Newsletter - First United Methodist Church!
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Newsletter - First United Methodist Church!
September 2016 About Our Faith As United Methodists, we have an obligation to bear a faithful Christian witness to Jesus Christ, the living reality at the center of the Church’s life and witness. To fulfill this obligation, we reflect critically on our biblical and theological inheritance, striving to express faithfully the witness we make in our own time. Mission and Ministry Why does the church exist? According to Matthew’s Gospel, the risen Christ made it clear: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (28:19-20). Based on this “Great Commission,” our United Methodist Church has stated its purpose: “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs.” A Theology of Discipleship Theology is not just about God. It is also about us. We live out of our understanding of who we are in relationship to God, to one another, and to the world. The Christian faith is grounded in the love and grace of God, experienced through Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is our response to God’s love and grace. As Christian disciples, we are not passive spectators but energetic participants in God’s activity in the world. Because of what God has done for us, we offer our lives back to God. We order our lives in ways that embody Christ’s ministry in our families, workplaces, communities, and the world. Visit our web-site at: www.monticellofumc.org Contact the Church office: [email protected] In Honor of Labor Day…. Look around and think of those who surround you. We are farmers and school teachers, sales people and mechanics, doctors and police officers, artists and musicians, retired people and students; and we come with differing levels of satisfaction in what we do for a living. I think our faith tells us that although no job is perfect, there are ways to get more meaning and joy out of our work. Probably the most obvious way is to realize that our work, no matter what it is we do, touches someone somewhere. In one of its best understandings, work is about relationships. Work can also be about making life better for someone beside us. This aspect of work may be hard to see in some jobs, but I believe it is there nonetheless. Our calling to ministry is in what we do! Our work takes on new meaning when we see it as touching others. And if as Christians we add a little bit of faith to what we do for a living, we may discover our work bringing us more joy and less stress, more satisfaction and less fatigue. In all things be blessed and be a blessing! A happy heart makes the face cheerful. Proverbs 15:13 Special 9/11 Services Sunday, September 11 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. followed by a church covered dish dinner after the 11:00 a.m. service to honor our First Responders, Law Enforcement, Firemen, EMT’s, and citizens who reach out to help. Join us as we remember the heroes of 9/11/01 and honor our heroes of today. Fifteen years ago, on September 11, an event happened that shaped the course of human events on the world stage. Consider for a moment what was set in motion by the terrorist attacks of that day: Our nations’ capital was attacked. Over 3000 people lost their lives. The Manhattan skyline was irrevocably changed. The financial trade center for 150 nations was completely destroyed. Terrorism became a reality for us all. September 11 falls on a Sunday this year, and we have patriotic services planned for both of our services with recognition of the service and dedication of our first responders and those who give of themselves for our protection and safety. The long-standing almost invisible war against terrorism is still being fought around the world today. Please invite first responders, military, and all public servants to join us for these special services. One of the great things about our Lord is that He does not leave us at the cross. He takes us to the open tomb. He makes us to share in the power of His resurrection. The cross may loom large on the hill and the tomb is dark but Sunday is coming. Also, invite them to join us for lunch at 12:30 p.m., whether they can make our worship services or not. It’s important for us not to forget or take for granted our freedoms and our God who is a steady presence in times of trouble. We cannot let death, even death on a large-scale, blind us to the Resurrection. That is the message to everyone who goes through a tragedy. That’s the message for us. What can we do to combat terrorism? The answer: overcome evil with acts of goodness. Love a neighbor. Reach out to somebody in need. Feed someone who is hungry. Teach a child to read, or join in community efforts to prepare for emergencies. Continue trusting in God and pray! Chippie Doesn’t Sing Much Anymore. National Back to Church Sunday is Sunday, September 18th Back to Church Sunday is based on the simple principle that most people will come to church if invited by a friend and yet in the last year only 2% of church members have invited an unchurched friend to church. Ninety-eight percent of churchgoers never extend an invitation in a given year. (Lifeway Research). Organizers say most people who drop out of church haven't lost their faith in God, they simply fell out of the habit of churchgoing. Some moved or had a change in life circumstances, or they had a falling out with their former church and simply drifted away. Most often, life became too busy. All many of these need is an invitation or a dose of constant encouragement to start attending again. Have you thought about inviting someone, but never have gotten around to it? Now is a great time! Have you missed someone in church? Why not give them a call to check on how they are doing? Do you know someone who has been away for a long time? Why not take an opportunity this month to invite them back to church? I have in my files a story that appeared years ago about Mary and her pet parakeet, Chippie. Wanting to clean Chippie’s cage, Mary stuck the open hose of a vacuum into the bottom of the cage. The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. Mary had barely said “hello” when “fa-wumpa!” Mary screamed, dropped the phone, turned off the vacuum and opened the bag. There was Chippie sitting up, somewhat dazed, but still alive, and completely covered with dust. Mary grabbed him, ran to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then, realizing Chippie was wet and starting to shiver, she did what any concerned bird owner would do: she reached for the hair dryer and gave him a blast of hot air. Poor Chippie never knew what hit him. One minute he was perched in his cage, happily singing. The next he was sucked up, dunked down, and blown over. The reporter who had initially written the story called a few days later to see how Chippie was doing. Mary told him that Chippie was doing okay, but shared, “Chippie doesn’t sing much anymore. He just sits and stares.” It’s not hard to see why. Being sucked up, dunked down, and blown over will steal the song from the best of us. We've all had days or weeks or years like that. There are times when life gets so tough that we just sort of sit and stare and wonder what's going to hit us next. If you’ve ever had a "Chippie" kind of day, or if you're having one right now, hear this good news: at the point of our deepest need, we can be renewed, and our life situations can be transformed. Understand this: “It may be Friday, the day of the Cross, but Sunday, the day of Resurrection, is coming.” Dear Everyone, Thank you for the school supplies, gift cards and clothing donations for the Madison Youth Ranch Children’s Home. We had a BIG delivery from our Church. It was greatly appreciated by the kids and house parents alike as they head into the new school year. ALSO: A reminder that we are all invited to visit the Madison youth Ranch on Saturday, September 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to meet the kids and enjoy a free lunch. The sign up sheets are in the Family Ministry Center. For further information, please contact Mary Cremeans. Thank you again, Mary Cremeans Children’s Home Representative (Picture of the items delivered!) I realize that for now, it may be a cross I have to bear; but I believe a resurrection is on its way. I believe that God is in charge, and therefore something good is going to happen. It may not be what I want to happen. It may not be what I hoped would happen. Things may not go back to the way they were. But because God gives resurrection, God gives new hope, new situations, and new things that we may have never anticipated or imagined – and that’s something to sing about! God is with us and God will lead us to victory in our life. Chippie doesn’t sing much anymore, but we can. Dear Church Family, This ‘thank you’ is for the youth of First UMC who worked so hard to come spend an inspiring few days at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. They included in their full schedule a visit to the outreach ministry in which we are involved, “Clothes To Kids.” They then decided to ask you to bring socks, underwear and other items to their Youth Sunday...all of which they sent to us! We were overwhelmed with their generosity! We had asked them to tour our mission so that they could help the kids in need in Monticello and they said, “We will collect items for them later!” The youth at First UMC are committed to being the hands and feet of Jesus and you supported them in that mission! Thank you to all! We are blessed to have them in our Church. Sylvia & Ed Russell The Church office will be WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY A new Bible study will begin on Thursday, September 1. Kathy Hicks will be leading a study on " Women of the Old Testament" during the months of September, October, and November. Classes will be offered at 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month. We will meet in the Wesley Class in the Family Ministry Center. Cost for the study book is $6.00. You can pay Kathy, Debra in the church office, or place in the offering plate and mark for "Bible study." closed Friday, September 2 and Monday, September 5. The Church office will resume regular hours on Tuesday, September 6. The Church Office will al so be cl o s ed on Thursday, September 22 and Friday, September 23. The Church Office will resume regular hours on Monday, September 26. Thank You Notes Dear Funeral Sisters and members of First Methodist Church, SINGLES NEWS: Our first Sunday dinner will be on September 4, at Pat Miller’s home on Spring Hollow Road. We have reserved a Singles table for “Joyful Noise” on Friday, September 16, so get your tickets soon if you don’t already have them. We are making lots of plans for service to our Church this fall. Please join us! Thank you for your prayers, wonderful food and your many, many ways of comfort, love and cards. Our family is grateful to each of you. May God continue to bless you, Gloria Yaun and family For the prayers, the cards, the blessings, the food, the flowers, the love...we humbly thank all of you. This is indeed a true family in Christ and we life all of you up in our prayers. With our love, Ted & Jackie Register Frances Fellowship Ladies, join us on Tuesday, September 13, for our first meeting of the new year. We will meet in the Family Ministry Center at 6:00 p.m. to watch the movie " Miracles From Heaven." In this inspiring true story, a mother searches for hope and a cure when she learns her daughter has a rare disease. One reviewer said, "It will restore your faith in humanity. It will restore your faith." Our meal for that evening will be a baked potato bar and an ice cream bar and will be provided by the Leadership Team. Our offering will go to Backpack Buddies. Join us for a time of great fellowship, good food, and a big dose of inspiration! And bring a friend!! Make plans to join us for our Annual Church Conference on Thursday, September 29 at 700 p.m. We will host our sister Once again, we want to thank everyone who works so hard to make our Church so very special! We can not thank you all enough and if we fail to mention a group, please forgive us. We didn’t mean to forget you, and we thank you too! We thank our Sunday School teachers and staff, our Music Academy teachers and staff, our Vacation Bible School teachers and staff, our Ushers, our Liturgists, our Children’s Sermon and Children’s Church teachers, our pianist, our organists, our Chancel Choir, our Praise and Worship musicians, our Communion Stewards, our Communion Elements group, our Cook Teams and all the helpers, our Kitchen coordinator and helpers, our Nurture Team and its many outreaches, our Mission & Evangelism Teams, our Methodist Men Group, our Prayer Chain members and Prayer Group, our check signers and money counters, our nursing home flower arrangers and delivery folks, those who provide our beautiful arrangements for Sunday, those who greet our church family and our visitors, our youth group, our Little Angels staff and School Board members, and all Church members serving on a committee. If we missed anybody, it wasn’t our intention. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! YOU ARE A BLESSING TO US ALL! Do you know someone who is taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or other related dementia? The Alzheimer’s Pro- ject Support Group meets at the Family Ministry Center the fourth Monday morning of each month from 11:30 to 1:00. A light lunch is provided and your loved one is provided respite care during the group meet- Churches in our Cluster. ing. This month’s meeting date is Monday, Sep- Make plans to attend!! please contact the Alzheimer’s Support Project tember 26. If you desire additional information, at 386-2778, or call the Church office. Attention all bakers: It’s that time again! The Missions Team representatives are going to deliver cookies to our Public Servants the week of September 5. We will deliver cookies to the Sheriff’s Department, Police Department, EMS, Jefferson Correctional Institute and the Monticello News. This is our small way of saying, “Thank you for all you do for us.” Please put your baked cookies in the freezer in the Family Ministry Center and label them: “Public Service” or “Margaret”. We will take care of the rest. We need all the cookies by Sunday, September 4. I thank each of you in advance and appreciate your support so much. Please contact me for information at 5106367. Margaret Calhoun HIDE AND SEEK CONTEST: Our winner from last month was Kathleen Neely. Congratulations Kathleen! Inside this newsletter you will find the word, “spectators”. The word could be anywhere, so LOOK carefully and be the second caller to call the Church Office and speak to Debra. You must give her the location to be eligible to win. The prize is a free meal ticket to our Wednesday night dinners which begin again on September 7. Remember - you must be the second caller and have the location. DO NOT leave a message on the recorder as it will not count and the word above is NOT the winning location. Each month there will be different words or a symbol to locate. The contest is open to everyone! Good Luck!! Monticello Music Academy will begin September 6th. This children’s ministry is a joint project involving teachers and students from the entire community. It is for children from the age of 4 years old through 6th grade. We will meet Tuesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 P.M. in FUMC’s Youth Center and Sunday school rooms. The curriculum includes melody bells, chimes, clarinet, recorder, keyboard, guitar and singing. This year we are offering an Advanced Bells and Chimes class from 5:30-6:00. This group will represent our program in the community activities such as Southern Music Rising. You may pick up registration forms in the back of the church for your children, grandchildren and neighbors and return them by September 4. We can always use more adult and teen helpers for everything from teaching to serving snacks. If you like working with children, and can spare one hour per week, we have a place for you! Please call Julia Price 559-4784. Healthy Lifestyle Fellowship Healthy Lifestyle Movie & Dinner Night, Saturday, September 10, at Larry and Diane Freeman’s home featuring Protect Your Memory with Dr. Neal Barnard. Have you ever experienced a memory lapse? Maybe you blanked on an acquaintance’s name, misplaced your keys or walked into a room for something only failing to recall why you entered it. Forgetfulness happens from time to time but sometimes it can be alarmingly common. Dr. Neal Barnard, host of the revered PBS special, Tackling Diabetes, is back to confront another debilitating disease—memory loss. Through proven research Dr. Barnard provides vital steps to boosting cognitive function along with valuable insight on how to Protect Y our Memory. Join us beginning at 5:30 p.m. for fellowship and a meal. Call Diane (997-3448) or Lynn (997-2121) to RSVP and/or for directions. What is Backpack Buddies of Jefferson County? Backpack Buddies of Jefferson County is a community mission that partners with Jefferson County Elementary School to provide food insecure children with bags full of nutritious food and encouraging messages every Friday. We are accustomed to hearing about hungry children in Third World countries, but it may come as a surprise to learn that we have hundreds of children in our own community who do not receive enough nutritious food. Most receive free breakfast and lunch at school, but have few resources on weekends. Backpack Buddies is a there to provide a little extra food for these children on the weekend. It is funded entirely by donations from the community and is managed by volunteers who write personal encouraging messages for the children, and pack and deliver the bags to the school. At the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year we set out to feed 10 children each week. Thanks to God’s provision and this community that number has steadily grown and as of January 2016 we have been serving 50 children with bags every Friday. We have been overwhelmed with the love and support of this community in helping to start this program. We are confident that our mighty God is leading and directing us as we move forward in serving Him by feeding His children. Here is how you can help! First of all, pray! Pray that God will continue to bless these children and this community through this ministry. Second, you can make a monetary donation. To sponsor a child costs $5 per child per week, so for 50 children we need $1000 a month or roughly $9000 a year. Any amount you can contribute towards that would be much appreciated. Checks can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, line item “Backpack Buddies” and are tax deductible. All donations can be left at your church or organization or mailed to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 513, Monticello, FL, 32345. Lastly, you can donate individual packages of healthy food. We are in need of: Jars of Peanut Butter & Jelly Raisins or other dried fruit Cereal Bars/ Granola Bars Dry Cereal & Oatmeal Packets Snacks Packets (pretzels, crackers, fruit bars, etc.) Cans of Soup or Vegetables Instant Potatoes or Rice Cans of ready to eat pasta Canned Chicken, Tuna or Vienna Sausages Fruit Cups or Fruit Juice Please contact us if you have any questions or to schedule a pick up time. Michelle Dollar (229) 337-0023 [email protected] Tracy Peters (850) 997-3856 [email protected] Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your generosity, prayers and outpouring of love and support Birthdays 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 22 24 25 26 27 30 Frank Blow Gloria Yaun John Marchman Timothy Finlayson Bobbie Krebs Vickie Malloy Edye Corley Ron Slik Dennis Wolfe, Sr. William Anderson Mary Reichert Jeff Stoutamire Hayes Bishop Barbara Hobbs Peggy Day Charlotte Sims Diane Freeman Maddie Powell Parker Powell Hadley Revell Tony Hogg Maghan Malloy Paul Shepherd Steven Sims Rommel Ingram Vance Drawdy Katrina Richardson Michael Rogers Sylvia Guidry Margaret Calhoun Emily Brock Jim Billberry Pat Inman Jason Braswell Lisa Griffin Susan Anderson Mac Finlayson Miley Rogers Mason Richards Shirley Anderson Connie Swiggard Alex Ware John Eveland Megan Lewis Nita Howard Joan Moehle Les Powell Anniversaries 3 Jeff & Linda Martin 5 Dean & Andie Jerger 6 Roger & Donna Champion Liturgist 4 11 18 25 Ron & Sheila Slik 10 Rudy & Laura Powell 11 Randall & Mary Pate Handley 12 Bill & Ann Schaubel 14 Paul & Nita Howard Acolytes 20 Hines & Janegale Boyd 4 11 18 25 22 Tim & Helen Braswell 27 Tommy & Tricia Smith 30 Joe & Dottie Taylor Children’s Church 4 Anita Ashworth/Andie Jerger Jane Vollertsen Linda Benedict Linda Benedict Linda Benedict Parker Sheehan Georgia Mills Charles Ball Ava Corley September Cook Teams 7 Cook Team #1 - Brown 11 Kathy Hicks 14 Cook Team #2 - Pat & Betty 18 Marilyn Youtzy 21 Cook Team #3 - Methodist Men 25 Sally Pumphrey 28 Cook Team #4 - Vollertsen Children’s Sermons 4 11 18 25 Sally Pumphrey Ann Hatcher Nancy Whitty Richard Finlayson September Communion Elements 4 - Alice Stadin September 2016 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 7:00 Community Church Prayer Breakfast Office Closed 10:00 & 6:30 Women’s Bible Study 4 5 6 7 8 9 8:30–Praise & Worship 5:30 - 9:45–Sunday School 11:00-Traditional Worship 12:15 - Singles Group Luncheon at Pat Miller’s house Labor Day Church Office closed 5:00 - UMYF 10 4:30 - Monticello Music Academy 6:30 - Mission Committee COOKIES DUE TODAY FOR THE PUBLIC SERVANTS TRAYS! Healthy 4:30 - Bible Study Lifestyle 5:15-Prayer Group Dinner & 6:00-Fellowship Meal - Movie Cook Team #1 6:45- Chancel Choir MUSIC ACADEMY REGISTRATION FORMS DUE TODAY! 11 12 CHUCK WAGON SUNDAY 8:30–Praise & Worship 9:45–Sunday School 11:00-Traditional Worship Noon - Covered Dish Dinner at the Family Ministry Center 13 4:30 - Monticello 7:00 - Church Music Academy 14 17 5:15-Prayer Group 6:00 - Frances ALL INVITED Fellowship Cook Team #2 7:00 - Staff Parish 6:45- Chancel Choir 6:00 - Fellowship Meal— 10:00 - 10:00 & 6:30 - Madison Women’s Bible Youth Ranch Study Lunch & visit time Committee 18 19 20 21 NATIONAL BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY 8:00 - Breakfast With Jesus 7:00 - Finance 4:30 - Monticello Committee Music Academy 8:30–Praise & Worship 4:30 - Bible Study 7:00 - Trustees 11:00-Traditional Worship 22 23 Church Office Church Office Closed Today Closed Today 5:15-Prayer Group 6:00-Fellowship Meal - 9:45–Sunday School Cook Team #3 6:45- Chancel Choir 7:00 Churchwide Evengelism Meeting 5:00 - UMYF 25 8:30–Praise & Worship 9:45–Sunday School 11:00-Traditional Worship 5:00 - UMYF 16 4:30 - Bible Study Council Meeting - 5:00 - UMYF 15 26 11:30 -1:00 Alzheimer’s Support Group 27 4:30 - Monticello Music Academy 28 4:30 - Bible Study 5:15-Prayer Group 6:00-Fellowship Meal Cook Team #4 6:45- Chancel Choir 29 7:00 - Church Charge Conference ALL INVITED 30 24 CHURCH STAFF Pastor John Hicks CEC Director Connie Swiggard Administrative Assistant Debra Roderick Preschool Teachers Sue Ellen Beat Praise & Worship Leader Becky Stoutamire Theodosia Blue Chancel Choir Director Amon Eady Miranda Gillyard Youth Leaders Marisa Duber Jamen Brock Juanita Jones Angela Johnson Organists Eleanor Hawkins Linda Benedict Church Sexton Tom Roderick Brandon Boyd Pianist Laura Powell Nursery Attendants Tata Ingram Church Phone (850) 997-5545 Pat Miller Church Fax (850) 997-6768 Sally Pumphrey Sue Ellen Beat First United Methodist Church Non-Profit Organization 325 West Walnut Street U.S. Postage Paid Monticello, FL Permit 32344 Founded ca. 1828 Pastor John Hicks RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED No. 3