The Owego United Methodist Church, 261 Main Street, Owego, NY 13827

The Flame

The Owego United Methodist Church, 261 Main Street, Owego, NY 13827

Telephone: 607-687-2417Email:

Website: Articles to:

The Flame may be read on our website owegoumc.org – if you are not

receiving your newsletter by email and wish to do so, please let the church

office know so we can add you to the list. Thank You!

Purpose Statement: Who We Are – The people of the Owego United Methodist Church are being transformed by the biblical message and the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, so as to grow and flourish as children of a loving God.

What We Are Called to Do – Our purpose is to use God’s empowering spirit through acts of faith, fellowship and service to share Christ’s love that we may be a blessing to the world for the glory of God.

Senior Pastor: Rev. James W. StevensEditor/Typist: Deborah Borrelli

OUMC Worship Schedule – July/August 2016

July

Sunday, July 3, 2016CommunionWorship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture:2 Kings 5:1-14

Sermon:“Such a Simple Thing”Rev. James W. Stevens

Sunday, July 10, 2016Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture:Luke 10:25-37

Sermon:“Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions”Rev. James W. Stevens

Sunday, July 17, 2016Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture:Luke 10:38-42

Sermon:“Hmmmmmmmm”Rev. James W. Stevens

Sunday, July 24, 2016 Worship Times: 8:15 in Sanctuary

10:30 worship – outdoor Church service and picnic

Scripture:Luke 11:1-13

Sermon:“You Rang?”Rev. James W. Stevens

Sunday, July 31, 2016Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture:Luke 12:13-21

Sermon:“Grain and Gain”Rev. James W. Stevens

OUMC Worship Schedule – August 2016

Sunday, August 7, 2016CommunionWorship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture:Luke 12:32-40

Sermon:“Ventricular Thought”Rev. James W. Stevens

Sunday, August 14, 2016Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture:Luke 12:49-56

Sermon:“But He Seemed So Nice”Rev. James W. Stevens

Sunday, August 21, 2016Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture:Luke 13:10-17

Sermon:“Jealousy, Hypocrisy, Humility”Rev. James W. Stevens

Healing Service

Sunday, August 28, 2016Worship Times: 8:15 & 10:30 am

Scripture:Luke 14:1, 7-14

Sermon:“Jealousy, Hypocrisy, Humility II”Rev. James W. Stevens

Statement about the tragic shootings in Orlando, Fla.

Once again we are witnesses to unimaginable and horrific violence that has claimed the lives of over fifty people and injured dozens more. This time it has happened in Orlando, Fla. I invite you to join me in prayer for the families and friends of those killed, that God would bring comfort in the midst of despair. Let us pray for God's healing touch upon those who are dealing with physical injuries and emotional trauma. Let us pray for our United Methodist sisters and brothers in the Orlando area as God uses them to be the presence of Christ in the midst of this tragedy.

Days like this remind us that evil is real and darkness is a part of the world in which we live. As people who claim faith in Jesus Christ, we know the light, we have been changed by the light and we are called to offer the light of Christ to the world. Let us seek the ways we can be the very tangible hands and feet of Christ, following and living the Gospel message. Let us seek ways to be bold in proclaiming the name of Jesus and inviting others to experience the transformation that only Jesus can provide.

Our world needs the good news - let us be people of good news! Our world needs Jesus - let us be people who invite others to know the One we know. In the midst of violence, let us not shrink from the hope we have in the one we call Savior. May we not shrink from offering the hope of Jesus to a world in desperate need. Spiritual forces of darkness will not have victory - the victory has been won in Jesus the Christ!

Lord, in your mercy comfort those who mourn, touch those who need your healing and provide peace in the midst of fear. Lord, in your mercy allow goodness to overcome evil and light to pierce the darkness.

--Bishop Mark J. Webb

Summer is upon us!

As I write these words we’re getting ready for Strawberry Festival, and still the words are true. How much more so when you receive this in July? So let me pose this question to you… what is worship going to look like for you this summer?

After completing my 33rd year of ordained ministry in June, I have come to recognize certain characteristics of worship. Following the first year – when the new minister arrives, and people are curious about who/what/how he/she is – you can count on decreased summer attendance. This in spite of the snowbirds who have flown home in the Spring. You could account for this variance by saying, “people are on vacations and gone from the area.” Logical, to be sure, but the INCREASE in attendance during the summer when a pastor first arrives sort of destroys that logic, doesn’t it? I refer to that bump as “the reed in the wind” phenomenon (Matthew 11:7, Luke 7:24).

When I first came, I loved you simply because God had given you to me to love as your pastor. Now, indeed, as I’ve come to know this congregation, I love you even more. Enough that, I’m gonna dun quit preachin’ and go to meddlin’. (If you don’t know that joke, I’ll tell it sometime to be sure…) So let me ask you, what does summer mean to you? Specifically, is summer vacation time away from God? For so many, the answer to that question is a clear and resounding YES! Blessedly, God doesn’t take vacations from us, does He? Why in the world do we see summer as a time to sleep in, dodge church, and turn Sunday into a day to “get things done” that we can’t seem to find time for at any other point. That attitude might cause a more cynical person to question the foundation of our faith itself, might it not? Even during those times when we ARE out of town, do you take time to worship at some level? You know, the most important worship you engage in may well be some Sunday morning on the road to the beach or Grandma’s house when you talk about some aspect of faith, particularly your own faith journey with your children as you travel along. A personal example if I may: While driving with the kids one dark and somewhat foggy night on a four-lane road, we were talking about our nature – spiritual and physical. I said, “the body (physical) is like the car we’re in, and the spirit is like the driver. So you see, if the driver decides to turn the car” – at this point I changed lanes, and had a deer fly over the hood of the car. Had I not been preaching to the kids at that point, and stayed in my lane, the deer would have landed right in my face – at 55 mph. Interestingly enough, the worshipful atmosphere increased for all of us…

Please don’t take a vacation from God this year. Please. He SO deserves your worship and your presence and your love, and you NEED it. Commit yourself to that even now, and we will celebrate together!

Love in Christ,

Rev. Stevens

Ugly Tie Contest for men

Ugly Hat Contest for women

Potluck luncheon – hot dogs, hamburgers and Dortheans furnishing drinking & paper products.

Family games for one & all by the Joe Hodges family!!

Bring your lawn chairs and dish-to-pass!

______

You are invited!!

Owego United

Methodist Church

Saturday, August 20

11 am – 4 pm

for a

Family, Faith, & Fun Day!

Games ... Crafts ... Music

Chicken BBQ

Bake Sale

Face Painting

The Balloon Man

And more!

A Different Look at the Ocean

If you travel to Ocean City, MD, you’ll see Randy Hofman’s sand sculptures along the boardwalk, like the one above. One is more spectacular than the next – and reminds us of whose we are, even when we are on vacation.

______

Dear Methodist Church friends,

The Friends of the Coburn Free Library again held successful book reviews on four Wednesdays in April at the Methodist Church.

As has been the custom since first using your facility for the reviews, this year again a larger number of people consistently attended the book reviews and enjoyed their light lunch each week. The space is perfect. We hope you will continue allowing the Friends to host the book reviews again next year in April.

Thank you very much! Carolyn Wright, Treasurer

~~~~~~~

Thank you for all the prayers, cards, notes, inquiries, etc., during my recent illness, surgery and recovery. And an additional thanks to all of those who participated in the laying on of hands on April 24th. As it says in James 5, “and let them pray, anointing with oil in the name of the Lord.” “And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

Nelda Lynch

Dortheans

Thank you for supporting our Strawberry Festival bake sale by baking and/or purchasing delicious foods!

The sale was very successful, and all proceeds will go to the Parsonage Committee to be used for much needed items.

Mark your calendars

July 24 – Outdoor Church service and picnic

The 10:30 service will be held outdoors on the side lawn of the Wesley House, followed by a potluck luncheon. Our OUMC Men will be grilling hotdogs and hamburgers, and our famously hospitable Dortheans will furnish the drinking and paper products.

There will be an Ugly Tie Contest for the men and a Silly Hat contest for the women. Contestants may enter either a store-bought item or make one of their own inspired creations. Family games for one and all will be coordinated by the Joe Hodges family.

So, bring your lawn chairs, a dish to pass, and your fantabulous tie or hat and come on out this day ready to have a great time together!

Any questions may be directed to Melody Patterson (607) 972-3008 or Kathy Stevens (585) 519-1840.

NOTE: On this day, the 8:15 service will be held indoors as usual.

August 20 – Family, Faith, and Fun Day for the community from 11:00 to 4:00 at the church. Look for details. The Dortheans have been asked to host a bake sale during this event, so again, your donated items will be much appreciated. Please bring your items to church on Friday, the 19th or by 10:00 on the 20th.

September 21 – the Dortheans’ regular meeting at 1:00 p.m.

October 6 and 7 – Fall Rummage Sale – details to follow

October 22– Harvest Dinner and Country Store – details to follow.

We thank you for supporting two of our latest Missions projects.

• With your generous help, we donated 60 soap products to Tioga Rural Ministry for their Soap for Hope collection.

• With donations from the Family Outreach Committee, the Missions Committee, and your generous help, we donated 527 diapers, 417 diaper wipes, 10 tubes of diaper rash ointment, and 1 each lotion, baby wash, and shampoo to the Kids in Need of Diapers (KIND) project sponsored by the Owego Baptist Church. The church is open on the 4th Saturday of every month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. for people to stop in and receive these needed items. The project director has invited our congregation to stop in to see their operation during these hours. Future donations, volunteer to help, and suggestions are always welcome. If you are aware of any family which could use this type of help, please pass along the information.

We have two on-going projects.

• FOOD PANTRIES - The two local food pantries need non-perishable food items. Please place them in the box on the Missions table in Fellowship Hall.

• GARDEN SHARE – We have had some plants already brought in this spring – and we will be happy to have extra product from your gardens. These can be placed in the container on the Missions table in Fellowship Hall.

We know that school has just been let out, but we’d like you to think ahead – to when school supplies go on sale this summer. We will need the following items for SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR HAITI. Please read the list for some things have changed.

ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED

Yellow or white lined 8-1/2 x 11 padsPackages of note paper

12” rulersSpiral-bound notebooks

PencilsPens

Boxes of colored pencilsCrayons

Blunt scissorsMarkers

Pencil sharpeners

Erasers

Real Maple Syrup

Mark Your Calendars

OUMC Family Pancake Breakfast

Men, women & children - all are welcome!

Saturday, July 9, 2016

and

August 13, 2016

in OUMC Fellowship Hall

8:00 am to 10:00 am

$5.00 - Adults - $3.00 ages 12 and under

Sponsored by OUMC Men’s Group

Questions/directions – call the Church Office at 687-2417

Knowing OUR CHURCH

OUMC Trustees

Ken Patterson, Chairman

The Board of Trustees is made up of nine members. Currently they are Ken Patterson, Chairman; John Milligan, Vice-Chairman; Kevin Cumm, Secretary; Cathy Larcheveque, Treasurer; Jack Spaulding; Glen Alpaugh; Nikki Schreiner; Rob Barnhart; and Natalie Hodges. Rev. Jamie Stevens serves as the Church Administrator, and Sandy Berwald serves as the Assistant Church Administrator.

This Board is responsible for all the maintenance and upkeep of all the properties owned by the church. Much of the work is done by the many volunteers we have in the church; much of it is done by the trustees themselves.

Sometimes, we have to call in professionals to do the work we cannot handle, and that costs money. We depend on our church family to supply these monetary needs, and we are very grateful for such a giving family that supports us. We thank you!

Sometimes these donations are just not enough, and we have to reach out to others for help, i.e., after the 2011 flood. We received hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and donations to rebuild our church.

This year we are seeking grants to put a new roof on the Barton Education Building, which will cost about $25,000. We are also looking to replace the Lexan panels that protect our stained glass windows – at a cost of $70,000. As always, we are working on many other projects also.

The Trustees will continue to keep our wonderful church in good working order. I thank God for such a great group of dedicated men and women who make up this Board.

Ken Patterson, Chair

For the September Flame

Sunday, August 21, 2016

ANSWERED PRAYER

I never cease to be amazed by our God, that all-powerful, all-knowing, always-present God that we praise and worship. Several weeks ago, people prayed over me, specifically for my hearing. I don’t know if you all know this, but I have hearing aids in both ears. I said, “Great. Let’s get this done. It’s about time for me to get new hearing aids, and these things are expensive!” (Okay, I may not have said it, but I thought it.) So they prayed. And I felt the Holy Spirit as they prayed. And I felt the presence of God. And I felt the hand of Jesus as they touched my ears. The power of that experience is indescribable!

Well, nothing has changed in my ears. I still can’t hear well when I take my hearing aids out. I have to turn up the music or tv louder; I have to say “Huh?” to Joe six times before I hear what he says.

But what I did notice is a difference in my hearing my heavenly Father when He speaks to me. He can whisper to me, and I know it’s Him. It’s like a shout. Deborah, I’m speaking to you! So, even though my physical hearing is still the same, my spiritual hearing has vastly improved!

Now, I’m not saying God can’t change the physical, because He can! And He does! He may someday change my physical hearing so that I don’t need hearing aids or to say “Huh?” to Joe when he talks to me. And when He does, I’ll say, “Hallelujah!” (because these things are expensive). But, I’m ok. I’d much rather have my spiritual hearing healed than my physical hearing.

Thank you, God! Thank you for healing my spiritual ears.

~~~~ your sister in our Jesus,

Deborah

1.

2.

3.Con Kishpaugh

Amy Palinosky

4.Ken Cornwell

Julissa Heil

Paige (Heil) Hamilton

Jenn Milligan

5.Sean Berwald

6. Emily Murphy

Ken Smith

7.Nathan Arnold

Kristen Kallin

Makenna Kallin

8.Mallory Worthing

9.Aaron Taft

10.Dara Dunbar

11.Matthew Arnold

Allan D. Bishop, III

Marcia Johnson

Dan VanDeMark

Bob Vergason

12.Bill Kilmer

13.

14.

15.Raven Worthing

16.Margaret L. Marshall

Trina (Ott) Smith

Ed VanDeMark

7/16

17.Nathan Cronk

18.Ruth Morse

19.Evan Christ

Noah Christ

Nathan Zimmer

20.Karen Harper

Sandra Jordan

Judy Rogers

21.Maureen Colmer

Kathleen Pitcher

22.Sam Decker

Melissa (Wright) Aubel

Patrick Bidwell

Heather (Lawrence) Pecora

24.Ted Cumm

25.Todd Kishpaugh

Collin Wickizer

26.

27.

28.Fran Shields

Matthew Wood

29.Anthony Thomas

30.

31.

1. Marilyn Ochs

Alexandra Aubel

1. Robbie Kilmer

Derrick Williams

1. Isaiah Bishop

Oliva Bishop

Rachel Dimick

1. Thomas Ackerman

Thomas Dimick

Ryan White

Kristie Wicklund

Patricia Williams

1. Cameron Neira

Patricia Ott

Patricia Rowland

1. Ethan English

Jordan Hall

Nathan Sokol

Patricia Tiffany

Anna Hodges

1. John Rhodes

1. Justin Arnold

Clifford A. Brooks

Lexi Lavin

1. Charles Williams, IV

1. Jim Hines

1. David Arbes

Joan Crown

Anna B. Lee

Alice Smith

12.

13.

14. Kristen Neary

Eric Riddleberger

Marlene Sherman

15. David Dewey-Wright

8/16