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

Out of an abundance of caution, but more out of an abundance of love, we have made the unprecedented decision to cancel all church activities until the Centers for Disease Control tell us its safe to be together again. Until then, we will continue the following:
 
– Sunday morning worship, 10:50 AM on Facebook 
– Drive by our Church Street entrance on MONDAYS from 1-3 and say hello & receive a blessing – I’d love to see you!
– I will continue to do a morning devotional, also on Facebook 3-4 mornings a week
– We have mobilized people to make cloth FACE MASKS that are so desperately needed by our health care workers … CLICK HERE if you can sew or cut fabric!
– And we will PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!

NEED INFO ON COVID 19?

cdc-logo
 
CLICK HERE to go directly to the CDC website for current information on
testing and symptons.
 I want everyone to know … the buildings may be closed but GOD’S CHURCH is still worshiping, learning, loving and serving! SUNDAY WORSHIP will still be at 10:50 AM on Sundays but we will worship together, yes TOGETHER, live on Facebook instead of in the sanctuary!
 

We will still be checking in on our neighbors and doing our Lenten devotionals … we will still be PRAYING, maybe more now than ever! We’ll keep this page updated so stay tuned, Pastor Debbie

 
CLICK HERE to go to our FACEBOOK page for updates and a morning devotional!
 

Sunday Mornings

9:30 a.m. ~ Sunday School PAUSED

 
Check out the MANY ways to get involved HERE!
 

We’re easy to find in Winnsboro!

5-13-19 FUMC Update

Posted on May 14, 2019 in HomePage |

There was something very special about our worship service on Sunday. I knew the Holy Spirit was moving in a special way when I left the sanctuary, but from your many comments, apparently some of you felt it too! Our anointing service for Judy and Katie Park, the “signing service” for Carissa Bruton, so many Moms and families together, God’s powerful word about the Road to Emmaus … soooooo much energy! We all know that God is everywhere, ALWAYS, but I just love it when He steps out in such powerful ways for us!   Walk to Emmaus? After the message on Sunday, several people have asked about going on a Walk this fall and I would love to help you make this happen! The local Northeast Texas Emmaus chapter has 2 walks this fall. Please don’t wait because Walks are limited to 40-48 participants.

~ Men’s Fall Walk, September 19-22
~ Women’s Fall Walk, October 17-19
 
Let’s Go To Prison Together ~ Saturday, June 8 ~ Meet me in the parking lot of the Johnston Unit at 5:45 p.m.
Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and
those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering ~ Hebrew 13:13
One of the ministries that has spun off from the Upper Room’s WALK TO EMMAUS is the prison ministry, KAIROS which takes the love of Christ inside the prison walls for a similar 3-day faith experience. The Winnsboro chapter RESIDENTS ENCOUNTER CHRIST has been going inside the Johnston Unit here for many, many years and if you have been on a Walk to Emmaus and would like to serve on a team, please contact Michael Park, 903-342-2107.
BUT EVERYONE can help on June 8! It doesn’t cost any money, you don’t have to drive very far, and it will only take 30-40 minutes but you will make a HUGE impact on the residents by being the FACE OF CHRIST for just a few minutes! Really, it’s this simple! We will stand together as the men enter the room as the visible representatives of Jesus Christ and I can tell you, the experience for THEM is undeniably real! 
The ONLY thing you have to do is provide the last 4 numbers of your driver’s license (if it’s not Texas, let us know). We need to have those numbers NO LATER THAN THIS SUNDAY. You can email us as you read this, or jot the last 4 numbers on a piece of paper and bring it this Sunday, May 18.
 
Wednesday Night Meals Continue Through the End of May, 5:45 p.m.
We have an EXCEPTIONAL kitchen crew who has been shopping, cooking and serving food on Wednesday nights ALL year. How blessed we are! After May 29, dinners will be on ~
Wednesday, June 19
Tuesday (moved from Wednesday 7/17), July 16
Wednesday, August 21
 
Winnsboro Photo Club Now Meeting at FUMC! Jim Dyson wants to invite everyone interested in learning or improving their camera or picture taking skills to come check it out! The Club usually meets the last Monday of the month but in MAY they will meet on TUESDAY, MAY 28, 5:30 p.m. in the FLC. Our very own ART SIMMONS is doing the program on May 28, and Art has an amazing program to share to put your pictures in a “slide show.” If you come a few times and want to join, annual dues are $15 per person or $25  per couple, but please come as a guest!
 
Come Enjoy a Video Journey Through the Holy Lands? Wednesday, May 22, 6:30 p.m., Wesley Hall ~ Join Linda Suche and Betty Gilbert as they show a video from their 2009 trip.
 
NORTH TEXAS CONFERENCE ~ June 2-4, Plano, Texas ~ Once a year churches from all around North Texas come together to worship, learn and do the business of the Church. Anyone is welcome to attend but Cyndie Ewert, your Lay Leader, will be attending with me as representatives of FUMC! Details on registration and schedule on the website.
 
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road to Emmaus and opened the Scriptures to us?”
~ Luke 24:32
 
Debbie Lyons, Pastor First United Methodist Church Winnsboro 301 Church Street, Winnsboro, TX. 75494 CLICK HERE for our Facebook CLICK HERE for our website (903) 342-6172 (TEXT 972-896-5254) 

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5-06-19 FUMC Update

Posted on May 8, 2019 in HomePage |

Serving others, being engaged in our community, meeting new people, exposing our church to people who may not have a church home and looking for ways to make disciples for Jesus Christ is important to the growth of our church. I am so very thankful to everyone from FUMC who helped make the 2019 BOOK FAIR such a success: Don Beaty, Mike Ewert and JA Newton for moving tables, John Hargus for helping authors get their tables set up, Brad Scharf for doing “everything,” Penny Boice, Tricia and Tommy Teague and Donna Brede for making the authors luncheon so wonderful, and of course, Mary White and Cyndie Ewert who made it all happen!!!  KATIE PARK, we’re exceptionally blessed that you brought such a great event to Winnsboro! I was honored to moderate a Christian book panel with some wonderful authors and I truly believe we are blessed to be a blessing to our community!
 
WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEALS CONTINUE THROUGH MAY, 5:45 pm … we have an EXCEPTIONAL kitchen crew who has been shopping, cooking and serving food on Wednesday nights ALL year … how blessed we are!! After May 29th, we’ll move to the 3rd Sunday (June 19, July 17, August 21.)
 
COME ENJOY A VIDEO JOURNEY THROUGH THE HOLY LANDS? Wednesday, May 22, 6:30 pm, Wesley Hall … join Linda Suche and Betty Gilbert as they show a video from their 2009 trip.
 
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN: Thursday, May 16, 10 am, Asbury … come join them!
 
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!! May 12th … this Sunday is Mother’s Day.
 
Debbie Lyons, Pastor
First United Methodist Church Winnsboro
301 Church Street, Winnsboro, TX. 75494
CLICK HERE for our Facebook
CLICK HERE for our website
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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4-29-19 FUMC Updates

Posted on May 2, 2019 in HomePage |

I had a whirlwind trip to see my Dad in South Carolina this past week, and with so many prayer requests this week for our elders falling and struggling to get their strength and mobility, it reminds me that our bodies, while built to LIVE, do get tired! God, our creator, designed our bodies to be strong and to be able to tolerate the growth challenges of childhood, and the accidents of teenage years, and the medical surprises of adulthood … but in His mercy, he removed the Tree of Life from the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned so we would NOT have to age forever! This is a bittersweet gift of grace because aging is not always EASY – in fact, it can be pretty darn hard! Let us all be in prayer that the process of aging brings with it glimpses of amazing JOY in the struggle, some HUMOR in the tension, some amazing LOVE that can be appreciated and most of all, an indescribable presence of PEACE that only the Holy Spirit can bring!

NATIONAL PRAYER DAY: this Thursday, May 2nd

National Prayer Day is a non-denominational annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May designated by the United States Congress for ALL faiths to come together “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.” Each year since its inception, the president has signed a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day so please come join me as we pray for our nation, our community, our schools, families and churches.

6:30-8:30 AM: Prayer breakfast at 1st Baptist Fellowship Hall … drop in anytime!

Noon – 1 PM … Community Prayers at City Hall

WINNSBORO BOOK FAIR: Saturday, May 4th, 9am – 1 pm ~ We’re so excited to be hosting the author’s luncheon for the Winnsboro BOOK FAIR this Saturday, May 4th at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts … want to help? I’d LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! I’ll also be hosting the Christian book panel and Carla Chitsey will have a table promoting her new book too! Stop at the Farmer’s Market then come by for the book sales and signing starting at 9am… it’s all FREE so come! http://winnsborocenterforthearts.com/literary_events

9am… Storytime with Nancy Falster and STUART
9:30 ~   Children’s Panel
10:30 ~ Children’s Alter Dance Performance
11    ~     Author recognition
11:15 ~  Adult Mystery Panel
12:10 ~ Adult Christian Panel
 
SATURDAY, MAY 4th is ELECTION DAY, 7 am – 7 pm at the Winnsboro Civic Center … just a reminder that your vote DOES matter, really!! This Saturday, two of the races we’ll be voting on are school board and City Council and our very own, JOAN MORRIS, is running for re-election! Don’t waste one of the most important rights you have!

SENIOR LUAU: Tuesday, May 7th, 7:15 PM … this is a long standing tradition and our church’s gift to our schools and community! This year there are 87 kids coming and the Sunday school groups and volunteers from our church make it an AMAZING night for the kids! To get involved email Tina Satterwhite directly HERE.

This Sunday our BACK FROM THE DEAD series continues with a look at the disciples who have returned to their former lives as fishermen, only to be reminded that they are FISHERS OF PEOPLE! John 21 gives a whole new meaning to BREAKFAST ON THE BEACH!

 
Debbie Lyons, PastorFirst United Methodist Church Winnsboro

301 Church Street, Winnsboro, TX. 75494

CLICK HERE for our Facebook

CLICK HERE for our website

(903) 342-6172 (TEXT 972-896-5254)


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4-14-19 FUMC Updates

Posted on Apr 16, 2019 in HomePage |

In a way, there’s nothing special about “Holy Week.” We have no mandate from Jesus or His disciples to mark these days for special observances but I see the events of this week as OPPORTUNITIES not OBLIGATIONS. It’s a time to walk with the church, throughout history and throughout our communities, as she walks with Jesus through the most important week in the history of the world. It is a chance to focus our minds and hearts on the One who has changed everything! 
 
The New Testament gives us indirect reasons for using this time to grow in our faith. In Matthew’s 28 chapters, the final EIGHT are given to this one week … the last SIX of Mark’s 16, and the final SIX of Luke’s 24 are all devoted to these last 7 days of Jesus’ life. Most significant, though, is John. TEN of the his 21 chapters — essentially half — deal with the final week of our Lord’s life! Even Acts, which narrates the life of the early church after the resurrection, returns to the events of Holy Week often! (And by the way, yes, the Old Testament anticipates this week as well!)
 
I hope you’ll consider how you might make the most of this week … 1 1/2 hours on Thursday night … 20 minutes or more on Friday afternoon … and, of course, two different Easter services on Sunday. These are some of the darkest and brightest days in the history of the world, and they are rich with food for the soul and strength for our life journeys!  In the chaos of the world, Holy Week is a reminder to take a deep breath out and breathe in the Spirit … and when you do, prepare to be amazed by God!
 
All event details are on the website … CLICK HERE.
 
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 6:30-8 p.m. ~ The Last Supper, Wesley Hall  ~ The ultimate plan of salvation that God designed for us when He took the Tree of Life out of the Garden of Eden after the great sin begins at the LAST SUPPER Jesus had with His disciples in the Upper Room. They were there to celebrate the Passover and the city of Jerusalem was overflowing with people coming to make their animal sacrifices. Join us as we go through a symbolic Passover meal and connect the Old Testament history to our current day celebration of communion. (Please eat dinner before you come.)
 
FRIDAY, APRIL 19 ~ Drop into the sanctuary anytime from 4 – 6 p.m. ~ Jesus’s step-by-step journey to Golgotha is a glowing revelation of the extent of His love. He went all the way to the cross for us, with every bruise, every puncture, and throb and stab of pain. And it is during Holy Week that we see most profoundly how deep the Father’s love for us. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Drop in and get a glimpse of all the events of the last day of Jesus’ life.
 
EASTER SUNDAY ~ Please make room for our guests!
6:45 a.m. ~ Sunrise Service at the Ragsdales, 270 County Road 4228, Winnsboro (From the intersection of SH 11 West and FM 852 West, go 2.75 miles to a right turn on CR 4228.)
7:30 a.m. ~ Pancake Breakfast at the Ragsdales
10:50 a.m. ~ Traditional Celebration in the Sanctuary
 
May God make this to be an amazing week for you! I pray you find new grounding in your love of Christ, from the resolve of Holy Thursday, to the ultimate sacrifice of Good Friday, to the triumph of Easter Sunday. 
 
May God speak to the hearts of people in our community who do not know the joy of church connection or may not know how a relationship with Christ will change their life. Let them come to First United Methodist Church of Winnsboro where they will KNOW His love through us!
 

Debbie Lyons, Pastor

First United Methodist Church Winnsboro
301 Church Street, Winnsboro, TX. 75494
CLICK HERE for our Facebook
CLICK HERE for our website

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4-09-19 FUMC Updates

Posted on Apr 10, 2019 in HomePage |

I am at the Prothro Methodist Retreat Center as you read this. I wish I could tell you that it’s a RELAXING retreat, it isn’t.  But . . . it is probably the most sacred and holy work I do throughout the year. I serve on the BOARD of MINISTRY which is an appointed, then confirmed by the Annual Conference, group of lay and clergy representatives to identify the future Pastors for the United Methodist Church. Once candidates have felt a call to ordained ministry, it is our responsibility as Board of Ministry members to be sure they are ready. This week is our third meeting this year and we meet Sunday afternoon from 3:30 – 9 p.m. We have breakfast at 7 a.m. and finish up in the evenings about 9 p.m. We interview six candidates a day and then we deliberate, in prayer and holy conferencing, which candidates are ready for ordination, and which might need another year of preparation. This is a very humbling experience and when I tell you it’s sacred, I can’t explain how PRESENT the Holy Spirit is in these conversations. Please pray for us all as we begin this process. I’ll be back for our LAST Lenten Study on Wednesday night!
 
Come for Our Lenten Study ~ Wednesday night after dinner, 6:30 p.m. ~ This week we will be talking in depth about the burial clothes that were left neatly folded in the tomb, and we’ll get a taste of what the promise of resurrection REALLY means! These are single, stand-alone talks so if you’ve missed them or missed some, please come anyway!
 
Wednesday Night Meals ~ Just a reminder, the net proceeds from the meals through LENT will be going to the Methodist Children’s Home. Please be generous with your love offering!
 
Last Chance to Bring Candy for the Easter Egg Hunt ~ The egg hunt is April 14, so please drop off a small bag of candy at the office before WEDNESDAY, or bring it Wednesday night please. 
 
Holy Week Begins This Sunday ~ Details on the website HERE: I’d like to encourage you to make time to soak up the tension of this sacred, faith building week. It begins this Sunday with Palm Sunday and shouts of joy and Easter egg hunts and pictures in the courtyard with the beautiful azaleas blooming. Then the tone drops drastically as we have a Last Supper with Jesus before He is arrested, sentenced to death and crucified. Rather than ask, “What can I get from all these worship experiences this week?,” think about asking, “What can I give Jesus with my presence and my commitment this week?”
 
Sunday, April 14, 10:50 a.m. ~ Palm Sunday ~ Kids will meet in the lobby no later than 10:45 for the palm parade. The Easter Egg Hunt will follow after the service. Kids, bring your Easter Basket.
 
Wednesday, April 17 ~ NO DINNER
 
Thursday, April 18, 6:30-8 p.m. ~ Holy Thursday ~ A very special experience in WESLEY HALL, remembering the Passover Jesus shared with His friends and the spiritual significance of that meal in communion today.
 
Friday, April 19 ~ Drop by anytime between 4-6 p.m. ~ GOOD FRIDAY ~ A somber time to remember the last 24 hours in the life of Christ. You’ll receive a guided self meditation that will allow you to walk through the sanctuary at your own pace.
 
Sunday, April 21 ~ Easter (details on the website)
6:45 a.m., SUNRISE SERVICE ~ Throw on a pair of jeans and join us to celebrate the morning at Ken and Elaina Ragsdale’s home, 270 County Road 4228, Winnsboro. (From the intersection of SH 11 West and FM 852 West, go 2.75 miles to a right turn on CR 4228.)  RAIN? We’ll move to the SANCTUARY. Check the homepage of the website or FACEBOOK for an update at 6 a.m., or we’ll send a text on the prayer chain.)  
7:45 a.m., PANCAKE BREAKFAST at the Ragsdales
10:50 a.m. TRADITIONAL SERVICE in the sanctuary
 
Want to help with the pancake breakfast on Easter morning?  CONTACT DON BEATY at donbeaty47@gmail.com  
 
Want to Help the Ragsdales set up for Sunrise Easter Service? Move chairs to and from the church? Contact KEN RAGSDALE kenr91@peoplescom.net 
 
Please be in prayer for those people who do not have a church home and are contemplating the possibility of going to church somewhere on Easter.
 
Debbie Lyons, Pastor
First United Methodist Church Winnsboro
301 Church Street, Winnsboro, TX. 75494
CLICK HERE for our Facebook
CLICK HERE for our website

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