The Gift of God

“5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. 6 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you…” 2 Timothy 1:5-6a (NRSV)

JackieSumnerisaspecialpersoninmylife.“MissJackie”ismyfirstpianoteacher.Sheplaysthepianoto this day at Weeks Chapel United Methodist Church where I was raised. She is one of the most kind and giving people I know. When I showed some promise as a musician, she agreed to teach me piano lessons. She came over to my house each Sunday afternoon for lessons for probably around a year. She taught me those beginning skills that every pianist has to learn. I learned to count basic rhythms and where all the notes were and began to learn how to play hymns in the hymnal. Soon I was serving in church and playing for worship on Sunday mornings. After about a year of study, Miss Jackie knew I would quickly exceed the training she had to offer. My family found another wonderful and kind woman who lived about 30 minutes away who was a church organist and a classically trained musician. Sue Massey began to teach me and would be my teacher until I graduated from high school. She moved me beyond the foundations to building me into a good musician. I learned to play some of the classics. I am playing one of the pieces she taught me on the recital this afternoon (although I hope I am playing it much better now than I did in high school!). She always had a smile on her face. I came to some lessons well prepared and ready to show off everything I had learned. I came to some lessons almost having not touched the instrument all week. I never remember her fussing or complaining. I just remember her pushing me to do better. But something else happened in high school. I began to actually teach piano lessons! I was beginning to share the gift that had been given to me. I have taught lessons throughout the years almost constantly untilImovedhereacoupleofyearsago.Aboutfiveyearsago,Ibeganatraditionofanannualconcertinwhich I would invite friends from my past and present to join me on concerts. It gives me an opportunity and a reason to rekindle the gift that is within me so that I continue to keep my skills sharp and continue to keep this musical spirit alive in my own heart. As wonderful as music is as a gift to receive, share, and pass on, it pales in comparison to the gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Timothy had come from a heritage of faithfulness. Paul encouraged him to recognize that the gifts of God evident in his mother and grandmother were also evident in him. Timothy was called to remember and rekindle the gift of God. You have come from a heritage of faithfulness. It may not be your family who introduced you to faith, but others within this or other churches. But our faith story never begins with us. It begins with God and with the people who have gone before us. The question we must ask ourselves today is whose faith story is beginning with us? Who knows Jesus today and has a living and vibrant faith because of you? Or me? In Christ,

Epworth connects and equipsall kinds of people to

seek, serve, and share Christ.

Wednesday, November 15 , 2017 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper & Study 6:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice 7:00 p.m. Choir PracticeThursday, November 16, 2017 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study12:00 noon Prayer Team MeetingSaturday, November 18, 2017 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall Reserved 5:00 p.m. AA Group MeetingSunday, November 19, 2017 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service10:00 a.m. Sunday School11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service12:00 Noon Thankful Together UMW

November 12, 2017

2400 Devonshire Drive • Columbus, GA 31904706-322-6973 • www.epworthumc.com

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

This Coming WeekSunday, November 12, 2017 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service10:00 a.m. Sunday School11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 3:00 p.m. Tony Crosby & Friends Recital 7:00 p.m. WNN Thanksgiving Service - Shearith Israel SynagogueMonday, November 13, 2017 6:30 a.m. UMM Meeting Tuesday, November 14, 201710:30 a.m. GRSA Meeting 6:30 p.m. AA Group Meeting 6:30 p.m. New Life UMW Meeting 6:30 p.m. Youth Meeting

our ChurCh sTaffChoir Director Lyn PharrisChurch Administrator Susan SniderCustodians Martha Conklin Barbie WebbMedia & Communications Dawn Wilson Music Director Bob LeeNursery Worker Martha ConklinPastor Tony G. CrosbyInterim Worship Leader Kayla Moss

ConTaCT usbob@epworthumc.com

dawn@epworthumc.comkayla@epworthumc.comlyn@epworthumc.com

martha@epworthumc.comsusan@epworthumc.comtony@epworthumc.com

Pastor’s Home (706) 327-2927Pastor’s Cell (706) 329-2484

Church Website: www.epworthumc.comChurch (706) 322-6973

ThesanctuaryflowersaregiventotheGlory of God and in honor of Veteransand in memory of Cpl. Robert Conklin

by the Conklin Family.

Those Who serVe sunday, noVember 12, 20179:00 a.m. Worship Service: Greeter: Barbara Stubbs Usher: Randy Morris Acolyte: Usher Children’s Church: Needed11:00 a.m. Worship Service: Greeter: Lillian Wooldridge Ushers: James Johnson, Steve Whittington Acolyte: Ema Cheraisi, Emma Knight Children’s Church: Janet CheraisiNurseryVolunteer:VickyGriffinFinancial Secretary: Shawn JandreauTurn Key: John Daniel

our sTeWardshipNovember 5, 2017

Tithes & Offering: $8,690.70Received To Date: $243,316.06Needed To Date: $296,928.00 Building Fund: $0

ATTENDANCE: Sunday School 66 Worship: 9 a.m. 50 Worship: 11 a.m. 65

115

WhaT’s happeningWNN Unity Thanksgiving Service - Sunday, November 12, at 7 p.m., at the Shearith Israel Synagogue on the corner of River Rd. and Mountainbrook Dr., Columbus. UMM Meeting - Monday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall.Fellowship Hall Reserved - Tuesday, November 14, from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.New Life UMW Group Meeting - Tuesday, November 14, at 6:30 p.m., at the home of Sandra Burns. Wednesday Night Supper & Study - November 15, at 6 p.m. Menu: Soup (Potato and Vegetable), corn bread, crackers, salad bar and dessert. To make reservations, sign up on the information board. At 6:30 p.m., Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper, District Superintendent will bring a devotional message.Fellowship Hall Reserved - Saturday, November 18, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.Growing Christians UMW Meeting - Monday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall. All ladies are invited. Office Closed - Thursday and Friday November 23 & 24, for the Thanksgiving holidays.E-Mail Communication - The church’s primary communication tool with our congregation is now e-mail and social media outlets. From time to time, we discover that we have members who aren’t receiving communications from the church. We generally send two e-mails eachweek—anewsletter from theofficeonMonday and a sermon preview from Tony on Friday. If you are not receiving these e-mails, please contact the church office and let usknow. Also, if you are someone who doesn’t check their e-mail often, perhaps knowing our regular e-mail schedule will help you know when to look for communications from us.

sunday sChool aT 10:00 amTHE CHILDREN’S CLASSES Kindergarten - 5th Grd.: Margaret Gosden

THE FRIENDSHIP CLASS Study: Promise of a New Covenant Teacher: Class

THE GENESIS SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS Study: Have You Ever Seen a Hearse... Teacher: Melonie Phillips

THE JOY CLASS Study: I Love Growing Older, but... Teacher: Class

THE NATHAN PATTERSON/WESLEY CLASS Study: Ruth 2 Teacher: Bobby Smith

THE NEW CONNECTIONS CLASS Study: Reaching Out by Giving Practical Help Teacher: Chuck Salter

THE PATHFINDERS CLASS Study: Wired Word Teacher: Suzy Revell

THE QUESTORS CLASS Study: Roman Life Teacher: Gary Tomlin

THE SEEKERS CLASS Study: Class Discussion Teacher: Lillian Wooldridge

missionsNovember Mission Focus - Help someone with a Thanksgiving meal. Pick up a bag with a coloring sheet and list of needed items to make Thanksgiving bags for Wynnton Neighborhood Network (WNN). Deadline to return the bags is this Sunday, November 12.Tree of Life Memorial - Memorials can be made for members of the Epworth UM or Hamp Stevens UM churches. Fill out a form and return it with your gift made out to Epworth UMC. The minimum donation for an engraved leaf is $50. Forms are in the information rack in the foyer or the website. A Taste of Epworth Cookbooks - are $5 each. Pick up your copy(s) from the WWC. The cookbooks make great Christmas, wedding, shower, etc. gifts and money collected goes toward missions. Rose Hill Clothing Bank - has not closed. Please continue to bring your donations. The need is still great for men’s work pants, jeans and socks. 2018 Flower Calendar-locatedintheofficewindow. Sign up today to reserve your special Sunday for $50 an arrangement. Questions ortorequestadate,callthechurchoffice.Tony Crosby and Friends - The pastor will present his annual musical program on Sunday, November 12, at 3 p.m. The program will feature Sam Brown as collaborative pianist and Tony’s children, Nicholas (trombone) and Natalie (vocal). The program is free, but an offering will be received to support the Voices of the Valley Chorus (of which Natalie is a member and Mr. Brown is the accompanist) in the upcoming tour to England next summer. The progam will feature music by Haydn, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and others.

youTh & ChildrenYouth Meeting - Tuesday, November 14, at 6:30 p.m., in the Youth room. You are welcome to invite a friend.Youth Camping Trip - Saturday, November 18, meet at the church at 1:30 p.m., leaving at 2 p.m. for Pine Mt. RV Resort. We will return to the church Sunday, November 19, at 9 a.m.Volunteers Needed in the Children’s Ministry!

ChrisTian sympaThyChristian sympathy is given to the family of Tessa Nelle Lloyd who passed away on Monday, October 30, 2017.

Thankful TogeTherAll women of the church are invited by Epworth’s United Methodist Women to the Thankful Together Luncheon on Sunday, November 19, at noon, in the Fellowship Hall. This is a free event for women who are NOT UMW members. UMW members will pay $1.00. If your spouse or children want to attend, the cost is $2.00 per person. Money collected will go toward The World Thank Program for UMW. Menu: homemade soups, crackers, cornbread, tea, and dessert. PLEASE SIGN UP for this event on the information board in the foyer. DEADLINE to sign up is November 15.

epWorTh prayer lisTChurch FamilyFred & Emilie Carswell Blount King Gladys Plant Trudy Harris Vanessa Desoto Ron & Betty Sawyer Thrower Family Kittye Crockett Sibyl Wells Keri McElvey Jan Shackelford Kernodle FamilyJudy Scanling Barbara Watson Helen Batastini Scott & Sheila Dunn Elsie & Jim Spanogians Aaron Jackson Joe Flynn Andrea Carbaugh AnnSmith GlennGriffin BillyBullock

Extended Church Family Steve & Carol Guilbeault Michael Taff David Olson Doyle Adams Dotty Baker Ricky Clark Robbins Family Andrew WadeMiranda “Randy” Jones Laurie Osteen Preston Silvernail Dora Spires Willie Ryles Judy Patterson Cassie Prochaska Billy Hill Kim Jordan Kristy Stier Dorothy Ogg Bruce Chapman Joyce Kuester Marilyn Buck Danny Chidester Beth Goodwin Sandra & Jeff Anthony Henry Dunn Adams Family Ginger Jarvis Ralph & Sandy McGough Diane Wiggins Stephanie Bryan Robin Grantham McDaniel Family

Assisted Living/Nursing Homes/Homebound Calvary Community - Lou Williams River Towne Center - Jerry WilliamsMagnolia Manor - Doris Halouska Savannah Grand - Linda ColemanPhenix City Health Care - Anne Whitehurst The Lodge - Lorene CarlisleRiver Place - Betty Cummings The Orchid - Cammie Van Over Wesley Glen (Byron, GA) - Nancy Hiller

(Please continue to pray for our homebound folks. They would love a visit.)

If the prayer list needs to be updated, please call, email the church office

or leave a note with updates. Help us minister effectively by

calling the church office about yourself or a family member. Thank you for your help.

Helping Hands MinistrySponsored by Epworth UMW

Are you living alone? Do you need someone to help you with replacing light bulbs?ACfilters?Batteriesinasmokedetector?Have you given up driving? Do you need a ride to the doctor? Grocery store? The local drug store?

Helping Hands Ministry just may be for YOU! Epworth’s UMW will connect you with volunteers at Epworth to help you with these tasks. If you have questions, feel free to ask Becky Britton or Barbara Stubbs more about this new ministry for those who live alone.

Complete one of the forms at the bottom of this sheet if you want to be part of this ministry. Put the form in the collection plate, give it to Becky Britton or Barbara StubbspersonallyortoSusanSniderinthechurchoffice.

Those who need HELP:

Name:______________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________

Home phone:____________________________Cell phone:_______________________

Those who will VOLUNTEER to help:

Name:_______________________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________________

Home phone:___________________________Cell phone:_________________________