Ash Wednesday at Tucker First
For Ash Wednesday, many people gathered in the Wesley Center parking lot around fire pits and heard a message of hope for this Lenten time of reflection, repentance, and re-dedication. Church Street Station provided music and Rev. Anne brought the message. Next Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm,, we begin the series "The Dirty Truth." The series will continue for every Wednesday night in Lent. Please RSVP by to each Wednesday you plan to attend.
Tucker First UMC News
February 18, 2021
"Reconciliation: God, Neighbor, Self"

Rev. Gerald Varner, Preaching

Sunday, February 21
Disciple Study Theme:
Atonement / When God
Draws Near
Pastor Gerald is aligning his Sunday sermons with the weekly Disciple themes/ chapters.
Two Ways to Worship Online This Sunday
Worship Online
 
Live-streamed Worship
11:00 am
Sunday Night Live!
 
Live-streamed from The Table
7:00 - 7:30 pm
Videos of any of the live-streamed services will be available on the church website at www.tuckerfirst.org or the Tucker First UMC YouTube channel at
 
Special Offering Sunday, February 21
Housing and Homeless Offering
The North Georgia Housing and Homeless Council provides capital and operational grants to organizations throughout the North Georgia Conference who are serving our brothers and sisters in need. By contributing to the homeless offering, you are directly supporting ministries and agencies serving those experiencing homelessness and poverty in communities across our state. These organizations might include housing programs, food pantries and other feeding programs, Habitat for Humanity houses, and many other programs in communities large and small. 100% of the Homeless Offering goes to ministries serving persons experiencing poverty.
 
Through your faith promise giving, our missions committee has already contributed to this special offering. You may give an additional offering on Sunday, February 21 if you so desire.
Tucker First's Lenten theme is “Remember You Are Earth: Tending the Soil of Our Lives.” The staff have developed a host of activities designed around this theme including, but not limited to, planting gardens, cleaning up parks, hiking, etc.
News and Notes
Share the Virtual Choir Video With Friends
DId you enjoy the Tucker First Music & Arts Ministry virtual choir last Sunday? If you would like to share it with others, please click on the button below.
Online Book Fair Benefits Weekday Preschool
Black Women Pioneers in Methodism
The Rev. Sallie Crenshaw
United Methodist Bishop Leontine Turpeau Current Kelly
In celebration of Black History and Women’s History months, Ask The UMC remembers several of the pioneering and groundbreaking Black women in U.S. Methodist history in a two-part series. This week we recognize and celebrate The Rev. Sallie Crenshaw and United Methodist Bishop Leontine Turpeau Current Kelly.. Read their stories by clicking on the link.
The Tucker First Weekday Preschool would like to thank everyone who bought a spaghetti meal or made donations as part of the Preschool's annual fundraiser. We raised in excess of $2,500! The funds will be used for general operating expenses.

Thank you to everyone who donated blood or volunteered in our recent American Red Cross Blood Drive. We collected 38 pints!
Congratulations Mimi Sanders!
Debby Fox, the Children’s Ministry Director for the North Georgia Conference of the UMC, retired effective February 1. Her position has been split into a three-person interim team that oversees the following three areas: Safe Sanctuaries, communications and continuing education, and retreats. Our own Mimi Sanders has been tapped to oversee the Safe Sanctuaries portion of the interim team.
Opportunities to Serve
Urgent! Volunteers Needed For Cold Weather Shelter
Our cold weather shelter is in desperate need of additional men and women volunteers for overnight volunteers. Due to the pandemic, several of our regular volunteers are unable to serve. To volunteer, contact Charlie Lester at 404-694-3028 or email him by clicking on the link..
Homework Helpers Needed
Corners Outreach, one of the ministry partners of our Children First program, provides after school tutoring to struggling elementary students in our community. The most critical need now is for volunteers to assist students with after-school homework Monday through Thursday between 3:30 - 6:30 pm (day and time is volunteer’s choice). To volunteer, email Robin Pounds at the link below or call her at 404-918-0069.
Church Office Notes
Tucker First has suspended in-person worship. We will not gather for in-person worship again until the COVID-19 numbers have declined to a more acceptable level and sustained for a period of two weeks.
 
You can find the most recent reports on the church website at

The Health and Wellness Committee encourages you to get the COVID-19 vaccine when your group is called.
Our prayer ministry lifts your concerns in prayer. You can submit prayer requests by clicking on the link below or you may contact the church office at 770-938-3030 with your prayer request.

You are doing a great job of being faithful in your giving to Tucker First. Please remember to not let your church offering slip. There are many ways that you can give electronically by going to:

Tucker First has made the Holy Communion elements available for pick up outside the church office. We encourage you to go ahead and pick up enough for March, and April. Look for the basket outside the church office doors.  
We continue to hear from people receiving emails that appear to be requests from Pastor Gerald or Pastor Anne. These are scam emails and should be deleted. The issue may not be unique to email but may also include text messages and phone calls. We will never ask for personal information or financial assistance by text or email. If you have questions, contact the church office at 770-938-3030 or email Stephanie Shanholtzer at the link below.

Amazon Smile is a program within Amazon.com where you can register a charity (in this case Tucker First) to receive .5% of your purchases.
Go to smile.amazon.com (use link below) and designate Tucker First as your chosen charity. Questions? Contact Cindy Petersiel at cpetersiel@tfumc.org.

Our Tucker First Weekday Preschool Teachers have a wish list on Amazon and we would encourage you to donate to the Preschool based on their list.

This is a publication of

Tucker First United Methodist Church
5095 LaVista Road
Tucker, GA 30084
770-938-3030