The Journey. Randy s Ramblings. The Prayer for Antioch. Antioch united Methodist church

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1 2922 Antioch Church Rd Gainesville, GA (church) (Pastor s cell) Antioch united Methodist church Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you. St. Augustine Whoever in prayer can say, Our Father, acknowledges and should feel the brotherhood of the whole race of mankind. Tryon Edwards The Journey V O L U M E 1 1, N U M B E R 3 Randy s Ramblings The late Southern Baptist layman and Christian comedian Jerry Clower was telling the story about his passion for witnessing to people and telling them of God s grace. Mr. Clower said; God s done flung a cravin on me to tell the story. I get real excited and a little bit nervous when lay people tell me God s done flung a cravin on them to do something. This has been happening recently around Antioch. One person called another and said that God had impressed them that we need to call the church to prayer. I was called and the idea was shared with me with some excitement. I too, caught the enthusiasm and gave my support. The idea was carried to the United Methodist Women s meeting and then to the Administrative Council. I shared it with the Pastor / Parish Relations Committee. Wherever the idea of calling our congregation to a season of prayer was shared it was met with great enthusiasm and excitement. The idea took shape and is now ready to be presented to the whole congregation. Members of the UMW and other individuals have written short prayers which attempt to give voice to our concerns about worship, attendance, evangelism, stewardship, etc. A composite of these prayers has been written and will be presented on Sunday, March 8 th during our morning worship. Anyone who wants to write and submit a short prayer is encouraged to do so. The individual prayers will be used each Sunday through Lent and maybe even into the season of Easter. On Sunday, March 8 th everyone will have the opportunity to take several copies of what is being called the Antioch Prayer. Keep a copy near you all through the day and as you have the opportunity offer the prayer on behalf of our church. Soon you will have memorized the prayer and all through the day you can pray for our church. Imagine, every day, all day long all of us will be praying the same M A R C H prayer for God s blessings and direction for our church. The Bible says; I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matt. 18: God only knows what transformation may come if all of us join together in prayer. I know some are already praying. This is not the preacher s idea. This comes from you, the laity. And it comes because some of you are already asking God to bring renewal to our church. May it be so! Amen! The Prayer for Antioch Come near to us, dear Father, You who led each one of us in love and promise to Antioch. Embrace us with Your Holy Spirit so that we only desire Your presence in committed prayer and service for our church and our world. With grateful hearts for Your amazing grace, we wait... antiochjourney@comcast.net

2 P A G E 2 Prayer may not change things for you, but it for sure changes you for things. Samuel M. Shoemaker The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but that we will hear Him. William McGill To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. Martin Luther King, Jr. T H E J O U R N E Y The Prayers for Antioch Father, guide our church into the future without forgetting our past. Help us to view others as Christ views them. Instill in us the willingness to accept change. May Your Holy Spirit motivate us in ways to enhance our church, so that others will be drawn to join us. For it's in thy Holy Name we pray. Barbara Wilson O Lord, we thank You for loving us and for the opportunity to worship You. Father, transform us; fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we may serve You and Your Church at Antioch with lovingkindness, great joy and enthusiasm. May we go out and share Your love with others. In Jesus' name we pray. Gloria Davidson Dear God, thank You for our church family. Help us to make You proud by serving our community and church as You would have us do. Watch over the leadership of this church and all its members. Remind us that we are all special and help us to see that in others and ourselves. Thank you for our heritage, for the people who carry on our church today. And, Lord, help us to work hard to make a bright future. Amy Robinson Lord, we thank You for our Antioch heritage. Let us keep our family intact with good leadership, working together without criticism or hard feelings. Instill in us love and kindness to each other and motivate us to be forgiving and see others as Christ sees us. Forgive us for the wrongs and hurts we cause. Bless Randy in his ministries and give him the wisdom to lead his flock to do their best for Jesus. Lord, this I promise to God's glory in Jesus name. Lois Reaume Dear Father, Thank you for your love. We come to you today asking for the discipline and self control so necessary to our sweet home and life here at Antioch. We pray that Your Holy Spirit remain with us as we praise You with rejoicing and renewed passion while we wait in obedience for answered prayers. Because of You Lord, Antioch is a church of faith, confident in Your great works among us. We ask again and often for direction and purpose as we treasure our past and embrace our future. We receive Your encouraging and gentle presence as we struggle with this new journey that we are beginning. Antioch is a church full of welcome and hope, full of open invitation to all who want to worship and adore You. How you love us, Lord! With joyful hearts we glorify You for Your great affection for Antioch and her people. Grant us victorious living as we celebrate Your love for us and all which is available to each of us who call Jesus Christ Lord. Amen and Amen Lee Hudson

3 V O L U M E 1 1, N U M B E R 3 Sunday, March 22 Focus on Missions The Evangelism/Mission Outreach Team, will host the Rev. Dick McClain from The Mission Society on Sunday March 22. He will be preaching at the 11 a.m. service with lunch following the service. Dick will give a presentation on "How to Splice the Outreach Gene Into Your Church's DNA" and "Do we see our own community as a "Mission Field?" P A G E 3 God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer. Everyone is invited for lunch and to stay for the presentation. Council members are urged to be in attendance. The Rev. Dick McClain As vice president of ministry operations with The Mission Society, Dick oversees both the field ministry and church ministry departments. Dick began his career with The Mission Society in 1986 as director of missionary personnel. In this role, he was responsible for recruiting and processing all missionary candidates, and during his tenure, the number of missionaries serving under The Mission Society grew from 14 to more than 125. In 1995, Dick became vice president for mission ministries, overseeing The Mission Society s international ministries in more than 25 countries. He was named vice president for church ministry in 2000; in this role, he developed a unique approach to mobilizing local churches both in the United States and abroad for strategic global outreach. The son and grandson of missionaries, Dick was born in China and grew up in India and Hong Kong. Prior to joining the staff of The Mission Society, he served as the youth minister of Crossroads Bible Church, an interdenominational congregation in the Panama Canal Zone. An ordained United Methodist minister, he served pastorates in West Michigan for 11 years. During that time, he led the West Michigan United Methodist Renewal Fellowship and directed an area-wide yearly conference on the Holy Spirit. From 1986 to 2005, Dick served on the board of directors of Good News, an organization working for theological and spiritual renewal within The United Methodist Church. His international ministry has taken him to numerous countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Dick has published several articles in Good News, is a frequent contributor to Unfinished, the quarterly publication of The Mission Society, and is the editor and primary author of the Global Outreach Seminar, a missions seminar developed to help educate and equip local churches in the United States and abroad. Dick married his college sweetheart, Pam, and the couple has three married children: Josh (and Amita), Heather McClain Wilson (and Steve), and Joey (and Ashley). They also have three grandsons (Ian, Tyler, and Matthew Wilson). He loves the outdoors, especially when he s running, skiing, camping, hiking, and traveling. Mother Teresa Lenten suppers and study every Wednesday night during Lent 6 p.m. This year, the study will center around When Godly People Do Ungodly Things by Beth Moore. The discussions will be led by Ella K. Scholz. Let Ella know if you need a copy of the book or if you have any questions. escholz@bellsouth.net

4 P A G E 4 I have been benefited by praying for others, for by making an errand to God for them, I have gotten something for myself. Samuel Rutherford Meet the Staff Brandon Nonnemaker Meet our Music Director, Brandon Nonnemaker, who began his ministry at Antioch on November 1, Brandon was born in Northridge, California on October 1, 1985, to parents Chris and Alison Nonnemaker. Brandon lived in Castaic, CA and Sautee, GA during his Brandon Nonnemaker growing up years and still resides in Sautee-Nacoochee. Prayer is the spirit speaking truth to Truth. Philip James Bailey Brandon attended Castaic Elementary School where he participated in the school chorus and a school musical during 5th grade. After moving to Sautee, Brandon attended White County Middle School where he played clarinet in the band. Brandon was very focused on academics in high school at White County HS but found time to be in the chorus during 11th and 12th grades, take private voice lessons, and to be in a musical during his senior year. As a freshman in College Brandon took most of his core course work at North Georgia College and State University. He then decided to major in music education and transferred to Shorter College in Rome, GA. During his junior year of college he transferred to Piedmont College in Demorest, to finish his bachelor's degree in voice performance. Brandon is currently working on his masters in music education at Piedmont. Brandon stated, "I had always loved music and singing, but it wasn't until my senior year in high school that I really became active in the fine arts. My high school chorus and drama teachers really wanted me to pursue music and/or theatre as a career. As a freshman in college, while I was getting core credits out of the way, I took a music appreciation course - this made my decision to major in music." Brandon learned about the position of music director at Antioch from an he received from the former Director of Music at Brenau University, Dr. Michelle Roueche. He in turn ed Greg, met him for lunch at Chili's and was immediately eager to work with the "amazing church family Greg described." Brandon grew up in the Roman Catholic Church where during his first year of college he served at lector and cantor at mass. While Brandon was at Shorter College, he worked with Rome First Presbyterian Church in music. Prior to his position here at Antioch, he served at music director at Faith Lutheran Church in Cleveland. Brandon feels his wide range of religious and music experiences helps him with his position at Antioch. Besides his position here at Antioch, Brandon also teaches chorus and drama at White County Middle School. Next school year he will also teach chorus at White County High School, his alma mater. What other interest does Brandon have? He enjoys musically directing various shows in North Georgia, performing in shows whenever he can, reading, enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, eating Mexican food, and spending time with his favorite people at his favorite coffee shop. Some of his musical theatre credits include Children of Eden (Storyteller), Godspell (Jesus), and The Sound of Music (Rolf). Opera credits include Dido & Aeneas (First Sailor), The Impresario (Mr. Angel), and Dialogues des Camelites (Thierry). When asked the question, "What would you like to see happen with the music program at Antioch?" Brandon stated, "I would like to see more youth involved - as part of the choir or by having an occasional youth-led contemporary service. I would like to recruit more men for the choir and see growth in the chancel choir. Also, I would like to see more use of the handbells." Brandon, "this amazing church family of Antioch" loves you and supports you in your vision of ministry here at Antioch. We are so lucky to have such a talented and caring person as our Music Director. By Donna Corbin The trouble with our praying is that we just do it as a means of last resort. Will Rogers, American Humorist T H E J O U R N E Y

5 V O L U M E 1 1, N U M B E R 3 Who s Who Margaret Martin Margaret and Billy Martin For the month of March, we would like to feature Margaret Martin. Lois and I stopped by Margaret's home after a doctor appointment this week and were surprised when we had been listening to Margaret and Bill's lives and some history of Antioch Church. You ole timers know who these people were and are in the history of Antioch Church and campground. Margaret dates Antioch back to the 1830s when Bill's great grandparents Lord, Prop Us Up on Our Leanin Side helped form the church. (If you would like to know more of our church history, Margaret might let you borrow a book she has on Antioch's history. Margaret was born February 2, 1935, and Bill was born in October 7, Margaret and Bill were married on January 21, 1957, which happened to be Easter Sunday. They went to Gatlinburg for their honeymoon. They have two children, Wesley and Angela. They have five grandchildren. Our Lord took Bill to be with Him on May 17, His departure has been a great loss for Margaret, Wesley, Angela and the Antioch Church Family. Bill graduated from North Georgia Business College, and served two years in the service. He had many businesses here in Gainesville, including a car dealership, a restaurant, real estate and other adventures. Margaret graduated from UGA, and taught first and third grades at Sardis and Enota Elementary. She grew up Baptist and for a long time attended Antioch and taught Sunday School. Bill kept asking her to join Antioch, but she like most of us have a hard time changing mind set. One fall Bill was hunting in Nebraska, and while she was in her pew, she says the Lord came over her, and at that moment she stood up and joined Antioch. Bill just couldn't understand why she didn't wait for him to be with her when she joined. (Lesson to be learned: "When the Lord calls, you better answer.") Margaret loves working on the family genealogy, reading, and traveling as she and Bill did. By Ernie and Lois Reaume Fat Tuesday attendance: 47 $182 in donations for the general fund. Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, 'Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.' After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently. He answered, Well sir, you see, it's like this... I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of weather; it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years. It's still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall. Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time. I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, 'cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times. Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't. So we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord. '' (Author Unknown) P A G E 5 Each prayer is more beautiful than the others. I cannot recite them all and not knowing which to choose, I do like children who do not know how to read. I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences, and He always understands me. For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus. Therese of Lisieux

6 P A G E 6 Prayer is not an old woman s idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action. Games, food, fellowship Thursday, April 16 6 pm March Birthdays Diane Razel 1 James Russell 2 Dot Roper 3 Doug Hulsey 3 Bill Scholz 5 Sabrina Edge 5 Mike Ferris 7 Margaret Hamby 7 Carolyn Ferris 21 Robert Wilson 28 Martha Coffee 30 Gandhi Trustees Meeting Feb. 4 Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks. Philip Brooks In attendance: Roger Briggs, R. J. Rumfelt, Glen Davidson, Randy Strickland, Robby Hulsey, Bo Wheeler, and Rich Razel. Robby Hulsey brought the meeting to order. No minutes to read from last month s meeting due to absence of secretary. Roof leak has been fixed. Waiting for another rain to check if repairs were completed correctly, then the repair of the ceiling in Truslow Hall will be completed. Fire suppression system over the kitchen stove will not be required since the kitchen is not used commercially. A fire extinguisher kept in the kitchen is sufficient. Fire extinguishers have been placed in the following church locations: Kitchen - Sanctuary - Choir Room - Parsonage The service contract with Lawson Heating & Air Conditioning was renewed. All HVAC units were serviced in January, including changing filters. All HVAC units will be serviced again in June Church van has been made road ready by Ernie Reaume & the Men s Sunday School Class. Trustees discussed further recommendations regarding the van which will be addressed to the Administrative Council at their March meeting. Church insurance: The District is suggesting the consideration of a new insurance policy with Pact when it s time for renewal in Bo Wheeler replaced light bulbs in all the exit signs, which are now lit. Next Trustees meeting will be held on March 5, 2009 at 7 PM. Meeting was adjourned. Administrative Council Tuesday, March 10 7 p.m. UMW Monday, March 16 7 p.m. UMM Saturday, Mar p.m. T H E J O U R N E Y

7 1 Sunday School 8 Sunday School 15 Sunday School 22 Sunday School 29 Sunday School Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat UMW 7 pm Administrative Council 7 pm Prayer Meeting 3 pm March 2009 Prayer Meeting 3 pm Prayer Meeting 3 pm Prayer Meeting 3 pm 5 Trustees 7 pm

8 The Journey Antioch United Methodist Church 2922 Antioch Church Road Gainesville, GA March Lectionary and Duties March 1 March 8 March 15 March 22 March 29 Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25: Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15 Genesis 17:1-7, Psalm 22:23-31 Romans 4:13-25 Mark 89:31-38 Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19 1 Cor. 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3, Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:1-12 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12: st Sunday 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday 4th Sunday 5th Sunday Bob Bedeski Judy Smith Matt Ceccato Roni Grizzle Martha S. Coffee Ushers: Rich and Diane Razel Robby Hulsey, Glen Davidson Altar Guild Duties: Gloria Davidson Greeter: June Mathis or January: