May 2015 Edition
Reflections
Special Invitation to Join Faith UMC
on a Special Day!
If you are thinking of making Faith
UMC your church home—or if you are
interested in baptism for a family
member—there’s a great day coming
up: Pentecost, Sunday May 24. On
Pentecost we celebrate the birth of the
Christian church, when the Holy Spirit
was experienced in a dramatic way
among the disciples and new believers as
they gathered in Jerusalem, only a few
weeks after the first Easter. The town
was full of Jewish faithful from all
nations, present to worship at the great
Temple on a spring holy day, and the
Spirit inspired and equipped the disciples
to tell about Jesus. The passersby
stopped to listen, and heard in their own
languages, the gospel of Christ. Many
accepted faith in Christ that day, and the
church burst forth into the ancient world.
We’ll celebrate Pentecost, the power of
the Holy Spirit, and the birth of the
church on Sunday May 24, and it would
be a wonderful day for you to make your
profession of faith, be baptized, or join
the church. The vows for these actions
are in the front of our hymnal, so you are
welcome any time to look at that. You
also can check out www.umc.org for
information about Methodism, or—by all
means!—speak with me or one of our
staff or lay leaders.
Q: How is baptism performed ?
A: Usually, the pastor scoops a bit of
baptism water by hand onto the
recipient’s head, and says, “I baptize
you in the name of God the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit.” An adult would kneel
to receive baptism, or the pastor might
hold a child or let the parents hold the
child. We can make arrangements for
baptism by immersion.
Q: What is expected of a
member? A: A member vows to
support the church with prayers,
presence, gifts, service and
witness. People grow best when they
connect to a small group, find a way to
serve, attend worship regularly, and
give in a disciplined manner.
Q: How is my membership
transferred? A: After you take the
membership vow, our church office
contacts the office of your former
church and handles the paperwork.
Perhaps this doesn’t answer all your
questions. Please reach out to me with
your thoughts about baptism and
membership, and let me know if you are
interested in joining the church on May
24 or any other date. As I say on
Sundays, “We’d be so proud to have
you!”
Pastor Larisa
Q: I don’t want to join alone!
A: There are several who are
interested, and if you all will contact
me, I’ll get you together so you can be
comfortable joining as a group. Or we
can have designated church members
stand with you.
Q: I was baptized once; do I need to
get baptized again? A: We recognize
and honor your baptism wherever you
received it. God has worked through
that sacrament to bless you! We will
affirm the baptism you received.
Q: I am still attached to my home
church. A: You can be an Associate
Member at Faith and retain your
membership at your home church. This
would allow you more participation in
the leadership of Faith UMC, though
you would not be a voting member.
Q: What age is right for
baptism? A: In the UMC, we will
baptize at any age. We see baptism as
an action of God’s grace, through the
Holy Spirit, that unites the person to the
church of Jesus Christ and renews and
regenerates the person and frees him/her
of the burden of sin. We welcome a
new brother or sister in Christ at any
age. A youth would benefit from
instruction before their baptism, and a
child between 4 and 12 might
appreciate a conversation and
appropriate Bible passages.
Faith United
Methodist
Church
It’s that time of year,
and we want to
celebrate your new
graduates in our May
newsletter and pray for
them on Sunday,
May 3rd in Worship.
Reception (light
lunch) after church
on May 3rd for James Parker and Gabi
Gaines & New Music Director, Kim
Royer.
If you would like to send a congratulatory
card, please note the addresses below:
James Parker: 3758 Ashwood Drive,
Smyrna, 30080
Gabi Gaines: 1020 Crooked Creek Ct.
Mableton, 30126
Kim grew up in Smyrna and was baptized at Cumberland UMC. She
was also involved in the music ministry at Smyrna First UMC. Kim served as
an active member of the touring group “God’s Light Youth Choir” from age
nine to sixteen. Later she became active in the adult Chancel choir at Smyrna
First under the direction of Mrs. Lynn Dee Martin.
After high school, Kim attended Kennesaw State University and earned
a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communications and a minor in
English Literature, graduating in May 1998. She married her husband Craig in
the summer of 2001. They have an nine year old son, Christian.
Kim comes to us from Hillside UMC in Woodstock. She has served as first soprano in the Chancel and
Chamber choirs on a weekly basis, singing solos on a seasonal basis, and serving in the contemporary praise
band on a bi-weekly basis as a praise singer. Craig is serving as bass guitarist in the band as well.
Kim has a passion and calling toward church choral music in general and has a special heart for youth
music at the junior and senior high level. She has led an 8th grade girls’ Bible study group on Sunday nights.
She has so many talents and attributes that could not all be listed here. Please give a warm hello to Kim
Royer and welcome her to our church home. Kim’s first Sunday is today, May 3rd.
Kim Royer: 184 Wallnut Hall Cr., Woodstock, 30189
Welcome, Kim Royer! Faith’s New Music Director
Our Faith Grandparents have grandchildren who are
receiving diplomas from high school and colleges. We
know you are proud of them and we would like to share in
their accomplishments also.
Charlotte Kypta’s grandson, Aidan Kypta, graduates
from Douglas County High School. His father is Chris
Kypta. Aidan plans to work for a period of time, then
begin school at Kennesaw State University where he will
major in Art.
Fred & LeDoris Chandler’s granddaughter, Ashley Marie
Chandler, daughter of Mark Chandler, graduates from
University of Georgia with a BS from the School of
Public Health. She will be applying at medical schools to
become a Physician Assistant.
Jimmy & Shelby Spivey’s grandson, Jonathan Reedy,
son of Bobby & Michele Reedy, graduates from Georgia
State University with a BA in Film & Video with a minor
in Broadcast Journalism. Jonathan hopes to work in
television or radio in Atlanta.
Spotlighting Faith’s News
Faith Friendship Circle
No regular meeting for the months of May
and June. On July 16th at 6:00 pm, the circle
will prepare 500 lunches for MUST Summer
Lunch Program. So be looking for the
reminders coming this summer! Regular
meetings resume Thursday, Aug. 20th at
10:30 a.m. (The circle is also giving MUST
$300 for the Undies Sunday Program.)
Save the Date!
Small Group
Discussion
Opportunities
With Rev. Larisa Parker
On Chapter 4 of Bishop Schnase’s
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
“Risk Taking Mission and Service” Plan on choosing one small group
time: Wednesday May 13,
Starbucks, evening
Monday— May 18th, lunch at a
restaurant
Sunday May 24, during Sunday
School
(more details coming in May)
Suggested donation for book, $12
Books available in Narthex
New Church News May 2015
While the developer buying Cumberland UMC’s property
continues to make progress, we are blessed with time to have
fellowship, worship, and serve with the Cumberland congregation.
During Holy Week, we shared in Maundy Thursday and Good
Friday worship services, and were thrilled with vocal performances
by two Cumberland UMC singers, Chris Hagan and Joya Abrams.
Opportunities coming up—which we will do together--include:
Great Missions Morning Saturday, June 6th: Begin the morning
with a special breakfast and go out in small work crews into the
community to serve—watch for more info, and save the date!
Joint Vacation Bible School June 8 -11, 2015, at Faith UMC
FUMC and CUMC Mid-Summer Fellowship Dinner—
Wednesday, July 8th (tentative date)
Special Guest: Winston Worrell, World Methodist Evangelism
Institute, and Joint Worship Service (at Faith) September 27.
www.wmei.ws
August 9th a Church Council Meeting will be at 2:00p.m. at
Cumberland to look at community demographics.
Faith/Cumberland Parents Morning Out program beginning in
August. This will meet in the children’s rooms, Monday through
Thursday, 9 to 12:30, for about 24 children ages 6 months to 3 years
old.
Coming in June—Imagine No Malaria. This is a fantastic, effec-
tive program to eliminate malaria, which is a preventable disease!
Malaria weakens, disables, and kills men, women, and children
throughout whole continents, but education and prevention have
already dramatically reduced the death rate. We will be talking
more about Imagine No Malaria in June, and our offering to it will
be the Bishop’s Offering for Annual Conference this summer.
www.ngumc.org/imaginenomalaria. For district information about
the campaign, see www.ngumc.org/amryimaginenomalaria.
Our May Mission Trip to Hinton Center, North Carolina
includes participants Rev. Parker, Rita Burgues, Andy Jones, Julie
Jones, Tabitha Brown, Jim Dunn, and Carol Kleywegt. Please pray
for a wonderful experience which will lead to many more future
trips. The team will be gone May 15-17.
Mae York’s brother Bennie Long (89) was able to get up at the nursing home
after having medical issues.
Suzie Sarkady praises God for her two beautiful daughters, Sammie and Erzsi.
Praises for a couple who have reconciled.
Frank & Jyoti Daniels give praise that God has blessed them this past year by
providing them with Faith Church. The church has been their family and has
been a support in everyway. It’s a huge blessing to also see Christine going for
Children’s Church, too.
Praises for a wonderful group of Christians at Faith!
Praise for Eddie & Barbara Davis.
Blessed with a loving Lord, wonderful wife, caring sons and great Church family!
Praising God for His Glory and plan for us. Blessings on our church, nation and
families.
Praising God for saving the life of Cecilie Ramos (niece), who had a terrifying
auto accident last week. Her car was totaled, but she walked away without a
scratch. Thank you, God! Rita Burgues
Thanking God for family, church, friends and Christ in my life.
Praising God for two beautiful grandsons who love Jesus and have a Godly Mom
& Dad.
Thankful for old friends and family, praising the Lord, good health and being
loved.
Praising God is good all the time.
Blessings for her church family. Mildred Samples is so thankful for them all.
Thanking God for healthy grandchildren, healthy kids, a great spouse and terrific
church family & friends.
Eddie George thanks his church family for all the prayers, cards and visits. He
has been blessed to have his church family and would not have made it without
everyone’s prayers.
Anne & Bob Jackson sing praises for a good relocation move for aunt Anne
Killebrew from Jacksonville, Florida.
Praising God for family and church family of believers.
Praising God for his faithfulness! Jim & Shelby Spivey’s grandson, Jonathan
Reedy is 10 years in remission from cancer. He will graduate from college at
Georgia State University in May.
Prayers for family and grandchildren and for the well being of our church.
John Root’s good health.
Carol Jean Maher Burnworth thanks the Lord for being her Savior and friend, for
the beauty given, for loving thoughts and purity, helping others to show love to
you, for learning how to show love, for the life on this terrain, the sunshine and
rain and for Christians whose spirit reflects your loving ways!
Praises from our Church Members
Scout Troop 22 News
On the weekend of March
20, the Troop enjoyed a
camping trip to Pine
Mountain. They
participated in the
Scouting for Food Drive,
and donated more than 3
car trunks full to St.
Vincent de Paul Society.
They visited the Yerkes
Primate Research Center
on March 28. The Scout
hut is newly painted and
mulched. They hope to
participate in the Flag
Placement Ceremony at
the Marietta National
Cemetery on Memorial
Day holiday.
Our Scouting Ministry is
shaping lives and building
character! Let’s support
it with our prayers and
hospitality!
Trustees updates:
1. Completed roof
repairs, lighting
repairs, and exterior
paint.
2. Cleaned gutters of
Sanctuary building.
3. Adjusted rate plan for
office phones.
Thanks, Trustees’ for
your service!
Children’s Church Leaders for May: Cecille & June Millena—May 3rd
Lynn Montgomery & Kathy McGill—5/10
Suzy & Steve Sarkady—5/17
Jyoti & Frank Daniel—5/24
Dienne Cook & Beth Gaines—5/31
May ♥ Birthdays
Jackie McKenzie 5/1
Chris Morris 5/1
Orlean Duncan 5/2
Andrew Gaines 5/3
Virginia Thomas 5/4
Hazel Gastley 5/8
Aaliyah Hyde 5/11
Jean Newton 5/11
Gary Calvert 5/12
Karen McGill 5/12
LeDoris Chandler 5/13
Susan Wilcox 5/13
Harvey Hightower 5/18
George Scott 5/18
Susannah Parker 5/20
Cameron Ziegler 5/21
Logan McGill 5/22
Jay Nottingham 5/25
Chris Wagner 5/26
♥ April Anniversaries ♥
Steve & Suzy Sarkady—5/3
Bob & Anne Jackson—5/4
Andy & Julie Jones—5/5
Barbara & Gary Calvert—5/11
Danny & Carol Hames—5/14
Darrell & O’Mara Cook—5/15
Hil & Kristine Meeks—5/17
May Ushers
Alan Bane *
Lou Wendel
Rachel Wendel
Buddy York
Recently we learned that MUST Ministries has a
need for clean, new undergarments of all sizes
(men’s, women’s, and children’s) to be given to
local people in need. Each Sunday in May you
can bring items to bless our Smyrna neighbors.
There will be an “Underwear Basket” in the
Narthex.
May Greeters
Judy Crawford & Kathy McGill—May 3rd
Liz Hyde—May 10th
Warren & MaryJane LeCroy—May 17th
TBD—May 24th
Warren & MaryJane LeCroy—May 31st
Meal Schedule for
Elizabeth Inn
July 29th
October 29th
December 29th
Cake Auction on Soup & Salad Sunday! May 31st at 12:15p.m.
Faith is hosting their annual Cake Auction on the 5th Sunday
of the Soup & Salad meal so you can hone your multitasking
skills! There will be no ‘vanilla’ creations, just desserts
made with an ‘all-purposed’ mindset as they throw in some
‘sugared up’ love and hoping it all ‘pans’ out! So bid high
and help the Missions team build up their fund to help more
people around the world.
Stewardship: Thank you for your support of Faith UMC through your financial
gifts. You are helping the church stay strong in ministry and mission. Our giving
helps the church be effective in evangelism, because when we can pay gifted
staff, that builds up worship—when we can keep the building and grounds
looking neat and fresh, that encourages visitors—when we can prepare excellent
materials, people know that Faith does good ministry with care and diligence.
You are doing the work of an evangelist when you contribute to the church!
Thank you!
Lock-Up for
May
Andy Jones
Automatic bank draft is a great way to keep your financial commitment to
the church! Brenda Cook in the church office can help you set it up,
[email protected] OR you can set it up through the church website.
Questions or comments--contact Harvey Hightower, Finance Chair, harvey-
Sunday, May 3rd
9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall.
9:30am Pastor Prayer Time
10:00am Praise Team
11:00am Worship
12:15pm Reception for Graduates & Kim Royer
1:00pm Administrative Council Mtg. Tuesday, May 5th
10:00am PALS breakfast at Dolly’s Wednesday, May 6th
6:30pm Chancel Choir
8:00pm Praise Team
Thursday, May 7th
7:00pm Prayer Team
Sunday, May 10th — Mother’s Day
9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall
9:30am Pastor’s Prayer Time
9:45am Christian Education
10:00am Praise Team
11:00am Worship—Dedication Mission Team
Wednesday, May 13th
6:30pm Chancel Choir
8:00pm Praise Team Thursday, May 14th
10:30am Pals Activity
7:00pm Prayer Team
Saturday, May 16th
Hinton Center Mission Trip
Sunday, May 17th—Sunday
9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall
9:30am Pastor Prayer Time
9:45am Christian Education
10:00am Praise Team
11:00am Worship
12:15pm Nursery/Parent Luncheon
Monday, May 18th
10:00am Wrapped in Love Tuesday, May 19th
7:00pm Missions Meeting Wednesday, May 20th
6:30pm Chancel Choir
8:00pm Praise Team Thursday, May 21st
7:00pm Prayer Team Sunday, May 24th-Pentecost Sunday
9:30am Pastor Prayer Time
9:45am Christian Education
10:00am Praise Team
11:00am Worship
Monday, May 25th — Memorial Day
Office Closed
Wednesday, May 27th
6:30pm Chancel Choir
8:00pm Praise Team
Thursday, May 28th
7:00pm Prayer Team
Sunday, May 31st
9:00am Choir Rehearsal in Fellowship Hall
9:30am Pastor Prayer Time
9:45am Christian Education
10:00am Praise Team
11:00am Worship
12:15pm Cake Auction with Soup/Salad
for Missions.
Your Staff
Faith United Methodist Church
Rev. Larisa Parker 4336 King Springs Road, SW
Smyrna, GA 30082-4214
Rev. Larisa Parker, Pastor
Email: [email protected]
Office: 770-435-9722 Emergency # 770-405-1678
4336 King Springs Road, Smyrna, GA 30082
website: www.smyrnafaithumc.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FaithUMCGA
Ministers—Entire Congregation
Church Administrator/Education—Brenda Cook
Email: [email protected]
Director of Music Ministries—Kim Royer
Pianist: Karolyn Irwin
Office Administrator—Lisa Harris
Email: [email protected]
Trustees Email: [email protected]
Month of May
PALS (Senior Ministry)
Faith UMC Website: www.smyrnafaithumc.org
PALS Breakfast is Tuesday, May 7th
at 10:00 a.m., at Dolly’s restaurant on
Austell Road.
PALS monthly activity is Thursday,
May 21st for lunch. The place and
time will be determined & announced
in the next bulletin.
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