From the Pastor. First United Methodist Church Clover, SC. January 2017

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1 First United Methodist Church Clover, SC January 2017 Mission: We, the congregation, in humble and selfless service to God, will go forth joyfully, empowered and enabled by the Holy Spirit, to seek out, welcome, accept, and nurture persons to become faithful and effective disciples for Jesus Christ. From the Pastor For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 By the time you receive this newsletter it will be the year We have moved through another calendar year and have moved into the season of Epiphany. Today, I am reminded of God s Process of the Seasons of Life. We see God s movement in the creation of Nature s seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall) as they remind us of change and the process of time. We each experience the changes of our physical development (Birth, Childhood, Adolescence, Young Adulthood, Older Adulthood, and the Golden Years) reminding us of change and the processing of our minds/bodies and souls over time. We see in humanity the seasons of Spiritual Growth (Child-like Faith, Learning and Practicing Faith, Dualistic Faith, Challenging Faith, Integrated Faith, Serving Faith, Sharing Faith) or another way to put it is the process of Grace (Prevenient Grace, Justifying Grace, Sanctifying Grace and Perfecting Faith) which reminds us of the process of Life and Faith and Growth. (continued)

2 From the Pastor, continued Truly, Life is but a breath of time. Truly, change is not something we can avoid, it is part of the process of being. The Good News is that God is with us each step of the way, holding us and helping us to develop, experience, blossom and grow. The Good News is that God has entered into humanity to experience and to share Life with us - Life Abundant and Life Eternal. As we begin this new year together, my prayer is that we will Grow as a Church, Grow as Individuals, Grow as Families in Christ and Grow in Grace and Service to one another and the world. My hope is that we will intentionally offer our church community as a place for new people to come and grow in Christ and open ourselves as we share life and faith together. I am thankful to be on the journey with you. May God Bless and Keep us in 2017 and most of all use us for His Kingdom Building. Joy and Peace ~ Rev. Tommy Wilkes (Sr. Pastor of First UMC, Clover) Forever Young & Friends and the Esther Circle are collecting gently used coats, hats, gloves, and other warm clothing to be given out at the January Food Project. Please place items in the container near the food donation table. Our 2017 Flower Calendar is now available for you to sign up to provide flowers for the altar. It is located on the bulletin board near the Missions & Fellowship Center. You can place them in honor or in memory of a loved one. This is a way to add a beautiful part of God s creation to our worship experience. There are guidelines in a folder near the calendar if you need assistance. Missions Planning Meeting The Missions Committee will be having a planning session for 2017 on January 8th following the 11:00 worship service. Anyone interested is invited. Lunch will be provided so if you are interested in attending, please RSVP to David Wray by January 5th. Please prayerfully consider attending this planning meeting.

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7 Those Who Serve January :30 Lewis Killian, Head Sam Cain John Killian Kim Killian 11:00 Tommy Burton, Head Tim Gallien Judy Bailes Chris Whitley January 1 Allyson English & Vicki Reavis January 8 Meg Wilkes & Renee Farris January 15 Sarah Robinson & Meredith McDaniel January 22 Candy McCain & Jackie Abernathy January 29 Need volunteers! 8:30 Marilyn Cain, Lobby Kay Killian, Elevator Margie McCarter, Sanctuary 11:00 Carolyn Grigg, Lobby Suzanne Thompson, Elevator Kirkie Gibson, Sanctuary (1/1 - Robin Payton) Jan. 1 Sherry Adams Jan. 8 Mary Helen Allen Jan. 15 Mike Allen Jan. 22 Windy Bartee Jan. 29 Denise Bono 11:00 Service 8:30 10:50/11:00 1/1 Allyson English, Hope Long Janet Harding, Christine Payseur 1/8 Sarah Dover, Hope Long Ann Grindle, Meredith McDaniel 1/15 Susan Killian, Hope Long Chris Wilson, Kim Wise 1/22 Evelyn Cameron, Hope Long Tommy Burton, Evelyn Cameron 1/29 No early service Missy Whitley, Jeannine Wyatt

8 FIRST UNITED METHODI ST CHURCH CLOVER, SC 124 Bethel St. Clover, SC (803) FIRST WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER OF THE NEW YEAR JANUARY 11, 2017 HOSTED BY FOREVER YOUNG & FRIENDS Menu: Beef Tips, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Slaw, Bread, & Assorted Desserts Please plan to join us for great food and fellowship! Looking ahead... Clover Salkehatchie camp will be July 15-22, Please mark your calendar. FUMC Staff Reverend Tommy Wilkes, Senior Pastor Reverend Brandon Lazarus, Associate Pastor Reverend J. Richard Gibson, Pastor Emeritus Reverend Meg Wilkes, Minister of Christian Educ. & Spiritual Formation Cheri King, Director of Music Ministries - cking@cloverfumc.org Jon Valentine, Director of Children s & Youth Ministries jvalentine@cloverfumc.org Christine Payseur, Church Business / Technical Coordinator cpayseur@cloverfumc.org Shirley M. Davis, Administrative Assistant / Financial Secretary sdavis@cloverfumc.org Natasha Bilousova, Pianist Tracie Kite, Sexton - kitetracie@hotmail.com Hope Long, Nursery Care Worker / Coordinator Sue Gover, Lay Leader Ray Reavis, David Edwards, Renee Gallien, Conference Lay Members