SEPTEMBER The First Methogram. Dear Friends, Making Disciples for Jesus Christ through Love & Service! "Every Member a Minister SEPTEMBER 2013

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1 The First Methogram Making Disciples for Jesus Christ through Love & Service! Dear Friends, It is hard to believe, but fall is already upon us. Students are heading back to school, summer vacations are winding down, and the new season brings changes and new rhythms, activities, and holidays. The church is no exception. In many ways autumn 2013 signals not only a new season of the year, but a new season in ministry at FUMC Graham. Our leadership team has gone through changes that we will be living into over the next months. We sadly have said goodbye to Reggie Jeffreys, who has led our worship and praise team at the Well over the past year and pray God s continued blessings on his music ministry. We also welcome FUMCG member, Daniel Privette, as our interim worship leader for The Well, who has generously agreed to work with our praise team as we begin the process of prayerfully looking for new leadership for this service. We also welcome Nathan Blake, our new Director of Youth Ministries, to our ministry team who has also enclosed a welcome message in this month s Methogram. In addition, we welcome Dr. Ken Hall as our new volunteer Pastor of Visitation. Already he has hit the pavement seeking to bring a word of comfort, reassurance, and prayerful hope to our members who are no longer able to attend worship. I am also excited about welcoming Brian Yoder into his new role as Director of Children and Discipleship Ministries. In addition to expanding our Children s Ministry in new and wonderful ways, Brian has already begun to head up our LIFE group ministry that will be officially launched September 8 th to coincide with a new sermon series titled I am Second. Our first training for small group facilitators and hosts has already taken place with six new groups identified, and to date, 54 people (and counting) who have expressed a desire to participate! Please be in prayer for this important new emphasis in our discipleship/small group ministries, and I want to strongly encourage each of you to prayerfully consider being a part of one of these small groups in the near future. There is plenty more to share, so stay tuned and prayed up! Among other new events and happenings this fall there are two more that I will lift up so that you can mark your calendar and plan to participate. On Friday evening, September 27 th, FUMC, led by our evangelism team will be hosting a concert with the band Timeless in Stafford Hall sure to be a wonderful time for all and great opportunity to invite friends to a fun night of entertainment and great music. Finally, we will also be holding our first ever Discipleship Academy this fall, October Dr. Edgardo Colón-Emeric will be leading a half-day academy on Saturday (9-noon) and preaching in our morning worship services on Sunday, October 27 th. I hope you will mark your calendars now and plan to join us! Leaning forward into this new ministry season with you, Pastor Kevin Church Address: 303 North Main Street Graham, NC Ph Fax Church office@fumcgraham-nc.org Lead Pastor: G. Kevin Baker Kevin@nccumc.org Website: Playschool Director: Faye Waddell playschool@fumcgraham-nc.org "Every Member a Minister Page 1

2 JULY MEMORIALS Donna Barnes Phyllis Ricks May Mary Helen Linens Anne Briggs El & Barbara Lowe Betty Lou Perry Vivian Williamson Lauren Wilburn Clutch Martin Toni Ennis Livia Emeric Ruth Rudd Bob Wisse Ann Fenton Denny Wise Elvin Briggs Judy Way Lib Shoffner Carol Gates Doris Riley Alexis Duncan Jack Henderson Everette Powell Dot Lee James Fogleman Tim Laverty Please to add or remove a name on the prayer list, Or call IN RETIREMENT OR NURSING FACILITIES Monteze Anglin-Alamance Health Care Amy Buckner-Edgewood Skilled Nursing Mabel Cheek-Blakey Hall John Clark-Alamance House Hazel Craig Alamance Health Care Mary Harden Village at Brookwood Rala B. Hardie Wilmington, NC Terrell Lamb Blakey Hall Assisted Living Mary Helen Linens-Liberty Commons Kathryn Lockamy-Blakey Hall Dobby & Betty May-Blakey Hall Opal Narron-Alamance House Ardith Salisbury-Twin Lakes Margaret White The Homestead IN MEMORY OF: Marion Lewis Frank Nunziato Louella Hall Billy Johnson IN HONOR OF: Jerry & Diana Cummings Jerry & Diana Cummings GIVEN BY: Chancel Choir Julia Howard Janet Woody Roger & Marsha Jones GIVEN BY: Peggy Jenks Gretchen Briggs Dear Church Family, I am sorry it has taken me so long to write to you. I could not have done as well as I have without your help. I appreciate all the calls, cards, visits and prayers. I think I have gotten a card from everyone in my church. I appreciate every prayer that is said for me. I thank you all. This was a big move leaving Graham after living there 89 years and being in the church for almost 70 years. I feel your love constantly and God continues to bless me. Love, Nettie Ruth Bason Thank you to our church family for prayers, visits, calls, food, support that we have been blessed with because of our health challenges these last few months. It is wonderful to be a part of a loving caring Christian community. A special thank you to those of you who show up at the most difficult times. Your ministry to us has been an example to others who have witnessed it. Judy and Max Way In The Military Travis Woody, Andrew Crissman, Tim Dehner, Noel Peyton, Michael Jon Woznick, Ryan Adamski. Online Giving Now Available! Use the QR Code to give tithes and offerings via your mobile device. Page 2 Every member a Minister

3 Dear Church Family, 9/03 Gabrielle Vincent 9/03 Helen Rhew 9/04 Chris Fulkerson 9/04 Wanda Padgett 9/05 Sue Fenton 9/05 Bobby Johnson 9/05 Ray Johnson 9/06 Deanna Wyatt 9/06 Bruce Althouse 9/07 Brian Moore 9/08 Pat Dixon 9/08 D. J. Rhew 9/09 Silas Albright 9/10 Ruth Rudd 9/11 Elvin Briggs 9/11 Andrea Rollins 9/12 Suzanne Brown 9/12 Patricia Walker 9/13 Mildred Huey 9/14 Andrew Lambert 9/15 Betty Blanchard 9/15 Jimmy Linens 9/15 Jamie Rollins 9/15 Michael Fabbri 9/15 Kevin Baker 9/17 Tommy Hayes 9/17 Marsha Jones 9/18 Traci Gant 9/19 Jerry Ferguson 9/20 Anne Briggs 9/22 Becky Call 9/23 Rala Hardie 9/23 Melodie Allshouse 9/24 Clint Lloyd 9/24 Cindy Sharpe 9/25 Carolyn Barnes 9/25 Kelly Cummings 9/25 Mary Alice Harden 9/25 Courtney Hurt 9/26 Alma Euliss 9/26 Judy Hayes 9/27 Ralph Pike 9/27 Austin Wood 9/27 Linda Boggs 9/28 Margaret Hinshaw 9/29 Jerry Linens 9/30 Jerry Cummings It is my honor to be writing to you as the Director of Youth Ministries here at First UMC Graham. I would have never imagined that two weeks after my wife, Brittany, and I joined the church, that I would be joining the staff of this wonderful place. It has been a whirlwind and has reminded me of God's sovereignty and direction in my life. The Lord works in mysterious ways and I am so excited to be a part of the work that is already taking place, here, at First Graham. I am originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and grew up near Lexington. Upon graduating high school, I moved to the small town of Buies Creek, North Carolina to attend college at Campbell University. I met my wife, Brittany, through a friend at church and we began dating at the age of 16. She also attended Campbell and went on to graduate with her PharmD from Campbell Pharmacy school in May, She now practices as a Registered Pharmacist at CVS in Whitsett, where we are currently living. After undergraduate studies, I decided to stay at Campbell Divinity School to pursue a Masters of Divinity and, also, a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I graduated from the Divinity School in May, 2012 and am currently finishing the second masters. We have no children and two dogs, Kloey and Campbell. It was in my time at Divinity School that I realized a passion for the local church and a passion for mental health counseling. I have a desire to work with the church in understanding how our emotional, mental, and relational health are vitally important in understanding God, the church, and spirituality. I am currently working as a Pastoral Counselor and see clients in Burlington. Stewardship Corner I also spent three years as a youth pastor at Four Oaks UMC in Four Oaks, NC. I have felt at home in the Methodist Church and have a strong desire to minister with teenagers in spreading the Love of Christ. Growing up, youth group was a very important piece of my faith journey. As a teenager, I recall asking my youth pastor why she worked with teenagers and I'll never forget her response, "Because I get to work with people who still believe they can change the world." What an awesome task and what an awesome opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of the teens here at First Graham. May we, truly, embark on a journey of learning from one another, embracing our differences, and loving others in the name of Jesus. Grace and Peace to you, Nathan Blake Did you know... that your faithful giving is vitally important to our continued growth and outreach? Our current giving to date is at 87% of this year's budget (as compared with 96% last year at this time). Take a look at where you currently fall in our giving pyramid and prayerfully consider moving up and closer toward the tithe. "Every Member a Minister Page 3

4 Family Time Attention all children up to 5 th grade and families! Join us for a Family Outing There are many exciting things happening as we begin UMYF for the upcoming year. Our regular meetings will still take place from 5:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m. on Sunday nights. Come over at 5:00 p.m. for basketball and fellowship. We are excited to announce that UMYF will now include a worship service led by our youth band. A few important dates to note: Sunday, September 1st will be a youth/parent meeting with our fist UMYF taking place the following Sunday. On August 31st, the Newberry's will be hosting a high school pool party. Please contact Nathan for more information. Be looking out for UNC football sign ups! See Erin Mercs for more information. If you are needing to contact me, my address is nablake0512@gmail.com. We are looking forward to a great youth year! Grace and Peace, Nathan A. Blake Watch out for these!!! Children up to 5 th grade AND their families are invited to the Burlington Aquatic Center on September 8th from 4pm-6pm for swimming and an ice cream social. If you have any questions, please see Brian Yoder or call Deanna Wyatt at We look forward to seeing you there! Upcoming Sermon Series Join us on Sunday, September 8 th, as Pastor Baker begins a new series titled I am Second. This series focuses on the power of stories, reminding each of us that we have a personal story/testimony that God desires to incorporate into God s grand salvation story through Jesus. Come, see why you too may want to join others in discovering who desires to be First, and why there is great freedom and healing in confessing that I am Second. September 8 The Power of Story September 15 Struggles September 29 Relationships October 6 Success October 13 Who is First October 20 Share your Story Page 4 Every member a Minister

5 Library Lowdown The library committee recently completed an inventory of our church library. They discovered that there are 22 books unaccounted for; the missing books include both adult and children s titles. Please check your bookshelves to see if you have any books that you had overlooked. There will be a list of the missing titles posted on the library door if you would like to check it and see if any of the titles rings a bell. If you have any of our missing books, please return them to the library as soon as possible. Thanks for your help. As members of First UMC, we are fortunate to have access to a wonderful church library! Our library consists of 1,882 titles including children, youth and adult fiction as well as non-fiction books and DVD s. Our library is valued at a little over $23,000! Have you been in to the library recently? Drop by anytime. You just might find the perfect book to finish off your summer or to use for your next Sunday school series. Look for the Express Cart at both services on the 3 rd Sunday of each month! THE YOUNG IN HEART BAR-B-Q CHICKEN LUNCHEON catered by Gregg and Alvis Webster is Tuesday, September 3rd at 11:30am. Come join us for our Young in Heart meeting and lunch in Stafford Hall. Cost $8.00 per person. Adult Fun Day will follow. Please come and bring a friend. SEE YOU THERE! BACKPACK BLESSINGS Want to help fight hunger right here in Alamance County? Join the New Horizons Sunday School Class in packing a backpack full of food for children at South Graham Elementary School. We will be filling 10 backpacks every Friday with food to feed these children and their families over the weekend. Check the Narthex or Coffee shop for a list of the 6 menus we will be packing and keep it on hand when you do your grocery shopping. No glass containers please! Drop off food items from our weekly list to the Blessings Bucket at the back of Stafford Hall or in the front breezeway by the Sanctuary. Monetary donations are also welcome. If you have questions, please see Anita Sherer or someone in the New Horizon s Sunday School Class. COMING SOON! KIDS RING AND SING Grades 1-5 We will soon be starting a new music program for our elementary age children in grades 1-5 meeting on Sunday afternoons from 3-4 o clock. This exciting program will include instruction on playing choir chimes as well as singing songs of praise. We will also be preparing our Children s Christmas Program to share with our church family on December 8 th. All children in grades 1-5 are invited to join us in the Choir Room beginning on Sunday, September 15 th at 3pm. If you have questions, please contact Doug Rayle at or by at mrayle59@earthlink.net. We are looking forward to an exciting new adventure for the children at First United Methodist Church. "Every Member a Minister Page 5

6 FAMILY NIGHT OUT! The Timeless Band Concert will be Friday, September 27th at 7pm in our Fellowship Hall. The Concert is free, along with free popcorn and soft drinks. Come out and enjoy the fun and Fellowship. It s an FUMC Family Tradition Y ALL COME! God s Ministry of Reconciliation First United Methodist Church s 2013 Fall Discipleship Academy At the heart of the gospel is the offer of the gift of reconciliation. It is a gift that remembers creation s original goodness and harmony, wrestles deeply with how sin causes that gift to be thwarted, and anticipates the day when every tribe, tongue and nation will experience God s kingdom come in its fullness. Reconciliation is both God s gift and the church s mission. It is precisely this gift This year s presenter is that the church is called to receive, andr. Edgardo Colón-Emeric nounce, and embody in her common life Assistant Professor of Christian and witness. Theology, Duke Divinity School Join us for this first Discipleship Academy where participants will be invited to Pre-register online at explore and envision how today s church might better grasp this grand, God-sized or by signing up on forms vision and share it with a broken world in provided in our narthex and need of healing and hope. Coffee Shop Page 6 Every member a Minister

7 LIFE Groups Launch Set for September 8th Our directory is under construction! Download the app on your Mobile Device! Want to check our progress and your information? Check out our directory app which will put our church directory right onto your mobile device with the click of a few buttons. If your is already included in the directory information, the app will recognize you as a FUMCG member and allow you to set up your own log-in. Just search for "Instant Church Directory" in your app store and look for the app with the green church logo. Please send us the photo you would like to appear in the directory along with the names as you would have them listed and your contact information to: directory@fumcgraham-nc.org The photos must NOT be copyrighted by the photographer in order for us to publish them. Informal head shots or close-up group photos taken with your camera or camera phone are all that are needed. We will be setting up times in the Fall for those who would like us to take photos. s must be included if you want to have mobile device access. Who are LIFE Groups for? Whether you re brand-new to First UMC Graham or you ve been coming for years, a LIFE Group is a great next step for anyone who wants to grow in their relationship with God and others. What is a typical LIFE Group session like? Each LIFE Group is unique, but generally all groups have some social time with snacks and conversation up front, followed by a time of study and prayer. The meeting will last somewhere around 1 &1/2 to 2 hours. Who leads the group? A LIFE Group facilitator is someone who is recognized, trained, and appointed to serve the members of their group by starting, organizing and helping to maintain the healthy functioning of that LIFE Group. Any more questions about LIFE groups? Please visit the church website at or Brian at bhyoder@yahoo.com HOMECOMING SUNDAY! First United Methodist Church-Graham September 22, am Combined Service Dr. Ken Hall, Pastor of Visitation and Pastor Emeritus ( ) will be bringing the message. After worship, we will gather for a Covered Dish Lunch in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone Welcome! We look forward to seeing you. "Every Member a Minister Page 7

8 The First Methogram (USPS ) Periodicals Postage Paid at Published Monthly by Graham, North Carolina First United Methodist Church 303 N. Main Street Postmaster: Send Address Changes to: Graham, North Carolina The First Methogram 303 N. Main Street Graham, North Carolina WE THANK GOD FOR: SUNDAY SCHEDULE: The Well Service 9:00am, Sunday School: 10:00am Traditional Worship Service: 11:00am Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7am Men s Breakfast UMYF Parent/ Youth Night 2 Labor Day Church office closed 3 11:30am YIH Luncheon- Stafford Hall 1-4pm Fun Day 4 7:30 Choir 5 8:15am Thur. Prayer Breakfast pm Communications-Library 5pm First Place 9 7pm Cub Scouts :30pm Girl Scouts 7pm BOD 11 9:30am Library Ministry Team 6pm Girl Scts 6:30pm Bells 7:30pm Choir 12 8:15am TPB 6pm Girl Scouts 13 4pm Cub Scouts-Lock-in Stafford Hall 4p-9am pm Kid s Ring & Sing 16 7pm Cub Scouts 17 7pm Finance 18 6:30 pm Bells 7:30pm Choir 19 8:15am Thur. Prayer Breakfast am-3pm UMW Executive Meeting-TJW UMW YARD SALE FRIDAY-SATURDAY 22 HOMECOMING SUNDAY No 9am Service 2pm CMT 3-4pm Kid s Ring & Sing 23 7pm Cub Scouts :30 pm Bells 7:30pm Choir 26 8:15am Thur. Prayer Breakfast 27 7pm Concert in Stafford Hall pm Kid s Ring & Sing 30 Page 8 Every member a Minister