Friday E-news

Masthead - Fall Leaves

November 11, 2022

I’ve shared with you in past E-news articles that I’ll continue to update you as things change or develop in our denomination, jurisdiction or conference. Last week the Southeastern Jurisdiction Conference (SEJC) elected three new bishops to replace retiring bishops. All active bishops were then appointed to the Annual Conference they will serve for the next two years. On January 1, our Annual Conference will receive one of those newly elected bishops, Robin Dease.


In addition to that news coming from SEJC which will impact our conference, there have also been a few more churches voting for disaffiliation. A few individual conferences within our jurisdiction have extended the deadline to disaffiliate until 12/31/2024, which would give churches ample time to respond to any denominational changes that occur at General Conference in 2024. There are pastors and churches in our conference that are requesting the same deadline extension. I plan to keep informing you as things develop within our denomination. However, if you would like to discuss anything further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at dwalters@afumc.org.

David Walters, Senior Pastor

Sunday, Nov. 13

Schedule


9 a.m. 

Contemporary Worship

(Vinebranch Chapel)

Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)

Pre-K 3s and 4s Worship

K-3rd Grade Children's Worship

Nursery



10 a.m. 

Sunday School (All Ages)

Nursery


11 a.m.

Contemporary Worship

(Vinebranch Chapel)

Traditional Worship* (Sanctuary)

Pre-K 3s and 4s Worship

K-3rd Grade Children's Worship

Nursery

* Watch Worship Services Sunday at 9 & 11 a.m. at live.afumc.org

To livestream a service on a smart TV, join us on our YouTube page.


Orders of worship will be available on the Alpharetta Methodist app.


The altar flowers on Sunday are dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of Kathy Vail by the Builders Sunday School Class.



Reserve a Sunday to donate flowers by contacting Sarah Grathwohl.

On this Veterans Day, we honor all who have served in defense of our nation. Thank you for your selfless service.

New Advent Sermon Series & Study

Begin Nov. 27

While Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, it can be quite stressful, too. Much of the stress is in the preparation for Christmas Day – shopping, decorating, baking, cooking, wrapping, hosting, travel and more. Did we mention shopping?

 

What if we prepared differently this year? What if, instead of preparing our homes and our hosting, we prepared our hearts? What if we prepared not only for the birth of Christ, but for the return of Christ? Perhaps, if we prepare the way for the Lord, we will discover that this season is filled with peace, joy, love and hope. Starting Nov. 27, join us for our new message series, “Prepare the Way!” 

Prepare the Way! Advent Study 

We’ll also offer a church-wide study to run simultaneous to the Advent sermon series. Most adult Sunday School classes are planning to participate. Check with your class leader to see if your class will offer the study.  

Advent Clergy Class: 

Sundays, Nov. 27-Dec. 18 

10-11 a.m., Room 227 

If you don’t have a Sunday School class,

you’re invited to join our pastors for the study.

Please register by Nov. 20. 

Register Here

Bring Your Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes This Sunday!

Operation Christmas Child logo


Return filled boxes to

the church by this Sunday, Nov. 13. If you weren't able to fill a shoebox but would still like to participate, click below.

Build a Shoebox Online

The Alpharetta Methodist Men (AMen) are seeking any volunteers to help load and deliver the shoeboxes to the OCC distribution center in Atlanta. See this month’s AMen newsletter for details.

Our Disaster Response Team has been hard at work in Florida cleaning up from the massive destruction left by Hurricane Ian. Thousands of homes have been damaged by the winds and flood waters. We have already sent two groups down to help and have a third team scheduled to deploy this Sunday, Nov 13. This team will be working in DeLand to help clean up homes that were flooded and where the water has just receded. Please keep the team in your prayers next week. This team is full, but we are also planning to send a fourth team, Dec 4-8, most likely to clear debris, de-muck homes and remove downed trees. If you are interested in joining the Dec. 4-8 team, please contact Mike Derrick.

Manning Oaks Elementary (MOE) is in our backyard off of Cumming St. and is a school that serves a diverse population of students daily. Through our partnership with the school, we have learned of some very real needs in their student body. One of those is access to food and nutrition. Many families need assistance to afford groceries and rely on the school to help feed their children breakfast and lunch daily. Over the school holidays, there is a huge gap that comes in the form of hunger.

 

We as a church are teaming up with MOE to supply groceries for families over the Thanksgiving holiday. You can help by donating $25 Walmart gift cards. This will allow parents to buy culturally appropriate food for their families. Please drop gift cards in the secure red offering boxes around campus. These boxes are located in the Sanctuary narthex, the Resource Room and by the gathering/coffee area behind Vinebranch Chapel. We would love to supply MOE with at least one gift card per student who falls into this category of need. Our goal is 57 gift cards.

From Our Student Ministry, "This weekend we’re taking almost 100 students and volunteers to Camp Glisson in Dahlonega. It’s always one of our favorite times. We get to spend time together, learn, read scripture and pray. All the things the original disciples did! Please pray for students to desire to grow closer to God and be able to find time in their busy schedules to do so. We covet prayers for safety as well. Those are appreciated too!"

Participate in a Habitat for Humanity home build. Our church will provide volunteers for a local build on Dec. 3 and Feb. 4, 18 and 25. For more information, contact Jack Spicer. 

Register for a Habitat for Humanity Build

Subscribe to a Newsletter

Kids

Students

Women

Men

Missions

The United Women in Faith will be hosting a Christmas Banquet on Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Trinity Hall. Women of all ages are invited to join with the women of St James UMC to share the spirit of Christmas. The message will be by Elizabeth Brady Rance who served at United Methodist Churches in Texas and in Georgia, with music by Carey Durham. In addition to a great message and great music, the banquet will be catered by Ippolito's. Please bring new socks and underwear for the Foster Care Support Foundation. Donations will go to boys and girls ages 6-17. You won't want to miss this night, register here by Nov. 28.


Cost:

$25/person

Care & Support at Alpharetta Methodist


We are incredibly blessed to have such amazing care and support ministries. These ministries include GriefShare, AA, Divorce Care, Stephen Ministry and so many more. If you're going through a tough period and need care, please check out all the care and support ministries that we have to offer here.

Make a

Financial Gift

Update Your Contact Info

Sermons on Demand

Financial

Coaching

REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

Charlene Baccus (Denise Starbird’s mom), Joe & Harriett Bowen, Claudia Curtin, Barbara Danner, Angel DeLeon, Marilyn Fivaz, Connie Jordan, Jody Lail, Janet Land, Ed McRae, Joanne Miller, Jane Fadgen Mitchell, Carol Mittenmeyer, Leah Newman, Barbara and John Pavek (Laura Malek’s mom and dad), David Shadeed.


In Christian Sympathy:

  • The Simpson Family – Jim’s father, Steve Simpson, passed away on November 5th.
  • The Adkins Family – Mr. Bill Adkins passed away on October 25th.

HONORARIUM

A gift has been received in honor of Fay Garmon for Dream Weavers by a friend.


MEMORIALS

Gifts have been received in memory of:

  • Nancy Meeker for Caring for Caregivers by Babs Robinson, Kay Gebhart Ackerman, Linda Grove, Karen Kirby, Samuel and Karen Hosier and Bill and Carole Roberts
  • Laura Gurley by Babs Robinson

How Can We Pray for You?

Find a Sunday School Class

FINANCIAL REPORT


Operating Receipts 

(Oct. 23) $86,144

For additional information about church finances, please email Director of Finance and HR Helen Bethenod.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Dedicate altar flowers on a date that’s special to you. Or dedicate the flowers in honor or remembrance of a loved one. To reserve your date, contact Sarah Grathwohl.

Alpharetta Methodist | afumc.org | 770.475.5576
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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