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.
9:30 a.m. ~ Sunday School (Some are starting back)
10:50 a.m. ~ Worship on FACEBOOK until it’s safe!
4-29-19 FUMC Updates
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://
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
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
(903) 342-6172 (TEXT 972-896-5254)
Read more...
4-09-19 FUMC Updates
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
(903) 342-6172 (TEXT 972-896-5254)
Read more...
4-02-19 FUMC Updates
I must admit, my excitement of Easter being just 2-1/2 weeks away makes me want to take a DEEP BREATH thinking about the magnitude of the responsibility for providing an opportunity for Jesus to touch people who may ONLY come to church on Easter! This excitement is tempered a bit by the fact that I’ve been thinking about my Dad who has been in the hospital, I’ve been sad for my friend whose 23-year-old daughter died unexpectedly from an autoimmune disease, I was out of town for four days two weeks ago and have to be out of town three more days next week for Board of Ministry work, not to mention that HOLY week has beautiful, sacred, VERY special events on Thursday night, Friday afternoon, Sunday at sunrise and then, of course, our traditional Easter service at 10:50! WHEW!
As busy as things are, I see so many droplets of grace! God, as always, is hard at work. My Dad got a new pacemaker yesterday and he’s going home tomorrow; my friend’s faith is so strong and her witness inspires me; Laquita is absolutely INCREDIBLE and doing so much to keep everything on track; Amy Moss, our worship chair, is planning ahead and getting things ready: the Ragsdales are already getting ready for the amazing Easter sunrise service at their home; JC is working hard with the choir to make Easter special; Don Beaty and the men are making plans for the pancake breakfast; many of you will bring candy for the egg hunt; some will soon be bringing lilies for our traditional Easter service in the sanctuary; Elaina and Julie will be making plans to design our altar with JOY, JOY, JOY . . . Whew, again! I could go on and on! We are the BODY of Christ and we have had this somber season of LENT to prepare for Easter just 18 days away. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEALS MINISTRY ~ We are so incredibly BLESSED to have a team of people who faithfully plan, shop, cook, make desserts, and cleanup for our Wednesday night meals, week after week! The food is always delicious and the fellowship is always heart warming! I spoke to Don Beaty this morning and we thought it might be good to FREEZE OUR LEFTOVERS to be used for people who return from the hospital and need some help for a few days, for people who stop by the church office and are hungry, for home-bound people who may not get a homecooked meal very often, etc. Sometimes when we don’t know what to do, but we WANT to help, food is a simple answer! If YOU would like to take a frozen meal to someone on our prayer list or in your neighborhood, just call the office and let us know! If we have meals, we want you to be the face of the church whether they are connected to OUR church or not!
Please Bring A Small Bag of Candy for the Easter Egg Hunt ~ Wednesday night, April 3, or Sunday morning, April 7 ~ The Egg Hunt will be after church on April 14. Thanks for your help!
EASTER EVENTS are all detailed on the website (CLICK HERE) but you can also pick up a HOLY WEEK invitation to share with neighbors and friends. They are in the choir hall or lobby. I do want to start sharing some details as we get closer:
PALM SUNDAY ~ April 14, 10:50 a.m. (Children will gather in the lobby at 10:40 am) ~ If you’re wondering where the worship series, THE STONES CRY OUT came from, you’ll find out on Palm Sunday! This Sunday observes the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem that was marked by the crowds who were in Jerusalem for Passover (I’ll talk more about this NEXT week) waving palm branches and proclaiming Him as the messianic King. The Gospels tell us that Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, enacting the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, and in so doing emphasized the humility that was to characterize the Kingdom He proclaimed. The irony of this is that five days later they would all cry for His execution ~ a sobering reminder of our human tendency to want God on our own terms.
This Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday to commemorate the beginning of Holy Week and Jesus’ final agonizing journey to the cross. On April 14,the kids will reenact the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem by the waving of palm branches and singing songs of celebration.
MEN ~ 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
THIS SUNDAY ~ We will be looking at the Confession of Peter when he proclaims Jesus to be the Christ, the long awaited Jewish Messiah. The proclamation is described in 3 Gospels: Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27–30 and Luke 9:18–20 when Peter declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
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)
Read more...
3-25-19 FUMC Updates
I hope you have found a way to do something special for Lent. And it’s not too late! Easter isn’t until April 21st and a Lenten “fast” doesn’t have to consist of just abstinence from the things we love, but it can be doing things that will make our lives more meaningful.
Why do we do this? We do this in order to focus our relationship with God, and remember the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness during the temptation of Satan. Maybe you could not BUY anything you don’t need and give the money to the church, clean out one closet/garage a week and take good, reusable things to the Blessing Box, make a commitment not to gossip or say ANYTHING derogatory about anyone, try a Sunday school group, write a note every day to a different person on the prayer list (our directory is on the website), attend the Wednesday night Bible study, don’t eat after dinner, give up 30 minutes of computer time for prayer time, etc. Again, it’s not too late!
Wednesday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. ~ After dinner, come join us as this week we’re diving into the promise behind the sign, KING OF THE JEWS, placed above the head of Jesus on the cross. We will also look at the promise of the NAILS. While the conversation is difficult, we must appreciate the torture of crucifixion to understand the glory of salvation!
This Sunday, March 31, 9:30 a.m. ~ Coffee and Donuts with Judge Lucy Hebron ~ in WESLEY HALL
We are inviting EVERYONE, all Sunday school classes and all those NOT in Sunday school classes, to come hear the amazing faith story of Wood County Judge LUCY HEBRON! Please don’t miss this. You won’t be sorry you shared this opportunity with a neighbor or friend!
Carla Chitsey’s Book is Available on Amazon ~ How exciting that we have an author in the church. GOD SPELLED BACKWARDS is the name of her book! You can SAVE by buying a copy directly from Carla and paying no shipping so please email her at cchitsey@yahoo.com
L o o k i n g A h e a d? The Easter webpage has updated information on all the upcoming Easter related events ~ Bible study, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter sunrise service and Easter traditional service. I’ll be sharing more details as we get closer but please be sure to mark these dates on your calendar!
Palm Sunday, April 14 ~ Be sure all your children and grandchildren are here for the palm processional!
Holy Thursday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. ~ A Christian Last Supper Experience ~ Want to learn how the Jewish Passover impacted our sacrament of communion? This will be a very special experience!
Good Friday, April 19 ~ Drop in anytime between 4-6 PM to remember the day Christ was crucified.
EASTER SUNDAY, April 21
6:45 a.m. ~ SUNRISE out at the Ragsdale’s home
7:45 a.m. ~ Pancake Breakfast, also at the Ragsdale’s
10:50 a.m. ~ Traditional Service
Have you ever felt rejected? Left out? Not “good enough?” THE STONES CRY OUT again this Sunday as we look at Rejected Stones, Psalm 118 and Matthew 21:33-44. We are getting closer and closer to Easter, who might YOU invite to be part of that amazing 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
(903) 342-6172 (TEXT 972-896-5254)
Read more...