August 31,

2016

HOW WE SAY THINGS

I remember reading that years ago when Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker and the others first started selling cake mixes on a large scale, market

research turned up some interesting facts about their customers. When the entire cake came in powdered form and the cook (in those days the wife) had only to add water or milk, the opinions expressed in surveys about that woman were that she was, among other things, lazy, not necessarily a good wife and mother, and only marginally concerned about her family. But when the formulas were changed and the cook was required to add an egg or two and stir them in, the opinions changed. This was an industrious woman, efficient and capable of caring for her family!

Recently Christopher Mims, a technology consultant and columnist for a number of periodicals, wrote about modern marketing concerns. Technology abounds ("The bar is pretty low to put a chip in something and make it connected."), as we know, but not everyone cares. Comcast recently bought a company that sets up "smart homes" for people, homes where everything including the garage door, the door locks, the air conditioning, etc., is connected. When the services were marketed as "home automation," "...people liked it but would not spend money on it." Only when the company marketed the service as "Peace of Mind" did people start buying.

I have learned through the years that practically no one in the congregation on a Sunday morning is particularly interested in any theological wrestling, any parsing of words, and any assurances that "if you could just read it in the original Hebrew (or Greek)." Those things might have their place in a Bible study at some other time at some other place in the building, but we come on Sunday mornings looking for something else. We want to hear something that is true, that can impact our lives, that can help us be the creative and hopeful people that God made us to be, and that can help us in some way deal with the challenges and opportunities in our lives. Again I quote the great German theologian and preacher Karl Barth who admonished every preacher to write across the last page of her sermon manuscript, "So what?" The cake mix must meet my needs. The technologically-driven home must make sense in my world.

So on Sunday morning around here we, the preachers, the proclaimers of the word, will try to be certain that all of us will hear the basic good news of the gospel, that God has created us for a good purpose, that the same God is attentive to the details of human life, that the same God is understanding and forgiving when we fall short of our ideals, and that we journey together to be the people and the church that God has called us to be.

But we can't do it alone. You have to help. You have to show up and participate. You have to stir in some eggs.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

News

On Sunday, September 11, our church bell will ring at 8:46 a.m., 9:02 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m. to commemorate the four crashes on September 11, 2001. At worship that day we will acknowledge our military and other public servants.

Little Lambs Consignment Sale. Complete your child's fall wardrobe, and/or shop for baby/maternity needs. Shopping dates are:

Shop Early! Thursday, September 8 at 10 a.m.
(2-shift volunteers), 11 a.m. (1-shift volunteers), and noon (consignors).
Public pre-sale. Thursday, September 8 from 2-8 p.m., $5 admission fee per adult.
Public sale. Friday, September 9 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Public sale. Saturday, September 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (many items half-price price).
It's not too late to volunteer!

(Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Church-wide "Summertime Singing" will be in the Pavilion next Sunday, September 11 at 4:30 p.m.
Call out your favorite hymn and enjoy the simple pleasure of voices in four-part harmony. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

Upcoming Youth Events:

Senior High Social on September 7, 6:30 p.m. at the Atkinson Home. Bring your friends. Dinner, games, and prizes provided!
Bahamas Senior High Spring Break Mission Trip Info Meeting. September 18 at 12:15 p.m. in the Lower Room.

(Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822)

Monthly Senior Adult luncheons resume on Wednesday, Sept 21 at 11:45 in the Reception Hall, with guest speaker, Dr. Geo Sipp, Director of the School of Art and Design at Kennesaw State
University. The cost is $10. Please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.

Save the Date: The Beth Berman Memorial Dinner and Silent Auction will be Thursday, October 27. Join us at this annual event that raises awareness of and funds for our Global Mission programs. Actor Tom Key will be the speaker. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Join the Senior Adults for a trip to Jaemor Farms in Alto, GA on Monday, September 19. Enjoy a hay ride through the orchards, eat lunch on site, and shop for fresh produce. Depart from the Polk Street lot at 10 a.m. The cost is $8 plus lunch. Please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.

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 both worship services. (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)

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

Give blood this Sunday, September 4, in the Family Life Hall from
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Men's Low Country Boil, Thursday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Park on Polk. 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)

A team will travel to Peru September 17-25, and they need donations of medical supplies to take with them. Lists and boxes are located at the elevators. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Make a donation to benefit Louisiana Flood Victims. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is working to provide aid and support. Write checks to MFUMC and mark UMCOR flood relief on the notes.

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Church Family Supper

Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m.

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

with a $20 family cap

September 7

in the Reception Hall

Chicken cheese lasagna with a white sauce or Beef and sausage lasagna, Italian vegetables, salad bar, garlic bread sticks and desserts,

Kids- Pizza rolls, Italian vegetables, salad bar and desserts

Save the Date

For more information about events

at First United Methodist Church of Marietta,

visit www.mariettafumc.org/events.

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

Meet Our Missionaries
from Albania 5:30 p.m.
Room 320

Forrest Cate, ext. 7806

forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

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

briansmith@mariettafumc.org

Little Lambs Children's
Consignment Sale Presale

Thursday, September 8

2-8 p.m.

Family Life Hall

Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812

kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

Men's Low Country Boil