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	<title>Bernardsville United Methodist Church</title>
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	<description>Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors</description>
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		<title>Sue Porter newsletter &#8211; November 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/sue-porter-newsletter-november-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/sue-porter-newsletter-november-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:06:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=952</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Greetings from Liberia! I apologize for the long time between newsletters. How can I account for the past months since I wrote last?  Where to start&#8230;? To begin with, I left Ganta in early July for the US for a combination work and vacation visit. It was meant to be a 2 month stay but [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Greetings from Liberia!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I apologize for the long time between newsletters. How can I account for the past months since I wrote last?  Where to start&#8230;?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">To begin with, I left Ganta in early July for the US for a combination work and vacation visit. It was meant to be a 2 month stay but was extended. The first month, I was traveling to supporting churches outside the Baltimore-Washington Conference. These churches have been faithful and generous in their prayers, help with program development, and provide financial contributions to the work at Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences. However, during my itineration in 2009, I wasn&#8217;t able to visit them. I felt it important to visit them personally. You know the importance of that face-to-face interaction. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">It is not only the congregations who benefit from these visits with increased awareness of the work being done in Liberia and a &#8216;face to go with a name&#8217;. I always get renewed from church itineration. The enthusiasm, interest and encouragement that are shared with me are contagious and uplifting. What may have become daily routine of work and challenges, I see through their eyes with freshness. A recent devotional reading from the Upper Room Disciplines Devotional says that faith in the steadfast love of God connects us to what the writer in Hebrews describes as &#8216;so great a cloud of witnesses&#8217; that travels with us.  I am so grateful for all the congregations that are present with their prayers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Also, while in Baltimore, I met with the staff from the University of Maryland Office Of Global Health. We had several productive meetings about the Primary Health Care Specialist Program. Originally, it was to be a Family Nurse Practitioner Program but the new name will allow Physicians Assistants to participate also. We established a Memorandum of Understanding between them and the United Methodist University &#8211; College of Health Sciences. They hope to have representatives from Global Health visit early next year for further evaluation for collaborating on this project. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The month of August was vacation &#8230; mostly, except for trips to Lafayette, North Carolina; Peoria, Illinois, and local Baltimore-Washington Conference visits! I enjoyed visits to the beach with my family, and lots of time with my two year old grandson, Cameron. We enjoyed walks in the neighborhood to the playground which frequently ended up with a dish of frozen yogurt at TCBY. Mostly, I enjoyed just the rhythm of the household and being a part of their family life. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">While home, I was also having some medical checkups for some symptoms I had been experiencing &#8211; hence the extension of the visit. It took time to get appointments with doctors and wait for test results. Praise the Lord that the symptoms are gone and the tests were negative. While nothing specific was diagnosed, I know of others who have traveled here and returned home with unknown illnesses that persisted for months or longer but were eventually resolved. While disconcerting, I&#8217;m just happy to be back to normal. Again, Praise the Lord!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I returned to Liberia in early October, just in time for the national presidential election. It was very exciting to watch. There were 16 candidates and no one won a 50% plus one majority, so there will be a run off November 8th. So far, the process has gone smoothly and uneventfully, and I pray for continued peace and sanity. Liberia has suffered too much over the last twenty years from civil violence and I know the majority of the people want to get on with their lives.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I have a new job title &#8211; Coordinator of New Program Development. I stepped down as Dean of the School this past January. I had planned to do that anyway this September to make way for the newly graduated faculty returning from academic leave to get a Masters in Nursing Education. It would benefit them to take over the leadership of the school and start getting experience. I stepped down earlier because of administrative reasons and have enjoyed the increased time with the students allowed by not having to do those administrative parts of the job. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">However, I found when I returned in October, there were many changes. There is an increased number of incoming students. The educational standards that had been in place have been eased which may be detrimental to the quality of the students. At least now and with great joy, there is a strong educational staff. They are smart and creative teachers and I know they will meet the challenge. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">There have been two setbacks with the Dental Nurse Practitioner Program. One is that the dentist teaching the program needed to spend three months in Monrovia, the capital, at the government dental clinic. As a new graduate dentist, they wanted to be sure of his skills and also to put the advanced theory learning he had into a Liberian setting. This put the dental nurse practitioner training behind schedule. Unfortunately, the students won&#8217;t finish this July as planned, but they are growing in knowledge and their practical skills every day.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We are also having trouble filling the dentist position for the Dental Nurse Practitioner Training program and the Ganta United Methodist Hospital. Through a series of &#8216;bad timings&#8217;, we will have no dentist from March until July. This will also impact the DNP training. If anyone knows a dentist who can come to practice and train, even for a short period of time, please give them my email address seporter29@yahoo.com . Along with an adventure, they would be serving people who are in great need of oral health care!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The last update relates to the dormitory renovation. As you remember, the first dorm, Adams Hall, was completed this past February. Funds are still needed for the &#8216;Hostel&#8217;, the boys&#8217; dorm. There is a significant amount collected so far, but I&#8217;d like to be sure of an amount sufficient enough to get most of the work done before starting. The total needed is $92,000. There are donations of ~ $35,000 and pledges for ~$30,000. I&#8217;m also working with the contractor to see if there are ways that costs can be diminished slightly. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Well, I must give my holiday greetings now, as I know that by the time you get this, it will be Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season. My heartfelt thanks for all you do there to help the work here. It wouldn&#8217;t get done without you. Thank you for all you do there, in the name of our Glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our Living God, whose Love is an endless wellspring of grace and compassion for His people. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Blessings to you all in His Precious Name -Sue Porter, Missionary </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong>Winifred</strong><strong> J. Harley College</strong><strong> of Health Sciences </strong>-Renovation of Student Dormitories Advance # Advance # 3021119 “…<em>I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build </em>it <em>as </em>it <em>used </em>to <em>be.&#8221; </em></span><em>Amos 9:11</em></p>
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		<title>2011 Thanksgiving Letter</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/2011-thanksgiving-letter/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/2011-thanksgiving-letter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:22:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2011]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thanksgiving]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=948</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Happy Thanksgiving to all of members and friends at Bernardsville UMC!      May God bless you and your family as they gather at such a wonderful time of the year! How beautiful it is to see family members get together in spirit of Thanksgiving!      When we moved to the U.S in 1999, Grace and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Happy Thanksgiving to all of members and friends at Bernardsville UMC! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">     May God bless you and your family as they gather at such a wonderful time of the year! How beautiful it is to see family members get together in spirit of Thanksgiving! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">     When we moved to the U.S in 1999, Grace and I celebrated our first Thanksgiving. Back then, we were married for only four months and we were total strangers to the American life style. Being new to this country, we had no place to go, and no family to get together with over Thanksgiving weekend. All the dorms at Drew University were closed and all of the students left for their home. When I woke up Thanksgiving morning, I realized that it would be a vcry lonely Thanksgiving Day for us. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">     However, at that moment, I got a phone call from one of my friends, Hae-Jung. HaeJung had been invited to dinner and invited Grace and me to join him. When Hae-Jung got the invitation for his family, he mentioned Grace and me: a young married couple who just came from Korea. The host, Rev. Kye-Ho Kim who was a Methodist pastor in Catskill, NY area, was willing to extend his invitation to us. We had never met Rev. Kim before. We were total strangers to Rev. Kim&#8217;s family, but he was gracious enough to welcome strangers to his Thanksgiving table. At that dinner, Grace and I first tasted the American Thanksgiving dishes including roasted Turkey and mashed potatoes (with lots of gravy! !). We enjoyed the food, but definitely enjoyed the hospitality of Rev. Kim and Haejing&#8217;s family more. They remembered to reach out to us when we were left out from the joy of Thanksgiving. Leaving Rev. Kim&#8217;s that night, I made up my mind to extend my hospitality to strangers every Thanksgiving. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">     The spirit of Thanksgiving is hospitality. At very first Thanksgiving, our ancestors extended their hospitality to the American Indians who were hostile to them. With that radical hospitality, everyone at the Thanksgiving table became one in giving thanks to God. In this wonderful season of Thanksgiving, I would like to gently challenge you to look for anyone who is being left out from the joy of Thanksgi ving. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">     As one way of extending our hospitality, our church is collecting frozen turkeys for the homeless in New York City. The turkeys will be cooked and on Thanksgiving day, the homeless people will be fed a hot Thanksgiving meal at Trinity Church in New York City. If you want to know more about this drive or if you want to donate a frozen Turkey or other Thanksgiving ingredients, please contact Laura Cole before November 19<sup>th </sup>(908-766-6130). This is one way to extend our hospitality, but if you have another way to do so, I strongly encourage you to be diligent in extending your Thanksgiving hospitality to those who are not as fortunate as as we are. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">     Isn&#8217;t &#8220;Thank You&#8221; a magic word? When you say it, everything that surrounds you turns out to be the very reasons for thanks. In this Thanksgiving season, why don&#8217;t you say &#8220;Thank you&#8221; to the people or for the things that you have not been thankful for in a while. To your spouse, children, or parent, how about saying: &#8220;Thank you for being a great companion in my life?&#8221; I know it will be little awkward if you have not done it for a long time. But, if you can break that awkwardness, you will get a chance to show your true heart to those who you love. So &#8230; in this Thanksgiving, Say it, brother! Say it sisters. Thank you and Thank you very much! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">     As a pastor of this great church at Bernardsville, I thank you all for being such good companions of our ministry. Thank you and Thank you very much! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">     From Han&#8217;s family to yours: <em>Have a Happy Thanksgiving! </em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Y</span>our friend in Christ,<br />
Myung</p>
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		<title>Children’s Church in 2012</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/children%e2%80%99s-church-in-2012/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/children%e2%80%99s-church-in-2012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:49:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children's church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sunday school]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=939</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Dear Members and Friends of Bernardsville United Methodist Church,             Grace and Peace of our Lord God be with you and with your family!  I pray that God may continue to bless you and your family with His abundant Grace.             It is my joy to announce to you the return of our children’s program [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Members and Friends of Bernardsville United Methodist Church,</p>
<p>            Grace and Peace of our Lord God be with you and with your family!  I pray that God may continue to bless you and your family with His abundant Grace.</p>
<p>            It is my joy to announce to you the return of our children’s program at our Bernardsville United Methodist Church.  Starting from the second Sunday of 2012 (1/8), we will have Children’s Church for our young ones, (Kindergarten through 5<sup>th</sup> Grade).  This program will be run and coordinated by Elise Heil, one of our own members.  Elise is a graduate of Ohio Northern University, a private Methodist University, with a BA in Education as well as a sincere Christian.  She has experience in the public classroom, private tutoring, and pre-school areas. For example, while in Colorado, Elise taught the 2 year olds in the church&#8217;s Parent&#8217;s Day Out program.  It is only one example of her devotion to teaching.  It is a blessing for us to have Elise as our Coordinator of Children&#8217;s Church.</p>
<p>            Every Sunday after my &#8216;Message for Children&#8217;, the children will be led to the basement of the sanctuary for their 40 minute session.  The session will be filled with prayer, Arts &amp; Crafts, circle time, and singing a song.  On the first Sunday of every month we won’t have the children’s session because we want them to have a chance to participate in Holy Communion.  Subsequently, each child will be given an educational package which they can work on during the service in their pew.</p>
<p>             With the return of our children’s program, I would like to share my thoughts on this wonderful opportunity of ministry. </p>
<p> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">First, I’d like to see our Children&#8217;s Church as an educational ministry, not as a baby-sitting service</span>.  In Proverbs, King Solomon said, “Train up children in the right way, and when they are old, they will not stray.”(22:6)  It is our duty as a church to teach our children the wonderful words of life we find in Jesus Christ.  Thus, the primary goal of Children’s Church is not providing a baby-sitting service but, rather, a learning environment for our children to understand the precious and wonderful word of Jesus.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Secondly, I’d like to see this ministry as an evangelistic opportunity.</span> Educating children becomes the most crucial part of the married couple these days.  From my past ministries, I have learned that people come to the church when they have found that the church has a meaningful educational program for the children in spite of the pastor who can’t preach. (Of course, it does not mean that I can’t excuse myself for ill prepared sermon! J)  Preparing and praying for the return of our children’s program, I kept asking myself, “Do I have children?  Do I have to have a child at least to start the ministry? ”  Every time this question blocked me, I answered, “We do the children’s ministry not only for the children we have now, but for the children we will have!”  I envision that we could reach children and their parents in this town by developing a fun, exciting, and meaningful children’s ministry at our church.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Thirdly, I’d like to see this children’s ministry as one way to prepare the pastors for the church&#8217;s future generations.</span> Quite a few pastors experienced their first call to ministry when they were very young.  I remember one statistic showed more than half of the pastors felt God’s call to ministry for the first time when they were in elementary school.  I personally felt the call of God into ministry when I was very young.  Of course, my call to ministry was confirmed through the various events throughout my life, but I still remember the initial call to serve God when I was in elementary school.  Thus, children’s ministry is not only for the future of the local church, but also for the Church in general.  Who knows?  We could have the next Billy Graham among our children!</p>
<p>            For this wonderful ministry for children, we need your help.  Without your help, this wonderful ministry simply can’t happen.  You can help in the following ways:</p>
<p>1)       <strong>Pray for the Children’s Church!</strong>  Please, pray for all, children and adults, who will be involved with this ministry.</p>
<p>2)       <strong>Welcome the children for the Worship.</strong>  When children run around or make a noise during the worship, consider it as background music for the worship.  When the noise really bothers you, why don’t you approach to the parents and gently seek for what you can do for them?</p>
<p>3)       <strong>Please, volunteer for the Children’s Church</strong>.  We need a teaching staff.  <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Your teaching </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">commitment will be only once a month</span>.  Furthermore, the church will supply all of the details of the teaching plan and even train you as a spiritual guide.  If you are willing to volunteer, please contact Elise at <a href="tel:%28908%29%20234-1085" target="_blank">(908) 234-1085</a>, or  <a href="mailto:heile@mindspring.com" target="_blank">heile@mindspring.com</a> and she will coordinate the volunteers.</p>
<p>4)       <strong>Spread the word to your neighbors</strong>.  Do not be shy in sharing this good news with your neighbors.  Invite them into our worship and let them know that we cherish children in our church.</p>
<p>            Just like anyone who spent their childhood at the church, I remember the Sunday School as the best time of my church life.  Especially, the songs that I sang in my Sunday School remain so clear in my head.  The one that is still echoing in my heart is “If I Come to Jesus” (F. I Crossby)</p>
<p><em>            If I come to Jesus/He will make me glad<br />
</em><em>            He will give me pleasure/When my heart is sad.<br />
</em><em>            If I come to Jesus/Happy I shall be<br />
</em><em>            He is gently calling/Little ones like me</em></p>
<p>            When my first son, Jason, was an infant, I often sang this song to him as a lullaby. As I sang this song to Jason—holding him in my arms while gently patting him—I remember, I often ended up in tears.  This is a simple song, but it carries so much truth: “Jesus is calling a little one like me.  Whenever I come to Jesus, he will always welcome me.”  For sure, the lessons that I learned from my Sunday School days—love and grace of Jesus—is alive and well in my heart. It is the very strength for my life today.</p>
<p>           Friends, I want to give our children this kind of lifelong lesson of Love and Grace so that they may find the hope and love even in the midst of the darkest night of their life.  The lesson that we will give them will be the precious foundation for them which will lead them onto the right path.</p>
<p>            Elise and I are open to any suggestions and advice for making our children’s church as fun, exciting, and meaningful a place as possible.  Please feel free to reach Elise and me for your suggestions!</p>
<p>            The children belong to all of us.  It is appropriate for us to give them the greatest gift that we can give: the love of Christ Jesus.</p>
<p>Thank you for your support and prayer.  God bless!</p>
<p>Your friend in Christ,<br />
Myung</p>
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		<title>Prayer for Church’s Anniversary</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/prayer-for-church%e2%80%99s-anniversary/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/prayer-for-church%e2%80%99s-anniversary/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:52:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Sermons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BUMC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[church anniversay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=932</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Prayer for Church’s Anniversary Eternal and loving God, today we give thanks to you for your goodness through all the years of worship and witness in this place. For your grace in calling us to be your people, for your love revealed to us in Christ your Son, for your gift of the Spirit and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Prayer for Church’s Anniversary</strong></p>
<p>Eternal and loving God, today we give thanks to you<br />
for your goodness through all the years of worship and witness in this place.</p>
<p>For your grace in calling us to be your people,<br />
for your love revealed to us in Christ your Son,<br />
for your gift of the Spirit and the joy of salvation:</p>
<p><strong>People: We give you thanks, O God.</strong></p>
<p>For those who established this congregation,<br />
For their faith and vision, for their gifts and abilities:<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>The church&#8217;s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord</strong>;</p>
<p>For all who have been members of this congregation,<br />
For those who have given freely of their time and money,<br />
For those whose wisdom guided our congregation:</p>
<p><strong>The church&#8217;s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord</strong>;</p>
<p>For all who have preached and taught here:<br />
For all who have confessed here that Jesus is Lord;<br />
For all who today lead in worship, witness, and service:</p>
<p><strong>The church&#8217;s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord</strong>;</p>
<p>Give us the assurance that we too belong to that great company,<br />
And that we too may find the peace that passes understanding;<br />
Through Jesus Christ our Savior<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Amen.</strong></p>
<p><strong><strong></strong></strong> </p>
<p><strong><strong>Wesley Covenant Prayer</strong></strong></p>
<p>I am no longer my own, but thine.<br />
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.<br />
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.<br />
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,<br />
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.<br />
Let me be full, let me be empty.<br />
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.<br />
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.<br />
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,<br />
thou art mine, and I am thine.<br />
So be it.<br />
And the covenant which I have made on earth,<br />
let it be ratified in heaven.<br />
Amen.</p>
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		<title>170th Anniversary Worship</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/170th-anniversary-worship/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/170th-anniversary-worship/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:31:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=929</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[            A couple of weeks ago, Mark Morrison handed me a file.  Inside of the file, there was the history of our church written by Mark.  He was in charge of the 170th anniversary celebration of our church and had been working on our history for several months.  Jean Hill, the longest member of our [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>            A couple of weeks ago, Mark Morrison handed me a file.  Inside of the file, there was the history of our church written by Mark.  He was in charge of the 170<sup>th</sup> anniversary celebration of our church and had been working on our history for several months.  Jean Hill, the longest member of our church as well as our historian, was a great help to Mark.  It is wonderfully written, with fine pictures and maps, through which you are able to see how our church has developed for the last 170 years.  I truly appreciate Mark and Jean’s efforts to put the stories of our church together in such a meaningful way.</p>
<p>             Reading the history of our church, I got a strong impression that our church was built on the generosity of the people.  Among those who showed generosity toward the church were big names like George Seney, but also many other people who did not leave their name on the record, but were passionately diligent in showing their generosity to the church.  Whether they were rich or poor, healthy or unhealthy, all of our church ancestors did not hesitate to devote their time, treasure, and talents in order to make our church the one that God wanted it to be.</p>
<p>             After reading the history of our church, I had one serious question:  “We are standing on the generosity of our ancestors and, then, to whom are we showing our generosity, today?”  Our ancestors showed their generosity and grace because they envisioned that the church would grow stronger and be able to show generosity and grace back to those who are in need of it.  Then, today, who are we showing our generosity/grace to?  To whom are we supposed to show our generosity and grace?</p>
<p>              <strong>On October 16<sup>th    </sup>at 10:30 am</strong>, I would like to cordially invite you and your family to join in the worship that celebrates the 170<sup>th</sup> anniversary of our church.  Gathering together, we will celebrate its magnificent history.  We will honor the ancestors of our church who were dearly devoted to our church.  We will praise the Lord God who allowed us to have such a great cloud of faithful witness as our ancestors.  Also, we will honor those who served and kept this church over the years.  We are who we are by the generosity and grace of those long-term members of our church.  It is blessing for us to have them among us.</p>
<p>             As one way of celebrating our history, during the worship, Mark Morrison will share his experience of writing of the history of our church.  You will be given a copy of his work as a gift. Jean Hill, our church historian, is also preparing a brief version of our history.  You will enjoy her piece as well.  Following worship, there will be a fellowship hour at Palmer School building.  The fellowship is being organized by Nadine Morrison and Rosalie Baker.  If you want to make a contribution by bringing a covered dish, contact with Rosalie at 908-953-9482.</p>
<p>             On the day of our anniversary, our celebration will continue our thoughtful question, “How can we carry on the legacy of our church to the next generation?”  The story of salvation of Christ Jesus at Bernardsville United Methodist Church should be continued.  The lost soul should keep finding life here and those who weep should be comforted here in our sanctuary.  What can we do to make our church continue its legacy?  What are we supposed to do in order to make our church be the church of our ancestors’ dreams?</p>
<p> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">In order to answer this question properly, Bob Baker, Chairperson of the Administrative Council and I would like to invite everyone to  the Administrative Council meeting on October 18<sup>th</sup> at 7:30 pm to discuss the direction of the church for the next year</span>.  Please, come to this meeting and share your prayers and ideas about where we should go for the next year in order to carry on the splendid history of our church to the next generation.</p>
<p>             I look forward to seeing you on October 16th as well as on October 18th!</p>
<p>            May God bless you and your family!</p>
<p>            Your friend in Christ,<br />
            Myung</p>
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		<title>Bernards Township Seasonal Flu Shots</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/bernards-township-seasonal-flu-shots/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/bernards-township-seasonal-flu-shots/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:33:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flu shots]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=909</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Bernards Township Health Department offers Seasonal Flu Shots for adults and children 4 years and older. Participants should consult with their doctor before receiving the flu vaccine. Cost: Residents $20 Non-Residents $30 No charge with valid Medicare Part B card. Wednesday, October 12th St. James Church, 184 S Finley Av, Basking Ridge Thursday, October 13th Chester [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"> <strong>Bernards Township Health Department </strong></p>
<p align="center">offers <strong>Seasonal Flu Shots </strong>for adults and children 4 years and older.<br />
Participants should consult with their doctor before receiving the flu vaccine.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>Cost:<br />
</strong><strong>Residents $20<br />
</strong><strong>Non-Residents $30<br />
</strong>No charge with valid Medicare Part B card.</p>
<p align="center">Wednesday, October 12th<br />
St. James Church, 184 S Finley Av, Basking Ridge</p>
<p align="center">Thursday, October 13th<br />
Chester Field House, 107 Seminary Av, Chester</p>
<p align="center">Friday, October 21st<br />
Peapack-Gladstone Borough Hall, 1 School St, Peapack-Gladstone</p>
<p align="center">Saturday, October 22nd<br />
Bernards Township Community Ctr, 289 S Maple Av, Basking Ridge</p>
<p align="center">All clinics are from 9 am to 11 am </p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/FlyerSeasonalFlu-2011.pdf">Click here for the Bernards Township Health Department flyer</a></p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p align="center"> </p>
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		<title>Joint Worship Service &#8211; 10/2/11</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/joint-worship-service-10211/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/joint-worship-service-10211/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:44:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BUMC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gladstone UMC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[joint worship]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=885</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[About three years ago, I came across some very disturbing news.  At the Church of the  Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem—where it is believed to be the site of the Crucifixion and tomb of Jesus—there was a big fight between Armenian monks and Greek Orthodox monks.  The fight began when a group of Armenian monks interrupted [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/monks.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-885];player=img;"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-901" title="monks" src="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/monks.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="160" /></a>About three years ago, I came across some very disturbing news.  At the Church of the  Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem—where it is believed to be the site of the Crucifixion and tomb of Jesus—there was a big fight between Armenian monks and Greek Orthodox monks.  The fight began when a group of Armenian monks interrupted the procession of Greek Orthodox monks.  The fight was getting so severe that it needed to be stopped by the police.  It was very disturbing to see the monks in their robes exchanging punches and kicks at the holiest site of the Christian faith.  What is more shocking was that it was not the first time that they fought at this place.  Several times that year, they fought in order to get a better time and better place for their own worship.</p>
<p>I understand that the monks who fought at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre tried to be faithful to their own tradition.  However, sticking to their own tradition, they seemed to forget a bigger tradition or a bigger identity than their own tribal (denominational) identity.  <em>They are all “Christians” and “followers of Christ Jesus.”</em>  Whether they are Armenian Christians, Greek Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, (you name it!), they are all “<em>Christians</em>.”  The way of worship might be different.  The creed that they are confessing might be different.  However, in spite of all the <em>differences</em>, they are all <em>Christians, the followers of Christ</em>.  When we forget this bigger, umbrella-like identity of ours, it is so easy to fall into tribalism.</p>
<p>The first Sunday of October is World Communion Sunday.  It is the one Sunday of every year that all churches, across all denominations, join in Holy Communion to celebrate oneness in Christ.  It is a chance to confirm our identity as Christians, setting aside all of our denominational differences.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/world-communion-sunday.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-885];player=img;"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-903" title="world-communion-sunday" src="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/world-communion-sunday.jpg" alt="" width="265" height="155" /></a>On this special Sunday, I would like to invite you to a joint worship between Bernardsville UMC and Gladstone UMC in celebration of World Communion Sunday as well as the creation of one charge between the two churches.  <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The date and time for worship is October 2<sup>nd</sup> 10:00 AM and the place of worship is Gladstone United Methodist Church (3 Jackson Ave., Gladstone)</span></strong>  The District Superintendent of Raritan Valley District, Rev. Barbara Rambach, will preach for us.  The worship will be followed by the lovely fellowship provided by the members of Gladstone UMC.  Since we have joint worship, there will be no separate worship on this Sunday at Bernardsville UMC.</p>
<p>In our joint worship, we will have a special opportunity to give to the World Communion Scholarship Program of the General Board of Global Ministries.  This program sponsored by the United Methodist Church provides scholarships to students from Third World countries to study in the United States.  It is a very important ministry of the United Methodist Church to develop the leadership for the Global mission.  For details, you may read the flyer which is enclosed with this letter.  If you want to make a contribution to the World Communion Scholarship, kindly use the enclosed offering envelope.</p>
<p>Friends, it is my simple belief: if anyone believes in one God, one Jesus, one Holy Spirit, one Baptism, and one Church, he or she is my brother or sister.  Whether you belong to Bernardsville UMC or Gladstone UMC, you commonly confess one Lord, one Baptism, and one Church.  We are not only neighbors living in neighboring towns, but also brothers and sisters in following one Lord, Christ Jesus.  On this special occasion for joint worship, why don’t you come out and join in the celebration?</p>
<p>I look forward to seeing you on October 2<sup>nd</sup> at Gladstone UMC.</p>
<p> <a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/signature3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-885];player=img;"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-895" title="Myung signature" src="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/signature3.jpg" alt="" width="265" height="110" /></a><br />
 <br />
 <br />
  <br />
 <br />
 <br />
 </p>
<p>Your friend in Christ,<br />
Myung<br />
9/22/11</p>
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		<title>Prayer of the People for September 11th</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/prayer-of-the-people-for-september-11th/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/prayer-of-the-people-for-september-11th/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:16:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Sermons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[9/11 prayer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=874</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Drawing copyright © 2001 Noel Sikes. All rights reserved. Captured from http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emergency/noelsnewyork.stm &#160; Lord, as we the world pauses today to look back and to look forward, we pause to pray to you, our only defender and the author of peace. O God, in a pillar of fire you visited the Israelites and you lit [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/nine-eleven.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-874];player=img;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-876" title="nine-eleven" src="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/nine-eleven.jpg" alt="" width="609" height="419" /></a></span><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Drawing copyright © 2001 Noel Sikes. All rights reserved. Captured from http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emergency/noelsnewyork.stm<em></em></span></strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Lord, as we the world pauses today to look back and to look forward, we pause to pray to you, our only defender and the author of peace.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">O God, in a pillar of fire you visited the Israelites and you lit up the night; so empower your Church to light up the darkness of our world, and drive terror and hate from the earth.</p>
<p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Lord, in your mercy,<br />
</span><strong><span style="font-size: small;">hear our prayer.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">As Moses stretched out his hand to divide the waters, and brought the Israelites into a land of freedom; we pray for our nation, O God, that you might always bless us, and all, with freedom from oppression and fear.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Lord, in your mercy,<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>hear our prayer.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">When you bring freedom O God, the mountains skip like rams and the little hills like young sheep; so spread your mercy over all the earth that all your children can dance without fear.</p>
<p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Lord, in your mercy,<br />
<strong>hear our prayer.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">We pray for all the students who are now back to school.  May they learn the way to live with each other in peace.  May the world they live and will live be better and brighter.  May they become the light of yours shinning upon the whole world.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Lord, in your mercy,<br />
<strong>hear our prayer.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">We pray for the sick, the suffering, the fearful, and all who live in the wake of terror, especially those who suffer from Hurricane Irene, those who suffer from the drought in Horn of Africa, Gail Granowitz who mourns upon the loss of her mother, Wendy who is adjusting to college life, Bernie Taylor and Phyllis Felter who are battling cancer.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Lord, in your mercy,<br />
<strong>hear our prayer.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Gracious God, we pray today for all those who grieve today<br />
</span><em><span style="font-size: small;">silence</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">for those who witnessed and survived the attacks<br />
</span><em><span style="font-size: small;">silence</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">those who came to rescue, save, and protect,<br />
</span><em><span style="font-size: small;">silence</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">and for all the souls who were lost,<br />
</span><em><span style="font-size: small;">silence</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">We pray for the men and women who have been called to defend our country and the ways of freedom—those serving at home and abroad<br />
</span><em><span style="font-size: small;">silence</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">We pray that your healing balm would run down like rain upon us all,<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">and we pray that all who were lost were also found, by You.<br />
</span><em><span style="font-size: small;">silence</span></em></p>
<p><em><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Psalm 23 (Unison)</span></strong></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">He makes me lie down in green pastures;<br />
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.<br />
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Even though I walk through the darkest valley,<br />
I fear no evil; for you are with me;<br />
your rod and your staff— they comfort me.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;<br />
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,<br />
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord  my whole life long.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Amen</span></strong></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></em><em><span style="font-size: small;">*Adapted from Prayer of the People for September 11<sup>th</sup> by Rick Morley. </span></em><a href="http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/778"><em><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/778</span></em></a><em></em></p>
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		<title>Church Bulletins</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/sunday-bulletins/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/sunday-bulletins/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:51:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Sunday Bulletin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bulletins]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=857</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Click below to access the latest church bulletin (Adobe Reader required) Sunday 11/06/2011 Previous bulletins: Sunday 10/30/2011 Sunday 10/23/2011 Sunday 10/16/2011 Sunday 10/09/2011 Sunday 10/02/2011 Sunday 09/25/2011 Sunday 09/18/2011 Sunday 09/04/2011 &#160;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Click below to access the latest church bulletin<br />
(Adobe Reader required)<br />
</em><a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/11_6.pdf">Sunday 11/06/2011</a></p>
<p><em>Previous bulletins:<br />
</em><a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/10_30.pdf">Sunday 10/30/2011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/10_23.pdf">Sunday 10/23/2011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/10_16.pdf">Sunday 10/16/2011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/10_9.pdf">Sunday 10/09/2011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/joint_worship.pdf">Sunday 10/02/2011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/9_25.pdf">Sunday 09/25/2011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bulletin_9_181.pdf">Sunday 09/18/2011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bulletin.pdf">Sunday 09/04/2011</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Rally Sunday</title>
		<link>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/rally-sunday/</link>
		<comments>http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/rally-sunday/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:13:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>pmcole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2011]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Myung]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rally sunday]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/?p=851</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Bernardsville United Methodist Church 22 Church Street Bernardsville, NJ 07924 http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org              Rev. Myung Sun Han, Pastor                                                Tel. (908) 766-0669 Dear My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,      Living thousands miles away from home, I have never forgotten my home in Korea.  It has been twelve years since I left Korea, but, in last twelve years, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><strong>Bernardsville United Methodist Church<br />
</strong>22 Church Street<br />
Bernardsville, NJ 07924<br />
<a href="http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org/"><span style="color: #800080;">http://www.bernardsvillemethodist.org</span></a></p>
<p>             Rev. Myung Sun Han, Pastor                                                Tel. (908) 766-0669</p>
<p>Dear My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,</p>
<p>     Living thousands miles away from home, I have never forgotten my home in Korea.  It has been twelve years since I left Korea, but, in last twelve years, there was not a single moment when I did not miss my home and my family there.</p>
<p>     When Grace and I had no child for the first seven years of our marriage, we visited Korea almost every year.  However, recently, we have realized that we couldn’t visit Korea as often as we did in the past.  Now, we have two boys: it is not easy to fly almost 7,000 miles with two whining boys and, also, it costs about two-months of my salary to buy plane tickets for four of us.  Recently, my parents in Korea learned how to use face-time (real time face-to-face talk application through iPhone) and it replaced our 7,000 miles trip to Korea.</p>
<p>     Even though we don’t visit home as much as we want, my home in Korea and my family there still remains “a place where I can come back to any time.”  Having such a place in my mind generates such a warm feeling of security, peace, and comfort.  No matter where I could be, there is a place that I can return and that place I call, “home.”</p>
<p>     Upon our Rally Sunday of 2011 (so-called Back-to-Church Sunday), I would like to gently remind you that Bernardsville church is your spiritual home, the place where you can come back to any time you want.  No matter where you could be and no matter what you have done in the past, this church will stand here as your home waiting for you to come back.</p>
<p>     As a pastor of your spiritual home (it just sounds like I am being a home keeper. J), I would like to cordially invite you and your family to our <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rally Sunday Service on September 18<sup>th</sup> 10:30 AM.</span></strong>  The worship will be followed by the picnic in the picnic area in front of the Palmer School Building.  If you want to contribute a delicious dish for this picnic, please, do not hesitate to contact with Nancy Ferris (908-534-2803, <a href="mailto:ferrisnancy@hotmail.com">ferrisnancy@hotmail.com</a>) who is organizing the picnic.</p>
<p>     Furthermore, beginning 9/18, I will do the sermon series called “Profound Practicality: A Study on the Book of Proverbs.”  Currently, I am developing five sermons based on the five themes in the Book of Proverbs (9/18, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 10/30) along with five Bible study sessions.  You will have detailed information for this study opportunity inserted in the Sunday bulletin in near future.</p>
<p>     It is always good to have a place to come back.  I wish and pray our church is such a place for you and your family.  If this church is that kind of place for you, then, it is time for you to come back home.  Come home brothers and sisters and join in the feast of our heavenly Father [Mother].</p>
<p>     I am looking forward to seeing you on 9/18.</p>
<p>Sincerely,<br />
Your friend in Christ<br />
Myung<br />
9/1/11</p>
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