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Welcome to our weekly update, which is planned to arrive weekly on Tuesdays. If anyone you know would like to receive the update, please direct them to http://grayumc.org/news.
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Sunday Morning Schedule
Sunday School @ 9am
Connection time @10am in the Family Life Center
Worship @ 10:30am in the Main Sanctuary
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Be Very Careful
This past week has certainly brought some bad weather to various parts of the county. Social media reflected responses of care and concern from many across our nation, but sometimes you run across a humorous comment that just makes you smile, like the person who wrote, “It’s drop a house on a witch weather outside and some of you need to be careful.” Those who know the beloved children’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” later renamed “The Wizard of Oz” in the 1902 Broadway Musical Adaptation and the iconic 1939 live action film, will enjoy the reference.
Speaking of being careful, Ephesians 5:16 says, “Be very careful how you live – not as unwise, but as wise.” The context of this verse in the 5th chapter makes it clear that the wise are those who understand what the will of the Lord is, making the most of every opportunity that comes their way. Find our what pleases the Lord (Eph 5:10) and do those things.
What is our Lord’s pleasure? Psalm 147:10 – 11 says, “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warriors; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Don’t let today’s fears drop a house on you. Fear only God and put your hope in his unfailing love. Trust in the Lord.
Dennis
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Dear Church Members and Friends,
Just a reminder: In appreciation of Amy Holmes’ and Judy Ellis’ tenure at Gray, the church will conduct a love offering over the next few weeks to give to Amy and Judy. You may contribute by placing your designated monetary gift in the offering plate, by bringing your gift to the church office or by seeing one of the SPR members by January 19th. Please join me in thanking Amy and Judy for their service to Gray United Methodist Church and wishing them the best in the future.
Sincerely,
Debra Sexton
Interim Chair
Staff Parish Relations |
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Our Prayer Requests for the Week.
These prayer requests were collected by our prayer team, and we ask that you include them in your prayers this week. Prayer is very important in our lives, and we believe that praying together as the body of Christ is essential.
Please remember these people as often as you can this week.
The prayer requester is listed first, followed by the person they are requesting prayer for.
Scott/Jessica Denney for Connor D. - follow-up eye surgery appointment
Amy Blumberg for John B. - recent sickness
Lynice Broyles for Noah C. - cancer/treatments
Charlotte Barnes for friend in Ohio - breast cancer/treatments
Vi Wilkey for Wayne P.- cancer
Vi Wilkey for River J.- 7 mo. old in ICU
Joanna for Rodney Russell - testing
Added after Sunday-
Michael Haas
Thank you for your prayers.
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What to expect
during our Worship time on
Sunday January 19.
This Sunday we will learn about God’s promise to lead/shepherd us and work on grasping a deeper understanding of why He goes about it the way He does.
We hope to see you in the Family Life Center for a light breakfast during the Connection time from 10-10:30 am. Do not feel rushed to get to worship "on time." If you are having a great conversation with your church family, take the time and finish it, then come to worship together.
The worship guide for this week is Jill Wireman, and she will guide us through the service.
Praise and Prayer
We will praise God through different types of music, and pray as a body for his presence to fill us as we worship. During the music, please sit or stand as you feel led. Sometimes you may feel the need to sit and soak in the presence of God. Other-times you may want to stand, raise your hands and lose yourself in worship. There is no right or wrong way. We ask that you only do what you feel, and not worry what you think you should do. This section is less formal, so feel free to find the way you worship most freely.
Prayer is vital to the life of the church. We ask that you bring your prayer cards to the altar at anytime during the opening section. While at the altar, members of our prayer team are available to pray with you, or you may take time to pray at the altar on your own. Member of the prayer team will send the concerns that are shareable to you by email, so that you may pray over the concerns of your church family during the week. If a concern is an urgent need, they will let our worship guides know so that we may pray over them immediately during the service.
Offering will be taken up during the third song this Sunday.
Scripture and Message
Message Title: The Answer Is Blowin’ In A Strong East Wind
Scripture: Exodus 14:21-31; 1Corinthians 10:13
Want to hear the music for Sunday? Click here.
Ministry Servants for Sunday, January 19
Ushers: Darrell Tegtmeyer, Lynn Walker, Colin Wood, Randy Humphries
Greeters: At Kitchen Door: Sandra Bumgarner
At Bottom Ramp Door: Helen Armentrout
At Front Doors: Tom Boyd, Ted Frazier
Facility Monitor: Phil Sells
Nursery: Taylor Davenport
Meals on Wheels for 01/21: Steve Jones
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Volunteers Needed!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
With the beginning of the new Sunday morning schedule, we need extra volunteers! If you would be interested in serving as a crossing guard or greeter, or would be available to help clean up after Connection, please call Peggy at 423-477-3792 or email peggy@grayumc.org. Thanks for volunteering!
CHILDREN
Our Children’s Sunday School class needs a helper to assist with lessons each week. Regina Cline is the lead teacher and will be preparing the lessons. Anyone interested in volunteering, please email emily.wood@scottschools.com or call/text Emily Wood at 423-571-7481. There will be a rotation, so a helper would be needed only once every 6-8 weeks.
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Children
Children’s Sunday Evening Group meets each Sunday at 5:00 pm. Join us for a fun evening of play, snack, music, and lesson.
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Connection
Join us each Sunday for Connection from 10:00 to 10:30 in the Family Life Center. Enjoy free breakfast while meeting others in the church and building Christian relationships. Come and go anytime during the 30 minutes.
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Apple Butter Gang Supplies for Sale!
The Apple Butter Gang still has some supplies who are no longer needed. If you would be interested in any of the following, please contact Don Hall at 341-3160.
Quart jars - $ 1 per box
Fans, window-size - $ 5 each
Apple peelers, used - free
Used banana boxes - free
New pint jar boxes - free
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Pastor Dennis'
Bible Study
Tuesday Morning Bible Study with Pastor Dennis is “12 Faith Journeys of the Minor Prophets”. Classes meet at 10:00 am on Tuesdays in the Gathering room behind the church kitchen. (Door G will be unlocked.) Class will resume from our holiday break on January 7, 2020.
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Jubilation 2020
April 20 – 22, 2020! This is the 20th anniversary for Jubilation, and this year the event will be held at the Ramsey Hotel and Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. Jubilation is for our older adults, and offers workshops, Bible Study, music, and more! Registration fee includes room, program, Monday dinner, and Tuesday lunch. If you are interested in registering, please contact the church office and we will provide you with the information and forms needed. The deadline to register is March 20, 2020.
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The Church Pantry needs are: cooking oil and canned meats.
Our food pantry is open from 10 am to noon Mondays and Fridays. If you can volunteer to help distribute food and talk with our neighbors, we would love to have your help! To volunteer please contact Pastor Bryan at pastorbryan@grayumc.org
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The Food Pantry Volunteer Schedule for January is:
Friday, January 17th – Bob/Sandra Denney
Monday, January 20th – Connie Ripley/Connie Helton
Friday, January 24th – Dennis Zollinger/Jean Holt
Monday, January 27th – Randy/Cathy Humphries
Friday, January 31st – Bryan Orchard
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Financial Peace
Financial Peace University (FPU) is a nine-lesson course designed to help you build a budget, dump debt, give generously, and leave money stress behind. Each lesson, taught by Dave Ramsey and his team of financial experts, is based on biblical wisdom and common sense. In your FPU small group, you’ll be motivated and encouraged by others just like you.
Imagine the impact the people of God could have if all were debt-free! Marriages and families would be strengthened. People would be freed up to be outrageously generous. This kind of hope will ignite change in our entire community.
Classes will meet Sundays from 4:00-6:00 at Gray UMC, from January 5 through March 8. Nursery care and children’s activities will be provided. Older kids are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend with parents. And remember, if you’ve taken FPU in the past, you are always welcome to attend for a refresher or to offer encouragement to others.
Questions? Contact Tracy Cassell at 423-276-0492 or tscassell@gmail.com for more info. Class signup link: fpu.com/1105725
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The United Methodist Women have RADA cutlery and other items for you to purchase. There is a poster and a catalog in the ramp area that will have descriptions and information about all their items.
If you have any questions, please ask Sandra Denney, Debbie Russell, Sue Hall, Jill Flaugher or Lynice Broyles or email dawn@grayumc.org.
Our hope is that we can help make some improvements to the projector so the sanctuary screen can be easier to read.
Want to see the catalogue click here.
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Upcoming Events
Sunday Morning Schedule
9:00 – 10:00: Sunday School Classes
10:00 – 10:30: Connection Time
10:30 – 11:30: Worship Service
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