JUNE 2017 Page 1

“Every member a ‘Minister’”

The First Methogram Making Disciples for Jesus Christ through Love and Service!

JUNE 2017

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope the arrival of this newsletter finds you and your family doing well. June not only marks the official beginning of summer but also different rhythms for students, families, and our church family. As we begin to live into these new rhythms, I want to encourage you to keep worship and prayer a part of your summer routine. For those traveling, I want again to invite families to add an extra adventure to your Sundays away by visiting a house of worship. Feel free to bring back a bulletin from the church you visit, and I invite you to place it on the “pastor’s wall” bulletin board outside my study (Rm. 107). Also, remember that you can worship with us via Live Stream at 9am and 11am each Sunday by going to our website. There is a chat feature beside the stream where you can check in, submit prayer requests, and even contribute to the offering via our online donation center.

Please be in prayer for the NC Annual Conference which will be held June 16-18 in Greenville, NC. Denise, our current Corridor District Lay Leader, and I will be in attendance, as will our Lay Member to Annual Conference Eric Crissman. The theme for this year is “Generosity in All Places,” and the guest speakers will include Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, Dr. Greg Jones, and Thomas Kemper. More details about the agenda, resolutions, and information about where to find online streaming or both worship and conference sessions can be found at https://nccumc.org/ac2017.

This year, all pastors in our conference have been asked to be present for our ordination and ordering of ministry worship service on Sunday morning, June 18. This is the first time in many years that Annual Conference is being held over a weekend to accommodate our lay members who have to work during the week. It also serves to give every church in the conference a wonderful opportunity to celebrate lay speakers in our houses of worship. I am excited to announce that our very own Anita Sherer will be the guest speaker at both worship services on June 18.

I am pleased to say that I will be reappointed to FUMC Graham for another year and will stand with our church’s lay member along with other new and returning pastors from the Corridor District of Annual Conference as we receive the 2017-2018 appointments from Bishop Ward on Sunday morning of our conference. I feel extremely honored to be serving among the great people of FUMCG and the larger Graham community and want to renew my commitment to serve you and our larger community as we lean forward into another exciting year of ministry together.

Worshiping, connecting, serving, and giving with you in Jesus’ name,

Pastor Kevin

FUMC-Graham—303 N. Main Street Graham, NC 27253 336/226-4343

Pastor—G. Kevin Baker

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Worship

Please plan to join us for

two special Sundays in June!

June 4 Confirmation Sunday

Since January 25, six young people have been discussing basic Christian beliefs,

Wesleyan theology, and the vows of church membership. Their instruction included a synagogue visit and a retreat to Lake

Junaluska. They will profess their faith on Sunday, June 4 and will also be assisting with various aspects of the service. See the article on page 6 about a special service

project initiated by our confirmation class.

June 11 Graduation Sunday

We will honor both our college and high

school graduates at the 11am service. Church-sponsored scholarships will also be awarded at this time.

Gradua ion

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN MISSON RECOGNITION

SUNDAY Each year, the United Methodist Women of First Church Graham honor individuals with a Special Mission Recognition Pin. This pin represents a gift to missions in that person’s honor. On Sunday, May 21, three individuals, nominated by one of our

UMW Circles, were recognized. Congratulations to: Luanne Lowe, for her work with the youth and transportation committee, Candice Harrod, for her work with children, with our UMW Bazaar, and with churchwide and community events, and Eric Crissman for his lifelong ministry within our church in areas such as scouting, music, prison ministry, and annual conference.

Luanne Lowe

Candice Harrod Eric Crissman HELP WANTED:

Our Extending the Table Ministry is in need of additional communion servers to take communion to our shut-ins once per quarter. Please contact Marsha Jones (msugirl1971@gmail.com, 336/263-9643) if you can help.

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Connect JUNE DATES

YOUNG IN HEART MEETING & LUNCHEON

Tuesday, June 6 11:30am-2pm

Stafford Hall Enjoy a catered lunch by Marg ($10) and

entertainment by the Bill Wilson Trio. The Bill Wilson Trio consists of Bill on

saxophone, Rod Fox on guitar and banjo, and Marilyn Fox on piano. This group

plays monthly at Cedar Ridge Retirement as well as many other places. You won’t be disappointed with our entertainment!

ADULT GAME DAY

Wednesday, June 14 1-4pm

Stafford Hall Calling all senior adults: Join us for a fun time of games, refreshments, and fellowship. Please bring your favorite

snack.

Penny Augustine Barbara Lowe

Bill Barbee Chris Martin

Doug and Clara Bayliff Pam McDonald

Elvin and Anne Briggs Worth McPherson

Howell Brown, III Nell Mooney

Jane Bryan Revonda Barnwell Mosher

Ty Bunn Rev. Dennis Ricks

Curtis Clapp Mary Jane Salter

Jackie England John Schweitzer

Alma Euliss Mike Smith

Michael Few Susan Stapleton

Tommy Garner Janice Stutts

John Hancock Virginia Sykes

Betty Hardt Clyde and Marie Ward

Frances Heath Max Way

Brenda Hudson Vivian Williamson

Elizabeth King Sue Willson

Jeff Krummel Dillard and JoAnn Witherow

Carolyn Lapham

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

6.2 Buster Ingold 6.2 Jim Perry 6.2 Eric Allshouse 6.3 Baileigh Wood 6.3 Nicholas Lopez 6.5 Bill Bryant 6.5 Mary Evelyn Rich 6.5 Mattie Pierce 6.5 Charles Whittemore 6.6 Ansley Blake 6.6 Sierra Jenkins 6.7 Kathy Moore 6.7 Haley Hardison 6.8 Jason Brantley 6.9 Mike L. Brown 6.9 Jonathan Sherer 6.11 Linda Fogleman 6.12 Cathy Padgett 6.12 Doug Bayliff 6.12 Ben Young

6.14 Joe Fisher 6.14 Tammy James 6.14 Marie Moon 6.15 Jamie Miles 6.16 Frances Heath 6.16 Ferris Way 6.17 Christi Foster 6.17 Scott Fine 6.17 Olivia Tekely 6.20 Austin Woody 6.22 Nathan Woody 6.23 Abby Peyton 6.24 Raymond Heath 6.25 Velma Hauser (See article on p. 6.) 6.26 Donna Snotherly 6.26 Tyler Staton 6.27 Wayne Shambley 6.27 Finley Vincent 6.28 Paul Cook 6.29 Theron Few 6.30 Emily Walker 6.30 Nicholas Lopez 6.30 Becky Fabbri 6.30 Londen Glasgow

Vacation Bible School

Pre-registration has begun!

Registration forms are available

outside of Mr. Brian’s office (Rm.

111) and in the coffeeshop (Rm.

135). Register by June 25 and get

a free CD of VBS music! Children from age 3-

completed 5th

grade are invited to attend. Maker

Fun Factory VBS is July 10-14 from 6:30-8:40pm

nightly. (Preschool children have the option to be

picked up at 8pm.)

Please also consider how you can help! Sign up

sheets have been posted in the hallway.

Monetary donations would also be appreciated to

help offset costs. Please see Jennifer Easter,

Leigh Hayes, or Brian Yoder with any questions.

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JUNE

6.4 Sun. 5-7pm Regular meeting with DINNER

*Note extended time!*

6.11 Sun. 10am

Brunch for High School

Graduates. RSVP. See article to right .

6.11 Sun. 11am

Recognition of High School

Graduates at Traditional

Worship Service

6.11 Sun. 5-6:30pm Ice Cream “Sunday.” Bring

uncommon toppings! RSVP.

6.18 Sun. Father’s Day—No REFUGE

6.25 Sun. 5-6:30pm Game Night. Bring favorite

multi-player games.

Our 2017 High School Graduates, Family, and Friends

Sunday, June 11 10am

Youth Commons (Rm. 206)

Prayer Partners for our graduating seniors are asked to stop by the Graduation Brunch, Sunday, June 11 at 10am in Room 206 to introduce

yourselves. Our high school graduates are Reid Allshouse, Laura Brink, Tyler Durham, Minkyung Kim, Trevor Koon, Kaitlyn Wood, and Will Yoder.

Dinner Dates Resumes Want to get to know your church family and enjoy dinner together? Dinner Dates is for you! Our next session will run from July to November. To sign up, contact Candice Harrod at 336/227-4497 or cgharrod@bellsouth.net.

Summer Kids on a Mission

For students who have completed

kindergarten-5th grade

Sunday, June 25—Trip to Allied Churches Donation Center

2:45-6pm

The children will be volunteering at the Allied Churches donation drop-off site at Holly Hill Mall. Afterwards, we will stop by Pelican’s Snoballs for a sweet treat (paid for by the church). Kids are asked to please bring a church permission form (located outside of Mr. Brian’s office (Rm. 111). If you have any questions, please e-mail Brian Yoder brian@fumcgraham-nc.org.

First United Disc Golf Enthusiasts (F.U.D.G.E.) WANTED: A few good men for a round of disc golf (i.e., “Frisbee golf”) at Cedarock Park, the Open Course, each Saturday. Tee time is 8:30am sharp! This is a great time of fun, fellowship, exercise, and of course, a few laughs. First timers are welcome! We’ll teach you how to play. No disc necessary; we have extras. Bring water and a hand towel. If planning to play, please contact Doug Lupo by Thursday of each week or leave a message. Contact: Doug Lupo, Mobile/Text: 336/675-5386 or e-mail: drlupo@bellsouth.net

PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS

Our Board of Directors has 13 programmable thermostats, 1-4 years old,

for sale. $50 apiece. Interested? Call Susan in the office—336/226-4343.

Cut this out for your fridge!

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Serve

LIBRARY LOWDOWN—Spotlighting New Books for the Summer Reading Program

The 10th Annual UMW Children and Youth Reading Program is underway for ages 2-18. Vacation from school means more time to read for fun! Read at least 5 books from our church library and record their titles on a form you can get in the library or from a link on E-News. Turn the form in by the July 29 deadline and receive a certificate and a Barnes and Noble gift card! This issue of LIBRARY LOWDOWN spotlights some of the new additions to our library

Children’s Books

We’ve added two new books, titled Sammy Experiences God and Sammy Experiences Jesus. The authors, Tom Blackaby and Rick Osborne, wrote the books to “hold several layers of learning that will help parents talk to their children about experiencing Jesus and God in their lives at the child’s level of understanding.” The basic stories are about adventures that Sammy shares with his family. In addition to that story, there are many other details to find on each page. For example, the words of the stories are printed in colors. If you go through the book and help your child find all the green words in order, they will discover a secret message. While a parent reads the book to a

younger child, they can search for the butterflies on the pages. The different activities on each page allow the book to be read over and over.—Doris Sugg

Youth Books

Jess, the Mess, by Charlene Vermeulen My niece wrote this book about a teenager moving from place to place with her alcoholic mother. Her choice of friends makes an impact on her life.—June Satterfield

Do you have trouble remembering people’s names? You won’t forget the name of the main character in this novel. Remember Dippy (yes, his first name is really Remember/last name is really Dippy), a 15 year old that could be described as weird, high strung, stubborn, wired differently, or all of these. Here’s the problem—Remember’s cousin Johnny, 13, will be responsible for Remember and

his ferrets the entire summer. Yes, Johnny has been dropped off at Remember’s house and he has to discover how to negotiate, appreciate, and navigate Remember’s moods and talents while trying to be with his own friends and enjoy his vacation too. —Linda Fogleman (UMW title)

Recent Donations

More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity, by Jeff Shinabarger (Adult Nonfiction), given by Gretchen Briggs Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace: Inspirations for the Mother of the Bride, by Leigh Ann Thomas (Adult Nonfiction), given by June Satterfield Jess, the Mess, by Charlene Vermeulen (Youth Fiction), given by June Satterfield

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Confirmation Class Service Project The Confirmation Class of 2017 would like to support the Allied Churches food pantry by having a churchwide food drive on

Confirmation Sunday, June 4. Please bring the following items and place in marked donation boxes located in the Well coffeeshop and the lobby of the main sanctuary: • Canned/packaged meat (tuna, salmon, or chicken) • Peanut butter • Canned fruit • Breakfast items (grits, pancake mix, syrup, oatmeal, etc.) • Boxed pasta and sauce in plastic jars

Father’s Day Project 2017 Honor your father or grandfather on Father’s Day, and help our United Methodist Youth Fellowship finance their summer work teams. There will be forms in your Sunday bulletins on June 4 and June 11 where you can submit names for a special bulletin insert to be included on Father’s Day, June 18. Names are $2 apiece, and the deadline for forms and money is Sunday, June 11.

UMW MISSION FOCUS #1 FOR JUNE: WOMEN’S SHELTERS Items needed:

• Toilet paper

• Paper Towels

• Feminine products

• Individually wrapped snacks

Leave on the couch in the church office (Rm. 113) or give directly to Jeanne Owen.

UMW MISSION FOCUS #2 FOR JUNE: REFUGEE KITS

This is a great service project for LIFE groups, Sunday School

classes, or other groups at church! The UMW is collecting kits for Church Women United. Your group can assemble any of 4 different kits

into a zippered pillowcase or a tote bag and deliver to Jeanne Owen by July 1, 2017. Most items can be

purchased at a dollar store for $1. See Susan in the church office (Rm. 113) or Jeanne Owen for a list of

kits and their contents, or you can look in the May newsletter or download the list from your E-News.

HONORING THE HAUSERS! FUMC recently received a note from Joe and Velma Hauser’s granddaughter, Rebecca Hurdle. As many of you know, Rev. Hauser served as Minister of Visitation at FUMC after his retirement from the Western North Carolina Conference. He and Velma were active members of the church when they were still able to get out. The family lost Joe three years ago; however, Velma still enjoys hearing from members of the church. For her 90th birthday, her granddaughters would like to surprise her with as many birthday cards as possible. If you are interested in helping with this project, please send cards to the address below by June 25 (or any time before)! Please be sure to include the name of our church in your card! Rebecca Hurdle 701 Brookfield Drive Gibsonville, NC 27249

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“Every member a ‘Minister’”

Give Memorials and

Honor gifts In Memory Of

Louise Hardie by Janet Hardie

Louise Hardie by Donald and

Penny Hardie

Genola Youngblood by Don and

Dot Lee

Genola Youngblood by Peggy Jenks

Genola Youngblood by Barbara Lowe

Genola Youngblood by Charles and Camille Staton

Genola Youngblood by Julia Howard

Jeanne Phillips by Jerry and Diana Cummings

Jeanne Phillips by David and Carol Steele

Jeanne Phillips by Mimi Saunders

Jeanne Phillips by Pat Dixon

Jeanne Phillips by Jane Ferrell

Jeanne Phillips by Carol Lynn Smith

Jeanne Phillips by Douglas Smith

Jeanne Phillips by Steve Mudge

Jeanne Phillips by Charles and Brenda Roberts

Jeanne Phillips by Lynn Oldham

Jeanne Phillips by Barbara Lowe

Jeanne Phillips by Cobb Ezekial Loy and Co., P.A.

Jeanne Phillips by Janet Woody

Jeanne Phillips by Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Jeanne Phillips by Dennis and Lydia Ricks

Sarah Bell Williams by Mimi Saunders

Jack Henderson by Mimi Saunders

Jim Ferrell by Pat Dixon

In Honor Of

Nell Mooney by Donald and Penny Hardie

Hugo III, Sergio, and Fiona by Donald and Penny Hardie

I thank you for your contribution to my school and students. We really needed the extra supplies to get through the last month of school. Thanks again, Ms. E. Brown Cummings High School

Thanks to your generous donations from Adult Sunday School, the Mission Committee, and the Women’s Group, Burlington Housing Authority has been afforded the opportunity to continue the highest level of programming for our residents. We would not be where we are today without partners like you, and we hope to continue a partnership with you in the future. Thank you again, Allen Blue Family & Youth Services Director Burlington Housing Authority

FUMC—Every day this year, I have been blessed to observe your selfless acts in God’s honor. I am humbled by your persistant passion to show love to your community. The blessing you bestow upon South Graham Elementary has changed the future of our students, our staff, and our community. Thank you for allowing me to witness your glory and grace over this past year. God Loves You! I Love You! Christine Sisco [science teacher, SGE]

To the Donors at Graham First UMC, My wife and I are educators at Western Middle. We are appreciative of your support of the Classroom Closet. When students come to school without supplies that their classmates have, the resources of the Classroom Closet allow these kids to have and utilize donated resources. Our tips to “The Closet” always help to stock these items for students. Thank you, Patrick Vernon

Thank you to all the United Methodist Women . . . and the very special men . . . who helped to make the yard sale successful. We made over $1800 for our local missions! We also contributed over sixty pairs of shoes for a mission to Guatemala, and everything left over was given to the local Residential Treatment Center. Missions for women, youth, and children are always the primary focus for our United Methodist Women. Thank you to all who donated and to all who purchased.

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 8:15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast

7pm Praise Team

2

3 10am UMW District Nominating Committee

4 Confirmation Sunday 7am Men’s Breakfast

2pm Children at Air-bound Trampoline Park, Greensboro

5pm First Place

5pm Youth

5 10am Circle 2

2pm Circle 1

2pm Circle 3

6 11:30am Young In Heart Luncheon

4:30pm Exchange Club Project

7pm Boy Scouts

7pm Cub Scouts

7

7pm Crochet

6:30pm Choir

8 8:15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast

7pm Praise Team

9

10

11 Graduation

Sunday/”Meet and Greet”

10am Brunch for Graduating High School Seniors

2pm UMW Leadership Team

4pm Children’s Ministry Team

5pm Youth

12

7pm Friendship Circle

13 4:30pm Exchange Club Project

7pm Board of Directors

7pm Boy Scouts

7pm Cub Scouts

14

1pm Young In Heart Fun Day

7pm Crochet

7:30pm Choir

15 8:15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast

7pm Administra-tive Council

7pm Praise Team

16

17

18 Father’s Day

19

20 4:30 Exchange Club Project

7pm Finance

7pm Boy Scouts

7pm Cub Scouts

21

7pm Crochet

7:30pm Choir

22 8:15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast

7pm Praise Team

23

24

25

2:45pm Kids on a Mission

5pm Youth

26 6:30pm Missions Committee

27

7pm Boy Scouts

7pm Cub Scouts

28 7pm Crochet

7:30pm Choir

29 8:15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast

7pm Praise Team

30

The First Methogram—(USPS 715-740) Periodicals Postage Paid at Published Monthly by Graham, North Carolina 27253 First United Methodist Church 303 N. Main Street Postmaster: Send Address Changes to: Graham, North Carolina 27253 The First Methogram 303 N. Main Street Graham, North Carolina 27253 WE THANK GOD FOR:

SUNDAY SCHEDULE: The Well Service 9am, Sunday School: 10am, Traditional Worship Service: 11am