ROOM TO BREATHE

It didn't happen on purpose. We love the look of the bushes in our front yard and we thought we were taking ElaineWilder care of them. We trim them back a couple of times each year whenever those random tall shoots begin to show. But I'll admit we were hesitant to do any major pruning. A landscaper came to remove some trees and I asked him for his opinion about the rest of the yard. "Oh Elaine," he said. "You've got to cut those bushes back. They need some room to breathe."

I trusted his advice and waited until this spring to take action. Paul and I couldn't bear to decimate the bushes ourselves, so he sent someone over to help us. And he warned us that things would look worse before they got better. Last Tuesday, I nervously pulled into the driveway. All of my bushes were gone. All that is left are the bare, bottom branches. There is plenty of room to breathe, and now we wait. Each day, I go out and look for signs of new growth.

We are journeying through the final days of Lent, a time when we are called to do some pruning in our own lives. For so much of the year, we get busy and take on activities. Much of what we do is good, but it is simply too much. Our lives get full and we find ourselves gasping for air. But as I learned with my bushes, you can't make room to breathe unless you cut something out.

The season of Lent invites us to make some difficult choices. The world encourages us towards more money, more stuff and more activities. Jesus encourages us to cut much of that out and focus instead on loving God and loving each other.

I have a few things that I'm feeling called to set aside. I hope you'll join me in the journey towards becoming more faithful and less busy. I look forward to some quiet moments when I can take a deep breath and look for signs of new growth in my life.

News

Maundy Thursday Worship will be on April 2 at 7:00 pm. Join us as we commemorate Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. The Chamber Choir will sing, we will celebrate Holy Communion, and we will participate in the ceremonial Stripping of the Altar. Dinner begins at 5:45 in the Family Life Hall.

Men's Night Out at the Hawks Game: All men of the church invited to go watch the Hawks take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, March 30th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the church office or by emailing Rev. Brian Smith. Transportation from the church is available. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840).

It's almost time for some fun with The Bunny! On Saturday, April 4, from 11:00 to 1:00, we will have traditional egg hunts (separated by age groups), face painting, live bunnies to pet, and a hot dog lunch. Bring your camera for a photo op with the Easter Bunny too!

Summer Camp online registration is open! Click here to visit our Web site for camp descriptions and registration details.

College Students! Are you interested in serving in an overseas missions this Summer? Join other college students as we go down to Chimbote, Peru on May 26-June 3. Cost is $950 (deposit of $300 due March 22). (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7829)

Youth on top of Kennesaw Mountain on March 29! To kickoff Holy Week, the youth will be heading up to the top of Kennesaw Mountain for worship and fellowship. Meet at the Lower Room at 5:30. Snack Supper is $5.
(Josh Sweeney, ext. 7829)

Cornerstone Sunday School, the new Young Adults group, is a gathering of couples and singles in their mid-20s to mid-30s. Join us on Sundays at 10:10 a.m. for fellowship, discussion and breakfast in Room 255 in the Discipleship Building. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

Parents of Youth Sunday School Class: Do you find yourself dropping your youth off for Sunday school and not getting plugged into a class yourself? Join others for a class that meets Sundays at 10:10 a.m. in Room 305.
(Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

Vacation Bible School (VBS) and summer camp registration is underway. VBS for ages 3 (by 9/1/14) through 5th grade is June 8-11, and summer camps kickoff is June 1-5 with Glisson Grow Camp for completed K-5th grades.

Need to go for a run, to the store, or just hang out with friends? We are pleased to offer Parent's Day Out on the nursery hall! Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday and the cost is $5 per hour. Ages 6 weeks to 5 years are welcome. To make a reservation, call 770-429-7850, ext. 7860.

2015 Habitat Build continues. We need volunteers for our latest house! Click here to sign up for more information or to volunteer. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Restore to Glory!

Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress? Visit its Website, 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

Join us for a Smorgasbord luncheon after the 11:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday. Proceeds benefit the Youth Choir's mission tour to the UK. Tickets are available from choir members, the church office and at the door: $10-adult/$5-children/$30 family cap. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

The Church Council will meet on Monday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. Please contact Erin Kimbrel at ext. 7813 to make dinner reservations.

A Closer Look, a series for new members, visitors, and those who want to know more about Marietta FUMC, continues this Sunday, March 15 with Rev. Elaine Wilder as she talks about Methodist history and theology. The class meets in the parlor at 10:10 am. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

The Boy Scouts of Troop 277 are collecting food for Scouting's annual SCOUTING FOR FOOD DRIVE March 15 through March 22. Please place non-perishable goods in the box on the Bridge located between the Sanctuary and Building C. All donations will go to the Marietta FUMC food pantry. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Registration for Weekday Preschool and Kindergarten 2015-16 is underway. For more information, visit www.weekdayministry.com. (Nancy Tatnall, ext. 7842)

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.

March 18

Corned beef or grilled chicken, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, rolls, salad bar and desserts

Kids- Hamburger or cheese burger, tater rounds, apple slices, salad bar and desserts

Save the Date

Sunday, March 22 Youth Choir Sm�rg�sbord
Thursday, March 26 Chorister Choir Musical
Monday, March 30 Men's Night Out with the Atlanta Hawks

April 1-3 Stations of the Cross
Sunday, April 5 Easter Sunday
April 5-11 Youth Senior High Mission Trip
Wednesday, April 8 No Church Family Supper
Sunday, April 12 Usher Appreciation
April 6-10 Spring Break- Cobb, Marietta
Saturday, April 18 Great Day of Service: Global
Sunday, April 19 Membership Sunday
Saturday, April 25 Confirmation Dinner
Sunday, April 26 Confirmation Sunday

Sunday, May 3, 2015 Graduation Sunday
Wednesday, May 6, Church Family Supper concludes
Sunday, May 17 Acolyte Recognition
Thursday, May 21 Cobb last day of school
Friday, May 22 Marietta last day of school
Sunday, May 24 Blood Drive
Monday, May 25 Church offices closed for Memorial Day
May 26- June 3 College-aged Mission trip to Peru

June 7-12 Mission Trip to Guatemala
June 8-11 Vacation Bible School 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.