News from Marietta FUMC for September 1, 2015

MARVINA'S ROBES AND OUR SANCTUARY

"Oh," she said. "If we're going to wear these, we're going to have to sing better."

A few years ago when we purchased the new choir Sam's Picture

robes, Bryan Black, Director of Music, showed one of them to Marvina Northcutt just after they arrived. Now Marvina was no stranger to new choir robes. She has been a member of this church for sixty-nine years and sang in the chancel choir for forty-four of those years! But she was touched by the beauty of the new robes and the excellence to which things like that call us and she vowed for herself and for every other choir member that their efforts would be worthy of the elegant robes. "If we're going to wear these," she said....

And now we think about the refurbished sanctuary and our first Sunday there on September 20. Of course, we come as we are to the church. No extravagant act is required of us; there is no check list for admission. But the new sanctuary is an opportunity for new beginnings for us. If we're going to worship here, then.....

I promise you that your ministers want to preach better and to perform the duties of our office better. Perhaps the choir members will vow anew to strive for even greater excellence. Can you think of a way in which the new sanctuary might impact you and your spiritual journey?

Perhaps you have neglected attendance in the public worship arena. Perhaps your gifts to your church do not represent you or your faith. Perhaps you are a student and not living up to your potential. Maybe you've relaxed the studying and class preparation and are merely coasting. This is a chance for a new start.

Maybe you have been inattentive to your marriage and to your partner. Work and children and the general busy-ness of our lives have taken a great toll. Maybe the excellence of the sanctuary will call us to greater excellence in other areas of our lives.

Have you thought of something, some excellence to which the new sanctuary might call you? Perhaps you need to donate some time. Maybe you need to volunteer your gifts. Maybe it's time for you to learn a new skill, to correct a wrong, or to heal a relationship. Have you thought of something?

Maybe you need to thank someone. Maybe you need to give the gift or apologize or pronounce forgiveness. Maybe you need to be a better grandparent or better parent or better child or better brother or better sister. Maybe it's time to learn the names of the new family in the
neighborhood.

You will think of something. We all will. And in a year or two or three, we'll be able to say, "Yes, I made that decision about the time we moved into the new sanctuary in our church. It just seemed like the time."

"If we're going to wear these..."; "If we're going to worship here...." My, my, what a wonderful opportunity this new sanctuary affords us!

And I'll see you this Sunday.

News

Mark your calendars for our re-entry into the Sanctuary on Sunday, September 20! Join us for worship and a congregational luncheon in the Family Life Hall.

A Closer Look is a class for visitors and new members who want to discover more about the mission and ministry of Marietta First United Methodist. The class begins Sunday, September 20 at 10:10 a.m. in the Parlor and runs for five weeks. Register online or through the church office. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

Our next Dementia Caregiver Support Group is Wednesday, September 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

The next Power 45 is September 20 from 4-6 p.m. Fourth and fifth graders tell your friends and get it on your calendars! (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Fall Studies beginning soon! Classes will be taught by Dr. Sam R. Matthews, Rev. Elaine Wilder, Rev. Brian Smith, Rev. Lori Ethridge and others. There are also opportunities for children and youth to get involved. Click here for more information and to register. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

Third through fifth grade Bible study. All 3rd through 5th graders are invited to join our new Bible study on Wednesday nights, 6:30-7:30 p.m., from September 16 - November 18. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Flag football and cheerleading registration is open.

The season begins October 4. Kristy Carder, owner of Prima Ballet School and former Falcons cheerleader, will be helping us design a great cheer program. Our football coaches are the best too, so everyone will have a great experience. Fuse Sports are open to preschool and elementary age children. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Youth Choir begins its 51st year of ministry

on Sunday, Sept. 13 in Room 263. Snacks at 4 p.m. and rehearsal at 4:30 p.m. All young people grades 6-12 are warmly invited. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

The Senior Adult Ministry will visit the Leo Frank Exhibit at the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History in Kennesaw on Monday, September 21 at 9:30 a.m. We will depart from the Polk Street parking area. The cost of the trip is $8 plus lunch at Doug's Place in Emerson following the museum visit. (Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835).

GED classes through Project Light will begin September 15 and run through May 26 in Room 104 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-3 p.m. Contact Janet Peeler with questions at janet.peeler@comcast.net. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Volunteer to help with the Great Day of Service: Local on Saturday, September 12. You can be the difference in our community through a variety of service projects at MFUMC and throughout the community. Click here for a listing of projects and online sign up. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Senior Adult Ministry Catered Luncheons resume on September 16 and continue through May 2016 on the third Wednesday of each month in the Reception Hall. 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

Give blood at the MFUMC blood drive this Sunday, September 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The bloodmobile will be located in the Pavilion parking lot. Sign up at redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code MFUMC. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Registration remains open for Children's Choirs and Family Music Classes. Rehearsals for ages 3 through 5th grade are on Wednesday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. Classes for infants begin Monday, September 14. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

Church Family Supper is back on Wednesdays 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)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Join us for Church Family Supper!

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.

September 2

Grilled Cilantro lime chicken or Grilled chicken, black bean, corn and yellow rice, tortilla chips w/ cheese sauce, salsa, and all the fixings and desserts

Kids-Soft beef taco, cheese nachos, and all the fixings, and desserts

Save the Date

Sunday, September 6

Blood Drive

Monday, September 7

Church offices closed for Labor Day

Thursday, September 10

Senior Adult Ministry

AARP Safe Driving Course

Saturday, September 12

Great Day of Service: Local

Wednesday, September 16