Several of you who attended the Ash Wednesday Noonday service commented on how meaningful the prayer I shared was to you. It was written by Macrina Wiederkehr and is included in her book, Seasons of the Heart. I’m thankful to my sister, Rev. Barbara Clark, for introducing me to her writings. This coming Sunday, March 19th, the Gospel reading is John 4:5-42 which is the conversation between Jesus and the woman of Samaria who comes to the well at noon. That scripture inspired this prayer.

Empty Water Jar Prayer by: Macrina Wiederkehr

Jesus, I come to the warmth of your Presence knowing that You are the very emptiness of God. I come before You holding the water jar of my life. Your eyes meet mine and I know what I'd rather not know. I came to be filled but I am already full. I am too full. This is my sickness: I am full of things that crowd out Your healing Presence. A holy knowing steals inside my heart and I see the painful truth. I don't need more. I need less. I am too full. I am full of things that block out Your golden grace. I am smothered by God’s of my own creation. I am lost in the forest of my false self. I am full of my own opinions and narrow attitudes full of fear, resentment, control; full of self pity, and arrogance. Slowly this terrible truth pierces my heart; I am so full, there is no room for You.

Contemplatively, and with compassion, You ask me to reach into my water jar. One by one, Jesus, you enable me to lift out the things that are a hindrance to my wholeness. I take each on to my heart. I hear You asking me, "Why is this so important to you? " Like the murmur of a gentle stream I hear You calling, "Let go, let go, let go! " I pray with each obstacle, tasting the bitterness and grief it has caused. Finally, I sit with my empty water jar. I hear you whisper, “You have become a space for God; Now there is hope. Now you are ready to be a channel of Life. You have given up your own agenda. There is nothing left but God.”

I Thirst- Jan Richardson

The main church phone number is 865-982-1273 *Please note that ALL staff emails now end with

1stchurch.org unless otherwise noted. Pastors Catherine Nance cnance ext.111 Parker Benson pbenson ext. 106 Sarah Slack sslack ext. 107 Music Terry Wilson sacmusic ext. 109 Susan Daves sdaves ext. 110 Chris Lee clee ext. 116 Dwain Pesterfield (organist) DwainP602@bellsouth.net Sarah Lawson slawson Katie Russell krussell Children’s Ministries Denise Johns djohns ext.113 Carmen Faircloth ceaf26@att.net Youth Ministries Nathan Irwin nirwin ext.202 Administrator Mark Blodgett mblodgett ext. 103 Communications Clayton Hensley chensley ext.100 Membership Secretary Jane Sanders jsanders ext. 101 Welcome Table Amelia Geis-Scott ameliageis@yahoo.com Technical Director Samuel Williams swilliams@1stchurch.org Maintenance & Custodial Staff Paul Brown, Sherri Justice, Bryan Holder 982-1273

General Questions info@1stchurch.org

Staff

March 27th Submission deadline: March 24th April 10th Submission deadline: April 7th *If you have something you would like to see in The Church Bell, please send it to chensley@1stchurch.org or drop it by the church office. If you are wanting an event promoted please fill out the online event promotion form at least a month prior to the event. Hard copies of the event form are available in the church office.

Publishing Schedule

Welcome to 1st!

Are you considering church membership or just want to learn more about the United Methodist Church or 1st UMC Maryville?

If so, be sure and check out this class starting in April.

Event Reminder The United Methodist Women of 1st UMC are hosting

the annual Call to Prayer and Self Denial this Thursday, March 16th. The event focuses on Abundant Health for Women and features speaker, Jaclyn Hone, MD

with Trinity Medical Associates.

This event begins at 11:00 am in Wesley Hall and is followed by lunch ($5 donation suggested). Please help the UMW get an idea of how many people are

coming by signing up at www.1stchurch.org or call the church office at 982-1273.

The Burns Family Bill and Amanda

Everleigh & Waylon

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Pilgrim Walk in the Woods Monday, March 20th

Leaving the church at 9:00 am Experience nature and Lent in a new way as you hike the Middle Prong Trail at Tremont in the Great Smoky Mountains. Along the 4-mile hike there will be stops for prayer and reflection. Rev. Laura Rasor of Broadway UMC will be your guide. The hope is that the communion with creation will lead to greater communion with God. Sign up online at www.1stchurch.org or call the church office at 982-1273.

March 22nd - A Timely Table Rev. Carol Wilson, Holston Conference of the UMC

March 29th - A Forgiving Table Rev. Bob Hayes, Broadway UMC, retired

April 5 - A Wide Table Rev. Eric Bronkala, Shannondale Community/ Middlebrook Pike UMC

Traditional Worship at 8:15 & 10:30 Contemporary Worship at 10:30 am

Easter Egg Hunt for Children up to 6th Grade during the 9:15 am Sunday School Hour.

Lunch for Families with Children at 11:45 am in Wesley Hall

(Please sign up online or call 982-1273.)

Monday, April 10th Rev. Betty Furches - Friendsville UMC

Tuesday, April 11th Rev. Laura Rasor - Broadway UMC

Wednesday, April 12th

Rev. Daniel Castillo - St. John UMC

Thursday, April 13th

Rev. Alta Raper - Binfield UMC

Friday, April 14th

Tim Kobler - UTK Wesley Foundation

All the services are in the Sanctuary.

A light meal will be served in Wesley Hall following worship.

For more on what’s happening during Lent, Holy Week and Easter please visit:

www.1stchurch.org

Look for “Lent and Easter 2017” under the “Happening at 1st” tab.

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Helping the homeless one step at a time by: Mavis Ziegler - 1st UMC Family Promise Coordinator

1st UMC was scheduled to house homeless families as part of the Family Promise mission the week of February 19th to 26th. For the first time in the nine years since Family Promise has been in Blount County there were NO families in the emergency shelter phase of the program! If only there were no longer homeless families, it would be an answer to prayers. Nationwide there is a lower census this time of year due to tax refunds. Sadly, many families are unable to remain stable and soon need shelter so their children have a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs. In fact, a new family entered February 26th. Also, nine other families remain in the other two phases of the program. Family Promise is such a blessing for those who are experiencing a truly low time in their lives. Once families graduate from the Emergency Shelter phase of Family Promise, the mission program stays with them through Bridges and Going Home, Staying Home. During Bridges, families will pay rent at a

reduced rate. That is truly a godsend since rent in Blount County is among the highest in the state. In many cases monthly mortgage is cheaper than rent if only a down payment was possible. During Going Home, Staying Home, case workers continue to work with the families for a year even when they are paying full rent to help ensure they stay on their feet.

Do you remember Summer and 8-week-old Abbygaile when they were in Family Promise? They were dependent on the income of Summer’s husband/Abbygaile’s father, and when he died they lost their home. Check out Abbygaile now! Summer has her own home-based business in addition to working at a local office. This family is thriving now because of Family Promise and YOU. Also, they are volunteer hosts now. Save a little time June 18th to 25th and you can make a difference volunteering too. That’s the next host week for 1stUMC.

1st News

Rebuilding homes and lives Your support of the Holston Conference wildfire relief efforts are about to take a step forward. Through a cash gift from the Conference and an in-kind donation of framed walls, Appalachia Service Project

(based in Johnson City, TN) plans on underwriting and building 25 replacement homes in Sevier County over the next 12 months. This effort is similar to one in Rainelle, West Virginia where flooding in 2016 destroyed dozens of homes. Appalachia Service was founded in 1969 by Methodist minister, Rev. Glen “Tex” Evans.

Singles’ Ministry Potluck Lunch

March 19th 1:00 pm

Wesley Hall

The Power of Love and Laughter Dinner Show and Silent Auction

April 1, 2017 @ 5:30 pm Asbury Hall

Come support True Purpose Ministries and Dane’s House

at this special event. Enjoy a great meal, the comedic talents of Bob Smiley and Bean and Bailey as well as a chance to bid on a variety of items at the silent auction.

Tickets are available from Jan McCoy at $30 per person.

Call her at 865-384-7307. For more on True Purpose Ministries visit: www.truepurposeministries.com

Antiques and Appraisal Fair (Benefitting Compassion Counseling Center)

Saturday, March 18th 9:30 am to 2;00 pm

First Baptist Church - Maryville

$5 Each appraisal $5 Lunches available

Celebrate Recovery has more than 30 active volunteers from various churches that serve to greet, prepare food, set up and tear down facilities, facilitate sharing groups, act as security, provide hospitality, and work as administrators and public relations representatives. Local participants meet every Wednesday night at 1st United Methodist Church in Maryville. Between 150 and 225 free meals are prepared and served each week at 5:30 pm. Group worship begins at 6:30 pm. It incorporates, teaching, testimony and Contemporary Christian music (and more) played by a five-member band. Average attendance for group worship is around 100 to 150 people

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Coming up at Celebrate Recovery

March 22nd - Laura West of LOL Ministries Christian Comedienne March 29th - Teen Challenge *and our own John Cherry singing Garth Brooks!

There is a greater need than ever to save 70 - 90 Easter Sunday parking spaces for our guests and visitors. There will be a continuous shuttle on Sunday, April 16 for all choir and orchestra members. Also, 1st UMC members are asked to use

this shuttle from BEHIND the Jr. High School to the Porte Cochere. The shuttle will run every 3 to 4 minutes from 7:00 am until 12:15 pm.

Congratulations to these young people who took a big step in their faith journeys on March 5th during their Confirmation

service. When you see them, please be sure and congratulate them on their accomplishments.

(Pictured from left to right.) Front row: Maggie West, Anna Henneke, Drew Barton, Abram Abott Back row: Sophie Shepherd, Jack Walker, Lane Pinkerton, Ty Elder, Luke Keller

News

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Denise Johns Children’s Ministry Director

djohns@1stchurch.org 865-982-1273

Lent lessons for Children Session 2

March 29th and April 5th 5:30 pm

Dinner provided. Please sign up online or call.

Fellowship and fun on Palm Sunday

The Children’s Ministry Action Team (CMAT) is hosting a Palm Sunday lunch for children and their families following the 10:30 am services on April 9th. The main dish will be provided along with beverages. Just sign up online or call 982-1273 and bring a side dish to share on the day of the luncheon.

Earlier that morning, the children are invited to go room to room here at the church to hunt for eggs (filled with non-edible treats). Just meet in your Sunday School classrooms at 9:15 am and then each class will make the rounds visiting the adult Sunday School classes.

Building Fund In memory of: Given by: Russ West Tommy & Carol Hunt Julia Hood Crawford Tommy & Carol Hunt

CAST Singles’ Ministry In memory of: Given by: Sam Johnson Men’s Bible Study Mike Flynn Men’s Bible Study

Celebrate Recovery In memory of: Given by: Richard Meyer Recovery Kitchen Crew “Red” Doig Brad & Patsy Lunde

Chancel Choir Fund In memory of: Given by: Doris Starner Brad & Patsy Lunde Helen Calloway Brad & Patsy Lunde Burl Depew Brad & Patsy Lunde

Children’s Department In memory of: Given by: Russ West Ernest & Anne Hand

Family Promise In memory of: Given by: Melba Bruce Marvin & Jimmie Eaves

Memorial Fund

In memory of: Given by Russ West Rodney & Julie Nelson Russ West John Cochran Erna Link Kearns Brad & Patsy Lunde Julia Hood Crawford Brad & Patsy Lunde Russ West Ernie & Pat Blankenship Russ West Bill & Marilyn Johnson Steve Davis Bill & Marilyn Johnson

Music Fund In memory of: Given by Russ West Dwain & Jane Pesterfield Marilyn Foster Jerry & Lin Reichelt

Welcome Table

In memory of: Given by: Russ West Donn & Ann McElhaney Julia Hood Crawford W.B. & Dawn Hood Norma McDonald Brad & Patsy Lunde

Memorials and Honorariums

Our Church Family

Christian sympathy extended to:

Rhonda and Gordo Watson in the death of Rhonda’s father, Bobby G. Brown, on March 1st.

Renee Hood in the death of her father, Grady

Olive, on February 26th.

James and Ralphine Hood in the death of their daughter, Julie Annette Hood-Crawford,

on February 18th.

Suzanne and Moe Click in the death of Suzanne’s father, Richard Meyer, on February 22nd

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In Memoriam

Melba Bruce Joined First Church:

August 3, 1986

Entered the Church Triumphant:

March 7, 2017

Shut-in Ministry Training April 23rd

Following the 10:30 am Worship Services Lunch will be provided (More details coming soon)

Volunteer Breakfast and Training May 6th

(More details coming soon)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Maryville First United Methodist Church 804 Montvale Station Road

Maryville, Tennessee 37803 Phone: 865-982-1273 / Fax: 865-983-5408

Change Service Requested

US POSTAGE PAID

MARYVILLE TN PERMIT NO. 113

NON-PROFIT ORG

Sundays * 7:35 am Morning Glory Chorus, 249

* 8:15 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

* 9:15 am Sunday School (Various rooms)

*10:30 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

*10:30 am Contemporary Worship, Asbury

* 4:30 pm Youth Handbells, 252, 254

* 5:10 pm Celebration Singers, 249

* 5:15 pm Evensong Handbells, 252

* 6:30 pm A World Worth Saving Study, 202

March 19th

*No Youth Choirs or Handbells

*No Evensong Handbells

1:00 pm CAST Singles Potluck Lunch, Wesley Hall

March 26th

11:30 am Outreach Meeting

Mondays *10:00 am A World Worth Saving Study 202

* 3:30 pm Children’s Choirs

Primary Praise (K-1st), 254

Merrymakers (2nd/3rd), 249

Joy Singers (4th - 6th)

March 20th

*No Children’s Choirs

10:00 am Book Club, 202

6:00 pm CR Team Meeting, 205

March 27th

6:30 pm Make Peace with Your Past (Introduction)

7:00 pm Church Council, 202

Tuesdays *10:00 am Bible Study (VanPelt), 152A

* 7:00 pm Pickleball, Asbury Hall

Wednesdays *10:00 am More Than Enough Study,205

*12:00 pm Noonday Lenten Service, Sanctuary

* 5:30 pm Celebrate Recovery Light Meal, Asbury Hall

* 6:30 pm Celebrate Recovery Worship, Asbury Hall

* 7:40 pm Celebrate Recovery Share Groups

(various)

* 7:30 pm Chancel Choir, 249

*7:40 pm Know the Story Study

Thursdays * 6:30 am Men’s Bible Study, 254

* 5:00 pm Welcome Table, Asbury Hall

March 16th

9:00 am Youth Cades Cove Trip

11:00 am UMW General Meeting, Wesley Hall

March 23rd

9:00 am Youth Lunch and Laser Tag

6:30 pm Trustees, 202

Saturdays * 9:00 am Pickleball, Asbury Hall

April 1st

5:30 pm The Power of Love and

Laughter, Asbury Hall

www.1stchurch.org

Happening at