IRev. Andrew Chappell
Senior Pastor
achappell@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.7400 (x202)
Rev. Connor Bell
Associate Pastor
cbell@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.7400 (x208)
Dear Friends in Christ,
was recently reading Gavin Edwards’ book Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever, and I was amazed at the author’s efforts to distill Fred Rogers’ ministry into ten practices. Edwards says that if you want to be more like Mr. Rogers, start here: be deep and simple.
Jesus tried to preach this same thing to people. Be deep and simple. In fact, for people who tried to over complicate God, Jesus often tried to show how simple the abundant life really is. In one instance, Jesus said:
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” (Matt. 10:40-42, NIV).
It seems that ministry, at least from Jesus’ perspective, was always meant to be simple, even as simple as offering a cup of cool water. Yes, sometimes ministry is hard. But it is meant to be simple.
In August, we began a sermon series called “A Christ-Centered Life” aimed at this effort: be deep and simple. And our goal through this fall and in looking at various spiritual practices is to help our hearts reach new depth with God and simplify the Christian life.
Beyond Mr. Rogers, I have been drawing inspiration from remarkable spiritual guides like Howard Thurman, William Law, Richard Foster, and Ruth Haley Barton. From the quiet solitude of the soul to the transformative power of reading Scripture, we’re rediscovering how to shape our hearts and minds more fully after Christ. We are being reminded that the Christian life is one that is both deep and simple.
To complement our Sunday morning messages, I’m thrilled to announce a new mid-week gathering called “Breaking Bread.” Starting on September 4th at noon in the Gathering Room, we’ll gather for a simple, low-pressure time of sharing and reflection. Bring your lunch and your Bible. We’ll spend 45 minutes in conversation about the Scripture passage we’re exploring in worship for our upcoming Sunday. There’s no homework – just an opportunity to connect with others over God’s Word.
We’d like to celebrate the baptisms of our newest little members since July 28: Ben Chappell, George, Thompson, Teddy Webber, Jackson Nix, and Nellie Cunningham.
Blessings, Andrew Chappell
p.s. - The books I am using as my companions in this sermon series are below:
Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith by Kathleen Norris
Disciplines of the Spirit by Howard Thurman
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law
If I haven’t had the opportunity to meet you yet, my name is Melody Webb and I am thrilled to be partnering with you on your spiritual journeys as the new Discipleship Director here at Newnan First UMC! Some of you have asked, “What exactly does ‘Discipleship’ Director mean? What will you be doing?” Great questions!
When I think of discipleship, I think of Acts 2: The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers… All the believers were united and shared everything… Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, selected verses)
Discipleship, then - being a ‘believer’ or Christian - involves more than worship alone; it involves fellowship, learning, generosity, spiritual practices and worship in the context of community.
During the month of August our Adult Sunday School class leaders have been sharing a bit about their particular classes during Sunday worship, as well as why it has been so important to their own spiritual growth: the formation of close friendships, the care and nurture of a close-knit community, the joy of fellowship, the generosity that funds missions and scholarships, the comfort of prayers for one another, and the shared learning that encourages their faith.
Their experiences sound a lot like that description of the early church, and it’s why we think it is so important for everyone - children, youth and adults, to have that experience within a small group, study or Sunday School class. In fact, John Wesley - the founder of the Methodist movement - required everyone in the early Methodist societies to meet regularly in smaller groups called classes and bands, believing that when people come together to pray together, study God’s Word together, bear one another’s burdens, and care for one another, they cannot help but grow in love for God and neighbor.
As for what I will be doing - I’ll be resourcing and supporting adult faith formation opportunities, as well as helping to coordinate some church-wide fellowship opportunities. In addition to Sunday Morning classes, there are women’s and men’s study groups, and a new lunchtime group, “Breaking Bread,” being led by Pastor Andrew. Most importantly, I’m here to help each of you find meaningful ways to connect and grow within the context of this community of faith, whether that’s through these or NEW opportunities. Please reach out if you have questions, or ideas. Let’s connect and grow together!
GET TO KNOW MELODY
Melody is a native Mississippian with a Bachelor’s degree in music from Mississippi State University. Her early career was spent directing church choirs in Mississippi and Missouri. When her ex-husband’s job took their family of five to Iowa in 2008, Melody served as Associate Director and eventually Director of Worship Ministries at Ankeny First UMC. While there, she was also active in bible studies, small groups and mission work, and served on the Iowa UMC Conference Board of Discipleship, became a Certified Lay Minister, and was licensed as a Local Pastor in 2018. She was then appointed to serve as Pastor of two different United Methodist congregations near Des Moines. Melody became a MiMi earlier this Spring and relocated to Georgia to be closer to her oldest daughter and grandson who live in Monroe, GA. She has fallen in love with Newnan and enjoys walking the LINC and hiking in nearby state parks. She would love to connect with you over lunch or coffee, and is more than happy to show off photos of her grand baby!
Discipleship
Save The Date - Rise Against Hunger is Sunday, October 13
This year, our missions committee and staff have decided to lead the church in something exciting – a Rise Against Hunger (RAH) meal packing event as part of our worship on Sunday morning!
On Sunday, October 13th, we will have a worship service at 8:30am in the sanctuary. But then, starting at 10am, we will gather as a church in the Parish Hall to worship with our hands by packing meal kits that RAH will distribute to those in need around the world. Our goal is to pack 15,000 meals together that morning as a congregation in an effort to fulfill the biblical call to feed the hungry.
If you have not participated in one of these meal packing events in the past, don’t worry – the packing event is accessible to people of almost any age and ability, and it is easy to learn! We will have childcare and a separate children’s worship available that morning for those below a certain age. If you need accommodations, please contact Aileen Burnett, aburnett@newnanfumc.org.
For now, we ask that you save the date for the morning of October 13th, and we hope that you can plan to join us at 10am in the parish hall. We invite Sunday School classes to forego their usual lesson that day in an effort to join together as a church and focus on the spiritual discipline of service.
More information to come! We are very excited for this opportunity for our church.
-Connor
MONTHLY FINANCE
In The Life of Our Church
View & Download Mission pictures
MISSIONS IN AUGUST
Update Missions
On August 25th, NFUMC participated in the #ServeCoweta. Our members started off the morning assisting with breakfast service, which was donated by Chick-fil-A. We then travelled out to I-58 Mission in Senoia, where we painted exterior doors and trimmed trees that will allow box trucks and cars to use the parking lot to make donation deliveries. Some of the brush was cleaned up by a special helper, a neighboring goat that wandered over! Thank you to everyone who served.
We also dropped off a full carload to One Roof on Mission Sunday. They want to extend a “huge thank you” for the continued monthly donations. These donations aid them in feedint those less fortunate in our community. See below for their September requests.
UPCOMING MISSIONS
September Donations for One Roof: Cereal, Fruit Cups, Ramen Noodles, Mac ‘n Cheese, Spaghetti-Os, Juice or ShelfStable Milk, Small Bags of Chips, Cheese Crackers, Peanut Butter, and Jelly. Drop your donations off in the conference room by the work room or bring them to the altar on Sunday, September 15, where they will be blessed. Thank you for your generous donations for our monthly One Roof donations!
Our Disaster Response Team is getting prepared to travel to flooded areas outside of the Savannah area in early September. Please be in prayer for their time working in the community to assist those who were affected by Tropical Storm Debby.
Flu & COVID Vaccines - September 15 | 9:15am-12:15pm | GR
Hosted & administered by Palmetto Pharmacy owners Emily and Joey Burg. If you would like the pneumonia vaccination, please call Palmetto Pharmacy at 770-703-5027. Forms will be available to fill out that morning.
Fun ‘n Frolic
Aileen Burnett Missions & Sr Adult Coordinator
On Thursday, August 22nd, we traveled to KIA in West Point to tour the plant. We enjoyed lunch at Country’s BBQ in LaGrange before heading to KIA. We learned about KIA’s history and also toured the factory to see how robotics assist with building vehicles. It was a wonderful day of fun and fellowship. A huge thanks to Craig Bryan and Mitch Sherwood for driving us to West Point.
On Monday, August 26th, we went to the Atlanta Exhibition Hub to see artifacts from Titanic. We learned many facts about the fateful voyage of the Titanic. We enjoyed lunch on the way home. We had a great day of fellowship. Thanks to Craig Bryan for a safe journey.
Hello, Church Family! Music
What an amazing month we had together in August. From spirit-filled worship, to a fantastic Luau (thanks Patty!), to ROOT345 and BiteNite2024, youth and children’s choirs resumed… the church is alive and well. I missed the hustle and bustle of it all over the summer. My heart is full when we’re back together in so many creative and worshipful ways.
This month will see the Inspirations, Joybells, and Celebration Singers resuming their rehearsal schedule, which means we’ll really be back in full capacity in the music wing. If you aren’t already plugged in, and you want to make music, now is the time! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re not sure of the best ensemble for you. We can figure it out together!
The coming year will have a plenitude of great music making, some in historic events of the church like O Holy Night and Children’s Sunday, and some in new music making opportunities. There’s a big one in March. You won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned for more information! I’m excited to be planning for Christmas and the Lenten Concert Series, and I look forward to seeing God in those moments. I hope you’ll be there to share in every one of them.
As we’re taking this journey through the spiritual disciplines, I’m finding myself more and more relating to God’s word in new ways. I’ve been reflecting often on Isaiah 43. In this chapter, God makes it clear that He has claimed us. “I’ve called your name. You’re mine.” And not only has He claimed us, but we are precious to Him. Beloved. In Eugene Peterson’s Message translation, after listing several ways God has and will show up, it reads, “That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” This word, beloved… I’ve written on it before, and here I am again. I think God is trying to do something with this. I look forward to listening, studying, and discerning what he has for me to learn in this season, and hopefully living that out in my daily life as I have the opportunity to love and serve with each of you.
Soli Deo Gloria, Caitie
P.S. How cute is baby Margaret Powell! I loved getting some snuggles with her at the Luau!
Caitlyn Dixon Minister of Music
A
Chancel Choir Sundays | 6:45pm Youth Ensemble & Choir Sundays | 4:30 & 5:00pm Children’s Bells & Choirs Wednesdays | 4:30 & 5:15pm Joybells Mondays (Sept. 9) | 4:30pm Inspirations Mondays (Sept. 9) | 5:45pm Celebration Singers Tuesdays (Sept 10) | 9:30am
FirstKIDS
Andrea Stuart Director, Children’s Ministries
View & Download Back-toSchool Bash Photos Here
Coming Up In September...
The Children’s Retreat to Camp Glisson is September 13-15. The theme is Faithology. This is a wonderful way to fellowship with each other and other friends from other places. We will work together as we grow closer to understanding God’s purpose for us Sign up today when we still have room!
In Sunday School, we will be exploring the journey’s of Joseph. Through these journey’s we see that God never left Joseph and He will never leave us! Please join us if you have a Pre K 4 to 5th grader up on the Children’s Floor, upstairs in the main building every Sunday at 9:45am
In Children’s Worship we continue to learn about all the wonderful things God has done for us while we play, create, and snack. We dismiss from the sanctuary and you can pick up your child from the Children’s Worship room upstairs on the children’s floor. We meet three Sunday’s a month. The only day we do not meet is the first Sunday of the month for communion.
ROOT345 is a wonderful way to get your 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders involved in evening programs. We take the lessons in the Bible and we apply them to everyday life. We play games, eat dinner, fellowship, and dive into growing closer to God. This is Sunday evenings 6pm until 7:45pm on the Children’s Floor. This month we are focusing on Trusting and Believing God Anytime, Anywhere!
We had a wonderful August. School has started back and we are so excited for all the fun new things the children are going to be doing this year!
We have hit the ground running at Uth!
Our students went back to school on August 1, and they have been going no stop since then. We volunteered at the Back to School Bash for our community families, scattered across downtown Newnan for our photo scavenger hunt called Bite Nite, launched our first series of the school year called Roundabout, and started meeting at 7:00 am on Wednesday mornings for Biscuits and Bibles, a devotional before school in the middle of their week. All of this on top of school, choir, and extracurriculars. We are so thankful to be part of these students’ lives!
As all the busyness of the school year picks up, we want to encourage our students and parents to continue making UTH and church a priority. Our hope is that our youth group is a space where students can be themselves and really dive into their faith and some awesome friendships, and to do that, their attendance and participation is vital. Our goal is walk alongside families as they do this thing called life, being an advocate for families and the values that they are working hard to instill in their children. We thank you for the opportunity to do that and rely on your continued prayers and support!
New Series Alert! Roundabout: Navigating Life’ Reroutes
If there is anything consistent about the high school experience, it is change. Like a roundabout, change is continual, with constant reroutes. This series encourages middle and high schoolers to consider that change is life, new equals change, that Jesus invites us to change for the better, and that God never changes, and that is a good thing.
CONFIRMATION
We are preparing for the 2024-2025 Confirmation Class to get started this September, and need to collect information about who will be participating this year. We are so excited for this milestone in each of these student's lives!
Once you fill out the information, I will follow up with each of you then. Confirmation starts September 8th. Mark your calendars for these awesome events!
Sign Up For Confirmation Here
Susan Mitchell Preschool Director
UPCOMING DATES
First Day of School
September 3
Fall Consignment Sale
September 15-21
Fall Festival/Potato Chili Dinner
October 23
School Starts Back September 3!
We are so excited to welcome back families and show off our new spaces! September is also consignment sale time! Mark your calendars for September 20th and 21st. We would love for you to shop and consign with us!
Our first Chick-fil-A spirit night of the year is September 10th at Truett’s. Please come out and support our preschool! Mention you are with NFUMC from 5:00-8:00pm and a portion will be donated back to the preschool.
View & Download Summer Enrichment Photos Here
WNF Wednesday Night Fellowship
September
SEPTEMBER 4 | 5:00-6:15pm | Parish Hall
Lasagna, Breadsticks, Salad
$8/person or $25/Family of 4. RSVP by Tuesday, September 3, and pay at the door.
SEPTEMBER 18 | 5:00-6:15pm | Annex Hall
Chicken Pot Pie, Mashed Potatoes, Salad. Kids Menu: Chicken Nuggets
$8/person or $25/Family of 4. Kids Menu is $5/child 12 and under. RSVP by Tuesday, September 17, and pay at the door.
SAVE THE DATE - FALL WNF SCHEDULE
October 2: Faith & Blue Dinner
Brisket Sandwich, Potatoes, Lima Beans, Salad, Dessert
October 16
Chicken, Biscuits & Gravy, Mixed Vegtables, Salad, Dessert
November 6: Mission Recognition Hamburgers, Tator Tots, Fixings, Dessert
November 20: Friendsgiving Ham Provided, Bring a side to share
December 4
Turkey, Stuffing, Green Beans, Cranberries, Dessert
1-30
September Calendar
Youth Choir Fundraiser
Sponsor-a-Day 1
Traditional Worship Service
8:30am & 11:00am, Sanctuary
Sunday School
9:45am
ERT Pre-Trip Meeting
12:00pm, Gathering Room
2
Church Offices Closed Labor Day
3
PS Cheers or Tears
8:25am-1:30am, Annex Hall
Mens Prayer Breakfast Resumes 8:30am, Gathering Room
Masterworks Rehearsal 6:45pm, Choir Room
4
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 Children’s Handbells 4:30pm, Bell Room
Vespers Service 5:00pm, Chapel
Wednesday Night Fellowship
4
Cherub Choir
5:15pm, Henry Kitchens SS
Carol Choir
5:15, Choir Room
Women’s Bible Study 6:30pm, Annex 201
Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6:45pm, Choir Room
5
ARC Blood Drive
12:15-4:15pm, Parish Hall 8
Traditional Worship Service
8:30am & 11:00am, Sanctuary
Sunday School 9:45am
Confirmation Kickoff 9:45am, Youth Lounge
Youth Ensemble 4:30pm, Choir Room
Youth Choir 5:00pm, Choir Room
ROOT345 & UTH 6:00pm, CW & YL, $
9
Friendship Committee Meeting 9:30am, Annex Hall
Joybells Resume 4:30pm, Bell Room
Inspirations Resume 5:45pm, Choir Room
9
Trustees Meeting 6:00pm, Annex Conference
10
Celebration Singers Resume 9:30am, Choir Room
Parkinson’s Support Meeting 2:30pm, Henry Kitchens SS
PS Spirit Night 5:00-8:00pm, Truett’s Chick-fil-A
Masterworks Rehearsal 6:45pm, Choir Room
11
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 Children’s Handbells 4:30pm, Bell Room
Cherub Choir 5:15pm, Henry Kitchens SS
Carol Choir 5:15, Choir Room
Women’s Bible Study 6:30pm, Annex 201
Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6:45pm, Choir Room
13-15
Faithology Children’s Retreat Camp Glisson
5:15-6:15pm, Parish Hall
UTH Baseball Outing
3:00-11:00pm, Coolray Field
15
Traditional Worship Service
8:30am & 11:00am, Sanctuary
Immunization Clinic
9:15am-12:15pm, Gathering Room
Sunday School 9:45am
Confirmation Class
9:45am, Youth Lounge
Youth Ensemble
4:30pm, Choir Room
Youth Choir
5:00pm, Choir Room
ROOT345 & UTH
6:00pm, CW & YL, $
16-18
PS Consignor Dropoff Parish Hall
16
Martha Circle Resumes 9:45am, Room 200
Joybells 4:30pm, Bell Room
Inspirations
5:45pm, Choir Room
17
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
8:30am, Gathering Room
Celebration Singers 9:30am, Choir Room
Masterworks Rehearsal
6:45pm, Choir Room
18
UTH Biscuits & Bibles
7:00am, Truett’s Chick-fil-A
Women’s Bible Study
9:30am, Annex Hall
Dementia Support Group
10:00am, Annex Conference
Breaking Bread 12:00pm, Gathering Room
Bellissimo Children’s Handbells
4:30pm, Bell Room
Vespers Service
5:00pm, Chapel
Wednesday Night Fellowship
5:15-6:15pm, Annex Hall
Cherub Choir
5:15pm, Henry Kitchens SS
Carol Choir
5:15, Choir Room
Women’s Bible Study 6:30pm, Annex 201
Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6:45pm, Choir Room
19
Consignment Sale Preview (Invite Only)
5:00-8:00pm, Parish Hall 20
PS Consignment Sale
9:00am-5:00pm, Parish Hall 21
PS Consignment Sale 8:00am-Noon, Parish Hall
21-24
Traditional Worship Service
8:30am & 11:00am, Sanctuary
Sunday School 9:45am
Confirmation Class 9:45am, Youth Lounge
Youth Ensemble 4:30pm, Choir Room
Youth Choir
5:00pm, Choir Room
ROOT345 & UTH 6:00pm, CW & YL, $ 23
Joybells 4:30pm, Bell Room
Inspirations
5:45pm, Choir Room
24
Celebration Singers 9:30am, Choir Room
Masterworks Rehearsal 6:45pm, Choir Room
25
FnF Nashville Trip Nashville, TN 22
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 Children’s Handbells 4:30pm, Bell Room
Cherub Choir 5:15pm, Henry Kitchens SS
Carol Choir 5:15, Choir Room
25
Women’s Bible Study 6:30pm, Annex 201
Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6:45pm, Choir Room
26
Prayer Shawl Meetings Resume 10:00am, Gathering Room
Delta Kappa Gamma 5:00-8:30pm, Annex Hall
28
Fear This Driver Safety Class 4:00pm, Chapel
Parents Night Out 4:00-8:00pm, Parish Hall, $
29
Traditional Worship Service 8:30am & 11:00am, Sanctuary
5th Sunday Fellowship 9:45-10:45am, Parish Hall
Confirmation Class 9:45am, Youth Lounge
Masterworks Concert 2:30pm, Donald Nixon Center
Youth Ensemble 4:30pm, Choir Room
Youth Choir 5:00pm, Choir Room
ROOT345 6:00pm, CW, $
UTH Game Night 6:00pm, YL, $
29-October 27
Stewardship Kickoff
In The Life of Our Church
Baptisms
George Alexander Thompson | August 4, 2024
Caroline and Caleb Thompson
Theodore Crowley Webber | August 11, 2024
Elizabeth and Michael Webber
James Jackson Nix | August 18, 2024
Erica and David Nix
Nellie Bernard Cunningham | August 25, 2024
Lisa and Cole Cunningham
In Memoriam
R. Alexander Davis
August 15, 1928 - August 22, 2024
In The Life of Our Church
CHURCH STAFF
Aileen Burnett, Missions & Sr Adult Coordinator
Caitlyn Dixon, Minister of Music
Danika Ford, Nursery Coordinator
Janet Marie Gunnels, Communications Director
Patty Hall, Kitchen Hostess
Tiffany Hanson, 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
Rev. Andrew Chappell, Senior Pastor
Rev. Connor Bell, Associate Pastor