Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Connect WORSHP LEADERSHIP *Rev. Beth Sanders, Senior Pastor *Cindy Vinson, Ministries Executive Assistant *Jason Powell, Contemporary Worship Jewell Allen, Sanctuary Vicki Parker, Lay Leader AV MINISTRY *Michael Cooper MUSIC MINISTRY *Sherry Puryear, Director EVANGELISM To be named CHRISTIAN FORMATION Melissa Chesser, Chair Alan & Sheryl Brown Sunday School Superintendents MISSIONS MINISTRY Michelle Helpingstine, Chair PRAYER MINISTRY Jill Pratt, Coordinator Kiki Orum CHILDREN S MINISTRY *Cindy Vinson, Director cindy1@lewismemorial.com Lisa Muckinhaupt, Chair muckinhaupt@me.com *Joanne Percival, MMO Director joanne@lewismemorial.com Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church 5555 Hereford Farm Road Evans, GA Address Correction Requested YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES *Grant Nichols, Director grant@lewismemorial.com Jennifer Nichols, Youth Chair jdn0926@hotmail.com Susie Adcox, Young Adult Chair sbadcox@comcast.net WOMEN S MINISTRY Amelia Akin, UMW President aakin60@comcast.net MEN S MINISTRY Jason Muckinhaupt, UMM President muckinhaupt@me.com SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY Carolyn Andrews earthangel31@outlook.com ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL Jill Pratt, Chair jillpratt32@gmail.com TRUSTEES Lee Irwin, Chair agafirefighter@comcastnet CUSTODIAL *Jésus Cruz custodian@lewismemorial.com FINANCE Jason Muckinhaupt, Chair jmuckin@icloud.com *Cynthia Abraham, Bookkeeper cynthia@lewismemorial.com NURSERY *Erin Holcomb nursery.co@gmail.com OFFICE *Sandra DeJong Admin. Asst./Receptionist office@lewismemorial.com * Staff Personnel Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God s mysteries. -1 Corinthians 4:1 Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church At the crossroads... where the cross meets the community 5555 Hereford Farm Road Evans, GA (706) Volume1:1 January 2017 Inside This Issue Worship Opportunities New Worship Schedule New Sunday School Hours Installation of New Officers Children/Youth Led Worship Christian Formation 252 Basics Bible Black Belt Youth Events Missions Opportunities Ecuador Update Prayer Shawl Ministry Lydia Project Need Ministry Opportunities United Methodist Men Beth s Blessings For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:...a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5-6) With the calendar turning from 2016 to 2017, our thoughts turn toward things from the year past that need letting go, and possibilities for newness that we can embrace in the time ahead. Recall the story of Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. The part of the story we remember most vividly is when Peter loses faith and begins sinking. But, it is equally impressive that Peter was willing to take that first step. He went forward toward the newness in Jesus presence, leaving behind the secure comfort of the boat and the past mistakes and failures it represented. On the verge of this new year, we are called to take steps together toward the future, which also requires leaving things behind and most of all, trust in God. As we let things go, a prayer by Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, written shortly before his assassination in 1980, offers this insight: It helps now and then, to step back and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We lay foundations that will need further development. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning... an opportunity for the Lord s grace to enter and do the rest. Amen. Women s Ministries Young At Heart Connect With Leadership Coming Up Lay Servants for January The custom of raising and dropping a giant ball on New Year s Eve came from the time when signals were given to ships at harbor. Starting in 1859, a large ball was dropped at noon every day so sailors could check their ship chronometers. As we step out into the unknown of this New Year of 2017, it helps to know there is a constant to which we can always return for renewal and the recalibration our spirits need every week when we come to worship. And the future is always held safe in God s loving hands. May this New Year be your invitation to step out, leave behind, and rejoice because the Lord is with you! And with God, the best is yet to come! Blessings, 12 INSTALLATION OF 2017 OFFICERS

2 January Lay Leadership Wo rs h i p New Year s Day Love Feast Warehouse 10:00 am Communion around a family table Potluck Breakfast buffet 8:00 Debbie Guy Harry Parker Join us for a unique time of fellowship and worship together around the brunch table as we focus on the special feast of God s Love to welcome in the New Year. 8:00 Tim Best Olivia Delucia 10:00 Claire Stephens Maddie Stephens Coming in 2017 We are excited about new ways to connect in Worship at Lewis Memorial. With the implementation of a new timetable for our Gathering to Worship, our pastor will be able to be an integral part of our whole worship service experience. Children s Church will be available during each worship service. The Crossroads Crossroad Sightings 2 January 22 8:00 Jeff Ickes Garrett Ralston Usher Orientation 9:00 am If you would like to serve as an usher in the Sanctuary at 8:00 or 10:00 am, please meet with Harry Parker. 8th graders - Adults Administrative Council Prayer and Potluck Supper January 30 6:00 pm Administrative Council Members will share a potluck supper and prayer time as part of their first Council Meeting. January 15 8:00 Tommy Martin Jimmy Morris 8:00 Vicki Parker 10:00 Vicki Parker New Leadership Installation Our newly appointed committee officers will be recognized in each worship service on. Come and meet our leaders and encourage them in their ministry for the coming year. Leadership Training January 15 4:00-7:00 pm Suggested $5 donation for supper. All those serving in church leadership in 2017 are encouraged to participate in this training and planning session. Please let us know you will attend by contacting Sandra DeJong by Wednesday, January 11: office@lewismemorial.com. 8:00 Laurie Ickes 10:00 Jill Pratt 8:00 Nate Sweat Bennett Tharpe 10:00 Sara Irwin Audrey Muckinhaupt Beginning th, worship times will change: 8:00 am Sanctuary 10:00 am Sanctuary 11:00 am Warehouse Acolyte Training January 14 10:00 am If you would like to serve as an acolyte in the Sanctuary at 8:00 or 10:00 am, please meet with Cindy Vinson. Ages 7 and older. 8:00 Grant Nichols 10:00 Grant Nichols Children s Worship Day, January 29 Warehouse Service Rehearsals Sundays 6:00 Youth Worship Day, January 29 Sanctuary Services Rehearsals Sundays 6:15 Sanctuary Choir 6:00 Wednesdays Choir Room Children s Choir 6:00 Sundays Choir Room Sherry Puryear Youth Praise Band 4:00 Sundays Warehouse Warehouse Praise Team 7:00 Thursdays Warehouse Jason Powell Music 8:00 Micah Sweat Ben Sweat 10:00 Meredith Meador Aubree Jones January 29 Youth Sunday Sanctuary Children s Sunday Warehouse 8:00 Youth Cary Woodworth 10:00 Youth Kimberly Norville 8:00 Brewtie Lawton Stanley Percival 8:00 Youth 10:00 Youth 11

3 January Administration January 9 January 10 January 12 January 23 12:15 Children s Council 2:00 Missions - Ecuador Trip 3:00 Youth Council 6:30 Trustee Meeting 6:30 VBS Initial Team 7:00 SPRC Meeting 7:00 Missions Committee 6:30 Finance Meeting December Sightings at As the title implies, Christian Formation consists of classes and experiences that you may use to form your Christian values and beliefs. A major portion of Christian Formation is our Sunday School classes. With the changes to our Worship schedule beginning, small groups such as Sunday Schoolare an important part of growing in has expanded and adapted to provide a learning time that meshes with your worship experience at Lewis Memorial UMC 9:00 am First Hour Sunday School 10:00 am Second Hour Sunday School You may come to worship at 8:00 am and attend the First Hour Sunday school after worship at 9:00; OR you can come to Sunday school at 9:00 and then worship in the Sanctuary at 10:00. If you prefer, you may go to Sunday school the Second Hour at 10:00 and then worship in the Warehouse at 11:00. OR you can go to Sunday School twice and then worship at 11:00 in the Warehouse. So many options for learning and worshiping together! Christian Formation January Training 9:00 Sanctuary Ushers January 14 10:00 Acolytes January 15 4:00 Leadership February Save the Dates We would love to feature your pictures in the monthly newsletter. Please photos of your events to: office@lewismemorial.com First Hour Classes 9:00 am Children: Deep Blue Gathering 3 & 4 year olds Kinder. & 1st Grade 2nd & 3rd Grade 4th & 5th Grade Youth: Faithweaver Now Middle School Adult: High School Annie Lewis Class The Wired Word Genesis to Revelation Senior Adults Mary Crook Class Second Hour Classes 10:00 am Room G204 Room G101 Room G103 Room G204/404 Room G107 WH Room 103 Youth Building Chapel G407 Room A103 Room G402 Room F204 Mary Crook Room With Deep Blue, children will make Bible stories, Bible people, and Bible passages a part of their lives. They will also come to know the Bible as THEIR book and find ways to let the Bible speak to them personally. Active learning experiences to catch kids interest and teach them lessons they will remember. Interactive Bible stories to help even the youngest kids grasp the real meaning of Scripture. Faithweaver NOW has a three-year scope and sequence that covers the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Each quarter goes through 13 sequential Bible events so that youth get a snapshot of the Bible timeline. Helping teens REALLY connect with God s Word and deal with the real issues of today s youth. February 1 February 5 6:00 Friends and Family Meal 6:30 Youth Super Bowl Party Children: All-In-One K-5th grade Room G204 Youth: LinC 6th -12th grade Youth Building Adults: Seedbed Room G407 The Wired Word brings your Sunday School lesson and discussions to life, making them more relevant to modern Christian living by linking the latest headlines to appropriate Scripture. Contact Fred Moore: fwcl1281@gmail.com 10 February 11 8:30 February 21 7:00 UMM Men s Breakfast UMW Gathering Class participants are invited to subscribe to the Daily Text , spend some with it everyday, and then each Sunday we ll discuss various aspects of the daily readings for the week and how they apply in our lives and culture. Contact Sonny McDowell: s.mcdowell@ icloud.com 3

4 Learn Missions Vital Signs 4 Women s Bible Study Book of Daniel Mondays 12 pm Optional Potluck 11:30 am Youth Building Led by Vicki Parker Resumes January 9th, 2017 No meeting January 16 due to holiday. Contact Vicki Parker: bluealm@comcast.net Encounter the Father Carolyn Moore Sundays 5 6:30 pm Youth Building Led by Sonny McDowell Orientation, 2017 Suggested donation $20 per book Encounter the Father offers us the option to experience the Father s blessing and encounter the Father s heart. In this study, you will gain an understanding of the Father s heart and experience freedom from shame and unholy expectation. You will explore some of the many names of God in Scripture and use them to enhance your understanding of the Father s true nature. Encounter your Father through seven weeks of daily study, journaling and prayer, and through weekly teaching and conversations with others who are on this journey with you. Discover the freedom that comes in the revelation that your heavenly Father calls you His own. You are not a servant, but a child of God. See Supply List on Facebook. Contact Sonny McDowell: s.mcdowell@icloud.com Adult Bible Studies Wednesdays 7 pm Resume January 11, 2017 History of the Bible Gregg Jordan Wednesdays 7 pm Room G402 An ongoing study of the cultures in which the Holy Bible was developed. Open to new students. Contact Gregg Jordan: greggj@knology.net Drop - In Bible Study Vicki Parker Wednesdays 7 pm Room G204 For those who may not be able to commit to an ongoing weekly study, but would like a midweek group study of God s Word. Contact Vicki Parker: bluealm@comcast.net Disciple Fast Track New Testament Wednesdays 7 8:30 pm Building G Room 407 Led by Rev. Beth Resumes January 11th, 2017 Suggested Donation $15 per book Contact Rev. Beth: rev.beth@lewismemorial.com 2017 Leadership Training Sunday, January pm Fellowship Hall Led by Rev. Beth Suggested Donation $5 per person for supper All those serving in church leadership in 2017 are encouraged to participate in this training and planning session. Please let us know you will attend by Wednesday, January 11th. Contact Sandra DeJong: office@lewismemorial.com Acolyte Training, Celebration and Pizza Party Saturday, January am 1 pm Fellowship Hall Led by Cindy Vinson All Acolytes should make every attempt to attend the training since we will be changing a few things for our Worship. All children age 7 and above are invited to serve as an acolyte. Parent s will meet at 10 am, January 14, for a brief overview and update on changes and procedures. Please bring dates your child is unavailable for the months of January, February and March. Schedules will be posted on the wall by the Sanctuary and ed the week of January 15th. Contact Cindy Vinson: cindy1@lewismemorial.com Want to serve in Worship? Here are a couple of ways Usher: At each worship service, ushers are the first to extend hospitality to our members, friends and guests. Their role is to make the congregation feel welcome and at home in any of our worship spaces. In addition to a friendly greeting, ushers assist with distributing the worship bulletin, collecting the offering, guiding congregants to communion and helping as needed. Ushers are needed at both Sanctuary Services. Being an usher is a great way to meet more of your church family! Visitor Liaison: A visitor liaison is available at the end of each service to provide visitors with literature and answer questions. Contact Sandra DeJong: office@lewismemorial.com Serve Mission Opportunities at Lewis Memorial Missions Chairperson: Shell Helpingstine American Missions Sue Reitz Augusta Care Pregnancy Holly O Brien Blood Drive Paula Finley Columbia County Cares Steve Gerner Family Promise Darla Irwin International Missions Barbara Dubois/Susie Adcox Lydia Project TBD Matthew s Table Sandy Bagwell Prayer Shawl Ministry Carol Moore Red Cross TBD S.O.Wing Seeds Ministry Susie Bagby 2017 Special Offerings February March May June July September October November December 2017 Ecuador Mission Trip June 30 - July 9, 2017 We are excited to have a team of 31 individuals who will travel to Quito, Ecuador this summer to join in the ministry of our missionaries, Graham and Sharon Nichols. Please keep this team in your prayers as they begin the passport, visa, vaccinations, and fund raising aspects of mission trip preparation. Look for spotlights of team members in future issues of this newsletter. January 15 Blood Drive 8:30 am - 1 pm Church Parking Lot Homeless Offering One Great Hour Of Sharing Wesley Woods Annual Conference Special Offering Murphy-Harpst Children s Home UM Children s Home World Communion/Aldersgate Homes Action Ministries United Methodist Student December 2016 From our vantage point At the Crossroads of Columbia County, more than 40,000 vehicles pass by LMUMC each day. Through our witness, the cross meets the community here and we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Thank you for your generous gifts in Financial Gifts 2016Budget $ 638, Required Per Month $ 53, Required Per Week $ 12, (52 weeks) (4 wk month-$13,300.80; 5 wk month-$10,640.64) Income Received 12/18/16 $ 9, Expenses Week of 12/18/16 $ 16, Cumulative Inc. To Date $ 501, Cumulative Exp. to Date $ 526, Cash Flow $ (25,679.24) 2017 Projected Budget Financial Gifts 2017 Budget $ 621, Required Per Month $ 51, Required Per Week $ 11, (52 weeks) (4 wk month-$12,955.27; 5 wk month-$10,364.21) In the Coming Year... Your gifts will allow LMUMC to grow our church family by connecting in new and meaningful ways. By this grace of giving, the love of Jesus Christ, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the best is yet to come! For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became pooer, so that you through His poverty might become rich. - 2 Corinthians 8:9 9

5 LEWIS MEMORIAL YOUTH MINISTRY Our Mission: Believe! Belong! Become! Resurrection 2017 LeConte Center, Pigeon Forge, TN January 20 22, 2017 $130 per person What is Resurrection? Our Vision: Elev8 exists to REACH students for Christ, to CONNECT them to other believers, to inspire them to GROW in their faith, to help them DISCOVER their ministry and HONOR GOD with their lives. Resurrection is an awesome annual event of worship and spiritual growth for youth and youth mentors. Each year over 12,000 come together in Pigeon Forge, TN, to celebrate the God of The Resurrection. Through inspirational words and music led by nationally-known speakers and musicians, young people encounter the Lord in new and deeper ways. For many, Resurrection is an opportunity for conversion, decision, and revival. For others, it becomes a moment of realization that their faith needs to grow deeper and more serious. Resurrection is hosted by the youth ministry of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. However, a significant and growing number of youth and adults come from churches outside of this region. Resurrection testifies to the common experience of Jesus Christ's living Lordship that binds all believers into one, despite our divisions. We desire to make all welcome here. Although Resurrection has become a large gathering over its 30-year history, the focus of the event has remained constant: the individual young person and his or her response to Jesus Christ. We recognize that the leadership of their parents, their peers, their leaders in their local churches, and youth groups help to grow youth in radical discipleship that can change the world. Youth grades 7 th 12 th are invited to come and go to experience the lifechanging power of Jesus Christ the One who is The Resurrection and The Life. The per person charge includes entry fee, housing, transportation, and food. Register by Sunday, December 25 th. This year s speaker is Mick Veach and worship band is Rend Collective. See Grant now for registration forms. For detailed schedule see January Meeting Dates Elev8 Sunday Nights 5 pm Youth Building, 22 and 29 Wednesday Bible 7 pm Bldg G Room 107 January 4, 11, 18 and 25 For more information, Grant Nichols, Director of Youth Ministry grant@lewismemorial.com Fellowship TUESDAY Sister Group 1:30 PM Parlor A gathering of sisters in Christ to encourage and uplift in spirit each week TUESDAY United Methodist Women 7 pm Room F204 UMW meets the third Tuesday of each month WEDNESDAY Men s Accountability Group 3 pm Room F204 Join men other men to study the word of God and hold each other accountable. One Wednesday a month. THURSDAY 11 am Fellowship Hall Young at Heart YAH (our Seniors group) meets the second Thursday of each month for Fellowship, Food and Fun SATURDAY 8:30 am Panera Bread UMM UMM meets the second Saturday of each month at Panera Bread in Evans at Mullins Crossing for breakfast followed by a service project around the church and in our community SUNDAY January 15 7:30 pm Starbucks Grovetown January 29 7:30 pm Culvers Grovetown Young Adults A gathering of over 18 s and under 30 s. Nurture Friends and Family Meal Wednesday, January 11 6:00 pm Troop 122 Our own Boy Scout Troop 122 invites you to enjoy a warm meal of two types of soup, potato bar with fixings, salad, desserts, tea and lemonade. Cost of the meal is a donation and all proceeds will benefit the LMUMC BS Troop 122. Registration will be open until Noon, January 9. Please contact the church office via phone or and BE SURE to indicate the number of Adults and Children who will be eating. Annual Dessert and Chili Cookoff Saturday, January 28 6:00 pm VBS Fundraiser This is our annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) Fundraising event. The goal of this cook-off is to raise funds to pay for VBS costs. VBS is traditionally in July. Dates and theme will be revealed at the Cookoff! Pick up an entry form at the reception desk to enter the Annual Chili Cook Off and Dessert Bake OFf. There is $5 entry fee per entry. Prizes awarded in both categories. Bring your entire family to samople the chili and desserts. The cost is $5 per person with a maximum cost of $15 regradless of the size of your family. One ballot per person for both chili and dessert judging. (NOTE: Ballots are for Adults and Youth, 6th grade and older.) Come and find out who will have bragging rights for

6 252 BASICS SUNDAYS AT 5 PM CHILDREN S MINISTRY JANUARY FOCUS BRAIN GAMES KNOWLEDGE Knowledge is a response to the character of God. When kids turn about four years old they start asking, Why? It s like suddenly a switch flips and they begin to string together their questions in an attempt to understand everything around them. And this continues throughout life. Watch an eight-year-old for very long and you can become convinced that everyone is wired with a natural curiosity to discover what we don t know and go where we haven t been. God designed people in such a unique way different from the rest of creation to pursue finding the answers to life s hidden secrets. The very fact that we naturally pursue knowledge is proof that there is a God. It s actually genius that God would make us in such a way that we are always discovering, wondering, exploring, innovating, improving, and solving. He wants us to pursue knowing more, because He wants us to know Him more. The most important thing you can do for young kids is to invite them into the story about a really big God. It s a story that will always be bigger than they can explain or imagine, but God invites them to spend a lifetime discovering who He is and how He loves them. January Memory Verse Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me. Jesus helps us know God better. Psalm 119:105 If you want to know who God is and how God loves, look to Jesus. When Jesus stepped foot onto the planet, God was once and for all with us. John writes this about Jesus, The Word became a human being. He made his home with us. We have seen his glory. It is the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father. And the Word was full of grace and truth. (John 1:14), As we dig deeper into the story of Jesus, we discover more about how God desires a relationship with us and invites us to help Him spread the message of Jesus throughout the world. To do that, we need to know God through Jesus. That s why we think it s important for us to help our kids and families discover more about knowledge discovering something new so you can be better at whatever you do. We want kids to know that God is real, God made them and all things. We hope they leave this month believing that when they discover something new about God, they are learning the best way to win at life., 2017 We kick off January looking at knowledge in Luke 2:41-52 as we head to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve years old. He had traveled to Jerusalem with his family for a festival. When Mary and Joseph began their journey home they realized Jesus wasn t with them. So, they went back to find Jesus in the temple surrounded by priests and rabbis. Jesus knew that He needed to be in a place where He could learn what His Father said. Bottom Line: What God says is the most important thing to know. *No meetings January 15. Holiday. January 22, 2017 Next, we head to Luke 4:1-13. After Jesus is baptized, God leads Him to the wilderness where Satan tempts Him. Satan twisted what Jesus knew about God and His Word. But Jesus knew Scripture. Bottom Line: Discovering what God says helps you make the wise choice. When we read God s word, we discover the truth about what God wants for our lives. January 29, 2017 We end our month on knowledge in Matthew 11 where we find John the Baptist in prison. John wondered if Jesus was truly the Savior that God had promised and goes right to the Source to find out. Bottom Line: When you don t know what God says, ask. We want kids to know that no question is too big for God. Let kids know that God will respond to their questions with love. Join other 2 nd through 5 th graders each Wednesday, during the school year. Bible Black Belts is an active bible study for children. Each month the children are challenged to memorize five verses and a Big concept of Church Life. Through activities, games and drills your children will store God s word in their hearts. Black Belts are provided and each month at testing time children will earn a stripe. Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won t depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6 (CEB) Elizabeth Polland, Worship Speaker Children s Ministry WEDNESDAYS 7 PM Bible Black Belts Scripture with a Kick Rock Solid A Winter Retreat for Fifth Graders Matthew 7: 24-25: "Everybody who hears these words and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against the house. It didn't fall because it was firmly set on bedrock." (CEB) Purpose: The purpose of this retreat is to give children in fifth grade who will be transitioning from elementary to middle school - from children's ministry to youth, an opportunity to explore their faith formation. February 11-12, 2017 Cost: $90 per child Chuck Bell, Worship Leader REGISTRATION FORMS AVAILABLE BY REQUEST FORMS AND CHECK DUE BY JANUARY 10 6 For more information, Cindy Vinson, Director of Children s Ministry cindy1@lewismemorial.com C 2016 The rethink Group. All rights reserved. Contact Cindy Vinson, Director of Children s Ministry cindy1@lewismemorial.com 7