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ON SEEING GOD
The world acknowledged an anniversary last week. On April 12, 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human being in space, orbiting the earth once before landing safely. Not until later in the year, when Alan Shephard flew, did the United States pull even in the race for space.
I remember the flight and I remember what Gagarin said (or at least what was attributed to him by the Russian government). "I did not see God  in space," he said. "Therefore I do not believe in him." I remember that.
I agree with what Gagarin said-at least the first part of it. I, too, have not seen God. I have heard of people who have seen apparitions and declare that they have seen God. Others say they have heard audible voices and declare that they have heard God. I have never seen God with my naked eye and have never heard God's audible voice.
I remember a friend from years ago who was an excellent photographer. My favorite of all the pictures he showed me was one from the Okefenokee Swamp. Early in the morning at sunrise, he had taken a picture of the mist-covered air. One could not see the sun at all. Not at all. But in the water, in a reflection from behind the misty clouds, there was the sun, beautifully and perfectly reflected in the water. Those of you who know about f-stops and aperture settings probably know how he did that. All I know is that I could not see the sun, but I could see the reflection of the sun.
So now I'm ready to talk about seeing God. Have I ever seen God? No, but I have seen the reflection of God. I see it in you daily. I see God's love, acceptance, forgiveness, and empowering every day in you. I see the church's generosity and commanding presence here and around the world. I see schools, camps, and treatment centers that we have created. I see people, broken by the world and by their own imperfections, find health and healing in the loving grace that is the church. I see the very young and the very old affirming one another. I hear hymns and prayers and I hear stories of sacrifice and spiritual discipline from those who are trying to be the people whom God has created them to be. From time to time, I see a statement from our denomination affirming the voice and place of those who so often have no voice and no place.
Seen God? A matter of interpretation. I have seen the evidence of God's presence and that's enough for me.
And I'll see you this week.
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Save the date for the 2016 Global Great Day of Service: Saturday, April 30, with breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by Communion. This service project is perfect for all age groups and a great way for our church family to serve together. We will pack meals from 9 a.m. until noon through Stop Hunger Now, which provides food and life-changing aid to the world's most vulnerable communities. To sign up, please click here. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
Graduation Sunday is May 15. Graduating High School seniors will be recognized during both worship services and a luncheon will follow the 11:15 a.m. worship service. Families are invited to attend the luncheon. To participate, contact Josh Sweeney at ext. 7808 or by e-mail at joshsweeney@mariettafumc.org by May 1.
Remember "I'm Just A Bill"? "Conjunction Junction"? Then audition for "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" on May 1 (2-4 p.m.) or May 2 (7-9 p.m.). This entertaining show will be presented by our Drama Ministry on July 14-17 and includes a cast from 3rd grade through adults. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)
The Senior Adults are returning to Gibbs Garden on Wednesday, May 4, to see the rhododendron and roses. We will depart at 10:30 a.m. from the Polk Street lot. The cost is $23 plus lunch in the garden. Please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.
Bring your family and friends to our first Family Field Day on Wednesday, May 11, at 4:30 p.m. in the Park on Polk. Enjoy relays and other games and work up an appetite for the last Wednesday supper of the year served picnic style in the Pavilion from 5:15-6:30 p.m. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)
Cornerstone, a gathering of Young Adults in their mid-20s to mid-30s, meets Sundays at 10:10 a.m. in room 255 in the Discipleship Building. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)
Support Groups are available here at the church for a variety of concerns: grief, caring for a loved one with dementia, addiction, or other needs. Visit www.mariettafumc.org/support for meeting times and details. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
The next Homebound Worship and Dinner will be Sunday, May 15, at 5 p.m. This service is specifically for those who cannot come to church on a regular basis because of mobility or other concerns. To RSVP, contact Rev. Elaine Wilder at ext. 7826.
Join our fall Peru Mission Team for travel and service to Chimbote, Peru, September 17-25. You can help as a team member, prayer partner, or through providing project supplies. Projects include a medical clinic, construction and fellowship events. There will be an information session about the trip on Sunday, June 12 at 12:30 p.m. in the library. (Nancy O'Donnell, nancyodonnell@bellsouth.net or Forrest Cate, ext. 7806) Register now for Vacation Bible School! Catch the Wave of God's Amazing Love with Surf Shack at Vacation Bible School, June 13-16 from 6-8:30 p.m. Learn more about the Bible's water stories...creation, Moses, Jesus' baptism, fish and loaves at the beach and more! VBS is open to children ages 3 (by 9/1/15) through 5th grade; younger children of volunteers are welcome in the nursery. Visit www.mariettafumc.org for more information. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812) May 20: Save the date for the MFUMC Sporting Clay Tournament. Enjoy a day with your church family at historic Burge Plantation shooting clays while supporting great causes. Proceeds of this event support transportation for children's activities of the Marietta Police Athletic League and our ministry for children in Ecuador. For more information and to register, please click here. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806) Interested in MFUMC's history? Helping in our Archives is a great way to learn (and help preserve our past). Please contact Milli Robinson at millirobinson@mariettafumc.org or ext. 7857 to volunteer.
Registration for Glisson Grow Day Camp at FUMC is open! Dates are June 6-10 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The camp is for children who have completed K-5th grade. Register at www.growdaycamps.org. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)
Help restore lives impacted by human trafficking in our area. Volunteer at the Marietta Treasure Store, a consignment store which benefits Wellspring Living located at 800 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta 30064. Wellspring Living helps victims of Human Trafficking move forward with their lives through group resident and independent living programs. For more information, contact Forrest Cate. To sign up to volunteer, click here.
We invite you to serve with our Parking Ministry on Sunday mornings in half-hour and one-hour shifts from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help members who have difficulty walking getting to and from worship and Sunday School. Training is provided. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
The Hospitality Ministry is looking for friendly, creative and energetic volunteers to help greet on Sundays, provide special event setup and décor and be helpers at Church Family Supper on Wednesdays. (Beth Dawson, ext. 7829)
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 Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress?
Visit its Web site, 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.
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Membership Sunday is this week. If you would like to make Marietta FUMC your church home, consider joining the church with others on Sunday. If you would like to learn more about membership, contact Rev. Brian Smith at ext. 7840 or briansmith@mariettafumc.org.
Angels Among Us. The Beth Berman Circle will be selling sterling silver angel charms on the bridge this Sunday, April 24 and next Sunday, May 1. Purchase a charm for a special girl or woman. They make great Mother's Day gifts! Charms come with a keepsake card and names in honor or memory will be in the bulletin on Sunday, May 8.
The Bereavement Support Group will meet tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. This group meets the third Wednesday of each month to offer ongoing support to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
The Senior Adult Luncheon, along with healthy brain games provided by Aloha to Aging, tomorrow, April 20 at 11:30 a.m. in the Reception Hall. The cost is $8. Please RSVP to Rev Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.
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Connect Through Table Fellowship
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Church Family Supper
is served on Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m.
in the Family Life Hall.
$6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11)
$20 family cap.
April 20
Poppy seed chicken casserole or baked chicken with mushroom gravy, rice, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts
Kids- Grilled Cheese, tater rounds, salad bar, rolls and desserts
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For more information about events
at First United Methodist Church of Marietta,
Senior Adult Ministry
Catered Luncheon
Wednesday, April 20
Reception Hall
11:30 a.m.
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
Membership Sunday
Sunday, April 24
Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840
Beth Berman Circle Sells
Angels Among Us Charms
Sunday, April 24
The Bridge
Weekday Ministry Preschool and Kindergarten
Spring Sing
Monday, April 25
Reception Hall
11 a.m.
Nancy Tatnall, ext. 7842
Weekday Ministry Preschool and Kindergarten
Songs and Sundaes
Thursday, April 28
Family Life Hall
6 p.m.
Nancy Tatnall, ext. 7842
Global Day of Service
Saturday, April 30
Family Life Hall
8:30 a.m. to Noon
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org
Albania Mission Trip
Planning Session Sunday, May 1 12:30 p.m. Library Forrest Cate, ext. 7806 Senior Adult Ministry Trip
to See Pippin Sunday, May 1 2:20 p.m. Polk Street Parking Lot Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
Beth Berman Circle Sells
Angels Among Us Charms
Sunday, May 1
The Bridge
Senior Adult Ministry Travels
to Gibbs Gardens
Wednesday, May 4
10:30 a.m.
Polk Street Parking Lot
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
United Methodist Women
Mission Banquet
Thursday, May 5
6:30 p.m.
Family Life Hall
Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826
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