First United Methodist Church September 2021

Office: (620) 384-7892 Volume 1, Issue 1

Email: umcsyracuse@gmail.com,

The Friendly Visitor

With God all things are possible

–Matthew 19:26

THRIVING THROUGH CHANGE

Our Church has changed, and will continue to change. While change
can be difficult and sometimes stressful, it can also be good. Embrace
the changes at hand!
Currently we have not be assigned a full time pastor, We are getting to
enjoy multiple Lay Speakers. What a Joy they are! Each week is a new
idea presented in a new way. It is so refreshing to see new faces. It has
been a true blessing to meet the Lay Speakers and visit with them, each
of them wishing us well and keeping our church in their prayers.

Not having a pastor has left a few responsibilities to be filled. What a

learning opportunity this has been! Laity colors, communion, prayers, INSIDE THIS ISSUE
reading the Book of Discipline. We are preparing ourselves for a new
pastor and when we receive one we will be able to accommodate them Prayer Group 2
and help them grow with our church.
Our Church is Alive 2
Working together, worshipping together, and making decisions
together, is creating such a loving and welcoming atmosphere. The Peaches……..………………………..2

church family is growing in size and spiritual maturity. How Blessed we The Chosen 3
are that God has given us the opportunity to grow and thrive together!
Youth Group 3
If you are feeling alone or disconnected, consider coming back to
church, your church family, like Jesus, is waiting with open arms to Friendship Meals 4

comfort and heal you. We will help you Thrive!

LAY SPEAKER SCHEDULE
The church is planning to have a social gathering monthly to help shine 9/5—Kevin Clark
God’s light in our community, to reach the broken, lonely and
9/12—Larry Alexander
condemned. We are all sinners, we all have a place in Jesus’ arms, let
9/19—Greg Fletcher
us help each other thrive.
9/26 Bruce Loy

Pray, not until God hears you, but until you hear God.
PEACHES
Peach sale was a success!
The truck had some obstacles in getting
the order delivered to the church. The
truck was a day late but, the peaches were
still delicious!
When the truck arrived
volunteers were ready to unload and
stack the boxes in the Fellowship Hall.
Some peaches were loaded and sent to
Leoti, the rest were picked up locally.
Word of peach delivery travels fast as
some customers were waiting in their
cars to get their peaches as they were
being unloaded.
300 boxes of peaches were
sold this year. The proceeds from the
peach sales funds our youth ministry.
This money helps pay for the program
cost as well as meals for youth group each
week. This money also helps fund camp
scholarships through our church. This
year the youth group is going to make a
donation to the basketball court
renovation project.
Thank you to the Committee
members and volunteers for all of your
efforts in the peach sales! It is such a
blessing to have fresh peaches and
support our youth ministries.
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PRAYER GROUP
Prayer Group is every Wednesday evening at 6pm. Currently meeting in the upstairs
chapel.
This is a short prayer meeting, lasting 20-30 minutes. This is a time of intentional
prayer. The format is casual and includes group prayer and individual prayers.
“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it
shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 18:19
If you would like us to pray for you or someone you know please send your prayer
requests to the church. Email: umcsyracuse@gmail.com or
Text: Ra Vernon @ (719) 468-8136
Wednesday 6pm
Prayer is our direct line to God. How truly Blessed we are to lay our burdens in His
hands knowing He will replace them with peace. “Until now you have asked for nothing
in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” - John 16:24
OUR CHURCH IS ALIVE!
We are blessed with many volunteers who have filled in to do the many jobs we
have always expected our Pastor to do for us. In reality, WE (each of us) are the church
and the ministers to our community. WE are responsible for sharing our faith through
our daily lives and our church missions (Bible study, Youth groups, Sunday school classes
and more). Our churches mission statement is “shining the light of Christ by faithful
witness, purposeful compassion and joyful service”. How are we doing with that
statement?
We have lots of possibilities to minister to our community in lots of different ways.
What are the needs of our community? Is there a need for a study group for the empty
nesters in our church or community? How about a resource for loneliness or maybe a
dinner night out for empty nesters? Maybe we could provide babysitting services for
small children while parents went on a date night in town. Could it be that through one of
these kinds of ministries that our church will grow and be a shining light for Christ in our
community?
Even though we do not have a pastor, we have been richly blessed with very
spiritual lay speakers each week. Our church is ALIVE! Praise the Lord!
Our Lay Speakers for September are: 5 - Kevin Clark, 12 - Larry Alexander,
19 - Greg Fletcher, and 26 - Bruce Loy
As churches are opening back up again for worship and fellowship, God wants us to
be compassionate and understanding of everyone’s situation. It is a time to support one
another, even if we differ in opinions. We certainly need to continue to pray for our
church, our volunteers and our country. It is our Faith and Trust in God and daily
prayers for guidance that will help us get through each day with peace and strength to
continue.
We will begin a new bible study on September 5th at 9:15 am and 6th at 5:30 pm
entitled “The Chosen” to help us grow as Christians. We always need to get “renewed”
and “refreshed” to help our lives to shine and glorify God. We hope you can join us for
one of those times. It will be a 9 week study.
 YOUTH GROUP
Youth Group is underway, The
first meeting was Wednesday the
8th. Youth Group is for anyone
7th through 12th grade. Currently
the Jr. High and Highschool
groups are meeting together. We
are prayerfully seeking a Jr. High
Youth Leader. If you feel called to
help please contact Rae Lynn
Phillips @ 620-384-8254

Discover what it means when Jesus chooses YOU

THE CHOSEN
Bible Study of “The Chosen” will begin in September. This study will be
offered two different times during the week. Sunday mornings at 9:15am
starting September 5th and Monday evenings at 5:30pm starting September
6th.

The Chosen is a TV series created by Dallas Jenkins. This series is about

the life of Jesus. There is a book that corresponds with the series. The cost Volunteers Needed:
Anita Dupree has filled the calling of
of the book is $12. preparing meals for the Youth Group
meetings. She is asking for volunteers to
This Bible study works through each episode in the series using both the Old bring a dessert each week to help out. A
sign up sheet is located on the fridge in
and New Testaments. Working through the life of Jesus you will find our the kitchen or you can call or text Anita at
what it means to be chosen. It will give you a ‘Prayer Focus’ and ‘Further 620-384-4538 to schedule a time you
would like to bring a dessert.
Study’ to help you dive deeper into Scripture.

Join us for Bible Study and discover what it means when Jesus chooses YOU.

For more information contact Ra Vernon (719)-468-8136

Get used to Different

**October 16th will be Fellowship Night look

for upcoming details**
##
 FIRST UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
OF SYRACUSE
Sunday School: 9:30am
Worship Service: 10:45am
Bible Study: 9:15am
Youth Group: Wednesday
7:00pm
Shining the light of Christ by
faithful witness, purposeful
compassion, and joyful service.
Open hearts
Open minds
FRIENDSHIP MEALS
PRAISE THE LORD!! God has been speaking to many hearts as we have been
having people come forward to volunteer for missions in our church. Are you ready
to have Friendship meals again? Are you willing to help make desserts and come eat
with your friends and neighbors, or maybe be a volunteer driver to deliver meals to
some folks who may not want to come to the church? There is always a need for
volunteers somewhere. First Friendship Meal will be Wednesday, September 29th
at 5:30pm.
God is blessing our church in so many ways. Several people have volunteered
to make the Youth Meals this year. We have an awesome God! We just need to
listen to him and take action. He guides us every day if we just listen!
Contact:
Jaycee Rider
620-384-4054
To help with
friendship meals

Open doors

First United Methodist Church PLEASE

409 N Main Street PLACE
PO Box 1409 STAMP
HERE
Syracuse, KS 67878
Phone: 620-384-7892
Secretary: 620-384-4610
E-mail: umcsyracuse@gmail.com
Facebook: @FUMCSyracuse
Website: www.syracuseumc.org

YOUR LOGO HERE