FIRST THINGS MAY, 2016

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

501 Church Street, Sweetwater, TN 37874

423-337-7903

Email: office1@sweetwaterumc.org

Website: www.sweetwaterumc.org

Church Staff:

Mike Hubble, Pastor Anne Wilson, Administrative Asst.

Jacqueline Mason, Children’s Minister Melinda Hendricks, Custodian

Crystal Ragan, Youth Minister Patricia Richesin, Organist

Larry Orr, Senior Adult Minister Janet Standridge, First Kids Director

Margareth Urias, Music Minister All Christians, Ministers

“Glorifying God—Offering Christ

Making Disciples—Serving Others”

PASTOR MIKE’S MESSAGE

I am writing this article Monday morning,

April 18, a beautiful spring day sparkling with sun-

shine. Today is a day of reflection for me. It is our

oldest son Daniel’s 38th birthday. It’s also a time to

look back on the past week — a week filled to the

brim. I had the opportunity to trout fish in the Smok-

ies, and on another day found myself in a sinking

boat on Chickamauga Lake because my friend

failed to put the plug in his boat. I made several

trips to Knoxville to visit our folks in the hospital,

visited in the homes of some of our members where

there is illness, and also in a nursing facility where I

was able to say goodbye to one of our long time

church members, Pete Barnes, before her passing.

I also spent time counseling individuals and fami-

lies. Along with over 300+ other folks I participated

in the INASMUCH weekend and on Sunday helped

lead our congregation in two services of worship

where we were blessed to receive Nathan and

Bethany Killingsworth and Chris and Melissa Polley

into the membership of our church. In other words

it was a truly exceptional week and I feel so

blessed.

Wow! Is the only way I know to describe

the INASMUCH weekend. Over 300 volunteers

from our church, First Baptist, First Assembly of

God, and First Presbyterian participated. There

were many others who undergirded the project with

prayers. One hundred and twelve of those volun-

teers were from our church. We painted, cooked,

sewed, spread mulch, wrote letters, cut brush,

baked and delivered cookies & brownies, visited in

nursing homes and on and on all with a big smile on

our faces. A special thank you to Craig and Callie

Brackett and Julie White for serving on the leader-

ship team from our church. It all ended with a time

of celebration and worship at the Duck Park Sunday

evening. When God’s people unite to do God’s

work, there is no limit to what they can accomplish.

A word of thanks to those who have taken

food buckets to fill for the people of Zimbabwe. Re-

member they need to be returned no later than May

22.

I thank God for the opportunity to serve

alongside you,

Mike

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

April 10—Craig & Dana Smith who have twin

daughters Kadence and Kennedy

April 17—Nathan & Bethany Killingsworth who

have a daughter Alice and a baby on the way.

April 17—Chris and Melissa Polley

CONGRATULATIONS To proud parents Hannah & Shawn Camp on the birth of their daughter Harper Reese born on April 18th and weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz.

Melissa Toomey

Granddaughter of David & Ann Toomey

Sweetwater HS

Morgan Gruenenfelder

Daughter of Rob & Jamie Gruenenfelder

Roane State Community College

Occupational Therapist (OTA)

Tiffany Hickey

Southern University

Masters Social Work (MSW)

Bailey Byrum

Grandson of Carol Ann Vestal

Sweetwater HS

D.J. VanderWerf

Grandson of Shirley Brown

Sweetwater HS

Rita Griffin

Granddaughter of Ira & Leah Butcher

Marist HS, Atlanta, GA

Jaycie Martini

Granddaughter of Tony & Tonya Martini

North Thurston HS, Olympia, WA

&

SPSCC, Olympia, WA

Associate Degree

Bradley Allan Tompkins

Grandson of Bill & Jody Smithey

West Morgan HS, Decatur, AL

Jessica Thomasson Price

Granddaughter of Mort & Helen Thomasson

TN Wesleyan

Masters Nursing & Education

Trent Walker

Son of Becky Upton

MTSU

BBA Entrepreneurship

Allie Bowden

Granddaughter of Dolores Walton

East Tennessee State

BS Nursing

Jake Dranes

Grandson of Larry & Rhonda Ruebush

Mt. Juliet HS, Mt. Juliet, TN

Connor Wilson

Grandson of Larry & Rhonda Ruebush

Johnson City HS, Johnson City, TN

Carter Viall

Grandson of Patsy Goodman

Signal Mountain HS, Signal Mountain, TN

Erin Knox

Daughter of Jim & Carol Knox

Loudon HS, Loudon, TN

SAGER BROWN MISSION TRIP

There is a Mission Trip to Sager Brown in Baldwin, Louisiana this summer . The dates are August 7-12, 2016. Greer and Micky Heatherly will be leading that trip. We have openings for 10 people, and as of now there are 4 committed for August already. Ask any-one who has gone before. It will change your life!

If you’re interested, please contact John Mortimer at 423-503-3070 or Greer

Heatherly at 423-337-1092. Deadline for signing and first payment is May 4.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2016

HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE GRADUATES

2016 MISSION BUCKETS

Wal-Mart has pre-packaged these items in a bag for your convenience. Available in Vision Center. No need to take your bucket shopping.

Buckets are due back Sunday, May 22, 2016

Get your family involved with filling at least one bucket! **The list of items in the bucket can be found in the buckets or on the bulletin board.

NEED YOUR HELP!! Would you be willing to purchase or pre-

pare a meal every now and then for one of our

members who has health issues, has just had a

baby, or following a funeral of a family member?

This is one of our very important out-

reach ministries and we’d like to create a list of

folks we can call on when the need arises. That

way we don’t have to contact the same people

every time a meal is needed.

Please call the office or call or text Greer

@ 423-337-1092 if we can add your name to the

list. Thank you for your kindness.

METHODIST MEN The Methodist Men will meet on Saturday, May 21,

at 8:00 am for breakfast and a special presentation

by Julia Vestal Lee about her most recent mission

trip. Hope to see everyone there.

LADIES OF THE CHURCH Come and enjoy the company of friends and a

lovely breakfast at The Dinner Bell on Saturday,

May 21, at 9:am.

Who Am I?

I was born in Athens but grew up in Sweetwater. Daddy

was a farmer (dairy/tobacco) and Mama was a farmer’s

wife. As a child, one thing I remember is that Mama made

us go to church every Sunday. I had a favorite teacher…

Mrs. Foye who taught English, literature, and Latin. My fa-

vorite food is chicken and dumplings and my favorite des-

sert is banana pudding. I love old movies like the kind

shown on AMC, my favorite movie is Gone With the Wind,

and several of my favorite actors include Robert Redford

and Paul Newman. I love oldies music (50’s and 60’s) and

the Beatles were the greatest…The Statler Brothers also!

My favorite color is green. Most people don’t know this but

one of the things that gets under my skin is people who

drive slow in the left lane. I don’t have any pets…but if I

had a pet it would be a cat. One of my favorite hobbies is

working on genealogy and if I could travel anywhere in the

world it would be Germany. I came to our church about 7

years ago and the thing I like most about the church is my “church family”. Who am I?

The answer to the March feature “Who Am I” is Wooley Graham.

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

SENIOR ADULT TRIP TO CUMBERLAND PLAYHOUSE

To see “The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers” MAY 19—BUS LEAVES AT 11:30 AM

Lunch @ Cumberland State Park ($8.75)

Escape to quaint, quiet Ashland City, TN with this hilarious new musical! Daughter Junie inherits the job of taking over the family dry cleaning business, tending to Dad (who’s having a hard time remem-bering things), and keeping an eye on her younger sister. Junie’s dream of being a country singer is put on hold until the town Pastor asks the sisters to write and perform personal sendoffs for the dearly de-parted. Playwright Lori Fischer (Barbara’s Blue Kitchen) brings us the Southern premier of this brand new heartfelt, laughter-filled musical comedy. Rated PG. Adventure Theater. Please sign up in Larry’s office or in the Sunday School Classrooms prior to Thursday, May 5. Payment of $20/person should be given to Anne Wilson on or before May 5. Make checks payable to FUMC with “Senior Trip” in the memo line.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS!!

MAY

May 5 Walter Babb

May 7 Mike Littleton

May 11 “Pete” Barnes

May 17 Viola Turpin

May 27 Betty Hunt

May 29 Mary Chappell

Crabtree

Seniors Talk Security

at April Luncheon

As always there

was plenty of wonderful

food at our most recent

seniors luncheon; Lynette

Johnson’s shrimp casse-

role, Geri Babb’s pea sal-

ad, and Helen Thomasson’s cherry chocolate

cake are but a few of the dishes that come to

mind and we thank everyone who prepared a

dish or donated food!

Our guest speaker was Sweetwater

Police Chief, Eddie Byrum, who discussed

security for seniors. Chief Byrum’s presenta-

tion covered all areas of personal, home, and

travel security, and he covered in detail

crimes and scams that most affect county res-

idents. He also touched on gun laws and

concealed carry in a vehicle (not outside)

known as The Castle Law. And he provided

handouts and detailed the department’s ser-

vices to include a free home security review

for residents living within the city limits. Lots

of questions were asked, one of them being

“what to do and not to do if you are stopped by

local law enforcement.”

I think it’s fair to say those in attendance

came away with a great appreciation for Chief

Byrum, Sweetwater Police Officers, and the

services they provide to the community.

We look forward to seeing Chief Byrum

later in the year (Oct) when he will give us a

presentation on Disaster Readiness Prepara-

tion. And just a reminder, with summer coming

on we won’t have any luncheons until Sept 5th

when we celebrate Labor Day with a picnic at

the Walden’s. See you then!

MUSIC NEWS

CHILDREN’S SPRING MUSICAL

SUNDAY MAY 1 @ 5:00 PM

The Kingdom Connection has a com-

pelling storyline, and ministers to everyone with

Bible stories culminating in the ultimate mes-

sage that, even among all the powerful kings of

the Bible, the one true King, the King of ALL

kings, the One we need most in our lives, is

King Jesus! We don’t have to go to a museum

to learn about our God. Because of Jesus, we

can experience the Kingdom of God both now

and in Heaven. Jesus is our King…THAT is our

Kingdom Connection!

Invite your family and friends to come

along. DON’T MISS THIS WONDERFUL

PRODUCTION.

PLEASE BRING FINGER FOODS FOR

THE CHILDREN & OTHERS TO SHARE

HOLY NOISE BAND

is returning this spring!!

All the kids in YOUTH who like to sing

or play an instrument are invited to join the HO-

LY NOISE BAND.

This opportunity requires just a short

term commitment. We will practice on Wednes-

days @ 5:00 pm beginning on May 4th and end-

ing on June 1st. Only 5 rehearsals! Rehearsals

will be held in the Family Life Center. The

Band will participate in the Service on Sunday,

June 5th at 9:00 am.

Please let Miss Crystal or Miss Mar-

gareth know if you are interested or have any

questions! We look forward to having a great

time worshiping together!!

FIRST KIDS

GRADUATION

May 19 at 11:00 am

You’re invited to a special ceremony to watch our precious

children graduate from the First Kids Program.

MEET OUR FIRST KIDS

Back Row (left to right)

Hanna Blankenship

Isaac Hatfield

Joseph Reynolds

Bryanna Harden

Britton Isbill

Ava Watson

Front Row (left to right)

Kenzley McKawski

Alivia Huskey

Hudson Simcox

Tavon Truman

Daniel Hatfield

Missing

Daniel Calderon Shelby Carter

Bella Bibee Easton Watkins

Aubrey Kile

KIDS KORNER

VBS WILL BE HERE SOON

July 17-21 from 6:15-8:30 pm

Preschoolers from 6:15-7:30 pm

Supper provided.

Check the bulletin board for

Servant Sign-up List .

MESSAGE FROM MISS JACQUELINE

Hey Kids,

It’s not too late to sign up for Camp Wesley Woods.

The brochures are on the Welcome Table in the FLC.

Wee Wednesday kids, ages 1-4 years, will meet on

April 27 from 10-11:00 am. We will have a short devotional,

snack and playtime. Moms are welcome to stay and visit

with other moms or you can run some errands.

May 17 will be our last TASK and I’m working on

some fun things. Don’t miss that day!

VBS sign-up is on the bulletin board. Sign up and get

your shirt early!!

In Christ’s Name,

Miss Jacqueline

KIDS ROCK SCHEDULE OF TEACHERS

May 1 Jacqueline/Jim Knox July 3 Leaha/Brent Cofer

8 Jennifer/Jason Dacus 10 Jacqueline/Jim Knox

15 Dave/Kristi Correll 17 Dave/Kristi Correll

22 Worship with Family 24 Worship with Family

29 Amy/Crystal 31 Amy/Crystal

June 5 Leaha/Brent Cofer Aug 7 Leaha/Brent Cofer

12 Angie Watson/Sally Prince 14 Angie Watson/Sally Prince

19 Jennifer/Jason Dacus 21 Jennifer/Jason Dacus

26 Worship with Family 29 Worship with Family

Remember if for some reason you are not available on your assigned day, please try and

switch with someone. Thanks for sharing your time with our children. They will never forget it

and I am so thankful for your servanthood.

WE CELEBRATE OUR YOUTH

Hello Church, It's been a while since I’ve sent an article out to you.... Truthfully nothing big and exciting happened in Feb-ruary and March. But y'all just wait for the upcoming months, it's gonna be CRAZY !!!! We’ve been studying War Room, and we only have a few more sessions left to finish. We have continued to keep our Prayer Board in the youth room and it's updat-ed every Wednesday and Sunday. You’re welcome to check it out any time. Lots of prayers for New Drivers (Hahaaaaa), so much sickness, and many concerns for fellow students in bad situations. We did have a Cash Easter Egg Hunt. Nothing like motivating a bunch of "I am too big to hunt Easter Eggs" kids, by filling them with Cash !!!! The kids came out of there running like wild fire :)

After the Egg Hunt, they broke into groups. The first

group to organize Events leading up to Jesus’ death, without

the Bible, got to choose Easter Candy from the prize bucket.

Nothing like a little Friendly Competition !!!

We had the opportunity to serve our church at the

end of March. The mission buckets for Zimbabwe needed to

be cleaned out. Brady Anderson headed up this project, and

with everyone’s help, they did a Fantastic job !!!! Thank you

so much !!!

Saturday April 16, our youth will be participating in

the INASMUCH Work Day. We're excited to be hands on in

our community !!!

We DO need a local project for May. If you or some-

one you know has work of any kind to be done, (that the kids

and I are capable of doing), please let me know. We would

love to help, FREE of charge. We simply want to live a

Servant Life !!!!

June 19-24 will be our Jr Hi Mission Trip to Maryville

where we’ll be providing home maintenance, clean up and

minor construction to Blount County underprivileged resi-

dents.

July 24-30 will be our Sr Hi Mission Trip to Epworth

by the Sea in St Simons GA. We will be feeding the home-

less, working with the elderly, and doing physical labor for

the children's home.

I can't say thank you enough for supporting Our

Kids. They see the love you all have for them and are eager

to serve such a Selfless Body of Christ.

Much love,

Crystal Ragan

865-567-2453

Our Church Youth

Melissa Toomey

Hoping to Impact Lives

With the celebration of spring comes change; temperatures warm, trees and flowers bloom, and the robins return to nest. Spring also brings another celebration of sorts...graduation. And just like the robins, this time of year finds us sending our young into the world to follow their dreams. Most of you know Melissa Toomey who, by the way, is the only graduating senior in Crystal Ragan's Youth Group. She is scheduled to grad-uate from Sweetwater High School on May 12. Born in Knoxville February 23, 1998, she lives in Sweetwater with her father (Jonathan) and step-mom Jody. Melissa also has 2 broth-ers: Jonathan (20), who is in the Navy and Kee-gan (16) who lives with her mom (Genienne) in Knoxville. Melissa has enjoyed her time at Sweetwater High where her favorite class is math. She also enjoys being a member of the History Club. When I asked her what she liked about school she mentioned friends, learning new things, and her studies to become a nurse. She started “clinicals" in her junior year and since then has worked at local hospitals where she learned about labor and delivery and how to draw blood. She has also worked at local nursing homes assisting the elderly. After graduation, Melissa will be attending Tennessee Wesleyan on a scholarship to study nursing for 2 years. She then plans to finish out her nursing degree at their campus in Knoxville. "I'm excited to study nursing and excited to hopefully make an impact on someone's life. I want to inspire others to do better in their lives,” she said. In case you never noticed, Melissa is a bit on the quiet side…or should we say “was.” She credits taking a job at Subway with making her more outgoing and getting her out of her re-served nature. When I asked what changed, she mentioned that Subway was her 1st job and she took it because her parents told her last summer that “you have to get a job.” She did and found

that the job was not just about making sandwich-es but also required talking to customers. “It taught me a lot and helped me come out of my shell,” she said. “When people are waiting on their sandwich you can’t just stand there…you have to talk to people.” Melissa loves her church and credits her grandparents David and Ann Toomey with intro-ducing her to her church family. Initially, she was hesitant about attending the Youth Group but once she did she discovered a family of friends helping each other and teaching the younger kids “how to grow up in the right way.” She loves Crystal…”she’s great!” In closing, Melissa Toomey is about to “leave the nest,” but it won’t be without the love of her family, her closest friend Katelynn Cogdill, or her grandparents. Add to that the support and love of her church family and it is clear the Melissa will not walk alone as she takes a new path in her life. We have such wonderful youth in our church and we look forward to the many lives Melissa Toomey will touch in the future.

***************

A special thank you to Bob Fugitt for the articles

featuring the Youth and Children of our church.