Dear Friends,
The event was the 2005 Awards Gala for the YMCA Pathways to Success of the Teen Achievers. The Teen Achievers program started in Harlem in 1971. Over the years it has expanded to reach various age levels to prompt students to move toward excellence. The organizers of the event had invited me to come to offer the benediction for the evening. Being scheduled for the closing of the event provided me with the opportunity to be present for the entire evening.
The students in the 2005 Teen Achievers program had participated in a series of Career Clusters. These events are led by professionals in our community who offer up to six hours of their time to explain their job to the students. Among the career tracks introduced to this year’s class of Teen Achievers were physician’s assistant, childcare worker, operations manager, and realtor. The students were invited to share in some hands on experiences at the workplace of each business.
In addition, the seven 2005 Teen Achievers were taken on field trips to colleges and career fairs. The class met every other week to be introduced to the expectations of the professional world and training in life skills. A goal of program is for the students to find employment and to get into college.
The speaker at the banquet was Dr. Joseph H. Silver, Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Political Science at Savannah State University. Dr. Silver gave a stirring challenge to the Teen Achievers to reach for excellence and to achieve their dreams.
One of the stories he shared from his life moved me deeply. He talked about coming from a family of seven children. During his younger years, resources were limited and the family went without many things. Even with limited means, Dr. Silver said that his father prioritized learning and reading. When the family was struggling and adequate funds were unavailable to purchase shoes for the children, Dr. Silver’s father was saving funds to provide books for his children. In a poor family, there was a set of encyclopedias as well as a set of the Great Books of the Western World. Here is an on-line review of that set of texts:
The Great Books of the Western World has been acclaimed as the greatest publishing venture of the 20th Century. The set now consists of 60 volumes, with 517 works by 130 authors spanning 30 centuries, on a total of 37,000 pages containing 29 million words. Among the Great Books` 130 authors, 47 are writers of imaginative literature; 29 are masters of mathematics and/or the natural sciences; 28 are historians or social scientists, and 28 or more are philosophers and/or theologians.
A portion of the evening with the Teen Achievers was an opportunity for the students to affirm the professionals who had mentored them this year. Each student stood and spoke with pride about the woman or man who had given time and effort to nurture them.
Throughout this event I thought about the church. Though the Teen Achievers Banquet was an inspiring event, it prompted me to reflect on what we are doing as Christians at First United Methodist Church to inspire the hearts of our young people to carry on the faith into the coming generations.
A healthy, active youth ministry functions in our congregation. Alan Darsey is serving our young people with a deep commitment to assist them in establishing a relationship with the Lord. But the question remained for me --- what are the rest of us doing to assist that ministry? What young man or woman have we drawn close to our lives so they can see how a Christian loves, serves, or leads in the church? What have you and I done lately to invest in the lives of young Christians? When have we made a special effort to share the message of the greatest book of all, the Bible, with the coming generation?
Those are penetrating questions. It was unsettling as I sat at a banquet to watch young people give honor and affirmation to the adults who had mentored them. Those questions moved me when I met each of the young men and women who had been inspired to reach for excellence through their involvement in Teen Achievers. The event turned my heart to the young men and women in our church family.
Each Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11:00 there are services of worship at First United Methodist Church. There are Christian education opportunities available for all ages during our Sunday School hour, which begins at 9:45. Come and join with us as we learn that faith that we have been called to share. See you in church!
Blessings!
ARM
Rev Alan R Miller +
Something to Think About…
Just the other day I was talking on the phone with my 88 year old grandmother whose mind has been very confused lately. After the litany of questions and answers that we go through each time we talk she said to me, “I was going to call you but I didn’t know where to call you.” I said, “Well, Grandmother, I’m at home.” “But where is home,” she asked? “Grandmother, you know I live in Hinesville, Georgia.” She replied, “Oh, well I thought maybe you had moved since I talked to you last. And besides, I don’t have your phone number.” “Grandmother,” I said, “my phone number is the same that it has been.” Her reply was that she did not have it. I reminded her that it was in the front of her telephone book. To which she replied, “Well let me go check.”
She laid the phone down to go check her phonebook. I waited and waited and waited and then I heard the television come on!! I realized that she had gone across the room, sat down and turned on the television to watch “Wheel of Fortune!” I yelled into the receiver “Grandmother,” “GRANDMOTHER,” “GRRRAAANNDDMOTHER!” Of course, she could not hear me so I just hung up.
I had to laugh when I hung up the phone. Then I was reminded of the story of Jesus walking on the water. When Peter saw this he said, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come,” so Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; BUT when he saw the wind he was afraid and beginning to sink he cried out. “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt.” Matthew 14:28-31 Peter was fine as long as he was focused but how easily we loose our focus. Just as my grandmother became distracted, so do we in things of life and Spirit. What kinds of things distract you from being the person God wants you to be? Stay focused on Jesus and you too can walk on water (or maybe even remember where your granddaughter’s telephone number is!!)
Trying to focus,
Anita
Let’s go for a walk!
In Matthew 14 we find the account of Peter walking on the water to meet his Lord. Did he sink? Yes. Did he fail? Absolutely not! Although Peter sank beneath the waves, he knew the joy that the other eleven did not. The joy of walking with Jesus and the comfort and faith that come only with the experience of having Him pick you up when it seems all else is lost.
Water walkers know how to face their fears and choose not to let fear have the last word. Water walkers continue to discover and embrace the unique calling of God on their life. Water walkers experience the power of God doing something you would never be able to do on your own. Want to be a water walker or a boat potato?
Beginning August 28th a new class will study If You Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg. The study is grounded in scripture, so bring your Bibles and learn what it means to have the kind of faith that Peter had.
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.
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. Directions to the Corwin’s home at 610 Cinder Hill Lane: Turn on Sandy Run Drive off of Hwy 84 by Enmark go straight until you get to Grey Fox Road and turn right. Take the first left which will be Cinder Hill Lane. Their house will be on the left almost at the end of the road.
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.
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.
Children’s Church
Children’s Church began last Sunday during our 11:00 Worship Service. Each Sunday 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.
Saturday, August 20
If you are able to do so, please come and help out on Saturday from 8:00 until noon as our United Methodist Men offer assistance to one of our military spouses who is moving from Hinesville to a home on Fort Stewart. If you need more information, please contact the church office for details. Thank you for serving our church family!
In Sympathy
Christian love and sympathy to the following who have lost loves ones recently:
|
*
|
Diane Anderson in the loss of her mother Frances Waters of Blackshear, Georgia
|
|
*
|
Guy Browning in the loss of his mother, Jean Browning Jelks. Funeral services were held last week in our sanctuary.
|
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:...................................................................................180
Worship 8:30:.....................................................................................142
..............11:00: ....................................................................................170
Total Worship:....................................................................................312
MY GIFTS
Received Last Week:...................................................................10,096.00
Received to Date:.....................................................................267,423.00
Memorials:..........................................................................................60.00
Designated:...................................................................................... 181.40
MY SERVICE
Ushers:.......................................................................... Jeff Arnold, Capt.
...............Allen Brown, Danny Norman, Tom Ratcliffe, Craig Stafford
...............................Hal Stafford, Durand Standard, George Stagmeier
Security Steward:...................................................................Hal Stafford
Greeters: (Front)......................................................Pete & Ginger Clark
..................(Back)....................................................................Laura Smiley
Acolytes:.....................................................Kailyn Long & Jacob Mackrill
Crucifer:................................................................................. Taylor Reese
Altar Steward:...........................................................Vanessa Richardson
Sound Room:...... (8:30)....................................................... John Rowan ..............................(11:00).......................................................Shawn Diggs
Children’s Church:.............................................Shay Smith & Pam Hall
Children’s Sermon:.............................................................. Joey Brown Lay Scripture Reader: ...........................................................Shay Smith
