The Journey

The Journey

John Wesley, founder of Methodism, was man with a heart for God and for guiding people to the God that touched his soul and changed his life. He wanted people to experience the living God in their hearts, minds and souls. John lived his life with three simple rules, do no harm, do good and stay in love with God. Yes, they are simple rules, but not easy to live out in our everyday lives. This Sunday, we begin our journey with these three simple rules and how they can change us and the world we live in.



Lord God, how can life be lived with only these three simple rules? Is that even possible? Teach us Your ways, O God, teach us Your ways…amen.

Festival of Sharing

Festival of Sharing Kits
Due by Thursday, October 8


Paper Products Pack - Pack Value $14.00
2 pkgs toilet tissue (4- double rolls)
3 rolls paper towels (good quality)
2 facial tissue (large rectangular boxes )

Place all items in a tall-sized kitchen trash bag. Close securely and placed bagged kits in a box labeled “Paper Products Pack.” Mark the quantity on each box.

Prison Pack - Pack Value $ 9.00
1 Emery Board (not a metal nail file)
1 Pencil (unsharpened, no advertising)
30 sheets of writing paper, 6”x9”, (no note cards)
5 Envelopes (white standard size, not business size)
1 Shampoo (12-16 oz. size, alcohol-free only) *Acceptable brands: Suave, Equate Herbal, Personal Care Herbal, Alberto VO5, Style
1 Tube toothpaste (6 - 6.4 oz. size, alcohol-free only) *Acceptable brands: All types of Ultrabrite, Colgate, Crest, Aquafresh and Gleem
1 Deodorant (2-3 oz. size, alcohol-free only, no roll-ons, no men’s brands) *Acceptable brands: Revlon Hi & Dri, Lady Mitchum Clean Gel, Crystal
Clean Deodorant, Almay Clear Gel, Simple Basic Clear Deodorant

Place only these items in a plastic bag. Put filled bags in boxes labeled “Prison Pack.” Please also label with the number enclosed.
Toothbrushes and Stamps are not allowed as part of these kits.

A Light in the Window

A Light in the Window
Susan Hoyle, pastor Trinity United Methodist Church

We all know a lot about work. We work in our homes, at paid jobs, in our churches and in our communities. If we wrote down each job we do during the day, we would get tired of writing! Each one of us has skills, abilities and gifts that we use every day to make this world go around. And when we combine our skills, abilities and gifts together, our work becomes more than we can imagine.

Just think about the Mission Blitz on Sept. 26. There are over 300 churches and 6,000 people in 9 states who will put their skills, abilities and gifts together to reach out with the hands, feet and heart of Jesus. Yes, it’s “work” but it’s the kind of work that puts smiles on the faces of people, both the giver and the receiver. Each one of us brings our skills, abilities and gifts to share with others. One person’s skill may be to paint a room at the Bloomfield Public Library and another person’s may be to bake treats to give to folks to show our appreciation for the work they do for us every day. Your skill may be to clean out gutters or to use the chainsaw to clean up brush from a yard. You might help wash a car or pump gas. Maybe you will help clean up trash along our streets and highways. You might help serve at our community lunch at Town and Country Grocery Store in Bloomfield. You see, we need the skills, abilities and gifts of everyone for God’s work in the world.

As we think about our work, a powerful Scripture from Proverbs 16:3 can guide us. “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” What would happen if we began every day with this passage, saying out loud, “I commit my work to You today, Lord? What would happen if we began every day asking God to direct our path to the work God has for us to do? I believe it would change our focus from what work we have to do today, to what work God has for us to do today. And that changes everything. It changes our world, one person at a time.

May your work be committed to God every day of your life. Amen.

Want to join us on September 26 for Mission Blitz ’09, God is in this City? Just email me at susan@trinitybloomfield.org or call 568-3188 for more information.

The Journey/Bible Scholars

Proverbs 17:22, 18:24, 20:19 and 24:3-4

Scripture for September 13




Well, here we are sitting on the front porch again. It’s a beautiful day and we’re just watching the world go by. You just never know what you’ll see from the porch, people walking by, neighbors passing by in their cars and kids playing. There’s a lot of life that goes on right in front of us every day. Perhaps you can take some time to just sit on your front porch, whether it’s a big porch or a small one. Just sit there for a while and let all your burdens, all your frustrations and that “to-do” list just float away. Take a deep breath and just enjoy the life that’s going on around you. And be thankful…

Prayer

Well God, I admit I don’t sit very often and just watch the world go by. Why is it I have to be doing, doing, doing? You know, even if I’m not physically doing something, my mind is always thinking and thinking. Help me to rest my body and my mind and to notice all the good things around me. Amen.



Trinity Bible Scholars

Please read Proverbs 1-5

1. What is the beginning of knowledge? ___________

2. Where does wisdom cry out? __________

3. Solomon wrote many of the proverbs, including chapters 1-5. Who is

he addressing in them? _________

4. Which is your favorite proverb in these 5 chapters? ______________

5. What is more precious than jewels? ___________

The Journey/Bible Scholars

Proverbs 16:3
Romans 10:14-15
Scripture for September 6

This week begins our new series, The Front Porch.

Many of the front porches today aren’t as large as they used to be. Now more people have a deck in the back of the house. But the front porch was a way of life for many years. You visited with neighbors, dreamed about your future and watched how others lived their lives, all from your front porch. For the next four weeks, we’re going to look at how life was lived on the front porch.

The front porch for Labor Sunday will be filled with conversation about work and faith. And you just never know who might drop by to sit awhile on the porch. Oh, and don’t forget to wear your “work” clothes to worship and to bring the “tools” of your trade. We will celebrate our work at home, in the workplace and at church.

Prayer

Well, God, it isn’t easy for me to share my faith with my family, let alone other people. Teach me how to share my faith through words and actions. Amen.



Trinity Bible Scholars


Name ______________


Even though the Amazing Race Through the Bible has ended, let’s continue to study the Bible together. Trinity Bible Scholars is our new “game” to get us to continue to study our Holy Book together. Please turn your answers in to me each week (remember to put your name on it). Just put them in the same box that we used for the Amazing Race. You can also email them to me. I’ll keep your scores and each quarter we will have a fun activity together celebrating all that we have learned. Won’t you join the Trinity Bible Scholars?



Here are the questions for the Book of Proverbs for Sunday, Sept. 6. Questions are worth 10 points each.

1. How many chapters are in Proverbs? _________

2. Who wrote many of the sayings? (Hint: He was King David’s son) _________

3. Who are you to commit your work to? _________

4. Memorize one proverb and write it here. _____________________

5. What is the definition of proverb? ___________________



Total Points________