Wed, September 3rd - Brandon First United Methodist Church

THE GOOD NEWS LETTER
BRANDON FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SEPTEMBER 3, 2014
Mitchell’s Moments
renovation of the multi-purpose facility.
Reverend Mitchell B. Hedgepeth, Senior Pastor
Wow! Some days really are winners! Days
when God says to us, “Well done, good and
trustworthy slave”. But we can’t stop there.
Have you ever noticed weathermen (or
women) grin when the co-anchors
congratulate them on an especially
beautiful day? The former
weatherman for Good Morning
America on ABC, Spencer Christian,
writes, “I’m a weatherman. I study,
analyze, and forecast the weather
every weekday morning on national
TV. And yet, just like everyone else,
I can’t do anything about it.”
Some days really are
winners! Days when
God says to us, “Well
done, good and
Construction, repairs, renovations
are just ahead of us. How are we
going to see through the projects
to find ways to bring about new
disciples that will help transform
the world?
One of the ways we, the body of
Christ, can help is by listening to
and being receptive to the word of
But we can’t stop
God. This week we will start a
Still, people hold him accountable
series of messages entitled, “GOD
for the weather. “They stop me on
there.
SAID!” I hope and pray that you
the street and demand to know
will join us for these series of
what’s wrong.” If there’s a dry spell,
messages
and
together we can see what God
people complain about their dry shrubs. If it’s
has to say to us in our world and in the world
hot, the postman complains and tells him to
around us.
order a “cold spell.” If the temperature drops
really low, people tell him not to come back
until he does “something about it.”
trustworthy slave.”
One night, Spencer remembers, he was
working in Richmond, Virginia, and forecast
“partly cloudy with cold and windy conditions.”
Then snow squalls hit. An irate resident called
the next day to talk about the “weather jerk”
and told him to come over and “shovel the six
inches of partly cloudy stuff of my driveway.”
Some days you just can’t win. Have you ever
found yourself in this kind of situation?
Nothing seems to go right and everything
seems to go wrong! Recently, we were blessed
to encourage each of us in our congregation to
step up to find the capacity to do more, and
you did! The situation we found ourselves in
made it seem like an impossible task but with
discernment, faith and prayer we have
exceeded our goal of $150,000.00 for the
Prayer Requests
Murphy Adkins
Ruth Adkins
Rodney Burch
Lloyd Burton
Martha Burton
Bill Cannon
Ann Marie Cossar
Madge Duke
Mike Duke
Nathan Ferriss
Dot Griffin
Angie Hamilton
Roy Hammons
Dell Hankins
Elizabeth Hemphill
Patricia James
Gordon Mason
Sylvester McLaurin
Linda McManus
Louise Mitchell
Lois Parker
Robinette Parker
Debra Robinson
Mary Ellen Stanley
Ladye Margaret
Townsend
Charlotte Wallace
Barry Ware
Owen’s Reflection
Reverend Owen Weddle, Associate Pastor
Football season is upon us. As we sit in our homes with our families and friends to watch the big
game, we are excited by the spectacle of a group of individual people working together. Each player
has different talents and skills; no one player is gifted to do everything on the football field. In order
to make that group of people work together, there is a lot of practice and training; not just to teach
people plays but for the players to learn to effectively use their own physical talents.
In 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, the Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians that the ministry
performed by Church is the body of Christ and that every follower of Jesus is a part of that body with
different gifts. The goals of building up the members of the body of Christ and reaching out to the
world to hear and see the Gospel is not something that can be accomplished by one or a few people.
It takes a team effort from everyone.
While all of us have gifts and talents we can offer,
sometimes we lack the confidence to make use of those
abilities God has given us. Sometimes what we need is a
little bit of direction and training to help us confidently
use the gifts God has given us. So, there is a great
opportunity for all of you to find that direction in an
upcoming Leadership Conference being hosted by the
Mississippi Conference called “The Empowered,
Accountable, Collaborative Leadership Conference for
Laity and Clergy.” You should receive more information in
letter coming by mail. However, I want to encourage you
to attend, especially if you need that bit of direction that can help you confidently contribute in the
team effort as the body of Christ. While God gifts us with talents to use for the Church, we do need
direction in how to use them effectively and appropriately.
Ray’s Report
Ray Wallace, Church Administrator
The Trustees met and discussed the schedule
for the work on the Family Life Center. A
definite startup date has not been set, but it
should be in the next couple of weeks
and expected completion by January 1,
2015. If you have an event scheduled in
the Family Life Center during this period
please call me to be sure it is available.
Basically, the work will be done from the
ceiling down, with the floor being done
last.
You may also have noticed buzzards sitting on
the church steeple and roof line. Soon we will
begin work to eliminate this problem.
Thanks to Mr. J.W. Beck and Mr. James Hall
for the work to seal the metal door in the
Family Life Center. This should eliminate the
leaking problem we have had recently.
Again, please be reminded that the church has
security alarms and cameras
that are set at ALL times in ALL
areas, particularly after hours. If
you need to enter the facilities
after regular business, PLEASE
be sure that you have notified
me and can be assured that the
alarms are not set.
Please be reminded that it is time to begin
budget preparation for 2015. If you receive a
request regarding the budget, please respond
accordingly.
Family Life Center Improvements
Campaign Surpasses Expectations
Molly Clark, Chair, Stewardship Committee
The Capacity for More campaign began in late July and two weeks
ago the announcement was made that the church had received over
$153,000.00. Since that time, the amount continues to grow and the totals are now at $166,455.00.
We truly do have the capacity for more! I wanted to express my sincerest appreciation for your
generosity and commitment to being a steward of God. While the initial goal was surpassed, there
were many more improvements that were needed and can now be fulfilled. I will be happy to
continue to report updates on the plans for the improvements as they become available. However,
thank you all for your contributions in prayer, time, talent, gifts and service. It is my prayer that God
continues to bless our church and congregation.
Music Notes
Donna Beasley, Director of Music Ministries
THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS
Are you hearing the sounds of Christmas music around
the church these days? It is that time of year again. The
choirs are singing and the bells are ringing songs for the
upcoming Christmas season and it is closer than you think.
The Handbell Choir meets each Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. and they are preparing songs for
the Hanging of the Green service which will be November 30th this year.
The Praise Kids will be working on a great Christmas musical entitled “The Christmas Cross” and we
need all children grades 1st through the 6th to come and participate. The program will be Sunday,
December 7th.
The Angel Choir will be getting their songs ready to sing for us and the Singing Saints always have a
gospel take on a Christmas song to share.
The Chancel Choir has begun work on the Christmas cantata that they will present on Sunday,
December 14th.
As you can see and “hear” this is going to be a great Christmas
season. Now is the time to join one of our choirs. You will be so
glad you did.
PRAISE KIDS
NEWS FLASH! The Praise Kids will begin rehearsals on Sunday,
September 7th at 5:45 p.m. Pizza suppers will begin on SUNDAY,
SEPTEMBER 21ST AT 5:30 P.M. Parents will be asked to help
serve the PK’s pizza on Sundays. A schedule will be sent out soon.
Children’s Corner
Beth Howe & Julie Parker
Co-Directors of Children’s Ministries
Whoever can be trusted with very little
can also be trusted with much.
Luke 16:10 NIV
The Virtue for September is responsibility:
Showing you can be trusted
with what’s expected of you.
Calling all kids!!!!! Join us on Wednesday
nights for a great time learning about the Bible
and how God wants us to live!!! Lots of fun
and lots of classes (3 year olds-Kindergarten,
1st - 4th grade). HELP!!!!! We need
Wednesday night teachers!
The Pocket Prayer Quilts that we are making
with the Prayers & Squares Quilt ministry is
going great. Don’t miss
our last session
Wednesday! We plan
on delivering them to
our shut ins and to
area nursing homes.
If you have or know
someone who has an
old Featherweight
Singer sewing machine that is sitting in a
closet and not being used, the Prayers &
Squares Ministry would love to have it. Please
contact Mrs. Georgia Polk for more
information.
TWEENS
Jesus Plus - Sunday, September 7, 4:30 pm,
Tweens Place
Wednesday night Bible Study will start
September 10. Don’t miss it and bring a
friend!
Devotion Book– Keep working on your
devotion book, “Over The Hedges”. A
completed devotion book is your ticket into our
next lock in.
Children’s Moment offerings are donated to
the Methodist Children’s Home.
Stephen’s Scribbles
Stephen Bishop, Director of Student Ministries
CHICK-FIL-A Devotion
Breakfast - a Monday
morning favorite. Meet
at Chick-Fil-A each
Monday at 7:00 am for a
time of fellowship and
devotion. Students are taken to school
following our time together. Remember to set
your clocks and to invite at friend!
Praise Band - Bring your instrument or
singing voice and join in on the jam session,
Sunday afternoons 4-5 pm. Be part of creating
an awesome worship experience for our time
with God!
Hang Time - Starting
September 4th and then
each Thursday following,
the Annex will be open
from 3-6p. So, if you need
a place to study, play a
little PING PONG, get your video game fix or
even to just hang out, we’ll be here!!
Small Group - It’s back! Sunday
evening Small Groups returns
Sunday, September 7. We begin
with supper in the Café at 6p and
then break into our small groups
for a time of deeper study and
life application in our walk with Christ.
Costa Rica Mission Trip
May 23-30, 2015
We are EXCITED to invite
students 9th Grade through
College to join us on this
Spring mission trip (must
have completed the 9th
Grade by May 23, 2015). To hold your spot, a
non-refundable $100 deposit is needed
A.S.A.P. The total cost of the trip has not been
finalized, but it will not exceed $1,500 per
person. If you are interested or need more
information, please contact Stephen Bishop
(228-596-0430) or George Shumaker (601672-3900)
Mission News
Richard Henley, Chair Local Missions
George Shumaker, Chair Foreign Missions
SEPTEMBER - New or used tools for Mountain
T.O.P. A list of preferred tools may be found
on our website www.brandonfumc.org or you
may contact the church office.
2015 Mountain T.O.P., October 2-5
Cost $200 single adult, $300 married
couple. If you are interested, please contact
Rev. Owen Weddle or Derek McCombs (601)
383-2324.
The 2015
Costa Rica
Mission Trip is
open for high
school and
college students, as well as adults. If
interested, please contact George Shumaker
(601) 672-3900.
UMW Membership Dinner
Tuesday, September 8
7:00 pm | Parlor
Packing Party | November 12
Please be in prayer on how you can be a part
of this mission. We will need many empty
shoeboxes along with the following items to fill
the boxes:

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Washcloths

Bars of Soap

Packs of Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils

Packs of Pens or Pencils

Notebooks

Coloring Books

Socks (girls and boys needed)

Small Toys

Ziploc Bags Filled with Hard Candy
Donations may be placed in the “Operation
Christmas Child” box located in the lobby. For
more information, please contact Lauren Smith
(601) 941-8862.
August 22, 2014 Thank you for the donation of $25,000 from the Rankin County United Methodist Men’s 2nd Annual Wild Game Benefit Banquet to support the work of Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area in Rankin County. It has been said that the deeds of giving are the very foundation of the world. The partnership that we share with donors like you certainly reflects this idea. Through your support, we are truly changing lives! Building Together, Cynthia P Griffin, Executive Director Don’t Mention Age
(DMA)
Ruby Holland, Contributing Writer
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL????
Television jingle prior to televised football
games, AFL and NFL. Guess we might as well
be as it is here. It gives all of the "Monday
morning Quarterbacks" a reason to disagree
with the decisions the
coaches made during
such games. Players
are penalized for
their theatrical antics
in the end zone.
Wonder how we will
be penalized for our
theatrical antics in
life? The Bible says
that the way of sins
will cause sinners to be doomed to the fiery
pits of hell. Not a pleasant thought. It would
behoove the very least of us to have a looksee
into our lives, make changes and Love one
another.
Hope a simple word. A
powerful truth. A miraculous
healing medicine. That is
what hope means to man.
But does that fit with the
dictionary definition of the
word? According to the
Cambridge dictionary: 1.
Hope (noun) -- something
good that you want to
happen in the future, or a
confident feeling about what
will happen in the future. ...
Living each day with hope
can change your entire
outlook. Live life with hope. Live a hopeful life.
It is powerful medicine.
But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more. My mouth
will tell of your righteousness, of your
salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.
Psalms 71: 14-15
While my brother, Robert D. Shumaker, Sr., was alive many of you prayed for him and us. Thank you for remembering him. We also wish to thank everyone who has expressed sympathy, sent cards and prayed for my family during this time of recovery. Please keep our family in your prayers. George Shumaker East/West Jackson District
Fall Lay Servant Ministries School
Saturday, October 25
Cost $39
Clinton FUMC
Course List: Basic & Advanced (Prayer, Go
Preach!, Spiritual Gift)
Contact Lucy Henley for more information
(601) 405-3252
Serving in Worship
Sermon Series
August 31
thru October 5
September 7 (Communion)
Topic: GOD SAID: “I Have...Plans to
Prosper You“
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11
Such a message sounds good, “I have plans
for you to prosper!” The prophet himself
was a criminal, placed in prison and thrown
in a cistern to die. How can one find
prosperity is such a setting? We often limit
God’s vision for our lives.
September 14
Topic: GOD SAID: “Nothing Can Ever
Separate You.”
Scripture: Romans 8:26-39
Life sometimes heaps crushing loads on us.
We help neither ourselves nor others by
mouthing pious platitudes such as “God
never gives us more than we can bear,”
which isn’t promised in scripture to start
with. But let us trust instead what the Bible
does tell us: that God is with us no matter
what, and that we have in our power the
ability to help one another carry the burdens
of life.
September 21
Topic: GOD SAID: “I Will Never Leave
or Forsake You.”
Scripture: Hebrews 13:5
Having Christ, having a relationship with
Christ, means we never have to be alone. To
fully understand we need to cleanse ourselves
of those possessions that we idolize, in which
we cannot build a relationship.
Special Guest Speaker
Sunday, October 12
September 7-21
Sanctuary Prep
7 Kathy Wilson
14 Linda McManus
21 Mary Beth Bounds
Children’s Moment
7 Communion
14 Paula Conn
21 Julie Parker
Acolytes
7 Early: Shana Sellers & Hannah Rector
Late: Corley Wyatt & Katie Hanson
14 Early: Reagan Wallace & Jake McKay
Late: Madison Tigrett & M.P. Harrington
21 Early: Bailey Pouncey & Anna Grace McAlpin
Late: John Walker Morgan & Andrew Jones
Children’s Church
7
Communion
14 Early: Allie Enis & Rachel Nolan
Late: Karissa Deckard & Hannah Bobo
21 Early: Melissa Earls & Hannah Nolan
Late: Amanda Roberts & Mindy Ware
Greeters
7 Early: Joseph & Ashley Moss
Chuck Nolan, Lydia Pitts
Late: Robin & Cecie Carter
John & Arlean Goza
14 Early: Mike & Denise Peoples
Michael & Karen Ruffin
Late: Ruthie Guyton, Yancey Harrington
21 Early: Stanley & Tommie Shows
James & Stacy Williams
Late: Ann McKay, Carole Milner, Bill Mitchell
Ushers
Early: Breakfast Club
Late: Torchbearers
Video
7 Early: Del Watters
Late: David Morrow
14 Early: Chris Shamburger
Late: Benton Parker
21 Early: Mel Coxwell
Late: Wes Beasley
September 2014 01 Keith Dillon Glenda Owens Denise Peoples Travis Tigrett Blake Wallace Missy Wallace 02 Andy Harvey Amy Radcliff Matthew Stowers 03 Pepper Ann Filbert Roy Hammons Anita Russell Terry Tigrett 04 Janice Mason Peyton Savell Cory Stanford 07 Claudia Campbell John Walker Morgan Taylor Morgan 08 Stuart Austin Patty Lee 09 David Cassidy Robinette Parker Billy Ray Robinson 10 Betty Murphey Tommy Powell Thad Vinson Ann Marie Cossar Mailey McAlpin Michael John Pope Jean Yoste Dorothy Crow Maxey Phillips 13 Vernon Campbell Jimmy Parker Onsby Vinson 19 Patty Byers Brett Clay Courtney Clay 16 Marian Bardwell Katie Croxton Chuck Wahl 18 Jack Bishop Charlie Floyd Jeff Hammond Pam Howell Edith Madden Ann McKay Laurie Parker Lin Parsons Forrest Russell Jessica Thornton 26 Brad Howe Gayle Warren Elizabeth Castiglione Sid Cox John Lewis Bryan Moore Mike Taylor 20 Robert Cox Kayla Earls Jamie Floyd Carol Poole Charlotte Wallace Corley Wyatt 15 Mary Beth Bounds 17 Larry Chance Scott Gardner Patsy Dillon Rick Gorman Alicia Leigh Tammie Richardson Elizabeth Morgan Allen Roark Trey Serio Sherri Sparnecht 11 Chandler Ferriss Josh McKay 05 Linda McManus Kara Beth Carter Dylan Spence Addyson Grace Moss 12 Solomon Bardwell 06 14 27 Ann Bush Mike Conn Betty Ann Morrow Gail Westbrook 21 Patrick Cumberland Randy Westbrook Cammie Wyatt Roger Holman Bettie Millis Sherry Sanderson 28 Wanda Martin 22 Trace Moore Thomas Morgan 23 29 Trey Ketchum Lauren Smith 24 30 Jack Carlisle Vera Clements Seth Dotherow Whitney Jenkins Olivia Kate Moss Amanda Roberts Addison Sloan 25 Blake Summerall Merrillyn Alexander Hailie Burke Catherine Hedgepeth Diane King Katie McRaney Lee Grubbs Sidney McLaurin Hank Van Maddie Van Staff Connections
205 Mary Ann Drive  Brandon, MS 39042  Office 601-825-5958
www.brandonfumc.org
Pastors
Office
Senior Pastor - Rev. Mitchell B. Hedgepeth
[email protected]
After Hours - (601) 942-8700
Church Administrator  Ray Wallace
[email protected]
Associate Pastor - Rev. Owen Weddle
[email protected]
After Hours - (601) 668-0726
Custodians  Bryan Moore & Kathy Moore
Financial Secretary  Judy Salter
[email protected]
Secretary  Kim Bishop
[email protected]
Ministries
Music  Donna Beasley
[email protected]
Youth  Stephen Bishop
[email protected]
Children  Beth Howe and Julie Parker
[email protected]
Mother’s Day Out  Julie Pepper
[email protected]
To activate the prayer chain:
Please call Charlotte Wallace
601-591-2476 or 601-214-8108
or the church office 601-825-5958.
NEWSLETTER
The next Good Newsletter will be published
on Wednesday, September 17
Return Service Requested
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205 Mary Ann Drive
Brandon MS 39042
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