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October Dates
to Remember
Family Promise
1-5
October 2014
Acworth United Methodist Church
Rev. James Gwin, Senior Pastor
Rev. Linda Birchall, Associate Pastor
4340 Collins Circle
Acworth, GA 30101
770-974-3312
www.acworthumc.org
Carrie Ruff Circle
2
Corn Maze
3
Food Pantry
Men’s Breakfast
Growing God’s Girls
Brothers4Christ
Confirmation
5
"Sharing Our Abundance"
Bible Study
Circle of Prayer
6,13,20,
27
Ladies Bible Study
7,14,21,
Girl Scouts
9 & 23
Youth Girls Night Out
10
Homecoming
Bonfire/Corn Maze
Quest
12
OWLS Fish Fry
13
I was having a hard time coming up with an article for the food pantry this month. The deadline was getting close and nothing was coming to me. Yes, it could have been a list of foods we
always need followed by the many thank yous to everyone for their continued support, but
that just wasn't working for me. Although, yes, we do need food and yes, we are extremely
grateful for all the donations and yes, the past couple months have been challenging , causing
us to once again streamline our shelves. But yes, we were able to continue to help nearly 375
families per month. So with the permission of an "unknown" person, I wanted to share this
prayer with you all and hope it touches your heart as it did mine.
"God our sustainer, we ask you to put your powerful Spirit into all who are empty this day. Fill
the hearts of persons who are troubled. Fill the minds of men and women who are confused. Fill
the stomachs of families who are hungry. Fill the souls of people who are feeling lost. Fill the
lives of all who need you, but do not know you. May your spirit fill us all to overflowing, dear Lord
and may it inspire us to share our abundance with others so there will be no more empty hearts
and minds, stomachs and souls. We pray all this is the name of Jesus Christ, who fills lives with
endless grace. Amen
Depression Support
14/28
District Pastors Mtg
16
Pumpkin Patch
Emmaus Gathering
18
"It is no trick serving Jesus, it is a treat." Help us fill our pantry buggy by bringing some items to
Fall Fest on October 26. I promise, I will be hard to miss!
Children/Family Mtg
19
Baskets of Blessings
SPR Committee
20
'Rene
Finance Committee
21
Celebration Singers to
Daybreak Village
22
OWLS Apple Trip
23
One Day Women’s
Retreat
25
Fall Fest
26
ACTS Mail Team
29
Missions Committee
Worship Committee
Jamaica Mission Trip
28
2811/4
Lit n Latte
30
Last Day of Pumpkin
Patch
31
One Day Women’s Retreat
AUMC Prayer Circle
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Gathering Area
Mondays, 4 p.m.
Two buses will head in
Join us as we raise up the concerns of
Two DIFFERENT Directions!
family, friends and the community.
1-Day Trip to Dahlonega & lunch at Smith House
2-”All Fired Up” Pottery in Alpharetta followed by
lunch.
Flyers available in the Hall of Memories
WE LIFT OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS IN PRAYER
Ongoing Concerns…
Doug Bennett, Mitch Brooks, Mary Cabe, Lisa Carmean, Andrew Choy, June Dyer, Bob Foster,
Frances Frey, Cheryl & Ron Fritze, Grace Justice, Erlene Kendall, Ida O’Malley, Priscilla Mancilla ,
Hayes Rimel, Carol Sawyers, Zibbi Snarski, Don & Lynn Stotts, those in harm’s way and those unspoken
Missionaries: Dorothy Mutambara, Zimbabwe; Inna Mezalumo, Malawi;
Local Mission: Blessings in a Backpack, Family Promise-North Cobb, Middle School Outreach Program, Murphy
Harpst children & staff, Regional Youth Detention Center, Rome, GA, UM Children’s Home
Military Prayer List... Graham Martin, David Sanford
MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS
To the glory of God and the AUMC Faith Foundation Fund
In memory of Jean Huggins by the Gwin family
To the glory of God and the General Fund
In memory of Carolyn & Charles Strawser Sr. by Melanie & Terry Strawser
In honor of Margolese & Norris Long Sr. by Melanie & Terry Strawser
LIT N LATTE WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB
It’s time to catch up on your reading! Come to the AUMC book review club the last Thursday of
each month and join the discussion about the current book., Flight Behavior” by Barbara Kingsolver. Our next get together is October 30 at 7pm. Light refreshments will be served.
Sr. Adults Fish Fry is October 13, at noon in the Family Life Center.
The men will be frying up the fish while the women folk will be setting
out the coleslaw, etc. Y’all come now, ya hear?!
October is Staff Appreciation Month: AUMC is blessed to have a wonderful staff of dedicated, talented people who serve all of us with true servants' hearts. The Staff Parish Relations
Committee invites you to show your appreciation for the many tireless saints of the church
staff by sending them notes of appreciation and/or gifts such as baked goods, gift cards for a
car wash, a restaurant, Amazon, Starbucks, or anything else you think they could use. Place
these items in the offering plate or bring them to the office any time during the month of October. Thank you very much.
A list of our current Because we have had a number of personnel changes this past year, here
is a list of AUMC staff members and their positions:
Rev. James Gwin, Senior Pastor
Rev. Linda Birchall, Associate Pastor
Darlene Soyars, Children’s/Family Director
Hannah Stubblefield, Youth Director
Joan Bates, Church Secretary
Kim Stokes, Finance Secretary
Dan Martin, Music Director
Sonya Peebles, Children’s Choir Director
Vicki Frey, Organist/Handbells Director
Ivy Pirl, Chancel Choir Pianist
Jody Hornbeck, Property Maintenance
Leigh Ann Spencer, Nursery Coordinator
Christine Cartwright, Preschool Director
FALL FEST & Trunk-R-treat!
Sunday, October 26 4:00-6:00 pm
Grab your costumes, stock up on candy and decorate your trunk because the dragons, minions, cowboys,
princesses and more are coming for candy and fun! Start with Trunk-r-Treating from 4-5pm and stay for
carnival games, face-painting, crafts, inflatables and food! Tubs for candy donations will be in the Hall of Memories, Nursery desk and in Darlene’s office throughout the month. This is a family community event! Bring your friends
and neighbors! Buy your pumpkin from the youth pumpkin patch! Everything is free except food & pumpkins.
There will be lots of fun and surprises for everyone!
Youth and adult volunteers can sign up to help with inflatables, games, face painting and crafts.
Sign up for parking spaces will begin October 5 in the Hall of Memories.
All trunks will receive a tote bag of candy if needed to supplement your own candy supply.
Support the AUMC Food Pantry - Bring food donations to Trunk -r-Treat!
Thousands are served each year - your donations make this ministry possible!
Items needed: Peanut Butter, Jelly, Spaghetti & Sauce, Canned Meat, Cereal, Parmalat Milk, Boxed Dinners, Rice,
Beans, Pasta, Corn Muffin/Biscuit Mix, Pancake Mix, Instant Potatoes, Canned Vegetables and Toiletries
G3 - Growing God’s Girls - for 4th-6th graders meets October 5 from 11:45am-4:30pm for Merrick’s Walk at
Chastain Park. Meet in the FLC at 11:30 - we’ll board the bus and leave at 11:45. Pickup in FLC at 4:30pm.
AUMC Medical Release & Permission form and Merrick’s Walk for edin Registration Form are required for
participation. Cost is $5 for lunch and $15 to walk. Friends and families are welcome! More information is
available via email and at http://www.myedin.org/merricks-walk.html. (Okay to register online)
B4C - Brothers for Christ - for 4th-6th grade boys - we’re going to Swift-Cantrell Park on Sunday, October 5!
Bring money for lunch at Zaxby’s - we’ll eat lunch then it’s game time! Parents - each child must be signed
in with Chris & Ed in the choir room after church. Pickup in FLC at 2:30pm. Dads & friends are welcome!
Questions? Contact Chris Derrick at caderrick@comcast.net or Darlene@acworthumc.org.
QUEST - for 3rd-6th graders – will go to Cagle’s Farm Corn Maze on Friday, October 3 from 610:30pm! Cost is $20 each. Watch your email for details! QUEST will meet DownUnder only
once this month… on October 12 from 5-7pm. QUEST logo choices are being finalized - we’ll vote
on the 12th! QUEST will not meet on the 26th - Bring the family and join the fun at Trunk-r-Treat
from 4-6pm! Friends are always welcome at QUEST activities!
FIRE !!! Acolyte Training for 3rd Grade & up on October 5 at 9:45am in the Chapel.
Mark your calendar...
Children’s & Family Ministry Team
will meet Sunday, October 19 after church
for lunch - location TBA. We’ll finalize
Fall Fest/Trunk-r-Treat and holiday
plans. Everyone is welcome! Call or email
reservation to Darlene@acworthumc.org.
Got an hour? Serve Mon, Tues,
and/or Wed 1-2pm during Playball
or Ballet! Just help pick up kids
from class, observe activities, and assist with
restroom and dismissal. Safe Sanctuary
Training is required. Contact Darlene!
October
Coming in December...
10/3
6-10:00p QUEST to Corn Maze
Live Nativity - Downtown Acworth 69:30pm on December 5. Be a part of the
nativity or help with popcorn! FREE!
10/5 9:45
Acolyte Training-Chapel
10/5 11:30-4:30p G3 to Merrick’s Walk
12:15-2:30p B4C to Swift Cantrell
10/12
5-7p
QUEST - DownUnder
Family Activity Night in the FLC on
Wednesday, December 10.
10/19
12:15p
Children’s & Family
planning lunch
Children’s Craft Camp - 9:30a-1:30p on
Saturday, December 13. Kids ages 2-5th
grade create memorable gifts to share and
keep! $25 Registration opens November
2. Space is limited. Volunteers needed!
10/26 4-6p
Fall Fest & Trunk-rTreat Family Event
Looking forward to November:
11/2
11/9
11/23
.
12-2:15p
12-2”30
5-7p
5p
6:30p
G3 Lunch & Activity
B4C Lunch & Games
QUEST- DownUnder
UMW Pancake Supper
Hanging of the Greens
Hann ah
S tubblef ie ld
S tude nt
Mi nis te r
Hannah@acworthumc.org
HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING: October 2014
www.acworthumcyouth.com Instagram: AUMC_Youth Facebook: Acworth UMC Youth
ReMix
Sunday Night
Program:
Oct. 5: Remix.
4:30-7:00pm
Oct. 12: MS and
HS to Cagle Dairy
Farm. 4:00-8:00pm.
Oct. 19: ReMix. 4:30-7:00pm
Oct. 26: Fall Fest. 4:00-6:00pm.
Middle School: “Jesus Freak”
High School: “Can I Ask That?”
Sunday Nigh Schedule:
4:30-5:00: Fellowship
5:00-5:30: Worship
5:30-7:00: Middle School to The
Loft; High School in Attic for games,
small groups, and a message.
Confirmation Schedule for October
Oct. 5: Class: 9:30am-12:00pm
Youth: 4:30pm-7:00pm
Oct. 11: Taste of Acworth
Oct. 12: Class: 9:30am-12:00pm
Oct. 19: Class: 9:30am-12:00pm
Youth: 4:30pm-7:00pm
Oct. 26: Class: 9:30am-12:00pm
Wednesday Night Program
5:00pm: Dinner in the FLC
5:45: Fellowship/Study Hall in the Attic
6:30-7:30: Bible Study
6th Grade: E204
7th/8th Grade: The Loft
High School: Attic
Upcoming October Youth Events:
October 10: Girls’ Night Out. 6-10pm. More
info coming soon
October 12: Middle and High School to Cagle
Dairy Farm. $20. Corn Maze, Bonfire, and
Dinner. Registration Forms are available.
October 18-October 31: Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 7: Paulding Co. &
Allatoona, 7am.
McDonald’s @ Cedarcrest &
92
Oct. 28: Cobb County, 7am
Chick-fil-A on Hwy. 41next to
O’Charley’s
From Senior Pastor
Rev. James Gwin
Wanted
The older you are, the more familiar “Uncle Sam” will be. As represented
by their shared initials, Uncle Sam is the human image often associated
with the United States. Some say the origins of Uncle Sam go back to the
war of 1812. A few think Uncle Sam dates all the way back to the Revolutionary War. While the origins of Uncle Sam are debated, the meaning
(and image) has been clear since 1916.
“I Want YOU,” is Sam’s message. Mostly used for U.S. Army recruiting,
Sam’s desire is clear. As a child, I remember Sam pointing at me outside
of the bank in East Point, GA. I still find Uncle Sam’s direct statement
compelling. I like to be wanted. I desire my life to have meaning.
Jesus makes a very similar request using different words, “Come, follow
me.” I picture Jesus pointing directly at me and saying those words. Of course, Jesus would look silly
in the tall hat, blue jacket, and white goatee. Jesus probably did not have blue eyes or use the U.S. flag
as a backdrop. Still, I imagine Jesus walking up to a group of fisherman, pointing directly at them and
saying, “I Want YOU.” Jesus still does this today. Jesus wants you; right here; right now.
Now, imagine a pastor looking you in the eye, pointing to your heart, and speaking. This pastor might
be “middle aged” and have some apparent male pattern baldness. He might be a bit fluffy around his
mid-section and have a propensity for Hawaiian shirts. Imagine this hypothetical pastor is leading a
church on a hill and between two lakes. He does not say, “follow me.” “I Want YOU,” is not his demand. Instead, this imaginary pastor say, “I need you!” Since this imagined pastor cannot possibly
drive to every home, he writes a compelling note in the most recent newsletter.
Yes, this pretend pastor needs your help, but the church he loves needs you even more. I would hope,
if an occasion such as this ever happened, you would answer the same way a different Sam did. “Here
I am,” is what Samuel said when he heard the Lord speak (1 Samuel 3:4). I pray you would consider
such an answer. There are many areas at Acworth UMC where you can help. Ushers, Greeters, Hospitality, Receptionist, Sound Tech, Video Tech, Children’s Sunday School, Choir Member, Handbell Ringer, Mission Team Member, kudzu fighter, nursery volunteer, envelop stuffer, wall painter, carpet
cleaner, youth worker, group builder, worship planner, homebound visitor, article writer, money giver, neighbor inviter, pumpkin seller, meal taker, closet cleaner, money counter, bush trimmer, communion taker, phone caller, prayer lifter, hospital visitor, letter writer, retreat goer, bible studier, food
giver, present buyer, blood donator, bus driver, meeting planner, life changer, person hugger, vision
caster, happy worshiper, new-person welcomer, backpack filler, flower planter, class teacher, and perhaps even a ministry leader. Jesus wants you. Acworth UMC needs you. I’m depending on you.
Together, God will do great things through Acworth UMC in order to offer Jesus Christ to all our neighbors who may not be following—or even know him.
Your pastor who loves and needs you:
Email: james@acworthumc.org
Cell: 770-757-0403.
…….October
Rev. Linda Birchall
Bright blue skies, lower humidity, cooler temperatures…aaahhhhh. It must be
Fall. October is one of my favorite months. It ushers in the season of better weather
(in my book). It also leads toward those wonderful holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. And, I know this will come as a surprise to many of you, but I
also like football season, which is in full swing in October.
But chiefly, I just love this season of the year. It makes me feel more alive. I feel like I have more
get up and go, as my Dad used to say. I feel energized. I love the changing leaves and the beauty of the
color that surrounds us everywhere we look. I even like looking at all those pretty pumpkins.
This year, we are doing a few new things in the Fall and I am looking forward to them, hoping that
I might see some new faces helping out. One thing we will be doing is focusing on Family Promise,
Homecoming and Fall Festival this October. We don’t have a booth at Taste of Acworth, but we hope everyone will still support that event.
Another thing that is happening is a fun Ladies Day Out on Saturday, October 25.
We wanted to offer a time of fellowship and fun which will include two favorite things to do —
shopping and eating. I mean, seriously. What’s better than that? And spending that time with some of
the wonderful women of AUMC....that’s just about perfect, if you ask me!.
We will start the day by eating. Yay! We will gather in the Family
Life Center for breakfast at 8:15. We’ll also have a devotional and prayer before we head out to start our day.
We will have two groups: one will be invited to go to a local pottery
painting and shop and create something perhaps as a Christmas gift, birthday
gift or something for yourself.
The second group will head for Dahlonega for a couple of hours of
walking around and shopping on and near the square in Dahlonega. (If it’s rainy, we’ll stop at the outlet
mall hear Dahlonega.)
Both groups will end up by — what else? — eating again! Lunch in
Dahlonega will be at the Smith House . Lunch for the pottery crowd will be
at Nicky’s Diner on Highway 92. Sign-up sheets are available in the Hall of
Memories and around the church. We need to know whether you’ll be a
pottery maker or a shopper so we can plan accordingly. I do hope everyone
will plan to make this a date and participate. What a blessing to fellowship
with our Sisters in Christ. Let’s enjoy this Fall and kick it off right with a
great Ladies Day Out!
Blessings, Linda
Sr. Adult Ministry
How exciting and educational our spring and summer trips have been while visiting the
Cherokee Nation Museums. Both the gals and guys enjoyed the tool room at the Funk
Museum at Reinhardt University. We may check out the Indian Mounds in Cartersville
next spring.
Even as we “speak” your Co-chief Owl, Ruth, is coordinating with the pastors to set up our
events for next spring. Our other Co-Chief Owl, Elaine Grey, is taking some time off.
October is a fun month for us. The fish fry is on the 13th at noon at the Family Life Center
and our trip to Apple Country is on the 23rd. We will lunch at Pat’s Country Kitchen. We
have been there before and really enjoyed the food. The cost of $20 will cover lunch and
gas. The sign-up sheet is in the Education Hall. This helps us arrange the transportation.
AUMC MOVING IN MISSIONS
Does your view never change? Do you need a change of pace?
Then get out of the building and get Moving in Missions.
Come and Connect! at a mission committee meeting - Grow and Go! serving in missions
You are invited to attend the Mission Committee Meeting, which is held at 7pm on the last Tuesday of each
month. All you need is a heart to serve with the “Love of Jesus” in missions. Please contact Ben Green if you are
interested: fbengreen@aol.com or 404-775-2007.
Thank You to all who contributed to the Mission Yard Sale In September!
The Missions yard sale raised over $2000 for school fees to go to the Hope Center for children in Mutambara,
Zimbabwe. Thank you for donating items for sale, for volunteering your time driving pick-up trucks hauling
items from storage, setting-up, cleaning up, cooking the fish Saturday for lunch, working the sale during the
day, and just for attending, purchasing an item or a fish dinner for lunch. God Bless You! You have blessed the
school children in Zimbabwe in the name of Jesus!