Dear Friends,
His name is Doyle Dykes and he is one of the world’s premiere guitar players. Recently, a music store in Savannah hosted an event featuring him as a visiting clinician. His came to share techniques with other guitarists regarding how to improve their ability to play the guitar.
As an owner of a Taylor guitar, when I received the invitation to this event, I quickly called to reserve seats. Sandy plays a Martin guitar but she wanted to be present to hear Doyle Dykes play, too.
We were not disappointed in the evening. The music began with a medley of patriotic songs arranged for solo performance on an acoustic guitar. Throughout the program, Doyle Dykes played a variety of musical styles --- classical, jazz, bluegrass, rock --- and offered interpretation of the quality of Taylor instruments. As I looked around the room while he played, I noticed that the guitarists present were stunned at the quality of musicianship displayed by this visiting artist.
Between songs, Doyle Dykes told some stories about his musical career. He played guitar since he was a child. His big break came when he became the guitar player in Grandpa Jones’ band. Many remember Grandpa Jones from the early days of country music and his television appearances on Hee Haw. Doyle Dykes performed often on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Included in the stories was a roster of names of the many artists with whom he has worked, toured, and recorded. Though he is just in is mid-50’s, Doyle Dykes is a statesman among guitar players.
At one point in the evening, a 1940’s era jazz song was being presented. While the guitarist played an intricate progression of chords and melody, a young woman stood up from the front row of the audience, walked to the microphone, and sang the lyrics to the song. The song was called “Baby What You Do to Me” and it was first recorded by an artist named Helen Forest. She was a vocalist with the Harry James Orchestra in the 1940’s. As the song concluded, Doyle Dykes introduced the singer, his daughter Haley, to the audience. He obviously had great pride in her talent and genuinely enjoyed playing music with her.
Later, Haley played two more songs with her father. She is an outstanding mandolin player and an excellent songwriter. Her father explained that he wanted to support her musical abilities but he insisted that she earn her bachelor’s degree in college. Once she completed her education, he promised that he would bring together the artists she desired to record her songs. The CD she recorded is outstanding!
The sweetest moment in the evening was when Haley played her compositions of “Here in the Middle” and “A Prayer for Grace” with her father. As the final chord of the song faded away, the audience rose to offer a standing ovation. Doyle Dykes was obviously moved by the response. He has built his life and career not only on his technical ability to play the guitar excellently but Doyle Dykes is a professing Christian whose ministry is his music.
That amazing guitarist stood on the stage and said, “I have played with the biggest names in the music business. I have performed on the most impressive stages in the world. But, let me tell you, nothing compares to what just happened here tonight!”
It was moving to all of us to see a father take such pride in his daughter’s faith and talent. There are few things that are more touching to our hearts than observing our children embracing our faith and taking it into the coming generation.
It is for that reason that First United Methodist Church seeks to have a healthy, active ministry to children and youth. This is accomplished through Sunday School classes, a vibrant youth ministry, Vacation Bible School and Sunday Night Live, as well as other faith building programs. Each one of those opportunities is strengthened by the support that faith is given within the home and family.
You are invited to come and participate in our worship services and discipleship programs this Sunday. Come and learn with us as we grow together in our faith! See you in church!
Blessings!
ARM
Rev Alan R Miller +
New Members
We have welcomed some new members into our congregation recently. They are George & Carol Ann Blauvelt, Michael Smiley and Craig & Jennifer Rhyne. Please make these folks feel welcome as you greet them on Sunday morning.
New Baby
Congratulations to Shawn & Janie Diggs on the birth of their daughter, Mary Elizabeth Diggs born March 20 in Savannah. Proud grandparents are Bill & Susan Strickland.
Palm Crosses
The Altar Guild will be making the crosses for Palm Sunday on April 6, at 7:00 p.m. in the social hall. Even if you have never made them before, if you are interested in helping please come and join us in this exciting and meaningful ministry.
Flower Fund
If you are interested in donating flowers for the beautification of o ur Sanctuary, and would like to forgo the cost of using a florist, please consider donating toward a special flower fund the Worship Committee is trying to establish. If such funds are available, then members of the Committee can buy a few flowers and make the arrangements themselves. There are at least five members of our group who are very talented in flower arranging and would enjoy using this talent to
the glory of God. When the time comes, as it has for the last two Sundays, that no one has signed up to give flowers, then these persons are only too glad to get the flowers and arrange them for the Worship Services. If you want to donate flowers in honor or in memory of someone, just contribute to the fund and the arrangements can be made for you. Please support us in this effort to beautify our Sanctuary AND to save you money!
Prayer Chain
The response to our invitation to sign up for our Prayer Chain has been very light. In fact, only one person has signed up so far! This is a very worthwhile project for our Congregation – it will lead us to unity of heart and purpose. The sign-up sheets will be available again next Sunday. Please take one and sign up so that we can get this ministry started!
History Moment – As promised, here is the next event in our church history – “The Women Lead The Way”
In March, 1900, a group of Hinesville ladies banded together to form a Ladies Aid Society. This group was formed of ladies from the community as a whole. They solicited total community support in a newspaper ad they placed at that time. It read in part, “...The special work before the society for the present will be to raise funds toward building a new church in Hinesville.”
Little by little, the ladies systematically set to work on projects to raise money for a new church; they made quilts and sold them for as much as $1.00 each! They sold ice cream during court week and they sponsored guests lecturers. They were able to come to the aid of the Church Building Committee (all men) and paid for the new shingles for the roof. In March, 1904 the society ordered 2 chandeliers and bracket lamps for the new church. The new building, located where Bradwell Park is now, was put into use in the summer of 1904. That building was used until the property was sold in 1941. Ladies, take heart! We’ll have a new kitchen yet.
Club 55 Going To Dinner & Show
The Epworth Players form Epworth UMC in Savannah will be presenting the play “You Can’t Take It With You” on Saturday, April 29. Club 55 would like to get a group together and go to dinner and the show. Dinner is at 6:00 and curtain time is 7:00. Cost is $20.00 per person. If you are interested in this event, please call Shirley Giddens at 876-3833.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School will be held June 19-23 for children ages three years thru 5th grade. We need lots of volunteers to help out as crew leaders. Youth who have completed 6th grade will be able to volunteer. If you are interested in helping out, please contact the church office.
Holy Week Luncheons
On the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, there will be a luncheon at noon each day in our Fellowship Hall. Our United Methodist Women will be hosting the meal. At 12:30 there will be inspirational music and a speaker. The speakers this year are Father Tom Murphy, Chaplain Paul Yacavone, Rev. Anita Pringle, Father Will Carter and Rev. Janet Gallob.
Card Tournament
The card tournament was held a couple of weeks ago. There was plenty of food, card playing, laughter, talking, prizes and greetings of old friends.
Ann Bean won a weekend trip to the South Carolina mountains. This prize brought much excitement.
The amount raised for the tournament was $1,000.00. As of this date, March 28, the total amount raised towards the building fund is $185,609.89.
I will support First United Methodist Church by…
MY PRAYERS
Elizabeth Hutton, Ann Powers, Dorothy Stagmeier, Davis Darsey, Faye Darsey, Chris Varmecky, Ethelda Lee, Lynn Sikes, Johnnie May, Irene Martin Our soldiers and their families. John Folker, Scot Sikes.
MY PRESENCE
Sunday School:.....................................................................................136
Worship 8:30:.......................................................................................100
..............11:00:.......................................................................................155
Total Worship:..................................................................................... 255
MY GIFTS
Received Last Week:.....................................................................3,348.00
Received to Date:.....................................................................106,301.00
SERVICE
Ushers:................................................................. Gerald DeLoach, Capt.
W. L. Hall, John Long, Don Martin, Jimmy Martin, Charles Shuman
Security Steward: John Long
Assisting With Communion: ............................ Tom & Linda Ratcliffe
.................................................................................David & Laura Smiley
Greeters:................................................................Craig & Laura Stafford
Cassie Tanner
Acolytes:................................................. Joey Armeni & Matthew Brown
Crucifer:......................................................................... Clark Sukaratana
Altar Steward:........................................................................ Judy Shippey
Sound Room: (8:30)............................................................. Oscar Grady
........................(11:00)............................................................. Shawn Diggs
Easter EGGstravaganza
The annual Easter EGGstravaganza will be held on Palm Sunday, April 9, at Norman Farm. This is an event for the whole family. Be there at 3:30, the egg hunts will begin at 4:00 and dinner will be at 5:00. Please bring enough hamburgers or hotdogs (plus buns) for your family, plus a side dish or dessert. Drinks, paper products and condiments will be provided. There will be games and activities for the kids. We need lots of plastic eggs and non-chocolate candy for the egg hunts! Please drop off donations to the church office as soon as
