WELCOME TO FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WINNSBORO!
10:50 a.m.
10-8-21 FUMC Updates
Many thanks to everyone who helped bring our ANNUAL CHARGE CONFERENCE together last Sunday! It was great getting to know our new District Superintendent, Cassie Wade, and Jill Hobbs wrote a great song that she and Johnny will sing for us on Sunday. Ken Ragsdale also did a terrific presentation that was funny and informative and he ALSO gave us a challenge …
Every Sunday we gather for worship, IN the sanctuary, and ONLINE as ONE church family! Just because distance or health reasons “separate” us, or because others enjoy the worship experience at home, we’re STILL the church TOGETHER! Those watching online can post that they’re with us but how often do we in the sanctuary recognize that they are there? On Sundays in the future, Ken challenged anyone in the sanctuary to first, go to your Facebook page and check in on your OWN Facebook page when you arrive at church.
Second, when the 2 MINUTE COUNTDOWN begins, move over to the FUMCWinnsboro’s Facebook page and comment on the live broadcast that you’re watching in the sanctuary! Community is community so let’s “be together”.
Third, once the broadcast has begun, click the SHARE button so the broadcast appears on your page and invite your friends to join us! God’s message on the live broadcast will spread like TONGUES OF FIRE when more people see how you spend YOUR Sunday mornings, so let’s all start sharing God’s love with our friends! THIS is the beauty of social media!
Last, after church, go back and look at all those who commented and introduce yourself to people in your church family you don’t know! Say hello to the people you have missed! God has opened up a whole new world for us so let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Ken Ragsdale – WE GOT THIS!!
THIS SUNDAY, 10/10, NOON, Christus Mother Francis Winnsboro… immediately after church this Sunday please join us at the parking lot at the hospital to pray for the employees and patients … when you arrive, put on your lights and flashers and stand outside your car.
BOOK OF REVELATION, Thursday, 10/14, 9:30 – 11 am, Wesley … our study on the BOOK OF REVELATION has been so exciting for me to see the AH-HA in everyone’s face as we unlock the “codes” and connect the prophecy of the Old Testament to the 1st century Christian persecution and to the chaotic world TODAY! The horsemen of the apocalypse, the beasts, the locusts, the hail mixed with blood, whew … THANK GOD He gave this Word to Jesus who gave it to US because the bottom line is simple … THE LAMB WINS! Next week, chapters 12-14, we are moving into the ultimate battle between good and evil and we’ll unpack the scripture about the woman and the dragon and get ready to meet the antichrist. If you want to watch the recordings of the 1st few classes, here you go! (Call me if you’d rather have AUDIOS)
9-16 INTRODUCTION to symbols, codes, and millennialism
9-23 GET READY: the 7 churches & the foundation, chapters 1-3
9-30 THE CHURCH SUFFERS: the 4 horsemen & 7 seals, chapters 4-7
10-7 THEWORLD IS WARNED: the 7 seals and 3 woes, chapters 8-11
BROTHER HENRY’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY, Tuesday, October 19, 10 AM, Asbury … everyone is welcome!
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK IS ONLY 4 WEEKS AWAY AT THE CIVIC CENTER … Saturday, November 13th, 9 am – 3 pm! This is going to be an exciting event because it was canceled last year, and a lot of people are working hard to raise money for the church!
– CRAFTERS: if YOU have been making things at home, please start making arrangements with Carla Chitsey to bring your things up to the Church!
– QUILTERS: the quilt being raffled this year is in the lobby of the church & it’s fabulous! Get you tickets, $1 each or six for $5 from Amy Moss!
– LUNCH TEAM: Don Beaty is coordinating the hamburgers and hotdogs for the lunch and he’ll need volunteers and people to bake brownies! Details will follow.
– PIE BAKERS: FUMC Winnsboro is FAMOUS for our pies and cobblers so please start planning how many pies YOU can make! Contact Betty Craddock for questions.
– UNITED METHODIST WOMEN will be selling Rada through the online catalog again this year – no hassle, no stress & you can ship wedding gifts or Christmas gifts anywhere! (See attached). We don’t have details for what UMW will have at Christmas in the Park but like ANY of your Christmas shopping this year, please don’t wait! With the truck driver shortages and delays in container ships at our ports already, SHOP EARLY! CLICK HERE to browse the catalog.
This Sunday our UNWAVERING JOY continues as we explore James chapter 4 … can’t wait to be with everyone!
Pastor Debbie
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9-28-21 FUMC Updates – Christmas in the Park updates
It’s officially FALL! This week I splurged and bought a box of Starbuck’s Fall Coffee blend for my Keurig and dragged out my Fall Farmhouse candle I bought during the end-of-season sale last year! Now I must force myself to stay away from the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard at Sonic – don’t even TELL me when it’s back!
WE’RE REMOVING THE LAST COVID SAFETY RESTRICTIONS … but this does not mean we do not think social distancing is important! After a very rough patch of high infections and high mortality rates over the last month, the cases have dropped, and the hospitalizations are improving so we are removing the seating and masking requirements again. As always, we support anyone who wants to worship with us from home or wear a mask, and please stay home if you are sick and keep some distance from each other!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th, 9:30 – 11 am, Wesley Hall, Revelation study continues … we’re getting a sneak peek into the Throne Room of heaven and unpacking the horsemen of the apocalypse as we venture into chapters 4-6 of the Book of Revelation! Everyone is welcome!
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FUN TO DO THIS SATURDAY? October 2, 10 am – 1 pm, Blessing of the Pets … Michael Park’s brother, Tim, has invited us to the St. Francis Episcopal Church for the blessing of the pets! St, Francis is the patron saint of animals and all pets of all sizes, from lizards to horses are welcome! 407 Blackjack St, Winnsboro.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, NOON, Wesley Hall, Annual Charge Conference … as required by the United Methodist Book of Discipline, the primary responsibilities of the charge conference, made up of the members of the Church Council, is the annual meeting to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church (¶¶ 120-124), receive reports, and adopt that are in keeping with the objectives of The United Methodist Church. Everyone is welcome to attend and meet our new District Superintendent, Rev. Cassie Wade.
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK IS ONLY 6 WEEKS AWAY AT THE CIVIC CENTER … Saturday, November 6th, 9 am – 3 pm! This is going to be an exciting event because it was canceled last year, and a lot of people are working hard to raise money for the church!
– CRAFTERS: if YOU have been making things at home, please start making arrangements with Carla Chitsey to bring your things up to the Church!
– QUILTERS: the quilt being raffled this year is in the lobby of the church & it’s fabulous! Get you tickets, $1 each or six for $5 from Amy Moss!
– LUNCH TEAM: Don Beaty is coordinating the hamburgers and hotdogs for the lunch and he’ll need volunteers and people to bake brownies! Details will follow.
– PIE BAKERS: FUMC Winnsboro is FAMOUS for our pies and cobblers so please start planning how many pies YOU can make! Contact Betty Craddock for questions.
– UNITED METHODIST WOMEN will be selling Rada through the online catalog again this year – no hassle, no stress & you can ship wedding gifts or Christmas gifts anywhere! (See attached). We don’t have details for what UMW will have at Christmas in the Park but like ANY of your Christmas shopping this year, please don’t wait! With the truck driver shortages and delays in container ships at our ports already, SHOP EARLY! CLICK HERE to browse the catalog.
The UNWAVERING JOY of James continues on Sunday morning with a look at Chapter 2 … we’ll also have communion together and finally, get to share in the fruit of the vine we harvested at Mary and Brad’s vineyard this summer!
In Christ Alone,
Pastor Debbie
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As always, check the calendar for details but here’s a recap of this week’s activities:
TUESDAY, 9/21, 10 am, Asbury Hall … Brother Henry’s once a month Bible study is this Tuesday at 9:30 in ASBURY so there will be room to spread out – the questions for Mark 12, the Great Commission. Attached questions.
WEDNESDAY,9/22, 6:30 pm Choir Gathering, Sanctuary … if you like to sing or want to sing or might want to be in the choir, please come! Bring a list of some of your favorite songs and as soon as it’s safe to gather in our small choir space, Lynn and Lindy will help us get going again! We’ll spread out in the sanctuary but if you can’t come next Wednesday but DO want to be in the choir, please let me know.
THURSDAY, 9/23 9 am -3 pm, SEW DAY, Asbury Hall … the prayer quilt ministry invites you to come work on your own project or help us with ours! Bring a lunch and come for the fun and fellowship, and be part of this wonderful ministry
THURSDAY, 9/23, 9:30 BOOK of REVELATION STUDY BEGINS, Wesley Hall …Starting this Thursday, the most exciting book of the Bible will come alive with secret codes, beasts and dragons, battles with Satan and ultimately a victory celebrated by Jesus Himself! Here is the link to the introduction zoom study we did last week which explained the rapture, tribulation, Armageddon and the views of the millennium. Details for this and ALL events are in the weekly update on the homepage of the website OR in the weekly email.
THIS SUNDAY, 9/26 – James Chapter Two … INHALING & EXHALING the Gospel!
Stay Safe,
Pastor Debbie
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9-17-21 FUMC Updates – buildings and activities reopen/resume
As always, worship will continue to be on Facebook LIVE at 10:50 – be sure to check in and let us know you’re with us!
While some people choose not to be vaccinated and it is very apparent that vaccinated people are susceptible to getting serious break-through cases of the virus, we trust that everyone will self-monitor to protect each other. But let’s be mindful – the pandemic is not over!
TEMPORARILY, we are putting back into place some safety protocols …
– Please maintain social distancing in all Sunday schools, activities, and in the sanctuary … you’ll see the familiar ribbons on 1/2 of the pews, again, temporarily.
– Please wear masks in and out of all buildings and activities – once seated and not moving around, feel free to remove your masks.
– Allow the ushers to sanitize your hands entering and leaving the sanctuary, and please use the sanitizers in other buildings as you come and go.
– And please stay home if you feel sick.
Also, here are a few reminders from the email I sent out on August 20th from Erika Martin, our district school nurse.
“As Covid cases begin to increase, the church would like to remind you of some guidelines we all need to be aware of. If you have Covid-19 or Covid-like symptoms (fever or chills, cough, nasal congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, diarrhea or vomiting, stomachache, tiredness, headache, or muscle or body aches), please stay home.
If an individual has tested positive for Covid, they should isolate for at least 10 days from symptom onset, be 24-hours fever free, and all other major symptoms have improved as well. If you test positive and are asymptomatic, you should isolate for 10 days as well. If symptomatic, we highly recommend you isolate for 10 days before coming back to church and seeing your physician.
You may be contagious if you have had close contact with someone who has Covid. Close contact means being within 6 feet of someone who has tested positive for 15 minutes cumulatively over a 24-hour period. An individual is also contagious 2 days before symptoms start so be mindful of this as well. If you feel as if you are a close contact, it is recommended to quarantine for 10 days since the last exposure.
If you are vaccinated, you are technically still susceptible to Covid-19……unfortunately. If you are vaccinated and in close contact with someone who has Covid, please be cautious about returning to church too quickly as well. I would still recommend the 10-day quarantine to be safe.
Erika Martin, WISD Nurse”
AGAIN – THESE PRECAUTIONS ARE TEMPORARY! Let’s continue to PRAY that the Coronavirus will be eradicated!
Pastor Debbie
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9-7-21 Our buildings remain closed thru 9/18 but we’re still doing God’s work!
“ … the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4).
Thanks so much to all of you who engaged with your church family this past Sunday as we worshipped God TOGETHER, on Facebook, in a most challenging way! Our buildings will remain closed, and our activities will be paused through Saturday, SEPTEMBER 18th and we’ll reevaluate at the end of next week in hopes of having in-person worship again by 9/19. How blessed we are that we were still able to worship God as a church family!
If you don’t have Facebook you can listen to this sermon on the website … CLICK HERE. You can listen to all the messages on the website at any time HERE.
Making the decision to close our buildings and pause our activities was done out of an abundance of caution to help our community stop the “uncontrollable spread” of the Coronavirus. (See email from 9/4) Yes, it is a test of our faith because it’s NOT what anyone wants and it means we have to adapt in order to remain steadfast in our worship. Fortunately, we have had a wonderful online worship experience in place and ready to go ……. until Sunday.
As we began to prepare for our live broadcast, Ken discovered our cable that connects our sanctuary equipment to the Wi-Fi “brain” in Asbury was completely dead! After doing everything possible to fix what was unfixable in the 30 minutes he had, Ken was somehow prepared for this unforeseen situation and happened to have an extremely long sound cable that he could throw over the balcony all the way down to ONE cell phone at the front of the sanctuary that we could broadcast using his personal Wi-Fi. If you only KNEW how hard he worked running up and down and all around the sanctuary so one camera could bring our video worship to you – well, all I can say is …. KEN, YOU ARE A ROCK STAR AND THANK YOU FOR NOT GIVING UP! It wasn’t perfect but wow, you made it happen!
Jill and Johnny Hobbs– the songs were beautiful on Sunday, and I can’t thank you enough for blessing us! I am excited you’ll be back this Sunday and we’ll be doing our best to be sure we’re back to “virtually normal” with full sound for everyone!
NEW WORSHIP SERIES BEGINS THIS SUNDAY, September 12th, 10:50 AM on FACEBOOK LIVE: Unwavering Joy in a Complicated World, The Book of James … Yes, our faith is often tested by circumstances beyond our control or by the choices we make, but among the disappointments and struggles God is working hard, and our character is being strengthened! This Sunday, we’ll start a 6-week series on the Book of James, one of the most quoted books in the Bible! Author Max Lucado wrote about James: “His message is bare-knuckled. His style is bare-boned. Talk is cheap, he argues. Service is invaluable. It’s not that works save the Christian, but that works mark the Christian.”
James has been called “the Proverbs of the New Testament” so get out your study Bibles and we’ll use the Word of God to get through this season together! On our own, we cannot stand in the face of adversity, without faith we will never be able to see above the trials we meet so let’s keep our eyes focused on the King while counting our trials as JOY!
THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th, 9:30 AM, A ZOOM CONVERSATION, Reflections on 9-11 … 20 years later we still feel the impact of one of the most devastating terrorist attacks on our country … let’s have a conversation and talk about how it challenged our faith and how we have grown from those feelings over the years. Never tried ZOOM? It’s easy! Learn on this video, or these instructions from ZOOM.
To Join Our Zoom Meeting, 9/10, 9:30 AM:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88202913940?pwd=eGVGTjRqVWhqTndsMmRrRlgvTFV6Zz09
Meeting ID: 882 0291 3940 Passcode: 900735
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY … if you are not on our prayer chain and receiving our prayer TEXT requests, or you’re not in the courtyard with us on Tuesday mornings from 8-9 AM, please find intentional time to pray … PRAYER MATTERS!
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
GOD BLESS YOU! Stay safe!
Pastor Debbie
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