Faith United Methodist Church - Clover...

I love you, Lord

And I lift my voice To worship You

Oh, my soul rejoice! Take joy my King In what You hear

Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.

I think this little song captures the passion of Christian worship. Now, some of us may be quiet people, and we are not likely to show publicly the deep emotions that we feel, but still, aren’t there times for all of us that we feel exactly like this about worshiping Jesus? The book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, by Bishop Robert Schnase, urges us to be passionate about worship: To recognize that it means so much more than a certain number of people going through the motions of hymn singing, plate passing, scripture reading, and sermon hearing. To remember that it can convert and convict the wandering soul, comfort the weary and bereaved, inspire the servant, and create disciples ready for mission. To expect that the Living Lord will be revealed and encountered in worship. He writes that “Passionate worship means an extraordinary eagerness to offer the best in worship, honoring God with excellence and with an unusual clarity about the purpose of connecting people to God. Whether fifteen hundred people attend, or fifteen, Passionate Worship is alive, authentic, fresh, and engaging.” Our fall sermon series, beginning September 13th, will focus on the call to worship, the joy of worship, and the power of worship. Bishop Schnase’s book can be a resource to your personal or small group study—see Brenda if you would like a copy. As we prepare for our congregational life to expand and grow with the arrival of the Cumberland UMC congregation, let’s be excited about the most visible sign of our church vitality: our worship.

Larisa

Reflections—September 2015

Faith United

Methodist Church S E P T E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5 I S S U E 9

People are often un-

reasonable, irrational,

and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people

may accuse you of

selfish, ulterior motives.

Be Kind Anyway.

If you are successful,

you will win some

unfaithful friends and

some genuine enemies.

Succeed Anyway.

If you are honest and

sincere people may

deceive you.

Be honest & sincere

anyway.

What you spend years

creating, others could

destroy overnight.

Create Anyway.

If you find serenity and

happiness, some may be

jealous.

Be Happy Anyway.

Give the best you have,

and it will never be

enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is

between you and God.

It was never between

you and them anyway.

—Mother Teresa

MUSIC

Is

Life...

That’s

Why

Our

Hearts

Have

Beats.

Music Ministry

Faith Friend-ship

Circle

Thursday,

Sept. 17th

Fellowship Hall

10:30 a.m.

*** Bring a Dish to

Share

Hostess:

Anita Bane

Join us for

a great

time

CALLING ALL SINGERS!!

You are invited to attend the Christmas themed Choir Retreat on Saturday, August 29,

12:00-4:30 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall.

All those interested in joining the choir for the Christmas season should attend. We

look forward to praising with you! IF INTERESTED, CALL OR SEND E-MAIL TO

OUR DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISRIES, KIM ROYER: [email protected]

(678) 357-7893.

Important dates to remember:

SAT., OCT. 17 – 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.— Christmas Cantata Rehearsal

SAT., DEC. 19 – 2:00—5:00 p.m.—Dress Rehearsal For Cantata

SUN., DEC. 20 – 11:00 a.m.— 12:00 p.m. — Christmas Cantata

Faith UMC Challenge

A generous donor has come forward and has issued a challenge to our

FUMC Congregation to help eliminate our current income deficit!

If we as a Congregation raise $10,000 OVER AND ABOVE current

member tithing by October 18th, the donor will MATCH the funds

raised up to $10,000! The donor is very prayerful that giving be over and

above our regular giving.

To attempt to meet this goal, each household would need to contribute

50% more over the next 2 months. For example, if a household

contributes $100 per month, we would ask that household to contribute

$150 for the next 2 months.

Please pray and consider your contribution to this challenge. When you

send in your contributions, please mark your checks with the word

“CHALLENGE OFFERING” when making contributions online.

Let’s show the donor how much we love Faith UMC!

The first Sunday (Aug. 23rd) the Challenge was issued we received $1070.00. It’s a GREAT Start to a worthy Challenge!

Tuesday, September 1st

10:00am PALS Breakfast at Dolly’s

Sunday, September 6th 9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall

9:45am Pastor’s Prayer Time

9:45am Christian Education

10:00am Praise Team

11:00am Worship

NO KidSlam due to Holiday Weekend

Monday, September 7th

OFFICE CLOSED—Happy Labor Day! Wednesday, September 9th 6:30pm Chancel Choir

8:00pm Praise Team Thursday, September 10th

——- Pals Activity—TBD

7:00pm Prayer Team Friday, September 11th

6:00pm to 9:30pm Retreat (Lock-In) for kids Sunday, September 13th 8:00am Men’s Breakfast

9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall

9:45am Pastor Prayer Time


10:00am Praise Team

11:00am Worship

4:00pm KidsSlam Tuesday, September 15th 7:00pm Missions Meeting Wednesday, September 16th 6:30pm Chancel Choir

8:00pm Praise Team Thursday, September 17th

10:30am Faith Friendship Circle

7:00pm Prayer Team

Saturday, September 19th 8:00am Church Work Day

Sunday, September 21st 9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall



10:00am Praise Team

11:00am Worship (UMC Children’s Home)

NO KidSlam due to Cobb Cty. Fall Break

Monday, September 22nd Cobb County Fall Break

Wednesday, September 23rd

6:30pm Chancel Choir

8:00pm Praise Team

Thursday, September 24th

7:00pm Prayer Team

Saturday, September 26th 8:00am Church Work-Day Rain-Date

Sunday, September 27th

9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall


9:45am Christian Education-Combined Adult Class

10:00am Praise Team

11:00am Worship—Cumberland & Faith together

(Dr. Worrell Speaking)

4:00pm KidSlam Monday, September 28th 1:00pm to 5:00pm Wrapped in Love Sewing

Ministry Wednesday, September 30th Elizabeth Inn

6:30pm Chancel Choir

8:00pm Praise Team

September Calendar—2015

More Jesus

Less Drama

Less Selfishness

Less Complaining

Less Bitterness

Less Gossip

Less Pride

Less Anger

Less Me

Bits & Pieces of Faith News

Four New Studies for the Fall Building Marriages that Last: A study for couples

Sunday afternoons September 13—October 25 (6 weeks), 4-5 p.m.

Falling in love is easy, but staying in love takes courage, hard work, and lots of grace. In his compelling, conversational style, Adam Hamilton explores the ups, downs, and the how-to of marriage and how, with God’s help, we can make love last. Please sign up in the narthex or give the office a call, or sign up on our website www.smyrnafaith.umc.org This study will be facilitated by Pastor Jenny (Anderson) & Pastor Larisa Parker. Study books cover six weeks and are $12 each. Childcare and children’s program available. Email Brenda for registration or questions at [email protected] Unveiling Mary Magdalene: A Study for Women

Tuesday mornings September 8 - December 7 (no class the 1st Tuesday of the month) 10—11 a.m. This is our Ladies’ Bible Study that will discover the Truth about a Not-So-Bad Girl of the Bible. Facilitated by Brenda Cook and Nancy O’Leary. Book covers 14 chapters and are $11 each. Childcare is not available. Email Brenda for regis-

tration or questions at [email protected]. Deep Blue: New Children’s Sunday School Class—Children ages 3rd grade — 5th grade

Each Sunday morning Beginning August 30, 9:45 a.m.

Deep Blue is the new children’s curriculum from Cokesbury. This new class includes: Bible study, games, art, science, worship, and prayer. Jyoti Daniel will lead this class with assists from Susannah Parker. This group will also have several opportunities to participate in our worship services throughout the year. Email Jyoti at [email protected]

Faith Work Day—Saturday, September 19th at 8:00 a.m. The rain date will be Saturday, September 26th at 8:00 a.m. You don’t want to miss this! It is NOT beneath Pastor Larisa’s thinking to bribe you with Chick-fil-a biscuits and coffee! So come be a part of the clean-up team and help make our church SHINE with Jesus!

There will be a book signing on October 11th, (Sunday) from 12:15pm until 3:00pm. Lisa Harris, our Office Administrator has written a book called “Blackberry Mornings.” It is a collection of her short inspirational stories that have been published in the Georgia Mountain Laurel Magazine. She has written for the magazine since 2010. Please feel free to stop in and buy a copy for your enjoyment. Lisa would love to see you!

Faith Cares! A new Congregational Care ministry has been created, to better support all our members. We will visit and support newcomers, homebound, and people going through temporary challenges. Every person at Faith UMC is important in the family of God! Thanks to Bob Jackson, Connie Statham, and Nancy O’Leary for pioneering in this new ministry.

The Disciple Class—New Adult Sunday School Class

Sunday mornings, 9:45 a.m.—10:40 a.m. Facilitated by Sandy Jacob ([email protected]. The small group will be studying the Old Testament for a

few weeks. Topics will include:

Genesis 3-5 Spiritual Struggle of Life

Genesis 12 Abraham Bible Study

Ester 3-7 Ester Bible Study

Proverbs What Makes a Good Friend?

Proverbs Characteristics of a Good Leader

Proverbs 31 The Proverbs 31 Woman

Hosea 14 What is Repentance? - Returning to God.

Children’s Ministry

PALS Breakfast is Tuesday, Sept. 1st at 10:00 a.m. at

Dolly’s restaurant on Austell Road.

PALS monthly activity is Thursday, Sept. 10th. The

destination will be announced at a later date.

PALS Ministry (Our Senior Group)

We have had an AMAZING start to our school year. The PMO and preschool teachers are so appreciative of how you have generously shared your space to make room for this ministry. We have just a few more spots to fill in our baby room so please spread the word. Please also pray that our students will learn about God's love and that their parents will join us for worship.—Sarah Lyons

What is the AMAZING GRACE Campaign? The United Methodist Children’s Home Amazing Grace campaign calls on Christian people to help us realize the day when all children live in a loving, compassionate, and nurturing home. This campaign enables us to recruit and train new foster parents; to feed, clothe, house, and

educate the children and teens entrusted to our care; and to provide transitional housing and support for homeless families. Our special offering, which is taken once a year, provides a significant portion of the Children’s Home operating income. The Children’s Home is NOT in the North Georgia Conference budget, and does not receive any of the apportionment. Your support is critical to our efforts to help children and families in need.

Offering will be taken up on Sunday, September 20th during worship.

Children are

not a

distraction

from more

important

work.

They are

the most

important

work.

—C.S. Lewis

KidSLAM is hosting an "Un" Lock-In

for kids elementary and older on Friday,

September 11th from 6-9:30pm.

We will have dinner, go on a scavenger

hunt, play some games, and create our own

tie-dye. Cost is $5/child and don't forget to

bring a plain white t-shirt to dye. RSVP to

Sarah by 9/9 if you would like to

attend. We also need 5 brave adult

volunteers to help.

[email protected]

or 678-778-3970

Faith’s College Students—Here are their addresses if you’d like to drop a word of encouragement to them.

James Parker

Boggs Hall 0419A 900 S. Lumpkin Street

Athens, GA 30605 Gabi Gaines

Myers Hall 221B 1055 S. Lumpkin Street

Athens, GA 30605

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not de-

part from it (Proverbs 22:6). Two great ways to change a child’s life: Read to

students at King Springs Elementary, or mentor a Cobb student through Cobb Mentoring Matters. Look for more

information on handouts in the narthex, or speak to Brenda or Pastor Larisa.

mailto:[email protected]

Church

Isn’t a

MUSEUM

For

Good

People

It’s a

HOSPITAL

For

the

BROKEN

New Church News Big construction often begins with infrastructure. You’ll notice around town

that ground is cleared and leveled, pipes are laid, wires are made ready for

cable and power, permits are posted, and the foundation is poured—all long

before the walls go up. And so it is with our church merger plans. Faith and

Cumberland have shared in fellowship and service, and our leaders have met

together to learn about local demographic trends. Our Transition Nominations

Committee met on August 24 to nominate over a dozen church leaders from

both congregations, and they will be named at Charge Conference on October

11 (5:30 pm, Faith UMC sanctuary). The developer of the Cumberland

property finally submitted the zoning application in August, but it could be a

few months (and possible delays) before zoning is approved. Nevertheless we

can continue with our plans.

The next actions include:

A “dry-run” of our two congregations worshiping together on a special

morning, September 27, with guest preacher Dr. Winston Worrell, of the World

Methodist Evangelism Institute.

Promotional mail-outs to keep people informed and to invite newcomers.

A new website for the new church.

Plans for Cumberland’s transition away from their property, and for welcoming

the congregation to worship in November.

Please pray for all the church leaders and staff—there’s a lot to figure out!

Please pray for each other—it will be exciting to have 40 or so new people

here, and it will be an adjustment for everyone.

Hardships

often

prepare

ordinary

people for an

extraordinary

destiny…

—C.S. Lewis

September ♥ Birthdays

Helena Gaines 9/6

Angela Mason 9/6

Liz Hyde 9/6

Jeff Montgomery 9/12

Patti Anderson 9/15

Jerry Ziegler 9/16

Allan Brown 9/18

Thatcher LeCroy 9/19

Caitlin McGill 9/19

Dana Parker 9/21

Gillian Montgomery 9/22

Kitty Bruton 9/24

Leslie Parker 9/26

Gloria Hall 9/27

Larisa Parker 9/27

Allan Bane 9/29

Birthdays, Anniversaries, & Ushers for September

♥ September Anniversaries ♥

Neal & Nancy O’Leary—9/1

Sue & Frank Nottingham—9/9

Justin & Amy Hawkins—9/10

Buddy & Gloria Hall—9/11

Shane & Kathy McGill—9/13

Jim & Patsy Skinner—9/28

September Ushers

Allan Bane *

Lou Wendel

Rachel Wendel

Buddy York

“The two most

important days

in your life

are the day

you are

born,

and the day

you find out

why.”

—Mark Twain

Welcome, Rev. Dr. Winston Worrell

World Methodist Evangelism Institute

Sunday, September 27th

www.wmei.ws

The World Methodist Evangelism Institute (WMEI) is a joint ministry of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and the World Methodist Council. Since its founding in 1982, the WMEI has sponsored 59 major seminars in more than 121 countries around the world. More than 6,000 lay persons, seminary students, and clergy have been trained or participated in one or more of the worship experiences led by the WMEI faculty and staff. Working alongside regional leaders, the WMEI seeks to develop clergy and lay leaders in the worldwide Methodist/Wesleyan movements who will fulfill this vision by:

Training and resourcing leaders in evangelism

Connecting and mobilizing leaders in evangelism

Providing cross-cultural experiences in world evangelism In addition to sponsoring international and regional seminars, the WMEI is committed to providing training opportunities within local churches, districts, conferences. Helping individuals and churches become more missional for Christ is central to the heart and witness of the Institute. In August, 2015, the Faith UMC mission committee contributed $420 from designated missions funds to purchase a case of Bibles and some specialy made Bible covers for the Kenya WMEI evangelism seminar. Photos of the Bibles and the Kenya event are on the website. We’ve already made a difference for Kenya! On You-Tube there is a sermon Dr. Worrell preached at Hamilton Mill UMC. Check it out!

http://www.wmei.ws

Rev. Larisa Parker, Pastor

Email: [email protected]

Office: 770-435-9722 Emergency # 770-405-1678

4336 King Springs Road, Smyrna, GA 30082

website: www.smyrnafaithumc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FaithUMCGA

Ministers—Entire Congregation

Church Administrator/Education—Brenda Cook


Director of Music Ministries—Kim Royer

Pianist: Karolyn Irwin

Office Administrator—Lisa Harris


Trustees Email: [email protected]

Faith United Methodist Church

Your Staff

We’ re on

the Web!

www.smyrnafaithumc.org

Automatic bank draft is a great way to keep your

financial commitment to the church! Brenda Cook

in the church office can help you set it up,

[email protected] OR you can set it up

through the church website.

Questions or comments--contact Harvey Hightow-

er, Finance Chair, [email protected].

Make a final gift of blessing—remember our

church or other UMC ministries in your estate

planning.



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