OUR CHURCH STAFFEpworth’s members are our ministers. The professional staff who assist us are:

Choir Director ...................................Lyn PharrisChurch Administrator ....................Susan SniderContemporary Music Director ........ Kayla MossCustodians ......Martha Conklin & Barbie WebbMusic Director ......................................... Bob LeeNursery Worker ........................Martha ConklinPastor .......................................... Tony G. Crosby

COMING UP...Sunday, May 24 9:00 a.m. Online Announcements 9:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School via Web Conference 11:00 a.m. Livestream WorshipTuesday, May 26 6:30 p.m. AA Group MeetingWednesday, May 27 7:00 p.m. Devotional & Prayer Meeting via Web ConferenceThursday, May 28 10:00 a.m. Nathan Patterson/Wesley Sunday School Meeting @ the church 12 noon Prayer Team Virtual MeetingSunday, May 31 9:00 a.m. Announcements 9:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School via Web Conference 11:00 a.m. Livestream Worship

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CONTACT US2400 Devonshire DriveColumbus, GA 31904

Pastor’s Cell (706) 329-2484Church Office (706) 322-6973

www.epworthumc.comstaff’s first name@epworthumc.com(example: tony@epworthumc.com)

Facebook - EpworthUMC.comInstagram - EpworthUMC.comTwitter - @EpworthColumbus

CONTACTING YOUMost of the church’s communication is through e-mail and texting. We send two e-mails each week—a newsletter on Monday, a sermon preview on Friday and texts during the week. We also use e-mail to send important meeting reminders and other information. Epworth has a free text messaging solution hosted by Remind. Sign up now by texting ‘@epworth1’ to 81010. Help us contact you by ensuring the church office has your current e-mail address.

The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciplesThe mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciplesof Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

PASTORAL COUNSELINGOur church partners with The Pastoral Institute to offer counseling for individuals and families at deep discounts. Call the church for more information or call the Pastoral Institute at 706-649-6500 to schedule a telehealth appointment. Telehealth appointments only until further notice.

2020 FLOWER CALENDARSign up to purchase flowers for the sanctuary in honor or memory of loved ones. Arrangements are $50 each. Upcoming available dates are May 24 & 31, all of June, July 5, 19 & 26. For more available dates, see the calendar attached to the office window or call the church office.

May 24, 2020

Epworth connects and equips all kinds of people to SEEK, SERVE, and SHARE Christ.

OUR STEWARDSHIPMay 24, 2020

Tithes & Offerings: $2,520.00Received To Date: $103,176.70Needed To Date: $116,917.20

Attendance:Total Online Only 101

COVID-19 TASK FORCE TO GIVE DIRECTION ON REOPENING

Debra Johnson, the chair of our Church Council, has appointed a task force to study the issues surrounding re-opening our campus for worship and other activities. The task force will be chaired by Lyn Pharris (music/worship) and includes Janie Nellums (at large), James Johnson (Trustees), Buddy Dunn (Trustees), Bobby Smith (SPR), Debra Ledbetter (nurse), and Martha Conklin (nursery/custodian). The committee will be studying recommendation from our conference as well as other medical authorities to determine when and how   activities can resume. Worship and most other on-campus meetings are suspended currently until June 30. The task force will be meeting soon and should have at least some recommendations for the Church Council to consider by mid June.

ONLINE REVIEWS MATTERTake a few minutes to write a review of your experience at Epworth through Facebook, Google, or Yelp. This is a way to let our community know about us. Use your social network to share events at our church with family and friends you think might be interested. Our church maintains an active Facebook presence. You can follow the latest news updates from our church at www.facebook.com/epworthcolumbus. Let’s spread the word of what God is doing at Epworth and in our community.

WHAT’S HAPPENINGAttention 2019/2020 Graduates - Please contact the church office if you are graduating from high school or college (winter 2019 or spring 2020), so we can celebrate with you. Please let us know the school you attended and degree earned (if college).

Children’s Sunday School Web Conference Our children are meeting via Zoom on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday school. Download the Zoom app to your device and use the meeting ID 881 992 472, password “jesusyall.” Alternatively, you can click on the link in our e-mail newsletters or on Facebook. To get the lesson, reproducible and video, go to epworthumc.com/welcome/coming-up-soon.

Fellowship Hall Reserved for AA Group - The AA Group will meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Reachers UMW Group Meeting - Tuesday, May 26, at 11 a.m., at the church, under the port-cochere. We will practice social distanting, if any women want to join us.

Nathan Patterson/Wesley Sunday School Class Meeting - Thursday, May 28, at 10 a.m., under the port-cochere.

Epworth is a Voting Precinct - The fellowship hall will be used for voting on Tuesday, June 9.

2020 South Georgia Annual Conference Postponed - The Annual Conference is set for August 14-15, 2020 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, GA. For more information, visit www.sgaumc.org/annualconference.

Upper Room Devotional Sale - May/June issue is available in the welcome center. Large print, $1.75; regular print, $1.25.

WAYS TO STAY CONNECTEDWednesday Devotion & Prayer via Zoom Web Conference - On Wednesday evenings during our season of cancelled gatherings, we will meet at 7:00 p.m. via the Zoom web conferencing service. The meeting will open at 6:30 p.m. for those who need time to troubleshoot connection issues. Download the Zoom app to your device and use the meeting ID 767 387 279, password “jesusyall.” Alternatively, you can click on the link that we will provide in our e-mail newsletters and on Facebook. A phone-in option is available if needed (call Tony on his cell (706-329-2484) for help). I hope many of you will join us for this time of devotion and sharing. We need to maintain our connections to one another in this season.

Digital Connections More Important Than Ever - If you have not signed up for our text messaging service or are not receiving e-mails from the church, now is the time to fix that! Our digital connections are all we have right now. Make sure you are set up to receive communications from the church to stay up to date on what is happening. To sign up for our text messaging service, text @epworth1 to 81010 and simply enter your name if needed (many people already use Remind).

Worship Livestream Continues - The videos from the past Sundays are available on Epworth’s Facebook page and will remain. We will continue to hold livestream this Sunday. Invite people to join us as we offer this content. It isn’t a real substitute for our being together, but we want to continue to bring resources that lead us in faithfulness and discipleship. You can join us by going to https://epworthumc.freeonlinechurch.com/live or on Epworth’s facebook page live at 11 a.m.

MISSIONSMay Mission Focus - Mercy Med of Columbus. Mercy Med is a medical clinic that serves anyone, regardless of their ability to pay. They are founded on Christian principles and were the first medical facility in the area to establish an outpatient Coronavirus clinic to support the Columbus community. To learn more, visit mercymedcolumbus.com. Supporters of our May mission can either mail or drop off a check to Epworth marked “Mercy Med.”

Sustained Giving Needed During These Times - Please remember to continue your financial support to the church during these cancellations by mailing in your offering, bringing it by the church, or exploring our online giving at www.epworthumc.com/donate. We are always thankful for your faithfulness.

Casseroles for a Cause - The casseroles will be a year-long mission to support Feeding Our Neighbors at Rose Hill and to help those in the congregation who may need a meal. Pick up the provided recipe and large pan or two small pans from the mission cart. Make the casserole, return it to the church and place it in the freezer in the kitchen. If you do not have a key, call the church to make arrangements to drop off your casserole.

Wynnton Neighborhood Network April 2020 Report - We served 996 bags of groceries to 234 families which included 318 children. We helped 12 families with utility assistance, spending $588.75. Please keep the volunteers and clients of the Network in your prayers. We have the greatest and most supportive congregations! Special thanks to those who sewed masks for our volunteers. We truly appreciate everyone’s generosity.

EPWORTH PRAYER LISTChurch FamilyEmilie Carswell Jimmy Bridges Judy Frantz Annette Taff Ron & Betty Sawyer Vanessa Desoto Thrower Family Sibyl Wells Barbara & Bill Stubbs Kernodle Family Daniel Family Helen Batastini Jerry Chase Judson Mullican Barbara Watson Crosby Family Becky Britton Janis Day Bobby Clark Brenda Karastury Anne Whitehurst Rev. Earnestine Campbell & Family James Faircloth Extended Church Family Steve & Carol Guilbeault Michael Taff David Olson Mark Oliver Dotty Baker Katie Leach Evie Green Andrew WadeLaurie Osteen Preston Silvernail Dora Spires Willie Ryles Judy Patterson Cassie Prochaska Billy Hill Kim Jordan Dorothy Ogg Bruce Chapman Charles Holmes Marilyn Buck Danny Chidester Beth Goodwin McDaniel Family Stephanie Bryan Adams Family Hattie Campbell Robin Grantham Dana ThurstonRalph & Sandy McGough Diane Wiggins Cody Kane David Garner Jimmy & Carol Chapman Cristina Mattocks Robbins Family Jennifer Vaughn Patricia Waldo

Independent/Assisted Living/Nursing Home Covenant Woods - Linda Coleman, Carol Osteen, River Place - Betty Cummings, Jane Sanders, Helen Pharris Anne WilsonKings Bridge (Atlanta, GA) - Blount King River Towne Center - Jerry WilliamsMagnolia Manor - Doris Halouska, Fred Carswell The Lodge (Bessemer, AL) - Lorene Carlisle Cammie Van Over Wesley Glen (Byron, GA) - Nancy HillerPhenix City Health Care - Anne Whitehurst

Please continue to pray for our homebound people. They would love a call or text!

If the prayer list needs to be updated, please call, email, or leave anote with updates with the church office. Thank you for your help!

Tree of Life Memorial for Epworth UMC and Hamp Stevens UMC

Given by The Friendship Class in memory of Jean F. Morriswhose generosity and caring spirit made this world a better place.

You may remember a family member or friend, now deceased, on the lasting Tree of Life Memorial that graces the entrance of our Sanctuary. Consider commemorating their life with a leaf placed on this handcrafted piece of art.

Memorials can be made for members of the Epworth United Methodist or Hamp Stevens United Methodist churches. Initiated by the Friendship Sunday School to honor Jean’s life, it is carried forward by Epworth’s Board of Trustees.

Complete the section below and return it with your gift made out to Epworth UMC. With limited space, we will only be able to include names on the leaf-no other messages. The minimum donation for an engraved leaf is $50.

Name of Donor: _______________________________________Address: _______________________________________Phone Number: _______________________________________Email Address: _______________________________________Donation Amount: _______________________________________Names to be Engraved: 5 rows of up to approximately 12 characters on each row

SAMPLE

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Sebastian Williamson

Jim & JeanWilliamson& Family