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W E E K L Y   U P D A T E     |    J U L Y  2 5 ,  2 0 2 1

Yes, I am truly overwhelmed! Not just me. Lisa and I are both completely and utterly overwhelmed!

In a good way!

Since we arrived here just less than a month ago, the people of Epworth UMC have truly gone the extra mile to make us feel welcome and at home. Many of you have taken us out to eat, or have brought meals to the parsonage. The SPRC, UMW, Children and Family Ministries, and Backyard Mission Camp hosted a wonderful welcome reception for us this past Sunday, and I loved that so many of you were able to come. And you have been generous in your words of welcome to me and to Lisa on Sunday mornings and whenever we have met. As I have begun visiting folks in their homes, in assisted living facilities, or even in the hospitals, you have welcomed me as you would a long expected friend.

Even before we arrived, we received cards that expressed the warmest possible welcome, and as recent as this morning I received one taped to my office door. There have been emails, cards, and visits to the parsonage, each one touching our hearts. Your welcome has come through loud and clear!

And, when it came time to move into the parsonage, there was a dedicated force of Epworthians (Sharon just taught me that term) to help us unload the unit and put the furniture in its places. I learned early on that, when there might be issues at the parsonage or the church, you handle it quickly and efficiently. Whether it is a question as to how things work in Concord (the garbage and recycle schedule makes sense, thanks to you), a needed repair (all of them minor, so far), or the replacement of an appliance (the new dishwasher is working great), you Epworthians know how to get it done!

And, best of all, when you gather for worship, you truly worship the Lord with all your hearts. I have seen that on my first two Sundays with you. I have seen that nightly at the Backyard Mission Camp. I have seen that in meetings opened with devotion and prayer. I have seen that when men gather for donuts and coffee on Wednesday morning. I have seen that in the ways you live and the ways you love your church, this wonderful community, and each other.

So thank you for overwhelming us with such a gracious welcome. We are already feeling at home here among you. Undoubtedly, I am still learning how to drive in Corcord without getting lost. I am still learning the inner workings of our church life with regard to meeting schedules and organizational priorities. I will admit that I am still learning which name goes with which face, and I pray for your continued grace as I learn who each of you are. But, I have already learned and will never forget that Epworth UMC is a church that knows how to show their love. Lisa and I have received your love, and I am forever grateful.

I hope you know that we both love you, too. In the years I hope we will spend together, we will all grow closer in ways that we cannot begin to imagine. We will see Jesus Christ alive in each other, and our friendships will deepen and deepen because of his love in us. Even now, I thrive in the knowledge that, just as Jesus teaches, when I was a stranger among you, you welcomed me. And in the best way possible, I am overwhelmed!




 

WORSHIP WITH US SUNDAY, JULY 25 at 10am
 
This week Pastor Bill Roberts' text is John 6:1-14; remembering when Jesus feeds the 5000. Our message is titled "What Jesus is Going to Do."

Worship begins at 10am. We can't wait to see you!
 




Worship with us Sunday in-person or via YouTube livestream.




 
IT'S TIME TO GET MESSY EPWORTH!
SUNDAY . JULY 25  .  4PM
 
We'll use  Mark 10:17-27  (Jesus' encounter with a wealthy man who wants to know how he can inherit eternal life) to throw us into our theme: "Follow with Your Whole Heart."  Through worship, hands-on interaction and some messy theology, we hope to get you thinking and inspired. Messy Church is for ALL ages and we encourage you to invite others!
 
We are beginning to emerge from the fog of the past 15 months, still in tact and ready to mindfully re-engage in gatherings and ministry. If you have updates or would like to publicize your area of ministry in our weekly E-Blast, on our Facebook page or via our website, please send your information to Jen Hedrick.
CHANCEL CHOIR

Our Chancel Choir has resumed practicing and getting back in tune! We rehearse on Mondays at 7pm and would love to have you join us.  For more information contact Lisa Ewers; Chancel Choir director.
WORSHIP TEAM SUPPORT

"Praise be! Isn’t it wonderful?  It is time to put a word out to all past and potential first time ushers, greeters, and altar guild committee persons.  You are needed once again!
 
Please contact Cookie Richards, or Pat Hawkins, if you are ready to volunteer your wonderful smiles & efforts to enhance our worship services.  Thank you in advance!"
 
 ONE BLOOD . BLOOD DRIVE
 
In partnership with One Blood, we'll be hosting a blood drive on Sunday, Aug 1 from 9am-1pm. The Big Red Bus will be here and we'd love to have you donate a pint that just might save a life.  For more info and to grab your spot contact Sis Mills at epworthnurse@epworthnc.com
FROM SPRC

Jen Hedrick has tendered her resignation as Director of Youth Ministries as of the end of July. She will remain on staff as Media Content Coordinator.
 
To celebrate Jen's most recent tenure as Director of Youth Ministries, you are invited to share in a Love Offering (mark envelopes Love Offering - Jen Hedrick).
 
We thanked Jen for her last 8 years of ministry on the final night of Backyard Mission Camp. If you were unable to attend, we invite you to thank her personally.
 
The Staff Parish Relations Committee is in the process of recruiting a Director of Youth Ministries.
 

MESSY CHURCH | SUNDAY JULY 25 | 4pm

We'll use Mark 10:17-27 (Jesus' encounter with a wealthy man who wants to know how he can inherit eternal life) to throw us into our theme: "Follow with Your Whole Heart."  Through worship, hands-on interaction and some messy theology, we hope to get you thinking and inspired. Messy Church is for ALL ages and we encourage you to invite others!
 

SHOE DISTRIBUTION | SAT AUG 14 | 10am

Thanks to the support from this congregation we have met our monetary goal that guarantees we can provide 500 pairs of shoes to children and youth in our community. Further donations will be used to purchase backpacks and school supplies in-bulk. You can drop off school supplies in the narthex area. Items needed are:

* Backpacks                 * Scissors
* Binders                     * Glue Sticks
* Notebook paper        * Crayons
* Folders                     * Pens
* Pencil box / pouch    * Highlighters
* Pencils                      * Markers / Colored pencils


 

PROJECT EDUCATION HONDURAS

After a lengthy wait, we're excited to announce that we're able to re-engage our Honduran mission this Fall. The Project Education team consists of Teresa and Dennis Gray, Scott Randolph, Taylor Bodenheimer, Allison Hicks and Dr. Kayla Garcia. The primary focus of this mission is to provide support for schools and teachers but there will be a couple of repair and renovation projects as well. Please be in prayer as this team prepares for its mission and for the Honduran natives with whom they are partnering (Roxanna and Misael, Steve and Audrey, Iris, and Sandra and Jimmy).  This trip is scheduled for  Oct 4 -11.


 

CAMP EPWORTH UPDATE

Camp Epworth is thriving this summer. We have over 100 pre-school and elementary-aged kids with us Monday - Thursday. We fill the days with praise and worship, learning about the beatitudes, crafts, outdoor playtime and visits from Papa Robb's Paradise Ice truck.  

 


On behalf of all of us at Backyard we have been overwhelmed by the support and love shown to us by this congregation over the past week. After the tent funk has cleared and a few power naps have been taken, please check out next week's E-blast for a proper wrap up and lots of photos from Backyard Mission Camp 2021!  DO GOOD STUFF!

 

We're excited to announce a new addition to our Shop & Share outdoor food pantry! Backyard Mission campers built a produce stand to be able to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for folks using Shop & Share. Feel free to donate bounties from your summer gardens and if you've got your eye on a good looking tomato - please know you are more than welcome to it!

 


SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR SHOP AND SHARE
 
  • Cereal (sweet stuff like Honey Nut Cheerios goes quick)
  • Canned Fruit (esp mandarin oranges & fruit cocktail)
  • Canned Pasta
  • Soup (esp tomato & chicken noodle)
  • Canned chili (with and without beans)
  • Peanut butter
  • Jelly (grape)
  • Snacks of any kind
  • Cookies
  • Pop Tarts
  • Pudding cups
  • Fruit cups
  • Chips
  • Snack bars
COOPERATIVE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
FOOD PANTRY UPDATE



Our current big needs are:
  • Cereal
  • Peanut Butter
  • Soup
  • Canned carrots, peas, potatoes and mixed veggies
  • Canned fruit
  • Any dried beans
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Toilet Paper
               
As always, we especially seek low sodium items, no-added-sugar items, and whole  grain items.
 
Right now, we have plenty of the following:
  • Canned chicken and tuna
  • Canned green beans and corn
  • Canned Pinto Beans
  • Spaghetti noodles
  • Macaroni & Cheese
                        
Thank you for the continued support from our church partners.  Our Crisis Center at 246 Country Club Drive NE in Concord serves as the warehouse for most of the food.  
  • We will gladly accept all donations at that site from 10am - 1pm Monday through Friday.  
  • Bethel Baptist Helping Hands Food Pantry, located at 1209 1/4 Opal Street in Kannapolis, will gladly accept donations from 9 am to 1 pm on Monday and Thursday. 
  • The food pantry located at Westford UMC on Highway 49 and the Kannapolis Food Pantry at West Point Baptist Church can accept donations on Saturday morning from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. 
  • The Feeding Our Souls Food Pantry at Bethel UMC in Midland, and North Kannapolis Baptist Church Food Pantry will accept donations by calling the church in advance.
  • The pantry at New Life Baptist Church is temporarily closed.
 
We extend our heartfelt sympathies and love to the family and friends of our beloved Charlie Sehorn who passed away earlier this week. 

A private, in-person, memorial service for the family is planned for Saturday, October 2. The service will be livestreamed for others. The exact time of the service will be announced at a later date.

 
FOR OUR MILITARY MEMBERS:
 
                             Mary Elise Capron            Brandon Carson
                           Will Capron                     Brandon Cook
                           Zachary Capron               Caleb Odom
                           Ben Carruth                     Ryan Tennis

 
FOR OUR MEMBERS WITH HEALTH CONCERNS             
Joyce Baucom                
 
Mike Bodenheimer          
 
Judy Bonkowski              
 
Linda Widenhouse Fink   
 
Nancy Fisher                   
 
Noah Goertzen                               
Becky Holshouser            
 
Hannah Hughes                
 
Sarah Hughes                   
 
Bob Lentz

Swann McClure
             
Bob Moss
 
Shirley Nichols
 
Ed Nimmo

Karen Kaser-Odor

Virginia Ritzler

Elizabeth Schavillie
 
Joanne Shepherd
 
Rachel Thomas
 
Betty Towell
 
Betty Wagner

 
 
FOR OUR MEMBERS WHO ARE RECOVERING
 

                          Peggy Caton                     Dean Humphries       

  
FOR OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
 
Pam & Doug Adams
Daughter/son-in-law of Marylyn Smith

Rob & Mae Aldrons
Friends of Epworth Hot Dog Ministry

Morris Anderson
Friend of Betsy Graham

Janet Barbour
Friend of Carol Blackwelder

Brian Barbour
Friend of Carol Blackwelder

Cindy Barfield
Friend of John Mitchum

Nancy Bebber
Friend of Carolyn Williams

Lisa Blackburn
Teacher at Flock Preschool

Jim Bonds
Friend of Kathy Taylor

Charles Brandon
Friend of Kathy Taylor 

Lucas Braswell 
Friend Carol Blackwelder

Bruce
Friend of Garry Dukes

Jo Anne Bullins
Mother of Patty Randolph

Steve Burleyson
Brother of Sandi Billings
  
Garry Burris
Brother of Carolyn Williams

Ralph Covington
Friend of Betsy Graham

TJ Daniels
Husband of Courtney Daniels (Flock teacher)

Drew
Friend of Morry and Sharon Loyd

Johnny Fink
Son-in-law of Nancy Fisher

Friend 
Connie Williams (Betty Wagner’s daughter) 

Dave Goff  
Father of son-in-law - Gaye Seifel

Karen Hopson
Niece of Betty Wagner

Chris Hopson
Great nephew of Betty Wagner

Dee Hutchinson & husband, Ron
Friend of Nancy Fisher

Bill Jackson
Uncle of Kathy Taylor 

Vicky Jackson
Aunt of Kathy Taylor (caretaker of Bill Jackson) 

Beth Jennings
Friend of Kathy Taylor 

Arden Lewis 
Friend of Jenny Bodenheimer

Dan Liebel
Friend of Scott Randolph

Sharon Loyd
Epworth Administrative Assistant

Lynda Lynch
Friend of Carolyn Williams

Nancy Matthews
Husband Jake is employed by IKE'S

Emily McGuire
Cousin of Betsy Graham

Morrow
Infant grandson of one of our Shop & Share friends

Charlie Mullis
Brother of Carol Blackwelder

MaryAnn Neilson
Former Epworth secretary  

Hannah Poteat
Granddaughter of Nancy Fisher  
 
Kurt Randolph 
Brother of Scott Randolph

Edna Shefield
Friend of Jane Hinson

Denise Sleet
Friend of Betty Wagner

Aaron Smith
Aaron's mother, Amanda Smith is
friend of Karen Kaser-Odor

Stephen Smith
Grandson of Becky Holshouser

Katrina Sullivan
Friend of Betsy Graham

Teaching Assistant
Friend of Taylor Bodenheimer

Robby Tucker
Brother of Rick Tucker
  
George Wilson
Father of Lisa Goertzen
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1030 Burrage Rd NE 
Concord, NC  28025
704.786.6183

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