AFUMC E-News, Feb. 24

February 24, 2017

Encourage One Another

A few weeks ago, I gathered with some of my colleagues in ministry to discuss a book. We have all been reading Patrick Lencioni's "The Ideal Team Player." One of the concepts that he reinforces is how important it is to encourage people around us -- in the context of the book, it's the people we work with. He reminds us that we are all hard-wired to crave encouragement and that most all of us work better, harder and happier when we're encouraged.

This doesn't just apply to our work lives, though. Our daughter began a new program a few weeks ago called Girls on the Run. While it has physical fitness as a core principle, it also seeks to build up the confidence and self-esteem of young ladies who participate. As we picked Joy up from her first practice, she couldn't stop talking about how great it was. She told us about how the girls were already cheering on one another and encouraging one another. She raved about the coaches and their uplifting words. She left her first practice looking forward to the next practice. Encouragement has a way of brightening our entire outlook.

As followers of Christ, we can have just such a role in every encounter and situation. We should remember that some of Jesus' encounters that aren't recorded in the Bible were certainly simple and brief exchanges. I believe that Jesus encouraged people everywhere he went -- with a kind word, a reminder of God's presence and an open ear to listen.

"Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another." ( Hebrews 10:23-25a)

In His Grip,

Rev. Brad Greene, Associate Pastor

Vacation Bible School registration opens on Sunday

Just two more days until Vacation Bible School opens! We're excited about this year's theme -- Maker Fun Factory -- and your kids will be, too. Children will discover that they're created by God and built for a purpose. They'll learn that God made them and is always with them, that God will always love them and that they were made for a reason.

VBS is June 12-15 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. It's for rising kindergarten-6th grade students (as of fall 2017). Cost is $20 per child, if registered between February 26 and March 1. Registration rises to $25 per child after April 1. The deadline to sign up is May 1.

Breath Prayers

A journey of prayer during
the season of Lent

By Nancy Drake

Prayer Committee Chair

You are invited to join the Prayer Committee in a Season of Lent activity, Breath Prayers. A Breath Prayer is a prayer that may easily be expelled with one breath. Example:

Lord, I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Each week the Friday E-News and bulletins will include a list of Breath Prayers to cover the upcoming week through the season of Lent. Each day's Breath Prayer will also be available on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Please join us beginning March 1, as we look forward to this journey with you.

"And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." ( John 20:22)

1st Week of Lent	BREATH PRAYERS
Wed., March 1	Father, I want to know you better.
Thurs., March 2	I will not be anxious today; I will trust in my Lord.
Fri., March 3	Jesus, let me be a light in the darkness today.

Single adult? Come to lunch this Sunday

Singles age 40 and up are invited to an informal lunch this Sunday. Enjoy a home-cooked meal and get to know other singles in the church family. This is a great opportunity to also learn about the New Life Sunday School class. The meal begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Bagley House, the white house adjacent to the Sanctuary on the corner of Main and Cumming Streets.

Garrison Keillor, Biblical History Center on tap for older adults

The Good Life Club, Alpharetta Methodist's ministry for adults age 50 and older, has two programs on tap during March.

The group will visit the Cobb Energy Center on Thursday, March 9, for An Evening of Storytelling with Garrison Keillor, creator of the popular public radio show, "Prairie Home Companion." Next up is a trip to the Biblical History Center in LaGrange, Georgia, to learn about the last week of Jesus' ministry in one of the most authentic settings this side of Israel. The Follow the Cross Walk tour, which also includes a Seder meal, is March 16.

Deadlines are approaching quickly for both events. To sign up for the trip to see Garrison Keillor, click here. For details about the Biblical History Center field trip and to register, click here.

Upcoming service opportunities

When we serve others in the name of Christ, we become doorways through which others can experience God's love. What's your #doorstory? Here are a few upcoming ways to consider serving in Christ's name locally, nationally and internationally:

Join the Paraguay mission team. The mission trip is July 17-25, and you'll work directly with Alpharetta Methodist-sponsored missionaries Christian and Angelica Dickson. Space is limited. Cost is $2,200 per person. To learn more about serving on the team, email Deedee Muehlbauer.

Learn about our Africa mission trip. A team from Alpharetta Methodist will travel to Swaziland in southern Africa, July 7-17. An interest meeting is scheduled for this Sunday, at 12 p.m. in the library, and you are invited. Learn about the trip and how you can join the mission team. No RSVP required.

Join our South Georgia Tornado Relief Team. Our Disaster Response Team is recruiting volunteers to serve in south Georgia, March 23-26, helping the region recover from catastrophic tornadoes that struck the area late last year. No specific skills or experience are necessary, but all team members must be age 18 or older. To volunteer or receive more information, please contact Chris Day.

Serve lunch at the Women's Community Kitchen. On the first Friday of every month, the Women's Community Kitchen volunteer team serves a meal to women and children experiencing food insecurities at Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Email the team for information. The next service date is March 3. Click here to sign up to help.

Action After School Program is a new ministry serving low-income students at Vickery Mill Elementary School in Roswell. Sponsored by Action Ministries, the program meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Roswell Public Library. Volunteers are needed. To help, contact Gilma Cantu.

Children's Ministry announces volunteer opportunities for next school year. 200 helping hands are needed to lead children to Christ through Sunday School and Children's Worship during the school year that begins in August. You can make a big difference by serving just one hour per month! Contact Children's Ministry Director Ellen Sanders to sign up.

Donate flowers: We have many openings on the 2017 flower calendar. If you'd like to donate altar flowers in memory or honor of a loved one, contact Mary Ann Coram to reserve your date.

Volunteer at the Maker Fun Factory! Vacation Bible School is coming June 12-15 , and this year's theme is "Maker Fun Factory." The Children's Ministry is seeking a couple more co-leaders to help organize and lead recreation and games. To help, please contact Children's Ministry Director Ellen Sanders.