IN THIS ISSUE

ervice.

July

2017

the Beacon

First United Methodist Church Marion, NC

A Word from Pastor Warren Page 1 Members in Action Page 2 July Calendar Page 2 Children and Youth Page 3 Memorials Page 4 July Birthdays Page 5

Keep Moving, Keep Making Keep Ministering

Dear Friends of Marion First UMC,

French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning— and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”

As you venture forth upon summertime excursions I hope you might reflect on that which has made for the greatness of our shared history as a nation. Has it not been opportunity to freely seek out and live a life devoted to the righteousness proscribed by our creator with the individual gifts he has granted each? Many have given much if not all of their life for this great liberty unknown for most of human history.

That greatness Tocqueville noted did not spring from a bounty of natural assets, nor from grand institutions of our own design, but from a teeming abundance of people seeking God’s word weekly in places of worship. Please continue to put first neither flag nor constitution but God’s word in your daily life. Take up his eternal word before you read a temporal word of the day.

If we all aspire to the righteousness of God, we shall continue to be a good in relations to other nations and great among nations. While some reject God entirely, let us become better citizens of this nation by having become better citizens of heaven. And for the sake of those who have not yet discovered the love of God themselves, may we maintain charity toward all.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Warren

July Calendar

Page 2 THE BEACON

Monday, July 3 Youth Mission Monday Tuesday, July 4 Happy 4th of July! (Church office closed) Wednesday, July 5 6:00 pm-Friends in Faith Sunday, July 9 9:15 am-Youth Breakfast Bunch Tuesday, July 11 6:30 pm-Prayer & Evangelism Wednesday, July 12 8:00 am-Men’s Bible Study 9:00 am-Coffee Club 6:00 pm-Friends in Faith 7:00 pm-Psalter Choir Monday, July 17 6:00 pm-ECEC Board Meeting 6:00 pm-Trustees Meeting 7:00 pm-Finance Meeting Wednesday, July 19 8:00 am-Men’s Bible Study 7:00 pm-Psalter Choir Monday, July 24 6:00 pm-Church Council Wednesday, July 26 8:00 am-Men’s Bible Study 9:00 am-Coffee Club 7:00 pm-Psalter Choir

Acolytes July 2 Jack Bryan July 9 Maggie Vaughn July 16 Hannah Settlemyre July 23 Tessa Ross July 30 Jack Bryan Crucifers July 2 Eva Pool July 9 Eavan Smith July 16 Cassandra Kagan July 23 McKinna Young July 20 Cassandra Kagan Children’s Church July 2 Jerri Young July 9 Michele Settlemyre July 16 Angela Bryan July 23 Ginny Rhodes July 30 Amy Moomaw Sunday School Elementary Beth Ross Youth Jerri Young Kids In Action

Coffee Clean-up Neel Parker Class

Sound Mike Myers

Lector July 2 Mike Conley July 9 Maggie Buckner July 16 Mike Sewell July 23 Dina Stainbrook July 30 Tom Atkinson

Ushers July 9 Adam Miller, Ben Kagan Thomas Moomaw, Sam Owens

Kids

& Youth

July Mission Mondays July 3rd– Youth Painting Rec. room and

Youth room 9:00-am-3:00pm

July 10th– Summer Feeding @ city park

11:30-12:30, cleaning Children’s wing of

church until 3:00pm

July 17th– Painting for a Methodist church

neighbor in community. 9:00am-3:00pm

July 24th– Youth doing yard work for

church families. (Sign up sheet on

communication board) 9:00am-3:00pm

July 31st– Patton Ave. Rescue Mission

work. 9:00am-3:00pm

Friends in Faith Summer Schedule (We will only meet these Wednesdays

this summer.)

July 12th 6:00pm-7:00pm

Aug. 9th 6:00pm-7:00pm

Operation College

Bound

We met our goal!

We raised $600 for each of the three college bound kids

that needed help with dorm and college supplies.

This has been such a meaningful blessing for our

youth and our church that we will continue this

ministry in the future. Thank you to all who

supported this great cause!

Because of you, three people who may not have had the

opportunity, will be going to college this fall with the

things that they need!

Page 4-The Beacon

Memorials

In Memory of

Annie Lee Epley Fred and Mary Dodge Marian Kessler Tom and Kathy Atkinson Lee and Donna Bowman Robert and Diane Byerly John and Becky Cross Kay Medford The Neel Parker Sunday School Class Tom and Elaine Settlemyre Sharon Smith Susan and Charles Tripp Bill and Beth Ross Rene Bell David and Diane Selkregg Charles and Barbara McKinney Bob and Nancy Hunter Batch & Co, PC Kara Reel Alfred Shiver Ann and Mitch Arney Lee and Jerry Sisk Sharon Parker Cathy and Danny Cook Lisa and Hans Vogel Pastor Warren Owens Mary Ann Combs Charles and Ruth Sander Pat James Buddy and Rachel Carnes Lisa and Hans Vogel FUMC Morning Circle Ann and Mitch Arney Ann Ledbetter Psalter Choir Buddy and Rachel Carnes Sharon Smith Lisa and Hans Vogel Winfred Risner Buddy and Rachel Carnes Tom and Kathy Atkinson Sharon Parker

Thank you so much for all of your support for our mission:

“Serving those that serve us” and “Quarters for Country”.

You have helped us to provide care packages and ship them to our military service members and show them how much we appreciate them.

Thank You, Kaylynn Henry

Anna Miller

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for the many expressions of kindness, support, and sympathy in our great loss of our

mother and grandmother, Annie Lee.

Your prayer, visits, and calls provided comfort

during this difficult time. The delicious meals were

greatly appreciated.

With heartfelt thanks, Becky Smith, Vicki Bezems, and families

March Birthdays

July Birthdays

A Lighthouse guiding people in Worship, Spiritual Growth, and Service.

First United Methodist Church 176 Robert St. Marion, NC 28752 828-652-7010 marionfumc.com

July 1 Chris Vaughn July 5 Elaine Settlemyre July 6 Keith Lyerly July 9 Linda Davidson Kitiara Hayden July 10 Mattie Creson Madison Randolph July 12 Kathy Rabb July 13 Donna Woodie July 15 Rick Dunnebacke July 16 Sadie Creson

July 20 Heidi Wood July 22 Rosa Fowler July 24 Chip Chiappini Robert Randolph July 25 Will Ross Rebekah Smith Maggie Vaughn July 28 Susan Bell Judy Jarrett July 30 Ryan Blake