APRIL 2016

First United Methodist Church

Newton, North Carolina

Loving People into the Kingdom of God in the Heart of Catawba County.

IN TOUCH

300 N. Main Ave. PO Box 926 Newton, NC 28658

828-464-8422

fumcnewtonnc.org

facebook.com/ fumcnewtonnc

First United Methodist Church

Staff:

David Greene, Pastor

cell: 828-461-5910

Lara “Willis” Greene, Pastor

cell: 828-461-5918

John Coffey, Organist

Beth Fowler, Choir Director

Michael Roberts, Praise Service

Josh Costello, Youth Worship

Rose Bibeau, Children’s Music

Julie Braswell, Children’s Ministry

Ann Cook, Administrative Assist.

Kayla Sigmon, Nursery Ministry

Kristi Harvell, Preschool

Wednesday, April 13th at 12 noonWednesday, April 13th at 12 noonWednesday, April 13th at 12 noonWednesday, April 13th at 12 noon

All ladies of the church are invited to attend our annual tea luncheon in the garden. You are reminded to wear a hat to shade you from the sun and bring your favorite tea cup. Please invite your friends and RSVP by Sun-day, April 10 by calling the church office, or registering online at www.fumcnewtonnc.org. Cost is $6.00.

Beginning at noon on Friday, March 11, and going until 6:00pm on Saturday, March 12, the Youth of First Church fasted together and raised funds to fight hun-ger. By participating in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine, the Youth grew closer to Christ and to each other as they were challenged to be a part of something bigger than themselves – they took action for God’s kingdom and they helped save the lives of hungry kids. During their fast, they packed 146 take home bags for The Corner Table Soup Kitchen. World Vision reported that this year they were very blessed to have corporate sponsors multiply our donations. This means our $1322.00 became $7932.00 and will feed and care for 18 children for one full year and another child for 1/2 of the year. Since 2012, First UMC Newton has raised $4,956.00 for 30 Hour Famine. Thank you so much for making this ministry blos-som.

THANK YOU to the whole

congregation for helping raise $1322 for this significant ministry!

APRIL 2016

Children's Ministries

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Mark Your Calendars for Great Mark Your Calendars for Great Mark Your Calendars for Great Mark Your Calendars for Great Summer EventsSummer EventsSummer EventsSummer Events

Youth Mission Trip Sun, June 19th- Sat.25th

Jacksonville, FL with Team Effort

Wilderness Trail Sat. July 23rd–Fri. July 29th

Mt. Rogers, Va.

Vacation Bible School Mon. Aug. 1st-Thurs. Aug. 4th

VBS Sunday, Aug. 7th

During the month of April we will meet on the 10th, 17th, and 24th for Youth in the Fellowship Hall. April 10th, the Youth will have a Scavenger Hunt at the Valley Hills Mall, so please note time change. That Sunday we will meet from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and you will need money for dinner at the Food Court. April 17th and 24th we will meet at our regular time of 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Many Thanks The youth of First Methodist Church is very appre-ciative of the donations given to support the 30 Hour Famine. Over 900 dollars was raised to help World Vision with their fight to end world hunger. During our 30 Hour Famine, we spruced up the playground here at church and packed weekend food bags for The Corner Table. We slept in boxes on the church front lawn and took part in games that showed us the value of clean water. This was a great learning experience as well as great fun! Thanks again for the prayers and financial sup-port.

Children's Ministries Sunday School 10:00 to 10:45am Located on the hall below the Sanctuary

Nursery is available for all worship times and during Sun-day School. We offer a Preschool class for children ages 2-4. Children K-5th grades are welcome to join us for our LIVE curriculum where we explore the Bible, Praise God, and pray with our friends. During the month of April we will explore lessons on how God Listens All the Time, and how He speaks through the Prophets, Angels, and His Son.

Kids 4 Christ Wednesdays 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm Activity Room

This after - school ministry is designed for K- 6th grad-ers. It is a fast paced afternoon with 4 rotation stations of Mission, Music, Homework, and Games. Come and see what is blooming with k4C this Spring ! You may join in anytime during the school year.

First Youth Happenings Sunday afternoons

Baptism of Aniston Grey Raines at the 9:00am

Praise Service on March 13.

Parents are Jason and Heather Raines.

APRIL 2016 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

APRIL BIRTHDAYSAPRIL BIRTHDAYSAPRIL BIRTHDAYSAPRIL BIRTHDAYS

APRIL WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESAPRIL WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESAPRIL WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESAPRIL WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Angela Gantt 4/18

Anne Lemons 4/20

Bobby Benson Jr. 4/21

Chuck Wanzer 4/21

Beth Morgan 4/23

Gigi Ervin 4/24

Michael Roberts 4/24

Margaret Benfield 4/25

Sarah DeBerardinis 4/26

Vickie Drum 4/26

Judy Beaman 4/27

Pat DeYoung 4/29

Megan Johnson 4/29

Paul Long 4/29

Garrett Moss 4/29

River Stephens 4/29

Mac Wellborn 4/29

Luke Fountain 4/30

Vera Arndt 4/2

Braelyn Cavin 4/2

Bryce Cavin 4/2

Jim Chapman 4/2

William Johnson 4/2

Jane Harvell 4/3

Angie Meshaw 4/3

Megan Stephens 4/4

Kaelyn Windham 4/4

Bill Powell 4/5

Marjo Erickson 4/6

Maxine Morrison 4/6

Ruth Boland 4/7

Ethan Clark 4/8

Heather Clontz 4/8

Phillip Martin 4/8

Eunice Mauney 4/8

Harriett Wyatt 4/8

Margurette Awad 4/9

Joe Killian 4/9

Spencer Rayfield 4/9

Pat Simmons 4/9

Jim Hardin 4/10

Nancy Killian 4/10

Gina King 4/10

Logan Martin 4/10

Dewayne Setzer Jr. 4/10

Stephen Sims Jr. 4/10

Stuart Smith 4/11

Donna Talmage 4/12

Jeff Elledge 4/13

James Cochran IV 4/14

Wayne Stephens 4/14

Angela Drum 4/15

Bob Stiles 4/17

Matt Wilkinson 4/17

Jim & Debbie Chapman 4/20

Tony & Nichole Sigmon 4/21

Mark & Mary Killian 4/22

Bob & Lorene Drum Sr. 4/23

Skye & Katie Templeton 4/27

Nicholas & Rachel Gates 4/30

Don & Anne Lemons 4/3

Pat & Peggy Barkley 4/5

Christopher & Deanna Kelly 4/16

Matt & Staci Miller 4/18

Eric & Cindy Woodfin 4/18

Dale & Cindy Boger 4/20

One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. John 9:25

What is the one thing that you know about God? Where has God’s power been at work in your life? In response to this question posed to the congregation in the sermon on March 6, Phyllis Watson, Coordinator of the FUMC Jail Min-istry Outreach, shared the following:

I know one thing for sure - the all powerful Creator "allows" His servants the honor of introducing the most wonderful

gift of salvation, abundance & purpose to His most loved children, including those who have made such tragically bad

choices that they find themselves shunned, placed in a cage & referred to as convicts. Even these deserve to hear the

Good News as the Holy Spirit works His renewal. So, step out of that comfort zone and trust!

Don't get me wrong...going into a jail to talk to inmates about Jesus wasn't even close to what I felt comfortable doing.

Just the unknown aspects of what to expect in such an environment was enough to send me fleeing in a fog of total de-

nial. For years I found myself desperately trying to ignore this "calling" described in Matthew, Chapter 25, where Je-

sus is teaching His disciples how to show love for our Savior by showing love for His sheep. In no uncertain terms,

Jesus stresses the importance of visiting His children in prison. It wasn't until God gave me strength to make it

through several of life's more challenging situations, that I realized the same would be true for any situation.

The Catawba County Jail Ministry has been spreading the good news about God's grace for years by fellow Christians

from several area churches of various denominations, but with one common goal. Two members of our church family

have answered the call by recently completing a simple application process and training by veteran participants. The

program is currently in need of male participants to witness to male inmates. Please prayerfully consider this out-

reach. Jesus has promised that by blessing others, you will be blessed in ways you could never imagine. This is one

thing I know...

For more information about the Jail Ministry Outreach, please contact Phyllis at 828-465-9944.

March Memorials

Robert Sherrill Robe Fund

Robert Sherrill Capital Building Fund

Robert Sherrill Stained Glass Window Fund

Jimmy Mayberry Current Expense

Bob Powell Robe Fund

Sharing Our Gifts

Sunday Attendance Tithes and

Offerings

Capital

Bldg. Fund

Mar. 6 268 13,682.00 485.00

Mar. 13 255 8,380.50 195.00

Mar. 20 236 6,867.00 630.00

Mar. 27 317 10,329.50 215.00

PB & J Sundays On the first Sunday of every month, First UMC

will celebrate PB & J Sunday, a day designated

for everyone to bring either a plastic container of

peanut butter or a plastic container of jelly.

These donations are for Conover School.

Bingo Tuesday, April 5 at 1:15pm Please bring a friend! Twelve games will be

played with prizes and refreshments furnished.

Methodist Women Monday, April 4th at 2:00pm Gomedela Room

All women are invited.

Newton Methodist Preschool We are now enrolling for the Summer and Fall

sessions. If you would like to schedule a tour, or

would like more information about the Pre-

school, please contact Kristi Harvell, Director at

828-465-6397 or newtonmethodistpre-

school@gmail.com.

Important Financial Information

In year-end legislation, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 finally made permanent qualified

charitable distributions (QCDs) from individual retirement accounts. A QCD permits annual direct

transfers to a qualified charity of tax-deferred IRA savings. Importantly, QCDs automatically satisfy

required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the year when the QCD is made. Only individuals who’ve

attained age 70 1/2 may make QCDs and the charitable donee must be an organization that qualifies

for a charitable income tax deduction. If you would like to make a contribution to the church using a

QCD, instruct your IRA trustee or custodian to make a transfer from the IRA directly to the church.

Many trustees and custodians already have forms and procedures in place to make this transfer. QCDs

may be made from any IRA or individual retirement annuity, but not from a simplified employee pen-

sion, a simple retirement account or an inherited IRA.

Mother’s Day Bulletin

The Faith Builders Sunday School Class will sponsor a special Mother’s Day bulletin. You may honor or remember a mother, grandmother, or that person who is very special to you by filling out the form and re-turning it to the church office along with $1.00 for each person honored or remembered. Please use a sepa-

rate form for each name. The deadline for submitting the form will be Sunday, May 1st.

In Honor of:___________________________________________________

or

In Memory of:__________________________________________________

By: __________________________________________________________

(please use a separate form for each name)