Our Newsletter - Cartecay United Methodist Church

V o l u m e 1 2
I s s u e 3 - -
M A R C H
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A Publication of Cartecay United Methodist Church
The Forty-Day Season of Lent:
Lent is considered a solemn religious
observance in the Christian Liturgical Calendar.
Many Christians began the season with Ash
Wednesday, February 18th, which unfortunately
we missed at CUMC because of weather issues.
The tradition is meant to prepare the believers
through prayer, penance, repentance, atonement
and self-denial towards the observance of Holy
Week.
This marks the death, burial and
resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ.
During Lent, many Christians commit to
fasting or giving up certain type of behavior as a
form of penitence. During this 40-day period they
also commit to a spiritual discipline such as a daily
devotion to bring them nearer to God.
The night of Ash Wednesday all Stations of
the Cross are removed, such as flowers on the
altars, crucifixes, veilings or fabrics used to
symbolize our Christendom.
Some abstain from eating meat, candy,
sugar, or some other habit. The service of Ash
Wednesday is marked upon the forehead with a
cross sign. The ash is typically from palms that
were burned after the preceding year’s Palm
Sunday observance.
Through March we will observe the
traditions of our fathers and forefathers in the
Methodist Church.
Our Pastor is:
Rev. Rebecca Holmes
revrebeccaholmes@cartecayumc.com
Church Phone: 706-276-7400
Church email:
CartecayUMC@etcmail.com
Web: http://cartecayumc.com
Facebook:
facebookgroups/166559400064734
Remember, you may be the only Bible
someone ever reads!
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Blessed Jesus:
Happy Birthday to
YOU!
Lee Oliver 3/3
Evelyn McQuary 3/3
Mary Battle 3/4
Maggie Anderson 3/5
Connie Arnold 3/7
Cally Aschmeyer 3/9
Cole Edmondson 3/10
Harry Ludwig 3/10
Ginger Holder 3/11
Ruth Fordham 3/12
Sanford Willard 3/12
Rob Hicks 3/14
Bill Deloney 3/15
Sharon Smith 3/16
Sylvia Andes 3/26
Happy Anniversary!
Russ & Debbie Loper 3/15
Royce & Jane Hughes 3/16
Bob & Beth McDonald 3/26
Stephen & Sandra Finch 3/30
Dorothy Ann Thrupp 1779-1847 possibly wrote the words
to Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us aka Blessed Jesus, but that is
not a certainty.
William Batchelder Bradbury, 1816-1868, was born in
Maine where his father was the choir director. After moving to
Boston he attended the Academy for Music and learned to play the
organ, which he began, teaching in about 1840 Brooklyn. In 1841,
he turned his attention to children’s music, holding free singing
classes. The culmination of this effort was a annual performance
at the Juvenile Music Festival with a thousand children filling the
stage. Bradbury was a very generous man. A theology student once
wrote him for a loan of five dollars, that he might buy himself a
pair of boots. Bradbury sent him a check for $25, and a note saying
he could not spare $5 at the moment, but that he might manage to
do without the $25 until he could send $5 later.
He went to Germany where he studied composition and
vocals from the best masters. In 1854 he and his brother Edward
started the Bradbury Piano Company. He wrote a number of books
on music over the course of years and often would put poems to
tunes.
Such is the case for Blessed Jesus, Just as I am, Sweet Hour of
Prayer, and Jesus Loves Me to name a few. He suffered from
tuberculosis the remaining two years of his life. The children
visited him often during his final weeks. They brought oak leaves
that they had woven into a wreath, which was buried with him.
A story related to this hymn is told about Ira Stankey, a
musician who worked closely with Dwight L. Moody. On one
occasion, Stankey sang this song, "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead
Us" at a public gathering. Afterwards, one of the guests pulled him
aside and asked if Stankey had served on guard duty on a
particular night in a particular place. Stankey, who had served in
the Union army, said that he had. The other man said that he had
served in the Confederate army. On the evening in question, he
had started to shoot a Union soldier when the Union soldier began
to sing "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Me." The Confederate
soldier, who had often heard his mother sing that song, couldn't do
it. Singing "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" had saved Stankey's
life.
---copied from several sources
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LIFE’s HANDBOOK for 2015
Health:
1.
Drink plenty of water.
2.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a
prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and
plants and eat less food that is
manufactured.
4.
Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm
and Empathy.
5.
Make time to pray.
6.
Play more games.
7.
Read more books than you did in 2014.
8.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each
day.
9.
Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 30 minute walk daily. And while
you walk, smile!
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You
have no idea what their journey is all
about.
12. Eliminate negative thoughts and things
you cannot control. Instead invest your
energy in the positive and in the present
moment.
13. Don't overdo. Know your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one
else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on
gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake!
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have
all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind
your partner of his/her mistakes of the
past. That will ruin your present
happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating
anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't
spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness
except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are
here to learn. Problems are part of the
curriculum; they appear and fade away
but the lessons you learn last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day do something good for others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. For a learning experience spend some time
with people over the age of 70 & under
the age of 8.
29. Try to make at least three people smile
each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of
your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you
are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful,
beautiful, or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will
change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up,
and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning,
thank GOD for it.
39. BE HAPPY EACH DAY!
* * * * * * * * * contributed by George Tolbert
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Worship Calendar:
Lent 2 March 1
Genesis 17:1-16
Psalm
22:23-31 (UMH752) Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-88
Nursery Covenant
Lent 3 March 8
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19 (UMH750) 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22
Relationship Covenant
Lent 4 March 15
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm
107:1-22 (UMH830) Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
“Snakey” Covenant
February 2015
Total giving = $13,064.00
Budgeted = $17,343.49
Average Attendance:
Early Service = 25
SS = 20
11 a.m. service = 61
Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for March
28th @ 2pm. Please invite children,
grandchildren and neighbors. A basket
will be in the hallway next to the
sanctuary to collect Easter candy to fill
plastic eggs. Please donate individually
wrapped candies.
Thanks,
Debbie Loper, Children’s Ministry
Invite! Invite! Invite! Invite!
Come join us as we go to our
neighbors around the church and invite
them to join us in celebrating
Easter, Saturday March 28th.
Meet in fellowship hall at 10:00 A.
M. We will be out until noon, and then
return to the church to share about our
visits.
If you have any questions call:
Lent 5 March 22
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm
51:1-12 (UMH785) Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
Heart Covenant
Maundy Thursday March 26 no service
Good Friday March 27 no service read Isaiah
7:10-14 , Psalm 45, Hebrews 10:4-10 and Luck 1:26:38
Liturgy of the Palms March 29 Palm Sunday only
one service this Sunday at 11 a.m. Psalm 118
The Worship Committee has begun work on the
Lenten and Easter season. At our meeting everyone had
such good ideas, and it was exciting. Hint: do not go on to
Pinterest unless you have a lot of time on your hands!
Seriously, the Church needs you! While you may sit
there and think you are the only one on this earth without a
talent, believe you are not. It just has not had the
opportunity to be revealed to the world! We have a number
of areas in which we need help.
Librarian: someone to check in donated books and
label new ones. The system is set up in the computer and
is very easy. We have someone that can teach you the
computer system.
Ushers: Every Sunday we need two ushers for the
11:00 service. We need a greeter as well. Someone who
will say hello to visitors and make them feel welcomed.
There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex (hallway behind
Sanctuary) on the bulletin board.
If you have any question about any of these
"openings". Please contact me, Libby O'Neill (706-6353581) or esoneill2002@msn.com.
Marcelle Rolan 706-698-7729
Kathy Swain 706-889-6307
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CHURCH COUNCIL CHAIRS 2015
Chairperson
Don Messick
Vice Chairperson
Yuri Schillin
Pastor
Rebecca Holmes
Lay Leader
Charlie
Edmondson
Lay Delegate to Annual Conference Jane Hughes
Church Treasurer
Sarah Corkedale
Trustees
Renee’ Walker
Includes: Cemetery
Nominations & Leadership
Rebecca Holmes
Staff Parish Relations
Rod Thomas
Finance
Bonnie Dalrymple
Missions
Don & Sharon
Smith
Education
Nancy Sauls
Includes: Library, SS class leaders, Scholarship
Invitational
Marcele Rolan,
Kathy Swain
Hospitality
Family Ministries
Maggie McDonald
Includes: Shepherding
Worship
Rebecca Holmes
Includes: Alter Guild, Communion, Ushers, Music,
Flowers, Audio/Visual
Communications
Leslie Thomas
Children’s Ministries
Debbie Loper
Youth Ministries
Elisa Ford
UMW President
Beverly Hiscox
UMM President
Mike Pilvinsky
Recording Secretary
Donna Carlsen
This is your church council leadership for 2015. Want to
volunteer? Ask. There is a place for you.
UMW Report:
Since we weren’t able to meet in February, I
EXPECT PERFECT ATTENDANCE ON
MARCH 19 AT 10:30!
Don't forget the following dates:
March 3......Lunch Bunch, Martyn House,
downtown Ellijay at 11:45
March 7-8....Hinton Retreat, Pray for the 10
attendees
March 10.....Crafters @ 10:00 at
church. Vicki will do the "bow thing" then.
I'm so glad she has been so flexible. Bring
your ribbon, scissors, etc. LET THE FUN
BEGIN!
March 19.....UMW Meeting at 10:20 @ the
church. REMEMBER, PERFECT
ATTENDANCE!
Beverly Hiscox, UMW President
Being Methodist in the Bible Belt.
What’s it mean to be a Methodist in the South?
Come to a month long study by Rev. Rebecca
Holmes to learn about being new to the
denomination of Methodism. March 4, 11, 18 and
25th at 6:45 p.m. at the church. Let Rev. Rebecca
know you are coming so she can give you a book.
UMM will hold a Leadership Workshop March 7
& 8th in the Fellowship Hall. Ask any man about
it. The men will meet March 28th at 8 a.m. at the
IHOP restaurant for breakfast.
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THE CHRISTIAN BAR OF SOAP
(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
There’s nothing like the feeling of being clean! Stepping out of the bath or shower you feel good all over. All the
dirt and sweat from the day is washed away and you feel and smell fresh and ready for anything. And all because
of that simple bar of soap.
That’s how Peter felt when Jesus was washing the disciple’s feet. At first he objected to Jesus’ humble offer. But
then the Lord said something to change his mind: “…If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8)
After that Peter wanted a whole bath! But Jesus replied: “…He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet…” (John
13:10).
What was Jesus trying to say? He was stating that when you are born again you have been placed under the
washing of regeneration and are clean before the Lord because of the work of Christ on the cross: (Titus 3:5) not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. But as you continue on that journey you pick up dirt on the road. So
when you enter a house you don’t need to take a whole bath (or get saved again). You just need to wash your
feet and freshen up (confess you sins).
What a wonderful promise we have in 1 John 1:9! It says if we confess our sins to the Lord, He is so faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we realize we have sinned and fallen
short we can just go to the Lord and tell Him we are sorry. We can ask Him to pardon our iniquity and purify us.
After we pray we can be assured that it’s been done! The Lord will forgive us and cleanse us from ALL
unrighteousness. We will be squeaky clean and feel so close to the Lord and thankful for His cleansing.
David needed that scrubbing. After he sinned he said: (Psa 51:2) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and
cleanse me from my sin…(Psa 51:7) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter
than snow. The Lord forgave all his sins and restored to him the joy of his salvation.
I’m so thankful for THE CHRISTIAN BAR OF SOAP. It’s for big or little sins because all sin is defiling and makes you
dirty. And it’s the bar of soap that is always large like when you first bought it. We all know how a bar of soap
shrinks as you use it. It doesn’t seem to work as well and it’s so hard to use. Then you tend to drop it and it’s such
a hassle to retrieve it. But not THE CHRISTIAN BAR OF SOAP! The Lord’s forgiveness is abundant and always
accessible. Is that good news for you today? Maybe it’s time lather up and get that clean feeling again!
Found several versions of this story online
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Cartecay United Methodist Church
7629 Highway 52 East
Ellijay, Georgia 30536
Cartecay UMC has been meeting in this area since before 1834. The original church was a half mile from the current site up Roy Road
and had burned to the ground; however the old church cemetery is still there. A new church was built at the corner of Hwy 52 East and
Roy Road in October of 1859 and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The next structure was built in 1974. Current addition of
the Fellowship Hall began March of 2008 and was dedicated in 2010. The church has served the community for over 175 years - slaves,
Indians, and pioneers alike. We welcome all who enter our doors, regardless of your current affiliation or afflictions. Our prayer is that you
will find God in our midst and in turn that we become family. We celebrate an open communion table the first Sunday of each month.
Thank You for being part of us today.
180 Years serving Gilmer County Georgia
1834-2014
BE INTENTIONAL!
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