A monthly publication of the First United Methodist Church

The Voice Rev. Dr. Brian Bosworth, Pastor

Rev. Zack Landis, Associate Pastor

(940) 627-3362; info@decaturmethodist.org

Do you ever experience a small bit of pride when you are able to respond quickly to a question? I usually do.

But the other day when I responded quickly to a question, I realized in the aftermath of the response that I had

approached the question and given a response from a business perspective. This doesn’t seem like much of a

problem, especially since the question was about a business matter at the church and my undergraduate training

is in the management of business. So maybe by this point you are wondering what is my issue with this.

The issue with my response was that I failed to start with my faith before I went business. Please don’t

misunderstand what my point is. Both practices are compatible with each other and often times the process of discerning

business issues can lead to the same conclusion and action. But as a Christian, whose life is being transformed by God’s grace,

my view on life and the world and its issues should be seen through the lens of faith before the lens of business or any other

worldly lens.

In the issue I am reflecting upon, my old habit of being decisive as well as previous experiences seemed to be the lenses

I used to answer the question instead of considering my faith in God first. Again, there is nothing wrong with being decisive or

using previous experiences, that is, when those things are informed first by faith instead of them being allowed to be the

beginning or primary lens. The Biblical narrative is filled with stories of faith and their importance. Here are but a few of the

many that I encourage you to read: Habakkuk 2: 4; Mark 9: 23-24; and Romans 14: 23.

In addition to personal reading of Scripture, we have the need to be connected to the body of Christ in additional ways

such as regular participation in worship and small groups, prayer, meditation, fasting or abstinence, and being present at the

Lord’s Table. These means of grace help us experience the grace of God in transformative ways, but also keep our faith at the

forefront of our way of life as Christians. To be absent or to neglect these things separates us from God, who designed us to be

connected to God and one another. While that condition is known as sin, it is also a life filled with missed opportunities to

experience all that God has for us. To say and/or think “I believe” and then to live life and fail to act accordingly is a poor

investment strategy and bad for us as a stakeholder in the kingdom.

I encourage us to believe, think, and act as people of faith. God’s grace makes it all possible. Faithful living takes

repetitiveness, discipline, and commitment. God’s grace abounds. Receive it and experience a changing life as we change the

world around us.

See You in Worship!

Brian

Issue 7 of 12

July 1, 2016

Youth: Laura Landis Children: Ashley Craven

Administrator: Bonnie Wohlleben Secretary: Raymona Kirkpatrick

Healthy Church Initiative Update The Visioning Team met for the first time on Sunday June 26th and created a proposed Vision Statement for the Adminis-trative Board to consider at its July 24th meeting. If the Ad Board adopts the statement, thus making it the official Vision Statement of the church, then the other HCI Teams will be called together to meet and will use the Vision Statement to guide them in the respective work that each team has been charged with undertaking. Official Mission Statement: “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Proposed Vision Statement:

“We are a people of love and hope who faithfully participate in a way of life that includes learning,

growing, giving, and serving God.”

Vespers Sunday, July 3

6:00 p.m., FUMC Alvord

Office Closed Monday, July 4

Vespers Sunday, July 10

6:00 p.m., FUMC Boyd

Children’s Summer Camp July 11 - July 15

Bridgeport Camp & Conference Center

Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday, July 13

6:00 p.m., Character Builders Room

Vespers Sunday, July 17

6:00 p.m., FUMC Bridgeport

Youth Mission Trip July 17 - July 23 New Orleans, LA

Trustees Meeting Tuesday, July 19

6:30 p.m., Character Builders Room

Staff Meeting Thursday, July 21

12:00 p.m., Character Builders Room

Methodist Men’s Breakfast Saturday, July 23

7:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Administrative Board Meeting Sunday, July 24

12:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Vespers Sunday, July 24

6:00 p.m., FUMC Paradise

Council on Ministries Tuesday, July 26

6:00 p.m., Character Builders Room

Combined Worship Service Sunday, July 31

10:00 a.m., Sanctuary

CHURCH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Family of Charlotte Landis, Sue Heaberlin, Noah Smith, Family of Lamont Cunningham, Dave Eaton, Suzanne Hencken,

Mary Lambert, Don Woller, Nancy Woller Kircheville, Norma Wiley, Rick Quiring, Evie Kemp,

Family of Arthur Waggoner, Family of Garland Jenkins

In the Military: Charlie Fortenberry, Michael Jordan, Jake Logue, Garrett Muelstein, Josh Murphy,

Matthew Roberson, Kolin Rottner, Joshua VanNoy and Matthew Broker

1 - Helen Porter 2 - Hilda Jordan, Jim Mobley, Johnnie Pettigrew 3 - Carrie Oberle 4 - Liz Dudley, Jim Henderson, C.B. Hoyl, Montana Strempke 5 - Joe Lambert, Stephanie Micinski, Brad Roberson 6 - Amberly Johnson, Matthew Leaton, Cameron Potts, Stacey Sandford 7 - Lillie Hunt, Brent Williams 8 - Laura Highlander 9 - Mason Edwards, Hannah Milliman 10 - Tobi Cullop, Melrose Short 11 - Charlotte Boland, Bobby Terrell 12 - Susan Anderson, Anna Hooe, Wanda Stone 13 - Lindsey Bond, Michelle Buckley, Evie Kemp, Tori Shrull 15 - Holt Garner, Sean Irish, David Lunday, Daniel Smyers, Michael Smyers 17 - Jonna Pigg 18 - Fred Jones 19 - Kristi Lunday, Mason Smith, Mary Elsie Watson 20 - Hailey Dorsett, Mark Goss, Norma Miller 21 - Pam Shrull 23 - Russell Edwards 24 - Jim Hodges, Stevie Martin, Jamie Williams 25 - Sara Swanson, Zoe Woodruff 26 - Susan Roberson 27 - Carolyn Bastian, Buster Chandler, Alex Pierce, Michael Pierce, Terry Velten 28 - Kalyb Beaver, Tyler Doyle, Kenneth Hunt, Katy Kemp, Dan Stack 29 - Penny Holt, Sally Rieger 31 - Noah Holt

July

Birthdays

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

July 3rd 8:30 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Barbara Haley Communion Servers: Virginia Caraway & Marguarette Roberts

Acolyte: Eleanor & Ben Bond 10:50 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Murvelle Chandler Communion: Austin & Valleri Sewell

Acolyte: Kathryn Highlander & Kennedy Hafer Counters: Jack Tucker & Gary Cocanougher

July 10th 8:30 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Virginia Caraway Communion Servers: Sharon Meyer & Thomas Laird

Acolyte: Noah Holt 10:50 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Valleri Sewell Acolytes: Nolan & Shelby Sewell

Counters: Gary Cocanougher & Barbara Swan

July 17th 8:30 Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Youth Communion Servers: Youth

Acolyte: Audree Knox 10: 50 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Youth Acolyte: Wiley Stone & Emma McAlister

Counters: Jim Henderson

July 24th 8:30 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Rita Tucker Communion Servers: Asa Johnson & Ronnie Walker

Acolyte: Eleanor & Ben Bond 10: 50 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Fred Renfro Acolytes: Julie Stone & Parker Deaton

Counters: Foster Walker & Dwight Reeves

July 31st 10:00 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Julie Quiring Communion Servers: Jack & Sharon Smith

Acolyte: Zoey & Lane Craven Counters:

July Communion Set Up: Life Builders

All MEN INVITED

We invite all men in our church (feel free to bring a guest) to meet in the Fellowship Hall on the fourth Sat-urday of every month at 7:30am for a time of fellowship and share a great hot breakfast prepared fresh by sever-al of the guys in the group. Our next meeting will be July 23th.

Donations for WARM Peanut Butter & Jelly

Sunday Refreshments Seekers

Sunday Morning Greeters Cross & Flame

Visitor Follow-Up Mardell Schaible

Care Corp Wanda Stone - Notifier

Shirley Peterson, Virginia Renfro, Sandra Little, Murvelle Chandler, Sharon Walker

Budget Preparation for 2017

If your area of ministry has a budget or you would like

to request money for your ministry area in the 2017

Church Budget, you are encouraged to begin those

budget related discussions and preparations now.

Our Charge Conference is scheduled for October 16

this year (approximately 6 weeks earlier than we are

accustomed to).

The Finance Committee will be gathering requests and

preparing budget numbers this summer so that we will

be prepared for the October meeting.

Check Out the Czech News

We had a great meeting on

June 8th!

First of all, we would like to say THANK YOU for all the

support at our fundraiser. We reached our goal!

Second, we have a team of five who will travel to Prague

on August 11th. Those members are Austin Sewell, Nolan

Sewell, Sharon Myers, Barbara Haley, and Pastor Brian

Bosworth.

The team is going to participate in a camp with the mem-

bers of our sister church. The team will also have the op-

portunity to learn about the various ministries our sister

church offers to its members and the public.

The committee is excited to work on ways in which the

entire congregation can participate in communication

with our sister church through social media and other

technology.

Finally, we ask for prayers for our mission team for safe

travels and God’s guidance as we continue to develop our

relationship with our sister church and the wonderful peo-

ple of the Czech Republic.

A personal observation of Annual Conference

Annual conference is a unique and personal experience for eve-

ry person that attends and this year was no exception. The key-

note speakers brought spiritual and inspirational messages fol-

lowing the theme of “Witness”. One in particular told of the

growth of Resurrection Downtown located in the heart of

downtown Kansas City, Missouri and it was very inspiring and I

thought, can we do this? Then I thought, with prayers, commit-

ment and effort, yes we can!

At one point I was wondering why I was there. Was I the right

person to be your lay member to Annual Conference? What

could I possibly offer you, the members of First Decatur? The

answer is my heart, my hands, and my mind to do whatever I

can with what gifts and graces I have been given.

One more item. Please pray for our Bishops and the Methodist

churches during this difficult time in the life of the church.

There are decisions that have to be made that may not please

everyone but we must remember that we are one body in Jesus

Christ.

I will continue to answer when called to do whatever I can in

the life of the church.

Virginia Caraway

One Worship Service at 10 am on July 31

We have had so many positive comments about the Service of Unity in May where we had one

worship service that we are planning another for July. We will not be commissioning the HCI

Teams like we did in May at the Unity Service, but we will have a great time and include lots of

singing as we worship at 10 am on July 31st.

While this is a “5th Sunday,” we have had some comments about the possibility of have only one

worship service on a more regular basis, perhaps monthly for instance, so that we are more

regular at being together at one time.

Like in May, the morning schedule for July 31st is:

8:30 a.m. Fellowship

9:00 a.m. Sunday School

10:00 a.m. Worship

Upcoming Events

Sunday, July 3

Vespers Service at FUMC Alvord

Wednesday, July 6

No Youth

Sunday, July 10

Lunch Meeting with all Mission Trip

Participants

Sunday, July 10

Vespers Service at FUMC Boyd

Wednesday, July 13

UMYF—Wesley Center @ 5:30 - 7:30

Swim and Scripture

Sunday, July 17

Vespers at FUMC Bridgeport

Sunday, July 17 - Saturday , July 23

Mission Trip to New Orleans

Sunday, July 24

Vespers at Paradise

Wednesday, July 27

No Youth

Sunday, July 31

Youth Trip to Water Park

after late service

Let’s Support

Hannah Walden!

Every year, hundreds of college age young adults commit a summer or

year of their lives to serve and build relationships with children and youth from low-income communities, live in intentional community, and explore a call to ministry and service. Through the power of relationships and by leveraging a unique collaboration with local churches and community partners, Project Transformation (PT) equips young adults for leadership in the church and the world, empowers children to achieve their God-given potential, and supports churches in being in ministry with their neighbors. Our own Hannah Walden is working very hard this summer and having some goofy moments as the picture below shows. Here are ways you can support this wonderful ministry.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Read One-on-one

with Children

Take Dinner to PT

Corps Members

Donate Supplies

Family Fun Nights

Monetary donations are accepted. You may write your check out

to the FUMC Decatur with Project Transformation in the memo.

In New Orleans and

throughout the outlying

areas, families continue to

rebuild their lives in a city

that still bears the scars of Hurricane Katrina and the destruction it left behind.

As the recovery process ends, the process of reestablishing communities contin-

ues. Our group will join others from around the country by completing home

repair projects such as basic repairs, painting, drywall, roofing and building

wheelchair ramps. Youth will also have the opportunity to serve alongside area

ministries to help reach out through Christian service to an area still in need.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel to New Orleans. FUMC

Boyd’s youth group is joining us on this mission. We are thrilled to be able to

serve the people of New Orleans. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Youth painting a cabin at

the camp in Bridgeport.

They worked hard!

HERE’S WHAT’S POPPIN….in the Children’s Ministry!

This month the Children’s Ministry will be focusing on

the Fruit of the Spirt.

The Fruits of the Spirit are...

love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

Children’s Movie Night (Pre-K - 5th Grade)

Friday July 22 5:30 - 8:00 pm

In the Wesley Center

Movie of the night: “Zootopia!”

We will provide pizza, popcorn and drinks.

Please RSVP to acraven@decaturmethodist.org if your children will be in attendance so we can

be sure to have a count for food.

Hardcore Helpers are now ac-cepting donations of dry dog or cat food for our local ani-mal shelter. Our goal ...25 bags! You can drop off your donation to the church office Monday - Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm, or Sundays before the service. We will deliver all of the donations on August 20th.

No donation is too big or small.

Beating the Baptists to Lunch

Over the past month or so, we have been looking over the HCI Report and the Mystery

Guest Worshipper Report in order to plan the next few steps for our church. Yesterday,

our Visioning Team held a Visioning workshop to begin the process of crafting a new Vision Statement that will

guide us along as we go through our other HCI Prescriptions.

One of the things that stuck with me in the Mystery Guest Worshipper Report came from the section about the post-

service atmosphere. As a part of their evaluation, they were asked to stay in the sanctuary for 10 to 15 minutes to see

if anyone would talk to them after the service. Our score for the post-service atmosphere was a 5.25 out of 10, which

was our lowest score. The comments from some of the mystery worshipers basically said no one talked to them and

that everyone rushed out.

In the United Methodist Church, we call this phenomena the “Beating the Baptists to Lunch” phenomena. It is a very

common thing in most United Methodist Churches. Of the 16 or so churches that I have been a part of, this phenome-

na was present in most of them. Growing up as a “Pastor’s Kid” meant that we were usually the last ones to leave, but

it also afforded me the opportunity to see this phenomena on many occasions. On most Sundays growing up, we

would stick around after church, and it was always surprising how fast the church could clear out. It is surprising how

a church can be full of people and energy and then less than 10 minutes latter be completely empty.

But what do you think would happen if more of us stuck around rather than rushing off to “Beat the Baptists to

Lunch?” We do make an intentional effort for hospitality before and during the service, but maybe we also need to

pay some attention to our post-service hospitality too. A guest might be looking to make a connection or to ask some-

one a question after the service, but what if that guest suddenly finds themselves in the sanctuary alone?

In the coming months, the Hospitality Team will be working on several things, including strategies for improving our

pre, during, and post service hospitality. It is my hope that everyone will join with the Hospitality Team in making

our church a very hospitable church.

In Christ’s Service,

Zack

Donations for the elderly

The Open Doors class is taking donations to assemble care packages for residents in long-term care facilities in this area. The goal is to provide personal necessities to those who do not have the funds or access to pur-chase the products for themselves. A fun item (a game, coloring book, activity book, etc.) will also be included in each package.

The next time you are at the store please consider picking up some of these items for donation: 2 in 1 shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental cleanser tablets, comb, deodorant, body wash, body lotion, hand sanitizer, perfume and/or cologne, shower caps, facial tissues, lip balm, socks, lap blanket, journal, pen, crossword puzzle and/or find a word activity book, puzzles, coloring book, coloring pencils, games.

Please place your donation items in one of the bins located on each floor. After assembling the care packages, the Open Doors class, along with their children, will personally deliver them to residents in need.

Thank you for being a blessing and showing these residents they are not forgotten! Submitted by, Cari Whittenburg

Your North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church is alive and well. Can I get a “witness”? “Witness” was the 2016 confer-ence theme and witness blessings were everywhere, from the spiritual music leadership of Rev. Dr. Cynthia A. Wilson, to informative workshops (toolboxes) that helped members address the dwindling church-going population to recognition of those among us that wit-ness God’s love every day.

The UMC annual conference, this year held at the beautiful St. Andrew UMC Church in Plano, rejoiced in celebrations of life, retirements, commissionings, ordinations, and awards. We witnessed inspiring presentations of leadership development, creative new places for new people, exciting new pathways for engagement in ministry with the underserved & unheard, and new opportunities for the unique pow-er of our United Methodist connection to be a transformational witness in the world.

For the 24th year in a row, our Northwest district was recognized and applauded for our faithful 100 % contribution to apportionments, which have a local and global impact. If you’ve ever wondered how those dollars connect the Kingdom, these are just a few of the im-pactful programs to which you contribute:

The Center of Leadership Development, Summer Internship in Ministry, Lydia Patterson Institute, Methodist Health System Foundation, Providence Place, The Zip Code Connection, CC Young, Center for New Church Starts and Congregational Transformation, Project Trans-formation (which this year will benefit from our own Hannah Walden), Center for Missional Outreach and the list goes on.

Several deserving fellow North Texas United Methodists received various awards, but the award that warmed our hearts and brought tears to our eyes was this year’s recipient of the William B. Oden Award, Dr. Jonathan Palant, Minister of Music at Kessler Park UMC. He is founder & conductor of both CREDO, an ecumenical mixed choir, and the Dallas Street Choir, a musical outlet for those experiencing homelessness and severe disadvantage. To date, the Dallas Street Choir, established in October 2014, has had over 800 individuals attend at least one of their weekly rehearsals. They have performed at the Dallas City Performance Center, Winspear Opera House, George W. Bush Presidential Library and are scheduled in perform at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Palant’s comment was that these people often feel that they don’t have a voice……….and now he has given them one through song. Road trip anyone?

Thank you for the honor of attending as your laity delegates. We encourage each one of you to a spiritual feast by attending one of the worship ceremonies of your North Texas Annual Conference. You will be blessed.

Cheryl Renfro Trumanell Maples Virginia Renfro

Where Are They?

Preparatory work is underway regarding the members of the church who have not been seen

recently in the ministries and activities of the church. Three parables that Jesus told (the lost

sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son) all deal with a desire to find that which has been lost. As the

lost are found/returned, great rejoicing occurs. There are many who will need to be encour-

aged. If you would like to help with this work of searching/reaching out to the missing and

encouraging their return to the life of the church, please contact the Church Office.

2016 Gifts in Action! During the period January – June this year our church has been able to provide support and/or assistance for the following mission needs within our local community and around the world:

North Texas Conference: $51,327.60 through our apportionments in support of our Annual Conference administration, United Meth-odist missions worldwide and leadership/educational development for the greater United Methodist Church.

Sunshine Ministry: $6,940 to provide direct assistance to 138 individuals and households from our Sunshine Fund.

Area Relief Mission: $6,000 of direct general support through our budgeted monthly commitment to that organization.

Stracnice UMC, Czech Republic: $4,000 from our Church Chest giving in support of our long-standing annual commitment to that con-gregation.

Scholarships: $2,000 from our Scholarship Fund in support of 2 college students.

Decatur Cares: $1,000 from our Children’s Assistance Fund in direct support of this important community summer feeding program for Decatur school children.

Bridgeport Camp: $825 to help 3 local children attend church camp this summer.

UMCOR: $482 from our One Great Hour of Sharing offering.

Wise Hope Shelter & Crisis Center: $389 from our Vespers Service offering in support of their mission to help local victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

NTC Project Transformation: $500 from our Church Chest and MYF Funds.

NTC Methodist Home-Waco: $500 from our Church Chest.

NTC Whispers of Hope Ministry: $250 from our Church Chest.

Boy Scouts Longhorn Council: $250 from our Church Chest.

Wise County Hospital Chaplain Corps: $248 from our Church Chest.

Decatur Cub Scout Pack 115: $300 from our General Fund Program Budget.

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of our wonderful vol-unteers for their hard work and dedication. VBS was a fun filled week and was a huge success with over 50 children in attendance! We learned how to follow Jesus, “our light of the world!” Thank you volunteers for making this week so memorable for all the kiddos! ~Ashley Craven

Children’s Department enjoying a visit

to Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

July 9th

Adults needed who can pitch softball underhand, help return balls, and people to help in the scoring.

Contact Thomas Kemp (940)393-2254

Competition proceeds benefit the FUMC Scholarship Fund.

GIFT AND ATTENDANCE UPDATE

Gifts to General Operation Fund: June - $44,368.53 YTD - $283,469.53

Monthly Budget Needed - $62,521.33

Attendance:

June Worship Services - 822 YTD - 5976

June Sunday School - 487 YTD S.S. - 3204

Second Service Summer Choir

Schedule

July 3 - Cross & Flame

July 10 - Life Builders

July 17 - Open Doors & Upper Room

July 24 - Unnamed & Seekers

July 31 - Character Builders & Men’s Class

Youth having a great time at a Frisco Rough Riders game!

Dress Comfortably for Summer!

While we do not have a dress code, we know some

are reluctant to dress more comfortably during

the hottest part of the year without permission.

So here is an invitation for anyone who may be a

little reluctant to do so on their own: DRESS

COMFORTABLY in July and August! It is ok to

leave your dress clothes in the closet. Come and

be comfortable as we “dress down” for the rest of

the summer!

Wise County

Summer Vespers

2016 Schedule July 3

Host Church: FUMC Alvord

Preaching: Shelley McNew from Oak Grove UMC

July 10

Host Church: FUMC Boyd

Preaching: Brian Bosworth from FUMC Decatur

July 17

Host Church: FUMC Bridgeport

Preaching: Mike Miller from Morris Memorial UMC in

Chico

July 24

Host Church: FUMC Paradise

Preaching: Sam Caldwell from FUMC Bridgeport

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Our Mission Statement:

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