First United Methodist Church Newton, North Carolina

Transcription

1 Loving People into the Kingdom of God in the Heart of Catawba County First United Methodist Church Newton, North Carolina First United Methodist Church exists to glorify God as we Welcome persons into the body of Christ, help them Grow as disciples of Jesus Christ and Send them to serve in the world. Recently, a member of this church shared with me the following story: You Took My Parking Space at Church One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, I always park there! You took my place! The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, That s my seat! You took my place! The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing. After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, That s where I always sit! You took my place! The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing. Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars developed on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed and called out, What happened to you? The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eyes, I took your place. What happens when persons show up to worship at our church on Sunday? Are they made to feel welcomed and valued, especially if they are visiting? Have you ever tried to get to know the persons who sit around you on Sunday morning? In the letter to the Christians at Rome, the Apostle Paul tells the followers of Jesus to Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you. And in the letter to the Hebrews, Paul says, Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Sometimes congregations can become like gatherings of friends who enjoy each other, rather than being open communities of Christians who make everyone, especially visitors, feel loved and welcomed when they come to a worship service. I m positive that the vast majority of our members don t want our congregation to become turned-in on itself and fail to entertain the angels in our midst. Members of our Welcome Team are hard at work to strengthen and enhance how we welcome and assimilate visitors into the life of our congregation. Over the next few weeks and months, you will be given specific opportunities to participate in the ministry of hospitality. I hope you will do so. In the meantime, please make every effort to begin greeting and speaking to those who sit around you on Sunday morning. Better yet, walk across the aisle and introduce yourself to someone you have never met before even if you ve seen their face many times before. Walk over and introduce yourself. You never know, it just may be an angel! See you Sunday, David

2 WELCOME persons into the body of Christ You re invited to a Pentecost Party Sunday, May 24 at 10:00am In the Garden Come and celebrate the Birthday of the Church with fun & fellowship, Birthday cake and balloons! Schedule your appointment today to be a part of our pictorial directory. Photo sessions will be in the Fellowship Hall on April 28th through May 2nd. If you have not already, it is not too late to sign up through the link provided on our church website under the events and registration tab. 5th Sunday Unity Service May 31, :00am in the Sanctuary Graduation Sunday Casual dress is expected Please Mark your calendars for VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Sunday, August 2nd through Thursday, August 6th G- FORCE where kids (of all ages) explore putting their faith into action! Welcome Josh Costello! First Methodist welcomes Josh Costello, the new Youth Worship Leader! Josh is a talented musician with a heart for God and passion for youth. He is a resident of Hickory, originally from California, is married to Emily and has three children, Ellie, Brooke, and Rocco. Josh will be leading worship during Sunday night youth from 4:00-6:00pm. Please extend a warm First Methodist Welcome to Josh and his family! Ladies Tea Paula Brown played delightful music on her dulcimer.

3 GROW as disciples of Jesus Christ DAY CAMP CAROLWOOD: Day Camp will be July 6-10 this year! Summer is quickly approaching! Day Camp registration forms are due by May 15. We already have one van filled and need to fill the other one. Forms are available on the church website or on the information table by the Gomedela Room. Please contact Amy Cable if you have questions acable@charter.net. Children's Sunday School Sundays 10:00 am -10:45 am First Floor, under the Sanctuary Preschool (2-4yrs ) age children are invited to join each week as they discover God through stories and crafts. Children ages K-5th grade are invited to attend each Sunday. The theme for May is " The Good Samaritan" Luke 10: We learn through art, music, games, story telling, cooking, and videos. Each week is something different, so join in the fun! Kids 4 Christ Wednesdays 3:00 pm -5:30 pm Activity Room Please come and hear the lovely voices of our K4C singers on Sunday, May 3rd at the 11:00 am service. During the month of May, K4C will have Wonderful Wednesdays! Each week will be a different activity which will include bowling at Pin Station, Movie Day, Creation Station, and Games Galore!! You will not want to miss the fun. Our last date to meet for the school year will be May 27th. Summer Sunday School 2015 June - August Bee Ready to Bee Amazed as we learn and have Un-Beelievable fun with "THE BEATITUDES." Middle School (grades 6th -8th) and High School Students (grades 9th - 12th) meet for Sunday School on the Third Floor of the church. Please watch for room signs. YOUNG ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL: A new Sunday School class has just begun for 18-25ish year olds. We meet downstairs in the Activity room on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. We have just begun a study about David and what it means to chase God. Please help us get the word out. We want all members, regardless of age, to have a place at FUMC. If you have questions, please contact Amy Cable acable@charter.net. Meets May 3 and May 17, 4 pm Zander s Coffee House, Newton Make new friends, build your faith, lift your spirit!

4 SEND them to serve in the world Jim (JR) Richard and his son Jamie spent a Saturday at the church pruning bushes which had gotten over grown and unsightly. Jamie is a member of the 2015 Confirmation Class. Each class member is asked to make use of their God-given gifts in ways that honor God and help others. Care Ministry Meeting Sunday, May 17th If you have a caring heart and like to visit with people, then our Care Ministry is for you. Please join us in the Gomedela room at 12:15pm on Sunday, May 17th. We will spend this time making plans to care for our members in need. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sundays Bring a new, plastic container of peanut butter or jelly for Conover School! On the first Sunday of every month, First UMC will celebrate PB & J Sunday, a day designated for everyone to bring either a plastic container of peanut butter or a plastic container of jelly. These gifts will be given each month to the students at Conover. Wilderness Trail July Gain a new perspective of the Christian life & community. For rising 7th graders through adults, two day retreat followed by backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. Cost $225. Register by June 1 with a $75 nonrefundable deposit. Wilderness Trail - Mt. Rogers, VA Hazel Sims Catawba Valley Living at Rock Barn PO Box 1599, Room 113 Conover, NC Maxine Morrison Catawba Valley Living at Rock Barn PO Box 1599, Room 203 Conover, NC 28613

5 @ World Vision s firs you h 30 Hour Famine Thank you to First Methodist for helping the Youth raise over $1000 to help fight hunger through World Vision s 30 Hour Famine! On March 27-28, the Youth joined other Methodist youth groups at Camp Carolwood in Lenoir to grow closer to Christ and each other. It was an unforgettable no-eat overnighter as they fasted together for 30 hours to raise funds to fight hunger 2015 Confirmation Class What is Confirmation? Confirmation in the United Methodist Church is an act of the Holy Spirit! It is the experience in which young adults renew (confirm) the vows which their parents made for them at their baptism. Baptism is the beginning of a life long journey of faith and for a baby or a child, this journey begins in the nurturing community we know as the church. Later, in their adolescent years, the child can make their first confession of faith in the ritual known as Confirmation. Ten young adults will make this confession on May 17, Confirmation Sunday! Over the past three months, these youth have met for weekly classes, participated in mission projects, faithfully attended worship and took part in a weekend Confirmation Retreat at Lake Junaluska. They have emerged from this experience prepared for a life of Christian discipleship. Please join the congregation in welcoming them to full membership in the church at the 11:00 Worship Service on May 17! Confirmands Anna White Anna Gantt Abby Gantt Cole Yoder Jaime Richard Carter Greene Hayleigh White Hope Cable Bradyn Roberts Elizabeth Branton Faith Friends Allyson Ervin Kim Britt Diane Hughey Suzanne Yoder Bill Cable Judy Beaman Amy Cable Lisa Johnson Julie Fowler Pat Simmons

6 The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches and covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey to the cross. Members and friends of First United Methodist Church Newton and Lincolnton had the opportunity for prayer and reflection on Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross during the sacred cantata, The Seven Last Words of Christ, performed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

7 LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CONNECT AT FIRST METHODIST? TRY OUT A SMALL GROUP a place to get to know people and grow in your faith Small Groups offer you a place to connect and belong. A Small Group is made up of 8-15 people who meet to share life together, discuss scriptures, and pray together. Groups are always open! Just pick a group; then contact the leader to confirm meeting time, day, and location. New 6 week Study begins on Monday, April 27! Bev Underwood's Group 7:00pm Church Gomedela Room Bev: beverlyfaye61@gmail.com New Study beginning How God Takes our Little and Makes it Much - a book & DVD study by James Moore. Learn how to practice your faith in everyday life and grow as a faithful follower of Jesus! Through heartwarming stories, Moore teaches about the Bible and why it is important to us. Alice Averitt's & Rene Swink's Group Melissa & Allyson Ervin s Women s Group Every other 6:30pm 7:00pm Church Bride s Room Their home: 1542 Mayfair Dr., Conover Discussing Lysa TerKeurst s, Unglued Reading & discussing Stitches by Anne Lamott Melissa: MelErvin06@gmail.com Alice: aaaveritt@aol.com Allyson: allyson_ervin@catawbaschools.net Rene: renswink@hotmail.com David Greene's Men's Group 7:30pm Carolina Vines Discussion of weekly sermon scripture David: david.fumcnewton@gmail.com Small Groups Joyful Believers Group II will meet on Monday, May 4th at 10 am for another session of stretching exercises with Betty McGee. All women and their friends are invited. You will learn how to use elastic bands to increase your circulation, flexibility and muscle strength. You will then be able to continue these exercises at home. Hope to see you there. BINGO May 5 1:00pm in the Gomedela Room Please bring a friend! Twelve games will be played with prizes and refreshments furnished. Inspirations Group III will meet on Monday, May 4th at 2:00pm in the Gomedela Room. IN MEMORIAM Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord for they cease from their labor and their works do follow them. Harold Rusty Thomas October 16, 1950 April 15, 2015 Graduation Sunday Sunday, May 31st is Graduation Sunday when we will honor our high school and college graduates. We need information on all members who will be graduating this year along with their degrees. Please call the church office as soon as possible with this information.

8 May 2015 First United Methodist Church 300 N. Main Ave. Newton, NC Phone: WELCOME, GROW, SEND Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2pm to 9:00pm Church Directory (fellowship hall) 2 10:00am to 5:00pm Church Directory (fellowship hall) 3 3:00 Confirmation 4:00 Youth 4:00 Journey 6:00 Disciple 4 10:00 Group II 2:00 Group III 5 1:00 Bingo 6 3:00 Kids 4 Christ 7:30 Choir 7 1:00 Prayer Shawl 8 Preschool Graduation (sanctuary & fellowship hall) 9 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast (fellowship hall) :00 Kids 4 Christ 6:00 Trustees 14 1:00 Prayer Shawl church reserved 17 12:00 Care Ministry Mtg. 4:00 Finance 4:00 Youth 4:00 Journey 5:00 Ad Council 6:00 Disciple :00 Kids 4 Christ 7:30 Choir 21 1:00 Prayer Shawl Pentecost Celebration 6:00 Disciple 25 Memorial Day Office Closed :00 Kids 4 Christ 7:30 Choir 28 1:00 Prayer Shawl Hickory Dickory Dock Unity Service Graduation Sunday 4:00 Youth 8:30am Informal worship in the sanctuary 9:00am Contemporary service-fellowship Hall (entrance off of Ashe Ave.) 10:00am Sunday School for all ages 11:00am Formal worship in the sanctuary Nursery is provided during all worship services and Sunday School.

9 Claire Boger 5/1 Gary Brady 5/1 Ethan Branton 5/1 Evan Branton 5/1 Elizabeth Greene 5/1 Steven Smyre 5/1 Libby Mauney 5/2 Annecy White 5/2 Thomas Brown 5/3 Jan Willard 5/3 Trent Caldwell 5/4 Kaye Lewis 5/4 Mark Newton 5/4 Pete Simpson 5/4 Camryn Gantt 5/5 Rebecca Saunders 5/7 Nicky Smyre 5/7 Troy Boston 5/8 Rebekah Laney 5/8 Charlie Smith IV 5/8 Phyllis Watson 5/8 Betsy Roland 5/9 Bob Brown 5/10 Chandler Setzer 5/10 Matt Foss 5/11 Nick Foss 5/11 Sonia Foster 5/11 Aidan Hefner 5/11 MAY BIRTHDAYS Jessie Pannell 5/11 Sherry Pritchard 5/11 Tommy Howard 5/12 David Kilby 5/12 Jessica Bailes 5/13 Rolen Benson 5/13 Brent Cossich 5/13 Layla Isenhour 5/13 Reece Peacock 5/13 Zane Andersen 5/14 Laura Carpenter 5/14 Mia Natoli 5/14 Asheley Berkshire 5/15 Jack Gantt 5/15 Vickie Lytton 5/15 Mark Stiver 5/15 Lynsey Wayne 5/15 Jake Coley 5/16 Larry Williams 5/16 Susan Hunsucker 5/17 Rebecca Walker 5/17 Julie Braswell 5/18 Reid Ikerd 5/18 Alex Butler 5/19 Mike Kosar 5/19 Janice Willard 5/19 Joe Beaman Jr. 5/20 Don Lemons 5/20 Andrea Mathewson 5/20 Luke Sias 5/20 Teena Branton 5/22 Ashley Kale 5/22 Malivanh Louangrath 5/22 Scott Coley 5/23 Ashley Benson 5/24 Ken Hollar 5/24 Pat Lawing 5/24 Jim Richard 5/24 Carrie Donley 5/25 Abigail Driscoll 5/25 Lenora Andersen 5/26 Marty Burrows 5/26 Jill Sias 5/26 Michaela Andersen 5/27 Laura Bailes 5/27 AB Lamb 5/27 Mary Grace Martin 5/27 Parker Kelley 5/28 Kristy Speagle 5/28 Eddie Lamquaye 5/29 Ayla Rand 5/29 Steven Watson 5/29 Richard Martin 5/30 Arizona Roland 5/30 Benjamin Boone 5/31 Corinna Driscoll 5/31 John Fowler 5/31 MAY WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Kirby & Brenda Blalock 5/1 Eric & Becky Dellinger 5/4 Mike & Linda Kosar 5/10 Eddie & Regina Copeland Jr. 5/12 George & Becky Wilkinson Jr. 5/12 Sam Buff & Kim Caldwell 5/17 Jamey & Jill Sias 5/17 James & Suzanne DeRue 5/18 Randall & Crystal Podger Jr. 5/18 Paul & Lisa Wade 5/18 Joel & Melinda Shaw 5/19 Mike Smith & Shera Waller-Smith 5/19 Roger & Lisa Johnson 5/21 Stephen & Christie Sims Jr. 5/21 Jamie & Rhonda Pawlik 5/23 Steve & Karen Arndt 5/24 David & Elizabeth Hall 5/28 Mother s Day Bulletin The Faith Builders Sunday School Class will sponsor a special Mother s Day bulletin. You may honor or remember a mother, grandmother, or that person who is very special to you by filling out the form and returning it to the church office along with $1.00 for each person honored or remembered. Please use a separate form for each name. The deadline for submitting the form will be Sunday, May 3. In Honor of: or In Memory of: By: (please use a separate form for each name)

10 First United Methodist Church 300 N. Main Ave. PO Box 926 Newton, NC Return Service Requested First United Methodist Church Staff David Greene, Senior Pastor cell: Lara Willis Greene, Associate Pastor cell: John Coffey, Organist Brent Roland, Music Director Michael Roberts, Director of Praise Service Josh Costello, Youth Worship Leader Rose Bibeau, Children s Music Julie Braswell, Director of Children s Ministry Ann Cook, Administrative Assistant Kayla Sigmon, Nursery Ministry Julia Macemore, Preschool Director Church office phone: Website: May 2015 Sharing Our Gifts Sunday Attendance Tithes and Offerings Capital Bldg. Fund April , April , April , April , The church office will be closed on May 26th in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday. Beginning next month, the church newsletter will either be sent by or hard copies may be picked up at the church. If we do not have a correct address for you, and you wish to receive the newsletter by that means, please contact the church office at or annmcook@gmail.com. April Memorials Amy Sherrill Henry Amy Sherrill Henry Current Expense Fund Amy Sherrill Henry Capital Building Fund Amy Sherrill Henry Men s Radio Bible Class Jerry Sowers Capital Building Fund Abigial Butterfield McRee Garden Fund Margie Powell Bertie Feinstein Bertie Feinstein Garden Fund Earl Johnson Isaac Souza Woodson Pearson Johnny Cooke Johnny Cooke Current Expense Fund Johnny Cooke Capital Building Fund Johnny Cooke Men s Radio Bible Class Forrest Lawing Forrest Lawing Current Expense Fund Dr. Neil Love Garden Fund Betty Jackson April Honorariums Harold Robertson Love Labor Corp Norris and Gail McRee Garden Fund