May 2015 Edition

Reflections

Special Invitation to Join Faith UMC

on a Special Day!

If you are thinking of making Faith

UMC your church home—or if you are

interested in baptism for a family

member—there’s a great day coming

up: Pentecost, Sunday May 24. On

Pentecost we celebrate the birth of the

Christian church, when the Holy Spirit

was experienced in a dramatic way

among the disciples and new believers as

they gathered in Jerusalem, only a few

weeks after the first Easter. The town

was full of Jewish faithful from all

nations, present to worship at the great

Temple on a spring holy day, and the

Spirit inspired and equipped the disciples

to tell about Jesus. The passersby

stopped to listen, and heard in their own

languages, the gospel of Christ. Many

accepted faith in Christ that day, and the

church burst forth into the ancient world.

We’ll celebrate Pentecost, the power of

the Holy Spirit, and the birth of the

church on Sunday May 24, and it would

be a wonderful day for you to make your

profession of faith, be baptized, or join

the church. The vows for these actions

are in the front of our hymnal, so you are

welcome any time to look at that. You

also can check out www.umc.org for

information about Methodism, or—by all

means!—speak with me or one of our

staff or lay leaders.

Q: How is baptism performed ?

A: Usually, the pastor scoops a bit of

baptism water by hand onto the

recipient’s head, and says, “I baptize

you in the name of God the Father, Son

and Holy Spirit.” An adult would kneel

to receive baptism, or the pastor might

hold a child or let the parents hold the

child. We can make arrangements for

baptism by immersion.

Q: What is expected of a

member? A: A member vows to

support the church with prayers,

presence, gifts, service and

witness. People grow best when they

connect to a small group, find a way to

serve, attend worship regularly, and

give in a disciplined manner.

Q: How is my membership

transferred? A: After you take the

membership vow, our church office

contacts the office of your former

church and handles the paperwork.

Perhaps this doesn’t answer all your

questions. Please reach out to me with

your thoughts about baptism and

membership, and let me know if you are

interested in joining the church on May

24 or any other date. As I say on

Sundays, “We’d be so proud to have

you!”

Pastor Larisa

Q: I don’t want to join alone!

A: There are several who are

interested, and if you all will contact

me, I’ll get you together so you can be

comfortable joining as a group. Or we

can have designated church members

stand with you.

Q: I was baptized once; do I need to

get baptized again? A: We recognize

and honor your baptism wherever you

received it. God has worked through

that sacrament to bless you! We will

affirm the baptism you received.

Q: I am still attached to my home

church. A: You can be an Associate

Member at Faith and retain your

membership at your home church. This

would allow you more participation in

the leadership of Faith UMC, though

you would not be a voting member.

Q: What age is right for

baptism? A: In the UMC, we will

baptize at any age. We see baptism as

an action of God’s grace, through the

Holy Spirit, that unites the person to the

church of Jesus Christ and renews and

regenerates the person and frees him/her

of the burden of sin. We welcome a

new brother or sister in Christ at any

age. A youth would benefit from

instruction before their baptism, and a

child between 4 and 12 might

appreciate a conversation and

appropriate Bible passages.

Faith United

Methodist

Church

It’s that time of year,

and we want to

celebrate your new

graduates in our May

newsletter and pray for

them on Sunday,

May 3rd in Worship.

Reception (light

lunch) after church

on May 3rd for James Parker and Gabi

Gaines & New Music Director, Kim

Royer.

If you would like to send a congratulatory

card, please note the addresses below:

James Parker: 3758 Ashwood Drive,

Smyrna, 30080

Gabi Gaines: 1020 Crooked Creek Ct.

Mableton, 30126

Kim grew up in Smyrna and was baptized at Cumberland UMC. She

was also involved in the music ministry at Smyrna First UMC. Kim served as

an active member of the touring group “God’s Light Youth Choir” from age

nine to sixteen. Later she became active in the adult Chancel choir at Smyrna

First under the direction of Mrs. Lynn Dee Martin.

After high school, Kim attended Kennesaw State University and earned

a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communications and a minor in

English Literature, graduating in May 1998. She married her husband Craig in

the summer of 2001. They have an nine year old son, Christian.

Kim comes to us from Hillside UMC in Woodstock. She has served as first soprano in the Chancel and

Chamber choirs on a weekly basis, singing solos on a seasonal basis, and serving in the contemporary praise

band on a bi-weekly basis as a praise singer. Craig is serving as bass guitarist in the band as well.

Kim has a passion and calling toward church choral music in general and has a special heart for youth

music at the junior and senior high level. She has led an 8th grade girls’ Bible study group on Sunday nights.

She has so many talents and attributes that could not all be listed here. Please give a warm hello to Kim

Royer and welcome her to our church home. Kim’s first Sunday is today, May 3rd.

Kim Royer: 184 Wallnut Hall Cr., Woodstock, 30189

Welcome, Kim Royer! Faith’s New Music Director

Our Faith Grandparents have grandchildren who are

receiving diplomas from high school and colleges. We

know you are proud of them and we would like to share in

their accomplishments also.

Charlotte Kypta’s grandson, Aidan Kypta, graduates

from Douglas County High School. His father is Chris

Kypta. Aidan plans to work for a period of time, then

begin school at Kennesaw State University where he will

major in Art.

Fred & LeDoris Chandler’s granddaughter, Ashley Marie

Chandler, daughter of Mark Chandler, graduates from

University of Georgia with a BS from the School of

Public Health. She will be applying at medical schools to

become a Physician Assistant.

Jimmy & Shelby Spivey’s grandson, Jonathan Reedy,

son of Bobby & Michele Reedy, graduates from Georgia

State University with a BA in Film & Video with a minor

in Broadcast Journalism. Jonathan hopes to work in

television or radio in Atlanta.

Spotlighting Faith’s News

Faith Friendship Circle

No regular meeting for the months of May

and June. On July 16th at 6:00 pm, the circle

will prepare 500 lunches for MUST Summer

Lunch Program. So be looking for the

reminders coming this summer! Regular

meetings resume Thursday, Aug. 20th at

10:30 a.m. (The circle is also giving MUST

$300 for the Undies Sunday Program.)

Save the Date!

Small Group

Discussion

Opportunities

With Rev. Larisa Parker

On Chapter 4 of Bishop Schnase’s

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

“Risk Taking Mission and Service” Plan on choosing one small group

time: Wednesday May 13,

Starbucks, evening

Monday— May 18th, lunch at a

restaurant

Sunday May 24, during Sunday

School

(more details coming in May)

Suggested donation for book, $12

Books available in Narthex

New Church News May 2015

While the developer buying Cumberland UMC’s property

continues to make progress, we are blessed with time to have

fellowship, worship, and serve with the Cumberland congregation.

During Holy Week, we shared in Maundy Thursday and Good

Friday worship services, and were thrilled with vocal performances

by two Cumberland UMC singers, Chris Hagan and Joya Abrams.

Opportunities coming up—which we will do together--include:

Great Missions Morning Saturday, June 6th: Begin the morning

with a special breakfast and go out in small work crews into the

community to serve—watch for more info, and save the date!

Joint Vacation Bible School June 8 -11, 2015, at Faith UMC

FUMC and CUMC Mid-Summer Fellowship Dinner—

Wednesday, July 8th (tentative date)

Special Guest: Winston Worrell, World Methodist Evangelism

Institute, and Joint Worship Service (at Faith) September 27.

www.wmei.ws

August 9th a Church Council Meeting will be at 2:00p.m. at

Cumberland to look at community demographics.

Faith/Cumberland Parents Morning Out program beginning in

August. This will meet in the children’s rooms, Monday through

Thursday, 9 to 12:30, for about 24 children ages 6 months to 3 years

old.

Coming in June—Imagine No Malaria. This is a fantastic, effec-

tive program to eliminate malaria, which is a preventable disease!

Malaria weakens, disables, and kills men, women, and children

throughout whole continents, but education and prevention have

already dramatically reduced the death rate. We will be talking

more about Imagine No Malaria in June, and our offering to it will

be the Bishop’s Offering for Annual Conference this summer.

www.ngumc.org/imaginenomalaria. For district information about

the campaign, see www.ngumc.org/amryimaginenomalaria.

Our May Mission Trip to Hinton Center, North Carolina

includes participants Rev. Parker, Rita Burgues, Andy Jones, Julie

Jones, Tabitha Brown, Jim Dunn, and Carol Kleywegt. Please pray

for a wonderful experience which will lead to many more future

trips. The team will be gone May 15-17.

Mae York’s brother Bennie Long (89) was able to get up at the nursing home

after having medical issues.

Suzie Sarkady praises God for her two beautiful daughters, Sammie and Erzsi.

Praises for a couple who have reconciled.

Frank & Jyoti Daniels give praise that God has blessed them this past year by

providing them with Faith Church. The church has been their family and has

been a support in everyway. It’s a huge blessing to also see Christine going for

Children’s Church, too.

Praises for a wonderful group of Christians at Faith!

Praise for Eddie & Barbara Davis.

Blessed with a loving Lord, wonderful wife, caring sons and great Church family!

Praising God for His Glory and plan for us. Blessings on our church, nation and

families.

Praising God for saving the life of Cecilie Ramos (niece), who had a terrifying

auto accident last week. Her car was totaled, but she walked away without a

scratch. Thank you, God! Rita Burgues

Thanking God for family, church, friends and Christ in my life.

Praising God for two beautiful grandsons who love Jesus and have a Godly Mom

& Dad.

Thankful for old friends and family, praising the Lord, good health and being

loved.

Praising God is good all the time.

Blessings for her church family. Mildred Samples is so thankful for them all.

Thanking God for healthy grandchildren, healthy kids, a great spouse and terrific

church family & friends.

Eddie George thanks his church family for all the prayers, cards and visits. He

has been blessed to have his church family and would not have made it without

everyone’s prayers.

Anne & Bob Jackson sing praises for a good relocation move for aunt Anne

Killebrew from Jacksonville, Florida.

Praising God for family and church family of believers.

Praising God for his faithfulness! Jim & Shelby Spivey’s grandson, Jonathan

Reedy is 10 years in remission from cancer. He will graduate from college at

Georgia State University in May.

Prayers for family and grandchildren and for the well being of our church.

John Root’s good health.

Carol Jean Maher Burnworth thanks the Lord for being her Savior and friend, for

the beauty given, for loving thoughts and purity, helping others to show love to

you, for learning how to show love, for the life on this terrain, the sunshine and

rain and for Christians whose spirit reflects your loving ways!

Praises from our Church Members

Scout Troop 22 News

On the weekend of March

20, the Troop enjoyed a

camping trip to Pine

Mountain. They

participated in the

Scouting for Food Drive,

and donated more than 3

car trunks full to St.

Vincent de Paul Society.

They visited the Yerkes

Primate Research Center

on March 28. The Scout

hut is newly painted and

mulched. They hope to

participate in the Flag

Placement Ceremony at

the Marietta National

Cemetery on Memorial

Day holiday.

Our Scouting Ministry is

shaping lives and building

character! Let’s support

it with our prayers and

hospitality!

Trustees updates:

1. Completed roof

repairs, lighting

repairs, and exterior

paint.

2. Cleaned gutters of

Sanctuary building.

3. Adjusted rate plan for

office phones.

Thanks, Trustees’ for

your service!

Children’s Church Leaders for May: Cecille & June Millena—May 3rd

Lynn Montgomery & Kathy McGill—5/10

Suzy & Steve Sarkady—5/17

Jyoti & Frank Daniel—5/24

Dienne Cook & Beth Gaines—5/31

May ♥ Birthdays

Jackie McKenzie 5/1

Chris Morris 5/1

Orlean Duncan 5/2

Andrew Gaines 5/3

Virginia Thomas 5/4

Hazel Gastley 5/8

Aaliyah Hyde 5/11

Jean Newton 5/11

Gary Calvert 5/12

Karen McGill 5/12

LeDoris Chandler 5/13

Susan Wilcox 5/13

Harvey Hightower 5/18

George Scott 5/18

Susannah Parker 5/20

Cameron Ziegler 5/21

Logan McGill 5/22

Jay Nottingham 5/25

Chris Wagner 5/26

♥ April Anniversaries ♥

Steve & Suzy Sarkady—5/3

Bob & Anne Jackson—5/4

Andy & Julie Jones—5/5

Barbara & Gary Calvert—5/11

Danny & Carol Hames—5/14

Darrell & O’Mara Cook—5/15

Hil & Kristine Meeks—5/17

May Ushers

Alan Bane *

Lou Wendel

Rachel Wendel

Buddy York

Recently we learned that MUST Ministries has a

need for clean, new undergarments of all sizes

(men’s, women’s, and children’s) to be given to

local people in need. Each Sunday in May you

can bring items to bless our Smyrna neighbors.

There will be an “Underwear Basket” in the

Narthex.

May Greeters

Judy Crawford & Kathy McGill—May 3rd

Liz Hyde—May 10th

Warren & MaryJane LeCroy—May 17th

TBD—May 24th

Warren & MaryJane LeCroy—May 31st

Meal Schedule for

Elizabeth Inn

July 29th

October 29th

December 29th

Cake Auction on Soup & Salad Sunday! May 31st at 12:15p.m.

Faith is hosting their annual Cake Auction on the 5th Sunday

of the Soup & Salad meal so you can hone your multitasking

skills! There will be no ‘vanilla’ creations, just desserts

made with an ‘all-purposed’ mindset as they throw in some

‘sugared up’ love and hoping it all ‘pans’ out! So bid high

and help the Missions team build up their fund to help more

people around the world.

Stewardship: Thank you for your support of Faith UMC through your financial

gifts. You are helping the church stay strong in ministry and mission. Our giving

helps the church be effective in evangelism, because when we can pay gifted

staff, that builds up worship—when we can keep the building and grounds

looking neat and fresh, that encourages visitors—when we can prepare excellent

materials, people know that Faith does good ministry with care and diligence.

You are doing the work of an evangelist when you contribute to the church!

Thank you!

Lock-Up for

May

Andy Jones

Automatic bank draft is a great way to keep your financial commitment to

the church! Brenda Cook in the church office can help you set it up,

Brenda@faithumcng.org OR you can set it up through the church website.

Questions or comments--contact Harvey Hightower, Finance Chair, harvey-

hightower@bellsouth.net.

Sunday, May 3rd

9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall.

9:30am Pastor Prayer Time

10:00am Praise Team

11:00am Worship

12:15pm Reception for Graduates & Kim Royer

1:00pm Administrative Council Mtg. Tuesday, May 5th

10:00am PALS breakfast at Dolly’s Wednesday, May 6th

6:30pm Chancel Choir

8:00pm Praise Team

Thursday, May 7th

7:00pm Prayer Team

Sunday, May 10th — Mother’s Day

9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall

9:30am Pastor’s Prayer Time

9:45am Christian Education

10:00am Praise Team

11:00am Worship—Dedication Mission Team

Wednesday, May 13th

6:30pm Chancel Choir

8:00pm Praise Team Thursday, May 14th

10:30am Pals Activity

7:00pm Prayer Team

Saturday, May 16th

Hinton Center Mission Trip

Sunday, May 17th—Sunday

9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall

9:30am Pastor Prayer Time

9:45am Christian Education

10:00am Praise Team

11:00am Worship

12:15pm Nursery/Parent Luncheon

Monday, May 18th

10:00am Wrapped in Love Tuesday, May 19th

7:00pm Missions Meeting Wednesday, May 20th

6:30pm Chancel Choir

8:00pm Praise Team Thursday, May 21st

7:00pm Prayer Team Sunday, May 24th-Pentecost Sunday

9:30am Pastor Prayer Time

9:45am Christian Education

10:00am Praise Team

11:00am Worship

Monday, May 25th — Memorial Day

Office Closed

Wednesday, May 27th

6:30pm Chancel Choir

8:00pm Praise Team

Thursday, May 28th

7:00pm Prayer Team

Sunday, May 31st

9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall

9:30am Pastor Prayer Time

9:45am Christian Education

10:00am Praise Team

11:00am Worship

12:15pm Cake Auction with Soup/Salad

for Missions.

Your Staff

Faith United Methodist Church

Rev. Larisa Parker 4336 King Springs Road, SW

Smyrna, GA 30082-4214

Rev. Larisa Parker, Pastor

Email: larisa@faithumcng.org

Office: 770-435-9722 Emergency # 770-405-1678

4336 King Springs Road, Smyrna, GA 30082

website: www.smyrnafaithumc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FaithUMCGA

Ministers—Entire Congregation

Church Administrator/Education—Brenda Cook

Email: brenda@faithumcng.org

Director of Music Ministries—Kim Royer

Pianist: Karolyn Irwin

Office Administrator—Lisa Harris

Email: faithumc@faithumcng.org

Trustees Email: trustees@faithumcng.org

Month of May

PALS (Senior Ministry)

Faith UMC Website: www.smyrnafaithumc.org

PALS Breakfast is Tuesday, May 7th

at 10:00 a.m., at Dolly’s restaurant on

Austell Road.

PALS monthly activity is Thursday,

May 21st for lunch. The place and

time will be determined & announced

in the next bulletin.