THE FIRST WORD A publication of Ellijay First United Methodist Church January 2011 March Andre Healan 1 Stan Cowan 2 Fawn Lowery 3 Addison Lewis 6 Gina Putman 7 Kristen Lewis 8 Sylvia Baker 10 Colby Pfluger 11 Justin Lawrenz 12 Ty Cselle 14 Rob Hicks 14 Peggy Puckett 14 Lou Uhlman 16 Will Parks 20 Joanne Benson 21 Roy Smith 21 Evelene Watkins 23 Gregory Deneka 24 Dan Dimmock 26 Eunice Rosner 26 Bob Thorne 27 Charles Jones 28 Elizabeth Reece 29 Dalie Cole 31 Early April Birthdays Fran Griner 1 Shae Healan 1 Dorsey Cochran 4 Jeffry Westbrook 4 Barbara Talbot 5 Andrew Westmoreland 6 Marie Holt 7 Joan Stanhope 7 Bob Stephens 7 From The Pastor I continue to be amazed at the way in which God is blessing the Ellijay First United Methodist Church. I want to share with you what I am excited about: The increase in worship attendance at both the 8:45 and 11:00 service. I am excited about the new members we have welcomed into our church. I am excited about many people of all ages that come on Wednesday nights for dinner, Youth Choir, Grace Notes, Chancel Choir, Pandamania (Children), Impact (Youth) and the number of Adults who participated in the study of what it means to be a Methodist. I am thankful for the United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men s organization. I am excited and appreciate your support of the church financially. (I am thankful that we are able to pay our apportionments in a timely way this year)! I am excited that the debt on our building is being reduced because of your support in additions to your tithes and offering. I trust that you will continue to pray, attend and be excited about the great Church that we have the privilege of being a part of! I will see you on Sunday! It is great to be your pastor! Danny Infant Baptism Ella Elizabeth, daughter of Brad and Sara Bennett, granddaughter of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Danny Barton, will be baptized on March 6 at the 11 a.m. service Welcome New Members Steve, Kara, Carson and Kinsleigh Purvis Congratulations To Alison and Dale Baker on the birth of their granddaughter Our Sympathy To Bill and Barbara Johnson on the death of Bill s father
SUNDAY ACTIVITIES Each Sunday 8:45 a.m. Early Worship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship 5 p.m. Joyful Ringers -Youth Bell Choir 6 p.m. Faith Ringers Adult Bells 6 p.m. UMYF IMPACT for Youth 1st Sunday 8:45 a.m. Communion 11 a.m. Communion 2nd Sunday 12:15 p.m. Covered Dish Lunch ONGOING EVENTS 1st Monday 5:30 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting March 7 6:30 p.m. Administrative Council Meeting March 7 2nd Monday 6:00 p.m. UMM Dinner & meeting Fellowship Hall Only when called 4th Monday 11:45 a.m. Prayer Shawl Workshop Church March 28 Each Tuesday 11 a.m. Adult Bible Study BYKOTA CLASSROOM 1st Tuesday 8 a.m. UMM Prayer Breakfast/Meeting at Cornerstone Café March 1 3rd Tuesday 11:30 a.m. UMW Noon Circle March 15 6:30 p.m. Taize Prayer Service March15 1st Wednesday 4 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting March 2 Each Wednesday 5 p.m. Youth Choir practice 5:15 p.m. Grace Notes 5:30 p.m. MID-WEEK FUEL Fellowship supper sponsored by church groups 6:30 p.m. Youth meeting IMPACT Small Groups 6:30 p.m. Adult Study and Children s PandaMania Where God is Wild about You! 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal 1st Thursday 11 a.m. Joy Circle March 3 2nd Thursday 11:30 a.m. Single Ladies Lunch March 10 A NOTE FROM THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE SUNDAY, March 27, 9:15-9:45 am Blood pressure screenings in the office. Come by for a free check. If you know of anyone who is home bound or in the hospital, please call the church office so one of our team members can make a visit. Tamra Acree, Parish Nurse
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION A LIFELONG JOURNEY OF FAITH SUNDAY MORNINGS From the time we baptize our infant children and promise to love, support and nurture them with the support of our church family to the time we gather our grandchildren on our knee to share the stories of Christ, our learning process NEVER ends. Through Christian Education, we invite people and communities of faith to be transformed as they are inspired and challenged to : -Know and experience God through Jesus Christ -Claim and live God s promise -Grow and serve as Christian disciples Join us every Sunday morning for one of five adult classes, youth and children s classes beginning at 9:45am WEDNESDAY NIGHT FUEL STUDY OPTIONS Beginning Wednesday, March 16, there will be two studies offered for youth and adults. We are encouraging preregistration in order to have books, materials and classrooms prepared. Please contact the church office to register. THREE SIMPLE RULES, A Wesleyan Way of Living by Reuben P. Job led by Danny Barton In Three Simple Rules, Rueben Job offers an interpretation of John Wesley's General Rules for today's readers. This insightful work calls us to mutual respect, unity and a deeper daily relationship with God. This simple but challenging look at three commands, "do no harm, do good, stay in love with God," calls us to mutual respect, unity, and a deeper relationship with God. COST: $5.00 for individual books. TALES FROM THE MADHOUSE, a video-based discussion led by Jan Day Set inside the crumbling walls of a dilapidated Victorian sanatorium, eight mysterious characters (we will study four) reveal their secret stories to the visiting camera. The four are linked by one unifying and crucial event in their lives: each of them has had an encounter with Jesus of Nazareth in some way an experience that has left an indelible mark. Each character brushed with Jesus but most missed the moment. They touched the light then lingered in the shadows. They were offered freedom but made friends with their chains. Now they are haunted by the memory of what was and what might have been. Here is an acclaimed series that opens up the Scriptures, the story of Jesus, and Easter week in a fascinating way. The inhabitants of our madhouse all struggle with the meaning of Jesus Christ for them and our world. We invite you to do the same. After all, does it not make sense to look at the one who exposed us and our madhouse world as no other ever did before or since? And does not whatever sanity we possess prompt us to take a long look at the one who has done more than any other in history to give people life, meaning, health, hope, and love? The purpose of this series is to look at the lives of those who were stopped on their journey through life, and encountered Christ and then (in most cases) turned to go another direction. They went their way, lived their lives, tried to cope, but couldn t put away that one person for the rest of their lives, nor the thought of the opportunity they may missed. Thus the programs provoke us to consider where that other direction may have led. It provides an opportunity for seekers to stop, to take some steps back, and perhaps take a new look.
The Cornerstone Sunday School class of Ellijay First United Methodist Church is very excited to be a part of March for Babies this year and hopes you will join our team. Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. We're walking because we want to do something about this. The money we raise will support March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care. Please join our team. You can do so on our team Web page, www.marchforbabies.org/team/cornerstoness. If you can't walk with us, please help the team reach our goal by making a donation. You can do that online as well. Thank you for helping us give all babies a healthy start! Any questions please contact Janet Lynch or any member of the Cornerstone SS class. janetclynch@gmail.com 706 636-3328. Are you interested in a yoga class to be taught at 2:30 p.m. beginning Thursday, April 7, for $8 an hour? Noor Moody, our instructor, will adjust for individual needs. Please call Sharon Elkins (706-698-3397) to sign up or for more information. Bring your mat and belt (available at Wal-Mart.) Tuesday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. we will hold a Taize Prayer Service Taize worship includes candlelight, prayers, readings, silence, and soft music with repetitive words led by keyboard and flute, or violin, and other instruments. The service is very meditative and offers a wonderful opportunity to be silent and center on The Lord. You are welcome to join in. SUNDAY, MARCH 13 following the Sunday service and pot luck 1:15 p.m. Attorney John Mahan will teach a class on advanced directives. This is an important subject that everyone needs to hear. If you have an advanced directive and want the church to have a copy, we will put it in a locked file for you so that it would be accessible. Childcare will be provided. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! Gilmer County Food Pantry children s snacks, baby food, soups, sugarless food for diabetics & the usual, such as canned meats, fruits, & vegetables, paper products, diapers. Cash donations always help, too. Voices for the Chancel Choir You will enjoy preparing music for our church. ADULT VOLUNTEERS for youth programs (set up, clean up, help keep things running smoothly) Food/monetary donations to Ben Barrett freezer for those in emergency need of food. Volunteers are needed for Children s Church and Nursery once every 3 months. Craft, lesson, and snack are provided. Contact Marianne Evans for details. The Worship Committee needs vases to use for the altar flowers to go home with the persons who donate them or to go to nursing homes or assisted living. If you have any hiding under your sink or in the basement, please consider donating them to the committee. Thanks! The church STILL needs a CDL licensed driver for our church bus on various occasions. Compensation is negotiable. Please call Bill Johnson at (706) 636-4496 if interested.
On Saturday, March 5, the bus will leave at 5:00 p.m. for Blue Ridge, GA. We will enjoy an evening that begins with dinner at Blue Jeans and then on to the Blue Ridge Theatre. The play is entitled Caught in the Net. It is a British comedy and is rated PG-13. The cost of the play is $15.52. We will also have a shared gas expense. Please make checks payable to Carol Cowan. Disciple Now 2011 Friday, March 25-27 This is a new community-wide event that will include seven other churches from Gilmer County. Youth from our church will be grouped together in host homes from our church during this weekend. The youth from each home will come together for a high energy worship service, a service project, and a ropes course for team building. This is a great opportunity for all 6th 12th grade students and volunteer hosts to grow closer in their rela onships with Jesus Christ. Register now! The cost is $65 for the weekend if paid by March 15 ($75 therea er). Give completed forms to Brandon to secure your spot. Host Homes Needed!!! If you are interested in hos ng a group of 4-6 youth in your home, please contact Brandon. This adult-led group will only need sleeping arrangements, two breakfast meals and 3-4 rides to and from the church throughout the weekend. Scholarships Needed!! If you are interested in paying the way for a student to a end Disciple Now, please contact Brandon. There are currently several students that are unable to pay and this would be a tremendous blessing to the youth ministry. The cost of a scholarship is $55. Support is needed for frozen food for the freezer in the Ben Barre Sunday School classroom. You may donate frozen dinners or money to the class and they will purchase the food. This food is given to those in immediate need of something to eat. JOY CIRCLE COLLECTING ITEMS FOR GILMER COUNTY SCHOOLS SYSTEM. Please bring pencils, plastic pencil holder boxes, Kleenex, and wipes to the collection box in the Fellowship Hall. Sunday 9:45 a.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. IMPACT high energy worship experience Youth Impacting Gilmer County for Christ Wednesday 6:30 p.m.. IMPACT small group
Come and join in the fun and fellowship! 5:30 Supper 6:30 Youth IMPACT 6:30 Adult/Children studies 6:30 Choir Rehearsal March 2 Preschool Chicken Tetrazzini March 9 Youth Something Super! March 16 Noon Circle Spaghetti Supper March 23 UMM Breakfast for Supper March 30 Missions Cmte Something Great! UMC CONFERENCE NEWS The North Georgia Advocate is sixteen pages of church news that you will receive twice a month at a cost of $25 ($23 if over age 65) per year. It is a source of personal stories and important news of our conference, and also gives a perspective on the national and global church. It is time to renew your subscription or to sign up for a n e w s u b s c r i p t i o n. This can be done online at www.ngumc.org/advocate/detail/766; by phone, paying with your credit card, 1-877-465-1685; or by sending your check, payable to "North Georgia Advocate" PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275. Ash Wednesday Services Wednesday, March 9, 6:30 p.m. after Fuel Supper NOW SHOWING THE EMPEROR S NEW GROOVE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 7 P.M. FELLOWSHIP HALL Bring the family to church to enjoy a great movie, delicious snacks, and games. Find out how we can relate this movie to the Bible. This event is FREE! Contact Marianne Evans with questions. SECOND SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP DINNER on March 13. Please bring your dish according to the first letter of your last name: A-E Dessert; F-K Meat dish L-P Vegetables; Q-Z Salad
T A I Z E P R A Y E R S E R V I C E A time of quiet meditation surrounded by the reflection of candles provides you an opportunity for prayer and silence. Come and experience this special service on Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Childcare is provided. March 27~ The next BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING at 9:15 a.m. The Cornerstone Sunday School Class will host the Quarterly Sunday School Dinner on Friday, April 1, at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The Cornerstone Class will provide the main course. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Following dinner, entertainment will be provided by P. S. (Sandy) Flynn, Jr. We look forward to a great time of fellowship. Volunteer for a committee, visit our home-bound members, participate in some of our many activities. You will be blessed. Volunteers Are Needed! Children s Church A craft, lesson, and snack are provided. This is done on a rotation basis for once every three months. That is only 4 hours a year to assist in this important ministry. Contact Marianne Evans if The next Administrative Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. All committee chairs are encouraged to attend. The Finance Committee meeting is also meeting on February 7 at 5:30 p.m. Audio Ministry con nues to need volunteers If you have a musical ear and like to work with audio gear, you are needed to serve on a rotating basis. Please contact John Rathbone at 706-889- 2038 or www.dirtcheep@ellijay.com. April Newsletter Deadline The deadline for submitting articles or information for the December newsletter is Friday, March 25. Anything received after that date will be included in the May newsletter. Noon Circle meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. Joy Circle meets the 1st Thursday at 11 a.m. Joy Circle serves meals to our shut-ins and nearly shut-ins and other friends of the church who are in this category. If you know of anyone who fits this profile, please call Patty Bell 706-276-6678. JOIN THE CHOIR! Join the fun! Night Circle meets the 1st Thursday at 6 p.m.
SENIOR DENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Submitted by Barbara A. Talbot, D.D.S. Better Oral Health Could Mean Better Overall Health The mouth is directly connected to the body by the bloodstream and the digestive system. Recent evidence suggests that gum disease is associated with other diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. What is the association between oral health and your heart? Two theories: Harmful oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and attach to the blood vessels and heart valves. Inflammation in the gums can cause the release of inflammatory proteins. These can enter the bloodstream and stimulate inflammation in blood vessels. Both theories suggest that these conditions may cause blood clots and heart attacks. How does diabetes affect your gums and teeth? When your blood sugar levels are poorly controlled, the following conditions may occur: gum disease tooth loss thrush (a fungal infection in the mouth) dry mouth (frequency of cavities increases with this condition) Gum disease may be more difficult to manage in patients with diabetes. Recent evidence shows that gum disease can make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels. Dry Mouth: Causes and Effects Causes: Medications These cause over 60% of dry mouth cases. Over 400 medications are linked to dry mouth. Aging There is a decreased salivary flow as we age. Smoking Conditions Diabetes, Sjorgen s Syndrome Effects: Cavities Increased frequency of cavities, es pecially at the gumline. Mouth Sores Less lubrication in the mouth. Makes it difficult to wear prosthetic appliances (dentures, partials). Burning Sensation in Mouth Difficulty Swallowing & Speaking Solutions: Drink Water Frequently Keep a water bottle with you and take sips all day long. Saliva Substitutes Biotene rinses and sprays Chew Sugarless Gum Stimulates salivary flow. Non-Alcohol Mouth rinses w/ Fluoride Help to moisten mouth, loosen plaque, and strengthen teeth. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Preventing plaque build-up will re duce the chance of getting cavities. To Maintain a Healthy Mouth: -Have Regular Dental Check-Ups -Good Oral Hygiene Practices -Brush & Floss at least Twice a Day -Eat Healthy Avoid Sugary Foods -Don t Smoke
Ellijay Student Ministry (6-12th Grade) MEET Christ, KNOW Christ, LIVE Christ March 2011 Weekly Schedule Sunday 9:45am - Sunday School 11:00am - Worship 6:00 - IMPACT Wednesday 6:30 - IMPACT Groups Happy Birthday IMPACT! This month will make it one year since the creation of IMPACT Student Ministries. Seems like yesterday we were starting our youth worship services on Sunday nights and now they have been going on for a year! We have seen a lot of change...different faces, different setups, different volunteers...but one thing that hasn t changed is the fact that Jesus is Awesome, and that He continues to change the lives of students in Gilmer county. -Brandon Youth Ministry Fill-in the blank I think would do an amazing job volunteering at youth. isn t a great speaker, the youngest, most out going, or even the most hip, but doesn t have to be, because loves Jesus, and that is all that is needed! Wouldn t your name look great in the blank? Please pray about serving today. Biggest misconception in youth ministry... you have to be young to work with youth...no, you just have to love Jesus. Youth Ministry Contact Brandon Dobson 803.571.1594 Youth@fumcellijay.org www.impactellijay.org Please contact Brandon if you wish to help. IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW.. March 15th - Final Payment for Disciple Now is due. March 16th - Community Pre-Disciple Now Worship Night March 25th 27th - Disciple Now - The Blueprint
CHILDREN S MINISTRY Join us on Wednesday nights for PandaMania We begin at 6:30 and end at 7:30. This is a fun evening with crafts, Bible stories, games, music and snacks! Join us for Sunday School! More Than a Movie Admit one Free (or two or three...bring friends!) Now Showing: Emperor s New Groove Date: March 11th Time: 7-9 Location: Fellowship Hall Come enjoy a great movie, delicious snacks, games and find out how this movie relates to the Bible. Preschool News Preschool will begin registration on February 21st for Fall of 2011. Keep saving Box Tops! Worth 10 cents each! Children s Church Ages 3 years thru 2nd Grade. Join us after the children s sermon in church. We will sing some songs. The lesson and craft will go along with the children s sermon. We will also have a snack. We will join back up with the parents in church. Children s Church Volunteer Schedule March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27 Diane Vautrot Youth Gina Putman Daniele Deneka Nursery Need volunteer Need volunteer Diane Vautrot Jan Day
Ellijay First United Methodist Church 75 McCutchen Street P.O. Box 472 Ellijay, GA 30540 Church: 706-635-2555 Fax: 706-273-2555 Pastor s Residence: 706-636-4991 Email: office@fumcellijay.org danny@fumcellijay.org youth@fumcellijay.org children@fumcellijay.org Website: www.fumcellijay.org Church Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday CHURCH STAFF The Reverend Dr. Danny Barton, Pastor Tamra Acree, Parish Nurse Charlie Bryant, Director of Music Pam Corbin, Custodian Gabrielle Cornett, Pianist Brandon Dobson, Youth Minister Marianne Evans, Director of Children s Ministries & Director of Preschool Angel Oncher Nursery Coordinator Cheryl Smith, Organist Janet Tripp, Administrative Assistant