A local photographer, Brian Christopher, drove by on a hot summer day and saw an opportunity for some exciting, unique pictures.  It was a "Bike Day" w here Celebrations attendees are invited to bring their bikes for the day.  Brian was nice enough to allow us to share them with you in our September newsletter.

Caring Ministry Blog
Check out the caring ministry blog by clicking this link or going to our website: 
www.npumccaringministry.blogspot.com

Calendar
To view the September 2010 church calendar click here.

Welcome New Staff Member Sherry McKinney

Please help us in welcoming our new staff member Sherry McKinney as the Director of Children and Family Ministries.  Sherry was the Director of Children's Ministry at a church in northern Indiana prior to moving back to Indy in March of this year.  She has a fulltime job at WellPoint as a meeting planner.  Sherry possesses over 30 years experience in event / meeting planning.  She is very proud of two daughters - Lindsay and Shannon, two granddaughters, Hunter (5) and Hannah (4) and one grandson, Austin (3).  All of them live here.  Sherry has family here at the church.  Her mother is Alberta McKinney and her sister was Vicki Brittain who was a long time member of this church. 

Sherry's focus for Children's ministry will be on: spiritual growth, fellowship and fun, helping those less fortunate through community projects, engaging in church activities / worship services, and reaching out to children in our community to share God's word and grow this ministry.

Her focus for Family Ministry will be on spiritual fellowship as a church family and reaching out to new families through this ministry.

Sherry asks for the prayers and support of the entire church family as we move forward with these ministries. She cannot do it alone and will pray for God's guidance and your involvement.
If you see Sherry around, make sure to introduce yourself and say hello!  Sherry can be reached at 317-771-8453 or childrenfamilynpumc@comcast.net.   

James 2:18
"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."

Financial Information
Below you will find the updated financial information submitted August 17, 2010, by Lance Aschermann, our Treasurer.

Also, mid-year contribution statements are available now at the pick-up table.  Please help the church save some money by picking yours up as soon as possible.  The ones not picked up will eventually be mailed to the address we have on file. 

Expenses:
Copier Expense   1156
Custodial Service Expense   980
Custodial Supplies Expense   189
Electricity Exp   2529
Gas Exp   132
Insurance Exp   3213
Lawn Exp   1100
Maintenance/Repairs Exp   971
Parsonage Utilities Exp   458
Security Exp   687
Telephone Exp   302
Third Service Exp   800
Trash Exp   140
Water Exp   137
Conference- Pastors's Health Insurance   1000
Conference- Apportionments 1000
District- Administration/Programs 450
Pastor Expense Allowance Exp   244
Pastor Pension Exp   1168
Payroll Service Exp   115
Salaries Exp   24612
Social Security/Medicare Exp   1155
Sub Organist Exp   50
Family/Child Ministries Exp   480
Evangelism Exp   30
Member Care Exp   30
Misc Administrative Exp   1537
Music Exp   11
Worship Exp   425
Youth (Red Letter) Exp   740

Total Expenses $46,239

~"He who is not contented with what he has would not be contented with what he would like to have."  ~Socrates   

Newsletter Deadline

The October newsletter deadline will be Monday, September 27th.  Please be courteous and respectful to the church offices and get your articles submitted in a timely fashion. 
*Also, please note that all submissions for the weekly bulletin need to be to the church offices no later than Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. for the following Sunday.

Cub Scouts Pack #234
The New Palestine United Methodist Church proudly supports Cub Scouts Pack #234.  The website, www.npumc.com, now has a link that will direct you to the yearly schedule for the pack.  The Den Meetings are located in the classrooms on the 2nd level of the CMC.  The Pack Meetings are scheduled in the Youth Room, also on the 2nd level of the CMC.  Corey O'Dell and Mike Kelley are our leadership for this group.

Blood Drive
Last week the Indiana Blood Center issued an urgent need advisory.  If you are age 16 or older, and in general good health, please consider donating blood.  The process takes little time, but can mean so much to someone in need.  We will host a blood drive on September 13 from 3:00pm to 7:30pm in the Cafe.  In conjunction with the New Palestine Community Fellowship of Churches, you can roll up your sleeve and save a life.  You will also get a free total blood cholesterol reading!  Call the church offices today to schedule your appointment.  Other questions, contact the Indiana Blood Center at 317-916-5150.
All people that donate will get a free Colts t-shirt! 

Daniel 12:13
"As for you, go your way til the end.  You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your inheritance."     

Wedding Rehearsal Dinners
Having problems finding a close place to have your wedding rehearsal dinner?  The search ends here!  We now have developed a wedding rehearsal dinner fee schedule, and can offer catering, decorating, table service and clean up.  These services are not only limited to wedding rehearsal dinners, they are great for any event.  Contact the church offices or Nancy Collier for more info.  Pricing information can be viewed online at www.npumc.com under the wedding link.        

Renovation Status
The Sanctuary renovations are almost complete.  AJ has been here most of the week finishing up touches on our A/V equipment and Mike Poor and Sheri Smith have been around doing miscellaneous items.  It is a big change and a true blessing!  The Sanctuary dedication ceremony will be on September 12th with Bert Kite, our District Superintendant.  We hope you will join us in celebrating!

~"Peace hath higher tests of manhood than battle ever knew."
John Greenleaf Whittier

UMW Need Donations
United Methodist Women need half pint and pint jars for making jams, etc. Please place the jars you donate on the pick-up table or give to Jean Zerkel or Erelene Brown. Thanks!

Promotion Sunday
September 12 in the Gym
9:15am

Third Grade Bibles
The presentation of our third grade Bibles will be during all church services on September 26th.  Please let the church offices, Dale Edwards (861-3941) or Wayne Beck (861-0583) know the complete name of your third graders. 

New Members?

If you have been around the church much lately, you will know that this flock of geese has been hanging around the church yard.  Supposedly, the only way to get rid of them is by placing an alligator close to where they hang out.  Anyone have any alligators? 

Fellowship Dinner
Please plan to join us the last Thursday in September, the 30th, at 6:00 p.m. for a great pitch-in!

Thank You
United Methodist Women-
Thank you so much for hosting the graduation breakfast and for the Target gift card.  It really meant a lot to me!
Love, Kailey Willhelm

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the church for letting me have my mom's 80th birthday party there. Pat Trout was the one who was able to reserve the church for me.
Thanks
Nancy Scott

Operation Classroom News
The next packing party is at Emmanuel UMC on October 17, 2010, 16000 Cumberland Road, Noblesville, IN 46060-4105, 317-773-4406.   

The UMC Central District churches supporting Operation Classroom/WPL Brumskine School in Liberia held a Packing Party on Sunday, April 18 at Old Bethel United Methodist Church. We had 48 workers from 8 churches and packed 122 boxes to send to Liberia.

We packed 156 Elementary YES Kits, 153 High School YES Kits, 68 Health Kits, some summer clothing, books and bibles. John Barker keeps the warehouse organized and coordinates shipments to Liberia and Sierra Leone. We packed so many YES kits that we are low on several kit items. We need black or blue ink pens, scissors, 24-count crayons, rulers, protractors and YES kit bags. Family Dollar often has calculators, scissors and religious coloring books at low prices.

All Health Kit items are needed, especially towels, toothpaste, aspirin and shampoo. We appreciate those of you who sew YES kit bags for our school kits.

Incredible Potential
The local churches of the Western World possess incredible potential.  They possess resources fully adequate to rescue persons in our society from the frustrations which are suffocating them and to deliver our civilization from the corruptions which can destroy it.
~Brown Barr in The Well Church Book

Beth Moore Bible Study
Stepping Up
Sunday Evenings 6:45pm-8:45pm
Parlor
September 12-October 24
Contact Shirley Emsweller to sign up or for any questions at:
semsweller@yahoo.com
Workbooks needed to accompany videos may be purchased at Lifeway bookstore or online.

Philippians 2:2
"Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."   

Metro Missions
During the month of September, United Methodist Women will collect kitchen utensils, bedding, children’s clothing, good used shoes, toys, and household items for Brightwood Community Center in inner city Indianapolis. Their pantry is also in need of bar soap, bath tissue, and disposable diapers. Since the school children of their district are required to wear uniforms, they also need black or khaki pants, white, blue, or red collared shirts and socks. If anyone has a coat, jacket, hat or gloves, these also would be appreciated. When cleaning closets or doing grocery shopping, please be aware of this ministry and as Jesus tells us, “As you do it for the least of mine, you do it for me.” A large donation box will be in the Ministry Center. 
~God Bless you, Jean Zerkel

UMW Silent Auction
The UMW Silent Auction will be held October 3-24 at the church.  We are looking for contributions of crafts or other hand-made items for the auction.  Please contact Jean Zerkel (894-3646), Judi Walsh (861-4138), or Roberta Fowler (861-6210) by Sunday, September 26 if you are able to contribute.  Thank you in advance for your contributions, which will benefit the missions and projects of UMW.

1 Thessalonians 5:12
"Respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you."

What's Happening to Our Tree?
While walking through the churchyard to make some changes on the church marquee, Terri and I noticed some strange "fuzzy ball" looking things on our tree just outside the north sanctuary door.  Upon further investigation, here is what we found out from the internet about these "fuzzy balls":
These are called Oak wooly galls. They are caused by a tiny wasp insect. The wasp lays its eggs on the leaf bud and the eggs hatch and the tiny larvae drill into the leaf and secrete a chemical that forms the wooly gall. The insect has gone by the time most people see the galls. The galls really do little damage to the tree. The leaf will turn brown where the gall is and may drop prematurely. On a small tree they could cause some growth loss but not enough to harm the tree. To spray for the insect you would have to spray just before the leaf buds break in the early spring. It is not worth the effort since the tree is not damaged. I would fertilize the tree with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter--scatter this evenly around the tree and water in good. The population of wasps varies greatly from year to year so next year there may be no sign of them at all. This will make the tree healthier and even if all the leaves were infested there would be no growth loss.
I thought this was very interesting and wanted to share!
~Tisha Tanksley, Office Manager

United Methodist Women News
Lion’s Club Fall Festival – United Methodist Women will share a booth with United Methodist Men and NPUMC Children’s and Family Ministries. Dates are September 9, 10 and 11th at the Lion’s Club. Bonnie Petrow is recruiting volunteers. If you can help, please see Bonnie. UMW will be selling Rada Cutlery.

General Meeting, World Thank Offering – September 21. Please plan to attend.

District UMW Meeting at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. The meeting is Saturday, September 25 from 9:30am – 1:30pm. Reservations are due September 17. Cost is $7.00 for lunch. Please contact Mary McCarty if you would like to attend. She just may buy your lunch!

October 3 – 31 – UMW Silent Auction – You may want to use the month of September to finish up your projects. Katherine Circle is chairing this event.

October 8 and 9 – Annual Meeting Celebration at Castleton United Methodist Church. Cost is $15 and includes lunch. Registration Deadline is September 29 for this intergenerational event. Contact Mary McCarty if interested.

October 14 – Hancock Hope House Style Show

Methodism Comes to America – the Bristol Connection – Mark your calendars for Friday, October 22 at 6:30pm starting with a pitch-in dinner and speaker at 7:30. David Worthington, Manager of the New Room/John Wesley’s Chapel will tell the amazing story of John Wesley’s ministry in Bristol, England. More information to follow next month.

Ladies Advent by Candlelight is scheduled for Sunday, December 5. Notice the day of the week has changed from Tuesday to Sunday. Contact Barb Woods (861-5619) or Nancy Collier (861-6903) with questions.

The Desire to Please God
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going, I do not see the road ahead of me, I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.  But I believe that the desire to please You does, in fact, please You.  And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.  I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.  And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.  Therefore I will trust You always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. 
~Thomas Merton