Dear Friends,
If we were to walk into a business, it would be realistic for us to expect the employees to be able to clarify what the business produces. It would be quite odd if an employee was asked, “What does your company do?” and the answer was, “I don’t know.”
This past week I was asked two questions that gave me opportunity to offer insight into what our church is seeking to produce.
The first question came in response to the Celebration Service Worship Team presenting the special music for the 11:00 service. One of our members commented to me about that event. Then they asked, “From my observation, I have concluded that you prefer that type of music, don’t you?”
The answer I offered was, “On a personal level, I deeply appreciate contemporary music as a style of worship. However, I have a great love and appreciation for the hymns and liturgy of the church, as well. For me, the issue is not preference for a type of music. The core issue is the end result that we are trying to create. What I want to see is the persons who attend our services having an authentic encounter with the Lord. It would not matter to me if we stood on our heads and banged on tambourines if that provided an effective way to reach people’s hearts. The product we are trying to create in worship is changed lives, deepened faith, and a profound sense of people being loved. So, I actually have no preference for musical style but I do have a great passion for the end result of what either style can produce.”
The second question came in a comment about the greeting time in the 11:00 service. In the bulletin it is listed as “Sharing the Peace of Christ.” It is located in the service after the Doxology is sung and just before the congregation is seated to hear the sermon.
Once again, my answer pointed to a purpose that we are seeking to accomplish. The church is a community of faith. In other words, we live in relationship with one another as a family of believers. The greeting time in the worship service is intended to break down the walls that separate us and to allow us to make contact with our sisters and brothers in Christ. It is one way that the church can extend welcome to visitors as well as offering continued friendship to persons we have known for a long time. Those acts of greeting are an integral part of our worship.
As I observe it, that two or three minute period when the congregation offers a warm handshake, a greeting, or an introduction is a vital expression of our identity as a church. The product we are producing is relationships. Even a brief moment of encounter can prompt the beginning of a friendship or the resolution of a strained place between two friends. The potential of that moment is so strong. When we elevate our relationships with one another to an act of worship, we are communicating something about our goals as a church. We will not be content to be a merely a group of people gathered together in a sanctuary. It is our desire to be a family of faith.
The end result we are seeking in our worship is relationships. All of the elements and styles incorporated in our services of worship are intended to connect us to God and one another.
Each Sunday morning, there are services of worship at 8:30 and 11:00 at First United Methodist Church. Between those services, there are Sunday School classes for all ages. Come join us as we encounter the presence of the Lord and experience our place in the community of faith. See you in church!
Blessings!
ARM
Rev Alan R Miller +
Something to Think About…
Entertainer Garrison Keillor recalls the childhood pain of being chosen last for the baseball teams: The captains are down to their last grudging choices: a slow kid for catcher, someone to stick out in right field where nobody hits it. They choose the last ones two at a time—"you and you"—because it makes no difference. And the remaining kids—the scrubs, the excess—they deal for us as handicaps. "If I take him, then you gotta take him," they say.
Sometimes I go as high as sixth, usually lower. But just once I'd like Darrel to pick me first and say, "Him! I want him! The skinny kid with the glasses and the black shoes. You, c'mon!" But I've never been chosen with much enthusiasm.
Did you ever think about the fact that you are so valuable to God He chose you early—with enthusiasm? “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight" Ephesians 1:4
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir has begun rehearsals again and will soon begin working on the Christmas cantata. If you would like to use your gifts to “make a joyful noise to the Lord,” you are welcome to join the choir on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
A choir tradition here at FUMC is to have “Christmas in August” each year complete with decorations! Everyone’s schedule is much less hectic and besides all that, we just love to have a good time together. This event will happen on August 24 at 6:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. We will have Christmas dinner and listen to the original recording of the Christmas cantata that we will be doing during the Advent season. All are welcome to attend and if you have ever thought that you might like to sing with the choir this is a good way to “check us out!” Those who would like to just sing the Christmas music are encouraged to do so and come to rehearsals on Wednesday evenings for the last 30 minutes of practice. See you at Christmas Dinner.
Back-To-School Bash
The Sunday Night Live Back-to-School Bash will be held at Kevin and Carol Corwin’s home this year on August 21 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The Bash will be for the whole family for a time of information, fellowship and food. All families with children ages 3 years – 5th grade are invited to come.
Back-To-School Ice Cream Social and Hymn Sing
Make plans to eat all the ice cream you can hold AND sing some of your favorite hymns in an old fashioned ice cream social and hymn sing on August 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. Come, bring the whole family and a churn of your favorite ice cream for a great night of fun!
Wednesday Night Dinners
Our Wednesday Night Dinners will begin on September 7 at 6:00
p.m. Each Wednesday there will be a prepared meal for the whole family and then an opportunity to participate in an adult Bible Study, Chancel Choir, Interactive Bible Learning for children (K-5th grades) and a Prayer Ministry for Youth. This is a very important time for the whole family to be involved in learning settings during the middle of each week. The cost for dinner is $5.00 for those 12 years and older, $2.50 for children 3 years – 11 years with a family maximum of $15.00 Reservations must be made and they can be handled in one of two ways – you may have your name put on a “permanent” list and only call if you are not going to be here or you can call each week prior to noon on Monday to make your reservations. To be placed on the permanent list, please call the church office.
Monday Night Bible Study
A new Bible Study has begun in the Blue Room. The study is entitled “He Speaks to Me” by Priscilla Shirer. This study looks at how God spoke to Samuel and how He continues to speak to His people today. The study is each Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome. Childcare is provided.
Teacher Needed
We are in need of a Sunday School teacher for our 5th grade Sunday School class beginning the first Sunday in September. If you have a heart to teach children and feel that God may be calling you to this area of ministry, please contact Carol Corwin or Anita Pringle.
Children’s Church
Children’s Church will begin this Sunday during our 11:00 Worship Service. All children ages 4 – 1st grade will be dismissed to go to Children’s Church after the Children’s Sermon. Volunteer teams of people who love children and love to share God’s Word staff Children’s Church. You may pick your children up in the Kindergarten Sunday School class immediately following worship.
Third Graders
Each year the church presents our rising third graders a new Bible on the last Sunday in August as they are promoted to their new Sunday School classes. We are trying to compile the list of recipients and need your help. If you have a 3rd grader or know a third grader who has been attending our church, please call the church office so that we may include everyone in this special time in the life of a child.
McKamey’s in Concert
If there is one word that describes The McKamey’s, it would be sincere. Each member of this Southern Gospel singing group is sincere in their love for the Lord, sincere in their love for the music they sing and sincere in their need to spread the Word to others through their music. This group will be in our sanctuary on Thursday, September 8 at 7:00
p.m. for a concert of great Southern Gospel music. Pass the word. Tell all you know that love gospel music to mark their calendars for a fantastic night of worship and praise.
The Chrismon Committee will meet on August 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the church social hall. Everyone interested in helping is welcome. Childcare is provided.
New Baby
Congratulations to Scott & Kate Bailey on the birth of their daughter, Eloise “Ellie” Joan Bailey born July 31, 2005 at Winn Army Community Hospital.
I will support First United Methodist Church by…
MY PRAYERS
Grace Stevens, Jim Blocker, Elizabeth Hutton, Ann Powers, Dorothy Stagmeier, Davis Darsey, Jean Jelks, Carolyn Strickland, Chris Varmecky, Liz Muncher, Ethelda Lee, Lynn Bean Lanier, Asa Bailey, Lynn Sikes. Our soldiers and their families. Harold Lynn, Jeff Smith, Ray Barrett, Evan McLain, Ike Sallee, Brian Layer, Bruce Gannaway, James Lockridge, Spence Burnett, John Folker, Jeff Starkey, Shane Baker, Tommy DeLoach, John Grady, Steve Lutsky, Bill Howard, Geoff DeTingo, Jason Matthews, James Lowe, Brian Butler, John DeStazio, Thomas Kupsh, Korey Kramer, Vanessa McCulley, Brian Hudson, Rodney Takahashi, Darryl Bell, Mario Crook, Sub Hall, Jim West, Robb Waters, Donald Smith, Richard Aaron, David Stroupe ,Matthew Wickham, Will Arnett, Justin Blackstone, Joseph Foust, Jerald Smith, Jake Rice, Steven Louviere, John Durst, Tom Mentes, Jon Sullivan, Aaron Duncan, Richard Macdougal, Timothy Plumb, Josh Lamere, Mike Musgrove, Brian Wilber, Patrick Kilby, Bob Warren, Charles Whitsel, Clifford L. McDaniel, Jr.
MY PRESENCE
Sunday School: ................................................................................184
Worship 8:30:..................................................................................150
..............11:00:..................................................................................185
Total Worship:.................................................................................335
MY GIFTS
Received Last Week:..............................................................10,096.00
Received to Date:.................................................................257,327.00
MY SERVICE
Ushers:.......................................................................Joey Brown, Capt.
....................Angel Cordero, Bucky Keel, John Rogers, Jack Shuman
.................................................................David Smiley, Lew Waldrop
Security Steward:.............................................................Lew Waldrop
Greeters: (Front)...............................................Bobby & Diana Ryon
..................(Back) .........................................................Shirley Giddens
Acolytes: ..........................Martin Causer & Mary Emmie McQuown
Crucifer: ...........................................................................Bree Garrido
Altar Steward: .......................................................................Sue Tolley
Sound Room: (8:30) .........................................................Brian Smith
.......................(11:00)...................................................... Bill Strickland
Children’s Church: .......................................Shay Smith & Pam Hall
Children’s Sermon: ..........................................................Alan Darsey
Lay Scripture Reader: ..............................................Martha Kitchings
