PLANNING AHEAD
Over the summer, Pastor Eric Olsen and Michael Martin will be following the same spiritual outline for their weekly messages, concentrating on the theme: Gifts of the Spirit, Fruits of the Spirit. the topics for the rest of the summer are: August 5: The Fruit of Patience  August 12: The Fruit of Self-control     Ausugt 19: The Fruit of Peace     August 26: The Fruit of Kindness  September 2: The Fruit of Hope
 
WORDS OF WISDOM
Godis always ready to forgive and restore, the one in whom we can always trust.
Let this encourage you. God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.
A recent study concluded that smiling can be good for your health; it slows down the heart and reduces stress. Your smile could be a message of cheer from God to a needy soul.
It is always the time to invest in eternity, by how we make and live by choices that show the difference the love of Jesus makes in our lives. Help us not to trade away eternal values for convenience and comfort. One is truly wise who gains their wisdom from above.
Caring for the burdens of others helps us to forget about our own.  
In this noisy, busy world it is so good to spend a few minutes with God. Time with Him refreshes your soul and is the source of your inner strength. He is always near to us.
The word “gracious” comes from the word grace and it can mean an act of kindness or courtesy. As followers of Christ who have received grace, we are to show it in the way we treat others. Grace in our hearts pours out in our words and deeds.
Sometimes the struggles we face in life seem so big, but God is bigger. God’s comforting presence is more powerful than our fears.
Despite the worst circumstances, people who rely on God have a sense of stability and vitality; like a firmly rooted tree.
Do you know someone who needs your help or needs you to sit alongside them? The best way to encourage others may be to just be near. At the right times the Holy Spirit will give us words to say, if they are needed.
 
THANK YOU
We received a thank you letter from the Church World Service Blankets program. Our donation totaled $275.
 
RALLY DAY
Rally Day will be on September 9, Lake Placid will be invited to join us since they won’t have their own service that day.
 
SARANAC LAKE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY
August is pasta and sauces month. Please add your donation to the red shopping cart at the back of the sanctuary.
 
SAVE THE DATES - RUMMAGE SALE FOR THE CHURCH 
The sale will  be held on  Thursday September 27 & Friday September 28 from 9am to 7pm, Saturday September 29 from 9am to noon.  All items left at the church must be in good condition, no rips, no stains.  All small electrical items must work.  Leave before Tuesday September 25. Thank you.  Questions--call Church at 518 891-3473, Deborah J. Donaldson at 518 891-4199 or Charlotte Hall at 518 891-2129.  
 
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
At the banquet on July 12th the women approved a contribution to the school district backpack program and will finalize a sweat suit donation for the emergency room at the hospital at their September 13 meeting. Plans were completed for the yard sale on July 27th and 28th.
 
YARD SALE
The United Methodist Women the end of July held their annual Yard Sale to raise money for their many mission projecSt that they do over the year.  
Setting up the tables before the sale were: Jeff & Sally Murray, Jim & Barbara Halla, Eric Olsen, Virginia Santy, Pete & Martha Donnelly.  Helping at the sale were: Merle Smith, Jean McDonough, Nancy Roberts, Jessie Aubin, Gina Norton, Joan Sleinkofer, Linda & Jim Pierson, Avana Forsyth, Barbara Halla, Virginia Santy, Eileen Leavitt, Art & Carol Adkins, Joel Wit, Ruth Damp, Diane Kelting, Hannah Marlow, Martha Donnelly, Janean McElyea, Linda Hall, Chris Weidnimen, Alan Roberts, Darrell Davies.  A special thank you to Bob Donaldson for removing garbage. The Humane Society took some items for the animals, Ria Bombard took handicapped items, Joan Sleinkofer took several quilts and blanket to Samaritan House.  
It was a very, very  successful sale and raised money for our various projects.  A special thanks to everyone who worked and everyone who came and bought.  
 
REMEMBER WITH A CARD         
Rose Nadon: Neighborhood House, PO Box 46, Keene Valley, NY 12943
Genevieve Clarkson: Champlain Valley Senior Community, 10 Gilliland Lane, Willsboro, NY 12996
Margaret Turnbull:  3873 Burnup Road   Black River, NY  13612  

DID YOU KNOW…? Your church can be found on Facebook. Just go to First United Methodist Saranac Lake.  (complete with capital letters and spaces.) When the page comes up, click on “like.”

              Long before Hollywood lost its moral, ethical compass along with its sense of prudence, the film industry had the ability to tell stories with a sense of justice, faith and equality.  In the 1930s as our nation was forced into a depression due to the excesses and uncontrolled manipulation of money and commerce, another voice emerged reminding us that we are not the be all and end all of our God given destinies. This voice could be found in old folk songs, sermons of the time and movies.  One such movie was The Devil and Daniel Webster from a story by Steven Benet.
            In the movie, a frustrated farmer fighting the hard scrabble fields, symbolic of the dust bowl crosses the line by making a deal with "scratch" the devil.  For his soul he receives a bag of gold and good fortune.  In return he loses his decency, compassion and everything he loves.  When it is time for Scratch to collect, the farmer Jabez Stone, realizes he has been fooled by the devil and tricked out of his soul. He turns to Daniel Webster a famed orator and lawyer.  Webster demands a trial and scratch agrees as long as he can select the jury.  The jury it turns out is made up of the noted criminals and traitors of the time, most notably Benedict Arnold.
            In the course of the trial it is argued that a man’s soul is his own, given by God, and if forfeited then must return to the maker.  There is also a greater appeal to the jury who themselves are condemned men who have been meted out justice and suffered for their crimes.  Webster askes them a deep and probing question, "How many of you, knowing the depth of your guilt, the consequences of your own deal with the devil, and before God, don't desire a second chance?"  All who are truly repentant may know there are no second chances but want one. The jury is swayed and the verdict returns "Not guilty". Farmer Stone is not vindicated but must rebuild again with the forgiveness of friends and in faith for a better tomorrow. He also must work the ground he is given.
            In the current atmosphere of "righteous" opinion and nonstop analysis, the public square can be both cruel and biased.  Here is an example. In a moment of recognition it was asked of a friend if the person in the car next to us looked like Garrison Keillor.  The reply was not to look at the person or answer the question but to point out Mr. Keillor’s alleged crime and criticize the man, convict him. End of story.  I was shocked. It seems in the search for "justice" we can now write off the person, shame them, take away a legacy of goodness and pass them on to obscurity with just an opinion.  There seems to be no thought of the deeper individual, their walk, struggles, or even the facts.  We "who of course are perfect and blameless" can just convict others, thus disregarding the second chances we ourselves have been given. We are judge, jury and executioner.
            Please note that I am not giving Mr. Keillor a pass. If he has done what he is accused of, I would hope for repentance and forgiveness.  He will, I hop,e face his accusers and his God and seek forgiveness.  My point is, as humans and as God's children we are defined by much more than our mistakes. We are children of the cross where our savior made the point that we need forgiveness for we know not what we do.  I believe in a God of second chances.  If He didn't give second chances, Peter's denial would have been the end of it.  Paul's persecution of the Christians is the last word. All of us fail.
            Many nights both abroad in combat zones and far from family and the comforts within our nation’s boarders, and on many lonely nights driving into tough situations, I was comforted by the voice, faith, humor and down home talent of Mr. Keillor.  I am truly disappointed by his alleged behavior and equally at the backlash of unequivocal condemnation. It is the nature of sin to disappoint, to take and not give what it promises.  I am glad my God does not define me as the sinner I am but asks me to see my mistake, repent of the sins I undertake, learn from them, start over, and move on.  Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Blessings
Pastor Eric

Over the summer, Pastor Eric Olsen and Michael Martin will be following the same spiritual outline for their weekly messages, concentrating on the theme: Gifts of the Spirit, Fruits of the Spirit.
We started on June 24 with God’s gifts through the Spirit.
July 1: The Gift of Wisdom & Knowledge     July 8: The Gift of Faith     July 15: The Gift of Understanding
July 22: Fruits of the Spirit     July 29: the Fruit of Joy     August 5: The Fruit of Patience
August 12: The Fruit of Self-control     Ausugt 19: The Fruit of Peace     August 26: The Fruit of Kindness
September 2: The Fruit of Hope

Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don’t need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. (The Great House of God by Max Lucado)
God does most of his work through people. May our lives be marked by kindness so that others will see God in us.
We don’t get closer to God by passing judgement on others. Instead may we be quick to listen and slow to speak and to judge.
Christ is the door that keeps us in and keeps the dangers out; for the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are standing watch over the events of our lives helps us to rest securely in your protection.
“Silent” and “listen” are spelled with the same letters. (Guideposts)
A riddle: What is greater than God and more evil than the Devil? The poor have it, the rich need it. And, if you eat it, you will die. (the answer is NOTHING)
The more we understand God’s love for us and what He did for us, the more love we will show to others.
For those who pray and wait; God does not depend on our time. Our time is chronological and linear but God is timeless. He will act at the fullness of His time. Our prayer will not necessarily rush God into action, but places us before Him in fellowship.
Lord, help me to love both words and deeds, to reach out to others and meet their needs. One act of kindness may teach more about the love of God than many sermons.
Loving God doesn’t make life effortless, but having His strength makes it easier.
No danger can come so near the Christian that God is not nearer – especially when we are tempted to panic or to do things in our own strength.
The key to effective relationships are gentleness and humility. When correction is necessary, it should be done with kindness and love. In that way we become imitators of our Lord Jesus Christ.
           
DID YOU NOTICE - The delightful mural on the wall in the children’s corner of the sanctuary? Many thanks to Susan Olsen (Pastor Eric’s wife) for creating this.
 
SARANAC LAKE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY
July is peanut butter and jelly month. Please add your donation to the red shopping cart at the back of the sanctuary.
 
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN YARD SALE
Yard sale for benefit of UMW will be held July 27 & 28 at the church   On Friday July 27 from 9am to 4pm 
and Saturday July 28 from 9am to 3pm.  Donations maybe left at church by July 24.  All items must be in
good working order.  No TV,computers or exercise  equipment.  NO CLOTHING.  We will start setting up 
Monday July 23 to Thursday July 26.  Questions: call church at 891-3473, Charlotte Hall at 891-2129 or Deborah Donaldson at 891-4199. 
 
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Our annual dinner, 6:30 pm at the Red Fox. If any of you ladies would like to join us, please call Jessie Aubin 518-891-0822 for details.
 
Upper New York Annual Conference BOLDLY LIVES OUR CALL
The information in this article comes from the BRIDGE, a Conference Communications Ministry tool that delivers to local churches news and stories of ministry from around the Upper New York Conference and the world.
            Members of the Upper New York Annual Conference gathered for the ninth session May 30 – June 2 at the SRC Arena in Syracuse, NY.
            Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb officiated and led the Conference around the theme Boldly Living Our Call.
            If we are to boldly live our call – “if we are to be effective in the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ – our identity must be grounded in the identity of Christ,” Bishop Webb said, during opening worship. “We must acknowledge Christ! We must acknowledge who Christ is, not based on who the world says he is or based on our ideas, our definitions, our understandings, but on who Jesus said he was in word and in action. We must confess Jesus as our Savior and Lord.” 
            Conference Teacher, Rev. Dr. L. Gregory Jones led two study sessions. The first focused on not going back to Egypt.
            “Each one of us has a ‘back to Egypt’ part of our souls,” Rev. Jones explained. “We get a glimpse of what God is calling us to do, and we get uncertain. And we say, ‘I don’t think so. Egypt sounds just fine to me.’ Oh how often we just settle for ‘going back to Egypt.’”
            The second study session focused on getting the past out of our eyes to attain  an extraordinary future.
             “If we are going to boldly move into our call, if we are really going to be able to understand the summons coming from God, we need to recognize all that needs to be unlearned so we can change,” Rev. Jones said.        
            The Rev. Corey Turnpenny was the speaker for this year’s Memorial Service; visit http://bit.ly/AC2018memorialserv ice for the full article and the listing of those who were remembered. Bishop Webb honored retirees, new local church appointments, ordinands, commissioners, and the Cabinet at the Service of Blessing and Anointing.    
            Last years’ Harry Denman evangelism award winners Sandi Pearl (clergy) and Mark Jones (laity) presented this year’s Denman Award. Mark Jones presented the Denman award, posthumously to laity recipient Kevin T. Dunn. Kevin’s wife Amara, parents John and Wanda, and grandmother Eloise accepted the award for him. Pastor Perl presented the clergy recipient of the Harry Denman evangelism award to Pastor Mike Kelly.    Several recommendations were addressed through holy conferencing: The Conference Leadership Team Recommendation that every UNY congregation be required to use the Vital Signs Dashboard starting Sept. 1, 2018, was supported as amended to strongly encouraged rather than required
            Board of Pension & Health Benefits recommendations one and two, both supported; visit http://bit.ly/AC2018pensionandhealthreport for details.
            Equitable Compensation recommendations one through five were all supported or supported as amended.
            Eleven resolutions were discussed. visit hptp://bit.ly/AC2018resolutions for a full article on the resolutions and to learn which were supported and which were not supported. The ninth session of the Upper New York Annual Conference concluded with the service of Ordination and Commissioning. Bishop Dennis V. Proctor from the North Eastern Episcopal District of the African Method ist Episcopal Zion
Church was the preacher.
            Bishop Proctor’s message was about what we can all give to help others: affirmation, information, and inspiration. His sermon was centered on Acts Chapter 3—the telling of James and John making their way into a temple when they saw a man unable to walk begging for alms. James and John, holding the man’s hand, said, ‘Silver and Gold, we have none, but such as we have, we give to thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth...rise up and walk.” The man rose, walked, leaped, and praised God.
            In terms of giving affirmation, Bishop Proctor said, “Peter and John paid attention to the man, holding his hand, affirming they hear his call.”  
            Speaking of the gift of information, Bishop Proctor said, “Peter and John did not take the credit for the power to perform a miracle; they said, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth ’ Bishop Proctor continued, “You must be willing to tell the world who Jesus really is.
            As for inspiration, Bishop Proctor reiterated how the man in the temple not only walked but he leaped, praising God  He said, “This man had new energy...he was not only healed physiologically but also psychologically...it’s not you,  me, us, but the power that works through us”
            For a full list of the 2018 commissioners and ordinands and more on Bishop Proctor’s sermon visit http://bit.ly/AC2018ordination.     
            For a full Annual Conference 2018 wrap-up including notes and videos, visit http://bit.ly/AC2018wrapup
 
REMEMBER WITH A CARD         
Rose Nadon: Neighborhood House, PO Box 46, Keene Valley, NY 12943
Genevieve Clarkson: Champlain Valley Senior Community, 10 Gilliland Lane, Willsboro, NY 12996
Bruce Barnard: P.O. Box 246, Rainbow Lake, NY 12976.
Margaret Turnbull:  3873 Burnup Road   Black River, NY  13612  
DID YOU KNOW…? Your church can be found on Facebook. Just go to First United Methodist Saranac Lake.  (complete with capital letters and spaces.) When the page comes up, click on “like.”

It is officially summer and I know that I am not alone in enjoying the beautiful weather and sunshine. Hallelulah!
 
As many of you know this month, the beginning of July, is the official one year mark of my pastoring here with the congregation. It is a milestone in my 30 years of ordained ministry and one of pure joy. I know you have been very patient with me and I sincerely apologize for mistakes in worship, missing cues, not being as available as I would like. I also thank you for letting me change things up from time to time. It is hard to find the pulse of a congregation and the dynamics of ours make it still a steep learning curve.
 
As you know my main concern is the spiritual health of everyone who graces our community with their presence.  I know that we are all healthier and better when we have a sence of God’s purpose as a community and too, each of us personally. As we have God’s word each week and the fire of faith grows within us, we know we have something to believe in. As we share this belief in our actions and love, our greater community cannot fail to take notice of the Holy Spirit moving in our midst.
 
Equally important is building our sense of belonging, making sure every member knows they are loved and valuable. We take no one for granted. There are many ministries coming from our Methodist community and each is important. They take a lot of energy and time. We need to remember to care for the care givers and remind each other of our great value. We must also be certain of our neighbor’s wellbeing. More than knowing a person’s name and seeing them on Sundays we need to get to know each other well. The United Methodist Women and Man’s Group, Community Suppers, Bible Studies, work projects, committees and special events are all opportunities to build the bonds of spiritual friendship and fellowship. I am hoping we can extend each of these ministries to make certain and without a shadow of a doubt that everyone knows they have somewhere to belong and someone cares. In the true sense of the word we need to become an affectionate community with the Love of Christ.
 
Lastly, I hope each and every one of you will spend some time with me in private. I have had the rivilege of getting to know some of you. These things take time. Over the summer my office hours will be on Fridays from 9-12 and I can be available at other times too. I want to get to know each and every one of you better. As long as we are together in ministry we will live, laugh, love, cry and mourn with each other. I want to pray with you and for what is important in your life and share the love of Christ in the best of ways. All too often I get to know individuals during crisis or transition, I hope we can learn about each other long before those days come, as we know they will, so when they do come, we can stand together in faith and strength.
 
You are a deeply spiritual community with a hundred unique and gifted people around us. Hallelulah! I am blessed and grateful to be a part of this exciting ministry and looking forward to the coming year and all that the Holy Spirit will bless us with.

Pastor Eric Olsen