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Brothers & Sisters in Christ:

With August having drawn to a close we are rushing headlong into autumn (my favorite season of the year!). School’s open (so slow down), the heat is, at least for now, not as debilitating, and it should be no surprise to you that I get a bit wistful. Yes, I know that I get wistful when we change the clocks forward and back and on…Tuesdays but bear with me for a moment.

This year, my sentimentality gravitates around gratitude. I have so many blessings to be grateful for that I would not even attempt to order them, but allow me to list several, again in no particular order.

• Salvation through Christ, the perfecter of my faith

• My sobriety, for without it nothing else is possible

• My wife, for the exact same reason

• Our adult children and their spouses

• Friends who never fail to surprise me with their love and support

• Ministry itself, because God continues to use this broken man to proclaim God’s Word

I am also immensely grateful for the opportunity to come to know and love you. You are a blessing in ways you may not realize; in fact, in ways I hadn’t realized before putting pen to page today. It is through you that I am privileged to see God’s hand at work in the lives of these two churches. Through you I am reminded that my ministry is only valid when I maintain a servant’s heart. Because of you I am able to stretch and grow in my own call to be a shepherd.

Who or what are you grateful for? Have you ever tried to create such a list? If not, what’s holding you back? If you have set about identifying all the gratitude you have (and then shared it with another), add the experience to your own testimony and then be willing to share it.

We will make disciples when we can freely offer the grace and mercy shown to us by Jesus to one another. In other words, we must exude gratitude for God’s blessings shown to us. We should

be excited by the prospect of witnessing to strangers. Not because we believe we can help them fix their lives, but because when we testify honestly and humbly, God helps others to see in us an example of the kind of redemption they’ve been seeking. It offers them hope (and perspective) regarding their own circumstances, good and bad. It makes scripture transform from literature into sacred instruction.

It makes them want whatever it is you possess as a result of the grace you’ve received. There is no evangelism as powerful as when someone hears their own story coming from your lips because it is also your story.

Let’s put our gratitude on display for anyone to see. Let’s take the bold step of sharing our own testimony, not because we see others as inferior to our piety, but because we may be the best evidence others will ever see of how this Christian thing works.

May God continue to bless you and yours, and may you never tire of being grateful for you have already received.

SEPT./OCT. 2019 CONTENTS Worship News .................................................. 2 Finance Summary ............................................. 2

The Digital Charge ........................................... 3

Charge News ..................................................... 4

Events: Evangelical UMC ............................... 5 Events: First UMC ............................................ 6

Birthdays to Note ............................................. 7

Bible Reading Plan ........................................... 8

Prayers of the Charge ....................................... 9 Reaching Out .................................................. 10

Kinzua Viaduct photo credits: Kyle Pollen

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WORSHIP NEWS

FINANCE SUMMARY

First UMC Monthly Budget $ Last Month Year-to-Date Surplus (Deficit)

Non-Designated $6,542.42 JUL $4,857.00 AUG $5,547.00 $49,570.87 $(2,768.49)

EUMC Monthly Budget $ Last Month Year-to-Date Surplus (Deficit)

Non-Designated $8,277.75 As of AUG 31, 2019

$7,872.75 As of AUG 31, 2019

$61,215.45 As of AUG 31, 2019

$(5,006.55)

Sundays at EUMC ⇒ Casual Worship @ 8:00 am ⇒ Sunday School @ 9:45 am ⇒ Traditional Worship @ 11 am Sundays at First UMC ⇒ Worship @ 9:30 am ⇒ Sunday School @ 10:40 am CHARGE UNIFIED Worship at FIRST ⇒ Sunday, September 29 @ 10 am ⇒ No other Services/Sunday School ⇒ Fellowship meal to follow

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THE DIGITAL CHARGE

Why Use E-Tithing? Secure – Your giving is secure, just like your credit/debit cards, because you use your credit/debit card Flexibility – You have options; make a one-time gift or setup a regular, recurring donation Value – You pay nothing to use the service and every dollar of your gift is accounted for on your year-

end statement

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CHARGE NEWS First U.M. Church Council Church Council met on July 19 and August 22.

• We received notice that the Equitable Compensation grant to help underwrite the pastor’s salary was approved for another six-month period.

• A Regional Charge Conference date has been set for Sunday, November 3, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Otterbein Church.

• A check for $1,000 was received from the Permanent Endowment Fund. This money will be applied toward the Western Pennsylvania Conference Camping Campaign.

Pastor Jeff Completes Courses For parts of two weeks in August, the pastor traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to complete his Course of Study. This is a real accomplishment and we congratulate him on his achievement. Handbells Have Returned Following a trip to the Malmark handbell factory, the bells have returned all polished, refitted and tuned. The bell choir would like to thank all those who have donated for the refurbishing of our bells. The Permanent Endowment Fund will help with any expenses not met by the donations. We are all looking forward to using our “like new” bells in September. Thank You Don & I would like to thank everyone for the cards we received with the passing of my brother. – Jane & Don Beers

Love, INC News You may have noticed that the Love, INC office is no longer across from TOPS Market. Love, INC of Brokenstraw Valley is now called Love, INC of Warren County. This enables us to reach more of the people who need help in Warren County. The new office is located at 308 Market Street in Warren. It is on the second floor of the building that has the replica of the St. Louis Arch in front. The phone number remains the same (563-3394). Press 1 for the Call Center or press 2 for the administrative office. Larry Dunkle is in charge of the Furniture Ministry. He said there is always a need for dressers and single beds.

Special Training for AED Machines Both churches of our charge have purchased AED machines for their sanctuaries. The Automatic Exterior Device would help in the case of a very serious heart problem. It is hoped that several members of both churches will be trained in utilizing this device in case of an emergency. The training will take place on Saturday, September 21 at 10 A.M. at the EUM Church. There is a $15 charge to help cover the cost of the training. Please let the office or pastor know if you will be attending the session.

Mary Martha Circle Mary Martha Circle will meet on Monday, September 9 in the home of Jane Balling at 2 p.m. Mary Martha Circle will meet on Monday, October 7 in the home of Beth Strickland at 2 p.m.

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EVENTS: EVANGELICAL UMC (Events for the full Charge are in Red)

Date Event Location September 4 Breakfast Before the Bell EUM Fellowship Hall September 4 Wesleyan Weekly Prayer Group @ 6 pm 2nd Street Parsonage September 11 Breakfast Before the Bell EUM Fellowship Hall September 11 Wesleyan Weekly Prayer Group @ 6 pm 2nd Street Parsonage September 15 Fellowship Sunday EUM Fellowship Hall September 17 EUM Council Meeting @ 7 PM EUM Chapel September 18 Breakfast Before the Bell EUM Fellowship Hall September 18 Wesleyan Weekly Prayer Group @ 6 pm 2nd Street Parsonage September 21 AED Training @ 10am EUM Fellowship Hall September 25 Breakfast Before the Bell EUM Fellowship Hall September 25 Wesleyan Weekly Prayer Group @ 6 pm 2nd Street Parsonage September 18 Food Pantry Distribution 11 am September 28 Unified Worship First Church October 1 EUM Trustee’s Meeting @ 7 PM EUM Chapel October 2 Breakfast Before the Bell EUM Fellowship Hall October 2 Wesleyan Weekly Prayer Group @ 6 pm 2nd Street Parsonage October 9 Breakfast Before the Bell EUM Fellowship Hall October 9 Wesleyan Weekly Prayer Group @ 6 pm 2nd Street Parsonage October 15 **NEWSLETTER DEADLINE** October 15 EUM Council Meeting @ 7 PM EUM Chapel October 16 Breakfast Before the Bell EUM Fellowship Hall October 16 Wesleyan Weekly Prayer Group @ 6 pm 2nd Street Parsonage October 20 Fellowship Sunday EUM Fellowship Hall October 23 Breakfast Before the Bell EUM Fellowship Hall October 23 Wesleyan Weekly Prayer Group @ 6 pm 2nd Street Parsonage October 26 Food Pantry Distribution EUM @ 11 am October 30 Breakfast Before the Bell EUM Fellowship Hall October 30 Wesleyan Weekly Prayer Group @ 6 pm 2nd Street Parsonage

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EVENTS: FIRST UMC

Date Event Location Sep 1 Communion Sunday Sep 2 LABOR DAY Sep 4 Prayer Group @ 6 PM 2nd Street Parsonage Sep 5 Handbell Practice @ 4PM FIRST room 107 Sep 7 Pie Sales at Wild Wind Art & Craft Show Warren County Fairgrounds Sep 9 Mary Martha Circle meeting @ 2 PM Jane Balling’s Home Sep 9 Trustees’ Meeting @ 7 PM FIRST Room 107

Sep 10 UMW Meeting @ 1 PM FIRST Room 107 Sep 11 Prayer Group @ 6 PM 2nd Street Parsonage Sep 12 Finance Meeting @ 1 PM FIRST Room 108 Sep 12 Handbell Practice @ 4PM FIRST room 107 Sep 16 N.O.W. Meeting FIRST room 107 Sep 18 Prayer Group @ 6 PM 2nd Street Parsonage Sep 19 Handbell Practice @ 4PM FIRST room 107 Sep 21 AED Training @ 10AM EUM Fellowship Hall Sep 22 Rouse Home Vespers @ 4 PM Rouse Home Sep 23 Rouse Manor Luncheon @ NOON Rouse Manor Sep 24 Church Council Meeting @ 2 PM FIRST Room 107 Sep 25 Prayer Group @ 6 PM 2nd Street Parsonage Sep 26 Handbell Practice @ 4PM FIRST room 107 Sep 29 CHARGE Unified Worship @10 AM FIRST UMC Oct 2 Prayer Group @ 6 PM 2nd Street Parsonage Oct 3 Permanent Endowment meeting FIRST room 107 Oct 3 Handbell Practice @ 4PM FIRST room 107 Oct 6 World Communion Sunday Oct 7 Mary Martha Circle meeting @ 2 PM Beth Strickland’s Home Oct 9 Prayer Group @ 6 PM 2nd Street Parsonage

Oct 10 **NEWSLETTER DEADLINE** Oct 10 Finance Meeting @ 1 PM FIRST Room 108 Oct 10 Handbell Practice @ 4PM FIRST room 107 Oct 14 Trustees’ Meeting @ 7 PM FIRST Room 107 Oct 16 Prayer Group @ 6 PM 2nd Street Parsonage Oct 17 Handbell Practice @ 4PM FIRST room 107 Oct 23 Prayer Group @ 6 PM 2nd Street Parsonage Oct 24 Handbell Practice @ 4PM FIRST room 107 Oct 27 Rouse Home Vespers @ 4 PM Rouse Home Oct 28 Rouse Manor Luncheon @ NOON Rouse Manor Oct 30 Prayer Group @ 6 PM 2nd Street Parsonage Oct 31 Handbell Practice @ 4PM FIRST room 107

(Events for the full Charge are in Red)

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BIRTHDAYS TO NOTE

September October Ryker Chase 2 Courtney Tremblay 2 Lea Etta Haight 9 Nancy Nelson 5 Dorothy Hannold 9 Sonia Probst 6 Kim Hoover 10 LaVoyce Dey 10 Dean Clough 13 Scott Green 12 Matthew Green 13 Martie Dare 13 Ray Kane 14 Tammie Sherrard 14 Shelby Proctor 15 AmySue Strickland 14 Karen Bires 17 David Schwanke 16 Lena Peterson 17 Martha Koehler 18 Seth Ecelberger 18 Decoda Shaffer 18 Aggie Polley 20 David Tremblay, III 21 Wayne Walton 21 Lydia Camp 22 Lisa Anderson 24 Bryan Lake 24 Wilma Trask 24 Earl Arnold 26 Jill Jackson 26 Janet Peterson 27 Phyllis Henry 28 Hunter Proctor 28 Allyson Peate 30

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BIBLE READING PLAN Tips on Reading the Bible Daily Set aside a specific time each day. Set your schedule and then stick to it. Mornings are great, but

feel free to use any time that works consistently for you. Read the Bible for the sake of learning, not simply to accomplish your next reading. Say a short

prayer to God before you begin, asking the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and understanding, then be refreshed by the words you read!

September October 1 Psalms 135-136; 2 Cor. 11:1-15 1 Ezek. 27-29; John 14 2 Psalms 137-139; 2 Cor. 11:16-33 2 Ezek. 30-32; John 15 3 Psalms 140-142; 2 Cor. 12 3 Ezek. 33-34; John 16 4 Psalms 143-145; 2 Cor. 13 4 Ezek. 35-36; John 17 5 Psalms 146-147; John 1:1-28 5 Ezek. 37-39; John 18:1-18 6 Psalms 148-150; John 1:29-51 6 Ezek. 40-41; John 18:19-40 7 Judges 1-3; John 2 7 Ezek. 42-44; John 19:1-22 8 Judges 4-6; John 3:1-18 8 Ezek. 45-46; John 19:23-42 9 Judges 7-8; John 3:19-36 9 Ezek. 47-48; John 20

10 Judges 9-10; John 4:1-30 10 Song of Sol. 1-3; John 21 11 Judges 11-12; John 4:31-54 11 Song of Sol. 4-5; Eph. 1 12 Judges 13-15; John 5:1-24 12 Song of Sol. 6-8; Eph. 2 13 Judges 16-18; John 5:25-47 13 1 Sam. 1-3; Eph. 3 14 Judges 19-21; John 6:1-21 14 1 Sam. 4-6; Eph. 4 15 Lam. 1-2; John 6:22-44 15 1 Sam. 7-9; Eph. 5:1-16 16 Lam. 3-5; John 6:45-71 16 1 Sam. 10-12; Eph. 5:17-33 17 Amos 1-3; John 7:1-27 17 1 Sam. 13-14; Eph. 6 18 Amos 4-6; John 7:28-53 18 1 Sam. 15-16; 2 Peter 1 19 Amos 7-9; John 8:1-27 19 1 Sam. 17-18; 2 Peter 2 20 Ezek. 1-2; John 8:28-59 20 1 Sam. 19-21; 2 Peter 3 21 Ezek. 3-4; John 9:1-23 21 1 Sam. 22-24; 1 Tim. 1 22 Ezek. 5-7; John 9:24-41 22 1 Sam. 25-26; 1 Tim. 2 23 Ezek. 8-10; John 10:1-23 23 1 Sam. 27-29; 1 Tim. 3 24 Ezek. 11-13; John 10:24-42 24 1 Sam. 30-31; 1 Tim. 4 25 Ezek. 14-15; John 11:1-29 25 2 Sam. 1-2; 1 Tim 5 26 Ezek. 16-17; John 11:30-57 26 2 Sam. 3-5; 1 Tim. 6 27 Ezek. 18-19; John 12:1-26 27 2 Sam. 6-8; 1 John 1 28 Ezek. 20-21; John 12:27-50 28 2 Sam 9-11; 1 John 2 29 Ezek. 22-23; John 13:1-20 29 2 Sam 12-13; 1 John 3 30 Ezek. 24-26; John 13:21-38 30 2 Sam. 14-15; 1 John 4 31 31 2 Sam. 16-18; 1 John

“The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly.” -Søren Kierkegaard

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PRAYERS OF THE CHARGE

Those in need of EXTENDED/CONTINUED Prayers *(SI) denotes Shut-In Philip & Pauline Baumgardner (SI) Jake DeSimone Laura Freeborough

Barb Hill (SI) Robert & Martha Koehler (SI) Mary Lou McKinney (SI) Don McNitt (SI) Midge Nelson (SI) Peg Peters (SI)

Aggie Polley Louise Rensma Jeanne Soliday (SI) Nyla Warner (Kreiger’s daughter)

Please pray for our missionaries on the field/missionary organizations/sponsored child

Missionary / Missionary Organization Serving In: Emma Herrick / Bethany International Ministries Tamale, Ghana – West Africa

Ben & Cathy Bidelspach /China Outreach Ministries Penn State University – State College, PA – USA Jonathan Long/One Mission Society Hungary Budapest, Hungary – Europe

Chuck Egbert/MMS Aviation Coshocton, Ohio – USA YEMS/Salvation Army

Second Harvest Food Bank Warren County Jail Ministry/Prison Ministry

Women’s Care Center of Warren Love INC UMCOR

Imagine No Malaria

Vision Trust (Sittipong Laokawee – Sponsored Child in Thailand) Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry

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REACHING OUT

Dear Friends, Our Change for Life Baby Bottle Campaign has come to a close and I wanted to share the amazing results of what God has done through you! …[This campaign] is what sustains us from year to year, as it is our biggest fundraiser! This 2019 campaign has provided us with 30% of our yearly budget! Once again, this year, God poured out his blessings through your faithfulness in filling a baby bottle with “a little bit of change” to the tune of $20,093.45!! And your congregation itself raised: [EUM $181.87 / FIRST UM $258.95] What an immense blessing that is! We do not take that for granted!! We appreciate each and everyone who takes the time to take a baby bottle every year to fill. As I sat and dumped bottle after bottle of change, I prayed a blessing over each person who had the heart to give. Please don’t ever think “It’s not much”! You are helping far more than you realize. *You* are helping us change lives! Thank you!! In His Service with You, Mary Brown, Director