The Messenger
Albany UMC
August 2025
From Rev Bendi’s Desk:
Believe it or not, the school year is upon us. Summer has once again flown by! As we begin another year, let us keep our school in our prayers, it’s students, teachers, administration and support staff.
Through July, you heard me at the end of my sermons remind us of the new vision of the United Methodist Church. “The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, LOVE BOLDLY, SERVE JOYFULLY, and LEAD COURAGEOUSLY in local communities and worldwide connections.”
I will focus my sermons in August on those six capitalized words above. I hope to encourage us all to think how we might live out this vision in our homes, churches, and communities.
Remember, we are stronger together! I have missed many of you in worship this summer. I know summer brings shows and vacation, but I have missed you! Hope to see you soon to worship the God who gives us so much!
Rev. Bendi
++++
For the Month of August, we would like to collect items for the Care Closet at the High School/Middle School. The Counselor, Kristyn Carlock has a closet of items for students who need them. Throughout the month, please bring items to church. Here is a list of things – we will have a collection box inside front door…..
T-Shirt – men, women/unisex – sizes Small to XLarge.
Girls pants – leggings, sweats – all sized. Girls/Womens underwear.
Deodorant both mens and womens – even travel size.
Hairties, bobby pins.
Feminine Products – all kinds
Socks – mens and womens
Body Spray – mens and womens
Chapstick.
Let’s help our kids and our school Counselor!!!!
+++++
ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY
Sunday August 10 – 5:00-7:00
WATER inflatables, hotdogs, sno-cones
We will have some kind of contest like the dessert one, stay tuned…..
++++
Backpack/Teacher Bag Blessings
Sunday August 17th during worship!!!
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 your ears and eyes!!!
++++
We will begin Sunday Night Live once again on Sunday September 7
We will eat together at 6:00. (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 kids groups. WE NEED YOU!
++++
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.
++++
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH – BRING a breakfast item, whatever you would eat for breakfast, bring the pantry one too!
++++
2026 Mission Trip
January 3 - 11, 2026. We will be going to the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso Texas.
We will be taking our church van, leaving early on the 3, staying in a hotel and finishing the drive on Sunday the 4th. We will be staying on campus from Sunday to Friday. We will head home either Friday or Saturday. IF you choose to fly, tickets are between $350-500.
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 still wanting to join me in January! More details to come!
++++
Every month we list our Food Ministries. Here’s a little information about each one.
USDA Commodities/Senior Boxes – Saturday, August 9 – 9:00-10:30
(We need volunteers to help us put commodities in clients’ cars. Come at 8:45)
We were asked to host the USDA Commodity Distribution and Senior Boxes by Second Harvest. People who receive these foods must qualify by government qualifications and must be a Gentry County Resident. Items are delivered on the first Thursday of each month, so we hand them out the following Saturday. Our “service” is that we help people to their cars with the items. If you would like to serve, please come on Saturday the 8th about 8:45. We are done by 10:00
Wal-Mart Excess/Food Pantry – Tuesday, August 5 & 19 - 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Many years ago we started a food pantry that is housed at our church through the Ministerial Alliance of Albany. A few years ago, Second Harvest connected us with Wal-Mart. Every day Wal-Mart has excess products that they need to get out of their store. Ed Manring usually drives over to Bethany on Mondays and gets the excess. 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 – NOT until September
August 25th there is a drop at the Armory
Every month, Second Harvest brings a truck of food and it gets put on palates outside the church. 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.
++++
If you and your family haven’t given a cross for the church Faith Wall,
please get one, put your name on the back, and we will get it hung up.
++++
Remember if you miss a Sunday and want to give your tithes and offerings,
you can do it electronically! Scan the QR Code below
+++
If you would like to receive your newsletter in the mail, please let the church office know
++++
August Birthdays
1-Joan Hensley
2-Larry Wilson
3-Sarah Roberson
5-Zane Freeman
7-Jeffrey Epperly
9-Virginia Clark
14-Chris Cain/Mackenzie Manring
15-Lee Mader
21-Carson Wilson
24-David Brown
27-Eliza Marshall Putz
28-Rev. Bendi Burgin
29-Jeanne Parman
31-Richard McConkey
August Anniversaries
1-Larry and Cindy Wilson/Jeffrey and Megan Epperly
6-Mike and Cathy Adkins
9-Howard and Myrna Griesinger
19-Mike and Sarah Roberson
231-David and Teresa Smith
27-Ed and Marilyn Poff
29-Geregg and Glenda Salmon
Sunday Reminders
Scripture Readers
3-Zyler Freemamn
10-Marta Meyer
17-Zane Freeman
24-Clara Almquist
31-Eliza Rolves
Greeters
3-Matt Hogue Family
10-Kerin Lovitt/Kathy Ward
17-Rolves Family
24-Chris Cain and SS Class
31-Ed and Nancy Manring
Children’s Moments
3-Jess Rolves
10-Staci Freeman
17-Bells
24-Chris Birdsell
31-Donna Humphrey
Counters
3-Richard McConkey and Denice Harness
10-Jeffrey Epperly and Gregg Salmon
17-Debbie Lippincott and Blayre Crawford
24-Steven Meyer and Ryan Almquist
31-Barry Steinman and Jered Rolves
Always Remember…..
Check out the website!
Newsletter, News, Calendar, Giving
All of this and more!!!!
www.albanymoumc.com
