Letter of Thanks

Dear Friends,

First off, thank you so much for helping me be able to keep a roof over my son and my head. I just wanted to ask you to keep us in your prayers as we go through thisrough patch. Thank you very much and have a blessed day.

Kathrine Okum (rent assistance from Love & Needy)

First News is a regular publication for members and friends of First United Methodist Church. Articles for the newsletter should be submitted to the Church Office no later than the 15th of the month before the Newsletter goes out.Church Office Hours: Monday – Friday – 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone (804) 458-8076Visit our website: www.fumchopewell.orgChris Andress., Senior Pastor Nancy Honaker, OrganistPatti Williams, Admin. Asst. Gloria Donati, CustodianDennis Foxworth, Lay Leader Margie E. Dowden, Nursery AttendantJudy L. Blevins, Director of Music Cindy Altman , Chapel Pianist/Children’s Choir Director

First News Non-Profit OrganizationFirst United Methodist Church U. S. Postage

P. O. Box 636 PAIDHopewell, Virginia 23860-0636 Hopewell, Virginia

Permit No. 32Address Service Requested

FIRST NEWS.......................................Welcome Fall! U M C First United Methodist Church, Hopewell, VA

October 2016

Hello Church,

On Saturday, September 17, a couple members of First United Methodist Church and I went to the welcome celebration worship service of our new Bishop, Sharma D. Lewis! It was a wonderful, long, worshipful celebration. Many, many choirs, past bishops who originated from Virginia and a responseto the charge by our new bishop who is on fire and is calling for our conference to get on fire for making disciples! She called us the stir it up! Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:16:

For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Stir it up, fan the flame, keep it ablaze, kindle anew the gift God gave you. Weare not in a private social club worried about more members for bragging rights. We are in the business of transformation. The transformation that can only happen when you experience grace and let it do its work in you and through you. We are not just about transforming individuals, our purpose it to transform the world by, with, and for Christ. So, it is time to stir up the gift that God gave you so we can transform Hopewell and the world by the grace of Jesus Christ!

Yours in Christ,Chris

COMMUNITY SINGSPIRATIONCOMES TO FIRST METHODIST

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9th at 4:00 PM

Sing your favorite old and new hymns! Meet old and new friends! Leave uplifted and inspired!

Come and sing for joy!****

Dinner on the Grounds

Don’t forget October 16th , there will be a “Dinner on the Grounds” meal following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. We will continue our celebration of 100 years of ministry in Hopewell. Fried chicken will be provided by FUMC and

everyone is invited to bring a covered dish. This will be held in the church parking lot. Hope to see you there!

OCTOBER - STEWARDSHIP

Ushers: D. Patrick, R. Anderson, D. Calloway, G. Hamilton, D. Johnson (5th Sunday: C. Elmore, V. Brundin, L. Frederiksen, C. Frank)Greeters: 8:45 a.m. Worship Service

October 2 - Christy FrankOctober 9 - Joyce Purr and Ben FarmerOctober 16 - June Capron and Curly MooreOctober 23 - Margie DowdenOctober 30 - Verna Brundin

11:00 a.m. Worship Service Bev Johnson and Tricia Patrick

Altar Flowers: All dates available

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYSDavid Richey (1), Trisha Ahn (3), John Conover (4), Madison Frank (5), Christy Frank (6), Tucker Martin (6), Dave Johnson (8), Max Kaufman (8), Marty Blaney (9), Helen Cross (9), Jack Seavy (10), Harold Shreves (11), Joe Orlando (12), Linda Lovelady (14), Bristol Pierce (17), Shirley Bishop (19), Angie Hildreth (19), Mike Moosman (19), Bobbie Lee (20), James Gay (21), Audra Honaker (21), Robert Moseley (21), Libe Houser (22), Robert Moody (22), Jackie Tatum (22), Abby Williamson (22), Colton Dobbs (23), Tyler Smith (25), Kathy Felton (26), Anne Kitchen (28), Beverly Johnson (30), Lisa Martin (30), Larry Hildreth (31)

OPERATIONCHRISTMAS

CHILD

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIESFrank and Josie Cuffe (10), Kim and Richard Taylor (21), John and Louise Conover (23), Todd and Jan Butterworth (25), Bill and Anne Page Henry (26)

Treasurer’s Report for month ending August 30, 2016:Operating fund:

Beginning balance as of 7/31/16……….. $15,176.38Income for August…………………………….. 20,836.50Adjustment for ck # 6334 6.00Expenses for August …………………………. (18,994.90)Balance as of 8/31/16 ………………………. 17,023.98

Designated Funds Balance …………………………. 40,892.73Money Market Balance ……………………………… 55,392.78Love & Needy (Separate Checking Account) …….. 500.00

IF ANYONE NEEDS OFFERING ENVELOPES,PLEASE CONTACT PATTI WILLIAMS IN THE CHURCH OFFICE.

COUNTERS NEEDED

Any guesses as to who is pointing? FUMC, your church, needs you!The Offering Counter teams are still in need of a few volunteers. If you can spare a couple of hours on Sunday after the 11 AM service every other month: if you can handle addition and subtraction; and…. If you feel that

hand is pointing at you, please use your fingers to dial/click Carl Brundin at 804-862-8749 (H), 757-692-5524 (C), or CebJr40@aol.com.

You may remember that Operation ChristmasChild is an outreach project that delivers great joy to millions of children around the world through shoeboxes that are lovingly andprayerfully packed with gifts that will bring delight to a child. After receiving ashoebox gift, the boys and girls are invited to enroll in a 12-lesson discipleshipprogram where children learn what it means to faithfully follow Christ and sharetheir faith with others.This will be the third year that FUMC is participating in Operation Christmas Child.Our goal is 50 shoeboxes. Please consider helping us bring fun and joy tochildren around the world by participating in this outreach project. Youcan…

Pack a shoebox at home with small gifts and return it to church for shipping. This can be a wonderful and meaningful family experience. Give your child/grandchild a few dollars and take them shopping for gifts that they would like to have themselves. Let them help you pack the gifts in a shoebox to be given to a needy child who is the same age, but who might not receive any other gifts than what is packed in the shoebox.

Donate a gift item or two that will be combined with other gifts to fillshoeboxes. Gift suggestions for children ages 2-14 are toys, school supplies,non-liquid hygiene items and accessories that a child might like (t-shirts,socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, etc.). The collection bin islocated at the end of the main hallway on the first floor of the educationbuilding.

Make a monetary donation to help with shipping costs or to purchase additional gifts that may be needed. Make check payable to First UMC; note OCC on the memo line.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS MISSION PROJECT! The deadline for donations is Sunday, November 13 th .

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

NEWS AND UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

The United Methodist Women will host a special Lasagna Lunch on October 2nd after the 11:00 church service. Join us as we kick off our Fall with homemade Lasagna, salad, bread and of course desserts!

October 9th – UMW Day

October 29th – UMW Annual Meeting at the Good Shepherd UMC

November 6th – District Fall Day Apart

The annual Yard and Bake Sale will be November 19th at First United Methodist Church. Items may be brought to the church the week prior. Please see your Circle Chair if you have any questions.

December 5th – UMW Christmas Party

Days for Girls – Visit to Vienna Presbyterian Church

Verna Brundin and Dale Lipke visited the Vienna Presbyterian Church where the Days for Girls hygiene kits are being put together. Thank you to everyone who has assisted in this worthy cause.

UNITED METHODIST MEN

NEWS AND UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

On Saturday, October 8th, the UMM will hold its first meeting of the fall at Rosa’s restaurant at 8:00 a.m. Dick Commander from the Food Pantry will be our speaker.

NEIGHBOORHOOD OUTREACH

As we near the end of 2016, and we become even busier than we thought possible, please remember that we have a few more activities planned that give us an opportunity to Connect with our Community. These are very important activities and we ask for your continued support. Mark your calendars and join us!

Saturday, October 22nd at 5:00pm – Trunk or Treat along with a Free Hot Dog Cookout. Very popular event last year and we anticipate more than 100 attendees again this year. Look for more info on the event elsewhere inthis Newsletter.

Saturday, November 26th at 5:00pm – Free Soup and Sandwich Supper in the Fellowship Hall. Brunswick Stew and Pilgrim Soup on the menu. Let’s share our bountiful blessings with our neighbors.

Sunday, December 4th (time to be determined) – FUMC will again participate in the Hopewell Christmas Parade followed by free food in the Fellowship Hall.

Let’s do whatever it takes to Connect our Community to Christ! Come join the fun and fellowship!

God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all of the dirt offof you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff—including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then, He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

“TRUNK OR TREAT”Your help is needed on Sat, Oct. 22nd as we will have our annual

“Trunk or Treat” event for our own church children along with neighborhood children. Last year there were over 100 children participating! Plan to give out candy or small treats out of the trunk of your vehicle 5:00 – 6:00 PM. You are invited to decorate your vehicle and also dress in custom! There will also be a snack supper provided. This is a great time of fun and fellowship, so come join the fun!

If you are not able to participate, but would like to help, we welcome bags of individually wrapped candy or treats. There is a container at the end of the main hallway.

Calling all chili cooks

Think you have the best chili around? We will be sponsoring a Chili Cook Off on Saturday, November 5th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The proceeds will benefit Family Ministries. There will be a $10 entry fee for each participant. Watch your Sunday bulletin for more information and registration forms.

SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR OCTOBER“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.” Phillipians 3:10

The Cross and Flame has been the official symbol of the United Methodist Church since 1968. It is known the world over and provides instantrecognition, meaning and a sense of belonging for us.

The United Methodist Church Cross and Flame logo was adopted shortly after the merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. It relates The United Methodist Church to God through Christ (the cross) and the Holy Spirit (the flame). The flame is a reminder of Pentecost when witnesses were unified by the power of the Holy Spirit and saw "tongues, as of fire" (Acts 2:3).The two tongues of a single flame may also be understood to represent the union of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and The MethodistChurch denominations.

As we get to know God more the flame in our souls brightens and our light shines as a reflection of Christ.

Anna sings in THE KING AND I, “Getting to know you, getting to know all about you…suddenly I’m bright and breezy because of all the beautiful andnew things I’m learning about you.” If that’s true about the King of Siam, it’s much more true about the King of Kings.

Our Christian faith is a personal relationship with God. Prayer and Biblestudy are our conversations with God, our ever-present friend. We need to kindle a fire of worship in our hearts and let the Holy Spirit fan it to flames.

HOPEWELL FOOD PANTRYThe Hopewell Food Pantry was organized by a group of local churches in 1983 toprovide emergency food to individuals and families who were in Temporary crisis -waiting for their food stamps to begin. Over the past 30 years the Hopewell FoodPantry has expanded our mission to serve Hopewell families who need food.

“We draw support from our community. Local churches, organizations, businesses,individuals, and the City of Hopewell provide a large amount of support. Along withthem, the Cameron Foundation, the John Randolph Foundation, and the United Wayare the reason we are able to complete our mission year after year. Because of ourcommunity supporters, the quality and quantity of food provided to people in need

has not been reduced, even in the recession” reports Dick Commander the HFPvolunteer director who has been working with the HFP for 12 years.

The HFP is open for food donations and for client needs Mon, Wed, and Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The new address is 903 W. City Point Road, across from Vergara Cleaners.

All are welcome to stop by the brand new facility at 903 W. City Point Road. Monetary contributions may be mailed to HFP, PO Box 1532, Hopewell, VA 23860. Visit their website at www.hopewellfoodpantry.com to see the gallery of new photos. Also, on the website photos are posted of The Shepherd’s Place thrift shop where you will find the best prices in town. You will be amazed to find really cool household items, books and fashionable clothes for the entire family. Your business is very much appreciated by its volunteer staff.

Staple food donations for the HFP from FUMC may be placed in our HFP bin located at the end of our church’s main hallway downstairs. The following items are always needed:

Peanut Butter, Canned Tuna & Chicken, Low Sodium Veggies

Fruits Packed in Juice, Spaghetti Sauce (no glass), Canned or Dry Beans

Hot & Cold Cereal, Whole Graine Snacks

THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE DISASTER RECOVERY MINISTRY sent a thank you letter for the use of our parsonage over the summer.

THE HOPEWELL FOOD PANTRY expressed their appreciation of our support.

We received a nice letter from SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREW for our generous gift and support in working toward a world without hunger.

We received a thank you note from THE RED BIRD MISSION for our support.

Your magazine donations are appreciated by our shut-ins and customersat the Shepherds Place.

Our mission’s committee members continue to sell fine coffees to support the UMCOR-qualified coffee growers on the fourth Sunday of each month. The next sale will be on Sunday morning, October 23rd. We received a thank you letter from UMCOR for our continued support.

The Mission’s Committee thanks you for your continuing generous help to fulfill our mission goals for 2016.

DIVINE INTERVENTIONS

On June 11th, Randy and Tootie Rainey were visiting the gravesite of their daughter, Karen, a young mother, who had been killed by a drunk driver 24 years ago. With them was Karen’s daughter, Jilian, whom they raised since her mother’s passing. It was a very emotional time as they remembered

their beloved Karen. Now that Jilian is a young mother herself to Aiden, she realized the special love that her mother had for her. “A beautiful dragonfly began flying around us and three different times it landed on Randy, and then flew away. We were amazed when it came back and landed on each of us. There are no words to describe what happened but it was very comforting and powerful. Each of us was deeply affected.”“The following week, Aiden and her husband noticed tiny flashes of light on the baby monitor for three nights. The next morning Jilian found a dead dragonfly on the floor of Aiden’s room. The flashes of light had been the reflection of light of its wings.”Jilian was three years old when her mother was killed by a drunk driver. Aiden had just turned three. Jilian had just turned 27 and Karen was 6 days from her 27th birthday when she lost her life.Randy and Tootie believe, “God’s hand is in everything and that He sometimes shows his love and compassion for us in mysterious ways. For us it was on the wings of a dragonfly.”

On January 16, 2015, a ruby crested kinglet kept flying at CarolynHoagland’s sister’s window at home in Glen Allen. It was her birthday. The tinylittle bird continued sitting on the ledge for most of the day. That evening when Carolyn and her sister got together she showed me a picture of this bird. Carolyn said that, “Four days later, I was sitting in my car at Weston Plantation when a ruby crested kinglet flew at my windshield and then continued sitting on my rear view mirror. It would fly up into the tree and then return to my car looking in the windows. This continued for about twenty minutes. My sister and I both feel this was our mother, a lover of birds,

sending us a message. We believe it was the same bird. I have watched birds for most of my life and I have never seen a ruby crested kinglet before or since.”

A few weeks after Beverly’s Uncle Ben’s funeral, Dave and Beverly Johnson were returning to her Uncle Ben’s house in North Carolina to visit his wife, Lillie. “Driving along the country highway surrounded by tobacco fields, a magnificent eagle swooped down very low and flew ahead of us for several minutes. Uncle Ben had always loved eagles. He was officially named BEN WHITE EAGLE by his adopted Indian tribe. He wrote fictional Indian storiesabout eagles. “After his passing, Uncle Ben’s two foot tall eagle sculpture was given to us. We have never seen an eagle flying so low before. This was in an area far from rivers or lakes where eagles are not usually seen.” Now wheneverBeverly sees an eagle she is reminded of that special day and Uncle Ben’s love.

Submitted by Ellen W. Rose, close friend of Beverly Johnson: My younger brother, Charles, died in November, 2012. He was only 54. His greatest passion was deer hunting with his accomplished daughter, Stephanie. One could only laugh in awe at their deer blind deep in the woods—complete with easy chair and carpet!The following year our family gathered for All Saints Day at their family’s church in New Bern, NC. When Stephanie arrived a bit late, my sister greeted her by saying, “Thank you for coming. Charles would love knowing you came.” Quickly and quietly Stephanie replied, “I know. I’ve already seen him this morning.” We were stunned at her response but anxious to hear her explanation:

“Coming down I-40 this morning,” Stephanie recalled, “a deer ran into the road in front of me. But he didn’t dash to the other side. Instead he ran right infront of my car down the busy interstate for what seemed like minutes (probably less than a minute in reality) before darting off back into the woods. I could just hear Charles chiding me, “Hurry up! You’ll be late to my service.” The emotional words of the beautiful service, the lovely songs, and the inspiring candles lit on the wall for each person who had died that year were nothing compared to the reassurance we felt knowing Charles was well and still his ever-loving self in the form of a deer who chose to run ahead of a car on I-40 that morning.

Submitted by Pastor Chris: A month after we arrived at First UMC, my dad died. Soon after, I noticed a robin sitting on the ledge of my office window. For several days, perhaps weeks, that robin was on my ledge. Itwould tap on the window … endlessly. Then I said, “Dad, it’s not funny anymore! My dad used to push jokes to far all the time! It was his specialty! I joked with the robin, saying. “Dad, I never knew you were Buddhist! Coming back as a robin! Funny, isn’t it? But wait, there’s more! That robin built a nest in my office window. And that nest soon had a couple eggs in it! “Dad?!! How do you explain this, Dad?”God used that Robin to bring some joyful moments in those early days of grief.

By faith Christians are assured of Jesus’s promise of everlasting life. (See Matthew 19: 29, Luke 18:30, John 3:16, 3:36, 4:14, 5:24, 6:27, 6:40, 6:47, and 12:50).By sight God works in mysterious ways to show us that love is a gift that never dies.

*****

More happenings like these may be submitted to Beverly Johnson.

Children’s Ministries

Sunday Morning Education at 11:00AM

Age 3-grade KThis group will be utilizing the Deep Blue Curriculum which includes adventure, exciting stories, science experiments, arts and crafts, animated video storytelling, and active games-all combined into a living-faith experience that will help children of this age group discover what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ today!

Grade 1- 5

Children’s Choir

Children’s Choir with Cindy Altman will be offered on the 1st and 2nd Sunday of the month at 11:00AM for those who would like to particiapte. The children will be singing on the 3rd Sunday of the month.

Pioneer Club

We are planning to have our Fall Session starting Sunday October 2 through Sunday October 23 for ages 3 through grade 5 from 4:00PM to 6:00 PM.

Volunteers are needed for the rotation stations during 11:00AM:

October 16 October 23 October 30November 20 November 27 November 27

Volunteers are needed for Pioneer Club :

We pray that you will consider volunteering your talents one Sunday during the year for this exciting ministry.

Any questions or additonal information for volunteering please contact Kim Taylor.