The First Methogram Takin it to the Streets · Does anyone remember the classic song by the Doobie Brothers, Takin’ it to the Streets? I am a fan, in no small part due

AUGUST 2017 Page 1

“Every member a ‘Minister’”

The First Methogram Making Disciples for Jesus Christ through Love and Service!

AUGUST 2017

Takin’ it to the Streets What message can you take to the streets? Does anyone remember the classic song by the Doobie Brothers, Takin’ it to the Streets? I am a fan, in no small part due to the smooth, raspy voice of lead singer Michael McDonald. For me, the song itself is a kind of sermon. It describes a message that needs to be carried to our brothers and sisters everywhere—the ones tied in “poverty’s despair.” The first verse is telling: “You don’t know me but I’m your brother. I was raised here in this living hell. You don’t know my kind in your world.” That last line feels like an indictment on churches across our nation that have lost their way. Have we become so preoccupied with self-serving programs and interior focus that we have forgotten our primary purpose? Just the other day, I was having coffee in downtown Graham with a fellow pastor. One of us just happened to be wearing a clergy collar. As soon as we walked in the door and before we could even order something at the counter, two young women approached us and asked if we were pastors. We both said yes. One of the women then said, “Would you mind coming over to our table and praying with us in a moment?” We said yes, ordered our coffee, and then sat down to introduce ourselves, chat over some very serious matters, and pray. It was church—unplanned, unscripted, but nonetheless powerful and grace-filled. I have talked with many of you who have had similar experiences—encounters with people you don’t know at work, on the street, in the grocery store, or at the coffee shop. You don’t know them, but God has already declared them beloved. If we “don’t know their kind in our church world,” then we are not following Jesus. If we are so preoccupied with our own little circle of friends that we do not travel toward the stranger in friendship and love, then something has gone horribly wrong with our spiritual walk. I once saw a teenager wearing a shirt that said, “Church has left the building.” It is a powerful statement, but it should be much more than a new slogan for “faith wear” tee shirts and arm bracelets. It needs to be emblazoned on our hearts, our minds, our hands, our feet, and our lips. What would happen if every day of August, you woke up and began your day with the prayer: Lord, help me today to find at least one person to reach out to in Christian love? What might happen? At the very least, you might be more spiritually aware of the people around you throughout the course of your day. Who knows, before nightfall, you may even have found a way to take the most important message of all “to the streets.” I am going to commit to praying that prayer each day of this month. Will you join me? I am going to invite those who do to share their “God-sightings” and stories on our Facebook page so that we can encourage one another in rediscovering our true purpose as God’s kingdom people on the streets of Graham and Alamance County.

Takin’ it to the streets with you in August,

Pastor Kevin

FUMC-Graham—303 N. Main Street Graham, NC 27253 336/226-4343

Pastor—G. Kevin Baker

“Take this message to my brother, You will find him everywhere; Wherever people live together, Tied in poverty's despair. … Takin’ it to the streets.”

Song by the Doobie Brothers

Page 2 “Every member a ‘Minister’” AUGUST 2017

Worship

Evangelism Message:

He called you to this through

our gospel, that you might

share in the glory of our Lord

Jesus Christ.

—2 Thessolonians 2: 14 (NIV)

Pastor Kevin’s sermon series on Ruth concludes with the message on Sunday, August 6.

“Created by God, Built for a Purpose” For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for

good and not disaster, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

The children of FUMC will be leading our worship service on

Sunday, August 27 at 10:55am in the main sanctuary

(combined service). During the service, we will be

presenting Bibles to our four year olds and rising third

graders, and the United Methodist Women will be

presenting certificates to children and youth who

completed their summer reading program.

If your child is 4 years old or moving into the third grade,

and his or her name is not included on this list, please let

Brian know by Sunday, July 30. Thank you!

4 year olds: Brody Berrier, Mason Long, Annabelle McCoy,

Rhyleigh Petriella, Nora Snyder, Garrett Sutton, Emily

Varner, and Ben Zluchowski

Rising 3rd

Graders: Maggie Campbell, Drew Easter, Leah

Edmonds, Hayden Fogleman, and Kaden Long

***Children’s Sunday Practice Schedule

for rising 1st

through 6th

grades**

• Sunday, August 13 and Sunday, August 20—Creative

Movement group practice from 4-5pm in the main

sanctuary

• Saturday, August 26—Entire Group Practice from

9:30am-12noon (includes ushers and all worship

leaders) Pizza lunch will be served.

• Sunday, August 27—Final Group practice starting at

9:30am. (Service begins at 10:55am.)

Are you interested in joining an awesome team of tech geeks? We are

growing our tech team, better known as God’s Geek Squad, and we

know that there are at

least a few of you in this

congregation who would

love to be a part of our

great group of techies.

What’s that you say? Oh,

that’s not a problem; we

can train you to run the

equipment in no time, and

before you know it, you

will be wondering why you

didn’t volunteer sooner! We have opportunities at both services (The

Well at 9am and Traditional at 10:55am) for sound, projections, and

video. We work around your schedule, rotate volunteers, and let you

volunteer as much as you’d like, so there are no time requirements. In

addition, there are no age requirements—we can teach old dogs new

tricks (puppies, too)—and no experience is necessary. Drop by the

A/V desk after either service for more information, or contact Justin Brumble at [email protected] or 336/214-5049.

A new start time of 10:55 AM began on Sunday, July 16 for our traditional service in the sanctuary. To help us all better prepare to listen and respond to God's Spirit in our worship, we now begin with a Call to Worship and instrumental prelude. We invite you to come early to pray, mediate, and reflect.

AUGUST 2017 Page 3


Penny Augustine Chris Martin

Doug and Clara Bayliff Pam McDonald

Elvin and Anne Briggs Worth McPherson

Howell Brown, III Nell Mooney

Jane Bryan Revonda Barnwell Mosher

Ty Bunn Rev. Dennis Ricks

Curtis Clapp Mary Jane Salter

Nancy Clark John Schweitzer

Jackie England Mike Smith

Alma Euliss Susan Stapleton

Michael Few Janice Stutts

John Hancock Virginia Sykes

Brenda Hudson Clyde and Marie Ward

Elizabeth King Max Way

Jeff Krummel Vivian Williamson

Carolyn Lapham Sue Willson

Tim Laverty Dillard and JoAnn Witherow

Barbara Lowe

Connect

August Birthdays!

Church-Wide Intergenerational Fall Kick-Off at

Camp Chestnut Ridge Sunday, September 10

2-7pm Spend an afternoon with the FUMC Graham church

family enjoying camp activities such as canoeing/kayaking, archery, zip-line, inflatable lake toys, the swimming pool, and preschool fun area from 2:30-

5pm. At 5pm, we will enjoy a hot dog supper followed by large-group games. The fun event will

conclude with s’mores around the campfire. Preregister by September 8 at www.fumcgraham-nc.org/fallkickoff, or click the link in August issues

of E-News. We hope to see you there!

8.1 Betty Hardt 8.1 Chris Harris 8.1 Don Lee 8.1 William Harris 8.2 Micki Murphy 8.2 Linda Edmonds 8.3 Ed Barnes 8.3 Dodson McPherson 8.3 Myrtle Turner 8.3 Aiden Gulledge 8.4 Peggy Edwards 8.4 Taylor Perry 8.4 Richard Ennis 8.5 Otto Hardt 8.6 Camille Staton 8.8 Tripp Moore 8.8 Landon Koon 8.9 Virginia Myers 8.11 Troy Brown 8.12 Reid Allshouse 8.12 Sherry Hook 8.12 Conner Staton 8.13 Nancy Clark 8.13 Kathy Althouse 8.14 Tennessee Shipman 8.15 Chip Turner

8.16 Kelly Crissman 8.17 Leianne Hudgins 8.18 Wendy Yoder 8.18 Loby Phillips 8.18 Candice Dixon 8.20 Gretchen Briggs 8.20 Eric Bacigalupo 8.20 Kaitlyn McGonagle 8.21 Brianna Riley 8.21 Judy Shambley 8.21 Charles Staton 8.21 Oliver Zluchowski 8.23 Jude Yakel 8.24 Scott Lewis 8.24 Leslie Ferrell 8.25 Chris Shambley 8.25 Dawn Doby 8.26 Michael Ezzell 8.27 Myra Brown 8.29 Terri Wood 8.29 Ron Peterson 8.30 Debbie McPherson 8.30 Jeanne Owen 8.30 Traci Tekely 8.31 Nettie Ruth Bason 8.31 Cheryl Greeson 8.31 Heather Ferrell

Our Local UMW invites you to

“Kindling New Fires of Hope” A Human Rights Celebration

jointly sponsored by the Alamance/Guilford County and Burlington/Alamance County Units

Church Women United Saturday, August 12

10am Fellowship Hall of Alamance Lutheran Church

4008 South NC Highway 62 A love offering of canned food for local food banks

will be collected.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers


AUGUST

8.2 Wed. 7-8pm Youth Bible Study at the Whitney

home

8.6 Sun. 5-6pm 2017 Youth Council Elections

8.9 Wed. 6-7pm Youth Bible Study at Pastor Kevin’s

loft

8-13 Sun. 5-6:30pm REFUGE—Regular Meeting

8.20 Sun. 12:15pm Prayer Partner Reveal Luncheon

8.20 Sun. NO REFUGE EVENING MEETING.

8.27 Sun. NO REFUGE BECAUSE

SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW!

Cut this out for your fridge!

Are you a Secret Prayer Partner for

one of our Youth?

“Reveal” lunch scheduled for August 20

12:15pm

Adults, bring sandwich ingredients to share.

Bread, condiments, and drinks will be

provided.

Serve Trey Rice, head of Lamplighters, is putting together a group of people to help build horse shelters at Camp Chestnut Ridge over the summer. All supplies are provided. If you are interested or need more information, please contact Trey Rice (336/266-0126, [email protected]).

Summer Kids on a Mission

For completed Kindergarten-

5th

grade students

Sat. Aug 12—Visit to the

Burlington Pet Adoption

Center

9:30am-1:30pm

The children will bake animal treats

and deliver them to the Burlington

Pet Adoption Center in Haw River. The children will also

receive a tour of the shelter and then help with various

tasks. Children are asked to please wear comfortable

clothing—tennis shoes are mandatory—and to bring a bag

lunch with a drink. (We will eat an early lunch before leaving

for the Center.) Don’t forget your FUMCG permission form!

If you have any questions, please e-mail Julie Barbee

([email protected]). Children are welcome to

bring additional items such as leashes, collars, small toys,

and treats to donate to the shelter.

The Harrisons Celebrate 70 Years Together—Sept. 5,

2017

Andrew Carlton Harrison was born January 8, 1926, and Gladys Lee Spake was born November 1, 1925. Andy served in the Navy from 1944-46 and then began working in the textile field after leaving the service. The story begins as Andy’s brother John, who was working at the

Goodyear Service Store with Gladys, introduced the pair in 1946. It had to be love at first sight! They married at the Montgomery Memorial Methodist Church in the small town of Pacolet, SC on September 5, 1947. They honeymooned in Chimney Rock, NC! Andy was transferred to the Graham area in 1956 and continued his work in the textile industry. Gladys worked as a secretary for various people in Alamance County during her career. Three children were born to this union, and all live nearby: Jennie Sykes (Swepsonville), Richard Harrison (Greensboro), and Janet Harrison (High Point). They have one grandchild, Amy Sykes Keller, and two great-grandchildren, Logan LeeAnn Keller and Avery Dawn Keller. Andy and Gladys have lived in their present home at 2071 Meadow Lane in Graham for 51 years. In 1960, they joined First United Methodist Church of Graham. When asked what the secret has been for their long marriage, both stated, “Being considerate of the needs of each other, but most of all, compromise when needed.” A great lesson for us all! Please join First United Methodist Church in congratulating Gladys and Andy by sending a card to the address above, wishing them the best in their marriage and sending prayers for continued good health and happiness for many more years to come. —Interviewed by Marsha Jones

mailto:[email protected]

AUGUST 2017 Page 5


Coming Soon! New Mission Opportunity!

WHAT: Hand paint scarves for cancer patients WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 2017 10am-2pm WHERE: Stafford Hall and church kitchen WHO: Anyone can participate. COST: $10 per scarf

Scarves will be provided. Under the guidance of church member Pam Spurrier, we will be hand painting the scarves to be donated to cancer patients through the Resource Center at Cone Health Cancer Center at Alamance Regional, or you may give yours to a friend or family member who is undergoing treatment. No experience necessary. Just come and have fun, fellowship, and be a part of this mission. Bring a sandwich for lunch. Chips, drinks, and dessert will be provided.

We hope to make 36 scarves. If you are unable to attend but would like to donate funds to offset the cost of this project, we will gladly accept donations in any amount.

For more information, contact Susan Rayle ([email protected]). A head count is needed by Sept. 15. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I, _________________________________want to participate in the scarf mission opportunity on Sat., Oct. 28, 2017. _____My $10 for the cost of one scarf is enclosed. _____ I cannot attend, but I would like to make a donation to offset the cost of this mission. My check is enclosed. Please put in the offering plate or send to the church office. Make check payable to UMW-FUMC and mark “Scarves for Cancer Patients” on the memo line. (This mission opportunity is sponsored by the United Methodist Women of First UMC, Graham, but everyone is invited to participate.)

Fight Childhood Hunger! Support Our Food Ministry at South Graham Elementary! PANDA Pack Praises! Last August, as part of our Congregations for Children (C4C) outreach ministry, we began a new food backpack

program to address childhood hunger at South Graham Elementary. Our PANDA Packs are sent home with at-risk

students each Friday, filled with a weekend supply of kid-friendly, easy-to-open food and drink items.

We want to celebrate that during the 2016-17 school year, FUMCG distributed 1,321 food backpacks! Praise God!

Isn’t that amazing? Thank you for your generous support of this important ministry for the children of our community.

Kicking Off a New School Year! We need your continued support to provide PANDA Packs to 50 children each Friday.

How Can You Help? Be a PANDA Pack Partner: Monetary support is needed to purchase the food packages.

How Can You Serve? 1. Be a PANDA Packer: Prepare food packs for distribution. Time commitment—20-30 minutes, 3-4 times per year, during school hours any time, Monday-

Thursday.

2. Distribute PANDA Packs: Deliver Packs to classrooms. Time commitment—45 minutes on a Thursday between 2:45-3:45pm. Frequency depends upon

number of volunteers, but likely 4 times per year. Can be combined with packing.

3. Be a PANDA Mover: Unload 10-week supply of PANDA Packs from delivery truck at the school. Time commitment—1 hour, 4 times per year on

scheduled days.

4. Be a Pantry Partner: Distribute food bags to families at the monthly food pantry held one Thursday per month from 3-4pm at the school. Time

commitment—1 hour, 2 times per year.

Ready to sign up? Want more information? Please contact Anita Sherer at [email protected] or Margaret Skulnik at [email protected].

Keep Up the PRAYERS! Please remember the SGE students, families, staff, and volunteers in your individual and group prayers Praise God for all the good work being done to help

these children and their families in the months to come.

God is good, all the time!

Sponsor one child for

5 weeks: $20

10 weeks: $40

40 weeks (school year): $160


LIBRARY LOWDOWN for AUGUST

Library Buddies @ South Graham Elementary School

School is in Session! Want to get involved at South Graham? You can help in their library. The children at South Graham love books. Every week, 650 students borrow a book from the library media center—and return their book from the previous week. We need volunteer Library Buddies to put these returned books back on the shelves for the next reader.

Shelving is easy. You will have personal training to ensure that you are comfortable with this job. The work schedule is flexible—you decide when you help. One hour a week, one hour every other week—every hour helps!

The Library Buddies also help with two annual book fairs and the end-of-the-year clean up and inventory.

Each Library Buddy needs to get a criminal check from the Alamance-Burlington School System (https://bib.com/SECUREVOLUNTEER/ALAMANCE-BURLINGTON-SCHOOL-SYSTEM-SV/).

Please consider helping us foster one of C4C’s primary goals, “Enhancing Literacy.”

Want more information? Contact Linda Fogleman ([email protected]).

Gift Books @ South Graham Elementary School Through donations from our congregation, we have purchased gently used books from Fifth Street Books in Mebane. The Library Ministry Team cleaned, applied a gift label from FUMC, and boxed these books for the PreK-5th grade students. During the first weeks of school, every child will select a book for his or her very own!

AUGUST 2017 Page 7


Give

In Memory Of

Jeanne Phillips by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Whitfield

Jeanne Phillips by Gretchen Briggs

Nicole Underwood by Ken and Suzanne Miller

Nicole Underwood by Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Nicole Underwood by Carolyn Seay

Carl Fitch by Gretchen Briggs

Jim Ferrell by Gretchen Briggs

Bennett Beaver by Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Bennett Beaver by Charles and Camille Staton

Bennett Beaver by Bill and Fran Bryant

Bennett Beaver by Eddie and Priscilla Chrismon

Bennett Beaver by Tommy and Judy Hayes

Bennett Beaver by Julia Howard

Bennett Beaver by Wayne and Judy Shambley

Bennett Beaver by Peggy Jenks

Bennett Beaver by Don and Dot Lee

Bennett Beaver by Carolyn Seay

Genola Youngblood by Carolyn Seay

Mary Surber by Ed and Carolyn Barnes

The Alamance Chorale is deeply grateful for the support you gave to the Chorale by allowing us to use your facilities for our spring concert in May. Your support allows for choral music to continue to be expressed in Alamance County. Thank you for supporting the Arts in Alamance County. Best regards, Kathy Smith, treasurer

Church Family, Thank you so much for the wonderful shower for baby Natalia. We are so appreciative of all the thoughtful gifts we received. A special thanks to Jeanne, Cindy, Marilyn, and Carol for making the shower amazing. Jesus and I are so blessed to have you all in our lives and can’t wait to share the love with Natalia. Thanks again, and God Bless! Amy and Jesus Vega

The family of Roger Jones wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to our church family for the food, calls, cards, and words of condolence and encourage-ment shared during the recent loss of Roger’s mother, Dixie Louise Jones.

To the Myrtle Wilson Scholarship Committee, Thank you SO MUCH for the scholarship. It is a big help with paying for tuition. Laura Brink

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for all your prayers, visits, and e-mails during Mom’s brief illness and after her passing. It is comforting to know that my church family has shown so much love and concern. Thank you also for the lily that was sent. It is a beautiful plant. And thank you, Pastor Kevin, for participating in Mom’s celebration of life. It was a great service. Love in Christ, Keith Surber, Donna Lawson, Mike Surber—children of Mary Surber

Thank you so much for the scholarship money so I can further my education. And thank you for the endless support. Y’all are a wonderful church family. I also loved the care packages that I got in college. It was nice to know that someone was thinking of me. Brie Riley

Dear Roddy Family and Scholarship Committee, Thank you for selecting me for the Alice Jean Roddy Scholarship so that I can afford to continue to fund my college education. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Much love, Matthew Fenton

Dear Ada White Memorial Scholarship Committee, Thank you so much for awarding me this scholarship. It has been such a blessing to grow up in this church and to be surround-ed by such wonderful and positive people. Thank you, Nolan Wyatt

Thank You!

Mary Surber by Tommy and Judy Hayes

Mary Surber by Charles and Camille Staton

Mary Surber by Donald and Penny Hardie

Hazel Frye by Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Hazel Frye by David and Carol Steele

Hazel Frye by Donald and Penny Hardie

Hazel Frye by Bill and Fran Bryant

Hazel Frye by Eddie and Priscilla Chrismon

Hazel Frye by Julia Howard

Hazel Frye by Tommy and Judy Hayes

Hazel Frye by Eddie and Carol Wilkes

Dixie Jones by Donald and Penny Hardie

Dixie Jones by Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Dixie Jones by Tommy and Judy Hayes

Dixie Jones by Julia Howard

Dixie Jones by Buster and Linda Ingold

Dixie Jones by Wayne and Judy Shambley

Dixie Jones by Peggy Jenks

Dixie Jones by Carolyn Seay

In Honor Of

Charley and Timmy Kelley by Ed and

Carolyn Barnes

Memorials and Honor gifts


Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

7pm Boy Scouts

2

7pm REFUGE Summer Bible Study

7:30pm Choir

3 8:15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast

4:30pm Exchange Club Project

7pm Praise Team

4

5

6

7am Men’s Breakfast

2pm Evangelism Committee

5pm 2017 Youth Council Elections

7 5:30pm C4C

8 7pm Board of Directors

7pm Boy Scouts

9 9:30am Library Ministry Team

7pm REFUGE Summer Bible Study

7:30pm Choir



7pm Praise Team

11 9am UMW Corridor District Sister-to-Sister Event

12

13“Meet and Greet”

4pm Creative Movement practice

5pm Youth

14

15 7pm Finance

7pm Boy Scouts

16



7pm Praise Team

18

19

20

12:15pm Prayer Partner reveal lunch

2pm Corridor District Mission Strategy Team

4pm Creative Movement practice

21

22

7pm Boy Scouts

23

7:30pm Choir



7pm Administra-tive Council

25

26 9am Children’s Sunday Practice

11:30am Children’s Sunday Practice Lunch

27 Children’s Sunday

10:55am Combined worship in Sanctuary

28 10am UMW Circle 2

2pm UMW Circle 3 6:30pm Missions Committee

29

7pm Boy Scouts

7pm Cub Scouts

30

6:30pm Handbells

7pm Crochet

7:30pm Choir



7pm Praise Team

The First Methogram—(USPS 715-740) Periodicals Postage Paid at Published Monthly by Graham, North Carolina 27253 First United Methodist Church 303 N. Main Street Postmaster: Send Address Changes to: Graham, North Carolina 27253 The First Methogram 303 N. Main Street Graham, North Carolina 27253 WE THANK GOD FOR:

SUNDAY SCHEDULE: The Well Service 9am, Sunday School: 10am, Traditional Worship Service: 11am

The First Methogram Takin it to the Streets · Does anyone remember the classic song by the Doobie Brothers, Takin’ it to the Streets? I am a fan, in no small part due

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