Epworth connects and equipsall kinds of people to

seek, serve, and share Christ.

6:15 p.m. Praise Practice 6:30 p.m. Bible Study - Pray for Me 7:00 p.m. Choir PracticeSaturday, September 3, 2016 8:00 a.m. Church Work DaySunday, September 4, 2016 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Service 10:00 a.m. Sunday School11:00 a.m. Traditional Service

Upcoming EvEntsMonday, September 5, 2016Labor DayOffice Closed

August 28, 2016

2400 Devonshire Drive • Columbus, GA 31904706-322-6973www.epworthumc.com

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

oUr chUrch staffChildren’s Director Dawn WilsonChoir Director Lyn PharrisChurch Administrator Susan SniderCustodians Martha Conklin Barbie WebbMedia & Communications Dawn Wilson Music Director Bob LeeNursery Worker Martha ConklinPastor Tony G. Crosby

Carry-On Baggage for the Guilt Trip

“Come see me.”-Every Mother Who Has Ever Lived

Recently, I read a great story. Just before Thanksgiving, an older couple called their three adult children and told each of them that they didn’t think that they could remain married any longer. The adult children began to talk with each other about what they could do. All agreed that, since the next week was Thanksgiving, all of them would fly home and meet with their parents to try to talk some sense into them. The daughter called one night late and told her mother that they would be home the following week. The aged woman turned over in the bed and looked lovingly at her husband with a sly grin and said, “It worked.” He smiled in return as she continued, “All the kids are coming home for Thanksgiving and they have paid for their own plane tickets!” Mothers are often renowned for being the best travel agents to send us on our guilt trips. Can’t you call home more often? Can’t you come and visit at least occasionally? Or maybe it’s your boss at work. Why can’t you ever get those reports in on time? Late again today, huh? Just a couple of the proverbial “buttons” pressed and we are on our way to guilt city in no time. Guilt is a real emotion and it can be seriously helpful. There is a deep connection between guilt and our consciences and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. The problem is we don’t easily shed guilt once it takes residence. When we have been or done wrong and we know it, it is easy for us to make the guilt of our past transgressions a permanent fixture in our soul. God, however, wants to deliver us from this bondage so that we can live bold and fruitful lives. Our communion liturgy includes the words “free us for joyful obedience.” Indeed, it is not just our sin that burdens us down, but it is our inability to let go of sin that God has already forgiven that sometimes binds us and keeps us from the beautiful life God intends for us. So, if we have unconfessed sin in our life, then we need to come before the Lord (and maybe the person we have sinned against, too) for grace and forgiveness. But if we are carrying around the leftover guilt of sins God and others have long since forgotten, it is time for us to unpack our carry-on baggage for our guilt trips and lighten the load. In Christ,

contact Usdawn@epworthumc.comsusan@epworthumc.comtony@epworthumc.com

Pastor’s Home (706) 327-2927Pastor’s Cell (706) 329-2484

Church Website: www.epworthumc.comChurch (706) 322-6973

The sanctuary flowers are given to the Glory of God and in honor of our family by Donna & James Faircloth

this coming WEEkSunday, August 28, 2016 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Service 10:00 a.m. Sunday School11:00 a.m. Traditional ServiceTuesday, August 30, 2016 5:00 p.m. Feeding Our Neighbors @ Rose Hill 6:30 p.m. Youth Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Reachers UMW Group Wednesday, August 31, 2016 8:00 a.m. Classical Conversation12:00 p.m. Prayer Team Meeting 6:00 p.m. Supper

sUnday school at 10:00 am

THE CHILDREN’S CLASSES Kindergarten - 2nd Grd.: Becky Spencer3rd - 5th Grd.: Needed

THE FRIENDSHIP CLASS Study: Love Fulfills the Law Teacher: Barbara Stubbs

THE JOY CLASS Study: I Love Growing Older, but... Teacher: Anne Wilson

THE NATHAN PATTERSON/WESLEY CLASS Study: Acts 10 Teacher: Margaret Gosden

THE NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS Study: If You’re Going the Wrong Way... Teacher: Leslie Morris/Melonie Phillips

THE “NO NAME” CLASS Study: John - Ch. 4 Teacher: Shawn Jandreau

THE QUESTORS CLASS Study: Light Up Your Life Teacher: Bruce Zimmerman

THE SEEKERS CLASS Study: Have You Ever Seen A Hearse... Teacher: Lillian Wooldridge

thosE Who sErvE sUnday, aUgUst 28, 2016

9:00 a.m. Worship Service: Greeter: Mary Lee Crews Usher: Shawn Jandreau, Steve Sawyer Acolyte: Hayden Wilson Children’s Church: Anne Wilson11:00 a.m. Worship Service: Greeter: Suzy Revell Ushers: James Faircloth Acolyte: Eva Cheraisi & Emma Knight Children’s Church: Debra Johnson Nursery Volunteer: Kelli & Stacey McManusFinancial Secretary: Carson RevellTurn Key: Baron Conklin

oUr stEWardshipAugust 21, 2016

Tithes & Offering: $1,943.00Received To Date: $214,798.87Needed To Date: $225,013.70 Building Fund: $0

ATTENDANCE:Sunday School: 71 Worship: 9 a.m. 40 11 a.m. 95

135

What’s happEningHomecoming Invitations - If you would like to have the church send invitations, please send their names and addresses to the church office. Pictures for Homecoming Book - We are collecting pictures from the past year from all groups within the church to display in a memory book at Homecoming. Please submit all pictures (digital or print) as soon as possible.Upper Room Devotionals - September/October issue is available from the WWC. $1 per issue.Reachers UMW Meeting - Tuesday, August 30, at 7 p.m., in the Questors classroom. Wednesday Supper & Study - August 31, at 6 p.m., for dinner and at 6:30 p.m., we continue studying, Pray for Me, by Bishop Kenneth Carter. Make supper reservations by signing up on the information board. Menu: spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert.Church Work Day - September 3, beginning at 8 a.m. until. We will be getting ready for Homecoming. Lunch will be provided.

mEmorials Given to the Abiding Memorial Fund in memory of Doris Sawyer by Helen Pharris. Given to the Children’s Ministry in memory of Joel Spencer by Buddy & Susan Dunn. Given to the Discretionary Fund in memory of Joel Spencer by Steve Sawyer. Given to the General Fund in memory of Doris Sawyer by Fred & Judy Scanling. Given to the General Fund in memory of Joel Spencer by Alison & Billy Bullock. Given to the Prayer Shawl Ministry in memory of Joel Spencer by Jeanne Guilbeault. Given to the Rose Hill Fund in memory of Doris Sawyer by Carol Osteen and Bobby Smith.

missionsAugust Mission Focus - Wynnton Neighborhood Network. Items in need: any canned food, Macaroni and Cheese, Spaghetti Sauce and Noodles, Jelly, Peanut Butter, Soup, Rice, Toilet paper, Bar soap, Laundry detergent (powdered or pods). Our goal this month is 300 items. Place your items on the Mission Cart.Feeding Our Neighbors at Rose Hill UMC We will provide supper on Tuesday, August 30. Preparations will begin at 5 p.m. We will serve at 5:45 p.m. If you want more information about serving, contact Debra Johnson or Becky Britton. Helping Hands Ministry - Pick up a form from the information rack or in any online bulletin. A Taste of Epworth Cookbooks - are $5 each. Pick up your copy(s) from the WWC. Can Recycling - leave aluminum cans outside the back kitchen door. They will be picked up and recycled by the HIS Group for missions. Medical Equipment Needed - Epworth collects medical equipment as a mission for Epworth folks who may need such items. If you have any medical equipment, please consider donating it to the church.

thank yoU Thank you for the cards, prayers and kind words offered after the passing of my mom, Doris Sawyer. Kudos to the Food Group for a wonderful lunch! Steve Sawyer Thank you to everyone who has visited, called and given well wishes to our mom, Judy May. We appreciate all the outpouring of love and support. Claire, Susan, Brooks and John Thank you to everyone who plans to purchase or has purchased a Memorial Leaf. Your contributions help support the church and shows our love for each other.

volUntEErs nEEdEdBelow is a list of key volunteer positions for Sunday school and Sunday service that need filling. If you feel led to volunteer, please contact the church office and we will train you and add you to the schedule.9 a.m. Acolytes: 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th SundaysTurn Key: 1st and 5th Sundays9 a.m. Ushers: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Sundays Children’s Sunday School Teachers: 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays11 a.m. Children’s Church Teacher: 5th Sunday

yoUthYouth Bible Study - Tuesday, August 30, at 6:30 p.m., in the Youth room. For 6th-12th graders. Bring a friend! Epworth Fall Volleyball - Next games are Thursday, September 1, at 7 and 8:30 p.m., at Cornerstone Church on Lloyd Rd., Columbus. Please see Dawn Wilson to join.Youth & Children Sunday School Classes - For a great lesson, wonderful fellowship in a Safe Sanctuaries approved environment, classes are by age/grade beginning at 10 AM, every Sunday.

EpWorth prayEr listChurch FamilyKristi Miller Blount King Gladys Plant Trudy Harris Vanessa DeSoto Betty Sawyer Thrower Family Kittye Crockett Sibyl Wells Keri McElvey Jan Shackleford Helen PharrisFred & Emilie Carswell Joyce Hickson Donny Davis Scott & Sheila Dunn Barbara Watson Bill Dozier Annette Taff Martha ConklinJudy Scanling Spencer Family Faircloth Family Sue ViningDoug Franks Extended Church Family Steve & Carol Guilbeault Michael Taff David Olson Doyle Adams Dotty Baker Ricky Clark Robbins Family Andrew WadeDr. Drew Williams Alverta Champagne Laurie Osteen Jayce Foster Preston Silvernail Dora Spires Willie Ryles Judy Patterson Brian Tench Shirley Mann Cassie Prochaska Billy Hill Ken Green Kim Jordan Charlie Rolling Clyde HuttoDorothy Ogg Susan Simpson Elaine Miller Bruce Chapman Joyce Kuester Marilyn Buck Danny Chidester Kristy StierTyrone Mims Stephanie Bryan Glen Horace Daniel Jim & Marian YoungRalph & Sandy McGough Bill & Pat Waldo Billy & Judy Dunn Henry Dunn/Job Robin Grantham Diane Wiggins Joseph McKey Jim Weatherington

Nursing Homes/Homebound Asheville, NC - Susan Squiers Phenix City Health Care - Anne WhitehurstCovenant Woods - Nelle Lloyd Savannah Grand - Linda Coleman Magnolia Manor - Doris Halouska Wesley Glen (Byron, GA) - Nancy HillerOxton Place - Doris Toney, Cammie Van Over

(Please continue to pray for our homebound folks. They would love a visit.)

Updating Prayer List: If anyone on the prayer list needs to be removed or someone needs to be added,

please call, email the church office or leave a note with updates. Help us minister to you effectively by

calling the church office about yourself or a family member. Thank you for your help.

Helping Hands MinistrySponsored by Epworth UMW

Are you living alone? Do you need someone to help you with replacing light bulbs?AC filters? Batteries in a smoke detector? Have you given up driving? Do you need a ride to the doctor? Grocery store? The local drug store?

Helping Hands Ministry may be just for YOU! Epworth’s UMW will connect you with volunteers at Epworth to help you with these tasks. If you have questions, feel free to ask Becky Britton or Barbara Stubbs more about this new ministry for those who live alone.

Complete one of the forms at the bottom of this sheet if you want to be part of this ministry. Put the form in the collection plate, give to Becky Britton or Barbara Stubbs personally or to Susan Snider in the church office.

Those who need HELP:

Name:______________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________

Home phone:____________________________Cell phone:_______________________

Those who will VOLUNTEER to help:

Name:_______________________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________________

Home phone:___________________________Cell phone:_________________________