Methodist Messenger. Perspectives A Journey of Joy. First United Methodist Church. Volume 74, Issue 13. July 15, 2018.

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1 First United Methodist Church Methodist Messenger Volume 74, Issue 13 A Taste of What s Inside 1 Perspectives 2 Newsletter Deadline 3 Children s Corner 3 Scholarship Deadline 3 Welcome Smith Family 4 Music Notes 4 Mission Moment 4 Fifth Sunday Night Prayer 5 Ephesians Sermon Series 6 Puppets for Jesus Mark Your Calendar 2 Newsletter Deadline - July 19 3 Vacation Bible School - July Scholarship Deadline - August 1 4 Missions Committee Meeting - July 29 4 Fifth Sunday Night Prayer - July 29 5 Ephesians Sermon Series - Sunday s July 15 - August 26 5 Special Guests - July 22, 29 Perspectives A Journey of Joy July 15, 2018 A transition to a new place is always challenging, but your warm welcome and provisions have been gratefully received and have made for one of the smoothest transitions in our ministry career, and for that, we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. I truly echo the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:3-6, I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Paul s words are significant because they communicate what I call a journey of joy. The Christian life is characterized as a journey, and we Methodists should understand that for sure, as we grow more in the likeness of Christ. It should also be characterized as joyful; a joy that can be experienced when your life is deeply rooted in the kingdom of God, richly established by His grace and love. What stands out in this passage, moreover, is Paul s confidence. His confidence that God will move us forward in this journey of joy until everything is complete. Paul can be certain of this because his confidence is in God, and the good work that God began in you will become the well done, good and faithful servant if you simply allow God to work in you. I m genuinely excited about that good work and the journey of joy that we are on together. I am confident that when we unite together under the Lordship of Christ great things will happen, simply because our God is great. He alone is our King and we will be people of His kingdom. I m grateful to be your pastor and I look forward to learning more about you and your family as we share life together. Blessings, Matthew Smith Vision Statement: First United Methodist Church is a loving, supportive family of faith working together to share God's love. Contact Us 105 N. Montgomery St Gilmer, TX Pastor, Matthew Smith mattsmith@gilmer-fumc.com Secretary, Esther Faggione gilmerchurch@gmail.com Financial Secretary, Lamon Geddie fumcacct@etex.net

2 Page 2 By Our Prayers... WE SHOW OUR LOVE Judy Avery, Ceci Crombie, Lamon Geddie, Roy Helpenstill, Dr. David Jenkins, Ashley Meyerson, Sarah Monk, Tammy Orms, Jerry Steger, Billie Stevenson Remember ongoing prayers for loved ones with serious illnesses, our shut-ins, family and friends in the military service and the leaders and staff of our church and our country. Remember to check our Web Site Prayer Ministry Don t worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don t forget to thank Him for His answers. -- Philippians 4:6 Submit requests to Church s web page: Or Call: Church Office Flowers for July 1 FUMC, Gilmer July 8 July 15 Mr. and Mrs. Milton Monk July 22 Mr. and Mrs. Charles Winn and family and Dinah Spence and family July 29 Greg and Frances Kendall Greeters Kathy McClain and Kathy Daniels Lay Readers Our Youth Ushers Our Youth The Sanctuary Flowers for June 3 were given by Mrs. B. M. Stevenson and family in memory of Bill Stevenson and Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Brogoitti. June 10 were given in loving memory of Edwin and Harry Aldredge by Harry s children and their families. Statistically Speaking Our Presence Date Sunday School Worship Visitors Deadline for Newsletter Articles July 19, Noon June June Average Year to Date Average Last Year Our Deepest Sympathy To: Ann Irwin on the loss of her sister, Follow us on Facebook First United M ethodist Church of Gilmer Lella Henderson

3 Page 3 Children s Corner VBS is this week! We are super excited about the week. This year we are learning about 5 major life lessons, and how we can find them. On Monday we remember to find Adventure on the River as we study how Jesus called the disciples. On Tuesday, we learn from Mary and Martha to find Acceptance on the River. Wednesday we find Joy on the River through the story of Zacchaeus. Friday, we find Rest on the River as we Share a special meal with Jesus. And finally, on Friday we find Peace on the River as we learn of the special Promise Jesus makes each of us. If you haven t signed up yet, it is not too late. You can sign up Monday morning. We start at 8 a.m. and are done at 12:30 p.m. Breakfast and Lunch are provided by GISD. So bring the kids, bring the grandkids, bring your neighbor s kids. Let s reach out to our friends and neighbors and show them love of Christ. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. - Isaiah 43:2 Pictured above are Reverend Matthew Smith, his wife Danielle and their three children, Andrew, Brayden and Caitlynn. A welcome reception was held on July 1, 2018 in their honor. Welcome Andrew, Brayden and Caitlynn See you soon, Mrs. Chandra College Scholarship applications are now available on the table outside the church office. If you have graduated from high school, are continuing your college education, and are a member of FUMC, please stop by and pick up an application. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, 5:00 p.m., August 1, If you have questions or need additional information, please call Esther in the church office at On July 8th, a Welcome Pool Party was held for the children of the Smith family, and was hosted by the Nyes and the Greens.

4 Page 4 Music Notes by Lora Robison As we continue with our informal services for the month of July we look forward on July 15, to Reverend Smith s sermon entitled Living a Blessed Life based upon scripture from Ephesians 1:3-14. Reverend Smith s sermon series for the next six weeks will be from the book of Ephesians and entitled How to Live a Life that Honors God. In keeping with the series theme our hymns for July 15 include Blessed Assurance, Victory in Jesus and There s a Wideness in God s Mercy all from The United Methodist Hymnal. Mark Feller will be singing My Tribute for the special music. July 22 will focus on scripture from Ephesians 2:1-10. Reverend Smith s sermon topic is Letting God Work. Hymns for the service include God of Grace and God of Glory, Are Ye Able, and I Am Thine, O Lord, all from The United Methodist Hymnal. We are pleased this Sunday to be welcoming Brent Hetherington, one of my former music students who is now singing professionally with several opera companies and who has been chosen Young Artist of the Year for two consecutive years. Brent who has sung with our choir and who has sung solos for us many times before will be here this Sunday to sing our special music. Our special guests on Sunday, July 29, will be brother and sister team, Melanie and Darren Richardson, old friends from Dallas and Gladewater who come often to sing for our special music events and to lead in our Last-Sunday -of-july worship services. These two bring wonderful, worshipful, gospel music every year. We love having them and we hope you will make a special effort to be in attendance on this Sunday. As Reverend Smith continues his series on How to Live a Life that Honors God from the book of Ephesians, we will be led in music by Melanie and Darren who will be bringing four musical numbers that day. The sermon title is Building Peace by Peace and is based upon Ephesians 2: We look forward to our VBS children singing during the children s moment on Sunday, July 22 after a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School! See you in Worship! In Christ s love, Lora Mission Moment... We will have a Missions committee meeting on Sunday, July 29 immediately after church. We will meet in the Library. Robin Woodson Fifth Sunday Night Prayer Sunday, July 29 at 6 p.m. Our Night Prayer Service of Healing and Wholeness will be held in the Chapel. The Service includes readings, scripture and song with optional opportunities for personal prayer and anointing. This is not a service of curing, but a time that provides an atmosphere of prayer and the healing of our spirits and hearts as well as a time to renew and strengthen our relationship with the living Christ. Annette Please join us for this time of worship and prayer. All are welcome. Invite a friend.

5 Page 5 Sunday s July 15 - August 26 Life is hard enough, and being Christian in today s world can be challenging. Join us for worship as we journey through the book of Ephesians to discover how to live a life that honors God. COMING SOON! Sunday, July 22 - Brent Hetherington (10:00 a.m. Worship Service) Sunday, July 29 - Darren and Melanie Richardson (10:00 a.m. Worship Service) Reverend Matthew Smith would like to host 3 small Get to Know You group meetings at the Silver Alley Events center, in Gilmer. The meeting dates will be held on July 23, 24 and 26, at 6:30 p.m. You are welcome to attend whichever meeting is convenient for you.

6 Page 6 Puppets for Jesus by Babs Crombie The Puppets for Jesus team is taking a well deserved vacation time off from performances until September. This is a Devotion I shared with them this year that I thought you might enjoy. BE A SUPER HERO: NO CAPE REQUIRED When Superman took off his Superman outfit who was he? When I ask people this question most say Clark Kent but the answer is, he was still Superman. It didn t matter what clothes he was wearing. He was still Superman on the inside. His strength came not from the uniform he wore but from the power from within. The same goes for you and me. Your power does not come from your job, uniform, career status, circumstance, fame or label people give you. Your power comes from your heart, soul, spirit, passion and love that exists inside you and you are more important than you think. You are not just human. You are super human. If you don t feel powerful, it s because you have come to believe the illusion and lie that outside circumstances have power over you. You have forgotten the truth that you create your world from the inside-out. You don t realize the power you possess. It s as if you have been given the power of Superman or Wonder Woman but are living the life of Clark Kent instead. But deep down you know the truth. It s why these words resonate with you. It s why so many love super hero movies. You know you were made for more and there is more within you. You have been given super human power and you are meant to use it. Not just to create your life but also to help others. Like all super heroes you have been given the greatest power in the universe. The power to make a difference in the life of another human being. You were made with a super power to empower others. You don t need a special suit, a title or a super hero name. You just need to tap into the love, spirit, passion, soul and purpose inside you to create your life and a better world today. No cape required! Remember to be kind to one another. You just never know, they might really need that extra moment of kindness from someone! Blessings, Babs