Pastor's Corner:

Nothing to Say!

There are sometimes when we just do not know what to say to someone. Like at a loss or when we know they are going through some trying moments in life. We don’t want to appear uncaring by saying nothing and yet we certainly do not want to just give one of those familiar statements like, “hang in there”, or “I’m praying for you” and then go on throughout the day without giving it another thought. As a pastor it can be a frightening moment when I have nothing to say. After all, aren’t I paid to say something?

Yet there are moments in my prayer life when I come to God and I do not know where to begin or even what to say. Unbelievable, nothing to say to God with all the things to give praise for in my life and all those prayer requests I have heard. But that is exactly how I can feel at times, like I can’t say a word. Maybe you are unsure sometimes where to start in a conversation with God. Well Paul in Romans 8:26 gives us some good advice at moments like these. He says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

In other words, sit still and be quiet. The Holy Spirit knows our heart and what it is that we are struggling with which we cannot speak. In the stillness we focus not on finding the right words but the right heart that will be open to the leading and guidance of God. It is there that we begin to address our struggle and find God’s will. Maybe if Job’s friends had done that for him they would have seen God in the midst of the disaster of Job’s life and not been so eager to find quick answers or make a judgment.

So if you have nothing to say today that is O.K. Maybe now is the time to let the Holy Spirit do the groaning and talking for you and out of your still mind racing silence you can begin to hear God speaking to your heart and soul. It may take some practice, but sometimes it is well worth having nothing to say.

Join me in the Silence,

Lent Already? That is right folks, the season of Lent (40 days) and Easter are as early as they possibly can be this year.  Our Ash Wednesday service will be on Feb. 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Put it on your calendar now and plan to be with us!

New Members Class for Adults!  If you would like to become a part of the Trinity Family through our adult membership class please sign up on the bulletin board or contact the church office at 478-0090. We will be starting another membership class shortly and we are now gathering the names of those who would like information about becoming a member. We plan to start the next class by Sunday, Feb. 10.

Adult Sunday School- located in classrooms off the Fellowship Hall. Look for the signs or ask someone nearby. There is a place and new friends awaiting you.

9:45 Hour

Adult Classroom 1- Sandy Hawn teaching from book- New Testament Characters. This is a class mostly of Senior Adults who also have a regular time of Fellowship each month.

Adult Classroom 2- Chuck Visalli leading discussion on Our Faith & Current Events. This class tends to be people from 30-60 years of age.

The Café’- Doug Brown teaching from Max Lucado’s Book John 3:16. This is a brand new class with people of various ages in.

11:00 Hour

Adult Classroom 2- Alan Gansert leads the class through a video series about the Holy Lands and lessons learned from Scripture as it relates to those sites.

Parents who have children with Special Needs... Trinity United Methodist Church of Mullica Hill, NJ currently provides monthly respite support to families within the church and community who are caring for children with special needs.  This program provides child care/baby sitting services to children/adults with special needs and their siblings once a month at the church located at 284 Cedar Road in Mullica Hill.  Families may drop off their loved one(s) and have the opportunity to network with other parents/caregivers as a group at a nearby restaurant (cost varies) or do an activity on their own.  Christian volunteers currently staff the program with support from Rowan University’s Student Council for Exceptional Children.  It is open to all people from the community regardless of gender, race or religious preference.

If you are interested, please contact the Church at 856-478-0090 or Leigh Botner at 856-264-2365.  All new participants must answer a brief questionnaire regarding the family member’s special needs prior to attending.  

Spring 2008-Special Needs Parents Monthly Night Out Schedule

Additional information regarding Trinity United Methodist of Mullica Hill and directions to the church may be found at http://www.trinity-umc.info.

Attn: Parents of Preschoolers: Are you looking for an affordable, state certified, Christian preschool for your child? Weekday Nursery School, located in the Presbyterian Church in Pitman (just 10 minutes from Mullica Hill) is now accepting applications for the fall 2008 school year. We offer 1/2 day classes for 3 & 4 year olds. Scholarships are also available. Please contact WNS at 589-5021 for more information. Also, we currently have children from our church family attending here. Please see Kim DeAngelo, Andrea Buzby, or Barb Nitowski for further input regarding the school.

Easter Candy Sale—We have started our Easter Candy Sale.  Orders can be placed through one of the youth that are participating or we will have a table in the Narthex Feb. 17 and 24 following services.  The 24^th of February will be the last day for orders on candy to be delivered by Palm Sunday, when it can be picked up in the church basement.

Calling all Youth grades 7 – 12.  If you would like to become a member of the Church then it is time to sign up for this year’s Confirmation Class which begins on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The classes will be on Thursdays from February 7 – April 10 with Confirmation Sunday on April 20. Please sign up in the narthex or contact Pastor Conaway at 478-0090.

The next “Young at Heart” (55+ group) will be meeting for a covered dish luncheon at the church on Wednesday, February 27^th at 12:00 noon.  After fellowship and good food, we will be packing the toiletry bags for the women’s shelter.  Come on out and plan to have a good lunch, enjoy the fellowship, and help with this ministry.  Anyone 55+ is encouraged to come out and join us, bring a friend!  For those who may be new to the group, please bring a covered dish that will serve at least 6 people.  Looking forward to seeing you there!  A sign up sheet is in the narthex.

Okay!  Now is the time to start that Adult Sunday School Class you have been thinking about (or not.)  We are having a Valentines party for all of the adult Sunday School classes here at Trinity on Saturday, Feb. 9^th.  It is for singles and couples, and it should be lots of fun, with dinner, music, entertainment, and getting to know each other.  We would like to invite you to come and join us and see what being a part of a Sunday School class can do for you, both enjoyable and spiritual.

TRINITY LADIES!  On Saturday, February 16th, at 8:00 a.m., join us for the second in a series of women's fellowship breakfasts on the third Saturday of each month. This will be a chance for women to gather for a light breakfast, devotion, and to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Devotions will be shared from the Women of Faith series and are relevant to women of all ages and walks of life. Invite a friend! Plan to add this activity to your calendar of monthly events - you'll be glad you did!

TRINITY MEN!  The next Men’s breakfast will be held Saturday, February 12^th at 7:30 a.m. (The second Saturday of every month)  Plan to come out and join us for food, good fellowship, devotions, and a time to meet and get to know the other men in the congregation.  Bring a friend!

Pictorial Directory- We are adding the finishing touches to our Pictorial Directory. If you have not gotten your picture taken or emailed in, please talk with Pastor Paul this week. Directories should be ready by the end of February. Ideally, we will email them to people in a file you can view on your computer. If you need a paper copy, please sign up for one in the Narthex. Paper Copies will cost $4.00 each. Our plans are also to update this directory once or twice a year.

KIDS ALLEY MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!

We will be going to Kids Alley on Saturday, February 16, to work with the youth again at the Saturday morning Bible club.  It would be great to have a couple of volunteers to go along to help with this activity.  If you are interested, please call Theresa Pramov, 415-9505.

Our next Kids Alley lunch making session will be on Saturday, February 23, at 8:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  Everything is provided – we just need you to put the lunches together.  Trinity will also be working with the kids ages 7-12 that morning at the Bible Club.  We need for a few volunteers to attend the Bible club and help with the children and activities.  Please join us for either the lunch making or the volunteering, or both!  If you are meeting just for the Bible club, we will be leaving the church at 9:30 a.m.

Kids Alley is sponsoring a short-term program for the entire families of the kids.  On Saturday, March 1, we will be volunteering there in the 4-6 year old group.  Rev. Tan is also looking for a couple of volunteers to work in the nursery that week.  Again, we will be meeting at the church and leaving at 9:30 a.m.

Please indicate your interest in helping with any of these groups on the sign-up sheet in the narthex.    Call Janis Gansert (478-0678) for more information.

Mountain T.O.P. Mission Trip - Those interested in going on the Mountain T.O.P. Mission Trip this Summer need to talk with Pastor Paul this week. Forms are due next Sunday, February 10^th.

Golf Pros, Amateurs & Duffers: Save The Date!! - This year’s Golf Tournament for MISSIONS will be held on Saturday, May 10^th at the Beckett Country Club in Swedesboro. Be watching for more information coming out soon!

Countering the Financial Burden Shift

Imagine: You’re within pennies of affording that dream vacation, only to have your car conk out on you. And then, when you’ve nearly saved enough for a new car, you’re met with an unexpected medical expense that sets you back even further.

If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably, at one time or another, had an unexpected expense change your short-term financial well-being. Indeed, Americans are facing a bigger financial burden these days. Consumers are realizing that they may not be able to count on traditional social safety nets to ensure their financial well being over the course of their lifetimes.

The government, once a vital part of the social safety net, is facing a looming Social Security crisis as baby boomers approach retirement with less populous generations to support them. In 1950, there were 16 workers supporting every Social Security beneficiary. Soon, there will be less than two, according to a radio address by the President.

A few years ago, investors also learned a hard lesson about trusting their fiscal security to volatile financial markets.

As if this weren’t enough, people believe that they can no longer rely on their employers. Over the last few years, trust and confidence in Corporate America has eroded due to corporate scandals. And, according to new data from Watson Wyatt, of the 627 Fortune 1000 companies that offer pension plans, 113 have either frozen at least one plan or have announced intentions to do so. Finally, competitive pressures are making it challenging for employers to continue to pay for the full cost of medical and other employee benefits as they once did.

Consumers are shouldering more of the financial burden than ever before. Still, many don’t know the importance of protection products. Consider the following statistics: 

• One in three workers over the age of 30 will become disabled for at least three months during their careers, according to America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and the Society for Actuaries.

• According to the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association, in 2004, one third of adults did not have life insurance.

• The risk is high for Americans to outlive their retirement as the life expectancy continues to increase significantly.

In the era of personal responsibility, where can people turn to make sure that they remain financially secure both now and in the uncertain future? The key to financial security is building a personal safety net to adequately and efficiently insure risks faced throughout life. With an increasingly risk averse populace, the importance of guarantees is at the forefront.

Unfortunately, investments, though a powerful tool for helping consumers grow wealth, cannot themselves adequately fund and finance the cost of caring for a long-term illness or that of a loved one. Nor can they adequately ensure that an individual won’t run out of money if they live a long and prosperous life. Since consumers can’t invest away their financial risks, they must insure for them.

There’s no silver bullet that will prepare consumers for future financial burdens, but there are some simple steps to help mitigate the risk:

1. Understand your options. This includes learning about the types of products that can help you achieve your goals – products for protection now and products to help prepare for the future. It’s not enough to know which product can fulfill which need. The key is knowing which option is right for you now depending on your individual circumstances. Recent college graduates, baby boomers and retirees, for example, all have drastically different risk tolerances and needs.

2. Work with your insurer. An insurer can help you build a solid financial foundation. Many consumers don’t understand which insurance coverage they need to protect themselves and their family or how much coverage is enough. Insurance providers can help consumers match the right products with the right life stage or life situation.

3. Work with your financial professional. An experienced financial professional can help you understand how insurance and related income products can fit into your overall portfolio to protect and grow wealth over time.

The future is uncertain, but being proactive about creating your own personal safety net can pay big dividends down the road.

Guarantees apply to certain insurance and annuity products (not securities, variable or investment advisory products) and are subject to product terms, exclusions and limitations and the insurer’s claims-paying ability and financial strength.  Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, NY 10166. MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company, Irvine, CA 92614.  First MetLife Investors Insurance Company, New York, NY 10166 (NY Only)] MetLife, Inc.

"Article provided courtesy of Lisa Nole, Financial Advisor/Registered Representative, MetLife"

“What on Earth Am I Here For?”

“What Does God Want Me To Do?”

“What Drives Your Life?”

This Lent, come discover Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life”

Spend the 40 days of Lent discovering and making your life meaningful again!

Join the opportunity to join one of two groups that will meet weekly through Lent to look at this book and learn how to make some life changes.

One group will meet starting Sunday, February 10^th at 6:00 p.m. and the other will meet starting Tuesday, February 12^th at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Glenn.  Sign up for the book and the weekly time in the Narthex.  Even if you have read the book, come join a group!

Take Stock in Your Church!  While Wall Street has had to deal with woe’s and losses recently our church Finance Committee reported a 12.5% increase in revenue for 2007. We took a step of faith in 2007 in a budget to expand programs, ministries, and to even start looking at a building expansion program for the future. Your contributions have helped us continue to move in that direction. Thank you for your continued support in 2008 and be looking for information in the months to come about the possibilities and dreams that can become realities in our work here at Trinity.

Attention All Committees and Administrative Council. Because of a conflict with the church calendar the February monthly meetings will be moved to WEDNESDAY, February 20,2008. Committees will meet in classrooms at 6:45 and the Admin. Council will meet at 8:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

Chapel Prayer Hour Sign-up:  The Winter and Spring sign-up for Chapel Prayer is now posted.  You are invited to be a part of this tremendous ministry.  Those of us who have been serving have been so blessed and we trust you will be also.  Chapel Prayer takes place each Sunday morning during the 11am service.  A small team of prayer partners go into the chapel where they lift the morning’s prayer requests.  When in the prayer chapel you are free to choose to   pray silently, or out loud, everyone asks differently, each one is special.  In fact the simplest prayer “help us Lord” is heard and blessed.  Blessed are we when we come before the Lord with humble hearts.  The need for prayer is great.   People are counting on us to pray with them.  We ask you to prayerfully think about joining this ministry where possibilities are unlimited, “for nothing is impossible with God.!” Matthew 19:26  God bless each of you and thank you for trusting us with your prayer requests. Please call Barbara Moist with any questions 223-0738.

More fresh-cut flowers are purchased for Valentine's Day than for any other holiday.  Some other statistics:

Many Men Want Valentine's Flowers

61 percent of all men say they would like to receive flowers for Valentine's Day from a woman.

No Matter What Their Age

Percent who want Valentine's Day flowers, by age:

79% of men 18-24 years old

67% of men 25-34 years old

61% of men 35-49 years old

55% of men 50-64 years old

31% of men over 65

But Fewer Men Get Their Wish

40% of men say they have ever received Valentine's flowers from a woman.

Mostly Men Buy Valentine's Day Flowers

73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women

Men and Women Buy Valentine Flowers for Different Recipients

79% of men's Valentine's Day flower purchases are for wives or significant others. Women's lists are more varied.

        Taken from www.floramex.com

Groundhog Day History

Groundhog Day, celebrated across the United States and Canada, on February 2, is purely a North American tradition. It is based on a belief that on this day (February 2) the groundhog, or woodchuck, comes out of hole after winter hibernation to look for its shadow. If the shadow is seen, it's a sunny day. And the groundhog foretells 'six more weeks of bad weather' and thus a lingering winter. But spring is coming if no shadow is seen because of clouds. The groundhog then behaves accordingly. It goes back into the hole if the weather turns bad, but stays above ground if spring is near.

Thus weather prediction or prognostication came as an integral feature of Groundhog Day tradition. This prediction owes its origin to the European tradition of Candlemas. There is an old European supposition that a sunny Candlemas day would lead the winter to last for 'another six weeks'. Also celebrated on February 2, the was used to commemorate the Purification of the Virgin Mary. Candles for sacred uses were blessed on this day. Gradually the traditions at this Candlemas came to associate with them different folklores. The German added the belief of an animal, initially a hedgehog, being frightened by his shadow on Candlemas would foretell that winter would last another six weeks. This belief was brought in America during the 18th Century by the German settlers. These settlers adopted the groundhog as their weather predictor.

The Groundhog Day came into being in North America during the late 1800s. Thanks to the combined effort of Clymer H. Freas, a newspaper editor, and W. Smith, an American Congressman and newspaper publisher. They organized and popularized a yearly festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the State was populated predominantly by German settlers. The festival featured a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil which used to foretell how long the winter would last. This very popular event is still being held and is called Groundhog Day.

There has been a concerted effort in popularizing and commercializing the Groundhog Day across the United States. Chuck Wood is The Committee for the commercialization of Groundhog Day's official mascot. The movie "Groundhog Day," has played a key role in popularizing the schedule of Events in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on and around February 2. Apart from Pennsylvania, fascinating Groundhog Day events are also held in other states, especially, Nebraska, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, Arkansas, and California.

The Groundhog Day is also very popular in Canada and Wiarton Willy is the Groundhog that is used to predict the length of winter over there.

http://groundhog-day.123holiday.net/

Groundhog Day Trivia:

·        All groundhogs have 22 teeth.

·        Groundhogs hibernate one to a burrow, with at least two doorways.

·        Males emerge earlier than females each spring.

·        Groundhogs can lose 50 per cent of their body weight in hibernation. Their maximum size is 10 kilograms.

·        They can both swim and climb trees, and have a top speed of 15 kilometres an hour.

·        Groundhog Day was once celebrated by ancient Celts. It's halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox.

·        Farrah Fawcett, Tom Smothers, James Joyce, Graham Nash, Christie Brinkley and Wiarton Willie's handler, Sam Brouwer were all born on Groundhog Day.

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