18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”           Matthew 28:18-20

Greetings of grace and peace to you, in the name of our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. July is over and we are coming up on the end of summer. Just as the new school year starts, our church year seems to start. As I was reflecting on this new start, I could not help but to think what that looked like with our churches.

Over the last week, leaders in the church were teaching the children at VBS all about God’s love. We talked about why and how God loves us. This was such a wonderful time teaching the children that God loved them so much, that he sacrificed Jesus for them. We talked about how there was no place on this earth that we could go that God wasn’t there with us. This was very special and the children were getting it. Then on the last day, we spoke about Jesus’ command to go and make disciples of all nations, and what that looked like. Some children said that they could tell their friends that Jesus loved them. Some said that they can share their toys with others while talking about Jesus. One told me that she could hold the door open for people at the store and as they entered, she would say “God loves you.” The children understood that we are called to share our faith with those around us. Jesus calls us to be disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples…all for the transformation of the world.

Beloved, how are you transforming the world? Are you making disciples? The children at VBS came up with real and tangible ways to act out their faith to the world. How can you do the same? How can we grow our churches if we don’t invite people to meet Jesus? How can we grow a youth group if we don’t invite the youth out? Maybe the next step for us is to step out of the boat and trust Jesus as we put our faith out there for others to see. Do you have a neighbor, a friend, a family member that keeps coming to mind as you read this letter? Perhaps it is time to reach out to that person and invite them to church. Invite them to Sunday school. Take them out to lunch and share the Gospel with them.

We are coming off the heels of a historic pandemic event. Now, more than ever, we should be sharing what Jesus did for us with anyone who will listen. The time has come for us to stand up and to proclaim that Jesus Christ is our Lord. It is time for us to have the mindset of our children and to share Jesus, no matter what, with others. I believe that we can learn a lot from our children. Our children are showing us that now is the time to go out and make disciples. We need not be afraid because, like Jesus said, he is with us to the very end. Remember, Jesus loves you and so do I.

Blessings, PJ

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”  - John Wesley

August Celebrations

*If you would like to share a picture of your wedding day to celebrate your anniversary please send it to communications@marshallumc.org

Prayers

Pastor John offers a daily devotion on Facebook live each day.  The latest are available by pressing the link below!

Cooperative Parish Testimonies, Stories and Events

Petra

“He (Amaziah King of Judah) was the one who defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and captured Sela (Petra) in battle . . .” (2 Kings 14:7a)

Petra (Greek, means rock; Aramaic, called Sela meaning rock; Lord of the Mountains; Rose City) is a Biblical site located in the middle of the hill-country region known as Mount Seir, Petra, Petra mountain range, Akabah, and Mount Hor (where Aaron died, Numbers 20:22-29). It is in the ancient land of Edom, means red, (Gen. 36:8) in the basin of Wadi Musa or in Arabic, “Valley of Moses” and Meribah (Gen. 32:3; Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 20:1-13). It was inhabited by the Edomites, descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, around the seventh-century BCE. Because the Edomites were idolaters, enemies of Judah and fought with Jacob, God allowed Israel to take vengeance on Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14, 35:1-15; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:11; Obadiah 1:1-21; Malachi 1:2c-5).

In the fourth-century BC, Petra was settled by the Nabateans, an Aramaic speaking nation, that came from Arabia and are thought to be related to Nabat (Nebaiath) who was Ishmael’s (Abraham’s firstborn son) firstborn son (Genesis 25:13). The Nabatean kingdom at Petra transitioned from a nomadic tribe to an organized society and grew in power and wealth as they controlled most of the trade routes, like the Silk Road. The Nabateans were recognized for the water collection system they built all along the caravan routes. They diverted flash flood water from winter rainstorms and water from mountain springs through a tunnel into a dam; and then, secretly stored it in underground cisterns, assuring an ample supply of water for their future needs and use. Water channels, containing pipes, can still be seen today. Petra was a man-made oasis. In 106 AD, the Romans “acquired” Petra as a protectorate and renamed it Arabia Petrea. Hearing about the legend of a lost city, buried beneath centuries of built-up sand, Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt, rediscovered Petra in 1812 and was the first westerner to lay eyes on it. Since1985, it has been identified as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

To tour this magnificent city, you can walk approximately two miles from the entrance to the first building through a gorge called the Siq. Or you can enjoy the convenience of a donkey-pulled cart.   The Siq was naturally formed when water cut through the 300+ foot high rock walls. As the water etched its way through, it left the most beautiful, colorful, and unique designs, caused by mineral oxides in the red sandstone, on the walls of the Siq. The gorge not only helped defend the city, but it was also used for funeral processions. Numerous niches, where idol statues or oil lamps were placed, were carved into the gorge walls.

Before entering the Siq, you see The Obelisk Tomb. Obelisks are pillars shaped like the Washington Monument. This one represents the Naepesh or the soul of the person buried in the tomb. The lower level has a Greco-Roman triclinium which is a couch, used by Romans, to recline on during meals and used during funerals.             

The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) greets you at the end of the Siq as you enter the city. It is the most famous, recognized facade; and is the most beautiful and impressive. While archaeologists believe the Treasury was carved between 50 BC and 50 AD, Biblical scholars believe it was built during the reign of the Nabatean King Aretas IV between 9 BC and 40 AD. It is interesting to note that Paul made a quick escape from Damascus under king Aretas (2 Corinthians 11:32-33). The Treasury has nothing to do with banking. In fact, it was first used as a tomb, perhaps for one of the Nabatean kings and his family, or as a temple or shrine for an Egyptian goddess (Isis). Topping the building’s facade is a thermidor or funerary urn. Legend has it that the urn contained treasures from an Egyptian Pharoah.

The Street of Facades is a row of monumental Nabatean tombs (more than 1,000) carved into cliff walls. Between the first-century BC and the first-century AD, most of the Petra facades were carved with only chisels and hammers made of iron. It’s hard to imagine that the tomb facades were carved from the top of the cliffs down. The cliffs also bear numerous caves not only used as tombs but were also used as homes for the Bedouins (*). Step carvings reflect Assyrian influence and ziggurats (an ancient, Mesopotamian pyramidal-shaped temple tower with a shrine on top) reflect Babylonian influences. FYI, the Mesopotamian Era was between 5,000-333 BC, the Assyrian Era was between 2,500-605 BCE and the Babylonian Era was between1895-539 BCE).

As you pass all the facades (tombs), the road leads to the lower city and other massive structures. The (Christian) Byzantine Church was built in the sixth-century AD when Christianity became the official religion of Petra. The Petra Theatre was built, in its location, primarily to separate tombs from the caves used as dwellings. It could accommodate 8,500 spectators. The High Place of Sacrifice (Jabal Madbah) was used to make sacrifices to the Nabatean god Dushara. Located on top of the mountain, 800 steps were carved into the sandstone 2,000 years ago in order to reach the site. Qasar Al-Bint Temple was built in the second half of the first-century BC and was also dedicated to Dushara. The Monastery (Al-Deir) built in the first-century BC was first thought to be one of the first facades carved as a memorial or temple to honor king Obodas’s reign (96-85 BC) and victory over Alexander Jannaeus. Later it was determined to have been built in honor of a goddess or women’s position in their culture. Nabateans believe and claim that they descended from the great queens of Arabia like Sheba. Perhaps that’s why women held a high status in their culture. They were equal to men, were able to own property and ran the city in the absence of their men while traveling with the caravans six months of the year.

One hundred-forty papyrus scrolls, dating to the sixth-century AD, were recently discovered in a burned bookcase in the backroom of a Petra church. It was learned, from still legible texts, wills, deeds and records that despite a catastrophic earthquake in 363 AD, Petra continued to thrive another four centuries. Even after Petra fell victim to a massive flood, people remained in the slowly declining city, thanks to the Romans redirecting the trade routes away from Petra, until the 748/749 earthquake. Due to the loss of their water supply, the city was abandoned.(*) Bedouins (Arabic, desert dweller) are nomadic people who lived in the deserts of Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Jordan for thousands of years.

*Bedouins are mostly Muslim and are divided into tribes, clans and families who each follow their own traditions but share a common culture of herding camels and goats. Their goats and products (milk, cheese, hair, etc.) provide income. Women still use goat and camel hair to weave their tents and rugs. The head of a tribe is called Sheik and is selected because he is the “oldest, wisest and strongest” in the tribe. As they take all their belongings with them when they move, the camel had always been their main source of transportation. But, as some Bedouins become more modernized, they’ve replaced their camels with expensive automobiles. For protection from inclement weather during the winter months, they leave their tents to build temporary shelters, with dish antennas, in the wadis (valleys).

You don’t have to take my word for it, take His Word for it.

For the Glory of God, by Bonnie Jean Murphy

Ripples to Rapids Prayer Time

** Pastor John will be at Linden on Sunday & Wednesday evenings from 6 - 7pm prior to Ripples for anyone that wants to talk.  
Join us online with Zoom using the contact information below or drop by the Linden Sanctuary.  Stay for a minute or for 30 and share your prayers and help us lift others' prayers.
Topic: Sunday Prayer Session

Schedule: Sunday at 7 PM, Wednesday at 7 PM

Duration: 30 minutes

Join Zoom Meeting  (click the Zoom link below)

Meeting ID: 612 362 4831

Passcode: 908910

Please join us on Sunday mornings at 10:45am.

**The Linden UMW collected 52.2 lbs of non-perishable foods plus personal hygiene products for CCAP in Front Royal during the month of June. As we enter the last week of July, we have collected 51 lbs. 10 oz. of large canned food products for the Warren County Senior Center to use for their meals. Donations can be made at any time and placed in the box at the back of the sanctuary.**

 “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”             Philippians 4:8. 

Prayer Warrior Women's Bible Study: We will be starting a new Women's Once-a-Month Bible Study the 1st Tuesday of each month featuring Sheila Walsh's Praying Women:  How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say. The Bible Study will be virtual on Zoom for now. Best-selling Bible teacher Sheila Walsh will teach us how to use prayer as a weapon in the midst of struggles so we become joyful prayer warriors - not prayer worriers. Please plan to join us as we seek to ignite our prayer life. Contact Bonnie Schmidt for more information at stillcre8tions@aol.com and (540) 364-1071 or

Michele Middleton mmiddletoncpa@aol.com and (703) 380-0141.

Serving in July

2021 Vacation Bible School at Marshall UMC

VBS

By, Misa Doane

Last week I went to Vacation Bible School starting on Monday and ending Friday.  I was with the group of kids that were older than 5 and Pastor John was our teacher.  I liked doing crafts, outdoor games and being with my friends and making new friends.  I learned that God can sometimes get a little mad but he still loves us.  Thank you for VBS. I had a lot of fun.

Children's Ministry!

Marie Lyon, our Children's Ministry Director, 

led a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School in July - Kingdom Seekers!  A huge thanks to Marie and all the volunteers that helped make this a success.

We are still trying to start a children's Sunday School on Sunday mornings at 10am.  

See Marie or Pastor John this Sunday for more info!

Inspiration and Testimonials

News from the Marshall UMW

• no meeting in June but a fun outing down the valley for lavender, food and fun
• We were able to offer baby gifts to our 3 newest in our church family:
  • Brighton Grimes, Wyatt Taylor & Walker Schaeffer - Welcome!
• Thank you to all that have contributed to our annual FISH Backpack collection and to those that continue to fill our Boxes of Love for Hope For Appalachia 

For AUGUST, we will be filling our Hope for Appalachia Love Boxes with 

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*****              School Supplies              *****

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Marshall UMW Upcoming Events Punch List

August 7 - Monthly meeting at 9am

September 4 - Monthly meeting

September 7 - MUMPS Open House

September 18 - Homecoming

● September 25 - Fall Yard Sale & BBQ, Cole slaw and cornbread

Marshall UMW meetings are always open to any women in the church

Please come join us!

2021 Linden, Markham & Marshall Leadership Teams

LMM Cooperative Parish

Staff Parish Relations Committees
Cooperative Chair:   Cindy Kokernak

• Linden
  • Cindy Kokernak (Chair), Sheila Showers, Sal Ortiz, Judy Blood
• Markham
  • Bonnie Schmidt (Chair), Gregg Malinsky, Edith Middleton, Brook Middleton, John Fedorchak
• Marshall
  • Amy Glascock (Chair), Joe Bersack, Bob Lambert, DeAnna Taylor

Linden Leadership

Church Council Chair:     Steve Showers               SPRC Chair:             Cindy Kokernak
Treasurer:                           Kathy Drummond       Finance Chair:            vacant
Finance Committee:        Pastor John, Sal Ortiz, Steve Showers, Loyd Dunford,

                                             Cindy Kokernak
Trustees Co-Chairs:         Loyd Dunford, Steve Showers
Trustees Committee:       John Kokernak, Mary Potter, Stuart Showers, Jeff Terwilliger
Parsonage Trustees:        Loyd Dunford (chair), Steve Showers (Co-chair), John Kokernak
Recording Secretary:      Lori Terwilliger      
Lay Member to Annual Conference:  Sal Ortiz
Young Adult Rep.:             vacant                              Adult Discipleship:        Sal Ortiz
Worship Chair, Music:   Connie Clatterbuck         Nurture, Evangelism:   Genia Ortiz
Church Historian:           Helen Kenney                  Communications Dir.:   Lori Terwilliger
UMW President:             Cindy Kokernak    

Nominations Chair:       John Rowe
Nominations committee:   Ruth Ann Rector, Helen Kenney, Maureen Dunford, Sal Ortiz

Markham Leadership

Church Council Chair:     Michele Middleton      SPRC Chair:   Bonnie Schmidt
Lay Leader:                         Bonnie Schmidt
SPRC Committee:             Gregg Malinsky,  Brook Middleton, 
                                              Edith Middleton, John Fedorchak
Finance Chair:           Debbie Jo Foster                    Treasurer:       Nancy Sickel
Finance Committee: Edith Middleton, John Fedorchak, Bonnie Schmidt,
                                      Brook Middleton, Nancy Sickel
Trustee Chair:            Brook Middleton
Trustee Committee:  Cheryll Green, Nancy Sickel, Michele Middleton, Henry Green
Parsonage Trustees:  Brook Middleton, Nancy Sickel, Edith Middleton
Recording Secretary: Theresa Malinsky
Alternate Member to Annual Conference:      Edith Middleton
Age Level Ministries: Vacant
Nurture, Hospitality, Worship:     Edith Middleton
Community Missions:           Nancy Sickel
Nominations Chair:                Pastor John Rowe
Nominations Committee:     John Fedorchak, Edith Middleton

Marshall Leadership

Church Council Chair:  Amy Taylor                    SPRC Chair:                    Amy Glascock
Lay Leader:   DeAnna Taylor, Joe Bersack        Recording Secretary:    Candy Glascock
Worship Chair:             Cathy Harris                   Finance Chair:                Debbie Machamer
Finance Committee:    Amy Taylor, DeAnna Taylor, Any Glascock, Bob Lambert,
                                          Cheryl Kowalcyzk, Terri Hill, Robert Glascock
Trustee Co-Chairs:       Terri Hill, Robert Glascock
Trustee Committee:      Philip Harris, Rachel Taylor, Jeff Machamer
Lay Member to Annual Conference:          Bob Lambert
District Steward:            Wendy Emery               Young Adult Ministries:  Robert Doane
Older Adult Ministries, Memorials:  Doris Edmonds  
Children’s Ministry:       Marie Lyon                    Education Lead:  Cheryl Kowalcyzk
Family Life Ministries:  Frances Snider, Kezia Glascock
Mission Leads:               Cathy & Bob Lambert    Outreach Lead:  Laurie Bersack
Communications Lead:        Terri Hill                             
Nominations Chair:               Pastor John Rowe
Nominations Committee:     Mary Jane Eichorn, Candy Glascock, Amy Glascock,
                                                           Mo Lawrence, Amy Taylor, Bob Lambert