The Messenger
Albany UMC
September 2025
From Rev Bendi’s Desk:
I have shared a lot in the last three weeks about sharing “your story”. Well, I thought I would share mine. I often wished I had some huge story, some amazing breakthrough but then I realize that I have my story, and that’s all that it needed. I shared some of this in my sermon yesterday, but I want to share it here.
I was baptized October 1, 1967. I was raised in a Christian home by Christian parents who were divorced. I join the church April 7 1977. I am not perfect. I was not a perfect student, child, teenager, or adult. I did some crazy things and my parents were not always pleased with my decisions. However, I was always a part of a church. On August 4, 1987, while visiting a friend in Fair Play MO, I had a compound fracture of my right ankle. I was alone for probably 10-15 minutes as my friend went to get her dad and call 911. During that alone time I realized that I was not alone. Jesus was there. God loved me, for me; not because of my mom or dad, not because of anything that I did, but because He loves. From that time on I committed myself to serve God from my own decisions. It may have taken me 20 years of life to come to that realization but it happened. I know that God’s grace was with me on August 28, 1967 when I was born, and I know without a doubt that God’s grace and love will be with me in my last breath whenever that is.
Discover your story. You might have many stories and that is great share them! You might have a long story or a short one, it doesn’t matter because it’s YOUR story. Share your story with those around you and the stranger. Love without hesitation. Serve with a smile. Lead without being deterred.
Rev. Bendi
We will begin Sunday Night Live on Sunday September 7
We will eat together at 6:00. You are welcome whether you go to a small group or just come and eat. EVERYONE is welcome!
We need volunteers to cook and cleanup. There are funds to re-imburse whoever volunteers
We will share in Prayer Shawl, an Adult Class or two, and small groups for all the kids and youth.
If you feel called to help lead a group of kids, PLEASE let Rev Bendi know.
We need leaders for two or three kid’s groups.
WE NEED YOU!
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Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery was founded in 1991 as a ministry of Saddleback Church by Pastor John and Cheryl Baker. John shared with Senior Pastor Rick Warren a vision God had given him for a new Christ-centered ministry where people could find freedom from their hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
Celebrate Recovery is for anyone. These are just a few of the hurts, hang-ups and habits that we all need healing from: Abandonment-Abuse-Alcohol-Anger-Anxiety-Betrayal-Codependency-Depression-Divorce-Drugs-Dysfunction-Eating Disorders-Finances-Gambling-Grief-Loss-Low Self Esteem-People Pleasing-Perfectionism-Pornography-Pride-PTSD-Shame-Stress
Celebrate Recovery is a Ministry we will be starting here at our church October 20. There will be an Open House/Informational Meeting on Monday October 6.
If you have any questions, or know of someone who wants to learn more, please contact Sherry Brown. There is a leadership team meeting on Monday nights at 6:00pm now if you are interested in finding out more or want to volunteer in any capacity.
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From the Board
Just a few things we have done in the last month.
- We have purchased a new chair for the Sunday School room upstairs.
- We have asked Daniel Poppa for an estimate for putting down rock in flower beds.
- We developed new job descriptions for our Secretary and Janitor. After 30 + years the Brenneman’s turned in their keys, and the Board hired Kerin Lovitt to be our new custodian. Chris Cain will continue to be the church secretary.
- Our church will be the sponsor and house the ministry of Celebrate Recovery.
- Our Finances are in good shape and we have paid our apportionments 100%.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Sunday October 5th – Fall Fellowship, Hotdogs, and Hayride at the Humphrey’s
Friday October 10 – Homecoming Drive-Thru Chili Dinner (If anyone would like to take the lead on making this a sit-down dinner, please contact Rev Bendi)
Monday October 20 – Celebrate Recovery begins
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Cross Wall
I love driving by the church especially in the evening and seeing our cross wall lit up. The cross wall was started after a mission trip we took to Joplin. The church we stayed in had one. To start the wall, we asked every church family to bring a cross, write their name on the back, and we hung up. We continue to add to the wall whenever a cross it brought in. If your family doesn’t have a cross on the wall, please bring one in. We just ask it not be bigger than 12” tall. We would love to add to the wall! Rev Bendi
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Who is your neighbor?????
Years ago, Rev Bendi was able to get a list of new neighbors in Albany, that is no longer available, we need you! If you have a new neighbor, next door or down the street, please let the church office know the address, even if you don’t know the name. We are working on putting something together to deliver to new folks in Albany! We need you ears and eyes!!!
Daily Bible Readings
If you would like to receive a week worth of daily Bible readings each Wednesday,
please let Rev Bendi know and she will add you to the email list.
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FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH – BRING a breakfast item, whatever you would eat for breakfast, bring the pantry one too!
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2026 Mission Trip
January 4 - 19, 2026. We will be going to the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso Texas.
We will be taking our church van, leaving around 12:30pm on the 4th, staying in a hotel and finishing the drive on Monday. We will be staying on campus from Monday to Friday.
We will head home Friday/Saturday.
If you would like to look up Lydia Patterson, here is the email. lpi-elpaso.org
While we are there, we will eat with the students one meal a day,
and do various jobs around the campus and right off campus.
Cost - For lodging and some meals, $300 for the week. We will take more funds to help with the projects, here at Albany we have $1,000 raised and will probably do another fund raiser
before the end of the year.
Please let me know if you are wanting to join us in January!
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Food Ministries
USDA Commodities/Senior Boxes – Saturday, September 6 – 9:00-10:30
(We need volunteers to help us put commodities in clients’ cars. Come at 8:45)
People who receive these foods must qualify by government qualifications and must be a Gentry County Resident. Our “service” is that we help people to their cars with the items. If you would like to serve, please come on Saturday the 6th about 8:45. We are done by 10:30
Wal-Mart Excess/Food Pantry – Tuesday, September 2, 16 &30 - 9:00-10:00 a.m.
This food is for ANYONE. The food pantry is also open at this time; the pantry is for Albany School district residents only. Our “service” is to organize food and help people go through the line.
Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry – Monday, September 29-Starting at 10:00 a.m. and distributed while supplies last. People in their cars drive by and our “service” is to put the food in their cars. This food is for ANYONE. Sometimes we have to bag food and sometimes we don’t.
We never know what will be on the truck.
If you would like to help with any of these ministries, please come and help.
We can always use more hands and feet!!!
There are Telephone/Email lists in the back of the church,
these are NOT membership lists, just contact information.
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Remember if you miss a Sunday and want to give your tithes and offerings,
you can do it electronically! Scan the QR Code below
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If you would like to receive your newsletter in the mail, please let the church office know
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September Birthdays
4-Anna Tucker
5 - Madelon Martin
7 - Gene Hogue
8 - Ava Epperly
10 - Christy Groves
11 - Barry Steinman
12 - Betty Oakley/Zaxton Freeman
13 - Gary Barker/Nick Smith
14- Ed Poff
15 - Brenda Parman
20 - Jennie Brown
21—Landry Wallace
22 - Victoria McLain
23 - Emme Hogue
26 - Kathy Ward
27 - Kari O’Neal
30 - Sherrie Hogue
September Anniversaries
1 - Rocky and Julie McLain
13 - Steven and Marissa Meyer
28 - Perry and Susan Phillips
Sunday Reminders
Scripture Readers
7 - Zaxton Freeman
14 - Hannah Almquist
21 - Viola Smith
28 - Zyler Freeman
Greeters
7 - Gregg and Glenda Salmon
14 - Meyer Family
21 - Murphy Family
28 - Mike and Cathy Adkins
Children’s Moments
7 - Jess Rolves
14 - Staci Freeman
21 - Bells
28 - Chris Birdsell
Counters
7 - Richard McConkey and Denice Harness
14 - Jeffrey Epperly and Gregg Salmon
21 - Debbie Lippincott and Blayre Crawford
28 - Steven Meyer and Ryan Almquist
Always Remember…..
Check out the website!
Newsletter, News, Calendar, Giving
All of this and more!!!!
www.albanymoumc.com
