THE LIGHT

This Sunday we honor those who serve weekly as acolytes in worship. These young people, crucial to the Sam's Picture moment of worship, bring the Holy Spirit of God into the sanctuary. They remind us that the time for worship, the time to turn our attention away from ourselves to the word of God, has arrived. At the end of the service, they take the light into the world and we follow, equipped now to do the work of the church.

Watching the acolytes from my vantage point is a great gift and one of the best things about my work. There are some experienced ones who think on their feet, can improvise, and know what to do when the wick is bent and the candles are hard to light. There are the new ones who are on a big stage for the first time with Mom, Dad, and often the grandparents on the front row with the camera running.

We are grateful to those who train and schedule the acolytes. We are thankful for the families who plan a family outing around the commitment to be in worship. And we are thankful for these young men and women who serve so faithfully.

Eight Years: Corynne Payne, Will Mathison, Chase Koronkowski, Danny Duncan, Emily Himmelberg

Seven Years: Amy Atkinson

Five Years: Bradley Whipple, Hunter Sneed, Patrick Reddick, Charlie Mathison, George Krivsky, Lyndsay Price

Four Years: Bowen Mayfield, Elizabeth Elsey

Three Years: Madalyn Price, Sarah Weaver, Ellie Storey, JR Stamper, Madeline Grace Rainey, Fiona McLaughlin, Emily McCollum, Sarah Krivsky, Jenna Koronkowski, Ty Halliburton, Rebecca Goodwin, Blair Elliott, Lily Watters

Two Years: Hannah Bachman, Mattie Garrett, Ashton Graus, Brinson Griffeth, Will Halliburton, Georgeanne Rainey, Mary Margaret Kelley, Rainey Hill, Jack Mathison, Riley McLaughlin, Kristy Duncan, Rhodes Reddick, Reagan Stamper, Maddie Townson, Madison Weaver

One year: Cade Mayfield, Ameila Orr, Carley Polk, Ashley Blankenship, Finley Tabb, Forrest Krivsky, Zach Dabney, Will Barnes, Wesley Rodriquez, Sophia Bohannon, Owen Hall, Ross Bourgeois, Sarah McMurry, Ryan McKee, Lilly Salter, Liesel Fazekas, K'janae Istas

New: Katherine Goodman, Lilla Kate Tucker, Mary Cobb McGee, Sarah Kate Harris, Sarah Kundrat, May Elizabeth Ison

News

All Senior Adults are invited to a catered picnic in the park on Wednesday, May 20 at 11:30 a.m. in the Pavilion. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet our new Director of Senior Adult Ministry, Rev. Lori Etheridge. No reservations necessary. (Forrest Cate ext. 7806)

Donate items for our mission trip to Guatemala. Items needed: toiletry items, dollar-type items for teenagers, soccer balls, instant soup packages, muffin mixes, athlete foot cream, NyQuil and DayQuil tablets. Look for collection bins throughout the church. (Martha Lee Sanders, trsanders@mindspring.com)

Learn about our global mission trips and the communities we visit while you sample cuisine from around the world at the Taste of Nations on Sunday, May 24 on the Bridge following worship. (Forrest Cate ext. 7806)

Give blood on Sunday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. Visit www.mariettafumc.org sign up. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

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. Click here to e-mail Kelly Duncan to sign up. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

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

This Sunday is Acolyte Recognition Sunday. Join us as we honor the service of these dedicated young men and women.

Gene DeJarnett is retiring after 15 years of faithful service to our Wedding Ministry. Join us at a reception in his honor this Sunday at 12:15 p.m. in the Parlor.

Worship for our Homebound Members. This Sunday, May 17 at 5 p.m., we will have a dinner and short worship service in the Reception Hall. This gathering is intended for those who are unable to attend regular Sunday morning worship. No cost. Please RSVP to Erin Kimbrel at ext. 7813. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

The Youth Summer Kick-off will be held this Sunday from 5:30-8 p.m. Join us on the Activity Field for dinner, games and to learn information on all summer activities. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

Family Summer Kick-Off is this Sunday, May 17.

There will be activities for nursery age through 5th grade to enjoy as well as a Taco Buffet catered by La Parilla. The festivities and dinner will last from 3:30-6 p.m. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Do you know of a boy interested in Cub Scouts? Join our Cub Scout Pack 277 next Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pavilion for Graduation Night! This is a great opportunity to learn about Cub Scouts and get signed up for next year. Cub Scouts is for boys in first through fifth grade (2015-2016 calendar year) and their families. Our pack is planning another fun-filled year, full of camping, hiking, Pinewood Derby and adventure. The pack meets on Tuesday nights during the school year. Questions? Please contact our Cubmaster Garry Jenkins at jyrrag@gmail.com or at 678-654-6707.

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 takes a vacation during
the summer and will return Wednesday, August 26.

We hope to see you then!

Save the Date

Wednesday, May 13

Dementia Caregivers Support Group

Sunday, May 17

Homebound Worship

Sunday, May 17

Acolyte Recognition

Sunday, May 17

Family Summer Kick-off