Giving and Expenses

Budgeted Giving, July-25 -- $164,000

Actual Giving, July-25 -- $165,176 (A solid start to the new fiscal year for Giving)

Budgeted Expenses, July-25 -- $164,000

Actual Expenses, July-25 -- $164,848 (Just slightly higher than our budgeted Expenses)

*****

Budgeted Giving, YTD (first month of our fiscal year) -- $164,000

Actual Giving, YTD -- $165,176

Budgeted Expenses, YTD -- $164,000

Actual Expenses, YTD -- $164,848

Seeing From a New Point of View

I mentioned last month how grateful I was for the time away that you all gave me. And I said that one of the things I wanted to do was visit some of our former churches. It was such a joy. Also, I mentioned that I went to church with our son and his wife in their church as well as my daughter and her family. And there was one other visit. We were out of town and I simply walked into a local church.

There were so many joyful moments. We saw people we have not seen in decades. There is a church I went to in 1988. On my first Sunday there were two women, sisters in law. One played the piano and one played the organ. 37 years to the day of my first Sunday we returned. The same two ladies are still faithfully serving the Lord at the piano and organ. What a testament to faithfulness! There was a couple in a different church. When I met them they did not have any children. They had three when I was their pastor and one more after I left. All these years later the children are grown and gone. The two of them are still there actively serving the Lord.

And of course, there were new people. People who did not know us or recognize us. To them, we were simply new visitors. Being a church visitor is not something I do very often. It is a very different point of view. At one church, a very nice gentleman greeted me, gave me his name and asked if it was my first time. I said, “No sir, I’ve been before, but it’s been a while.” I so appreciated his spirit of hospitality. Another time, someone looked like they were walking right up to me with a big smile. I didn’t recognize them and thought I was about to get a nice welcome. They were smiling at the person behind me. They almost knocked me over to say hello to their friend! Oh well.

I was still glad to be at every place. But it was a reminder that being a visitor can be an uncomfortable experience. It is something to which we need to be very sensitive. We are blessed at Due West to receive a lot of visitors. Make sure you make each and every one feel welcome. Let them know how glad you are they chose to worship with us! Give them your best smile!

The first three words of our mission statement are, “Inviting our community”! Scripture says, “Offer hospitality to one another.” The best way to do that is to let people see Jesus in you! We seek to be welcoming every Sunday. Come join us and make someone feel welcome!

If it’s Sunday, you want to be at Due West,

David

September 1 - Labor Day Holiday - Church Closed
September 7 - Preschool Sunday, 11:00 am service
September 11 - Women’s Fall Kick-off
September 14 - Morning of Worship Through Song
September 20-27 - Costa Rica Mission Trip
September 28 - Pumpkin Patch Unload #1
September 29 - Men’s Charity Golf Tournament

Support Groups

AA Open Meeting - Sundays @ 7:00 pm (Bldg A)
AA Women’s Group - Thursdays @ 7:00 pm (Bldg A)
GriefShare - Sundays @ 6:00 pm (Bldg C)
GRASP Support Group - Second Tuesday @ 7:00 pm (Bldg C)
Parkinson’s Support Group - Second Sunday @ 3:00 pm
Better Days - 1st and 3rd Mondays @ 7:00 pm (Bldg C)

Weekly Exercise Classes (Bldg B)

Monday

Tone & Tighten @ 9:30 am (Nursery)

Tuesday

Pilates @ 9:30 am

Wednesday

Cardio-Sculpt @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Slow Flow Yoga @ 10:35 am

Thursday

Zumba @ 9:30 am

Friday

Boot Camp @ 8:30 am (Nursery)
Stretch & Tone @ 9:30 am (Nursery)

Challenge Coin

In August, Dianne Harrison received the first Due West Challenge Coin. Dianne has served as head usher at Due West for many years. We are so grateful for her servant’s heart. Make sure you are here in September to find out who gets the next one!

We’re Hiring!

Church Office Manager

Denise Luders, our office manager for the last five years, has announced her intentions to retire. We are grateful for how Denise has served Christ and His church over these years - she will be greatly missed. (Plans to express our gratitude to her are forthcoming!) Consequently, we are seeking a new office manager. Please share this opportunity with potential candidates! Send resumes to info@duewest.org with “Office Manager Position” in the subject line.

Light the Night Christmas Display

Light the Night Christmas display has become a holiday tradition for many in our community! Since its inception 3 years ago, a faithful team of elves has maintained the beauty from November through January, installing the display and keeping the lights twinkling. A strong lead team of 12 to 15 sets of warm hands and smiling faces are critical to keep this tradition going! Dedication is required - In addition to helping build (November 2nd) and remove the setup (January 15th), the team takes turns stopping by the church each day in December to right the inflatables and keep the display shining. Note: Day volunteers will also be needed, beyond this core group! Contact Mark Hellman at mhellman@duewest.org by September 14th to learn more or become a lead team Light the Night elf.

Altar Flowers

Share beauty with the gift of flowers! Sunday morning altar flowers can be purchased in honor or memory of a loved one, to celebrate a special date, or out of love for Jesus. Recognition is displayed on screen before each service. Flowers may be picked up after the service or donated to the Flower Ministry, where they are delivered on Monday to those on the prayer list. Arrangements are $75 - available to purchase for display January through November on Sundays following the first Sunday of the month. Click here to order Altar Flowers, or contact Denise Luders at dluders@duewest.org or by phone (770) 427-3835.

The Church Center app is a tool used at Due West to communicate information to the congregation. By downloading this app to your mobile device and creating a profile, you will be linked to church events, the most updated information, and specific details pertinent to the congregation. Please download the app so you can be well connected!

Click here to get the Church Center app

September Church Center Highlight: GROUPS

The Bible emphasizes the significance of fellowship throughout its teachings, promoting a sense of community, mutual support, and shared spiritual growth among believers. In passages like Hebrews 10:24-25, believers are encouraged not to forsake assembling together, emphasizing the importance of meeting regularly to encourage and uplift one another.

From the Home page of the app, select “Groups”. At the top of this page, you will see “My Groups”, which are the Groups that you are currently involved in. As a member of a group, you can view upcoming events, share resources, and chat with other members of your group.

Below that, you have the opportunity to “Find a Group”. This is a very helpful tool when you are looking for ways to get connected with other believers at DWMC. These groups are divided by ministry areas, and you simply select the type of group you are interested in.

For example, select Sunday School Classes. By selecting a class, you can learn a bit more about that group and, if you are interested, request to join.

If you have questions about the Church Center app, please contact Denise Luders at dluders@duewest.org

Holiday Market

The Holiday Market will be Saturday, November 8, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm to benefit the Preschool! The Family Life Center will be bursting with all types of craft vendors for your holiday shopping, as well as a silent auction. To be a vendor call (770) 590-0982 or lindsaydinkins@gmail.com.

For more information about the preschool, contact skubek@duewest.org or ckunkel@duewest.org.

Preschool Sunday School

God had plans when He made the sun, moon, and stars. God had plans when He made rain fall and plants grow. God had plans when He filled the ocean and land with animals. So why would we doubt that God has plans for the one thing He created in His very own image?

Key Question: Who has plans for you?

Bottom Line: God has plans for me.

Memory Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11, NLT

Week One: Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:15, 19-20)

Week Two: Baby Moses (Exodus 2:1-10)

Week Three: King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34)

Week Four: Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6; 18:1-4; 21:1-7)

Elementary Sunday School

It’s hard to be brave. But when we look at God’s Big Story, we can reflect on how He can help us be brave even when things are scary or hard.

Core Question: How can I trust that God can help me?

Core Insight: God’s Spirit/Transformation

Memory Verse: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3, NIV)

Week One: Moses (Exodus 3-6:12, 7-12:42, 13:17-14:31)

Week Two: Joshua and the Spies (Numbers 13-14:35)

Week Three: Rahab Helps the Spies (Joshua 2)

Week Four: Ruth (Ruth 1)

dwCrew

dwCrew is a specialized time of fun, learning, and service for 3rd-5th graders. Meet up on September 7th and September 14th from 12:00-1:30 pm inside of Building A, Lower level, just through the blue dwKids double doors. Lunch is $3.

Check out our September Youth Newsletter for everything you need to know about youth activities this month!

Don’t miss out! We want you here - There are groups for everyone in every age group - Click for more info here.

Still have questions? Message youth@duewest.org

Join us on Sunday nights from 5:30-7:30 pm for Ignite in the Basement of Building C - Youth Center & subscribe to monthly newsletter here

Morning of Worship Through Song is coming September 14th! Every Sunday morning service will have our special “music only” morning service featuring music groups of all ages.

Highlighted groups:

8:30 am - Chancel Choir & Kids Choir

9:45 am - Modern Worship & Youth Choir

11:00 am - Choir & Orchestra

Vocal Workshop

The Center for the Arts is hosting a Vocal Workshop on September 20th called “Strong and Seamless: Vocal Health & Mastering Your Mix”. In this dynamic, hands-on workshop, you’ll explore the foundations of vocal health while unlocking the secrets to a powerful, seamless mix voice. Appropriate for singers of all ages and skill levels. Cost: $18

Click here to register.

Kindermusik Classes

We are now offering mommy and me (or caregiver and me) classes for babies and toddlers. These classes are offered in partnership with Kindermusik of West Cobb. Please see their site to Register for Kindermusik.

Watercolor Classes for Adults

Join us every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 10:30 am-12:00 pm for a fun watercolor class with Annette Lewis. You can commit to just one class at a time, and no experience is necessary - Annette will guide you step-by-step. Just bring yourself and your supplies, or if you don’t have supplies, let her know and Annette will provide those for you. Cost is $13 if you bring your own supplies, $17 if you’d like Annette to provide them. Simply send Annette a text at 404-664-9906 if you’d like to join the class.

Instrumental Lessons

We are thrilled to offer you lessons in piano, voice, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele and harmonica. If you are interested in private lessons in any of those instruments, please send an email to Nicole at cfa@duewest.org for more information.

Missions Newsletter

September

Check out the information below to learn more about all the

churchwide mission projects we have going on here at Due West!

Check out the archive of missions newsletters HERE.

Register here to have the monthly email newsletter delivered directly to your inbox!

Who Among Us Is A Rich Fool?

Pretty provocative heading, isn’t it? Let’s figure out if it applies to you and me.

Jesus spoke often about money, and we’ve written about some of his teachings in recent months (see Newsletter — Due West Methodist Church, August-24, Sept-24, and Oct-24). One that we’ve not discussed, though, is the Parable of the Rich Fool. Let’s get right to it.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.

He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:13-21

Well, if nothing else, our Lord and Savior was not subtle! This parable smacks you right in the head and leaves a bruise.

This man was materially blessed by God; his land “yielded an abundant harvest.” As God continued to bless the man, instead of using that increase to further the will of God, he was only interested in managing his increase and accumulating growing wealth. So, the man decided to build bigger barns in place of the existing ones and planned an early retirement. Unbeknownst to him, this was his last night on planet earth. Jesus then closed the story by saying (grimly, I would suppose), “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

The point of the Parable of the Rich Fool is twofold.

First, we are not to devote our lives to the gathering and accumulation of wealth. We are told in many verses in both the Old and New Testaments that we were created to glorify God through worshiping Him and obeying His commands. One such verse is Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” That’s pretty clear. We have not been created by God to devote our lives to getting rich and lazy (as the Rich Fool envisioned doing), but to glorify God and to further His kingdom.

The second point of the Parable is the fact that we are not blessed by God to hoard our wealth to ourselves. We are blessed to be a blessing in the lives of others, and we are blessed in order to build the kingdom of God. The point is clear; if we honor God with what He has given us, He will bless us with more so that we can honor Him with more. The Apostle Paul tells us in his second letter to the Corinthians “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” We are blessed by God, so we can in turn “abound in every good work” and be a blessing in the lives of others. So, if God has blessed you with material wealth “set not your heart on it” and instead “be rich toward God.”

Remember, the purpose of giving and stewardship isn’t to fund God’s church or His work. The purpose of giving is for us to make our hearts right in our relationship with God, and to demonstrate that we are aware that our purpose on Earth is to honor and glorify Him while furthering His kingdom on earth. Please prayerfully consider where giving to God ranks among the things in your life, and remember, we are only the temporary stewards of our earthly possessions.

* * * *

Ways to Give to Due West Methodist Church

Give Online – Click this link: Donate - Due West Methodist Church

Give In Person – Drop cash or a check into the offering plate at any of our services

on Sunday morning.

Mail a Check – Send your gift to the Church office at:

Due West Methodist Church

3956 Due West Road

Marietta, GA 30064

Donate Stocks - We also accept in-kind contributions of stocks. If you would like more information, please contact our Business Coordinator, Amber Wilson at awilson@duewest.org.

Legacy Ministry Committee Seeking Endowment Grant Requests

The Legacy Ministry provides grant assistance to members and staff of Due West serving the needs of others in a hurting world. Grant requests are evaluated based upon the merits of their present and future impact. Apply now for a grant from the Legacy Ministry endowment’s planned distribution. Approved requests will receive funding in late October. Click here to access the grant request form. Please send grant requests to Bill Coffeen, Legacy Ministry Chair. Deadline for submission is September 20th.

Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Due West Methodist Men’s Charity Golf Tournament will be Monday, September 29th. The deadline for registration is September 19th. Sign up early to help us make this tournament as exciting as possible! Charities supported include MUST Ministries, Mountain Top Boys Home, Calvary Children’s Home, and more. Go to duewest.org/golf for full details.

Women’s Fall Kickoff

The Fall Kick-off for Women’s Ministry will be Thursday, September 11th, under the pavilion beside Building B, 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Connect to other women and learn what unique, exciting events are scheduled for next year. Click to sign up on ChurchCenter so we know to expect you!

Women’s Christmas Brunch - Make Him Room

Make space to seek Jesus in the rush of the holidays! Prepare your heart and home for Christmas on Saturday, December 13th, 10:30 am, at the Women's Christmas Brunch. Humorist Joy Earle will share her voice in song and her story of God’s goodness from Luke 2:10. Hear how to set aside the pursuit of “perfect” and create room for the Savior who has come.

Tickets: $30 Click to buy tickets

Mission this year: KSU Addiction and Recovery

Table hosts are needed - please contact Kerri Casteel kcasteel@duewest.org.

Pickleball

Don’t Volley from the Kitchen! Come play Pickleball to learn more: Due West has equipment to share, so borrow a paddle, volley a dink shot, and smash with us in Building B, Family Life Center, Mondays 6:00-8:00 pm and Wednesdays 6:00-8:00 pm.

Upward Indoor Soccer

Registration for Upward Indoor Soccer will be open September 1 - October 12. Early bird price $130 until September 29 and includes a team jersey and socks. Teams forming for ages 3 (by September 1) through 5th grade. Practice once a week for the 8-game season November 3 - February 7. Head coaches receive a discount price of $75 for 1 child and coaches are needed! To volunteer or ask questions contact jbuckelew@duewest.org.

The Congregational Care Ministry provides tangible love and support to the Due West church family. Members and Pastors work together to connect to and encourage those experiencing illness, loss, or who can no longer attend worship in person. Through this caring ministry, Holy Communion and anointing with oil are offered as a reminder that Christ is always with us in body, mind, and spirit. The Congregational Care team is eager to serve, with confidentiality, any member of the Due West family. To connect to this team and be assigned a Congregational Care Minister, contact Brenda Wyatt (Lay Leader) at bwyatt66chs@gmail.com or call (770) 605-3709.

Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of those brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

GriefShare - Comforting Others

Grief often continues after the funeral, after cards and notes have stopped, and while others return to their normal lives, which may leave you feeling alone. GriefShare is a nationwide network committed to biblical concepts for healing and grief. Through GriefShare, you can connect to others who can relate and walk with you on the long path through grief and healing. Groups are led by caring members who have also experienced loss and found hope. Groups meet for 13 weeks and include a video seminar, a support group, and a provided workbook. A new group begins September 14th, at 6:00 pm in Building C, Room 242. Click to join the new group here.

Contact Connie Morrow for more information:

Email: cmm10500@gmail.com

Cell Phone (Preferred): 904-651-2732

Media Team Sunday Volunteering

Hey Due West families! On Sundays, have you ever used the lyrics on the screens to follow along with worship? Or read the scripture with Pastor David? Seen the offering photos? Maybe you’ve watched the announcement videos? All of these are controlled by a Media Team volunteer back in the tech booth! We have tons of opportunities for volunteering, but our most needed position right now is ProPresenter Operator. If you have ever used something like PowerPoint, then you are immediately qualified to use ProPresenter! Matt, the Director of Media, handles all of the stressful “tech”-y bits and personally teaches you ProPresenter through shadowing and practical experience!

If you would only like to volunteer once a month, that’s perfectly fine! We are very flexible with scheduling and have positions available for every service time. If you are still hesitant to volunteer, just give it a try and volunteer for one Sunday! All you have to do is email Matt Boullain and he’ll walk you through everything!

September 2025 Newsletter

Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!

Due West Methodist Church

Sunday Service Times

September 2025 Newsletter

Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!

Stewardship Update

Pastoral Update

Seasonal Events

Ongoing Events

General Announcements

How to Church Center!

dwPreschool

dwKids

Youth

Music Ministry

Center for the Arts

Missions

Stewardship Article

Legacy Ministry

Men's Ministry

Women's Ministry

Recreation Ministry

Congregational Care Ministry

Volunteer Opportunities

August 2025 Newsletter

Due West Methodist Church

Sunday Service Times