IN THIS ISSUE

September 2016

the Beacon

First United Methodist Church Marion, NC

Seeking to be a Lighthouse guiding people in Worship, Discipleship,

and Christian Service.

A Word from Pastor Warren Page 1 Members in Action Page 2 September Calendar Page 2 Children and Youth Page 3 New Bible Study Page 4 Memorials Page 5 September Birthdays Page 6

Dear Friends of Marion First UMC,

The non-denominational inception of National Back to Church Sunday began eight years ago and tabbed for September 18thof the this year. National Back to Church Sunday (www.backtochurch.com) is an initiative that is “Inviting America Back to Church.” It seeks to reach the "un-churched" and "de-churched"—people who have never attended church, or who once attended church but don't any more—and invite them to return on

a special Sunday.

In 2013, a Gallup survey stated that 87% of people believe in God. Yet only 27% of those surveyed individuals attended church in the last 7 days. In addition, 82% of people who don’t attend church say they would attend if invited by a friend, yet only 2% of Christians ever invite someone to church. Over 30,000 churches participating representing 120 denominations are expected to invite over 3 million people to church each year for Back to Church Sunday. There are nearly 100 million Americans, including teens and children, who are presently un-churched as people increasingly move away from attending church and practicing faith. Back to Church Sunday is not just a day—it is a movement to empower church members to invite everyone to come to church. It is designed to help combat the decline of evangelism and church attendance by providing an easily implemented “invite-able" event that gives church members a reason to invite, and gives people a reason to try church again or for the first time.

Of course you never have to wait for a special Sunday to invite a friend. Any Sunday would be good.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Warren

Love Is All You’ll Find We know the love that God has for us, and we trust that

love. 1 John 4:16

Water must be wet. A fire must be hot. You can’t take the wet out of water and still have water. You can’t take the heat out of fire and

still have fire. In the same way, you can’t take the love out

of God and still have him exist. For he was...and is...Love.

Probe deep within him. Explore every corner. Search every angle. Love is all you find. Go

to the beginning of every decision he has made and you’ll find it. Go to the end of every story he has told and you’ll see it.

Love. No bitterness. No evil. No cruelty. Just love. Flawless love. Passionate love. Vast and pure

love. He is Love.

September Calendar

Page 2 THE BEACON

Acolytes Sept. 4 Tyler Young Sept. 11 Dylan Kagan Sept. 18 Jack Bryan Sept. 25 Cassandra Kagan

Crucifers Sept. 4 McKinna Young Sept. 11 Hannah Settlemyre Sept. 18 Olivia Bell Sept. 25 Hayden Vaughn

Children’s Church Sept. 4 Dina Stainbrook Sept. 11 Michele Settlemyre Sept. 18 Angela Bryan Sept. 25 Amy Moomaw

Sunday School Elementary Missy Vaughn Youth Jerri Young

Sound Chris Wilson

Lectors Sept. 4 Debra Boldon Sept. 11 Linda Davidson Sept. 18 Linda Davidson Sept. 25 Kathy Benedict Ushers Sept. 4 Robin Dunnebacke Fred Dodge Ryan and Eavan Smith Sept. 11 Mike and Gail Sewell Debra Boldon Vicki Williams Sept. 18 Hayden and Chris Vaughn Ruth Sander Brian Benedict Sept. 25 Thomas Moomaw Samuel Owens Adam Miller Eavan Smith

Monday Counting Teams Sept. 5 Norman Guthrie Fred Dodge Sept. 12 Linda Davidson Ann Arney Sept. 19 Jimmy Blanton Norman Guthrie Sept. 26 Cathy Cook Ruth Sander

Thurs, Sept. 1 6:00 pm-Hand Bell Choir practice Mon., Sept. 4 Church Office Closed for Labor Day Wed., Sept. 7 8:00 am-Men’s Bible Study 5:30 pm-Wonderful Wednesday Night resumes 7:00 pm. Psalter Choir Fri., Sept. 9 10:00 am-Quilted Hugs 6:00 pm-Fundraiser for Tonya Sanchez Sun., Sept. 11 12:00 pm-Youth Hike to Catawba Falls Mon., Sept. 12 7:00 pm-Mayme Tainter Circle Tues., Sept. 13 7:00 pm-Prayer & Evangelism Meeting Wed., Sept. 14 8:00 am-Men’s Bible Study 9:00 am-Coffee Club 10:00 am-Morning Circle 5:30 pm-Wonderful Wed. Night 7:00 pm-Psalter Choir Fri., Sept. 16 6:45 pm-Movie Night Sun., Sept. 18 12:00 pm-Children to have lunch and a movie in Fellowship Hall Mon., Sept. 19 6:00 pm-ECEC Board Meeting 6:00 pm-Trustees Meeting 7:00 pm-Finance Meeting Tues., Sept. 20 6:00 pm-Church Council Wed., Sept. 21 8:00 am-Men’s Bible Study 5:30 pm-Wonderful Wednesday 7:00 pm-Psalter Choir Sun., Sept. 25 12:00 pm-Youth to Morganton for a movie Wed., Sept. 28 8:00 am-Men’s Bible Study 9:00 am-Coffee Club 5:30 pm-Wonderful Wed. 7:00 pm-Psalter Choir

Wonderful Wednesday Schedule

5:30 pm Wed. Night Meal 6:00 pm Adult Bible Study

Friends in Faith 7:00 pm Psalter Choir Practice

Kids

& Youth

Friends in Faith

continues on Wednesday Nights

from 6-7 pm

Ages 3 through 5th grade

Learning about God and having lots of fun!

Take A Hike!

The youth will be going for a hike at Catawba Falls right after church on

Sunday, September 11

So bring your hiking clothes, pack a lunch, and join us for an adventurous afternoon!

Lunch and a Movie

Kids ages 3 through 5th grade will stay for a picnic

lunch and a movie on Sunday, Sept. 18...

Bring your lunch!

Sunday, September 25

Youth will have lunch here in Marion, and will then load up and go to Morganton to see a movie...stay tuned for more

details!

United Methodist Women

The Mayme Tainter Circle meets on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7:00 pm in the Parlor.

The Morning Circle meets on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 10:00 am in the Parlor.

The annual Rummage and Bake Sale will be

Saturday, October 1 from 7:00 am-12 noon.

Donations can be brought in beginning Friday, Sept. 16 and put on the stage in the Fellowship Hall.

Page 4 – The Beacon

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

for Tonya Sanchez (a Day Care Worker)

Tonya has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and will soon be

undergoing surgery. In order to help with the medical bills,

the Day Care is holding a fundraiser

Friday, Sept. 9

from 6-8pm

In the Fellowship Hall

$7 a plate (Includes Spaghetti, salad, garlic stick, dessert, drink)

All proceeds will go towards Tonya’s medical bills.

Please Keep Tonya in your prayers!

FUMC Hand Bell Ringers will resume on Thursday, Sept. 1

at 6:00 pm.

All Are Welcome!

NEW BIBLE STUDY!

Beginning Wednesday, September 7,

we will begin a new study, diving into real life evangelism.

A book for Christians who want a powerful, prayerful,

joy-filled way to learn to share our faith.

Starting Wednesday, September 7

6:00 pm

Wonderful Wednesday Supper at 5:30

Memorials

In Memory of

Rosemary Killalea Charles and Jane Brown Betty Smoak Phillip and Kay Tate Psalter Choir Annie Lee Epley

Praise Him With Music !

Have a favorite hymn that you would like to hear?

Howard, our new pianist, is now taking requests of favorite hymns that can be played for preludes, offertories, and postludes during

our worship services. We will acknowledge the sender of the

request in the bulletin (if you like). You can email the office or drop

a note in the offering plate.

Thank You

First United Methodist Men, Thank you for awarding a

portion of the McGuire Memorial Scholarship to me. I

am blessed to be a part of a supporting congregation. I ask

for continued prayers as I begin my sophomore year at Lees-McRae College.

Respectfully,

Caleb Smith

The Old Fort Community Chorus will begin rehearsals for this year’s Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Sept. 6th, from 7-9 pm at Greenlee Baptist Church on Highway 70 near Old

Fort. This is a volunteer choir, normally about 60 members, made up of anyone who enjoys singing.

Carolyn Early is the director and Howard Smith is the accompanist. We do ask a member donation of $15 to cover music expenses. Rehearsals are very Tuesday.

The deadline to join is September 20th. Concert dates are Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 pm and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 pm.

March Birthdays

September Birthdays

A Lighthouse guiding people in Worship, Spiritual Growth, and Service.

First United Methodist Church 176 Robert St. Marion, NC 28752 828-652-7010 marionfumc.com

Sept. 1 Charles Brown

Bunnie Burgin

Sept. 2 Hannah Ross

Will Moomaw

Sept. 3 C.J. Dellinger

Sept. 7 Robin Dunnebacke

Michele Settlemyre

Sept. 8 Cathy Cook

Tawnya Kagan

Sept. 10 Cyndi Kidd

Kathy McCoy

Sept. 15 Crystal Johndrow

Sept. 16 Elaine Howard

Sept. 16 Janet Morgan

Sept. 20 Hannah Settlemyre

Hayden Vaughn

Sept. 21 Avangeline Pool

Sept. 22 Eavan Smith

Sept. 23 Olivia Brown

Joan Hensley

Sept. 24 Helen Goudreau

Don Jones

Sept. 25 Annie Lee Epley

Chris Rhodes

Sept. 26 Krisopher Grissler

Sept. 27 Tom Settlemyre