APRIL 26,
 
2016
   

EYES WIDE OPEN 
 
    My wife and I were doing some spring cleaning around the parsonage recently when I noticed that we had failed to put away a Christmas decoration after the holiday season. On one of the shelves in our sun room stood a Santa Claus wearing a blue suit and holding a Duke Blue Devils flag. We had received the Blue Devil Claus this past Christmas, and somehow we had overlooked it as we moved all the decorations into the upstairs closet. How is it possible that we both walked past this bookshelf every day and neither of us really noticed the presence of Kris Kringle for almost five months?
    I recently had lunch with a clergy friend of mine who will be moving this June. We laughed as he told the story of when his family moved into their home five years ago, the first thing they planned to change was the bright green paint in the bedroom. But in the chaos of unpacking, a new job, and children, they kept delaying having the room painted until they inadvertently became accustomed to the bright green.  Five years later as they are preparing to move, the bedroom walls are still green. 
    We all do this.  We see things that don't seem quite right, and we let our eyes pass right over them.  Perhaps it's the presence of a Santa in the month of April, maybe it's bight green walls, or maybe it's that sofa we have never liked. It is easy for us to allow these things to blend into the background of life. When we think about this human tendency in relation to the Gospel, we quickly realize that there are certain things that we cannot allow our eyes to simply pass over.  If we are to be the church, we cannot overlook God's people. If we are to be the church, we cannot turn a blind eye to injustice, oppression and exploitation of people.  If we are to be the church, we cannot look away from a hurting world that desperately needs the message of God's hope and grace.  Rather than looking away from the places of great need in the world, let's stare right at them and start working for change.

 
 
 
News
Garden Party. Join us for lemonade and cookies in the newly landscaped Hodges Garden after both worship services on May 8 and May 15.
 
Mission Opportunities
Guatemala - We still need prayer partners and supply donations
Albania - Interest meeting Sunday, May 1 at 12:30 p.m. in room 220. Trip is July 8-18 and will focus on language camps for adults and youth
Czech Republic - Interest meeting Wednesday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. in Library.
(Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

The Blanket and Shawl Ministry meets next Thursday,
May 5 at 4 p.m. in the Hospitality Room.
 
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. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 20. You may download an application at www.mariettafumc.org/scholarships,
(Becky Sawyer, ext. 7824)
 
Vacation Bible School!
June 13-16 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. for ages 3K through 5th grade. Register now at www.mariettafumc.org/vbs. Volunteers are needed! Volunteer for one night or the entire week!
Volunteer Training will be this Wednesday, May 4 at 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. in the library
 
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 [email protected] by May 1.
 
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 Mid High Youth mission trip is June 17-22. We'll be traveling to Tampa, Orlando and St. Simons. Visit www.mariettafumc.org/midhighmissiontrip for more information (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

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, [email protected] or Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
 
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 [email protected] 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 d�cor and be helpers at Church Family Supper on Wednesdays. (Beth Dawson, ext. 7829)
Restore to Glory!
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.
This Week
The 2016 Global Great Day of Service is this 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)

Angels Among Us. The Beth Berman Circle will be selling sterling silver angel charms on the bridge this Sunday and next Sunday. Proceeds benefit the Beth Berman Memorial Fund. Charms come with a keepsake card and names in honor or memory will be in the bulletin on Sunday, May 8.
 
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)
 

Connect Through Table Fellowship
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) with a $20 family cap 

April 27
Beef stroganoff or tilapia, egg noodles, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts
Kids-Corn dog, tater rounds, salad bar, rolls and desserts
    
Save the Date

For more information about events
at First United Methodist Church of Marietta,

Blanket and Shawl
Ministry Meets
Thursday April 28
4 p.m.
Hospitality Room

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
[email protected]

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
[email protected]

Men of the Church
Mother's Day FUSE Helpers
Sunday, May 8
8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. 
The FUSE Box
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
[email protected]

Garden Party
Sunday, May 8
After both worship services
Hodges Garden

Church Family Field Day and Picnic
Wednesday, May 11
Fun and Games at 4:30 p.m.
Supper at 5:15 p.m.
The Park on Polk
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
[email protected] 
 
Graduation Sunday
Sunday, May 15


Garden Party

Sunday, May 15
After both worship services
Hodges Garden

Czech Republic Mission Trip
Interest Meeting 
Wednesday, May 18
5:30 p.m.
Library
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
[email protected]

MFUMC Scholarship Program
Applications Due
Friday, May 20 
Becky Sawyer, ext. 7824
[email protected]  
 
 

First United Methodist Church of Marietta
56 Whitlock Avenue, N.W. Marietta, GA 30064

770-429-7800 |  [email protected]
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