Community News. At the crossroads... where the cross meets the community. Inside This Issue. Beth s Blessings. June 2017

Transcription

1 Community News At the crossroads... where the cross meets the community June 2017 Inside This Issue Worship Opportunities Worship Schedule Lay Servants for June Christian Formation Small Group Study Vacation Bible School Youth Events Missions Opportunities Ecuador Update River of Life Ministry Opportunities United Methodist Men Women s Ministries 2017 Women s Retreat Young At Heart Connect With Leadership 10K Giving Challenge Events Coming Up Beth s Blessings Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church 5555 Hereford Farm Road Evans, GA (706) It s summertime! School is out. Time for picnics and barbecues; time for long, hot days and muggy nights; time for family vacations, camping, beach trips, lake trips, and road trips; time for summer camp and Vacation Bible School; time for recreation, doing what you love to do for as long as you want to do it...or at least until it s time to come in for supper. For my childhood, the highlight of summer was a weekly trip to the public library. I loved to linger over the shelves, perusing my options, then picking out the books that would be my companions for a deep dive into my imagination in hours of reading under the summer sun. Others may remember the summertime joy of going to the neighborhood swimming pool, daring yourself into the deep end by inching your toes up to the edge, taking a breath, and pushing off into the unknown depths. There, in the terrible excitement of the deep end, you cannot depend on the security of solid ground. You just sink into the depths of imagination or water surrounding you, and trust it to hold you up and teach you how to swim. It summertime! Time for us to take a deep dive into our life together as Easter people. We have heard the call to be the church, not just to enjoy hanging out with nice people, listening to organ music. We have lingered over the options and inched our toes up to the edge. Now it is time to take the plunge, let go and let God, give ourselves up to what the Holy Spirit is doing, indulge in the freedom of trusting Jesus grace. 1 Kings 19:19-21 tells the story of how Elisha began to follow God. When Elijah called him away from his regular life of plowing a field, Elisha took a deep dive into trust by building a fire with his plow and barbecuing his team of oxen. There was no way Elisha could go back to life as usual. He risked everything and pushed himself far out into the unknown depths of God s love, trusting God would hold him up. Now is the time for us to be deep end disciples like Elisha. Faith in the God of resurrection does not mean standing flat-footed with our heads above water. It beckons us to a point where we can t touch. That terrible-exciting place is where we learn to really swim; and where we learn to be disciples; and where, when we get tired enough, we learn to rest in the buoyancy of God. The joyful excitement of feeling the Spirit s presence at our May 21 combined worship service and even in the business meeting following is a great jumping off point for all of us to take the plunge of discipleship. Take the risk of faith that invites us to trust God with prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. In this newsletter, you will find many ways to dive in to each one of these ways of committing ourselves to Jesus s church here at Lewis Memorial UMC. Where is the Holy Spirit nudging you to go with your spiritual life this summer? Let go, and sink into the depths of God s love surrounding you. Trust God to hold you up and bless you abundantly. Spirit who hovered over creation s waters, dare us into the deep waters of faith shared in prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Teach us a new security, open up a new abundance, found not in our own strength but in the freedom of diving into your love and grace. Blessings, Easter people, Pastor Beth diving into fun at Poppin Into Spring! VBS Registration On-Line:

2 8:00 am Sanctuary 10:00 am Sanctuary 11:00 am Warehouse Children s Church is available during all Sunday services for children 3 years to 2nd grade. It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men.. - C.S. Lewis Worship Sunday June 4 Pentecost Confirmation Combined Worship 10:00 am Sanctuary Wednesday June 7 Creation and Fall 7:30 pm Chapel Come experience the wonder of God through intergenerational creative worship engaging the Bible s story through all our senses. Each week, children, youth, and adults gather in our historic Chapel to hear the story of God s love and celebrate with hands-on activities to help us look at the Bible s story in a new way. Children are invited to enjoy a prayground at the front of the worship space so they can participate in all the action and learn how exciting worship is! All God s children are invited to worship through story, song, prayer, movement, and creativity. If illness, vacation or work keep you from worship on Sunday, come be refreshed in the Holy Spirit at midweek. June 4 June Lay Leadership 10:00 am Worship Leader: Cary Woodworth Aubree Jones Makayla Jones June 11 8:00 am Worship Leader: Craig Doxey David Hinner Claude Harper Acolyte: Olivia Delucia 10:00 am Worship Leader: Gene Hair Christian Norville Brooke Dingman 11:00 am Worship Leader: Jill Pratt Sound Board: Dan Porter Propresenter: Tyler Cooper Coffee House: Kiki Orum Family Ministry Event Poppin Into Spring A supercalifragilisticexpialadocious time was had by all at the Spring Family Ministry Event on April 30, as evidenced by these photos! Sunday June 11 Communion Wednesday June 14 God s Promise to Abraham 7:30 pm Chapel Sunday June 18 Father s Day Sunday June 25 Regular Services Rev. Beth with her father Wednesday June 21 God Works Through Joseph 7:30 pm Chapel Wednesday June 28 The Promise of Passover 7:30 pm Chapel June 18 8:00 am Worship Leader: Grant Nichols Tony Welch Bryant Percival Acolyte: Bennett Tharpe 9:00 am Coffee Fellowship: Bonnie Johnston Paula Finley 10:00 am Worship Leader: Grant Nichols Claire Stephens Mattie Stephens 11:00 am Worship Leader: Sonny McDowell Sound Board: Keith Hagins Propresenter: Jennifer Powell Coffee House: Jennifer Powell Stephanie Spivey June 25 8:00 am Worship Leader: Laurie Ickes Debbie Guy Harry Parker Acolyte: Micah Sweat 10:00 am Worship Leader: Jill Pratt Meredith Meador Caroline Meador 11:00 am Worship Leader: Kimberly Norville Sound Board: Dan Porter Propresenter: Tyler Cooper Coffee House: Julie & Tom Ulm 2 3

3 Pray For Me Launch United Methodist Youth Fellowship 4 Over 70 youth and adults came together on Sunday, May 21, to launch the Lewis Memorial Pray For Me campaign. Each youth chose Prayer Champions from generations to be in a covenant of prayer for them over the coming year. Just look at the joy of the Lord in these faces and see the power of prayer in the Holy Spirit moving! We will also pair our college students with Prayer Champions. If you would like to take part in this ministry, please contact Grant Nichols. Confirmation Sunday June 4 10:00 am Megan Chesser Aleksander Helpingstine Sara Irwin Michael Porter The Confirmation class will be welcomed into the membership of Lewis Memorial UMC as they profess their faith in Jesus Christ on Sunday, June 4th in a combined worship service in the Sanctuary. Grant Nichols Director of Youth youth@lewismemorial.com Summer Schedule Sunday Nights Youth Worship Team 4 pm Warehouse Elev8 UMYF 5 pm Youth Building Thank You for supporting River Of Life by participating in the Car Wash! RIVER OF LIFE Youth Mission Trip June 7-11 Lincolnton, Georgia is the destination for students to participate in various work projects (painting, building, yard work, roofing*) as an outreach to shut-ins in the Lincolnton community. (*The roofing teams are for 16+ years old.) Pray for this team of workers health, safety, and spirtual growth. Youth: Dallas Adcox Patrick Jones Tim Best Kali Jordan Tyler Cooper Conner Lumley Alex Gill John McDowell Brendan Herring Deidre Schulte Aleksander Helpingstine Dharma Schulte Emily Jackson Mattie Stephens Katie Jackson Adults: Courtney Cooper Emily Ivey Chuck & Lauren Jones Grant Nichols Michael Vinson A Teen s River of Life Testimony Last year was my first year at River Of Life. It was a fun experience and I loved it. I m going back this year and I can t wait to help people with things that they need. What I m looking forward to most is seeing what I get to do and how I have to do it. ROL is a fun experience for youth and they should keep doing it. It gives youth a chance to help change the world. When I went my first time I thought that I was going to complain to my dad I don t want to do this it s too hard. or why do I have to do this?. I expected that I was going to be taken home early and embarrassed for being a brat. Then I realized how it was fun to meet new people and to work with them. I loved how the people there were kind and sweet. I can t wait to go back this year. I want to go again with my youth group but soon I ll be able to also go with my brother Nate. He will be fun to go with because he hasn t been yet. I ll have the pleasure of telling him that he needs to do this or do that (like any older brother would). I am going back this year. I can t wait for it. We stay up every night to worship God. I loved the experience and hope I can go for years to come. - Tim Best 5

4 Director of Children s Ministry VBS Hero Central Vacation Bible School July :00 pm - 8:30 pm Children s Ministry And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. - Luke 2:52 VBS Pre-registration Party June 10 6:00-8:00 pm Lewis Memorial Yard Potty-trained - 5th Grade Enjoy the outdoor fun of a waterslide, and sprinklers, indoor games, hero coloring contest and t-shirt dying station, and delicious food AND register your child for VBS Hero Central Vacation Bible School! This superhero adventure experience includes music that will energize your ears, interactive Bible fun, super science, cool crafts, hands on mission work, delicious food, great games and more! If you are unable to join the fun at the Pre-registration Party, you may register online at: Adult Volunteers needed! Guides, Referees, Safety Patrol, and various other duties. Use the above link to register to be an adult volunteer or talk to our VBS Director, Melissa Tennant Cindy Vinson cindy1@lewismemorial.com Children s Council Mega Planning for 2017/18 June 4 12:15 pm Lunch served All parents, Committee Members, Adults who want to work with children are invited. RSVP cindy1@ lewismemorial.com or on The City. Safe Sanctuaries June 27 6:30 pm Bldg G Room 407 beginning JUNE 7 Blessing of the Backpacks July 30 10:00 Warehouse Combined Service We will kick off the school year with a special blessing for our students and teachers. Bring your backpacks for a special backpack tag to remind you that someone is praying for you! Children s Ministry Parent s Night August 13 4:00 pm Come find out the plans for Children s Ministry for the 2017/18 school year. Find places for your children to plug in and find an area to serve. Children s Ministry is for children from birth to 5th grade. Wonderful Wednesdays Return August 16 5:45 pm Dinner will begin at 5:45 pm. Bible Studies at 6:30 pm. Children s Ministry will offer Bible Black Belt and hopefully something for the younger children, also. Our Wednesday evening will end in the Chapel with the Intergenerational Worship Service. Bring your driver s license and $10 for your background check. ALSO available online! Take training anytime during the month of June at home. Cindy Vinson for a link to the online training. Getting To Know Your Bible Retreat August 18 7:00 pm 3rd Graders Using the curriculum Learning To Use My Bible by Joyce Brown, your child will learn many exciting things about God s Word. Through games, videos, crafts, music, and research they will learn the Bible is a gift and much more. This will be an all- night lock-in event. Third graders will receive their Bibles for this retreat on Sunday, August Basics Returns September 17 Everything we teach in 252 Basics is based on one of three basic, but powerful truths modeled by Jesus in Luke 2:52: - I need to make the wise choice. - I can trust God no matter what. - I should treat others the way I want to be treated. North Georgia Fall Retreat Camp Glisson September 8-10 $130 a retreat for 3rd-5th graders This retreat fills up fast! We currently have 5 boys and 5 girls who are looking forward to this experience at Camp Glisson. Contact Cindy Vinson if you are interested: cindy1@lewismemorial.com or sign up on The City. For more information about Camp Glisson go to Coming This Fall: July 30 Blessing of the Backpacks August 13 Children s Ministry Parent s Night August 16 Wonderful Wednesdays Return! August 18 Getting to Know Your Bible 3rd Grade Lock-in September Basics returns on Sunday nights! Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church At the Crossroads... where the Cross meets the Community 5555 Hereford Farm Road Evans, GA Wednesday Worship at 7:30 pm Chapel Sharing our Stories, Discovering God Come experience the wonder of God through intergenerational creative worship engaging the Bible s story through all our senses. Each week, children, youth, and adults gather in our historic Chapel to hear the story of God s love and celebrate with hands-on activities to help us look at the Bible s story in a new way. Children are invited to enjoy a prayground at the front of the worship space so they can participate in all the action and learn how exciting worship is! All God s children are invited to worship through story, song, prayer, movement, and creativity. If illness, vacation or work keep you from worship on Sunday, come be refreshed in the Holy Spirit at midweek. 6 Join Children s Ministry Group on The City OR text db3fb7 to to get Children s Ministry Reminders 7

5 American Missions Ministry Highlight Missions Ecuador Mission Trip Volunteers from four area United Methodist churches, including Lewis Memorial, joined forces to give strength and skill to an 84 year old retired man, living on a very limited income. Jeff Carter saw this home being covered by tarps every time it rained. Finally, he contacted the owner and recruited help from friends in area churches to provide a new roof in one weekend of May. God was at work through the hands and feet of willing servants! Since the roof, this man has also received a new to him washer and dryer set that works, pressure washing of his house, and several other items that needed fixin! Thank you! to all who pitched in and helped make this job go quickly and smoothly! If you missed out on the fun and excitement, contact Cary Woodworth, Chair of American Missions, or Jeff Carter to let them know you want in next time! Cary Woodworth ; Jeff Carter June 30 - July 9, 2017 Santo Domingo, Ecuador Ecuador Mission Team Wish List Children s Tylenol/Motrin (liquid or chewable) Children s Cough Medicine (liquid or chewable) Children s Cold/Flu Medicine (liquid or chewable) Neosporin Cortizone or Benadryle Cream Please drop these items in the baskets located in The Mission Hallway. The team will take them to Ecuador June 30. Mission Hall The Mission Hall is by the Fellowship Hall. Please find the designated baskets in the Hall under the Mission Display tables labeled for donated items. Thank you for your generosity to mission at home and abroad. 8 The Hands and Feet of Jesus at work! Please bring us your used: Glasses (readers, prescription or sunglasses) Cell Phones Don t throw them out! We will contribute them to the proper organization for distribution to missions. VBS Food Pantry Needs: We anticipate hungry children every night! Apple Juice Boxes Fruit Cups Applesauce Cups Pudding Cups Capri Sun VBS needs may be left on the table in the Fellowship Hall under the VBS Display. 9

6 JUNE Events Get To Know Your Committies Fellowship Stewardship Vision June 4 Pentecost Sunday Combined Services and Confirmation June 7-11 River of Life Youth Missions Trip June 10 VBS Preregistration Party June NGA Annual Conference June 18 Father s Day June 24 Lydia Project Cut N Sew Day June 26 Augusta District Clergy Picnic June 30-July 9 Ecuador Mission Trip JUNE Meetings June 4 June 6 June 12 June 13 June 19 June 20 June 25 June 27 Children s Council Missions-Ecuador Team VBS Decorations Clinic VBS Team Meetings Board of Trustees Staff Parish Relations Committee Finance Committee Evangelism Committee United Methodist Women Women s Retreat Meeting VBS Decorations Clinic VBS Youth Training Administrative Council Safe Sanctuaries Training Save the Dates July 2 Combined Worship Celebration of Freedom 16 VBS Leader Dedication Service VBS WEEK 30 Fifth Sunday Combined Worship Disciple Recognition Youth River of Life Testimonies The Ministry of the Lay Leader Lay Leader Vicki Parker In addition to clergy leadership who are appointed, each United Methodist congregation elects its own lay leader. An effective lay leader serves as the primary representative of the laity in the local congregation. (Book of Discipline, para ) The lay leader works with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation. They are a role model for Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life for the people of a congregation. The lay leader understands what it means to be a part of the ministry of all Christians and that all people are called by God to ministry. Sometimes people associate ministry only with ordination; from a biblical perspective, ministry is the work of all the saints --those individuals who have experienced the love and grace of God in their lives and who seek to follow Jesus Christ in all that they do. The lay leader helps the administrative council--and by extension, the congregation--identify the needs of the community and discern the spiritual gifts resident in the congregation for responding to those needs. The lay leader also acts as a communication tool between the congregation and church committees and staff. The lay leader is a member of the church council, the committee on finance, the committee on nominations and leadership development, and the committee on staff-parish relations and attends many other meetings of the church as well as meeting regularly with the pastor to stay informed and updated on the state of the church and needs for ministry. The lay leader also serves as the lay member of Annual Conference, representing the congregation there and serving as an interpreter of the actions of the annual conference afterwards for the congregation. This is my second year serving as lay leader for Lewis Memorial. It is a privilege and an honor for me to hold this position. I love the people who have invested themselves in Lewis Memorial, one of God s own churches. I strive to care about each individual s views and ideas for the well-being of Lewis. My husband, Harry, and I have been part of this church since 2001, when the Lord gave us the sign. Every year the Lord pushes us to be all we can be for His kingdom and for His church. Thank you Lewis family for the opportunities given to both of us. God Bless you all. Sincerely, Vicki Parker EVERY TUESDAY Sisters Group 1:00 pm Parlor A gathering of sisters in Christ to uplift each other in spirit. THIRD TUESDAYS United Methodist Women (UMW) 7 pm Room F204 Women gathering for prayer, study, fellowship, and mission. SECOND THURSDAYS (Next Meeting September) 11 am Fellowship Hall Young at Heart $ 5 meal and entertainment Join with seniors for a fun time of fellowship and food. SECOND SATURDAYS United Methodist Men (UMM) 8:30 am Panera Bread Evans Monthly breakfast fellowship. ALTERNATING SUNDAYS Young Adults 6:45 pm 3 Guys Pizza Trivia A gathering for those post high school to thirty to share faith and support each other in life s challenges. Women s Retreat Save the Date! November 10-12, 2017 Forrest Hills Mountain Resort & Conference Center Dahlonega, GA $200 Early Bird Rate Register by June 25 $225 Regular Rate Register by August 6 $25 Discount for mothers and daughters registered together $50 deposit with form Full payment due October 15 Registeration forms are available throughout the campus. Contact Jennifer Powell jennifer.powell@ccboe.net A member of our Lewis Memorial family has stepped up and given $10,000 dollars toward retiring the mortgage on the Education Building, which is currently about $110,000. This generous donor is challenging others to Step up to the Starting Line and leave the mortgage in the dust! Ten members might match this donation with a gift of $10,000 each; or a group of five members could each donate $2,000; or a group of ten members donate $1,000 each - we need everyone to join together to reach the goal! Give what you feel inspired to give, with a joyful heart. No gift is too small. Every gift, every step gets us closer to the finish line! Take your mark, get set, Go! Mark your check 10K Challenge Challenge runs till August 31 TAKE THE CHALLENGE *Avg. May Worship Attendance: 8:00 am: 85 10:00 am: :00 am: 85 *Gifts to Operating Budget: $191, *Operating Budget Expenses: $215, *Special Offerings: Wesley Woods Offering: $ Umcor Layette Kits: 10 (*as of May 21) Young Adult Gathering August 13 Youth & Children s Parent Orientation November Women s Retreat Dahlonega, GA New Appointment We rejoice with Lisa Hebbard Powell on her appointment as Supply Pastor for Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Lincolnton, Georgia. We will miss Lisa s and David s presence with us, but pray God s blessings on them and the St. Paul Congregation as they follow God s call. Brush up on your trivia skills and come join the fun as the Young Adults gather at 3 Guys Pizza on Sunday evenings for fun, food, and fellowship. Bring your bulletin and receive a free order of garlic knots! June 11 June 25 6:45 pm 3 Guys Pizza Trivia 10 11

7 Connect WORSHIP LEADERSHIP *Rev. Beth Sanders, Senior Pastor *Cindy Vinson, Ministries Executive Assistant Director of Children s Ministry cindy1@lewismemorial.com *Jason Powell, Contemporary Worship Leader jason@lewismemorial.com Joseph Silmaro, Interim Music Director jpsilmaro@gmail.com Jewell Allen, Worship Chair alljewel622@knology.net Vicki Parker, Lay Leader bluealm@comcast.net AUDIO VISUAL MINISTRY *Michael Cooper avteam@lewismemorial.com ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL Jill Pratt, Chair jillpratt32@gmail.com BOARD OF TRUSTEES Lee Irwin, Chair agafirefighter@comcastnet CHILDREN S MINISTRY *Cindy Vinson, Director cindy1@lewismemorial.com Peggy Delucia, Vice Chair peggyjead123@gmail.com CHRISTIAN FORMATION Kiki Orum, Chair kristinao6951@gmail.com Alan & Sheryl Brown Sunday School Superintendents brown041@comcast.net EVANGELISM Rev. Beth Sanders, Chair FINANCE Susie Adcox, Chair sbadcox@comcast.net *Cynthia Abraham, Bookkeeper cynthia@lewismemorial.com Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God s mysteries. -1 Corinthians 4:1 MEN S MINISTRY Roger Kessing, UMMen s President rogerkessing@gmail.com MISSIONS Michelle Helpingstine, Chair toteleigh@gmail.com MOTHER S MORNING OUT *Joanne Percival, Director joanne@lewismemorial.com NURSERY *Erin Holcomb nursery.co@gmail.com PRAYER MINISTRY Jill Pratt, Coordinator jillpratt32@gmail.com Kiki Orum, Coordinator kristinao6951@gmail.com SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY Carolyn Andrews earthangel31@outlook.com WOMEN S MINISTRY Amelia Akin, UMWomen s President aakin60@comcast.net YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES *Grant Nichols, Director grant@lewismemorial.com Jennifer Nichols, Youth Chair jdn0926@hotmail.com Susie Adcox, Young Adult Chair sbadcox@comcast.net CUSTODIAL *Jésus Cruz custodian@lewismemorial.com Jacki Atkinson hugh.atkinson@comcast.net OFFICE *Sandra DeJong Admin. Asst./Receptionist office@lewismemorial.com * Staff Personnel Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church 5555 Hereford Farm Road Evans, GA Address Correction Requested Open Hearts - Open Minds - Open Doors