Download - March 2020 - Abingdon United Methodist Church · 2020. 2. 27. · March 2020 Abingdon United Methodist Church 101 E. Main Street Abingdon, Virginia 24210 276-628-2321 abingdonumc.org

March 2020

Abingdon United Methodist Church

101 E. Main Street Abingdon, Virginia 24210

276-628-2321 abingdonumc.org

AUMC LENTEN STUDY

Please join us each Wednesday during lent as

Rev. Robert Countiss leads a Bible Study each

week at 6:15 p.m.

LENTEN ECUMENICAL NOONTIME SERVICES

Wed, February 26 at 12:05 p.m.

St. John Lutheran Church “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit and

Those Who Mourn” Rev. Dr. Bill Bryan from Abingdon Baptist Church

Wed., March 4 at 12:05 p.m. Abingdon Baptist Church “Blessed are the Meek”

Rev. Boyd Evans from St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Wed., March 11 at 12:05 p.m. Abingdon United Methodist Church “Blessed are Those Who Hunger and

Thirst for Righteousness” Rev. Scott Homesley from St. John Lutheran Church

Wed., March 18 at 12:05 p.m. St. Thomas Episcopal Church “Blessed are the Merciful”

Rev. Dr. Robert Countiss from AUMC

Wed., March 25 at 12:05 p.m. Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church “Blessed are the Pure in Heart

and the Peacemakers” Fr. Francis Musolooza

from Christ the King Catholic Church

5th SUNDAY COMBINED

WORSHIP

Sunday, March 29 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.

Cookies and Punch after the Worship

Service.

WORSHIP ON SUNDAYSWORSHIP ON SUNDAYSWORSHIP ON SUNDAYSWORSHIP ON SUNDAYS

8:45 a.m. Traditional Worship

8:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship

9:45 a.m. Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

Abingdon United Methodist ChurchAbingdon United Methodist ChurchAbingdon United Methodist ChurchAbingdon United Methodist Church

101 E. Main Street Abingdon, Virginia 24210101 E. Main Street Abingdon, Virginia 24210101 E. Main Street Abingdon, Virginia 24210101 E. Main Street Abingdon, Virginia 24210

276276276276----628628628628----2321 abingdonumc.org2321 abingdonumc.org2321 abingdonumc.org2321 abingdonumc.org

2 March 2020

Menus this

month: 3/4: Fried Chicken, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, slaw, salad,

bread, dessert. Krew #4

3/11: Spaghetti, salad, bread, des-

sert. Krew #1/2

3/18: Chicken Noodle Soup, Potato

Soup, salad, bread, dessert.

Krew #3

3/25: Salsa Chicken, Mexican Rotel Grits, Refried Beans, salad, bread,

dessert. Krew #4.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY IN

March Wonderful Wednesday Dinner begins at 5:15 p.m.

Reservations are due each Tuesday by noon. Pro-

grams at 6:15 p.m.

• Our Children and Youth activities/Choir

• Lenten Study each Wednesday during lent by Rev.

Robert Countiss.

EVERY DAY FOR CHRIST UPDATE

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued response and generosity

in financially supporting our church, enabling it to realize it's ministries and missions on a daily ba-

sis.

This year, we collected 57 pledge cards totaling $255,290 in pledged support, equating to 155

days of operation. This is truly a blessing! And, because 15 cards came during our January Renew-

al Challenge, and totaled $61,150 in pledged dollars, they will be matched with a 3% anonymous

gift by a group of donors, for an additional $1,834.50 — designated to our local missions. Bless-

ings upon blessings!

Thank you, again, for embracing and supporting our church's mission, and for helping us to deliv-

er Everyday For Christ for our community.

In His and your service,

Jim Richmond, Chairman - Finance Committee

March 2020 3

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

DISTRICT DAY APART


Saturday, March 28, 2020

Cost: $10

9:30 -10:00 Registration

10:00-10:30 Breakfast

10:30-noon Worship and Communion

The Speaker will be from the Children’s Advo-

cacy Center. Music will be led by District Of-

ficer Pat Johnson; Frederica Cook will be the

accompanist.

All women are invited and

encouraged to join us!

The Response Circle showing the Penny and a Prayer Boxes they made at their January meeting. Penny and a Prayer is a United Methodist Women’s Ministry where UMW members are encouraged to give one extra penny a day and a prayer for our work as United Methodists in mission. Money collected goes to Pledge to Missions

fund.

Tuesday, March 3Tuesday, March 3Tuesday, March 3Tuesday, March 3

3:30 p.m. Executive Board Meeting

Tuesday, March 10Tuesday, March 10Tuesday, March 10Tuesday, March 10

Circle Day:

Response Circle at 10 a.m.

Lake Perry Wesley Circle at 2 p.m.

Lillian Bondurant Circle at 7 p.m.

Women of Wesley Circle at 6:30 p.m.

4 March 2020

Fellowship

FELLOWSHIP ON WEDNESDAYSFELLOWSHIP ON WEDNESDAYSFELLOWSHIP ON WEDNESDAYSFELLOWSHIP ON WEDNESDAYS

6:30 a.m. Men’s Prayer Breakfast

5:15 p.m. WW Dinner

6:10 p.m. Bells

6:15 p.m. Program for all ages

7:00 p.m. Choir Practice

ENCORE IN MARCH Older Adult Ministry at AUMC

Thursday, March 26Thursday, March 26Thursday, March 26Thursday, March 26 Visit to the David Crockett Birthplace State Park Visit to the David Crockett Birthplace State Park Visit to the David Crockett Birthplace State Park Visit to the David Crockett Birthplace State Park

and Lunch at the New Mennonite Troyer’s Market and Lunch at the New Mennonite Troyer’s Market and Lunch at the New Mennonite Troyer’s Market and Lunch at the New Mennonite Troyer’s Market

Leave: 10 a.m. Return: 5:00 p.m.

Cost: $5 for transportation.

Buy your own Lunch.

Sign up deadline: March 15.

HELP NEEDED Wonderful Wednesday Cook

Carla Countiss will be stepping down as our WW Cook starting this Fall. We will need someone who can

cook homemade meals each Wednesday, September through May. Person must be dependable and

know how to cook for a large group. This is a paid position. If you know of someone who would be inter-

ested, please contact Suzanne Rankin at 628-2321.

Anniversaries

March 2March 2March 2March 2

Roger & Alta Edwards

Roger & Ingrid Davis


Palmer & Patricia Dotson


Wayne & Judy Dowe


Troy & Amanda Nichols


Bill & Paige Gibson

Stewart & Joan Minnick

March 2020 5

Bir thdays B ir thdays B ir thdays B ir thdays March 2March 2March 2March 2

Erin Johnson


Grace Kistner


Sam O’Neill


Randy Perkins


Kelly Robinson


George Wright


Jason Harris, III


Lillie Ruble


Roger Edwards


Laura Pugh


Sandy Cumbow


Bernice Dunn


Skid Hoskins


Gayle Meade

Luke Gibson


Wade Blevins

Billy Witt


Lovis Countiss

Howard Chitwood


Doris Tyler


Liz Bowen


Martha Little

PRAYERS

Condolences to Susan Howard in the death of her Condolences to Susan Howard in the death of her Condolences to Susan Howard in the death of her Condolences to Susan Howard in the death of her

father, Maynard Lee Doss, on February 17, 2020. father, Maynard Lee Doss, on February 17, 2020. father, Maynard Lee Doss, on February 17, 2020. father, Maynard Lee Doss, on February 17, 2020.

Prayer List:Prayer List:Prayer List:Prayer List: Nancy Adkins, John Donch (Marsha Demase), Keith Hayden (Darius Johnson), Cindy Johnson, Dena Lasley (Sallie Garrett), Aurora Rich-ey (Michele Carpenter), Sherry Thacker (Brittani

Clayman).

IN REMEMBRANCE

French Moore, Jr.

February 24, 2020

MEMORIALS

Choir

In memory of Don Hagy by:In memory of Don Hagy by:In memory of Don Hagy by:In memory of Don Hagy by:

Joe & Beth McCoy

Gary & Margaret Godfrey

Charlie & Heda Quillin

Good News Jai l &

Pr ison Ministry

In memory of Don Hagy byIn memory of Don Hagy byIn memory of Don Hagy byIn memory of Don Hagy by:

Roger & Alta Edwards

Otey & Mary Dudley

Memor ia l FundMemor ia l FundMemor ia l FundMemor ia l Fund

In memory of Don Hagy byIn memory of Don Hagy byIn memory of Don Hagy byIn memory of Don Hagy by:

Sallie Garrett

Riley & Emma Clark

In honor of Betty Cline byIn honor of Betty Cline byIn honor of Betty Cline byIn honor of Betty Cline by:

Denny and Patti Farmer

In memory of Maynard Lee Doss byIn memory of Maynard Lee Doss byIn memory of Maynard Lee Doss byIn memory of Maynard Lee Doss by:

Carson & Judy Jackson

Benevolent Trust Fund

In memory of Maynard Lee Doss In memory of Maynard Lee Doss In memory of Maynard Lee Doss In memory of Maynard Lee Doss by:

Dick & Marty Gail

THANK YOU

We want to thank everyone, church members, church guests, and Sunday School classes for your support of our drive to collect and provide small Christmas gifts for inmates of the Abingdon Region Jail. Due to your generosity, this effort, sponsored by the Good News Jail and Prison Min-istry, was once again a huge success in making

Christmas special for inmates. — Roger Edwards, June Hagy

VOLUNTEERS

March 1March 1March 1March 1 Greeters: Tom & Liz Bowen Ushers: Team D Acolytes: Ben Nichols, Max Bodenhorst Flowers: Needed

March 8March 8March 8March 8 Greeters: Josh & Leslie Cumbow Ushers: Team A Acolytes: Hayden Cumbow, Porter Blackwell Flowers: Needed

March 15March 15March 15March 15 Greeters: Joe & Veita Lyle Ushers: Team B Acolytes: Josie & Virginia Stockner Flowers: Needed

March 22March 22March 22March 22 Greeters: Rob & Lee Ann Hitch Ushers: Team C Acolytes: Ainsley Richmond Flowers: Robert & Carla Countiss

March 29March 29March 29March 29 5th Sunday Worship5th Sunday Worship5th Sunday Worship5th Sunday Worship

10:30 a.m.10:30 a.m.10:30 a.m.10:30 a.m. Greeters: Anne Lewis Vowell & Martha Little Ushers: Team D Acolytes: Carter & Lucy

Withers

Flowers: Needed

Student News

6 March 2020

Sunday School Sundays at 9:45

Youth Sundays at 6 p.m.

Kids/Youth Wednesdays

at 6:15 p.m.

AUMC/PVUMC Spring Adventure Retreat!

Saturday-Sunday, March 14-15

Cost: $40 per person

We’ll take the “commercial” tour of the cave, take a boat tour of

the underground “Lost Sea,” and then WE GET DIRTY! We’ll ex-

plore areas of the cave not open to the general public and then

we camp out in the cave for the night! You don’t want to miss it!

Sign ups are limited, so act quickly!

COMING SOON : • March 29: 3rd Grade Bible Presentation

• April 5: Palm Sunday— Kid’s Palm Parade

• April 11: Egg My Yard Fundraiser

• April 26: Bowling with PVUMC

• May 17: End of School Celebration with PVUMC

• May 20: Annual Talent Show

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

June 1-5

SUMMER MISSION TRIP

John’s Island, S.C.

June 13-20

Grades 6th and up Cost:$300 per person

Please join us for the best week of your life! We’ll work

hard and play hard by serving others! Fundraiser op-

portunities will be available along the way. Please sign

up today!

FAITH IN ACTION The following 16 volunteers worked at EFIA for our turn in February: Andy Stockner, Brittani Clayman, Jason Clayman, Pat White, Katie Rankin, Josie Stock-ner, Ainsley Richmond, Clark Kistner, Palmer Clay-man, Darius Johnson, Lewis Woolwine, Rebecca Ad-kins, Heda Quillin, Jeannie Stallard, Carol Brunty, and Ted White for a total of 67.5 volunteer hours. Our volunteers bagged food, stocked shelves, prepared carts, checked in clients, and assisted with the opera-tion of EFIA. We served 106 households, 219 mem-bers on Monday and 91 households, 240 members on Friday for a total of 197 households, 459 mem-bers. These clients were given a full cart of food along with a $20 gift certificate for shoes and clothing at the Thrift Store. Thanks to all the volunteers for your devotion and hard work this week and may God bless each one in a very special way for your service to help

others.

March 2020 7

Caring Ministries

FLOWER CALENDAR Flowers are needed for March. Please consider signing up for flowers in honor or memory of someone special. You call the florist of your choice. Most area florists will deliver on Satur-day for you. Please contact Pres Stanley if you

have any questions.

COMMUNION OFFERING

IN MARCH

Offering:

Pastor’s Discretionary Fund

Food: Canned Fruit

Finance 2020 Budget $580,000

Received in February 55,812

Expenses in February (42,006)

Net Income 13,806

Received YTD $100,244

Expenses YTD (85,462)

Net Income YTD 14,782

Return Service Requested


101 E. Main Street Abingdon, Virginia 24210

276-628-2321 abingdonumc.org

Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent by Rev. Robert Countiss

Marking the beginning of the season of Lent, Ash Wednesday is a day set aside on the church calendar to consid-er both our mortality and our need of God. What follows is a season of 40 days, not including Sundays, that leads us to Easter. Every year the church is invited to participate in this time of devotion and anticipation. Now, with

that definition—why are we doing this?

Long ago the church year was constructed by the church in bits and pieces because of the Resurrection of Jesus and the proclamation of this by the disciples. As the church came into being, every year was marked by a special memory of the Resurrection and the remembrance of it as a means of instructing the faith to the coming genera-tions. After a few centuries, Pentecost and Christmas were added, and then seasons of preparation were includ-ed. Then other special days mentioned in scripture and finally the remembering of special Christians on Saint days were added. By the time of the Protestant Reformation, the calendar was packed! The reformers did away with most of the Saint days—our remembrance of St Patrick’s Day and St. Valentine’s Day are holdovers; the in-clusion of St Nicholas at Christmas is because of the nearness of his feast day to Christmas. But the reformers retained the seasons of preparation: Advent and Lent. John Wesley, a child of the Church of England, included

this for his Methodists too.

Which brings us to today. Lent is a useful time and it is one that I strongly encourage church folks to participate in. All too often in our time, we have let so many other things of life distract us from the things of God. Just think

how our days are filled with activities, sports, politics, work and pleasure; all are the stuff of life in the 21st century. Yet for those of us who claim to follow Jesus, we need a time to remind ourselves how important that is. The life of the church and the practice of the Christian faith is not to be seen as simply another activity among a life filled with activities—if that is where you are, then I can assure you something is not right! Our practice of the faith is to be the lens with which we look at the world, at each other and, especially, at our-

selves.

Lent helps! This Lent, in addition to our Ash Wednesday service, there are the weekly Lenten services of the Main Street Churches, leading to Holy Week, which includes Palm-Passion Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. In addition, on Wednesday nights, following our Wednesday meal, I am going to offer a Bible study on studying the Bible. I simply think the Bible is really important, and I want to give you some tools and ideas for study-

ing the scriptures—and I want to make it fun, too!

Lent comes as an anticipation of Easter and our celebration of the Resurrection. Lent always starts in Winter, but like the seasons that inevitably lead from one to the next, Easter follows. Like a hint of what is to come is this

picture of Carla’s Lenten Rose. May our meaningful Lent lead to a celebration of the season of Resurrection.