From everyone to whom much has been given,

much will be required;

and from one to whom much has been entrusted,

even more will be demanded. Luke 12:48

During this Easter season, we are reminded how

very much God loves us and the great gift of this life

we live for him and others now, as well as the

anticipation of life to come. Out of God’s abundant

nature, we have received so much. We have been

greatly blessed with folks who see beyond

themselves into a future of hope for this

congregation and for whom God is calling this

church to be now and in the future. There have been

long-term dreams which this month came to

fulfillment because of folks who love God, love this

church, and want to share the gospel promises with

others.

On Easter Sunday we consecrated the new grand piano to the glory of God and as a memorial to

Carol Ann Gavin. As a woman of faith, Carol Ann shared herself, her home, and her garden with

family and friends. She was a Southern Lady who never met a stranger, therefore, everyone became

a friend. Carol Ann was a light to those around her even as she fought against

devastating illness. To honor her memory, her husband, Charles, has filled our

sanctuary with the rich tones of a new grand piano. The melodies and harmonies

of music express our faith in ways words cannot accomplish. Thank you, Charles

for this beautiful and generous gift honoring a lovely lady and her creator.

For a very long time, it has been a dream of many folks that the back wall of the

sanctuary would display the cross and flame. The United Methodist symbol is

referred to as “a mark known the world over.” It’s distinctive symbolism for our

denomination makes it a familiar, comforting sight wherever it is seen. For us

here on the square, it says, “the church is here in the midst of everyday life.” It is

a statement of who we are and whose we are. It is invitational as we recognize

that God still has much for us to do here on the square and with our neighbors. It

can be seen from 24 roads, 4 of which are major highways. Perhaps most

particular is that the police officers have stated how much it means for them to be

able look up the hill and see the hope offered by the cross and flame. Thank you

to Wendell and Dinah Agnew for this testament to God and the hope-filled future

Our Witness—God Sightings

The Newsletter

First United Methodist Church 122 Public Square North Shelbyville, TN 37160 931-684-2535 fumcshelbyville.com

Glorifying God as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

May 2017

~2~

UMW NEWS UMW has great

programs and delicious lunches the

second Tuesday of each month at 11:00.

You do not have to be a member of a

circle to attend. We would love to have

you attend our next meeting May 9, 2017.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS-Upcoming

events: Mission U July 13-15, 2017 at St.

Marks UMC. Excellent studies. Applications

are available. We will car pool. Hope you

will consider attending . Half scholarships are

available for first timers.

New Prayer Ministry:

We are a praying church. We

believe in prayer. This shows

through each week and each month

in our bulletin and newsletters’ section ,

“Praying for One Another”. This type of

prayer is one of the spiritual gifts called

Intercession. Hoping to expand this church’s

desire to pray, Joan Leichner and Nancy Reak

have volunteered to start a new prayer

ministry. Here is your invitation from Joan

and Nancy:

Dear Friends in Christ, as children of God we

have the divine privilege of talking to our

Heavenly Father in prayer. In Hebrews 4:16,

St. Paul reminds us to “Come boldly to the

throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and

find grace to help in time of need”. This great

promise from the Bible reminds us that Jesus’s

death on the cross paid for our sins and gives

us direct access to our compassionate and

merciful God.

On Palm Sunday, our Wesley’s Warriors Children’s Choir presented a check for $100.00 to David

Pitner, chair of the Board of Trustees, for the “I My Church” fund. This seems to be a good

challenge to all of us—that even the children feel compelled to be part of something larger than

themselves. In addition to this, our United Methodist Women gave a donation of $2,000.00 to the

fund. Clearly, we truly love this church and are willing to go the extra mile to help God’s house have

a long and fruitful life.

Updates: The major electrical work to convert from 1940s/50s wiring to updated wiring is nearing

completion. The conversion to LED lighting in the sanctuary is complete. Work in the Fellowship

Hall to separate outlets and to add new outlets is complete. The steeple LED lights are installed but

need to be repositioned. The old electrical pole in the back parking lot is gone! The lighted Cross

and Flame is installed. The panel of light switches in the Fellowship Hall needs to be reconfigured,

but at least we have light switches instead of breakers! The roof on the parsonage is scheduled and

will be completed this month. The work on the Ladies restroom in the office wing is scheduled to

begin the week of May 8.

You have enabled our Board of Trustees to accomplish a great deal that will help our facility continue

to be a place where people encounter the risen Christ. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

Beginning Tuesday, May 9th, from 8:30 –

9:00 and offered at that time on the 2nd

Tuesday of each month, you are invited to

join us and others in the chapel for a time of

prayer. It will be prayers for our church, our

community and personal prayers for loved

ones or yourself.

In Christ’s love,

The Prayer Ministry Team,

Joan Leichner and Nancy Reak

STUDENT MINISTRIES

~3~

May Events for Children and Youth May Calendar Events

May 6th– Collide Pre-Retreat for Student Leaders

May 7th– UMYF

Senior Recognition in Worship

Forms and Payment for Lock In at Above All Trampoline Park Due!!

May 14th– Mother’s Day; NO UMYF

May 21st– Last UMYF of the School Year

Christian Ed. Committee Meeting following Worship

May 25th– Lock In at Above All Trampoline Park (6th-12th grades)

8:30pm-8:30am

Children’s Sunday School– Faith Builders!

Join us as this spring and summer as we seek to keep building our faith– brick by

brick! This Bible based curriculum engages heads, hearts ,and hands by helping

kids connect themes and stories from the Bible as they creatively build with

Legos! Each week, kids will hear a different message from the Bible and have a

chance to think about and reflect through the things they build. All children K-5

are invited to join us Sunday mornings at 9 AM on the third floor! We hope

you’ll come build your faith with us!

A Big Thank You to the UMM!

We are so thankful to be partnered with

the United Methodist Men! We have worked

together on several fundraisers to raise money

for our respective ministries, but more

importantly, we are building relationships

between the men and the youth! We are so

thankful for the Men’s Club’s willingness to

mentor our young people, to walk alongside

them, and to be a caring adult from their church

family who supports them as they continue to

grow in discipleship. We would specifically like

to say thank you for the new upgrade to the

youth room! After mentioning that our DVD

player was broken, the Men generously

offered to help us upgrade to a smart TV. This

TV will not only allow us to play DVDs

(which we use most weeks for our Sunday

school curriculum), but it will also allow us to

connect to a laptop computer, show Power

Point presentations, and more! We are so

thankful for this gift and the ways it will

enable us to learn through technology and

connect with each other in fellowship. We are

thankful for the Men of FUMC and how they

have invested in us. We can’t wait to see how

this relationship will flourish for the good of

the Church!

~4~

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR FIRST FRUITS OUR PRAYERS, OUR PRESENCE, OUR GIFTS, OUR SERVICE, AND OUR WITNESS

We extend our sympathy to Walter and Charlene Taylor on the death of their grandson-in-law Jeremy Thomlin.

We extend sympathy to Connie and Alan Bailey and family on the death of her sister, Renee Effler, on April 14, 2017.

Our sympathy goes to Janice Carlton and family on the death of

her sister, Alice Marie “Polly” Harris, Wednesday, April 12,

2017.

We extend our sympathy to John and Sarah Campbell, and

Sam Campbell on the death of their mother Mazle Campbell,

April 1, 2017.

Our community also, mourns the death of Dr. Lynette Adams. We send prayers of comfort to her family, staff, and her many patients.

Our condolences to Jack Hittle and family on the death his mother.

Ed Bomar-hip injury, Cathleen Cross-car accident broken bones, Rachel Cunningham, Ed Dunlap, Mary Finchum, Roland Finchum- cancer of spinal cord, Kitty Graham, Sarah Hudson-heart, Trish Hubbard-family concerns, Vickie Hull, Mandy Jean-continuing to recover, Jeff Jones, Myrna King– broken leg and hand, Pat Martin-at home, Linda Odeneal, Christy Phillips-upcoming back surgery, Katherine Potts, Mildred Price, Ronnie Sudberry-home from M.D. Anderson and treatments, Fay Sudberry, Barbara Thomas-cancer treatments, Amy Wells- kidney cancer, and Wells family, Cyndy Wolfe

Remembering these…

Carriage House (311 Colloredo Blvd.): Dot Allen,

Martha Fox, Isabelle Pewitt

Celebration Way (895 Union Street): Kather ine Potts,

Ed Bomar

Community Care (901 County Farm Rd. H102,

Murfreesboro 37127): Peggy Piedmonte,

Juanita Hastings

Glen Oaks (1101 Glen Oaks Rd.): Helen Himes

NHC Rutherford (room 200B 420 N. University St,

37130): Virginia Wray

NHC Tullahoma (1321 Cedar Lane, Tullahoma, 37388):

Wilene Bomar

Christian Care Center (1253 Lake Barkley Dr .,

Kuttawa, KY 42055): Shirley Nicholson

The Waters (835 Union St. Room 30): Myrna King,

Mildred Price Bob Burke, Jr.: has be diagnosed with ALS, son of Bob Burke

Cassie Butts: cancer of the eye, niece of Luanne Neeley

Shirley Campbell: return of cancer, friend of Jane Johnson

Melody Carpenter: cancer, friend of Jo and Donald Cathey

Stacey Cazes: breast cancer, member of the Hull family

Laura Chaudry: undergoing radiation treatments, niece of Donna

Green

Keith Cumbie: health issues, Jane Johnson

Colt Davis: son of Mike and Tonya Davis, cancerous kidney

PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER removed-waiting results, friend of Rheaetta Wilson

Gary Dearing: in the hospital, neighbor of the Cunningham family

Carolyn Dunnavant: cancer surgery, aunt of Tanya Lane

Bobby Floyd: serious heart and stroke condition, great nephew of Hal Skelton

Brenda Fussell: moved to Select Specialty Hospital for Rehab, Friend of Linda Rucker

Ann Graves: brain tumor, friend of John and Melody Teague Josh Haslam in St. Jude with stage-4 cancer, friend of the

Cunninghams Guy Hill: new cancer treatment, brother-in-law of Bettie Self Jordan Hite: son of Cathleen Cross Price “Ed” Horton: mini strokes, brother of Ruth Statum Gayla Howard: health concerns, friend of Kay Madden Stephanie Howell: job concerns, daughter of Peggy Feck Hudson Family: continued prayers Jennifer Carlton Jarrell: health issues, daughter of Janice

Carlton The grandchildren of Don and Thelma Jensen Andrew Krieger: bone marrow transplant, great nephew of Joan

Leichner The Langford family: Jessica is improving, but still needs

prayer Mary Lu Ledbetter: cancer, friend of the Cunningham’s Herb Lester: cancer and stroke, friend of the Teague’s Gail Luna, open heart surgery: friend of Bob and Clara Shapard Jennifer Matheny: cancer, friend of Jane Johnson A. McKnight: serious blood infection, friend of Lori Schuler Joe Paul Moore: cancer, friend of Andy and Edna Lee Borders Roy Molder: brother of Mable Burton, has had open heart

surgery delayed due to other complications Elizabeth Pentecost: 15 year old suffering paralysis, great niece

of Barbara Beaty Jake Pimental: motorcycle wreck with broken shoulder and

other issues, friend of Linda Rucker Charlene Pope: mother of Jay Pope: brain cancer, surgery did

not remove all of original cancer, friend of John and Melody Teague.

Gunther Pontes: recovering from major surgery, friend of Randy Owen

Elizabeth Potts: granddaughter of Katherine Potts Ricky Prince: return of cancer, brother of Randy Prince Bob Russell: health issues, brother of Liz Palmer Greg Shapard: successful heart transplant, son of Clara and Bob

Shapard Jimmy Smithson: health issues, relative of Christina Smithson Kim Stoltz: chemo treatments for cancer, niece of Debbie

Donegan Annetta Svans: cancer is in remission! Praise. friend of Jane

Johnson Joanne Theis: autoimmune concerns, sister-in-law of Larry

Theis Harold Walker: bladder cancer, friend of Biff Farrar Linda Walter: last stages of cancer, mother-in-law of Wendy

Grissom Walter Ray Weaver: return of cancer, friend of John and Melody

Teague Vilda Westhblanc: head injury, friend of Charlee Davis Clay Wilkey: third time return of brain tumor, friend of the

Teagues Steve Williams: brain cancer, nephew of Nancy Reak

~5~

Sunday, April 2 Tithes and Offerings Sunday School $43.00 Morning Worship $10,636.00 Total Offering $10,679.00 Offerings to Restricted Funds Memorials $245.00 Choir Fund $50.00 I My Church $220.00 Thompson Farrar Loan $100.00

Sunday, April 9 Tithes and Offerings Sunday School $50.00 Morning Worship $10,741.00 Total Offering $10,791.00 Offerings to Restricted Funds Memorials $560.00 Choir Fund $25.00 Good Samaritans 728.00 I My Church $1,285.00

Sunday, April 16 Tithes and Offerings Sunday School $49.00 Morning Worship $11,149.00 Total Offering $11,198.00 Offerings to Restricted Funds Memorials $210.00 Altar Flowers $150.00 Easter Flowers $12.00 Soup Kitchen $300.00 I My Church $2,465.00 Thompson Farrar Loan $200.00

Sunday, April 23 Tithes and Offerings Sunday School $34.00 Morning Worship $6,625.00 Total Offering $6,659.00 Offerings to Restricted Funds Memorials $95.00 Choir Fund $15.00 Upper Room $2.00 I My Church $40.00 Thompson Farrar Loan $100.00

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR FIRST FRUITS OUR PRAYERS, OUR PRESENCE, OUR GIFTS, OUR SERVICE, AND OUR WITNESS

Mazle Campbell Wendell and Dinah Agnew

Mabel Burton

Susan Davis

Biff and Betty Farrar

Keith and Denise Harris

Billy and Margaret Hicks

Henry and Lynn Hulan

Les and Penny Humpal

Charlene Judd

Keith and Geri Miller

Musgrave Pencil Company

Luanne Neeley

Randy and Barbara Owen

Sylvia Pinson

Don and Ann Spencer

Debbie Thomas

Dorris Waldron

Virginia Wray

Vic Dearen Wendell and Dinah Agnew

Miriam Carrick

Biff and Betty Farrar

Billy and Margaret Hicks

Randy and Barbara Owen

Monty and Barbara Thomas

Felton Gill Bob and Janie Burke

Merilyn G. Cash

Roland and Mary Finchum

Mrs. Joe (Annette) Gill

Susan Harvey

Brenda Knight

Rosemary Mooneyham

Randy and Tina Prince

Dave and Judy Sliger

Chris and Vickey Stewart

UMW Circle VIII

Washburn Rural High School,

Topeka, Kansas

Polly Harris Billy and Margaret Hicks

Randy and Barbara Owen

Patsy Taylor

Ray and Liz Ward

Elleen Parsons Luanne Neeley

Bill Sanders Susan Harvey

Sanctuary Choir

Rev. Felix Snell Biff and Betty Farrar

Billy and Margaret Hicks

Charlene Judd

Randy and Barbara Owen

emorials M

Anniversaries May 5 Virginia Stewart and

Gene Schaefer

May 11 Rachel and Randy Cunningham

May 25 Michael and Belinda Seepe

May 26 Bob and Carolyn Bellenfant

May 31 Biff and Betty Farrar

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR FIRST FRUITS OUR PRAYERS, OUR PRESENCE, OUR GIFTS, OUR SERVICE, AND OUR WITNESS

~6~

Birthdays May 2 Elijah Smith

May 3 Barbara Green

Randy Owen

Ashley Preston

May 4 Ernest Limbo

May 6 Nina Gay Segroves

May 7 Dianne Wagner

May 8 John Carney

Debbie Hedge

May 9 Linda Kraus

Alsyssa Soileau

May 10 Wendell Agnew

Jon Brock

Jan Jackson

Glenn Watson

May 11 Sarah Morgan Brock

May 12 Cassie Davis

Ruby Sullivan

May 16 Bobby Jenkins

May 17 Rita McBee

May 18 Lanita Monroe

May 23 Chris Stewart

May 24 Kitty Graham

May 25 Rebecca Baker

Drew MacQuarrie

Sylvia Pinson

May 26 Peggy Feck

May 28 Elle Thompson

May 29 Bailey Haskins

May 30 Jerry Bradshaw

Conner Hedge

Dot Tune

May 31 Dale Rucker

We want to

express our

appreciation for

everything surrounding our Mother’s death.

Thank you for the food provided during the

visitation and the rose at the worship service.

Your presence during visitation and the

funeral was very much appreciated. Many

thanks to Lanita and all the church staff for

their help and support. Additionally, thank

you to the UMW for the many visits to

Mother.

The family of Mazle Campbell

United Methodist Men

The United Methodist Men met April 23, 2017

for a short business session, followed by a

shared lunch with some of the young men who

were confirmed or reaffirmed in our church.

We look forward to furthering the relationship

between the men and the youth.

J.O.Y. Club is on the

Road Again....

The J.O.Y. Club will be

going to Cumberland

County Playhouse on June 8th to see the

“Million Dollar Quartet.” Showtime is 2:00

p.m., so we will have lunch at the State Park.

Cost will be approximately $30 plus money

for lunch. If interested, please call or text

Edna Lee at 931-703-1190 no later than May

21. This is show about

when Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny

Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis came together at

Sun Records in Memphis. Saw it in

Branson. Wonderful!

5:30 p.m. Trustees

Renovation and Construction on Ladies room in Office Wing

3:00pm District Nomination

Committee Meeting

Wedding

Day of School

5:00 p.m. UMYF

1:00pm Board of Governors Meeting Soup Kitchen 5:00pm Soup Kitchen

Flowers for Worship May 7 Luanne Neeley

May 14 Luanne Neeley

May 21 Available

May 28 Available

A Sign Up Calendar is posted outside the

nursery door. If there is a special date that you

would like flowers for the year 2017, please

sign up or call the office to save those dates.

Our Presence 04/2 04/09 04/16 04/23

Sunday School 92 92 129 74

Worship 197 195 341 129

(931) 684-2535 Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.—2:30 p.m. M-F fumcshelbyville@att.net

Lanita H. Monroe, Pastor ............................ (cell: 931-200-1981) .............................. lanitamonroe@att.net

Donna Brock, Church Administrator Anne Tittsworth, Financial Secretary

Jeanie Phillips/Larry Theis Church Secretary/Executive Assistant

Jon Brock, Director of Music Ministries Lori Schuler, Organist / Pianist

Alden Procopio, Director of Children and Youth Ministries ................... eaprocopio@memphisseminary.edu

Rebecca Baker, Sexton

Barbara Owen, Assistant Pianist Frances Gill and Ruth Statum, Nursery Workers

Wayne Crowell, Sound Technician Cassie Davis, Video Technician

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR FIRST FRUITS OUR PRAYERS, OUR PRESENCE, OUR GIFTS, OUR SERVICE, AND OUR WITNESS

Acolyte Schedule

May 7 Leah Cunningham

Allison Davis

May 14 Alex Schuler

Brooklyn Wheelon

May 21 Sarah Morgan Brock

Joe Weston Pitner

May 28 Grayson Lane

Tori Hull

May Greeters

The Gathering Class

May 7 Suzy Stewart and Joann Wells

May 14 Suzy Stewart and Joann Wells

May 21 Rachel and Randy

Cunningham

May 28 Rachel Cunningham and

John Carney

Flower Dates Available at This Time.

May 21 October

May 28 October 15

October 22

June 4 October 29

June 11

June 18 November12

November 19

July 2 November 26

July23

July30 December 3

September 3 December 10

September 10 December 24

September 24 December 31