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 February 2012
Brothers and Sisters, Winter is rather gloomy this year! I would much prefer 20 degrees and 3-4 feet of snow than this mix of rain and sleet and temperatures bouncing back and forth between freezing and tropical weather. It must be Gods way of saving me money and heartache though, no snow means no snowmobiling! Or is it Gods way of saying hello, why dont you spend a little extra time with me. It seems that all of my devotions lately have been about spending a little more time with God. And not just time but quality time. Galatians 1:15 says that, when God,. was pleased. When God is pleased great things happen. What pleases God? God is pleased when we are spending time with him. Remember he created us to worship Him and to be in communion with Him at all times. Are you like me and maybe a little too busy at times. Do you spend a lot of time doing something but accomplishing nothing it feels like? I think this is a sign that we need to stop and do some restructuring so that we might see the face of God more clearly. A desire of our heavenly father is to have such an intimate relationship with you that when we look anywhere all we see is Him. That isnt the type of relationship that just comes though. It is one that needs to be worked at and sometimes reality checks need to hit us in order to wake us up. When you start to look for God where do you go? Do you have a spot you know you can find Him? Sometimes we try to set things just perfect so that we can find God at just the right moment, when we need Him. I think His desire is for us to be looking at all times and in all places. In other words to see Him in other people that we come into contact with and to see Him at our work, and yes even at the building on Court St. where we happen to worship. God is around us at all times and if we stop looking in just the right places and just be expectant everywhere, we will find Him. This winter that seems to be kind of gloomy, lighten up and live as Ken Davis says, and look for God in all places and at all times. Capitalize on the lull in action maybe and refresh your relationship with him. See what you can do to please Him more regularly! You wont regret it I promise and so does Jesus! Until Next Month 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. NEW PRAYER TIME - We are shooting for February sometime..Wednesday nights 6:30-7:30, structured and focused a chance to come together as the body of Christ and pray corporately for the church with the church. We also have a prayer box in the back of the sanctuary for prayers/concerns to be prayed over on Wednesday nights at 7:30. 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. 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

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 February 19, March 18, April 15 and May 20.

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: February 5, March 4 and April 1.

Join with me in praising the wonderful name of the Lord our God. Deuteronomy 32:3 CEV

PASTOR JOES CALENDAR February 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 2/2 - In office meeting. 3:30 2/3 - 2/4 Vacation! 2/5 - Youth Super Bowl Party 2/6 - VBS Planning meeting 7pm 2/7 - Ministerium meeting 10am 2/8 - Class Jamestown 2/9 - Worship meeting 2/9 - Missions meeting 7:30 2/11 - Missions Dinner 2/16 - Ad Council 7pm 2/17 - 2/19 Snow Camp Chaplain Findley lake 2/19 - DCYM Youth at BPUMC 2/21 - Sr. Luncheon
CHEF BILL

MISSIONS DINNER
The first Missions dinner for 2012 was a good time with lots of great fellowship, good food and wonderful desserts. Februarys meal will be held on the 11th from 4:30 7:00pm. On the menu that night will be spaghetti & meatballs that will be done by our youth; it will also include a great salad bar, garlic bread, coffee, punch and more fabulous desserts. On March 17th we will be having chicken & biscuits with all the above mentioned sides to go with it. The cost for both dinners will be a donation to the youth or the missions team, come have a good time and bring your family & friends with you, give mom the night off.

Trustees
The new tiles in the Narthex look great, would you not all agree? Thank you to everyone who helped mop it, seal it & wax it. With everything going on in the church & fellowship hall it was challenging just to find time to get that all done in between activities and that is a great problem to have. Lets not forget the new stair treads going up to the Sanctuary and there are more projects being talked about. Thanks to all the trustees that come to all the meetings, fix light fixtures, change light bulbs, mop and do odds & ends around our church. There is always something that needs to be done it seems and if you would like to help us keep Gods house neat & clean, even if its only an hour let Bill Perkins know. We will be having spring clean up coming soon to clean inside & outside the church.

Clothes Closet
The need for clothes just continues to grow and it seems we cant keep up with the demand now. Kids jeans are in very short supply & there are times we dont have any hanging up. We need sizes 12 month through teenagers sizes, also shirts, tee shirts & socks, we are lacking teenage boys shirts. We are in need of all kinds of clothes for men & women. Even if you dont have kids maybe someone in your family does & may be willing to donate. We are looking for people to help with this mission outreach if you have some times you could help please see Bill.

Celebrate and shout because of my Lord God. His saving power and justice are the very clothes I wear. They are more beautiful than the jewelry worn by a bride or a groom. The Lord will bring about justice and praise in every nation on earth, like flowers blooming in a garden. Isaiah 61:10-11 CEV

Driver Safety Program

Little Valley United Methodist Church is hosting the six-hour AARP Driver Safety Program on Monday February 6th and Tuesday February 7th 2011. Classes will be held in the church fellowship hall at 109 Court Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening. Drivers must attend both sessions to receive credit for the course. The cost is $17 for AARP members and $19 for non-members. Drivers of all ages are welcome. Al Ormond will be the instructor for these sessions. Course participants may be eligible to receive a discount on their auto insurance premium and a reduction of up to four points on their driving record. For further information or to register for the class please call 938-6247.

PRAISES AND THANKS

Thanks to all who prayed for my mom and dad this past year as well as the prayers that have continued for our family since my mom passed away on December 4th. Your kind words and cards have meant so much. In October my mom shared with me that she felt like so many people were praying for her. I told her there were people all over the world praying, as I knew of several people on mission trips in other countries that held them up in prayer as well as family and friends scattered across the United States. She was so overwhelmed with that thought. Even after her passing we have heard about so many other churches that have kept us in prayer. Once again, thank you everyone and you just never know when you might need those extra prayers yourself, so it is important that each one of us have that prayer connection daily with God.

COMMUNITY BIRTHDAY CALENDARS

The salespeople have delivered the 2012 Community Birthday Calendars and are already busy taking orders for the 2013 calendars. If you are not currently on the calendar and would like to have your birthdates, anniversaries or memorials put on for next year, please contact one of the salespeople or Bobbie Jo with the information. The price is just $5.00 to have 5 dates put on and you will receive a calendar. If you would like to add more dates, the cost is only 50 cents per additional date. If you would just like to have a calendar and not list your dates, the cost is only $3.50. We do have a few extras for 2012. Contact Bobbie Jo if you would like to purchase one. This is an outreach project for the community. There were 300 calendars that were ordered for 2012. The church receives over $1,000.00 from this to support various projects. Thank you everyone for your support, time, effort and patience in this project.

PATHFINDER Going Green!

We are still printing and mailing quite a few copies of The PATHFINDER, which is okay if that is how you choose to receive it. However, if you would like to do your part to save the planet by cutting back on printing and mailing, the newsletter can be sent to your computer or portable device on the day that it is published. We can add as many members of your family to our e-mail list as youd like. If you would like to receive the PATHFINDER via e-mail, and have not gotten around to let us know, contact Al or Bobbie Jo at PathfinderLVUMC@aol.com and ask to be put on the email list instead. Be sure to send us all the e-mail addresses in your household who would like to receive it this way. Printed copies will continue to be distributed for those that would like them.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

1 2 5 7 11 11 20 23 27 BIRTHDAYS Lindy Terhune Angela Pilon Kimberlee Adams Marilyn Weed Laurie Peters Marley Burek Gabriel Grey Mollie McConnell Joe Powell ANNIVERSARIES

NONE

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Building a Heart of Faith Our second annual CE retreat held at Camp Findley January 20-21st was relaxing, worshipful and FULL of laughter! We discovered some interesting things about one another on Friday night along with lots of squealing energy snow tubing at Peek-n-Peak. Bonnie delivered God's message to us Saturday morning during our worship service as our guest speaker. We were reminded that our work as teachers, in whatever capacity, is important. It may be with children, youth or adults or even as "teachers" leading worship in music and song. We each may have different ways of teaching but that's OK. We are to accept who we are in Christ. Our lives are the best teacher. "God's love needs to be reflected and shown to each person. He wants each to understand what His love is about. He walks through us. We're the walking example. We are the living breathing example of His love." What powerful yet simple words of encouragement given to us! It was indeed a holy, consecrated time of refreshment. I received this encouraging email from Pastor Shirley Davidson from Faith UMC of Lancaster for our CE leaders: I attended Sunday School regularly as I was growing up. Reflecting back on all that, I realized one time that what I remembered DEEPLY were THE TEACHERS WHO TREATED ME WITH LOVE AND RESPECT. And I knew they consistently modeled God's unconditional love and care toward me as they "taught." Of course, I also came away with some good "teaching content", but it was the modeling of GOD'S care that touched me deeply and made me continue to THINK ABOUT and VALUE my Christian faith the most. Their LOVE had the power to keep me GROWING! I heard that same sort of thing happening in Bonnie's words and in her attitude toward you as she made her presentation to your retreat group. I hope your teachers can take her words to heart as they move into the privilege of teaching children and youth in Little Valley UMC this year. If you would like to hear more, please talk with anyone who attended. And if you couldn't make it this time, please consider coming next year. Thank you to all of our dedicated leaders and helpers in Christian Education. I praise God for you! The Chicken & Biscuit dinner on March 17th will benefit the CE ministries. Our first VBS planning meeting will be Monday, February 6th at 7 p.m. Mark your calendars now for July 16-20th as VBS week. It takes lots of volunteers to make VBS happen, so please join us. We always have lots of fun. In Christ's Love, Becky Cable, CE coordinator

SMALL GROUPS
The Navigator's 2:7 Discipleship Class will finish up on Feb. 5th. We are planning on having "Graduation Sunday" on Feb. 12th during the worship service. These students have spent the last 8 months having their lives transformed by knowing Christ and making Christ known as our mission statement of our church says. Their faith and growth in Christ has been incredible. This class is based on Colossians 2:7 which says: "Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness". As a tree's roots go deeper into the ground, it becomes stronger and able to stand up to life's storms more successfully. This is the idea behind the 2:7 class. If you have any questions about what we have done or are interested in possibly participating in the next class, please talk to Jon Cable, or Sean Andrew, Annette Andrew, Elaine Sluga, Desiree Goodenow, or Chaustin Taylor. They will be the newest graduates of the 2:7 class who will be honored on Feb. 12th. We hope you will be in worship that day as we talk about how you also can be transformed by knowing Christ and making Christ known. Carpenters Apprentices We meet every other week at the home of Ray & Lisa Brooks. The Eagle's Small Group: Meeting on Feb. 14th and 28th at Jon & Becky Cables home at 6:45.

Faith Trekkers will meet on Tuesdays February 14 and 28 at Sam & Mariel Greys home at 6:30 p.m. DC will not be meeting through the winter months or through the beginning of spring. Stay tuned for updates and announcements of meeting times. DC is a young adult small group that concentrates on learning to live in the world but not of the world. Any questions contact Sean Andrew. 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!

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

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

March

April

May

Youth 221 is doing quite well and we want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. We are hosting the Spaghetti dinner on February 11 and need as many of you there as possible so that we have people to serve! We will be partying together and cheering for the NY Giants in the Super Bowl this month as well as traveling to BPUMC for a district youth gathering. As always any time work is needed please ask. We arent the best at identifying needs, but are pretty good at filling them!
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?

AARP Driver Safety Program

Date: Mon. Feb 6th and Tue. Feb. 7th 2011, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. *** Must attend both sessions *** Location: Little Valley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 109 Court Street Cost: $17 AARP member (bring card) - $19 Non-member *** Check only - payable to AARP *** Drivers of all ages are encouraged to attend Instructor: Allan Ormond To Register: Call 938-6247

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

Thu

Groundhog Day/Healing Prayer at Trinity House 7:00

Pastor Joe and family on Vacation Rutherford Baby Shower 1:00 Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/Latch/Navigators Disc 2:7 Class 1:00/CommunityYouth Event 6:00 AARP Driver Safety Class 6:00/VBS Planning Meeting 7:00 Mens Group @ VFW 8:00am/WIC 9:00/Ministerium Meeting 10:00am/AARP Driver Safety Class 6:00 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Worship Team Meeting 8:00am/Missions Team Meeting 7:30 Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner 4:30 Sunday School 9:15/Worship & Navigators Graduation 10:30/2:21 Youth Group 6:30 Carpenters Apprentice Small Group 6:30 Valentines Day/Mens Group @ VFW 8:00 am/Faith Trekkers 6:30/Eagles 6:45 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Ad Council 7:00 Pastor Joe - Snow Camp Chaplain at Camp Findley 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 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Ash Wednesday Svc. 7:00/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Ohio Ski Group Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/2:21 Youth Group 6:30 Carpenters Apprentice Small Group 6:30 Mens Group @ VFW 8:00 am/Faith Trekkers Small Group 6:30/Eagles Small Group 6:45 Leap Day/Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15

2-3 Fri-Sat 4 Sat 5 Sun 6 Mon 7 Tue 8 Wed 9 Thu 11 Sat 12 Sun 13 Mon 14 Tue 15 Wed 16 Thu 17-19 Fri-Sun 19 Sun 20 Mon 21 Tue 22 Wed 24-26 Fri-Sun 26 Sun 27 Mon 28 Tue 29 Wed 1 Thu 3 Sat 4 Sun 5 Mon 6 Tue 7 Wed 8 Thu 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16-18 Fri-Sun 17 Sat 18 Sun 20 Tue 21 Wed 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed

MARCH
Healing Prayer at Trinity House Hendricks Baby Shower Sunday School 9:15/Worship & Communion 10:30/LATCH/Community Youth Event 6:00 Christian Education Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 Mens Group @ VFW 8:00am/WIC 9:00 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Worship Team Meeting 8:00am Daylight Savings Begins/Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/2:21 Youth Group 6:30 Carpenters Apprentice Small Group 6:30 Mens Group at VFW 8:00am/Faith Trekkers Small Group 6:30/Eagles Small Group 6:45 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Ad Council 7:00 Ohio Ski Group St. Patricks Day/Missions Chicken-N-Biscuit Dinner 4:30 Mens Breakfast 7:30/Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/2:21Youth Group 6:30 Mens Group @ VFW 8:00am/Senior Luncheon 11:30 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15 Sunday School 9:15/Worship 10:30/DCYM Youth Gathering 5:30 Carpenters Apprentice Small Group 6:30 Mens Group at VFW 8:00am/Faith Trekkers Small Group 6:30/Eagles Small Group 6:45 Praise Band 6:00/Daisy Girl Scouts 6:30/Prayer & Praise Night 7:15

Keep being concerned about each other as the Lords followers should be. Be sure to welcome strangers into your home. By doing this, some people have welcomed angels as guests, without even knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2 CEV

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