Grace United Developments

The Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur, Alabama January 9, 2019 Grace United Developments The Combined Worship Service that was scheduled for Sunday, January 13 has been postponed. Instead, we will have our traditional worship service at 10:00 in the sanctuary and Grace United at 11:15 in the fellowship hall. A new target date for a Combined Worship Service is March 31 st, which is a 5 th Sunday. Maybe you wondered why we had planned a combined service to begin with. The purpose is to introduce worshipers who attend the 10:00 traditional service to Grace United so you will be informed about the service and better able to tell family members, neighbors, and friends about it and invite them to attend. We still want to do this because Grace United needs more people to participate in order to fulfill its purpose of reaching and connecting people to God through a less formal service. In early January our lead singer at Grace United, Chris Eads, learned that his new hours at the Decatur industry where he works would include Sundays. He will be unavailable to continue in the praise band for the foreseeable future. Chris has been our lead singer since the service began and has both selected the music, loaded the lyrics on the computer program to be projected during the service, played the guitar, and sung lead on most of the songs. Tommy Davis and I decided it would be counterproductive to go ahead with the combined service without Chris, so we postponed it to give time to regroup, plan an awesome service, and devise ways to follow up with the people you invite to Grace United. In the meantime, everyone involved in Grace United is invited to attend our service on Jan. 13 at 11:15 in the Fellowship Hall. Following a time of music and prayer, Patrick Finley and I will share our ideas for developing Grace United and facilitate a brainstorming session on how we can build a strong spiritual foundation on which to grow our worshiping community. The style of a worship service does not attract people or keep people coming back to church nearly as much as relationships that are developed among those who attend and opportunities to grow spiritually. Another factor we will consider is the time Grace United is offered. At present, it is not practical for someone to attend Sunday school at 9:00 a.m. and Grace United at 11:15. We ll consider ways to remedy this problem including creating an alternative-time Sunday school class or small group meeting for Grace United attendees or by proposing a new Sunday morning schedule to the Worship Planning Team, one that would place the service before or after Sunday school. I ask you to pray for Grace United, for those who presently attend and for people who will become members of God s Kingdom through it. We have much in common with the early Decatur families who attended the Preaching Station started by a Methodist Circuit Rider here in the 1820s. They were few but kept coming to hear the Gospel whenever the preacher came back to this community. Because of their faithfulness, a church was chartered here in 1834. There have been some name changes over the years, but today that church is Decatur First United Methodist Church. In the spirit of this heritage, let s all work together to grow Grace United. Yours in Christ, Hughey

Wednesday Night First Fellowship Our meal starts at 5:00 p.m. On Wed., Jan. 16, we will enjoy All You Can Eat Soup Night: Potato Corn Chowder, Chicken Noodle, Susan s Super Soup, Rolls, Cornbread, Salad bar, German Chocolate Cake. No reservations required! The meal will start at 5:00 p.m. Meal Price: $7.00 for ages 11 and up, $2.00 for ages 3-10, Kids 2 & under eat free, $18.00 Family max, $6.00 salad bar, $7.00 takeout The following classes will be offered this Winter/Spring on Wednesday nights starting on Jan. 9th from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Our meal will start at 5:00. Please e- mail Patrick Finley at pfinley@decaturfumc.org to sign up. "The Holy Land" Led by Mark Heard (Room 351) January 9th - April 10th The relationship of the two great commandments with the who, what, when and where of the Holy Land including the practical applications of the sites of Jesus' teachings The Sensible Shoes class led by Lisa Earley will resume on Jan. 9 until Jan. 30. Two Steps Forward led by Lisa Earley (Room 354) will start on Feb. 6th - April 10th. How does your own spiritual journey in the midst of struggles? This book study will look at the lives of four women and how their spiritual journey unfolded and hope developed. Everyone is welcome. The book can be found on Amazon for $13.00. Women's Study: It's Not Supposed to Be This Way Led by Weety Vickery (Room 352) January 9 - April 10th Find unexpected strength when disappointments leave you shattered. This book is written by Lisa Terkeurst. All ages are welcome and the book can be found on Amazon for $13.00. "Wesley Challenge" Led by Rev. Hughey Reynolds (Minister's Conference Room) January 9th - January 23rd Come experience 21 Days to a More Authentic Faith where you spend three weeks working through 21 questions that will engage their physical, spiritual and emotional lives and their relationship with God and others. The resource for this will cost $12.00. Please see Hughey for details. The Art of Neighboring Led by Patrick Finley (Room 353) Jan. 30th - March 6th What happens when every follower of Jesus takes the Greatest Command literally? Let's find out together. Lenten Study: Led by Rev. Hughey Reynolds (Minister's Conference Room) March 13th - April 10th Six-week Lenten Study of the book "Forgiveness" by Marjorie J. Thompson Patrick J. Finley, Pastor of Discipleship pfinley@decaturfumc.org Children's Choir will be at 6:00 for all ages. From 6:25-7:00, preschool will have class in Room 215 and elementary age will have class in Room 306. Youth will start at 6:00 p.m. and Adult Choir Practice will be at 6:30 p.m. Church Prayer List Jan. 9 Praise for the birth of Elizabeth Banks Ward, born Nov. 24 to Anna and Bryan Ward. Grandparents from this congregation are Dell and Mike Ward. Praise for the birth of Margaret Maggie May Heard, born Dec. 27 to Hayley and Graham Heard. Grandparents from this congregation are Mark and Debbie Heard. Death of Mary Summers, Lyn Grace s mother Van Windsor, Valley View Rehab, Madison Jane Blake, Decatur USA Rehab, Room 101 Susan Baughn, cancer treatments Jim Bullock, uncle to Sherrill Altice Faith Elliott, granddaughter to Franklin & Jean Elliott Laverne Armstrong Ed Taylor Jenae Windsor Cox, granddaughter of Van Windsor. Her husband recently died at age 39. Garry Johnson Tom Roddeffer Loeita C. Locke, Dianne Perry s mother and Mac Perry s mother-in-law, colon cancer surgery Gary White Emmy Whatley Libby Sims Patrick, daughter of Bill and Betty Sims Lisa Sims Wallace, daughter of Bill and Betty Sims Billie McLeod Jeff Crosswhite Kerry Hawkins, cancer Jim King Bill & Bettye Dennis Martha & Robert Long Bob & Mary Alice Johnson (friends & neighbors of Mary Jane Sasser. Bob has Lymphoma.) Yvonne Michaels (Margaret Denton s mother) Brantley Motes, Lymphoma & Treatment Eston & Peggy Lovingood Virginia Smith Joanne Wheat Alice Ackley Maryanne Robbin, cancer Unspoken LaVerne Dollahite Dick Williams Judy Coon Dot and Burl Oliver Ronald Matthews Deborah Stewart Judge Steve Haddock will swear in Circuit Judge Stephen Brown on Monday, Jan. 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the Morgan Co. Courthouse, 4th Floor. There will be a come and go reception on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Burningtree Country Club for Judge Steve Haddock, Judge Glenn Thompson, and Mrs. Donna Hunter.

Alexia Claborn, Director of Children s Ministry 256-606-8646 Sunday Morning Volunteers Volunteers for Sunday, Jan. 13 Sunday School 9:00am Acolyte Schedule Jan. 13 Lydia Matthews & Miriam Matthews Preschool Room #215 Jessica Mitchell K-5th Room #209 Jen Winkler & Molly Ferrell Children s Church 10:00 Service Teachers Alexia Claborn & Calley Ondocsin Volunteers for Sunday, Jan. 20 Sunday School 9:00am Preschool Room #215 Carrie Hart K-5th Room #209 Betty Ann Mitchum & Diane Summerlin Volunteers We are looking for Sunday School Teachers / Assistants, Children s Church Teachers / Assistants and First Fellowship Volunteers. Please contact Alexia if you are able to volunteer in any of these areas. The best way to contact me is by email, text or call at the following. aclaborn@decaturfumc.org and cell 256-606-8646 Children s Church 10:00 Service Teachers Alexia Claborn & Mary Ila Ward Dear Church Family, Look what you did! Whether you helped with your prayers, your food donations, or your gifts of money, you helped to fill 36 boxes of food to help feed 36 families over Christmas. You are guilty of sharing Christ s love and we can t thank you enough! Sincerely, Barbara Ashwander Mary Malone Dell Ward Jan Dean P.S. A very special Thank You to Mike Ward and Brother Ashwander for loading and unloading all these boxes from our church to Austinville Elementary!

Women s Bible Study On Tuesday, January 8th, the Women s Bible Study will begin Life Lessons from Matthew by Max Lucado. This has been an enlightening and inspiring series of Bible studies. If you are looking for growth in your knowledge and faith along with fellowship with an awesome group of women, please join us at 10:00 on Tuesdays. Let me know if you d like me to order a book. 256-616-5373 or peggy.black@hotmail.com Blessings! Peggy Black First Friends (formerly Memory Café) First Friends meets on Thursday, January 24 from 1:00-2:30 in room 250 of the New Wing. We hope you will join us for fellowship, fun, and food! Pastoral Care Request Our pastor and ministry staff would like to know when a member of your household is scheduled for surgery or hospitalized with an illness. This information will allow them to respond appropriately with a phone call, a visit, a prayer, or other forms of spiritual support. There are several ways to inform them. Call the church office (256-355-0277) during office hours, call or text our pastor directly (256-417-5930) and include your name in the text, or provide the details on a prayer card if surgery is several days in the future. Please include the location and time of the surgery as well. This will help all of us grow a culture of spiritual care at DFUMC. Combined Worship Service Postponed The Combined Worship Service scheduled for January 13 has been postponed. Unexpected schedule conflicts have made it impossible for some of our band members to be present on the 13 th. Our proposed new date for the combined service will be March 31, which is a 5 th Sunday. Look for more updates in the coming weeks. January UMM Breakfast Meeting--This Sunday, Jan. 13 Sunday Morning Greeters Several of our members signed up to be Greeters on Sunday morning. We still need at least four more volunteers to begin this vital ministry. A greeter would agree to serve on a Greeter Team one Sunday each month and one 5 th Sunday. Please call or email Patrick Finley if you would like to volunteer. UMW Circle Meetings The Lydia Circle already met at Diane Summerlin s house on Tuesday, January 8 at 10:00 a.m. The Tidwell Circle will meet in the Courtyard Conference Room on Monday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m. The UMM Monthly Breakfast is this Sunday, January 13, starting at 7:45 AM in the Wesley Fellowship Hall. Our speaker is Attorney John Burns. A Brookhaven, MS native, John has practiced law since 1990. He has expertise in probate, estate planning, elder care law, conservatorships, and so forth. He and wife Rebecca and twins Jack and Grace attend our church. His talk will be of interest to virtually anyone in the church. Our January chef is Steve Blake plus a group of dedicated volunteers. Breakfast is $5.00 each for all attendees. All men who are members or friends of First Church are invited as well as spouses or other guests. We hope to see you there. Billy Hudson, President of First UMM

We got back from our winter retreat to Gatlinburg this past week, and we had an incredible time! Thank you for everyone who attended fundraisers and made it possible for us to go! The youth have begun their annual Super Bowl Boston Butt Fundraiser. The price is $40 for an 9lb butt, a bottle of Big Bob Gibson's Red Sauce, and an 8 pack of buns. Find any youth or youth leader to order. Last day to order is January 27th. Pick-up is Super Bowl Sunday. Minister of Youth Jonathan Creekmore (662)736-0930 youth@decaturfumc.org The youth will head to Winter Jam on Feb. 1st in Birmingham to worship with some of the most popular Christian bands! Please, be in prayer for our students as they begin their final semester of the school year! Wednesday night Youth First Fellowship resumes Jan. 9. Dinner starts at 5:00, and we will start youth at 6:00. We will have Sunday night youth from 5:30-7:30! We hope to see everyone there!

Upcoming Events Sunday, Jan. 13, 7:45 a.m. Men s Breakfast, Fellowship Hall Sunday, Jan. 13, 11:15 a.m. Grace United Contemporary Service U.S. Postage Paid Non-Profit Org. Decatur, AL 35601 Permit No. 226 Sunday, Jan. 13, 11:20 a.m. Trustees Meeting, Courtyard Conf. Room Sunday, Jan. 13, 5:30 p.m. / UMYF Judge Steve Haddock will swear in Circuit Judge Stephen Brown on Monday, Jan. 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the Morgan Co. Courthouse, 4th Floor. 805 CANAL STREET N.E. DECATUR ECATUR,, AL 35601 PHONE (256) 355-0277 FAX (256) 355-2241 www.decaturfumc.org Tuesday, Jan. 15, 5:00 p.m. First Grace Board Meeting, Courtyard Conf. Rm Wednesday, Jan. 16, 10:00 a.m. Archives Meeting, Courtyard Conf. Room Wednesday, Jan. 16, 5:00 p.m. First Fellowship Meal and Classes Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m. / Choir Rehearsal Thursday, Jan. 17, 5:00 p.m. Holy Land Meeting, Fellowship Hall There will be a come and go reception on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Burningtree Country Club for Judge Steve Haddock, Judge Glenn Thompson, and Mrs. Donna Hunter. Hughey Reynolds, Sr. Minister, hreynolds@decaturfumc.org Patrick Finley, Minister of Discipleship & Youth, Jonathan Creekmore, Youth Minister, youth@decaturfumc.org pfinley@decaturfumc.org Tommy Davis, Music Director Daryenne Eads, First Grace Director, firstgrace@decaturfumc.org Cindy McCulloch, Finance Secretary, cmcculloch@decaturfumc.org Wayne Keller, Accompanist Alyson Quinn, Church Secretary, aquinn@decaturfumc.org Ruth Moyers, Organist Alexia Claborn, Director of Children s Ministry, aclaborn@decaturfumc.org Melissa Wiley, Housekeeper Upcoming Sunday Worship Services PURPOSE STATEMENT: Discipling our church to cultivate a legacy of Gospel-inspired servant leadership MISSION STATEMENT: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ who become servant leaders for the transformation of our church, our homes, our city, state, nation, and world. Sunday, January 13 Rev. Hughey Reynolds preaching 10:00 a.m. - Traditional Service, Sanctuary Claims Made at Baptism Luke 3: 15-22 11:15 a.m. - Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall Sunday, January 20 Rev. Hughey Reynolds preaching 10:00 a.m. - Traditional Service, Sanctuary Serving the Best Last John 2: 1-11 11:15 a.m. - Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall Scheduled To Serve Jan. 13 Acolytes: 10:00 - Lydia and Miriam Matthews Ushers: 10:00 a.m. - Jolly McKenzie, Stan Davis, Billy Hudson, A.J. Oletti, Bob McAnnally Wednesday Night First Fellowship Our meal starts at 5:00 p.m. On Wed., Jan. 16, we will enjoy All You Can Eat Soup Night: Potato Corn Chowder, Chicken Noodle, Susan s Super Soup, Rolls, Cornbread, Salad bar, German Chocolate Cake. No reservations required! The meal will start at 5:00 p.m. Meal Price: $7.00 for ages 11 and up, $2.00 for ages 3-10, Kids 2 & under eat free, $18.00 Family max, $6.00 salad bar, $7.00 takeout