First. Greetings from David. Flood Relief. Vol 45...Issue 9...September

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1 First Vol 45...Issue 9...September Greetings from David Dear Fellow Ministers, Contact: Rev. David Christy Senior Minister ext. 222 dchristy@fumcgastonia.org The mission of First United Methodist Church: To see Christ in every person we encounter and demonstrate to them the love of God and the teachings of Jesus. I am always excited when we start a worship series. But, sometimes the excitement comes from series I wasn t thinking that much about. Our Keep Calm And Answer series is especially exciting, and I wasn t expecting much. I don t know why but, it has been fun to see God at work as we consider our answers to the questions, What Is Your Calling? and Who Do You Invite?. I am really excited about the questions we will be considering our answer to in the coming weeks: September 4 Luke 14:25-33 What Are You Carrying? September 11 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Dialogue Sermon with Rev. Eddie Ingram and myself around the question, How Do We Handle Anxiety? September 18 Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 What Is Your Balm? September 25 I Timothy 6:6-19 What Are We Pursuing Worship is always a high moment in our life together. We celebrate our new worship time at 162 East contemporary worship that allows participants to get to Sunday School (we start that service at 8:45 a.m., the same as the 8:45 a.m. service in the Sanctuary. Sunday School starts at 10 a.m. and we have our traditional worship at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary). I hope you can invite a friend to come worship with you! What a joy it is to be in mission and ministry together in September! In Christ s Service, David Flood Relief As always, the United Methodist Church is actively caring for communities devastated by the floods of the last month. You can support the rebuilding effort by making your checks to the church and earmarking them UMCOR. The beautiful thing is that because of our connectionalism, 100% of the funds sent through our church will go directly to aid the effort. We are blessed to be connected to one another and will be looking for ways to help!

2 Take Note Hospitalized: Sarah Jean Williams-CaroMont, James Peach-Levine Cancer Institute Sympathy to: Jeff Vale and Family on the death of his father. Frank Larrazabal and Family on the death of his grandfather. Bob Henderson and Family on the death of his father. Dr. Charles and Cecile Hutchins on the death of their daughter, Lynn Haney, who passed away August 8. The Family and Friends of Oais Miller, who passed away August 8. Joy to: Katie and Greg Humphrey on the birth of Jackson Jack Dane, who was born August 23. Grandparents are Pam and Ted Paige. John and Lindsay Willis on the birth of Luke, who was born August 22. Big brother is Max and big sister is Jane. Ashley and Nick Newton on the birth of Dawson Nicholas, who was born August 4. Grandmother is Debbie Paysour and great-grandparents are Leroy and Peggy Pittman. Just the numbers: Sunday Attendance August 7: 498 August 14: 434 August 21: 526 August 28: 477 Minister on Call Schedule: (call or text) September 2-4: Tripp Hord September 9-11: Ashley Anne Lloyd September 16-18: David Christy September 23-25: Tripp Hord September 7 September 14 Grilled pork chops, rice/ gravy, green beans, salad, bread, dessert. Baked spaghetti, broccoli, salad, garlic bread, dessert. NEW this year! You can save money and time by purchasing a Season Pass for Wednesday night dinners. Adult Meal Pass: $60 (14 weeks for the price of 12) Child Meal Pass: $36. You can purchase Season Passes by calling the church office, or online, or in person at the Family Life Center front desk on September 7 and 14 prior to dinner. You will be given a pass to show in the express line and proceed to your table. September 21 Country fried steak, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad, bread, dessert. September 28 Fried/baked chicken, corn on the cob, roasted red skin potatoes, salad, bread, dessert.

3 CONNECT...1 Contact: Becky Greene Director of Spiritual Formation ext. 227 Sunday School: The Original Small Group Experience Robert Raikes established Schools in the 1780 s using the Bible to teach reading on Sundays to children who labored in factories the other six days. By the early 1800 s, churches offered similar classes for working class men and women. This huge movement was duplicated all over Britain and then the United States. So from the beginning, Sunday Schools have been outreach-oriented small groups that enjoyed fellowship and learning. Common characteristics of Sunday Schools and small groups include: 1.) Outreach is a primary focus. 2.) New people can join a class or group anytime. 3.) The style of ministry is relational. 4.) The ministry has a defined time frame. 5.) The primary textbook is the Bible. Whether you have always belonged to Sunday School/Small Group or if you have never participated in one, this fall there is a place for you to jump in where you can know the real spiritual impact is at the educational level where you can know, love and follow Jesus. Sunday School Classes meet at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Builders Room 201 The primary focus of this class is to reinforce the teachings of the Bible and to view them from different perspectives. Various teachers provide thought-provoking lessons designed to encourage and promote better discipleship in daily Christian life. The ages of members range from the 40 s to the 90 s, however, persons of any age are welcome. Contact Ashley or Kathy Jonas. Crosstalk Room 204 The Crosstalk class is a cross section of ages and opinions that studies a range of topics from the Bible to modern-day issues. We welcome anyone and everyone. Contact Royce Robinson. Faith Matters Room 304 This class consists of parents of children and youth. The format is open discussion based upon a book study. When possible, suggestions are given for parents to nurture their children in the faith. Building a faith that matters for your children begins with developing your own spirit. JOY Class Room 315 The JOY class is composed of people in their 50 s to 70 s, both couples and singles. However, we welcome anyone who shares our study interests. Our class has a lesson format that includes a variety of teaching approaches and materials. Led by Judge Tim Patti. New Ties Room 314 This class ranges in age from early 30 s to early 50 s. The lesson topics are quite varied and interesting, ranging from in-depth discussion of Christian principles to spiritual messages in movies. Class format is centered on discussion rather than lecture. We invite you to join this loving, caring, fun and diverse group of couples and singles. This class is led by Mark McIntosh. Young Adults Room 302 Often uses a video based study for young adult couples and individuals who want to grow in their faith. Lindsay Willis and Rev. Dave Cramp facilitate this group. Follow the link to see our Jump in...there s a Place For You brochure: Friends on the Go! Our second trip will be Thursday, September 29 (Please note the change of date) to Downtown Charlotte. We will have lunch at Nellie s in Belmont (pay on your own) and then have the option to visit either the Nascar Hall of Fame or the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Cost of admission to NHOF is $16.95 and the BMOMA is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors (Over age 65). Please call the church office to register by Thursday, September 22. Advent Festival Task Force Meeting Monday, September 19, 5 p.m., Family Life Center Conference Room.

4 CONNECT...2 First Friday Hot Dogs Friday, September 2, p.m. In the First United Methodist Church parking lot at the corner of Main and Oakland. Hot Dog, potato chips, drink, cookie! $3 or pay as you can. Sponsored by the United Methodist Men. EVERYONE INVITED! United Methodist Women-Faith, Hope and Love in Action *Many thanks to those who purchased tickets and attended our final missions fundraiser luncheon for this year. We had our largest turnout ever! Special thanks to Chef Bruce and his staff for another delicious meal. *Mark your calendars for our Annual Fall Frozen Food and Bake Sale. Saturday, November 12 All proceeds go to support local missions. Congregational Care Committee Caring Hearts Shining a light of caring Fall is here and Congregational Care will resume our regular meetings on Wednesday, September 4:30 p.m. in Room 201. Rev. Ashley Anne Lloyd will be our ministerial staff representative. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a card, or a kind word, a listening ear, or the smallest act of caring. Friendship Connections-Where Friends Connect and Reconnect Have you missed the opportunity for fellowship and friendship during the summer at Friendship Connections? If so, mark your calendars and plan to reconnect with your friends on Thursday, September 15, 2016, 11 a.m. in the Family Life Center. The program, will be The Poet Among Us. See ya ll on September 15 th! Bring a friend, or two! Plant the garden of your life with friendship s lovely flowers! Share An Hour to Change a Child s Life Can you spare one hour a week to help a child gain the basic skills they need to succeed? Come join our West Gastonia Boys and Girls Club Tutors! We meet at the church on Wednesday afternoons from 4-5 p.m. and work with Elementary grade students on reading and math skills. No experience necessary and the smiles and love are abundant! Training and information session on Wednesday, September 7 at 4 pm. In Room 204. Tutoring sessions begin the following Wednesday and run through November. For more info contact Patty Neinast at neinast@carolina.rr.com, or Becky Greene. Patty Neinast

5 CONNECT...3 Youth Sponsor Yard Sale While on their mission trip in Boston, our youth were inspired to clean out and give away their old clothes, shoes, books, and toys. We will be having a yard sale on Saturday, October 15 from 7-11 a.m. in the church parking lot to raise money for youth missions. Church members are welcome to drop off donations in October for this special service project. Do you remember how good it felt when we were kids and got the chance to make a new friend or even as we got older to spend time with someone we hadn t seen in a while? That s Worship Without Walls exactly the feeling YOU can have as we at First Methodist join with our brothers and sisters at St. Stephens AME Zion in this year s Main Event! The date is set for Sunday, October 9 and the Main Event committee is so excited to tell the world about the theme.drum roll please WORSHIP WITHOUT WALLS. W.O.W. aint that a blip! We will come together for fellowship, music, worship of our Lord and of course lots of fun and food at the Gastonia Rotary Pavilion. We are honored to have Dr. Charles Tillett of St. Stephens to deliver the message and we will gather in unity to pray for our community and our world. So make plans now to get those chairs out and bring an extra one for our honored guests from St. Stephens and let s WORSHIP WITHOUT WALLS and show our community and world what the body of Christ is about. Appalachia Service Project Donations ASP needs your financial support for our mission trip, October 2-8. Make a contribution to FUMC and note ASP on the memo line. For additional information, visit Thanks! Discover YOU Cooking Class Thank You Notes: Free Cooking Class, Thursday, September 29, 6 p.m., Discover YOU, 420 E. Central Ave. Mt. Holly, NC. Healthy meals using local foods where you ll also enjoy preparing and tasting low-fat, lowsodium and low-cholesterol foods without breaking the budget. Space is limited, register discover-you. org. *From Ellen Maxwell for supporting the Boys and Girls Club Dancing With The Stars! Ellen was one of the celebrity dancers this past year. *From Rev. Doug Miller, Ride Director for Cycle To Lake Junaluska. Doug thanks our church for its hospitality in providing a send off for their ride up the mountain. They raised over $2,200 for the Wesley Foundations and Campus Ministries of the WNCC Conference.

6 Wednesday Evening Programming is Back! Calling all children, birth-5th grade. Wednesday, September 7, 2016, kicks of our fall programming. Come out and eat with your family from 5:30 6:30 p.m. Children s programming will begin at 6:30. It will be a fun time of VBS style Bible stories and games until 7:30. Please remember to sign-up! Sunday School Kick-off Sunday, September 11, 2016 we will begin our fall Sunday School programming. We have wonderful teachers, who are excited to be part of your faith journey. Toddler and Twos-Room 101 3s and 4s-Room 130 K and 1st grade-room 132 2nd and 3rd grade-room 129 4th and 5th grade-room 131 -Children s Ministry Vacation Bible School 2016!!! 3rd Grade Bible Presentation Sunday, September 25, 2016 at all three worship services. 3rd grade students will be recognized and presented with a new Bible to help them grow in their faith. FUMC Preschool The Preschool s first day is September 6. The preschool halls will be busy with 57 children enrolled. It is a blessing to hear Jesus loves me in these halls everyday. Connect with the Children Ways to serve: *Wednesday Evening Volunteers (contact Kristi with any questions) *Nursery Volunteers Wacky Wednesday at Hickory Dickory Dock Mission Monday...Treats for Teachers Contact: Kristi McClellan Director of Preshool/ Children s Ministries ext. 231 preschool@fumcgastonia.org kristi@fumcgastonia.org

7 Youth Ministry Youth Gatherings on Sunday Mornings in The Greene House 9:45-10 a.m. Sunday School Classes will be in The Greene House 10-10:45a.m Classes are offered for Confirmation, 6 th & 7 th Graders, 9 th & 10 th Graders, and 11 th & 12 th Graders Mid-Hi UMYF (6 th, 7 th, & 8 th Graders) Sunday, September 11: Pool Party, 6-8 p.m. Sunday, September 18: Olympic Celebration, 6:15-7:30 p.m. Sunday, September 25: Movie, Munchies, and Message, 6:15-7:30 p.m. Friday, September 30 Sunday, October 2: Fall Retreat at Valle Crucis Sr-Hi UMYF (9 th, 10 th, 11 th, & 12 th Graders) Contact: Jennifer Cabaniss Director of Student Ministries ext. 223 jennifer@fumcgastonia.org Tuesday, September 6: Prayer Breakfast at Bojangles (S. New Hope Rd.), 7 a.m. Sunday, September 11: Chicken Bog, 6-8 p.m. Sunday, September 18: Olympic Celebration, 6:15-7:30 p.m. Friday, September 23 Sunday, October 2: Fall Retreat at Valle Crucis *Youth Ministry Fall Magnets will be mailed out in September. Check your and weekly eblast for more detailed information.* Our Sr-Hi youth had a wonderful planning retreat in Boone!

8 Welcome to Your Place in FUMC Music & Worship Arts! Choirs continue to begin this month. There is a place for you! -Music and Worship Arts Ministry Wed. September 7 Asbury Handbells [2 nd -5 th grade] 4:30-5 p.m. Room 114A Asbury Choir [3 rd -5 th grade] 5-5:45 p.m. Room 114 Wesley Choir [K-2 nd grade] 5-5:45 p.m. Room 119 Music Makers [3-4 yr] 5:15-5:45 p.m. Room 128 Sun. September 11 Youth Handbells [6 th -12 th gr] 4:15-5 p.m. Room 114A First Brass [7 th gr-adults] 5-6 p.m. Room 114 Youth Vocal Ensemble [6 th -12 th gr] 5-6 p.m. Room 119 Contemporary Choir [adult] 6:30-7:30 p.m. Room 114 * * * * * * * * * * First UMC Concert Series presents: Spencer Mountain Quintet with Rex Smith, pianist Friday, September 7 p.m., FUMC Theatre Hannah Williams Music on a Mission benefit concert Sunday, September 3 p.m., FUMC Theatre Brandon Whitesell, baritone, with Susan Lisle, piano Friday, October 7 p.m., Sanctuary Gaston String Orchestra Fall Concert Saturday, November 4 p.m., FUMC Theatre Dinner Theater A Christmas Madrigal Dinner at the Home of Charles Wesley Saturday, December 6 p.m., Fellowship Hall Sunday, December 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Hall Contact: Rev. Saxon Scarborough Minister of Music ext. 233 saxon@fumcgastonia.org Handel s Messiah presented by FUMC Adult Choirs Sunday, December 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sanctuary

9 Parish Nurse Ministry Run/Walk For God Contact: Lisa Marisiddaiah Parish Nurse ext. 256 or Mondays, September 12-November 14 from 6-7:15 p.m. in the Gym. The mission of Run For God: Preparing people to be better witnesses for Christ...physically, mentally, and spiritually. You can walk, jog or run at your own pace. Train for a race or just come for regular exercise. We offer inspiring stories, scripture, running tips and physical activity. Call the church office, to register. Save the Date: October 20 A Morning of Opportunities 10 a.m.-1 p.m. First United Methodist Church Family Life Center ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR sponsored by FUMC and our Parish Nurse, Lisa Marisiddaiah. The fall season is beginning. Let s all make sure we are on track for a healthier you. Free screenings for blood pressure, glucose, and much more! Also, on this date, you will have an opportunity to connect and reconnect with friends. FRIENDSHIP CONNECTIONS - Family Life Center, 11 a.m. Dan Seufert, as Major Patrick Ferguson, the English commander of the British Forces at the Battle of Kings Mountain of the Revolutionary War, will share his story. Complimentary lunch will follow provided by Chef Bruce. Please make a reservation ( ). Invite a friend and enjoy the morning! Charlotte Lynch, Instructor Follow this link to view the Fall 2016 Parish Nurse Programs:

10 To print this calendar, select print and choose page 10. Thanks for collecting school supplies for our partner schools! York Chester Middle School principal, Amy Holbrook, was very appreciative of our generosity.

11 To print this calendar, select print and choose page 11. ************************************************************************************** Family Promise Week-September 18 What is Family Promise? Family Promise is an agency which provides housing through the network of 17 church facilities in Gastonia/Belmont area. These churches house selected parents and children on a one week rotation basis. The families receive shelter, meals, daycare and transportation while parents continue to work or establish full time employment. Hello current and potential FUMC Family Promise volunteers - we will be hosting the Family Promise families next the week of September 18 th - Would you please consider signing up for a slot? I coordinate our volunteers through SignUpGenius.com. The link is: Please share this signup information with other FUMC families and friends! I always need help sharing info and getting volunteers. There are many, many ways to help with this ministry. The SignUpGenius has brief explanations of the different ways and of course don t hesitate to call, text or me any questions you might have. It's something I love to share! luvtennis1964@yahoo.com; I have seen the Family Promise ministry make a big difference in many families and have seen it provide hope in situations that had previously seemed hopeless! It is a privilege for me to see our church family reaching out to these families and it is a joy to see how the love and blessings go both ways! Thank you! I look forward to serving with you all! Theresa McIntosh Newsletter articles must be submitted via by 9 a.m. on the last Wednesday of the month prior to publication for the following month. your submission to Amanda, amanda@fumcgastonia.org. Please note that articles are at the Editor s discretion due to limited space, run time, etc. Thank you for your cooperation.

12 Events and News... Welcome New Members Breaking News!!! Stay calm and answer seems simple on paper and then when God takes a message and throws it into practice in your daily life it quickly takes on new meaning. God is asking me to stay calm and answer the call to move back to Texas to be closer to my family. It is not the plan I had. It makes me nervous and jittery, however, every time I pray about it, I know it is God s will and my submission to it is to stay calm and answer "Here I am Lord, send me." Donna Atkins Steve, Kristi, Kaci and Karalynn McClellan Katie, Keith Kap and Caroline Grace Porter Barbara and David Krueger David, Laura, Kate and Regan O Neill Kellie and Andrew Reep I have a tattoo on my left arm, my non-dominant arm, the one that depends on guidance and cannot do everything the other arm can do the words are written in Portuguese from the country that brought me back to life fiel até o fim - faithful You until Can the end. Be We don t Confident!! always know where God is going to take us next or what God is going to do with us but we can rest assure that if we commit to living by faith our path is guaranteed to lead us closer to the heart of God, the only place we really need to hold permanent residence. Thank you. I will never be able to say those two words enough to each and every one of you here at FUMC Gastonia. You have provided me a couple of WONDERFUL years here to grow, dream, and be loved. I m not sure I will ever find another church that will feel so much like home. You are the congregation a pastor DREAMS of serving! So thank you. I will miss you dearly and continue to pray that God s love is encountered here by each person that walks through the doors. I m so glad I was lucky enough to be one of them. Rev. AA SPRC News Rev. Ashley Anne Lloyd made us aware of her desire to move to Texas. We thank God for her ministry among us, and will plan to celebrate her ministry after church on September 25 (her last day). We wish her well with the move. Bishop Leeland and Rev. Angela Pleasants, our District Superintendent, are aware of this move. They are working with us to have a new Associate Minister in place as soon as possible. FUMC Moms of Young Children Fall Kickoff Breakfast-Wednesday, September 7, 9 a.m., Grits N Greens Southern Cuisine, 125 N. Main St. Lowell. Let's get together for breakfast (kiddos welcome, of course!) and to plan out our fall meetings!

13 New Ministry Introducing Our Parish Response Ministers On Sunday, August 21 the 2016 Parish Response Ministers were Commissioned. These 10 dedicated souls have worked very hard over the past year in training, practice, and prayer to prepare for their new roles as PRM s at First UMC. Each one brings a unique history and gift to this new parish care ministry. They will work closely with the clergy to deepen the level of compassionate response and nurture we are able to give when someone enters a crisis situation or undergoes a time in life where more attention and care is needed. If you need to contact the Parish Response Ministry Team, you may reach them by at PRM@fumcgastonia.org. Stacey Austell Dan Moser Ellen Downey Leigh Smith Juta Carpenter Sharon Pendergast Judy Jaeger PRM Coordinator: Rev. Ashley Anne Lloyd Judy Cozart Kimm Santa Jennifer Lynch Contact: Rev. Ashley Anne Lloyd Associate Minister ext. 230 ashleyanne@fumcgastonia.org

14 Hola! Your Church in Mission Our Mission Trip Team arrived back safely from our trip to Jaquimeyes, Dominican Republic, August 6-13th. It was a week of blood, sweat, tears and the beginning of a beautiful friendship between our church and the members of the Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana. Under the leadership of Pastora Alfreda the women of this church opened their arms and kitchen to us for a week filled with food and fellowship. As soon as our daily lunch was over though it was back to work with the men of the Water at Work ministry who patiently guided our efforts to build the walls for the new water treatment plant brick by brick. Although our tired hands and achy backs put in all the effort we had, the project will be completed by our newfound Dominican brothers and sisters by the end of the year to hopefully open the fully operational water ministry in the beginning of I can only IMAGINE what this source of clean water will bring to this community in need. Upon our departure we left with hugs, tears, and promises that not only will this experience leave us with the responsibility to live more justly in our own homes and with our own resources but that we would bring back what we saw, heard, and felt to share with our church in an effort to help bring about a joint commitment to continue to pray for the community of Jaquimeyes but also to look into ways we can corporately stand up for justice issues surrounding global poverty and clean water resource. We also bring back with us a renewed passion for worship and gratefulness for the goodness of our God. THANK YOU for all those who supported this trip financially and ALL those who were with us through prayer! We could not have done this without the WHOLE church being with us! Dios te bendiga, Rev. Ashley Anne Making Connections At introductions the first day, La Pastora excitedly exclaimed over my name. She explained through gestures that her daughter s name was also Anhala or Angela. Later that same day the connection that her husband also had diabetes was made. This conversation started with gestures and simple one word statements such as sugar and evolved to include an interpreter so that La Pastora could make sure that I was all right and inquire about making special food for me because of my diabetes. I explained about my insulin pump allowed me to eat regular food and my skin cancer had caused the diabetes. She explained the absence of insulin in her country and the death of people who need it. Her husband takes pills and watches his diet to help control the disease. That afternoon when we went out in the community to evangelize and pass out water, La Pastora wanted me to go with her. She assigned a church member to follow me around with an umbrella to protect me from the sun and a cancer reoccurrence. What a gift from God and this congregation to be allowed to celebrate my 60 th birthday by going to the DR to help build a water treatment plant, to love these Christian people with unconditional love even with us not knowing each other s language and to be loved, protected and cared for in return. Thanks be to God. Angela Neal

15 FUMCBC Update FUMC Bessemer City Partnership Greetings my FUMCG Family, it s hard to believe I have been at this preaching gig six weeks! I m enjoying every minute of it and I m so blessed to serve two of the best United Methodist Churches in the conference! I wanted to update you all on what has been happening and how the partnership is progressing! *We had six of our Bessemer City Members attend Vacation Bible School. We had a blast and many of the church members look forward to helping next year! Having VBS *We are averaging about 62 members and visitors each week for worship. I understand that is a pretty good number for the summer. We average about 20 for Sunday school each week. We are having several new visitors and this congregation is wonderful on hospitality! *The church is very involved in the Bessemer City Community. We support the Middle School with various needs each month, are a host site for Meals on Wheels and also serve the Bessemer City Crisis Ministry, just to name a few of the ways we provide help for the people of Bessemer City. *This fall I plan to invite our congregation to get involved in any of the programs at FUMCG offered in the Fall Program Brochure. I also invite any of you to attend some of the plans we have for the fall in Bessemer City. Plans include: Run for God, Wednesday Night Live, Sermon Talk, Wednesday Morning Bible Study and much more. *We will have our first Wednesday Night Live, September 7, starting at 6 p.m. *We hope to incorporate more collaboration with our children, youth and adult ministries. I look forward to working with Becky, Jennifer and Kristi on how that will work! *David and I meet each week in Bessemer City at 11 a.m. for Sermon Talk. This is an opportunity for us to share and discuss the upcoming week s sermon. I invite any of you to attend and try one of the delicious restaurants in Bessemer City after we finish. *I continue to work with FUMCG staff visiting our shut-ins at FUMCG. This has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to each visit. This is just one of the ways I continue to serve the congregation in Gastonia. *This Sunday we had a blessing of the back-packs. We also had a meal and prayer time for the start of the new school year after church. In fact, we have a pot-luck fellowship the fourth Sunday of each month. This would be a great time for any of you who would like to visit one Sunday. Bring a covered dish meal and meet some of the fine people at this church. I promise the food will be great, but no guarantees on the preaching. Thanks again for supporting this partnership. I have been blessed to have this as my first charge and I appreciate all the prayers and those that have been over to support me on Sunday mornings. It s always nice to look up and see a familiar face! First United Methodist Church Bessemer City * * 110 W. Alabama Ave. church for community.org Blessings, Tripp

16 STAY CONNECTED... Phone: Web: Give First United Methodist Church PO Box 218 Gastonia, North Carolina Published monthly at 190 E. 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 First United Methodist Church PO Box 218 Gastonia, NC Program Staff David Christy, Senior Minister Tripp Hord, Minister of Visitation/FUMC Bessemer City Partnership Kristi McClellan, Director of Weekday Preschool/Children s Ministries Susan Lisle, Music Associate Dave Davis, Business Manager Ashley Anne Lloyd, Associate Minister Saxon Scarborough, Minister of Music Jennifer Cabaniss, Director of Student Ministries Timothy Scruggs, Organist Bruce Tindall, Director of Food Services James Westmoreland, Pastor Emeritus Rebecca Greene, Director of Spiritual Formation Aaron Prillaman, 162 East Worship Leader Lisa Marisiddaiah, Parish Nurse Eddie Ingram, Pastoral Psychotherapist: , x411