WELCOME TO FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WINNSBORO!
10:50 a.m.
5-10-22 FUMC Updates … It’s PENTECOST … wear red!
Welcome to a NEW season in the life of the church! Having just completed the Easter Season with the Ascension of Jesus back into heaven, we now step into His promise that the Holy Spirit would come and help us to be witnesses! For Christians, Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that God through His Holy Spirit is at work among His people. It is a celebration of newness, of recreation, of renewal of purpose, mission, and calling as God’s people and of God’s ongoing work in the world. However, … it is also a recognition that His work is done through His people as He pours out His presence upon us! As the fire of the Spirit came down upon the disciples in the Upper Room and they were empowered to go and preach the Good News, LET US WEAR RED this Sunday as we begin a new worship series: Living the Spirit Life.
UPCOMING UMC BUSINESS MEETINGS:
5/22, 3 PM … East District Meeting, Sulphur Springs UMC, no registration necessary
6/5-7 … North Texas Conference Annual Meeting, VISION: CLICK HERE for details and to register. Anyone is welcome to attend on any day.
6/5, NOON, Wesley Hall … Q and A Regarding Current Conversations in the UMC: bring your questions, written or oral, and join us after church and we’ll do my best to answer any questions you might have about current rumors and discussions going on inside/outside our denomination.
As you may know, since the General Conference, normally held every four years, was postponed until 2024, we still operate out of our 2016 Book of Discipline because the 2020 Conference has been postponed several times due to the pandemic. The General Conference normally meets every four years to amend, if necessary, the law, doctrine, administration, organizational work, and procedures as outlined in The Book of Discipline.
For many years there have been conversations in our denomination about the language in our Book of Discipline regarding Human Sexuality that says: “We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God.” The paragraph goes on to say, “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” ¶161.G This is the language that guides us now and will guide us through 2024 when the General Conference meets again.
However, this language has been hurtful to some who believe it is incompatible with what Jesus taught so there has been a movement to amend that language to be more inclusive. Since no change will be made until 2024, we have no idea what changes may come or what language might change. But, anticipating that change may come two years from now, some United Methodist churches have chosen to leave our denomination and be part of a new denomination called the Global Methodist Church which launched this month.
On April 23rd our Bishop, Mike McKee invited us all to have a conversation about this topic and I have attached my notes from Bishop McKee’s remarks on the attached, as well as the handout from the meeting. He made it clear that the United Methodist Church has had “lovers’ quarrels” in the past over allowing women in the pulpit, or allowing African Americans to worship in our sanctuaries, but our formidable love for Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit helped us work through those differences. His hope is that we can work together, and stay together, out of that very love for Jesus but also, our love for each other in spite of things we don’t always agree on.
We have not been talking about this very much because we won’t know what the options are until 2024. However, as there has been for years, our Book of Discipline does have a protocol for churches who no longer want to be Methodists and who do want to disaffiliate from the denomination. But the procedures are costly, take 9-12 months of discernment, and will likely cause harm by separating members. Our Church Council believes waiting to see what the 2024 changes will be is more prudent, but we want to know what your questions and thoughts are. Please plan to join us after church on Sunday, June 5th, and we’ll do our best to address any questions you might have.
Please contact me if you have any questions or thoughts … or contact our Church Chair/Lay Leader Ted Haynes.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO GENEROUSLY GAVE TO UMCOR UKRAINE! This week we sent a check for $1,900 to the United Methodist Committee on Relief to go directly to the humanitarian needs of the people devastated by an unprovoked war. God is smiling!
WE RECEIVED A $5,000 GRANT FOR KIDS BEACH CLUB! I’m also excited to announce that we applied for a “MINISTRY WITH …..” grant from the North Texas Conference and we got it!!! This $5,000 grant will be used to pay for the 24-week curriculum as well as some of the peripheral expenses associated with putting together such a GREAT children’s program!
And speaking of CHILDREN ….
WE HAVE A NEW CHILDREN’S DIRECTOR! Most of you have met our part-time Communications Director, Heather Warren, and you know the energy she has, the passion for Christ she has, and the love for children that inspires her … many of us worked with Heather through Kids Beach Club, and I’ve seen her step in, step up and get going with ease! Heather has agreed to wear two hats … she will now be the Children’s & Communications Director! Heather and her husband Nicco will be fully moved to Winnsboro after their son graduates from High School and she’s excited to get busy planning our summer programs for children and getting Children’s Church up and running again! She’ll be with us 40 hours a week starting June 15th. Welcome her here … communications@fumcwinnsboro.com
WHAT’S HAPPENING? See the calendar for ongoing activities.
BRO. HENRY’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: May 17, 10-11 am, Wesley Hall …Why a Christian Must Share Christ, Acts 3:1-10. Worksheet attached here.
WHAT IS OUR VISION STATEMENT? You probably know our MISSION statement: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. A mission statement is a broad statement that says why we exist! The VISION statement is important because it answers the questions: Who are we, where have we been? Who does God want us to be? What do we want this congregation and facility to look like in the future? But we don’t HAVE a vision statement! Let’s write it together:
Wednesday, June 1, 6:45 PM and Wednesday, July 6, 6:45 PM
YOU’RE INVITED, 6/25, 4-6 PM: Ray and Angie Hollingsworth invite their church family and friends for a pre-wedding gathering of their son Kanen and his fiancée, Katrice. Please RSVP to 903-850-2373. You can view the invitation here.
DON’T FORGET TO WEAR RED THIS SUNDAY … and please continue to pray for and keep in touch with families who are struggling with health issues!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Debbie
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5/4/22 FUMC Updates
I got back from vacation last night and I am very grateful for having some time to relax at the beach in Alabama, but also so very grateful to everyone who helped while I was gone. A great big thanks to Brother Henry for preaching, providing pastoral care, and for honoring Jack Cowser’s life this past week. To Tina Satterwhite and all those who helped with the Senior Luau, I can’t wait to see all the pictures! It is so difficult to miss important days and events, but so many of YOU are why FUMC is such an amazing church, and it is YOUR commitment to prayer, presence, gifts, service, and witness that makes God smile day after day!
I hope to see everyone tonight at our Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal tonight, 5/4 at 6 PM.
I also hope you’ll join me at NOON this Thursday, 5/5 at the National Day of Prayer at the City Civic center … many churches and many of our neighbors will gather, with purpose, for an incredible worship experience, singing and prayer so don’t miss it!
Vote Saturday, May 7th … not only will we be voting on our City Council, School Board, and some very important City Bonds but there are 2 important STATE amendments on this ballot (CLICK HERE) “Prop 1 would adjust the taxes paid toward public schools by those 65 years old and older and people with disabilities to match the same percentage as everyone else. This would mean lower payments for people in these two groups. Prop 2 would raise the homestead exemption for school property taxes from $25,000 to $40,000, This exemption reduces the taxable value of qualifying properties. This means a homeowner with a primary residence valued at $100,000 currently has to pay taxes on only $75,000, $100,000 minus $25,000. If the new amendment were to pass, that homeowner would pay taxes on $60,000, $100,000 minus $40,000.” NPR NEWS
This Sunday, May 8th, is MOTHER’S DAY and ASCENSION SUNDAY … the Easter season comes to an end when Jesus bodily ascends into heaven and asks his followers to be his WITNESSES. There are no better WITNESSES to the risen Christ than mothers who teach their children about His love so let’s all gather together for this special day.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
East District Annual Meeting: Sunday, May 23rd, 3 PM, FUMC Sulphur Springs … this is a business meeting for all churches in our area to prepare for the Annual Conference. Everyone is welcome, no registration is required.
North Texas UMC Annual Meeting: June 5-7 at First UMC Richardson: all churches in North Texas gather to do the business of the church. CLICK HERE for details and registration. If you want a pre-conference workbook, please order one through the registration process.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Debbie
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4/18/22 FUMC Updates
What a wonderful Easter it was – HALLELUJA, CHRIST IS RISEN! It seems that all the spiritual work we did during Lent all came together as we were reminded that the resurrection really DID change everything for us! It was great to see so many families together, some new faces and some people we haven’t seen in a long time! I have reached out to some I met but if YOU know of people who were in church yesterday, please let me know so I can send them a note.
This week is our last KiDs Beach Club at the Intermediate school and I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it is to have had the chance to “make Jesus cool at school”! This truly IS a labor of love for all the greeters and the Surf Team Leaders who meet every week at the school to love, teach and serve the 3rd-5th graders. Thanks to everyone who helped buy Bibles and snacks, who wrote NOTES, and prayed for all our kids! Thanks to EVERYONE in this congregation who sees the value of making disciples, serving our community, teaching our children the love of Jesus, and supporting this ministry! The school has already invited us to start again in the fall!
I will be leaving to go on vacation this Sunday and will be back in the office on May 4th. Brother Henry has graciously agreed to preach on the next 2 Sundays and receive pastoral care calls, and Heather will be managing the office phone, 903-342-6172. This phone is used as a LANDLINE so please do not text that number … if you need to reach her, please call and leave a message if there is no answer.
There will not be an email next week so watch Facebook or see the calendar for details.
COMING UP: See the calendar for details
Every Monday, 8 am, Hope Café … Men’s breakfast with Brother Henry
Every Monday, 1 pm, FLC … Knitters and Stitchers
Tuesday, 4/19, 10-11 am, Wesley Hall … Brother Henry’s Bible study in (study questions attached)
Every Wednesday, 3 PM, Asbury Hall … Crafters
Wednesday, 4/20, 6 pm, FLC … Fellowship Meal we’ll have these meals weekly through the end of May (smothered pork chops this week!)
Saturday, 4/23, 10:30-11:30 am, Wesley UMC, Greenville …Bishop’s meeting, click here to reserve your spot: https://ntcumc.org/bishop-meetings
Thursday, 4/28, 9 am – 3 pm, SEW DAY, contact AMY MOSS for info, amy.h.moss@gmail.com
AND IT’S BAAAAACK …. THE SENIOR LUAU!!
Tuesday, May 3rd, 5 – 7 PM
For many years one of our gifts to the community has been to host a SENIOR LUAU for the kids – this is a GREAT event that says WE CARE! During the 2 years of the pandemic, we have missed doing this but it’s BACK!! Tina has been organizing this event for a while so she knows what we need – reach out to her and say, “It’s my church – what do you need?” Contact Tina Satterwhite: rajuncajun@peoplescom.net
NATIONAL PRAYER DAY
Thursday, May 5th, NOON – 1 PM, Civic Auditorium
Please mark your calendar for this very special time of worship and prayer – prayer DOES matter and when all the community and all the churches gather together, there is a spiritual energy that’s amazing!
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME … thanks be to God!
Pastor Debbie
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4-11-22 FUMC Updates – Easter is almost here!
I was filled with so much joy last week as all the people I love most in the world gathered together for my daughter Lyssa’s small, intimate wedding in Orlando! After a whirlwind week of constant going, going, going, I’m excited to go, go, go THIS week as the holiest week of the year continues …
HOLY WEEK BEGINS!
Thursday, April 14th, 6 pm … Holy Thursday, the Last Supper: join us in the sanctuary as we remember the LAST SUPPER Jesus had with His disciples. We’ll immerse ourselves in a reflective, fresh discovery of what you might think are common scriptures so I hope to see you then!
Friday, April 15th, 4 – 6 pm … Good Friday, come and go personal meditation time: as we remember the day that Jesus was beaten, scourged, humiliated, and nailed to a cross to suffer and die for us, try to find a few minutes to stop by the sanctuary and sit quietly, or pray through the meditation guide that will walk you through the last 12 events of Jesus’s life: from sentencing to being placed in the tomb. Stay 5 minutes or areas long as you want.
Sunday, April 17th … EASTER! More people go to church on Easter Sunday than ANY other day of the year so we’re throwing open our doors and welcoming lots of people: family members, friends, and hopefully lots of new people!
… 6:45 am Sunrise Service at Ragsdale’s, 270 CR 4228, Winnsboro: coffee and donuts will be ready at 6:30 so throw on your jeans, bring a jacket and sunglasses and come to celebrate the risen Christ as the sun rises in the east! The weather forecast is terrific … SHARE OUR POSTS on your Facebook page and invite YOUR friends! (From the water tower at TX 11 and FM 852, so west 3 miles, right on 4228)
… 10:50 am Traditional Service in the sanctuary: what a great morning it will be as Mary White kicks off worship with the organ playing CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY!! It will be a glorious celebration and the message, “This Changes Everything” might just change the life of someone YOU know so invite someone! Please remember how difficult it is for someone who is not a regular churchgoer to come to a new church and wonder what to do! If you see people you don’t know – invite them to sit with you, make room, and introduce them to your pew neighbors! And yes, please leave the good parking spots and back rows for our guests!
MANY, MANY THANKS …
… to the one who left a lovely card taped on my front door after church last Sunday that brought me more JOY than I could have ever imagined!
… to Don Beaty and the kitchen crew for a fabulous TACO DINNER with the Kids Beach Club families last week
… to Bettye Gilbert and the dessert makers for all the fabulous desserts last Wednesday
… to all of you who brought LOTS of stuffed Easter eggs for the egg hunt
… to our very own Heather Warren for overseeing Kids Beach Club and the Easter egg hunt while I was gone
… to Jerry Calvert for organizing the blood drive and to everyone who donated
… an early thanks to Julie Lewis and Elaina Ragsdale for the beautiful Lenten altarscapes we’ve enjoyed this season and the quick work they will do after Good Friday to convert the chancel from darkness to light in time for Easter
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN, 4/14, 10 AM in Asbury … all women of the church are invited to come as Joanna Horton presents a conversation about keeping your brain healthy.
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3-30-22 FUMC Updates
Weddings are on my mind! Last weekend Conner and Cheyenne Ragsdale got married at the Ragsdale’s home, and it was a beautiful evening celebrating the love of two people who are starting their new lives together! Next Wednesday morning at 10 AM, I will be celebrating my youngest daughter Lyssa, her marriage to the man she has been waiting for her whole life. Matthew is wonderful and everyone in our family already feels like he’s part of our family, and I am so excited for them both! Lyssa and Matthew are getting married in a small, intimate family wedding in Orlando, but the day before, we’re all going to Disney World to SURPRISE my grandson who will be turning 10 – he has no idea we’re all going to be there! Next week will be FULL of love and joy and I am overflowing with happiness to all be together.
I’ll be out of town next Monday through Friday but Heather will be here most of Monday-Wednesday, and Pastor Sue Gross will be on call, 903-767-6339. Email Heather your prayer requests: communications@fumcwinnsboro.com
AND NOW – THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT …
Wednesday, April 6th, 6 PM … Taco Dinner and Egg Hunt, and if you haven’t RSVP’d this FRIDAY is the deadline so please, just do it now, PLEASE!
Click here to make a reservation now or call 903-342-6172
As of today, we have 23 Beach Club people coming (12 children, not part of our church!) and 27 FUMC people who have RSVP’d so thank you so very much!
Why is this important? Our kitchen team and bakers work really hard to make everything special and to be sure there is plenty of food – with the cost of food going way up, we want to be good stewards and prepare for everyone so please help us. but please help us be sure to have enough food and enough eggs for the after-dinner egg hunt. We are, of course, asking our KBC families to RSVP also but I hope we can count on YOU to help.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO BROUGHT EGGS! We still need yours so bring them Sunday!
WON’T YOU PLEASE HELP HEATHER GET THE EGG HUNT READY? Heather will be here in the office next M-Tu-Wed to help with the egg hunt, and she will be at the FLC at 4:30 to make sure there is plenty of time to get 3 sections of eggs set up for 3 age groups out by the volleyball nets. She will need some help so please email her if you can be there early: communications@fumcwinnsboro.com
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Saturday, April 9th, 10-3 PM, First Baptist Winnsboro … thanks to Jerry Calvert for coordinating this Blood Drive! GIVING BLOOD IS EASY AND YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE … go here to make an appointment or take your chance and just go!
LOOKING AHEAD to HOLY WEEK?
– Sunday, April 10, 10:50 am … Palm Sunday, children will meet in the lobby by 10:45.
– Thursday, April 14th, 6 pm … Holy Thursday, the Last Supper
– Friday, April 15th, 4 – 6 pm … Good Friday, come and go personal meditation
– Sunday, April 17th …
… 6:45 am Sunrise Service at Ragsdale’s
… 10:50 am Traditional Service in the sanctuary
THIS SUNDAY: have you ever felt like you were at a dead end? This Sunday get ready because the DRY BONES come alive! Ezekiel 37:1-10
Please say a prayer for my family, and especially for Lyssa and Matthew!
Pastor Debbie
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