One-on-One with Pastor Jerry is a weekly report on family news and church and community activities, events, ministries and missions. Visit this page each week or sign up to receive it weekly in your inbox. Archive issues can be viewed at NoblesvilleFirst.com/one-on-one-archive.
October 28, 2021
Book 7, Volume 28
One of the great assets of Noblesville First UMC is the involvement of our membership as leaders in the community. This past week I have seen many examples. On Sunday, Noblesville participated in the Family Promise of Hamilton County 3rd Annual Top Golf Tournament where our own Nancy Ramsey serves as its Executive Director. Our Noblesville First Team won the "Congregation Cup" competition! In yesterday’s Noblesville Times, Bonnie Zickgraf was featured in the faces of Hamilton County column while Julia Kozicki, Gene Beck & Jeff Kozicki were pictured on the front page for the Noblesville Lions Club receiving the 500% Model Club award. Julia has served this past year as the President of the Club. Then I note that Noblesville Main Street has asked Katy Rogers and Teter Farms to provide hayrides on The Square on Friday night for their Fall Flannel Fest. Kate Baker is the new executive director of Noblesville Main Street whose mission is to enrich the culture and community of Noblesville historic downtown district. And we don’t want to forget Carla Crandall who is directing the Cheaper by the Dozen Belfrey Theatre Production being held in our Celebration Hall again this weekend. We seek to be an externally focused congregation who make a difference in our community. I am proud to work alongside people who are impacting our Noblesville community.
Sadly, Saturday's Fall Fest is cancelled due to wet weather. The grounds at Teter Retreat & Farm are already soaked from receiving eight inches of rain this past weekend and with more rain predicted today and tomorrow, it seems like the best decision.
One opportunity the weather cannot impact is the Spooktacular Costume Party for Noblesville First Kids being hosted by Family Ministry Director Ally Hall during our Sunday morning program at 9:45 am. Yes, wear your Halloween Costume to church this Sunday as we study 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and learn how God gifts us different gifts.
Pastor Jill Moffett and Amber Good invite “Youngish Adults" to a monthly gathering starting on November 7 at noon in Wesley Hall. Lunch will be provided, as well as a chance for connection and fellowship. They would like to hear from you what your hopes are for future opportunities like this one. If you plan to attend, please let Pastor Jill know at jmoffett@noblesvillefirst.com. Kids are welcome. If this is something we are interested in doing more long term, we will look into providing childcare.
Bags, Baskets and Blessings is just three weeks away! It is a UMW sponsored fun evening which includes fun, food, fellowship and a silent auction of over 100 bags and purses and over 100 themed gift baskets. Ticket forms are available at the information booths in the Narthex and Great Hall. Just pick one up and start making your plans for Friday, November 19.
We have scheduled our Florida Snowbird Luncheons for Tuesday, January 25 in Bradenton and January 27 in Marco Island. What is most important right now is to get these dates on your calendar and to make sure you have notified me if you winter in Florida. Nancy and I spend a week in Florida, and we love to connect with as many people as possible even if you cannot make one of the luncheons. If you winter in Florida or know of another Noblesville attendee who does, please email me at jrairdon@noblesvillefirst.com.
Carol Miller has put together a four-week Advent Study experience which begins Tuesday, November 9 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the parlor. You’ve heard this story before, many, many times – the Christmas Story! This in-depth study of the Birth of the Christ Child will bring new insights and appreciation for this often, told story. All are invited on Tuesday evenings, November 9, 16, 30, and December 7 for this study of Adam Hamilton’s newly revised book, The Journey. Through the leadership of Jill Moffett, Mary Eileen Spence, Paul Ernst and Carol Miller, you will gain a new appreciation and love for Christ’s story. Books are available through the office for $14. Contact Carol Miller at cmilller@noblesvillefirst.com for additional information.
Beginning this Sunday, October 31 at 9:30 am, the Coffee & Life Class will begin a series titled The Religion of Abraham Lincoln. They will meet in The Loft (across the hall from the south balcony in Celebration Hall). The primary source for the series is Abraham Lincoln: Lessons in Spiritual Leadership. All are invited. Details can be found at NoblesvilleFirst.com/CoffeeandLife.
If you enjoy singing, please join the Chancel Choir for the Festival of Music and Art on December 12 and for all the Christmas music we will sing during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Join us for a special rehearsal from 12:30 to 2:30 PM on Sunday, November 7, then for our usual Wednesday night rehearsals starting at 7:30 PM on November 10. There's no rehearsal on Wednesday, November 24, but we will have an extra rehearsal with our Christmas Festival Orchestra on Saturday morning , December 11. We will culminate the season by singing for the 11:00 PM Christmas Eve service. All are welcome to make beautiful Christmas music by singing with the Chancel Choir!
It will soon be Advent and time to "Hang the Greens" around the church in preparation to welcome the Christ Child. We are looking for creative minds with working hands to help us put everything in its place and to brighten our worship centers for this special time of year. If you are interested in joining us and can work one hour or an afternoon, contact Carol Miller at cmiller@noblesvillefirst.com. Many hands make light work! All are invited for the festival, family-friendly Hanging of the Greens on Sunday, November 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
We have 18 volunteers lined up for the White River After School All-Stars program which will meet at White River Elementary next Wednesday, November 3 at 2:45 for training on how the program will operate. This will be a club format this year which makes participation more flexible. We will serve as mentors to encourage their academic development through fun activities. Contact Jean Morris at mrsejmorris@sbcglobal.net for more information or call the church office.
Again, we will be watching the weather this Saturday, October 30 for another Invasive Species Volunteer Day at Teter Retreat and Farm to combat invasive plant species in our wooded areas. We are scheduled to work from 9:00 to noon. Hopefully, the rain will have stopped by then and with boots and gloves we can carry on with this effort. For updates, check TeterOrganicFarm.com or contact Amber Good at 317-318-3169.
Ugly Quilts will meet on Friday, November 12 in Celebration Hall from 12:30 to 3 pm. They have lots of material to work with, they just need willing hands. For more information contact Mary Burns or call the church office.
Tonight's Thursday Worship at 6:30 will be held in Whitcomb Chapel (Door 1). Pastor Mary Eileen Spence will be bringing the message, sharing the meaning found in All Hallows Eve from which Halloween has evolved. If you wish to join via Zoom check out the link found at NoblesvilleFirst.com/ThursdayWorship. For more information contact Matt at mhantelman@NoblesvilleFirst.com.
At the 8:30 Early Worship and 9:45 Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary with Pastor Mary Eileen Spence sharing the meaning found in All Hallows Eve from which Halloween has developed. Mary Eileen is also bringing the message at the 9:45 Family Worship and 11:00 Contemporary Worship.
Our Noblesville Kids program from 10:00-10:45 will focus on something Paul wrote
to the church in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. God’s Spirit gives each of us different gifts and abilities. Rather than feeling jealous of others or wanting a gift or skill that someone else has, we should make the most of our own, combine them with what others have, and make a greater difference! This is how the church is meant to work. Bottom Line: No matter how big or small they appear, all gifts and abilities can make a great difference in the world.
Share prayer requests and check out the week's opportunities to connect on the Next Steps page at NoblesvilleFirst.com or on the Noblesville First mobile app. And share your pastoral needs by emailing care@noblesvillefirst.com or calling the 24/7 Care Line at 317-773-2590.
See you tonight or Sunday,
Pastor Jerry Rairdon