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Pastor Jeff Smith

Leo Methodist Church

JULY NEWSLETTER

Going Deep

"For I know my transgressions....." Psalm 51:3

As I’ve gotten to this point in life where the days behind me are far more numerous than the ones ahead, I’ve become increasingly intolerant of things that don’t really matter. What other people think of me has become far less important and what God thinks of me has become far more important. From what I’ve read about him, I think King David could probably relate. David committed a huge sin – a sin that would have gotten him into a lot of trouble if it were found out. He compounded that sin by trying to cover it up. Why? Because he was overly concerned about what people would think of him and what it would mean to his hold on power. David paid a terrible price because eventually, his sin was discovered, and the consequences of that discovery were really bad. But there was a definite upside. When David came clean about his sin before God, he regained an important equilibrium. David became far more concerned about what God thought of him than what others thought of him. Psalm 51 is like David’s reorientation to that reality. It shows the depths of his feelings about how important getting right with God was to him. 

Every summer, we spend some time on the Psalms. On July 14^th, we kick off our Adventures in Psalms sermon series with this insight into David’s heart. I think it’s a great place to start our time in Psalms together because who of us hasn’t blown it – and blown it big time. Maybe not as catastrophically as David did – maybe in different ways than David did. But before God, and maybe even people we love deeply, we’ve blown it. Like David though, the upside is that while an all powerful God won’t unsay the hurtful things we’ve said, or undo the shameful things we’ve done, He will give us a clean slate. God’s pretty gracious that way. Especially when we reorient to the place where we are far more concerned about what God thinks of us than what other people, no matter how close they are to us, think of us. 

Sometimes reading the Psalms can make us distinctly uncomfortable, they are often raw in their outpouring of emotions. But they are always honest. 

Blessings,

 Pastor Jeff

July Mission Moment-

Our Schools in Haiti

Rice and beans the new loaves and fish? In Haiti hunger is pervasive. At both the school in Tapio and in Douje we are feeding their students and staff daily. Thanks to the many contributions of Leo Methodist Church, we were able to continue this mission of educating and feeding over 250 students and providing employment for 20 individuals for whom this employment is critical to support their families. Haiti is in upheaval right now but in the mountains our schools continue to provide some stability to the students and staff. When Jesus fed the 5,000, he asked Philip, “Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?” We know what Jesus did with 5 loaves and 2 fishes. Our monthly budget for this past year to operate both schools has been $4,318. Our budget for the 2024-25 school year has not yet been established but it will increase. Please consider a generous gift to the Tapio school this year so we can continue this good work. “ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God created beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

--- Mark Warsco

LIGHTHOUSE NEWS

Items needed for the Lighthouse Food Bank

Sugar, Flour and Oil

Please place items in the wooden box in Fellowship Hall.

Thank You!!!

A Fun Evening of Worship and Food

Our church took 15 friends to the Lighthouse on Friday, June 14 for a fun night of worship and to serve a yummy meal to 61 participants. A big thanks to everyone who sent food and all who went to serve! You are soooo appreciated!

2025 Mission Trip

May 31 to June 7

Chichicastenango, Guatemala



"And you shall be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – In Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8-10 NLT

This is why the team is traveling to Guatemala. To share the love of Jesus through words, deeds, and with our actions. Please pray that God would gather the right people for this team. If you feel that God is nudging you to participate, there is a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall. In addition, Bob and Cristi Sloan, our hosts for the trip, will be here at our July 28 worship service to share more about the ministry in Guatemala. In the meantime, we are accepting donations from our church family to help with funds for our team! Please see Rhonda Smith with any questions.

Project 216

Mark your calendar!

Project 216 is happening again this year!

On September 22 we will be packing over 6,000 meals for people in need. 

We will need 130 people to reach our packing goal.

Watch for more information coming soon.

Pickleball Now On Tuesdays, Too!

Sundays 4 - 6:30pm

Tuesdays 9am - 12pm

Fridays 9am-12pm

More Plastic Bags, Please!

The plastic bag loom team is again collecting your bags to weave more mats for the homeless.

Thank you to all who have donated bags, cut loops and helped weave and distribute the mats.

Thank you for all your donations!

Men’s Ministry

The next Men's Breakfast will be

Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.

in the gym.

Always an enjoyable time of fellowship

and prayer. We hope you will join us!

Taste of FRIDAY - July 5, 2024

10 a.m - 12 p.m. in the Youth Room

Becky has another fantastic recipe to share this month!

Come visit, taste, and enjoy!

First Friday of each month!

We hope you'll join us!

MYSTERY SILENT AUCTION & BREAKFAST

Sunday, July 14, 8:30 AM

in the Gym

Breakfast provided by the Men’s Group

What is this?  It is a little hard to explain but the mission team is hosting this fun event to benefit the Tapio and Douje Schools in Haiti. It is a silent auction but the items in the auction are a mystery. 

Donations -  If you have an item to donate, it is not too late. Please join the fun and donate an item. The items must be new and at least a $20 value. This is not a white elephant but a real gift that you would like to receive. Please contact Natalie Scruggs at (260) 402-0028 if you have any questions or if you would like to donate an item. 

Bidding and the Big Reveal - On July 14, the silent auction and breakfast will be held from 8:30am-9:45am in the gym. We will be collecting a free will offering for the breakfast. All donations are for the Tapio and Douje Schools. After the church service, the winners will pay, collect items, and find out what wonderful gift they have won.  

2024 Women in Faith

WOMEN IN FAITH

 LUNCH OUT for the summer

Meet at church parking lot at 11:15 am to carpool

We had 12 ladies who enjoyed a great lunch in June at  Don Hall Restaurant HALL’S DECK. Beautiful day to enjoy lunch outside.

Join us for our next lunch out:

Thursday, July 11^th      Jalapeños Mexican Grill · 6121 N Clinton St. Fort Wayne, IN         

 Thursday, August 8^th     Salvatori’s Authentic Italian Eatery, Washington Center Road

Contact Becky Rhodes to RSVP 260-627-5117

July Anniversaries

07/01 Bill & Sherrin Cook

07/04 Shannon & Beth Roberts

07/06 Brian L. & Jeanine Carpenter

07/10 Phillip & Joyce Murden

07/16 Joe & Kathy Baer

07/19 Gerald & Tracey Wahl

07/24 John & Connie Bowman

07/24 David & Camille Wilson

07/29 Kevin & Jamie Leer

07/29 Earl & Marilynn Toops

July Birthdays

07/01 Shelby Sweet

07/03 Jacob Lewis

07/03 Richard Worman

07/09 Michelle Bailey

07/09 Jamie Leer

07/21 JoAnne McPhersonen

07/21Vera Reider

07/21 William Scruggs III

07/22 Sophie Hartley

07/22 Terry Lightfoot

07/23 Karen Butt

07/23 Dale McPherson

07/23 Debbie Wilkinson

07/27 Owen Houser

07/28 Andrew Harris

07/29 Kathy Baer

07/30 Bonnie Adams

07/30 Trevor Leer

Prayer Requests

Merton Deventer

Ron Divelbiss

Jeff Finton

Colleen and Dick Pontius

Zach Rothenberg

Janet Yager

The family of Thomas Smith.

The family of Julie Eby.

Shut-Ins

Merton Deventer

Sue Roberts

Maureen Strauss

(Names remain on Prayer Requests for two months unless otherwise notified.)

Our Military

Jesse Adams, U.S. Air Force

Julie Gorney, U.S. Navy

Gene Harding, U.S. Army National Guard

Stephen Wierzbowski, U.S. Navy

Jacob Wolfe, U.S. Army National Guard

The Church Office

260.627.2161

Church office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Please come to Entrance 1

It never hurts to call ahead to be sure someone is in the office. And if you cannot come during regular business hours, you can always reach us via email:

Pastor Jeff Smith - pastor@leoumc.org

Bonnie Adams - finance@leoumc.org - tithing, contributions, monetary donations, everything financial

Nicole Schmenk-admin@leoumc.org - scheduling meetings/events, reserving space for church activities, newsletter articles, prayer concerns or general questions.