Come Grow With Us. Worship Schedule. Upcoming Events and Meetings. Forestburg United Methodist Church. TUESDAYS Bible Study

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1 Forestburg United Methodist Church Come Grow With Us Worship Schedule January 2018 Volume 8, Issue 1 SUNDAY MORNINGS Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. TUESDAYS Bible Study 8:30 a.m. WEDNESDAYS Hands on Youth Gathering 5:00-7:00 p.m. Kids Klub 5:30-7:00 p.m. Upcoming Events and Meetings January 2 Community Game Day with Lunch... 10:00 a.m. January 3 UMW General Meeting... 1:00 p.m. January 7 Epiphany Sunday Baptism of the Lord... 11:00 a.m. January 11 North Texas Conference Close-Out Day January 15 Church Office Closed January 16 Community Game Day with Lunch... 10:00 a.m. January 16 & 17 Northwest District Check-Out Day January 17 Hands On Youth Resumes... 5:00 p.m. Kids Klub Resumes... 5:30 p.m. January National Week of Prayer For Christian Unity January 21 Bring A Can Sunday for FUMC Food Pantry Trustees Meeting (after church)... 12:05 p.m. January 23 North Texas Annual Conference Covenant Day January 24 Hands on Youth... 5:00 p.m. Kids Klub... 5:30 p.m. January 28 Northwest U.M.C. District Training Event January 30 Deadline for articles to be submitted for February newsletter. January 31 Hands on Youth... 5:00 p.m. Kids Klub... 5:30 p.m. The church newsletter is published monthly. Pastor Chuck Jestis FM 455 P. O. Box 374 Forestburg, TX Church Phone Church Parsonage Church ForestburgUMC@gmail.com Web Address Facebook Forestburg UMC If you would like to contribute information to the newsletter, please send the information to fburgumcnewsletter@yahoo.com The deadline for articles to be submitted for the February issue is January 30. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Pastor s Article Summer Camper... 3 November Stats...4 Anniversaries/Birthdays...4 December Stats...4 Vol. Responsibilities...4 Comm./Leadership Roles... 5 Prayer Concerns/Praises...6 Disclaimer...6

2 FROM THE PASTOR S DESK: Greetings Church! Can you believe that we are in the year Two Thousand and Eighteen!? It seems like just yesterday we were preparing for the big year of I hope that you all have had a great and safe holiday season, and are ready to take on the coming year. Have you ever asked yourself Why? Why did God send his Son to earth as a baby, to be born in a manger? We all know the reason, because the answer is contained in the most popular scripture of the New Testament: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. As you know that scripture comes from the Book of John, Chapter three Verses 16 & 17. But what does that mean to you? When I hear the words, shall not perish but have eternal life, I am reminded that the entity who created EVE- RYTHING in existence doesn t just want a relationship with me (us) but He wants ALL of me (us). I think God wants me to crave a relationship with Him, even more than I crave chocolate pie (you all know how much I love chocolate pie) or anything else. He wants to be my number One! I am reminded of an ole story of a country doctor, who was visiting a very sick patient that was facing his journey to his heavenly home. As the two visited inside the elderly gentleman s home, the doctor could tell that there was something bothering him, so he asked what was on his mind. The old man told the doctor, that he had been a Christian all his life, and he believed with all of his heart that he was headed to a better place, but he was just concerned about what it would be like. Then the man asked the doctor, do you believe and if you do what to do you think heaven is like. As if on cue, just as the man paused, the doctor s dog began to scratch frantically at the door. The doctor paused for just a moment so the man could hear the scratching at the door and said, Ole Blue out there doesn t have a clue what is on this side of the door, he s never been in your house. But, he does know that the one who gives everything he needs to survive is on this side of the door. He knows that he is now separated from his master and all he wants is to be reunited with the one who cares for him. That is what I think about heaven. I don t know what it is like, but I know that my Master is there, and I know that my Master has taken care of me while I am here. I just can t imagine the awesomeness he has prepared for me there. What a great explanation of heaven! I don t know what it will be like, but because Jesus is there and prepared it for me, it has to be awesome! The past few months I have been pondering the question, Just how much does God truly want a relationship with each one of his children? Then I started noticing something about my own dog, Luci Lou. Luci is a Corgi and believe it or not they are considered herding dogs. She is by far is the hardest headed dog I ve ever had as well as one of the bravest. She weighs just a little over twenty pounds and is not afraid of anything. I ve taught her to get in the truck, which honestly was a mistake because every time a door is opened on a vehicle, she s in there. She wants to be with me regardless of what I m doing. Luci and I Deer Hunting. Driving Through Denton. Going to check cattle. (Our favorite time). Mowing/shredding the pasture on a tractor. I m telling you the dog loves being with me. As a matter of fact we have a problem keeping her in a fence because she wants to be with me, ALL THE TIME. Now don t get me wrong, I realize she is a dog. But, I equate the passion she has to be with me to that of the Father s love for each of His children (you). He will and already has done everything possible to be a part of your life. Not only your life here on earth, but your eternal life as well. 2

3 PASTOR S ARTICLE CONTINUED. Why? Why oh why?? Would God send Jesus in the form of a baby to be born in a manger? Because God would do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, to be a part of your lives. We ve just come out of the Christmas season and I hope you have heard me say that, the Christmas story is for everyone! Not just the wealthy, not just the intelligent, not just the white, and certainly not just for the best. Our Savior was born in a barn, and welcomed by shepherds. He was and is today, for all the people. I pray that your New Year is filled with Grace with Hope with Love and most of all with Jesus. I pray that every day this year you are reminded of what the Father did to be a part of your lives. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Chuck Jestis CALLING ALL PARENTS OF CHILDREN & YOUTH Believe it or not, it is already time to register our children and youth in this year s summer church camps at Bridgeport Camp. To take advantage of the Early Bird Discount campers have to be registered before January 31 st. If you register your child you not only save $50.00, but you also reserve a spot in the camp of your choice (These camps fill up FAST!). So, if your child is going to go to camp, please go to and register them for the camp that best fits your schedule; reserve the camp with the required deposit and then notify me that your child is registered. I will need to know what camp they are registered for as well as the balance owed. I will then try and gain scholarships for the children of our church. Last year we were able to pay everything except the $50.00 deposits, which is what we ll shoot for this year. If you have any questions you are welcome to contact me. Don t procrastinate! These camps are a great time for the kids and they fill up fast. 3

4 STATS FOR NOVEMBER 2017 Date: Attendance: Offering: November 5 47 $3, November $1, November $ November $2, Totals 188 $8, Monthly Average 47 $2, Yearly Average Attendance = Yearly Average Attendance = Yearly Average Attendance = Yearly Average Attendance = Yearly Average Attendance = Year to Date Average Attendance = 54 INSIDE STORY HEADLINE January 5 Virginia & Jim Gafken January 19 Jacque & Robert Hensell January 2 Wassie Reynolds January 4 Jim Gafken January 18 Gary Johnson January 23 Serenity White January 25 Joanna Cody STATS FOR DECEMBER 2017 Date: Attendance: Offering: December $2, December $2, December $1, December $2, Totals 230 $9, Monthly Average 58 $2, Yearly Average Attendance = Yearly Average Attendance = Yearly Average Attendance = Yearly Average Attendance = Yearly Average Attendance = Yearly Average Attendance = 55 JANUARY VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITY SCHEDULE Date Reader Greeters Cleaning January 07 Wassie Reynolds Charles Edwards & Virginia Gafken Gayle Edwards January 14 Jewell Dill Carolyn Hawk & Margaret O Brien Carolyn Wood & Margaret O Brien January 21 Theresa Gentry Jennie Mann & Gayle Edwards Jewell Dill & Vivian Brim January 28 Dawna Vann Ethel Griffith & Jerry Cody Ethel Griffith & Theresa Gentry Ushers for the Month of January: Jerry Cody & Tony Vann 4

5 Forestburg United Methodist Church 2018 Committees & Leadership Role Trustees Committee Carolyn Wood Virginia Lynch Dan Gentry James Baber John Brim Wassie Reynolds Lay Leader Theresa Gentry Staff Parish Relations Committee Ethel Griffith Dale White Dixie Gregg Jerry Cody Carrol Dill Liz Johnson Vacant Natalie White Skip Mann Lay Leader Theresa Gentry Finance Committee Margaret O Brien Gayle Edwards Chad Gregg Chair Standing Members Pastor Lay Leader Theresa Gentry Lay Member to Annual Conference Theresa Gentry Chair Of Church Council Raymon Wood S.P.R.C. Representative TBD Trustees Representative TBD Financial Secretary Leann Baber Treasurer Vicki Smith Committee on Lay Leadership (Nominations Committee) Margaret O Brien Leann Baber Carolyn Wood Graham Gentry Judy White Dawna Vann Virginia Lynch Jerry Cody Vicki Smith Lay Leader Theresa Gentry Pastor as Chair 2018 Officers of the United Methodist Women President Carolyn Hawk Vice President Jennie Mann Secretary Vicki Smith Treasurer Gayle Edwards Pastoral Support Historian Jewell Dill Missions Ethel Griffith, Alicia Johnston, Leann Baber, Savanah Johnson Membership Carolyn Hawk Administrative Council Carroll Dill Liz Johnson Gayle Edwards Virginia Lynch Jewell Dill Graham Gentry Standing Members Chairperson Raymon Wood Lay Leader Theresa Gentry Lay Member to Annual Conference Theresa Gentry S.P.R.C. Chair Virginia Gafken Trustee Chair Appointed at First Trustee s Meeting Finance Chair Chad Gregg Worship Carolyn Wood Secretary Jennie Mann Treasure Vicki Smith President of U.M.W. Carolyn Hawk 5

6 Forestburg United Methodist Church FM 455 P. O. Box 374 Forestburg, TX Healings Family Friends Children Youth Veterans Answered Prayers If any news, articles, or information was printed incorrectly or left out, it was done by mistake. Please accept my apologies. ~ Liz Myrt Denham Military Men & Women Glen an& Mary Whatley Samuel Davison & family Rand & Omar Arthur Littell Trent Tipton Helen Ellzey & Family Our Country Shannon Wooldridge & Family Jeff Baker Jim Henderson Wassie & Rosemary Reynolds Willie Hamilton Shirley Brogdon Charles Scott Jerry Hall Alice Peace The United Methodist Church Tiffany Tomblin Berkley & Family Harriet Nauert Mike Jensen Leon Bower & Family Bobby Freeman Mary Jo Eldridge Rob Dorsch Keen Johnson Treaver Freeman Debbie Krumme Harold Goad Mark Newton Jana Tipton Ella Leslie Joan Smith Brenda Smith Raymon & Carolyn Wood Family of Calvin Duckworth Jennifer Jones Kimberly & Chuck Jestis Bill Harvison Family of Gerald Kennedy Jean Burke Tony Dugger Family of J D McVay Dale Hudspeth Travelers Gerry s Granddaughter Dwight & Linda Holcomb 6