MESSAGE FROM RICKY
Dear Friends,
One of the challenges this pandemic has brought to our world is the disruption of our normal ways of serving. This year we were unable to go on our regular international missions trips and have been limited to local opportunities to volunteer.
However, there is still ministry that can be done and we need your help!
In this week's edition of the VOICE you'll see information on our hygiene supply drive for the Shower Power ministry to the homeless. As you do your regular shopping this week, you can pick up some supplies on the list and drop off at church next Sunday from 12:30 - 2:30pm. We had a great turnout when we did this a few weeks ago for the 4C's so I hope you will partner with us in supporting this great ministry to our unhoused neighbors in the Jackson Metro area.
Additionally, we have the opportunity to help our families in Clinton as they navigate the first three weeks of hybrid school. Our Weekday After-School care program will expand to full day coverage to help families make it through this unusual start to school. Because it's hard to hire workers for just three weeks, we're hoping that some of you would be willing to become "short-term" missionaries and volunteer some time in August in our preschool. You won't be on your own, and whatever time you can volunteer would be most appreciated. See below for more details!
Finally, I know you have been praying hard for our healthcare workers. We continue to lift up and highlight members of our church who are on the frontlines fighting this virus. Thank you for your prayers, and never doubt the tremendous impact a praying church can make!
Grace and Peace,
Ricky
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In every season, we want to be a church that cares well for people, but, especially, in this unprecedented season, we want to be a church that cares well for all those who are affected by COVID-19. One group who especially needs our prayers and care in this season is our healthcare workers, who are providing support and care to those affected by COVID19 on top of the normal, everyday care and expertise they provide.
This week pray for endurance for healthcare workers. They are in this for the long haul. Church member Dr. David Wheat has been a general practitioner for 40 years and a board certified family physician for 37 years. We reached out to him to ask how we can best pray for him, his staff, and other healthcare professionals.
Q: Tell us about your work during this time.
A:
Family Medicine in Clinton is truly on the front lines and trenches during this pandemic. We are seeing and diagnosing patients before they go to the hospital, the emergency room, or the intensive care units. All the while, we are taking care of our heart patients, our diabetics, our hypertensive, the back strains, lacerations, broken bones and ankle strains, the folks with GI problems, asthma or COPD. We take care of the colicky infants, the worries of new parents, impetigo, skin rashes, poison ivy, eczema and psoriasis. We minster to the infirm, the depressed, we treat anxiety and other psychiatric maladies. We care for the ill and the dying. We are a shoulder to cry on, we are an encouragement to others and, yes, we minister and sometimes pray with our patients.
Q: How has Covid-19 impacted your work?
A:
We initially had to alternate weeks of our staff, but, have since been able to rehire our staff back. We see patients in their car, by tele-health, and we are constantly cleaning. We have tried to keep our elderly patients out of the office as much as possible to protect them. We have been seeing patients with COVID-19 since late February. We currently have several COVID-19 patients we are following now by daily tele-health visits.
Prayer Focus
This week pray PEACE for Dr. Wheat, his staff, and all healthcare providers in the midst of the unknown. Pray that the Lord, through His Holy Spirit, will wash over them with a PEACE that surpasses understanding.
Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
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NEW BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITY & RESOURCES
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6 WEEK ZOOM BIBLE STUDY
The Community of the King
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A new Bible Study Opportunity
Tuesday Evenings @ 6:30pm
July 21st-August 25th
Led by: Genny Seeley
Church member Genny Seeley will be leading a
six-week Bible study focused on The Community
of the King by Howard A. Synder.
The study will meet via Zoom at 6:30pm on Tuesday evenings July 21st-August 25th. The study will explore the nature of the kingdom of God and its implication for the church. No book is required for the study. For more information or to sign-up click on the JOIN button below. You may also contact Genny by phone at
601-708-1328.
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Sing Out - Enjoy Some Music TODAY!
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In some ways, music is like medicine. Borrowing a popular saying from my youth, seven days without a prayer/song makes one weak. And music is for everyone, not just the talented few. We all need that musical elixir for the soul!
During these days of sheltering and staying away from groups, it is more than evident that we really need to worship together and to sing together. My prayer for you is that you will find some tangible way to express yourself through music, even if it's just singing along with your car radio. We are God's creation, and we definitely don't need to lose our song! So sing out and let's all enjoy some good music today!
See you all in virtual worship on Sunday!
In His Service,
Tommy
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"Seven days
without a prayer/song
makes one weak."
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY
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Pee Wee's Garden is looking beautiful! We are thankful for the
fresh stripes for the handicap parking area too!
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BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS
Submitted by Cindy Livengood
This past Saturday, Mark Mann, who is our contracted lawn care provider, donated his time to help trim and clean up the azalea bushes and two crepe myrtle trees on the east side of the campus. Other lawn care volunteers that helped (on short notice) were Bill Burrow, Jim McBrayer, Tom Henderson, Bob Pavy, Cindy Livengood and Marilyn Dillard. Everyone brought their own equipment and invested 3 hours to get the task accomplished.
Our next project will be the azalea bushes on the east side of our worship hall. If you would like to serve on the next lawn care / landscaping group please contact Cindy or Dianne at 601-924-6671.
Currently, the project day(s) have not been determined but if you are interested we will contact you as soon as these dates are confirmed.
WEEKDAY MINISTRIES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Submitted by Jamie Steadman
HOURLY CHILD CARE POSITION / JOB OPENING
Individuals will work with K through 5th grade children on a daily basis Monday through Friday starting in August. Applications which are available at the church office (Monday - Friday 8AM - Noon) will be accepted through the end of July.
CALL OUT FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS
As you may have seen, the Clinton Public School District has announced its plan to restart in-person instruction for students this August. While this is good news for thousands of parents and students, the way school is beginning presents a new challenge. For the month of August, CPSD schools will meet in a hybrid format, with students only attending in-person two days a week. For the remaining three days each week, our weekday parents will need all day childcare for their students. The plan is for this to continue only for August, after which schools will return to a fully traditional schedule.
The Weekday Ministry is asking for anyone in our congregation who is willing to take a “short-term mission trip” and become a childcare volunteer to contact the main office or our director,Jamie Steadman, with your availability.
You would join a team of others providing supervision to students from Kindergarten through 5th Grade. You don’t need any prior teaching experience; just patience, the willingness to be up on your feet a fair amount, and the health to be outside for 45 minutes at a time for recess.
We need coverage Monday -Friday from 7am to 6pm, but you don’t have to work the whole day or every day. Any time you could commit would be appreciated immensely!
For a “no commitment conversation” please email or call Ricky James at
With the start of school less than a month away we need to be prepared! So, let us know today if you’re able to help us out!
MORE MEMBERS NEEDED
Submitted by Mike Norcom, Missions Chair
Are you a supporter of or interested in the First Methodist mission efforts, both
local and foreign? The mission work area needs a few more members to help
in this vital area of our ministry.
If you are interested or have questions, please contact Mike Norcom at
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Shower Power Hygiene Supply Drive
Teresa Renkenberger, of Flowood, came up with the concept of a mobile shower for the homeless and now Shower Power Mobile Shower Unit is helping restore dignity to the Jackson Metro area one shower at a time!
Shower Power is more than a shower. This organization wants to bring hospitality to the streets by delivering mobile hygiene services to people experiencing homelessness. It's about taking time to show people that you care, and restoring dignity by providing resources needed for self-care. The homeless face many challenges, one being the difficulty in getting access to a shower. Even if they can get to a shelter, the shelter may not have a shower.
We have the opportunity to partner in this effort by hosting a hygiene supply drive on Sunday, July 26 from 12:30 – 2:30pm. You may drive thru, pop your trunk and we will unload your donations at the Family Life Building on the Mt. Salus side of our campus. Please feel free to visit our Facebook page and share the Shower Power Supply Drive information to your friends and community! If you would like additional information please contact Beverly Oliver.
Thank you Beverly for bringing this opportunity to our awareness
!
Here is a list of suggested items needed:
Bottled Water (Case)
Bug Spray
Men’s Boxers (Size Large)
Socks (New or Clean Gently Used)
Toilet Paper
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SHARE YOUR REQUEST
Our church continues to serve our congregation and community during this season. If you have a prayer request or if you, or someone you know, has a need complete a short request form (click on button). These requests will be reviewed by our Pastoral team.
Please review the prayer list download. If you would like to add to the prayer list please continue to use our digital form for submission which can be accessed by clicking on the link in this email or on our website.
Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570
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MONTHLY FINANCIAL SUMMARY
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July 2020
July 5 Giving: $30,316
July 13 Giving: $14,249
July 20 Giving: $16,773
Total Giving: $61,338
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June 2020
June Giving: $111,851
Other Income: $9,719
Total Income: $122,826
June Expenses: $104,178
June Surplus: $17,392
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2020 Year to Date
YTD Giving: $529,610
Other Income: $59,029
YTD Total Income: $589,895
YTD Expenses: $631,239
Deficit: ($42,600)
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Thank You For Your Continued Generosity!
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The Voice
is our weekly update for the latest announcements, ministry activities and event information at First United Methodist Church.
Want to know more about us? Head on over to our website, Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. If you missed last week's sermon, you can catch up by visiting our sermon archives. See You on Sunday!
We are so glad that you are interested in the ministry of First Methodist Clinton!
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Missed last week? You can catch up online!
JULY SERIES
How to Be… Life Lessons from Jesus
July 19
- Matthew 5:21-27
How to be Loving
We’ll confront the reality that sometimes in life relationships can be damaged and broken. How then should we respond as Christians?
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This Sunday we will conclude our look into the fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel / The Sermon on the Mount and see what life lessons we can find.
July 26-
Matthew 5:38-48
How to be Perfect
Jesus tells us to be perfect like his Father in heaven, but what does it really look like to attain Christian Perfection.
WATCH ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE!
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PASTORAL CARE INFORMATION
If you have an emergency need or need to speak with a pastor
please feel free to call 601-460-0570.
The number will reach one of our pastors who will be able to respond to you immediately.
Pastoral Care Number: 601-460-0570
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Submitting information for The Voice:
All content submitted is subject to approval and editing. Thank you for your cooperation!
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