First United Methodist Church

101 E Blythe Street Mailing Address: P O Box 25

Paris, Tn. 38242

(731) 642 4764

www.parisfumc-tn.org

Catch First United Methodist Church rebroadcast on

WHNY 104.7FM, 97.5FM and AM 1000 at 9:30AM or

TV CHANNEL 195 @ 11:00 AM

Live stream service @ our Facebook page

Pastor’s Ponderings: With the recent retirement of Dr. Richard Clark, we welcome Rev. Dan Camp as the new Superintendent of the Tennes-see River District. Dan has been a long time friend, and I have every confidence he will serve well in the role of Superin-tendent. The article below was published this week in our Tennessee River District email news, and I thought it would be a good way for our congregation to be introduced to Reverend Camp.

What does a new district superintendent say in his/her first newsletter article? I asked around. Best answer? "Keep it short and to the point!" OK. Message received.

These are really strange and tough times we are going through at this moment in history. Someone has observed that it is "as though we are living (simultaneously) through the flu pandemic of 1918, the depression of the early 1930s and the racial/civil unrest of 1968 all over again." For the last several months, my daily routine has moved from one of sermon preparation, staff meetings, pastoral visitation, teaching and worship planning to;

I) Not knowing exactly what to do each day and, 2) an inordinate amount of time spent on the computer and the phone. In short, I feel like I am "all dressed up with no place to go."

I'm waiting. Waiting for this dreaded virus to pass over (and lamenting its toll in terms of human lives). Waiting for the world to return to some sense of normalcy. Waiting for an end to the mean-spiritedness rampant on social media and in our culture at large. Waiting to shake hands with and hug my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ once again. I have to remind myself that waiting does have some biblical basis. That God uses the “fallow times" of our lives in the same way God uses the Sab-bath for restoration.

Psalm 27: 14 tells us, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Isaiah 30 reminds us: “Blessed are all who wait upon God.”

Eugene Peterson’s (“The Message”) rendering of Romans 8:24 hits the target: " .... Waiting does not diminish us any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting."

So---we are all waiting together. Waiting for what God will do and how God will use us. Waiting to be guided by the Spirit when the time comes for the physical body known as the church to completely reassemble. Rest assured, we are all in this together. God is certainly doing "a new thing."

In the meantime, I have now relocated my office from Covington First UMC to the office at 24 Corporate Boulevard in Jackson. Dr. Richard Clark and I have been collaborating for the last several months to ensure as seamless a transition as possible. De-lores Smith and I have worked together before (Milan FUMC) so we both had an immediate comfort level. It is too early and too uncertain a season to be making definite plans---so I'll be careful about making grand pronouncements. Let us instead simply pray for one another. I want to be as available as I possibly can be for you. My office e-mail is dcamp@mac-umc.org. My cellphone is (731) 501-6254.

Enough said ..... I'm here for you in any way I can help.

Peace and grace, Dan Camp Tennessee River District Office

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Brighton Gardens (Brentwood) – Marjorie Van Dyke Glenmary (Memphis) – Paul Russell

Morningside – Bunny Selby Morningside of Cookville – Jennie McGlohn

Plumley - Jim Adams, Keith Odom

Paris Healthcare – Covie Byars, Donna Cooley, Oma Klingenberg, Jimmy Mann,

RoseStone – Katie Younker

Weakley County Nursing Home – Helen Pentecost

Patsy Henry - recovering from surgery Wayne Lich - Lois Ramme’s father on hospice care Paul Carney - Recovering from surgery at home

ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS: Russell Baatz, Leesa Beecham, Tonie Belarictk, Jean Cloar, Corey Boden, Frances Nichols Cochrum, Dora Corey, Judy Curd, Don Davenport, Jane Etheridge, Peggy Franz, Greg Frary, Abigail Frizzell, Joe Geary, Sharon Harrington, Daryl Harris, Dolores Harvie, Cassandra Hobbs, Carl Honniker, Betty Joan Hoyt, Whitney Ikemire, Jace Jones, Rob Keltz, Kenneth McBride, Martha McCollum, Cooper McElwain, Joe Pat Moody, Jim Morgan, Rachel Morgan, Natalie Norwood, Ronnie Paschall, Michael Perry, Nick Phifer, Dale & Lois Ramme, Taylor Beth Roney, Ann Ross, Trudie Ross, Stephen Rowlett , Gail Sharpe, David Stanton, Shirley Swanson, Tommy & Jan Swor, Douglas Taylor (Phyllis’ brother), Martha Taylor, Martha Tittle, Jake Wade, Lee and Barbara Walgora, Mary Lee Walker, Jim Bob Weatherly.

THE MILITARY: Hudson Bradley, Michael Brewer, Jamie Burton, Jaxon Cook, Callon Conger, Angie Davis, Jason Dea-ton, Alex Dye, Jimmie Fry, Chris Gay, Hayden Goodwin, Colin Harris, Matthew Hart, Sebastian Hayward, Josh Hearnsberger, Dillon Jackson, Jason Meadows, Michael D. Merrell, Cory Merritt, Austin Paschall, Jon Rhodes, Adam Ross, Britney Simpson, Loren Steele, Aaron Thompson, Thomas Thompson, Lexy Klopfenstein Veliz, Nathan Watson, Doug Winchester, Jakob Womack.

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Dear Congregational Care Committee Members, thank you for the delicious meal you prepared for us last Wednes-

day. The Methodist women are known to be great cooks. I thoroughly enjoyed driving by and seeing familiar faces

from my church family. The Upper Room was a great idea, I read it daily and needed the July /August edition.

Thank you for your many acts of kindness. Sincerely, Jacque Veazey.

Thank you for the delicious lunch we received on Wednesday, July 1st. It is nice to be remembered. Doris & Dale

Reuter

OPERATING BUDGET RECEIVED THE WEEK OF 07/12/20

OPERATING BUDGET AMOUNT RECEIVED YTD

$12,510.60

$356,633.77

49% of budget

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AMOUNT RECEIVED YTD

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FUND BALANCE AS OF 07/16/20

$159,632.43

$49,615.43

46% of Goal

Hey PFirst Kids & Parents!!

Please continue to have your children looking for their weekly mailing.

This year, due to COVID-19, the Family Resource Center is having the Back to School Bash as a

drive-thru event. They have asked First Methodist to provide blunt tip scissors and composition

books. If you prefer not to shop for these items, but would like to donate, please send a check to

the office and in the memo line write B2SB.

The deadline to have these items to the church is THIS SUNDAY!!

Thank you, Ms. Jennifer

DAILY LECTIONARY READINGS

Friday, July 17, 2020: Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24; Ezekiel 39:21-29; Hebrews 6:13-20; Isaiah 44:9-17

Saturday, July 18, 2020: Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24; Exodus 14:9-25; Matthew 7:15-20; Isaiah 44:18-20;

Sunday, July 19, 2020: Genesis 28:10-19a; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Monday, July 20, 2020: Psalm 139:13-18; Genesis 32:3-21; Revelation 14:12-20; Revelation 14:12-20

Tuesday, July 21, 2020: Psalm 139:13-18; Genesis 33:1-17; Galatians 4:21-5:1; Zephaniah 3:1-13;

Wednesday, July 22, 2020: Psalm 139:13-18; Genesis 35:16-29; Matthew 12:15-21; Daniel 12:1-13;

Thursday, July 23, 2020: Psalm 105:1-11, 45b; Genesis 29:1-8; 1 Corinthians 4:14-20; 1 Kings 1:28-37

Friday, July 24, 2020: Psalm 105:1-11, 45b; Genesis 29:9-14; Acts 7:44-53; 1 Kings 1:38-48; Acts 7:44-53

You are invited to the 2nd annual Shrimp Boil sponsored by the Henry

County Relay for Life committee on Saturday, July 25th at the Paris

Winery (2982 Harvey Bowden Road).

Food is served from 5:30-7:00, indoor and outdoor seating available,

carry outs are also an option. The Ethan Torsak Band will be

performing from 6:00 - 10:00.

Tickets are $20 prior to the event, and $25 at the door. Bring your own

lawn chair or blanket for the music. Hope to see you there!!

Tickets are available at Paris Family Chiropractic and Hulmes Sporting

Goods, or call Elizabeth Craig at 731 693 1134

HELP NEEDED!!

I'm looking for someone to help me with farm work, re-

pairing and painting farm equipment, gates and fences.

$10/hour to start. Must be willing to wear safety glasses,

gloves, etc. Philip Craig 731 336 3297

We have, in the church office, an excess of HP printer ink

cartridges. If you could use any of them, please come by

and collect them, a small donation would be appreciated.

The numbers are 564 XL (Photo, blue and yellow), 62

(Black and tricolor), 901 (Black and tricolor)

SAFE GUIDELINES For our 8:30 service in the CLC, please enter through the back glass doors that go directly to the gym. No coffee or break-fast will be served initially. For the 11:00 service in the Sanctuary, please enter at Poplar street or at the front of the sanctuary. • Wear a face mask “to protect others.” Masks are provided if you don’t have your own. • Sanitize hands upon entering the building. • Refrain from physical contact. • Maintain safe distancing of at least 6 ft from others. • Please bring your own bulletin from home, only a few will be available for guests. • Attendance pads and offering plates will not be passed. Baskets will be available as you enter and exit, where you may

place your offering. • Dismissal will be directed so that there is not “bottle necking” at the doors. • Only one person in restrooms at a time. Clorox wipes are provide for you to clean any touched surfaces before leaving. • There will be no children’s church or nursery at this time Children are always welcome in our worship!

God Works through Science Too by Reverend Kenneth Carder serviced as our Bishop in the Memphis Conf. From 1992-2000

In response to Dr. Anthony Fauci's expressed concern about a prevalent "anti-science" bias in our society, Franklin Graham posted on his Facebook: "Science isn’t truth—God is." The evangelist's comment was an attempt to discredit or minimize scientists' warnings and guidelines regarding COVID-19. The comment reflects a long-standing effort to drive a wedge between science and religion. Pitting science and theology against one another is one of religion's most costly and deadly mistakes. The church persecuted and executed scientists in the name of defending God; and the current attempts to undermine epidemiologists and other scientific specialists dealing with the COVID pandemic is killing people. I was privileged to serve as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the 1980s. The congrega-tion consists of scores of Ph.D. scientists and professional engineers. Their intellectual brilliance, commitment to the pursuit of truth, devotion to contributing to the healing of creation, and humility in admitting their mistakes inspired me and broad-ened my own understanding of who God is and how God works in the world. One of my Oak Ridge friends was Dr. William Pollard, a world-renowned physicist and Episcopal priest. He spoke and wrote often of how his science expanded his understanding of God and how his faith informed the purpose and use of his science. He reminded us all that God is the source of ALL truth, scientific and theological/Biblical, and that all truth must be ap-proached with humility and mystery. Franklin Graham is right: God is truth! He is wrong when he pits religious revelation over against scientific data. God's reve-lation is contained within creation as well as the pages of Scripture. In reality, the creation itself is the first "Bible," preceding the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures by millions of years. From my perspective, science is one of God's most generous gifts to humanity. Yes, it can be--and often is--misused, but no more than religion has been and continues to be used for devilish purposes. Both religion and science can also be arrogant and idolatrous. But anti-science is a dangerous form of practical atheism. It denies God's sovereign presence and work in ALL creation and negates our stewardship of God's gifts. Science is God's gift over which we are to exercise stewardship in service to the healing of creation. Albert Einstein put it succinctly: "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” What are the implications for the current pandemic crisis? The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is a public health challenge that requires the world's best scientific minds. It is a new biological phenomenon about which science learns more every day. Let us support the scientists who are devoting their God-given expertise to understanding and defeating the virus. The pandemic is also an ethical, theological challenge. The heart of our religious faith is summed up in the commandment that we shall love God and our neighbor. Science is showing us how we can best love our neighbors in face of COVID-19: Wear a mask Practice social distancing Wash your hands Avoid crowds Support research for vaccines and therapeutics Now is not the time for partisan politics and self-serving efforts to undermine scientists. Now is the time to seek and live the Truth revealed in science AND religion. For those of us who claim allegiance to Jesus, it boils down to loving one another as Christ loves us.

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

July 19, 2020

Chiming of the Hour

Prelude “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” arr. Innes John Massa

Welcome and Announcements Rev. Joy Weathersbee

Call to Worship “Surely the Presence of the Lord” Chancel Choir

Hymn of Praise “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” UMH #127

Guide me, O my great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more, feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow. Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.

Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield, be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside. Death of death, and hell's Destruction, land me safe on Canaan's side.

Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever give to thee, I will ever give to thee.

Sharing of Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Reading Genesis 28:10-22 Rev. Joy Weathersbee

Hymn of Preparation “Nearer, My God to Thee” UMH #528

Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee; E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.

Though, like a wanderer, the sun gone down, Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.

There let a way appear, steps unto heaven; All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;

Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise,

so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky, Sun, moon and stars forgot, upward I fly,

still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.

Message “When We Least Deserve It or Expect It ...” Rev. Joy Weathersbee

Affirmation of Faith from Romans UMH# 887

Gloria Patri UMH# 71 Anthem “There’s a Spirit of Love in This Place” Chancel Choir

Hymn of Invitation “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” UMH# 418

We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, We are climbing Jacob’s ladder,

Soldiers of the cross.

Every round goes higher, higher, Every round goes higher, higher, Every round goes higher, higher,

Soldiers of the cross.

Sinner, do you love my Jesus? Sinner, do you love my Jesus? Sinner, do you love my Jesus?

Soldiers of the cross.

If you love him, why not serve him? If you love him, why not serve him? If you love him, why not serve him?

Soldiers of the cross.

We are climbing higher, higher; We are climbing higher, higher, We are climbing higher, higher,

Soldiers of the cross.

Benediction

Response “There’s a Spirit of Love in This Place” Chancel Choir

Postlude “Change My Heart O God” June Feger, piano

At the conclusion of the service, please exit the building without lingering inside so that we can maintain our safe distancing without bottle necking in the doorways. Bas-

kets will be placed at the exits for your offering.

NEXT WEEK’S MEETING:

Monday, July 20th at 6:00pm the Finance committee will meet via ZOOM