Nacoochee Update

This past Sunday I shared an offering message before receiving the tithes and offerings at the 11:00 service. Knowing that many of you did not hear it, I want to share it with you now.

On Friday, March 1, Lori and I attended a one-day conference at a large church in East Cobb County. Not wanting to get up at 5:00 am and drive through rush hour traffic, we stayed in a hotel Thursday night near the conference site. It was a short, but pleasant stay at the hotel. I had booked the room through a travel web-site. After our stay, I received an email inviting me to review the hotel. So, I did. I gave it high ratings. The room was large, the bed was very comfortable, the staff was courteous, the breakfast was ample. The price was very reasonable. I gave the hotel a very positive review. After submitting the review, I received this message from the hotel booking site, “You’ve just helped millions of travelers choose the best hotel for their trip.”

Do you realize that our church is being reviewed by people all the time? It is not a formal review like I did for the hotel. Rather, they are informal reviews by word of mouth. For the most part, I don’t hear the reviews. But I know they are happening. I get to review our church whenever someone asks me where I serve, and how I like it. Let me tell you, I always give a glowing review. It’s easy to, because it’s true. One of the things I say is that Nacoochee UMC is the best church in the Conference. One of the reasons I can say that is because of the generosity demonstrated through its people. The people of NUMC give of their time, talents, resources, prayers and witness. The people just do it. They don’t need a great deal of cajoling, it is just part of who we are. Your generosity has helped hundreds of people know the best church for their spiritual journey is NUMC. Keep up the good work.

With the Love of Christ,

Keith

Palm Sunday, March 25, Palm Sunday, regular Sunday schedule

Wednesday, March 28, regular Wednesday schedule

Maundy Thursday Service, March 29, 7:00-- Join us for a joint service with other area churches at Travis Chapel United Methodist Church, 387 Hood St, Cleveland, GA 30528

Good Friday, March 30, Self-Guided Meditation Experience in the Fellowship Hall. Come anytime between 3:00 and 7:00 for a personal worship experience. A printed worship guide will lead you through each station.

EASTER SUNDAY

Sunrise Service, 7:00

Breakfast, 7:30

Praise Worship, 9:00

NO Sunday School

Traditional Worship, 11:00

Joe and Janet Strickland will be leading a 5-week Lenten Study at NUMC, for men and women, of Ray Vander Laan’s DVD series of Christ’s Journey to the Cross, ending with a Passover celebration during Holy Week. There is no cost, no homework, and you can come for individual sessions if you can’t come to all. Sessions are Mondays from 12:30 until 2:30. If you need additional info, please contact Joe or Janet by clicking on their names or call Joe at 678-616-5383, or Janet -678-910-0039.

03/05 Gary & Mary Isbell

03/06 Fred Threlkeld

03/20 Ted & Bonnie Murphy

03/25 Charles & Betty Goetz

If you do not see your birthday or anniversary included above, please let our office staff know. We would love to celebrate with you!

The Building Committee met February 20 to see updated design from the architects and to make a plan to move towards our next step of the process: developing plans for financing the project.

• Architect Report: Our architects returned to show us their latest work on the schematic (floor plans) as well and show a peek with a colored rendering at what the building could look like from the road. The committee is closer to having something to present to the congregation! The architects also shared very positive news that the current design will work in NUMC’s favor and allow us to use our existing septic system with some modifications. It appears that we will not have to have storm water retention pond either. Both are great, great news!
• Financing the project: As the preliminary floorplans, elevations, and renderings are being completed, the Building Committee must begin formulating a plan as to how the new construction will be funded. A sub-committee is in the process of being formed for this purpose.
• NUMC Cookbooks, Kollock Prints: NUMC church cookbooks are great gift items for college graduates, hostess gifts, visiting friends, wedding gifts, and more. Originally $10, these are priced to clear for only $5! Buy several to have on hand for easy gifting. John Kollock prints of our existing sanctuary and landscape are also available for $50 donation. Get one for yourself and for each of your children who have attended NUMC through the years!

Prayerfully, consider these items. All sales for these items go to the Building Fund. Contact the church office to get yours. If writing a check, please put “BUILDING FUND” in the memo line.

In closing, we encourage, invite, and welcome you to attend our next meeting to see the exciting possibilities for our church and community outreach. This meeting is scheduled for March 6 at 7:00 pm.

Don't wait until you need a great wedding shower, birthday, or Christmas gift. Buy enough of these excellent and discounted cookbooks so that you are covered when that gifting opportunity arrives. Each one is now only $5 and the money you donate for them will go straight into our Building Construction Fund. A great deal? Yes!

On July 7, 2018, a joint mission team from Nacoochee UMC and Clarkesville First UMC will be leaving to serve the people of the Agalta Valley, Honduras. This year we will be working in the village of La Colonia.

We ask for your prayers as the team begins to form and prepare for our week on the mission field. If you feel called to be a part of the team, support the team, or help with preparations please join us on Wednesday, March 14, at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a time to learn about what the trip involves and to hear from those who have been on previous trips.

Even if you are unable to travel there are lots of ways that you can help and join in the excitement of ministering to our brothers and sisters in Honduras. Please feel free to contact Ann Jackson at 706-499-8216 or justjackson@windstream.net if you have any questions.

To all ladies of NUMC-- Our next meeting for M & M’s (the woman’s group) is March 21. We want you to come and enjoy fellowship and an informative speaker, Jennifer Lunsford. Jennifer is from the Rahab’s Rope in Clarksville, a retail shop that sells items to help women in India who are caught in the sex trade. We will be meeting at Mary Jim Luce’s home at 9:30 with light refreshments. For directions call Mary Jim, 706-878-2108 or carpool from the church.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the woman’s fundraising soup/chili luncheon! You are very appreciated in whatever capacity you help with from making food, set-up, clean-up, attending, and our wonderful men also pitched in! We are well on our way to funding our mission projects and making a difference in our local area, national and overseas projects. Thank You!