August 17,

2016

A LICENSE TO LIVE

I bought a fishing license last week to keep up with my children and grandchildren and the license I received is, due to my age, a lifetime license. But a "lifetime" license is not a "forever" license and my license will,

in fact, expire on August 10, 2216, a mere two hundred years from now. And now I'm challenged! There is within me a desire, a determination, to outlive the date of expiration and see the red on the face of the state when it sees that I've outlasted my license. I wonder if the state is prepared for such an event.

What I know about human life, however, indicates that I am unlikely to live another two centuries. Like all living things I will die and I probably should think about that fact now and then. Do you? Do you ever think about dying? In his wonderful list of questions to determine the quality of one's life, the Lutheran minister Frederick Buechner asked, "Have you thought realistically about the fact that one day you are going to die?" The late, great sportswriter Furman Bisher wrote once, "The final decisive humbling of man is death. It comes to each and all in various manners...."

And if we are sure to die, we should be all the more determined that our lives are well lived and count for something. Jesus told the combative brothers (Luke 12) that the quality of their lives did not consist in the abundance of possessions. But of what does a "quality life" consist? While Jesus isn't asked and doesn't answer the question in that encounter, he spent his life demonstrating the principles and components of a "quality" life.

Faith is a component, to be sure. Faith in God, faith in God's people and faith in the institutions that proclaim and teach about that creative God. Jesus was connected to other people, always interacting with and moving with people, and interpreting much of God's love and purposes for humankind through the vicissitudes of common people. Jesus was empathetic, able to connect with people and their particular issues-handling power, managing money, dealing with sickness and injury, fighting depression, suffering loneliness, celebrating great victories. He was generous with everything and anything that he owned. Time and energy he gave very willingly and, we can assume that he would have done the same with money if he'd had any.

Those are perhaps a few components of a "quality" life. Faith, connections, empathy, generosity.... Perhaps you can think of a few others. Your church can help you.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

News

Organ Concert, Sunday, August 28, 3 p.m. Organist and Music Associate Brian Parks will feature works from early Americana,

the European tradition and an improvisation on an audience-submitted theme. A reception will follow. (Brian Parks, ext. 7809)

Learn about our global mission trips and the communities we visit while you sample cuisine from around the world at the Taste of Nations on Sunday, September 11 on the Bridge following worship. (Forrest Cate ext. 7806)

Evangelism volunteers needed! Join our Mugging Ministry and help us deliver welcome baskets filled with coffee mugs, coffee grounds, and information about our church to first-time visitors. Typically, you will sign up to deliver a basket once a month. Contact Rev. Brian Smith at ext. 7840 to learn more.

The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art is hosting an evening dedicated to Sandra Anderson and her artwork, in particular the puppets she created for Amahl and the Night Visitors. Our

own Scott Anderson, Bryan Black and Brian Parks will address those gathered at the museum on Thursday, August 25 at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. (Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835).

Youth Choir singers and parents are invited to a kickoff rehearsal on Sunday, August 28 at 4:30 p.m. in the Choir Room (263). The choir (grades 6-12) offers music in Sunday worship throughout the year and makes an annual concert mission tour. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

Men's Low Country Boil, Thursday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Walt Davis. Learn more about how to serve our church and community as a man of MFUMC. For more information, visit www.mariettafumc.org/lowcountryboil. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

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)

Third Grade Bible Presentation, Sunday, August 28, during worship. Third Graders will receive a Bible engraved with their name. Please let Kelly Duncan know your child's name for engraving and which service you'll be attending. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Give blood Sunday, September 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. Visit www.mariettafumc.org/giveblood for additional information and to sign up. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Calling all card crafters! There will be a cardmaking workshop on Thursday, September 8 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Rubber Stamp Fantasy on the Square (115 Church Street). The cost is $20. Please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext.7835.

Congregational Care volunteers needed! Are you willing to visit a homebound member of our congregation once a month? We provide flowers and you provide friendly conversation. Our list of members needing care keeps growing. Join us in this important ministry. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

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 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

Fusion Worship Kickoff is this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in the Lower Room. Fusion Worship on Sunday evenings is set aside for youth to Encounter, Connect and Serve. (Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822)

Power 45 Kickoff. 4th and 5th graders invite your friends for a pool party and dinner tonight from 4-6 p.m. We will meet at the home of Heath and Lee Garrett, 305 Oakhurst Lane, Marietta, 30064. Power 45 meets on the third Sunday of the month from August through May and is a great way to form friendships before transitioning to youth. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

One Faith, Many Voices is an annual celebration of church music in worship. Sundays in August will feature: Gospel/Spiritual (this week) and Old-Time Bluegrass (next week). (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Church Family Supper

returns Wednesday, August 31
at 5:15 p.m.

in the Family Life Hall

$6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11)

with a $20 family cap

August 31
Seasoned Roasted pork or Grilled chicken w/ mixed peppers, tomatoes, onions and cilantro, roasted sweet potatoes, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts

Kids-Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts

Save the Date

For more information about events

at First United Methodist Church of Marietta,

visit www.mariettafumc.org/events.

Ministry Displays on the Bridge

Sunday, August 21

Forrest Cate, ext. 7806

forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

Power 45

Sunday, August 21

4-6 p.m.

Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812

kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

Third Grade Bible Presentation Sunday, August 28
Both Worship Services

Ministry Displays on the Bridge

Sunday, August 28

Forrest Cate, ext. 7806

forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

Brian Parks Organ Recital

Sunday, August 28

3 p.m.

Sanctuary
Bryan Black, ex.t 7815

bryanblack@mariettafumc.org

Youth Choir Kickoff and Parent Meeting
Sunday, August 28
4:30 p.m.
Choir Room
Bryan Black, ex.t 7815

bryanblack@mariettafumc.org

Children's Choir Orientation and First Rehearsal
Wednesday, August 31
4:30 p.m.
Choir Room
Bryan Black, ex.t 7815

bryanblack@mariettafumc.org

Serve Lunch at MUST
Friday, September 2
9:30 a.m.
Away

Forrest Cate, ext. 7806

forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

Blood Drive
Sunday, September 4
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Family Life Hall

Forrest Cate, ext. 7806

forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

Men's Little Lambs Setup
Sunday, September 4
11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Family Life Hall

Forrest Cate, ext. 7806

forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

Church Offices Closed in Observance
of Labor Day
Monday, September 5

Wednesday Night Classes Begin
Wednesday, September 7
Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840

briansmith@mariettafumc.org

Third Grade Bible Study Resumes
Wednesday, September 7
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Room 324
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812

kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

Carol Boone Ladies Bible Study Begins
Thursday, September 8
9 a.m.
The Library
Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840

briansmith@mariettafumc.org