MNISTERS OF WORSHIP BREAKFAST

There will be a light breakfast served between services on Sunday August 29^th for the many and varied ministers of worship that are part of church. If you are an usher, a greeter, a liturgist, a nursery worker, or one of the worship leaders, the Worship Team is inviting you to come and share a continental style breakfast and discuss some of the recent changes in our worship. It is also a time for the Worship Team to get some input from you.

This year’s Diamond Disciple Sunday will be held on August 15^th during both services. This is a special time when we honor those members and friends of the church who are 75 years of age or older. Please keep these friends in your prayers and come out to honor them on their special Sunday.

ON LINE GIVING

This month, our Finance Committee will be introducing a new way of giving financially to the church. You will be able to go to the church web page, hawleyumc.org, and click on a link that will lead you to a site in which you can contribute to the church’s ongoing mission and ministry. More information will be coming forth concerning this in the very near future.

SATURDAY

AUGUST 21

11:00 – 4:00

As the date approaches for school to reopen, this is a chance to get “new” clothes without the expense of store shopping.

The “closet” will offer free clothing to anyone who wants to come.

 Donations of CLEAN GENTLY USED CLOTHING items will be accepted and can be left in the youth room of the church.

Anyone willing to help out with this project should contact Melissa Jones.

Jeff’s Jottings

Last month Suzanne and I enjoyed the wonders of Yellowstone National Park. We had been there a few times before and always find it fascinating. 

We saw some amazing wildlife, beyond even the magnificent black bear that walked through our yard at home here a few days ago. We saw a few elk and eagles, along with a number of bison (Suzanne got some great pictures of a bison next to our car, loudly and calmly chewing his way through a patch of grass!) We were lucky enough to spot some grizzly bear, one mother with two cubs and one just a few yards off the road. 

In addition, we enjoyed viewing some of the natural wonders of the park.  The hot springs, the grand prismatic pool, the mud pots and the waterfall all offer picturesque opportunities to wonder at God’s creation.

We spent two nights in the Old Faithful Inn, a century-old and fascinating display of what has come to be called “parkitecture.” If you have never seen it, imagine a huge hotel that looks as if it were constructed from the trees and rocks that were picked up around the grounds. It was! The lobby offers seven stories of open space and the stone fireplace is absolutely mammoth.

But, the hotel is located just yards away from its namesake, the Old Faithful geyser. What a wonderful display it puts on about every hour and a half. Water, superheated by the magma beneath the surface of the earth, comes jetting out to a height of over one hundred feet. Day and night, winter and summer, Old Faithful geyser never fails to deliver its stream of water and steam.

We returned from Yellowstone with rich memories and fascinating stories to share in the years ahead. But while we were watching Old Faithful, I was thinking about you.

Many of you are like that geyser. For years, in some cases for decades, you have been faithful in your service to your Lord. When there has been work to do at your Church, you have volunteered. When the opportunity is presented to give to support God’s work through your Church, you generously respond. You have been as faithful as that famous geyser!

Our pastor has communicated the new realities of United Methodist connectional structure. We are now part of the Susquehanna Conference, stretching from Equinunk to Altoona. We are one Church among nine hundred in this new conference, but we are a community where faithful people gather and pray and give of themselves and their substance.

God has been faithful to this congregation for 161 years. So long as we return that faithfulness, we will be a place where people can come and find refreshment for their souls and help for their lives.

Thank you for remaining faithful. Weary not in well doing. And know that many people appreciate your support and help and continuing good works.

Yours in Christ’s Service,

Jeff Rarich,

Minister of Stewardship

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

AUGUST 2-6, 9:00 – 11:30 A.M.

REGISTRATION IS MONDAY AT 8:30 A.M.

Session 1 – The Creation Story

Our God is wonderful! Praise God!

Session 2 – God is with Elijah on Mt Horeb

Our God is incredible! Praise God!

Session 3 – Jesus knows the woman at the well

Our God is amazing! Praise God!

Session 4 – Jesus heals a blind beggar

Our God is magnificent! Praise God!

Session 5 – Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus

Our God is awesome! Praise God!

ALL CHURCH PICNIC

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8

PROMISED LAND STATE PARK

We’ll be gathering around noon and the rest of the day is open to good food, fun and just generally relaxing and having a good time. We shall be using the Falls Pavilion - the newer of the two pavilions found at park. The UM Men shall be providing hot dogs and hamburgers; others are invited to bring a food item to share with others. Swim suits, fishing rods, baseball bats and gloves or just sitting and chatting – it’s time to enjoy some picnic fun.

PEACEMAKER AWARD

For the past several years the Hawley Church has selected one high school graduating senior to receive the “Peacemaker Award.” This year, the recipient of this $1,000 award was presented to Amanda Weirbowski.