January 2022 Newsletter
Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!
-
Genesis to Maps
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” You can find these words in the Psalms. The Psalmist is saying that scripture is important. He is saying that trying to navigate life without the benefit of the bible is like walking around in the dark! This is true in small things. Read Proverbs. Small sayings, mostly common sense, that are good reminders. “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” They may not seem earth shattering, but they teach you a lot about behavior. It is also true in big things. “The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said all the law and prophets are summed up in these two commandments. If all of us lived by these two commandments, think of what the world would be like! It is also true in the biggest thing: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him would not die but receive eternal life.” Scripture shows us the way to our very salvation! It’s worth taking time to read!
On January 9th we are starting a series called, “Genesis to Maps.” It is going to be a big overview of the Bible. I thought about calling it, “The Bible in Seven Weeks.” Also thought about “The Bible from 30,000 feet!” It is a big, broad overview. We are going to look at the major sections of the Bible. Law, History, Wisdom, Prophets, Gospels and Acts, Letters and Revelation. We will look at why they are in the Bible and what the major theme is. We will also focus on a particular passage that represents that section of scripture.
My goal in all of this is for people to read the Bible! I have been reading it daily for years. Many of you have heard me say that I read it through every year. I encourage you to do so this year. I hear people all the time say, “I started out okay, but Leviticus got me!” And Leviticus can be tough. But it is also important. Our first scripture in the series will actually come from Leviticus! It helps to have a plan. So find a good “bible in a year” plan out there. Here is one if you want a suggestion. But decide to read it through. Every year I read something that I knew very well, but God showed it to me in a whole new light! Also, there’s never been a year when I didn’t read something and think, “I’ve never seen that before…even though I’ve read it dozens of times!” God’s Word is always speaking to us in new ways!
I hope you will join us as we take a few weeks to cover, “Genesis to Maps.” It is better than stumbling through life in the dark!
If it’s Sunday, you want to be at Due West,
David
-
This November, David Campbell and a group from Due West are going to Egypt! We will talk about Moses and the Exodus, see the Pyramids and take a cruise on the Nile River. Brochures are available in the office. If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to David.
-
January 2 - Return to Normal Service Times
January 2 - AA Open Meeting (7pm in Bldg A)
January 9 - “Genesis to Maps” Kick-off
January 9 - AA Open Meeting (7pm in Bldg A)
January 11 - GRASP Support Group (7pm in Bldg C)
January 13 - AA Women’s Group (7pm in Bldg A)
January 13 - SOS Support Group (7pm in Bldg C)
January 15-17: Youth Winter Retreat
January 16 - AA Open Meeting (7pm in Bldg A)
January 17 - MLK Day (Church Closed)
January 19 - Dementia Ministry Support Group (1pm via Zoom)
January 19 - The Gathering (7pm in Bldg A)
January 20 - AA Women’s Group (7pm in Bldg A)
January 23 - AA Open Meeting (7pm in Bldg A)
January 26 - Dementia Ministry Support Group (1pm via Zoom)
January 27 - AA Women’s Group (7pm in Bldg A)
January 30 - AA Open Meeting (7pm in Bldg A)
-
Preschool Sunday School
Memory Verse: “The crowds were amazed at his teaching.” Matthew 7:28, NIV
A great storyteller can pull you in and make you forget everything else that is going on around you. They make you feel empathy and conviction for things that really matter. Life lessons are revealed with each word, and you walk away wanting to change and just be a better human.
Jesus is that kind of storyteller.
Jesus is indeed the master storyteller and there is nothing better than Story Time with Him. When Jesus starts talking, it’s time to listen. Because, Jesus teaches me important things.
Elementary Sunday School
Self Control - Choosing to do what you should even when you don’t want to
Memory Verse: “God’s power has given us everything we need to lead a Godly life.” 2 Peter 1:3A, NIRV
We trust God no matter what. Even when we face unexpected circumstances, we can respond to them with self control. We can trust that we don’t need to rush in or take matters into our own hands. We can trust that God is working.
Self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit. As we follow Jesus throughout our lives, the Holy Spirit transforms us and helps us live more like Jesus. We can follow His example and choose to do what we should do—instead of what we want to do. The Holy Spirit can give us the power and wisdom to show self-control.
dwCrew
dwCrew is a specialized time of fun, learning, and service for 3rd-5th graders. We will be meeting this month on January 9, January 23 & January 30 from 12:00-1:30. Lunch is $3 and check-in is just inside the blue dwKids doors.
Wonderfully Made: Loved by God
February 17 - 19 | Registration
The preteen years are tough. Changes are happening to them physically, mentally, and emotionally which makes it hard to know exactly what’s going on. Wonderfully Made provides kids ages 10–12 the opportunity to not only ask questions about growing up, but to get faith-based answers as well. This program covers physical development and spiritual connection while helping preteens establish a foundation for their life in Christ.
Wonderfully Made is a 3-day course for 5th & 6th grade students and their parents: Thursday evening (parents), Friday evening (students), all day Saturday (students in the am, all in the afternoon for lunch)
-
Rest and Vision Retreat
Jan 15-17 | Registration
The Rest and Vision Retreat at Camp Sumatanga is coming up fast! Register soon to secure your spot for this winter retreat opportunity for youth and college students from across the southeast. A collaborative effort from the Community Church without Walls, Sumalum , and the Nina Reeves Endowment Fund, the weekend will provide time to grow closer to God and to each other on the holy ground of Camp Sumatanga.
The cost of the weekend is $130 per participant which covers lodging, food, and program. Remember, you can also use Pumpkin Patch funds for this retreat.
We'll leave Saturday morning and return Monday afternoon.
Ignite
No Ignite on Sunday, January 2. We'll see you next year on January 9!
Sunday School
Youth Sunday School classes are available for 6th through 12th graders every Sunday at 9:45am or 11:00am. Youth Sunday School meets in the Youth Center in Building C. Youth Sunday School will not meet December 26 or January 2. Sunday School resumes on Sunday, January 9. Learn More.
Youth Choir
Youth Choir is an awesome group of 6th through 12th graders who meet on Wednesdays at 6pm! Youth Choir meets in the Choir Room in Building A and will resume on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.
Small Groups
Interested in hosting or organizing a Youth Small Group? Please contact Lora!
Upcoming Events
January 15-17: Rest and Vision Retreat
February 19-22, 2022: High School Ski Trip
February 23-26, 2022: Middle School Disney Trip
March 18-20, 2022: Spiritual Life Retreat
June 13-17, 2022 ($500): Big Stuff Summer Beach Trip
-
Devotion
“Every day is terrible for a miserable person, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15
It’s not about what it is. It’s about what it can become! –Dr. Seuss
I know it’s true in my life, that my outlook and attitude always determines what kind of minute, day or week I have. I have had times when I was a miserable person, and yes, each day reflected that misery. And I have had times when my cheerful heart allowed me to experience the “continual feast” that we read about in Proverbs. But even having experienced the vast difference of both situations, I still have to remind myself of the importance of the “cheerful heart.” Often I have to remind myself several times a day! But I find that when I’m serving God, it is so much easier to be cheerful! It’s through this service that He moves in my heart. Cleans my heart. Makes my heart lighter. Makes my vision clearer.
Peace and Amen
Missionaries at Work
Did you feel God at work last month? Oh, was he ever busy! And our congregation was involved in His daily work in a big way!
Y’all provided presents for Calvary Children’s home and Murphy Harpst Children’s home.
Our youth group hosted a dance for the kids at Murphy Harpst.
The Weekday Preschool families donated over 100 new books, hats, gloves and coats to The Craddock Center.
Over 260 shoe boxes were packed and donated through the Operation Christmas Child program.
25 custom Christmas food boxes were packed and delivered to Hayes Middle School.
50 new coats were provided to at risk kids throughout Cobb County through a partnership with Cobb Community in Schools.
We gathered with Cobb County Police to wrap almost 100 gifts to be delivered to at risk kids in our area.
Through the KSU CARES program we assisted college students faced with food insecurity or homelessness with food and other essentials.
We delivered poinsettias to over 30 local businesses.
We sent a team to The Oaks assisted living home to help them celebrate Christmas.
We partnered with The Department of Human services to provide gifts and essentials to many at risk elderly residents here in Cobb County.
Through our community wide Breakfast with Santa event, over 50 families came for food, fellowship and to have their picture made with Ole St. Nick.
We partnered with the Cobb County Court System to serve 32 kids from 12 families who are working towards being reunited.
Hundreds of people in our community were blessed by the magic of West Cobb Christmas.
We led two morning devotions for the staff at Due West Elementary School.
We hosted a Christmas party for the kids living at the Intown Suites on Chastain.
And as always, I’m quite sure that there were blessings given by countless others that I’m not aware of!
Due West! Y’all truly are the Hands of God! Thank you and Bless you!
Now Go and Serve:
Mission Trips:
There are two mission trips scheduled for 2022.
Ocoee Mission Outreach in Cleveland Tn. A great “first” or family mission trip. We build wheelchair ramps, help with VBS type activities and much more. Open to families (kids must be 12 years old), couples or singles. We are going the week of June 26. Cost information to be determined.
Costa Rica: We are focusing this trip on high school juniors and seniors and their parents if interested. This powerful trip is composed of the continued building of a Methodist Church and hosting VBS style activites in several surrounding villages. We are going the week of September 26-30 (Cobb County Fall break). Cost information to be determined.
Ongoing opportunities:
Simple Needs Georgia is a great local partner to volunteer through. Located just down the road in Marietta, this partner offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities from sorting clothes, to building hygiene kits, to making knot blankets. This is a great partner to get your entire family involved with. Call Mark Hellman for more details. www.simpleneedsga.org
Mt. Top Boys Home: Located in Sugar Valley, Ga this partner offers great opportunities for families, small groups, Sunday School classes, Scout groups etc. Projects include painting, yard care, etc. Combine service with fun and drop over to beautiful Rome, Ga and catch a Rome Braves game! Contact Mark Hellman for more information www.mountaintopboyshome.org
The Craddock Center in Cherry Log, Georgia will need volunteers in February to help pack books. Contact Mark Hellman for more information. www.craddockcenter.org
Additional Opportunities:
We are taking volunteers to lead the morning devotions for the faculty and staff at Due West Elementary School! We meet with them on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 am.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can be of service at KSU through the KSU CARES program. Opportunities will include food drives, mentoring, and much more.
There is no doubt that God is alive and working here at Due West UMC!
-Mark Hellman (mhellman@duewest.org)
-
Women’s Ministry
Cookies with Santa
Women's ministry hosted “Cookies with Santa” on December 4. We served 12 families and 32 children helping to provide Christmas on their court-appointed day with their families. We provided them with cookie decorating kits, nativity books, gifts, and gift cards that were donated by due west choir and the Naomi Ruth Sunday school class.
Women’s Brunch
Women's ministry annual Christmas Brunch was held on December 11 with host speaker Julie Moran providing wonderful fellowship, food and music. We had 107 women attend!
Women’s Retreat
Registration is now open for the Women's "Fruit of the Spirit" March Retreat being held at The Ridges Resort at Lake Chatuge. Our speaker will be Patsy Harley. Please make plans to attend Friday, Saturday and Sunday March 11th - 13th. Contact Kcasteel@duewest.org with any questions.
United Methodist Men
AutoBell Car Wash Gift Cards | Order Now!
The United Methodist Men are selling AutoBell Car Wash gift cards for $20. Proceeds go to the UMM Scholarship Fund which benefits students attending Methodist colleges and universities.
Men’s Retreat
February 25-26 | Register Now
This will be an exciting event overlooking beautiful Lake Chatuge. Our speaker will be Rev. Lathem Postell.
Registration is now open but will be limited to 40 attendees due to available rooms. The cost is $90.00, Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch are included. -
Spring Soccer Registration
Open Now! Click Here to Register.
Basketball Clinics
Saturday's in February. Click Here to Register.
Exercise Classes
Monday
- Tone & Tighten @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Tuesday- Chiseled Core (Beginner/Intermediate) @ 9:30 am
- Yoga (Beginner/Intermediate) @ 10:30 am
Wednesday
- Cardio-Sculpt (All Levels) @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Thursday
- Zumba (Beginner/Intermediate) @ 9:30 am
Friday
- Boot Camp (Intermediate/Advanced) @ 8:30 am (Nursery)
- Stretch & Tone (Beginner) @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
- Slow Flow Yoga (Beginner) @ 10:30 am
- Senior Fit (Beginner/Intermediate) @ 11:30 am -
It’s time to start thinking about preschool for the next school year! The Due West Preschool Ministry will have registration for children who will be new to the school next year beginning in January. We will have registration forms available on our website after January 12. You can schedule a tour so you can come to see our rooms, meet the staff, get answers to your questions about our program, and see why we’re certified as a “preschool of excellence”! You can schedule a tour by calling the preschool office at 770-590-0982. If tours are completed by January 12 you can be placed on our preferred list. Please reach out to skubek@duewest.org for more information.
-
Welcome to all of our new members!
Nancy Zelinski
Amy Kennedy
Heath Kennedy
Alex Romans
Nichole Hopper
Online Giving
You can give online using your smartphone, tablet or computer. Click here to begin giving through our system. Contact Amber Wilson at awilson@duewest.org if you have any questions.
Due West Market
Click here to shop! We currently have UMM Autobell gift cards and orders for congregational name tags!
Prayer Requests
Need prayer? Click here to submit a prayer request!