August 22, 2010

Are You Up A Tree?

...Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down…. Luke 19:5

Zacchaeus wanted to be a spectator but not a participant. He wanted to see Jesus. Perhaps the Lord might do a miracle or preach a sermon, and this tax collector did not want to miss it. But he did not intend to commit himself. He would be an onlooker among those present. There are plenty of such people in church congregations. They have come to look on and to observe, but feel they have nothing to contribute. When the invitation is given, they watch to see who will do what but never dream of going themselves. Some of them join the church but stay up a tree the rest of their days — they’re afraid to come down and get involved with the ministry.

But these "tree sitters" are only kidding themselves. One cannot merely be an observer when Jesus is passing by. There is no neutral ground. He empowers us to do more than we think possible. If we do not gather with Him, we scatter abroad. Just as in the case of Zacchaeus, our Lord knows when we are up a tree. He knows our names and has our number. We have an engagement with Him — for today He would abide at our house. Blessed is the person who comes down out of his tree and receives Him joyfully.

Until next time,

PREPARING FOR SUNDAY MORNING

SUNDAY WORSHIP at 8:30, 9:40 and 11:00 a.m.

Sermon: The Rev. Jerry Meredith

LITURGICAL READINGS FOR AUGUST 22, 2010
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17

WE WANT YOU IN THE NEW ST. JAMES CHURCH DIRECTORY!

You don’t have to be a member of St. James to be included in the directory. We want anyone that considers St. James their church home to be included. Sessions are at no cost and everyone gets a FREE 8X10 PORTRAIT!

PORTRAIT SESSIONS — SEPTEMBER 7-11

Click Here to sign up online for a professional portrait session. No computer access? Sign up tables will be available in the Fellowship Hall each Sunday in August. Questions? Contact Marie Babcock 404-401-8405 Sign up today!

If you have not completed the yellow information card, please pick one up from the church office and return it as soon as possible. These will be used by the church to create a data base for future use.

Women’s Retreat 2010 Friday, October 1 — Sunday, October 3

Loving Well (Study by Beth Moore)
Lake Junaluska Retreat Center in North Carolina
Cost: $120.00

Includes: Two nights lodging, six meals, snacks, fellowship and fun with awesome women!!! Deposit: $70 due by Sunday, August 29 (balance due September 26) Register early - spaces are limited. Registration forms available in church office. For more information, contact: Jessica Beaver — 706-769-1035 Email: jessk77@charter.net Alli Sweat — 706-338-1360 Email: alliksweat@bellsouth.net  

REQUESTS FOR PRAYER

Margaret Legato, Brad & Sally Baker, Jean Williams, Torry Madurski, Joan Dotson, Cindy Winnett, Kay Dotson, Jena Cabaniss, Vera Hall, Virginia Scott, Helen Price, Larry Choate, Sarah Klayman, Katherine Arnold Wolf, Jean Allen, Leticia Butler, Anne Kenan, Andy Hassell, Kenneth Cole, Richard Andersen, Col. Larry Hoff, Bill Burgin, Judi Lund Family, Dale Williams, Valerie Barksdale, Sherry Jones, Rebekah Sobel

SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Zach Cole, 1st Lt Brett Thomas, 2nd Lt Courtney Strack, Chris Walker, Matt Cole, Maj Chris Himmelsbach, 2nd Lt William Mahoney, Tim Kraeling, Kyle Crume, 1st Lt Harding Brumby, Lt Charles "Chip" Knox, Cody Maxwell

It is our privilege to pray for you. Prayer needs will be printed in Focus only in those weeks where they are specifically requested. Please feel free to write prayer requests on the attendance pads. Help us to honor your requests by stating whether they are confidential or for inclusion in the Focus.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES AUGUST 25

DINNER MENU

• REGULAR DINNER
  Chicken Tenders, Garden Salad, Mac & Cheese, Garden Peas, Biscuit, Peach Cobbler
• BAKED POTATO & SALAD BAR
• KID’S MEAL
  Chicken Tenders, Mac & Cheese, Garden Peas, Peach Cobbler
• DINNER RESERVATIONS are required and may be made by contacting the Church Office 706-548-1680 or email to info@sjumc.org 
• RESERVATIONS may also be made by printing your name on the attendance pad indicating the number of adults and children attending. (Also, please note on your first reservation if you would prefer a standing reservation for each week.) 
  • If you want the Potato Bar or Kid’s Meal for a family member, please note beside the name(s) on the Attendance Pad as follows: "P" for Potato Bar & Salad….OR…."KM" for Kid’s Meal.
  • If a "P" or "KM" is not shown next to a name, a regular dinner will be prepared for adults and a child-size portion of the regular dinner will be prepared for children.
• COST: Adults: $5.00, Children: $2.50
• TIME: Serving line is open from 5:15 pm until 6:00 pm. 
• NURSERY: Provided from 5:50-7:30 pm for Newborns thru age three.

ACTIVITIES

• 5:15-6:00 pm Dinner—Fellowship Hall
• 5:50-7:30 pm Nursery—Newborn thru age three
• 5:55-7:30 pm Children—Room 120 (drop off & pick up)
• 6:00-7:30 pm Youth REMIX—The Jimmy
• 6:00-7:30 pm School of Healing Prayer: Levels 1 & 3 — Rooms 107 & 220
• 6:00-7:30 pm Women’s Study: Experiencing the Heart of Jesus—Room 219
• 6:00-7:30 pm Adults: The Book of Romans-The Constitution of the Church Room 101
• 7:30-8:30 pm Choir Rehearsal-Men and Women—Room 213

Ladies’ Night Out to the Theatre

Join your St. James friends as we head to the movie theatre to see….. "Eat, Love, Pray" Tuesday, August 24th. Theatre: Meet at Beechwood Cinema - 6:45 pm (Showtime: 7:00 pm) All Ladies of St. James are invited to come and bring a friend. Then join us for coffee and discussion at Two Story Coffeehouse. Questions? Contact: Christy 706-769-3592 Jessica 706-769-1035

THERE'S ROOM FOR YOU IN ROOM 213!

It's more than a rehearsal. It's worship.

Come join the fun as we begin to work on Fear Not, our Christmas wor-ship celebration. We have music, rehearsal schedules, and listen-ing CDs ready just for you! Most rehearsals are on Wednesday eve-nings at 7:30, with several bonus rehearsals scattered through the sea-son.

Come join us as we celebrate Jesus' gift of Himself! This is a great opportunity for you to Connect with Others and Serve the St. James Family. Call any of us for information!

Your Music Ministry Staff
Bill Emerson, Bryan Shaw, LaMurl Morris

Women’s Friday Bible Study

"Experiencing the Heart of Jesus" Home of Jessica Beaver August 20-November 5. 9:15-11:30 am

JOLLY GOOD TIMERS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 13 @ NOON FELLOWSHIP HALL

Anyone regardless of age is invited to attend Lunch & Program (See next week’s Focus for more details.)

Miss a Sunday?

 Pastor Jerry’s teachings are on our website located on the Teachings page.

We would like to thank everyone for all your prayers, support and caring during Judi’s illness and death. Our family gratefully appreciates the people of St. James and all you have done.

Eric Lund, Susan & Daniel Bethell-Larimer

August 15, 2010 Attendance

• Sunday School 249
• Worship (8:30) 65
• Worship (9:40) 82
• Worship (11:00) 206
• Total Worship 353 

13th Sunday after Pentecost - August 22, 2010

WE ENTER TO WORSHIP

PRELUDE (8:30 a.m.)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee—arr. Paul Manz

PRELUDE (9:40 & 11:00 a.m.)
Awesome God—arr. Teresa Wilhelmi
LaMurl Morris

GATHERING HYMN
His Name Is Wonderful

WELCOME
Glenn Cole

WE PRAISE GOD WITH OUR MUSIC AND PRAYERS

HYMN NO. 139 (8:30 & 11:00)
Praise To The Lord, The Almighty

PRAISE SONGS (9:40 & 11:00)

THE READING OF THE WORD
Psalm 71:1-6

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH, NO. 881 (8:30 a.m.)

WE LIFT OUR SPIRITS IN PRAYER
The Rev. Jerry Meredith

(11:00 a.m. service): Children may be dismissed to Children’s Church in Room 113. Pre-K (4 years old by Sept 1, 2010) through 2nd Grade

WORSHIP IN MUSIC
A Mighty Fortress — arr. Dennis Allen
St. James Women’s Ensemble

WE HEAR HIS WORD

SCRIPTURE 

SERMON
The Rev. Jerry Meredith

WE RESPOND TO CHRIST

HYMN NO. 593
Here I Am, Lord

OFFERTORY
Hymne—by Vangelis
Marlene Bryan

DOXOLOGY—HYMN NO. 94
Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow

ANNOUNCEMENTS & SENDING FORTH
Glenn Cole

CONGREGATIONAL BLESSING:
May the Lord, Mighty God, bless and keep you forever, Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor. Lift up your eyes and see his face, know His grace is for you, May the Lord, Mighty God, bless and keep you forever.

POSTLUDE
Standing On The Promises—PROMISES
LaMurl Morris

Altar Color for Sunday, August 22: Green
Patrick O’Brian, Head Usher
THANK YOU FOR TURNING OFF ALL CELL PHONES DURING WORSHIP SERVICES AND BIBLE CLASSES. Our St. James Prayer Ministers will be available at the Altar immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service to pray with anyone desiring prayer.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AT ST. JAMES

Sunday,  August 22
Worship Services at 8:30, 9:40, and 11:00 a.m.

• 8:30 am Worship (Sanctuary)
• 9:00 am Coffee & Doughnuts (Fellowship Hall)
• 9:40 am Worship (Sanctuary)
• 9:40 am Bible Classes
• 11:00 am Worship (Sanctuary)
• 11:00 am Children’s Church (Room 113)
• 11:00 am Families in Christ Class (Room 102)
• 5:00 pm Student Leadership Team Meeting
• 6:00-8:00 pm Sunday Supper Club (The Jimmy)
• 6:00 pm Hebrew Class (Room 101) 

Monday, August 23

• 11:00 am Intercessory Prayer Group (Room 107)
• 6:00 pm A.A. Meeting (Rooms 101, 111)
• 6:00 pm Praise Team Rehearsal 

Tuesday, August 24

• 7:30 am Bible Study (Room 220)
• 12:00 pm Praying for Athens (Room 101)
• 6:45 pm Ladies Night Out (Beechwood Cinema) 

Wednesday, August 25

• 10:30 am SJUMC Staff Meeting (Parlor)
• 5:15 pm Wednesday Night Supper
• 5:50 pm Nursery Activities
• 5:55 pm Children’s Activities (Room 120)
• 6:00 pm YOUTH REMIX at The Jimmy
• 6:00 pm Adult Bible Studies
• 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal (Room 213) 

Thursday, August 26

• 6:00 A.A. Regular Meeting (Rooms 101, 111) 

Friday, August 20

• SJUMC Office Closed on Fridays
• 8:00 am Men’s Prayer (Parlor)
• 9:15-11:30 am Women’s Friday Bible Study 

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES - THE LIGHT

Sunday, August 22

• 10:30 am Sunday School
• 11:00 am Worship
• 6:00 pm Worship