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uAN ote Rev Derek Porter Lead Pastor From Our Lead Pastor 4 A MISSION OF LOVE My child do not forget my teaching but let your heart keep my commandments for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you bind them around your neck write them on the tablet of your heart Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and of people Proverbs 3 1 3 6 LOVE SOMEONE TO CHURCH 7 THE IMPORTANCE OF STEAM 8 A GREAT FRIEND TO HAVE Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you I love that part I think I love it because I have experienced your loyalty and faithfulness to Jesus Christ through Smyrna First these past few years The tablets of your hearts are full of great words like loyalty faithfulness and love I will forever be in awe of the daily commitment to keeping God s commandments that you live out every day As you read through this February edition of In Action you will see your church family in all shapes and sizes of ministry Some of these family members have known and served alongside each other for over fifty years while others met for the first time in 2022 I guarantee you that these folks are ready and excited to make you a welcome and treasured member of the Smyrna First Family I am ecstatic about ministry at Smyrna First in 2023 We are already off to a great start and I know that God will continue to lead us forward in abundance as this Proverb promises With the great staff and leadership team that God has put together at Smyrna First Big Dreams are a regular part of our vocabulary Our sermon series Be Generous continues as we focus on our Witness Feb 5th our Generosity Feb 12th and our Service Feb 19th All three of these are crucial parts in our continued commitment to our Church family The week of February 5th we will be handing out the 2023 Stewardship Cards and asking you to pray over and return them between February 12th and March 12th You have been incredibly generous and faithful to Smyrna First and we are grateful for you If this is your first time to fill out a Stewardship Card please do not hesitate to reach out to me or anyone in leadership for assistance It is our honor to answer any and all questions On February 19th we will be sharing with you details of our campus consolidation and what that will mean for our missional impact in Smyrna and around the world You will also have ample opportunity to see places where you can immediately begin to serve in transformative and life giving ways just before we celebrate Ash Wednesday 9 ASH WEDNESDAY 10 WHY I LOVE MISSION TRIPS 11 SHROVE TUESDAY 12 STANDING ON THE PROMISES 13 THE TABLE AT TILLMAN 14 IT S GREAT TO BE A SIXTH GRADER 16 42 18 LAY LED STAFF DRIVEN 20 CALENDAR 22 BE GENEROUS STEWARDSHIP In the Hollows of His Hands Derek 2 33

A Mission of Love By Alan Nicely Fifth Sunday is Mission Sunday by Tara Evie Jocie and Beckham Hanover Beginning in 2012 Smyrna First UMC began an annual mission and outreach celebration We called it the Global Impact Celebration GIC with Acts 1 8 being our guiding scripture and Across the Street and Around the World our slogan It was with the GIC that we also introduced Faith Promise giving to support all our missional and outreach activities This celebration continued until February of 2020 and had to take a break due to the Pandemic Now it is time to renew our celebration of all that Smyrna First UMC does to spread the love of Jesus Across the Street and Around the World Welcome to Mission Sunday 2023 Beginning with the fifth Sunday in January the 29th we will focus on the varied Mission Outreach activities of Smyrna First Many of you are familiar with our local outreach through Tillman House but how many of you know we also support 10 missionary couples and individuals in the field How many are familiar with United Methodist Committee on Relief UMCOR General Board of Global Ministries GBGM Trinity House or our involvement with Habitat for Humanity God is doing some amazing things through Smyrna First and it is time for us to celebrate and to learn more about how all ages can get involved Each Mission Sunday will be in partnership with Children Youth and Adult Ministries It will include a mission activity during the Sunday School hour and a focus on one to two of our missionary and partner organizations On January 29 during the Discipleship Sunday School hour in the Fellowship Hall we will assemble Cleaning Flood buckets for UMCOR See link on right hand page to recieve more information about UMCOR and the very specific list of items that will go in each bucket Collection of the items needed for the flood buckets has begun Displays are in the Narthex and the Welcome Center along with blue collection barrels On the 29th we will also focus on Graham and Sharon Nichols Cross Cultural Workers missionaries in Ecuador whom we have supported since that first GIC in 2012 They are from Lewis Memorial UMC in Evans Georgia Click on Link next to their photo and see their newsletter u 44 Please join us during the 10 00am Discipleship hour on Sunday January 29th and the other 5th Sunday s of the month as we serve alongside each other and celebrate what Smyrna First UMC is doing Across the Street and Around the World CLICK HERE FOR THE NICHOLS NEWSLETTER 5th Sunday s in 2023 April 30 Food Boxes Tonya Weaver Foundation for Children Aids Jessy Togba Doya Sustainable Liberia July 30 Backpacks David Vicki Creel Far East Broadcasting The Cardells Romania October 29 Winter Hygiene The Attaways Thailand Trainers GFN Nicaragua December 30 World Day of Prayer GBGM Maternal Health Dr Kipuke Togo CLICK HERE FOR FLOOD BUCKET SUPPLY LIST 55

Love Someone to Church Let the Children Come to Me By Ashley Stafford As we drive home from school How does our church do this and work most days and get to You all show Robert love by calling the intersection of Atlanta and him by name laughing with him Spring Roads you usually will giving him hugs when he needs hear my 5 year old pipe up in the them and instilling in him the back seat and say Mom Dad look love of Jesus It follows him there is our church We are going wherever he goes Whether or this week right It always makes not his teacher likes it luckily she me smile but something that does he will teach his Pre School brought joy to my heart was this class the song Pharaoh Pharaoh past December when we were with all the motions and will softly on our way to drop Robert off at sing Mary did you know while Parents Night Out I asked Hey working on a coloring sheet at bug are you nervous He sat the table He learned this from quietly and thought for a second the love of the teachers that are and said No I am not nervous patient with him at choir and I love church because everyone from being able to sit with me at church loves me Right Mom before going to Children s Church Right Robert Another way You all have loved him spend time after works hours giving not only to Robert and loving him but loving everyone that they meet at these events I want to thank the church for being the vessel that has brought my child to know and love God with all his heart mind and soul He knows Christ because you all to church is through acceptance show him the love of Christ every I love church grace and forgiveness because because everyone just as kind and tender hearted time he walks through those doors or when you see us out in the at church loves me Robert can be he can also have community My challenge not only Right Mom some hard days He threw a royal for Robert and me but also for our tantrum in church one day he has church community in the month not been kind to friends and he of February is to Love someone Wow what a wonderful feeling has been disrespectful to adults to church I know it is hard to ask of Joy to have In that moment but you all have still loved him someone to come to church You it felt as though the Holy Spirit and he has learned how to forgive might think of some other things was there cheering us all on and show grace others would be easier to ask them to like It was an Ah Ha moment for me Church loves him through the Wednesday Night Dinner send He feels love not only from his fellowship on Wednesday nights them the link to Vacation Bible Mom Dad and family but also Sunday School Vacation Bible School tell them about the egg from a community of believers hunt or any of the other events that make an impact on his young School Family Church nights Hands on Christmas Pancake we will be having this Spring and life every time he walks through remember you might have to ask the doors of the church God has Sundays and especially the Hot Chocolate at the Christmas them more than once I know that truly made our church a vessel in once they get here the Holy Spirit which to bring people young and Lighting downtown This list will work through us to show them old to Jesus Christ He calls us not goes on and on but it is our community and the people that the love we have for them and the only to love people but also to take their time to volunteer and love of Christ love them to church The Importance of STEAM By Deb Cook One of the best ways to build skills to help with problem solving collaboration and creativity is simply playing It is vital for children s mental and Play is not just about having fun physical well being but about taking risks experimenting When learning it is important and testing boundaries to take risks experiment and test The American Academy of Pediatrics boundaries Learning is FUN too The designated STEAM Lab in the Smyrna First Preschool allows our students the freedom to investigate science technology engineering the arts and math through play Teachers take students to this room to create design and imagine all things preschoolers love They are also able to take items back to their classrooms for small group exploration The STEAM curriculum encourages intentional teaching through purposeful play 6 To find out more about our program go to smyrnafumc org weekday education Registration is now open for the 2023 2024 School Year 7 United Methodist Committee on Relief

A Great Friend To Have With a Servant Heart Marty Merletti By Rev Chaloea Hale Visiting Friends is a ministry that consists of members of the congregation that continue to reach out to our church members who are in assisted living those living at home and recovering from surgery Whether it s a phone call to say hello a time to visit or a card of encouragement the Visiting Friends Ministry is a blessing to our congregation Every one of our Residents received a card from every one of our Visiting Friends This is what Marty shared with so much joy and excitement in her voice Some of you may have heard about the Visiting Friends Ministry but may not know the face and the backbone behind the ministry Marty Merletti has been leading this awesome ministry during the most challenging times Marty was an educator in the Cobb County School District and was known as one of the best Pre K teachers in the county This speaks to the intentionality Marty displayed during her time in teaching and how it continues to be with her as she coordinates the Visiting Friends Ministry and cares for the congregation For every email that is sent every phone call she makes 8 and every visit Marty makes and or coordinates she is intentional in listening to our Visiting Friends residents the Visiting Friends and our congregation She is intentional in the way she cares for you the Church her church family for God s people Marty has been a member of Smyrna First UMC for over 25 years and she considers SFUMC her family Often Marty is one of the first faces you see in worship as she serves as an usher during Sunday morning Her face lights up the room as she shares the light of Christ in the church and in the community We give God thanks and praise for all that He is doing through Marty Merletti and the Visiting Friends Ministry The next time you see Marty please thank her for all she does to use her gifts and graces for God and for SFUMC In fact the best way to thank Marty is to become a part of the Visiting Friends Ministry If you are looking for a place to serve and you are feeling led to join the Visiting Friends Ministry please reach out to Marty martym594 gmail com I m sure she would love to have you Ash Wednesday by Barbara Hatchell Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent a time of preparation and reflection Where did this tradition come from and what does it mean Lent originated in the Roman church around the end of the third or beginning of the fourth century The early Christians observed with great devotion the days of Christ s passion and resurrection It became the custom of the church that before the Easter celebration there should be a forty day excluding Sundays season of spiritual preparation The whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the Gospel and the need we all have to renew our faith Ash Wednesday was later given its name because the people who participated received ashes on their foreheads in the form of a cross Why ashes The United Methodist Church Book of Worship states The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship and the Imposition of Ashes can be a powerful nonverbal and experiential way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation This practice is the historic focus of Ash Wednesday observance and gave the day its name It is traditional to save the palm branches from the previous Passion Palm Sunday service and burn them ahead of time to produce the ashes for this service It is significant that palm branches are burned to make these ashes By making the ashes from the palms we are reminded of the events of Holy Week and how the victory of Jesus over sin was won for us on Good Friday On Ash Wednesday the congregation at SFUMC is invited to receive the Imposition of Ashes The pastors dip a thumb in the ashes and make a cross on the forehead of each person saying Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return Whether or not you choose to receive the ashes as an outward sign of your faith definitely use this time to reflect on your own relationship with God This year we will observe Ash Wednesday on February 22 at 6 30pm Come and join your brothers and sisters in Christ as we are reminded to look inward at our own heart and outward to Christ 95 Click Here For Flood Bucket Click Here for The Nichols' Newsletter

Why I Love Mission Trips A Youth s Firsthand Account By Leah Bartlett Hey everyone My name is Leah Bartlett and I am a senior at Johnson Ferry Christian Academy I am a co vice president for God s Light Youth choir and an active member of our Youth Group Through our youth group I have had the opportunity to go on two mission trips One in Savannah GA and one in Bayou La Batre AL My first mission trip to Savannah I wasn t quite sure what to expect but God moved in many ways and it was so great We had the opportunity as a group to work at unique sites One of the sites that stuck out to me was the Boys Girls Club of America This is a nonprofit organization where less fortunate kids can go to have a safe environment and they are provided with a track to graduate high school We played with the kids in various activities It and it was a joy to get to pour into them Exploring different parts of Savannah throughout the week was enjoyable for all Coming out of the trip I knew I wanted to go on another mission trip the next year This past summer a group of us went to Bayou La Batre and it was so amazing Throughout the week we got the chance to serve with other churches In my small group from Smyrna we worked with a group from a church in Southern Illinois It was amazing to meet new people and share this experience with new friends One of the sites we visited was the house of a woman who cared for her one month old grandbaby and her seriously ill husband We were able to clean around her backyard She was very thankful and exceedingly hospitable It was wonderful to see what a difference we made in her life Having a positive mindset while doing all that we did was one of the most important traits we all shared One of the things God taught me from the Bayou was to be more thankful for what we have because there were people I met that did not have a lot They were an inspiration to me because they were content with what they had and never complained 10 Another thing that blessed me was that everyone had a prayer partner back home that was praying for us throughout the week I knew mine very well so I was able to thank her and tell her all about the trip There were many ways that God showed up during this trip and I am so grateful for a church that prayed and supported us so well Both of these trips have a special place in my heart as I was able to see the many ways God showed up as well as getting closer to my group I want to encourage anybody that is thinking about coming on the mission trip this summer to say yes My experience has been wonderful and I cannot talk highly enough about it was amazing to meet new people and share this experience with new friends Registration starts on January 29 and we are going to Blue Ridge NC Click Here to Register I invite you to Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner on February 21 which supports us I would love to see you all there Join us for the SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER on February 21st 5 30 7 00pm in Fellowship Hall Proceeds will benefit our youth mission trip Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday This day represents the day we feast well before the Lenten fast So let us eat pancakes 11

The Table at Tillman The Table at Tillman also known Standing on the Promises Campaign Final Report By David Martin SOP Chairman The Standing on the Promises Campaign was a four year 2019 2022 Capital Campaign designed to raise funds to 1 Renovate the Fellowship Hall 2 Retire our Long Term Debt and 3 begin capturing the vision of the Long Range Plan The first 400 000 raised was used to renovate the Fellowship Hall In addition to enhancements to the lighting and sound systems efforts were made to create a Worship Center in a space that had not originally been intended for that purpose When the Campaign started the Church s debt was 1 590 000 Some of that debt could be traced all the way back to the construction of the Fellowship Hall in 1993 At the end of 2022 that debt was 235 000 12 12 Going forward you can continue to give to retire debt Just designate your gifts to Buck or Three The Standing on the Promises Campaign or Debt Retirement Thanks to everyone who made a gift to the Campaign The generosity expressed in this Campaign is evidence of our Church s love for God and Smyrna First UMC Even during a pandemic your dedication to providing a bright future and stable financial footing will be felt far beyond the future we can imagine Just as the generations did before us we are surely still Standing on the Promises by Beverly Marshall Goodell Christ to all who attend We have as Dinner Church meets in the a team of approximately ten Tillman House Fellowship Hall volunteers who share the on the third Saturday of each responsibility of setting up month This worship time began welcoming our guests serving in August 2020 to serve anyone dinner offering the Jesus story who may have never been to facilitating discussion at the church had a bad experience tables and cleaning up About at church or just can t make it to seventy guests have registered church on a Sunday mornings to receive regular text message This gathering includes a catered notices of our gatherings The average attendance at each dinner a 5 to 10 minute Jesus gathering including story small group discussion volunteers and at the round tables where guests is we eat and Holy Communion also served at the round tables about thirty Our guests are a racially diverse group that includes a mixture of couples singles and an occasional family with children Several of our regular guests have physical and or cognitive disabilities and many are food insecure We nearly always have a few guests who are unsheltered For most gatherings we have live music provided by volunteers Our keyboard player is a guest who found out about dinner church during one of our neighborhood prayer walks We close each gathering with a drawing for two 25 Kroger gift cards and send the leftover food and beverages home with the guests Our focus is hospitality as we seek to share the love of God in but we have not been successfully in retaining someone who can provide live translation However when we have had Spanishspeaking guests the children often served as translators for the adults Most of our guests are or have been clients of one or more of the community services provided at Tillman House In the past we have distributed Dinner Church invitations in nearby neighborhoods We currently include information about Dinner Church with each food box distributed from Tillman House In October 2022 we had our first guest who volunteered to share the Jesus story and we have another guest signed up to share the Jesus story in December This is an We occasionally host guests indication that some of our whose first language is Spanish guests have a sense that they In the past we have provided belong to the group written materials in Spanish 13 smyrnafumc.org/weekday education

An Exciting Time to be a Sixth Grader By Sarah Roy Sixers is our exciting new ministry just for sixth graders Each Sunday morning we will meet for our own Disciple Group and there will be events just for this age group every month Our goal is to build community and grow in our faith through studying the word of God and having a lot of fun together We will also be available to go to sporting events performances and whatever else the Sixers want to invite us to so we can support them and cheer them on We can t wait to see what God has in store for the Sixers Current Sixers Rising Sixers By Jono Moehlig What was the last life transition you went through Photos are from Sixers Retreat at Epworth by the Sea in January Our Leaders for this new ministry are Jack Winchester and Sarah Roy Get to know them through five fun facts Five Things About Sarah Five Things About Jack 1 Sarah s birthday is April 15th 1 Jack and his fianc Elizabeth recently bought a house in Smyrna 2 She likes all colors except for orange 3 She and husband Mike have a dog named Cookie and two cats Nova and Alice 4 S arah collects snow globes the nice ones and the plastic gas station ones 5 When she s not reading for school she likes to read High fantasy books are her favorite 14 2 Jack graduated from Auburn in 2018 and the University of Alabama in 2020 3 He worked as a youth intern at Asbury United Methodist in Birmingham AL and worked with sixth grade boys at Cornerstone Church in Auburn from 2016 2018 4 You can find Jack at at Truist Park between the months of April Oct 5 Jack was a part of 8 episodes of Sesame Street in 2000 2002 scavenger hunt Or maybe it s working together in finding clues to an escape room or perhaps For some of you reading this maybe it was a new it s the fun of water day and gutter ice cream job a new home a new place to live or a new school Maybe you ve had kids go through transitions The impact that being a missions partner with Tillman House provides is a key to VBX as we spend and tried to help them navigate the new as they a day serving the community remembering that this left the old and found ways to be themselves in life is not all about us but Jesus compels us to love a new context In terms of youth ministry one of those around us the most unique transitions we encounter is moving from kids ministry or elementary school New routines new responsibilities new places new into youth and middle school When you re the people middle school can seem like a foreign land oldest in the school a place you may have been for and in these transitions we have the chance to love years you know the hallways you know the teachers kids into their unique selves found in Christ Join us you know how to get to the cafeteria and you know and be blessed as we are blessed the places to avoid Then you venture into being the youngest at a school you don t know Your body and emotions are going through changes as well I don t know many people who would say they absolutely loved middle school So how can a time of such transition be a time where youth thrive and know they are loved by God The transition into youth ministry often begins in the summer of being a rising 6th grader during VBX Young men and women experience the gospel in a new way and are given the chance Register a rising 6th grader for VBX to embody the teachings of Jesus in a manner or a younger child for VBS befitting their new stature as youth Leading others is a big step in faith and this is what VBX allows by Clicking on this Link new 6th graders to do as they lead the VBS kids at the opening and closing of the VBS day before Want to volunteer and make an impact on a having their own lesson and activities For some new middle schooler Contact Jono Moehlig this is the first time exploring the church in a jono smyrnafumc org 11 15

Can small scissors make a big impact Here at Smyrna First we like to celebrate and we felt like there was no better way to celebrate the start of a brand new Discipleship Group than a ribbon cutting While there was no ribbon and there were no giant scissors there was a hand drawn sign and a folder holding a pair of standard scissors inside It wasn t about what was missing but about what is going to be gained On Sunday January 8 laughter was gained and seeds were planted on the Education Hallway of Smyrna First Jesus said to them my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work Do you not say four months more then comes the harvest But I tell you look around you and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life so that the sower and reaper may rejoice together John 4 34 36 I was never a big fan of math but as a pastor math has become one of my favorite subjects Multiplication matters Does the number 42 mean anything to you No I am not referring to famed baseball player Jackie Robinson or current linebacker for the Alabama Crimson Tide number 42 Jaylen Moody 42 is not just a jersey number for some excellent teams 42 is more than that 42 is the number of disciples who arrived at the end of the Education Hallway on Sunday Jan 8 In a full circle moment the same week we 16 celebrated these 42 individuals we celebrated the life and legacy of Rev Pat Shannon who served as a United Methodist Minister for 42 years What a beautiful picture of resurrection life that one person for every year Rev Shannon served became a part of something new on the Education Hallway The Young Adult Discipleship Group was spilling into the hallway out of their new room with great joy ready to receive friends into their fold The Innkeepers invited in several new members over Christmas break and dove into the Gospel of Luke They felt a sense of togetherness as they shared what the Scripture meant to them The brand new Young Families Discipleship Group had an exciting new beginning and are looking ahead to strengthening their walk with Jesus Look around The fields are ripe for harvesting and we are seeing the fruit of the seeds that were planted generations ago by the faithful disciples who have and continue to lead us well If you want to be a part of this good and holy work I invite you to take a look at the calendar and find the Discipleship Group that best meets your needs Whether it be a Sunday morning or one of our Weekday Discipleship Groups we have an abundance of people ready to receive you Let s rejoice dig in continue to plant new seeds and cultivate together as disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world u We currently have 10 Sunday morning Adult Discipleship Groups Check out the links on our calendar to find out class descriptions 17

Lay Led Staff Driven By Kristen Sudduth How It All Works Smyrna First United Methodist Church is a Lay lead congregation You have likely heard that said on more than one occasion If you are like me you ve likely tilted your head to the side just a little and said wait what We have staff to lead our ministries we have clergy to lead our worship and you are telling me the people in the pews are in charge Really Yes that is what I am saying In the United Methodist Church we have four Book of Discipline mandated committees including the Board of Trustees Finance Committee Staff Parish Relations Committee and Lay Leadership Committee These groups work with our Senior Pastor to ensure the Church is living out its mission of Making Disciples who Make Disciples Each Committee has nine members who serve in classes of three for a three year term Committees are appointed by the Lay Leadership Committee and then affirmed by the Administrative Board Our Board of Trustees works closely with our Facilities Director and Business Office to ensure the timely and proper upkeep of our facilities The Trustees are also tasked with the management of all contracts and legal issues pertaining to the Church 2023 Mike Satterfield chair Allyson Sims Mike Davis 2023 Board of Trustees 2024 2025 George Davis Greg Shenton Paula Rice JJ Brown Martha Jackson Angie Ruffolo The Finance Committee and the Church Treasurer hold responsibility for the overall finances and budgeting for the Church They have oversight of the Business Office and work staff to ensure the Church is operating within the budget and ensuring all financial policies are appropriate and enforced The Finance Committee also ensures that periodic audits of procedures and finances occur 2023 Finance Committee 2023 2024 2025 Ben Martin chair France Awad Joel Nierling Aaron Marr John Weit Jeff Meuter Stephen Boggs Renee Rhodes Emily Lewis 18 The Staff Parish Relations Committee supports our Clergy and staff as they develop ministries and missions for the Church They are the liaison committee between the local Church and the NGUMC Conference Office and District Superintendent with regard to clergy appointments They also act as a liaison between the clergy staff and congregation 2023 Staff Parish Relations Committee 2023 2024 2025 Damon Bivek chair Zack Atkinson Marvin Waldrep Kris Clancy Amanda Schmidt Melissa Gilliliand Pam Schagren RC Obert Jed Gay The Lay Leadership Committee also known as the Nominating Committee is tasked with assessing the gifts and graces of Church members to identify those willing to serve on Committees Chaired by the Senior Pastor this group meets in the fall to discuss any Committee openings as well as the three person classes for the upcoming year They produce a slate of willing members to the Administrative Board for approval for all positions which begin on January 1 of the following year 2023 Lay Leadership Committee 2023 Diane McDonald Nancy Sparks Kelly Patrick 2024 2025 Kate Marr Donna Harrigan Regina Bivek Sid Price Elizabeth Bernhardt Shane Lewis As in many organizations which require the oversight of multiple Committees Smyrna First UMC constituted an Executive Committee made us of the Disciple Committee Chairs other Leadership Chairs an Executive Chair and Vice Chair and At Large Members to assist the timeliness with which the Church could respond to the needs of our ministries and missions 2023 Executive Committee Executive Committee Chair Karen Moore Admin Council Vice Chair Barbara Weit Admin Council Past Chair David Martin Secretary Julie Lischer Lay Leader Matthew Westmoreland Treasurer Scott Rhudy Finance Committee Chair Ben Martin Staff Parish Relations Chair Damon Bivek Trustees Chair Mike Satterfield Discipleship Sherry Vining Health and Wellness Gary Myers Finance Director Kristin Nelson At Large Member Ken Kincaid Rotating Department Head Alan Nicely EX OFFICIO Lay Delegates Senior Pastor 19 Boys & Girls Club Click Here to Register

Calendar At A Glance WEEKLY PROGRAMMING MONTHLY PROGRAMMING AND SPECIAL EVENTS SUNDAY TUESDAY MONDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 1 FRIDAY SATURDAY 3 2 4 LMTWGR Silent Auction 5pm Love Makes the World Go Round Dinner Show 6pm 6 Club 4 5 4 15pm Sixers Fire and Ice 4 15pm Charge Conference 6 30pm 12 7 Mary Martha UWF Circle 10 00am 9 8 Registration for JOY Potluck 3pm 10 30am NoteAbles Ladies Sanctuary 6 00pm Parents of Littles Discipleship Group 14 22 Cobb County School Winter Break may effect some programming Trustees 5 30pm Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner 5 30pm 26 Registration for Youth Jr Sr Master Class 6 30pm Family Discussion 6 30pm 23 Children s Church 3 years 3rd grade Youth Building 10 10am Sunday Discipleship Groups Sunday February 5 Sixers Andretti s 4 15pm Acts 20 35 1 Corinthians 9 7 Rev Derek Porter 8 45am 9am 11am 24 5 15pm Celebration Ringers Intermediate Bells A206 5 30pm Wednesday Night Dinner Fellowship Hall Journey Adults A105 6 00pm Youth Small Groups 6th 12th Grade B211 Sunday February19 Committed to Christ Six Steps to a Generous Life Sharing and Caring 7 00pm Ash Wednesday 6 30pm 1 2 Rev Derek Porter 8 45am 9am 11am Cast the Net EventPunchbowl Social 6 30pm 6 30pm New Praise Rehearsal Adults A202 6 30pm Sounding Joy Handbells Rehearsal Adults A206 Sharing Adults A207 6 30pm Disciple 1 Class Adults A102 Trinity Adults A102 7 30pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Adults A202 Young Adults Adults B210 7 30pm Instruments of Praise Rehearsal Adults A207 Young Couples Adults A107 THURSDAY 11 00am Classic Service Sanctuary 10 00am The Vine Bible Study Adults A105 Nursery Available 8 weeks 3 years Building B 25 Children s Church 3 years 3rd grade C203 SUNDAY AFTERNOONS 2 45pm Sunday Tomorrow s Promise 4th 6th Grade A202 3 30pm Joyful Ringers 3rd 6th Grade A206 4 15pm God s Light Youth Choir 7th 12th Grade A202 CLICK HERE FOR CALENDAR WITH LIVE LINKS 5 30pm Sunday Night Youth 6th 12th Grade Fellowship Hall 3 3 If You Fall Down Genesis 2 15 17 3 1 7 Matthew 4 1 11 Rev Derek Porter 8 45am 9am 11am The SFUMC preschool and Parents Morning Out meets each day throughout the school year Registration is now open for the 2023 2024 School year smyrnafumc org weekday Education 5 15pm Sonshine Singers Rehearsal 3 years 5 years A205 InnKeepers Adults B209 Committed to Christ Six Steps to a Generous Life WeekDay Education 5 15pm HIS Kids Rehearsal 1st 2nd Grade A207 Roland Walker Adults B205 Sunday February 26 Finance 6 30pm 5 15pm Tomorrow s Promise Rehearsal 3rd 6th Grade A202 Sixers 6th Grade C210 Friendship Adults A107 Sunday February 12 6 30pm Lay Leadership Committees on a weekly rotation 9 30am Wednesday Bible Study Adults A105 Youth 7th 12th Grade C213 18 TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Nursery Available 8 weeks 3 years Building B Committed to Christ Six Steps to a Generous Life Youth Lunch US Cafe noon No Children s Choir Rehearsals 28 27 17 16 15 21 Faithworker s UWF Circle 10 00am Club 4 5 4 15pm 6 00pm Men s Pickup Basketball Fellowship Hall Open Forum Adults B201 Staff Parish Relations 6 30pm 20 Nursery Available 8 weeks 3 years Building B Nursery Available 8 weeks 3 years Building B Acts 1 8 Rev Derek Porter Faithfilled Workers Souper Bowl of Chili Sale 8am Welcome Center 19 11 Adults MONDAY 9 00am Modern Service Fellowship Hall FEBRUARY SERMONS Youth 8 45am Classic Service Sanctuary Children s PreK 5th Grade Building C Executive Board 6 30pm 13 Registration for Youth Super Bowling Party 10 FUEL Small Group 9 15am Children SUNDAY MORNING Click Here to Purchase Tickets 5 Churchwide Mark your calendars for these future big events March 1 8 15 22 29 April 5 Lent Bible Study March 10 11 Youth Spiritual Life Retreat Click to Register March 17 Lent Fish Fry March 26 Easter Egg Hunt Click here for Amazon Wish List for Candy April 2 Palm Sunday April 9 Easter June 11 God s Light Homecoming June 19 22 VBS VBX Click to Register June 5 8 12 15 26 29 July 10 13 17 20 Summer Camps Click to Register June 5 9 GROW Camp sponsored by Camp Glisson Click to Register July 9 11 Youth Mission Trip Click to Register Tillman House Resource Center The mission center of Smyrna First UMC also has a full calendar of meetings events etc Log onto the Tillman House website to find out more tillmanhousefoundation org The Tillman House After School Program begins a new semester at the beginning of the year and needs servants and mentors Click on Link ASP Servant Needs You may also contact Alan Nicely anicely smyrnafumc org or Julia DeVane jdevane smyrnafumc org with questions regarding Tillman House For Full February Digital Calendar with active links Click Here 20 21

2023 Commitment Card Each of you must give as you have made up your mind not regretfully or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver 2 Corinthians 9 7 In addition to my our prayers presence service and witness I we will commit to give Our current sermon series is focusing on being Committed to Christ with Six Steps to a Generous Life ________________ Weekly OR Monthly please circle one Prayer Bible Reading Worship Witness Financial Giving and Service Last Name ________________________________ With this we also need to evaluate what being First Name s ______________________________ generous looks like in our lives and to God Part Street Address _____________________________ of our commitment to Christ is being good stewards City ________________________State _________ The week of February 5th we will be handing out the 2023 Stewardship Cards We ask you to prayerfully consider how you might Zip ______________ Email Address _____________________________ Phone ___________________________________ honor your vows through your generosity and return your Stewardship Cards between February 2th and March 12th 22 Smyrna First UMC 1315 Concord Road Smyrna GA 30080 1315 Concord Road SE Smyrna Georgia 30080 www smyrnafumc org

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