FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 731-642-4764 PARIS, TENNESSEE JOY WEATHERSBEE, PASTOR The Purpose of the Paris First United Methodist Church is… Loving and serving God and our neighbors—with our hearts, minds, souls and strengths. Website: www.parisfumc-tn.org E-MAIL FOR CHURCH OFFICE IS: [email protected] NEWSLETTER FOR July 2, 2019 Luke 10:1 “After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.” I wonder if those first followers of Jesus ever had . Jesus sent them out to every town and place where he intended to go, as if they were to be his warm up act. They were sent to bring “Peace” and to share the message that “God’s kingdom has come near to you.”

I knew God had called me to be a pastor. I was well prepared, having gone to one of the best seminaries and undergone all the necessary evaluations to be approved to serve as pastor of a local church. But after getting word that I was being sent to a two-point charge in rural west Tennessee for my first appointment, I suddenly had cold feet. Most of the members of Clopton and Macedonia, were the ages of my parents and grandparents. Naturally, they would have had more life experience than me, and I assumed would have read the Bible more than me. So I wondered what in the name of heaven, did I think I would have to say to these good folks who would look to me to be their pastor; I was only 24 years old.

A few days before graduation, I stopped in to have one last chat with Bishop Kenneth Goodson, who was the retired “Bishop in Residence,” at Duke Divinity School. He was one of those preacher/teachers who had the gift of communicating in such a powerful way he could have you crying one minute and laughing the next. When I told Bishop Goodson about my feelings of inadequacy in being sent to minister to good folks who would likely be ministering to me, he reminded me of God’s promise that reassures me, each time I’m sent to a new appointment. Bishop Goodson said, “My dear Joy, when you get to Clopton and Macedonia, you will discover that God is already there.”

Suddenly my fearful and heavy heart was at peace. It was such a comfort to remember that I was not being sent to usher in God’s Kingdom; it’s already near. It’s here among us! My role as pastor is simply to help others to see it, claim it and live it - as Kingdom people who know and share God’s Peace with others.

In being sent to serve among the good folks of Paris, Tennessee, I can already see it. God’s kingdom is in our midst. Dan and I have been overwhelmed by your expressions of care and warm hospitality. We are grateful for how you have already welcomed us into the family of Paris First. I look forward to our work together as those who are sent to bring God’s Peace and to remind others that God’s Kingdom is near. Your sister in ministry and Grace, Joy

Please note Joy can be reached via email at [email protected], and her cell number is 731 343 0556

REMINDERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 You are invited to a Bridal Tea for Laura Nash, bride elect of Trevor Cloar, which will be held on Sunday, July 14th, in the Heritage Room from 12:30 until 2:00pm. Laura and Trevor are registered at Lura Lees, The Iron Place and My Favorite Things.  Mountain Missions Truck will be here soon. Please bring your items to Room 101 on Monday, July 15th. If it is possible, pack your items in boxes, as it is easier to load into the truck. Urgent needs this month are school supplies, back to school clothes, good pots and pans, men’s shoes and good used furniture. Items needed for the processing plant are coffee, 20oz cups, 33 gallon black garbage bags, paper towels & toilet tissue.  The Annual Senior Celebration Fun Lunch honoring our older and wiser souls of the church, as well as staff members, is planned for July 17, at 11:30 in the CLC. Anyone 65 or older is invited to join in the joviality. Please RSVP by July 10th as we need to know for how many to prepare food. No formal initiations will be sent, so please sign up by calling the church office at 642-4764 or email [email protected].  The Bridal Tea for Haley Sullivan, bride elect of Ben Edwards, will be held on Sunday July 28th. If you would like to help host this event, please call Cindy Lowe at 731 234 3856.  We are collecting single serve meals for The Shed’s Back to School Bash. Please bring your donations to church Sunday, and drop them in the collection bins provided. Our goal is 500 items, but would it not be wonderful if we could get to 1000!!! Then each child would have two hot meals to take home with them that day!! Items to purchase are pop-top single serve ravioli, spaghetti and meat balls, Campbell chunky soups, and beef stew ect. Anything that can be opened and eaten is acceptable. The Back to School Bash will be held at the fairgrounds on July 20th, from 10:00am – Noon, if you would like to come and help at our table on this day, please contact Mary Jane Murphree at 731 363 1795. Thank you for your support of this local ministry.  Sunglass Sunday will be July 21st this year. Please bring your glasses to the service that day and drop them in the box provided. Project 20/20 is a mission of the Memphis Conference of The UMC. This is an all-volunteer operation and has provided glasses for international mission teams for 25 years. This year they ask for the focus to be on sunglasses, including children’s sunglasses. Thank you!

First United Methodist Church Non-Profit Organization P.O. Box 25 U.S. Postage Paid Paris, Tennessee, 38242 Paris, Tennessee Permit # 17 Return Service Requested

Daily Lectionary Readings Wednesday, July 3, 2019: Psalm 75; 2 Kings 4:1-7; Matthew 10:16-25 Thursday, July 4, 2019: Psalm 30; 2 Kings 4:8-17; Romans 7:14-25 Friday, July 5, 2019: Psalm 30; 2 Kings 4:18-31; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 Saturday, July 6,, 2019: Psalm 30; 2 Kings 4:32-37; Luke 9:1-6 Sunday, July 7, 2019: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66:1-9; Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Monday, July 8, 2019: Psalm 6; 2 Kings 5:15-19a; Acts 19:21-27 Tuesday, July 9, 2019: Psalm 6; 2 Kings 5:19b-27; Acts 19:28-41 Wednesday, July 10, 2019: Psalm 6; 2 Kings 6:1-7; Luke 10:13-16

PREPARATION FOR SUNDAY, JULY 7TH - Worship Services @ 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM 11:00 AM – TV Channel 195; 9:30 AM – WMUF AM/FM radio 8:30 AM – Worship Assistant – Randy Odom; Computer Ministry – Kathy Schaal; Audio – Curt Taylor; Set-up – John & Jane Etheridge; Breakfast – Annette Young & Doris Ellis; Special Music – June & Jim; 8:30 Bus Driver – Jerome Hancock; 11:00 Bus Driver – Norris Geurin; Soundboard Volunteer (11:00 AM) – David Lowe.

The Bishop has asked that we specifically pray for one church in our conference each week. You will notice a new candle being lit on the altar in honor of that church and its congregation. This week we are asking for special prayers for our neighboring church, Antioch in Buchanan, and their minister Linda Hilliard.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Brighton Gardens (Brentwood) – Marjorie VanDyke; Eiffel Gardens – Rick King; Glenmary (Memphis) – Paul Russell; Morningside – Madge Lawrence, Bunny Selby; Paris Healthcare – Covie Byars, Oma Klingenberg, Jimmy Mann, Bill Williams; Pigeon Forge Rehab Center - Bobbie Parker; Plumley Rehab – Jim Adams, Keith Odom, RoseStone: Kate Younker; Unity in Martin - Donna Cooley; Weakley County Nursing Home – Helen Pentecost.

PRAYER CONCERNS: Russell Baatz, Leesa Beecham, Corey Boden, Tommy Bullock, Lisa Caron, Kathy Collier, Kathi Eaton, Peggy Franz, Abigail Frizzell, Glen Garrett, Carolyn Griffey, Clint Hamm (Debbie Elliott’s Son-in-Law), Daryl Harris, Sue Harris (Craig Harris’ mother), Dolores Harvie, Bob Hehn, Patsy Henry, Roy Hill, Cassandra Hobbs, Mary Catherine Lowe, Helen Mazzeo,, Martha McCollum, Cooper McElwain, Jim Morgan, Rachel Morgan, Myra Mosley, Tonya Nash, Susan Neese, Evelyn Nicks, Rick Owens, Ronnie Paschall, Dale & Lois Ramme, Regina & Barton Robison, Merritt Rogers, Taylor Beth Roney, Trudie Ross, Erica Simpson, Shirley Swanson, Mary Lee Walker, Ryan Wheat, Jerry Wimberley, Mike Wimberley.

THE MILITARY: Hudson Bradley, Michael Brewer, Jamie Burton, Jaxon Cook, Callon Conger, Angie Davis, Jason Deaton, Alex Dye, Jimmie Fry, Chris Gay, Hayden Goodwin, Colin Harris, Matthew Hart, Sebastian Hayward, Josh Hearnsberger, Dillon Jackson, Jason Meadows, Michael D. Merrell, Cory Merritt, Zachery Owens, Austin Paschall, Jon Rhodes, Adam Ross, Britney Simpson, Joe Stancook, Loren Steele, Aaron Thompson, Thomas Thompson, Lexy Klopfenstein Veliz, Nathan Watson, Jakob Womack.

Paris First Kidz News

Calendar: July 7, 2019 Acolytes UPCOMING EVENTS James Coulston, Jaden Wilson and Maddie Moroni

Wed. 7/3 Swim at City Pool Family Night at the Jackson Generals Wed. 7/10 Swim at City Pool Ball Park. Saturday Night Aug. 31st. Thurs. 7/11 Arts and Crafts Day in the CLC Meal before the game at 5pm. Game Tues. 7/16 Second Harvest Wed. 7/17 Family Mission Night 2nd Harvest in Camden starts at 6:05pm. Tickets are $18 each. Tues. 7/23 Second Harvest Please RSVP Jennifer 363-4462 Wed. 7/24 Back to School Bash 6pm-9pm

P-First UMY Upcoming Events

CONGRATULATIONS TO BROOKE CAGLE!! July 6th- Super Saturday 12th-14th- Mystery Trip Our new Youth Director. Brooke’s first day in the office will 31st- Wacky Wednesday

be July 15th. Please welcome her as you see her around August the church. 3rd- Super Saturday 11th- Fall Kickoff