Pastoral Change Announced. Pg.3: New App to Keep up with the Conference

May 2021

INSIDE!!! Pg. 2: Upcoming sermon topics & Cereal Sunday update. Pastoral Change Announced. Pg.3: New app to keep up with the Conference. John Shontz, Lay Leader, on behalf of Marilee Ostman the Chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee of Jonesboro United Methodist Church Pg. 4: Song for this month’s theme.. Bishop read a statement on Sunday, April 11, 2021, from Bishop Hope Morgan Pg. 5: Messages and thoughts from Ward and the Cabinet of the North Carolina Conference that we will receive a new Andi. pastor on June 29, 2021.

Pg. 6&7: Conference Lay Ministry We give thanks to God for the ministry of Andi Woodhouse who has served among offerings. us as our shepherd, teacher and spiritual guide. We will pray for her as she moves to a new way of serving Christ, and we will continue to be blessed by the witness Pg. 8&9: Pentecost: History, of God's love and grace she has offered to us. Meaning, and Traditions. Our new co-pastors will be Rebecca Neil Albritton and Robert Edwin Albritton. Pg. 10: Memorials and Honorariums An introductory visit will be held with our Staff Parish Relations Committee within & Special Charge Conference the next few weeks. information. Please watch for details on ways we will bid farewell and Godspeed to Andi and Pg. 11: Mother’s Day offering for her family and welcome Bob and Becky. United Methodist retirement homes. Wany to help with hospitality events? Please contact SPRC chair Marilee Ostman at [email protected] or 919-343-1454. Pg. 12: News from El Refugio: International Cultural Celebration and a grant.

Pg. 13: Sanford Sings Karaoke— sponsored by El Refugio & a

special anniversary.

Pg. 14: Focus on our members; Birthdays & anniversaries and “In Our Prayers”.

Pg. 15: JUMC Core Values & Military Ministry update, and “office help needed”. Pg. 16: Regular church activities. Becky & Bob Albritton Page 2 Life Together

Church Staff

Senior Pastor:

Andi Woodhouse

Traditional Worship Music Director & May 2: Communion. John 15:1-8. “Abide in Me.” Church Organist: May 9: John 15:9-17; 1 John 5:1-6. “Love One Another.” May 16: John 17:6-19. “The Ways of the World.” Dr. Daniel Hester May 23: PENTECOST. “Filled with the Spirit!” Summer Series: More Than Meets the Eye. Secretary / Bookkeeper: We realize that things are not always as they appear to be. In the next five weeks we will explore God at work in unusual and surprising ways. Kim Gunter May 30: Trinity Sunday. John 3:1-17. “The Gift of Life.” June 6: Communion. 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1. “Seeing Beyond Suffering.”

June 13: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17. “A New Creation.” Nursery Director: June 20: Mark 4:35-41. “Be Still...” Melanie June 27: Mark 5:21-43. “ A Good Interruption!?” Yarborough

Communication Ministries: Cereal — Cereal —

Deb Taylor Cereal Web Editor Brad Butler Newsletter Editor Don’t Forget Kim Gunter Bulletin Editor Cereal is still needed. March Cereal Sunday provided 63 boxes of cereal for CUOC! Other food was donated Custodian: for a total of 76 pounds of food for CUOC. Jackie Watson If you can’t be at church on Cereal Sunday please bring your boxes with you to church any Sunday. Call Brad Butler at 919-498-5068 if you need boxes picked up at your home.

Pastor on call 919--292-2612. Life Together Page 3

Keep up with the Conference JUMC 2021 Church Council New app. Allows easy access to conference news. Joe Cavalluzzi Chairperson If you are one of many who like to keep up with our North Carolina Conference news, there is a new app which allows you to do just that. Eddie Campbell Finance Committee The app is very east to download (I did it in only a couple of minutes and I am “Road kill on Chairperson the Information Highway”. You can find the download information and link at: https://nccumc.org/ John Shontz Lay Leader What will you find on this app? Church Treasurer

Deb Taylor Updates & Events Financial Secretary Find all of the latest news, updates, and events from the website, right in the app. Marilee Ostman Livestreams Staff-Parish Relations Committee Chair Watch the NC Conference livestreams in both the mobile and TV apps. Also, if you missed one, find the archived session to watch later. Dave Carmony Trustees Chairperson Push Notifications Get notified about important events and happenings throughout the NC Conference. 2- Jennie Lanane 3 notifications per week. Missions Coordinator

Jean Spivey Podcasts Memorial Committee Listen to all of the NC Conference podcasts in one convenient place. Chairperson

Videos Deb Taylor David Taylor (alternate) Find weekly videos from the Bishop, archived webinars, stories from Every Day Grace TV, Lay Member to Annual Pilgrimage 2020, and other app-exclusive content. Conference

Sherry Williams Christian Education Team Chairperson

Bill Huggins President United Methodist Men

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Henry Francis Lyte

Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) was an Anglican clergyman who served nearly half his life as vicar of a church at Brixham, a fishing village in Devonshire, on the southwest coast of England (he Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; served that congregation for 24 years). The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Lyte had shown promise as a poet even as a child, and wrote religious poetry and hymns throughout his Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. life. However, it was only near the end of his life that he wrote the hymn that would make him famous—”Abide Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; with Me.” and died at the age of 54. Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; During the last years of his life, Lyte suffered from Change and decay in all around I see— tuberculosis, the disease that would eventually take his O Thou who changest not, abide with me. life. A few weeks before his death, he preached his last sermon at Brixham. He rested that afternoon, and upon arising took a walk on the beach. He then retired to his I need Thy presence every passing hour; study, and emerged with his poem, “Abide with Me,” in his hand. What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r? Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? It seems clear that death was on his mind as he took his walk that afternoon. He was leaving the Brixham Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. congregation because his poor health would no longer permit him to carry on an active ministry there. It must have been clear to him that he was dying. And so he I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; wrote: Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? “Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide; I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Help of the helpless, O abide with me.”

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; The poem is lovely in both language and sentiment—but Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; it seems odd that a hymn about death could become as popular as this one. But on closer observation, the In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. reason seems clear. This hymn speaks to us, not only about death, but also about life. It assures us of God’s presence and help in life and in death. As it says in the last line of the last verse: Hymn lyrics and story copied from the following website: https://sermonwriter.com/hymn-stories/hymn-stories/ “In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”

Life Together Page 5 Messages and Thoughts from Andi

Christ is with us. “You Are…”

“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in “The way God designed our bodies is a model for you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by understanding our lives together as a church: every part itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and bear fruit unless you are joined with me I am the Vine, the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a other part enters into exuberance. You are Christ’s thing” (John 15:4-5, The Message). body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this!” (1 Corinthians 12:25-27a, The Message) Christ desires an intimate relationship with us above all else! He is extending a sincere invitation to live in him. You are a diligent and committed body of believers! Christ models for us (in his relationship with his You serve with joy. Heavenly Father) what it looks like to be connected Thank you for your servants’ heart over the past six and stay attached on a daily basis. We read repeatedly years! throughout the Gospels of Christ going away to a quiet I know Christ will continue to honor your faithfulness. place to listen and pray.

We cannot survive, much less thrive, without Christ Over the past year you have been patient and adaptable! being our daily source of strength, guidance and So many of you continue to take care of weekly details direction. so that we can worship and grow together! There are days our calendar is full of important tasks. Setting aside time for worship, devotion and listening to My heart overflows with gratitude! the nudging of the Spirit is a necessity. Even in the midst of trying and stressful moments we feel a sense of Andi calm assurance that we are not alone; Christ is with us!

British evangelical John Scott has written, “Simplicity is the first cousin of contentment. Its motto is, ‘We bought nothing into this world, and we can certainly carry nothing out.’ It recognizes we are pilgrims. It concentrates on what we need, and measures this by what we use. It rejoices in the good things of creation, but hates waste and greed and clutter. It knows how easily the seed of the Word is smothered by the ‘cares and riches of this life.’ It wants to be free of distractions, in order to serve God and others.” (Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, p. 147). Thank you for your desire to love and grow in your relationship with Christ and others! With Christian love and gratitude, Rev. Andi Woodhouse

Page 6 Life Together

2021 Certified Lay Minister Day of Discovery

Do you sense God calling you to engage in an ongoing formal ministry at your local church or beyond in your community? OR, are you a Certified Lay Servant or Certified Lay Speaker whose occasional opportunities to speak or serve have brought forth a call to make a full-time commitment as a layperson? If so, you may be sensing a call to become a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) in The United Methodist Church. “The certified lay minister serves to enhance the quality of ministry much like a class leader did in early Methodism through service in the local church, circuit or cooperative parish, or by expanding team ministry in other churches and charges. As with lay ministry in early Methodism, the certified lay minister uses his or her spiritual gifts as evidence of God’s grace.” (Paragraph 268.2, 2016 Book of Discipline) Deciding to pursue becoming a certified lay minister is a big step and the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Minis- tries is offering a CLM Day of Discovery through Zoom on Saturday, July 17, 2021. More information and registration will be available in June.

Leading Public Prayer – June 5th Leading Public Prayer (*required for certified Lay Speaker) will be offered 9:00 am to 5:30 pm on Saturday, June 5, 2021 by Zoom. Rev. Vermel H. Taylor will be facilitating the class. Rev. Taylor is the pastor of Galilee United Methodist Church in Laurinburg, NC. Cost is $15.00. Registration ends May 28 Anyone who would like to learn the elements of public prayer and way of leading public prayer in a variety of settings is welcome to participate. This course falls in the Pathway: Prayer Teams Anyone who is called upon to lead public prayer may feel anxious and possibly inadequate for such a task. This course offers help for novices as well as veteran leaders of prayer as they create and deliver appropriate prayers for those on whose behalf the prayer is offered. Learners will: • Consider what public prayer is and is not • Acquire practical guidelines for avoiding common pitfalls • Explore prayers as an integral part of worship • Discuss the kind of language we need, and don’t need, to address God. In your registration confirmation, you will receive a link to order your text – Shaping the Prayer of the People by Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher. Read the text prior to class and have access to the United Methodist Hymnal and the United Methodist Book of Worship. Your church or pastor might have copies that you can borrow. For questions regarding the class, please contact Effie McGill at [email protected] If you have questions regarding the registration, you are asked to call the District Office (919.779.9435) or email at [email protected] Life Together Page 7

Spiritual Gifts – June 5th and 12th. Spiritual Gifts will be offered virtually on June 5th and June 12th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on ZOOM. The Rev Benny Oakes, Pastor of First UMC in Elizabeth City, NC and Suzanne Nelson, Beacon District LSM Co-Director, will facilitate this course.

The course focuses on gaining a better understanding of the church and its ministry needs by learning what it means to be a minister. It also describes practical ways of using gifts in ministries in our congregations and communities.

Participants will:

• Discover the nature of spiritual gifts through bible study and reflection • Relate spiritual gifts to the overall life of the church and to the means of grace • Discover one’s own spiritual gifts and examine their definitions • Develop a plan to implement the use of spiritual gifts as an element of leader development and deployment in the local church Order the required textbook – Each One a Minister by William J. Carter. (Link to order our text will be in the email you receive after registering.)

Please read the text prior to class. Directions will be sent several weeks in advance (after a paid registration) with time to prepare before the virtual class.

Cost is $15.00. Registration is open until May 31

This course is part of ALL the Pathways to Leadership in the NC Conference. For questions regarding the course, please contact your LSM Co-Directors: Suzanne Nelson (252.207.6168) or Ginny Crocker (252.339.2209) If you have questions about the registration, you are asked to call the District Office (919.779.9435) or email at [email protected].

Page 8 Life Together

Pentecost: History, Meaning, and Traditions

The Christian holiday of Pentecost, is a moveable feast which is celebrated the 50th day (the seventh Sunday) from Easter Sunday, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1– 31).

The holiday is also called "White Sunday" or "Whitsunday" faith signified a fundamental theological separation from the or "Whitsun", especially in the United Kingdom, where traditional Jewish faith, which was grounded in the Torah traditionally the next day, Whit Monday, was also a public and Mosaic Law. holiday (since 1971 fixed by statute on the last Monday in May). The Monday after Pentecost is a legal holiday in The liturgical celebrations of Pentecost in Western many European countries. In Eastern Christianity, Pentecost churches are rich and varied. The main sign of Pentecost in can also refer to the entire fifty days of Easter through the West is the color red. It symbolizes joy and the fire of the Pentecost inclusive; hence the book containing the liturgical Holy Spirit. Priests or ministers, and choirs wear texts is called the "Pentecostarion". red vestments, and in modern times, the custom has extended to the lay people of the congregation wearing red The events of Acts Chapter 2 are set against the backdrop of clothing in celebration as well. Red banners are often hung the celebration of Pentecost in Jerusalem. There are several from walls or ceilings to symbolize the blowing of the major features to the Pentecost narrative presented in the "mighty wind" and the free movement of the Spirit. The second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. The author celebrations may depict symbols of the Holy Spirit, such as begins by noting that the disciples of Jesus "were all together the dove or flames, symbols of the church such as Noah's in one place" on the "day of Pentecost". The verb used in Ark and the Pomegranate, or especially within Protestant Acts 2:1 to indicate the arrival of the day of Pentecost carries churches of Reformed and Evangelical traditions, words a connotation of fulfillment.. rather than images naming for example, the gifts and Fruits of the Spirit. Red flowers at the altar/preaching area, and red There is a "mighty rushing wind" (wind is a common symbol flowering plants such as geraniums around the church are for the Holy Spirit) and "tongues as of fire" appear. The gathered disciples were "filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance". Some scholars have interpreted the passage as a reference to the multitude of languages spoken by the gathered disciples, while others have taken the reference to "tongues" to signify ecstatic speech. In Christian tradition, this event represents fulfillment of the promise that Christ will baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit. (Out of the four New Testament gospels, the distinction between also typical decorations for Pentecost masses/services. These baptism by water and the baptism by Christ with "Holy symbolize the renewal of life, the coming of the warmth of Spirit and fire" is only found in Matthew and Luke.) summer, and the growth of the church at and from the first Pentecost. In the southern hemisphere, for example, in The narrative in Acts evokes the symbolism of Jesus' southern Australia, Pentecost comes in the mellow baptism in the Jordan River, and the start of his ministry, by autumntide, after the often great heat of summer, and the red explicitly connecting the earlier prophecy of John the leaves of the poinsettia have often been used to decorate Baptist to the baptism of the disciples with the Holy Spirit churches then. on the day of Pentecost. The timing of the narrative during the law giving festival of Pentecost symbolizes both These flowers often play an important role in the ancestral continuity with the giving of the law, but also the central role rites, and other rites, of the particular congregation. For of the Holy Spirit (understood as an aspect of Jesus Christ) example, in both Protestant and Catholic churches, the plants for the early Church. The central role of Christ in Christian brought in to decorate for the holiday may each be Life Together Page 9

"sponsored" by individuals in memory of a particular loved is called Pasqua rosatum. The Italian name Pasqua one, or in honor of a living person on a significant occasion, rossa comes from the red colors of the vestments used on such as their Confirmation day. Whitsunday.

Another custom is reading the appointed Scripture lessons In France it was customary to blow trumpets during Divine in multiple foreign languages recounting the speaking in service, to recall the sound of the mighty wind which tongues recorded in Acts 2:4–12. accompanied the Descent of the Holy Spirit.

In the Middle Ages, cathedrals and great churches In the north west of England, church and chapel parades throughout Western Europe were fitted with a peculiar called Whit Walks take place at Whitsun (sometimes on architectural feature known as a Holy Ghost hole: a small Whit Friday, the Friday after Whitsun). Typically, the circular opening in the roof that symbolized the entrance of

parades contain brass bands and choirs; girls attending are dressed in white. Traditionally, Whit Fairs (sometimes the Holy Spirit into the midst of the congregation. At called Whitsun Ales) took place. Other customs such Pentecost, these Holy Ghost holes would be decorated with as morris dancing and cheese rolling are also associated flowers, and sometimes a dove figure lowered through into with Whitsun. "Whitsunday" has been the name of the day the church while the narrative of Pentecost was read. Holy in the Church of England. The Book of Common Prayer Ghost holes can still be seen today in European churches only once uses the word "Pentecost" for the festival. such as Canterbury Cathedral. Similarly, a large two Though some think that name derives from white clothes dimensional dove figure would be, and in some places still worn by newly baptised in Eastertide, it may well be seen is, cut from wood, painted, and decorated with flowers, to as derived from "wit", hence "wisdom", the reference being be lowered over the congregation. In other places, to Holy Wisdom (Sancta Sophia, Hagia Sophia), referred to particularly Sicily and the Italian peninsula, rose in Proverbs and the Book of Wisdom, with which the Holy petals were and are thrown from the galleries over the Spirit has often been identified. congregation, recalling the tongues of fire. In modern times, this practice has been revived, and adapted as well, to In Ukraine the springtime feast day of Zeleni Sviata became include the strewing of origami doves from above or associated with the Pentecost. (The exact origin of the suspending them, sometimes by the hundreds, from the relationship is not known). The customs for the festival ceiling. were performed in the following order: first, home and hearth would be cleaned; second, foods were prepared In some cases, red fans, or red handkerchiefs, are for the festival; finally, homes and churches were decorated distributed to the congregation to be waved during the with wildflowers and various types of green herbs and procession, etc. Other congregations have incorporated the plants. A seven course meal may have been served as the use of red balloons, signifying the "Birthday of the Pentecost feast which may have included traditional dishes Church". These may be borne by the congregants, decorate such as cereal with honey (kolyvo), rice or millet grains the sanctuary, or released all at once. with milk, sauerkraut soup (kapusniak), chicken broth with handmade noodles (iushka z zaterkoiu), cheese turnovers In Italy it was customary to scatter rose petals from the (pyrizhky syrom), roast pork, buckwheat cakes served ceiling of the churches to recall the miracle of the fiery with eggs and cheese (blyntsi), and baked kasha.[81] tongues; hence in Sicily and elsewhere in Italy Whitsunday From Wikipedia Page 10 Life Together

Memorials and Honorariums In Memory of Jimmy Scott

Mike & Kathy Ingram

In Memory of Margie Mann

Mike & Kathy Ingram Garris Conner

SAS Institute (Jen Mitchell)

Your gift of gratitude lets another know how much you care for them and empowers our profession of faith for the future. Donation forms are available in the office and from the JUMC website.

Special Charge Conference announcement A Special Charge Conference is being called by District Superintendent Dena White for

Sunday, May 2nd at 2 P.M.

Members of the Church Council of Jonesboro United Methodist Church will meet via Zoom call with D.S. Dena White to vote on 2 items.

First is the final discussion and vote on the sale of the parsonage. You may recall the Trustees recommended in September of 2020 that the parsonage be sold instead of undertaking the extensive repairs that were required. The Finance Committee reviewed the budgetary effects of maintaining a parsonage vs. providing a pastoral housing allowance and found them acceptable. In addition, there will be a benefit of having equity monies realized from the sale available for future capital improvements on other church property. Church Council approved the motion to sell. Then on January 12, 2021 the Fairway District Buildings and Location Committee met and unanimously decided that it would be in JUMC’s best financial interest for the property to be sold.

Second, is the changing in the budget for pastoral compensation in 2021. With the change in pastors, the compensation package is also changing. The total package will be $3,915.00 less for the new co-pastors than what was budgeted and approved for pastoral compensation in 2021.

Both these items must be voted on at a Charge Conference before they can be enacted.

If you should have any questions or comments regarding these two items, please direct them to Church Council members: Joe Cavalluzzi, John Shontz, Dave Carmony, Marilee Ostman, or Eddie Campbell prior to April 25th.

Life Together Page 11

Mother’s Day Offering for UMRH

On Behalf of The United Methodist Retirement Homes, Inc. and the residents we serve, we thank each of the churches for their continued support of the Mother’s Day Offering for benevolent care.

We know that all United Methodist Churches are still focusing on doing what they can to support their congregations and their families, and communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

If you church like to contribute, please send in your request by email to [email protected] or by call Cheryl Miller at (919) 384-3005.

Donations may be sent to the NCCUMC office.

We join you in prayer that you and your congregations remain safe and healthy.

Blessings, Cheryl Miller, UMRH Development Specialist Caleb W. Baker, UMRH Development Director Jonathan Erickson, UMRH Corporate Executive Director

Cypress Glen

Wesley Pines

Croasdaile Village Page 12 Life Together

El Refugio’s Sixth Annual International Culture Celebration – June 5

Save the date for Saturday, June 5, to “take a trip around the world” at El Refugio’s annual International Culture Celebration. The event will look different this year, but still feature interactive exhibits and performances by local folks sharing their home countries’ cultures. Watch for details in JUMC and El Refugio materials, including Facebook/ElRefugioLeeCo. At press time, plans are for an afternoon event at Circle M City event venue, with timed entries by reservation. We will keep you posted as plans solidify!!

El Refugio Awarded $25,000 Grant for Resource Connections

JUMC outreach El Refugio Family Resource Center recently received a $25,000 grant from The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, which works statewide to improve equitable access to opportunity. The Trust is a new funder for El Refugio

The grant’s focus is to support El Refugio’s ongoing work to connect local Latinx and immigrant residents with resources to meet their physical, health, family, educational and legal needs. These monies will specifically expand capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic via targeted awareness/education efforts, community partnerships and improved access to local resources for the Spanish-speaking immigrant communities. In Lee County, 19.6% of the population is Latinx, but 39% of COVID-19 cases have been among Latinx residents. Vaccination rates to date are also lower among these neighbors (14.2% of those vaccinated). These disparities reflect diverse demographics, reduced health care access, fear/unfamiliarity and living conditions. As a trusted source of information and assistance, El Refugio is working to help! Praise God for this opportunity and support.

Kate Bitting Reynolds established the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust in 1947 to improve the quality of life and health of residents with low incomes throughout North Carolina. During her lifetime, she worked to ensure everyone—regardless of race, gender, or income—had access to health care, quality education, and economic opportunity.

Kate was the wife of William Reynolds, Chief executive Officer of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company and son of R.J. Reynolds, the company’s founder. Kate B. Reynolds Life Together Page 13

El Refugio Presents: Sanford Sings Karaoke Community fundraiser for nonprofits that serve Lee County ...though hit hard by reduced giving during the COVID-19 crisis, they serve our community in so many ways! All votes / donations go to the nonprofit each singer represents.

Vote for your favorite act online while supporting the nonprofit of your choice! Online voting through May 9 Finals event livestream May 15, 4-7 pm Watch & Vote Here: Sanford Sings Karaoke 2021

Finals prizes: Most Money Raised, Best Singing, Most Entertaining, Best Costume, Most Spirited

El Refugio is hosting and funding this effort — PLEASE consider supporting JUMC’s outreach ministry with your votes!!

Finals will be held May 15, 4-7 pm, in the JUMC Wesley Center but are NOT open to the public. All COVID-19 precautions will be followed. Tune in to watch the Facebook livestream and keep voting for your favorite!

Barbara & Joe

...and many, many more.

Page 14 Life Together Focus on our members May Birthdays May Anniversaries

May 1 Stacey Hathaway May 18 1985 David & Deb Taylor May 2 Darrell Sapp May 29 Allen & Nell Matthews May 7 Joe Thomas May 8 Marsha Kenner May 12 Johann Coley About four days a week, I do pretty good at May 12 Mary Watson having a morning prayer time. But even at that, it's a May 16 Cliff Wheeler rambling sort of thing. What I have learned to do May 18 Arletta Gardner better is to try to keep my mind turned toward God and ear inclined toward God throughout the day, and I May 18 Vicki Cannady think I'm doing better at that, but I've got a long way to May 18 Melanie Yarborough go. May 19 Tommie Buchanan May 21 Peggy Thomas Max Lucado May 22 Richard Hoyle May 22 Tim Kenner May 29 Jack Sapp May 31 Anna Dixon If you have a name would like to have included on May 31 Hunter Hoyle the prayer list please either call the church office or email May 31 Melba Hales Kim at [email protected] and she will include the names. You MUST have the permission of the person being listed before submitting the name.

In our prayers Military Personnel & Their Families: Andy Cook, Pat Mohan, Trey Walden, Jonathan Pemberton, Adrian York, Andrew Rhodes, Adam Bowen, Family of James Eric Cochrane Bob Lanane III, Colleen Pemberton, (Jim) Blackburn Thomas Garrett Brianna Gordon. Larry Cameron Barry Gunther Hal Cleavinger Alan Kyles Ecic Cochrane Vieta Smith Corrine Cockrell COVID 19 has forced many people who usually Harry Workman are able to get out a little to remain at home all day every Margaret Cox day with little or no contact with others. Please remember our elderly members who are “shut-ins” with your prayers, a call, or a card. Life Together Page 15

Collected to date Percent of goal Percent of year gone OUR COUPONS GOAL: $600,000 $401,231.64 66.9% 29.0%

OUR CELL PHONE GOAL: 6 12.0% 29.0% 50

As of April 18, 2021

JUMC Office Volunteer(s) Needed!

In an effort to support JUMC Administrative Coordinator Kim Gunter as she attends to her husband’s needs following his stroke, the Staff Parish Relations Committee is searching for one or more volunteers to cover the church office at specific times each week. Kim continues most of her work off-site (and during “off hours”!), but she is not able to be in the office during the daytimes. Kim tells us the busiest periods are Mondays and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., although other days could be considered. Kim will help prepare the list of tasks the volunteer could do, such as answer the telephone, greet visitors, receive dropped-off donations or packages, make copies, distribute the Upper Room, etc. We are asking for volunteers who would be available to regularly spend one or two part-days per week in the church office from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This opportunity could begin as soon as possible and continue, for now, through June or July. Once the schedule is determined, we will inform JUMC friends and members when the church office will be open. Can you help? If you are interested and available, kindly contact Marilee Ostman, SPRC Chair at [email protected] or 919-343-1454 for more information. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this request.

All scripture references, unless otherwise noted, come from the Zondervan NIV Study Bible, 2002 edition, Kenneth L. Barker General Editor. Translation by: The Committee on Bible Translation, International Bible Society, 1820 Jet Stream Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

All pictures and clip art are obtained on line from: Google Images—https://www.google.com/imghp unless otherwise noted.

Nonprofit Org.

U. S. Postage Paid

407 West Main Street Permit No. 101 Sanford, NC 27332 Sanford NC Phone: 919-775-7023 Fax: 919-775-3605 E-mail: [email protected]

Regular JUMC activities

Sunday Wednesday Holy Communion—1st Sundays. 6:30 p.pm—Handbell Choir (Sept.—May). Worship Services Food & Good Samaritan Fund —1st Sundays 6:30 p.m.—Small Groups and studies. Second Mile Sundays—4th Sundays ($20.21) 7:30 p.m.—JUMChoir, Music Room. Sunday Morning 10:00 a.m.—Worship in the Sanctuary. 6:00 p.m.—Bible Study, WC (Periodically). Thursday Worship 1:00 p.m.— Knitting Group, Library. in the Sanctuary Monday 6:00 p.m.—ESL & SSL classes in both 10:00 a.m. 12:00 Noon—Bulletin submission deadline. buildings 6:00 p.m.—ESL classes in both buildings. 8:00 p.m.—AA, Basement Education Building. 8:00 p.m.—Alanon, Education Building. Tuesday 6:00p.m.—ESL & SSL classes in both buildings. 8:00 p.m.—AA, Basement Education Bldg. Newsletter Deadline: 18th of each month. Next deadline is May 18 for the Many of our regular church activities have been cancelled or changed due to the June 2021 issue. COVID-19 virus. If you have questions about any event call the church office for updates.