november 2014 the informer - clover sitesstorage.cloversites.com... · the j.u.g. contributions for...
TRANSCRIPT
I don’t know what preacher or author first coined the term “Thanks-Living” as a catchy title for a sermon or a devotional. I’ve used it myself several times. Preachers like to use plays on words – I guess because we hope that it might make memorable an otherwise forgettable message. I like the idea of celebrating what some call the “most American holiday” (not the Fourth of July because most countries celebrate their independence), Thanksgiving, not only by expressing our gratitude to God in a prayer or a card, but also by finding creative ways to share our blessings with others. Here are some ideas I ran across for ways to not just “give thanks” but to “live thanks:” Write a family Thanksgiving poem or prayer together. Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory around the dinner table. Invite someone to Thanksgiving dinner who would otherwise celebrate the holiday alone. Make a Thanksgiving offering to help a needy family or a favorite charity. Visit someone in the hospital or nursing home who won’t be home for Thanksgiving. These are just a few ideas. I’m sure you can think of others. Another way to live our thanks is to pray for others. On Sunday, November 23, there will be an ecumenical prayer gathering at 4:00 p.m. on the east side of the Cooke County Courthouse square. The whole community is invited to come and share in prayer, led by local pastors and church leaders, for our community, our nation, and the world. I will be there and I hope you will join me. We are so blessed. May we be a blessing to others. Grace and peace,
“Living Our Thanksgiving”
First United Methodist Church of Gainesville November 2014
Prayer Requests 2
Missions and Ministry
2
Children’s 3
Music Ministries 4
Student and Family Ministries
5
Church News 6
Church News
7
Inside this issue:
Rev. Don Yeager, Pastor
Worship Services
8:30 and 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School 9:45
Rev. Don Yeager Pastor
Office closed November
27 & 28
The Informer
November 2014 Worship
Prayer of healing: Bobbie Sanford, Jerry Loseke, Bob Brown, Nancy Noah, & David Estes.
Sympathy to: Connie Hoberer for the death of her father, Guy Rosson; the family of John Bennett; the family of Malissa Manley.
Prayers of continuing support for: John Pierpont, Marvin Hogan, Karla Denny, Lynn Yoder, William Mote, Pat Peale, Matthew Mlcak, the NCTC Community, Allen Pierce, Marcos Rodriguez, Eisley Henderson, Gretchen Yeager, Pal Hildebrand, James Lane, Betty Bennett, Nancy Williams, Shirley Skaggs, Harold “Bud” Sutton, Jerry McWilliams, Gloria Pierpont, Lundy Hooten, Fred Scott, Sara Billie Tyler, Walter Boeko Jr., Kelly Dill, Becky Haines, Evalyn Jones, William Cowdrey, Madison Clark, Roumaine Mecca.
Military Personnel:
Alisa Davis, Jerry Horn, Bradlee Brackeen, Stephen Ruzicka, Jason Brown, Craig Fiske,Josh McMullin, Jacob Freeman, Kelsea Stafford Louisiana, John Enderby, James Embrey, Tim Deater, Aaron Krewson.
We Hold in Our Prayers...
Please update the church monthly
Page 2 Miss ions and Min istry
Nov. 2 Sermon: “Before the Throne” (Rev. 7:9-17) All Saints Sunday – Holy Communion
Nov. 9 Sermon: “Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good” (1 Thess. 4:13-18) Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Nov. 16 Sermon: “Doing a Lot with a Little” (Matt. 25:14-30) 8:30 a.m. – Preview of “Refreshed” Worship
Nov. 23 Sermon: “Words Can’t Describe” (2 Cor. 9:6-15) Thanksgiving Sunday
Nov. 30 ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SERIES: “THE MIRACLE OF THE MANGER” Sermon: “The Angel” First Sunday of Advent: “Hanging of the Greens” in both services
Nov. 3 5:30 pm Finance Committee Nov. 4 6:00 pm Staff-Parish Relations Committee Nov. 10 5:30 pm Worship Team Nov. 16 3:00 pm Charge Conference Nov. 24 5:30 pm Trustees meeting
Church Meetings in November
The November Communion Offering is designated for our First UMC local benevolence fund. Each month we have a number of people coming to the church who need assistance with gas, lodging, medicine, utilities, bus tickets, etc. We try to help those who do not receive help from other agencies. Your gifts will allow us to keep sharing God’s love. Communion Sunday is Nov. 2.
November Communion Offering
2014 BUDGET Thru October 23
Total Budget Receipts: $ 464,861.34
Total Budget Expenses: $ 579,726.81
Difference: $-114,865.47
Children’s Director Message With November being the month most noted for giving thanks, I would like to thank all those who volunteer in helping with Children’s Ministries. There are many individuals that donate time each week teaching, mentoring, guiding, and shepherding the children of our church. We have volunteers that help decorate for programs inviting the community. There are donations that help us feed the children, and volunteers that buy and cook the food. Helpers that drive them from school to COW, and even youth and college Interns. It is through the generosity of our congregation that we are able to provide outreach programs that bring Christ’s love to our community. For all that is provided, I am so grateful. Thank you.
Check out our new website at: www.firstumcgainesvilletx.com I have a new e-mail address: [email protected]
Our Birthday Kids
11/8 Wm. Hudson Brown 11/14 Ryleigh Steed 11/18 Kenlea Reaves 11/19 Kaitlyn Bloom 11/20 Katy Zimmerer 11/22 Thomas Sluder 11/26 Max Mercer
Page 3 Chi ldren’s Min istry
C.O.W. & Special Event Dates:
The J.U.G.
contributions for October will be used
for UNICEF. Contributions were
$26.66.
C.O.W. & Special Event Dates: Mark these calendar dates for Fall: 11/26 NO COW – Thanksgiving Holiday 12/6 Festival of Christmas Music (FOCM) Rehearsal 10 a.m. to Noon 12/7 FOCM performance call time: 5:30 p.m. 12/12 Parent’s Night Out 12/21 Happy Birthday Jesus Party- Fellowship Center 9:45-10:30a.m. 12/24 NO COW – Children’s Christmas Pageant call time: 4:20 p.m.
Page 4 Music Min istry
Music & Worship Ministries
Music & Worship Arts Calendar
“Refreshed Sneak Peek” Service Sunday, November 16—8:30 a.m. favorite hymns...praise songs...blended styles...inspiring message...piano...acoustic guitar... familiar, yet refreshed! Come get a taste of our upcoming Refreshed 8:30 Worship that’ll start in January!
Our 6th Annual Festival of Christmas Music will be Sunday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m.! Make sure to mark your calendars and join us for a fabulous evening of Advent & Christmas celebrations with choirs of all ages!
Do you have friends or teachers who are fabulous piano players? Marilyn Thompson is generously filling in as our Interim Accompanist at 8:30 through Christmas, and we’re beginning the search for a permanent replacement to start in January. If you know of anyone, have them send a résumé to Rebecca at [email protected] or drop it by the church. Thanks!
8:30 Accompanist Needed
Sunday, 11/9 – COW (Sonshine & Disciple) sings – meet at 10:10 Sunday, 11/16 – “Refreshed Sneak Peek” Service (8:30 only) Sunday, 11/23 – Youth Love of Worship play bells at BOTH services-meet at 8:00 a.m. Sunday, 11/30 – First Sunday of Advent/Hanging of the Greens Worship
Rebecca will be out of town Monday, 11/24-Friday, 11/28 visiting family. If you need to reach her during that time, you can email her ([email protected]) or call the office and Jean will give you her cell number.
Thanksgiving Week
UMY will meet on November 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd at the regular times with high school arriving at 4 p.m. and middle school arriving at 5 p.m. On November 16th, We will be going to shop at Second Time Around for an outfit and we will have a very
stylish fashion show. Please bring a few extra dollars to cover the cost our new outfits. Please remember to bring $3 to help cover meal costs on Sundays. Youth from our Love of Worship group will help in worship on November 23rd. We will not meet on November 26th. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Contact Bill Mauldin at
www.firstumcgainesvilletx.com.
Student & Family Director Message
Page 5 Student and Fami ly Min istr ies
Our Nursery workers can now be identified by blue smocks. We have had many children in our nursery this past year and for their safety we are asking that only Nursery workers are allowed inside the door unless your child is being dropped off or picked up. A Room for Nursing Mothers is now available. We are using the Brides Room to double as a quiet space for nursing babies complete with a rocking chair for your convenience. The Brides Room is located next to the bathrooms in the hallway behind the front office.
Nursery News:
All-Church Retreat
Please mark your calendars for another all-church retreat in 2015 on Friday and Saturday February 20-21, and make plans to attend. If you would like to help us plan, organize, or lead this wonderful time together please speak with Greta, Rebecca, or Bill. We will leave Friday night and have time for fun and fellowship. Saturday we will have Low Ropes Course obstacles and other options for kids and adults. We will worship together and then head home. More information to come but make plans to join us this year!
Pictures from Retreat 2014.
Page 6 Church News
Thank you for your donation. Your kindness to the poor is remembered in heaven and celebrated here on earth. M. Bauldin, Exec. Director VISTO
Thank You
Thank You so much for your generous donation to the Texoma Red Cross. We appreciate your support in our efforts to help families in our communities. Thank You, Jim Durbin Texoma Red Cross
Thank you so much for your gift. You generosity will allow us to continue to recruit and train solid, caring individuals to advocate for children during a very scary, unstable time in their lives. Vicki Robertson Exec. Dr., CASA
Charge Conference will be a little different this year. Our District Superintendent, Dr. Marvin Guier, will be on hand to preside at the charge conference. This year, our church is hosting Charge Conference in a group format. It will be held on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 16, at 3:00 p.m. in our Fellowship Center. We will join with Whaley, Mission/Sivell’s Bend, Whitesboro, Valley View, Era/Rosston, Callisburg, and Sadler. In addition to acting on required reports in a consent fashion, each church/charge will report briefly on: 1) how the church responded to Bishop McKee’s invitation to fast for one meal during Lent and donate the money saved to hunger relief; and/or one way the church made an impact on the community in the past year; and 2) a summary vision statement for the church’s mission and ministry in 2015. ALL members of our Administrative Council are urged to attend. We want to have a great showing as the host church.
Charge Conference on November 16
Your memorial gift to Meals on Wheels of Texoma in memory of our dad is greatly appreciated. The organization truly makes a difference in our community. Their friendly service was a highlight of his day, and he would be so pleased to be remembered in this way. Much appreciation, Connie Hoberer and the Family of Guy Rosson.
The Graham Family thanks the church for the gift given through the United Methodist Women, for the mission work in memory of Mariam. With all our love, Billy
Our library is a great place to pick a book to take home or to read in this quiet place. New recent additions are: The Heart of Evangelism by Jerram Barrs The Christ of the Covenants by O. Palmer Robertson Reason of the Heart by William Edgar
Also books by Terry Blackstock: Dawn’s Light, The Light, & Night Light. New D V D’s: The Long Ride Home, The Derby Stallion, Angels ‘n Cowboys, The Lost and Found Family & Smitty.
Library News
Third Sunday Added For Christmas Eve
Second Time Around
Second Time Around, our resale shop located at 105 S. Denton St., is always in need of volunteers to work in the store, sorting items, hanging clothes or putting out merchandise. At this time they are in need of the plastic bags like you get from Wal-Mart or Tom Thumb.
Page 7 Church News
Because last year’s two Christmas Eve services at 5 and 7 pm were so well-attended (almost 500 total) and we ran short of space and candles, we are adding a third service at 9:00 pm for 2014. The 5:00 pm service will again include the Children’s Christmas Pageant and this year it will be held in the Fellowship Center to allow more room for all of the characters. The 7:00 service and the new 9:00 service will include beautiful music, Christmas carols, a message by Pastor Don, Holy Communion, and the lighting of candles as we sing “Silent Night.” We hope this additional service will encourage you to invite family and friends to worship with us.
2015 Stewardship Emphasis – “TREASURE”
Thank you for your response so far to our stewardship emphasis, “Treasure,” which is aimed at funding our mission and ministry for 2015. On Sunday, Oct. 26, we celebrated Commitment Sunday and many commitment cards have been returned so far. It’s still not too late to get yours in. If you did not receive one in the mail, cards are available at church or from the church office.
We will observe All Saints Sunday on Nov. 2 as part of our 10:45 service of worship. We will read the names of our beloved “saints” who have died during the past year and a rose will be placed on the altar in their memory by a family or church member. This year we are also in-cluding a slide show with photos of the saints and a bulletin insert that tells a little about them. The names to be read are: John Bennett, Mariam Graham, Ruth Goudy, Errol Hatfield, Bob Kalina, Duffy Proffer, Patti Tucker, and Sue Leonard Vik.
All Saints Day Nov. 2
Women of Faith and Service Award meeting will be at First Christian Church on Friday November 7 at 12:00 noon. There will be a free lunch provided by St. Marys. Offering is for a local Christmas project and officer elections to be held.
Women of Faith and Service
214 S. Denton Street
Gainesville, Texas 76240
We’re on the Web! www.firstumcgainesvilletx.com
Phone: 940-665-3926
Fax: 940-665-4372
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
First United Methodist Church Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage PAID
Permit No. 146 Gainesville, TX 76240
Your Church Staff
Rev. Don Yeager, Pastor Bill Mauldin, Dir. Student /Family Ministry Sharon Nichols, Administration Rebecca Garrett, Dir. Music Ministry Greta Cuellar, Christian Education Director Melodye McLeroy, Organist Jean Smelcer, Receptionist & Dir. Communications Connie Hoberer, The Learning Tree Director New Staff E-mail Addresses: Don Yeager: [email protected] Greta Cuellar: [email protected] Sharon Nichols: [email protected] Bill Mauldin: [email protected] Jean Smelcer: [email protected] Rebecca Garrett: [email protected]
105 S. Denton Street Gainesville, Texas 76240
Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
665-7939 Volunteers welcome!
Second Time Around Informer Article Deadline
All articles and information for December. 2014 issue of “The Informer” need to be submitted no later Friday, November 21. you may drop off your information to the church office or e-mail to [email protected]
11/2014
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The Mission of First United Methodist Church is to know Christ and make Him known.