First United Methodist Church Winnsboro

You do NOT have to have seen these movies for the sermons to have an impact on your faith. I’ll be giving the recaps, playing the trailers and also playing appropriate clips. Some of these movies are rated R but don’t worry, the messages will ALL be G rated! If you do want to watch them, or watch them again, you can find them all on YouTube, Amazon Prime, NetFlix or a variety of other video services, most for $3.99. I always look forward to beginning a new series so get ready for God to ENTERTAIN you in August!

GRAPE HARVEST and STOMPING, this Saturday, July 27, 7 – 11 a.m. (come and go) at Mary and Brad’s Vineyard ~ It’s going to be a GORGEOUS morning, starting with lows at 70 and highs at 91 so come join us! I spoke with Mary and Brad on Sunday, and it sounds like the harvest will go QUICKLY on Saturday so if you want to be part of the experience, they suggest getting there no later that 9:30-10 a.m. MANY THANKS TO KEN ATKINS who will be making his famous barbecue chicken, Mary and Brad are making a brisket and if you’d like to bring a side dish, please contact Mary! Stomping will take place as soon as the picking is complete, and lunch will then be served (maybe by 11am??!!) so don’t miss it! Harvest buckets and forks are provided, but you will want to bring sun protection, wear a hat, and wear clothes that you don’t mind getting stained red. Bring flip flops if you want to stomp! If you want to cool off in the pool afterwards, be sure to bring your swimsuit. Please let Mary know HERE if you plan to come so that they can have a rough estimate on the headcount.

Mary & Brad – Bar W Ranch & Vineyard
9502 FM 1448, Winnsboro, TX 75494
Home:  903-365-2552      Mary’s Cell:  781-248-6717
maryewhite@comcast.net

WINNSBORO PHOTO CLUB, July 29, 5:30 p.m., Family Life Center ~ Have you considered what a great opportunity it might be to invite a friend to join you?  This group is a fun, focused group so go check it out!

WOULDN’T IT BE AWESOME TO HAVE EXPERTS TEACH YOU HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SINGING VOICE? Saturday, August 3, 10 am – 3 pm ~ What a FUN Day this will be to get some professional coaching, have lunch, AND perform at the Winnsboro Cultural Arts Center ($20)! Wouldn’t it be even MORE fun, if a BUNCH of FUMC people were there together so we could bring back those great voices to PRAISE GOD???  Call for details: 903.342.0686

THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS always has details on the website … CLICK HERE

DID YOU KNOW ~ We are blessed to have some AMAZING charitable organizations in Winnsboro, and this month I want to focus on our Blessing Box (109 W Pine Street), a non-profit resale shop and food pantry that relies solely on monetary and household donations. They also offer financial assistance when funds are available. Here are some ways you can support them:

–         Shop for good deals at almost garage sale prices! All money received is put immediately back into the charity.

–         Donate your gently used clothes and household items (children’s clothing especially needed).

–         FRIDAYS: Help volunteer to take in and sort donations.

–         SATURDAYS: Help put away donations in order to convert the space back for Sunday use.

FOR INFORMATION OR TO VOLUNTEER CALL: (903) 342-5883

ICE-CREAM SOCIAL & BACK TO SCHOOL KICK-OFF: Sunday, August 11, 5:30 pm ~ It’s hard to believe but it’s already time for the Back to School Ice-cream Social!  The FAMILY TIES Sunday School class is hosting the party on August 11 and we’ll be SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOLS! We’re collecting Walmart or dollar store gift cards for the counselors/teachers so they can get what they need, and we’re also collecting NEW socks and underwear for children of all ages. If you want your gift cards (or designated cash) included in your giving record, be sure the AMOUNT is on your gift card and put them in a pew envelope with your name. 

PICK-UP YOUR MID-YEAR FINANCIAL UPDATES IN THE SANCTUARY ~ Interested in updates on our budget and your giving through June? If you didn’t get your envelope this past Sunday, be sure to stop in the lobby this Sunday and pick it up. If your records are different than ours, call the office please.

I can’t wait to see you all on Sunday!

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)

Sunday night I took a late flight to Charlotte to spend some time with my Dad who is nearing the end of his 6 week intravenous antibiotics (heart valve infection)/rehab. The flight was quiet and dark, and I let my mind wander to MY faith upbringing and how my parents impacted who I am today. I don’t think we EVER missed church. As a young girl, I remember always having to wear a hat, which then became a veil, because head covering was a sign of respect. I also remember vividly when the offering plate would come by because before church my Dad would give us all a quarter to put in the plate. But I also remember thinking, “Why do my parents give so much money to the church when they always tell us kids we can’t even get a candy bar in the grocery store!”

I have since learned that they weren’t giving their money to the church – they were giving it to God! This story really resonated with me …

Every night a father tucked his daughter into bed and they would repeat their familiar routine. The little girl would say, “I love you,” and her dad would say, “I love you first.” One night, however, the little girl interjected a change. After hearing her father say, “I love you first,” she proclaimed, “I love you always!” And that became their new routine. Of course, the little girl grew up and is now a young wife and mother, but daughter and father continue to share these words. 

I love you first, and I love you always.

As wonderful a gift of the love between a parent and child, how much greater and more perfect is the love between God the Creator and those claimed as God’s children? This is the image of the God we worship today!! A God whose love reaches back into all our yesterdays and stretches into all our tomorrows!! A God who always loves and forgives, who is always there to guide us when we are lost, who always strengthens us when we are tired, and who overwhelms our hearts with love and grace! 

Today, many see the offering as a way for the church to collect money to pay bills and fund ministries. But at its very core, the offering is so much more! The offering is the time we are invited to proclaim, through faith, that we love God first!! We love Him more than our jobs, our assets, our possessions, our hobbies, and yes, even our families. The offering is the time we proclaim our trust in God, above all else, as we move into an unknown future or through difficult times.

It is in giving we stay connected to what is really important in life. It is in giving we define who we are. In giving, we gain a deeper understanding of the depth of sacrificial love God has for us, and it is in giving that we grow in our own personal journey as a follower of Jesus.

If you haven’t explored our GIVING page on the website, 19% of our giving is now done online because it’s so easy, and you can do it one time or make your offering recurring. And because it’s in giving we say to God and to the world those simple, yet life-defining words: “I love you first, and I will love you always,” you might find technology works for you!

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO WILL BE GIVING GENEROUSLY TONIGHT!  Tuesday, July 16, 5 pm ~ The United Methodist Women’s 150th Birthday Celebration is tonight and the Cross Strings Bluegrass Band starts the entertainment at 5 p.m., and the dinner will be at 5:45 p.m.!  Rosemary Chitsey has donated one of her BEAUTIFUL watercolors for a raffle so be sure to get your tickets, and it’s going to be a great night so don’t miss it!! (Checks can be made out to FUMC, mark UMW in the memo line.)

WOULDN’T IT BE AWESOME TO HAVE EXPERTS TEACH YOU HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SINGING VOICE? Saturday, August 3, 10 am – 3 pm ~ Don’t miss the flyer at the bottom of this email. What a FUN Day this will be to get some professional coaching, have lunch, AND perform at the Winnsboro Cultural Arts Center! Wouldn’t it be even MORE fun, if a BUNCH of FUMC people were there together so we could bring back those great voices to PRAISE GOD???

GRAPE HARVEST and STOMPING, Saturday, July 27, 7-11 a.m. (come and go) at Mary and Brad’s vineyard ~ If you missed it last year, come share in the fun and TASTE your “hard work” on communion Sunday, August 4! Because of the rains this year, this will be the only harvest and all are welcome! Stomping will be at 11 (flip flops will come in handy!), and Mary and Brad will have a brisket for lunch if you want to bring sides to share. For those who haven’t picked before, buckets and harvest forks are provided, but you will want to bring sun protection, wear a hat, and wear clothes that you don’t mind getting stained red! If you want to cool off in the pool afterwards, then be sure to bring your swimsuit. Please let Mary know HERE if you plan to come so that they can have a rough estimate on the headcount.

Mary & Brad – Bar W Ranch & Vineyard
9502 FM 1448, Winnsboro, TX 75494
Home:  903-365-2552      Mary’s Cell:  781-248-6717
maryewhite@comcast.net

THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS always has details on the website … CLICK HERE

This Sunday I’m looking forward to our Beatitudes on the PURE of HEART … IF you want to see God, THEN don’t miss it!

Debbie Lyons, Pastor

First United Methodist Church Winnsboro

301 Church Street, Winnsboro, TX. 75494

CLICK HERE for our Facebook

CLICK HERE for our website

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!