Jan. 11th, 2018
This Week at Memorial...
Baptism can be one of those church topics that people disagree about or people don't fully understand.
Churches and denominations, celebrate that act of baptism differently. Some baptize people of any age, yet some only baptize those who are professing their faith. Some churches have people get rebaptized when they join their churches, while others honor one baptism. For some they sprinkle the water and in others you must be completely submerged. 
We, in the United Methodist Church, certainly have a perspective about baptism and it is based on how we read the Bible and understand God working in the world.  You can read about the UMC’s belief on Baptism and even take a Baptism quiz HERE.
However, what I want you to remember about baptism is that baptism is God’s work. The intricacies are important but not the whole point.
Each time we baptize a person in our church we, the congregation, get a glimpse of God working. As the water touches their heard we are seeing God reach out and draw that person into God, and by our viewing we are also drawn into God.
This Sunday is Baptism of the Lord Sunday and we will be reading about Jesus’ baptism and then we will each get an opportunity to touch the water and remember our own baptisms. I invite you to join us in worship and as you touch the water for yourself, remember you baptism and be thankful. 

Praying for you,
Pastor Carrie
Mark Your Calendars: 

Jan. 12 th – Monthly Breakfast, 8:00AM, Maxwell Hall

Jan. 13 th - Bloodmobile on Campus

Jan. 19 th – Watoto Children’s Choir Performance, 5:00PM, Maxwell Hall

Jan. 20th - Confirmation Info Meeting, 12:15PM in the Multipurpose Room

Jan. 27 th - Confirmation for Adults & Youth Begin

Jan. 27 th - Financial Peace University, 5:00PM, Room 305

Jan. 27 th – Disciple’s Path Class Begins, 12:15PM in the Multipurpose Room

Jan. 27th - Northern Ireland Trio Informational Meeting, 12:15PM, Room 301

Jan. 29th - UMW Potluck, 6:00PM in Maxwell Hall

Feb. 8 th – First “Love to Stay” Date Night Study, 6:00PM, in the Multipurpose Room

Jan. 20th - RESCHEDULED POV Workshop in the Multipurpose Room from 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Please Note: There is no M&M’s dinner in January.
Worship
This Week at Memorial
TOMORROW: Monthly Men’s Breakfast, January 12th Men are invited to the monthly pancake breakfast Saturday, Jan. 12 th , at 8:00AM in Maxwell Hall. This month’s speaker, Ron Sapp, a long-time resident of Fernandina Beach, will offer unique perspectives of the changes and development in the area since 1950. Ron held numerous positions in local government including six years as mayor. He taught at FBHS since 1988 and writes a column in the Newsleader. No reservations neces sary.

SUNDAY: Bloodmobile on Campus January 13th The Bloodmobile will be on campus Sunday, Jan. 13 th . If you are able, please consider giving the lifesaving gift of blood between 8:00AM – Noon. Pre-registering at oneblood.org helps the techs plan ahead. 

SUNDAY: SWEL (Single Women Enjoying Lunch)
 Please RSVP weekly to Marilyn Perkins at 904-849-7545 to reserve your spot. The ladies will lunch at Pogo’s Kitchen in January.

MONDAY: M/M Singers (Monday Memorial Singers) Our Monday Memorial (M/M) Singers are a group of all ages from our congregation who meet on Mondays to bring music and favorite hymns to residents of local assisted living facilities. The group will meet Jan. 7th at Quality Health at 9:45AM.

WEDNESDAY: Dinners & Classes Begin January 9th! Join us for pork roast with gravy at 5:00PM. Stay after for groups and classes at 6:00PM

Snapshots of Grace
Our youth had a great time on their ski trip last week!
Stewardship
Do You Use Automatic, Electronic Payment? If you changed the amount of your donation when you turned in your pledge card, and you utilize one of the automatic giving options, please remember to check and make sure the amount is changed for your first scheduled giving in January. Use the GivePlus app if you use that, or contact your bank if you have money take out that way. Or contact our Financial Secretary by calling the church office or emailing MUMC.Finance@mumconline.com .
There are 3 Ways to GIVE @Memorial.
1.Download the GivePlus app from Google Play or iTunes *

2.Donate Online at:  mumconline.com/give *

3.Through the offering plate on Sunday.

*By using the app or website, you may designate your givings to Missions, Operating Budget, Capital Campaign, and more, or set up automatic giving.
Snapshots of Grace
One of our teachers at Lamb had the first baby of the New Year in Nassau County! Congrats to Sara and Joshua on the birth of Carson, born on January 1st. Did you see their picture on the front page of the Newsleader?
Community
All Women and Youth Girls are Invited to the UMW Potluck!
The United Methodist Women at Memorial invite all women and youth girls to their annual Celebration Potluck! Come and learn about the wonderful things that the UMW does around the world and how you can get involved! The event is in Maxwell Hall at 6:00PM on January 29th! Bring a dish to share!
Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda Performing at Memorial! You will not want to miss this special concert, January 19 th at 5:00PM in Maxwell Hall! The Watoto Children’s Choirs have travelled the world since 1994, sharing a message of hope for Africa’s orphans and widows. Each child in the Watoto Children’s Choir has suffered the loss of one or both parents and now lives in a Watoto village. The experience of travelling on a choir helps the children to develop confidence and boldness and broadens their worldview. Other than going to Africa, what better way to learn about all the good work God is doing through Watoto than by meeting the children and hearing their stories? Learn more about Watoto at watoto.com.
RESCHEDULED: Another Offering of the POV Experience at Memorial Memorial will again have unique opportunity to participate in a special workshop created by the Florida Conference called a POV: Point of View Experience FEBRUARY 17th from 9:30AM- 3:30PM in the Multipurpose Room. If you missed the opportunity to take this workshop in June be sure to sign up to take in January!
This one-day workshop makes space for engaging difficult conversations through the lens of empathy, context, and mission. POV is a space where you can bring your thoughts, questions, and emotions without the fear of being judged or coerced. Our conversation will be around “Preparing the Way Forward .” POV was designed with help from the Florida Annual Conference to help prepare for the ongoing work and conversation around the Way Forward. You can learn more about the Way Forward at umc.org/wayforward .
Lunch will be provided, and childcare will be available upon request. To learn more, contact Pastor Carrie . RSVP is required, please contact the church office.
 
Northern Ireland Trip Informational Meeting Next year in June, Pastor Charlie will be hosting a professional tour of Northern Ireland highlighting history, peace, and reconciliation. The trip is being offered by EO Tours and is open to members of the congregation. Come to a meeting January 27th at 12:15PM in the Multipurpose Room to learn more! Click HERE for more information. Contact Marilyn Perkins with questions.
Confirmation for Youth and Adults Beginning in January  Confirmation is a time to explore your faith and confirm, or re-confirm, yourself as a follower of Jesus. Classes go through core beliefs of the Christian faith and focus on the history of Methodists and our distinct theology. Memorial offers two parallel classes. One for youth (6th grade and older) and one for adults. Both classes will begin on January 27 th at 3:30PM. There will be an informational meeting on January 20 th at 12:15PM in the Multipurpose Room. Contact Pastor Drew or Pastor Carrie with questions. To register CLICK HERE.
Disciple’s Path Class Beginning January 27 th   This six-week class, facilitated by Pastor Drew, looks at the history of Christianity, the beliefs of the United Methodist Church, and how we live out our faith through prayer, Scripture, giving, and service. Disciple’s Path is offered three times a year and is required for those interested in joining Memorial as members. Classes will be at 12:15PM in the Multipurpose Room and facilitated by Pastor Drew. Please contact him to sign up or for more information.
Financial Peace University Sarah Baldwin will lead a study of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University beginning January 27th in Room 305 at 5:00PM. This 9-week course is faith-based and will help you take control of your money, plan for your future, and transform your life. The sessions will walk you through the basics of budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future, and much more. Contact Pastor Drew for information!
This Week's Top Stories
Around the World in
the United Methodist Church
Did You Know? The United Methodist Church
has its own news service!
Find more news about the United Methodist Church on the United Methodist New Service website, umnews.org ,
or the Florida Conference Website, flumc.org .