Volume 24.9—September 2020 1

BFUMC Staff Rev. Melissa Traver Senior Pastor pastor@bainbridgefumc.org Yuliia Billa Director of Music Ministries billayuliia@gmail.com Ida Cooksey Children’s Director ida.cooksey@yahoo.com Ruth Masciarelli Church Secretary secretary@bainbridgefumc.org Mary Nell Lovering Financial Secretary finance@bainbridgefumc.org Deborah Jones Custodian

Physical Address:

300 W. Shotwell St.,

Bainbridge, GA 39819

Mailing Address:

P. O. Box 541

Bainbridge, GA 39818

Telephone: (229) 246-1864,

Fax: (229) 246-3800

Online Sources:

www.bainbridgefirstumc.org

www.youtube.com/c/

bainbridgefirstunited

methodistchurch

EXTENDING THE TABLE

Last fall, we studied This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of

Holy Communion together on Wednesday evenings. In that study we learned

that there are three components necessary in order for the sacrament to be

observed: 1. The gathered community of the faithful 2. The words spoken in

the liturgy by the clergy and the people and 3. The bread and the wine. If any

element is missing you are simply having a snack, not participating in the Holy

Mystery that is God’s gift to us in the sacrament. While modern technology is

great for so many things, to truly honor our theological understandings of Holy

Communion, we would need something like the transporter machine on Star

Trek to offer Holy Communion remotely through a medium like Zoom.

However, the church has always understood that participation in the sacrament

is an important part of the spiritual life of those who cannot gather with the

community of faith. These people may be infirm, live in a nursing home or be

unable to come for other reasons. These people are not to be forgotten or

excluded from the Table. Therefore, we have the practice of “extending the

table.” Extending the table means that the bread and wine used in the

celebration of Holy Communion in the gathered community are immediately

brought to the person who could not gather by members who participated in

the sacrament. This practice “extends” the service of worship and the

sacrament to include members of the community who were prevented from

being present.

The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday. To celebrate, we

want everyone who desires to participate in the sacrament to be able to do so.

If you are still participating in online worship but would like Holy Communion

brought to your home on the afternoon of October 4, please call the church

office to let us know. We also need a team of volunteers to come and partake

in Holy Communion and then deliver it to others’ homes. Carrying the

sacrament to others is a holy privilege. In Romans 10: 15. Paul says, “How

beautiful are the feet of the one who brings good news!” I hope you will

consider serving your fellow members in this way. We always strive to be the

hands and feet of Christ. This October, we have a chance to carry Christ in our

hands as we serve one another.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Melissa

Volume 24.9—September 2020 2

Calendar Christian Fellowship Dinners

Services of Worship

8:00 am—On line Worship available at https://www.youtube.com/c/bainbridgefirstunitedmethodistchurch

11:00 am—In person Worship, Sanctuary

beginning September 13

(please make reservations

by noon on Thursday)

NOTE: Calendar Schedule may be affected by unexpected changes

WEEKLY SCHEDULE—September 1

1 TUESDAY - 9:00 am Food Bank, assb 6:00-7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack #519 (K-2), sh 2 WEDNESDAY - 4:00-5:30 pm Rotating Children’s Choir Rehearsal, sb 6:00-6:45 pm Middle School Bible Study, zoom 7:00 pm Bible Study, zoom 3 THURSDAY - 6:00-7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack #519 (3-5), sh

WEEKLY SCHEDULE—September 6

6 SUNDAY - 8:00 am Sunday Morning Worship, youtube 9:00 am Adult Sunday School, zoom 11:30 am Communion Service #1 12:00 pm Choir Rehearsal/Recording, san 2:00 pm Handbell Choir Rehearsal, cr 4:30 pm Youth Choir Rehearsal, cr 7 MONDAY - LABOR DAY, Church Office Closed 8 TUESDAY - 9:00 am Food Bank, assb 6:00 pm Church Council Meeting, zoom 6:00-7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack #519 (K-2), sh 9 WEDNESDAY - 9:00-12:00 pm MMO-TLC, sb 4:00-5:30 pm Rotating Children’s Choir Rehearsal, sb 6:00-6:45 pm Middle School Bible Study, zoom 7:00 pm Bible Study, zoom 10 THURSDAY - 5:00 pm Bainbridge Service Club, jos 6:00-7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack #519 (3-5), sh

WEEKLY SCHEDULE—September 13

13 SUNDAY - 8:00 am On-line Worship, youtube 9:00 am Adult Sunday School, zoom 10:00 am Sunday School Classes resume, assb, sb, jos 10:00 am Choir Rehearsal, cr 11:00 am Sunday Morning Worship, san 12:00 pm Choir Recording, san 3:00 pm Handbell Choir Rehearsal, cr 4:30 pm Youth Choir Rehearsal, cr 14 MONDAY - 9:00-12:00 pm MMO-TLC, sb 15 TUESDAY - 9:00 am Food Bank, assb 6:00-7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack #519 (K-2), sh 16 WEDNESDAY - 9:00-12:00 pm MMO-TLC, sb 4:00-5:30 pm Rotating Children’s Choir Rehearsal, sb 6:00-6:45 pm Middle School Bible Study, zoom 7:00 pm Bible Study, zoom 17 THURSDAY - 6:00-7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack #519 (3-5), sh

WEEKLY SCHEDULE—September 20

20 SUNDAY - 8:00 am On-line Worship, youtube 9:00 am Adult Sunday School, zoom 10:00 am Regular Sunday School Classes, assb, sb, jos 10:00 am Choir Rehearsal, cr 11:00 am Sunday Morning Worship, san 12:00 pm Choir Recording, san 3:00 pm Handbell Choir Rehearsal, cr 3:00 pm Cluster Charge Conference, virtual technology 4:30 pm Youth Choir Rehearsal, cr 4:30 pm Children’s Fellowship, sb 21 MONDAY - 9:00-12:00 pm MMO-TLC, sb 22 TUESDAY - 9:00 am Food Bank, assb

Are currently suspended and expected to return hopefully in October.

Scripture

September 6

John 15:1-17

September 13

Matthew 25:31-40

September 20

Acts 20:7-12

September 27

Matthew 25:36-46

Pastor

Rev. Melissa Traver

Locations Key: SAN=Sanctuary, SB=Sharp Building, JOS=J O Smith Building, ASSB=Adult S. S. Building, CR=Choir Room, SH=Scout Hut

Volume 24.9—September 2020 3

BFUMC News & Announcements

Attendance

WORSHIP in the Sanctuary

AUGUST 2—29

WORSHIP

on YouTube views at the end of the month

Aug 2—48 (38 unique) Aug 9—186 (119 unique) Aug 16—146 (95 unique) Aug 23—129 (81 unique) Aug 30—135 (80 unique)

UPPER ROOM/DAILY BREAD The Upper Room and Daily Bread devotionals for September are in. If you would like one mailed to you, let the Church Office know. They are available in both regular and large print.

ZOOM BY PHONE

Some of you may have difficulty with the zoom application or may have spotty internet which makes it difficult. You can join in all Church activities that use Zoom from your phone. You will hear everything that anyone says and you can contribute. This works from any phone – a house phone or a cellphone. Simply dial the phone number 646-876-9923 then you will be prompted to enter the meeting ID 229 246 1864 and the password 39819. Simply press # when asked for your personal ID. This is all you have to do.

VIRTUAL ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

A new virtual adult Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 6 at 9:00 am. David Dobbs has agreed to be the first teacher of this class. EVERYONE is invited and you can participate on your smart phone, tablet, computer or even your home phone. We will use our standard zoom access. Contact the Church Office if you need assistance. We may branch out into individual classes in the future, but for now, this class is for all who would like to return to Sunday School. David’s lesson topic will be announced soon. If you are a Sunday School teacher and willing to take a turn leading this combined class, please let Pastor Melissa know.

6:00-7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack #519 (K-2), sh 23 WEDNESDAY - 9:00-12:00 pm MMO-TLC, sb 4:00-5:30 pm Rotating Children’s Choir Rehearsal, sb 6:00-6:45 pm Middle School Bible Study, zoom 7:00 pm Bible Study, zoom 24 THURSDAY - 6:00-7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack #519 (3-5), sh

WEEKLY SCHEDULE—September 27

27 SUNDAY - 8:00 am On-line Worship, youtube 9:00 am Adult Sunday School, zoom 11:00 am Sunday Morning Worship, san 12:00 pm Choir Recording, san 3:00 pm Handbell Choir Rehearsal, cr 4:30 pm Youth Choir Rehearsal, cr 4:30 pm Children’s Fellowship, sb 28 MONDAY - 9:00-12:00 pm MMO-TLC, sb 29 TUESDAY - 9:00 am Food Bank, assb 6:00-7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack #519 (K-2), sh 30 WEDNESDAY - 9:00-12:00 pm MMO-TLC, sb 4:00-5:30 pm Rotating Children’s Choir Rehearsal, sb 6:00-6:45 pm Middle School Bible Study, zoom 7:00 pm Bible Study, zoom

September Calendar continued

Volume 24.9—September 2020 4

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING Church Council will meet on Tuesday, September 8 to review materials for our Charge Conference on September 20. Charge Conference is that time that we “order the life of the church” and is held annually for every local church. Charge conference has changed over the last several years and is now generally held together with other local churches. However, the decisions made are for each individual church. The primary items that are voted on each year are the approval of the church leaders for the following year, the approval of certified lay speakers of which Bainbridge FUMC is blessed to have two, the approval of the pastor’s compensation package, the removal of names of past members of the congregation who are no longer active in the congregation. In order to allow church members to consider and understand all of these items, they are presented to the church council for approval. Church Council will meet on Tuesday, September 8 at 6 pm on Zoom. Simply follow the Zoom instructions you have been given.

CLUSTER CHARGE CONFERENCE

The Charge Conference for our cluster will be conducted VIRTUALLY on September 20 at 3:00 p.m. We are to have at least one lay person represent our charge and vote on the items for approval. More are allowed to attend if you are interested. Anyone attending will need to have a copy of the charge conference report to refer to during the meeting. For any further questions, please call the church Office.

MMO-TLC UPDATE

Mother's Morning Out and The Learning Corner at FUMC will begin on Wednesday, September 9. We have made some changes to the program this year. We will be serving families on Monday and Wednesday mornings only at this time and are closely following CDC protocols in order to keep all children and staff safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some minor, temporary inconveniences, we are excited and ready to give our toddlers and preschoolers a fun and enriched social and spiritual learning experience. We would like to thank anyone who is able to make a monetary donation to help sustain our ministry, your support is greatly appreciated. We are also in need of substitute teachers. If you love to work with children and are interested in being a sub at MMO/TLC please contact program director, Cindee Madding at (229)246-1864.

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

Nicole Dempsey is holding a S.A.V.E. Training on Wednesday, September 23 from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. The training will give you a general understanding of the scope of suicide in the US, how to identify if someone may be at risk for suicide and what to do when you identify someone at risk. To register for the event, email Ms. Dempsey at nicole.dempsey@va.gov. You will then receive an email with log in information for the ZOOM meeting.

COMMUNION ALTAR FUND

The Altar Fund which is used to help those who come to the Church Office asking for assistance has not received any infusion of funds since March, as such, we are becoming very limited in what we can do to assist others. If you are able to support this fund, please send payment with Altar Fund noted in the memo/description. Payment may be made on-line, by mail, or dropped off at the Church Office.

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

A page highlighting our Stained Glass Windows and excerpts from the sermons of Dr. W. Aubry Alsobrook has been added to our website. You can find it under the "About Us" tab. Scroll down to the "History" tab and a pop up window will appear beside it, click on it to get to the "The Windows of BFUMC" page.

Volume 24.9—September 2020 5

Conference News & Announcements

RESPONDING TO HURRICANE LAURA

Hurricane Laura made landfall near Cameron, La., about 35 miles east of the Texas border, early Thursday as a Category 4 storm, one of the most powerful to strike the Gulf Coast in decades. When a part of our connection is impacted, we are impacted. Our connectional system is at its best when we come together to help those in need. Please continue to be in prayer for all those in the path of Hurricane Laura. We will continue to keep you informed as we are made aware of needs. Below are four things we can all do now to help those impacted by this storm: 1. Pray. Please continue to pray for those whose lives have been affected by Hurricane Laura. Please also pray

for the First Responders through the search and rescue phase of this response, Early Response Teams, disaster coordinators, and the many volunteers in the Texas and Louisiana Conferences of The United Methodist Church who are working tirelessly to provide relief and assess immediate needs.

2. Give. Give to relief and recovery efforts.

Give through your local church to SGA Conference Advance #6798: Disaster Response - Outside SGA

Mail a check to the Administrative Services Office made out to the South Georgia Conference and earmarked Conference Advance #6798 - Hurricane Laura Relief (address: PO Box 7727, Macon, GA 31209).

3. Wait. Please do not deploy until our Conference Disaster Response team receives a call for volunteers. Our

Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Luis Morales, will provide information for the District Disaster Response Coordinators and the ERT teams to deploy as soon as it is secure, safe, and sanitary and the Texas Conference and/or Louisiana Conference have issued an invitation for teams.

Also, please do not begin collecting or sending goods and supplies until we have clear direction for what is needed to best assist the areas. UMCOR is already at work and has already staged thousands of flood buckets in the area. While we all want to be helpful during this time, we also don’t want to contribute to the “second disaster.” In the months and weeks to come, there may be a need to help replenish Sager Brown’s supply. We will communicate if there is a time to produce those buckets. While we all want to be helpful during this time, we also do not want to contribute to the “second disaster” in which well intended donations are not an actual need (or there are no current avenues for distribution) allowing items to collect and do harm by becoming a burden to responders.

4. Connect. Stay connected to the conferences that have been impacted through their websites and Facebook

pages for updated, timely information:

Questions If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We will continue to keep you updated through our website and Facebook page as assessments are made and invitations are given for outside ERT teams to go into these areas if needed. Praying for all those affected and displaced from this storm.

Texas Annual Conference: Website: https://www.txcumc.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/txumc

Louisiana Annual Conference: Website: https://www.la-umc.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louisianaconference

Allison Lindsey Director, Office of Connectional Ministries allison@sgaumc.com

Luis Morales South Georgia Conference Disaster Coordinator morhilll@gmail.com

Volume 24.9—September 2020 6

Children’s Chat

We will begin meeting in person for Children's Fellowship on September 20! For the month of September we will meet on Sunday’s from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Beginning in October, we will be back to our usual schedule of 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. We will be learning about the Armor of God. The Lord gives us armor to guard against sin and the troubles that we have to face through out our lives. Come learn how to put on the full Armor of God!

Youth News

ZOOM BIBLE STUDY Middle school youth will continue to meet on Zoom at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. If you would like to join the MS Remind group, send the text @bfumcm to 81010. This will keep you up to date on latest happenings. MIDDLE SCHOOL BLESSING BAG PROJECT Our “Blessing Bag” project is still ongoing. Middle school youth are putting together bags for those in need including soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste and other essential items. YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Youth Fellowship on Sunday evenings will restart in October. In the meantime, come for Youth Choir at 4:30 p.m. each Sunday.

Music Notes

MUSIC NEWS FROM MUSIC DIRECTOR!

The Last week of August was very exciting! We were able to again have rehearsals for some of our music groups. We had rehearsals of Hand Bells, Youth Bells, and short practice sessions with the children. It was good to see each other, and to enjoy making music with each other after such a long break. It was a wonderful pleasure to again be together making music for worship

We are still waiting for many people who will join us. Registration for children's rehearsals is still open. Please ask me about the time of rehearsal for your child. The Drum Group still has a few spots open.

Chancel Choir (Ensemble) - Sundays at either 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m.

Children’s Choir - Wednesdays individually between 4:00 p.m.—5:30 p.m.

Youth Choir (Bells, Drums, Orff) - Sundays at 4:30 p.m.

Handbell Choir - Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

This is the current plan for our fall semester. Some changes may happen and we will adapt accordingly. Be aware, many decisions depend on what is happening around us.

Autumn Adventures

Experience the Magic: Cumberland Island National Seashore and Okefenokee

Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

An Event for Older Adults

October 12-15, 2020

Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, Georgia

Volume 24.9—September 2020 7

Members to Visit, Call or Send a Card

Marcia Barber 1633 Wesleyan Drive, Unit 122, Macon, GA 31210 Oscar & Bobbie Dewberry 909 Elizabeth Place, Bainbridge, GA 39819 229-246-1890 Steele Malone 1808 Woodridge Drive, Bainbridge, GA 39819 229-246-1381 William & Peggy Wildhagen 1104 Douglas Court, Bainbridge, GA 39819 229-248-0817 Billie Maestas c/o Wayne & Sandra Haines, P.O. Box 815, Bainbridge, GA 39818 Ruth Sansom c/o Anne Sansom, 161 Redwood Drive, Banbirdge, GA 39819 Anne Fowler Wildwood, 3333 E. 28 Street, Tulsa, OK 74114-5915 918-935-9352 Betty Jo Fulmer Riverside Place, Room #152, 1151 W. College Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819 Nita Holt Riverside Place, #146, 1151 W. College Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819 246-4334 Helen Tillman Riverside Place, Room #113, 1151 W. College Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819 Hazel Westbrooks Riverside Place, Room #135, 1151 W. College Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819 Cadet Nathaniel Lambert P.O. Box 2533, West Point, NY 10997-2533

GENERAL FUND In Memory of: By: Bob Alford Adam B. Brooks Patricia “Pat” Morgan Mary T. Burch Tommy Smith Sally Bates Pat Smith Mr. & Mrs. B Thomas Conger Pat Smith Bobby P. Smith Pat Smith Fields & Kathy Varner Pat Smith Merita M. Smith Pat Smith Gregory & Joyce Murray In Honor of: By: Carol H. Cochran Laurie, Stephen, Sydney, Mallie, Julia, & Will McRae

ALTAR FUND In Memory of: By: Curtis Duaine Hatcher Sally Bates John Bridges, Sr. Don & Mary Robinson

MUSIC FUND In Memory of: By: Margaret Farnell Victoria Campbell Anita Kendrick Montine O’Quinn Melissa Strickland Mary T. Burch Melissa Strickland Charles W. Griffin In Honor of: By: Don & Mary Robinson Montine O’Quinn

CUB SCOUT PACKS ARE GATHERING!

If you are already a registered Scout:

- K-2nd grade are meeting on Tuesdays, from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. - 3rd-5th grade are meeting on Thursdays, from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Contact Margueritte Jackson if you are interested. If you do not have MJ's contact info, call the Church Office to get it.

Boy Scouts—Cub Scouts

Memorials

Volume 24.9—September 2020 8

BUILDING FUND In Memory of: By: Janet Harrell Ted & Carolyn Mauldin John Bridges, Sr. Ted & Carolyn Mauldin John Bridges, Sr. Johnny & Penny Reynolds Pat Smith Jim & Patrice Rentz

PARSONAGE FUND In Memory of: By: Ben Grimes Edward & Claudia DeMartini Melissa Strickland Butch & Beth Yarbrough Pat Smith Butch & Beth Yarbrough

FOOD BANK In Memory of: By: Libby Black Willis Jack & Roslyn Palmer John McKenzie Mary T. Burch In Honor of: By: Meredyth Earnest Patricia Knie Susan Whittle Decatur Co Gilbert H. Gragg Library Staff

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY In Memory of: By: Heidi H. Hall Jackie & Terri Fleetwood In Honor of: By: Wendell Hall Jim & Patrice Rentz Jamie Wade Jim & Patrice Rentz

SANCTUARY ROOF FUND In Memory of: By: Tommy Smith Jack & Joyce Leverett

CLOUD KIRBO FUND In Memory of: By: Melissa Strickland Martha M. Taylor Melissa Strickland Jack & Joyce Leverett Melissa Strickland Sally Bates

Memorials continued