Missions Report

Thank you for your donations to Souper Sunday. New Hope donated 218 cans of soup and $90 to Alpha Center for their food pantry.

On February 3, volunteers served the evening meal to about 40 following the worship service at Alpha.

Donations in the birthday bank are pledged to Redbird Mission, a Christian education center in Kentucky. This month we are sending them $25.

Change collected in the change jar in the rear of the church is pledged to Serenity Works, a substance abuse halfway house in Sidney. They will receive $51.50 from us this month.

Baby Items Still Needed

During the month of February, we are still collecting baby items as a local community outreach project. Many items have been donated and most of those have already been distributed. This is an ongoing project through February. Items needed include diapers, receiving blankets, onesies, sleepers, Enfamil Lipil formula with Iron, powder, lotion, etc.

THANK YOU for your continuing support for our missions projects.

Do You Need Help in Obtaining Prescription Medicines?

If you are on a limited income and/or without medication insurance, there is help available. If you go to www.rxassist.org, you are able to search for different medications, then download and print out forms from the company which makes the medication. Complete the form and take it and supporting information required (usually most recent income tax information) to your doctor. The doctor will complete their part and submit it to the company. Some companies will send medications directly, others will only send to your doctor and then he/she will dispense the medicine to you.

If you would like help in the process, contact Gwen Ludlow. She can be reached by calling 295-3232 or by e-mail at loramie@adelphia.net

Prayer Chain

To activate the prayer chain, or if you would like to be a part of the prayer chain, please call Pastor John at 498-9824, Janice Michael at 492-1318, or Sue Motter at 492-1545.

Prayer Requests

Shut-ins: Kenny Wilt, Betty Miller; Jim Christle; Ruby Lyme

Health Concerns:

Walt DeVault; Angela Slagle, Bill Miller; Don & Olive Ann Heintz; Dick and Pauline Carey; Jennifer Fleckenstein, Jennie Maurer and her family; Mark Bogg’s sister Rebecca, Marcia and Jim Atkinson; Scott and Letha Mann; Matt & Christa Meyer; Joe, Janell, Jerry, and Nick Welker, Clarence Meyer; Rosie Carter’s daughter, Beth; Rosie Carter – radiation and chemotherapy; John Slagle; Bob & Mary Boclavage; Cheryl Smith; Shelly Leighty’s mother; Eva Lamming; Eva Lamming’s Aunt Ruth; Wayne Lamming’s sister in Florida; Annette Kendall; Delbert Doak; Wallace Bodey, Chae Swob’s mother; Craig & Brenda Langston; Bruce Watkins, Sr.; Doug Gill; Carol Cooley; Laurie Inman; Jeff Deatheridge; Gwen Ludlow’s father; Joyce Ike; Sharon Kaltenbach, Bob Berryman; Kenny Dorsey

For Continued Support:

Bereavement: Family of Harold Hollenbacher; Family of Gene Carey; Family of Phyllis Harris Family of Jack Deatheridge; Stephanie Rose and her family

Spiritual and emotional support: Jeff Motter; Sherry Kloeker, Matthew Roesser; Mike Ceyler, The Berryman Family; Lelia McKibben and her family; Don & Sarah Timeus; John and Shelly Leighty and Family; Michael, Jaymie, and Wesley Jiang; Tom and Ginny Mills, Lydia and son Caleb; Bob Graham; Wayne & Eva Lamming’s family; Jacksonburg UMC; Sharon Winemiller; Robert Holman, Jr.; Mike Ceylor; Benji & Crystal Gill; Ashley Hall and son, Hunter

Community: Habitat for Humanity; Greater Sidney Emmaus Community; Serenity House; Missionaries Tom and Sharon Crowe; Alpha Community Center; Ministry in Shelby County; Red Bird Missionary Conference; Kairos Prison Ministry; Concordia Circuit churches, South Africa

Dan Hall, Eric, Annie, and Kenny Knapke, Brad & Jamie Harrison; Mike Maloney

Remember Brad Harrison (Gwen Ludlow’s nephew) with a card today – it takes a long time to make it to Iraq.

Sgt. Brad L Harrison

705th Transportation Company

Unit # 92666

A.P.O. A.E. 09391-2666

February Birthdays and Anniversaries

Feb. 1 Carol Ann Slagle, Mark Hoelscher

Feb. 2 Shaun Smith

Feb. 9 Scott Hoelscher

Feb. 11 Nikki Jones

Feb. 13 Mike Boggs

Feb. 14 Darla Bowling

Feb. 16 A.K. Hoover

Feb. 17 Kenny Dorsey

Feb. 20 Donna Michael

Feb. 24 Darrin Ike

Feb. 25 Kenny Wilt, Edna Shoffner

Feb. 9 Bob & Marlene Berryman

Feb. 12 Wayne & Eva Lamming

Feb. 14 Max & Janet Motter

Feb. 17 Kenny & Janet Dorsey

Feb. 24 Rob & Chae Swob

New Address

Bill Miller has moved to the Dorothy Love Apartments and Betty is now a resident in the care center. Bill’s new address is:

Bill Miller

2500 N. Kuther Rd Apt 311

Sidney, OH 45365

From the Pastor’s Desk

“When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t doubt on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, “You’re going to have a big family, Abraham.” Abraham didn’t focus on his own impotence and say, “It’s hopeless. This hundred-year old body could never father a child.” Nor did he survey Sarah’s decades of infertility and give up. He didn’t tiptoe around God’s promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God sure that God would make good on what he had said.”

Romans 4:18-21 from The Message

One day Abraham and Sarah are escaping the heat of the day by resting in their tent at noontime. Suddenly three men are seen approaching; Abraham addresses one of the as Lord. During their time with Abraham and Sarah, God explains his plan to give the couple the long promised son they did not presently have. Sarah’s question as to how she could have a baby in her old age is answered by the Lord, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” This question brings us around to asking ourselves, “How big is Your God?” Is He big enough for you to put your faith in Him, regardless of how impossible your situation may seem?

In Romans 4:18-21 Paul shows us four things Abraham possessed in his walk with God that gave him faith for such a seeming “impossible” situation. It can also give you and me faith for facing the difficulties we encounter.

1. Abraham relied on the Word of God (Romans 4:18). Faith must be born our of the scriptures. We need to dig into the Word to see what God says about a given subject.

2. He faced the facts (Romans 4:19). Abraham realized the “impossible ness” of his situations; his impotency and Sarah’s’ barrenness. He had to come to grips with putting God between himself and his problems.

3. He would not allow any distrust (Romans 4:20). It’s easy to become discouraged when we look at the problems facing us. Some may appear to be larger than the giant facing David. Just remember, God delights in bringing down the giants in our lives.

4. Abraham drew strength from his faith (Romans 4:21). When difficulty challenges you it will be a test to see just how big the God you worship is. If you truly worship and love the God of the Bible, you will discover nothing is too hard for him.

Before Abraham Lincoln left Springfield to go to Washington for his inauguration he spoke these words to his friends: “I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return. With a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington, without the assistance of the Divine Being whoever attended him, I cannot succeed, with that assistance, I cannot fail.”

Trusting His Leading,

Pastor John

Pastor John’s Address:

5772 Johnston-Slagle Rd

Sidney, OH 45365

Home Phone: 498-9824

E-mail: Leighty@bright.net

Parsonage for Sale

For over thirty ye For over thirty years the parsonage has served the Hardin- New Hope Churches well. Now that the churches are no longer yoked together, it has been decided to sell the parsonage. If you have any questions concerning the parsonage or know someone who might be interested in buying it, contact Janet Motter, Jerry Kauffman, or Pastor John

TREASURER’S REPORT

December 31, 2003

General fund $10,144.99

Other funds 7,269.35

Total funds $17,414.34

January 31, 2004

General fund $8,644.10

Other funds 10,281.22

Total funds $18,925.32

December 2003

Average attendance 47

Total offerings $3,043.00

January 2004

Average attendance 48

Total offerings $2,994.00

NOTE:

First quarter conference apportionments and first half district apportionments have been paid for 2004.

New Arrivals

Philip and Sharon Kaltenbach are the parents of a new son. Derick was born January 16 and weighed 9 pounds 4 ounces.

Ashley Hall and Joe Goshorn are the parents of a son, Hunter Malachi, born January 30. He was 7 pounds 12 ounces.

Garage Sale in September

Save your items!! The Fort Loramie Community Garage Sale will again be held during Lakefest weekend in September. Gwen and Larry Ludlow have offered us the use of their garage for the sale. So, begin looking through your house, garage, or basement for any treasures you would like to donate for this sale. Details on setup and delivery of items will be available this summer. THANK YOU, Gwen and Larry!

Facilities Commission Update

A group composed of members of the facilities planning commission and trustees visited four churches in January to view their building and renovation projects. Sites visited were Ansonia (building addition of fellowship hall, new kitchen, restrooms, and to improve access); Union (new construction instead of renovation); Englewood (chancel renovation and other sanctuary improvements); and Stillwater (hospitality and education facilities). The Facilities Commission will be meeting Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the church to review input, information gathered on the trip, and make a recommendation to the trustees.

We Need Your Help

We are in the process of updating the newsletter mailing list and collecting e-mail addresses Please return the enclosed card with any corrections noted to remain on the mailing list. If you would be interested in receiving the newsletter each month via email instead of regular mail, contact Janay Michael

Administrative Board Update

Heard a report from the trustees about the progress of chancel renovations
Reviewed plans for Wednesday night programming during Lent
Approved moving forward with strategic planning with facilitator provided by Sidney First UMC
Approved calendar of Lenten and spring events
Approved the purchase of new coat and chair racks

Bob Berryman has been released from the hospital and is home. The Berryman family extends their thanks for all the cards, prayers, and visits during Bob’s hospital stay. His address is:

Bob Berryman

10500 Mason Rd.

Sidney, OH 45365

*Other February Happenings* *Sunday, February 15:* Fair Haven Worship at 2:30 p.m. *Tuesday, February 24:* United Methodist Women meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Lelia McKibben’s. *Wednesdays, weekly:* Choir practice at 7:30 p.m. *Sunday School Schedule* 9:30 a.m. Coffee and donut fellowship 9:45 a.m. Praise and worship in the sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Classes meet for all ages
New Hope UMC P O Box 4372 Sidney, OH 45365

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

We Welcome you to New Hope United Methodist Church, Jesus' Country Home.

Wednesday Bible Study during Lent

During Lent, Starting on Ash Wednesday, February 25, we will be having a Bible Study called “Beyond 30 Seconds.” Pastor John will be leading the Bible Study. The study will start with a light furnished supper from 5:30pm-6:30pm with a time of worship and study from 6:30-7:30pm.. There will be a study for the youth as well. Everyone is invited to come fellowship and worship together.

Where is the Bering Sea?

Dusty Powell knows! For correctly answering a question about the Bering Sea, Dusty broke the tie with Ethan Kiser to take first place in the recent Hardin-Houston Geography Bee. For the next round of competition, he takes a test to qualify for the state geography bee in Columbus. Keith Arrick also qualified to participate in the local bee by winning his classroom competition. CONGRATULATIONS FOR A FINE JOB!!!

And God Said

I said, “God, I hurt.”

He said, “I know.”

I said, “God, I cry a lot.”

He said, “That is why I gave you tears.”

I said, “God, I’m so depressed.”

He said, “That is why I gave you sunshine.”

I said, “God, life is hard.”

He said, “Tat is why I gave you loved ones.”

I said, “God, my loved ones died.”

He said, “So did mine.”

I said, “God, it is such a loss.”

He said, “I saw mine nailed to the cross.”

I said, “God, but your loved one lives.”

He said, “So does yours.”

I said, “God, where are they now?”

He said, “Mine is on the right, yours is in the light.”

I said, “God, it hurts.”

He said, “I know.”

------submitted by Carol Ann Slagle

Time is Running Out!

There are only 2 tickets left for the Women of Faith Conference in Ft. Wayne, March 26-27, 2004. Tickets are $59 each. Additional cost for bus, hotel room, and Friday evening dinner at Old Country Buffet:

v per person if 2 in a room - $90

v per person if 3 in a room - $76

v per person if 4 in a room - $69

The bus will leave at 2:45 p.m. on Friday, March 26, and return at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 27. See Sue Motter to purchase tickets.

Three Things You Will Never Hear in Church

1. “O good – they left us a pew in the front.”

2. “I want to volunteer to be the full time teacher for the junior high boys’ Sunday School class.”

3. “I just love it when they sing those new songs we don’t know.”