A team effort went into the 36th Annual Senior Adult Luncheon to honor the senior citizens of our church for past and current support of our church.  The event began with a tasty meal of orange glazed chicken, rosemary potatoes, sauteed vegetables, a roll, and red velvet cake prepared by Bryan Press of Monarch Catering.

Then, Payton Beggs (a Junior at Old High) took the stage, wowing the honorees with her beautiful voice on old-time and modern country tunes.

Next, awards were given:

Potted Flowers:

Thanks to a generous donation of Tammy & Kristian Kowing of the Exodus Sunday School Class, someone at each table received a potted flower that served as the center piece for each table!

2009-2010 Sunday School Attendance:

• 100% – Harry & Evelyn Kinkead (Win-Some);
• 98% – Barbara Davis (Win-Some); and
• 96% – Ed Kuhn (All Saints) & Mary Leath (Fidelis).

J.B. & Joyce Barham Award for Dedicated Service to FUMC:

Mary Nell Taylor joined FUMC on September 19, 1954 and has been very involved in the Win-Some Class, Women’s Fellowship 4 (aka Creative Creatures), Library Board, Heritage Committee, and YES events.

Tom Golden joined FUMC on August 29, 1999 and has participated in and helped lead discussion in the 3rd Thursday St. Simeon Group. Likewise, he is serving his 3rd year as President of the Bi-the-Way Class where he leads / teaches classes and has gotten the class involved in the Annual Fall Food Drive and the Mt. Calvary UMC Power Meals.

This event would not have been possible without the following people:

• Tammy & Kristian Kowing (of the Exodus Sunday School Class) and their daughter Kelsey who decorated the tables;
• The FUMC Youth and Jeff Ginn who helped setup, serve food, and cleanup;
• Members of the Young Adult Singles of The Journey Sunday School Class who served drinks and helped cleanup;
• Members of the Genesis Sunday School Class who helped serve food, cleanup, and washed the dishes;
• Payton Beggs for providing the entertainment; and
• Bryan Press for the great food!

Check out pictures of this great event here:

The 2010 Capital Campaign continued strong on Sunday, April 25, 2010 with some very special events:

• Adults shared in food (Market Street breakfast burritos) and fellowship while getting to watch a video about the capital campaign edited and produced by Rev. John Dillard.  Ethan Rouse and Dylan Haynes also provided music in the Atrium during this time;
• Children took part in a “Big-Top” circus-like event in Rec. Lobby under the leadership of Rec. Lydia Pellikan – complete with a clown making balloon art!
• The children did a balloon release in Fellowship Hall to symbolize sending up prayers to God for our church.

Click the strip below to see pictures of all these great events!

Crafts, games, snacks, and more made for great fun and fellowship at the first Mom & Daughter Pajama Party on the 3rd floor of the Education wing on Friday, April 23, 2010!

Click the strip below to see more pics of this great event:

On Saturday, April 17, 2010 during the Christmas in April Retreat, the 2010 Confirmation Class wrote their own Affirmation of Faith.  It was first read in worship on Confirmation Sunday, April 25, 2010 when 11 young people were confirmed, publicly professing their faith and choice to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Here is that creed:

We believe in God, the powerful, almighty Creator of heaven and earth, King and Ruler of anything and everything, Who gives us everlasting love, peace, and eternal life.

We believe in the Son of God, Savior of souls and Corrector of sin. Jesus loves us and nourishes us.

We believe in the Holy Spirit that opens the door to knowledge. The Spirit breathes into us the Breath of life, and is the Spark of the fire of love in our souls.

We believe in the Church, God’s house and place of fellowship, love, repentance, and devotion. It is a place where we learn about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible. Amen.

Back L-R:  Emma Knight, Millicent Paris, Lauren Meaders, Ashley Tate, Ali O’Connell, Myrah Rogers, Mason Lamb
Front L-R:  McKinley Thacker, Collin Brauner, Paul Acosta, Cory Press

One of the highlights of the Confirmation year is the “Christmas in April Retreat” where the Confirmands learn about and begin to discover their spiritual gifts for serving in the church.  This year was no exception.

As a part of the primary program time, parents and grandparents came to share the experience with their 6th graders.  Thus, all were able to consider the importance of every member of the body of Christ, the church.  When one is not there, the tasks before us are more difficult – sometimes impossible!  Plus, as members of the same body, we have to learn to work together in sharing and using our gifts for the good of all.

After supper, the eleven Confirmands worked on their own Affirmation of Faith in their own words, and this creed will be read for the first time in worship on Confirmation Sunday, April 25, 2010.  Then, after a bit of free time, they watched the theatrical version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and considered how John Wesley’s basic theology is summed up in that movie!

Special thanks go to six youth helpers (Andrew Beltchev, Drake Davis, Breanne Press, Hope Rouse, Courtney Tate, and Keeley Trevino) and three adults (Jeff & Holly Ginn and Wilma O’Connell) who worked with Rev. Troy Sims to make this event a success.

The Confirmands that attended this trip include Paul Acosta, Collin Brauner, Emma Knight, Mason Lamb, Lauren Meaders, Ali O’Connell, Millicent Paris, Cory Press, Myrah Rogers, Ashley Tate, and McKinley Thacker.

Check out the pictures below!

Marjean Cox sings in and is President of the Chancel Choir, sings with the Chamber Singers for 8:30 worship, is a coordinator on our Capital Campaign Team, and chairs the FUMC Library Board. In addition, she works with CASA and tutors at Southern Hills Elementary.

Doris Megonigal sings in and is a Section Leader of the Chancel Choir, teaches Sunday school, and is a teacher at Farris Elementary.

Both also volunteer to serve with Rev. Lydia Pellikan during the “MORE” portion of Music ‘n’ More on Wednesday afternoons! Check out the picture below of them hard at work!

Leave a note below to say thanks to Marjean & Doris!