New London UMC

In recent years, with the technological advances achieved in the banking industry, people write fewer and fewer checks each year. In fact, many find that the only check they write regularly is to the church. Have you ever multiplyed your weekly giving by 52, only to find out that the actual giving never met this amount because you only write checks on the weeks that you attend services, and that you rarely make up the difference the following week?

To address both of these situations, many have set up with their bank a "billpay" automatic payment to be sent to the church weekly. No longer does one need to write a weekly check since the bank now handles that duty, allowing for consistency of giving.

Whatever bank you use should have a web page with "Online Banking" or some similar tab on the page that will help you to set up an electronic payment. If you're not computer saavy, stop by your local bank and speak with a representative to have the automatic payment set up while you wait.

Please stop in to the church office if you have any questions or concerns.

"By wisdom a house is built, bad through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24; 3-4

Just a couple of weeks left. Pretty soon you HAVE to go back to school.

In an article I read recently, a woman testified how her life had changed when she started substituting the words "get to" for "have to." Instead of saying "I have to go to work," the phrase "I get to go to work" reminded her that she was blessed with a job. "I get to fix supper" reminded her that she was blessed with good food. "I get to get up in the morning. God has given me a whole new day."

When children start Kindergarten, we tell them "You GET to go to school," and they are excited, a little scared, and can hardly wait. They are eagerly counting the days until that first day. But somewhere along the way, that "get to" becomes "have to" and children lose that thrill. "Aw, gee, do I have to?"

We hear a lot about the bad education United States students are getting, but Huron County schools regularly reach educational goals on standardized tests, and Ohio schools lead the nation in many areas. (It's those inner city schools that bring our averages down.) When I talk to foreign exchange students, I realize that the U.S. does something that few other countries attempt. We offer a good public education to ALL children. Our children GET to go to school. And most of us take it for granted.

So, as we begin this school year, let's try an attitude change when you see a student in the next couple of weeks, whether they are kindergarten or seniors. Tell those seniors, "You get one more year of education you don't have to pay for!"  Let's make it exciting. Let's tell them, "You GET to go to school."

Pray this month for a good start for the school year for students, staff and parents.

Our Sunday School children adopted a little girl in Kenya named Mary.  She is 13 years old.  We adopted her through Compassion International. The website  (www.compassioninternational.com) offers information on the organization and the work that is being done through the support of many like minded Christians worldwide.  If you would like to help Mary and support the children's project either commit to providing a monthly donation or make a one-time donation.   It has gone up to $38 a month to provide for Mary.  The pastor has already pledged $5 a month.  If 7 other people do so then we would be able to see to her well-being easily and consistently.  The children could then raise funds for Mary's birthday or other holiday gifts.  If you give to Mary then please mark the offering "Mary" so it will be sent to Compassion for her.   Mary is in school and wants to become a doctor.  We support her goals and dreams and pray she stays healthy, happy and well fed so she can study well.