08 20 2014 Newsletter Letter - brandonfumc.org

THE GOOD NEWS LETTER

BRANDON FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AUGUST 20, 2014

Mitchell’s Moments Floor Replacement $50,000
New Ceiling & Lighting $30,000
Reverend Mitchell B. Hedgepeth, Senior Pastor Permanent Sound System
New Staging $8,000
‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; New Recreational Equipment $15,000
you have been trustworthy in a few things, New Storage Facility $22,000
Contingency $20,000
I will put you in charge of many things;
enter into the joy of your master.’ $5,000
Matthew 25:23
Well, praise be to God! On Sunday, August
To all the members, friends, guests, and 17th, we surpassed the stated goal and God is
family of Brandon First United Methodist
Church: I want to thank you for being leaders glorified even more!
in our recent capital improvement campaign,
The Capacity for More! I realize that many of As of this printing on Tuesday, we have
us are busy these days and that our lives
become a balancing act. Your prayerful received:
endeavors and your time commitments have
made this campaign an overwhelming success. Financial Gifts $153,910.51

God is Good! “In Kind” Support Commitment 156
All the Time!
Prayer Commitments 450+
Over the last three weeks we have used
selected verses from the Parable of the Thanks again for being a catalyst for the
Talents as told in the Gospel of Matthew. Kingdom! You have proven once again,
We have focused on the applicable through the “Power of We” and by the grace of
subjects of comparison, evasion, God, we have the capacity for more, enter into
presumption and complacency. All the the joy of our Lord!
while, you have been praying and
seeking the discernment of God to help Sermon Series
the ministry of the church achieve the August 31, 2014
stated goal of raising $150,000 for the
following capital improvements in the I Formed You!
Family Life Center. Psalm 139:14

Music Notes

Donna Beasley, Director of Music Ministries

DINNER THEATER FUND RAISER SPOTLIGHT
Where do I begin? There are not enough words ON YOU
of thanks in the English language to
adequately express how grateful I am to
everyone involved in the Dinner Theater Fund
Raiser. I don’t even think I can count high
enough to tell you just how many people were
involved. There were volunteers everywhere
working many jobs to make the event a
success. It truly took the entire church family.

The Chancel Choir, Gospel Strings and the Donna Beasley, Bryan Torrence & Rev. Linda Hickman
Praise Kids worked many hours to prepare the take a ride (August 2004).
entertainment. Pat Walker and Julie Pepper
started early getting volunteers to decorate Bryan Torrence, church member, choir singer,
tables. Doug Baker made sure the tickets were
all sold and Sarah Nolan has to be the greatest man of many talents. You might not know him
chef and kitchen organizer that I have ever personally but you have
known. Charla Jordan made sure the definitely seen his work
community knew that Brandon First had for many years. Bryan is
something great happening and our a designer who has
church staff is gold star rated. From volunteered countless
the bottom of my heart a BIG hours to design sets
THANK YOU to all the volunteers on and props for our
every committee. A church family church events. Did
vision completed. BRAVO!! you see the treasure
chest that contained
Prayer Requests our pulpit Bible on
Sunday? Bryan made
Murphy Adkins Maize James
Ruth Adkins Gordon Mason that. How about the fantastic ticket booth and
Rodney Burch Sylvester McLaurin fisherman’s basket we used at the Dinner Theater
Lloyd Burton Louise Mitchell last week? Yep, he made that,
Martha Burton Lois Parker too. Sailboats, country barns, log
Ann Marie Cossar Robinette Parker cabins, church steeples,
Madge Duke Debra Robinson mangers, space ships, yellow
Mike Duke Mary Ellen Stanley submarines, the cross used in
Nathan Ferriss Ladye Margaret the sanctuary during Lent, the
Dot Griffin tomb, a huge fireplace…. I could
Angie Hamilton Townsend go on and on. He has meant so
Roy Hammons Charlotte Wallace much to not only the music
Dell Hankins Barry Ware ministry but every ministry of
Elizabeth Hemphill David Willoughby our church. We love and
appreciate you, Bryan Torrence.
The “spotlight” is on you.

Mission News 2015 Mountain T.O.P., October 2-5
Cost $200 single adult, $300 married
Richard Henley, Chair Local Missions couple. If you are interested, please contact
George Shumaker, Chair Foreign Missions Rev. Owen Weddle or Derek McCombs (601)
383-2324.
AUGUST - UMCOR Health Kits:
 Hand Towel Packing Party | November 12
 Wash Cloth
 Comb Please be in prayer on how you can be a part
 Metal Nail File or Finger Nail Clippers of this mission. We will need many empty
 3 oz Bar of Soap shoeboxes along with the following items to fill
 Toothbrush the boxes:
 Toothpaste
 6 Adhesive Bandages Toothbrushes
 1 Gallon Ziplock Bag Toothpaste
Washcloths
All items should be rolled in the hand towel Bars of Soap
and placed in the ziplock bag. Donations may Packs of Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils
be placed in the mission box located behind Packs of Pens or Pencils
the Greeter Station. Notebooks
Coloring Books
The 2015 Costa Rica Mission Trip is open for Socks (girls and boys needed)
high school and college age missioners, as well Small Toys
as adults. If you have an interest in making Ziploc Bags Filled with Hard Candy
this trip or for more information, please Donations may be placed in the “Operation
contact George Shumaker (601) 672-3900. Christmas Child” box located in the lobby. For
more information, please contact Lauren Smith
(601) 941-8862.

August 11, 2014 Mission Committee
Meeting
Friends of Stop Hunger Now,
Sunday, August 24
We are delighted to announce that 3:30 pm
meals from your packaging event
have been shipped in a container Parlor Annex
with 285,120 meals from the Jackson, MS warehouse to
Haiti. Thank you for generously donating your time as a
volunteer. We are sincerely grateful for your dedication
and for sharing our vision of a world without hunger.

Children’s Corner Inez Crain Circle Annual Pie Sale
August 24
Beth Howe & Julie Parker Homemade pies will sell for
Co-Directors of Children’s Ministries $10 each and will be sold
after first service before
Show proper respect to everyone. Sunday School and after
1 Peter 2:17a, NIrV second service. Proceeds

The Virtue for August is respect: from the sale will fund their circle missions.
showing others they are important
by what you say and do Ruth Circle Expresses Gratitude
Thank you to everyone who prepared,
Calling all kids!!!!! Join us on Wednesday purchased and participated in the UMW Ruth
nights for a great time learning about the Bible Circle casserole sale. It was a great success
and how God wants us to live!!! Lots of fun because of your support, raising approximately
and lots of classes (3 year olds-Kindergarten, $980. The proceeds of this project will help us
1st - 4th grade). We are looking for Wednesday spread God’s love through missions. We are
night teachers! truly grateful.

Our first 4 Wednesday nights, we are East/West Jackson District
partnering with the Prayer Quilt ministry to Fall Lay Servant Ministries School
make pocket prayer quilts. We plan on
delivering them to our shut ins and to area Saturday, October 25
nursing homes. There is a job for everyone! Cost $39

Children’s Church Clinton FUMC
Volunteers are desperately needed to teach Course List: Basic & Advanced (Prayer, Go
Children’s Church, especially during the 10:45
a.m. service. If you would be willing to lead Preach!, Spiritual Gift)
children
3-5 years old for one Sunday every other Contact Lucy Henley for more information
month, please let us know. (601) 405-3252

Tweens Tailgate Party
Sunday was the 2nd Annual Tweens Tailgate
Party and we had a soaking good time!!!
Thanks to Ashley Moss and Stacie Rector for
heading this event up. Chili cheese hotdogs,
ice cream, brownies, cookies, and Frito pies
are always a hit!!!

Jesus Plus starts up again on Sunday, August
24th at 4:30 pm, Tweens Place

Wednesday nights are going to be led by the
dynamic duo (Lacey and Derek McCombs)!
Don’t miss it and bring a friend!

Devotion Book
If you need a devotion book, please pick one
up during Sunday School or see Mrs. Julie or
Mrs. Beth. 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 | Each Monday, 7am

Monday Morning Favorite! Meet at Chick-Fil-A for breakfast,
fellowship and devotion. Then ride together on church bus to school.
Set your clocks and invite a friend!

Fall Kick Off Block Party

Many many thanks to everyone who
helped make our Block Party a wonderful
success! Our Sunday School Classes
rock! Breakfast Club provided burgers
and fix’ns and Cornerstone did the grilling!

Calling all Students…… musically or not so musically talented

If you have ever dreamed of being on “America Idol”, ”America’s Got Talent “, or
“Rising Star”, this is YOUR chance! Bring it on and audition for the Youth Praise
Band. This year, our very own Graham Carraway will lead the band. Bring your
voice or instrument (or both!) Sunday, August 24. We will get together in the Annex following the
5th on the 4th Family Fish Fry. Join in on the fun of creating an awesome worship experience!

Wednesday, August 20th, 6-7:30 pm - Rev. Robbie Murden, Pastor of Marvin UMC, Florence MS,
will be our guest speaker. He will share meaningful ways that “God is With Us” and how we can be
stronger and more confident in our Christian walk.

Coming Up...

Starting September 4th - Each Thursday the Annex will be open from 3-6:00 pm. So, if you need
a place to study, play a little PING PONG , get your video fix or just hang out, we’ll be here!
Starting September 7th - Sunday night meals and small group Bible study begins. Plan to come
and dig a little deeper in the Bible. Discover where you fit into God’s amazing plan for your life.

Don’t Mention Age (DMA) Ray’s Report

Ruby Holland, Contributing Writer Ray Wallace, Church Administrator

..."A cowboy named Bud was keeping his herd in The first Wednesday night activities began on
check when a new BMW came throttling towards August 13th with a nice crowd, good meal and

him in a cloud of dust, screeched to a stop and introduction to this year’s program. Please

there appeared a nattily dressed yuppie claiming consider coming to eat with us, or if you

that he could tell the cowboy exactly how many cannot do that, sign up for one of the evening

cows he had in his herd. If he was successful he programs that begin at 6:00. We have some

would take a calf in exchange for his knowledge. great programs this year. If you would be

Bud agreed and the yuppie set about utilizing all willing to help take up money during

available technology the world had to offer. His Wednesday Supper, please call the office. Your

count was accurate and he stuffed the animal in help is needed.

the trunk of his BMW. Bud hollered out to the There has been much conversation around the
yuppie that if he could tell him exactly what his church this week about the Night of Music
business was would he give back the calf? The Dinner Theater. What a great program! From
yuppie agreed, smiling churlishly. Bud said, you what I have heard, it was very much enjoyed
are a congressman for the US Government. The by all and the food was excellent! So many
yuppie said how did you know that? No guessing people need to be thanked for all the hard
required, Bud responded. You showed up here work. It is unbelievable the amount of talent of
even though nobody called you, you want to get all kinds at this church.
paid for an answer I already knew, to a question

I didn't ask. You used millions of dollars worth of The trustees continue to work on several

equipment, trying to show that you are smarter projects around the church which you have

than me, and you don't know a thing about how already been made aware of. We have no

working people make a living, or about cows for major projects underway at this time.

that matter. This is a herd of sheep. Now give Please be reminded that it is time to begin
me back my dog! Anonymous budget preparation for 2015. If you receive a

Laughter the best medicine...or so says Reader's request regarding the budget, please respond
Digest. There were also tests about the definition accordingly.

of words which was a learning tool for the As always, if you have items that you feel
reader. My Mother was the eldest of 5, the only need addressing, please let me know.
one to graduate high school in her family

including her parents. She gave all of her

children the quest for

knowledge including a desire

to best her in trivial things.

We had to learn a new word

every day, its definition, how

to spell it and use it in a

sentence - could be a short or

long one. Should we ask her It is usually in the midst of our most desperate situations when
what a word meant or how to many people turn to God for help. No doubt you have probably
spell it...her response was, turned to God yourself and prayed for Him to intervene, even
"look it up!" So, in keeping begging for a miraculous cure or specific knowledge. ... How do you
her theory alive and well, I respond to the way God answers your prayers? If something
along with all of my siblings you've asked for is frivolous like a parking place, and then another
used the same method with answer to a prayer that isn't to your liking, do you recognize His
our children. And, you never answers and give thanks to God in all things and for all things? He
asked: "Where's it at?"... is always looking out for us, always providing for us. (Hope Minute)
between the "a" and the "t". I

still respond thusly to anyone Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer,
within hearing distance. nor his mercy from me! Psalm 66:20

Sunday Morning Serving in Worship
Worship August 24 - September 7

Sermon Topics Sanctuary Prep Children’s Moment
24 Jennifer Hutton 24 Paula Conn
August 24 31 J.W. Beck 31 Brad Thompson
Topic: Hospitality
Rev. Owen Weddle leads morning worship at 7 Kathy Wilson 7 Communion
both services.
Acolytes
August 31 24 Early: Dylan Conn & Andrew Jones
Topic: “GOD SAID: ‘I Formed You’ “
Scripture: Psalm 139:13 Late: Conerly Tigrett & McKenzee Henson
31 Early: Anna Grace McAlpin & Mary Lauren Green
We cannot see God, but God can see us.
The psalmist does not desire to go away Late: Katie Hanson & Tyler Henderson
from the Lord. Where can we go? In the 7 Early: Shana Sellers & Hannah Rector
most distant corners of the world, we are
not out of the reach of the Lord. Nothing is Late: Corley Wyatt & Katie Hanson
able to separate us from the love of the
Saviour. Children’s Church
24 Early: Angela Sellers & Sally Adcock
September 7 (Communion)
Topic: “GOD SAID: ‘I Have...Plans to Late: Tammy Barnett & M.P. Harrington
31 Early: Stacey Everett & Josie Hutton
Prosper You’ “
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 Late: Yancey Harrington & Lacey McCombs
7 Early: Allie Enis & Rachel Nolan
Such a message sounds good, “I have plans
for you to prosper!” The prophet himself Late: Karissa Deckard & Hannah Bobo
was a criminal, placed in prison and thrown
in a cistern to die. How can one find Greeters
prosperity is such a setting? We often limit 24 Early: Kevin Leigh, Myra Leigh
God’s vision for our lives.
Garron & Wanda Martin
Sunday Evening Late: Murphy Adkins, Kim Brake
Worship
Louis & Ginger Jones
August 24 - No worship services due to 31 Early: Dan & Hilda Mayers
5th Sunday on the 4th Family Fellowship
Meal. Bob & Sue Morrow
Late: Almeria Boyd, Al Pitts, Cathy French
August 31 - Rev. Mitchell B. Hedgepeth 7 Early: Joseph & Ashley Moss
leads.
Chuck Nolan, Lydia Pitts
September 7 - Rev. Mitchell B. Hedgepeth Late: Robin & Cecie Carter
leads.
John & Arlean Goza
Ushers
Aug Early: Youth & Breakfast Club

Late: Pairs & Spares
Sept Early: Breakfast Club

Late: Torchbearers
Video
24 Early: J.T. Rowell

Late: Pete Fellows
31 Early: Thomas Rice

Late: Josh McKay
7 Early: Del Watters

Late: David Morrow

Staff Connections

205 Mary Ann Drive  Brandon, MS 39042  Office 601-825-5958

www.brandonfumc.org

Pastors Office
Senior Pastor - Rev. Mitchell B. Hedgepeth Church Administrator  Ray Wallace

[email protected] [email protected]
After Hours - (601) 942-8700
Custodians  Bryan Moore & Kathy Moore
Associate Pastor - Rev. Owen Weddle Financial Secretary  Judy Salter
[email protected] [email protected]
Secretary  Kim Bishop
After Hours - (601) 668-0726 [email protected]

Ministries To activate the prayer chain:
Music  Donna Beasley Please call Charlotte Wallace
[email protected]
601-591-2476 or 601-214-8108
Youth  Stephen Bishop or the church office 601-825-5958.
[email protected]
NEWSLETTER
Children  Beth Howe and Julie Parker The next Good Newsletter will be published
[email protected]
on Wednesday, September 3
Mother’s Day Out  Julie Pepper
[email protected]

Return Service Requested Non-Profit
OR
Brandon First UMC
205 Mary Ann Drive U.S. Postage
Brandon MS 39042 PAID

Brandon, MS
Permit No 2