1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

SUMMER ON
THE MOUNT
SERIES
June 7
Blessed Are the Upside
Down
Matthew 5:1-11
June 14
The Golden Rule
Matthew 7:12
June 21
Do Not Judge
Matthew 7:1-5
June 28
Let Your Yes Be Yes & Your
No Be No
Matthew 5:3337
July 5
Love Your Enemies
Matthew 5:43-48
July 12
Don’t Worry
Matthew 6:25-34
MESSENGER
FAREWELL GATHERING FOR OSCAR AND JACKIE MCGOUGH
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
9:45 AM
IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL
"The issue isn’t that God does
not have power; the issue
seems to be more that we do
not use the power that God
gave to us."
Join us at 10am on Sunday, June 14, at The Gathering
in the fellowship hall as we celebrate Oscar’s ministry
here at FUMC of Gulfport.
- Susan Smith, SpiritHouse Project
UPCOMING EVENTS
2301 15th Street
Gulfport, MS 39501
228.863.0047
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Gulfport, MS
Permit No. 147
MAY 31
GRADUATION SUNDAY:
A CELEBRATION FOR OUR
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
JUNE 3
RENOVATION DAY (YOUTH)
JUNE 4-6
MISSISSIPPI ANNUAL CONFERENCE
JUNE 14
FAREWELL GATHERING FOR
OSCAR AND JACKIE MCGOUGH
JUNE 22-25
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
JUNE 2015
This year, May 24th is Pentecost Sunday. For the early
Christians, Pentecost was the second most important part of the
church year after Easter. Pentecost commemorates the coming of
the Holy Spirit on the earliest followers of Christ. It marks the
birthday of the church.
Spiritually speaking, the church is nothing more than an
organization without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost reminds us to examine our hearts and attitudes. Are we
open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our church?
Are we inviting God’s presence and power to guide us? These are
helpful questions to ask as we anticipate a time of transition.
June 14th is Oscar McGough’s last Sunday as our Associate
Pastor. Oscar and Jackie are dear friends. They have served this
church with great passion and heart. We are going to miss them.
And yet, they are looking forward to a fresh start. Beginning June
21st, Oscar will serve as the Associate Pastor at First United
Methodist Church in Brandon, MS. He and Jackie will be closer to
their beloved grandchildren. Please continue to hold Oscar, Jackie,
and Jackie’s mom, Dot Searcy, in your prayers.
Join us at 9:45 am on Sunday, June 14, at The
Gathering in the fellowship hall as we celebrate Oscar’s
ministry here at FUMC of Gulfport.
We’ve got much in store in the days and months ahead:
staff changes, youth events, Vacation Bible School, Arts and
Psalms, and a mission trip to Costa Rica! Inside this newsletter you
can read more about the many ways God is working in and through
us. Please pray with me,
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them [us] the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they [we] shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth. Amen.
Walking with you in the heart of Christ,
Claire
STAFF CONTACT
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
SUNDAY WORSHIP
April 26
8:45 am Early Service
a relaxed style of worship
in the Sanctuary
Claire Dobbs,
Pastor
claire@fumc-gulfport.org
662-801-5608
8:45 am
10:55 am
Oscar McGough
Associate Pastor
oscar@fumc-gulfport.org
601-259-3239
8:45 am
10:55 am
Lisa Gibson
Finance/Administration
lisa@fumc-gulfport.org
228-863-0047
Shannon Lee
Communications Intern
shannon@fumc-gulfport.org
228-863-0047
Madison Maufrey
Nursery Worker
info@fumc-gulfport.org
228-223-5361
Cleo McQueen
Lay Servant Minister
info@fumc-gulfport.org
228-863-0047
Joy Mehrtens
Director of Music Ministries
joymehrtens@aol.com
228-863-0047
Jeanie Pollard
Organist
jeaniefrancine@bellsouth.net
228-863-0047
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160
May 3
66
141
9:45 am The Gathering
coffee, light breakfast, and
fellowship in the Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Sunday School
10:55 am Late Service
a traditional style of worship
in the Sanctuary &
chiming of the hour at 11:00 am
May 10
8:45 am
10:55 am
96
177
May 17
8:45 am
10:55 am
65
150
SUNDAY SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE
April 26
10:00 am
FUMC GULFPORT ON TV
FUMC Gulfport airs Sundays at
10:00 a.m. on WXXV NBC on the following
channels:
• Biloxi Channel 8
• Ocean Springs Channel 8
• Gulfport/Long Beach Channel 18
61
May 10
66
May 17
10:00 am
June 14 – Bob Reeves
June 24 – Rebecca Bernheim
June 2 – Bailey Halliday, Jr.
June 16 – Maxine Spalding
June 25 – Dr. Jim Rusch
June 3 – Margaret Bernheim
June 16 – Mickey Woods, Jr.
June 25 – David Brown
June 6 – Mark Rose
June 17 – Whitney Holliday
June 25 – Catherine Barnes
June 8 – Col. Howard Roberts
June 19 – Rhiannon Moody
June 25 – Angela Allen
June 9 – Brian Wilson
June 19 – Melissa Lenoir
June 26 – Tom Harvey III
June 10 – Patricia Webb
June 20 – Wallace Blount, Jr.
June 26 – Garrett Raskett
June 10 – Scarlett Woods
June 20 – Diane Laseter
June 26 – Ebby Johnson
June 12 – Kellee Caldwell
June 21 – Joann Edwards
June 27 – Zach Butler
June 12 – Lowry Taylor
June 21 – John Holliday
June 28 – George Hopkins III
June 13 – Harry Allen
June 21 – Denise Lynch
June 28 – Robert Mintz
June 13 – Mike Riemann
June 23 – Jill Eades
June 28 – Bob Galloway
BUDGET INFORMATION
May 3
10:00 am
June 2 – Ada Reid
If you have a June birthday and are not on this list, please contact the office so we can update our records.
65
10:00 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
61
May 19
Amount Received YTD
$ 260,049.92
WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF…
Samuel Francis Kershaw, son of Cameron and
Ashley Kershaw. Grandparents are Rebecca KershawBrunell and Roger Brunell.
Expenses YTD
$ 225,200.27
Sadie Riann Nompone, daughter of Lad and Malia
Nompone. Grandparents are Marc and Myrna Luckey.
Tithes and Offerings, May
$ 40,102.00
Cody Roth
Worship Leader
codyrothmusic@gmail.com
228-467-3898
FRIENDS OF MARY
Kristian Sears
Nursery Coordinator
info@fumc-gulfport.org
228-863-0047
Phil Winchester
Custodian
info@fumc-gulfport.org
228-863-0047
A LETTER OF GRATITUDE TO OUR CONGREGATION
Writing words is not my talent and thus I feel very inadequate to express my heartfelt gratitude.
Soon after joining the congregation of FUMC Gulfport we received news that our expected granddaughter had a very grim future.
From that point we dealt with the difficulty of handling the fear of the unknown, and then the birth followed by her death after only
38 days. Mary Elise touched our lives in many unexpected ways.
One of the greatest blessings we found on this journey was to learn the great heart of our new congregation and leaders. Not one day
went by that we didn’t feel surrounded with comfort, strength and peace that can only be found in the coming together of His people.
We will forever be grateful for the nurturing support and prayers you poured out on our family!
ONGOING GROUPS
2nd
In His love,
Donna and Nick Strickland
PAGE 2
THE MESSENGER
THE MESSENGER
Tuesday of each month
The Friends of Mary will gather on June 9
at 9:30am in the Substory. Margie Young
will present the program, "Get a Good
Night's Sleep."
UNITED METHODIST MEN
SASSY SENIORS
Sassy Seniors go on the road to The Dock on
Wednesday, June 17th from 12:30 pm to 1:00
pm. The Dock is located off the Seaway Road
- Watch carefully for the sign and turn South.
Please make your reservation by calling Ada
Reid at 864-4721 or emailing her at
slntonsr@cableone.net
by Sunday
evening, June 14th.
YOGA
2nd Saturday of each month
Tuesdays, 5:40 pm – 6:30 pm
in the Sanctuary basement
This group eats breakfast, enjoys
fellowship, and works on needed repairs
and projects around the church. For more
information contact Pete Lenes.
palenes@aol.com or 228-596-9232
This is an open class to all participants and
all levels of physical ability. Come relax and
listen to your heartbeat. Donation fee: $5.00.
For more info, contact Sandy Chesnut at
228-424-2519.
PAGE 7
Friends & Family:
PRAYERS
We extend Christian sympathy to Tom
Holderer and his family in the death of
his father, Oscar Holderer.
We extend Christian sympathy to Stan
Nowell in the death of his wife, Mary
Nowell and to Stance and Courtney
LeBlanc in the death of their
grandmother.
We extend Christian sympathy to Kaye
Capelle in the death of her aunt, Kate
Morris.
We extend Christian sympathy to Pete
Lenes and his family in the death of his
nephew, Greg Adamich.
We extend Christian sympathy to Dee
Dee Barta in the death of her
grandmother, Ora Welch.
We extend Christian sympathy to
Myrna Luckey in the death of her
mother, Vonnie Lois Summers.
We extend Christian sympathy to Bob
and Brandon Galloway and family in
the death of Karen Galloway, beloved
wife and mother.
We extend Christian sympathy to the
family of Ronald Barnes.
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Tarah Barrett, Tommy Barrett’s daughter
Logan Beck, Lem & Carolyn Porter's grandson
Vince Blackwell, Catherine Barnes & Mike O’Neill coworker
Ella Cronin, Lynn Young’s friend
Harriet Ferguson, Emily Robinson’s friend
Pam Gilbert, Mark Leiker’s sister
Rev. Tommy Gilbert †
Addison Claire Ice, Gloria Ribar's granddaughter
Jimmy Kizzire
Phil Lang, Lanier Lang's son
Frank Leiker, Mark Leiker's father
Dr. Gilbert Mason, Jr., Carter Bise’s friend
Eddie McCarley, Roger McCarley’s brother
Robert Newton, Lou Hare’s cousin
Robert Peet, Melissa Sam's brother
James O. Ray
Marcy Reneger, Carter Bise's mother
John Harris Saviore, Kathy Newman’s grandson
Dot Searcy, Jackie McGough’s mother
Joy Shepherd, Ada Reid's daughter
Thomas E. Smith, Carolyn Porter's brother
Hannah Steckler, Houston, TX (E. A. Allen’s great-neice)
Herman Truitt, Laurel Malley’s stepfather
Beulah Upchurch
† We encourage you to offer prayers and letters of care and
concern for Rev. Tommy Gilbert, who faithfully served this
congregation as senior pastor from 1986 to 1994.
Rev. Tommy Gilbert, his wife, Dot, and his family will
appreciate your heartfelt concern. You can send these letters
to:
724 Elmwood Drive, Meridian, MS 39301
JUNE 4-6, 2015
This year's Annual Conference Offering will go towards supporting
Africa University in Zimbabwe to provide much needed higher
education for the continent of Africa and for the fast-growing
United Methodist Church in Africa. The University has over 1,500
students representing 23 different African countries, and it offers
the traditional liberal arts and sciences, preparing students for
careers in theology, education, agriculture, business, government,
and health-related fields.
SERVE
The cost of attending Africa University for one year including
tuition, room, board, and books is $5,200.00 FUMC will collect this
mission offering during the month of May so that our delegates can
drop a generous offering in the plate during Annual Conference.
Thank you in advance for supporting our connectional church and
its ministries and missions.
YOUTH ROOM RENOVATIONS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
Our youth will be working hard to fix up their space on the FUMC campus on Wednesday, June 3. If you’d like to
pitch in on painting or other renovations, contact Presley McNiel (presley.mcniel@gmail.com, 228-297-7956) for
additional information.
COSTA RICA MISSION INTEREST MEETING
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
2:00 PM
IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL
Time is short, and we need to get ready for our next mission trip to Costa Rica. If you are interested in going, we really
need for you to attend this orientation meeting.
Members:
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MISSION OFFERING FOR
MISSISSIPPI ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
Velma Boutwell
Tommy Barrett
Louise Holcomb
Rev. Bill Lampkin
Rev. Johnnie Lampkin
Mary McCay
Jackie McGough
Nick Rice
Jim Sheffield
Maxine Spalding
Walter Taylor
Lois Thomas
Patricia Webb
Costa Rica Trip Dates: August 16-22, 2015
For more information, please contact Wade Bishop (bobishop@cableone.net, 228-860-6860) or Claire Dobbs
(clairedobbs8@gmail.com, 662-801-5608).
ARTS & PSALMS OPPORTUNITIES
July 20th – 24th, middle school students will stretch their creativity through Arts & Psalms classes with local artists.
We are in need of volunteers to help out with activities throughout that week. In addition, even though some of the
artists have supplied the needed materials, we still would appreciate donations for supplies from our congregation.
Either way you choose to lend a hand, please contact Mary Ann Barkley (228-861-5448) for more information.
THE MESSENGER
THE MESSENGER
PAGE 3
CONGRATS
TO OUR
GRADS
CELEBRATING OUR GRADUATING
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
“TRUE GREATNESS”; LUKE 22:24-27
SUNDAY, MAY 31
On Sunday, May 31, we’ll be honoring our high school seniors: Hannah Eades,
Leah O’Neill, John Schwartz, and Anna Swigris. Congratulations on reaching this
exciting milestone!
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE 2015
SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 2
Leadership Institute 2015 brings together clergy, church staff and volunteers
who share a passion for renewing churches. If you want to attend this event
– the largest mainline church training event in the country – be sure to make
the early registration deadline: July 1. Contact Cleo McQueen
(wmcq1@bellsouth.net, 228-324-8015) to sign up and for additional
information. You can also visit the Leadership Institute website at
www.li.cor.org.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
PRIME TIME YOUTH CHOIR
FREE CONCERT: “WE BELIEVE”
Sunday, May 31
6:00 PM
This youth choir from College Station, Texas will be here to perform on Sunday, May 31st. The concert, “We Believe”, is
free to all. Come enjoy a range of music – from sacred traditional anthems to contemporary songs – performed by 85
talented youth.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
JUNE 22-26
9:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Vacation Bible School for four-year-olds through 4th grade is fast-approaching.
The theme this year is “God’s Love in Action.” Classes will take place from June 22-26 from 9:00 am to 11:15 am.
If you want more information or would like to register, contact Julie Wright (228-324-9541,
juliewright@cableone.net) or Stella Rose (228-284-7091, stella@cableone.net).
Forms are also available on our web site at www.fumc-gulfport.org.
ARTS & PSALMS
JULY 20-24
Combining a study of the Psalms with dozens of hands-on art projects, Arts & Psalms is an exciting summer opportunity
for middle school students. Classes are taught by local artists and, this year, students will visit the Gulfport Galleria of
Fine Art. The cost is $35 per student and scholarships are available. For additional information and/or to enroll, contact
Mary Ann Barkley (228-86-5448) or our church office.
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THE MESSENGER
THE MESSENGER
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