The FEBRUARY 2018 Newsletter for First UMC Family and Friends First United Methodist Messenger Rockingham, NC Sisters and Brothers in Christ: Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ - The One Who Is, the One Who Was, and the One Who Is to Come! This year we lean into a rare occurrence as Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday and Easter falls on April Fools’ Day. What are we to make of this strange alignment? We could ignore the situation or wonder if maybe, in God’s sense of humor, something else is afoot. First, Ash Wednesday, is the day when we remember our mortality and commit for 40 days to live in a more disci- plined way with God. We choose to fast, pray, or take on another spiritual discipline in order to draw nearer to God. This year husbands and wives, lovers, will also spend that Wednesday engaged in acts and words that draw them closer one to another. Could it be that God is also inviting us on Valentine’s Day to recall our school days when we brought Valentines for every kid in the class? Back then we chose to say that we loved everyone, even if our eyes were only on one guy or gal in the class. On Ash Wednesday, the church turns to God in a deliberate way and we each make particular sacrifices to show our love for God. Is the confluence of these two celebrations inviting us to more fully show our love for God and love for our neighbor, that is, living into Jesus’ great commandment “to love the Lord our God with heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves?” Perhaps so. And then the day of Resurrection, when we run to the tomb to confirm what Mary told us, invites us to consider whether Jesus being raised from the dead was only an April Fools Day joke. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that the preaching about the crucifixion was a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. To the Jews, no Messiah would be killed by this world’s powers. To the Gentiles, the truth of Jesus’ words was made mute by the folly of the cross. On April Fools Day we pull tricks on one another to show our wisdom and strength but at the resur- rection, God chooses to show the world that death and the cross have no ultimate power in this world. God raised Jesus from the dead and the stumbling block for some and foolishness for others is shoved aside by making what was dead come to life (see 1 Corinthians 1:20-31)! Being restored to life is no joke! And we who have experienced our own little resurrections, a lost love restored, a relationship healed, or an illness overcome, know that to live is to gain a taste of eternal life. So this month, let’s lean into Valentine’s Day and show some love—God’s love! And later in April, we will be a little foolish as we shout, “Praise the Lord! Christ is Risen!” That may be the best news the world has ever heard! Grace and Peace, Allen Bingham, Pastor
Transcript
The FEBRUARY 2018 Newsletter for First UMC Family and Friends
First United Methodist Messenger Rockingham, NC
Sisters and Brothers in Christ: Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ - The One Who Is, the One Who Was, and the One Who Is to Come! This year we lean into a rare occurrence as Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday and Easter falls on April Fools’ Day. What are we to make of this strange alignment? We could ignore the situation or wonder if maybe, in God’s sense of humor, something else is afoot. First, Ash Wednesday, is the day when we remember our mortality and commit for 40 days to live in a more disci-plined way with God. We choose to fast, pray, or take on another spiritual discipline in order to draw nearer to God. This year husbands and wives, lovers, will also spend that Wednesday engaged in acts and words that draw them closer one to another. Could it be that God is also inviting us on Valentine’s Day to recall our school days when we brought Valentines for every kid in the class? Back then we chose to say that we loved everyone, even if our eyes were only on one guy or gal in the class. On Ash Wednesday, the church turns to God in a deliberate way and we each make particular sacrifices to show our love for God. Is the confluence of these two celebrations inviting us to more fully show our love for God and love for our neighbor, that is, living into Jesus’ great commandment “to love the Lord our God with heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves?” Perhaps so. And then the day of Resurrection, when we run to the tomb to confirm what Mary told us, invites us to consider whether Jesus being raised from the dead was only an April Fools Day joke. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that the preaching about the crucifixion was a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. To the Jews, no Messiah would be killed by this world’s powers. To the Gentiles, the truth of Jesus’ words was made mute by the folly of the cross. On April Fools Day we pull tricks on one another to show our wisdom and strength but at the resur-rection, God chooses to show the world that death and the cross have no ultimate power in this world. God raised Jesus from the dead and the stumbling block for some and foolishness for others is shoved aside by making what was dead come to life (see 1 Corinthians 1:20-31)! Being restored to life is no joke! And we who have experienced our own little resurrections, a lost love restored, a relationship healed, or an illness overcome, know that to live is to gain a taste of eternal life. So this month, let’s lean into Valentine’s Day and show some love—God’s love! And later in April, we will be a little foolish as we shout, “Praise the Lord! Christ is Risen!” That may be the best news the world has ever heard! Grace and Peace, Allen Bingham, Pastor
Mac Bennett
Bob and Peggy Boyette
Claudette Brownley
Aurelia Cannon
Jean Crouch
Clyde Davidson
Faith Ford
Denny Glennon
Helen Goodman
Jean Haltiwanger
Barbara McLain
Henry Meacham, Jr.
Sam and Ava Nance
John and Eleanor Page
Faye Poplin
Billy and Delma Reynolds
Dorsey Short
Aileen Traylor
Our country, Our servicemen and women
We send our love and prayers to: The Family of Mable Mossor
In memory of……
Sue Baldwin Donna Davis Janette Benoist Jean Cain Genevra Kelly David and Peggy Andersen Mayne Collins Deborah Thomas Martha Gandy Cassandra Crump Steve and Shelia Webb Dotsy Reynolds Robert Cain Wayne and Mary Stogner Steve and Shelia Webb Annette Carver (Bill Frye’s sister) Jean Way Dr. A. M. Covington Faye Herring Peggy Leak Covington Donna Davis Tom and Cornelia Loftis John Foster UMM Benson and Ann Crotts Jean Way Deborah Thomas Jean Cain Bill Rohleder Faye Herring David and Peggy Andersen Pamela Pivach Jerry and Julie Morgan Jeff and Glenda Hughes Wayne and Mary Stogner Martha Gandy Cassandra Crump Steve and Shelia Webb Dotsy Reynolds Billy Ray Herring Donna Davis Walter Kelly Greg and Elizabeth Kaufmann Mary Ellen Kindley Donna Davis Tom and Cornelia Loftis Lee Galloway/Nancy Thompson Dorothy King (Doris Denney’s twin) Martha Gandy
Julian Ward Lee (father of Cindy Bingham) Michael and Debbie Rohleder Deborah Thomas Jeff and Glenda Hughes Cooper McLaurin Steve and Shelia Webb Larry and Jan Clay Glenn and Helen Alexander UMW Circle 8 Benson and Ann Crotts Robert McDonald (great-grandson of Audrey Ewing) Dotsy Reynolds Susanne McInnis Deborah Thomas Faye Herring Benson and Ann Crotts Don and Ellen Covington Donna Davis Wayne and Mary Stogner Kevin and Irene Aiken Steve and Shelia Webb Nancy McInnis Mabel Mossor Jean Way Glenn and Helen Alexander Dotsy Reynolds Benson and Ann Crotts Parker O’Neal (grandson of Tommy and Terri Nichols)
Wayne and Mary Stogner Ervin Parks (father of Amy McCaskill) Larry and Jan Clay Jennie Pittman Sikes (sister of Irene Aiken) Jean Way Horace Stedman Tom and Cornelia Loftis
In honor of…… FUMC Staff Frances Shepard Faye Herring Thanksgiving Meal Workers Frances Shepard UMW Circle 8 Frances Shepard Helen Alexander Jerry and Julie Morgan Roger and Sankie Staley Glenn Alexander Jerry and Julie Morgan Genevra Kelly Greg and Elizabeth Kaufmann G. R. Kindley Benson and Ann Crotts Margaret Leak Jerry and Julie Morgan
Cooper McLaurin First Place Group Leone McLester Jerry and Julie Morgan Statha Osborne Jerry and Julie Morgan Chuck Wright Jerry and Julie Morgan
February
4th Martha Scarborough 11th Bill Rohleder 18th G. R. Kindley 25th
Cost is $38 for altar flowers and $28 for
flowers on the organ. Please call the church
office to let us know who you are honoring.
Servers for February
Ushers Steve Webb Team
Heat/AC Hilton Haines and Jim Haines
Crucifer Feb 4 Jadyn Johnson Feb 11 Lilly Matheson Feb 18 Jessie Matheson Feb 25 Stephanie Barrett Acolytes Feb 4 Kalei Grant and Olivia Meacham Feb 11 Trent Deane and Allie Matheson Feb 18 John Patrick Hutchinson and Parker Medlin Feb 25 Shelby Diggs and Jason Thomas Graham TV Ministry Duff Morse Nursery: Feb 4 Kim Adams Feb 11 Kim LeBerth Feb 18 Heather Deane Feb 25 Jami Graham Greeters: Feb 4 Glenda Hughes Gaynelle Moon Feb 11 Nelson Sheppard Paige Simmons Feb 18 Wiley and Judy Mabe Lee Ann Sago Feb 25 Bob and Sheila Gilmore Debbie Taylor RC Soup Kitchen Leader: Feb 28 Fellowship Feb 4 Jeff Hughes Feb 11 Glenn Alexander Feb 18 UMM Feb 25 Benson Crotts Hedge Prayer First Sunday Discovery Young Adult Class Second Sunday The Bible Class Third Sunday Cross Currents Class Fourth Sunday Ladies Bible Class Hermitage Ministry First Monday East Rockingham UMC Second Monday Third Monday Joyce Smith Fourth Monday Randy & Margaret Leak, Audrey Ewing
February Lectionary Readings
Week of February 4
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c (UMH 859)
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
Week of February 11
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6 (UMH 783)
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9
Week of February 18
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10 (UMH 756)
2 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-
Week of February 25
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:23-31 (UMH 752
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38
16th Lee and Mary Griffith 20th Jerry and Connie Eteo To add your name to our birthday or anniversary lists, call the church office, or email Cornelia at [email protected].
1st Drake Campbell
Shelby Diggs
Diane Goodwin
2nd Glenda Hughes
3rd Tammy Smith
8th Jim Entwistle
Meredith Gerald
May MacCallum
Joe Parsons
10th Kacey Matheson
11th Jerry Eteo
Susie Graves
12th Chris McIver
14th Ann Poe
15th Emma Furstein
21st Connie Eteo
24th Michael Holder
Gretchen Wright
The Family of John Foster wishes to Thank You
for all you did for Mr. Foster.
Merry Makers!
Let’s PIG OUT at the famous GENERAL McARTHUR’S Restaurant, Friday, February 9, 2018!!! We will leave the church at 10:30 am and go to lunch. Then we are off to a short tour of a local landmark. We plan to return to the church around 3:30 pm. The cost for the trip is $5 for gas for the bus. Lunch and any other purchases are up to you. Please call the church office to reserve your seat on the bus. Reservations are due by Monday, February 5. YUM YUM!!
Count on the UMW to bring more of their Delicious Fundraisers in 2018
April 29 Italian Themed Menu
September 9 Mini Version of Salad Buffet
SPREAD THE WORD and INVITE YOUR FAMILY
AND FRIENDS
To Our New
“Pasta and Pastries” Youth Fundraiser
Dinner and Dessert Auction
Saturday, February 17, 2018
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Dinner will be by Donations followed by an Auction of Cakes and Pies made by Famous Cooks from our Area.
Buy a Cake for your table AND one to take home!
This is a Youth Fundraiser and all proceeds will go towards our youth trips.
Come out for a fun night with dinner, fellowship, and dessert!
Please let Mary Griffith know if you would like to make a dessert to be auctioned.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR TOYS FOR TOTS
2017 was a banner year for the campaign through-out the county, and Detachment 1252 was honored to be a part of this most worthy cause. As in the past, it is the churches that were our largest supporters. When you realize that our county ranks as one of the poorest in the state, that tells of the character and heart of its people. We provided some 10,000 toys for around 2,000 needy children. The individuals who provided monetary contribu-tions are too numerous to mention; however you and God know who you are. I would like to recognize the following organizations in the church: Ledbetter Men’s Bible Class, United Methodist Men, and the Ladies Bible Class for their most generous contributions. On behalf of the Marines of Detach-ment 1252 and all of the underprivileged children of the county, please accept our humble gratitude and thank you. May God continue to bless this church and it’s entire membership. Semper Fidelis Detachment 1252 Marine Corps League
EAT, PRAY, LEARN
Starting on Tuesday evening, February 13 and ending on Tuesday, March 20, we will gather for an evening meal at 5:30 pm and then break into learning groups from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. We will need at least three participants to teach each class. Come join the journey as we EAT, PRAY, AND LEARN to-gether.
The following are the offerings for this Spring: Learning how to be APEST. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus that: “The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Together we will explore our gift-ing as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers. Costs: $10.00 for the assessment. Leader: Allen Bingham Meeting in the Conference Room
LISTEN: Praying in a Noisy World by Rueben P. Job We live in a world of noise. Everywhere we go, sounds com-pete for our minds and hearts. Listen is created to help those new to prayer, those with a daily prayer routine, and those whose lives seem too busy to pray. As we learn to listen, we will find a new depth in our relationship with God and experi-ence God as a companion. Cost is $10.00 for the book. Leader: Margaret Leak Meeting in Room 101
Five Means of Grace by Elaine Heath Recharge. Reboot. Reorder. Whatever you call it, we each need a process that helps us renew our relationship with God so that we don’t drift away from our faith. This study will lead us to reorder our lives through prayer, searching Scripture, receiving the Lord’s Supper, fasting, and conferencing (worshiping to-gether) found in the General Rules. Cost: $7.00 for the book. Leader: Allen Bingham Meeting in the Chapel Tuesdays , 10 am
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 4:45-7:00 , BB Light Personal Development
3
4
9:30 SS Fellowship 10:00 Sunday School 10:55 Worship
3:30 pm Wonderful Wednesday 4:45-7:00 , BB Light Personal Development
7:00 Choir Rehearsal
Ladies Bible Class Stays Busy in 2017 2017 was quite a busy year for the Ladies Bible Class. Birthdays within the class. Some of our members celebrated THAT “milestone birthday” and we celebrated with them by enjoying a meal together.
We also met at a local restaurant every fifth Wednesday. Love and good food was enjoyed by everyone.
The Ladies Bible Class is a class of sharing with those in need. Each quarter, we give to Our Daily Bread. In December, we gave to: New Shoes for Children; Toys for Tots; treats for underprivi-leged kids; and Community Thanksgiving Meals at East Rockingham United Methodist Church. We also made a Christmas visit to our shut-ins to take small gifts and homemade goodies. The most gratifying part of our class is when we meet each Sunday morning. The conversa-tion is interesting to say the least. Our lesson is fulfilling with much discussion and participation. Our leader, Connie, keeps us in line. The best way to describe our class is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. We extend a welcome to anyone to join us each Sunday.
FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL HEART MONTH Do you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure? Have members of your family suffered from these ailments? Do you have a poor diet? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may want to consider being screened for your risk of stroke through the services of Life Line Screening. Life Line Screening uses ultrasound technology to view the plaque build-up in your carotid arteries, the main arteries that carry blood to the brain. Blockages in these arteries are a leading cause of stroke. We are pleased to host this Life Line Screening event February 18 at First United Methodist Church. Register for a Wellness Package with Heart Rhythm for $149. All screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. Your Health is in Your Hands, so call 1-888-653-6441 or go to www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or text the word circle to 797979 for more information or to pre-register.
Youth Calendar for February Youth has started a new Bible Study, “Make Every Day Count” by Max Lucado. We are very excited and hope that all our youth can attend on Sunday nights. Please bring your Bible and a highlighter.
February 4 Annual Youth Super Bowl Party 6:15 pm the Griffith’s House—425 McDonald Church Road Bring your favorite snacks to share and a canned food item for Our Daily Bread. February 13 All You Can Eat Pancake Dinner, Fellowship Hall 5:30 pm Shrove Tuesday/Fat Tuesday!! Everyone’s Invited! February 16 4:00-7:00 pm -Set up and Decorate Fellowship Hall for Youth Dinner Fundraiser -Practice Entertainment for Youth Fundraiser February 17 Youth Pasta and Pastries Fundraiser 10:00 am Time set aside in case we need to do anymore decorating and/or practicing 3:30 pm Everyone needs to be at church 5:30-7:00 pm Dinner and Dessert Auction Parents: Email me what you would like to donate, what area you would like to work in for the dinner, and if you would like to be a part of the entertainment. We are in charge of set up, decorating, cooking, preparing salads, serving, entertainment, and cleanup. We need some really good entertainment!!! Spread the word for this Fundraiser! February 18 4:00-5:15 pm Youth Bible Study 5:15-6:15 pm Youth Choir 6:15 pm Youth Dinner_______________________________ February 25 4:00-5:15 pm Youth Bible Study 5:15-6:15 pm Youth Choir 6:15 pm Youth Dinner_______________________________
We need youth parents for Youth Dinners on Sunday nights in February—June. Please call Mary Griffith if you can
provide dinner for youth on Sunday nights.
Youth and Parents — Mark Your Calendars
March 3 RUSH Chrysalis Youth Event 6:00 pm Worship and pizza dinner at FUMC, Bynum Building Open to ALL Youth and Adults. Invite Your Friends! Bring $3.00 for pizza. March 10 Emmaus Gathering More details to come
W onderful W ednesday Afterschool Program
From 3:30—5:00 pm on W ednesday
W W will meet
February 7, 14, 28 (NO W W on Feb, 21)
The children are learning two songs to sing at the Youth Pasta and Pastry Dinner on February 17. We are going to spread some love by visiting and singing with our shut-ins in March.
FUMC Children
ZOE SUNDAY
Is February 25
Adults can add pennies/money to “Pennies for Zoe”. You can give your money to a child to bring up during Chil-dren’s Time on Zoe Sunday or leave it by the offering plate for Zoe for a child to empty in the Zoe Pot. Thanks for your help and support for “Pennies for Zoe”! For more information or to read stories about Zoe, you can go to www.zoehelps.org.
Shrove Tuesday originated during the Middle Ages. As in contemporary times, food items like meats, fats, eggs, milk, and fish were re-garded as restricted during Lent. To keep such food from being wasted, many families would have big feasts on Shrove Tuesday in order to consume those items that would inevitably become spoiled during the next forty days. The English tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday came about as a way to use as much milk, fats, and eggs as possible before Ash Wednesday began. In France, the consumption of all fats and fatty foods on this day coined the name "Fat Tuesday" or Mardi Gras.
