Epworth connects and equipsall kinds of people to
seek, serve, and share Christ.
March 18, 2018
2400 Devonshire Drive • Columbus, GA 31904706-322-6973 • www.epworthumc.com
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
THIS COMING WEEK
OUR CHURCH STAFFChildren’s Ministry Director .............Lindsey FossaChoir Director ...........................................Lyn PharrisChurch Administrator ......................... Susan SniderContemporary Music Director .............Kayla MossCustodians ...........Martha Conklin & Barbie WebbInterim Youth Minister........................Kristii Daniel Media & Communications ................Dawn Wilson Music Director .................................................Bob LeeNursery Worker ............................... Martha ConklinPastor ...................................................Tony G. Crosby
I Love You
What keeps us alive, what allows us to endure?I think it is the hope of loving,
Or being loved.-Meister Eckhart, Love Poems from God
Allow me once more to share some of Dr. Ira Byock’s words from his book, The Four Things That Matter Most (pp. 149-150).
Love is the most powerful of human emotions. And “I love you” is arguably the single most important sentence in any language.
“Love is its own because!” declared a student in a high school class that I taught one day. I had asked the students why they thought love between people is so important. The response, while perhaps not grammatically correct, is true. In rejecting the question, the student gave the correct answer. Love requires no justification. It has inherent value. If you love someone, no other reason for loving--or living--is needed.
When death approaches, saying “I love you” is a supremely life-affirming, almost defiant, act. It is a way of declaring that our relationships matter. Dying patients have shown me this again and again in the ways that they choose to spend their limited energy and fleeting time. They intuitively grasp that our connections to each other are what matter most.
As important as it is—maybe because it is so important—”I love you” can also be the three most difficult words for us to say. But sometimes when certain words are hard to come by, people find other ways to express the love that is in their hearts.
Indeed, one of the most profound truths spoken of God in the Bible is the affirmation that GOD IS LOVE. This lets us know that on some level, if we have been created in the image of God, we have been created in the image of love. Now I understand that the brokenness of humanity and our sinful nature turns love into self-centeredness and has broken this. But as we discover holiness of heart and life, we will become more loving. We will see people as God sees them, with love in our hearts. In fact, not only is God love, but the scripture also affirms others will know we are Christians by our love.
Forgiveness, gratitude, and love are surely some of the things that matter most in discipleship with Christ. Certainly, other traits such as obedience, humility, patience, and more are important to our journey. But there is no doubt in my mind that if we can get our lives properly oriented around the “Four Things”, we will be well on our way to holiness and will look more like Christ each day.
In Christ,
Sunday, March 18 2:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Reserved 4:00 p.m. Lenten Study - He Chose the NailsMonday, March 19 6:30 p.m. Growing Christians UMW Meeting 6:30 p.m. UMM MeetingTuesday, March 20 5:00 p.m. Feeding Our Neighbors at Rose Hill 6:30 p.m. AA Group Meeting 6:30 p.m. Youth MeetingWednesday, March 21 6:00 p.m. Worship Team Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. Supper
6:30 p.m. Lenten Study - He Chose the Nails 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir RehearsalThursday, March 22 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 12:00 noon Prayer Team MeetingSunday, March 25Palm Sunday 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 12:00 Noon Family Egg Hunt & Luncheon 4:00 p.m. Lenten Study - He Chose the Nails
The sanctuary flowers are given to the glory of God andin honor of the nursery volunteers by Martha Conklin.
CONTACT [email protected]
[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]@epworthumc.com
[email protected]@[email protected] (706) 329-2484
Church Office (706) 322-6973www.epworthumc.com
THOSE WHO SERVE MARCH 18, 2018
9:00 a.m. Worship Service Greeter: Anne Wilson Usher: Jimmy Bridges Acolyte: Usher Children’s Church: Becky Britton 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Greeter: Maxine Willis Ushers: David Hay, Fraser Wooldridge Acolyte: Ema Cheraisi, C. S. DiSimone
Children’s Church: Lindsey Fossa Nursery Volunteer: Lillian Wooldridge Financial Secretary: Lillian Wooldridge Turn Key: James Johnson
OUR STEWARDSHIPMarch 11, 2018
Tithes & Offerings: $2,200.00Received To Date: $53,115.75Needed To Date: $63,458.80 Building Fund: $0
ATTENDANCE: Sunday School 67 Worship: 9 a.m. 38 Worship: 11 a.m. 65
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WHAT’S HAPPENINGLenten Study - He Chose the Nails, by Max Lucado, is offered on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. or Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. The next study dates are March 18 and March 21.
Wednesday Night Supper - March 21, at 6:00 p.m. Sign up to make supper reservations on the information board. Menu: beef stew, (veggie stew for the vegetarians) corn bread, salad bar and dessert.
Adult Bible Study - Every Thursday at 9:30 a.m., in the Questors classroom. Contact Debra Johnson if you are interested.
Prayer Team Meeting - Thursdays at noon at Margaret Gosden’s home.
Fellowship Hall Reserved - Sunday, March 18, from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Growing Christians UMW Meeting - Monday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m., in the fellowship hall.
UMM Meeting - Monday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m., in the Questors classroom.
AA Support Group Meeting - every Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m., in the Questors classroom.
Family Egg Hunt & Luncheon - Sunday, March 25, following the 11:00 a.m. service. Hot dog lunch and lots of fun. Bring your baskets. For more info, contact Lindsey Fossa.
Holy Week Worship OpportunitiesPalm Sunday - (March 25) - Special Music Service at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.Maundy Thursday - (March 29) - Worship at 7 p.m.Good Friday - (March 30) - Devotional Service at 12 noonEaster Sunday - (April 1) - Contemporary 9 a.m. & Traditional at 11 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 10:00 AMThe Children’s Class Kindergarten - 5th Grade: Margaret GosdenThe Youth Class 6th - 12th Grade: Kristii DanielThe Friendship Class Study: The People Gave Thanks to God Teacher: Rev. Tim PaulkThe Genesis Class Study: Have You Ever Seen a Hearse... Teacher: Leslie MorrisThe Joy Class Study: I Love Growing Older, but... Teacher: ClassThe Nathan Patterson/Wesley Class Study: Genesis 12 Teacher: Bobby SmithThe New Connections Class Study: 40 Days of Community Teacher: Chuck SalterThe Pathfinders Class Study: Wired Word Teacher: Suzy RevellThe Questors Class Study: Grace in a Tree Stump Teacher: Glenn GriffinThe Seekers Class Study: Wired Word Teacher: Lillian Wooldridge
MISSIONSDonations Needed for Easter Egg Hunt - The children’s ministry is asking for donations of plastic eggs filled with candy or small toys. No chocolate please. Place items in the tub in the foyer by Sunday, March 25. Thanks in advance!
Open Door Classic & UMCOR Sunday Raise Needed Funds - Thanks to all those who participated and donated! Epworth raised $810 for Open Door and $743 on UMCOR Sunday.
Lilies for Easter - for details and to order, see the sign-up sheet on the information board to order in memory or honor of your loved ones. Each lily is $13. Deadline to order is Wednesday, March 28.
Casseroles for a Cause - Casseroles for Rose Hill Ministry is the Mission Focus for March - . Pick up the provided chicken tetrazzini recipe and pan from the narthex. Deadline to return casserole is Easter Sunday, April 1. Place them in the freezer in the kitchen.
Health Kits for Rose Hill Ministry - the HIS UMW group is collecting items during March and April: gallon-size zip-closure bags, men’s and women’s socks, combs and brushes, washcloths. Full-size: lip balm, hand sanitizers, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, shaving cream. Travel-size: lotions, shampoos, body wash. The congregation is welcome to participate. Place your items in the marked container in the fellowship hall.
Feeding Our Neighbors at Rose Hill UMC - We will provide supper on Tuesday, March 27. Preparations will begin at 5:00 p.m.; serving at 5:45 p.m. If you want more information about serving or helping to prepare the meal, contact Debra Johnson or Becky Britton.
YOUTH & CHILDRENYouth Meeting - Tuesday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. Our study is on I & II Kings. Join us and bring a friend!
Youth Fundraiser - SaveAround coupon books. The books are $25 and the proceeds will go toward the 2018 youth summer mission trip to Indianapolis, IN. To purchase a book, see any youth or Kristii Daniel.
UPDATED ADDRESSNatalie Kernodle, 98136-020, Hazelton SFF, P. O. Box 3000, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525
SERVANTS NEEDEDIf you feel led to volunteer or would like more information, please contact the church office.9 a.m. Acolytes: All Sundays9 a.m. Ushers: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Sundays Children’s Sunday School: 4th Sundays Children’s Church: 9 a.m. - 2nd SundaysChildren’s Church: 11 a.m. - 4th SundaysNursery 11 a.m.: 4th SundaysTurn Key: 1st and 5th SundaysThere are other ministries within and outside the church where you may feel led to volunteer. For more info on these ministries, contact someone from the Missions Committee.
EPWORTH PRAYER LISTChurch FamilyFred & Emilie Carswell Blount King Gladys Plant Trudy Harris Vanessa Desoto Ron & Betty Sawyer Thrower Family Kittye Crockett Sibyl Wells Keri McElvey Shackelford Family Kernodle FamilyJudy Scanling Barbara Watson Joe Flynn Lillian Wooldridge Elsie & Jim Spanogians Andrea Carbaugh Glenn Griffin Daniel Family Anne Wilson Jane Grandon Jimmy Bridges Henry Family Extended Church Family Steve & Carol Guilbeault Michael Taff David Olson Doyle Adams Dotty Baker Ricky Clark Robbins Family Andrew WadeMiranda “Randy” Jones Laurie Osteen Preston Silvernail Dora Spires Willie Ryles Judy Patterson Cassie Prochaska Billy Hill Kim Jordan Kristy Stier Dorothy Ogg Bruce Chapman Amanda Hay Marilyn Buck Danny Chidester Beth Goodwin Luby Family Henry Dunn Adams Family Ellen Pilgreen Ralph & Sandy McGough Diane Wiggins Stephanie Bryan Robin Grantham McDaniel Family Katherine Naegele Al Fohan
Assisted Living/Nursing Homes/Homebound Calvary Community - Lou Williams River Towne Center - Jerry WilliamsMagnolia Manor - Doris Halouska, Savannah Grand - Linda Coleman Cammie Van OverPhenix City Health Care - Anne Whitehurst The Lodge - Lorene CarlisleRiver Place - Betty Cummings, Elizabeth Harbert Wesley Glen (Byron, GA) - Nancy Hiller
(Please continue to pray for our homebound people. They would love a visit!)
If the prayer list needs to be updated, please call, email the church office
or leave a note with updates. Help us minister effectively by
calling the church office about yourself or a family member. Thank you for your help.
