Can God Put a Smile On Your Face?

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1 Can God Put a Smile On Your Face? So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:31-34, from Jesus Sermon on the Mount) Watching my favorite television show from the past, I Love Lucy starring Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, I ran across an episode featuring the famous Bob Hope, in which Lucy tries to meet him at a baseball game in Yankee Stadium by posing as a hot dog vendor. I thoroughly enjoy watching Mr. Hope perform--making us laugh--and in a short time I ve fallen in love with that mischievous smile he puts on when you know he s up to something. Bob Hope is one of many interesting people whose life I love to study and learn more about. I learned from studying Mr. Hope s life that he was a man who never finished high school, and yet had been awarded a reported 56 Honorary Doctorates. Bob Hope, the comedienne, in all of his wonderfully joyful ways, brings a smile to my face. Truly, because of performers like Mr. Hope, I have enjoyed smiles and happiness throughout my life. But after the television set is turned off, and it s time to go to bed at night, a much more serious look at my happiness needs to take place. I ve come to know this happy-ness as more than a feeling, but more of a life experience which surfaces amidst all of life s bumps and bruises. Yes, along life s journey, it s become important for me to learn about a more enduring, permanent happiness that God through Jesus Christ would have me to enjoy. Wanting to study and learn more about this God we serve, I have come to understand that true trust in God brings that joy which only God can give. With so many supposed obstacles to happiness we face in the world today violence, terrorism at home and abroad, persecution--it has become very necessary to understand the kind of happiness (joy) our Lord provides. Realizing that Jesus is serious when he says, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself, I have learned to truly enjoy life one day at a time, plan for the next day, but not worry about what is going to happen in it. Worry doesn t add anything to life; in fact, it only takes away from the full life Jesus has for us to experience. In those moments when I truly realize I can trust the Lord with each day He gives me, I am given to a smile! In fact, lately, knowing how much God loves you and me, I ve been going around saying I feel like the most blessed person in the world! This experience of wholeness and happiness comes from knowing God knowing God cares knowing that I can trust Him. Do you realize how blessed you are, simply to know God? While so many people in the world still long for true happiness and peace because they don t yet know God, can you better understand how much God has blessed you? Knowing how blessed the believer in Christ is and fully realizing that you can trust God, touches on every aspect of living, I am discovering. For example, the Apostle Paul once wrote to the church at Philippi: Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Know in this New Year that God, through our Lord, Jesus Christ, is blessing you. No matter how adverse things may appear to be at times, no matter how tough things may seem to get, I have learned from experience, such as Paul learned, that my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. May God s happiness, peace and joy be yours in this New Year as you put your whole trust in the Savior and in His grace. In Christ Love, Pastor Rosie

2 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 Office Closed Christian Men s Fellowship 8:30 AM BIBLE STUDY 11:30 AM COMMUNION RX Program 1:00 PM COVERED DISH LUNCHEON UMW Meeting 2:30 PM 12 BIBLE STUDY 11:30 AM Jan Crane Havelka speaking in Pastor s absence Health Committee Meeting 5:15 PM Finance Meeting 5:30 PM CHURCH COUNCIL 19 BIBLE STUDY 11:30 AM Austin Mertz, Disciple-Maker, speaking in Pastor s absence Worship Committee Meeting 3:30 PM Consecration of Church Leaders & Committee Members for BIBLE STUDY 11:30 AM

3 Dear Pumpkin Friends, Greetings from our Fundraiser Committee Yesterday was a bitter sweet day. The last pumpkin found a home on Dec 13. January I will give a full report to the church people also we will have a pizza party to celebrate the First Annual Pumpkin Patch success. Thanks again for all of your help. Have a blessed holiday! Sandra Coates Dear FUMC, The staff would like to thank everyone for the generous Christmas Love Offering! Thank You! Pastor Rosie Grattan, Missy Nañez, Isabel Encinia, and Mary Anne Hartung ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS The Church Council has voted to do the Small Church Initiative Program (SCI), a program designed to strengthen congregations. In our next Church Council meeting on January 17, 2016, we will be deciding on a date to begin the study work. Those who signed up to serve on a team should be prepared to attend this Church Council meeting. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. CLASS OFFERINGS Spiritual Gifts Inventory Offering! Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts by Dr. Charles V. Bryant offers a spiritual gifts inventory. If you are interested in a one-on-one session or a class, please contact Pastor Rosie. Our Adult Sunday School Class has begun a new lesson, Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam by James W. Moore. Everyone is welcome to this Sunday School Class at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday. Wednesday Bible Study began again on November 11, 2015, at 11:30 a.m. This 12-week study by Francis Chan will cover the entire book of James. No materials need to be purchased for this study. Contact Pastor Rosie with any questions.

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6 Greetings from Our Wesley Nurse JANUARY 2016 Seasons of Wholeness Message Year of Health In the Chinese culture, the New Year is the time dedicated to finish with the old and to start with the new. Their traditions include visiting friends and family to re-establish relationships, cleaning the house to prepare for the coming year, stocking cupboards with household provisions, settling all old debts, and putting forth their best behavior. All of the activities are to make the New Year better and healthier. What pain or baggage is holding you hostage? Many cultures promote forgiveness as a way to begin the New Year. Research shows that forgiving others makes you healthier by lowering your blood pressure, stress, hostility, anxiety, and chronic pain. Letting go also gives you a sense of well-being that translates into healthier relationships and less illness. It is not easy but with God s help you can make the choice to take control and keep the hurt from ruling your emotions or actions. Forgiveness takes time. Give it your energy and by Christmas see what changes have been made in your life. Every 6 months or 5,000 miles your car is taken in for a checkup and regular maintenance so why don t you do the same with your body? God gave you one body and the responsibility of keeping it healthy and strong. It is up to you to watch over it and pay attention to signs that you need a checkup. If you have a lump in your breast, a mole that changes shape or color, sudden shortness of breath, or stools that are not usual, do not wait! Visit your physician and have the appropriate screenings to find the problem and the right treatment. The longer you wait the more advanced a situation or disease will become and the harder it will be to deal with it. Changing old habits or creating new ones is hard to but making healthier choices will improve your life by preventing heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. Choosing healthier foods and losing excess weight will also impact the physical problems you have from the added stress that weight adds to your joints. This year, make a vow to become healthier. Change your dietary choices, add movement, and exercise to your day, and ask God for the strength to follow your plan. Change begins with baby steps which you add to as you see success. If you are committed to change, you will see a new and improved you! The New Year is a good time to look at your life and determine what you need to change or improve. Start the year by considering your health. Follow the monthly tips from your Wesley Nurse to see how you can become healthy, prevent disease, or minimize complications to your current health. Explore your community for organizations or agencies where you could volunteer in those capacities and pick a project. Good health is more than eating right; it is sharing the love of Jesus Christ by sharing your time and talents. Giving of yourself benefits the recipient and you. Focusing on the future and a well-balanced life will help you participate more fully in the love and joy of family. There are two activities that the community will be invited to participate in the first of February, the Biggest Loser Challenge and Walk Across Texas. Both are excellent opportunities for us to join together as a church and lead the charge for a healthier Sinton! Your Wesley Nurse, Kerry Reference: Merila, N. & Slutz (2009) Seasons of Wholeness Monthly themes and programming for faith community ministry. Volume VI. International Parish Nurse Resource center; St. Louis, MO.

7 Happy New Year from the COGS! Hello from the COGS! In December, Eradio Valverde, our District Superintendent, came and spoke to Sinton Youth United about careers in ministry. He sat and talked with the youth and gave a wonderful presentation. I spoke to several of the youth afterward and they all told me how very much they enjoyed his visit. We were invited to provide someone to take care of children during the Christmas cantata, All is Well, and Gwyn stepped up. She helped care for several children while their parents enjoyed the performance. In January we will be giving a second presentation on The Dynamic Dollar program, helping to raise money for a refuge for survivors of human trafficking. Our presentation will be on January 10, 2016, so make sure to have your dollars ready! We continue to collect crayons/coloring books, new or gently used stuffed animals, and books for children of all ages to donate to Driscoll Children s Hospital. This is our favorite mission. We love to put the packages together, it is a lovely time of fellowship for us. Mary Anne Hartung Youth Director News from Kerry DuBose BIGGEST LOSER CHALLENGE COMING TO SINTON! The Sinton Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Biggest Loser Community Challenge. Companies and organizations can sign up with teams of 4 to help improve the health of their members. The cost of the teams is $100 and organizations can have as many teams as they want. Participants will have access on line to all sorts of information to improve their health. Points are earned for logging in and completing challenges. While some people will lose weight, the focus is a healthy lifestyle. So, if you don t need to lose weight but want to participate, please do so! If you have any questions or would like to participate, go to the link on the website and check it out. The challenge will begin the first of February. WALK ACROSS TEXAS!!!!!! The Agrilife Extension Agency in conjunction with the Healthy South Texas initiative will be conducting a community wide Walk Across Texas event. Participants will be logging their activity during the months of February and March. It will be a great compliment to the Biggest Loser Challenge! Recording of the walking will be done on line. The link will be available in January.

8 Prayer List: Teresa Schubert Ryan Rivera, Jr. A.L. Nelson Denice Hadwin Stephanie Jetton Brezina Karen Reilly Michelle Coates Jeane Wolfe Ruben Serrano Laynie Houser Allen Morris Irma Escamilla Cheryl Wright Kyle Smith The Family of Pat Sorenson The Family of Bud Austin The Family of Michael Cooper Donelle Bethel Audrey Alaniz The Family of Marilyn Moore Arlo Peralez Lisa Willis The Family of Frank Hernandez Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Long-Term: Military: Wesley Hartung Cameron Collier Matt Lowder Kevin Campbell Jakob Unruh If you would like to add a loved one to our prayer list, please, call the church office at , or us at umc@att.net. Memorials (Received December 1-31, 2015) MARILYN MOORE Alleta Waters Mr. & Mrs. Patrick McDaniel Chris Day Mr. & Mrs. Gene Chernosky, Kevin, Melanie & Ariana Cox DALE DRAWE Mr. & Mrs. Chip Weaver MIKE WEAVER Chris Day Mr. & Mrs. William F. McDaniel FRANK HERNANDEZ Sandra Coates ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS NOVEMBER 2015 NOV. 1: Worship -54 Sunday School-24 Total Offering: $5, NOV. 8: Worship -41 Sunday School-21 Total Offering: $2, NOV. 15: Worship -45 Sunday School-30 Total Offering: $3, NOV. 22: Worship -37 Sunday School-24 Total Offering: $6, NOV. 29: Worship -39 Sunday School-17 Total Offering: $7, GIVING TO FUNDS NOVEMBER 2015 APPORTIONMENTS FUND= $1, BUILDING FUND=$ COMMUNION RAIL FUND= $ EMERGENCY FUND=$5, GENERAL FUND= $14, MEMORIAL FUND=$25.00 PUMPKIN PATCH=$3, SPECIAL OFFERING=$1, YOUTH FELLOWSHIP=$25.00

9 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH P. O. Box 276 Sinton, Texas SINTON METHODIST NEWS 2016 A Publication of the First United Methodist Church of Sinton umc@att.net Website: