Ann Giarratano; Rudy Iannacone; Paul Bartek; Cheryl Barrentine;
Zach Cregle (serving in Afghanistan)

February
Sermon Series

"Love Rescue Me"

I remember when I was a little girl - I think I was 7 years old.  I was at the beach on Lake Erie with my family on a hot summer day.  I didn't know how to swim yet, so I would wade in the water with my mom watching my brothers and I.  

My oldest brother wandered to the side of the lake where the water from the lake had created this separate pool of water.  There were several kids swimming in this area, and I asked my mother if I could swim there with them.  The swimming hole appeared to be shallow, so she said yes.  

I reached the edge of the swimming hole and took a couple of steps in, only to quickly realize that this hole of water was NOT shallow, because I immediately sank to the bottom which was well over my head.  I began thrashing myself up and yelling "help!"  But no one was helping me.  I was surrounded by other kids, but no one realized I was drowning.  

After several attempts of jumping up and yelling "help", my grandmother looked over my way and remarked "Oh, look at Denise - she's having so much fun..."  My father looked over and said "She's not having fun - she's drowning!!" 

I remember very clearly sinking back down to the bottom of this pool thinking "well, this is probably it".  Just as clearly I remember the next moment two hands thrusting into the water, and I knew they were my Dad's because I recognized his watch.  A large crowd gathered around as I was catching my breath.  The mayor of the town I grew up in came running over with a cup of water for me.  He was up for re-election and got credited in the newspapers for "rescuing me".  My father was a humble man, and he would always just smile whenever we teased him about this fact years later.

Could you use some rescuing in your life right now?  Do you ever feel like you are on a life boat just floating out to sea?  Do you feel like in your heart and spirit you've lost your way?

Over the next few weeks I want us to take a look at the ways that God can make His home in our lives - and help us be at home with Him - no matter where we are or what the circumstances.
 

Week 1: (2/2)
Colossians 1:3-14
Message: Rescue Me with your Faithfulness

Week 2: (2/9)
Isaiah 63:7-9
Message: Rescue Me with your Compassion

Week 3: (2/16)
Psalm 23
Message: Rescue Me with your Comfort

Week 4: (2/23)
Zechariah 9:9-17
Message: Rescue Me with your Hope

The Wednesday Bible Study is led by Pastor Denise and meets from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. There is an optional prayer time in the sanctuary at 11:15 AM, prior to the bible study.  Everyone is welcome to attend and may join the study at anytime.  The current topic of study is the Book of Acts.

Reading Plan for Acts
Please read the following chapters prior to the scheduled date: 

2/12 - Chapters 9-10
2/19 - Chapters 11-12
2/26 - Chapters 13-14
3/4 - Chapters 15-16
3/11 - Chapters 17-19
3/18 - Chapters 20-22
3/25 - Chapters 23-25
4/1 - Chapters 26-28

"Thank You"

Thanks to all who participated in our Souper Bowl Sunday event in support of our Food Pantry Ministry.  To those who made soup; each of the five soups provided were outstanding.

Thanks also for your donations to the Food Pantry.  We collected $207 during this event.  If you missed this special event, but would still like to contribute, you can still use the "Mission" envelope in the pews during the Sunday morning collection.  Please write "Food Pantry" on the envelope.

Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you at next year's Souper Bowl Sunday.

Rise Against Hunger

Saturday, March 21
Join the GNJUMC in Packing a Half Million Meals

Pack a half million meals in one day?  Nothing is impossible with Jesus.

Be part of a meal packing event taking place in several different locations across the GNJUMC with the goal of packing 500,000 meals in one day to feed the hungry.

There is a poster in Fellowship Hall with details.  This is a worthwhile event to volunteer for and will be a "feel good" moment!  Registration has been made for our church for 10 people at St. Mark's UMC in Hamilton Square from 12:00 to 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 21.  Please sign up on the sheet by the poster.  If more than 10 people sign up, we can easily change the total people attending; (that would be great!).

If you have any questions, please see Anita.

Every week during Fellowship Time, you have the opportunity to purchase grocery store shopping cards for either ShopRite or Stop & Shop.  This is a convenient way to pay for the food you buy at the grocery store and at the same time support the ministries of DeBows UMC.  The church makes 5% of all shopping cards sold. You may see Sue Hayward or Karen Stillwell to purchase the shopping cards on any Sunday.