A Neglected Means of Grace

Transcription

1 MARCH 2013 The First Methogram Making Disciples for Jesus Christ through Love & Service! Church Address: 303 North Main Street Graham, NC Ph Fax Church Lead Pastor: G. Kevin Baker Website: Playschool Director: Faye Waddell A Neglected Means of Grace This season of Lent, we are inviting all at FUMCG to practice spiritual disciplines like fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, while simultaneous striving to live in more solidarity with the poor and most vulnerable. In his sermon on the mount, Jesus didn t say if you do these things, he said when: 1) when you give to the poor (almsgiving, Matt. 6:2), 2) when you pray (Matt. 6:5), and 3) when you fast (Matt. 6:16). Those who are familiar with the preaching and teaching of John Wesley would immediately recognize these as means of grace that he both practiced and commended to all Methodists. What many people may not know is that Wesley wrote passionately about another means of grace that is often excluded from our lists and our lives namely, regular visitation of the sick and the poor. For anyone who has read Matthew 25, it should come as no shock that friendship with the poor is a means of grace, but that does not keep us from neglecting it. Wesley knew well the popular aversions and excuses for such neglect, and he addresses them point by point in his sermon On Visiting the Sick: One great reason why the rich, in general, have so little sympathy for the poor, is, because they so seldom visit them. Hence it is, that, according to the common observation, one part of the world does not know what the other suffers. Many of them do not know, because they do not care to know: they keep out of the way of knowing it; and then plead their voluntary ignorances an excuse for their hardness of heart. "Indeed, Sir," said person of large substance, "I am a very compassionate man. But, to tell you the truth, I do not know anybody in the world that is in want." How did this come to pass? Why, he took good care to keep out of their way; and if he fell upon any of them unawares "he passed over on the other side." So this Lent, I want to invite you, in addition to your other Lenten disciplines, to explore visitation and friendship with the poor. Find ways to share not only your resources, but also your time. While it can be helpful to learn local and global statistics about hunger and human need, this Lent make sure to also learn individuals and families you can know by both face and name. While you give certain things up, take this oft neglected means of grace on, and discover Christ anew in the least of these. Perhaps most of all let us push past our own resistance and excuses so we can come to understand what living in solidarity with the poor might mean for our own lives. And along the way, may we all heed Wesley s warning that we do not become like those who desperately try to keep out of the way of knowing, of seeing, and of befriending our neighbors in need. With you on the journey, Pastor Kevin MARCH 2013 "Every Member a Minister Page 1

2 JANUARY MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF: GIVEN BY: Donna Barnes Phyllis Ricks May Mary Helen Linens Mimi Saunders Marion Lewis El & Barbara Lowe Elizabeth Shoffner Carol Gates Jack Henderson Nettie Ruth Bason Alexis Duncan John Clark Wayne Carter Katheryn Lockamy Frankie Nunziato Ann Fenton Barbara Carter Elvin Briggs Becky Call David Mallicoat Gail Nelson Fern Pike Vivian Williamson Doris Riley Lauren Wilburn Julia Howard Clutch Martin Worth McPherson Karen Young Billy Nunziato Mabel Lloyd Bill Bradshaw Mabel Lloyd Raymond & Frances Heath Gail Snotherly Bill Bradshaw Floyd Ingold Bill Bradshaw Sybil Walters Bill Bradshaw Sybil Walters Raymond & Frances Heath Sybil Walters Gene & Becky Payne Debra Gissendanner Raymond & Frances Heath Sybil Walters Ruth Rudd Sybil Walters Eddie & Carol Wilkes Sybil Walters Pauline Clark Sybil Walters Elizabeth Shoffner IN HONOR OF: GIVEN BY: Fred & Janette Beaudet Bob & Harriett Wisse IN RETIREMENT OR NURSING FACILITIES Amy Buckner-Edgewood Skilled Nursing Mabel Cheek-Blakey Hall Hazel Craig Blakey Hall Assisted Living Mary Harden Village at Brookwood Rala B. Hardie Wilmington, NC Terrell Lamb Blakey Hall Assisted Living Dobby & Betty May-Elon Ardith Salisbury-Twin Lakes Margaret White The Homestead In The Military Travis Woody, Andrew Crissman, Tim Dehner, Noel Peyton, Brian T. Bason, Michael Jon Woznick, Ryan Adamski. EVANGELISM MESSAGE The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30 NKJV Senior Citizen Sunday May 5th, 2013 Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!! In an effort to honor our senior members of the congregation, there will be a Senior Citizen's luncheon held on Sunday May, 5th 2013 immediately following the 11AM service. We invite our Seniors to come and enjoy the luncheon without feeling as though they need to provide any of the food. They have fed us for years both literally and figuratively. During the luncheon we hope to play a video loop of pictures, (provided by you the congregation at large) of the life and times of FUMC-Graham over the years. Pictures may be brought to the church office, and placed in an envelope which will be labeled "Sr. Citizen's Luncheon" anytime between now and Sunday March 31st. Please write your name on the back of any picture you provide. They will be able to be picked up at the luncheon. Thank-you for supporting such a wonderful group of individuals...our mentors, our teachers, our Seniors. Page 2 Every member a Minister MARCH 2013

3 Staff Parish End of Year Report to the Congregation. Thank you to the Congregation for the generous love offering for our staff. Each of our 6 staff members received $502. The Staff Parish Committee recommended staff salary increase for 2013; these were affirmed by the Finance Committee, Administrative Council, and Charge Conference. Lead Pastor Kevin Baker: (8%) raise - salary Children & Youth Director, Brian Yoder: (5%) raise - salary. Director of Music, Doug Rayle: (5%) raise - salary Worship Leader, Reggie Jeffries: (5%) raise - salary. Childcare Worker, Megan Sisco: (5%) raise - salary. Administrative Assistant, Lu Vincent: (5%) raise - salary. -Lead Pastor, Kevin Baker, did not receive a raise in Staff Parish is searching for a parttime Youth Leader. This position will pay $16,000/year. $8,000 has been budgeted for as this position should be filled for the second half of The Children and Youth Director, Brian Yoder will have expanded duties working with younger children and other duties, as yet unassigned. Any questions or comments may be directed to any member of the Staff Parish Committee. 3/2 Ken Robbins 3/2 Teresa Call 3/4 Amy Vass 3/5 Amy Buckner 3/5 Carson Nash 3/5 Keith Lee 3/9 Ryan Jones 3/9 Ian McPherson 3/10 Tammy McGonagle 3/13 Gwen McIntyre 3/13 Caiden Woody 3/14 Emma Wheeler 3/15 Phillip Brown 3/15 Ben Wheeler 3/20 Adrienne Barnwell 3/22 Ellen Huffines 3/23 Mimi Saunders 3/23 Meredith Thornton 3/23 Judy Wise 3/23 Jeanette Beaudet 3/24 Kinza Jones 3/24 Brenda Moore 3/25 Myrtie Barbee 3/26 Jonathan Vincent 3/27 Austin Wheeler 3/27 Zoila Lambert 3/28 Linda Ingold 3/28 Denis Vass 3/29 Roger Jones 3/29 Will Lloyd 3/29 Mary Malinski 3/29 Doug Rayle COMING SOON CHURCHWIDE SPRING YARD SALE Are you looking forward to Spring Cleaning? March is here and a Spring Yard Sale is on the horizon! Saturday, April 13th is the date to set aside some boxes and as you clean and find things you want to part with, fill the boxes with your donations. We will look for your treasures the week of the yard sale. Remember, we accept anything that is clean and in good condition. Wedding Coordinator Needed The Board of Directors is seeking a person to coordinate with those wishing to schedule a wedding at FUMCG. You would not be required to be the wedding director. Scheduling use of the building, collecting fees, and coordinating cleanup are some of the duties involved. Please see Jerry Linens or any member of the BOD if you think you might be interested in volunteering for this much needed position. Young In Heart 45th Anniversary Luncheon! Come join us on Tuesday March 5th. at 11:30am for our Young In Heart meeting and lunch in Stafford Hall. The meal will be catered by Jimmy Linens ($7.00 per person.) Entertainment will be provided by Steve & Mary Ann Van Pelt. Plan to come and bring a friend. YOUNG IN HEART GAME DAY! Join us for "Fun/Game Day" Wednesday, March 13th. from 1-4pm in Stafford Hall. FUN, GAMES, REFRESHMENTS, FELLOWSHIP!! MARCH 2013 "Every Member a Minister Page 3

4 UMYF Calendar March 3 Youth Council 4-5pm UMYF 5:30-7pm (Stafford Hall opens at 5pm) March 10 Corridor District Canned Food Drive 2:45 6pm We will meet in Stafford Hall to carry our canned food out to the Loaves and Fishes truck. Afterward, we will walk with other youth from our district to the court square for prayer and then to the Graham Cinema for a FREE movie. March 17 Stop Hunger Now Event at FUMC 4-6pm You must sign up to participate... see Maddie Crissman or Mike Brumble March 24 Youth Sunday T-shirt making 12-2pm We will go out for lunch immediately following the 11am worship service and then return to church to make our t- shirts for Youth Sunday. Please bring money for lunch and a plain white crew neck t-shirt (no V- necks). If you are not planning to go out for lunch, please meet at church at 1:15 ***Reminder: Money for Blowing Rock Trip due March 31 No UMYF HAPPY EASTER!! April 7 Youth Sunday practice 5:30-7:30pm Stafford Hall opens at 5pm. Come early if you still need to make your Youth Sunday t-shirt (bring a plain white crew neck t-shirt) April 14 Youth Sunday Hands and Feet Youth are asked to meet in the sanctuary at 9:00am for final practice. NO REGULAR UMYF YOUTH SUNDAY YOUTH SUNDAY April 14 11am combined service Hands & Feet Come worship the Lord as the youth lead the Service Please dress casually (i.e., t-shirt and jeans or whatever you feel comfortable wearing). FUMC Church Day Camp at Chestnut Ridge, Efland, NC June 18-22, 8:45am-5pm For children who have completed kindergarten through 8th grade. $225 per child (If you register before March 17, the Missions Committee will offset the cost of camp $50 per child) Information fliers are located on the table outside of Brian's office. SAVE THE DATE!! Vacation Bible School will be held this year on June 24th - 28th. Please mark these dates on your calendar. Page 4 Every member a Minister MARCH 2013

5 CHURCH KITCHEN USE GUIDELINES *Wash, dry and return all dishes, utensils, pots, pans to proper places. *Return all unused paper products to Supplies closet. *All left-over food, condiments should be taken to the Allied Churches Soup Kitchen Or taken home by the preparers. *Left-over soft drinks may be left for the Youth place on back counter. *Rinse out all plastic containers and place in recycle box. *Bag, tie and take all trash to the dumpster. *All dish cloths, towels and hot pads used should be taken home, washed, dried And returned to the proper cabinet/ drawer. Pop Tab Collections Collecting pop tabs is a great way to teach kids about philanthropy and the importance of recycling, and raise funds to help children and their families at the same time. Ronald McDonald Houses collect pop tabs instead of entire aluminum cans because it's more hygienic to store tabs than cans, and collection and storage is easier. The program is an easy way for people of all ages to support RMHC and know they are making a difference for families and children. Bring your tabs to church and place them in the container located in the breezeway. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSE You are invited to join us for a new new session of First Place beginning on Sunday, March 3 at five o'clock in the parlor. First Place is a Bible Study that encourages healthy living. We will be using the Bible Study, Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit. This study will help us discover how growing the fruit of the Spirit will transform us into whole and balanced creations God intends us to be. The cost for the book is $ Please contact Kay Ferguson, Susan Rayle, or Carolyn Barnes to reserve your book. Thank you for helping keep our Church Kitchen clean and pest-free. It s Zumba Time! A fund-raiser benefitting The Playschool at First United Methodist Church & Relay for Life. Join Terry G and other Zumba instructors and DANCE LIKE A GIRL! When: Saturday, March 16 Where: First UMC, 303 N. Main St, Graham Time: 1:00 3:00 PM Tickets: $10.00 in advance; $15.00 at the door Free refreshments and lots of door prizes! Tickets go on sale Friday, February 15 Stop by or call the Playschool at (336) for more info. MARCH 2013 "Every Member a Minister Page 5

6 Name Tag Reminder! We are so blessed to have many new members here at FUMC, and to get to know one another, it would be very helpful if we all wore our name badges. If you don't have one, please fill out a form, which can be found in the pew pads and on the table to your left in the breezeway. Just drop the form in the basket on the table and leave a donation to help off set the cost. You are an important member of this family and we want to call you by name. Remember, there is a board in the hall across from the kitchen, where you can leave your badge so you want have to keep up with it during the week. Thanks for your participation. The Evangelism Team Recipes Needed! The New Horizons Sunday School Class is preparing a custom cookbook featuring favorite recipes from our members and friends! The information sheet needed to submit a recipe can be found in the Narthex or in the Coffee Shop area. We hope to make this a huge success! Proceeds will benefit mission work. RECIPES ARE DUE BY MARCH 31st. RESERVE YOUR COPY NOW! Dear Church Family, Thanks for the calls and cards! Please keep me in your prayers. I have moved and my new address is 4212 Sunburst Drive, High Point, Jewell Brackett Dear Church Family, I would like to thank everyone who has supported my daughter and me throughout the year and a half we have been at this church; and all the prayers you have prayed for us. We still need your prayers. My daughter loves everyone here and loves to come to church. I feel like we belong here. Thanks again, Lisa Hoosier The FUMC Library Wants to Hear From YOU! Do you know what books and DVDs we have in the FUMC Library? Would you like to know? Would you use an online "card catalog" to see what is in the library if we connected the information to our FUMC web site? Let us know by sending an to: libraryfumc@gmail.com. Just say "Yes". No reply will be considered a "No!" FUMC College Scholarships Scholarship applications for the 2013/14 school year are now available for anyone wishing to further their education. Application packets are available on the table outside of Brian's office or you can download one from the church website at (under Education link). All information must be turned in to the church office by 12 noon on April 2. Scholarships will be awarded on Sunday, June 2 during the 11:00 worship service. High school and college graduates will be recognized during both services. Charles and Marion Whittemore Celebrated 64 years of Marriage On February 22nd You are cordially invited to a Baby Shower for Alex and Yvonne Cook hosted by the new UMW circle, the Friendship Circle, on Sunday, March 3 from 2-4 PM in the parlor. The Cooks are expecting a little girl and are registered at Target and Amazon.com. Page 6 Every member a Minister MARCH 2013

7 Eilene Bisgrove Hello members of First UMC Graham and thank you for all the warm welcomes you have already given to me and my husband David Grining. Dave and I will be attending worship on many Sundays and joining in other church activities. I am an ordained Deacon in the NC Conference and look forward to helping with health and nutrition programs as part of my secondary appointment with First UMC. Soon I will be assisting with the Lenten program where we will gather in the kitchen to make and share table fellowship around a simple meal of Bible bread and spreads made with ingredients similar to those used in Jesus time. For a bit of background I was raised Methodist in central New York State and moved to North Carolina in the 1970s, where I learned to love this state and basketball, especially the Tarheels - I was in graduate school at UNC when Jordan, Worthy and Perkins were playing. I also went to Duke Divinity School but can only root for Duke when not playing the Heels (this is a rough year so far). I moved from Durham to Graham when Dave and I married last summer. Dave is a Chicagoborn Lutheran, retired business analyst, and all-around fine man, whom you will recognize in a suit and tie (traditional Lutheran Sunday dress) and carrying my zero gravity chair. He is coming to appreciate our Methodist ways, especially our hymn singing. Dave keeps finding new hymns to compose for guitar and sing around the house. His Lord of the Dance is high on my list of favorites. Getting back to the chair - I deal with back and sciatic pain from a combination of auto accident, ruptured disc, failed surgery, another surgery, etc. Surprisingly, I found my back problem has been an encouragement to stay as healthy and active as possible. My academic and professional background include an MPH in Biostatistics and a PhD in Nutrition from UNC-Chapel Hill, followed by a second career Master of Divinity from Duke. I worked for over 25 years in international health research and advocacy, primarily in Haiti and The Philippines, focusing on women s and infants nutrition. My clergy appointment has been with Sabbath Star, an extension healing ministry co-founded by the Rev. Susan Harsh-Cafferty (formerly a pastor of First UMC). Beginning in 2004, I helped facilitate a five-year pilot health ministry at Pleasant Green UMC in Durham and designed Bible-based health curricula for children and adults, which I continue to expand, publish, and distribute. I have consulted on health and nutrition issues with programs at UNC-Chapel Hill, the Healthy Families/Healthy Planet Initiative of the UMC General Board of Church and Society, and the United Nations Population Fund. For nearly fifteen years, I was a nutrition consultant and educator with the Rice Diet Program in Durham, In this role I assisted with their on-site training of healthy dietary and lifestyle practices for participants at risk because of chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. I pray good use will be found for the gifts the Lord has given to me and to all of us as we journey together seeking to improve our physical and our spiritual wellbeing. PRAISE THE GOD OF RESURRECTION On Palm Sunday, March 24, at 5:00pm, our Chancel Choir will join with the choir from Emmanuel United Methodist to present the Easter cantata, PRAISE THE GOD OF RESUR- RECTION. This year First United Methodist will host this annual event as our friends from Emmanuel join us for this celebration of the power of the Living God. The choirs and ministers from the two churches will share the story of our Lord from joyous hosannas, to hours of solitude and rejection, to glorious alleluias. The music consists of new anthems interwoven with familiar hymns such as "God So Loved the World", "Go to Dark Gethsemane", "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded", and "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee." Come join us for this inspirational retelling of the last week in the life of our Savior. Following the service, join our friends for refreshments and fellowship in Stafford Hall hosted by our United Methodist Women. MARCH 2013 "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: 11:00am Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 7am Men s Breakfast Playschool Sunday 2p Baby Shower 5pm 1st Place 4 10am Circle 2 2pm Circle 3 6:30 Girl Scouts 7pm Cub Scouts 7pm Friendship Cir 5 11:30 YIH- Luncheon 7pm Circle 1 7pm Boy Scouts 6 5:30 Conf Class 6:30 Bells 7pm HS Study 7pm Lent Study 7:30pm Choir pm Movie Nite Stafford Hall Girl Scouts in Stafford Hall pm Evangelism-Library 3pm Canned Food Drive 5pm 1st Place 11 6:30 Girl Scouts 7pm Cub Scouts 12 7pm BOD 7pm Boy Scouts 13 9:30 LMT 5:30 Conf Class 6:30 Bells 7pm HS Study 7pm Lent Study 7:30pm Choir pm Zumba-thon in Stafford Hall 17 Stop Hunger Now Event-Stafford Hall 5pm 1st Place 18 6:30 Girl Scouts 7pm Cub Scouts 19 7pm Finance 7pm Boy Scouts MCC 1pm Fun Day! 5:30 Conf Class 6:30 Bells 7pm HS Study 7pm Lent Study 7:30pm Choir Choir Practice for Cantata 24 5pm Cantata & Reception- Stafford Hall 5pm UMYF 25 6:30 Girl Scouts 7pm Cub Scouts 26 7pm Boy Scouts 27 5:30 Conf Class 6:30 Bells 7pm HS Study 7pm Lent Study 7:30pm Choir Good Friday 30 Easter Egg Hunt 31 Easter MCC=Membership Care Committee LMT=Library Ministry Team BOD=Board of Directors 28 Page 8 Every member a Minister MARCH 2013