Three A’s of Servanthood

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. Luke 19:1-9

When Jesus left His home in heaven, He didn’t come to earth to be a superstar. He came to serve. As His disciples, we’ve been left here on earth to follow His example and serve a lost and hurting world. The story of Zacchaeus shows us three Christ like qualities we need to develop in order to serve as the Lord did.

Awareness: Although surrounded by a crowd, Jesus stopped and took notice of one particular man perched in a tree. Zacchaeus was hated and rejected because he was a tax collector. Although he was rich, there was something missing in his life, and Christ recognized his need. There are people all around us “hanging in trees” – needy, empty, and searching for hope. But too often, we’re preoccupied with our activities and don’t even notice them.

Availability: Jesus was heading to Jerusalem to carry out the most important act in human history: our redemption. Yet He stopped to have a meal with a spiritually needy man. What could be so important that it keeps you too busy to give others what they need most – your time?

Acceptance: Although Zacchaeus was a notorious sinner, Jesus didn’t say, “Clean up your act, and then I’ll come to your house.” We’re called, not to fix people but to share the transforming gospel of Christ.

How are you doing at serving those around you? Maybe it’s time to slow down and open your spiritual eyes to see all the needy people. God places opportunities all around us, but if we’re not attentive, we’ll miss them. Sometimes you just have to look up to see who’s in the tree.

Pastor Bob

Summer Small Groups

Pastor’s Study & Prayer Group: Sunday mornings 11:30 AM, Room B6. Everyone is welcome to join.  Questions contact Pastor Bob.

Tuesday Women’s Group: Join us in Tuesday’s at 12:45, Disciple Room (B4).  A time of friendship, good food, & great conversation.  Questions or information for summer meetings contact Dottie Brownlow, as these meetings are not always at the church.

Knitting for the Lord: Some gather during the summer.  Contact Lynne Masland for time and place.

These classes will resume in the fall:

Sunday School: Sunday mornings 9:00 AM. Open to all youth pre-k through high school. For questions or more information, please contact Robin Stolarcyk.  Please join us! Sunday School Party June 3rd!

Christian Fellowship Class: Sunday mornings 9:00 AM. Room B6.  Please join us. Leader: Shirley Prentice.

Unity Circle: Ladies Group, 2nd Monday of every month 11:00 AM. All ladies are invited to join. Contact Bev Hamm for more information.

Rachel Circle: Ladies Group, 3rd Tuesday of every month 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM in the Frazer Room (B18). All ladies are invited to join. Contact Marita Root for more information.

WordGirls: Wednesdays 9:15 – 11:15 a.m.  All ladies are welcome to join. Questions contact Amy O’Brien.

Choir: Thursdays 7:00 – 8:00 PM.  Everyone is welcome to join. Contact Carla Fako for more information.

*Note: If you wish to contact any of the leaders listed in the announcements please contact the church office at 648-4339 or email: chenbridgeumc@outlook.com for their contact information.

Mission Moment: All Saints Church does a Soup/Sandwich feeding Ministry every Saturday from 12-1.  They are especially in need of help August 11.  No age requirements so youth are welcome with a parent or guardian!  Contact Karen MacKenzie. (Contact the church office for Karen’s information).

The 4th Sunday of the Month is Food Pantry Sunday. Non-perishable non-expired donations will be gathered during the first hymn and blessed during service. The mission team will be rotating the donations to food pantries in the local area. Please help to feed those less fortunate. Items will be collected, August 26th.

Children’s Home 60th Annual                Ice Cream Social                                  Hillcrest Campus                                Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018                  5:00—8:00 PM

We will be running a table for children to make a small craft at the ice cream social. Please contact Karen MacKenzie if you are interested in volunteering, contact the church office for Karen’s information.

Wi-Fi Access at Church: If you would like access to wireless at the church please contact Mike Howard at: cbfumc@hotmail.com. Thank you

Volunteers requested: We will be providing dinners for the Men’s  Rescue Mission at 5 PM every 4th Wednesday.  Please join us as we cook and serve!   Questions?  contact Karen and Wes MacKenzie (contact the church office 648-4339 for Karen’s contact information).

Coupons to Care: Our program has helped many families, individuals & organizations. Please save your coupons. Put them in Sharon Quackenbush or Karen Hojsik’s mailbox. Help feed our neighbors through food banks and emergency requests. Shoppers are needed. For more information please contact Sharon Quackenbush, Karen Hojsik or Joyce Neumann.

Trustees Project Board in the back of the Narthex for those of you that may want to sign up for projects or may wish to contribute to a project. Please contact Hudda Aswad if you have any questions. Thank you.

Liturgists Needed: If you would like to volunteer to be a liturgist please contact Pam Wasley or the church office 648-4339. If you cannot do a month at a time, that is fine. We will fill in the weeks around what you can do.

Audio & Video Volunteers are Needed: Training will be provided. Please contact the church office; 648-4339 or Mike Howard (contact the church office for Mike’s contact information)  if you would be able to help.

Reminder: 1st United Methodist Church of Chenango Bridge / Maines GiveBack Program: For every twenty (20) dollars spent, God’s church receives $1.00. Obtain your application of a Maines membership card from the church secretary Monday – Thursday 8 AM – 1 PM or you may request it by email from the church office as well at chenbridgeumc@outlook.com or you may get one from our forms & applications tab above. Our Maines account is “Chenango Bridge UMC” in order to receive the proper credit.

Fund Raiser for First United Methodist Church of Chenango Bridge.     Present this advertistment (below) and 10% of all work done will be donated to the church. For all questions and appointments please contact Quality Steam Cleaning. (You may also find this coupon in the back of the church or contact the church office.