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THE MESSENGER
The Monthly Newsletter of
UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
Address: 116 North Horace Avenue Thief River Falls, MN 56701
PHONE: (218) 681-4388 FAX:
(218) 681-4389
E-Mail: umctrf@wiktel.com
Website: www.umctrf.org Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pastor’s
Message for October 2008: “Halloween,
what do we make of it?”
October is quickly upon
us. The most celebrated day in October
is of course Halloween. I have had many
questions this year about a Christian view of Halloween. There has
even been a bit of controversy around town about Halloween and the
church. I would like to discuss this
question in this newsletter article. As
a part of this discussion, I will use portions of Anderson M. Rearick’s article from Christianity
Today. You will soon see that my
views on Halloween are quite moderate. I believe that we as Christians need not give up this day to those who wish to serve evil. I am reluctant to give up what was one of the
highlights of my childhood calendar to the Great Impostor and Chief of Liars
for no reason except that some of his servants claim it as his. However, we must all understand that we are
here to give honor, glory, and praise to
our Lord Jesus Christ. So, our
response must come from that point of view.
Remember how wonderful it was
to be with other children dressed up as what they might grow up to be, or what they wished
they could be? I remember costumes
of policemen, doctors, cowboys and princesses. All of us were brought together on equal footing, going from door to door
to be given treats and admired for our
creativity. How delightful to go to
parties where we would bob apples and enjoy brown cider and pumpkin cakes. Now some are pressuring us to give this all
up, and they use what is for some of us the most difficult argument to answer:
it’s the “Christian” thing to do. Why is
this not
the Christian thing to do? I cannot see
how playing games, dressing up, and bobbing for apples is inherently sinful. If our action and our intent is honorable,
why should it matter what day it is…
Some Christians shun make-believe all together. Such believers feel that a young Christian’s
mind should never long to be in lands where little men have fuzzy feet, dragons
breathe fire, and horses have wings.
Instead, they maintain that a Christian should be caught up in the here
and now of the “real” world. I have not
found any compelling argument to convince me that we should not use our God-given gift of imagination.
There are many people who claim
Halloween is evil because it bears a resemblance to the old pagan or even
Satanic rights. There is no question
that its roots are pagan, but when Christianity began to spread through Europe
things changed. Instead of fearing the dead spirits and demons that were near, Christians used this existing celebration
to point to Christ. Christians began
to celebrate and remember those who died
in the faith, the saints of the Church.
November 1st was All
Saints’ Day or All Hallows Day
and therefore the night before was All
Hallows Eve – Halloween.
Frankly, the same could be said about Christmas! There are deep pagan roots in the Celebration
of Christ’s birth as well. We have no
idea when Jesus was really born and pagans were already celebrating the winter
solstice, so why not teach about Christ instead! In the 17th century, because of its pagan
ancestry and because it was a Roman Catholic holiday (Christ-mass!), many Protestants decided that true believers
should not recognize Christmas. In
1620, our Pilgrim forefathers purposely started unloading the Mayflower on
Christmas Day to make the point to the crew that they were not going to observe such an evil day.
I have heard it said that
Halloween is no longer a Christian observance of All Saints’ Day and Christians
are more likely to act like pagans than pagans to act like Christians, so why
bother? Well, Christmas is seen by
millions as a secular holiday and many Christians act like greedy pagans, so should
we do away with Christmas?
I
am Not suggesting
that we even consider doing away with Christmas! I would hope
that more of us would lead lives that are honoring to Jesus Christ. I pray that each of us would have the faith
and confidence to live and to love openly. If we do
that, then Satan will not have even one day to call his own. Maybe
Christians should instead celebrate Halloween with gusto and in good
Christian joy! If we follow the traditional formula of
having a good time at his expense, Satan
will flee. (In the Service of
Christ, Phil)
Scheduled After
Worship on Sunday, October 5:
Open Forum to
Discuss our Accessibility Project!
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United Methodist
Church Non-Profit
Organization
116 Horace Avenue North U.S.
Postage Paid
Thief River Falls MN 56701 Bulk
Permit #118
Thief
River Falls MN 56701
Words to Live
By…Devotional
I am going home for a few days to see my family. As I say the words
“home” and “family,” I catch myself wondering what my definition of these two
words really are to me today. Technically, I have three families: one in my own
home, the second in the family I grew up, and third is the family of God. The
same context applies to with the word “home.” For some of us, home is
somewhere away from the family and vice versa. Confusing? Now let’s add what
Paul says about our “family.” We are all one big family in heaven and earth
named by our heavenly Father. Our real home awaits us in heaven. Until then, we
all seek and search for that loving embrace and acceptance from our earthly
homes and families.
So, what is the point? For me, every time I “go home,” I end up dealing
with certain emotions, feelings and thoughts. Some are pleasant and some are
not. Death, divorce and disease are just a few of those unpleasant ones that
have touched my family. However, there is also that family connection God has
put within all of us of a desire to spend time together and have fellowship.
For me though, I am most thankful for the family of Christ. As I look around my
life today, I realize that the friendships I have represent the family that God
has given me. I am so very thankful for the love and fellowship in the body of
Christ.
Even if our earthly families are not the most stable and strong, we can
be encouraged to know that our heavenly family is one in the Lord. It will not
matter when we get to heaven who did what to whom or how much pain was
involved. Our heavenly Father will take care of us all and home will be with
Him. The old saying says that, “home is where the heart is.” I believe that to
be true. If my heart is with Jesus, then there my home is also, not just with
Jesus in heaven but here on earth with His family. I love and appreciate my
family very much but I take much comfort in knowing that I have the greatest
family of all in the body of Christ.
UMC
October-Fest Coming Up!
On
Sunday, October 26!
After
Worship, the Education Committee and Friends Will Serve Pancakes and Sausages
in the Basement!
Also Offered on the Side…
Bakes Goods, Crafts,
and Pecans
PROCEEDS
FROM THE DAY WILL BENEFIT THE HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY FUND!
Don’t
Forget! The K-5 Fall Party also happens
that afternoon from
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.!
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QUESTION: HOW CAN YOU
HELP WITH YOUTH MINISTRY?
OPERATION
CHRISTMAS CHILD!
The Youth and Children in this church
will be packing boxes for the Operation Christmas Child project during
November. You are invited to furnish
shoe boxes, donate toward the project,
or help pack boxes!
TEAM
UP AS PRAYER PARTNERS!
Would you like to team up with a child
or youth in our church, with a promise to pray for the child and offer support
to him or her as you can? This ministry
was in place a few years ago, and you are free to keep your current partner or
latch on to another! You’re encouraged
to contact Marilyn at any time if you’d
like to participate in this program.
ASSIST
WITH OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS!
After-School and Evening Ministries,
Confirmation Class, Sunday School…etc!
How could you pitch in? Food, driving, lending your helping hands?
Possibilities are nearly endless! Inquire with Jenni,
Angela, Stacey, or Marilyn!
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Action
Four Africa update for September/October 2008
We are coming into the fall
season, but in Swaziland it is spring where farmers and communities are
planting their maize and vegetable gardens. Chief Ngebsceni
Dlamini told me his people are planting at the Walter
Project, with maize as the primary food, followed by cabbage, spinach, sweet
potatoes, beets, onions and pumpkin (which we call squash). They are
among the fortunate ones who have had assistance to receive garden seeds,
seedlings and teaching along with the water supply at our completed project,
now under the non-profit Action Four Africa umbrella. It is thanks to the
donations from you folks and friends from our church, along with donations from
others in the US and Australia.
This is toward the end of the
rainy season in Swaziland, but there should be sufficient rain to grow the
gardens in those areas decimated with drought over the previous 5 years.
Potable water is a real concern there, as we receive reports of children dying
of intestinal disease. I was saddened to hear of a 6-year-old orphan boy
who recently died, having eaten poison thinking it was food. Our next
project will be to provide water to a community with a large number of orphan
children. It will be a well for water (borehole) with a pump powered by
solar energy. This is most commonly the style used as nearly all of these
areas are beyond electric access. To date there are very few rural
communities with a clean, adequate water supply.
In the previous Messenger
I told you of the United Nations FAO (food and agriculture) being discontinued
as of July 31. John Weatherson was the
Emergency Coordinator of FAO in Swaziland. He chose to stay in
Swaziland, his home for many years, rather than to go with FAO to the same post
in Ethiopia. Since August 1st John has been busy beginning
full time work managing AFA. He met with several Aid organizations
who wish to use our Action Four Africa to carry out work they have
planned. These requests are mainly in the line of various water needs,
orphan garden/food and comfort projects, as well as aiding farmers. John
has submitted proposals as requested to these organizations. We expect
the work to begin during October, and will carry on from there. This work
will provide income to those John hires to work with him, thus providing
sustenance for many families.
For your information, King Mswati lll is presently in the US
at the UN meeting on AIDS where he will speak. The Swaziland Government
has worked diligently along with HIV/AIDS international organizations to try to
lessen the AIDS impact on their country. The OVC (orphan and vulnerable
children) number has climbed to 113,000 (over 12% of the 1.1 million
population) as of the last census in November 2007. Swaziland is a
democratic country where their national election was held this past week. There will be new
members of parliament and senators, and a new prime minister. King Mswati lll serves as the
overseer, like a CEO, of the government and has the power of veto, which
he has used very rarely. Swaziland recently celebrated their 40th
year of independence.
Together, with God’s
direction, all of us have accomplished much to help the orphan children in Ngculwini, Mbabane, and other communities. I feel
humbled by your generosity with funds to pay the bills, your prayers and
encouragement for John and me, and those we serve on the other side of the
world. Two weeks ago we received an offer of matching funds up to $5000,
and she asked it be used toward the water projects.
A week ago I received a call
from a family, an occasional donor in another state, stating they were sending
a check for $1500 for our project----and no, they did not know about the
matching funds! God is Great! Please consider how you and your
family may Bless these little children, even as you deal with rising costs here
for your family. You will be Blessed, as am I, in doing what God wants us
to do, to care for the less fortunate in His family.
Bonnie Van Schaick
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Ginny Owens Concert on October 4
At the TRF Evangelical Free Church
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
(6:30 concert)
Would you like to go? We hope to plan a
Fun Field Trip for our church family
(and if
enough of us respond) we can purchase
tickets at a group rate price of
$12.00.
IF YOU
WANT TO GO, YOU CAN RIDE ON THE CHURCH VAN!
YOUR
FRIENDS ARE VERY WELCOME!
FOR MORE
INFO PLEASE SEE JENNI ERIKSEN-LANE (OR MARILYN)
YOUTH
& CHILDREN’S NEWS!
FROM JENNI ERIKSEN-LANE:
I'm
super excited to be leading our youth
in Puppet
Ministry this year! We are going
to
have a lot of fun practicing skits, making
puppets
and getting to know each other.
We
are meeting a couple of times each month
and
will be doing skits for the Children's Moment during church a few times
throughout the year. Puppets is open to anyone in grades
3-8. If you are interested, please get in touch with me and I can
get you signed up. As always, you are welcome to bring a friend. I
look forward to a fun and educational year!
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FROM
ANGELA WESTLIN:
Great news! Cook and Share is starting again. (The first Tuesday
of every month.) This program is for K-5 grade. We will be cooking
something new and exciting, along with having a share time. While we are
sharing we are eating. I am so excited to get this opportunity to be able
to have some fun with the youth of our church. If there is ever a time
that you would like to join in the fun, just let me know.
Smiles, Angela Westlin
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MARILYN WEIR (EDUCATION COMMITTEE:
Our Sunday School Program is going full swing, with wonderful
attendance so far. We offer classes for
Preschool through Adult, plus Music & Praise Time for the kids. New additions for this fall session
include: An additional class for adults,
staffed nursery during the Sunday School hour, and a time of prayer and
fellowship for the Teaching Staff. A
recent study within our church indicated that we have 78 active Youth and
Children (from birth through Grade 12), and 39% of them are age Kindergarten
and younger! What wonderful seed
for our future. Hats off to those who
teach and care for all of them. You are
so incredibly valuable.
The
After-School Ministries for Elementary and Middle School students are beginning
in October.
Check
Out The Promo Featured in This Newsletter!
September
Notables…
Our
many talents helped to make up “The Body” during this past month. Special thanks to
the
following very faithful servants!
NURSERY
VOLUNTEERS:
Jenni
& Alexis Lane, Kelly Van Schaick, Jesse &
Stacey
Fuhrer, Matt & Christa
McDermott, Holly Haugen &
Michelle Janisch,
James & Heather Crandall, and Brandi Ose
SONG
LEADERS:
Erica Hanson, Kathy Paquin, and Brianna Geer
MULTIMEDIA
OPERATORS FOR WORSHIP:
Pat Dunning, Jim Van Schaick, and Marilyn Weir
ACOLYTES:
Malayna Wahl, Alexis Lane, Alex King, and Danielle Franke
CHILDREN’S
STORIES FOR WORSHIP:
Pastor Phil, Brianna Geer, Jim Van Schaick, and Kathy Paquin
SPECIAL
MUSIC FOR WORSHIP:
Kathy
Paquin, Donald Molskness,
Brianna Geer & Alexis Lane
OTHER MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN SEPTEMBER!
Those
who worked so hard at the rummage sale, and to all the shoppers & donors!
Those
who packed up and hauled excess rummage to help other worthy causes!
Those
who volunteered at Youth activities, furnished food, and planned ahead!
To
our wonderful Sunday School staff!
To
the Education Committee and Friends…a delicious breakfast on 9/7/08!
Kick-Off
Sunday Crew…muffin bakers and drink donors, kitchen help, and greeters!
Orvel, Pat, and Lowell…the pool table
looks great!
To
all the people who help do “heavy lifting” when needed…you’re such a big help!
For
Brandi Ose…you watch the wee ones at 9:00, so others
can study and fellowship!
Our
worship guests…your presence is a blessing!
Angela
Westlin…Children’s Church is ministry beyond measure!
To
those who spend countless hours volunteering in the building and on the
grounds!
To
all those who pray for the church on a regular basis!
Children’s Church:
For Kids from Preschool – Grade 5! Angela Westlin and others will take children in this age group to a special area of their own during the Sunday Sermon! While the rest of us hear the sermon, they head upstairs to view Veggie-Tales movies, and do related fun activity.
The Nursery Is Open!
For your convenience, the church nursery is now staffed through the Sunday School and worship hours! If you would ever like to volunteer in the nursery, please see Marilyn.
On December 7:
We’re having our Annual Christmas Concert at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7. If you would like to participate, please see Jan Ness or Marilyn. This is open to our church family, and to the community.
Looking Ahead:
Our 2008 Annual Church Conference is scheduled for Sunday, November 2. This will be held in the evening.
All church committees and officers are encouraged to submit your annual reports before that day. Also, the Staff/PPR Committee is traditionally asked to gather that evening as well.
Please plan to attend this open and very informative meeting!
Children’s Christmas Program:
Not to be confused with our Christmas Concert that is set for December 7!
The Sunday School Youth and Children’s Christmas Program will be held during worship on Sunday, December 14. Fellowship will follow the program.
Website Update:
Do you ever think to check our church website? How about submitting some photos? If you E-mail photos to the church office, they will be forwarded to our webmaster. Check it out!
www.umctrf.org
NOVEMBER 2:
Still in the discussion stages! That morning, we’re eating beautiful roast turkeys after church and prayerfully celebrating our blessings. Jot that date down!
Two Adult Classes!
Take your pick! Two Sunday School classes are now available for the grown-ups. Pat Dunning is teaching in the Fireside Room, and Pastor Phil leads another session in the Education Wing.
This happens at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday. Feel free to stop in!
With Sympathy:
Sincere sympathy is extended to Wayne Koland at the passing of his loving uncle, Ruben Arveson. Mr. Arveson passed away in Warren on Tuesday, August 26.
With Sympathy:
Sincere sympathy is extended to Key Teeters-Asp, at the passing of her dear stepfather, Patrick Barry. Mr. Barry passed away in Bemidji on Sunday, August 31.
With Sympathy:
Sincere sympathy is extended to Brad Norland, as he mourns his beloved grandfather, Orielle Norland. Mr. Norland passed away in Bemidji on Sunday, September 7.
Confirmation Class:
For all students in Grade 9 or above, who have not been Confirmed as yet. Taught by Pastor Phil! Meeting twice a month (6:30 – 8:30 p.m.) on Wednesday evenings.
Did You Read It?
If you have a copy of “Unbinding the Gospel”…this evangelism book discussion group will be meeting during October! (6:30 p.m.) on October 6, 13, 20!
Congratulations!
Our church family celebrates with Brittany Keller and Andy Hart, as they were united as husband and wife in our sanctuary on Saturday, September 27. Best wishes to this couple!
We Celebrate!
Our congregation congratulates April Scheinoha and Scott DCamp. They were united as husband and wife in our sanctuary on Saturday, August 30. Best wishes to this couple!
In October:
Our church drives Falls Delivered Meals from October 27 through October 31.
For Kids!
Fall Party for Grades K-5
Sunday, October 26
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
In the Church Basement
Led by Jenni & Angela!
Fun, food, and fellowship…full of that fall
feeling! Would you like to help?