O‌ctober 23, 2‌‌024

You are invited to join us each S‌unday morning for worship at 9 A‌M. We will be starting a new sermon series: “Transformed by Grace”.


SERIES OVERVIEW

Grace is not merely a gift but God's invitation to a relationship that can change our lives and transform the world. In this series, we will delve into stories of transformation, connecting them to our everyday experiences. From feeling like outsiders to being part of a community, from fear to trust, from the “same old” to something creative and new – these are just a few of the transformations that God’s grace works in our lives. Say yes to grace and find new freedom in relation to yourself, others and even your personal and financial resources.  


S‌unday, O‌ctober 27

“Called by Love”

Luke 19:1-10

When God calls our name, it’s an invitation to a transforming relationship as an agent of grace. Zacchaeus went from being an agent of the state to an agent of God.


S‌unday, N‌ovember 3

“God Trusted Me with It!”

Matthew 25:14-30

Fear leads us to waste the gifts we’ve been given. God invites us to a mindset of abundance and trust.  


S‌unday, N‌ovember 10

“The Secret of Contentment”

Philippians 4:1-7, 10-14, 19

As we learn what it really means to have enough, we are freed to embrace and leverage what we have.


S‌unday, N‌ovember 17

“A Disciple’s Lifestyle” | Luke 16:1-13

A disciple’s lifestyle is one of creativity and care for all God provides, including our resources and finances.


Be a Blessing,

Pastor Scott

Worship Services on YouTube


We record our worship services and post the videos on YouTube. Each Sun‌day, the recording of the 9 A‌M worship service will be available for viewing anytime after 10:‌30 A‌‌M.


You may use the below link to view the worship service videos on YouTube. Once on the DeBows UMC YouTube channel, please subscribe, so you will  receive future notifications when new live events or other videos are posted on the channel. Please remember to bookmark this link in your web browser.

S‌unday, O‌ctober 27

Revival & Reformation Sunday

9‌ A‌‌M Worship Service


M‌onday, O‌ctober 28

Food Pantry Open - 6 P‌M

--- By Appointment Only ---

Call 848-373-8844


Tuesday, O‌ctober 29

Bible Study - 10 A‌‌M

Band Practice - 6:‌‌30 P‌M


T‌hursday, O‌ctober 31

H‌alloween


S‌unday, N‌ovember 3

Daylight Saving Time Ends

All Saints Sunday

Communion

9‌ A‌‌M Worship Service


Tuesday, N‌ovember 5

Bible Study - 10 A‌‌M

Band Practice - 6:‌‌30 P‌M


We‌dnesday, N‌ovember 6

Next Newsletter Published


S‌unday, N‌ovember 10

9‌ A‌‌M Worship Service

Fellowship Time After Service


M‌onday, N‌ovember 11

Veteran’s Day

Food Pantry Open - 6 P‌M

--- By Appointment Only ---

Call 848-373-8844


Tuesday, N‌ovember 12

Bible Study - 10 A‌‌M

Band Practice - 6:‌‌30 P‌M



NOTE: Please check the church website and calendar frequently for the most up-to-date scheduling and activity information.

On Oc‌t‌ober 31, much of America will observe the secular holiday of Halloween. In the United States, consumer spending for this holiday is second only to Christmas. But for Protestants worldwide, Oct‌ober 31 means much more than just Trick-or-Treat or ghost stories.


On this date in 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk who increasingly found himself at odds with many of the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, posted his 95 Theses (complaints) on the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg in Germany. This effectively launched the Protestant Reformation. In the church calendar, Octo‌‌ber 31 is known as Reformation Day and the Su‌nday before or on this date is known as Reformation Sun‌day.


Oct‌‌ober 31 is also known as All Hallows' Eve, from which the word 'Halloween' comes from, as it is the evening before All Hallows' Day (All Saints Day) on Nov‌e‌mber 1. The Sun‌day after or on No‌v‌ember 1 is known as All Saints Su‌nday, when the church commemorates the faithful that have gone before us.

Daylight Saving Time ends on S‌unday, N‌ovember 3 at 2 A‌M. Remember to turn your clocks back 1 hour before going to bed on Nove‌mber 2. This is also a good time of year to check the batteries in your home smoke & CO2 detectors.

Next Fellowship Time

Su‌nday, N‌ovember 10


On the second Su‌nday of each month, we have Fellowship Time immediately after the 9 A‌M Worship Service. It will be in Fellowship Hall and is a time of light refreshments and conversation; a time to catch up with each other and welcome visitors. Please join us!


Fellowship Time is volunteer driven. There is a sign-up sheet outside of Fellowship Hall. Please use this sheet to indicate which Fellowship Time you would like to host. "Thank You" to those who have already volunteered. The next date that needs a volunteer host is F‌ebruary 9.


WHEN:

Every T‌uesday at 10 A‌M in Fellowship Hall


CURRENT STUDY:

Book of 1Peter

Please bring your own bible


For more information, contact: Anita at 848-373-9304 or Christine at 609-847-6421. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please note this is an "in person only" bible study. We look forward to seeing you as we gather for study & fellowship.

We are thankful for your faithful support. It is only through your generous giving that we are able to maintain our ability to cover expenses and share God’s love via our church ministries. You may continue giving in-person during the S‌unday morning worship service, 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. If so inspired, you may make an online donation now by clicking HERE.

Please keep the following people in your prayers ...


  • Maleci Malec (Marty’s friend and coworker) - became sick last week and needed surgery for an unspecified illness.

  • Jerry Petz (friend of Laurie, Anita’s daughter) – Prayers for peace at his end of life.

  • Krysten (friend of the Clifton family) - she is now 7 months pregnant and has concerns.

  • John Delany (close friend of Guy’s grandson) – his cancer has spread and is back in the hospital.

  • Jessica Miranda & Braelyn – (friend of Linda, Anita’s daughter) – for housing, clear decisions.

  • Anita Chichester – recovering from broken left wrist.

  • Theresa Slover –recovering from thyroid surgery and is improving.

  • Teressa Blair (granddaughter of Guy & Christine) – some pregnancy issues requiring bed rest until the baby comes.

  • Prayers for Anna May (Rose Mary’s sister), Michael Genovay (Rose Mary’s cousin) & Bessie Stout (Rose Mary’s aunt)

  • Continued prayer for home-bound church members: Jean Iannacone;

  • Dottie Weeks, Donna Ridge


NOTE: Please let Pastor Scott know of any additions, removals, or status updates to this prayer list. Please place a completed prayer request card in the offering if you wish for the prayer request to appear in this list. Prayer requests will roll off the list after 4weeks unless updated or renewed.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is a year-round mission activity. Shawls are made by members & friends of our congregation. The shawls are given to people in need of comfort and as a reminder that they are in our thoughts and prayers. The person receiving a shawl does not have to be a member of our church. We share our shawls just as we share our prayers.


If you are aware of anyone who would appreciate a shawl, please give the information to Anita Chichester or Pastor Scott. Click HERE for more information & instructions for making prayer shawls.

Next distribution is O‌ctober 28


The DeBows Food Pantry is open on the 2nd & 4th Mon‌day each month, 6‌-8pm. DeBows uses an "Appointment Only" system to distribute the food. To make an appointment, call 848-373-8844.

Please note: participants need to call for an appointment by 5‌p‌m 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.

NOTE: The Food Pantry Ministry serves up to 46 families (~135 people) every two weeks. We are extremely appreciative of the volunteers that make our Food Pantry possible and we welcome anyone interested in getting involved. Please contact Pastor Scott if you need further information or would like to explore ways to help with the Food Pantry ministry.

Every S‌unday, 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 to purchase the shopping cards.

DeBows is blessed with talented people who love to praise God and newcomers are always welcome to join our music ministry. Please contact Grayce by email at music@debowsumc.org for any questions or to discuss opportunities to participate in our music ministry.

Chime Choir

Rehearses Su‌nday morning 8:‌30 to 8:‌45 A‌M and rings the introit to worship on Su‌nday morning, except on Revival Su‌nday. New members are always welcome. Ability to sight read music and prior experience not necessary. Ability to be present and have fun very important!


Praise Band  

Rehearses Tuesday nights at 6:‌‌30 P‌M and plays a five-song set once a month for Revival Sunday, usually the last Sunday of the month. All instruments welcome.

NOTE: More information about the DeBows music ministry can be viewed HERE. Modification or cancellation of specific dates will be communicated by Grayce via email. Please check email for any cancellations before coming out for rehearsal.

Let us not become weary of doing good. ~ Galatians 6:9


DeBows is committed to extending God’s love beyond our own sanctuary and to meet the needs of our neighbors. While our flagship mission, the Food Pantry, happens every month, other outreach activities happen at various times during the year.  


Below are the mission activities for O‌ctober.

On M‌‌onday, N‌‌ovember 25, DeBows will conduct its annual Thanksgiving Food Pantry distribution. Meal kits containing the makings for a complete T‌‌hanksgiving dinner will be distributed on this day to people in our community.


Your generosity will help make this a special T‌hanksgiving for all involved. See Pastor Scott for more information about this mission activity. All donations must be brought to the church by S‌unday, N‌ovember 17.


To see how you can help support this very special mission activity and share God’s love with our neighbors, click on the below link:


Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Their mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoe boxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. They ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease.

All filled shoe boxes must be brought in by S‌‌unday, N‌‌ovember 17 so they can be delivered to the regional distribution location in time for Christmas delivery. See Anita Chichester for more information about this mission activity.


Click on the below link for more details about Operation Christmas Child and instructions for filling the shoe boxes.


As always, your faithful support of our church ministries is greatly appreciated. —- THANK YOU

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 www.debowsumc.org.

If you are reading this newsletter from the church website, and would like to receive it directly in your email, we encourage you to subscribe now. Just visit the church website and use the subscription form in the bottom right-hand corner of the homepage.


Along with receiving the normal newsletter, special emails will be sent out once in a while for prayer requests, event cancellations, or other time-sensitive news. All church communication emails are based on the newsletter subscription list.


As always, your feed back to our newsletter is welcome and appreciated. You may reply to the newsletter email or use the "Contact Us" page on the church website to provide your input.


The next newsletter will be published on
W‌ednesday, N‌ovember 6

Rev. Scott Clifton, Pastor
pastor@debowsumc.org
or 732-928-4475

If you need to speak to Pastor Scott, please contact him directly using the above information. You may connect with DeBows UMC online using the following links.