NEWSLETTER
May 27, 2008
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO….
This is a true story as told by Barbara Glanz, CSP. A few years ago, I was hired by a large supermarket chain to lead a customer service program – to build customer loyalty. During my speech I said, “Every one of you can make a difference and create memories for your customers that will motivate them to come back. How? Put your personal signature on the job. Think about something you can do for your customer to make them feel special – a memory that will make them come back.”
About a month after I had spoken, I received a call from a nineteen year-old bagger named Johnny. He proudly informed me that he was a Down Syndrome individual and told me his story.
“I liked what you talked about!” he said, “but at first I didn’t think I could do anything special for our customers. After all, I’m just a bagger. “Then I had an idea!” Johnny said. “Every night after work, I’d come home and find a thought for the day.” “If I can’t find a saying I like,” he added, “I just think one up!” When Johnny had a good Thought for the Day, his dad helped him set it up on the computer and print multiple copies. Johnny cut out each quote and signed his name on the back. Then he’d bring them to work the next day. “When I finished bagging someone’s groceries, I put my thought for the day in their bag and say, Thanks for shopping with us.”
It touched me to think that this young man – with a job most people would say is not important – had made it important by creating precious memories for all his customers.
A month later the store manager called me…“You won’t believe what happened. When I was making
my rounds today, I found Johnny’s checkout line was three times longer than anyone else’s! It went all the way down the frozen food aisle. So I quickly announced, ‘We need more cashiers; get more lanes open!’ as I tried to get people to change lanes. But no one would move. They said, ‘No, it’s okay – we want to be in Johnny’s lane – we want his ‘Thought for the Day.’” The store manager continued, “It was a joy to watch Johnny delight the customers.” “I got a lump in my throat when one woman said, ‘I used to shop at your store once a week, but now I come in every time I go by, because I want to get Johnny’s ‘Thought for the Day.’”
A few months later, the manager called me again…Johnny has transformed our store.
Now when the floral department has a broken flower or unused corsage, they find an elderly woman or a little girl and pin it on them.” Everyone’s having a lot of fun creating memories. Our customers are talking about us… they’re coming back, and bringing their friends. A wonderful spirit of service spread throughout the entire store… and all because Johnny chose to make a difference!
Johnny’s idea wasn’t nearly as innovative as it was loving. It came from the heart – it was real. That’s what touched his customers, his peers… and those who read this story.
Great service comes from the heart…
Maybe you have thought of yourself as “just a Christian.” Imagine how your world would change if you had the same commitment and desire to help people see God. Will you be Johnny for someone today?
Youth Stuph
Ahh… Summer is finally here!
This has been an eventful start to 2008! Nicki and I count our blessings and thank God that we are a part of the staff and family here at Tuckston UMC. The students, their families, the staff, and the congregation have truly shown their love to us as we transitioned from involved members into our role as church leadership. God has truly blessed us here and we hope to pour those blessings onto the youth and their families as we progress and grow into the ministry that God intends for our youth here at Tuckston!
Our first spring semester has been a whirlwind of activity and the summer will be no different. We kick off our weekly meetings on June 1st. These “Sizzlin’ Summer Sundays” will be a place where HS & MS students come together for a time of fun and devotion. We also have numerous trips planned, such as Six Flags, a Braves game, White Water, and Kayaking down the Broad River, just to name a few. Our Mission Trips to Tijuana, MX and Hayesville, NC are going to be a fantastic time for our students to minister outside of their comfort zones and see other parts of the world and country. I would also like to highlight our “Man Trip” and “Whoa-Man Trip.” Our “Man Trip” this summer will take place in July. We are praying that it will come together as a Father / Son camping trip! But whatever happens, it is a time that our male students look forward to all year. There is rarely a better time to build relationships and disciple our young men than during an extended stay in the outdoors. It is a powerful time of Christian men teaching aspiring men what it really means to be a Man of God! The “Whoa-Man Trip” is the same premise but is designed around and for our MS & HS ladies. We are looking into several different options and more info will be available soon!
To keep up with all this info, Summer Calendars are provided in the Narthex. They are BRIGHT green and will be invaluable to parents, students, and leaders. Also, as the summer progresses our website will be continually updated with the details for each event. I encourage you to bookmark TuckstonYouth.com and check it weekly to view pictures, dates, and the most up to date details for each event!!!!
Update:
Last Newsletter I petitioned your help in Teaching Sunday School, Leading Small Groups, being Host Homes, and getting involved as Chaperones. I wish that I could report to you about the overflow of church members that came running to the aid of our students. Sadly though, I cannot. I received only one response and that was to be a Host Home.
Therefore, I need you to pray about filling a need yourself. If you pray about it and can’t do it then I need you to continue praying that God will place who he intends in these roles. God will provide and our faith is unwavering. God has a plan laid out! It may even involve YOU! What a humbling and inspiring prospect!
I pray that you will enjoy these long summer days and will get outside into God’s creation! It is beautiful and God’s splendor is on display outside and inside Tuckston!
Love, <>< stephen
Michele’s Kids Corner
Sunday, June 8-Friday June 13, 5:30-8:40 (Supper is provided)
Rising Pre-Kindergarten through Rising 6th Grade
We’re counting down to Vacation Bible School 2008. By the time you read this newsletter article, it will be less than two weeks away. Final plans are being made thanks to our directors and all of our other volunteers. It will be an exciting week as our children will be Surfin’ Through the Scriptures to learn and experience what it means to Be Obedient, Be Kind, Be Forgiving, Be Bold, and Believe. Be in prayer for our directors, our volunteers, and our children. Take time to invite families in your neighborhood and workplace to VBS. If you have not yet found a place to serve during VBS, contact Jennifer Abbott (706-425-8979), Mary Sledge (706-546-9883), or Kim Howard (706-369-8244).
Thanks to those of you who have already donated supplies. We are still in need of the following items:
VBS Needs - Sandwich bags, small bottles of water, plastic table cloths (bright colored round and square), bright colored beach towels, boogie boards, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, life preservers, fishing nets, crab baskets, beach balls, bathtub boats and fish, coolers, inflatable raft, life jackets, baby food jars, plastic frosting containers and coffee scoops.
Desserts with Dad (or someone special) on Wed. June 18: Meet at the church in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00 PM as children and dads will enjoy making desserts together. Please R.S.V.P. by Monday, June 16.
Pool Party on Wed. June 25. Place and time to be announced.
Back to School Bowling Bash on Monday, August 4, 10:00-12 Noon. Meet at Showtime Bowling. Please register for this event by calling or emailing me by Sunday, July 27. The cost is $3.75 per game/$7.50 to bowl 2 games. Please wear athletic shoes.
Prayer of the Week
Father, Your love for us is infinite and eternal. We acknowledge Your love today, and we ask that You would help us to share that love to a broken world. Make us to be compassionate, loving, and forgiving to the world around us. Let us be as Christ for this hurting world by showing His kindness, love, and compassion to others. Help us to abide in Christ Jesus where our strength is found. In the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our Christian Love & Sympathy to
Richard Zepp and family in the death of his sister-in-law, Mary Zepp.
Celebrations
Congratulations on the birth of Benjamin David Worthington born May 21st to Jim and Suzanne Worthington.
Appreciation
Dear Tuckston family, Jim and I wish to thank you so very much for your calls, cards, visits, gifts, and most importantly prayers during my recent hospitalization and little Charles’ early arrival. We truly felt the presence of the Lord steadfastly guiding us through those days. I appreciate you making this time so special and sharing in God’s greatest blessing in our lives.
With His love and mine, Mary Rodgers
We would like to express our appreciation to the members of Tuckston Church. The wonderful meal served following Mothers service, prayers and kind words surrounded us with comfort in our time of sorrow. God bless you all.
Family of Kathryn Hancock
Announcements
June 2 brings the next meeting of the United Methodist Women in the Pathmakers' Classroom at 6:30 p.m. Kate Finch will present the program related to today's issues in education. Tuckston educators will be acknowledged as part of the program, and a love offering will be taken for the Red Bird School, a
Methodist sponsored mission in Appalachia. UMW members always welcome guests.
Brazil Team Biscuit Sales will be held on June 1, July 9, July 27, August 3 and August 31. Thank you for your support of this outreach ministry.
Sunday Morning Coffee Fellowship needs additional help. Please call Michael Williams at 706-743-8473 for more information.
The first order of TUMC name tags has been ordered and should arrive in 2 weeks. We are now in the process of compiling a second order. Name tags can be ordered by printing your name as you want it to appear and return it to the office along with $9 per tag (checks designated “name tag”).mailto:kathywhitaker.rn@gmail.com.
mailto:albertakeet@yahoo.com
River of Life - June 25-29, 2008 is a fun and fulfilling work-project ministry to the economically poor and elderly families in the Athens area. Several teams of youth and adults from different churches participate. Each day the work teams will go out to minister by painting, yard clean-up, building wheelchair ramps, porches, etc. No special skills are required. Tuckston will be assembling a team to participate in this event. Please contact Steve Cooper 706-255-5518 or steve@steve-cooper.com to sign up.
Tuckston License Plates are available in the church office for $5.00. There is a limited number available.
Tuckston Finances
2008 thru April
Budgeted
Contributions, $259,954
Expenditures, ($308,896)
Overage ($ 48,942)
The above expenditures are within budget. We need $83,300 per month in contributions to meet budget. We have averaged $65,000 per month so far this year which is less than any of the 4 previous years.
All obligations of the church have been paid on time, however, including conference apportionments. Principal payments on the loan have been reduced from the amount contributed to the Building Fund by $15,000 due to the shortfall in budgeted giving.
A 25% increase in our giving is needed to meet budget this year.
Deadlines
The deadline for article submission in the bulletin is noon on Tuesday. The deadline for the newsletter is the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
Nursing Homes/Retirement Centers
Barbara Barton, Luna Chandler, Hilda Hancock, Dycie Schneider (Morningside); Johnnie McGarity, (Quiet Oaks); Nina Eberhart, Roger Lanier (Winterville Retirement); Lois Bryant, (St. Mary’s Long Term Care); Anne Clark (Tift Health Care Nursing Home, room 43B, 2002 North Tift Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794, 229-382-5094); Linda Brown, (University Nursing Home)
Tuckston Staff
Sheila Bookout Senior Pastor
Parsonage Phone - 706-549-7072
email - sheila126@bellsouth.net
Wiley Carney Assistant Pastor
Home Phone -706-742-8989
email - wiley240@bellsouth.net
Stephen Sauls Minister to Youth
Office Phone - 706-353-1311
email - stephen@tuckston.org
Michele May Children’s Pastor
Home Phone - 706-613-2050
email - michele45@bellsouth.net
Herb Owen Pastor Emeritus
Kathy Tasker Administrative Assistant
Teresa Ebel Part-Time Secretary
Phil Lomax Bookkeeper
Todd Ferguson Music Director
Dustin Sosebee Worship Leader
Nancy Robertson Organist
Marie Evans Nursery Director
Home Phone - 706-549-0937
email - fmevan@aol.com
Connie Bowen Director, Tuckston Learning Cntr
email - cebowen2001@yahoo.com
Norm Fuller Building Manager
Home Phone - 706-549-3573
Cell Phone - 706-338-3614
email - normfuller@charter.net
Web Site: www.tuckston.org
Tuckston - 706-353-1311; FAX - 706-353-9022
email - Tuckston@bellsouth.net
Tuckston Learning Center - 706-548-8400
www.tuckstonlearningcenter.com
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BULLETIN
Third Sunday after Pentecost
June 1, 2008
GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE
PRELUDE “Just As I Am”
GREETING/ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP “Standing on the Promises”
*HYMN NO. 529 “How Firm a Foundation”
ACTS OF PRAYER
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer NO. 895
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offertory “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”
*Doxology NO. 95 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS
(Rainbow Kids will not meet today so that the children can participate in Holy Communion.)
ANTHEM “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
SERMON
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation
Confession and Pardon
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Taking the Bread and Cup
Giving the Bread and Cup
*HYMN NO. 368 “My Hope is Built”
*BENEDICTION
*CHORAL RESPONSE “Amen”
*POSTLUDE “Voluntary”
*stand as you are able
If you desire to profess your faith in Jesus Christ, receive the Sacrament of Baptism or if you are a Christian and wish to make this community of believers your home, I invite you to join the pastors at the altar rail during the singing of the last verse of the closing hymn.
Available from the Ushers
Hearing Assistance Devices
Large Print & Braille Hymnals
Dr. Sheila Bookout, Senior Pastor
Rev. Wiley Carney, Assistant Pastor
Rev. Michele May, Children’s Pastor
Rev. Herb Owen, Pastor Emeritus
Stephen Sauls, Youth Pastor
Todd Ferguson, Choir Director
Nancy Robertson, Organist
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The Flowers are placed on the chancel today by Mona & Charlie Register, Paula Lewis, and Kathryn Hoover in honor of the marriage today of Karen Stewart and Bob Lewis.
The Brazil Team is selling biscuits this morning and again next Sunday morning, June 8th. After June 8th they will suspend biscuit sales until August (revised since newsletter). The Brazil team would like to thank you for your support and let you know that you have really made a difference with the availability of funds they will use in Brazil.
June 2nd brings the next meeting of the United Methodist Women in the Pathmakers' Classroom at 6:30 p.m. Kate Finch will present the program related to today's issues in education. Tuckston educators will be acknowledged as part of the program, and a love offering will be taken for the Red Bird School, a Methodist sponsored mission in Appalachia. UMW members always welcome guests.
Annual Conference Volunteers - Volunteers are needed to assist with registration of the clergy who will be attending Annual Conference which will be held at the Classic Center. Early registration will be on Monday, June 16 from 5:00 - 7:30 pm, and registration begins at 8:00 on Tuesday, June 17. A few individuals will be needed Wednesday through Friday also. Please contact Kathy Whitaker at 706-354-8800 or at kathywhitaker.rn@gmail.com.
Tuckston License Plates - The church office has a limited quantity for sale at $5.00 each.
Beach Party: Surfin’ Through The Scriptures - Sunday, June 8-Friday, June 13, 5:30-8:40, Rising PreK – Rising 6th grade. Register today at the table in the narthex.
Continue to be in prayer for VBS. Pray for our directors: Jennifer Abbott, Mary Sledge, and Kim Howard. Pray for our children that they will come and invite other children. We desire for them to experience what it means to Be obedient, Be Kind, Be Forgiving, Be Bold, and Believe. VBS Needs: plastic sandwich bags, small bottles of water, brightly colored beach towels, boogie boards, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, life preservers, fishing nets, bathtub boats and fish, coolers, life jackets, baby food jars, plastic frosting containers and coffee scoops.
The following groups will meet at 4:00 on June 8 in preparation for VBS:
*Classroom Guides will meet with Mary Sledge in room C151
*Registration volunteers will meet with Kim Howard in the narthex
*Youth volunteers will meet with Jennifer Abbott in room FLC115
The Children's Ministry of Tuckston UMC invites you and your family to come be a part of some special summer activities. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to participate in each event. If you have any questions, please contact Michele May at 706-353-1311 or michele45@bellsouth.net.
Desserts with Dad (or someone special) on Wednesday June 18: Meet at the church in the Fellowship Hall at 6 p.m. as children and dads will enjoy making desserts together. Please R.S.V.P. by Monday, June 16th.
Pool Party on Wednesday June 25th from 6-8 PM at Cedar Creek Pool.
Back to School Bowling Bash on Monday, August 4th from 10:00 – 12 noon. Meet at Showtime Bowl. Please register for this event by calling or emailing me by Sunday, July 27th. The cost is $3.75 per game/$7.50 to bowl 2 games. Please wear athletic shoes.
Changes in Summer Newsletter Schedule: There will be one newsletter in June on June 19th and one in July on July 22nd. The deadline for newsletter article submission will be on June 12th and July 17th.
Welcome Tuckston’s Newest Members:
Johnny & Tara Szotkiewicz, 1683 Bismarck Circle, Winder, GA 30680, 912-531-2305.
Glenn & Kymy Pruitt, 524 Lacebark Drive, Athens, GA 30605, 706-549-1350.
The first order of TUMC name tags has been ordered and should arrive in 2 weeks. We are now in the process of compiling a second order. Name tags can be ordered by printing your name as you want it to appear on the line below, tear off and place this section along with $9.00 per tag in an offering envelope designated “nametag” and place it in the offering plate.
YOUR NAME:_________________________________________________________________
Fellowship Supper Reservations
**Please make reservations no later than 10:00 a.m. on Monday**
Wednesday, May 14, 5:30 p.m.
Adults (13 & Over) - $5.00 Children (12 & Under) - $2.50 Smiley - $2.00
Family (1 or 2 adults with children living in the same household) - $20.00 maximum
Would you like a standing reservation? _____ yes ______ no
Name _________________________________________________________________________
_____ # Adult meals _____ # Children’s meals _____# Smiley meals
Menu: Salad, Rolls, Dessert.
Smiley:
Today:
8:20 a.m. Worship Service
9:00 a.m. Brazil Biscuit Sale
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
11:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
12:00 p.m. Children’s Council
3:00 p.m. District Pre-Conf.
Mon.: VBS Set-Up
9:00 a.m. Aerobics
10:00 p.m. Our Daily Bread
4:30 p.m. Sanctuary Prayer & Worship
6:30 p.m. Stephens Ministry
Tues.: VBS Set-up
9:00 a.m. Aerobics
4:30 p.m. Sanctuary Prayer & Worship
6:00 p.m. Intercessory Prayer
6:30 p.m. Reunion Group
7:05 p.m. Intentional Men
Wed.: VBS Set-up
1:00 p.m. Bridge
4:30 p.m. Sanctuary Prayer & Worship
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir
Thur.: VBS Set-Up
7:00 a.m. Prayer Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Senior Aerobics
4:30 p.m. Sanctuary Prayer & Worship
7:30 p.m. Worship Band
Fri.: VBS Set-up
5:00 p.m. Piano Recital
Sat.: VBS Set-up
Sun. June 8:
8:20 a.m. Worship Service
9:00 a.m. Brazil Biscuit Sale
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
11:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
5:30 p.m. VBS
CHRISTIAN SERVICE– June 8 - Nursery: (9:15 Infants) Jeni Pringle; (9:15 Wobblers) Wanda Amos; (9:15 2 Year Olds) Becky Hutton; (10:45 Infants) Blanche Templeton; (10:45 Wobblers) Jennifer Wood; (10:45, 2-Year Olds) Michelle Duncan; (10:45 3-Year Olds) Monica Daniels; (10:45 4 & 5 Year Olds) Joe Bowman. Acolytes: (8:20) Kyle and Eric; (11:00) Rob Thompson and Melody Montgomery. Greeters: 9:15 and 10:45 – Diedra Kell’s Team. Med. Music: Maryann Steele.
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