NEWSLESTER

“To Be Disciples…To Make Disciples”

Lester Memorial

United Methodist Church

(205) 625-5681

Visit us @ www.lester-memorial.org

Prayer/Care Line (205) 625-5600

May 8th and May 15th were great days in the life of Lester Memorial UMC. Through confirmation, baptism and transfer we welcomed 15 new members into the LMUMC family. It’s good that in a world where Christ is not valued, people are drawn to experience his presence in our church. I believe Lester Memorial grows because we have an outward focus. We are invested in local projects like blessings in a backpack, food distributed through the senior citizens center, helping with individuals and families who are struggling just to name a few. We participate in the Stop Hunger Now campaign to provide meals to those who lack enough food to eat, serve the needs of people in the Appalachian region through ASP, and send short-term mission teams to the Philippines, Honduras and other places. God calls and the people of LMUMC answer. What a joy it is to be a part of a church with an outward vision. We do other things that I could mention. These I call attention to just as a reminder of our vision for mission. We don’t really have an update on the building program as yet. We are scheduled to meet in a few days with the architect and contractor to get a picture of the actual costs for the construction. We will keep you posted. Many have asked about what happened at General Conference. Basically we came out of General Conference at the same place we entered. Nothing changed in the Book of Discipline that governs our denomination. There will be a commission named by the Council of Bishops that will study the structure of the United Methodist Church and our understanding of human sexuality. They will report to General Conference in 2 to 4 years with recommendations. However, that doesn’t mean that the denomination will change in regard to our current positions. The General Conference will ultimately decide the direction of the church. Given the current make up of delegates that vote at General Conference I don’t see any radical changes coming our way. There is an issue that could cause change in our structure; i.e., the lack of accountability among some who choose to ignore the Book of Discipline, however this remains to be seen. Whatever challenges we face in the future, I am convinced that God will bring something good out of this. Remember, GOD LOVES YOU! And, so do I. Barry

May & June 2016 Volume 17 • Number 5 & 6

Lester Memorial is committed to 'be disciples and

make disciples'! What a joy it was to welcome 12

confirmands and 2 adults into the fellowship of Lester

Memorial in May! We had a great time of fellowship

at our church picnic, followed by celebrating the

baptism of five of our confirmands and two

adults. Our Senegal team returned from spending a

week of service with Anna and Edou, and in June, we

will be sending teams to the Philippines, Honduras,

and Tennessee. I encourage each of us to pray daily

for these brothers and sisters who will be representing

Lester that God will use them and bring glory to God's

name as they serve. As we enter the summer months,

please continue to look for opportunities to be in

service to God, and to remember the importance of

regular worship of God.

I look forward to serving God with you as we live out

our vows to serve God with our prayers, our presence,

our gifts, our service and our witness.

Love in Christ, Joe

Opportunities for Service

▪ Celebrate Recovery-See Alan Cheney

▪ Food Collection for Senior Citizen Center See Celia Ellis or Betty Ward

▪ Nursing Home/Homebound Visitation

See Tommy Stuart

▪ Greeter/Hospitality Ministry See Joe Hastings

▪ Victim Support Ministry-See Barry

▪ Prayer Shawl Ministry-See Monnie Brooks

Reminder

about door security on

Lester Memorial Church

property

The staff at Lester is asking everyone to be

diligent when it comes to making sure doors are

secure when leaving a building.

If you had to unlock a door to enter a building,

please make sure that you also lock the door

back before leaving.

If you are leaving and find a door unlocked and

there is nobody around, take a moment and

secure the door.

Thanks from the

Safety & Security Team (SAS)

On May 8, 2016, we welcomed 10 new members into the fellowship of Lester Memorial with two more added on May 15. Six of these young people reaffirmed their baptism, and six were baptized as part of their confirmation. The group, led by their mentors, met at least weekly for 8 weeks in preparation for confirmation, studying what it means to be a committed follower of Jesus, Methodist history and doctrine, and the vows that are taken as members of the Church. We welcome this group of young people into our church family and renew our vows to serve God with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness! We also welcomed Lauren Wilson (officially) as she transferred her church membership to Lester Memorial.

2016 Confirmands

Kendall King

Gracie Brooks

Avis Wallace

Avery Gilliland

Erin Self

Kylie Wilson

Lauren Doss

Ryder Dean

Cameron Wilson

Rhett Dobbs

Landon Guinn

Baptized on Sunday, May 8, 2016 at Lester Memorial - Ryder Dean Devon Box

Baptized on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Camp Sumatanga Devon Box, Landon Guinn, Lauren Doss, Kendall King, Kylie Wilson

(Adults) Fred Buckelew and Mike Dudley

Just being with people and establishing relationships…”

Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, Alabama has many wonderful summer camps. Their Elementary Camp is for rising

4th – 6th graders, this camp seeks to encourage and inspire campers in their faith journey through a variety of

activities. Mid High Camp is rising 6th – 8th graders, this camp seeks to personally engage God’s Word through

hearing and actively listening then discussing, Bible study and worship as well as regular camp activities. Senior

High Camp is rising 8th grade through graduated seniors; this camp nourishes the growth of spiritual formation

and leadership development through creative worship, intentional fellowship, and outdoor adventures. These

camps begin as early as June 5; you will want to get your camper signed up soon. You can find more information

on these and other camps such as Horse Camp and Youth Music & Arts Week with complete dates at

www.sumatanga.org

Thirteen people from Lester Memorial will be in the Philippines May 29 – June 23...coming and going at different

times. The ministry of “presence” is so important to any area you visit both close to home and far away. Just being

with people and establishing relationships is the desire of our ministry team. We have opportunities to also participate

in ministries throughout KIM and the community. Please pray for these ministries while our team is in the Philippines:

Community feedings, Children’s home kids and workers, Construction projects, Women’s Pregnancy Clinic, Cuatro

Christian School as they begin their New Year and Journey for Hope Ministries.

Thank you for your support financially as well to allow us to donate to these ministries and more while we are

there. Patricia keeps a running total throughout the year if you can donate to our team for the next summer. Special

thanks to the Sunday School classes that have made special donations this year, faithful members who donate regularly

and to the Mission’s Team for their ongoing support.

Team members are Kathleen and Becca King, Sandra Sceckendorf, Jake Fuller, Rachel Anderson, Donna and Barry

Wilson, Alesha Triplett, Skylar and Casey Jones, Keith and Beverly Anderson and Zac Anderson.

Parents who attend the 8:30 Service,

Because of the busy summer schedules, we will not have children’s church

during the months of June and July. Children’s church will resume in August.

Also, starting in August children’s church will only be offered to children

ages 3 - kindergarten. If your child is in first, second or third grade,

please do not send them to children’s church.

If you would like to volunteer

to teach children’s church,

please call me, Autumn Hyde, at 205-446-5436.

It’s A God Thing Team 2016

June 10 – June 18 “It’s A God Thing” team travels to Honduras each year under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Larry “Bucket”

Guthrie is our team leader. Our team has one primary goal: to spread the Word of God to the uttermost parts of

the world.

Our team this year is made up of an eye team and evangelism team. We will arrive in Honduras on Friday.

Saturday we will have a clinic at a church in La Ceiba and then pack the prescription glasses in duffels so that we

can carry them on a ferry to the island of Utila off the coast of Honduras. Sunday we will travel to Utila and set

up the clinics as well as having services. Monday through Thursday we will have clinics in a church on

Utila. Friday we will pack up the eyeglasses and travel back to the mainland at which time we will load all the

eyeglasses back in the eyeglass trailer. Saturday we will be flying back home.

Below is the list of this year’s team:

Larry “Bucket” Guthrie (team

leader)

Linda Guthrie

Barbara Foshee

Lynn Giedinghagen

Emilie Sims

Jim Sims

Bill Coons

Bonnie Coons

Brandon Denson

Heather Denson

Hugh Guffey

Mary Guffey

Rebecca Scott

Our Honduran Support Team

Our Prayer Warriors

We are asking urgent and daily prayer for the following from our amazing prayer warrior/rope holders:

1. Pray that the eye team will be able to correct the vision of everyone who comes to the clinic with a vision

problem and will be able to dispense eyeglasses to correct their near and/or far vision as close as possible.

2. Pray that the evangelism team will be able to share the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to

everyone who comes to the clinics and that many will get saved.

3. Pray that those patients who don’t get saved will remember what was shared with them about how Jesus

died on the cross for them and that they will, at a later time, ask Him into their hearts as their Lord and Savior.

4. Pray that those who get saved will then go out and share the love of Jesus with others in their family and

community and that many others will get saved.

5. Pray for the safety of the team.

6. Pray for Bucket, our team leader, that he will be able to lead the team in everything God wants us to do in

serving the people of Honduras.

7. Pray that the team will come home with a renewed vision of what God wants to do in each of our lives

both in serving Him in missions here at home and in foreign missions.

For regular info on the team during the trip, please check out the team blog: http://lynngied.blogspot.com/

Jim and Emilie Sims are members of Lester Memorial who

will be traveling to Honduras once again with “It’s a God

Thing Team”.

Please be in specific prayer for them as well as God’s team

in the Philippines.

Below are seven very specific and important points to pray

for the people they will minister to, the team and team leader,

their safety, but above all those, salvation.

MAY AND JUNE MEMORIALS

May Memorials

March 18 – April 18

IN MEMORY OF

Rev. J. W. Hallman, Sr. Rev. Ed. Self

Randall & Nancy Murphree

Stop Hunger Now

Randall & Lynn Conn

Feed My Sheep

Bob & Betty Jackson

Building Fund

Tommy & Brenda Holloway

Feed My Sheep

Rev. & Mrs. J. W.

Hallman, Sr.

Betty Sherrer

Bill & Frances Barnett

Building Fund

Beverly Ellis

Stop Hunger Now

Bob Stroud Len & Mary Murphy

Bill & Frances Barnett

Building Fund

Lud & Chris Elsen

Building Fund

Lane Kalanick Bonnie Copeland

Judy Pinson

Missions-Designated

Charlie B’s

Building Fund

Jim & Nora Hornsby

Missions-Designated

Elizabeth Nash

Building Fund

Larry Brewer Darlene Patton

Bill & Frances Barnett

Building Fund

Wanda Massey

Building Fund

Marlene Stroud

Building Fund

Joe & Syble Brindley

Building Fund

Don & Sylvia Fowler Jerry & Beverly Boles

Bill & Frances Barnett

Building Fund

Faith Sunday School Class

Building Fund

Lud & Chris Elsen

Building Fund

Ella Goodwin

Building Fund

Bob & Betty Jackson

Building Fund

OES 5th Grade Teachers

Bill & Frances Barnett

Building Fund

Michael & Jeanne Nelson

ASP

Mike & Marleen Lowry

Norma Bynum Scholarship

Fund

Jim & Nora Hornsby

Building Fund

June Memorials

April 18 – May 18

IN MEMORY OF

Rev. & Mrs. J. W.

Hallman, Sr.

Rev. Ed. Self

Dr. & Mrs. Randy

Simpson

Discretionary Fund

Leon & Bobbe

Sanders

Building Fund

Rev. J. W. Hallman, Sr.

Dr. Joe Tipton

Wendell & Celia Ellis

Building Fund

Dr. Charles Payton Café on Main

Amanda White

Building Fund

Billie Cheney

Building Fund

Dr. Joe Tipton Randall & Nancy

Murphree

Don & Sylvia Fowler

Dr. Joe Tipton

Betty Jo Ashley

Building Fund

Jewel Kemp Gene & Joyce Hanson

Elaine Gargus

Prayer Shawl Ministries

Gene & Glenda

Vinson

Building Fund

Jim Faust, Jr.

Dr. Joe Tipton

Hope Sunday School

Class

Discretionary Fund

Lavelle Tuck

Dr. Joe Tipton

Doris Corr

Norma Bynum

Scholarship Fund

Amanda White

Choir Fund

Joanne Wheat

Dr. Joe Tipton

MAY AND JUNE BIRTHDAYS

1. Rachael N. Cady

2. Harriet Cornelius

3. Harrison Jones

4. Mary Jim Bottcher

Mike Currier

5. Cody Box

7. Rhett Harvey

Jamie H. Reed

Leon Sanders

8. Larry Mann

10. Beverly Ellis

Lynn Moody

11. Meredith Wyrick

12. Mitch Hamby

13. Cade Moore

14. Sophia Hyde

15. Patti Jones

16. Cammie H.Schwallie

June Peppers

17. Jerry Gordon

Jean Littleton

20. Don Gordon

Chris Elsen

21. Madison Maples

22. Patsy Hendrix

23. Zachary Armstrong

24. Rece Dobbs

25. Montana Robbins

26. Ben Butler

27. Ruth Housch

28. Leigh Thomas

29. Albert Teal

Hannah Buckelew

30. Pat Masters

Michelle Box

Pat Moore

31. Jean Murphree

Gracie Brooks

2 Jodie Wilson

3 Sydney Bailey

4 Syble Brindley

Maggie S. Battles

Brett Moore

5 Kristin Hamby

6 Micheal Hamby

7 Henry Lanier

Mike Currier

Emily L. Moore

10 Mike Nelson

12 Sarah Beth Townson

13 Martha Bynum

Adam Wilson

14 Dalton Teal

15 Laurie Pitts

16 Tommy Holloway

19 Leah Ratliff

21 Rachel T. Davis

23 June Kendrick

24 Mitchell Nelson

25 Joe Cofield

26 Erma Tomlinson

27 Betty Sherrer

29 Hattie Lanier

Laura L. French

Hal Ray

Carolyn Watson

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3

4

5

Sunday

Schedule

Holy

Communion

6

10:00 a.m.

Prayer Shawl

Conference Room

5:45 p.m.

Celebrate

Recovery

Fellowship Hall

7

8

9

10

11

12

Sunday Schedule

13 10:00 a.m.

Prayer Shawl

Conference Room

5:45 p.m.

Celebrate

Recovery Fellowship Hall

14

15

16

10:00 a.m.

Low Vision

Fellowship Hall

17

18

19 7:00 a.m.

Men’s Breakfast

9:45 a.m.

Healing Prayer

Happy Father’s

Day

20 VBS

10:00 a.m.

Prayer Shawl

Conference Room

5:45 p.m.

Celebrate

Recovery

Fellowship Hall

21

VBS

22

VBS

23

VBS

Young at Heart

24

VBS

25

26

Sunday Schedule

27

10:00 a.m.

Prayer Shawl

Conference Room

5:45 p.m.

Celebrate

Recovery

Fellowship Hall

28

29

30

11:00 a.m. –

4:00 p.m.

Blood Drive

Fellowship Hall

ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 5 - 7

Current list of members or family of members in

Nursing Homes or Assisted Living facilities.

Please keep these folks in your prayers; they

would love to hear from you or receive a visit.

Willie Hunt, at Serenity Place in McCalla

Hazel Phillips at TLC in Oneonta

Judy Corr at Magnolia House

Sarah Vaughn at Magnolia House

Ruth Housch at Magnolia House

June Cornelius at Magnolia House

Thanks, Tommy Stuart, Pastoral Care

Tyler & Madeline NeSmith

"Thank you all for 5 incredible years of ministry. It has been a privilege serving the Lord with you."

Skyler & Casey Jones

Skyler is a 25-year-old Oneonta native who is married to Casey Glandon Jones. He was baptized and became a member of Lester Memorial at the age of 15 after becoming involved in UMYF. Called into the ministry a few years later after graduating from Oneonta High School in 2009, he then began teaching Sr. High Boys Small Group at Lester as a UMYF volunteer. He has since been the Director of Student Ministries at The Summitt UMC in Albertville, AL (2011-2013) and Philadelphia First UMC in Philadelphia, MS (2013-2016). He has a BA in Religious Studies from Athens State University and MA in Youth Ministry from Memphis Theological Seminary where he was a part of CYMT (Center for Youth Ministry Training). He has a passion for ministering to and creating gospel-centered relationships with students. Having a heart for missions has led him to become involved in multiple trips supported by Lester Memorial including ASP and the Philippines. He also enjoys all kinds of sports, watching various TV shows and movies, and playing worship music. He is very excited to be returning home and giving back to a church family that gave so much to him as a student.

In June, United Methodist Pastors will receive their new appointments during Annual Conference and Tyler has a new

appointment at Gadsden First. We are thankful for every sermon you brought us, every song sung, both the joyful and sad

times shared as a congregation whole and as individuals, we will miss you, Tyler and Madeline. We anticipate hearing good

things from your new journey ahead. We are thankful for all that, you and Madeline have accomplished in your service to

God at Lester Memorial. We want to extend a welcome to our new Student Youth Minister, Skyler Jones and his wife

Casey. His position is new but Skyler and Casey are not new to Lester, they are coming back home. Just moving back to

Oneonta, before completely settling in, they will be leaving soon traveling to the Philippines to work with KIDS International

Ministries (KIM).

Ministry Team and Staff: Pastor-Barry Hallman, Student Minister-Skyler Jones, Children’s Ministries-Rhonda

Tinney, Minister of Discipleship-Dr. Joe Hastings, Minister of Pastoral Care –Tommy Stuart, Secretary-Elaine Gargus,

Bookkeeper-Patricia Harvey, Music Director-Beverly Ellis, Organist-Martha Burdette, Church Hostess-Karen Cook,

Maintenance-Mike BeShears, Day Care Director-Marleen Lowry, Kindergarten Director-Donna Self, NewsLester Editor-

Rhonda Teal. Church Office 625-5681 Care Line 625-5600 Website: www.lester-memorial.org

Lester Memorial United Methodist Church P. O. Box 626 Oneonta, Alabama 35121

NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID ONEONTA, AL PERMIT NO. 69

Russell Smith 625-5901/C-422-1642 June 5th

David Wilson 274-2478/C-625-8266 June 12th

Albert Teal 625-5063/C-353-8356 June 19th

Scott Fendley 274-2438/C-438-0649 June 26th

David Wilson 274-2478/C-625-8266 July 3rd

I am so excited to

present this year’s

VBS

premiering the week of

June 20 thru 24

Mark your Calendars NOW!!!

See Rhonda Tinney for more

information!