ne of my goals for 2025 is to read 40 books. One of the books that I have picked up and am racing through is the biography of Pastor Eugene Peterson, A Burning in My Bones by Winn Collier. Peterson is known for his work of translating the Bible into modern English in what is known as The Message. The man was brilliant, with a degree in Hebrew and Greek. He was also prolific, with many books covering books of the Bible and what it means to be a pastor.
Collier writes of a time when Peterson was really busy. He was married to Jan with three kids, and as the kids got older, Peterson was still pastoring a church while beginning to write books and getting involved in speaking engagements. At one point, he was a speaker at a conference with a famous Christian speaker. That evening, he was invited to join this celebrity pastor for dinner, an offer he wanted to accept. But Peterson’s sons were also at the conference. He writes in his journal that he declined the invitation so that he could go out for nachos with his two boys, Eric and Leif. He writes: “[My sons] are the raw material of my life that I need to contemplate and be with and love and understand and respond to.” For that evening, Peterson recognized where he might find the goodness of God.
I’m reminded of moments in Jesus’ ministry, when he saw the most potential for goodness in simple presence, whether at Mary and Martha’s home or saying to Zaccheus, “I’m coming over today for a meal.” Jesus recognized and pointed us to the importance of living life together. He even established the Eucharist over a common practice of eating together around the table.
This year, I would like to read 40 books. That’s an achievable goal I think. But my greater goal is to be more present with the friends around me, the neighbors in front of me, the staff I work with, and the family I share a home with. These people are indeed the raw material of my life that I need to contemplate and be with and love and understand and respond to. They are the folks that God has placed in my path, and me in theirs. May God help me to practice simple presence. And perhaps that is a prayer you might need to pray too.
God bless and keep you,
Andrew Chappell
P.S. A special welcome to Bernie and Bing Warner (aka Mrs. & Mrs. Claus), who joined our church this past month. Sunday, February 23 12:15pm Parish Hall
Update General Ministry
NEW MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES - Contact Paul Watkins for Info. pwatkins40@charter.net
Homebound Communion: Bring communion and fellowship to church members unable to attend services. Share a meaningful Sunday afternoon!
Cancer Care Ministry: Journey with church members battling cancer, offering support to them and their loved ones.
Give It Up For Lent Begins in March
Throughout the month of Lent, our church family collects money for Bridging the Gap through our giving campaign, “Give It Up For Lent!” Bridging the Gap is a nonprofit organization just down the street from our church, and they provide support and resources to those in physical and financial need. They serve as a food bank, provide showers and utility assistance, and now house the NEST, the warm shelter for those without homes in our community on freezing cold nights. Through this partnership, we seek to show love to the marginalized in our community.
We challenge you to give at least $40, $1 dollar for each day of Lent for this cause. Since each dollar donated can purchase roughly ten pounds of food via BTG’s partnership with the Atlanta Food Bank, please give as much as you feel led for this important ministry! You can donate in-person on Sundays throughout Lent via cash or check, or you can give on the church giving page using the QR code below.
Lunch with the Pastors
Have you become a member here at NFUMC in the past year? Are you interested in learning more about membership? Whether you are new to the church or a long-time worshiper here with us, we invite you to join us for our Lunch with the Pastors event. Rev. Andrew and Rev. Connor will be hosting this lunch meeting, where we will explore core beliefs of the United Methodist Church, explain how to dive deeper in our faith community here at NFUMC, and explore questions that are on people’s hearts and minds who are attending. The event will be on Sunday, February 23rd from 12:15-2:15. Lunch will be free and provided for all who RSVP by Wednesday, February 19th.
We thank you for your gracious gifts, which go to the ministries of Newnan First UMC and our local and global partners in mission.
Place cash or checks in the offering plate on Sundays. If you’d like to pay with a credit card, use the QR code or text number below, or visit our website. You can also set up automatically-recurring gifts through your bank.
Contact Owen Lambert for assistance - finance@newnanfumc.org.
www.newnanfumc.org/give Text “NFUMC” to 73256
Update Missions
On Saturday, January 25th, Scott and Will Harlan, Ron Hall, and Ted Burnett built a wheelchair ramp for Dan and Sandy Fambro. We are so thankful for your willingness to serve.
One Roof Donations in February - Mission Sunday February 15
Thank you for being such a giving church community. Our friends at One Roof are greatly appreciative of the continued donations of food. Right now, they are running low on the following items: grits, rice, fruit cups, microwavable soup, kid’s drinks, canned spaghetti sauce, and macaroni and cheese. Please consider donating items for their senior adult bags with easy open microwavable containers.
You can drop One Roof donations in the conference space between the Work & Gathering Rooms.
ERT
We want to host a Basic Early Response Team training this spring. If you are interested in learning more about this mission, please contact either Ted Burnett at theoburnett@outlook.com or Aileen Burnett at aburnett@newnanfumc.org.
#ServeCoweta is Saturday, March 29th.
View & Download Mission pictures
Hello all!
What a crazy few weeks it has been! It’s so good to be back in worship, and I’m so happy to be experiencing a more normal schedule after all of the snow cancellations. This Pennsylvania girl moved to the South for lots of reasons, but one of the reasons she stayed is because there isn’t much snow. Twice in a couple of weeks was simply too much! I hope everyone stayed safe, dry, and warm.
We are so excited to be working with Patty again this month for the Annual Chili Cook-Off on February 12th. This fundraiser helps with funding our Youth Choir Tour. To all of you planning to cook soups and chili, bake desserts, or even just planning to come and dine with us that evening, thank you for contributing. Your gifts are what allowed this event to be such a success last year, and the fact that it’s happening again is such a blessing for the Youth. We will be traveling to St. Simon’s Island, GA, Charleston, SC, Outer Banks, NC, and then doing some fun things around Charlotte, NC before heading home that week. It is already filling up with great singing and service opportunities, as well as lots of fun!
Dixon
I wanted to go ahead and draw everyone’s attention to the events coming up during Lent. This is such a beautiful season within this community. I really enjoyed the Lenten Lunches at the various churches around town, and I’m looking forward to experiencing those again. I will also take this opportunity to remind you of two concert opportunities during that season. The first will happen on March 27th. This will be a performance of Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, which is a stunning masterwork with chorus and orchestra. Due to the size of the event (we’ve partnered with several churches as well as the East Coweta High School Chamber Singers), it will be held at the Nixon Centre. This will be a ticketed event, but only to reserve seats. The cost of attendance is free. I hope to see everyone there that evening! Be on the lookout for more information.
The second event will be on April 3rd here at the church. Long Beach Middle School (Long Beach, MS) will be passing through on their way to a competition in Atlanta, and their various choirs will offer a concert here that evening. They will be traveling with approximately 60 singers, so it is surely going to be a music filled evening in our own Sanctuary. You won’t want to miss it!
We will keep you informed of those dates as they come closer, but I continue to be blessed with the support for music making in this community. Without the gifts (both in talent and financial) of this church body, events like these wouldn’t be possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And as always… Soli Deo Gloria!
Much love, Caitie
Fun ‘n Frolic
Our Fun ‘n Frolic trip for January was to see the Jesus Exhibit and lunch at the Varsity. We saw artifacts from the Holy Land and from the time of Jesus. There was a lot to learn!
For our outing to Columbus on February 20th, remember to bring money with you for lunch in the Columbus area on the way home. Cost is $5 for transportation. RSVP deadline is February 13th, with payment due at sign-up.
For the Lunch & Learn on March 20th, cost is $5, due upon sign-up. RSVP deadline is March 16th.
Kindergarten Open House
Friday, February 7th | 10:00am, Parish Hall.
Please join us for an informative session about our Kindergarten program. This is a great time to meet our teachers and to introduce you to the Kindergarten curriculum and all the activities in which the Kindergarten students participate. The Kindergarten Open House is open to the public. Please pass this information along to your friends and invite them to join us for this informative session.
Consignment Sale News: Mark your calendars our next sale is February 28th and March 1st. This sale is our Spring/Summer Sale! Our Fall Sale was an amazing success, and I am excited about another successful sale this Spring. Registration to consign is open! Just like last sale, consignors will sign up for a time to drop off their items. For more information, go to our website. Don’t wait until the last minute to register and tag your items!
Spirit night at Truett’s Chick-fil-A is Tuesday, February 11th from 5-8. Please mention the preschool when ordering! Thank you for your support! smitchell@NewnanFUMC.org
Preschool registration for the 2025-2026 school year will be on Sunday, March 9th for church members. Currently enrolled families may register on March 10th and registration will open to the public on March 11th. The link will go live for Church members on Sunday at 1:00pm. The following days it will open at 10am. I am so excited about the prospects for next year’s registration. Please tell your friends and family about our preschool and Kindergarten! All the registration information will be updated on our website soon, and all registration and payment will be online. Call me if you have questions or have friends interested in touring.
Wednesday Night Fellowship 5:00-6:15pm Parish Hall
Supper is served 5:00-6:15pm, though you are welcome to stay later even if Patty and helpers are packing up. Remember to RSVP by noon the Tuesday before supper. This helps give us an accurate count when making food!
Paul Mosley Youth Director
pmosley@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.7400 (x219)
View & Download All 2024 Uth pictures
We have kicked off this year at UTH, and we hit the ground running!
We opened the year with an awesome Bingo night on January 5 that was a blast to both play and win. If you haven’t learned yet, these kids love some good, healthy competition. Biscuits and Bibles started back up the following Wednesday morning, January 8. We are continuing our study of the Gospel of Matthew alongside some delicious Chick-fil-A biscuits. We are offering a free biscuit to anyone who comes for the first time this year, so be there for free breakfast! Then on January 17, we left on our ski trip to Lake Junaluska and Cataloochee Ski Resort, on which we grew closer to the Lord and each other (alongside some cold, cold weather)! Then we kicked out our newest series, The Noble Experiment, on January 26. We aren’t slowing down anytime soon so come on and have a blast with us at UTH!
Seniors: We are planning on launching our Sticky Faith study during the month of February, so be sure to let me know you are interested!
Confirmation Retreat: The North Georgia Conference’s Confirmation Retreat is a chance for our Confirmands to join with other students going through confirmation in a weekend full of spiritual growth and development while having an absolute blast along the way. This time is designed for our young people to learn more about what it means to follow Christ and to make a profession of faith. We will learn and grow through a variety of means (worship, games, small groups, activities) giving them time to reflect on their faith and their desire to follow Christ and join the United Methodist Church. This trip costs $180, and that covers 4 meals, lodging, program expenses, and a t-shirt. Parents are welcome to attend alongside their child as well. Registration closes Feb. 16th.
Save The Date - Confirmation Sunday is March 23, 2025!
Join us for a day celebrating our newest members. These amazing young adults have put in the time and effort to learn all about their faith and church, and now they are being confirmed. Be sure to join us that Sunday at 11am to encourage and support them. Parents of Confirmands, I will be emailing you directly with all the information you need. Be on the lookout!
Current UTH Series: the Noble Experiment
In this series, our students and adults will be exploring what it means to have integrity. In our first lesson we define integrity as “integrity= authenticity + good character.” As the series progresses, we will be diving deeper into how we can live that out, what struggles may come with living a life of integrity, and how we can support one another in this Noble Experiment!
February Events at UTH:
5: Senior Sticky Faith Study Starts at Paul’s House
9: UTH Bowling Night @ Junction Lanes
16: No UTH- Midwinter Break
28: Confirmation Retreat (through March 2)
One of my favorite verses from the Bible comes
from Proverbs 22:6.
It says: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” As we embark into the new year I wanted to thank each of you for being a part of our church and for involving your children in all the fun and meaningful things we do. I also want to remind you of a few things that we have going on each week! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out. Can’t wait to see you soon!
In the Nursery we have our Wiggle and Worship for our 2 and 3 year old children! When your child joins us they will hear some of the fun stories in the Bible and play, color, and craft! The nursery is in the Preschool below the Parish Hall.
We have Sunday School for our Pre k 4 years to 2nd grade. This group learns the stories of the Bible. We play, talk, and craft! We have the best time in this class with the best teachers around! This month we are learning about the love of Jesus and how he teaches us to love one another.
Our older Sunday School Class is 3rd grade to 5th grade! In this class, we travel through the 66 books of the Bible! We get to talk about the lesson in each book and we get to create and explore all that God wants us to know! Our wonderful teachers take the lessons and special verses and talk to the children about how they can work the lessons in their lives.
Children’s Worship is a time to celebrate God’s Word through interactive play, crafting, and games. These children are dismissed from the sanctuary in the big church and can be picked up after church from the children’s floor. The stairs are located to the left leaving the Sanctuary. The ages for these children are 4 years through 2nd grade. We will be praising Jesus and learning new and fun ways to praise Him at home! We will talk about ways to follow God’s word and who helps us!
ROOT345 is a nighttime program for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders! In this program we take the reading from the bible and learn how we can apply it to our everyday life. We play games, have lessons, and small group chats. Dinner is at 6pm and we end at 7:45pm. We are wrapping up Hope and moving into where we can see God’s love, share His love, and receive love.
Discipleship
Melody Webb
Discipleship Director
mwebb@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.7400 (x215)
Lenten Devotionals
Books will be available to pick up Sunday, March 2.
The church will be providing a lenten devotional booklet to help everyone in the congregation experience a transformative Lenten journey! Each day includes a suggested Scripture, a short devotion, and a short prayer or practice – based on the Revised Common Lectionary.
A Disciple’s Path: New Membership Class
Sundays March 9-April 13, 2025, 3:00-4:30pm (AH)
Whether you are a new member, a life-long member, thinking of becoming a member, or are simply curious, you are invited to join us for this 6-week membership class using the book “A Disciple’s Path” by James A. Harnish. Come learn more about the United Methodist denomination’s history, polity and theology as well as what Jesus asks of us when we become his disciples and members of the Body of Christ. Plus, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other disciples and find support and encouragement as you continue to grow in your faith. Childcare is available and can be requested on the registration form.
Please register by Sunday, March 2 with this QR Code.
Current Bible Studies
Breaking Bread
Wednesdays, Noon (GR)
Weekly discussion of the upcoming Sunday’s scripture lesson with Rev. Andrew Chappell. Bring your own lunch!
Martha Circle
3rd Mondays, 9:45am (M200)
Book study using “Moments that Take Your Breath Away” by James Moore.
Mens Prayer Breakfast
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 8:30am (GR)
Men of all ages are welcome to join for breakfast, prayer, and bible study.
Womens AM Bible Study
Wednesdays, 9:30am (AH)
Bring your bibles and join us as we read through the gospel of Luke. Led by Melody Webb.
Womens PM Bible Study
Wednesdays, 6:30pm (AH)
Book study using “Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World” by Max Lucado. Led by Kelly Stephens.
PARENTS PARENTS NIGHT OUT NIGHT OUT
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
SATURDAY, 15
4:00PM - 8:00PM 4:00PM - 8:00PM Kids
Polly Crowley “Making sense of the bible”
Friendship “How will you be remembered?”
Henry Kitchens Weekly bible study
Insight Contemplative Spirituality
The Shepherds
“What Is A Christian?”
If you have served our church in any capacity, please join us for lunch to show our thanks for your dedication in making our community a better place!
RSVP by March 2
1
Run For Angels & Chicken Q
9:30am-Noon | Parish Hall
2
Worship Service
8:30am & 11:00 | Sanctuary
Sunday School
9:45am
Confirmation Class
9:45am | Annex Conference
Contemplative Bible Study
9:45am | Annex Hall
Church Council Meeting
12:15pm | Annex Hall
Duruflé Rehearsal
2:00pm | Choir Room
Youth Ensemble
4:30pm | Choir Room
Youth Choir
5:00pm | Choir Room
ROOT345
6:00pm | Children’s Wing
UTH
6:00pm | Youth Lounge
3
Joybells
4:30pm | Bell Room
Inspirations
5:45pm | Choir Room
February Calendar
4
Eddy Williams Funeral 11:00am | Chapel
Masterworks
6:45pm | Choir Room
5
UTH Biscuits & Bibles
7:00am | Truett’s Chick-fil-A
Women’s Bible Study
9:30am | Annex Hall
Breaking Bread
12:00pm | Gathering Room
Bellissimo 4:30pm | Bell Room
Cherub Choir
5:15pm | Main 203
Carol Choir
5:15pm | Choir Room
Women’s Bible Study
6:30pm | Annex Hall
Chancel Choir
6:45pm | Choir Room
UTH Sticky Faith TIME | Mosley Home
6
Friendship Committee Meeting 9:30am | Annex Hall
7
Kindergarten Open House 10:00am | Parish Hall
9 Sunday School 9:45am
Confirmation Class 9:45am | Annex Conference
Contemplative Bible Study 9:45am | Annex Hall
Duruflé Rehearsal 2:00pm | Choir Room
Youth Ensemble 4:30pm | Choir Room
Youth Choir 5:00pm | Choir Room
Family Craft Night & Superbowl 6:00pm | Children’s Wing
UTH Bowling Night 6:00pm | Junction Lanes 10 Joybells 4:30pm | Bell Room
