MISSION CENTRAL NEWS

I have frequently mentioned something several times this year during worship services. It has caught the attention of some, and perhaps not been understood by others. I was asked this past Sunday . . . can you explain what you mean when you say that this is not the kind of church that expects you to “check-in-your-brain-at-the-door?” I’d be glad to.

About 12 years ago, I began a process that helped me to finally take full responsibility for my faith. I began examining every single facet of my faith, about what I believed about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, basic theological

beliefs, and the church as the Body of Christ. The task was not an easy one. In fact, the process was very difficult. Why? It’s because I had come to understand that too often in my life, I believed about faith what I had been told, taught or encouraged to believe. Much of my faith wasn’t actually what I believed. Saying I believed these things seem to make other people happy. But it didn’t do my soul much good.

It felt like I had simply “checked-in” my brain at the door, and let someone else pour what they thought I should believe into it, and then put it back into my head. Yeah, I know, this sounds corny, but it’s the best way I know to illustrate how I came to understand a very foundational part of my personal belief system . . .

-That I, and I alone, am fully and completely responsible for my spiritual development.

Since my arrival here as the pastor in July 2015, I’ve spoken and taught about various Christian faith practices that people can participate in which have been proven historically to bring people into a closer relationship with God. But, there’s been a catch. In fact, there’s always been a catch. To draw closer to God, you have to work at it! Someone telling you what to believe will never get you closer to God. The truth is this . . . there are no short-cuts to God. Accepting what someone tells you about God as “fact” without examining the merit and “profit” of the teaching for yourself . . . is a short-cut. I’m at the age in my life where I know, and have chosen to believe, that most short-cuts in life are a waste of my time. The things that matter most in life . . . all require effort. I have been blessed by this belief.

So, I encourage everyone who reads this edition of our church newsletter, to ask themselves an important question: Is my personal faith built on what people have taught me to believe, or is my faith built on what I know and believe? Knowing what you believe comes from your personal experience with God and the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Like any other relationship, you have to put in the time needed to make the relationship a blessing. Are you putting in the time? Spend some time re-examining how your worship – pray – learn – serve – and give. In the end, you may find yourself closer to God than you have ever been before. There is word for being closer to God . . . it’s called a blessing! Pastor Rick ><>

May 1, 2016

Crowley United Methodist Church Newsletter

Introducing the new NO-HASSLE way to give to Crowley FUMC!

Joyfully2UMC is a free app created by the United Methodist Church to offer users a no-cost solution for giving to their local church. It's mobile giving made specifically for United Methodist Churches. Just download the app. Find our church and give. Support our church, any time, any where.

CALLING ALL MEN - Please honor our ladies on Mother's

Day, May 14th, by filling the choir loft and singing during the 10:45 wor-ship service. Meet in the choir loft at 10:30 to practice a special musical selection. You will be a blessing to so many!

To the Building Fund

In memory of James Garner Arthur Martin

To the Budget

In honor of Jesi Gatheridge Anonymous

In honor of Martin Thompson Crowley Golden Eagles

To the Memorial Fund

In memory of James Garner M & M Jauquin Bradshaw

M & M John Burch

Sondra deGraffenried

M & M Ben Dowdy

John May

M & M Van McCasland

M & M Ryan Preston

M & M Conner Stamper

In memory of Janice Harwell M & M Van McCasland

In memory of Karen Johnigan M & M Van McCasland

In memory of Marlene Richardson M & M Van McCasland

In memory of Bonnie Roberts M & M Van McCasland

In memory of Donald Jenning’s brother - M & M John Burch

To the Parsonage Fund

In memory of James Garner M & M Joe Corthay

Tommy Richardson

In honor of Betty Garner M & M Billy Hutchings

In memory of Ben Junior M & M Billy Hutchings

In memory of Ann B. Hudson M & M Joe Corthay

John Orlen

Tommy Richardson

MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS

Strong Missions, the organization our group is working with, has ex-pressed a need for these items. All items will either be used while we are there leading crafts and games or will be given to local children for their school year!

New socks and underwear Sidewalk chalk Pens Pencils (standard No. 2, not mechanical pencils) Markers Crayons (Crayola) Colored pencils Erasers (big squares not pencil toppers) College ruled spiral notebooks Loose leaf paper Folders Liquid glue, (not glue sticks-

they don’t work in humidity) Nail polish Face paint

For extra baggage we will be charged $125.00 per bag which might be

36 People will be embarking from DFW airport on June 17th to the

town of Alajuela, Costa Rica where we will be working alongside

Strong Missions, a Methodist recognized mission organization. We will

be helping to build new bunk houses for the people who stay at Strong

Missions. This will allow the organization to begin working in the near-

by community again. We also will be working with local children lead-

ing them in a Bible story, crafts, games and other sporting adventures.

In addition, we will be going to one of their feeding ministries in the

barrio (slum neighborhood), where we will help serve and prepare a

meal for the adults and children in the area. Strong Missions works

year round in the community

so that they are not an

organization that just helps

people for a week with no

constant relationships within

the community the rest of

the year. With that being

said, they have requested

some supplies that are hard

to come by in Costa Rica. For the month of May we will be collecting

this items as a church and the preschool will be collecting infant and

children's clothes for us to take as well. Please see the attached list and

prayfully considering picking up a couple of these items for us to take

with us. We will also accept monetary donations to pay for the extra

baggage needed to get these items to Costa Rica. Thank you for your

continued love, prayers and support!

COSTA RICA HERE WE COME

YOU CAN HELP - WITH THESE ITEMS -

Time to get out your "famous" chili recipe

and gear up for the UMM 's annual chili

cook-off, Sunday, May 21 at noon. Pro-

ceeds from the cook-off will benefit this

year's Lord's Acre start-up fund. Contact

Steve Ritchey for more information.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN'S MAY GATHERINGS

FRIDAY, May 5, 2017 6:30 pm

All Ages Welcome

Bring your favorite game and snacks to share !

May 3 - Prepare dinner for 65 TCU Wesley Foundation attendees for a 6:30 service. Call Linda Hutchings 817-293-3393 if you'd like to help.

May 5 - Church Women United, May Friendship Day, St. Luke UMC, Carpool from Linda Hutchings' home at 9:30 am. Salad luncheon served.

May 8 - 6:30 pm, Circle of Faith Night Circle, Welcome Center, Program - Burning of the Candle and vote of SMR's

May 16 - 10:00 am, Esther Circle, Meet at church for a day tour of the new Bethlehem Center and lunch out.

May 20 - UMW Workday at either Bethlehem Center of Poly Center from 9:00 am to noon.

needed for some of the donations. If you feel led to donate money, it will go towards the assistance of getting these donations to Costa Rica.