Home ~ First Methodist Church Winnsboro

Welcome to First United Methodist Church Winnsboro, where all people are welcome all the time! (Even if it IS on social media!)

7/1/20 … While we’ve all been very excited about SLOWLY and SAFELY starting to gather, in limited numbers, the spike in COVID cases has encouraged us to PAUSE our re-opening and close the sanctuary in July. Check out our HAPPENING NOW page for details and remind everyone who is over 65 and/or with underlying health conditions to please be aware of the CDC guidelines about getting out and about too soon!

– Sunday morning worship is now only LIVE on Facebook at 10:50 AM through July. We do hope you’ll “come” and comment that you’re watching with us!

– I will also have a ZOOM BIBLE TALK on WEDNESDAY MORNINGS at 10 AM – CLICK HERE to see the details … I’d love to get to know you and we dive deep into the influential chapters of the New Testament this summer!

NEED INFO ON COVID 19?

CLICK HERE to go directly to the CDC website for current information on

testing and symptons.

– Some of our Sunday School classes have started back too and you can get info on those classes HERE.

As our original opening documents stated “The the advice of public health officials may change as more becomes known about COVID-19 so we want to reiterate that we may move back and forth between phases of reopening if second or third waves of infections emerge.” Sadly, while we moved forward when things looked good, it’s now time to take a step back, TEMPORARILY! We just didn’t want to risk even ONE person getting sick and if that means engaging our spiritual gift of PATIENCE! Please continue to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY that we can stop the spread and get back together, IN PERSON, in August! And as always, I hope to “see” you on Facebook! ~ Pastor Debbie

CLICK HERE to go to our FACEBOOK page for updates and to

watch past Sunday services and/or devotionals.

Sunday Mornings

9:30 a.m. ~ Sunday School (Some are starting back)

10:50 a.m. ~ Worship on FACEBOOK until it’s safe!

6-30-20 FUMC Update

Posted on Jun 30, 2020 in HomePage |

As we have all watched the news of COVID cases in Texas rising and the Governor pausing State re-opening plans, our Church Council met last night. And out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to close the sanctuary on Sunday mornings through July.

When we made plans in early May to partially re-open on June 7, our seven-county statistics gave us hope that we had “flattened the curve.” As you can see from the NETHealth.org graph below, by Memorial week there were 53/49 weekly confirmed cases, but two weeks later that number jumped 69% to 120/110.

Just two weeks later, those cases jumped another 50% from June 12 to June 26, doubling again to 256 cases per week. It appears that when Memorial weekend came, school ended, summer started, and people began to gather again and travel, there have been significant spikes and we anticipate that happening again with July 4th weekend coming. Let us pray that does NOT happen!

My heart is heavy making this decision because I truly believe our Sunday procedures are as safe as they can possibly be! As our original opening documents stated,“The advice of public health officials may change as more becomes known about COVID-19 so we want to reiterate that we may move back and forth between phases of reopening if second or third waves of infections emerge.”

Sadly, while we moved forward when things looked good, it’s now time to take a step back, TEMPORARILY! We just didn’t want to risk even ONE person getting sick. And if that means engaging our spiritual gift of PATIENCE (which P.S., is one I really have to work on!), then we will PAUSE for the next four weeks. Again, please continue to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY that we can stop the spread and get back together, IN PERSON, in August! And as always, we will continue to worship LIVE on Facebook!

WISH HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THOSE WHO CAN’T GET OUT ~ A detailed individual directory with the birthdays that have been given to us, plus the family picture directory were attached to this week’s church-wide email. Please pay special attention to those in our assisted centers and/or are homebound. Every week I will include the birthdays of people who can not get out so you can call and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I can’t imagine how hard it is for them so let’s send a little love!

ZOOM BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES, Wednesday Mornings at 10 a.m. ~ This will be a GREAT week for you to join us because we are pointing out the MAJOR Old Testament events that are important to understanding the New Testament. Click here to get the app if you don’t have it: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-meeting

Then, after you get the app here’s the connection our OUR group, it’s the same every week:

Join Our Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 451 285 222

Password: 486447

WE’RE STILL COLLECTING CANS OF “LYSOL SPRAY” (or generic) ~ Most stores have limits on buying one or two, so if you have what you need at home, buy a can of disinfectant spray or wipes and drop them at the church, please. Our red tub is still by the office door. (Copies of The Community Chronicle, Upper Room devotional books, as well as prayer guides are there!)

PRAYING AT HOME ~ As the sanctuary will be closed, I want to ask that everyone to please pray at home! We can’t wait to re-open the sanctuary to have a physical presence in our building, but God hears us no matter WHERE we are!

THIS SUNDAY, July 5, God in the Movies Sermon Series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ~ If you have not seen this wonderful C.S. Lewis film, it’s definitely worthwhile; ESPECIALLY when the Christian allegory of good versus evil is so clearly seen! When you join us on Sunday, please COMMENT and let us know you’re with us. And look for names of people you DON’T recognize, and please reach out to them! You’ll also see the little purple box below the video when we begin and you can SHARE the message and watch with your family and friends. Anytime you share our post, be sure you share the message that we are a church where EVERYONE belongs!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Debbie

6-22-20 FUMC Update

Posted on Jun 22, 2020 in HomePage |

When I go into the lobby on Sunday mornings to prepare for worship and unlock the front door, I can’t tell you how good I feel when I see our ushers working together to greet people, “smile with their eyes,” and make people feel welcome! Especially during this COVID time, worship cannot happen without our ushers who give out face coverings to people who don’t have them, disinfect everyone’s hands, and seat people with safe distancing. I want to thank Amy Moss, Brad Scharf, Sue Gross, Shiela Haynes, and Ken Atkins for doing such an important job and doing it WELL this month! Now, we need your help to continue to make worship safe and sacred. Won’t you please be part of making worship work?

Our current plan for 2020 is to have one team of 4-5 people a month rotate, one month on and one month off. You only need to be here by 10:15 a.m., and you’ll be finished before noon! If you can’t make a Sunday, we’ll work on having people available to substitute for you. Please contact Penny Boice if we can count on you. THANKS SO VERY MUCH!

COVID-19 TESTING in MINEOLA, JUNE 24 ~ Attached please find the details on COVID-19 Mobile Testing at the Minneola Civic Center. This is one of the last testings (for the virus testing, not the antibody testing) scheduled for our county. Please post, share, and announce the event to your friends. If you have any questions, please contact the Wood County Courthouse.

LET’S SHOW OUR LOVE TO THE PARK FAMILY ~ With Katie’s disease progressing and Judy back to dialysis three times a week, would you like to help bring a meal or a dessert on Wednesdays? Rather than overwhelm them, they have asked JUST for Wednesdays right now and they have no allergies (and Katie is on a special diet so will not be eating). You can drop off your food on their covered porch by the door on the day you choose. CLICK HERE to choose a day – it’s easy!

SANCTUARY OPEN FOR PRAYER TUESDAY MORNINGS ~ Drop-in Tuesday mornings, 9 am – NOON at your convenience. Prayer guides are optional but they are by the choir room entrance and the front lobby. (Please take them with you, and as always, wear a mask in and out and please disinfect your hands.)

SUMMER MOVIE SERIES CONTINUES ~ This Sunday we’ll talk about the true story of the undersized Depression-era racehorse whose victories lifted not only the spirits of the team behind it but also those of their nation, SEABISCUIT (free on Amazon Prime and $2.99 elsewhere). I want to apologize to those of you watching online who saw the WIFI service dropped out on Sunday. While this was out of our control, we DO think there may be some things we can do to help have a different back-up plan. While we instantly tried to set up a balcony cell phone, you could tell we had a problem. With technology, things are ever changing! In the meantime, I hoped you enjoyed the history behind the Ark of the Covenant and Raiders of the Lost Ark yesterday. As always you can listen on the website.

FIND INFO ON THE WEBSITE ~ All our upcoming events are on the website calendar HERE (with the ZOOM sign-in info) or you can always find details on the HAPPENING NOW page. Also, you can also download and/or just listen to sermons on the website also, HERE.

Blessings to all!

Pastor Debbie

6-15-20 FUMC Update

Posted on Jun 18, 2020 in HomePage |

LET US PRAY! Tuesday Mornings, 9 am to Noon ~ Come and Go into the Sanctuary this Summer ~ This past Saturday some of our youth, regular visitors, and legacy members gathered to brainstorm and dream about where God might be leading us after COVID-19. It was a wonderful morning, full of energy and excitement. And there was a true sense of understanding what it means to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES! There are so many possibilities for what this might look like but we all know that we need the hand of God to be all over any dreams we may have in order to know they are HIS plans.

So, Beginning Next Tuesday, June 24, 9 am – Noon, and All Tuesday Mornings this Summer, We Will Open the Sanctuary for You to “Come and Go” and Pray for our church, pray for the people in our community who do not know the love of Christ, and pray for God to lead us. As in all church buildings during this time, wear a mask in and out and anytime you are walking around, and disinfect your hands in and out. If you cannot come, and/or until we can be “handling” the prayer guides, I will email a prayer guide later this week so you can download it to your phone or print it out at home and pray with us at home. (I’m happy to print a copy if you need one.) In addition to praying for God’s guidance, with COVID still swirling around and social unrest and political upheaval across the nation, there is MUCH we can pray for so PLEASE MARK TUESDAY MORNINGS ON YOUR CALENDAR for some dedicated prayer time!

RE-OPENING PLANS ARE GOING WELL ~ Slowly but safely, we are returning to worship in the sanctuary and some of our Sunday schools are starting back. I saw several people this week that I did NOT see last week, and I missed some of you from the week before! As always, I want you to know that as COVID cases continue to increase in Winnsboro, if you are choosing to stay home we support you 100%! We MISS you, but we support you!

Believe me, NO ONE dislikes wearing a mask more than I do, but I appreciate everyone who understands why it’s still important. Our efforts may be in an ABUNDANCE of caution, but we will err on the side of each other’s health any day! Let us continue being diligent at all events in the church: wearing a face-covering anytime you walk around in the buildings (which includes entering and leaving), using hand sanitizer in and out, and staying 6 feet apart. I know all this is not fun, but THIS TOO SHALL PASS! But until it does, let’s do our part to keep each other safe.

BIBLE TALK: Wednesdays this Summer, 10 AM ~ This week we’re diving into JONAH, and it’s NOT about a fish! You can find sign-in details on the calendar but it’s simple to join:

Join Zoom Meeting ANY Wednesday morning at 10 am:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/451285222?pwd=aFBPMlFNUkhvS0g4QjdEVzhYVms5Zz09

Meeting ID: 451 285 222

Password: 486447

BLOOD DRIVE IN WINNSBORO, this Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. ~ Rock Building Parking Lot, SE corner Broadway (11) and Main (37), Winnsboro. CLICK HERE to make an appointment.

Thanks to Those of you Who have Picked Up a Can of Lysol for the Church ~ If you’re not coming on Sunday, you can drop it off in the bin by the office door ANYTIME!

THIS SUNDAY: Raiders of the Lost Ark ~ It’s an oldie but goodie, and definitely a franchise that’s worth binge-watching! This Sunday we’ll celebrate Father’s Day and talk about one of the greatest adventure movies of all times, the search for the ARK of the COVENANT! Watch it FREE if you have Netflix or $3.99 on Amazon Prime or YouTube. As for ANY of our sermons in this series, you don’t have to have seen the movies to understand the message. Just come, online or in-person!

Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were

flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. Rev. 11:19

WHEN YOU’RE READY TO COME BACK TO CHURCH ~ Please let us know because we want to be sure we have enough safe seating for everyone!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Debbie

6-9-20 FUMC Update

Posted on Jun 9, 2020 in HomePage |

What a beautiful first day back to the sanctuary! Sunday was absolutely amazing for me, Ken, Elaina and Kade who have been sitting in an empty church for three months but I hope it was even MORE amazing for the 51 people who were in the sanctuary! I want to say thank-you, thank-you, THANK-YOU to our usher team for helping us stay safe in the re-opening process and to your Church Council leadership who has worked hard to create guidelines to help us. Yes, there are some annoyances (wearing masks in and out, sitting six feet apart, limiting sanctuary attendance to about 60, no singing out loud, etc.), but slowly and safely we are coming back!

As always, if you don’t have Facebook, you can listen to the worship (all the worship or just the message) on our website HERE.

Because of limited attendance requirements, if you weren’t able to join us but are ready to come back, please let us know as our sanctuary occupancy is limited to approximately 65 depending on the combinations of families/couples/singles. We have a back-up plan to WATCH in Wesley Hall if we run out of space, but we’d rather plan ahead if we have to.

FACEBOOK WORSHIP CONTINUES ONLINE ~ I’m so sorry about the video problems we had on Sunday. It was a CAMERA problem that we didn’t discover until worship was about to begin. Ken knows what the problem is and the GOOD NEWS is we hope to have it fixed by this Sunday!

BRING A CAN OF LYSOL OR SOME CHLOROX WIPES WHEN YOU COME TO CHURCH ~ Every time I go to the Dollar Store (it seems the only place I can find it!), I buy a can of Lysol (or similar) disinfectant. But because I can only buy ONE it goes quickly. The next time you see a spray can of disinfectant and you already have enough for your home, please buy one and bring it to the church.

BIBLE TALK ~ Wednesdays this Summer, 10 a.m. ~ If you’re missing the interactive fellowship of Bible study, step into the LION’S DEN with us this Wednesday, June 10. You can always find sign-in details on the calendar but it’s simple:

Join Zoom Meeting ANY Wednesday morning at 10am:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/451285222?pwd=aFBPMlFNUkhvS0g4QjdEVzhYVms5Zz09

Meeting ID: 451 285 222

Password: 486447

BLOOD DRIVE IN WINNSBORO, Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.~3 p.m. ~ First Baptist Church & First Methodist Church of Winnsboro are pleased to sponsor the Carter BloodCare Bus coming!

Rock Building Parking Lot, SE corner Broadway (11) and Main (37), Winnsboro

CLICK HERE to make an appointment

Every donor will receive a T-Shirt!

ALZHEIMER’S VIRTUAL EVENT ~ Saturday, June 13 ~ The Dallas Alzheimer’s group will be hosting a Caregiver Conference VIRTUALLY for East Texas. The program begins at 9 a.m. and includes presentations on Effective Communication, Managing Sundowning, and Legal Considerations. You may register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/ALZTYLER

LAST CHANCE TO HELP US UPDATE THE DIRECTORY ~ We try to update quarterly, but we’re a bit behind. So please see the directory, and let us know if you have changes before next Monday. If you want to send a HEAD AND SHOULDER individual picture or a close-up family picture, please send those too!

OUR HOMEBOUND FRIENDS WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU (See Attachment) ~ A special note or a call means the world to people who can’t get out, especially those in our assisted/nursing homes! Please drop a note!

THIS SUNDAY ~ God in the Movies, 10:50 a.m. ~ We’re bringing the movies to FUMC, and if you didn’t see AMAZING GRACE (not the Aretha Franklin movies but the William Wilberforce movie about a leader of the British abolition movement), it’s a wonderful movie. You can find it on Amazon or YouTube for $3.99. I’ll be showing movie clips so you don’t have to see it, but Amazing Grace chronicles the epic struggle to pass a law to end the slave trade in the late 18th century in Great Britain. And yes, the song, AMAZING GRACE chronicles that story!

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices –

mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

~ Matthew 23:23

Many blessings to you all!

Pastor Debbie

6-4-20 FUMC Quick Update

Posted on Jun 5, 2020 in HomePage |

First, a quick invitation to please consider giving the gift of life! Thanks to Jerry Calvert for helping to coordinate the Carter Bloodmobile coming back and if you missed the last time or want to give again (yes, enough time has passed since April 18 if you gave then), you can make an appointment now and get the time that’s best for you!

First Baptist Church & First Methodist Church of Winnsboro are pleased to sponsor the Carter BloodCare Bus coming!

Rock Building Parking Lot, SE corner Broadway (11) and Main (37), Winnsboro

CLICK HERE to make an appointment. Every donor will receive a T-Shirt!

REOPENING REMINDERS: I am so very excited to see those of you who are coming back to church on Sunday, June 7. Front door will open at 10:20 am. We will worship, some in-person and some online TOGETHER, and I support those of you who will be staying home a bit longer! For those of you coming, please forgive me for the repetition but we want worship to be very special and you can help:

– Only the FRONT DOORS of the church (Corner of Church and Elm) will be open, and we will open the doors at 10:20 a.m.

– Please wear a face covering entering and leaving the building. You can remove it after you are seated.

– When you arrive, the ushers will squirt Purell in your hands, and you will then take your Fellowship Communion Cup and the plastic baggie under it with you to your seats. They were been placed on the tables in the lobby on Tuesday. As we have not been given dispensation to do online communion, we will respectfully wait until the END of the service to consecrate the elements.

– I recognize more than anyone that most people like to sit in the same seats they always sit in. And believe me, when you aren’t IN your seats you throw me off! But we’re ALL going to be thrown off for a while because every other pew is blocked off to assure 6-foot spacing. I know everyone will be happy to be getting back to church, and our ushers will be doing their best to seat everyone. Please be sure to THANK them.

– At the end of the service, the ushers will dismiss you by rows. And as hard as it may be not to gather in small groups after church, please maintain at least 6 feet of distance between one other.

Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also

said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Rev. 21:5

“See” you in person or online Sunday at 10:50 – LIVE!

PASTOR DEBBIE

First Methodist Church Winnsboro

NEED INFO ON COVID 19?

We’re easy to find in Winnsboro!

6-30-20 FUMC Update

6-22-20 FUMC Update

6-15-20 FUMC Update

6-9-20 FUMC Update

6-4-20 FUMC Quick Update