Cross & Flame. Thanksgiving - A Day of Giving Thanks. The Monthly Newsletter of First United Methodist Church

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1 Cross & Flame The Monthly Newsletter of First United Methodist Church 715 U.S. Highway 287 North P.O. Box 457 Grapeland Texas In Joel 2:21-27 we find a text that interrupts our focus on past and future by delight in the present, when we read these words: Be not afraid, O wild animals, for the pastures are becoming green, The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches. Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten the great locust and the young locust, the other locust and the locust swarm my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God who has worked wonders for you: never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed. The pastures are green, the trees are bearing fruit, and the granaries are full - thanksgiving indeed. We are bountifully sustained. As we see in the text remembrance of the sunshine and rain that yield today s plenty and anticipation of sustenance in the winter to come through the ability to store food enough until next harvest. Present bounty remembers past labors and anticipates future well-being. (936) fumcgrapeland@yahoo.com November 2018 Thanksgiving - A Day of Giving Thanks When Jesus taught us to pray for the coming of God s kingdom, he immediately followed thy kingdom come with give us this day our daily bread. The plentiful food for where we give thanks sustains us for the work of God s kingdom. And the prayer for daily bread is itself followed by prayer for spiritual sustenance: forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Our spiritual food comes from receiving and giving forgiveness and watchfulness for ways of righteousness. Physically and spiritually sustained, we pray for and work toward the kingdom of God, where physical and spiritual food are plenteously available for all. So we give thanks on Thanksgiving Day for the double harvest of physical and spiritual food and words that open us to the inbreaking God whose kingdom will indeed to come on earth as it is in heaven. Our Father who are in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the glory and the power forever. AMEN.

2 Thank you for being a faithful servant of our church! Please let Susan know if you are unable to fulfill your obligation for this month. Greeters November 4th - Jaquita Brownlee November 11th - Jim & Jan Chambers November 18th - Drue Cochran November 25th - Youth Readers November 4th - Roger Craiker November 11th - Freida Scarborough November 18th - Krystal Frank November 25th - Taryn Curless Pray for One Another Carry each others burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 If a person needs to be placed on the list or taken off the prayer list please contact the church office. Glenn Barrett Family Ken Carlton Albert Trip Chapman Terry Cheatham Mike Childs William Chiles Jerry Cook Mary Craiker Roger Craiker Leigh Cunningham T.P. Cutler Donna Deal Ryan Dykes Regina Flewellen Betty Flowers Willford Flowers Diane Foshee Hannah Gates Danny Gilson Erin Harper Porter Herod Carol Holley Mary Lou Huff Ruby & Buddy Kennermer Shirley & J.W. Kirkland Lori Lawson Gene Leonhardt Ann Lindquist Lexi Lyles Jennifer Mixon Micky Musick Nancy Owens Tim Owens Charles Ridges Maridelle Shirley Kristi Rich Cheryl Richter Jan Smith Chris Stephens Diane Sumrall Margaret Thornsbury Ben Viccellio Glenda Wilderson Felders Chapel Church of the Month November Counters Eddie Palms Bob Reeves Deadline for December Newsletter If you would like articles or information in the Monthly Newsletter please have information into Susan at the church office by November 20th by noon. Memorials (September) IMO Mike Cochran IMO Norma Quinlin Jimmy & Lissa Vickers Jimmy & Lissa Vickers T W & Judy Mask Cutshaw Chevrolet IMO Tag Youngblood Porter & Frances Herod IMO Almarie Hamilton Nancy Langham IMO Jaclyn Austin Nancy Langham IMO Derek Langham Jimmy & Lissa Vickers Marie Fykes Porter & Frances Herod IMO Javan Reagans Nancy Langham IMO Mary Shaver Porter & Frances Herod

3 LOVE CIRCLE COUNTRY STORE BAZAAR NOV. 8TH, 9TH & 10TH THURSDAY 4:00-6:00 PM FRIDAY 9:00-2:00 PM LUNCH FRIDAY 11 TO 1 SATURDAY 10:00 - NOON

4 New Sermon Series in November Starting the fourth of November we will be looking at Making Change and the issue of financial stewardship in our lives. For the four weeks in November we will be looking at four different aspects of financial stewardship: Less is More; Stress is Bad; Giving is Good; and Tomorrow Matters. Each week we will look at how scripture address these topics in our lives and how as Methodist Christians financial stewardship is part of discipleship. We will also be looking at the means in which our finances are foundational to the work of the ministry here at Grapeland First United Methodist Church. Please make plans to attend these Sundays as we look at the Making Change and what it means for us at Grapeland First United Methodist Church. Parsonage Christmas Open House December 8th 5:00-7:00 pm 205 North Oak Street Grapeland, Texas

5 October Board of Stewards Meeting Minutes Pastor Jon opened with prayer. Board of Trustees Amy Cutshaw said the Emergency Plan is established. There are 12 members on the team. A six month schedule has been set up. Amy Cutshaw presented the information on the No Open Carry signs. They are 18 x 24 signs with 1 lettering. Signs are $30.00 each. She would like to place a sign at each outside door. Judy Mask made a motion to purchase the signs and Stanley Skidmore 2 nd the motion. It was approved by all and the motion passed. Amy Cutshaw read the Emergency Plan Rules. See attached list. Finance Stanley Skidmore gave out the Financial Report. He asked for everyone to turn in their 2019 Budget to Susan by the November meeting so it could be approved in December. Board of Stewards Freida Scarborough asked that the Trustees purchase a new phone system for the church which had been approved earlier this year. Freida also asked that the church phone message be changed to something simple (not as long). Pastor Jon said he would check into changing it. Judy Mask made the motion to change our November meeting to November 12. It was 2 nd by Stanley Skidmore, all approved and the motion was passed. SPR- Judy Mask reported there would be an SPR meeting Oct 10am to discuss Pastor Jon s report for the District Superintendent. Pastor s Report Pastor Jon reported our Confirmation Class has started & doing well. Pastor Jon said our Hands on Mission need numbers of people working and our Professional Faith recorded. Pastor Jon would like to take a trip to the Holy Land within the next 2 years (2020 Summer). We will vote on this in November. Pastor Jon asked that we be in prayer for the Judicial Council meeting on October 26, Pastor Jon announced our church wide meeting on the council information and questions will be in January. Stanley Skidmore made the motion to adjourn and Amy Cutshaw 2 nd the motion. All approved and the motion passed. Respectfully submitted, Jan Chambers Recording Secretary

6 Things are rolling. Really rolling. Lots of students have been attending on Wednesday nights. Thank you Jesus. Last Saturday, we went to a Hillsong worship night in Houston. We took 19 students who had an awesome time experiencing God s love through song. Truly a blessed experience. And if you ve noticed, the youth room renovation has been coming along well. Our stage is in and our flatscreen TV is on the wall. All of this is going to really help us teach students with the offer of salvation in Jesus. None of it is a gimmick or a selling point for our student ministry; it s all about creating an environment where students can connect with their Heavenly Father. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has supported us this far in this endeavor. Also, we ve started a Sponsor-a-Stool drive to buy seating for the youth room. The cost to sponsor a stool is $30. Sign up on the table on the narthex and you will be contacted soon regarding your pledge. If you d also like to be put on a rotation to help us chaperone students on Wednesday nights, please see Wil or Krisann! Students need your presence and support. Finally, a few dates to put down. No youth service on Wednesday, November 21 (Thanksgiving) Youth Winter Camp at Waters Edge Encampment from Friday, January 18 through Sunday, January 20. Through a generous donation to the camp, we have enough funds for 20 full scholarships! Thanksgiving Baskets We are continuing to collect food items for the upcoming Thanksgiving Basket distribution on November 16th. The Outreach Ministries Team requests that all donated items be to the church by Sunday November 11th. There are several tables in the Narthex where items can be placed for the this important outreach to those in need in the community. There is also a list of needed items on the table for individuals and families to know what items need to be purchased.

7 First United Methodist Church Postage Paid Bulk Rate P.O. Box 457 Non Profit Permit #12 Grapeland, Texas Grapeland, Texas Address Service Requested Grapeland First Untied Methodist Church Contact Information Pastor Rev. Jon Thornsbury Choir Director.Teresa Bennett Administrative Assistant...Susan Sanders Pianist Laura Walling Children s & Student Ministry Director...Will Watson Organist.Sandra Kirby Nursery Director.Nadine Roberts Office Hours & Contact Numbers Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Church Office East District Superintendent Dr. Dick White Texas Annual Conference Bishop Scott J. Jones