The Story March 2016 First , 310 S. Main Street, Lexington NC 27292

Pastor’s Corner

Thoughts on the way to the cross…

As part of my Lenten devotional practice, I read from a variety of writers who share their thoughts about what it means to be faithful disciples of Jesus in a rapidly changing world. Some are friends and some are strangers, but they all challenge me every day. My friend Ken Carter posted a quote a few days ago from Vincent Donovan’s Rediscovered (originally published in 1978):

“Do not try to call them back to where they were, and do not try to call them to where you are, beautiful as that place may seem to you. You must have the courage to go to a place that neither you nor they have been before.”

Vincent Donovan was an American Catholic Missionary who served for 15 years among the Masai tribe in Tanzania, and his book is a recollection of what it looked like to introduce Christianity into a culture that was far removed from the one where he had been raised and trained. I think that’s the world we live in. We feel safe inside the structures and systems where we were raised and trained, but the world around is changing so fast, we’re not sure how to engage the world in Jesus’ name. Our challenge, in Donovan’s words, is to “have the courage to go to a place that neither you nor they have been before.”

As I read the gospel stories, it seems that’s exactly what Jesus did in his ministry on planet earth evident in his teachings, in his healings, and in his encounters with the establishment church. Even in his death and resurrection, Jesus is willing to go where no one has been before, in order to draw the whole world closer to God. And I think its where he calls us to go today, to reach people for kingdom building purposes.

So as we continue the journey toward the cross, and ultimately toward the empty tomb, I’m praying for God to bless us with the courage to go in Jesus’ name.

From the ’s Corner, Jamie Armstrong [email protected] 828-292-3966 (mobile)

Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class Green Bean Challenge 2 Early in January, long before the #Keep Pounding food drive became a reality, we had an adult Sunday school class looking for a way to make a difference in their community.

The Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class decided to— first, challenge themselves and then,—challenge all of the adult Sunday school classes to bring in 100 cans of green beans for the Missions Committee to deliver where most needed.

They collected 164 cans of green beans surpassing their 100 can goal and the #Keep Pounding donated items began pouring into the church office.

Congratulations to the Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class! — Submitted by Jemmietta Allred Annual Chili Cook-Off Wednesday, March 9 (6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall) You are invited to prepare your “best” chili recipe and join us in the fellowship hall for our annual chili cook-off. Remember to bring enough for your family and plenty to share. If you don’t have a chili recipe to prepare & share, do not despair—you are invited to bring a dessert.

Don’t forget your loose change and dollar bills to cast your votes into the jars provided for the favorite chili of the evening. All proceeds will be designated to a missions project. EVERYONE is invited to come and get their fill of chili, cast their votes, and enjoy delicious desserts. Collecting Easter Candy & Plastic Easter Eggs The Children’s Ministry is collecting Easter candy and plastic Easter eggs. You may drop off your donated items at the church office until Wednesday, March 16.

Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt Sunday, March 20 at 4:00 p.m.

—Amanda Bostick, Children’s Ministries Coordinator

February Blood Drive Update

THANK YOU to all of the February Sweethearts who gave at our February blood drive. We received 38 units exceeding our goal! And, many THANKS to our faithful volunteers who served. #UNITED METHODISTS KEEP POUNDING First UMC—Lexington Final Total: 1,002 cans Thank You First UMC Family! Keep Pounding!

CHARLOTTE 636,891 items 177,000 pounds of potatoes

DENVER 360,664 items

CHARLOTTE WINS THE SUPER BOWL #KEEP POUNDING CHALLENGE! Pictured: John McWhorter, Mike Hall, (Delivery Ambassadors) and Phil McKinney (Pastor’s Pantry) CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH 2016 3

Worship Weekly Group Meetings Meetings

Staffed Child Care Cub Scouts United Methodist Women Birth—5 years Mondays at 7p Group 2 Both Worship Services and 2nd Floor Classrooms Tuesday, March 1 at 10a Sunday School Boy Scouts Parlor Children’s Ministry Area on Mondays at 7p the Ground Floor Youth/Scout House Evangelism Sunday School Monday, March 7 at 6p Theology Pub All Ages at 9:45a Conference Room Tuesdays at 7p

Worship High Rock Outfitters FUMC Book Club Early Worship Prayer Breakfast Tuesday, March 8 at 11:30a 1st & 3rd Sundays at 8:30a Wednesdays at 7:45a Village Grill Sanctuary Cagney’s Restaurant 2nd & 4th Sundays at 8:30a United Methodist Women Chancel Bells Rehearsal Fellowship Hall Group 12 Wednesdays at 6p Morning Worship Tuesday, February 8 at 7p Each Sunday at 11:00a Chancel Choir Rehearsal Fellowship Hall Sanctuary Wednesdays at 7p

Men’s Devotion & Fellowship Davidson Prison Ministry We Worship with the Thursday, March 10 at 12p Children Thursdays at 7:15a Biscuit King Parlor Each Sunday during the 11:00a Morning Worship Service Mid-Week Family Fellowship Faithseekers Gathering (Remain in sanctuary for Thursday, March 10 at 6:30p Communion) Wednesdays at 6p Home of Lynne Leonard Children’s Worship Fellowship Hall 421 Pinnix Drive, Lexington Each Sunday following “We Adult: $6 Child: $4 Family: $20

Worship with the Children” in March 2 Endowment the Children’s Ministry Area Program: CELEBRATE! With Sunday, March 13 at 5:30p on the Ground Floor. Please ALIVE Praise Band Parlor follow the Worship Leader: Menu: Baked Chicken in White Sauce Trustees March 6 Communion Sunday, March 13 at 7p March 13 Christa Weeks March 9 Parlor March 20 Laurie Briggs Menu: Annual Chili Cook-Off

March 27 Emy Garrett March 16 Newsletter Articles Due Program: Know Your Neighbor March 15 for April Issue Robin Bivens from Lexington

Sermon Series Tourism and Visitors Center Serving meal at Crisis Menu: Ministries Lenten Sermon Series March 23 Tuesday, March 15 at 6:00p 24 Hours that Changed the Program: Who Knew with Agape Sunday School World Rev. Jamie Armstrong Contact: Linda Saintsing March 6 Menu: Doug Clayton Before Pontius Pilate March 30 Spring Break Mark 15:1-15 No meal/program United Methodist Men

Sunday, March 20 at 8:30a March 13 Events Fellowship Hall The Crown of Thorns Walk to the Square Mark 15:16-24 Finance Palm Sunday, March 20 Sunday, March 20 at 7p 11:45a March 20 Parlor

Palm Sunday Easter Celebration and *10:45a note the time Amazing Grace Seekers Egg Hunt Crucified Tuesday, March 22 at 7p Palm Sunday, March 20 Mark 15:25-41 Home of Betsy Cook 4:00p

March 27

Easter Sunday Maundy Thursday

Risen Thursday, March 24 at 7p Mark 15:42-47 First Presbyterian Mark 16:1-8 Good Friday Friday, March 25 at 7p First UMC United Methodist Women 4 Umbrellas symbolize shelter and protection. UMW around the country joined together in an effort to raise awareness of human trafficking during the Super Bowl this year. The Super Bowl ranks second only to Thanksgiving as the day on which Americans consume the most food. Many of those who are trafficked served food in restaurants or at catered parties related to the Super Bowl. Others washed dishes, cleaned hotel rooms, tidied nail salons, delivered dry cleaning or washed windows. Some women were trafficked as sex workers for escort services. The arrived by force, fraud, or coercion and not by their own free will. UMW opened umbrellas on the streets of San Francisco and all around the Bay area and at Levi Stadium to prevent and protect those most vulnerable, who may be victimized by human trafficking. Our United Methodist Women joined this mission by raising our

YMCA's Palm Sunday Lunch Benefits Y Scholarships Sunday, March 20 (11:30 am—1:30 pm at J. Smith Young YMCA) Chicken pie, creamed potatoes, green beans, Judy's Famous rolls, dessert, and tea

Tickets if purchased by March 17: Adults $9.50 Child (4-10 yrs.) $5 Free Child (under 4 yrs.) OR $10.50 at the door. Seating is limited to first 300 tickets sold.

With advance purchase of tickets, you may reserve a table of 10 for your family and friends for $100. Take-out service is also available. Tickets are available at the front desk of the YMCA. Church member Glynda Smith will be selling tickets in our congregation. Her number is 336-243-7901 or see her Sunday mornings February 28, March 6 and 13.

After expenses, all proceeds directly benefit the YMCA scholarships that provide after- school day care, swim lessons, sports teams, and summer camp experiences for children in Davidson County. In 2015, the YMCA gave $112,000 in scholarships to folks in Davidson County. —Submitted by Glynda Smith

“Daughter of the King” Mother/Daughter Tea “Daughters of the King” Mother/Daughter Tea...a ministry for Godly character that “pours out” of our lives, like from a teapot. It is about our spiritual heritage in Jesus Christ and an opportunity for growth and fellowship!

Saturday, May 7 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Tickets: $8

First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

"...Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. " I Timothy 4:12

This event is an afternoon tea for ladies of all ages with a Kentucky Derby theme (so wear your hats and gloves!) Small hors d’oeuvres and tea sandwiches, etc. will be served along with southern iced tea, hot tea, and mint juleps! Seating will be limited based on how many hosts/tables we have. Each table will be decorated by the hostess with their own china and teacups for place settings with flowers and décor as they choose. We will have prizes: best hat, best table, random drawings etc. We will honor our mothers including gifts for the eldest mother, mother with the most children, etc. Mrs. Emily Bowers, a pastor’s wife with a heart for women’s ministry, will be our guest speaker. She has a strong desire to see women of all ages know Jesus and walk in the abundant life He has prepared for them. Special music is to be announced.

Right now, we need ladies to sign up to host a table, tickets will become available once the number of tables is confirmed. You can host by yourself or with a friend. You can either contact Jennifer Klim (336-688-6713) ([email protected]) or call the church office. There will also be a sign-up sheet on the volunteer desk in the front office. Doing the Dab! 5

Residents from Piedmont Crossing showing their support for the Carolina Panthers. Pictured (front row left) Jo Doris Beck.

Our children showing their Panther Pride during their Super Bowl Pizza Party.

Children’s Ministries Sunday, March 6 4:30 PM-5:45 PM Regular meeting Sunday, March 20 4:00 PM Easter Celebration & Egg Hunt at First Presbyterian For more details: Call Amanda Bostick at 336-596-1363

His Club Sunday, March 6 4:30 PM-5:45 PM Regular meeting Sunday, March 20 4:00 PM Easter Celebration & Egg Hunt at First Presbyterian For more details: Call or text Judy Deal 336-479-7244

First UMC Book Club Everyone is invited to join us on the 2nd Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. at Village Grill for lunch and a book discussion.

Tuesday, March 8 I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christine Lamb Tuesday, April 12 Me Before You by Jo Jo Moyes

CTW Youth Ministry Youth Choir March 6 & 13 4:30p—5:00p in the Choir Room Service Project: Monday, March 21st Open Hands Ministry 6:15p-7:15p

5:00p—7:00p Fellowship at Garrett Home Sunday, March 6 (590 Eastwood Drive, Lexington, 27295) Sunday, March 13 5:00p—6:15p “What Does It Mean To Be A Methodist?”

Sunday, March 20 4:00p—5:00p Help with Easter Celebration & Egg Hunt

6:15p—7:15p Help at Open Hands Ministry Monday, March 21 (W. 5th Ave. & Spruce St., Lexington)

Sunday, March 27 Easter Sunday—Spend time with your family!

For more information about Teens of LifeYouth Ministry: Lee Mabe, Director of Youth Ministry 336-248-2886 or [email protected] The Story (USPS 198-740) Published Monthly First United Methodist Church Bulletin 310 South Main Street, Lexington, NC 27292-3233 Senior Pastor: Jamie Armstrong Office: 336-248-2886 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE STORY 310 S. Main St., Lexington, NC 27292-3233 Periodicals Postage Paid at Lexington, NC 27292 "Return Service Requested"

We’re on the web! www.fumclex.org

Church Staff

Rev. Jamie Armstrong, Jr. Sympathy Senior Sympathy of the ministers and members of the congregation is [email protected] extended to Daniel & Linda Miller, Sarah Miller, Mark & Stephanie Miller Berrier, Matthew & Heather Miller Koontz, and Rev. Doug Rowe their families upon the death of Lauren Miller Dobbins, on Minister of Congregational Care February 22, 2016, in Phoenix, AZ. and Adult Ministries [email protected] Sympathy of the ministers and members of the congregation is extended to Miheepa Jones, Will Jones, and their family upon the Lee Mabe death of Miheepa’s brother, Mitchell Harb, on February 22, Director of Music and Youth 2016. [email protected]

Phyllis Jones Organist [email protected] 2016-2017 Scholarship Applications

Amanda Bostick First United Methodist Scholarships packets are available Children’s Ministries from the church office. Please refer to the Scholarship Coordinator Guidelines for a complete understanding of who is eligible [email protected] to apply for and receive the Scholarship.

Alma Carlton Applications are due back to the church, to the attention of Financial Secretary the Scholarship Committee at the church address, by [email protected] March 23, 2016. Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered Donna Huskins Administrative Assistant for Scholarship. [email protected] —Elaine Cory, Scholarship Committee Chair (336)250-0436

Prayer Requests Brookdale Lexington Glenn Bisbee Jordan Beswick Janice Bacon Opal Bloome Breanna Wilson Susan Fritts

Will Jones Jack Briggs Regina Chrest Triad Care & Rehab Shelly Roberts Ethan Reavis Bruce Thornton Julee Smith Tonya McBride Don Van Hyning Jason & Stacy Heitman

Louise Van Hyning Wood Haven Jenny Rains Ed Wilkerson Becky Greening Louise Pope Cornelia Briggs Edna Morris Jimmy Davis Serving in the Armed Forces Piedmont Crossing Capt. Jarrad Thorley Dean Davis Health Care Bentley Leonard 321 Avondale Lane Judy & John Hench Margaret Beck Ted Johnson Bossier City, LA 71112 June Craver Margaret McCrary Carver Gina Vuncannon Birthday: August 17 Paul Smith John Bruce Davis Wayne Thomas SSS Jason Brownworth Earl Hester Residents Sandra Parker Birthday: Anita Hodge Shut-Ins Barbara Proctor Eric Leonard 1st Lt. Kacie Allred McPhie Pegge Wood Copley Jim & Margaret Ragan Linda Hicks PSC 37 Box 3081 Dot Kinsey Nancy Wilkinson Paul Briggs APO AE 09459 Vavaneen Lewis Jo Doris Beck Robert, Doris, & Keith Hunt Birthday: August 23 Doris McCarn Richard & Camille Lawrence Dewey Carlton Caroline McCree Georgianna Niven SGT Alan R. Ingram. USMC Martha Daniel Kathryn Neal 200 Cantle Court Extended Family and Debra Ann Leonard Evelyn Sink Jacksonville, NC 28540 Friends Betty Jean Whitaker Max Wood Birthday: Susan Best Larry Solomon SPC Trevor J. Morris Alston-Brook Joey Lawrence Jim McDermott US Army Paratrooper Isabelle Trimpey Nakajah Vaughan Len & Dottie Harris Dermont Morris Birthday: Bethany Woods John Davis Brenda Hipp Alvin Pope Carol R. Zealy SPC John Hall Jane King Jack & Susan Phillips Fort Bragg, NC Birthday: August 7