MAY 31,
 
2016
   

TWENTY-THREE HUNDRED SUNDAYS
 
Bear with me for a moment and share my celebration with me. This Sunday is an important one for me, one that marks a significant moment in my journey of faith. Forty-five years ago on the first Sunday in June (the actual date was June 6) I stood in the pulpit for the very first time as the minister of a United Methodist Church. The appointment was classified as "student" (a designation that has not changed in these four-plus decades) and while I had preached around, here and there, that Sunday started my professional journey.
The church was the Paces Ferry UMC, located near here where Mt. Paran Road dead-ends into Paces Ferry Road. It is a little white church with red doors and there is a cemetery in the churchyard. And while there were some forty-five members on the church roll, only six were present that first day. When I asked where the others were, I was told, "Oh, this is all of us!"
I remember the day. I remember the people, and I remember the sermon. I also remember the panic! I remember thinking on the way home that I had preached everything I knew-absolutely everything-and was faced with the realization that I had to do it all again next week and the week after that and the week after that... It wasn't until later, after that first day, that I learned that the Lord always puts a message in the heart and mind of God's messengers.
I served there a year, then two years at the Holbrook Campground Circuit (the churches were Pleasant Grove and Macedonia), then three years as the Associate Minister at Roswell. By 1977 I had finished seminary and was ordained. The churches that followed were Bethany in Fayette County for five years, W. R. Cannon in Gwinnett County for seven, First UMC of Atlanta for eight years, and Fayetteville First UMC for six years. In 2003 the call came from the Bishop's office and I was assigned here.
So today my heart is full. I remember so many people who were in my churches and who believed in me, prayed for me, and cared for me. I remember the funerals of good friends, dear friends. And I remember the baptisms, weddings, and new members. Most of all, my heart is full of gratitude. I am so very grateful for my home church Acworth where I first heard the call to ministry. I am grateful for my denomination, the United Methodist Church, and its history of leadership both inside the church walls and beyond. I am grateful for my family and the support I have received from home. I am grateful for you, the congregation at Marietta. You have loved me, encouraged me, and, on occasion, tolerated me. I have learned so very much about the healing power of the spirit of Almighty God from you. And finally, I am grateful to God above who called me, sustained me, empowered me, and filled me. I could ask for no more.
      And I'll see you this Sunday.

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News

Great American Family Picnic. Celebrate Independence Day with family and friends in the Park on Polk. Make your reservation for a pre-determined lawn space or table for a picnic dinner, two reserved parking spots, access to organized activities, and the best seats in town for the holiday fireworks show. Visit www.greatamericanfamilypicnic.com to register. Proceeds benefit MUST Ministries. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
 
All men of the church are invited to a Men's Night Out on Thursday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games located at 1255 Roswell Road, Marietta 30062 for food, fun and fellowship. Racing is optional. (Scott Stewart at 
scott.stewart@us.qbe.com or Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
 
Youth Lake Day.  The Fusion Youth group will have a lake day on Sunday, June 12.  Meet in the Lower Room at 12:30 pm.  (Josh Owens-Sweeney, ext. 7808)

Elementary Summer Camps. Sign up for some of our summer camps just for elementary ages!

Half-Day (9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
  •  Martial Arts, June 20-24
  •  So You Think You Can Dance, June 27-July 1
  •  Our Daily Bread Cooking Camp, July 18 -21
Full Day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
  •  Builder Bunch Lego Camp, July 11-15
Visit www.mariettafumc.org for more information and to register. (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)

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)

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.
 
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 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)
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

June Food Drive. It's time to re-stock the Food Pantry. Lists of needed items will be available at donations boxes at each elevator and at the Reception Desk. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
 
Join the Senior Adults in visiting the Chihuly Sculpture Exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on tomorrow, June 1. We will depart from the Polk Street lot at 10 a.m. The cost is $24 plus lunch at Linton's Café on the property. Please RSVP to Rev. Ethridge at ext. 7835.
 
The Senior Adults will take a trip to Adairsville to visit Barnsley Gardens this Thursday, June 2. We will depart from the Polk Street lot at 10 a.m. The cost is $15 plus lunch on the property at the Woodlands Grill. (Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835)
 
Help pack lunches for the MUST Summer Lunch Program on Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Lower Room beginning this Thursday, June 2. To learn more about the program and to sign up to volunteer, visit mariettafumc.org/summerlunch
. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Mission Mondays. All rising 4th-6th graders are invited to Mission Mondays in June and July. We will do a group mission project at the church and then walk to the Square for lunch and dessert.  The dates are June 20 and 27, and July 11 and 18 from 10:00 to 1:00.  Meet in the Welcome Center lobby.  Only cost is lunch and dessert. E-mail Kelly Duncan at kellyduncan@mariettafucm.org for more information.  

 
Connect Through Table Fellowship
Church Family Supper
takes a break during the late Spring 
and early Summer.

Check back in August for menus and upcoming events!


 
Save the Date

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

College Mission Trip to Peru
May 31-June 8

Serve Supper at Women's Extension
Thursday, June 2
6:30 p.m.
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

MUST Summer Lunch Packing Thursday, June 2
10 a.m.
Lower Room
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
 
Serve Lunch at MUST
Friday, June 3
9:30 a.m.
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

Mission Trip to Guatemala
June 5-10

Glisson Grow Day Camp
June 5-10
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Fuse Box
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

Weekday Art Camp
June 5-9
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

MUST Summer Lunch Packing 
Thursday, June 9
10 a.m.
Lower Room
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
 
Youth Choir Homecoming
Sunday, June 12
Both Worship Services

Peru Mission Trip (Fall 2016)
Interest Meeting
Sunday, June 12
12:30 p.m.
The Library  
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
 
Weekday Wild West Camp
June 13-16
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

Vacation Bible School
June 13-16
6-8:30 p.m.
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

MUST Summer Lunch Packing 
Thursday, June 16
10 a.m.
Lower Room
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
 
AARP Safe Driving Course
Wednesday, June 15
9:30 a.m.
Room 322
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
loriethridge@mariettafumc.org

Mid-High Youth Mission Trip
June 17-22

Children's Movie Day
Friday, June 17
10 a.m.
The Fuse Box
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

Father's Day
Sunday, June 19 
 
 
 












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

770-429-7800 |  info@mariettafumc.org
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