First United Methodist Church Newton, North Carolina

Loving People into the Kingdom of God in the Heart of Catawba County

First United Methodist Church exists to glorify God as we Welcome persons into the body of Christ,

help them Grow as disciples of Jesus Christ and Send them to serve in the world.

The Seven Last Words of Christ Lent 2015

Christ's seven last words from the cross have long been a source of reflection, challenge, and soul-searching. Join First Methodist as we journey toward Easter by taking an in-depth look at

the message of the Crucified Savior.

Sermon Series • Feb. 22 Father Forgive Them • March 1 Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise • March 8 Here Is Your Son … Here Is Your Mother • March 15 My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? • March 22 I Thirst

Palm Passion Sunday – March 29 Unity Sunday – 11:00am Worship in Sanctuary It is Finished and Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

Seven Last Words of Christ by Theodore Dubois

A sacred cantata performed by the combined choirs of First United

Methodist Church, Newton and First United Methodist Church, Lincolnton.

Holy Thursday – April 2 at 7:00pm First United Methodist Church, Lincolnton

Good Friday – April 3 at 7:00pm First United Methodist Church, Newton

Sign Language Interpreting included

Easter Sunday – April 5 The Next Words of Christ

WELCOME persons into the body of Christ

5555thththth Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday Unity ServiceUnity ServiceUnity ServiceUnity Service

March 29, 2015March 29, 2015March 29, 2015March 29, 2015 11:00am in the Sanctuary11:00am in the Sanctuary11:00am in the Sanctuary11:00am in the Sanctuary

• Communion

• Lunch and Easter Egg Hunt to follow

• Collection of snacks for Conover School

• Casual dress is expected

New Member

Vickie Burgess

Lunch and Easter Egg Hunt to follow Unity Service on March 29th

Boxed lunch will be served by Jason’s Deli follow-ing the worship service. Cost will be $6.00 for adults and $3.50 for children (PB & J). To sign up, call the church office or register online on our website www.fumcnewtonnc.org.

THE SEVEN LAST WORDSTHE SEVEN LAST WORDSTHE SEVEN LAST WORDSTHE SEVEN LAST WORDS

The seven last words of Christ or seven sayings of Jesus on the cross are a traditional col-lection of short phrases uttered by Jesus at his crucifixion immediately before he died, gathered from the four Gospels. This Sacred Cantata by Theodore Dubois will be performed by the combined choirs of First United Methodist Church Lincolnton and First United Methodist Church Newton during Holy Week at both churches. The choir is under the direction of Neil and Joanna Underwood, with soloist Laura Rhinehardt, soprano, Tim Little, tenor, and Brent Roland, baritone. John Coffey will be the organist, Grace Wepner, harpist, and Jim Stockner on tympani.

April 15th Ladies Tea in the Garden

Rain date: April 22nd,

Please watch for more details to come!

GROW as disciples of Jesus Christ

Children's Sunday School Sundays at 10:00 am

Sunday School Hall

March Theme: The Last Supper, John 13:1-20

Children learn through art, cooking, games, music and video lessons.

Kids 4 Christ Wednesdays 3:00-5:30 pm

Activity Room

We are happy to say that we are growing in numbers in our after school ministry. Our church van picks up from

South Newton and Shuford Schools. We squeeze in a lot of fun while having free play time, snacks, music, mission

and homework time. Please join us.

Children's Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday, March 29th

All children through 5th grade are invited to our Easter Egg Hunt. Please bring your own Easter basket. We will meet on the front steps of the church at 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 29th. Our hunt will take place on the front and side green spaces. In case of bad weather we will have our hunt in the Activity room.

LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CONNECT AT FIRST METHODIST?LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CONNECT AT FIRST METHODIST?LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CONNECT AT FIRST METHODIST?LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CONNECT AT FIRST METHODIST? TRY OUT A SMALL GROUP TRY OUT A SMALL GROUP TRY OUT A SMALL GROUP TRY OUT A SMALL GROUP … a place to get to know people and grow in your faith … Small Groups offer you a place to connect and belong. A Small Group is made up of 8-15 people who meet to share life together, discuss scriptures, and pray together. Groups are always open! Just pick a group; then contact the leader to confirm meeting time, day, and location.

Bev Underwood's GroupBev Underwood's GroupBev Underwood's GroupBev Underwood's Group Melissa & Allyson Ervin’s Women’s GroupMelissa & Allyson Ervin’s Women’s GroupMelissa & Allyson Ervin’s Women’s GroupMelissa & Allyson Ervin’s Women’s Group Mondays @ 7:00pm Church – Gomedela Room Tuesdays @ 6:30pm Church – Bride’s Room Lenten Study: Give Up Something Bad for Lent Discussing Lysa TerKeurst’s , Unglued Bev: 828.465.0481 beverlyfaye61@gmail.com Melissa: 828.465.3339 MelErvin06@gmail.com Allyson: 828.465.0838 allyson_ervin@catawbaschools.net

Alice Averitt's & Rene Swink's GroupAlice Averitt's & Rene Swink's GroupAlice Averitt's & Rene Swink's GroupAlice Averitt's & Rene Swink's Group The Rhyne’s & Richard’s GroupThe Rhyne’s & Richard’s GroupThe Rhyne’s & Richard’s GroupThe Rhyne’s & Richard’s Group Every other Tuesday @ 6:30pm Sundays @ 4:15 Church – Small Chapel Their home: 1542 Mayfair Dr., Conover Discussing The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey Reading & discussing Stitches by Anne Lamott Jessica: 828.294.1759 4rhynes@embarqmail.com Alice: 828.310.4836 aaaveritt@aol.com Laura: 828.320.0750 ljrichard@charter.net Rene: 828.612.9686 renswink@hotmail.com

David Greene's Men's GroupDavid Greene's Men's GroupDavid Greene's Men's GroupDavid Greene's Men's Group Thursday @ 7:30pm Carolina Vines Discussion of weekly sermon scripture David: 828. 461.5910 david.fumcnewton@gmail.com

Small Groups

SEND them to serve in the world

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sundays

Bring a new, plastic container of

peanut butter or jelly

for the Backpack Project!

On the first Sunday of every month, First UMC will celebrate PB & J Sunday, a day designated for every-one to bring either a plastic container of peanut butter or a plastic container of jelly. These gifts will be given each month to the Backpack for Kids Program at South Newton Elementary School.

March 3 at 1:00pm

Gomedela Room

This is for both men and women; you are

encouraged to bring a friend. Twelve games

will be played with prizes and refresh-

ments furnished.

First Methodist Youth! 6th – 12th Grade Students

EASTER FLOWERS

On Easter Sunday, our sanctuary will be decorated with hydrangeas _______and lilies_______. You may order a plant in honor or in memory of a loved one. The price will be $9.50 and the deadline for orders is March 11th. Please check your preference for flowers and include payment when placing your order. In Memory of______________________________________ or In Honor of________________________________________ By_______________________________________________

(Please use a separate form for each plant ordered.)

DAYLIGHTSAVINGS TIME

begins on Sunday, March 8. Be sure to set your clocks ahead

one hour be-fore going to bed on Satur-day night so that you will have the cor-rect time on Sunday morn-ing.

Youth Event: World Vision is celebrating their 25th year of spon-soring hunger awareness with 30 Hour Fam-ine. Our church youth will join with other churches in the area in a 30 Hour Famine experience at Camp Carolwood on Friday and Saturday, March 27th and 28th. We will meet at the church at 4:30 pm on Friday and return on Saturday evening around 8:30 pm. The camp has many activities planned to help the youth learn of world hunger and how we can help. Join us for this fast-ing and fun weekend. If you are interested in participating, please get an information packet from Julie Fowler.

MARCH BIRTHDAYSMARCH BIRTHDAYSMARCH BIRTHDAYSMARCH BIRTHDAYS

MARCH WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESMARCH WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESMARCH WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESMARCH WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

The Joyful Believers ( group 2) will meet on Monday, March 2, at 10:00 am in the Gomedela Room. Betty McGee will continue to lead us in the "Spiritual Stretchers" program. This consists of gentle movements using a stretch band and can be per-formed in a sitting position. It is relaxing and is suitable for all ages. It also offers great benefits to the body and is a lot of fun. Bands will be provided. All women and

their friends are invited. Please call Ann Faust, 464-5909 if you have any questions.

Johnson, Lisa 3/21 Brooks, John 3/22 Hollingsworth, Andrew 3/22 Pritchard, Rachel 3/22 Copeland, Sara 3/24 Pawlik, Jordan 3/24 Tilley, Dianne 3/24 Caldwell III, Wilson 3/26 Elliott, Theo 3/26 Hollar, Michael 3/26 Lane, Jeremy 3/26 Macijewski, Lela 3/26 Moose, Amanda 3/26 Swofford, Wayne 3/26 Baggatta, James 3/27 Donley, Chatham 3/27 Holbrook, Susan 3/27 Moose, Frances 3/27 Martin, Laura 3/28 Moss, Seth 3/28 Auspitz, Patrice 3/29 Ervin, Quint 3/29 Hahn, Nick 3/29 Jones, Vickey 3/29 McRee, Norris 3/29 Saunders, Bob 3/29 Rights, Ryan 3/30 Smith, Tyler 3/30 Griffis, Billy 3/31

Bolick, Judith 3/1 Branton, Julie 3/1 Byrd, Janet 3/1 Louangrath, Bounmy 3/1 Brown, Kellie 3/2 Keener, Kenneth 3/2 Smith, Tammy 3/2 Webb, Douglas 3/2 Campbell, Meghan 3/3 Cranford, Sherrill 3/4 Lowman, Tommy 3/4 Autry Jr., Will 3/5 Killian, Chloe 3/5 Moss, Tonya 3/5 Willard, Mark 3/5 Lawing, Ken 3/6 Robinson, Hali 3/6 Foster II, Charles 3/7 Hunsucker, Russell 3/7 Setzer, Christopher 3/7 Elledge, Benjamin 3/8 Eller, Erin 3/8 Lewis, Lauren 3/8 Richard, Howard 3/8 Pritchard, Randy 3/9 Bevan, Evelyne 3/10 Gantt, Michael 3/10 Moose, Zachary 3/10 Bandy, Jackie 3/11

Martin, Dylan 3/11 Whitener, Barbara 3/11 Brown, Logan 3/12 Cable, Hope 3/12 Kelly, Deanna 3/12 Lewis, Roy 3/12 Sitzer, Caroline 3/12 Cloninger, Frank 3/13 Robison, Chris 3/13 Cavin, Nikki 3/14 Crawford, Cindy 3/14 Smith, Wadine 3/14 Elliott, Doris 3/15 Ellis, Al 3/15 Hardin, John David 3/15 Meshaw, Anna 3/15 Thornburg, Mary Cather. 3/15 Vanover, Brianna 3/15 Carter, Debbie 3/16 DeVos, Michael 3/16 Moss, Sawyer 3/16 White, Alex 3/16 Gregory, Cheryce 3/17 Hollar, Kelly 3/18 Sims, Lillie 3/18 Stone, Taylor 3/19 Swofford, Faye 3/19 Driscoll, Trent 3/21 Hardin, Adam 3/21

Scott & Gina King 3/1 Bert & Mary Miller 3/1 Buck & Anne Calloway 3/2 Bobby & Celena Carter 3/2 Mack & Susan Hunsucker 3/3 Jerry & Laura DeVos 3/6 Brandon & Amanda Moose 3/9 David & Doris White 3/10 Neal & Patrice Auspitz 3/12 Wes & Natalie Nguyen 3/12

Chris & Suzy Cadwallader 3/13 Matt & Erica Isenhour 3/13 Martin & Corinna Driscoll 3/20 Brandon & Nikki Cavin 3/24 Phillip & Susan Buckbee 3/25 Mark & Caroline Sitzer 3/25 Greg & Lisa Blaser 3/26 Sam & Sonia Foster 3/28 Joel & Mary Alice McCombs 3/28 John & JoAnne Hewins 3/30

The Methodist Women Group III program for Monday, March 2 is entitled "Southern La-dies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral." The title is based on the book Being Dead Is No Excuse. The program humorously describes a slice of Southern life where Southern hostesses explain everything one needs to know about food, clothes, and choosing a casket for their loved ones. Join the Methodist Women at 2:00pm for the perfect Southern send-off.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

3:00 Confir-mation 4:00 Youth 4:00 Journey 6:00 Disciple

2 9:00 Preschool 10:00 Group II 2:00 Group III

3 9:00 Preschool 1:00 Bingo

4 9:00 Preschool 3:00 k4C 7:30 Chancel Choir

5 9:00 Preschool 1:00 Prayer Shawl

6 9:00 Preschool

7

8

3:00 Confir-mation 4:00 Youth 4:00 Journey 6:00 Disciple

9 9:00 Preschool

10 9:00 Preschool

11 9:00 Preschool 3:00 k4C 6:00 Trustees 7:30 Chancel Choir

12 9:00 Preschool 1:00 Prayer Shawl

13 9:00 Preschool

14

15

3:00 Confir-mation 3:00 Wel-come Team 4:00 Youth 4:00 Journey 6:00 Disciple

16 9:00 Preschool

17 9:00 Preschool

18 9:00 Preschool 3:00 k4C 7:30 Chancel Choir

19 9:00 Preschool 1:00 Prayer Shawl

20 9:00 Preschool

21

22

4:00 Youth 4:00 Journey 6:00 Disciple

23 9:00 Preschool

24 9:00 Preschool

25 9:00 Preschool 10:00 Gomedela Rm Reserved 3:00 k4C 7:30 Chancel

26 9:00 Preschool 1:00 Prayer Shawl

27 9:00 Preschool

28

29 Unity Ser-

vice/Lunch

Easter Egg

Hunt

4:00 Journey 6:00 Disciple

30 9:00 Preschool

31 9:00 Preschool

March 2015

8:30am Informal worship in the sanctuary

9:00am Contemporary service-Fellowship Hall (entrance off of Ashe Ave.)

10:00am Sunday School for all ages

11:00am Formal worship in the sanctuary

Nursery is provided during all worship services and Sunday School.

Confirmation Retreat 20th to 22nd

30 Hour of Famine

In one of his books Bishop Will Willimon tells about an experience he had as a young pastor when he went out one cold February afternoon to visit an elderly shut-in member. He writes, Reluctantly, I knocked on the door at the home of Mary Smith. I say

“reluctantly” because I was thinking of all the other things that I could

be doing and I was reminded of the last time I visited Mrs. Smith, the

time when she did not seem particularly interested in having a visit from her pastor. Just then I

noticed a note on her door that read, “Please knock and simply enter. I may be unable to get to

the door.” I knocked and entered. Sure enough there was Mary Smith lying in bed. I was struck

by how frail and thin she had gotten since the last time I visited her. Her face brightened into a

smile. She seemed thrilled to see me. We had a wonderful conversation. At the end of the hour I

had prayed with her, and then I prepared to leave. She firmly grasped my hand in her frail

hand, and said to me, “Preacher, I’ve been praying all week that somebody would come visit

me. I’ve been praying to Jesus, to come to me and help me endure my pain, and help me han-

dle the loneliness of these days. I awoke this morning so disappointed that Jesus had not an-

swered my prayer. And then you came. I guess you are here in place of Jesus. You make a won-

derful substitute.”

It is a delightful story with a profound message. The reformer Martin Luther once said that when we are baptized, each one of us becomes like a “little Christ.” I am so glad that I get to serve in a church filled with so many “wonderful substitutes.” You amaze me with your devo-tion to Christ and your concern for others. And you are teaching me what it means for the church to be and do for others what Christ has been and done for us. Thank you for your faith-fulness! If you haven’t found your way into a small group yet, I hope you’ll pick-up the orange small-group brochure that’s located throughout the church so that you can figure out how to get plugged into a group real soon. Call the church office if you have any questions about this ex-citing and life-changing ministry. The season of Lent is well underway now and we are going through our Lenten sermon series on the final words Jesus uttered from the cross. I hope this series has been helpful as we pre-pare for the Holy Week cantata of Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ. It will take place on Holy Thursday at 7:00pm at First UMC, Lincolnton, and then again on Good Friday in our sanctuary at 7:00pm. Be sure and invite family and friends to this dynamic and moving presen-tation of the passion of Christ. See you Sunday, David

February Memorials

Mildred Corn Robe Fund Mildred Corn CE Memorial Mildred Corn Capital Building Fund Lois Barringer Music Fund Lois Barringer Capital Building Fund Bertie Feinstein Robe Fund Bertie Feinstein CE Memorial Bertie Feinstein Capital Building Fund Earl Johnson CE Memorial Isaac Souza Capital Building Fund Paul Jettinghoff Capital Building Fund Woodson Pearson Capital Building Fund

February Honorariums Evelyn Johnson CE memorial

First United Methodist Church Staff

David Greene, Senior Pastor cell: 828-461-5910 Lara “Willis” Greene, Associate Pastor cell: 828-461-5918 John Coffey, Organist Brent Roland, Music Director Michael Roberts, Director of Praise Service Rose Bibeau, Children’s Music Julie Fowler, Director of Children’s Ministry Ann Cook, Administrative Assistant Kayla Sigmon, Nursery Ministry Julia Macemore, Preschool Director

Church office phone: 828-464-8422 Website: www.fumcnewtonnc.org

First United Methodist Church 300 N. Main Ave. PO Box 926 Newton, NC 28658-926

Return Service Requested

March 2015

Sharing Our Gifts

Sunday Attendance Tithes and

Offerings

Capital Bldg.

Fund

February 1 286 11,472.25 350.00

February 8 283 8,876.50 1635.00

February 15 261 6,280.05 400.00

February 22 234 8,650.00 595.00

Beginning in June, the church newsletter will either be sent by email or hard copies may be picked up at the church. If we do not

have a correct email address for you and you wish to receive the newsletter by that means, please contact the church office at 828.464.8422 or email annmcook@gmail.com.

The Methodist Women, Odum, and Wellborn Scholarship guidelines and applications are available in the church

office. All completed paperwork is due in the office by April 14th.