Rev. Andrew Chappell Senior Pastor
achappell@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.7400 (x202)
Clergy
IRev. Connor Bell Associate Pastor
cbell@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.7400 (x208)
Dear Friends,
have been thinking of nothing other than the loss our community has experienced. I’m not just talking about our church community. I’m talking about Newnan. Death has been present. In moments like this, I am reminded of the words of the prophet, “Woe is me for my hurt! My wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is my grief and I must bear it.” I am reminded of the words of Jesus on the cross, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” And the cry of the Psalmist, “What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody’s tending the store” (73:11, MSG).
Scripture gives us plenty of language that helps us grapple with the feelings of grief, loneliness, despair, and depression. Many of you know these feelings that accompany loss all too well. And unfortunately, these feelings can lead to what Dr. Leslie Weatherhead calls “faulty” and “mistaken” ways of dealing with grief: resentment, self-pity, and fatalism.
Pastor Weatherhead offers a few words on how to move through our grief and pain:
“We are all of us, at some time or another, likely to get hurt. But it is not God’s intention. He does not single us out. There is no place for fatalism, no place for resentment, no place for self-pity. I think we are to try to accept our grief as our share of the sorrow of the world, a sorrow which God Himself eternally shares.”
Lately, this short passage has given me some comfort. We do not grieve alone. We grieve with many all over the world who grieve too. We grieve with God who grieves with us.
“But still,” you say. “What do I do when the grief is unimaginable? When the tragedy is unthinkable?”
Once again, I look to Dr. Weatherhead:
“When grief is heavy upon a [person], it is not the moment to hand out explanations…Many of us are carrying heavy burdens and at times the loneliness of it all will fall upon us with a stab of terror. But in fellowship with others, we shall find the load lifted a little, particularly if we do not become self-pitying but seek to ease the burden of another. And here is a closing parable. The wings of a bird are often a burden. In some birds its wings weigh more than the rest of the body. But when it carries its burden and at the same time trusts the air to support and sustain it, it finds that its very burden becomes the means by which it learns to fly. God is like the supporting air around a bird. We learn to fly when (once again, step by step) we trust this upholding power.”
Cast thy burden upon the Lord; He shall sustain thee.
This month we especially remember the baptisms of Wallace and his cousin Ameris, that we celebrated in February.
God bless you, Andrew
Update General Ministry
GIUFL GIUFL GIUF
March
March
March
April
April
GIVING & ATTENDANCE
February 2025
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
Fun ‘n Frolic
Our Fun ‘n Frolic trip for February was spent exploring the Columbus Museum and then enjoying lunch at Minnie’s Uptown.
On Thursday, March 20th, we will have James Welden speak to us about financial security. We will meet in the Annex Hall for fellowship and lunch at 11:30am with the presentation following. Cost will be $5. RSVP by 3/13.
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!
Update Missions
Mission Trip Meeting - March 10, 2025
7:00pm | Gathering Room
If you are interested in participating in Mission Guatemala, this is your opportunity to learn more and commit to that trip.
#ServeCoweta - March 29, 2025
8:00am-Noon | Carl Miller Park
Breakfast items and coffee will be available. Registration begins at 8am and send off to jobs is 9am. When registering, put NFUMC as your organization. We would love to have 35 members participate. Childcare will be available by contacting Betsy Conoloy.
Basic Early Response Team (ERT) Training - April 26, 2025
8:00am-4:30pm | Annex Hall
While ERTs are not first responders, they fill a specific need in the early days after a disaster to clean damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence. Cost of the training is $20 which includes materials and lunch.
Bridging The Gap Summer Lunch Program - June 9-13
CJ Smith Park
We will need volunteers to help make lunches and to pass them out at the park. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Aileen. SignUp Genius will be coming soon!
Mission Newsletter - Feb & March 2025
The Mission leadership gathered in February to determine focus and next steps. Read their newsletter at the QR code to the right.
Discipleship
Melody Webb
Discipleship Director
mwebb@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.7400 (x215)
“The Sanctuary” - Lenten Devotional Books
Books are available to pick up throughout the church
The church will provide 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
5th Sunday Fellowship
March 30, 9:45am (Parish Hall)
We encourage Sunday School classes to skip March 30, so members can join for a 5th Sunday Fellowship potluck breakfast. The church will provide coffee.
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 “Seven Words” by Susan Webb. Led by Kelly Stephens.
SUNDAYS 9:45AM-10:45AM
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?”
Agape
The gospel of John Open Hands
Topics on Faith in Real Life
Abide
Overview of the 4 gospels
Life in the Spirit
Topics to take your Faith deeper
Dear Church Family,
I’d like to start this letter by expressing my gratitude for each and every one of you that participated with the Chili Cook Off. Whether that was making a soup or chili, donating a dessert, joining us for dinner, or buying a dessert in our auction, your contributions to help the youth with fundraising for our choir tour are so appreciated. This ministry is such an integral part of our music department, and we couldn’t do it without this congregation’s continued support.
As we journey through the sacred season of Lent, I find myself deeply moved by the themes of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Lent is a time for us to pause, look inward, and prepare our hearts for the profound mystery of Easter.
In our musical ministry, we have the unique privilege of guiding our congregation through this introspective period. Each hymn, anthem, and musical offering is an opportunity to connect more deeply with the themes of Lent. Whether it’s the somber tones of “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” or the hopeful strains of “Amazing Grace,” music serves as a powerful vehicle for spiritual reflection.
Caitlyn Dixon Director of Music
cdixon@NewnanFUMC.org 770.253.7400 (x205)
I encourage each of you to take a moment during our services to truly listen to the music and let it speak to your soul. Reflect on the lyrics, the melodies, and the emotions they evoke. Allow the music to be a mirror, reflecting your own spiritual journey and drawing you closer to God.
As we continue through Lent, let’s also remember the importance of community. Our shared musical experiences can bring us together, fostering a sense of unity and support. Let’s lift each other up in prayer and song, knowing that we are all on this journey together.
There will be a very special opportunity to join together in community on March 27th, 7:00 p.m., at the Nixon Centre for a performance of Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem. Singers from Central Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and East Coweta High School Chamber Choir will come together for this performance. The singers will be joined by a professional chamber orchestra, mezzo-soprano soloist Maryann Kyle, and organist Henry Lee. Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, Op. 9, is a choral-orchestral work composed in 1947. The piece is known for its serene and contemplative nature, blending Gregorian chant melodies with lush, impressionistic harmonies. Duruflé’s Requiem stands out for its meditative and introspective character, offering a sense of solace and peace. Unlike many Requiems that focus on the drama of the Last Judgment, Duruflé’s version emphasizes comfort and hope, making it a unique and deeply moving composition.
Thank you for your dedication and passion for our music ministry. May this Lenten season be a time of deep reflection and spiritual growth for us all.
Soli Deo Gloria, Caitie
First KIDS
Andrea Stuart
Director of Children’s Ministry
astuart@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.7400 (x209)
View & Download All First KIDS pictures
We are going to carry it over into March! We have so much planned in March and we want you to come and join in on the fun!
Sunday School is the BEST time your child can have every single week. We have lessons for 2-year-olds through 5th grade! Our 4-year-old through 2nd grade classes are going to have so much fun this month learning some of the Parables in the Bible. Stories of good Samaritans, forgiveness, lost sheep, and more! We have time to play and craft in this fun and action packed class. Our older Sunday school class (3rd through 5th grade) is taking a drive on Route 66 and they are taking stops along the way at each of the 66 books in the Bible! If you have a 3rd through 5th grader, have them join the fun!
Sunday School is a great way to make connections with new and old friends and grow closer to God. It also helps that we have the BEST Sunday School teachers in Newnan. They make each Sunday so much fun and never miss a chance to find ways to love your children. Sunday School is 9:45am to 10:45am. Sunday School for 4 year olds to 5th grade is on the Children’s Floor, upstairs in the main building.
Our Wiggle and Worship is a 2 and 3 year old group. They are located in the nursery. The nursery is located below the Parish Hall in the Preschool. They get to hear and learn about lessons from the Bible and get to do a cute craft. They will wiggle while they learn and it is all the fun!!!
NIGHT MARCH 19 | 5:30 NIGHT OF SCIENCE
Join us for a fun evening of hands on activities and demonstrations, all about SCIENCE!!
Who: Pre K and Elementary children
Where: Parish Hall
When: March 19, 2025 at 5:30 - 7pm
March is National Reading Month!
In March we will celebrate national reading month with a variety of activities aimed at helping to foster a love of reading at an early age. Reading improves creativity, critical thinking skills, and helps with concentration. We would love for you to share your favorite children’s book with us. There is a box near the church office where you can tell us what your favorite book is and take a bookmark in return. You may also email to let us know what your favorite book is.
Join us for our Pre-K open house on Friday, March 7th at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. Find out what sets us apart from the public schools. Meet our teachers and learn about the curriculum and schedule our Pre-K students follow. Open house is open to the public, please invite your friends!
Preschool registration for the 2025-2026 school year will be on Sunday, March 9th for church members. The link will go live on Sunday at 1:00pm. Currently enrolled families may register on March 10th and registration will open to the public on March 11th. The links for currently-enrolled families and public will open at 10am, respectively. 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.
Preschool Director
smitchell@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.1237
Spirit Night this month is at Culver’s on March 25, from 5:00-9:00pm. Tell them you’re there for the Preschool when you’re paying!
Summer Enrichment registration will go LIVE at 9am Monday, April 14th, for church members and presently enrolled families. On Monday, April 21st, 9am, PUBLIC registration for Summer Enrichment will open. Class size is limited and registration is based on a first come, first served basis. June 9-12 - Under the Big Top Circus Camp, July 7-10 - Beach Vacation, August 4-7 - Dinosaur Discovery.
The spring semester has two big celebrations.
Our first celebration of the spring semester is coming up this month: Confirmation Sunday! We have an awesome group of confirmands who have been working hard through this year to prepare for Confirmation Sunday. Join us on March 23 at the 11:00am service to celebrate these wonderful young people of the church!
Alongside Confirmation Sunday, March is an action packed month at UTH! We will be finishing our UTH series on integrity (the Noble Experiment) and jumping into our new series The Comeback Kid centered around Easter on Sunday Nights. Biscuits and Bible happens every Wednesday morning before school, and we are steadily working through all of the Gospel of Matthew. The Seniors are doing a Sticky Faith study at the Mosley’s home on Wednesday night where they are talking about faith, future, and food. Lots of great stuff is in the works so keep your calendars up to date with all the awesome stuff we have coming up.
Senior Sunday Registration:
The end of the School year is fast approaching and for our oldest UTH that means graduation. We want to collect some information from you, so we can honor your seniors on Senior Sunday, May 18, 2025. Please follow the QR code to the right and answer as much of the form as you can. The form allows you to fill things out partially and return to edit it if needed. We understand that their future plans and details may change leading up to Senior Sunday, and we will update them as necessary. The deadline to fill out this form is May 5, 2025.
Note: We’d also like to recognize college graduates! You can use the same QR code to fill out your information.
Upcoming Events at UTH
Feb 28-March 2: Confirmation Retreat
March 9: The Comeback Kid Series Starts March 22: Confirmation Rehearsal Dinner
March 23: Confirmation Sunday
April 6: No UTH (Spring Break) April 20: Easter Sunday
In The Life of Our Church
1
Consignment Sale Half-Off Day
8:00am-Noon
2
Worship Service
8:30am & 11:00am | Sanctuary
Sunday School
9:45am
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
Worship Committee Meeting
6:30pm | Gathering Room
4
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
8:30am | Gathering Room
Celebration Singers
9:30am | Choir Room
Shrove Tuesday Supper
5:00-6:15pm | Parish Hall
Masterworks
6:45pm | Choir Room
March Calendar
5
Women’s Bible Study
9:30am | Annex Hall
Lenten Lunch & Service
12:00pm | St. Paul’s Episcopal* *RSVP at newnanfumc.org/events
Bellissimo
4:30pm | Bell Room
Ash Wednesday Service
6:30pm | Sanctuary
Chancel Choir
6:45pm | Choir Room
7
Pre-K Open House
10:00am | Parish Hall
9
Worship Service
8:30am & 11:00am | Sanctuary
Sunday School 9:45am
Confirmation Class 9:45am | Annex Conference
Volunteer Appreciation Lunch 12:15pm | Parish Hall
Membership Class 3:00pm | Annex Hall
Youth Ensemble 4:30pm | Choir Room
Youth Choir
5:00pm | Choir Room
ROOT345
6:00pm | Children’s Wing
10
Inspirations
5:45pm | Choir Room
Mission Trip Meeting 7:00pm | Gathering Room
11
Celebration Singers 9:30am | Choir Room
Angel House Mtg 11:30am | Main 200
Parkinson’s Support Mtg 2:30pm | Main 203
Masterworks 6:45pm | Choir Room
UTH Sticky Faith 7:30pm | Mosley Home
12
UTH Biscuits & Bibles
7:00am | Truett’s Chick-fil-A
Women’s Bible Study 9:30am | Annex Hall
Lenten Lunch & Service 12:00pm | Central Baptist
Women’s Bible Study 6:30pm | Annex Hall
Chancel Choir 6:45pm | Choir Room
16
Worship Service
8:30am & 11:00am | Sanctuary
Sunday School 9:45am
16
Youth Choir
5:00pm | Choir Room
ROOT345
6:00pm | Children’s Wing
UTH
6:00pm | Youth Lounge
17
Martha Circle
9:45am | Main 200
HK SS Class Party 11:00am | Annex Hall
Joybells 4:30pm | Bell Room
Inspirations 5:45pm | Choir Room
18
Men’s Prayer Breakfast 8:30am | Gathering Room
Celebration Singers 9:30am | Choir Room
Masterworks 6:45pm | Choir Room
UTH Sticky Faith 7:30pm | Mosley Home
19
UTH Biscuits & Bibles
7:00am | Truett’s Chick-fil-A
Women’s Bible Study
9:30am | Annex Hall
Dementia Support Mtg 10:00am | Annex Conference
UTH Sticky Faith
7:30pm | Mosley Home
5
UTH Biscuits & Bibles
7:00am | Truett’s Chick-fil-A
UTH
6:00pm | Youth Lounge
10
Joybells 4:30pm | Bell Room
Membership Class 3:00pm | Annex Hall
Youth Ensemble 4:30pm | Choir Room
Lenten Lunch & Service 12:00pm | St. George’s Catholic
Bellissimo 4:30pm | Bell Room
March Calendar
19
Wednesday Night Fellowship
5:00-6:15pm | Parish Hall
Vespers
5:00pm | Chapel
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
20
FnF Lunch & Learn
11:30am | Parish Hall
22
Confirmation Rehearsal & Dinner
6:00pm | Sanctuary
23
Worship Service - Confirmation Sunday
8:30am & 11:00am | Sanctuary
Sunday School
9:45am
Membership Class
3:00pm | Annex Hall
Youth Ensemble
4:30pm | Choir Room
23
Youth Choir
5:00pm | Choir Room
ROOT345
6:00pm | Children’s Wing
UTH
6:00pm | Youth Lounge
24
ARC Blood Drive
12:15-4:15pm | Parish Hall
24 Joybells
4:30pm | Bell Room
Inspirations
5:45pm | Choir Room
25
Celebration Singers
9:30am | Choir Room
PS Spirit Night
5:00-9:00pm | Culver’s
Tuesday Night Reading Club
6:30pm | Annex 205
UTH Sticky Faith
7:30pm | Mosley Home
26
UTH Biscuits & Bibles
7:00am | Truett’s Chick-fil-A
Women’s Bible Study 9:30am | Annex Hall
Lenten Lunch & Service 12:00pm | Newnan First UMC Parish Hall
Bellissimo 4:30pm | Bell Room
Cherub Choir 5:15pm | Main 203
Women’s Bible Study 6:30pm | Annex Hall
Chancel Choir
6:45pm | Choir Room
UTH Sticky Faith
7:30pm| Mosley Home
27
Duruflé’s Requiem
7:00pm | Nixon Centre for Performing Arts
29
#ServeCoweta
8:00am | Carl Miller Park
30 Worship Service
8:30am & 11:00am | Sanctuary
5th Sunday Fellowship 9:45am | Parish Hall
Membership Class 3:00pm | Annex Hall
Youth Ensemble 4:30pm | Choir Room
Youth Choir 5:00pm | Choir Room
ROOT345
6:00pm | Children’s Wing
UTH
6:00pm | Youth Lounge
31 Joybells 4:30pm | Bell Room
Inspirations 5:45pm | Choir Room
APRIL 1
Men’s Prayer Breakfast 8:30am | Gathering Room
Celebration Singers 9:30am | Choir Room
UTH Sticky Faith 7:30pm | Mosley Home
Please check the online calendar for the most up-to-date events schedule!
In The Life of Our Church
Baptisms
Wallace Rehner Bell | February 2, 2025
Karolyne and Connor Bell
In Memoriam
Wallace Rehner Bell
January 31, 2024 - February 19, 2025
Betty Baggett
October 15, 1934 - February 22, 2025
See the full 2024-2025 “Yearbook” album here!
In The Life of Our Church
CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Andrew Chappell, Senior Pastor Rev. Connor Bell, Associate Pastor
Aileen Burnett, Missions & Sr Adult Coordinator
Seth Crile, Building Manager
Caitlyn Dixon, Minister of Music
Danika Ford, Nursery Coordinator
Janet Marie Gunnels, Communications Director
Patty Hall, Kitchen Hostess
Tiffany Hanson, Church Sexton
Carol Hartenbower, Administrative Assistant
Carrie Horsley, Church Sexton
Bonnie Krider, Asst. Director of Music
Owen Lambert, Finance & Business Director
Dr. Dawn McCord, Organist
Susan Mitchell, Preschool Director
Paul Mosley, Youth Minister
Julie Perkins, Accompanist
Kim Stokes, Finance Secretary
Andrea Stuart, Director of Children’s Ministries
Melody Webb, Discipleship Director