THE FIRST WORD A publication of Ellijay First United Methodist Church October 2016 ORGAN and PIANO CONCERT Sunday, October 23 3 p.m. Presented by Gabrielle Cornett & Paul Campbell PASTOR APPRECIATION AT ELLIJAY FIRST The Noon Circle will be taking Rada Cutlery orders through October 12. Catalogs are available in the church office and in the Fellowship Hall. Checks should be made out to Noon Circle. Thank you for your support. Please do not remove the catalogs from the church. THIS IS THE ONLY ORDER BEFORE CHRISTMAS It is Pastor Appreciation month at Ellijay First. This year we ask that each church family determine how they would like to show their appreciation to Thom and Allan for the job they do serving Christ and this congregation. Staff-Parish Relations Committee
WORSHIP SERVICE CHANGES 10:00 a.m. Only October 9 & October 16 There will be NO Sunday School Classes SUNDAY 8:45 a.m. Early Worship 9:45 a.m. Fellowship Time (Coffee/donuts) 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 5:00 p.m. Youth Ministry 6th - 12th grade 5:00 p.m. Handbells UMM Upcoming Events *UMM to cook Breakfast for Gilmer Football Team on Nov. 4 *Next Men s Breakfast meeting is October 4 *Next Men s Supper meeting is October 18 *UMM Wednesday Night Suppers at Church on Nov. 30, Jan. 25, and Mar. 22 Please save Saturday, November 5, for our fall unit meeting Youth Ministry All 6th - 12th Graders are welcome Join us in the Ben Barrett Room Sundays at 9:45 a.m. for Youth Sunday School Sunday evening: 5:00-7:00 pm Wednesday evening: 6:30-7:30 at 11 a.m. Our theme is a special shower. CHILI COOK-OFF Wednesday, October 5 $6.00 adults Children Under 12 Free $18.00 family maximum Hosted by: Hospitality Committee Menu: Chili Cook-off Wednesday, Oct. 26th @ 6:00 p.m. Join us for the 12th Annual FUMC Trunk or Treat. WE ARE AIMING FOR 30 TRUNKS! Pop open your decorated trunks and pass out candy or prizes to all the little goblins. Or you may want to play a game. (Marianne Evans can provide games). Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes. Prizes will be awarded for the best trunk and best costume! Special parking will be provided for the participants. Call Marianne at 706-635-2555 for more information. Does your group have information to share with the congregation? Contact the following: Website: Sharon Shores at Newsletter: Marsha Vautrot at shores.s@hotmail.com mvautrot@etcmail.com Bulletin: Ann Hanline at office@fumcellijay.org 2
OCTOBER 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 COMMUNION 8:45 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 5:00 Youth IMPACT 3 12:00 Team Tabitha 4 8:00 UMM, Smoke House Country Grill 10:00 Apple Country Quilters 11:00 Adult Bible Study 6:30 NOGS Bible Study 5 4:30 Flu Shots 5:30 Dinner 6:00 Children/Youth Choir 6:30 Children/Youth Activities 6:30 Adult Class At the Crossroads 6:30 Chancel Choir 6 11:00 Joy Circle 7 Office Closed 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 10:00 Worship NO Youth IMPACT 12:00 Team Tabitha 6:30 Claddagh Circle 10:00 Apple Country Quilters 11:00 Adult Bible Study 6:30 NOGS Bible Study 5:30 Dinner 6:00 Children/Youth Choir 6:30 Children/Youth Activities 6:30 Adult Class At the Crossroads 6:30 Chancel Choir Office Closed 16 10:00 Worship 5:00 Youth IMPACT 17 12:00 Team Tabitha 18 10:00 Apple Country Quilters 11:00 Adult Bible Study 12:00 Noon Circle 5:30 UMM, Shane s 6:30 NOGS Bible Study 19 5:30 Dinner 6:00 Children/Youth Choir 6:30 Children/Youth Activities 6:30 Adult Class At the Crossroads 6:30 Chancel Choir 20 21 Office Closed 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 8:45 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 3:00 Organ/Piano Concert 5:00 Youth IMPACT 11:30 Prayer Shawl Workshop 10:00 Apple Country Quilters 11:00 Adult Bible Study 6:30 NOGS Bible Study 5:30 Dinner 6:00 Trunk or Treat 6:30 Chancel Choir (no other activities) Office Closed 30 31 8:45 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 5:00 Youth IMPACT 3
Thanks to all of you who donated for the flood buckets. Because of your generosity we were able to get 20 buckets ready and sent on their way to help the flooding victims in Louisiana and Florida. Below is a picture of Bob Stevens and Jerry Tuso packing the buckets. Rachel Tarr and Bill Johnson purchased all of the contents for the buckets. A load of furniture and bedding was brought to Hands of Hope in Welch, West Virginia. While there, we looked at putting up false ceilings in about 5 rooms. This area will be rented for funds to help keep the Hope Chest open. Hope Chest manager Crystal had previously told us that things were bad, but now they are really bad, even the nearest Walmart has closed, so the few jobs that were there are now gone. The money from the thrift store, along with money from a couple of churches, support a $ 5.00 food box program. They are in need of more sponsors. According to their web site. they also give school supplies to school children. http://www.hohm.org/ Thank you, EFUMC for all the contributions over the past year to The Kenya Project fund at the church. The team has returned from their yearly visit and I want to share with you their accomplishments and how your contributions were used. The team conducted approximately 750 physicals on the students, took pictures of each one, updated their information, helped the students write letters, conducted mental health reviews on the kids in the group homes, built 29 cabinets, painted one of the group homes, and had an awards assembly for the students. I have wanted to build cabinets for the teachers to have in their classrooms as they have nowhere for storage there. This year s team had two men who were carpenters. A large portion of your donations were used to build cabinets (picture) for each classroom. The teachers were thrilled to have a cabinet that would lock! The other portion of your donations was used as a bonus for the teachers (picture). We did not have the teacher luncheon this year, but gave them a monetary gift. The teacher also received a bag full of school supplies and personal gifts. Even though I was unable to go on the mission trip this year, I do have a number of pictures to share of the trip and would be happy to share them with your Sunday school class or other groups. Submitted by Rachel Tarr 4
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES--9:45 a.m. HELPING HANDS CLASS We are a couples and singles adult class (all ages). We will finish the study of 1 Peter the first Sunday in October. Our next study will start October 23 with Chapter 1 of Philippians. After studying Philippians we are looking at an Advent study. We have wonderful teachers and interesting discussions. Our class supports four local charities with monthly contributions as well as a young boy in Kenya. We have at least two social events at someone's house or at a restaurant during the year. Most 5th Sundays are devoted to a class covered dish brunch/ business meeting/get-together with a devotional instead of a lesson. We welcome anyone who would like to join us at 9:45 Sunday mornings in the Fellowship Hall. Come a little early for coffee and donuts. CORNERSTONE SS CLASS The Cornerstone SS Class will begin a study entitled "S.H.A.P.E., Finding & fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life" by Erik Rees on September 4. We will look at 5 factors God uses to prepare and equip us for our purpose in life. The Cornerstone Class is an active class for adults of all ages. Our members are active in mission work, the Gilmer County Food Pantry, Faith Hope & Charity Recycle Store and many others. BYKOTA The BYKOTA Class (Be Ye Kind One To Another) is a small, intimate class with lots of lively discussions on the various topics we choose through the year. The teaching responsibilities are shared among the class members, who bring different skills and talents to the table. We support the Wednesday night children's program, the Gilmer Food Pantry, New Beginnings Transitional Housing, Kids Ferst, and the Back Pack Program. We love to have visitors; come and join us. CROSSWALK SS CLASS is under the leadership of Al Summers. This class is open to all adults. The class meets in Marianne s Preschool Office. Please join us! NOTES FROM THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE If you know of anyone who is homebound or in the hospital, please call the church office so one of our team members can make a visit. There is a first aid kit now located in the kitchen. An AED is on the back hallway wall close to the fellowship hall. If you have difficulty hearing, please see an usher before church for a hearing impaired device. Online Giving is now available! Please visit our website (www.fumcellijay.org) Click on the DONATE button Please consider volunteering for: ~~Sunday School Teacher for 4 year olds to 1st grade (every other month) ~~Children s Church leader (once every 3 months) ~~Nursery Helper (once every 3 months) ~~Choir Leader for 4 year olds 1st grade (Wednesday s, 6 6:30 pm) Please see Marianne for more information. 5
FLU SHOTS Coming to Ellijay First Wednesday, October 5 4:30-5:30 p.m. All insurances accepted, including Medicare. HOMEWARD BOUND PET RESCUE SHOE DRIVE Now - November 6 PRAYER SHAWL Workshop meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall to knit and crochet together. The target is to collect 2,500 pairs of shoes (new or old) to raise $1,000 for repairs for the Ellijay kennel. Collection boxes are outside the church office. If your group would like to host a dinner please contact the church office at 706-635-2555 for an available date. This is an excellent fundraising opportunity. The following dates are available for hosting a Wednesday Night Dinner. 1/11, 2/1, 3/1, 4/19 and 4/26. Call the church office at 706-635-2555 to reserve a date. Ellijay First United Methodist Church is now on YouTube to view the anthem and sermon Key: www.youtube.com in the search bar type: ellijay first UMC and scroll to the desired date or to find a specific date in the search bar type: (example) 08 21 2016 ellijay first united Please donate loose coins and bills in the containers located in the Narthex and outside the church office. Claddagh Night Circle meets the 2nd Monday at 6:30 p.m. Noon Circle meets the 3rd Tuesday at 12 noon. Joy Circle meets the 1st Thursday at 11 a.m. Your health and wellness committee is here to help with medical questions and referrals. You may talk to any of our RNs: Tamra Acree, Nancy Smith, Katherine Meyer, Carol Maiyer, Jackie Boyd, and Chrissy Tyler. Jennifer Vines is our occupational therapist. We are happy to assist you. We do B/P monthly at church. We provide a nurse for Grow Camp. We put an article in the monthly newsletter. We keep the AED up in the back hallway. We do CPR training for the youth and ushers. We send out cards. We handle meds and updating first aid kits at Grasp We do home visits. Most importantly is all the consults and referrals we do every week. We do a yearly seminar. Past seminars included advance planning, grief, and depression. 6
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH SYMPTOMS *Swelling of all or part of a breast *Skin irritation or dimpling *Breast or nipple pain *Nipple retraction *Redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin *Nipple discharge other than breast milk *Sometimes a breast cancer can spread to lymph nodes under the arm or around the collar bone and cause a lump or swelling there even before the original tumor in the breast tissue is large enough to be felt. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EARLY BREAST CANCER DETEC- TION IN WOMEN WITHOUT BREAST SYMPTOMS. *All women age 40 and older should have a mammogram yearly and should continue to do so as long as they are in good health. Some of the physician groups do not agree with the age. *Mammograms can miss some cancers but the benefits are still very effective. *Women in the 20's and 30's should have a clinical breast exam as part of a periodic (regular health exam by a health professional at least every three years. *Women should also do self breast exams monthly. Women who are at high risk for breast cancer based on certain factors should also get a MRI along with a mammogram every year. **These include Having a known BRCA1 or gene mutation **Had radiation therapy to the chest when they were between 10 and 30 years old **Have a first degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with a BRAC1 or BRAC2 gene mutation and have not been tested. There is no evidence at this time that a MRI is a better screening tool for women at average risk. Tamra Acree,MSN Health and Wellness Chair American Cancer Society 01/28/2014 Please complete bright yellow brochure located outside the office, in the Narthex, or inside the office or contact: Gwen Scarth, Stephen Leader 706-258-8757 Gwenth.allen@gmail.com. STEPHEN MINISTRY United Methodist Men Prayer Ministry BYKOTA Classroom Sundays 8:00 a.m. All men are invited. Bring Your concerns. Let us gather at the Throne of Grace. 7
CHILDREN S MINISTRY You are invited! Wednesday Nights @6:30-7:30 Ages: 4yrs.-5th grade Bible Story, Crafts, Games, Music, Fun Join us for dinner @ 5:30 Children s Choir @ 6:00 October 26th @ 6:00 We Need Volunteers!! For Children Church and Nursery! We are in need of about 6-8 Adults to volunteer in the nursery and Children s Church time. This is a rotation of once every 3 months, all you need to do is show up with a servant heart and ready to make a difference in a child s life. No planning on your part everything will be ready for you! See Marianne if you can help!! Join us for Sunday School! 9:45 Preschool News Keep saving Box Tops! Worth 10 cents each! Next submission date is End of October. Thanks for the many prayers and financial support for this ministry. May God Bless You! 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 Oct. 2 Oct.9 (9:45) Oct. 16 (9:45) Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Marianne Youth Diane V. Lelya Leon Debbie Westmoreland Nursery Need Vol. Need Volunteer Elizabeth Dorfman Need Vol. Need Volunteer 8
WE HAVE A MISSION Welcoming-Worshiping-Nurturing-Sending Why does the church exist? According to Matthew s Gospel, the risen Christ made it clear: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you (28:19-20) Based on this Great Commission, our United Methodist Church has stated its purpose: The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciplemaking occurs. So the mission of our congregation is to make disciples. This is a fourfold task.... We could abbreviate our mission as one of welcomingworshiping-nurturing-sending. From The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2012, p. 91. For more information on Our Faith, please visit the UMC Web Site. 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: 706-636-3646 Email: office@fumcellijay.org, thom@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. Thom Shores, Pastor The Reverend Alan Tarr, Assistant Pastor Tamra Acree, Faith Community Nurse Charlie Bryant, Director of Music Paul Campbell, Organist Gabrielle Cornett, Pianist Marianne Evans, Director of Children s Ministries & Preschool Kerri Anne Sanford, Youth Minister Ann Hanline, Administrative Assistant Pam Corbin, Custodian Angel Hughes, Nursery Coordinator 9