First Look. First united Methodist church Newsletter September 15, 2014 Volume 43, Issue No. 36. Dear Fellow Missionaries,

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1 First Look First united Methodist church Newsletter September 15, 2014 Volume 43, Issue No. 36 Greetings from David Dear Fellow Missionaries, I have really enjoyed thinking a lot about Jacob and Joseph stories in this series Success or Significance? A book that has guided me in this process is a great novel by one of my favorite writers, Frederick Buechner. The book is entitled Son of Laughter and I commend it to you as a great read. We are concluding our series this coming week as we look at what it means to move past resentment to a life of significance. Joseph is finally faced with his brothers, the very ones who sold him into slavery. What will he do? He has to work on his own attitude as he is challenged to move past resentment that is very real. I hope you will read through Genesis 45:1-15 with me as God forms a sermon in us. How do we deal with resentment? Have we ever wanted to stick it to someone with a bit of revenge? How should we act in such situations? This scripture may be meaningful to us if we have found ourselves in those situations. I am honored to get to be one of your pastors. I look forward to getting to be in mission and ministry with you this week! In Christ s Service, David Concert Series Continues Alan Mearns - guitarist Friday, September 19, p.m. FUMC Theatre, 162 East Main St. Suggested donation of $5. Read his bio on page 4.

2 We Witness By Our Prayers Hospitalized: C.B. Barr-CaroMont Sympathy to: The family and friends of Ava Neil Collins, who passed away September 15, By Our Presence September 14, :45 a.m. Worship a.m. Worship a.m. Worship 292 Total Worship 472 Sunday School 241 By Our Service Sunday, September 21 Scripture Readers 8:45 a.m. Kay Whitesell 11 a.m. Greg Rogers Bus Driver Don Abernathy Doorstopper Greeters Skip McPhail Pauline and Don Church Jeanne and Robert Rawlings Julie Heath Minister on Call Weekend of September David Christy Menu for September 17 Smothered pork chops Penne pasta w/italian sausage Baked apples Steamed broccoli Rolls Strawberry shortcake Please do not forget to cancel a reservation if you are unable to attend. We are making a conscious effort to keep food cost manageable and still provide a delicious well-balanced meal for you and your family to enjoy. Thank you! The Committee on Lay Leadership (Nominations) is meeting over the next several weeks to get our list of officers for The committee welcomes your input, though obviously we trust them to nominate a wide range of committed people to serve our church, and there is no way everyone can serve every position! If you have thoughts about ways you or others might serve, feel free to contact a member of the committee: Bill Gray, Jane Hooper, Dan Moser, Loren Radford, Anne Mallonee, Mary Massey, Dave Davis, Jane Smith, Erin Wilson, or David Christy, Chair. Ex-officio members are Jim Westmoreland and Becky Greene. How do we help the needy? We are so blessed to get to be a downtown church! One of the great privileges we have is getting to interact with all of God s Children as we arrive and leave church. We often get asked, Do we have an official stance in how to respond to folks who want money? The answer is, Yes! In the lobby of the Family Life Center and of our main building, just outside the reception area, we have sheets explaining our stance along with numbers and addresses of our helping agencies in town. It reads as follows: FOR THOSE SEEKING ASSISTANCE WELCOME To First United Methodist Church! We are glad that you have come by our church and hope that you feel God s love among us! We would love to grow in relationship with you and invite you to worship with us any Sunday at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary or 9 a.m. in the Theatre. It is a custom of our church not to give out money at any time to anyone. Our church is a proud supporter of the helping agencies in our community. We have listed the ones below that offer general assistance: Salvation Army ( ) 107 S. Broad Street, Gastonia Crisis Assistance Ministry ( ) 9 a.m. 2 p.m., 805 W. Airline Drive, Gastonia We assist these ministries in their services, and trust them to make the best decisions possible. We feel that this is the best way we can help the most people in our community. We thank you for understanding that. Included on this sheet, you will find a list of food pantries and agencies in our community who seek to help those in need. Our mission as a church is to see Christ in every person we encounter and demonstrate to them the love of God and the teachings of Jesus. You are always welcome here at First UMC! As members, please always feel free to seek out a staff member if you are uncomfortable or need further assistance.

3 Youth connections Sunday, September 21, a.m. Disciple Bible Study 9:45 The Gathering 10 a.m. Sunday School and Confirmation Class 6:15 p.m. Sr Hi UMYF Tribute to Robin Williams. Enjoy dinner catered from Tequilas followed by showing movie clips of this incredible talent, FUMC Theatre. Mid Hi UMYF No Arms, No Legs, No Worries, FLC. Mid Hi Fall Retreat September 26-29, 2014 at Valle Crucis We leave on Friday, September 26 at 5:30 p.m. from the FLC parking lot. We will return at approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 28. Cost: $125 per person which includes transportation, two nights lodging, linens, towels, long sleeve t-shirt and four meals. A reduced rate of $110 for families with more than one child attending. Registration: Please return the registration form to Carol no later than September 21 or register online Mark Your Calendars Sr Hi Retreat-October 3-5. Watch for information in the mail and on the website. Children s Ministry Nursery Volunteers for the fall quarter are needed for the 162 East service at 9 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. If you would like to help, please let me know or me at jennifer@fumcgastonia.org Thanks in advance! All 3-year olds and Kindergartners-5 th graders are invited to gather in the Canteen on Sundays for a breakfast snack, announcements, and prayer. Children will then go to their Sunday School class at 10 a.m. Wednesday Evening Activities 6:30-7:30 p.m. All events will take place in the first floor of the Main Building. Parents please take your child to their room by 6:30 and pick them up at 7:30. Nursery for Infants and Toddlers Room year olds Meet in Room 103 Teacher: Lauren Loper K-2 nd graders F.A.I.T.H. ~Fantastic Adventure in Trusting Him Meet in the Canteen Teacher: Sally Queen 3 rd -5 th graders F.I.S.H. ~ First In Serving Him Meet in Room 127 Teacher: Jennifer Cabaniss Hugs and Smiles, Jennifer

4 Music Ministry Tuesday, September 16 6:30 p.m. Music Committee Room 114 Wednesday, September 17 4:30 p.m. Asbury Handbells Room 114A 5 p.m. Asbury, Carol and Wesley Choirs, Rooms 114, 124, 119 5:15 p.m. Music Makers, Room 130 6:30 p.m. Chancel Bells, Sanctuary 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Room 114 Worship Schedule Sunday, September 21 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary 9 a.m. Theatre 11 a.m. Sanctuary Friday, September 19 7 p.m. Concert Series Theatre Sunday, September a.m. Chancel Choir Room 114 4:15 p.m. Youth Handbells, Room 114A 4:30 p.m. Youth Rock Band Theatre 5 p.m. Youth Brass, Sanctuary, LightShine, Room 114 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Choir Room 114 First UMC Concert Series Presents: Alan Mearns - guitarist Friday, September 19, p.m. FUMC Theatre, 162 East Main St. Alan was born and raised in the troubled streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland, the second son of an itinerant preacher. His teenage years were spent inside a guitar, absorbing every musical style within earshot. Eventually, his skill would land him in America on a music scholarship. After a couple of band incarnations, down playing his playing for a more minimal, post-punk aesthetic, he found himself alone again with his guitar. He explains, "I found myself falling in love with the guitar again, not in the traditional 'lead guitarist' sense, but in a way that could accompany my songs and provide a satisfying emotional landscape. My guitar became a kind of miniature band, a miniature cathedral." This music is not merely a sum of its parts though. Alan's body seems to have grown a guitar and his guitar seems to be inhabited by a voice, a haunted ship on the sea of song. The lyrics are truly lyre-ic, forming out of the melody, which in turn is birthed from plucked harmony. Audiences are left spellbound by something that seems to have absorbed modern pop and folk music, but is, at its heart much more ancient, something Orphean, Homeric, Davidian. Music Ministry Contacts Rev. Saxon Scarborough Minister of Music saxon@fumcgastonia.org x cell Susan Lisle Music Associate susan@fumcgastonia.org x237 Aaron Prillaman 162 East Worship Leader aaron@fumcgastonia.org cell Timothy Scruggs Organist timothy@fumcgastonia.org cell James Smith Assistant Organist beanman@vnet.net cell

5 connect Friendship Connections Where friends Connect and Reconnect Fall kick-off Thursday, September 18 The Fellowship begins around 10:30 a.m. in the FLC for Fellowship connecting and/or reconnecting with our friends all friends, new friends, young friends and those in between. Fun and food will follow. Mark your calendar to be a part of the morning of Fun as we welcome our home grown Royce Robinson. Royce will share his many talents of pickin, singin, and song writin! See ya ll on the 18 th for a hand-clappin, foot stompin good time with Royce. United Methodist men Meeting Thursday, September 25, p.m. FLC Garland Atkins, Speaker. You are invited A Framework for Understanding Poverty: Connections for our Community A workshop and conversation sponsored by Maylo United Methodist Church 1900 Spencer Mountain Rd., Gastonia, NC Thursday, September 25, :30-7:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall Led by Dwayne Burks, Executive Director of Gaston Faith Network Young Adult supper club kick-off Calling all young adults ages 23-40, join us for dinner at the home of Madison and Brad Henry, 1525 Stableview Dr., Gastonia. The Henrys are new members of FUMC and are starting a supper club which will meet 4-6 times per year. The first gathering is set for Sunday, October 5 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Childcare available upon request. If interested in meeting other young adult members of the church in a social setting, please contact Madison at or madisonwhenry@gmail.com for more information. The Boys and Girls Club needs you to provide a meal We are currently serving dinner to an average of 120 children once a month. This is a great project for Sunday School classes, families, friends, Neighborhood Groups and UMW Circles. Please contact Beth Williams at ecw1103@yahoo.com or to help with this very important ministry. Newsletter articles must be submitted via by 9 a.m. on Wednesday prior to publication on the following Monday. 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.

6 events AND NEWS United Methodist women news Save the Date - Saturday, November 8, 2014 The United Methodist Women s Bake/Frozen Food Sale will be the event of the season. You will not want to miss this opportunity to stock your pantry and fridge with delectable goodies and mouth watering casseroles for the upcoming holidays. Set your clocks for early rising. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. (an hour earlier than in the past!). The UMM will be having their annual Pancake Breakfast that morning. Come hungry! Stay tuned! Special Order Casseroles If you would like to pre-order a 9x13 casserole, $18 non-meat, $24 meat, please do so by October 15. Contact Amy Plowden, or narp1@aol.com Chicken spectacular, chicken and dressing, chicken tetrazzini, sweet potato, broccoli, hash brown, pineapple/cranberry. Parish nurse ministry

7 September 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday To print this calendar, select print and choose page 7.

8 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. Prayers for those serving in the military CW3 Shaun Breth (Nan White's grandson) MSGT Martin Bo M. Henson (Louise Henson s son) CAPT Parker Gray (Jimmy Gray & Lynn Lamb s son) SGT Nathan Siceloff (David & Libby Siceloff s son) SFC Bo Beam (Ernie & Rosemarie Nivens' son-in-law) SGT David Frederick (Amanda P. Frederick's husband) SSGT David DeBerry (Chris DeBerry s son) A1C Jessica DeBerry (Chris DeBerry s daughter-in-law) CPL Donald Hamrick (Charlie Greene s cousin) AE1 Steve Clark (Katie Spurrier s son) PFC Landon Doctor (Katherine Crawford Doctor s husband) CHPL LT Crystal McPhail (Skip McPhail s daughter) Chad Buttrey (Sam Stout s cousin) SGT Josh Marlow SA Tyler Turner (Bonnie and Horace Turner s grandson) ENS Parrisha Barnes (former member of UMYF) Connect Phone: contact@fumcgastonia.org Web: Give fumcgastonia First United Methodist Church PO Box 218 Gastonia, North Carolina Published weekly except one week in July and Christmas week, 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 David Christy, Senior Minister Kristi McClellan, Director of Weekday Preschool Jim Ware, Director of Family Life Center Timothy Scruggs, Organist Bruce Tindall, Director of Food Services Program Staff James Westmoreland, Minister of Congregational Care Jennifer Cabaniss, Director of Children s Ministries Aaron Prillaman, 162 East Worship Leader Lisa Marisiddaiah, Parish Nurse Saxon Scarborough, Minister of Music Rebecca Greene, Director of Youth Ministries Susan Lisle, Music Associate Larry Brannock, Interim Business Manager Eddie Ingram, Pastoral Psychotherapist: , x411