1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

The Communicator
FUMC has WIFI!!!
Password is: fumcwifi
Attention all 1st through 6th graders
Join us for our first BLAST this
Sunday, February 22nd
10:45am - 12:00pm on the 3rd floor
Join us for worship and fun with
John Vedder and the college band.
First United Methodist Church
702 Avenue A Opelika, AL 36801
334-745-7604
www.fumcopelika.org
Sunday Services
8:30am – Traditional Worship
9:45am – Sunday School
10:45am – Contemporary Worship
11:00am – Traditional Worship
CELEBRATE ISRAEL – Friends 2 Israel
FUMC Staff:
Rev. Randy Woodham
Senior Pastor
[email protected]
Rev. Scott Kaak
Executive Pastor
[email protected]
Rev. Rick Lane
Associate Pastor, Student Ministries
[email protected]
Rev. Ric Smith
Associate Pastor
[email protected]
Ms. Nicole Agostino
Pianist
Friday, February 20, 2015
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
Hannaniah Pinto from Explorations in Antiquity Center in LaGrange, GA.
Sunday, March 1st
9:45am – 10:45am in the Bible Basics Classroom (under the Sanctuary – next to the
Round Room)
4:00pm – 5:00pm at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn (rooms 108 & 109)
Sunday, March 1st @ 7:15am - All men are invited to join us for
a wonderful breakfast and a great program. Our guest speaker will
be Opelika native Will Herring. Will played football for Opelika
High School, Auburn University, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans
Saints, and he is now with the Saint Louis Rams.
Mrs. Laura Boggs
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Ms. Maudie Evans
Church Maid
Mrs. Sunny Hahn
Organist
[email protected]
Mr. Bruce Heath
Sexton
[email protected]
Mr. Don Lawrence
Facilities Supervisor
[email protected]
Ms. Beverly Marlett
Church Secretary
[email protected]
Ms. Mary Virginia Norris
Director of Music Ministries
[email protected]
College Mission Team Bake Sale
This Sunday, February 22nd, on the first floor hallway.
Please help support our college students as they prepare
to go to the Philippines this summer to be the feet and
hands of Jesus.
Celebrate Recovery - Step Studies for Women & Men
Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 24th
A study where you will begin to experience the true peace and serenity you have been
seeking, restore and develop stronger relationships with others and with God, and find
freedom from life's hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Our hurts, hang-ups and habits can
be co-dependency, perfectionism, fear and many more obstacles that keep you from
having a relationship with God.
Contact the Church at 745-7604 [email protected]
Mrs. Tina Roberts
Financial Secretary
[email protected]
Mr. Andy Snyder
Sound Technician
Mrs. Drew Speakman
Director of Sonshine Preschool
Asst. Director of Children’s Ministries
[email protected]
Mrs. Julia Stutts
Director of Children’s Ministries
[email protected]
Mr. John Vedder
College Ministries
[email protected]
Our next pack will be Wednesday, March 4th. We will
meet at the FUMC Fellowship Hall at 5pm and travel as
a group to the food bank. We will be back by 7 pm.
We are in need of 20 volunteers who would like to help
on this night. Please let me know if you would like to
go - no experience necessary :). Thanks for your help.
The backpack program is able to continue to help many
hungry kids in our community. Please feel free to
contact me by email or cell and thanks again!
Blessings, Ellen Royal Cell: 334-524-9551
FUMC CALENDAR
Sunday, February 22
8:30am - Worship
9:45am – Sunday School
10:45am – Contemporary Worship
11:00am – Worship
2:00pm – 6:00pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal
5:00pm – Sunday Night Youth
5:00pm – 7:00pm – Disciple III (#308)
Monday, February 23
8:45am – 1:00pm - Sonshine Preschool
12:30pm – 3:30pm – Library Work Day
Tuesday, February 24
8:45am – 1:00pm - Sonshine Preschool
2:00pm – Prison Ministry
Wednesday, February 25
7:00am – Men’s Devotion
4:30pm – M.A.T.T.
5:00pm – Wednesday Connection Supper
6:00pm – 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Thursday, February 26
8:45am – 1:00pm - Sonshine Preschool
6:00pm – 7:30pm – Chancel Choir
YOUTH NEWS
SM Youth every Sunday from 9:45am –
10:30am up on the 4th floor!
SN Youth this Sunday night (2/22)
LOOKY HERE!!!
Movie Night for everyone from 5 - 8pm!
Jr Hi and Sr Hi come all three hours!
We will eat at 5pm!
WN Youth (2/25 and 3/4)
MATT from 4:30 - 6pm
Small Groups from 6 - 7pm
Save your
Campbell's labels!
GENEROUS GIVING
Designated Funds
Given this week: $ 6,580
Given this YTD: $ 52,981
General Fund
Given this week: $ 31,652
Needed YTD: $168,273
Given YTD:
$157,906
Total Debt:
$700,919
FUMC Prison Ministry – Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015
Volunteers: Ron Rooks, Carol Powers, Margaret Rogers
Bibles given: 8
Inmates ministered to: 39 men, 24 women
Message: Danielle Goff - "Same God"
The church, and the world, is comprised of fearfully and wonderfully, and
uniquely, made individuals. Embracing our differences and using our
different gifts and talents can accomplish much. However, there comes a time
when we must all conform. Whose example should we follow?
Whom should we agree with? Why the King of kings and the Lord of lords,
of course!
Scripture card: Psalm 139:13-16, Phil.2:5, John 13:15, Romans 10:9
(The weekly ministry to the inmates at Lee County Detention Center
that provides prayer, stationery, greeting cards, used paperback books, word
games, two pieces of hard candy and a devotion -- all delivered
unconditionally with a smile and the love of Christ!)
Wednesday Connection - February 25th
MENU: Hamburger Steak; Mashed Potatoes; Green
Beans; Bread; Dessert
Kids Menu: Cheese Burgers; Tater Tots; Dessert
College Ministry
SAVE THE DATE
Vacation Bible School
June 8 – June 11
Simply follow these easy steps:
1. Visit the church website at
www.fumcopelika.org
2. Click on the Online Giving button,
3. Click on the Create Profile button,
then
4. Follow the onscreen instructions
to create an online profile and to
schedule your recurring
contributions.
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
February 15, 2015
Attendance: Sunday School – 211
Worship – 472 (116/65/291)
Reservations for dinner are expected by 10:00am on Mondays.
Please fill out the green card & place it in the offering plate on Sundays
or call the church office (745-7604) or email Laura at
[email protected]
SN Youth next week (3/1)
Youth Choir from 4 - 5pm
Jr Hi from 5 - 7pm
Sr Hi from 6 - 8pm
Supper at 6pm
th
On Line Giving Is Here!
th
If you would like to help
please contact Drew!!!
 Small Group: for February is at the Whittelsey’s at 6:30 on
Tuesdays.
 Lake Retreat: February 20th – February 21st.
 Bake Sale: February 22nd from 9:30 to Noon.
 12 Hours of Silence: April 10th - April 11th 9pm til 10am in the
HUB.
 Casting Crowns Concert: April 16th at 7pm in Montgomery.
Servants in Christ + + + Sunday, February 22, 2015
Greeters: 8:30 – Glenda & Charles Bush; 11:00 – Margaret & George Walker
Pre-Service Music: Carl Mathews
Crucifer: Will Levins
Acolytes: 8:30 – Anna Louise Parker & Shirley Pugh; 11:00 – John Thomas Gaberlavage & Banks Harper
Ushers: 8:30 – David Vedder (Captain); Jim Mayfield (Co-Captain); Sam Bailey, Jr.; Brian Blackmon; Paul Bush;
Todd Shipman; John Wilson
11:00 – Bill Hilyer (Captain); Claud Brown (Co-Captain); Tyson Daffin; Newell Floyd; Jason Halverson; Bob
Humphries; Jim Levins; Richard Moreman
Sound: 8:30 – Andy Snyder; 11:00 – Nathan Goff
Media: Chuck Wacker
Transportation: Kenny Wilkes; Gary Fuller
Nurturing Notes: Phoebe Branch
Welcome Notes: Pat Brown
Monday Flowers: Claud Brown; Nell & Bill Samford
Monday Visitation Team: Patty Allen & Leisa Story
Tuesday Office Volunteer: Betty Lawrence
Prison Ministry: Sara Nan Levins; Edna Caldwell; Margaret Rogers; Danielle Goff; Pastor Scott Kaak
Hospital Visitor: Mon., Feb. 23rd – Kevin Royal; Tue., Feb. 24th – Donna Moreman; Wed., Feb. 25th – Judy Smith;
Thur., Feb. 26th – Mary Jessica Perry; Fri., Feb. 27th – Margaret Whittelsey
ORPHANAGE EMMANUEL - July 16th – July 23rd
The Honduras Mission Trip 2015 to Orphanage Emmanuel is from Thursday, July 16 to Thursday, July 23. We fly on
Delta 849 going and Delta 552 returning (there is just one flight per day) I have been hoping the price of the plane tickets
would come down, but I don’t think they will. They are at $702.00 right now. I think if you are planning on going, it is
time to purchase your tickets.
Please, let me know if you are planning on going. I will then pencil you in on my list. When you purchase your ticket,
please let me know so I can confirm you on my list. I am praying for all the Lord is going to do through us and in us this
year! Blessings, Sara Jane
A Needs Request!
This December at Emmanuel, I sat down one afternoon with Robert Burrows while the boys were playing on the farm
and asked him if there was anything he would like to have for the Power Toddler House. He said he wished they had
more Duplo Blocks by Lego. Not Legos, but the larger blocks. He also said balls smaller than soccer balls-more like
playground, bouncy type of balls would be nice. The houses go through ALOT of balls quickly.
If you have or you know someone that has Duplo blocks around the house no longer being used, I would love to get them
and send them to the Power Toddlers. Walmart also sells the general sets for $14, $25, and up.
This fall, the Spanish students from Lee-Scott donated boxes and boxes of school supplies, toiletries, and soccer balls. I
think we shipped around 30 + balls to use the week we were there. It wasn't enough! I would also like to collect as many
soccer balls as I can to take with us this summer. So, ask around the office or Sunday school or your family or classmates
if they would be willing to purchase a ball for the team to use in July. Ross and Academy Sports usually have the best
prices.
I will be glad to come by your house and pick up or you can take things to the church. If you have any questions or
suggestions, please feel free to email, text, or call. I can't wait to see what God will do next in us and through us as we
grow closer to Him and the precious people of Emmanuel. Becky Hilyer
334-703-5114
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations - This Sunday, the focus of our worship
will be Radical Hospitality—the way we actively invite, welcome, and care for those who are
strangers. In the coming week, remember to be reading the seven devotions and prayers on Radical
Hospitality in Cultivating Fruitfulness. We encourage entire households and friends to read and discuss
these together. Read the Scripture, pray the prayers together, and take the daily challenge. Let’s
discover what can happen when all God’s people learn and pray together. The devotional books are
here! Pick up your copy today! Cultivating Fruitfulness – Five Weeks of Prayer and Practice
for Congregations. Don’t forget to sign up for a small group!
Worship Services this Sunday
8:30am & 11:00am Traditional Services (Sanctuary)
“ Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations Series”
“Radical Hospitality Imitates Christ” Rev. Randy Woodham
Luke 10:25 – 37 (NRSV) 25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal
life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27He answered, “You shall love the Lord
your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor
as yourself.” 28And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” 29But wanting to justify
himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho,
and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a
priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came
to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw
him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put
him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to
the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36Which of
these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who
showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
10:45am Contemporary Service (Fellowship Hall)
The HUB is an outreach mission of FUMC.
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations: “Entertaining Angels” (week 1) Pastor Scott Kaak
*
Genesis
18:1-8 (NIV) 1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent
in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of
his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3 He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you
can be refreshed and then go on your way--now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say." 6
So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread." 7 Then he
ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and
milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Matthew 25:40 (NLT) 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and
sisters, you were doing it to me!’
This Week’s Special Music
Passacaglia in C minor (8:30 & 11:00) (Built on a Sure Foundation) Fred Gramann
Wesley Ringers
Agnus Dei (8:30) arr. Robert Sterling
One Accord; Nathan Goff, piano
Jesus Paid it All (11:00) arr. Robert Sterling
Chancel Choir; Nicole Agostino, piano
PRAYER CONCERNS (as of Friday, February 20 )
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EAMC: Sandy Yountz (Karen Jones’ mother)
Bethany House: Peggy Allen (Jenny Galimore’s grandmother); Marie Bass (Michael Bass’ grandmother)
UAB (Birmingham): Cullen Conerly (premature son of Ian & Susan Conerly); Louise Dubose (friend of Kathy &
David Kastner); Leslie Gaston (Mike & Becky Gaston’s cousin)
Trinity (Birmingham): Adell Bell (Todd Shipman’s great aunt)
Women’s & Infants Hospital (Birmingham): Valerie Voelkel Bennett & newborn son, Jakeb John Bennett (friend of Richard
& Sherry Freeman)
Phenix City Rehab: Willie Chambers (Tiffany Bryant’s father)
Home: David Alexander (Marcia Alexander’s husband); Barbara Allen; Don Allen (friend of Tori Beth
Thompson); Caroline Bugg; Marlo Burdette; Genevieve Canonica (friend of Leigh & Michael Bass); Beverly
Collins; Rossie Culley; Virginia Cumbie; David Eastridge, Jr. (Rhonda Boothe’s nephew); Shirley Flora; Jessica
Gilmore (friend of Kathie & David Kastner); Dave Gladney (friend of Dudley & Al Cook); B J Horn; Charles
Huling; Malcolm Humphries; Corinne Hurst; Joan King; Sara Martin (Becky Bailey’s mother); Amanda Mayhall
(Sonshine preschool mom); Charles Orange (friend of Gene Smith); Carly Parker; Tammy Samford (friend of
Patty Allen); Gene Smith; Mary Rose Smith; Doris & Bill Southers (Laurie Williams’ parents); Ileta Sumners
(Arbor Springs); Merle & Quinton Walton; Rev. David Warren (Senior Pastor @ Trinity UMC); Alice Williams
Out of Town: Bob Bowen (Julia Moreman’s brother-in-law); Sharon Dennis (Sandra Holloway’s sister); Ned
Grove (friend of Jennifer & Clay Harper); Vernice Hart (Pam Hope’s step-mother); Morgan Hasty (friend of Ginny
Gaberlavage); Shigemi Heffernan (friend of the Cherry family); Bryan Hoch (Sue Bentley’s nephew); Doug
Holden (Shirley Flora’s brother-in-law); Brenda Joullian (Sherri Rowton’s mother); Penny Krennerich (friend of
Wei Beach); Sam Lowery (friend of Nell & Bill Samford); Donna Martin (Becky Bailey’s sister-in-law); Frieda &
Anthony Meacham (Emily Finck’s parents); Bob Miller (Sam Bailey’s brother-in-law); Robert Mills (Becky Bailey’s
son); Kay Mingus (friend of JoEllen James); Mary Minton (Kathy Cason’s aunt); Ray Ramage (friend of Joyce
Windsor); Kenny Reding (friend of Allen Blythe); Ed Reynolds (Kim Epperson’s father); Willie Mae Roberts
(Lybbi Epperson’s grandmother); Marian Rogers (Emily Finck’s grandmother); Jim Royal (Kevin Royal’s father);
Celia Satterwhite (Ruth Meadows’ mother); Carolyn Sell (Jo Vaughan’s daughter); Jeff Shipman (Todd Shipman’s
brother); Jim Short (friend of Jerrell Askew); Denise Sweatman (Jolene Clark’s cousin); Greg & Skip Wheelus
(Ginny Gaberlavage’s father & brother); Grover Worth (Bobby Worth’s father)
Military: Josh Beasley (Ann & David Canon’s grandson); Lindsey Cooper (Mary Rose & Albert Smith’s
granddaughter); Cooper Davis (friend of Tina Roberts); Michael Fischer & T J Fischer (friends of Phyllis & Jim
Mayfield); Robert Groszmann (Bob Ingram’s nephew); Garrett Guess (Becky Mills’ nephew); Samuel Hayes
(Sharon & Ron Rooks’ son-in-law); Trey Long (Becky Mills’ nephew); Harry & Jake Meadows (Tamara & Bill
Meadows’ sons); Steven Olaveson; Alex Pendergraph (Janet Taylor’s grandson); Jacob Ramus (Phyllis & Jim
Mayfield’s son-in-law); Frank Rielly (friend of Phyllis & Jim Mayfield); Kennard R. Smith (friend of Anne &
Sheldon Whittelsey); Ronnie Snyder (Arden & Dave Snyder’s grandson); Jim Whaley (Beverly Collins’ grandson)
Missionaries: Orphanage Emmanuel: Burrows family
Orphanage Emmanuel: Abdi Abisai Casco (young son of the mechanic and driver that takes our team to & from
the airport)
Christian Sympathy. . .
. . .is extended to Fran & Boykin Smith and all of the family upon to death of their friend, Ronnie Chadwick,
of Opelika.