THE GARDEN POST 794 Sedge Garden Road

Kernersville, NC 27284

February 6, 2020

Grace and Peace friends! We have kicked off our Love Songs sermon series and explored the eternal melody of steadfast love – the love that God has for us. This week we are exploring another melody of Intimate Love found between a couple as scripture shares. On February 16th we will celebrate our scouting ministries of cub scouts and boy scouts along with the melody of Honoring Love. I sure hope you can join us one of these Sundays! If you missed the email, I sent this week as a special message, I encourage you to look for it in your inbox. For those who do not receive emails, I have made this message available in hard copy to pick up where the Newsletters are located throughout the church. Many of you have requested information regarding human sexuality and our denomination. This email helps to inform you and share that on March 18th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm we will gather in our fellowship hall for a conversation with Reverend Amy Coles, Secretary of the Western North Carolina Conference delegation for General Conference 2020. Please call the church office to RSVP for this conversation so that we can have enough chairs set up in the fellowship hall. I also want to say thank you to all of our church leaders who attended the Leadership Huddle on January 25th. Over 50 leaders spent five hours connecting with one another, learning our faith stories, hearing many updates about various ministries and initiatives in the life of Sedge Garden UMC, and a great meal. We are Methodists and we love to eat together! This means that over 250 hours were spent together focused on Sedge Garden UMC! Next week IMPACT 2019 will be released sharing all of the statistics I shared and many more telling the story of Sedge Garden UMC. Be sure to keep an eye out for it and pick up a copy. We have a very bright year and decade ahead! Let’s keep up the great ministry we are doing! Prayers and Faith! Justin

Tickets on sale through Monday, February 10 - $20 per ticket or $150 to reserve a table (8 seats)!

Tickets will be sold in the Commons area Sunday, February 9

or you may come by the church office to pay and make your reservations!

Menu: Choice of Steak or Chicken

Potato, Vegetable, salad, dessert

Note from the Finance Committee:

In an effort to provide our congregation with better communication and greater transparency with our financial status, we will be updating the Garden Post with relevant information related to our current general budget. Our hope is that through honest conversation, we can support our members in their financial commitment to Sedge Garden.

Needed to Meet Weekly Budgeted Expenses: $13,704 Sanctuary Renovation Mortgage Balance: $109,215 December Electronic Giving: $3,409 2019 Electronic Giving: $32, 018

OUR GIFTS 01/19/20 01/26/20 02/02/20

General Fund $8,996.00 $11,712.00 $15,530.00

OUR PRESENCE

First Fruits (8:30am) 155 140 144

Worship (10:55am) 147 199 128

Memorials We gratefully acknowledge the

following gifts:

In Memory of Richard Paschal Chancel Choir Dot Sides

In Memory of Les Brendle Sanctuary Renovations Dot Sides

In Memory of Billie J. Manuel General Fund Francis Manuel & Family

In Honor of Ron Andrews Chancel Choir Evelyn Andrews

From the Finance Committee After decades of squirreling away money in tax-advantaged retirement accounts, investors entering their seventies have to flip the script. Starting at age 70½, Uncle Sam requires taxpayers to draw down their retirement account savings through annual required minimum distributions (RMD). Not only do you need to calculate how much must be withdrawn each year, you must figure and pay the tax on the distributions. In order to minimize the impact on your tax obligation, you may want to consider a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD. This move allows IRA owners age 70½ or older to transfer up to $100,000 directly to charity each year. The QCD can count as some or all of the owner’s RMD, and the QCD amount won’t show up in adjusted gross income. This donation must be made directly from the IRA to the qualified charity in order to take advantage of the tax benefit. The good news is that Sedge Garden UMC is a qualified charity! Talk to your tax professional about how you can help the church financially and take advantage of a possible tax savings.

***Sedge Garden UMC and its employees do

not provide tax or legal advice. You should

review this information with your tax advisor or

legal professional for information regarding, or

issues concerning the tax implications of the

above information prior to acting on this

information.

Notes of Thanks….

Dear SGUMC Family,

Thank you for the beautiful peace lily and for all of your thoughts and prayers. My dad loved his church and church family so much. Also, thank you for the wonderful meal served after the funeral service. It was delicious! The Paschal Family

**********

Here’s a whopping THANKYOU to all my church family for the prayers, cards, and visits while I was hospitalized. The love I received was beyond awesome and I want you to know how very much it means to Edna and myself. I’m home recuperating now and it will be awhile before I can resume normal activities, but I hope to see you all soon. Peace and Grace to all, Steve Holland

Special Thank You… Words can’t describe the honor and joy I felt sharing a day of music and memories with you at the dedication of the new organ. It felt like only yesterday that I was playing there every Sunday morning; it was wonderful to see so many old friend, and to make

many new ones. You will always be special to me. David and I thank you for inviting us to share such a special time with you. You’ve made us long for the day when we can retire back to North Carolina! Hoping to see you soon, Ron Andrews

H.O.P.E COMMITTEE - February Team

Chairpersons: Don & Brenda Berrier; Wayne & Marie West

Kevin & Megan Brady Bob & Vicki Johnson Matt & Emma Tucker Peggy Smith Mary Church Tom & Pam Martin Ron & Barbara Tuttle Ryan & Alecia Julian Anthony & Becky Gurley Yvonne Motsinger Darrell & Paula Walker Scott & Lindsay Slate Hugh & Willie Hill Ronnie & Rhonda Stack

Circle of Concern - We offer our prayers to our following church family:

We extend our Christian love and sympathy to Fran Amburgey upon the recent unexpected death of her sister,

Brenda Church Roope in Wilksboro, NC.

Bob Kinzer (Forsyth); Dick Martin (Recent Hospitalization); Steve Holland (Home - Please no visitors right now);

Evangeline Davis (Summerstone);

Doug Braswell; Dare Burge; Gaylord Chalfant; Wayne Davis; Diane Hatfield; Kelly Larrimore; Betsy Lindsay;

Caitlin Little; Brian Long; Susie Lyons; Tom Martin; Gladys Paschal; Kathy Paschall; Hugh Pennington; Brenda

Roth; Mona Terrell;

We continue to keep in our prayers our nursing home, shut-ins and independent living residents: Betty Bryant

(Pruitt Health Care, High Point); Ann Coffey (Home); Imogene Elam (Brookdale Reynolda Retirement); Jenell

Hart (Home); Murphy Ann Hastings (Walnut Ridge, Walnut Cove); Celia Hennings (Arbor Ridge); Billie Hilliard

(Fitzgerald, Arbor Acres); Myrtis Holder (Home); Josephine Mathis (Arbor Ridge); Frances Miller (Kerner

Ridge); Patsy Murray (Pruitt Healthcare, High Point); Margaret Robbins (Arbor Ridge); Eleanor Ross (Camden

Place); Jean Shelton (Home); Dot Sides (Home); Ruth Tucker (Arbor Ridge); Mary Turner (Trinity Elms); Pat

Vogler (Home); Claudia Zarate (Woodland Hills Ctr., Asheboro);

Please keep in your daily prayers our church family military members: Cameron Ashburn; Brooks Parker; Jared

Robbins; Sam Tice; Derrick Westfall.

February Outreach The Outreach Committee will be supporting The Fellowship Class by collecting items for Blessing Bags for the Homeless for the month of February.

Items needed: Small pocket bibles, small notepads, pens, gloves, socks, packs of peanut butter crackers, granola bars, apples, bottles of water, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, hard candy. You may leave your donations beginning in February in the collection box under the outreach bulletin board.

All are welcome to join the Fellowship class February 29 at 10:00am in the youth room to pack the bags. They will be blessed on March 1st and available for everyone to take a few bags to keep in your car and to share when you see a need.

Preschool Upcoming Events

Winter Family Open House

February 10, 5:30 pm—7:00 pm

Visit classrooms and meet

the teachers.

Hallway Art Gallery & Exhibits

Treasure Hunt & Refreshments

Spring Children’s Clothing Sale

March 5 & 6, 9am—7pm

March 7, 8am—1pm

Spring, Summer, and light Winter Clothing!

Call the preschool office to participate or volunteer—788-2230.

Attention Golden Agers: What is your favorite memory from growing up—school, church, family event? Bring a memory to share, perhaps an item, newspaper clipping, etc that relates to the event to our next Golden Agers Gathering on February 24, 1:00-3:00 pm. We will also enjoy a pizza lunch and ice cream for dessert!

Are You A Golden Ager? SGUMC offers a monthly gathering for church members 80 years of age and older called the Golden Agers. We currently have 89 members on our roster. We do not want anyone to miss out on the fun and fellowship. If you are currently 80 years or older, or if you will celebrate your 80th birthday this year, we would like to add you to our membership. If you are a Golden Ager or qualify to be one and have not received your 2020 Golden Agers Events Calendar, please call the church office and request to be added to our mailing list. We would love to have you join in on all the Golden Agers gatherings!

SERVING IN MINISTRY FOR FEBRUARY GREETERS Mike & Sharon Hennis; First Fruits Service Otis & Linda Eubanks (2/09); Wayne & Marie West; Debbie Idol; Sandy Zielinski (2/16); Josh & Maggie Langford; Kevin & Cindy Leonard (2/23); Tim & Angela McCann; Kathy Chalfant; Cindy Poindexter (3/01);

NURSERY Amanda Meeks (2/09); Heidi Lowman (2/16) Amy Oakley (2/23);

First Fruits Service

NURSERY Maggie Langford (SS), Amy Crouse (WS) (2/09); Sunday School Cindy Leonard (SS), Amy Crouse (WS) (2/23);

and 10:55am Service Danelle Spears (SS), Amy Crouse (WS) (2/23);

GREETERS Diana Ross, Norma Freeman (2/02);

10:55am Service Ashley Locklear; JoAnn Stewart (2/09); Mickey Miller; Rich & Sandra Hogan (2/16); Ray Long; Norman Freeman (2/23); Joe Stewart - 10:55 am Outside / Mark Chandler - 12:00 pm Sanctuary

USHERS : 10:55 am John Holyle, Don Berrier, Otis Eubanks, Tony Tice

ACOLYTES Lucas Kearns (2/09); Laurali Keckli (2/16); Henry Leetz (2/23); Mia Weisner (3/01)

Sedge Garden United Methodist Church 2020 Budget

Administrative Expense $52,107.00

Property Management $145,700.00

Apportionments $66,771.00

Children’s Ministry $16,000.00

Youth $13,200.00

Church & Society $15,800.00

Misc. Ministries $5,500.00

Missons

2nd Harvest BP Program $10,000.00

Feed The Hunger Pack-a-thon $8,000.00

Outreach (Discretionary) $7,500.00

Total for Missions = $25,500.00

Worship $3,450.00

Traditional Music $18,050.00

Contemporary Music $3,300.00

Pastor

Salary $83,400.00

Health Benefits $13,375.00

Pastor’s Pension $8,827.00

Pastor's Travel $5,800.00

Pastor’s Continuing Ed. $1,500.00

Total Senior Pastor Package = $112,902.00

Associate Pastor

Salary $28,000.00

Travel $1,500.00

Cell Phone Reimbursement $300.00

Total Assoc. Pastor Package = $29,800.00

Staff Salaries $184,538.00

General Fund Total $692,618.00

Mortgage Payment $20,000.00

Total Budget for 2020 $712,618.00

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS FROM YOUR SEDGE GARDEN CHURCH FAMILY!

Office Hours

Office hours are Mon -Thurs,

8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Friday, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Birthdays 2/1 Cindy Leonard

Chase Smith

2/3 Amy Oakley

Barbara Taite

2/4 Pam Joyce

Kaley Leonard

Kraig Sandell

Edna Standland

2/5 Judy Swaim

2/6 Kate Jackson

2/8 Imogene Elam

Susie Holland

2/10 Ryan Collette

Les Jackson

Camille Simmons

2/11 Eddie Clark

Donald Gordan

2/12 Karen DeBusk

Harry Roberts

2/13 Bramley Johnson

Amy Motsinger

Deb Neal

Pat Smothers

Ashlyn Stone

2/14 Diane Hatfield

Dennis Stout

2/15 Edna Holland

Nick Smothers

2/16 Yvonne Coffey

Catrin Giles

Pat Kinnamon

George Peace

Blake Williams

2/17 Beth Williams

2/18 Megan Brady

Lenae Stone

2/19 Gladys Paschal

2/20 Jerry Hamilton

Peggy Holder

Mike Stone

Cliff Tice

Cheryl Walker

2/21 Gaylord Chalfant

Della Leidholm

2/22 Jackson Howell Dunlap

Shelia Holder

London McCann

2/24 Drew Karr

Emma Tucker

2/25 Dehlia Carver

Mark Chandler

Wanda Cole

Dana Caudill-Jones

Denise Ring

Rhonda Sapp

2/26 Berry Walker

2/27 Norma Freeman

Dick Martin

Cindy Poindexter

Lindley Robbins

2/28 Wayne Davis

Anna Grace Hancock

Della Grace Rouse

Anniversaries 2/02 Matt & Emma Tucker

Sedge Garden UMC YouthSedge Garden UMC YouthSedge Garden UMC YouthSedge Garden UMC Youth

Long Leaf Pine Needle SaleLong Leaf Pine Needle SaleLong Leaf Pine Needle SaleLong Leaf Pine Needle Sale

February 29thFebruary 29thFebruary 29thFebruary 29th

March 7th, 14th, 21st, 28thMarch 7th, 14th, 21st, 28thMarch 7th, 14th, 21st, 28thMarch 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th

April 4thApril 4thApril 4thApril 4th

9am9am9am9am----3pm each Saturday3pm each Saturday3pm each Saturday3pm each Saturday

Taking pre-orders & early

pick-up orders now!

Just call (336) 624-1423 or

email

youth@sedgegardenumc.org

SGUMC Contact Information Mailing Address 794 Sedge Garden Road; Kernersville, NC 27284

Office Phone (336)788-2297

Church Office/Secretary Angie Shearer office@sedgegardenumc.org

Admin. Assistant Debbie Idol didol@sedgegardenumc.org

Website sedgegardenumc.org

Pastor Rev. Justin Lowe justin@sedgegardenumc.org

Director of Children & Amanda Betters abetters106@gmail.com

Youth Ministry

Co-Director of Youth Ministry Dr. Chad Betters cbetters106@gmail.com

Director of Traditional Choirs Barry Lyons barrylyons@sedgegardenumc.org

Choir Accompanist Joni Hanna

Organist Barbara Tuttle

Praise Team Director Jeff Sweet jeff@sedgegardenumc.org

Tech Coordinator Jay Barrett jay@sedgegardenumc.org

Director of Preschool Ministry Judy Hoyle judyh@sedgegardenumc.org

Sexton / Security Marshall Faircloth marshalmusicman4@aol.com

Our Purpose Statement

Seeking Others for Christ (Outreach)

Growing in Worship (Worship)

Uniting through Fellowship (Fellowship)

Maturing in God’s Love (Discipleship)

Caring for all People (Service)

Life App - Love - Choosing to treat others the way

you want to be treated.

Memory Verse - “Here is what love is. It is not that

we loved God. It is that He loved us and sent His

Son to give His life to pay for our sins.” 1 John

4:10, NIrV

Basic Truths - I should treat others the way I want to

be treated & I can trust God no matter what.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love

each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will

prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 1 John 13:34-35, NLT

This month is all about love! Love is choosing to treat others the way you want to be treated.

Easier said that done, right? The truth is, love is a choice. It’s deciding to treat others the way you

want to be treated, not the way they actually treat you first.

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus used the word “new” when He talked about this idea. Jesus was about

to do something no one had ever done, going all the way to the cross to prove His love once and for

all. We are to love others, not because they deserve it, or because they’ve earned it, or even

because we feel like it in the moment. We love because Jesus loves us.

This week, remember that Jesus loves you, and ask God to help you respond in love even in difficult

situations so you can love others because Jesus loves you.

Bottom Lines for the Month:

1. Love others because Jesus loves you.

2. Love others with your time.

3. Love others because they matter to God.

4. Love God with everything you’ve got.