July 20,
 
2016
 
One Quarter at a Time
 
Our Children's Ministry has recently adopted the phrase "Love God, Love Others" as its new mission slogan. When we boil down what we want to teach the youngest members of our church, this sums things up nicely. The longer version can be found in Scripture when Jesus teaches us, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
The wise preacher Fred Craddock reminds us that most of us imagine giving our lives to God as one brilliant act of surrender, like going into a room and slamming a one thousand dollar bill on a table in front of God.   But then, Craddock says, God does something we don't expect.  God gives us back the bill, and asks us to exchange that thousand dollars for quarters.  And we spend the rest of our lives paying God twenty-five cents at a time.  A quarter here listening to the neighbor's troubles; a quarter there visiting a nursing home; a quarter here teaching Sunday School. Faithfulness is continuing to pay out those quarters, one at a time, day after day.
Our profession of faith can be long and detailed. Or we can simply confess, "I believe." We can write volumes interpreting the teachings of Jesus. Or we can simply remember, "Love God, Love Others." We can offer God grandiose gestures of commitment and sacrifice. Or we can pay our debt of faith one quarter at a time.
Where are you putting your quarters? The opportunities for investment are endless.
 
  
 

News
 
July Sermon Series: Virtues for Faithful Living. Join us for this 4-week focus on the intersection between personal character and our walk of faith.
  • July 17: Patience
  • July 24: Humility
2 Become 1 Workshop: Join us for a premarital workshop for engaged couples led by professional counselors on Saturday, September 10.  Visit www.mariettafumc.org/2become1 
for additional information and to register.   (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)
 
Join the Senior Adults' visit to the Marietta History Museum
on Monday, August 1. We will meet in the Welcome Center lobby at 10:15 a.m. and walk over as a group. Those unable to walk may ride in the church van. Lunch to follow on the Square at Taqueria Tsunami. Trip is free for museum members and $5 for non-members. RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.
 
Youth Sharptop Retreat. Join us August 12-14 as we gather with surrounding Marietta churches for fellowship, games, and worship. This year's theme at Sharptop is "Identity." For more information and to register, visit www.mariettafumc.org/sharptop.
 
Confirmation Registration is now open for all rising 6th grade students. We will start our adventure together with a retreat to Alabama (September 9-11) where we will begin to take a deeper look at our Christian Faith. Register and find more information at www.mariettafumc.org/confirmation. (Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822)
 
Blessing of the Backpacks is Sunday, August 7 at both worship services. Children will receive special pins for their backpacks to remind them of God's love as they start a new school year. (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)

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
  
Reception for Josh Owens-Sweeney. Join us in the Family Life Hall this Sunday following both worship services to honor and say farewell to our Youth Director, Josh Owens-Sweeney. Josh and his wife Anna will be moving to Indianapolis next month.
  
Join us for the Ecuador Mission Information Session this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the Library. Trip dates are September 24 to October 2. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
 
Help with our Annual Back to School Backpack Event supporting Marietta City Schools and MUST Ministries. Help assemble backpacks this Saturday, July 23, beginning at 9 a.m. All ages are invited for this fun service event.
 
Mission Monday for rising 4-6 graders. Join us next Monday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to do fun mission projects followed by lunch/dessert on the Square. Next week, we will work on Blessings in a Backpack with food for children in need, have lunch at NY Deli and enjoy dessert at Miss Mamie's Cupcakes. Drop off and pick up in the Family Life Hall lobby.  $10/person for lunch and dessert.
 
It's time to help pack lunches for the MUST Summer Lunch Program. Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Lower Room. To learn more about this vital summer program and to volunteer, visit www.mariettafumc.org/summerlunch. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
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,
 
Pack Lunches for MUST Summer Lunch 
Thursday, July 21
10 a.m.
Lower Room
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org
 
Youth Student Leader Retreat 
July 22-24

Arizona Mission Trip 
July 22-28

Youth Mission Friday
Friday, July 22
10 a.m.
Lower Room
Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822 
 
Back to School
Backpack Event packing
Saturday, July 23
9 a.m.
Family Life Hall
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org
 
Children's Mission Monday
Monday, July 25
10 a.m.
Lower Room
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812 
 
Youth Tuesday Lunch
Tuesday, July 26
1:30 p.m.
Lower Room
Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822 
 
Pack Lunches for MUST Summer Lunch 
Thursday, July 28
10 a.m.
Lower Room
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

Senior Adult Visit to the Marietta History Museum
Monday, August 1
10:15 a.m.
Welcome Center Lobby
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
loriethridge@mariettafumc.org

Serve Supper at the Women's Extension
Thursday, August 4
6:30 p.m.
Away
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

Blessing of the Backpacks
Sunday, August 7
Both Worship Services

Youth Fall Parent Meeting
Sunday, August 7
6 p.m.
Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822
jessicaferguson@mariettafumc.org

Children's Parent Meeting
Sunday, August 14
10 a.m.
Family Life Hall
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

FUSE Children's Lacrosse Begins
Sunday, August 14
2 p.m.
Park on Polk
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org





 












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

770-429-7800 |  info@mariettafumc.org
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