Thought For The Day

Dear God…
A Nun asked her class to write notes to God. Here are some of what they handed in:

• Dear God: I didn’t think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool!
• Dear God: Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don’t you keep the ones you already have?
• Dear God: Maybe Cain and Abel would not have killed each other if they had their own rooms. That’s what my Mom did for me and my brother.
• Dear God: I bet it’s very hard to love everyone in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I’m having a hard time loving them.
• Dear God: I would like to live 900 years like that guy in the Bible.
• Dear God: Is it true my father won’t get into heaven if he uses his bowling words in the house?
• Dear God: I want to be just like my Daddy when I get big, but not with so much hair all over.
• Dear God: Of all the people who worked for you, I liked Noah and David the best.
• Dear God: I went to this wedding and they kissed right in the church. Is that ok?
• Dear God: Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.
• Dear God: Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?
• Dear God: Thank You for the baby brother, but I think you got confused because what I prayed for was a puppy.

"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. Youth Fellowship News Update!!!!!!!!!! It’s hot off the press! The Gettysburg Church Youth Fellowship will once again participate in the Central PA Conference Innisbrook "Gift Wrap" Sale. As you may recall, each fall United Methodist Youth Fellowships are given the opportunity to sell a "gift wrap" buffet of things (paper, bows, ribbon, gift bags, cards, etc.). This year is no exception. In fact, you can currently find samples, as well as ordering information/forms, in the hallway near the ground floor coat racks. Take time to place your order! It’s a great product at a good value. And besides, 50% goes directly to the youth fellowship group with an additional amount going to the conference youth ministry. Calling all Youth (7th-12th Graders) Our fall youth ministry is getting into gear, and we would like you to be a part of it! Essentially, there are two parts to our coming together; 1). Sunday School, each Sunday, at 9:15 am (Worship follows at 10:30 am.) 2). Youth Fellowship , each Sunday, from 6:00-8:00 pm. A variety of youth events are tentatively on the horizon, however, we would like your input. Join us in the planning and the sharing! Here’s our September Lineup: September 5 - No Meeting due to the Labor Day Holiday September 12 - Entire Church Picnic at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Hoffman (1051 Taneytown Road) at 4:00 pm. Please join in the festivities, as this will be our youth fellowship time! September 18 - Youth Kick-off at the Deaner’s from 2:00-5:00 pm. Come to swim, play volleyball, and have fun (Also bring a snack!) September 19 - No Meeting September 26 - Regular youth Gathering from 6:00-8:00 pm. "Come prepared for an awesome time of the "old and the new" Donated Food Needed When you do your grocery shopping, why not buy two of a particular item, (ie. Pasta, can of soups, cereal, etc). Bring these items to church and donate them to the Food Pantry Box in the church library. Carty and Bob Bates deliver our donation to the local Food Pantry which helps people in our community have who have special needs. Your support of this project would be greatly appreciated. -- United Methodist Women. 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! Young Adult Camp-Outing Young adult ministry is going camping on September 10th and 11th at KOA campgrounds in Gettysburg. Families can come for just the day, or spend the night. For more information please contact Lorelle Bergeon at 642-8278 or by e-mail at jlbergy@adelphia.net. Family Fun Day! Big Brother Big Sisters of Adams County will hold a Family Fun Day on September 12th, from 2-5 p.m. at the Drummer Boy Camping Resort at 1300 Hanover Road, Gettysburg. Activities include a fun and fitness walk, miniature golf, fishing, and swimming. Registration forms are on the bulletin in the hallway. See Laura Geesaman for details. Pacesetters Picnic on September 18th Looking for a time of Christian sharing and fellowship? If so, the pacesetter’s Picnic on Saturday, September 18th, at 4:00 pm at the home of Hank and Barb Evans (377 Heritage Drive) is the place for you. All "senior folks" (you can define "senior" as you like) are welcome! Your R.S.V.P., by September 16th, may be placed with Barb Evans (334-8636) or Jean Nunamaker (334-3283). Welcome! Welcoming Bishop Jane Allen Middleton, September 19th Every four years the migration of bishops within the United Methodist Church takes place. Although General Conference (held every four years) marks the quadrennial occasion, it is the Jurisdictional Conference (held immediately after General Conference…usually in July) that acknowledges the retirement of some and the election of others. This year Central PA Conference recognizes the ministry of retiring Bishop Neil Irons, while as the same time welcoming the ministry of appointment of Bishop Jane Allen Middleton. A special time of welcoming has been set aside for Sunday, September 19th at 4:30 pm at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, PA. You are welcome to share in this gathering. Pastor Jay will be hosting others, who may seek to travel with him to this gathering. The departure time is 1:!5 pm from the church parking lot. For further details or to indicate your participation, please call the church office at 334-3032. All are welcome! Prayer List Update AS a means of keeping out prayer list "current", you are invited to consider the following: Prayer request names may be added and/or removed by members of the congregation at any time. Simply write a note, or make a call (334-3032) to the church office with this information. On the first Sunday of each month, the prayer list will be reconstituted. If, for example, you desire to list a new name or lift up, a new, person who was recently on the prayer list, please submit the name(s) on the last Sunday of the preceding month, so these names can appear on the first Sunday of the month. Otherwise, the name(s) will be removed. Prayer requests may be placed on the small prayer request form, which is located neat the pillar of prayer (unspoken requests placed in the back of the sanctuary), or any other card/piece of paper. Thank you!

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.

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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