GOING BACK IN

I get asked from time to time about the autographed picture of Steve Spurrier that sits outside my office. Sam's Picture Georgia Bulldog fans know no coach whom they dislike more than Spurrier, largely because of his success against the Dogs while at Florida and now at South Carolina. The photograph was in response to an article that I wrote about him a few years back.

Spurrier had yanked his starting quarterback in a game and replaced him with a back-up and the announcer told us that he was prone to do things like that. "If you play for him," he said, "you have to be prepared to be taken out sometimes." Then he added, as an afterthought, "And you also have to be prepared to go back in." I jumped on that thought, wrote about it, and my friends Johnny and Linda McAllister sent the article to Spurrier. He responded with the photograph and a personal note.

My thoughts that day are still my thoughts today. I know some people who got taken out. Scripture is full of them! Jacob and Joseph got taken out, as did Aaron and Miriam. Moses and David were taken out. Jonah sat on the bench for a while, and everybody in the New Testament- Paul, Timothy, and every one of the disciples-failed and each one was "taken out" at some point. But the good news of the Gospel is that our failures are never permanent and don't have to be fatal. Every one of those people, like Spurrier's quarterback, got sent back into the fray. There was still work to be done in every case and God wasn't finished with any one of them yet.

I think that most of us know what it means to fail and be taken out. We have played poorly, we've lost our confidence, our teammates don't believe in us, and it almost seems as if we are playing for the other team. But in those moments of despair and pain, God is present and God is active. It is God who calls us back into the fight, back into life, and who will be with us in the fray. It is God who gives us hope, a new way of looking at reality, and a new opportunity for involvement in life.

We talk here about being taken out, but we talk more about going back in. I suspect that, if you feel that you have been taken out recently, your opportunity to go back in is coming. Your church wants to help you hear that call. Listen in these pews and you will hear it. I guarantee it.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

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News

Join us for the 2014 Beth Berman Memorial Fund Dinner and Silent Auction on Thursday, October 30 in the Family Life Hall. The Silent Auction begins at 6 p.m. in Room 104 and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Our guest speaker, Dr. Eric Mathis of Samford University will present "Let it Go: The Blessing and Bane of Missions in the North American Church." Tickets are available through the church office. (E-mail Ed Payne or Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

All Saints Day is next Sunday, November 2. During both worship services, we will call the names and ring a bell in honor of church members who have been promoted to the Church Triumphant in the past year.

Created by God Is November 6-8. Open to children in the 5th and 6th grades, Created by God is a study of human sexuality with a Christian foundation. It will offer both you and your child an opportunity to learn, grow, and celebrate the fact that we have each been wonderfully created by God, and are called to responsible living as sexual beings. Here is the schedule: Parents meet on Thursday, November 6 from 6-7 p.m.; students meet on Friday, November 7 from 5-8:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 8 from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Students and parents meet together on Saturday, November 8 from 12:15 - 2:30 pm. Lunch will be provided on Saturday for both the parents and the participants. Childcare will be provided for siblings if needed. The fee is $100, which covers the cost of the speaker, the cost of the materials, meals, snacks, and supplies. E-mail Georgia Rambo for more information. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7812)

Katheryn Preston, Executive Director of the Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness, will be the guest speaker at the Thursday, November 6 meeting of the United Methodist Women. Everyone is welcome to come and hear her message about homelessness in our area. UMW Is collecting blankets and coats for the Alliance to distribute to those who need them. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and childcare is available on request. Please e-mail Karen Edris to make reservations for dinner ($10 per person).

Boy Scout Troop 277 annual chili cook off is Sunday, November 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. Enjoy homemade chili made by the troop patrols and favorite family recipes, as well as corn bread, hot dogs, desserts, and drinks. In lieu of admission cost, donations to Troop 277 are appreciated! Bring the whole family for a delicious fall lunch, and cast your vote to help decide the coveted patrol and individual chili winner! E-mail Kelly Duncan or call her at ext. 7812.

Children's Ministry October Volunteer Needs. Please consider volunteering in 3K or 4K Sunday School or 11:15 a.m. Fuse Worship in October. Volunteer duties include walking the children to and from the Sanctuary for the Children's Sermon, assisting children with crafts planned and led by the worship leader, and teaching Bible stories that we all know and love! To volunteer, please send an e-mail to Kelly Duncan. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Join our Peru Mission Team. The group will work in Chimbote, Peru November 8-15. There is a need for medical personnel to work in the health clinic, and also workers with basic carpentry or electrical skills. Send an e-mail to Kathy Cadle for more information.

Restore to Glory!

Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress? Visit its Web site, which includes the latest news about projects with photos to show our progress. There, you will also find information about how to donate or make your pledge.

This Week

Social Media and Internet Safety. Calling all parents of 3rd-5th graders! Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Reception Hall to hear a guest speaker discuss social media and Internet safety for children. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

Hope and Healing Luncheon. Following the 11:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday, there will be an open and complimentary luncheon for anyone who has been impacted by issues of addiction, whether personally or with a friend or family member. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

A Caregivers Conference will take place this Saturday, October 25 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. here at FUMC. Speakers will offer information and resources for people caring for or preparing to care for loved ones who are aging or facing illness. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

The Drug Drop Box will be here this Sunday and will be in the gathering area outside the doors by the main pulpit. This is an opportunity to safely dispose of unused medications.

Tailgate Treats is this Sunday! Join us from 4-6 p.m. for hay rides, petting farm, cake walk, costume contests, and lots of candy! Come tailgate with us! Contact Misty Saldi at 678-290-7529. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

Please Donate Baked Goods! One of the most popular events at Tailgate Treats is the cake walk. We need donations of cakes, cookies, rice crispy treats, dipped pretzels, or any kind of baked good for this event. Homemade or store bought is fine. Bring the items to church on Sunday and put them in the workroom next to the receptionist desk, or bring to the children's area on the 3rd floor.

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Church Family Supper is served in the Family Life Hall at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. $6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11). $20 family cap.

October 22:

Breaded pork chop or Grilled teriyaki chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and dessert. Kids: Soft beef tacos, Mexican rice, salad bar, and dessert.

Save the Date

Social Media & Internet Safety

Wednesday, October 22

Caregivers Conference

Saturday, October 25

Service of Hope and Healing

Sunday, October 26

Tailgate Treats

Sunday, October 26

Beth Berman Dinner

Thursday, October 30

Daylight Savings Time Ends