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 Dear Norcross First Family, Years ago Carol Burnett had a Variety Show and at the end she always sang a little song that went, "Seems we just get started and before you know it, it's the time we have to say, 'So long.'" These are my sentiments as well.
As you may know, Debye and I will be moving to a new appointment in June, such is the life of a Methodist minister. May 22 will be my last Sunday in the pulpit. This will be a combined service at 11:00 with Traditional, Modern and our Hispanic congregation all worshiping together. We will gather for Holy Communion. I hope you will be here as we join together in this special time of celebration.
I have been saying goodbye as a preacher's kid and as a pastor all my life and I am not very good at it. I have had some great experiences and met some great people here. I have found you to be a loving people. You are a wonderful congregation with some great history for which to be proud: Your music ministry, preschool, Spanish ministry, mission work, outreach, student ministry and great staff all contribute to you being a vital church in a changing community. This congregation is a gift from God to this community. I have always considered it an honor to be your pastor. I appreciate your support and good will. Please pray for Debye and me as we transition to St. John UMC in Augusta, Georgia.
I especially invite you to pray for your incoming pastor and family, Eddie Bradford, his wife, Gigi and their two daughters. Eddie and Gigi are coming from Lewis Memorial UMC in the Augusta District. Their first Sunday will be June 19. Give them a great Norcross welcome; take them to lunch, send them cards of encouragement. Tell them your name every time you speak to them. Remember, Norcross First is a fun place to be changed by the love of Jesus Christ! I end with another lyric from a Broadway musical that communicated some of my deeper feelings, "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."
The peace and loving presence of Christ be with you always.  Jody Alderman Click here for message from Staff Parish Relations
 Reception for Dr. Jody Alderman
A reception for Dr. Jody and Debye Alderman will be held Sunday, May 22 in the Family Life Center, immediately following the 11AM Worship service. There will be a basket for notes of appreciation for their faithful service here at Norcross First! 
Welcome Rev. Eddie and Gigi Bradford Join us as we welcome the Bradford family to Norcross First United Methodist Church! Rev. Eddie & Gigi Bradford
351 Ashley Mill Road
Augusta, GA 30907
  Listen to sermons online This Sunday, May 8, Senior Pastor, Dr. Jody Alderman will share a message from John 17:20-26 NIV - How Did Jesus Pray?
Worship With Us!
Norcross First is a loving community of people who've found God's life through Jesus Christ and we'd be honored to share that same life and love with you! This church is alive with God's love and presence, opportunities to serve Him and plans to reach this entire community with the Good News of God's unending love. It's our prayer you'll find a place of service and make new friends, but most importantly, that you'll grow in your spiritual commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As you are in our midst, we hope you feel loved and accepted by your church family. The pastors and staff are here to serve as pastor and friend. Meet our team!
Our Giving
Rec'd YTD thru APR 2016 $510,782
expenses YTD thru APR 2016 $480,488
Faith Promise rec'd YTD $ 44,642 |
 Sunday Mornings at Norcross First UMC
9:30 Growth Groups
10:30 Refreshments in
Gathering Area
11:00 Worship
Traditional: Sanctuary
Modern: Family Life Center
Hispanic: Chapel
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 HeartReach
Shelley Carr
shelleycarr91@gmail.com  You can't beat the power of a personal invitation. However, sometimes you may be unsure how to invite friends and family to church. This personal invite tool is an easy and friendly way to invite someone to Norcross First UMC! Give to friends, neighbors, someone in the grocery line, leave with a tip after dinner, etc. Pick up some cards {available in English and Spanish} on the table located outside the Sanctuary.
  Short-Sleeve: $10 Long-Sleeve: $12 - Available in Red Evangelism and Creation Kids style. To order, email Rae Myles: rmyles@nfumc.org
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Counseling Available
Cameron Butler, LAPC, LAMFT
 Counseling is available by appointment at Norcross First. This service is provided by a professional counselor who will help individuals, couples and families process the challenges of life in a safe and warm environment.
Contact Cameron for an appointment or for more information: 678-485-1331 or cameronbutlercounseling@gmail.com 
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Senior Adults 
 Jet Set Senior
Adult Program
& Luncheon
Wednesday, May 18
11AM | Fellowship Hall
Invite a friend and bring a covered dish.
Program: Four His Glory, Gospel Quartet
 Monday, May 9 | Monastery in Conyers, GALeave the church at 9:30AM to enjoy a trip and Tour of the Monastery in Conyers, GA. Box Lunch at Monastery. Trip is full - waiting list only.Jet Set Trip to Mount Rushmore, the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota | Sept 30 - Oct 10, 2016 11 days/10 nights for $881 double occupancy and $1,196 single occupancy. $75 deposit DUE! Wilda Warren: wildakwarren@aol.com | 770-967-2393
Monday, June 20 | Dekalb Farmers Market Leave the church at 9:30AM for shopping trip to the Farmers Market. Lunch will be at Petite Auberge in Toco Hills.
Wednesday, July 6 | Gwinnett Braves We will carpool to the ball field. Leave the church at 11AM for Noon ball game. Enjoy a ballpark hot dog or whatever you want from the concession stand, while watching the game. Tickets: $15/Parking: $5
Thursday, August 11 | Aomi Japanese Steak House at the Forum Meet for Japanese Hibachi at 11:30AM. Come enjoy fellowship and lunch.
Monday, September 26 | United Methodist Children's Home Leave the church at 9:30AM to enjoy a tour of the facilities at the Children's Home in Decatur. Lunch TBD.
For more info, visit: http://www.norcrossfirst.org/senior_adult
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 NEW DATE!!!
Senior Celebration
Sunday, June 5
12:15-2PM
Fellowship Hall
Lunch is provided at no cost but reservations are required. Limited seating! Reservations first-come, first-serve with priority given to the family of graduating students! Register Online
MUST RSVP to Sandra Hunter by
Friday, May 27: student@nfumc.org
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR TLC2016
July 13-17 - for current 6th-12th Graders
Scholarships available {those students need to see Sandra Hunter first}. Meet at the church Wednesday, July 13 at 6:30PM for 6:45PM departure. Register Online {open thru June 19}
 Life Groups for Girls & Guys | Grades 7-12Check in with your leader or the Connect Events email to confirm Life Group meeting dates.
www.norcrossfirst.org/students
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Sandra Hunter | 770-448-4142, ext. 104
  N.B. Tween Sunday
Morning Growth Group 9:30AM in Room B221/223
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Rev. Terri Hoye
770-448-4142, ext. 105 | thoye@nfumc.org  Creation Kids Pool Party Saturday, June 4th ''' 6:30-8:30PM West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center 4488 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Norcross *Creation Kids Birth-4th Grade, their immediate family & ministry volunteers are invited to join us for this kick off to SUMMER! The pool, water slides and lazy river are ours EXCLUSIVELY for the two hours! Event is FREE!
*Creation Kids Ministries Include Sunday morning, Wednesday Nights, Choirs and Handbells {due to limited # of participants we're unable to offer as a community event}RSVP by Wednesday, May 25 thoye@nfumc.orgClick here for more information ...  Creation Kids Summer Is Rockin'! Rising Kindergarten - Rising 6th Grade are invited to join us as we head on a 
Cave Quest Adventure! Following Jesus
The Light of the World! TUESDAYS - June 14, 21, 28; July 12 & 196:30-8:30PM | COST: $5 per childOne-time fee of $5/child must be received to complete registration. Stop by church or mail
Norcross First UMC
Attn. Robin Buschell 2500 Beaver Ruin Road Norcross, GA 30071
Movie Under the Stars Family NightFriday, June 24 | 8:00-11:00PMFamilies and their friends are invited to join us on the *ballfield for movie night! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, soft drinks or water for your family. Snacks will be provided.
*in the event of rain, event will move to Family Life Center
Our Sunday Morning Toddler Room
 Can Toddlers really learn anything about God, Jesus and the Bible at Church? Well, yes they can!!!! For the month of May our truth in the Toddler Room is "People at Church Help Me." The Bible story that goes along with this truth is found in John 13:2-5 when Jesus washes the feet of his 12 friends. The toddlers had a foot washing time during the 11AM worship hour on May 1. God was truly present as almost all of the children sat to have at least one foot washed. One little guy took both his shoes off and totally enjoyed having his feet washed while he was told how much Jesus loves him. It was an amazing time with these young children. The children are sitting and listening to a story of about 10 minutes in length. They touch the Bible, sing songs and learn how much Jesus loves them. Each one of the children who talks can say Jesus and Bible. Each child loves touching God's Word with soft and gentle hands. Last Sunday we made a picture with one dirty foot and one clean to remind us Jesus helped his friends by washing their feet because He loved his friends. The children were reminded Jesus loves them and they can love their friends, too. What a blessing to see God works in the youngest life just as He does the oldest. We serve an amazing God who is faithful in all He calls us to do for the Kingdom, even in teaching toddlers.
Thank you, Debbie Adams, for faithfully teaching our Toddlers each week about JesusChildren's Sunday Schedule
Sunday School/Growth Group at 9:30AM and one worship hour at 11:00AM church-wide. K-4th Grade meet for Growth Groups in their individual classrooms at 9:30AM and attend worship with their parents at 11AM. Preschool 3's and 4's Worship in the Duck Room at 9:30AM, then move to the Frog Room for the 11AM hour.
Nursery available Birth-Toddlers
9:15AM-12:15PM
http://www.norcrossfirst.org/creationkids
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Fall 2016 Registration Now Open
We have classes for ages 1 yr olds thru 4 yr olds, by September 1, 2016. We have just a few spaces left in some classes now - don't wait until summer! We offer a loving, Christian environment for your child or grandchild to grow and learn things such as music, phonics, art, independent skills, age-appropriate academics, Chapel, Wiggles movement class, and much more. Forms available at information kiosk by the Preschool Office or online. You may also call or stop by for more information.
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Wesley Maston, Director of Christian Education & Young Adults
FINAL MidWeek Dinner
Dinners Resume Fall 2016
5/11 Menu: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad, Ice Cream Sundaes
To Make a Reservation Spiritual Practices Retreat Christians over the years have learned certain disciplines and practices promote spiritual growth and allow us to remain open to God - like fasting, prayer and meditation. Join us on retreat as we seek to learn and develop those practices that will aid us in our journey of faith. Registration first-come (limited to 20 people) $85/person (2/room) | $105 (1/room) Cost includes lodging, use of facility and three meals. $15 non-refundable deposit to register. Co-led by John Hammer and Wesley Maston.
To register: wmaston@nfumc.org  Sunday Morning Study
9:30AM | Room 133/135 We've launched a new series of studies intended to take you deeper into Scripture, theology, and the best of Christian writing. The studies are short-term and topics range widely. The first study in this series is The Apostles' Creed led by Mickey Stanfield. Our hope is you will gain a greater appreciation of this creed and the triune God it reveals. If you or your Growth Group would like to participate in any of the upcoming studies or if you have questions you'd like answered first, contact Wesley Maston: wmaston@nfumc.org
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United Methodist Men
Jim Cline | jrc0528@comcast.net
 United Methodist Men's Breakfast
THIS Sunday,
May 8 | 7:45AM Meet in Fellowship Hall Kitchen. Then, we'll move upstairs to Room 214.
Tuesday, May 10 | 10AM | Fellowship Hall We'll carpool to Foxglove Antiques, 699 Miami Circle in Atlanta to have lunch at Melissa Gunderson's restaurant, Morsels Café. All ladies of the church are welcome to join us!  Circle of
Peace Meeting Clara Holbrook | 770-449-1467Tuesday, May 10 | 7PM
All ladies of the church are welcome to join us at the home of Betty Hartman.
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BUTT HUTT BBQ - Delicious Pork Roast (8-10 lbs) and Smoked Turkey Breast | $35 each
There is POWER in Prayer! Norcross First has a prayer email chain that notifies church members of sympathy and routine, urgent and immediate prayer requests from people within our church who know and trust in the power of prayer. Email prayer requests or concerns to: 
Greetings! 
Some have asked about an Atlanta visit but we are just here on Orphan business and returning to Africa. Since this is our furlough year, we will be returning mid-August and visiting Atlanta, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland and maybe more. If you want to see us, you can schedule by sending an email. If you are involved in a church that supports missions, you can let us know so we can schedule to speak about how God is working in Namibia at Children of Zion Village! AND, the pictures are still from school tour!!!
