Issue 5 February 10, 2014

What flavor are you? If you were ice cream, what flavor would you be? I think I would be raspberry, but ice cream is never naturally that flavor, so flavoring has infused it. There may even be some chunks of berries visible. Jesus talked about salt as a flavoring for food. Mostly we do not see the salt, but it adds and enhances flavor. Jesus talked to his followers, calling them “the salt” that flavors the world with his ways, his teachings, his love, his way of seeing and valuing, his mercy and grace.

1st UMC is so committed to flavoring the community we live in with visible signs of God’s redeeming love. We do that through ministries and through budget to ministries we believe to be offering Christ’s love in tangible ways. For example, this past year, we added the Recovery Ministry to our church life and we added the Boys and Girls Club to our budget ministry for the first time. We corporately flavor the community with Christ’s love, but we also individually flavor the places we work and go to school, the civic groups and boards, the bridge clubs and golf outings, the benefit events and social gatherings, the politics and governing bodies.

What flavor are you today as you go about your life? Are you like a grain of salt changing your environment with the love of Jesus? Are you “doing no harm, doing good, and staying in love with God”?

Not only are we salt, but Jesus also said we are light. There is no such thing as an invisible Christian. We worship, we study, we grow our faith. But we also live Jesus and talk about Jesus in our lives and the world. Have you encountered Jesus in recent days? Have you given witness to another by telling your story of faith or your story of being changed or your story of miracle or your story of receiving strength beyond your own or your story of heaven touching earth?

Yesterday Larry, Asa, and I had the honor and privilege of meeting with 10 beautiful young persons who are beginning the confirmation class. (Others in 6

th, 7

th, or 8

th grades are welcome

to join us next Sunday at 2:30p.m.) I can already see signs that they are being salt and light as they love and serve Jesus. We spent a couple of hours talking about Genesis 1-3……God as creator of all that is and the entry of sin in the world. Then we talked about redemption through Jesus. Did we thoroughly cover the ideas of God as Creator of the world as God intended it to be……sin as the broken result of disobeying God and choosing to listen to Satan’s voice of temptation…….and God redeeming the fallen world through Jesus, God’s Son? Well, we could all use several hours of time together on any one of these topics. But at least we began to talk about these things. It is important that they hear these parts of the faith journey discussed again and again.

Did you spend a couple of hours talking about any faith topic yesterday with your friends? If we are to disciple each other or mentor each other or live as friends in Christ, these topics are part of our speech together. I encourage you to spend some time with a young person in your family, neighborhood, or church talking together about faith----maybe even salt and light.

Genesis 2-3 always reminds me that Adam and Eve chose sin and death. Jesus died and rose again, defeating sin and death. This morning I was studying Deut. 30:15-20, which reminds me that every day I make choices between sin and death or love and obedience to God {life}. I came across this sentence: “Death is a slow process of giving ourselves to what does not matter.”

Worshiping each week in my church matters a lot. Being in community and in love with y’all matters a lot. Being with a confirmation class matters a lot. Journeying with my 12 Steps for Christians group matters a lot. Being faithful and caring to my family matters a lot. It was a long day, and resting well matters a lot. God give us wisdom and grace as we begin this new week, that in all our decisions, many each day, we will choose life! And raspberry flavoring.

Brenda

Habitat build update Page 5

Ready to run? Page 3

Soup lunchSoup lunch

February 16thFebruary 16th

Details on page 6Details on page 6

Renovation Plan

Reminders

Town Hall Meetings Sunday, 3/2 @ 9:15 am

Thursday, 3/6

@7:00 pm

Sunday, 3/9 @ 11:45 am

Church Wide Vote

March 30th @ 11:45 am

Wedding memories page 4

Sunday, February 16, 2014 7:35 AM Morning Glory Chorus rehearsal, 249 8:15 AM Morning Glory Worship, Asbury Hall 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:15 AM Youth Soup Lunch Youth Soup Lunch 10:30 AM The Crossing, Asbury Hall 10:30 AM Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 2:30 PM Confirmation Class, 151 3:30 PM Youth Praise Band 4:00 PM Legacy Journey, 214 4:00 PM Outreach, 215 4:30 PM Youth Handbells, 252, 254 5:10 PM Celebration Singers, 249 5:15 PM Evensong Handbells, 214 6:00 PM Youth, 152 6:00 PM Divorce Care, 243 6:00 PM Financial Peace, 214 6:00 PM Legacy Journey, 151 6:30 PM 12 Steps for Christians, 213 Monday, February 17, 2014 10:00 AM Book Club, 216 3:30 PM Primary Praise Singers (K-1st) 3:30 PM Merrymakers (2nd-3rd) 3:30 PM Joy Singers (4th-5th) 6:30 PM Congregational Care, 215 Tuesday, February 18, 2014 10:00 AM Bible Study, 214 10:00 AM Study of the Psalms, 215 11:00 AM Tuesday lunches for Seniors, 215 5:30 PM Food Connection Roast, Asbury Hall 6:00 PM Devoted Fitness, Wesley Hall 6:30 PM Adult Council, 214 7:00 PM AA, 128 7:00 PM Legacy Journey, 215 Wednesday, February 19, 2014 3:45 PM Girls Bible Study, Vienna Coffee Recovery at Maryville, Asbury Hall 5:30 PM Light Meal, Asbury Hall 6:30 PM Celebration Service, Asbury Hall 7:45 PM Sharing Groups (assigned room) 7:00 PM Ladies Bible Study, Panera Bread 7:00 PM Dude’s Bible Study, Taco Bell 7:00 PM Legacy Journey, 215 7:30 PM Chancel Choir, 249 Thursday, February 20, 2014 6:00 AM Men’s Bible study, 214 9:30 AM UMW Board, 243 10:15 AM Asagao, 242 5:00 PM Welcome Table, Asbury Hall 7:00 PM Pickleball, Asbury hall 7:00 PM AA, 128 7:00 PM Young Adult Trivia, Smoky Mtn. Brewery Saturday, February 22, 2014 9:00 AM Pickleball, Asbury Hall 9:00 AM Financial Peace University, 243

Prepare for Worship Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 (UMH 840)

I Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 Kids Own Worship Preschool: Stephen & Jennifer Daves Elementary: Mike & Janell Nocton Staff on call: Please contact Brenda (414-8493) or Larry (414-8494) Parsonage (233-2712)

Greeters:

8:15 Morning Glory William Holliday William Russell Bert & Becky Emmerson

10:30 Sanctuary Pat & Ernie Blankenship Liz Sanders

10:30 The Crossing John & Julie Elder Mike Flynn Acolytes: Joseph Morstatt Abram Abbott

Sunday commitments for February 16, 2014

HAPPENING AT

From the Outreach Team: Continue to be in prayer for Trinity Dental and the

Welcome Table ministry.

Our Church Family

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Memorials & Honorariums

Memorial Fund In Honor or Memory of Given by Betty Sessoms Jim & Mary Kay Hamlin Harold Selecman Steve &Shirley Stinnett Harold Selecman Blair &Marilyn Lawson Harold Selecman Marion Lyman Joe Cunningham Jerry & Lin Reichelt

Recovery at Maryville In Honor of Memory of Given by Tyler Bond Patrick & Fae Burkhart

Organ Fund In Honor of Memory of Given by Joe Cunningham Dwain & Jane Pesterfield Marjorie Burkhart Dwain & Jane Pesterfield

Welcome!

David & Beth Porter

Joined 1st Church

Sunday, February 9th

Contact: Asa Majors at rev.asa.lee@gmail.com or 982-1273

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Winter’s “Welcome” This season brings with it some often unpredictable weather. But one thing you can predict is the welcome you will get on Thursday night’s at 1st UMC, whether you are a volunteer or here for dinner.

This past Sunday, children in Kids Own Worship took time to make sure guests this coming Thursday get a warm welcome, by making Valentines for the tables.

In January, 805 people were served here at 1st UMC on Thursday nights. It takes dozens of people to keep this ministry going and there is always room for more of you to volunteer. If you are interested in helping this vital ministry,

call the church office at 982-1273.

A prophet and plans for us to prosper When you hear the name Jeremiah, just what comes to mind? Do you think about a bullfrog and the fishiest in the deep blue sea? Perhaps one of the longest books in the Bible comes to mind? Or, does it stir up images of a prophet long ago that was one of God’s loyal followers? Well, it’s the latter that’s prompting all the discussion on Sunday mornings in the Young Adult class. Join the conversation over the next few weeks in room 118 beginning at 9:15 am. (and enjoy a hot beverage or two while you’re there).

Congratulations to the 1st UMC Young Adult trivia team! On February 5th, the group took home 1st prize at Smoky Mountain Brewery’s Trivia Night.

You can join the trivia fun:

February 20th 7:00 pm

Smoky Mountain Brewery

Got ideas for an outing? Let Asa know. Her information is in the box at the top!

Ready to Run The “Couch to 5K” craze is coming to 1st UMC. Starting February 20th you can get a chance to get off the couch and train for the Resurrection Run coming up in the spring. This program takes you from walking to jogging and running, gradually. It is designed to help you keep from giving up while challenging you to move forward. Kelly Morgan is heading up the “Couch to 5K” effort here at 1st UMC. She wants to have a group together to represent the church at the Resurrection Run. The program allows you to have the support of others while you train. Sessions are expected to last from 30 to 45 minutes and will be held on Thursdays at 6 pm and Saturday mornings at 8 am. Be sure and wear warm clothes and running shoes. It all kicks off on February 20th at 6 pm. Just meet in the area just inside the front doors of the church. From there, the group will head over to the running track at the Junior High. If you need more information call Kelly or John Morgan at 919-2662.

Our social media channels continue to grow, helping more and more people learn about all the great things happening here at 1st UMC. We are fast approaching 500 “likes” on facebook and we’ll be giving out a “prize pack” to our 500th “friend.” We have 104 followers on twitter and Instagram is off to a great start with more than 50 followers. Starting March 5th and running through Easter we’ll be taking to social media with special questions, chances for you to share pictures and ways to help share a special “blog” with your friends and family. Remember we’re online, all the time at www.1stchurch.org and on all these social media sites!

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Looking ahead! One of the biggest events for older adults will be here before you know it. Jubilation 2014 features a variety of workshops, worship and fellowship opportunities. It’s coming up April 27th—29th in Kingsport.

See Ginny for more details or visit: http://jubilation.holston.org

Adult Ministries

Sign up for events by calling 982-1273 or visit “Event Registration” at www.1stchurch.org

No passport required Set in a Georgia fishing lodge, a British demolition expert named “Froggy” comes to town with a shy friend named Charlie. Before leaving “Froggy” tells everyone that Charlie is from a foreign country and speaks no English. As a result Charlie overhears much more than he should. Come see the hilarious results in The Foreigner at the Cumberland County Playhouse on March 18th. The trip costs $40 and includes tickets and transportation.

Cumberland Co. Playhouse March 18th Cost is $40

Registration deadline is March 11th.

Treasured trip During World War II, treasures from the National Gallery of Art stayed hidden behind steel doors at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. That’s just one of the many “secrets” this grand home has to tell. Come join a

tour of Biltmore on February 24th at the discounted rate of $39 per ticket. The bus pulls out of 1st church at 8:00 am.

The registration deadline is February 16th.

Wedding memories Nine years ago Kevin and Amanda Painter were married here at 1st UMC. Their wedding was one of many here involving Kevin’s family. His parents, George and Kathy were married in the Sanctuary in 1971. Kevin’s sister and brother-in-law, Shannon and Andrew Johnson were married here in 2001. And Kevin’s aunt and uncle, Sherry and Karl Miller were also married here. Kevin and Amanda met at work where she was a summer intern at

Kevin’s office. They said because of the long family history associated with 1st UMC, that they would have their wedding here. According to the Painters everything about their wedding day was “awesome.” Dwain Pesterfield, Terry Wilson and Kevin’s cousin, Jason Lambert, provided the music. Kevin’s grandfather, Harold Lambert, was his best man, and fellow church member Stephen Daves was one of the groomsmen.

Sharing your stories We are celebrating marriage this month and we want to share your wedding stories. You can e-mail your pictures and information to:

chensley@fumc-maryville.org or bring them by the church office and we’ll scan them. The pictures and stories we receive will be shared online and a few of them will appear right here in The Church Bell.

Thank you. God!” Karen and Ted Kirkman were married on September 2, 1972 at Calhoun UMC with the Rev. Kenneth Carroway officiating. Karen made her wedding gown, church members made the food for the reception, and it took! Karen said, “We are still here 41 years later, Thank you. God!”

For more information on any of these events, please call Denise at 982-1273 or e-mail her at djohns@fumc-maryville.org .

What are your children learning?

Sunday, February 16th (This Sunday) Preschool – 4th Grade Lesson– Jesus teaches the Beatitudes Bible Verses— Matthew 5: 3-12 Tweens Having Faith (Jesus heals Bartimaeus)

Sunday, February 9th (Last Sunday) Preschool – 4th Grade Lesson– Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law Bible Verses— Matthew 8:14-17 Tweens Knowing Jesus (the Transfiguration)

www.growproclaimserve.com

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A summer adventure! Since it’s been cold outside we thought we would get you thinking about summer. At the first of June we kickoff our Vacation Bible School. This year’s theme is Wilderness Escape, where God guides and provides. This will be a wonderful experience for children (and adults) as they join Moses as he and the Israelites escape Egypt and travel to parts unknown, trusting God all the while! Please begin to pray for our VBS program and the volunteers who will make it all possible! In addition here are some items the children’s ministry program would like to borrow or have donated. Tailgating Tents to be set up in Asbury Hall Large woven blankets Sheets, full size or larger Men’s large or x-large plain white t-shirts. Please contact Denise Johns if you are willing to donate items or let the VBS program borrow any of these items.

Learning more about renovation plans

Please make sure you have March 30th marked on your calendars. On that day another church wide conference will be held to vote on proposed renova-tion plans. Before that time there are several ways to get up to date on the proposals:

Artist renderings are on display in several places throughout the church.

Check out “renovation plans” online at

www.1stchurch.org

Attend these “Town Hall” style meetings:

Sunday, March 2nd at 9:15 am Thursday, March 6th at 7:00 pm

Sunday, March 9th at 11:45 am

Here is an artist’s rendering of the changes in the Sanctuary which include new flooring, lighting and some new seating. A new heating and air system

makes up a major part of the overall proposal and is tied to many other parts of the renovation plans.

Helping Wesley House The United Methodist Women have boxes set up outside the church office to collect goods for Wesley House in Knoxville. Help them “fill the boxes” with these items: Needs for children— juice boxes, snack cakes, individual bags of chips, pudding cups, chewy granola bars, goldfish crackers Needs for seniors– toilet paper, paper towels, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes Other items— Band-aids, Neosporin ointment

Getting ready to build!

This year, 1st UMC has committed to building another Habitat for Humanity home. If you are interested in helping then plan on attending a meeting on Thursday, February

20th at 7:00 pm in room 214.

804 Montvale Station Rd.

Maryville, TN 37803

865-982-1273

www.1stchurch.org

THE CHURCH BELL BONUS PAGE!

Sharing YOUR devotions

Starting on Ash Wednesday (March 5th) through Easter (April 20th) we will be posting a devotion for each day in an effort to help you better reflect on the Lenten season. While some members of the staff will be writing devotions, we would also like YOU to participate. The devotionals will be shared online through the website and our social media channels.

If you are interested in writing a devotional please contact Brenda Carroll or call the church office at 982-1273. You will then be given a list of guidelines to follow before submitting your work.

The daily devotions will be appearing on our new church blog site, http://1stmaryville.blogspot.com with links provided on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Stephen Nelson, Kathryn King and a couple of the youth visited Donna Landgren on her 98th birthday.

SPECIAL CELEBRATION

COLONIAL TIMES IN WESLEY HALL

Here’s a look at the transformation of Wesley Hall on Monday, February 10th.

The decorations and menu for the Blue & Gold Banquet took folks back to Colonial Times.