WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

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A Monthly Newsletter Published by 
Rome First United Methodist Church

February 7th Sermon 

One Combined Worship Service
Sunday, February 7 * 11am * in the HistoricSanctuary
Winter Carnival & Missions Auction
Sunday, February 7 * 12noon * Wilder Center

 See below for more information!
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Adult Valentine's Luncheon
Tuesday, February 9 * 12 noon * in the Wilder Dining Room 
Cost $10.   Catered by: The Palladium -  Menu:   Chicken Parmesan,  Hash Brown Casserole,  Broccoli Casserole
Texas Toast,  Dessert.   Entertainment:  Mrs. Julie Bearden Carver  "Famous Love Songs"

Reservations & cancellations by noon on  Monday, February 8 to the Church Office,  706-291-8590 or churchoffice@romefirst.org.
Bring a friend!
You are responsible for cost after the deadline.
Ash Wednesday - Disposition of Ashes
February 10
7:30 - 8:30am - Rome First Wilder Center

12noon - 1pm - In the Rome First Parking Lot
(2nd Avenue/2nd Street)

4:45-5:45 - Rome First Historic Sanctuary

(Food provided by local food truck for lunch and dinner)
 
UMW General Coffee Meeting
Saturday, February 20 * 10am * Wilder Dining Room
Women at Work:  Economic Justice and Empowerment
with Joan Beam.  Cost:  $3.  Bring your Call-to-Prayer-and Self-Denial offering.  Also bring items for our Transitional Home:  paper goods, personal items and cleaning products.

Reservations to the Church Office (churchoffice@romefirst.org or 706-291-8590) by Wednesday, February 17.  All women are invited!
 






Join us March 6 - 4:30-6:00 for Fantastic First Sunday as children ages kindergarten through fifth grade participate in a mission project. Meet in the Kidz Connection and don't forget $2 for pizza.

IN THIS ISSUE
QUICK LINKS

» SERMONS AND MEDIA

» NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

» A CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

» MANAGE YOUR GIVING

» PRAYER CONCERNS

» BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERS.

» MEMORIALS 

» READ THE BIBLE IN A

   YEAR

MINISTRY QUICK LINKS

» PRAYER MINISTRY 

» VOLUNTEER MINISTRY

» WOMEN'S MINISTRY 

» CHILDREN'S MINISTRY  

» YOUTH MINISTRY

NEW MEMBERS
new members welcome
A "HUG" FOR EVERYONE
 
"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and 
turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and 
heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 

The words recorded in 2 Chronicles tell of the consecration of the Temple. Built to the Glory of God and for the purpose of reminding God's people that God had a dwelling among them. Built in a time when the world was in great need, a time of famine, peril and pestilence. A time of great unrest. A time of upheaval, change and uncertainty. Yet one thing remained constant - God's Love for His Children.


LETTER FROM YOUR PASTOR

Dear Rome First Friends,

I write you on behalf of our uniquely beautiful city of Rome, Georgia, the place the Cherokees called the 'Enchanted Land'.

A group of Rome's concerned citizens, of all races and creeds, came together last March to begin an effort to protect our wonderful community from becoming a victim of division among its peoples, as so many others have over the past three years, and to ensure that ours is truly a city too busy to hate.   Read more
 
ANJIE'S ORDINATION TRIP:  JOHN WESLEY HERITAGE TOUR IN ENGLAND
 
Dear wonderful church,

I am excited to ask for your prayers as I travel to England for the first ten days in February. Because of your generosity and support to celebrate my ordination last June,  I am able to join Andy, clergy and laity fromacross the North Georgia Conference,  and Bishop Watson on a John Wesley Heritage Tour across England. Originally we thought the ordination trip would be to the Holy Land, but this year Bishop Watson decided to take the trip to England to explore John Wesley's life and ministry. This trip will be full of meaningful sites. We will travel to London, Gloucestershire, Stonehenge, Oxford, Bristol, Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Epworth to see places important in Methodist history as well as other interesting historical sites. As I am  praying for our North Georgia delegation to General Conference in May and the future of the United Methodist Church, it seems an appropriate time to explore and learn more about our Methodist heritage and past.

Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness that has made this trip possible! Please pray for all of us as we travel February 1-10.

Peace to you,
Anjie

CONFERENCE MISSION MONTH

Rome First is spotlighting three of our Conference ministries in February. These are ministries we share with all the United Methodist churches in North Georgia. We will learn more about these ministries and participate in giving to support them. These agencies are ACTION MINISTRIES, the UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME and MURPHY-HARPST CHILDREN'S CENTER. Each of these does amazing work with children and families.

On February 14th, (speaker TBD) will share about the mission of Action Ministries which helps in mobilizing communities to address the challenges of poverty by focusing on hunger relief, housing, and education.
 
On February 21st we will hear from Brett DeHart of the Children's Home, which has an awe inspiring legacy of helping children overcome their difficult life situations. The Children's Home now works closely with the state on foster care placements, particularly emergency placements.  They also provide considerable foster care training and parenting resources.

And finally on February 28th, Scott Fuller of Murphy-Harpst Children's Center will share with us. Residential services are provided to children through their specialized therapeutic foster care program. Murphy-Harpst is literally the last chance for many of these children. Their mission for the past 91 years is "restoring life and hope" to the children they serve.

Come hear what each ministry is planning in the New Year as we participate as the Body of Christ. All donations will be split evenly between these ministries unless you specify otherwise. This will be our Communion Love Offering on February 7, and you may also give all during February. Don't forget you can donate through our website at www.romefirst.org.


WINTER CARNIVAL

February 7 - 12:00-2:00
The Winter Carnival will take place after church in the Wilder Center. There will be games, prizes, a snow pitand more. We can't wait to see you there!!

If you are interested in helping with the Winter Carnival, please let Dawn know by emailing ddaniel@romefirst.org or calling 706-291-9331. We need help decorating, making games and of course manning the games during the carnival. If you would be interested in building either corn hole games or a plinko game for the carnival, please let Dawn know.
 
SERVE THE WORLD MISSIONS AUCTION

Missions Auction
February 7
This year's mission auction will be held in conjunction with the Winter Carnival. Join us after service on February 7th for a pancake lunch in the Wilder Center Dining Room. We will have silent auction items available on the track through the duration of the carnival, and a live auction around 1:30pm. So come out and serve the world through the missions of Rome First.

We are accepting new donations for the mission auction. These items should be handcrafted or unused, and delivered to the church office before Wednesday February 3rd.

LENTEN AND SPRING STUDY OPTIONS

Contact the Church Office to sign up at churchoffice@romefirst.org or 706-291-8590

Renegade Gospel:  The Rebel Jesus by Mike Slaughter
Two Options:
Tuesdays at 6pm - 2/16, 2/23, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22
Thursdays at 10:30am - 2/18, 2/25, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24

Enough:  Living Faithfully In the Midst of It All
Thursdays at 6-7:30pm - 2/25, 3/3, 3/10

A Bead and A Prayer Mini Retreat
Saturday, March 12, 9am-noon

 
WANT TO ENRICH YOUR LENTEN EXPERIENCE?

Come join with us as we study Adam Hamilton's book and video shot in Israel, The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus.

Begins February 14th at 10:00am for 6 weeks in the Jack Anderson Sunday School Class. Facilitated by Tim Galloway & Jim Orr. You can pick up a book in the Church Office.

STOP HUNGER NOW

Sunday, February 28 * 2-7pm * Berry College, Krannert Ballroom
2 shifts: 2:00pm - 4:30pm, 4:45 - 7:00pm 

Stop Hunger Now's meal packaging program provides  volunteers the opportunity to package dehydrated, high  protein, and highly nutritious meals that are used in crisis  situations and in school feeding programs for schools and  orphanages in developing countries around the world. 

Alongside more than 30 UMC churches, we have packed nearly 300,000 meals since 2011 that were delivered to schools in Kenya, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Uganda through this annual event.

MURPHY-HARPST CARD MINISTRY

Don't forget your Valentines  if you are participating in  the mail ministry. 

If you are willing to send cards for special holidays and birthdays, please
let Tish know (706-291-3902).

 
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

 
 

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DO YOU LOVE HAVING YOUTH AT ROME FIRST?

Can you help support our youth ministry for just one evening?

Provide a meal: If you are able to provide a meal for Breakaway one Sunday evening this fall, please
contact Renee Webb at reneewebb3@comcast.net.

NEW SUNDAY MORNING GROUP

JUMP FIRST
Administration Building, Room B-302

This is a new group for people that are going through transitions in their lives and consider themselves a young adult or a young adult at heart. Whether you are in the beginning of your first career, first serious relationship, first child, or first big move, we would love to have you! The group has a casual, fun gathering during the week to build new relationships with each other. If you are interested stop by Sunday or join the Facebook group at j.mp/jumpfirst

SAVE THE DATE FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

June 13-17, 2016  - Look for more information on how to spend the week with us as we catch the wave of God's amazing love!!
 
FAIR TRADE 

Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, Snacks, Olive Oil
Order Deadline:  February 1   Fair Trade Form
Next Order Deadline:  April 1  Fair Trade Form

Say "I Love You" with a gift box of fairly traded, organic heart-shaped chocolates!  Each box includes 24 foil wrapped dark chocolate hearts
for  $4.50 a box. Order by February 1. Order forms available in the 
Church Office.

Any questions?  Call Sondra Wilkins at 706-291-1945.  
Sondra is at the church on Thursday from 10-2 if you want to stop by then.

ONLINE GIVING - NOW AVAILABLE AT ROME FIRST

Electronic giving offers convenience for you, and you never have to worry about forgetting your checkbook again. Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions from your checking or savings account. We also can take credit card payments and payments via PayPal. Simply follow these easy steps:

□ Visit the website at www.romefirst.org.
□ Click on the "Take Action" button.
□ Choose giving using the Rome First Access or use your PayPal personal account.
□ If you choose the Rome First Access, you will see a list of contribution funds, but first click on the "Create
    Your Own Profile" to the far right.
□ Follow the instructions to create your online profile and to schedule your recurring contributions.
□ If you use your PayPal account, choose the amount you want to give, then log in to your own PayPal
    account.
□ Be sure to note in the comments section how you want your contribution designation - e.g. Capital Fund,
   General Tithe, or the specific ministry of your choice.
□ Also be sure to save your contact information so Finance knows you contributed!

If you have any questions, please contact Barbara in the Church Office.

KIDNEY DONOR NEEDED

A member of our community is looking for a kidney donor with Type A or Type O blood.  Rome First has been asked to help communicate this need.  If you might be interested, please call Barbara O'Neal at Piedmont Hospital to have a confidential conversation about what is involved with being a donor.  Her number is 404-605-4128.  If you talk with Mrs. O'Neal and decide you want to move forward, please let one of our pastors know and we will connect you with the person in need.

SUPPORT ROME FIRST BY SHOPPING!

Did you know there are three ways you can support Rome First UMC by shopping?  First, if you have a Kroger Plus card, you can link this to the Kroger community rewards program.  A portion of what you spend at Kroger will be donated back to the church to support our ministries. Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and either sign in or create an account.  Once you've done this, select
Community right-arrow-icon4.gif Community Rewards at the top of the page.  On the next screen, you will enter our non-profit number: 37489.  We are listed as First United Methodist Church (if more than one are listed, be sure you pick the one with the Rome address!).  That's it.  Every time you use your Kroger Plus card, you'll automatically be supporting Rome First.  Be sure to share this with your church friends who shop at Kroger.

Rome First is also a part of Amazon.com's "Smile" program.  If you shop at Amazon regularly, please be sure go to www.smile.amazon.com and select Rome First as your charity of choice.  A portion of your purchase will be donated back to Rome First.  Again, we are listed as First United Methodist Church 
(Rome GA).

A third way to shop and support Rome First is through UMC Market.  Hundreds of online stores participate in this program and donate a portion of your purchase back to Rome First.  Simply create an account at www.umcmarket.org, select Rome First UMC as your charity, and then go to this site first whenever you are shopping online.


NEED TO CONTACT US?
Rome First United Methodist Church
202 East 3rd Ave, Rome, Georgia 30161  |   churchoffice@romefirst.org  |   (706) 291-8590