NewsletterMarch 2017

We believe in Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity

To give online visit: https://memorialumc.churchcenteronline.com/giving or text 84321

March Worship ThemesFrom March 1st through April 15th our worship themes, passages, songs, and prayers will revolve around Season of Lent. While all of our elements will be guided by all four scripture passages in the lectionary, the primary preaching text will be Psalms. Each Sunday, we will discuss the raw emotions shared by each author that include joy, anger, inclusion, exclusion, passion, and indifference. In each case, we will try to understand the connection or disconnection the individual felt with God and the religious community. By the end of the season, we will have discussed several things that draw us closer or pull us away from our God.

The Sunday Scripture Podcast will have a slightly different format throughout Lent, because of the worship patterns of our contributors’ three churches. Brad Gray at St. Andrew’s Parish (Charleston) and Kristin Dollar at Faith (Greer) and Esperanza (Greenville) will be using the gospel lesson as the primary preaching passage. At Memorial, we will be using the passages from the psalms each week. With that in mind, we will read two texts per week, so each of our churches will be prepared for Sunday morning. Please email Joe using joe@memorialgreer.com if you have any trouble finding or downloading this resource.

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Children’s Ministry AnnouncementsLast month, elementary children learned about “Practicing Intentional Faith Development Like Jesus” through three rotations: Prayer, with Sylvia Dobson, Bible Study, with Mandy Bailey, and Strength from God, with Erin and David Knight. It was truly moving to watch their engagement in these important lessons.

Preschool children are following the liturgical year in their studies Sunday morning and evening, and have enjoyed lessons on Being a Light, Forgiving and Being Forgiven, Love Your Enemy, and the Lillies of the Field.

All children enjoyed Big Hug Sunday and we will continue to pray for the adults of our church now through Easter.

All children helped complete 300 Valentines that went out to each and every Meals on Wheels client in Greer. They were a huge hit! Thanks to the children (and some adults) for all that hard work. You really made a difference.

The children’s drive for Greenville Humane Society concluded and donations were delivered. Elementary children also made posters for individual animals in need of adoption, and those were posted on their cages. Thanks, kids, for helping those animals find good homes.

Calendar of Events for Children

March 1 - 6:00 - Serve Supper at Six and raise tips for Greer Relief

All Sundays in March:10:00am - Sunday School5:00 - 6:30pm - Sunday Night Programming March 5 - Finish the Old Testament and Review March 12 - “God’s Perfect Timing”, make spring centerpieces for the Soup Kitchen tables March 19 - “The Messiah Has Come”, make blessings for the Soup Kitchen tables March 26 - “A Helper Arrives”, Game Night

Upcoming Events:• Wednesday, April 5 - Supper at Six will be followed by an Easter Egg

Hunt and making of Resurrection Eggs. • Sunday, April 9, Palm Sunday - The Children’s Choir will perform at

the beginning of both services.• Wednesday, May 3 - VBS volunteer training will follow Supper at Six.

Entertainment and childcare provided.• Hero Central VBS, June 11-15th - Register today and get your free

music CD! Volunteers needed. E-mail erin@memorialgreer.com to help!

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Youth Ministry AnnouncementsConfirmationWe are excited for the following confirmands attending the Confirmation Retreat at Lake Junaluska March 10-12th: Bailey, Maggie, Rafe, Will Cody, Evan, Hudson, Riley, Dylan and Jack.

VolunteersWe have many volunteer opportunities for the Youth. See Youth Calendar for available opportunities in March.

Calendar of Events for YouthMarch 510:00 am - CONFIRMATION CLASS in Social Hall10:00 am - Sunday School- VOLUNTEER NEEDED5:00 pm - 6:30 pm - Sunday Night Programming in FLCDinner - Allison ShennanAdult Volunteer - Mary Lee, Allison Shennan

March 10- 12Confirmation Retreat at Lake Junaluska

March 12CONFIRMATION RETREAT10:00 am - Sunday School- Leader NEEDED5:00 pm - 6:30 pm - Sunday Night Programming in FLCDinner - OPENAdult Volunteer - (2) NEEDED

March 1910:00 am - CONFIRMATION CLASS in Social Hall10:00 am - Sunday School5:00 pm - 6:30 pm - Sunday Night Programming in FLC Dinner - OPENAdult Volunteer - (1) NEEDED

March 2610:00 am - CONFIRMATION CLASS in Social Hall10:00 am - Sunday School5:00 pm - 6:30 pm -- Sunday Night Programming in FLCDinner - Marsha MaysAdult Volunteer - (1) NEEDED

Registrations for Summer are currently being taken for the following:VBS June 5-11, (Youth are encouraged to sign up as Volunteers)Salkehatchie Mission Camp June 24-July 1 (Ages 14 and up)Immerse 2017 at Lake Junaluska July 26-30th

ConfirmationWe have a wonderful group of confirmands. Please keep them prayerfully in your thoughts for the next two months:

Maggie Bailey Dylan

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Church CalendarSupper at Six - Wednesday, March 1, 6:00pm - FLC GymUMW Executive Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 8, 10:00am - Board RoomYoung at Heart Luncheon - Wednesday, March 8, 11:45am - Social HallGreer Soup Kitchen Volunteer Banquet - Thursday, March 9 - Social HallCraft Fair for Greer Relief - Saturday, March 11, 9am - 3pm - FLC GymAfternoon Circle Meeting - Monday, March 13, 2:30pm - Board RoomMissions Committee - Monday, March 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm - Camak ClassLydia Fellowship Circle Meeting - Tuesday, March 14, 10:30am - Social HallMagnolia Circle - Thursday, March 16, 6:30pm - Social HallFinance Committee Meeting - Monday, March 20, 6:00pm - Camak ClassMcClimon Trust Committee - Monday, March 20, 7:00pm - Camak ClassUMW Spring Luncheon - Saturday, March 25, 11:30am - Social HallCEP Board Meeting - Monday, March 27, 6:00pm - Camak ClassTrustee Meeting - Monday, March 27, 7:00pm - Camak Class

Recurring Calendar Events (cancellations noted above):Children and Youth Sunday Night – Sunday, 5-6:30 p.m. - FLC/Youth HallAdult Bible Study – Sunday, 5:30-6:30 - Social HallHandbell Practice - Wednesday, 6:30 - 7:15 - Choir RoomChoir Practice – Wednesday, 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. - Choir RoomContemporary Band Practice - Thurs., 7:00 p.m. – FLC GymFrontier Girls – 2nd and 4th Mondays – 6:00 p.m. – Social HallPrayer Group – Tuesdays – 9:30-11 a.m. – Bridal SuiteCub Scouts – Mondays – 6:30-7:30pm – Rock HouseBoy Scouts – Mondays – 7:00-8:00pm – Rock House

Adult Bible StudyComing in March - a new series begins for the Adult Sunday Night Bible Study.

Entitled, “Finding Jesus in Brokenness,” this study will bring us into the broken lives of people Jesus encountered during His earthly ministry. We will see how they were when they met the Christ, the result of His transforming love and how we can be impacted by that same miraculous grace in our lives today.

Beginning Sunday, March 5th our studies will be from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., taught by Bobbie McQuaid. A study guide will be provided.

You are invited to join us for this in-depth exploration of the brokenness present in each of us and the glorious wholeness we can experience when we encounter the living Christ.

This is an opportunity for you to participate in “Intentional Faith Development,” as our church continues to pursue its goal of impacting our community for the cause of Christ.

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Spring Supper at Six Schedule

Relay for LifeJoin Relay for Life on May 19, 2017 in Greer City Park. Memorial needs at least 20 people at the event. Kids are welcome. We need someone there for every hour. Bring your own chairs/blankets and submit your shirt size when you sign up so you can wear it there.

Contact Carol Johntson to register or for more information: caroljohnsto.cj@gmail.com.

Red Bird MissionsThe mission team is again planning a mission trip to Beverly KY in early May (May 7-13).

This trip is open to anyone 18 and over, men and women. You don’t have to have special skills, just a willingness to give of yourself to help those in this poverty stricken area of the country.

Other ways to support Red Bird include cash donations, donations of construction tools and equipment (in good working order), school supplies and office supplies. There is a complete list in the church office.

There is a cost to go on the trip, but Memorial is subsidizing the trip to help defray some of the cost.

Please contact Daryl Rishforth, darylr1@bellsouth.net, or 864.918.9737 for more information.

Join us at 6:00 on the first Wednesday of every month during the school year. Adults $8/Children $6.

April 5 -  Easter Egg Hunt/Resurrection Eggs Menu: Honey baked ham, baked potato, salad, roll or cornbread, and assorted desserts Children’s Menu: Cheese ravioli or mac and cheese, green beans

May 3 - Introduction to Hero Central VBS/VBS Volunteer Training Menu: Baked or BBQ chicken or lasagna, baked beans, salad, roll or cornbread, assorted desserts Children’s Menu: Spaghetti or mac and cheese, green beans

Thank you to Allison Duncan and her students from Greer High, for returning to create their second mural! This one, in the 3rd/4th/5th grade classroom, is of Jesus Calming the Waters. Be sure to express your thanks to these incredible volunteers making a lasting difference in our children’s spaces, and to come by and check out their completed mural in the Strait Room and their work in progress next door.

Children’s Murals

Be a Part of Something Special!We need volunteers for both services, youth, and children. Please contact a member of church staff if you’d like to help!

If you’d like to volunteer in children’s ministry, you can visit www.memorialgreer.com/cmvolunteer and get Safe Sanctuary paperwork, take a survey to indicate your interests, and even sign up!

Particular needs are for Infant/Walker and 3’s/4’s nursery, especially the 11:00 combined nursery.

Spring is in the Air!Our CEP kids are learning how things grow, working on classroom projects, and planning for fun field trips!

Summer Registration will begin March 6th. Our Preschool and Elementary Camps are always loaded with fun activities to keep kids active and happy during the summer! Look for a Summer Themes & Activity Lists coming soon.

Our Scholastic Book Fair fundraiser is coming to Memorial the week of March 20th! It will be a great opportunity to grab some Easter goodies for the kids and get them excited about books & reading. The Fair will have a great pre-school selection, and books for elementary aged siblings as well! Books will be available for purchase beginning Sunday, March 18th. Proceeds will go toward supplies for our teaching staff. Mark your calendars for that week and look for the signs pointing the way!

CEP News

Memorial United Methodist Church Hero Central Vacation Bible School

Discover your Strength in God

Community Heroes Dinner Kick-Off June 11, 2017 5:30 - 7:00

VBS June 12 - 15, 2017 Dinner 5:00 - 5:30

Vacation Bible School - 5:30 - 7:15

Children’s SundayJune 18, 2017 9:00 - Children lead Worship

11:00 - Children perform the introit

For more information or to register, visit:http://www.memorialgreer.com/vbs

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ACOLYTES 5th Sean Bryant, Gabriel Ceurvorst12th Lauren Major, Sarah Grace Smyre19th Lauren Major, Sarah Grace Smyre26th Lauren Major, Sarah Grace Smyre

ALTAR FLOWERS5th Julia Moss and family12th Hal and Nancy Jones19th - 26th Open

WORSHIP GREETERS5th David and Kenna Owens12th Mike and Ellen Henson19th Tommy and Anne Becker26th Will and Katie Lavender USHERS (Arrive 10:40 AM) 5th Susan Mayberry (head), Ellen Henson, Betty West, Linda Hannon, Cindy Miller12th Marne Dumas (head), Tiff Catafygiotu, Megan Howard, Allison Duncan, Katie Jeter19th Ralph Johnson (head), David Mayberry, Chuck

Wallace, David Owens, Allen Lee26th Wayne Morris (head), Stephen Kennette, Pete Smith, Will Lavender, Tom Catafygiotu

OFFERING COMMITTEE5th Steve Kennette, Collier Smith12th Wayne Rhodes, Ralph and Harriet Johnson19th Marney and Freddie Hannon, Karen Pridgeon26th Peggy Smith, Allen Lee

TRUSTEE: Gretchen Humerickhouse

LAY READERS 5th Kenna Owens12th Margie Crowley19th Sarah Catherine Lee26th Mike Henson

SOUND & VIDEO SYSTEMS5th Wayne Morris, Adam Wickliffe12th David and Susan Mayberry19th Adam Wickliffe, Mary Ann Catafygiotu26th Scott Streetman, Adam Wickliffe

Worship Volunteer Schedule - March

Contemporary Service March Volunteer ScheduleGym set up - Mark and Leigh RadleinCoffee and Donuts prep - Ben and Linda HannonGreeters - Bob and Bobbie McQuaidUshers - Chris and Jessica MajorVideo Recorder - Adam Wickliffe

Five Practices of Fruitful CongregationsAt Memorial United Methodist Church, we attempt to make all of our decisions using the lens of The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase. They are simple, but powerful, and we know they will help us be the church we want to be for this community. We report all annoucements and this newsletter under the categories of these Five Practices. That keeps us mindful of our commitment to our goals, and keeps us accountable to you, our members, in this endeavor.

Radical HospitalityPassionate WorshipIntentional Faith DevelopmentRisk-Taking Mission and ServiceExtravagant Generosity

1 Joe Farmer, Marlee Myers2 Rodney Revis, William Rhodes4 Candace Grugan5 Patrick Dollar, Sr., Jay Hershey, Evan Humerickhouse6 Shane Hanson, Evan Humerickhouse, Stephen Kennette,, Marjorie Taylor7 Jay Alexander, Chris Miller8 Chuck Wallace9 Clay Bryant10 Elliot J. Craig, Steve Davis13 Marsha Lee, Cara Moody, David Owens, Annie Septon 14 Myrtle Dunlap, Will Grugan, Tyler Hanson, Livi Morris15 Paula Haney, Reid Kennedy16 Tiffany Catafygiotu17 Rob Greenlee, Sarah Grace Smyre

March Birthdays

Phone: 864-877-0956 Email: beth@memorialgreer.com Address: 201 North Main Street Greer, SC 29650

www.memorialgreer.com

18 Joe Cate, Ralph Johnson19 Sam Gasparich, Tyler Howell, Emily Levin, Smokey Price20 Meredith A. Clark, Katherine Johnston, Thomas Owens 21 Cornelia Alexander, John Alexander, Eric Griffin, Kelly W. Fleming, IV 22 Karen Pridgeon23 Sallye Krueger24 Goldie Austin, Stacia Streetman25 Gray Stanton26 Leigh Radlein, Pete Smith27 Courtney Boyce28 Kat Dobson29 Cody Nason30 Colin Ceurvorst, Gabriel Ceurvorst, Rev. Dennis Lee, Brian Moody, Trace Motts 31 Kathryn Sims

Easter Lilies will be placed in the Traditional Worship as well as in the Contemporary Worship Service on Easter Sunday, April 16th. If you would like to place a lily in memory or in honor of someone, please fill out the information below and enclose a check for $8.25 per lily. The order form may be place in the offering plate or taken/mailed to the church office, to be received no later than April 2nd. Thank you.

Name ________________________________________________________

Number of lilies _______ To be placed in which service _________________

In Honor of ___________________________________________________

In Memory of __________________________________________________

Lilies may be removed at the end of the Easter service. Please do not take the plastic saucers.

Any remaining lilies may be found in the family parlor across from the sanctuary.

Easter Lilies

You who are righteous, rejoice in the Lord and be glad! All you whose hearts are right, sing out in joy! Psalm 32:11