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First United Methodist Church Alice, TX October, 2007
From the Pastor’s Desk… A couple of weeks ago, our kids were introduced to a new song during the children’s moment in worship. The chorus is as follows, “Waves of mercy, waves of grace, everywhere I look I see Your face. Your love has captured me, Oh my God, this Love, how can it be!” (Then we do a bunch of na na’s and crazy body movements…)
This is a fun song which reminds not only the kids, but all of us of just how great the love of God is for each and everyone of us. Indeed, everywhere we look we see the face of God in so many people who are living their daily lives as disciples of Jesus Christ being transformed by loving God and loving neighbor.
As our annual Church Conference came to a close on September 16, I was complimented on the significant progress this church has made in the last year. We have seen growth and maturity in worship and Sunday School. We have opened the Cross Bar Coffee House for youth. We had a successful Vacation Bible School that brought in kids from across the community. A number of guests have visited our church and expressed their desire to join this community of faith. Indeed, everywhere we look we see the face of God!
As we move into this final quarter of 2007, let us continue to be mindful of the ongoing tasks before us as we become even more intentional in making disciples of Jesus Christ in this place at this time. We will have some incredible opportunities to help lead us on this journey. On October 5-6, Rev. Sue White will be here to guide us as we discern the faith story each of us carries within and we will discover ways to tell our story to a world in desperate need of hearing the Good News of the gospel. Our children and youth will help lead the worship service on October 18 as our third graders receive their new Bibles and some of our youth will bring their gifts of music. Our Play Day kids will begin Chapel time on October 4th and have their own time with God on Thursday mornings. These are just a few of the countless ways we look around and see God at work in the hearts, minds, and souls of the faithful.
If you have not been here in awhile or think the church doesn’t have anything for you, come give us a try. Perhaps you have something you can offer the church and experience firsthand how God will use all that we bring. “Waves of mercy, waves of grace, everywhere we look we see Your face!” Thanks be to God!
See you Sunday!
Dear Family and Friends,
This month I want to visit with you on peacemaking. The Bible provides support verses for a call to peacemaking and reconciliation. In the Old Testament, God blessed His people with peace and wholeness, promises joy for those who promote peace, and Jesus was prophesized to be the Prince of Peace (Numb. 6:26; Is. 9:6). In The New Testament, Jesus is seen as our peace, and we are called and empowered to be peacemakers (Jn 14:27;Mt. 5:9). What Can I Do To Cultivate A Life Of Peace? The Bible offers us some great wisdom on living lives as peacemakers, and my perspective is captured in the following acrostic
P PURSUE God, His Word and His way of responding to conflict (Mt. 6:33
E EACH person you meet, look at them as Christ sees them, and avoid focusing on minor faults ( 1 Jn. 4:7)
A ACCEPT personal responsibility for your contribution to conflict, try to see the situation from the other person’s view point ( Gal. 6:4)
C CONNECT with the other person and ask for forgiveness ( Mt. 5:23-24)
E EVALUATE this situation and all others in the future for peaceable rather than punitive solutions. You can ask yourself, am I really committed to a peaceful solution, even if it takes more time and energy…or do I feel that I am in the right and I want the other person to “feel my anger’? (Ps. 34:14).
May you and your loved ones be blessed as you pursue lives of peace and wholeness ( Mt; 5:9). This month, our health ministry has focused on pursuing and living lives as peacemakers. Many times, it can feel that our daily lives are more ruled by conflict than peace. If you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact me. May He who is our Peace, rule your hearts, minds, and spirits with perfect and enduring peace.
Your Wesley Nurse,
Tracy Kneiszel, RN
Wesley Nurse Programs October, 2007Health Topic of the MonthSenior Breast Cancer Awareness
This session will last until November 8, 2007. Let’s walk together and pray together!
6:00-7:00 pm This group will be meeting monthly.
at 12 Noon and 5:30 pm. Mary Dinn Reynolds Hall
October 3-5th October 26th October 29th
Please call to make an appointment to visit with the WN to have your blood pressure or blood sugar screened, to review your recent lab results or medications, receive information on a new or existing diagnosis or diet information. All of these services and more are offered free by your Wesley Nurse, Tracy Kneiszel, RN., Call 664-5211. EVANGELIZE NOW The 2007 SWTX Conference adopted two evangelism initiatives to guide the transformation of existing congregations: 1) Becoming evangelistic in our faith sharing, and 2) Strengthening our evangelistic presence in our communities. In keeping with these initiatives, FUMC is pleased to host Rev. Sue White to our community Oct. 4-6 for a time of discovery and discernment of our faith and the stories we share. Everyone is invited to participate in an informal conversation with Rev. White on Thursday, Oct 4 at 6:30 PM at Jeans’ Steakhouse (Pay your own way). We will follow up on Friday, Oct 5 from 6-9 PM for What is Faith Sharing and then conclude on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 9AM-Noon with the Seven Styles of Faith Sharing. If you have not had the opportunity to be with Rev. White, you will find yourself worshipping, singing, laughing, responding to powerful testimony and becoming alive with the Holy Spirit –usually all at the same time! Don’t miss out!
Children’s CHOIR STARTING SOON!! The First Presbyterian Church has invited all interested children to join The Children’s Choir Please call: Marcia Kruckenberg 664-5187
YOUTH HAPPENINGS!
It started off as a couple of empty rooms and dust with some old
ping-pong tables at the top of the 1st Methodist Church. But, with the help of
a few students, some paint and some elbow grease, the Holmgreens, Tyler
DeLaune, Aaron DeLeon, David Tower, the Sepi (Sepulveda) brothers, Jessica and
Jake Startz, Travis Jarrett, Rose Fonseca, Christian Garcia, Dean Adams and
Augie Lopez turned this place upside down. The once colorless, dirty rooms
upstairs were transformed into the now colorful, playful, furniture filled,
beverage and snack abundant hangout we now call the CrossBar. Full of fun and
warm welcomes, it's a great place to hang out, let loose the grief of the
outside and have some clean fun.
I want to publicly thank all of those who were plunged into service and avoided a potentially catastrophic situation for FUMC on Sunday, September 16. During the evening hours of Saturday night Sunday morning, a water pipe in the upstairs drinking fountain burst subsequently flooding most of the upstairs classrooms as well as flooding a majority of the downstairs rooms, including the kitchen, parlor, storage closets, nursery and PlayDay classes. A heartfelt thank you to all of those who took off their shoes, rolled up their pants legs and mopped up water as fast as humanly possible. Also, a sincere appreciation is extended to all those who brought personal shop vacs, cleaned out closets and cabinets, removed wet carpet and hauled out buckets and buckets of saturated ceiling tiles and other debris. Without the efforts of these folks, the insurance company has told us the damage would have been far greater than it was. Because of a number of folks pitching in and getting the job done, Sunday school was able to continue, worship began without interruption and the annual Church Conference went off without a hitch in Mary Dinn Reynolds Hall. We are currently waiting word from the insurance company on the full extent of the water damage at which time the Board of Trustees will begin the process of getting our facility back in good working order. Again, thank you to those who became the hands and feet of Christian service that fateful morning.
Sincerely,
2007METHODIST MEN’S Annual Election Day BBQ November 6 5-7 PM Tickets are $6 and available from the UMM or FUMC Office
and *Anniversaries:
1st Brooke De La Cruz 1st Danny Ragland 2nd Mary Owens 4th *Charlie & Sue Wiley 4th Camille Richardson 5th Scott Arnwine 5th Iris Humphreys 8th Renee Yancey 10th Curtis Austin 11th Sue Wiley 12th Frances Cowley 12th *Billy & Verna Boyd 14th Carol Acker 16th *John & Edith Burris 17th Travis Tiller 21st Martha Tiller 22nd Glynda Baxter 22nd Linda Scoggins 23rd Constance Allison 23rd Fern Johnson 24th *Bill & Barbara Bailey 24th Aileen Allen 24th Suzanne Lynn 26th Opal Mouser 26th Robert Owens 26th Betty Webster 27th Kirk Baxter 27th Charles Clauson 29th Toni Sparkman 30th Van Tom Whatley 31st Jim Scoggins Please call the church office if your birthday Or anniversary is not listed.
Help Wanted I have agreed to chair the Church Socials and Bereavement Meals committee and I need your help. I would like to make a new list of volunteers that are willing to cook and help serve at these functions. Please call me at 668-9783 (leave message if I’m not here) or email me at sue@the-wileys.com if you are interested. I would like to have several volunteers so that the same people will not have to be called on each time. Thanks so much! Sue Wiley
Anticipation! That is what this time of year is for me. I anticipate the changing of the season, the new programs beginning, and the upcoming holidays. I have joined the Walking with Jesus group that our Wesley Nurse, Tracy Kneiszel is facilitating through the Methodist heath care system. It is a seasonal Bible study and walking program emulating the journey of Mary and Joseph as they walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem – a distance of 80 miles. We are encouraged to walk at least 10,000 steps a day or 5 miles, for we all have a lot of walking to do if we want to make it to Bethlehem. Twice weekly gatherings include reading Scriptures that help walk us toward the birth of Christ.
Anticipation! It may seem strange to anticipate the birth of Christ at this time of year, but I wonder if it isn’t better to start now. We get so caught up in the trappings of the Christmas season that we don’t always focus on the story or anticipate that which is to come. Anticipation means to expect or to hope. We have lots of things to hope for right now. We can hope that the roof will be done. We can hope that our membership increases. I can hope to walk the 80 miles it will take to get me to Bethlehem!
During this upcoming season of anticipation, what are the things you hope for, anticipate, and expect? We need to remind ourselves of the scripture in Hebrews 6: 19 that “this hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast, and one which allows us entry behind the veil through Christ.” We anticipate Christ’s birth just as we expect His return and hope to join Him in heaven one of these days. Open yourself up to God’s hope and expectation in your life and anticipate that all will be good.
Gracious and Holy Lord: Remind us to expect your presence in our lives and help us to anticipate your will for us as we journey toward Bethlehem. May our hope in You be as sure and steadfast as your hope is for us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
With much hope, anticipation and expectation,
Cathy
World Communion Sunday October 7, 2007
APPORTIONMENT UPDATE SEPTEMBER ATTENDANCE 2nd 9TH 16TH 23rd 30th Total Apportioned for 2007 $30,553.00 Worship 70 95 100 65 90 Total paid 75% 22,914.81 Sunday Balance Due $ 7,638.19 School 19 32 36 36 27
We are collecting Box Tops for Education and Campbell labels to benefit children in our city and throughout the conference. Many of you have probably seen the Box Tops for Education on hundreds of your favorite products. They are found on many different brands: General
Mills, Betty Crocker, Huggies, Pillsbury, Scott, Hefty, Ziploc and more. Each
box top earns cash for schools to buy books and educational supplies. Martha
Holmgreen has been collecting these box tops for Noonan Elementary and she
could use your help. In addition, The Wesley Community Center in Robstown, a
mission outreach program of the United Methodist Church collects the Campbell’s labels to help purchase products and supplies for the needy children they
serve. The labels are the UPC codes found on designated Campbell’s,
Spaghettios, V8, Pepperidge Farm, Swanson, and Prego products. Jean Keele has
been graciously accumulating and sending the labels to the center. If you can
help with either of these worthwhile endeavors, please bring your box tops and
labels and place them in the collection box located under the information board
at the back of the sanctuary. A list of eligible brands and products will also
be available next to the box. Thanks for your ongoing support and making life
a little easier for someone else.
FROM THE DISTRICT: I want to thank you for your hard work in completing ALL of your Charge Conference paperwork. You are one of the few that submitted all of the required paperwork and I thank you for your diligence. You are very much appreciated. Blessings, Linda Jewell, Administrative Assistant The United Methodist Church McAllen District, SWTX Conference
GET CONNECTED!!! 2007-2008 Discipleship Opportunities
CHILDREN
Ages 4-8 - Sundays @ 9AM (Upstairs Education Building) Facilitated by Tracy Kneiszel and Cathy McRorey Children will: Learn how much God loves them and learn to love Jesus; Develop lifelong faith as they experience the Bible stories through all their senses; Experience a place where they can be spiritually transformed; Emulate the role models they see every week on the video; Become so excited and energized by their experience that they will be eager to come to Sunday School each week and will want to bring their friends.
Touch the Water Taste the Bread Exploring the Sacraments with Children- Spring 2008-Facilitated by Pastor Larry Baptism and Communion are the two sacraments celebrated in the United Methodist Church. Children will learn the significance and the sacredness of the sacraments as they get up close and personal with touching the water and tasting the bread.
Bible Blitz: Bible Exploration for Kids Ages 9-12 Sunday’s @ 9 AM (Education Bldg) Facilitated by Anna Holmgreen Bible Blitz™ sharpens kids' Bible skills each week as they open their Bibles and experience God's Word—firsthand. Kids will enjoy Bible learning and grow close to God, causing their actions and worship to become a natural outflow of their lives. Topic for Fall 2007: Getting to Know God - Who God Is
Claim the Name Spring 2008 Facilitated by Pastor Larry Eight Week Confirmation curriculum for youth sixth grade or older who have not been previously confirmed in the United Methodist Church.
YOUTH
Beginning October 2007 @ 9AM – Youth Room (Chapel Bldg) 3V is a series of different Bible study courses designed for the senior high level. It is a serious learning tool that forces students to think by challenging them to investigate. Throughout a variety of texts and topics, 3V poses a series of three probing questions in order to enhance a student’s comprehension, interpretation and application of Scripture. 3V does more than just give students a Bible lesson-it teaches them how to study the Bible…for a lifetime.
Thinking Theologically Spring 2008 @ 9AM – Youth Room (Chapel Bldg) Each topical study in the Thinking Theologically series teaches senior high teens how to apply biblical principles to real-world situations. Teens are naturally inclined to question everything! This curriculum is designed to channel that tendency into investigative reasoning, equipping them for life by training them how to think instead of telling them what to think.
A positive and encouraging place for youth in grades 8-12 Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 (Upstairs in the “Old” Bldg)
ADULT
ADULT BIBLE STUDIES: International Lesson Themes 2007-2008 Sunday’s @ 9AM in Parlor / Facilitated by Jimmie Tiller This series applies study to personal, family, church and community concerns by exploring the meaning of Scripture and encouraging a deeper faith commitment to God. Fall 2007: God Created a People (Genesis); Winter 2007-God’s Call to Christian Community (Luke): Spring-2008-God, the People, and the Covenant (Chronicles, Daniel, Haggai, Nehemiah); Summer 2008 – Images of Christ (Hebrews, The Gospels))
CHRISTIANITY AND WORLD RELIGIONS: Wrestling with Questions People Ask Sunday’s @ 9AM/Oct 7–Nov 25 Trinity Classroom (Chapel Building) Facilitated by Frances Cowley Answers questions about other religions while comparing and contrasting: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism, with Christianity. Theologian and UM Pastor Adam Hamilton interviews a religious leader from each tradition.
Sunday’s @ 9AM Dec 2-Dec 23 Trinity Classroom (Chapel Bldg) Facilitated by Frances Cowley
CHRISTAINITY’S FAMILY TREE: What Other Christians Believe and Why Sunday’s @ 9AM - Jan 6– Mar 9, 2008 Trinity Classroom (Chapel Building) Participants will learn of the history, theology, and distinctive emphases of eight different traditions in the Christian faith. Participants will hear an engaging, informative presentation on each tradition and look at Scriptures that have shaped that particular faith expression. Sessions will include: Orthodoxy: Mystery, Liturgy and Tradition; Catholicism: Sacrament and Mass: Lutheranism: Word and Faith; Presbyterianism: The Sovereignty of God; Anglicanism: Common Prayer; Baptists: Baptism, Conversion and Scripture; Pentecostalism: The Power of the Spirit; and, Methodism: Grace and the Via Media
40 DAYS OF TRANSFORMATION – Transformed Giving More Than a Stewardship Program - A Sermon Series by Pastor Larry McRorey October 28 – November 18 A sermon series offering a unique opportunity for spiritual growth through a church wide shared experience focusing on individual transformation through our prayers, presence, gifts and service. This series will kick off our 2008 Financial Stewardship Campaign concluding with our all member celebration and meal on Nov. 18.
METHODISM 101 Fall 2007 TBA – Facilitated by Pastor Larry Everything you wanted to know about Methodism and the United Methodist Church, but were afraid to ask!
Sept 18-Nov 8 - Facilitated by Tracy Kneiszel Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30-11:30 AM – Sagewood Mall **Pre-registration Required** Limited to 10 positions - Call 664-5211 FMI 1st Session: From Nazareth to Jerusalem: This program helps to encourage individuals and small groups to exercise their bodies, as well as minds and spirits. The goal is to walk 10 miles per week (80 miles in 8 weeks) either alone or in teams, with weekly Bible readings, descriptions of the locations and events related to the Scripture readings, and a seasonal prayer for the journey.
WESLEY NURSE/METHODIST HEALTHCARE Check future newsletters or contact Tracy Kneiszel (664-5211) for dates and times of ongoing health related groups and programs as well as upcoming events for all ages.
ENDOWMENT FUND QUARTERLY UPDATE GIVER IN HONOR/MEMORY CELEBRATION BOX JULY MARK & JILL COWLEY MEMORY OF ALMA PRIDDY’S MOTHER MARY DRU BURNS MEMORY JIM SCOGGIN’S MOTHER RICHARD SHIMER MEMORY LAVANA MYANE CELEBRATION BOX AUGUST LES & DOUG BRANDES HONOR OF KATE FRANCES COWLEY CELEBRATON BOX SEPTEMBER FRANCES COWLEY MEMORY OF ALMA PRIDDY’S MOM & DAD FERN & JOHNNY JOHNSON MEMORY OF TRAVIS RICHARDSON
Our Mission: Transforming lives with the gospel of Jesus Christ through an active community, significant relationships and intentional discipleship.
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First United Methodist Church 111 N. Adams Street Alice, TX 78332 (361) 664-3801 Wesley Nurse (361) 664-5211 Webmaster: Dr. Charles Wiley Email Us http://FUMC-Alice.org |
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