e h T October 2014 e-link Connecting Church and Community Fairview United Methodist Church • Maryville, Tennessee October 12 - October 18, 2014 It’s often been said that holding on to resentment is like drinking poison and expecting it to kill someone else. On the surface, forgiveness can be very unsatisfying. It’s easier to imagine methods of vengeance for those who have wounded us rather than forgive them. They may not feel better afterward, but we might. The times I have struggled to forgive, I find that it’s primarily because of the deep pain that I am experiencing. And the bigger the wound, the more vulnerable I am to being angry. Forgiveness is hard but it is a form of suffering. Most speak of forgiveness as a virtue, and praise the beauty of it. But there is a reason so many can’t seem to forgive—it requires willingness to suffer. This isn’t just any kind of suffering, either. To forgive is to willfully bear and embrace a wound that someone else has given to you. At times, this can feel unnatural. When a person commits an offense against us, our typical inclination is to commit an offense in return. And not just any offense, but one that is bigger and hurts far more. We tell ourselves they deserved it. We believe this because deep inside it feels really good to get even. But retribution is a false sense of justice. Vengeance will come back around to us. We will receive payback, and then we will pay back again. And then vengeance becomes this downward, never-ending spiral. Perhaps you are reading this, and know you would never seek vengeance. Some people would never act out against those who have hurt them, rather they simply hold on to the wound, nursing a grudge refusing to forgive. Our idea of punishment becomes to never forget or forgive. We believe withholding forgiveness will allow us to control the situation, but it doesn’t. It slowly kills us. We only imprison ourselves. As the people of God we are called to forgive much, because we have been forgiven much. We are to be agents of forgiveness. Another way of saying this is we are called to suffer, for this is the direct result of forgiveness. When we have been wounded by another we want things made right. Something has been broken and we want it fixed. Forgiveness offers such a repair, but places its demands on the one who has been wounded. It asks for the one wronged to absorb the sin committed by another. Is there anything more painful? Forgiveness means we cancel the debt—at personal expense. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus told a story about a master and a servant who owed him millions of dollars. The servant begged for leniency, and the master “cancelled the debt.” The master willingly forgave him knowing he would never get the money back. This is exactly what we see with Jesus. He absorbed the pain, sin, shame and brokenness of this world. It was laid on Him when He was nailed to that cross. It is this kind of forgiveness—this kind of suffering—we are called to imitate. We are to absorb the offense within ourselves, and let go of any claims on the debt we believe we are owed. This seems impossible. However, we must remember whatever sin has been committed against us has already been absorbed by Jesus. When we long for justice to be served, we cannot forget through the cross justice has already been satisfied. But does this make it any easier? We can know these truths deeply, and yet still recognize the agony of forgiveness. Maybe you are reading this and know exactly what I mean. You have forgiven someone who has wounded you deeply, and in doing so, felt like your soul was torn in two. Our hope is in those moments when we come face to face with the pain of forgiveness, we discover the risen Jesus who says, “I know how you feel.” Forgiveness is a form of suffering, but for those willing to endure it, they will discover the the heart of Jesus. For when we are able to forgive, we free the one who has sinned against us and we free ourselves just as we have been freed through the forgiveness provided through Jesus. In finding the freedom that forgiveness can bring, I pray this may lead you into the arms of our forgiving God. Gilbert Stewardship “I will be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it with my prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness: Sunday Morning Worship: General Offering: $26,275.28 Together Toward Tomorrow: $4,600.00 PRAYER “We may have very little to give our friends, but, however little of this world’s goods we possess, we may give them the priceless treasure of our prayers.” Christian sympathy is extended to the family of Jim and Sandra McNeillie on the death of Jim’s father, James. MEMORIALS In memory of Lidia Schrock to the Faithful Men from Dan and Marleitta Cooper. In memory of Betty Nell Headrick to Music Ministries from Dwain and Jane Pesterfield, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Cate, Dan and Marleitta Cooper, and Bob and Eloise Landers. To the Sparkplugs Scholarship Fund from Bob and Eloise Landers. In memory of Carolyn Brooks to Music Ministries from Dan and Marleitta Cooper. In memory of Ada McMillian to the Building Fund from Georgia and Karen Roberson, Kyle and Roberta Petree, Dan and Marleitta Cooper, and Russ and June Cherry. To the UMW from Rob and Mary Ritchie and Debby McMillin. In memory of Leona Campbell (Jody Alt’s mom) to Music Ministries from Dan and Marleitta Cooper. In memory of Mary Hyatt to the Hyatt Scholarship Fund from Bob and Eloise Landers. In memory of Keith Hair to the Building Fund from Dan and Marleitta Cooper. WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY Study Led By: John Oswalt Laments Wed. Oct. 15 at 6 A-203 Sunday, October 12, 2014 –Family Promise 8:30 AM Worship 9:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship 11:00 AM Worship - Contemporary @ Remedy 3:00 PM Faithful Men 4:00 PM Youth Choir 5:00 PM Youth Bus to Hoedown 6:00 PM Worship Monday, October 13, 2014-Family Promise 7:00 AM Men's Bible Study 10:00 AM Mats for the Homeless 3:00 PM Women's Emmaus Group Mtg. 6:00 PM Ladies Monday Night Bible Study 6:00 PM UMW Executive Committee 7:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 888 Tuesday, October 14, 2014-Family Promise 9:30 AM Women's Bible Study 6:00 PM Nominations 6:00 PM Mats for the Homeless 6:00 PM Trustee Meeting 7:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group Wednesday, October 15, 2014-Family Promise 8:30 AM Moms in Prayer- Small Group Mtg. 9:00 AM Learning Tree Preschool 1:00 PM Care Group Mtg. 5:50 PM Children's Worship Arts (kids choir) 5:50 PM W.O.W. Wonders (crafts, games) 6:00 PM Experiencing God Small Group 6:00 PM Orchestra 6:00 PM Two or More - Women 6:00 PM Wednesday Night Adult Study 6:00 PM Women's Small Group - K. Stroud 6:00 PM Youth Small Groups 6:45 PM Adult Choir 7:30 PM Youth Dance Ministry Thursday, October 16, 2014-Family Promise 6:30 AM Men's Bible Study 6:30 AM Men's Group at Cracker Barrel 9:00 AM Learning Tree Preschool 5:30 PM Girl Scout Troop 21083 6:00 PM Pickle Ball 6:30 PM Cub Scouts Pack 184 6:30 PM Memorial Service for Bob Hurm 6:30 PM Women's Small Group - Beard Friday, October 17, 2014-Family Promise 9:00 AM Preschool Staff Mtg. 7:00 PM A.A. Meeting Saturday, October 18, 2014-Family Promise Roger is continuing to speak from the study “Experiencing God” each Sunday morning and Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. If you have not been involved in this series, feel free to jump in. Each Wednesday evening Roger begins the service with music and worship and he then leads a great message from “Experiencing God”. If you would like to listen to Roger’s message from Sunday morning, please go to the Remedy website @ www.theremedychurch.org and click on sermons. We would also like to invite you to Sunday school with Mark Talley. Mark is teaching from “The Gospel Project” at 9:45 a.m. at the Remedy Campus. There are many places to jump in to the “Experiencing God” study. Have a great week! Blessings from Remedy. Carol Ellis Real ladies. Real moms. Real kids. Real stories. Real tired: Hello Ladies!!!! We meet each Friday at 9 am in room A203. Our group email address : [email protected] if you have questions. Please come join us as we share about our Real Lives and encourage one another! Benefiting the Pregnancy Resource Center in Maryville. Saturday, November 1st, 2014 in the FUMC gym. 12:30pm- 4:00pm If you would like to rent a booth space, contact Valerie at the PRC for details: 865-9778378 or [email protected]. Tuesday, October 28, the Keenagers will travel to the Button Willow Civil War Dinner Theater in Whitwell, TN. The play will take you back to 1864, as you enjoy the moving production of "Granddaddy's Watch." Cost is $40 per person which includes dinner, show, and gratuity. Please make checks payable to Fairview UMC and place in the signup envelope at the Welcome Table. The bus will leave the church parking lot at 8:00 a.m. and should return no later than 6:00 p.m. For more information, contact Eloise Landers at 983 -3880. It’s Grandmother’s Attic It’s “round tu it” time for the UMW Country Store. Glassware, decorative items, Christmas items, antiques of all types and more just fly out of the Attic on sale day. It is time to sort through that box you’ve been meaning to tackle, gather jewelry you no longer use, and deliver it to one of the members of the Best Tedford/Agnes McConnell Circle. Remember, no garage sale leftovers or non-cookbooks are desired. Thank you in advance for your continuing support. You are appreciated! If you have questions, contact Mary Hazel Fugate or June Cherry. We need Servants of Christ! October 24, 2014 at 5:45 PM Where: Rio Central 370 S Long Hollow Rd. BOX PACKING FOR THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION THE NEXT DAY! October 25, 2014 at 9:45 AM at the Maryville Housing Authority, 311 Atlantic Avenue We will set up the distribution center in the Parking Lot of the Main Building of Maryville Housing Authority. We will be delivering food to those persons and families that have been selected to receive the Food. These groups were picked because of need. We need persons that can pack boxes, carry boxes, pray while outside the home, persons that can talk with and pray for these precious souls that will receive the means of grace they need and a touch they deserve. Please pray about joining this joint project between Fairview UMC and a network of Churches in Blount County. Each group will be given a list of six families to bring a box of Food. The news is it will take about an hour to do. Please contact Michael Carver at [email protected] The UMW executive officers meeting is on Monday, October 13 at 6:30 in room 123. All officers and at least one member of each circle please attend. This is our yearly meeting to plan the years activities and budget for the year. Thank you. Mary Ann Yoakum COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL Across the world millions of children are experiencing the emotional and physical pain of poverty. Many feel their lives have little value. Maybe you want to do something, but you can't afford to travel to a third world country to bring home one of these children. But there is a way you can release one child from poverty. Become a partner with Compassion International. Compassion International is a Christian ministry whose cornerstone work is one to one sponsorship. Through your support, prayers, and encouragement you can change the life of one vulnerable child. Stop by the welcome desk to learn more. Three children are waiting for sponsors. Won't you be one of them? Fairview youth news Fairview Youth Annual Hoedown! Sunday, October 12th All youth and their families are invited to the Milne farm for our Hoedown. We will leave church at 5:15PM and return at 8:00PM. We need lots of hands so please let Ms Yvonne know if you would like to help. There will be hamburgers and hot dogs, smores, hay rides, music and much more! Don’t forget your hoedown clothes! No “Experiencing God “ this Wednesday (October 8) for the youth. We will be back on schedule Wednesday October 15th! October 2014 October 11—UT Game– Bus loads at 1:45 and departs at 2:00. You must have already purchased a ticket to attend October 12—Youth Choir at 4:00 and Hoedown at 5:15 with return at 8:00 October 19– Youth at 4:00 and Youth Choir travels to East Maryville Baptist for practice October 26—Youth Choir at 4:15 and Youth at 5:15