YOUR $$$ SUPPORT MISSIONS

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1 February October 26, 16, 2014 YOUR $$$ SUPPORT MISSIONS When you give financially to FUMC, you are supporting mission activity in three ways. 1. FUMC Budget for Missions: Part of FUMC s budget for Missions includes monthly giving to Community Services Ministry, Harvest of Hope Food Pantry, Friends on a Mission Homeless Shelter, and the Golden Rule. The Missions budget also funds the Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event in the fall. 2. FUMC Budget for Apportionments: Another part of your giving helps missions through FUMC s giving to apportionments from the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Each church is asked to give to support several ministries/agencies of the Conference. These include, but are not limited to: The Wesley Foundation at GSW, Dooly Campground Fund, and the District Board of Missions. 3. Direct Donations: Some members give individually to mission agencies by giving to FUMC and designating their donation for a specific agency. These gifts go directly to the agency and not to the district or conference treasury. Examples of these agencies include Magnolia Manor, Methodist Home for Children and Youth, Sumter Faith Clinic, Kairos Prison Ministry, Vashti Center, Open Door Center, UMCOR and many more. Thank you for your gifts to FUMC which make missions possible! These missions need our financial gifts but also need our prayers and our time and talents. Grow with us as FUMC grows as a church with a heart for missions. THE CHURCH STAFF Rev. James W. Smith... Senior Minister Rev. Noel C. Perez... Hispanic Minister Rev. David Warlick... Minister of Worship Arts Charles McLendon... Director of Student Ministries Alex Sanford... Director of Children s Ministries Christi Barr... Praise Team Leader Alwen Yeung... Pianist/Accompanist Christie Umpleby... Preschool Director Connie Brodess... Church Administrator Stephen Thompson... Facility Manager Elaine Smith... Finance Secretary Lyn Dozier... Secretary Louise Tucker... Secretary Mark Watford... Organist 200 South Lee Street Americus, Georgia office@fumcamericus.com

2 Americus First United Methodist Church MORNING WORSHIP October :00 a.m. in the Sanctuary Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost PRE-WORSHIP MUSIC Frank Lowrey WELCOME Rev. David Warlick GREETING AND WELCOME CHORUS Surely the Presence ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. David Warlick (Please fill out your communication card and place it in the offering plate later in worship.) PRELUDE Alwen Yeung, Pianist LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Will Reeves and Lainey Collier *HYMN OF PRAISE #98 To God Be the Glory *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH #881 The Apostles Creed *GLORIA PATRI #71 Glory Be to the Father PASTORAL PRAYER, LORD S PRAYER #895 CHORAL RESPONSE Fivefold Amen ANTHEM Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace Chancel Choir (Mark Burrows) (Mary McDonald) 3K to 2nd Grade Children dismissed to Children s Worship with Alex Sanford. *HYMN OF PREPARATION #77 How Great Thou Art SCRIPTURE Matthew 22:1-14 THE MESSAGE And He Was Speechless TITHES, OFFERINGS and COMMUNICATION CARDS OFFERTORY PRAYER Rev. David Warlick OFFERTORY For the Beauty of the Earth (John Rutter) Sylvia Roland, Handbells *DOXOLOGY #95 *CLOSING HYMN #540 I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE Mark Watford, Organist Ricky Arnold, Audio Tech Pat Duff, Visual Tech * Congregation stands. Please see an usher for an assisted listening device. If you need a nursery for your infant (through 2 years old), please ask an usher for directions. Welcome, Guests, to Americus First United Methodist Church! We are glad you are here and hope you worship with us again. We invite you to join our congregation. If you are interested in membership, call Rev. Jim Smith at

3 Americus First United Methodist Church CONTEMPORARY. WORSHIP October 26, :00 a.m. And He Was Speechless Matthew 22:1-14 Vice President of Spiritual Care at Magnolia Manor Praise Team Christi Barr, leader, keyboard and vocals; Charles McLendon, electric guitar Keith Pinckard, bass guitar; Paul Farr, percussion Travis Warlick, Audio Tech Ross Youngdale, Visual Tech Children (3k-2nd Grade) are invited to Children s Worship with Alex Sanford immediately before the Message. October 26, 2014 GREETERS AND USHERS 9:00 Greeters for October 26, 2014 Ginger and Sonny Pinckard 11:00 Greeters for October 26, 2014 Front Door - MaryLen and Carson Walker North Door - Ann and Bill Harris and Laura Cate South Door - Margie and Bobby Strange 11:00 Ushers for October 26, 2014 Captain Ginger Starlin, Karen Austin, Sherrell Bailey, Jan Bird, Mara Durham, Anne Hunter, Nancy Jones, Pam Law, Brenda McMillan, Judy Tott, MaryLen Walker, Janis Webb, Liz Wilson IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS Arcey Brown, Debra Brown, Beth Carroll, Janice Cliett, Freddie Dudley, Sharon Dutton, Joyce Easterlin, Harry Entrekin, Anne FitzHenry, Marion Franklin, Candice Hancock, Jim Ed Knight, Mary Frances Knight, Larry Kobs, Cooper Kurth, Norinne Lowell, Gene Malcom, Augusta Mathis, Rebecca and Bobby McNeill, Katherine Morris, Jack Partain, Ginger Perkins, Carroll Purvis, Nell Purvis, Dean Scoggins, Geri Smarr, Brenda Stanfield, Chuck Strange, Betty Teasley, Liz Turpin, Rodney Vance, Thomas Wall, Hazel Waller, Julian Webb, Justin Willis, Brooke Nicole Woodford and Mike Yates

4 NEW BABY We are proud to announce the birth of Aubrey Terence Tripp Duncan III on October 15, Aubrey is the son of Katie and Terence Duncan. Proud grandparents are Bobbie and Terry Duncan. The rose on the altar is for Aubrey. MEMORIAL GIFTS In Memory of Mrs. Anna Bell Wootten From Evelyn Stewart In Memory of Miss Rosie Andrews From Evelyn Stewart PRAYER TIME IN CHAPEL WEDNESDAYS WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS 5:30 OUR RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS Membership 969 Total Worship Attendance October 19: 401 9:00 Worship Attendance Hispanic Attendance :00 Worship Attendance Hispanic Offering YTD...$29,862 Sunday School Attendance Growth Group Oct Sunday Night Youth Benevolent Fund YTD... $6,036 Budget Giving... $9,739 Budget Giving YTD... $540,650 Reminder: You may make donations to the church by automatic draft. To do so, just call Elaine in the finance office at

5 TRUNK OR TREAT Please consider bringing your vehicle, decorated for Halloween, and be a part of TRUNK OR TREAT on Thursday, October 30, We are looking forward to sharing God s love and special treats with the children of our community in a safe Christian environment. The hours are 5-6:30 p.m. Please let Alex know if you are planning to have a vehicle at Trunk or Treat. (alex@fumcamericus.com) If you would like to contribute candy or make a monetary donation, you may drop them off at the church office. WESLEY COUNTRY STORE OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD The Christmas Shoebox ministry is here! FUMC will be providing shoeboxes to fill on November 2 after the 9:00 and 11:00 worship. However, you do not have to wait until then. You may be begin purchasing items to go in those boxes or you may decorate and fill a box of your own. Check out to find out more or contact Millie Trussell at (millietrussell@hotmail.com) or Debra Donnelly at (debra.c21@gmail.com) Bring your filled shoeboxes to church on or before November 16 so they can be blessed. UPCOMING EVENTS Oct 30 5:00 pm Trunk or Treat Nov 2 11:00 am All Saint s Sunday Nov 12 6:00 pm Wesley Class Country Store Dec 3 6:00 pm Deck the Halls Program Dec 7 **10:15 am Christmas Musical Dec 8 7:00 pm Christmas Musical Dec 24 5:00 pm Communion and Candlelight Service Dec 25 12:00 pm Community Christmas Dinner

6 HAPPENING THIS WEEK Sunday, October 26, :00 a.m. Contemporary Worship in the Social Hall 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Worship in the Hispanic Worship Center 12:00 p.m. Christmas Musical Rehearsal in the Social Hall 2:30 p.m. Mary Martha Circle in the Wesley Classroom 5:00 p.m. Prayer Connection in the Parlor 6:00 p.m. Sunday Night Youth Costume Contest! Monday, October 27, :00 a.m. Elllis Lanier Circle in the Parlor 11:30 a.m. Corinne Heys Circle in the Social Hall 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting in the Parlor 3:00 p.m. Bishop James King & NW District Pastors - Epworth Classroom 6:15 p.m. Warlick Growth Group 6:15 p.m. Precept Class in the Sheffield-Wootten Classroom Tuesday, October 28, :30 a.m. Bright Beginnings Chapel in the Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Nimble Fingers in the Sheffield-Wootten Classroom 9:00 a.m. Young at Hearts Trip to Bullock House in Warm Springs 5:30 p.m. Handbells in the Wesley Class 6:30 p.m. Smith Growth Group at the home of Diane and Jim Smith Wednesday, October 29, :00 a.m. Youth Breakfast in the Foundry 5:30 p.m. Fellowship Supper in the Social Hall 6:00 p.m. GLOW Club/Choir in the Children s Department 6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study in the Foundry 6:00 p.m. Comer Growth Group in the Conference Room 6:00 p.m. Lowrey Growth Group in the Parlor 6:00 p.m. Raines Growth Group in the Epworth Classroom 6:00 p.m. Shealy Growth Group in the Wesley Classroom 7:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice in the Social Hall 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice in the Choir Room Thursday, October 30, :00 a.m. Bright Beginnings Trick or Treat at FUMC 5:00 p.m. Trunk or Treat in the FUMC Parking Lot Food Pantry Macaroni & Cheese ~~~ Ramen Noodles ~~~ Green Beans NIMBLE FINGERS PRESENT QUILT Presented to Mark Watford on Sunday, October 12, 2014

7 Group Questions October 26, 2014 Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14 Sermon: And He Was Speechless 1. Can you name some people mentioned in the Bible who spurned God s love and call? Look at Hosea in the Old Testament. Look at Stephen s appeal in Acts 7. 2, What are some reasons people give today for not going to church or becoming a follower of Christ? How can the church help people today to move beyond those excuses? 3. How many ways can you name where God is faithful in continuing to reach people? Explore Matthew 25: Why do you think excuses will be without merit if a person refuses conversion and stands before God in the judgment? 5. How many people can you name who were instrumental in your decision to follow Christ?

8 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AMERICUS MISSION TRIP TO CUBA November 13 18, 2014 Pastor Noel and Maribel will be leading a mission trip in November to their Cuban homeland at the invitation of the Bishop of the Cuban Methodist Church. Nine team members will join them. The trip is being enthusiastically hosted by the Cuban Methodist Church. The team will stay at the church conference center in Havana and will follow an itinerary sponsored and personally led by Bishop Ricardo Pereira. God is certainly working in Cuba. The purpose of this initial mission trip from First Methodist is primarily fact-finding and assessment of the needs of Cuban Christians that Americus Christians might address. The Methodist Church is growing throughout the country. The communities are small and poor, but very impassioned according to the Bishop. An initial objective of this first mission trip is to identify the long-term potential for establishing a more formal sponsorship between First Methodist in Americus and one or more Cuban churches or missions. We want to experience first-hand what strengths and assets exist within the Cuban Methodist Church and how FUMC might specifically assist them in the future construction projects, education, whatever. We also fully expect to learn much from the Cuban Christians who continue to practice their faith in a country where religion struggles to exist in a hostile environment. Americans have a lot to learn in that aspect of true faith. While all Cubans are afforded free health care and education, access to many basic commodities, especially personal hygiene products, over-the-counter medications, first-aid supplies and other necessities which Americans take for granted are very limited. In one simple gesture, the team will hand-carry as many such items as possible in our allotted personal baggage on the plane trip to Havana 44 pounds of checked baggage and our carry-on allotment which we ll then distribute through the Bishop to specific Cuban Christian communities. If you d like to help support this team, we need several things: First your faithful prayers for the success of this visit - success in strengthening His church in this restrictive country and encouraging the faithful in their efforts to spread the gospel Second your dollars (or material donations) to help purchase Spanish-language Bibles, tracks, and children s literature and the distribution of personal items (listed below) which the team will carry to Havana and distribute among the local church congregations. Noel and Maribel are extremely excited about this opportunity to join together both of their families - their Cuban family and their Americus family. Whatever our political qualms regarding the Cuban government, the Cuban people have the same desires for knowing Christ and providing the best possible life for their children as we in America maybe even more. The Cuban Methodist Church traces its origins to the missionary work of Florida Methodists beginning in While the church prospered for many decades, things began to drastically change in 1959 with the Cuban revolution led by Castro. For the next 30 years, the church struggled to survive. But slowly, beginning in the late 1980 s, the church began a resurgance. Currently, more than 350 churches and 600 missions exist throughout the country. Membership exceeds 32,000 persons with more than 45,000 active worshippers. Ninety percent of the current membership has joined since And 60% of the current members are less than 30 years of age. Interest in Christianity continues to grow in Cuba. The Evangelical Methodist Seminary was founded in Havana in The local movement, known as Cuba for Christ, has a goal of reaching everyone with the message about Jesus Christ. For more information regarding the Cuban Methodist Church, go to the website (www:// imecu.com). The Methodist Church in Cuba is recognized as an Affiliated Church (Central America/Caribbean) of The United Methodist Church. Please support this mission team. Look for our full report and recommendations for long-term involvement when we return in November. Team Members Material Donation Requirements Smitty Eason Toothpaste and toothbrushes Linda Eason Tylenol, Advil and over-the-counter. medications Frank Purvis Band aids/first aid cream, etc Lynda Lee Purvis Deodorant Vitamins Joe Castongia Soap Shampoo Sandi Buchanan Pencils/school supplies Crayons, etc. Mike Jones Pat Turner Make checks payable to FUMC and indicate Cuban Mission Trip.

9 Calendar Dates for October 30, 2014 Trunk or Treat FUMC Parking Lot December 3, 2014 Deck the Halls December 7, 2014 at 11:15 a.m. Christmas Musical Sanctuary December 8, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Christmas Musical Sanctuary 2015 January 4, 2015 Growth Groups Begin January 7, 2015 Wednesday Night Suppers Begin Social Hall February 7, 2015 Valentine s Dinner Social Hall June 8-12, 2015 Vacation Bible School FUMC December 24, 2014 Christmas Eve Communion And Candlelight Sanctuary December 25, 2014 Community Christmas Dinner Social Hall Church Office Hours Monday-Thursday: 9:00a to 5:00p Friday: 9:00 a.m. to noon Friday is Jim s, David s, Alex s and Charles day off. Finance Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 9:00a -3:00p