Greetings from David,

Transcription

1 News at First Volume 46 Issue 03 March 2017 Greetings from David, Dear Fellow Ministers, I am so very excited about our month of March. We begin Lent, which is always a holy season of preparing for Easter. This year, we are going to prepare by looking inwardly at our attitudes about the treasures God has given us. We are going to be involved in a sermon series called, The Treasure Principle and will be looking at four questions that have deep meaning in our faith: March 5 Matthew 6:19-33 Where Do We Store Our Treasures? March 12 Exodus 36:5-7 Can We Have More Than Enough? March 19 Luke 12:13-21 Whose Treasure Is It? March 26 James 4:13-17 How Do We Know When To Commit? This series will lead us up to our Weaving Campaign Commitment Sunday on April 2. You can view information about this campaign at our Weaving website weavingfumcg.com. God is calling us to represent the three-fold cord (Ecclesiastes 4;12) of Christ, Church, and Community. It is an exciting time! Please continue in your prayers for the many new ministries and opportunities to serve Christ. Invite someone to church! Tell them they can try us out on our website, fumcgastonia.org, or our Facebook page where we have weekly live steaming and recordings of the worship services. We are routinely receiving over 400 views a week on these platforms. God is doing a good work through the ministry of First UMC! I look forward to being in ministry with you this month! In Christ s Service, David Our mission is to see Christ in every person we encounter and demonstrate to them the love of God and the teachings of Jesus. Contact: Rev. David Christy Senior Minister ext. 222 dchristy@fumcgastonia.org

2 Take Note... Sympathy to: -Emily Howell and family on the death of her mother. -Jennifer McLean and family on the death of her grandmother. -Mike Gibson and family on the death of his mother. -David and Leigh Martin and family on the death of his father. -Don Saine and family on the death of his sister. Minister on call Schedule David: Tripp: Juston: March 3-5: David March 10-12: Tripp March 17-19: Juston March 24-26: David March 31- April 2:Tripp Welcome New Members Kyle and Jan Murray From Bruce s Kitchen Corn Salad Board of Ordained Ministry Recipies 6 Ears Grilled Corn Shucked ¼ Bunch of Chopped Parsley or Cilantro 1 Green & Red Pepper ½ cup Italian Dressing 2 Roma Tomatoes (seeded & diced) 1 Stalk of Celery Diced ¼ cup Red Onion Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper to taste Combined all the vegetables together, then add salt, pepper and dressing to taste. Chili Powder and Honey can be added to the recipe if you like. Enjoy!!!! We had a great February here at FUMC! February Sunday Attendance: February 5: 484 February 12: 540 February 19: 451 February 26: 472

3 Whether you re looking to take a class, have a meaningful discussion about spiritual things, or looking to make a difference by serving others, you will find opportunities to do that at Wednesday Evening Fellowship. Men s Bible Study- led by Josh Yelverton -FLC Conference room Crafts- Pallet Art with Jennifer Adams (8,15) Container potting with Tiz Johnston (22,29) Book Study- 7 by Jen Hatmaker led by Lindsay Willis- Room 302 Contact: Bruce Tindall Director of Food Services ext. 240 bruce@fumcgastonia.org Pauses for Lent- book by Trevor Hudson, 40 words for 40 days led by Rev. Juston Smith - Room 201 Mid-week worship- Chapel led by Becky Greene & Tripp Hord Sabbathsmall group study on Jeremiah, Daring to Hope in an Unstable World -Anne Mallonee and Cheryl Loggins - Library Contact: Becky Greene Director of Spiritual Formation ext. 227 becky@fumcgastonia.org Dive in with Davideach Wednesday in March join us for sermon reflections and more - Seymour Room (220) Tutoring- 4:00-4:45 in the Canteen Disciple Bible Study- FLC Hospitality Room Weekly Menu March 1: Honey ham, potato salad, broccoli cheese, bread, & dessert. March 8: Beef stroganoff, buttered noodles, green beans, garlic toast & dessert. March 15: Chicken tenders (baked & fried), mashed potatoes, fried squash, corn muffin & dessert. March 22: Breakfast buffet, bacon, sausage, waffles, tater tots, grits, salmon patties, biscuits & gravy, & danish. Marrch 29: Bacon cheeseburgers, french fries, fruit cup & dessert. $5 for Adults, $3 for children 3-5th grade, 2 and under are free Season Passes: $60 (14 weeks for price of 12 weeks) Purchase online or in the business office

4 Youth Gatherings: Sundays 9:45-10:00a.m. Greene House Sunday School: 10:00-10:45a.m. Classes offered: Confirmation 6th Graders, 7th & 8th Graders, 9th & 10th Graders, and 11th & 12th Graders ministry Special thanks to the following families for providing food at the Chili Cook Off and Human Trafficking awareness Event: Christy, Dameron, Davis, Deely, Elliott, Jenkins, Jurs, Larrazabal, Long, Mallonee, McCosh, Moore, Patton, Smith, Towner, and Wyatt. Save the Date Lenten Bible Study Wednesdays March 8, 15, 22, and 29th 6:15-7:30 p.m. Bring $7 for dinner Sr-Hi Youth: The Greene House Mid-Hi Youth: 3rd floor Congratulations to the Chili Cook Off Winners: 1st Place: Mallonee, 2nd Place: Towner, and 3rd Place: Jurs!!!! We collected over $700 for On Eagles Wings Ministries & Lily Pad Haven. Thank you! Sr-Hi Prayer Breakfast, Tuesday, March 7th at Bojangles on S. New Hope Rd. 7:00 a.m. Sundays, 6:15-7:30 The Greene House March 1: Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary March 5: Prayer March 12: Escape Room (off campus) March 19: The Shack (off campus) March 26: Dive in with David Mid- High 6th, 7th, & 8th graders Senior- High 9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th graders Sundays, 6:15-7:30 Greene House March 1: Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary March 5: Surprise UMYF in the FLC March 12: Confirmation Retreat March 19: Service Sunday March 26: March Madness Basketball & Cook Out Contact: Jennifer Cabaniss Director of Student Ministries ext. 223 jennifer@fumcgastonia.org Please be in prayer for the following youth as they embark on their Confirmation Retreat at Lake Junaluska, March 10th March 12th Matthew Carper Christopher Moore Daniel Todd Hannah Conrad Abby Parker Meredith Wyatt Elizabeth Foor Rocco Pavone Lucas Yavelak Grace Hite Grant Styers Benji Larrazabal Anna Jenkins Hunter Styers Merrily Tew *Check your and weekly Eblast for more information.*

5 ministry d C Sun: Wednesday Nights Who? Birth-5th grade What? Bible st ories, fellowship and games. When? 6:30pm -7:30pm Where? GYM ns out o Ma r Cal k you end r ars Ma rch 2 1 :00 2th Bow -4:00 ties and Bru nch ia.org ail se em cgaston a e l P n st. kristi are not o y li l k u if yo n s wee re child Contact: Kristi McClellan Director of Children s Minisries Direcotr of Preschool ext. 231 kristi@fumcgastonia.org preschool@fumcgastonia.org Daddy-Daughter Dance Weaving fun! k us Chec. ia med ocial l d hoo am 9:45 ship an day Sc s: n m w fello am: Su ol Roo 1 0 o 0 0 h 1 : c S 10 s day nd Two n u S a 130 dler Tod d 4s 2 3 n 3s a 1st d n K a nd 3rd 131 a d 2n nd 5th a 4th Wednesday Nights l hooen for c S ay ante weekday Important Dates March 1st Green Eggs and Ham February Fun! March 5th Tuition Due March 8th April 5th March 16th Wear Green Early Dismissal 10:50 March 22nd Spring Pictures

6 March 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday 1 Ash Wednesday 8:00am: Family Promise 10:00am: Bible Study Rm 201 4:30pm: Ready Ringers Rm 119 5:30pm: Church Dinner 6:30pm: Ash Wednesday Service- Sanctuary 5 Holy Communion 8:00am: Family Promise 8:15am: Morning Song- Rm 114 8:45am: 162 East Contemporary Worship 8:45am: Traditional Worship- Sanctuary 9:45am: Canteen(Children s Snday School) 10:00am: Chancel Choir 10:00am: Sunday School 11:00am Traditional Worship- Sanctuary 2:00pm: First Lego League Rm 303/305 4:15pm: Youth Bells Rm 114 A 5:00pm: Song Festival-Sanctuary 6:15pm: UMYF 6:30pm: Contemporary Choir 12 Confirmation Retreat 8:45am: 162 East Contemporary Worship 8:45am: Traditional Worship- Sanctuary 9:45am: Canteen(Children s Snday School) 10:00am: Chancel Choir 10:00am: Sunday School 11:00am Traditional Worship- Sanctuary 2:00pm: Bowties and Brunch 4:15pm: Youth Bells Rm 114 A 5:00pm: First Brass Rm 114 5:00pm: Youth Vocal Ensemble Rm 119 6:15pm: UMYF 6:30pm: Contemporary Choir 19 8:45am: 162 East Contemporary Worship 8:45am: Traditional Worship- Sanctuary 9:45am: Canteen(Children s Snday School) 10:00am: Chancel Choir 10:00am: Sunday School 11:00am Traditional Worship- Sanctuary 2:00pm: First Lego League Rm 303/305 4:00pm: Advanced Commitment Event 4:15pm: Youth Bells Rm 114 A 5:00pm: First Brass Rm 114 5:00pm: Youth Vocal Ensemble Rm 119 6:15pm: UMYF 6:30pm: Contemporary Choir 6 8:00am: Emmaus Reunion Group for Men- Panera Bread 9:00: Morning Workout 10:30am: UMW Circle Infinity- Library 6:00pm: Peace Circle- Seymour Room 6:00pm: Special Olympics Volleyball- Gym 7:00pm: Boy Scout Troop #7 13 8:00am: Emmaus Reunion Group for Men- Panera Bread 6:00pm: Special Olympics Volleyball- Gym 7:00pm: Boy Scout Troop #7 20 8:00am: Emmaus Reunion Group for Men- Panera Bread 6:00pm: Special Olympics Volleyball- Gym 7:00pm: Boy Scout Troop #7 7 5:00am: Salvation Army Breakfast Ministry 7:00am: Firestone Devotion Breakfast 9:00am: Board of Ordained Ministry 10:00am: Sit n Knit 14 9:00am: Outreach Work Day 5:00am: Salvation Army Breakfast Ministry 10:00am: Sit n Knit 6:00pm: Finance Committee Meeting- Rm :00am: Salvation Army Breakfast Ministry 8:00am: HealthNet Gaston Enrollment Group 10:00am: Sit n Knit 8 9:00am: Board of Ordained Ministry 10:00am: Bible Study Rm 201 4:30pm: Ready Ringers Rm 119 5:30pm: Church Dinner 6:15pm: Youth Bible Study 6:30pm: Chancel Bells Rm 114A 6:30pm: Chapel Service 6:30pm: Pallet Art- Craft Rm 6:30pm: Pauses for Lent- Rm 201 6:30pm: Dive in with David- Seymour Rm 6:30pm: Sabbath- Library 6:30pm: 7 Book Study- Rm 302 6:30pm: Men s Bible Study- FLC Conference 7:30pm: Chancel Choir Rm :00am: Bible Study Rm 201 4:30pm: Ready Ringers Rm 119 5:30pm: Church Dinner 6:15pm: Youth Bible Study 6:30pm: Chancel Bells Rm 114A 6:30pm: Chapel Service 6:30pm: Pallet Art- Craft Rm 6:30pm: Pauses for Lent- Rm 201 6:30pm: Dive in with David- Seymour Rm 6:30pm: Sabbath- Library 6:30pm: 7 Book Study- Rm 302 6:30pm: Men s Bible Study- FLC Conference 7:30pm: Chancel Choir Rm :00am: Bible Study Rm 201 4:30pm: Ready Ringers Rm 119 5:30pm: Church Dinner 6:15pm: Youth Bible Study 6:30pm: Chancel Bells Rm 114A 6:30pm: Chapel Service 6:30pm: Container Potting- Craft Rm 6:30pm: Pauses for Lent- Rm 201 6:30pm: Dive in with David- Seymour Rm 6:30pm: Sabbath- Library 6:30pm: 7 Book Study- Rm 302 6:30pm: Men s Bible Study- FLC Conference 7:30pm: Chancel Choir Rm :45am: 162 East Contemporary Worship 8:45am: Traditional Worship- Sanctuary 9:45am: Canteen(Kids Snday School) 10:00am: Chancel Choir 10:00am: Sunday School 11:00am Traditional Worship- Sanctuary 2:00pm: First Lego League Rm 303/305 4:15pm: Youth Bells Rm 114 A 5:00pm: First Brass Rm 114 5:00pm: Youth Vocal Ensemble Rm 119 6:15pm: Mid-High UMYF 6:15pm: Sr. High UMYF 6:30pm: Contemporary Choir 27 8:00am: Emmaus Reunion Group for Men- Panera Bread 8:00am: District Committee on Ordained Ministry 10:00am: WNCCUMC 6:00pm: Special Olympics Volleyball- Gym 7:00pm: Boy Scout Troop #7 28 5:00am: Salvation Army Breakfast Ministry 10:00am: Sit n Knit 29 10:00am: Bible Study Rm :30am: Lenten Lunch- FLC 1&2 4:30pm: Ready Ringers Rm 119 5:30pm: Church Dinner 6:15pm: Youth Bible Study 6:30pm: Chancel Bells Rm 114A 6:30pm: Chapel Service 6:30pm: Container Potting- Craft Rm 6:30pm: Pauses for Lent- Rm 201 6:30pm: Dive in with David- Seymour Rm 6:30pm: Sabbath- Library 6:30pm: 7 Book Study- Rm 302 6:30pm: Men s Bible Study- FLC Conference 7:30pm: Chancel Choir Rm 114

7 Thursday Friday Saturday Newsletter Submissions 2 8:00am: Family Promise 5:00pm: Basketball Practice 6:30pm: 162 East Rehersal 7:00pm: Embrace Bible Study- Library 9 9:00am: Board of Ordained Ministry 3 8:00am: Family Promise 12:00pm: UMM Hotdog Lunch 4:00pm: Girl Scouts World Thinking Day 6:00pm: Elliot/Abernathy Wedding Rehersal 10 Confirmation Retreat 6:00pm: Healing Hearts Light a Path 4 8:00am: Family Promise 8:00am: GFCM Festival 9:00am: Basketball Games 4:30pm: Elliot/Abernathy Wedding 5:30pm: Chrysalis Gathering 11 Confirmation Retreat For all upcoming events/information that needs to be in next month s newsletter please contact Alyssa Morris, no later than the 15th of this month. Thank You! Alyssa Morris Director of Family Life Center/ Communications ext. 241 alyssa@fumcgastonia.org 16 7:00am: UMM Breakfast at Firestone Grill 6:30pm: 162 East Rehersal 6:30pm: The Benefits of Meditation FLC 1 7:00pm: Embrace Bible Study 23 9:00am: Friends on the Go 10:30am: Friendship Connections- FLC 2 5:00pm: UMM Dinner & Program- FLC 2 6:30pm: 162 East Rehersal 7:00pm: Embrace Bible Study- Library 17 11:00am: Special Olymipcs BBQ- FLC Lobby 5:00pm: Heather Short Wedding Rehersal :30pm Heather Short Wedding 25 BUDGET If you would like to view the budget, please go to fumcgastonia.org or call the office to request a hard copy. 30 9:30am: Matter of Balance RM 204 6:30pm:162 East Rehersal 7:00pm: Embrace Bible Study- Library 31 Inclimate weather policy: Check social media, our website, Channels WBTV, WSOC, WCNC If you feel unsafe, please do not come to events/church.

8 Music and Worship Arts Ministry Great Britain Wesley Heritage Tour September 8-15! Come and join our choir trip to England this fall! While we will sing in several venues, you do not have to be a singer to come on the tour. We will visit Wesleyan and other sites in London, Salisbury, Stonehenge, Bristol, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, and more! There is also an optional extension tour to Ireland. Please contact Saxon Scarborough for full brochure and more information. A worship experience celebrating Jesus Christ our Treasure Sunday, March 5 5 p.m., Sanctuary Favorite newer hymns with Contemporary Choir, First Brass, Youth Bells, Youth Vocal Ensemble Contact: Rev. Saxon Scarborough Minister of Music ext. 233 saxon@fumcgastonia.org Contact: Susan Lisle Music Associate ext. 237 susan@fumcgastonia.org Save the Date March 18 UMW District Mission Study on Human Trafficking in Morganton. If you re interested, please contact Bethe Rogers vbethe@bellsouth.net Lenten Breakfast Tuesday Mornings March 6- April 11 7:00 a.m. Firestone Grill If you have any questions please contact Jim Westmoreland Contact: Aaron Prillaman 162 East Worship Leader aaron@fumcgastonia.org 162east@fumcgastonia.org Contact: Timothy Scruggs Organist timothy@fumcgastonia.org Wednesday Mornings Bible Study 10:00am March 18 Room 201 Led by Jim Westmoreland

9 NEWS Friends, Family and Community of First United Methodist Gastonia, We are off to a great start in 2017 at First United Methodist in Bessemer City! Our Administrative Council has met twice and we are setting the ground work for some exciting opportunities for programs and growth. One of the ways we will work on growth in the church is having two Invitation Sundays during the year. Our first will be March 26th. I will be challenging the members of the church over the next five weeks to pray for members who have not been attending and then invite them to Sunday school, Worship and Fellowship Meal after the service on the 26th. Please be in prayer of us as we embark on this journey! We are currently averaging 51 for Worship and 13 for Sunday School. We have set an average goal after the Invitation Sundays for 66 Worship and 20 Sunday School. I m getting very excited about my first Lent Season as pastor at FUMCBC. I hope you will consider dropping in for some of our upcoming events during the month of March. We are looking forward to all the great happenings in 2017, as we continue to work on this partnership between the churches! Blessings, Pastor Tripp For more information contact Pastor Upcoming Programs & Activities March 1st- Bible Study The Gospel of John Max Lucado 9:30am Wesley Women s Class FUMCBC Wednesday Night Live / Dinner / Ash Wednesday Service / With the Boys & Girls Club March 3rd- Movie The Shack Contact Tripp for more information. March 8th- Bible Study The Gospel of John Max Lucado 9:30am Wesley Women s Class FUMCBC March 13th- Pastor Tripp, prayer Bessemer City Council Meeting March 15th- Bible Study The Gospel of John Max Lucado 9:30am Wesley Women s Class FUMCBC Wednesday Night Live 6:00 FUMCBC Fellowship Hall / Dinner & Fellowship March 22nd- Bible Study The Gospel of John Max Lucado 9:30am Wesley Women s Class FUMCBC Pastor Tripp FUMCG Chapel Service March 30th- Bible Study The Gospel of John Max Lucado 9:30am Wesley Women s Class FUMCBC Pastor Tripp FUMCG Chapel Service April 5th- Bible Study The Gospel of John Max Lucado 9:30am Wesley Women s Class FUMCBC Wednesday Night Live 6:00 Dinner / Fellowship with Boys & Girls Club Contact: Rev. Tripp Hord Minister of Visitation FUMC Bessemer City Partnership tripp@fumcgast

10 Gastonia Parish Nurse Ministry Light a Path at Schiele Museum (on the nature path) Friday, March 10-7:00-8:30 pm This event is sponsored by Gaston Hospice, and provides an opportunity for individuals who are grieving to take a meditative guided walk on the nature trail. Our Healing Hearts group (widows or widowers) will meet at FUMC at 6:15 pm to carpool. RSVP to OPERATION MEDICINE CABINET We d n e s d a y, M a r c h 2 2, a t 4 P. M. - 6 P. M. Southminister Presbyterian Church 1401 Hoffman Rd. Gastonia Meditation Series March 16th guest Ann Starette, Director of Spiritual Formation at Davison UMC, will be teaching us about Centering Prayer. Centering Prayer is a practice that invites us to be present to God, as God is present to us. It is a process that transforms us and brings inner peace into our lives. The Benefits of Walking a Labyrinth Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 pm Robin Johnson House 5005 Shepard s Way Drive, Dallas, NC Lisa Marisiddaiah Parish Nurse ext. 256 nurse@fumcgastonia.org HOP ON THE BUS!! FRIENDS ON THE GO THURSDAY, MARCH 23 - GREENVILLE, SC!! Travel & Leisure and Parade Magazine rank Greenville s Main Street as one of the Top 10 Greatest Main Streets in America! Greenville s downtown has been turned into a charming pedestrian-only destination - no cars allowed. That leaves the visitor freedom to explore its many shops, art galleries, museums, cafes & restaurants. There is something for everyone! MICE ON MAIN - A scavenger hunt to see if you can find the small bronze creatures hidden along Main Street. DOWNTOWN TROLLEY - A free trolley that stops all along Main St. and takes you to the West End, a historic area full of eclectic shops & eateries. GREENVILLE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART - Free admission. It houses the largest collection of Andrew Wyeth s watercolors in the world. RESTAURANTS & CAFES - Food for every appetite, some even overlooking the Reedy River. We will leave the church at 9:15am, arriving in Greenville by 10:30-10:45am. You are then free to explore and eat lunch on your own. We will board the bus to go home at 2:30pm and arrive back in Gastonia around 4:00pm. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a sense of adventure! *RSVP by March 19 to Amber at amber@fumcgastonia.org Thank you for your donations in February for Crisis Assistance Ministries! + $711 donations collected during Souper Bowl Sunday!

11 Upcoming Events

12 Downtown Area Churches Lunch and Worship on Wednesdays in Lent 2017 Time: Meal served at noon; worship begins at 12:30. On March 1, worship begins at noon with no meal. Cost of meal: $6 Offering recipient(s): CAM + YMCA Resource Connection Gateway Preaching Theme: Preacher s Choice Date Location Pastor March 1 (Ash Wed) All Saints Episcopal David Christy (First Methodist) March 8 First Presbyterian Charles Tillett (St. Stephen s AME Zion) March 15 St. Michaels Catholic Shawn Griffith (St. Mark s Episcopal) March 22 First ARP Jason Dampier (Holy Trinity Lutheran) March 29 First Methodist Jeff Morrison or Matt Kuikenn (First ARP) April 5 Holy Trinity Lutheran Matthew Buettner (St. Michael s Catholic) April 12 First Baptist John Stanley (First Presbyterian) Connect with us... Website: Phone: contact@fumcgastonia.org First United Methodist Chruch of Gastonia, NC First UMC Gastonia, NC E-blast sign up Sign up to receive Newsletters online Give online! First United Methodist Church PO Box 218 Gastonia, NC Published Monthly at 190 East Franklin Blvd. Gastonia, NC (USPS ) Periodicals postage paid at Gastonia, NC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Newsletter of First United Methodist Church, PO Box 218 Gastonia, NC 28053