March 20, 2011

The Church Staff Rev. James W. Smith ................. Senior Minister Mark Ashby ............................... Youth Director Rev. Noel C. Perez ................. Hispanic Minister Sallie Minick ........................ Children’s Director Rev. David Warlick ....... Minister of Worship Arts Christie Umpleby ................ Preschool Director Danny Minick ..................... Praise Team Leader Mike Jones .................... Church Administrator Mary Pat Beckum .................................... Pianist Melanie Castleberry .......... Finance Secretary Alwen Yeung ........................................ Organist Anne Hunter............................ Church Hostess Stephen Thompson Sound & Maintenance Terri Mims & Connie Brodess ..... Secretaries

200 South Lee Street Americus, Georgia 31709 229-924-3169 www.fumcamericus.com office@fumcamericus.com

Jim

UMCOR Responds to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

I have seen a lot of publicity about avenues for responding to the Japanese disaster. Various agencies are asking people to support relief efforts. With so many options how does one know which one or ones to sup-port. Which ones are legitimate? Which agencies are most effective in getting the help to the people who need it? Sometimes the largest part of the contribution goes to overhead costs of agencies helping. When this is the case, a very small portion of one's contribution goes to direct help. Without trying to sort out and evaluate all of the relief efforts that are out there, I will simply say that when one gives to UMCOR (the United Methodist Church Committee on Relief) 100% of the contribution goes to direct relief. UMCOR is known for it effective evaluations of emergency situations and its immediate help. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please make out a check to First United Methodist Church and mark it: Pacific Emergency, UMCOR. Your gift will go directly to the relief effort. It will go to those who most need the help. I am glad that our church has a relief arm that is always there whenever and wherever disaster strikes.

Contemporary Worship

Sunday Mornings in the Social Hall Preacher: Rev. Jim Smith

Breakfast at 8:50a Worship at 9:00a

Sunday, March 20, 2011 9:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Social Hall 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Adult SS classes meet in the Social Hall. 10:00 a.m. Hispanic Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Worship Service in the Chapel 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. Prayer Connection in the Parlor

Monday, March 21, 2011 1:30 p.m. Church Staff meets in the Parlor 6:00 p.m. Care Team Visits 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts meet at the Scout Hut on Elm Avenue

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 10:00 a.m. Nimble Fingers Quilters in the Sheffield-Wootten Classroom 5:00 p.m. Safe Sanctuaries Committee in the Sheffield-Wootten Classroom 7:00 p.m. Mary Martha UMW Circle Meeting in the parlor

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 7:00 a.m. Youth Prayer Breakfast at Hardee’s 4:00 p.m. Confirmation Class meets in the Wesley Classroom. 4:30 p.m. Elementary Choir Practice 5:15 p.m. Fellowship Supper in the Social Hall 6:00 p.m. Methodist Study in the Sheffield-Wootten Classroom 6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study in The Foundry 6:00 p.m. Pioneer Club for Children 7:00 p.m. Praise Band Rehearsal in the Social Hall 7:00 p.m. Seven Last Words of Christ Rehearsal

7:40 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Hispanic Bible Study

Thursday, March 24, 2011 5:30 p.m. Church Council Meeting in the Epworth Classroom 6:30 p.m. Emmaus Gathering in the Social Hall

Friday, March 25, 2011 morning Preschool Trike-a-Thon for St. Jude’s Hospital

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. to noon Friday is Jim’s, David’s, Mark’s and Sallie’s day off.

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

UMCOR Disaster Relief Team We remember March 1, 2007, when “the tornado” swept through

Sumter County. Volunteers from around the country streamed in to help.

Our church members volunteered through UMCOR to receive requests for

aid and to assign those who came to help. As a result of this experience,

some wanted to be able to help others.

FUMC’s Faith in Action Committee is supporting the efforts of some

of our members who have joined other United Methodists from the Ameri-

cus District to form a UMCOR Disaster Relief Team. Some have already

received UMCOR disaster training. Others will be training on Friday and

Saturday, March 25-26, at Salem UMC. You may contact Mike Gurley at

murph22@aol.com to sign up for this training.

Women and men are needed to be trained: some to clear debris, some

to repair structures, some to feed the team members, and some to help

people cope with their grief and loss. If you would like more information

about this disaster relief team, please contact Jerry Perkins at 924-5553.

Lyn Dozier, Missions Chairperson

UMCOR Disaster Relief for Japan The South Georgia Conference offers its prayers for those affected by the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan as well as other affected areas. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is connect-ing with its partners to assess the damage in Japan and other areas. To support UMCOR's response to this emergency, please give to UMCOR. Checks may be made payable to FUMC with the note

Pacific Emergency UMCOR in the memo line. One hundred percent of your gifts go directly to help those affected in this disaster. For up-to-the-minute updates on UMCOR’s response, visit www.umcor.org or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UMCOR. Lyn Dozier, Missions Chairperson

To add someone to the prayer list, please call the church office at 924-3169.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers Joey Brewer, Gail Brown, Beth Carroll, Cathy Carter,

Brenda & Walt Grant, Danny Hollis, Nell Holman, Mary Hunt, Anne Hurst, Stephanie Jones, Philip Mathis, Vance Mathis, Terri Mims, Ginger Perkins, Eugenia Smith, Rodney Vance

Prayer Pagers: Gail Arial: 931-5206 Walt Grant: 931-5231 Linda Wilson: 931-5252 Charlie Young: 931-5265

Church Council Meeting Thursday, March 24

5:30 p.m. in the Epworth Classroom (Note the later time!)

Mary Martha UMW Circle Tuesday, March 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor

Ellis-Lanier UMW Circle Monday, March 28, at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor

Corinne Heys UMW Circle Monday, March 28, at 11:30 a.m. in the Social Hall

Bring your Bibles and a sack lunch!

The United Methodist Women warmly invite

all ladies of the church to join a circle.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

We’re looking for a Church Historian! As prescribed by The Book of Discipline, the historian is responsible for manag-ing our local church records and for preserving all records and historical materials no longer in current use. Records are anything of importance made or received by the church in connection with the transaction of church business. There are ample guidelines to support this program. It’s extremely important to preserve the heritage and tradition of a church, especially one as time-honored and rich as First United Methodist Americus. If you have a heart for history and order and tradition, and a willingness to commit to working with the church staff on this long-term project, please contact the church office.

Hispanic Worship Center Our Hispanic Congregation

will hold its first worship service in the new

Hispanic Worship Center

at 5:30 p.m. next Sunday, March 27! (An official dedication service will be held later.)

Our Hispanic Congregation and the Worship Center is featured on the front page of this week’s

Wesleyan Christian Advocate

and was featured last month in the Americus Times Recorder.

We are still collecting donations and items to shower the new Worship Center with supplies.

Find a list of suggestions on page 8 of the church newsletter online at www.fumcamericus.com or call the church office.

LAY SPEAKING TRAINING Saturday, April 30 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cordele First United Methodist Church

Led by Rev. Eddie Braswell and Rev. Wayne McDaniel

$20 Registration Fee (includes materials and lunch)

Deadline for Registration: Monday, April 11

Please call or email the church office for a registration form.

Reminder: You may make donations to the church by automatic draft.

To do so, just call Melanie in the finance office at 924-3169.

Our Record of Faithfulness Sunday School Attendance ......... 188 Membership .............................. 1042 9:00 Worship Attendance .............. 98 Budget Giving March 13 ....... $10,149 Hispanic Worship Attendance ....... 82 Budget Giving YTD ............ $158,069 11:00 Worship Attendance .......... 233 Benevolent Fund YTD ............ $3,131 Total Worship Attendance ........... 413 Hispanic Offering March 13 ....... $501 UMYF ............................................ 31 Hispanic Offering YTD............ $4,345

9:00 Greeter and Host for March 20: Ginny Whaley

11:00 Acolytes for March 20: Ross Minick and Gray Torbert

11:00 Ushers for March 20 United Methodist Women

Jan Bird, Carole Brown, Sue Dupree, Ruth Jones, Pam Law, Ginger Perkins, Joyce Perry, Andrea Pinckard, Betty Pope

11:00 Greeters for March 20

Front Door: Glenda & Bill Kipp North Door: Jerry Quillian South Door: Stella & Louis Bridges

The Sanctuary flowers are given to the glory of God

and in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Davis

(Brandi Pierce), who were married saturday

in the sanctuary.

Our love and sympathy to Walter and Dana Rylander on the

March 9 death of Walter’s father, Walter Rylander, Sr.

Our love and sympathy to Mike and Faye Saliba on the

March 4 death of Mike’s sister, Annie Saliba Cardamone (Mrs. Frank)

of Phoenix, Arizona.

The Candle is lit Sunday, March 20,

to recognize gifts to UMW missions

in honor of Rev. Marcia Cochran from the United Methodist Women,

in memory of Farrah Johnson Castleberry from her family,

in memory of Mary Hardin from Emma and Aubrey Hardin,

in memory of Tibby Knowles from her family,

and in memory of Mary Niblack from Susan Goodwyn.

Called by Name

for Mary Hardin from Sue Bailes for Steve Hollis from Sue Bailes

for Marilyn Warlick from Linda and Smitty Eason

First United Methodist Acknowledges a gift to the

Praise Band Music Ministry in honor of Danny Minick

from Ginger and Calvin Starlin.

Americus First United Methodist Church

MORNING WORSHIP March 20, 2011, 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

UMW Sunday

PRE-WORSHIP MUSIC Alwen Yeung

*GREETING AND WELCOME CHORUS Rev. Jim Smith (Please fill out your communications card and place it in offering plate later in worship.)

My Tribute (Andraé Crouch) To God be the glory, to God be the glory,

to God be the glory for the things he has done. With His blood He has saved me; with His power He has raise me;

to God be the glory for the things He has done! 1971 Bud John Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing); CCLI License No. 814336

ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Jim Smith

GREETINGS from United Methodist Women Becky Ray, President

PRELUDE LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES Acolytes

*HYMN OF PRAISE #568 — Christ for the World We Sing

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH #881 — The Apostles’ Creed Ginger Perkins I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Je-sus Christ His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

*GLORIA PATRI #71 — Glory Be to the Father

MORNING PRAYER, LORD’S PRAYER #895 Lyn Dozier

CHORAL RESPONSE — Threefold Amen (James A. Kriewald)

SOLO — The Call (Ralph Vaughan Williams)

Ken DiNella, Tenor +++ Children dismissed to God’s Playhouse.

TITHES and OFFERINGS OFFERTORY PRAYER Lyn Dozier MUSICAL OFFERING *DOXOLOGY #95

*HYMN OF PREPARATION #389 — Freely, Freely

INTRODUCTION OF GUEST PREACHER Ann Harris

SCRIPTURE READING — Acts 16:13-15 Rev. Marcia Cochran

THE MESSAGE — In the Company of Women Rev. Marcia Cochran

*HYMN OF RESPONSE #569 — We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations

*BENEDICTION Rev. Jim Smith

*POSTLUDE

Ricky Arnold, Sound Tech Tommie Thompson, Media Tech

* Congregation stands. + + + Ushers may seat those who are waiting.

Welcome! We welcome our guests today and invite you to come again.

We invite you to join our congregation. If you are interested in membership,

please call Rev. Jim Smith at 924-3169. He will be delighted to talk with you.

The next Membership Class will be Sundays, April 3 and 10, at 10:00 a.m. in the pastor’s study.

Please call the church office at 924-3169 if you wish to attend.

Contemporary Worship March 20, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.

Second Sunday in Lent

“In the Company of Women” Acts 16:13-15

Rev. Marcia Cochran Waycross District Superintendent

Praise Team Leader: Danny Minick Media Tech: Ross Youngdale

Welcome back, Marcia! We welcome the Reverend Marcia Cochran,

today’s UMW speaker. Rev. Cochran is a United Methodist minister whose first appointment

was Minister of Education here at Americus First. She worked with Tift County Mental Health Center

and the Medical Center of Houston County. She also served as Associate Director

of the Conference Council on Ministries and pastored West Green, Epworth in Columbus, and Waycross First.

Marcia is presently district superintendent of the Waycross District.

NEW MEMBERS Welcome Virginia and Marion Franklin and J.C. Savage!

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin (Jim’s parents) come to us on transfer of

membership from Lyons FUMC, and their address is 900 Moore

Drive #D, Americus 31709. J.C. joins us on profession of faith,

and his address is 200 S Lee Street, Americus 31709. J.C. joined

the Air Force and will leave in July.

Please be in prayer for the youth group and adults as we go on our retreat. Pray for safe travel, the spirit to be moved and for lives to be changed.

There will be no Sunday night activities

this Sunday, march 20.

www.afumcstudents.moonfruit.com Mark

Dooly Campground Boston Butt Sale Boston butts are $25, and tickets are available

from Ricky Arnold, Angelyn Tripp and the church office. Deadline for orders is Thursday, March 24. Pick up Boston butts on Saturday, April 2, between

11:30a and 12:30p in the church parking lot.

Wednesday Fellowship Supper on March 23 5:15 p.m. in the Social Hall

pork chops, baked potatoes, black-eyed peas, salad, rolls, cake

Children, Youth & College Students $3 Adults $5 Max per Household $16

Please call the church office (924-3169) for reservations by noon on Monday or make your reservations on the back of your Sunday communications card.

We ask that you financially honor your reservations. A nursery is provided for all Wednesday activities.

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Thank You! I thank you so very much for being such a loving and caring family

for me. During the recent illness and death of my mother, your prayers

were cherished so very much. I am so blessed to have such a warm

church family. Thank you for the flowers, notes and all the meaningful

expressions of care and concern. The very difficult moments were filled

with the knowledge of your love. I am forever thankful for you.

David Warlick

Bright Beginnings Preschool thanks the

volunteer helpers, the consigners,

and all who shopped at last week’s

consignment sale which raised $4,122 for the preschool!

americusfirstunitedmethodist americusfumcchildrengroup americusfumcyouthgroup

Hispanic Worship Center Shower To celebrate the new worship center,

we want to shower it with love and supplies

to help stock the kitchen, nursery and cleaning closet.

Suggested items are listed below. Just drop your gifts

in the designated donation boxes. Monetary donations

are also welcome. Please make checks payable to FUMC,

note Hispanic Worship Center on your check

and drop it the offering plate or send to the church office.

The first service in the Hispanic Worship Center

will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 27.

Appropriate children’s toys

Kitchen Donation toward stove 2 large kitchen trash cans Baking pans Can openers Colander Cookie sheets Cutting boards Dish drainer Electric coffee maker Electric mixer Grater Ice cream scoops Electric mixer Kitchen towels, mitts, wash cloths Ladles Large mixing bowls Large serving spoons Large storage containers Measuring cups and spoons Meat forks Pasta fork Pie servers Pots and pans for cooking Serving bowls and platters

Kitchen Salt and pepper shakers Spatulas Sugar and Creamer Tea pitchers Tongs for salad Vegetable peeler Whisks

Bathrooms 2 small trash cans for bathrooms Toilet brush Toilet cleaner Toilet paper

Cleaning Supplies Paper towels Dish detergent Comet cleaner Scrubbers Hand soap Air fresheners Broom and dust pan Mop Bucket Duster Furniture polish

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Church Council Epworth Classroom

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First Service in the Hispanic Worship Center

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Methodist Men’s Supper Social Hall

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Hispanic Committee Meeting Sheffield-Wootten Classroom

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Church Membership Class Pastor’s Study

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UMW New Member Tea and Memorial Service Parlor and Social Hall

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Seven Last Words of Christ Soloists Rehearsal

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Wesley Pancake Supper

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Seven Last Words of Christ Full Rehearsal

Sanctuary

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Church Softball Team Ballgame Recreation Fields on Highway 19S

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Seven Last Words of Christ Full Rehearsal

Sanctuary

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Church Membership Class Pastor’s Study

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Spring Fling Social Hall

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Easter Cantata Dress Rehearsal Sanctuary

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Palm Sunday

Preschool Spring Holidays

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Maundy Thursday Communion

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Seven Last Words of Christ

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Children’s Easter Egg Hunt

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EASTER

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Safe Sanctuaries Training

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Church Talent Night

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BIG SUNDAY Reception of Confirmands

in Membership

Recognition of Graduates

Music & Worship Arts Week

South GA Annual Conference in Tifton

Vacation Bible School

Youth Choir Tour

Dooly Camp for Children & Youth

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Christmas Cantata

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Christmas Cantata Sanctuary

Calendar Dates for 2011