"We love Him because He first Loved us." 1 John 4:19 “We love Him;” Now that is a fascinating statement. If our life was a Valentine to God, how would we express our love? Would it be in our desire to be at worship with His church each Sunday? Have we prayed just to say, “I love you,” or only when we have a need? Does the way we love our neighbor reflect the way we love God? There cannot be love without sacrifice; neither is their love without pain. Jesus on the cross is the greatest proof of that truth. If Heaven mailed out Valentines I feel certain that they would say, ”For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son…” There is a reason that we love God: He first loved us. Every effort at true love is an attempt to be in God’s image. If He had not first loved us we would not even know how to love Him, or each other. The Bible says that LOVE NEVER FAILS. Jesus walking out of the tomb is the greatest proof of that truth. Grace and Peace,

Rev Ray

THE CHIMES

February 2020

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ELIZABETHTON, TN

The Worship Committee will meet on Thursday, February 6th at 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Conference Room. Please see Julie Bowers for more information.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Holston Home For Children

BELIEFS

We are guided by principles that have been passed down throughout the history of this ministry. These beliefs strongly influence our services:

• God loves children and their families so much that He sent His Son to die so that they could have abundant and eternal life. • Every child should be taught about Jesus. • All things are possible in Christ. • Every child should have a warm and secure place to live. • People can change. • Lasting change occurs through caring relationships. • It is the birthright of every child to have a family. • The best place for a child to be raised is within a caring family. • Children and youth should always have something to look forward to. • Kids and families deserve our very best. • Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their God-given potential.

PRACTICES

The people of Holston Home shall diligently attend to those in our care through these practices:

• Provide the highest quality of professional service for our children and their families through highly trained and competent staff. • Treat all people with love, respect, and care. • Keep all information confidential. • Be open and honest in our communications. • Recognize progress and achievements of children and families. • Advocate for the rights and needs of our children, youth, and their families. • Practice the highest principles of Christian stewardship in every aspect of our ministry.

Food Pantry News

Next Food Pantry: Tuesday, February 11th

At our January 14th food pantry, we served 66 families, which is typically our average served.

Here are some of the blessings of that day:

Pam Witherspoon donated and prepared lunch of barbecue sand-wiches and baked beans for our food pantry families that day.

Overheard from a lady receiving lunch,

Why are you all so good to us?!

Because FUMC is blessed with caring volunteers like Pam!

Food Lion and Doug Hulshult donated food boxes again to serve all 66 families.

You generously donated bars of soap and dish washing liquid to serve everyone.

Thank you!

The coat closet blessed several people:

A young lady arrived in a borrowed sweater and did not own a coat.

She visited our coat closet.

Thank you to whomever donated a women’s faux fur black and brown coat. It fit her perfectly, and she left feeling so much better about herself!

Thank you for the XXXL men’s coat- the only one in that size- that was perfect for a large man needing a coat.

Thank you for the bright orange winter jacket that was perfect for a lady’s growing teenage son.

Small things, done with great love, can make such a difference for those in need.

May God continue His blessings through us!

Lanelle

February item to donate:

Peanut Butter

FOR THE MULTITUDE

FUMC served 200 meals on Saturday, January 18th for FFTM. We had 12 Worthy Servants prepare the meal. It was a very good serving rotation in every way! Our 2020 Serving Dates are as follows: February 22, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, August 15, September 19, October 24, and November 28. We will also be serving Janu-ary 2, 2021! Much love and appreciation for this wonderful and dedicated crew we have (and fun!)

Our friends are very appreciative of their meals and always thank me....They pray with us as we hold hands in a big circle before we begin serving the meals. Very heartwarming and a good community mission.

Much love and appreciation to all who help in every way,

Susan Hathaway

“Come & See” what resources your church library has to offer you. We have:

Bible Studies (graciously donated by Terri Parker)

New Christian fiction for all ages

DVDs for your entertainment

And many other offerings for digging deeper into the Word.

Also, the Library was refurbished with some comfortable chairs in a quiet setting , yours to enjoy.

OPEN HOUSE AT YOUR CHURCH LIBRARY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD AFTER SUNDAY SCHOOL

Refreshments will be provided. There will also be a silent auction. You can own a piece of the Library! Mike James and his Dad used their skills on an old card catalog and brought new lift to it. It has been repurposed. A must see! Maybe it’s something you might need for your house. Funds raised from the silent auction will be to the Library. Silent Auction bids will start on February 1st and end on February 23rd.

LIBRARY MOVIE MATINEE

Please join us on Monday, February 10th at 12:30 PM for our Monday Movie Matinee “The

Lost Valentine.” Snacks Provided!

Special Recognition Pins were presented to Susan Hathaway and Joanne Ames

by Pat Amos and Jobelle Hood.

1st Caleb Tull 2nd Norma Tetrick, Timothy Lee 7th Phyllis Meece 8th Jonathan Gwinn 11th Pat Amos 12th Carrie Seeley, Sharon Cox 15th Catherine Edwards Bunton, Joe Hoskins 18th Doug Canter, Sophie Peterson 20th Mason Kechter 22nd Rev. Boo Hankins 23rd Jason Campbell 24th Matthew Kechter 25th Barry Tait

*Please advise Robin in the Church Office of additions or corrections

Ash Wednesday Service

February 26th

6:00 PM

Congratulations to the Robbins’ family

Matthew David Robbins was officially adopted by David on

Sharon’s birthday (January 8th). They were honored to have

Rev. Ray with them. God bless this beautiful family!

Mark Hale and his mother, Ida, were received into

membership on January 5th.

Hannah Parlier was baptized and received into membership on January 19th

Resurrection 2020

Have you thanked a choir member lately? February would be a great time to show your heart to this wonderful group of musicians.

I tell the choir almost weekly how much I appreciate their faithfulness. The choir members are faithful about attending practice week after week- all year long. I know that many times when the night is cold and dark, it takes extra effort to leave a warm couch and come to Wednesday night rehearsals. Sometimes, we have people come to rehearsal straight from their work with no time for supper. In addition to that, our choir members are faithful to our church family time after time when a grieving family wants special

music for funeral services. Many times, we have extra rehearsals to get ready for special events.

Our instrumentalists also deserve praise. You do not come to church on Sunday morning and play the caliber of music these musicians play week after week without a great deal of practice

on their own time.

In addition, we have musicians like Sam Shipley and Susan Carson that share their talents with us. What a blessing! Please take a moment and show your love and appreciation to a church musician. I promise - you will make their day. Don't forget- we always have room for one more.

That would be YOU!

Love, Catherine Bunton

“It was a dark and stormy night” (actually dark and snowy night). Mary and I were driving a friend’s car from Columbus, Ohio to our mountain home in Tennessee. From there I planned to continue the next day and deliver the car to Naples Florida.

We had left Columbus around 5:00 p.m. and hoped to be at our home by midnight. We were traveling down U.S. Rt. 23 around 8:00 in the evening of Dec. 12, 2019, when I noticed a car along the side of the road with it’s lights on. No sooner than I saw that car I looked down on the road ahead of me and saw two large deer lying side by side directly and immediately in my path. I had no chance to avoid the deer, as I was traveling at about 55 mph and they were practically right under the car. We collided with the two deer in succession causing a huge bumping sensation that caused the car to swerve back and forth before I could get control. Thankfully, we did not crash or flip over. After collecting myself I pulled over to see how much damage had been done to the car. Although it was dark I could see part of the bumper/lower undercarriage hanging down on the road. I knew we were about 2 miles from a small village where I hoped I could get to a place to see what could be done to make the car drivable, if possible. I drove cautiously with the front end of the car scraping the road, and arrived at a filling station/convenience store. The young man attending the store said he had no tools to help and that there was nothing open in the town on Sunday evening.

Mary and I prayed thanking the Lord for our safety and pleaded for an answer to our situation. We realized there were no motels, no other filling stations, no garages nearby. Calling AAA would have gotten the car towed, but to where? Even that would have taken hours and we still would have no where to stay. We were standing by the car viewing the damage when a car pulled in and parked facing the front of us putting the lights on so we could better survey the damage. The couple had seen us hit the deer and were able to avoid them. They stopped to see if we were safe. The gentleman said he would help, but he had no tools and was on his way to work at the local prison.

Another young man in a pick up truck came in, got gas and left. As the first couple prepared to leave, another truck pulled in on the far side of the station away from the pumps. He got our of his truck, walked over to our vehicle, crawled under it and said, “I can fix it so you can drive it.” He went back to his truck, got a nylon rope, came back and crawled under the car and proceeded to tie up the loose hose for the windshield wipers and the large undercarriage that was dragging. He helped us snap in the lower part on the fender which had popped off.

The man turned to return to his truck and I asked if I could pay him. He refused and I said, “ Sir, You are an angel.” He stopped, raised his head and eyes to the heavens for about 5 seconds in silence, turned and went to his truck and left. We were stunned and breathless.

We called our friend whose car we were driving and explained the situation and all he could say was, “ Are you and Mary all right?” He was not a bit concerned about the car. He said if we felt the car was drivable it was fine with him to continue the trip as long as we felt it was safe. We were able to continue the trip home, and then onto Naples the next day with no problems.

This is truly a “wonderful life”! Mary and I prayed again, thanking the Lord for sending us that wonderful angel. If you have doubts about angels, you may want to reconsider.

Jerry & Mary Hooper

We were blessed to have Carson Peters and his band Iron Mountain perform

at our church on Sunday, January 12, 2020.

Life In Our Church

Donations to the church have been received in

Memory of David Forinash:

Contingency Fund by: Jean Madgett Adult Ministries by: Maryetta Elliott Adult Ministries by: Sam & Vickie Shipley Adult Ministries by: David & Debbie Wortman Adult Ministries by: Jean’s Secret Sister Adult Ministries by: Bill & Susan Heaton General Memorial by: Ed & Anne Johnson General Memorial by: Joseph Little Adult Ministries by: Richard & Norma Tetrick Adult Ministries by: Paul & Myong Powers Adult Ministries by: Gayle & Jobelle Hood Adult Ministries by: Susan Carson Adult Ministries by: Joanne Ames Adult Ministries by: Tom & Pam Witherspoon Adult Ministries by: David & Nancy Deal Adult Ministries by: Joyce Birchfield & Leta Hale Adult Ministries by: Phyllis Meece General Memorial by: David & Teresa Pinckard Adult Ministries by: Susan Huntington Adult Ministries by: Bobbie Wood Adult Ministries by: Sheila Hubbard Adult Ministries by: Browder & Sons Veneer Co. Adult Ministries by: Happy Valley HS Class of ‘67 Adult Ministries by: Arnold & Mescal Hooks Adult Ministries by: David & Christine Harrill Adult Ministries by: Diane Nabors Adult Ministries by: Dr. Brent & Diane Laing Adult Ministries by: Susan Hathaway Adult Ministries by: Jim & Debby Nolan Adult Ministries by: Sarah Laws Adult Ministries by: Lanny & Martha Epperson Adult Ministries by: Tommy Horton Adult Ministries by: Gary & Meg Brown Building Fund by: Gary & Melissa Burkette Adult Ministries by: Dona Dvorak Adult Ministries by: John & Margaret Holland Adult Ministries by: Doug & Lynn Hulshult Adult Ministries by: Donald & Doris Meyer Adult Ministries by: Linda Presnell & Family Mobile Food Pantry by: Dr. Jonathan & Jill Bremer Building Fund by: Tom & Lynn Little Adult Ministries by: Neil & Elizabeth Poland Adult Ministries by: Pairs & Spares Sunday School Class Adult Ministries by: Bob & Kitty Fleming Music Ministry by: Betty Bowers

Donations to the church have been received in Memory of:

Dude LaPorte

General Memorial Fund by: Doug & Lynn Hulshult General Memorial Fund by: Ed & Anne Johnson Contingency Fund by: Jean Madgett Mobile Food Pantry by: Sam & Vickie Shipley General Memorial Fund by: Jason & Ashley Blevins General Memorial Fund by: Susan Carson Mobile Food Pantry by: Tom & Pam Witherspoon General Memorial by: Maryetta Elliott General Memorial by: Susan Huntington General Memorial by: Bobbie Wood Music Ministry by: David Hart Building Fund by: Buddy & Trilla Little General Memorial by: Bill & Susan Heaton Adult Ministries by: Richard & Norma Tetrick Adult Ministries by: Paul & Myong Powers General Memorial by: David & Nancy Deal General Memorial by: David & Teresa Pinckard Contingency Fund by: Bob & Kitty Fleming General Memorial by: David & Christine Harrill General Memorial by: Peggy Hughes Adult Ministries by: Tommy Horton Adult Ministries by: Gary & Meg Brown Building Fund by: Gary & Melissa Burkette General Memorial by: Linda Presnell & Family Mobile Food Pantry by: Dr. Jonathan & Jill Bremer Building Fund by: Tom & Lynn Little General Memorial by: Pairs & Spares Sunday School Class General Memorial by: Fred & Ruth Bowers Music Ministry by: Betty Bowers General Memorial by: Big John’s Closeouts General Memorial by: Blackburn, Childers & Steagall

Donations to the church have been received in Memory of:

Joyce Willocks

Contingency Fund by: Jean Madgett General Memorial by: Jason & Ashley Blevins

General Budget Fund by: Larry & Brenda Tucker General Memorial by: Malcolm & Lana McKinney General Memorial by: Richard & Deborah Whitson

General Memorial by: ETSU Payroll Dept. General Memorial by: Timothy & Donna Belcher

General Memorial by: Ernie & Donna Wilson General Budget Fund by: Sam & Vickie Shipley

General Memorial by: Chloe Bell General Memorial by: Joan Moody

Donations to the church have been received in Memory of:

Ron Laws by: Buddy & Trilla Little (Building Fund) Dorothy Burkette by: Sam & Vickie Shipley (Sunday School Fund)

T.J. Little Jr. & Sue Little by: Paul & Myong Powers (Adult Ministries) T.J. Little Jr. by: David & Teresa Pinckard (General Memorial)

Tiffany Wortman Jones by: Dr. Brent & Diane Laing (Adult Choir Ministry) Sue Little by: Tommy Horton (Adult Ministries)

Bob Madgett by: Gary & Melissa Burkette (Building Fund) Ron Laws by: Gary & Melissa Burkette (Building Fund)

Sue Little by: Richard & Norma Tetrick (Children’s Music Ministry) T.J. Little Jr. & Sue Little by: John & Margaret Holland (Children’s Music Ministry)

T.J. Little Jr. & Sue Little by: Sam & Vickie Shipley (Children’s Music Ministry) Dorothy Burkette by: Jean Madgett (Memory Garden)

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, ELIZABETHTON NONPANELED COMMITTEES

The Paneled Committee Members, Administrative Council Members at Large, Lay Leadership, Finance, Staff parish Relations, and Trustees are elected by the Administrative Council/Charge Conference. Other Committees are appointed and affirmed by Administrative Council. Chairpersons are asked to check with their present committee members to see if they wish to remain and update members if needed.

SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR Kelly Geagley

Youth Leader: Doug Hulshult Ex-Officio: Administrative Council Chair: Sam Shipley Tommy Horton Wesley Bradley Dona Dvorak Pam Witherspoon Becky Powers Richard Lovette

LIBRARY CHAIR Susan Jarvis Joanne Ames Julie Bowers Rochelle James Jonda Large

EVANGELISM CHAIR Dave Robbins

Martha Epperson Vickie Shipley Wesley Bradley Jennifer Bradley Susan Carson

ADULT MINISTRIES CHAIR Jean Forinash

Jean Madgett Margo Bentley Vickie Shipley Darlene LaPorte Dona Dvorak

PROPERTY CHAIR Gaye Stanton

Wesley Bradley Lynn Carroll Greg Bowers Dona Dvorak Jay Crockett Tommy Horton Bob Carroll

PRESCHOOL CHAIR Beth Livingston

Jancey Bennett Ashley Blevins Diane Walter Lynn Hulshult Merry Schaff Susan Hathaway Victoria Crockett Margo Bentley Erin Weatherford Jennine Lovette

SAFETY CHAIR Dona Dvorak

PARSONAGE CHAIR Tommy Horton Judy Gwinn Doug Canter Chris Geagley Renee McNeely Diane Walter Jean Forinash Stan Bentley

WORSHIP CHAIR Julie Bowers

Tom Tull Margo Bentley Jerry Hooper Mary Hooper Diane Walter Nancy Deal Dona Dvorak Dicky Lou Cooter Vickie Shipley Jennifer Fleming Jean Forinash David Arney Susan Jarvis Susan Heaton Acolytes: Wesley Bradley Music Director: Catherine Bunton Choir Representative: Jean Madgett

MISSIONS CHAIR Lanelle Crockett

Susan Hathaway Doug Hulshult Rochelle James Gail Myers Susan Jarvis

SENIOR VISITATION CHAIR Martha Epperson and Jennifer Birchfield

Betty O’Neal Jean Madgett Gaye Stanton Carolyn Johns Kitty Fleming Bob Fleming Don Cooper Debbie Wortman Casey Eryasa Pat Blankenship Darlene LaPorte Mary Etta Elliott

HOSPITALITY CHAIR Gaye Stanton and Chris Harrill Martha Epperson Susan Hathaway Sonya Bradley Lynn Carroll Rochelle James Matt McKinney Dona Dvorak Jennifer Fleming Becky Pinkston Jim Nolan Debby Nolan Dicky Lou Cooter Linda Brown Dave Harrill

BEREAVEMENT CHAIR Gaye Stanton

(Pat Amos on Committee) Members assigned to a month and those who provide food.

TECHNOLOGY Webmaster Mary Etta Elliott Facebook Administrator Carrie Lee

The Paneled Committee Members are elected by the Administrative Council/Charge Conference. Other Committees are appointed and affirmed by Ad-ministrative Council. Chairpersons are asked to check with their present committee members to see if they wish to remain; and add new members to the list.

First United Methodist Church, Elizabethton Lay Leadership Report 2020

COMMITTEE

2020 Chair-person

Administrative Council Sam Shipley Administrative Council Members at Large

Adult Ministries Jean Forinash 2020 2021 2022

Bereavement Gaye Stanton Wesley Bradley David Robbins Gail Myers

Church Historians Jean Madget Jonda Large *Sam Shipley Vickie Shipley

Jobelle Hood Jim Nolan Carrie Seeley Dicky Lou Cooter

Dick Ryan Debby Nolan Kathy Pierce Casey Eryasa

Church Treasurer Tommy Horton

Assistant Church Treasurer Gayle Hood Lay Leadership

Disaster Reponse John Crockett 2020 2021 2022

Evangelism Dave Robbins Jean Madgett Vickie Shipley Margo Bentley

Family Life Chris Harrill Jennifer Fleming Jean Forinash Maryetta Elliott

Gaye Stanton Diane Walter Dave Harrill Dicky Lou Cooter

Finance Chair Jennifer Stroupe

Food for the Multitude Susan Hathaway Finance

Higher Education Ministry Chrisann Tull 2020 2021 2022

Lay Leader Bill Heaton Dave Wortman Mike James

Lay Member Annual Conference Wesley Bradley Sam Shipley Mary Etta Elliott *Jennifer Stroupe

Alternate Lay Member Maryetta Elliott Richard Tetrick Wesley Bradley Tom Little

Library Susan Jarvis

Missions Lanelle Crockett Staff Parish Relations

Nursery Margo Bentley 2020 2021 2022

Courtney Campbell Terri Parker David Pinckard Maryetta Elliott

Parsonage Tommy Horton Richard Tetrick Gaye Stanton Diane Walter

Preschool Beth Livingston Tom Tull Robin Hollowell *Dave Robbins

Property Gaye Stanton

Recording Secretary Vickie Shipley Trustees

Safety Dona Dvorak 2020 2021 2022

Senior Visitation Martha Epperson David McNeely Mike James Maryetta Elliott

Jennifer Fleming *Joe Alexander Gaye Stanton Dona Dvorak

Staff-Parish Chairperson Dave Robbins Susan Carson Tommy Horton Stan Bentley

Student Scholarship Kelly Geagley

Sunday School Superintendent John Crockett *indicates committee chairperson

Technology Maryetta Elliott

Transportation Bob Carroll

Trustee Joe Alexander

Worship Julie Bowers

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

325 EAST E STREET, ELIZABETHTON TN 37643

Church Office: (423) 543-3505 Email: soblessed@fumcelizabethton.com

Chimes News Editor: Vickie Shipley. Email: vshipley@chartertn.net

fumcelizabethton.com

NURSERY

February 2nd Margo Bentley

February 9th Diana Strano

February 16th Erin Weatherford

February 23rd Nona Jarrett

February Volunteers

ACOLYTE SCHEDULE

February 2nd: Andrew & Millie Acolyte parents: Digby

February 9th: Sophie P. & Tori Acolyte parents: Casbeer

February 16th: JoEllen & Sophie J. Acolyte parents: Little

February 23rd: Sophie H. & Ryan Jay Acolyte parents: Weatherford

February 23: Faith Builders Class

COUNTERS

February 3rd Jobelle Hood

February 10th Susan Heaton

February 18th Dona Dvorak

February 24th Ruth Ritchie

USHERS

February 2nd Team 5

February 9th Team 6

February 16th Team 7

February 23rd Team 1

*************************************************

SOUND

February 2nd Richard Lovette

February 9th Wesley Bradley

February 16th Austin Canter

February 23rd Doug Canter

COMMUNION February 9, 2020

Servers: Meg Brown, Tommy

Horton, Gayle & Jobelle Hood

Set up: Joanne & Ken

Clean up: Renee & Pam

Regular Weekly Schedule

Sunday Morning Worship 9:55 AM

Sunday School 11:20 AM

Sunday Night 4:12 Student Ministries 4:12—6:00 PM

Sunday Night Bible Study 6:00 PM

Wednesday Coolagers 6:00—7:00 PM

Wednesday Life Lessons 6:00 PM

Wednesday Choir Practice 7:00 PM

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 Bible Study 6:00 PM

3 4 Winter Bible Study 10:00 AM—Noon 6:00 PM—8:00 PM

5 Ivy Hall 2:30 PM Life Lessons 6:00 PM

6 Worship Meeting 7:00 PM

7 8

9

Communion Sunday

Bible Study 6:00 PM

10 Library Movie 12:30 PM

11 Winter Bible Study 10:00 AM—Noon 6:00 PM—8:00 PM

2nd Harvest: Noon

12 Life Lessons 6:00 PM

13 UMW Meeting 1:00 PM

14 15

16 Bible Study 6:00 PM

17 Game Day 1:00 PM

18 Winter Bible Study 10:00 AM—Noon 6:00 PM—8:00 PM

19 Life Lessons 6:00 PM

20 Newsletter Deadline

21 22 Food For The Multitude 8:00 AM

23 Library Open House: Noon

Bible Study 6:00 PM

24 25 Winter Bible Study 10:00 AM—Noon 6:00 PM—8:00 PM

26 Ash Wednesday

Service: 6:00 PM

27 28

29

February 2020

First United Methodist Church

325 East E Street

Elizabethton TN 37643

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED