Second Helpings Second Avenue United Methodist Church ~ January 2015

Special Events in January January 10 - Lay Leadership Workshop January 11 - Lay Leadership Installation January 14 - Birthday Bash January 25 - Warmup Sunday January 25 - Sub-district Leadership Training (Rome First UMC)

Second Avenue United Methodist Church

Our Mission

‘Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

for the Transformation of the World’

Our Vision

‘Knowing Christ & Making Christ Known’

Epiphany

Christmas is such a big celebration and a festival occasion for us Christians in the United States that its end on December 26 feels like a total collapse, both in the church and in the culture around us. We are so exhausted that we crawl into hibernation, especially during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Preachers come to expect the Sunday after Christmas to be one of two “low Sundays” in the year (the other being the Sunday after Easter), and we often take the day off ourselves.

But for many Christians in other parts of the world, Epiphany is the main event of the season. So, after the twelve days of Christmas, the celebration is just getting started with the Day of Epiphany, January 6th, and it continues through the season of Epiphany that lasts until the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday on February 18.

Epiphany celebrates the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. For the Western Church, the primary focus of the Day of Epiphany is the visit of the wise men (or magi) to the Christ child. That the wise men were non-Jews who came from the East tells us that Jesus reveals God’s love for all the world. Western church Epiphany celebrations include gift giving, Twelfth Night parties, and house blessings. But in the Eastern Church, the focus is on Jesus’ baptism, emphasizing the revelation of God in the fully human person of Je-sus. Eastern celebrations center on blessings of water and baptismal rites, including some pretty chilly out-door dips in the water in some parts of the world.

This year, the season of Epiphany includes seven Sundays. Rather than a down-time after Christmas, let us receive these weeks as a time for celebrating the revelation of Jesus Christ bringing God’s love into all the world and new possibilities into each one of our lives. Happy Epiphany!

A WORD FROM REV. BETH

When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” Luke 1:28 (CEB) The Lord be with you! And also with you. Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is right and a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to God almighty for this powerful promise first spoken to Mary and spoken to each one of us. Mary was perplexed at first, but then she responded spontaneously from the depth of her soul: “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Luke 1:38 (CEB) And then, throughout the rest of her life as the mother of Jesus, that promise and response became so deeply engrained within her that it sustained her with confidence that God was truly with her. It enabled her to continue as a single mother when Joseph died. That assurance was the source of her confidence when she challenged her son to change water to wine. The promise comforted her when Jesus claimed all people as his mother and brothers. And, certainly, she could not have endured the agony of the cross, the amazement at the empty tomb, or the sense of loss after Jesus finally went away for the last time unless she knew the sustaining presence of God, as close as a reflexive response, as surprising as an angel’s unbidden ar-rival. As we come to a new year, we feel the rejuvenation and anticipation of a fresh start, and we are often excited to begin new spiritual practices, by which we hope to draw closer to God. Just as the angel surprised and comforted Mary with a promise that was both new and deeply engrained within her, so the promise is for us both a reflexive response and an invitation to be amazed by the presence of God. With commitment, our spiritual practices of prayer, singing, scripture reading, worship, walk-ing, drawing, meditating, working puzzles, exercising, or whatever is compelling to you, will become openings for us to recognize and receive that sustaining promise through all the times of our lives. May this New Year be your invitation: The Lord is with you!

Blessings for 2015,

JANUARY WORSHIP

This is the day the Lord

has made; let us rejoice

and be glad in it!

January 4 Matthew 2:1-12—Epiphany

January 11 Acts 19:1-7—Reaffirmation of Baptism, Installation of Lay Leadership

January 18 John 1:43-51—2nd Sunday after the Epiphany

January 25 Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark 1:14-20—3rd Sunday after the Epiphany

YOUTH SERVICE PROJECT

YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY

CAROLLING FOR SHUT-INS

MEALS & MORE

We’re on the Web:

2aveumc.org Second Helpings

Published by Second Avenue UMC

801 East Second Avenue

Rome, GA 30161-3309

January Birthdays

1/01 Martha Rogers 1/03 Bob Frazier 1/07 Phillip Gaston 1/09 Terry Clift 1/12 JoAnn Baker 1/16 Sue Duck 1/17 Inez Fears 1/20 Paula Brown 1/21 Nancy Davis 1/22 Beverly Gauthreaux 1/24 Judy Myers

January Anniversaries

1/03 Giles & Iva Chapman

1/23 Gerrie & Jim Burton

Birthdays & Anniversaries: If we haven’t included your anniversary or

birthday, please contact JoAnn Baker in the church office (706.234.6406 or

2ndAve@bellsouth.net) We want to celebrate with you!

January Administrative Notes

January 06 - Board of Trustees Meeting January 10 - Leadership Kick Off Workshop January 11 - Lay Leadership Installation January 25 - Leadership Orientation Retreat

Blessings and Gratitude

Average Worship Attendance in December : 86

Financial giving in December: $22,860

Budgeted amount needed as of December : $205,848

Budgeted amount given as of December: $206,050

Average Weekly Mission/Service in December : 26

People Active in Small Groups in December: 71

Vital

Signs

Warm-Up Sunday

Now through Sunday, January 25

Each January, we collect coats, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, blankets… anything that will help keep someone warm.

These items will be donated to Third Street Ministries and Meals & More who will distribute them to those in need. A collection box is in the Fellowship Hall.

Please feel free to put a note of encouragement in the pocket of your donated coat to warm its recipient’s heart.

For more information, contact Betty Albers at 706.232.2559.

Thank You: Thank you to Judy Myers for her behind the scenes work to decorate the bulletin boards in our fellow-ship hall with seasonal borders and backgrounds. Her handiwork is an important part of the welcome we provide to all those who come to our church on Sundays as well as other activities church and com-munity related activities during the week. Thank you, Judy, for your bulletin board handiwork!

Thank You: Thank you for your cards and most of all for your prayers. Your kindness is very much appreciated. Love, Hazel Barton

Thank You: Thank you to a beautiful family of 2nd Avenue Methodist Church. Hope it keeps growing and growing every year. You are such a beautiful church. Axel, Dylan, Kevin & Maria

Visioning for 2015

Saturday, January 10 ~ 9:30-12:30

All those in leadership at Second Avenue in 2015 are encouraged to join us for a morning of celebrating the joys and accomplishments of 2014

and dreaming with God of becoming a more vital witness to Christ in 2015. We will enjoy brunch together, then meet together and in small groups for visioning.

Please let JoAnn know whether you will join us. 706.234.6406 or 2ndAve@bellsouth.net

SECOND HELPINGS

Grow...

United Methodist Youth Fellowship: Sundays@5 All youth 6th-12th grade are invited to join us! January 4—New Year’s Holiday—No UMYF January 11—UMYF January 18—UMYF January 25—UMYF

Worship...

Epiphany Sunday: Sunday, January 4 ~ 11:00 a.m. The celebration of Epiphany on January 6 marks the end of the Christmas season with a remembrance of the coming of the three wise men, who brought gifts to the Christ child. We welcome this first Sunday of a new year with a special Epiphany blessing for our church and homes in 2015.

Reaffirmation of Baptism: Sunday, January 11 ~ 11:00 a.m. On this Sunday we celebrate Christ’s baptism by John in the Jordan River. We remember our own baptism into faith in Christ and reaffirm our baptismal covenant. All are invited to begin the new year with a renewal of our spiritual commitment to Christ and His Church. We will also install leaders into their offices for 2015.

2015 Flowers for Worship: Please stop by the bulletin board outside the church of-fice to sign up for Sunday(s) in the coming year to pro-vide flowers for the chancel area of the Sanctuary. Each week’s flowers are $40.50, and you may give them in recognition of a significant event in your life or in honor or memory of a loved one. To get more information or sign up for a week if you are unable to come to the church, please contact JoAnn at 706.234.6406 or 2ndAve@bellsouth.net.

Invite...

Upper Room Devotionals: New Upper Room devotionals, regular or large-print, are available outside the church office and downstairs. Please take one for yourself, family, and friends, and invite them to share in the Gospel message of God’s love for our daily lives. We are grateful Amy Astin shares the Spanish version at Floyd Medical Center as a gift from our church.

Helping Hands: Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. Helping Hands will resume meeting on January 7. This group meets every to crochet and knit afghans, baby caps, and lap blankets to donate to local area ministries. Everyone is invited to attend. If you don’t know how to crochet or knit, come and we’ll teach you! For more de-tails, contact Inez Fears at 706.291.1161 or i_l_fears@ yahoo.com.

Serve...

Warm-Up Sunday: Sunday, January 25 On this Sunday each winter, we collect coats, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, blankets...anything that will help keep warm. These items will be donated to Third Street Ministries and Meals & More. A collection box is in the Fellowship Hall. Please feel free to put a note of encouragement in the pocket of your donated coat to warm its recipient’s heart. For more information, contact Betty Albers at 706.232.2559.

Nurture...

Keenagers: Thursday, January 22 ~ noon Join the Keenagers for a potluck lunch. Bring a dish to share, and invite a friend for food, fellowship, and fun. If you’d be willing to plan an upcoming monthly meet-ing, please sign the sheet on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. For more information, contact Nancy Clift at 706.238.9379 or nclift1024@icloud.com.

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall

mount up with WINGS like eagles… Isaiah 40:31

Nursery: 1/04 Nancy Davis 1/11 Betty Crymes 1/18 Nancy Clift 1/25 Buffy Davis

Children’s Church: Teachers: Gretchen Dodson, Jane Franssen, Margaret Gibson, Julie Mathis & Mary Beth Tucker

Assistants: Nancy Clift, Steve Davis, Dan Emerick, Inez Fears, Greg Gaston & Vicki Thomason

Acolytes: 1/04 Chloe Duck & Maddie Gibson 1/11 Railey Davis & Sidney Etheredge 1/18 Chloe Duck & Ashley Wilkey 1/25 Railey Davis & Maddie Gibson

Liturgists: 1/04 Gretchen Dodson 1/11 Doug Meredith 1/18 Patty Baker 1/25 Ashley Wikey

Ushers: Steve Davis (head usher) Bob Baker, Jill Borchert, Bill Carver, Dan Emerick, Beth Gibbons

SECOND HELPINGS

Congregational Care: 1/04 Lib Rogers 1/11 Darlene Wallace 1/18 Nancy Clift 1/25 Shirley Dodson

Counters: 1/04 Mike Colombo & Cindy Smith 1/11 Bob Frazier & Greg Gaston 1/18 Dan Emerick & Barbara Cothran 1/25 Dottie Taylor & LuAnn Williams

Flowers: 1/04 Church Family 1/11 Open 1/18 Open 1/25 Open

Men’s and Women’s Fellowship

The Men’s Club will meet on Monday, January 5, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All men of the church are invited to join us on the first Monday of each month for supper, fellowship, study, and prayer. Contact Scottie Edwards at 706.235.3493 or 706.346.5998 for details.

The United Methodist Women’s Circle meets on Tuesday, January 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Church. All women of the church are invited to be a part of fellowship, prayer, study, and mission. Contact Jane Franssen at 706.236.2527 or janeffranssen@gmail.com for more information.

Dinner Served 6:00—6:30 p.m.

Program 6:30—7:30 p.m.

Choir Practice 7:30—8:30 p.m.

No Reservation Required

$6 per person/$15 per family

$1 per child if accompanying adult not eating

First-time Visitors and Children under 5 Eat Free

Soul—Full Wednesdays

Programs 1/07 New Year’s Love Feast

1/14 Birthday Bash (We need your baby picture for a special surprise tonight! Please submit your picture to the church office by hard copy or email to 2ndAve@bellsouth.net.)

1/21 Russell McClanahan—Rome History

1/28 Men’s Night

Menus

1/07 Potluck Supper

1/14 Lasagna, Salad, Bread, Birthday Cakes

1/21 Barbeque Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls & Dessert

1/28 Men’s Cook-Off. (Men, please let Dottie Taylor know what you plan to bring to the table to accompany baked potatoes! 706.346.9680 or dtaylor1317@att.net)

Please let us know your prayer concerns. You may submit prayer requests: - In writing: fill out a prayer request form in the sanctuary pew racks - By phone: call the prayer line at 706.234.6406 (press 2 on voice mail) - By email: beth@2aveumc.org

If you have a confidential request, please contact Rev. Beth directly at 706.232.6806 (home) or 404.285.7207 (cell).

Please contact the church ASAP when you are in need of Pastoral Care! To contact Rev Beth: - During office hours, please call 706.234.6406 - After hours, please call 706.232.6806

“Pray, and let God worry.” Martin Luther

Need A Prayer?

Pastoral

Care Need?

Prayer List Congregation Erin Ables Betty Albers Helen Broom Herb & Paula Brown Family of Mike Carver Giles Chapman Betty Clarke Gretchen Dodson Sue Duck Scottie Edwards Carol Griffin Martha Kennedy Meredith Family Family of Ronnie Simmons Bea Turner Ashley Wilkey Beverly & Len Woodward

Homebound Hazel Barton James Braden Ruth Doxzen Carolyn Garwood Vivian VanLandingham Bob & Carol Vogt Friends & Family Pam Adams Paul Autry Mary Bernsdorff Terri Blake Jennie Blunt Jackie Brooks Laura Jean Brown & Family Linda Brown Barry Burkhalter Family of Bob Campbell Pauline Coalson Othello Cogburn

Harold Cowart Jack Crymes Bob Darby Family of Ruth Dardwell Jennifer Davis Laura Davis Rev. Pieter deBruijn Nancy Edwards Daria Giebler Family of Bea Hardin Bob Henderson Laura Hicks Family of Pam Hughes Family of Barbara Jones Garrette Jones Mary Kuhn Family of Eva Mae Lee Laney Don Laurine Rev. Valerie Loner Emily Macy Cade Maynor

Military Personnel & Families Ann Mitchell Connie Shaw Nelson David Norman Jill Pageant Steve Patrick Couey Reeves Family of Betty Revis Family of Franklin Roberts Jack Smith Mike Spiers Family of Bob Stevenson Family of Mike Warren Family of Miriam Wilkey Jim Williams & Family John & Ruth Williams Kennedy Williams Jane Wilson Edmund & Sandy Yeargan

January 04: Wilkey Family 39 Maplewood Square, SE Rome, GA 30161-5929 January 11: Beverly Simmons 2637 Callier Springs Road, SE Rome, GA 30161-6607

January 18: Bill & Carolynn Carver 307 Clark Drive Rome, GA 30165-6035 Danny & Angie Carver 13 Vayland Court Carthage, NC 28327-9756

January 25: Martha Kennedy 301 Raymond Avenue Rome, GA 30165-1531

Persons of the Week

Please remember these friends with cards, calls, prayers & visits.

9:30am WW

3110:00am WW

305:30pm Line Dancing

296:00pm Soul-Full Wednesday

289:30am Helping Hands

272610:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship - Warmup Sunday

2:30pm Sub-district Leadership Training

5:00pm UMYF

25

Judy Myers

9:30am WW

24Gerrie & Jim Burton

10:00am WW

23Beverly Gauthreaux

12:00pm Keenagers

5:30pm Line Dancing

22Andi Gibson Wear

Nancy Davis

6:00pm Soul-Full Wednesday

21Paula Brown

9:30am Helping Hands

6:00pm UMW

201910:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship

5:00pm UMYF

18

Inez Fears

9:30am WW

17Sue Duck

10:00am WW

165:30pm Line Dancing

156:00pm Soul-Full Wednesday - Birthday Bash!

149:30am Helping Hands

13JoAnn Baker

1210:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship - Lay Leadership Installation

5:00pm UMYF

11

9:30am Lay Leadership Workshop

10Terry Clift 10:00am WW

95:30pm Line Dancing

8Phillip Gaston

6:00pm Soul-Full Wednesday

79:30am Helping Hands

5:00pm Board of Trustees

66:00pm Men's Club

510:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship - Epiphany Sunday

4

Bob Frazier

Giles & Iva Chapman

9:30am WW

310:00am WW

2Martha Rogers

New Year's Day

1

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January 2015