February 16, 2014

May 27, 2018

We are glad to have you worship with us.

Who Really Owns All This Stuff? Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (Chronicles 29:14) The idea of ownership is at the very heart of stewardship and, more specifically, the issue of tithing. In order to be a true steward of all God has given us, we must recognize that everything we have belongs to Him in the first place. To give cheerfully requires us to have an adequate understanding that what we are giving doesn’t really belong to us anyway—it belongs to God. David sums it up very well in Psalm 24:1— “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” There is nothing that exists that doesn’t already belong to God. “Everything in heaven and earth is yours,” David said in his prayer to God. “Wealth and honor come from you” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12). David understood the basic principle of giving to God—it all belongs to God in the first place. Yes, he gave a large part of his fortune to this project, but everything he gave already belonged to God. And yes, the people responded with outstanding generosity, but they only responded with what was already God’s. David summed it up in verse 14: “Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?” Once we understand that every-thing we have comes from God and belongs to Him, the whole issue of stewardship takes on a new light. It is not a matter of giving up what belongs to me. Stewardship is managing God’s resources and using those resources to build His kingdom. Generosity is not meas-ured against what someone else gives. It is rooted in our understand-ing of God’s ownership of all that we have and our willingness to let go and let God use our resources as He sees fit. Zig Ziglar, the popular motivational speaker, tells the story of a farmer who sat listening to a sermon on tithing. The preacher talked about how God owned everything, but the farmer disagreed. After the service, the farmer invited the preacher out to his farm for dinner. Following the meal, the farmer and the preacher took a walk outside. The farmer made a point of showing the preacher around his place. He showed him his house, barn, tool shed, and finished by pointing out his crops. Then he asked the preacher, “I’ve worked all my life on this land. Do you mean to tell me that it’s not my land, but it’s the Lord’s land?” The preacher thought about this for a moment and then responded. “Ask me the same question a hundred years from now.” For many people, tithing is an exercise of guilt and calculation. “Can I afford to give ten percent this week?” “Do I have to give ten percent of my net or gross pay?” “If I put this check in the offering, can I pay my bills this week?” Or we resort back to our toddler-like selfishness. “I worked hard for this.” “I built this with my own hands.” “I deserve to spend this money on myself.” Recognizing God’s ownership of all that we have removes these obstacles and opens the way for generosity. If we can really accept that God already owns it and that it’s not ours, it should be easier to give God a percentage as a way of saying to Him, “It’s all yours.” (Continued under 8:55 Worship Box)

Welcome, Guests, to Americus First United Methodist Church! We are glad you are here and hope you worship with us again.

We invite you to join our congregation. If you are interested in membership, call Pastor Jerry at 924-3169.

Americus First United Methodist Church

MORNING WORSHIP May 27, 2018 — 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

First Sunday after Pentecost

WELCOME Rev. David Warlick GREETING AND WELCOME CHORUS — Surely the Presence ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. David Warlick

(Please fill out your communication card and place it in the offering plate later in worship.)

PRELUDE — St. Elizabeth (T. Tertius Noble)

Mark Watford, organist LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Thomas Fowler and Matteson DeBaise

*HYMN OF PRAISE #103 — Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH #881 — The Apostles’ Creed

*GLORIA PATRI #71 — Glory Be to the Father

PASTORAL PRAYER, LORD’S PRAYER #895 Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

CHORAL RESPONSE — Fourfold Amen (Franz Schubert; Charles H. Webb, arr.)

ANTHEM — Surely the Lord Is In This Place (Herbert Colvin) Chancel Choir

TITHES, OFFERINGS and COMMUNICATION CARDS OFFERTORY PRAYER Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr. OFFERTORY — In die Freude, BWV615 (J. S. Bach)

Mark Watford, organist *DOXOLOGY #95

3K to 2nd Grade Children dismissed to Children’s Church with Stephanie Updike.

*HYMN #581 — Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service (Sing only stanzas 1 and 3.)

[Sing to the tune, BEECHER found at #384]

*SCRIPTURE — James 3:1-12 Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

THE MESSAGE — Part 4: Speech Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr. Sermon Series: The Book of James: The Basics of Christian Living

*CLOSING HYMN #572 — Pass It On (Sing only stanza 1.)

*BENEDICTION Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

*POSTLUDE Mark Watford, Organist

Lee Pinnell, Audio Tech Casper Speegle, Visual Tech

Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr. .................. Senior Minister Kim Hale .......................................... Preschool Director Rev. Noel C. Perez ..................... Associate Minister Doug Gatian ............................... Church Administrator Rev. T. David Warlick ........ Minister of Worship Arts Elaine Smith .................................... Finance Secretary Stephanie Updike ... Director of Children’s Ministries Lyn Dozier ....................................................... Secretary Johnny Updike .... Director of Youth and Outreach Lacey Fulton ................................................... Secretary John Teate ............................... 8:55 Worship Leader Sylvia Roland ..................................... Church Hostess Mark Watford ................................................. Organist Jarvis Pitts....................................................... Custodian Alwen Yeung .................................................... Pianist

Americus First United Methodist Church

200 South Lee Street Americus, Georgia 31709 229-924-3169

www.americusfirstunitedmethodistchurch.org facebook.com/AFUMCBrightBeginnings facebook.com/fumcamericus facebook.com/AFUMCKids facebook.com/AFUMCYouth

Americus First United Methodist Church

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

May 27, 2018 8:55 a.m.

Part 4: Speech

Sermon Series: The Book of James: The Basics of Christian Living

James 3:1-12

Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

Praise Team

John Teate, Worship Leader; guitar and vocals Rebecca Ferguson and Beverly Huffman, vocals Kalynn VanLandingham, keyboard and vocals

Debra Donnelly, Audio Tech

Brad Lafevers, Visual Tech

Children (3k-2nd Grade) are invited to Children’s Church with

Kellie Starlin and Stephanie Updike immediately before the Message.

Pre-Worship Refreshments are prepared by Willie Maxwell.

Who Really Owns All This Stuff? (Continued from Cover) The great thing about God’s ownership is the freedom it brings. When God owns everything, He is responsible. We are just managers. Our only task is to take care of what He has given us. He provides. Jesus reminds us that when we try to take ownership for ourselves, things will not end well. What we possess is only temporary. It will not last forever. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal,” Jesus said. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

This week in Sunday School/ Explore the Bible, the kids are reading from Psalm 139. They are learning the truth that God created them and has a purpose for their life! In Children's Church: "God's Garden", the kids will be discussing how God created seeds and soil. In Genesis 1:11, God said, "Let the earth grow plant life: plants yielding seeds and fruit trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind throughout the earth."

UPCOMING DATES: **Wednesday, June 6 from 10am-11:30 AM......."WHAT-IF......you get SLIMED!!" The kids will be able to create their own slime creations , making a mess in Campsite 2, and not at home!! :) There is no charge.......looking forward to seeing your kiddo there! "Wednesday, June 13 from 10-11:30 AM WHAT-IF" ...we Painted with Mrs. Reba!! The cost is $5. The kids will paint two 5x7 canvas boards, one to take home, and one that we will deliver, on another Wednesday, to the Magnolia Manor residents. Please RSVP by Friday, June 1. ** Vacation Bible School, June 18-22 from 9am-12noon for completed 3K thru 5th graders..........."Shipwrecked, Rescued by Jesus". Invite your friends, family and neighbors! VBS is for any and every one! And if you would like to volunteer for VBS, please call the church office or email me at stephanie@fumcamericus.com.

The FUMC kids are continuing to grow in Christ every day! Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

In Him, Stephanie

Youth~Summer!

Youth News Congratulations again to all of our Graduates! A special thanks to all of those that helped set up for the breakfast, especially Sylvia, Jarvis, Stephanie, John and Freddie! I'm so thankful for everyone that was able to join us to eat and celebrate during Sunday School and for the 11am service. A special thanks as well to Lee Pinnell for speaking to our graduates at the breakfast and to Brother Jerry for his message during the service! Both were great! Upcoming Events 1st Summer Bible Study- 6/6/18 6-7:30 @ The Updike's (Core Team members must attend) Camp Winshape- 6/4-6/8/18 VBS- 6/18-6/22/18 Core Team Leadership Retreat- July 12-15 *Please sign up in The Foundry to help with VBS or "What if......Wednesdays"! *Opportunities to help: If you are willing to have the youth over for a pool party or myf on a Sunday or Wednesday, please call me (Johnny) at 942-8961 to discuss dates and details.

WHAT-IF ..... you got SLIMED ??!!l

Come Wednesday, June 6, from 10-11:30 AM because we are going to have a very SLIMEY time!! The children are starting off

“What If” Wednesdays and will be making our favorite slime concoctions in Campsite 2.

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Cuyler Barr, Sue Bailes, Sherrell Bailey, Nancy Carlan, Beth Carroll, Joe Caldwell, Thomas Collins, Mary Davis, Freddie Dudley, Sue Dupree,

Sharon Dutton, Margie Easterlin, Gertrude Forehand, Marion Franklin, Amy Hamrick, Clair Strange Jones, Pam Law, Imogene McLendon,

Floyd Martin, Ted and Brenda McMillan, Brooks Starlin Mechler, Vicki Partain, David Peak, Jerry Quillian, Charlene Roby, Anncarolyn Roe, Charlene Sanders, Lang Sheffield, Walter Stapleton, Calvin Starlin, Richard Swope, Ricky Temple,

Liz and Bill Turpin, Lindsey Wade, Evelyn Wages, Carson Walker, David Warlick, Julian Webb, Ginny Whaley

Flowers in the Sanctuary Today

Are placed to the glory of God and in memory of Orlean Ansley McNeill, Lily Adams Lynn and

Margaret Gatewood Holloway for their May birthdays from Rebecca McNeill and Leon Holloway.

GREETERS and USHERS for May 27, 2018

8:55 Inside Greeters at Front Door: Willie Maxwell 11:00 Inside Greeters at Front Door: Ginny and Rick Whaley

11:00 Inside Greeters at South Door: Mary Comer

11:00 Ushers: Ginger Starlin, Captain; Karen Austin, Sherrell Bailey, Jan Bird, Mara Durham, SuSu Eskedor, Lydia Ann Fowler, Anne Hunter, Nancy Jones, Sara Kate Shorter, Catey Simmons, Judy Tott, MaryLen Walker, Janis Webb

SHIPWRECKED: Rescued by Jesus VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ~ AGES 3K—5G

JUNE 18-22 ~ 9 AM-12 NOON

OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS!!

You may volunteer to help with one of these stations: Castaway Sing and Play (with Mrs. Ashlee at the beginning) Bible Discovery ♦KidVid Cinema Ship Rec Games—Youth ♦Tropical Treats Imagination Station (crafts) ♦Age Group Guides Sail Away Sendoff (with Mrs. Ashlee)

Volunteers are needed to help with decorating for VBS

on a Sunday afternoon before June 17.

Gifts in Memory

Bill Byram From

Bill & Harriet Bland Carole Brown

Epworth Sunday School Class Jim & Billie Gatewood

Bill & Ann Harris Mr. and Mrs. Ted Kennedy

Pam Law Lutrelle Perry

Julian & Janis Webb Mike & Lee Yates

Verna R. Adams Bill Byram

Mary Francis Kennedy Dora Kobs

Joyce Parrott Harriett Peak

From

Calvin and Ginger Starlin

HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Sunday, May 27, 2018 8:30 a.m. Chapel open for prayer 8:55 a.m. Worship in the Social Hall 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal in the Choir Room 11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Arca del Fuego in the Social Hall 6:00 p.m. Bible Study on Revelation to John in the Social Hall Monday, May 28, 2018 The Office & Bright Beginnings are closed for Memorial Day 5:15 p.m. Handbell Choir Tuesday, May 29, 2018 10:00 a.m. Nimble Fingers in Campsite 2 Wednesday, May 30, 2018 9:00 a.m. Preschool Chapel in Campsite 1 11:00 a.m. Food Pantry “Double Baggers” in Campsite 2 7:00 p.m. Arca del Fuego in the Social Hall Thursday, May 31, 2018 1:00 p.m. Bulletin Crew in the Epworth Classroom 7:00 p.m. Arca del Fuego Band in the Social Hall Saturday, June 2, 2018 6:00 a.m. Methodist Home 5-K Run at FUMC’s Parking Lot Sunday, June 3 — Tuesday June 5, 2018 Annual Conference of the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church at Jekyll Island

CHAPEL OPEN FOR PRAYER 9a-5p Mon-Th

9a-12p Fri

Membership: 996 Total Worship Attendance May 20: 384

8:55 Worship Attendance. ............. 61 Arca del Fuego Attendance .................. 88 11:00 Worship Attendance .......... 235 Arca del Fuego Offering .................... $600 Sunday School Total ................... 196 Arca del Fuego Offering YTD ....... $11,132 Budget Giving ...................... $14,460 Benevolence YTD .......................... $2,820 Budget Giving YTD ............ $281,699 YTD Expenditures .............. $310,694 Children Wednesday ..... No TeamKid

Youth Wednesday ........................ 70

Reminder: You can make donations to the church by automatic draft.

Just call Elaine in the finance office.

OUR RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS

UPCOMING EVENTS AT FUMC

Wednesday, June 6 “What If...Wednesday” What if we made Slime? Wednesday, June 13 “What if...Wednesday” What if we painted with Mrs. Reba? Monday-Friday, June 18-22 “Shipwrecked—Rescued by Jesus” Vacation Bible School

Dear Reverend Roe May 17, 2018

Please know how grateful we all are for the generous support you and First United Methodist Church gave to the Clarence Jordan Symposium (April 8-10). The event went so smoothly—a life-giving time on so many levels. It took awhile to get all the accounting completed, but as of May 15, all the bills have been paid, all costs are covered and we even have a surplus. We want to share some of that surplus with you. I wish it could be more, but know we are so very appreciative.

With gratitude, Bren Dubay, Director Koinonia Farm

Calendar Dates 2018

Sundays 8:55 a.m. Worship in the Social Hall

10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 Worship

in the Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. Prayer Connection

In the Parlor 6:00 p.m. Bible Study on The Revelation to John

Social Hall

Mondays

5:15 Bell Choir

Tuesdays

Nimble Fingers Quilters 10:00 a.m. in Epworth Classroom

Quartet Rehearsal 5:15 in the Bell Room

Wednesdays

Arca del Fuego Bible Study 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall

Wednesday, June 6 WHAT IF WEDNESDAYS BEGIN

SLIME! Campsite 2

Monday-Friday

June 18-22 VBS: Shipwrecked

Social Hall

Church Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9:00a to 5:00p

Friday: 9:00 a.m. to noon

Friday is Jerry’s, David’s, Stephanie’s and Johnny’s day off.

Finance Office Hours Monday - Thursday:

9:00a -3:00p