1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Vacation Bible School
July 13 - 17, 2015
9:00 - Noon
Rising K to Rising 5th
Invite your grandchildren, neighbors
- we welcome them all!!
Contact Julia Price for additional
information and to help!
THIS WILL BE AWESOME!!!!
Visit our web-site at: www.monticellofumc.org
Contact the Church office: [email protected]
EXPECT
EXPECT
FIREWORKS!
FIREWORKS
Dear Church Family-
Kathy and I feel blessed that God has called
us to First United Methodist Church of
Monticello! On July 1, I will officially be
appointed for another year as your Spiritual
Shepherd.
Using the Fourth of July theme as we begin
our second year together in God’s ministry
as pastor and church, I want to tell you that I
still anticipate fireworks out of my faith. I
still anticipate miracles. I still anticipate excitement and enthusiasm, healing, and conversion. I expect fireworks to happen every
time God calls us and sends us out. I expect
my faith and my church to make a difference
in my world. And I want you to expect it,
too!
First United Methodist Church is doing
many things to build God’s kingdom. But
there is more that we can do… there is more
that I can do... there is more that you can do.
There is more that you and I can do together.
In order to do it, however, we must remember the source of our authority. So as we
celebrate this month of our declaration of
independence as a country, I invite you to
join me in renewing our declaration of
dependence upon God.
I invite you to bring an offering of a hope, a
dream, a prayer, or perhaps an offering of a
vision you have for this church or a promise
of service you can give to God.
I invite you to offer it at the altar to the God
who calls us and sends us, who claims us and
names us, and who fills our minds with visions of liberty and justice and possibilities
that burst like fireworks in the night times of
our journey through this life of ours.
There is too much to be done here in our corner of God's world for us to quit taking risks
and stepping out on faith. I don’t want us to
be slaves to the past, afraid of the risk of
what it may mean to be in ministry in this
community, in this nation, and even in this
world at this time. I don’t want us to be
afraid to go forth into the world with the authority that we receive from God.
EXPEC
FIREWORK
On Wednesday, June 17, during a Bible
study, a sacred place was violated. A white
gunman filled with hate entered Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in
Charleston, South Carolina, and killed nine
people “because they were black,” according
to a Charleston police spokesperson.
Those of us hundreds or thousands of miles
away feel the impact of lives senselessly taken while seeking to draw closer to God.
We can put ourselves in the room. We, too, have attended a Wednesday night Bible study, been
in the church late for a meeting or walked out into a dark parking lot after choir rehearsal.
We like to think of our sanctuaries as safe spaces, separate from the violence of the world.
These murders are a stark reminder this is not always the case.
Our world is broken, but God is with us. The racism and violence on the other side of our
church doors is all too real and sometimes, tragically, comes inside, but God is with us. Godloving people are harmed sometimes and even killed. Even in this, God is with us.
And God with us calls us not to stay inside and lock the doors, but out into the world to work
toward a better day to come. We are to live into and labor toward that for which we pray when
we recite the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
CT
KS
stand
God told the prophet Ezekiel
that judgment was about to fall
on the nation of Israel because
they had turned from Him; because they had chased after other gods and disobeyed God's
commands. But God also tells
Ezekiel that He doesn't want to
see the nation destroyed. God
wants the people to turn back to
Him; to return to Him with all
their hearts. If they do, God
will hold back His wrath and
judgment from the nation.
up
for
the
nation
and
defend
them
God asks Ezekiel -- "Who will
stand in the gap? Who will
and lead them back to Me?"
I believe that God is asking that same question of us. Are we willing to stand in the gap to defend our homes, our church, our community, and our nation and lead the people back to God?
Are we willing to turn to God on behalf of those around us and ask for His hand to move
across this community and nation once again? Are we willing to be the catalyst for true and
lasting change in this land?
A wise person once observed that if you are not being a spiritual influence, then chances are
that you are being influenced spiritually. When we stand for those who are unable to stand for
themselves, we are fulfilling that spark of grace that each of us have been recipients of.
God wants us to intercede for our nation and those around us -- to stand before Him on
behalf of this country and to pray for those in
authority above us and for those who are persecuted around us.
I believe the colonists trusted and depended
on God when they made and adopted the
Declaration of Independence. Because of
their trust, God blessed us as a nation. I believe that if we remember to trust and depend
on God today, God will use us to make fireworks happen; and again, God will bless us
as a nation.
Prayer is always a good starting point. The
Scriptures remind us: "If My people, who
are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn
from their wicked ways, then will I hear
from heaven and forgive their sins and will
heal their land." Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Prayer is a good starting point, but then
comes the challenge to take a
leap of faith and
put actions to
our prayers as
we stand in the
gap for those
around us.
Accepting the call to
stand in the gap is one
of the most important
things we will do as a
Christian. We need to
understand that things
happen when we stand
in the gap.
When a
Christian prays, things happen. When God
touches our hearts and leads us to pray or intercede on behalf of someone else, things
happen. We are not here just to live our lives,
we are here to
influence. Influence our
families, friends, community, city, state, nation, and world. Where Christ abounds, evil
will never have the last word.
Be blessed and be a blessing in Him Who
Calls us,
Too many of us have good intentions and
thoughts of something we would like to do,
but for some reason we have never gotten
around to it. So, I’m giving everyone a
“round TUIT” so we can all join in doing
great things for our great God!
FIRECRACKER OR RIFLE SHOT
CHRISTIAN?
An Unusual Bible Quiz
Did you know that there is approximately
the same amount of gunpowder in a firecracker as in a rifle shell?
(I can’t verify the accuracy of the counting,
but I can verify the truth of the answer!)
The firecracker makes a flash
and a bang, sending an explosive amount of energy out in
all directions.
The rifle shell, on the other
hand, focuses that power in a
specific direction and delivers
an enormous punch.
Both have their place and
time. We can be a
firecracker Christian or a
rifle shot Christian. One
focuses on the big bang.
One focuses on direction and a target. It's a
matter of what is needed.
A third option to consider is to
combine the
two and be a
fireworks
Christian.
Fireworks begin by focusing power to get
them to a desired location and then explode
with all kinds of ways to catch people’s attention and amaze them in all kinds of wonderful ways!
With God,
Expect Fireworks!
Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalms 117
Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalms 119
Q: Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?
A: Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
Add these numbers up and you get 1188.
Q: What is the center verse in the Bible?
A: Psalms 118:8
The next time someone says they would like to
find God's perfect will for their lives and that
they want to be in the center of His will, just
send them to the exact center of His Word!
Psalms 118:8 "It is better to trust in the
LORD than to put confidence in man."
Let us all reclaim our
Wesleyan tradition!
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
--- John Wesley
A MAN WITH A MISSION
(and a witness!)
John Wesley was the founder of United Methodism and profoundly affected the shape of our
church and the world. Wesley was not hesitant to
go the extra mile to help the Kingdom grow.
From his journal:
When I [Wesley] was in America, I taught one
school in Savannah, and Mr. Delamott taught another. He told me one day, that a part of the boys
belonging to his school wore stockings and shoes,
and the others did not; and that the former laughed
at and ridiculed the latter, thereby discouraging
them; and that, though he prevented their doing so
when they were under his eye, they did it when out
of school; so that, notwithstanding all the pains he
had taken, it appeared to be a growing evil, and he
did not know how to cure it. I told him I thought I
could cure it; and added, "If you will take care of
my school next week, I will take care of yours, and
try;" which he readily consented to do.
Accordingly, on Monday morning I went into his
school without either stockings or shoes. The
children looked with surprise, first at me, and then
at each other. I took no notice, but kept them to
their work. I soon observed, however, that those
who were without stockings and shoes, began to
gather courage, and look with an air of consequence, now they had the master on their side. I
did the same every day during the week; before the
end of which, several of those who used to wear
stockings and shoes, came to school without them.
Thus the evil was securely cured!
If
lawyers
are
disbarred
and
clergy defrocked,
doesn't it follow
that
electricians
can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys
deranged, models would be deposed, and dry cleaners depressed?
Laundry workers could decrease, eventually becoming depressed and depleted!
Even more, bed makers will be debunked,
baseball players will be debased, bulldozer operators will be degraded, organ donors will be delivered, software engineers
will be detested, the BVD company will
be debriefed, and even musical composers
will eventually decompose.
On a more positive note, though, perhaps
we can hope politicians will be devoted.
Healthy Lifestyle Fellowship
Join us Thursday, July 30,
at 6:30 PM to watch Food
Matters (“Let Thy Food
Be Thy Medicine” Hippicrates) is a hard
hitting, fast paced look at
our current state of health.
Despite the billions of
dollars of funding and research into new so-called
cures we continue to suffer from chronic ills and
every day maladies. Find out what works, what
doesn’t and what’s killing you. Becoming informed
about the choices you have for you and your family’s
health could save your life.
We will meet in the
Family Ministry Center and have a healthy treat before the movie. For further information, contact
Lynn Salter or Diane Freeman.
The Chancel Choir will
not meet during the
month of July. Rehearsals
should re sume on
Wednesday, August 5 at
6:45 PM. See you then!
The Church Office will be
closed on Friday,
July 3,
for the Fourth of July. The
Office will open again on
Monday, July 6. Have a
safe and blessed holiday.
SAN JUAN de los YERAS
Please pray for our sister church, Iglesia Methodista de San Juan de los Yeras this month, and
specifically for these church members in July:
Frances Fellowship will not meet
in July. We will resume in August.
Margot Reyes Hernandez, Luis Peraza
Wanche, Maria de las M. Perez Garcia, Antonio
Pedraza Morera, Anasleydi Rivero Oses, Fabio
Arturo Allegue Vega, Evelyn Rey Diaz, Elvia
The
Missions Committee will
not meet in July. For further information, please contact
Ann
Hatcher or Dean Jerger.
Oramas Valladares, Isolina Valdes Fernandez, and
Joel Munguia Leyva
HIDE AND SEEK
CONTEST:
Our winner from last month
Do you know
someone who is
taking care of a loved one with
Alzheimer’s
Disease or other
related dementia? The Alzhei-
was Sally Jordan.
Great job Sally!
Inside
this newsletter you will find the word
“stockings”.
Look carefully and be the sec-
ond caller to call the Church Office and
mer’s Support Group meets in the Family Ministry
speak to Debra.
Center the fourth Monday morning of each month
ticket to our Wednesday night dinners when
from 11:30 to 1:00. A light lunch is provided and
they resume in September. Each month there
your loved one is provided respite care during the
will be different word/s, picture or a symbol
group meeting. NO meeting in July. The meet-
to locate. The contest is open to every one!
ings will resume in August. If you desire addition-
Good Luck!! Please, do not leave a message on
al information, please contact the Alzheimer’s
Support Project at 386-2778, or call the Church
office.
The prize is a free meal
the phone. You must speak to Debra directly.
The word above is NOT the hidden word.
CHILDREN’S
HOME IN
ENTERPRISE,
FLORIDA
The Education Department at the Children’s
Home in Enterprise has
requested school supplies or $5 Wal-Mart
gift cards to be collected during the month of
July and delivered to Enterprise by early August in
preparing for the coming school session. Our intentions during the month of JULY is to collect the $5
Gift Cards from Wal-Mart and send them a check for
any monies collected earmarked for SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Only gift cards in the amount of $5 are acceptable. If you wish to contr ibute mor e, they
must only be a $5 value as the children are given
these cards to make their purchases. We will NOT
collect any school supplies - we will just send the
cards.
CHECK CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THIS
PURPOSE CAN BE MADE PAYABLE TO OUR
CHURCH &
MARKED “CHILDREN’S HOME
SCHOOL SUPPLIES”
$5.00 Wal-Mart gift cards can be turned into the
church office, or Co-Chairs Mary Creameans or Dianne Westbrook.
Thank you for your interest and support for the
young children.
Our Youth are in
Lake Junaluska and
will return Thursday,
July 2nd. Please keep
them in your prayers
for traveling mercies!
Ready, Set, Go!
VBS July 13-17
Twenty-two volunteers
had a great luncheon and
training session June 14th to
learn about the Group Publishing program “EVEREST.” As
we munched on sandwiches
and chips, we watched inspiring videos of how the
professionals do it. Now the teachers have all
their materials to go home, plan, create awesome
lessons, learn songs and get those craft packets
ready.
The real fun starts MONDAY, JULY 13 at
9:00 A.M. VBS runs Monday through Friday from
9 until noon. If you haven’t yet signed up your
children or grandchildren, please do so soon. The
first day is so much easier when we have our kids
pre-registered with nametags on. Forms are in
the office.
Many thanks to eleven wonderful ladies
who provided food for our leaders and youth.
Marjorie Finlayson, Janegale Boyd, Pat Miller,
Glenda Manucy, Diane Freeman, Juanice Hughes,
Lynn Salter, Pat Inmon, Betty Messer, Margaret
Calhoun and Linda Benedict, we love you!
Notes of Thanks
Thank you very much for the thoughtful card, the
well wishes and the Books-a-Million gift card! I
would not have been able to get through college
without my friends and family at FUMC!
Sincerely,
Kalyn Brown
Dear Church family,
Tata and I want to thank everyone who helped us as
we filled out the paperwork for Rommel to attend
Aucilla. Thank you so much for your love for me
and my family.
Bobby Ingram
Dear Pastor John and Congregation:
Thank you so much for being a partner in mission
with our Guatemala Mission Team as they work
with Porch de Salomon. Your donation of $1,000.00
will help support a team of 18 people and help pay
for the construction costs of two family homes. The
team members will work in construction, conduct
Vacation Bible School and provide Christian outreach and humanitarian care. We appreciate so much
your faith in supporting this endeavor and your
much needed contribution.
Pastor Kevin Hall and Gail Christy-Jones
Waukeenah United Methodist Church
We have an opening in
the Church Nursery for
a part-time
worker.
Every other week on
Sunday, from 9:30 a.m.
to Noon, and needed as
special events occur. If interested, please
contact the Church Office for an application
and for additional information.
HOME ALONE
Ministry Takes Off!
Eleven singles came to
our first event, a luncheon at Sandy’s Buffet on
th
June 7 . We discussed common interests and
activities we would enjoy doing together.
One event we all agreed on—first Sunday
dinner out! Also in the works: bus tours with
the Madison Travel group; Opera House dinners, plays and movies when the Opera
House gears up for the fall season in September. Watch the Sunday bulletin for announcements. If you have a friend who would enjoy
this fellowship, please invite him or her to
join us. Our next event: lunch at the Brick
House, Sunday, July 5th. Meet in the back
room around 12:15 (after the 11:00 service).
Cost $5-10.
AND
Join Us At Wakulla Springs!
Home Alone has scheduled a summer outing
to Wakulla Springs for the jungle cruise and
lunch. Saturday, July 18th, we will meet at the
church at 8:45 A.M. to carpool. The cost is
$6.00 per vehicle, $8.00 for the boat ride and
luncheon at the lodge runs from $6-29.
Please call Julia Price to reserve your seat.
July Fellowship group
Birthdays
2
Kathy Hicks
Sally Jordan
Margaret Calhoun
4
Robbie Slack
Bill Bippus
Buster & Jessica Corley
10
Jack Wirick
Buck Bird
Ted & Gloria Nixon
11
Charlie Reichert
Jennifer Reese
Irma Huls
14
Bob Ingram
Linda Benedict
Gary & Marilyn Canada
Hilda Smith
18
Sandra Hood
20
Dianne Knecht
Greeters
Jeanne Odom
Our wonderful Ushers
will greet this month!
Pat Johnson
21
5 Katrina Richardson
12 Linda Benedict
Sharon Heber
Ann Schaubel
24
Donna Champion
25
Amy Morgan
26
Sally Jordan
28
Bill Brown
29
Marghuerite Bulloch
Roger Stadin
Randall Handley
30
Flowers
Anna FinlaysonStrickland
19 Bill Bippus
Liturgist
5 George Cole
12 Nan Baughman
19 Nan Baughman
26 Nan Baughman
Acolytes
5 Ava Corley
26 Ted & Gloria Nixon
Anniversaries
2
Mac & Mary Beth Finlayson
4
John & Eleanor Hawkins
5
Clyde & Diane Simpson
7
Richard & Meagan Finlayson
9
Tom & Linda Harmon
12 Parker Sheehan
22
Leonard & Mary Cremeans
19 Hannah Richardson
25
David & Cathy Jackson
26 Rommel Ingram
Children’s Church
July Communion
Elements
5 Nancy Whitty - Lesson 13
12 Kathy Hicks - Lesson 1
5 -
Margie Cole
19 Marilyn Youtzy - Lesson 2
26 Andie Jerger - Lesson 3
Children’s Sermons
5 Kathy Hicks
12 Joyce Hrynciw
19 Richard Finlayson
26 Sally Pumphrey
July 2015
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
June 28
June 29
June 30
1
2
3
4
Youth to Lake
Junaluska,
6/28 to 7/2
5
8:30 - Praise & Worship
9:45 - Sunday School
11:00 - Traditional Worship
12:15 - Home Alone meets
at Brick House for lunch
5:00 - UMYF
12
Youth returning
from Lake
Junaluska
6
7
9
10
11
16
17
18
6:00 - Wednesday Night
Meal Fellowship
7:00 - Trustees
13
8
Office Closed for
4th of July
Have a safe and
blessed holiday!
14
15
CHUCK WAGON SUNDAY
VBS DEDICATION DAY
8:30–Praise & Worship
9:45–Sunday School
11:00-Traditional Worship
5:00 - UMYF
19
6:30 - Youth
Committee
7:00 - Staff Parish
Committee
8:45 - Home
Alone to
Wakulla
7:30 - Education
Committee
Springs VBS ENDS
VBS BEGINS
20
21
22
23
24
30
31
Breakfast With Jesus
8:30–Praise & Worship
9:45–Sunday School
11:00-Traditional Worship
6:00 - Wednesday Night
Meal Fellowship
10:00 - Nurture Team
7:00 - Finance
Committee
5:00- UMYF
26
27
28
29
Change for God’s Children
received today
8:30–Praise & Worship
9:45–Sunday School
11:00-Traditional Worship
5:00—UMYF
7:00 - Church Council
ALL ARE INVITED TO
ATTEND
6:30 - Healthy
Lifestyle Fellowship
Last day to turn
in $5.00 gift
cards to Walmart
for the Children’s
Home.
meet at the
Church
25
CHURCH STAFF
Pastor
John Hicks
CEC Director
Connie Swiggard
Administrative Assistant
Debra Roderick
Preschool Teachers
Sue Ellen Beat
Praise & Worship Leader
Becky Stoutamire
Theodosia Blue
Adult Choir Director
Amon Eady
Miranda Gillyard
Youth Leaders
Melissa Costello
Angie Roberts
Marisa Duber
Juanita Jones
Jamen Brock
Organists
Eleanor Hawkins
Linda Benedict
Pianists
Jane Freeland
Laura Powell
Nursery Attendants
Tata Ingram
Pat Miller
Sally Pumphrey
Pat Johnson
CHURCH PHONE:
850-997-5545
WITH GOD,
EXPECT FIREWORKS!
First United Methodist Church
Non-Profit Organization
325 West Walnut Street
U.S. Postage Paid
Monticello, FL
Permit
32344
Founded ca. 1828
Rev. John Hicks, Pastor
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