THE PATHFINDER

Little Valley United Methodist Church 109 Court Street, PO Box 221 Little Valley, NY 14755 (716) 938-6150 Joseph Pascoe, Pastor Office Hours: Monday Friday 9:00-12:00 Monthly Newsletter January 2012
Greetings to all! Wrapping paper fills the floor and laughter fills the air. An occasional ball of paper thumps me upside the head and my stomach hurts from all the ham. If this scene is at all familiar you must have been at my house for Christmas day. The girls couldnt wait to get done with our wonderful lunch and tear into the presents piled high under the tree. I remember those days and how frustrated I would get wishing my parents would hurry with the food and then the dishes and then desert and whatever else could be done to prolong and antagonize the small army of children waiting. What a great sound and feeling this year, we also got to celebrate the birth of our savior on a Sunday. That was a really special treat as well, being able to worship with my extended family in Christ and all. This year was definitely different from years past and the feelings were all good. A big thank you to all of you who helped make it so special. As Christmas has begun to wind down and the house come back to normalcy I have had the opportunity to reflect a little bit and see what might be done differently in 2012. Christmas does after all signify a new beginning both for the soul as well as the body. This last year was great for me both spiritually and mentally, not so much physically as I have become slightly sedentary! I was able to accomplish some of the goals that God and I agreed upon one year ago however, and it think I have had an opportunity to see Him a little better this last year. What will be my challenge for next year and what will be your challenge for the upcoming year? This calling to a relationship with Jesus Christ is about movement. Jesus first called His disciples to Him and then sent them out into the world to do something. We have all been called and sent, so what are we going to do with it? Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is about moving closer to Christ every year, and seeing Him even better through serving Him. If you were to look back at 2011 and see who you have become in Christ, would you be able to see other people that you served? We are sent out so that we can experience Christ to the fullest. As you look forward to 2012 see where you might be able to serve God more and in turn grow in your relationship with Him? Happy New Year and may 2012 be an even greater year for our Lord than ever before! Selah, Pastor Joe

Transforming Lives By Knowing Christ And Making Christ Known

Worship and Celebration Ministry Team News

Worship! We look forward to coming together before God and hearing His word. We encourage you to get involved in worshipbe an assisting minister or greeterlead a Childrens Momentvolunteer to share your gift of music or greeting others as they enter worship. Call any of the team members below to find out how you can serve. If anyone has any feedback or comments regarding worship, please contact anyone on the Worship and Celebration Ministry Team (Annette Andrew, Al Ormond, Glenda Campbell, Laurie Peters and Pastor Joe). See you in worship

PRAYER TIMES
Sunday Prayer Time Sunday time and place varies from week to week. See Annette Andrew or Becky Cable for details. We also have a prayer box in the back of the sanctuary for prayers/concerns to be prayed over on Wednesday nights at 7:15. Outside we have a mailbox for prayers also if you forget on Sunday or the church isnt open. Anyone in the community is welcomed to use it so please tell others about it. God tells us where two or more are gathered in His name. The prayer chain may be utilized at any time the need arises. To get a prayer started, simply call Bonnie at 801-6197 or the church office at 938-6150. We will be meeting in the sanctuary before the service on Sunday morning and everyone is welcome to join us. We will be praying for Pastor Joe and the worship service.

Trinity House Healing Ministry

Trinity House will be open for prayer the first Thursday of each month. The prayer team will meet at 6:00 p.m. for prayer/worship/training. Those seeking healing will be ministered to from 7-9 p.m. Appointments are not necessary. If prayer requests are received between times of operation, appointments will be made accordingly. We are also available to pray following Sunday worship services. If you have a heart for intercessory prayer, a desire to see the sick receive healing or are just plain curious about healing, please talk with me. In Christ, Becky Cable 543-5050

LATCH
LATCH is held the first Sunday of the month and stands for Lunch After The Church Hour. Please feel free to join us even if you didnt come prepared. We all need to eat. Sometimes you may not have time or may have forgotten and thats ok. He always provides. If you wont stay because you didnt bring something, you can always run to Brooks Market (or give one of our youth a few bucks and have them run over) and pick up some milk, punch, rolls, crackers, cookies or something, but dont feel like you have to. There always seems to be more than enough and we just want everyone to enjoy the fellowship. LATCH dates are: January 8, February 5, March 4 and April 1.

ALTAR GUILD
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the ladies who have served on the Altar Guild in 2011. This behind the scene job is a labor of love and much appreciated. I did not hear from any of you about not wanting to remain on for 2012 so you are on the schedule for the same months as 2011. Thanks again for serving in this capacity. Harriet

CHOIR NOTES:
Thank you for words of encouragement, the choir enjoys bringing Gods Word to you through the art of music. If you would like to join the choir, please know that you are welcome. We rehearse bi-weekly on Tuesday nights from 7-8pm and we typically sing for worship on the 3rd Sunday of the Month. For January, we will rehearse on the 10th and 24th and sing either the 22nd or 29th (to be determined).

PASTOR JOES CALENDAR January 2012

Office hours will be 9-12 Mon-Thurs. unless conflicting appointments, Fri.-day off, Saturday-Sabbath Tuesday Mens Breakfast at the VFW 8am, Wednesday evenings Community Youth 6:30 8:00 & 8-? Prayer, Sunday evenings Youth 6:30-8pm 1/5 Lunch meeting Cattaraugus 1/9 CE meeting 7pm 1/11 Pastors gathering 9:30am 1/11 Pre-marital counseling 4pm 1/12 Worship meeting 8am 1/12 Missions meeting 7:30pm 1/16 DCOM interview 1pm 1/17 REUNY meeting Famington 10am 1/17 Sr. Luncheon 1/18 Class 9am 1/19 Ad Council 1/20-1/21 CE retreat 1/21 Wrestling Tournament 1/22 DCYM at Gateway

MENS BREAKFAST
The men of LVUMC and other area churches meet for breakfast and study the third Sunday of each month at 7:30 AM in the fellowship hall. Join us for Man Food and uncommon discussion. The next dates are January 15th and February 19th.
CHEF BILL

Missions dinners will resume on January 14th with a Chicken and Biscuit Dinner and the next monthly dinner being on February 18th. We will serve from 4:30 7:00pm and the cost is a donation. The Mission Team thanks all of you who come to eat and socialize at our meals & we encourage you to invite your family and friends to join you. The Mission Team will be meeting in January. If you have a desire to become a member please speak to a member of the mission team.

MISSIONS DINNER

PRAISES AND THANKS

Thanks once again to Laurie for overseeing the beautiful decorations adorning the church during this holy season. There is something to be said, yet words cannot describe the feeling you get when you enter the church and can feel Gods presence while celebrating the birth of our Savior. Thank you Annette and all who participated in the beautiful sounds that filled our church and beyond during this advent season. Your talents are great and God has blessed us in putting all of you in our church family. You just keep getting better and better, even when we think it cant get any better than it already is.

CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION
The Musical Christmas Letters directed by Vicky Campbell & Desiree Goodenow with assistance from several others was very much appreciated. Those able to experience it were truly blessed by the time and effort put into organizing the youth and children who gave of their time for our enjoyment. We thank you Vicky and Desiree and all who helped. God Bless you all in helping touch those young lives who were a part of the play and those of us who witnessed it.

FOOD PANTRY
The Little Valley Ministerial would appreciate the help of their congregations as we strive to meet the needs of the hungry in our area. Please bring non perishable food and staple items to your churches. Needed especially are: tuna and canned meats, spaghetti pasta and sauce, canned vegetables and fruit, canned main dishes (hash, stew, ravioli, etc,) peanut butter, jelly, juices, puddings. Thanks so much for your help! Remember Matthew 25 "If you have done it to the least of these, my brothers, you have done it unto me."

Missions Opportunity in Bangkok, Thailand

We are planning a trip to Bangkok to assist Baptist General Conference missionaries Steve & Nopaluck Cable at the Santisuk English School. Tentative dates for the trip are January 2 31, 2013. We would be teaching English to Ram University students Monday through Thursday. Class size is 6-12 students. Friday through Sunday would be attending worship service, cell group and sightseeing. A team of 1012 people is recommended. Estimated cost per person would be $2400. You must be a high school graduate or older to teach. However, students coming with their parents can serve as teacher assistants in the class or help their parents teach. For more information, contact Jon & Becky Cable at 543-5050 or check out Santisuks website, www.santisuk.org.

Trustees (Bill Perkins)

We were very busy in 2011 and 2012 is shaping up to be as busy if not busier keeping Gods house in great shape. On Monday January 16th we will be having anti skid tile installed in the Narthex, also anti skid rubber steps installed on the stairs going up to the Sanctuary, The Narthex will be closed off to all traffic until it can be waxed. We hope to finish the last section of the church with steel roofing & to get a rip fixed in the rubber roofing so we have no worries on roof issues for a long time. Also looks like the roof on the parsonage will need to be replaced this summer. We have new trustees coming on the team in 2012, welcome Al Ormond, Brad Phillips & Harriet Schauman is back taking on a full term, the rest of the trustees are Lisa Brooks, Jim Blakely, Ron Wasmund, Glenda Campbell & Bill Perkins. A reminder that if you want to borrow anything from the LVUMC, from table, chairs or pans from the kitchen you need to fill out a request form & have it signed by a trustee, nothing is to leave the church without a trustee signature, also its first come first choice, that also applies to anyone who wants to use the fellowship hall. Happy New Year to you all

Clothes Closet (Bill Perkins)

The clothes closet is a very busy place, we continue to see people in need of clothes almost every day, the one problem we have is we are lacking clothes in certain sizes, kids from 2t right up to teenage sizes, and we are in desperate need of jeans also in these sizes. If you can help that would be great or maybe you know someone who has kids that might be willing to donate. Please reach out to them and ask. If you are willing to help sort and hang clothes even if it can only be a couple times a month see Bill Perkins. Thanks to all who donate to this community outreach.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:28-29 NIV TITHING ENVELOPES
If you dont already receive tithing envelopes and would like to; please let myself or the office know. Thank you. Bonnie Hurley

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Building a Heart of Faith No Sunday school on January 1st. Classes will resume on January 8, 2012. Children's Worship is a vital component of teaching our younger children about worship in a setting that allows them to ask questions and hear a bible story that utilizes wooden characters. Following the story, the leader asks a series of "I wonder..." questions that get the children involved. The children are then given opportunity to "play" with one of the many stories available or draw a picture about the story they just experienced. They enjoy sharing a feast that is reminiscent of Holy Communion and fellowship with one another and prayer is incorporated into the time as well. We are in need of leaders for the 2012 schedule. Please contact Becky if you are interested. All those involved in leadership within Christian Education, along with their spouses, (small group leaders, S.S. leaders/helpers/substitutes, youth group leaders/helpers) are invited to our second annual winter retreat to be held at Camp Findley, Friday & Saturday, and January 20-21, 2012. The purpose of this retreat is to encourage and refresh you as you serve the body of Christ. Cost for the weekend will be $10 per person which includes meals, lodging & snow tubing. In November, the Sunday School raised enough money to purchase 2 water buffalo and 1 heifer for Heifer Project. The church also collected 69 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Thank you everyone for helping reach our goals.

Youth Calendar January - May 2012 Regular Meetings 6:30-8pm

January 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 29 6 13 20 27 No meeting. Regular meeting. Regular meeting. DCYM Youth Gateway Center leave church at 5:30 Regular meeting. Probably super bowl party Regular meeting. DCYM Youth at BPUMC leave at 5:30 Regular Meeting. Community Youth Regular meeting. Regular meeting. DCYM youth at Trinity Relief leave at 5:30 Community Worship NO meeting Easter Regular meeting Regular meeting No meeting Mothers Day Regular meeting DCYM youth in Olean leave at 5:30 Regular meeting

February

March

April

May

DepositBottlesandCans

Dont forget, if you hate the messy job of taking back your returnable cans and bottles, donate them to the youth and let them do it. Every little bit will help and they add up fast. It will help them raise money for their activities. Did you know water and juice bottles now have a deposit on them?

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 NIV SMALL GROUPS
DC has enjoyed fun fellowship and great conversation on our bible study. We are still in progress on determining our next bible study and meeting days. If you are interested in joining DC or know of anyone who may be interested, please contact Sean Andrew. The Eagles small group will meet on Tuesdays January 3, 17 and 31, 2012 at Jon & Beckys home at 6:45 p.m. Carpenters Apprentices We meet every other week at the home of Ray & Lisa Brooks. Faith Trekkers small group will meet on Tuesdays January 3, 17 and 31, 2012 at Sam & Mariel Greys home at 6:30 p.m. Two Twenty One - We are participating in an open gym at the Little Valley School every Wednesday from 6:30-7:45. This time is filled with games and activities for youth from grades 6-12 and closes out with a weekly devotional. Thank you for your prayers and commitment to training up children of God!

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES AND BIRTHDAYS

1 2 3 11 15 23 24 24 25 29 31 BIRTHDAYS John Bedell Cory Hendricks W. Mike Trenched David P. Rutherford II Jennifer Frentz Taylor Pascoe Madison Frentz Jake Winship Albert Johnson Elizabeth Manchester Chris Goodenow ANNIVERSARIES NONE

A SHORT PRAYER (From The Internet) Hi Lord, its me. We are getting older and things are getting bad here. Gas prices are too high, no jobs, food and heating costs too high. I know some have taken you out of our schools, government and even Christmas, but Lord I'm asking you to come back and re-bless America . We really need you! There are more of us who want you than those who don't! Thank You Lord, I Love you. If you agree, share this. Only you & the Lord will know. "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JANUARY
NEW YEARS DAY/Worship 10:30 Mens Group @ VFW 8:00am/Faith Trekkers Small Group6:30/Eagles Small Group 6:45 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Healing Prayer @ Trinity House 7:00 Epiphany Ohio Ski Group Sunday School 9:15/Church Etiquette 9:30/Worship 10:30/LATCH/Navigators 2:7 Disc. Class 1:00 2:21 Youth Group 6:30 9 Mon Christian Education Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 10 Tue Mens Group at VFW 8:00 am 11 Wed Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 12 Thu Worship Team Meeting 8:00am/Navigators 2:7 Discipleship Class 6:45/Missions Meeting 7:30 14 Sat Missions Community Dinner 4:30 15 Sun Mens Breakfast 7:30/Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/2:21 Youth Group 6:30 16 Mon Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 17 Tue Mens Group @ VFW 8:00 am/Senior Luncheon 11:30/Faith Trekkers Small Group 6:30/Eagles 6:45 18 Wed Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 19 Thu Navigators 2:7 Discipleship Class 6:45/Ad Council 7:00 20-21 Fri-Sat Christian Education Retreat at Findley Lake 22 Sun Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/DCYM Youth Gathering 5:30 24 Tue Mens Group at VFW 8:00 am 25 Wed Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 26 Thu Navigators 2:7 Discipleship Class 6:45 27-29 Fri- Sat Ohio Ski Group 29 Sun Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/2:21 Youth Group 6:30 31 Tue Mens Group at VFW 8:00 am/Faith Trekkers Small Group 6:30/Eagles Small Group 6:45 1 3 4 5 6 6-8 8 Sun Tue Wed Thu Fri Fri-Sun Sun

FEBRUARY
1 Wed Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15

Thu

Healing Prayer at Trinity House 7:00

Rutherford Baby Shower 1:00 Ohio Ski Group Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/Latch/Navigators Disc 2:7 Class 1:00/Comm. Youth Event 6:00 Mens Group @ VFW 8:00am/WIC 9:00/ Faith Trekkers 6:30 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Worship Team Meeting 8:00am Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/2:21 Youth Group 6:30 Valentines Day/Mens Group @ VFW 8:00 am//Eagles Small Group 6:45 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Ad Council 7:00 Community Missions Dinner 4:30 Mens Breakfast 7:30/Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/DCYM Youth Gathering 5:30 Presidents Day Mens Group @ VFW 8:00 am/Senior Luncheon 11:30/Faith Trekkers Small Group 6:30 Ash Wednesday /Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Ohio Ski Group Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/2:21 Youth Group 6:30 Mens Group @ VFW 8:00 am//Eagles Small Group 6:45 Leap Day/Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15

4 Sat 3-5 FRI-Sun 5 Sun 7 Tue 8 Wed 9 Thu 12 Sun 14 Tue 15 Wed 16 Thu 18 Sat 19 Sun 20 Mon 21 Tue 22 Wed 24-26 Fri-Sun 26 Sun 28 Tue 29 Wed

Little Valley United Methodist Church 109 Court Street Little Valley, NY 14755