Volume Issue

February 18, 2015

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING

Thanks to all who helped with the Confirmation Class’s participation in UMCOR’s Souper Bowl of Car-ing. You contributed $409.75 toward hunger in the Belmont Communi-ty. All funds received will be sent to SOCKS to be used locally. Thanks again to all for your generosity. You have made a difference.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

The following children had perfect attendance in Sunday School during the month of January.

Toddlers Vera Boney Greta Martin

Pre-K

Madelyn Lowrance

K/1st Henry Davis

Adam Lowrance

2nd/3d Aedan Corcoran

Avery Davis

Confirmation Connor Corcoran

Great Job!

LENTEN ACTIVITIES 2015

Wednesday Soup – weekly through Lent – 5:30 Our mid-week pause continues through the season of Lent with a simple sup-per of soup and a side. Reservations by Friendship Pad on Sunday morning, or by Tuesdays 9am, contact church office or sally@fumcbelmont.org. $5 contribution. Casual worship with communion at 6:30. Come as you are.

Adult Lenten Sunday School The rebel Jesus came with a renegade gospel to start a revolution. You and I are invited to be a part. In Renegade Gospel, pastor and author Mike Slaugh-ter presents Jesus and his challenging message to inspire us during Lent, Easter, and through the year. Refresh your spiritual discipline during this Lenten season. Walk more closely with God. Discover Jesus all over again. Join Facilitator Eddie Ingram in Carpenter Hall during the 9:45 Sunday School hour beginning February 22. Books available at cokesbury.com or amazon.com.

Lenten Study with Pastor George Tuesdays at noon or Wednesdays at 7pm, February 24 – April 1. Join Pastor George for a time of conversation, study and prayer around Samuel Wells’ book, Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection. Each week, we will look at a different character in the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection: Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, Joseph of Arimathea, Pilate’s wife, Peter and Mary Magdalene and consider their significance for faith and life today. We will make the Lenten journey from the power of death that cruci-fied Christ to the new life and power brought by Jesus’ resurrection. Sam Wells is the Vicar of St. Martin in the Fields in central London. He is the for-mer Dean of Duke University Chapel. Participants will need to sign up for the class by emailing george@fumcbelmont.org and also purchase a copy of Wells’ book (available from amazon.com and elsewhere) before the first meeting.

Lenten Missional Opportunities During the season of Lent, we’ll open up our Children’s Time ZOE offer-

ing to the congregation. Children will take their buckets to the pews to receive your gifts. We’re targeting $1000 for mosquito nets and blan-kets for a Working Group of 60-80 children in Africa. Sunday School classes are invited to participate also.

Beginning with Ash Wednesday, every time we gather as a worshiping congregation, let’s bring non-perishable goods to support the hungry in our community. We’re targeting 1,000 pounds of food to deliver to SOCKS before spring break. Place them at the foot of our Lenten cross.

HOTDOG LUNCH The United Methodist Men (UMM) will be hosting a hotdog lunch on Sunday, Feb. 22 in Carpenter Hall following morning worship. Donations will be accepted and will help support the UMM's mission activities. Please plan to join us for good food and fellowship!

“SECOND BLESSINGS”

Please mark your calendars for March, 7, 2015. This is the date for the “Second Blessings” spring and summer children’s consignment sale. The sale will be from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. with our half price hour from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Many volunteers are needed to make this event a success and we are always in need of male volunteers. The Chil-dren’s Council receives 40% of the proceeds of this sale. Information on consigning is located on the church website at fumcbelmont.org. We are always looking for consignors who have excellent quality children’s items such as clothing, toys, furniture and maternity items. This sale is a great way for families to share items they no longer need with others in the community and make a little money for themselves and our Children’s ministries. Anyone interested in con-signing and/or volunteering should contact Lori Hanafin at 704-689-0404 or email her at lorih@holyangelsnc.org or any mem-ber of the Children’s Council.

PINE NEEDLES ARE COMING! The United Methodist Men will be having their annual Pine Needle Sale on Saturday, March 7th. The cost is $4.50 per bale and proceeds help fund youth activities here at FUMC. Pre-orders are encouraged. This can be done via a link on the FUMC website, or by calling (980)729-0508, or by filling out one of the order forms. The Methodist Men are also seeking volunteers to help on the day of the sale. There will be various task including record keeping, load-ing and delivery. Please see Jon Boney or any UMM member if you can able to assist.

Bulk Rate US Postage Paid

Belmont, NC Permit No 26

First United Methodist Church 807 South Point Road Belmont, North Carolina 28012 Phone: 704-825-2106 Fax: 704-825-2176 www.fumcbelmont.org

Our Staff: George Ragsdale - Pastor Janice Pennington - Administrative Assistant Renee Painter - Director of Music Sally Lingle - Director of Discipleship Ministries Sara Clark - Youth Director Linda Smith - CDC Director

March 1..………………..Kaleb Setzer March 2…………………Carrie Henry Stacey Redmond March 3………………Cindy Washam Sally Lingle Dean Rice March 4……………Michael Hommell Evan Payne Katie Ingram March 5…………………Freda Howie Lara Hill March 6…………………Hugh Henkel March 7…………Tommy Fortenberry March 8…………..Elizabeth Maynard March 9…………………..Mark Moore Savannah Shaney March 10…………...Leighton Stamps George Ragsdale March 11……………..Gary Clements Joe Maynard Kevin Bowen Jim Groner March 12…………………Tim Painter March 13…………...Kaycee Woodliff Pat Bundy Neely Smith Case Russell March 14……………….Cindy Groner Chris Lowrance Mary Nance Aiden Farmer March 15…………………Alex Bryant March 17…………….Kathy Johnston Margaret Parker Gracie Durham March 18………….Harvey Elmore, III Ben Biddix Matt Curfman Jennifer Teders March 20……………….Bill Fangman March 21……………..Olivia Thornton March 22……………...Bailey Hanafin Jayce Marr March 23…………….Sophie Hanafin Matthew Pentecost March 24……………..Abier Thornton March 26……………….Patrick Dover Sharon Gensch Hazel Pearce March 27………………….Dale Beaty David Deal Sara Clark March 28……………...Matthew Agee March 29……………Sharon Lochaby March 30……………..Andrew Ingram March 31………………...Beth Haggai

Please remember the following people in your prayers… Church Family: Keith Lowe, Betty Deitz, Libby Grier, Erin Carver (daughter of Tim and Renee Painter), Joshua Ruiz, Pat Rice, Margaret Par-

ker, David Blanton Extended Family & Friends: Leslie Whitley (daughter of Linda England), Ca-sey Rhinehart (son-in-law of O’Brien & Deborah Brooks), Ruby Swing (mother of Jeff Swing), John West (father of Joan West), Debra Mauney (daughter-in-law of Agnes Horsley), Mackey Whitmire and Ed Towers (uncles of Tobey Lowe), Par-ker Gilliard, Rev. Tracie Rose, Jessica Collins (great-niece of Valerie Armeen), Margaret Burnette (mother of Bob Burnette), Tommy Culbertson (great-nephew of Linda England), , Mildred Wolfington (mother of Debra Pettus)., Randy Chambers (friend of Joe & Valerie Armeen), Jim Hanafin (brother of Rick Hanafin), Virginia Ellington, Elizabeth Bunce (mother of Lori Giang), John & Benita Whisnant (parents of Pam Martin), Carol Schmidt (mother of Deborah Brooks) , H.C. “Red” Lawing (father of Leigh Nance), Steve Burlison (friend of Bradley Haggai), Sue Guice (mother of Dawn Thompson). We extend our prayers and sympathy to the family of Bryan Cohen upon up-on the death of his father Bernie Cohen, also to the family of Trevis Lunsford upon the passing of his mother Maudie Lunsford. Our prayers and sympathy to the family of Robby Stewart upon his death on February 4, 2015, and to the family of John Rhyne upon the passing of his mother Sue Rhyne. Also to the family of Renee Painter upon the death of her grandmother Lucille Vause.

Those in Assisted Living Carillon: Vince Leong Covenant Village: Helen Rankin, Margaret Parker Morningside of Gastonia: Tom Stephens Terrace Ridge: Mary Elizabeth Bowen

Those in the Military - Jay Feimster

Church Hour Nursery Feb. 22 - Infants: Greg & Melanie Andrews, Julia & Kendrick Boehlke Toddlers/Pre-K: Beverly, Jeff & Kari Langley Mar. 1 - Infants: Jamie Campbell, Derek & Tracy Smith Toddlers/Pre-K: Amanda Currier, Kim, Katie, Andrew Ingram Mar. 8 - Infants: Bill & Shanda Fangman, Amy Thagard Toddlers/Pre-K: Chuck & Casey Clark Mar. 15 - Infants: Drew & Carrie Henry, Melanie Lowrance Toddlers/Pre-K: Terri Harrison, Kim & Susannah Pennington Mar. 22 - Infants: Jeff & Lynn Hansen, Nancy Stamps Toddlers/Pre-K: Genora Cheshire, Aimee Russell

Guardian Angel Feb. 22 - Margaret Howard Mar. 1 - Chad McAlister Mar. 8 - Derek or Stacey Featherston Mar. 15 - David or Kathy McKinney Mar. 22– Kelvin Reagan

Ushers Feb. - Allan Haggai (H), Matt Boehlke, Reid McGraw, Dean Rice, Jack Rice Mar. - Jon Boney (H), Adrian Lunsford, Trevis Lunsford, Ron Pinkerton, Tommy Redmond

Tellers February - Jack & Pat Rice, Leighton & Nancy Stamps March - Betty Cauble, Merle Costner, Jeff Langley, Sue Teeter Greeters Feb. 22 - Brandon Martin, Jennifer Martin, Bill McLean, Linda Piltch Mar. 1 - Richard & Julia Armstrong, Sam & Janice Pennington Mar. 8 - Deborah Brooks, Gale Collins, Ginger Feimster, Dottie Moore, Mar. 15– Margaret Howard, Betsy McKee, Stefanie Pruden, Carol Tomlinson Mar. 22 - Rebecca Harrison, Reid & Liz McGraw, Ann McKenney

Altar February - Jane McLean March - Cindy Jenkins

Acolyte February - Catherine Armstrong March - Connor Corcoran Communion Helper - Georgia Smith

Children’s Story Feb. 22 - Kim Ingram Mar. 8 - Sr. High SS Mar. 15– Catherine Bashant Mar. 22 - Sally Lingle

PLEASE NOTE MAILING ADDRESS CHANGE

807 South Point Road Belmont, NC 28012

For those who send their contribu-tions through bill pay at their bank, please make sure that you change our address in your account.

SERMON AUDIO ONLINE

Archives of Sunday sermons here at First UMC are available online through iTunes and RSS podcast. To subscribe or to listen, follow the links from www.fumcbelmont.org/fumc/sermons

FUMC Wild Women of Faith – September 25-27, 2015

Questions Jesus Asked… Why are you afraid? (Matt 8:26) Do you believe I can do this? (Matt 9:28) What did you go out to the desert to see? (Matt 11:8) Why did you doubt? (Matt 14:31) Who do you say that I am? (Matt 16:15) What do you want me to do for you? (Matt 20:32) Why were you looking for me? (Luke 2:49) Where is your faith? (Luke 8:25) What is your name? (Luke 8:30) What are you discussing as you walk along? (Luke 24:17)

Ladies, be a wild woman of faith and dare to enter into these questions with other wild women who dare. Engage in a weekend of study, personal reflection, fellow-ship, leisure, and a lot of fun! Open yourself to encounter Jesus and discover what he’s asking you. The cost of $130 includes lodging, linens, meals from Friday supper through Sunday breakfast, and much more in the worshipful setting of High Pastures Christian Retreat in Burnsville, NC. A deposit of $50 will reserve your place. Make checks payable to FUMC, by March 15. Reserve your space today with Sally Lingle! sally@fumcbelmont.org or 704-825-2106. What are you looking for? (John 1:38) Do you want to be well? (John 5:6) Do you love me? (John 21:16)

MARCH MADNESS FOR MISSIONS

The 4th annual March Madness for Missions is scheduled for Sunday, March 22 after worship! This lunch fundraiser is a great way to support your favorite team while also sup-

porting youth missions at First UMC! Hamburgers and hot dogs are on the menu. Proceeds will go to help youth participation in Carolina Cross Connec-tion, Radius Camp, and other youth mission efforts. We need folks to deco-rate a table for their favorite team (middle school, high school, college, or pro). It involves decorating one of the tables in Carpenter Hall on the morn-ing of the event and taking your decorations home afterward. It’s fun and easy! Please contact Kim Ingram at kingram@wnccumc.org if you can deco-rate a table. Challenge a rival team to do one also. Plan to stay for lunch that day. There will also be take-out available.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATIONS

I still am collecting and delivering box tops for education and labels for education to North Belmont Elemen-tary School. If you are collecting them or want to start collecting them and don’t know what to do with them, just give them to me or place them under the cross in the Narthex. I will see that they are delivered. Last year North Belmont received over $1200 worth of extra supplies through the efforts of the parents and several or-ganizations to collect these labels and tops. Thanks - Linda Piltch

PASSION FOR MISSIONS?

‘Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’

The Outreach Team is joining hands to meet real needs right here in Belmont as well as deep needs globally. We’re hearing calls to new ministries that will enhance ministries we’re already serving. To be Christ’s hands this coming year, we need your hands today. If your heart is nudging you toward this need, con-tact Lynn Hansen at lhan-sen@crowdercc.com. ‘Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25

PASTOR GEORGE’S WEEKLY EMAIL

Pastor George is beginning a new weekly email, delivered to your inbox on Friday that will include brief devotional thought to prepare for Sunday’s wor-ship, congregational news, and other items of interest. If you’d like to receive this email, send your email address to george@fumcbelmont.org. Or, text PASTORMAIL to 22828.

House of Mercy Walk

The walk is on Saturday, April 18th at 10:00. Tobey and I are looking for sponsors. I will be leading the walk in my golf cart as I have in past years and Tobey will be walking. The total goal for this year is $37,000 which makes up a large portion of their operating budget. Any help would be most appreciated. If anyone is interested they can call me at 704-825-2831 and if they would like to make a donation they can make the check out to House of Mercy, which is tax deductible and then give or mail us the check to turn in on the day of the walk. Our address is 2530 Shaggy Bark Ct. Belmont, NC 28012. A little infor-mation about the House of Mercy is it is a residential facility for patients with Aids. Some of the residents arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They are given a place to live for the remainder of their life which allows them medical care, compassion, and dignity. The Aids patients are the lepers from the Bible of our time. This is not always a feel good charity which makes raising money difficult. I would like to thank all of the teachers from our church that have helped in the past. For those who don't know me, I came down with Multiple Sclerosis about 5 years ago and it has gradually taken my legs. The House of Mercy is a place that I can go and volunteer and I come out being the one rewarded. Tobey is a retired teacher that has gone back to work part-time and she enjoys spending time with the residents as well. This is one of our special charities. Thank you and God bless you, Keith Lowe

ThanksYou! Dear Friends, “THANKS” seems so insufficient to say for all the love and concern shown to me during my recent illness. Your visits, calls, cards and food were greatly appreciated by our entire family. Most of all, I felt the power of your constant prayers. I tell everyone what a loving and supportive group my church family is. What would we do without each other! FUMC—you’re the BEST! Sincerely, Carol Tomlinson