January 1, 2012

Epiphany Sunday

The Church Staff Rev. James W. Smith ............... Senior Minister Christie Umpleby ............... Preschool Director Rev. Noel C. Perez ............... Hispanic Minister Mike Jones ..................... Church Administrator Rev. David Warlick..... Minister of Worship Arts Stephen Thompson .. Sound & Maintenance Mark Ashby ................................. Youth Director Melanie Castleberry .......... Finance Secretary Sallie Minick ......................... Children’s Director Anne Hunter ........................... Church Hostess Alwen Yeung ................... Pianist/Accompanist Connie Brodess ................................. Secretary Mark Watford ........................................ Organist Lyn Dozier ........................................... Secretary Danny Minick ................... Praise Team Leader

200 South Lee Street Americus, Georgia 31709 229-924-3169

www.fumcamericus.com office@fumcamericus.com

Three Resolutions

Three Simple Life-Changing New Year's Resolutions

for a Disciple of Jesus Christ at Americus First United Methodist Church

1 - Regular Worship Attendance 2 - Regular Participation in a Growth Group 3 - Regular Participation in Service Opportunities

Jim

Welcome, Guests, to Americus First United Methodist Church!

We are glad you are here and hope you worship with us again. We invite you to join our congregation. If you are

interested in membership, call Rev. Jim Smith at 924-3169.

Americus First United Methodist Church

MORNING WORSHIP January 1, 2012 — 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

First Sunday after Christmas / Epiphany Sunday

PRE-WORSHIP MUSIC Mark Watford

*GREETING AND WELCOME CHORUS (Please fill out your communications card and place it in an offering plate later in worship.)

Joy to the World (Isaac Watts) Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. © Public Domain

ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Jim Smith

PRELUDE — March of the Kings (Robert W. Thygerson)

*HYMN OF PRAISE #251 — Go, Tell It on the Mountain

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH #881 — The Apostles’ Creed

*GLORIA PATRI #71 — Glory Be to the Father

PASTORAL PRAYER, LORD’S PRAYER #895 Rev. Jim Smith

CHORAL RESPONSE — Threefold Amen (Austin C. Lovelace)

ANTHEM — Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God (Carl F. Mueller) +++ Children dismissed to God’s Playhouse.

TITHES and OFFERINGS OFFERTORY PRAYER Rev. Jim Smith OFFERTORY — Go, Tell It On the Mountain (Robert W. Thygerson)

*DOXOLOGY #95

*HYMN OF PREPARATION #176 — Majesty, Worship His Majesty

SCRIPTURE READING — Matthew 2:1-12 Rev. Jim Smith

THE MESSAGE — The Appropriate Response Rev. Jim Smith

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*BENEDICTION Rev. Jim Smith

*POSTLUDE

Offerings left on the altar during communion are given to our local Community Services Ministries.

Ricky Arnold, Sound Tech Pat Duff, Media Tech

Communion Servers: Brenda Davis, Anne Hunter, Reba and Sam Hunter

* Congregation stands. + + + Ushers may seat those who are waiting.

GROWTH GROUPS

ARE COMING!

Prayerfully consider joining one

of our Growth Groups in 2012.

You will receive more informa-

tion in the mail soon.

You may sign up for a group

at the church during the week

of January 9-13 or on Sunday,

January 15, at the Winter

Roundup. The groups will begin

meeting the week of January 22.

We invite you to our Orienta-

tion and Training for Lead-

ers and Hosts on Wednesday,

January 4, at 6:00 p.m. in the

Social Hall. We’ll train lead-

ers, answer questions and set-

up meeting sites for our small

groups.

Epiphany Twelve days after Christmas, Epiphany celebrates

the visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus.

Americus First United Methodist Church

Contemporary Worship January 1, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.

First Sunday after Christmas and Epiphany Sunday

“THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE”

Matthew 2:1-12

Rev. Jim Smith

Media Tech: David Warlick

Begin praying now that everyone will find a Growth Group.

In memory of Evelyn Davis

from Ann and Harry Entrekin

In memory of Bob Perry

from Ann and Harry Entrekin from Nyla and Jim Franklin

from Jewell Reeves from Janis and Julian Webb

from the Epworth Class

In memory of Billy Smith

from Dorothy and James Dewberry from Ann and Harry Entrekin from Nyla and Jim Franklin

from Kathy and Robert Parks from Philip Smith

In memory of Eunice Wall

from Ann and Harry Entrekin

Our Record of Faithfulness Last Sunday Membership: 956

Christmas Eve Worship Attendance: 347 Christmas Worship Combined Attendance: 344

Worship Attendance .............. 234 Hispanic Worship Attendance ......... 110 Benevolent Fund YTD .... $13,404 Hispanic Offering ......................... $443 Budget Giving ................ $16,492 Hispanic Offering YTD ............. $20,373 Budget Giving YTD $655,648

Reminder: You may make donations to the church by automatic draft.

To do so, just call Melanie in the finance office at 924-3169.

January Notes:

Our next Fellowship Supper will be

Wednesday, January 11, with poppy seed chicken!

The church offices will be closed Monday, January 2.

HONORARIUMS

In HONOR of Jay, Joy, and Abbey Franklin

from Virginia Franklin

In HONOR of Diane and Jim Smith

from Ann and Harry Entrekin

In HONOR of Ann and Bill Harris

from Janis and Julian Webb

In HONOR of The Epworth Class

from Janis and Julian Webb

Our Christmas Eve

communion offering

was $2,678 to be split

between SAMA Food Bank

and the Sumter Faith Clinic.

In Our Thoughts & Prayers Gale Brown, Beth Carroll, Walt Grant, Steve Griffin,

Senora Grimes, Carey Harbuck, Darrel Harbuck, Danny Hollis,

Mary Hunt, Anne Hurst, Phillip Mathis, Harold Moore, Jack Partain, Ginger Perkins, Rodney Vance, Hazel Waller,

Julian Webb, and Wylene Webb

To add someone to the prayer list,

please call the church office at 924-3169.

www.afumcyouth.com Check out the website for photos, videos and info.

facebook: americusfumcyouthgroup

Mark 404-406-7730

Winter Schedule January 1: Happy New Year! January 8: Youth Activities Resume January 8: Puerto Rico Meeting at 4:00 p.m. in The Foundry

Remember Team 316 commitments for 2012. Flyers are available in the church office.

Join A Choir in 2012!

We need you in your choir next year! If you enjoy singing, you should join us! You don't need to read music or have a spectacular voice … just love to praise God in song! We would all love to have you join us!

Chancel Choir … open to all high school age and adults Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30pm beginning January 4 Sunday mornings, 10:40am through 11:00 Worship

Youth Grades 6-12 There will be a meeting for those interested in youth music on Sunday afternoon, January 15, at 4:30.

Elementary Choir Grades 1-5 Sundays, 5:30-6:30pm beginning January 8

PreSchool Choir Wednesdays, 6:30-7:00pm beginning January 11

Handbell Choir Sundays, 5:30-6:30pm beginning January 8

Plan now for the early summer event -

Children's Music & Arts Week 9:00a.m.-2:00p.m., Tuesday-Friday, May 29-June 1, 2012

“UNDECORATE” THE SANCTUARY

AND SOCIAL HALL We've enjoyed all the beautiful Christmas decorations in the

Sanctuary and Social Hall for these four weeks, and now it's time to take

them down and store them for another year. We could use your help!

Join us to “undecorate” on:

Monday, January 2, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 3, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

We could REALLY use some people to lift and carry boxes and tree parts

on Tuesday! Won't you help?

Thanks!

David and the Worship Committee

A BIG thank you to all the angels who brought food and helped serve

our Christmas Day lunch to the community. We prepared and served

a delicious meal to more than 300 individuals.

Anne Hunter

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11:00 Greeters for January 1, 2012 Front Door – Sylvia & Donnie Roland North Door – Betty Pope

South Door – Pam Law & Charlene Sanders

11:00 Greeters for January 1, 2012 Carson Walker, Captain; Randy Jones, Co-Captain;

Andrew Austin, Greg Austin, Louis Bridges, Johnny Burnette, Mike Denham, Jim Gatewood,

Franklin Hardin, Sam Hunter, Mark Pace, Bill NeSmith, Robert Parks, and Jimmy Williams

HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Sunday, January 1, 2012 Epiphany Sunday

9:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Social Hall 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Hispanic Sunday School in the Hispanic Worship Center 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Worship in the Hispanic Worship Center

Monday, January 2, 2012

Offices Closed for New Year’s Bright Beginnings Preschool is closed until January 4. 5:00 p.m. Un-Decorate the Church

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

5:00 p.m. Un-Decorate the Church

Wednesday, January 4, 2012 6:00 p.m. Growth Group Leadership Training in the Social Hall

Sunday, January 8, 2012

9:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Social Hall 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Hispanic Sunday School in the Hispanic Worship Center 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Worship in the Hispanic Worship Center 4:00 p.m. Puerto Rico Mission Trip Meeting in The Foundry 5:00 p.m. Prayer Connection in the Parlor 5:30 p.m. Handbell Choir Practice 5:30 p.m. Elementary Choir Practice 6:00 p.m. UMYF

SANCTUARY CUSTODIAN NEEDED FUMC is looking to contract with someone to weekly clean the

sanctuary and adjoining education building to include the Bright

Beginnings area. Interested persons should contact Mike Jones in

the church office (924-3169).

2012

Sunday, January 8, 2012 4:00 p.m. Puerto Rico Meeting

Youth Foundry

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Growth Group Winter Round Up

Monday, January 16, 2012

Bright Beginnings Closed Holiday

Sunday, January 22, 2012 Growth Groups Begin

Thursday January 26, 2012 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Bright Beginnings Open House

Sunday January 29 to

Wednesday, February 1 EPWORTH WINTER CAMP MEETING

Registration form in Office

March 5-7, 2012 A LENTEN SPIRITUAL RENEWAL RETREAT

Epworth-by-the-Sea

March 8-10, 2012

Bright Beginnings Preschool

Spring Consignment Sale

March 5-7 2012 Lenten Retreat

Epworth-by-the-Sea

Saturday, March 31, 2012 Pagie Buchanan Wedding

The Sanctuary

May 29—June 1 Children’s Music & Arts Week

Tuesday—Friday 9:00 am—2:00 pm

June 10-14, 2012

Vacation Bible School

Sunday — Thursday

5:30p—8:30p

June 17-23, 2012 Youth Mission Trip to Puerto Rico

Calendar Dates for 2011 and 2012

Monday-Thursday: 9:00a to 5:00p

Friday: 9:00 a.m. to noon Friday is

Jim’s, David’s, and Mark’s day off.

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

LORD, I WANT TO KNOW YOU

A new Bible study is starting Monday, January 9.

This study is a devotional study on the names of God.

"So much of our confusion, our pain, our indecision, and our wrong decisions come be-

cause we do not know God. We may know about Him - we may know what others know or

say about Him - but do we know what God says about Himself? Do we know for ourselves

who He really is and, therefore, how He conducts Himself in the affairs of mankind?"

"When you know God more fully by studying His names - Creator, Healer, Provider, and

many others - you'll gain power to stand strong. You'll find strength for times of trial, com-

fort for pain, and provision for your soul's deepest needs.

And your walk with God will be transformed."

This study is exceptionally good and is not too involved.

Cost for the book is $17.

The study will run for 17 weeks:

Mondays at 10:00 a.m. at Central Baptist

and Monday nights at 7:00 at First United Methodist.

If there is enough interest

we may be able to add other times and/or days.

For more information call:

Carol Shiver at 924-0960

or

Ginny Jones at 924-0120