2922 Antioch Church Rd Gainesville, GA 30506 770-536-7351 (church) 770-561-2468 (Pastor s cell) Antioch united Methodist church When I look at the galaxies on a clear night - when I look at the incredible brilliance of creation, and think that this is what God is like, then instead of feeling intimidated and diminished by it, I am enlarged. I rejoice that I am a part of it. Madeleine L Engle The Journey V O L U M E 1 0, N U M B E R 1 1 Randy s Ramblings Since childhood the month of November has been exciting for me. It is the month of anticipation. By now there are enough ads on T.V. and in print to make us aware that Christmas is getting close. For many adults this is cause for some anxiety, but I still get excited as these special days approach. November brings an increase in activities at Antioch as well as in our households. Soon we will be gathering for Thanksgiving dinner and we will be preparing our sanctuary for Advent. As we begin our preparations there are a few things in particular that I want to keep before you. First, our children will begin on the first Sunday of November to rehearse a Christmas pageant which they will present in December. Rita Edge has agreed to take the lead in putting this pageant together but she will need some help from the rest of us. We need our parents to help us by making sure our children get to rehearsals and by helping them to learn their parts. We need other adults to help with the presentation so parents can enjoy watching their children during the pageant. Remember no child is too young and no child is too old. We will make every effort to use everyone who wants to participate. The second activity I want to keep before you will actually take place in December, but N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8 it will be early in the month and so I will pass it on to you now. On the first Sunday evening in December, Evelyn and I want to host our congregation for dinner. This will be our Christmas gift to all of you. We have done this in other churches and found it to be a lot of fun, and it provides an opportunity for good fellowship. Please make plans now to join us in Truslow Hall on Sunday, December 7 th at 7:00 p.m. In the meantime I pray you will know the joy of the Lord and find much to be thankful for this month. See you on Sunday, Randy Introducing Vivian and Roland Smith by Ernie and Lois Reaume We would like to introduce Vivian and Roland Smith, who live at 3337 Antioch Lane, Gainesville. If you need them, they can be reached at 770-532 -1030, Roland's cell 770-540- 1825 & Vivian's cell 678-997- 8365. Vivian was born in Forsyth County on 10-14-37. Roland was born in Butts County on 4-3-29. They met later in life, and fell in love and married on 6-15-85, Vivian with two children and Roland with five. Together they have seven grands and three great grand children. Vivian and Roland joined Antioch church in June of 1986; she has been treasurer for 10 years. Vivian graduated from North Georgia College; she was a school teacher for ten years, McDonald's Business Manager 11 1/2 years, and recently retired from Chattahoochee Country Club after 19 years as their Controller. She loves reading, photography and her grand children. Roland graduated from Georgia Military Academy. After college he worked for Rich's for 7 1/2 years, then joined the Air Force Reserve. He was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict and spent 26 months in Puerto Rica at Rainey A.F.B.. He retired from Prudential Life Insurance Company after 37 1/2 years. Roland loves gardening and landscaping. They are Faithful Followers in Sunday School and church. Thank you, Vivian, for your years as Antioch's Treasurer.
P A G E 2 Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength. Corrie Ten Boom Thanksgiving at Antioch November 27, 2008 at 11:30 am All Antioch families are invited to celebrate and feast together on Thanksgiving Day. A traditional menu will include roast turkey, dressing, gravy, baked ham, hash brown casserole, cranberry salad, green beans and pumpkin pie. If you intend to attend and would like to contribute a side dish, please tell Judy Smith as soon as possible. November Birthdays Butch Davis 3 Kristi Deutz 6 Sue Cook 6 Joe Strickland 10 Elizabeth Davis 11 Donna Corbin 14 Elizabeth Cassady 15 Ken Parker 16 Amber Hudson 19 Judy Tullis 27 J.R. Coleman 30 Notes on the Liturgical Year So much has been given to me, I have not time to ponder over that which has been denied. Helen Keller November 1 is actually All Saints Day. In the United Methodist Church, it is celebrated the first Sunday in November. We remember the saints among us who have passed. As November begins, the liturgical color remains green. On November 23, the last Sunday in Pentecost, we will celebrate Christ the King Sunday, completing the Christian Year. On Christ the King Sunday, Christians recognize and worship Christ as king of heaven and earth for all time without challenge and without end. The color for the day is white. Then on November 30, we begin the Christian Year all over again with the first Sunday of Advent when we wait penitently and hopefully for the birth of the Savior. www.antioch-umc-gainesville.org A familiar symbol for Christ the King Sunday, often called the Christ Monogram. Chi and Rho (X and a letter resembling P in Greek) are the first two letters of Christos, or Christ. In this symbol, the Chi and Rho are topped with a crown to denote the kingship of Christ. T H E J O U R N E Y
V O L U M E 1 0, N U M B E R 1 1 2009 Leadership Roster Approved by the Charge Conference on Oct. 15, 2008 Admin. Council Chair Emily Hulsey Admin. Council Vice Chair Mike Williams Lay Delegate Judy Smith Alt. Lay Delegate Roni Grizzle Recording Secretary Judy Smith Treasurer Vivian Smith Financial Secretary Roni Grizzle Christian Ed. Coordinator Ernie Reaume Membership Secretary Joan Briggs Bereavement Care Dot Kent Finance Chair Bob Bedeski PPR Chair Sheila Coffee Worship Chair Rita Edge Missions Chair Ella Scholz Evangelism Chair Sue Cook Children s Coordinator Dlynn Williams Lay Leader Judy Smith Youth Coordinator Bill Scholz Family Coordinator Evelyn Strickland UMW President Joan Briggs Antioch Autumn Auction Historian Karen Moore Young Adult Rep. Meredith Coffee Youth Representative Matt Hulsey Music Director Brandon Nonnemaker Prayer Coordinator June Mathis PPR Committee Class of 2009 Barbara Wilson, Barbara Stevens Class of 2010 Shirley Hoover, R.J. Rumfelt Class of 2011 Nancy Hulsey, Donna Corbin, James Russell Trustees Class of 2009 Bo Wheeler, Rich Razel, R.J. Rumfelt Class of 2010 Roger Briggs, Doyle Robinson, Barbara Wilson P A G E 3 Class of 2011 Glen Davidson, Robby Hulsey, Charles Coffee Parsonage Committee 2009 Margaret Martin 2010 Gloria Davidson 2011 Kathleen Villyard Pastor s Spouse Evelyn Strickland Lay Leadership Selection Committee Randy Strickland, Chair 2009 David West, Barbara Strickland, Meredith Coffee 2010 June Mathis, Roni Grizzle, Gloria Davidson 2011 Ernie Reaume, Sue Cook, Emily Hulsey Organist Danny Jones Celebrate Fall with Antioch United Methodist Church at 2992 Antioch Church Road (near Chestatee High School) on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Our Silent Auction items will be displayed at 5:30 with wonderful crafts including a fabulous handmade quilt, gourmet food, Thanksgiving and Christmas gift items, pet sitting, a professional photo shoot, paintings, yard work, technological help, French lessons, cakes and cookies to-die-for and many more exciting and useful services and goodies for your consideration. Bidding at a silent auction can be pretty exciting! During your shopping and bidding time, a country supper will be served which will offer cornbread, coleslaw, Brunswick stew/chili, iced tea and dessert. After supper, our guitar and banjo players will present a program of great Bluegrass hits. Be our guests for a great evening of music, a chance to buy terrific gifts and useful items and a hearty supper! We are all here for a spell. Get all the good laughs you can. A Thanksgiving Wish May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump. May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious and your pies take the prize. And may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs. Unknown Happiness is the realization of God in the heart. Happiness is the result of praise and thanksgiving, of faith, of acceptance. A quiet, tranquil realization of the love of God. White Eagle How wonderful it would be if we could help our children and grandchildren to learn thanksgiving at an early age. Thanksgiving opens doors; it opens a child s personality. A child is resentful, negative -or thankful. Thankful children want to give; they radiate happiness; they draw people. Sir John Templeton Will Rogers
P A G E 4 "Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." Mother Theresa I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 1:3-5, 4:6 Administrative Council Minutes October 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Attendance: Emily Hulsey, Chair; Randy Strickland, Pastor; Bob Bedeski, Joan Briggs, Sue Cook, Rita Edge, Roni Grizzle, Matt Hulsey, June Mathis, Ken Parker, Judy Smith, Vivian Smith, Barbara Wilson. Finance Committee: Vivian Smith presented the 2009 budget which revealed that the only additional items on that budget are the website expenses and our contribution to Gainesville Aid Ministries ($600). Ken Parker reported that all salaries have remained the same as 2008 and that all parsonage renovation expenses have been paid. The approximate remainder of the current budget is $2400, but our waning contributions continue to be an issue. A motion Please make plans to attend the Veteran s Day covered dish lunch on Sunday, November 9, following the worship service. Our veterans will be recognized on that day. was made to approve the 2009 budget and the Council unanimously voted to accept it. Vivian and Ken announced that the memorial fund contains $2150 at this time and those monies are untouched. It was decided that the Finance Committee will determine the distribution of the memorial fund at the appropriate time. Randy Strickland presented the 2009 Lay Leadership roster. Because of a vacancy, Emily Hulsey accepted a Selection Committee seat for 2011. The Council voted unanimously to accept the roster as presented. Bob Bedeski proposed the purchase of a handheld/ stand microphone for the Church and the Worship Committee approved that request. The Council discussed facility usage requests and determined that, beginning in January, members wishing to use church facilities (Truslow Hall) will complete a form with specific information to be presented to Emily Hulsey and Randy Strickland in order to avoid conflicts. Until January, those desiring to use any church facility should speak to Emily Hulsey/Randy Strickland who will check for availability. Opportunities for worship/ service/fellowship: Oct.15 Chg Conf. 6 pm Oct. 20 UMW 7 pm Oct. 21-Flu shots at Antioch 4-7 pm Oct. 26 Trunk or Treat 4:00-6:00 pm Nov. 1 Autumn Auction 5:30-8:30 pm Nov. 2 All Saints Day-11 am Nov. Thanksgiving at Antioch 11:30 am T H E J O U R N E Y
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 9:50 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 9 9:50 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 12 p.m. covered dish (Veterans) 16 9:50 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 23 9:50 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 30 1st Sunday in Advent 9:50 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 3 Monday Ministers 10 a.m. 10 Monday Ministers 10 a.m. 17 Monday Ministers 10 a.m. UMW 7 p.m. 24 Monday Ministers 10 a.m. November 2008 4 5 11 Administrative Council 7 p.m. Prayer Meeting 3 p.m. 12 18 19 25 26 Prayer Meeting 3 p.m. Prayer Meeting 3 p.m. Prayer Meeting 3 p.m. 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 Thanksgiving Dinner 11:30 a.m. Antioch Autumn Auction November 1 Details on page 3 antiochajourney@comcast.net 1 28 29 Decorate for Advent 9 a.m. Veterans Day Covered Dish Lunch after the service on Nov. 9
P A G E 6 My cooking was so bad my kids thought Thanksgiving was to commemorate Pearl Harbor. Phyllis Diller Freedom from Want by American Artist Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) Appeared in The Saturday Evening Post March 6, 1943 Washington, D.C., October 3, 1863 By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation. The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation N E W S L E T T E R T I T L E
V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 1 P A G E 7 The First Thanksgiving in 1621 by American artist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863-1930) and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixtythree, and of the Independence of the United States, the Eightyeighth. By the President: Abraham Lincoln The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. Remember God s bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude. Henry Ward Beecher American Clergyman (1813-1887) U.H. Westermeier
The Journey Antioch United Methodist Church 2922 Antioch Church Road Gainesville, GA 30506 www.antioch-umc-gainesville.org November Lectionary and Duties November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30 Revelation 7:9-17 Psalm 34:1-10, 22 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12 Joshua 24:1-3a,14-25 Psalm 78:1-7! Thess. 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 Judges 4:1-7 Psalm 123 1 Thess. 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30 Ezek.34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 100 Ephesians1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37 Kelley Ceccato Amy Robinson Karen Moore Rita Edge Callie Stevens 25th Sunday after Pentecost All Saints Sunday 26th Sunday after Pentecost 27th Sunday after Pentecost Christ the King Sunday 1st Sunday in Advent Ushers for November: Doug & Nancy Hulsey Ken & Sonya Parker Greeter: June Mathis Altar Guild Duties for November: Sonya Parker and Sue Cook