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Sharing, Praying, Caring, Staying in touch
Brian Plum, Pastor
LakeviewUnitedMethodistChurch.Net
Message from Pastor Brian...
Message from Pastor Brian...
April Newsletter 2024
As I write this there is a robin sitting outside my office window. The robin is sitting on a power line with no movement. I’m not sure what it is really doing, except just sitting there. The longer I watch I began to realize I am watching a bird do nothing. I’m watching something do nothing. Sounds as if I am having a busy morning, doesn’t it? If someone would have come into my office and asked what I was doing, I would have had to be honest. I would have said, “I’m watching a robin sitting on a power line”. And I’m sure they would have asked, “What’s it doing?” and my reply would have been “nothing, just sitting there”. And I can imagine that they would have walked out of my office shaking their head and wondering if the Pastor finally went over the edge.
However as I watched the robin, it all became very clear why I was watching it. The reason I was watching is this; I was watching something I had been hoping for. I had been hoping for that robin to show up for 5 or 6 months. That little fat robin is telling that things are about to change. That do nothing little bird on that wire doing nothing is telling me that spring is here! That little bird brought me a message of hope and that message is winter is going away!! I can hear everyone sing out Praise to God for that news.
And as spring arrives so comes the excitement, the joy, and the hope of Easter. Easter is all about hope; it is all about joy; and it is definitely about celebration. Easter is not just about a special church service, it is about hope realized. The hope and joy that not only death has been defeated through the resurrection of Christ Jesus, it is that Jesus is alive! Our hope lives forever more.
I become very excited at Easter. Things always seem a little brighter. People seem a little happier and the world for just a short time seems to be a little more caring. And that is what Easter is. It is an experience of hope realized. It is knowing that we do not walk alone. In our struggles and fears, we are not alone. In our achievements and successes we are not alone. Life has been given and that life is forever. Thanks be to God!!
I have been a pastor for 20 years. And many times I have had people come to me and ask, “Do you really believe this stuff? Do you really believe that Jesus rose from the dead?”
My response is always the same: “I not only believe it; I’m counting on it.”
I’m counting on the fact that there is hope. I’m counting on the fact that God walks with us through hard and difficult times and gives us hope. I’m counting on the fact that God forgives our sins and that he’s the God of second chances. I’m counting on the fact that ultimately we don’t have to be afraid. I’m counting on the fact that sin and hate and sickness and death will not have the final word. When we walk in the footsteps of the resurrected Christ, we walk with hope.
Peter and the disciples counted on it. What are you counting on? What is your story of the Easter experience? What is your story of Hope! Easter Blessings: Pastor Brian
Lakeview United Methodist Church Yard Sale, Saturday, April 27th, 8:00am till noon. We need YOU to help donate items, spread the word, and WORK AT THE SALE. It's a big job and it will take all of us, working together, to make it successful. Dick Thompson is coordinating a biscuit sale again from the kitchen. Talk with Linda Ancion, Dick Thompson, or Karen Kersey if you need more information. Thanks for agreeing to help!
Come to the Lakeview Covered Dish Dinner on Sunday, April 14th, at 5pm!
Start bringing all your Yard Sale "stuff" to the Fellowship Hall beginning Monday, April 15th. We need help sorting and pricing all the items, plus workers for the Church Yard Sale on April 27th, from 8:00am - noon.
Interested in assembling a Kid's Kit for a displaced child now at a shelter?
Take a box from the back of the sanctuary and fill it with: 24 Count crayons, a pad of paper, a coloring book, 2 pencils, a toothbrush & toothpaste, a comb or brush, a stuffed animal, and a children's book. Don Griffith makes the deliveries from our church. Thanks, Don!
Have you peeked in Ms Nancy's new classroom we're creating? Check out the new Noah's Ark rug, the bright blue shelves, and the redesigned space. It's coming together and we're excited!
It's Spring Planting Time
Plant five rows of peas: preparedness, promptness, perseverance, politeness and prayer.
Next plant three rows of squash: squash gossip, squash criticism, squash indifference.
Then plant five rows of lettuce: Let us be faithful, let us be loyal, let us be unselfish, let us love one another, let us be truthful.
No garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for church, turn up with a smile, turn up with a new idea, turn up with real determination.
Walking Club....a chance to discover wildflowers, birds, and meditate
Walking Club....a chance to discover wildflowers, birds, and meditate
Mindful Mondays:
Every Monday at 4:00pm, Becky Child, our resident naturalist, is leading a hike at City Park on the Nature Trail. She knows where the greatest treasures are: wildflowers, turtles, mushrooms, and more. The best part is she walks slowly and is so laid back, whatever speed you want to go is fine with her.
She is encouraging that this can be a great source for meditation. She said she starts out her walks letting go of some random song going through her head, then releases her focus on which shoe is tied tighter than the other, etc., finally turning her thoughts to the wonderful world around her.
Meet here every Monday at 4pm.
Good for your spiritual and mental health!
The United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. They invite us to consider the possibilities of planned giving and endowment building. See www.umfwv.org for more information
Community-Minded Service
In a recent Outreach Committee meeting that followed our storm power outage, we agreed that, in the case where the church has power and others in our area don’t, our neighbors can use the Lakeview facility to recharge their phones and other devices. Just another great way for us to help others and be community supportive. Plans are in the works.
Lakeview Administrative Council Minutes: April 9, 2024
Opening:
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. with a prayer by Karen Kersey.
Present: Karen and Wayne Kersey, Bob Carpenter, Marilyn Morton, Don Griffith, Kathi McCormick, John Humphreys, Dick and Linda Thompson, Pastor Brian Plum, Becky Child
March minutes: Motion was made to accept the minutes from the last meeting and was unanimously approved. (Kathi/Marilyn)
Treasurer's Report: No report submitted this month. Stay tuned. Nominations committee forming for next steps.
Finance: Don Griffith
United Methodist Foundation item to appear in newsletter. Discussion about apportionment took place. Joint finance/administrative committee to meet with Pastor Plum to discuss apportionment forms before next fall. Bob Carpenter recommended Lakeview members use the Kroger contribution program for the church.
Trustees: Dick Thompson, John Humphreys
Trees reported down on the property across the street. Chris reattached the gutter that was missing screws. Bobby is lined up to work on the leaking ladies' room commode. Biscuits are on for the yard sale with Zondra helping and Karen making an updated sign for menu items. Bulletin boards will be reinstalled soon. Job jar coming Sunday for spring work around the church. Termites were reported in the community room. Leak in the sanctuary ceiling is being watched. Letting it dry out before painting. Signs to be updated with worship times.
Parsonage: Marilyn Morton
Shutters project is on hold. Don replaced a part in the oven.
Pastor/parish: Bob Carpenter
No in-person bagpiper could come for Easter but would like to get the outside speaker working for future services. CD training is complete for when Dave is unavailable.
Family ministries: Kathi McCormick
Easter message eggs were a hit with the neighborhood kids (about 20 hunted on Saturday) and 5 kids hunted in the rain after church on Sunday. Looking into bible school options.
Hiking report: Becky Child
Five people met April 1 at City Park for a leisurely hike around the nature trail. Lots of flowers are blooming. The second week was canceled due to downed trees in the park. Plan to hike again April 15 at 4 p.m.
Nurture: Linda Thompson
Covered dish dinner coming April 14 at 5 p.m. Planning to include some old-school games. Bible journaling continues to meet Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Outreach: Wayne Kersey
Snack packs for kids at Lakewood are wrapping up for the year. Outreach committee is meeting this week to discuss guidelines for use of the fellowship hall and other rooms, Community Bridge/Gabriel Project and similar efforts for the community. Linda Thompson recommended we ask for food pantry donations plus toiletries at covered dish dinners and once a month during church.
Worship: Karen Kersey
Reflected on Lenten services. Sunrise service on the lawn was good. Consider better pastor placement for next time. Sunrise breakfast was well attended with plenty of food (36 people). Thursday night service had quality singing/music. Bob C. plans to send cards to visitors who leave addresses in the book. Need an updated greeter schedule.
General updates/new business: Karen Kersey
Yard sale is coming April 27 from 8 a.m. to noon. Start bringing items in for sale on April 15 (price it and set it out). Updates to the website and Facebook page coming soon. Committee to meet about options and administration.
Pastor Plum closed the meeting with a prayer.
Minutes submitted by Becky Child.
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April 14: Covered dish dinner
April 27: Church yard sale
Mindful Mondays: Join Becky Child for easy to moderate walks at St. Albans City Park on Mondays in April from 4 to 5 p.m. Meet at the nature trail parking lot halfway up the hill. Call Becky with questions. Come enjoy the fresh air and spring flowers. All are welcome.
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