The Disciple Newsletter
In This Issue
June Schedules
Online Giving
Ingles Cards
Volunteers
Susanna Wesley Circle
Addresses
Save the Dates
A Message from Wes
Children's Ministry
Music Ministry
Prayer
Celebrations
June/July Series
Volunteer of the Year
Summer Bible Studies
Bailey Willis
Celebration
Hospice
Nurses Week
Blood Drive
Quick Links
Join Our List

Join Our Mailing List

June Schedule:
 
Snacks:   6/4-Brunch; 6/11-Sharon Helsher; 6/18-Sharon Honeycutt; 6/25-Renee Weeks
Greeters:   6/4-Virginia Ray; 6/11-Bob Drummond; 6/18-Garland & Mary Ann Wampler; 6/25-John & Mary Nelson  
Scripture Readers:  6/4-Renee Ray; 6/11-Joe Scott; 6/18-David Cort; 6/25-Mary Tom Aldridge
Youth Dinners:  6/4-Julena McQueen; 6/11-Jeanne Tyner; 6/18-no Youth Dinner;  6/25-Mary Alice Beaver
Nursery Volunteers:
6/4-Pat Fender and Kim Young; 6/11-Sonya Vess and Judy Riddle; 6/18-Sharon & Jordan Honeycutt; 6/25-Barbara Bradley and Julie Spitzer
Altar Guild for June- Janet Hepburn and Mary Nelson
Online Giving is
Now Available!
Higgins is offering online giving through EasyTithe!

Try it now, online or through the mobile app!
Please contact the office or send us an email if you have any questions.
Ingles Gift Cards!
Purchase Ingles Cards and 5% of the face value goes directly to Missions. It doesn't cost you anything extra! (If you order a $100 card, $5 will go directly to Missions and you still have $100 purchasing power). It can be used for anything at Ingles including GAS. See Stewart and Rebecca Leadbitter after Celebration service at the Welcome Desk. Sanctuary service participants please drop by the Welcome Desk before Sunday School. Thank you!  
Volunteer Opportunities
We would love to have some more volunteers for "Greeters" and/or "Scripture Readers" for the 11:00 service. Please call the office if you are interested.

The Susanna Wesley Circle
The Susanna Wesley Circle will meet on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. in the FLC. Shirley Ann McAllister will present the program.  Hostesses are Elaine Dellinger and Linda Casey.  All ladies welcome!
Addresses
Some of the Higgins family may have moved, but they are still in our hearts. Send them well wishes!

Ms. Libby Hammond
6500 Gaines Ferry Rd, G5
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
ph: 678-886-7805

Zach & Cori Howell
10126 Ballyclare Ct.
Charlotte, NC 28213

Bev Hunsucker 
209 Hatfield Drive
Franklin, TN 37064
Cell: 828 230-1787

Sam & Ethel Nash
3066 Point Clear Drive
Tega Cay, SC 29708

Emily Sigmon
Furman PMB 29396
3300 Poinsett Highway
Greenville, SC 29613

Mat Sigmon
6 Smythe Street, 3rd
 Floor
Brookline MA 02445
Low-impact Aerobics class on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m. for older adults.  It is free!!!  Contact Teri Darnall at 208-1904 for more info
Volunteers Needed to Visit Shut-ins
 
     Higgins has a growing number of shut-ins who would greatly benefit from your visit. They are often adjusting to one of the following changes: living alone following the death of a spouse, maybe their adjusting to living in a care facility, some may have more pressing health issues and in general they just need a friendly face who will take the time to sit down and have a cup of coffee, just talk, have a devotion or prayer time together and just simply care!
   The word of God directs us to visit those in need. If you feel you would enjoy spending time with one of them, please prayerfully consider contacting either Elaine Dellinger at the 11 o'clock service {PH 682-74524} or Nancy Smith (284-6142) at the 8:30 service to sign up.
You may be surprised that you receive the greater uplifting in spirit by the time you leave them.

"In addition to visits, Higgins will also be serving communion to the home bound or anyone in the community that would like it brought to them the first Sunday of every month. If you'd like to add anyone to the list, be added or would like more info. Contact Deena Bingham (828)208-2377."

Monday Prayer
 
Do you want to see more of God's presence, power and purpose
 in our church?  If you do, please join us in prayer for that purpose alone - to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  We are meeting each Monday in the Prayer Room at 1:00 and praying for about 20-30 minutes.

Wednesday night prayer:
June 7- Soaking prayer at 6:30 pm in Sanctuary

June 14-Intercessory Prayer in prayer room at 6:30 pm

June 21-Soaking prayer at 6:30 pm in Sanctuary

June 28-Intercessory Prayer in prayer room at 6:30 pm


Crossroads
A gathering for women of all ages and denominations

Bible Study, Sundays at 2:00 pm   All women ages 19-45....or those  who are young at heart.  Contact Kristy Sutton if you need more information - 828-682-2935 or Ksutton@higgins-umc.com

Thank you Church Family for your prayers and other acts of love and kindness during the past 6 weeks as we have dealt with a crisis in our family.  Our daughter Sharon's  siblings united to provide not only support to her, but to us as we have traversed through a long period of hospitalization and physical therapy.  She will remain in Yancey County and attempt to build a normal life following a turbulent marriage, which is ending.   Continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she embarks on this new phase of her life.  
 
Sue and Marvin Holland

June 2017
Our Vision

Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37-40, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

As the group of believers that meets in the building known as Higgins Memorial UMC, what does that look like?

We love and serve the Lord with all that we are. We live our lives in worship to Him, through serving Him, using the gifts He gave us when He welcomed us as members of His family and joined us to the Body of Christ. (Luke 4:8; John 4:23, Romans 12:5-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). He prepares us for His work through the study of His Word, fellowship with one another, and prayer - equipping us, so that we may accurately speak the truth in love and act in love (Acts 2:42, John 13:35, Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Timothy 2:15). We fulfill the purpose He has for our lives by acting in God's power, not our own (Luke 24:49, Acts 2:1-4, Titus 2:11-12, Matthew 11:28-29).

As members of His Body, we are driven by God's heart for others so that our hearts are changed (John 13:34-35, Romans 8:5, Ephesians 5:2, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8). We love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Luke 10:25-37). We partner with and involve other churches (Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 4:4, Colossians 1:18).Together, we go out into the community to reach the lost (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15). Together, we serve the hungry and unsafe; youth, particularly those with inactive or absent parents; the homebound; those struggling in poverty; those who feel unloved; and those who don't have biblical understanding (Galatians 6:2). We are a sanctuary for all, just as He is our Sanctuary (Jeremiah 17:12, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 28:7).
Save the Dates
 
June 4 - Ministry Celebration
Please join us on Sunday, June 4, at 10:00 as we celebrate the ministry of Pastor Wes Sharpe and Linda Poss to our congregation and our community. We will have a brunch between services in the Family Life Center. This will be a time of rejoicing and remembrance of Pastor Wes's and Linda's service during the nine years they have been a part of the Higgins family. Please bring cards and letters to share memories and wish them well in their next stage of life and ministry at Skyland UMC in Asheville. Although they will not be an "official" part of Higgins any longer, they will always have a place in our history and our hearts... and they will always be a part of our extended family of God!
 
July 16 - Higgins Welcomes our New  Pastor
Dr. John Fowler and his wife, Liz, will join us on Sunday, July 16. The Fowlers will be coming to Higgins from First United Methodist of Morganton, where they served for several years. Please join us in welcoming the Fowlers with open arms and open hearts. More info to come on how you can help their move go smoother and reach out to them in love!
 
Daily
Most importantly, we ask that you join us in prayer. Pray for the Sharpe-Poss family and the Fowler family as they make these transitions into their new church families and communities. Pray that as teachers, they would speak the words of God through the wisdom and power of His Spirit, not earthly wisdom (James 3, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Corinthians 2:17); that the Gospel would be preached, and that hearts would be soften to hear and accept the Good News (Romans 10:17, Mark 16:15). Pray for unity in the Body of Christ, not just at Higgins, but world-wide (John 17:23, Psalm 133:1, Romans 12:16, 1 Peter 3:8). And, pray that we would live out our faith with action (James 2, 1 Corinthians 13).  
 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
 
1 Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brothers, pray for us.
 

The Wessage
A Message from Wes

Moving?
Americans move a lot.  I noticed this the other day when I went by the U-Haul to get some materials for packing.  The line of check-in vehicles from the weekend was out into the road.   Then it dawned on me that we Americans move a lot.
  • A person in the United States is estimated to move 11.4 times in his lifetime. 
  • 35.9 million people 1 year old and older moved between 2012 and 2013.
  • 48%  gave a housing related reason for moving.  So they were in search of a better house or more affordable one, for instance.
There's a lot of moving going on.  But I don't like moving.  Do you?
 
     For the first 100 years the Wesleyans were a large movement.  Then we settled down and became a denomination.  We moved the focus away from Lay Leadership and gave leadership to the educated clergy.   We moved the emphasis away from the weekly Class Meeting in homes where everyone answered the question of "how does it go with your soul?" , to gathering on Sundays for worship in which only a few people talked.
     We once were a movement, and then we became an institution.  Today many of us are responding to the Spirit to become people of a movement once again.  
     The Bible is full of stories of people who were called and sent by God.   We were meant to be people of movement.  Not necessarily looking for a new house or a new job, but moving at the call of God.
 
     This Sunday, June 4 will be my last Sunday as you Pastor.  It is moving time for me.   I came at the call of God.  My thought was to stay about 2 years.  Turns out that God had other thoughts, so I have stayed almost 10 years!  
But now is the time for me to go and serve another group of people in another place.  Why?  Because God said, "Go."
     I will miss you all.  I will miss this place and this special village of  Burnsville.  But I know you will be in the caring and capable hands of my colleague, Rev. John Fowler.
     You have honored me as you pastor.  Many of you have opened you hearts and lives to me.  You have shared a lot of coffee with me, and your stories of life and loss.  It has been my honor to serve you.  I hope that my presence among you has caused you to be more sensitive to the voice of God's Spirit, so that you will hear His voice and respond when He says, "Go!"
     I have served as your Pastor.  I soon will no longer be your pastor, but I and Linda will hold you in our hearts and you will always be our friends.  
Peace and love to you, my friends.
 
.....And remember, the most important moves are the ones that God calls us to.
 
In His Grip Forever,
Wes

Children's Ministry
A Message from Kim

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)
This past Sunday I used this Scripture passage with the kids in Sunday School after we read about how both the "woman at the well" and Zacchaeus were transformed by being in the presence of Jesus.  Jesus changed the way they thought.  He did the same for me recently.
I have been intentionally making more time this month to listen to God.  Early in the month as I was listening to God, I heard Him say, "If you weren't getting paid to do ministry to kids would you listen more to Me and do what I tell you to do?"  Ouch!  Since you guys are paying me, I tend to think first about what you want me to do.  God reminded me that I work first for Him.  I got up extra early the next morning to ask what He wanted me to do.  This is the vision He gave me:

Replace our weekly after-school Bible club that we have been doing for 23 years with a new, more impactful daily after-school program, organized something like this:
  • Monday - Friday 3:00-5:00
  • Focus on twenty 1st and 2nd graders referred by teachers as needing mentoring
  • Keep the same kids through the 5th grade, then start over with another young group that we can work with for several years
  • Kids ride the bus to the church from Burnsville Elementary school (We may use our vans to pick kids up from other schools if we don't have 20 from Burnsville)
  • Monday - American Heritage Girls and Trail Life for boys programs
  • Tuesday - mentoring, reading buddies
  • Wednesday - Drama, music, dance
  • Thursday - mentoring, reading buddies
  • Friday - STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art & math - we will do this with a robotics program and art)
This new program will help us build better, longer relationships and make a greater impact on kids for the Kingdom of God and in their lives and futures.  It will require many more volunteers and I want to spend most of this summer recruiting and training volunteers. 
We will also do a VBS this summer, but not on our church campus.  We will have a two-week-long VBS at Woodland Apartments.  All kids - Higgins kids, Woodland kids, and community kids are invited.  It will be the last two weeks of July from 11:00 to 2:00 and will include lunch.  We will need several youth and adult volunteers to make it successful.
Please pray about helping us.  We will have a luncheon on June 15th from 11:30 to 1:30 to show our appreciation to all of this year's kid's ministry volunteers and to invite new volunteers for the coming year.  I am praying for God to raise up people from Higgins and other churches in our community to answer the call to bring the Gospel to kids in our community.  If you feel God tugging at your heart to help, please call me before I call you. 
Music Ministry
A Message from Andrea


Summer Plans?
Are you looking for a way to give back, and connect with others on a deeper level this summer?
     On select Thursdays at 1:00 a group of folks are visiting the Memory Care Unit at Yancey House to sing for the residents. Many of these folks are dealing with Alzheimer's and have moments of memory loss and confusion. Our goal is to provide some comfort by singing songs that that they are likely to have committed to memory at some point in their life. We sing hymns and popular songs from different eras. Often, some of the residents will sing along with us or share a story, while others just simply tap their foot.
     A staff member recently shared how much they enjoy our presence. She stated that it may not look like the music affects the residents, but the staff notice a difference in their faces. They are not asking for a performance but a connection. All you need is time. Music is provided. If you enjoy singing and showing love to others, come join us! If you know someone that would enjoy this, please share!
     In the midst of our busy and fast paced lives full of responsibility, it is a blessing to slow down and simply be and sing with these beautiful souls. If this speaks to you, email Andrea at abailey@higgins-umc.com to get email updates on our upcoming visits.
Prayer Ministry
Your prayers are greatly appreciated
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. 
- 2 Corinthians 1:11
  • SHUT-IN'S: John & Sharon Cooke; Carol Clack, Mary Gilmour, Pete Hensley and Jerry Helsher
  • Susan Strickland, gallbladder surgery, home
  • Lori McCourry, out-patient surgery
  • Kitty Carter, shoulder issues
  • Betsy Myers, lung surgery, home
  • Ruby and Vic Hewitt; Ruby broke her hip and had surgery on Thursday.  Please pray for Ruby and for Vic for caregiver strength
  • Mary Gilmour's daughters, Margaret and Nora, health issues
  • Herb and Lucy Carl; Herb recently had a brain hemorrhage and will require therapy.  
  • Sue & Marvin Holland's daughter, Sharon, health issues 
  • Al Payne, health issues, (Kristy Sutton's father)
  • Pam Shelburne, health issues
  • Bailey Willis, health issues (11 year old niece of Charlie and Stephanie Willis)
  • Sandra Spell, health issues
  • Jim Buckner, health issues
  • Jenn Chenowith, brain tumor (friend of Diana Noble)
  • Doug Zillweger's brother, Todd (leukemia) 
  • Bill Riddle, health issues
  • Stephen Carver, health issues
  • Continued prayer for Jennifer McCourry's family
  • Bobby Jack & Shirley McAlister, health issues
  • Renee Wessel, continued prayer for healing
  • Trudy White, Bevo's Mom who is in hospice
  • Ben and Kelly Johnson (Young Life Staff)
  • Tom Alexander, health issues
  • Kristen Brooks, terminal cancer
  • Rhonda McCall, missionary to Ukraine
  • The Kohman Family, CRU missionaries
  • Zach Howell, CRU Missionary to Charlotte Metro Team
  • Pastor Wes and your church staff
  • Dr. John Fowler and his wife, Liz
  • Sam Howell, US Army
  • J. P. Tabor, Airforce 
  • FOR OUR NATION/LEADERS.
  • Our students in college and grad school
  • For children in foster care and foster parents
  • Pray for those who don't know Jesus.
  • Pray for those looking for a job/employment.
  • Pray for caregivers: Those caring for the elderly, parents, children, etc.
Prayer on the Square
June 11, 2017 - Sunday from 4-5 pm across from the Nu Wray Inn. --If the weather is bad, the prayer time will be held in the Family Life Center at Higgins in the classroom next to the kitchen.
Celebrations
June Birthdays
6/1 -  J D Helsher                       6/13 - Caryl Cullom
6/1 -  Larissa Bare                      6/13-  Forest Tyner
6/2 -   Dennis Smith                    6/15 - Donna Tabor
6/2 -   Marley Tabor                    6/16 - Terri McCurry
6/3 -   Mike Akers                       6/18-  David Ethan McCourry
6/5 -   Pat Vess                           6/23 - Nancy Westall
6/6 -   Randall Garland               6/24 - Ginny Fox
6/8 -   Mary Alice Beaver            6/25 - Jane Faulkner
6/8 -   Joan Bowers                    6/25 - Alisha Martin
6/9 -   Sharon Helsher                6/25 - Eric Vess
6/9 -   Carol Tyner                      6/27 - Carter Tabor 
6/10 - Jacob Honeycutt              6/28 - Gwen Reynolds
6/11 -  John Nelson                    6/29 - Mei Moss 
6/11 -  Suzette Renfro                6/30-  David Higgins    
 
June  Anniversaries
6/3 -    Jeff & Tracy Howell              6/11 - Paul & Millie Randolph
6/5 -    Michael & Janet Crooks       6/13 - Dick & Nancy Soffe
6/5 -    Monte & Sandi Hogan          6/20 - Jamie & Renee Ray
6/6 -    Claude & Pat Vess               6/21 - Alton & Sherry Robinson
6/9 -    Charles & Becky Gillespie    6/21 - Willie & Renee Weeks
6/10 -  Garland & Mary Ann             6/23 - Jim & Becky Ashton
           Wampler                               6/27 - Tom & Karen Trimble
                                                         6/30 - Phil & Sandy Reynolds
June/July series with Rev. Larry Thompson
Rev. Larry Thompson retired in 2016 from First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale.  He was senior pastor for 22 years there.  He is now living part-time at Mt. Mitchell. Please welcome him and his wife, Cynthia as he begins a 5 week study on Change!  This study will begin June 11 and will continue until July 9.  
Volunteer of the Year
We would like to congratulate Kim Garland !!!!

Kim was honored at the Yancey County School Board  meeting as Volunteer of the Year for the County.  Thank you Kim for all you do!!!!  We love you and appreciate all you do for our Church and our County!
   
Summer Bible Studies
 
Beginning Monday, June 12th and lasting till Monday, July 17th.   Laura Wilson and Dorothy Wood will be leading a no homework study called Living Like You Belong to God .  The study will be at Dorothy's home in Micaville, from 10:00-12:00 .  Books, which contain the Scripture verses,  are $8.00.  Please give Laura at 828 678-1358 or Dorothy at 828 208-1345 if you would like to join their group.
 
Beginning Thursday, June 15th and ending on Thursday, July 27th (with one week off for the July 4th holiday), Barbara Bradley and Renee Wessel will be leading a study by John Ortberg called Imagine Life God's Way .  You will be "digging into the treasure trove of the wisdom and truth hidden in the parables...."  What an exciting study!   Books are $8.00.  Meetings will alternate between Barbara's and Renee's homes and will be from 9:30-11:00 .  Please give Barbara at 828 284-2133 or Renee at 828 284-2640 if this is your choice.
 
Beginning Monday, July 10th and ending Monday, August 14th , Mollie Lawrence and Susan Rozmus will be leading a no homework study on The Essentials of Effective Prayer .   This study will be held at Mollie's home from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  (depending on size, we might meet at church)  We always are being told and we know that we should pray more.  But just how should we do it?  Are there ways that God instructs us to pray?  Come and learn.  Books are $8.00.  Please call Mollie at 904 707-2874 to get your name on the list for this study.
 
These studies are not limited to Higgins.  All are invited to get into God's Word.  It is interesting, instructive, and sometimes corrective.  Sign up now and bring a friend!
 
Benefit to help Bailey Willis

 There will be a benefit to help Bailey Willis and her family on June 10.  Bailey is an 11-year old diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis.  Bailey is a fighter and the family  needs your help and prayers that God will create miracles in her life.  The benefit is sponsored by Mt. Pleasant Baptist and will be held at West Burnsville Baptist Church on June 10.  Meals served from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  (Charlie Willis' niece)
Celebration
The Gillespie's are Celebrating 60 years!
 
Charles and Becky Gillespie are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Sunday afternoon, June 11.  Our own Brian Turner will delight us with a piano concert in the Sanctuary at 3:00, followed by a reception in the Family Life Center. 
 
"We are too old, too forgetful, and too slow to manage mailing invitations -so seeing this write-up is your invitation -as it is for everyone in our church family.  Whether you were here when we arrived in 1960 or came last Sunday for the first time, welcome you to celebrate with us!"  Charles and Becky  

Yancey Hospice



Nurses Week - May 11


Blessings of the Hand's Service:  Pastor Wes went to the Blue Ridge Medical Center and prayed for the nurses.  
Blood Drive