IN  THIS   I SSUE  

Financial Report & Info 2

Hanging of the Greens & Christmas Eve 3

Memorials & Honorariums 4

ENGAGE/Pastor Gray Music Ministry 5

Children’s Ministry 6

Missions & Mud Pies 7

Elevate Student Ministries 8

Celebrations & Main Streeters 9

Volunteer Schedule 10

January Calendar 11

Worshipping Serving Building Welcoming

January 2020 Volume X Issue 1

The 

Connection 

FOLLOWING CHRIST FROM CITY CENTER 

Letter from the Pastor 

The Right Foot

When I was in college, I was part of a fraternity that was based on Christian principles. We were required to memorize several scripture passages and keep them close to mind and ready on the lips.

As we enter a new year, one particularly speaks to me. In Phi-lippians 4:8, Paul says, “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Moving forward into God’s future means focusing on the wonderful things that God’s grace has done and celebrating where God will lead us forward.

This past year, you have been a blessing to me. Thank you for the ways in which you have been faithful to hear the voice of God calling to mission and to ministry. I can see God’s Spirit powerfully at work as we have made strides toward “Following Christ from City Center”. I have been moved by your actions: the outpouring of love during pastor’s appreciation truly touched my heart. Thank you for your generosity to me and to apportionments. Thank you for your cards and for each note of care and encouragement.. I am over-whelmed.

And because I know how God has faithfully used us last year, I know that God has even better plans for us into 2020. I am excited about God’s future into 2020: a hospitality team, new small groups, a church-wide discipleship study, new focus on mission, outreach and stewardship, and a developing process for intentionally making dis-ciples.

Let our new year together begin. Let’s keep our eyes focused on the wonderful things that God is doing among us. And, in the words of Paul, “...let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us and run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Grace and Peace

James

 2 January 2020  |  Volume X Issue 1 

Actual Budgeted YTD INCOME: $699,494 $920,405 YTD EXPENSES: $712,330 $920,405 YTD SURPLUS OR (DEFICIT): $(12,836)

Flowers for 8:30 am and 11:00 am services

January 5 Available January 12 Available January 19 Available January 26 Chuck Drake’s 90th Birthday

Keep in mind multiple families can share Sunday flowers if there is a special date you have in mind.

MSUMC would like to share the flowers with our eld-erly or those hospitalized. Volunteer to serve occa-

sionally on Monday mornings to arrange and/or deliver vases. Contact Carol Harley to help: cshar-

ley@harleyfuneralhome.com or 864-554-5553.

Stewardship  and  Finance  Financial Report as of December 29, 2019

The deadline for the next Connection is Monday, January 20 for our February edition. Please

submit your articles and photos to: churchoffice@msumc1.org.

February Connection

The January/February Upper Room, a

United Methodist devotional resource, is available in

the church office, narthex, and ramp door entrance.

Costs are $1.00 for regular print and $1.50 for large print.

Please remember to stop by the church office and fill out a reservation form.

The communications committee has also created a form and will be glad to assist you in

promoting your event to the congregation. Just complete your information on line

at Communications Form.

Hearts and Hands Circle Monday, January 6 at 11:00 am

Main Street Library Meets 1st Monday of every month

Susanna Circle Tuesday, January 7 at 10:00 am

Curry Room at Wesley Commons Meets 1st Tuesday of every month

Celebration Circle Tuesday, January 14 at 6:00 pm

Program—A Place for Us Ministries Hostesses—Joy McWhorter & Shirley Pate

Please RSVP by calling, texting, or emailing Kit Adkins at 980-1554 or

kitadkins@gmail.com Meets 2nd Tuesday of every month–FH

New members always welcome!

Planning an event at Church?

We are moving our Men’s Study to Fat Daddy’s BBQ on Thursday mornings at 7am. We had a solid group of men helping plan this move. Come join us beginning January 9!

There is still time!! The 2020 Men N Ministry Conference for South Carolina is February 29 at Mt. Horeb UMC in Lexington. It’s a full day and well worth your time! See Pastor Gray for details.

Men N Ministry

The next Trustees Meeting is on Tuesday, January 14th, at 6:00 pm in the Library.

Trustees Meeting

Church Council The Church Council will meet on Sunday, January 5th at 4:00 pm in the Drake Sunday School Class. All officers, chairs ,and staff are urged to attend.

Please consider becoming a lay reader or a communion server or on the Altar Guild! Let the church office know if you are interested. We can use your help!

Volunteer Opportunity

 3 January 2020  |  Volume X Issue 1 

32nd  Hanging of the Greens—December 1, 2019 

Christmas Eve—2019 

 4 January 2020  |  Volume X Issue 1 

Memorials and Honorariums Fellowship Hall Fund IN MEMORY OF JO ANN JOHNSON Drake Sunday School Class IN MEMORY OF HOWARD MOORE Drake Sunday School Class IN MEMORY OF BETTYE KINARD Jackie Daniel IN MEMORY OF VERA WHATLEY Jackie Daniel IN HONOR OF SHELL AND MARY DULA The Dula Class IN HONOR OF CHUCK DRAKE’S 90TH BIRTHDAY The Drake Class IN HONOR OF GWEN CLARK The Drake Class IN HONOR OF MYRA GREENE AND THE SPRC Debbie Tharpe IN MEMORY OF HAROLD MCDONALD Debbie Tharpe IN MEMORY OF CLINT FAULKNER Debbie Tharpe IN MEMORY OF HOWARD MOORE Debbie Tharpe Music Fund IN HONOR OF JOHN MCFADDEN Richard, Susan, and Joy Pinckney IN HONOR OF DEBBIE THARPE Pam Faulkner

In Our Thoughts & Prayers Continuing Prayer Concerns: Ned Birchmore, Ernest Prewett, Sylvia Kinard, Betty Ferson, Ruby Minor, Debbie Dill, Randy Rouse, Marian Adams, Cheryl Moore, John Lumley, Elaine Dukes, Gene Wilson (Cele Shelley’s fa-ther), Peggy Ackerman, Linda Miller, Susan Rush, Evelyn Rambo, Patricia Lindell, Bobby Pittavino, Bob Childress, Betsy Cureton, Hennie Cox, Barbara Fisher, Julie Lawrence Ivanova (John Lawrence’s sister), and Alex Trebeck. Christian Love and Sympathy is extended to: Sharon Britz on the death of her brother, Dion van der Merwe, in South Africa on December 6, 2019. Kelly Ackerman and Allison Wooten on the death of Kelly’s sister and Allison’s mother-in-law, Delaney Batson, on December 20, 2019. Sarah Gaye Norris on the death of her brother-in-law, Jerry Hoeschen, of Newberry, SC, on December 26th.

Prayer Request Cards These cards are now available at both worship services. You are welcome to fill in as much information as you wish, fold your request card, and leave it in the offering plate. You are not alone and prayer intercessors are ready, willing, and able to lift your request up to our Sovereign Lord. Sweet Hour of Prayer Sweet Hour of Prayer will meet on Tuesday, January 7th, from 1-2 pm in the Library. All are welcome to join this small group of men and women who pray for each other and the needs of others. Come and be blessed!

Operating Budget IN MEMORY OF VERDA WHATLEY Jean Whatley, Marsha Thompson, Stacey Thomp-son & Lindsey Price IN MEMORY OF JO ANN JOHNSON Richard and Ginny Butler Terry Powell Alvin and Sandra Rankin IN MEMORY OF SARAH ANNE STUART ON HER 80TH BIRTHDAY Libby Stuart Tucker IN MEMORY OF BETTYE KINARD Virginia Williamson IN MEMORY OF MOLLY ROSE TITUS Alan Titus IN HONOR OF KIT ADKINS Suzy and Willa Kate Farrar Hanging of the Greens IN HONOR OF DEBBIE THARPE Richard, Susan, and Joy Pinckney Pastor’s Discretionary Fund IN HONOR OF PASTOR JAMES AND PASTOR GRAY Pam Faulkner IN HONOR OF PASTOR JAMES AND PASTOR GRAY The Drake Class Apportionments IN HONOR OF JAMES MCCOY-BRUCE Richard, Susan, and Joy Pinckney

 5 January 2020  |  Volume X Issue 1 

Gray Stallworth Pastor of Discipleship

Are you active and effective in sharing with others your faith, your resources, and your love?

Philemon 1:6

You can find more information and register on our website at https://www.msumc1.org/wednesdays-

small-groups/. If you have questions, please call

Pastor of Discipleship Gray Stallworth.

As if you haven’t heard, 2020 is here! It seems like I write the same thing at the beginning of each year: “We have opportunities for you to partici-pate in Music Ministry.” I can’t say that there has ever been an over-

whelming response to that message. As a result, I have a different message to start this year: would you please pray that God will lead some people to take up their appropriate place in the Music Ministry? We can always use more singers in the Chancel Choir. In addition, there is an opportunity for people who can read music to play handbells. Please pray that God will lead people to use their gifts and talents for His glory. Thanks and Happy New Year!

Engage Small Group Ministry A new session of Engage begins January 15. We will have two 6-week sessions followed by a 4-week session. There will be a Bible Study with Pastor James, the Women’s Book Study, Men’s Study and a study on shar-ing our faith. Plan to come to our Family Night Supper on January 8 and learn more about the new small groups. In addi-tion, we’ll also hear more about the Lent Study that will begin in late February!

Time to Make a Commitment

Our “Hospitality Team” will be tasked with a number of responsibilities. If you have that gift of hospitality and have never met a stranger, then we are ready to sign you up. We’ll start with volunteering at the soon to be created Welcome Center. You would be greeting visitors, handing out our new packet and answer-ing questions. We need four team members each week. Two teams of three members are needed for our Parking Lot responsibilities. One team member will be added to the transition from Early Service to Breakfast and two team members will be added to the arrival period just before the Traditional Service. Let’s start putting the team together so we can have a rally and make final preparations before we launch this new ministry.

Let’s be the kind of INVITING AND WELCOMING place Christ taught us to be.

“His love endures forever.”

Pastor Gray

John McFadden

Director

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your Name, O Most High .

Psalm 92:1

 6 January 2020  |  Volume X Issue 1 

The Heavenly

Misfit Cast

Parent’s Night Out was great

fun! Youth

volunteers are the

best! An Outstanding Performance!

Helpers: Sadie, Samuel, and Joseph

Decorating for Hanging

of the Greens

“So they went out and proclaimed that people should change their

hearts and lives”

Mark 6:12

January memory verse

 7 January 2020  |  Volume X Issue 1 

Main Street 

Mission Opportunities 

In January, the Missions Committee will collect new jackets for children in Greenwood 50 to be distributed by the school social workers. Carts are located outside the Fellowship Hall and the Sanctuary. You may also drop off donations by the

church office. Thank you for your support of those in need.

SC Conference Disaster Recovery Efforts

We have a work crew scheduled to participate on January 18! If you are interested, please register on the conference website: https://www.umcsc.org/. You can’t miss the banner that takes you to the registration page!

Christmas Program 2019

See you on January 7, 2020 when Mud Pies

reopens! Polar Express Field Trip 3s and 4s

Christmas Outreach Service and Lunch

This event was a huge success. There were more than 40-45 church members who helped develop and carry out this wonderful local outreach event. We served more than 100 individuals. What a great effort by faithful members of MSUMC to provide this special event!! Thank you all for demonstrating your love here in the City Center!!

Who: Everyone! What: Pill Packing Opportunity When: January 12th after the Missions Lunch Where: Fellowship Hall Why: To help with the final preparation for the Medical Mission trip leaving on January 26.

 8 January 2020  |  Volume X Issue 1 

Sunday School

Join us each Sunday @ 10 am in the Youth Room

My first month serving as the Youth Director has been a blessing. It is awesome to start getting to know all of the youth and members of MSUMC! As we go into the new year, I am encouraging the youth to have “2020 vision.” Scripture tells us in Hebrews to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” Let’s not only make “fixing our eyes on Jesus” a general goal for 2020, but for our daily life as well! We can trust that the Lord will help us to see with clarity as we continue our walk with Him.

-Preston

PARENT MEETING!

Youth and Parents: Join on Sunday, 1/5 in the Youth Room for an informational meeting to kick off the semester. Come find out about some of the things planned for the winter/spring semester!

REVOLUTION 2020:

Please pray for our youth and chaperones attend-ing Revolution on January 24-26 that they will have a safe weekend and ex-perience growth in Christ.

Sunday Nights:

Sunday evening youth group from 6:30-8:00! Join for fellowship, dinner, devotion,

and games!!

1/5: Informational Meeting (Parents in-vited)

1/12: Fireside Sunday @ the Bassett’s

1/19: ELEVATE (Youth Room)

1/26: No Youth (Youth will be at Revolution)

Wednesday Nights:

Join us each Wednesday for dinner in the Fellow-

ship Hall from 5:00-5:45, followed by games and a devotional lesson in the Youth Room from

5:45-7:00!

BigStuf 2020

June 22-26 – An energizing and spiritu-ally refreshing week in Panama City Beach. Let Preston know if you want to go! A $50 deposit will secure your spot.

 9 January 2020  |  Volume X Issue 1 

1 Ann Workman 3 Mack Tharpe,

Lyn Cothran 4 Wes Brown,

Bess Hoy 6 Nancy Lumley,

Carly Rogers 7 Sue Maloney,

Bennett Charles 8 Footsie Rice, Ashley D’Alessandro 10 Marilyn Barmore 11 Wylan Radcliffe 12 Sara Catherine Wilkinson, Cathy

Chalmers, Rodney Cleveland 13 Malcolm Ferson 14 Martha Culbertson, Campbell Jones 15 Chris Wise 19 Bill Britt 20 Keith Landis 21 Wally Dorn, Matt Titus 22 Brandon Smith 24 Charley Dent, Logan Andrews 25 Sharon Bagwell, Elizabeth Cannon,

Bailey Thompson, Jane Prewett 26 Chuck Drake, John Whitmire, Melissa Murphy 28 Ed Troublefield 29 Sarah Gaye Norris, Walker Thompson 30 John Sherrill, Peggy Ackerman 31 Toby White

1 Terry and Betty Strange 3 John and Amy Young 11 Justin and Lauren Austin 17 George and Cindy Harris 18 Joe and Vickie Chandler 20 Stuart and Julie Driver 22 Stephen and Brandi Davis 24 Ron and Shirley Pate 28 Ronney and Joan Smith

CELEBRATIONS 

We will be taking all the Advent decora-tions down on January 5th, immediately after the 11:00 am service. So please stay and

help pack up wreaths, greenery, candles, and Chrismons. We appreciate your help and thank you in advance!!

Stay tuned for what’s in store for 2020 and consider joining this active group.

The Main Streeters thoroughly enjoyed their December 12th meeting. They were entertained by the

Greenwood High School Show Choir and had a delicious catered meal.

 10 January 2020  |  Volume X Issue 1 

BREAKFAST COOKS January 5 Joey Burns, Frankie Connell, Justin Leopard, & Tyler Larkins January 12 Barry Campbell, Marion Moore, & Tommy Williams January 19 Ryan D’Alessandro, Phillip Gates, Byron & Greg Shelley January 26 Tommy Chalmers, Ed Wiedemann, & Jean Griffin

SUNDAY SCHOOL COUNTERS January 5 David Patterson January 12 Frankie Connell January 19 Jean Griffin January 26 Frankie Connell & Debbie Tharpe

LAY READERS January 5 Rhonda McGinnis January 12 John McFadden January 19 Ann Landis January 26 Amy Young

CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACOLYTES January 5 Tyler Andrews January 12 Annabelle Chappell January 19 Katie Funderburk January 26 Campbell Driver CRUCIFERS January 5 Vivi Joy Pinckney January 12 Bennett Charles January 19 Bradley Funderburk January 26 Libby Hartung ACOLYTE PARENT VOLUNTEERS January 5 Chrissy Andrews January 12 Caroline Chappell January 19 Melissa Funderburk January 26 Sarah Hartung EXTENDED SESSION WORKERS January 5 Tara Smith January 12 Jennifer Larkins January 19 Caroline Chappell January 26 Susan Thompson CHILDREN’S SERMONS January 5 Pastor James January 12 Mary Lynn Polk January 19 Lisa Smith January 26 Shell Dula NURSERY VOLUNTEERS January 5 Kayla Titus January 12 Sam Valkenburg January 19 Rebecca McDonald January 26 Angie Baker

January  Volunteer List    “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.” REMINDER: If your schedule does not permit you to be here on your assigned Sunday, please trade with someone and notify the church office. Thank you.

SOUND SYSTEM OPERATORS January 5 Brian Andrews January 12 Jeff Smith January 19 Toby Chappell January 26 Stewart Driver SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER SCHEDULE January 5 3, 4, & 5 year olds: Jenny Perkey Elementary: Melissa Funderburk Drake Class: Class Members Paul Frey Class: Michael Fisher Mason Class: Myra Greene Cornerstone Class: Class Members Genesis to Revelation Class: Class Members Coach Dula Class: Shell Dula Is Jesus Calling You? Howard Thomes Bible Class: Jamison Tinsley January 12 3, 4, & 5 year olds: Marilyn Murphy Elementary: Tara Smith Drake Class: Jimmy Kelly Paul Frey Class: Cheryl McCord Mason Class: Myra Greene Cornerstone Class: Class Members Genesis to Revelation Class: Class Members Coach Dula Class: Shell Dula Is Jesus Calling You? Howard Thomes Bible Class: Lucas Bassett January 19 3, 4, & 5 year olds: Lindsay Burns Elementary: Hope Askew Drake Class: Susan Pinckney Paul Frey Class: Kit Adkins Mason Class: Myra Greene Cornerstone Class: Class Members Genesis to Revelation Class: Class Members Coach Dula Class: Shell Dula Is Jesus Calling You? Howard Thomes Bible Class: Jon Bassett January 26 3, 4, & 5 year olds: Jennifer Larkins Elementary: Kathy Johnson Drake Class: Richard Pinckney Paul Frey Class: Class Members Mason Class: Myra Greene Cornerstone Class: Class Members Genesis to Revelation Class: Class Members Coach Dula Class: Shell Dula Is Jesus Calling You? Howard Thomes Bible Class: Isaac Shaffer SANTUARY STEWARDS December 30 - January 3 Need a volunteer to come January 6 - 10 Evelyn Irwin and Caroline Hawthorne January 13 - 17 Carol Burgess and Miriam Garner January 20 - 24 Sue Maloney January 27 - 31 Lou Walters

Janu

ary

202

0 Saturday 

Friday 

Wednesday 

Tuesday 

Monday 

Sunday 

Thursday 

  

 1 New

 Year’s Day 

Church Office is 

closed—Happy New

 Year!! 

 

2  2:00 pm Youth—Bow

ling @ 

Expo 300 

3

6:00 pm Celebrate Recovery 

 

4   

5    8:30 am

 Early Service 

  9:30 am

 Breakfast 

10:00 am

 Sunday School 

11:00 am

 Worship Service 

12:00 pm

 Undecorating the 

Church 

  2:30 pm

 What’s Your N

ext? 

   4:00 pm

 Church Council 

Meeting

   5:00 pm

 Honduras Team

 Meeting 

  7:00 pm

 Pick‐up Basketball 

6     6:30 pm Com

panions in 

Christ  

7 

  9:00 am

 Mud Pies Preschool 

  9:30 am

 Staff Meeting 

10:00 am

 Susanna Circle @

 Wesley Commons 

11:00 am

 SAR Chapter M

tg 

  1:00 pm

 Sweet H

our of Prayer 

  7:30 pm

 Wesley Foundation 

8  9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

4:30 pm Main Streeters Planning 

5:00 pm Engage Family Night 

7:00 pm Choir Practice 

7:00 pm Pick‐up Basketball 

9  6:00 am Toastmasters 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

 

10 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

6:00 pm Celebrate Recovery 

11 

Greenwood District 

UMW Officer’s Train‐

ing 

12 

  8:30 am

 Early Service 

  9:00 am

 Missions Fair 

  9:30 am

 Breakfast 

10:00 am

 Sunday School 

11:00 am

 Worship Service 

12:00 pm

 Missions Lunch 

  2:30 pm

 What’s Your N

ext? 

  7:00 pm

 Pick‐up Basketball 

13 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

5:30 pm Girl Scouts 1565 

6:30 pm Com

panions in Christ 

7:00 pm Boy Scouts 911 

14 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

6:00 pm Trustees Meeting 

6:00 pm Celebration Circle 

7:30 pm W

esley Foundation 

15 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

5:00 pm Engage Dinner 

6:00 pm Engage Bible Study 

6:00 pm Engage Wom

en’s Book 

Study 

7:00 pm Choir Practice 

7:00 pm Pick‐up Basketball 

16 

 9:00 am

 Mud Pies Preschool 

 6:00 pm

 Girl Scouts 1389 

17 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

6:00 pm Celebrate Recovery 

18 

 

19 

  8:30 am

 Early Service 

  9:30 am

 Breakfast 

10:00 am

 Sunday School 

11:00 am

 Worship Service 

  2:30 pm

 What’s Your N

ext? 

  7:00 pm

 Pick‐up Basketball 

20 

6:30 pm Com

panions in Christ 

7:00 pm Boy Scouts 911 

21 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

7:30 pm W

esley Foundation 

22 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

5:00 pm Engage Dinner 

6:00 pm Engage Bible Study 

6:00 pm Engage Wom

en’s Book 

Study 

7:00 pm Choir Practice 

7:00 pm Pick‐up Basketball 

23 

6:00 am Toastmasters 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

24 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

9:00 am Mud Pies Donuts for 

Dad 

6:00 pm Kairos Retreat 

6:00 pm Celebrate Recovery 

25 

9:00 am SC Program 

Committee of U

MW 

26 

  8:30 am

 Early Service 

  9:30 am

 Breakfast 

10:00 am

 Sunday School 

11:00 am

 Worship Service 

12:00 pm

 Chuck Drake’s 

90th Birthday Celebration 

  2:30 pm

 What’s Your N

ext? 

  7:00 pm

 Pick‐up Basketball 

27 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

5:30 pm Girl Scouts 1565 

6:30 pm Com

panions in Christ 

7:00 pm Boy Scouts 911 

28 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

9:30 am Staff Meeting 

7:30 pm W

esley Foundation 

29 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

5:00 pm Engage Dinner 

6:00 pm Engage Bible Study 

6:00 pm Engage Wom

en’s Book 

Study 

7:00 pm Choir Practice 

7:00 pm Pick‐up Basketball 

30 

6:00 am Toastmasters 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

31 

9:00 am Mud Pies Preschool 

6:00 pm Celebrate Recovery 

 

211 North Main Street Greenwood, SC 29646 (864) 229-7551 churchoffice@msumc1.org

Non-Profit

U.S. Postage

P A I D

Permit No. 368

Greenwood, SC

The Connection A monthly publication connecting members and friends of Main Street United Methodist Church.

Main Street United Methodist Church 211 North Main Street Greenwood, SC 29646

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 5:00 & Friday 8:30 - 1:00 Closed from 12:00 to 1:00 for lunch except on Fridays

Phone: (864) 229-7551 E-mail: churchoffice@msumc1.org Fax: (864) 942-9753 Website: www.msumc1.org

Pastor James McCoy-Bruce, Senior Minister Debbie Tharpe, Administrative Assistant Gray Stallworth, Pastor of Discipleship Jo Patterson, Office Assistant John McFadden, Director of Music Ministries Linda Miller, Financial Secretary Rodney Cleveland, Organist David Weathers, Building Superintendent Josie Shirley, Children’s Program Coordinator Michael Fisher, Building Caretaker Preston Goforth, Director of Youth & Student Ministries Allison Wooten, Mud Pies Creative Learning Director

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