The
Tidings GERMANTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
March 2016
Table of Contents 4-7 GUMC Life 8-9 UMW 10-12
13 14-17
Older Adult Children’s Ministry Adult Education
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UMM
18
The Middle
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Missions
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Youth
20-22
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Special Events Events Calendar
Ministry Contacts Children’s Ministry Lisa Pierce - Director of Children’s Ministry 758-6512 • lpierce@germantownumc.org Kristin Dickerson - Associate Director 754-7216 • kdickerson@germantownumc.org Callie Beaver - Associate Director 758-6525 • cbeaver@germantownumc.org Older Adults Beverly Rhoads - Elder Care Health Ministry Coordinator 758-6513 • brhoads@germantownumc.org Luci Cromer • 755-0803 • luci2@comcast.net
Adult Education Mary Groh - Director of Adult Education and Membership 754-5093 • mgroh@germantownumc.org Youth Ministry Sue Hyland - Youth & Confirmation Director 758-6516 • shyland@germantownumc.org Brian Richards - Associate Youth Director 758-6515 • brichards@germantownumc.org Health and Recreation Tiffany Griffin - Director of Health & Recreation 753-3100 • tgriffin@germantownumc.org See full staff listing at www.germantownumc.org/staff
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from Richard
March Sermons March 6 “A Man Named Zacchaeus” Luke 19:1-10 March 13 “Jesus with Women & Children” Mark 5:21-43 March 20 (Palm Sunday) “A Woman Ready to be Stoned” John 8:1-11
March 24 (Maundy Thursday) “Conversation with Pontius Pilate” Mark 15:1-15 March 25 (Good Friday) Noon | Chapel March 27 (Easter Sunday) “The Tomb is Empty” Luke 24:1-12
The month of March this year is a time of high spiritual moments. With Easter coming earlier than usual, this is the month we walk steadily toward the challenge of Holy Week and the glory of Easter. We continue our worship-sermon series titled, Encounters With Jesus. Let me highlight some of the special opportunities in the weeks ahead.
•R emember we have Wednesday night and Sunday night Lenten services of Holy Communion through March 20, Palm Sunday.
•W e will have on Maundy Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m., our meaningful service of Holy Communion, focusing on Jesus’ encounter with Pontius Pilate.
•A t noon on Good Friday, March 25, we gather for this somber service acknowledging Jesus’ suffering and death.
•T hen there is the matchless Easter Sunday celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on March 27.
The Season of Lent
There will be four services on Easter Sunday beginning with our Youth-led service at the Trinity Worship Centre in McVay Gardens under the pavilion at 6:30 a.m. Our sanctuary services are 8:30, 9:40, and 11 a.m. May the continuing days of Lent and our journey toward the cross and resurrection be times of deep spiritual reflection and renewal for each of us.
Our Lenten series for 2016, “Encounters With Jesus” will focus on several enlightening scenarios. Some of the more revealing segments of the Gospel accounts are the encounters Jesus had with men and women as he made his way on the pathways of Palestine for the three years of his itinerant ministry. This series will continue to the early part of Eastertide, after Easter Sunday, March 27. I hope you will commit yourself to a faithful Lenten journey. At the heart of this journey is making every worship opportunity a priority. It is a special season in which we each can go deeper in our discipleship. 3
GUMC Life
Evangelism opportunity We still need a Visitation Team for the fourth Sunday of the month. If you will call on our visitors and take them some information about our church along with some delicious cookies (cookies that are made by others), contact Sue Myers at joelmyers1@comcast.net or Yolanda Toney at ytoney@germantownumc.org.
Share the “Good News”
Are you concerned about the state of the world today? The Bible has many examples of God’s children crying out to Him in their time of need. He gave them a promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.” We, too, can call upon Him to heal our land. Humble ourselves, seek God, turn from sinning, and PRAY. What power we have through Christ! Spread the word!
Single Ladies SOLO’S will meet in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. for a potluck dinner. For more information about this group for single women, contact Kay Lindamood at 754-6033.
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Evangelism is not a gift that some of us have while others do not. We all have a responsibility to take Christ to others. Are some of us better equipped? Is it just easier for some of us? Do you evangelize by the way you live your life? Regardless of your responses, we all need to find a way to share the “Good News.” It's not up to our pastoral leadership alone. Here's what we can do... 1. Build Relationships: Most people who come to Christ or a church have been invited by a person they know. People often come to church for the first time because of relationships. 2. Encourage Engagement: Sometimes the world gets the wrong idea that being a Christian means our lives are perfect. Yet, we know we struggle, which is why we need a Savior. An admission of our fragility ... our brokenness, may open dialogue about Christ. 3. Be Inclusive: The United Methodist denomination’s motto is “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” You have to invite your friends. Don’t assume someone else is doing it. Remember though, that all you can do is invite. You cannot offer salvation. God can and he will. If you are a church leader, plan activities with the community in mind. Be sure to publicize it. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve been in this church 20 years or less, tell us how you came to choose Germantown United Methodist Church as your worship place. Email the Evangelism Committee through Yolanda Toney at ytoney@ germantownumc.org. From 4 Ways to Involve Everyone in Evangelism by Ed Stetzer, Christianitytoday.com.
GUMC Life GUMC Member Honored GUMC member, Lillie Kay Mitchell has been selected as the Germantown Lions Club “Citizen of the Year.” She will be recognized as such at an awards banquet to be held at the Great Hall and Conference Center on March 7. Congratulations to Ms. Mitchell. She is a very active member of Germantown United Methodist Church where she has served on the Education, Nurture, Family Life and McVay Counseling Center committees, as a Welcome Center volunteer and as a Stephen Minister. She is an active member of Germantown United Methodist Women and has been Treasurer and Circle Chairman. She is currently the project treasurer for the GUMW Children’s Clothing Sale. Lillie Kay is a past President and active member of Pegasus of Germantown. * If you know a church member who you wish to be mentioned in the Tidings for their work in the church and community, submit their names with an article describing their accomplishments and/or achievments to germantownumc. org/communications and fill out a Tidings request form.
Communion During Lent Lent, (February 10-March 23) is a time to take a fearless and searching moral inventory of one’s life. GUMC will offer two additional opportunities each week to pray and celebrate Holy Communion. Each Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and each Wednesday at 5 p.m., you are invited to gather in the chapel as we renew our spiritual disciplines with prayer and the sacrament. On the afternoon of each Communion Sunday, we have a group of dedicated volunteers who deliver communion to the elderly and homebound church members. It is a wonderful ministry that seeks to keep those members connected to the life of the church. The number of people needed to potentially serve is increasing as our members age and develop health issues that keep them from attending services. Currently, we have 33 members on that list. If you would be willing to serve communion to the homebound once every two or three months, we can use your help. Please let one of the clergy know of your interest or contact Beverly Rhoads, our Elder Care Health Ministry Coordinator at 758-6513 or brhoads@germantownumc.org.
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GUMC Life Sanctuary Flowers You are invited to add a pop of color to our already beautiful sanctuary by honoring a loved one or a special occasion with fresh flowers. Our wonderful team of floral arrangers will provide a beautiful arrangement for the Sunday morning you choose. We are able to accommodate multiple donors on a given Sunday with a wording for each occasion printed in the bulletin. On Monday morning, the flowers that were used in our sanctuary for our Sunday morning worship services are then arranged by our flower ministry team into smaller bouquets and delivered to homebound members of our congregation. If you are interested in providing flowers for our Sunday morning worship services and bringing joy to many, please fill out a Sanctuary Flower form, which can be found at the Information Center by the Fellowship Hall or on-line.
Easter Lilies Add to the beauty of our sanctuary this Easter by providing Easter Lilies in memory or honor of a friend or loved one. The cost is $18 for each memorial or honoree. Extra order forms are available at our Information Center and on-line. The deadline for orders is Monday, March 21 at noon. A list of dedications will be published in a special brochure on Easter Sunday, March 27. Please note: We purchase lilies based on the number needed for the worship space rather than the number of persons honored or remembered.
Check one:
___ In Memory of
___ In Honor of
Name:
Given by:
Phone:
Email:
You are welcome to take lilies as they are available between noon on Easter Sunday and Monday at 10 a.m. Any lilies in the sanctuary after 10 a.m. Monday will be delivered to the homebound members of our congregation.
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GUMC Life God’s Money: Your Direction On Sunday mornings when the offering plates are passed around, some may wonder “What happens with all that money?” That is a more than reasonable question. The church exists because Christ Jesus called it into being. People of faith gather together to praise God and give thanks, seek forgiveness, learn how to live better, and be of service in Christ’s name to a hurting world. The church, understood as the people of God, gathers in a building. GUMC has many buildings totaling over 110,000 square feet on seven acres of land. And as we all know, that is not always enough square footage for all of us on Sunday! All those buildings need electric lights, heating and air conditioning, painting, up-keep, and, naturally, insurance. None of that comes free. It all costs money. But that is just the start. Because you, the people of God called GUMC, give your money for such things as buildings, we are able, from this corner of God’s world, to give our labor, time, and more money to be in mission work to all the world. This house of worship where we gather, sends mission teams to build Habitat houses, read to children in impoverished neighborhoods, build and repair homes at Mountain T.O.P., take the word of God in both word and deed to countries in Africa and Central America, and more. Because you ensure that the campus is in good condition, the buildings usable and inviting, mission happens far beyond what any of us could ever do on our own. We start here and, following Jesus’ instructions to the first disciples, we go into one neighborhood at a time until we achieve our mission throughout the world.
Good News: Malaria is 100% Preventable Unlike many other diseases that are awaiting a cure, malaria was eliminated in the U.S. in the 1950s. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria continues to kill a child every 2 minutes. But, there is hope! Imagine No Malaria is part of a global partnership and together with our partners; our generation can beat malaria once and for all. By improving the ways people fight the disease using bed nets, providing access to diagnostic tests and medicine, draining standing water, and improving sanitation we have already helped reduce malaria deaths by more than half. Imagine No Malaria combines integrated health infrastructure, education and advocacy to address death and the debilitating effects of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The UMC has trained over 11,600 medical workers to teach people how to use nets that protect sleepers, how to eliminate the mosquitoes that cause the disease, and training local people to take responsibility for prevention and treatment. (copied UMNS)
The following passage is an example of what you make happen because you are here and are supportive with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness:
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United Methodist Women Children’s Clothing Boutique Spring/Summer Children’s Boutique Shop March 18 & 19 It’s that time of year again! Clean out the closets, rummage through the attic, sort through the garage for clothing, furniture, toys, baby equipment, and more. GUMW Children’s Clothing Boutique preparation is underway! Go to gumwclothingsale.com to review guidelines and find details about consigning, volunteering, and shopping. Registration deadline/inventory entry is Tuesday, March 15, at midnight. Refer to the website for complete information about accepted merchandise and consignment instructions. All proceeds benefit GUMW missions. Thank you in advance for your support!
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Drop off: Wednesday, March 16, 5-8 p.m. and Thursday, March 17, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Pre-sale: Thursday, March 17, 5:30-8 p.m. Volunteers who work 8+ hours may shop at 5:30 p.m. Those who volunteer 4+ hours may shop at 6 p.m. Consignors may shop at 6:30 p.m. Public Sale: Friday, March 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Half-price Pre-sale: Friday, March 18, 4-7 p.m. (consignors and volunteers only) Public Half-price Sale: Saturday, March 19, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Pick-up: Sunday, March 20, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
TO SIGN UP FOR GUMW’S EMAIL LIST, GO TO GERMANTOWNUMC.ORG/EMAIL
United Methodist Women
UPCOMING EVENTS! April 12: Bridge Benefit & Unique Boutique, OLEC, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ...” - 2 Peter 3:18
May 10: UMW Luncheon, Fellowship Hall, 11:30 a.m.
Spring Bridge Benefit & Unique Boutique Tuesday, April 12 OLEC , 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Germantown United Methodist Women will sponsor their 2016 “Spring Bridge Benefit & Games.” In addition to the games, you will enjoy a gourmet lunch, door prizes and shopping at the popular “Unique Boutique”. Please note that if you are not a bridge player, you may play any board or card game you prefer as long as you bring your own game supplies. All proceeds from this event will benefit GUMW Missions. Registration forms are available at the Welcome Center, the OLEC, or at germantownumc.org. For more information about the Spring Benefit, contact Alice McMurray at 754-0605 or Pat Gill at 756-8151. Stephanie Adams is collecting items for the Unique Boutique. Bring your donations of jewelry, small furniture items (anything that will fit in a car), purses, belts, scarves (lightly used or new), books, movies, toys, etc to her home at 2931 Mallard Lane, Germantown. Deadline for donations is March 31. To make arrangements for your donations, contact Stephanie at 756-8748 (home), 488-4748 (cell), or monacodog@aol.com. You may come early to shop at the Unique Boutique. There will be a special Holiday Table with Christmas and Easter Decorations included. Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! 9
Older Adult Ministry Memphis the Musical! XYZs Go to Opening Night of Memphis
AARP SmartDriver™ Course
Memphis is a Tony award-winning musical that is loosely based on the story of Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play 'black' music in the 50’s. The incredible story of the two main characters, Huey and Felicia, takes them to the ends of the airwaves on a journey filled with laughter, emotion, and a whole lot of Memphis soul. This show promises a rambunctious good time highlighted by rousing music and singing, spectacular dancing, and a witty, moving story. Join us for a fun-filled evening and the opening night reception after the performance. WHERE: Playhouse on the Square WHEN: Friday, May 6. COST: $22 per person includes reserved seat and opening night reception. DEPARTURE: 6:45 p.m. from OLEC parking lot. Please be there by 6:30 p.m. RESERVATIONS: Call Nancy Arnold, 754-6326, Gretchen Blair, 755-0797, or Luci Cromer, 755-0803. You must make your reservation before paying. DEADLINE: For money and reservations is Friday, April 8.
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Germantown United Methodist Church and AARP will present the “AARP Smart Driver™ Course,” the nation’s largest driving refresher course. This 8-hour course is scheduled for March 21 & 22 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Successful completion entitles participants to a discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years. There is no driving test or written exam. Register early because the class will be closed at 28 participants. The results of taking these classes have been proven—class participants have few accidents and tickets. Check your calendar and register now. Your check is your ticket to this class. The objectives of the course are to help you: • Be independent, safe, and confident while on the road. • Keep up with changes so you don’t put yourself and others at risk. • Learn state-specific information throughout the course. • Focus on areas such as roundabouts, pavement markings, stop-sign compliance, red-light running, and safety issues like speeding and seatbelt/turn-signal use. WHERE: Room 339 (Fellowship Forum classroom) in the Ministry Center. WHEN: Monday and Tuesday, March 21 & 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. COST: $15 fee for AARP members ($20 for nonmembers) payable to AARP. RESERVATIONS: Call Ray Malone at 309-5966. DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS: Reservations will be taken until class is full.
Older Adult Ministry April XYZs in Mississippi Come with us as we travel through the Mississippi Delta on the way to Merigold to see McCartys Pottery. We will hear the story of Merigold and how the McCartys started their business, get a tour of the barn and studio, and, weather permitting, wander through the Gardens. Of course, there will be time for shopping for some unique and unusual pieces in their gift shop. We will walk to McCartys Gallery Restaurant where will have a delicious lunch, including their signature Chocolate Cobbler for dessert. We then will take a short trip to Cleveland, Mississippi, where we will tour the newly-opened GRAMMY Museum Mississippi—the only one outside of Hollywood. This 27,000 sq. ft. facility, the world’s most technologically advanced music museum, tells the history of recorded music and brings the story of the GRAMMY awards to the birthplace of American music. There is something for everyone on this trip—sign up now!
WHERE: Merigold and Cleveland, Mississippi WHEN: Thursday, April 7 COST: $55 per person includes luxury motor coach transportation, lunch, and tours. This trip is being subsidized by a generous donation to the XYZs. DEPARTURE: 8 a.m. from OLEC parking lot. Please be there by 7:45 a.m. This is an all-day trip. RESERVATIONS: Call Luci Cromer, 755-0803 or Nancy Arnold, 754-6326. You must make your reservation before paying. DEADLINE FOR MONEY & RESERVATIONS: Monday, March 7. This trip is almost full and space is limited, so make your reservation NOW.
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Older Adult Ministry March Brown Bag Lunch Don’t Forget the March Brown Bag Lunch Program! Andy Tweed, Shelby County Wildlife Officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, will talk about “Being a Cosmopolitan Game Warden.” This presentation will be Friday, March 4, in the Fellowship Hall. The program starts at 11 a.m. with lunch at noon. Bring your own sack lunch; the church will supply the beverages. Call Luci Cromer, 755-0803, for more information. No reservations are needed. There will be a crossing guard on West Street to help with overflow parking.
April Brown Bag Lunch Bob Barnett will share stories and secrets of Elmwood at the April Brown Bag Lunch!
WHEN: April 1. Program starts at 11 a.m.; lunch is at noon.
Elmwood is the most historic ground in this part of the world. The dramatic Entry Bridge, the Carpenter-Gothic Cottage, and the entire 80-acre cemetery are all on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is also an official Bird Sanctuary and Arboretum. Elmwood is the final resting place of those who created Memphis history and has emerged today as Memphis’ finest and oldest active cemetery. Bob Barnett, the assistant director, is going to share its stories, secrets, and the hidden treasures of its historic cottage at the April Brown Bag Lunch Series, an adventure in learning sponsored by the Older Adult Council. There will be a crossing guard on West Street to help with overflow parking.
RESERVATIONS: No reservations are needed; just bring your sack lunch and enjoy the program and the fellowship.
TOPIC: “What Lies Beneath: Stories and Secrets of Elmwood” SPEAKER: Bob Barnett, Assistant Director, Elmwood Cemetery WHERE: Mike Wilson Fellowship Hall
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COST: FREE—the church will supply beverages.
QUESTIONS? Call Luci Cromer, 755-0803, or Beverly Rhoads, 754-7216, ext. 107.
Save the Dates! Vacation Bible School: 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday, June 1- Friday, June 3 Vacation Bible School: 9 a.m.-noon, Monday, June 6 - Friday, June 10. Registration for VBS will open on-line April 1 and will close May 30. Space is unlimited but must register before deadline. Mission Camp: (Rising 5th and 6th graders) Tuesday, July 5-Friday, July 8. Registration opens June 1 on-line. Space is limited. Mission Wednesdays: (Rising 1st-6th graders) We will begin Mission Wednesdays on June 22 (1 p.m.-3 p.m.). We will meet each Wednesday through July 27 (except July 6). On-line registration opens June 1. Space is limited. Movie Mondays: Beginning June 20, noon-2 p.m. We will meet each Monday in the Huddle through July 25 (except July 4). Please register for each week separately on-line. We need a head count to provide lunch. Space unlimited, $3 at door for food.
Children’s Ministry Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 26 McVay Gardens, 9:30 a.m. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is a wonderful family celebration for children of all ages! Children, parents, and grandparents gather in the OLEC parking lot and then proceed to the McVay Gardens promptly at 9:30 a.m. We will hunt eggs by age group, share some time with the six-foot bunny, and enjoy some time with the animals from Happy Times Farm Petting Zoo. There will also be face painting and the bunny hop for prizes. We are trying something a little different this year. We are having each child find 12 eggs, but the eggs will not be stuffed. In an effort to accommodate our ever-growing population of children with allergies and other special needs, each child will trade their empty eggs for a baggie with 12 goodies inside. The baggies will be sorted by age and allergies. We are hopeful this will eliminate some angst for our parents of children with allergies.
Cordova Retreat On January 30-31, the fourth and fifth graders retreated to The Grove at Red Oaks Lake in Cordova. Thirty-nine children, three youth, and eight adults played, laughed, studied, prayed, and worshiped together. We looked more deeply into what it means to worship God and discussed ways to be in worship. We explored the elements of worship and why we include them. We shared in some crazy fun including gopher ball, rock wall climbing, and a giant swing. For a video recap of the weekend and a variety of photographs, check out our Facebook page “Germantown United Methodist Children’s Ministry.” 13
Adult Education Women’s Retreat A REPORT FROM: Women’s Retreat: A Little Bit of Grace, A Whole Lot of Mercy On February 5-6, 73 women, ages 23 to 85, met on a beautiful winter weekend at Pinecrest Conference Center in LaGrange, Tenn., for an amazing 24 hours of studying, playing, sharing, laughing, singing, and praying together. One of the best things about our retreat is the opportunity to meet lovely and interesting women that we have possibly seen at church, but have never met, and to engage them in meaningful conversation! This year we had eight mother/daughter (daughter-inlaw) couples and one lady (Nancy Barnett) had both her daughter and daughter-in-law with her! What a terrific way to spend quality time together!
Our planning team (Liz Coverdale, Emily Ensor, Claire Fawcett, Jennifer Harlan, and Peggy Warner) had fun activities and games to keep us moving and to help us meet each other. On Friday evening we played “Name that Tune” with songs from the 50’s to the present. Our DJs did a great job of getting everyone involved and they even dressed the part! We gathered for delicious meals around a huge stone fireplace in the dining room. After the planned activities had ceased, some of us gathered around the fireplace or in our cabins for extended discussion and laughter with our old and new friends.
Lisa Pierce, our speaker for the event, used Proverbs 31:30 as the scripture basis for her talks. “Charm can fool you and beauty fade, but a woman who has respect for the Lord should be praised.” We listed our responsibilities on colored pieces of paper, which we then hung on a wire at the door of our meeting room. We were asked to leave these responsibilities “at the door” and think about who we are as women, what we have to offer each other, and how we need to set priorities so that God, family, and friendship come first. Former GUMC member and accomplished musician Ilace Mears provided our music for the retreat by playing a hammered dulcimer. The hammered dulcimer is both a percussion and stringed instrument with the strings stretched over a sounding board. We were treated to Ilace’s playing on Friday night and again on Saturday morning as we gathered for study. She also played for our worship service on Saturday afternoon.
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Our closing worship service on Saturday afternoon was held in the beautiful Chapel on the grounds of Pinecrest. The Chapel is magnificent in its simplicity. Instead of stained glass windows, we connected to God through nature by looking through floor-to-ceiling windows onto the wonder of creation. Rev. Julie McKenna led our communion service and we served one another the elements.
Adult Education
The retreat was a special “moment in time” for us all, giving us a feeling of family, deepening our connectedness with each other and with God. As we departed, the lines of “The Servant Song,” that Jennifer Harland has so beautifully sung during worship floated in the air as a reminder of the weekend of sharing friendships:
Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I might have the grace to let me be your servant too. We are pilgrims on the journey; we are sisters on the road. We are here to help each other, walk the mile and bear the load. I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow ‘till we’ve seen this journey through.
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Adult Education Adult Studies Starts in March
Monthly Book Club Meet kindred book lovers in our monthly book group! We are an informal group of men and women who enjoy reading and discussing books. We meet on the fourth Monday of each month from 10 a.m. until noon in Room 338. There is no need to register; just purchase the book (or check out from the library) and join us for a lively discussion! March 28 A Year on Ladybug Farm April 25 Everything I Never Told You May 23 Where’d You Go Bernadette June 27 The Remains of the Day
Donna Ball Celeste Ng Maria Semple Kazuo Ishiguro
Methodist Traditions/Beliefs Wednesday Nights, March 2 & 9 Room 342 , 6:30–7:30 p.m. The United Methodist Church traces its roots to John Wesley, an Anglican priest in the Church of England in the 1700s. Wesley and the early Methodists were particularly concerned about inviting people to experience God’s grace and to grow in their knowledge and love of God through disciplined Christian living. This 2-week study is for members and prospective members. Childcare is available by reservation. Register on-line or contact Mary Groh at mgroh@germantownumc.org.
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It’s not too late to sign up for a small group study this semester! Enrich your life and your involvement in GUMC’s faith community by making the commitment to be a part of a small group study! We have short-term day and evening studies starting soon. Childcare is available by reservation. Register on-line or contact Mary Groh at mgroh@germantownumc.org. God Heard Their Cry Tuesdays, March 8-April 12, 6:30-8 p.m. In this five-session small group Bible study, discover how God answered the cry of the Israelites in Egypt and proclaimed himself Lord to them and their oppressors. This study offers unique insights into the Scriptures’ significance for modern believers. Cost for the class is $10. Set Apart Wednesdays, March 16-April 20, 9:45-11:45 a.m. Join the Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study as they look at the Beatitudes as found in Matthew. This six-week study by author Jennifer Kennedy Dean examines the promise of blessedness. If you are seeking a new perspective on the Beatitudes this is the study for you! Cost for this study is $15. The Faith of a Mockingbird Tuesdays, March 29-April 26, 1 -2:30 p.m. In this five-week study, we will take a tour of Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and examine the perspective and experiences of four characters and explore how this novel serves as a lens through which we can understand our place in the world, what role we play in God’s story, and what it means to live out a hopeful faith in a broken world. Cost for the participant book is $10.
Adult Education Wednesday Night Dinners Wednesday Nights at GUMC is our popular midweek venue that features home-style dinners, adult education classes, activities for youth and children, Chancel Choir Rehearsal and fellowship! Our dinners run through March 16. The cost for each dinner is $8 for adults, $4 for children (4-10), free for children 3 & under. Dinner reservations and payment must be made by noon on the Monday prior to that week’s dinner. You may register on-line at germantownumc.org or come by the Welcome Center. All meals include lemonade, tea, and coffee. March 2 (reservation with payment due noon Monday, February 29) Lasagna, rotel chicken spaghetti, Italian green beans, zucchini casserole, broccoli medley, garlic bread, green salad, fruit, and assorted desserts. March 9 (reservation with payment due noon Monday, March 7) Beef Brisket, new potatoes, corn casserole, green beans, broccoli & cheese, rolls, green salad, fruit, and assorted desserts. March 16 (reservation with payment due noon Monday, March 14) Baked Chicken, dressing, dirty rice, Brussel sprouts, yellow squash & onions, rolls, green salad, fruit, and assorted desserts.
United Methodist Men March UMM Breakfast March 12, 8 a.m. Mike Wilson Fellowship Hall Our guest speaker is Ephie Johnson, President & CEO of the Memphis Neighborhood Christian Center. The cost for the breakfast is $5, payable at the door. You can register by calling the church office at 754-7216. Annual members need only call in their regrets.
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The Middle Table for 8 You’re invited to Table for 8, an event hosted by the Middle at Germantown United Methodist Church. Individuals and couples in their 20s, 30s, and 40s will have an opportunity to fellowship with friends and meet new faces while dining at a local restaurant. Table for 8 is open to all interested individuals regardless of church membership. When: Saturday, March 5. Childcare drop off at GUMC 5:30 p.m. Dinner 6 p.m. Dinner: People will be assigned to a local restaurant in groups of 6 to 10. Restaurants may include Huey’s, Russo’s, Swanky’s, Belmont Grill, Half Shell, and SkyBox. Individuals and couples will meet for dinner at 6 p.m. at the assigned
restaurant. Dinner should conclude by 7:30 p.m. to allow time to return to the church to pick up children from childcare. Childcare: Childcare will be available at Germantown United Methodist Church by church childcare staff. Childcare is available by reservation from 5:30-8 p.m. Suggested donation for childcare is $10 per family. Dinner (pizza, goldfish, and water) can be purchased for children. Cost is $2 for 1 piece of pizza and $3 for 2 pieces of pizza. Reservations: Reservations for dinner and childcare can be made at germantownumc. org/table-for-8. Contact Julia Underwood at juliamunderwood@yahoo.com with any questions.
Missions Habitat for Humanity What’s New With Habitat for Humanity & GUMC? This summer we are looking forward to constructing our 42nd and 43rd homes and continuing our involvement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. But there’s even BIGGER news! Our build will be part of Habitat’s 33rd Carter Work Project. What does this mean? Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will be in town and on-site to help construct homes. In addition, country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will also be here to help! But more importantly, WE NEED YOUR HELP!! 18
The project will take place in the Uptown neighborhood of Memphis, an area that so many in our church already love. So how can you get involved? You can start by enjoying our Pancake Breakfast on Palm Sunday (March 20) in the Fellowship Hall. For more information on these exciting events contact Derrick McNeal at 834-2217 or cneadr10@yahoo.com.
Youth Summer Missions 2015 This summer we will be going on THREE trips! Each trip is different and each trip provides an amazing opportunity for growing in your faith and in service to others. Please check out the short blurb about each trip below. Registration is open NOW and final balances are due by April 1. Don’t miss out! Mountain T.O.P. | June 12-18 Mountain T.O.P. is a rural home repair ministry based out of Grundy County in East TN. During your week at M.T.O.P., you will be serving in a number of ways. This trip offers experiences with yard work, painting, building porches, and day camp opportunities with children that live in Grundy County. You will also have the chance to worship with your church group and form relationships with other students from around the U.S. If you love to meet new people this trip is for you! M.T.O.P. is open to completed 7th-12th graders. Big Stuf | June 27-July 1 Big Stuf is our annual beach retreat. This will be our second year to go and last year was out of this world! If you’re interested in making a deeper connection with Jesus and your youth group, this is the retreat for you. On this trip, you can expect lots of worship time, youth group bonding time, and beach time. This is the perfect trip if you’re new to our group or the faith! Big Stuf is open to completed 6th through 12th graders. S.O.S. | July 24-29 S.O.S. is our local mission experience in the summer. Although we know how important it is to serve in other places, we also see a great need here in our own city! During this trip we will do urban home repair as well as explore some extra special Memphis places. This trip is perfect for anyone who wants to grow closer to Christ, their youth group, and their city! S.O.S. is open to completed 6th through 12th graders.
Easter sunrise service “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation” Psalm 5:3 Join us on Sunday, March 27 for our-youth led Easter Sunrise Service. We will gather at 6:30 at the Trinity Worship Centre for a morning of worship and recognition of Christ’s death and resurrection for each and every person. This service is a great way to get your Easter Sunday started. Please join us!
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Special Events
The Story Behind the New Faith Seeking Understanding Series By Crystel Hardin This year, GUMC launches a weekend event series entitled Faith Seeking Understanding. The series, which is slated to become an annual event, will feature noted religious scholars, preachers, musicians and others who can inspire and challenge the congregation and community beyond our current routines and comfort zones. The series originated from the findings of GUMC’s Visioning Committee. In 2013, GUMC commissioned a visioning team to seek and discern God’s call for the church through prayerful discussion with the congregation, church leaders and the greater community. The committee conducted a survey and a series of focus groups to identify key areas of emphasis that require the attention of the church. After reviewing and analyzing the survey results, comments and focus group discussions, “spiritual formation and personal development” emerged as one of the five main focus areas. The biblical foundation of the “spiritual formation and personal development” focus area comes from 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” From this inspirational foundation, a spiritual formation and personal development committee formed to address the specific needs and goals of the focus area. According to Susan Smith, chair of the Visioning Committee, one of the guiding principles for the spiritual formation and personal development
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Adult Education
committee was to develop and host regular spiritual renewal events, rallies and retreats. The committee believes periodic renewal enhances our spiritual lives, just like it does our minds and bodies. The committee was also charged with developing and hosting a periodic, ongoing speaker series, geared toward GUMC members and the community at large that would focus on how to interpret and apply biblical teachings to current events that shape our lives and the world in which we live. The Faith Seeking Understanding series seeks to accomplish both of these goals. The committee believes these guiding steps, when fully fleshed out with appropriate changes, actions and programs, will put GUMC on a path toward greater spiritual discipline and growth. The series is modeled after GUMC’s Mary Emma Colebank Speaker Series that previously brought in a nationally known scholar/professor for a lecture and learn weekend. With the Colebank series, the spiritual emphasis was similar to a revival where the preacher would speak in Sunday morning worship and then during Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening worship services. With the Faith Seeking Understanding series, the current plan is to host a speaker with several events taking place over a weekend.
Special Events
The Faith Seeking Understanding Series kicks off on April 15-17. The keynote speaker is Rev. Michael E. Williams, senior pastor at West End UMC in Nashville, Tenn., and a frequent guest speaker and workshop leader at regional, national and international events. Rev. Williams is the author of numerous articles, stories, poems, plays and books, and he serves as general editor of The Storyteller’s Companion to the Bible series from Abingdon Press. He has been a featured storyteller at the National Storytelling Festival. Rev. Williams will bring his scholarship and craft to GUMC in the form of a weekend experience entitled “Deep Delight: Storytelling as Spiritual Adventure.” This series of events begins on Friday night with dinner and a lecture. A seminar takes place on Saturday morning, and Rev. Williams closes the weekend by sharing his insights in a sermon for all three worship services on Sunday morning. Rev. Richard Smith said of the series, “John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed strongly that a mature faith embodies both the fundamentals of Christian doctrine and deep reflection on those beliefs. In other words, Wesley reminded us that God gave us the gift of reason and intellect so that we could have deeper understanding and application of our beliefs than otherwise would be the case. These special offerings in this series are grand opportunities to both strengthen our faith and deepen our understanding as mature believers.” The first event in the Faith Seeking Understanding series is being sponsored through a grant from our Endowment. For more information about the event, please contact Mary Groh at 754-5093 or mgroh@germantownumc.org.
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March Events March 1-5 Tuesday, March 1 6:30 a.m. - Sonrise Men’s Group 11:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™ Wednesday, March 2 6:30 a.m. - Rutherford’s Men’s Prayer Group 5:00 p.m. - Wednesday Lenten Communion 5:30 p.m. - Wednesday Night Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Clergy Bible Study 6:30 p.m. - Methodist Traditions & Beliefs, Pt. 1 6:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 3 9:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™ Friday, March 4 11:00 a.m. - Older Adults Brown Bag Lunch Series
March 6-12 Sunday, March 6 6:00 a.m. - Youth Community Breakfast 8:30, 9:40 & 11:00 a.m. - Worship Services 6:30 p.m. - Sunday Evening Communion Service Tuesday, March 8 6:30 a.m. - Sonrise Men’s Group 11:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™ Wednesday, March 9 6:30 a.m. - Rutherford’s Men’s Prayer Group 5:00 p.m. - Wednesday Lenten Communion 5:30 p.m. - Wednesday Night Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Clergy Bible Study 6:30 p.m. - Methodist Traditions & Beliefs, Pt. 2 6:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 10 9:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™ Saturday, March 12 8:00 a.m. - UMM Breakfast
March 13-19 Sunday, March 13 8:30, 9:40 & 11:00 a.m. - Worship Services 6:30 p.m. - Sunday Evening Communion Service Monday, March 14 6:00 p.m. - Church-wide Meeting Night Tuesday, March 15 6:30 a.m. - Sonrise Men’s Group 11:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™
Wednesday, March 16 6:30 a.m. - Rutherford’s Men’s Prayer Group 5:00 p.m. - Wednesday Lenten Communion 5:30 p.m. - Wednesday Night Dinner 6:30 p.m. - Clergy Bible Study 6:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 17 9:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™ 5:30 p.m. - GUMW Children’s Clothing Sale(presale for volunteers/consignors) Friday, March 18 8:00 a.m. - Children’s Clothing Sale Saturday, March 19 8:00 a.m. - Children’s Clothing Sale
March 20-26 (GUMP CLOSED MARCH 21-25 FOR SPRING BREAK)
Sunday, March 20 8:30, 9:40 & 11:00 a.m. - Worship Services 6:30 p.m. - Sunday Evening Communion Service Tuesday, March 22 6:30 a.m. - Sonrise Men’s Prayer Group 11:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™ Wednesday, March 23 6:30 a.m. - Rutherford’s Men’s Prayer Group 5:00 p.m. - Wednesday Lenten Communion Thursday, March 24 (Maundy Thursday) 9:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™ 7:00 p.m. - Maundy Thursday Worship Friday, March 25 (Good Friday) Chuch Offices Closed 12:00 p.m. - Good Friday Worship Saturday, March 26 9:30 a.m. - Easter Egg Hunt
March 27-31 Sunday, March 27 (Easter Sunday) 6:30 a.m. - Easter Sunrise Service 8:30, 9:40 & 11:00 a.m. - Easter Worship Services 6:30 p.m. - Sunday Evening Communion Service Tuesday, March 29 6:30 a.m. - Sonrise Men’s Group 11:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™ Wednesday, March 30 6:30 a.m. - Rutherford’s Men’s Prayer Group Thursday, March 31 9:00 a.m. - Jillian Michaels BodyShred™
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GERMANTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2331 South Germantown Rd, Germantown, TN 38138 Phone: (901) 754-7216 • Fax: (901) 753-3112 • info@germantownumc.org Sunday Worship: 8:30, 9:40, & 11 a.m.