September is a month I love. The weather begins to break from the August heat; kids are back in school; we establish more of a routine. Today I just want to thank God for the Staff at St. John Church: Jamie, Nichole, Patrick, Vanessa, Tim, Etelka, and Brandon. Each are dedicated to the work of Christ. They love this community and this church and work diligently to keep everything up and going forward. I appreciate their insights, wisdom, and the sprit in which they each live out their faith as a witness to God’s love. I hope that this month you will thank them and recognize them for the fine work they have done and are doing. We have a great staff!!! We thank God for each one. - Jody

NEWS FROM THE PEWS

The Monthly Newsletter of St. John UMC

September 2018

CLERGY AND STAFF OF ST. JOHN UMC

Jamie Council Garvey Organist & Director

of Music

Nichole Kuehl Program Director

Vanessa Mozingo Financial Secretary

Patrick Darnell Administrative Assistant

Tim James Building Manager

Brandon Germany Custodian

Etelka Mayo Church Cook/Hostess

Visit Us Online At

www.StJohnAugusta.org

This Month’s

GUEST SPEAKERS

September 16

SONJA HUSZ,

JOHN MARTIN

September 23

JEFF NEWLIN

You’re probably used to hearing people in church talk about giving. But when was the last time in church that you talked about earning or saving? Is it unchristian to earn money? Is it wrong to save for ourselves and our families? John Wesley didn’t think so. In his sermon called “The Use of Money,” he said that the important thing isn’t money itself but how we use it. Wesley’s surprising advice still rings true today: earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can. During the month of October, our church will experience an exciting new stewardship program, Earn. Save. Give. Wesley’s Simple Rules for Money, developed by popular author and pastor James A. Harnish. The program combines group discussion, optional book, and DVD, in which Harnish describes Wesley’s surprising advice to the many of us who struggle with money. St. John will offer this class on Sunday mornings in October at 10am in the Fellowship Hall or again on Wednesday evenings beginning October 3rd. The youth and children will also have the class, and we will be distributing devotions for use at home. You’ll be hearing about the program in worship, in the newsletter, and on our website. Stay tuned!

MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship for 6th-12th grade)

after dinner in the youth room. We have fellowship and game

time!

MYF Kick-off: Middle School vs. High School at Mastermind

Escape Games! Sunday, September 16

Rooted Retreat open to all youth in the UMC North GA Conference at Camp Glisson. Oct 12-14. $140 per person. It

will be awesome to meet other youth, have great music, an inspiring speaker, plus tons of outdoor adventure activities!

Permission forms and deposit of $40 due by Sept. 19.

UMW (United Methodist Women) will begin our year on September 10 at the home of Jeanne Lee at 7pm. Women of all ages are invited to come explore fellowship, service opportunities, and bible study on the 2nd Monday of each month, September - May. Contact Mary Ottinger, 706-836-1308, for more information.

UMM (United Methodist Men) meetings will resume in the church Fellowship Hall on September 11 with a presentation by Dr. John Heslen from Augusta University Cyber Institute. Everyone is invited to attend. A dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. with the program to start at 7:00 p.m. Please notify the church office if you will attend. 706 724-9641

Church Council Meeting Tuesday, September 25 Dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Meeting at 6:30 p.m. All 2018 church council members are invited for voting on important items for charge conference. Please RSVP for dinner reservations by Sunday, September 23, by emailing or calling the church office. (Donations appreciated for dinner costs.)

This Month in Worship

Worship Service: September 2, 2018 Whoa, That’s in the Bible?

Sermon Scripture: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9;

James 1:17-27

Worship Service: September 9, 2018 Desperation meets Compassion Sermon Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125; James 1-10, 14-17

Worship Service: September 16, 2018 Young Adult Sunday, Combined Worship 11am

Sermon Scripture: Mark 8:27-38 Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; James 3:1-12

Worship Service: September 23, 2018 Guest Preacher: Jeff Newlin

Sermon Scripture: Mark 9:30-37 Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1; James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a

Worship Service: September 30, 2018 Expanding Our Hearts and Minds

Sermon Scripture: Mark 9:38-50 Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22; Psalm 124;

James:13-20

The family of Fay Kelley, Stephanie Quattlebaum, Harriet Ottinger, Curt Strickland, Fay Kelley, Monika Hoglund, Carolyn Maund, Judith Goodwin, Jencie Hargrove, Bob Claussen. Our nation and the troubled corners of the world.

HONORARIUMS AND MEMORIALS Bless This House: In memory of Beth Lee by William & Linda

Walker, Donald & Dorothy Beck, Charles & Joan Piercy, Donna & Ronald Strom, Mary Finnin, Annette & Peter Bingham, Judith & Greg Goodwin, Cheryl W. O'Keeffe, Becky & Tom Rogers, Curt & Patty Strickland, Marynell Crawford, Marquin McMath, Grace Bailey Heck, and Michael & Lee Ash.

In memory of Dottie Millen by Ginny Allen and Joan & Charles Piercy. In Memory of Betty Murry by Joan & Charles Piercy. In memory of Martha Sweat by Joan & Charles Piercy. In memory of Beth Dupree Farokhi by Joan & Charles Piercy. In memory of Rev. Robert Earl James by Joan & Charles Piercy. In memory of Jim Jernigan by Joan & Charles Piercy.

Budget: In memory of Dottie Millen by Mary M. Thompson and Becky & Tom Rogers. In memory of M.L. & Ray Hadden by Sylvia H. Hutsell. In memory of Betty Murry by Patricia Herndon.

Concerts With a Cause: In honor of the St. John Chancel Choir by the

Family of Beth Lee. In memory of Dottie Millen by Curt & Patty Strickland and the St. John Chancel Choir.

Music Memorials: In honor of Alvin Blount by the family of Beth Lee. In memory of Dottie Millen by Patricia Herndon and Frann & Jim Bennett.

SEPTEMBER MEANS BACK TO (CHURCH) SCHOOL! We are all called to be learners. And some of us are called to be teachers. Teachers and helpers at all age levels are needed.

On Sunday mornings, many classes, such as the Minter class (Rm 123), the Misfits (Rm 112) or the Towers class, use the current Adult Bible Study curriculum from Cokesbury. Student books and teacher books provide you with everything you need for discussion. The Growing Christians class (Rm 110) studies the lectionary. The Adult Fellowship class (Rm 108) is for those new to the church or searching to connect with others in their stage of life (Young Adults/Young Families). They study books of the bible and various topics, like Methodism.

Children and youth curricula are in an easy-to-lead format.

The Preschool class (ages 2-4) and the Early Elementary (Pre-K - 3rd grade) class follow Cokesbury's Deep Blue Connects: At Home with God curriculum with bible stories and activities. The Older Elementary 3rd -5th grade class will continue Sparkhouse's Connect lessons. The Youth curriculum (6th-12th), Echo the Story will continue to guide youth in connecting their own stories with the New Testament.

Training is available. Children and youth classes feature a lead teacher, but helpers run on a rotational model where you can commit to one Sunday a month or more! If you are interested in being on the substitute list for teachers, that is very helpful, too!

Have a new idea for a class? We welcome the input! Small group studies work well on Wednesday evenings at church or anytime during the week at personal homes!

Concerts with a Cause presents

Ken Cowan, concert organist

September 9 3:00pm

St. John United Methodist Church

736 Greene St

Augusta, GA 30901

CLERGY AND STAFF OF ST. JOHN UMC Phone: (706) 724-9641

Rev. Dr. Jody Alderman, Senior Minister Ext. 13 jalderman@stjohnaugusta.org

Jamie Council Garvey, Organist/Director of Music

Ext. 14 jcgarvey@stjohnaugusta.org

Nichole Kuehl, Program Director Ext. 16 ntkuehl@stjohnaugusta.org

Patrick Darnell, Administrative Assistant Ext. 11 secretary@stjohnaugusta.org

Vanessa Mozingo, Financial Secretary Ext. 12 vmozingo@stjohnaugusta.org

Tim James, Building Manager Ext. 15 tjames@stjohnaugusta.org

Etelka Mayo, Church Cook/Hostess Ext. 17

Brandon Germany, Custodian

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MENU Join us for dinner, fellowship, and growth each Wednesday

September 5th Fried Chicken Potato Salad Green Beans Green Salad

Banana Pudding Rolls, Tea and Coffee

September 12

Pepper Steak/Chicken Rice

Squash Casserole Salad

Lemon Cake French Bread

Tea and Coffee

September 19 Lasagna/Chicken

Broccoli Mix Corn on the Cobb

Green Salad Brownies

French Bread Tea, Coffee

September 26

Chicken Pot Pie Steamed Carrots

Lima Beans Fruit Salad

Mixed Deserts Rolls, Tea and Coffee

Join us for water fun, picnic, and fellowship at the lake on Monday, September 3. Gates

will open at 10am. The church will provide the meat and drinks. Bring a side

dish or dessert to share. Google Directions: 12553 Hwy 28 South, Clarks Hill, SC

Wednesday Night Programs in September

5pm Children’s Choirs

6:30pm Adults: Fellowship Hall

9/5 Ministry Fair : Get Involved!

9/12 Hale Foundation: John Martin

9/19 & 9/26 Compass Points Mission Update

United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF)

(6th - 12th grade), 214

M & M Club (Methodists & Missions)

(Pre-K - 5th Grade), 109

Homework Help (3rd-12th Grade), Library

Cost: Adults: $7; Youth (7-12) $3; Children (3-6) $1; Children under 3

are free. To reserve or cancel, call the church office at 706-724-9641 by

12:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before. You may also fill out a supper reser-

vation form online under the programs tab.