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I am going to attempt to describe the gratitude I feel for being your pastor. To see what God has done over the course of the past five and a half years is remarkable. You serve with passion and commitment that is inspiring our community and beyond. I feel tremendous thanksgiving just for the privilege of calling you friends. Let me tell you a few of the things I am most thankful for… I am thankful for the 636 members who welcomed 31 new members into our congregation since last Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the 22 baptisms and their families who are beginning their journey through life with Christ. I am thankful for the 48 children running through the halls of our CMO Monday through Friday and for the 150 students who fill our church on Wednesday nights.
I am thankful for the almost 30,000 children who received lunches this summer through you. I am thankful for Katie Fowler and Kim Collins for making its success. They truly are rock stars. I am thankful for the servants who stood in sandwich making assembly lines and those who delivered those sandwiches.
I am thankful for Stewart and Sami Glisson who make going to Belize a possibility and the great mission that it is. I am thankful for the 23 missionaries who traveled to Belize. I am thankful for the 276 students who are sitting in the Belmopan Methodist High School gaining a better future because of the work of those 23 missionaries and countless more who prayed and gave.
I am thankful for the thousands of pounds of food that our food pantry has given this year. I am thankful for the thousands of people that we have served through our thrift store. I am eternally grateful for the food ministry that Betty Vonkleeck began and George Eidson has continued. I will always be thankful for Nancy’s stubborn refusal to let my shortsightedness keep her from the wonder and power of Two Shirts Thrift Store.
I am thankful for men like Phil Blair and Bob Bradley. Men from two completely different generations and yet give me the same hope because of their love of Jesus. They will never know how grateful I am to them and for them. I am thankful that I live in a community that has leaders as excellent as Bruce Tidaback, even if he is a Tech fan. I am thankful for a staff that makes way too little in compensation for the Kingdom building they are accomplishing.
I am thankful for my beautiful and loving wife who brings order and structure into my chaotic mind and pace. I am also grateful for four boys who bring chaos and craziness into my chaotic mind and pace.
Lastly, I am thankful that God called me to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that the Bishop saw fit for me to share it with you.
In the hollow of His hand,
Derek
Villa Rica First United Methodist Church
November, 2015
THANKSGIVING 2015
Meet Our Newest Staff Member
Laurie Klingenberg has joined the staff of VRFUMC as Director of Congregational Health. Laurie is in her second year of seminary at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and will graduate in 2017. She is married to Michael Klingenberg and we have been married nineteen years. Laurie has two children, Alan Copenhaver and Sam Klingenberg. She has been a member of Villa Rica First United Methodist Church for twelve years.
2 Jeremy & Jessica Jones 3 Stephanie & Bryan Ogle Jr. 6 Carie & Larry Livingston II 7 Clay & Tiffany Willoughby 8 Josh & Sarah Harris 8 Matt & Alison Williamson 10 Marcus & Leslie Newman 14 Carlos & Luz Morales 15 Mark & Angie O’Dell 19 Robert & Carrie Pitts 23 Darrell & Bobbie Ledford 24 Jeff & Brenda Matthews 24 Mark & Susan Smith 29 Don & Jenny Fitzgerald 29 David & Barbara Myers
November Anniversaries
Happy Birthday, Everyone
1 Patricia Foster 1 Luca Turner 2 Tami Hill 3 Alyssa Carter 3 Rusty Dean 4 Erin Backus 5 Larry Boggs 5 Benjamin Glisson 8 Rex Huggins 10 John-Tyler Shadix 10 Joan Smith 12 Layla Meadows 12 Lois Meadows 13 Mark Crawford 13 Becky Harrelson 14 Phil Blair 14 Donald Jones 16 Danny Waldrop 17 Kirsten Shotwell 18 Carolyn Rowe 20 Boots Ballard 20 Jennifer Beck 20 Forrest Blair 20 Tiffany Willoughby 21 Josh Garner 22 Kylan Hendricks 23 Jinny Anderson 23 Jane Leverett 24 Hubert Blankenship 25 Linda Rogers 27 Stephanie Tullis 28 Joshua McConnell 28 Taryn O’Dell 29 Steve Gamble 29 Gary Hendricks 29 Matt Williamson
November
Birthdays
Connect in the Trailers Come join a Connect Group in our lovely trailers at ten each Sunday morning. Two groups are meeting there now: DIG and Martha Blake.
The Podcasts are Coming!
The Podcasts are coming. Sunday
sermons will be available soon on our
website and Facebook page.
Operation Backpack
The VRFUMC Backpack Ministry
currently provides 25 Villa Rica
Elementary School and 12 Villa Rica
Middle School students with a bag of
food to take home each weekend
during the school year. Backpack
foods are easy-to-prepare, ready-to-eat
items like granola bars, mac & cheese,
ravioli, fruit cups, oatmeal, and juice
boxes.
Please consider donating the food
items mentioned above or tag your
monetary contribution with
“Backpack Ministry.” There is a drop-
off box located in the front lobby for
food donations. Contact Sami Glisson
at [email protected] for more
information or to volunteer.
Sunday Service Times
Fellowship: 8:30 First Service: 9:00
Connect Groups 10:00 Second Service: 11:00
Fill-the-Truck: Thanksgiving Edition
Help God’s Food Pantry
provide families with a
traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
VRFUMC let’s fill-the-truck to
the brim with canned sweet
potatoes, chicken broth, stuffing
mix, and cranberry sauce.
Mortgage Balance
Through 10/24/2015
$707,705.40
For more information please contact Sharon Jeffers
Circle 3 Circle 3 will meet Monday, November 9th
at 4PM. Please bring your thankful jar.
All women are invited to join our group.
For more information contact:
Beverly Swafford 770.598.0242
The Royal Circle
The Royal Circle will meet Monday, November 9th at 6:30 at the church. Please plan to join us as we fellowship together. Childcare is available for those who need it.
Katie Fowler [email protected]
770.265.3763
Simplify by Bill Hybels
How long has it been since your days had breathing room, your schedule was balanced, and your relationships were running smoothly? How long has it been since you felt at peace and connected to God? Join our small group as we discuss ways to simplify our lives and maintain it for the long haul.
For more information contact: Linda Rogers 770-948-5666
Love Plants?
Frank Gallo beautified the front and
rear entrance church signs with plants
and has been maintaining them. Due
to added responsibilities at his place of
employment, he can no longer
maintain the planted areas. The
church needs someone who loves
plants and will volunteer to care for
these two flower beds. God asks not
only a tithe of our money but also our
time. Contact David for details:
[email protected] or 770-836-6100.
D.I.G. (Delighting in God)
Connect Group Sundays at 10am
We want to show even more hospitality and friendliness to
our church visitors!
Have great ideas to share?
Contact and share with Doc Ringlaben
Lost and Found Several pairs of reader eye glasses, a pair of folding sun glasses and an Abercrombie jacket have been left at the church. These items are now at the cottage and may be claimed there. Any items that are not claimed by December 1st will be donated to Two Shirts Thrift Store.
Two Shirts +
Two Years
= $25,000
Luke 3:11: If you have Two Shirts, share with someone who has none.
Our Mission is to provide low cost, quality merchandise to the
community.
As we begin our third year of operation we thank each of you again for your support. At this time our most pressing need is for an additional board member. Members work approximately five days in a month then are off the next month. So over a year’s time you only work about 30 days. If you would enjoy “playing store,” supporting a unique and important mission, and being able to say, “I helped give $25,000 to my church” contact Chris or Nancy for more details.
Please remember: Swim suits in summer, snow suits in winter.
When you bring clothes, it is very helpful to us if you donate seasonally. Also if you have items you don’t want because they are broken, out of date, or dirty, we probably can’t use them either. The only exception to this rule is metal. If you have metal items you no longer use, or no longer work, even if we can’t sell them, we can recycle them to earn money for TS.
In-store needs: case of small waters,
magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe, 13 gallon trash bags.
As always, we are in need of dedicated, faithful volunteers. Please contact Chris or Nancy if you can help in any way.
Chris Obenauer 770.367.1978 Nancy Wise 404.374.4154
Faith, Hope and Love in Action
Join the summer lunch team
August 4 -6.
Join the summer lunch team
August 4 -6.
God’s Food Pantry
In the month of October, God's Food Pantry served 9 new clients, 69 clients total, representing 216 household members. We distributed a total of 1,680 pounds of food. Thank you for your generosity and continued support of God's Food Pantry as we continue to serve
our community.
Please pray for each family served.
George Eidson, Director
Mission Opportunities
November Operation Christmas Child
December Angel Tree
Claus for Paws Ongoing
God’s Food Pantry,
Two Shirts Thrift Store
I’ve Decided to Follow Jesus
Following Jesus is a journey none of
the people in The Unexpected Journey by
Thom Rainer ever expected to take.
Why did they? What difference did it
make? God is still active in saving
even the most unexpected people: An
atheist woman who viewed Christians
as “idiots.” A married couple high in
the leadership ranks of the Mormon
church. You’ll be amazed, moved,
and encouraged as you read their
compelling stories and the stories of
ten others who made the unexpected
journey from non-Christian beliefs to
faith in Jesus Christ. You’ll rediscover
the power of the gospel. All women
are invited to attend the study
Wednesdays at 10am. Contact Linda
Rogers, 770-948-5666, for more
information.
Greeters Needed The 3G Ministry
(Great Greeter Group) would like a few
more of you to join. Be one of the few,
the proud, the friendly…
Contact Doc Ringlaben at
[email protected] for details.
Your Next Good Read
If you enjoyed reading The Hunger Games and the Divergent trilogies, I recommend The Circle series by Ted Dekker. The Circle is an epic story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, and terroristic threat unlike anything the human race has ever known. All of this with a spiritual underpinning. Enjoy!
For more on Ted Dekker or The Circle trilogy, see links below. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/103934703873548006/ or https://www.pinterest.com/pin/115404809172468674/ or
http://www.booksofthebible.com/p4362.html
Make sure your caring includes doing.
Be an Angel for
The Salvation Army
Take an angel from the angel tree,
November 22.
Buy a gift for a local child
Fill-the-Truck Sunday Paint Party
Come out and paint this whimsical
turkey to benefit VRFUMC’s food
pantry. We provide Thanksgiving
meals each year for many families and
turkeys are the biggest expense. By
painting your own turkey, you will be
helping a family have real
Thanksgiving meal! The cost is $30 to
paint a 16” x 20” canvas and proceeds
will go directly to this very important
mission! Sign up or RSVP to reserve
your spot!
Where: VRFUMC @ The Garden
When: Sunday, November 8th
Time: 4:00-6:00pm
RSVP: Sami Glisson
678.230.6313 or [email protected]
It's not too soon to be thinking of Connect Groups for the Spring Semester. If you have an idea, suggestion, etc. about a Spring Connect Group, contact Doc
Ringlaben, [email protected].
Missions 2015
Doing what we can, where we are, with what we have!
Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer,
“Truly, I say to you, as you did for the least of these you did for me.”
Operation Christmas Child Samaritan’s Purse November 15, 2015
We will be contributing to Samaritan’s Purse through monetary
donations and Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.
Shoeboxes will be placed on the altar November 15th. They
will be also collected at the entrances November 1st and 8th.
Pick up an envelope and label your shoebox by age and gender.
The envelope will give ideas of what will fit best in a box.
Remember the boxes must go through customs in all countries.
We must follow the suggested guidelines. A small shoebox
can have a big impact. What goes into the box is fun, but what
comes out of it is eternal. Be a part of changing children's lives
all over the world in Jesus' name through the power of a simple
gift with Operation Christmas Child.
Grief Ministry
How can we help those who are grieving?
Car in the shop? Life’s daily chores must be done, even after a death in the
family. Offer transportation to those who need a “lift” in more ways than one. If you can, change the oil yourself or give
the vehicle a good wash.
For more info contact
Jan McDaniel 770.313.2460
Check Out the Website See bulletins, newsletters, current
calendars and upcoming church events on our website.
villaricafumc.net
THE GARDEN CLUB: VRFUMC at “The Garden”
First appearances can attract or turn
away visitors. Attractive flower and
plant beds certainly add to appeal.
The problem is we are not like God
who can say, “Let there be,” and the
flower or plant appears. It requires a
little work on our part. Therefore, I
would like to begin a Garden Club, for
the purpose of adding to the beauty of
the church grounds. Consultants,
hands on planting, maintaining,
pruning trees, maintaining the
irrigation system, one or more persons
adopting a bed or specific task, etc. are
needed.
A side note: can we say the very first
church was the Garden of Eden where
God dialogued with Adam and Eve?
Did you know that the Garden of
Eden needed no maintenance? It was
perfect, no droughts, no floods, no
diseases, etc.? So John Wesley said.
No so at VRFUMC at the Garden.
Plant a flower and the weeds appear.
You, who love flowers and plants, can
add to the beauty to the church
grounds. Contact David Myers at
[email protected] or 770-836-6100.
A Clean Church is a Happy Church
Come out on Friday, November 6 at
1pm, and help organize supplies and
peruse unused materials to determine if
the item can fulfill a need in the church.
Good food for all workers!
For more information, contact Carlos
Morales at 706-325-8576.
CHILDREN and YOUTH
Youth Opportunities
We are excited to offer so many exciting mission, worship, and educational opportunities for our youth. We hope you will fellowship with us. If you have questions please contact Jason or Erin Backus at:
[email protected] or http://www.facebook.com/VRyouth Sign up for our Remind text service by sending “@ VRyouth” to 81010**
Jason & Erin Backus
Upcoming Youth Events
December 31st ~ Youth Lock-in
It’s More than just Mere Child’s Play
Recent changes to Villa Rica First United Methodist Church may have caught your eye! The outside play space is newly renovated. Lights and landscaping are being added to the trailer area to improve safety and make the area more attractive. Tricycles have been provided for the CMO program. Why all the changes? In part, the additions are to promote active play among our children. Play is not just play… it is a child’s form of “work.” Play is the #1 way that children’s brains develop and bodies grow in a healthy way up to age 11. By creating attractive play areas and installing interactive playscapes, VRFUMC is supporting the development of gross and fine motor skills in the children we serve. This is important as physical development is the building block for future learning. At church, two types of play are encouraged: structured and unstructured. 1. “Structured play” helps children learn to work toward and achieve objectives. Things like putting together a puzzle, playing board games, participating in tag or organized sports are structured activities. These activities help children understand rules and work toward a final goal. 2. Unstructured or “free” play promotes creativity and allows a child to set their own goals for play time. During “free play” children learn to work alone or to cooperate in groups. Coloring or painting on blank paper or playing with a truck or doll is unstructured play. Inventing games and simply running around the playground is “free play” that promotes the skills to learn in the future. Experts recommend a minimum of 60 minutes of structured and 60 minutes of unstructured daily play for children under age five. Sixty minutes of daily active play is recommended for children older than five years old. So remember, play is not just play. Turn off the TV and allow your child to fully engage in structured or unstructured play activities. By doing so, your child will learn to focus, arrange and process information and absorb the meaning of the activity; all skills required to do well in school. Daily, structured and unstructured play are offered at VRFUMC to enhance every child’s development. So, play every day with your child – it’s important!
Jesus and Me
Our JAM sessions have started back on
Wednesday nights with a bang!! We have
more children with us than ever! If you
are interested in volunteering on a
Wednesday night, contact Erin Backus at
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Thanksgiving for Our Past ~ Communion Service
1PM ~ Youth Band
5PM ~ Charge Conference
2 3 4PM ~ Food Pantry 6:30PM ~ Boy Scouts
4 10AM ~ Women’s Bible Study
6PM~ Wednesday Night Live
6:30PM ~ Adult Choir Practice
5 6 1PM ~ Church-wide Work Day
7
8 Thanksgiving for Our Present
Fill the Truck Day
12PM~ Meet the Pastor
1PM ~ Youth Band
9 4PM ~ Circle 3 6:30PM ~ Royal Circle
10 6:30PM ~ Boy Scouts
11 10AM ~ Women’s Bible Study
6PM~ Wednesday Night Live
6:30PM ~ Adult Choir Practice
12 13 14
15 Thanksgiving for Our Future
1PM ~ Youth Band
2:30PM ~ Fill-the-Truck Paint Party
16 17 4PM ~ Food Pantry 6:30PM ~ Boy Scouts
18 10AM ~ Women’s Bible Study
6PM~ Wednesday Night Live
6:30PM ~ Adult Choir Practice
19 20 21 4PM ~ Emmaus Gathering
22 Thanksgiving
1PM ~ Staff Meeting
1PM ~ Youth Band
23 24 6:30PM ~ Boy Scouts
25
26 Thanksgiving
Day
27
28
29 Beginning with the End; Mary’s Story 1PM ~ Youth Band Hanging of the Green
30
Need Prayer? Call the prayer chain hotline. Irma Andrews 770.459.1816 or Sonja Bradley 770.459.6012
I know that when I pray something wonderful happens. Not just to the person or persons for whom I am praying,
But also something wonderful happens to me.
2015 NOVEMBER SERVANTS & SCHEDULES 2015
2015
Greeters @ 9:00
1st ~ JoAn Blankenship 8th ~ Dixie Tackett 15th ~ June Tyler
22nd ~ Jean Dean
29th ~ Sandra Brown
Greeters @ 11:00
1st ~ Stewart & Sami Glisson 8th ~ Bob & Dean Mills 15th ~ Don Ringlaben
22nd ~ Doc Ringlaben
29th ~ Doc Ringlaben
COUNTING SCHEDULE
1st ~ Linda Martin & Barbara Myers 8th ~ Dixie Tackett & Sandra Brown
15th ~ Opal Spake & Nancy Wise
22nd ~ Linda Rogers & Judy Beck
29th ~ Jackie B. Waldrop & Kim Collins
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
1st ~ Communion 8th ~ Kids Sing
15th ~ Mykl Klingenberg
22nd ~ Kim Collins
29th ~ Derek Porter
USHERS @ 9:00
Bob Chiles Hubert Blankenship
USHERS @ 11:00
Scott Swafford Robert Pitts
Greg Thomas
OPEN & CLOSE
Open: Dustin Thomas Close: Dustin Thomas
or Marcus Newman
Sunday Fellowship
Join us for Coffee and Conversation at 8:30
Pastor Derek in North Carolina ~ Leadership Training Session II
Office Closed
ADMINISTRATIVE Board Members
Committee Chair Committee Contact Info
Hubert Blankenship Administrative Board [email protected]
Beverly Swafford UMW President [email protected]
Chris Obenauer Happy Hearts [email protected]
Sharon Jeffers Council on Ministries [email protected]
Larry Boggs Long Range Planning [email protected]
Danny Waldrop Lay Leader [email protected]
David Obenauer Finance [email protected]
Dustin Thomas Trustee [email protected]
Erin Backus Student Ministries Coordinator / Staff [email protected]
Erin Price CMO Director / Staff [email protected]
Halie Bissell Children’s Morning Out [email protected]
Irma Andrews Youth [email protected]
Jackie B. Waldrop Treasurer [email protected]
Jason Backus Youth Director / Staff [email protected]
Kim Collins Children [email protected]
Lauren Turner Worship Arts [email protected]
Linda Rogers Missions [email protected]
Luz & Carlos Morales Boy Scouts [email protected]
Marvin Osborne Nurture & Outreach [email protected]
Michael Burnaman Music Director / Staff [email protected]
Greg Thomas SPRC [email protected]
Nancy Wise New Member Services [email protected]
VRFUMC Office Contact Information: Administrative Coordinator: Stephanie Tullis
1789 Carrollton-Villa Rica Hwy, VR 30180
Phone: 770.459.3067 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.villaricafumc.net
Office Hours: Mon., Tues. & Thurs. 9AM to 3PM Wed. & Fri. 9AM to Noon
Church Staff
Ministers of Faith ~ Our Congregation
Rev. Derek Porter, Pastor: 770.235.2246 or [email protected]
Michael Burnaman, Music Director: [email protected]
Rick Quinton, Pianist: [email protected]
Dr. Ravic “Doc” Ringlaben, Connect Ministries Director: [email protected]
Erin Backus, Student Ministries Coordinator: [email protected]
Jason Backus, Youth Director: [email protected]
Amanda Wallace, JAM Coordinator: [email protected]
Erin Price, CMO Director: [email protected]
Jane Massey, Financial Secretary: [email protected]
Volunteer Communications Staff
Lowdown with Lauren: Lauren Turner & Luz Morales Lauren: [email protected]
Luz: [email protected]
Adult Connect Groups
Delighting in God (D.I.G.)
Teacher Linda Rogers
Martha Blake Teacher: Robert Pitts
Outreach Teacher Rotation
Reba Roberds Teacher: Danny Waldrop
College Age: Basic Gift
Teachers: Melody & Jerry Crowe
Youth (6th – 12th grade):
Teachers: Clay Willoughby & Brent Price
Children (3 yr. – 5th grade)
Children’s Worship Ages 3 – 3rd grade
9:15 & 11:15
Sunday School & Children’s Church
S