Second Helpings

Second Avenue United Methodist Church ~ February 2017

Lent: Preparing for New Life

"Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). This year Ash Wednesday falls on March 1.

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. During some Ash Wednesday services, the Pastor will lightly rub

the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.

(From www.umcdiscipleship.org)

Special Events in February February 04—UMW Retreat at Farmville UMC

February 05—Souper Bowl of Caring February 07—Meals & More February 18—Children’s Event at Parsonage

February 26—Housing & Homeless Offering

Second Avenue United Methodist Church

Our Mission: ‘Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World’

Our Vision: ‘Knowing Christ & Making Christ Known’

Spring Visitation in February and March

Rev. Millie would like to visit you at home and get to know you, your family, and your neighborhood!

There are sign-up sheets available in the Fellowship Hall. Please sign up in the time slot in which you family is available

or call the church office to choose an available time.

A WORD FROM REV. MILLIE

FEBRUARY SERMON SCRIPTURE

February 05 "Prejudiced?" | James 2:1-5 | James 7:19-24

February 12 "The Gift of Love" | 1 Corinthians 13 | Matthew 22:34-40

February 19 "A Song of Joy" | Zephaniah 3:14-20 | Luke 15:1-10

February 26 "On the Mountain" | 2 Peter 1:16-21 | Matthew 17:1-9 (Transfiguration Sunday)

I love listening to TED talks. When I drive back and forth to Atlanta, TED

is the only thing I listen to. If you have time on your hands, listen to “Most

Popular TED Talks of All Time.” It tickles my brain and inspires me to

learn, work harder, and be attentive in life! We need more

interdisciplinary perspectives and dialogs in our lives. I know that some

people strongly feel that pastors and theologians need to stick with the

Bible, but I often find that different perspectives help all of us understand

our main subject even better. I especially like those TED talks which

reinforce the timeless, unchanging Truth found in the Bible. Luke 10:27

and Matthew 22:37 basically sum up the Bible and our Christian ethics:

they talk about what is most important in our lives through the words of Jesus. What is most

important? Our relationship with God and our relationships with others.

In a TED talk done by a Harvard psychiatrist, Robert Waldinger, called “What Makes A Good

Life?” this timeless, unchanging truth about relationship comes to the surface as the most

important thing that constitutes a good, happy life. In the talk Waldinger asks, “What keeps us

happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it's fame or money, you're not alone. We

surveyed Millennials, and 80% of Millennials said becoming rich will make them happy. 50% said

becoming famous will make them happy.” Wrong! The answer is something the Bible has told us

throughout three millennia! Having good relationships makes you happy and healthy; that is,

having a good relationship with God and having good relationships with others! Through a

scientific research that started in 1940 and still continues to this day, Waldinger has

unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction of over 740 men. This Harvard

study followed 740 people for over 75 years and studied their physical & emotional health, brain

activities as well their social interactions and successes. He shares three important results from

the study; (1) Relationship matters. Social connections are absolutely necessary. Loneliness is

fatal; it shortens lifespan and it even kills; (2) It is not about the number of friends you have; it is

the quality of friendship that matters; and (3) Good relationship is not just good for your body; it is

good for your brain, makes you smart and helps your memory. And I want to add to it, it is the

foundation of our Christian faith!

Duh! This is what God has been trying to communicate with us throughout the Old and New

Testaments! And the secular world is just catching up and backing it up with data! This month

as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, I want you to ask yourself, “Do I have a good relationship with

God? Do I have a good relationships with people? Am I happy?”

In Love with the Word of God,

Millie

YOUTH AT RESURRECTION RETREAT 2017

IN PIGEON FORGE, TN

HELPING HANDS BLANKETS & PREEMIE HATS TO BE BLESSED AND DONATED

WARM UP SUNDAY DONATIONS

We’re on the Web:

2aveumc.org Second Helpings

Published by Second Avenue UMC

801 East Second Avenue

Rome, GA 30161-3309

Birthdays & Anniversaries: If we haven’t included your anniversary or birthday, please contact JoAnn Baker

in the church office (706.234.6406). We want to celebrate with you!

February Anniversary

2/14 Kevin Soh & Millie Kim

2/24 Bob & Shirley Dodson

February Birthdays

2/02 Donna Bledsoe &

Lily Embree

2/05 Eloise Johnson

2/08 Railey Davis

2/09 Phil Baker

2/12 Reese Gibson &

Charles Griffin

2/25 Ralph Davis &

Greg Gaston

2/26 Vikki Barfield

February

Administrative Notes

February 16 - District Clergy Meeting

February 26– Administrative Council

Music and Worship Arts Week 2017 Music and Worship Arts Week 2017 will be held in beautiful Lake Junaluska, NC, from June 25-30, 2017. It is a week-long summer camp for musicians, artists, dancers, and actors designed for all church members from Kindergarten to 90+. Second Avenue will take a group; please pay $50 deposit (refundable until June 15) if you are planning to attend. Please go to https://musicartsweek2017.wordpress.com/ for more details. We will do fundraisers for those who cannot afford the expense, so please do not let the cost discourage you from going.

Average Worship Attendance in January: 78

Financial giving in January: $18,255 Budgeted amount needed as of January: $18,671 Budgeted amount given as of January: $14,972 Vital Signs

Dear Congregation,

As many of you know, Second Avenue United Methodist Church has a Vision Statement: Knowing Christ & Making Christ Known. We have had lengthy meetings over the last few years to determine if we want a new vision statement and we have always come back to this.

Our pastor has asked us to come up with one area of focus for 2017 to be a measurable part of our mission statement. It should be one particular goal that we can all get behind for the year and be able to measure our accomplishment by 2018. We discussed this in the Administrative Council meeting but decided it needs input from the entire membership. Please prayerfully consider a goal for our church. Consider the details of how it can be accomplished. It can be something from any area: outreach, service, worship, membership, church maintenance, etc. There are no boundaries except being doable and measurable.

The Administrative Council is going to meet again in 1 month to discuss and decide on our focus goal for the year. During the next 4 weeks, please give your suggestions to anyone on the council. If you have questions, you can talk with anyone who attended. As your Lay Leader, I am always happy to hear your suggestion, questions, and concerns.

Amy Astin, Lay Leader aastin@floyd.org

Dear Second Avenue,

I want to thank all my church family for your love and support during my surgery and recovery. I really appreciate all the cards, flowers, calls (through Beth) and especially your prayers. I have felt your love and presence with me and ask for your continued prayers as I continue to recover.

I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such a loving and caring church family and I love all of you very much.

Love,

Darlene Wallace

Thank you for your generous contributions on this year’s Warm Up Sunday, January 22. We received: 12 adult jackets 25 pairs of socks 12 adult coats 6 knit hats 2 pairs of jeans 1 pair of boots 2 sweatshirts 4 sweaters 5 scarves 13 pairs of gloves 2 vests 3 children’s coats 1 ear muff 1 cape

These have been taken to Meals & More to be distributed to those in need of warmth on the cold winter days and nights ahead. We pray these will be a sign of Christ’s love to warm their recipients’ hearts with hope.

SECOND HELPINGS

Grow...

United Methodist Youth Fellowship: Regular weekly activities continue on Wednesday nights with fun & fellowship after supper!

Youth will participate in the Stop Hunger Now event at Berry College on Sunday, March 5, at 2:30 p.m.

United Methodist Women Retreat: Farmville United Methodist Church's UMW Retreat will feature our own Pastor, Rev. Millie, as their retreat speaker. We encourage our Second Avenue women to attend and support our pastor. It will be held on Saturday, February 4, from 10am to 2pm at Farmville UMC (6906 Fairmount Highway, Calhoun, GA 30701).

Worship...

Ash Wednesday: March 1 ~ 7:00 p.m. Worship and imposition of ashes in the Sanctuary after supper. Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us to begin the season of Lent with prayer and renewal.

2017 Flowers for Worship: Sign up on the calendar outside the church office to provide flowers for the altar this year. Each Sunday’s flower arrangement is $40.50, and you may place them in memory or honor of a loved one or in celebration of a special event. Contact JoAnn: 706.234.6406 | 2ndAve@bellsouth.net.

Invite...

Choir: Now is a great time to join the choir. Rehearsals will begin soon for the Easter cantata. For more information, please contact Susan Pierce at suspie@comcast.net or 706.506.4880.

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall

mount up with WINGS like eagles… Isaiah 40:31

Nurture...

Keenagers: Thursday, February 23 ~ noon Join the Keenagers for a potluck lunch. Bring a dish to share, and invite a friend for food, fellowship, and fun. Contact Nancy Clift: 706.238.9379 | nclift1024@icloud.com.

Valentines for Shut-Ins: We deliver a sign of our love and care for those of our congregation who are shut-in and unable to be a regular part of our fellowship. You can help by contributing bud vases and volunteering to help deliver these gifts. Contact Beth Gibbons: 706.346.2701 | bgibbons1961@ gmail.com.

Children’s Outing: Saturday, February 18 ~ 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. All the children are invited to the Parsonage (1 Benvenue Drive, Rome GA 30161) for a day of fun. There will be age appropriate crafts and games. Lunch will be served. Parents are welcome to stay or drop their children off. Parents, please note that every third Saturday of each month is planned for a children's activity.

Serve...

Souper Bowl of Caring: Sunday, February 5 On Super Bowl Sunday each year, our youth hold buckets at the doors as we exit worship, joining young people in churches across the country raising money to support local charities through SouperBowl of Caring. 100% of our contributions help feed the hungry through Meals & More. For more info, contact the church office.

Meals & More: Tuesday, February 7 ~ 3:30-5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to help pack and distribute meals for Meals & More at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Please come and volunteer your time to help feed the hungry. We appreciate donations of small toiletry items in the box in the Fellowship Hall.

Stop Hunger Now: Sunday, March 5 ~ 2:30 p.m. Berry College Krannert Center We join with other United Methodist Churches from the Rome area for this annual project, combining our resources to raise money for and package dehydrated meals that are used in crisis situations of hunger around the world. We will receive an offering during the Children’s Moment this month toward our church’s portion. We will also need volunteers to participate in the packaging event with our youth.

Contact Rev. Millie: millie@2aveumc.org | 404.759.4778.

Nursery: 2/05 Mary Beth Broxterman 2/12 Betty Crymes 2/19 Emily Embree 2/26 Betty Albers

Children’s Church: Teachers: Mary Beth Broxterman, Jane Franssen, Margaret Gibson & Julie Mathis

Assistants: Nancy Clift, Steve Davis, Dan Emerick, Greg Gaston & Vicki Thomason

Acolytes: 2/05 Macy Davis 2/12 Chloe Duck 2/19 Isaac Tucker 2/26 Railey Davis

Liturgists: 2/05 Amy Astin

2/12 Steve Davis 2/19 Jill Borchert 2/26 Chloe Duck

Ushers: Ronnie Farmer (head usher) Bob Baker, Mike Colombo, Greg Gaston, Tommy Jones, Phil Taylor

SECOND HELPINGS

Congregational Care & Concern: 2/05 Darlene Wallace 2/12 Nancy Clift 2/19 Shirley Dodson 2/26 Sally Farmer

Counters: 2/05 Mike Colombo & Cindy Smith

2/12 Bob Frazier & Greg Gaston 2/19 Barbara Cothran & Dan Emerick

2/26 Dottie Taylor & LuAnn Williams

Flowers: 2/05 Davis 2/12 Baker 2/19 Church—Doxzen 2/26 Available

Men’s and Women’s Fellowship

The Men’s Club will meet on Monday, February 6, at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. All men of the church are invited to join us on the first Monday of each month for supper, fellowship, study, and prayer. Contact Scottie Edwards at 706.235.3493 or 706.346.5998 for details.

The United Methodist Women will meet on Tuesday, February 21, at 6:00 p.m. We invite ALL ladies of the church to join us for an evening of dinner, fellowship, and a program. Mark your calendars—we really hope you will come join us. For more information, please contact Darlene Wallace at 706.234.6402 or geo509@bellsouth.net.

Dinner Served 6:00 p.m.; Program 6:30

No Reservation Required

$7 per person/$15 family maximum

$1 per person for dessert only

Children’s menu available weekly

First-time visitors & children 10 and under eat free

Wednesday Night Family Fellowship

Programs 2/01 Baking With the Boys

2/08 Know the Ten Signs of Alzheimer's— Rebekah Davis, Program Director, Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter

2/15 Teen Dating Violence Awareness: Erin De Mesquita, Community Outreach Coordinator, Hospitality House for Women 2/22 Lisa Smith, Director of Greater Rome Convention and Visitor Center

Menus 2/01 Men’s Cook-Off 2/08 Ham, Green Beans, Potato Salad, Dessert 2/15 Chicken Casserole, English Peas, Carrots, Salad, Dessert 2/22 Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, Salad, Dessert

Please let us know your prayer concerns. You may submit prayer requests: - In writing: fill out a prayer request form in the sanctuary pew racks - By phone: call the prayer line at 706.234.6406 (press 3 when prompted) - By email: millie@2aveumc.org

If you have a confidential request, please contact Rev. Millie (404.759.4778) .

Please contact the church ASAP when you are in need of Pastoral Care! To contact the Pastor: - During office hours, please call 706.234.6406 - After hours, please call 404.759.4778

“Pray, and let God worry.” Martin Luther

Need A Prayer?

Pastoral

Care Need?

Prayer List Congregation Helen Broom Danny Carver Giles Chapman Clift Family Susan Daniel Family of Ruth Doxzen Ronnie Farmer Bob Frazier Joyce Gann Carol Griffin Carol Vogt LuAnn Williams Homebound Hazel Barton Ercel Blair Carolyn Garwood Eloise Johnson Vivian VanLandingham

FRIENDS & FAMILY Sarah Bailie Eddie Baker Judy Barcik Wayne Bishop Family Terri Blake Samantha Boatner Jim Boggs Jim & Sheila Boutselis Andy Brewer Linda Brown Norma Cannon MaeDell Clark Pauline Coalson Othello Cogburn Rev. Pieter deBruijn Roger & Nancy Edwards Boone Evans Daria Giebler Family of Larry Harvey Bob Henderson Garrett Jones Milton Kahn Linda Lounge Dean Mallow

Cade Maynor Lulu McDowell Military Personnel & Families Buford Moon John Morris & Family Jack Ozment Ann Ramey Connie Ray Ed & Peggy Reynolds Neil Sanders Kathy Smith Sarah Smith Those Grieving and Shut-ins President Trump Jim Williams & Family Kennedy Williams Robert Winkle Edmund & Sandy Yeargan

February 05: Carol Vogt 15 Berkshire Drive Rome, GA 30161-5801 February 12: Herb & Paula Brown 68 Fred Kelly Road Rome, GA 30161-9131

February 19: Darlene Wallace 17 Riverview Road Rome, GA 30161-6248 February 26: Susan Pierce 17 Eden Drive NW Rome, GA 30165-1820

Persons of the Week

Please remember these friends with cards, calls, visits, and prayers.

9:30am Helping Hands

10:00am Joyful Noise Music Class

282710:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship

12:00pm Administrative Council Meeting

26

Greg Gaston

Ralph Davis

25Bob & Shirley Dodson

2410:30am Beth Moore Bible Study

12:00pm Keenagers Covered Dish Meal

5:00pm Line Dancing

236:00pm Wednesday Night Family Fellowship

229:30am Helping Hands

10:00am Joyful Noise Music Class

6:00pm United Methodist Women

212010:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship

19

11:00am Children's Event at the Parsonage

181710:30am Beth Moore Bible Study

5:00pm Line Dancing

166:00pm Wednesday Night Family Fellowship

15Valentine's Day

9:30am Helping Hands

10:00am Joyful Noise Music Class

1413Charles Griffin

Reese Gibson

10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship

12

1110Phil Baker

10:30am Beth Moore Bible Study

5:00pm Line Dancing

9Railey Davis

6:00pm Wednesday Night Family Fellowship

89:30am Helping Hands

10:00am Joyful Noise Music Class

3:30pm Meals & More at First Christian Church

76:00pm Men's Club Meeting

6Eloise Johnson

10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship--SouperBowl Sunday

2:00pm Birthday Party for Lily Embree

5

10:00am UWM Retreat at Farmville UMC

43Betty Clarke

Donna Bledsoe

10:30am Beth Moore Bible Study

5:00pm Line Dancing

26:00pm Wednesday Night Family Fellowship

1

SaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday

February 2017