SUNDAY WORSHIP

SCHEDULE

Celebration

Praise Worship

8:30 a.m.

Traditional Worship

11:00 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

9:45 a.m.—10:45 a.m.

For All Ages

WEDNESDAY

The Connection

Dinner

5:45

Small Groups

6:30

FRIDAY

Celebrate Recovery

Community Meal

5:45 p.m.

Worship Service

6:30 p.m.

JANUARY 2015

Upcoming Sermon Series Why?

Wrestling with God Tragedy strikes nearly

every day. A young woman

is murdered. A man is

maimed by an accident. An

earthquake kills thousands.

A friend is diagnosed with

cancer. Overwhelmed by

all this pain, suffering and

death, hurting people turn

to God and demand an-

swers. “Why!? If God is so

all-powerful and loving, why do such terrible things happen?” If you’ve ever

struggled with such questions—and you want more than religious slogans or

pat answers—join us for this up-coming series of sermons. Bring a friend and

your questions, and join us as we wrestle with God, seeking to find under-

standing…and hope.

Sundays @ 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Jan. 11 How could God do this to me?

Jan. 18 Why is there suffering?

Jan. 25 What about random tragedies?

I trust God at all times

because he is my refuge.

Psalm 62:8

Mark Your Calendars for the Connection

Our Wednesday evening, multi-generational ministry

will resume on Wednesday, January 14. In addition

to the Connection Kids, and Refuge Youth Ministry,

the following adult small groups will be forming.

The Alpha Course (Joyce Minniear, John & Jessica Vehmeier, & Brad Dulaney)

Financial Peace University (Dave Werner—begins Jan. 21)

Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World (Susan Hughes & Steve Ratliff)

Page 2

A Christmas Blessing from the Pastor

I want to extend Christmas blessings to all of you who join us this evening to worship the newborn King.

My wife Kim and I, on behalf of our family, are giving to the Christmas Offering in honor of the staff,

lay leaders and dedicated disciples of Redwood United Methodist Church. We feel richly blessed to be

part of such a loving, Christ-centered, outward-focused community of faith. We thank the people of

Redwood Church for the countless ways they have encouraged and blessed us in 2014.

Each Advent, as December 24 nears, the spirit of Christmas becomes increasingly palpable to me! It

builds through countless moments of Christmas cheer: A woman stops by the church office to leave $100 to be used to

help a family in need. A child in worship talks about the spirit of giving that's a part of Christmas. A sick member talks

about how a fellow disciple took his wife under wing while he was in the hospital. A community member sends us a note

to thank us for the group of Christmas carolers who came and made her holiday through their joyful songs. A small

group discussing the ways in which their families will pare-down their Christmas gift-giving in order to give more to

Christ. Through these and countless other moments, the Spirit of the Incarnate God becomes so real I can feel it! This

Christmas, may you and yours unwrap the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love which are ours in this amazing child Jesus

Christ. See you in the New Year! Your brother in Christ,

Brad Dulaney

Ruminations and Reflections from the Pastor’s Study

R&R

Dear Parents with Young Children in Church by Jamie Bruesehoff

You are doing something really, really important. I know it's not easy. I see you with your arms overflowing, and I know you

came to church already tired. Parenting is tiring. Really tiring.

I watch you bounce and sway trying to keep the baby quiet, juggling the infant car seat and the diaper bag as you find a seat. I

see you wince as your child cries. I see you anxiously pull things out of your bag of tricks to try to quiet them.

And I see you with your toddler and your preschooler. I watch you cringe when your little girl asks an innocent question in a voice

that might not be an inside voice let alone a church whisper. I hear the exasperation in your voice as you beg your child to just sit,

to be quiet as you feel everyone's eyes on you. Not everyone is looking, but I know it feels that way.

I know you're wondering, is this worth it? Why do I bother? I know you often leave church more exhausted than fulfilled. But

what you are doing is so important. When you are here, the church is filled with a joyful noise. When you are here, the Body of Christ is more fully present. When

you are here, we are reminded that this worship thing we do isn't about bible study or personal, quiet contemplation but coming

together to worship as a community where all are welcome, where we share in the Word and Sacrament together. When you are

here, I have hope that these pews won't be empty in 10 years when your kids are old enough to sit quietly and behave in worship. I

know that they are learning how and why we worship now, before it's too late. They are learning that worship is important.

I see them learning. In the midst of the cries, whines, and giggles, in the midst of the crinkling of pretzel bags and the growing

pile of crumbs, I see a little girl who insists on going two pews up to share peace with someone she's never met. I hear a little boy

slurping (quite loudly) every last drop of his communion wine out of the cup, determined not to miss a drop of Jesus. I watch a

child excitedly color a cross and point to the one in the front of the sanctuary. I hear the echoes of "Amens" just a few seconds

after the rest of the community says it together. I watch a boy just learning to read try to sound out the words in the worship book

or count his way to Hymn 672. Even on weeks when I can't see my own children learning because, well, it's one of those morn-

ings, I can see your children learning.

I know how hard it is to do what you're doing, but I want you to know it matters. It matters to me. It matters to my children to

not be alone in the pew. It matters to the congregation to know that families care about faith, to see young people... and even on

those weeks when you can't see the little moments, it matters to your children.

It matters that they learn that worship is what we do as a community of faith, that everyone is welcome, that their worship mat-

ters. When we teach children that their worship matters, we teach them that they are enough right here and right now as members

of the church community. They don't need to wait until they can believe, pray or worship a certain way to be welcome here, and I

know adults who are still looking to be shown that. It matters that children learn that they are an integral part of this church, that

their prayers, their songs, and even their badly (or perfectly-timed, depending on who you ask) cries and whines are a joyful noise

because it means they are present.

I know it's hard, but thank you for what you do when you bring your children to church. Please know that your family -

- with all of its noise, struggle, commotion, and joy -- are not simply tolerated, you are a vital part of the community gath-

ered in worship.

This post originally appeared on I Am Totally *That* Mom. Huffington Post.com

Page 3

Susan's musing-

This fall during the Wednesday night Connection ministry, we offered a course called Getting Ahead

in a Just Gettin' By World. It is an outreach workshop designed to help people who are struggling

with poverty and/or unstable life circumstances. This is a powerful ministry and we were witness to

this at our graduation event in December. Ten students graduated and shared testimonies about how

the class had helped them to see their lives in a different perspective and how they feel empowered

to make changes. This was such an affirmation that we are doing the right thing in offering this class

and helping people to make real change and plans for a new future story.

Getting Ahead will be offered again beginning on January 14, 2015. We are currently receiving applications for the

class. Participants earn gift cards each week as part of building their financial resources and providing an incentive

for regular participation. If you are interested in participating in this class, or know someone who is, please contact

me at susieqhughes@gmail.com or 493-8715, or the church office

I'm so excited to be a facilitator for this life-changing ministry. Thanks to everyone for your support... all those who

come to the connection and enjoy in fellowship there, help with meals, and help with child support. We are all part of

this team - the body of Christ - that transforms lives through the power of the love of Jesus Christ.

Blessings to you, Susan

Wednesday nights, 5:45-9:00 pm

January 14- May 13, 2015 Dinner and childcare provided

(No class on Feb 18, April 1)

Getting Ahead…Getting Ahead…

IN A JUSTIN A JUST--GETTIN’GETTIN’--BY WORLDBY WORLD

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I'm writing this text to you all six nights after the cantata performance at the church that was such a

blessing to our family and all of the fortunate visitors. We can praise the Lord for the timing of our per-

formance as our rising tide of singers who have fallen ill since that evening totals at least ten (not count-

ing the goofy ankle sprainer and the over zealous ex jock who went all the way to the YMCA to take

himself out with a workout designed for a younger man). Sometimes one can appreciate what a miracle

it is just to get enough healthy singers in a bunch long enough to accomplish something truly worthwhile! So let's

just take a moment to celebrate our remarkable immune systems that will have completed their work on all who are

now suffering and appreciate all of the possibilities for renewal in our own lives as we shed the yoke of last year's

burdens and look toward a new year full of fresh challenges and rewards.

Gotta paraphrase Neil Young (with thanks to Blake from CR)

"I've been to Hollywood; I've been to Redwood; I've crossed the ocean for a heart of gold." Should have just

gone to Redwood first! Have a great 2015!!

Agape,

Jerry Sayers

Director of Music Ministries

1 – Noel Zeigler

2 – Gary McDeavitt

4 – Betty Werner

6 – Alexander Dill

7 – Essie Doss

Sue McDeavitt

9 – Sally Hale

Eva Mae Tyree

11– Johnathan Dillon

15 – Jeff Chitwood

Felecia Fischell

Frank Nichols

Linda Verhoeff

16 – Jeff Sanders

18 – Kim Dulaney

Alice Taylor

Linda Waters

19 – Davana Davis

Kenny Davis

21 – Elaine Chitwood

23 – Geraldine Hylton

25 – Chris Brown

Gail Price

Catherine Campbell

26 – Brad Dulaney

Selena Miller

28 – Sandra Bullock

29 – Heather Sanders

Kyle Suon

31 – Jerry Sayers

10 – Doyle & Lysa Cockram

18 – Ray & Betsy Ferguson

Roger & Janice Smith

19 – Dennis & Janice Powell

OFFERING COUNTERS

5 – Gaye Campbell, Judy Hodges, Peggy

Woody

12 – Carol Boychuck, Yvonne Hughes, Linda

Waybright

19 – Ann Altice, Pat Horning, Geraldine

Hylton 26 – Elaine Chitwood, Sherry Lynch, Louise Wimmer

HEAD USHER Jeff Chitwood

COMMUNION SERVERS

8:30 Simon Adkins, Charlene Waybright

11:00 Doyle & Lysa Cockram, Pat Tolbert,

Betty Werner

GREETERS

FLOWERS

4 – Gaye Campbell & Sherry Lynch

11 – Gaye Campbell & Sherry Lynch

18 – Dalphia Furrow & Judy Hodges

25 – Dalphia Furrow & Judy Hodges

Page 4

8:30

Front Door

4 – Judy Rhoday

11 – Dickie Dill

18 – Penny LaPorta

25 – Jessica Vehmeier

Side Door

4– John Rhoday

11 – Barbara Dill

18 – Reba Bowling

25 – John Vehmeier

11:00

Front Door

4 – Linda Young

11 – Ann Altice

18 – Jean Hudson

25 – Geraldine Hylton

Side Door

4 – Eva Mae Tyree

11 – Elaine Chitwood

18 – Gail Price

25 – Gaye Campbell

Celebrate Recovery Meal January 23

Nancy Dickinson

Madeline Hall

Sherry Lynch

Children’s Church 4 – No Children’s Church

11 – Sarah Kidd & Crystal Hammock

18 – 8:30: Eric & Heather Anderson

11:00: Dickie & Barbara Dill

25 – Lisa Nichols, Judy Rhoday

Acolytes

4 – Hayley Sanders

11 – Vanessa Brinson

18 – Easton Sawyers

25 – Hayley Sanders

LITURGIST

January 4

8:30

Charlene Waybright

11:30

Betty Werner

CONNECTION SERVERS

Set-up Clean-up

14 – Set-up: Dave & Betty Werner Jim & Pat Horning

21 - Set-up: Susan Mason & Pat Tolbert Tammy Manning & Judy Hodges

28 - Set-up: Gaye Campbell & Sherry Lynch Elaine Chitwood & Louise Wimmer

CHURCH FAMILY

Essie Doss

Bill Law

FRANKLIN HEALTH CARE

720 Orchard Ave.

Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Catherine Campbell

SOUTH ROANOKE NURSING HOME

3823 Franklin Rd. SW

Roanoke, VA 24014

Chuck MacKenzie

1025-8 Old Country Club Rd.

Roanoke, VA 24017

Margaret Thurman

RUNK & PRATT

SML Retirement Village

115 Retirement Dr.

Hardy, VA 24101

Gracie Via

Richfield Rehab Center

Page 5

Remember Our Home Bound

Essyebelle Hudson

224 Hudson Farm Lane

Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Judy Gring

Ferrum College

c/o Jeff Gring

P.O. Box 1000

Ferrum, VA 24088

OUR

MILITARY

RCT Ryan S. Emerson 6076

Marianne K. Nassef

Reserve Chaplain

US Air Force

Master Sgt. Joel Via

Lcpl. Robert J. Perdue

San Diego, CA

Lcpl. Wesley T. Perdue

Palm, CA

Pfc. Logan Neeley

Afghanistan (Army)

Dickie & Barbara Dill

685 Lakeside Dr.

Penhook, VA 24137

Jacob & Jessica Dill (Lana)

141 Emerald Point

Penhook, VA 24137

Angela Wilmoth

PO Box 970

220 High Meadows Dr.

Wirtz, VA 24184

Rodney Keller

Chestnut Hill Apts. #1

2865 Chestnut Hill Rd.

Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Homer Gantt

244 Grouse Ln.

Glade Hill, VA 24092

Page 6

Redwood United Methodist Church Cash Flow January - September 2014

General Fund Budget % of Budget

Cash In:

Giving 211,214.75 277,569.58 76.09%

Rent 6,075.00 7,830.00 77.59%

Fund Raisers 9,727.00 9,800.00 99.26%

Total IN: 227,016.75 295,199.58 76.90%

Cash Out:

Administrative Offices 11,608.47 14,083.00 82.43%

Connectional Giving 40,724.92 50,048.00 81.37%

Facilities & Maintenance 27,508.45 34,532.00 79.66%

Love God 5,354.13 10,650.00 50.27%

Love Others 11,246.11 16,000.00 70.29%

Serve the World 13,626.66 17,907.00 76.10%

Staffing 97,671.75 151,979.58 64.27%

207,740.49 295,199.58 70.37%

Other Cash Income 261.96

Other Cash Expenses 11.00

Net Change 19,527.22

Non-cash giving $ 604.19

Building Fund - Receipts $ 55,395.50

Building Fund - Payments 136,437.15

Net Change $ (81,041.65)

Page 7

Growing Pains

As the Celebrate Recovery ministry enters it’s fourth

year of outreach, we are thankful for your help through

providing meals, time, prayers, and your witness. At-

tendance increased 23% in 2014 vs. 2013 making logis-

tics of preparing and serving meals along with clean-up

tasks daunting.

Why not ask your small group to sign up to serve once

every other month? Call Paula Ratliff at 334-1028 to

find out how to serve.

My Stephen Minister was there during the

darkest of times—patiently listening and

trying to understand my pain. Looking back,

I can clearly see how my Stephen Minister

kept me connected to God when I was

falling away.

Nathan

Pastor Dulaney

This is to each and every one of you that took the time to come to

our home on a very cold and windy night to sing beautiful Christ-

mas carols to my mother, and myself. I cannot begin to tell you

all how much that meant to us both.. Being in our home and shar-

ing that time with us, brought so much joy and happiness to

Mom, I can’t begin to express it. She truly loved every minute of

it, she just keeps talking about the little children. She said,

“They had little bitty one’s all way up to big one’s.” You all

truly touched her heart.

I would like to Thank You all so much.

Thanks for making my Mother’s Christmas special.

Larry Dean Campbell, son of Nannie Kate Campbell.

Rev. Brad & Daughter Zora

Thank you so very much for the roles you both held in our annual

Memorial Service On December 7th.

What a blessing you both were. Thank you for your time& tal-

ents showed.

Also to Redwood UM Church for the use of your beautiful

church for our service. It was greatly appreciated by all.

Sherry Sydenstricker

Carilion Clinic Hospice

Dear Redwood United Methodist Church,

The Kroger Family of Stores is committed to bringing

hope and help to local communities. We do this

through a variety of activities, including charitable

giving, sponsorships and the unique Community Re-

wards Program of Kroger. We are also committed to

carefully protecting our customers' personal informa-

tion. In order to meet their expectation of privacy, we

have adopted a simple policy to never share a cus-

tomer's personal information. Our privacy policy ap-

plies to Community Rewards participation as well. As

your neighborhood food retailer, we deeply value our

ability to support local organizations like yours.

Your supporters (39 households) who shopped at

Kroger between 09/01/2014 and 11/30/2014 (Cycle 1,

quarter 1) have contributed to your $1,093.60 total

donation. Your organization will be receiving a Kroger

check in this amount within 30 days from 11/30/2014.

If you have any questions, please email midatlantic-

communityrewards@kroger.com or visit our website at

www.krogercommunityrewards.com. Thank you for

your continued support of your local Kroger store.

The more your supporters shop with us, the more

money your organization will earn!

Thank you, Community Program Staff

Dear Redwood UMC

As Christ cares, you care for your neighbors without

health insurance here in Franklin Co. Your gift will be

so helpful as we work to provide medical care and

healthy lifestyle options for these neighbors.

Thank You

Sincerely, Nancy Swartz,

Board Member, Free Clinic of Franklin County

Redwood UMC

I am pleased to extend our gratitude for the recent

generous contribution of$150.00 to Helping Hands of

Franklin County.

In times such as these, contributions are especially

timely, and we appreciate your generosity. We are

grateful for your support for our mission and program.

Gratefully,

Samuel H. Campbell, Director

Youth Refuge Report The Refuge Youth will resume meeting on

January 7, instead of January 14 with the adults. We

will meet in the basement, (B20) at the church for

pizza at 6:30, and the youth will be discussing the

retreats and mission trips for the spring and summer.

We would like for their parents to join us at 7:30 so

that we can all discuss together the trips we would like

to take, the chaperonage required to take them, and the

money needed and how we are going to raise the

funds. I hope that all of you can be there!

Gail Abbott

NONPROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE PAID

REDWOOD, VA

PERMIT NO.2

Return Service Requested

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor, Bradley S. Dulaney

pastor@redwoodumc.org

Minister of Community Outreach, Susan Hughes

susan@redwoodumc.org

Director of Music Ministries, Jerry Sayers

jerry@redwoodumc.org

Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Sarah Kidd

mebesekidd@yahoo.com

Administrative Assistant, Pat Tolbert pat@redwoodumc.org

Worship Media Coordinator, Eric Anderson

eric@redwoodumc.org

Pianist, Lisa Edwards

Treasurer, Dalphia Furrow

treasurer@redwoodumc.org

Nursery Staff, Rebecca Dillon

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

All information for February newsletter should be given to

Pat Tolbert by January 15th.

3001 Old Franklin Turnpike Phone: 540-483-9090

Rocky Mount, VA 24151 FAX: 540-483-9090

E-mail—pastor@redwoodumc.org

OUR MISSION:

TO CONNECT THE UNCONNECTED

TO A COMMUNITY OF FAITH WHERE

JESUS CHRIST TRANSFORMS THEM

INTO WORLD-CHANGING DISCIPLES.