November 2016

In this Issue

Member Birthdays

Page 2

Kidz Corner

Page 4

Church Announcements

Page 6-7

Calendar of Events

Page 8

All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day is observed the first Sunday in November, during the season

of Pentecost. On this day, Christians give thanks for all the good people God has placed in their lives, especially those who are already with our Lord in Heaven. We praise Him for His unending love as we commemorate those who have gone on before us. A candle is lit as each person’s name is called fol-lowed by a prayer offered for each soul. Today, we remember our saints…

Daniel “The Whistler” Chambliss

Carl Clinkscale

Rosa Sewell

East Point First Mallalieu United Methodist Church

The Church celebrates holy men and women throughout

the year on various saint days, but the Solemnity of All Saints is when the Church honors every saint, known and unknown. This is similar to the American holidays of Veter-ans Day and Presidents Day, on which a group of people are honored. While we have information about many saints, and we honor them on specific days, there are many unknown or unsung saints, who may have been for-gotten, or never been honored specifically. On All Saints Day, we celebrate these holy individuals, and ask for their prayers and intercessions.

The concept of All Saints Day is connected to the doctrine of The Communion of Saints. This is the Catholic teaching that all of God's people, in heaven, on earth, and in the state of purification (Purgatory), are spiritually connected and united. In other words, Catholic, Orthodox Christians and some Protestants believe that the saints of God are just as alive as those on earth, and are constantly interced-ing on our behalf. Remember, our connection with the saints in heaven is one grounded in a tight-knit commun-ion. The saints are not divine, nor omnipresent or omnisci-ent. However, because of our common communion with and through Jesus Christ, our prayers are joined with the heavenly community of Christians. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (AD 350) testifies to this belief:

We mention those who have fallen asleep: first the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, that through their prayers and supplications God would receive our petition...(Catechetical Lecture 23:9).

The Catholic Catechism concisely describes this commun-ion among believers, by which we are connected to Christ, and thus to one another:

"Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness...They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us...So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped."

There are thousands of canonized saints, that is those indi-viduals officially recognized by the Church as holy men and women worthy of our imitation. Because miracles have been associated with them, and their lives have been fully examined and found holy by the Church, we can be as-sured they are prime examples of holiness, and powerful intercessors before God on our behalf.

There are also many patron saints, guardians or protectors of different areas and states of life. For instance, St. Vitus is the patron saint against oversleeping, and St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of air travelers. It may sound odd to have a patron saint against oversleeping, but keep in mind the Church has something meaningful for every area of our human lives. All of these saints are celebrated throughout the year, as many have their own feast days (for instance, St. Hilary of Poitiers, whose feast day is cele-brated January 13th).

Scripture of The Month Jeremiah 33:11 The sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love en-dures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the LORD.

What is All Saints Day?

2

Angelica Solomon 1 Carrie Nixon 2 Lynette Laster 3 Jean Myers 5 Larry Few 9 Jewell Allen 10 Flossie Bell 10 Barbara A. Brown 10 James Dyer 11 Willie Bowens 12 Latwanda Broughton 14 Diamond Wilson 15 Tyler Lloyd 16 John Smith 18 Demetrice Alston 19 Ella Patton 20 Emmanuel Barlay 21 Elouise Manuel 24 Lige Perkins 24 Jackson Tré Watson 26 Harry Spratlin 27

Birthdays in November

Tré Kemp 2 Nathaniel Fisher 3 Deven Jones 4 Peggy Robinson 4 Skyla Simpson 4 Quintin Avery 6 Dana Avery 7 Keisha Leonard 9 Sharon Underwood 10 Kiara Rawls 12 Katrina Wilson 13 Joy Jackson 15 Joel Mayner 16 Chandler Simpson 18 Destiny Rawls 20 Harold Smith 23 Luvenia Jackson 24 Krishna Stuckey 24 Anthony Robinson 25 Sharon Ponder 26 Wendell Smith 26 Rogie Mae Bowen 28 Wallace Galbreath 28 Kaleb Leonard 28 Russ Madison 28 Richard Harriott 29

Birthdays in December

November Prayer

Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with sing-ing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth to all generations. Amen

The Season of Advent

For many Christians unfamiliar with the liturgical year,

there may be some confusion surrounding the meaning of the Advent season. Some people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent.

The History of Advent The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adven-tus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first mira-cle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of prepara-tion, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer,

and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christ-mas.

However, Roman Christians tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas.

Advent Today Today, the Advent season lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new Christian year be-gins with the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on Janu-ary 6th. (Advent begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd each year.)

Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consum-mate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situ-ation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the com-ing of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly repre-sents the church’s cry during the Advent season:

Advent Calendar for 2016

November 27th - First Sunday of Advent December 4th - Second Sunday of Advent December 11th - Third Sunday of Advent

December 18th - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Pastor’s Corner

Ephesians 5:19-20: As you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for every-thing in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we approach the season of Thanksgiv-ing, I believe if we take the time to look

back, we will find that we have a great deal to be thank-ful for. We more than likely have had some good times, some challenges, and even some loses along the way; but just knowing God has been there to see us through gives us reason to be thankful.

There have certainly been some changes along the way, to include a pastoral change and us getting to know one another. For this, Sherry and I are grateful. We are thankful to be part of a new family and blessed to have the opportunity to serve where called and ap-pointed.

Let us not just give thanks during November, the month of Thanksgiving Day, rather may we never cease to give thanks to God, and this with grateful hearts. Sherry and I thank you, and may God’s blessings rain down upon you and give you peace.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Fleming and Sherry Thompson, Jr.

3

Kidz Devotional – Learning to Obey Read: Genesis 3: 1-19 Adam and Eve knew not to eat of the tree of knowledge. The enemy (Satan) came and tricked them so they would disobey what God said. They had to live with the discipline God gave them. God still loved them – but they still had to live with the choices they made. And it is the same for us. If you never learn to obey when you’re young, when you’re older you will find it hard to obey your teachers, your coach (if you play sports), people you work for, the laws of the land and God. It is hard to get along with someone that has not learned to obey. They often won’t listen and want to do everything their own way. Maybe you know someone like that! They end up hurting themselves – and God. It makes God sad when we don’t obey. Obedience needs to start in the home with Mom and Dad. If we learn to obey Mom and Dad, we will know how to obey when we’re older. This is one of the most important lessons to learn, and maybe the hardest. God has given us all a free will – which means we are free to make our own choices. We can choose to obey or not. It’s our choice. But we need to remember what happened to Adam and Eve. There is a price to pay! Jesus is our example. He obeyed His parents. If you find it hard to obey – tell Jesus. He understands and will help you. Remember, He was a kid Himself once!

Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. "Honour your father and mother" is the first com-mandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, "so you will live well and have a long life." -Ephesians 6: 1-3

Lord, today I ask that you Would help me to obey, Even though I don’t want to, Help me choose to anyway. © By M. S. Lowndes

Kidz Corner 4

November Reflection

I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity. -Luke 18:11

Have you ever been around someone who has a knack

for putting people down? It seems they feel good about themselves only when they’re degrading someone else. Although we can’t say for sure, that could be part of this Pharisee’s motivation for thanking God that he’s not like everyone else. He may be acting more out of fear and insecurity than out of pure pride or arrogance.

How about you? It’s doubtful that you spend all your time judging everyone else. But are there other ways that you compare yourself? When you see someone’s weakness, do you use that person as a measuring stick to judge yourself—“Am I doing better than him or worse?”

This spirit of comparison is something to watch out for; it can take the joy right out of your faith! If you find yourself thinking that way, remember that God isn’t comparing you to anyone. He loves you just as you are. No matter how many times you hear that, it can still carry a hint of surprise. After all, we all need improvement, don’t we? But this love of God must be the starting point for any genuine spiritual growth we experience. He just loves us, and there’s nothing we can do to make him love us any less!

As a point of reflection today, try meditating exclusively on God’s love for you. Don’t dwell on your sins. He already knows about them! Just sit in his presence, and think of all the ways he cares for you. He sent his Son to die for you. He planned from all eternity that you would be part of his kingdom. He’s constantly sending grace and blessings to keep you in his love. If you reflect on this long enough, you won’t worry about how your neigh-bor is doing. You’ll be too busy thanking God!

“Thank you, Father, for loving me just as I am right now. Thank you too for your grace, which can always help me become more like you.”

Veterans Day is a federal holiday (previously known as

Armistice Day) observed annually on November 11th, not only in the United States but in many other coun-tries throughout the world. In the United States, it is a day that honors all men and women that have served as military veterans in the United States Armed Forces. Additionally, Veterans Day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans Day should not to mistaken with Me-morial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all United States military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service.

Traditionally Veterans Day is viewed as a time of honor and remembrance. Annually, an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, while parades, church services and other celebrations are held throughout the United States. In many places the American flag is hung at half-mast. A period of si-lence lasting two minutes may be held at 11:00 AM. Ad-ditionally, many schools choose to mark the occasion with special assemblies or other activities.

We appreciate and remember all of our veterans at East Point First Mallalieu United Methodist Church, in our community and throughout the United States for their devotion, dedication, and loyalty to the United States and its people. Thank You!

5

Give To The Needy

A church wide campaign is underway for emergency kits of non perishable items for those in need during the Holi-day Season

We will start collecting non perishable items on Novem-ber 6th to fulfill this task.

Examples of non perishable items include: peanut butter & jelly, Vienna sausages, crackers, can tuna, sardines, nuts, soups, can beans, applesauce, juices, powdered drinks and canned milk. The items should be easy to open.

For more information call Jackie DeWitt at 404-697-5491.

Church Announcements 6

Retired Educators Sunday

The EPFM retired educators will be recognized on November 13th at our 11:00 AM worship service. Retired Educators Day was established by the state of Georgia to show appreciation for the commitment and sacrifices made by many educators who have given their lives to develop and inspire children in their journey to be successful and pro-ductive citizens.

Community Thanksgiving Luncheon

EPFM Food Pantry will host its Thanksgiv-ing luncheon on Wednesday, November

23rd at 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

We are in need of additional volunteers and donations to help make this warm fel-

lowship a memorable experience for our members and the community. Please contact Ann Douglas for addi-tional information.

Student Day Offering

Sunday, November 27, 2016 New Members and Fellowship Luncheon

Sunday, November 13th

Please join the Communications Committee immediate-ly following the morning worship service in the Fellow-ship Hall as we fellowship with our new members and get reacquainted with old members. Please confirm your attendance by calling the church office to RSVP no later than Monday, November 7th. We are also asking all ministries to have information regarding your area of service, with handouts or posters to solicit volunteers for service within the church.

The Communications Committee

Calendar Planning

All ministries are asked to meet and begin planning your 2017 calendar of events on Monday, November 14th at 6:30 PM. Ministry leaders are asked bring your complet-ed 2017 ministry event calendar to the meeting on Mon-day, November 14th. If additional time is needed, please set aside Tuesday, November 15th. Remember, planning is the key to success!

The Atlanta Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia invites the mem-bers and friends of East Point First Mallalieu United Methodist Church to the 3rd Annual Veteran's Ap-

preciation Day on Friday, November 11th at 11:00 AM at the Masonic Building located at 7340 Old National High-way in Riverdale, GA 30296. All are welcome.

Member Directory Photos

The Membership and Communications teams invite all EPFM members to have your photograph taken for the church's 2017 Membership Directory after Sunday worship service TODAY.

Thanksgiving Baskets

The Older Adult Ministry will collect fresh fruits and veg-etables on Sunday, November 20th and Monday, No-vember 21st to prepare baskets for our sick and shut-in members and others as requested. We need the support of the entire church family for this project to be a success. More details will be provided as this event approaches.

Hanging of the Greens

Preparing our church for the Advent Season is liturgical-ly known as The Hanging of the Greens. Our church family will meet on Friday, November 25th at 5:00 pm.

Our entire church family, young and old, is invit-ed and encouraged to participate! Light refresh-ments will be serve.

Celebration of Life

Homegoing services for Daniel “The Whistler” Chambliss will be held at Gus Thornhill Funeral Home on Monday, November 7th at 11:00 am. Burial at GA National Cemetery in Canton, Ga at 2:00 pm.

Trustees Corner 7

Thanksgiving: The Power of a

Thankful Heart By:Debbie Przybylski, Intercessors Arise

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Je-sus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It is not always easy to give thanks, but this is the very

thing we must do in order to see God's will accom-plished in our lives. This is how we move into higher realms of faith for ourselves, for our city, and for our na-tion. Thanksgiving breaks the power of the enemy. Whenev-er you give thanks to God, despite the most difficult cir-cumstances, the enemy loses a big battle in your life. When you give thanks in the midst of difficulty, you bring pleasure to God's heart. He is looking for Chris-tians who live in a realm of praise and thanksgiving where the enemy no longer has an ability to hold or ma-nipulate that person. Satan is defeated when we have a thankful heart because thankfulness during difficulty is a sacrifice pleasing to God. Are you thankful? Are you thankful for your present cir-cumstances? Are you thankful for your salvation, your friendships, and your job? Thankfulness is a key to your life. It is the key that turns your situation around because it changes you, your outlook, and your attitude. There is power in a thankful heart.

The trustees for the month of November are:

1. Patricia Ivey 404-765-0445 2. Ron Edwards 770-865-4884 3. Winston Jones 404-822-5798

Please contact one of the trustees regarding any issues regarding the church.

The lights in front of the church and the marquee have been repaired. The valley roof was replaced. Lights in the men’s choir robe room have been replaced. There were movie crew rentals on October 17th, 18th, and 25th. Steeple roof repairs will start on Monday, November 7th. Library renovations will be complete after blinds are installed within the next two weeks. Wendell Smith has been hired as custodian and is no longer a trustee.

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN

BULLYING PREVENTION WORKSHOP

Bullying is a serious problem in our communities throughout the United States. The Outreach Ministry under the direction of Jackie DeWitt presented a Bully-ing Prevention Workshop on Tuesday, October 11th in the Fellowship Hall. The workshop was a huge suc-cess with 78 youth and dozens of adults in attend-ance.

The workshop opened with a video greeting from President Barak Obama and Frist Lady Michelle Obama on the importance of bullying prevention and how we can help to make a difference in our commu-nities.

The focus of the workshop was to communicate how bullying affects children’s lives and what each of us can do to change attitudes of those who are victims.

Information was provided to the children as to how to handle bullying and pamphlets were given to be taken home to their parents.

The session was an OPEN MIKE format which al-lowed the children to ask questions of the panel partic-ipants. The children were truly engaged in this discus-sion.

The panel participants consisted of Ms. Cherrie Smalls, Atlanta Job Corps, Mr. Dwayne Willis, White-head Boys & Girls Club, EPFM members Dr. Colbert Lovett, Consultant in Education Policy and Minister Hulon Kemp.

Thanks to Pastor and Mrs. Fleming Thompson, Jr., instructors, the Holy Ghost Road Warriors, who picked up the chil-dren and all volunteers who sup-ported our event.

All praises to our Heavenly Father for His grace and anointing!

8

Su

n

Mo

n

Tu

e

We

d

Th

u

Fri

S

at

1

UM

W M

eeti

ng

6:3

0 p

m

2

Cho

ir R

ehea

rsal

6:3

0 p

m

3

Bib

le S

tud

y 7

:00

pm

4

5

6

All

Sa

ints

Su

nd

ay

Dra

ma

Mee

ting

9:3

0 a

m

**D

ayli

ght

Savin

gs*

*

7

Tru

stee

Mee

ting

6:3

0 p

m

8

Bib

le S

tud

y 6

:30

pm

9

Cho

ir R

ehea

rsal

6:3

0 p

m

10

Co

mm

unic

ati

ons

Mtg

6:0

0 p

m

Bib

le S

tud

y 7

:00

pm

11

Ch

urc

h R

enta

l

12

Ch

urc

h R

enta

l

13

Ret

ired

Ed

uca

tor’

s D

ay

New

Mem

ber

Fel

low

-

ship

Lu

ncheo

n f

oll

ow

-

ing w

ors

hip

ser

vic

e

14

Cal

end

ar P

lann

ing M

eet-

ing 6

:30

pm

15

Bib

le S

tud

y 6

:30

pm

16

UM

M M

eeti

ng

6:0

0 p

m

Cho

ir R

ehea

rsal

6:3

0 p

m

17

Fo

od

Pan

try &

Clo

thes

Clo

set

9:0

0 a

m

Fin

ance

Co

mm

itte

e

Mee

tin

g 5

:00

pm

A

dm

in C

ou

nci

l

Mee

tin

g 6

:00

pm

18

19

20

Dra

ma

Mee

ting

9:3

0 a

m

Pri

me

Tim

ers

coll

ect

Fru

it &

Veg

gie

s fo

r

Than

ksg

ivin

g B

asket

s

21

22

Bib

le S

tud

y 6

:30

pm

23

Co

mm

unit

y T

han

ksg

iv-

ing L

unch

eon 1

:00

pm

Cho

ir R

ehea

rsal

6:3

0p

m

24

25

Ha

ng

ing

of

the

Gre

ens

5:0

0 p

m S

an

ctu

ary

26

27

Ad

ven

t B

egin

s

Un

ited

Met

ho

dis

t

Stu

den

t D

ay

Off

erin

g

28

29

Bib

le S

tud

y 6

:30

pm

30

Cho

ir R

ehea

rsal

6:3

0 p

m

Novem

ber

2016