FUMC Words for Wednesday: 04-19-2023

04-19-2023 FUMC Words for Wednesday

Good Morning First UMC,

This past Sunday was announcement day across the North Georgia Conference. Each year, pastors are reappointed to their current church or appointed to a new faith community by the Bishop and Cabinet based on the ministry needs of the hundreds of churches in the conference.

Although a pastoral change was not requested, based on the needs of the church-at-large, I am being appointed to Clayton United Methodist Church this summer. I look forward to this new chapter in ministry, while I also look forward to how God will be working here at First UMC. We all know the past four years have been difficult for many reasons. However, by God’s good grace we have weathered the storms. As I noted on Sunday, great things are happening at First UMC of Union County. There is a bright future here and you can all be part of it. To quote the prophet again, “Thus says the Lord…I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth.”

One new thing is the appointment of your new pastor. Starting in July, your new Senior Pastor will be the Rev. Jimmy Hood. Rev. Hood has served Wesley Chapel UMC in Marietta for the past twelve years and has served local churches for twenty-eight. His wife Debbie is an accountant. They have three grown children who all live in Georgia. The SPR and I will be working to make Rev. Hood’s transition as smooth as possible, and I know you will offer him and Debbie a wonderful welcome to First UMC.

In the days ahead, please do keep Jimmy and his family and mine as well in your prayers.

Grace and Peace.

Don

Supper will be tonight at 5 pm. The menu will be meatloaf, scalloped potatoes and dessert.

Bible Study for all ages will follow.

Family Fun Night is this Saturday at 5 pm. We will be playing Capture the Flag weather permitting.

Vacation Bible School is on the books! Set your calendar for Sunday, June 4th - Wednesday June 7th from 5:00 pm till 7:30 pm.

A meeting will be held Thursday, April 27th at 6 pm in the sanctuary for those wishing to volunteer with VBS. There are many positions to fill.

Handbells - Do you have an interest in playing in our handbell choir? Please contact our music director, Jeff Bauman, at jbauman@yhc.edu.

The handbell choir rehearses Wednesday evenings (or at a time to determined) and normally plays during the 11:00 service. No experience necessary, but you must read music.

MISSING !

We are missing several black tablecloths that were borrowed from a member for the Night to Shine event. If you have any information about them, please call the church office.

We still have an opening for overseeing the lawn mowers and mowing of the lawn. You don’t do it all, you will just be a point person for repairs and ensuring mowers are gassed up, etc. If you are interested in this position, please call the church office.

The Brasstown Ringers, a 16-member community handbell ensemble, will be in concert here at FUMC on Sunday, May 7th at 6 pm in the sanctuary. All donations received that night will be given to Blairsville’s Healing Hands Community Clinic.

On June 17, Mac Powell will be performing at the Union County School’s Fine Arts Center as a benefit for the Isaiah 117 House of Union County. It is going to be a great time of worship and support to a local ministry that will help to change the way foster care begins in Union County.

Seating is limited and tickets are available now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-mac-powell-tickets-532711643867?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

We will have a farewell dinner for

Stan and Tricia Wallace

on Wednesday, May 3rd at 5:00 pm.

The church will provide the barbeque, the rest is up to you - Potluck sides and dessert.

Please stop by and say a prayer over these quilts. Tying a knot lets the receiver know that people care and that we have prayed for them.

Delkin Jones - third grade student with osteosarcoma(rare bone cancer). He is recovering from having his leg amputated last week.

Stan and Tricia Wallace - as a remembrance of their time here at FUMC.

Chris Cuviello – hand was caught in a meat grinder at work. Healing and reconstructive surgery to follow.

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!

Fitness Classes For You!

“Tai Chi”: Led by Pat Tomzyck. Meets Tuesdays at 8:00am in room M-0 (First floor). Cost is $5.00 per class. Bring a mat!

“Christ-Centered” Yoga: led by Pat Tomzyck. Meets Tuesdays at 9:00am in room M-0 (First floor). Cost is $5.00 per class. Bring your own yoga mat.

1 – Eric Seiler 2 – Barbara Gleasure, Wayne LeCompte, Karen McGinn, Ernie Payne 3 – Pam Jordan 4 – Teri Mager, Sherry Pope 5 – Tom Rogers 8 – Cora Bauman 11 – Dave Evans, Jim McAfee, Ariel McCarter 12 – Nancy Hussey, Ivy Robbins 13 – Elizabeth Terry, Mary Caroline Wischmeyer 14 – Cheri Hulke, Shelley Lewis, Shirley York 15 – Ilke Lander 19- Michael Bruce, Tim Holby, Pat Jinks, Tammy Seiler 20 – Kenny Engle, Jack Gray, Katelynn Rosser 21 – Fran Edwards, Cecil Lewis, Lamar Paris 22 – Bob Johnson 25 – Mandy Hunter, Debbie Ray 26 – Barry Varian 28 – Tiffany Martinez 29 – Bill Mollnhauer, Ann Payne 30 – Barry Lewis, Amelia Turner

Our love and sympathy go to Lamar and Jackie Franklin on the recent passing of his brother Donald.

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.

Prayer Concerns and Celebrations:

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

GENERAL: victims of tornados
SPECIFIC:
Clint Blackmon - cancer
Eva Breedlove -rehab at Union Co. Nursing Home
Kevin Bridges’ family friend Makenna Cook - moved to Shepherd Spine Center
Lyric Brogden’s friend Lu Millsaps - cancer diagnosis
Joyce Byers - numerous medical issues
Joyce Byers’ sister-in-law Shirley Kelley - had a mastectomy
Pat Clay’s brother Victor- health issues
Lamar Franklin - broken ankle and the recent loss of his brother Donald
Lamar and Jackie Franklin’s daughter-in-law Sherry taken by ambulance to hospital
Jana Howe - recovering from cancer treatments
Cheri Hulke’s son Scott - health issues
Nancy Hussey’s sister Debbie Wilfert- cancer treatments
Jeanee and Jerry McJilton’s brother- cancer has returned
Shannon Miller’s mom Wanda Pickelsimer
Patty Norwood’s son, Ryan-serious colon problems
Patty Norwood’s sister, Jan-lung problems
Ann Payne - rotator cuff surgery today (5th)
Teresa Price’s grandson Isiah Arrant-long term recovery from burns
Jeannine Riley’s sister Suzanne Mobley - lymphoma
Jerry Roberson- under hospice care
Avis Shaw’s sister Mildred Elkin
AG Sherman’s sister Paula Holley - healing from a pit bull attack
David and Debbie Steed’s son-in-law Billy Cain- throat cancer
Glenda Taylor’s granddaughter Kinsley - health issues
Ron Taylor - in hospice care at the nursing home
Carole Thompson - recovering from knee replacement surgery
Margaret Wise - under hospice care at her family’s home