Swepsonville United Methodist Church Newsletter February 2018 OUR VISION: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth ~ God To be a beacon of God s light in the church, to the community and the world. FROM THE PASTOR OUR MISSION: "We are one" I have just returned home from our Joint Worship for Christian Unity at Melfield United Church of Christ. The theme was "we are one," and the story (which Christians all over the world have celebrated together in this week of Christian Unity) comes from Exodus, the crossing of the Red Sea. To be open to the leadings of the Holy Spirit. To nurture the people of the church with the love of Jesus Christ. To reach out to the community around us and offer God s love OUR CORE VALUES: We came together, across denominations, across race... to celebrate what God has done for ALL of us! The gift of salvation, crossing over Love, warmth and fellowship to LIFE, to Freedom. All Christians (and even Jews and others) share Focus on youth this story of crossing the Red Sea together...how God made a way Reaching out to those in need WHEN THERE WAS NO WAY! The world and the church are so full Being family to one another of division, but Christians hold so much in common. We share a common creation (with all people), a common story of salvation...from captivity in Egypt to the salvation that Jesus Christ offers to ALL people. Why would we let others come together across divisions before us? Jesus Christ is the one who has united us: "In Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, woman nor man.." We are all one in Christ Jesus. It was very unusual for those of us (white) United Methodists to come to a worship service at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, but I was so proud of those of you who came, and honored by the invitation from Melfield UCC (most of whom had been at church since 9 or 10am!!) And God gave us a real experience of being ONE! We sang together, prayed together, and experienced God's presence together. This is not the end, but a beginning, a step along the way. We give thanks for all God has done for all of us, and we pray, with Jesus, that we may be one so that the world may trust in the love and salvation of God. (John 17). Peace, Pastor Christi Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 1 February 2018
FEBRUARY CALENDAR Date Liturgist Greeters Nursery Feb. 4 Feb. 11 Feb. 18 Feb. 25 Briggs Smith Phil Norwood Briggs Smith Glenda Payne Janet Walton Doug Coon Al Elsenrath Brian Paris Mary Long Brian Paris Lee Lovette Brian Paris Janet Walton Judy Burge Phyllis Norwood Brenda Moss Beverly Handy Mary Mordecai Phil Norwood Cecelia Burger Children SS Teacher/Helper Ushers Lee Lovette Kirk Thompson Greg Dodson Matthew Handy Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 12 PM Souper Bowl Lunch 5 6 7 7 PM Choir 8 9 10 3 PM Ruby Sales @ Haw River Ballroom 11 12 13 14 5:45 PM Valentine s Day Dinner 15 16 8:30 AM Clothes Closet 17 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service 18 19 20 21 7 PM Choir 22 12 PM Luncheon to honor UMW 23 24 25 10 AM Lenten Group Study 26 27 6 PM Lenten Group Study 28 7 PM Choir 12 PM Beach Retreat Discussion February Birthdays 1 Kathy Pike 15 Deborah Zombar 4 Andy Allred 17 Will & Prescott Kirkpatrick 5 Jerlene Cranford 18 Dickie McAdams 5 Pete Wynne 18 Janet Walton 6 Brenda Moss 19 Megan Long 7 Carl Burger, Jr. 20 Phyllis Clyburn 7 Patty Williams 20 Kody Halacheff 10 Clint Ayers 27 Ginny Hodgin 10 Eileen Penn 27 Bobby Lloyd 13 Betsy Shambley 27 Paul Lloyd Reminder: If your birthday is not listed, please contact Phyllis Clyburn to add your name to the list Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 2 February 2018
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO: Lee and Marty Lovette, who celebrated their 46 th anniversary on January 15 th. OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: The Family of Julian Wynne, who passed away on November 21 st. 2017 Treasurer's Report By Theresa Elsenrath Year End Report: Offering Income: Expenses: Net Loss: $126,374.65 $155,838.29 -$29,463.64 All apportionments are up-to-date. YOUTH NEWS By Matthew Handy Immediately after church on Sunday, February 4 th, the youth will hold their annual Souper Bowl Lunch, which will consist of soup, chili, and sandwiches. All proceeds will go toward funding youth activities for the coming year. Please come and support our wonderful youth! WORSHIP COMMITTEE By Pat Maynor ADVENT SEASON: It s hard to believe Advent season was several weeks ago and quite busy! The theme was Fear Not, the title of the Chancel Choir s Christmas cantata. Each service reflected on the fears that may exist in our lives and the Advent season and was well received. To the team members who participated in the decorating the sanctuary, to each Sunday service and taking down the decorations, thank you. Your willingness to support the Worship Committee was truly appreciated and completed the Advent Season. Again, thank you. LENTEN SEASON: Begins with Ash Wednesday, February 14 th, with a mini service and ashes. The theme is The Importance of Discipline, and focuses on the spiritual disciplines of [humility/confession, types of praying, simplicity, service/trust, silence]. During the week of Palm/Passion Sunday, several events will take place. A calendar of these events will be in the bulletin and the next newsletter. EASTER LILIES: Beginning Sunday, March 4 th, there will be an insert in the bulletin to purchase the lilies in honor and memory of loved ones. TO THE WORSHIP TEAM MEMBERS: your willingness to support each event will be greatly appreciated. Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 3 February 2018
WOMEN S MINISTRY By Pastor Christi Dye Starting in 2018, we will be embarking on some new ventures in Women's Ministry. The proud, longstanding tradition of UMW in our church will now expand into a new chapter! While we will no longer have a formal UMW group because of the tremendous leadership energy required, we will continue and expand ministries of fellowship and service. A highlight is the women's retreat April 12-15 at Kure Beach. Open to all Women! If you have not volunteered to help with food, service, and celebrations through January bulletin inserts, please contact Pastor Christi. We are forming ministry teams for many of the ministries UMW used to do. We will also have a luncheon honoring all past UMW members and leaders on Thursday, February 22. Save the date and more info will follow! UMW NEWS By Pat Maynor As 2018 begins, the Unit of Swepsonville United Methodist Women said goodbye to the Corridor District. The District was informed of the Unit s decision to step away and their prayers and good wishes for our future were received. The Corridor District has team members and willing workers expressing their love, hard work for the Units and giving of themselves. We know this to be true, for Presidents Susan Rayle and Carolyn Woods spoke at UMW Sunday Services bringing the message of the work they do in the District. To the Corridor District, we thank you and appreciate your hard work, love and giving of yourselves for many years, while Swepsonville UMW was a member of willing workers for the District. To you, the members of Swepsonville United Methodist Women, thank you for your hard work and willingness over the years to support the Unit, the officers and me. As we enter a new era for the women of Swepsonville UMC, let us remember that we are all team members and continue in our willingness to work for the church and its members. Again, thank you. WOMEN S BEACH RETREAT By Pastor Christi Dye Open to all the women of the church! Beachfront house on Kure Beach (near Carolina Beach) Thursday, April 12-Sunday April 15 Dinner out on Thursday, and short, simple prayer after. Friday: Short sharing and prayer mid morning, Sharing and prayer at supper at the house Saturday: Morning communion on the beach. Anyone wanting to stay through Sunday morning is welcome. Others of us will come home Saturday to be at Church Sunday. Christi and Briggs will be leading the prayer. Theme is "Come to the Water": Goal is to refresh and renew. Thank you to the United Methodist Women for helping sponsor this wonderful opportunity! Lots of free time at a beautiful beachfront house with beautiful people. Cost is $100 (scholarships available). Pictures of the house and registration forms are available at both entrances (near the office and at the back of the sanctuary). Info session: Sunday, Feb 25 RIGHT AFTER CHURCH. We will review the schedule, have pictures of the house, answer any questions you have! Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 4 February 2018
LENTEN STUDY GROUP By Briggs Smith I will be leading a Covenant small group February-April. During 10am Sunday School and Tuesday Nights at 6pm. The small group will focus on scripture, growing in personal faith, supporting each other and practicing spiritual disciplines: (prayer, silence/solitude, study of scripture, confession and thanksgiving, and service/acts of compassion, Simplicity, God s Creation, Music, Art). *Each meeting we will have covenant group time and then a discussion/practice of a specific spiritual discipline. Date Time Topic/Discipline Sunday February 25 Praying As Jesus Prayed Tuesday February 27th Sunday March 11 Tuesday March 13 Sunday March 18 Tuesday March 20 Sunday March 25 Tuesday March 27 Sunday April 1 Tuesday April 3 Sunday April 8 Tuesday April 10 Sunday April 15 Tuesday April 17 NO MEETING NO MEETING Pray Without Ceasing Silence and Solitude Studying and Meditating on God s Word Confession and Thanksgiving Service Acts of Compassion and Justice Simplicity Sunday April 22 God s Creation Music and Art as Spiritual Tuesday April 24 Disciplines Contact Briggs for further questions: 678-596-6518, briggs.smith@duke.edu Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 5 February 2018
SWEPSONVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1307 E. Main Street Graham, N.C. 27253 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED This newsletter sent with God s blessings to: Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 6 February 2018