MULBERRY STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

September 22, 2019

www.mulberrymethodist.org

“’And when [the shepherd] comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine

righteous persons who need no repentance.’” Luke 15:6-7 Fellow followers of Christ at Mulberry, In the coming weeks, we’ll be considering what it means to be followers of Jesus, and specifically being followers here at Mulberry Street UMC. This week, we’re thinking about this mark of a follower: Followers seek people to offer the love of Christ. Indeed, as the parable in Luke reminds us, this may mean that followers look for those “among the fold,” i.e., those who perhaps began their time of following Jesus with the church and are not now. Or it could mean for followers to look for those who are part of God’s flock, but live beyond our church, and are waiting to be brought to the comfort and safety of our fold. As I mentioned on September 8th, as we examine all aspects of our lives as followers, we are to ask whether we are serious about seeking people. Do we have a passion to share the resources, experiences, and spaces that nourish and nurture our souls here at Mulberry? Do we practice the generosity and hospitality that are marks of followers of Jesus? Throughout its history, Mulberry has grown and sustained a body of followers of Jesus that has remained rather constant. Using worship attendance as one of the metrics to gauge the health of a congregation is the traditional number we study. As you will see below, Mulberry Street UMC, regardless of pastoral leadership, staff size and composition, ministry programs, and the addition of a worship service, has remained stable since 2008 with an average of 342 worshippers, after experiencing a substantial decline from 1988-2008. That is not entirely bad news in that the church at large has been experiencing a steady decline over the same period. However, we are not growing, and as our membership gets older, maintaining those numbers will be increasingly difficult. In the coming year, I challenge you to increase our average worship attendance by 10%. Do this by looking for those who at one time considered themselves part of the Mulberry “fold” is one way to reach that goal. That means making personal invitations to Mulberry members not attending anywhere or who have chosen to worship elsewhere; let them know that you miss them and about the exciting things happening here. Another way is to invite neighbors, friends, and colleagues to join us for worship and to join one of our small groups. In so doing, we will be following the example of our Shepherd to care for the flock. Following together!

Matt

30 Year Average Worship Attendance for Mulberry Street UMC

1988 1998 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 (35 wks) 501 445 337 307 308 339 349 311 292 295 304 312 268 272

Sunday Worship September 22, 2019

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Worship Times 9:00 am/Chapel

11:00 am/New Room – New Room Worship Center/3rd Floor

BEING FOLLOWERS OF JESUS: 3. Followers Resist Greed

Luke 16:1-13 Rev. Dr. Matt Woodbery

11:00 am/Sanctuary

Rev. Jeff Cook

Assisting with Worship Nine O’clock Usher

Warren Dunn

Eleven O’clock Ushers Charlie Bridges, Austin Carter, Katie Griffis,

Baxter James, Becky Kerner, Don Ream, Brett Toles & Jim Wilson

Acolytes Matt Newberry, Lead Acolyte

Cooper Baskette, Crucifer Graham Hefner & Alice Rauls, Candlelighters

Children’s Church Leader Melinda Powell

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

Dorothea Peace, mother of Dr. Rush Peace and Robert A. Robertson, father of Judy Peace by Dr. & Mrs. Rush Peace.

The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in memory of

Guy M. Harrington by Mickey & Carol Pope.

Chapel Worship 22 New Room Worship 45 Sanctuary Worship 218 Total Worship Attendance 285

Love, Care and Share around the Table

Wednesday, September 25

Program: Epworth by the Sea – Rev. Wayne Racz

Menu: Spaghetti

Mission Jars: Epworth By The Sea

Tom Granum, Director of Music/Organist

Ainsworth Choir Ainsworth Choir rehearsals (adults and high-school youth)

Wednesdays @ 7:15 p.m. Please contact Tom Granum

(tgranum@mulberrymethodist.org) if you’re interested in joining.

Children’s Choirs Children’s Choirs for grades K-5 through 5 rehearsals Wednesdays @ 6:15-7:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Tom Granum at tgranum@mulberrymethodist.org.

Liturgists/Readers for 9 a.m. Chapel Worship

If you might be willing to be a liturgist/reader for 9 a.m. Chapel Worship this fall, please

contact Tom Granum to volunteer: tgranum@mulberrymethodist.org or cell/706-

207-6010. Youth and elementary children (grade 3 and above) are invited, too.

Sunday, September 29 You are invited to a Church Wide

Covered Dish Dinner in the Fellowship Hall at Noon.

Meat, rolls, and drinks will be provided. Plan on

bringing your favorite covered dish or dessert.

You may bring your food to the kitchen beginning at

9:30 a.m. Please enter the Fellowship Hall that day

for the luncheon via the double doors

closest to the Sanctuary.

Jesus assured us that He is the Light of the world and that we will not walk in darkness when we follow him (John 8:12). As followers, we have a responsibility to bear that light in a world that is often dark and depressing; our cross and light imagery in worship are powerful reminders of that opportunity to witness. Any youth in grades 6-12 curious about serving as acolytes in Mulberry’s worship are invited to join us on Sunday, September 22 at 10:30 a.m. We’ll meet in the Sanctuary where you’ll get a no-pressure, stress-free opportunity to carry a candlelighter! After the service ends, we’ll reconvene in the Adult Choir Room with parents to go over some administrative tips. Parents, please contact Julia Magda at (478) 719-9562 or julia@magdalawfirm.com for more details.

Being Followers of Jesus Worship/Sermon Series

September 22

Followers Resist Greed Luke 16:1-13

September 29 Followers Take Their Faith Home

2 Timothy 1:1-14

October 6 Followers Practice Generosity

1 Timothy 6:6-19

October 13 Followers Make the Best of Bad

Situations Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

October 20 Followers “Get in It” with God

Genesis 32:22-31

October 27 Followers Don’t Judge

Luke 18:9-14

November 3 Followers Celebrate

Our Resurrection Hope! Ephesians 1:11-23

November 10 Followers’ Faith Is Lived

Job 19:23-27a

November 17 Followers’ Faith Is Known by All

Isaiah 65:17-25

November 24 Followers Follow Christ Jesus

Colossians 1:11-20

Rev. Julia Norman, Minister for Families & Children

jnorman@mulberrymethodist.org 745-8601

Macon Outreach Pantry is Low Here is a list of needed food donations:

CANNED FOOD green beans, potatoes, sweet peas, black-eye peas, field peas, corn,

turnip greens, pork & beans, soups, fruit, spaghetti sauce DRY GOODS

powdered milk, spaghetti pasta, cereal, pop tarts, cereal bars, cake mix & frosting, brownie mix, instant potatoes, rice ramen noodles,

cornbread mix, hamburger helper, rice or pasta sides CANNED MEATS

spam, salmon, tuna, chicken, beef stew, chili, Vienna sausages, Campbells Chunky soups, Chef Boyardee pasta

EXTRAS jelly, mayo, mustard, ketchup, coffee, tea

There is a bucket in the atrium to receive donations for Daybreak. 911 Needs:

toilet paper powdered coffee creamer lemonade drink mix

“Off” or other brands of insect repellent wipes Dulcolax Oragel

anti-fungal foot spray hydrocortisone cream lubricating eye drops

Mulberry’s Community Garden Volunteers welcome on Mondays and Fridays at 9:00 am.

Trevor Ward, Minister for Youth and Families tward@mulberrymethodist.org 478-607-9003

The Link Below is the link to “The Link”, a way to keep you informed

and connected with what’s happening in South Georgia United Methodism and beyond! The Link is published every two weeks, full of Conference news, resources, and event information to keep you

up to date and in the know. http://sgaumc-

email.brtapp.com/viewinsite/7db0a14f365af621b4d9a6578b68be3e?

South Georgia Advocate The South Georgia Advocate, a twice monthly online news

publication, is the official news source of the South Georgia Annual Conference and a ministry of the Office of Connectional Ministries.

Here is the link.

http://sgaumc-email.brtapp.com/viewinsite/d0373968ccd831e17bf28ac131d0d125?

Youth Sunday School – 10:00 a.m. Pursuit Student Ministries – Sundays – 5:00-7:00 p.m.

September 15 & 22 Wednesday Nights – Youth Fellowship – 6:15 p.m.

Coming Up in October

Fall Retreat Camping @ Bald Mountain October 5-7

Late Night Hang October 13 (after Youth)

Fall Festival October 27

Halloween Outreach/Murder Mystery October 31

Family Connection Group

Wednesdays @ 6:15 p.m. in the Parlor Julia Norman will be leading a new Family Connection Group

Wednesday evenings in the Parlor at 6:15 p.m.

Come connect with other parents/grandparents while our kids are in

choir or nursery upstairs. Each week I will have a starter question to

begin our discussion, but the main goal is to be able to connect

together and support one another!

September 29 @ 11

Memorial Fund

In memory of Charlie Yates by Ms. Shannon Fickling Ms. Judy Hodgens

In memory of Mary Ann Heard by Ms. Judy Hodgens In memory of Paul Triesenberg by Ms. Judy Hodgens

In memory of Fred Hefner by Ms. Judy Hodgens In memory of Hugh McMaster by Ms. Judy Hodgens

OCTOBER 27 4:00-6:00 p.m.

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, September 22 9:00 am Worship/Chapel 9:45 am Sunday School

10:30 am Acolyte Orientation/Sanctuary 11:00 am New Room Worship/Youth Room

11:00 am Worship/Sanctuary 12:00 pm Acolyte Orientation/Adult Choir Rm

4:00 pm Youth Sunday Choir Rehearsal 5:00 pm UMYF

Monday, September 23

5:00 pm Finance Committee Mtg/Conf Rm

Tuesday, September 24 9:30 am Staff Meeting

11:30 am-1:00 pm District Board of Missions/Conf Rm 12:00 pm Kiwanis/F-Hall

4:00 pm Trustees Mtg/Conf Rm 6:30 pm Small Group/Lamback’s

Wednesday, September 25

9:30 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 Family Connections Group/Parlor 6:15 pm Youth Fellowship

6:40 pm Making Sense of the Bible Study/Parlor Class 7:15 pm Ainsworth Choir

Thursday, September 26

9:30 am Sewing Group/Rm 232

Sunday, September 29 9:00 am Worship/Chapel 9:45 am Sunday School

11:00 am New Room Worship/Youth Room 11:00 am Worship/Sanctuary

12:00 pm Church-wide Covered Dish Luncheon/F-Hall 5:00 pm UMYF

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID MACON, GA

PERMIT NO. 417

Mulberry Street UMC Staff Rev. Dr. Matt Woodbery, Lead Pastor

Rev. Jeff Cook, Associate Pastor Rev. Julia Norman, Minister for Families and Children

Rev. Trevor Ward, Minister for Families and Youth Tom Granum, Director of Music/Organist

Blane Dunnam, New Room Worship Leader Bruce Bishop, Church Administrator

Sarah Pounds, Director of Communications Betsy Abbott, Director of Hospitality Karen Carter, Connections Director

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

Clifton Carswell & Michael Washington, Custodians Tshanghi Corey, Director, Children’s Center

Kate Buzzell, Director, Macon Outreach

Rev. Dr. Matt Woodbery – 478-733-0877 Rev. Jeff Cook – 229-886-7032

Small Group Study Led by Matt Woodbery “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton

Wednesdays through October 23 6:40 p.m. – Parlor Classroom

In “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton we are invited into an honest conversation about the Bible. The book begins with foundational questions such as: How and when was the Bible written? Who decided which books made it into the scriptures and why? How literally must we read it? And, Is the Bible ever wrong? In approachable and inviting language, Hamilton addresses these often misunderstood biblical themes leading readers to a deeper

appreciation of the Bible so that we might hear God speak through it and find its words to be life-changing.

Search for Member Addresses

The following names of church members whose addresses are unknown are listed in hopes that we can relocate these members and re-activate them. If you have an address/phone number for the church members listed below, please email the information to lparker@mulberrymethodist.org.

Ann Abercrombie Angie Bagwell Jay Bagwell Elizabeth Barnett-Hartmann Samantha Beck Edward Berg Robin Day Ashley Frizzell Ann Love Fulcher Ed Hodgens

Robin Jones Peggy Lambert Raymond Moody, Jr. Linda J. Poole Scott Pruitt Allen Lloyd Rowell Joe Rowell Steven L. Rowell William Tanksley Libby Vinca Tony Vinca Debbie Lee Wagner Betty Warden Laura Waters Margaret Whitford

William Whitford Steve Wilson Hilary Zanca

Attention Scampers… Fall venture is only 4 weeks away…

October 4-6 @ Bald Mountain If you are interested in making this trip, do not delay making your reservations. Our

group will be in the general area of Pine Cove Circle. A campground map is

available online at www.baldmountainpark.com. The telephone number for

reservations is 706-896-8896. If you are planning to go camping, please email Ed

Powell at EPowell@ahpengr.com so that he can get a count to better plan for the

weekend!

Magnolia Manor Golf Classic October 7, 2019 - Idle Hour Country Club

Registration & Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch to follow - 4 Man Scramble: $600 for a 4 person team

To register online visit www.magnoliamanor.com/fundraisingevents. Questions: Contact Lauren Sapp at 229-931-5928 or LSapp@magnoliamanor.com.

Proceeds used to purchase emergency generators.