Hiawassee United Methodist Church 1139 U.S. Highway 76 P.O. Box 609 Hiawassee, GA 30546

Sam Hamby, Pastor

Web : www.hiawasseeumc.org

Ema i l : humc@hiawasseeumc.org

Phone : 706.896.2818

Of f i c e Hour s : Monday—Thursday

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Our Mission: Worship Jesus Christ;

Grow as Disciples;

Serve Others

God Saves Us

To open his book titled, “The Tale of Two Cities,” Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolish-ness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” After

the last few weeks, you might be feeling like these lines could have been written for such a time as this. If you can’t determine whether you are coming or going, or whether or not you know anything for certain, you wouldn’t be in that boat alone.

Over the past month, a virus has spread across the globe earning the label of “pandemic.” Our routine lifestyles have been ground to a halt, and life as we’ve known it has been strangely changed to a cate-gory called “social distancing.” Great fear and anxiety has spread along side this virus while faith, hope, and love have been discovered or rediscovered in parallel fashion. For some it has seemed like the worst of times. Yet, for others it has become the best of times. In Genesis 50:20, after years had past since being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph said to them, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” The Adversary seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. He wanders through this earth seeking whom he may devour. When we put our trust in anything or anyone other than God, we give authority for the Adver-sary to accomplish what he wants. However, when we put our trust in Jesus to forgive our sins and cleanse us from evil, we can live from a totally different perspective. The world is still fallen and much sin abounds, but we are changed and no longer have fear that once held us captive. We are free no matter what happens in this world or what happens in our lives. In Mark 8:36, Jesus said, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Is your soul at rest even when the world is experiencing great unrest? The same Jesus that spoke to the wind and waves to calm the storm wants to bring peace to your life too! Trust Him in the worst of times. You might just find it to be the best of times! Be Blessed, Pastor Sam

HUMC Mountain Messenger

Every once in a while, a verse jumps out of the Old Testa-ment and takes on a new meaning. Job lost his fortune, family, and much of his health. In a stunning display of faith, he expresses his only remaining hope: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last” (Job 19:25). The words find an uncanny fulfillment in Jesus.

Jesus gave his life to redeem us, to buy us back from our slavery to sin. His death was the price for our freedom. But that’s not the bottom line, thank God. As the sun rises on Resurrection morning, we can say with Job, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” He lives! Death could not hold him. He lives, to finish salvation’s work in me.

Hymnwriter Samuel Medley had been a midshipman in the British Royal Navy and was converted after reading a sermon by Isaac Watts. In his hymns Medley often re-peated words and phrases. Here, what’s repeated is the most important concept: “He lives … He lives … He lives!” *From Complete Book of Hymns by Petersen p.601

I know that my Redeemer lives:

What joy the blest assurance gives!

He lives, He lives, who once was dead;

He lives, my everlasting Head!

He lives to bless me with His love;

He lives to plead for me above;

He lives my hungry soul to feed;

He lives to help in time of need.

He lives and grants me daily breath;

He lives and I shall conquer death;

He lives my mansion to prepare;

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His name;

He lives, my Savior, still the same;

What joy the blest assurance gives:

I know that my Redeemer lives!

APRIL SCHEDULE:

COMPUTER MIXER

Apr 5 Irene Kirchner Mike Henderson

Apr 10 John Whitaker Tommy Kirchner

Apr 12 Aaron Hamby Mike Henderson

Apr 19 Irene Kirchner Aaron Hamby

Apr 26 John Whitaker ????

NEEDED: Person to learn to run the overheads on Sunday mornings. Great way to serve! Will share

duties approximately once per month. See Hope or any member of the A/V

team for more information.

For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 I continue to be struck by this concept of Redemption. We do not live for ourselves, but we live for

our Master who purchased us. He bought us to glorify Himself through us! Therefore, our response must be not to live for our own comfort but to continue to find ways to serve Him until the day He calls us home.

What an awesome privilege! What an awesome God!

We will continue to update you on the schedule as the health situation changes. Be in prayer!

Director of Music & Worship: Hope Horkavy

Church Member Services Directory Massage Contact: Geri Baker 706-896-6108

Coin Collecting Club and Stamp Collecting Contact: Tayo Leduc 706-896-6001

Well, we had our first meeting of the year on Friday the 6th of March. We had 8 ladies present and had a delicious meal with Pat Lee making her fabulous

sloppy Joe's and others brought salad and desserts. We played a game of purse bingo with Elaine taking home the prize. We discussed plans for the rest of the year with lots of ideas. Among those, I discovered that Hope and Dawn would actually join me in zip lining and driv-ing a tank! YEAH! In the next month, I will make some decisions and make plans for what seemed to be the favorites. I think everyone had a good time and I wish we could get more of the gals to participate. I'm hoping having things to do will bring them out. One thing we will be doing is collecting used suitcases for foster children. Right now, When they are moved, their belongings are put in a garbage bag. We can't have that so start pulling those old suitcases out. I will be bringing this up again. We will be having some fun this year! Blessings to all, Pam Allen

Growing Christlike, Having Fun

and Serving Others!

Greetings to all men of the church!

Just a reminder that we plan to meet on

Saturday, April 18th. We would like to

welcome all the men, not just members, to come join us for breakfast at 9 am and enjoy breakfast, a

short devotional, and great fellowship!

………...Tayo Leduc

As you start your spring

cleaning think about the church yard sale, May 29 & 30

Funds raised will go where needed most in the budget.

Help make this a success!

At this time we are unable to

publish events for the month of April.

We will keep you updated through

emails, one calls and Facebook.

Stay home and stay safe!

Assistant Librarian: Help manage and maintain the HUMC library and its database.

Historian: Continue the long tradition of recording HUMC activities and life of this church. Notebooks from past years are located on the bottom shelves in the library. This can be a fun way to keep up with the happenings of the church.

These positions are annual appointments and can be renewed if interested. See Dawn Lamade for details.

Find us on Facebook as Hiawassee United Methodist

Church. Please LIKE and FOLLOW us. www.hiawasseeumc.org

Quiz Answer: Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:1 NIV)

The author of Hebrews 10:23-24 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to

the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

March 11, 2020 was the third meeting of our Leadership Board. A few of the highlights from this meeting are as follows:

The audits of the church Financial Records and of the Safety Deposit Box were completed, with positive re-sults.

The “Souper Sunday” fundraiser was successful, raising $390.

Dan Parr, an attorney from the Wesleyan Association will be at HUMC on March 29 to provide information on ave-nues for traditional Methodist churches. All are invited.*

The Safe Sanctuary Policy was suspended for the time being. We will work on developing a security policy for child safety and elder care.

Needed electrical work in the Fellowship Hall along with sound and video system repairs and upgrades were ap-proved.

The next “Blessing Generations” seminar is scheduled for March 27-28 but can be moved to April 17-18 if neces-sary.*

May God bless you!

Kathleen Schmidt

Vice-Chairperson, Leadership Board "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

* NOTE: The following events are now postponed. • Dann Parr • Blessing Generations Seminar

Leadership Board News

On Monday evening there were 14 ladies who came out for "church" at Towns County. On Tuesday an officer told me

that the 11 arrests made at one house in Hiawas-see included three more women. He said some were having to sleep on the floor. The ladies did tell me that they pray the Lord's prayer together every night. That is what I have been teaching on for several weeks. We did not make our weekly visits on Thursday because of the virus alerts. Sometimes government and ministry have different priorities. One of the questions that we are answering is how long they can stay in the Transition House. The judge wants to limit a stay to 6 months for some but not all of the residents. That is why one is staying with me until she has the money to get her own place. She will graduate in April as long as she has acceptable housing. We are helping another resident who must find a place to move by April 1. The resident who is pregnant has been quarantined indefinitely as a precaution. She is still required to show up for drug testing and counseling but at a spe-cial time when others are not there. She must find an acceptable place to live by the time the baby is born in May. The Almost There, Inc. Executive Board meets at the church each month to help us with decisions. We have excellent officers now and our Treasurer, Diane Sharp, who has worked in government, protects us from mis-takes with our money and legal issues. You can find a list of our officers on the brochures in the Welcome Area. I love my church family and thank you for all you do. ………. "Ms. Elaine" Correction: I left Jan Bush's name off the list of people at the Christmas Party.

Jail/Prison Ministry: Elaine McEver

Library – April 2020

Books

DVD 4 movies collection, includes I beheld His Glory, Martin Luther,

Hill Number One (with James Dean) and Power of the Resurrection.

Please check out your book or movie and leave the card, found in the back of the book or movie, in the box in the library on the shelf near the return box. This gives us an opportunity to find out what is being used and we can send you a gentle reminder

if you have forgotten to return a book or movie.

A listing of titles in the library is now available online. Go to our website for a direct link under “News” then click on Library and choose either Books or Movies.

HUMC Library Notes: Dawn Lamade

This prophet was born into a priestly

family and as a young man dedicated

himself to the priesthood. Priests usual-

ly began their temple duties at age 30;

however, when he was about 25 he was

seized and taken to Babylon, and never saw the tem-

ple again. On his 30th birthday he must have asked

himself the “why me” question. But in the 4th month

of his 30th year he was standing with a group of exiles

along the Kebar River. It was then that the heavens

opened up and he saw visions of God. Who was this

major prophet?

Easter Around the World Easter traditions are important, but they vary widely. While Americans dye hardboiled eggs, Kenyans carve soapstone eggs and present them as gifts in banana-fiber boxes. In Bermuda, locals fly homemade kites on Good Friday — a tradition that began when a teach-er illustrated Christ’s ascension to heaven using a cross-shaped kite. Ethiopian Christians observe a 56-day fast from meat and all animal products. On Easter, they dress in white to worship in churches dec-orated with handmade fabric. Then they feast with non-Christians on roast chicken, goat and rice. In France, church bells are silent between Holy Thursday and Easter to observe Jesus’ Passion. According to legend, the bells grow wings and fly to Rome to be blessed, returning on Easter with chocolate and presents. In one town’s main square, chefs make a giant omelet with 4,500 eggs to feed 1,000 people!

Lewis, C. S. Out of the Silence (Fiction) That Hideous Strength (Fiction) Perelandra (Fiction) Surprised by Joy (Biography) The Joyful Christian (Inspiration) Johnson, Paul. Civilizations of the Holy Land (Holy Land) Munson, Diane. Hero’s Ransom (Fiction) Hefley, James. Arabs, Christians & Jews. (Social Holiness) Schnase, Robert. Five Practices of Fruitful Youth Ministry. (Ministry)

Did you know that “April” is from the Latin word aperio, meaning “to bud”? No? Well don’t feel badly; I just found out myself. This year April is a month of activity with Palm Sunday and Easter both falling this month. Then

too, the income tax filing deadline creeps up on us reminding us that the difference between death and taxes is that death does not get worse every time congress meets. The other event that generally gets our attention is National Atheists Day (my term); although most of us know it as April Fools’ Day. I also recently learned that the term “All Fools” aka April Fools’ Day was probably meant as a deliberate stab at All Saints (11/1) and All Souls (11/2) Day. The origin of play-ing practical jokes and pranks on this day is hazy, many folklorists believe it goes back to 16th century France. At that time New Years Day was March 25, with a full week of partying and exchanging gifts until April 1. Then came the Gregorian calendar (1592) that moved New Years Day to Jan. 1. Those who forgot or refused to honor the new calendar were teasingly called, “April Fool”. Folklore states, “If it thunders on All Fools’ Day, it brings good crops of corn and hay.”1

For believers April marks a major rest stop along the journey we began in December. We marked the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th and our journey as followers of Christ has tak-en some 30 years or so. Think about it! We witnessed His birth, we fled with Him to Egypt and returned to Nazareth where He lived with Mary His mother and Joseph, His earthly father. We do not know a lot about His childhood but we suppose He was much like any other Jewish boy and learned the carpenter’s trade from Joseph. It is pretty clear He was schooled in scripture by the episode in the temple when He was 12 years old, confounding the scribes with His questions and His answers.

We kind of lose track of Him until His ministry begins. We accompany him to the Jordan Riv-er where He meets John the Baptist and is baptized. We are with Him in the wilderness when He is tempted by Satan and we witness Him calling His disciples at the Sea of Galilee. We dined with Him at the home of a sinner (tax collector). We witness His first recorded miracle at Cana. We travel along with Him on the dusty roads of Judea, visiting small villages, healing the sick, restor-ing sight, healing the lame, raising the dead, preaching to and feeding the masses as well as min-istering to individuals. Remember the woman at the well and the woman accused of adul-tery. We watch Him drive the corrupt money changers from the temple. Yes, it has been a long road with Him and now we witness His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. We observe the Passover meal with Him and accompany Him to Gethsemane only to witness His arrest, mistreatment, trial, torture and crucifixion. We watch and weep at His burial. We learn later of an empty tomb, His appearance to His disciples and His ascension. His teachings still res-onate. And now that we have the New Testament, we know the rest of the story and as believ-

ers our journey is not ended, the best is yet to come. Happy Easter!!! 1The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Yankee Publishing, Dublin, NH, 2019.

From Our Lay Leader: Dale Gardner

Missions Ministry …...Robin Broom

On January 8th of this year, I was riding in a van, holding tightly to the seat so I wouldn’t fall off as we headed down yet anoth-er dusty, bumpy, dirt road. But my attention

turned quickly from the road to the news on the radio. The news story was reaching us that the United States had invaded Iran in a retaliation effort the day before. So I began discuss-ing this event with our driver, and three young men from our village travelling with me. I asked what was being said and then our conversation led a discussion about Muslims. As we continued driving to a village about 45 minutes away, I thought to myself, how ironic, that God would send us, that particular day, to share His love with a Muslim family.

I cannot fathom all God sees. He sees a complete pic-ture of everything and everyone. God is orchestrating miracles and purposes each second of every day. If I’m honest, many of my days are spent running from one thing to another. Howev-er, I don’t want to simply keep busy. The needs are all around me, they are endless. I desperately want to know God’s heart, to know His deepest thoughts, I want to see what He is doing, to know His purposes, and hear what He is speaking. And I want to join that! I desperately want to know His heart.

As we began the new year, I didn’t make any type of resolution. I did feel, however, as if there was a message or a theme rolling around in my head — “expect something differ-ent, see it”. I begin wondering how often I have missed God because I have expected something my finite mind can imag-ine. As I was studying about the birth of Jesus over the Christ-mas season, I realized I am not the only one. Israel was des-perately awaiting a Messiah to come and to rescue them. They had heard all the signs and prophecies. They knew where this king would come from, to what tribe he would be born, they had much information about the Messiah. And yet, when Jesus came on to the scene - they missed Him. Why?

I would venture to say that what they expected God to do, how they expected Him to move, was the exact opposite of what God did. They awaited a rich, powerful ruler or king, one who would be above. And yet they wrapped this simple babe in strips of cloth because they had no clothing for him and laid him into a feeding trough in a barn. Jesus was born into pov-erty. His birth announcement was made to shepherds. From birth, this king was opposite from what most people expected. He did things in ways that people could not predict. He was

humble and meek. And yet Jesus was no less King. His King-dom looks different than what our natural eyes can see.

What about the ways God works in us, in our hearts? Just when I think I got this thing figured out, then He does something so unexpected. When I am quiet and still long enough to ask, He shows me. When I am spending time with God, I understand Him more. What about the response of oth-ers to this Christ? I expect personal revival. Miracles. Lives radically changed by the love of Christ. But, maybe I expect many people weeping at an altar after worshiping to the latest and greatest worship song that moves my heart. I imagine a response I can see and explain. I come up with some formula of what I expect God and them to do. But all of this I can see and explain in the natural. And that is not the way His Kingdom works. The truth of it all is—He is working! He is always work-ing!

As we headed down that dirt road that day I pondered what the rest of the world was feeling about Muslims after re-cent events. For me, I knew my heart was full of love for this family and I would go and share it. I hope and long for the day this Muslim family finally gives their hearts to Christ. That day they didn’t. One of the youth shared with them from God’s Word how in the midst of our struggles that God is fighting for us, that we need only be still. Little did we know that two days later I would receive a phone call from this family that one of the men that listened that day was deathly ill at our clinic and then a few days after that his home would burn to the ground. As we ministered to him later that week at a local hospital, I couldn’t help but think how God must be using this situation and even the encouraging words he heard to help sustain him through this battle and even reveal Himself to him. All of these circumstances were not in the way I saw that visit turning out, nonetheless, God is certainly moving in this man’s life! (And mine.) This gentleman asked us to pray for him at each visit and asked us to visit him again at his home because he has some questions about our faith.

1 Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he

know them, because they are spiritually dis-cerned.”

Mail Tax-Deductible donations to: Answer God’s Call Ministries

215 W. Mesa Avenue Gallup, NM 87301

(Include a note for Robin Broom-Africa)

T h a n k y o u for your continued love, prayers,

encouragement, and financial sup-

port. Thank you for sending me.

Much Love, Robin