UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Adidas, the sports apparel company, recently signed a contract with the University of Miami (the U) and will Sam's Picture become the official supplier of all the U's sports gear (Adidas also is the official supplier of Kennesaw State University). Some students at Miami are protesting the move because Adidas, unlike Nike, is not a "cool" company and they fear that the U's reputation and name brand will be damaged.

Adidas was a leading company in the '80's, covering a large portion of the USA market, but in recent years its share has dipped to only 7%, far below that of the "cool" Nike company. Experts blame the demise on the marketing strategy of the company. Headquartered in Germany, Adidas runs all its decisions through the headquarters and local marketers are unable to make quick and educated calls. For instance, Adidas once had an opportunity to sign basketball great Michael Jordan to a long-term contract, but German decision makers, unaware of American sports preferences, decreed that the company should sign only the "tall" players, the centers of the basketball teams. Jordan instead signed with Nike and the "Air Jordan" logo and all the rest are marketing history (advertising people will remember a similar story when the Wilkinson Sword company began marketing its British razor blades in America and displayed them only in, of all places, hardware stores, unaware that American men buy their razor blades in drug and grocery stores).

So the marketing lesson to be learned is that a company can serve better and be more successful when it is close to its market. "Up close and personal" is more than a mere slogan, but instead speaks to the need of all of us to be heard and understood. A company that is "close" has invested time and other resources in its effort to market, serve, and deliver.

And what about the church? I say from time to time that the best ideas come not from my side of the pulpit, but from yours. You move and live in the community. You know the hurts and pain, the joys and celebrations. You know the faces that are absent, the faces that are new. You can identify the places where the church is absent and is sincerely needed to be present.

I know this about our community. We are a broken people, divided by race, gender, age, and all manner of other differences. I know that we desperately need the Prince of Peace and we need the "reboot" offered by Easter. Your community needs to hear what one of our staff members said at our retreat this week: "There is a way to be good again."

So listen. Be close. Invite. Speak a word of reconciliation. Like Adidas, the church in recent decades has lost some of its market share. The world needs for us to gain it back.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

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News

Come celebrate Easter with us! Our sunrise service will be at 6:30 a.m. in the Park Pavilion. Breakfast will be served in the Family Life Hall from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Worship services will be at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. with Sunday School at 10:10 a.m. And you'll not want to miss the Flowering of the Cross.

Maundy Thursday Worship will be on April 2 at 7 p.m. 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 p.m. in the Family Life Hall.

Save the date for the Global Great Day of Service:

Saturday, April 18. Help pack 60,000 meals to be shared with communities served by the Global Mission Ministry Team. This family friendly service opportunity is geared for all ages and abilities! Click here to sign up. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

On May 1, 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. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Rekindle Your Spirit at Stations of the Cross. Stations of the Cross returns this year in the Reception Hall Wednesday, April 1 from 3-7 p.m.; Maundy Thursday, April 2, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 8-9 p.m.; and Good Friday, April 3, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

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 30 at 7:30 p.m. 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 a.m. to 1 p.m., 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!

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 and Summer Camp registration is open! VBS is June 8-11 from 6-8:30 p.m., and summer camps begin June 1. Click here to visit our Web site for registration details. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

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

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. All children are invited to gather in the Narthex prior to Worship (both 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.) to process in with palms.

The Chorister Choir will present their spring musical "The Lost Boy" (by Tom Long and Allen Pote) on Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. Join the children as they search for Jesus with his parents and invite us to find the "... home where we know we belong."

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)

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 25

Chicken Manicotti or Grilled chicken with yellow rice, garlic green beans, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower, salad bar and desserts

Kids- chicken tenders, corn, fruit, salad bar and desserts

Save the Date

Thursday, March 26

Chorister Choir Musical

Sunday, March 29

Palm Sunday

Monday, March 30

Men's Night Out with the Atlanta Hawks

April 1-3