logo2
 
***
hurricane

SERVE: Relief Supply Kits for Hurricane Victims

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is in need of Relief Supply Kits and funds to help all those impacted by Harvey and Irma. Please click here to learn how to prepare a Relief Supply Kit or click here if you would like to donate funds to UMCOR's disaster relief efforts online. You may also donate through IPUMC and put "UMCOR" in the memo line on checks or online.

Please continue to pray for those whose lives have been impacted by hurricane/tropical storm Harvey. Please also pray for the first responders, Early Response Teams, disaster coordinators, and many volunteers in the Texas, Louisiana, Rio Texas, and Central Texas Annual Conferences who are working tirelessly to provide relief after Harvey.

Prayer From Bishop Sue As Hurricane Irma Approaches Florida

“O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home."

As Hurricane Irma churns toward my home state of Florida, I find myself praying on several fronts, and I invite you to join me in prayer:

I pray for our brothers and sisters in the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos, Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Tortola and the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. I have friends in most of these places and picture them as I pray. Their countries are or will be devastated, they are or will be without power, their homes and belongings are or will be lost or damaged, and many of their governments are not as mobilized or equipped to provide aid as the U.S. Our dear friend Ramon, who served as facilities manager at one of our churches and has now returned to the Dominican Republic in retirement, once said: “After a storm hits in the Dominican, you better believe we don’t sit around wondering when the government will show up to help!”
I pray that those in Florida will respect the immense power of this storm, not rely on their past experiences, and evacuate as directed by the authorities. Native Floridians are taught from childhood not to mess with a hurricane. I don’t remember from my childhood anyone who lived at the beach—native Floridians had beach houses that they went to stay in, but they always returned to their inland homes. My grandmother often told us of the time in her childhood when, after a “no-name” storm, her family stood on the roof of their three-story home in Oldsmar, FL and watched the water rise almost to the third floor. They did not have radar, a team of meteorologists, and Jim Cantore to scare the wits out of them. I am grateful that we have early warning systems, Emergency Operations Centers (EOC’s, as those from Florida well know), excellent infrastructure, and folks trained in emergency management. Now we just need to listen to them and trust them to do their jobs.
I pray that the stringent building codes enacted after Hurricane Andrew will protect many. Irma will test these structures built after 1992. I hope they hold. I know that First UMC Cape Coral had to pay a fortune for new sanctuary doors that would have to withstand 160+ mph winds. We argued that no one would be in that building during a hurricane, but the authorities insisted. I think I’d head over and weather the storm next to those doors if I still lived in that area (but the storm surge would probably get me).
I pray for Florida and for the areas that will be hit after the storm moves through Florida. I pray for the coastal areas of South Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. I pray for the Florida, North Georgia and South Georgia Annual Conferences, Bishops Ken Carter and Lawson Bryan, our Cabinets, our leaders and our disaster response personnel.
I pray for divine comfort and peace for those in the storm’s path. I know well the stress and anxiety of having to evacuate without knowing if you will have a home to return to. I know the stress of preparing homes and churches for a storm’s onslaught. I also know how these experiences affect us, and especially our children, with anxiety and post-traumatic stress that can last for years after the storm.
I pray that all affected will feel supported by our prayers and know that we stand ready to help in the aftermath. Our United Methodist connection provides amazing disaster response and comfort after the storm.
Finally, I pray we remember that, in all things, God is with us. God has been our help in ages past, and is our one sure source of hope and security. These storms, and all natural disasters, grimly remind us that security in material things is an illusion. But God’s help and presence, the love we have for each other, the multitudes ready to come to our aid—these are eternal and cannot be destroyed. May the peace of Christ and the comfort of the Holy Spirit sustain us all.

Grace and peace to you all,

Bishop Sue

***
IPUMC icons 2.grow

New Fall GROW Opportunities!

New Adult GROW Beginning this Sunday

500 Years of Reformation
October 31, 1517, is the date often used to mark the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. As we approach the 500th anniversary, pastor Max is leading a Sunday morning Adult Grow on the leading figures and traditions of the Reformation. Join us in Library beginning at 9:45.
September 10: Martin Luther - Lutheranism
September 17: Huldrich Zwingli - Anabaptism
September 24: John Calvin - Presbyterian/Puritanism
October 1: Thomas Cranmer - Anglicanism
October 8: American Protestantism

New Sermon Series Beginning this Sunday

“Lord, Teach Us To Pray”
The Lord’s prayer is used in some form in almost all branches of the church. Since the days of the early church, Christians have used this prayer in personal and communal worship. The Lord’s Prayer is so familiar to many of us that we do not remember when we learned to pray it. But what does the prayer mean? Join in worship as we consider together what the petitions of the Lord’s prayer mean for out life as Christians.
September 10: Our Father - Matthew 5.43-48
September 17: Hallowed Name - Matthew 18.21-35
September 24: Your Kingdom - Matthew 20.1-16
October 1: Your Will - Matthew 22.1-14
October 8: Daily Bread - Matthew 6.25-33
October 15: Trespasses - Matthew 18.21-35
October 22: Temptation - Matthew 26.36-46

Kid's GROW returns this Sunday, September 10th at 11am! Talk to Cecelia (childrenipumc@gmail.com) if you'd like more info.

***
IPUMC icons 3.serve

Fall SERVE Opportunities!

SERVE as an After School Volunteer with the Stewart Center

The Stewart Center is seeking volunteers for their After School Program. Volunteers can serve any weekday, Monday-Friday between 4:00-6:00 and can start as soon as September 11. Volunteers will primarily work with elementary students on homework or other academic enrichment activities.

Before you can begin volunteering they need 3 things:

1. A completed volunteer application and background check consent: click here to complete.
2. Background Check Fee: All volunteers are responsible for the background check fee of $20. This can be paid in person or online (click here to pay online).
3. Attend volunteer orientation: Their next orientation is Thursday, September 7th at 3:30pm. If this doesn't work for you, Ashley Hicks is happy to set up another time with you.
1. A completed volunteer application and background check consent: click here to complete.
2. Background Check Fee: All volunteers are responsible for the background check fee of $20. This can be paid in person or online (click here to pay online).
3. Attend volunteer orientation: Their next orientation is Thursday, September 7th at 3:30pm. If this doesn't work for you, Ashley Hicks is happy to set up another time with you.

Feel free to share this with anyone that may be interested in volunteering. Let Ashley (ashley@stewartcenter.org) know if you have any questions!

SERVE with Habitat

Save the Date! Our SERVE Team has set a date for the Habitat Build with DeKalb County. It will be Saturday Nov. 18 from 9am until 2pm. Details are TBD but we'll need about 10 folks to sign up. More info soon!

SERVE with UMCOR

UMCOR is reaching out to local United Methodist Churches to see if we have any volunteers that would be interested in helping in their office once a month. They need someone to help with volunteer coordination in the field. It would be one day a month, 10-3p and they should bring their lunch. If you are interested please contact Christy Smith, csmith@umcor.org, 731-780-2037. I can run this in the newsletter as a SERVE opportunity. Their office is located at Grace UMC (458 Ponce De Leon Ave NE).

SERVE by Going Out!

There are two fun events coming up that will support Intown Collaborative Ministries

Dine Out @ Raging Burrito
Raging Burrito in Decatur is hosting a Dine Out for ICM on Wednesday, September 20 from 5:30 -10p. Bring the gang in for burritos, tacos, salads, quesadillas and their great beer and margarita list. 15% of your bill will go to support our work to fight hunger in our community!

BBQ & Brews for ICM
Monday Night Brewery is throwing ICM a BBQ & Brews party on Tuesday, October 3 from 6-9p and we hope you will come. Sweet Auburn BBQ is providing delicious food, Monday Night will provide the beer, and they'll have live classic rock throughout the night. SERVE by having some beer and BBQ! Click here for more info and to order tickets.

***
Sunday Night

Sunday Night CONNECT

This Sunday, Sept. 10 @ 5:00p

Sunday Night CONNECT is back! This month it will be at the Yates' home (216 Degress Ave). If you desire, bring an appetizer and/or a beverage to share. This is totally optional! We will start at 5:00pm and close at 6:30pm. All are welcome!

***
altar in the world

IPC Book Club

Book Club is back for the fall! Our meeting dates are the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 7pm. Join us!
Date: Wednesday, 9/13
Time: 7pm
Location: Lisa Yates' house (216 Degress Avenue NE, 30307)
Book: An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith, by Barbara Brown Taylor
Next Meeting: Wednesday 9/27

***
IPUMC icons 1.connect

September Women's CONNECT Events

Women's Coffee CONNECT will start back on Thursday mornings at 8:30a at Proof Bake Shop (100 Hurt St.).

Women's Potluck CONNECT has a new time and format! It will now be Women's Monthly CONNECT and will be the third Thursday of the month at 7:30p. Instead of a potluck dinner, it will be appetizers, desserts and drinks! If you like you can bring food or a beverage to share (but that's optional!). The first one for fall will be Thursday, Sept. 21 at the Yates' home.

***
rci brilliance-1

It's Time to Book the Cruise!

Imagine all your favorite things: 1) time to be with God; 2) a women's retreat; 3) opportunities for rest and relaxation; 4) time for creativity . . . all on a cruise ship in a tropical location with fruity drinks that have umbrellas in them! That's what we're talking about: the My Quiet Spaces Retreat Cruise!

The Upper Room is hosting the Quiet Spaces Retreat Cruise. The cruise will feature authors, including Kristen Vincent, who will be sharing ways to create quiet spaces and connect with God.

For more than a year we've been talking about this and planning for it. The cruise seemed so far off. NOW IT'S ONLY MONTHS AWAY! Time to register! Here are the details:

January 25-29, 2018 (4 nights)
Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas
Ports: Tampa – Cozumel – Tampa
Costs: Inside Cabin ($399), Ocean View ($499) or Balcony ($599)
plus taxes, fees, and gratuities.
All prices are per person, double occupancy.

Come sail away with me!

CLICK HERE to register.
Your tour host is Kristen Vincent,
Host ID number 57143

***

September Aging Well Event

An Overview of Assisted Living

Join us for an informational session on Assisted Living. It is for people requiring assistance in some aspects of their activities of daily living. This session will talk about both the traditional model as well as specialized memory care and how they differ from independent senior housing facilities. Learn the specifics to help assure realistic expectations and to know the important questions to ask.

Presenter and discussion facilitator:
Kris Brant, Senior Consultant
Arbor Terrace of Decatur

September 8th - 10:00 to 11:30
Multipurpose Room @ IPUMC

The Lifelong Inman Park Committee sponsors the Aging Well Series to provide our neighbors interesting, practical and timely information and approaches to well-being.

***
Summer Concert 2017 revised
***
theoed talks

TheoEd Talks

Brief Talks. Big Ideas.

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
September 24, 2017 | 5:00p

Leading thinkers in the religious community and the academy giving “the talk of their lives” in 20 minutes or less. Doors open at 4:15p for a reception with hors d'oeuvres and book table. Complimentary childcare and youth programming are available from 4:15-6:45p.
Attendees are encouraged to register online by September 22. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Click here for more info or to purchase tickets ($15, free for students and youth).

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Life After Death: Jesus, Judaism and Justice
DR. AMY-JILL LEVINE
University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Science

The Greatest Story Never Told: Re-Thinking the Bible as Poetry
REV. DR. BRENT A. STRAWN
Professor of Old Testament, the Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion at Emory University

A Picture of an Activist?
REV. DR. GREGORY C. ELLISON, II
Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, the Candler School of Theology at Emory University

***
world prayer

Ecumenical Prayer Cycle

As a way to remember our connection with Christians around the globe, we will start using a great prayer tool: the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Each week of the year a number of countries are highlighted to lift up in prayer. There are also prayers written by Christians in those countries that you can use. By following the cycle throughout the year, you would pray your way around the globe. We will start listing the different countries each week in our prayer list.

For the week of September 10 pray for: Ghana, Nigeria

To find out more and to find links to the prayers from countries around the world click here.

***

Click here to see IPUMC's Weekly Kid's Newsletter!

Click here to see IPUMC's Weekly Youth Newsletter!

***
happy birthday 15

Happy Birthday!

We have one birthday that we know of this week:

Rose Mary Ludwig - September 11

Happy Birthday!

If it's your birthday but your name is not listed and you would like to be included on the birthday list, please email the church office by replying to this email.

***

Max Vincent, Minister
Cecelia Reilly, Coordinator of Children & Youth Ministries
Lisa Farnsworth, Music Coordinator
Sarah Adair, Office Manager
David Myles, Maintenance Tech
Justin Schoolcraft, Ministry Intern
404.522.9322

 
 
Powered by Mad Mimi®A GoDaddy® company