NON PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #141

COLUMBUS, GA 31904

EpworthUnited Methodist Church2400 Devonshire Drive Columbus, Georgia 31904 706-322-6973

Our ChurCh StaffChoir Director Lyn PharrisChurch Administrator Susan SniderMusic Director Bob LeeNursery Worker Martha ConklinPastor Rev. Scott Hagan

Pastor’s Home (706) 327-2927Pastor’s Cell (706) 329-2484

Church Website: epworthumc.com

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

EpworthUnited Methodist Church We are making disciples of Jesus Christ

for the transformation of the world.

thiS COming WeekSunday, September 2, 2012 9:00 AM Blended Worship Service10:00 AM Sunday School11:00 AM Worship ServiceMonday, September 3, 2012Labor Day/Office Closed10:00 AM Prayer Shawl MinistryTuesday, September 4, 201210:30 AM HIS UMW Meeting 6:00 PM God ChicksWednesday, September 5, 2012 5:15 PM Prayer Team 6:00 PM Consecration Sunday Leaders Meeting

6:00 PM Praise Team Practice 7:00 PM Choir PracticeSunday, September 9, 2012 9:00 AM Blended Worship Service10:00 AM Sunday School11:00 AM Worship Service

upCOming eventSMonday, September 10, 2012 7:00 PM New Life UMW Meeting7, 8 & 9 PM Youth Volleyball Games Wednesday, September 12, 2012 6:00 PM Wednesday Night SupperThursday, September 13, 2012 6:00 PM Vintage Group Meeting

September 2, 2012

The sanctuary flowers are given to theGlory of God and in memory of

Curtis Combs by Lee Rogers.

Read, Ponder, Pray John Wesley wrote to John Trembath in 1760, “Whether you like it or not, read and pray

daily. It is for your life; there is no other way; else you will be a trifler all your days, and a petty, superficial preacher.” I love that! Don’t be petty and don’t trifle away your days.

Wesley was correct, but on Sunday I extended his word of counsel far beyond any preacher’s in the room. These words are true for every person who has uttered the prayer asking Jesus to be Lord of their life. Reading from the Bible each day, or close to it, is required of those who are striving to be like Christ...which is what the very name Christian means.

A classical spiritual practice, grounded in the Word of God, has become the way I begin most of my days. It is called lectio divina, and is available to every person I know. As an indication of the small number of items needed to get started, I brought in the end table and lamp from the front room of our home; it doesn’t take much! A place to read and reflect, a Bible, and possibly a devotion guide to help you get stared are all that is required. As for time, I sometimes read and pray for 12 minutes and other times nearly an hour passes. It honestly depends on my day and how I am led.

Father Luke Dysinger offers this concise method of practicing lectio divina:•Read. Turn to the text and read it slowly, gently. Savor each portion of the reading,

constantly listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.” Do not expect lightning or ecstasies. In lectio divina, God is teaching us to listen, to seek him in silence.

•Ponder. Take the word or phrase into yourself. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories, and ideas. Do not be afraid of distractions. Memories or thoughts are simply parts of yourself that, when they rise up during lectio divina, are asking to be given to God along with the rest of your inner self.

•Pray. Whether you use words, ideas, or images—or all three—is not important. Interact with God as you would with one whom you know loves and accepts you. Give to God what you have discovered and found within your heart during your experience of meditation.It is my deep prayer that this model, once practiced by every Christian in the world,

would draw you closer to His Presence. Grace and Peace, Scott

What’S happeningPrayer Shawl Ministry - Monday, September 3, at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.HIS UMW Group Meeting - Tuesday, September 4, at 10:30 AM, in the Fellowship Hall. Ann Smith will present the devotional. Group III will prepare the food and be our hostesses.God Chicks - Tuesday, September 4, at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Consecration Sunday Leaders Meeting - Wednesday, September 5, at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.Church Work Day - Saturday, September 8, from 8:00 AM - noon. Lunch provided. Speak with Shawn Jandreau or one of the Trustees about projects that need attention. We need your help in cleaning up for Homecoming. Thanks!UMM Meeting - Monday, September 17, at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.Need a name tag? If you need or have lost your name tag, call, email or leave a note for the church office to print one for you.Upper Room Daily Devotionals - September/October issue is available from the foyer for $1 each.memOrialS& hOnOrariumGiven to the Building Fund in memory of Boots Beard by Jimmy & Regina Bridges and Becky Britton.

Given to the Building Fund in memory of Cleon King and James Toney by Becky Britton.

Given to the Choir Fund in memory of Boots Beard and James Toney by Steve & Lyn Pharris.

Given to the General Fund in memory of James Toney and Cleon King by Mary Lee & Sidney Crews.

Given to the General Fund in memory of Boots Beard by Mary Lee & Sidney Crews and Jeanne Guilbeault.

Given to the General Fund in honor of Regina Bridges by Mary Lee & Sidney Crews.

miSSiOnSMission Focus for September - Continue Collecting Box Tops for Education - for Allen Elementary. Place the box tops in the box on top of the Mission Cart or in the folder on the Bulletin Board. To see a complete list of the participating products, visit www.boxtop4education.com or pick up a flyer from the foyer or the Mission Cart.Open Door Needs Volunteers - The Circles in Columbus initiative is well underway with a lot of positive community engagement. Open Door is now holding weekly meetings which include a meal and childcare for all in attendance, as they seek to empower people to get out of poverty. To keep costs down, they are seeking 6-8 volunteers each week to help with the children. If you are interested in committing to two hours one Thursday night per month to assist with childcare, it would be a great help. You will need to have a national criminal background check ($25) and a drug screen ($5) and have a brief training before you can start. Epworth will cover your costs if you want. You can call or email Meg Olive (meg_odch@yahoo.com) if you have any questions or would like to volunteer with childcare!

hOmeCOmingEpworth’s 52nd Homecoming Celebration has been set for September 23, 2012. Mark your calendars now to be present for a great morning of worship and a meal to follow. Michele Thurman, this year’s chairperson, is contacting persons to help with this year’s big day.

thank yOuThe family of Boots Beard would like to thank our Epworth family for the love, support, cards and gifts of food upon the passing of our mother and grandmother.

Sunday SChOOl at 10:00 amTHE CHILDREN’S CLASS Pre-k - 2nd Grade: Carolyn Gambill 3rd - 6th Grade: Leslie Morris

THE FRIENDSHIP CLASS Study: Faith Calls for Perseverance Teacher: Class

THE JOY CLASS Study: God Came Near Teacher: Glenn Griffin

THE NATHAN PATTERSON CLASS Study: Proverbs - Ch. 28 Teacher: Bobby Smith

THE NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS Study: Mayberry - Andy Griffith Teacher: Class

THE “NO NAME” CLASS Study: Class Discussion Teacher: Class

THE QUESTORS CLASS Study: Class Discussion Teacher: Gary Tomlin

THE SEEKERS CLASS Study: Class Discussion Teacher: Bruce Zimmerman

THE WESLEY CLASS Study: Faith Calls for Perseverance Teacher: Class

THE YOUNG ADULT CLASS (and HIGH SCHOOL) Study: Nooma SeriesTeacher: Julie Hagan

thOSe WhO Serve Sunday, September 2, 2012

9:00 AM Worship Service: Greeters: Janie Nellums Ushers: Matthew Ledbetter, Diane Morris Acolyte: Ushers Children’s Church: Janie Nellums11:00 AM Worship Service: Greeters: Susan Davis Ushers: Donny Davis, Doug Revell Acolyte: Ushers Children’s Church: Suzy RevellFinancial Secretary: Steve SawyerTurn Key: Helen Pharris

Our SteWardShipAugust 26, 2012

Tithes & Offering: $2,922.00Received To Date: $206,896.22NEW BUILDING/MAINTENANCE

Received This Week: $460.00

ATTENDANCESunday School: 89Worship: 9:00 AM 46 11:00 AM 107Total 153

familieS and ChildrenAdditional Teachers Needed for Children’s Sunday School - We are expanding. We need additional teachers to help, using the great curriculum we offer. Speak with Debra Johnson for more information.

yOuthYouth Bible Study - takes this Monday off for Labor Day. We will resume the following week.

WedneSday SupperSResume this Fall with a new schedule and renewal for two great reasons: food and fellowship! A committee of various folks within the church have gathered and considered the input from our congregational survey. We will meet the Second Wednesday of each month, starting on September 12, 2012. Each night will be hosted by various groups within the church, starting with the UM Men. The meal will be $6.

epWOrth prayer liStChurch FamilyJo Ann Chase Kristi Miller Carolyn Gambill Annie Mayton Linda Smith Ellen Ayers Vanessa DeSoto Aaron JacksonMarjorie Pearce Bob Nellums Jane Sanders Jan ShacklefordDeborah Cooper Cammie Van Over Wayne Sanders Doris ToneyLarry Cooper Sara Rice Bob Wait Diane ChampagneFred Carswell Bob Wells Blount King Andrea CarbaughEmilie Carswell Sybil Wells

Extended Church FamilyMichael Taff Ryan Corkron Sue Sasser Judy PattersonCheryl Crosby Chris Conklin Susan Simpson Jean Flowers Patrick Brannen Alverta Champagne Ricky Clark Katie FortButch & Anita Sloan Bill Garnto Wanda Crowe John Rogers Victoria Thompson Daisy Purvis Jacob Freiler Lin & Dora Spires Dr. Edith Thompson Steve Guilbeault Frank Karastury Wilie RylesJudy McMann Roy McMann Jeff Waldo Joseph EldridgeEmory & Betty Gilbert Bill Hortmann Goyne Family Jeffrey Titmus Lawrence Martin Derby III Lamar Shaw Joe Mock Kim Williams John Batastini Ronnie Bridges Todd & Holly

Asheville, NC - Susan Squiers Magnolia Manor-Brenda Goodwin, Lillian WaitCovenant Woods - Nelle Lloyd Lonnie WhitehurstGardens at Calvary - J. Wood Browning, III Morningside - Alta Kimbrough Hamilton House - Nadine Bettis Wesley Glen (Byron, GA) - Nancy HillerHilton Head, SC - Bertha Carter

Due to changes in privacy laws, hospitals have restricted or eliminated a list of patients by church denomination. Please help us minister to you effectively by calling the

church office at 706-322-6973 about yourself or a family member.

Updating Prayer List: If anyone on the prayer list needs to be removed or added, please call or email the church office or leave a note with updates. Thank you for your help.

epWOrth prayer liStChurch FamilyJo Ann Chase Kristi Miller Carolyn Gambill Annie Mayton Linda Smith Ellen Ayers Vanessa DeSoto Aaron JacksonMarjorie Pearce Bob Nellums Jane Sanders Jan ShacklefordDeborah Cooper Cammie Van Over Wayne Sanders Doris ToneyLarry Cooper Sara Rice Bob Wait Diane ChampagneFred Carswell Bob Wells Blount King Andrea CarbaughEmilie Carswell Sybil Wells

Extended Church FamilyMichael Taff Ryan Corkron Sue Sasser Judy PattersonCheryl Crosby Chris Conklin Susan Simpson Jean Flowers Patrick Brannen Alverta Champagne Ricky Clark Katie FortButch & Anita Sloan Bill Garnto Wanda Crowe John Rogers Victoria Thompson Daisy Purvis Jacob Freiler Lin & Dora Spires Dr. Edith Thompson Steve Guilbeault Frank Karastury Wilie RylesJudy McMann Roy McMann Jeff Waldo Joseph EldridgeEmory & Betty Gilbert Bill Hortmann Goyne Family Jeffrey Titmus Lawrence Martin Derby III Lamar Shaw Joe Mock Kim Williams John Batastini Ronnie Bridges Todd & Holly

Asheville, NC - Susan Squiers Magnolia Manor-Brenda Goodwin, Lillian WaitCovenant Woods - Nelle Lloyd Lonnie WhitehurstGardens at Calvary - J. Wood Browning, III Morningside - Alta Kimbrough Hamilton House - Nadine Bettis Wesley Glen (Byron, GA) - Nancy HillerHilton Head, SC - Bertha Carter

Due to changes in privacy laws, hospitals have restricted or eliminated a list of patients by church denomination. Please help us minister to you effectively by calling the

church office at 706-322-6973 about yourself or a family member.

Updating Prayer List: If anyone on the prayer list needs to be removed or added, please call or email the church office or leave a note with updates. Thank you for your help.

Dear Epworth Family:

Mark YOUR calendar!!!SATURDAY, OCTOBER 138:00 am until 1:00 pm

Epworth Fellowship Hall

VINTAGE MARKET PLACE(Sponsored by the Epworth Vintage Group)

Scrambled Dogs~~~Bake Sale~~~CraftsPlants~~~Book Sale~~~Jewelry

If you would like to participate in this Market Place, fill out the registration form below and give it to Becky Britton, Jackie Jenrette, or Dot Merritt. Registration deadline is Sunday, September 16.

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Registration is for one six foot table. (You can share a table with another person.) There is no charge for the table; 20% of your sales will go to the VINTAGE Group (Earlene Gresham, Treasurer). The deadline for registration is Sunday, September 16.

Name ___________________________________________________________________________

Are you sharing a table with another person?_______If so, who?___________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone #s _______________________________________________________________________

Items that you plan to sell _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Epworth Family:

Mark YOUR calendar!!!SATURDAY, OCTOBER 138:00 am until 1:00 pm

Epworth Fellowship Hall

VINTAGE MARKET PLACE(Sponsored by the Epworth Vintage Group)

Scrambled Dogs~~~Bake Sale~~~CraftsPlants~~~Book Sale~~~Jewelry

If you would like to participate in this Market Place, fill out the registration form below and give it to Becky Britton, Jackie Jenrette, or Dot Merritt. Registration deadline is Sunday, September 16.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Registration is for one six foot table. (You can share a table with another person.) There is no charge for the table; 20% of your sales will go to the VINTAGE Group (Earlene Gresham, Treasurer). The deadline for registration is Sunday, September 16.

Name ___________________________________________________________________________

Are you sharing a table with another person?_______If so, who?___________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone #s _______________________________________________________________________

Items that you plan to sell _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________