First United Methodist Church Brewton
From the pastor...

The Trail Of Tears
One of the most heartbreaking stories in the history of our nation has to be the story of the “Trail of Tears” that was traveled by 17,000 Cherokee Indians during the cold winter of 1838-39. It was a tragic exodus of a once-proud nation. The Cherokee Indians had lived in the forest-clad mountains and villages of North Carolina, Tennessee, north Georgia, and north Alabama for thousands of years. However, when gold was discovered in north Georgia, the fate of the Cherokee nation was sealed. 
While Andrew Jackson was in the White House, the decision was made for the Cherokees to be removed from their lands and begin a six-month trek that would take them 1200 miles from North Carolina to Oklahoma. As they left North Carolina, they moved through McMinnville, Murfreesboro, and Nashville, Tennessee. They passed near Hopkinsville, Kentucky. They wandered through southern Illinois until they reached the Mississippi River opposite Cape Girardeau. When they were finally able to cross the Mississippi River, they passed through Springfield, Missouri and a corner of Arkansas before they finally reached northeastern Oklahoma. More than 4,000 Cherokees died along the “Trail of Tears.” It was a trail of hurt, heartache, sickness and suffering. The Cherokees travelled approximately ten miles each day, and historians claim that wherever they stopped for the night, they buried fourteen or fifteen of their own. The Cherokees who died along the “Trail of Tears” were buried in unmarked graves in strange and alien soil. 
As I reflect upon the “Trail of Tears” that the Cherokees walked many years ago, I am reminded that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, also walked a “Trail of Tears.” We read in Luke’s gospel, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.”  When He neared the Holy City, John’s gospel reminds us, “Jesus wept.”  However, there was no turning back as Jesus walked down the Via Dolorosa, the way of sorrows, on His way to the cross. 
As we journey toward Jerusalem during this Lenten season, let us keep ever before us the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. It is out of His love for you and me that He has given Himself.   

Welcome Jolene Yuhasz
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee of our church is pleased to announce the hiring of Mrs. Jolene Yuhasz. Jolene will serve in the area of Office Manager/Financial Secretary. She will follow our very own Sandi Carlson who has served on our staff for 13 years. Sandi and Jeff will be relocating for Jeff’s work. 
Jolene’s training period will begin on March 18 th with an official start date of May 1. Jolene is married and she and her husband are the parents of two children. Make plans to come by the office beginning next week, to welcome Jolene to our church family!
FUMC Updates:
TODAY, March 13, 2019
  • Directory Pictures @ FUMC 1-8 p.m.
  •  KFC @ 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
  • Children's Sunday rehearsal @ 3:30 p.m.
  • Prayer Team @ 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday Night Supper @ 5:15 p.m.
(chicken & wild rice casserole, flat beans, roll, dessert)
  •  Adult Bible Study/small groups @ 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
  • Children's Choir @ 6 p.m.
  • Children/Youth small groups @ 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
  • Adult Choir @ 6-7 p.m.  

Sunday, March 17, 2019
  • The Nine Worship Service @ 9:00 a.m. (Youth Center)
  • Sunday School @ 9:45 a.m.
  • Children's Sunday @ 10:50 a.m. (Sanctuary)
  • Covered Dish Luncheon @ 12
  • Handbell practice @ 6 p.m.

Acolyte/Crucifer: Clair Hart/John Moore
Nursery Volunteer: Debbie Hardee
Children's Church Volunteers : Children's Sunday
Flowers : Anita Wall & Becky Lambert
Ushers: Will Clark, Liles Garrett, Jackson Madden, Xander Mathews
The new church directory portraits will be made on the following: Tues., Mar. 12 th -Fri., Mar.15 th —–- 1 p.m.– 8 p.m. & Sat., Mar. 16 th —— 10 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Upcoming Events: .
Tuesday, March 12th-Saturday, March 16th :Saturday, March 16: Pictorial Directory
Sunday, March 17th: Children's Sunday/Covered Dish Luncheon after service
Tuesday, March 19th : Circle I ( Lunch Bunch) @ the Fish bowl @ noon
Tuesday, March 19th: Circle II @ Floy Lang's Home ( 102 Strandell St.) @ 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 24th : Angus & Truby Mason Memorial Concert @ 3 p.m.
Thursday, March 28th: Primetimers @ noon
Sunday, March 31st : Worship Committee Meeting @ 5 p.m.

Please join us Sunday, April 14th, 2-4 p.m. for something sweet as we honor Sandi's years of service at FUMC with dessert and coffee.

Youth Ministry

  • Sunday Mornings @ 9:50 a.m. – Breakfast and Scripture Study
  •  Wednesday Night @ 6 p.m.– Worship & Small Groups
 
Announcements - Mark these dates for YOUTH!
 
Mar. 22: March birthdays eat free at Whataburger from 7:15-7:45pm . All youth invited!
Mar. 27: NO ACTIVITIES AT CHURCH—SPRING BREAK
Apr. 6:   All participating youth and parents needed to practice in the sanctuary on Saturday at 10:00am. Fundraiser luncheon preparation will follow immediately in the Fellowship Hall .
Apr. 7:   Youth will lead worship at the 10:50am service. Meet in sanctuary at 9:45am . Soup Fundraiser for Summer Mission Team Scholarships to follow in the Fellowship Hall .
Apr. 17: NO EVENING ACTIVITIES—HOLY WEEK
Apr. 21: EASTER—CHURCH PHOTO AFTER SERVICE
May 5:  Senior Recognition Sunday. Participants please turn in photos by Spring Break.
May 8:   Last Youth Council Meeting before Fall.
May 22: End of Wednesday night activities/supper until Fall.
Jun. 21-24 : Summer Mission Retreat to Panama City Beach, FL.
 
Confirmation – .
Mar. 17:  Contemporary evening service visit. Location/time TBA.
Apr. 27:  Confirmands, parents & mentors needed to practice in the sanctuary at 10:00am . Celebration with congregation to follow at the home of Dennis & Mary Kathryn Adams .
Apr. 28:  Confirmation Sunday during worship at 10:50am service
Community Food Pantry
The Community Food Pantry is in need of some volunteers. They Distribute food on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays from 9-10:30 a.m. If you would like to become a volunteer call the church office at 867-8051.
Please be in continued prayer for our Confirmands as they finish their final weeks before Confirmation Sunday on April 28 . Below are the names for the class of 2018-19. Notes of encouragement from the congregation may be left inside the golden box of the portico entrance.
Kinsley Byrd James Feeley
Jenna Fountain Sumerlyn Gaugler
Madison Kelley Jordan Kelly
David LoDuca Landan Madison
Trent McGougin John Moore
Michael Morgan Cassady Scarborough
John Wesley Sessions Brantley Woodson
Paige Young
Children's Ministry
Children's Classes at FUMC:
  •  Sunday Mornings at 9:50 am (Preschool, K-2, and 3rd-5th)
 
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
  •  Preschool Small Group
  •  K-5 Small Group
  •  Children’s Choir

Wednesday, March 13th : Children's Sunday Rehearsal
Sunday, March 17th: Children's Sunday/Covered Dish Luncheon
Please join us for a covered dish luncheon honoring our children immediately following worship on Sunday, March 17th. Please bring a covered dish of your choice, the church will provide the chicken, rolls, and dessert.
Children’s Volunteers Needed:
Sunday mornings for Children’s Church, Wednesdays for KFC, and Wednesday nights for Pre-K class. All volunteers are on a rotation schedule and are partnered with other volunteers. If you are interested, contact the office or email Angel Fountain at angel@brewtonfirst.org .
Community Food Pantry
We accept all food donations except meats, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables and other items requiring refrigeration. Your donations will allow us to continue to meet the nutritional needs of Escambia Country. Thank you!
Prayer Concerns
New Prayer Concerns for Church Members:
Landan Madison, Charles Everage
 
Ongoing Prayer Concerns for Church Members:
Libby Davis, Ura Bea Golden, , Charlotte Alverson, Gail Ladnier, Beverly Stark
 
New Prayer Concerns for Family, Friends & Community:
Rev. James Meadows, father of Sandi Carlson; Johnny Feagin, nephew of Marguerite Northcutt; Shelia Wanninger, mother of Tommy Boshell; Melissa Stegall, friend of the Rambach family; Flossie Martin, mother of Cosby Martin; Jane McIntyre, sister of Bobbie Stokes; Mildred Boland, mother of Sandra Neely; Becky Byard, sister in law of Barbara Page; Janet Heartsill, sister of Debbie Hardee.
 
Ongoing Prayer Concerns for Family, Friends & Community:
Kim Taylor, sister of Faith Ellisor; Jason Diercks, nephew of Bob & Carin Diercks; Marlee & Taylor Zimmerman Diercks, daughter & wife of Cory Diercks.
 
Please check for ongoing prayer concerns on the back of your monthly calendar .
 
Partner Churches in Red Bird Missionary Conference:  Thousand Sticks UMC, Beach Fork UMC & Lower Beach Fork UMC, Pastors Robert Amundson, Dan Griffiths
 
Partner Church in Cameroon:   The Hope United Methodist Church,
Pastor David Njie.
 
Missionaries in Cameroon :   Rev. Dr. Andrew Molindo
 
Others in Foreign Missions: Ben Roberts, brother of Tom Roberts.
 
Military:  Jordan Madison, U.S. Army, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Justin Blocker, Air Force, Good Fellow, San Angelo, TX; Robert McIntyre Stokes (Rob) Navy Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island; Robert Reynolds, Army NG, Kuwait; Carter Kelly, Ballston Spa, NY at the Nuclear Power Training Unit; Corey Rilling, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana ; Tyler Hyde, Ft. Campbell, KY.
 
U.S. Consulate:  Matt Wall, Baghdad
 
First Responders: Monte McGougin, Dylan Byrd, Heath Madison
 

Stay up-to-date with FUMC Updates to your cell phone via text message! 
Join one or more of the 3 FUMC Remind groups via Remind app:
  • FUMC Children’s activities and updates: text @childfumc to 81010.
  • FUMC Youth activities and updates: text @youthfumc2 to 81010.
  • FUMC General Updates: text @umcbrewton to 81010.

Get CONNECTED…Volunteer Opportunities (WE NEED YOUR HELP):
Sunday morning greeters – weekly at 9:30-9:45am and 10:30-10:50am [need 4-6 for side door and parking lot]. Contact the church office if you would like to serve!

First United Methodist Church Brewton
820 Belleville Ave.
Brewton, AL 36426
Office: (251) 867-8051
Fax: (251) 867-8557