NAUSEATING WORK
So tell me what you do for your church. Perhaps you show up, hand a bulletin or offer a seat to a visitor. Maybe you sing, greet at the doors, or teach the children. Maybe you help with missions banquets or hammer  nails on the Habitat houses or give generously.
And what do you do for your country? Some have served in the military, some in other areas. Some volunteer for disaster relief, we work at the polls on election day, and hopefully we pay our taxes. Anything else?
We recently observed an important anniversary within the American space program. In April, 1985, a sitting U. S. Senator, Jake Garn from Utah, flew into space aboard the Discovery shuttle. He chaired the Senate committee that funded the program and wanted a first-hand look at what was happening. His job on the mission? He was aboard to study space sickness, specifically nausea. And Senator Garn, a Navy pilot who logged over 10,000 hours in flight, went into space to get nauseated for his country.
The value of the space program is well documented. Medical and scientific breakthroughs have resulted from our nation's determination to fund the program. And perhaps the Senator's nausea helped make our lives better somewhere along the way.
His job seems minor, but many jobs, especially in the church, seem so at first glance. A simple "hello" and an invitation to a Sunday School class can change a life. A voice added to a choir or an hour every week with third-graders can offer a wonderful role model. A monetary gift keeps our lights on and our ministers in hospitals, nursing homes, and on the streets where we are needed. It keeps pictures of Jesus in the hands of our children and helps put one of our youth at an important spiritual life retreat. Maybe you're on the Altar Guild and put the pens and paper in place for Sunday morning. To the mother writing a request for prayer for her marriage or her career or her children, your job is critical.
I've told you before that I often hear, "Sam, you have a friendly church." And that person did not mean that 1100 people spoke to him or her on a Sunday morning. It means only that a few did, and maybe someone offered a bulletin, a hymnal, or a handshake. Seemingly small tasks, but in this great Cause, there simply are no small ones. You and I live and worship in an arena where even the most simple gestures can change a person's life.
And I'll see you this Sunday.
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Looking for information about the General Conference? Click here to find links to more information, daily updates and live streaming on the MFUMC Web site.
The Bereavement Support Group will meet next Wednesday, May 18 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 regular meeting of the MFUMC Church Council will be Monday, May 23. We will begin with dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Hall, followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. Dinner is by reservation only ($10 payable at the door). Please RSVP to Erin Kimbrel at ext. 7813 or erinkimbrel@mariettafumc.org.
An interest meeting for a mission trip to the Czech Republic will be held next Wednesday, May 18 at 5:30 pm in Library. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
Donate supplies for the Guatemala mission trip. The team is collecting dry erase markers, toiletries, Soft Scrub cleaner, socks, AAA batteries, snack for lunch bags and dollar store items for teenagers. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
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)
There will be an Arizona Mission Trip Interest Meeting on Wednesday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library. The trip's dates are July 22-28, and the team with be working at a Navajo Reservation, helping with construction, kids programs, and running some preparation events. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
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! 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)
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) 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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Bring your family and friends to our first Family Field Day tomorrow, 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)
The Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets tomorrow, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. This group offers support to anyone caring for a loved one with Dementia. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
Garden Party. Join us for lemonade and cookies in the newly landscaped Hodges Garden after both worship services this Sunday. The garden is located out the Whitlock Avenue doors between the Sanctuary and the Chapel. |
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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) with a $20 family cap
May 11
Family Fun Night in the Park
BBQ sandwich or Hot dog, watermelon, chips, cole slaw, corn salad, and brownies.
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For more information about events
at First United Methodist Church of Marietta,
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
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org
AARP Safe Driving Class
Thursday, May 12
9:30 a.m.
Room 322
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
loriethridge@mariettafumc.org
Pentecost Sunday
Sunday, May 15
Garden Party
Sunday, May 15
After both worship services
Hodges Garden
Power 45
Sunday, May 15
4 p.m.
Family Life Hall
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
Homebound Worship Service
Sunday, May 15
5 p.m.
Reception Hall
Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826
Senior Adult Ministry
Catered Lunch
Wednesday, May 18
11:30 a.m.
Reception Hall
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
Czech Republic Mission TripInterest Meeting
Wednesday, May 18
5:30 p.m.
Library
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
Becky Sawyer, ext. 7824
beckysawyer@mariettafumc.org
Acolyte Recognition Sunday Sunday, May 22 Church Offices Closed in
Observance of Memorial Day Monday, May 30
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