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May 1 Kyndal Mitchem May 7 David Brown May 14 Peyton Terry May 21 Bruce Terry/Chase Brown May 28 Kyndal Mitchem

Parents are reminded if your child cannot acolyte on their assigned Sunday, it is your responsibility to get a substitute.

RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS—APRIL 2016

DATE 3 10 17 24

Joy! Service 20 24 14 21

10:30 Worship 139 113

Revival 65

113 104

Total Worship 159 202 127 125

Sunday School 52 41 50 46

2016 BUDGET…….…………...…………….….…..$281,000.00

YTD BUDGET Needed……………………………..$ 93,668.00

YTD BUDGET Tithes and Offerings Received……..$ 83,856.20

YTD NON-BUDGET Receipts Received… .. ….…...$ 8,302.08

BLUEFIELD FIRST UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH 200 South College Avenue

Bluefield, VA 24605 Phone: 276-326-1466

E-mail Address: info@bluefieldfumc.org Website: bluefieldfumc.org

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Dr. Brad Scott, Pastor 276-722-0346 Carolyn Quesenberry, Secretary William Elliott, Music Director/Organist Jack Goins, Choir Director Jessica Cole, Youth Director Heather Hurley, Nursery Coordinator Wade Dillon, Custodian Dr. Don Scott, Pastor Emeritus

MAY 2016 NEWSLETTER

Jerry Vines tells this wonderful story about a son’s love for his mother: “Mother's Day is a very special day. It is a day when we remember our mothers. We give her gifts and phone calls. I heard about a wealthy son who decided to do something special for his mother on her day. He went to a pet shop and saw a very expensive talking bird. This was an unusual bird. This bird could whistle Amazing Grace. This bird could quote the 23rd Psalm. It was an unusual bird. The cost of the bird was $30,000. But what did he care. He was wealthy so he spent the $30,000 and bought the bird for his mother and had it shipped to her. On Mother's Day he made his call to his mother. ''Mother, how did you like the bird I sent you?'' She said, ''O, it was delicious, son.'' I don't suppose any of you sons will get into that dilemma but it is a day when we send our mothers something very, very special.” May is filled with special emphases, not the least of which is Mother’s Day. Did you know this day was initiated by a Methodist laywoman in West Virginia? Anna Jarvis began the observance in honor of her own mom in 1908, in Grafton, West Virginia. It was made a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson, who set it on the second Sunday of May beginning in 1914. Today, total spending for this holiday has reached at least $19.9 billion. It is also reportedly the largest holiday for dining out. However we mark it, it is a special day, as all mothers are worthy of our respect and honor for giving life to their children. We have mothers in the church who have watched patiently over us all as we've grown up and begun raising our own children. Let us thank God for the gift of motherhood. See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

SAVE THE DATE! Vacation Bible school (EVEREST conquering chal-lenges with God's mighty power) will be all day Saturday, June 18th from 9- 3, lunch will be served. Please contact Bronwyn Owen, (276) 322-0138, if you want to help with VBS this year; we need lots of help from our church family to make this VBS a success.

BAHAMAS MISSION TEAM is selling SALVATION BRACLETS for $15 to share the message of God's love, the symbolic beads represent the life of Christ; bracelets are handmade of czech glass and pewter beads on a stretch cord and come with words and scripture verses on small card

(bracelet can be made larger or smaller as needed). Bracelets will be for sale after church June 12th at Mission Team's luncheon (see Bronwyn Owen or Myra Yates) to purchase one - they make great gifts!

I would like to say thank you to everyone for all the calls, cards, visits, and food. Especially, I am most thankful for your thoughts and prayers. You are a wonderful and loving church family and everything you did meant so much to me. Karen Woody We want to thank the ladies who so graciously provided for the after funeral meal for our family and friends. Thank you for your prayers, love and support. There is so much that has been done that I’m sure we’re not even aware of. Your love and care is carrying us through the valley. God is so good and we see Him in you. Love - Larry, Jennifer, Blaine and Maggie Mahood There are really no words to express our heartfelt thanks for the support we received in prayers, cards, food and notes after my father, Jim Betts, passed away. In a time of sorrow your kindness and sympathy was truly appreciated and much needed. Sincerely—Bronwyn Owen and Family Molly, Nathan, and I take this opportunity to express to the congregation our sincerest thanks for your prayers and support for our family during Robin’s illness. Your love and care have been and continue to be a great source of encouragement to our family. Without your fellowship in Christ and the power of our living God we could not endure. God bless you all. Love and Thanks—Chris, Nathan, and Molly Calo

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Jacob Stowers. Jacob was elected President of the Graham High School Student Council Association for 2016-2017 by the GHS Student Body. Good luck and God’s blessing to Jacob and all of our youth. We are proud of you. Submitted by: Peg Scott

Bobbie Bellamy, Margaret Elam’s sister, is in nursing home in Abingdon. Send her a card and let her know you are thinking of her. Bobbie Bellamy Grace Health Care 600 Waldren Road Abingdon, VA 24210

MISSION PROJECTS † Hands on Mission Project for Holston Conference 2016 is

Liberia School Kits. Kits are due May 22. Instructions for completing a kit are placed at each entrance. Please include $5.00 shipping per kit. Do not place shipping fee inside bag. Goal is 50 kits.

† Samuel Stowers will be traveling to the Dominican Republic the

last week of July to provide free dental care to the impoverished and unemployed. This is a non-profit medical mission, so each students must provide their own passage and expenses. If you would like to make a donation, make checks payable directly to First UMC.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 1 Hannah Stowers 3 Sarah Bowling 3 Zane Campbell 8 Cary Elam 8 Emily Danko 8 Kevin Thibodeau 10 Katie Damon 13 Carla Perry 13 Alex Marrs 16 Stephen Blaylock 16 Mary Kay Damon 16 Jennifer Brewster 19 Richard French 22 Sherri Curto 24 Doug Marrs

24 Mark Stowers 25 Elizabeth Sening 25 Carolyn Quesenberry 25 Edna Bone 28 John Payne 29 Harriet Pardue HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 9 David/Jackie Williams 9 Tim/Ann Marie Whaley 14 David/Becky Hale 18 Mark/Amy Stowers 19 Keith/Debbie Spencer 26 Josh/Jessica Hickman 30 Brad/Tammie Scott

MAY BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

ILLNESS Eddie Abshire, Joe Akers, Fran Alba, Andy Anderson, Marie Anderson, Patsy Arnold, Jim Ayers, Barbara Bailey, Janet Barker, Charlotte Bass, Catherine Beamer, Bobbie Bellamy (Margaret Elam’s Sister), Dennis Bennett, John & Carol Bohaboy, Edna Bone, Suzanna Bovenizer, Ralph Brown, Carol Cole, Doug Cook, Lester Coomes, Doug Coon, Debbie & Herbert Creasy, Veleda Davidson, Anna Deitrich, Blair Deskins (Jean Miller’s Granddaughter), Richard and Patty Dillon (Wade’s Parents), Darlene Dolin, Jayce Evans, Gertrude Farmer, Margaret Farmer, Vicki Furrow, Debbie Gillespie, Shirley Glover, Laura Gooch, Stephanie Gressett, Amanda Griffith, Gus Hartsock, Carrie Hendrick (Gerry Stowers’ Granddaughter), Erinn Hollo, Jim Houchins, Amanda Jessee, Jim Justice, Dr. David and Charlynne Kovach, Mary Virginia Lester (Linda Hash’s Sister), Mary Martin, Penny Sue McKenzie (Keith’s Daughter-In-Law), Louise McVey, Debbie Misak, Richard Morsan, Ethan Oliver, Gary Pardue, Phil and Rebecca Peterson, Patty Ramage, Carol Riddle, Brian Rose & Family, Ruby Roten, Deb Sarver, Kenny Sawyers, Suzette Sawyers, Carol Scott, Mary Ruth Scott, Ruth Shrader, Ellie Spencer, Roger Stacey, Amanda Stephenson, Russell Synan, Will Thompson, Kim Tinder, Terry Trenton (Nancy Trenton’s daughter-in-law), Dave Trippett (Shirley Saunders’ Nephew), Betty White, Viola Wilborn, Edith Wilkinson, Ellen Windle, Michael & Susan Williams (Mary Ruth Scott’s nephew), Ted Yost, Sharon Ziegler. Children’s Ministries OUR MILITARY Ryan Shott, Lucas Graham, Jeremy Woody, and those serving our country HOMEBOUND Smokey Blaylock, Joe Davidson, Leon Devor, Syd Ellison, Russell Garrett, Pat Jones, Charles Miller (Pam Rose’s father), Wilma Shay, Nancy Trenton, Irma Webb

CHURCH MEETINGS/ACTIVITIES May 4—Family Night 6:00 p.m. hosted by Wayfarers Class Celebration of Mothers May 5–JOY Rally at Ebenezer UMC Speaker: Harry Howe, Executive Director, Ministry of Project Crossroads Registration 9:30 a.m. Lunch $7.00 May 5–United Methodist Women’s Circles Martha Circle will not meet Lydia Circle 7:00 p.m. in Palmer Hall May 7– United Methodist Women’s Day Apart Ebenezer UMC—Registration 9:30 a.m. May 9– Finance Committee 6:30 p.m. in Library May 15–Young Life Sunday Special fellowship with Young Life leaders, committee members, and student participants Free will offering Spaghetti Dinner in Palmer Hall following morning worship May 16-Staff Parish Relations Committee 6:30 p.m. in library May 17-Evangelism Committee 7:00 p.m. in library May18-Men’s Breakfast 7:00 a.m. in Palmer Hall Devotions: Brad Scott Cooks: Rodger Woodrum/Friends May 22-Honor Graduates Sunday Please give names of graduates to the church office Donations in honor of graduates are due May 18 May 26-Blood Drive at Bluefield, Virginia Town Hall Blood donors are needed May29–Special Service with color guard to honor those who have served our country May 30-Memorial Day (Church office closed)

MEMORIAL GIFTS—APRIL 2016 In honor and appreciation of the Wayfarers Sunday School Class To: Assistance Fund By: Don Scott In Honor of Ruth Brewster’s Birthday To: Missions By: Jack/Pam Brewster In Memory of Dorothy Leffel To: Missions (Fred/Libby Dearing-South Sudan) By: Gerry Stowers In Memory of Margie Pruitt, Irma Webb’s Sister To: Higher Education Loan Fund By: Wayfarers Sunday School Class To: General Budget By: Carl and Lynn Burnette In Memory of Phil Mahood, Larry and Jennifer Mahood’s Son To: Higher Education Loan Fund By: Doug and Dean Coon To: Music Fund By: Philosophers/Seekers Class To: Missions By: Jack and Pam Brewster To: General Budget By: Smokey and Diane Shott David and Jackie Williams Bill and Connie Akers Jim and Jackie Wilkinson Walter/Linda Shroyer Sharon Ziegler To: Assistance Fund By: Vera Lee Austin In Memory of Arnold Gillespie, Curtis Gillespie’s Brother To: Assistance Fund By: Wayfarers Sunday School Class To: General Budget By: Carl and Lynn Burnette Sharon Ziegler In Memory of Jim Betts, Bronwyn Owen’s Father To: General Budget By: Sharon Ziegler By: Carl/Lynn Burnette By: Philosophers/Seekers Class In Memory of James Williams To: Higher Ed. Loan Fund By: Doug/Dean Coon To: General Budget By: Walter/Linda Shroyer To: General Budget By: Betty Nash In Memory of Conner Litton To: General Budget By: James/Melissa Thompson In Memory of Robin Calo To: Assistance Fund By: Vera Lee Austin To: General Budget By: Bill/Connie Akers By: Carl/Lynn Burnette In Memory of Jeanne Deason To: Worship (Flowers) By: Keith McKenzie To: Missions By: Jack/Pam Brewster In Memory of Jimmy Sharpe, Robin Graham’s Brother To: Missions By: Philosophers/Seekers Class

HONOR GRADUATES SUNDAY IS MAY 22. If you would like to make a donation to honor them, please complete this form and put in offering plate or turn in to church office. Donations are due by May 18 in order for names to be in special insert. Donation: _______________________________________ By: _______________________________________

If you wish to give in honor of a graduate, please list their name: _______________________________________

The Flower Committee would like to plant rose bushes in the flower bed near the ramp. If you would like to contribute a knockout rose bush or money towards purchase, please see JoAnn Davis.