August 14, 2016 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon Series: Letters from God

We invite you to stand as you are able

Chiming of the Hour (11:00 a.m.)

Welcome

Praise Set (8:30 a.m) ALIVE Praise Band Good, Good Father Tomlin Strong Tower Furler and Taylor Indescribable Tomlin

Opening Voluntary (11:00 a.m.) Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him arr. Blake

Hymn of Praise No. 384 (11:00 a.m.) Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Wesley/Zundel

Concerns of the Congregation

Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

Anthem (11:00 a.m.) I Will Arise and Go to Jesus arr. Claude Bass

Chancel Choir Jennifer Klim, Director

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love and pow’r.

I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in His arms; In the arms of my dear Saviour, Oh, there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome, God’s free bounty glorify; True belief and true repentance, ev’ry grace that brings you nigh.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden, lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you’re better You will never come at all.

I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in His arms; In the arms of my dear Saviour, Oh, there are ten thousand charms.

We Worship with our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory My Lighthouse (8:30 a.m.) Rend Collective

ALIVE Praise Band Be Thou My Vision (11:00 a.m.) arr. Broughton

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise him, all creatures here below. Praise him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

We Worship with the Children (11:00 a.m.) (Kid Kits in the bright green bags, provided for K-5th graders, are located at the back of the sanctuary. Following We Worship with the Children, K-3rd graders are invited to attend Children’s Worship on the ground floor Children’s Ministry area...just follow the Worship Leader.)

Scripture Philemon NT Page 215-216

Sermon Trash or Treasure? An Appeal Based on Love Rev. Jamie Armstrong Today we turn our thoughts to a letter that is unique among all of the letters saved by the church as being from the hand and heart of Paul, a personal letter, not to a pastor, but to a member of one of the churches – the letter to Philemon. A bit of background. Philemon is a wealthy Christian of the city of either Colossae or Laodicia, depending on which commentator you read. The person referred to as Apphia is probably Philemon's wife. Archippus is perhaps the leader of the "house church" that met in Philemon's home. Onesimus is Philemon's property - a slave (and probably a thief) who has run away to lose himself in the epicenter of the empire, Rome. Paul has become friends of both having been instrumental in their conversions to Christ. And that is why he is caught in the middle.

It is splendid to turn an unprofitable thing into something of value, but it is far greater to take unprofitable human beings and make them valuable. As columnist John R. Gunn writes, "This is what the apostle Paul did with a slave Onesimus." Onesimus literally means profitable or worth. Making a play on this name, Paul wrote Philemon, the slave's owner. Once you found him a worthless character, he said, but nowadays he is worth something to you and me.

Onesimus had stolen from his master. He ran away, was a drifter in Rome, when some of Paul's Christian friends found him and brought him to Paul's prison cell. Paul taught him of Jesus and the slave became a Christian, which brought about a complete reformation in the man's life.

This is the business of the Christian. This is the great purpose of the gospel of Christ - to transform lives. No greater service or joy can come to a man than to accept this challenge - and through the power of Jesus Christ, work to make the useless useful.

Anthem (8:30 a.m.)

Thrive Hall and West

Hymn of Response No. 381 (11:00 a.m.)

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us Bradbury

Benediction and Blessing

Traveling Music (8:30 a.m.) Born Again Sheridan, Carr, and McCoy

ALIVE Praise Band

Postlude (11:00 a.m.) Morning Trumpeting Ritter

Announcements Sound Team Our Sound Team would love to have you join them in their service to the church. They are looking for one additional person to add to the team. If you are interested and would like more information about this service opportunity, please contact Ron Leonard (336-956-1397) ronald.leonard74@gmail.com or the church office (336-248-2886) dhuskins@firstumclex.org. American Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, August 16 (2:00 p.m.—6:30 p.m.) Fellowship Hall Make an appointment to give the gift of life today! Call the church office or visit our website www.fumclex.org (click on “News & Events” & click the link)

Church Picnic Cancelled The Church Picnic, scheduled for Saturday, August 20 at The Springs at High Rock Lake, has been cancelled due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict. The Evangelism Committee will be working to reschedule the event for a later date. Please share the word with others and thanks for your understanding!

Celebrating our children, youth and their leaders... Children’s & Youth Sunday School (9:45 a.m.) Fellowship Hall Parents, children, youth, Sunday school teachers, and Youth Ministry adult volunteers gather together for light breakfast refreshments and fellowship.

(During the 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Service) We will recognize our Kindergarten, 3rd grade, & 6th grade students and Pastor Jamie will lead us in the Blessing of the Backpacks. (Bring your backpacks!)

We will recognize Eagle Scout recipient, McRay Calderone and then, the Teens of Life Youth Ministry will share their experiences from their mission trip in Danville, VA.

This is an opportunity for each of us to experience Christ through the eyes and the actions of our children and youth...please join the celebration!

Visit our page on the website www.fumclex.org (click on “News & Events” & click the link)

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PLEASE READ

JOY Club brochures are located in the display racks at the 4th Avenue and

State Street entrances. Mission Opportunities (Drop off items in the hallway near the work room.)

Pastor’s Pantry: Macaroni & Cheese (Boxed), Oatmeal (Individual Packs), Ramen Noodles, and (Canned) Green Beans

United Methodist Women: New or gently used children’s books Used postage stamps Fundraiser Project for Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary in Rowan County Judy Deal is looking for Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest and Catawba College T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, shirts, ties, children's cheerleader dresses, etc. that you would love to pass along. She will be using the donated items and making quilts to be auctioned off by Faithful Friends for their fall fundraiser event.

So, if you have any items from any of these schools, she will be happy to take them off your hands. It doesn't matter the condition of the item since she will just be cutting out the school emblem. Please donate the items no later than September 15. If any questions, please feel free to contact Judy at 336-956-6150.

Our Stewardship for God’s Work This stewardship report is given so you may follow our financial progress throughout the year. Each Sunday, please review and thoughtfully pray over this report. Everyone is a part of God’s stewardship.

Report for Sunday, August 7, 2016: Early Worship: 23 Morning Worship: 146 Total: 169 Weekly Offerings: $ 12,695.42 Weekly Needed: $10,836.46 Total Received to Date: $ 356,950.01 Needed to Date: $ 346,766.72

Online Giving For mobile device users, the QR (Quick Response) code will take you to a secure mobile site for Online Giving from your smartphone or tablet. On your first visit, you will need to create a profile.

David G. Miller Memorial PORT-A-PIT Chicken Fundraiser Friday, September 16, 2016 Purchase your tickets ($8.50/person) today from our United Methodist Men. Visit our page on the website www.fumclex.org (click on “News & Events” & click the link) for event details. Mayme Weaver Preaching Mission Sunday, September 25 and Monday, September 26 First UMC welcomes Rev. Rob Fuquay as guest minister for the Mayme Weaver Preaching Mission. Rob is the Senior Minister of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has served various congregations with his gifts of strong preaching, leadership development, and visioning. Rob and his wife, Susan have three daughters.

Visit our page on the website www.fumclex.org (click on “News & Events” & click the link) for a detailed schedule of events.

WEEKLY CALENDAR Sunday, August 14 8:30 a.m. Early Worship, Fellowship Hall 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Service Monday, August 15 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts and Venturers, Youth/Scout House Tuesday, August 16 2:00 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive, Fellowship Hall until 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Theology Pub, High Rock Outfitters Wednesday, August 17 7:45 a.m. Prayer Breakfast, Cagney’s 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, August 18 4:00 p.m. Administrative Council Committee Reports Due Email: dhuskins@firstumclex.org or drop by church office Friday, August 19 Saturday, August 20 Sunday, August 21 8:30 a.m. United Methodist Men, Fellowship Hall 8:30 a.m. Early Worship, Sanctuary 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Service 4:00 p.m. In-Home Communion Training, Parlor 7:00 p.m. Finance, Parlor

First United Methodist Church 310 South Main Street - Lexington, NC - 27292 Office phone: 248-2886 Website: www.fumclex.org

Rev. Jamie Armstrong, Senior Minister jarmstrong1@wnccumc.net

Rev. Doug Rowe, Minister of Congregational Care & Adult Ministries drowe003@triad.rr.com

Lee Mabe, Director of Music and Youth Ministries maestromabe@gmail.com

Phyllis Jones, Organist phyllis.smith@yadkin.k12.nc.us

Amanda Bostick, Children’s Ministries Coordinator aebostick@gmail.com

Chelsea Tate, Crib Nursery

Kimberly Leonard, Toddler Nursery

Alma Carlton, Financial Secretary acarlton@firstumclex.org

Donna Huskins, Administrative Assistant dhuskins@firstumclex.org

Charlie O’Connell, Kitchen Manager c-oconnell@hotmail.com

Flowers The flowers in the narthex are given to the glory of God and in memory of Jim and Catherine Redwine in commemoration of his birthday and their wedding anniversary by Jemmietta and Eddie Allred.

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in memory of Becky and Bill Clodfelter by their sons, Scott and Tim Clodfelter, and their families. Birth Announcement A single rose is placed on the altar today to the glory of God and in honor of the birth of Ellis Lee Duncan on July 19, 2016. Congratulations to his parents Kathryn and Kermit Duncan. Grandparents are Minnie & Lee Dukes and Jeanne & John Duncan. A New Testament is presented to the child by UMW Group 12 of First UMC. Today’s Greeters: Barbara and John McWhorter Amy and Jim Horn

Today’s Ushers: Chief Ushers: Richard Foust, Jimmy Everhart Captain: Max Lanning Co-Captain: Olen Easter, Jr. Larry Beck, Bob Burchette, Jim Highsmith, Jim Myers, Jimmy Shoaf, Buddy Tay-lor, Efird Wilson, and Dean Yemm. Security: West Lamoureaux

Prayer Requests Peggy Trollinger Nancie McMillan Mary Louise Wilkerson Cheri Murray Natalie Blomquist Wendy Norris Jo Swing Shelly Roberts June Craver Judy Hench John Hench Earl Hester Edna Morris Paul Smith

Shut-Ins Pegge Wood Copley Dot Kinsey Vavaneen Lewis Caroline McCree Kathryn Neal Evelyn Sink Julee Smith

Alston-Brook Isabelle Trimpey

Bethany Woods Alvin Pope

Brookdale Lexington Opal Bloome

Wood Haven Louise Pope

Piedmont Crossing Health Care Margaret Beck Margaret McCrary Carver Margaret Ragan Wayne Thomas Residents Barbara Proctor Jim Ragan Nancy Wilkinson Jo Doris Beck Richard & Camille Lawrence Georgianna Niven Madeline Palmer

Extended Family and Friends Tempie Almstead Cherry Grove Baptist Church Helen Hall David Stafford Cliff Lopp, Jr. Cameron & Pete Dunlap Linda & Tom Dunlap Carol & Steve Harris Peggy Sisk Anna Smathers Carol & Rev. Steve Joyce Pete Ullsperger

Pat Wilson Jack Smith Gene Oldham Susan Best Joey Lawrence Nakajah Vaughan Brenda Hipp Jane King Glenn Bisbee Breanna Wilson Ethan Reavis Jason & Stacy Heitman Jenny Rains Jimmy Davis Bentley Leonard Gina Vuncannon John Bruce Davis Sandra Parker Anita Hodge Eric Leonard Robert, Doris, & Keith Hunt Dewey Carlton Martha Daniel Debra Ann Leonard Betty Jean Whitaker Jim McDermott Len & Dottie Harris Jack & Susan Phillips Jordan Beswick Susan Fritts Regina Chrest

Bruce Thornton Ed Wilkerson Serving in the Armed Forces (mailing address & birthdate in newsletter) Capt. Jarrad Thorley SSS Jason Brownworth SGT Alan Ingram SPC Trevor J. Morris SPC John Hall