November 2014 November Dates to Remember Veterans’ Day Service 1 Men’s Breakfast Called Admin Meeting Growing God’s Girls Brothers4Christ McClure Cpl Service 2 Board of Trustees 3 Carrie Ruff Circle6 Girl Scouts 5 5, 20 Middle School Retreat 11/7-9 UMW Meeting 8 Blood Drive Quest Organ Concert 9 Stephen Ministry 10 Depression Support 11, 25 Acworth United Methodist Church Rev. James Gwin, Senior Pastor Rev. Linda Birchall, Associate Pastor 4340 Collins Circle Acworth, GA 30101 770-974-3312 www.acworthumc.org Thanksgiving Baskets: Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It's time to help our community again this year by filling up baskets for a Thanksgiving dinner. Empty baskets will be available for pickup at the Welcome Desk on November 9 & 16 between services and after 11:00 service. Please return them to the hall of memories by noon Sunday, November 23. Monetary gifts are always welcome. Make your check to AUMC and Memo it "T-Baskets". Gifts may be placed in the offering plate or brought to the church office. If you know of a family that might need assistance for Thanksgiving, please let me know ASAP. If you have any questions, please contact Valorie Hoven at 678-613-4631 or email [email protected]. Angels are Coming on November 23 Help brighten the Christmas of a girl or boy in our community by picking an Angel from our tree and purchasing gifts. Sign your angel out on the sheet located near the tree, purchase gifts and return them unwrapped by December 14. Want to join our committee and help spread Christmas Joy to those in need? Contact Karen Jeffrey at [email protected] or 404-275-4472. OWLS to Jaemer Farm 13 HS Night Out Young Adult Retreat 14 Adult Singles Potluck 15 Missions Lunch Youth Potluck Confirmation Picnic 16 Sr. Adult Lunch Admin. Council 17 Finance Committee CancerCare 18 Annual Pancake Supper UMW Pancake Supper Hanging of the Greens 23 Sunday, November 23 ACTS Mail Team 24 OWLS Apple Trip 23 Missions Committee 25 Handbell Concert Youth Mission Night Family Promise 30 United Methodist Women’s 11/3012/7 5-6:15 p.m. Family Life Center Bring the family and enjoy the traditional pancake supper Hanging of the Green Service Sunday, November 30 6:30 p.m. before the annual Handing of Watch for the sign up sheet to participate the Greens Service at 6:30pm. in decorating the sanctuary for Advent. WE LIFT OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS IN PRAYER Ongoing Concerns… Faith Anderson, Michael Bedenbaugh, Bob Foster, Sally Jarrett & family, Marie Hicks, Janelle McClure, Zachary Queen, Pamela Saunders, Max Sheheane, Lisa Sizemore, Bill Watkins, Denise West-Smith, Missionaries: Dorothy Mutambara, Zimbabwe; Inna Mezalumo, Malawi; Local Mission: Blessings in a Backpack, Family Promise-North Cobb, Middle School Outreach Program, Murphy Harpst children & staff, Regional Youth Detention Center, Rome, GA, UM Children’s Home Military Prayer List: Charle Gothro, Graham Martin, David Sanford MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS To the glory of God and the General Fund In memory of Chris Ann Stark-Richards by the Epiphany Anglican Church In memory of Jean Huggins by the Charlotte McClure Sunday School class In memory of Eunice Frohberg by Alyce Hegedus To the glory of God and the AUMC Food Pastry In memory of Joyce Watkins by Bill Watkins FAITH FOUNDATION Did you know our actions today can help win others to Christ long after we are gone? By investing in AUMC’s newly created endowment fund, the Faith Foundation Fund, we will support church priorities that would not be possible through the yearly budget. The best part is that only the income earned from gifts will be used. The principle amount remains in the account earning interest and generating income far into the future. THANK YOU! The staff of Acworth UMC has been richly blessed by the outpouring of love & kindness during October’s Staff Appreciation. The outpouring of meals, cards, candy, baked goods, ScripCards, flowers, emails, hugs, pillows, and prayers have been overwhelming. We are blessed to minister through Acworth UMC and thank God for the wonderful people who are a part of this church family. Our November 13 destinations are new. Jaemor Farms supplies all types of produce...even a tractor ride. The Dillard House is well known throughout North Georgia for its bakery, store and preserves. (Beware, James is going.) We’ll leave the church at 9 a.m. Sign up will be on the Sr. Adult bulletin board We are changing our December event. The Main Street Playhouse in Woodstock is doing a Christmas Carol musical featuring favorite Christmas carols and other original music. We have 15 reservations for the December 12 performance. Senior tickets are $11. Watch for the sign up sheet on the Sr. Adult bulletin board. Single Adult’s Pot Luck and Game Night Saturday, November 15 - 6 pm Casual gathering for adult singles, divorced, widowed or married folks who socialize single!! Bring a bite or dish to share on the buffet line. You don't need to eat first....just come and relax. Beverages provided. Hosted by Karen Bakos and Joy LaFleur at 4676 Hadaway Rd NW, Kennesaw 30152. Contact Teresa or Scott Koppel at [email protected] - or 770-419-5912 or text or call Karen at 404-314-9967 or email at [email protected] . Ample parking available at the church lot next door! Those with pet allergies note that there are shy cats on the property. Please let us know if you can come so we can prepare accordingly! Hope to see you there! (And mark the calendar for Game Night on Dec.13, details will be published later.) 4th Annual CHRISTMAS CAMP Saturday, December 13 9:30am-1:30pm Ages 3 years - 5th grade Only $25 each child! Children can make age-appropriate crafts, listen to the Nativity Story, join in the Christmas carol sing-along, play “reindeer games” and have pizza, cookies & hot cocoa with the elves! You can take a much needed break or use the time for Christmas shopping! Registration opens November 2! Space is limited to 50 children ages 3 years-5th grade. Register in the Hall of Memories on Sunday’s & Wednesday’s or in the church office during the week. Payment is due at registration. This is a volunteer run camp (no paid positions) because all of the money is used for crafts and food! Adults and youth interested in volunteering for this event may contact either or Cathy Osborne at [email protected] or [email protected] . Please note: Kids On the Hill choir kids can come to camp and still participate in adult choir rehearsal! We’ll make sure you don’t miss anything! G3- Growing God’s Girls - for 4th-6th grade girls - will meet on November 2 from 12-2:15pm for potato bar lunch and a special Christmas craft activity! Sign in will be in the FLC. Cost is $5. Friends and big sisters are always welcome at G3! Contact Kris Shock at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. B4C - BROTHERS for CHRIST -for 4th-6th grade boys- meets on Sunday, November 2. Bring money for lunch out and be prepared for games afterwards! Sign in will be in the choir room after church –and pick up in the Chapel at 2:30pm. Dads and friends are welcome to join us! For more information about B4C, contact Ed Lynch at [email protected] or Chris Derrick at [email protected]. QUEST - for 3rd-6th graders – will meet Sunday, November 9 from 5-7pm DownUnder for fun and fellowship! We will not meet on the 23rd - families are encouraged to start the holiday season by coming to the Pancake Supper and Hanging of the Greens Service! It’s an awesome family event! Our annual trek to Bethlehem Walk at Mountain View UMC will be Saturday, December 13. We’ll meet DownUnder at 4:15p for pizza supper, leave church at 4:45p then return at 8pm. Families are welcome to participate! Sign up will begin November 23. Cost: $5 each person ($3 for supper and $2 donation to Bethlehem Walk). Friends are always welcome at QUEST! COMING SOON... Children’s Christmas Eve Pageant Children 4 years old-8th grade can play a part in this one rehearsal play! Sign up will begin November 30 in the Hall of Memories. Rehearsal will be 10a-noon on Christmas Eve. The kids will perform at the 5pm Christmas Eve service! November Live Nativity is December 5 from 5:309:30pm in Downtown Acworth. It’s an awesome opportunity for AUMC to present the story of Christ’s birth to the community! Signup in Hall of Memories beginning November 9. Costumes are provided. All ages welcome! Created by God - Human Sexuality Education program for 5th-7th graders will be held on January 16-18. Registration will begin in December. Cost is $35 and includes materials, snacks and lunch Saturday. For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected]. 11/2 11/2 11/9 11/23 12-2:15pm 12-2:30pm 5-7pm 5pm 6:30pm G3 Lunch & Craft B4C Lunch & games QUEST- DownUnder Pancake Supper & Hanging of the Greens looking forward to December... 12/5 5:30pm Live Nativity Downtown Acworth 12/7 KOH C’mas Musical 12/7 12-2:15pm G3 in FLC 12/7 12-2:15pm B4C Lunch 12/13 9:30-1:30p Christmas Craft Camp for Kids 12/13 4:15-8pm QUEST to Bethlehem Walk at Mtn View UMC 12/14 5-7pm QUEST DownUnder 12/24 10a-noon Rehearsal for Pageant Hann ah S tubblef ie ld S tude nt Mi nis te r [email protected] HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING: November 2014 www.acworthumcyouth.com Instagram: AUMC_Youth Facebook: Acworth UMC Youth ReMix Sunday Night Program: Nov. 2: ReMix. 4:30-7:00pm Nov. 9: ReMix. 4:30-7:00pm. Nov. 16: Thanksgiving Potluck. Nov. 23: Hanging of the Greens. Nov. 30: Night of Worship. Middle School: “Jesus Freak” High School: “Can I Ask That?” A Great Big Thanks! We thank you for your support and Wednesday Night Program 5:00pm: Dinner in the FLC 5:45: Fellowship/Study Hall in the Attic 6:30-7:30: Bible Study 6th Grade: E204 7th/8th Grade: The Loft High School: Attic Upcoming November Youth Events: November 7-9: Middle School Fall Retreat. Woodland Camp and Retreat Center. $90 making the 1st Annual AUMC Pumpkin November 14: High School Night Out. 6-10pm. Patch a huge success and supporting the More info coming soon. youth and Youth Ministries here at AUMC! Confirmation Schedule for November Nov. 2: Class: 9:30am-12:00pm Youth: 4:30pm-7:00pm Nov. 9: Class: 9:30am-12:00pm Passion City Church: 4:00pm-8:30pm Nov. 16 Class: 9:30am-12:00pm Acworth Beach: 4:30pm-7:00pm Nov. 23: No Class Nov. 30: Class: 9:30am-12:00pm Youth: 4:30pm-7:00pm November 16: Thanksgiving Potluck. 4:307:00pm. FLC. Nov. 11 Paulding Co. & Allatoona, 7am. McDonald’s @ Cedarcrest & 92 Nov. 18: Cobb County, 7am Chick-fil-A on Hwy. 41next to O’Charley’s From Senior Pastor Rev. James Gwin Letting Go I was sixteen years old the first time I tried ice skating. It wasn’t pretty. Our church’s youth group was looking for a good, wholesome fellowship activity. I was out-voted and ice skating was selected. I didn’t want to go. I had never been before. Ice skating looked like something that could make a young adolescent male appear un-cool. I was right. To me, it seemed as though everyone laced up their skates and glided out onto the ice. I (like Charlie Brown) laced up my skates and then clung to the side wall surrounding the ice rink. It seemed like hours passed before I made a single lap around the ice. I was pitiful. My feet went back and forth very fast, but I never moved. Like a train sits on tracks, I gripped the side wall surrounding the ice rink. My friends zoomed past me with almost no effort at all. I tottered, fell, slipped, crawled, paddled, clung, wobbled, shimmied, inch by inch around the outer wall of the rink. After a lot humiliation, a friend grabbed my arm and offered some coaching. Soon I was persuaded to let go of the wall and skate. Wow! Skating is more fun when you let go of the wall. Sometimes in our life of faith, we spend too much time holding onto the wall. We work really hard. We get nowhere. It takes encouragement and coaching, but if you let go of the wall, trust your friends to help you, and glide out on faith, then your spiritual life will be free. You will go further with less stress and more joy. What a concept! Faith can be fun if you just let go and let God. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12: v1 (NLV) Your clumsy clergy in Christ, Email: [email protected] Cell: 770-757-0403. McClure Update When is work going to begin in the McClure Chapel? Why is this taking so long? What is the plan? These are a few of the frequent questions heard around Acworth UMC these days. Here is what I know as of mid-October. Work to re-purpose McClure Chapel into McClure Hall is progressing. Bids are being received for different parts of the project (window, paint, lights, flooring, etc.) Before anything can be done, other projects must be completed. Those projects include a new sound system in the sanctuary (done), a new playground (done), ministry money for Children & Youth (done), reserve money set aside (done) and the windows replaced in the McClure Chapel (estimates are being received.) Only after a contract is signed for the McClure window replacement will the McClure Project Team know how much money is available to use in the renovation. Currently, work is expected to begin in early 2015. To start sooner would be too disruptive during the Christmas Season. You are invited to a special worship service in the McClure Chapel at 7pm, November 2, 2014 to celebrate this beautiful space, the memories it created, and the lives that have been touch within its walls. Stay alert. As more information is known, it will be shared in newsletters, bulletins, and worship. Being Thankful Rev. Linda Birchall Have you ever noticed how often and yet how seldom we say “thank you”? Confused? Here’s what I mean. Many days we offer a very perfunctory thank you to: sales clerks, the person who holds open the door for us, someone on the telephone…and so it goes. But then, on the other hand, think about how seldom we offer true, genuine thanks to other people for their kindnesses, their generosity or their thoughtful comments. And that leads me to God. Many people I know routinely say grace over their food. Has that gotten perfunctory too, so that you are doing it by rote and not with sincerity? And how often do we bother to thank God for daily blessings and treasures? I know I don’t do it nearly often enough. I’ve decided to focus on thankfulness all month, not just on Thanksgiving Day. I want to take time each day to be truly thankful for those little moments God puts in my path. Notice them. Enjoy them. Thank God for them. I want to make sure that I thank God for all of the people God puts in my path, too, and view each of them as a child of God, someone who deserves love, respect and consideration – yes, even the annoying ones. God gives us so many chances to be thankful. Why not take them? I was reading an article the other day in which the author was talking about gratitude and its effect on the grateful person, not just the receiver of gratitude. He said that people who are genuinely grateful, who practice gratitude daily, are much happier AND bonus!: they live longer! The very next day I read an article about Christians no longer giving a hoot about others. It showed a picture of three young women, all dressed up, having their pictures made on the streets of a city, all while being totally oblivious to the old homeless man right at their feet. And I thought: there are cautionary tales here. Gratitude means giving a hoot. It means being thankful for those people around me, whether they go to the same church, vote the same way, live in the same neighborhood, have the same color of skin, are rich or poor, sick or well, are homeless or not. Gratitude means loving God and others, and wanting to act toward others with the same kind of love God has for me. So, this Thanksgiving season, I really AM thankful, and I’m going to practice it! I’m thankful for all of you, for your servants’ hearts and willing spirits. I’m thankful for this church and its desire to make a difference in the world. I‘m thankful for opportunities to witness to others about the powerful difference God has made in my life and can make in theirs. And I’m thankful that God loves me in spite of all the mistakes I make and the things I do wrong. Surely, I can be grateful for that! Blessings, Linda Music Ministry Please hold these calendar dates: November 9 at 6 pm Vicki Frey, our extraordinary organist, will present an organ concert featuring selections from her award winning American Guild of Organists Scholarship Competitions programs. The music includes many standards of organ literature and some of the most difficult compositions ever written for the organ. Vicki is recognized by her peers as an accomplished artist at the organ. You will want to be there to hear her in concert. The Kennesaw Mountain High School Chorus and Orchestra will present a program of Christmas music on December 2 at 7 pm in our sanctuary. They will have approximately 80 in the chorus and a full orchestra of 68 players. They have held their Christmas concert here for several years and their performances are truly inspiring and enjoyable. You will be happy you came. All of our AUMC musical groups are in rehearsal for the Christmas services each one will present. - The Praise Team will lead their Christmas service on November 30 at the 9:30 service. - The Kids on the Hill Choir will present their Christmas musical December 7th at 11 am. - The Chancel Choir and Orchestra will present their Christmas Celebration service on December 14 at the 11 am service. Rehearsal attendance for each member of every group is vitally important. We want to present the finest we have to offer to the Christ whose birthday we celebrate. Things get busier as we approach the Season, so we have to be more intentional than ever about making sure that each member is in attendance at every rehearsal. From the youngest to the oldest, it's all about music in ministry and what manner of gift we can give to the King of Kings and to our congregation. Clearly, only our very best will do. AUMC MOVING IN MISSIONS Does your view never change? Do you need a change of pace? Then get out of the building and get Moving in Missions. Food Pantry "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat......I tell you, Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Never go hungry Loaves of Love Hunger knows no season You CAN help How shall we feed them? These are a few slogans I came across from various food pantries throughout the area. So many pantries, so many volunteers, and ever so many families in need. Bags of food continue to appear week after week as the people in need continue to come week after week. Every person walking through the door, a rare treasure, and all the volunteers and donations truly making a difference in the lives of many. So, "How shall we feed them?" "You CAN help" with "Loaves of Love" because "Hunger knows no season and we will help them "never go hungry. May you all enjoy a bountiful and blessed Thanksgiving. Baskets of Blessings, 'Rene One Person Called to Serve… She works at our Food Pantry several time a month. She gladly and lovingly bags up food for those in need . One day she felt called to do more, so she bought some bags, attached a note of explanation and dropped them off at homes in her neighborhood. The following week she collected them….filled with donations of food for our pantry. Just One Person Called to Serve….
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