We continue to make good progress in our Christian Education program under the creative leadership of Bobbi Ehrgood, our Director of Christian Education. Bobbi works for us 20 hours per week. Check that, Bobbi gets paid by us for 20 hours per week. She actually works much more than that because she is so conscientious about her ministry. I am often telling her to stop, go away, get outa here, shoo in the name of Jesus! Sometimes she listens to me. Yes, she fits right in here at APUMC.
Several of our members have made major commitments to serve our children and youth in the area of Christian Education. We are all grateful for their service. However, several more servants are needed to step up and serve. I have heard it said that Audubon Park UMC loves her children and youth, but to be perfectly honest, I don't really believe that. It might have been true in the past, but the current reality is that we cannot find a church member who is willing to teach even one Discipleship Hour youth class, let alone two (for Jr. & Sr. Hi's). Nor can we find anyone (preferably several) to lead a youth program. And we can use more people to teach children's Discipleship Hour.
I am not writing this to scold or to guilt anyone into Christian service. I believe that truth-telling is the key to all Christian relationships. Jesus told us that we must "know the truth and the truth will set us free." But first it will unsettle us, then it will set us free, if we deal with it honestly and honorably. We must ask ourselves: Do we want to grow young disciples here? Do we want the opportunity to serve young families in our church? Are we willing to struggle with the realities that make communicating the gospel to people under the age of 30 today a daunting task? Children and Youth Ministry are only two of the many places the Church is foundering as it tries to serve the changing culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. No easy answers, quick fixes, or past models will suffice. Remember Christ's comment about pouring new wine into old wineskins? Praying pioneers are needed to find our way into the hearts and minds of our younger brothers and sisters. Nothing will happen, nothing good anyway, unless people heed Christ's call, "Follow Me."
Well, thank you for reading the Pastor's "Rant of the Week." I have asked Bobbi Ehrgood to write brief descriptions of the new and revised Wow Now!, our children's time during worship, and the Discipleship Hour children's experience we are calling B.L.A.S.T.! Please take the time to read about these creative programs in this Evangel.
Please talk to Bobbi and me if you want to join in the ministry with our children and youth.
See you in church, APUMC!
Pastor Carl
I said a prayer for you today and I know God must have heard,
I felt the answer in my heart although He spoke no word.
I didn't ask for wealth or fame, I knew you wouldn't mind,
I asked Him to send you treasures of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He'd be near you at the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings and friends to share the way
.
I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small,
But it was for His loving care I asked for most of all.
-Frank Zamboni
Dear Church Family:
My sincerest thanks are to all of you for allowing me and helping me to attend my 9th summer at Twinlow this year. It was by far one of the greatest and most spiritual weeks I have had and I would not have had this wonderful experience without the love and support of you, my church family.
Love in Christ,
Meredith Moreau
Our Block Party on August 4th was a huge success! Those who made it a big splash were Pastor Carl and Linda Martin, Cynthia, Kim, and Kathy Cree, Betty Moos, Pamela Ridgway, Karen Peacock, Retta Nickell, Mary Bynum and a special big thank you to Karen Gertlar. We also appreciate River Ridge Hardware for donating games and a jumping castle. We appreciate all help from anyone whose name we might have missed!
-Betsy Hartman
This is a big thank you for all the cards, calls and rides but especially the prayers after my recent surgery. It is good to be up and around again. Life is good-
-Evelyn Gould
Thank you for your prayer support for Dad,. He continues to make improvements daily. Please check his progress on:
caringbridge.org/visit/billwiese
-From Billie Watson, Bill's daughter
Our sympathy is with the family and friends of Jan Numata, who passed away August 18th. A graveside service for family only will be held in Spokane The family thanks Audubon Park friends for their love for Jan over the years.
Our sympathy is with Judy Ritz and her entire family on the recent death of her step-mother, Becky Rissler.
Our sympathy, also, is with Cal and Jan Ferguson at the loss of Cal's brother-in-law, Bruce, on July 27th. Bruce lived in Colorado.
Preparations are beginning for the Bazaar to be held on November 7th. Workshops are held on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. until about noon. These workshops will continue at this time each week until November.
To turn in your list of books you've read this summer for the United Methodist Women's Reading Program to Judie Thorpe. She has provided a box in the parlor for your list.
A brown, size medium jacket was left in Mildred Glidden's room. She thinks it was left by someone from church a few months ago. The jacket is now in the church office if you think it might be yours.
Beginning Sunday, September 14, we will be offering classes from the Christian-based Financial Peace University program. The classes will meet from 4 - 6 p.m. through December 13th. This series is part of the Dave Ramsey financial series. The cost is $99 per family unit; our Men's Group has agreed to pay 1/2 of the cost for young couples/singles from our church. Please contact Jeff Johnson (244-2976). regarding more information on the class and/or the reduction in price. There will be a free preview of the class on Sunday, August 23, at 11:30 a.m.
..will begin on Wednesday, August 26th, at 7 p.m. in preparation for our fall season. Everyone is welcome- no special musical knowledge required- only a heart for serving God. Call Chris for questions, 326-5465.
Sunday, August 30 3:30 p.m.
All District laity and clergy families are invited!
White Pine Park, Post Falls, Idaho
Get acquainted fun and games, music by John
Weston, Games for the kids! Potluck Picnic:
Bring your favorite dish to share!
This camp is for adults age 55 or better to be held September 15-17 at Lazy F Camp. Rev. Ron Hines will be the very special speaker. Please see the brochure on the bulletin board for more information.
They say a recession purges an economy. Weak businesses don't survive. I wonder if it could be argued that recessions also purge our values. When we feel the squeeze, weak values get weaker and strong values get stronger. We realize that we can do without things. And we become more aware than ever that we can't do without relationships.
In our culture, materials intended to enrich our relationships often become "ends" rather than a means. Relationships get sacrificed on the altar of materialism.
This economic crisis needs to be more than a wake-up call. We need it to be the kind of slap in the face that brings lifeless values back to our consciousness.
-by Bill Robinson, president of Whitworth University,
published in The Inlander
Summer Fun:
Super
Sunday
Cinema
Spectacular
The children have movies and snacks during the 10:00 a.m. worship time in the summer.
Be sure to bring your friends!
- During August, WOW NOW will follow Pastor Carl's sermon topics.
This week we'll be talking about Esther
Aug 23 - Esther! Bless Her !
This is not your regular Sunday School-it is a B.L.AS.T.! (Bible Learning Adventure Station Time) A new and exciting Discipleship Hour (9 a.m.) program is being designed especially for our K-6 Grade Children. This program includes Bible Study, drama, computers, puppets, cooking, science, art and drama. More info to follow-
Helpers also needed to create these new rooms- paint, sew, build a game, etc.
We have a new program for WOW NOW starting September 13th. There will be a teachers meeting for all who want to volunteer for this program in room 201 on Sunday, August 30, after church. You will hear about the program, the new room, pick your time slots and receive curriculum packets.
Needed for Christian Education:
School supplies are always needed at elementary schools, but especially at the beginning of the school year when kids come back to school. We have offered to help with this need at Audubon and Finch schools. To this end we have placed boxes in the parlor labeled with the following school supply needs:
We may learn of more needs and will keep you posted.
Let's all pitch in this summer to help stock these boxes so that we can deliver the supplies to the schools around the end of August, the time when they will be most needed. Your participation will be appreciated! Thank you!
August 23 Sermon:
"Esther-Bless Her!"
Potluck & A Movie
5:30 p.m. Sunday evening
"A Night wit the King"
The Story of Esther
Please bring your own table service to the potluck meal.
Do it all in Jesus' name
Stephen Ministers bring distinctively Christian care to those in need. They use both words and deeds to express Christ's care for others - listening and comforting, calling on the training they have received and employing the tools of faith. If this job description fits your personal goals for ministry, consider becoming a Stephen Minister. A training class is starting soon. There will be an informational meeting August 30th after church. If you can't make the meeting that day and/or want more information you may contact Barbara White, 467-1850, Karyl Masters, 325-2033, or the church office, 325-4541.
Care Quote: (from Stephen Ministry)
The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as the love of God begins with listening to his word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
in Seize the Day with Dietrich Bonhoeffer
If it is more convenient for you, fresh produce can be brought to church the 2nd Sunday and last Sunday of the month if you participating in the "Plant A Row" program. Thank you for providing for our neighbors!
Mark your calendars now for September 18-20, when the 2nd Annual Inland District Men's Retreat will be held at Twinlow Camp. Our featured speaker will be Bishop Grant Hagiya We will begin with golf for those who wish on Friday afternoon; otherwise we will begin at 7 p.m. Friday evening. Come for plenty of time for worship, fellowship and learning. We'll finish up around 11 a.m. on Sunday morning with worship and an agape meal. Look for more information soon!
A gentle reminder that the Lamplighters for the next weeks are:
August 23 Mike and Iva Jean Gilbreth
August 30 Marcia Phillips
The following people are scheduled to have this sweeping duty in the coming weeks:
August 23 Rich Hickman
August 30 Mike Gilbreth
Below are the ushers for worship in the upcoming weeks:
August 23
August 30 Rebecca and Cole Stolberg
Below are the people who will be serving communion in the next few weeks:
August 23 Bruce Ostrander and Jack Shimek
August 30 Carolyn Krupke and Kay Nanson
August 23 Carolyn Wilson
It's about time for our annual trek to one of the most beautiful and fun golf courses in the area. This is for guys and gals of all levels. We have tee times starting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11. If you want to play please let us know no later than Monday, September 7th.
A. Sign up on the paper posted in the parlor or
B. Notify Don Wilson (325-0936) or Lou Dobberstein (326-1736).
WOW NOW (K - 6 grade) During Worship -The children will be dismissed after the children's message and return to worship for communion. An audio copy of the service will be available for all volunteers.
This year WOW NOW will be studying from the Old and New Testament. Each week the children will be divided into two separate age groups for the lesson which will allow various age appropriate discussions about the Bible story and daily living message. The children will then combine for snacks and crafts. Two leaders will be needed each week for safe sanctuary regulations and for working with the two age groups. Teaching packets will be available at the CE desk, and teachers are expected to pick up their lesson in advance and plan the lesson with their teaching partner . Teachers will bring snacks and find craft materials in our art room. Reimbursement for any supplies bought can be made ONLY if the purchase was first approved by Bobbi and a requisition form was filled out. Donations are always accepted.
The Art Gallery Wall across from Bobbi's office will belong to WOW NOW this year. A teacher meeting/training is scheduled for Sunday, August 30 in room 201 after worship. The program will be discussed, time slots will be picked, and curriculum packets be will available -
This is not your regular Sunday School!! It is called the Workshop Rotation Model
Where are our children on Sunday mornings? Are they begging to come to the 9 am Discipleship Hour??? Not only are children missing but so are the volunteers. There are many reason for this - including changes in priorities (what could be more important than God's word - I wonder ) - changes in attitudes - changes in educational styles and teaching methods. With a drop in Sunday School attendance, churches decline, denominations fail, and children do not learn the importance of faith. When Sunday school thrives, children are excited to be in church - and this environment creates the knowledge that God is alive and He cares. In order to address some of these changes, a new model for Sunday School was developed - Workshop Rotation Model. We are implementing our own version of that model this year and calling it B.L.A.S.T
The children will study the same Bible lesson for 4-6 weeks while rotating rooms and learning styles. As most parents know, not all children learn the same way. This program will address all learning styles by using different methods to teach the story and learn life applications. "God makes each child 'smart' in diverse and unique ways." (Workshop Wonders by O'Donnell and Bare) All new rooms are slowly being created for our children to visit on their journey. These rooms are called:
TENT TALES: Bible story and discussion - sit in an oasis tent and learn
ANTIOCH ARCADE: Games designed by our crew that teach the story - these games are really fun!
CREATION STATION: Arts and crafts designed around the story and message
MOUSE HOUSE: Computer Bible games are at this station and also the kids will create a newspaper article about the story-name their paper and distribute it. They will also be able to create messages for our church newsletter.
DIVINITY DINER: Cooking to teach- and eating treats at the same time
ROCK OF AGES STAGES: Drama and puppets that retell the story and create a modern day learning lesson
HOLYWOOD CINEMA: Movies and discussion - popcorn, too
Oh, there are thoughts of taking FIELD TRIPS - i.e. to Cat Tails when studying Daniel.
Lesson Rotation sets are handed out many weeks in advance to allow for preparation - The teachers for this program take the responsibility of totally preparing one area (station) while the other teachers are helpers with the projects or act as another adult for safe sanctuary. These teachers are handed a lesson set at a time (4-6 stations) . They take their section - together decide on the order of the stations. Teachers stay in touch with each other to plan and ensure smooth running -