Greetings from Our Pastor

Jesus tells us in John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would

have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Let’s imagine that we are there on the night

before He is arrested to be crucified when Jesus says these words to His disciples.

He is there with them in the upper room. While they are together celebrating the Passover

meal, Jesus abruptly unveils the truth of His impending death to them. The disciples are

taken off guard and visibly shaken by what Jesus has just told them. Can we imagine how this

news must have sounded to the disciples and what it did to their hearts?

They expected Jesus to live forever, to establish His Kingdom, and become the Lord of Lords

over all the earth. They didn’t expect Him to leave them there without Him. But suddenly

Jesus reveals to them a change in the game plan - the Cross. They stand there in stunned

amazement, fear, turmoil and doubt, as he speaks to them about His impending death.

But he gives them a promise which is more than just words of encouragement to ease their

troubled hearts. He does not say “if you’re expecting me I’ll come back.” He doesn’t even tell

them “I’ll be back for you, if you’re walking with me.” His promise is unconditional “I go to

prepare a place for you.” I will return.

Clearly, Jesus told His disciples that he will return. He left no room for guesswork. He is

coming again. He also promised them that he would be with them in Spirit until he returns –

just as His Holy Spirit will be with us as we seek Him. The question for us is this:

What would Jesus want us to be doing to best glorify Him and to stay ready until he returns?

In Christ, Pastor Lee

Millen United Methodist Church

THE ADVOCATE Martha Steptoe, Editor

The purpose of the Millen United Methodist Church is to Call, Nurture, Teach and Send Forth Disciples of Jesus Christ.

April 2017

Pastor: Rev. Lee Pettis

P.O. Box 750 Office: (478) 982-2664

413 Gray Street, Cell phone: (478) 279-1230

Millen, GA 30442 Website: www.millenumc.org

Church’s Email: mumcgrace@bellsouth.net

Pastor’s Email: lpettis53@yahoo.com

COMMUNION STEWARDS: Laurie Fleming/Kelsey Fleming

GREETERS:

We will have one greeter weekly who will be listed in the bulletin.

USHERS:

Apr. 2 – B. L. Kent, Johnny Wilson, Bob Boone, Haywood Frye, Dallas Suggs

Apr. 9 – Kenton Jenkins, Ryan Cook, Wendell Clark, Bob Newsome, David Reeves,

Jason Jenkins

Apr. 16 – Jody Bowers, Ronald Jenkins, Perry Mitchell, Wesley Parker, Scott

Herrmann, David Hood

Apr. 23 – Mike Reeves, Howdy McTeer, John Cleve Newton, Brien Linder, Seth Linder

Apr. 30 – Roy Cook, Ronnie Fleming, Charlie Burch, Daniel Smith, Josh Fleming

CHILDREN’S CHURCH: ACOLYTES:

Apr. 2 – Tara/Cary Cooper Apr. 2 – Timmy Merier

Apr. 9 – Cindy Linder/Makenzie Coleman Apr. 9 – Morgan Bothwell

Apr. 16 – LeAnn/Wesley Parker Apr. 16 – Ann Parker

Apr. 23 – JoAnn Reeves/Makenzie Coleman Apr. 23 – Pace Cooper

Apr. 30 – Jessica/Scott Herrmann Apr. 30 – Cayley Linder

Page 2 April 2017 USHERS, ACOLYTES, GREETERS, & STEWARDS

PRAYER CONCERNS: AA Groups/NA Groups, African Well-Drilling Project, All Law Enforcement, All Victims of Terrorism, All Victims of Weather, America to Return to God, Randy & Marigene Arnold, Seth Benson, Bethany Home, Charlie Black, Tori Blocker, Andy Brinson, Joe Brinson, Leonardo Campo, Joan Clements, Bobbye Cobb, Merlene Cobb, Captain Carson Conway, Geneva & Don Cowart, Sally Crowe, JoAllyn Gholston Daniel, Vivian Davis, Joyce Gay, Ann Gosynski, Nancy Head, Earldene Hughes, Micky Lazinsky, Seth Linder, Mary Pat McTeer, Lee Messex, Millen Make-a-Difference Students, Volunteers, & Teachers, Millen UMC, Jeanette Ford Miller, Elly Motes, Edell Oliver, Persecuted Christians World-wide, Rev. Lee Pettis & Family, Buddy Pope, Ben Ransbotham, Mary Ann Reed, Raymond Reese, Rescue Workers Everywhere, Kathy Ridings, John Scott, Service Men and Women, Shut-ins/Caregivers, Mary Sue Sirovatka, Marie Smith, Carolyn Stephens, Kenneth Taylor, Jan Thorne, President Donald Trump, Kristin Vandewright, Lauren Waters, Nancy R. Williams, Edward Wilson, Kenny Woods, and Youth Group Leader.

April Birthdays

3 Jerry Messex

3 Hillary Oliver

3 Ralph Edwin Crowe

4 Adalee Conway

12 Trey Black

12 Dale Wagner

13 Ronald Jenkins

14 Lazar Brown

15 Pam Lane

16 May May Fu

16 Robert Newsome

16 E. J. Oliver

16 Ruby Reddick

19 Susana Campo

20 Braelan Reeves

23 Karen Farthing

25 Sally Crowe

26 Joyce Mixon

27 Sara Helen Harris

27 Kelsey Fleming

27 Inga Withers

April Anniversaries

17 Sally & Ralph Crowe

17 Jessica & Scott

Herrmann

Wednesday Night Suppers begin at 6:00 PM

1st Wed. – No Supper - Spring Break Cost of Suppers:

2nd

Wed. – David & Sarah Sherrod Sr. Citizens – $3.00

3rd

Wed. – Cindy Linder Individuals – $5.00

4th

Wed. – Mary Beth and Pam Brown Family – $15.00

5th

Wed. – No 5th Wed. in April

We appreciate all volunteers for cooking, setting up, and cleaning up. Thanks.

Monthly Meetings Bethany Home Service – will be held Sunday, April 9 at 2:30 P.M.

Choir Practice – every Wednesday at 6:45 P.M.

Church Council – will meet Monday, April 10 at 6 P.M. in the Social Hall.

Friendship Circle – meets again Wednesday, April 12 at 6:30 P.M. in the Parlor.

Golden Oldies – meets again Tuesday, April 4 at noon in the Social Hall for a covered dish meal.

Carolyn Bashlor will return with her unique "buddy". Please bring a covered dish or two to share.

Men’s Fellowship/Prayer Breakfast Group – meets Thursdays at 6:30 A.M. at Honey Café.

Morning Sunshine Circle – meets again Wednesday, April 12 at 10:00 A.M. in the Social Hall.

Hostess is Nell Johnston.

United Methodist Men – meets Tuesday, April 18 at 7:00 P.M.

United Methodist Women – April 23 - District Day Apart - Bellville UMC - Registration at 2 P.M.

VBS Planning Meeting – Wed., April 19 at 5:15 in the Social Hall.

Women’s Prayer Group – meets Mondays at 9:00 A.M. at Vivian Jenkins’ home.

FELLOWSHIP

Holy Week Services

The Jenkins County Council of Churches and Millen United Methodist Church will host Community Holy Week Services at noon each day during Holy Week in the fellowship hall of Millen UMC. There will be a meal followed by a message each day at noon from Monday through Friday, April 10 - 14, 2017. The following speakers are scheduled for the services: 1. Monday, 04/10 - Rev. Jeremy Lindsay - Connection Church, Millen 2. Tuesday 04/11 - Rev. Joshua Farthing - The Church of God, Millen 3. Wednesday 04/12 - Rev. Dr. Ralph Taylor - Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church - Millen 4. Thursday 04/13 - Rev. Luke Braswell - Youth Pastor, West Millen Baptist Church 5. Friday, 04/14 - Rev. Brad Asbury, Millen Baptist Church Everyone is invited to come and join us as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ together during Holy Week 2017!

Page 3 April 2017

Newsletter information

for May is due no later

than Sunday, April

23rd. Thanks for your

cooperation.

Please support our

Friendship Circle by buying

a cookbook for $10.

Invite your friends to join us for these activities!

Sunday School every Sunday from 10:00-11:00 AM

Morning Worship every Sunday from 11:00-12:00 PM

Page 4 April 2017

Parent Volunteers for Wednesdays in April

4/5 4-6:00 p.m. – JoAnn Reeves 4/12 4-6:00 p.m. – Paige Fleming 4/19 4-6:00 p.m. – Tara Cooper 4/26 4-6:00 p.m. – JoAnn Merier

If you cannot attend a day or time listed above, please contact Cindy Linder at (706-551-8509) ASAP or please trade days with someone. Thanks so much for your support.

Children: We will continue with Children's ministry

after-school program (lesson & music) every Wednesday

from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Youth: We will begin the "Encounter Jesus" series for

our youth on Wednesdays from 5PM to 6PM in the youth

room beginning on April 12th! Please pass the word and

invite your friends!

Our children have been working hard with Mrs. Anna on their Easter musical which is set for April 9th. April 9th is Palm Sunday and the children will enter the church waving palm branches. Our Easter Egg Hunt is set for Wed., April 12th, at 5:30 p.m. We will have our regular schedule starting at 4:00 p.m. Every child will need to bring a bag of wrapped candy to go inside eggs. You do not have to put the candy in the plastic eggs because we have those already at the church. Each child needs to bring an Easter basket or bag to use during the hunt. We need our youth and volunteers to hide the eggs. We will have a family Wednesday Night Supper after the hunt.

Here are some statistics:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vacation Bible School June 19-22

Monday - Thursday 5:00-8:00 P.M.

VBS Planning Meeting - Wednesday, April 19 at 5:15 p.m. in the Social Hall. If you would like to help with VBS, see Cindy Linder, VBS Director.

Upcoming Events: Girls Chrysalis -June 15-18

(Anna Burch is leader.) Boys Chrysalis -June

22-25. The Chrysalis is for youth ages 15 to

18. Please see Anna or Cindy for applications.

We will host a Maundy Thursday service at

7 p.m., 04/13/17 in the sanctuary of Millen

UMC. The service will include a message

followed by Holy Communion. Everyone in

the community is invited to join us at the

Lord's table as we celebrate and remember

the Last Supper together.

February 26, 2017 SS Att. – 48 MW Att. – 82 Off. – $2,580.00

March 5, 2017 SS Att. – 45 MW Att. – 87 Off. – $25,823.25

March 12, 2017 SS Att. – 40 MW Att. – 63 Off. – $1,594.05

March 19, 2017 SS Att. – 43 MW Att. – 79 Off. – $1,798.00

~ April 2017 ~

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun. Sch. at 10 am

each Sunday

Morning Worship-

11am each Sunday

Women’s Prayer

mtg. 9:00 am

each Monday at

Vivian Jenkins’

home

Child. After-School

Program 4-5:00 pm

ea. Wed. except 4/5

Music 5:00-6:00 pm

ea. Wed.

Youth 5:00-6:00 pm

beginning 4/12

Wed. Night Sup.

at 6 pm ea. Wed.

Choir practice

6:45 pm ea. Wed.

Men’s Fellowship

/Prayer Breakfast

Group at 6:30 am

each Thurs. at

Honey Café

Millen Make-a-

Difference at 10:30

am 4/13

AA Group 8 pm ea.

Thurs. in Social Hall

Millen Make-a-

Difference at

10:30 am 4/14

1

2

3

4 Golden Oldies

Covered Dish

Luncheon at

Noon in Social

Hall

5 No Activities -

Spring Break

6

7

8

9 Children's

Easter Musical -

11:00 A.M.

Bethany Home

Service - 2:30 pm

10

11 12 Morning

Sunshine Circle will

meet at 10 am in the

Social Hall

Children's Program

at 4 p.m.

Youth 5-6:00 p.m.

Children's Easter

Egg Hunt - at 5:30

p.m.

WNS – 6 pm –David

& Sarah Sherrod

Friendship Circle

mtg. in Parlor at

6:30 pm

13 Maundy

Thursday Service

at 7 p.m. in

Sanctuary

14

15

16 Easter Sunday

Adult Easter

Cantata

17

18 UM Men’s

meeting at 7 pm

in Social Hall

19 WNS – 6 pm

–Cindy Linder

VBS mtg. for

Planning at 5:15

in Soc. Hall

20

21

22

23 24 25 26 WNS – 6 pm

–Mary Beth &

Pam Brown

27 28 29

30

Upcoming Events: June 15-18 - Girls Chrysalis June 19-22 - VBS June 22-25 - Boys Chrysalis