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RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS—AUGUST 2017

DATE 6 13 20 27

8:30 a.m. Worship 25 30 25 25

10:30 a.m. Worship 143 128 124 116

Total Worship 168 158 149 141

Sunday School 40 41 42 40

2017 BUDGET…….……….….….…………………...…..$284,650.00

YTD BUDGET Needed……………….………….…....…..$189,766.64

YTD BUDGET Tithes and Offerings Received…….…..….$156,080.54

YTD NON-BUDGET Receipts Received… …………........$ 28,589.24

BLUEFIELD FIRST UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH 200 South College Avenue

Bluefield, VA 24605 Phone: 276-326-1466

E-mail Address: info@bluefieldfumc.org Website: bluefieldfumc.org

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PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Rev. Dr. Jay Ferguson, Pastor micahjin@hotmail.com 865-207-1163

Carolyn Quesenberry, Secretary info@bluefieldumc.org 276-617-1943

William Elliott, Music Dir./Organist welliott1@frontier.com 304-320-7265

Jack Goins, Choir Director jackrgoins@hotmail.com 276-722-2133

Amy Horne, Dir. Children’s Min. abhorne91@gmail.com 276-979-6424

Wade Dillon, Custodian wmd342014@gmail.com 276-322-2148

Rev. Dr. Don Scott, Pastor Emeritus wmds@wvva.net 304-320-7407

SEPTEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER

TEN REASONS I AM A WESLEYAN PART II

By: Carolyn Moore

6. Wesleyanism celebrates practical acts of mercy and justice. We are do-ers of the Word, and we double-dog-dare you to show us authentic faith without works. We are committed to service that leads to salvation and we are particularly fond of healing in all its forms. We love 12-step programs (Heck, we invented grape juice!). 7. Wesleyanism celebrates the Trinity. We seek balance in our love of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We honor our Creator as we live the teachings of Jesus and strive for intimacy with God through the Holy Spirit. 8. Wesleyanism celebrates accountability. Even though I lament it more than I celebrate it, it is a fact that our theological connection is a strength. I’m not a free agent out there under a tent abusing people in Jesus’ name. I’m also not totally responsible for knowing when I’m effective and when I’m not. In my tradition, there are people keeping watch over my ministry who will let me know when its time to move on without booting me out on the street because the fit isn’t right. 9. Wesleyanism celebrates the sacramental life. We love baptism and have a renewed passion for the Eucharist. We trust in the means of grace and believe God will show up in practical acts of piety, but we see those acts as servants, not masters of our life with Christ. We passionately pursue a personal relationship with Jesus and are not bound by forms of religion. 10. Wesleyanism celebrates me as a person. Without embracing liberalism, we can embrace God’s call on every life and celebrate gender equality. I am deeply grateful to the people called Wesleyan for not only allowing me to fully express my call to preach and lead, but encouraging me to do so. That has been the greatest gift and I serve out of gratitude for a tribe that loved me to Jesus, then loved me into leadership.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 4 Millie Hartsock 4 Linda Britton 9 Linda Shroyer 10 Victoria Edwards 12 Chris Elswick 12 Dawnna Metcalfe 13 Darlene Buchanan 14 Bill Evans 14 Stephen Damon 17 Ervin Rich 19 Susan Higginbotham 22 Mark Brewster 24 James Brewster

25 Ashley Short 25 Joey Wilkinson 26 Morris Yule 27 Libby Metcalfe 28 James Short 28 Jordain Carter 29 Vera Lee Austin 29 Jordan Britton 30 Peg Scott 31 Katy Goins HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 2 Glen/Colleen Page 25 Richard/Susan French

MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

On Sunday, August 20, our church sponsored a WIFFLE BALL EVENT at City Park. Thanks to Amy Horne and Kelly Ferguson for organizing this fun time and to the volunteers who assisted. Kids and adults had a great time!

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

† The Children of the World International Children’s Choir will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2005 Washington Street, Bluefield West Virginia on Thursday, September 7 at 7:00 p.m. Free Admission. Love offering will be taken.

† Rev. Ray Amos will be preaching a revival at Bailey United Methodist Church on September 13-15 at 7:00 p.m. each night.

TRUNK OR TREAT will be on Sunday, October 29 from 4—6 p.m. More information will be coming soon!

Our Children's Ministry has set up an account with the "Remind" app. You may be familiar with this app if you have school age children. Many teachers take advantage of this tool to send reminders to the parents of their students.

If you would like to receive reminders for our children's ministry's activities, just follow the easy instructions below.

Text @firstumcb to 81010. Respond accordingly to the message you receive. That's it! You will begin to receive reminders about our Children's Ministry activities! Please feel free to share with family and friends.

WOW! What an event with the SONShine Celebration 2017. Congratulations to Pam Brewster and the MANY team members and hub Churches that helped pull this event off. 399 bags of school supplies were distributed and over 400 hot dog dinners

were served! There were a lot of happy faces to be seen all around as those involved were showered with God’s love. Thanks to all for the funds raised all the way through cleaning up after the event.

Next up: Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes Last year the youth and several others who were also young at heart helped out at the youth packing party. What do you think about ex-panding this to a church wide packing party? You still would pack

your shoeboxes but also buy a few extra items to put in with others? What do you think? Please share your thoughts. With Love Tom Graham, Mission Team Leader

SEPTEMBER CHURCH ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS

4 Labor Day Holiday (Church Office Closed)

6 Bible Study, 6:00 p.m.

7 United Methodist Women

Martha Circle, 10:30 a.m. in Library

Lydia Circle, 7:00 p.m. in Palmer Hall

10 Circle Prayer Sunday School Class, 9:30 a.m.

10 Welcome the New District Superintendent, Sandra Johnson

at Ebenezer UMC at 3:00 p.m.

10 Kids Tea Party, 4:00 p.m.

10 Youth Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

12 Finance Committee, 6:30 p.m. in Library

12 Trustees Meeting, 7:00 p.m. in Library

17 Communion Sunday

20 Men’s Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. in Palmer Hall

25 Church Council, 6:30 p.m.

CHARGE CONFERENCE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 22 AT 3:00 P.M. OUR CHURCH WILL HOST.

BIBLE STUDY will resume on Wednesday evenings beginning September 6 at 6:00 p.m. Bring your Bible and come join us as Pastor Jay leads us in the study of the Gospel of Matthew. The Bible Study will be a time of fellowship and learning – growing through the sharing and understanding of God’s word. Pastor Jay challenges the regular attendees of the Wednesday night Bible Study to bring a friend. We will learn more about Jesus’ messianic purpose, what Jesus taught about his kingdom and discipleship. CIRCLE PRAYER SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS will begin on Sunday, September 10 at 9:30 a.m. You will need to purchase the book “Moravian Daily Texts” at a cost of $10.00 which are available in the church office. A sign-up sheet for this class has been placed on the bulletin board outside the church office. Please sign if you plan to attend.

Kids are invited to join us for an afternoon tea time and devotions on Sunday, September 10 from 4 –5 p.m. Register to attend by calling the church 276-326-1466. Free Fellowship Dress in Your Favorite Royal Attire Finger Foods Served Limited to 25 Kids with Adult Guest

The first CLUSTER YOUTH MEETING will be held on Sunday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m. at First UMC. Pastor Jay, Myra Yates and the Youth Team are excited to begin this ministry. Plans are underway for

a great year. Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to attend. Parents are requested to attend this meeting to complete permission forms. MEN’S BREAKFAST Wednesday, September 20, 7:00 a.m. in Palmer Hall.

Devotions: Rev. Jimmy Horn Cooks: Rodger Woodrum and Gang

IMMEDIATE NEEDS Rudy Austin (Vera Lee Austin’s Brother), Chance Bailey, Dennis Bennett, Becky Betts (Bronwyn Owen’s Mother), Sarah Bowling, Lynn Burnette, Judy Cassady, Betty Chandler (Jessi Terry’s Mother), Ulysses Cundiff, Blair Deskins (Jean Miller’s Granddaughter), Richard and Patty Dillon, Richard Dillon Jr., Terri Dodson, Darlene Dolin, Linda Douthat, Jonathan Du, Doris Englmeier (Patti Wilkinson’s Aunt), Cathy Fuller, Vicki Furrow, Amanda Griffith, Mable Gum, Pat Hartley, Millie Hartsock, Susan Hastings, Jerry Hickman & Family, Owen Howard (Brownie and Beverly Browning’s Great Grandson), RIchard Johnson, Joe Kessler, Rev. Jim Kestner, Diana Kilber, Gloria Lowery, Dennis McClanahan, Rosemary McClanhan, Mary Martin, Rick Mabry, Roy Mitchem, Rachel Mullins, Lynne Phelps, Johnny Puckett, Patty Ramage, Cathy Riley, David Shanahan, Cathy Sink, Marguerite Smith, Jeanie Starcher, Doug Thompson, Will Thompson, Dalia Vidot, Patsy Welch, Betty White, Raymond Wymer, Family of Deb Sarver OUR MILITARY Ryan Shott, Lucas Graham, Jeremy Woody, Michael Cox and those serving our country LONG TERM ILLNESS Marie Anderson, Barbara Bailey, Bobbie Bellamy (Margaret Elam’s Sister), Smokey Blaylock, E. C. Browning, Richie Childress, Joe Davidson, Leon Devor, Ethel Earls, Syd Ellison, Margaret Farmer, Russell Garrett, Tom Hodge (Shelby Clendenen’s Brother), Mary Virginia Lester (Linda Hash’s Sister), Charles Mil-ler (Pam Rose’s Father), Gary Pardue, Gerrie Porter, Wilma Shay, Nancy Tren-ton, Irma Webb.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Charlotte and Ervin Rich in the death of Charlotte’s sister, Eleanor Goldstein, who passed away on August 26th in Ohio.

MEMORIALS FOR AUSUST 2017

In Memory of David Kovach To: General Budget By: Joe and Jerilyn Tate In Memory of Peggy Yates, Sue Owen’s Sister To: General Budget By: Woolwine Sunday School Class In Memory Shirley Saunders’ Sister, Clarice To: General Budget By: Woolwine Sunday School Class

Brown Sack Florist has closed their business. We are now ordering the church’s flowers from Roller Floral in Bluefield, West Virginia. The cost for the center arrangement has increased to $25.00. The side vases will be $20.00 each. We

are asking everyone that orders flowers to return the container if at all possible. If not the church will be billed for these. If you have questions, please see Carolyn. If you wish to place flowers on the altar in honor of or in memory of someone, please sign the flower calendar outside the office door.

WANT TO SERVE ON SUNDAY MORNINGS?

If you or members of your family – children, youth, and adults – would like to help in the morning Worship Services by lighting the candles and “bringing in the Light of Christ”, please list your name(s) and the date(s) you are available on the Acolyte Calendar posted by the Office

door. Note: Children should be in Grade 1 and training sessions may be offered in the near future. You may also contact Peg Scott should you want to help in this way. Since January of 2017, some forty (40) different people of all ages from our congregation have served as helpers or acolytes. And, in addition, there are those who usher, greet, and serve as acolytes in other ways. The blessing is ours to see so many people helping in the Morning Worship Services. May God bless as we minister in this way. Thank you.

Peg Scott, Worship Team Acolyte Coordinator Cell 304-320-3524

Dr. Brad Scott and I fell into a discussion about the age of First United Methodist Church and the history behind the stained glass windows in the sanctuary. I explained that my mother, Mary

Douthat, had many pictures of events and people in the church and we discussed the possibility of some of the older members of the church remembering many of the events and happenings of the church. Dr. Scott and I discussed the possibility of putting together a scrapbook concerning the history and happenings of First United Methodist Church. I spent quite a bit of time collecting, copying, and captioning pictures gathered from members of the church. Lynn French, a talented scarp booker, and I assembled a total of 10 scrapbooks dedicated to the history and events of First United Methodist Church. The scrapbooks are located in the church’s library. There will be additional scrapbooks completed as time moves on. Margaret Elam, Church Historian