Join Our List
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Snacks
Feb. 5 John & Suzette Renfro
Feb. 12
Donna Banks &
Lynn Walker
Feb. 19
Sharon Helsher
Feb. 26 Sharon Honeycutt
Greeters
Feb. 5
John & Mary Nelson
Feb. 12 Virginia Ray
Feb. 19
Bob Drummond
Feb. 26
Garland & Mary Ann Wampler
Scripture Readers Sanctuary Service
Feb. 5 Mary Tom Aldridge
Feb. 12 Marvin Holland
Feb. 19 Armin Wessel
Feb. 26 Betsy Myers
Youth Dinner
Feb. 5 Ken & Lynn Walker
Feb. 12 Alisha Martin
Feb. 19 Sue Parker
Feb. 26 Julena McQueen
Altar Guild
Betsy Myers 675-3083
Virginia Ray 682-7318
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Online Giving is
Now Available! |
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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.
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| Ingles Gift Cards! |
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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!
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| Volunteer Opportunities |
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We would love to have some more volunteers for "Greeters" at the 11:00 service. Please call the office if you are interested.
If you can help with snacks on Sunday mornings, please contact Sharon Honeycutt at mshoneyk@yahoo.com
We need volunteers to visit shut-ins, some may be recently widowed. Contact Elaine Dellinger at 828-682-7524 for more information.
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| The Susanna Wesley Circle |
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The Susanna Wesley Circle will meet on Tuesday, February 14th at 9:30 a.m. in the FLC. There will be a repeat of the January meeting of making plans for 2017. Mary Nelson will serve as hostess. We will be delivering Valentine cheer to our Shut-ins - Carol Clack, Mary Gilmour, Marie Myers, Pete Hensley and Jerry Helsher - A special card to John and Sharon Cook.
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| Addresses |
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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
Ms. Marie Myers
Fieser Nursing Center
Room 108
404 Main Street
Fenton, MO 63026
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,
1st Floor
Brookline MA 02445
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Blood Drive
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| Family Life Center |
February 14th
1:00-5:30
Give from your heart this Valentine's Day!
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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).
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| The Wessage |
 A Message from Wes
News, News, News
Mark 1:14 &15, "After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time is come,' He said. 'The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.'"
The news of our world, our country, and our people is full of angst. I read an article the other day that said research is showing anxiety in our culture is increasing at huge levels. For several years, the increase of anxiety and related disorders like "panic" have been on the up-swing.
Why?
Part of this seems to be from our obsession with 24-7 news. We are living with news reporting on a non-stop basis, with constant "bad news" stories.
Have your noticed an increase in your daily living of more anxiety?
I have a daily antidote to the world's daily angst.
I have increased my morning spiritual practice of quiet, study, and reflection. I start my day with focused listening to God's Word. And not just reading it, really deep listening of God's Word. I am seeking His view of what His world was created to be like.
Before the "news, news, news" of the world, I need the News of God to settle deep into my heart. I want His Word to be a daily anchor, a deep place of steadiness in my life and soul.
Join me. Put God's Word first.
When the disturbing news reached Jesus that John the Baptist had been arrested by Herod's guards, Jesus continued preaching the Good News of God's Kingdom. John was His cousin and a fellow servant of God. So with the news of John's arrest, and his most certain death to come, Jesus continued to focus on God's Kingdom.
How did Jesus do this? Jesus could continue to share the News of God with others during a time of great "angst" because the sound of God's Word was louder any news of the world around Jesus.
I want that for my life. Even when the news on the TV or radio is full of anxiety and dread, I want the words in my mind and life to be different. And I want to act different and be different because of His Words in my heart and life.
If you don't have a daily practice of study and listening, go to www.seedbed.com, and sign up for the daily texts to come to your computer or smartphone. Start your days with God's News before any of the news of the world. If you do this, let me know, we can talk about what we are hearing with each other.
(There are many other free daily studies available. This happens to be the one that I find the most helpful lately. Another excellent resource is www.biblegateway.com.)
Join me. Turn up the sound of God's News louder than any news of the world.
In His grip forever,
Pastor Wes
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| Youth News |
 2016 - The Year in Review
Like most youth groups, we stay busy at Higgins! We have the usual weekly lessons, prayer, and games. We also go on outings to the bowling alley, movie theater, skating rink, and attend concerts. We like to have fun and grow closer as a family and to Jesus while doing so.
Our youth support two underprivileged children. One through Hearts for Heaven, whom they met during a mission trip to Guatemala, and the other through Compassion International.
Higgins Youth started 2016 out with a weekend retreat in Pigeon Forge in January. Our teens learned how to be who God created them to be - the boys learned what it means to be men, and the girls how to be women of God, beautiful in His eyes. We also took time out to enjoy the local sites and bond with one another. We rode thrill rides and raced go carts. You can learn a lot about someone when they're behind the wheel of a go cart!
In February, we went to a Hornets basketball game followed by a Christian concert. It's exciting to worship with our brothers and sisters, and to see different ways that people celebrate their freedom in Christ.
Speaking of celebrating freedom, we supported one of our very own (Mark Robinson, aka Rock) as he made and released a Christian Rap album! We are believing that he will do great things for the kingdom!
In April, our youth hosted a Roaring 20's Adult Prom, to which we invited the community. We even had an instructor teach our youth a few dances to prepare! Generations mingled and danced with one another. It was a blast!
In early June, our community, church, and youth group were hit with a devastating tragedy when one of our very own lost her life in an automobile accident. Although Raeanna McCourry is greatly missed, it was humbling to see so much love, kindness, support, and encouragement being poured out. We are all grateful for the time we had to spend with her and grow alongside her. Out of our mourning, a prayer group was started at school, and many were brought closer to the Lord.
In mid-June, our youth went to Word of Life camp in Florida. We learned of our identity in Christ and His wonderful grace. This camp has so greatly impacted one of our youth, Jared Sellers, that he worked the summer there then stayed the year for Bible college to continue growing in ministry.
Of course, we did the usual summer activities... swimming, time at the camp ground, water park, theme park.
Things slowed down a little when school started back in August. Our time was filled with sporting events and homework.
In September, our youth pastor of many years, Steven Grindstaff, decided to take a much-needed hiatus after 20+ years in ministry. The only youth pastor that many of our kids have known, he was told goodbye through tears. Youth is now led by four young-adult volunteers who assisted Pastor Steven through the years: Jake & Jordan Honeycutt, Kristy Sutton, and Mitch Rote. Although it was a big change, it's also given the leaders a chance to grow, and has given the group diversity of knowledge and teaching styles.
In November, many of our youth volunteered with their families on Thanksgiving to help serve a free meal to our community.
During the Christmas season, we asked for help from the congregation to donate items for the homeless. We were able to make over 40 care packages filled with socks, gloves, knitted hats, snacks, and hygiene products. Our youth also went caroling at nursing homes, visited the Bristol lights, and went ice skating.
2016 was busy! It was filled with joy and sadness, opportunities to learn and grow. We hope and pray that we can continue the legacy of youth and youth leaders that have went before us, impacting our community and the world for Jesus!
Upcoming Youth Events
February 17 - Winter Jam in Greenville, SC!! Youth and the young at heart are welcome to go along. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance, but are $10 at the door. Bring money for dinner, snacks, and admittance! We'll leave church at 1:00. Artists include Crowder, Britt Nicole, Colton Dixon, Tenth Avenue North, Sadie Robertson, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Andy Mineo.
February 24 - Lock In!! We'll raise money to benefit hungry children around the world during our 30 Hour Famine. Make checks payable to World Vision, or donate online by going to http://tinyurl.com/HigginsFamine
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| Children's Ministry |
 A Message from Kim
Attention Reading Buddies - New Books!
I have bought several new "Let's Read Together" books for Reading Buddies to use. They are in the box of Reading Buddies Books in my office. Just drop by whenever the office is open and take any books from the box that you want to use. When you are done with a book, just put it back in the box for another Reading Buddy to use.
Making the Sanctuary Service More Family Friendly
Andrea and I are working to make our Sanctuary Service more family-friendly. Some of the changes we have made so far?
- A weekly kids' message right before the sermon
- Activity bags and kids' Bibles in the pews
- A "Nursing Moms" corner in the library
We have more ideas and will be making more changes soon. Please invite families to attend the Sanctuary Service if a more traditional service or the 11:00 time slot is more appealing to them.
Woodland Apartments - Sunday Fun!
Our nightly Advent devotions were so popular among the kids at Woodland, that they have been begging us to continue with something like it. So, on Sunday evenings from 4 to 6 we are cooking with the kids, reading a devotion or watching a Christian movie and playing board games. If that sounds like fun to you, please join us.
We are beginning to formulate plans for a summer ministry at Woodland that will include a VBS one week and 1-week camps with a specific emphasis throughout the summer. If you have a special skill or talent or interest that you would like to share in a camp this summer, please contact me (Kim Garland) at 682-2835 or email me at
kgarland@higgins-umc.com.
MOPS - Please Pray for Moms
We have a growing MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group that meets at Higgins on the third Thursday of each month from 10 to 12. There are about 10 moms and 12-15 preschoolers attending each month. Three of the moms have lost their husbands to death. Please pray for God's provision for those moms and that God would guide us in how to help.
LIO - Prayers Too
One of our LIO Kids has lost two dads to death and one of our LIO Kids Mom has terminal cancer. Many of the other kids have fractured and hurting families too. It seems like the enemy is doing what he does best - stealing, killing and destroying families. BUT - He who is in us in greater than he who is in the world! Please be in prayer for our ministry to kids and families and for God's protection and provision for all the families we work with.
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| Music Ministry |
 A Message from Andrea
I had the most wonderful conversation with the kids this week in Living Inside Out, our after school program. Our theme was mercy. My favorite definition comes from Merriam-Webster, "compassion or forbearance shown, especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power." A simple google search defines mercy as, "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm."
The kids and adults discussed these definitions, along with Christ's mercy to us. The kids thought about and shared times when they had shown mercy to family members or peers. We talked about how, in our moments of mercy, we are actually showing others Christ because we follow His example.
To see and hear adults and children conversing and sharing with each other what it means to forgive someone that has harmed you (instead of hurting them) was so uplifting. Myself and others long for community that uplifts and inspires each other to the daily practice of his or her best self. I think Paul might agree.
Hebrews 10: 22-25 NLT
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
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| Ugly Quilts |
2016 - A Year in Review
Our mission in Ugly Quilts is to show God's love and caring in the form of a quilt given to those in need.
In the year 2016 we made 263 quilts and gave away 252.
The recipients included Spruce Pine Hospital which received 134 baby quilts to give out to each baby born there.
Hospice of Yancey County received 62 lap quilts for their patients.
We also gave a total of 15 quilts to Reconciliation House and Short Bus Studio.
The remainder went to our church family and friends as we were made aware of a need.
We also made 86 dog beds with our scraps and gave them to Barkin Basement to benefit the Humane Society.
We appreciate all your support. We operate as economically as possible but depend largely on donations to buy our supplies.
If anyone is interested in this ministry please join us each Wednesday at 10:00 am in the sewing room. No sewing or quilting experience necessary. If you can tie a knot we can use you!
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| 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
- Dean Family in the passing of Grant on Thursday after a battle with cancer
- Marie Myers has moved to a care facility in MO
- Barry Kelly, Heart surgery - good report - in rehab in Mars Hill
- Jenn Chenowith, brain tumor (friend of Diana Noble)
- Doug Zillweger's brother, leukemia (Doug is bone marrow donor)
- Bill Riddle, health issues
- Becky Gillespie, Chemo treatments
- Prayers for Charlotte Hollis and family in the passing of Ronald Hollis (Marsha Schoen's cousin)
- Marie Sharpe, Wes' Mom, health issues
- Stephen Carver, accident
- Susan Rosmus' son-in-law, Christopher Soltys, cancer
- LB and December Harris, 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, on-going treatments in Chapel Hill
- Margaret Hughes, 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
- 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
February 19, 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.
Prayer Schedule
February 1 - 6:00 pm. Soaking Prayer. A quiet, meditative service for healing. Held in the Sanctuary. Prayer Ministers will pray for your concerns in silence.
February 8 - 6:00 pm. Intercessory Pray in the Prayer Room.
February 15 - 6:00 pm. Soaking Prayer. Held in the Sanctuary.
February 22 - 6:00 pm. Intercessory Prayer in the Prayer Room. |
| Celebrations |
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February Birthdays
2/2 Kim Garland
2/3 Jacob Crosby
2/3 Mike Pelton
2/3 Sonya Vess
2/5 Michael Akers
2/5 Braeden Tabor
2/6 Ruby Hewitt
2/7 Jan Scott
2/13 Clifford Schoen
2/17 Betty Ann Young
2/18 Linda Sand
2/19 Cheryl Schestag
2/20 John Bennett
2/23 Sam Bingham
2/25 Benjamin Mack
2/25 Aaron Murdock
2/25 Bob Plati
2/26 Thomas Heimerl
2/27 James Ray
2/27 Jeanne Styles
February Anniversaries
2/1 Earl & Betty Ann Young
2/7 Doug & Linda Zillweger
2/9 Bob & Suzanne Plati
2/12 Gil & Julia Rowe
2/14 Charles & Elaine Dellinger
2/14 Richard & Sue Parker
2/18 John & Leigh Bennett
2/23 Daniel & Melissa Wahlers
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| Memorials and Honorariums |
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Gifts were given in Memory of
George Gowen by Tommy & Mary Nell Kane
Cliff Jones by Bobby & Shirley McCallister
Gifts were given in Honor of
Sally & Jack Green by Tommy & Mary Nell Kane
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