Rev. Byron Vance Rev. Brandon Lazarre

Rev. Ava Rozelle

(205) 338-3374; fax 205-338-0025 emergency contact: 256-390-9002

January 24, 2018 First United

Methodist Church 2200 3rd Ave. North, Pell City, AL 35125 205-338-3374; www.pellcityfumc.org

YOUTH WINTER RETREAT Recap During MLK weekend we took 25 youth and 6 adults to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for a winter retreat! What a weekend! We rented a cabin that held all of us and spent some time having fun but also growing in our faith TOGETHER. The theme for the weekend was Authentic: Real Faith for Real Life. Throughout the weekend youth were challenged to dig deeper into the thought of “What it looks like for our faith (and not the situation) to define the way we live our life every day.“

We spent time together in worship 3 different times throughout the weekend. Pastor Brandon did a wonderful job in leading the youth in singing. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was getting the opportunity to step back and just watch. It was a great reminder to me, that worship is all about the state of our heart. What I saw and heard were youth who were worshipping from the heart. They were singing (and singing LOUD), thinking about the words they were saying, dancing, and just having FUN. What a beautiful moment!

The three topics we covered in worship were :

Own your faith- Owning your faith by becoming a doer, not just a hearer. We treat things a little bit differently when we take ownership in them, they become a little more important to us. Faith is no different. What is it that you truly believe when it comes to your faith? Now lets put some action to that.

Faith meets Real Everyday Life- Thinking through the reality that often times youth act one way around friends, another way around parents, another at school, another at church, etc. How can we move into a life where our faith is the heart of our actions, decisions, and words– The way we do life?

Faith that will last- There is natural growth that happens in life and also in our faith as we get older, but that can only take us so far. Faith that is strong enough to withstand the struggles that life brings, takes work. It takes commitment. If we want our faith to be able to guide us through the ups and downs of life we have to be willing to dig a little deeper. Just as an athlete works hard practicing everyday to train, we must put into practice spiritual habits.

This was one of my favorite weekends so far in my life in youth ministry. I am so thankful to be a part of a church that truly cares about our youth. Thank you to those who supported us with your prayers, by writing letters of encouragement, baking and donating baked goods, making agape, writing devotions, and financially sponsoring the trip. YOU are making a difference in the Kingdom of God!

**See More Pictures from the retreat in

the Youth News Section.

Lastly a shout out to some awesome chaperones, who allowed God to use them to help to disciple our youth! Thank You! Tara White, Reva Dorough,

Scott Dorough, Scott Knepper, Skip Skillman, and Brandon Lazarre.

“Reaching Others for

Christ”

Missional Training Event Led by Rev. Joseph

Daniels, Jr author of “Walking

With Nehemiah”

February 10th

10a - 2p in the

Beacon

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You still have time to place your order for hymnals. You may purchase one or more hymnals in memory or honor of

someone. The cost is $20 each and will include a label with the name of the person being recognized and your name.

Contact the church office (205-338-3374) with your information.

Ageless Wonders News

Join Ageless Wonders on the 4th Monday of the month

at 11:00 at the Pell City Steakhouse for food and

fellowship.

Call or email Anne Simmons for all the details.

205-525-4513 or rsim591240@aol.com

Pat Cook, Billie Jeffers, Ronny Kimberly, Jimmy Hollander, Neva Hestley, Ruth Moore, Bill Kelly, Ben Abercrombie,

Charles E. Smith, Brian Bass, Stephen Watson, Terry Greene, Beverly Goodman, Lindsey Irwin, Jeanelle Bowman, Steve Dombrosky,

Norma Morris, Bill Cloud, Forest Walls, Bill Elder, Earl Benfield, Gail Love, Doug Church, Mike Miller, Roberta Daschnel, Gracie Bonds, William Thompson, Tommy Robinson, Michael Gareb, Trevor Moore, Edward Jones, Kim, Cindy, Chasity, Donella Allen, Charles Alexander,

BJ Tollison, Adrian Ayers, Peggy Burdette and Shirley Wilson.

I was scanning past an awards show recently and noticed the faces of the “almost winners”, those who were nominated but did not win. Maybe this shouldn’t have surprised me, but they seemed genuinely excited

to be there. That seemingly trite saying, “it was an honor just being nominated”, in many ways reflected on their faces. Sure, they would rather have won, but they were excited for the winners, enjoying their time with peers and loved ones, and it had to be nice to be thought of highly. Even if you don’t win the prize, it is nice knowing that others see you.

We have identified ourselves to be A Community of Believers Seeking to Transform Lives through Jesus Christ. We will be honing in on exactly what this means for us as a church, how we get to that reality and what we value most, but I’ve got some thoughts on thinking of others.

Nominate someone to be worthy of inclusion. We are proud of our church, but sometimes neglect inviting others to fellowship dinners, to worship, to serve, or into our story with Jesus, perhaps not wanting to be one of those “pushy” Christians or assuming that they already have a faith home. Remember, it can be an honor to be nominated worthy of notice.

Park as far as you can walk. This saying of a former PCFUMC pastor is still practiced by some here. Don’t endanger yourself by parking further than you can make, but don’t limit access to someone who is taking a leap of faith to come. This can free up space for vulnerable ones or for first time guests.

Take up holy note writing. As much as digital communication has won the day, receiving a hand written note lets others know that we see, and appreciate them, as a gift from God.

Be an ambassador. Whether at the doctor’s office or the soccer field, at the Steakhouse or cutting the grass, you represent Jesus and His Church in our community. Don’t be afraid to let others know the difference both make to you...and invite them to join you.

- Pastor Byron

Good Works

Foundation

Food

Distribution:

Monday, February 19th

Every month Pell City’s Good Works Foundation

provides meals and groceries to people in need in our

community. In February, PCFUMC is the sponsor.

We need about 15-20 people to help serve the meal

and distribute the groceries. We need to be at the Rec

Hall on 19th Street at 5:30pm. (A few people need to

be there at 4pm to unload the truck) We need to

know in advance that we have enough volunteers, so

please call the church or contact Eric Hicks at

missions@pellcityfumc.org if you can help.

January 31st Lasagna

Mixed Veggies Salad

Garlic Bread Dessert

February 7th Pork Loin

Mac N’ Cheese Lima Beans Fruit Salad

Rolls & Dessert

Our feeding ministry (Loaves & Fishes) is

looking for some volunteers to help package

and deliver meals in the Pell City area on

Tuesday afternoons from 2-4pm. Contact the

church office for all the details.

Dementia Care Giver Group

If you love someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of Dementia, you are invited to participate in a

small group study which will begin on Wednesday, February 21st, and conclude on Wednesday, May 9th.

The group will meet at 4:30pm in the conference room. We will be reading and discussing a book, Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade - The 5 Love Languages and the

Alzheimer’s Journey by Gary Chapman. In addition to the book, other resources will be shared including

wisdom of group members who are on this journey. Mary Bess Price, a social worker with extensive

experience in this area and Ava Rozelle will facilitate the group. If you have questions about the group, contact

Pastor Ava at the church office. Please let the office know if you are interested in being part of this group so

that we can assure adequate materials.

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Youth Winter Retreat Moments

WORSHIP

FUN IN

GATLINBURG

Authentic

See, his faith was at work along with his actions.

In fact, his faith was made complete by his

faithful actions. James 2:22

FEBRUARY 4th

11:45-1:30

Picnic and Play @ Lakeside Park *Bring $5.00 for lunch

OUTINGS

February 11th

Bell Choir Performances

(both 10:30 services) *Meet in Garner Room at 10:00am

February 11 Orientation Luncheon

April 29 Confirmation Sunday (combined service Chapel in the Pines)

Anyone 6th grade or above is welcome to participate. Morning sessions

will take place during the Sunday School hour and we will further

explore topics in the afternoons.

Registration packets are available in the church office.

March 9th & 10th Overnight Retreat for 4th, 5th and 6th Graders

Exit 456 - Camp Sumatanga Registration forms due by February 14th

Palm Sunday

March 25

Join us in the waving of Palms.

Meet in the Garner Room at 10:00am

Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 31st

10:00am-12:00pm Fellowship Hall Parking Lot

Join us for a fun filled event

Egg Hunts * Prizes * Crafts * Games * Hotdogs

3rd Grade

Bible April 6-7

SUMMER CAMP @ Sumatanga Daycamp June 25-29

(rising K-3rd)

Elementary July 15-20

(sleepover rising 3rd-6th)

Office Hours: Monday - Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday 8:00am-3:00pm Friday - Closed

Website: www.pellcityfumc.org

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Thursday, January 25 6:30a Men’s Bible Study-Conference Room 3:00p Disciple IV-Room 111 5:45p Literacy Tutoring-Library 6:00p Praise Band Rehearsal-Beacon

6:00p Gateway Group-Room 201 7:00p AA Meeting-Room 106 7:00p AL ANON-Room 111 Friday, January 26 7:30a Exercise Group-Civic Center Saturday, January 27 6:30a Gideon’s-Fellowship Hall Sunday, January 28 7:00a Men’s Breakfast-Jack’s 8:30a Sanctuary Worship 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Sanctuary Worship 10:30a Wide Open Worship-Beacon Monday, January 29 7:30a Exercise Group-Civic Center 9:00a Disciple I-Room 111 5:00p Weight Watchers-Fellowship Hall 5:00p Daycare Board Meeting-Conf. Room 6:00p Basketball Practice-Beacon

7:00p AA Meeting-Room 106 7:00p Narcotics Anon-Room 204 Tuesday, January 30 2:30p Loaves & Fishes-Beacon Kitchen 5:45p Literacy Tutoring-Library 6:00p Basketball Practice-Beacon

7:00p Boys & Cub Scouts-2nd Floor Wednesday, January 31 7:30a Exercise Group-Civic Center 8:15a Staff Meeting-Conference Room 8:30a Yahweh Yoga-Room 106 9:30a Daycare Chapel-Sanctuary

10:30a Yoga Chair Stretching-Room 106 10:30a Women’s Bible Study-Conf. Room 11:30a Deliver Jeff State Lunches 5:30p Fellowship Supper-Beacon 5:45p Youth-3rd Floor 6:30p Small Groups

7:00p Choir Rehearsal-Sanctuary Thursday, February 1 6:30a Men’s Bible Study-Conference Room 10:00a Prayer Shawl Ministry-Fellowship Hall 3:00p Disciple IV-Room 111 5:45p Literacy Tutoring-Library

6:00p Gateway Group-Room 201 6:00p Praise Band Rehearsal-Beacon 7:00p AA Meeting-Room 106 7:00p AL ANON-Room 111 Friday, February 2 7:30a Exercise Group-Civic Center 6:00p Cub Scouts-Beacon Saturday, February 3 6:30a Gideon’s-Fellowship Hall 8:00a Cub Scouts-Beacon 9:00a UMW District Meeting-Conf. Room Sunday, February 4 8:30a Sanctuary Worship 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Sanctuary Worship 10:30a Wide Open Worship-Beacon Monday, February 5 7:30a Exercise Group-Civic Center 9:00a Disciple I-Room 111 5:00P Weight Watchers-Fellowship Hall 6:00p Basketball Practice-beacon 7:00p AA Meeting-Room 106 7:00p Narcotics Anon-Room 204

Tuesday, February 6 2:30p Loaves & Fishes-Beacon Kitchen 5:30p Missions Meeting-Conference Room 5:45p Literacy Tutoring-Library 6:00p Veteran Support Group-Room 106 7:00p Boys & Cub Scouts-2nd Floor Wednesday, February 7 7:30a Exercise Group-Civic Center 8:15a Staff Meeting-Conference Room 8:30a Yahweh Yoga-Room 106 9:30a Daycare Chapel-Sanctuary

10:30a Yoga Chair Stretching-Room 106

10:30a Women’s Bible Study-Conference Room 11:30a Deliver Jeff State Lunches 5:30p Fellowship Supper-Beacon 5:45p Youth-3rd Floor 6:30p Small Groups

7:00p Choir Rehearsal-Sanctuary Thursday, February 8 6:30a Men’s Bible Study-Conference Room 3:00p Disciple IV-Room 111 5:30p Chapel Board Meeting-Conference Rm 5:45p Literacy Tutoring-Library

6:00p Gateway Group-Room 201 6:00p Praise Band Rehearsal-Beacon 7:00p AA Meeting-Room 106 7:00p AL ANON-Room 111 Friday, February 9 7:30a Exercise Group-Civic Center Saturday, February 10 6:30a Gideon’s-Fellowship Hall 8:00a District Missions Event (Reaching Others for Christ)-Beacon

Calendar: January 25 - February 10

“Reaching Others for Christ” Missional Training Event:

Feb 10th

Good Works Foundation Food Distribution:

Feb 19th

COMING…….