Who Are the Altar Guild?

Each Sunday when we gather for worship, we step into a sanctuary that is beautifully prepared, drapes flowing in the liturgical colors, the altar adorned with care, and the communion table reverently set. Much of this is possible because of the faithful service of our Altar Guild.

The Altar Guild is a group of volunteers who serve the congregation and guests by preparing and maintaining the elements and sacred design that provide an aspect of spiritual nourishment, visual focus, and inspiration for our worship services. The Altar Guild cares for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of the church. Members work behind the scenes to arrange the Lord’s Table for communion and adorn the church with appropriate elements and symbols of the season. Additionally, the Altar Guild ensures worship areas are cleaned after services.

Their work includes:

• Arranging sanctuary drapes in the appropriate liturgical colors for each season of the church year.
• Preparing Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month, ensuring everything is ready for this sacred celebration.
• Decorating the altar so that it reflects the rhythm of the Christian calendar and lifts our spirits in worship.

This important ministry is carried out by

Karen Henebry, Lila Butts, Pat Kirk,

and Susan Denyse.

We are deeply grateful for their devotion and attention to detail. Every carefully chosen cloth, polished vessel, and seasonal adornment serves a greater purpose than simple decoration, it creates an atmosphere that lifts our hearts toward God. The draping of the sanctuary in the rich colors of Advent and Lent, the brightness of Easter, or the warmth of Pentecost does more than mark the calendar year; it draws us into the rhythm of the Christian story. The bread and cup, set with care for communion, invite us into a sacred moment of remembrance and renewal. Even the quiet tidying after services is an act of love, ensuring that each new gathering begins with beauty and order. Through these thoughtful touches, the Altar Guild helps us not only see but also feel the holiness of the space, preparing our spirits to worship fully.

As we worship week by week, let us give thanks for the quiet, loving work of our Altar Guild. Their ministry blesses us all.

A Prayer Minister will be available at the

back corner of Dunlap Hall, for at least

15 minutes after the benediction.

Masks will be worn when requested.

Prayer Minister this week is Sam Shreve

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord:

Keep close watch over the door that is my lips.”

– Psalm 141:3 (CEB)

“Uh-oh! I did it again, I opened my mouth when I shouldn’t have.” How many times have any of us said this to ourselves, or at least thought it? I confess with brutal honesty and transparency, that too often I “open mouth before brain is in gear.” And no, I’m not referring to anything I’ve said recently, this is just a friendly reminder to self, “et al”, to “choose our words wisely.”

I can’t think of another time in my life when we humans have been so brutal to each other in our words, words that can lead to heated arguments, sometimes ending in acts of violence or the taking of one’s life. One only has to look for a few minutes at social media and 24/7 streaming broadcasts to see how rude, hateful, injurious, and life-impacting our words can have on others.

The Bible is very clear about the words we use. The Apostle James says our, “tongue is a little member”…but it “is a fire that can set a forest ablaze.” Jesus says that we will be honored or judged by our words, every last one of them. Scripture tells us that we should bridle our tongues.

Have you ever ridden a horse without a bridle? I have; it’s very hard to control where the horse’s head wants to go when there’s no bit in its mouth. My mother-in-law knew this. She used to pray, “Lord, put your arm around my shoulder, and your hand over my mouth”(She must have known this verse above from Psalm 141).

Today marks the beginning of a new month. Just as the earth is in a new season, what a great opportunity we have today to begin a new season of words, words that heal, not harm, words that are sweet, not poisonous, words that lift up, not tear down, words that inspire and encourage. A kind word spoken to someone today may save their life, their marriage, their relationships with others, maybe even their jobs.

Ernest Hemingway offers this advice:

“Before you act, listen.

Before you react, think.

Before you spend, earn.

Before you criticize, wait.

Before you pray, forgive.

Before you quit, try.” – Ernest Hemingway

Have a blessed week, and

“Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out.”-Quotesgram.com

Dave                    

For those families and friends heading to the Belle of Louisville on Saturday, October 11, you may pick up a FAQ (frequently asked questions) sheet and map this Sunday in the Java Cafe before and after church. For anyone unable to do church you may email me the FAQ and map. 

Your most important goal is to be there ON TIME. When the boat disembarks there is no turning around to accept latecomers. 

We are not planning a meet-up for carpooling so make individual plans if you wish. 

Mark

mgupton47@gmail.com. 

Fellowship dinners will

resume on

Wednesday,

October 15th,

from 5:30 – 6:45.

Meeting - October 21 - 7:30 PM

Our next Church Council meeting will be in Room 8 on October 21. As always, anyone from the congregation is welcome to attend.

SOUL PANTRY NEWS

Thank you all so much for your monthly donations to support

SOUL Pantry. Our shoppers appreciate your generosity. 

For the month of SEPTEMBER, we will be collecting the following:

SALT AND SUGAR

Ready To Lead A Team Of Mice?

In May, 2026, I will be stepping down as the coordinator of the Church Mouse program. After what will be seven years, it is time to move on and let someone else take over the reigns. It has been a pleasure being involved with this program over these past several years.

If you are interested or have any questions,

please reach out to me at 513-255-2610 or lynndixon814@gmail.com

Thanks, Lynn Dixon

JAVA CAFE UPDATES FOR OCTOBER

Thank you to our September Baristas:

Darlene Cook, Ellen Fisher, Linda Osterhaus, and Kathy Smith. Thank you ladies for making the Java Cafe warm and inviting for the Fall season. We had many compliments on the Fall decorations.

The OCTOBER Baristas are another group of fabulous ladies who make wonderful coffee. Come in and thank these ladies for their service. They are: Nikki Griffin,

Larissa Waldorf, Pat Kirk, Mindy Moser, Sharon Davis, and Susan DeNyse. 

Having a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is a pleasant way to start your Sunday morning!

Please join us in Dunlap Hall each Sunday morning from 9:00 to 9:50

The 9:00 Sunday school class has converted half of Wesley Hall into two pickleball courts.

We have three times reserved weekly for those of you who would like to join us. We're set up for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 to noon. You need to enter by the back Wesley Hall door, and ring the doorbell if you do not have a key.

Contact Lu Anne Gerard if you have questions.

To Send A Prayer

To The Prayer Chain

Please ALWAYS send prayer requests to: prayerchain@jwumc.com

If you have any questions about the Prayer Chain,

please contact the church office at info@jwumc.com

Room Use and

Calendar Update

If you have any questions about meetings, scheduling, or room use, please always direct them to me, christie@jwumc.com or call me at 513-825-0733.

Keep in mind that all of our classrooms and meeting spaces are used by a variety of people throughout the week. No one group "owns" a certain room or meeting space so we all need to remember be kind and gracious as we work together to go about the business of being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Christie Riggsby

Office Manager, John Wesley UMC

"Be A Rainbow In Someone's Cloud"

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