FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Covington, TN

Transcription

1 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Covington, TN September 12, 2018 A Bi-Monthly Publication Pastoral Staff Rev. Dan Camp Senior Pastor dcamp@covingtonfumc.com This week in KIDS FIRST Science with Jesus we learned the story of Jesus walking on water! As long as we keep our eyes upon Jesus and put our trust in him, we will be okay. But when we take our eyes off of Jesus and put our confidence in our own ability, we will surely sink! Care Staff Dr. Faye Beckett Congregational Care ftrumbo@att.net Kendy Erwin Hospitality Care kerwin1962@att.net Outreach Staff Liz Newman Director of Outreach ewnewman2@gmail.com Program Staff Andrew Davis Youth Ministries ajdavis915@gmail.com Carole Mathis MorningSong Worship Leader cmathis725@gmail.com KIDS FIRST Sunday School classes collected nonperishable food items and hygiene products to make blessing bags last Sunday for families in need that visit our Samaritan Ministry. Sarah Smith Children s Ministry Coordinator sarah.french.smith@gmail.com Dr. Bonnie Wright Director of Music bwright@tipton-county.com Office Support Staff Sandy Burgess Office Manager sburgess@covingtonfumc.com Musician Justin Hanson, Organist In Sunday School we learned about Jesus healing the man by the pool. The man was in a hopeless state. He was unable to walk and had been in this condition for thirty-eight years. Jesus knew that real power did not lie in bubbling water; power lies with God! 1 Facilities Rebecca Paris Custodian Kenny Summers Maintenance F U MC Office Hours: 9: 00 a. m. - 5 :00 p. m. M ond a y-fri da y Leading Others to Christ, Learning to Be Disciples, Loving through Service.

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3 We had a GREAT group of 24 for our 1st Sunday School class for parents of young children! Pastor Dan will lead this group as they study Seven Things John Wesley Expected Us to do for Kids by Christopher Miles Ritter. It is our hope and prayer that this group will provide support to one another as these young families navigate this very busy, sometimes challenging phase of life. Millennial Parenting By Laine Peeler Olesen We often toss around the phrase it takes a village when discussing raising our children, but the reality for most young parents is quite the opposite. Over the past few generations, raising a family has shifted from parenting with the help of extended family and neighborhood friends to parenting in isolation. Even when we are fortunate enough to have family living nearby or a great neighborhood, millennials often pride themselves on doing it alone and doing it better than anyone else. There is so much pressure to be perfect, much of it self-inflicted, but also the rise of social media exacerbates the pressure. We feel the pressure to succeed professionally while also being the perfect parent, spouse, friend, church-goer and it feels as though the world is watching to see if we succeed. I remember the first weeks with our little girl, I was in a fog of exhaustion and pain and though I was so thankful for precious baby Rhodes, I felt overwhelmed, emotional and confused about what on earth I was supposed to be doing. But just like so many others, I added a filter to hide the circles under my eyes and posted photos on social media pretending like it was all rainbows and sunshine in the midst of the hardest weeks of my life. The truth is being a parent of young children is an enormous blessing, but also an enormous daily challenge that can feel like constantly treading water. We need a village to be the best parents we can be and raise the best children we can raise, and the church has an opportunity to be that village. Every generation has its own unique challenges, but isolation in a world that is hyper-connected is one of ours. The new young parent Sunday School class is a great way to build a support network during a vulnerable time of life, and I am thankful to Pastor Dan for intentionally seeking out and serving this group. I also ask our church members to be mindful of the young families they see at church or those who would love to come to church but just can t add it to their plate this week. Millennial parents may act like we have it all together, but a kind word, helping hand, or prayer for us when you see us juggling babies and bags and snacks and tantrums can go a long way. Thank you for being the village so many of us need! 3

4 Carole Mathis will be leading a new Women s Bible Study on Thursdays at 9:30 AM beginning this Thursday, September 13th in the New Beginnings Classroom. All are welcome! Mark Your Calendars: Sept 30: Charge Conference, 5 PM (nursery provided) Oct 7: World Communion Day Oct 31: Trunk or Treat Nov 14: Church Wide Thanksgiving Dinner, 6-8 PM Dec 2: Children s Christmas Program Dec 5: Children Christmas Caroling Dec 23: Christmas Craft & Fellowship, 9:45 AM Dec 24: Christmas Eve Services, 5 PM & 9 PM Upcoming youth events: Sept 26: The Gathering Youth Worship Service Oct 2: Boys & Girls Club Banquet Oct 7 & 10: No evening activities/fall Break Oct 24: The Gathering Youth Worship Service Oct 31: Trunk or Treat Nov 18 & 21: No evening activities/thanksgiving Break Nov 28: The Gathering Youth Worship Service Dec 9: Youth Progressive Dinner Dec 12: The Gathering Youth Worship Service Dec 23 & 28: No evening activities/christmas Break 4

5 John Wesley & The American Church I m reading a great account of how our Nation came into being. It s called, 1776, by historian, David McCullough. McCullough details how George Washington s personal determination and savvy was able to knit together a group of farmers and ragged volunteers into an effective, well-organized fighting force. By craftily positioning troops and creating the image that the Continental Army was greater than it seemed, Washington was able to lay siege to Boston and watch the English troops and loyalists abandon the city and return to England. Well I m only about halfway through but let s just say that England (and King George III) didn t just give up their claim to the American colonies and territories. Far from it. In fact, the sailing armada of warships that soon returned to take New York (under the command of the Howe brothers) was staggering. The English mustered all their available might to suppress the American rebellion and return this country to English rule. My take is that it is due in large part to the great skill of George Washington that we are now free of English rule. Well it s a great read and I commend it to you. About ten years later, John Wesley was also back in England. Unlike George III, he never had intentions of trying to make the Methodists in America conform to English rule. either in their church life or their private life. John was a minister in a national church (the Church of England) but was responsible for a Methodist movement that had reached the colonies and was flourishing. On September 10, 1784 from Bristol, England, John wrote in a letter to Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke:..It has, indeed, been proposed to desire the English Bishops to ordain part of our Preachers for America. But to this I object. (1.) I desired the Bishop of London to ordain only one; but could not prevail. (2.) If they consented, we know the slowness of their proceedings; but the matter admits of no delay. (3.) if they would ordain them now, they would likewise expect to govern them. And how grievously this would entangle us! (4.) As our American brethren are now totally disengaged both from the State and from the English hierarchy, we dare not entangle them again, either with the one or the other. They are now at full liberty, simply to follow the Scriptures and the primitive church. And we judge it best that they should stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has so strangely made them free. I don t know if this jumps out at you as it does me? John Wesley was in his eighties when he released the American church (under the guidance of Coke and Asbury) to follow the example of Scripture and to model themselves after the primitive church. He did not seek to call the shots for the American Methodists from England. Too often, in my own ministry, I have seen churches dry up because decisions were being guided by two or three Elders who refused to give up their remote controls and continued to meddle when it was time to turn over the reigns to new leadership. As our church now moves into a new era and the millennial and Gen X rs begin to assume their rightful place of leadership, it seems to me that we should all take a lesson from Father Wesley. Let s (prayerfully) refuse to grievously entangle and allow this next generation to lead and make decisions necessary to follow the examples of both scripture and the primitive church. --Pastor Dan 5

6 The Men s Prayer Breakfast meets Thursday mornings in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 a.m. The cost for breakfast is $5.00. Come to lift up prayer requests, enjoy the fellowship and partake of a delicious breakfast! Cindy Pease, Christian Counselor, will offer a grief support group on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the GO classroom (lower level of the Sanctuary building). It will soon be time to open the Share the Warmth coat closet for those in need of a warm coat. If you have gently used coats you would like to donate, please bring them to the church. For more information, please contact Liz Newman, ewnewman2@gmail.com or call Sept 12 Sept 13 Sept 14 Sept 15 Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 18 Sept 19 Mary Ann Gulley Scott Jackson Bill Peeler Kim Stewart Sarah Maury Sarah Newman Lane Clark Valerie Platt Blaine Locke Donna Jones Ken McCool Rachel Smith Holli Ray Hollie Bryant Meredith Owen Sept 21 Sept 22 Sept 23 Sept 24 Sept 25 Sept 26 Sept 27 Sept 28 Sept 29 Ted Turner Claire Peeler Christopher Smith Carter Smith Andi Grace Richardson Storm Smith Roy Wrather Judy McDowell Trae Carter April Fisher Chelsea David Liz Burgess Eddie Daniel Frank Poole 6

7 August 28 through September 10, 2018 SAMARITAN FUND TOTALS Year-To-Date Totals # of Awards Amount Type of Assistance 0 $ 0 Bus Ticket 0 $ 0 Food 1 $ Lodging 0 $ 0 Miscellaneous 7 $ Rent 28 $ 1, Utilities 1 $ Vehicular Gas 37 $ 1, Totals # of Awards Amount Type of Assistance 2 $ Bus Ticket 0 $ 0 Food 124 $ 7, Lodging 5 $ Miscellaneous 43 $ 2, Rent 273 $ 12, Utilities 8 $ Vehicular Gas 455 $ 22, Totals Children: 54 Senior Adults: 3 Adults: 42 Total Individuals: 99 Fixed Income: 9 Lost Jobs: 17 As of September 10, 2018 Samaritan Balance: $ 3, Children: 531 Senior Adults: 83 Adults: 682 Total Individuals: 1296 Fixed Income: 258 Lost Jobs: 571 ROUNDUP UTILITY ASSISTANCE August 28 through September 10, Households were interviewed CES: 24 total households CGWS: 3 total households 1 approved totaling $ approved totaling $ declined totaling $ 3, declined totaling $ A young man with intellectual disabilities came to the church office seeking assistance with his water deposit. He had come to the area from North Carolina to live with his father. He and his father shared a home and expenses for over a year, when his father was suddenly shot and killed. This young man was forced to leave the home he and his father had established as the lease was in his father s name. He was able to find an apartment he could afford on his meager disability check, and he and his support dog moved in. Within a few months of moving into his new home the kitchen floor fell in, he was relocated to another unit, and although the rent transferred, the water deposit did not. Being on a fixed income an extra $ for a water deposit was not available. To supplement his income, this young man sought out odd jobs. He would move furniture, rake leaves, whatever he could find. For four weeks, he borrowed 2 gallons of water a day from a kind neighbor, and humbly asked to shower there once a week. He very bluntly stated I m tired of smelling myself, deodorant can only cover up so much. Your contributions to the Good Samaritan Fund allowed this very special young man to gain more than just water, he has regained his dignity. Thank you for your generosity. 7

8 Thankful for these Tipton-Rosemark Academy students who are doing their Senior project with the Bread of Life Food Pantry! Their project centers around children so they are hosting mini VBS centers during our pantry hours each Saturday to help spread a love of Christ to the families of patrons. Thank you to Sandra and Joe Naifeh for hosting the God's Grace Sunday School Class last Saturday. They prepared a delicious, authentic Lebanese dinner, and it was a great night of fun and fellowship! COMMUNION OFFERING ATTENDANCE & GIVING Thank you for your generous Communion offering of $ to benefit Gideons International. This association of Christians is dedicated to telling people about Jesus through sharing personally and by providing Bibles and New Testaments. September 2, 2018 MorningSong Worship - Sunday School - Traditional Worship - Bread of Life Worship - MorningSong Offering - Traditional Worship Offering $3, $5, September 9, 2018 MorningSong Worship - Sunday School - Traditional Worship - Bread of Life Worship - MorningSong Offering - Traditional Worship Offering $2, $6,

9 Memorials and Tributes In Honor of Evelyn Chapman Organ Fund by Skip and Kendy Erwin Organ Fund by Lynne Fisher Choir and Worship Fund by Ted and Carolyn Turner In Memory of Bill Jim Davis Good Samaritan Fund by Bill Enzor Christian Counseling Center by Russell Lindsey Organ Fund by Keith and Sandra McCalla Good Samaritan Fund by Ray and Janice Newbill Good Samaritan Fund by Bettye Shelley Good Samaritan Fund by Lois Twohig In Memory of Rev. Grace Phelps Good Samaritan Fund by Jerry and Connie Beckley In Memory of Mike Shankle Good Samaritan Fund by Ray and Janice Newbill Monthly Gifts: Good Samaritan Fund by Marlyn Seagrave Choir and Worship Fund by Marlyn Seagrave If you would like to receive weekly prayer concern s, please Carole Mathis at Prayer Requests Billy Anderson Donna Beard Joe Campodonico Phronia Dailey Cassie Evans John Henderson Jackson Hughey Peggy Massey Kelly Mayfield Jack McDivitt Kingston Parfait Dot Peyton Frank Racy Carolynn Scruggs Bettye Shelley Jim Smith Susan St. John Joyce Stottlemyer Hazel Townsend Bart White Dr. Barney Witherington III 9

10 WORSHIP BROADCASTS Live radio broadcast of the Traditional Worship on WKBL AM 11 a.m. Live streaming of the traditional service is available at Traditional services are also archived at our website and can be viewed online anytime. WORSHIP TIMES MorningSong Service Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Christian Life Center Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Traditional Service Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary A BIG thank you to SRVS Tipton County for your help each month with the Bread of Life Food Pantry. SRVS Tipton offers employment and community first services designed to help supported people live meaningful lives as members of our community. SRVS volunteers each month with our church helping sort and organize supplies for Sunday School and Children s Church and bag Bread of Life Food pantry goods. First United Methodist Church 145 W. Church Avenue Covington, TN Phone: Fax: covingtonfumc@covingtonfumc.com Website: Facebook: Twitter: twitter.com/fumccovington 10