Pastor

Dr. Richard Heyduck

Secretary

Tonya Roberts

Noah's Ark Director

Cynthia Outlaw

Phone: 903-389-2225

www.fumcfairfield.org

Sermon Series 2

Baptism/Blue Santa 2

Memorials &

Honorariums/Meeting

3

UMW/Birthdays 4

Children’s Ministry 4

Finance/Prayer 5

Emails/Study Group 5

Youth 6-7

The Servant

First United Methodist Church

Worship with Us Live

facebook.com/fumcfairfield

or YouTube at

https://bit.ly/FUMCFairfieldVideo

The Staff of

First UMC Fairfield

Challenges and Ways to Overcome Them

I’ve written before about how our denomination is on the verge of fragmentation. The push toward breakup has been slowed by the pandemic. If last year’s meeting of Gen-eral Conference had not been postponed, we might already be in the process of formally splitting up.

In this situation it’s useful not only for us to spend time reflect-ing on what it is to be a “denomination,” but even more to delve into what it means to be Methodists. To that end I’ve invited our Sunday School classes to study a book by Phil Tallon and Justus Hunter, The Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way, in the spring quarter. I also hope to offer classes on this book at other times during the week, both in person and online, for those who can’t make it to Sunday School. Dr. Tallon teaches at HBU and Dr. Hunter at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Both are teachers in Wesleyan theological studies not only in academia but also in local churches. If you’re not in a Sunday school class that will be doing the study but would like to participate anyway, let me know so I can include you when I order the books (ordering in bulk gets us a discount).

Another challenge we face is in the area of leadership. In spite of my seminary degree requiring 3 years of study, there’s an awful lot not covered in that degree. As you would suppose, leading a church through a pandemic was one of those omissions. Talking to other leaders in the church I know it’s not easy for any of us. We’re always dealing with partial information. Some of the information we get is contested and politicized. Yet when it comes to the pandemic, we’re dealing with issues of life and death.

We’ve also noticed another challenging aspect regarding leadership: raising up and choosing new leaders. One of the usual things we look for when we nominate leaders is their level of activity in the church. We ask things like: Is this person an active attender? Is this person engaged in growing in their faith? Is this person growing in holiness and Christlikeness? How deep is this person’s commitment to the church and its mission? Some of these qualities are hard to discern at any time; the pandemic makes it even harder, since so many have become physically isolated. So what can we do?

We can’t just wait out the pandemic, putting our mission on hold. Making disciples of Jesus, as much as leading wisely in a pandemic, is a matter of life and death. We must be resolute in pursuing our mission even as we’re flexible in how we pursue it. We need leaders at all stages of development and areas of deployment. During this time when physical attendance is challenging, we can look at other forms of engagement. Are they joining worship online? Are they staying in relationship with others in the congregation? Discerning these things is harder now, but they are things to consider. In the meantime, I continue to pray for God to raise up and equip leaders – and to give us wisdom as we deploy them. I pray that even as you read this you have a renewed hunger for God and to be an active participant in what God’s doing here.

January 2021

Page 2

In January we went Back to the Beginning and looked at several texts and themes in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

We’ll start February by going to the first books of the New Testament, the Gospels, as we look at some of the miracles of

Jesus. What can we learn from his feeding thousands with only a few loaves and fish? From his healing people? From his

walking on water?

In March we’ll turn to looking at our Wesleyan/Methodist heritage. This will complement the Sunday School classes and

other groups that’ll be studying The Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way.

February Sermon Series

Baptism

Georgianna Rayne Sims daughter of

Greg and Carin Sims

Blue Santa

Thanks to everyone who supported

Blue Santa.

Gifts to Capital/General Building Fund

In memory of Margaret White by Larry & Carolyn Williams

In memory of Dale Barker by Charlie & Karen Micheletti, Judy Wardle

In memory of Tommy Moore by Scott & Carolyn Newberry

In memory of Carolyn Ivy by Danny & Carolyn Robertson

In memory of David Steward by Guy & Dianne Murden

In memory of Reed Jackson by Larry & Carolyn Williams, Scott & Carolyn Newberry,

Guy & Dianne Murden, Wendon & Jane Morrison, Judy Wardle, Clifton Don Beene, Pam Steward

In memory of Andy Owens by Kenneth & Constance Owens Schatte

In honor of Burt & Janie Richards by Che & Bitsy Stone

In memory of Charlie Ritchey by Lorelei Ritchey

In honor of Jennifer LeCompte & Stephanie Tucker by Mary Stevens

In memory of Bob Whiteman by The Angie Mae Bonner Sunday School Class, Jerry & Jenny Calame, Guy & Dianne Murden,

Dick & Claudette White, Don & Jerri McBay, Jerry & Karyn Richards, Hazel Sanders

In memory of William & Audrey Coleman by Sally Red

In memory of Warren Awalt by Sally Red, Billie Bond

In memory of Joel & Lillie Bonner by Jody & Barbara Bonner

In memory of Hugh & Doris Reed by Jody & Barbara Bonner

In memory of Mary Jane “Granny” Gipson by Sally Red

In memory of Tommy Zipps by Billie Bond

Page 3

Memorials & Honorariums

In memory of David Pratt by Judy Wardle

In memory of Rick Medford by Larry & Carolyn Williams, Guy & Dianne Murden

In memory of Jerry Robinson by Sally Red

In memory of Kate Anderson by Judy Wardle

In memory of Denise Watson Wells by Larry & Carolyn Williams, Jerry & Jenny Calame,

Dick & Claudette White, Gary & Marilyn Toothman, Cynthia Outlaw, Guy & Dianne Murden, Charlene Ezell,

Jimmy & Paula Clark, Sally Red, Patricia Pratt Charlie & Karen Micheletti, Michael & Kathy Arrington,

Judy Wardle

In memory of Claudette Hicks - Hall by Charlie & Karen Micheletti, Charlene Ezell,

Sam & Billie Bournias, Jerry & Jenny Calame, Ronald & Carole Lacey, Cynthia Outlaw, Rebecca Brewer,

Benny & Cheryl Pillans, Scott & Carolyn Newberry, Guy & Dianne Murden, Wendon & Jane Morrison, John & Beverly Awalt, Mr.& Mrs. Joe D. Whitaker,

Bill & Sue Allison, Michael & Kathy Arrington

Music Fund

In memory of Reed Jackson by Dick & Claudette White, Keith Meredith,

John & Beverly Awalt, Martin & Judy Bowen, Jo Bennett, Joe Cannon, Bobby & Mary Margaret Reed,

Sam Bill & Billie Bournias, John & Susan Cox, Jerry Don & Claudia Sanders, Don & Jerri McBay, Gary & Janet Chappell, Michael & Kathy Arrington,

FUMC Coppell, Ms. Barbara D. Patterson

Awning Fund

In memory of Claudette Hicks - Hall by Loften & Theresa Dunlap, Burt & Janie Richards

In memory of Reed Jackson by Loften & Theresa Dunlap, Burt & Janie Richards

In memory of Denise Watson Wells by Loften & Theresa Dunlap, Hazel Sanders,

Burt & Janie Richards

In memory of Dale Barker Loften & Theresa Dunlap, Hazel Sanders

Memorials & Honorariums

Page 4

United Methodist Women

Bir t hd ays

Date Name(s)

2/2 Faith Cockerell

Madelyn Morrison

2/3 Avery Counts

Traci Wetzel

Jamie Filis

2/4 Loy Newberry

Rhett Ralstin

2/6 Don Carpenter

2/7 Casey Townsend

Alex Williams

Brady Williams

Date Name(s)

2/8 Betty Gentry

Susan Jones

2/9 Michael Morrison

Piper Holcomb

2/10 Jeff Nesbitt

Eleanor Clark

2/11 Jaselyn Johnson

Gayle Carpenter

2/12 Darla Matthews

2/13 Joel M. Bonner

2/14 Emily Bonner

Date Name(s)

Robert Chesnut

2/15 Billie Bond

Lisa Robertson

Trish Kingsley

Betsy Monico

Sissy Ivy

2/16 Gina Jameson

Selah Mason

2/18 Jim Scott

Jennifer Doyle

Jack Bean

Date Name(s)

2/19 Mike Arrington

2/21 Natalie Gentry

Lela Kirsch

2/23 Demar Hill

2/25 Mykle Ann

2/26 Jacob Awalt

Mike Chappell

Jason Bonner

Terry Dunlap

2/27 Jami Lowry

Irelyn Brady

2/28 Chris Perona

Regular monthly meetings will be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays. The meetings began at 10 a.m. in the Youth area, unless otherwise announced.

February 9, 2021 Bible Study 6 “What Goes Around” pages 131 - 151 Business Meeting

February 23, 2021 Bible Study 7 “Where is the Man?” pages 155 - 173

March 9, 2021 Bible Study 8 “The Right to Be Ready” pages 177 -

197

March 23, 2021 Bible Study 9 “The Tables Turned” pages 201 - 221

Children’s Ministry

The children are making valentine cards for bot h local

nursing homes.

They are asking for donations of store bought individual

serving sized packaged treats to go with the cards.

Valentine’s

Day

Page 5

Study Group Lord Hear Our Prayers

Barbara Anderson, Kathy Arrington, Ann Barker, Eunice Barker, Debbie

Blair, Billie Bond, Joe Bond, Starla Burt, Susie Cates, Kathryn Cheek,

Nekeisha Chin, Jimmy & Paula Clark, Joaquin Cohen, Juliette Cole-

man, Frances Collier, Bill & Jan Collins, J.R. Corne, Sheri Cuba, Julie

Curington, Donnie Farris, Tony Gallegos, Asher Garrison, Jim & Nancy

Gooch, Sharon Pratt Gross, Bentley Hall, Luke Harris, Nick Henley,

Frank & Heidi Hilliard, Phyllis Hunt, Susan James, Benjamin Javier,

Lela Kirsch, Manuel Level, Randy & Sonya Maness, J.B. Mason, Julie

Ann Medford, Betty Milligan, Sue Montgomery, Mike Mooneyham,

Cheryl Mullen, Jimmy Onstott, Margaret Orand, Mary Pittman, Ryan

Red, Sally Red’s great nephew Weston, Joe Schick, Judy Schick,

Gwen Schlabra, Larry Smith, Mary Smith, Kyla Smith, Jesse Terry,

Henry Thornton, Randy Turner, Grace Wathen, Keith Wedige, students

& teachers, staffing

Military: Ryan Aiken, Dalton Barker, Daniel Barker, Damon Box,

Jordan Burton, Robert Cortez, Brandon Cruce, Chris Fulcher,

Kyle Grecu, Brady Jackson, Katlin Keaton, Chris Marr, Brandon

Read, Ty Salazar, Austin Strange, Michael Strange

Nursing Home: Patsy Ahlfinger, Jeane Beasley, Claudine Gibbs,

Norma Helm, Don McLeod, Bob Pearson

Join us Wednesday Evenings

Female Young Adults Life Group

6:00 p.m.

Angie Mae Bonner Class

We are studying Jennie Allen 1st Corinthians

Mes s age f rom Finance

Thanks so much for faithfully supporting the church with your tithes and offerings. Your faithfulness is essential to fulfilling our mission. The pandemic and the public health concerns that come with it haven’t changed our mission but have forced us to adapt many of the things we do. We have multiplied our ministry online where we couldn’t be face to face. Even when we couldn’t use our buildings as we’re used to, you’ve still been studying the Word, praying, building ramps, feeding

the hungry, helping people in need, and reaching out.

If you’re not yet comfortable gathering in public, there are 3 options for giving: (1) Drop it off at the church. Push the door button and Tonya will meet you at the door. You can also call ahead (903-389-389-2225) and let her know you are on your way. (2) Drop your check in the mail: FUMC, 201 N. Mount St, Fairfield, TX 75840. (3) You can give online with the Tithe.LY app or link on the website. If you need assistance with electronic giving, let us know. “God is our refuge and

strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

Subscribing to Emails

We regularly put emails sharing news and prayer

requests. The tool we use is MailChimp.

MailChimp makes this easy to do - but it also has some undesired side effects. The chief of these is that if it gets some bounces (returns) of emails, it will “clean” your subscription from the list and stop

sending you emails.

If you don’t receive our emails and would like to, whether for the first time or to recover from “cleaning,” just go to the church to the church web-

site (www.FUMCFairfield.org).

Use the Media link and go down to Email Updates.

That will take you to a simple form to complete.

Page 6

Camp Information

FUMC has typically attended the last week of camp but all weeks are

available

Once you decide which week, people will be able to register for camp.

Make sure you have a cdl certified driver for the church bus or

enough vehicles to drive students safely to camp

Changes this Year:

Cost has increased to $440 per camper and $220 for adult leaders

(Counselors)

They have asked counselors who are able to arrive on the Sunday

before camp to allow time to prepare for campers and give counselors time to ask any questions they may have re-

garding schedules activities and small groups

You will need one male and female counselor per age group (possibly 8 total)

Registration:

Students and counselors will register online at https://lakeviewsummercampregistration.campbrainregistration.com/

If you have any additional questions you can call the camp and ask for the registrar's office

June 6-11 5th - 12th

July 5-9 3rd-12th grade

Page 7

Youth Ramp Build

8:00 am February 27 - 12:00 pm February 28

What is the 30 Hour Famine? Students around the world loving God and fighting hunger. Your students will grow

closer to Christ and each other as they fast together for 30 hours and raise funds to fight hunger.

Join us Sunday Evenings

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Food, Fun and Bible Study

Firs t Uni ted Methodis t Church

201 North Mount St reet

Fa ir f ie ld, Texas 75840

903-389-2225 www.fumcfairfield.com

Non-Profit Organization

Bulk Rate U.S. Postage

PAID Fairfield, TX

Return service requested

Time value mail please expedite

We thank God for………………….

Free Income Taxes

Free Income Tax Service for all Ages, every Thursday, Feb 11th to April 15th—BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Tax Aide will provide free federal income tax preparation services to area residents. This year, preparation will be by appointment only. Please call 903-389-2225 or 903-480-0052 to schedule an appointment. The dates and times are every Thursday from February 11th to April 15th, from 8am to 2pm, at First United Methodist Church, 201 North Mount St, Fair-field. Interested area residents should bring their tax paperwork (W-2s, 1099’s for income, self- employment details, de-duction details), picture ID for taxpayer and spouse, and social security cards for all family members, and previous years return if available. The tax returns will be prepared while you wait in your vehicle and then efiled. We also will be taking appointments for those that want to have their documents scanned and come back when the return is completed. Tax Aide volunteers are sponsored by AARP and trained and certified through IRS sponsored programs. . For information, go to www.aarp.org/taxaide