Text Box: Greater Things John 14:12 August 14, 2007 Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church 4809 Bell Hill Road, Bessemer, AL 35022 Fax: (205) 428-6135 Office: 428-4056 FLC: 428-4920 e-mail: Pleasant Hill4809@aol.com Alan Head, Pastor Parsonage: 477-0338 Monica Hararger, Student Minister e-mail: PHImpactyouth@aol.com Web Page Address: www.ph-umc.com

Text Box: Blood Drive Thank you to everyone who came out and gave blood at our annual blood drive! I understand that the time frame made it hard for most to come out. We are already planning for the next time! I have not been given total numnbers from the Red Cross but I think we got about 17 units. Thank You All! Kim Watts Kim Watts

Text Box: New Members: Mrs. Jeanne Brock 4695 Mulga Loop Rd. Birmingham, AL Mrs. Pam Manzella 600 Buddys Lane McCalla, AL 35111 Please add these to your church directory.

Text Box: Memories from the Past WAS THERE EVER A YOUTH POSSUM HUNT AT PLEASANT HILL? You bet there was! In the skit Wednesday night, Aug. 15, set in the late 1920’s depicting the organization of the Epworth League (the future United Methodist Youth Fellowship), Sam Harless kept wanting to have a possum hunt. Mrs. Reynolds (played by her great granddaughter, Laura Meadows) wouldn’t hear of it. In about 1996 there was a successful possum hunt at the Gilmore’s, and Amy Lavender was proudly elected “Possum Queen.” It has also been told that the Youth in the 1940’s had Possum Hunts - that was when the boys got to hold the girls’ hands. Church members in the picture to the right Jennifer Herring, Laura Warren, Ladd Hamner and Amy Lavender.


Text Box: LADIES OF FAITH Amazing Freedom we discovered at the Woman of Faith conference in Atlanta, Ga. We arrived at the Ritz Carlton (they even have telephones in the bathrooms) on Thursday afternoon and the fun began. Sharing stories and getting to know one another was just the beginning. I tried very hard to keep everyone above ground, if you know what I mean. If you happen to see any pictures of us with Atlanta’s police department, it’s just because we wanted to see their motorcycles! What were you thinking? Friday we spent all day with Beth Moore discovering through II Corinthians the comfort that we can have if we allow God to be the source of our comfort. Friday night was a wonderful time of praise and worship with Sandi Patti, Nicole C. Mullen and many more. We were so lifted by the Spirit we could not keep our feet on the ground. Saturday was another day packed full of amazing speakers and music. Luci Swindoll, Marily Meberg, Sheila Walsh, Carol Kent and Nicole Johnson all shared amazing testimonies and how God comforted them through their valleys of life. If you are looking for a good book to read I would recommend any of theirs. Anita Renfroe made us laugh for hours. We also had the opportunity to hear Denise Jackson, who is the wife of the country singer, Allen Jackson. Denise shared how God had brought her family back together. Her book, “It’s all about Him” is the #1 best seller this week. I have been truly blessed, not only by the conference, but also by Jann Andrews, Jo Radney, Missy Head, Tammy McCrary, Debbie Harrison and Belinda Bradley. I am already looking forward till the next opportunity to do something like this again. I hope that everyone can experience God’s Amazing Freedom! “So if the Son makes you free you will be truly free”. John 8:36 Susan Blackmon


Text Box: Kid's Club In Kid's Club this Sunday (Aug.19) we will have a party honoring the kid's that are moving up to youth (6th graders), 5-7pm. Here is the list of 6th graders : (Zachary Calhoun, Hayden Cater, Isaac DeWitt, Kristian Foster, Bailey Herring, Sarah Beth Huffman, Michael Jeffries, Cary Moore, Taylor Parsons, Nick Roberts, Warren Rocksvold). If anyone knows a 6th grader at Pleasant Hill missing from this list, please let me know as soon as possible. All kids 4yrs-5th grade are invited to this party. Our Fall Kid's Club sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the FLC. Parents, please sign up to help with dinner and/or program. On Sunday, Aug. 26, the kids will be singing a few songs in the old sanctuary for the service at 6pm. Kid's need to be at the FLC by 5pm for supper/snack and practice. There will be ice cream afterwards for everyone. Wed., Aug. 15 is the Back to School Picnic. Youth will bring the program and the kids will remain in gym for this. Wed. Night Discovery Club begins back on Aug. 22. Kids will learn Christian values, grow spiritually, study, memorize, and apply Scripture and have lots of fun. Bible and Skill Award patches are given at the end of the year. Volunteers Needed for Children's Church!! Our church family is growing and we have lots of young families with small children, so we need some adults to volunteer to help in children's church during the 8:45am and 11:00am worship service. We will do this on a rotational basis, so you will only be helping once a month (or once every 2 months if we get enough volunteers) in either the early or late service, whichever you choose. Please let me know if you are willing to be a part of this important ministry to our children. We will have a meeting for volunteers on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 4pm. Tonya Koll


Text Box: Living Stones Key and Julie Bradley Julie Griffin Bradley is the daughter of Margaret and the late Mack Griffin. She was born in Birmingham and raised in Bessemer. Julie attended Westhills Elementary and graduated from Bessemer Academy in 1976. Her family was Key, Marianne, Brent, Julie and Chip long-time members of the First United Methodist Church in Bessemer where she was involved in many youth activities. After graduation from high school, she attended the University of Montevallo for two years. Key was also born in Birmingham and raised in Bessemer, ironically, across the street where Julie lived. His parents were Foster and the late Marion Bradley. His family attended the First Presbyterian Church in Bessemer. He attended Westhills Elementary and was in the first graduating class of the newly named, Jess Lanier High School, formerly Bessemer High. Following high school graduation, he graduated from the University of North Alabama in Florence. Key was a very close friend of Julie's brother and Julie started dating Key when she was a senior in high school. They were married in 1978 and immediately moved to Aliceville, where Key had purchased an auto parts store. They were more than a married couple; they were partners in the store. Their daughter, Marianne, was born while they lived in Aliceville. After five years, wanting to be close to family, they moved back to the Bessemer area. Key went to work for H & H Enterprises. Upon their return to Bessemer, they began attending the Methodist Church in Bessemer. Son, Chip was born in 1986. Key and Julie moved their family to the McCalla area in 1993. The children were already attending the McAdory School, so that made it an easier move for them. They visited several churches in the area and chose to join Pleasant Hill Methodist Church. David Wells was the pastor at the time. Julie said they chose this church because of the friendliness of the people and the strong youth department. Key, Julie and Marianne joined in May of 1995, and Chip joined in March of 1999. Marianne and Chip were active in youth programs during their school years. Marianne graduated from McAdory, then attended the University of Alabama, graduating in 2004. She was immediately hired as a marketing specialist at UAB-Medical West, in Bessemer. In December 2006, Marianne got married to Brent Beard, in the new sanctuary. Chip attended two years at Shelton State and will attend the University of Alabama in the fall of 2007. For fifteen years, Julie worked for the Western Star Newspaper in Bessemer. She is now a floral consultant for Bolin-Reeves Florist in Birmingham, a job she really enjoys. Key is still with H & H Enterprises, having moved up to sales manager. The Bradley family enjoys fishing together having recently returned from a family fishing trip in Mississippi. Key and Chip also like to hunt. They are all avid Alabama fans as were Julie’s family while she was growing up. We are glad that the Bradley family came to Pleasant Hill and are blessed to have them as part of our church fellowship. Jean Baswell


Text Box: Sunday School Promotion August 26th Children’s Sunday School Promotion is August 26th. Nursery – Senior High classes will celebrate during the 10:00 Sunday School hour in their classes with refreshments, promotion certificates and a gift bag of items appropriate for their ages. During the 11:00 Worship service children moving into 3rd grade this school year will participate in the traditional Bible Ceremony. These children will receive their own personalized Bible from the church. Children moving into 3rd grade include: Olivia Morgan Gault Shea D. Koll Brylie Burnette Hannah Grace Peebles Luke Douglas Norris Christopher David Little If you know of others entering 3rd grade this year please call Beverly Lavender. We do not want to leave anyone out. These children should gather on the front row of the sanctuary at 10:50 before the 11:00 worship service on August 26th. All children and youth Sunday School Classes will receive their newly promoted students on Sunday, September 2nd. Parents please call if you have questions. See you at Sunday School and 11:00 Worship on August 26th. Mark your calendars. Beverly Lavender

Text Box: LET’S SING As part of our Terquasquicentennial Celebration (175 years) we are having an old fashioned singing in the old sanctuary on August 26 at 6:00 p.m. We will be singing a lot of your favorites and a lot of old, old songs. The Chancel Choir and the Children’s Choir will also sing. Afterwards there will be home made ice cream for your enjoyment. You don’t want to miss this very special event. Music has always been an important part of the worship at Pleasant Hill.


Text Box: From the Pastor’s Desk Evangelism...for many folk this word conjures up a host of negative images (ie. intruders knocking on your door early saturday morning, firebreathers, Chicken Little, etc.). And yet, above all else we as Christians are called to be evangelists. We serve a Lord who declares mandates such as: "Go into all the world and make disciples", "If you love me feed my sheep", "Love one another in the same way I have loved you". Sounds pretty clear doesn't it? But what does it really mean to be an evangelist? If I agree to be one, do I have to get one of those funny hair-cuts? Perhaps we need a fresh understanding. Read the word again ev-ANGEL-ism. Did you see something new? At the very heart of the word is another: Angel. Angels don't conjure up near as many negative feelings or emotions. For each time I read of an encounter with an angel in the Bible they always begin with the same line: "Hey don't be afraid, for I'm bringing you some good news". As I think about the world in which we are living, I cannot help but believe that this is exactly the type of evangleism Jesus would have us carry out. For we of all peoples, have good news. We can boldly proclaim to anyone "You don't have to be afraid, for I have good news: You are not alone! The very God of all creation has come to us in human form, has borne our sorrows, died our death so that we might live, and through his ressurection now lives and dwells within our hearts. You are not alone. Praise be to God! It is my prayer that the PHUMC family will continue to commit ourselves to such a life-style of evangelism. Over the next few months I invite you to join me in praying for God to show us how we can be more effective evangelists in the following three areas: 1. Evangelism toward those among us. How can we better care for the many different families, shut-ins, members in crisis etc.? How can we insure that we ev-ANGEL-ize one another. 2. Evangelism toward those who are not yet among us. How can we offer care and love toward a rapidly changing community in such a way that offers a sense of invitation and belonging to those who are new to our community and may feel lonely or isolated. 3. Evangelism toward the "least of these". How are we to build upon the experiences shared by our Youth and the A.S.P mission teams this summer? Who are the "least of these" in our own local setting? How can we offer the good news and hope of Jesus Christ in ways that every member of PHUMC can have hands on mission opportunities? I believe that if we will be faithful evangelists in these three areas, God will bless us greatly. Over the next few weeks I will be going further into each of these areas as we continue to seek a clear vision of where God is calling us in the future. Again, please join with me in prayer and share with me your thoughts. Peace, Alan

Text Box: OUR RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY, 2007 Attendance at both Worship Services Month 1472 Year to Date 9566 Weekly Av. Year to Date 342 Attendance at Sunday School Month 449 Year to Date 3741 Weekly Av. Year to Date 139 Budget Giving Month $41,312.82 Year to Date $275,516.54 Weekly Av. Year to Date $9,183.88 Needed Per Week to Meet Budget $10,221.00 Building Fund Pledge Month $12,831.44 Year to Date $119,023.10 Weekly Av. Year to Date $3,967.44


Text Box: Youth School is back in session…all is right with the world. We had 45 people at our back to school lock-in and had a “great” time. Thanks to Kelli Harless, Donna Pitts, Daniel McGuire, and Alan Head for hanging with us through the whole evening. We got to learn a few things about these brave individuals. The most important thing I learned is don’t let the preacher drink Red Bull and don’t give the preacher a bullhorn J We have a good group of 6th graders moving up to youth in a couple of weeks. We are really looking forward to welcoming them into the group. If you are a parent and would like to be on my email list, please call or email me with your address. (phimpactyouth@aol.com) Upcoming Dates to be aware of: August 19th: Simmons have food August 24th: Fish Biscuit at Shadow Lake (Community Wide First Priority Event) August 26th: The youth will be joining the rest of the church for the old hymn singing and ice cream social September 2nd:The Roy family has food. If you missed our parent meeting, please call me or email me and I will give you the dates of upcoming events. Please know the Impact Café will start opening at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays. This is a great time for the youth to come and hang out before our evening program activities and is a wonderful outreach event for McAdory. We are always in need of drinks and snacks for these times. Feel free to drop them by the Impact Café. Monica Harbarger