Friday, February 24th at 8:00pm
PAUMC Fellowship Hall
Tickets $10 per person

Enjoy an evening of entertainment with yummy, mouth-watering gourmet desserts served at intermission. All proceeds will go to fund our growing Food Cupboard ministry.

Since we are so close to that original goal, I would like to give you one more opportunity to help PAUMC overcome the loss of that offering. Will you join Linda and me in making one additional contribution to help us exceed that goal?

Thank you in advance for considering this request!
Pastor Bill

Last month we had two powerful teams of missionaries speak to us, and share not only what has been going on in their work, but also share powerfully from the Word of God. I always love hearing from missionaries, because they are living examples of Matthew 16:24-26. Their messages, their victories AND their failures never cease to amaze and inspire me. And we need to see them, hear from them and talk to them. They aren’t super humans with some extraordinary gift. They are regular people who have been deeply touched by the gospel of Christ. They remind us, sometimes convict us, that we, too, could do something for Jesus. Just recently a young gal, Jenni, has had quite an effect on her family and has gotten nearly all of them to attend church and a number of them have become members. She?s a wonderful example that we don?t have to go to some far off country to do mighty things.

We get totally caught up in the “stuff” of life. It?s normal. But we need to remember the question that Jesus asked, “For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?” In other words Jesus is cautioning us to be careful, to watch out, or we?ll get lost in our plans for living busy, successful lives and end up missing the everyday joy of being a Christian. What will it cost us to become successful by the world?s standards? Will we miss the kingdom of God? Will we, in effect, lose our lives as we gain status, comfort and power? Those things are not necessarily wrong, if kept in proper perspective. Listen for God?s whisper. If He says “go,” will you go? If he says “do,” will you do?

I recently came across the following suggestions of things we might give up for Lent:

Give up complaining — focus on gratitude.
Give up harsh judgments — think kind thoughts.
Give up worry — trust God to provide.
Give up discouragement — be full of hope.
Give up bitterness — turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred — return good for evil.
Give up anger — be more patient.
Give up pettiness — become mature.
Give up jealousy — pray for trust.
Give up gossiping — control your tongue.
Give up sin — turn to virtue.
Give up giving up — persevere.

What if we adopted one or more of the above as we observe the Lenten time of self-examination and reflection this year? Speaking of Lent, I look forward to sharing a six part series of Lenten messages with you beginning the weekend of February 25/26, entitled, “Facing Life?s Fears with Faith.”

See you in church?
Bill

The Living Beyond Myself Christmas Offering is a call to sacrificial giving with a goal of $12,000 for two ministry initiatives:

• To launch a new PAUMC site in a location to be determined. (Please join us in praying that God‘s specific direction will be revealed to us soon.)
• To provide funds for the 2012 Food Cupboard ministry.

This special Christmas Offering will be received through January, 2012. Use the envelope provided or mark your check with ?Living Beyond Myself.?

The Purposes of the Offering:

To share God’s love as we launch a new PAUMC location. We feel a bit like Abraham who was called by the Lord to step out in faith without knowing where God would be leading him. Like Abraham and many other Biblical heroes of the faith, we are called to ?walk by faith, and not by sight? (2 Corinthians 5:7). We are not exactly sure how God will develop this plan, but we believe that He will guide us one step at a time to the site He has for us. We anticipate launching worship services in this new location in September of 2012!

To provide funds for the 2012 food cupboard ministry. Since 1999, our PAUMC food cup-board has grown exponentially, serving thousands of people at their time of deepest need with non-perishable and perishable food items given to people who are unable to meet the nutritional needs of their under resourced families. This year, we serve an average of 250 families, which represents over 800 people, each time our Food Cupboard is open.
The Living Beyond Myself Christmas Offering will help us continue to passionately share God‘s love as we love God, love people and serve the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why a special offering?

As part of God‘s plan to grow the faith of the people in His church, God calls us to sacrificial giving from time to time. The special Christmas Offering is an opportunity for us to grow in our faith, and to prepare us for what God wants to do through our church in 2012. This offering is not because we are behind on budget, but rather it is to position us to make a greater impact in our community, in our church and around the world in 2012.
What’s the difference between the regular offering and this Christmas Offering?
The regular PAUMC offering is the proportional amount (the full tithe of 10%) that we set apart in a systematic basis and give throughout the year. From time to time there are opportunities to give in a sacrificial way. The Christmas Offering is one of those sacrificial occasions that stretch us to grow in our faith. The Christmas Offering should be over and above what you regularly give.

How much should I give?

Since the goal is $12,000, this special Christmas Offering will involve everyone. Please prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift that will stretch your faith. The precise amount you give is between you and God. Many in our church can give a $100, $500, or a $1,000 gift. Others will be able to give between $25 and $100. The issue is not equal giving, but equal sacrifice. What amount can you give that will stretch your faith?

Why is the goal so large?

“Living Beyond Myself” will be our largest special offering to date. Since 1998, we have been a church that has dared to dream big dreams for God. The causes supported by this offering are BIG—a new congregation where people can hear God‘s Word proclaimed every weekend and continued gener-ous support of people in need of healthy food. The accomplishment of these big dreams will be influ-enced by your gifts to this special Christmas Offering.

When should I give?

The best time to give will be the first weekend after you receive this mailing. Please pray about mak-ing your best gift on that day; however, you can continue to give until January 31, 2012. Please use the Christmas Offering envelope provided.

Are my gifts tax deductible?

All gifts to PAUMC, whether via the regular offering or this Christmas Offering, are completely tax deductible. Your gift will be deductible in the tax year given (i.e., gifts given in 2011 will be deductible on your 2011 taxes). Please be sure to include your name and address when you give so that a receipt can be sent you for your tax preparation.

How did we arrive at a $12,000 goal?

The $12,000 goal was prayerfully set by the pastor and the church leadership. It is approximately twice our regularly weekly offering amount. It is a God-sized goal that can only be accomplished through 100% participation and sacrificial giving by our PAUMC attenders and members. Since we are expecting God to bless this Christmas Offering, it has been determined that any amount over and above our goal will be divided between missions and ministry advancement.

How will I know if we reach our goal?

You will be updated on our giving progress at the weekend services. Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what we can do together as we stretch our faith under God‘s leadership. Please pray for God‘s guidance as we all give sacrificially.

Have additional questions? Please contact Pastor Bill Vallet or Lisa in the PAUMC office at paumc1238@aol.com or call 607-733-4485.

Many, many people in our church, our community and our world have experienced God‘s love through the Growth Groups ministry and outreach projects. Whether it was collecting or purchasing needed items, preparing and serving meals, manual labor to help fall clean-up or with the Harvest Dinner, or surprising often-forgotten folks with a box of goodies, lunch, Thanksgiving dinner, or a gift certificate, or serving to help make Christmas special for the military troops or others, once again, we experienced that real joy comes in serving others!

Plans are in motion for the upcoming next semester—a variety of topics will be offered on several different days and times. Starting in January, you can check out the catalogue of Growth Group opportunities and sign up to join a group that interests you and fits your schedule. What a great way to start off the New Year, intentionally taking a step to grow in faith and be in community with others as together we live our lives according to God‘s purposes! Don‘t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to experience doing life together with the people God has placed around you!

Read more about the Bring a Buddy Dinner.

Mike and Glenda are completing year seven and eagerly looking forward to year eight of their mission work in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. They come home every January to share their story with us, the challenges, the setbacks, the victories, the stories of lives touched by the love of Jesus Christ. They have seen much growth in the various ministries they have established there. There are nearly 100 children in their youth program; 153 children in the One Child School Sponsorship Program involving seven different schools, with 10 of them having graduated 12th grade in November; over 60 ex-gang members having their tattoos removed; four mission teams were hosted in 2011; a hot lunch meal program is up and running at Escuela de Venezuela; the completion of a second floor to building #1 at Armadas Fuerzas was completed and the cafeteria building has been started; and the overall ministry continues to expand thanks to everyone’s support.

Come to the “Bring a Buddy Dinner” and hear the stories first hand and be inspired. Cost is $10.00 per person. Please RSVP by December 24th to: Border Buddies Ministries P.O. Box 1254 Elmira, NY 14902

Whatever it is, during this holiday season with all its frenzied festivities, stop and remember that night in the stable, those mingled smells of animals and hay, that pain and subsequent joy in the birth of one small child. Breathe deep and feel with Mary, with Joseph, the shepherds, the angels. Feel the birth of Jesus. What is it to experience such joy, such peace? Verbally express to someone close to you what the birth of Christ means to you at this point in your life. Be joyful! Experience God’s love and peace.