July 2016 - First United Methodist Church

Methodist Messenger
Our Mission: Welcome All, Win to Christ, Equip to Follow, Serve Christ’s Mission
Your Monthly Source of Information & Inspiration from Clanton First United Methodist Church
July 2016
Rob West
Senior Pastor
Barbara Brewi
Associate Pastor
Jeff Herron
Youth Minister
Greg Faulkner
Minister of Music
Christi Mitchell
Children’s Minister
Elisabeth Smith
AdministrativeAssistant
Lynn Best
Office Manager
Mary Morris
Accompanist/
Organist
Linda Niles
Preschool Director
Barbara Lewis
Treasurer
Jerry Dalton
Judy Holley
Custodian
Annie Roberts
Kitchen Coordinator
Deanna Bonagura
Elaine Johnson
Megan McCarter
Sonya Mahan
Nursery Staff
Office Hours
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Office Phone
(205) 755-0490
FAX
(205) 755-0840
Worship Services
8:30 AM River
9:30 AM Hydrate
11:00 AM Traditional
11:30 AM Hispanic
Sunday School
9:30 & 11:00 AM
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let
the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34: 1-3
Welcome to July! 2016 is already more than halfway over! It seems like only a month ago Gail
Sharman was planning the community Thanksgiving dinner and the confirmands were making their
Chrismons to decorate the church Christmas tree. Since then we have enjoyed the United Methodist
Men’s Pancake Day, sacking a million pounds of potatoes, and you have dressed up to have your
picture taken for the pictorial directory along with many other activities at the church! Then, there
are your other activities outside of the church: school, family gatherings, doctor appointments, baseball
games, our jobs, and the Peach Festival. Life happens so fast. I am very grateful that our church and
our community are so active and full of positive events and resources to fill our lives.
In the midst of our busy lives, we occasionally experience moments of silence for reflection. In these
moments it becomes crystal clear how good life is. We can see how wonderful our families truly are,
how precious our lives are, or those times when a person has extended the gift of friendship to us in a
way that leaves us without words.
For the last three years our church has produced a devotional book. This year, as your life is
happening, I would like to ask you to: Be conscious of how good your life is. Try to be more aware of
how God is blessing your life. And then, please write it down and share with us, so that we all may be
blessed and our eyes (also) may be opened to how good life really is. It is my prayer that these
moments may be obvious to you at your job, during a football game, Soup Day, during your
Thanksgiving dinner or during the many daily activities that we experience.
Please send it in as soon as you finish writing it. Each devotion should be a thousand words or less,
and if you would like to tell it to me, I would be happy to type it for you. Please also include a prayer
at the end. If you have questions, please email at Elisabeth@clantonfumc.org or call at (205)
755-0490.
I am very excited to hear your stories and how you are able to see God in your life. We all want to be
closer to him, know more about him, and hopefully we too will be able to feel his presence.
May God bless you and I pray you tell us about it!
Elisabeth Smith
Celebrate Recovery Meal Volunteers
July 4- Hamburger Cook-out
July 11- New Horizons
July 18- Agape / Carlisle Miller
July 25- Youth
August 1- Aldersgate
Christ’s Closet
August 6 will be the 3rd Annual Christ’s Closet.
Each year, FUMC opens its doors for families in
the community that are looking for a little relief
and help with their children’s back to school
clothes. Clanton FUMC is accepting donations
of clothes and accessories for Christ’s Closet.
Clothes of all sizes are needed for every school
age. Bring to the church anytime. Thank you!
(Actual photo from the Mandanga borehole)
UPDATE:WATER 282
In 2012 Clanton FUMC raised enough money to drill
three drinking wells in Zambia, Africa. Since then
“our villages” of Mandanga, Simukali and Mazuka
have experienced a better quality of life.
Richard Nkhowa of Mandanga is 60 years old and tells
that the borehole at Mandanga is benefiting the
community in several ways. In the past people would
barely perform basic task requiring water such as
bathing because they did not have enough water to
fufill their water needs. Nkhowa found it difficult to
fetch enough water for his basic water need due to his
old age. He says prior to the borehole he would be the
last person get water for use in the village because
youthful and strong members of the village had an
equal need for water to meet their needs. Nkhowa is
happy with his life now and wishes to live longer
because he has access to the most essential
commodity on earth, safe, clean water. Nkhowa can
now easily access water for his basic water needs
such as bathing, cooking, washing, and cleaning the
house. He testifies that water is indeed life!
WOODLAWN
THE TRUE STORY
FRIDAY, JULY 29 at 7PM
Clanton
First
United
Methodist Church will be
showing
the
movie
Woodlawn in the gym with
popcorn
and
soft
drinks included! This will
be a FREE community
event so invite your family,
friends, and neighbors to
join us. We look forward
to seeing everybody there!
Vacation Bible School
July 11-15
5:30-8:15 pm
M&M’s Senior Group invites you to bring a
friend, come be a new face, and join us for
breakfast time together! We will talk about
upcoming adventures. July 27 at 8:30 am
Kountry Kitchen on Lake Mitchell Road.
Dear First United Methodist Church,
Thank you for your outpouring of
love, prayers, visits, help and food!
Thank you to those who have
volunteered to sit, those who have
helped and have offered their help.
Ann and I take one day at a time; we
are
seeing good signs
of
improvement but still need your
prayers. Thank you again for our
outpouring of love!
Perry & Ann Dalton
Coming Late 2017 – First
Methodist will take a group to tour
the Holy Land in Israel. Dates are
tenatively set for Early November 2017. This will
be a classic tour of the Holy Land to walk in the
footsteps of Jesus. The tour will be hosted by
Educational Opportunities. Cost is $3000. To
reserve your seat, please contact Rob West at
rob@clantonfumc.org or 755-0490.
Jemison Veterans Celebration invites
you to Jemison for a
weekend of fun events:
Gospel singing Friday, August 5 at 7 pm and
Saturday, August 6 at 6 pm at Jemison Municipal
Complex.
A Request from Clanton FUMC’s Library:
Please check your bookcases for books that
belong to the church library.
We have many cards showing
books have been checked out.
A recent check of our shelves
indicates these books have not
been returned. Some books
were checked out several years
ago so please take a second
look for any which you may have
overlooked at home.
Many thanks,
The Librarian
You are invited to a bridal tea honoring:
MISS BETHANY ANDERSON
(Bride-Elect of Russell Hilyer)
Sunday, July 17
2 – 4 PM
Elizabeth Hall
619 2nd Avenue North, Clanton
The couple is registered at
Target & Kohl’s and also at
https://disney.honeymoonwishes.com/honeymoo
n-registry
Music, Fun, Games, Art & Crafts
Vendors, Antique Car Show,
Children Attractions- August 6th
9 am – 4 pm
If you would like to have a booth for your art,
crafts, or food ($20) or
would like to enter your
antique vehicle in the car
show ($10) please contact
Josh Jennings at
205-299-2928.
Find this event on Facebook.
ADULTS: CAN YOU BRAVE THE CAVE?
Sunday, July 10 1:30-4:30 pm
Clanton FUMC is going to transform into caves for
Vacation Bible School. We need volunteers to
help make and hang stalactites along with other
things. The church campus will be divided into
different decorating zones and we need your
help! Come put your “might” into a “stalagmite.”
July Birthdays
July Anniversaries
1 Colby Barron, Perry Boulware, Carson Watley,
Micah Hardwick, Dryden Whittington
2
Aaron Gomez
4
Rose E. Utendahl
5
Stanley Batchelor, Jordan Ellison, Kallen Cobb, Humberto Guajordo
6
Carlis Shaw, Danielle Brown
7
Vickie Bucklew, Kara Warnix, Jennifer Watley
8
Anthony Bice, Jennifer Carter, Jody Hill, Sara Thackerson
9
Jessica Gothard
10
Rusty Crouthers, Donna Minor, Madalyn Price, Ada Willis
11
Francesca Millard
12
Sadie Killingsworth, Joyce Gladden
13
Ashley Owen, Grady Evans
15
Steve Chastain, Charlotte Ousley
18 Frank Bonagura, Doris West
19
Jeff Cobb, Jane Conradi, Jan Davis
20
Mary Baker
21
Logan Clements, Clarence Overby
22
Nancy Dalton, Rick McKee, Mason Zuelzke, Tom Cuthbert
23
Johnna Springer, Keith Popwell, Bryan Popwell
24
Blakeley Sneed, Anna Gore
25
John Gothard, Ronnie Mitchell
26
Madison McGee, Lori Patterson
27
Tayah Bell, Suzanne Lenoir, Annella T. Smith
29
Brandi Bailey
30 Patti Lucas, Rianna McGuire
31
Sidney Kate Jennings, John Tatum
1
1
2
6
11
13
18
18
19
21
24
27
28
Mr & Mrs Al Headley (Bobbie)
Mr & Mrs. Peter Johnson (Elaine)
Mr & Mrs Howard Buckner (Barbara)
Mr & Mrs Mike Cooper (Nancy)
Mr & Mrs Mike Graham (Alice)
Mr & Mrs Jacob Marsh (Tonya)
Mr & Mrs Sibley Reynolds (Rhonda)
Mr & Mrs Jake Sim (Kacey)
Mr & Mrs William McCallum (Becki)
Mr & Mrs Dustin Zugg (Whitney)
Mr & Mrs Dale Lenoir (Willie)
Mr & Mrs Albert Byrd (Elizabeth),
Mr & Mrs Paul McKinney (Linda)
Mr & Mrs John Byrd (Michelle)
Mr & Mrs Bud Riviere (Judy)
Mr & Mrs Wayne Giles (Claudette)
July Greeters for Traditional
Aldersgate Sunday School Class
July Ushers for 11:00
Jerry Jones, Bill Hurst, Larry Reynolds
July Greeters for Hydrate
July 3 –Rick & Sheri McKee; Linda McKinney
July 10- Candace Hight; John & Susan Cornelius
July 17- James & Debra Darnell; Amber Darnell; Tonya Marsh
July 24- Phil & Jan Davis; Rick Mims; April Teel
July 31- Carlis & Katrina Shaw
Children’s Page
A Publication of FUMC Children’s Ministry
July 2016
Get ready for more summer fun in
Children’s Ministry!
5:30-8:15 pm
Vacation Bible Schoolth
Worldwide Wednesday
Wednesday July 20
6:00-7:30pm
th
All children preschool through 6
grade are welcome to join us as we
learn about Thailand. We’ll have
snacks, games, and a craft.
July 11-15
July 11-15 for age 3 (preschool) through 6
grade, 5:30-8:15pm. Closing program is
Friday, July 15 @ 6pm in the gym. Supper
will be provided Monday-Thursday, and a
snack on Friday. Nursery care will be
available for children of VBS volunteers. We
are still looking for a few more hands to help
out. Contact Christi Mitchell ASAP to help!
Register online for VBS at clantonfumc.org
VBS Fun Nights:
Tuesday: Goofy Glasses
Wednesday: Hairific Headwear (hats or hair)
Thursday: Neon/Glow Night
Age level swim parties TBA!
Worship Arts Camp
July 25-29
Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
For kids who have completed
Kindergarten through 6th grade
GAP @ the Lake
Sunday July 31, 3 to 7pm. Supper
provided. Bring your swimwear and
floats. RSVP by July 30 for directions!
Don’t forget to bring your donations of
clothing, shoes, jackets, and
backpacks/purses to the church for
Christ’s Closet! We will be accepting
them until August 3. Christ’s Closet will
take place on August 6 from 8-11am.
Participants will learn about music, drama,
dance, basic Spanish, cooking, creative writing,
sports, painting, photography, and percussion.
No instrument is needed, but we are looking to
borrow a few keyboards for the week. Children
will need to bring a sack lunch each day. Adult
and youth volunteers are welcome! We have
qualified instructors in each class but could
always use help with crowd control. This camp
is FREE. To register, email
children@clantonfumc.org
First United Methodist Church
207 8th Street North
Clanton, AL 35045
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Office Hours- 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM Mon- Fri
Office Phone- (205) 755-0490
Fax #- (205) 755-0840
Care Line- (205) 755- 3455
Worship 8:30 (River) 9:30 AM (Hydrate),
11:00 AM (Traditional)
Sunday School 9:30 & 11:00 AM
San Juan Hispanic Service 11:30 AM
View our Newsletter online at
www.clantonfumc.org
Youth
News &
Notes
JULY 3 NO SMALL GROUPS
July 6 Worship Practice 4:30; Worship Service
@ 6:17
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONS TEAM!!
We leave July 9-16. Pray for wisdom, strength,
and for the Holy Spirit to move in mighty ways.
July 10 Small Groups at 4:30 getting ready for
BIBLE SCHOOL (Meet in the gym)
JULY 11-15 Bible School Recreation
July 13 VBS CONTINUES - Youth will be
helping
July 20 Worship Practice 4:30; Worship Service
@ 6:17
July 27 Worship Practice 4:30; Worship Service
@ 6:17
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO VBS, AND
OUR MISSION TRIP !! THANK YOU FOR
ALLOWING US TO BE THE HANDS AND
FEET OF JESUS TO THE WORLD AND OUR
COMMUNITY!!
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 77
Non-Profit Org.
Clanton, Al