WEDNESDAY WELCOME!!!
If you are visiting with us at contemporary or traditional worship, we welcome you! We recognize the "busy-ness" of the pastors on Sunday mornings makes it difficult to get to speak with them about your questions. Our monthly Wednesday Welcome sessions offer an informal setting where you can meet staff and learn more about programs and ministries here at GUMC. You are invited to come any time between 5 & 7:00 PM on February 6. Contact Martha Liles for more information.  Thanks, Martha!!


PRECIOUS PROPHETS..... YA'LL UP!!!!!
Precious Prophets will be singing in "BIG CHURCH"  on the 10th of February.  If you would like a CD of "My little heart"  call Carol at 934-1930 or Steve at church so we can get one to you ASAP.  We only have one rehearsal left, so if I can get a CD to you before than, it will be great.  Thanks, Ms. Carol


DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE SKILLS????????
Made For Praise..... It is NOT TOO LATE to join the cast of Acorns to Oaks.   We missed some of the children that had been previously registered.  If your child likes singing and acting, this class might be for you.  It is also an awesome outreach opportunity if you have a neighbor with children that like to perform.   Talk with Carol or Kandace if you have any questions.  Thanks, Ms. Carol.

 

FOOD OF THE MONTH:  Jelly, Peanut Butter (not necessarily in the same jar)


IN JUST ONE WEEKEND
we had over 150 people sign up for the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and so more tickets were printed up.  CLOSING ON SIGNING UP FOR THIS MEAL WAS 4 PM ON WEDNESDAY PAST.  But, for those of you who were lucky enough to get a ticket, this meal will begin at 6 PM on THIS COMING TUESDAY!!!  The faire for the day will be fresh, hand packed, air dried sausage from Harnett County, fresh pancakes, orange juice and hot coffee!!!  Come and get'em whilst they hot!!!!!!!  REMEMBER:  Due to our efforts to be better stewards of resources that God has bestowed upon us, we are now requiring SIGNING UP and RECEIVING a ticket, which is then given at the time of the meal and in turn a plate to be served is given.  This way we are cutting WAY back on over spending money on food!!!!  Help us with this!!!!


AS HAS BEEN THE CASE
for 100's of years (in the church universal) following Shrove Tuesday there will be an Ash Wednesday Service here in the church starting at 7 PM in the church's sanctuary.  This service will consist of the imposition of Ashes and of course, Ash Wednesday starts the church during the period of Lent.

WHAT A GREAT
segue into the "Lenten" series by Duke Divinity professor, Mickey Efird.  Dr. Efird's series this year will be on the book of The Revelation of John (aka as Revelation or The Book of Revelation).  This study will commence THIS COMING THURSDAY night at 7 PM in the gym and will be every Thursday night for a while!!!  So, yes, that's right.....Tuesday night church, Wednesday night church, Thursday night church.

 

FOOD OF THE MONTH:  Jelly, Peanut Butter (not necessarily in the same jar)


WHAT ABOUT THE "POWER OF 7"
Mission to raise funds to build a Habitat Home in the Garner area.  This event was held Saturday night at Optimist Club here in Garner.  Here's our church's team captain for this endeavor, Cheryl Grissom, for her take on this:  "For those of you who were able to attend the kickoff BBQ dinner last Saturday night, you know that it was an overwhelming success!!  We fed around 200 eager volunteers and we DIDN'T RUN OUT OF FOOD, SPACE, OR PARKING!!!!"  It was good to see several area Methodist churches come together and leave egos and church "pride" at the door and come together as one to raise monies for this great venture!!!!  The money raised at this event will be "seed" money for the HUGE event coming up at Lake Benson Park in May, which will be hosted by all 7 Methodist Churches (hence the "Power of 7" Mission).  Look for ways, in the coming weeks that you can help be a part of this HUGE fundraising event!!!!


WHAT WILL GUMC'S ARES OF
emphasis be on the 17 May event at Lake Benson.....GLAD YOU ASKED!!!  Start committing this to prayer and also committing to prayer where God is leading you to step up and help!!!  Here are our three areas that Garner church will be obligated for:
As you know, we have been soliciting volunteers for the major work areas that have been identified for the May 17 Fundraiser Event.  Up until now, we have been asking people to sign up to help with any and all areas.  We will continue to take any volunteers that we can muster, however, we must now turn our focus to the 3 areas that we have been asked to lead.  A drawing was held during the BBQ and GUMC now owns the following:
1) Plant Sale
2) Concessions
3) Main Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)


HUGE SUCCESS ON THE
"Pre" SOUP'er Bowl Soup and Sandwich sale that we had here last Sunday after church!!!!  Folks are still talking about how you folks really know how to lay it down when it comes to soup making.......So good in fact, some folks are calling for a "soup cook off," meal here at the church where the best soup makers in the church come together and we do a "soup bar" and "judge" the best soup in the house!!!!  Some of ya'll are off the hook on making some soup!!!!!  THANKS to ALL of you who provided soup or sandwiches for this event and also ALL of you who came and ate!!!!

 

FOOD OF THE MONTH:  Jelly, Peanut Butter (not necessarily in the same jar)


THERE'S NOT MANY LEFT!!!
But the church's monthly newsletter was put out last weekend (in the Narthex, in the gathering area on the mirrored piece of furniture and on the JOG service welcome table).  There are not many of them left, so if you did not get your copy, read it on line, or have been to the web site to view it.....GO FAST!!! and get you a copy.  Probably after this weekend there will be NO MORE!!!!!


CONFIRMATION CLASS ATTENDEES!!!!
Here's Pastor Susan with info you will need this coming week!!
Reminder for those youth who are planning on participating in
Confirmation this spring to get your forms in by February 4.  As part of the class they are asked to be at the Ash Wednesday Service, Feb.6, and the classes will begin Wednesday, February 13th.  The classes will be held in the Jr. High Classroom.  Thanks, Pastor Susan.

 

FOOD OF THE MONTH:  Jelly, Peanut Butter (not necessarily in the same jar)


LORENA KELLY CIRCLE
will meet on Monday, February 4, 2008 at 2:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Classroom.  We have a wonderful time of fellowship at our meetings and invite anyone who would like to join the United Methodist Women to come visit with us. Thanks, Betty Jo.


UNITED METHODIST WOMEN GENERAL MEETING
will be held on Sunday afternoon, March 9, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. in the CLC.  This will be our first meeting of 2008 and will kick-off this important year for the United Methodist Women of Garner UMC.  We will have a very short meeting at 4:00 and then have an old-fashioned gospel sing with a lot of good, old hymns and maybe a surprise visitor or two.  Please plan to come and show your support for our UMW.  Invite a friend or a new member to come to the meeting, they will surely have an enjoyable time.  If you need more info on this OR any aspect of UMW, please contact Betty Jo Creed!!!

 

NO UMYF ON 03 FEBRUARY (That's THIS Sunday!!!!)


LISTEN TO'EM RING!!!
The handbells have been sent to the "shop" and have been corrected, cleaned, straightened and "dress right dress!!"
Wait till you hear and SEE them this coming Sunday in worship.
Won't even sound like the same bells!!!!!!  Glorrrreeee!!!!


SEVERAL MORE THINGS
about handbells before we close this one out......DUE TO THE ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES COMING UP ON 06 FEBRUARY THERE WILL BE "NO" HANDBELL PRACTICE THAT WEEK!!!  Last thing, if you are interested in coming on board with this "swinging and ringing" bunch, there are plenty of bells to play and a spot at the table for you!!!  Just get with Steve about becoming a part!!!

THIS CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
has been so popular we might look for ways to do this in an adult format!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bible Bucks Market
The Bible Bucks Market will be open this Sunday, February 3rd in Room 222 from 9:00-9:30 and from 12:00-12:30 for those children who have earned Bible bucks all month by attending Sunday school, bringing their Bible, and reciting memory verses.  If your child isn't already, please encourage him/her to participate in the Bible Bucks Program.  We are also asking for donations such as small prizes and candy for our Bible Bucks Market.  If you would like to donate an item(s) for our market, please drop it off with Carlene or by the elevator.  Thank you!!!!

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING STARTED
last Sunday night with a slew of young'uns!!!!!  Here's more from Carlene:  Children's Sunday Night Program
Please join us for our children's Sunday night programming.  The children now have the option of choosing from  two curriculums:  Made for Praise or Made for J.O.Y.  We have developed two curriculums so as to meet the spiritual needs of all our children.
Made for Praise is for Little Apostles and Agape Kids who'd like to participate in our spring musical," Acorns to Oaks".  The children will learn how to grow the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Made for J.O.Y. is for all age groups and allows the children to choose from several electives, such as story time, choir, hand chimes, drama, missions, and crafts, as they surf through God's word, come to know Jesus, and develop Be-Attitudes:  Be Obedient, Be Kind, Be Forgiving, Be Bold, and Believe. Our weekly memory verses will be reinforced not only through stories and crafts, but with mission activities, games, and science experiments as well. There is much, much, more!!! To find out more please contact Carlene Lucas, or just come on out Sunday night at 5:30 in the fellowship hall.  Dinner will be provided at 6:00, with a suggested donation of $3 per child.

 

NO UMYF ON 03 FEBRUARY (That's THIS Sunday!!!!)


HERE'S ONE THAT I KNOW
many of you did not see, because Carlene says that NO ONE even responded to this one.  I looked back and sure enough it was in last week's CC, so I know that you just over looked it.  Let's try this one more time..................................
VOLUNTEERS are still very much needed for the Children's Sunday Night Program.  We need craft leaders, Story tellers, drama leaders, walkers, kitchen help, and persons to help with memory games and science experiments.  A walker will lead the children from center to center and just help the leaders at each center.  We need to have at least two volunteers in each room.  If you are interested in volunteering please contact Carlene by calling the church office or by calling 779-3654.

SELF-IMAGE HAS MANY RAMIFICATIONS
to it, starting off when we are young children and goes right on through adulthood.  God created ALL of us in "His image," and God don't make no junk!!!!  We need to start proclaiming this to our children!!!  And we are going to do JUST THAT!!!  Here's Carlene:  On February 9th from 6-10 all children are invited to our SPARTY/BNO, at which time the boys and girls will be reminded through scripture about beauty and self image.  The two will be separated in groups, girls in fellowship hall for a SPARTY (SPA ART PARTY) and boys in CLC for a BNO (Boy's Night Out).  The girls will have a great time doing their nails and hair while the boys enjoy themselves playing games and basketball.  Please plan to bring your kids for a night of fun and laughter and to hear about what the Bible tells us about inner beauty.  We also need volunteers to help out with both the boys and girls.  If interested, please call Carlene at the church or at home (779-3654).

AT CHRISTMAS AND THANKSGIVING
you can't even get into a homeless soup kitchen to help serve, due to all the volunteer and volunteer organizations clamoring to do that "feel good," moment of serving "the least of these" at such a high and Holy time of year.....but you know what, homelessness and hunger don't stop when Rudolph and Frosty or Tom Turkey go back into their storage boxes.......homelessness is real, it's here, it's now.  But lucky for us at Garner Church, we have an opportunity to serve right here, right now, week in, week out..........Here's Carlene with more:   Volunteers are needed to provide main dishes and side dishes on the first and fourth Saturday of each month.  You may volunteer to bring in a dish once a month, or once a quarter, or just one time only, whichever works best for you.  If any individuals or groups would like to prepare a dish on one of these Saturday's please contact Carlene.  Thank you for you support!!!!!

 

CONFIRMATION REUNION RETREAT

If you have joined the church as a youth in the past 10 years, then you are invited to a Confirmation Reunion Reteat at Camp Chestnut Ridge Feb. 16-17.  This includes college students and young adults.  Sign up sheet is on the youth bulletin board.

Thanks, Patricia.  


GOT SOME SPECIAL HAPPENINGS
in Worship on Sunday......some "not normally" seen/heard from folks taking part, offering testimony, having other parts in the worship service......interesting Sunday coming up.....interesting indeed!!!!!!!!


READY!!!!!  SET!!!!!  GO!!!!!!!
(Look who or what is back with us in worship this week!!!!!!)
8:30 AM:  Traditional Worship:  Prelude: "Celebration in G,"
The Garner Ringers.  Anthem:  "Carry the Light," Kevin Myers-Wheltle, bass-baritone.

9:48 AM:  Contemporary Worship:  Gathering Song: "He Reigns,"
Praise Set: "I Walk By Faith," "Reign in Me."  Praise Song: "Falling."  Offertory, "Soldier."