United Methodist Church

Learn God ~ Love God ~ Share God ~ Serve God

August 2018
Church Staff
Rev. Brenda Whitford
Lead Pastor WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
pastorbrenda@centurylink.net
Rev. Cheryl Weaver
Associate Pastor
August 5
pastorcheryl@centurylink.net Mission Trip Sunday
Amy Loeffelholz 8:30 Special Music, Becky Demaree
Business Administrator
amyloeffelholz@centurylink.net
11:00 Beyond Belief Band
April Brandt Communion at both services
Communications Associate/
Administrative Assistant August 12
plattevilleumc@centurylink.net
Making Sense of the Bible:
Tracy Harle
Housekeeping Can Women Be Leaders?
John Mulcahy 8:30 Special Music, TBA
Maintenance 11:00 Beyond Belief Band
Ellen Carnahan
Sunday School Superintendent August 19
ellen.carnahan@yahoo.com
Making Sense of the Bible:
Roxane Schult
Beyond Belief Band Leader Does LGBTQ+ Fit In?
ford_roxane@yahoo.com 8:30 Special Music, Ian McCann
Nancy Fairchild 11:00 Beyond Belief Band
Organist
nfairchild2@gmail.com
August 26
Deb Putnam
Mallow Ringers Director
Live In Love
putnamd@uwplatt.edu Pastor Cheryl Preaching
Dean Goninen 8:30 Special Music, Ian McCann
Redeemer Director 11:00 Beyond Belief Band
dean@lifelineav.com
Susan Schlager
Parish Nurse
smschlager@yahoo.com
(608) 348-9575

1065 Lancaster St., Platteville, WI 53818 ♦(608) 348-9508 ♦ plattevilleumc@centurylink.net ♦ www.plattevilleumc.org

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I apologize for those who have already heard this, but

I wanted to share with a larger audience.
Last week I got a call from Family Connections. They
have collected over 1,000 school supplies and asked
if we would be willing to collect backpacks to put
supplies in for students in need. I asked how many
backpacks were needed and which other churches were participating. We
were the first she called!
Let that soak in a minute.
We were the first she called. We are becoming known in the community as a
church that cares about people.
For 7 ½ years, I have been telling you to be the church in the community. The
world can be a dark place. It can be a difficult place. People are hurting and
they need Jesus. But in order for people to take a step through our doors they
need to know that we are a place that will care about them. By hosting Ruby’s
Pantry, by sharing with adopted families, by telling people why you love your
church, the community is learning that we are a church that cares about
people. So, two things happen: we are able to help people who are in need,
as Jesus told us to do, and we have a greater opportunity to help people
meet Jesus, as Jesus told us to do!
I am proud of you! Every time you have a positive interaction with the
community in the name of Jesus, you partner with God in building God’s Kingdom.
The phone call from Family Connections was just one example of how you are
making a difference!
God bless you!
I’ll see you in church, where we love one another, and
where we welcome guests and love them as Jesus does.

Pastor Cheryl will be participating in her

Pastor Brenda will be taking vacation
seminary August Intensive classes and
August 20th – September 2nd. Please
will be unavailable August 6th – 17th.
contact Pastor Cheryl with any
Please contact Pastor Brenda with any
pastoral needs.
pastoral needs.
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WORSHIP NEWS

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR WORSHIP SUNDAY, AUGUST 19th

The Sermon on the 19th will be addressing a very sensitive topic. We will be
interpreting what the Bible says about homosexuality and sexual sin. This topic is
much more complicated than many people presume. We will be using all of what
we have learned in this sermon series on “Making Sense of the Bible” to address
LGBTQ persons, the Bible and the Church.
Although Pastor Brenda believes children belong in worship, and she often adapts
to make things child appropriate, on the 19th it is important that she is able to be
direct. Therefore, the children will come to worship with their parents, but then will
leave after the Children’s Message for their own Messy Church with Pastor Cheryl.
We are recommending children ages 12 and younger go to Messy Church, but if
you would like, your child can stay in worship, or if you would like your older child,
can also go to Messy Church. You are the best judge of their maturity.

MESSY CHURCH
On Sunday, August 19th we invite the children to come down
to Fellowship Hall after the Children's Message for a very
special "Messy Church!" We will be exploring the meaning of
Romans 13:10, "Love doesn’t do anything wrong to a neighbor;
therefore, love is what fulfills the Law."
We will be getting messy with a craft and a snack and
our theme will revolve around "building bridges."
We hope you can join us!
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WILDFIRE YOUTH MISSION TRIP

On Sunday, July 20th our group from Platteville United
Methodist Church set out for Superior, Wisconsin, and a
week of hard work, worship, making new friends, and fun!
Wildfire! Youth Mission and Ministry provides a hands-on mission experience
that makes a real difference in the lives of real people. The purpose is to help
spread the love of God like wildfire!
The week was spent building community gardens, working at the local
YMCA camp, cleaning out apartments, sorting donations, and helping to
prepare and serve meals. We were also able to visit the Maritime Museum,
Duluth Canal, Wisconsin Point, Amnicon Falls State Park, and Pattison State
Park. It was a whirlwind week and some of the comments shared included,
“so blessed to be here!”, “best day of my life”, and “I can’t wait to go back
next year!”
Participants this year were Pastor Cheryl, Dave Carnahan, Tracy Harle, Leah
Harle, Michelle Koeller, Emma NeCollins, Cailey Jones, and Christina Buttles.
Thank you very much to everyone who supported the trip through stock
purchases, prayers, and donations. Also, thank you to the Mission Team for
your generous support! We couldn't do it without our community of faith.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Mark Your Calendars!

Sunday School starts on
Sunday, September 16th!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School was wonderful this year! The kids had
a lovely time and we are so grateful for all of our volunteers who
helped make Vacation Bible School a success. Activities included:
music, crafts, science activities, games, snacks, and singing. This year
we collected money to give to Water for Kids. The United Way of Flint
will coordinate the use of the funds to help provide clean water to
families and children affected by the Flint, Michigan water crisis.

See page 6 for more VBS pictures.

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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Executive Board Meeting: Tuesday, August 7th at 1:30 pm in the Wesley Room
Upcoming September Meetings
General Meeting : Tuesday, September 4th at 1:30 pm in the Wesley Room
Program & Devotions: TBA by Jan Halloway
Host: Connie Cushman
Rebekah Fellowship Group: Thursday, September 20th at 9:00 am
Breakfast at Country Kitchen
District Event: Saturday, September 22nd
Annual Meeting at Bethany United Methodist Church in Madison
Please check out the bulletin board in the upstairs hallway. It has general
information on UMW, will keep you posted on upcoming District and Conference
Events, and will let you know some of the issues we are learning about.

~Shalom, Susan Schlager

BARELY SENIORS MEETING AGAIN SOON!

Barely Seniors will start meeting again in September. Be
on the lookout in next month’s newsletter for the first
special guest! Barely Seniors meets the second Thursday
of every month and everyone is welcome to join us for the
potluck lunch and program.

More VBS Fun!

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MISSION NEWS

Ruby's Pantry helps other organizations as well as our guests.

In July they gave food and paper products to the following organizations:
Family Advocates in Platteville, Dodgeville Methodist Church, and Dubuque
Rescue Mission. In addition money was donated to our Vacation Bible School
Program. If you know someone physically able to load groceries into cars,
please ask them to volunteer at the next distribution. If you can volunteer,
please contact Deb Putnam at (608) 348-6574 or putnamd@uwplatt.edu.

Our next Family Promise host week will be

Sunday, August 19th through Sunday, August 26th.
Make a difference for families in need by providing housing,
food, and Christian support. A sign-up sheet is in the lobby.
Please contact Bob Plourde at (608) 642-1018 with any questions.

BACKPACKS FOR KIDS

The Mission Committee is collecting backpacks for Family Connections to help
with their school supply drive. They are looking for 25 new backpacks in various
sizes. Backpacks can be dropped off at the church by Sunday, August 12th.
Platteville United Methodist Church Learn God ~ Love God ~ Share God ~ Serve God

Platteville United Non-Profit

Organization
Methodist Church U.S Postage
Paid
1065 Lancaster Street
Platteville, WI
Platteville WI 53818 Permit No. 97

Phone: 608-348-9508 Return Service Requested

platttevilleumc@centurylink.net
Plattevilleumc.org
www.facebook.com/PlattevilleUMC

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Redeemer's final performance for the 2017-2018 season.

Seven band members, who have graduated, are now a

part of our long list of talented alumni. Redeemer will start back up
in the Fall with the new school year. We are looking for new
Members, including singers, a piano player, and a guitar player.
If interested please contact Director Dean Goninen at
dean@lifelineav.com or call (563) 590-5454.