J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4

V O L U M E 2 2

I S S U E 1 F I R S T U N I T E D

M E T H O D I S T

C H U R C H O F

C O M M E R C E

January 1 Church Office Closed

January 6th-9th Bible Studies Resume

January 5th @ Both Services John Wesley Covenant Service

January 7th @ 7:00p Trustees Meeting

January 12th @ 2:00p Annual Planning Meeting

January 14th @ 6:00p Finance Team Meeting

January 15th @ 5:30p Wonderful Wednesday

January 20th Church Office Closed (MLK Day)

January 26th @ 8:00a Men’s Breakfast @ FUMC

January 28th @7:00p- SPR Committee meeting

Two simple words, “Thank You” are hardly enough to

express the gratitude felt by each of us for the kindness of

our FUMC Church family. Even during these difficult

times, your generosity endures. THANK YOU for the

blessings bestowed upon us through the Christmas Love

Offering. We are grateful for the opportunities we have to serve our Church

and its Congregation and looking forward to the new year. If we can be of

help to you, please let us know. Thank you and God Bless!

David Bowen Johnnie Blair

Trish Edwards Al Fleming

Amber Shirley Gina Hagan

Libby Christiansen Renee Moon

Kelsey Harbin Kim Savage

Chris Sales Elena Alegria

Donna Wilson

Partner with iServe Ministries in feeding the

Commerce-Banks area.

iServe Ministries is bringing a truck full of food to

the Lanier Tech Campus in Commerce that will feed

over five hundred families. We will have a truck on

the 2nd Saturday of every month.

• We are looking for churches, groups or families

to sponsor these trucks from the Food Bank of

Northeast Georgia.

• We will be serving the needy in Commerce-Banks once a month.

We are looking for 12 churches, groups, or families to each take a

month to volunteer and/or sponsor the trucks.

• The tractor trailers serve around 500 families with 25,000-30,000

pounds of food.

• Volunteer to serve once a month to help distribute food.

We can do this by a small donation of only $800. 30,000 pounds of

food for $800! Can you help your community?

Commerce First UMC has already pledged $500 towards this ministry.

If you would like more information on volunteering or about this min-

istry, please contact Jeff or Sherry Grant, Director of iServe Ministries,

www.iserveministries.com or 706-367-3704. This ministry is a

wonderful way for families to volunteer and serve together. Volun-

teers of all ages are needed to make this ministry possible.

Our Annual Calendar Planning meeting will be held on Sunday, January 12th at 2:00p in the

Fellowship Hall. The meeting is open to everyone. However, if you lead a committee,

ministry, mission, or any group in our congregation, you must attend.

The Honduras Mission Team has been preparing all year long for our upcoming trip to the Olancho

Valley. You have already helped in so many ways will you please consider helping once again? We will be collecting supplies for the Honduras mission trip.

We are in need of candles, 500 count box matches, clotheslines, children's vitamins, craft

supplies, school supplies, soccer balls, & bubbles.

Please pick up a detailed list at any entrance of the church.

Tuesday, January 7th @ 7:00p- Trustees meeting

Tuesday, January 14th @ 6:00p- Finance Meeting

Sunday, January 26th @ 8:00a- Men’s Breakfast at FUMC

Thursday, January 28th @7:00p- SPR Meeting

Hannah Circle will meet on January 21st at 2:00p in the Fellowship Hall.

Circle 5 will meet on January 21st at 7:00p in the Fellowship Hall.

Circle 3 will meet on January 20th at 7:00p.

I just wanted to say thank you for the prayers and support for the Kairos weekend at Hancock State

Prison Dec 5-8. It was a huge success! 41 inmates participated in the weekend and

got to hear and see the love of Christ. It is an amazing sight to see the agape (in the

form of posters, letters and a prayer chain) adorn the walls of the prison gym. Many

of the inmates have never felt love or support their whole lives and it is life chang-

ing for them to see that they are still a part of the body of Christ; they are still a part

of the church.

Here are some of the remarks at the closing: "I can't describe...my heart floods.", "I have passion.", "I

thank God for providing light to shine in the darkness.", "I have received a new family.", "I cried last

night" (my favorite one), "I'm incarcerated but I am free, I am filled with the sweet Holy Ghost!",

"Thanks for bringing us God's way.", "God is real.", "People love us, God loves us.", "Joy, joy I've

been searching for joy.", "I hope I can return the favor and be a true representative for Christ."

Most of these guys will spend the rest of their lives in prison but they will not be in bondage. I have

come that they may have life, and that they have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Thanks and Blessings,

Joel Beauchamp

Team Squares Square Dance Club

Tuesday, January 7th, 6:30-8:30 pm

Try Square dancing to exercise your mind and body.

Square Dancing is fun for all Ages!

For More Information contact: Rose Richard at 706-380-7878

2014 CHURCH YEAR

(all Communion Sundays are White Paraments) ADVENT SEASON (purple)…Four Sundays immediately after the Sun-

day of Christ the King (white) and ending with Christmas Eve (white).

This is a preparatory (purple) season during which we focus on the roy-

alty of Jesus and our personal penitence (sorrow) for our sins.

CHRISTMAS SEASON (white)…Begins Christmas Eve and includes

the two Sundays immediately following Christmas Eve. It includes the

Epiphany of Christ (wise men appear), that is twelve days after Christ-

mas. This is a festival (white) season during which we focus on the glo-

ry of God, the purity of Christ, and our joy at the gift of Christ.

EPIPHANY SEASON (green) for seven Sundays and then white for

one)…Seven Sundays immediately after the Epiphany (appearance or

manifestation) and ending with Transfiguration Sunday (white). This is

a growth (green) season during which we focus on our own spiritual

growth in light of the coming of Jesus Christ.

LENTEN SEASON (purple)…Six Sundays immediately after Transfig-

uration Sunday and ending with Holy Saturday (Easter Eve). This is a

preparatory (purple) season during which we focus on the sacrifice, suf-

fering, and death of Jesus as well as our own prayers and penitence

(sorrow for our sins).

EASTER SEASON (white)…Seven Sundays beginning with Easter Sun-

day and ending the before the Day of Pentecost (red). This is a festival

(white) season during which we focus on the glory of our risen Lord, the

power of the Resurrection, and the worship of our Lord and Savior.

PENTECOST SEASON (red)…Twelve Sundays beginning with Pente-

cost Sunday and ending with the Sunday before Labor Day. This is a

spiritual (red) season (as adapted by Bowen) during which we focus on

the gift of the Holy Spirit (as promised by Jesus), the birth of the

Church, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and our

spiritual journey as individuals and as a congregation.

KINGDOMTIDE SEASON (green)…Twelve Sundays immediately af-

ter Labor Day and ending with the Sunday of Christ the King (white).

This is a growth (green) season during which we focus on our decision

to follow Jesus as Disciples and our service to Him as we serve one an-

other, especially the strangers and sojourners in our community.

Second Sunday

Report

The Results:

December 7th-

Our Congregation brought

10 bags of canned food and

bread mixes and other

assorted food items!

Our Next Challenge:

January 12th–

Soup and Crackers

Also, there is always a

need for Breakfast Items

and Instant Potatoes.

Please remember, if for some

reason you cannot attend

church on the second

Sunday, you can always

drop items off at the church

office.

Cash contributions are also

accepted and appreciated.

Week 1- Lydia Hooper

Week 2- Gabby Malner

Week 3- Logan Cassidy

Week 4- Tatum Jones

Doris Smith, Judy Paugh, Linda Brake,

Billie Bowen

Steve Savage

Eunice Mundy

Debbie Manus

Rita Farris

January 5th- Wesley Covenant

Service

January 12th - Matthew 3:13-17

January 19th - John 1:35-42

January 26th- Matthew 4:12-17

Week 1- Joanna Suarez

Week 2- Tara & Trey Wood

Week 3- Gina Hagan

Week 4- TBA

Week 1- Dave Moon, Art Richard

Week 2- Tom Murphy, Al Fleming

Week 3- Jack Legg, Marty Seltzer

Week 4- Jimmy Bolton, Lee Hagan

TBA

1/1 Samantha Clark, Ashlynn Harbin, Inez Mize

1/4 Sadie Beauchamp

1/5 Jan Roe

1/6 Beverly Stansell

1/7 Rita Farris

1/9 Scott Martin

1/10 Chartee Pratt, Janet Hodsdon

1/12 Margie Brown, Rory McClintock

1/16 Bryan Harbin, Zoe Phillips

1/25 Lisa Marshburn, Annabel Seltzer

1/26 Rick Massey

1/27 Tyler Wilson

1/29 Laura Bruce

1/30 Tara Beauchamp, Sid Major, Joe Tiller

1/31 Marie Canady, Barbara Reid

1/12 Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Parham

1/20 Drs. Sam and Joanna Suarez

1/25 Mr. and Mrs. Chad Gregory

Prayers for Healing:

Mike Hand, brother-in-law of Brenda Meadows

Janet Rzewnicki, Joyce Phillips’ sister

Molly Jewell Farmer

Judy Beasley, friend of Billie Bowen

Ronnie Bagwell, brother of Linda Lamb

Joy Hodges, request of Gina Hagan

Swayne Anderson, father of Maxine Seagraves

Charles Jones, request of Trish Edwards

Sewell family, request of Disciple 1

Anne Bumgardner, request of Debbie Manus

Joel Benton, son of Lucy Benton

George Rodriguez, request of Rose Richard

Judy Buffington

JP Stanley, request of Peggy Purcell

Peyton Minish, friend of Billie Bowen

Wayne Jackson, grandfather of Josh and Beverly Miller

Mary Margaret Mudge, Aunt of Susan Gieler

Jessica Rice, request of Anna Diemond

Anderson Krieger, requested by Margaret Brand

Calvin Smith, Father of Renee Moon

Ted Shelton, requested by John Malner

Grant Terrell, Requested by Dave Moon

Kelly Simmonds, sister in law of Tara Beauchamp

Linda Hendrix, friend of Janet Hodsdon

Sam McClure, brother of Betty Ayers

Shea Dewberry Gilbert, requested by Billie and David Bowen

Emmy Lou, newborn great-granddaughter of Louise Wright

Jackson Mauldin, requested by Kristin Hill

C.L. Wilder, requested by Jeff Lance

Amanda, daughter of Brenda Duckett

Cheryl Hulberg, sister of Eric Parkhill

Chris Harmon

Kim Candido, niece of Billie and David Bowen

Ken Klaus

Yolani Ramirez, request of Louellen Besuden

Christian Canup

Ray Sears, brother of Betty Fisher

John Mandeville, brother -in -law of David & Billie Bowen

Voncile Lee, mother of Debbie Manus

Ernestine Dickerson, Mother of Edith Nix’s daughter in law

Lisa Wilson, cousin of Al Fleming

Erica Wuerzner, niece of David and Billie Bowen

Alvin Hogg

Emma Bush, request of Betty Hoyt

Clair Drew, wife of CHS principal

Cathleen Anderson, mother of Maxine Seagraves

Shirley Martin, requested by Brenda Meadows

Vivian Humphrey, mother of John Sergent

Roman Byrum, son of June Murphy’s friend

Barry Wilson, brother of Ron Wilson

Ruth Morris, sister in law of Reece Morris

Billie Williams, grandmother of Becky Huss

Elbert Fleming, grandfather of McKenzie Smith & Kelly Cassidy

Callie, requested by Michelle Karles

Julia and Craig Cafaro, daughter in law and son of Janis and Eric Parkhill

Ed Sweeney, request of Mike Sales

Marie Sweeney, request of Mike Sales

Lynn Simonton, mother of Michelle Karles

Marty Seltzer

Robert Phillips, father of Dr. Kinsey Phillips

Steve Williams, requested by Michelle Karles

Susan Wuerzner, sister of Billie Bowen

Emily Booth, request of Kathleen Hooper

Barbara Sweetser

Prayers for Peace:

Joan Bailey, requested by Stephanie & Cathleen Hill

Prayer for peace and healing for the family of Betty Brannon.

Betty passed away on Friday, December 13th.

Please pray for the family of Jim Smith. He lost a long hard fought battle with cancer. He was Mckenzie Smith and Kelly

Cassidy's uncle who lived in Thompson Georgia.

It’s a New Year and with that comes the opportunity to make the Children’s

Ministry everything we wish for it to be…and that means including you in all

of our decisions…are you ready for 2014??

Wonderful Wednesday starts back on Wednesday, January 15th! We meet in

the gym at 5:15 for free-play time and break into age appropriate groups at

5:30 to begin our lesson. Pick up is at the Sanctuary Ramp at 6:15. All chil-

dren age 3 to 12 are invited to attend and to enjoy the music and games, Bible

story, and craft time that we have at each session. The Wonderful Wednesday

Team looks forward to seeing everyone!

Everyone interested in the Children’s Ministry is invited to attend a Children’s Ministry Planning

Meeting on Wednesday, January 15th during Wonderful Wednesday. We will meet in the Family Life

Center at 5:30 to discuss the formation of a Children’s Council – an advisory group that will assist with

event planning and decision-making. Please join us so that 2014 is the best year it can possibly be for

our children!

Acolyte Training will be held on Sunday, January 26th during Sunday School time. All children in the

Warrior Sunday School class (grades 3,4,5) are invited to attend the training whether they are experi-

enced acolytes or brand new! Parents are invited to attend so you can learn how your child can serve

during Worship.

Volunteers are needed for Children’s Church and for the Nurseries. Sign-up sheets for January –

March will be upstairs in the Sunday School area. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us!

We are looking forward to a year full of adventure and growth in Christ…

In His Love,

Gina

Youth will continue meeting as schedule on

Wednesdays and Sundays at 5:30 pm. Please

watch your email for a possible MLK day

youth gathering.

Men’s 2014 Breakfast Schedule

Calling all Men! On the last Sunday of each

month there is a men’s fellowship breakfast

at the area churches. The breakfast begins

at 8:00 am, and will rotate at a different

church each month. Here is the schedule

for 2014:

January UMC

February Mt. Calvary

March CPC

April FBC

May UMC

June & July skip

August CPC

September FBC

October UMC

November & December skip

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 3

Rev. Dr. David G. Bowen, Senior Pastor

16 Cherry St.

Commerce, GA 30529

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

706-335-4018 (Office)

706 335-2031 (Fax)

Email us at: cmcoffice@windstream.net

Visit us online at: WWW.COMMERCEFUMC.ORG

Like us on FACEBOOK!