Columbus United Methodist Church

222 S. Dickason Blvd. Columbus, WI 53925

August, 2011

In This Issue
Getting Past No Monthly Free Meal Liturgy in Bloom August Usher Schedule August Anniversaries August Birthdays Scripture Readers for August August Fellowship Time Schedule Mission Offering for August Give Love Team Rummage Sale Brie Sheard in Mission Upcoming Sermon Topics Sunday Childcare Provider Wish List August News & Notes: Children & Youth Ministries Calendar Page 2 Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 3 Page 3 Page 3 Page 3 Page 4 Page 4 Page 4 Page 4 Page 5 Page 5 Page 5 Page 6

Our purpose is to: Follow Jesus Together We do this by: Opening our hearts to people and to Christ in worship and fellowship, so that we know God and each other more fully, Opening our minds to deepen our Christian faith, understand our heritage, and think together to solve common problems, and Opening our doors in welcome and hospitality, even as we go out of those doors to invite people into God's church and be in service to all of our neighbors everywhere.

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Getting Past No
No is a two-letter word with great power. Toddlers learn this. You can stop things, and gain some control with this simple word. Unfortunately, during the terrible twos children use the word more than they need to. No is still a good word when it applies to illegal drug use and legal drug abuse. No is an appropriate word to use when tempted to respond in anger, or begin to feel jealous. No is a good word to use when were tempted to buy beyond our means. But no can also stand in the way when God calls us. No can prevent us from experiencing the full grace of God. No, when said to another person, can cut off a conversation that might have been of benefit, or deprive us of the blessing of knowing them. A travel guide to the US says that Americans dont really mean it when they say, Lets do lunch sometime. Its really a polite way of saying no. We may often say I cant, when we really mean I wont. Our faith is more often about saying yes than saying no. Our faith is about saying, I can, I will. It is saying, with the prophet Isaiah, Here I am, Lord. Send me. If we really believe that God is good, and that God is love, what have we to fear by stepping out on faith? Can we say yes to the adventure of deeper faith in God? Or do we say no because were not quite sure Jim

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Monthly Free Meal

Several members of our church are interested in offering a monthly free meal to those in the community who would find it helpful. Wed want to offer it at the end of the month, when money for many families gets low. If you are interested in the idea, and would like to participate, please contact Pastor Jim or Mike Toth.

Liturgy in Bloom
Liturgy in Bloom is looking for help! If you have a creative gift and would like to help decorate the sanctuary, please sign up for this ministry. There is an opening in the January/ February 2012 slot. This is an ongoing ministry. If you are interested or have any questions, please sign up below or call Dorothy Hake at 3500083.

The Voice is the monthly newsletter of the Columbus United Methodist Church. Please send all correspondence to: PO Box 392, Columbus, WI 53925-0392. Pastor: Jim Cotter Secretary: Wanda Guenther Church Office......920-623-3625 (Office Hours: Monday thru Friday from 10-3) Pastors home phone......920-623-9641 E-Mail: columbusumc@wisconsinumc.org Website: ............................. www.cbusumc.com Pastors E-Mail: jcotter@wisconsinumc.org

Through Friday, August 26th, the church office will be open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The church office will be closed on Mondays.

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August Usher Schedule

August 7th: August 14th: August 21st: August 28th: Orville & Beverly Karow and Lyle & Louise Elske Jim & Judy Vale and Marlo Gaddo Tim & Julie Jensen and Dan & Beth Burnard George & Rita Jordan and 1 Volunteer Needed 1

Happy August Birthdays!

Brian Hamilton Susan Williams 3 Genese Brisky 4 Julie Jensen Anna Stover 5 Roger Meyer 9 Larry Baker Kara Rake-Premo 12 Jack Basten Dorothy Harris 13 Alex Bodie 15 Dawn Ban Nicole Groh Barbara Mielke 16 17 18 19 22 23 Richard Sheard Shirley Felland Jennifer Derr Heather Hauge Audrey Kasmiski Mary Carpenter Jayden Prietz Troy Wusterbarth 24 Jasmine Rake 25 Debbie Braund Kelsey Hoffman 31 Mildred Henke Jim White

Scripture Readers for the Month of August

August 7th: Mary Baker

August 14th: Della Dartt August 21st: Ron Balfanz August 28th: Winfred Mandody

No matter our size, shape, complexion, or age, each one of us matters to God.

August Anniversaries
8/4 8/6 8/14 8/21 8/28 8/31 Kristopher & Amber Caswell Gary Lane & Rhonda Miller Samuel & Kimberly Cotter Ken Kicinski & Gail McCoy Dick & Beth Mortimer Kermit & Margaret Barnhart James & Marianne Cotter

Fellowship Time Schedule August Volunteers

August 7th: August 14th: August 21st: August 28th: Jim & Judy Vale The Glasbrenner Family Rita Jordan Eileen Bennett

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AUGUST Mission Offering: Crisis in the Horn of Africa
Years of drought in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti have escalated in recent weeks, causing widespread hunger and, in two regions of southern Somalia, famine. According to the United Nations, todays drought is the worst the region has seen in half a century and has left an estimated 11 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. It has provoked acute malnutrition and death, especially among children and other vulnerable populations. Somalia, where relief efforts have been hampered by ongoing violence and war, has seen tens of thousands of its weakened citizens flee to neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia. The Somali population in three refugee camps in Dadaab, Kenya, has increased by more than 30 percent in recent weeks, to 400,000 people. Nearly half the Somali population3.7 million peopleis estimated to be in crisis, the UN said; most2.8 millioncan be found in the war-torn southern part of the country, where the violence has impeded the work of food agencies for more than a year. If the effects of the drought are not checked, famine could spread to the rest of southern Somalia within two months. UMCOR is working with its partners, ACT Alliance, Church World Service, GlobalMedic, and Muslim Aid, to act as quickly and as comprehensively as possible. Your help is urgently needed. Please give to UMCOR for the Horn of Africa Crisis. Your Missions Committee

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Give Love Team

Would you like to be part of a team who provide meals for people at particular times of need, like when a baby is born, when a family member is in the hospital or after a death? You neednt provide the whole meal if you want to work with another person, thats possible, too. The idea of this ministry is not only to help others out, but also to make new acquaintances, and strengthen ties within the church. If youd like to be on this team, you may sign up on the clipboard passed at church, or talk to Dawn Balfanz, 608-225-6006. You never know what impact you may have.

Rummage Sale
We will have a rummage sale this fall on October 14th and 15th. Its time to start rounding up all of those items that you can no longer use. Tim Hoffman and Roger Venden will be available to pick up heavier items. If you have questions about whether we can use an item, please call Tim Hoffman (6232830home; 623-5880work) or the church office. Watch future bulletins and newsletters for more information.

Brie Sheard in Mission

Brie Sheard, who grew up in our congregation, is now in Vienna, Austria, doing work in spreading the good news of Christ Jesus. If you would like to check in on her living and working there, you can visit www.brieinvienna.blogspot.com.

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Upcoming Sermon Topics
Sunday, August 7:

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Holy Communion, 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 On the Resurrection of the Dead (John Wesleys sermons, reinterpreted) Jeremiah 17:9, 1 Corinthians 3:18-23, Ephesians 2:1-10 The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart (John Wesleys sermons, reinterpreted) Mark 15:16-39 Compassion and Somalia Ephesians 1:4-10 Finding Christ at the Center: Receiving Grace

Sunday, August 14th:

Sunday, August 21st: Sunday, August 28th:

Sunday Childcare Provider

We have been blessed, over the last four years, to have Brenda Link as our Sunday Morning Childcare provider. For family reasons, she has resigned from the job. We are looking for a mature, responsible child care provider to work with children ages 0-5 in church nursery, 2-3/4 hours each Sunday. The job includes maintaining records and communicating with parents. Background check and references required. The pay is $35/week. Those interested may contact the church office.

The Wills & Gifts Committee of our church is pleased to present you this Wish List. If there are any additional items you believe should be on this list, call the church office at 623-3625. These are opportunities for special giving. Columbus United Methodist Church Wills & Gifts Wish List Bulletin Sponsor VOICE Sponsor Donations to Building Fund for new library/ music room roof Ceiling tiles and insulation for library/music room Child care for Praise Band Rehearsals Wellness FundCounseling New Advent Candle Wreath Stand Snowblower Light-weight tables for the sanctuary Youth Ministry Video Kit/Curriculum $200.00 $15.00 per week Various Amounts $15.00 per week $50.00 per month

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August News & Notes: Children and Youth Ministries Coordinator

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Our Summer Sunday School format continues with videos, snacks, crafts and art projects based on the scripture focus of the day at our regular 10:30 time slot. We hope our students will be able to accompany the Praise Team with our rhythm instruments during the opening Worship for the 10:30 service. Family Friendly Friday Film is August 12th at 7 pm Join us as we present the delightful animated film - Land Before Time-Escape From The Mysterious Beyond.. Set in prehistoric times, this tale of a group of young dinosaur friends is centered on their lives as they journey through new exciting adventures, lessons to learn, and songs to sing. Children of ALL ages will enjoy this film! Bring a friend. Volunteer to help with snacks or provide snacks. We appreciate your help. Vacation Bible School!! This special three day event will be held on August 22, 23 and 24th. Traditional Bible School is 8:30 am to noon and then Adventure Day Camp from noon to 6 pm. The Theme is Inside Out & Upside Down on Main Street. Each day the children will learn a Parable that teaches an important quality of Christian life. There will be five concepts taught and reinforced throughout the three day event. From singing songs at the Sidewalk Celebration at the beginning and end of each day, to Parable Productions where they act out and experience the days story, to the Fun factory for crafts and projects, Firehouse Fitness for games, and Brown Bag Bistro for snacks, the daily Word on the Street is reinforced in the childrens activities. Registration forms will be available at church August 1st. Forms can also be e mailed to you by request. Contact me at marycyc@cbusumc.net. Day Camp Adventure will include lunch and afternoon snack. There will be a $10 fee (if able) for this part of the day to cover costs. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We need people to teach, assist, help with music, provide food for snacks and lunch, serve snacks and lunch, clean up duties, plan and prepare crafts/rooms/sets/materials prior to event, as well as help with publicity and enrollment tasks. Watch for Clip Boards during Worship!! (they will be in Office during the week as well) Financial donations are always appreciated. It takes lots of resources to provide a great VBS program. !!!

.From Ann Weems book Reaching for Rainbows Balloons belong In Church ..I celebrate children who are so busy living they dont have time for our hang-ups, And I celebrate adults who are as little children. I celebrate the person who breaks up the meaningless routine of life, The person who stops to reflect, to question, to doubt, The person who isnt afraid to feel, The person who refuses to play the game. I celebrate anger at injustice. I celebrate tears for the mistreated, the hurt, the lonely. I celebrate the community that caresthe church. I celebrate the church. More from this reading next month on celebrating the church!! God bless you!! Love, Mary Baker

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Columbus United Methodist Church
PO Box 392 Columbus, WI 53925-0392
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Upcoming events you might want to know about!

Sunday, August 7th:

9:00 a.m.Traditional Worship/Communion 10:00 a.m.Fellowship Time 10:30 a.m.Sunday School 10:30 a.m.Contemporary Worship/Communion August 12th: 7:00 p.m.Family-Friendly Friday Night Film

Friday,

Tuesday, August 23rdThursday, August 25th:

8:30 a.m.NoonVacation Bible School