Hello everyone!
I pray that you are enjoying the warmth of this week (or staying inside and keeping cool).
"For you have been called to live in freedom....."
Galatians 5:13
We in the USA consider ourselves the "land of the free and the home of the brave" for good reason. Some of our ancestors fought with all they had and gave the final measure to maintain the freedoms we are afforded by our founders.
We are living in a time right now where it can feel like we are not free. We might feel bound by fear of this virus - and worry of someone we love getting sick. We might be feeling bound by our frustrations about what should be done or not done in regards to handling this crisis.
As I think about what Paul was writing in this verse, I'm reminded that any freedom we experience is never free - but always comes from the sacrifice and the price paid by someone else. When we are also willing to serve God and others - we can begin to experience the freedom that God has in mind for us. When Paul wrote this to the people of Galatia, he immediately followed it up with suggestions on how to serve one another and not be self-centered. In our hearts spirit - we are not bound by anything that the world deems important.
You see, true freedom from God takes this concept of being free to a new level. Being responsible to others allows us freedom from worry and personal pains because our perspective minimizes our burdens as we take on those of others. We benefit by using our God provided freedom for the good of all.
We are free now and always through Christ!
I will be on renewal leave from August 1st - 15th. I will send an email shortly as to who will be on-call for pastoral support while I'm away. Guy Raymond and Mark Hayward will be preaching while I'm away.
Revival Sunday - July 26
"You Move the Mountain"
Hebrews 12: 1-2
The mountains you face might be obstacles to overcome, but they can also be opportunities for you to step out. But, with God, none of these mountains are impossible for you to move.
I pray that God keeps you safe and close to Him - reminding you always that you are free, always free in Jesus Christ, no matter what the world gives us. You are a child of God. Let's live our lives as people of hope - sharing the hope of Christ to everyone in our world. Amen!
~ Pastor Denise
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DeBows will continue to present weekly worship services online. You can attend online worship at debows.online.church. The standard worship service time will remain the same: Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. You will have the ability to replay the worship service after the first 9:30 AM presentation.
You can also link to the next 9:30AM Sunday service or replay recent worship services from the church website. From the main menu - Worship/Online Worship or click on the Online Worship feature box.
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Outdoor Worship Service
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As part of the Phase 1 church reopening process, DeBows is now conducting outdoor worship services on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM. At this time, we envision continuing outdoor worship services throughout the summer, weather permitting. During this time, plans are being developed in preparation for Phase 2 of the church reopening process; indoor gathering.
Here is some information about the outdoor worship services:
- Worship will begin promptly at 9:00am and should last no more than 30 minutes. Please arrive a little early to get yourselves situated.
- When outside your car, please maintain social distancing; at least 6 feet apart from anyone you are not living with. Knowing this is not always possible, wearing masks is recommended the entire time you are outside of your car.
- The church building and bathrooms are closed, except for emergencies.
- If you prefer to stay in your car, you may listen to the service on your car radio by tuning to 89.9 FM.
- You may bring your own lawn chairs and an umbrella for shade.
- We will not meet on days with inclement weather. If it is questionable, please check the church website (www.debowsumc.org). We will post any closings by 8am on Sunday. We will also send out an email blast to notify you of service cancellations.
- Gloves are not required; please only touch your own stuff.
- We recommend anyone with any health issues to continuing watching the online worship service.
- If you have been traveling out of state, we ask that you follow NJ state guidelines.
- We ask that you clean up your own personal space after worship.
- Online worship services will continue to be offered in conjunction with the outdoor services.
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We are thankful for your faithful support during these times of isolation and uncertainty. Your generous giving has been vital in maintaining our ability to cover expenses and continue our church ministries. You may continue your giving by sending your offering check directly to the church or by using the church online giving feature found in the footer of the church website. It is easy, secure, and appreciated. The Online Giving option is also available while you are watching the weekly online worship service. --- Thank You
If so inspired, you may give online now, by clicking HERE.
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NOTE: The Q3 committee meetings will be conducted in August. Those meeting dates are listed below in red. The primary focus of these meetings will be to prepare the reports needed for our upcoming Charge Conference on November 5. All reports are due by Monday, September 21.
Sunday, July 26
Outside Worship at DeBows - 9:00 AM
Online Worship - 9:30 AM
(Replay available)
Monday, July 27
Food Pantry Open
--- By Appointment Only ---
Call 732-928-4475 by 5 PM
Saturday, July 25
Thursday, July 30
Nomination Committee Meeting
6:30 PM
Sunday, August 2
Outside Worship at DeBows - 9:00 AM
Online Worship - 9:30 AM
(Replay available)
Sunday, August 9
Outside Worship at DeBows - 9:00 AM
Online Worship - 9:30 AM
(Replay available)
Monday, August 10
Food Pantry Open
--- By Appointment Only ---
Call 732-928-4475 by 5 PM
Saturday, August 8
Thursday, August 17
Trustee Meeting - 6:30 PM
Finance Meeting - 7:30 PM
Thursday, August 20
SPRC Meeting - 6:30 PM
Outreach Meeting - 7:30 PM
Monday, August 24
Food Pantry Open
--- By Appointment Only ---
Call 732-928-4475 by 5 PM
Saturday, August 22
Thursday, August 27
Church Council Meeting - 6:30 PM
DeBows Charge Conference
Thursday, November 5 at 7pm
via Zoom
NOTE: Please check the church website and calendar frequently for the most up-to-date scheduling and activity information.
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In Our Prayers
--- Week of 7/19 ---
First Responders & Healthcare Workers - Prayers and praises for all those that serve and work in close proximity to people who have or potentially have the coronavirus.
--- Week of 7/12 ---
Grace (friend of Donna Ridge) - she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
--- Week of 7/5 ---
Family and friends of Steve Ullestad (close friend of Mary Jane & Paul German) - Steve passed away recently. Steve and his wife were very active in the Methodist Church.
Eileen Schuck (Ervin friend) - for her bladder cancer.
Andrew, Jill and Michael (friends of Pastor Denise) - Andrew is having health issues, as well as his mother, Jill. Prayers for God to strengthen them physically and spiritually.
--- Week of 6/28 ---
PTL! - Guy saw his cancer doctor last week and received great news. He marked 5 years cancer free and was told if it has not returned by now, it will not. Just yearly check ups going forward. Praise be to God!
Justin - he is the son of one of our food pantry families and his Army unit is being deployed to Africa in a couple of weeks. Prayers for Justin and his unit, as well as for his family.
The Family of Rev. Myrna Bethke - She was the Gateway South District Superintendent and a colleague of Pastor Denise. They worked together for several years doing super storm Sandy recovery. Please hold the family in prayer.
--- Continued prayer for home-bound church members ---
Rudy Iannacone; Ann Giarratano; Paul Bartek; Cheryl Barrentine; Donna Ridge
*** Please help us keep this prayer list up-to-date. To add or remove names from this list, please contact Pastor Denise at pastor@debowsumc.org. All prayer requests go directly to the pastor.
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Time of Reflection
“Be still and know that I am God”
~ Psalm 46:10 ~
On the church website, there is a page called "Time of Reflection". It can be found under the "Worship" menu. On this page are words of comfort and encouragement, including links to Pastor Denise's weekly devotions, as well as messages submitted by other members of our church family. If you would like to submit something for this page, please send what you would like to share to Pastor Denise at pastor@debowsumc.org.
Also, please remember to continue to submit your prayer requests to Pastor Denise. These requests will be shared with the church as instructed.
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Our music program is led by our Minister of Music, Grayce Armstrong. Over the last 4 months she has been collaborating remotely with several of our musicians and singers to provide music for our online worship. Their creativity has been inspiring and much appreciated. "Thank You" to all who have contributed their musical talents during this time.
Recordings may be submitted for inclusion in online worship. You may contact Grayce by email at music@debowsumc.org if you are interested in recording for virtual choir and band.
PTL! - Zach Cregle has returned from his tour of duty in Afghanistan and is once again playing bass in the Cregle Band. Welcome home Zach!
*Note - Please monitor the church website and calendar for the most current information concerning music related activities. More information about the DeBows music program can be viewed HERE.
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2nd & 4th
Monday Each Month
The next Food Pantry distribution is
Monday, July 27
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The DeBows Food Pantry is open on the 2nd & 4th Monday each month. Due to the COVID-19 situation, a new distribution process has been implemented so we can maintain this important ministry. Food will be distributed using an "Appointment Only" system.
People can call the church number at 732-928-4475 to make an appointment.
Please note: participants need to call the church by 5:00 PM on the Saturday prior to the scheduled food pantry day. This gives the Food Pantry volunteers time to prepare the food for distribution. "Thank You" for your cooperation.
Please contact Deb Cregle if you need further information.
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Food Pantry
Ministry Report
by Deb Cregle
How blessed is our church? Immensely blessed. The church family, the local community (other churches, organizations, families and individuals) and passers by have blessed our food pantry during the pandemic. Donations to the DeBows food pantry have been gifts straight from God:
- a family pulled up and we assumed they were in need of food instead the dad said that they were driving by and saw the sign and felt the need to stop by and made a cash donation
- an individual passes the church going back and forth to work in Jackson from a town an hour a way and she felt moved after seeing our food pantry sign to buy a trunk full of groceries and also gave a monetary donation
- an individual drops off groceries every time we are open and is grateful for the opportunity to help the community
- an organization held a food drive and they put out calls to food pantries, we answered that call and they delivered a van full of groceries
There are a dozen or so other stories like these with folks stopping by and dropping off food, vegetables from their garden, store gift cards or monetary donations. It is due to these blessings and on-going food delivers from the Fulfill Foodbank that we have been able to continue to provide groceries to the food insecure in our community.
In order to continue to distribute food through the pandemic, we've had to make adjustments to how we distribute food. We remain open the 2nd and 4th Mondays each month from 6-8 PM. However, we stopped the shop-the-shelf method and implemented a by appointment, "curb side" pick up of pre-bagged food method of distribution. For this method:
- We need fewer volunteers
- Can pre-bag food based on number and size of families who schedule an appointment for pick up
- Appointments eliminate participant wait time
- Curb side pick up facilitates a contactless distribution of food
We served an average of 115 participants/month during Q1 2020. There was a steady increase of participants/month in Q2 during the pandemic, to where we served 150 people in June.
And there is one additional blessing communicated last week. We received a grant from the Fulfill Foodbank in the amount of $5,000 to be used to support our food pantry and our mission to continue to distribute food through the upcoming months and beyond to our community.
Thank you to everyone who supports the DeBows food pantry by your prayers, your gifts, and your time volunteering. Together, we are truly sharing God's love and making a difference in our community.
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Wednesday Bible Study
Pastor Denise has been conducting Wednesday Bible Study via Zoom. The Wednesday Bible Study group is on summer break. Monitor the calendar on the church website for when the Wednesday Bible Study will resume and the new topic of study. At this time, we anticipate this will remain an online study using Zoom.
If you do not already have the Zoom client, you can download and install it from HERE.
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Feedback Welcome
As always, your feed back to our bi-weekly newsletter is welcome and appreciated. You may reply to this newsletter to provide your input, or use the "Contact Us" page on the church website. For the most up-to-date information concerning church activities, event schedules, general church information, or to view recent newsletters, you may visit the church website anytime at debowsumc.org.
The next newsletter will be published on
Wednesday, August 5
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Rev. Denise Tiedemann, Pastor
pastor@debowsumc.org or
732-928-4475
The church office is closed due to COVID-19.
If you need to speak to Pastor Denise,
please contact her directly using the above information.
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