News and Announcements for the Week of March 30

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which began on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.  Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means “spring.”  The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan.  Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection.  In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism.  Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.  Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a “mini-Easter” and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

During our worship services in Lent, our children will be collecting change to give to Change for Children, one of our Holston Conference ministries.  Each year, churches give loose change to benefit children’s ministries in our Holston Conference region and in Africa.   And each year, several groups receive that pocket change in the form of grants.  Change for Children grants support new and existing ministries with economically disadvantaged children, from birth to age 12, and their families.  Holston churches and related United Methodist agencies are eligible for these funds.

30 Pieces of Silver.  During Lent, you are invited to set aside your silver coins in a bag, jar, or whatever container you wish, and then bring the container full of silver coins to the altar during worship on Easter Sunday, April 20.  You generosity will support the missions of our congregation.

Life Groups are coming . . .

Evangelism/Witness Team will meet to finalize Easter Egg Hunt plans on Monday, March 31 at 6:30 PM in the Willing Workers Classroom.  Members are:  Melissia Perkins, Herman Carrier, Mike Miller, Jin Lane, Joan Williams, Carole Miller and Shawn Stantz.  Bobbie Warden is the 2014 Chair.

CHILDREN’S EASTER CELEBRATION will be held Saturday, April 19, 2014 from 11:30 am to 2pm.  Please donate non-chocolate and peanut-free candy.  There is a box at the Wesley Center and one in the Communication Center for candy collecting.

We hope you have noticed the beautiful new flooring in the Wesley Center and the Christian Life Center entrance, which is part of our Hospitality – Inward, Outward & Upward campaign to become a more welcoming congregation.  As part of this effort, our Church Council decided to rename the Education Building to Christian Life Center.  We think this new name sounds more inviting and better represents a more holistic approach to spiritual growth, i.e., that growth toward spiritual maturity is broader than education.  Thanks to the many people who have put in hours and hours of volunteer work into renewing our facilities!  And thanks to all who have contributed financially to our campaign. Our next phase of the Hospitality campaign is to replace the old marquee outside of the Sanctuary with a new electronic marquee.  Please consider yourcontributions to helping us improve our facilities to become a more welcoming congregation.  You can make a check payable to the church and mark “Hospitality Campaign” in the memo line.

 

At our March 24 Church Conference, our congregation members affirmed the February 16 Church Council decision to pursue purchase of the neighboring Cowan property, 476 Cedar St., Bluff City.  We will be discussing purchase options with the Cowan family and considering the best financing option available for the congregation.  We expect to move forward with a capital campaign asking each person in our congregation to give generously and sacrificially to enable the purchase.  We hope you will pray about your participation in securing this needed property so that our ministries for Christ may continue to grow and expand.

Cluster will meet Sunday, March 30 at Elizabeth Chapel UMC at 6:00 PM.

Rental of our parsonage is being handled by T. C. Lewis Property Management.  If you know someone interested, have them call 423-467-0005.

Graduates—If you have a child who will be graduating from high school or college  this year,  please give their names to Meghan Burke by Sunday, March 30.

There will be an Youth Assembly registration meeting on Wednesday, April 23, at 6:45 p.m. in the Youth Room.  This is for youth interested in going to Assembly at Emory & Henry C ollege in June.  In order to register, parents must be

TODAY IS THE FIFTH SUNDAY!  The mission of Holston United Methodist Home  for Children in Greeneville is to provide hope and healing to children and families struggling with life’s challenges.  You can help give children and youth a better life, a good education,  and a chance to develop into Christian men and women.  Your interest determines their future.

APRIL BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

BIRTHDAYS

3 John Warden
4  Lelia Perry
5 Paula Durham
6  April Hodges
8 Brittany Smith , Kathy Hurlbert
11 Beverly Lane
14 Jimmy Jones, Chris Neal
16 C. W. Fleenor
19 Lenny Leonard, Carole Miller
20  Kim Lundin
21 Bruce Stewart
24 Dottie Leonard
25  Greg Webb
26  Misti O’Dell

Anniversaries

13 Bill and Judy Finney
21 Harold and Dottie Leonard
27 Jack and Kathy Hurlbert

News and Announcements for the Week of March 23

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which began on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.  Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means “spring.”  The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan.  Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection.  In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism.  Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.  Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a “mini-Easter” and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

During our worship services in Lent, our children will be collecting change to give to Change for Children, one of our Holston Conference ministries.  Each year, churches give loose change to benefit children’s ministries in our Holston Conference region and in Africa.   And each year, several groups receive that pocket change in the form of grants.  Change for Children grants support new and existing ministries with economically disadvantaged children, from birth to age 12, and their families.  Holston churches and related United Methodist agencies are eligible for these funds.

30 Pieces of Silver.  During Lent, you are invited to set aside your silver coins in a bag, jar, or whatever container you wish, and then bring the container full of silver coins to the altar during worship on Easter Sunday, April 20.  You generosity will support the missions of our congregation.

Evangelism/Witness Team will meet to finalize Easter Egg Hunt plans on Monday, March 31 at 6:30 PM in the Willing Workers Classroom.  Members are:  Melissa Perkins, Herman Carrier, Mike Miller, Jin Lane, Joan Williams, Carole Miller and Shaun Stanz.  Bobbie Warden is the 2014 Chair.

CHILDREN’S EASTER CELEBRATION will be held Saturday, April 19, 2014 from 11:30 am to 2pm.  Please donate non-chocolate and peanut-free candy.  There is a box at the Wesley Center and one in the Communication Center for candy collecting.

We hope you have noticed the beautiful new flooring in the Wesley Center and the Christian Life Center entrance, which is part of our Hospitality – Inward, Outward & Upward campaign to become a more welcoming congregation.  As part of this effort, our Church Council decided to rename the Education Building to Christian Life Center.  We think this new name sounds more inviting and better represents a more holistic approach to spiritual growth, i.e., that growth toward spiritual maturity is broader than education.  Thanks to the many people who have put in hours and hours of volunteer work into renewing our facilities!  And thanks to all who have contributed financially to our campaign. Our next phase of the Hospitality campaign is to replace the old marquee outside of the Sanctuary with a new electronic marquee.  Please consider your contributions to helping us improve our facilities to become a more welcoming congregation.  You can make a check payable to the church and mark “Hospitality Campaign” in the memo line.

At the February 16 Church Council meeting, the Council approved pursuing purchase of the neighboring Cowan property, 476 Cedar St., Bluff City.  We will have a church-wide meeting as a called Church Conference on Monday, March 24 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall to consider purchase of the property; financing options available including the possibility of a mortgage of existing church property; and your thoughts about the best use of the property.  All professing members of our church who are present may vote.

Previous Church Council action approved a memorial gift policy which provides that a memorial gift may be designated by the donor to a particular designated fund; and that any undesignated memorial gift will go into our General Fund to support our budgeted ministries.

Cluster will meet Sunday, March 30 at Elizabeth Chapel UMC at 6:00 PM.

Rental of our parsonage is being handled by T. C. Lewis Property Management.  If you know someone interested, have them call 423-467-0005.

Graduates—If you have a child who will be graduating from high school or college  this year,  please give their names to Meghan Burke by Sunday, March 30.

Learn About Our Sister Camps—  On Sunday, March 23 at 2:30 PM, meet the staff from Camp Dickenson and Camp Wesley Woods at Munsey UMC.  While Buffalo Mountain Camp is being renovated, now would be a good time to experience one of our other camps.  Come hear and see what makes each one of these camps special .  This summer, transportation will be provided to these camps from Johnson City.

United Methodist Men—Day with the Bishop—Saturday, March 29th, 9am-2pm, Middlebrook Pike UMC, Knoxville, TN. Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor will be there for a day of celebration, fellowship,

encouragement, and worship as we meet to reflect on the past year and focus on our opportunities and challenges in the year ahead.  This event is for everyone who is involved in ministry with or for men in their church or want to learn how to begin to be.  The event includes a catered lunch.  For information and registration go to:  http://umm.holston.org.

 

 

 

News and Announcements for the Week of March 16

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which began on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.  Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means “spring.”  The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan.  Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection.  In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism.  Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.  Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a “mini-Easter” and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

During our worship services in Lent, our children will be collecting change to give to Change for Children, one of our Holston Conference ministries.  Each year, churches give loose change to benefit children’s ministries in our Holston Conference region and in Africa.   And each year, several groups receive that pocket change in the form of grants.  Change for Children grants support new and existing ministries with economically disadvantaged children, from birth to age 12, and their families.  Holston churches and related United Methodist agencies are eligible for these funds.

30 Pieces of Silver.  During Lent, you are invited to set aside your silver coins in a bag, jar, or whatever container you wish, and then bring the container full of silver coins to the altar during worship on Easter Sunday, April 20.  You generosity will support the missions of our congregation.

Join us for lunch TODAY following the 11 am worship service, for a delicious meal and good time in the Fellowship Hall!  The lunch is being sponsored by the youth group as a fundraiser.

The Cowan Property Ad Hoc Team meets TODAY at 1:30 pm in the Willing Worker Classroom.  Team members are Beverly Smith, Nancy Forrester, Mike Miller, Jack Hurlbert, Tony Lundin, and Dan Gray.

Witness Team (formerly known as Evangelism Team) meets Monday, March 17 at 6:30 pm in the Willing Worker Classroom.  Team members are: Mike Miller, Dan Gray, Herman Carrier, Joan Williams, Jin Lane and Carole Miller.  Bobbie Warden is the 2014 Chair.

Staff Parish Relations Committee meets Tuesday, March 18 at 6:30 pm in the Willing Worker Classroom.  Team members are: Alicia Ronquillo, Frosty Sweet, Herman Carrier, Kathy Hurlbert, Ike Fleenor, Bobby Thompson, Linda Rader, Michael Forrester, Mike Miller, Nancy Forrest, Dan Gary.  Judy Finney is the 2014 Chair.

Life Group meets Thursday, March 20 at 6:30 pm.

We hope you have noticed the beautiful new flooring in the Wesley Center and the Christian Life Center entrance, which is part of our Hospitality – Inward, Outward & Upward campaign to become a more welcoming congregation.  As part of this effort, our Church Council decided to rename the Education Building to Christian Life Center.  We think this new name sounds more inviting and better represents a more holistic approach to spiritual growth, i.e., that growth toward spiritual maturity is broader than education.  Thanks to the many people who have put in hours and hours of volunteer work into renewing our facilities!  And thanks to all who have contributed financially to our campaign.  Our next phase of the Hospitality campaign is to replace the old marquee outside of the Sanctuary with a new electronic marquee.  Please consider your contributions to helping us improve our facilities to become a more welcoming congregation.  You can make a check payable to the church and mark “Hospitality Campaign” in the memo line.

At the February 16 Church Council meeting, the Council approved pursuing purchase of the neighboring Cowan property, 476 Cedar St., Bluff City.  We will have a church-wide meeting as a called Church Conference on Tues., March 24 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall to consider purchase of the property; financing options available including the possibility of a mortgage of existing church property; and your thoughts about the best use of the property.  All professing members of our church who are present may vote.

Previous Church Council action approved a memorial gift policy which provides that a memorial gift may be designated by the donor to a particular designated fund; and that any undesignated memorial gift will go into our General Fund to support our budgeted ministries.

Thank you so much for helping send us to the Holy Land!  It was truly an amazing experience to be in the places that Jesus walked and taught, lived, was crucified and resurrected.  We will forever remember this trip and its profound impact on our faith, and your part in making it happen.  With much gratitude and love, Pastor Dan and Samantha

May Graduates, high school or college, please see Meghan Burke by Sunday, March 30.

 

News and Announcements for the Week of March 9

There will be a church-wide meeting as a called Church conference on Monday, March 24, 6:30—8:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.  This meeting is to discuss the purchase of the Cowan property; financing options available including the possibility of a mortgage of existing church property; and your thoughts about the best use of the property.  Anyone may come and express their thoughts.  All professing members of our church who are present may vote.  Our District Superintendent Walter Weikel will be present.

Rental of our parsonage is being handled by T. C. Lewis Property Management.  If you know someone interested, have them call 423-467-0005.

The keys to the Church and to the Wesley Center that used to be kept at the Cowan House are now at Betty Malone’s house.  If you need a key to get into either the church or the Wesley Center, please call Betty at (423) 538-6434 or (423) 646-3082 and she will get them to you.  Please give her plenty of notice.

Evangelism Conference March 14-15, 2014 at Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville.  Speaker: Jorge Acevedo.  Go to http://www.EvengelismConference.Holston.org for more information.

Eat Right—Live Well—Love God

Please come to an informational meeting on March 9 (today) at 5:00 PM in the Willing Worker Sunday School Room, introducing the 3D Plan, a program for eating right, living well, and loving God.  Inspired by the words of Jesus, “Your faith has made you whole” (Mark 5:34), the 3D Plan will hep you to make gradual changes that are positive, practical, and proven to become permanent.  Visit http://www.3DYourWholeLife.com to see what others say about this life-changing program.

Senior Conference “Aging Happens”  Tuesday, April 1, 9:00 AM—2:15 PM at Munsey Memorial UMC Christian Life Center. Early registration $5.00 b y March 30.  Cost at door $7.00.

Senior Adult Gathering Thursday, April 3, 10:00 am—2:00  pm at Wesley Memorial UMC.  Please register by March 28.  Registration forms in office.

American Cancer Society Needs Drivers—The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to drive patients to and from their local cancer treatments.  If you have a car, personal auto insurance, safe driving skills,  and can volunteer at least one morning or afternoon each month, you can be a lifeline to someone fighting cancer.  Please call the local office at 975-0635 to learn more.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home, Johnson City, will be hosting a bereavement seminar Monday and Tuesday, march 24-25 at the Johnson City Holiday Inn.  The speaker will be Harold Ivan Smith, a bereavement  specialist , a gifted story teller and prolific author who has been published internationally. To register, please call Vickie Berry, (423) 262-5245 or visit MorrisBaker.com/grief.

Hands-On Mission Project for Zimbabwe—Food buckets  – Goal : 300

• 1 bag sugar (4-5 lb)
• 1 bag corn mean (4-5 lb)
• 1 bag self-rising flour (4-5 lb)
• 1 bag rice (2 lb)
• 1 bag dried beans (2 lb)
• 1 powdered  milk (10 oz or less)
• 1 box old-fashioned oats (18 oz. or less) (NOT instant oatmeal packets)
• 1 bottle cooking oil (48 oz or less)
• 1 box Splenda/sucralose packets (50 ct. or less)

 

• Pack all in NEW,FOOD GRADE, 5-gallon bucket with lid.
• Please DO NOT seal lids.
• Include $5.00 donation for packing and shipping—DO NOT PUT IN BUCKET
• Church Treasurer will write one check to cover all buckets.
• Have buckets completed and in Library by Thursday, May 29.