1. Art and Diseño

February 2015
Winters Chapel United Methodist Church ~ 5105 Winters Chapel Road Doraville GA 30360 ~ 770-396-4550
Return To Your First Love...
By Rev. Shelia Preacher
As I looked at the calendar, I realized with some surprise that, this year, Valentine’s Day
[February 14] and the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday [February 18] are only days apart.
And I suddenly realized that our whole Lenten journey with Christ toward that cross is a trek
to help us to “return to our first love.”
And better than the best Hallmark card…God’s Word reflects the Father who loves us first,
best, and always! It is God’s valentine…written just for us! O, pause for a moment and let it
sink in! For God writes:
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You may not know me, but I know everything about you. [Psalm 139:1]
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. [Psalm 139:2]
I am familiar with all your ways. [Psalm 139:3]
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. [Matthew 10:29-31]
You were made in my image. [Genesis 1:27]
In me you live and move and have your being. [Acts 17:28]
For you are my offspring. [Acts 17:28]
I knew you even before you were conceived. [Jeremiah 1:4-5]
I chose you when I planned creation. [Ephesians 1:11-12]
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. [Psalm 139:15-16]
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. [1 John 3:1]
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. [1 John 3:1]
And I rejoice over you with singing! [Zephaniah 3:17]
For you are my treasured possession. [Exodus 19:5]
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. [Jeremiah 33:3]
And if you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. [Deuteronomy 4:29]
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. [Romans 8:31-32]
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. [1 John 2:23]
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. [Romans 8:38-39]
The question is…”Will you be mine?” [John 1:12-13]
God’s question sets our hearts pounding. “Will you be
mine?” How about it? Will WE return to our first love?
Happy Valentine’s Day…not just on February 14th, but
EVERY day!
Shelia
A Note from Dorcas…
Another great start to our ESOL classes, but we have added a
wonderful time of worship before classes start. We are so happy to
say that we had 16 folks that joined us in worship for the first night
of English classes and in our second week we had 36 in worship!
This is very encouraging because our goal is to serve people in their
spiritual needs. We hope to see this year as a fresh new start to
growth within the Hispanic Ministry as well as for the whole
congregation at Winter’s Chapel UMC. We don’t see numbers as just mere attendance; we
see growth in the spiritual life of people that need Jesus Christ in their lives. Please
Pastor Dorcas Rodriguez
Hispanic Ministry
continue to pray for the Hispanic Ministry. We hope to reach as many individuals this year
as we are able. The work we do in partnership is for the kingdom of God. And, this year as
we make resolutions for our lives, we hope to keep the most important ones and that is to
bring people in relationship with making disciples for the transformation of the world. God bless you. Amen
by Misha V. Stefanuk, music director and organist in residence
I start this newsletter with a quote from Mr. Paul McCartney, who some of you might remember [see insert
quote below]. I also like the teamwork involved in both band and choir performing. And my job does make me
feel optimistic about human race, we can get together and work on projects and get things work better, as we
prepare music for all of our services!
Last Sunday we added an exciting element of a guest artist. Sylvester Span is an Atlanta based jazz saxophone
player who represents old school of jazz and specifically jazz church music. Sylvester is a good friend and we
have played gigs years ago. He is a member of Atlanta Jazz Quintet, Cascade Avenue Bebop Society Band, he
opened for 1996 Olympics, Carter Center Library, Temptations, Millie Jackson and performed in Atlanta Jazz
Festival. He currently runs jam sessions at Churchhill Grounds jam on Tuesdays, Apres' Diem on Wednesdays
and Queen of Sheeba on Thursdays. One piece he played with us is Come Sunday, which comes out of one of
the Duke Ellington jazz church suites.
During Holy week, on Good Friday, my friend Magdalena Wor is going to come and
lead us. She has long experience in cantoring, so I am very much looking forward to
learn from her. Magdalena and I have done a lot of concerts all over United States
together, and recorded a couple of CD's. Magdalena Wor sang with National Symphony
and Atlanta Symphony, and is an in-demand opera singer.
In our Winters Chapel rehearsals we are focused on becoming more effective and more
correct in our singing, especially parts singing with the choir, and spending more time
with anthems. We have chosen our next cantata, and are looking forward to present it to
you on Easter! The Worship Band is going through a number of new (to us) songs, and
we also have an entire service with Choir accompanied by the band, again something
interesting to do!
We have a new choir member, Carol Beard, and she is gracefully leading our tenor
section. We are thankful for having her and looking forward to learn from her! So we
have a lot of music to learn and present to you, and the Easter is coming with cantata
and all the extra services! Come sing with us!
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Youth is now meeting on Thursday nights!
Join us for fun and fellowship every Thursday night at 7:00 pm. Contact
Leslie Faulkner for more info.
Upcoming Children’s Choir performances:
February 22
March 29
As a member of Winters Chapel, I will faithfully participate in its
ministries . . .
(The Month of January)
Connie & Frank Bate
Clyde & Martha Beavers
Joan Bell and Family
By my Prayers . . . The Blackford Family
The Blevins Family
Andy Bowen
Kim Brooks
Jim Bryant
Lois Hara Burdge
Sandy Carlton
Elizabeth Chavez
Andrea Cox
The Coy Family
The DeLeon Family
Alison Dixon
Gladys Dixon
Paul Epps Family
Mary Gardner
The Godwin Family
Steph & Pete Goede
Sarah Greene
Walter Gregg
Dawn Hall
Richard Hanson
Lisa Humphries
Matthew Hunt
Adrian Jones
Sandra Lackland
Arianna Lindsey
Darwin & Reggie Lloyd
Angie Matheny & Family
By my Presence . . .
Sunday School: 26 (1/4); 23 (1/11); 19 (1/18); 21 (1/25)
11 am Worship: 77 (1/4); 74 (1/11); 57 (1/18); 62 (1/25)
Thursday Bi-Lingual: 16 (1/15); 36 (1/22)
Lee Pelfrey
LaToya Phanord
Angel Ramsey
Jason Ramsey
John Ramsey
Bob Rauschkolb
Anthony & Karen Robinson
Dorcas Rodriguez
The Rotondi family
Ferren Shambry
Katie Smotherman
Earle & Nancy Trumble
Dawn Wade
Janice Whitehead
Betty Williams
Jean Witcher
Judy Woodall
Rena Wyatt
By my Gifts. . .
$9,389 (1/4); $3,564 (1/11); $1,651 (1/18); $6,516 (1/25)
By my Service . . .
Altar Guild: Kathy Honeycutt, Arlene Bishop, Jo Culpepper, Nancy Trumble, Mary VanHorn, Joan Vining,
Peggy Wallis, Betty Williams
Audio:
Jeff Pruett, Judy Woodall
Counters:
January: Sandra Lackland and Cathy Letson
February: Harry Honeycutt and Ronnie Letson
Greeters:
Vicki Brown-Macomber, Frank and Connie Bate, Gail and Mike Granberry, Mary Mwambay,
Francois Kaboya, Laura Sweet
Lay Leaders: Harriet Chapman, Don Dixon, Kathy Honeycutt, Mike Macomber, Rufus Manley, Judy Woodall
Music:
Misha Stefanuk, Chancel Choir, Worship Band, Children’s Choir
Ushers:
January: Ron Letson, Cathy Letson, Nancy Spickard, Mike Granberry, Gail Granberry
February: Tom Preacher, Don Dixon, Alison Dixon, Leon Humphries, Linda Humphries
The Fisher · February 2015
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EASTER BASKET MINISTRY
This month we will begin collecting items for Easter baskets for teenage children
who are in foster care through Gwinnett County Department of Family and Children’s Services. Please look for a sign-up sheet in the narthex on February 15th.
The deadline for donations will be March 15th.
We will need baskets, grass, and goodies for the teenagers such as candy (NO
CHOCOLATE PLEASE), snacks, school supplies and personal care items
(toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, cosmetics…). We are thankful for
our generous congregation.
For questions or more information, please contact Summer Cannon.
OUR GIFTS
Each year we focus on ONE of the five vows we made when we joined Winters Chapel United Methodist Church.
We have already focused on prayers and presence, and 2015 is the year to focus on GIFTS.
Our focus is NOT exclusively on financial gifts, but also on gifts of our time, talent, and our spiritual gifts. All
these gifts and more are vital in the life of our church.
Financial gifts from some of our internal church organizations and from some of our current and departed members have allowed us to recently acquire new kitchen equipment, a new floor, and a brighter appearance for our
Fellowship Hall, plus a new security camera system for our church, and more. Gifts of our time, talent, and spirituality facilitate our worship services include running our audio/visual system, participating in choir or Praise Band,
serving as ushers, counters, lay speakers, liturgists, greeters, etc. The success of our special events depend on our
gifts of planning, cooking, serving, clean up, music, and much more, as does the success of our various outreach
missions. In short, the life of our church in large measure exists on the fruits of our labor, our GIFTS.
We are excited about exploring new ways to improve and expand our opportunities to assist the work of Christ
here at Winters Chapel through our GIFTS. We are a small church, so there are opportunities for ALL of us to
find ways to contribute our GIFTS.
You will be hearing more from us and we want to hear from you.
Edwin Hall and Harry Honeycutt, Co-Chairmen, Stewardship Committee, 2015
The United Methodist Men will host their annual
Sweetheart Breakfast
Sunday, February 15th at 8:30 am.
You don’t have to be a “couple” to attend!
Make plans to enjoy a wonderful breakfast and feel the love of fellowship that morning before service.
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Kids Closet Consignment Sale
Kids Closet, the school’s fundraiser will hold its spring Consignment Sale February
6th through February 8th in the Fellowship Hall and Sunday school rooms of the
church. We will be open on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.(no kids admitted on
Thursday unless babies in a sling/backpack), on Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on
Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. when most items will be half price.
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Feb 5 11am - 7pm (no kids except infants in slings)
Feb 6 9am - 3pm
Feb 7 9am - 1pm (most items half price)
For more information contact Mary Trompeter
770-393-3478
[email protected]
Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 18
6:00 pm
UMM 2015 Kick-off and Planning Meeting
United Methodist Men kicked off the new year with a planning meeting
on Jan 18th. In addition to planning activities and events, the group recognized and immediately put to work its newly elected President, Mark
Watson. No other changes in the leadership team is anticipated at this
time.
Mark brings the energy of youth plus a new heart and mind to small group leadership. I encourage all
men of the church to join us! We need you because the church gives us lots to do….
To recap event dates for everyone:
 February 15th 9 am - the annual Sweetheart Breakfast with chefs Steve L. and Tom P. in the kitchen.
Also, we think we have talked Mike M. into a return engagement for fun and games during the meal.
 April 5th 9 am - the Easter Breakfast following the early morning worship. Again chefs Steve L. and
Tom P. will be clanging the pots and pans…
 May 2nd - the Fish Fry from 11 am - 3 pm. Join us on the fishing trip immediately before the cookout.
 Sept. 20th immediately following morning worship - annual Church Picnic in the Fellowship Hall
and games on the grounds (weather permitting)
 Nov. 7th 11 am - 3 pm. Annual UMM BBQ. But more than a cookout. We have lots of good times
in brotherhood and team- building.
Now with all of this, surely there is an opportunity for each of you to play a part….
The Fisher · February 2015
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I'll always be with you...
By Michelle Stewart
After arriving back home on Saturday night from the week in El Salvador, I have found that acclimating to my
“life” is harder than I expected. I can’t exactly put my finger on any one thing to explain my emotional state.
There was no jet-lag as we were on central time all week. However coming home with clocks staring at me in
every room, I’m reminded of the pace at La Casa de Mi Padre. At La Casa, we were encouraged to place more
emphasis on relationships rather than the completion of tasks. Such a change from the whirlwind schedule I
keep where I wake up and immediately look at my calendar to see what is on task for the day. However, it is a
great reminder of what truly matters at the end of your life. Is it all you accomplished while at work or
speeding from one event to the next? Or is it the loved ones who are with you, sharing stories and memories
that you built together?
I look in my pantry to plan out my dinner and remember that until we delivered the staples on Monday, one
or more of those families may not have known from where their next meal was coming. They truly embody
the saying, “eat to live, and don’t live to eat.” As I try to make my yearly New Year’s Resolution of eating
better or exercising more, I hope that this experience stays with me when I selfishly feel deprived because I’m
limiting my sugar or carbs.
While I sleep soundly in my bed, with my companion Labrador snoring softly beside the bed, I pray for a
peaceful sleep for those families we met. Their dogs are not kept in luxury, but are meant as a warning system.
When they have so little, it’s so important that they are able to maintain possession of what they have. I
speculate that sleep may not be as deep for some as the ever present threat of gang violence lurks in their
minds.
With all of that being said, I was truly blessed to see such happiness and contentment shining through the eyes
of most we met. El Salvador is among the top five happiest countries. We may ask, “How is that possible?”
We see the poverty, the trash, the opportunities we have in the US that the El Salvadorians do not have.
However, if you are truly content with what you possess, the relationships you have, and living moment by
moment and day by day, then what else would you experience but happiness.
Tonight I stand on my back deck looking up at the stars. I see Orion’s Belt and the Little Dipper. Amazingly,
I saw these same constellations in El Salvador. It brings a peace to my heart to know that I am looking upon
the same stars and moon that the children and staff at La Casa are gazing upon as well. It makes the world a
little smaller and brings our hearts a little closer.
Most importantly, it reminds me that our God
sees all of us gazing up and he showers down his
love on us no matter where we are, how much or
little we have; we are loved.
If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is
something you must always remember…you are braver
than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than
you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're
apart, I'll always be with you. A. A. Milne
I appreciate the support of my Winters Chapel UMC family for my first ever international missions trip. Your financial
support and the continued prayers before, during and after the trip have meant the world to me.
I’m blessed to be part of such a fantastic body of Christ.
God Bless each and every one of you. Much love - Michelle
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Transitions In Mind, Body and Spirit
Thursday, March 12, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dunwoody United Methodist Church
1548 Mt. Vernon Road
Dunwoody, Georgia 30338
770-394-0675
"There is a Ɵme for everything, and a season for every acƟvity under the heavens.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 RegistrationFee:$40 IncludesbreakfastandluncheoninFellowshipHallandafternoonsnack
Deadline:Thursday,March5
The Fisher · February 2015
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Sunday Worship Times: Traditional: 11:00 a.m.
Small Groups: Sundays 9:45 a.m.
Bi-Lingual Worship: Thursdays 6:45 pm
Please note that childcare is provided on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings.
Sunday
Monday
1
11 Worship
3 Disciple
Tuesday
Wednesday
7 Women of Faith
Friday
4
5
10:30 Disciple
6 Staff
7 Choir practice
8 Band practice
10:30 UMW
3
2
Thursday
Saturday
6
7
13
14
20
21
27
28
Kids Closet
NO ESOL
8
11 Worship
3 Disciple
15
10
11
12
12 PrimeTimers
10:30 Disciple
7 Choir practice
8 Band practice
6:45 Bi-Lingual
Service
7:15 ESOL
17
18
19
10:30 Disciple
6 Ash Wednesday
Service
7 Choir practice
8 Band practice
6:45 Bi-Lingual
Service
7:15 ESOL
25
26
10:30 Disciple
7 Choir practice
8 Band practice
6:45 Bi-Lingual
Service
7:15 ESOL
9
16
8:30 Valentine Breakfast
10:30 Faith in Action
11 Worship
3 Disciple
22
23
24
11 Worship
3 Disciple
7 City of Peachtree
Corners meeting
Happy, Happy Birthday to You!
February 2 Mary Ellen Albitz
February 14 Luke Havard
February 15 Tom Preacher
February 17 Betty Farmer
February 17 Linda Humphries
February 20 Martha Beavers
February 20 Erica Jones
February 20
February 26
February 26
February 27
February 28
February 28
Nomie Truong
Jimmy Faulkner
Dawn Wade
Sandra Lackland
Terri Humphries
James Faulkner
If we are missing your birthday,
please let the church office know by
emailing [email protected]
You can reach us . . .
Winters Chapel United Methodist Church Staff
Rev. Shelia Preacher, Pastor
770-928-8031 (home); 678-925-0103 (cell); [email protected]
Pastor Dorcas Rodriguez, Hispanic Ministry
678-600-3228; [email protected]
Leslie Faulkner, Director Children & Youth Ministry
770-396-4550 (office); [email protected]
Misha Stefanuk, Organist in Residence, Director of Music
678-520-0749 (cell); [email protected]
Michelle Stewart, Administrative Assistant & Bookkeeper
770-396-4550 (office); [email protected]
Mary Trompeter, Preschool Director
770-393-3478 (office); [email protected]