Jamie Jenkins is a retired pastor who sends reflections from time to time from his blog titled Thoughts for Thursday. On September 1, he shared a prayer that more than once resonated with me this month. The prayer came to mind as we reflected on being created in God’s image in Genesis 1 and then again at the amazing grace found in Genesis 28. The prayer came to mind again this week as I read Matthew 7 and the golden rule of verse 12. I share his words here.
God of all Creation, with our lips and from our hearts we praise You.
We are humbled and honored to be made in Your image to reflect Your nature. We confess that we do not always demonstrate the character of our Creator. We do not love the way our Savior loved. We succumb to the temptation to love only those who like us or are like us. We do not always see others who are different from our neighbors whom we are called to love but view them with suspicion and disdain. Empower us, O Lord, to love and not hate. Enable us to live generously and graciously toward others – all others. To treat everyone like we want to be treated – with respect and dignity. Even when others disrespect us and work against us, help us to respond with love and grace just like You do.
It is not easy to love everybody all the time regardless of who they are, how they think, and what they do. But that is the way You love us. You give Your best – “the sun to warm and the rain to nourish – to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and “nasty.” You place no qualifications or limitations on Your love. Dear Lord, help us today to pray for and act on behalf of all those whom You have created. To make no distinction between those whom we claim as friends, family, neighbors, and those whom we view as our enemies. By the power of Your Holy Spirit enable us today to love as You love without reservation.
In the powerful and loving name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!
Grace and Peace.
Don
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Young Harris College Sunday is this Sunday, October 3rd, at First UMC. Join us for worship online or in person on this special day.
The Concert Choir, under the direction of our very own Jeff Bauman, will be at the 8:45 and 11 am services. Dr. Drew Van Horn, President, will bring words of greeting from the college at all three services. The Reverend Ryan Snider, Chaplain and Dean of the Chapel, will preach at all three services. It’s going to be a great day!
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Jim Steed
123 Moon Shadow View Lane
Blairsville, Georgia
worships at 11:00 am
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Programs will start at 6:00 pm for children, youth, and adults.
We are going to go back to signing up for Wednesday Night suppers. This will allow us to be wiser with our food spending and preparation. The Sunday before a meal we will have someone after each service with the sheet. Your help is appreciated.
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The concert benefits Ferst Readers.
For more information, please call Pam Jordan at (706) 897-3188
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Hello, everyone!
My name is Allie McTureous, and I am the nursery director.
I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity to serve here at FUMC.
We offer nursery services on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and 11:00 for newborns to 3 years old. I am so blessed to have a great team of volunteers that are always there and give 110% of love and care to your children. If anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer, please let me know. I would love to have you on my team.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, I can be reached at (386) 216-5582.
Thank you and God bless you!!!
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2021 Fall Festival is Upon Us! Can You Help?
A huge part of our Fall Festival each year is our BBQ LUNCH. We need a team of folks to help in areas such as food prep, the serving line, table hosts, cashiers, and clean up. Serving times are 11:00am - 1:00pm on both days. To volunteer call Bill Kolb at 706-487-9892 or show up at the MAC kitchen at 10am on Friday and Saturday.
OUR TREASURE SALE team is collecting your yard sale items on Friday’s at the annex from 9am-11am. Please no electronics, books, or exercise equipment.
CLOTHES CLOSET has had a tremendous response and we thank you! We have filled our space so we are no longer accepting donations of clothes.
GENERAL STORE: We need canned goods, Jams and jellies, cookbooks, unique kitchen items utensils, sewing/crafting items, fabric items such as aprons, dish towels, candles, scented items, homemade soaps/lotions, bird houses, baskets, etc. You can bring items by anytime. Just leave them in the small dining room by the MAC kitchen!
CRAFTERS ROW: CRAFTERS NEEDED! Anyone needing tables for their craft items just let us know. We will again be displaying similar items together to save on tables and space. If there is something you LOVE to make, bring it! You don’t have to make 50 to be helpful. PLEASE include a recommended selling price. … For questions contact Tricia Wallace or Jan Boland.
CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER!! We are looking for anything Christmas that is in good shape and working. Nativity sets, home decor, pillows, dishes, fabric/quilted items, trees, ornaments, wrapping paper, bows, tags, etc. ALSO, this will be an area we will begin setting up on the Monday before the sale. We will need a lot of help that week! Contact Tricia Wallace if you could serve as a helper for her that week!
BAKERY: Homemade cookies, brownies, pies and cakes are always needed. Sugar free / gluten free and children friendly are always a good idea. THE BIG NEED IS ALSO yummy LAYERED CAKES!!! Items can be brought to the church anytime beginning October 1st and before the 9th. We have freezer space available here at the church for your Bakery items if you want to bake early.
You can bring Marketplace items to Stan’s office anytime or to the Small Dining Room beginning Monday! Festival dates are Friday, October 8th, 9am-4pm & Saturday, October 9th, 9am-2pm. THANK YOU!
Contact phone #’s… Stan Wallace 229-326-0644 Tricia Wallace 229-402-9361
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First Methodist Fall Festival Cookbooks For Sale!
We have reprinted a batch of our own FUMC Fall Festival church cookbooks! They are now on sale in our church office for $10.00. They will also be available in our Country Store during the Festival. Appetizers and Beverages, Soups and Salads, Vegetable Dishes, Main Dishes and Desserts are some of the category of recipes from our church members. Be sure you have one and buy one for your friends!
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Please stop by and say a prayer over these quilts.
Tying a knot lets the receivers know people care and have prayed for them.
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Lloyd Dunham - severe back pain, surgery has been postponed until December
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MAC Walking Track Hours…
— Monday-Thursday 8:00am - 3:00pm —
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Play Pickleball! The Blairsville Pickleball Club is playing in the MAC on Tuesdays from 8am until noon and Thursdays from noon til 3pm. Everyone is welcome! Come join us!
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Line Dancing Thursday’s Have Begun !!
Classes offered…
*LOW BEGINNER… 9:15am-10:00am For those new to line dancing.
*HIGH BEGINNER… 10:00am-10:45am those that have mastered the basic dance steps.
*INTERMEDIATE… 10:45am-11:30am Experienced dancers only.
Classes will meet in the MAC gym and are suitable for all ages.
No pre-registration needed. For more information contact
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Operation Christmas Child
Coming in October!
How to pack a shoebox… Item ideas… Toys: Toy cars, jump ropes, yo-yos, musical instruments, toys that light up and make noise, Personal care items: Toothbrushes, washcloths, combs, hairbrushes. School Supplies: Pens, pencils, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, coloring books, solar calculator. Accesories: Socks, sunglasses, jewelry, watch, flashlight (with extra batteries). DO NOT INCLUDE: Candy, gum, scary or war-related items, seeds, food, liquids or lotions, vitamins, breakable items or glass containers.
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2- Ron Grother, Richard McGinnis 4 - Sue Hill, Amy Rogers 5 - Jeff Neal 6 - Bill Cronk 7 -Jacob McCann, Donna Mollnhauer 8 -Vic Henderson 9 - Tim Hunter 10 - Sandra Buchanan, Marilyn Eby 11 -Louise Danner, Heather Landen, Evie Miller, Joe Tatman 12 -Hudson Collins, Zachary Gibson, Richard Guimond 13- Kathy Heyer 14- Scott Carter 15 - Helen Douylliez, Carl Neuhaus 16 -Gloria Rhoades, Jane Thomas, Craig Wilcher 17 -Kellie Davis, Pat Maryscuk 19 -Jacque Bentley, Kim Lewis 20 - Kay McCann 22 - Betty Rose Shope 23- Diane Brackett, Marty Evans, Bill Mercer 24 -Murphy McGirt, Connie Rosenberry 25 -Jim Belcher 26- Tammy Fowler 28 - Haley Hand, Diane Kolb, Mike Lewis 29 -Marie Williams 31-Harry Jinks, Kent Thomas
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Please Help Us at the church by keeping us informed of any sickness or procedures that you or any of our members may be experiencing. Thank you! You can contact the church office @ 706-745-2073.
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Prayer Concerns and Celebrations:
Please help us keep this list updated by notifying the office or Mike Cloyd of any changes. With us not gathering right now, we don’t always hear the latest.
SPECIFIC:
- Joyce Byers’ sister-in-law Shirley Kelley - has started chemo
- Joyce Byers’ grandson Dylan - joined the Army and left for basic training
- Emily Cobb - suffering from kidney stones
- Debbie Crask - at home still fighting infection
- Maggie Guerrier - consideration for kidney transplant
- Pam Jordon’s brother, Mike Bryant, recovering from broken hip surgery
- Eva Kemp - stroke
- Virginia Lane - tested positive for COVID
- Ria Ledbetter’s sister, Mindy -progressing well in her rehab from a badly broken leg
- Evie Miller’s aunt, Janie - doing much better, next appointment in 3 months
- Elaine Neuhaus - home recovering - please no visitors
- Patty Norwood’s son, Ryan-serious colon problems
- Patty Norwood’s sister, Jan-lung problems
- Jeanne Pickerill - severe back pain
- Jessica Stamper - surgery, recovering
- Cindy Weitzel - recovering from donating a kidney to her son
- Roy Whitelock - complications with diabetes
RECOVERING FROM SURGERY:
- Diane Brackett - recovering from back surgery
- Kay Bradley - recovering from back surgery
- Becky Dyer
- Jo Mantell - recovering from pacemaker surgery
- Robert Mantell
- John Vogeley - recovering from hip surgery
HEALTH ISSUES and CONCERNS:
- Kay Beaver
- Mike Brandenburg
- Jennifer de la Montagne’s mom and dad
- Jack Dugger
- Lloyd Dunham
- Jesse Eady
- George Houdeshel
- James Jordan
- Greg Lane
- Hugh Lee
- Aurore Miller
- Ray Norwood
- Rose Oberlin’s mother, Letha
- Jerry Price
- Teresa Price’s grandson, Asher
- Janice Taylor’s husband Rob
- Ron and Pauline Taylor
- Carole Thompson
- Carol Warren
- Sharon Willits
IN NURSING HOMES and ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES:
- Polly Conkle - Blue Ridge Assisted Living
- Ray Graphman- Chatuge Nursing Home
- Richard and Shirley McGinnis - Brasstown Manor Assisted Living
- Nisia Redgrave - Chatuge
- Bob Taylor - Union County
- Lois Ward - Brasstown Manor Assisted Living
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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.
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A Note from Your Finance Team THANK YOU!!!
………………………… Received…………YTD Received
September 5…….$24,260 …………..$637,324
September 12 ….$16,576 …………..$653,900
September 19…..$11,341……………$665,241
September 26…..$12,002……………$677,243
Please continue to remember your Church in your legacy trusts & wills - that gift is also greatly appreciated!
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First United Methodist Church of Union County
938 Highway 515 Blairsville, Georgia 30512
(706) 745 2073
Rev. Don Landen, Pastor
We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation!
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