Thought For The Day

Bring the Chips
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old woman looked hungry, so he offered her some chips. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; before he has gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him the biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant from joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face as he asked, “Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?” She replied, “I ate potato chips in the park with God.” However, before her son responded, she added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”
Don’t underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment. Each can make it possible for others to see God! Have lunch with God..… bring the chips!

An Annual Mystery Dinner Ladies! Are you looking for an evening “out”, even if the details are a "mystery?” If so, you should be marking your calendar on Tuesday September 7th, at 6:00 p.m. It’s “Mystery Diner” Night! Today’s bulletin insert (blue) has additional details that are just for you. Take a look!

Updating Our Library After years of functional organization our library, located in the parlor, is in need of some updating. Our goal is to review the books/materials in order to determine relevance, condition, etc. If you are willing and able to serve in this regard, please contact the church office (334-3032) at your earliest convenience. Appreciation is expressed to the several people who have already stepped forward. Let’s make it a true garden of function and inspiration for Christian disciples.

"Acts" Up Close…Begins September 9th Over these recent summer months, the Sundays after Pentecost have been inviting us to consider the birth of the church, as viewed in the book of Acts. Each Sunday we have been focusing on such a testimony. If you would like a "closer look" at Acts, you are invited to share in the continuation of this study, which will begin Thursday, September 9th at 10:00 a.m. In addition to utilizing the Acts Study Guide (within the Genesis to Revelation series), we will also view the Acts video, which is a biblical portrayal based on the NIV version of the Bible. Pastor Jay and David Williams will serve as leaders. All are welcome! Take a Step of Faith…Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Late one night, amid a turbulent storm, Jesus "walked on water!" Amazing! Equally, he invited Peter to get out of the boat and do the same. More amazingly, Peter did! It’s an invitation that has come to Christians ever since. Won’t you consider it? Each Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m., September 9th through October 7th, folks will gather to consider John Ortmans book, If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat. A nightly video portion will launch us into out time of sharing under Pastor Jay’s leadership. Please join us! Disciple I Bible Study at Ortana UMC Are you looking for an enriching time in God’s Holy Word? If so, Disciple I is for you — as many know, Gettysburg UMC hosted Disciple I in 2003/2004 ministry year. We will be doing it again in early 2005. However, if you would like to get started now, you are invited to join the Disciple I class at the Ortana UMC beginning Tuesday September 7th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Reverend Suzann Elliot at 717-642-9673. Prayer Chain…Taking Shape A special "thank you" goes to those who have indicated their participation in the reformation of our prayer chain. During the next couple of weeks, this will be completed. If you did not indicate your desire to participate, you are still welcome to do so. Please share this information in the office. Thank you! Reception Committee Members Needed If anyone is interested in helping to organize receptions for new members, staff, and/or special occasions, please contact Peggy Hunt at 337-0539. Thank you! Welcoming New Members to Gettysburg UMC September 26th… A number of persons have recently expressed interest in uniting with our congregation. How delighted we are to have them do so! At this moment we are anticipating that a welcoming will take place on Sunday, September 26th, at the 10:30 a.m. Worship hour. Equally, these persons, as others, are invited to share with Pastor Jay in two "get acquainted" gatherings that will take place on Sundays, September 19th and 26th, at 9:15 a.m. in his office. For additional information, please contact Pastor Jay (334-3032) or Peggy Hunt (337-0539), our membership chairperson. Welcome!

Support Our U. M. Home for Children Not Far Away, Mechanicsburg to be exact, Children (elementary - High School) receive special care in the name of Jesus Christ. For more than a half of a century, the United Methodist Home for Children has offered a Christian home to many "at-risk children." This only happens because individuals and congregations alike have committed themselves to be supportive. Here's how you can continue the rhythm of such a ministry: *Membership in the "Our Family Auxiliary"      Individuals: $2.00/year      Family: $4.00/year      Group: $25.00/year      Life Member: $25.00/year - single payment      Send checks to "Our Family Auxiliary", 5120 Ferry Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.  *Fall Garage Sale           Sat., October 2nd, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. Bargains! Baked Goods! Clothing by the Bag Full! *Holiday Bazaar           Sat., November 13th, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Mt. Olivet U.M.C. Recreation Hall For additional information on any or all of the above, call Elsie Woodward, Auxiliary Chair, at 737-0270.

Disciple Making 2004 - September 24 and 25, 2004 Looking for a spark in your Christian Discipleship? This is the gathering for you!!! "Igniting Christian Formation" for church leaders and teachers is designed by Central PA United Methodists with you in mind. Here's a "Taste" of what will be offered: Keynote Speaker: Carol Krau of the General Board of Discipleship will discuss formation through small groups. Worship: Will be lead by "!st Things First" with workshops by Rev. Gregory Rapp of Hershey UMC. Stewardship (Rev. Jerry Fuller), Lay Leadership (Joan Gordon), Christian Education (Donna Snyder), Outreach (Harry Overholtzer of Mission Central), Evangelism (Rev. Dianne Salter), (Administration (Rev. Dr. Thomas Salsgiver).

Irrepressible Hope Conference ---Women of Faith "Women of Faith" form all over the nation are gathering this summer and fall to celebrate the work of God's Holy Spirit, and the "irrepressible hope" that is birthed in and through Christian discipleship. Ladies! Please take time now to mark your calendar for such a "Conference of Faith."  Here are some basic details:   **CONFERENCE LOCATIONS AND DATES** Philadelphia, PA at the Wachovia Center, September 24 - 25 with Evelyn Husband, Bobbie Mason and Kathy Troccoli. See our hallway bulletin board for further details!

STUDY, SERVE AND SAIL: CRUISE TO THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN - April 7 - 17, 2005. Brochures are on the way! Hosted by the Central PA Conference in support of Mission Central. YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES CONFERENCE - September 18th at Christ Community UMC in Selinsgrove, PA. Details on Church bulletin board across from the office.   BEING THERE - Spiritual Healing and the Congregation on September 18th at the First UMC, Mechanicsburg. Details on the church bulletin board across from the office. 54TH UNITED NATIONS SEMINAR - October 10 - 13, 2004. Registration is due on September 1st. Information on church bulletin board across from office. LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY in Central PA has announced its fall lineup of workshops. In the Harrisburg area, First UMC, Hershey, will host the university on October 15th and 16th. For details, please see our church bulletin board across from the office.

WELCOME FOR OUR NEW BISHOP, JANE MIDDLETON - Sunday, September 19th at 4:30 pm at the Penn State Conference Center in State College. Watch for details.

Reverend Jane Allen Middleton Has Been Named the Bishop for Central PA Conference, Effective September 1st 2004! Middleton, who lives in Stamford, Conn., will become one of 50 active U.S. bishops serving in the United Methodist Church and will lead the Central Pennsylvania Conference UMC, one of the 13 annual conferences that make up the 12-state jurisdiction. An Episcopal Committee of the Northeast Jurisdiction assigned Middleton and other newly elected and active bishops to conferences where they will serve the next four years. Their assignments will be effective September 1st. Reverend Zimmerman, as other pastors and lay persons from the Chambersburg District, will be participating in the September 19th welcoming of Bishop Middleton. Persons who would like to join the group are invited to contact the church office about further details.

ATTENTION KENNIE'S SHOPPERS!  If you are a frequent shopper at any Kennie's Market location and you'd be willing to designate Big Brothers Big Sisters of Adams County for the Community Treasures program, please contact Laura Geesaman at 334-1138 or landt@pa.net

Regular and large print Bibles are available at the back of the church for your use. We invite you to use one to follow along in the reading of today's scripture.

PEW ENVELOPES! You may have noticed the pew envelopes and on top of the mission can. These envelopes are to be used for donations to the church that are not covered by your regular envelopes. Some examples are mission can donations, special collections, special service offerings, etc. If the envelopes are used, we will be able to add that record to your giving statement. Please be sure to put your envelope number and/or name on the envelope so we know to which account it should be recorded. If you have any questions, please see Fred Myers or Connie Thompson.

Tape Ministry - Our members in nursing homes and those unable to get to church and now able to hear our Sunday services and feel a part of the church congregation. If you know of a shut-in and would like to take a tape to them, please call Ed and Charlotte Moore @ 334-1716. We owe David Schmidt a debt of gratitude for helping us in recording these tapes.

Adopt - A - Camp ---Fruitbelt Farmworkers Harvest season is coming into "full swing," and with it, the Fruitbelt  Farmworkers Christian Ministry is currently inviting individuals and  congregations alike to prayerfully consider the "adoption of a camp." It simply involves a time of "connecting visiting" with the workers. For information, please call the Biglerville office at 486-3291 or 1-800-677-6896. Please note that the following items are needed: Spanish Bibles, health kits, blankets and sweatshirts. Thank you!

REMINDER: Please remember to call or e-mail the office by Tuesday prior to the Sunday you are sponsoring bulletins or altar flowers. Phone or mail reminders are no longer being issued - that information is now part of the newsletter. All announcements to be placed in the Weekly Vision must also be in the office by Tuesday. Thank you.

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