10:50 a.m.
3-4-19 FUMC Updates
I’m always rejuvenated when we start a new worship series and as LENT begins, I find there is SO much to think about that I hardly know where to begin! The good news is that I really DO know where we begin … we begin with the solemn service of ASH WEDNESDAY (3/6, 6:45) which is the reminder to us all that we all come from dust, and to dust we all return. Gen. 3:19. Lent begins with a reminder that we are mortal people, only promised eternal life by a Savior who was willing to sacrifice Himself for our sins, so I hope you’ll all come Wednesday night for this special worship time together.
ASH WEDNESDAY, March 6th: 5:45 dinner, 6:45 worship … please come for a simple dinner on Wednesday night in a spirit of “sacrifice”. All the net proceeds from our Wednesday night love offering will be donated this year to the Methodist Children’s Home, where children have been adopted and cared for many years! Following dinner, we’ll move to the sanctuary for the opening worship of Lent, a somber service where ashes will be placed on your forehead as a reminder of our sin and mortality. JC will be singing a beautiful song for us, so don’t miss it. SUNDAYS THROUGH LENT: I’m very excited about our worship series through Lent, THE STONES CRY OUT … starting this Sunday, March 10th, through Palm Sunday on April 14th, we’ll remember what Christ has done for us, and how we can be ready for Easter! It’s a somber season of reflection (this website gives a great background on Lent) and a time to consider what WE might sacrifice as we focus on the ULTIMATE sacrifice of Jesus, His brutal death on the cross. This first Sunday, 3/10, the STONES OF TEMPTATION will take us to the wilderness with Jesus as He was tired and hungry and being tempted to turn stones into BREAD … what do WE do when we’re tempted? How can we avoid making the wrong choices? PLEASE THANK ELAINA RAGDALE and JULIE LEWIS for their wonderful altar-scapes! During the special days and seasons of the year they work hard to bring a visual focus and emotional connection to the service by their creative altar decorations. LET’S GATHER! Wednesday, March 13th, 5:45 … if you were in church this Sunday you received an “invitation” to give to a friend, inviting them to come join us to CELEBRATE the first dinner after daylight savings time AND the first Wednesday of the pre-Easter season! Please pray deeply about who God might put on YOUR heart and share an invitation with someone who might be looking for a place to belong. WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY: Starting March 13th, 6:30 … I always love bringing Max Lucado’s words to LIFE and we’ll do JUST that at our next study: HE CHOSE THE NAILS. After dinner we’ll dig into the GIFTS that come to us from the DEATH of Christ … yes GIFTS of the cross, the nails, the sign calling Him King of the Jews, the sponge that was used to mock His thirst as He was dying, and more. I hope you’ll all come – we’ll start at 6:30 be finished by 7:45! POT LUCK SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS … Sundays, 9:30am, Asbury Hall … our self described “70 somethings” class is starting a new study on Ecclesiastes designed especially for this stage of life and you’re invited! If you don’t have a place to connect, give it a try! PREPARE TO BE AMAZED BY GOD as we begin the sacred season of Lent …
Read more...
2-28-19 FUMC Updates
|
|
Spirit is Ageless Art & Writing Contest: March 26-27, CC Young. Open to creative adults, 55 years and older. There are 19 categories, including painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture, prose and wearable art. The art will be on display through April with the winners announced April 27. Information
Debbie Lyons, Pastor
Read more...
2-19-19 FUMC Updates
Read more...
2-11-19 FUMC Updates
Read more...
2-5-19 FUMC Updates
I have been extremely humbled this week … I came home late last Wednesday night after an intense 3 1/2 day Board of Ministry meeting where we interviewed 18 potential new candidates to become ordained pastors in the United Methodist Church. It’s quite amazing to see how the Holy Spirit works in this important discernment process – I can’t explain it, but it’s powerful and it’s truly based on holy conferencing among the lay leaders and clergy on the Board. It’s painful to tell candidates they aren’t quite ready … this year we had 6 who we hope will come back next year. But I am so excited to tell you that the 12 people we referred for commissioning are AMAZING!! They have incredible VISION for the future of what the Church will look like in this changing world and they understand that making disciples for Jesus Christ requires some innovating ideas. Please say a prayer for all 18 of these people who are called to serve Christ in the years to come!
I did, however, come home exhausted and … SICK! Oh, I may have had a slight cold in years gone by … I remember having strep throat when I was 16, but I don’t even have a thermometer in my house because I’m fortunate to have a good immune system! But when I got up with a fever on Monday, I broke down and went to the doctor and learned I had a viral lung infection … wow, this has knocked me off my feet!! I say I feel humbled because I know I’m going to feel miserable for another day or so, but there are people who struggle every, single day with health challenges that are MUCH more difficult than this! Please, please, please … call people you have not seen in church, write a note to someone you know is struggling, or drop by and see someone from your Sunday school class or choir who might not be feeling that great.
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO CONNECT?
We have 3 adult Sunday school groups that meet on Sunday mornings where relationships grow deeper and people study together to strengthen their faith. They all welcome visitors ANYTIME so why not visit them and see if one of them might be right for you? If you haven’t found a small group to plug into yet, please consider being part of a new class that Amy Moss will be starting at the end of this month. What might that look like? What would inspire YOU to belong? Let’s talk about it on Sunday, February 17th at 10 AM … come meet new people and share your thoughts about what this new class might look like.
WHAT’S AN ENDOWMENT FUND??
We’re very excited to roll out the details on our NEW Endowment Fund! As approved by the church membership last October, the $200,000 gift from the Milner Estate has been used to start a NEW Endowment Fund to enable people to give to the church in a way that is socially faithful to further our mission: TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST. What is it? How does it work? Why have we done this? After dinner on, Wednesday, February 20th, come meet Rev. Carol Montgomery from the Texas Methodist Foundation and she’ll explain it all with our new Endowment Committee.
MUSIC MINISTER UPDATE
God has answered our prayers by sending us 2 excellent candidates for our position of MUSIC MINISTER. Representatives from our Staff Parish Relation team are finishing interviews this week and we hope to be making an offer soon. Won’t you please pray with me that God’s hand continues to guide our decision making process and that our new Music Minister will be a wonderful addition to our worship experience.
We have time to thank Judy Beaty appropriately for all she has done over the last 2 years to lead and guide our choir but let me begin now … JUDY BEATY YOU ARE AMAZING!! Judy’s selfless gift to help the church through this time has been absolutely incredible and while I know she is looking forward to turning over the reigns, I will always rely on her for her knowledge and ideas … she truly IS amazing!!
EPHESIANS CONTINUES!
If you miss a week of our Sunday study on the Book of Ephesians you can listen on the website (CLICK HERE) or watch the VIDEO on your Facebook (just scroll to ANY Sunday and you’ll find them!) This Sunday we’re continuing Ephesians Chapter 2 … our focus will be on verses 11-22 so you might want to read the whole chapter. (HERE)
First United Methodist Church Winnsboro
301 Church Street, Winnsboro, TX. 75494
CLICK HERE for our Facebook
Read more...