Jesus said, "The light is with you only for a little while. Walk while you have light so the darkness doesn't overtake you. Those who walk in darkness don't know where they are going. As long as you have light, believe in the light so that you may become people whose lives are determined by the light" (John 12:35-36) I cannot find even a hint of what happened on the day after the crucifixion. We know that it was a day of worship, but there are no details of that Sabbath recorded in Scripture. Darkness is the only word that we have. On Easter Mary came to the tomb while it was still dark. Knowing how John wrote, I suspect that he had more in mind than telling us that it was early morning. Darkness is always symbolic of the absence of Christ, and they had spent a day without Him. It is hard for me to imagine worshipping God on the day that Jesus’ body lay in a tomb. He had been condemned to the cross by the very ones who took their important places in the worship. The Light of the world had been extinguished and worship had to be like people feeling their way through darkness. Mary seemed the most anxious for the darkness to end. She left while it was still dark, and headed back to the place where she had last seen the Lamp that once illuminated her way. She was as one who was flee-ing the darkness. She did not expect what she found: She saw Jesus, and in Him was life, and that life was the Light of all who believe. Never again would there be a day in the darkness. Grace and Peace,

Rev Ray

THE CHIMES

April 2020

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ELIZABETHTON, TN

Dear Congregation,

By now you have learned that the Bishop has said that the building will be closed a while longer (I don’t care for the word indefinitely). You are the church; and you can’t be closed. We will be going again soon. And perhaps there is an unseen blessing in all of this. After all, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” We may return with even a greater love for our church.

I have been asked what is the plan. My first response is, “I don’t know, but we will figure it out.” Then I thought, “This is not my church, nor my (our) responsibility to figure out our next steps.” The church belongs to God, and He has a plan. My prayer is that we will allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into that plan.

The Bible says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Everything is going to be alright.

We will post the video taped Sunday Sermon Message on Sunday Mornings at 10:00 AM and the video taped Wednesday Lent Bible Study Messages on Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM. Thanks to Joy (McCray), who is living up to her name. She is faithfully serving the Lord in a productive and meaningful way by recording the messages for us. Thanks also to Vickie Shipley who has worked and worked to help keep the wheels turning.

We are thankful to the many who are remembering the church financially at this time; and certainly for all who are praying.

I pray that you will be protected and receive daily help from the Lord. Our God is good! This comes with much love and certain hope for each of you.

Grace and Peace,

Rev Ray

Please note that upcoming events listed in the newsletter are subject to change due to the Coronavirus

Pandemic. We will keep you updated, as this pandemic is changing daily. Our prayer is that it will pass

soon and we will all be together again.

In Christ’s Love

Vickie Shipley

Holy Week Services

Sunday, April 5th

9:55 AM

Noon Worship, Food & Fellowship

Monday, April 6th, First Baptist Church, Rev. Randy Johnson preaching

Tuesday, April 7th, First United Methodist Church, Rev. Todd Hallman preaching

Wednesday, April 8th, Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church, Rev. Ray Amos Sr. preaching

Thursday, April 9th

6:00 PM

Friday, April 10th

7:00 PM at

First Baptist Church

Sunday, April 12th

7:00 AM

Sunday, April 12th

9:55 AM

Life In Our Church

Holy Stitchers: We will conclude our 2020 sewing project whenever it is safe to be together again. At that time, we will set a date to dedicate the completed dresses and shorts, and mail them thereafter. Little Dresses for Africa is a continuous project- the need is always there. So this delay, although unpleasant for our Holy Stitchers, will not keep us from completing our fourth year of sewing. May God Bless the willing hands of our Holy Stitchers, and the children who will wear our handiwork!

Lanelle Crockett

First United Methodist Church April Mission of the Month

Camp Bays Mountain is a camp with a long legacy and an

important purpose...helping campers grow in the Christian

faith. They offer an environment where children and youth can

find opportunities to explore and grow in their faith. This is

done daily through morning watch, prayer times, evening wor-

ship, and bible studies. Also, every camper is part of a small

group of about ten campers with two counselors/mentors that journey with them. There are

also pastors and church leaders every week that serve as our Ministers-in-Residence.

United Methodists join across our connected congregations to help all of God's

children… whenever and wherever we can. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves

and fishes when the crowd grew hungry. Through our congregations, we are the

heart, spirit and hands of God's outreaching love.

2020 Hands on Mission Project Pack all items in a backpack: (1) 12” ruler (2) Boxes of white chalk (not sidewalk chalk) (1) Compass for math (1) Protractor (1) 10-12 pack of pens (blue or black) (1) 10-12 pack of pencils (1) Pack of erasers (2) Pencil Sharpeners (3) Spiral notebooks (70 count) (1) Small Complete Bible (both the new and old

Testament)

A $5.00 donation for shipping is to accompany each kit—Please do not put the money in the backpack.

Turn money into the church office (or offering plate) and notate “Mission Kit” on your check.

No substitutions or additional items are allowed due to Customs regulations. Please also remove all

price tags.

We will dedicate the backpacks on Sunday, May 24, 2020.

Life In Our Church

Life In Our Church

A special thank you to Joy McCray for live-streaming

our services during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Lent Bible Study

Holy Communion

Donations to the church have been

received in Memory of

Diane Webb Barfield

General Memorial by: Eric Webb General Memorial by: Maryetta Elliott

General Memorial by: Lanny & Martha Epperson General Memorial by: Gayle & Jobelle Hood General Memorial by: Frank & Linda Abel General Memorial by: Lakeshore Marina

General Fund by: John & Margaret Holland Nursery Fund by: John & Lanelle Crockett

Worship Fund by: Sam & Vickie Shipley General Memorial by: Jerry & Sharon Barnett

General Memorial by: Ronald & Norma Kelly and Family General Memorial by: Jim & Debbie Holmes

General Memorial by: Pamela Boyd Memory Garden Fund by: Jean Madgett

Josh Wandell

General Memorial by: Mark Hale Children’s Music Ministry by: John & Margaret Holland

Children’s Ministry by: John & Margaret Holland Children’s Ministry by: Tommy Horton

General Memorial by: Gayle & Jobelle Hood General Memorial by: James & Jama Frazier

Children’s Ministry by: John & Lanelle Crockett

David Forinash Adult Ministries by: John & Lanelle Crockett

Dude LaPorte

General Memorial by: Mark Hale General Memorial by: Woody & Carol Taylor

General Memorial by: Ann Watts

4th…..Margo Bentley 5th…..Ruth Ritchie 6th…..John Crockett, Carolyn Pilkton 11th…..Mark Dugger 13th…..Bill Stanton, Stephanie Keith, Robin Folse 14th…..Betty O’Neal, Rochelle James 15th…..Steven Seeley 17th…..Carole Hayes 18th…..Harry Cox 19th…..JD Livingston II 23rd…..Steve Hayes 24th.....Bob Carroll, Daniel Bowers 25th…..Debbie Wortman 26th…..Jerrie Sue Bowers 27th…..David Arney, Chris Little 28th…..Jobelle Hood, Jeannie Sholes, Chris Dillow 30th…..Jesse Combs

*Please advise Robin in the Church Office of additions or corrections

After much heart-felt deliberation I believe the prudent thing to do is postpone our study until summer. Hopefully we can resume normal activities soon! Thanks for your patience,

Terri Parker

FOR THE MULTITUDE

Our FFTM has stopped serving meals for the remainder of the month of March due to COVID-19. The TLC Center goes by the closure of Elizabethton City School System. Our next serving rotation is Saturday, April 4th at 8:00 A.M. but that is still to be determined. One note, our October 24th Serving Date has been changed to Saturday, October 31st if our fabulous team wants to make that change on their calendars! We are in unchartered waters right now, so God be with us all during this time. Much love and appreciation,

Susan Hathaway

While the church is doing okay financially right now, it is important to keep up with giving. The ministry needs, and church bills, continue.

If you are able to continue to tithe during this unsettling time, you can mail your check to the church (325 East E Street, Elizabethton TN 37643); or you can donate online through our website: fumcelizabethton.com. If you have any questions on how to donate online, please feel free to give me a call (423) 543-3505 ext 206.

In Christ's Love

Vickie Shipley Financial Secretary

Due to the current Coronavirus

situation, we are postponing our

Secret Sister Reveal party until May.

More information to come soon!

We really appreciate all that Lynn Carroll

does. He is such a hard worker and always

has a smile on his face. He is a true bless-

ing to our church. We are very fortunate to

have him on our staff!

Our awesome youth are offering to do grocery pick up and delivery to anyone in our congrega-tion that is not able to get out. They will also run other errands such as pharmacy pick up and Post office!

If you are interested, or know of someone who doesn't get email that may be interested, please contact Doug Hulshult at (423) 773-6949 or Gaye Stanton at (423) 895-2059.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

325 EAST E STREET, ELIZABETHTON TN 37643

Church Office: (423) 543-3505 Email: soblessed@fumcelizabethton.com

Chimes News Editor: Vickie

Shipley. Email: vship-

ley@chartertn.net

NURSERY

April 5th Margo Bentley

April 12th Diana Strano

April 19th Erin Weatherford

April 26th Nona Jarrett

April Volunteers

ACOLYTE SCHEDULE

April 5th: Sophia J. & Ryan Jay Acolyte parents: Weatherford

April 12th: Sophie H. & Porter Acolyte parents: Dillow/McCray

April 19th: Piper Kate & Hannah Acolyte parents: Bennett

April 26th: Cadie & Millie Acolyte parents: Digby

April 26: Believers Class

COUNTERS

April 6th Jobelle Hood

April 13th Dona Dvorak

April 20th Jean Forinash

April 27th Susan Heaton

USHERS

April 5th Team 7

April 12th Team 1

April 19th Team 2

April 26th Team 3

COMMUNION Maundy Thursday

6:00 PM

Sound Technician: Austin Canter

Video Technician: Robin Folse

Regular Weekly Schedule

Sunday Morning Worship 9:55 AM

Sunday School 11:20 AM

Sunday Night 4:12 Jr. High 4:12—5:30 PM

Sunday Night 4:12 Sr. High 5:45—7:30 PM

Sunday Night Bible Study 6:00 PM

Wednesday Coolagers 6:00—7:00 PM

Wednesday Life Lessons 6:00 PM

Wednesday Choir Practice 7:00 PM

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Events are subject to

change due to the pandemic

1 Ivy Hall: 2:30 PM

Lent Meal: 5—5:45

Lent Bible Study: 6:00 PM

2 Worship Meeting 7:00 PM

3 4 Food for Multitude 8:00 AM

5

Worship 9:55 AM

Bible Study 6 PM

6 Noon Lent Service & Meal: 1st Baptist

7 Noon Lent Service & Meal: FUMC

8 Noon Lent Service & Meal: Valley Forge Freewill Baptist

Lent Bible Study: 6 PM

9

UMW 1:00 PM Maundy Thursday Service 6:00 PM

10

Good Friday Service 7:00 PM (1st Baptist)

11

12

Sunrise Service 7 AM Easter Ser. 9:55 AM

13 Library Movie 12:30 PM

14 2nd Harvest: 12:00 Noon

15

Life Lessons 6:00 PM

16 17 18

19 Worship 9:55 AM

Bible Study 6 PM

20 Newsletter Deadline Game Day 1:00 PM

21 22

Life Lessons 6:00 PM

23 24 25

26 Worship 9:55 AM

Bible Study 6 PM

27 28 29

Life Lessons 6:00 PM

30

April 2020

First United Methodist Church

325 East E Street

Elizabethton TN 37643

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED