First Look First united Methodist church Newsletter August 11, 2014 | Volume 43, Issue No. 31 Greetings from David

I hope that you can join us in worship this week as summer draws to a close. It is good to be together and to worship and to consider the teachings of our faith in Jesus Christ. This week we are going to deal with what for me has always been a hard lesson: Matthew 15:21-28. It is a teaching about a Canaanite woman who seeks after Jesus while Jesus is focusing on “the lost sheep of Israel”. Read through this with me, please, and let’s pray through it as God forms a sermon in us. I keep thinking about the “fullness of the faith” in relation to this periscope of scripture. What does “fullness” in faith mean to you? For me, it means that we can deal with our quirks, question what we don’t understand, sometimes not like one another, but learn to love one another as we grow in our love of God. It sounds a lot like “church” to me. I hope you will join me in considering this text, and I look forward to being in ministry with you this week! In Christ’s Service,

David

Your Mission Committee is pleased to present our fumc covenant missionaries up close and personal

Gordon and Ardell Graner, our church’s covenant missionaries have served for many years in Bolivia and are currently stationed in the Dominican Republic. They are on furlough, and will be with us on Wednesday, August 13. Bring your appetites for a complimentary three napkin hamburger meal with all the trimmings at 6 p.m. and the Graners will give an informative and inspirational presentation at 6:30 p.m. Please be here and meet the people that we pray for each Monday!

We Witness…

Blessing of the backpacks

By Our Prayers By Our Presence August 10, 2014 8:45 a.m. Worship 9 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. Worship Total Worship

94 36 212 342

Sunday School

147

By Our Service Sunday, August 17 Scripture Readers 8:45 a.m. 11 a.m. Bus Driver Doorstoppers Greeters

Sunday, August 24, 2014 8:45, 9 and 11 a.m. Worship Services Pat Quinn James Smith Tommy Frederick Steve and Angela Neal Jack and Melissa Kiser Bill and Phyl Kaser

Minister on Call Weekend of August 15-17 David Christy 828-400-4552

Hospital Visitation

Please notify the church if you or any church member you know of is admitted to the hospital. Visitation is a vital role of our ministry, and we certainly cannot do a good job unless we know who to visit. Thank you for your assistance. Day of Service at our partner schools

Saturday, August 16, 2014 9 a.m.–12 p.m. We need lots of volunteers to spread mulch at Pleasant Ridge and work in cleaning the flower beds at York Chester.

All K-5th graders are invited to bring your backpack to church for a special blessing of the new school year.

Youth connections Sunday, August 17, 2014

10 a.m. Sunday School Sr. Hi Leadership Planning Sunday, August 17, 2014 All Sr, Hi’s who would like to be involved in fall planning are invited to spend the day at the Hord’s mountain house in Boone. Meet for worship (8:45 or 9 a.m.) prior to departing for Boone at 10 a.m. We will share lunch, community building and planning. A trip to Boone is not complete without a visit to the candy store. Bring money. We should return before dinner. Thank You Notes From Youth Mission Trip, Milwaukee, WI Welcome home! Thank you to the adults and youth who helped to redo my porch and for all of your work in the Milwaukee area. All of the youth/adults were very gracious and well mannered a trait that is not always found in young people or adults for that matter. You are welcome here anytime! Thank you for being an answer to prayer and for being the very hands, feet, and love of Christ! Love and Deep Peace, Pastor Justin+ (Whitefish Bay United Methodist Church) Good Morning Becky, I hope you had a good trip with your youth. Thank you to all of your volunteers who helped with our meal program. If you have any feed back you would like to share it would be great. Don, our cook, was very impressed with your group. Blessings, Jan (Bread & Jam)

Children’s Ministry Who: Rising 1st Graders When: Sunday, August 17 (Please note date change) Time: 4-6 p.m. Where: 1100 Heatherloch Dr. Gastonia...home of Sally, Kevin, Ella, Mattie and Kate Queen

Music Ministry Music Schedule

Worship Schedule

Music Ministry Fall 2014 Music Makers [3-4 yrs.] Wed. 5:15-5:45 p.m. Room 130 begins Sept. 10 Sunday, August 17 Carol Choir [K-1gr.] Wed. 5-5:45 p.m. Room 124 begins Sept. 10 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary Wesley Choir [2-3 gr.] Wed. 5-5:15 p.m. Room 119 begins Sept. 10 9 a.m. Theatre Asbury Ringers bells [4-5 gr.] Wed. 4:30-5 p.m. Room 114A begins Sept. 10 11 a.m. Sanctuary Asbury Choir [4-5 gr.] Wed. 5-5:45 p.m. Room 114 begins Sept. 10 Youth Rock Band [6-12 gr.] Sun. 4:30-6 p.m. Theatre begins Sept. 7 Youth Bells [6-12 gr.] Sun. 4:15-5 p.m. Room 114A begins Sept. 7 LightShine Youth Choir [6-12 gr.] Sun. 5-6 p.m. Room 114 begins Sept. 7 Youth Brass [8-12 gr.] Sun. 5-6 p.m. Sanctuary begins Sept. 7 Chancel Choir [adult] Wed. 7:30-9 p.m. Room 114 begins Aug. 20 Sun. 10-10:40 a Contemporary Choir [adult] Sun. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Room 114 begins Aug. 24 Chancel Bells [adult] Wed. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Room 114A begins Aug. 27 162 East Praise Teams Are you interested in participating in worship at 162 East? Do you have musical gifts? Why not join a praise team. Praise teams are 2-4 member singing groups that help lead contemporary worship at 162 East. There will be two rehearsals, one with the group and one with the band, and then you will help lead worship! It is fun, challenging, and uplifting. Contact Aaron Prillaman for more information. Music Ministry Contacts

Rev. Saxon Scarborough

Minister of Music

[email protected]

Susan Lisle Aaron Prillaman Timothy Scruggs James Smith

Music Associate 162 East Worship Leader Organist Assistant Organist

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Parish nurse ministry “Learn More About the Gaston County Senior Center and all it has to offer” Wednesday, August 13, 12 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church. Program is free. Lunch is $5.

704.864.4371 x233 704.674.3370 cell 704.864.4371 x237 480.466.1111 cell 828-429-1796 cell 704-609-0058 cell

connect Soccer coaches needed

We're looking for folks who are willing to coach or help coach youth soccer this fall. Age groups are 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12. Looking for individuals who love spending time with children. The commitment will be one practice per week (1 hour or so) and depending on age group, 1 or 2 games per week. Practices begin in August and games are finished by the middle of October. Please consider spending a few hours a week with these children. Contact Jim Ware for more information, [email protected] or 704-864-4371 ext. 241. The Boys and Girls Club Really Needs Your Help

The more people we have, the more work gets done. Our FUMC members are encouraged to help spruce up the club and make minor repairs. ½ a day, a whole day, or all week – however much time you can give! Let Chad or Jane know what day(s) you can give them a hand by calling 704-810-9524. Thanks in advance for your help! College Students

It’s that time of year when students head back to school. Please make sure we have current address for correspondence from the church. Our Freshmen are cared for throughout the year and care packages are sent to all students on special occasions. Now collecting school supplies

We are collecting school supplies during for our annual student support kick-off with our partner schools. We want to help children and teens go back to school with the tools to help them be successful. Go on line for a complete list of supplies, but notebook paper, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, binders, colored pencils, composition books and folders are items always in need. These supplies will be donated to York Chester Middle School, Pleasant Ridge Elementary School and Warlick Academy. Donations may be placed in the bins located around the church.

#2 Pencils (packs) 3 Ring Binders (1/2”, 2” and 4”) Colored Pencils Composition Book (black and white marble cover) Crayons (24 pack) Erasers Glue Sticks Hand Sanitizer Highlighters Notebook Paper Notebooks (1” and 5”) Paper Towels and Tissues (boxes) Pencil Box Pencil Pouch (zippered) Personal Pencil Sharpeners Pocket Folders (no prongs or plastic covers) Ruler (with inch and centimeter markings) Safety Scissors Sanitizing Wipes (Clorox wipes) Spiral Bound Notebooks Ziplock bags (snack, sandwich, quart, gallon)

eVENTS AND NEWS

Morning Exercise

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. FLC, Gym Open to all ages. Emmaus Breakfast

Sunday, August 24 8 a.m. in the FLC Fellowship Hall Please bring a breakfast item to share, along with your ideas for hosting the gathering in October. Please invite anyone who may be interested in going on the fall walks. Off the streets program, inc.

First Annual Ladies Luncheon and Silent Auction Saturday, August 30, 2014 12-2 p.m. FLC, Fellowship Hall Guest Speaker: Jennifer Davis For tickets ($20), contact Shaaron Funderburk, 704-214-3331 or [email protected] Shine 180 Back-to-School Event

Mark your calendars for the Shine 180 Back-to-School event the afternoon of Wednesday, September 3 at the West Gastonia Boys & Girls Club. You are invited to attend this wonderful family event that FUMC hosts every year with our partner schools. There are lots of fun activities planned, so we need lots of help. Please prayerfully consider adding your name to the volunteer sign-up sheet in the Workroom! Part of this event is the collection of classroom supplies. Our goal is to have hand sanitizer, tissues, and disinfecting wipes for the 200+ students from our partner schools who will attend the back-to school bash. A donation box is in the Hospitality Room, but if you prefer, the committee will be very happy to shop for you. Please make your check payable to FUMC, and note on the memo line that it’s for School Supplies. See you on September 3 at the West Gastonia Boys & Girls Club!

Newsletter articles must be submitted via email by 9 a.m. on Wednesday prior to publication on the following Monday. Email your submission to Amanda, [email protected]. Please note that articles are at the Editors discretion due to limited space, run time, etc. Thank you for your cooperation.

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To print this calendar, select print and choose page 7.

The mission of First United Methodist Church: To see Christ in every person we encounter and demonstrate to them the love of God and the teachings of Jesus. Prayers for those serving in the military CW3 Shaun Breth (Nan White's grandson) MSGT Martin “Bo” M. Henson (Louise Henson’s son) CAPT Parker Gray (Jimmy Gray & Lynn Lamb’s son) SGT Nathan Siceloff (David & Libby Siceloff’s son) SFC Bo Beam (Ernie & Rosemarie Nivens' son-in-law) SGT David Frederick (Amanda P. Frederick's husband) SSGT David DeBerry (Chris DeBerry’s son) A1C Jessica DeBerry (Chris DeBerry’s daughter-in-law) CPL Donald Hamrick (Charlie Greene’s cousin) AE1 Steve Clark (Katie Spurrier’s son) PFC Landon Doctor (Katherine Crawford Doctor’s husband) CHPL LT Crystal McPhail (Skip McPhail’s daughter) Chad Buttrey (Sam Stout’s cousin) SGT Josh Marlow SA Tyler Turner (Bonnie and Horace Turner’s grandson) ENS Parrisha Barnes (former member of UMYF)

Connect Phone: 704-864-4371 Email: [email protected] Web: www.fumcgastonia.org

First United Methodist Church PO Box 218 Gastonia, North Carolina 28053

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Published weekly except one week in July and Christmas week, at 190 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28052 (USPS 198-720). Periodicals postage paid at Gastonia, NC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Newsletter of First United Methodist Church, PO Box 218 Gastonia, NC 28053

first United Methodist church PO Box 218 Gastonia, NC 28053

David Christy, Senior Minister Saxon Scarborough, Minister of Music Lisa Marisiddaiah, Parish Nurse Aaron Prillaman, 162 East Worship Leader

Program Staff James Westmoreland, Minister of Congregational Care Dave Cramp, Visitation Minister Jim Ware, Director of Family Life Center Timothy Scruggs, Organist

Rebecca Greene, Director of Youth Ministries Bruce Tindall, Interim Director of Food Services Kristi McClellan, Director of Weekday Preschool Eddie Ingram, Pastoral Psychotherapist: 704-375-5354, x411