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