(No) Substitute for God from Pastor Austin

God is love. 1 John 4:8 & 16

On Pastor Ann‟s last Sunday with us she shared with us a gift that I would like to share with those of you who were not present. As she introduced the song “(Love Will) Hold Us Together,” she reflected on the scripture passage that concluded my sermon. She noted that because we say “God is love,” she sometimes reads passages like Paul‟s famous treatise on Love, and substitutes “God” for the word “Love.” For example, “God is patient; God is kind; God is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. God does not insist on God‟s own way; God is not irritable or resentful; God does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. God bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. God never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

There is no substitute for Love. It is the greatest thing we can know, just as God is the greatest thing

we can know. Funny how it worked out like that (at least until we begin to realize all the funny ways that God works. These greatest things—Love and God—do not behave in the ways most humans understand greatness to behave.

Because God works in mysterious

ways, we need to use all of the available resources to help us understand God. There is a children‟s rhyme that calls out a poet who “doesn‟t even know it,” but poets who pontificate on Love, may be theologians without knowing it. Ann‟s simple word play exercise reveals hidden theological insights even in popular music.

“My heart's on fire. The flame grows higher. So I will weather the storm. Why do I care how much it may storm? I've got my God to keep me warm.” -Irving Berlin “God is a many-splendored thing.”

-penned by Paul Francis Webster recorded by The Four Aces and others

“I'd gladly walk across the desert

With no shoes upon my feet

To share with you the last bite

Of bread I had to eat

I would swim out to save you

In your sea of broken dreams

When all your hopes are sinkin'

Let me show you what God means.

God can build a bridge.

-The Judds Love Can Build a Bridge

July 2011

Our God & All People SUNDAYS

Coffee & Communion

Chapel 8:30 AM

Adult Sunday School 9 AM

Worship 10:15 AM

Child care provided during Sunday

School and Worship

the

newsletter

of

www.northmasonumc.org ◊ 360.275.3714 ◊ northmasonumc@qwestoffice.net

In this Issue

Ordination Pictures p. 2

July Activities p. 3

Ongoing Activities p. 4

Farewell Pictures p. 5

Calendar p. 7

and much more

Continued on p. 2

Page 2

“Let my God open the door To your heart.”

-Pete Townsend

“God is blindness. I don‟t want to see.”

-U2 Love is Blindness

“As I walk through this wicked world

Searching for light in the darkness of insanity.

I ask myself „Is all hope lost?

Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?‟

And each time I feel like this inside

It just makes me want to say

„What‟s So Funny

„Bout Peace, God, and Understanding‟”

-Elvis Costello

“And just before the flood comes

Just before the night falls

Just before the blood runs

Into the valley

Just before my eyes go

Just before it all blows to pieces

God throws a line to you and me.”

-Patty Griffin Love Throw A Line

“What do you love more than God?

-Dar Williams What Do You Love More than Love

“God Will Find a Way”

-Sam Cooke

“All you need is God.

Love is all you need.

-The Beatles

These examples are just a few of the insights God

is just waiting for us to find. This is just what

immediately came to my mind. There are certainly

many others. What songs do you know that can help

us better understand God and Love? Maybe we‟ll

sing one of your suggestions some Sunday. If we

collect enough good songs, we might compile them in

a future message. Share the love.

(top left) Pastor Ann, Bishop Grant Hagiya &

Pastor Austin

(top center) Bishop Grant Hagiya invoking

God's blessing upon the ordinates

(top right) Pastor Austin, Dist. Superintendent

Sharon Moe & Pastor Ann

(bottom left) With parents (L to R: Tom

Adkinson, Polly Sirr, Pastor Ann, Bishop

Grant Hagiya, Pastor Austin, Bob Sirr &

Lois Adkinson

(bottom right) Pastor Ann, Judy Mastick &

Pastor Austin

June 25th Ordination of Pastor Austin & Commissioning of Pastor Ann

Continued from pg 1

Page 3

5 Bob Anderson

7 Dona Chidester

17 Leon Hart

21 Jean Bonzer

21 Jon Theine

27 Linda Humphrey

27 John Wiechert

28 Marilyn Kerns

29 Betty Helm

30 Scott Roswold

31 Jason Barth

31 Houston Hamilton

31 Hunter Hamilton

July Birthdays

July

Anniversaries

5 Bill & Sherry Chisholm

6 Ken & Debbie Boad

9 Michael & Evie Deignan

11 Tom & Sue Miller

19 Jon & Kira Theine

27 Larry & Jean Bonzer

27 Wally & Jo Ewart

July Activities

Women Wonder is a group of women from

NMUMC who meet regularly to connect as people of

faith and deepen our relationship with each other. We

meet the first and third Mondays of each month. The

first week is the book discussion and the third week is

a social meeting on July 18th. Location and time to

be determined.

Vacation Bible School

July 11-15th

Come and join friends and

family on a heroes quest during

Vacation Bible School Monday through Friday 5:30-

8 PM! Stories and experiences will take kids ages 5-

105 on exciting adventures to discover heroes

everywhere, every day. Learn about Bible heroes with

songs, crafts, games AND meet real live heroes in

our community. Beauregard the bloodhound puppet,

appears each day to join in the search! Also join us

for the VBS farewell all you can eat Mariner Hotdog

potluck on Sunday, July 17th. Bring a dish to share

and meet visitors that participated in our VBS

program. Beat the rush and pick up and complete a

registration form on the Welcome Table.

Methodist’s at Rainiers

Baseball

Sunday, July 31st

⋇ Worship Service 10 AM ⋇ Tailgate/potluck 11 AM

⋇ Game time 1:35 PM ⋇ bring a dish to share

⋇ chair to sit on ⋇ sunscreen & hat

⋇Ticket: $11 includes reserved seating, ballpark meal (hotdog, chips,

& beverage) & program.

Join fellow Methodist‟s for a day of family fun at the

newly renovated Cheney Stadium. We will begin the

day with a Worship Service with Bishop Hagiya. Then

walk through the parking lot for a tailgate/potluck

under our canopy followed by the Rainiers vs. Las

Vegas 51‟s. Sign-up sheet is in the Information

Hallway to place your name and number of tickets.

Checks can be made out to NMUMC noting Rainiers

Baseball. Money needs to be given to Dona by

Sunday, July 17th.

Puget Sound Blood Drive will be held Wednesday, July 20th

from noon - 3 PM and 4-6 PM at

NMUMC. Nurse Peggy Hager has a

sign-up sheet available for volunteers

to help in the canteen, make cookies or reminder

phone calls.

Anna’s Bay

Chorale will

present Requiem by

Mozart Friday,

Saturday & Sunday

July 8-10th at the

Shelton High School

Auditorium. Linda

Humphrey is a

member of the Chorale and has group tickets

available at a discounted price.

Nothing But Nets

Night at Seattle

Storm vs. Los

Angeles Sparks will

be held July 9th at 6:45

PM at the Key Arena. $25 per ticket with a significant

portion going to Nothing But Nets. Contact Anna

Conklin 206-870-6803 or aconklin@pnwumc.org to

purchase tickets.

Music - Music - Music Praise Team rehearsal is offered for

those who enjoy singing in worship

with guitars and keyboard each

Thursday at 6:30 PM.

Page 4

Ongoing Activities Bible Study for men and women

is held at 10 AM until noon each

Wednesday around the library table to

discuss issues with prayer, thoughts,

wisdom, and humor with Pastor Austin.

July Scriptures

July 3 Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17; Romans

7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

July 10 Genesis 25:19-34; Psalm 119:105-112; Romans 8:1-11;

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

July 17 Genesis 28:10-19a; Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24; Romans

8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30-, 36-43

July 24 Genesis 29:15-28; Psalm 105:1-11, 45b; Romans 8:26-

39 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

July 31 Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5;

Matthew 14:13-21

Emergency Food Resources

Collection NMUMC donates to three groups in our area the first Sunday of each month: Belfair Food Bank, NW Community Resources and Coalition of Churches & Community. July 3rd collection will go to the North Mason Community Resources. Items needed: EVERYTHING! Baby food-formula-cereal, peanut butter, canned fruit, veggies, tuna, Top Raman, boxed cereal. Thank you for helping those in need in our community! Ps. August collection will go to Coalition of Churches and Community

3rd Sunday Lunch The group will be joining the Vacation

Bible School hotdog potluck on

Sunday, July 17th downstairs

following Fellowship Time. Bring a dish to share.

Wednesday Free Lunch Bunch is

growing!! The CCC Wednesday Free Lunch, served at Belfair Community Baptist Church at noon, has been serving more and more guests. On May 18th, 69 meals were served or taken out. Guests are appreciative of the variety and taste of the home-style meals. Special thanks goes to Phyllis & Bob Merhaut, Lynne Lenhart, Judy Forney, Jennifer Roswell, Joyce Stratton, Katie, Ben & Maya Ladner, Barb Goodell, Pat Barber, Jennifer

Landreth, Bob & Sharon Anderson for their contributions or service this last year. NMUMC will host lunches on July 20th & August 17th. If you can help in this community outreach program, call or see Judy Mastick or Lynn Coffman.

Hats for Backpacks is a group making warm hats

for the North Mason Children’s Backpack Program sponsored by

the Coalition of Churches and Community. Come and join us,

Thursday, July 7th (1st Thursday of each

month) at NMUMC in the library from 11 AM-

3 PM. Everyone is welcome - bring needles

and yarn. Contact Carol Hart for more

information. Men’s Breakfast A time of

fellowship, sharing stories, and even

breakfast! 8:30 AM, Saturday, July

9th at the Airport Diner. Fathers/

grandfathers are always welcome to bring their sons/

grandsons and friends too.

Discipleship Groups Four different groups are

being offered to help reflect on your faith journeys and grow as

followers of Christ. The spring sessions meet weekly during May,

June and July.

Care giving Support - Monday’s 1 PM - with Bobby & Joyce

Stratton in Tahuya

Faith Link - Wednesday’s 7 PM - with Jan Olmsted at Lakeland

Village

Spiritual Gifts - Wednesday’s 7 PM - with Jerry & Jan Post at

Lakeland Village

Reconnecting with Yourself & God - Wednesday’s 7 PM with

Norma Robertson at Trails End Lake

Thank you from Dakota Hornbuckle It was fun being a member of this Church. I enjoyed being part of the youth and helping with all the activities and helping with the children. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me and the Hornbuckle Family. We will miss all of you very much.

Dakota & family

Updated Church photo directories are

available in the office Thanks to Larry

Seaward. Pick up your copy today!

Page 5

The Margaret L. Larson Boomerang Award was passed on to

Grace McGregor for her dedicated work as Financial Secretary at NMUMC Sunday,

June 19th. Grace joins the following people who have also received this Award: Jean &

Larry Bonzer, Dan & Barb Goodell, Mick & Faye Roswold, Bob & Peggy Hager, Gene &

Linda Williams, Dona Chidester, Ynez Demick & Joanne Wilkinson, Ron Kerns, John &

Ruth Wiechert, Barbara Ekstrom, Donna Buehler, Tom & Sue Miller, the Wyble family,

the Lucas Family, Michael & Courtney Moore, Michael & Vicki Barth, Kathy Miller &

Scott Roswold, Mary Beth Morris, Jerry & Jan Post, Bobby & Joyce Stratton,

Janice Olmsted, Larry Seaward, Jean Whitney, Carmen Caporale, Gwen

Braile, Ron & Judy Mastick, Lynn Coffman, Donna Jones, Barbara Acuña, Juanita

High and Sandy Shoemaker. Congratulations Grace!!

New email address for the church: office@northmasonumc.org

With any new program there are oops and why

did I get that’s. Please let Dona know if you

are receiving anything strange or not getting

any emails. Thanks!

A thank you to the NMUMC

Landscape Club that met Saturday, June 25th

for about 4-5 hours to de-weed and maintain our

landscaping: Bob & Peggy Hager, Carmen

Caporale, Larry Bonzer, Ron Mastick, Carol Hart,

Bobby & Joyce Stratton and Jean Whitney. The

rhododendrons are much happier now!

Farewell to Pastor Ann & the Hornbuckle family

The Pentecost potluck was

shared by many as a day

of changes with Pastor

Ann leaving NMUMC on

her Pastoral journey to her

new assignment at Colby

UMC and the Hornbuckle

family moving to Alabama.

Many well wishes and

farewell gifts were

exchanged by the

congregation. We wish the

best to Pastor Ann and

Michael, Jackie, Dakota,

Alexis, Daniel & Rachel!

Our Presence

Our Prayers

May 29 - 60

June 5 - 60

June 12 - 71

June 19 - 50

June 26 - 52

Thank you for your

presence

Men and women serving our country.

Those affected by tornadoes, hurricanes

and flooding. Carol Alexander, Donna

Buehler, Allen Ptolemy, Wes Dearinger &

Barbara Ekstrom with medical concerns.

Joys for Phyllis Fleener receiving good

test results. Joys for Pastor Austin who

was ordained and Pastor Ann for being

commissioned on June 26th.

Thank you for your prayers

Our Service

Page 6

Our expenses as noted below have been more in line with the exception of the

need to replace the large stainless refrigeration unit in the kitchen. Financially the

impact will be felt next month [June] but donations for the replacement unit which cost us

$2,786.21 are being accepted to offset our maintenance and repair expense line. The

budget will be reexamined as we have less staff as of July 1 with Pastor Ann’s new

appointment to Colby UMC. Staff Parish Relations Committee is continuing to look for

music staff to support Sunday worship so we are holding funds to support new staff

hiring. The jump in income received reflects the yard sale deposits in May.

Income collected in April 2011 vs. May 2011

Total Income: April $15,378.52 May $18,790.65

Pledges received to date: $49,926.25

Open plate received to date: $4,690.84

Pledges giving in full April 47% May 50%

Pledges overpaid April 21% May 26%

Pledges underpaid April 32% May 24%

Our budgeted Expenses monthly are on track except for repairs and maintenance.

Expenses paid in April: $21,751.68

Expenses paid in May: $12,701.61

The Finance committee also explored moving some of the ―low interest‖ savings

fund to the Northwest United Methodist Foundation for investment with a better return.

Administrative Council is working on authorization towards the goal of improved

investment return.

Please remember that we benefit from your shopping at Sunshine Fruit Stand,

Safeway and Albertson purchase programs and donating used ink cartridges and cell

phones. Monthly donations are automatically made to our Good Samaritan Fund in form

of electronic scrip rebates. Need more information or want to sign up please speak to

Dona for forms. Our deposits add $10 to $15 monthly to Good Samaritan Fund.

Thank you for your gifts and support. We appreciate the attention paid to pledge

payment and help with our unexpected expenses.

Carmen E. Caporale

Our Gifts

Thank you’s to:

A HUGE Thank you from the Coalition of

Churches and Community for the car-full of donations

for the Food for Kids programs - Weekend Backpack

(88 per week) and Summer Lunch Boxes. The NMUMC

donation in May was the single largest donation of

food ever received. Soooooooo many kids will be

grateful.

Monna Haugen & Lynn Coffman, Co-president, CCC

Jan Olmsted and Gary Carter for being our Sunday mornings guest speakers. Everyone who donated food for the Belfair Food Bank in June. 140 lbs. of food was delivered June 8th. Tom Miller for replacing the daffodils with pansies and getting rid of the weeds. Our choir members who added their voices to our

worship services: Marilyn Boze, Julie Carter, Betty & Bob Helm, Jennifer Roswell, Carmen Caporale, Linda Humphrey, Michael Deignan, & Larry Seaward. AND to Pastor Ann as Choir Director. Praise Team members: Ken Boad, Jessica Lewis, John Nester, Jan Olmsted, Linda Humphrey, Jennifer Roswell, Michael Hornbuckle & Bill Chisholm for their inspiring music to share with the congregation each week. Relay for Life for cancer was a success this year thanks to everyone who helped. Approximately $77,000 was raised including $1,100 from Jodi Smith‟s Allyn Towne Coffee House who made coffee all night long! Larry Bonzer mowing the lawn and de-weeding all morning June 15th. The new refrigerator movers: Ron Mastick, Bob Hager, Larry Bonzer & Ron’s neighbor. Larry, Jean, Vicki & Bobby for turning on the landscape sprinkler system.

In our membership vows we commit to

faithfully participate in the congregation’s

ministries through our prayers, our presence,

our gifts, our service, & our witness.

The church is in need of multi fold

paper towels and toilet paper for the

bathrooms. Please consider making a

late Epiphany gift donation.

Thank you!

Page 7

Committee Meetings

SPRC Thursday - July 7 - 6:30 PM

Finance Saturday - July 9 - 10 AM

Trustees Sunday - July 10 - noon

Ad Council Thursday - July 21 - 5 PM

Outreach Tuesday - July 26 - 3 PM

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

10 AM the Church Library

Thursday Praise Team Rehearsal

6:30 PM in the Sanctuary

Discipleship Groups: Care giving Support Monday‟s 1 PM @ Stratton‟s

Faith Link Wednesday‟s 7 PM with Jan Olmsted

Spiritual Gifts Wednesday‟s 7 PM @ Posts‟

Reconnecting with Yourself & God

Wednesday‟s 7 PM with Norma Robertson

1-2 Pastor Austin at Sr. High Camp Indianola

3 Communion; Food collection for Coalition of

Churches & Community

4 4th of July holiday - office closed

5-8 Dona on vacation

7 Hats for Backpacks 11-3 PM

9 Men‟s Breakfast 8:30 AM Airport Diner

Finance Committee meeting 10 AM

Methodist’s at Strom Basketball game 6:45pm

10 Pastor Austin out; Trustees noon meeting

11-15 Vacation Bible School 5:30-8 PM

17 VBS picnic following fellowship time

18 Women Wonder; August newsletter articles due

20 Blood Drive at NMUMC noon-6 PM

Free Lunch Bunch hosted by NMUMC

21 Administrative Council 5 PM

26 Outreach Committee meeting

31 Methodist’s at Rainier’s Baseball 11 AM

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 Communion;

Food Bank

Collection

4 Holiday - office

closed

5 6 7 8 9

10 Trustees noon

meeting; Austin

out

11 Care giving

1 PM

12 13 14 15 16

17 VBS potluck

picnic

18 Care giving

1 PM; Women

Wonder

19 20 Blood Drive

noon-6 PM; Free

Lunch Bunch

21

Administrative

Council 5 PM

22 23

24 25 Care Giving

1 PM; newsletter

articles due

26 Outreach

Committee 3 PM

27 28 29 30

31 Rainier’s

Baseball 10 AM

July 2011

—Austin @ Sr. High Camp—— Bible Study 10am

Faith Link 7pm

Spirit Gifts 7pm

Reconnect 7pm

———–——————Dona on vacation ——————————————

Hats for Backpacks

11-3 PM; SPRC

6:30 PM

Bible Study 10am

Faith Link 7pm

Spirit Gifts 7pm

Reconnect 7pm

Bible Study 10am

Faith Link 7pm

Spirit Gifts 7pm

Reconnect 7pm

——————————————Vacation Bible School 5:30-8 PM —————–—————

9 Men’s Breakfast 8:30

AM Airport Diner;

Finance 10AM; Method-

ist’s @ Storm 6:45 PM

July Calendar

We are located 1½ miles north of Belfair on Route 3

Office: 360-275-3714 Mon-Fri 9-3:30 PM

Mailing Address: PO Box 1197, Belfair WA 98528-1197

www.northmasonumc.org

office@northmasonumc.org (new email)

Pastor: Austin L. Adkinson

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for

the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'

Bryan Boad - Ken & Debbie Boad‟s son stationed at Ft. Lewis after a 3rd tour of duty in Iraq

Chris Britton - Jan Olmsted‟s grandson at Camp Hovey in Korea in the Heavy Artillery Division

Cain Claxton - Leon & Carol Hart‟s grandson who is on his 3rd tour of duty to Kuwait after two tours in Iraq

Gaven Eier - Wendell & Phyllis Fleener‟s grandson in the Marines going to Afghanistan

Hunter Hamilton - Tom & Lynn Hamilton‟s son at Ft. Sill, OK for active duty

Aislinn Miner - Judy Mastick‟s granddaughter in the Army stationed

in Germany

David Parsons - Joyce Stratton‟s nephew stationed at Ft. Lewis

Please contact the office if there are any other service men/

women to be listed

25140 NE State Route 3

P. O. Box 1197

Belfair, WA 98528-1197