17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20
Red Letter Challenge is coming
Sunday, February 21st!
What is it? “Red Letter” refers to all the words of Jesus found in the Bible. If you have a red letter edition Bible, all of the words of Jesus are in RED.
What is “The Red Letter Challenge”? Here is the big idea: what if we take Jesus's words, the ones that were written in red in our Bibles, and put them into practice? Simple. Right? It is probably not original, yet it is a very revolutionary idea that could change not just the followers of Jesus, but the world in which we His followers live! AND, what if, as a whole church, we read His words together, and lived out His commands and promises for 40 days, literally to practice what Jesus preached? Is it possible that taking the Red Letter Challenge just might change us individually, as a church, and as a community?
The Red Letter Challenge is designed to get God’s people into the Word in three ways:
Worship (live and online)
Daily Bible study and prayer on your own, and
Connection groups where we share the word and live it out together in community.
If you are not in a connection group today, this is a great opportunity to join one. Be watching for more information each week leading up the "The Red Letter Challenge.”
It is starting on the first Sunday in Lent, and it culminates on Palm Sunday, but, prayerfully, the impact of these 40 days will have an ongoing impact in each of our lives, our Faith Family, and our community.
I hope you will find great blessings as you participate in "The Red Letter Challenge.”
Pastor Carl
Note: Beginning July 29, all adults entering the school buildings will be required to wear a face mask and have a temperature check.
2020 Giving Statements
2020 Giving Statements are in church mailboxes. Please remember to pick up yours and review it.
LWML Quarterly Subscription
It's time for the Ladies Guild to renew our LWML Quarterly subscription. Please help us manage our budget and be good stewards of our funds. If you would like to receive a Quarterly, sign up in the narthex or contact Louise Cox, 770.675.3749 or grammylou.cox@gmail.com. Deadline is February 7, 2021. Thank you!
40 Days in the Word Workbook
I heard from so many people what a great sermon Pastor had last week (if you missed it, you can catch it on our YouTube channel). Want to get even more out of the sermons in this series? Here's your chance: workbooks are now available which will help you get so much more out of our current sermon series! Each week has a theme for study and then daily lessons which build and expand on the theme. It's a great way to get into the Word and take it home to heart. Why not pick up one and make the commitment to yourself to delve into the Word on a daily basis? Do it with your small group? Start a neighborhood group?
The books cost $10 each and are available in the back of the church. Please use one of the envelopes in the pew, indicating "40 Days," your name, and include the $10, and put in the offering plate. If you have any questions, please contact Janice Schaag at 770-973-8877 or janice.schaag@faithmarietta.org.
Voters’ Assembly Meeting January 24, at 12:15 pm
You can attend the Voters’ Meeting live (in the sanctuary) or via Zoom. Zoom information will be sent out to voters twice the week prior to our Voters’ Meeting.
We have two items on our agenda: Election of Officers for 2021 & the Calling of Jessica Shea (teacher/athletic director).
Here is the initial slate of officers for 2021:
1. President – Russell Couch
2. Vice President – Peter Amelingmeier
3. Treasurer – Bob Angrisani
4. Head Elder – Paul Arndt
5. Social Ministry – Colleen Umphrey
6. Discipleship - ______________________
7. Church Properties – Bill Schellman
8. School Ministry Board – Andy Doyle
Under our new proposed structure Discipleship will have the following areas reporting to him/her:
· Adult education and Connections Group
· Family Life
· Children’s ministry (Sunday School, Nursery etc.)
· Youth ministry (Middle and High school)
· Confirmation
Nominating Committee: Peter Amelingmeier, Steve Buchtrup, Russell Couch, Colleen Umphrey, Debbie Schellman, Mike Wolber, & Pastor Carl Schneider.
Sent notes of caring and prayer to comfort those in need.
Planned activities:
Nursing home: Visit Manor Lake
Exploring activities for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Continue to reach out to people with notes of Caring and Prayer with my Team.
Continue to go for walks with my Handlers and Team; have to get my exercise in when I can and to keep my skills in tip top shape!
Due to everyone's activities being limited, you may need a “fur fix” and I may be the best remedy for this. We will do our best to ensure we follow COVID-19 guidelines so everyone feels comfortable. I can bring smiles and comfort as well via drive-bys or be outside of your door/window with my handlers and partners. You may request a visit via the following options:
Complete the ‘Hope Comfort Dog Request’ form via this link: https://forms.gle/8oknB7haY7VLGgtE9. When a request is submitted, the information is sent directly to my organizer’s phone.
Call the church office at (770) 973-8877 to set up a visit. Janice Schaag and Susie Glass are excellent sources for getting this information to my group.
We hope to reach out to the public by sharing the "JellyBean Prayer," a way to witness and share the love of Christ during the Easter season.
Update from December: We did not have the opportunity to participate in Laying of the Wreaths at the National Cemetery on Roswell Road on Dec 19 due to COVID-19 guidelines.
We are hoping (hope = enhanced expectation) to have a better 2021!
Woof...Hope
JUST ONE THING
JUST ONE THINGfor January and February will look a little different. Ask yourself 'what is the JUST ONE THINGthat you absolutely cannot live without?' Is it peanut butter on your toast? Could it be that favorite granola or protein bar, maybe your favorite canned soup to warm you up on a chilly winter day? I am asking you to share your favorite JUST ONE THING for the next couple of months. Watch theBOGO’s at the local grocery stores. Maybe your favorite thing is buy one get one free so you can share a few. You can drop off your favorite food donations in the basket in the Narthex or in the barrel in the school lobby.
Starting Sunday January 17th there will be a flyer in the Narthex we are naming “Food For Thought.” In this flyer will be ads for BOGO’s at the local grocery stores. It will also show key items on sale. If any of these happen to be your favorite thing, your JUST ONE THING could be on sale! If you are interested in having this emailed to you weekly please just respond with an email address you would like it sent!
Hearts for Jesus
The focus of the 2020/2021 World Mission/Hearts for Jesus chapel program will be Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” During the program, students “travel” to four remote areas of the world where many people have never heard of Jesus live! With the help of small radios these countries will hear about Jesus in their languages. They will learn about people who are sharing the love of Jesus in their own areas, in order to follow Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19.
As many of you know school’s chapel offerings and Sunday school donations went to what we have always referred to as our “Mission of the Month.” Since there has been no Sunday school, our contributions are down. If you would like to donate to this campaign just put “Hearts for Jesus” under the Social Ministry line on your envelopes!
Habitat for Humanity
It’s that time of the year again! With social distancing there will be fewer volunteer slots but we still need you!!! Here is a list of dates available for you to sign up. Everyone needs to bring a sack lunch as no food is provided due to COVID policy. I will not be at the first two dates but should be at the rest! If you have any questions, please call or email me! umphrey.colleen@gmail.com.
February 20th
March 6th
March 27th
April 24th
May 15th
Jan 22 - Debbie Schellman
Jan 22 - Robin Butler
Jan 22 - Melissa Weers
Jan 22 - Bobbie Crocker
Jan 22 - Susan Barkley
Jan 22 - Anna Carter
Jan 23 - Marilou Alexander
Jan 23 - Chelle Doyle
Jan 23 - Chase Hughes
Jan 26 - Julie Linsey
Jan 27 - Brenda Harbour
Jan 27 - Anna Wolber
Jan 28 - Noah Alexander
Jan 29 - John Savkovich
Jan 30 - Colin Skinner (G3)
What is it? “
I heard from so many people what a great sermon Pastor had last week (if you missed it, you can 
