THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

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1 First United Methodist Church 404 Azalea St. Lake Jackson, TX Volume 48, Issue 11 November 14, 2018 THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! To all of you who have turned in an Estimate of Giving card for As of the publication date of this newsletter, we have received pledges totaling $333,000 to support next year s missions and ministries. Our theme in October was, The Power of a Seed. As I was preparing one of my messages, I ran across this article by Steve Goodier. It speaks to the power of planting seeds of faith, hope, love. and peanuts! Enjoy! Can one dime make a difference? Here is a woman who turned a dime into millions of dollars. Her name was Martha Berry. This clever woman founded the Berry School in Rome, Georgia to serve underprivileged children in rural areas. She scraped together funds from every source possible. One day she approached Henry Ford, of Ford automobile fame, and asked for a contribution. Patronizingly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a dime. Rather than be insulted or discouraged by the gift, Miss Berry bought a package of seed peanuts with it. The seeds were planted and tended, and they eventually yielded a large crop, which she later sold. Dr. Lynne Settlemyre Pastor Again she called on Mr. Ford. Here s the dime you gave me last year, she said, handing him a coin. Then she told him of the return she had realized from his token investment. Ford was so impressed that, in the years to come, he gave millions of dollars to the school. (See THANKS continued on page 10) Inside this issue: November Birthdays 2 Sympathies & Memorials 3 Children s Ministry News 4,5 Youth Ministry News 6,7 Finance Committee Report 8 Women s Ministry News 9 Special Points of Interest It s time to complete your Estimate of Giving card for pg. 2 Salvation Army Angel Tree Info - pg. 3 November Sermon Series - pg. 10 Upcoming Blood Drive - pg. 10 Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors - pg. 11

2 P a g e 2 T h e M E S S E N G E R Nancy Pearson 1 Delia Hoskins 2 Serena Andrews 2 Dorothy Morris 3 Harvey Yarborough 3 Rachel Pearson 5 Robin Reimschissel 5 Julie Lewno 6 Colin Diehl 6 Nadine Womack 7 Darla Basurto 7 T. C. Pearson 8 Darline Kelley 10 David Johnson 10 Josie Overman 11 Matthew Broaddus 11 Isaiah Garcia 13 Joyce Barefield 13 David Swisher 14 Erle Lindsey 14 Erin Cravey 14 Preston Pulido 15 William Easter II 16 Donna Grady 17 Jerry Shockley 18 Teri Corwin 19 Sarah Copenhaver 20 Bob Doerr 22 Andy Wheeler 24 Jackson Cravey 25 Ruth Seiwell 25 Erin Lillian 27 Lindsey Escuriex 27 Henry Cravey 28 Ronald Tribble 28 Victoria Anderson 29 Jane Barton 29 David Scott 29 Kirk Diehl 29 Dorothy Howard 30 Jim Gauntt 30 Wilda Patton 30 If you have a birthday this month and do not see your name listed, please call the church office so we can update your record. We hope you will join us. Bring your family & friends! 2019 ESTIMATE OF GIVING If you have already turned in your 2019 Estimate of Giving card, THANK YOU!! If you haven t, please give prayerful consideration to your giving commitment to further the kingdom of God through the ministry of First United Methodist Church of Lake Jackson: We are each asked to assess all that we have. We each ask ourselves, "Am I building God's kingdom?" Only you can determine the perfect amount to give. Prayer and Praise Notes: To request prayer through our Intercessory Prayer Team, complete the Prayer Request form on ConnectCard in your Sunday bulletin or contact the church office at or ljfumc@ljfumc.org.

3 V o l u m e 4 8, I s s u e 1 1 P a g e 3 Sympathies Ann Orr, passed away on October 31 st. Condolences may be sent to her husband, Robert Orr, 414 Huckleberry Dr., Lake Jackson, TX Jim Murray passed away on November 2nd. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Kaye Murray, 216 Raintree Lane, Lake Jackson, TX Please keep both of these families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Memorials Donation received in memory of: Given by: Ron Engle Ruth Munnerlyn Delbert & Glynda Smith Phyllis Motes Martha Vining Linda Cook Bill & Curly Leshikar Martha Wallace Truman & Laura Thompsom Salvation Army ~ Doing the Most Good "Angel Tree Program" Giving JOY by providing holiday assistance to families through your generosity and kindness so that children have gifts to open at Christmas. Our "Angel Tree" will be in Wesley Hall beginning November 18th. Choose an Angel from the tree and follow the instructions on the bag provided. Unwrapped gifts in bags are due back to the church by December 9th!

4 P a g e 4 T h e M E S S E N G E R A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES Beginning with Jesus bulletin board! It is a In our efforts to offer children were able to family, our kids have visual reminder that we the pillows to the use their gifts of been learning how are all part of God s SPCA, our children are creativity and kindness families are for family, bound together able to understand that to participate in God s children as they grow, in covenant love. God s family includes all missional work! build loving relationships and explore how different families belong in God s big story. If you haven t made it down to the elementary Sunday school hallway, come down and check out our Last month our K-5th students completed a mission project where they sewed almost 20 soft and unique pillows for the animals being sheltered at the Brazoria County SPCA. of creation extending beyond the walls of our church; out into the community and the world. God gives each of us unique gifts designed to help carry out God s mission to offer divine redemptive Much Love, Lindsay Pulido FUMC family tree love to the world. Our Bringing it all home Fun ways to reinforce our Sunday school lessons at home! As parents we often take the responsibility of cooking as our own. What if we shared that responsibility with our kiddos? They would get to learn how to cook while gaining an understanding of the value of sharing jobs around the house. Remind them how Ruth and Naomi shared their burdens, bringing them closer together and closer to God!

5 V o l u m e 4 8, I s s u e 1 1 P a g e 5 Looking Back Let Christ be your light Come to Sunday school every 10AM 6 wks - 5th grade Mary and Martha Helpers Game Looking Ahead November 17 th - Festival of Lights Parade (7pm) December 7 th - Polar Express Night (lots of volunteers needed) January 18 th - Pajamas & Pop Tarts Pillow Project

6 P a g e 6 T h e M E S S E N G E R November & December 2018 Nov 18 - NerfWars with Freeport UMC - 5-8pm Drivers Needed Nov 25 - No Sunday Night Youth - Happy Thanksgiving Dec 2 - Angel Tree Shopping and Dinner Out - 5-7pm Drivers with trucks needed! Dec 9 - Angel Tree Prison Ministry Party - 5-7pm Dec 16 - First Youth Christmas Party - 5-7pm Dec 23 - No Sunday Night Youth - Merry Christmas Dec 30 - New Year s Eve Eve Game Night - 5-7pm Sunday is December 2 We had a great time at the Confirmation Retreat on October 18th. We started at the ropes course then had dinner and some Methodist history with Pastor John. Join us on Sunday, December 2 at 9am as 12 students are confirmed. They will be confirmed at the 9am worship service and then introduced at the 11am worship service. Youth Study Group will now all be on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 in the youth center. Here are the remaining dates for 2018: Nov 7, 14 and 28 & Dec 5 and 12

7 V o l u m e 4 8, I s s u e 1 1 P a g e 7 Faith in Action 2018 Fall Camp More than 45 people gathered for our Faith in Action camp on Nov 2 and 3. The students and their leaders worked on 6 different sites in Freeport, Angleton, Clute and Lake Jackson doing everything from yardwork, cleaning and mulching, to building wheelchair ramps and rails and painting at the Dream Center. Thank you to all the students and volunteers who put their Faith into Action for others this weekend. 7th-12th Graders Ignite a Spiritual Spark Feb 22-24

8 P a g e 8 T h e M E S S E N G E R 2018 Communion Offerings Amount Given Stewardship Report as of 10/31/2018 Budget needs weekly... $ 13,372 Budget needs to date... $ 579,417 Budget receipts to date... $ 582,808 January Pastor's Discretionary Fund February Freeport Port Ministry March - UMCOR April - Easter Offering May - Golden Cross June - Prison Ministry July - Habitat for Humanity August - Crystal Crafters September - BackPack Buddies October - Society of St. Stephen November - Food Basket $ 1,453 $ 688 $ 2,132 $ 10,824 $ 633 $ 557 $ 875 $ 734 $ 910 $ 1, 177 $ 761 W hat lega cy will yo u leave? Milestones such as having a child, burying a loved one, or even anticipating year-end, can offer us an opportunity to reflect on our charitable goals and the legacy each of us will leave one day. What is God calling you to do with the time you've been blessed with on earth? Which ministries have you supported over the years, and which ones would you want to continue long after you're gone? Are you thinking of supporting your church by tithing from your estate in your will or setting up a permanent fund to support your favorite ministry in perpetuity? For more information on these or other creative ways to leave your legacy, contact , or office@heartspringmethodist.org.

9 V o l u m e 4 8, I s s u e 1 1 P a g e 9 MOMS in PRAYER GROUP 9:30am Wilson Parlor Meets every Monday morning (during school year) PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY 3 rd Wednesday of each month 11am Contact Linda Neumann blneumann@hotmail.com GIRLS NIGHT OUT December Date & Location TBD Contact Mary Helen Israel, or maryhisrael@gmail.com Women s Ministry Dinner Sunday, November 25 th 5pm - 7pm Asbury Room Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

10 P a g e 10 T h e M E S S E N G E R (THANKS continued from page 1) Can one dime make a difference? Yes, if it is well invested. How about one hour of your time? Can it make a difference? Or how about the life of one person? Can a life like yours or mine really make a difference? The answer to each of these questions is the same: Yes, if it is well invested. Now.. how are your investments doing? Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 God Bless, 11/4 Keep Running the Race Hebrews 12:1-3 11/11 75th Anniversary Guest Preacher: Will Reed 11/18 Healing Power of Thanksgiving Luke 17: /25 The Eyes of Faith 1 Kings 17:8-24 November s Communion Offering is designated to benefit the Food Basket. NOV. 18 th at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM DONOR COACH OUTSIDE Make an appointment at and enter code: 4134

11 V o l u m e 4 8, I s s u e 1 1 P a g e 11 File photo by Kathy C. Fitzhugh, United Methodist Communications OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS Our United Methodist brand promise, Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. The people of The United Methodist Church, is more than a slogan. It is both an invitation to church, and a challenge to go out to serve our communities. Since 2001, our brand promise, Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. has been featured on billboards, television ads, and computer banners promoting The United Methodist Church. The word open describes the state of our hearts, minds, and doors. Sometimes we put it this way, Our hearts, our minds, and our doors are always open. It is a symbol of welcome. Open doors welcome people in, but they also invite us out of our buildings. Beginning in 2009, United Methodists were encouraged to rethink church as more than our Sunday gatherings. We started to talk about how church can happen anywhere, because we are the church wherever we gather to worship God and love and serve others. IT ALL BEGINS WITH OPEN HEARTS. When we open our hearts to live a life inspired by God s love, it can change the world. It compels us to open our doors to those who are hungry, sick, or forgotten. It leads us to reach out to those who are struggling. It drives us to stand together for justice and inclusion. When we live with open hearts, church can happen anywhere. Excerpts copied from article published in UM Now online newsletter, courtesy of United Methodist Communications

12 First United Methodist Church 404 Azalea St. Lake Jackson, TX Phone: PERIODICALS # LAKE JACKSON, TX Sunday Worship Service Times: 8am - Classic - Chapel 9am - Contemporary - Sanctuary 11am - Traditional - Sanctuary 10am Sunday School - all ages! We re on the web! ljfumc.org Address Service Requested The Messenger is published monthly by the First United Methodist Church, Lake Jackson, TX Periodicals Postage paid at Lake Jackson, TX POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 404 Azalea St., Lake Jackson, TX NEXT NEWSLETTER WILL BE PUBLISHED: December 12 th Our Staff DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES: Monday, December 3 rd by Noon Pastor: Dr. Lynne Settlemyre pastor@ljfumc.org Administrative Pastor: Rev. John Settlemyre johns@ljfumc.org Children s Director: Lindsay Pulido children@ljfumc.org Youth Director: Kim Copeland youth@ljfumc.org Youth Ministry Assistant: Vannysa Vega College Youth Assistant: Bryson Wintjen Choir Director: Laura Mays Contemporary Music Director: Jordan Goldman Church Secretary: Kelly Colosimo ljfumc@ljfumc.org Membership & Finance Secretary: Patti Polasek membersecretary@ljfumc.org Custodians: Dora Riojas Santiago Cavazos Lety Delgado