News from Marietta FUMC for August 11, 2015

BARGAIN PRICED

One of my favorite jackets is muted green with a slight gray tint (I'm not good with colors and it looks better than I can describe) in a checked pattern. That's my best effort Sam's Picture

at describing it but it goes with several colors of pants and, like I said, it is one of my favorites, so much so that I have purchased it twice! I bought it the first time a while back at a local men's store and paid whatever the going rate was. I bought it again last weekend at the Goodwill store on Whitlock and paid $7.45 for it. Yes, while sorting laundry and the clothes designated for Goodwill, you can guess what happened. The favored jacket got in the wrong pile and went to the wrong place. I checked a couple of times, it finally made its way to the sales floor, and I bought it for the second time. For the record, I was struck by the great difference in the two prices. The second purchase was far less than the first.

Think with me now for a moment about biblical personalities who were less expensive the second time. Abraham was apparently the child of a merchant family in Ur of the Chaldees, and would have sold high. He put all that aside, became a nomadic shepherd, started a new family in a new land, and was much less expensive. Esau was his father's heir but traded that high standing in a weak instant for momentary pleasure. After he was no longer in the house of Pharaoh but a shepherd in Midian, Moses' selling price was less. Both Miriam, after publicly criticizing Moses, and Ruth, after leaving the security of her own home, sold more cheaply the second time. David, of course, was the King of Israel and selling high. The King of Israel was bargain-priced after his fall. And the list is endless. The rabbi who assumed a low place in an infant church; the fishermen who tossed aside steady jobs to risk everything they were and everything they had, to follow the young teacher.

And add you and me to the list. We have our various successes, our various triumphs, then we fall, and our asking price is low. Perhaps we failed. Perhaps our shame has been made public. Perhaps we have been fired or gotten old or lost our place. In the eyes of the world, we are cheap merchandise and our God reaches down and pays that bargain price, and in that moment is our opportunity for restoration. Fresh starts, new beginnings are the message of the church, the message of the gospel, and we talk about those things here each week. There's a place for you.

News

One Faith, Many Voices celebrates various musical traditions in worship: Classical (this week), African-American (August 23) and Bluegrass (August 30). Our Adult Choir rehearses Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Room 263. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

Lil' Lambs Consignment Sale is next week in the Family Life Hall. Sale hours are: Thursday, 6-8 p.m. $5 admission; Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

Church Family Supper resumes Wednesday, August 26 at 5:15 p.m. in the Reception Hall (until the Sanctuary re-opens). Cost is $6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11) with a $20 family cap. (Susan McElwain, ext. 7853)

Handel's Messiah Study: Beginning Monday, August 24, Fred Finzer will be leading a 7-week class that looks at the music, themes, and use of scripture in Handel's Messiah. Contact the church office to register for the class. The class meets each Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840).

The Drama Ministry Team invites you to an Ice Cream Extravaganza at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 23 at the home of Bryan Black. Ages 4th grade through adult are welcome. Exciting plans for a holiday show are coming-don't miss out! (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

Join the Senior Adults for a tour of the stained glass windows of St Luke's Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree Street, Atlanta on Tuesday, September 1. We will be introduced to the artistic and historical significance of these windows over formal coffee and refreshments in the parish's reception hall, followed by an organ concert with Charles Higgs. After the tour, the group will have lunch at The Varsity before returning to the church. We will depart from the Polk Street parking lot at 9 a.m. and return approximately 1:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $2 per person plus lunch. (Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835)

Senior Adult Ministry Catered Luncheons resume on September 16 and continue through May 2016 on the third Wednesday of each month in the Wesley Dining Room (Room 104). The dates and speakers are:

September 16: Reverend Kent Burel on "Theology in The Wizard of Oz"
October 21: Mrs. Phyllis Wright, Professor of Nursing at Emory University on healthy aging
November 18: Mrs. Susan McDonald sharing her faith story in song

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

Power 45! 4th and 5th graders are invited to kick-off Power 45 this Sunday, August 16 from 4-6 p.m. The Garretts are hosting a pool party so bring a towel and change of clothes. Click here to RSVP or call Georgia Rambo at ext. 7805. Power 45 will meet on the 3rd Sunday, August through May, with a special retreat in January! (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

Calling all 1st through 5th grade boys for Cub Scouts!

Do you like being outdoors? On Tuesday, August 18 at 7 p.m., come to the field next to the playground to shoot off water rockets and learn more about all of the great activities that Cub Scouts do throughout the year. Questions? Contact Cubmaster Garry Jenkins, jyrrag@gmail.com. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

All men of the church are invited to compete in softball versus the Boy Scouts on Tuesday, August 18 at 7 p.m. on the Activity Field. A cookout will follow the game. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Registration for Weekday Preschool and Kindergarten 2015-16 is underway. For more information, click here. (Nancy Tatnall, ext. 7842)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Join us for Church Family Supper,
beginning Wednesday, August 26

Until construction is completed in the Sanctuary, Church Family Supper will be served in the Reception Hall at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. $6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11). $20 family cap.

August 26: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cabbage casserole, mixed vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts. Kids- Chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts

Save the Date

Thursday, August 13

WDM Open House/Parent Night

Friday, August 14

WDM Meet and Greet/PAC Playdate

August 14-16

Youth Sharptop Retreat

Sunday, August 16

One Faith, Many Voices

(Classical)

August 16-22

Lil' Lambs Setup and Sale