New Zion to launch program
BALTIMORE – The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in Baltimore are actually reading it?
A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.
New Zion UMC is hoping to reverse this trend, starting with its own congregation. Pastor Rick Stuhmer believes that The Story, a Zondervan best-seller, is the right tool to increase Biblical literacy, helping readers understand God’s story from Genesis to Revelation and how their own stories intersect with God’s. Consisting of 31 chapters of carefully-selected scriptures sequenced in chronological order, The Story presents the word of God in an engaging format, reading like a novel.
“I want the people in my congregation, as well as the village of Baltimore, to realize the incredible love God has for them and how their story is found in His story,” Stuhmer said.
The Story Church Campaign is a unique program providing up to 31 weeks of curriculum for children, teen and adult Sunday school and up to 31 weeks of corresponding sermons. When accompanied by reading through the five age-related books (The Story, The Story: Teen Edition, The Story for Kids, The Story for Children, and The Story for Little Ones), the entire church can be on the same page for 31 weeks. New Zion UMC plans to begin the experience on Sept. 13.
With thousands of participating churches nationwide, The Story is becoming a movement that is bringing wide-ranging benefits to local churches. Many have reported increased community outreach, increased Biblical literacy, congregational growth and a greater understanding of how God’s story reveals the reasons for the things that happen in man’s story.
New Zion UMC invites residents to experience The Story. Sunday services start at 8:30 a.m. (contemporary) and 11 a.m. (traditional) at 10991 Snyder Church Road, Baltimore. For more information, visit www.newzionumc.com or www.thestory.com.
VFW Post 3761 Membership
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3761 welcomed the following new members: Thomas Gill, Larry Spradlin, Jason Skinner and Ronald Zahn. The new year is off to a good start as the Post works toward its goal of 100 percent membership. The challenge is for each member to recruit one veteran, so if you know of anyone who is eligible, contact them or send their name so that the membership committee can let them know the benefits of membership.
New and current members are cordially invited to attend the bi-monthly meetings.
This week in Baltimore
Wednesday
•Seniors Chair Volleyball: 10 to 11 a.m. Open to all seniors. Held at Christ United Methodist Church, 700 S. Main St., Baltimore. For more information, call 740-862-4343.
•Senior Citizens free lunch: 11 a.m. to noon. Open to all seniors. Held at Christ United Methodist Church by the Good Neighbors in the Village. For more information, call 740-862-4343.
Thursday
•Rotary Club of Baltimore Ohio meeting: Noon at Ma-Maw’s Diner, 1001 S. Main St., Baltimore. Guests welcome.
•Baltimore United Methodist Church steak dinner: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Homemade dinner as well as homemade desserts. Eat-in or carry-out menu includes steak, mashed potatoes, noodles, vegetables, rolls and dessert for $9 for adults and $4 for children. 200 W. Market St., Baltimore.
Friday
•VFW Post 3761 First Friday Dinner: 5 to 7 p.m. Menu includes a quartered chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, roll, dessert and coffee/tea for $10. Open to the public.
Saturday
•Breakfast at VFW Post 3761: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Open to the public. 2155 Reynoldsburg-Baltimore Road, Baltimore.
•Bingo hosted by the Liberty Union Athletic Boosters: Bingo starts at 7 p.m. with the doors opening at 4:30 p.m. Instant games, food and evening payout of $3,600. Held at Liberty Union High School, 500 Washington St., Baltimore.
To share news items in the Baltimore area, contact Robert B. Badgeley at BaltimoreOhioNews@gmail.com or 740-862-5820.