◄ The Redwood Breeze ►

Our Mission: To connect the unconnected to a community of faith where Jesus Christ transform them

into world-changing disciple.

Our Process: Love God (Worship) - Love Others (Small Groups) - Serve the World (Mission)

Redwood United Methodist Church February 2016

Join us for our upcoming Lenten worship series!

In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us the "I Am" sayings, meaningful metaphors such as “I am the bread of life” and “I am the light of the world,” to reveal his mission and purpose. One by one, the "I Am" sayings of Jesus not only grab our imagination about Jesus' identity, they also help us to experience God, who spoke the first "I AM" to Moses. Join us for this insightful worship and study series as we learn more about the God we can know and as we seek to answer Jesus' question to us, “Who do you say I am?”

Sundays @ 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Feb. 14 Feb. 21 Feb. 28 March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27

Intro to the “I Am” Sayings of Jesus “I Am the Bread of Life” “I Am the Light of the World” “I Am the Good Shepherd” “I Am the True Vine” “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

Small Group Study—Now is the perfect time to join a small group to discuss The God We Can Know, our new worship and study series during the season of Lent. This study not only will help us to learn more about Jesus’ self-revealing “I Am” statements. If we want to grow in the likeness of Christ, we must take time to study and reflect on Jesus’ characteristics. The God We Can Know study book offers a weekly reading based on biblical study and personal reflections written by Pastor Rob Fuquay. Each short DVD segment was filmed in the Holy Land and takes us on location to where the “I Am” sayings of Jesus actually were spoken. The gospel comes to life as we move from the Judean wilderness to the Galilean hills and into the heart of Jerusalem. Two of our Sunday morning small groups (9:45 to 10:45 a.m.) are participating, (Searchers & Sojourners) and welcome newcomers. To join this study, contact Pat Tolbert at pat@redwoodumc.org, or call 483-9090.

2 February 2016 The Redwood Breeze

R&R Ruminations and Reflections from the Pastor’s Study

Seeing More Clearly

I woke up at 4:30 a.m. on my birthday, as is my usual Tuesday

routine. (I have to get up a little

earlier to get ready for our Tuesday

morning prayer group/service.) I put

the coffee on to brew, and saw a

message had come through on my phone. It was a

friend on Facebook who needed help finding a photo

that I’d posted sometime last year. As the coffee was

percolating, I scrolled through photos from the past

year, and became lost in remembering all the wonderful

things that had happened in my 41st year of life:

building a treehouse with my boys, a wonderful

vacation at the beach, the celebration of baptisms in

the lake, my Korean pilgrimage, a fun-filled vacation

Bible school, the gift of a hand-knit stole from the

knitters, the birthdays of other friends and family, dates

with my wife. Taking all of this in on my birthday filled

my eyes with tears and my heart with gratitude.

I’ve noticed that, with digital photography, I don’t look

back at old pictures very often. Without the physical

prints hanging around to ask for my attention, photos

tend to get hidden somewhere in my laptop, or in the

recesses of my Facebook photo albums. Looking back

gave me perspective on the day.

As I went through the day on my birthday, I found

myself pondering the common, everyday miracles God

pours out in my life. The friend who surprises me with a

present. The random text from someone who just

wants to encourage me. The thank you note from a

grateful parishioner. The hug of a child. The kindness

of a neighbor who clears my driveway of snow. The gift

of someone stopping to lift me in prayer. The clerk at

the grocery who always asks about my kids. My wife

who looks at me with love in her eyes. God blessed me

with the vision to see and perceive the amazing

blessings which pour into my life each and every day.

When I consider the amazing grace of God that makes

these possible—the powerful love of God which

energizes every good and perfect gift—I am awed and

deeply humbled. “Every generous act of giving, with

every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the

Father of lights” (James 1:17). I feel undeserving of

such profuse and abundant goodness that cascades

down from God the Father of Lights. And yet, by the

gracious gift of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, I am

made worthy—made a child of God. Taken all together,

this makes my heart burst with joy and thanksgiving!

I never found the photo that my friend had asked me to

find. But I found something even greater: A

perspective on today that gives me courage and faith!

It’s so tempting and easy to take the path of the cynic—

to see and name all that’s going wrong, all the problems

and bad-stuff going around us—and become

immobilized by fear and timidity. But to see and live life

with the eyes of faith…that takes courage and humility.

That takes a willingness to receive every perfect gift,

and then to give our lives in gratitude. This is how God

pours out immense goodness and love in the world.

This is how God gives us the fortitude to face down the

immense problems before us. With our eyes fixed upon

Jesus, and all that he gives, we live, we lead, and we

love boldly as children of God!

Joy-filled,

Rev. Brad Dulaney

Pastor

Ash Wednesday Service

Lent is a 40-day season when Christians give themselves to spiritual renewal as a way to prepare for Easter. Make a good start to your Lent by joining us on Wednesday, February 10th for the Ash Wednesday Service at 7 pm. The service will include the imposition of ashes, and a call to observe spiritual disciplines during lent.

Please some and join us as we enter into a holy Lent.

*There will be NO Connection that evening.

3 February 2016 The Redwood Breeze

Susan's musing-

When I was in youth group years ago, I

remember going on my first mission

trips - one each year during high

school. They were to the area of

Appalachia through a Christian Ministry

called the Appalachian Service Project

(ASP) and I worked with others from my church, youth

and adults, on making homes in the mountains there

"warmer, safer, and drier." Several things happened to

me on these trips that were initially out of my own

comfort zone. I saw real poverty for the first

time. Growing up in suburbia in a middle class family

had not exposed nor prepared me for the culture and

lifestyles that I witnessed on my trip. Honestly, I

needed to be exposed to this reality. It gave me some

perspective on many things. I also had the chance to do

something real... make a real difference in the lives of

others by helping to fix up their homes in ways that

would otherwise not be done due to a lack of money

and/or time. I felt empowered... motivated and able to

use my own skills to help. The other thing I learned was

that I had skills! Yeah, even kids have skills to do many

things. All they need is a teacher or guide and some

encouragement, someone to believe in them. It felt so

good to help, and while I did, I built relationships.

You might be surprised (or not) that I have never met a

stranger! I loved meeting people that we were helping

and learning about them. Every year our work team

would fall in love with the family or individual that we

were working for. We would share stories and laugh

and be old friends after a few days. I loved this as much

as the work that we did. In addition, I loved working

with the adults in my church. Usually there were adults

who went on the trip that were not typically involved

with the youth. So, I got to meet other adults from

church that I might not have normally been hanging out

with. And after slinging hammers together for a few

days, you can imagine I got to know them fairly well,

too! I loved the comradery that developed between the

whole team, youth and adults. It is something that

stays with you after you come home.

I'm sharing these stories because you have an

opportunity to share in something just like this. This

spring Redwood will be sending a mission team to

Plymouth, NC to work with the CROSS Ministry of

Plymouth UMC. CROSS stands for Christians Reaching

Out in Sacred Service. The mission of CROSS is to glorify

God by helping preserve affordable homeownership

and revitalize the Plymouth community through

coordinating resources and mobilizing teams of

volunteers for the critical repair and/or rehabilitation of

homes. Those served are families with children living at

or below the federal poverty line, the elderly-at-risk, the

disabled, and those experiencing the devastation of a

natural disaster. Redwood will be sending an

intergenerational mission team to help with this

work. We will be leaving on Monday morning, March

28 and returning on Friday afternoon, April 1,

2016. This happens to be during Franklin County

Schools spring break week. We welcome all ages and

look forward to a fantastic blend of youth and

adults. Accommodations will be at Plymouth UMC. The

cost for the trip will be $150 for youth and $200 for

adults. Scholarships are available... just ask.

If you are interested in this trip, please let me or Jessi

Fortner know soon so that we can begin making plans

and sharing with you what additional information you

need to make a decision! No special skills are

needed. Just come and have fun! Let's go serve the

world!! I can't wait. If you don't know me... you will

see how much of a crazy kid I can be!

Susan Hughes, Minister of Community Outreach Contact Info.

Jessi Fortner (483-9090) – jessi@redwoodumc.org

Susan Hughes (493-8715) – susan@redwoodumc.org

4 February 2016 The Redwood Breeze

Redwood Outreach Center

Update:

Work has stopped temporarily on the ROC while we take careful note of what tasks are left to be done for all rough-in inspections. We are also gathering bids from several subcontractors on work left to be done to complete Phase 1 and satisfy the building requirements needed for a temporary occupancy permit for Phase 1.

Phase 1 includes use of the Main level (multipurpose room, kitchen, bathrooms, and mezzanine) and all fire-escape pathways through and out of the building (corridor in the basement, connecting the two buildings, fire-escape off the main level). Additional funding will be needed to complete this work and we are also investigating options for funding which will be presented to the church council at an upcoming charge conference for discussion and possible approval.

Susan Hughes,

Building Committee Co-Chair

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to extend our gratitude for the recent generous contribution of $150.00 to Helping Hands. This will permit us to provide emergency financial assistance to Franklin County’s most needy and vulnerable people. This is especially true in such areas of need as termination notices on electric bills, rent or mortgage issues, heating fuel, gas for going to work, motel for homeless, prescription medication, and other emergencies. In times such as these, contributions are especially timely, and we appreciate your generosity. We are grateful for your support for our mission and program.

Gratefully,

Samuel H. Campbell Director

Dear Friends at Redwood UMC,

Thank you so much for your generous investment in the good work of the Free Clinic. Your kindness helps us help the sick and hurting.

God Bless you all!

Donna Proctor, E.D.

To My Christmas Angels,

Thanks to everyone that contributed to my daughter’s ability to give her Kids presents to open. I want to also thank you all for making my Mom happy by seeing what the children got to have. I lost my Mom the day after Christmas and I am doing okay.

If it had not been for your generosity it would have been a very bleak holiday season.

Thanks again and I know my Mom is pain free and loving the afterlife.

Michelle Mull

5 February 2016 The Redwood Breeze

Jessi’s News As January wound to an ending, we

looked into the eyes of a huge

snowstorm that cancelled

Resurrection, but with that storm,

also came feet of fresh powdered

snow. This year, 2016 began with

huge transitions and changes in my

life, and the snow, while creating the almighty

disappointment of not being able to participate in

Resurrection, also brought the reminder of the pure

start we all have in Jesus. It reminded me of the

constant He has been through 2015 as in March Sweet

Briar announced its closing, in May I graduated, in June I

started a new (AMAZING) job, in July Sweet Briar

reopened, in December a relationship had run its course

and ended in my life, and in January I moved. These

transitions have all been for the best, but I would not

have been able to do it without Jesus, He has turned my

life upside down, but created a fresh start in a new

chapter. When I looked into the eyes of a snowstorm,

and had to make a decision about Resurrection, I

realized that this was my first major “adult” decision,

and I looked to Brad for guidance. After we made the

decision to cancel, I realized just how “adult” I am. I

know I am still in the transition to adulthood, and many

of my friends continue to post on Facebook about how

being an adult is hard, and there are bills to pay, etc.

but truly, becoming an adult gives you a fresh start, a

time to make your own decisions, and a time to grow

into the person you started becoming in college. The

snow blessed me with such reflection, and I Jesus helps

me keep the hope, and continue growing into the

person I only dreamed of just a few months ago.

Jessica Fortner

Director of Children and Youth Ministries

“ROC OUT” YOUTH NEWS

Super Bowl: Vote for who you think will win the Super

Bowl next Sunday (January 31) and February 7 by

bringing in canned foods and placing them in the

appropriately decorated boxes (Patriots or Broncos) in

the Welcome Center. ROC Out Youth is holding this

food drive.

It’s Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)! Time to use up all the

fat in your kitchen so it won’t tempt you to prepare and

eat rich food during Lent. At least that is what our "ROC

OUT" Youth are doing here at the church. We will

prepare the feast. We ask that you will "Come and Get

it" so that we can help others. Tuesday, February 9th, @

5:30 pm – Fellowship Hall.

This year's proceeds will go toward our up-coming

mission trips in March and June. (Donations

Encouraged). Again please come and support the

"ROC OUT" Youth.

Mission Trip - Volunteers

Needed! Would you like join the intergenerational

work team as we travel to Plymouth, NC? We will be

working on homes for people in need in that area,

making them warmer, safer, drier. Our team will be

leaving Redwood on Monday morning, March 28, 2016

and returning on Friday afternoon, April 1, 2016. This

will be a fun opportunity to serve the world, and to

grow our relationships with each other as we do! Cost

for the trip is $150 for youth, $200 for adults.

Scholarships are available. Let us know if there any

special skills that you have. This will help our site

coordinator match us with houses based on what type

of work they need. Note that you do not need to have

any special skills! But, let us know what you are

comfortable with…

Plumbing -- Electrical work – Paint – Carpentry –

Odds and ends/general helping

Please contact Jessi Fortner (483-9090) –

jessi@redwoodumc.org

Susan Hughes (493-8715) – susan@redwoodumc.org

6 February 2016 The Redwood Breeze

As I prepared to teach my music theory

fundamentals course (basically a class

in which students learn to read and

write notated music) this semester, I

was struck by the miracle that is the

musical note, which, as the students

and I discussed the first day of class, is

the smallest building block in music. This lowly single

sound may be virtually meaningless when left on its

own (play a single key on the piano or sing a solitary “la”

and you’ll hear what I mean), but combine it with

others into melodies and harmonies and it becomes one

of the deepest means of human expression—one that

can surpass boundaries of language, culture, and

circumstance. How incredible that God would include

this sonic building block for us in His creation, and how

amazing that He has gifted us with the ability to use it to

express the deepest parts of our beings, including our

love for and amazement of Him. Being reminded of the

miraculous nature of music has rejuvenated me during

a time of year when I admittedly have a tendency to

spend a lot of time slugging through work days with my

eyes on the prize of spring break.

Being so rejuvenated, I’m especially excited about all

the musical goings-on here at Redwood this month!

There’s nothing like praising God with some fresh music

to chase those February doldrums away. The choir and

praise band continue to diligently work on established

and new music to grace the 8:30 and 11:00 worship

services, a new handbell choir is forming, and we’ll have

a wonderful visiting choir from Ferrum College on the

21st (be sure to check out the announcements on those

last two items in this newsletter). So whether you’re an

active performer or just a music appreciator, I invite you

to listen for the moment when those lowly notes join

their voices to create a brilliant whole.

Ashley Cundiff

Director of Music Ministries

Handbells

Did you know that our church owns two octaves of

beautiful handbells? Let’s put those babies to use! This

month I’ll be forming a handbell choir that will rehearse

through Lent in order to prepare music to play

sometime during Eastertide. We’ll meet in the

sanctuary Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:00 beginning

February 11th. Playing handbells is fun and rewarding,

and you need minimal musical background to get

started—being able to read music a little is helpful, but

not required. I invite interested youth and adults to

contact me or just come and see what we’re all about

the evening of the 11th! Contact Ashley Cundiff,

ashley@redwoodumc.org - (540) 797-0080).

Ferrum Collegiates

During the 11:00 service on February 21st, we’ll be

blessed with a visit from the Ferrum Collegiates of

Ferrum College. This wonderful women’s choir, under

the direction of Susan Spataro, will enhance our

worship with music throughout the service. Mark your

calendars and don’t miss hearing this wonderful

ensemble sing!

ROC Out Youth have started their own Praise Band and are excited to share their talents with the congregation on February 14. The youth have been hard at work

practicing a couple of songs since October!

Schedule:

Practice: February 3 - Sanctuary

Play @ 8:30 and 11:00 Service: February 14

Practice: March 9 - Sanctuary

Practice: April 13 - Sanctuary

7 February 2016 The Redwood Breeze

G r e e t e r s

8:30

Front Door

7– Betty Werner

14 – Danese McCabe

21 – Peggy Woody

28 – Penny LaPorta

Side Door

7– Brandi Bayer

14 – Sue McDeavitt

21 – Dickie Dill

28 – Jessica Vehmeier

11:00

Front Door

7 – Ann Altice

14 – Judy Hodges

21 – Geraldine Hylton

28 – Linda Young

Side Door

7– Gail Price

14– Rhonda Hodges

21– Louise Wimmer

28– Louise Wimmer

H e a d U s h e r

February 7 – Boy Scouts

Frank Nichols

Liturgist

8:30:

7– Boy Scouts

14 – Simon Adkins

21—Kim Weinschreider

28– John Vehmeier

11:00:

7 – Boy Scouts

14 - Tammy Manning

21 - Madeline Hall

28 – Linda Verhoeff

C h i l d r e n ’ s C h u r c h

Feb. 7—Communion

Feb. 14—8:30—Jessi Fortner, Emma Vehmeier

11:00—Jessi Fortner, Charlene Waybright

Feb. 21— 8:30—Eric & Heather Anderson

11:00—Barbara & Dickie Dill

Jan. 28— 8:30—Lori Suon & Rebecca Wyatt

11:00—Lisa Nichols & Crystal Hammock

F l o w e r s 7 – Pat Tolbert 21 – G. Abbott & N. Lynch

14 – Twyla Brown 28 – G. Abbott & N. Lynch

O F F E R I N G C O U N T E R S

1– Carol Boychuck, Yvonne Hughes, L. Waybright

8 – Ann Altice, Pat Horning, Geraldine Hylton

15 –Elaine Chitwood, Sherry Lynch, Louise Wimmer

22– Wanda Housman, Janice Powell, Ada Wray 29 – Gaye Campbell, Judy Hodges, Peggy Woody

A c o l y t e s

7 – Paige Anderson 14 – Hayley Sanders

21 – Vanessa Brinson 28 – Paige Anderson

C e l e b r a t e R e c o v e r y M e a l

February 26

Betty Werner, Ada Wray, Barbara Dill

W e d n e s d a y N i g h t C o n n e c t i o n M e a l s

Set-up 3—Sherry Lynch & Gaye Campbell

17—Ada Wray & Gail Price 24—Joan Gallante & Kim Weinschreider

Clean-up 3 – Brandi Bayer & Carol Boychuck 17—Jack & Ginny Kubler 24—Gail Price & Madeline Hall

C o m m u n i o n S e r v e r s

February 7 8:30 Service: John & Jessica Vehmeier

11:00 Service: Dave Merritt, Shelia Nichols, Pat Tolbert & Linda Waybright

Servants needed for Children’s Church: Are you interested in helping with Children's Ministries? Contact Jessi (jessica@redwoodumc.org or 540-483-9090) to see how you can help! Substitutes and Children's Church servers are always needed!

8 February 2016 The Redwood Breeze

B i r t h d a y s 2—Mike Brown (Twyla) 3—Caleb Anderson 4—Caroline Brooks Donnie Campbell Christie H. Spicer 5—Erin Maguire 7—Hayley Sanders Buddy Dillon 10—Cindy Hodges Jack Kubler Kayleigh Kidd

13—Sarah Nichols Ada Wray 14—Dennis Dickison Essyebelle Hudson Heather Powell 16—Jennifer Staker 17—Tina Young 23—Mary Jane Slate 25—Doyle Cockram 27—Ruth A. McLaughlin 28—Dustin Brown

1—Ned & Essyebelle Hudson

6—Leo & Ruth Ann McLaughlin

12—Donald & Linda Young

19 – Jason & Pat Cundiff

25 – Vernon & Judy Hudson

If you are willing to serve as an usher please contact Linda Waybright, (540) 520-6086 or call the Church Office. Thank You.

Remember Our Home Bound

Essyebelle Hudson

224 Hudson Farm Lane Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Judy Gring

Ferrum College c/o Jeff Gring P.O. Box 1000

Ferrum, VA 24088

Doris Burgess 850 Woodman Rd.

Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Nannie Kate Campbell 3855 Old Franklin Tpke.

Glade Hill, VA 24092

Essie Doss Trinity Mission Health & Rehab

300 Hatcher St. Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Chuck MacKenzie

1009 Old Country Club Rd. #317 Roanoke, VA 24017

Gracie Via

1851 Harrogate Dr. #219 Salem, VA 24153

9 February 2016 The Redwood Breeze

STEPHEN MIN ISTER MINISTRY

The Stephen Minister Ministry is preparing to grow at

Redwood United Methodist Church.

A new training class will begin on March 7, 2016 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Please join us on February 21st during either Worship Service as we recognize our current Stephen Ministers and lift up the program to the congregation.

There will be a Stephen Leader in the Welcome Center following both services to answer any questions.

For more information or to

apply, please contact:

Pastor Dulaney,

(pastor@redwoodumc.org),

Susan Hughes,

(susan@redwoodumc.org),

Barbara Brown

(bbrown517@yahoo.com), or

Linda Waters

(waters0118@hotmail.com)

Celebrating Five Years!

Yes, for the last five years, we have been able to create a safe place for people to come and find answers to dealing with their hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Thanks be to God and to those who come to

seek wholeness and also to serve as food preparers, servers, greeters, child care providers, musicians, vocalists, etc. Jesus unites us as one as we minister to each other.

Celebrate Recovery meets every Friday evening @ 5:45PM for dinner followed by worship and means and women’s small group sharing. For more information, contact Paula Ratliff at 334-1028 or e-mail CR@redwoodumc.org

10 February 2016 The Redwood Breeze

3001 Old Franklin Turnpike Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Phone: 540-483-9090 FAX: 540-483-9090

E-mail—pastor@redwoodumc.org

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor, Bradley S. Dulaney pastor@redwoodumc.org

Minister of Community Outreach Susan Hughes, susan@redwoodumc.org

Director of Music Ministries Ashley Cundiff, ashley@redwoodumc.org

Director of Children & Youth Ministries Jessica Fortner, jessica@redwoodumc.org

Worship Media Coordinator, Eric Anderson

eric@redwoodumc.org

Pianist, Lisa Edwards

Administrative Assistant, Pat Tolbert pat@redwoodumc.org

Treasurer, Dalphia Furrowtreasurer@redwoodumc.org

Nursery Staff, Rebecca Dillon