While on vacation I read the book, Surrender Bay, by Denise Hunter. Usually I read non-fiction, but this summer I chose to read fiction. As it turned out, the book wasn’t really fictional at all. In fact it had a very real truth. The main character in the book was Samantha who resisted the need to surrender, especially when it came to relationships. She was harboring feelings of guilt, denial, anger and even her true feelings of love for her soul mate.

The need to surrender is vital when it comes to being people of faith. Over and over again we fail to surrender to God’s will for our lives. We dance around what God intends for us. We resist opportunities to help others in need.

To surrender is to be free; free of ill-will toward others, free of ill-well toward ourselves. Too often we stuff our genuine feelings deep inside and don’t share how we truly feel. When we share others listen and that can be very therapeutic.

Surrender is not easy. It means giving in to reality. Unfortunately many folks continue to live in the past and fail to adapt to the current moment. When we habitually practice old ways of doings things and adhere to obsolete traditions and ideas we miss the freshness and creativity of the present.

Surrender also means letting go. As long as we hold negative feelings toward others we are not free. We fail to surrender to God’s forgiveness and grace. “How many times should I forgive, the scribe asked Jesus? Seventy times seven, Jesus said.” And that means a whole bunch.

Surrender means to go with the flow. It means not to get upset or frantic about things that happen beyond our control. It means to be aware of the presence of God every day.

In his book, The Power of Now, Eckart Tolle includes a chapter on The Meaning of Surrender. “Surrender is the simple but profound wisdom of yielding to, rather than opposing the flow of life. The only place where you can experience the flow of life is in the Now, so surrender is to accept the present moment unconditionally and without reservation. In the state of surrender you see very clearly what needs to be done, and you take action, doing one thing at a time and focusing on one thing at a time. Learn from nature; See how everything unfolds without dissatisfaction or unhappiness. That’s why Jesus said, ‘Look at the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin.’”

We have the ability to change any situation, including our feelings and attitudes by surrendering. There is no need to be negative, anxious or unhappy about anything. God is with us each and every moment of our lives and God becomes fully present when we live in the moment and yield to God’s power and grace for our lives.

Blessings and Peace!, Dr. Keith Wagner

On Sunday, September 7th - Worship will begin at 10:15 a.m.
Adult Sunday School will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Mary Esther Circle
The Mary Esther Circle will meet on Monday, September 10th at 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot for an outing to West Liberty and Urbana.

SPIRIT Group News
The SPIRIT Group will be selling Christmas cards during coffee hour on September 7th. The card has a picture of the Sanctuary. The boxes contain 10 cards and envelopes and sell for $5.00.

From the Trustees
On Saturday, September 27h, there is another opportunity to help around the church. An outdoor Working Fellowship session will be held starting at 9:00 a.m. Bring work gloves and other items to help spruce up the landscaping around the church. If you need more information, contact one of the trustees.
Thank you, Randy Seeger, Don Anderson, Ron Hill, Church Trustees

Church Council Meeting Briefs
1. St. Paul’s will host the Human Relations Celebration Conference sponsored by Church Women United on September 28th beginning at 4:00 p.m.
2. The fall outside clean-up day will be Saturday, September 27th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The trustees invite everyone to be at the church to help.
3. Sign-up sheets for carry-in food items – salads, desserts, etc. will be made available for the October 19th worship service and hog roast at the fairgrounds.
4. The new confirmation class begins on Wednesday, September 24th.
5. The local mission AGAPE will receive $70.00 or 10% of the $700.00 given to the church for general use from the Endowment fund.

Treasurer’s Report for July
Income - $12,567.46
Expenses - $24,107.05 ($9,300.00 for stained-glass repair paid from previous donations.)

Vacation Bible School
This year’s theme year was POWER LAB Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power. Each day the children met a new bible buddy that taught them a bible verse and point. They also enjoyed making a Wacky Craft, eating some tasty Test Tube Treats, played some Hyperspeed Games, were told a Bible Blast Story, explored a Science Lab with their friend Chadder in Cinema Science and sang several songs in Sing and Play.

This year we had approximately 30 children pre-registered for VBS. Our children our future of the church and Vacation Bible School continues to grow.

I would like to thank each and every parent, grandparents, aunts and uncles that brought a child to VBS. Also to everyone that volunteered their time to make it a success, as well as everyone that donated items, cash to purchase items needed, or loaned items. Without you VBS would not be what it is to our Children, and the future of St. Paul’s UCC.
Mary Ann Yinger

Congregational Meeting
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members that stayed for the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, August 24, 2008. I know this was a rather difficult meeting, but I feel a productive one, being different members were willing to express their feelings and thoughts.

I want to especially thank Jackie Deatherage and Jenny Coverstone for their presentations on behalf of their respective committees for a job well done.

It is back to the drawing board since the proposal of finding a Youth Director was voted down. Any recommendations for a youth oriented program from within the membership would be greatly appreciated for the concern is still a real one regarding the youth of St. Paul’s U.C.C. They are truly the future of our church.

Once again, thank you and God bless each of you now and always.
Respectfully, Vivian Goins, Council President

Me? We? God’s Agents? God’s Face? Really???
“Jesus called the twelve and gave them power and authority…and he sent them out…they departed and went…everywhere…” (Luke 9 1-6 excerpt)

You sent me to study. I chose a week-long July program of the Center for Parish Development teaching “middle judicatory” folk like me to know better how to lead churches to become “missional.” Their focus was on putting God’s mission first. This relates to understanding why the church exists and why people are members. It relates to all the learning we’ve been doing on being “vital” churches, “renewing” churches, “churches for the 21st century.” It relates to being living bodies of Christ, not dying churches.

This was an “Aha!” moment for me, although it was obvious when pointed out. In the 1950s when many of our older church members joined the church, that is exactly what they were doing: they signed on to be “members of an organization” called the church. They were not really thinking about “being” the church – being Christ’s body. This has made it really easy when the organization called church faltered to think about what “we members” want it to be, what will serve us, what business or psychological models will help solve problems, what secular promotion or entertainment styles are currently attracting folks.

It has been easy for the center of our effort to become gimmicks and programs for getting folks into our club. We have often become one more “service provider” out to meet “needs,” primarily our own, or those of people like us or already known to us. We now compete as one of many options for filling time and having a good life. This also means it is easy to forget, or put way on the back burner, any effort to remember that this is NOT “our” church – this is God’s project and Jesus is our guide. We are not in the church simply to receive “services,” but to be God’s presence in the community and world.

Thinking of ourselves as “members” rather than as “the body of Christ” makes it easy to skip seeking God’s will and priorities – it makes it easy to miss seeing people God has given gifts, vision and energy and put in our midst, but who do not fit the old models we are familiar with. It means we rarely listen to each other about our faith stories or where we face challenges to our faith or what we find helpful and nurturing spiritually--or even what motivates us to do good works together. We seek members to add numbers or gain their contributions rather than out of genuine interest in them or in sharing as they and we grow in living out or embodying--God’s will in our communities.

Our self-image as “members” fit when we could count on the economy and culture to support our religious preference and help teach it to our kids. This is no longer the case. Like the early church, we need to internalize and own how we live as followers--disciples--of Jesus and how that relates to “being” the church in a society where church is no longer the center or even very influential in our communities or culture. We need to be able to smile with joy and identify where it is we have seen God at work and know how we and our church relate to that work.

De-churched and unchurched folk who are increasing in numbers may know of God or Jesus only what they see in people whom they know are in churches, or they may believe media portrayals. It is scary to be the “image of God” for people but to reclaim the tasks God calls us to in many cases means being transformed. That is also scary--and difficult. But times are different than they were 50 years ago. We MUST return God to the center and follow where God leads now.
Ruth Brandon – SONKA Association Minister
Snippets Newsletter – August, 2008

Choir Practice
A new season of the church choir will begin on Wednesday, September 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the choir room located on the second floor. The Chancel Choir will sing during the worship service on Sunday, September 7th.

Thanks from all the kids who attended the “Back To School With God Camp”
Friday, August 15th at 5 p.m., 7 chaperones and 30 youth ages 6-16 loaded their gear into 7 vehicles and a trailer and headed-off to Mohican Campgrounds. We were together to talk about how to go back to school with GOD in our hearts. Heather Goubeaux led the “Back to School Lessons” and Andrea Day taught the kids how to make specific crafts to go with the lessons. We learned about: The Golden Rule, Putting God in Our Plans, The Lord’s Prayer, How God Provides For Our Needs, How to Avoid Being “Bounced” Around, How to Pray, and How to Show Appreciation to Others.

For many youth this trip marked a first in many ways: first time going to camp, first time being away from home for 2 ½ days, first time meeting the other youth, first time fishing, let alone catching a fish, first time rafting, and the first time go-karting.

For all youth this trip marked a step closer to GOD: learning how to get along with others of all ages, learning how to have patience, learning how to treat each other kindly, learning how to have faith, learning how to support each other, learning how to lean on each other…… etc.

The chaperones applaud all the youth that took this trip and the growth they made:
Kyle Ibarra, Madison Skorupski, Lexi Steele, Macy Boeke, Trevor Thompson, Payton Boshears, Jeffrey Overholser, Lexi Thompson, Kayleigh Knerr, Lauren Heaton, Mary Wagner, Matthew Skorupski, Michael Wampler, Luke Goubeaux, Eric Barnes, Nathan Day, Dylan Whiteside, Coltin Rose, Andrea Day, Shelbie Anderson, Teah Ibarra, Kiarra Ibarra, Zach Barga, Nikki Barga, Jake Selanders, Scott Cooper, Cody Goshorn, Brianna Harle, Madison Young & Jake Harle.

A huge thank you goes out to the chaperones: Heather & John Goubeaux (Spider Woman & Spider Man), John Skorupski, Heather Wood, Tom Thompson, and Bill & Angie Mentges. Thanks to Keith Brown for all his help with Xeroxing.

The church, just like each of us, is feeling the financial crunch of the times. Council met in the spring and attempted to find ways to “balance” the budget. Council asked each child to pay $50 to attend camp. Instead, donations in the amount of $1800 were given from the congregation in support of the program. Appreciation! How can we show appreciation? We talked about this at camp. The kids came up with a list of ways that they could show appreciation to someone in the congregation who had given to the camp fund.

_____ Mow the lawn
_____ Wash/clean the car
_____ Help with the garden/plants
_____ Cook a meal.
_____ Walk/Care for an animal
_____ Baby sit
_____ Rake leaves
_____ Shovel snow
_____ Take in the mail/newspaper
_____ Help with the trash
_____ Help with the groceries

If you could use help with any of the above, contact Angie Mentges at 498-8085 and she will talk to the campers about helping you. Thanks again for supporting such a meaningful and ever-growing program. Angie Mentges

Thank You
Thank you for all the donations of food for Vacation Bible School snacks. The children appreciated the snacks and how they related to the bible stories. Again, thank you for the food donations for bible school.
Nancy Rossman

September Birthdays
1 Virginia Decker, Coltin Rose
3 Summer Neville, Nathan Deere
4 Trevor Thompson, Brennan & Blaine McClain
5 Holly Hayes
7 Heather Goubeaux, Brianna Kemp
8 Doris Wiford, Heather McClain, Ainsley Wiford
9 Charles Deatherage
11 Ryan Schroer, Chris Alexander, Trevor Greer
12 David Spangler, Wesley Parfait
13 Barb Shoemaker, Sheryl Scherer, Joe Wagner
15 Todd Wagner, Christina Slonaker, Hillary Grieves, Zachary Holtzclaw
16 Kevin Hayes
17 Karen Papiernik
20 Matt Pulfer
21 Garret Rapp, Kyle Berlekamp, Carolyn VanMatre, Makali Gibson
22 Kesha Pierce
23 Michael Greer, Nicholas Climer
24 Marie Russell, Dawn Wiford, Mary Wagner
25 Kayla Climer
26 Nelson Liess, David Molitor, Kayla Kemp
27 Walter Gillman, Julianne Grieves, Brian McClain, Jeffrey Geib
28 Nancy Walter, Tiffany Kemp

Anniversaries in September
1 Cindy & John Scheu
2 Karen & Tim Papiernik
3 Jeanette & John Sargeant, Diane & Tim Easton
7 Alma & Ronald Hill, Joyce & Dennis Nelson
9 Jennifer & Keith Hooks
10 Mary & Charles Leonard
14 Kathleen & Don Anderson, Kim & Ray Weaver
21 Marj & Tom Dunnavant
22 MaryLane & Dale Harlamert, Lynn & Gene Leach, Misty & Chuck White
23 Karen & Merle Frank, Mindy & Jeff Weaver
24 Susan & David Schneider
29 Dawn & Rod Wiford

Golf Tournament Results
Nineteen golfers scrambled on Sunday, August 10th at Shelby Oaks Golf Course. This year’s winning team is: Paul Borders, Don Lauth, Tom Dunnavant and David Hollenbacher.
Other winners were: Closest to the pin, Tom Dunnavant; Longest drive, Dar Molitor; and Longest putt , Keith Wagner.
Prizes were handed out to all participants and a great time was had by all.

Thanks!
The response to the “Tools for School” program was really great. Thanks to everyone who brought supplies and placed them in the blue barrel.

Our Sympathies
To: the family of Rosemary Gold. She died on Monday, August 4th, 2008. She was 85 years old.

To: David Kemp and family on the death of his mother, Wilma D. Kemp. She died on Saturday, August 9th at the age of 84.

New Baby
On Friday, August 8th, Brody Lee Reisinger was born. He is the son of Brittany Billing & Dusty Reisinger.

Human Relations Celebration Sunday
Sunday, September 28th is Human Rights Sunday. At 4:00PM, St. Paul’s will host a service of worship in the sanctuary. The event is sponsored by Church Women United. There will be a time of fellowship following the worship service.

Worship Services for September
USHERS for the month are: Steve Baker (head usher), Tom Dunnavant, Peg Baker, Paul Borders, Bill Mentges, and Don Lauth.

September 7
Sermon – “The Golden Years”
Romans 13:8-14
Worship Leader – Heather Wood
Greeters – TBA
Children’s Message – Meggan Weaver
Children’s Church – Meggan Weaver

Coffee Hour Sponsors – Kathleen & Don Anderson, Connie Hamilton, Linda & Gary Harbison, Julie & Rick Maurer, Melvin Pfister, Marian Price and Marie & Rob Russell.

September 14
Sermon – “Forgive or Else”
Matthew 18:21-35
Worship Leader – Chuck Wood
Greeters – TBA
Children’s Message – Angie Mentges
Children’s Church – Julie Maurer

September 21
Sermon – “The Generosity of God”
Matthew 20:1-16
Worship Leader – Marijane Mead
Greeter – TBA
Children’s Message – Kent Smith
Children’s Church – Sherri Overholser

September 28
Sermon – “More Than Saying I Do”
Matthew 21:23-32
Worship Leader – Kathleen Anderson
Greeters – TBA
Children’s Message – Keith Wagner
Children’s Church – TBA

Hospitalized
Earle Mead, Upper Valley Medical Center
Barb Neer, Miami Valley Hospital
Charlie Leonard, Wilson Memorial Hospital

Attendance and Offerings
Aug.3 - 184 - $3,389.25
Aug.10 - 97 - $2,484.25
Aug.17 - 101 - $1,430.75
Aug.24 - 129 - $2,242.75

Confirmation
This year’s Confirmation classes will begin on Wednesday, September 24th at 7:00PM. All youth who are in the 7th and 8th grade are eligible to participate.

Confirmation is a program of the church where youth meet with the pastor during the school year. We will cover a variety of subjects such as “What it means to be the church in the 21st century,” “Faith development,” “Church History,” “The Bible,” and much more.

On Palm Sunday, those who complete the confirmation program will become full members of St. Paul’s Church. Please notify the church office if you plan to participate.
Thank you, Dr. Keith Wagner

Address Changes
Robyn Deatherage, 10945 Tidal Run Circle, Fountain, CO 80817

Dorothy Quellhorst, 2000 Park Creek Lane, Churchville, NY 14428

September Calendar
1- Labor Day, office closed
3- 10:00 a.m. – Crimson Belles Meet-N-Eat, FR; 7:00 p.m. – Choir Practice, Choir Room
4- 11:00 a.m. – Bible Study, CR
5- 3:30 p.m. – Carmean/Molitor wedding rehearsal
6- 4:00 p.m. – Misty Carmean & David Molitor wedding
7- 7:30 a.m. – WMVR radio broadcast; 9:00 a.m. – Adult Sunday School; 10:15 a.m. – Worship; Coffee Hour, FH
8- 7:00 p.m. – Church Council Meeting, CR
9- 5:30 p.m. – Habitat for Humanity Meeting, CR
10- 10:00 a.m. – Mary Esther Circle, parking lot; 7:00 p.m. - Choir Practice, Choir Room
11- 11:00 a.m. – Bible Study, CR
12- 11:00 a.m. – CWU meeting, CR
14- 7:30 a.m. – WMVR radio broadcast; 9:00 a.m. – Adult Sunday School; 10:15 a.m. – Worship; 2:00 p.m. – Stewart Baby shower, FH
18- 11:00 a.m. – Bible Study, CR
21- 7:30 a.m. – WMVR radio broadcast; 9:00 a.m. – Adult Sunday School; 10:15 a.m. – Worship
24- 7:00 p.m. – Confirmation, CR; 7:00 p.m. - Choir Practice, Choir Room
25- 9:00 a.m. – Teachers’ Workshop, FH; 11:00 a.m. – Bible Study, CR
27- 9:00 a.m. – Outdoor Working Fellowship session
28- 7:30 a.m. – WMVR radio broadcast; 9:00 a.m. – Adult Sunday School; 10:15 a.m. – Worship