Pastor s Pen December 2018

Transcription

1 Morrow Mirror A monthly newsletter brought to you by Morrow First United Methodist Church Pastor s Pen December 2018 Merry Christmas, Sweetie! By Sean Dietrich ( Good 59 from seandietrich.com) As I enter an interstate gas station. Christmas music is playing overhead. The place is busy. There is a ten-minute wait for the men s room. I am here to buy some crummy boiled peanuts and fill up my truck. I have another hour left on the road. I can t believe it s already Christmas season. The holidays come quicker each year. It feels like only yesterday we were shooting fireworks and waving little American flags. The line at the cash register is long. I am standing behind a young man who looks exhausted. He is covered in sweat and dust. He is wearing work boots and a neon reflective work vest. There is only one cashier. She is old, she wears a Santa hat and calls everyone sweetie. She is a cheery woman, with white hair and blue eyes. She sends every customer away with kind words and a smile. She says things like: Take care, now, or, God bless, or Have a good day, sweetie. The young man ahead of me carries a Gatorade and a bag of potato chips. When it s his turn to pay, he digs into his pocket and places a handful of dollars on the counter. He says, Can I have four dollars of gas on pump two, please? Four dollars? the woman says. Yes, ma am. She doesn t answer. Instead, she glances out the window. She sees what we all see. There is a red truck near the window, a young family inside it. You drivin that red Dodge, sweetie? she asks. Yes, ma am. Her face breaks into a toothy smile. Well, you re in luck, some guy overpaid earlier on that pump. You can go ahead and have thirty bucks of gas if you want. Really? the kid says. Yeah, really. She gives him a receipt. He heads for the door. Before he exits, she hollers: Merry Christmas, sweetie! Yes, ma am, he says. Merry Christmas. We all see him through the window. He is pumping gas. He is smiling, and he doesn t look nearly as tired as he did earlier. He kisses one of the children in the vehicle. He rubs the head of another. Before the cashier calls the next customer to the register, she removes a pocketbook from beneath the counter. She takes out a few ten-dollar bills and places them into the register. Then she announces, I can help who s next, please. That would be me. I set my items on the counter. I am trying not to be too nosy here, but I can t help myself. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

2 October & November 2018 Financial Information Attendance & Giving by Date Sunday Worship Sunday School October 2018 Budget Giving 10/ $6, / $3, / $3, / $3, November / $5, / $4, / $3, / $2, Summary For October 2018, we have received $16, towards our monthly budget of $26, A shortage of $9,782. As of November 27, we have received $15, towards our monthly budget need of $26, A shortage of $10, Apportionments have not been paid since February. The HVAC Fund balance: $4, Paid $40, to HVAC company in November. December 23 MERRY CHRISTMAS CONTINUED That was really nice of you, I whisper. What you just did. She blushes. The woman knows she s been busted. Nah, she says, waving a hand at me. She adds nothing more to her statement because anything else would be too much. So I pay for my things. She hands me a receipt. Before I leave, she hollers, Have a good day, sweetie! Soon, I am at the pump. The young man is still getting his thirty dollars worth of gas. A little girl is hugging him so tight they might as well be Siamese twins. He smiles at me. And I can see something on his face. I wish I knew how to describe his look, but I can t. It s magnificent. Maybe it s pure youth. Or maybe it s something a lot bigger than that. Maybe it s the wonderful feeling that leads a body to believe that no matter what happens, no matter how bad things get, there are unseen forces watching us, helping us, loving us. A feeling that, even if all Hell breaks loose, even if the universe falls apart tomorrow, it s all going to be okay. Because we re still here. Whatever it is, the kid can feel it. His girl can feel it, too. So can I. And all it took was a cashier in a Santa hat to make us feel that way. It s going to be a Merry Christmas. Sweetie. Merry Christmas From Pastor Luis and Melanie Ortiz Calvary Calendar Time to Sign Up for Marvin Foster Class 2019 Please Pick a Month Call Becky to confirm selection:

3 Our Love, Prayers and Christian Sympathy to The Family of Col. James J. (Jim) Welch, U. S. Army Chaplain upon his death on November 22, 2018, in Sherman, Texas. He served a total of 33 years in the US Army and 18 appointments in the United Methodist Church. Jim and his wife, Andrea, were part of our church family from In 1996, Jim held the position of Minister of Visitation until his departure in 1997 due to an increase in time commitments to his Army career. He returned in 1998 as part-time Minister of Visitation, assisting in worship services and teaching as needed. In 1999, he and Andrea, along with members of our church family, participated in a mission project of the North Georgia Conference to Honduras. In 2000, Jim continued to serve as Minister of Visitation, taking on new duties as chair of the Work Area on Missions and as vice-president of the Pathfinders Sunday School Class. In addition to his commitments at MFUMC, in early 2001 he became interim minister at Christ UMC in Forsyth. In the latter part of 2001, Jim began a new military assignment as Command Chaplain for the Army Reserve Personnel Command in St. Louis, Missouri, leaving our church family after six and a half years. Jim and Andrea returned in 2004 when Jim was guest preacher for Homecoming. A celebration of Jim s life will be December 1, 2018 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Sherman, Texas. His ashes will be interred at the Wallen Family Cemetery near Grove, Oklahoma at a later date. Those wishing to do so may sign the online guestbook at Please remember his wife Andrea, their son Brian and his family, and daughters Kelley and Jennifer and their families in your thoughts and prayers during these days. MFUMC Food Pantry in Need Our food pantry served over 2,500 Clayton County residents in 2017 and our numbers are increasing for One week we served 27 families (90 people) on a single Thursday. Please help restock our pantry with the most common needs such as spaghetti and sauce, beans, rice, cereal, fruit cups, canned vegetables, soup, peanut butter, and jelly. Thank you, Diana Aull

4 Prayer Requests The family, friends, colleagues, human and otherwise, of Dr. Alan Rutter, Veterinarian at Lake Harbin Animal Hospital, after his passing Angela DesAutel is in rehab, requested by Dana & John Chapman Bill Adams has finished chemo and radiation treatments for brain cancer, requested by his son, Brian Adams Bill & Rev. Jenny Ham, as Bill is not responding well to treatments for bone cancer, reported by John & Dana Chapman Charles & Karen Sargent; Dan Brady continues to have speech therapy following his stroke, reported by his wife, Charlotte Denise Spangenberger continuing chemo, reported by Mary Anne Brannon Devin Graves is walking without brace or crutch. Thanks to all who have kept him in your prayers. It will be at least six months before he can return to work, but the worst is now over, reported by his grandmother, Kay Graves Glenda Huckaby, Secretary at Georgia Food & Resource Center, has completed all treatment and is in remission, reported by Doug Jewett Herschel & Kari Dickers after Herschel s fall. He has a brain bleed and will have surgery; reported by Barry Crawford The Family of Jerry Brazeal after his recent passing Jackie Davis, Church Accompanist, is recovering from broken humerus in her upper arm but still wearing the immobilized sling; She has started physical therapy Janet Thomaston will have surgery on 12/3 for her neck, injured in a recent car accident. She is still having great difficulty with mobility and falls a lot. Please keep her in your prayers, requested by her sister, Anita Thomaston Judy Nolen is recovering at home Judy Stanford has Alzheimer s Disease, requested by her friends, Dana & John Chapman Keith Munson; requested by Kathy Munson Maggie Durrance is home after spending several days at Piedmont Henry Hospital for monitored care and treatment for her heart, reported by her daughter, Judy Jaeger Martha Swindell has Alzheimer s Disease, requested by her brother, Doug Jewett Mary Matthews, requested by her sister-in-law, Ruth Matthews Mike Smith continuing chemo, requested by his sister, Joan Deason Richard Mitchell had his third surgery on 10/11, reported by his in-laws Barry & Susan Crawford Ruth Muniz is on Sacred Journey Hospice Care at home, requested by her daughter, Diana Aull Sally Simmone has finished her chemo and had a double mastectomy on 9/4. Praise the Lord no cancer detected in her lymph nodes, reported by Tracy Larson Savanna French is awaiting test results to determine treatment of the cancer in her lymph nodes. She feels great and is going on with life like a normal teenager. Please continue to pray for her, reported by her great-aunt, Connie Cabe Sharlene Cochran is home from hospital. Her oxygen count was low so doctors told her to stay on oxygen all the time, reported by Virginia Hall Tim Lively, a Clayton County Police Officer, having chemo treatments for a brain tumor, reported by Doug Jewett Wayne Knight and family after the recent passing of his mother

5 Our Service Members Stationed on Okinawa Island Kameron Burrell (great nephew of Linda McElhannon) Stationed Overseas Matt Allen (husband of Darcy Bloom Allen) Major David Wayne Baker (grandson of Susie Henley) Nichole Turner (niece of Keith & Kathy Munson) Stationed Stateside Jayson Dooley (son of Nannette Dooley) David Key (son-in-law of Bil & Melanie Johnson) Stationed in South Korea Capt. Kyle L. J. Phillips (grandson of Larry Phillips) Stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC Alex McKenzie-Castillo (son of Ardell McKenzie-Sasso) Jacob Beard (friend of Brooksie Foster) Stationed at Misawa Airbase, Japan Kevin McElhannon, Jr. (grandson of Bill & Linda McElhannon) Stationed in Kandahar Afghanistan Max Anderson (cousin of Layla Leo) Please send updated Service Member location information to the Church Office: Nursing Home / Independent Living/ Rehab Patients/ Homebound Members Bright View North Andover: Ethel Jewett, 1275 Turnpike St, #1211, North Andover, MA Summer Landing Bayberry Trace: Shirley Barnett, 315 Arrowhead Blvd, Rm 122, Jonesboro, GA Benton Village of Stockbridge: Laura Cofield, 201 Evergreen Terrance, Stockbridge, GA Jonesboro Nursing & Rehab: Tootsie Callaway, Rm 116A, 2650 Highway 138E, Jonesboro, GA Ellen Betsill, 501 Blossom Tr., McDonough, GA Mary Brazeal, 3920 Brookline Dr., Alpharetta, GA James Gloor, 5879 Clate Court, Ellenwood, GA Betty Hargis, 157 Pulliam Dr., Apt. 42, Jackson, GA Bill & Linda McElhannon, 3793 Charlotte Drive, Rex, GA, Doris Melear, 2569 Wall St., Jonesboro, GA Janet Thomaston, 7871 Thrailkill Road, Jonesboro, GA

6 GOD WITH US SERMON SERIES FOR ADVENT Sunday, Dec. 2: Our Potter - Isaiah 64:1-8 Sunday, Dec. 9: Our Shepherd - Isaiah 40:6-11 Sunday, Dec. 16: Our Living Branch - Isaiah 11:1-10 Sunday, Dec. 23: Our Guide - Isaiah 2:1-5 Monday, Dec. 24: A Great Light - Isaiah 9:2-7 YOU ARE NEEDED! Live Nativity Friday, Dec. 21 6:30 pm. Monday, Dec. 24 5:00 pm. Please contact Becky Griffin to volunteer for the Live Nativity Christmas Celebration Sunday, December 16 Musical Program Chancel Choir Joyful Praise Ringers Location: Sanctuary Time: 5:30 pm. Director: Don Davis Accompanist: Jackie Davis Reservations Payment must be included with reservations. Only enough food for the reservations will be prepared. Please drop reservation form and included payment in offering plate, or return to church office. Checks can be made payable to: Morrow First UMC Cost Adults: $10.00 Children: $5.00 Deadline: Wednesday, Dec. 12 Orange & Mango Chutney-Glazed Ham Sweet Potato Soufflé Green Beans Christmas Dinner Creamed Corn Dessert Tea, Lemonade, Coffee Location: Fellowship Hall Time: after Program

7 Sunday, Dec. 23: Marvin Foster Class is serving dinner at the Calvary Refuge Center in Forest Park. Time: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30: 5th Sunday Fellowship Breakfast - hosted by the UMYF. Time: 8:00 a.m. Location: Fellowship Hall. Clayton County Youth Orchestra & Southern Crescent Youth Orchestra Date: Thursday, Dec. 4 Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Clayton State Youth Orchestra Conductor: Dr. Richard Bell Southern Crescent Youth Orchestra Conductor: Kathy Saucier If you are planning church related events for the year 2019, please send the information to the church office by January, 2.

8 Do you have questions about The United Methodist Church? Need help deciphering the hows and whys of who we are or what we believe? Maybe you have a faith question you ve been pondering? You are invited to Ask The UMC ( Below are just a few faith questions and answers found on this website. Has the UMC always had an official symbol like the cross and flame? When was the UMC created? What does the UMC teach about tithing? When was the first school started by Methodists? What is the difference between an apostle and a disciple? What did John Wesley mean by moving on to perfection? Why does the UMC Hymnal include more than songs? What does communion of saints mean? Do UM believe in saints? Why do pastors change churches? Retreat for High School Youth ~ February 28-March 3 Think about how cool it would be to take high school students to visit lots of college campuses just for the experience of seeing a campus, hearing what it has to offer, and especially discovering the importance of a campus ministry where they can continue their faith journey once they start college. What would it take to plan a tour of campuses for your high school youth? How much do you think it would cost? What if we do it for you? Campus Crawl is a bus tour designed to introduce 9th through 12th grade students to United Methodist campus ministries featuring our Georgia United Methodist Colleges and Universities as well as some state public universities. From February 28th through March 3rd high school students will meet representatives from our United Methodist Colleges and Universities in Georgia as well as meet several Wesley Foundations on public university campuses. This year we're visiting the following campuses and ministries: Oxford College Young Harris College Reinhardt University Kennesaw State Wesley Clark Atlanta Georgia Tech Wesley Emory University LaGrange College Andrew College Wesleyan College Mercer University Wesley Augusta Wesley Paine College UGA Wesley And more (subject to change)! All this for the low cost of $75 per person. (This covers three overnight stays, all food, all transportation, and adult supervision.) You can't get a price this low for even just one campus visit. (The cost will go up $25 on November 15th.) Register now for this wonderful taste of college. Go to

9 Historic Rex Mill Step Up Program Presents with special Guest: Santa Claus December 1 ~ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa will be coming to Historic Rex Village at Noon Family Friendly Vendors: Decorator Delights Arts & Crafts Antiques Fabulous Finds & So Much More *Register with our vendor s for cash drawings and gift baskets to be given away at 2 p.m. For Information contact or beddingfield@bellsouth.net *A purchase is required for entry in drawing.

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11 A FREE Christmas Festival for the whole family: Rides, Rides, & MORE RIDES -- amusement rides, pony rides, train rides and a hay ride! Plus inflatables, a carnival, food trucks, live music, s'mores campfire, face painting--and tons more! 4035 Jodeco Road McDonough, Georgia Food Trucks available to purchase food. The Henry ASL Classes will carol in sign language. Historical Jonesboro/Clayton County, Inc. presents: "An 1862 Southern Christmas" Step back to 1862 and join the McCord Family as they prepare for Christmas. An unforgettable experience for the entire family. Get a glimpse into history at Stately Oaks Plantation. While waiting for your tour group to begin, you will be entertained with music and other entertainment in the Bethel School House. Juddy's Country Store will be open for shopping. When: Saturday, December 8, 2018 Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m. (Tours every 20 minutes) Where: Stately Oaks Plantation 100 Carriage Lane Jonesboro, GA Phone: Tickets Prices: Adults $10.00 ~ Seniors - (age 55+) $8:00 ~ Children - (age 5-11) $5.00 ~ (under age 5) free Advanced tickets may be purchased at Stately Oaks or may be purchased on the evening of the event, as availability permits. (Subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.) Tickets will be sold by time of the tour. A new tour will begin every 20 minutes.

12 Morrow First United Methodist Church P.O. Box Jonesboro Road Morrow, GA Phone: s Rev. Luis A. Ortiz, Senior Pastor Morrow invites guests to enjoy the Welcome Center for our new and improved days and times! Monday ~ Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays 2 a.m. to 6 p.m.