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One Mile MosserBy: Rev. David N. MosserOneMileMosser.com

Pastor BLBy: Blair LewisPastorBL.com

connect FUMCArlington

contributors

Rev. David N. MosserSenior Pastor

Rev. Kay LancasterAssociate Pastor

Michelle ClarkMission & Outreach

Coordinator

Blair LewisAssociate Pastor

Amy NelsonCommunications

Director

CJ RiceAsst. Dir., Children’s

Ministries

Nick ScottDir., Youth & Young

Adult Ministries

Layne RiceDir., TV & Video

Production

Latest Sermons

Blogs

On TV

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contents

2012

Summer

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5 6 8

10 12 14

4

6

8

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12

15

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Too Busy?

Grow Your Faith

Youth Trips: Summer 2012

My Road to Ministry

Children’s Music Ministry: One Team, Many Voices

The Big Hope Network

Dinner With God

Upcoming Studies and Small Groups

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RevMosser

OneMileMosser.com

TOO BUSY?Why finding time for studies, small groups and evangelism is worth it.

By: Rev. David N. MosserSenior Pastor

REV. ROB FUQUAY OF St. Luke’s UMC, in In-dianapolis, writes a

weekly article. Recently, Fuquay reminded his church of what motivates someone to come to church.

In research done on faith communities in the 21st century, the following per-centages remind all of us about “How People Are Brought to Church”

Advertisement 2%The pastor 6%Organized outreach 6%Friends/ family 86%

When telling a story about sharing the faith, Leighton Ford, a well-known evange-list, said he was speaking at an open-air crusade in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Billy Graham, another evangelical speaker, was to speak the next night and had arrived a day early.

Graham, attending incog-nito, sat on the grass at the rear of the crowd. Because he was wearing a hat and dark glasses, no one recog-nized him. Directly in front of him sat an elderly gentle-man listening intently to Ford’s presentation.

When Ford invited people to come forward as an open sign of dedication, Graham

decided to do a little per-sonal evangelism. He tapped the man on the shoulder and asked, “Would you like to accept Christ? I’ll be glad to walk down with you if you want to.”

The man looked him up and down, thought it over for a moment, and said, “Naw, I think I’ll just wait till the big gun comes tomorrow night.”

Graham and Ford had several good chuckles over that incident through the years. Unfortunately, it un-derlines how, in the minds of many people, evangelism is the task of the “big guns,” not the “little shots” (adapted from Good News is for Sharing, Leighton Ford, 1977, Cook Publishing p. 67).

As we begin the fall of 2012 and back to school/back to church, perhaps we can invite others to worship and Sunday school. But, there is another way that we can all connect—through the small group studies and prayer groups that exist all over our church. These small groups help us Chris-tians bond with other people who want to share Christ’s spirit of.

As United Methodists, we might want to remember that part of Wesley’s genius

was not only as a purveyor of the gospel or an organi-zational genius, but what he instilled in his Methodist Christians—a sense of ac-countability. Wesley did this primarily via preaching and small groups—classes, bands and societies.

Wesley was someone who held people to a high stan-dard—a divine standard. At minimum, that standard means we never take the church of Jesus Christ casu-ally. Contemporary Chris-tians are part of this church, whose standard is beyond anything of this world. Our standard is Jesus Christ.

Everybody wants to be a part of something that calls out the best that we are and can be with God’s help—every-body. Wesley understood this fact of human psychol-ogy and everything he did served offering Christ to people in need of meaning and value.

May we do our part to connect to people through the ministries and small groups of our church.

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Rev. Kay LancasterAssociate Pastor

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A S BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST, WE accept Christ’s invitation to join him on a lifelong journey. While on that journey,

we grow in our understanding of Christ and seek to imitate him in thought, word and deed.

To ensure we are moving forward and growing in spirit, we must be intentional about our faith development by participating in studies. Our church offers many studies which focus on a variety of topics and interests.

Study opportunities vary to provide something for everyone. Some studies are led by clergy or staff, others by lay persons. After the summer lull, we are offering numerous studies begin-ning in September. The length of these studies varies from a few weeks to several months.

We understand that different people prefer dif-ferent environments to study the Bible. Many of our studies are small groups with only 6–12 participants. Others enjoy a wider audience of up to 75 people.

We also know that many in our congregation have hectic schedules, so we have planned studies to be held on different days and in both the morning and evening. (See page 18 for a list of upcoming studies and small groups.)

Participants in studies report they not only grow in their relationship with Christ, but grow as members of the body of Christ. Joining studies

helps participants meet others and grow closer to those they already know. Study participants will find themselves fueled for action and ready to share the love of Christ.

Participation in studies not only helps us to grow in spirit and faith, it quenches the thirst of our souls for a relationship with Christ.

At First United Methodist of Arlington, we are constantly adding studies. Visit our website at arlingtonmethodist.org for an up to date list of studies and small groups. If you don’t see something that fits your schedule or interest, please contact Rev. Kay Lancaster at klan-caster@arlingtonmethodist.org so we can create a study for you!

“O God, you are my God,I seek you,my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you,as in a dry and weary land where there is no water”

Psalm 63:1

To ensure we are moving forward and growing in spirit, we must be intentional about our faith development by participating in studies.”

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2012

Summer

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THIS SUMMER WAS a memorable one for our Youth Ministry.

We had 129 youth and 31 adults participate in at least one of our three major trips: junior high mission trip, senior high mission trip or choir tour. Two of our amazing graduates, Connor Jennings and Eric Wise, ac-tually attended all three!

Our junior high group went south to Waco, where we worked alongside the good folks at Friends for Life, Waco Community Develop-ment Corporation and Caritas. We cleared over-grown lots, helped feed the hungry, worked at thrift stores and created friend-ships with some really awesome special needs adults. Throughout the

week, our youth learned the importance of Christian hope and, through our work, we helped to bring hope to the people of Waco.

The senior high group headed to Joplin, MO, where we worked with Rebuild Joplin and AmeriCorps. Even after more than a year of recovery since the devas-tating tornado of May 2011,

Nick ScottDirector, Youth and Young Adults Ministries

By:@FUMCA_YouthFUMCArlingtonYouth

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the path of destruction was excruciatingly evident. Some of our group worked on a backyard once filled with hundred year old trees, but now full of rocky dirt. We raked, shoveled and carried away barrelfuls of rocks. It was tedious, hard work, but knowing our efforts would let them have a backyard again made it worth it. In other rebuilding projects, we dug fence posts, put up siding, screwed down sub-flooring and painted.

Our theme for the week was “motivation.” We sought both to draw inspiration from the motivation of the people of Joplin to rebuild, and exam-ined our own motivations for helping that effort. We learned we should “do nothing from selfish

ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than” ourselves (Phi-lippians 2:3).

Lastly was our annual Tes-tament Youth Choir tour, our largest choir tour ever. We traveled to Denver where we performed in the beauti-ful sanctuary of Trinity UMC in downtown Denver, saw a Colorado Rockies game and went white water rafting.

All of that was amazing, but the brightest highlights of each choir tour are always the concerts we perform for retirement homes. This year, we sang at seven retirement homes, sharing the love of Christ through song in every one. The most important ac-complishment of each choir tour is letting people know

they matter, a message we all need to be reminded of from time to time.

By the end of each trip, our youth usually have what some call a “mountain top experience” or a “spiritual high.” They feel close to God. This is good. We want them to have these experiences. But, as I tell them each year, it would be a shame if they didn’t let the trips change who they are and, ultimately, affect their everyday lives.

We hope to build on their summer experiences through worship, small groups, local mission and fellowship. Help us by being in prayer for our youth and encouraging them in their faith journey as we all seek to become more like Christ.

Opposite page: Left: Sarah Mischnick. Top: (L–R) Lucas McCullough, Brian Herms. Bottom: (L–R) Katie Austin, Hailey Gross, Drue Henegar. This page: Left: (Top–Bottom) Amanda Terrill, Christian Clark, Jake Pfaff, Caitlin Castle, Mary Catherine Arnott, Alec Suggs, Jordan Kobty. Above: Lindsey Willman.

MY ROAD TO MINISTRY

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When I graduated from Texas A&M Uni-versity in 1994, I had two long-term goals: make more money than my father and never mow my own yard again.

I was obviously a young man with limited vision and out of whack priorities. In pursuit of these goals, I entered the working world as a stockbroker.

Within my finance career, I made several job changes along the

way, eventually becoming a senior vice president at Deutsche Bank. While I enjoyed my career, I began to feel less and less ful-fillment from it. In truth, I was serving the wrong God. I was serving the god of money, not the one true Lord.

FUMCCelebrationWorship

Blair LewisAssociate Pastor

By:

PastorBL.com

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THE CHANGE BEGINS

When I met my wife Dawn, my priorities began to change and we started seeking a church home. It was during this time we began to visit United Methodist churches. We immediately felt at home. Christianity focused on the core beliefs of grace and service to others fit us theologically. We immersed ourselves in our local church and began working with the Fort Worth Day Resource Center for the Homeless (DRC), where I now serve on the board of directors. It was during this time that we had the good fortune to travel with our church to the Holy Land. The trip was life changing for us both, but especially for me career-wise.

Once back in the states, I began to fully immerse myself in service to the Lord through work at church and the DRC. There was a problem though; the more I threw myself into service, the more I wanted to serve. Eventually, I realized what I was feeling was a call to ministry. However, there was one giant hurdle left to clear: sharing this realization with Dawn. To my shock, she supported my radical career change.

I still remember what she said to me when I revealed I wanted to become a pastor: “Blair, you have gifts God could use to build his kingdom. If you feel passionately this is what you want to do, you have my support. Follow your heart.”

CAREER TAKE OFF

That quickly, my career in ministry took off. Within a month, I had spoken with my pastors, both of whom encouraged me to bring my gifts to God. The following month, I received a call from Bishop Lowry’s office. Six months later I was preaching my first sermon in the Celebration worship service at First United Methodist Church of Arling-ton. It took me 39 years to listen to God’s plan, but once I did, God worked quickly to put me in his service!

NEW GOALS

My life and goals have changed dramati-cally. I am back to mowing my own yard again and, after a 15 year break, I actually enjoy it. My priorities have changed as well. I now seek to share the story of God and Jesus Christ in a way that will transform lives for the better. I know firsthand this is possible; I live it.

I feel amazingly blessed to be at FUMC of Arlington with such talented people all around me—on staff and in this congrega-tion. The love shared at this church is pal-pable. This church has a heart for God and he has blessed it in return. Thank you for receiving my family and me with such warmth. We will strive to be a blessing to you in return.

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JUST AS A CHOIR IS MADE UP OF many voices, the Children’s Music Ministry’s strength is in the numerous

volunteers who support us. Their tireless efforts allow this ministry to offer a variety of exciting and enriching musical experi-ences throughout the year.

This summer, an incredibly talented and dedicated team of such volunteers helped make Music Week and the production of “We Are United” a rewarding experience.

As the curtain closed on Music Week, plans were already underway for the fall kick off of Children’s Choir, which will welcome some new faces. Among these are Cheryl Lewis, director of Agape Choir (4th–6th grades), Sue Mattlage, accompanist, and

Betsy Stephens, who will codirect Good News Kids (2nd–3rd grades) with Janie Johnson.

I wanted to help our congregation get to know these new faces. For the first of two articles, I interviewed Betsy Stephens and Cheryl Lewis.

What is your background with teaching music to children?

Betsy: I am fortunate to have been involved for 12 years with the Children’s Music Min-istry at FUMC of Arlington in various ca-pacities. In the past, this included leading 1st grade choir, hand bells, Terrific Tuesdays and Music Week. I have also led music and movement classes for AISD.

CHILDREN'S

MUSIC MINISTRY:ONE TEAM,MANY VOICES

Cindy SalterDirector, Children’s Music

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Cheryl: I have a bachelors degree in music education and earned a master of arts with a choral emphasis. Since then, I have worked with both adult and children’s choirs in schools, churches and children’s musical theatre.

Why is it important for children to learn music at a young age?

Betsy: Music in worship is a big part of nurturing a spiritual foundation. It connects you with your friends and helps continue church traditions. Cheryl: Research indicates that if we want children to stay interested, it pays to start them on music as soon as possible. We often tell children they are the church of tomor-row, but I want to let them know they are a vital part of the church today. They can be a part of the church’s ministry right now.

What will be your role in the Children’s Music Ministry this coming year?

Betsy: I will be helping with the Good News Kids, the 2nd–3rd grade choir. I plan to incorporate musical instruments into this program, to introduce this age group to another form of worship through music.

Cheryl: I am excited to get to work with the Agape Choir, which includes 4th–6th grades. I was lucky enough to work with this group during Music Week and they are one tal-ented and vibrant group! What’re your plans for teaching this year?

Betsy: I hope to share the joy of music, promote fellowship and encourage appre-ciation for Methodist hymns as a means of growing closer to Jesus and bringing glory to God.

Title Page: Music WeekThis Page (Clockwise) Music Week rehearsal, Betsy Stephens, Cheryl Lewis, Music Week group picture

continued on page 19

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L UIS MOVED TO CARROLLTON to live in a garage with 14 others. Though he is in 6th grade, he is far

behind in school because, often, no one takes an interest in his success, or failure, in school.

Luis copes, as many of us might, by with-drawing. This withdrawal, combined with poor school performance, caused him to be misdiagnosed as “special education.”

Last fall, Dave Parnell was matched to mentor Luis through Big Hope, a partner-ship between Big Brother Big Sister and

KIDS HOPE USA. Together, these organi-zations formed the Big Hope Network, a program designed to combine the best of both organizations into one, cohesive model specifically designed for the church.

MENTORING

Parnell spent an hour a week with Luis at school. For the first several weeks, they just tossed around a Frisbee or played games. When asked about his classes, Luis would say, “I’m doing good,” but ignore Parnell when asked any specifics.

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TOGETHER, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS AND KIDS HOPE USA HAVE

FORMED THE BIG HOPE NETWORK, A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO

COMBINE THE BEST OF BOTH ORGANIZATIONS INTO ONE, COHESIVE

MODEL SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE CHURCH.

When Parnell was told Luis’ grades were low in several classes, they started getting assignments to work on during their hour. In most cases, Luis had a good under-standing of the material, but needed to turn in assignments he had been unable to complete during class.

At the semester break, Luis transferred from special education to mainstream classes. This spring he became the initia-tor, asking to work on specific assignments or subjects. When other students ask who Parnell is, Luis just grins.

Michelle ClarkMission & Outreach Coordinator

By:

(R-L) Luis and Dave Parnell

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MAKING TIME

In Parnell’s late 20s, when he began con-sidering volunteering, he was not willing to compromise time with his young children to volunteer. He explained the need for mentors to his employer and asked for an extra hour at lunch once a week. His em-ployer embraced the idea, invited other employees to be mentors and his wife’s employer did the same. In most cases, there is a way to make it work.

As a mentor, you make a difference.

BIG HOPE AT FUMC OF ARLINGTON

Join us in welcom-ing Tolli Macalik as the Big Hope Direc-tor at First United Methodist Church of Arlington.

She will oversee re-cruitment, training, matching and su-pervision of church members in ongoing, one-on-one relation-

ships with at-risk children at a partnering elementary school.

Church members will be trained to use a weekly hour visit to build a relationship focused on the emotional and social needs that can seriously limit the ability of at-risk children to learn.

When asked why she is excited about the job, Tolli replied, “Big Hope lets the church encourage and praise children that fall through the cracks in schools and families with limited resources. In ministry, we are consistent faces that show God’s love.”

Tolli is married to Frank Macalik and they have joined our congregation from another church in Arlington. They have four children and two grandchildren.

IMPACT

Research shows that positive rela-tionships between “Littles” and their “Bigs” have a direct and measurable impact on children’s lives. By par-ticipating as a mentor, you help “Littles” be

• More confident at school• Able to Get along with family • 46% less likely to begin using

drugs • 27% less likely to begin using

alcohol • 52% less likely to skip school

WHAT IS AN HOUR WORTH?

One educator seems to think an hour is worth a lot.

“Given the choice between $100,000 for instructional material or the love of Big Hope mentors,” she says, “I would choose the love.”

One hour a week, every week, is the most important hour many of these kids have. One hour of one-on-one attention, just for them.

Tolli MacalikBig Hope Director, FUMC of Arlington

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I F YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH God, what would you talk about?

At first glance, this question seems simple. When I asked children, however, I realized how complex it really is. Children have such pure hearts and it is a blessing to witness that through their answers to such an open-ended question.

When I asked Jack Haugen, a kindergarten in our church, the first topic of conversation to come to his mind was Lego. This made me realized how, when you’re five years old, you see God more like one of your friends, rather than the Creator.

Second graders gave more complex answers, expressing the desire to talk about feelings and stories in the Bible. They said things like, “I would want to know how he helps us” or “I want to know more about Jesus.” These answers began to show how much this question really entails. It can be taken so many different ways and elicit an array of answers.

Fourth Grader Jenni Sparkman said she would thank God; a very humble, yet

awesome response. She also said she would want to talk about “how he saves us from evil and darkness.”

Fourth grader Cale Lancaster responded with, “I would ask him ‘How did [you] make up all the rules?’ I would also ask him, ‘Why is it easier to be bad than good?’” His second question is one I know is asked by people of all ages.

Fifth grader Elijah Werchan asked the much pondered question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” His question is one even theologians have a difficult time answering. Morgan Lewis, also in the fifth grade, brings up a new point in saying, “If you ‘God’—are God of Gods and King of Kings—how did you get there?” I was as-tonished with her intellectual view and really love how the children of our church re-sponded to such a loaded question.

This variety of responses put the idea of meeting God into perspective. It makes me wonder—what would you talk about if you could have dinner with God?

Dinner With God

CJ RiceAssistant Director,Children’s Ministries

By:

Upcoming Studies and Small Groups

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A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study*9/5 (Wed.)| 10 am & 6 pm | Rm 100 Five-week study exploring leaning on the holy spirit, bible study tools, etc. Facilitated by Michelle Clark. Book available in the church office for $11.

Immersion Bible Study: Genesis* 9/5 (Wed.) | 10 am & 6:30 pm | Rm 151This eight-week study, led by Rev. Lan-caster, will focus on the book of Genesis. Study Book available in the church office for $6.

Crossroads 9/6 (Thurs.) | 10 am | Rm 261 Meets every other Thursday. This seven-week study will look at the story of Jonah through a Priscilla Shirer study.

The Community* 9/6 (Thurs.) | 6 pm | Rm 154 Beginning the study “Christianity’s Family Tree,” by Adam Hamilton. No books or reading required, nursery is provided.

God and Church* (6th–8th Grades) 9/ 9 (Sun.) | 2–4 pm | Rm 222 A faith journey with three parts: meeting Jesus, worshiping God and witnessing and ministering for Christ. Cost is $20.

God and Life* (9th–12th Grades) 9/9 (Sun.) | 2–4 pm | Rm 223 Will focus on the life of the Apostle Paul as recorded in Acts 9:1-31. A brief account describing how Paul encountered Christ and was changed forever. Cost is $20.

God and Me* (1st–3rd Grades)Sept. 9 (Sun.) | 2–4 pm |Rm 210 Designed to help children become best friends with Jesus and tell their story of “God and Me.” Children will be challenged to be good shepherds to others. Cost is $20.

God and Family* (4th–5th Grades)9/9 (Sun.) | 2–4 pm | Rm 208 Designed to help youth understand the importance of family and God’s role in a healthy family. Cost is $20.

Disciple II*9/9 (Sun.) | 4:30 pm | DLCThis 32-week study explores portions of scripture in the Old and New Testaments. Book is $35. Facilitated by Larry Thomas.

Questers*9/9 (Sun.) | 6 pm | Rm 203Will study “The Challenge of Jesus,” a video series by John Dominic Crossan on the second Sunday of each month.

Financial Peace University*9/11 (Tues.) | 6:30 pm | Rm 261 Takes the knowledge from God and turns it into action through a step-by-step process taught by Dave Ramsey via DVD. Facilitated by Bruny Santiago Casablanca.

Chancel Choir Ice Cream Social 9/12 (Wed.) | 7 pm | Choir RoomRehearsal followed by ice cream for new and returning choir members. Come enjoy music and fellowship!

CHILDREN’S MUSICcontinued from page 13

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*Register online arlingtonmethodist.org

Thursdays in the Round* 9/13 (Thurs.) | 6:30 pm | Rm 100 Beginning the study of Disciple II. This is for anyone who has completed Disciple I or other in-depth Bible study.

A Disciples Path* 9/13 (Thurs.) | 6:30 pm | Rm 155 Engages participants in the Wesleyan un-derstanding of our growth in God’s love and grace with the time-tested practices of spiri-tual discipline.

Women’s Mini Retreat & Luncheon*9/15 (Sat.) | 10 am–2 pm | Rm 155The women of our church are invited to take a few hours to refresh their spirits. The retreat leader is Celia Whitler. Cost is $15.

Dr. Mosser’s Lectionary Bible Study9/18 (Tues.) |6 pm | Banquet Room Each week’s study focuses on the current lectionary scriptures. The study runs through the school year.

Special thanks and deepest appreciation to the following for their help during Music Week and “We Are United.”

Cheryl Lewis, Sue Mattlage, Janie Johnson, Martha Brown, CJ Rice, Amy Haugen, Aimee Cooley, Nicki Rice, Megan Hale Leslie Valentincic, Teresa Menard, Shirley Weber, Pat Bullard, Mary Jo Linscott, Shaela Gray, Layne Rice, Michael Willman, and numerous youth volunteers, including Ian and Nathaniel Loper, on stage crew the

night of the show. The musicians who performed arrangements by Gene Patrick included Arthur Busby, Bruce Hamberlin, Rachel Militzer, Tanner Linscott, Carson Salter, Sammie Salter, Emma Walsh and yours truly. Todd Hart and Sammie Salter created the choreography.

Children’s choir is a great way to learn about Christian community, worship and how we can actively participate in honoring God by dedicating our talents to him.

Cheryl: I want the kids to have a total music experience, including choral music, instruments, movement and traditional music. Our first hymn study will be [hymn #145] “Morning Has Broken.” I have already found a great 12-string guitarist to accom-pany us!

Registration for Children’s Choir is open to all children entering grades K-6th. For more information, contact Cindy Salter, Chil-dren’s Music Director, at csalter@arlingtonmethodist.org.

313 N Center Arlington, TX 76011P: 817.274.2571 | F: 817.459.0579arlingtonmethodist.org

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PAIDPermit No. 171Arlington, TX

The 2013 Stewardship Campaign begins September 1!

Help us continue to do good works by pledging as you are able. Pledge cards are availble in the church office.

Loyalty Sunday, September 30