The Methodist Message

Metter United Methodist Church www.metterumc.com July 2017

Casting a Vision

This past month (June) was mine and my family’s one year anniversary of being in Metter, GA. What a year! We

have been so blessed by your hospitality and your generosity to our family. We truly feel at home at Metter UMC

and in Metter!

In terms of how at home we feel here, it barely feels like a few months have gone by. In terms of how much has

been accomplished, it feels like much longer than a year.

Worship attendance along with Wednesday night participation is up. We put down new flooring throughout the

main building of the church, and we are in the process of reroofing the entire church. We put together and sent off

over 100 Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. We created a new Youth Director position and hired Tripp

Anderson to lead our youth in January. He is doing great things with our youth and the community. Paige Jones

came on as our Children’s Director and we have exciting things planned for our children.

I can’t list everything we’ve done together over this past year! It’s been so exciting!

As I think about our future and the days ahead, I wanted to share with you my heart. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where

there is no vision, the people perish.” While we have experienced great things together and we are riding a great

wave of positive momentum, I want us as a church to have a clear vision moving forward. I want us to be able to see

where we are going and how we are going to get there.

In August, I am going to be sharing with our leadership a vision I feel like God has stirred in my heart for our

church. I would appreciate your prayers. And I would also appreciate hearing your vision for our church.

Recently, I asked you on Sunday morning, “What makes you come alive?” And I talked about how we need to find

out what makes us come alive because what the world needs is more people doing what makes them come alive.

Well, I would love for you to share with me, “What makes this church come alive?” Where have you seen Metter

UMC come alive in the past? Where do you see it coming alive in the future?

I think our future is bright! I am excited to be your Pastor, and I am excited to see where God leads us!

Pastor Allen

Tidings from Tripp: Hey y'all! As we continue to finish off the summer, we are not slowing down! Sunday nights and bible study will continue on

through July. When back to school hits, the youth will have a back to school retreat from August 4-6. This will

involve Friday night with worship/games at Metter UMC, Saturday in Statesboro, and Sunday night at Metter UMC ending with

our usual time. More details and sign ups to come very soon, so be on the lookout for it! God bless!

Prayer Concerns

Neally Alderman Tammy Brannen Corey Carpenter Roger Carter Sandra Chandler Delma Cowart Kenny Davis Coy Durden Al Edenfield Helen Flanders Jerry Hiers Charlotte Jameson John E. Jones, Sr. Regan King Gordon Lowe Jalvis Motes Jurue Owens Keith Rhiner Scotty Roessler Ben Rushing Brenda Snipes David Tinney Susan Vance Chris Webb Dora White Bennett Whitfield Tom Williams Joey Wright

Families who have lost loved ones:

Rusty Beasley Family Teresa Hughes Family W.J. Joiner Family Scotty Lawson Family Buddy McNair Family Sherill Motes Family Melanie Strange Family Military: Dan Chicola, Trey Neville, Heath Stuckey Missionaries: Whatleys (Navajo), Nelson (I See Jesus Ministries, Panama), Shafes (Mission: Hope-Congo), Coker/Cook Family (Thumbs UP Mission) Homebound: Annie Will Watson (Azalea Healthcare), Dr. & Mrs. Henry Sparks, Joe Minchew, Ben Heaton, Sandi Dowd, Mrs. Jean Hensley, Mrs. Betty Bell, Mrs. Jeannette Peterson

Our Stewardship: Sun., 6/4- Sun., 6/25, 2017

Attendance: 6/4 6/11 6/18 6/25 Sunday School 58 63 60 45 Morning Worship 107 141 151 112 Offering: Sunday School $39 $37 $58 $30 Morning Worship $6306.57 $6136 $5868 $2884

Communion Offering (6/4) $81.47 Red Bucket (5/28) $47.00 Back Pack Buddies (6/11) $117.31 VBS Offering (6/12) $81.77 Operation Christmas Child (6/18) $103.88 Methodist Children’s Home (6/25) $116.70 Donation for Youth (6/25) $100.00 Donation for Cokesbury Hymnals (6/25) $700.00 Memorials: In Memory of Woffard Joiner by Mr. & Mrs. Ray Tootle, Mr. & Mrs. Larry Bowen, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Coursey, Dr. & Mrs. Felix Johnston, Mr. & Mrs. Pernal Franklin

Endowment Fund Balance: $27,983.92 (as of 3/31/2017) (goal $100,000) Year to date contributions: $ 134,428.31 Year to date expenses: $ 128,361.77 (Amounts reported are through June 26, 2017) EMAIL ADDRESSES: Please use the following email addresses to contact the members of the staff. Emails of a general nature should be directed to Suzanne.

Church office (Suzanne) – info@metterumc.com Pastor Allen – pastor@metterumc.com Miriam Edenfield- worship@metterumc.com Tripp Anderson – youth@metterumc.com

July Birthdays: Beverly MacGregor (7/2), Jerri Wolff (7/2), Tanner Cason (7/3), Jill Powell (7/7), Henry Sparks (7/7), Ann Trapnell (7/8), Shirley Lott (7/10), Kathleen Tootle (7/10), Betty Bell (7/11), Jamie Edenfield (7/12), Ty Riggs (7/14), Brian Tootle (7/14), Doris Cook (7/16), Amy Hendrix (7/17), Ray Coursey (7/20), Jackie Watson (7/28), Jean Melton Furr (7/29), Nan Harrison (7/29) July Anniversaries: Felix & Judy Johnston (7/9), Al & Miriam Edenfield (7/10), Tom & Cheryl Williams (7/18), Matthew & Broni Gainous (7/24), Chris & Monica West (7/27)

Weekly Activities

Monday

The Bridge – 9 AM-11 AM Bend and Stretch - 4:30-5:30 PM Monday Night Bible Study - 6:30 PM

Tuesday Nursing Home Singers - 2:00-2:45 PM

Wednesday Bazaar Workshop – 9:30-11:30 AM Prayer Shawl Group – 1:00 PM Youth – 6:30 PM Choir - 6:30 PM

Thursday The Bridge – 9 AM-11 AM

Friday Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study (at JOMAX) – 6:30 AM 2nd Sunday monthly- Methodist Men’s Breakfast 8:00 AM – in the Social Hall

YOUTH – Sunday evenings at 5:30 PM Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM

August Newsletter Deadline – Please submit any news and information for the August 2017 newsletter to Suzanne in the church office by Monday, July 24. You can call the church office, send an email, talk to Suzanne personally, or drop a note into the offering plate. Remember, digital photos are always welcome.

Christmas Bazaar Ladies – Plans are being made for the final Christmas Bazaar for Metter United Methodist Church. The Bazaar will take place on October 28, 2017. We will again have tickets on sale with lunch being included. As you are making jelly or canning vegetables, please keep the Bazaar in mind. People love these items. If you paint, sew, crochet, knit, make jewelry or have some other creative talent, please make something we may sell. Ornaments and other handmade items are being made to sell. We will again have bid items. Remember the money made goes to missions, one within the church, within our area and a mission associated with United Methodist. We have been blessed each time to do this. This year our gently used items will be increased so there will be bargains along with handmade items. If you have Christmas or any other holiday items that you are not using please let Miriam Edenfield know. OCC Spotlight – Our Operation Christmas Child collection items for the month of July are school supplies. Throughout July and August, school supplies hit rock bottom prices. Keep in mind any type of school supplies are helpful for the children receiving these boxes. Items such as crayons, pencils, pens, markers, erasers, notecards, glue sticks, and any other type of school supplies are wonderful gifts to add. Bring your donation items to the green bin outside the fellowship hall. This year we will be having a church wide packing party on Sunday, November 5 at 5:00 PM. During the event, we will come together with all the items we have collected throughout the year and pack our boxes. It will be a fun time for all ages to share Jesus with children around the world. Mark the date on your calendar and make sure to come be a part of the fun! Happy Packing! – Kristen

Wise House – The Wise House, a facility to help women

overcome addiction and move forward with a positive way of life, is

in need of donations to help provide for the ladies who are living

and working there. Items that would be appreciated are boxes of

noodles (all types), shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, mayonnaise,

and coffee. Contact Al and Miriam Edenfield for more information.

We want to thank you for the visits, the calls, the cards, and especially the prayers for John through his heart surgery. We hope that you will continue to pray for his recovery. Jesus shows His love for us through people like

you. John and Jackie Jones

Pavers: Memorial/Honorary – The area outside of the church office contains pavers engraved with the names of loved ones that were purchased in honor or in memory. MUMC will be ordering another batch of pavers to be installed soon. Each paver costs $100 and may be given by individuals, families, or other groups. For more information, pick up an order form in the church office.

Flower Ministry - If you would like to provide altar flowers in the coming year, please contact Suzanne in the church office. If you are already on the list, but you would like to make a change in your assignment (different date, different partner, etc.), please let her know that as well. If you are already on the list and are happy with the assignment from 2016-17, there is no need to do anything. You will be re-assigned as before.

The Bridge – The Bridge is Candler County’s local outreach for helping those who are in need. The local food bank will not be available again until October. That means The Bridge will be hit hard with people who need food. Support The Bridge by giving non-perishable food items such as canned meats, canned vegetables, peanut butter and jelly, and other easy to prepare foods. A collection basket is located in the hall outside the Social Hall. The Bridge is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 until 11 AM. Consider volunteering your time to help with this worthy cause.

Women of Joy - The Women of Joy Conference for 2018 will be May 4-6, 2018. Reservations are being taken now. The fee is $25.00. The final cost will be determined by the number of participants, but it is usually $239- $269. The speakers in 2018 will be Lisa Harper, Sylvia Harney, Angela Thomas, Margaret Feinburg, and Crystal Evans Hirsh, Tony Evans’ daughter and Priscella Shirer’s sister. The music will be led by Charles Billingsley. The concert will be Jeremy Camp. Please contact Miriam Edenfield if you are interested. Don’t wait. It may fill up.

150th Tattnall Camp Meeting – Camp Meeting kicks off with a Gospel Sing on Saturday, July 15th at 7 PM. The sing will feature The Chuck Wagon Gang and The Perrys in concert. Services begin Sunday, July 16th at 7:30 PM with daily

services at 11 AM and 7:30 PM through Sunday, July 23rd at 11 AM. Camp Tattnall, for rising 3rd graders through 7th graders will be held that week. The day camp is daily from 10 AM until 1 PM and is for kids ages 3 through 5th grade. The cost of day camp is $7 per day. A youth camp for rising 8th through 12th graders will be held July 10-14th. For information about camps, contact Donna Deloach at 912-213-6571 or by email at Tattnall.cg@gmail.com. Tattnall Campground is located at 3769 Campground Road outside of Claxton, GA.

Preschool Volunteers Needed! - We are in the process of updating our Preschool Volunteer List and Schedule for the 2017-2018 school year. Our volunteers help on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00-10:30 AM. They help with snack time and clean up as well as assisting our teachers with making copies and preparing crafts. If you have been on

our list and would like to be removed, would like to continue, or would like to be added as a volunteer, please contact the church office. We will begin the school year on Tuesday, August 8. Thank you in advance for your willingness to serve!

Honoring Our Students Logan Nease (DEA) – Sr. Beta Club, Metter Kiwanis

Scholarship, HOPE recipient, President’s Award, All American

Scholar, American Citizenship Award, Academic Excellence

Award

Laila Mercer (DEA) – Beta Club, Highest Average in 10th grade,

Literary Award, Fullford Leadership Academy, Headmaster’s

Yearly Honor Roll, President’s Award, All American Scholar,

American Citizenship Award, Academic Excellence Award

Maci Nease (DEA) – Beta Club, WINGS Leadership, Yearly

Honor Roll, President’s Award, All American Scholar, American

Citizenship Award, Academic Excellence Award

Tatum Taylor (DEA) – Beta Club, Highest Average in 9th grade,

WINGS Leadership, Yearly Honor Roll, President’s Award, All

American Scholar, American Citizenship Award, Academic

Excellence Award

Boslie Booth (DEA) – WINGS Leadership, President’s Award,

All American Scholar, Academic Excellence

Emma Taylor (DEA) – Yearly Honor Roll, President’s Award,

All American Scholar, American Citizenship Award, Academic

Excellence

Riley Griner (DEA) – President’s Award, All American Scholar,

Academic Excellence Award

Casey Porter (DEA)– Academic Excellence Award

Atticus Lanier (MIS) – Principal’s Honor Roll, LEGO team

Cace West (MIS) – Principal’s Honor Roll, Math Mania

Dallas Jones (MIS) – MIS Honor Roll, Citizenship Award

Carter Gainous (MIS) – MIS Honor Roll

Thomas Chicola (MIS)– MIS Honor Roll

Cheslee Monroe (MIS) – Double Diamond Award

MMS Principal’s Honor Roll – Matthew Chicola, Gentry

Tootle, Tate West, Ellen Hendrix, Angel Jarvis

MMS Honor Roll – Haden Riggs

Youth Mission Trip – The youth of MUMC spent several days in the Atlanta area on a mission trip on June 22-25, 2017.

Housed at Roswell UMC, the group brightened the day for some shoppers at a local mall, served at a mission called Seven

Bridges, had worship and study sessions, and enjoyed a day at Six Flags-Whitewater. MUMC would like to thank Roswell

UMC for allowing our young people to stay in their Family Life Center. Thanks to Youth Director Tripp Anderson for

making the arrangements, and to Paige Jones and Autumn Chicola for going along as chaperones.

One Day VBS – Vacation Bible

School was held on Monday, June

12. A large crowd of kids enjoyed

learning to become “Fishers of

Men.” Thanks to Paige Jones for

coordinating the large group of

volunteers who made this day

happen. Plan for another successful

VBS during Summer of 2018.

Father’s Day Celebration – On June 19, MUMC not only celebrated

the fathers in our congregation with Dads and Donuts, we “showered”

the Cooks with tools and supplies. The Kelton Cook family lost their

outdoor storage building in a fire earlier in the year. Although insurance

is replacing the building and major tools, a lifetime of supplies was lost

in the fire. MUMC members brought tools, supplies, equipment, and

other items to replace those that the Cooks lost in the fire. Shown are

Pastor Allen with Kelton and Doris Cook as the presentation was made

in Morning Worship.

July 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Mark Your Calendars:

August 4-6- Youth Back to School Retreat

August 26 – Vision and Planning Day

1 Canada Day

2 Communion 5:30 Youth

3 9-11 – The Bridge 4:30 – Yoga 6:30 – Evening Bible Study Office Closed

4 Independence Day Office Closed

5 9:30-11:30 – Bazaar Workshop 1:00 – Prayer Shawl 6:30 – Youth and Choir

6 9-11 – The Bridge

7 6:30 AM – Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study – JOMAX Flower Deadline

8

9 8 AM – UMM Breakfast 5:30 Youth

10 9-11 – The Bridge 4:30 – Yoga 6:30 – Evening Bible Study

11 2:00 – Nursing Home Singers

12 9:30-11:30 – Bazaar Workshop 1:00 – Prayer Shawl 6:30 – Youth and Choir

13 9-11 – The Bridge

14 6:30 AM – Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study – JOMAX

15

16 5:30 Youth

17 9-11 – The Bridge 4:30 – Yoga 6:30 – Evening Bible Study

18 8:45 AM – Kids Movie Trip 2:00 – Nursing Home Singers

19 9:30-11:30 – Bazaar Workshop 1:00 – Prayer Shawl 6:30 – Youth and Choir

20 9-11 – The Bridge

21 6:30 AM – Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study – JOMAX Office Closed

22

23 5:30 Youth

24 9-11 – The Bridge 4:30 – Yoga 6:30 – Evening Bible Study August Newsletter Deadline

25 2:00 – Nursing Home Singers

26 9:30-11:30 – Bazaar Workshop 1:00 – Prayer Shawl 6:30 – Youth and Choir

27 9-11 – The Bridge

28 World Hepatitis Day 6:30 AM – Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study – JOMAX Office Closed

29

30 Int'l. Friendship Day 5:30 Youth

31 9-11 – The Bridge 4:30 – Yoga 6:30 – Evening Bible Study

Notes: Family Night Suppers and Wednesday night activities will begin on Wednesday, August 9. MUMPS – Preschool will begin on Tuesday, August 8.

Acolytes Children’s Sermon Children’s Church 7/2 Jack Riggs & Carter Gainous Communion Jamie Edenfield & Emma Gainous 7/9 Tatum & Emma Taylor Laura Lott Kathy Martin & Ellen Hendrix 7/16 Cace West & Dallas Jones Jason Jones Broni & Emma Gainous 7/23 Arleigh & Cheslee Monroe Broni Gainous Heather & Maci Nease 7/30 Carter Gainous & Atticus Lanier Doris Cook Tori, Tatum & Emma Taylor Ushers Flowers Greeters (Classes) 7/2 Jeremy Nease, Ty Riggs, Greg Strickland, Mark Bland Communion Sunshine 7/9 Pernal Franklin, Steven Snell, Carvy Snell, Ed Boyd Broni Gainous & Janet Lanier New Adventure & Older Adults 7/16 Jason Jones, Dallas Jones, Matthew Gainous, Carter Gainous Jane, Stephanie & Lynette Long Sturdy Spirits 7/23 Luke Lanier, Tietgen Edenfield, Kevin Hendrix, Tom Williams Nancy Wright & Kim Woolf Children & Youth 7/25 Youth Margaret Franklin & Gail Lowe Sturdy Spirits

Metter UMC Non Profit 30 W. Lillian Street Organization PO Box 595 US Postage Paid Metter, GA 30439 Permit 106 Metter, GA 30439

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Church Staff & Connection

Allen Cason, Pastor Suzanne J. Tyson, Administrative Assistant Kathy Martin, Treasurer Miriam Edenfield, Director of Worship Tripp Anderson, Youth Director Paige Jones, Children’s Coordinator Dan Henderson, Sound Technician Allen Lanier, Technology Cheryl Williams, Pianist / Terri Bland, Organist Erin Glanton & Heather Nease, Preschool Angie Henderson, Nursery Caregiver Andrea Quinones, Nursery Caregiver Tina Davidson, Custodian Jerry Lott, Retired Pastor Chris Ramsey, District Superintendent Robert Lawson Bryan, Resident Bishop

If you would like to be removed from

this mailing list, please contact

MUMC at 912-685-2777 or

info@metterumc.com.

Rev. Cason’s Contact Information

Home: (912) 685-5261

Cell: (478) 290-8197

Email: casonpreach@gmail.com

Metter United Methodist Church

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Phone: (912) 685-2777

Email: info@metterumc.com

All Are Welcome!

Sunday School @ 10:00 AM

Morning Worship @ 11:00 AM