The First Word TOT LEARNING CENTER HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM UNITED METHODIST WOMEN. February 2017

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1 February 2017 First United Methodist Church 264 North Main Street Rutherfordton, NC Vol. 5, No. 6 The First Word TOT LEARNING CENTER Registration for the school year begins on Sunday, February 12th for Church Members. On Monday, February 13th registration is open to TLC Students and TLC Siblings. Public Registration begins on Monday, February 20th at 8:00 am in the TLC Preschool Office. Registration forms are available on the First Church website, outside the preschool office and on the main floor outside the church office. A $50 registration fee must accompany each registration. Please share this information with relatives, friends, and new people in the community. If you would like to have more information, call Kathy Watson our TLC Director at She will be happy to assist you! HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM UNITED METHODIST WOMEN UMW would like to extend a warm invitation to all women of First United Methodist Church to visit one of our circle meetings. The Agape Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Perry- Moore House, and the Betty Wolfe Circle will meet on the following days: April 11, 2017 July 11, 2017 October 10, 2017 January 9, 2018 The Purpose of United Methodist Women The organized unit of the United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, to develop a creative, supportive fellowship and to expand concepts of Mission through participation in the Global Ministries of the church. (Discipline 256.4, Art. 3) For more information, contact Lucy Flack, Chair of The Betty Wolfe Circle or Karen Ruhl, Chair of The Agape Circle. The Tot Learning Center Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarships, and other school administered programs.

2 THINGS TOO WONDERFUL FOR ME A Pastoral Word from Sydnor We live in a world of constant change. I guess technology drives much of it. I m told the little smart phone I carry around in my shirt pocket has more processing power than the computer on board Apollo 11 that took Neil Armstrong to the moon. Everything seems to be online these days. Our first inclination when we face a health problem or someone asks a difficult question is to google it. And amazingly the answer is often easily found! In many ways, it s an almost magical era we re living in, isn t it? 3-D printers have the power to produce almost anything we can imagine even human body parts like bone and ear tissue! Just google it if you don t believe me! Of course, there is a dark side to these advances. The internet that can educate can also become the engine of mass disinformation. Malevolent hackers can break in to secure systems and throw national elections into chaos. The very industries that have brought prosperity to so many have altered the earth s atmosphere and its oceans to a point where even the most determined skeptic finds it difficult to deny that climate change is a fact. In this age of both marvels and of horrors, when it seems the world is falling apart and the center no longer holds, anxiety and fear can become our constant companions. But it is precisely here, where things fall apart and life becomes unmanageable that God meets us and reminds us that he is the ground of our being. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 46: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. As we face the uncertainties of life, we need not be afraid. The God who has created us and who loves us beyond our imaginings meets us when everything else falls apart. May we turn to him in faith and remember the One who watches over us. As he promises us in Psalm 121: The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Yours in faith, Page 2

3 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE March 1, :30pm FRIENDSHIP CLUB NEWS The Friendship Club would like to give our thanks to the congregation and staff of First Church and all groups for whom have donated so much of their personal lives to our program and children. This includes, but is not limited to, time, money, books, thoughts and ideas, tangible rewards (toys, bags, games, jewelry) for the kids to earn and/or purchase with reward tokens, and so much more. I, Alice Wright, as the Director of the Friendship Club cannot express the level of appreciation, support, faith and love I feel when Friendship Club is acknowledged. Whether it is in spoken or written words, it hits the same. Positive and negative are soaked into my soul equally. Bobbie Tedford, Linda Tribou and I thank you for entrusting us with such an important piece of life s puzzle. If you are looking to fill an hour of your Monday or Wednesday with energy, smiling faces, perplexity and enriching the lives of some awesome kids, please contact me at alice@fumcrutherfordton.org, the church office or We could use donations of first aid kit supplies, hand or baby wipes, Mr. Clean erasers for the walls and your prayers. Love and Blessings to you all, Alice Wright THE FOLLOWING MONETARY GIFTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED: In honor of Bryan Basden, by James & Lynne Vinson, designated for the General Budget. In memory of Jack Flack, father of Ken Flack, by the Chancel Choir, Harry & Patricia Harrelson, designated for the Music Fund: by Alan & Sherry Henderson, designated for the General Budget. In memory of Melba Powell, mother of Jeff Powell, by Alan & Sherry Henderson, designated for the General Budget. In honor of Pete & Joyce Russell, by John & Cheryl Russell, designated for the Food Pantry. In memory of Jimmy Tanner, Sr., by Ron & Dorothy Parker, designated for the Fellowship Center Roof Fund; by Alan & Sherry Henderson, David & Debbie Best, designated for the General Budget; by the Fellowship Sunday School Class, designated for Soul Food; Shirley Koone, designated for Local Missions; Joyce Gray, designated for Welcome Table; Norvin & Lydia Clontz, designated for the Music Fund (organ). In memory of Janet Toney, by Phillip & Judy Melton, Patricia Harrelson, John & Vivian Champion, designated for the Music Fund (organ). NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE February 16 at 12:00 noon SUNDAY BULLETIN DEADLINE Every Monday at Noon Send information for Newsletter & Bulletin to pam@fumcrutherfordton.org Page 3

4 YOUTH NEWS February 12:15 in the Youth Center HEBREWS MORNING DEVOTION NEON meets on Sunday Nights from 5:00-7:00 pm in the Youth Center! Come shine Christ's light through Bible study, games, food, and fellowship! Doors open at 4:30 and dinner begins at 5:00! Please complete a Youth Information Form if you have not already. Forms can be found on the Youth Bulletin board. HeBrews meets before school from 6:30-7:15 am at the Boy Scout Hut. Come start your day off right and enjoy a mid-week pick-me-up of coffee, breakfast, and a youth-led devotion! Keep up with everything happening in FUMC s Youth Ministry! Sign up for our Text Updates! This Spring, our High School Seniors will be given the opportunity to lead NEON for a night! This is a great opportunity to show leadership in our youth ministry (and even get some volunteer hours or a resume boost!) Don t miss The Senior Experience! Youth Led Service March 19th, 2017 We will begin preparing on Sunday nights during NEON for our Annual Youth Led Service happening on March 19th, 2017 during the 8:45 & 11:00 am service. If there is a student who has a special interest in participating or performing during the service, please let Beau know so we can find a place for them within our service. Students participating will be expected to participate in both services. We will have dress rehearsals on March 12th (during NEON) and March 18th from 5-8 pm. WANT THE CHANCE TO HAVE LUNCH BROUGHT TO YOU AT SCHOOL? Every time you come to a youth event, you can enter for the chance to have lunch brought to you by Beau! You can get information forms directly from Beau or you can find it on the church website. Be sure to check our website and Facebook page to see what s happening in our ministries! Page 4

5 CHILDREN S CORNER SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday school starts at 9:45 in the SHINE Room on the 1st Floor for games, music, and our week s Bible Story. Lots of fun things happening each week - crafts, games, and, most importantly, Jesus!! PRESCHOOL This month our First Look theme is So Big w h e r e o u r Preschoolers will learn that Jesus Loves Me. Each week, they will experience stories like, Jesus visits Mary & Martha, Jesus calls the Children, Jesus Helps the Centurion, and A Woman Shows Great Love for Jesus. Kindergarten 5th Grade This month our 252 Basics theme is Behind the Scenes: Finding Love in Every Story where our children will learn that Love is choosing to treat others the way you want to be treated. Each week, they will experience stories like, No Greater Love (John 15:12-13), Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 1:35-41), Jesus Feeds 5,000 (Mark 6:30-44), and The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:27-37). April 9th Palm Sunday Kids 11:00 am & Easter Egg Hunt & 12:00 pm April 16th Easter Sunday; Kids will be performing at the 11:00 am Worship Service Be sure to check our website and Facebook page to see what s happening in our ministries! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Interested in volunteering on Sunday mornings in our Children s Ministry? There are SO many ways that you can be a part of this growing ministry. The more volunteers we have in our many rotations, the more they can do! You can still volunteer without giving up your Sunday School class or service experiences every Sunday. YOU can make a difference in our church and ministry by serving our children! Let us know how you might like to serve: fumc-ministry-volunteer-submission OR beau@fumcrutherfordton.org During the 11:00 am service, all children are invited to come to sit at the altar for Children's Time with Rufus the Rabbit to hear a kidgeared Bible lesson! After Children s Time, all children ages 4 through 2nd Grade will be invited to go with our adult volunteers to the SHINE Room for the duration of the service. This program has activities, crafts, storytelling, games and more as children learn on their level about Jesus and the church. We hope this program will encourage families and children to come and experience God on Sunday mornings! Our next curriculum for Children's Church this season is called "The Bible: Lights, Camera. Action!" BIRTHDAY LUNCH LIST Mr. Beau wants to bring you lunch to school for your birthday! Turn your information forms in to the church office or to Mr. Beau and you ll be added to the list! You can get information forms directly from Beau or you can find it on the church website. Page 5

6 STORIES OF CHRIST S LIGHT SHINING Everyone has a story, or so they say. But I dare say that not everyone has a story as life changing as Todd s. Todd Snaith moved to North Carolina from California to get away from the smog, the congestion, the race that always seemed to be there. More specifically, he moved to Rutherfordton after looking at possibilities in Charlotte, Asheville, and Lake Norman. After buying a house and settling here, he spent time traveling the northeast and several European countries. What now? he asked himself. Todd had no idea what was to come! What was to come actually started as he was on his way to the paint store. He saw a man, a neighbor, by the side of the road trimming his shrubs, so Todd stopped to introduce himself. It didn t take 5 minutes of conversation for him to let me know he was a Christian and to invite me to this church, Todd explained. The neighbor also invited him to play golf and the 4-some did this for several months. I watched these men, he said, and there was something different. I didn t know just what it was, but I knew I wanted to be part of it. After another invitation to visit their church, Todd decided to go. I sat way in the back. I wanted to be able to slip out and not be noticed. But something (or someone) got his attention. He began to start working some in the church kitchen and became more involved. He met more church people. He acquired a mentor, but he continued to ask a lot of questions about himself and about this thing called Christianity. After about a year, I wondered if I should leave, he admitted. I had been baptized as a child, but I had never been a practicing Christian. Then Todd got involved with the Emmaus Walk. It changed my life! he stated. The walk focused him to life as a practicing Christian and focused him as to where he wanted to go. God is not as interested in changing our circumstances as in changing us as a person. Since then Todd has taken the Lay Servant (used to be called Lay speaker ) courses, is serving as District President of the Methodist Men, has filled pulpits, and is on tract to complete a 5 year course of study to qualify as a local pastor. The Light of Christ has filled the life and spirit of Todd Snaith. He will be the first to give credit for sharing that light to the people of First Church. Why bother with me? he has asked. I had a rebellious spirit. I was a stranger from California! But when The Light shines, it will not be extinguished! God s people were Todd s mentors, and as one of them said, When you see the light of Christ in others, you can more clearly see it in yourself! Todd s story is not finished. In fact, it has really just begun. As he remarked, I m a work in progress. Thanks be to God, so are we all! (Thanks to Todd for sharing so openly. Would you let us tell your story? Call or Shirley Koone: or shirleykoone@gmail.com) Page 6

7 HOSPICE HAPPENINGS Thanks to everyone who has been so faithful to put items in the Hospice box located at the Donation Station corner by the church office. These items are greatly appreciated by so many. A complete list of items needed is located on the church bulletin board. Items can be placed in the box at anytime and will be taken directly to Hospice. If you have any questions about how you can be a Hospice volunteer or about Hospice donations, please call Cheryl Waddingham, FIA Thank you! WINTER OUTERWEAR COLLECTION We would be happy to receive coats, jackets, vests, scarves, hats, and gloves to share with our Welcome Table friends. Please do not bring shirts, pants, or shoes. Place donations in the plastic tote in the church office. Thank you for being willing to share warm items during this winter season. FREE STUDY RESOURCES! Thousands of free Bible studies and other resources are available for your Sunday School class or small group from the Western North Carolina Resource Center (aka The Fishin' Hole). Browse the catalogue at For questions, contact Sonja Clough at sclough@wnccumc.org. FEBRUARY WORSHIP ASSISTANTS Greeters (8:45) First Sunday Ken & Diane Sanford Second Sunday Phil & Donna Carver Third Sunday Rory & Jeannie Kiser Fourth Sunday Eric & Terri Wells Greeters (11:00) First Sunday David & Debbie Best Second Sunday Jeep & Johnnie Martin Third Sunday Randy & Louanne McDaniel Fourth Sunday Van & Susie King Sound System First Sunday Ed Bosgra Second Sunday Joy Piper Third Sunday Russell Wicker Fourth Sunday Eric Wells Ushers (8:45) Ken Sanford, Pete Russell, Doug Melton Ushers (11:00) Joe Carson, United Methodist Women Bread Makers First Sunday Ellie Miller Second Sunday Donna Carver Third Sunday Donna Watkins Fourth Sunday Diane McMillan Acolyte (11:00 am) First Sunday Meg Prevatt Door Steppers First Sunday Jeep & Johnnie Martin Second Sunday Dillard & Carolyn Morrow Third Sunday Bud & Joy Deck Fourth Sunday Charlie & Emily Yelton SAVE THE DATE!!! Operation Inasmuch Saturday, April 29, 2017 Page 7

8 First United Methodist Church 264 North Main Street Rutherfordton, NC We re on the Web! Find us on Facebook! FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH STAFF Phone: (828) Sydnor Thompson, Ext. 102 Beau Lunceford, Ext. 106 Pastor Director of Children s & Youth Ministry sydnor@fumcrutherfordton.org beau@fumcrutherfordton.org Patricia Harrelson, Ext. 114 Glenda Fuhrmann, Ext. 115 Director of Music Organist patricia@fumcrutherfordton.org glenda@fumcrutherfordton.org Pam Craft, Ext. 100 Karen Ruhl, Ext. 101 Administrative Assistant Receptionist pam@fumcrutherfordton.org karen@fumcrutherfordton.org Kathy Watson, Ext. 103 Alice Wright, Ext. 112 TLC Preschool Director Friendship Club Director kathy@fumcrutherfordton.org alice@fumcrutherfordton.org