Coming Home

Welcome to Epworth United Methodist Church! Today is a joyous day of celebration in our church year. It is Homecoming! And I believe it is a particularly special homecoming. We are blessed to have a guest preacher who is, himself, a chapter of our church’s history. Bishop Kenneth Carter, the resident bishop of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, is here in a homecoming of his own. He did not sleep in a hotel last night, but slept at his mother’s house. A graduate of Columbus State University, he, in many ways, found some of his first spiritual footing here at Epworth. As a high school student, Bishop Carter’s family was going through a difficult time. For one reason or another, the church his family was attending was no longer the right place for them. Someone invited them to Epworth. They accepted the invitation and Epworth accepted them. Bishop Carter became involved in our church’s youth group and the love and ministry of this church became the seeds of a budding call to ordained ministry that has now led him to the highest levels of leadership in our beloved denomination. Bishop Carter gives pastoral and administrative leadership to almost 700 congregations, campus ministries and outreach initiatives in an episcopal area that stretches from Tallahassee and Jacksonville to Miami and the Keys. He came to the Florida Conference in 2012, following a ministry of almost thirty years in Western North Carolina, twenty-nine as a local church pastor. His great hope for the church is that she will rediscover an orthodox Christian faith which offers the radically inclusive grace of God to all people, and at the same time calls every follower of Jesus to inner holiness, missional compassion and hopeful witness. He travels extensively across the state, preaching in local churches and encouraging lay and clergy leaders. Bishop Carter and his wife, Pam, have been married for thirty-four years and they are blessed with two young adult daughters. Pam is also an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church and has significant leadership experience in God’s mission in Haiti. Welcome home to Columbus, Bishop Carter! As our church had a chance to bless your life years ago, we thank you for coming to bless us today. We count your visit a tremendous honor. May God richly bless us on this day and in all that is to come!

In Christ,

Epworth connects and equipsall kinds of people to

seek, serve, and share Christ.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 8:00 a.m. Classical Conversation 12:00 noon Prayer Team Meeting 6:15 p.m. Praise Practice 7:00 p.m. Choir PracticeSunday, September 25, 2016 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Service 10:00 a.m. Sunday School11:00 a.m. Traditional Service

upcoming eventsTuesday, September 27, 2016 5:00 p.m. Feeding Our Neighbors at Rose Hill 7:00 p.m. Reachers UMW Meeting

September 18, 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

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 Steve Pharris’ Birthday by Lyn Pharris and Helen Pharris.

The foyer flowers are given to the Glory of God and in memory of Sarah & Curtis Combs and Kathy Combs by Lee Rogers.

this coming WeekSunday, September 18, 2016Homecoming 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Service 10:00 a.m. Sunday School11:00 a.m. Traditional Service 4:00 p.m. Welcome Service-Bishop Bryan Mulberry UMC, Macon, GAMonday, September 19, 2016 6:30 p.m. Lay Leadership MeetingTuesday, September 20, 2016 6:30 p.m. Growing Christians UMW Group 6:30 p.m. Youth Bible Study

sunday school at 10:00 amTHE CHILDREN’S CLASSES Kindergarten - 2nd Grd.: Dawn Wilson3rd - 5th Grd.: Needed

THE FRIENDSHIP CLASS Study: Foundations of the Earth Teacher: Rev. Tim Paulk

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

THE NATHAN PATTERSON/WESLEY CLASS Study: Acts Ch. 12 Teacher: Bobby Smith

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. 5 Teacher: Ron Sawyer

THE QUESTORS CLASS Study: Class Discussion Teacher: Class

THE SEEKERS CLASS Study: Class Discussion Teacher: Class

those Who serve sunday, september 18, 20169:00 a.m. Worship Service: Greeter: Anne Wilson Usher: Jimmy Bridges Acolyte: Hayden Wilson Children’s Church: Becky Britton11:00 a.m. Worship Service: Greeter: Maxine Willis Ushers: Fraser Wooldridge, Bruce Zimmerman Acolyte: Ema Cheraisi & C. S. DiSimone Children’s Church: Dawn Wilson Nursery Volunteer: Lillian WooldridgeFinancial Secretary: Lee SpencerTurn Key: James Johnson

our steWardshipSeptember 11, 2016

Tithes & Offering: $5,103.00Received To Date: $232,574.87Needed To Date: $238,622.98 Building Fund: $0

ATTENDANCE:Sunday School: 59 Worship: 9 a.m. 64 11 a.m. 84

148

What’s happeningHomecoming Clean Up - If you are able, the Homecoming committee would appreciate any help with clean up and putting tables and chairs away after todays luncheon. Welcome Service and Reception - for Bishop and Mrs. Bryan today at 4:00 p.m. at Mulberry Street UMC, Macon, GA.Lay Leadership Meeting - Monday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m. , in the Questors classroom.Growing Christians UMW Meeting - Tuesday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall. No Wednesday Supper & Study - September 21. We will resume on September 28, with a visit from Rev. Mark Sasser. Sign up on the sheet on the information board.Reachers UMW Meeting - Tuesday, September 27, at 7 p.m., in the Questors classroom.Classical Conversation (home school families) - will meet in the Children’s Wing every Wednesday, from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., and in the Fellowship Hall for lunch.Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting - Monday, October 3, at 10 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall.HIS Group Meeting - Tuesday, October 4, at 10:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall.Promotion and Children’s Sunday - October 9, at both services. New Life UMW Meeting - Monday, October 10, at 6:30 p.m., location to be announced. UMM Meeting - Monday, October 10, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall.Vintage Group Trip - National State Fair, Perry GA, Monday, October 10, leaving the church at 8:30 a.m. Everyone invited!Vintage Group Meeting - Thursday, October 13, at noon, in the Fellowship Hall.Growing Christians UMW Meeting - October 18, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall.Church Council Meeting - Monday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall.

missionsSeptember Mission Focus - We are collecting donations throughout the month for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to support the flood relief within the United States. 100% of our donations will go directly to the need. Mark your offering envelope with “UMCOR.”Helping Hands Ministry - Sponsored by the UMW. Are you living alone and need someone to help with little things around the house or do you need a ride? Are you able to help with this ministry? Pick up a form from the information rack or in any online bulletin. Give it to Becky Britton or Barbara Stubbs or the church office.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. Feeding Our Neighbors at Rose Hill UMC - We will provide supper on Tuesday, September 27. 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.Box Tops for Allen Elementary - We continue to collect Box Tops for Allen Elementary. Place the labels in the appropriate box on the Mission Cart.

memorialsGiven to the Choir Fund in memory of Doris

Sawyer by Steve & Lyn Pharris.Given to the Choir Fund in memory of

Joel Spencer by Mary Lee & Sidney Crews and Steve & Lyn Pharris.

Given to the General Fund in memory of Joel Spencer by Janie Nellums.

Given to the Prayer Shawl Ministry in memory of Doris Sawyer by Janie Nellums.

youthYouth Bible Study - Tuesday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m., in the Youth room. Bring a friend!Epworth Fall Volleyball - Next games are Thursday, September 22, at 8:30 and 9:15 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.

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

epWorth prayer listChurch FamilyKristi Miller Blount King Gladys Plant Trudy Harris Vanessa DeSoto Betty Sawyer Thrower Family Kittye Crockett Sibyl Wells Keri McElvey Jan Shackelford 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 Pearce FamilyNursing Homes/Homebound Asheville, NC - Susan Squiers River Towne Center - Jerry WilliamsCovenant Woods - Nelle Lloyd Phenix City Health Care - Anne Whitehurst Magnolia Manor - Doris Halouska, Savannah Grand - Linda Coleman Judy MayOxton Place - Doris Toney, Wesley Glen (Byron, GA) - Nancy Hiller 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:_________________________