Fulton United Methodist Church

Jim Fisher, Pastor

Frank Newell, Associate Pastor

Jenny Strickland, Director of Music

Phyllis Strickland, Church Organist/Pianist

Christi Nanney, Children’s Coordinator

Diane Clark, Secretary/Treasurer

Tangie Davis, Nursery

Harvey Clements, Food Pantry

Rev. James Price, Food Pantry

Outreach

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

With February comes the celebration of Valentines! I was recently looking through some of “my stuff” and found a note from my mother telling me how much she loved me and the note was attached to a Valentine Card. I would like to share with you concerning that card….

It’s is entitled The Legend of Saint Valentine. The story of Valentine’s Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian martyr. The emperor was Claudius II…..the Christian was a man by the name of Valentinus. Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve Gods, and he had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ, and not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his faith. Eventually he was arrested and placed into prison.

During the last week of Valentinus’ life, a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons. She had been blind since birth. Julia was a pretty girl with a quick mind. Valentinus read stories of Rome’s history to her and taught her arithmetic and told her about God. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

“Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?” Julia said one day. “Yes, my child, He hears each and every one, “he replied. “Do you know what I pray for every morning and night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you have told me about!” Valentinus said, “God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him.” “Oh, Valentinus, I do believe,” Julia said intensely. “I do!” She knelt and grasped his head…..they sat quietly together, each praying. Suddenly there was brilliant light that flooded the prison cell. Radiant, Julia screamed, “Valentinus, I can see! I can see! Praise be to God!” Valentinus exclaimed.

On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to always stay close to God, and he signed it “From Your Valentine.” His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14,270 A.D., near a gate what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On each February 14, St. Valentine’s Day, messages of love and devotion are exchanged around the world…see you this Sunday where the love of Jesus Christ is shared each and every Sunday…..HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Grace and peace…….Bro. Jim

Pray for the following people/families in February

Jack Moore and Family Ollis and Tarleen Weatherford

Sue Youngblood Dr. Roger Marlin and Family

Mrs. Pat Marchuk Rev. James and Betty Price

Ray and Emily O’Neal and Family Mrs. Jewell Haynes

Rev. Frank Newell Mrs. Sammie Byram

James and Carolyn Chatham Mrs. Honey Burleson

Mrs. Ruth Rather Dave and Bonnie Reeder

Mrs. Dorothy Cain Mr. Charles Pate

One of the most important things we can do for each other is to pray for another as the church family. Each month new people will appear on this list. Thanks for your willingness to pray for one another!

God’s Helping Hands Ministry

“As God Leads, We Follow To Do His Work”

Call FUMC 862-9530

Mike Senter 862-9361

790-3416

In Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Food Pantry………………We can always use some more volunteers in our Food Pantry Ministry. We will be packing boxes on Friday, February 15th at 5:00 p.m……and distributing them on Saturday, February 16th at 8:00 a.m.……at the old school cafeteria on Clifton Street. Come join us. For more details see Harvey Clements or James Price.

Young and Restless……will meet Thursday, February 7th at 11:30 a.m. Mrs. Maurine Moore, from Senior Planning Group, a financial service from Jackson will be our guest. She will be addressing things like: Identify Theft, Medicare Scams, and Three Documents every Senior Needs. Nothing will be sold nor any company materials distributed….all this information is for YOU! OH! There will be Door Prizes! See you there!

Special Lenten Offering…….It has been a tradition here FUMC that the members be invited to participate in a special offering during the Season of Lent. Last year we sent a very generous offering to the Baddour Center to help young adults with intellectual disabilities. This year our Love Offering will go to The Harden House For Girls. This is a wonderful ministry that helps young women overcome difficult family and personal problems. This year instead of a money card, we will offer you a money can to put your loose change in it over the Lenten season……and then on Palm Sunday we will bring our offerings and they will be given to The Harden House.

Lenten Activities for February:

Lenten Luncheons each Friday, begins February 8^th at noon……a love offering to offset expenses ($2) will be appreciated

Our February Lenten Luncheons speakers will be: Rev. Harold Manning , Rev. Jim Threadgill, Rev. Doyce Gunter and Rev. Jimmy Criddle.

February Birthdays

Children’s Corner……..The children are having fun in Rotation Sunday School. So far, they have completed one six – week rotation and are halfway rotation and are halfway thru the second rotation.

Wednesday Nights are going great! This month the children have been talking about prayer. On February 13^th, we are planning to take the children and youth bowling after the evening meal.

Serving Because Christ Served,

Christi

Souper Bowl…….On Sunday, February 3^rd, over 140 million people will tune into and watch the Super Bowl Football Game. There will be parties with abundant food and fellowship. ….at the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal. Our Youth will be seeking a “Soup Bowl” Offering this Sunday as their act of caring for the hungry. You are invited to give a dollar or two or maybe even more to help support their Souper Bowl Celebration. All this money will be go to our Food Pantry to buy extra food for the month of February. Last year 14,500 youth groups from across our nation helped raise $8 million….so, please support our Youth’s effort!

WOW! Where do we start? The youth has just returned from a weekend of skiing and fellowship. We got off to a rather rocky start but after that, the youth had a great time. We had 20 Junior High, and 8 adults that made the trip to Lake Junaluska, N.C. We had a group that skied and a group that snow tubed on Saturday. On Sunday, everyone skied. I think we came home with some bruises, but lots of great memories and funny stories.

The Senior High has actually started two lessons one on Wednesday night and another for Sunday night. The Wednesday night lesson is on the Apostles Creed; it gives insight into what we say and why we say it. The Sunday night lesson is more of an everyday life lesson. It deals with things that most likely will come up in a young persons’ life and ways to deal with it. Both lessons have had great response as we began each one.

Some of our youth have shown an interest in learning how to use sign language to sing some of their favorite Christian songs. We are presently looking for material and possibly someone who knows how to sign, that would be willing to come and help. A few other things that we are working on, is forming a Youth Council, If you would be interested in being a part of the planning and organizing for our youth, please let us know. We are also looking into a Mission trip this summer.

It is been a while since I have written a spotlight, and there can’t be a better way to start again than with the Clements/Seger family. Our church is very fortunate to have this family as members. From the oldest to the youngest they exemplify what a Christian family working in the church should be. You will not find a harder worker anywhere than Harvey Clements. My first opportunity to really get to know him was when he started selling tickets for the Cluster fish fry. He sold more tickets himself than any church sold including ours. If you haven’t been to the Food Pantry lately you really need to go. What Harvey and the other guys have done down there is amazing. Harvey is an example to all of us. He is proof of what hard work in the church can accomplish. Anything can be done if you are willing to work for it. In a Bible lesson I studied recently the question was asked, “Can people see God in you?” I think Sandy is a perfect example of someone who displays God in her life. She is so kind and friendly, and she always has a beautiful smile on her face. Once you talk with her you know that her appearance is no deceiving. Sandy works in several different areas in our church. She serves in anyway she is asked and needed. You can tell a Christian home by the behavior of the children. Tracey is a prime example of being raised in a Christian atmosphere. She and Brad are truly a blessing in our Church. Almost every Sunday morning (except when we are late) Brad is opening the door for us with a smile and a greeting. You would really have to be in a sour mood for this not to lift your spirits. Brad is very involved in the successful running of the Church. I have even seen him building and decorating a church float for the Christmas parade. Tracey is like her dad. What ever project she is working on, she gives her all. I admire her most for the work she does with the children. Our children are the future of this church. It is reassuring to know that they are getting strong guidance. We are lucky to have Tracey as one of the leaders of our children’s programs. She and the others have done an amazing job with the painting and art work down stairs. I have said many times that the Children’s Sunday School rooms were like a dungen. Well, they aren’t now! Finally I want to shine my light on Justin. He is such a polite and well behaved young man. Like the other members of his family, he always has a smile and a greeting anytime I see him. It is so obvious that he, too, has been reared in a Christian home. I have seen Justin do courteous things for older people that many children would never notice. From Harvey to Justin this family has blessed me, and I am sure they have blessed others in our church. I know I can speak for the whole Church when I say we are honored to know this family and we are grateful that they are a part of our Church.

FULTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

301 E. MAIN STREET

Jenny Strickland, Director of Music

Outreach

Volume 36 February 1, 2008 Number 2

Lenten Activities for February:

February Birthdays