THE MESSENGER
January 8, 2008
A publication of Manchester United Methodist Church

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Feature Article:
Where Are You Going?


Steve Harbaugh
Minister of Adult Education

Jesus explains that these are the things God values - and I hope that’s our destination
as disciples.

In This Issue:
Letter from Carl
Ministry and Fellowship
Living Our Christianity
Worship
Our Church Family

Dr. Albert Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of each passenger. When he came to Einstein, Albert reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his other pocket. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat by him. He couldn’t find it. The conductor said, ‘Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.” Einstein nodded appreciatively.

The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.” Einstein looked at him and said, ‘Young man, I, too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”

It’s a new year and, perhaps like me, you have made some New Year’s resolutions. I hope they are ones that help us know where we are going in 2008. If not, it’s not too late to add one or two that give direction to life. Since our Gospel focus for 2008 is the Gospel of Matthew, maybe we could start by considering Jesus’ Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. There is a list of resolutions to start with. Jesus explains to the crowd that these are the things which God values in the Kingdom – and I hope that’s our destination as disciples.

Jesus says we are blessed when there is more of God and less of ourselves in our lives. We are blessed when what we find in God is more dear than any material things we have lost. We are blessed when we care and in caring find ourselves cared for by God. We are blessed when we can see God in the world outside of ourselves. We are blessed when we cooperate rather than fight with each other and with God. We are blessed when we discover that we really are a part of the family of God and that God’s Kingdom is where we are going.

Shalom, that is Peace, in the coming year.

Rev. Carl Schenck
Senior Pastor

until the membership comes to understand that it has a spiritual assignment from Christ to reach out to people, we will not penetrate the community with the good news of Christ as we should.

Be sure to read Carl's blog, Faith and Empire.

Dear Friends,

For all of my life I have either been a student in school or lived with someone who was a student or teacher. Because of that, September seems more like the beginning of the year than does January. Yet the calendar says a new year has begun and that makes for a time of assessment and looking ahead.

In many ways, 2007 was a great year for the witness and ministry of MUMC:

• Our ministries continued to flourish.
• Our staff was blessed by valuable new additions.
• Our support for the operating and building budgets was strong.
  Construction began on building the home to be exchanged with the State of Missouri which will consolidate the church’s ownership of the properties across Creve Coeur from our west parking lot.
• We had a strong Volunteer in Mission group serve in Nicaragua and our mission connection to the work at Centenary UMC grows.
• Contemporary style worship has grown and we have added a second contemporary service.
• Disciple Bible Study, Wednesday evening classes, and the Christian Leadership College all give adults great opportunities
  to grow in their faith.

The primary disappointment of 2007 has been our inability to successfully address the overall decline in worship attendance. This decline is primarily rooted in a long term decline in first-time worship visitors. When first-time worship visitors decline in number, so do second and third time visitors. As those visitors decline, the number of new members attracted declines. This cycle is ultimately deadly. It appears to me that the general attitude is that this slippage is either unimportant or that it is the job of the staff to solve it. Both are mistaken. The slippage is important and every member has a role to play in bringing new persons to our faith community. Until the membership comes to understand that it has a spiritual assignment from Christ to reach out to people and encourage their involvement in our church, we will not penetrate the community with the good news of Christ as we should.

I see two critical tasks for 2008. The first is to make meaningful and measurable impact on the first-time visitor decline and, with that, impact on the slippage in worship attendance. Our second great task is to make a decision on the proposed Community Christian Life Center that is future oriented-rather than past-oriented. There will be information and discussion opportunities in the coming weeks.

I hope you will participate. My belief is that this proposal is critical to our future witness to the community. Either moving ahead with this project or abandoning it will have a large impact on our future witness. As a congregation we must make a decision that will make our future better. Our success in these two areas will largely determine whether 2008 will be a good or a disappointing year.

I hope you will be in worship this week.

Grace and Peace,

Carl

MINISTRY and FELLOWSHIP

Please send all submissions for the Messenger to the following new email address:

themessenger@manchesterumc.org

Thank you!

A study of Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God will be held Tuesdays 9:30–11 a.m. The study will run from January 29 through April 22.

Cost of the participant book is $15. Childcare will be available.

Perform with One Voice

Individuals who believe they fit the criteria, or anyone with questions, please contact us by filling out the Contemporary portion of the service signup insert inside the Sunday bulletin, or you may call Wanda Kuntz, Contemporary Music Director at 636.200.4714.

The MUMC Contemporary Music Team (One Voice and One Voice band members) will begin leading two worship services Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Due to the additional commitment, we are now expanding and are looking for new members.

Responsibilities will include:
Rehearsal at 7:30 a.m. on the Sunday scheduled to play and Wednesday evenings (6:30–8:45 p.m. for vocalists; 7–8:45 p.m. for instrumentalists)

At the present time, we are especially (but not exclusively) looking for additional drummers, vocalists (all voice parts), and bass players.

How to join:
One Voice and Band members are chosen based upon the following:
Musical ability:
Singers:  ability to read music, accurate pitch, sense of rhythm, good memorization / diction
Instrumentalists:  ability to read chord charts, willing to improvise
Stage Presence: Self-confidence, posture, pleasant appearance
Experience: Ability to minister in spite of pressure; comfort level being in front of people
Calling: Is this person already a worshipper and called to lead others?
Attitude: Ability to be a team player with a positive, cooperative attitude
Character: None of us are perfect, but members of One Voice and the One Voice band should desire to live lives that reflect their love for Jesus Christ
Timing:  Does the person feel they are ready for praise and worship ministry?

Theme
“Taste and See the Lord is Good” Jesus’ first miracle was at a marriage celebration. As we look at the first miracle of turning water into wine, we will learn that Christ is trustworthy. As a believer of Jesus Christ, He desires for us to have a personal relationship with Him. But to have the life He promises, we must take that first step of trusting Him, then learn to receive his grace freely and, finally, live in His blessing that He bestows on us.

Details
Come to this women’s retreat on Friday and Saturday, February 1 and 2 at the Mercy Center in Frontenac to hear more about this topic. Featured speaker is author, wife, and mother Melissa Shaver. The retreat begins on Friday at 5 p.m. and concludes Saturday at 4 p.m.

Please reserve your spot by January 20.

Cost
Single Rooms: $97 (limited availability)
Double Rooms: $82 per person
Retreat Option: $45 (no overnight stay or breakfast)

Did you know that MUMC offers a Healthy Living and Weight Management Ministry?  We do!  And a new session will be beginning in January 2008. 

We are offering a total-wellness program that can help you achieve your goals of physical, emotional AND spiritual health.  The program includes a weight management component that is both personal and Bible-based.   Our group uses the First Place program, a Christ-centered healthy living and weight control program.  First Place combines Bible study and Scripture reading with a sensible eating plan to help participants focus on giving Christ “first place” in every area of their lives. 

Groups will meet weekly for 13 weeks starting in January 2008.  Each weekly meeting will include Bible study, instruction, encouragement and support to help you achieve your healthy living goals.  There will be both evening and daytime sessions available, with childcare possible during meeting times.

Informational orientations for the First Place program will be held in January, watch the Messenger and Sunday morning announcements for more information.

Did you know that MUMC now offers TWO contemporary services? Enjoy them at 9 a.m and 10:30 a.m. Both will feature the same music, worship, and message.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion.” Colossians 3:12

Stephen Ministry Training is our congregation’s program to prepare lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life challenges, both in our congregation and in the community.

Stephen Ministers are committed Christians who:

Express God’s care through their lives to others.
Receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts.
Visit another person regularly and dependably, offering Christian support and care.
Participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders.
Are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship.
Serve for two years.
Receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.

Stephen Ministers are care givers, not cure givers.

Meals and Ministries

Please visit our website for more information and menus.

Module Three of our popular Meals and Ministries program is ongoing. Come enjoy a delicious hot meal every Wednesday and follow it with nourishment for the mind and soul with these classes:

Gospel of Matthew
Rev. Graig Connell and Rev. Steve Harbaugh
Matthew is the first Gospel in the New Testament and the Church’s focus for 2008.  Come and learn what the Gospel of Matthew teaches us about Jesus Christ and how we can grow as His disciples.

Credo
Rev. Carl Schenck
In this class, we will read and discuss the short book Credo by William Sloan Coffin. “Credo” means statement of faith, and we will discuss  Coffin’s faith and our own.

Just Walk Across the Room
Rev. Chris Williams (starts January 16)
Sharing our faith can be scary and challenging, but it can be as simple as walking across the room. In this class, we will look at simple steps pointing people to faith.

Just Faith
Facilitated by Paco Canellas
Have you heard about the JustFaith class that is offered at MUMC and wondered about it?  Well, this is your opportunity to try it out!  JustFaith is a course (normally 30 weeks) designed to encourage awareness of issues, attitudes and possibilities relating to social justice.  We are offering this short “sampler” course to introduce JustFaith to you.  Please join us and learn about social justice.

What's for dinner?

Here's the menu for some upcoming classes:

January 16 Ham, scalloped potatoes
January 23 Spaghetti with meat sauce, bread sticks
January 30 Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits
February 6 (Ash Wednesday) Vegetable beef soup
February 13 Fettuccini alfredo with chicken breast, bread sticks
February 20 Chili All-Ways
February 27 Pork loin, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits
March 5 Ham, scalloped potatoes
March 12 Lasagna, bread sticks

All meals include salad, vegetables, desserts and beverages.

New Member Class

For more
information or to make reservations,
contact Betsy Vicente at 636.200.4720.

Sunday, January 13
2 - 4:30 p.m. Orientation in Room 133
Childcare provided. (Must be scheduled one week in advance.)

Join on Saturday, January 19 or Sunday, January 20.

Reservations required.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration

For more details, contact the church office at 636.394.7506.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Pan Methodist/Interdenominational Celebration will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 21 at MUMC.

Bishop John R. Bryant, Presiding Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will be the speaker.

All are welcome. The national theme is: A Day On, Not a Day Off.

WOW

For more details, contact Nancy Cooper at 636.200.4719.

WOW. What is it?

It’s an awesome Youth Conference gathering that happens every January. Youth from around the state in 6th - 12th grades gather in Springfield, MO for worship, workshops, games, and fun.

Dates for the conference are January 26 and 27. Please register by January 16.

For more information, check out the youth tab at our website. and get your signup in now. You won’t want to miss it!

Circle of Friends Registration

For more
information or to
schedule a tour, call 636.394.6867.

Circle of Friends Preschool Registration Schedule for 2008–2009

January 16–17  
MUMC Members
January 23–24 
Current COF Families Registering for an Afternoon Class
January 26 at 1 p.m.
Current Families
January 29 
Former Families
January 31 
Community Families

The Journey Continues
(Youth Confirmation)

Contact John Guiney at 636.200.4736 for more information.

Confirmation is almost here! So, what does that mean to you? The Confirmation program at MUMC needs many people to be a success. We expect more than 70 youth to be involved, so that requires teachers, parents and mentors. One of the most rewarding experiences available in youth ministries is that of a Confirmation teacher. The commitment is sizable, but what you get back is wonderful! Many of our “regular” teachers started teaching when their youth went through the program. The experience was so great for them that they stayed on year after year.

Another opportunity to help comes in the form of Confirmation mentor. As a mentor, we ask that you pray for a specific Confirmand that will be assigned to you. You will get an information sheet that tells you about your Confirmand. You will write occasional notes of encouragement as well. As a mentor, you will also be invited to the annual Agape (ah-GAH-pay) dinner given in honor of the Confirmation class of 2008.

For youth in grades 8 and 9 that have been confirmed, we offer a program called The Journey Continues. This program runs concurrently with Confirmation, and is designed to help those participants explore further what it is to be a Christian in the world today.

Confirmation and The Journey Continues sign-ups are currently available. Please get your 7th-grader, or unconfirmed 8th-grader registered for Confirmation, and your confirmed 8th and 9th-graders registered for The Journey Continues today! The fun starts in just a few weeks!

Sunday, January 27
7:30 p.m.

A night of vocal jazz from Parkway North High School’s vocal jazz ensemble, The Sparkplugs.

Call the main office for more information at 636.394.7506.

Wanda Kuntz brings some valuable, first-hand experience in building contemporary worship services to her new position as MUMC’s contemporary music director.

Before becoming a part of our church, Ms. Kuntz said she developed new contemporary worship services at Timothy Lutheran and Ascension Lutheran churches in south St. Louis.

Wanda comes from a musical family. Her parents owned a music store for 40 years in Maplewood and her two brothers are jazz musicians. Brother Ray plays the piano and Tom plays bass. Both play professionally, both here and abroad.

Wanda started piano lessons when she was 7 and gave her first piano lesson when she was still in her teens. She has been giving private lessons ever since. She teaches both classical music and improvisation lessons.

Wanda received her Bachelor’s degree at Fontbonne University. She went on to receive her Master of Music degree from Webster University, majoring in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy.

Providing direction for contemporary music at MUMC became more involved with the start of a second contemporary service on Sunday, January 6. The contemporary services are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Wanda said one of her primary activities will be recruiting and training of more musicians. “There will be the need for more musicians and singers for the two services,” she said.

Wanda will work with Pastor Chris Williams to plan the music around the worship theme of each contemporary service.

She added, “This church has a lot of people who are very musical. MUMC draws people to its worship services because of the variety of musical styles.” She wants to bring a variety of styles into the contemporary worship services as well.

“Part of my job will be to help musicians develop a bond with one another and to grow both spiritually and musically,” she said.

The contemporary music director position is part-time now, but Wanda expects it to become full-time as the contemporary worship program grows at MUMC.

She began working at MUMC in November. Asked for her impressions since then, she said, “I love the people and the possibilities for growth personally and professionally. I believe it is a very good fit.”
At the present time, MUMC has two contemporary music groups that feature both voice and instrumental music.

One Voice is MUMC’s adult group while Joyful Noise is made up of youth. However, some of the instrumentalists play with both groups.

Wanda learned of the opening for the contemporary music director from her good friends, Dave and Deb Garwood, who have attended MUMC for some time.

Wanda’s husband, Bill, is a psychologist in private practice. In addition to working with individuals, he also offers a service to churches in “community-building through small groups.” He is also a professional life coach.

Wanda also provides music for Bill’s community-building workshops in area churches.

The couple has two daughters, Kathy, 20, a student at Truman State University, and Kristy, 18, a senior at Lutheran South High School.

If you are interested in participating in our exciting contemporary music ministries, please see page 3 of this issue of The Messenger for more details.

January 12 and 13
Communion
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17

Saturday, 5 p.m.
Rev. Chris Williams (Chapel)

Sunday, 8, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Traditional
Rev. Carl Schenck (Sanctuary)

Sunday, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Contemporary
Rev. Chris Williams (Fellowship Hall)

January 19 and 20
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42

Saturday, 5 p.m.
Rev. Steve Harbaugh (Chapel)

Sunday, 8, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Traditional
Rev. Carl Schenck (Sanctuary)

Sunday, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Contemporary
Rev. Chris Williams (Fellowship Hall)

January 26 and 27
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23

Saturday, 5 p.m.
Rev. Debby Peebles (Chapel)

Sunday, 8, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Traditional
Rev. Carl Schenck (Sanctuary)

Sunday, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Contemporary
Rev. Chris Williams (Fellowship Hall)

Ron and Janet Pfeiffer on the loss of his mother, Helen Pfeiffer, on December 23.

Chip and Christy Seidel on the loss of his grandmother, Kathryn Seidel, on December 23.

Bill Wheeler on the loss of his wife, Anita Wheeler, on December 25. Sister-in-law of Dorothea Bante.

Kay Stiles on the loss of her mother, W. T. Krantz, on January 2. Grandmother of Nancy Stiles and Will Stiles.

Ruby Sasek on the loss of her husband, Kenneth Sasek. Father of Sharon (Gene) Frindblom. Grandfather of Travis, Keegan, Carson and Nick Frindblom.

Rev. Debby and Jim Peebles on the loss of her brother, William Graham, on January 2. Uncle of Sharon Peebles and Warren Peebles.

January Menu
Canned ham (available at Walgreen's)
Boxed potatoes
Canned cranberry sauce
Brownie mix
Optional: Kleenex

Staff:
Rev. Carl Schenck, Senior Pastor
Rev. Debby Peebles, Associate Pastor
Rev. Chris Williams, Associate Pastor
Rev. Steve Harbaugh, Minister of Adult Education
Dr. John Ward, Pastor Emeritus (Retired)
Peggy Andereck, Interim Children’s Education Director
Sherry Boland, Handbell Program Director
Lori Borger, Children’s Choirs and Drama
John Cargile, Organist
Tiffany Conway, Interim Circle of Friends Preschool Director
Nancy Cooper, Youth Director
Dennis Crosson, Program Director
Phil Estes, Business Administrator
John Guiney, Youth Director
Wanda Kuntz, Contemporary Music Director
Kevin McBeth, Director of Music Ministries
Kimberly Smith, Finance Director
Betsy Vicente, New Member and Volunteer Coordinator

Article Publication:
Articles submitted to The Messenger on the 1st Friday will be published on the 4th Friday of the same month.
Articles submitted to The Messenger on the 3rd Friday will be published on the 2nd Friday of the following month.
Please email submissions to themessenger@manchesterumc.org.