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Tabernacle United
February 2014
Living without God is a lot like
dribbling a football!
4495 Kenleigh Forest Road
Tobaccoville, NC 27050
Worship – 9:45 a.m.
Sunday School – 10:45 a.m.
Pastor – Rev. Jenna Grogan
Telephone-336-983-2423
E-Mail: jennagrogan@triad.rr.com
Church Website –
http://www.tabernacleumctobaccovillenc.com
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Football Terminology:
Jenna’s Thoughts
I know I drive my husband crazy but that’s really not my
intent. You see after all the Christmas decorations are put away
(which takes me forever) I pull down the box that holds my valentine decorations (it’s only one box) and I leave it down until
the next holiday arrives. So usually there is at least one open
plastic box with its contents spilling out onto the floor next to my
tread mill down in our basement. That’s what drives Steve crazy.
But I do it anyway. So when I opened the valentine box
last week and riffled through its contents to see what I wanted
to use, I found last year’s card from Stephen tucked in among
the hearts and flowers and other red, and pink, and white paraphernalia. I stood in the basement and opened the card and
once again read these sweet words: “Our Love is a love that no
other can take from us. It was made with God’s Love.” On the
left hand side of the card were the words: “A Marriage Creed.”
And underneath it was written an acrostic for the words, “I love
you.”
In a never-ending effort to attract the unchurched, some churches
have considered translating their unfamiliar terminology into familiar
football phrases:
BLOCKING: talking endlessly to the pastor at the church door and
keeping everyone else from exiting.
DRAFT CHOICE: the decision to sit close to the heat/air vent.
END ZONE: the pews.
EXTRA POINT: what you receive when you tell the pastor his/her
sermon was too short.
ILLEGAL MOTION: leaving before the benediction.
INTERFERENCE: talking during the piano/organ prelude.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING: the pastor’s wife/husband looking at their
watch in full view of the pastor.
QUARTERBACK SNEAK: Sunday School teachers entering the
building 5 to 10 minutes after the service has begun.
*********************************************************
Tabernacle United Methodist Church Staff Volunteers
Established 1884
Inspire Warmth…I
Listen to each other…L
Open your heart…O
Value your union…V
Express your trust…E
Yield to good sense…Y
Overlook mistakes…O
Newsletter Editor - Gail Caudle - phone - 336-985-5216
e-mail - gacaudle@windstream or ggc722@aol.com
Sunday Bulletin - Lloyd McCormick - phone - 336-924-2958
e-mail - pat McCormick@windstream.net
Church Website - Larry Shamel - phone - 336-983-5313
e-mail - Bettynlarry@windstream.net
Understand the differences…U
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
See whom you’re with.
Are there others around you? Can you do even one small thing to
make their day a bit better? Mother Teresa once said, “We feel that
what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would
be less because of that missing drop.” A quick smile, a friendly
comment or a sympathetic look can change someone’s life.

Pull out your prayer list.
We’re always complaining that we have no time to get everything
done—especially when our plans are interrupted. But interruptions
are pockets of time for prayer, if we choose to use them that way.

Work on memorizing a praise psalm.
Try Psalm 18, 111 or 135, any of which make good ways of waiting
on God while you wait for…whatever!
Do you know that another meaning for “to wait on” is to act as a servant? When we are “waiters” we are expected to be attentive, to be alert
to whatever it is that God might ask of us. If we are truly waiting for
God, we are waiting (wanting!) to serve Him in every way possible.
“For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for
him!” (Isaiah 30:18).
***********************************************************
~ What Valentine Can I Give Him? ~
What can I give to Jesus
On this special Valentine’s Day?
How can I tell Him I’ll love Him,
And follow Him, come what may?
How can I show I need Him?
Should I send a red heart with lace?
How can I thank Him enough
For His sacrifice, love and grace?
What Valentine can I give Him,
My adoration to impart?
I’ll give to Him what He wants most;
I’ll yield to Him my heart.
In John’s Gospel Jesus calls us to “Love one another, as I
have loved you.” Now I have no doubt that the love my husband
and I have for one another originated through God’s love for us.
And I also know that despite the fact that I sometimes drive him
crazy and that he sometimes causes my blood pressure to rise
we wouldn’t trade one another for anything or anyone else in
the world.
In just a few days all those who are romantic at heart will
again celebrate their love for one another on Valentine’s Day, a
day set apart for such expressions. Roses will be purchased, dinner reservations will be made, chocolates will be consumed,
teddy bears will be cuddled, and cards will be read and cherished. But let’s not forget the One who has taught us what the
true meaning of love really is. And let’s also not forget those
whose loved ones are now with Jesus, as well as those who
never married, and those who now live alone because divorce
shattered their “Happily ever after.”
Sheila Walsh in her book “All that really matters” wrote,
“Do you want to love yourself? Then love God. Do you want to
love your neighbor? Then love God. Do you want to find your
life? Then love God.” But we can only do that when we willingly
forgive one another and treasure one another. For then no matter what happens throughout the years we will always be filled
with joy in knowing that love—God’s love and the love we share
in Him is never lost. In fact it will forever remain eternal.
1st John 4:16
~ Joanna Fuchs
22
3
Our Family Prayer Concerns
Tabernacle’s Special Request:
Kathryn Williard, Ethan Graf, Janie Myers,
Betty Long, Jesse Needham
Tabernacle’s Special Friend & Family Request:
Johnny Whitley, Emily Bartlett, Margaret Nookester, Jeremy
Moorefield, Pam McMurray, Vonnie Truitt, Terry Shore,
La Craft, Judy Adams, Beatrice Bates, Mary Payne, Eddie Black,
Sandra Adams, Kathy Speas, Shirley Choplin, Ann Cowen,
Julie Hayes, Stephaney Whitaker, Matthew Hayden, Joseph Godfrey,
Sylvia Baguess, Ethan White, Linda Norman, Linda Cox, Alfred Davis,
Tim Hall, Charles Atkins, Shelby Clayton, Ashton Aires,
The Blackwaters, Tracy Riazzi, Lee Hall, Lillian Speas,
Norma Jean Willard, Dot and Gordon Yates, Mark DePew
Mt. Pleasant’s Special Request:
Thurman Dodson, Noah Cox, Brian Jeffords, Earnestine and Coy
Conrad, Jeff Hauser Jr., Ellen Asbury, Chris Ogburn
Homebound, Retirement/Nursing Home:
Betty Lou Edwards, Rose Sprinkle, Stella Boles, Betty Adams,
Tommy Sapp, Don Grogan, Lonnie Walker, Audrey Holder, Florence
and Robert Long, Peggy Edwards, Milton Long, Shirley Sprinkle,
Billie Cox, Paul Willard, Hazel Long, Jean Robertson, Buster Long,
Mildred Veach, Dottie Whitman, Everette Butner, Rachael Pfaff,
Dianne Robertson, Roberta Merritt
Our U.S. Military:
James Cockerham, Cody Hauser, Randy Fry, Kristy and Steve Hurst,
Katie Sutherland, Keifer Uphaus
Deepest Sympathy to the Family and Friends of:
Jane Dodson, Dillon Hunter, Juanita Aldridge, Ray Whitman,
Joseph Brown, Juanita Tate, Inez Beck, Willa Mae Lambeth,
Robert Young, Pauline Gowing, Long family, Robin Bray,
Doris Boyce, Jayne Sturdivant
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~ Turn Waiting Time Into Blessing Time ~
Four faith-filled things you can do when you're stuck in traffic, waiting
at the doctor's office or just about anywhere!
By Elizabeth Peale Allen
How do you define waiting? Do you think of it as simply as an inconvenience to be endured—or a period of anticipation and perhaps
even blessing?
The Psalms are full of references to waiting for God to save, to act, to
do something.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for
the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our
shield” (Psalm 33:20).
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret
when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their
wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7).
From a Biblical perspective, waiting is not just something we have
to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be.
Part of the lesson is that we learn the difference between our demands
and God’s desires. And we learn what God means when He says, “My
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah
55:8).
For when we enter into the Lord’s timetable (or at least are forced
out of our own), it quickly becomes clear that what we think we need
doesn’t always match up with what God knows is best for us. Waiting
can lead us down the path of healthy humility to a place where we can
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the
splendor of his holiness” (Psalm 29:2).
Often when we find ourselves waiting, whether in traffic or for good
(or bad) news, we try to distract ourselves. Why? Because waiting is
uncomfortable; it’s proof positive that we’re not in complete control of
our lives. Instead of checking email or calling a friend, use this time to
find the good things God has waiting for us as we wait. Here’s how:

Be where you are.
Step back and observe your feelings—notice them, but don’t dwell
on them. Where are you? What does it look like? Smell like? Try to
be fully present and accept that you are where you are for a reason.
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~ Praising God for Closed Doors ~
by the Daily Encourager
We need to learn to praise the Lord as much for a closed door as we
do for an open door. The reason God closes doors is because He has not
prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong door,
we would never find the right door.
God directs our path through the closing and opening of
doors. Once a door closes, it forces you to change your course. When
another door closes, it forces you to change your course again. Then,
finally, you find the open door and you walk right into your blessing.
The Lord directs our paths through the opening and closing of doors,
but instead of praising him for the closed door (which keeps us out of
trouble); we get upset because we "judge by the appearances."
You have an ever-present help in the time of trouble that is always
standing guard. Because He walks ahead of you, He can spot trouble
down the road and set up a roadblock or detour accordingly. But
through our lack of wisdom, we try to tear down the roadblocks or push
aside the detour sign. Then, the minute we get into trouble, we start
crying, "Lord, how could You have done this to me?"
We have got to realize that the closed door can be a blessing. Didn't
He say that no good thing would He withhold from them that love Him?
If you get terminated from your job, praise God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves: it might be another job, it might be
school.
If that man or woman won't return your call, it might not be them, it
might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go).
One time, a person had a bank they had been in business with for
many years tell them "No!" to a $10,000 loan. The Lord put in their
spirit to call another bank. That bank gave them $40,000 at a lower interest rate than the first bank was offering.
We can sometimes trap ourselves in doubt and discouragement
through judging by appearances. Be grateful for the many times our
Father has closed doors to us just to open them in the most unexpected
places. The Lord won't always say in spoken words: "Go to the left,
now to the right" ...sometimes He will just close the doors that are
wrong for you.
“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him - and He will direct
your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
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Our Service Opportunities for February
February 2 - Building Fund Sunday
February 9 - United Methodist Men’s breakfast - 7:30 a.m. in
the church fellowship hall. Cooks will be Kreisler Speas
and Melvin Long. All of the men of the church are
invited to attend.
February 9 - Youth meeting immediately following church services.
February 9 - Cluster Service at Antioch UMC - (Faith assisting) Light meal at 6:15pm - Service at 7:00 pm.
February 14 - Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 23 - “Make A Joyful Noise” during morning worship.
February 23 - Cluster Service at Tabernacle UMC - ( Mt. Pleasant
assisting) - Light meal at 6:15pm - Service at 7:00 pm.
“We are a Safe Sanctuary Church”
“ I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among daughters.”
~ Song of Solomon 2:1-2
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Our Presence and Gifts
Average weekly attendance for January Worship Service….. 35
Average weekly attendance for January Sunday School …… 32
Average weekly offering for January ……..………....$ 874.54
(offering needed per week to meet our 2014 budget - $985.48)
“Make A Joyful Noise” youth for January ……….. $ 44.93
*********************************************************
Mission Opportunities for February
King Outreach Ministry - item for the month is crackers.
Church-School Connection - item for the month is hygiene products.
Mission Project for February - “Tree of Life.” Paper hearts are available for purchase for $1.00 per heart/per name. Please see Gail if you
would like to purchase a heart in honor or memory of someone as we
bring our “tree to life.” All proceeds will go toward the upcoming Relay
for Life (American Cancer Society) on May 9th.
*** Please make checks payable to American Cancer Society.
CPR Mission Project - C - care for the problem
P - pray about the problem
R - resolve the problem
This is an on-going mission that we will be focusing on in connection with Old Richmond Elementary School. Shirley Ring is our contact
person and will provide us with the needs of a child (if any) for the
month.
Missional Network Opportunities / Backpack Program - we are
currently reaching out to 30 children at Rural Hall Elementary School
and will continue to do so each month. This month is Tabernacle/Mt.
Pleasant’s turn to pack the backpacks. Our coordinators are Judy Long
and Glenda Whicker. This will take place at The Living Well in Rural
Hall on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Any and all help is needed.
This is for all members of the church!
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~ God’s Word for Today ~
By Chuck Davis
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
~ Proverbs 27:17
Often people who don’t regularly go to church will use the excuse “you don’t have to go to church to believe in God” and that
is true. But the truth is also a two edged sword.
Let’s look at it this way. You don’t have to be married to have
children. You don’t have to go to school and get an education to
get a job. You don’t have to watch what you eat to have a
body. You don’t have to love and respect your spouse if you are
married.
You don’t have to cook your food before you eat it. You don’t
have to pay for your food before you leave the grocery, or a restaurant.
But each of those situations has a better side. Yes there are
actually those who do live as each of these statements suggest. And yes God loves even those who make fools of themselves or are burdens on society. He loves them just as He did
each of us when we were lost sinners.
But He has desires and even expectations of us and the first
is to believe and the second is for us to follow Him and His
ways. Without a church family and friends we can end up not
only lost and wandering on our own but worse, we may not be
growing and maturing and helping others who may be wandering
or stagnant.
We might miss what His purpose is for us by pushing ours
before His.
Somehow someway you need to be IN church not just doing it
or watching it. And God will provide a way even for those who
are hard put to go.
The challenge is seeking Him and the church that not only
fulfills our ideas of a church but can use us to fulfill His idea of
church.
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this. While it was not really my fault, I certainly was not out
there on the street telling everyone how sorry I was. It seems a
bit ironic that even with times when we are to blame, we don’t
really want to take ownership. But courtesy and decency require
that we do this. Maybe not so much when something happens
as an "act of God," as the insurance companies call a tree falling.
But the real reason to take ownership when we mess up is so
that people know we don't really want to act or be that way. It is
an opportunity to "do" things a second time, and try to get them
right.
That seems to be worth thinking about.......I hope you and I
can give our best efforts to live right and be right......at least on
the second time around!
God be close to you.
Bill Medlin
************************************************************
~ A New Beautiful Day ~
Another day is here, a new beginning
Not touched, just brand ne
We thank God for His blessings
His presence, food, strength, good health too.
Be still and listen as he speaks today
He promised to be always near
May you feel His loving presence
As you draw close to Him in prayer.
When we lift our hearts to pray
Jesus is there to answer our prayers
We can cast all our burdens on Him
Give to Jesus today … all your cares.
We can rest in God’s unfailing love
No need to worry, feel safe in His arms
Just completely trust and on Jesus you call
Surrender to Him, your life … your all!!
Bernice Ward
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New Story Church Homeless Shelter - the homeless shelter runs
every night from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. They are asking for volunteers
(7-8) to help check people in and prepare and serve dinner between 710 pm. When preparing food for the shelter, please note there is no
stove or kitchen to warm food. The shelter only has microwaves and
crock-pots available. Suggestions for meals include: soups, sandwiches,
spaghetti, chili, something warm and that could easily be transported in
warm tins, etc.
They are packed every night with men, women and families on an
average of 20 - 25 people. So plan on feeding 25.
They also need volunteers to stay overnight 3-4 people (you do get
some sleep, not much but you know you are making a difference) from
7:00 p.m. till 6:30 a.m.
They currently could use some help with some supplies: Lysol, hand
sanitizer, large trash bags (39-42 gallon and as thick as possible), coffee, sugar, 8-oz cups, spoons, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates,
dish cloths, bottled water, packs of Emergen-C vitamins and nutria
grain bars.
Some of our folks within the Missional Network have volunteered
to prepare a meal, go and serve the meal plus some will be staying over
night on February 6th. We are hoping to get others involved and be able
to go and volunteer on a regular basis. If you are interested please
contact Larry Bridges at wlbridges@gmail.com or by phone, so he can
get your name on the list. If you feel you are unable to go but would
like to help in preparing food, please feel free to do so by contacting
Larry Bridges.
This is a powerful life changing experience and we all should be
willing to take a part one way or another to help those in need. The
New Story Church is located at 1401 Trade Mart Blvd, W-S. and this
Sunday, February 2nd will mark their first anniversary of being in their
new building.
*Boxes have been placed in both buildings for your convenience for
each of our mission projects.
** All boxes have been labeled appropriately.
*** Please place all items in the appropriate box.
****Please DO NOT remove the boxes from the buildings.
7
Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thur. Fri.
Sat.
1
2
3
4
Building
Fund
--------Super
Bowl
Sunday
9
10
11
17
18
President’s
Day
23
MAJN
---------Cluster
Service
Tab.
6
7
8
14
15
Prayer
Network
Meeting @ Back6:30pm
packing
@
6:30 pm
UMM
Breakfast
---------Youth
meeting
--------Cluster
Service
Antioch
16
5
24
12
13
Prayer
Network
Meeting @ Back6:30pm
packing
@
6:30 pm
Happy Chicken
Valentine stew
Day
@
5:00 pm
19
21
22
28
29
20
Prayer
Network
Meeting @ Back6:30pm
packing
@
6:30 pm
25
26
27
Prayer
Network
Meeting @ Back6:30pm
packing
@
6:30 pm
**Cluster light meal served at 6:15 pm each night
*** Cluster service begins at 7:00 pm each night
8
I will not forget Friday, January 3. I had come
home from walking our two dogs and, as I sat down
to eat breakfast, there was a powerful thud and the
lights went out. Sarah said, "What happened?" I said,
"Something fell!" I moved to a front window and starting looking
around. Holy smokes, it didn't take but a minute to see the problem. One of our massive pin oaks had come downright over the
driveway. My first reaction was to determine who to call. Using
some common sense, I quickly phoned Duke Energy, the
Winston-Salem Police, and a tree company. Everyone responded
rapidly, and the next thing I knew traffic was blocked, the street
was closed, and chainsaws were going wild. I was grateful because everyone knew what he/she was doing. The oak was massive. A car was traveling down the street and the driver heard
the crack of the timber, but before she had time to react she was
covered with tree----one limb on the top of the car and two
limbs under the car. I was told she was lucky not to have been
killed. She was fortunate, but was so focused on a flight she had
to catch, that she left her car, gave the keys to a neighbor, and
went on her way. Damage to her was non-existent, and only
minimal to the car. I was rattled. We had live power lines on the
ground, a driveway that was inaccessible, and no hot water or
anything else. I could not go anywhere, I could not shower, and I
could not work online. I was trapped! My dad's memorial service
was set for the next afternoon but I had no way to work on it.
Finally, about 4:15 in the afternoon our power was restored.
What a happy time it was. Permission to DO something was
granted again. I figured that we had become the neighbor everybody loves to hate because our tree had taken out power, cable
TV, and telephone service to the whole neighborhood. As I left
the house late that afternoon I did it as quietly as possible. I did
not want anyone to see me drive away. I was the center of the
problem and I was trying to tiptoe off.
I believe that type of response is pretty normal for us humans. We are not crazy about taking ownership for things like
17
** Yadkin Valley District churches have the opportunity to receive
funds from both the District Missional Engagement Committee and the
District Congregational Development Committee. Mission Engagement grants are intended for partnership initiatives which engage local
church members in missional opportunities within the local community
or beyond. These funds are not intended for an in-house church ministry unless there is collaboration with multiple churches. Congregational Development grants are intended to help churches engage in
ministries and/or participate in programs/processes which will enable
the church to attain new vitality, health and growth. To obtain a grant
application, please contact Amy Johnson (ajohnson@wnccumc.org) at
the District Office. Registration deadline for both grant applications is
March 1.
Birthday Greetings to…
March
February
10 - John Elkins
12 - Tiffany Larner
21 - Jessica Coone
26 - Travis Haynes
3 - Rick Robertson
11 - Austin Willard
13 - Lloyd McCormick
15 - Vernon Truesdale
23 - Lily Bartlett
Congratulations to ...
** Lay Servant Training is now available if you are interested. The cost
is $20.00 and will be held at Trinity UMC in King and at First UMC
Family Life Center in Mocksville on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday
evenings for the Basic and Advanced training courses. The training
consist of 5 sessions. The deadline for registration is February 19th.
Please contact the pastor or lay leader for further information. You do
need approval by the pastor before attending.
***********************************************************
Looking Ahead…
March 5 - Ash Wednesday service - Tabernacle UMC
Randy and June Cockerham as they celebrate their
wedding anniversary on February 3rd.
Ed and Pat Graf as they celebrate their wedding
anniversary on February 8th.
Lloyd and Pat McCormick as they celebrate their
wedding anniversary on February 24th
********************************************************
March 9 - Cluster Service - Doubs Chapel (Pleasant Hill assisting)
March 13-16 - Men’s Emmaus Spring Walk
March 20-23 - Women’s Emmaus Spring Walk
March 23 - Cluster Service - Kingswood (St. James & New Hope
assisting)
March 27 - Ken Carter will be speaking at The Mt. Shepherd Retreat
Center in Asheboro, NC. The seminar is open to all clergy
and laity. Registration is required and the cost is $50.00.
9:00 am - 3:00 pm.
March 29 - Tabernacle UMYF Baked Potato & Salad - 5:00 pm
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A Thought to Ponder
Sabbath is not dependent upon our readiness to stop. We do
not stop when we are finished. We do not stop when we complete
our phone calls, finish our project, get through this stack of messages, finish checking our e-mails or get out this report. We stop
because it is time to stop. Sabbath requires surrender. If we only
stop when we are finished with all our work, we will never stop -- because our work is never completely done.
~ Wayne Muller
9
From the men’s corner:

… The Methodist Men met on January 12th for our monthly breakfast
in the fellowship hall of the church. There were 11 present from Tabernacle; 3 present from Elm Grove, 4 present from Mt. Pleasant, 1 from
Mizpah Moravian Church and 1 from Sharon Baptist. We hope those
absent from our breakfast will join us soon. We were blessed with 20
men present representing at least 5 churches at our breakfast.
The cooks were Bill Caudle and Melvin Long, with all the other men
helping out in the kitchen. They did a great job in preparing the tenderloin, bacon, eggs, gravy. All those present enjoyed a good meal and
great fellowship.
We appreciate Greek purchasing the food, and setting up the tables.
Our thanks to Wilburn for the pear preserves and jellies that the UMM
place on the table to be eaten with our meal. We appreciate all those
that help wash dishes, clean off the tables, sweep the floor and get the
fellowship hall ready for the next event.
We at Tabernacle enjoy the fellowship between all the men that attend our breakfast from all the different churches and the fellowship at
Elm Grove with their UMM.
Greek, Lonnie, Kreisler, Melvin and myself visited with Elm Grove
UMM on January 19th and enjoyed a great meal and some good fellowship.
Lloyd McCormick
President,
Tabernacle United Methodist Men
**********************************************************
From the women’s corner…
… We did not have a meeting in January as we decided to take a couple
of months off during the winter because of the cold and bitterness that
comes with “ole man winter.” That doesn’t mean that our ladies are
slowing down by no means. We will be hosting a cluster service with
the help of Mt. Pleasant’s ladies here at Tabernacle on February 23rd.
Look forward to seeing everyone there and “stay warm.”
Gail Caudle
President,
Tabernacle United Methodist Women
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March 6th - “Journey to the Cross”
Bethlehem UMC -- 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Cost $10.00
Begin your Lenten Journey with friends, new and old, for an interactive day of worship preparation through Kristal bells, signing and song.
Enjoy a continental breakfast and a hot catered lunch with homemade
deserts. You could also win a fabulous door prize! Deadline to register
is February 24th. Make checks payable to the Yadkin Valley District
Treasurer and mail to 1031 Reynolda Rd. W-S, NC 27104.
Questions contact Donna Cooke 336-727-1222.

March 7th & 8th - District Confirmation Retreat
The Brantley Retreat Center
Campus of the Children’s Home
Registration begins at 6:00 pm on Friday and ends
promptly at 2:30 pm on Saturday
$50.00 registration per person
Includes lodging, 3 meals, snacks, programming and T-shirt
The Brantley is a modest hotel - bring personal items.
Deadline for registration is February 24th.
Questions and registration forms contact:
Donna Cooke 336-727-1222 or dcooke@wnccumc.org
** The February FAITHHEALTHNC training for lay community connectors at the new Davie Medical Center is at capacity of 40.
WFUBMC expects to develop another series in the Lexington area in
March. Details will be forthcoming when the dates are established. Remember to bring the covenant document before your church council for
approval. We have it in digital form at the district office upon request,
dcooke@wnccumc.org. This is an opportunity for us to care for others
who do not have a church affiliation or may not even know Christ, as
we do for those in our own congregations. WFUBMC provides the
training, manuals and even pens for all participants.
** Think of the use of your building during the week. How many
groups meet there and for what purposes? Churches who take their
weekday visitors seriously end up seeing them again in different venues
and experiences – worship, mission, and fellowship. There are 11 practical and low cost (some no cost!!) steps that can parlay your congregation to engaging with others in their community. Find the steps at
www.epicentergroup.org.
15

March 1st - Centering Prayer Workshop
10:00 am - 4:00 pm -- Cost $30.00
Calvary Lutheran Church - Concord, NC
Are you looking for a way to deepen your relationship with God?
In our Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop, you will learn
about a prayer method in which you sit in silence with God, opening
your mind, heart, and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery. Centering
Prayer furthers the development of contemplative prayer by quieting
our faculties to cooperate with the gift of God's presence.
The Workshop offers a contemporary presentation of the discipline
of Centering Prayer as silent communion with God beyond concepts,
words and images. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal
relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with
Christ to communion with Him. The source of Centering Prayer, as in
all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects of Centering
Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith
and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love.
At the Workshop, you will receive instruction on the prayer, as well
as two opportunities to practice it. Lunch will be provided.
Included in the Workshop fee are the Six Continuing Sessions. The
sessions are offered once a week. Along with your own daily practice,
the Six Continuing Sessions provide you the opportunity to come together with others to practice Centering Prayer and to watch a half hour
video by Fr. Thomas Keating. There will also be time for questions and
discussion.
The Presenters:
The Rev. Katie Crowe is the Senior Pastor for Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC. She graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and served 8 years as the Minister for Service and Missions at First Presbyterian Church in Uptown Charlotte. Katie helped
found the Charlotte Chapter of Contemplative Outreach and served as
its coordinator.
Ann Starrette is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Davidson
United Methodist Church. She is the founder of The Lydia Group, LLC
Retreat Ministry. Ann also presents workshops on The Welcoming
Prayer and Lectio Divina.
For more information or how to register contact Gail Caudle
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From the youth’s corner…
… The youth had a meeting on January 12th to discuss their plans for
the upcoming year. There was a few in attendance, and we missed those
that were not able to attend. We will be having a Baked Potato and
Salad dinner in March to raise money for Relay for Life. More details
to come at a later time. We will be meeting on February 9th. Hope to
see everyone there. Stay warm. God bless...
Kashemi Long
Chair, Age-level Coordinator
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Church, District, Conference & Community Events)

Prayer Meetings - Wednesday’s at 6:30 p.m.
Prayer meeting is open to everyone!

Choir Practice - 7:00 p.m.
Every other Wednesday night

Monthly Recycling for the Village of Tobaccoville
February 3rd & 4th
 February 6th - New Hope UMC - 6:00 p.m.
New Hope is sponsoring an Outreach Community Meal. They plan
to sponsor this meal the first Thursday of every month. Roney Jenkins
of New Hope is the coordinator and wants to get the word out to our
Cluster group so they can get the word out to the hungry in their community and let them know that they are welcome to come and have dinner with them. Any member of the cluster churches are invited to join
them and bring someone in need of a meal and experience the love of
God. If you need further details, contact Roney at 336-671-1797

February 6th - Brookstown UMC
11:45am - 1:00 pm
Lunch available for $6.50
“Leading Causes of Life” by Dr. Gary Gunderson
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
February 7th & 8th - Sedge Garden UMC

Antioch UMC (Faith assisting)
Light meal at 6:15 pm - Service at 7:00 pm
Rev. Andy Lambert will be the guest speaker
The DIVAS Women’s Ministry of Sedge Garden United Methodist
Church invite you to gather February 7-8 to view the livestream of
IF:Gathering (www.ifgathering.com). The times are Friday, February
7, 5:00-9:00 pm. and Saturday 8, 9:00am-8:30 p.m. Register by
February 4 @ sedgegardenumc.org.

The Stained Glass Playhouse
Performance dates and times:
Friday & Saturday - February 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday - February 9, 16, 23 at 3:00 p.m.
Admission: $15.00 for adults; $10.00 for students and seniors 60+
For reservations call 499-1010
Additional information call 661-4949
For immediate release:
In Honor of Black History Month the Stained Glass Playhouse Presents,
“North Star”
By Gloria Bond Clunie
Directed by Harold Clayton, Jr.
Produced by special arrangements with The Dramatic Publishing
Company of Woodstock, Illinois
“Set in North Carolina in the 1960’s, ‘North Star’ is the story of
“Relia”, an African-American girl, searching for he place to shine in
both society and her personal life. The joyous innocence of “Relia’s”
summer is transformed by the rising tensions of the growing civil rights
movements. Relia’s parents are hotly divided between letting her participate in the demonstrations and shielding her from the harsh realities
of the civil rights struggle and their community’s battle for freedom.
Relia’s memories of magical moments stargazing with her father help
guide her as she risks her life to be a part of the “Dream” and the “Big
Freedom.”

February 8th & 9th
“Getting More Members for Your Church”, aka Boot Camp, with Paul
Nixon will be held at The Children’s Home campus February 8th and
9th. The pastor attends with a team of 5 or more and you are
encouraged to participate in the follow up coaching!!! Register on the
conference web-site ASAP.
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February 9th - Cluster Service
February 12th & 13th Faith UMC

Effective Leadership & Strategic Implementation Seminar
(aka Leading the Church When You Just Want to Follow)
Brian Zehr of Intentional Impact, who has been coaching leadership
at the conference level, will be in the Yadkin Valley District at no cost
to clergy who choose to attend on Wednesday, February 12th and
Thursday February 13th from 9:00-3:00 at Faith UMC in Rural Hall.
Lunch is included both days. Register with Amy Johnson,
ajohnson@wnccumc.org, by February 10 to attend. This opportunity
is provided by your District Congregational Development/Vitality team
and grant funding at the conference level. If you attend both days, you
will have specific tools to ponder and then implement in your church, as
well as new found vigor for yourself. My motto is B. Zehr or be square.
February 15th - Tabernacle UMC

Chicken Stew - $5.00
5:00 pm
Everyone is invited to come join us for some “warmth!”

February 15th - 17th - Girl’s Chrysalis Flight
Please be in prayer for these young caterpillars as they take on a new
journey in the life to seek to know Jesus in a different light. May they
be drawn closer to him and feel his presence, grace and love as they
take on this new adventure and life changing experience.

February 23rd - Cluster Service
Tabernacle UMC (Mt. Pleasant assisting)
Light meal at 6:15 pm - Service at 7:00 pm

March 1st - Glory Street Quartet 17th Annual Concert
Sedge Garden UMC - 7:00 p.m. --- Special guest - Squire Parsons
He is written 400+ songs about the Christian faith. He is well known for
authoring the song “Sweet Beulah Land”, “Look for me at Jesus’ feet”
and many more. The concert is free, but we ask that you bring a nonperishable food item for Crisis Control. A love offering with be
collected for KIDS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER.
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