First United Methodist Church
The Weekly Word
Beginning and Ending
One of the favorite passages of scripture for many people comes from Paul’s letter to the Romans – chapter 8, verse 28. The words have been quoted so often that when you begin to recite them to someone, they almost always finish the statement. Paul says, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”  Paul doesn’t say, “some things” – he says “all things.” As we begin to look at the landscape of our lives, it may be hard to see that truth; that “all things” work for good because some of our story may be difficult or confusing or painful. 
Just the other day I rode by one of our churches and the sign out front said, “Great beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” As I read that I thought how true it is that, as we look back over the landscape of our lives, what we saw as painful or fearful then, God has used to bring good and growth to us today. Most of the time when we are “going through” it, it won’t feel good and it certainly may not feel healthy for us. But we must always remember that while God chooses not to take away our freedom to choose, He promises that if we love Him and are seeking His purpose and will, He will bring good from darkness and struggle. Every ending is also a beginning and sometimes ‘great beginnings are disguised as painful endings.’ 
Think about your life situation today – think about all the things going on around you, and remember this: God is faithful and if you will intentionally place your life before Him, He will bring good from everything. I had a professor once tell me, “Mr. Ellisor, never write your evaluation of a life event in ink on the day it happens to you…God isn’t finished yet.” My prayer for you today is that God’s Spirit will comfort you and remind you to bring your care and concern to Him….for He specializes in creating great beginnings from painful endings. 
That’s the story of Easter. God took the worst thing man could do and brought good from it! We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and remember that God still brings resurrection from what may seem dead right now.  
2019 Holy Week Schedule
FUMC Updates:
TODAY, April 17, 2019
  • Holy Week Service @ FUMC 12-1 p.m.
Speaker: Rev. Parker Johnson(FPC)
  • No KFC
  • No Wednesday Night Supper/Bible Study
  • Adult Choir Practice @ 6:15 p.m.

Sunday, April 21, 2019
  • Sunrise Service on the front lawn @ 6:30 a.m.
  • Breakfast in the fellowship hall @ 7 a.m.
  • The Nine Worship Service @ 9:00 a.m. (Youth Center)
  • Sunday School @ 9:45 a.m.
  • Worship @ 10:50 a.m. (Sanctuary)
  • Church wide photo after morning worship
Acolyte/Crucifer: Emma Madison/Condrey Scarborough
Nursery Volunteer: Marsha Henderson
Children's Church Volunteers : Robin Sessions & Angel Fountawin
Flowers : Easter Lilies
April Ushers: Andrew Clark, Raymond Lynn, Matt Sasser, Tom Roberts
Upcoming Events: .
Wednesday, April 17th- Holy Week service @ FUMC 12 p.m.
Thursday, April 18-Friday, April 19 -UMM Ham Sale. $35 each
Thursday, April 18th : Maundy Thursday service @ FUMC 7 p.m.
Friday, April 19th: Church Office Closed
Friday, April 19th: Good Friday service @ FUMC 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 21st : Easter Sunday Sunrise service @ 6:30 a.m.
Breakfast in the fellowship hall following the service.
Sunday School @ 9:45 a.m.
Morning worship @ 10:50 a.m.
Church wide picture following the Easter service
Wednesday, April 24th: Finance Meeting @ noon. Lunch Provided.
Thursday, April 25th: Primetimer @ noon
Thursday, April 25th: Camille Speaker @ 5:30 p.m.
Friday, April 26th: Youth Breakfast @ Whataburger 7:15-7:45 a.m.
Saturday, April 27th: Confirmation Celebration
Sunday, April 28th: Confirmation Sunday
The United Methodist Men (UMM) are firing up the smoker again and cooking hams for Easter. They are $35 each and are available for purchase from any of the UMM or the church office. The hams will be available for pick up on Thursday, April 18th & Friday, April 19th.
 FUMC is hosting an informative meeting with a guest speaker from Camille Place on Thursday, April 25th @ 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall.This event is open to everyone in the community. For more information on Camille Place check out there website at  www.camilleplace.com.
Parsonage Renovation

If you would like to make a donation to the renovation of the church parsonage,
please drop your check by the church office.

Thank you for your consideration,
- Finance Committee
Youth Ministry

  • Sunday Mornings @ 9:50 a.m. – Breakfast and Scripture Study
  •  Wednesday Night @ 6:00 p.m.– Worship & Small Groups
 
Announcements - Mark these dates for YOUTH!
 
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 Team to Panama City Beach, FL.

Confirmation –
April 22-26: Individual Confirmand meetings with Pastor Bobby
Apr. 27:  Confirmands, parents & mentors needed to practice in the sanctuary at 10:00am. Celebration with congregation at creek behind the home of Dennis & Mary Kathryn Adams (*turn left at Appleton Rd gate before Brooks Blvd entrance)
Apr. 28:  Confirmation Sunday during worship at 10:50am service.
Saturday, April 27th
@ 1 p.m.
Behind the home of Dennis & Mary Kathryn Adams(*turn left at Appleton Road at the gate before Brooks Blvd entrance)
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
Senior Recognition
The Congregation is invited to celebrate with our senior and their families after service on May 5th. Please RSVP to the office by April 28th.

2019 Seniors: Chloe Carden, Sarah Grace Gerety, Kaleigh Folsom, Lyon Jernigan, Gabbi Solomon, Tess Thomas, Caleb Whitworth
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
Children, pre-k through 5 th grade, will practice for Palm Sunday entrance during Sunday School THIS Sunday. Please have all children wanting to participate in the sanctuary by 9:45.

***NO KFC 4/17/19- Holy Week***
Volunteer Opportunities
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
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.
Prayer Concerns
 
New Prayer Concerns for Church Members:
Cosby Martin, Earl Lambert, Jim Bilder
 
Ongoing Prayer Concerns for Church Members:
Beverly Stark, Gail Ladnier, Charles Everage, Burrell Jerkins, Landan Madison
 
New Prayer Concerns for Family, Friends & Community:
William Hicks, cousin of Rene Mathews; Dan Bulliet, friend of Jim & Sylvia Peach; Taylor Zimmerman Diercks, wife of Cory Diercks
 
Ongoing Prayer Concerns for Family, Friends & Community:
Flossie Martin, mother of Cosby Martin; Mildred Boland, mother of Sandra Neely; Janet Heartsill, sister of Debbie Hardee.
Kim Taylor, sister of Faith Ellisor
 
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
 
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