Announcements

WELCOME TO LEWISBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH!

We are glad that you have joined us to worship God and seek God's presence. It is our desire to provide a place where you can experience personal worship of God and be part of a church family that seeks to grow in faith and glorify God. We look forward to meeting you during and after the service. Please sign the fellowship pad during the offering including your address. We want you to be comfortable during worship. Large print hymnals, hearing devices and booster seats for children are all available. Just ask an usher and she or he will be glad to help you. An infant, toddler & pre-school nursery is also available during both Sunday morning worship services and Sunday School. Nursery pagers are given to parents so that you can be assured that you can be reached at any time if your child needs you.

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SUNDAY SERVANTS:

Ushers: Earl Corbin Bill Hinzman

Jim Hudkins Marty Hoyt

Liturgist: Julie Johnson

Greeters: Brenda & Linda Spencer

Hospitality: Millie Proud

Nursery: Allyson Carr

Van Driver: Bob Riggleman

ATTENDANCE LAST SUNDAY

9am – 81 11am – 150 Saturday Night Alive – 29 Sunday School - 90

OFFERING LAST SUNDAY

General Fund - $9,695.00 Building/Capital Improvements - $460.00

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THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR are given to the glory of God and in honor of Kylie Criddle’s 7^th birthday by Mommy, Daddy and little sister, Hadley.

THE FLOWERS ON THE PIANO are given to the glory of God and to Judi Kenaston on her birthday today, with best wishes from her family.

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Dear Church Family – For each kindness you have shown, each loving word you have shared and all the prayers you have offered in behalf of Norman and our family, we are eternally grateful. The “thank yous” from our hearts are enduring and endless. God bless you all as he has blessed us with his grace.

Kitty Loudermilk and family

CONFIRMATION CLASS 2012 BEGINS THIS AFTERNOON! All youth, 6th grade and older, who have not been through Confirmation before are invited to take part in the upcoming Confirmation classes! Confirmation is a 13-week journey culminating in full membership into our church, and baptism for those who haven't yet been baptized. This year's program is called Credo: Know Your Story, Confirm Your Faith, Live Your Commitment. Classes will continue each Sunday through the end of May, from 4:45pm-6:00pm. Confirmation Sunday will be held on June 3rd. If youth or parents have any questions about Confirmation, please see Pastor Joe or Pastor Beth.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES: Our Lenten journey will begin with Ash Wednesday on February 22^nd. Two Ash Wednesday worship services will be offered. The first service will be held from Noon-1pm and will be a silent service that will include Holy Communion and self-guided meditation. You may come at any time between noon and 1pm. The second service will begin at 7pm and will include a sermon and Taize music. A nursery will be offered during the evening worship service.

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER & STUDY EXPERIENCES: Pastor Joe will offer two prayer and study experiences every week during Lent. The focus of the groups will be on the experience of contemplative prayer. One group will meet on Thursday mornings at 6:45am and the other on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. Each group will meet for 45 minutes. We will use the small book by Stanley Hauerwas, entitled, Cross-Shattered Christ: Meditations on the Seven Last Words of Christ. The book will suggest discussion topics and direction for our time of prayer. The gatherings will be marked by silent prayer, guided prayers, and meditation as well as discussion on the seven last words of Christ. The group experiences are designed for those who are new to prayer and/or the practice of contemplative prayer. The Thursday group will begin meeting on February 23^rd and the Wednesday group will start the following week on February 28^th. To register for one of the groups, please call the church office at 304-645-2727 or e-mail info@lwbumc.com.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS: Sr. High and Middle School Youth will go bowling tonight. Be at the bowling alley at 6:00. Youth who are taking the confirmation class will be picked up at the church and taken to the bowling alley. Parents should pick up youth between 7:30 and 8:00 at the bowling alley.

UMW GENERAL MEETING THURSDAY! The February General meeting for the United Methodist Women will be held this Thursday, February 23^rd at noon in the Asbury Room. All church women are invited and encouraged to attend. The Executive Committee will meet 1 hour prior to the general meeting. Hope to see you there!

LENTEN WORSHIP SERIES: The Seven Last Words of Christ. This Lent, we will examine the words that Jesus spoke from the Cross during worship, in some Sunday School classes, and in prayer groups. These seven statements that Jesus uttered from the Cross cuts through the centuries and into our very souls. We see him on the Cross, we observe his agony, and yet we hear his compassionate voice being raised. The Seven Last Words did not only express Jesus’ thoughts and feelings, but he speaks them to all of humanity. We are astounded when he asks God to forgive; we are moved when he promises paradise to a dying thief; we are touched when he arranges for care for his mother; we recoil when he cries out in agony and a sense of being forsaken by God; we identify when he speaks of the basic need for water; and we are quieted into contemplation when he offers his spirit to God and draws his last breath. The Seven Last Words of Christ will share our faith and our lives. This powerful worship series begins the weekend of February 25 & 26. You are encouraged not to miss a single week.

FLAME (UMW Circle III) will meet at 6:30pm on Feb 21^st at Carlito's Mexican Restaurant. Please let Diana Godbey know if you will be attending. 304-645-3614 or lgodbey@suddenlink.net.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES TO BEGIN NEW STUDY! Our Lenten worship series will explore Jesus’ last words. The M & M Sunday School Class and the Wesley Sunday School Class will both be exploring these words further this Lent. You are invited to join either class. The M & M Class gathers in the Youth Room while the Wesley Class gathers in the Asbury Room. Both classes will be using the book, Thank God It’s Friday by Will Willimon. In this brief book one of today's most noted churchpersons and preachers confronts the reader with the seven last words' claim on her or his life. Written with the clarity, depth, and insight that are Will Willimon's trademark, this book offers afresh the challenge and grace of the message of the Crucified One. The Wesley Class and M & M’s Class will both begin this Lenten study on Sunday, February 26^th. All are welcome! For more information, give the church office a call at 304-645-2727 or ask a greeter or usher for directions when you arrive on Sunday mornings.

ARE YOU A CHURCH LEADER???? Here’s a chance to receive insight, training and much, much more from experienced leaders in our annual conference. The Greenbrier District Leadership Training Event will be offered on February 25, 2012 from 8am until 3pm at Western Greenbrier Middle School. Classes include: Fair Share Apportionments, Children’s Ministry & VBS, Teaching and Caring for Adults, Every Church Officer’s Biggest Job, Child Protection/Safe Sanctuary, Reaching Outside Church Walls, Lay Leader, Church Treasurer, How to Conduct a Meeting, Relational Evangelism, Pastor-Parish Relations, Administrative Council, The United Methodist Foundation, and The Connectional Church (plenary session led by Rev. Mike Estep). Participants may select three classes and will attend the plenary session and eat lunch together. LUMC is happy to help cover your registration fee using our congregational continuing education fund. All who are interested in going are invited and encouraged to attend! For more information or registration forms, please call the church office at 304-645-2727.

WV VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION (WVVIM) NEWS: There are a lot of mission opportunities available through WVVIM this year. The trips are as close as Oak Hill and Beckley and as far away as Japan, South Africa and Russia. There are several missions in the United States - Pennsylvania, Missouri—even Alaska. A complete list of mission trips is located on the bulletin board in the hall outside Pastor Beth’s office. If you are interested in going on a Mission Trip in 2012 or would like to learn more about the trips, what you do on the trips, and how to raise funds to participate in a trip, you are invited to attend a Mission Trip Organizational Meeting on Sunday, February 26^th at 7:30pm. If you are unable to attend the meeting, but are still interested, please contact Diana Godbey, Mission Chairperson, ASAP at lgodbey@suddenlink.net. We already have two people who are planning to go to the Russian Orphanages for Christmas 2012. Consider taking part in one of these mission experiences!

EASTER EGG HUNT: An outdoor Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Sunday, April 1^st at 3pm. It will be held at the Kenaston’s home at 201 Alderson Street. Children of all ages will enjoy hunting for eggs. There will be refreshments, games and time for fellowship. Each age group will hunt for a certain color egg and there will even be a section of especially hard to find eggs for youth! Be sure to bring a basket!

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL TREASURERS! Our current Sunday School Treasurers, Quincy Richmond, Earl Corbin and Bill Hinzman have provided many, many years of service. Quincy has served for over 50 years! These gentlemen have provided service here at LUMC by collecting and recording Sunday School attendance, as well as counting the Sunday School classes’ offering. Quincy, Earl and Bill have decided to “retire” from this ministry, and we thank them sincerely for all they have done! The baton is ready to be passed! We are in search of new Sunday School treasurers. We’ve already had one person volunteer her time, but we need at least one other person to serve along with her. If you would like to know more or are willing to serve in this capacity, please see Pastor Joe, Pastor Beth or Lara or call the church office at 304-645-2727.

A SNACKS IN PACKS MEETING will be held on Sunday, February 26^th at 5:30pm here at LUMC. All who are currently involved and anyone interested in the Snacks In Packs programs in Greenbrier County (Lewisburg, Rupert, Ronceverte and Alderson) are invited to attend. We will begin a conversation concerning the future of Snacks In Packs—grants, expansion, etc. If you would like more information, give Lara a call in the church office at 304-645-2727

CHILI COOK-OFF ON FEBRUARY 26^TH!! It’s time for another Chili Cook-Off! On February 26^th, gather in Wesley Hall to tickle your taste buds with some delicious chili. And, to spice things up, there is a little competition. You can taste a variety of different kinds of homemade chili and donate change or dollar bills to your favorite chili. The winner gets a prize!! If you want in on the competition because you vow to have the best chili ever made at LUMC, call Jeremy Fauber, Cook-Off Organizer Extraordinaire, at 304-667-3950 or give Lara a call in the church office at 304-645-2727. If you aren’t up for the challenge and just want to eat a good lunch, join us at noon in Wesley Hall. Either way, we hope to see everyone there to make the first mission meal of 2012 a SUCCESS! Mission monies gathered that day will be given toward a project benefiting all children who take part in ministries at LUMC! There are folks working on a plan for a playground that will be located in a portion of the green space on the corner of Lee & Randolph Streets. The concept of the playground has been approved and the details are being worked out. One thing is for sure, we’ve got some significant funds to raise and this effort will help us as we work to reach this goal of creating an outdoor space that welcomes children, that provides a great space for them to play, and that serves as an outward sign to all who pass by that children are welcome here!!! Please plan to take part in the Chili Cook-Off on February 26^th at NOON in Wesley Hall!!

THE NEW CHURCH DIRECTORIES ARE FINALLY HERE! If you and your family were photographed and you have not yet picked up your copy of the directory, please stop by the church office.

SPECIAL EVENT FOR CHILDREN (AND ADULTS, TOO!) Purim is the most festive of Jewish holidays, a time of prizes, noisemakers, costumes and treats. The Festival of Purim commemorates a major victory over oppression and is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther. We will be learning about the Festival of Purim on Sunday, March 4^th from 4:30pm-6:00pm. Courtney Smith and her daughter, Brennan, will lead our celebration that will include a time to make crowns and noisemakers, treats of punch and Hamantashens (traditional cookie for Purim), and the story of Esther led by puppets. Children are encouraged to dress-up in something that a king or queen might wear. We’ll add the crown at the party! Children will need to be accompanied by an adult, please. Adults, we know this sounds fun to you, too. You are invited to come as well!

THE SPRING & SUMMER CONSIGNMENT SALE is slated for March 17^th, here at LUMC. If you have children's clothing (spring and summer through size 12), toys, baby furniture, books, videos, maternity clothes, etc. to sell, please pick up an application for a consignor number. Forms can be found in the brochure rack just inside the parking lot entrance to the church. New to this sale will be the Teen Corner! Youth are invited to sell their items! You will also need to pick up a form for a consignor number. Turn applications in by March 1st. For more information, contact Judie Piercy at 304-392-6716 or judbug1966@yahoo.com.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE: There are many ways you can share your time and talents in ministry at LUMC! Give us a call to learn more about these opportunities:

v The Youth House is in the process of being cleaned up and painted. Give Lara a call in the church office to volunteer!

v We need at least one more person to join our Sunday School Treasurers team. (See separate announcement.)

v We are looking for participants in the Living Last Supper Dinner Theater — from singers, to actors, to servers, to set-up folks, to cooks. See Charley Fauber or call the church office at 304-645-2727.

NEW MEMBER WEEKEND SCHEDULED! Would you like to become a member of the Lewisburg United Methodist Church family? We will be receiving new members on Sunday, March 25^th. An orientation for those wishing to formalize their relationship with the church will be held on Sunday, March 18^th at 7pm. A nursery is available during that time. Come and find out how you can grow in your faith and be active at LUMC. Please call the church office at 304-645-2727 or see one of our pastors for more information.

FILL THE ARK FOR HEIFER INTERNATIONAL! The Mission Team is asking the congregation to help with the Heifer Project once again. LUMC is going to help Noah fill cardboard arks with money to help buy animals for families in the US and around the world. Arks and calendars will be given out today! The calendar asks questions each day while helping your family learn about animals, missions, and farming around the world. You’ll answer questions daily and put in amounts of money based on your answers. This is a really fun project for all ages. Return your arks full of donations (or make a check out to LUMC and write ‘Heifer Project’ on the memo line) to the church the following month. In March, we’ll let you know how many and what types of animals we were able to purchase and supply to needy families as a congregation!