November 2017 Newsletter
November 2017 Newsletter THE GOOD AND BAD As Thanksgiving Day approaches, an important question is often raised, “For what things should we be grateful?” One person confesses, “I try to forget bad things, recalling only the good memories.” Yet, as people who affirm the reality of God, should not our gratitude be more inclusive? It would be easy to have selective amnesia, attempting to erase the unfortunate events of the past. However, some of the most spiritual persons I know have the unique ability to value even the unpleasant moments of this life. To the early Christian Church, the Apostle Paul writes, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.” Some might call this Pollyanna or naive. Yet, Saint James underscores this perspective by stating, “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” These inspired authors have tapped into a truth related to true thanksgiving. That God, having a sanctified imagination, is capable of playing tricks on evil. In the course of eternity, God may allow us to travel a rocky road, but hope encourages us that eventually we will arrive at a beautiful place. The suffering, death and then climatic resurrection of Jesus Christ confirms this truth. When things seem to unfold not as planned, I find comfort in the reality that I’m not completely in charge of my own destiny. Therefore, come what may, ultimately I can give thanks for the good and bad. REVISIONING
We have had a wonderful response to the 2018 General Budget and ReVisioning Finishing Strong Stewardship Campaign. Our ReVisioning “Finishing Strong” goal is $254,000 with current pledges totaling $241,300! Once we pay down the ReVisioning loan balance of $7,500, the Trustees will be given the approval to move forward with the projected covered walkway project. Lisa Patterson, Director of Financial Services has posted additional numbers on the back page of this newsletter. Thank you for your ongoing support of our mission for the Kingdom of God.
Tim Steffen, Senior Pastor [email protected]
FEED THE NEED & ADVENTURERS TRIP FEED THE NEED During the month of November, we will have two opportunities to help “Feed the Need” as we partner with Macon Outreach. Sunday, November 5th | Food Truck Fest | Community Canned Food Drive + Truck Sponsors Several trucks will be donating a portion of their proceeds to benefit Macon Outreach, and we will be collecting canned goods to donate as well. Don’t forget to bring a canned food item with you to Food Truck Fest! Sunday, November 19th | The Pantry Project | Shop & Drop at two nearby grocery stores The 11:00 a.m. worship services will be shortened and will let out at 11:30 a.m. because we are inviting the church to go out and “be the hands” of Jesus – literally. We will have a truck and trailer stationed at the two supermarkets (Publix on Bass Road and Kroger on Forsyth Road) within a few miles of the church. Volunteers will be at each store handing out “shopping lists” provided by Macon Outreach. Church members can buy groceries (the amount is up to the individual) and drop them off at the Martha Bowman truck in the store parking lot. From there, the truck will go directly to Macon Outreach to drop off the canned goods that day. For more information, you can go to our Facebook Event Page: MB Feed the Need. ADVENTURERS TRIP Last month, our adventurers traveled to Lake Junaluska and the Biltmore Estate for a three-day, two-night adventure for time of fellowship and renewal high in the mountains of North Carolina. Here are some photos from our trip! Don’t miss out on our next trip - Madison’s Holiday Tour of Homes, Thursday, November 30th. More details to come!
BELIZE MISSION TRIP RECAP BELIZE MISSION TRIP RECAP At 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 7th, people from Martha Bowman loaded in a van in the church parking lot with Belize as the destination. In the seven days spent together in the Corozal District of Belize, these thirteen people served together, laughed together, sweated together, worked together, cried together, loved together, shared together, worshiped together…and God was honored. The team went with the idea of service and mission, but experienced an overwhelming sense of God’s graciousness through the warm welcome of “Inglesia Casa de Luz” the host church. This church modeled the heart of Jesus for their community so well. They showed how to see all people, to take time out for conversation with each other, and to start every week in prayer and dedication to God. The hearts of Martha Bowman’s team were truly touched and their lives were deeply enriched by this incredible experience. Thank you to everyone at Martha Bowman United Methodist Church for the prayers and support in this mission experience! The invitation is open to anyone who is interested in praying about joining in on the next mission trip – wherever God may lead! Belize Mission Team 2017: Terry, Melissa, Myah and Jana Reynolds, Denise Lester, Lynn Faulkner, Chris Higdon, Brent Orr, Cindy and Caroline Martin, Becky and Michael Oliver, Elizabeth Hammock.
NEW MEMBERS, UPCOMING EVENTS, FINANCES & PRAYER LIST Prayer List
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Gail and John Grove
UPCOMING EVENTS Food Truck Fest Sunday, November 5th from 12:00 - 6:00 PM. The Pantry Project Sunday, November 19th at 11:30 AM. Shop and Drop at Publix on Bass Road or Kroger on Forsyth Road. No Youth Pursuit Due to Food Truck Fest on Sunday, November 5th, Youth Pursuit will not meet. Bible Art Journaling Wednesdays, 6:15 - 7:15 PM in Room 210. Supplies provided. Romans 8:38 Ministries 2017 Fall Ladies Retreat November 10th - 12th at Dooly Campground, Vienna, GA. Cost: $80 Email [email protected] for registration details. Boston Butt Pick Up Pre-ordered Boston Butts will be available for pick up November 12th & 19th. Contact Ashley Griffin for more information, [email protected]. Christmas Carol Celebration Sunday, December 10th, at 8:30 and 11:00 AM. Presented by the Chancel Choir in the Historic Sanctuary.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION As of 10/29/2017 Sources of Funds
$916,887
Uses of Funds
($965,580)
Sources Over (Under) Uses
($48,693) Revisioning
Revisioning Finishing Strong Goal
$254,000
Total pledged to date
$241,300
Received to date
$86,500
Revisioning LOC balance
$7,500
*Be sure to note on checks the amount that goes to the Revisioning fund*
CIRCLE OF CONCERN Tossy Alston, Ann Barron, Peg Buck, Barbara Freels, Carolyn Gibbs, Diane Hoggle, Paula Josey, Cisty McArthur, Lydia Moss, Barbara Nolen, Charles Pecor, Mary Lou Poplin, Harry (Bubba) Rankin, Lydia Sutherland, John Terry, Art Tyde, Ed Vaughn, Becky Wells, Dot Williams, Ron Williams, John Woodford, Tami Youman. CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Kay Hollis and family upon the death of her father, Ralph Norman Hibble, Sr. EXTENDED FAMILY Chandler Booth (Rachel Britt’s sister’s nephew), Bob Grossi (Jo Ann McCall’s brother-in-law), Evan Hall and family (Jamie Rohde’s friend), Valerie Hasty (Shauna Davis’s sister), Dwayne Huitt (Gail Terry’s friend), Nan Freeman (friend of many), Audrey McCall (Steve McCall’s mother) Ann NeSmith (Nancy Sasser’s mother), Larry Nolen (Don Nolen’s brother), Bucky Smith (Becky Oliver’s father), Michael Zinsmeister (Charles Kellum’s friend). ACTIVE MILITARY Tucker Alexander, Christopher Alston, Joshua Bynum, Jason Childers, Caleb Cobb, Stan Fossett, Matthew Fossette, Richard Goodale, Jeff James, Evan Mines, Jake Newberry, Jacoby Riley, Chymadia Rouse, Ronnie Simons, Frank Wood, Joel Woods.
MARTHA BOWMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICES 8:30 & 11:00 A.M. Traditional Service//11:00 A.M. Contemporary Service 500 Bass Road Macon, GA 31210 | P: (478) 477-1901 F: (478) 471-6378 | www.marthabowman.org @MarthaBowmanUMC
We have had a wonderful response to the 2018 General Budget and ReVisioning Finishing Strong Stewardship Campaign. Our ReVisioning “Finishing Strong” goal is $254,000 with current pledges totaling $241,300! Once we pay down the ReVisioning loan balance of $7,500, the Trustees will be given the approval to move forward with the projected covered walkway project. Lisa Patterson, Director of Financial Services has posted additional numbers on the back page of this newsletter. Thank you for your ongoing support of our mission for the Kingdom of God.
Tim Steffen, Senior Pastor [email protected]
FEED THE NEED & ADVENTURERS TRIP FEED THE NEED During the month of November, we will have two opportunities to help “Feed the Need” as we partner with Macon Outreach. Sunday, November 5th | Food Truck Fest | Community Canned Food Drive + Truck Sponsors Several trucks will be donating a portion of their proceeds to benefit Macon Outreach, and we will be collecting canned goods to donate as well. Don’t forget to bring a canned food item with you to Food Truck Fest! Sunday, November 19th | The Pantry Project | Shop & Drop at two nearby grocery stores The 11:00 a.m. worship services will be shortened and will let out at 11:30 a.m. because we are inviting the church to go out and “be the hands” of Jesus – literally. We will have a truck and trailer stationed at the two supermarkets (Publix on Bass Road and Kroger on Forsyth Road) within a few miles of the church. Volunteers will be at each store handing out “shopping lists” provided by Macon Outreach. Church members can buy groceries (the amount is up to the individual) and drop them off at the Martha Bowman truck in the store parking lot. From there, the truck will go directly to Macon Outreach to drop off the canned goods that day. For more information, you can go to our Facebook Event Page: MB Feed the Need. ADVENTURERS TRIP Last month, our adventurers traveled to Lake Junaluska and the Biltmore Estate for a three-day, two-night adventure for time of fellowship and renewal high in the mountains of North Carolina. Here are some photos from our trip! Don’t miss out on our next trip - Madison’s Holiday Tour of Homes, Thursday, November 30th. More details to come!
BELIZE MISSION TRIP RECAP BELIZE MISSION TRIP RECAP At 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 7th, people from Martha Bowman loaded in a van in the church parking lot with Belize as the destination. In the seven days spent together in the Corozal District of Belize, these thirteen people served together, laughed together, sweated together, worked together, cried together, loved together, shared together, worshiped together…and God was honored. The team went with the idea of service and mission, but experienced an overwhelming sense of God’s graciousness through the warm welcome of “Inglesia Casa de Luz” the host church. This church modeled the heart of Jesus for their community so well. They showed how to see all people, to take time out for conversation with each other, and to start every week in prayer and dedication to God. The hearts of Martha Bowman’s team were truly touched and their lives were deeply enriched by this incredible experience. Thank you to everyone at Martha Bowman United Methodist Church for the prayers and support in this mission experience! The invitation is open to anyone who is interested in praying about joining in on the next mission trip – wherever God may lead! Belize Mission Team 2017: Terry, Melissa, Myah and Jana Reynolds, Denise Lester, Lynn Faulkner, Chris Higdon, Brent Orr, Cindy and Caroline Martin, Becky and Michael Oliver, Elizabeth Hammock.
NEW MEMBERS, UPCOMING EVENTS, FINANCES & PRAYER LIST Prayer List
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Gail and John Grove
UPCOMING EVENTS Food Truck Fest Sunday, November 5th from 12:00 - 6:00 PM. The Pantry Project Sunday, November 19th at 11:30 AM. Shop and Drop at Publix on Bass Road or Kroger on Forsyth Road. No Youth Pursuit Due to Food Truck Fest on Sunday, November 5th, Youth Pursuit will not meet. Bible Art Journaling Wednesdays, 6:15 - 7:15 PM in Room 210. Supplies provided. Romans 8:38 Ministries 2017 Fall Ladies Retreat November 10th - 12th at Dooly Campground, Vienna, GA. Cost: $80 Email [email protected] for registration details. Boston Butt Pick Up Pre-ordered Boston Butts will be available for pick up November 12th & 19th. Contact Ashley Griffin for more information, [email protected]. Christmas Carol Celebration Sunday, December 10th, at 8:30 and 11:00 AM. Presented by the Chancel Choir in the Historic Sanctuary.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION As of 10/29/2017 Sources of Funds
$916,887
Uses of Funds
($965,580)
Sources Over (Under) Uses
($48,693) Revisioning
Revisioning Finishing Strong Goal
$254,000
Total pledged to date
$241,300
Received to date
$86,500
Revisioning LOC balance
$7,500
*Be sure to note on checks the amount that goes to the Revisioning fund*
CIRCLE OF CONCERN Tossy Alston, Ann Barron, Peg Buck, Barbara Freels, Carolyn Gibbs, Diane Hoggle, Paula Josey, Cisty McArthur, Lydia Moss, Barbara Nolen, Charles Pecor, Mary Lou Poplin, Harry (Bubba) Rankin, Lydia Sutherland, John Terry, Art Tyde, Ed Vaughn, Becky Wells, Dot Williams, Ron Williams, John Woodford, Tami Youman. CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Kay Hollis and family upon the death of her father, Ralph Norman Hibble, Sr. EXTENDED FAMILY Chandler Booth (Rachel Britt’s sister’s nephew), Bob Grossi (Jo Ann McCall’s brother-in-law), Evan Hall and family (Jamie Rohde’s friend), Valerie Hasty (Shauna Davis’s sister), Dwayne Huitt (Gail Terry’s friend), Nan Freeman (friend of many), Audrey McCall (Steve McCall’s mother) Ann NeSmith (Nancy Sasser’s mother), Larry Nolen (Don Nolen’s brother), Bucky Smith (Becky Oliver’s father), Michael Zinsmeister (Charles Kellum’s friend). ACTIVE MILITARY Tucker Alexander, Christopher Alston, Joshua Bynum, Jason Childers, Caleb Cobb, Stan Fossett, Matthew Fossette, Richard Goodale, Jeff James, Evan Mines, Jake Newberry, Jacoby Riley, Chymadia Rouse, Ronnie Simons, Frank Wood, Joel Woods.
MARTHA BOWMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICES 8:30 & 11:00 A.M. Traditional Service//11:00 A.M. Contemporary Service 500 Bass Road Macon, GA 31210 | P: (478) 477-1901 F: (478) 471-6378 | www.marthabowman.org @MarthaBowmanUMC
