THE COLUMNS. and how. years and this year was. our students who attended: Wes Kelly, she went. The speakers were amazing!

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1 Leading People in New Life with Jesus First United Methodist Church July 28, 2011 Vol. 32:14 THE COLUMNS Inside... Pastor s Note... 2 Youth Fundraiser... 2 Grace Land preps... 2 August birthdays... 3 August Calendar... 4 Upcoming Events... 5 Food Distribution... 5 Youth News... 5 Prayer Concerns... 5 Information... 6 Upcoming Opportunities July Sr. High Mission Trip Saturday, July 31 -Aug.4 - Jr. High Mission trip Thursday, Aug. 4 - United Methodist Women, 11am Thursday & Friday, Aug Leadersip Summit in Cape Friday & Saturday, Aug Overnight football team retreat What an amazing Nathan said of that conference our teens speaker, He showed us experienced recently! that we don t have to wait Youth 2011, until after high school to designed for students in start changing the world, or grades 7-12, brought until we have a college together 3,700 people degree or a nice paying from over 41 states and job, Nathan said. We can from as far away as the be the change we want to Philippines. This event see in the world right here is held only every four and how. years and this year was Mary and others were at Purdue University. particularly impacted by the The ultimate goal evening group time with was to bring youth into just First UMC attendees. a sacred space in the Nate made us all share middle of a secular how we got to know God campus and have them Crystal Sharp and Aaron Day learn how to and where we stood with meet and experience make water filters from clay at Youth God, Mary said. That God, and to leave that opened my eyes to a lot of place never the same, explained First situations with others in our group. It UMC Youth Director Nathan Persell. helped our youth group be confident That s exactly what happened with with each other and trust each other. our students who attended: Wes Kelly, Wes Kelly also mentioned the group Aaron Day, Crystal Sharp, Mary Eifert, time. He noted that after sharing how Bryce Meese, Martha Neel, along with their faith got started, each student was sponsors Nathan Persell, Rita Kelly and given a journal in which Nathan wrote a Angela Sharp. personal note. Wes said what Nathan It was my first time at any youth wrote to him opened his eyes to his conference and I didn t know what to leadership among the youth a role in expect, said Mary Eifert, who was glad which he had never seen himself. she went. The speakers were amazing! The whole experience was She was particularly touched by speaker awesome for Wes. Interaction with 19-year-old Zach Hunter, who has some of the younger youth has led Wes published three books, spoken at the to take them under my wing as they White House and who started a nonprofit organization when he was 12. Continued to page enter high school. I want to watch out 5 A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

2 ...Pastor s Note New Look Emerges Wow! Our East Education Wing is buzzing with workers as we prepare for the Aug. 28 grand opening of Grace Land our new children s ministry area. Above, Terri Matthews paints a mural in one room, while Rob Collins paints the walls in another room. New flooring is going in this week. The area will be awesome! Mark your calendar for the grand opening Aug. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. Growth Academy Planned This September we ll introduce in-depth Bible training through a new program called The Growth Academy. The six-session curriculum will focus on knowing the Bible and how to use it to live out your God-given purpose. The experience is limited to 20 per class, but a new group will begin every month. Look for signups beginning next month. Reaching Out for Youth Have Fun and Help Our Youth Don t forget that our youth fundraiser concert and silent auction is quickly approaching. You can get your tickets for the Aug. 28 event in the church office, from Youth Director Nathan Persell and some youth. It s going to be a great concert at the Miner Convention Center with music for all by Dove award nominees Shane and Shane, Dub Pierce and others. The silent auction that night will feature themed gift baskets. This is where youth need the help of the congregation! If you would prepare a basket to be auctioned, please contact Terry Sapp, , or Amy Blanton, , with the theme you have chosen. (They are just trying to prevent duplicates.) The ladies would also accept cash donations and then put together a basket. This is the youth s main fundraiser for the year and they hope you will prepare a basket and/or come bid on a basket and attend the concert. Don t have an idea for a basket? Here are some suggestions: Back to school (geared toward teens); baby (boy or girl); coffee (mugs, flavored coffees); movies (DVDs for a particular age group); sports (sports equipment); gaming (game gift cards); itunes (itunes card, earphones); princess; pool party (flip flops, beach towel, sunscreen, etc.); pet; barbecue; Mizzou; Cardinals; Cubs; Bulldogs; date night (restaurant gift card, movie passes); outdoor fun (sidewalk chalk, bubbles, kite); book night (gift card to book seller, tea, reading light); movie rental (movie rental coupon, popcorn, sodas, candy). Use your own imagination for a perfect basket. All baskets must be at the church no later than Friday, Aug. 19. Page 2 Following Jesus is all about leadership. Jesus led a dozen haphazard men in a new way of living. Most of them led a movement that not even the Roman Empire could silence. All through the last two millennia, whenever the movement of following Jesus seems to have fossilized, the Holy Spirit moves someone to lead like Jesus led, and the fires burn white hot again. I am a part of the Body of Christ because someone led me. As a follower of Jesus, my mission is to be led and to lead. It's the same for each of us who call ourselves disciples; both clergy and laypersons. This weekend in worship we'll focus on leadership. We'll examine what it takes to lead in this most important movement in human history. We'll see example of those who teach leadership and model leadership. I'll share information about the most impacting annual leadership event in the world, The Global Leadership Summit. (August 11-12, originating at Willow Creek Church in Chicago, broadcast by satellite worldwide at dozens of locations, including La Croix United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.) Who has led you in following Jesus? Who is leading you now? How are you leading people in new life with Jesus? Geoff Posegate New Worship Times as of Aug. 3 Don t forget that beginning August 3, a new worship schedule takes effect. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. The Gathering at the Chapel (A new blended service with hymns and modern music - totally different from weekend worship, including the message.) Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Traditions in the Sanctuary Sundays at 11:00 a.m. The Journey in Family Life Center.

3 August 2011 Birthdays Happy Birthday from your church family 1. Galen Kruger (Jr.) Chris Steward 3. Ron James Mary Keenan Natalie Kirk Heath McCain 4. Melissa Merideth Jennifer Millington 5. Scott Barnes John Harper Elizabeth Killion Darrell Maclin Loleta Scott Paul Stewart Pam Waltrip 6. Andrew Boldrey David Dee Scott Keenan 7. Mike Cravens Lauren Poole Gippo Trey Stone 9. Michael Conway Jr. Ginger Cox Bernard Rice 10. Jane Campbell Matt Davis Mary Hill Paul Neel Nancy Wymer 11. Beverly Colley 12. Judy Aufdenberg John Houchin Tina Piepenbrok Gwen Sharp Harry Sharp Connie Thompson 13. Reagan Collins Larry Kelly 14. Patrice Taylor Madalyn Weems 15. Joyce Edwards Betty Jones Brad Kiesling Nancy Lemmons William McDonough Connor Merideth Tim Merideth 16. Libby Caskey John Mobley 17. Kevin Collins Bonnie Stewart 18. Juanita Alcorn Lisa Deere Hunter Williams 21. Brad Angelos Andrea Harper Linza Killion 23. Lynis Baugher Steve Beydler Morgan Fraser Rachel Hopson John Hux, Jr. Jack McGill Fred Uthoff 24. Drew Harper Cheryl Krebs Olivia Nash Megan Underhill Troy Wilson 26. Vernon Griffith Zachary Harrison 27. Dee Beydler Nicholas Harrison Jessica Kruger 28. Lucille Givens Miranda Harrison 30. Cindy Mayfield Elledge Jerri Hahs Caroline Murray 31. Dale Frame Nicki Stokes Please notify the church office with any changes at or Thank you!

4 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :30pm Whisper Study 4 Newsletter Deadline 10:00am UMW officers 11:00am UMW general 5 6 Junior High Mission Trip to Sedalia, Mo., Continues 7 1:15pm West Ridge Service :00am Newsletter Team 5:30pm Whisper Study 17 1:30pm Greeting Card ministry Newsletter Deadline Overnight Retreat for Football Team 20 9:00-noon Box Food at the Food Bank 21 1:15pm West Ridge Service 22 7:00pm Nurture Team mtg am Newsletter Team 7:00pm UMW Mini School of Missions Shane & Shane Concert & Silent Auction at 28 11:00am Journey at Miner Convention Center 2-4pm Grace Land open house at church :00pm Chancel Choir Every Sunday 9:00 am Traditions Sanctuary Service 10:00 am Shaping Hour 11:00 am The Journey, Family Life Center 6:-8:pm Youth Fellowship, grades 7-12

5 Youth Involved in Mission Work Because of the many youth mission trips, there is no youth fellowship in July. This week, we have our senior high youth serving on a mission team in Detroit, Mich. On the 31st, our junior high mission team leaves for Sedalia, staying through Aug. 4. Scheduled to attend are: Aaron Day, Crystal Sharp and Camden Sapp, as well as chaperones. Distributing Food July 21 Our church sponsored another food distribution at Morehouse last week through the Southeast Missouri Mobile Food Bank. About 140 families came to receive fresh food, staples and cleaning supplies....serving Others Youth 2011 (continued from page 1) for some of the younger ones and make all these kids feel safe as they enter high school. Crystal Sharp is glad that she went. I think I got closer to God. The main topic was more than like God is more than Youth 11.. God is more than just sitting there and praising him like that. The speakers showed what Christians can accomplish by their actions, she explained. Crystal now has it on her hear to support a child and volunteer more. I want to show Christian work in actions, she said. Martha Neel enjoyed worship and the speakers. All the topics related to me in some way and it really helped me by pulling me closer to God. Aaron Day s favorite part was the Bible study. Chaperone Angela Sharp believes it is important for youth to attend activities like this. It gives them a chance to meet new people and learn a lot about those they see every day or maybe just Sundays. It also gives them a chance to see how they can strengthen their relationship with God and maybe get a new focus on those in the world outside ourselves and our town. It offers them a chance to see how they cannot only impact the world as youth, but also how to impact their own Christian lives. It wasn t all just learning and worship; they had a lot of fun too! Nate said one of the youth told him I came here thinking it was just a waste of time, but this stuff really can happen! Watch for These... Coming Soon! Wednesday Worship -The Gathering at the Chapel, 6:30 pm, starts Aug. 3 Leadership Summit at Cape Girardeau - Aug (Seats still available if you would like to go. Contact the office or Pastor Geoff.) SHS Football Overnight Retreat Aug at our church CommUnity Service - Aug. 28, 11am Journey Service at Miner Convention Center Grace Land Grand Opening - Aug. 28, 2-4 pm Heartland Leadership Labs -impacting speakers starting in September Our Joys & Concerns First United Methodist Church is a praying community, continuing the relationship with each other by name in prayer concerns to God. However, respecting privacy of individuals, we do not publish the prayer request list on the web. Remember in your prayers Mucocane United Methodist Church, our partner church in Mozambique, Africa. Please use the energy of prayer to invite God's presence into the needs you know and those of the our world.. Vacation Time Someone has said, Vacation is what you take when you can t take what you ve been taking any longer. There are good reasons to take a vacation every year: spending time with friends and loved ones, experiencing physical and mental refreshment, enjoying changes in scenery and routine, and preparing for another year of productivity. Please enjoy your vacation! Try to be faithful to the Lord by attending church while you re away. Just remember that during vacations and weekend getaways, you re especially missed by your friends at church. The work of the church suffers because no one can fill your place of responsibility quite like you. God s work goes on all summer long. Your presence and gifts are needed to enable the church to be strong and vigorous throughout the entire year. When you re away, please bring or send your offering before you go. Have a wonderful summer! Vocation time It s powerful to know that God is using you to accomplish amazing things. Summer can provide opportunity for experiences. Call it a vocation vacation! (A vocation is something God calls you to do.) If you re planning a family trip, for example, call ahead and offer to donate time at a local homeless shelter or urban ministry. Ask for a short tour, as well. If you want to hike in the mountains, contact a Bible camp to see if they need volunteers. Or call a local YMCA, parks-and-recreation department or volunteer hotline to see where assistance is desired. You ll enjoy summertime fun (vacation) and the knowledge that God is working through you (vocation). Page 5

6 First United Methodist Church Sikeston, Missouri First United Methodist Church Columns Published every other week by First United Methodist Church, 1307 N. Main St., Sikeston, MO POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to above address. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Youth 2011 Worship Schedule Change August Birthdays & Calendar C HECK O U T T HE W EB S IT E! WWW. TH EF UNCHUR CH. ORG P AST OR G E OFF S B L OG: Second Class postage paid Sikeston, MO (publication # UMP ) The Columns The Columns are a visual symbol of the history and forward-focused faith of First United Methodist Church of Sikeston. Still standing in downtown Sikeston after the dome church burned in 1968, they represent the hope and determination of the people of this church to serve God and our community. Today, we are encouraged by all those who have gone before us in upholding the faith and Leading People in New Life with Jesus. Serving on Sundays Ushers for Traditions(9am): July 31: Mike & Colleen Flaker, Ron & Rosemary James, David & Janice Hay Aug. 7: Jim & Judy Armstrong, Ken & Janie Vowels, Larry & Carolyn Tetley Greeters for Journey (11am): July 31: Tina Piepenbrok, Mike & Michelle Worth, Penney Limbach, Ann Aycock, Rachelle Johnson Aug. 7: Kim Maclin, Preston & Liz Clark, Todd & Deanna Ginther, Julie Aycock Nursery Volunteers: July 31: Terry Sapp Aug. 7: Jana Uthoff Information for Guests and New Members Welcome to First United Methodist Church! Regular Worship Opportunities 5 p.m. Saturday in the Chapel 6 p.m. Saturday in the Family Life Ctr 9 a.m. Sunday in the Sanctuary 11 a.m. Sunday in the Family Life Ctr. Shaping Opportunities All ages at 10 a.m. Sundays Nursery A nursery is provided during all Sunday services and Shaping Hour. It is located east of the lobby by the sanctuary. Please see a greeter for directions. Address: 1307 N. Main St., P.O. Box 682, Sikeston, MO Phone Website: 1stumc@sikestonfirstumc.org Staff Geoff Posegate - Pastor Brad Aycock - Worship Coordinator Marilyn Lambert - Faith Growth Coordinator Jill Hopson - Young Families Director Elaine Posegate - Senior Adult Ministries Nathan Persell - Youth Director Lacey Alsup - Children s Ministry Director Pat Marsh - Administrative Assistant Sandy Brashear - Financial Assistant Ken Nave - Custodian Terry Sapp - Choir Director Judy Nickell - Organist Harry Howard - Saturday Pianist Dub Pierce - Band Leader Cornelia Reed - Kitchen Director Stacy Anderson - Childcare worker Stephen Ministry Church This one-on-one lay ministry aids those facing some of life s trials. Contact the church office or a pastor for details. Next Newsletter Deadline: August 4 Page 6