FIRST
UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH
PASTOR
REV. RANDY COOPER
[email protected]
FUMC
225 Main Street
Martin, TN 38237
Office: 731-587-2689
Fax: 731-587-1943
CHURCH
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday-Thursday
8:00am – 4:00 pm
Friday
8:00am - Noon
WORSHIP With Us
Sunday Mornings
8:30 am &
10:50 am
Sunday School:
9:45 am
STAFF:
Becca Alexander
Minster to Youth &
Young Adults
[email protected]
Marlene Sims
Administrative
Assistant
[email protected]
Cindy Hammond
Financial Secretary
[email protected]
Ken Hogan
Maintenance
Roberto Mancusi
Director of Music
[email protected]
Vicki Smith
Adult Program
Coordinator
[email protected]
Jennifer Vincent
Children’s Director
[email protected]
WORSHIP
WORSHIP WITH US……
US……
March 14, 2011
March 20 - Randy Cooper Preaching: Luke 23:44-49 His Last Prayer
March 27th - Randy Cooper Preaching: Romans 5:1-11 Hope
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th
Baptism
Laurel Pelren and Boyd Campbell were baptized on Sunday, March 13, 2011. Our
prayer filled best wishes for them and their families.
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Wesley and the Poor
Last week I read a book, The Poor and the People Called Methodists. It reminded
me that John Wesley’s ministry was largely among the poor. Wesley never had to go in
search of poor persons. The poor of 18th century Britain attended worship services where
he preached and were active members of the Methodist United Societies and Class
meetings. Wesley preached to poor people, ate with them, slept in their homes, and
spoke of them as “bosom-friends” of Jesus.
His definition of poverty and of wealth will sound simplistic only if we forget his
daily exposure to poverty. He regarded the poor as those who lacked the necessities of
life: food to eat, clothes to wear and a suitable place to live. He said, too, that “whoever
has sufficient food to eat and raiment to put on, with a place where to lay his head, and
something over is rich” (Wesley’s italics). He never stated where the dividing line
between rich and poor lay, but he insisted that those who were faithful Methodists would
“gain all they can, save all they can [live thriftily], and give all they can.” Methodists
then, as now, seemed to have the most trouble with the last of those three counsels.
Wesley insisted that laying up treasures on earth was a form of robbery from God.
By Wesley’s standards, I am quite rich, and my time spent with the poor is
sporadic at best. I wonder as well what Wesley would say to preachers like me, who
make more than enough money to make ends meet and whose pension funds often fuel
our discussions at annual conference? But I think I know the answer all too well.
Wesley was not one to play upon what we today would call “liberal guilt.” Yet he
forcefully called Methodist Christians to honor the biblical regard for the poor. He
insisted just as forcefully that the Christian posture toward money and wealth is one of
relinquishment. He lived what he preached, dying with only 6 coins to his name—one
for each of the unemployed men who, by his prior instructions, were to be hired to carry
his coffin to its final resting place. The rest he had given away.
What does this mean for my preaching about money? How can the Finance
Committee and Council honor Wesley in their stewardship of money? Even more, how
are we to live? Good questions, most appropriately asked in those small group
opportunities that are fast approaching. Let us encourage one another.
Randy
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Stephen Ministry Planted
Planted and Bearing Fruit
It is the nature of Stephen Ministers to go about their work quietly, because their
ministry of care is confidential. We merely note that nearly all of the trained Stephen
Ministers of our church are presenting providing care and the love of Christ to church
members. In nearly every case, their care takes the form of meeting weekly with a church
member. Our ten Stephen Ministers are devoted, ready, and willing to give of
themselves to persons who face a difficult season in their lives.
Stephen Ministry is still in its early stages in our church. The Stephen Ministers
meet monthly to support one another in their ministry of care and love. You may wish to
be trained for Stephen Ministry, with classes to be held later in this year. Or you may feel
that you or someone you know would benefit from the care a Stephen Minister can
provide. If you have questions about this important work, please ask Randy or Cathy
Barnett or Frances Bynum.
Serving in March…
Finance Stewards
Van Driver
20th: Jack Reese
Bill Zarecor
27th: Tommy Bryant
Nursery Workers
Acolytes
20th: Lindy Johnson, Magen Beard, Judy Bowers
20th: Matthew & Daniel Mancusi
th
27 : Melissa Haynes, Hillary Watson, Amy Belote
27th: Kennedy Reese & Hayley Shumake
Bread Minister
Children Greeter
Vicki Smith/Dotsie Clifton
Kalyn Wall
Meal Ministers
Kim Turner, coord., Rosemary Boals, Jill Brigance, Sheila Burlison
8:30 Communion Servers
20th: Vernon/Aloha Prather, David/Carol Reed, Gayle Cooper, Carolyn James, Jody Hatler
27th: Vernon/Aloha Prather, David/Carol Reed, Vicki Smith, Carolyn James, Amy Haag
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THANK YOU
Thank you – what a blessing my church family has been to me during my illness. Thank you so much for prayers, phone
calls, visits, cards and the most delicious food prepared for me. All these things together have me on the road to recovery. I
still need your prayers. Please continue to pray for me. Thank you again from my heart. Frances Nanney
I want to thank you for all the wonderful things you did for me on my 92nd birthday. Thank you for the visits, food, many
cards, phone calls and transportation. I have enjoyed many activities in this church since moving here in 1946, and I look
forward to more with you nice folks. I don’t see as well and don’t do much anymore…..but I can still pray! I especially thank
you for the prayer shawl, which you women knitted with such love for me. I also enjoyed the young people’s visit, bringing
the prayer shawl to me.
I love all of you and look forward to seeing all of you in church soon. Betty Henson
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Outreach Ministries…….
There are many ways to volunteer for We Care. Below are some possibilities.
Donate Wal-Mart & Grocery Bags
Donate clothing and household goods
Shop thrift store
Donate books & magazines
Put paperback books in alphabetical order
Wash glassware and what-knots
Make flower arrangements and wreaths from donated flowers in store
Work thrift store
Prepare meals for volunteers for special events
Make Easter baskets or items for other special holidays in the store
Volunteer to work special programs-Christmas store, Senior Breakfast, Back to School
Donate money in memory of honor
Help change over store each season
Donate food items/paper goods
Work food bank
Pick up and take dolls home and dress them
Pick up puzzles and take them home and work them to be sure all pieces are there
Sort hangers/bags
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GIVEN IN MEMORY OR HONOR OF:
Gifts were given to the Building fund in Memory of Dewey Taylor, Wright Knapp, Tom Copeland, Don
McCracken, Wayne Johnson, Hazel Merryman, Darra Adkins and Susan Johnson Whitehurst’s Father.
Gifts were given to the Budget fund in Memory of Dewey Taylor, Don McCracken, Tom Copeland, Florette
Mabry, and Lois Black.
Gifts were given to the We Care fund in Memory of Don McCracken.
Gifts were given to the Music fund in Memory of Don McCracken and Dewey Taylor.
Gifts were given to the Bob Carroll SS Class fund in Memory of Tom Copeland and Bill Whitehurst’s Father-inlaw.
Gifts were given to the Youth fund in Memory of Tom Copeland.
Gifts were given to the Reelfoot Rural Ministries fund in Memory of Tom Copeland.
Gifts were given to the Building fund in Honor of Jeff Ziegler, Neil & Jane Rawls, Milton & Hazell Dowdy,
Frances Nanney and Betty Cheeseman.
Gifts were given to the Youth fund in Honor of Betty Cheeseman.
Gifts were given to the We Care fund in Honor of Dianne Merritt.
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We Grieve with……..The Family of Wayne Johnson, upon his death on Thursday, March 3, 2011.
Vicki’s Vineyards
Adult Ministries and Programs
Office Hours: Mon-Tues 8-12; Wed. 8-5
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50+ Trip to Reelfoot Lake
Anybody like good fried catfish and all the trimmings? Then let’s go to Boyette’s on Tuesday, March 29th and
enjoy a great lunch. Church bus will leave our parking lot at 10:00 a.m. Call Marlene to reserve your seat today!
Pampered Chef Party
You are invited to a Pampered Chef Party to stock the kitchen at First United Methodist Church of Martin! Come
buy something for your kitchen and have the proceeds go toward the church kitchen or just purchase an item or two
for the church kitchen! Come and go in the church Fellowship Hall, Monday April 4 between 5pm-7pm. Hosted by
Phyllis Pritchett. Nikki Langley will be the Pampered Chef Representative. Phyllis and Nikki will have food for you
to taste and show you ways to use Pampered Chef products. Contact Phyllis or Nikki for any outside orders! We
hope to see you April 4th for a fun evening, Help us supply our church kitchen with great products! (spatulas,
knives, choppers, etc.)
First United Methodist Fellowship Hall
April 4, 2011
5pm-7pm
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Children’s Chat with Jennifer
Office Hours: Mon-Wed, 8:00-2:00
VBS 2011: May 22nd – May 25th!
Cokesbury’s “Shake It Up Café” … Mark your calendar today!
FISH Notecards for Mission – The FISH group designed the new note cards for 2011 and they are fantastic!
They are on display outside the office. A set of note cards for $5.00! All proceeds will benefit the Sudan Well
Project.
Manners Made Easy for the Family:
Tip 135: No Running! Children shouldn’t run or push in church, for safety reasons but primarily out of respect.
Suggestion: Parents might want to talk to their children before reaching church.
UPCOMING:
March 20 – VBS Planning Meeting @ Noon
March 30 – NO FMF due to Weakley Co. School Spring Break
Children’s Library Focus Bookshelf: EASTER
The Berenstain Bears Follow God’s Word in memory of Bill & Montez Taylor, Rusty Taylor’s parents, by
Monica, Caleb & Hayley Shumake
How Tall Is God? in memory of Tom Copeland by Monica, Caleb & Hayley Shumake
The Berenstain Bears And The Golden Rule in memory of Joey Guest by Monica, Caleb & Hayley Shumake
Veggie Tale: A Knight to Remember in memory of Wright Knapp, Danny Knapp’s father, by Monica, Caleb &
Hayley Shumake
How Noah Knew What To Do in memory of Wayne Johnson by Monica, Caleb & Hayley Shumake
Berenstain Bears Discover God’s Creation in memory of Marcia Vaughn, Erica Bell’s aunt, by Monica, Caleb &
Hayley Shumake
The Story of Mother Teresa in memory of Marcia Vaughn, Erica Bell’s aunt, by Jack, Jennifer, Garrett & Teddy Vincent
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FMF Dinner
March 16: Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Rolls and Dessert
March 23: Pizza, Salad, Dessert
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INTERCESSORY PRAYER CONCERNS:
Ongoing Concerns: Dorothy Young; Our beginning Stephen Ministry; Sadie Bell; Alan Moody; Elmer Counce;
Betty Henson; John Vincent; John Haley; Buddy Bowers; Phil Watkins;
Friends & Relatives: Anne Johnson’s son; Amanda Jackson’s grandmother; Dorothy Bell’s father; Camille
Cook’s grandmother; Sheila Burlison’s mother; Rosemary Coleman’s mother; Ronnie Coleman’s mother; Donald
Evan’s mother; Dot Adams’ son & James Adams’ brother; Phil Wade & Debbie Jorge’s mother, Regina; Gale
Reese’s mother; Leslie Ary’s uncle; Suzanne Pelren’s sister; Betty Henson’s nephew; Jim Moore’s mother & Angie
Rushing’s Grandmother; Nikki Langley’s sister; Ross Cormia’s brother, Tommy Cates mother, Katie Lou Cates,
Steve & Bea Mohler’s son, Glen; Brian Johnson’s father; Barbara Virgin’s Father; Pam Coates’ sister-in-law,
Barbara McMinn; Sam Brooks; Ricky Nanney’s Friend, Jeff Crouch; Jason Hudson; Tony Pinto’s Aunt; Mike
Brundige’s Mother, Dorothy Brundige; Joe Freeman’s daughter & son; Kathy Eskew’s Mother; Tommy Eskew’s
Father; Marilyn Felkey’s Grandson, Scott DeWaters; Brenda Evans’ sister; Debbie Abel’s mother; David Pitts
Cousin, Kermit Cottrell; David & Marion Pitts grandson, Tommy Pitts; Charles Pounds daughter, Paula Pounds
Hood; Joyce Pounds daughter, Peggy Mansfield; Robert & Staci Mancusi friend, Rebecca Isham; Fran Hazelwood;
Heather Bavido;
In the Military: Bill Yates, Afghanistan;
BECCA’S “BLURBS”
URGENT NEED!
We have an urgent need for one more male to attend the Confirmation Retreat with our Confirmation Class on March 25-27 at
Lakeshore UMA! We will depart from Martin early Friday evening and be home around 2pm on Sunday afternoon. We must
have two male volunteers in order for the boys to attend the retreat! Please let Becca know ASAP if you can attend!
SUMMER 2011 LINE UP
Ichthus Music Festival, June 15-18th, Wilmore,KY
The time has come again to sign up for the Ichthus Music Festival in Wilmore, KY. Ichthus is a ministry of Asbury Seminary.
Everyday people from all over the country make their way to the Ichthus Farm for four days of music, worship, and fun. There
are three stages to accommodate the different types of music you may like to hear. There are also recreation opportunities and
merchandise tents with hundreds of vendors. This year, Ichthus will be June 15-18th. We will depart on Wednesday
morning, and return Sunday afternoon. We will be staying at the Fairfield Inn Keeneland in Lexington, KY. $200 includes
admission to the festival, transportation, hotel lodging, and breakfast Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
morning! Your child will be responsible for EIGHT fast food meals, as well as any merchandise they would like to purchase.
Vendors such as Chick-Fil-A, Subway, and Fazoli’s are available on the grounds for meals. THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR
ICHTHUS IS APRIL 10th! In order to sign up you must pay a $100 deposit. Your balance will be due no later than May 15th!
UMCOR SAGER BROWN, July 17-22nd, Baldwin, LA
There are no words to describe Sager Brown. The love and ministry is something you must experience for yourself. It is not
often that you find a place where you can do local, domestic, and international mission in one place! This year we will be
headed to Louisiana July 17-22nd! The cost is $220, which covers transportation, lodging, supplies, and eleven of your
meals. You will be responsible for food on the way to and from Baldwin, lunch and dinner Wednesday, as well as any souvenirs
you would like to buy. We will have Wednesday afternoon off to go sightseeing in New Orleans! We will depart early Monday
morning and return late Friday evening. Due to popularity of Sager Brown as a mission site, this trip ONLY has 20 spots.
Please sign up TODAY! A $20 deposit is to be placed on the list. The deadline to sign up is April 10th. The balance of
$200 is due May 31st.
SAVE THE DATE!
There are some important dates in addition to our summer dates that need to be on your calendar!
April 17th:
April 24th:
Palm Sunday Reception of the Confirmation Class, One Service Sunday 10:00am
Easter Sunday Youth Sunrise Service 6:30 am
Youth Easter Egg Hunt 5:00pm
May 1st:
Senior Sunday Recognition (Both Services)
Senior Sunday Banquet 12:00pm
Westview High School Baccalaureate Service 2:00pm
Messy Games Night 5:30pm
May 8th:
Mother’s Day- NO UMYF
th
May 15 :
Teacher Appreciation Brunch (Sunday School Hour)
May 22-25th: Vacation Bible School (Youth Volunteers Needed!)
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Reception for Martha Scott
Elmcroft in Jackson, TN will be hosting a reception on Friday, April 8, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in honor of Martha
Scott’s 83rd birthday and her many years at UTM. They are asking for volunteers to say a word or two about her at
this reception. For more information please contact Myla Fuqua at 799-4143-home, 587-9718 from 8-11:30 am,
587-5117 from noon-6 pm or email at [email protected]
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OUR BUDGET
BUDGET
BUILDING
Receipts year to date
$131,273.45
Contributions received to Date
1,646,348.71
Expenses year to date
Amount Borrowed
1,413,644.94
Programs
$4,573.43
Monthly Loan Payment
10,705.79
Staff
45,912.66
Loan Balance
806,149.00
Office
3,404.54
Contributions on hand
Property Maint. 10,342.40
(Available for loan payments)
Regions 24,936.54
Apportionments 24,713.49
Certificate of Deposit
33,000.00
Total Expense to Date
88,946.52
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_EASTER
LILIES
If you would like to place a lily in our sanctuary this Easter in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please complete the form
below, attach a check or money ($15.00) and either bring it by the church office, mail, or place it in the offering plate on
Sunday.
IN MEMORY OF_____________________________________________________________________________
IN HONOR OF _______________________________________________________________________________
GIVEN
BY____________________________________________________________________________________