November Come expectantly seeking Jesus. Follow Him boldly. Go witness intentionally.

Transcription

1 November 2017 Come expectantly seeking Jesus. Follow Him boldly. Go witness intentionally. 1

2 A Note From Our Pastor 2 are taken by surprise. Dear Friends, It s funny sometimes how we think that if we know something then everybody else knows it as well. I certainly have moments like that, the most recent one being my mentioning the division coming to the United Methodist Church. A number of people have approached me saying that they had no idea that that was going on. I was surprised at their surprise. And then I remember how leadership in the church often acts like parents who just don t argue in front of the children. We keep the conflict behind closed doors and then, suddenly, the crisis of a divorce looms and the kids So let me give you a brief summary of the crisis. For more than 40 years the UM Church has been in the throws of a debate regarding human sexuality. But in the last 20, things have reached a boiling/breaking point. At General Conference, the Church voted on a host of proposals to change our denominations position on sexuality as reflected in our Book of Discipline (BOD). That position, briefly stated, is traditional: celibacy in singleness, fidelity in marriage and teaches that while every person is of sacred worth and welcome in the church the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Thus, UM pastors and churches will not perform Same-sex marriages nor ordain anyone who openly declares that they are involved in such a lifestyle. Consistently the general conference has voted against any attempt to change our position. However, in deep frustration, those within the church who believe we ought to change our position to be more inclusive have pushed the envelope through ecclesiastical disobedience and defiance. Bishops, churches and even some conferences have refused to obey the BOD that is, they have openly and defiantly broken the covenant that binds us together as Methodists. The situation has become so acrimonious as to be untenable. There are now irreconcilable differences which have forced the General Conference to call a special General Conference to vote on proposals about how to deal with the division. A group has been formed called The Way Forward that is debating different proposals. While one ought not be pessimistic, in truth it seems that the writing is on the wall. As you can imagine, groups have been formed to advocate for different ways Forward. There are in essence 3 camps: Progressives who want to change the UM position, centrists who are trying to find a way to hold both positions in tension, and traditionalists who seek to hold to traditional Christian teaching on human sexuality. Worldwide the majority of United Methodists hold to the traditional view. In spring 2018, the commission called The Way Forward should present their findings/ recommendations. In 2019 a called General Conference will be debating and voting on what we will be doing as a denomination. While we live in hope, I fear that the positions are irreconcilable. Too much is at stake in changing our position, including: the authority of scripture, our view of creation, our understanding of humanity, our core conviction in the transforming grace of God. Hence, I fear, there is no middle way that is sustainable. So much energy and time is expended on the debate that the mission of the church suffers. And the acrimony between people within the church undermines our witness. At some point in the near future we will explore the issues more thoroughly it is only appropriate to be informed. Until then, pray for the UMC. Keefe Cropper

3 FUMC Sunday 8:30 am Worship 9:30 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Monday 9:00 am n-joy Line Dancing 11:00 am Covenant Prayer Group Wednesday 5:15 pm WNL Meal 6:00 pm Bible Studies for all ages 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Thursday 7:00 am - Men s Breakfast at Tea Room 9:00 am n-joy Line Dancing 5:15 pm JOY Ringers Rehearsal FUMC 11/5 1:30 pm Trustee Meeting 11/6 2:00 pm Writing Club 11/8 10 :00 am Wesley House Devotion 11/12 noon Consecration Luncheon 11/12 6 pm Church Council Mtg 11/13 7:30 am Tyler Food Bank 11/13 2:00 pm Book Club 11/13-20 OCC Collection Week 11/15 10:00 am Heritage Devotion 11/17 11:00 am Savor the Word Bible Study 11/19 5:00 pm Charge Conference 11/21 6:30 pm UM Men 11/23 Thanksgiving Meal 11/29 6 pm Hanging of the Greens Book Club 2:00 pm November 13 In the Life Classroom The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah FUMC Communion Rail Offering October: $450 to World Communion Sunday November: Christmas Sharing 8:30 am Service Mike & Tammy Gilmore Annette Wilbourn November Third Tuesday of the month Meal at 6:30 pm bring a dish to share November 21, 2017 Program Host: John Sparks Bob Blackwell, Marcia Chewning, Joan Collins, Joe Crawford, Gary DeArmond, Nelda Deer Dodd, Don Edwards, Bill Fry, Bruce Grider, Billie Kleebauer, Jan Nisbet, Kay Robinson 11:00 am Service Carolyn Manning, Pete Andres, Kevan Burroughs, Ben Burroughs, Ava Burroughs, Michelle Dobbs, Ava Dobbs USHER? Ushering at our worship services is an easy way to serve the church, especially when we have plenty of helpers on each team. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Darrell or Debby Slabaugh at November Financial Update As of October 22, 2017 General Fund Year-To-Date Giving $313,243. Year-To-Date Budget $345, /2 Margaret Dooley Don Thomas 11/4 Jerry Jackson 11/6 Tommy Bashioum 11/7 Emma Hatcher 11/8 Roy Faubion 11/10 Terese Wilson Erica Cherry 11/11 Kurt Beverly 11/11 Frances Dawson Kylie O Neal Mary Meyer 11/12 Vickey Medina 11/13 Mickey Barnett Brenda Taylor 11/15 Claudette Dixon Gail Lumley 11/16 Ann Marie Hogue Julia Simpkins 11/17 Raelyn Peek 11/18 Shelby Bettis 11/19 Wanda Haskett Lisa Patterson 11/21 Cathy Roberts 11/22 Dalton Poppenhusen Alice Stone Sam Scroggins 11/23 Bill Medlin 11/24 Bobbie Brown Trace Otto Virginia Turney 11/26 Charles Thompson Brad vonreyn 11/29 Juan Nichols Raymond Peek 3

4 There's more to choir rehearsal than meets the ear! There's laughter, fellowship, communication and worship. The laughter is usually at my expense (and I'm fine with that)! Recently, I was trying to explain what I wanted the choir members to do so they could see me and it just came out all wrong. I was shaking my head and they were just hee hawin'. But it's all good, they knew what I meant!! HAYRIDE Fellowship with the choir is rewarding on a spiritual level. Some may think that 'singing in the choir' is no big deal. But, having the awesome privilege and responsibility to lead your fellow church members in worship on Sunday is a pretty big deal. Using different tools to help us prepare for Sunday Worship service is all part of how I am communicating with the choir. Weekly s inform members of specific songs that will be rehearsed on Wednesdays and those s include a link to the songs which can be listened to at any time. Don t let the words choir rehearsal deceive you. Yes, you WILL learn your choir part, but you ll also worship Almighty God in the meantime and leave feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your week. Did you know that a lot of current choir members don t read music? If that s been what s kept you from joining, then your non-choir days are OVER! Here s what you do you come to choir rehearsal and sit next to someone who reads well. All you have to do then is LISTEN and you re home free. You ll be amazed what you can learn by just planting yourself in the middle of the music. In the busyness we re all living in, it s easy to talk yourself out of coming to church on Wednesday night. I promise you this if you ever start, you ll never want to stop! So come laugh and fellowship with us. It's singing, yes, but it's so much more, it's worship. Lepha Thanks to the support of First United Methodist, Quitman Elementary School raised $6,000 toward a new walking track on the playground. This gave us a huge start to our goal for the track. We know we could not have done it without your amazing support. What a friend we have. Blessings. Mary Ann Nichols Pet Blessings 4

5 Check out more pictures on our facebook page: First United Methodist Church of Quitman, Texas 5

6 Operation Christmas Child WOW! Christmas is here for Operation Christmas Child. The doors to the Drop Off Location at First United Methodist Church Quitman, will be open November 13 20, 2017, to receive your shoebox. I want to encourage you for your efforts in packing a shoebox. Pray for the child that receives your shoebox. Every shoebox represents one child, that is one heart, one soul. The children are waiting to hear of Jesus love and forgiveness. Jesus is our living hope and He is the living hope for the children. What God is doing, we are privileged to be a part. If you cannot pack a shoebox, perhaps you could fill a shoebox online and if you cannot do a shoebox perhaps you can donate to the FUMC for Operation Christmas Child to buy The Greatest Journey discipleship lesson set for the children. Collection Station Hours November 13-20, 2017 Monday 10:30 am 1:00 pm Tuesday 10:30 am 1:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:30 pm Wednesday 10:30 am 1:00 pm Thursday 10:30 am 1:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm Friday 10:30 am 1:00 pm Saturday 10:30 am 1:00 pm Sunday 10:30 am 1:00 pm Monday 10:30 am 1:00 pm 2017 FUMC Contacts Back Pack Program Kevan Burroughs Bridge/Evangelism Al Medina Caring Ministries Food Ministry Nan Vance Seasonal Remb. Carol Denson Homebound Bill Hedges Prayer Ministry Jimmy&Rita Johns Correspondence Kay Robinson Transportation Nan Vance Children s Programs Teresa Dunn Church Council Chair Jack Robinson Crafty Christians Donna Guvernator Cub Scouts Cory Irwin Adult Choir Lepha Luttrall Endowment Chair Darrell Slabaugh Fellowship Chair Annette Simpkins Finance Chair Beth Aikman Handbells FUMC Becky Bradfield Handbells Liberty Cathy Hibbs Church Office office@fumcquitman.org Newsletter Mary Wilson Missions Chair Keith & JoAnn Zimmerman Taste and See sharronnthomas@yahoo.com Trustees Chair Bill McPherson Savor the Word Annette Wilbourn Staff Parish Relations Teresa Dunn United Methodist Men Don Hensley Youth Programs Taylor Ory Worship Chair Diane Blackwell any others Mary Wilson Ponderations by Roy Faubion 6 Robert & Susan Ukleja 118 County Rd 1997 Yantis, TX Monday Thursday 8:30 am 4:00 pm Closed Friday And you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Jeremiah 30:22) Can there be a more welcome message to a nation? It sort of makes a person wonder what the message to us might be today. More importantly, are we listening to God as he speaks through the din of commercials, rhetoric and other noises. Sometimes I think my actions show that I prefer to hear the sales pitches on television instead of the positive messages of God. Too often I tune to the noise of the commercials rather than listening to the quiet words of encouragement from God. Maybe I should occasionally just sit a while and be still and know.

7 Liberty Sunday 8:30 am Early Risers Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 9:30 am Youth Sunday School Class 11:00 am Brunch Bunch Sunday School Tuesday 9:30 am Liberty Prayer Circle 11:00 am Liberty Bells FUMC Annex 6:00 pm Snack n Chat Friday 10:00 am Women s Bible Study Liberty 11/2 10:00 am Thursday Crafty Christians 11/4 Bazaar & Bake Sale 11/8 6:00 pm Wednesday Trustee Meeting 11/9 6:30 pm Thursday Council Meeting 11/21 6:30 pm Tuesday United Methodist Men LIBERTY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH : AN OLD CHURCH WITH A STRONG HEART Liberty Lines.By Jerry Price Fall is in the air and there are plenty of things happening at Liberty. We had our hayride with FUMC of Quitman, the weather was perfect, the hot dogs were tasty, plus the usual abundance of delicious deserts. The hay ride was lead by Clarence Lee's 1939 Ford tractor as has been the tradition for a number of years. Pastor Keefe, Blessed the handmade prayer shawls that will be given to those in need of a spiritual blessing and comfort. We delivered refills for the appreciation baskets to the following: Quitman Elementary, Quitman Police, Quitman Fire, Wood county Sheriff dept., Quitman Hospital and Holly Lake Fire dept. We received a lot of thank you s for the goodies. October attendance was affected by an unusual amount of our members out traveling and several that were sick. Our beloved Pete has a birthday on Sunday the 29 th and there will be a lot of hats in the congregation. Thank you to all of those that brought candy for the Trick or Treat at First Church. We will not have a November Thursday dinner since it would conflict with Thanksgiving. Next Up-- on November 4 th our annual Bazaar and Bake sale which will include homemade Sausage Cabbage Rolls and Cinnamon Rolls, Sweets, handmade crafts and gently used Christmas items. Also, our Christmas party will be coming up in December with an opportunity to share a few gifts, give to the needy and celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ birthday. 11/19 Jackie Willhide 11/27 Butch Willhide Liberty UMC Communion Rail Offering for November 5, 2017 Christmas Sharing 7

8 Spending Thanksgiving alone? First United Methodist Church Invites Quitman area senior adults who would otherwise be alone on Thanksgiving to join us for a delicious meal and fellowship! 1:00 pm Thursday, November 23, 2017 First United Methodist Church JOY Hall RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! Please call church office at no later than Monday, November 20, 2017 First United Methodist Church 406 E. Lane Street Early Worship 8:30 am Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 11:00 am Youth 4:30 6:00 pm Liberty United Methodist Church 2581 E. Hwy Sunday School 8:30 am Worship 9:30 am Sunday School 10:45 am HAVE YOU MOVED OR HAVE A NEW PHONE NO? If so, please contact Mary Wilson in the church office so she can update the records. Call her at First United Methodist Church P O Box 1643 Quitman, TX Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Permit No. 14 Quitman, TX Transforming God s Children Into Disciples 8