For a pastor, the first year at a new church involves asking a lot of questions. Every service and activity that comes across my desk, I am seeing and experiencing for the first time. It is exciting to learn about what this church and community values most! I realize that this year is a little different, and we are both experiencing some firsts together. Neither of us have launched fall programming in the midst of a global pandemic, but here we are!
I have noticed two things in my first few months of being here at Marietta FUMC. First, it has been made abundantly clear that the church staff are willing to be flexible and creative to offer something meaningful to the congregation. Second, this congregation has a spirit of gratitude and generosity that has allowed ministry to continue on even the hardest of days. Ministry, mission, and programs for all ages have been able to pivot so that this congregation and wider community never felt the hole this church would leave. That is a testimony of your powerful witness!
With all that being said, you may have noticed that Marietta FUMC is starting to gear up for fall activities! I invite you to visit mariettafumc.org for updates on worship, fall Bible studies, and other special events. Mark your calendars, and I look forward to getting to know you more in the months ahead!
Always grace,
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September Worship Updates with
Rev. Dr. Julie Boone
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Rev. Amber Lea Gray
Psalm 148
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SEPTEMBER IN THE PARK
SUNDAYS IN SEPTEMBER | 9AM IN THE PARK ON POLK; 9AM & 11:15AM ONLINE
Worship in the Park and Online
Sept 6 – Labor Day Weekend – Our handbell choir ensemble will be performing!
Sept 13 – Rev. Chad Louck's first Sunday with welcome reception to follow at 10AM in the Park. Chapel Choir is performing during worship services.
Sept 20 – One Faith Many Voices - World Music: Sacred Sounds of the Global Church.
Sept 27 - Traditional Worship with doughnuts and coffee after worship.
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LABOR DAY
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Please have a happy and safe Labor Day holiday! Our church office will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
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WELCOME REV. CHAD LOUCKS
SEPTEMBER 13 | 10AM
Please join us on Sunday, September 13, to welcome Rev. Chad Loucks and his family to Marietta First United Methodist Church! He will be delivering the sermon that Sunday and we will have a welcome reception for him after our 9AM worship in the Park. Come say “hello” and give him and his family a warm MFUMC welcome from our congregation!
Please send notes of welcome to the church, 56 Whitlock Ave NW, Marietta, GA 30064, or email Beth Dawson.
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CHURCH FAMILY COOKOUT
SEPTEMBER 23 | 5PM
Join us in the Park for a cookout and fellowship fun on Wednesday, September 23. Donations will benefit Meals on a Mission. For more information please visit: mariettafumc.org/cookout.
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ONE FAITH, MANY VOICES
SEPTEMBER 20 | WORLD MUSIC: SACRED SOUNDS OF THE GLOBAL CHURCH
New this year is an exploration of “World Music” on September 20, followed by African American Spirituals on October 18, and concludes with a day of Southern Gospel music on November 8.
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming “One Faith, Many Voices” events.
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Spiritual Formation 101 - Hybrid
Spiritual Formation 101 is a four-week introductory class that teaches us how to recognize the presence of God in our everyday lives. Rev. Amber Lea Gray and Rev. Beth Clark will share a weekly video that unpacks the language, tools, and importance of spiritual formation for the everyday Christian. If you have been wanting to go deeper in your relationship with God but don’t know where to start, then this is the class for you!
This will be a hybrid class taught in a Facebook group. You can watch the videos and interact each week at your own leisure, and then towards the end of the study there will be an option to gather in-person outside at the church.
Adolescents, Technology, & Parenting - Outdoor
Join Rev. Chad Loucks for three classes; September 16, 23, and October 7 at 6 PM in the Park on Polk. Parents are overwhelmed, especially when it comes to the world of cell phones, social media, streaming services, and gaming. Through three sessions, parents will be given perspective, education, guidance, and tools to help them be proactive and redemptive in how they raise their kids in the current digital world.
Rev. Jacque Hodges will be hosting a four-week class on Wednesdays in September via Zoom titled “You Are Here: First Steps for White Christians on Race and Racism.” It is an online course for Christians who want to acquire a fundamental understanding of race and racism from a biblical perspective. This four-part self-directed course offers videos featuring Robin DiAngelo and Rev. Dr. Anderson Hooker, reflections, and activities to help people of faith to recognize racism and begin to challenge it in their lives.
Praying the Psalms - Outdoor, Women, Bi-Weekly
Join Rev. Amber Lea Gray for a women's bi-weekly study on Praying the Psalms starting the 2nd week in September on Monday nights and Thursday mornings. This is a no prep, ‘come as you are’ study. The Psalms are such a gift to Christians. They cover nearly every human emotion possible and are able to give us the words to pray when we are unable to find them ourselves. Each week we will unpack one of the Psalms and learn to pray it together!
Upper Room Zoom - Zoom
Each Wednesday, beginning September 9, gather together on Zoom to share prayer, devotions from the Upper Room, and fellowship. Forrest Cate will help us share meaningful insights from our weekly devotion time, prayer for one another and our community, and share our faith. The Upper Room is a daily devotional guide and copies are available for pick-up from the church or online. For technical support, call our Zoom hotline at 678-653-1492.
Men’s Bible Study - Hybrid
Join the Men of the Church at 6:00PM on Tuesdays as we walk through the New Testament from Paul’s letters through Revelation. This discussion based study provides insight into scripture through the experiences of one another and the scholarship of the DISCIPLE Bible Study Series. We will meet in person and have an opportunity for weekly check-ins on Zoom for those who can’t join in person. We will put our faith in action with service projects as well. Facilitated by Forrest Cate.
Carol Boone Ladies Bible Study - Zoom
Join us Thursdays at 9:30AM for a Zoom call to check in with each other, go through prayer requests, and have a short devotional. It will last about 30 minutes. It is the type of thing that you can join on Thursdays when you are available. Contact Martha Lee Sanders at trsanders@mindspring.com for more information!
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BLUEGRASS & BARBECUE
SEPTEMBER 16 | 12PM
Join us for our annual BBQ & Bluegrass Senior Adult luncheon at our Park Pavilion on Wednesday, September 16, at 12PM. The cost is $10. Please visit mariettafumc.org/bbq to make your reservation to attend.
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LOCAL DAY OF SERVICE
SEPTEMBER 12
In preparation of the Local day of Service in October, the No Sew Blanket Project, benefiting kids going through chemo treatments, is having a fabric prep day on Saturday, September 12. Please visit
During September we’ll be collecting items to go into a gallon size Ziploc bag for the Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb Health Kits.
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MUSIC MINISTRY
PLAY IN THE PARK | CHAPEL CHOIR
We are excited to introduce, in conjunction with Children’s Ministries, “Play in the Park” every Wednesday from 4-6PM! We will begin meeting weekly on September 9. Children ages 4 - 5th grade will learn music of the church, Bible stories and teachings, theater arts, and African drumming! Children will also be able to present music and skits monthly at family suppers and in Sunday worship (in small groups).
Chapel Choir welcomes all 6-12th graders. We rehearse on Wednesdays from 6-7:30PM and have small group gatherings from 3:30-5PM on Sundays in the Pavilion.
Even during these uncertain times, we are still safely learning powerful and transformative pieces of sacred music, sharing in devotions, and preparing for our many expeditions throughout the year, such as our Waterfall Hikes and our annual Summer Mission and Music Tour! We also offer a weekly Zoom session. For more information, e-mail: Catherine Moulton.
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ONLINE GIVING
Your gifts to the church make everything we do here at MFUMC, in our community, and in the world around us possible. Your gifts provide for worship, missions, Children’s and Youth programs, Christian education classes, music, community outreach, and so much more including the staff that allow these ministries to continue every day. Thank you for your generous and continued support.
Marietta First has several options for your online giving. Please CLICK HERE to give and learn more about other options for giving.
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MINISTRY IS HAPPENING!
STAY CONNECTED
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
UPCOMING EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER
Sundays
September 13 - Play & Pray, 2–3:30PM, PreK thru 2nd Grade
September 20 - Power 45 Outing, 2–6PM, 4th & 5th Grade
September 27 - Play & Pray, 2-4PM, 3rd thru 5th Grade
Wednesdays
September 9 - Play in the Park, 4–5:30PM, weekly
September 9 and 23 - Zoom Bible Study, 6:30–7PM
September 16 - Meet and Greet for children’s families with Rev. Chad Loucks, playground,5:30–6PM. Pizza will be served!
More Opportunities
Beginning September 8 - After Preschool Enrichment Classes, Dance, Tennis, Martial Arts
September 23 - Cobb Student Field Trip, 10:30AM – 2:30PM
September 25 - MCS Field Trip, 10:30AM – 2:30PM
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W E E K D A Y...P R E S C H O O L
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REGISTRATION FOR 2020/2021
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Weekday Ministry registration for the 2020/2021 school year is open. If you would like more information, please email Meri Kate Marcum.
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FUSION YOUTH MINISTRY UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING FUSION YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS
Youth
September has a ton of opportunities for students and we
can’t wait to see them! Remember that all events (minus Bible Study) require registration. Click here for more information and registration links.
Worship
We are excited to have a special Worship Night in The Park
for Mid High (on Sept. 13th) and for Senior High (on Sept. 20th) from 7-8:30PM. Join us for a night of worship, food, games, and small groups! We can’t wait to worship with you!
Hangouts
Throughout September, the Fusion Youth staff will have “Hangouts”
with different groups of students based on their grade. We hope that your student will join us for a time of connection, games, fun, and devotion! More information about dates, times, and sign-ups can be found by clicking here.
Zoom Bible Study
Students are invited to join the Youth Staff for a 2-week Zoom Bible study, starting on Oct. 14th from 7-7:30PM. We will be walking through the “Call Story” of Jonah in the Old Testament. We hope your student will join us. The Zoom link and password can be found here.
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f o l l o w . s h a r e . |
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