10:50 a.m.
7-09-19 FUMC Update
We’re more than half way through our worship series on the BEATITUDES and I’ve had time to reflect back, and I have the benefit of looking forward, on the 8 character traits that identify true disciples of Christ. When I got started on this series, I found myself wanting to pick and choose the ones that I thought I’d have the most success working on for myself, but that was silly ~ all 8 work together and they’re NOT “multiple choice!” Jesus didn’t say, “Feel free to pick and choose your favorites.” Our wonderful Savior stated very clearly ALL the qualities that lead to the kind of lifestyle that pleases Him so digging into them ALL has been refreshing for me, as I hope it has been for you!
I admit I’ve found renewed comfort in knowing that these traits we’re working on open the doors to incredible inner happiness and satisfaction! Jesus offers fulfillment in these texts like nothing else on earth!! Each one begins with: “Blessed are . . . ” and this is the only time Jesus repeats the same term 8 times consecutively so obviously it’s important! Our gracious Lord WANTS us to find lasting happiness!! And one more reminder, while there are CONDITIONS to the blessings, I prefer to think of them as PROMISES and oh what great promises they are! IF we behave the way Jesus tells us, THEN we’ll be HAPPY and receive these 8 blessings: the kingdom of heaven will be yours, you will be comforted, you shall inherit the richness of God’s life for you on earth, you will be found worthy in the eyes of God, you will be treated with mercy, you will know God is present in your life, you will be respected by God, you know you’re doing the right thing and your eternal life is assured! I don’t know about you but it seems to me that ALL those blessings are worth working for!!
Have a blessed and happy week!
Read more...
7-02-19 FUMC Updates
Debbie Lyons, Pastor
Read more...
6-24-19 FUMC Update
Read more...
6-17-19 FUMC Update
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE? This Wednesday night, June 19, 6:30 pm after the fellowship meal (5:45pm) ~
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)
MUSIC is such an important part of WORSHIP and if you were in Church on Sunday you heard the disappointing news that our Music Minister, JC Waddell, resigned last Monday. I’m sure you’ll feel the same range of emotions I FELT when I got the news but his letter is attached. I told JC when he resigned that perhaps, in the future, things might change and he could come back, and he also assured me he’d still be willing to do solos or play an instrument occasionally. I want to also remind everyone that when JC and Stacy DO come to church, we will embrace them as FAMILY because that’s who they are!!
WE HAVE A NEW ROOF and WE’RE GETTING A NEW CHOIR ROOM and we’d LOVE your help! I also made this announcement yesterday and wow, what an AMAZING example of how God DOES work for good! If you haven’t been at the church this week to see all the ROOFING going on, it’s been noisy and messy. But wow, these men worked HARD and they worked FAST! You also know that the CHOIR room flooded in that 5” storm of rain a few weeks ago and the insurance adjusters estimate it will be an almost $60,000 renovated, fresh, new choir room when it’s all repaired!
The GOOD news is that for many years we have paid into our insurance so we only had to pay our deductible, the BAD news is, because it was two separate storms, one HAIL and one RAIN, we have 2 different deductibles of $5000 each or a $10,000, an expense that is not part of the regular budget. BUT … WE ARE GETTING more than $200,000 in needed repairs for only $10,000!
It took about 68,640 shingles to repair the roof, so including labor, that is about $2.24 cents a shingle. This doesn’t sound like a lot BUT, just think … our average attendance is 93 so if we did NOT have insurance we would have to be praying for each person to contribute $1,600! YIKES! THANK YOU GOD FOR INSURANCE! Instead, we only have to pay the deductible and guess what, if all 93 people would only pay $108 sacrificially, in addition to their regular offering, you could say, in actuality, you helped buy 738 shingles to help build the value of most IMPORTANT asset we have as a church!
Imagine … if you were to give, just a little MORE than your regular 10% in the next few months, how good it would feel to say you were part of improving this great church God gave us! I told everyone on Sunday that I SCHEDULE my offering to be drafted for direct deposit right to God, but I wanted to be the FIRST to give my additional check! Won’t you join me and prayerfully consider writing an additional check for $108 or $216 or any amount God is CALLING you to make … please mark ROOF in the memo line … God will be SMILING!
WHEW … a lot going on and the Holy Spirit is on the MOVE!!! See you Wednesday night!!
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...
6-12-19 FUMC Updates
The next Wednesday night meal is JUNE 19th, 5:45 pm ~ We hope you’ll all plan to come! Pastor Debbie invites everyone to join her after the meal for a biblical look at WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE? This month, we’ll talk about HEAVEN; but in August, we’ll look at HELL, so please plan to stay for this spiritual conversation. Scripture handouts will be available.
The Winnsboro Photography Club ~ Getting ready for a great meeting on their regular evening, the last Monday of the Month, June 24 at 5:30 in the Family Life Center. This is a great opportunity to invite a friend and come explore a new hobby or grow in your EXISTING one!
Read more...