Upcoming Receptions. Dear FUMC Family, UMM Summer Point Mallard Prayer Chapel Services. UMM Annual Retreat

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1 The Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur, Alabama June 3, 2015 UMM Summer Point Mallard Prayer Chapel Services Again this summer the United Methodist Men are sponsoring weekly worship services at the Point Mallard Chapel. Services start Sunday, May 31 and continue through Sunday, August 23 except for Sunday, July 5. Services start at 8:45 AM and will last about thirty minutes. UMM members and guests will be speakers each week, and Ed Kirby III will again lead the music. We welcome all folks who are members or friends of FUMC to consider this worship opportunity in this special setting, and we welcome any others who chose to come our way. Come and bring a friend. ***************************************************************************** UMM Annual Retreat Our fourth annual United Methodist Men's Retreat will be Saturday, June 13, starting at 9:30 AM at Jack and Ann Ozier's river home. Our special speaker this year is William L. "Bill" Marks, II, Garrison Commander, U. S. Army Garrison, Redstone Arsenal. At the retreat plans will be made for the fourth annual Homer Christopher Fish Fry in August, new officers will be selected, and other UMM plans will be discussed. A catered barbeque lunch at $10 will conclude the retreat around noon. If you plan to attend and have not already registered, contact me. A map to the river home is available. Come and bring a friend. Ronnie Dukes President First UMM rdukes@pepsicoladecatur.com A Special Thanks As we prepare to say goodbye to Pastor Rudy Guess, I want to take this opportunity to say a special thank you for the milestone achievements he helped make in First Church finances. Brother Rudy is one of the best administrators I have ever worked with in my capacity as a CPA. His command of budget and financial matters is unsurpassed. As your Finance Committee has worked over the last three years to restore accountability and integrity, your church has greatly benefited from Rudy s experience and expertise in church finances. I believe God sent Rudy to First Church at a time when we desperately needed a pastor with his financial ability to help us turn things around. While your Finance Committee established budgets and policies from a big picture standpoint, Rudy managed and guided the day-to-day process which has allowed our Church to achieve success in church finance and stewardship. On behalf of the Finance Committee, I say thank you to Rudy for a job well done. Best wishes to you and Gina in the future. David E. Scott, CPA, Chair Committee on Finance Upcoming Receptions Dear FUMC Family, This is the time of year that our attendance at church services normally drops, but it's an important time in the life of our church as we bid farewell to one preacher and welcome the next. We would like to encourage you to attend services and the receptions this Sunday and next Sunday. We will have a reception on June 7th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to bid farewell to Rudy and Gina in the Wesley Fellowship Hall. We will also welcome Huey and Sandy Reynolds with a reception on June 14th in the Fellowship Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. As a church family, we love our church and the people God has sent to help us grow in His word. Let's praise Him through our joyful and faith filled presence!! See you at church! The Reception Committee Mountain Mania June 6 Don t forget about Mountain Mania at 7:00 a.m. on June 6 in Burningtree. For more details, contact Stephen Brown at Mountain Mania Sponsorships are available for $30 and up. All money raised from the 15K and the new 5K race will go into the Kathryn King Memorial Scholarship Fund to help a child in the community attend First Grace. Prayer Shawl Ministry Did you know that we have a prayer shawl ministry as well as a baby basket gift to new parents? The prayer shawls are given to people who are ill or grieving. However, we need knitters or crocheters to make these viable. Instruction, needles or patterns can be provided. If you are interested, please call Faye Hovey at so a time can be established to meet.

2 REFLECTIONS FROM BRO. RUDY You Have What You Need Bishop Michael Watson of the North Georgia Conference preached at the opening service of our Annual Conference on Sunday. His scripture text was the opening twelve verses of 1 Corinthians 12. His key point was You have what you need to accomplish what God has called you to accomplish. The reason he could make that statement is his confidence in the awesome power of the Holy Spirit. From the opening verses of the text, Bishop Watson pointed out that the Holy Spirit is the One who led you to become a follower of Jesus. When that happened, the Holy Spirit entered your life to empower you and to be your guide, advocate, comforter, and helper. In the Holy Spirit, you have what you need to face every situation in life and to accomplish what God has called you to accomplish. This awesome Holy Spirit has also given every believer gifts for the common good. The Holy Spirit has given each of us the gifts God wants us to have to accomplish the purpose God has for each of us. As you ve heard me say many times, You are gifted for the purpose God has for you in and through God s Church. Last year you clarified your vision as Growing in God, Sharing God s Love through Inspiring Worship, Empowering Ministries (especially for young adults), Equipping Persons for Ministry, Promoting Well-Being. According to Bishop Watson s message, you have what you need to accomplish this vision. God has not given you a vision to accomplish on your own. Instead, God has given you the awesome power of the Holy Spirit, who has given every Christ- Follower at Decatur First the gifts needed to accomplish the vision. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to fill you and use you? Several times in his letters Paul encourages believers to live in the Holy Spirit. It seems that from the very beginning there have been Christ-Followers who have not surrendered to the control of the Holy Spirit. Paul even warns believers about falling back into slavery and stopping short in accomplishing the purpose God has from them. Next week Hughey Reynolds will arrive as your new pastor. He has what it takes to lead you in living the vision God has given you. However, he cannot do it himself. You are the Church and together you have what you need to accomplish the vision God has given you. It is my prayer that you will make a new surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit so that you might accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God. Rudy Our Stewardship of Presences Attendance Numbers Sunday, May 24, 2015: Total Count for 8:45 a.m. = 93 Total Count for 11:00am = 86 Total Count for May 24 = 179 Sunday School Children adults Youth adults Adults 75 Total Sunday School May 24= 91 Attendance Numbers Sunday, May 31, 2015: Total Count for 8:45 a.m. = 100 Total Count for 11:00am = 84 Point Mallard Chapel Service = 15 Total Count for May 31 = 199 Sunday School May 31 Children adults Youth adults Adults- 119 Total Sunday School May 31 = 140 Our Stewardship of Resources Ministry Budget Capital Fund Received YTD $373, , Needed YTD 370, Given This Week 11, , Needed Weekly 16, Sympathy We express our sympathy to Sherrie Paler and family on the recent death of her brother-in-law Wesley Patterson. Our prayers remain with the family. We express our sympathy to Gail Herren and family on the death of her brother Gene Yarbrough. Our prayers remain with the family. We express our sympathy to Betty Ann Mitchum and family and Barbara Ashwander and family on the death of their mother Betty Nettles on June 3. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6 here at the church with the Funeral Service here at 2:00 p.m. Our prayers remain with the family. Upcoming Church Softball Games at Wilson Morgan Park June 9, 7:15 p.m. Field 5 FUMC vs Wesley UMC June 16, 7:15 p.m. Field 5 FUMC vs. Beltline COC June 16, 9:15 p.m. Field 3 FUMC vs. Lebanon Baptist Patrick s Musical Notes On Sunday June 28th during the 8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services, the Decatur FUMC Chancel Choir will present Sweet Land of Liberty by Randy Vader, Jay Rouse and Camp Kirkland. The cantata will consist of songs such as The Star Spangled Banner, This Land is Your Land, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, How Can I Keep from Singing, Salute to the Armed Forces and much more. Narration will be presented by John Underwood and soloists will be Ann Henry and Patrick McCormick. We hope that all who are able will attend this wonderful celebration and pay tribute to the brave men and women who defended and continue to defend our freedom. God Bless, Patrick McCormick

3 Children s Summer Sunday School Teaching Opportunity! Vacation Bible School Is Almost Here! EVEREST Conquering Challenges with God s Mighty Power! Everest VBS will be hosted here in the mornings from June 15 th to June 18 th. Children will learn about some of God s most Mighty Power! Children three years old (potty trained) thru 5 th grade are invited to attend and bring a friend! Space fills up fast so don t delay - sign up today! Everyone is welcome on Wednesday Evening the 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary or the Summit for a special brief Program and singing followed by an ice cream social in the Fellowship Hall! If you wish to sign your children or grandchildren up for VBS, you may go to our church website click on children s ministry and download a registration form (one per child) and fill out the registration form(s) and return to FUMC Decatur VBS. VBS Donations Needed We are seeking donations of: Camping Supplies (definitely preferred: sleeping bag, tent, backpack, or hiking boots. These can be donated or just borrowed, in which your name willl be put on it and returned.) Gallon Jugs (Milk, Tea, Etc.) Artificial Christmas Trees (These can be donated or just borrowed, in which your name will be put on it and returned.) Flat Bed Sheets (Colors Preferred: White, Gray and Blue; Semi-good condition if used) Do you want to have some summer fun teaching? We will be learning about Moses, Gideon, Hannah and Samuel throughout the summer! Lessons and materials are provided and leadership in worship is also provided! Men and women are needed to teach and assist! Please see Lorri McGuire or Carrie Hart if you are willing to lend a hand! We will have three classes who need teachers: Preschool classs (3yr-4yrs), Kindergarten 2 nd grade, and 3 rd 5 th grade. VBS Needs Your Help! During the week of June 15-18, our church will be transformed into Everest for Vacation Bible School. Your help would be greatly appreciated at any/all of the decorating days! Sunday, June 7 Noon - 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 11-5:30 9:00 p.m. Friday, June 12-5:30 9:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13-9-Noon & 1-5 Sunday, June 14 - Noon until we are done We will be cutting, gluing, painting, papering the walls, and getting the decorations ready for the stage. Put on your "play clothes" and join us!

4 Summer Fun with FUMC Make reservations NOW! Make plans to join us for a lot of FUN this summer at FUMC! Zumba classes in the fellowship hall will be offered on Monday and Wednesdays from 4:00-5:00 in June and July. A certified instructor will lead the class. $5 per person, per class. Unique Exercise Class (chair aerobics) will be offered on Thursdays beginning June 18 at 10:00am in the Harris Lend A Hand classroom. Nita Tutwiler will lead this class. No fee. Family Movie Night- Bring your dinner and join us in the fellowship hall for a good ole fashioned movie on June 23 and July 28 at 6:30pm! Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Bunco- Claudia Blake will lead a Bunco game on June 2 and July 7 in the fellowship hall at 6:30. Missions Service Day- everyone is invited to join us as we serve our community on June 27 from We ll finish our morning with a pizza lunch in the fellowship hall. Painting Class- Susan Estes will be teaching a painting class on Aug. 4 at 6:00. The cost is $15 and each participant will leave with an original piece of art! The first class on June 9 is already full. Wreath Making Class- Doug Maze will be leading a group and showing how to make a wreath on July 14 at 6:00. Each participant will leave with a wreath! Prior to the class, you will need to meet at Hobby Lobby to buy your supplies. June Hilltoppers Trip Canceled We will not be able to tour the Blue Bell factory (they are closed) so we will pick up our next trip in the Fall. Sept Joe Wheeler State Park May 21 st Have a Great Summer!! Untamed Mountain Trip The Hilltoppers had a great day meeting all the animals at Untamed Mountain! Lions, tigers, and bears were just a few of the sights. We had a very special tour. We would love to go back again! Find Us On Social Media Like us on Facebook to get up to date information about our church, meetings, changes, prayer requests, photos and more! If you have not seen our updated website, please visit to see the exciting updates. Download the Tidings and Reflections from Rudy. Listen to a sermon. View upcoming events on the calendar. See what Discipleship opportunities are available on Wednesday night. Find a ministry in which you can get involved!

5 Youth Dates Coming Up Sunday, June 7 10:00 Sunday School 6:00-8:00 TRIBES at Eastwood s fields (if raining, meet at FUMC) Thursday, June 11 12:00 Jr. High Lunch Bunch at the Brick Sunday, June 14 10:00 Sunday School 5:00 Jamaica Meeting 6:00-8:00 TRIBES at Eastwood s fields (if raining, meet at FUMC) Monday, June 15- Thursday, June 18- VBS Week Wednesday, June 17 6:00 Discovery Team Training, Youth Floor Young Adults White Water Trip July 11 The young adults (and those who think they are still young adults) are invited to go on a one day White Water rafting trip down the Ocoee River in Tennessee on Saturday, July 11. We plan to leave that morning, eat lunch in route, raft in the early afternoon and head home eating dinner together. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Beth in the youth office. Jr. High Lunch Bunch The Junior High (entering 6 th -8 th grades) group will meet on select Thursday s throughout the summer to go to lunch (bring your own money) and return to the church for a time of prayer and devotion. We ll leave the church at 12:00 and parents can pick up at 1:30. June 11- The Brick June 25- The Big Easy July 9- Moe s BBQ July 30- Mellow Mushroom Discovery Team Training The Discovery Team (adults and senior high) will be meeting throughout the summer to plan and prepare for Discovery Weekend. We will meet on the youth floor at 6:00 on Wednesday nights (June 17, 24, 8 and 29) to preview talks, go over schedules, work on plans, ask questions and pray for the weekend. Make plans to join us as we plan the best weekend ever! Save the Date! The youth will have Discovery Weekend July 31- August 2, 2015! This year s theme is Discover God s Love Through Scripture. This weekend is for all youth who have completed 5 th -12 th grades. The Senior High will help lead the 43 hour spiritual formation weekend for the Junior High at FUMC. The Prayer Service, for the entire church, will be Saturday night, August 1 st at 7:00 p.m. We hope everyone will be here to support our youth and their families! Discovery invites the entire church family to live out its Baptismal covenant of surrounding these children with a community of love and forgiveness so they may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal. We invite you to join us as we all discover what God has in store for us through the Discovery weekend! DISCOVERY WEEKEND TRIBES is a recreational outdoor program inspired by SURVIVOR where teams compete in weekly challenges to earn points throughout the summer. We will have four TRIBES made up of Jr. and Sr. high youth, one adult male captain and one adult team mom. There will be a total of two challenges each week. Challenges may be athletic, intellectual, artistic or creative! June Eastwood- Big Stop Ball & Pin Ball June Eastwood- Three Ball & Kickball Stampede June FUMC- Hungry Hippos & Human Checkers July Eastwood- 4 Base T ball & Tiki Torch Trivia July Eastwood- Photo Scavenger Hunt July pool (TBA)- Pool Tubes & Synchronized Swimming *In case of rain, TRIBES will be held at FUMC in the Fellowship Hall. Check the youth Facebook Page for location changes and what your TRIBE may need to bring each week!

6 UPCOMING EVENTS Mountain Mania/Burningtree Beast Saturday, June 6 at 7:00 a.m. Point Mallard Prayer Chapel Service Sunday, June 7 at 8:45 a.m. VBS Decorating Sunday, June 7 from Noon - 5:00 p.m. TRIBES at Eastwood s fields (if raining, meet at FUMC) Sunday, June 7 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Zumba Class, Fellowship Hall Monday, June 8 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Worship Team / Monday, June 8 at 6:00 p.m. Women s Bible Study, Courtyard Conf. Room Tuesday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Alabama Emmaus / Tuesday, June 9 at 6:00 p.m. Painting Class / Tuesday, June 9 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Zumba Class, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, June 10 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Practice Wednesday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m. UMM Breakfast, City Café Thursday, June 11 at 7:30 a.m. Jr. High Lunch Bunch at the Brick Thursday, June 11 at noon VBS Decorating Thursday, June 11 from 5:30-9:00 p.m. Friday, June 12 from 5:30-9:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 14 from Noon until we are done 805 CANAL STREET N.E. DECATUR ECATUR,, AL PHONE (256) FAX (256) Please place label here U.S. Postage Paid Non-Profit Org. Decatur, AL Permit No. 226 Dr. Rudy Guess, Senior Minister, rguess@decaturfumc.org Beth C. Green, Youth Minister, beth@decaturfumc.org Patrick McCormick, Director of Worship, patrick@decaturfumc.org Cindy McCulloch, Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor & Finance, cmcculloch@decaturfumc.org Alyson Quinn, Church Secretary, aquinn@decaturfumc.org Charlie Elliott, Custodian Laura Vines, First Grace Director, firstgrace@decaturfumc.org Melissa Wiley, Housekeeper Lorri McGuire, Director of Children & Family, lmcguire@decaturfumc.org Sandy Callahan, Food Manager Wayne Keller, Accompanist Upcoming Worship Services (8:45 & 11:00 AM) VISION STATEMENT: Growing in Christ, Sharing God s Love through Inspiring Worship, Empowering Ministries Equipping Persons for Ministry Promoting Well-Being 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. June 7- "I Commend You to God" Acts 20:17-38 Dr. Rudy Guess, preaching (Rudy s last Sunday) June 14 - Dr. Hughey Reynolds, preaching (Hughey s first Sunday) Farewell Reception & Welcoming Reception details on front page. WORSHIP AT POINT MALLARD CHAPEL - Led by our UM Men Begins May 31 & continues through August 23 8:45 a.m. Help us spread the word! Scheduled To Serve June 7 Acolytes: 8:45 a.m. - No Acolyte Scheduled 11:00 a.m. - Lydia Matthews & Mary Bibb Pylant (Nelson Earley, Crucifer) Greeters: 8:45 - Bill & Bettye Dennis, Dean Turney 11:00 - Betty Ann & Don Mitchum, Barbara Ashwander Ushers: 8:45 Ronnie Dukes, Mike Boozer, Michael Boozer, Jolly McKenzie 11:00 Mark Maloney, Greg Clemons, Ken Chandler, Jim Milner, Judson Davis Option Available for E-Newsletter If you would rather receive this newsletter via e- mail, please send an to Alyson at aquinn@decaturfumc.org indicating this preference. You will help us save paper and postage. We have over 1100 subscribers so far!