GrapevinGrapevinGrapevineee TheTheTheThe

Dallas First United Methodist Church May 2017

In this issue:

• May B&A Calendar…

• (New) Taste of History…

• Camping T-Shirt...

THE

GRAPEVINE

NEWSLETTER

The next newsletter will

be sent out on May 31, 2017. The

deadline for the submission of articles

and news is May 24. If you would like

to be added to our email or mailing list,

please contact the church office at

churchoffice@dfumc.comcastbiz.net or

770-445-2509.

BINGO AT DFUMC!

Nurture Committee is sponsoring family

bingo night. It will be held after our last

WOW Dinner on May 17. If you have

any questions, please contact Linda Hub-

bell at 770-377-1664 or lindahub-

bell@att.net.

As citizens and residents of the

United States and as believers in

Christ Jesus, we not only have a

spiritual responsibility according to

1 Timothy 2:1-2 to pray, but a civic

duty as well to heed our President’s

call to stand in the gap for our na-

tion. Who but God’s people have

the ability to enter into the very

throne room of Heaven with

prayers and petitions!

This year the theme is “For Your

Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us...

Forgive Us...Heal Us!” It’s taken

from Daniel 9:19, which says, “O

Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O

Lord, hear and act! For Your sake,

O my God….” As the 2017 Na-

tional Day of Prayer on May 4th

approaches, thousands of individu-

als, churches, and communities will

be working to rally millions of

Christian’s to heed this call once

again!

Scripture tells us again and again

that our fervent prayer is effective,

and that our loving God responds to

His children’s earnest pleas in

mighty ways that avail much and

that ultimately determine the course

of history.

At this crucial time for our nation,

we can do nothing more important

than pray. Anne Graham Lotz has

written a special prayer to be read

simultaneously throughout the na-

tion at noon (EDT). Millions will answer the call to prayer at thousands of public events.

Come join us ON THE HISTORIC SQUARE IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS to pray to-

gether as a community for our leaders and our nation. The public is invited to the square

THURSDAY, MAY 4, AT NOON. In case of rain the event will be held in our sanctuary.

Change: Do You Really Want It? By Pastor Chris Freeman

"God helps those who help themselves," the expression goes. I hope you don't believe that, because it is not in the Bible, even though peo-ple will quote it as such. If the Bible were to contain a statement along

those lines, it would probably be something like, "God helps those who can't help themselves," or "God helps the helpless." In John 5, we find the story of one man in a very desperate situa-tion. Not only was he unable to help himself, but he also didn't have anyone to assist him in any way. One day, Jesus showed up and changed his life forever. This man was among a large number of sick or disabled people who would lie next to a pool called Bethesda in Jerusalem. There was a story circulating that an angel would periodically come and stir up the waters, and whoever got into the water first would be healed. It's interesting to note that the Bible says, "Jesus saw him lying there . . ." (verse 6). Remember, there were a lot of people crowded around this pool, but Jesus saw him lying there. Not only did Jesus see this man, but He also knew that he had been in that condition a long time (verse 6). Now, consider the question Jesus asked him: "Do you want to be made well?" (verse 6). Doesn't this seem like a strange question to ask someone who, for all practical purposes, has dedicated his life to being healed? The answer may not be as obvious as you think. Some people don't want change in their lives. They feel comfortable right where they are. Jesus essentially was asking this man, "Do you want to change your life? Are you content with the state you're in right now? Do you really want to change?" The man responded, "Sir, I have no man . . ." (verse 7). In other words, he was saying, "I do want to change my situation, but no one will help me." Jesus then told the man to do three things that would get him out of this condition. First, Jesus asked him to do the impossible. He asked this man to do what he had not been able to do for 38 years: "Rise, take up your bed and walk" (verse 8). This was impossible—apart from God, that is. But the calling of God is the enabling of God. Maybe you have tried to bring about personal transformation in your life and nothing has worked. God can do what you have been unable to do for yourself. But you must be willing to take a step of faith. Second, Jesus asked him to remove all possibility of a re-

lapse. He commanded the man to take up his bed and walk. He didn't tell him to leave his bed there, try walking for awhile, and if it didn't work out, then go back to his bed again. The implica-tion was, "You are not coming back here anymore. This life is over. I have transformed you." If you want to follow Jesus Christ, then you cannot make any provision for a relapse. Third, Jesus expected continued success. Jesus didn't tell this man to take a step or two. Instead, He told him to walk. "Don't expect to be carried," He was saying. "Get up on your feet and walk." Why is this important? Because there are people who will say, "I tried following Christ, but it didn't work for me. I guess I am just not the religious type." My question to that person would be, "Did you follow through with your commitment?" Christianity is not something you try on for size. It works for everyone. If changes did not take place in your life, then it was because you did not do your part. Do you want to see a transformation in your life? Maybe you have tried to overcome a particular problem or habit and have failed. This isn't about you trying, but about God giving you the strength to do it. Selah.

WOW THIS WEEK

Join us this Wednesday, May 3, for our

WOW Dinner and classes. We will meet in

our Family Life Center at 5:45 p.m. for a

delicious dinner. The menu is Meatball

Stroganoff with Noodles, Peas, salad, fruit

and dessert. Then at 6:30 p.m., we will have

Bible studies for kids, youth, and adults. Join

us for a great evening of food, fellowship and a time to build your

faith.

WOW CLASSES THIS WEEK

Kids in Action- Children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to join

us on Wednesday evenings after WOW dinner from 6:30-7:30 pm.

The children participate in a combination of Bible study and mission

projects to put our faith into action! If you have any questions, con-

tact Beth Cochran at missbethdfumc@gmail.com.

Youth Ministry- Every Wednesday Year Round, Youth 6-12 grades

will meet after WOW Dinner on Wednesdays from 6:30-8 p.m.

Women’s Bible Study- The Armor of God Women’s Bible Study

will help us as women to develop an action plan for putting on the

armor and create a personalized strategy to secure victory over the

devil. There will be different facilitators and we will be meeting in

the Barton Room.

Bible Study- Rev. Chris Pavlovsky will be teaching a Bible Study for

the next 5 weeks in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is welcome!

VBS REGISTRATION HAS

STARTED

Vacation Bible School registration

opens on Monday, April 3. This

year's VBS will be held June 5-9 and

will be a cross cultural experience

with Group's Passport to Peru: Dis-

covering God's Good Gifts. Hike

cloud-shrouded ruins of Machu Pic-

chu and savor exotic flavors of the Amazon. Hear what daily life is

like from kids in Peru and immerse kids in this vibrant culture where

they discover God’s good gifts for us all. Our students will also be

connecting directly to Peru through our mission team headed to Cusco

in July. Registration will be available through our website and space is

limited.

Mark Your Calendars for the Huddleston’s Farwell

Everyone is invited to say farewell to the Huddlestons at a

luncheon after the 11 o'clock service on Sunday, June 11.

The Nurture Committee will supply fried chicken and we

will ask that the congregation bring a covered dish to

share. More information to come!

2 Lee & Amy Chalmers 2 Barry & Oma Whitcomb 4 Warren & Camilla Huddleston 4 Jim & Ramona Talley 5 Greg & Brigitte Sosebee David & Sheila King 6 Jeff & Cindy Ricker Kent & Colleen Meade 7 Karen & Donovan Emerine 10 Randy & Donna Arrowood 12 Jerry & Kathy Shearin Jack & Wendy Turnbill 13 Alvin & Sharon Reining 16 Bob & Mary Ann Parkman 16 Shannon & Kirsten Turner 19 Steve & Judy Kinney 20 David & Kara Holt 21 Jerry & Peg Colclasure 22Tom & Dina Tewksbury Daniel & Carrie Thurman 24 Ben & Chrissy Mitchell 27 Michael & Tina Dunbar 30 Alan & Jeanne Shipp

Anniversaries

1 Chris Williams Susan Nesbit Kaylen Goscha 2 Ann Vaughn Stephen Enfinger Denise Griffin 3 Kent Meade Erin Hopkins Connor Sherrill Olivia Watson 4 Bruce Harris Dennis Strickland Rollin Powell 5 John Parker Juliet Cochran Misty Parker 6 Jen Gipson Lyla Martin Juanita Wingo Micah Earwood 7 Annette Walters Diane Myers Scott Sharp Audrey Gross 8 Allison Howard Kathryn Rambach Adelyn Schell Ashlyn Tewksbury Kale Cross 9 Jim Underwood Doug Jackson Connor Fudge Rhiannon McPherson 10 Keith Butler

Jeanne Ripley Laura Bambach Parker Harrison 11 Emily Blackwell 12 Aimee Brewer Aaren Schertler Annabelle Ott 13 Bryan Patrick 14 Nancy Hulsey Katheryn Shipp Ryland Shipp 15 Billie Hagin 16 David Baxter Kinsey Powell Jennifer Holcomb 17 Brian Woods Allison Cole Brittany Morris Meredith Shelton Joseph Watson 18 Martha Gilbert Rosemary Butler Melette Meloy Lori Pullen Shaun Rahn Dougie Talley Taylor Enfinger 19 Bill Carruth Clint Morris Suzanne Peggs 20 Susan Browning

Birthdays Adam Atcheson April Ruff Ashlynn Sherrill 21 Barbara Christiansen Rusty Durham Oma Whitcomb Daniel Thurman Olivia McBride 22 Hunter Lewis 23 Matt McKinney McKenna Zenus Nolan Roberts 24 Rick Walsh Cohen Zertuche 25 Jim Raney Jeanne Shipp 27 Ginger Dornburg Logan Hulsey Wayne Atkisson Mike Pickett Dana Hardy 28 Harry Anderson Tim Jackson 29 Ronnie Morris Donovan Emerine Chip Curl John Gulledge 30 Allan Griffin Katherine Finch 31 Griffin Bradley Madeline Wertz Lauren Parker

Sunday Attendance & Financials Financial Update

As of today 4/26/17,:

Actual YTD Revenues $184,942

Actual YTD Expenses $171,755

FIF as of 3/31/17 :

Actual YTD Revenues $ 48,973

Actual YTD Expenses $ 4,148

Loan Balance $ 393,938

4/2/17

Worship Services:

8:30-61

9:39 - 92

11:00 - 100

Sunday School: 49

Light It Up &

Preschool JAM: 15

4/9/17 Worship Services:

8:30-82

9:39 - 116

11:00 - 112

Sunday School: 64

Light It Up &

Preschool JAM: 12

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Bobby Deese CJ Hart Tom Moore (Upcoming Sur-gery 5/8) Pavlovsky & Warr Families Julie McKinney Denise (Georgia Forbes Friend) The Family of Tyre Rakestraw Sr. Jimmy Stringer (Sharon Vin-son’s Brother) Family of Mac Fowler (Becky Lillard’s Uncle) Family of Rose Wernette (Barb Duncan’s Mother) Samuel Lee Gerald Jordan (Friend of Jen Family of Mary Nell Radliff

Beth Bush Sandra Westbrooks Lula Ferguson (Annelle Phillip’s Cousin) Mary Shipp Juan Escalera (Johnni’s Husband) Alan Shipp Jim Jordan Harry Fowler Robby Dobson Kaye & Lloyd Miller Annelle Phillips Tina Rakestraw Linda Williamson Camilla Huddleston Terry Bell Bruce Harris Frank Roberts

Vaughn Family in India Unspoken Request Our Military Our First Responders: Ryan Cooper, David Cov-ington, Blake Deese, Stacey Folds, Drew Fowler, Cole Gazaway, Jay Gazaway, Sheriff Gary Gulledge, Ashley Henson, Kyle McKinney, Mike McKin-ney, Brian Nadeau, Brian Newton, Shane Newton, John Parker, Jason Price, Tyler Price, R.K. Smithley, Roc Toler, Shannon Turner, Brian Vaughan Those Serving & in Com-bat: 248th Medical Com-

pany, CJ Brown, Jacob Cagliani, Joseph Davenport, Rick Dobbs, Derek Douglas, Melvin Green, Jacob Hines, Jesse Huneycutt, Jacob Kincade, Jon Knight, Con-nor McDuffie, Torrin Murphy, Doug McMichen, Jacob Pine, Shaun Rahn, Sam Raybon, Dus-tin Ripley, Steven Scoggins, Larry Smith, Summer Phillips-Edwards, David Timmons, Sean Timmons, Aaron Vest, Brian Vest, Mark Vest, Zachary Vest, Chadd Wright, Soldier from Ohio Kimberly: Bette Dunn Paulding Rehab & Nursing Ctr-Mary Nell Burch

(Family of Ruth Hardman) Jimmy Long (Friend of Jen Gipson) Jackie Camp Peggy Sale (Margie Gib-son’s Sister) Eleanor Merrell (Shirley McKinney’s Sister) Devon (Tom Forbes stu-dent) Gene Scoggins Family of Jeanne Lassiter Steve (Georgia Forbes’ Cousin) Family of Kin Rakestraw Juanita Wingo Eleanor Mellick Rick & Rhonda Pavlovsky Bill & Mary Hoggard

**Prayer List Information: People will remain on the prayer list for 6 weeks. Please let the church office know if you wish to add, continue or remove a name.

4/16/17

Easter Services

Worship Services:

8:30-142

9:39 - 270

11:00 - 148

Sunday School: 28

No children’s programs.

4/23/17

Worship Services:

8:30-60

9:39 - 98

11:00 - 90

Sunday School: 71

Light It Up &

Preschool JAM: 13

DFUMC CAMPING TEE-SHIRTS We have new camping tee-shirts! We are taking Pre-Orders NOW through May 6th at Midnight. We will bring the shirts to the church camp-out in May. If you will not be at the church camp-out we will make sure we get your order to you! T-Shirts are available in Adult Sizes S-5XL, and Youth XS-XL. For only $8 Each!! We are not ordering any extra shirts. If you would like a shirt get your Pre-Order in NOW or you will not be able to purchase one after May 6th. To pre-order: Join DFUMC Campers Facebook page (private group, you must re-quest to be added), or email louise_keating@yahoo.com with quantities and sizes. Send your payment to Louise Keating through PopMoney at 404-660-4729, or mail a check to her at 248 Lakeshire Trace, Dallas, GA 30157. You must pay up front to have your shirt ordered! No payment, no t-shirt will be ordered. PopMoney is really easy to use. Simply go to www.popmoney.com and enter Louise's cell phone number listed above. It will give you instructions from there. It's safe and secure! Questions? Contact Louise Keating at 404-660-4729 or Lisa Wahle at 678-910-6917. There are still sites available for the Spring Church Camp-Out, May 19-21, 2017! Go to recreation.gov, McKinney Campground on Lake Allatoona and book in the vicinity of site #74. Save the Date: Fall Camp-Out Dates October 13-15, 2017. Campground TBD. See you at the Campground!

Margerey Hay had a passion for flowers, which some say requires only a pair of sharp scissors

and a fast car. That was not the case for Mrs. Hay nor the several other volunteers who have made

altar arrangements for more than half a century from the spring, summer and fall blooming flow-

ers and winter greenery cut from the backyards of Dallas. Purchasing cut flowers from grocery

stores was not an option until recent years.

The history of flowers at the foot of the cross goes back to when the historic Sanctuary was dedi-

cated in 1947. The Sunday School complex was to be completed at a later date. Church members

had much to be thankful for after having watched their place of worship burn to the ground on

February 3, 1945. They would put forth every effort to make this day a day of worship and praise

for the new Sanctuary was ready for occupancy after only 18 months of sacrifice, generosity and

hard work.

Mrs. Hay was known for her many talents and her gentle and quiet spirit. She taught children’s Sunday School classes, visited the sick

and shut-ins, sang in the choir and served in different capacities in United Methodist Women. She was also well known for growing

and supplying flowers for various occasions. That is why Pastor Dan Brewster, with no reluctance, asked her to make an arrangement

for the first worship service in the new sanctuary. Her flowers were so well received that the pastor later asked, “Do you think you

could do that every week?” For the next forty plus years, she made altar arrangements for most Sundays. When her health began to fail,

she mentored three of her younger friends to take over the weekly task.

Together with the Reverend Brewster and his wife, Mrs. Hay prepared a list of rules concerning the altar flowers, which she passed on

to the new volunteer designers. The flowers must always be freshly cut and low in design so as to sit at the foot of the cross, never

blocking its view; and on Communion Sundays, the Communion elements must take precedent. No flowers would be used that day.

Each other Sunday the altar flowers would serve as a reminder that after His sacrificial death on the cross, JESUS IS ALIVE.

Other long-time traditions at Dallas First include banking the altar at Easter with lilies and with poinsettias at Christmas, Harvest Table

arrangements, Advent Wreaths and a Chrismon tree. Dallas First has a history of passionate members who graciously used their variety

of talents to serve God and encourage others. Margerey Hay’s beautiful flower arrangements were the most visible of the many ways

she served the Lord through work in the church, in her family and in the community.

County-wide United Method-

ist Men will meet at 8 am at

Mt. Nebo United Methodist

Church Sunday, May 25.

Please join with Methodist

men of Paulding County for

a delicious breakfast and

inspiring program.

MARK YOUR

CALENDARS!

Save the date for our fall

Church Picnic. It will be

held after church on October

8 at Sara Babb Park. Everyone is invited!!

at Dallas First UMC

County Wide Breakfast

The River of Life dates are June 22-26. Youth Registration is at

capacity, praise God! Adult Registration forms are available on our web-

site at dallasfirstumc.org or in the church office. Click here for the link to

the River of Life page http://www.dallasfirstumc.org/river-of-life/

Any questions, please contact Deedee Walraven at (770) 846-6745 or

Pastor Chris Freeman at 404-375-8550.

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY IS MAY 7

This year we will have 6 students confirmed

on Confirmation Sunday will be May 7 at all

3 services. If you have questions, please con-

tact Rev. Chris at 678-787-6344 or

chris.pavlovsky@ngumc.org.

Given to the Glory of God and Dedication to:

Finish in Faith

In memory of Tyre Rakestraw given by Bill Watson III.

In memory of Rose Wernette given by Bill Watson III.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

In honor of Juanita Wingo given by Catherine McDonald.

General Budget

In memory of Kin Rakestraw given by Tina & Tye Rakestraw.

In memory of Jean Lassiter given by Tina & Tye Rakestraw.

Quarterly Financial Update

My name is Janice Ferguson, Chair of the DFUMC Finance Committee, and I have been asked to begin sharing a

financial update on a quarterly basis with everyone. The information I am sharing today is based on data through

March 31, 2017. We are excited to tell you that our offerings are $136,845.57 which is $6,777.45 ahead of the

amount we anticipated for the 2017 budget. So far our expenses are $4,703.79 under budget but a large amount

of that is because there are several line items such as Vacation Bible School that won’t take place until later in the

year. The most significant unexpected expense was over $3,000.00 to replace an air conditioning compressor in

the Education Building. Our financial status at the end of last year caused us to tighten the 2017 budget with

ministries and church programs taking the greatest hit. God has blessed us with your financial support and with

continued giving we hope to be able to restore some of those cuts. If anyone would like more information I will

be happy to share any details with you. You may contact me at janicef@pacerfuels.com.

RIVER OF LIFE CAR WASH FUNDRAISER

The River of Life Committee is selling Autobell Car Wash Gift Cards to benefit this

year’s River of Life. The cost per card is $20 and can be used to purchase a pre-

mium wash car wash. Gift cards will never expire and are available at the church

office. Jonathan Howard will also have them available to purchase on Wednesdays

and Sundays. Any questions, please call the church office.

The closest Autobell location is

3325 Cobb Pkwy. NW, Acworth GA 30101

Other locations can be found at http://www.autobell.com.

First United Methodist Church 141 E. Memorial Drive Dallas, GA 30132 dallasfirstumc.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Pastor’s Cell (770) 654-0125

Pastor’s Home (678) 540-6992

Associate Pastor’s Cell (678) 787-6344

CHURCH OFFICE INFORMATION

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Office Phone: (770) 445-2509

Fax (770) 443-0824

E-Mail: churchoffice@dfumc.comcastbiz.net

Website: www.dallasfirstumc.org

Ways to Give at DFUMC!

To give your tithes and offerings by credit/

debit card, go to

dallasfirstumc.org/ways-to-give/

or you may text “dfumcgive” to 73256 and

follow the prompts. You can also drop your

check or cash gifts in the offering plate.

Thank you for your generosity.

CHURCH NEWS

IN YOUR EMAIL!

If you don’t get the Weekly

Church News Email, call the

church office to add your name to our email

list. We send out an email every Tuesday and

Thursday to the members of the church with

our upcoming events for the week, the menu

for our WOW Dinner, any prayer requests,

Sunday’s volunteers, and much, much, more.

If a prayer request is urgent, it goes out to the

church immediately upon notification that

someone is in need of prayer.

OUR STAFF:

Rev. Warren Huddleston Senior Pastor Rev. Chris Pavlovsky Associate Pastor Mr. Chris Freeman Youth Pastor Mrs. Debaree Pereira Administrative Assistant Ms. Ann Vaughn Office Assistant Mrs. Nancy Dow Treasurer Mrs. Kristie Keown CLC Director Ms. Beth Cochran Children’s Director Dr. Daniel Bakos Organist Mr. Jamie Brownlow Music Director Mr. Brandon Spencer-Wilhelm Contemporary Worship Leader Mr. Roger Hardman Custodian Ms. Melanie Wilkins Custodian Mr. Josh Pereira Web Master Ms. Marisa Fiori Child Care Coordinator