May You Rest In Peace

You, Lord, give true peace. You give peace to those who depend on you. You give peace to those who trust you. So, trust the Lord always. Trust the Lord because he is our Rock forever. Isaiah 26:3-4

We often associate the phrase “rest in peace” with death and the loss of a loved one. In fact, these words of comfort are often spoken at some point in most funerals that we attend or are included in the inscription on many headstones. Today, let us look at another association of the words “rest in peace” with life instead of death.

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sin so that we can rest in peace when we die, but God also gave His one and only Son so that we can rest in peace every minute of every day. Does that sound like your life? Are you quick to trust God instead of worry? Would the people who know you best describe you as a peaceful person?

The Mayo Clinic once stated that the illnesses in 80 to 85% of their caseload were caused by stress. An article in a leading medical journal entitled “Is Stress the Cause of All Disease?” said that until the beginning of the century, bacteria were the leading cause of illness. Not anymore. Stress is now the leading cause of illness.

We all long for an inner calm, especially in the valleys of life. We all want, pray for and pursue peace. At the point of desperation, some people pursue peace by numbing their pain with alcohol, drugs … food … success … the list is endless. Remember the old country song that says “we look for love in all the wrong places and on the wrong faces?” The same can be said about peace.

Some people tend to believe that peace is simply the absence of problems, valleys, and trials. Not so! Peace is a calm confidence that the Lord of the mountains is still on the throne – no matter how deep the valley may be. Peace recognizes Jesus walking on the water as He calms the crashing waves and stills the howling winds in your life. Trials become opportunities to trust God when peace reigns in a heart. That kind of peace can only be found in God.

We cannot bargain for or earn peace, but we will experience peace when we are willing to move away from our sin and turn to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Then, and only then, will we find rest in Him. Do you long for just one minute of peace? Don’t settle! God offers a lifetime of peace if we are willing to trust Him.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Bob

Small Groups

Sunday School. Sunday mornings 9:00 AM. Open to all youth pre-k through high school. Please contact Robin Stolarcyk if you can help or would like more information. Sunday school does not meet during the summer after the Sunday prior to memorial day.

Christian Fellowship Class. Sunday mornings 9:00 AM. Room B6.  Please join us. Leader: Shirley Prentice. Sunday school does not meet during the summer after the Sunday prior to memorial day.

Pastor’s Study & Prayer Group: Sunday mornings 11:30 AM, Room B6. Everyone is welcome to join.  Questions contact Pastor Bob at 648-4326.  No Class 4th Sunday’s, join us for Pot Luck Luncheon in fellowship hall.

Unity Circle: Ladies Group, 2nd Monday of every month 11:00 AM. All ladies are invited to join. Contact Bev Hamm for more information. (Some dates the ladies have luncheons at 12:00 so please contact Bev if you are new to the group & don’t have a schedule.) No meetings in January, February, July & August.

Youth Group meetings. All youth 5th – 12th Grade are invited to attend. Please contact: President: Mason Stolarcyk or Advisor: David Black for more information & meeting times. Please contact the church office 648-4339 if you need contact information for the leaders.

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. Check with Marita Root for summer meeting times June – August.

Tuesday Women’s Group: Join us in Tuesday’s at 12:45, Disciple Room (B4).  A time of Bible Study, friendship, good food, & great conversation. Contact Carol Krizan or Pat Winters for more information. This group meets informally during the summer so you will need to contact Carol Krizan for meeting places during the summer.

Knitting for the Lord: Tuesday, evenings, 6:00 – 7:00 PM, Room B2. Contact Sue Alcott or Lynne Masland for more information. This group meets informally during the summer after June so please contact Sue Alcott or Lynne Masland directly for summer meeting times. If you are in need of a prayer shawl or blanket for someone please contact leaders.

Choir. Thursdays 4:00 – 5:00 PM.  Everyone is welcome to join. Contact Carla Fako for more information. This group does not meet during the summer after memorial day.

Please contact the church office, 648-4339 if you need contact information for the leaders or would like more information about the groups. 

Graduation Sunday will be on June 23rd. Please contact the church office at 648-4339 if you have a graduate that you would like honored. Also please let us know if your graduate will attend the service. Congratulations to all the graduates!

13^th Annual United Methodist Night at the Ball Game. NYSEG Stadium, Wednesday, June 26^{th  at} 6:30 pm. $9.00 ticket. Rev. Jenni Piatt-Nimmonsburg UMC will be singing the National Anthem. Rev. Dr. Dave Kofahl – Binghamton District Superintendent will be throwing out the first pitch. Donations going to Feed My Starving Children, Ramp It Up & Kali’s Klubhouse. To get tickets contact Pam Wasley. 

“Night to Shine Fundraiser” ~ Doug’s Fish Fry July 17th from 11 AM—6 PM                               Location: Christmas Tree Store Parking Lot     420 Harry L Dr, Johnson City, NY 13790             You can call the day of the event from 11:00-4:00 to place call in orders, the phone number is (607)753-9184 ext 2.

July 31 Southern Tier MobilePack Night at the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. The cost is $10 per ticket. Each ticket sold will buy 27 meals for a starving child. Contact Nikki & John Hrustich at (607)754-9551 or southerntiermobilepack@gmail.com for more information or to sell tickets for this event. Volunteer signups for packers for the meals will be open on September 16th at https://give.fmsc.org/endwell. 2 hour shifts on Nov. 1st & 2nd. 

Knitting for the Lord has prayer shawls & prayer blankets available for those in need please contact Sue Alcott or Lynne Masland if you know of someone in need. 

Knitting for the Lord is once again accepting machine washable yarn. Thank you for all of your help & support in our missions.

Fund Raiser for First United Methodist Church of Chenango Bridge.     Present this advertisement (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.

For all questions or appointments contact Quality Steam Cleaning.

Pot Luck Luncheon Following the Worship Service the 4th Sunday of each month. Please bring a dish to pass & join us in fellowship hall for the luncheon!

Welcome Sunday/Pot Luck, Volunteers needed to sign up to help out. This is the 4th Sunday of each month. There is a sign up sheet in fellowship hall for those of you that would like to help out. Thank you.

Coffee Hour: Volunteers Needed! Nothing fancy just light refreshments & coffee needed. Sign up sheet by the refreshments. Thank you in advance for your help.

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.

If you drop off items to the CRC room please leave your name & contact information for the ladies. Thank you for your help & assistance.