The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are deter-mined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” - Acts 5:27-29 One morning at his normal 8:30AM staff meeting, President Harry Truman was brought a lavender envelope with a

regal wax seal and flowing purple ribbons. Opening it, the President found a letter from the King of Saudi Arabia. The

salutation began, “Your Magnificence…” Truman had a good laugh, and joked with his staff that that’s how he want-

ed to be addressed from then on. Not long after, however, Truman supported the United Nations’ admission of

100,000 Jews into Palestine. He soon afterward received another letter from the King. This one was on regular letter-

head and began, “Dear Mr. President…” It’s amazing how quickly the people who revere and respect you can quickly

change their attitudes when they discover they disagree with you. But it’s in that moment we can make the decision to

stand for what we believe is right, or seek the approval of man. You can’t follow Christ and please everyone. In fact,

the Bible guarantees that when we put Christ at the center of our lives, we’re going to lose the support of some. Make

the right decision. Follow Christ first and foremost and seek your approval from Him! Online devotional

With so much happening around the world today it is easy to find our selves siding with one side or the other. As we

get older it seems so truly we hold fast to what our values are and yet at times can be persuaded by news or another

person who can do a really good job of giving their opinion. In the mist of this year with virus and elections it has been

challenging for us to stay focused on what the mission and purpose is. As pastor I see my role in all this being the

calmness in the mist of the darkness. That is speaking gentleness and love with understanding in how God would

expect us to follow him and not get all caught up with world and others opinion. Let us keep the mission and vision

simple focus on what God would want us do and be. I am sure if you do that you will find that your eyes will open to

what Gods wants and your thoughts will be centered on what God needs from each of us. One day each of us will be

looked at from another person view of us. What will they see and understand about us? How will we be viewed in their

minds and to the world. As it was with President Truman so it can be with us in time. Happy July wish you all a very

safe and enjoyable Summer. God bless.

Blessings,

Pastor Russ

J U L Y 2 0 2 0

West Point UMC

Russ’s View From The Front Pew

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2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

5 Church Service at the Park 10 AM (weather permitting)

6 7 8 Helen & Sandie’s Musical Concert 7-8 PM on Face-book Live

9 10 11

12 Church Service at the Park 10 AM (weather permitting

13

14 15 16 17 18 Tippecanoe Cty 4H Fair starts ?

19 Church Service at the Park 10 AM (weather permitting

20 21 22 Helen & Sandie’s Musical Concert 7-8 PM on Face-book Live

23 24 25 Tippecanoe Cty 4H Fair ends?

26 Church Service at the Park 10 AM (weather permitting

27 28 29 30 31

Ed Keller, Mason Birge, Nellie VanSickle, Mike Purcell, Don-na McCall, Dave & Ruth Buckner, Diane Seelen, Jack & Doris Mellon, Ruby Haley, all the people and business’ effected by the coronavirus both physically and financially, Marla Bor-ders, Donna Anduskey, Harold Stout, Trish Whitecotton, Jim & Ruth Hawley, Elaina Lesher, June Cunningham, Justin Chase, Errin Chase, Kathy & Alan Chase, Brad Bell, John Katter, Zoey, Janie Lutgen, Carl & Sandie Holtman, Teresa Hullinger & Sierra,

The family & friends of Gregory Mikels who recently passed.

Traveling Mercies, unspoken concerns, families in distress, emergency responders, healthcare professionals, firefight-ers, victims of bullying, children of abuse, the Country of Israel, the Homeless, people struggling with illnesses, our Country & Elected Officials, Accident Victims, Teachers, es-sential workers and all those who are working to help fight the Corona Virus.

All our men and women in uniform, particularly those serv-

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DATE LITURGISTS COMMUNION COMPUTER USHERS

7/5/2020 Vicki Harbath Corky Byers STEVE Phil Katter/Marcus Haley

7/12/2020 Bob LeFever MARY

7/19/2020 Robin Leuck TERESA

7/26/2020 Youth ROBIN

July 5th Scripture Lesson: 1st Cor 9:19-23 Sermon: For Freedom July 12th Scripture Lesson: Romans 8:18-19

Sermon: Future Glory

July 19th Scripture Lesson: Gen 28:10-12 Sermon: Dream Big July 26th Scripture Lesson: 1st Kings 3:5-7 Sermon: Gaining Understanding

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Bible Studies

United Methodist Women

Weds AM Bible Study: Pam has ordered a 31 week study by Dr. David Jeremiah "The Book of Signs: 31 Undeniable Prophecies of the Apocalypse". This book examines the prophetic writings from the Old and New Testaments to help you cut through the confusion and give you insights about God's plan for humankind as the end times draw near. It includes: International signs, cultural signs, Heavenly signs, tribulation signs, and end signs. There is also a study guide to accompany it. Pam will preview it and try to report to the Wednesday Study group to see if there is enough interest to pur-chase. Due to shutdowns, the books will not be mailed to her until May sometime. If anyone would like to pre-view it also, please let her know. You can also log on to Christianbook.com to read about the study. **If we come together in September we may need to wear masks and not do snack. We can revisit and make a firm decision in August. We are also considering waiting to come together in January. Please let Pam know your pref-erences on meeting again.**

Our next meeting will be September 9, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. This is our Annual Tasting Party. The meeting will be held at the home of Ted and Carol Stout. The Roll Call word for September is “Truth.” Please look up a bible verse with the word “Truth” in it to share with the group during roll call. Please plan to bring a dish to share with the group that evening. Last names that begin with A-M, please bring a salad/vegetable dish. Last names that begin with N-Z, please bring a dessert. We will also elect UMW officers for 2021 at the September meeting. Many of the current officers have served the UMW for many years. Please let me know if you would like to relieve any of us of our current duty and serve as an officer. The UMW would like to extend an invitation to the ladies of the church to join our group if you are already not a member. We meet during the following months: March, April, June, September, and December. Please consider joining us. Membership is open to all ladies ages 18 & up. If you would like to talk with a cur-rent member about the UMW, following is a list of our current members: Brenda Alley, Mary Barnett, Corky Byers, Kay Chase, Darlene Christian, Betty Dexter, Virginia Emerick, Ashley Everett, Sandi Gayler, Jane Haan, Eve Hamilton, Vicki Harbath, Pam Katter, Robin Leuck, Teresa Luttrell, Rae Ritchie, Ruth Shedd, and Carol Stout. Lisa Snider, UMW President

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Adult Sunday School

Adult Sunday school meets at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. From June through

August we will be studying Many Faces of Wisdom a study of Proverbs, the Gos-

pels & James.

We would love to have you join us for this time of study and learning.

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The June, July, August copy of the devotional "Our Daily Bread" is available for pickup at the church. They have been placed in the Hospitality Room next to the wipes and hand sanitizer. Please use the hand sanitizer and use a wipe to wipe down the handles on front door. Thank you for helping to keep germs at bay while being in the church building.

BALANCE SUMMARY MAY 2020

ACTUAL YTD ANTICIPATED YTD ANNUAL BUDGET

INCOME $ 46,847.00 $ 47,588.00 $ 114,211.00

EXPENSES

STAFF (64%) $ 27,736.00 $ 31,024.00 $ 74,459.00

BUILDING (15%) $ 6,334.00 $ 6,338.00 $ 14,970.00

PROGRAM (11%) $ 4,178.00 $ 4,943.00 $ 11,863.00

TITHE/OFFERINGS (10%) $ 4,666.00 $ 4,421.00 $ 10,695.00

TOTAL (100%) {2% cushion} $ 42,914.00 $ 46,726.00 $ 111,987.00

General Fund $ 7,115.84

Trustees $ 3,423.63

Savings $ 6,126.26

Building Fund $ 23,533.05

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REMINDER: All loose change donated in the offering plate on Sunday is now going towards the ship-ping costs for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Please save your change and put it in the offering plate. You can also donate with cash or checks and mark them in the memo section for Operation Christ-mas Child shipping. Thank you so much for your continued support ,

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G.L.U. God Loves Us

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And

Charlie Jameson July 14

McKinlie Birge July 22

Camille Vazquez July 24

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The list for 2020 to donate floral arrangements for the alter table is on the bulletin board in the hospitality room. Please sign up on the list to donate flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, or just because. Remember to give Helen $10 prior to the Sunday you are donating. Just a note, the arrange-ments would normally cost around $30 so we are getting quite a bargain. If you prefer to get your own arrangement, be sure Helen knows so she won't order at Payless. Thank all of you who have donated. When we again resume services

please remember to sign up for flowers: Thanks Helen for continuing to provide flowers to enhance the worship area for Sunday online services. They are lovely. Any and all are always welcome to join us for our Worship team meetings. We always welcome suggestions to help enhance our worship service and space.

We are ready for July and have the birthday bags packed and delivered. The Villa expressed their appreciation to us for helping the residents keep up their spirits. If you have donations of items that we could tuck into future bags that would be appreciated. We need small birthday bags, tissue paper, individual packages of snacks, games or small decorations for their rooms. Donations of money will be applied to our expenses. Our money raising projects have been postponed or cancelled so help would be appreciated.

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Secret Sisters/ Secret Brothers I hope you are still remembering your Secret Sister or Secret Brother. Doing it remotely does add to the challenge. Our plans to get together for our April Reveal Party were placed on the back burner along with every other social gathering. Perhaps we will be able to plan a party at the park in the not too distant future. In the meantime cards and prayers for your Secret pal are especially important. If you have ideas for a fun and safe reveal party please contact Pam, Jane or Teresa Hullinger.

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Office Hours

10AM—2PM Monday-Thursday Friday is the Pastors Day Off

Pastor Russ Alley

Cell phone: 574-808-0828 Church Phone: 765-572-2256

Parsonage: 765-572-3160

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Here are some items to keep in mind for the upcoming year. August: TSC back in session - 11th 1st Session of Annual Conference—15th September: Weds AM Bible Study ?? October: Light up the Night?? - 31st November: Hanging of the Greens—22nd

Virginia Emerick July 4

Earl Emerick July 4

Mark Christian July 5

Bonnie Jones July 7

Robin Leuck July 8

Crystal Hollis July 11

Ruth Hawley July 12

Thelma Whitehead July 15

Sonya Meadows July 25

Linda Bilyeu July 31

Mr. & Mrs. Mike Ritchie July 15

Mr. & Mrs. Tater Smith July 17

Mr. & Mrs. Gary Gayler July 24

Mr. & Mrs. Tim Macy July 24

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Our Vision Statement

We envision the West Point United Methodist Church to be the focal point of our community and to be a welcoming church reaching out to everyone; offer-ing all the opportunity to know and serve God; providing fellowship; offering spiritual leadership; and teaching the Word of God.

Love God, Love Others, Serve to Love

For more information about West Point UMC, contact us at 765-572-2256 or wpumc@tds.net. Also, please check out our website at www.umcwestpoint.org or our Facebook page.

Sunday School: 8:30 AM Traditional Worship 9:30 AM

West Point UMC 4923 Monroe Street Post Office Box 8 West Point, IN. 47992