F i r s t U n i t e d

M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h 411 Church Street

Columbia, MS 39429

601–736–7121

www.fumccolumbia.org

CHURCH STAFF

PASTOR Brother Mike Sahler

601–731–8235

CHOIR DIRECTOR William “Billy” Endicott

YOUTH DIRECTOR Angel Herring

ORGANIST Barbara Lott

CHILDREN’S DIRECTOR Keleigh Oglesbee

PIANIST Beth Pierce

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Debbie Graney

CUSTODIAN Mike Rogers

N E W S L E T T E R F E B R U A R Y 2 2 , 2 0 1 7

Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.” That set the disciples back on their heels. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked. Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.” (Mark 10:23-27 MSG)

Wednesday, March 1, 2017, Ash Wednesday, begins our 40 day Season of Lent (not counting Sundays)…Our Lenten Journey is a pilgrimage of faith with fellow believers toward the Cross of Good Friday, April 14, 2017, concluding on Waiting Saturday, April 15, 2017…Then with the dawn of Easter Sunday morning, April 16, 2017, we will declare “Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed!...

The Season of Lent invites you and me to be intentional about growing our relationship with God, furthering our commitment to loving and serving the people God loves, and maturing in our faith…The Season of Lent invites you and me to self-discipline and self-sacrifice in matters of the spirit which will heighten our experience of Easter…

Lent invites us to give up something for 40 days (self-sacrifice) that will help us experience life and life abundantly (i.e. liver, chocolate, soft drinks, unhealthy eating, anger, envy, greed, gossip, only talking a good game…you get the idea)…

Lent invites us to “take on” something for 40 days (self-discipline) that will become part of our being as a child of God (i.e. reading the Bible every day, meditating on a devotional, intentional prayer time, serving in a local mission, practice tithing, be part of a small covenant group, attending worship regularly and be prepared for worship, write a note of encouragement to someone, take on healthy eating, stride for walking and exercise, take care of yourself, laughter, balance, harmony, peace…again, you get the idea)…

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First United Methodist ChurchFirst United Methodist Church exists to bring people to Jesus and membership in His church, help them to mature in Christ and grow in grace, and equip them to discover and to use their gifts in ministry in the church and in the world for

the glory of God.

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Imagine and envision that if these self-disciplines and self-sacrifices can work for 40 days, what if they become part of who we are for a lifetime, and indeed we become like Jesus growing in wisdom and stature…However, if we try to do these things on our own, it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, but, with God’s help all things are possible, even our Lenten “Giving Up” and “Taking On”…As we approach Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent, may we choose wisely what we will “Give Up” and “Take On” and we’ll travel this Lenten Pilgrimage Path together to the Cross of Good Friday, the Empty Tomb of Easter, and experience our best Easter yet!!!

As we join God in His Work and Play in Progress: Luxuriously Pray, Leisurely Read Your Bible,

Lovingly Worship, Longingly Learn, Liberally Give, Lavishly Serve,

and Laughingly Play… Let us pray: Almighty God and Loving Father, God of The Season of Lent…thank you for reminding me of my mortality and my need for a savior…forgive me when I think I can “pull off” saving myself…help me submit to you in all my self-sacrifice and self-discipline…God of The Season of Lent, Loving Father and Almighty God, I Love You! Amen, Make It So…

Ash Wednesday Services

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 is Ash Wednesday and begins our 2017 Lenten Journey to the Cross of Good Friday (April 14, 2017) and the Empty Tomb of Easter Resurrection (April 16, 2017). We will offer two opportunities of worship on this Ash Wednesday: Service of Ashes and Communion in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church Columbia at 7:00 A.M. or 6:00 P.M. The services will last 15-25 minutes.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

9:45 a.m. – Sunday School

10:00 a.m. – Youth Sunday School

10:55 a.m. – Worship Service

5:00 p.m. – Youth Service Scavenger Hunt

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017

5:30 p.m. – Administrative Council

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

8:00 a.m. – Methodist Movers

6:00 p.m. – Tuesday Night Group Study

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017

7:00 a.m. – Ash Wednesday Service

9:00 a.m. – XYZ

3:00 p.m. – Children’s WWW

3:30 p.m. – Jr. High Youth WWW

5:15 p.m. – “WWW” Supper (provided by children)

6:00 p.m. -Ash Wednesday Service

6:00 p.m. – Kouth

6:00 p.m. – Sr. High Youth

6:30 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

8:00 a.m. – Methodist Movers

9:30 p.m. – Thursday Morning Group Study

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

9:30 a.m. – World Day of Prayer – New Zion UMC

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2017

No Scheduled Activities

SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017

9:45 a.m. – Sunday School

10:00 a.m. – Youth Sunday School

10:55 a.m. – Worship Service

12:00 p.m. – K3 – 1st Grade Picnic in the Park

5:00 p.m. – Jr. High Handbells

5:45 p.m. – Jr. High Youth Choir

5:45 p.m. – Sr. High Youth Bible Study

6:30 p.m. – Youth Snack Supper

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

No Scheduled Activities

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017

8:00 a.m. – Methodist Movers

9:30 a.m. – Tuesday Night Group Study

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

9:00 a.m. – XYZ

3:00 p.m. – Children’s WWW

3:30 p.m. – Jr. High Youth WWW

5:15 p.m. – “WWW” Supper

6:00 p.m. – Family Prayer & Devotion

6:00 p.m. – Kouth

6:00 p.m. – Sr. High Youth

6:30 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017

8:00 a.m. – Methodist Movers

9:30 a.m. – Thursday Morning Group Study

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

No Scheduled Activities

Dial - A -Devotion VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

(please consider taking a spot and help us out! We will work with you on the day)

The Dial-A-Devotion team needs one more person to help with the weekly devotionals. You

would only have to do this one day a week. Please contact Edna Ginn or Martha Morrow if you would be

willing to help. ______________________________________

BLOOD DRIVE

March 13, 2017 4:00 p.m. in the Wesley Center

See Scarlett Gafford or Terri Robbins to sign up!

We extend Christian Love and Sympathy to the family of Ann

Lampton Walker.

March 14 at 9:30 AM the UMW Morning Circle will meet in the Wesley Center.  Guest speaker

will be Dee Dee Ellis who will talk about the work of Kids Hub in Hattiesburg.  All ladies of the

church are invited to come hear what she has to say about this very vital mission in our area.

Anna Hough, Ramie Stringer, LeWynn Sturdivant Melson, Julia Kathryn Pittman, Jane Martin, Spooky Sims, Jack Loflin, John Waits, Wayne Sturdivant, John

& Pam Bowman, Tom Griffith, Shirley Wooten, Lucas Porter, Tom McNeese, Tom Shows, Edith McMurray, Barbara Ragan, Doris Phelps, Angela Lewis, Kaitlyn Wright, Tracie Andrews, Janie Polk, Leon Session, Lisa Phillips, Jimmy Woods, Carol Jarrell, Clifton Bond, Karon Ryals, Monique Goar, Wesley Moudy, Lisa McGloflin, Sabastian Blanchard, Sarah Davis, Steve Vickery, Brenda Griner, Rev. Tim Parker, Debbie Price, Martha Stephens, Kim Fink, Shirley Grace, Madelyn Halford, Logan Byrne, Gary Rush, Mary Ann Nicholson, Theresa Edwards, Toni Marino, Faith Johnson, Abbey Talia, Peyton Grooms, Kalyn Boyd, Kenneth Eaves, Jennifer Albritton, Paula Melerine, Joan Berry, Louie Bedwell, Ann Dial, Eddie Buckley.

SHUT INS

The Grove - Greta Dick, Georgette Kuykendall, Helen Oglesbee, Angela Varnado

The Myrtles - Frank Little, Janie Scarborough (spouse of deceased Methodist Minister)

Wesley Manor - Lina Fortenberry, Maryann Hyatt The Claiborne - Carolyn Powers

HOSPITALS Forrest General - Patricia Reid

Marion General - Mary Thompson

ATTENDANCE & CONTRIBUTIONS

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2017

Worship 127 Sunday School 67

Contributions $ 9,980.51 Missions $ 42.00

Building Fund $ 50.00 Memorials $ 50.00

Please make a note that the office is closed on Monday morning until 10:30

a.m. to take care of finances.

February Contributions to Date: $25,089.99

February Expenses to date: $19,791.92

Total contributions to date: $ 60,305.71 Total expenses to date: $56,571.56

Repair cost of Water Leak $2,684.00 Donations for Leak $ 375.00

Rental Roof Repair $ 2,500.00 Donations for Roof Repairs $ 550.00

Contributions appreciated if you would like to help with the cost!

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FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

20 - Mamie Herring 23 - Mike Rogers

25 - Davis Herring, Dick Jordan 26 - Vic Dantin

27 - Drew Foxworth, Spencer Stovall

28 - Jason Howell, Arthur & Carlene Pigott

MARCH BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARIES

2 - Grace Ann Pierce 3 - Mary Thompson 10 - Ramie Russell 12 - Kaitlyn Kyzar

13 - Brad & Rhonda Livingston, Marilyn Foxworth

14 - Julia Kathryn Pittman, Patricia Reid, Riley Grace

Howell 16 - Kayla Barber

17 - Mary Nell Livingston, Burt Rowell

18 - Allison Bullock, Debbie Graney, Riley Pittman 20 - Brad Livingston

22 - Mary Claire Harvey 23 - Steve & Darren Hathorn

24 - Sharon Kittrell 28 - Keleigh Oglesbee, Mark

Rogers 29 - Dawn Martin, Martha Morrow, Nioma Webb

31 - Greta Dick

We owe a BIG “Thank you!” to Mr. Leonard for taking his afternoon to drive the bus and our large group around town as we visited shut-in’s from our church during WWW! We had a big crew and I am forever thankful for those that went with us to help!

Our fundraiser for Camp Wesley Pines is coming soon! Our goal is to pay 100% of the camp fee for anyone interested in attending summer camp at Camp Wesley Pines this summer. Parents, I need to know soon if your child plans to attend so I can make sure everyone is involved in fundraising opportunities. If you would like to sponsor a child, please contact me and I can answer any questions you may have. The deadline to register, and to receive the discount, will be at the end of March. I will be in contact with everyone before then to double check registration so we can get our deposit in.

Our Prek-1st Grade picnic in the park is next Sunday, March 5th, immediately following the church service. Prek-1st grade choir will sing that morning during the service at 11AM. Please plan to bring a change of clothes and change as soon as church is over. We will carpool to the city park, have lunch and play on the playground. Pickup will be on the playground at the park if you do not plan to stay. We are asking that

anyone younger than 5 have a parent to hang around. As always, we need extra eyes for this trip! If you are interested in an afternoon outdoors, let me know!

Be sure to add these important dates to your calendar: 03/05 K3-1st Picnic in the Park 03/19 Last day to register for Camp Wesley Pines 04/05 Easter Program 04/07 2nd-5th Grades glow hunt04/09 Lunch & Easter Egg Hunt04/12 No WWW due to Easter Break

Have a great week! Keleigh

Acolytes 02/26 Kate 03/05 Frances & Brayden 03/12 Sophie 03/19 Davis

Nursery Volunteers 02/26 Allison Foxworth & Ollie Herring 03/05 Sara Russell & Luke Stogner 03/12 Kayla Barber & Mary Vic Dantin 03/19 Maggie Herring & Laura Hough

TRUSTEE CHAIR IS BOBBY ARMSTRONG

At the time the Lay Leadership Committee was put together

Bobby had not been elected as Chairperson of Trustees. Please make the correction on you Lay Leadership Report and add him to Administrative Council and

Finance Committees.

This year’s Dancing through the Decades was another great time. We had new faces (and feet) around, and it was so much fun learning new dances and seeing everyone show off their “old” moves. I’m not sure there is a better fellowship opportunity than seeing all ages hit the dance floor and just enjoy themselves. The dance instructor messaged

me the next day to thank us for the opportunity and state how much she gets out of the event- seeing “all those happy people” enjoying themselves and dancing, doing something she has built her career around. If you haven’t joined us yet, make plans to do so next year! From the talented musings of Mark Fite and Allison Foxworth to Lisa Sims and the parents who coordinated and provide food, this event is a team effort! A VERY special thank you, as well, goes to Marilyn Foxworth for her special touch with all the decorations. You have to love it when people just show up with the heart to serve and the hands to do!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, 2/22 is our monthly Junior High WWW trip to the Bean. Parents, please send money to cover your child’s expenses. We are continuing our “Best Year Ever” study, which examines the life of “Old Testament” Joseph and how, despite all the troubles and setbacks he endured, he saw his sufferings and trials as fulfillment of God’s purpose and plan for his life.

Senior High will continue the “My 8” study through the next few weeks. Service project surveys will be mailed this week. If you receive one, please think about how our youth can serve you. We’ve given you several ideas/ prompts on the survey, but we are open to anything you have for us! And if you don’t receive one, please ask any youth member or myself for a survey if you have a project that needs our help. Several spring events are on the horizon for both groups, so stay tuned for details!

Confirmation materials are in and being reviewed. We anticipate offering 6 weeks of classes once we finalize materials. Parents, I’ll be in touch shortly regarding the schedule and plans for the recognition service.

Have a great week! Mrs. Angel

P.S. Thank you to Cathy Edwards for our Valentine’s treats at WWW last week and to the Foxworths for being our last-minute hosts this past Sunday night.

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 33 COLUMBIA, MS 39429

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHRUCH P.O. BOX 585 411 CHURCH STREET COLUMBIA, MS 39429

LAST CALL FOR RADA ORDER

UMW will be placing a Rada order this Monday, February 25. The last chance to place an order will be this Sunday, February 26th. If you would like to place an order, please contact Scarlett Gafford or

Linda Struck. ____________________________________________

SCHOOL TREATS

The Missions Committee is requesting donations for treats for the Columbia

Primary School children. You may give individually

wrapped treats or give monetary donations to the

Missions Committee.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER NEW ZION UMC

9:30 REGISTRATION 10 A.M. SERVICE: POTLUCK

FELLOWSHIP AFTER PROGRAM MORE INFO:601-441-2217