First United Methodist Church 820 Belleville Ave. Brewton, AL 36426 Office: (251) 867-8051 Fax: (251) 867-8557 Email: office@brewtonfirst.org  Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

From The Pastor I DON’T MEAN TO CRITICIZE, BUT….. I’ve learned that within the constellation of our relationships we tend to either be part of the problem or part of the solution. Let me explain. Although we lack the wisdom and right to become involved in the problems of everyone we meet, it is important for us to develop some understanding of why people are like they are, and how we can relate to problem people…and…people who have problems.  Most of us would be startled to really know what is going on in the lives of people with whom we brush elbows daily. In fact, we can’t even know what is going on in the inner recesses of those with whom we live. If you but knew the inner struggles and mounting fears, the personal tragedy and conflict, the gnawing feelings of inadequacy and the suppressed thoughts and urges which lurk in the dark depths of the lives of people around you, you would be greatly surprised. Occasionally we can catch a glimpse of the private world of another person as we observe behaviors, but like the visible tip of an iceberg, what we see is but a small part of the total picture of that person’s life. It is easy to criticize people whose behaviors fail to meet our personal standard, but our judgment and criticism are of the result of just not knowing the full story rather than our superiority to them. If we only knew the conditions that motivate their behavior, we would more likely come to their aid rather than stand back, criticize, and throw darts.  Most of us are ill-equipped to tell someone else what to do because of the imperfection of our own knowledge and our own life. We encounter people every day who are wounded, distressed, depressed and oppressed, and whose daily struggle with life is a more serious battle than we would ever dream, but it is not our duty, no matter how tempting it may be, to impose our unsolicited judgment and advice on them. To do so is unkind and perhaps dangerous. In every relationship you have, no matter how deep our casual it may be, the first rule is to do no harm. Think before you speak. Blessings to you, Pastor Bobby

FUMC Updates: TODAY, September 18, 2019 KFC 3 p.m. Prayer Team 4:30 p.m. Children's Council meeting 5 p.m. Supper 5:15 p.m. (meatballs & gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, roll, dessert) Nursery available for children 3 and under 5:45 p.m. Bible study/ small groups 6 p.m. Youth/Children 6 p.m. Adult Choir 6 p.m. Cantata Rehearsal 7 p.m.   Sunday, September 22, 2019 The Nine Worship Service @ 9:00 a.m. (Youth Center) Sunday School @ 9:45 a.m. Nominating committee meeting 4 p.m. L.I.F.E. groups @ 5 p.m. Handbells 6 p.m. Acolyte/Crucifer : Jordan Kelly/Bailey Godwin Nursery Volunteer: Martha Jane Corbin Children's Church Volunteers : Brittany Fuqua & Mary Kathryn Adams Flowers : Marguerite Northcutt September Ushers: Jim Hildreth, Cosby Martin, Monte McGougin, Tim Pettis

If you have not signed your child/children up for KFC this year, we still have some available slots.If you are interested in enrolling your child in KFC come by the church office to fill out the necessary paperwork. The cost is $75 per child.

Although the impact on the United States from Hurricane Dorian was less than predicted, we know other areas were not as fortunate. Our prayers continue for our neighbors in the Bahamas and others impacted by the storm. Our conference disaster response team has been in touch with surrounding annual conferences and UMCOR letting them know of our readiness to serve. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief) has awarded a solidarity grant to Bahamas Methodist Habitat, the Disaster Ministry of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church. Bishop Theophilus Rolle, president of the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands Conference of the Methodist Church, said that the hurricane's force has resulted in "an unimaginable living nightmare" there.  Know that we are staying in close contact with our partners in the Bahamas but at this time, one of their greatest difficulties is to effectively distribute relief supplies. Because of this, we are asking churches to make monetary donations to help with infrastructure and to establish their recovery program.  The Conference Disaster Response Team will continue to monitor how Alabama-West Florida can be of assistance. In the meantime, here's how to help right now: Prayer: Please join us in praying for all those already impacted by this storm. We also ask that you pray for those affected by Hurricane Michael and the trauma they relive as other storms make landfall.  Giving: To help the recovery effort in the Bahamas, give to UMCOR International Disaster Response #982450. To help in the recovery along the U.S. coast, donate to UMCOR Domestic Disaster Response #901670. Needs: There are no requests for donated items at this time. Items not being used from the Hurricane Michael response along the Gulf Coast are being collected by a leadership team and will be sent to the Bahamas. Please do not send unsolicited items to any church unless you are specifically asked to do so.  Early Response Teams: We will be releasing information as to if and when Early Response Teams are needed in surrounding conferences. Do not self-deploy. Thank you for your desire to help those who need it most at this time.

Ladies Bible study in the Parlor. Led by: Summer LoDuca

It's Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst It's Not Supposed to Be This Way  offers a safe guide, fresh biblical insight, and life-giving perspectives for living in between Eden and eternity. With grit, vulnerability, and honest humor, Lysa helps readers: Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations. Train themselves to recognize the three strategies of the enemy so they can stand strong and persevere through unsettling relationships and uncertain outcomes. Discover the secret of being steadfast and not panicking when God actually does give them more than they can handle. Shift their suspicion that God is cruel or reckless to the biblical assurance that God is protecting and preparing them. Know how to encourage a friend and help them navigate hard realities with real help from God's truth.

Due to schedules, the BOOKS AND BABBLE group will meet 4th THURSDAYS . We will meet OCTOBER 24 at Madeline’s . You have plenty of time to read the book, “Little Fires Everywhere.”

Upcoming Events:  Wednesday, September 18th : Cantata rehearsal 7 p.m. Sunday, September 22nd: Nominating committee meeting 4 p.m Thursday, September 26th: Primetimers @ noon Wednesday, October 2nd: Children's Council Meeting @ 5 p.m. Sunday, October 6th: UMM Prayer Breakfast 7 a.m. Nominating Committee meeting 4 p.m. L.I.F.E. groups 5 p.m. Thursday, October 10th: Trustees meeting 5:30 p.m. Sunday, October 13th: Children's choir sings Nominating committee meeting 4 p.m L.I.F.E. groups 5 p.m.

The Brewton Elementary school clothes closet is in need of boys pants/shorts, all sizes. You may drop them off in the church office. thank you for your support.

The Primetimers are celebrating Alabama's Bicentennial. Happy 200th birthday! Join us September 26th @ noon.

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 Sunday Evenings @ 5 p.m. - Youth L.I.F.E group Wednesday Night @ 5:15 p.m. - Supper/ Bible Study

Children's Ministry  Sunday Mornings @ 9:50 a.m. (Preschool, K-2, and 3rd-5th) Sunday Evenings @ 5 p.m. - Kid L.I.F.E group Wednesday Night @ 5:15 p.m. - Supper/ Bible Study

CLICK HERE to Make a Donation to Support the Ministries and Mission of FUMC Brewton

Prayer Concerns New Prayer Concerns for Church Members: Carolyn Langham; Shannon Hydar; Albert Rausch; Carolyn Trimble; Teresa Brown   Ongoing Prayer Concerns for Church Members: Cosby Martin, Earl Lambert   New Prayer Concerns for Family, Friends & Community: Kevin McKenzie, brother of Butch McKenzie; Sandra Clements, friend in the community; Melvin Nearor, father of Lillie N. Barksdale; Dean Baxley, son of Joyce Baxley; Nancy Bethea, friend of Connie Wilkes; Johnson family, friends of Jennifer Gaugler; Jamie Burnham, friend of Larry Rambach.   Ongoing Prayer Concerns for Family, Friends & Community: Ed McMillan, friend of the community ;Wayne Purnell, friend in the community; William Hicks, cousin of Rene Mathews; Janet Heartsill, sister of Debbie Hardee.   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, Hurlburt Field AFB, FL; Robert McIntyre Stokes (Rob) N.A.S Pensacola; Robert Reynolds, Army NG, Kuwait; Carter Kelly, Ballston Spa, NY at the Nuclear Power Training Unit; Corey Rilling, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana   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.

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

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