Souled out for Jesus! So, if it is the job of church leaders to equip people for ministry, what are the steps for paving the way to bring people from no interest in the Jesus journey to being “souled” out for Jesus?

1. Be convinced of people’s need for Jesus – no one comes to the Father but by Jesus.

2. Be intentional about looking for people not connected to Jesus and his church.

3. Hang out in places where it isn’t just Christians gathering and pray for God’s moving.

4. Be friendly to the stranger; smile and start conversations.

5. Like location in reality; the three most important discipleship points are listen, listen, listen.

6. Resist the temptation of immediately sharing your similar stories; it’s about them not you.

7. When they open the door, be ready to share how Jesus makes your life better.

8. Don’t push, if this is just to be a friendship, celebrate that; we plant and water.

9. But for any who seem willing, invite the person to an informal event at your church to allay fears and meet people.

10. Invite the person to worship; pick them up, sit with them, informally introduce them.

11. Evaluate together how things went; listen, listen, listen – no defensiveness.

12. Invite the person to join you at a transformative small group and evaluate once more.

Continued on Page 2

First United Methodist Church

411 Church Street Columbia, MS 39429

601-736-7121 www.fumccolumbia.org

CHURCH STAFF

PASTOR Brother Mike Sahler

601-507-2445

CHOIR DIRECTOR William “Billy” Endicott

ORGANIST Barbara Lott

PIANIST Beth Pierce

YOUTH DIRECTOR Angel Herring

CHILDREN’S DIRECTOR Keleigh Oglesbee

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Debbie Graney

CUSTODIAN Mike Rogers

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH First United Methodist Church exists to bring people to Jesus and membership in His

church, help them to mature in Christ and grow in grace, and equip them to discover and to use their gifts in ministry in the church and in the world for the glory of God.

MESSENGER AUGUST 30, 2017

Continued from Page 1

13. Again, don’t push; be in conversation about interest in committing to the Jesus journey.

14. Pray; obviously you’ve been praying without ceasing – including with the person.

Okay, this requires commitment on your part. It’s time consuming and demands energy.  Perhaps you need to clear a part of your current schedule and make new priorities.  The instructions have always been: Go make disciples.  To me, the operative word is “go.” (by Scott Mussleman, The Effective Church Group)

Our Mission: First United Methodist Church aspires to give God all we’ve got; to mature as faithful, fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ; and to go and make disciples of the whosoever for the transformation of the world! Our Vision is to love and serve the people of God! We are the First United Methodist Church, ramping up from membership to discipleship! On your mark, get set, GO! Love All Around, your friend and pastor, Mike…

AT HOME - Dr. Mark Stevens, Samantha Gaughf & Skylar, Cheryl Struck, Anita Smith, Bishop James Carney, Jay C a r n e y , M i k e P r i c e , K a y Patterson, Blake Dunaway, Kelli Pigott Stehling, Mary K. Byrd, D e b b i e S a h l e r , E v e l y n Williamson, Nell Barnes, Lisa Sims, LeWynn Melson, Durr Walker, Dennis & Kathy Malone, Dennis Pittman, Mary Thompson, Josh Zurich & family, Spooky Sims, Ramie Stringer, Jane Martin, John Waits, Shirley Wooten, Lucas Porter, Tom McNeese, Tom Shows, Edith McMurray, Kathleen Zuber, Doris Phelps, Angela Lewis, Kaitlyn Wright, Karon Ryals, Monique Goar, Wesley Moudy, L isa McGloflin, Sabastian Blanchard, Sarah Davis, Brenda Griner, Debbie Price, Brian Jackson, Martha Stephens, Shirley & John Grace, Madelyn Halford, Logan Byrne, Gary Rush, Mary Ann Nicholson, Theresa Edwards, Toni Marino, Faith Johnson, Abbey Talia, Peyton Grooms, Kalyn Boyd, Kenneth Eaves, Jennifer Albritton, Paula Melerine, Eddie Buckley, Rose Ishmael, Garland Hilton, Kathleen Merritt.

SHUT INS The Grove - Rheda Carter, Greta Dick, James Glenn Fortenberry, Georgette Kuykendall, Helen Oglesbee, Angela Varnado

The Myrtles - Dot Young

Wesley Manor - Lina Fortenberry, Maryann Hyatt Bedford Care Hattiesburg - Carolyn Powers

ATTENDANCE August 27, 2017

Worship 137 Sunday School 55

OFFERINGSunday, August 27, 2017Contributions $ 3,527.06

Food Pantry $ 40.00UMCOM $ 165.00

Sound System $ 250.00Organ $ 225.00

Memorials $ 25.00

FINANCIALS TO DATEThe Total Contributions to date for

August is $29,763.91Year to Date Contributions

$ 270,614.70Year to Date Expenses

270,439.37

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS &

ANNIVERSARIES

4 - Daniel Dewitt, Shirley & John Wooten 5 - Dawn Rowell

6 - Elizabeth Seymour 7 - Danny Price, Janet &

Danny Price 9 - Janis Fortenberry,

Jackie Stovall 10 - Angel Herring,

Maggie Herring 11 - Judy Griffith

14 - Kathy & Jason Howell

15 - Louise Brown, Dennis Pittman

16 - Mary Nell & Bruce Livingston

17 - Phoenix Blackard, Charlie Strickland

19 - Darren Hathorn, Laura & Matt Hough

20 - Warren Oglesbee, Irene & Blair Powers,

Nancy Robinson 22 - Allison Foxworth

23 - Rhonda Livingston 24 - Bobby Armstrong

25 - Sarah Bullock Aultman

26 - Jackson Lintner, Janet Price

28 - Charles Rogers 29 - Cass Barnes

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2017 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School 10:00 a.m. - Youth Sunday School 10:55 a.m. - Worship Service 12:00 p.m. - Okatoma Family Float Trip MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2017 Labor Day - Office Closed TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 8:00 a.m. - Methodist Movers 6:00 p.m. - Fast Track Evening Study WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 9:00 a.m. - XYZ 3:00 p.m. - Children’s WWW 3:00 p.m. - Jr. High WWW 5:15 p.m. - WWW Supper 6:00 p.m. - Bible Study & Prayer Time 6:00 p.m. - Sr. High Bible Study 6:00 p.m. - Kouth 6:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 8:00 a.m. - Methodist Movers 9:30 a.m. - Fast Track Morning Study 5:00 p.m. - Trustee Meeting FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 No Scheduled Activities SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 No Scheduled Activities SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2017 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School 10:00 a.m. - Youth Sunday School 10:55 a.m. - Worship Service 4:15 p.m. - Drama Practice Jr. High 5:00 p.m. - Jr. High Youth Choir 5:00 p.m. - Sr. High Bible Study 5:45 p.m. - Snack Supper MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 3:00 p.m. - UMW Executive Board Meeting TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 8:00 a.m. - Methodist Movers 9:30 a.m. - Morning Circle 12:00 p.m. - Agape Circle 5:30 p.m. - Staff Parish Meeting 6:00 p.m. - Fast Track Evening Study WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 9:00 a.m. - XYZ 3:00 p.m. - Children’s WWW 3:00 p.m. - Jr. High WWW 5:15 p.m. - WWW Supper 6:00 p.m. - Bible Study & Prayer Time 6:00 p.m. - Kouth 6:00 p.m. - Sr. High Bible Study 6:00 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 8:00 a.m. - Methodist Movers 9:30 a.m. - Fast Track Morning Study FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 No Scheduled Activities

The Blood Drive will be held on Monday,

October 16th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Please see Scarlett Gafford or Terry

Robbins to sign up!

UMW MEETINGS

UMW & Circles will resume their regular

meeting this September. UMW Executive Board

Monday, Sept.11 at 3:00 p.m.

The Morning Circle will meet Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m. and Agape

will meet at 12 p.m.

Labor Day is Monday, September 4th

The office will be closed!

WWW is in full swing with many new friends! We have taken the past two weeks to get to know each other a little more with fun and games. This week we will take a look at the story of Jonah and see what jello, rice, cotton balls and cooked spaghetti have to do with it. If you would like to be a part of this great ministry each week, please join us! We would love to have you! 

Many thanks to the Trustee committee and Mike for their hard work on preparing the playground for another year of play. 

Our Sunday school classes will resume as normal upstairs this Sunday. Parents, we ask that you please get your children from their Sunday school classroom when class is over. We are so thankful for those who have volunteered to teach Sunday school this year. Join us upstairs

as we dive deep in our Bibles as we learn more about God's love for us. 

Have a great week! Keleigh 

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL UPSTAIRS

The junior high Back to School retreat was a huge success, with a total of 28 youth participating through the weekend, and there

are so many people to thank! Thank you to Mrs. Marilyn Foxworth for providing enough air mattresses that everyone could sleep comfortably. Thank you to Laura Hough and Sara Russell for donating watermelons for our Mega Relay event. The Hahns hosted us at their home for swimming and recreation after JUST having done so the Sunday before. Thank you to our shower stops: the Foxworths, Hahns, Howells, Beisels, and Ms. Cathy Edwards. We had Jeff Blackard, Angela Hahn, Allison Foxworth, Wronal Simmons, and Sue Simmons who came out Saturday night to help drive for our scavenger hunt. And a big thank you to our senior high youth for giving up time on their weekend to help in any way needed: Harrison Foxworth, Thomas Hahn, and ESPECIALLY Liza Hathorn and Skylar Graves. And where would I be without Cathy Edwards and Kathy Howell stepping in to help prep, put on, and clean up from each and every event we do?? Their help is tireless, limitless, and selfless ALWAYS!

The family Okatoma Float trip will take place this Sunday after church! The prediction of rain has dropped to 20% as of the writing of this article. If that changes, we will adjust accordingly. Prices for rentals are below, with the church contributing half the cost. I will need a firm commitment and deposit by Friday at noon. Money can be taken to the church office in a labeled envelope or given to me personally Wednesday. Bring a sack lunch and drink you can enjoy on the way. I DO need plenty of chaperones for this trip….if you’re willing, let me know!

Single kayaks: $15 Double kayaks: $25 Canoes: $20

Have a great week! Mrs. Angel

*Drama class and choir practice will resume 9/10.

WWW Lessons through September: School Days

Okatoma Float Trip

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHRUCH P.O. BOX 585 411 CHURCH STREET COLUMBIA, MS 39429

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 33 COLUMBIA, MS 39429

SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES

Disciple Fast Track Evening Study - Every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Disciple Fast Track Morning Study - Every Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Youth Float Trip - Sunday, September 3rd at 12:00 p.m.Labor Day - Monday, September 4 , Office Closed

Trustee Meeting - Thursday, September 7 at 5:00 p.m.UMW Executive Board Monday, September 11th at 3:00 p.m.

Morning Circle - Tuesday, September 12th at 9:30 a.m.Agape Circle Tuesday, September 12th at 12:00 p.m.

Staff Parish Meeting - Tuesday, September 12th at 5:30 p.m.Directors Cut Gathering Tour - September 17th - 5:30 p.m. t0 7:30 p.m.

Look for more info to comeFinance Meeting - Thursday, September 21st at 4:30 p.m.

Administrative Council - Monday, September 25th at 5:30 p.m.