RESTORE TO GLORY! CELEBRATION SUNDAY

I have been reading Doug Harvey's autobiography, They Called Me God. Harvey was an umpire in major league baseball for over thirty years and is often called Sam's Picture "the best umpire who ever lived." He attributes both his longevity and sterling reputation to two factors that he learned and possessed as a child. He said that he learned fairness from his father, who always expected a fair deal and always gave a fair deal. The other factor, crucial to umpires and judges of all sorts, was neutrality. "As a kid, I didn't root for any particular team or have a favorite player. I was always neutral."

Harvey's thoughts are on my mind as we approach Celebration Sunday when we will make our commitments to Restore To Glory! First, fairness. We have been given a great gift at Marietta FUMC in the wonderful structure in which we learn and grow. It is the place where our children learn about Jesus, where our young people learn to handle their unique challenges, where young marrieds witness older marriages that have withstood the pressures of everyday life, and where our older people hear again and again that they are valuable. Our church has not had any debt, especially Building Fund debt, in almost twenty years! The generations before us have been extremely generous to us. And now, in all fairness, it is our time to make our generation's contribution to our church's ongoing ministry. Remember that the first statement that we make to the community and to the world around us is our building. And quite frankly, we need to spruce it up. Restore To Glory! will do that.

And as for neutrality? Forget that I mentioned it. There is no neutral ground here. The HVAC system absolutely has to be restored/replaced. We absolutely have to update our furnishings. Is your pew one of the many that sags and creaks on Sunday morning? There is no neutral ground here. We press forward.

This will be a great Sunday for our church. Remember that you and I are the church's guests for lunch in the soon-to-be-restored Family Life Hall after the 11:15 worship service. Join Bobbi and me in making your commitment and together, with the grace of God, we will Restore to Glory! the beautiful building at 56 Whitlock Avenue.

I'll see you this Sunday.

News

Order your Easter lilies! Remember or honor your loved ones with an Easter lily on Easter Day. The lilies are $12. Please complete an order form by Sunday, April 13 and return it to Arie Motschman or place it in the offering plate. (Arie Motschman, ext. 7818)

New Women's Bible Study. Our Wednesday morning Women's Bible Study has begun a 4-week discussion of the book, "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. Wednesday mornings, 9:30-11:15 a.m. in Room 201B. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, 7826)

Help stock the MFUMC food pantry during April. Every week, members of our community depend on the MFUMC pantry for food. Please donate non-perishable food items throughout the month of April by leaving them in the specially marked bins throughout the church. For more information, click here.

On May 3, join us for the 2014 MFUMC Sporting Clays Tournament to support Men's Missions. Enjoy a day with friends at historic Burge Plantation shooting clays while supporting a great cause. For more information, click here.

Meet missionary Dan Koenig as we plan a mission trip to Ecuador this summer. Join us on Tuesday, April 15 in Room 220 at 7 p.m. The trip is scheduled for June 20-29. (Ed Payne-evenings at 678-852-4205 or e-mail at huskered40 @aol.com.

Life can be challenging. Sometimes having a caring Christian friend who will listen and pray makes all the difference. We have trained Stephen Ministers available to offer confidential emotional and spiritual support. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, 7826)

If you knit, crochet or sew, join our Blanket and Shawl Ministry, which provides blankets and shawls to help comfort those dealing with health issues. The group will meet Thursday, April 3 at 4:00 p.m. in room 220. (Susie Moore, 770-429-1915)

A mission trip to Guatemala is forming to work with LaSenda children's home and school on improvement projects and teaching and ministering to students and residents. The trip is June 1-6. (Martha Lee Sanders, 770-428-8115)

Save the Date for MFUMC's Great Day of Service on Saturday, April 26. Help with projects including Stop Hunger Now, a Road Race, hygiene kits, and sewing projects. Contact Beth Gilland. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806).

VBS and Summer Camp online registration is open! Visit the MFUMC Web site for details about the Summer of Wonders! There are a variety of camps for ages nursery through 5th grade. Contact Kelly Duncan with any questions. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

This Week

Don't Miss the Restoration Celebration and Lunch with the Whitlock Ramblers this Sunday, April 6. To mark the official kickoff of the Restore To Glory! Campaign, MFUMC is hosting a lunch in the Family Life Hall on Sunday, April 6 at 12:30 p.m. Plan for food, fun and fellowship for the whole family.

A Closer Look, a series designed to introduce First United Methodist Church of Marietta to new members, visitors and those who want to know more, meets on Sundays through May 18 at 10 a.m in the Parlor. This Sunday, April 6, Dr. Sam Matthews, Senior Minister, is the presenter and he will discuss the church's core values. (Rev. Claudette Farmer, ext. 7816)

Learn more about our mission trip to Tennessee. Join us today in Room 201-B after the Restore To Glory! luncheon to learn more about our July mission trip to Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project). (Contact: Fred Finzer)

An Early Response Team has formed at Marietta FUMC. Come the table set up on the Bridge by to receive information on how you can prepare your family in the event of a disaster or to obtain more information on getting involved with this ministry. Contact Janice Staton at bj.staton@comcast.net (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

There is no Family Night Supper this week, but it will return next Wednesday, April 9.

Save the Date

Blanket and Shawl Ministry

April 3

Restore To Glory!
Restoration Celebration

April 6

Early Response Team

Table on the Bridge

April 6

Dementia Caregivers Support Group

April 9