F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H First Things 101 E. First North Street Morristown, TN 37814 Phone: (423) 581-2180 fax (423) 586-9491 email: fumc@fumcmorristown.org www.fumcmorristown.org V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 0 3 M A R C H 2 0 1 7 fumcmorristown @fumcmorristown fumcmorristown Worship Times 8:15am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 9:15am Sunday School for All Ages 10:30am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 10:30am The Connection (Gym) Bus Ministry Call the church office by noon on Friday if you need a ride to church! Regency Pick-up times 9:00am & 10:15am Return to Regency 11:45am Newsletter Online The newsletter is posted online at www.fumcmorristown.org
P A G E 2 Listen to Jesus, Missions is not a choice. It is a mandate! Jesus said, go into all the world that means next door and far away. Our Missions Festival is a time for us to see exactly how we are being faithful to Jesus. March 17, 18, 19 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) are the dates. EVERYONE is invited! Rev. Daniel Topalski from Varna, Bulgaria will be our Keynote Speaker. Daniel was born and raised in Bulgaria. He was educated and trained as a practicing attorney. Upon hearing God s call to ministry, Daniel returned to school and became a United Methodist Pastor. He now serves as Pastor of Varna UMC in Varna, Bulgaria. Daniel is also serving as the District Superintendent of all the United Methodist Churches in both nations of Bulgaria and Romania. Daniel is married to Nina and they have one child, a daughter, Anna. Nina is the translator and editor for the Bulgarian edition of the Upper Room Devotional Book. We are blessed to receive Daniel as our Keynote Speaker. PLEASE begin praying for us to be open in our minds, hearts and souls for the Holy Spirit to make use of us in this 2017 Missions Festival. Missions Festival! Missions Work will be represented by: Stepping Out Ministries (Morristown) Serenity House Ministry (Morristown) Jail Ministry Team (Morristown) Helping Hands and Ramp Builders (Morristown) Pregnancy Crisis Center (Morristown) Project Crossroads (Marion, VA) Bulgaria Orphanages & Hope for Orphans (International) Aseri UMC (Estonia International) Varna UMC (Bulgaria International) United Methodist Women Hagar International (dealing with human trafficking) Jubilee Project (Sneedville, TN) CASA (Morristown) CEASE (Morristown) Packing 15,000 meals with Rise Against Hunger (formally Stop Hunger Now) Our weekend will offer us a different opportunity for mission. We will work with Rise Against Hunger (formerly STOP Hunger Now)! During the weekend we will package 15,000 meal kits to be distributed to different areas of this nation and the world. As you know we will have a variety of missions represented local, regional, national, and international. Also, the Shop the World Craft Store will return. This will be a great weekend. Put it on your calendar. Be present! Be involved! God is at work! Blessings to you, Chuck Schedule: EVERYONE is invited to each of these! Friday 12 Hour Prayer Vigil (details to follow) 6:00pm Free catered meal by our United Methodist Women (Gym) 7:00pm Inspirational Music, Mission Moment Insights from our guests (Gym) Many people say this is their favorite part of the weekend. Saturday 8:45am Donation Pancake Breakfast served by United Methodist Men (Gym) 9:30am Devotional by Rev. Daniel Topalski (Gym) 10:00am Noon: Workshops (Choice of 3) 1:15pm help package 15,000 meal kits with Rise Against Hunger 5:30pm International Covered Dish Meal (Gym) 7:00pm Bluegrass Gospel Music and Revelation Youth Choir: Rev. Daniel Topalski preaching (Gym) Sunday 8:15am Worship (Sanctuary) with Rev. Daniel Topalski preaching 9:15am Sunday School (guest speakers available) 10:30am Combined Worship (Gym) with Rev. Daniel Topalski preaching FAITH PROMISE GIVING for Missions opportunity at the close of each service of worship Ash Wednesday Service and Meal Wednesday, March 1 5:00pm Pancake Supper 6:00pm Ash Wednesday service with imposition of the Ashes 5:00pm 6:00pm Pancake Supper Service with Imposition of Ashes Join us for this meaningful time of worship as we begin the season of Lent. Lent is the forty days before Easter, not including Sundays, when Christians prepare for Easter. Some choose to give something up or even fast a day out of each week. Others choose to take up practices spending more time in Bible reading and prayer or acts of service. The ashes we receive on our foreheads during the service are a reminder of our own mortality and dependence on God. The pancake supper we share before the service is traditionally shared on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It has traditionally been a time to share in one last indulgent meal before Lent begins. F I R S T T H I N G S
V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 0 3 P A G E 3 An Electronic Sign After many months of meetings, conversations and planning we are moving ever closer to receiving the gift of an electronic church sign. This new sign will take the place of the portable banners we ve been using for many years. It will be a tasteful addition to our many forms of communications. It has met the approval of the appropriate committees within the church and all the city ordinances. It will allow the church to speak to and invite the hundreds of people who pass the front of our church each day. We are truly grateful for the visionary gift that makes this possible. Upcoming Music Praying Together 2017 I want to thank those who have joined together thus far on the adventure of praying daily as a church. Richard Foster writes, Intercession is a way of loving others it is a sacred obligation and a precious privilege of all who take up the Yoke of Christ (The Life of Prayer). Personally, it has been a good habit for me these past couple months, to not just participate in, but to pray for the ministries of the church and people of the church. If you have not joined in yet, join us in the adventure. You can receive the prayer guide at the church or on our website. -Scott Fine Arts Concert Thursday, March 9, 7:30pm Austin Peay University Chamber Singers Join us for a wonderful evening of choral music by this fine group made up of undergraduate and graduate students. Holy Week, April 10 14 Noon services each day with special music Wednesday Singing Saints from All Saints Episcopal School April 13, Maundy Thursday, 6:00pm Holy Communion Worship Service commemorating Jesus last supper with his disciples. Music by Carillonneurres and Revelation Youth Choir April 14, Good Friday, 7:00pm Tenebrae Worship Service (Service of Shadows) Readings and music by Chancel Choir, soloists, and instrumentalists April 16, Easter Sunday Resurrection worship in all services. Brass and Chancel Choir in Traditional services Sunday, May 7, 7:00pm Chancel Choir, Walter State Community Chorale, soloists and orchestra present Franz Joseph Haydn s The Creation This spectacular oratorio which Haydn composed with inspiration from Handel s great oratorios, including Messiah, is a night of worship and music not to be missed! Winter Worship Study Honest Conversations: A Study of the Psalms February 12 - April 2 Most of us have experienced the innocent words of a child who speaks their mind and says what they really think. Perhaps we have been that child. As we get older, we learn to censor ourselves and watch what we say. The Psalms in the Bible are often so relatable, because they are unfiltered and raw, with joy, pain, shock, anger, revenge, disappointment, or disillusionment. For many of us in our lives of prayer, we need to become more childlike, sharing unfiltered with the one who created us, loves us, redeemed us and sustains us. My hope as we continue this series, in the Psalms, that the words of the psalmists might give you the words to pray and permission to be more unfiltered in your prayers. God bless you. -Scott 3/05 A Prayer of Intimacy - Psalm 84 3/12 For Those Who Get Angry - Psalm 94 3/19 Mission Festival, Combined 10:30am Services (gym) 3/26 Wrestling with Your Thoughts - Psalm 13 4/02 Learning How to Praise - Psalm 150
P A G E 4 Check out some scenes from our Barn Dance on Sat., February 11! Parent Study The Strong-Willed Child Wednesdays in March (Room 207) 6:00 7:00pm Childcare provided Wednesday Night Kids GAME NIGHTS Wednesdays in March 6:00pm Dinner (Community Room) 6:15pm Games (Gym) 7:00pm Parent Pick Up Upward Celebration Featuring Illusionist, Joseph Young Monday, March 6th, 6:30pm (Gym) Join us as we celebrate the 2017 season with the players, coaches, families, and volunteers. We are pleased to welcome award winning Christian illusionist, Joseph Young, whose squeaky-clean humor and amazing illusions lead us know the love of Christ. F I R S T T H I N G S Kids Choir Our Kids Choir and Kids Handbell Choir are off to a great start. It is not too late for children to participate in choir. We meet at 5:15pm each Wednesday night. We will sing in services on the following Sundays: March 12 5 th graders will travel with Revelation Youth Choir for a special Sunday out serving the Rogersville Parish UM church in Rogersville where Vic Trobaugh is pastor March 19 10:30am combined service April 30 10:30am Traditional Service (Kids Sunday)
V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 0 3 P A G E 5 March 4, Ice Bears Game 7:30pm Leave the church at 6:00pm. Tickets are $15, payable in advance. Mark your calendars! April 21 22 Rummage Sale April 23 Confirmation Celebration May 7 Graduation Potluck May 22 25 Middle School Mission Trip (Sneedville, TN) July 24 29 High School Camp & Mission Trip Lake of the Ozarks, MO Be on the lookout for more information on mission trips coming soon! Youth Rummage Sale April 19 5:00-7:00pm (drop-off/pick-up) April 20 8:00am-4:00pm (drop-off/pick-up) April 21 8:00am-4:00pm (sale) April 22 8:00am-1:00pm (sale) Revelation Youth Choir Experience the joy of the investment of time in knowing Christ by spending time daily in prayer and scripture reading. You can access the 7 x 7 plan at the church or on our website. Young Adults Young Adults will be participating in the churchwide study Honest Conversations every Tuesday at 7:00pm in the Cornerstone building! Please contact Logan Brady (423-748-7262) or Sydney Maxfield if you have any questions about this new group! College Students Our 1 & 2 Peter study is right around the corner! Be sure to join us for Sunday School in our newly furnished room just inside the Crossroads building! Sunday mornings at 9:15am. March 12 March 18 March 26 April 13 April 16 April 23 April 30 May 7 June 12-15 June 16-22 June 25 Sunday out at Rogersville Parish UMC. This is the church where Vic Trobaugh is pastor. 6:00pm Missions Festival No rehearsal 6:00pm Maundy Thursday No rehearsal 10:30am Traditional Service last regular rehearsal 10:30am The Connection and the Graduation Luncheon 9:00am-12:00pm mandatory tour rehearsals Choir tour Homecoming Concert
P A G E 6 Ministry Spotlight Crystal Thompson MOPS I felt called to start MOPS, because I saw a need for fellowship within the community. Our community has several stay-at-home moms who need support and encouragement while being a provider for a family with preschoolers. It's difficult to find kid friendly activities in Morristown especially for children younger than age five. As a group of women in the same stage of life, we can help each other navigate through the ups and downs of motherhood while sharing the love of Christ. MOPS provides a safe place for moms to come to be honest and not feel judged in their daily struggles with raising their children in our world today. I needed this support so I knew others must need it as well. MOPS is meant to uplift our moms and to help us be the best moms we can be for our little people while providing social opportunities for our children to grow Christian relationships with others. We have had an overwhelming response of many moms outside of the FUMC family and it has become a great outreach into our community for those that need a church family. I am thankful for the blessings we have received and all the volunteers that have given their time to help make MOPS of Morristown a success. United Methodist Men Breakfast March 12 Ralph Masengill, guest speaker Hear Ralph s Humorous Stories that Help Explain Why Jesus was the First Change Agent Ralph is the author of two books on the subject of change: Beat the Curve, and Amazon Best Seller, and his new book, Conquer Change and Win. Be a part of the fellowship and fun while learning some interesting facts about change and Jesus. RSVP to John Stroud (254-1670) so that UMM can plan accordingly for food preparations. Everyone is welcome! United Methodist Women in Action Elizabeth Circle will meet at Regency on March 2 @ 10:30am. Contact circle leader Alice Starnes for more info. Ruth Circle will meet Monday, March 13, at 11:30am in the Community Room. Deborah Circle meets Tuesday, March 14, at 6:00pm in the Cornerstone building. Mary Martha Circle, keep collecting change for Penny and a Prayer. Joyful Hearts Presents Hooray for Hollywood Mossy Creek Documentary Arts Festival Carson-Newman University Thursday, March 16 leave the church at 9:30am On Thursday, March 16, the Joyful Hearts will visit Carson-Newman University to attend the Mossy Creek Documentary Arts Festival and visit the new exhibit for the St. John's Bible, a hand-written, handillustrated manuscript created by the Queen's calligrapher. At 10:00am, Joyful Hearts will meet the producer of WBIR's Heartland Series, Steve Dean, and his staff, and watch clips and hear stories of the creating of the celebrated television program. Mr. Dean will be receiving Carson-Newman's Service to Appalachia award, and this screening/panel discussion is part of the all-day film festival event. Then, at 11:00am, visit the new Denton Gallery at Carson-Newman to see the St. John's Bible. It's an interactive experience with an incredibly beautiful Bible, unlike any book since the invention of the printing press. See more information about the St. John s Bible at http://www.cn.edu/saint-johns-bible Lunch will be on your own at the Gondolier. F I R S T T H I N G S
V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 0 3 P A G E 7 Looking Ahead Game Night is Friday, March 10, 6:00pm in the Community Room. Bring a snack and beverage and join them for an evening of games and fellowship. Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 12. Remember to Spring Forward and turn your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night. Prayers for Healing Sunday, March 12, 11:45am (immediately following the 10:30am worship services) in the Chapel. The Finance Team will meet Tuesday, March 14, at 5:30pm in the Community Room. Deadline for the April newsletter is March 15. Please email (fumc@fumcmorristown.org) your completely written articles, including pictures, or bring them to the church office. Church Council will meet Tuesday, March 21, at 5:30pm in the Cornerstone building. Condolences to Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 12. Remember to spring forward and turn your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night. Shelley Helfenberger in the death of her brother, Foster Scott Haley, on January 27. Funeral services were held on Feb. 4. Tiffanie Pollock and family in the death of Tiffanie s mother, Betty Bridges, on January 28. A graveside service was held on February 1. Worship at FUMC Traditional Worship 8:15am & 10:30am (Sanctuary) and The Connection 10:30am (Gym) March 5 Communion Honest Conversations: A Prayer of Intimacy Traditional Worship: Scott Layer The Connection: Chuck Starks March 12 Honest Conversations: For Those Who Get Angry Traditional Worship: Chuck Starks The Connection: Scott Layer March 19 Missions Festival 8:15 Worship Service Sanctuary Rev. Daniel Topalski 10:30am One Worship Service Gym Rev. Daniel Topalski March 26 Honest Conversations: Wrestling with Your Thoughts Traditional Worship: Chuck Starks The Connection: Scott Layer Our Discipleship Together January 01/01 01/08 01/15 01/22 01/29 Worship 283 204 420 433 403 Sunday School 127 Snow 286 286 193 Budget Offering $6,950 $8,661 $16,802 $31,793 $18,714 Faith Promise $10 $250 $685 $155 $1,466 Have you remembered the church in your will?
First United Methodist Church 101 East First North Street Morristown, TN 37814 Reaching, Growing, and Serving RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED