THE SPIRIT - Fountain City United Methodist Church · THE SPIRIT FOUNTAIN CITY UMC AUGUST 2017...

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THE SPIRIT FOUNTAIN CITY UMC AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER FOUNTAIN CITY UMC 212 HOTEL ROAD KNOXVILLE, TN 37918 (865) 689-5175 www.fountaincityumc.org @fountaincityumc

Transcript of THE SPIRIT - Fountain City United Methodist Church · THE SPIRIT FOUNTAIN CITY UMC AUGUST 2017...

Page 1: THE SPIRIT - Fountain City United Methodist Church · THE SPIRIT FOUNTAIN CITY UMC AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER FOUNTAIN CITY UMC 212 HOTEL ROAD KNOXVILLE, TN 37918 (865) 689-5175 @fountaincityumc

THE SPIRITFOUNTAIN CITY UMC

AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER

FOUNTAIN CITY UMC212 HOTEL ROADKNOXVILLE, TN 37918(865) 689-5175www.fountaincityumc.org@fountaincityumc

Page 2: THE SPIRIT - Fountain City United Methodist Church · THE SPIRIT FOUNTAIN CITY UMC AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER FOUNTAIN CITY UMC 212 HOTEL ROAD KNOXVILLE, TN 37918 (865) 689-5175 @fountaincityumc

Warren Webster, a retired missionary, once said:

“If I had to live my life over again, I would live it to change the lives of people, because you have not changed anything until you have changed people.”

As the people of God we are given the sacred task of changing our world in the name of Christ. But we cannot be agents of change until first we have experienced the transforming presence of Jesus in our lives. And that means continuing to grow in our understanding of Jesus, in our knowledge of God’s Word, in our relationship with God.

That is why I am very excited about our plans for Wednesday nights this upcoming year. Our focus in all of the groups we offer will be, “growing as disciples.” Whether you are young in the faith, struggling to grow in your faith, or very mature in your walk with God, there will be classes to help you continue to explore and grow. In the process of growing, we will become more effective in fulfilling our mission,to make disciples and to change lives!

I hope you will join us on that Wednesday night journey beginning this month.

A LOOK AHEADMORE DETAILS AVAILABLE AT

WWW.FOUNTAINCITYUMC.ORG

UPCOMING AUGUST DATESTUESDAY, AUGUST 810:00 am : UMW Ruth Circle Meeting (Room 135)1:00 pm : UMW Sarah Circle Meeting (Room 137)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 96:00 pm : Youth Fall Kick-Off (Old Fellowship Hall)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1111:30 am : Adults 50+ Lunch & Learn (Wesley Hall)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13Children’s Ministries - Promotion Sunday & Blessing of the Backpacks

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 165:30 pm : Fellowship Meals resume (Gym)6:30 pm : Wed. Night Activities resume (Churchwide)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 171:00 pm : Adults 50+ Coloring Fun (Room 137)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 204:00 pm : OffeRing resumes (Bell Room)5:00 pm : Youth Choir resumes (Choir Room)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 259:00 am : Preschool Open House (Preschool Hallway)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 244:00 pm : Off-Broadway Kids resumes (Choir Room)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 265:00 pm : Pasta & Bluegrass Festival (off-site)5:30 pm : Open Door Community Meal (Wesley Hall)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27Faith Promise Sunday

SUNDAY-SUNDAY, AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2FCUMC hosts Family Promise

EMERGENCYON CALL

August 4-6 : Amy Aycock(423) 276-1965

August 11-13 : John Gargis(865) 310-4783

August 18-20 : Randy Frye(865) 228-5510

August 25-27 : Amy Aycock(423) 276-1965

PASTOR,

CORNERED

A NOTE

FROM RANDY

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Gail Clift(865) 922-9408

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Mary Bolton(865) 688-6277

Tom Harrington(865) 687-8460

SUNDAYJUNE 25

SUNDAYJULY 2

SUNDAYJULY 9

SUNDAYJULY 16

Sunday School 290 246 328 315

8:30 am Traditional Worship 183 132 198 160

11 am Traditional Worship 236 231 241 275

11 am The Journey 82 83 84 96

Celebrate Recovery 115 114 80 110

TOTAL WORSHIP SERVICES 616 560 603 641

OUR GIFTS

WEEKLY OFFERING

June 19-25 $ 21,987.00June 26-July 2 $ 27,949.61July 3-9 $ 28,645.14July 10-16 $ 16,302.73July 17-23 $ 19,483.50

FAITH PROMISE FOCUS

Faith Promise Sunday will be on August 27. Please use the blue envelopes in the pew racks to make your FaithPromise commitment.

OUR SYMPATHIES

We extend our sympathy to the beloved family and friends of Norma Sue Lewis in her death on June 18.

We extend our sympathy to Becky Gargis and family in the death of her aunt, Francis Mobley Ladd, on July 8.

We extend our sympathy Cari Ann Moore and family in the death of her grandfather, Robert Wells Severence, on July 9.

We extend our sympathy to Walter Griffin and family in the death of his wife, Mary Jane Griffin, on July 18.

We extend our sympathy to Jim and Judy Whedbee and family in the death of their grandson, Bradley Gattis, on July 19.

PRAYERS, PRESENCE,

GIFTS, AND SERVICE

FOUNTAIN CITY UMC PRESCHOOL OPENINGSFALL SEMESTER BEGINS AUGUST 28

Did you know our Preschool is one of only twopreschools in Knoxville to receive the prestigiousNational Association for the Education of YoungChildren (NAEYC) accreditation? We are now open for registration with the first day starting on August 28!

We have openings in all age groups, from infants to pre-K. To register your child or for more information on this wonderful program serving our community’s youngest children, please contact Susan Todd at [email protected] or (865) 689-5518.

15 Tastings of Competition Level PastasGluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan Options available

Tickets: Adults $10 Children $5

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26th • 5:00 to 7:00Central Baptist of Bearden

6300 Deane Hill Drive • Knoxville, TN 37919

Benefiting

BluegrasSPasta

AND

FESTIVALBluegrasSPasta

Live Bluegrass Music by The Y’uns

The Trinity Boys and more

Italian Market with artisan wares for sale

Children’s Festival

A United Way Partner

Buy Tickets online:www.eventbrite.com/e/pasta-and-bluegrass-festival-tickets-35148224285

Page 3: THE SPIRIT - Fountain City United Methodist Church · THE SPIRIT FOUNTAIN CITY UMC AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER FOUNTAIN CITY UMC 212 HOTEL ROAD KNOXVILLE, TN 37918 (865) 689-5175 @fountaincityumc

KARM DRAGON BOAT RACEOn June 17, Team FCUMC Feeding Frenzy participated in the 15th Annual Dragon Boat Race benefitting Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries (KARM). While the team didn’t get past the last line of buoys quicker than anyone else, they were #2 Overall in fundraising with a total of $11,079.11 raised through donations, fundraisers, and support from friends and family of FCUMC! And congratulations to LesGatto for receiving the Top Individual Fundraiser Award!

Many thanks to David Smith for organizing the team, aspictured below in all their paddling glory! KARM is a beloved ministry close to many of our hearts, and what a fun wayto participate and support this wonderful ministry.Congratulations, Team Feeding Frenzy!

IN MEMORY & IN HONOR

FAITH PROMISEIn Memory of Brian Jones by Emily Jones

OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY MEALIn Honor of Richard Bolus by Pairs & Spares SS class

GENERAL FUNDIn Honor of Craig Holtzclaw by Gordon & Ellen FowlerIn Honor of Greg Smith by Gordon & Ellen Fowler

THE NETIn Memory of USAF LT. Col. Jimmie & Katye Nelson by Valeria Nelson

THE NURSERYIn Memory of Erin Sewell by Tom Cloud

CHOIR FUNDIn Memory of Mary Jane Griffin by Woody & Kathy Farrell

YOUTH FUNDIn Memory of Bradley Gattis by John & Anna Mays, Tom Harrington, and Ronnie Porter

AUGUST USHERS

8:30AM SERVICECharles & Celia Thompson, Head UshersTroy LawsonDavid & Debbie VandergriffRogan Oliver

11:00AM SERVICEGary Hillard, Head UsherJason HillardFrank FaulknerDoug CoxTeresa HillardPerry BenshoofEdd Templeton

THE JOURNEYMark & Karmen SharpJen SmithMegan RedmonPaul & Angie MakresRichard & Sonja BockRich & Jenny BrownDanny Huffaker & Dee Dee SealsVernon & Jeanette Coram

We celebrate and rejoice in the birth of June Middleton Hendrix on June 9 to proud parents Allison and Thomas Hendrix. Our congratulations on this sweet little squish to love on! May youexperience God’s tender joy through beautiful little June!Congratulations, new mama and papa!

OUR PRESENCECELEBRATING WITHOUR FCUMC FAMILY

AUGUST OCC DONATIONSSHOEBOX COLLECTION ITEMS

We are continuing to collect items for our Operation Christmas Child shoebox drive in November! This month’s donations are markers, colored pencils, and crayons.

In November, we will fill hundreds of boxes with basic necessities and toys to send to poverty-stricken countries through Samaritan’s Purse. Please drop off items at the Children’s Desk or in the marked boxes near church entrances. For more

information on OCC, please contact BetsyCastleberry or BethPetersen.

NEWS, NOTES, AND

THE NOTEWORTHY

VBS BY THE NUMBERSWe had a successful, record-breaking VBS week in June! For a fun recap of the week, please visit: http://www.knoxtn-today.com/kids-make-their-own-fun-at-fountain-city-umc-vbs/

Daily Average Attendance: 168Unique Children Attending: 185Youth & Adult Volunteers: 115

The Missions Focus was Operation Kid-to-Kid Group Cares and Living Water for Peru. Our folks raised and donated a total of $1,420, providing clean water for 284 people for an entire year!

The Robot Contest Winners were Stephen & Caleb Doubleday, Nate Ballinger, SarahUnderwood, and Hannah Gregg.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN : WHERE WE STANDBELONGING | CHANGING | GROWING

Our Capital Campaign is still well underway. To date, we havereceived 118 commitments totaling $734,218.00! Thank you for your generosity as we strive to meet our goal of $3 million!

The first priority of this campaign is retiring our outstanding debtof $1.1 million without adjusting current ministry budgets toaccommodate the additional payments on the loan.

And we continue to look forward to future ministries and growthof Fountain City UMC, trusting in God’s purpose for us: makingdisciples and changing lives. We know our people believe in this mission statement for FCUMC, and we watch and wait with spiritual anticipation to see how God will move us forwardinto fulfilling His call and accepting His invitation.

Commitment cards are available in the church office and in thepew racks for your pledge!

DONATIONS FOR INSKIP E.S.Back-to-School is right around the corner! The Adults 50+ Ministry will again be collecting snacks for the InskipElementary School Food Pantry! Please bring items to our collection box in Wesley Hall between 11:30am and 1:00pm on August 11 and September 8. Kids are often brought to school late with no breakfast. The school cafeteria closes by 8:00am and teachers like to offer students a snack on the way to class to help them focus on classwork instead of hungry bellies!

Item suggestions: Slim Jims, granola bars, cheese crackers,animal crackers. Items must be individually wrapped and easy to eat with their hands. No peanut butter please!

For more information, please contact Jeanie Tillman at [email protected] or by callingthe church office at (865) 689-5175.

Page 4: THE SPIRIT - Fountain City United Methodist Church · THE SPIRIT FOUNTAIN CITY UMC AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER FOUNTAIN CITY UMC 212 HOTEL ROAD KNOXVILLE, TN 37918 (865) 689-5175 @fountaincityumc

BY DOUG SHIPMAN

I was asked if I could write an article on churchparaments, banners, and the liturgical colors we use for the traditional services here at Fountain City UMC.

Our Worship Ministry Team is responsible for the implementation of these worship tools.Church paraments are the cloths that adorn the altar, pulpit, and the lectern in our church sanctuary. The paraments are changed with the church calendar, and have specific colors and symbols to highlight various seasons and festival days.

Purple paraments during Advent and Lent represent times of preparation leading up to Christmas and Easter. During Advent purple is also associated with the royalty of the coming Christ. At Lent, purple suggests solemnity and penitence as thedeath and resurrection of Christ draws near.

White and gold paraments mark joyful holidays and key points in Christ’s life. We use these colors during the Christmas and Easter seasons. White and gold are also used for funerals, All Saints’ Day, and Trinity Sunday.

Red represents the Holy Spirit and fire. For this reason, it is appropriate for Pentecost, church anniversaries, and ordinations. Pastor Randy said we keep red paraments through Pentecost season to reflect on

the Holy Spirit and its fire being present in our lives. We use green paraments from Epiphany to Lent. Green symbolizes a time of growth in Christian faith as the church studies and strives to practice the teachings of Jesus. Green paraments are also to recognize Kingdomtide which stresses charity and assistance to the poor.

Church banners are symbolic in their use and meaning. Psalm 20:5 says, “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set our banners.”Banners were used in biblical and historical times

as a standard to declare an army’s allegiance.Banners give a visual message. Jesus used visual aids to tell His parables and teach the people. Banners help provide the link, and can also carry clear messages to our children in our church. The pictures and messages will stay with them. An example of this is our Nativity banner and our Palm Sunday banner. The banner’s main purpose is to raiseour thoughts to God and help us to focus on Him.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention all the volunteers behind the scenes who give so much time and patience to make our worship services so special here at FCUMC. From acolytes to ushers and those whocoordinate their activities, to the choirs and all the special music, to those who set up and break down everything for special events, to the sound crew and the lady who makes sure there are sharp pencils in the pews, everyone is special in their service. If I have forgotten anyone, please know you are appreciated.

TRUE COLORS

SHINING THROUGH

Discipleship is a big word, with layers of meaning. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? To be more than just a believer in His existence? Toanswer His call to follow Him? To know your life isdifferent after encountering Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

This Fall, we will be offering a new curriculum developed specifically for FCUMC called Pathways: Opportunities to Grow as a Disciple of Jesus Christ.Through these pathways, we will experience what it means to be a disciple of Jesus,to embrace our identity in God in new and altering ways. We will have the knowledge and tools to fall deeper in love with God, with ourselves, and with others.

No matter where you are in your journey of faith, whether you’ve just heard Jesus’ name for the first time or you’ve been a member of the church your entire life or you’re somewhere in between, God’s desire for you is to continue to grow in your faith.

As a church family, we want to provide tools and support along that faith journey so we all strivefor the same goal: to experience life with God to the full.

Packets describing the three pathways to reach toward that goal, growing ever closer to becoming theperson God created us to be, are available on our website, at the Children’s Desk, in Sunday School classrooms, as well as in the church office. Pathways will include course listings and descriptions, as well as tools to engagefaith in daily and active ways, both individually and as a community becoming more fully the body of Christ.

Loving God is what enables us to have life to the full, right here, right now, and forever. Having a real relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit begins with the ABCs:Admit your sins have separated you from God; Believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God raised from the dead to be Lord of all; Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord, committing your whole life to Him and pursuing therelationship with Him as your top priority. This relationship with God and love for God grows as we spend time with Him each day through prayer, reading the Bible, worship, and other spiritual disciplines. And God longsfor this deepening relationship, gifting us with a and guidance for our thoughts, actions, and experiences.

Loving OURSELVES can be a challenge. At times we might think, God, have You even met me?But God loves each of us unconditionally. God made us in His perfect image, claiming us as Hisbeloved children. And God has called, gifted, and empowered each and every one of us to be anintegral part of building His Kingdom. Not by anything we could do for ourselves, but because of Hisgrace and forgiveness. Because of His redeeming worth and the truth that, in Christ, we are enough.

Loving OTHERS is not a lofty ideal or nice gesture: it is the way we show Jesus to a desperatelyseeking world. We love because God first loved us. We love because Jesus modeled for us a life ofservant leadership and sacrificial love. We love because our Lord Jesus commanded it of anyone who wants to follow Him. We are swimming in an ocean of grace and forgiveness; God asks His followers to offergrace and forgiveness with the same boundlessness. Our lives have been touched and changed byredemption; God asks His followers to share that difference with the seekers and doubters. The brokenness inthis world seems big and heavy; God asks His followers to share His hope of an easy yoke and lightened burden.

Discipleship is a lifelong pursuit of a great big God, learning a little bit more of who He is and how deeply He loves His creation. It is the pathway to looking more like Jesusin this world, in our own lives and in the lives of those He loves. We invite you to join us.

PATHWAYSADULT DISCIPLESHIP FORMATIONSOPPORTUNITIES COMING THIS FALL