My first Sunday here, I talked about the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant promise to us. I reminded us that you have to walk through the rain to experience the rainbow. These dark days of Lent and Holy Week give way to amazing celebration of resurrection and new life. As we approach the end of Lent and prepare to celebrate Easter, I wanted to share one of my favorite poems by Ann Weems called, “Walking Rainbows.” Walking Rainbows A rainbow is not just a symphony of colors sent to calm the storm in our souls; it is a talk with God, a mysterious, miraculous conversation with God, heart to heart, the very heart of God saying to our hearts: “I remember I am your God. Be my walking rainbows, so that the whole world will know to whom you belong, for I am the God who keeps promises, and I have not forgotten our covenant.” This is the hope of the church: that God keeps promises. The mission of the church is to walk among the suffering and give, for we are covenant keepers, walking rainbows, bringing the hope of the good news to the poor. –Ann Weems Messenger Volume 18, Issue 4 April 2017 Blessings Pastor Sally Worship With Us Each Sunday, 10:50am Wednesdays in Lent, 6:15pm Communion Service - - - - -
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My first Sunday here, I talked about the
rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant promise to us. I reminded us that you have to walk through the rain to experience the rainbow. These dark days of Lent and Holy Week give way to amazing celebration of resurrection and new life. As we approach the end of Lent and prepare to celebrate Easter, I wanted to share one of my favorite poems by Ann Weems called, “Walking Rainbows.”
Walking Rainbows A rainbow is not just a symphony of colors sent to calm the storm in our souls; it is a talk with God, a mysterious, miraculous conversation with God, heart to heart, the very heart of God saying to our hearts: “I remember I am your God. Be my walking rainbows, so that the whole world will know to whom you belong, for I am the God who keeps promises, and I have not forgotten our covenant.” This is the hope of the church: that God keeps promises. The mission of the church is to walk among the suffering and give, for we are covenant keepers, walking rainbows, bringing the hope of the good news to the poor. –Ann Weems
Messenger Volume 18, Issue 4 April 2017
Blessings, Pastor Sally
Worship With Us Each Sunday, 10:50am
Wednesdays in Lent, 6:15pm Communion Service
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Flowering of the Cross on Easter Sunday On Easter Sunday, you are invited to bring fresh cut flowers
(symbols of new life) to worship to decorate a cross (the symbol of Christ’s death). Simply bring the flowers to the front of the
Sanctuary and watch the cross explode with new life!
Eating with a Purpose The United Methodist Women invite you to a luncheon following worship to support the Myers Memorial UMC Relay for Life Team
on Sunday, April 26 in the CFC. Join us!
Eastern NC Work Team A team of Myers workers are headed to Easter North Carolina April
24-26 and they want you to travel with them! No construction experience needed, just a willingness to serve others! Contact
The Western North Carolina Conference Board on Laity issues the call for submissions
for the Laity Address at the 2017Annual Conference
Topic: “Living the Call of Baptism to Grow in Faith and Make Disciples”
Any United Methodist interested in presenting a 10 to 12 minute address on this year’s Laity Address Topic at the Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska in June 2017 is invited to submit a proposed address for consideration. Requirements: 1. Submissions must be based on the theme or
a closely related one. 2. Submissions must have a cover page with
the following information: name of submitter, mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, local church, District, and a new requirement recommendation signature of the Local Church Lay Leader. Manuscripts must be typewritten and pages must be numbered.
3. Manuscripts must be received by April 21, 2017.
4. The actual presentation must be as submitted in the manuscript.
5. This invitation is open to all United Methodist Laity in the Western North Carolina Conference, excluding members of the Board on Laity.
Send submissions to: Wade D. Loftin, Conference Director of Lay Servant
Ministries, 5570 Windemere Circle, Trinity, NC. Submissions may be e-mailed at
Philip Wade 526 Cameron Point Lane, Belmont, NC 28012
First Sunday Screenings On the first Sunday of each month you are invited to the CFC starting at 9am for Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings are available. Anyone can be screened (be careful what you eat at UMM!)
Volunteers who have been trained in administering these types of screenings are needed to assist so everyone can make it to Sunday School on time! Volunteers are asked to contact Ree Threlkeld 704-866-4031 or [email protected]
Community News & Opportunities Lunch & Learn with Caromont Health 11:30 to 12:30pm at Discover YOU! 420 E Central Ave., Mt. Holly Register online at discover-you.org or call 704-827-6770 April 21: Sports Medicine: Eating, Pain Prevention &
Performance May 19: Senior Health Fitness June 16: Minding Your Mental Health
from the Health Cabinet
Join Our Team! Myers Memorial UMC has formed a team for the CaroMont Community Challenge Fun Walk | 5K Run on Saturday, May 13 at 8:30a at Stuart Cramer High School. Won’t you Walk or Run with us? Contact Tanya Martin, [email protected], 704-678-7122 to join the MMUMC team.
Meanwhile, take advantage of the CaroMont sponsored group walks and runs to prepare yourself!
Runs: Saturdays at 9a - Walk and Run Belmont
Walks: Saturdays at 9a - Rankin Lake Park
Also available are Healthy Lifestyle Classes at CaroMont Health & Fitness Center, Wednesdays from 5:45p to 6:15p. April 5: Running/Walking Safety April 12: Nutrition for Endurance.
Sponsored by the Gastonia Parish Nurse Ministry April 6: Labyrinth program at the Robin Johnson
House (5005 Shepherds Way Dr. Dallas), 6:30pm April 12 & 13: Labyrinth Available at First UMC,
Contributions of Gifts, Memorials, Time & Worship Stewardship Report
Worship Offerings & Attendance
Worship
Attendance Sunday School
Attendance Offering Received
Feb. 26 236 125 $10,708
Mar. 5 241 135 $18,368
Mar. 12 154 80 $6,224
Mar. 19 241 111 $14,712
Mar. 26 233 110 $13,971
Sympathy Extended to
Family & Friends of Sylvia Neely
who passed away on February 27, 2017.
From the Finance Committee Our church budget is funded through your faithful giving of tithes and offerings. This budget contains important daily operations such as heat and light and it supports the salaries of 2 full time and 10 part-time staff. The budget funds program area ministry opportunities for people of all ages and it reaches into our community through outreach and mission. Our budget also contains our tithe to the denomination as we give through our apportionment dollars to help the United Methodist Church do global ministry.
Our 2017 budget is $661,691.59 and was created based on our estimate of giving cards presented last fall. In order to meet our budget, we need to receive $12,724.83 each week. We are currently behind $16,604.98 in our giving towards the budget and have been unable to make any apportionment payments to date. We would like to invite you to prayerfully consider keeping your giving up to date. If you need to know where you stand in your giving, please contact Angie Rutledge at Cherry Baekert, 704-671-3662 or [email protected].
Each Sunday in worship, Pastor Sally is trying to highlight one facet of our budget, so that we can be reminded that our contribution matters and provides meaningful ministry. We can always give our gifts to
God during the morning offering. We also realize that many of us travel and life sometimes prevents us from coming to church on Sunday, so we wanted to remind you that you can mail or drop your contribution off at the church office (301 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054) or you may take it directly to Cherry Baekert (332 Burtonwood Drive, Gastonia, NC) any day of the work week. Also, many financial institutions offer reoccurring bill pay and some of our members have found it helpful to have their tithe drafted from their account. If you are interested in this, please contact your financial institution for more details.
We are so grateful for your financial support of our church. We celebrate the exciting updates such as new sinks in the bathrooms in the children’s wing and new paint in the youth lounge. We love to open our doors to hundreds of community folks who use our facilities throughout the week as we host Meals on Wheels, Men’s basketball, Scouting, Ala-non, NA, and the Weekday Preschool. We are proud to serve meals at the Boys and Girls Club and provide backpacks meals to elementary children. We can do all of this, and much more, because you give to the church budget. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Nursery Volunteers Christina Carpenter, Nursery Coordinator, (704) 214-1380
April 2 Chris McCullen, Lauren Snyder, Debbie Brown, Jennifer Gross, Angelica Brown
April 9 Katie Carpenter, Elizabeth Lanier, Cassie Fehrs, AJ Current, Lauren Bumgardner, CJ Carpenter
April 16 Glen Carpenter, CJ Carpenter, Carrie Allen, Jennifer Stroupe, Katie Carpenter
April 23 Allison Buchanan, Angelica Brown, Jaclyn Tant, Paige Kinslee
April 30 Tresca McSwain, Angie Flake, Victoria Flake, Brooke Cox
Upcoming Coffee Hosts
April 2 Asbury Class
April 9 Asbury Class
April 16 Everyone! Bring Easter Goodies
April 23 Dreamers & Builders Classes
April 30 Dreamers & Builders Classes
Join us each Sunday Morning at 9:30am in the CFC (Christian Fellowship Center) for Coffee
and breakfast goodies! Thank you to those who host
this ministry each week!
Date Scripture Reader Crucifer
April 2 Hannah Black Katie Carpenter
April 9 Slayton Fletcher CJ Carpenter
April 16 Ashley Lowry Brook Cox
April 23 JP Rooney Reagan Osborne
April 30 Caroline Shoemaker Jillian Medlin
Acolytes
April 2 Marie Kalinoski & Ella Queen
April 9 Adam Anderson & Brianna Lambert
April 16 Mattie Queen & Brock Davis
April 23 Andrew Walker & Adam Anderson
April 30 Ella & Mattie Queen
Youth & Children Leading in Worship
Are you new to Myers Memorial? Have you attended for a while and are ready to be more involved in the mission and ministry of Myers Memorial? Are you simply curious to know more about the United Methodist Church and how you can live our your faith in this congregation?
Then you are invited to join with Pastors Sally & Sarah for a delicious pasta lunch immediately following worship on April 2nd for conversations and questions.
Given By: _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________ (Name & Phone or Email)
Name In
Honor of
In Memory
of
Easter Lilies will adorn our sanctuary on Sunday, April 16th. If you would like to purchase a Lily in honor or in memory of a loved one, please complete the form and return it to the church office along with $10 for each Lily by April 6th. Orders can also be made via the Connection Card.
The word ‘tenebrae’ is Latin for shadows. The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. The Service has long scripture narratives, which for this service are divided into seven, eight, or nine parts read by narrators who are heard but not seen by the audience.
The service includes congregational hymns, choir anthems and instrumental music. It starts out with the church in candlelight.
There are as many candles as there are readings, plus a white Christ candle. After each reading, a candle is extinguished until only the Christ candle remains. Then someone reads the first part of Psalm 22, which Jesus quoted on the cross.
Then the Christ candle is put out, leaving the congregation in near total darkness—and near total devastation. The church is stripped of all paraments and the Holy Bible. At this point, the service ends. There is no benediction and the people leave in silence.
The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events of Good Friday, and it is intentionally left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until Easter!
Music Ministry Ellen Brown, Director of Music Ministries & Organist [email protected]
Luminary Ceremony Many of us have loved ones who have battled cancer. Some have won their battle; some are fighting their battle now; and some have lost their battle to cancer.
On Sunday, April 23, 2017, and Friday, April 30, 2017, you are invited to participate in two very meaningful ceremonies by having a candle lit in memory of a loved one who lost the battle to cancer or in honor of a survivor.
Myers Memorial UMC Luminaria Ceremony
Sunday, April 23 10:50a Worship Service
Relay For Life’s Luminaria Ceremony
Friday, April 30 9p at Sims Park
Relay for Life
If you would like to place a candle in memory or in honor of a loved one, please print clearly and contribute $10 per luminaria. Checks must be received prior to April 16 are to be made to Myers Memorial UMC and marked “Relay”.
Given By: ______________________________________________________________________________
March was Magnificent! We celebrated Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with the Church Staff reading to each of the classrooms. Rev. Sally read to the One Year Olds “Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can
You?’ The kids loved making all the noises. Elise was glued to the book! Rev. Sally also read to the Two’s ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish’ and they loved it! Rev. Sarah read ‘Green Eggs & Ham’ to the Threes and they would definitely eat them anywhere! Ms. Tresca read ‘The Cat in the Hat’ to the four year olds. They loved
Thing One & Thing Two. Each classroom did a craft in the same theme as their book. Mr. Mark had fun too!
On March 13th we had a special guest, Mrs. Rene Crump came to do story time! The children were singing, playing instruments, dancing with scarves, doing crafts and listening to an amazing story. The children had a wonderful time and we look forward to her return in April with more fun and stories!
On St. Patrick’s Day the 3’s & 4’s went on a Leprechaun Hunt for Gold. The 1’s and 2’s followed the leprechaun's footprints to find their gold. There were all shades of green that day ~ on clothes, in snacks and on crafts! Another special guest, Ms. Elizabeth, came to do a silly music time!
Preschool Easter Party ~ April 13 Each child is asked to bring in 1 dozen candy stuffed plastic eggs by April 7th.
Preschool will be Closed April 14-21 for Spring Break We’ll see you bright and early on April 24th!
Children’s Ministry We had a great time at the Lenten Fair! Not only did we meet Burrita the donkey, we learned about the importance of these days called Holy Week ~ from Palm Sunday, to Jesus praying in the garden, Jesus having dinner with friends and friends betraying friends, the sadness of the crucifixion and the Joy of Easter morning. All because God loves Us! Grown Ups, It’s important for children to know the whole story so make it a priority in your lives to bring children to the services of Holy Week. There is child care for the younger children who aren’t able to understand (or sit through a service). Yet the simple act of making space in your week to attend church on a Thursday and a Friday can show a child that Easter is about more than a bunny and an egg but about the unfathomable love of God for each of us.
Start your Sunday off Right! Right in Room E110 on the main floor of the children’s area. All children are invited to gather with Pastor Sally at 9:45a with songs, dancing, celebrations and sharing. At 10a children will divide into classes to learn and discover more about becoming disciples of Jesus Christ.
Scholastic Book Club Orders www.scholastic.com/readingclub
class code: HFLDR Books for all ages can be ordered and the Preschool
will earn points for your order! With those points, we will purchase age appropriate books for our classes.
April 2: April is starting with April! April Martin is back and bringing with her the Pfeiffer CEF group (Christians Engaged in Faith Formation) to lead youth. You won’t want to miss this awesome group of college students who share their love of Jesus!
April 9: Easter Eggstravaganza: Ever wonder how many games you can play with eggs? No? Well better start wondering then put your guess to the test at youth for this egg-cellent and egg-citing program!
April 16: Easter Sunday - He Is Risen! No Sunday Night Youth. See you at Sunrise at 7am in the Pumpkin Patch, 9:30a for Coffee Fellowship, 9:45a for Sunday School and 10:50a for Worship!
April 23: Tag - You’re It! We’re playing laser tag in our own gym.
April 28-20: Church Retreat at Camp Tekoa - all weekend long! So there will be no youth on Sunday Night.
Youth and Young Adult Ministries
April Youth Activities
We’re on a Mission! The College Student Mission Trip is scheduled for May 15-19. Where will it be? Better contact Tresca or Connie to let them know you are interested! Then plans can be made!
Graduate Recognitions We will be recognizing our College & High School Graduates in worship on Sunday, June 4th. Please send your graduates' degree and- school information to the church office by May 1st. - [email protected] or 704-864-3222.
College Students of the Month Jonathan McMillan ~ [email protected] UNC-Charlotte 10732 Hilli Point Court Charlotte NC 28034
Rachael Purvis ~ [email protected] UNC-Chapel Hill 333West Rosemary Street Apt. 702 Chapel Hill NC 27516
McKenzie Rankin ~ [email protected] UNC-W Station CB 20897 601 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403
College Student News
Tresca McSwain, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries ~ [email protected], 704-477-7447
Angelica Brown is hard at work on her Silver Award for Girl Scouts. You can assist her in helping others by donating the following items. You can bring your donations to the church and place them in the Donation Den Area in the hall between the Sanctuary and the Education Building.
Blessing Bags Socks
Deodorant Comb/Brush Wash Powder Body Wash
Feminine Hygiene Products Protein Bars
Books Ponchos
Toothbrushes Toothpaste
Water
Home from the Heart Pillow Cases Toothbrush Toothpaste Deodorant
More information can be found in brochures at the church.
Scholarships are available, simply speak with Connie
Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville
Tickets are now on sale for the UMM’s annual BBQ!
For only $9 you get your choice of Chopped Pork or Half Chicken Plate! Served with slaw, beans, bread and a cookie! Get it to go or dine in the CFC
to enjoy the fellowship!
Preorder your plates buy purchasing your tickets from a member of the United Methodist Men! Tickets also available the day of the BBQ.
All money raised goes to support the outreach ministries of Myers Memorial UMC.
Want to volunteer? Your help would be welcomed! Contact Randy Black, AJ Current, UMM President, Arnold Brackett, or Jim Lutz.
Reminder: UMM meets April 2 at 8am in the CFC
The UMW is looking for a few good bakers to provide goodies for the BBQ day Bake Sale!
Do you make a delicious brownie? Yummy Cookies? How about Lemon Bars? Pound Cake? We want them for the bake
sale on April 21st! Please package items in individual servings and bring to the church no later than 10am on the 21st. Volunteers are also needed to host the bake sale tables during the BBQ. Please contact Chris McCullen if you are