Children’s Ministry News – May 2017

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We are thankful to God for working through our church to serve children in our area.
The Children’s committee would like to let you know that our Easter event was definitely a success. There were 17 children!!! YAY! The activities included the story about Jesus riding the donkey through the street on Palm Sunday, a parade with the children shouting and waving palm branches, an egg hunt, petting live bunnies, the Easter story and refreshments.
We also had lots of good help from our youth and our committee members. We would like to thank the youth for hiding the eggs, Jolene for bringing 3 of her live rabbits, and our church family for prayers and contributions. Because of all the contributions made by so many we sent the children home with plastic eggs filled with candy but also A LOT MORE!

Mom 2 Mom Diaper Drive

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Where: Galax Walmart, 1140 East Stuart Drive
When: Thursday, May 11th from 2pm-7pm
Benefits Tri-Area Pregnancy Center
Details at http://www.spiritfm.com/ or you can call the Spirit FM offices at: 800-774-9798, (434-237-9798) or email office@spiritfm.com. Thank you!

Please join us for our CHILDREN’S EASTER EVENT

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Please join us for our CHILDREN’S EASTER EVENT
SUNDAY, APRIL 9
3:00-5:00
THE EASTER STORY
Egg Hunt
Refreshments

Bring a friend-rain or shine.
We will meet in FELLOWSHIP HALL downstairs.

Any questions call: 233-7841 OR 236-6008

If anyone would like to donate covered candy, stickers or small toys to be placed in eggs there is a box in the annex area by April 5th. Thank you for helping make this an enjoyable event for the children!

UMW News – April 2017

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Our April UMW meeting will be on the 11th at 10:00 am.  Irene has the program and has invited a guest speaker, RN Beth Sproul, who will talk about her time on the Mercy Ship that was docked off of Africa.  Everyone is invited to attend.  Following the meeting the members are encouraged to attend the Easter week service at First Christian Church.  FUMC will be responsible for the meal on Wednesday, April 12th.  If you can send sandwiches, chips, cookies or drinks for that meal, please let the church office know or call Peggy Chappell at 233-0809.  And thanks in advance for your help.

“The Empty Egg.”

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“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid: I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come see the place where he lay.” [Matthew 28:5-6 N.R.S.V.]

Jeremy was born with a twisted body, slow mind and a chronic, terminal illness that had been slowly taking his young life. Still, his parents had tried to give him as normal a life as possible. This meant sending him to the local St. Teresa’s Elementary School. At age twelve Jeremy was only in the second grade and his teacher Miss Miller often became exasperated when Jeremy seemed to not be able to grasp the lessons no matter how many times she explained them.

One Day Miss Miller called Jeremy’s parents in for a consultation. She suggested to them that they send Jeremy to a special school. With tears in her eyes, Jeremy’s mother explained that there was not a school equipped to handle Jeremy’s needs in the area and that it would upset Jeremy tremendously to have to change schools. After the consultation Miss Miller decided that no matter how hard her life was, she did not have half as many troubles as Jeremy and his family and resolved to be more patient and understanding.

As the year progressed Spring came and Easter was approaching. Miss Miller had told the story of Jesus death and resurrection to her class and came up with a special project. She gave each of the children an empty plastic egg and told them to fill it with something that represented the true meaning of Easter. As Miss Miller opened each egg she commented on the contents: whether it was a flower, a butterfly or a sprig of grass, Miss Miller commented on how each of these things showed new life as we have in Christ Jesus. When she opened the last egg it was empty. She remembered that she had not called Jeremy’s parents and explained the assignment. As she sat there, Jeremy said: “Aren’t you going to talk about my egg?” Miss Miller stated: “But Jeremy your egg is empty!” Jeremy looked into her eyes and said softly, “Yes. But Jesus’ tomb was empty too!” Time stopped. Miss Miller asked Jeremy if he knew why the tomb was empty. He said: “Oh yes! Jesus died on the cross for our sins then His Father raised him up.” When the children were at recess Miss Miller cried knowing that Jeremy had truly learned the most important lesson of all. JESUS SAVES!!!

Richard

GOD’S SOUP KITCHEN

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Every third Communion FUMC takes up a special offering for God’s Soup Kitchen in Galax. The Soup Kitchen provides a freshly prepared meal that is free to those in need. There are many stories about the Soup Kitchen and all that they are trying to do to help those in need. One story is of three children who come into the Soup Kitchen several days a week for their evening meal and when they leave they take their mother and father’s dinner plate’s home with them because their parents are still working. Both of their parents work long hours at multiple jobs to provide for their children, but still cannot make enough to pay their monthly bills. Without the Soup Kitchen these children would go without a fresh and healthy meal. Instead their meal may consist of Ramen Noodles or Spaghetti O’s, a meal that a child can easily make on their own.

 

The Soup Kitchen feeds between 200-250 people a night and costs approximately $200.00 per meal. They are also in need of volunteers to help prepare, serve meals, and clean up on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4:00-6:00 pm in the Rooftop Building. They have also started delivering meals to the elder who are sick or shut-ins and are always in need of help delivering meals.

 

The volunteers at the Soup Kitchen also try to be available for the teenage girls in our community. Unfortunately many parents are addicts and are not there to support their children emotionally or physically. This leaves the girls alone and with no one to turn to for guidance or support but their peers. The Soup Kitchen has organized events like “Say Yes to The Dress”, which provides them with a free prom dress and helps provide these girls with personal hygiene items. These women are positive role models that do not judge them because of their parent’s addiction and of course care about them.

 

Kisha Johnson who runs the Soup Kitchen has been asked many times, “How many people really need the soup kitchen?” by individuals in our community. Her response is that people need more than food for fulfillment. The Soup Kitchen is about bringing people in the community together for fellowship, sharing God’s love, and of course making sure no one goes hungry. Since opening their doors, they have started children’s bible studies on Monday evenings which is made possible by the generous ladies of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church who come every week to teach. Sometimes we take for granted that everyone, including children know about Jesus and the sacrifices he made for us. Some of these children have never been to church and these ladies have patiently answered their questions, such as what is a cross? Who is Jesus?

“Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul.” –Dorothy Day

CHILI COOK OFF and BINGO FUN – SUNDAY, MARCH 19 AT 5:00

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You may sign up to bring chili, salad, or dessert.
Drinks and salad dressings will be provided.

ALSO we would like each person to bring an old gift you might have laying around your house for Bingo prizes.

The Sign-Up Sheet will be available in the annex section of the church.
If you will not be at church to sign up, please call Jim or Dianne Marshall at 236-5426.
The Committee is hoping this event will be lots of fun and well attended.

March Activity Sponsored by the Adult Council Committee

FUMC raised $1,284 for the Backpack Buddies in 2016!

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Thanks to your support, FUMC raised $1,284.00 to help support Galax and Grayson County Backpack Buddies in 2016.
During the school week children have access to a hot and fresh meal prepared by the school. Too often when they leave school on Friday, they may not have access to three meals a day. Backpack buddies receives recommendations from school staff for K-12th grade and send each child recommended home with a backpack full of non-perishable, healthy food so they will have breakfast, lunch, a snack, and dinner for the weekend.
It cost $10.00 a week to feed one child and $370.00 a year for one child.
The Backpack Buddies organization is completely run by volunteers. If anyone is interested in volunteering Backpack Buddies meet on Friday’s at Warrick Hall behind Galax Presbyterian Church.

  • 10:45 am for the unpacking of the food items and to make them ready to put in backpacks
  • 11:30 am packing of the Elementary and Middle Grades bags
  • 12:00 pm packing of the High School Grade bags

Thank you for your commitment to your community, and your continuing support it is greatly appreciated! Giving is not easy and this is especially true when there is a sacrifice involved. It is one way we have of demonstrating our faith and trust in God as we assist one another in building up His Kingdom on Earth.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

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Life Line Screening will be offering preventive health screenings on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. As part of the screening event, Life Line Screening will offer low-cost take-home colorectal cancer tests called FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) in recognition of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. These tests are simple, accurate, and recommended for the early detection of colorectal cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 and older.

Other preventive screenings provided check for stroke risk, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and osteoporosis. Galax First United Methodist Church is pleased to make these important screenings available by hosting Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings.

Screenings are fast, painless and affordable. Three key tests check for blocked carotid arteries, an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, and high blood pressure, which are the three leading risk factors for stroke. Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S., yet, with preventive strategies, 80% of strokes can be prevented.

Other tests check for abdominal aortic aneurysms and hardening of the arteries in the legs. A bone density screening to assess osteoporosis risk is also offered and is appropriate for both men and women. Many events also offer blood tests, including cholesterol, glucose and c-reactive protein screenings.

Screening packages start at $139. Single tests cost around $70.

For more information regarding the screenings or to schedule an appointment, call 1-888-653-6441 or go to www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle. Pre-registration is required.

UMW NEWS – March 2017

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Thanks to all who helped with our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and to all who came and enjoyed eating with us. It’s great to see our church family and friends coming together for food and fellowship. Our next UMW meeting will be March 14 at 10:00 am in the UMW room. Judy Farmer has the program which will be our Call to Prayer program. Lunch plans will be announced later. Please make every effort to attend. On the 25th we will be going to Aldersgate UMC for the Spring Mini-Retreat. Please let me know if you would like to go. Lake Junaluska plans will come next month.

UMW President, Peggy Chappell