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| |Liturgist |Clean the |Children’s Message |Acolytes |Pass the peace |Fellowship time |

| | |Church | | | | |

|2 |Barb Tate |Liz |Julia Hoffman |Mason & Zachary |Malinda & Marilyn |Dennis & Reba |

|9 |Ben Robertson |June & Marcia |Julia Hoffman |Faith & Isabelle |Marlene & Sue | |

|16 |Rita Neidlinger |Donna & Ben |Julia Hoffman |Emma & Tatum |Dennis & Reba |Harvest Dinner |

|23 |Julia Hoffman |Joe & Carolyn |Constance Faithful |Dannarai & Hailey |Shannon & Brenda | |

|30 |Craig Bowen |Congregation |Constance Faithful |Faith & Tatum |Julia & Jill |Hanging of Greens |

Birthdays & Anniversaries

|1 |Verna Lou Ferguson |

|1 |Jim Neidlinger |

|2 |Greta Rohe |

|2 |Valerie Spencer |

|5 |Mike Flowers |

|8 |Dennis Ream |

|8 |Dean Rusk |

|20 |Tracey Moore |

|21 |Tommy Nash |

|23 |Mike & Patsy Flowers |

|26 |Sue Dawes |

|28 |Tim Rohe |

|29 |Zachary King |

|29 |Mallory Robertson |

Our box score for October

|  |Our Giving |Our Attendance |

|  |2013 |2014 |2013 |2014 |

|1st Sun |$510.00 |$1,130.00 |15 |47 |

|2nd Sun |$965.00 |$490.00 |??? |48 |

|3rd Sun |$754.00 |$915.00 |32 |38 |

|4th Sun |$673.00 | |32 | |

We count people because people count

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CHURCH SCHOOL CONTINUES EACH SUNDAY AT 9:00. There are classes for children, youth and adults.

1 Purpose

The world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child, uses gift-filled shoeboxes to share God’s love in a tangible way with needy children around the world.



There are free items in the board room for shoe boxes and shoe boxes.

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Sunday School 9:00

Worship Service 10:00 Fellowship Time 11:15



Bible Study Gathering 6:30

Bible Study 7:00

Pastor: Donald Batz

Email: adcbatz@

Phone: 765-324-2556

Cell: 563-505-5892

Youth Group

Nov. 2: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 16: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

REMINDER: The church has a face book page. We try to have announcements and other items on it weekly. Become a friend of Colfax UMC.

UMC MEN'S BREAKFAST

Nov. 9 – 7:30 a.m.

“Batz in the Belfry”

Dear Friends of Colfax UMC:

In Luke’s Gospel, if I remember correctly, we are told that “ten were cleansed” but only one -- a Samaritan or foreigner, no less -- returned to Jesus to express his thanks to God.  Isn’t that interesting and yet, isn’t that so often the case in life.  Too often, gratitude seems to be in short supply.  Taking things for granted rather than in gratitude seems to be all too frequent a response of we human beings.  

In the 8th chapter of Deuteronomy, we are given a warning and then some good advice: "But watch yourself! Don’t forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commands or his case laws or his regulations that I am commanding you right now. When you eat, get full, build nice houses, and settle down, and when your herds and your flocks are growing large, your silver and gold are multiplying, and everything you have is thriving, don’t become arrogant, forgetting the Lord your God. (verses 11-14)

I don’t know about you but I’ll confess that I often like to think of myself as a doer and achiever.  I want to “take credit’ for any accomplishments and gains I’ve made.  But the truth of it is that we are primarily receivers and transmitters not achievers.  We all started out as zero, zip, nada.  We didn’t even ask to be born.  We did nothing to get here but here we are!  My very existence is gift of God.  In fact, am I not but a conglomeration of the gifts of God?  What do I have that wasn’t “passed down” to me?  Indeed, I am a recipient of everything I have. Therefore, my most basic relationship to God should be one of gratitude.

God gave us a memory so that we can remember and give thanks. The memory enables us to bring forth from the storeroom of the past the wonderful moments of success, love and happiness, so that we can re-live, re-enjoy them and be grateful. 

Thanksgiving is often a time to remember and give thanks.  Unfortunately we do not do it more often.  The scriptures remind us from the very creation of the world of all the many gifts that we are the recipient of so much. Our prayer should eternally be “Lord, give me a grateful heart.”

The national observance of Thanksgiving Day is this month.  May I suggest that as you gather with your loved ones to "remember and give thanks".  Remember that in a world of want, you have plenty.  In a world of hunger, starvation, disease and homelessness, you have a “roof over your head”, a table filled with more food than you can possibly eat, and no fear of enemies snatching your life or the lives of your loved ones.  Yes, friends, “remember and give thanks” for we are all such fortunate persons.

That’s my view from the belfry. D.L.B.  

Join Us for the Harvest Dinner

This year our annual Harvest Dinner will be on Sunday, November 16, at 5:00 p.m.  We especially want to invite as our guests all the families that have made use of our Jacob’s Ladder. Families are encouraged to bring their “baskets” well filled for the “pitch in dinner” which will be shared at 5:00 p.m. followed by a musical program provided by our own Mike Flowers.  This is always a great evening and we encourage all of our families to be involved plus our special guests from within our Colfax community.  

Members of Administrative Council will meet in November.

All members of the Administrative Council are reminded that in November they will be meeting on Wednesday, November 19, at 7:00 p.m.  Members of the Committee are Rita Neidlinger (chair), Shawn Nash, Dan Tate, Eric Bowen, Elaine Bowen, Marilyn Bowen, Jill Bowen, Carolyn Wagner, Jenn Casey, Lauran Swain, Donna Robertson, Kenny Dukes, Joe Wagner, Verna Lou Ferguson, Ben Robertson.

Prayer Concerns

Unspoken Concerns

THOSE ILL AND THEIR FAMILIES

Lynne Highley,

Kevin Dukes

Jackie Collier, wife of former pastor at Christian church

 

THOSE HOMEBOUND OR IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Don Bowen-Homewood Health Camus

Jean Crow –Homewood Health Campus

Lil Osborne – Clinton House

Marjorie (Wheat) Hurless in Wesley Manor

Health Center

Donna & Lauran’s father –Coming to Clinton

House 

Rex Deford -- home

Ward Suter -- home

OUR COMMUNITY, NATION AND WORLD

Our local community and school

Ebola Crises in West Africa ---

Guidance for the leadership of our nation

The crises with the terrorists in the world

 Hungry Children in the world

Revitalization of the Church

PASTOR PARISH

We will have a Pastor Parish meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the board room.

Jean Crow is in Room 208 at Homewood Health Campus

2494 N Lebanon St

Lebanon, IN 46052

METHODIST’S MEN

Our monthly gathering of the United Methodist Men will be on Sunday, November 9, with breakfast at the church at 7:30 a.m.  Come and enjoy the fellowship time plus always a good breakfast.

November Mission Offering

During November it is our tradition to use our mission offering for Jacob’s Ladder Food Pantry. The committee would like to thank everyone for their generous support through the years. It is much appreciated.

Our Military Connections

Austin Harshbarger

Kip Pollard, James Morris

Sue & Joy's nephew, Garrett

June's grandsons – Zack, Kevin,

Justin, Dakota & Bobby

Hanging of the Greens on Sunday, November 30

We invite our laity to “stay around” after our Worship Service on Sunday, November 30 to “give us a hand” in the Hanging of the Greens as we decorate the interior and exterior of our church for the Advent season.  

All help is appreciated!

Daylight Saving Time Ends November 2

Just a reminder that Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2.  Be sure to turn your clocks backwards when you retire on Saturday night or you are going to be “an hour early” for Sunday School and Church on Sunday.

Jacob’s Ladder

Monthly needs

Peanut Butter Canned Pasta

Canned Meats Chicken & Dumplings

Pancake Mix Syrup

Toilet Paper Cereal

Tomato Juice Cake Mix

November Issue of Pockets

The November issue of the youth magazine published by the Upper Room entitled “Pockets” is now on the literature rack in the entry way.  Youth are encouraged to take a copy for their use.

SERMONS DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

Below are the sermons that Dr. Batz will be preaching during the month of November.  We encourage you to read the scriptural passages in preparation for the hearing of our pastor’s message.

Nov. 2  All Saints Sunday “A Legacy Worth Living" Joshua 3:7-17, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37, I  Thessalonians 3:1-13, Matthew 23:1-12

Remembering those related to our Church that died during the year. Celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nov. 9 “So Little, So Late, So Long” Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, Psalm 78:1-7, I Thessalonians 4:1-12, Matthew 25:1-13

Nov.16 “Never Stop Encouraging” Judges 4:1-7, Psalm 123, I Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30

Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Sunday Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 100, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 

Princess M. Jusu and Mrs. Nancy Carew, guest speakers - Missionaries from Liberia

Nov. 30 First Sunday of Advent “Wake Up!  Here I Come Ready or Not!"

Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, I Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37

Our Bible Study is studying the Book of Acts. We meet at the church on Sunday Evenings at 6:30 for a fellowship time and start the study at 7:00. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Adult Sunday School Lessons for the Month of November

The Adult Class is studying Prayer – Does it make a difference by Phillip Yancey. You are urged to join us at 9:00 on Sunday Morning. Our lessons for November

November 2 Keeping Company with God

November 9 How to Pray

November 16 Prayer Problems

November 23 Special guest will share with us

November 30 Does Prayer Change anything?

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY

Our church will be having their annual Christmas party on Friday night, December 5, at the church.  Persons are asked to make a free will donation for the pizzas that will be ordered.  Persons are asked to bring either chips, salads or desserts and a $5.00 gifts in Christmas wrapping.  Parents of children younger than 6th grade are also asked to bring a wrapped gift for their children.  Youth in 6th grade and older are asked to bring an adult gift.  Games will be played and gift exchange will take place.   So mark your calendar now for Friday, December 5, and join us at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

Flower Garden of Memories

Members of our church are reminded that any dollar size gift that they wish to make in memory or in honor of a loved one will be entered in our Book of Memories as a contribution towards our exterior landscaping project.  The cost of the project amounted to $2,200 for 242 plants of 17 different perennials and two trees that now beautify the exterior of our church.  To date, the church has received seven remembrances for this flower garden project amounting to $761.  If you wish to have a “loved one” remembered either in memory or in honor, please give your check of any amount with the name of the person or persons to be remembered to Elaine Bowen or send your check to the Church: post office box 246, Colfax, In. 46035.    

 

All Saints Sunday To Be Observed November 2

On Sunday, November 2, our church will be recognizing the deaths this past year of any of our members of our congregation and the deaths of special family members of persons within our church family.  If you have a loved one that has died during the past year and you would like for the church to remember them on All Saints Sunday, November 2, please notify Dr. Batz at adcbatz@ or call him at 765-324-2556.  Share with him the name of the deceased, the date of death, and your relationship to them.  During the worship service, names of the persons being remembered will be read and special prayers will be given.  

Memorial Poinsettias

Advent begins on Sunday, November 30.  Families that wish to have a memorial red poinsettia for the Advent season are requested to bring it to the church on that Sunday.  During that service, families will be invited to place their memorial poinsettia plant in the chancel area.  Please indicate the name of the person or persons being remembered and the name of the donor.  If possible, persons are asked to have the pot cover in green and the bow in white.

Pastor to Offer Confirmation Training 

Dr. Batz will be offering a Confirmation class for Junior-Hi and Senior-Hi youth.  He is currently calling on all prospective members of the class and their parents in an attempt to explain the content of the training and the importance of Confirmation.  Parents of potential confirmands are asked to contact Dr. Batz either by phone at 324-2556 or email at adcbatz@ in order that he might arrange a visit in your home to share with you and your potential confirmand the content of the class and the responsibilities of the young person. Youth in grades 7th through high school are all eligible for the class.

ATTENTION: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The Pastor Parish Committee approved under-writing the $45 registration expense for each high school youth in our church that would be interested in attending the 2014 Bishop's Student Leadership Academy at the University of Indianapolis.   The Academy will begin on Friday, November 21, at 7:00 p.m. and continue to Sunday, November 23, at 2:00 p.m.  The overnight accommodations, Saturday meals and Sunday breakfast will all be covered by the registration fee paid by our church.

The focus of the Academy is to explore with the high school students what issues are they most passionate about, what problems and challenges in the world are believed to be most urgent to them, and what gifts and tools has God given them to address with Christ's love these issues.      

Parents or students that are seeking more information are encouraged to call Lisa Timmerman at 317/924-1321 or email lisa.timmerman@. Registration will be closed on October 29.

High School Students that are interested in attending the Academy can contact Jill Bowen, chairperson of our church's youth ministries committee or Craig Bowen, Anne Nash or Donna Robertson, who are members of that committee.

MISSIONARIES FROM LIBERIA ON THANKSGIVING SUNDAY

On Thanksgiving Sunday, November 23, two missionaries from Liberia will share their story in Sunday School and Worship of how God is working through the United Methodist Women’s Leadership Training Center, where they are both instructors,  in Monrovia.

Princess M. Jusu and Mrs. Nancy Carew are both natives of Sierra Leone.  In 1997 Princess and her family were forced to leave Sierra Leone during civil unrest and are now residents of our country.  Prior to her work at the Training Center, she served for four years in association with the Nigeria Annual Conference and for four months she joined her husband in ministry in Accra, Ghana at the Budumbura International Refugee Camp.  She and her husband, Henry, are parents of two children, both of which, along with their granddaughter, attend schools in the United States.    

Prior to Mrs. Carew’s assignment to Liberia, where she was teaching foods and nutrition, she and her family served for three years in Nigeria, West Africa.  She earned her degree in Home Economics from Njala University in Sierra Leone and taught there for six years in the high school prior to her work at St. Mary’s Hospital in London.  Her husband, George Carew,  is a retired missionary with the Board of Global Ministries and are parents of six children.  The Carew’s are currently living in Georgia.    

Be sure to join us on Sunday, November 23, and hear this “first hand” report of our church at work in Liberia.  They will speak during our adult Sunday School program and at the 10:00 a.m. Worship Service

Bishop Calls All Indiana Clergy to

Covenant Day Conference

Bishop Mike Coyner, Leadership Development, the Board of Ordained Ministry and Chairs of the Indiana Conference Clergy Orders are calling for a gathering of all United Methodist clergy to gather together on Tuesday, November 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m cultivate our clergy covenant. 

According to Bishop Coyner, “This will be a Covenant Day for the clergy to worship, fellowship and focus upon our covenant together.” The gathering will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Dr. Batz and our Pastor Emeritus, Joe Wagner, will both be in attendance.  

ADVENT BEGINS ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Many Christian churches observes the four Sundays before Christmas as the season of Advent.  It is thought of as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus.  The term “Advent” is a derivation of a Latin word “adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival”.

One of the major traditions of Advent is the keeping of an advent wreath with four outer purple candles and one center white candle.  The liturgical color of purple is emblematic of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King and, of course, the white candle is emblematic of the purity of Jesus as the Christ.

On the first Sunday of Advent, November 30, one of the purple candles is lighted, a scripture is read, a short devotional or reading is given, and a prayer is offered.  On subsequent Sunday, previous candles are relighted with an additional one lighted for the first time.  Many churches will have three purple candles and a rose colored candle, which is lighted on the third Sunday of Advent, and is emblematic of the scriptural passage in Isaiah 35:1 where we read: “the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.”  

Each of the four Advent Sunday mornings at worship, prior to Christmas day, a lay family will light another of the outer candles until on Christmas eve at midnight the center candle, often called the Christ candle, will be lighted by our pastor.

The circle of the wreath reminds us of God himself, his eternity and his endless mercy which like the wreath has no beginning or ending.  The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life.  Even candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of his son.  The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth in Bethlehem.

Even the light of the candles is an important symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God's grace to others (Isa 42:6). The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolizes the various aspects of our waiting experience. As the candles are lighted over the four week period, it also symbolizes the darkness of fear and hopelessness receding and the shadows of sin falling away as more and more light is shed into the world. The flame of each new candle reminds the worshippers that something is happening, and that more is yet to come. Finally, the light that has come into the world is plainly visible as the Christ candle is lighted at Christmas, and worshippers rejoice over the fact that the hope and promise of long ago have been realized.  

Dr. Batz to Lead Advent Study

Dr. Batz will be leading our congregation in an Advent study of James Harnish’s book “When God Comes Down” for five consecutive Sunday nights at 6:30 p.m. starting on Sunday, November 30.  The study will look at the stories of the primary Biblical characters -- Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus in reference to the Christian idea of the incarnation.  

Dr. Harnish recently retired last June after twenty-two years as senior pastor of the Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida.  He is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary and a native of western Pennsylvania.    

Reviews of the this particular study has been outstanding: inspirational, motivational, and stimulating”, “theologically sound” , “interesting and informative”, “enlightening”, “great read” were just a few of the positive comments that were made by those who have read and reviewed the book.

If you are interested in attending this special Advent study, please order through Amazon Dr. Harnish’s book.  Cost of the book is $4.45 plus postage.

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS: A SEMINAR FOR PERSONS IN GRIEF  

There is no question about it; holidays are particularly difficult for persons that have suffered the death of a loved one or a dear friend.  In light of that fact, our Annual Conference is offering a seminar meeting at two different times at St. Mark’s Church, 4780 E. 126th Street in Carmel, entitled “A Grief Shared: Surviving the Holidays”.  Participants can either attend on Monday, November 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. or on Saturday, November 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Through video interviews with counselors and grief experts, participants will discover practical suggestions to help cope with the holiday season.  Topics that will be discussed include: Why the Holidays Are Tough, How to Manage Relationships and Holiday Socials, and Using the Holidays to Help You Heal.

Those who attend will also receive a free book with over 30 daily readings providing additional insights and ideas on holiday survival.  Childcare will be provided for infants through grade 5 by contacting St. Mark’s Church in Carmel in advance.  If you are interested in attending either one of the two sessions, please contact St. Mark’s Church at 317-846-4912.   

QUESTION OF HUMAN SEXUALITY AND CHURCH UNITY TO BE ADDRESSED

There is no question that the issue of homosexuality and the church marriage of same sex couples has become the most controversial and potentially divisive issue within the United Methodist Church as well as a great many other denominations.  On Saturday, November 1, the UMC webcast will address this issue.  The webcast will be live streamed from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Eastern time.

A panel discussion will feature seven Bishops within our church: Bishops Hope Morgan Ward, Kenneth H. Carter, J. Michael Lowry, Gregory V. Palmer, Melvin G. Talbert, Rosemarie Wenner and John K. Yambasu plus the president and publisher of the Publishing House, Neil Alexander.  The Bishops co-authored a book entitled “Finding Our Way: Love and Law in the United Methodist Church”, which can be ordered on line from ebay for $10.90 plus $3.10 shipping.  

People will be able if they so desire to ask questions on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #cttalks during the livestream.

This is the second of three webcasts that has been presented on this topic. The first conversation on April 29, 2014 is still available by clicking on the archived #CTtalks Twitter discussion.

For more information, please contact Ashley Boggan at aboggan@ or 773-714-1517.

Wow! It is already time to start thinking about our shoebox ministry for Operation Christmas Child.  Our dedication Sunday for the boxes will be Sunday November 9th. This year, I have ordered labels for you to use on your boxes. These will soon be given out as a bulletin insert. As a quick reminder, decide if your box will be for a boy or girl and select an age group 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14....fill your box with gifts that are not liquids, breakables, or war-related. You may wrap your box and lid separately or Lauran will do for you... attach label to lid and rubber band lid to box. ...and pray for your box's destination...that it will reach the right child for Jesus. As always, shipping is just as important as the boxes; so if you can't do a box and would like to help with international shipping, the cost is $7 per box. Let's make this a great year where we really make a difference in the lives we touch! Questions?? Call Lauran Swain at 324-2225.

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