February Epistle 2019 - United Methodist Church of Johnstown
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February Epistle 2019
February Newsletter
I n February, we will continue our Faith by Numbers. One important question any person of faith should ask is,
how do we know? How do we know what God needs from us and if we are practicing our faith in the way God
wants? As Methodists we have four sources of authority for knowing what is expected.
Scripture
We have been given a great gift that we call the Bible.
Music It is fullYouth
of inspiringOutreach
stories and timeless
Nurture lessons. It was also
Trustees
written at particular times in history and often needs
Ministrytranslating into the modern
Ministry Ministry world to be helpful.
Ministry Scripture is
Ministry
our consistent starting point and the foundation we should build from. Instead of overly focusing on individual
sentences, we should focus instead on the overarching themes in scripture. These themes are constantly about
God attempting to guide and bless people even though we often go astray. The Bible is about giving life, purpose,
and meaning to all.
Tradition
The church today stands in a long tradition of those who have come before. Many hard-won lessons have been
learned that should not be forgotten. We should never be slaves to tradition, but we also cannot easily dismiss it.
Many times, the music, art, and prayers preserved from our past offer us an important insight into our transition
and where it may apply to us today.
Reason
Humans are celebrated in scripture as “a little less than God” (Psalm 8:5). One way we experience this is that we
have been given the ability to reason and think through things. We cannot ignore this gift when it comes to our
faith and we should strive to use our capacity to reason when discerning what God wants from us.
Experience
We each have our own unique set of experiences that color our lives. Claiming God is alive in the world means
taking seriously our personal experiences of God and the experiences of others. While our own personal
experience should not be used to discount those of others, they also should inform our faith.
These four things we call the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, which I like because its geometry. I joked in a sermon that
I often understand numbers better than I understand God, so geometry is my friend. We use the word
Quadrilateral because, unlike say a square, quadrilaterals have four sides but they don’t all have to be the same
size. Similarly, we do not use each element above in equal measure for every situation. For example, the style of
worship we practice is primarily informed by our United Methodist tradition. Or, when we encounter a difficult
situation we may turn to scripture for inspiration and deploy our reason to apply our centuries old scripture to our
modern world.
What is important to recognize is that we have many sources of authority in knowing what God wants from us
and for us. Each informs the other and helps us practice a living faith that we can adapt to whatever
circumstances we find ourselves in. I, personally, take great comfort in that. I hope you do too.
~ Pastor Jeremy Scott
USHERS GREETERS
February 3 Richard & Linda Frost Richard & Kariann Bandy
February 10 Jerry & Nancy Duncan Paul & Candi Winckel
February 17 Alan & Amy Gibson Jim & Linda Young
February 24 Richard & Cleora Conner Ted & Judy Ullmann
March 3 Richard & Cleora Conner Ted & Judy Ullmann
March 10 Richard & Linda Frost Bob & Lee Bellows
March 17 Jerry & Penny Madsen Nate & Amy Sassano
March 25 Lauren & Kay Sandberg Jim & Linda Young
March 31 Kermith & Sharon Aden Jan Stroh & Marlene Marshall
Thank you to those in our church family who serve as Ushers or Greeters!
We appreciate your willingness to serve and share in this way. If your name is not listed above and you would like
to serve as an usher or greeter for our church family, please contact Richard Bandy at 970-587-9681.
USHERS should greet at the center sanctuary doors, distributing bulletins and greeting people.
GREETERS should be at the EAST AND WEST ENTRY DOORS by 9:15 with their name tags on.
The GREETER’S job is to welcome people to our church, helping visitors feel welcome and providing assistance
finding the nursery, bathrooms, etc. as needed. Greeters DO NOT distribute bulletins.
Both GREETERES AND USHERS should be ready immediately following prayer time for receiving
offering and should distribute attendance pads and count attendance for record keeping purposes
during the children’s moment.
VOLUNTEER NURSERY SCHEDULE February Birthdays 23 Harleigh Peppler
1 Bobbi Leinweber 26 Katy Burack
Feb. 3: Kayla Duvall
2 Brandon Adams 28 Charley Abrahamson
Feb. 10: Joyce Klein 2 John Liniger 29 Cleora Conner
Feb. 17: Pat Wildner 3 Tyler Brown
4 John Caden Liniger February Anniversaries
Feb. 23: Julia Duvall 5 Sawyer Fried 14 Larry & Joyce Little
6 Rebecca Myers 14 Darrell & Rebecca Myers
6 Kathy Woodcock 15 Owen & Ann Pejsa
CHILDREN’S MOMENT SCHEDULE 7 Bailey Phillips 27 Jerry & Nancy Duncan
8 Phillip Woodcock 28 Keith & Carol Binder
Feb. 3: Kariann Bandy 9 Mia Aden
Feb. 10: Ashley and Friends 10 Marlo Abrahamson
10 Amy Mayer
Feb. 17: Ashley and Friends 10 Pat Wildner
Feb. 23: Christy Duvall 13 Brooke Kern
14 Pastor John Hiestand
15 Ron Klein
15 Seth Schwanke
Hays Receipts 15 Tucker Trumble
17 Connor Grommon
Thank you for turning in your
Hays Market receipts. The 18 Nathaniel Hess
18 Anderson Petsas
December total was $10,081.
19 Darrell Myers
Remember, 1% of the total comes
20 Scott Santeramo
back to us and is used for mission 20 Glenn Shultz
projects. 23 Logan Diemert
Keep them coming! 23 Sage Maus
23 Mark Nygren
Hopefully, you aware
that the United
Methodist Church of
Johnstown is a local
UMCOR Hub. We are collecting more supplies
for the kits for our next shipment for UMCOR
West in Salt Lake City to be distributed from
there. Our church will be hosting a “Kit
Building Party” on Saturday, March 16 at
10:00 am. There will be a potluck lunch
following, so bring something to share with
all!
Schedule for the build day:
• 10:00am: Welcome and short presentation
on UMCOR
• 10:15: Kit building
• 12:00: Pot-luck lunch
If you would like to donate items or
participate, please contact Nicole Hill, (970)
381-3945, hilln1989@yahoo.com. THUrsday Morning Bible Study (THUMBS)
Lenten Study
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6, and on
Thursday morning, March 7, we will begin a weekly six
session study, Entering the Passion of Jesus by Amy-
Jill Levine. Dates will be March 7, 14, 21 and April 4,
11, 18 with no class on Thursday, March 28 during
Please join us on Sunday, February 24th at 9:30 Spring Vacation. We meet in the Gathering Place at
am for a special service in honor of the 150th 9:30 a.m. and often there are treats!
anniversary of United Methodist Women. Biblical scholar, Amy-Jill Levine, explores the Biblical
texts surrounding Holy Week, raising ethical and
spiritual questions, with special emphasis on the risks
Jesus took and how we all face risk in our Christian
experience. Each week a short video is followed by a
thought-provoking and lively discussion.
For Sale: 2000 Blue 4-door Ford Focus Sedan.
Price for the student book is $12.00 and payment can
Excellent condition! Standard/Manual be made when books arrive. Checks should be made to
transmission. Low UMC-Johnstown. You may
also order your own book or
mileage at 47,200 mi. Kindle edition. Sign-up sheet
Asking $2,000. For more is in Fellowship Courtyard
information or to test until February 10th when
drive, please contact books will be ordered.
Beverly Duvall at Consider adding something
for Lent and join us for this
970-578-9213 spiritual journey! Everyone
is most welcome!!!
February Music Notes
Our Music in Worship
This February we’re highlighting the
Jubilation Choir Feb.3rd: Chancel Choir
The children of our congregation are such blessings to us all!
Their energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and the
JUBILATION of their spirits shines through in all they do! Feb.10th: Messengers
Jubilation Choir is open to all children ages PreK through 5 th
Feb. 17th: Jubilation Choir,
grade, and we meet Sunday mornings from 10:45 until 11:00,
immediately following Sunday School. We use music and Cleora Conner and Karen
movement to learn scripture, and to strengthen our Vander Velde
relationship with God. On the third Sunday of each month,
The Jubilation Choir presents songs that support the current
Feb. 24th: Bell Choir
Sunday School lesson, so we may share with YOU our love of
music, and our special friendship with Christ.
Chancel Choir – Meets Special Music - We still
select Wednesday nights at have a Special Music spot to
7pm in the sanctuary, and fill to play one piece on May
is open to all adults and 19th. Please email Kimberly
at music@johnstown.church
young adults, high school
if you’d like to be a Special
or older. We always have Youth Band – Youth Musician.
an open chair, waiting just Band is made of Middle
for YOU! Join us! School and High School
Chancel Choir Rehearsals:
students, and we will play
February 20th and 27th
again in worship on
March 31st. Please see
Kimberly, or email
Bell Choir – Bells are look-
music@johnstown.church
ing for substitute ringers!
if you are interested.
If you’d like to learn to ring
bells, rehearsals are Youth Band members do
Wednesday nights at 6pm. not need to be a member
See Lee Bellows if you are of our church – all youth
interested in joining a fun musicians and vocalists
musical group! are welcome!
Pastor’s Going Deeper
Group
Thursdays @ 7pm
You are invited to a special learning
opportunity led by Pastor Jeremy. Each
Thursday evening we will dig deep into
the previous week’s scripture. We will
explore the context of the selected
passage and where it fits in the larger
story of the Bible. All are welcome, so
please join us!
New Electronic Giving!
Do you currently give via Credit Card or
ACH (Bank Transfer)? Or perhaps you’re
interested in scheduling a regular dona-
tion to the church. We are in the process of
migrating to a new system for electronic
giving. To get set up visit: http://
johnstown.church/give/. It is simple and
easy to do. If you are currently giving
Fairly GoodMothers… through Vanco please contact Jim Vitale
Because momming is pretty (jimvitale@att.net) to discontinue your
Vanco donation.
tough.
Never have cash or check for special offer-
A group for busy moms juggling all the ings at church? We are adding a new giving
responsibilities of modern life. We will option just for you! Just text “give” from
your smartphone to (970) 400-1152 to get
meet once a month starting on Monday started. After a one-time setup you simply
February 4 at the Black Sheep (19.5 S Parish Ave) at 7 p.m. to
th
text an amount to the same number to give
support each other in living a life centered in Jesus’ teachings to our general fund at any time. You may
also give to special offerings by texting an
without losing any more of our sanity! Stay tuned for updates
amount followed by a keyword (ex: 100
about subsequent meetings. If you have questions, please Future) to donate to our Fund the Future
contact Daen Scott daenscott@gmail.com or Amy Sassano Campaign.
amylou57@hotmail.com
Current keywords: Future, JUMP, Special,
UMCORHUB, Youth.
The Johnstown United Methodist Preschool will be hosting their annual spaghetti dinner on Sunday, February 11 th
following the morning’s worship service. Lunch will begin following a short fellowship time after worship. As always,
our students will have made all of the table decorations and the meal will be prepared and served by the Preschool staff
and Preschool committee. YOU only need to come, eat and enjoy.
Donations will be accepted at the dinner. This is an annual fundraiser for the Preschool program and proceeds will be
used to fund the purchase of new playground equipment, as seen pictured on the following page. Our current
playground structures are over 15 years old, and not the quality commercial grade equipment, which our
licensing agency recommends. It is definitely time to upgrade, and we believe we can do it, with the support of
our church and preschool families and friends. The cost of the proposed structure is $6,000.00. Our goal is have this
purchased and in place prior to school beginning in the fall. Therefore, your support of this dinner and our program is
greatly appreciated! You may make a donation through the church, by texting your donation, placing it in the offering
plate and designating it for the Preschool, giving it to one of our J.U.M.P. staff members, or donating at the Spaghetti
dinner (lunch).
JUMP Registration for 2019-2020 school year has begun!
Registration for the next school year has already begun! Priority registration began January 28th and continues through
Sunday, February 3rd. Registration opens to the general public on Monday, February 4th at 8 a.m. at the Preschool.
Please share about our program with your friends and neighbors, encouraging them to check us out for their children or
grandchildren. YOU are our best advertising and we appreciate your support of our program in this way! Thank you!
J.U.M.P. Spaghetti Dinner fundraising goal: New commercial grade playground
equipment, as recommended by Human Services, our licensing agency.
The cost of this structure is
$6,000.00
We would like to be able to purchase
this and have it installed
prior to the 2019-2020 school year.
With your help, we can make this
playground equipment
a reality for our students!
Donations may be made at the Spaghetti
dinner, or given to any J.U.M.P. staff
member.
OR, to donate by credit or debit card, text
GIVE to 970-400-1152 $ Amount JUMP
INTRODUCING:
two upcoming
growth opportunities
A six week study
for anyone seeking to grow
meaningful, lasting love relationships.
Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m.
beginning March 5th.
Falling in love is easy, but staying in love takes courage, hard work, and lots of grace. In his compelling,
conversational style, Adam Hamilton explores the ups, downs, and how-to’s of marriage and how, with God’s
help, we can make marriage last. Drawing upon a survey of thousands of couples and singles, interviews with
relationship and marriage therapists, the latest research in the field, and wisdom from the Bible, Hamilton looks
at what it takes to create and sustain healthy, meaningful romantic relationships across the course of a lifetime.
Contents include: More Than a Piece of Paper, What She Wants; What He Wants, The Significance of Sexual
Intimacy, Habits That Hurt, Habits That Heal, Clothe, Bear With, and Forgive, A Love That Lasts a Lifetime.
The cost of the book is a suggested donation of $13. Please let Jayna know in the church office if you are
interested in joining this study, as books will soon be ordered.
Adult Sunday School Lenten Study
Beginning Sunday, March 10th at 8:30 a.m.
Every gift from God reveals his love, but no gift reveals his love more than the
gifts of the cross. These gifts came not wrapped in paper but in passion. They
were not placed around a tree but around a cross. They were not covered with
ribbons but sprinkled with the blood that Christ shed on our behalf. In this six
week Bible study, Max Lucado explores the many gifts that Christ provided to us
at his crucifixion. These include not only the gift of the cross, but also the gift of
the thorns that pierced his brow. The nails that tore his flesh. The seamless robe
that he removed for us. The empty tomb where he forever defeated sin and
death.
The cost of this book is a recommended $10 donation. Please see Kariann Bandy
to order your copy.
At Church, where does my money go and how does it get there? Sometimes, members of the congregation wonder just where
their gifts to the United Methodist Church of Johnstown go? Is it one big bucket of money? The answer is very simple, no. The
funds are carefully managed by the following Church’s financial people:
Financial Secretaries (Joyce Klein and Paul Winckel aided by their loyal counting minions) – count the money received,
identify what category it belongs to by your instructions and deposits the money in the Church accounts. More on that
later
Church Treasurer (Jim Vitale) – pays all the bills of the Church and transfers monies to specific accounts based on your
instructions
The above people’s actions are faithfully watched over by the Financial Committee, chaired by Roy Hucke.
There are multiple accounts within the Church to deposit the congregation’s gifts in accordance with each Church member’s
instructions. And I apologize that this is a bit lengthy but the management and security of your gifts is Job-One to the Finance
Committee staff and volunteers. We work hard to earn and keep your trust, every day.
Keep The Lights On – This account pays the bills of the Church and Parsonage; from utilities, maintenance, phones, internet
and staff salaries. This funding is managed by our Administrative Council’s approved annual budget. It is also the most flexible
allowing the Ad Council to adjust financial support when new needs arise. In addition, it provides some funds for the Church’s
various committee expenses including books and materials for Children’s Sunday School (adult Sunday school is self-
supporting), supplies for worship, church conference apportionment (tithe) and committee outreach from Publicity and Media. All
of these activities are vital to the basic operation of the Church twelve months out of the year. When Church members give their
blessed gifts to “Keep the Lights On”, this is where those funds go.
Funding the Future – Over eleven years ago, our Church took on a million-dollar project to improve our Church building by
covering the atrium, remodeling the food prep area and other changes. It was a tremendous success in improving the
functionality of our Church. The Church took out a $705,000 loan to pay for part of the project and we are proud to report that
within the next 12 months, that loan will be paid off. That has occurred due to the generosity of our Church Members through a
program called Pay the Mortgage. Over a year ago, we told the Congregation that the Church was facing five major
expenditures in the upcoming years. They are:
• Paying off the remaining mortgage
• Remodeling the Parsonage kitchen
• Funding future repair to the roof
• Paving the parking lot on the south end of our property
• Recertifying the Church’s full building fire suppression system
The estimate for these five projects was $275,000. As we were coming to the fourth 3 year “Pay The Mortgage” pledge
campaign, we increased the funding target for this fourth effort to $275,000 and renamed it “Funding the Future”. The idea was
to accumulate funds to payoff the mortgage and have funds saved so when it was necessary to complete the other four
projects, we would not have to borrow money from the bank. Going into year two of Funding the Future, we still only have 45%
of the target amount pledged. We have work to do.
Designated Funds – These funds are special in several ways, for example:
100% percent of the money given to a designated fund is spent for the purpose given, there is no administrative charge;
The person giving the gift tells the Church how the money will be spent
The purpose for which the gift is given cannot be changed by the leaders of the Church without the gifter’s permission
Some examples of designated funds are:
Memorials – monies held in someone’s honor either deceased or not. The monies stay in the custody of the Church
until such time as the Church or a representative of the gifter has a request for the use of the money in part or
whole.
Missions – monies are raised for a variety of purposes, for example mission trips by members of the congregation
helping disadvantaged people in various locations to donating water systems in Africa. Every year the
contributions from the Christmas Eve services are donated to Missions. They also have several fund-raising
efforts throughout the year.
Youth – monies are raised through fund raising and youth sales to fund activities for Youth of the Church.
Congregational Care – monies are raised through a variety of activities including the annual craft show. These
monies are used to help primarily members of the congregation in time of need or loss.
There are several other smaller funds like lectureship, shawl ministry, UMCOR Hub and Music. Again, like the four
above, 100% of all money given to a designated fun goes to that fund.
Note: money can be given at anytime to a designated fund. Just make note in the memo line of your check.
Endowment – this is a very special fund that was established as a place for members of the congregation to leave monies to the
Church upon their or a loved one’s death. It is not limited to those occurrences, because money can be given at any time. The
thing that is unique about funds placed in Endowment, the original gift (principle) is never spent. Only the income or interest
from conservatively investing the principle is spent annually and generally not all of that. The idea for many of our gifters is that,
for example, the $1,000 gift I give today will be generating income each year and can benefit a member of my family and
congregation fifty or hundred years in the future. My 6-year-old granddaughter sitting next to me today may have her daughter’s
mission trip funded in part from my endowment gift. God is Good!
I hope that this narrative has been informative and instructive to our congregation. If you ever have a question regarding the
finances of the Church, please do not hesitate to ask your Church Treasurer. If not at church, he is available to answer your
questions at Treasurer@johnstown.church
Thank you, Finance Committee
JOY CIRCLE—January 2, 2019
With music from our practicing choirs still ringing in our ears, nine Joy Circle members took down
Christmas decorations and packed them away. Then, settling down with hot drinks and Lorrie’s
scrumptious pecan rolls, sticky or not – our choice, we “got our last jitters out,” and prepared for a
quick business meeting.
A heads-up: The March meeting, as usually scheduled, would take place on Ash Wednesday. We will
decide at the February meeting if we should change our meeting date or follow an Ash Wednesday
service if there is one. Lorrie passed around the 2019 Reading program list. We did some adjusting of youth meal
assignments. Betty and Lorrie will plan our UMW Sunday service, which will be held on February 24, and will be using
the UMW pledge.
The Trustees have decided to purchase a coffee maker with a water line, but no coffee service plan attached at a cost of
approximately $500. Members were in agreement with their decision. The Jordans have purchased new soap dispensers
for our bathrooms.
Lorrie reported that 100 English and 100 Spanish paperback Bibles have been purchased for the Weld County Jail with
money donated by the congregation. She also sorted through and took books from the Rummage Sale. She suggested
that the Weld County Community Corrections facility (where clients are incarcerated, but with work release) could use
the $54 that was left for their library.
Our meeting wound down with expressions of concerns and then joys. The February meeting will be held on the 6 th at
8:00 if there is choir practice, 7:00 if there is not. Doris Leigh will provide both the program and the refreshments. All
women are welcome to join us in Christian teaching and learning where deep, heart-felt moments are common!
Let us not grow weary of doing what is
right, for we will reap at harvest time , if
we do not give up -Galatians 6:9
Hope Circle, January 10, 2019
Lynn P. and Betty M. served delicious refreshments to the 19 members in attendance for the first
meeting of 2019. Pastor Jeremy led devotions based on Mark 1: 9-11. We broke into small groups to
reflect on how God speaks to us.
Betty called the meeting to order. Jan E. reported sending four birthday cards for this month and
asked members to donate extra birthday cards if they have them. She passed around a card from Sandra Hays. The
minutes were read and approved. Treasurer’s report: Missions/$ 0, Sunshine/$0 and Adams B&T/$21.02. Hays receipts
turned in were $10,000. A coffee maker decision was made and purchased. It is the same as the one in Charlie’s Corner.
UMW business: Legacy Fund will celebrate 150 years on March 23, 2019. Locally we will celebrate Sunday, February
24th with UMW conducting the church service. Leadership meeting for UMW is Saturday, January 26 th at Longmont
Longs Peak Church.
Unfinished Business: Corrections and updates were made to the program booklets. A volunteer is needed for the
December program space. New Business: Sharon R. mentioned the upcoming Lenten Bible study beginning March 7 for
six weeks, excluding the week of Spring Break for the school district.
February 14th is the next meeting and will be hosted by Judy U. and Candi W. Betty will be in charge of devotions and
the lesson. Lynn gave the program on music in our lives…focusing on the hymn, Amazing Grace. Joys and Concerns were
shared and we gathered in our prayer Circle of Hope. All women are invited to our next meeting in the Gathering Place.February
3: No Youth Group...Super Bowl!
10: Spaghetti Dinner clean up @ 7:00 pm
We don’t build our lives on blank pieces of 17: Bowling @ 11:00
paper. We all start with some lines drawn in 24: Movie night @ 4:30
based on where we are born and to whom we March
are born. Some of these lines help us. Others, 3: UMW meal, Bible study @ 4:30
we have to break free of. It is up to each of us to 10: Escape Room, time is tbd
paint the unique picture that will be our life 16: Saturday, UMCOR Kit Building Party 10 am– 2 pm
based on the gifts we have been given. 24: No Youth Group. Spring break.
31: Youth Sunday @ 8:30 am
Sometimes it is easy, other times it is hard.
Thankfully, we don’t do it alone. God is with April
us every step and is continually showing us the 7: UMW meal, Bible study @ 4:30
amazing picture we are meant to become. 14: Easter Basket meal assembly and delivery @ 11:00 am.
21: Easter Weekend! Stay tuned for more info
Join us Sundays at 9:30 a.m. 28: Lip Sync competition @ 4:30
May
5: 5th grade step up @ 11:00 am
12: Mothers Day breakfast @ 8:00 am
19: Nerf battle @ 4:30
Look at our cool new polos
and sweatshirts! We will be
placing an order in February,
so if you would like one (or Did you miss a sermon?
many), please see Jayna in the
office. Order forms can be Don’t worry!
found on the table in the
Fellowship Courtyard.
Men or Women’s Polo: $36
Zippered Sweatshirt: $46
Trustee Request Forms
As our church grows, so does the work! Our
wonderful team of Trustees care for our building, the
grounds and so much more. If you have a Trustee
request, please fill out one of our new “Trustee
Request Forms”. They are located on a clipboard in
the Fellowship Courtyard. Thank you!You can also read
