a message from pastor alan - first united methodist church ......fran williams ([email protected])...
TRANSCRIPT
A Message from Pastor AlanA Message from Pastor AlanA Message from Pastor Alan
Grace and Peace to you in the name of God!
As we approach the Fall, I am so excited for all that will be happening at First UMC in our worship services. In September, we will begin a new series called “Exodus: The God Who Delivers,” where we will spend four weeks looking at God’s faithfulness to, and God’s deliverance of, God’s people.
In October, we will move into a series called Defying Gravity: Break Free from the Culture of More. This series comes out of a book by Virginia Conference Pastor, Rev. Tom Berlin, who serves as the Lead Pastor of Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, VA. During our Defying Gravity series, we will consider what Scripture teaches us about living generous lives as disciples of Jesus Christ, as well as the “gravity” in our lives that often prevents us from living the generous lives we desire to live.
What is so exciting to me is that in addition to the sermon series, we will have the opportunity to study Rev. Berlin’s book in our Adult Sunday School classes, as well as other small group opportunities at other times. It will be a great opportunity to try out Sunday School for a few weeks or be part of a small group study during a different part of the week. Look for more information about this sermon series and study, as we will need to begin getting a count of how many people will be participating in a group, so that we can order the appropriate number of books.
As you spend time with this newsletter, you will see many of the other wonderful events, programs, and ministries that will happen this fall. It will be a great time to learn, grow, and serve together!
Peace, Pastor Alan
September Sermon Series - “Exodus: The God Who Delivers”
September 3, 2017
(Final Summer Worship Times)
Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15 Sermon: “God Looked and Understood”
September 10, 2017 - Rally Day (Resume Regular Worship Times)
Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14 Sermon: “Remembering”
September 17, 2017
Scripture: Exodus 14:19-31 Sermon: “Passing Through”
September 24, 2017
Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15 Sermon: “Sustained”
First Connections
September 2017
Welcome!
The summer is over and a new church year begins. I find it hard to believe how fast time flies. It seems we just had confirmation and VBS. Is it really September already? I know everyone is busy buying school supplies, organizing crazy schedules again and preparing for the soon hectic early morning rush. I empathize with parents. I know sometimes you feel overwhelmed. This is why September 10th is so important.
Rally Day is that time when we welcome you back to your church family. We know you have been vacationing and traveling. We have missed you and look forward to reuniting and hearing how you are and how your summer has been. We also want you to know we are here to be your family of support and love, as you begin yet another school year. We want you to know you are welcome here and we love you as you are. We all need each other and First Church wants you to know we are here for you.
As you begin your crazy scheduling and preparation for another year, please remember your church family. We want to be a part of your life. We want to be there for you in the good times and the bad. We want you to feel you are welcome here, but also that you are family here. Remind your children that church is really a place where their church family gathers not only to worship but to fellowship and support each other. For we all are a family of Christ. We want your children to know that they are loved here and we pray they will be here often enough to make good friends. Bring your children. Bring friends. Bring your family. Come to First Church and know you are WELCOME!!
(Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday, September the
10th… I have missed the children.) ~ Ms. Trish
Choir & Wesley Kids
**Choirs start on Sunday, September 10th **
Cherub choir (Kindergarten - 2nd grade) will meet from 3:30-4:00pm in the music room.
Chorister choir (3rd - 6th grade) will meet from 4:00-4:45pm in the music room.
Wesley Kids will meet at 5:00pm in the chapel. All children Kindergarten - 6th grade are welcome.
Children’s Sunday School Teachers
We will have a meeting at 7:00pm in Key 73 (room 208) on Wednesday, September 6th. It will be a short meeting to prepare for Sunday’s Rally Day.
Sunday School - Where Does My Child Go?
Your child is promoted in Sunday school on September 10th. There will be class rolls outside of each Sunday school door. Please check that your child’s name is on the roll or add their name to the list if needed. This allows us to account for all children in the building and confirm current Sunday school information. See the guide below to help find the correct room!
Parenting Class & Support Group
I am offering a parenting class beginning October 2nd at 9:20am in the Mill Mountain Coffee conference room. I invite all parents, who are interested, to come. We will be discussing the book, “Parenting with Love and Logic.” My hope is that parents will gain support and guidance with daily parenting issues. We will meet each Monday in the month of October and then decide what schedule you (the parents) would like for the future.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all the VBS teachers; the craft team, snack team, recreation team & leader, and youth helpers. Thank you to Will Powers for driving the bus. Thank you to our church for their support - it was one of the best weeks ever! The children were wonderful and the teachers outstanding. There was joy all through the halls. I think the best compliment to VBS are the seeds of faith sown because of the wonderful service you all gave that week.
Thank you again ~ Ms. Trish
Kids in the Spotlight
This month Children’s Ministry recognizes Ryan Coe. Ryan has sung in the cherub choir and the chorister choir. Ryan comes to Sunday school, VBS, and Wesley Kids. You see him at many of the church events with his family. Ryan always displays respect and kindness. He gives 100% in music and in all he takes part in. He is always helpful and responsible. Ryan makes a difference wherever he is. We appreciate his sweet spirit here at First Church. He is making a difference!
Children’s Ministries Tricia Givens, Director
Class Age/Grade Room # Flag Color
Little Lambs Infants 110 White
Leaping Frogs Toddlers 108 Green
Busy Bees 2 year olds 106 Yellow
Bouncing Bunnies 3 & 4 year olds 104 Pink
Loyal Lions 5 year olds & Kindergarten 103 Orange
Friendly Fishes First Grade 105 Blue
Brave Daniel Second & Third Grade 204 Red
Faithful Moses Fourth & Fifth Grade 205 Purple
Trusting Disciples Sixth Grade 201 Brown
Children’s Ministry Volunteer of the Month
This month First church recognizes Erica Pennington and Meghan O’Brien.
We thank Erica Pennington for her service these last two years. She has been a dear faithful servant. Erica helps with the nursery and extended session and often with other children’s programs in the church. She is always ready to serve and give of her time. She has been a great help and deserves a little break. Thank you Erica for your service and time. We appreciate all you have done! The Book, “Bible Turn and Learn” has been placed in the children’s ministry library in honor of Erica Pennington.
We also thank Meghan O’Brien who has volunteered with the nursery and helped me recently with getting nursery data updated. She is now going to head up the Nursery Team. Thank you Meghan, and we appreciate you taking on this new responsibility! The book, “The Shepherd on the Search” has been placed in the children’s ministry library in honor of Meghan O’Brien.
RALLY DAY: Sunday, September 10th
Come join your church family for Rally Day!
COFFEE TIME will be at 10:30am in the Fellowship Hall. DINNER will be a cook out that evening at 6:00pm with hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, chips and ice cream.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and prepare to picnic outside. The Praise Band will play and we will enjoy time to gather in fellowship with one another. There will also be outside activities for the children.
Wesleyan Preschool Jane Butto, Director
The start of a new school year is always so exciting! We are blessed again this year to have an amazing staff.
Preschool Continued...
Besides the Preschool Staff, we also have two great teachers who help with our Preschool.
Finally, we are happy to have three church staff members who lead our weekly chapel lessons.
We are looking forward to another great year!
Jane
Youth Ministries Jessica Kauffman, Director
Confirmation
Youth start the confirmation process during their sixth grade year. During their seventh grade year they will meet with mentors and begin a Confirmation Class in January. They will be confirmed at the end of their seventh grade year on Pen-tecost Sunday.
IMPACT Youth Ministries (7th - 12th grades)
This is an active youth group that has many opportunities to learn and build a relationship with God, form a fellowship with each other and their church family, as well as outreach to our local community through missions.
Scheduled activities include:
Mission and Volunteer Group
We will be working once a month to serve and volunteer in our local community with hope of a Summer Mission Trip. Stay tuned for more youth mission news!
For more information about our youth ministry program, please contact Jessica Kauffman at (540) 389-5459, ext. 22 or via email at [email protected].
Music ♫ Tricia Givens
Art Darlene Marshall
Chapel Leaders Bobby Pickle, Alan Combs, & Tricia Givens
Class Teachers
Toddlers Sherry Grisso & Susan Carter
2 Year Olds Jennifer Painter, Angie Carter, & Cindy McNally
3 Year Olds Debbie Holley, Becky Stephenson, Cindy McNally, & Ashley Heffron
4 Year Olds Amanda Camden, Tracy Lintner, & Debbie Holley
Aides Carrie Johnson & Tami Hines
Sunday School 7th-8th Sun 9:45-10:45am Jr. High Room
9th-12th Sun 9:45-10:45am Sr. High Room
Reality Check 7th-12th Sun 6:00-7:00pm Fellowship Hall
Small Group
7th-8th Mon 7:30-8:30pm Mill Mountain
9th Wed 6:30-7:30pm Starbucks
10th-12th Wed 7:30-8:30pm
United Methodist Women
Interested in helping in the church? Interested in helping the community? Interested in joining forces with a group of women
balancing families, children, work, service to the community, and church? Please join Circle 1 as we prepare for a year of service to our church family and community. Upcoming events include: Family Promise Dinner, Wesley Kids, World Thank Program, Trinity Church Dinner and more. If you would like to participate or learn more, please contact one of the following:
Jenna Magruder ([email protected])
Cory Bowers ([email protected])
Fran Williams ([email protected])
“Days for Girls” - UMW Circle 5 with help from Circles 1 & 9 have offered to assist Northview UMC on Plantation Road, Roanoke with a
mission project of making “Days for Girls” kits to be sent to girls in Haiti, Honduras, and Guatemala. As of Spring 2017, they have made 646 kits. You may find information on the UMW bulletin board in the hallway with 3 contribution baskets for 100% woven cotton (quilter cotton), 100% cotton flannel, and bath soap samples from hotels. These will be taken to Northview UMC on September 14th for a 9:00am working morning. If you would like to participate, please meet in the FUMC Salem parking lot at 8:45am to carpool. We will continue collecting these and adding other items as needed for this mission project. You may call Rebecca Frazier 389-9698 or Mary Jane Wall 387-1346 for more information.
Circle 9 invites ladies from the church to join us for the September 13th meeting when we welcome Kevin Williams, who will bring
information about his mission program in South Sudan. Circle 9 will meet in the Key 73 classroom on the 2nd floor of the Education Wing. The meeting begins at 6:45pm. Members and guests are asked to enter the building through the back door at the playground. Donations for the Salem-Roanoke County Food Pantry will be collected at this meeting. Guests are welcome! Please contact Debbie Kavitz 387-3242 for more information.
UMW Shoe Fund Program
The August 5th shoe event was very successful! We were able to provide school shoes to 82 children in our area. We would like to express our appreciation to the volunteers and donors who made this possible. They were very generous with their time and resources. We were blessed with this opportunity to serve our community. Our next shoe event will be Dec 2nd (9am-12pm) and the deadline to submit requests will be Nov 18th.
Music Notes Heather Mitchell, Director of Handbell & Youth Choirs
On September 10th, Rally Day, all choirs will resume weekly rehearsals. We hope to see lots of returning members and LOTS of new members too! We are blessed to have an abundance of musical opportunities for all ages at First United Methodist Church. All of the choirs are volunteer and open to new members. There are no auditions as everyone is accepted. The music staff invites anyone interested to join one or more of our choirs. Please see below for more detailed information.
Cherub Choir: Vocal choir for children ages Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Weekly practice on Sunday afternoons from 3:30-4:00pm. This choir sings in church approximately once a month. Directed by Tricia Givens.
Chorister Choir: Vocal choir for children ages 3rd-6th grade. Weekly practice on Sunday afternoons from 4:00-5:00pm. This choir sings in church approximately once a month. Directed by Tricia Givens.
Youth Choir: Vocal choir for youth ages 7th-12th grade. Weekly practice on Sunday afternoons from 5:00-6:00pm. This choir sings in church approximately once a month. Directed by Heather Mitchell.
Sanctuary Choir: Vocal choir for adults of all ages. Weekly practice on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:00pm. This choir sings in church weekly. Directed by Bill Snyder.
Genesis Praise Band: Musical band for vocalists and instrument players. Weekly practice on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm. Directed by Allan Davidson.
Heavenly Bell Choir: A handbell choir for students in grades 3rd-6th that meets every Sunday afternoon from 3:00-4:00pm in the handbell room. This choir plays in church approximately every 6 weeks. Directed by Heather Mitchell.
JuBELLation: A handbell choir for students in grades 7th-12th that meets every Sunday afternoon from 4:00-5:00pm in the handbell room. This choir plays in church approximately once a month. Directed by Heather Mitchell.
Resounding Joy: A handbell choir for adults (high school graduates and older) that meets every Thursday evening from 6:15-7:15pm in the handbell room. This choir plays in church approximately once a month. Directed by Heather Mitchell.
Please consider enriching your life by joining one of our many church choirs. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (540) 312-8333 or email me at [email protected].
Circle 1
Circle 5
Circle 9
Debt Elimination Update
Check out our flame! We have received many wonderful gifts since beginning our debt elimination drive as well as a recent naming contribution that has boosted us to 85% of our goal. If you have been thinking of
pledging or giving, but have not done so, now is the time. Every dollar helps fill the flame. We are close to eliminating the debts of our past so that we may fully focus on the needs of our future. Thanks to all who have supported this worthy goal!
Contributions - Behind the Scenes Margaret Woolwine, Office & Communications Manager
Did you know we have several methods by which you can give to the church?
Offering Envelope - you may contribute with cash or check via your offering envelope. These are provided each year in a different color to church members who have contributed in the past and elected to continue doing so via offering envelope. Each giver/family is assigned a number (in the top left corner of the envelope) by which the contribution can be easily keyed into our church financial software.
Bank Bill Pay - you may set up a recurring contribution to the church via your bank’s bill pay option. This is a great way to ensure consistent giving! The bank will cut a live check and mail to the church on your behalf. Once received, the check will be placed in a blank offering envelope, filled out with your name and fund selection as indicated on the check, and keyed into our church financial software.
Online Giving - you may contribute online via our website www.fumcsalemva.org. Contributions can be debited automatically from your checking or savings account or processed using your credit or debit card. This option also ensures consistent giving and discontinues the need for paper checks and envelopes. These contributions are imported electronically into our church financial software, saving time and eliminating potential keying errors. Members are also able to view their giving statement online at any time.
We are blessed to have a wonderful group of counters who prepare the weekly deposit. All loose cash or check offerings are placed in a blank envelope and contributor information (when provided) filled out so that these may also be keyed into the church financial software. Monetary contributions to First United Methodist Church may be tax deductible. All contributors should receive a quarterly statement of giving for review and to supply for tax purposes. Please contact Margaret with any statement discrepancies or consult your tax advisor for guidance on qualifying deductible gifts.
Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts will resume September 12th. We will meet every Tuesday evening at 6:00pm here at the church. Cub Scouts is available for children ages Kindergarten-5th grades. For more information please contact Jim Scharp at (540) 814-7994 or email [email protected].
Hermitage Community Guild
You are invited to the “Hoe-Down @ Hermitage”! This event will be Saturday, September 16th from 10:00am-1:00pm with afternoon music by Eastern Divide. Luncheon tickets are $7 and include BBQ or hotdog, baked beans, watermelon salad, and a drink. Children’s tickets can be purchased for $3 and include hotdog and a drink. All proceeds will benefit the refurbishing of the fountain area in the rotunda at the Hermitage. Tickets may be purchased in the church office with cash or checks made payable to: Hermitage Community Guild.
S.K.Y. Group (Seniors Keeping Young 55+) Bobby Pickle, SKY Director
Our SKY Luncheon will be September 21st @ 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall. We have a great program for our luncheon - Mr. Jim Robinson will be playing his “Hammer Dulcimer” along with delicious food and friendly fellowship this will be a blessing to all. We hope you will join us!
ChapelTalktm
Please join us Sunday, September 17th during the Sunday School hour as Tom Bowers leads us in a discussion on “The Opioid Crisis”. As we all know, the opioid epidemic has become a major concern for our country and our community. We encourage all youth and adults to participate and urge the adult Sunday School classes to make this their class for the day.
Contact Information
Please be sure to update (if recently moved) or provide current (if new to FUMC Salem) contact information to the church office including mailing address, phone number, and email so that you will be certain to receive church communications and quarterly financial giving statements. You may do this by calling the church office (540) 389-5459 or by emailing [email protected].
Note of Thanks
Genia & Butch Johnson would like to extend their thanks for the many thoughts and prayers during Genia’s recent hip replacement. We thank you all!
85%
Monthly Financial Update
July 31, 2017
Year to Date Budget $475,462
Year to Date Actual Giving $443,595
Year to Date Balance Remaining ($31,867)
Annual Budget $834,314
Annual Balance Remaining ($390,719)
VIRGINIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT June 16-18, 2017 | Hampton, Virginia
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis, Presiding Bishop Theme: “A New Thing” – Isaiah 43:19
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis presided over the 2017 session as the 235th Annual Methodist Conference, convened at the Hampton, Virginia Civic Center June 16, 2017. Conference clergy and laity joined hands in a vibrant gathering of church leadership. Resident Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, North Alabama Conference and Resident Bishop James Swanson, Mississippi Conference were conference guests and Worship Leaders, as well as Rev. Tom Joyce, past Senior Minister, FUMC, Assistant to the Bishop, leading the Friday evening worship. The Conference Offering this year supported missions in Cambodia, Mozambique, and Brazil. The Annual Conference is a gathering of Clergy a well as Laity members (equal numbers) and the agenda included exciting worship and song, thoughtful business sessions, constitutional issues (ex: apportionments), resolutions on inclusive constitutional language, an Episcopal Address by Bishop Lewis, reports from Laity-led committees, retiree recognition, elections AND in closing “Fixing of the Appointments”, our Rev. Alan Combs, and Walter “Bud” Pierce. Interwoven are ample opportunities for fellowship. I was able to greet on your behalf former FUMC clergy Jon Bennett, Larry Thompson (DS-Winchester District) and Tom (and Eleanor) Joyce.
“Endings are just where you stop a story, it’s temporary, because there is always another beginning.”
- Bishop Lewis at commissioning ceremony
Joe W. Ferguson, Lay Leader Lay Delegate, FUMC
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First United Methodist Church
125 West Main Street
Salem, VA 24153-0887
Address Service Requested
First Connections (USPS693-120) is published monthly by First United Methodist Church 125 W. Main Street, Salem VA 24153-3615 | Phone (540) 389-5459 | Fax (540) 389-6046
Website: www.fumcsalemva.org Email: [email protected] Wesleyan Preschool: (540) 389-5144
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First United Methodist Church Staff
Lead Pastor, Alan Combs ([email protected])
Associate Minister, Jeffrey Dorsey ([email protected])
Assistant Minister of Congregational Care & Senior Adults, Bobby Pickle ([email protected])
Director of Children’s Ministries & Children’s Choirs, Tricia Givens ([email protected])
Youth Ministries Director, Jessica Kauffman ([email protected])
Director of Wesleyan Preschool, Jane Butto ([email protected])
Director of Sanctuary Choir, William Snyder
Director of Youth & Handbell Choirs, Heather Mitchell ([email protected])
Organist, Judith Snyder
Piano Accompanist for Children & Youth, London Reinhard
Contemporary Worship Music Co-Director, Allan Davidson ([email protected])
Contemporary Worship Music Co-Director, Joey Poarch ([email protected])
Office & Communications Manager, Margaret Woolwine ([email protected])
Sextons, Butch & Genia Johnson ([email protected])
Roanoke District and VA Annual Conference
Bishop, Sharma Lewis District Superintendent, Kathleen Overby Webster