MULBERRY STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

February 18, 2018

www.mulberrymethodist.org

Athirst for God I recently read about Aimee, a millennial in Canada. Millennials, we are told, are hard to reach, not interested in attending church and simply do their own thing. Maybe Aimee is the exception, but her story reminds us that God is at work among his children. Aimee’s life would not have been picture-book like. She partied too much, was partial to coke (not the soft drink) and her sexual exploits ran the gamut. Yet, she was terribly unhappy. Things began to change when a client invited Aimee to her new Toronto church. Aimee was told she could wear ripped jeans to this church, so she gave it try. She went to her first service hungover from a night of partying. As the service moved along, she found herself weeping and something happened. She says, “I just felt less empty.” So she came again and again to this new church. If you’re wondering, Canada isn’t overflowing with millennials in church, nor in America. But this story coupled with a recent survey from Britain reveals that God is stirring something among our young people. In Britain the number of people between ages 11 and 18 who are practicing Christians has doubled the numbers reported in 2006. Did you read that? DOUBLED! God is drawing young people back to church! He’s doing this in countries with a much lower Christian discipleship than the United States! That’s incredible! Interestingly, many of those Britains surveyed reported that a religious school had an impact on this desire to pursue Christianity, one in five said reading the Bible had had an impact, while others mentioned a spiritual experience and prayer as key factors. The national young evangelism officer of the Church of England said his team was “shocked” by the results, adding, “Things which we would classify as old hat methods are some of the more effective ways.” A. W. Tozer pinned these words in 1948 in The Pursuit of God: “In this hour of all-but-universal darkness one cheering gleam appears: within the fold of Christianity there are to be found increasing numbers of persons whose religious lives are marked by a growing hunger after God Himself. They are eager for spiritual realities and will not be put off with words, nor will they be content with correct ‘interpretations’ of truth. They are athirst for God, and they will not be satisfied till they have drunk deep at the Fountain of Living Water.” Let me ask you: Are you earnestly desiring to drink of that Fountain? Are you willing to help others, including our young people find that Living Water? If not, then pray that God will give you that desire! If so, then come on - join the mission here at Mulberry!

Sunday Worship February 18, 2018

First Sunday in Lent

Worship Times 9:00 am/Chapel

10:00 am/NewRoom – Library Ballroom

11:00 am/Sanctuary

The Voice “Recognizing the Voice”

Mark 1:9-15

Rev. Jimmy Towson

Assisting with Worship Nine O’clock Ushers

Sam Henley & David Ivey

Eleven O’clock Ushers Jeff Amerson, James Berg, J. B. Easterlin, Eric Hefner, Bill Henderson, Bill Jarrard,

Bob Lovett, Bob McCormick, Reeves Minton, David Morris, Wesley Rauls, Rader Sellers

& Russ Vaughn

Acolytes Maddie McClure, Lead Acolytes

Elizabeth Sellers, Crucifer Isabella Ewing & Graham Hefner,

Candlelighters

The flowers in the chapel are given to the glory of God and in honor of

Mack and Sandra Anderson by Tim and Melissa Anderson.

The flowers in the sanctuary are given

to the glory of God and in loving memory of Clay McKemie by Shelby and Gene Cramer

and Kristy, Kyndall and John Robert McKemie.

Trevor Ward, Interim Director of Youth Ministries

Sunday Mornings - Youth Sunday School 10:00 am – Youth Class Room 314

Sunday Evenings - Anchored - 5:00 pm

Wednesday Evenings - Youth Fellowship 6:15 pm

Love, Care and Share around the Table

Wednesday, February 21

Program: Edith Schwartz -

“Mulberry’s Stained Glass

and the Gospels” –

Home in Bethany

Menu: Chicken & Rice

Nine O’clock Worship 41

NewRoom Worship 50

Eleven O’clock Worship 176

Total Worship Attendance 267

Rich Kosowski, Director of Music

Ainsworth Choir Wednesdays at 7:15 pm.

Children’s Choir Cherub Choir (K3-K5) & Wesley Choir (Grades 1-5)

Wednesdays at 6:15-7:00 pm

If you have questions, please contact Rich at richk@mulberrymethodist.org or 478-745-8601.

Cherry Blossom Organ Concerts March 19-23, 2018

12:00 Noon - Sanctuary Details soon.

February 22-25, 2018

Are you a high school student who wants to tour colleges to find the one that is right for you? Are you a parent who wants your high

school student to tour college campuses, but don’t want to spend every Saturday doing it?

The North and South Georgia Conferences are teaming up with United Methodist college presidents and campus ministries to offer Campus Crawl – a retreat for high school

students (9th-12

th grade) designed to introduce

them to campus ministries. Go to the link below for more details:

https://www.sgaumc.org/eventdetail/campus-crawl-a-united-methodist-college-tour-for-high-

school-students-10915411

Where: High Falls State Park

When: Friday, April 6 – Sunday, April 8

Reservations can be made through the

Georgia State Parks website, or by calling

(800) 864-7275.

For more information please contact Ed

Powell at (478) 737-1518.

Thursday, February 22

11:00 am – Parlor All Mulberry adult members and friends 55

and older are invited to the luncheon. Please RSVP to Rev. Jeff Cook

at 229-886-7032 or jcook@mulberrymethodist.org by February 19.

Mulberry Scampers

Spring Venture: Kicking off our 47

th year

of family camping!

Macon Outreach Fund In memory of Jack Rogers by Mrs. Logan Weaver

Memorial Fund In memory of Dr. Charles Ridley White by

Ms. Charlotte Wilson

Pam Johnston, Director of Children & Family Ministries

There is a bucket in the atrium to receive donations for

Daybreak. Supplies Needed:

spray deodorant kool aid/lemon aid Sweet & Low snacks Reynolds wrap razors coffee canned fruit fresh fruit

Mulberry’s Community Garden Volunteers welcome on Mondays and Fridays

at 9:00 am.

Clothing Needs Women’s: clothes (large size), socks & shoes

Men’s: belts, shoes, socks & jackets

Sunday Morning NewRoom Small Group 11:15 am

Contact: Jim Smith (478-747-4189) or Michael Woodward at woodward2191@windstream.net

Sunday Evening Women’s Bible Study 5:00 pm - Home of Molly Walker (4336 Old Club Road)

They will be studying the book of Esther. All women are welcome.

Contact: Molly (478-731-7175) or mollywalker@cox.net.

Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study 6:15 am - Starbucks at 4640 Forsyth Road

Contact: Clare Rauls (478-731-6813) or clarerauls@bellsouth.net.

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study 7:00 am - Taste and See Coffee Shop (downtown) Contact: Rev. Jimmy Towson (478-538-9067) or

jtowson@mulberrymethodist.org.

Tuesday Evening Small Group 6:30-8:00 pm - Home of Sam & Gini Lamback

(821 Wesleyan Drive) Contact: Rev. Sam and Gini Lamback (478-550-3067) or

lambacks@bellsouth.net.

Parenting Small Groups We are looking to start two small group/Bible

studies about parenting, and we have material for

each stage of your kids’ lives, from toddlers to

teenagers. The day and time have not been set yet

because we are flexible on whether to do it Sunday

mornings or a weeknight, but childcare would be

provided. If you would like to be a part of one of

these groups, please let Pam know.

PARENT PRAYER GROUP Wednesday Nights, 6:15-7:00 pm

Come join us in a small group (children's activity

provided) if you want to explore phases of your

child's development and spiritual needs, whether

they are 2, 11, or anywhere in between!

Contact Pam if you're interested.

Looking for Volunteers for Lunch

1st, 4th & 5th Wednesdays and 2nd Thursdays each month. If you are able to volunteer, please call Robin at

743-8026. or email her at rharris@mulberrymethodist.org.

Homelessness in Macon: Education Series Daybreak (174 Walnut Street) - 5:30 pm

refreshments provided – discussion encouraged

February 22nd

: How Can I Show Solidarity? Sleep outdoors in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness.

Greater Macon Sleepout – Fundraiser and homelessness solidarity event. Raise funds to support resource provider Daybreak.

Informational Meetings Costa Rica Mission Trip

Choose either February 14 - 6:45 pm – Conference Room or

February 18 – 12:15 pm – Conference Room

Come discover how you can be a part of Mulberry’s Summer

Mission Trip to Costa Rica. Tentative dates are: June 18-25.

Mulberry Street United Methodist Church 719 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201

P.O. Box 149, Macon, GA 31202 Office (478) 745-8601

www.mulberrymethodist.org

NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED WEEKLY

Our 11 a.m. service is broadcast live over Radio Station AM 940 WMAC.

This Week at Mulberry

Sunday, February 18 9:00 am Worship/Chapel

9:30 Blue Room Kids 9:45 am Sunday School

10:00 am NewRoom Worship/Library Ballroom 11:00 am Worship/Sanctuary

11:15 am NewRoom Group 4:45 pm Anchored

5:00 pm Women’s Bible Study/M. Walker

Monday, February 19 1:00 pm Cottages on Wesleyan Communion

Tuesday, February 20

6:15 am Women’s Bible Study/Starbucks 7:00 am Men’s Bible Study/Taste & See

9:30 am Staff Meeting/Conf Rm 12:00 pm Kiwanis/F-Hall

6:30 pm Small Group/Lamback’s

Wednesday, February 21 9:15 am CCM Chapel

10:30 am M/O Worship/Chapel 5:30 pm Wednesday Night Supper

6:15 pm Children’s Choirs 6:15 pm Youth Fellowship 7:15 pm Ainsworth Choir

Thursday, February 22

9:30 am Circle of Friends Sewing Group/Rm 232 11:00 am VIBRANT/Parlor

1:00 pm Carlyle Place Communion

Friday, February 23 12:00 pm Heart Association Luncheon/F-Hall

Sunday, February 25

9:00 am Worship/Chapel 9:30 Blue Room Kids

9:45 am Sunday School 10:00 am NewRoom Worship/Library Ballroom

11:00 am Worship/Sanctuary 11:15 am NewRoom Group

4:45 pm Anchored 5:00 pm Women’s Bible Study/M. Walker

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID MACON, GA

PERMIT NO. 417

Mulberry Street UMC Staff Jimmy Towson, Senior Pastor Jeff Cook, Associate Pastor

Trevor Ward & Tyler Giles, NewRoom Worship Leaders Richard Kosowski, Director of Music Pat Crowe, Organist

Bruce Bishop, Church Administrator Trevor Ward, Interim Director of Youth Ministries

Pam Johnston, Director of Children & Family Ministries Betsy Abbott, Director of Hospitality Karen Carter, Connections Director

Laura Dannenberg, Financial Secretary Linda Parker, Administrative Secretary Doris Andrews, Church Cook/Custodian

Clifton Carswell, Jeffrey Smith & Michael Washington, Custodians Tshanghi Corey, Director, Children’s Center Debbie Towson, Director, Macon Outreach

Rev. Jimmy Towson – 538-9067 Rev. Jeff Cook – 229-886-7032

D

Repair of Wooden Beds In Mulberry Garden Saturday, February 17, 2018

9:00 am – 12:00 noon Experienced and inexperienced workers are needed to help repair

the wooden beds in the Mulberry Garden. (Meet at Krystal on corner of Gray Highway and Riverside Drive

at 8:15 am for breakfast). Tools Needed: shovels & battery driven drills with phillip bids

Questions? Contact: Paul Riley or Carolyn Barber