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PRETTY IS....

 

    Three quick stories. Aaron Hernandez was an All-American football player at Florida, caught a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl, and signed a $40 million contract in Sam's Picture 2012. Last week he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole. My understanding is that other similar charges are pending.

    Britt McHenry is described as a "perky blond sportscaster" for ESPN. Last week a video surfaced in which she used profane language in disparaging a female employee of a towing service in Virginia for the employee's weight, her teeth, her lack of a formal education, and her dismal employment prospects.

    Jordan Spieth is a young golfer who won the Masters tournament earlier this month. After the victory, he thanked the patrons of the tournament, the workers at Augusta National, and the members of his family who were present (his parents, his brother, his high-school sweetheart, and his grandfather). Jordan has a special-needs younger sister and has established a foundation to help others in her condition. He appears to be a unique young man, both in job skills and in character.

    In his new book The Road to Character, David Brooks defines two kinds of virtue, r�sum� and eulogy, to which we aspire. R�sum� virtues, he says, are the ones we list on our r�sum�, the skills that bring us to the job market and that contribute to our external success. Eulogy virtues are different. They are the ones "that get talked about at your funeral," the ones that are somehow different within us. They include, he says, kindness, courage, honesty, faithfulness, and the quality of relationships which we were able to form. He concludes that while both are important and are to be developed, we spend more time on the r�sum� virtues.

    Now don't get me wrong here. I celebrate the development of the r�sum� virtues. I believe in
education, the development of job skills, and time spent in practice, whether with a computer, a golf club, ballet shoes, or a clarinet. But I agree with Brooks that we spend more time in the development of those skills than in the eulogy skills. Most of us assume that our children will pick up the eulogy virtues along the way, so we skip Sunday School, Confirmation Class, and Sunday evenings whenever they are inconvenient.

    Your church is about the business of teaching eulogy virtues. We concentrate there and we
specialize there, but we need your help. I encourage you to find a place where you are involved in that teaching with your church. Speak to the people in the youth and children's departments and we will help you find a way.

    When we saw the picture of Britt McHenry, the ESPN reporter, a friend said, "She's really pretty." But then we both remembered. "Pretty is as pretty does."

    And I'll see you this Sunday.

 

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News

 

On May 1, join us for the 2015 MFUMC Sporting Clays Tournament to support Men's Missions.  Enjoy a day with friends at historic Burge Plantation shooting clays while supporting great causes. Early Bird registration has been extended to Friday, April 24. Proceeds of this event will go to support food relief for communities in Liberia devastated by the Ebola crisis and our Youth Choir Tour. Click here to sign up. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

 

The Youth Choir will sell hickory smoked barbeque from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 in the Pavilion
to help fund the mission tour to England. Cost is $12 per pound, take-out only.  (Bryan Black ext. 7815)

 

College Scholarships are available through the MFUMC Scholarship Program,
designed to provide financial assistance to students who have been active members in our missions and ministries. Click here to download the application at the MFUMC Web site.  Applications and all documents are due on Monday, May 11. (Becky Sawyer, ext. 7824)

 

Join us to learn more about upcoming mission trips:

  • On Sunday, April 26, The Peru team  (traveling October 11-19) will meet at 12:30 p.m. in room 201-B.
  • On Sunday, May 3, the Arizona team (traveling June 14-18) will meet at 12:30 p.m. in room 201-B.
  • On Sunday, May 3, the Albania team (traveling July 18-26) will meet at 12:30 p.m. in room 224. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
     

The United Methodist Women will host its annual Mission Banquet and Dinner on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. This year's theme is "A Fresh Wind Blowing" from John 3:8. Tickets are $12 and available through the Church Office. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

 

Vacation Bible School Needs You! We need volunteers of all ages to make VBS a success! Volunteer for one night or all week. Nursery age children of volunteers get a special VBS on the nights you help! VBS is June 8-11 from 6-8:30 p.m. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

 

Graduate Recognition Sunday is May 3. We will honor high school graduates at both worship services and at a luncheon following 11:15 a.m. worship. Please submit a senior photo to Dolly Purvis, Director of Communications by April 28. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

 

Come hear The Messiah (Parts II & III)
on Sunday, May 3 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The Music Ministry will present Parts Two and Three of Handel's Messiah with orchestra, choir and soloists. No tickets are required. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

 

Youth Summer Kickoff Party!
Sunday, May 17, 5:30
to 8 p.m. We'll kick off the summer and release the summer calendar with a great night of fun and fellowship. Food, inflatable games, water games and more. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

 

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.

  

 

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

 

Angels Among Us. UMW's Beth Berman Circle will sell Angel charms to support the Beth Berman Memorial Fund on the bridge this Sunday and Sunday, May 3. Charms can be purchased in honor or memory of a loved one to be honored in the bulletin on Mother's Day. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812). 

  

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)

 

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.

 

April 22
Poppy seed chicken casserole or Grilled tilapia, rice, mixed vegetables with cheese sauce, salad bar, rolls and desserts. Kids- Chicken nuggets, rice, broccoli, rolls, salad bar, and desserts

 

Save the Date

 

Saturday, April 25

Confirmation Dinner


Sunday, April 26

Confirmation Sunday

Sunday, May 3

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

 

 

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