MULBERRY STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
January 21, 2018
www.mulberrymethodist.org
“I Think I Can”
Here we stand at the beginning of a new year with all of the potential that 2018 holds for each of us and for our church. If you had a time machine and could travel to December 31, 2018, I wonder what would have happened during this year? Where would you be? What challenges, joys, experiences would you have gone through? What celebrations would you have enjoyed in the past year? If we knew what was coming we could prepare, make some choices that might affect the outcome and, perhaps even change course to avoid some pitfalls. But, we’re here in January of 2018. We can’t see the future, but God does. I shared with the staff at our recent staff meeting that we have much to do in 2018! We may not know what it will look like when this year is done, but here’s what we do know. We cannot do all we need to do on our own. We need God’s help, direction, wisdom and strength first of all. We need your help too. There are two ways of thinking about how to handle what may come our way in 2018. We can do what the little train did while trying to climb to the top of the mountain. We can say, “I think I can, I think I can.” Or, we can look at it differently and say, “I know I can’t, but I know God can.” As Tom Holladay shares in The Relationship Principles of Jesus:
“The problem with the ‘I think I can’ life is that there’s always another mountain to climb. And one day you’re going to run into a mountain that you can’t climb. ‘I think I can’ will not get us over the most important mountains in life - facing our genuine inadequacies, our disconnection from God, and the reality of our own death. One of the most refreshing and energizing moments in any life is the moment someone says, ‘I know I can’t, but I know God can. God can do in me what I cannot do for myself.’”
We don’t know what lies ahead of us in 2018 either. You may have some hints, but ultimately there are things that are not even on your radar. But if you and I, and our church adopt the mantra - “I know I can’t, but I know God can,” then we can enter this year expecting God to carry us wherever it is that we find ourselves on December 31st. Before we blink, that day will be here. When it comes, we want to be able to say, “I didn’t, but God did.” Isn’t that what God wants us to do everyday? Blessings to you, your family and our church in 2018!
Sunday Worship January 21, 2018
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Worship Times 9:00 am/Chapel
10:00 am/NewRoom – Library Ballroom
11:00 am/Sanctuary
Let There Be Joy! “Joy No Matter What
May Come!”
Phillippians 1:12-14, 21
Rev. Jimmy Towson
Assisting with Worship Nine O’clock Ushers Warren Dunn & Scott Wangen
Eleven O’clock Ushers Charlie Bridges, Austin Carter, Jason Hawkins, Baxter James,
David Mann, Don Ream, Brett Toles, & Jim Wilson
The arrangement on the altar in the chapel is given to the glory of God
by the Flower Guild.
The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God
and in loving memory of Estelle Stevens Mason, mother,
and Dr. R. Holmes Mason, father of Emily Estelle Mason Clisby.
Trevor Ward, Interim Director of Youth Ministries
Sunday Mornings - Youth Sunday School 10:00 am – Youth Class Room 314
Sunday Evenings - Anchored - 5:00 pm
Wednesday Evenings - Youth Fellowship 6:15 pm
Youth Fund Raiser Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a
fundraiser to support the Mulberry Street UMC Youth Group. Visit Chipotle at 120 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd. Ste. 100 in Macon on Monday,
February 5th
between 5-9 pm. Tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure
that 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Mulberry Street UMC Youth Group.
Old City Flower Festival
January 20-22, 2018 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Theme: “Consider the Lilies of the Field”
Mulberry Street UMC is among those participating in the 7th Annual Old City Flower Festival. The
festival will showcase the work of flower guilds from more than 15 Macon churches. The show, to be held in the sanctuary, will be open, at no charge,
on the following days/times:
Saturday, January 20th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday, January 21st from 1:00-4:00 pm
Monday, January 22nd from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Parking is available behind the church Parish House.
For more information, please call the St. Paul’s church office at 478-743-4623.
Love, Care and Share around the Table
Wednesday, January 24
Program: Edith Schwartz -
“Mulberry’s Stained Glass
and the Gospels” –
Jesus Blessing the Children
Menu: Ham
Nine O’clock Worship 29
NewRoom Worship 65
Eleven O’clock Worship 140
G2G Mission Team 46
Total Worship Attendance 280
Please join
Harry Lee Couch’s Family
in celebrating his 90th Birthday!
Saturday, January 20, 2018
2:00-4:00 pm - Parlor
Rich Kosowski, Director of Music
Ainsworth Choir Wednesdays at 7:15 pm.
Children’s Choir Cherub Choir (K3-K5) & Wesley Choir (Grades 1-5)
Wednesdays at 6:15-7:00 pm
If you have questions, please contact Rich at [email protected] or 478-745-8601.
Memorial Fund
In memory of Dr. Bud White by Mr. Melson Butler Dr. William Action
In memory of Emily B. Parker by Ms. Giglia Parker
In memory of Cater Clay by Mr. & Mrs. Rufus Sams, III
In memory of Cater & Henry Clay by Bishop & Mrs. R. Lawson Bryan
Luncheon
Thursday, January 25 11:00 am
We invite all Mulberry adult members and friends 55 and older to come to the
luncheon on Thursday, January 25 at 11:00 a.m. in the Parlor. Are you 55 and older and seeking a deeper connection with Christ and people in your stage of
life? Are you younger than 55 but have a heart to be in ministry with adults 55 and
older? If you can answer yes to either question, this luncheon is for you! Please RSVP to Rev. Jeff Cook at
229-886-7032 or [email protected]
by January 22.
Pam Johnston, Director of Children & Family Ministries
There is a bucket in the atrium to receive donations for Daybreak.
Supplies Needed: paper towels toilet tissue 13 gallon trash bags coffee
coffee stirrers bleach disposable razors
Mulberry’s Community Garden Volunteers welcome on Mondays and Fridays at 9:00 am.
Clothing Needs Women’s: clothes (large size), socks & shoes
Men’s: belts, shoes, socks & jackets
Sunday Morning NewRoom Small Group 11:15 am
Contact: Jim Smith (478-747-4189) or Michael Woodward at [email protected]
Sunday Evening Women’s Bible Study 5:00 pm - Home of Molly Walker (4336 Old Club Road)
(Will not meet in December – Beginning again on January 7). They will be studying the book of Esther. All women are welcome.
Contact: Molly (478-731-7175) or [email protected].
Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study 6:15 am - Starbucks at 4640 Forsyth Road
Contact: Clare Rauls (478-731-6813) or [email protected].
Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study 7:00 am - Taste and See Coffee Shop (downtown)
Contact: Rev. Jimmy Towson (478-538-9067) or [email protected].
Tuesday Evening Small Group 6:30-8:00 pm - Home of Sam & Gini Lamback
(821 Wesleyan Drive) Contact: Rev. Sam and Gini Lamback (478-550-3067) or
Parenting Small Groups We are looking to start two small group/Bible studies about
parenting, and we have material for each stage of your kids’ lives, from toddlers to teenagers. The day and time have not been set yet because we are flexible on whether to do it Sunday mornings or a weeknight, but childcare would be provided. If you would like to be
a part of one of these groups, please let Pam know.
PARENT PRAYER GROUP Wednesday Nights, 6:15-7:00 pm
Come join us in a small group (children's activity provided) if you want to explore phases of your child's development and spiritual
needs, whether they are 2, 11, or anywhere in between! Contact Pam if you're interested.
Children’s Council Meeting Sunday, January 21
12:15-1:30 pm in Children’s Assembly Room
February 13, 2018 5:30pm – Fellowship Hall
February 14, 2018
6:30 pm - Sanctuary
Looking for Volunteers for Lunch
1st, 4
th & 5
th Wednesdays
and 2nd
Thursdays each month.
If you are able to volunteer,
please call Robin at 743-8026. or email her at
Winter Wonderland Open House
Magnolia Manor of Macon
Carnes-York Villas (200 Pierce Avenue)
Saturday, January 27, 2018 – 10am-4pm
Sunday, January 28, 2018 – 1-4pm
For more information call Cappy Cross
(229) 389-2933.
Mulberry Street United Methodist Church 719 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201
P.O. Box 149, Macon, GA 31202 Office (478) 745-8601
www.mulberrymethodist.org
NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED WEEKLY
Our 11 a.m. service is broadcast live over Radio Station AM 940 WMAC.
This Week at Mulberry
Sunday, January 21 9:00 am Worship/Chapel
9:30 Blue Room Kids 9:45 am Sunday School
10:00 am NewRoom Worship/Library Ballroom 11:00 am Worship/Sanctuary
11:15 am NewRoom Group 12:15 pm Children’s Council Mtg
5:00 pm Women’s Bible Study/M. Walker
Monday, January 22 10:00 am Congregational Care Team Mtg/Library
10:00 am Daughters of 1812/Conf Rm 12:00 pm Daughters of 1812/F-Hall
6:00 pm Traditional Worship Task Force Mtg/Youth Rm
Tuesday, January 23 6:15 am Women’s Bible Study/Starbucks 7:00 am Men’s Bible Study/Taste & See
9:30 am Staff Meeting/Conf Rm 12:00 pm Kiwanis/F-Hall
6:30 pm Small Group/Lamback’s
Wednesday, January 24 9:15 am CCM Chapel
10:30 am M/O Worship/Chapel 5:30 pm Wednesday Night Supper
6:15 pm Children’s Choirs 6:15 pm Youth Fellowship 7:15 pm Ainsworth Choir
Thursday, January 25 9:30 am Circle of Friends Sewing Group/Rm 232
11:00 am Vibrant Luncheon/Parlor 1:00 pm Carlyle Place Communion
Sunday, January 28 9:00 am Worship/Chapel
9:30 Blue Room Kids 9:45 am Sunday School
10:00 am NewRoom Worship/Library Ballroom 11:00 am Worship/Sanctuary
11:15 am NewRoom Group 4:45 pm Anchored
5:00 pm Women’s Bible Study/M. Walker
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
PAID MACON, GA
PERMIT NO. 417
Mulberry Street UMC Staff Jimmy Towson, Senior Pastor Jeff Cook, Associate Pastor
Trevor Ward & Tyler Giles, NewRoom Worship Leaders Richard Kosowski, Director of Music Pat Crowe, Organist
Bruce Bishop, Church Administrator Trevor Ward, Interim Director of Youth Ministries
Pam Johnston, Director of Children & Family Ministries Betsy Abbott, Director of Hospitality Karen Carter, Connections Director Sara Colvin, Financial Secretary Linda Parker, Administrative Secretary
Doris Andrews, Church Cook/Custodian Clifton Carswell, Jeffrey Smith & Michael Washington, Custodians
Tshanghi Corey, Director, Children’s Center Debbie Towson, Director, Macon Outreach
Rev. Jimmy Towson – 538-9067 Rev. Jeff Cook – 229-886-7032
Committed 2018 Pledge Report
2017 2018 Difference $758,863 $634,830 $(124,033) 162 pledges 134 pledges (28)