FUMC Words for Wednesday: 03-08-2023

On our journey through Matthew this year, we passed through the Sermon on the Mount from Jesus in chapters 5-7. If you have a “red letter” Bible, of course, the entire sermon is marked as such. There’s another long passage in the New Testament that is almost entirely printed in red as well. It is Jesus’ farewell address in John 14-17.

In this discourse, just before he goes to the cross, Jesus teaches his disciples and prays to God. One of the things he taught was that God would send the Holy Spirit in his place. Also, as we heard on Sunday, Jesus said, “I AM the true vine,” and told his followers they were the branches. Without that true vine, apart from him, Jesus said, they (and we) could do nothing. The discourse ends with Jesus’ prayer in chapter 17. It is there that he prays, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one…” Think of it, Jesus prayed for his disciples AND us.

And so we pray.

Gracious God,

We give you thanks for your Son, Jesus Christ.

We give you thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

By the power of that same Spirit, remind us that apart from your Son we can do nothing. He is not far from us. May we not be found far from him, for it is in him that we live and move and have our being.

As we pray to be found one in Christ, may we also be found to be one with each other, just as You and He are one. As Jesus has said, it is by our love for each other that everyone will know we are his disciples.

We pray that in this and in all things you may be glorified.

Amen.

We are ordering lilies to decorate the worship spaces for Easter Sunday. Easter lilies are single stem $15 and double stem $20. Peace lilies are $20. Order forms are in the church office or in the bulletin this Sunday. Please mark on your check for “Lily”. You may take the lily home with you after services on Easter or leave it to be taken to a homebound member.

Bible Study for all ages begins at 6 pm.

Our Youth Ministry is looking for some adult volunteers to help April with their activities. If you are willing please contact her at april.leigh27@gmail.com or 404 360 5966.

This Saturday, don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour.

Girl Scout Cookies will be on sale between all worship services this Sunday. Each box is $5.00.

The Hope House Super Chef Showdown is coming THIS Saturday, March 11th in the MAC. Our own children’s department led by Mason are cooking up a huge batch of chili set to win the competition (with your help, of course). Tickets are $15 at the door. All proceeds go to help the needy in our community.

Daffodils will arrive Monday, March 13th. You may then pick them up at the Church between 5:30 pm -6:15 pm in the MAC portico. If you have not yet paid, please make your check payable to Relay for Life. Call Glenda Taylor at 706-781-7528 with questions.

CORRECTION:

Scott Terry’s birthday is the 15th, not the 5th.

STROKE

A STROKE, sometimes called a Brain Attack, happens in 1 of 2 ways: when something blocks blood supply to a part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability or even death.

The brain controls our movements, stores our memories, and is the source of our thoughts, emotions, and language. The brain also controls many functions, like breathing & digestion.

To work properly, your brain needs oxygen. Your arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to all parts of your brain. If something happens to block the flow of blood, brain cells start to die within minutes, because they can’t get oxygen. This causes a stroke. The signs of a stroke are related to the part of the brain that is affected by the stroke.

The stroke treatments that work the best, like clot-busting drugs, are available only if the stroke is recognized & diagnosed within 3 hours of the 1^st symptoms. Stroke patients may not be eligible for these if they don’t arrive at the hospital in time.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. & do the following test:

F  FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does 1 arm drift downward?

S SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T TIME: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1- right away

Note the time when any symptoms first appear. This is important for health care providers to determine the best treatment for each person.

DO NOT let the person drive to the hospital. Call 9-1-1 for an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the Emergency Room.

A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA or ‘mini-stroke’) is when the stroke signs/symptoms go away in a few minutes. This should NOT be ignored, as though brief, a TIA is a serious condition that will not go away without treatment.

Unfortunately, because TIA’s clear up, many people ignore them. But, paying attention to a TIA can save your life. If you think you or someone you know has had a TIA, tell a health care team about the symptoms right away.

Billie Young - hiatal hernia surgery

Jim McAfee – recovering from pacemaker surgery

Suzanne Mobley – lymphoma. She is Mack Riley’s sister-in-law

Nancy Stephens - handicapped, multiple heath issues

MAC Walking Track Hours…

Monday-Thursday 8am - 4:30pm

Winter Pickleball Schedule!

The Blairsville Pickleball Club now plays on Mondays from 1:00pm til 4:00pm & Tuesdays from 1:00pm til 4:00pm. Everyone is welcome! Join us!

Please Help Us at the church by keeping us informed of any sickness or procedures that you or any of our family members may be experiencing. You may contact Pastor Mack for your prayer requests at mack.riley@ngumc.net or call the church at 706-745-2073.

Please help us keep this list updated by notifying the office of any changes.

• SPECIFIC:
• BL Anderson -recovering from fused disc surgery
• Elizabeth Belcher - shoulder surgery successful - recovering at home
• Clint Blackmon - cancer
• Marjorie Bowron - health concerns
• Alex Box - health issues
• Diane Brackett - taking physical therapy on shoulder and arm
• Eva Breedlove -recovering from surgery
• Kevin Bridges’ family friend Makenna Cook - health issues
• Joyce Byers - numerous medical issues
• Joyce Byers’ sister-in-law Shirley Kelley - had a mastectomy
• Pat Clay’s brother Victor- health issues
• Stephanie Gray - illness
• Jana Howe - recovering from cancer treatments
• Cheri Hulke’s son Scott - health issues
• Nancy Hussey’s sister Debbie Wilfert- undergoing 6 weeks of radiation
• Linda McClarnon - recuperating
• Maria McGlen - recuperating
• Roger McGlen - recovering from having stents put in
• Jeanee and Jerry McJilton’s brother- cancer has returned
• Louise McTaggart - recuperating from knee replacement surgery
• Shannon Miller’s mom Wanda Pickelsimer
• Marilyn Moore- recovering from a broken shoulder
• Patty Norwood’s son, Ryan-serious colon problems
• Patty Norwood’s sister, Jan-lung problems
• Teresa Price’s grandson Isiah Arrant-long term recovery from burns
• Jeannine Riley’s sister Suzanne Mobley - lymphoma
• Avis Shaw’s sister Mildred Elkin
• David and Debbie Steed’s son-in-law Billy Cain- throat cancer
• Glenda Taylor’s granddaughter Kinsley - health issues
• Jeanne Taylor - is improving, has COVID
• Ron Taylor - in hospice care at the nursing home
• Dennis Wetzel- back surgery and recuperating at the Gobin’s home
• Margaret Wise - under hospice care at her family’s home
• Billie Young - recovering from hiatal hernia surgery

HEALTH ISSUES and CONCERNS:

• Jim Arthur
• Marjorie Bowron
• Mike Brandenburg
• Shirley Cobb
• Jennifer de la Montagne’s mom and dad
• Jack Dugger
• Jesse Eady
• Christine Golden
• Kathy Heyer
• Wayne Jones
• James Jordan
• Hugh Lee
• Leura Mollnhauer
• Elaine Neuhaus
• Ray Norwood
• Jeanne Pickerill
• Jerry Price
• Jerry Roberson
• Carol/Norm Rogers
• Avis Shaw
• Fritz Simonsen
• Sue Stewart
• Carole Thompson
• Zach Thompson
• Carol Warren
• Roy Whitelock
• Sharon Willits

IN NURSING HOMES and ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES:

• Polly Conkle - Blue Ridge Assisted Living
• Jan Boland’s sister June Gesche - hospice care at Stonehenge
• Richard and Shirley McGinnis - Brasstown Manor Assisted Living
• Nisia Redgrave - Chatuge Nursing Home
• Ron Taylor - UG Nursing Home
• Lois Ward - Brasstown Manor Assisted Living - under hospice care

If you haven’t signed up yet for online giving,

it’s as easy as going to our website (firstmethodistblairsville.com), scrolling down on the front page and hitting the online giving button.

A Note from Your Finance Team THANK YOU!!!

………………………… Received…………YTD Received

March 5th………$ 17,435……………$150,857

Please continue to remember your Church in your legacy trusts & wills - that gift is also greatly appreciated!

Reading the New Testament in 40 Days

Lent 2023

2        Mark 5-8

3        Mark 9-12

4        Mark 13-16

5        1 & 2 Thessalonians

6        Galatians

7        Philippians & Colossians

8        Philemon & Ephesians

9        Matthew 1-7

10      Matthew 8-12

11      Matthew 13-18

12      Matthew 19-24

13      Matthew 25-28

14      1 Corinthians 1-9

15      1 Corinthians 10-16

16      2 Corinthians 1-13

17      Romans 1-8

18      Romans 9-16

19      Luke 1-3

20      Luke 4-7

22      Luke 12-16

23      Luke 17-21

24      Luke 22-24

25      Acts 1-6

26      Acts 7-10

27      Acts 11-16

28      Acts 17-22

29      Acts 23-28

30      1 & 2 Timothy & Titus

31      Hebrews 1-10

32      Hebrews 11-13 & James

33      John 1-5

34      John 6-10

35      John 11-16

36      John 17-21

37      1&2&3 John & Jude

38      1&2 Peter

39      Revelation 1-11

40      Revelation 12-22

Pastor Don Landen………………………………………………………. revdonaldlanden@gmail.com

Pastor Mack Riley…………………………………………………………………. mack.riley@ngumc.net

Stan Wallace…………………………………………………………….. blairsvillefumcstan@gmail.com

Evelyn Ueltzen……………………………………………………….. blairsvillefumcevelyn@gmail.com

Deidra Gilbert…………………………………………………………. blairsvillefumcdeidra@gmail.com