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THE FIRST WORD A publication of Ellijay First United Methodist Church
April 2015
5:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall
April 1—Girl Scouts—Barbeque Chicken Sandwiches April 8—No Supper April 15—Youth April 22—UMM April 29—Kenya Project
On Easter Sunday, we will once again place fresh flowers on the cross. Please remember to bring flowers that morning and place them on the cross as you enter the sanctuary. If you have extra flowers, please bring them to share.
Maundy Thursday Communion
and Foot Washing
Service begins at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Rev. Jim Kroninger will deliver the message.
SUNDAY
8:45 a.m. Early Worship
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship
5:00 p.m. Handbell practice
6:00 p.m. Impact Youth
ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS Each Monday 4:45 p.m. Zumba—BODY AND SOUL exercise for ladies
1st Monday 5:30 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting—May 4
6:00 p.m. Administrative Council Meeting—May 4
2nd Monday 6:30 p.m. UMW Claddagh Night Circle —- April 13
4th Monday 11:30 a.m. Prayer Shawl Workshop—April 27
Each Tuesday 11:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study—BYKOTA CLASSROOM
1st Tuesday 8:00 a.m. UMM Prayer Breakfast/Meeting at Annie’s—April 7
3rd Tuesday 6:30 p.m. UMM Dinner & meeting—Shane’s Rib Shack—April 21
3rd Tuesday 12:00 noon UMW “Noon” Circle—April 21
Each Wednesday 4:00 p.m. S.A.L.T.—Saved-Accepted-Loved-Transformed—Grades 6, 7, 8
5:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Family & Friends Dinner
5:45 p.m. Grace Notes
6:00 p.m. Youth IMPACT (9th—12th grade)
6:00 p.m. Children’s Wednesday Night program/choir
6:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal
1st Wednesday 5:00 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, BYKOTA CLASSROOM
Each Thursday 4:45 p.m. Zumba—BODY AND SOUL exercise for ladies
1st Thursday 11:00 a.m. Joy Circle—April 2
2nd Thursday 11:30 a.m. Single Ladies Lunch—April 9
Each Saturday 9:30 a.m. Zumba—BODY AND SOUL exercise for ladies
April 5, Easter Brunch, 9:45 a.m. (During Sunday School hour) Bring your fa-
vorite breakfast dish to share.
April 12, Soup, sandwich, and dessert luncheon, sponsored by UMW Noon
Circle. The lunch will be available after Sunday School and after the
11:00 service. The cost is $6 per plate. Cary-out meals will also be availa-
ble. Proceeds will go to fund our mission projects.
April 19, G.R.A.S.P. Cookout Celebration, following 11:00 service. Everyone is invited to come enjoy ham-
burgers and hotdogs after church and to hear about our plans for GRASP 2015! Testimonies from last
year will be shared, as well as ways you can get involved this year.
Grow Camp is coming to Ellijay FUMC!
Rising 1st—6th Graders July 20—24, 2015
This camp is sponsored by Camp Glisson which is part of the UMC North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries. On-line registration is available at growdaycamps.org . Paper flyers for registration will be available soon. Please see Marianne if you need scholarship help. This is a great introduction to a traditional camp without spending the night away.
Please sign up by Tuesday at noon. There will be sign
up sheets at all three entrances to the sanctuary on
Sunday. You can call the office (706-635-2555); email
the office ([email protected]); or fill out the form
on the website (www.fumcellijay.org) under the
Wednesday Night Supper Tab.
Welcome
Dan and Judy Serritella
MISSION TRIP
CONFERENCE RETREAT CENTER
IN DAHLONEGA—Camp Glisson.
We will meet at Camp Glisson Welcome Center on April 20, 2015,
at 9 a.m. We will check into our lodging, meet our work director, and get lined out for our tasks. Pat-
ti Bell and Barbara Chapman have agreed to oversee food arrangements. If you have an interest in a
day trip or stay over, please let it be known by getting your name on a sign up sheet at the office.
Thank you
Your Missions Committee
Tom Lowery, Chair
There will be a brief meeting of the group at
6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, after supper.
The United Methodist Men continue to meet at Annie's Restaurant at 8 a.m. on Maddox Dr. on the first Tuesday of each month for our Prayer Breakfast and devotional. Our evening meetings are held on the third Tuesday at Shane's Rib Shack at 6 p.m. We welcome ALL men of the church to come and participate in these exciting fellowship opportunities. Our next breakfast meeting will be April 7, 2015, at Annie’s and our next dinner will be April 21, 2015, at Shane's. One other opportunity to gather and serve is on the fourth Wednesday of the month when the men prepare and serve the church’s Wednesday Night dinner. This is a great time to come together to prepare and share a meal with our church members and guests. On Saturday mornings at 8:00 am there is a men’s study group that meets in the youth room. Coffee is provided and men of all ages are invited to attend. For the next several weeks we will be working through a book titled A Disciples Heart. Feel free to stop in any time.
"A Disciple's Heart"
Dean Carlsen, Leader
The United Methodist Men are continuing to meet at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday in the Cornerstone
Classroom for Bible study. The current study is "A Disciple's Heart": a guide to living in the Wesley-
an tradition and Christian Perfection.
ALL men are encouraged to come on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. and share in learning and fellow-
ship. Coffee will be provided. If you have questions please email Allan Tarr at [email protected]
or call him at 770-289-4192.
Claddagh Night Circle—meets the 2nd
Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Noon Circle—meets the 3rd Tuesday at
12 noon.
Joy Circle—meets the 1st Thursday at
11 a.m.
OPEN HEARTS. OPEN MINDS. OPEN DOORS.
Open your HEART and MIND as we OPEN THE DOORS to our Adult, Youth and Children’s Sunday morning classes during the month of April friends and families are invited to explore the opportunities to strengthen your relationship and understanding of God.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES--9:45 a.m.
HELPING HANDS CLASS Helping Hands S. S. Class is studying The God We Can Know Exploring The "I AM"
Sayings of Jesus by Rob FuQuay. We cancelled our March 5th Sunday meeting so by the 1st Sunday in
April we will be on the 3rd lesson of this study. We will be going to Blue Ridge on Thursday, April 16th, for
dinner at Blue Jeans and to see the play "The Moving of Lilla Barton" as reported in the March First
Word. There will be more social get-togethers during the year. We continue to support five local chari-
ties with monthly donations and to sponsor a young boy in Kenya. We welcome anyone who is not in a
Sunday School Class to join us Sunday mornings at 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall.
CORNERSTONE SS CLASS On April 12, we will begin a 6 week Andy Stanley study, “The Best Question
Ever.” Our monthly social dinner will be April 11 at the home of Patti Odell. The annual “Girls” Retreat will
be held April 24-26. The Cornerstone Class is an active group for adults of all ages. Our members are ac-
tive in the Gilmer County Food Pantry, the Kenya Project, and many other church and community pro-
jects.
BYKOTA The BYKOTA class (Be Ye Kind One To Another) supports the Wednesday night children’s pro-
grams, the Gilmer Food Pantry, the New Beginnings Transitional Housing program, Kids Ferst and the
Back Pack Program. Join Us!!!
BEN BARRETT SS Class The class maintains an emergency food freezer, makes monthly donations to
Gilmer Food Pantry, provides Sunday night meals for youth, and supports GRASP and Vacation Bible
School with monetary donations.
CROSSWALK SS CLASS has been reorganized under the leadership of Al Summers. This class is open to all
adults. The class meets in Marianne’s Preschool Office. Please join us!
Please consider volunteering for:
~~Sunday School Teacher for 4 year olds to 1st grade (every other month)
~~Children’s Church leader (once every 3 months)
~~Nursery Helper (once every 3 months)
~~Choir Leader for 4 year olds—1st grade (Wednesday’s, 6—6:30 pm)
Please see Marianne for more information.
Medicine bottles for Malawi
How many of you throw away your prescription medicine bottles
when they are empty? I know I do. There must be something we
can do with these other than bury them in a landfill. There is a need
for these empty bottles. A group collects clean bottles and sends
them to Malawi.
Pharmacies and hospitals in Malawi many times only have torn piec-
es of paper to dispense medicine to their patients. This could lead
to contamination and increase the chance of children taking unneeded drugs.
What we throw away, someone else has a real need for it. Below is a link for more information
http://malawiproject.org/medicine-bottles-for-malawi/
A box will be placed next to the church office to collect these bottles if you wish to participate. They
ask to boil them to remove the labels. Once we have a quantity, I will ship them to the Malawi Pro-
ject.
“I look upon the world as my parish” – John Wesley
Thank you
Dean Carlsen
Third Annual High Tea for Ladies of All Ages
Truly, “Ladies of All Ages” attended the Joy Circle High Tea on March 21st.
In addition to the 58 attendees, we were blessed to be served by eight
gentlemen. The room was decorated like an old fashioned Tea Room
with each table adorned with delicate teapots, serving pieces, and flow-
ers. Everyone enjoyed delicious sandwiches and marvelous tea des-
serts. The ladies
were gorgeous in
their dresses and
hats and the men
“spiffy” in their black and white serving
attire. Proceeds from the tea and jewelry
sales will be used to support the May
Medical Mission to Nakuru, Kenya. Ra-
chel Tarr and Sandy Williams will be rep-
resenting Ellijay First UMC on this trip.
“Bringing Christ’s healing love to hurting people”
The mission of our Stephen Ministry is “To share the love of Jesus Christ by providing one-to
-one, distinctively Christian care to individuals who are experiencing life’s challenges and
difficulties.”
NEEDED - Stephen Ministers: Male and Female
Ever thought about becoming a Stephen Minister? Applications are being accepted for a new Stephen Minister training class.
What do Stephen Ministers do?
Stephen Ministers bring distinctively Christian care to those in need by working alongside our pas-tors to care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people who are going through a difficult time, such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, re-location, chronic illness, or loneliness.
If you have a desire to share God’s love with those that are hurting, consider becoming a Stephen Minister. You will join the more than 600,000 laypeople worldwide that share the love of Jesus Christ by providing one-to-one, distinctively Christian care to individuals who are experiencing life’s challenges and difficulties.
If you would like to be part of this ministry or would like more information about it, visit our web page at http://fumcellijay.org/?page_id=1098 or contact one of our Stephen Leaders:
Steve Ketcham at 770-757-5232 or [email protected] ;
Gwen Scarth at 706-258-8757 or [email protected];
Sandy Williams at 706-502-5127 or [email protected].
Your health and wellness committee is here to help with medical questions and re-
ferrals. You can talk to any of our RN's: Tamra Acree, Nancy Smith, Katherine
Meyer, Grace Ketcham and Carol Maiyer. Jennifer Vines is our occupational thera-
pist. We are happy to assist you.
Grace Ketcham will take Blood Pressures in the office on Sunday, April 19 from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.
“Bringing Christ’s healing love to hurting people”
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. It is recorded as two numbers.
The first number measures the force as your heart beats. This is called systolic pressure. The second number measures the force as your heart relaxes. This is called diastolic pressure.
A measurement of 120/80 mm Hg, for example, is read as "120 over 80." The systolic pressure is 120 mm Hg. The diastolic pressure is 80 mm Hg. The "mm Hg" stands for "millimeters of mercury."
When is blood pressure considered high?
Blood pressure measurements fall into four categories.
Normal blood pressure. Your blood pressure is normal if it's below 120/80 mm Hg. However, some doctors recommend 115/75 mm Hg as a better goal. Once it rises above 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of heart disease starts to increase.
What are the risk factors for high blood pressure?
MayoClinic.com lists these risk factors for high blood pressure:
*Age. The risk rises as you age. Through early middle age, it is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop it after menopause.
*Race. It is more common among blacks. It often starts at an earlier age than it does among whites.
*Family history.
*Being overweight or obese. The more you weigh, the more blood you need to bring nutrients to your tissues. As the volume of blood goes up, so does the pressure against artery walls.
*Not being physically active. Inactive people tend to have faster heart rates. That makes the force of blood against your arteries harder.
*Using tobacco. Tobacco use immediately raises your blood pressure on a temporary basis. And the chemicals in tobacco can dam-age the lining of your artery walls.
*Too much salt in your diet.
*Too little potassium in your diet.
*Too little vitamin D.
*Drinking too much alcohol.
*Stress. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary, but dramatic, rise in blood pressure.
*Certain chronic conditions. They include high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea.
*Sometimes, pregnancy contributes to high blood pressure as well.
What are the symptoms?
High blood pressure has been called a silent killer. That's because most people who have it have no symptoms. That can be true even when blood pressure reaches very high levels.
A few people with early-stage high blood pressure may have some symptoms. They may include headaches, dizzy spells or more nosebleeds than normal. But these signs don't usually occur until it reaches a severe stage. By the time these signs appear, high blood pressure may be life-threatening.
Because there are usually no symptoms, it's important to have blood pressure measured regularly.
Continued on next page
Continued from previous page
Why is it so serious?
High blood pressure can hurt your heart and arteries by placing too much stress on them. It can also damage other organs. The American Heart Association describes how it harms various parts of your body.
How can you control HBP?
Changing your lifestyle can help. Here are some of the lifestyle changes recommended on MayoClinic.com. If you have high blood pressure, be sure to talk with your doctor about taking these steps:
*Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods. Get plenty of potassium. Cut your intake of satu-rated fat and total fat.
*Cut the salt in your diet. Try to keep your salt intake to 1,500 milligrams a day. One way is to put down the saltshaker. But be aware that there's already a lot of salt in many foods. Watch the salt content in processed foods, such as canned soups or frozen dinners.
*Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight, losing even five pounds can lower your blood pressure.
Increase your physical activity. Try for at least 30 minutes of activity each day.
*Limit your alcohol. Alcohol can raise your blood pressure even when you're healthy. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation. That means one drink a day for women and people older than 65, and two a day for men.
*Don't smoke.
*Manage stress. Practice healthy coping skills, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing. Try to get plenty of sleep.
*Monitor your blood pressure at home.
*Many people need the help of medicines. Sometimes, lifestyle changes alone aren't enough to control high blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe medicine, too, to keep it at a safer level.
By working with your doctor, you can reach your treatment goals and enjoy the benefits of better health.
(Humana, May 2012) submitted by Grace Ketcham
Thank you from the Parsonage Search Committee
The Parsonage Search Committee would like to thank the congregation for your support during the search for a church
parsonage and the final resolution at the March 18th Church
Conference.
As of Friday, March 27th we have closed on the property and
now have a house that meets the parsonage guidelines of the
North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church to
house the pastoral family serving Ellijay First United Methodist
Church. Our new parsonage is located within the Ellijay City
limits at 381 The Oaks Drive.
Your recognition of the need for a parsonage and your financial
support is deeply appreciated. Contributions toward the
meeting of the down payment continue to be accepted. If you
would like to contribute, please mark “Parsonage Fund” on your
check. Those at the closing were: Melissa Maxie, Melinda Hadden,
Kent Sanford, John Mahan, Howard Elkins, Paul Compton,
Lex Rainey, SPR Chair and Dr. Danny Barton
The Gospel According to 3:16—Study Opportunity
Pastor Jim Kroninger will continue his study on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. based on his
book “The Gospel According to 3:16.” Having the book is not a prerequisite for attending the
class. If you would be interested in a copy, please contact Jim. The cost is $10.
—First Tuesday of each month,
8 a.m. Breakfast Prayer meeting
at Annie’s Restaurant
—Third Tuesday of each month,
6 p.m. evening meeting at Shane’s Bar B Q
—Each Saturday. 8 a.m.—Men’s Bible Study
Scout Troop 402 had a great February. We want to thank the church for allowing them to
fund raise at the Wednesday night gumbo supper where they raised $348 for Sea Base this
summer. They, along with Crew 402, did a great job at Scout Sunday. Sid May was “right on”
when he talked about the effect scouting and our church have on the lives of the youth.
Troop 402 presented a plaque to Ellijay First UMC for that support. They also recognized John
Davis with a certificate for the tremendous job he has done as COR.
March started off with a court of honor where several boys were recognized and newly elected officers were
installed. A shooting weekend on the 13th was held at Rainey Mountain and the Ordeal weekend on the
22nd had several boys and one leader initiated into brotherhood.
I would like to say, as Sid did, we have no idea how effecting one thing in the life of a child or anyone will
have a ripple effect. Let’s keep the boys and their leaders in our prayers—that we lead them in the direction
that He wants them to go.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
after the 11 a.m. service
Easter Sunday, April 5th
Please consider making donations of plastic eggs filled with candy or a special
treat. There will be an orange tub beside the office mail boxes for your donations.
Thank you for your generous support for our kids.
IMPACT Worship
Sundays 6-8
Dinner, Games, and Worship!
6th-12th Graders
Wednesdays, 4:00-5:15
S.A.L.T.
Saved-Accepted-Loved-Transformed
Snack, game, and Bible study for
6th,7th, & 8th Graders!
High-school Small Groups
Wednesdays 6:30-8:00
Girls: Faithful One Study- becoming a
faithful follower of Christ!
Guys: Daniel Study- Standing Strong
IMPACT YOUTH
GRASP COOKOUT CELEBRATION April 19th following the 11 o’clock service
Everyone in the congregation is invited to come enjoy hamburgers and hotdogs after church and to hear about our plans for GRASP 2015! Testimonies from last year will be shared, as well as ways you can get involved this year. We would love for you to be a part of this outreach to our community. If you have never been a part of GRASP, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about this local mission event.
GRASP—June 4—7, 2015
It is that time of year again… mark your calendars for
GRASP June 4th-7th 2015! Be on the look out to sign up to volunteer soon!
NOTES FROM THE HEALTH AND
WELLNESS COMMITTEE
—If you know of anyone who is homebound or
in the hospital, please call the church office so
one of our team members can make a visit.
—There is a first aid kit now located in the
kitchen.
—An AED is on the back hallway wall close to
the fellowship hall.
Online Giving is now available!
Please visit our website
(www.fumcellijay.org)
Click on the “DONATE” button
If you have difficulty hearing, please see an
usher before church for a hearing impaired
device.
April 5 April 12 April 19 April 26 May 3
Marianne. Diane V./Leyla L. No C.C. Marianne Debbie W.
Nursery
Need Volunteer Elizabeth Dorfman Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Jacqueline Poole
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Children’s Church
Ages 3 years thru 2nd Grade. Join us after the children’s sermon in church. We will sing some songs. The
lesson and craft will go along with the children’s sermon. We will also have a snack. We will join back up
with the parents in church.
Children’s Church Volunteer Schedule
Preschool News
Preschool has begun registration for Fall
of 2015. Registration form on Church
Website. Keep saving Box Tops! Worth 10
cents each!
More Than a
Movie
Admit one Free (or
two or three.. Bring
friends!)
Now Showing: The
Fox and the Hound
Date: April 25 Time: 7-9
Location: Fellowship Hall
Come enjoy a great movie, delicious
snacks, games and find out how this
movie relates to the Bible.
April 5th after 11:00 service.
Bring your basket!
Our animal Easter Egg Hunt will be after the
11 am service on April 5th. We need our
congregation’s help by sending in a dozen or
so filled eggs. You may fill them with can-
dy or a special treat. There is a box outside
the office. Thanks for your support as this is
a special treat for our children!
Join in on the
fun! Join in on
the friends!
Join in on
God’s
Love! Wednesday
nights @ 6:30
Save the Date: April 19th
Celebrate Children and Youth as
they lead us in worship with a
play: “What kind of Bird are You?”
Special Music!
Why does the church exist? According
to Matthew’s Gospel, the risen Christ
made it clear: “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach-
ing them to obey everything that I have
commanded you” (28:19-20)
Based on this “Great Commission,” our
United Methodist Church has stated its
purpose:
“The mission of the Church is to
make disciples of Jesus Christ for
the transformation of the world.
Local churches provide the most
significant arena through which
disciple-making occurs.”
So the mission of our congregation
is to make disciples. This is a four-
fold task. . . . We could abbreviate
our mission as one of welcoming-
worshiping-nurturing-sending.
WE HAVE A MISSION
Welcoming-Worshiping-Nurturing-Sending
From The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church—2012, p. 91.
For more information on Our Faith, please visit the UMC Web Site.
Ellijay First United Methodist Church
75 McCutchen Street—P.O. Box 472—Ellijay, GA 30540
Church: 706-635-2555 Fax: 706-273-2555 Pastor’s Residence: 706-636-4991
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.fumcellijay.org
Church Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday
CHURCH STAFF
The Reverend Dr. Danny Barton, Pastor
The Reverend Alan Tarr, Assistant Pastor
Tamra Acree, Parish Nurse Charlie Bryant, Director of Music
Pam Corbin, Custodian Gabrielle Cornett, Pianist
Marianne Evans, Director of Children’s Ministries & Preschool
Ann Hanline, Administrative Assistant Angel Hughes, Nursery Coordinator
Kerri Anne Sanford, Youth Minister Cheryl Smith, Organist
