar 17
Manet Shettle Mar 24
prayer during a church
service.) Thank you. Doug Worthington
Mar 31
Prayer concerns are Clergy Delegates:
usually listed for two Kim Reisman
weeks. Tony Alstott
Dave Neckers
Lisa Schubert Nowling
Russ Abel
Mitch Norwood
Beth Ann Cook
Cindy Reynolds
Clergy Alternates: If you are interested in using your gifts and time
Jill Howard to support the ongoing ministries at First Church,
Mike Dominick please contact the church office.
The Alive February 2019 Page 5
Birthdays & Anniversaries
March Bible Reading Plan March Birthdays
Mar 6 Dale Sullivan
Mar 8 Tad Wilkinson
Mar 12 Max Baker
Steven Longenecker
Mar 14 Sally Mauck
1 Deuter. 5-7 12 Joshua 5-7 23 Judges 9-10 Mar 15 Jerry Miller
2 Deuter. 8-10 13 Joshua 8-9 24 Judges 11-13 Mar 17 Jan Blackburn
3 Deuter. 11-13 14 Joshua 10-11 25 Judges 14-16 Mar 19 Phil Starkey
4 Deuter. 14-17 15 Joshua 12-14 26 Judges 17-19
Mar 24 John Beachler
5 Deuter. 18-20 16 Joshua 15-17 27 Judges 20-21
Sydney Gall Fisher
6 Deuter. 21-23 17 Joshua 18-20 28 Ruth 1-4
7 Deuter. 24-26 18 Joshua 21-22 29 1 Samuel 1-3 Mar 27 Gary Provo
8 Deuter. 27-28 19 Joshua 23-24 30 1 Samuel 4-7 Mar 28 Beverly Vietti
9 Deuter. 29-31 20 Judges 1-3 31 1 Samuel 8-10 Mar 30 Rosie Schafer
10 Deuter. 32-34 21 Judges 4-6
11 Joshua 1-4 22 Judges 7-8
Standing Meetings/Studies
Mondays
7:00 AM Men’s Fellowship, Parlor March Anniversaries
10:00 AM Staff Meeting, Pastor’s Office
Mar 15 Dale & Jayne Sullivan
Tuesdays Mar 24 Brad & Heather Platt
9:30 AM Bible Study, Parlor
11:00 AM Prayer Meeting, Sanctuary
1:00 PM Women’s Bible Study Resumes 3/26
Wednesdays
5:00 PM Bell Choir, Sanctuary
6:00 PM Choir, Fellowship Hall
6:00 PM Study on Isaiah- 6 PM, Fellowship Hall Behold
the Man
Events & Meetings: Sermon Series
Wed, Mar 6 Ash Wednesday Service, 6 PM, Sanctuary
Sat, Mar 9 Lenten Breakfast, 8 AM, Main St UMC Pastor Beth Ann
Sun, Mar 10 Daylight Saving Time Begins will begin
Tues, Mar 12 Trustees the new
Wed, Mar 13 Joy Circle, 9 AM, Fellowship Hall sermon series,
Sat, Mar 16 Loaves & Fishes, 11 AM– 12:30 PM Behold the Man,
Thurs, Mar 21 3rd Thursday with LCM on Sunday,
Sat, Mar 23 Lenten Breakfast, 8 AM, First UMC March 10.
The Alive February 2019 Page 6
Little Children’s Ministry News
March 2019
We have some exciting things happening at Little Children’s Ministry. Since our last update, we have been
able to add a few more children from another daycare in town that closed. We have received great feedback
from the families of the children. They are very happy with LCM and our effort to take as many families as
we could. We are blessed to have them!
LCM has also been able to purchase a different bus. It is a 2002
Ford E350. This has replaced the passenger van. The profits
from the old van were given to LCM to offset the cost. A
parishioner graciously gave Little Children’s Ministry $2,000 to
go toward the purchase as well. We are very grateful for this
donation along with all of the help from everyone involved!
LCM families participated in a World’s Finest Chocolate
fundraiser. Once all candy bars are sold, our profit will be $3378.
Several staff members have begun taking their CDA courses. We are very excited to have more staff with
degrees in Early Childhood Education. The younger years are definitely an important and influential part of
children’s lives. LCM is dedicated to offering the best services we can for the children who attend. This is
one of the reasons we are striving to begin the Paths to Quality rating system.
LCM has now been approved to begin our Paths to Quality levels! Once orientation is complete, we will
officially be on level 1. This is a huge accomplishment! We could not do it without all the hard work of our
staff. Level 2 focuses on room arrangement and child interaction. We are hoping to be evaluated for level 2
in the near future. Once again, our goal is to reach Level 3 by the Fall.
Some upcoming LCM events include NAEYC staff conference on March 16, Spring Break March 25-29, Spring
pictures April 4-5, Good Friday April 19 (LCM will be closed), and Preschool Graduation May 17.
Thank you to everyone that supports LCM!
March Bible Verse: Love the Lord your God with all your heart…
Deuteronomy 6:5
Sincerely,
Belinda Jordan, Director
LCM STAFF
Director - Belinda Jordan
Administrative Assistant - Nicole Hacker
Treasurer - Tina Collins & Julie Slater
The Alive February 2019 Page 7
First United Methodist Church
800 East Broadway Logansport, IN 46947
Communication
Phone: 574.753.3491
Email: loganfirst@comcast.net
Web: www.loganfirst.org
Church Office Hours: M-F, 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
LCM Office Hours: M-F, 6 AM-6 PM
Sunday Services
8:15 AM - Worship/Traditional
9:30 AM - Sunday School/Fellowship
10:45 AM - Contemporary Worship/The Stand
2:00 PM - Burmese Worship
Library News
Bible Studies
Edith Beaty recently donated many new books to
Men’s Monday Fellowship - 7 AM, Parlor
our church library. All of the books are works of
Tuesday - Women’s Study- 9:30, AM, Parlor
Wednesday Night Bible Study- 6 PM, Parlor fiction by several popular authors, such as
Wanda Brunstetter, Karen Kingsbury, Thomas
Church Staff Kinkade, Jane Kirkpatrick, and Beverly Lewis.
Pastor: Beth Ann Cook The new novels are in the library on the shelf by
Phone: 812-550-4736 the mural.
Email: revbethanncook@gmail.com
Instagram: revbethanncook
Administrative Assistant: Lori Shewman
Email: loganfirst@comcast.net
LCM Director: Belinda Jordan Book of the Month
Email: fumlcm@gmail.com
LCM Administrative Assistant: Nicole Hacker Intercessory Prayer -
Email: lcmsec@comcast.net
Treasurer: Elaine Hall How God Can Use
Email: loganfirsttreasurer@comcast.net Your Prayers to Move
Financial Secretary: Penny Schaefer Heaven and Earth
Media Coordinator: Luann Hamilton by Dutch Sheets
Pianists: Deb Binford, Jeff Smith, Elaine Hall
Pastor and teacher Dutch
Sheets explains the nuts
and bolts of prayer, with
wisdom, gentleness and
Our Mission humor. This book will inspire you, give you the
The mission of the church is to make courage to pray for the “impossible” and help
disciples of Jesus Christ you find the persistence to see your prayers to
for the transformation of the world. completion.
Our Vision
REACH EQUIP SEND
The Alive February 2019 Page 8
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