09-27-2023 FUMC Words for Wednesday

Two Kinds of Giving

Jesus sat down to watch worshipers contribute money to the temple treasury. Why did Jesus do it? Because he knew it said something about their faith. What the story really tells us is that the measurement of our commitment is not in how much we give, but in how much we hold back.

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:41-44

She put in everything she had. Not most of what she had; all of what she had. Not just “leftovers,” symbolic tokens, not a “tithe,” not her “fair share.” What she put in was her future, her trust, her faith, her life. Whatever she had, whatever summed up her whole being, her existence, her life — that is what this woman offered that day. What would move someone to give that much? She simply gives because she loves and because she thinks she can. That’s all there is to it for her. It was an expression of love, an expression of who she was and who she wanted to be. Why did the widow give the way she did? Because she believed in the work of God. The work of the temple was important to her, and she wanted to support it. She freely dropped her two coins in the box, for she knew that in so doing, she was part of something bigger than herself.

Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Jesus’ act of singling out the widow and her seemingly small gift reminds us that a gift cannot be measured by its size or impact alone. It must be measured against the balance one retains after the gift is given. It really has little to do with the actual money itself; is has to do with the depth of our love, our love, our faith, our discipleship.

Mother Teresa has said: “It’s not how much we do, but how much love we put into doing it. It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”

May God bless your giving and may your giving reflect your love for God!

In Christ,

Jimmy

Pursuant to the United Methodist Book of Discipline ¶2553, District Superintendent Douglas Gilreath calls for a Church Conference to be conducted in accordance with ¶248 and gives broad notice to the full professing membership of the First United Methodist Church of Union County (“FUMC”) that the Church Conference will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Union County in Blairsville, Georgia. Registration for the Church Conference will begin shortly after 5:00pm. Any decision to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the professing members of FUMC present at the Church Conference. If you have any questions about this conference, please send an email to the below address. May our good Lord guide us and give us wisdom as we move forward with this very important decision.

Teresa L Davis, Chair

FUMC Church Council

tdavis280@gmail.com

Church Supper tonight

Pizza, salad and dessert

Wednesday Night Bible Studies are meeting at 6 pm.

The youth and childen (MYF and Jr MYF) will meet in the downstairs

of the MAC.

Adults will meet in the Fundamental Room (below the fellowship hall).

October 18: Bingo for Books at 3:30pm in the MAC.

(Donations of gently used books are appreciated ahead of time

so that they might be used as awards for BINGO.)

October 28: Trip to Byron Herbert Reece Farm for

Concert by Jayna Jennings

Click Here to sign up

The next FUMC Church Council meeting will be in the MAC on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 6:30pm. We will be approving nominations and the pastor’s salary for next year.

For more information, please contact Pam Jordan at 706-897-3188

The following people can pick up their nametags in the church office. Nametags are $13 each.

Phil Cook

Stephanie Gray

Sara Pertain

Robin McIntosh

Pete Hill

Jean Hill

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

A 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine has been recommended by the CDC for use in the US. This vaccine is bi-valent (active against 2 strains) & more closely targets the XBB lineage of the Omicron variant, as well as, the newer EG.5 and BA.2.86 strains. The new vaccines are expected to restore the protection against severe Covid-19, which may have decreased over time. The CDC expects the updated vaccines to be better at fighting currently circulating variants. Both Pfizer & Moderna have the new bi-valent vaccines.

If you have any questions about your vaccination status or if you should get this new vaccine, check with your primary care provider. It is expected that local pharmacies will be receiving their supply of the vaccine in the next 2 - 3 weeks.

You can receive 4 FREE at home COVID-19 tests from COVIDTests.gov and they will be delivered directly to your home. This is the Rapid Antigen test, not the PCR test.This is also the site where you can check expiration dates, many of which have been extended. If you need help placing your order for these tests contact: 1 800 232 0233. The US Government will continue to make COVID-19 tests available to uninsured individuals and under-served communities through existing outreach programs.

CPR Class and Diabetic Workshop –

Signup sheets for these opportunities are on Narthex desk for interested people.

Calling All Bakers

We need baked goods to be sold at the Bake Shop during the Fall Festival. You may bring any baked goods to the church and leave them in the MAC dining room on October 12th during church hours (9-3). Please include a note if your item/items includes nuts.

Tables will be set up down the administration hall on Sunday with

a preview of the silent auction items that will be in the Fall Festival.

Come take a look after services.

All volunteers for the BBQ should report to the MAC kitchen at 9:00am on October 13th.

The Morning Glory Circle is taking coat donations for their annual coat give-away in November. Coats of all sizes and which show little wear are needed. You may drop off your donations in the closet across from the MAC desk.

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.

Joe Roach – 90 year old member who is having some health issues.

Brenda Turner – Carotid artery blockage, healing from surgery

The Church will be closed on Monday October 16th.

MAC Walking Track Hours…

Monday-Thursday 9 am - 3:00 pm

Pickleball Schedule!

The Blairsville Pickleball Club now plays on Tuesdays from 12:00pm till 3:00pm. Everyone is welcome! Join us!

Fitness Classes For You!

“Ladies Exercise”: Led by Lisa Toups. Meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 - 10:00 am in M-30.

“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.

NEW “Balance Class” beginning October 2nd : Tuesday, 6 pm downstairs of the MAC. Must attend first 2 sessions.

CPR class is coming!

1 – Robin McIntosh 2 – Richard McGinnis 4 – Robert Head, Amy Rogers 5 – Jeff Neal 6 – Bill Cronk 7 – Donna Mollnhauer 8 – Vic Henderson 9 – Tim Hunter 10 – Sandra Buchanan, Maralyn Eby, Jim Steed 11 – Evie Miller 12 – Zachary Gibson, Richard Guimond, Cassie Ramey 13 – Kathy Heyer 14 – Scott Carter, Keith Groce 15 – Helen Douylliez, Carl Neuhaus 16 – Gloria Rhoades, Jane Thomas 17 – Kellie Davis, James Hood (son) 19 – Jacque Bentley, Kim Lewis 22 – Betty Rose Shope 23 – Diane Brackett, Marty Evans, William Mercer 24 – Murphy McGirt, Connie Rosenberry 25 – Jim Belcher, Joe Roach 26 – Tammy Fowler, Stephanie Gray 27 – Oliver Burdine 28 – Hailey Hand, Diane Kolb, Mike Lewis 29 – Marie Williams 31 – Harry Jinks, Kent Thomas

Our love and sympathy go to Pauline Taylor and Pam Jordan on the passing of their dear husband and uncle Ron Taylor this morning. Arrangements will be forthcoming.

The celebration of life for Nisia Redgrave will be at Vogel State Park on Friday, October 6th at noon in the open pavilion by the lake. Attire will be casual. A simple lunch will follow the service at a neighboring pavilion. Parking may be limited due to new construction. Come early and please do not park in the driveways to the rental cabins.

Our love and sympathy go out to the family of Nancy Stephens. Nancy passed away last Thursday. Details on her service will be forthcoming.

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.

SPECIFIC:
Mark Beam - recovering from rotator cuff surgery
April & Clint Blackmon - Clint has cancer
Lyric Brogden’s friend Lu Millsaps - cancer diagnosis
Joyce Byers - numerous medical issues
Joyce Byers’ sister-in-law Shirley Kelley - had a mastectomy
Shirley Cobb - health issues
Shirley Cobb’s 2nd cousin Laurie Mulloy - undergoing chemo/radiation
Shirley Cobb’s niece Renee Cegelis - health issues with her lungs
OASIS instructor Rachel Driskell - diagnosed with lung cancer
Jack Dugger - health issues
Susan Forrester - developed blood clots in legs
Mitzi Gasaway - breast cancer, taking treatments
Christine Golden - abdominal cancer
Cheri Hulke’s son Scott - health issues
Nancy Hussey’s sister Debbie Wilfert- cancer treatments
Kitty Jones - reoccuring cancer
Wayne Jones (Kitty’s husband) - health issues
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
Carrie Parker’s newborn daughter Vera having heart issues
Brittany Payne - still having seizures
Jeannie Pickerill - broken ribs from accident
Jeannie Pickerill’s granddaughter Kyla Bauer- has a second bout with cancer
Teresa Price’s grandson Isiah Arrant-long term recovery from burns
Linda/Jerry Roberson- both have continuing health issues
Nikki Schuknecht - successful surgery, continued prayers for recovery
Avis Shaw’s sister Mildred Elkin
Glenda Taylor - recovering from eye surgery
Pauline Taylor - passing of her husband Ron
Zach Thompson - search for stem cell donor
Brenda Turner - heart issues
Doris Wilder - recovering from surgery

HEALTH ISSUES and CONCERNS:

Bill Bender
Marjorie Bowron
Alex Box
Mike Brandenburg
David Cline
Shirley Cobb
Jack Dugger
Jesse Eady
Christine Golden
Jana Howe
Wayne Jones
James Jordan
Linda McClarnon
Leura Mollnhauer
Elaine Neuhaus
Ray Norwood
Niki Owrey
Jeanne Pickerill
Jerry Roberson
Carol/Norm Rogers
Avis Shaw
Fritz Simonsen
Sue Stewart
Zach Thompson
Carol Warren
Roy Whitelock
Sharon Willits

IN NURSING HOMES and ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES:

Jim Arthur - Stonehenge Assisted Living, Building 2, Room 5
Polly Conkle - Blue Ridge Assisted Living
Richard and Shirley McGinnis - Brasstown Manor Assisted Living
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

October 1st……….$24,500…………..$624,471

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

Staff Emails:

Pastor Jimmy Hood……………………………………………………………… jimmy.hood@ngumc.net

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

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

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

Jeff Bauman…………………………………………………………………………………jbauman@yhc.edu

STAY CONNECTED

First United Methodist Church of Union County

938 Highway 515 Blairsville, Georgia 30512

(706) 745 2073

Rev. Jimmy Hood, Pastor

Church Website: www.firstmethodistblairsville.com

Email: blairsvillefumcevelyn@gmail.com

We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation!

FUMC Words for Wednesday: 10-4-2023