Rev. Jim Smith ................................................................. Senior Minister Rev. Noel Perez .................. Associate Minister for Hispanic Ministries Rev. David Warlick ........................................... Minister of Worship Arts

200 South Lee Street Americus, Georgia 31709 229-924-3169

www.fumcamericus.com office@fumcamericus.com

November 17, 2013

Several church members have asked me about recent news stories they

heard about or read about regarding a United Methodist Bishop conducting

a same-sex wedding ceremony and about other United Methodist ministers

who have vowed to follow suit. This is what I have learned.

On October 26 retired Bishop Melvin Talbert defied the Discipline of the

United Methodist Church and the teaching of the Scriptures by performing a

same-sex marriage ceremony between two men in Alabama.

This action by retired Bishop Talbert violates the 2012 Book of Discipline

of the United Methodist Church which states, “Ceremonies that celebrate

homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be

conducted in our churches.”(P341.6, p.270)

Even though the ceremony in Alabama was not conducted in a United

Methodist church, it was conducted by a United Methodist minister (Bishop

Talbert). Bishop Talbert’s action was also a breach of covenant with Bishop

Debbie Wallace-Padgett, resident Bishop of the North Alabama Conference,

who asked Bishop Talbert not to come into her area and carry out this action.

There have been reports of other United Methodist ministers elsewhere who

have vowed to violate the Book of Discipline on this issue as well. For further

comments on the Talbert action, read the editorial by Good News President

Rob Renfroe entitled “Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett Deserves Better and

So Do We” (Nov/Dec 2013). Dr. Timothy Tennent, President of Asbury

Theological Seminary, concurs with this editorial in a recent blog.

The following statement is found in the 2012 Book of Discipline

concerning the church’s understanding of marriage:

“We affirm the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a woman.” (P161.b, p.109)

You can communicate your concern to our District Superintendent,

Dr. Wayne Moseley, and to our Bishop, Bishop James King. Call our church

office at 924-3169 for their emails and addresses. Ask Bishop King to

encourage the Council of Bishops to take appropriate action against Bishop

Talbert for his violation of church law and Scriptural teaching and to hold

accountable other United Methodist ministers who have followed this same

course of action. I would encourage you to always communicate with courtesy

and respect. Also, avoid demonizing those with whom you disagree and

always refrain from name-calling and using inflammatory language.

Jim

A TROUBLING ACTION

Welcome, Guests, to Americus First United Methodist Church! We are glad you are here and hope you worship with us again.

We invite you to join our congregation. If you are interested in membership,

call Rev. Jim Smith at 924-3169.

Americus First United Methodist Church

MORNING WORSHIP November 17, 2013 — 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

PRE-WORSHIP MUSIC Alwen Yeung

WELCOME Rev. Jim Smith GREETING AND WELCOME CHORUS — Surely the Presence ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. David Warlick

(Please fill out your communication card and place it in the offering plate later in worship.)

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Will Reeves and Tate Young

*HYMN OF PRAISE #140 — Great Is Thy Faithfulness

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH #881 — The Apostles’ Creed

*GLORIA PATRI #71 — Glory Be to the Father

PASTORAL PRAYER, LORD’S PRAYER #895 Rev. Jim Smith

CHORAL RESPONSE — Threefold Amen (James A. Kriewald)

ANTHEM — A Quiet Place (Ralph Carmichael; Phillip Keveren, arr.)

Chancel Choir

3K to 2nd Grade Children dismissed to Children’s Worship with Christie Umpleby.

*HYMN OF PREPARATION #130 — God Will Take Care of You

SCRIPTURE READING — Habakkuk 1-3 Rev. Jim Smith

THE MESSAGE — Living By Faith Rev. Jim Smith Sermon Series: Stories from the Old Testament … Why They Matter

TITHES, OFFERINGS and COMMUNICATION CARDS OFFERTORY PRAYER Rev. Jim Smith OFFERTORY — Come, Christians, Join to Sing (Spanish Hymn; Simpson, arr.)

Handbell Choir

*DOXOLOGY #95

*BENEDICTION Rev. Jim Smith

*POSTLUDE Mark Watford, Organist

Sammy Bledsoe and Travis Warlick, Audio Techs

Pat Duff, Visual Tech

* Congregation stands.

Please see an usher for an assisted listening device.

9:00 Greeters for November 17, 2013 Lynda Lee and Frank Purvis

11:00 Greeters for November 17, 2013 Front Door - MaryLen and Carson Walker North Door - Ann Entrekin South Door - Joan Anderson and Fan Wilcox

11:00 Ushers for November 17, 2013 Captain Jay Cliett, Bill Bird, Jamie Collier, George Ellis, Bill Kipp,

Floyd Martin, Ted McMillan, Bobby McNeill, Kevin Reeves, Sonny Shealy, Brian Simmons, Bobby Strange, George Torbert, Jay Umpleby,

Rusty Whaley, Jim West, Ryan Young

November 17, 2013 GREETERS AND USHERS

Georgia Anne Arthur, Sue Bailes, Sherrell Bailey, Sue Bradley, Gail Brown, Beth Carroll, Rickey Carter, Freddie Dudley, Matthew “MJ” Benson-Dursse,

Walt Grant, Steve Griffin, Billy Horne, Anne Hurst, Yvonne Iverson, Barbara Kinnamon, Cooper Kurth, Norinne Lowell, Gene Malcom, Augusta Mathis, Ben McMahan, Bobby McNeill, Rebecca McNeill,

Colton Moore, Vickie Moore, Sandra Murray, Casey Mason Norton, Chris Norton, Jack Partain, Ginger Perkins, Geri Smarr, Brenda Stanfield,

Betty Teasley, Liz Turpin, Rodney Vance, Hazel Waller, Julian Webb, James Wiggins, Louise Wiggins, and Keith Wilson

Prayer Pager: Walton Grant 928-1482

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Americus First United Methodist Church

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP November 17, 2013

9:00 a.m.

“Living by Faith” Habakkuk 1-3 Sermon Series:

Stories from the Old Testament . . . Why They Matter

Rev. Jim Smith

Praise Team

Christi Barr, Leader/keyboards, acoustic guitar and vocals

Paul Farr, percussion; Stephen Thompson, electric guitar

Travis Warlick, Audio Tech

Mark your Calendar

November 15-17 — Youth Fall Retreat to Rockridge November 17-24 — Christmas Shoebox Pickup November 20 6:30 pm FUMC Charge Conference November 25 ___ Youth & College students to Operation Christmas Child Collection Center November 27 — NO Wednesday activities December 4 4:30 pm Deck the Halls December 4 5:45 pm Fellowship Supper and Christmas Songs by various choirs December 8 11:00 am Christmas Cantata December 9 7:00 pm Christmas Cantata December 11 6:15 pm Paper Bag Christmas Pageant December 18 2:00 pm Birthday Party for Jesus December 24 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Communion and Candlelight Service December 25 12:00 pm Christmas Community Dinner

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Reminder:

You may make donations to the church

by automatic draft. To do so, just call Elaine

in the finance office at 924-3169.

Membership: 978 Total Worship Attendance: 373

9:00 Worship Attendance .... 111 Hispanic Worship Attendance ......105 11:00 Worship Attendance .... 157 Hispanic Offering ......................$1,010 Sunday School Attendance ... 204 Hispanic Offering YTD ............$24,688 UMYF ...................................... 36 Benevolent Fund YTD ...... $5,807 Budget Giving .................. $7,748 Budget Giving YTD ....... $679,509

OUR RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS

Wednesday, November 20, 2013. 6:30 p.m. Social Hall

All leaders and members are encouraged to attend to hear the reports of the church and vote on items for the upcoming year.

FUMC CHARGE CONFERENCE

We are proud to announce the birth of Peyton Renee Segovia on November 3, 2013. He is the son of Jessica Renee and David Rene Segovia and the little brother of Aubrey and Allie. Beaming great grandparents are Peggy and Jess Mitchell. The rose on the altar at 9:00 worship is in honor of Renee.

We are proud to announce the birth of Eli Finn Rowland on June 6, 2013. He is the son of Ami and Jack Rowland and little brother of Jamie, Art and Ty. The rose on the altar at 9:00 worship is in honor of Eli.

NEW BABIES IN CHURCH FAMILY

5:45 p.m. Wednesday Fellowship Supper 6:15 p.m. Children’s GLOW Clubs and Choirs 6:15 p.m. Youth Bible Study 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Practice ********* Adult Growth Groups—check out times on bulletin board in Education Building & sign up.

This Wednesday’s Menu: Chicken and Dumplings, Lima Beans, Salad, Biscuits, Cake

Make reservations on your communication card or call the church office on Monday.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES

Remember to bring items (or a donation) for children to use to pack shoeboxes by Tuesday, November 19.

If you took home a shoebox last Sunday remember to bring it back to worship with you on

November 24 when the shoeboses will be blessed.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Welcome, Michelle Andrews, who joined our church on Sunday,

November 10, 2013, along with her brother, Doug Gatian. She is

married to Dr. Ben Andrews; they have two children,

Ben Andrews and Taylor Michelle Andrews.

Welcome, Doug Gatian, who joined our church on Sunday,

November 10, 2013, along with his sister, Michelle Andrews.

Doug is married to Rosalind Gatian; they have two daughters,

Rachel and Roxanne.

NEW MEMBERS

In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, the United Methodist Committee

on Relief (UMCOR) is actively mobilizing resources to respond to this

latest and largest in a series of disasters to hit the Philippines over the

past twelve months.

The initial response from UMCOR will involve the distribution

of food and water purification tablets. In the coming weeks, UMCOR

will assess the viability of longer-term rehabilitation projects.

Through the connectional system of the United Methodist Church,

100% of your donations made to UMCOR through The Advance will

be given to the disaster - not to administrative costs. Monetary

donations enable UMCOR to resource those affected in ways that

are most useful.

Monetary donations can be made through our church.

Please make checks payable to FUMC and note The Philippines

or Advance #982450 on your check.

OUR RESPONSE TO THE PHILIPPINES

Sunday, November 17, 2013 7:45 a.m. United Methodist Men in the Social Hall 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship in the Social Hall 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Ferguson Growth Group in the Library Conference Room 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Praise Team Practice 2:00 p.m. Music Committee 4:30 p.m. Youth Band 5:00 p.m. Worship Committee 5:00 p.m. Prayer Connection in the Parlor 6:00 p.m. UMYF in The Foundry

Monday, November 18, 2013 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting in the Parlor 6:15 p.m. Warlick Growth Group at the home of Anne Hunter

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 12:00 p.m. Young at Hearts Catered Lunch in the Social Hall 5:30 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. Smith Growth Group at the home of Jim & Diane Smith

Wednesday, November 20, 2013 7:00 a.m. Youth Breakfast in the Café 4:30 p.m. Tripp Growth Group in Wesley Classroom 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper in the Social Hall 6:15 p.m. Youth Bible Study in the Foundry 6:15 p.m. GLOW Club and Children’s Choirs Upstairs Sanctuary Bldg. 6:15 p.m. Comer Growth Group in the Library Conference Room 6:15 p.m. Lowrey Growth Group in the Church Parlor 6:30 p.m. CHARGE CONFERENCE in the Social Hall 6:30 p.m. Just for Young Adults Growth Group in the Epworth Classroom 6:30 p.m. Shealy Growth Group in the Wesley Classroom 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Practice in the Choir Room

Thursday, November 21, 2013 12:00 p.m. Captain’s Table in the Library Conference Room

HAPPENING THIS WEEK

4th Sunday

Corn

&

Pork &

Beans

Poinsettias for the Sanctuary Poinsettias will grace both worship services beginning December 8. If you wish to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one, please complete this form, include your check and drop it in the offering plate or mail to the church at 200 S Lee Street. We will order 80 poinsettias at $15.00 each. Poinsettia sales are also used as a fund-raiser to help with flowers in Sunday services throughout the year.

Deadline is Monday, December 2.

Make checks payable to First UMC and note poinsettias on the memo line.

In honor of _______________________________________________________

By ______________________________________________________________

In memory of _____________________________________________________

By _______________________________________________________________

Will pick up after Christmas Eve ___

Use my check as a donation to the Flower Fund ____

In honor of ________________________ In memory of ___________________

By ______________________________________________________________

Group Questions

November 17, 2013

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-6 & 12-17; 2:1-4; 3:17-19

“Living By Faith”

1. Tell of an event in history or an event in your life that caused you to really wonder why God did not step in and do

something to stop what happened. Honestly, did the event cause you to ever question God’s existence?

2. Most of the prophets begin with God’s call to them to preach his word to his people, Israel. How does Habakkuk

begin?

3. Identify and describe Habakkuk’s first complaint to God? Have you ever made similar complaints either verbally

or silently to God?

4. What was God’s response to this complaint?

5. Identify and describe Habakkuk’s second complaint to God.

6. How did God respond to this complaint?

7. How does this response of God help us today?

8. In chapter 3, we have Habakkuk’s prayer response to God. What does Habakkuk appeal to in this chapter that

keeps his trust in God from just being wishful thinking? What more do we have today that we can appeal to, that keeps our trust in

God from just being wishful thinking?

Commit to memory Habakkuk 3:17-18.

2013

November 15-17, 2013 Advent Retreat “Come Away….

A Time for Comfort, A Time for Joy” A 3-day Retreat for

Mothers who Grieve Epworth by the Sea

Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Charge Conference

FUMC Sanctuary

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 Deck the Halls

Choirs Sing Christmas Songs FUMC Sunday School Rooms

Sanctuary and Social Hall

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Christmas Musical at 11:00 am

Sunday, December 8, 2013 Pastor’s Membership Class

Monday, December 9, 2013 Christmas Musical at 7:00 pm

FUMC Sanctuary

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Paper Bag Christmas Pageant FUMC Social Hall

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Birthday Party for Jesus FUMC Social Hall

Tuesday, December 24, 2013 Christmas Eve Communion

And Candlelight Service 5:00 pm FUMC Sanctuary

Wednesday, December 25, 2013 Christmas Community Dinner

FUMC Social Hall

2014

January 26-29, 2013 Epworth Winter Camp Meeting

“The Least of These” Epworth by the Sea

St. Simons Island, Georgia

January 24-26, 2014 February 10-12, 2014 February 24-26. 2-14

Woven Hearts Christian Women’s Quilting Retreat

Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons Island

Friday, February 7, 2014 Valentine Banquet

Social Hall

March 14-15, 2014 Spring Consignment Sale

Bright Beginnings FUMC Social Hall

July 14-18, 2014 Children’s Music & Arts Camp

FUMC

Calendar Dates for 2013-2014

Church Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9:00a to 5:00p

Friday: 9:00 a.m. to noon Friday is Jim’s, David’s,

and Charles’ day off.

Finance Office Hours Monday - Thursday:

9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon