YARD SALE IS HERE! August 4th and 5th!

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1 The M o n t h l y N e w s l e t t e r o f F i r s t U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h en-ligh -ner August 2017 Mission Statement: To make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. August Sermon Series When all Hope is Lost Christ is still an Option August 6th - John 6: 1-13 More Than Enough, Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe August 13th - Mark 5:1-20 Finding Comfort in Christ August 20th - Mark 5:21-34 Expectation Plus Persistence Equal Faith August 27th - Mark 5:35-43 In Christ All is Never Lost YARD SALE IS HERE! August 4th and 5th! The Annual FUMC Yard Sale is here again! We've been collecting items for months. Should be the biggest sale ever. Schedule: The sale will be Friday evening, August 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. and will continue on Saturday, August 5, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church parking lot. As in years' past, the sale on Friday night will occur inside the FUMC fellowship hall. On this night, all items will be marked with a fixed (but reasonable) price. Sorry, no time for haggling on Friday night. On Saturday morning, all items will be moved to the church parking lot outside. On this day, items will be sold for the best offer, or inside a grab bag of miscellaneous items. Missions: The annual Yard Sale is scheduled to occur just before the start of school to benefit all people of Portales. Proceeds will go to local and world-wide FUMC mission projects. Volunteers: Plan to Volunteer! It's a great way to meet fellow church members, and to Serve God through church mission work. Volunteers are needed during the week before the sale, July 31 through August 5, to help with moving items, unpacking, cleaning items, sorting items, and pricing items. If you have a pick-up or a trailer, we need you! Continued on page 8 1

2 BISHOP BLEDSOE TO VISIT FUMC-Portales SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe and other Conference officials, as well as special guests, will join us in worship and celebration Sunday, August 6. This visit will be in celebration of our church bond payoff, and the Bishop will be bringing the message. We will have a nice, delicious potluck in the Fellowship Hall immediately following church services. Members of the church will be given an opportunity to speak briefly during the potluck on what the new church building has meant to them. This is a very special time for our church. Our initial bond was $1,000, set to mature in 23 years. The maturity value of the bonds, including principal and interest, was $1,564, Through the faith and diligence of the members of First United Methodist Church and the Holy Spirit, the bonds were paid off in 16 1/2 years that s 6 1/2 years early! The early payoff resulted in $314, savings in interest. Not only was it a great interest savings, it now leaves us extra funds to build our worship and Sunday School programs. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, August 6, and plan to be with us as we celebrate this milestone. Our Church and God s House is now debt free!!! 1st 1st 2nd 6th 9th 13th 20th 20th 25th 25th 26th 28th 29th August JoBeth Massey - B Web & Jan Smartnick - A Vic Worley - B Bill & Alta Dalley - A Rodney & Carol Ennis - A Monica Baca - B Alta Elder - B Bill & Ruth Wood - A Thressa Bradley - B Laveta Patterson - B Jana Roberts - B Ama McDermid - B Yamilla Kuchta - B Sondra Myers helps Pastor Keith display a cake in recognition of his being assigned to FUMC-Portales for another year! Welcome back Pastor Keith! 2

3 Welcome to New Members Bob and Lou Sikes became members of the church on Bob has lived here all of his life. They own Bob-a-Lou Plumbing. Lou retired from Portales Schools after teaching Art for 25 years. They have 2 children, Lee and Amy Fulcher. They also have 4 grandchildren, Stevie and Caitlin Williams and James and Ella Fulcher. Bob and Lou have quickly become a part of the FUMC church activities by becoming a part of the Journey Sunday School Class. Lou is also now a part of the King s Kids staff. On July 9, 2017, Anna George was welcomed as a new member through the transfer of membership. On July 16, 2017, Jennifer Watkins was welcomed as a new member. Jennifer and her family live in Clovis. (We will have profiles of these two newest members in the next issue of the enlightner.) First United Methodist Church Staff Pastor - Dr. Keith Wilks Office Manager - Gerri Bradsher Nursery - Melissa Borden Lay Leader - Linda Weems Choir Director - Jan Smartnick Accompanist - James Golden Youth Leader - Amberlyn Mauldin enlightner Editor - Sheryl Borden Bishop - W. Earl Bledsoe District Superintendent - Jane Vaughan Phone FAX firstumcportales@gmail.com Facebook FUMC Portales Website firstunitedmethodistchurchportales.com (You can click on any of the blue links in this newsletter, and they should open the link or website. If they do not open, you can cut and paste the URL or address into your browser.) 3

4 Freeze - Frame! Smile! During the summer months, Jan Smartnick arranges for special music to be presented each Sunday. Here are just a few of the talented people who have shared their musical abilities with us. Travis Erwin and his daughter, Emma Trinity Mauldin Shad Wooldridge and his daughter, Maggie Fred Patterson Malin Barnes was recognized for being awarded a $5000 Scholarship by the Taco Bell Foundation for Employees! Congratulations Malin. Some other unsung heroes at our church: Melissa Borden and her daughter, Kelsey take care of the Nursery, and Raul Rosa is a driver for Kings Kids. Thanks for all you do. 4

5 R U OK? King s Kids will begin its13th year on Wednesday, August 30th at 3:00 pm in the church Fellowship Hall, and it s going to be an exciting year. If you are new to our church you may not know what this means. King s Kids is the brain child of our choir director, Jan Smartnick. It is a non-denominational afterschool program on Wednesday afternoons for kids in second through fifth grade. Our drivers, Ray Welker and Raul Rosa meet the students at their schools at 3:00 pm and transport them to the church where they play games, enjoy snacks, hear a story, participate in Bible study, do crafts and learn fun songs until 5:00 pm when parents can pick them up. Lou Sikes has joined the staff as craft facilitator this year. Lou was the art instructor at Portales Junior High for many years, and has lots of new ideas for the kids. Wanda Pettus is busy arranging for snacks, and D.J. Dunnaway will again be our story teller. Other staff members are Donna Woolley, Debora Burrow, Panzy Jordan, Denise Windsor, and Jackie Burns. New kids as well as those returning from last year may pick up an application at the church office. There is a limit of 25 kids, so sign up right away. NOTE: Another driver is needed to help with King s Kids this year. If interested, please contact Gerri in the church office. Several weeks ago I fell on my back in the bathroom at night, and I m still dealing with pain to my shoulder and arm. Fortunately I was able to get myself up without waking my wife. More fortunate is the fact that I wasn t alone in the house in case I needed help. My cell and the landline phone were both within reach. What would I have done if I had been alone in the house that night and unable to help myself up? Two of our own members have had similar night falls in the past several months. One was visiting family and could summon help. The other lay on the floor for a couple of days before being found. By that time his injuries were serious and required hospitalization as well as rehab therapy in an assisted living facility. Picture yourself or someone you know in one of the above scenarios. What would you do if this should happen to you? Do you wear a medical alert device to summon help? Do you already have a family member or friend who calls once or twice a day to make sure you are all right? Be aware that age and good health are not the only factors to consider when deciding someone needs to be checking on you. The most important reason is that if you are alone in your home, someone needs to be aware of your okayness so that the help you may need isn t delayed until someone realizes that you haven t been seen for a day or two. A group of church members came together several weeks ago to think how we can take better care of each other. We think it takes two people at least one who lives alone and a partner - who phone or text each other twice a day preferably morning and night. If the person called doesn t answer, wait a little while and try again. If there is still no response the caller may call on someone else to assist (neighbor, friend, etc.) or even call 911 to request a welfare check. When one person plans to be away and not be home to call or answer, the two know that the situation is different and will not worry that someone is in distress. 5 Several people in our church are already calling each other. It s nice to hear another voice and to chat for a minute or so. Think about it do YOU or SOMEONE you know need this kind of arrangement? If you think this is appropriate, call the church office and we ll help you get started. Let s remember to take care of each other isn t that what Jesus taught? - Bill Wood

6 Childrens Moments & More D. J. Dunaway leads childrens moments Yellow bucket Sunday is the second Sunday in the month, and the children collect change from the congregation to help with the mission projects of the church. Joe Parie leads childrens moments on a Yellow Bucket Sunday. Childrens moments is an important part of the church ministry every Sunday. Donita Massey-Privett leads childrens moments. NOTE: Everyone is welcome to submit articles for the monthly enlightner. The 25th of each month is the deadline for submission. Please send your article and/or pictures to: sheryl.borden@enmu.edu. Our acolytes play a big role in the church. Pictured left to right: Jessica Trujillo, Kayden Mauldin and Kayteah Hulett. 6

7 Evangelism Report: Terry Truelock, chairperson, has developed a letter and church map to include with the Bible Promise book given to visitors. A form is being developed to include in pews for visitor information. New auto stickers have been ordered for members to affix to their car windows. The Administrative Council met on July 9th with the following reports: Pastor s Report: Pastor Keith reported that the following persons have accepted new duties: counting offering, Alta Elder and Barbara Harper, and power point, Raul Rosa. Terry Truelock was nominated by the trustees to serve on that board, and the nomination was approved. Prayer Groups: The prayer groups that were begun as part of the Greater than One project are continuing to meet and listen. Three members are committed to come to the church seven days each week to pray for the church. Education Committee: Linda Weems, Kathy Durand, Sandy Lind, Rodney Ennis and Pastor Keith have agreed to take new responsibilities on the Education Committee. Wheatfield Ministry: The ministry at Wheatfields is continuing with Cameron Ridenour assisting. A regular system of contacting persons living alone is being planned for our community. New Members: Since the last meeting we have welcomed three new members: Bob and Lou Sikes and Anna George. The twins of Jordan Roehl were baptized, and Mary Beth Hopkins passed away. Bishop Bledsoe will be bringing the message on Sunday, August 6, as we celebrate paying off the Church Building. Many plans are underway for that celebration including a potluck dinner. Finance Report: The finance committee approved the hiring of Amberlyn Mauldin on a permanent basis with a salary increase. The bulletin now includes a list of weekly attendance and offering. Mission Report: The Peru mission was very successful. The team was blessed to have exactly the members that were needed for each task and emergency. A media presentation will be provided in the fall. Garage Sale: Furniture donated for the garage sale is in storage and needs to be cleaned before the garage sale on August 4th and 5th. Set-up for the garage sale will begin July 31. Fifty names have been accepted for the Angle Tree. Youth Report: The youth group is growing. Thirteen young people have gone to camp. They plan to take 19 youth to Lubbock to the production Mackenzie Privett is in. Amberlyn expressed appreciation for the support the group has received from the membership. Trustees Report: $24,867 remains in the building fund after the pay off. A charge conference will be held to determine the best use for that money. The trustees recommended putting it in the Major maintenance fund for church property use. Dave Russell distributed information on the total cost of the building and the amount saved by the early pay out. The next need for the parsonage is new flooring in the living room. Other business and announcements: Mary Beth Williams has joined the media team and is responsible for new looks of bulletin and web site. Miscellaneous: We had a very successful Vacation Bible School with 27 children. Pastors and members of SPRC in the Clovis District are expected to attend training at FUMC Clovis on Saturday, August 12, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Vern Witten stressed the need for better coordination with the Wesley Foundation, and Elywn mentioned the need for money for new air conditioning at the Wesley House. 7

8 Congratulations Kathy! Yard Sale Continued (from page 1) Presidential Excellence Award Winners Dr. Kathy Roler Durand specializes in the analysis of animal and human bones recovered from archaeological excavations. Her field work has ranged from Neolithic sites in Cyprus and Jordan to Chacoan and Hohokam sites in the U.S. Southwest. She built her research program at Eastern by collecting and storing a comprehensive comparative collection in a dedicated laboratory. The animal bone comparative collection is an outstanding regional research collection. Dr. Durand's current research focuses on evidence of migration across the prehistoric northern Southwest using human teeth. She also is conducting a long term study into the ritual use of animals at Chacoan sites in northwest New Mexico. She has studied thousands of animal bones from Aztec, Guadalupe, and Salmon Ruins to explore changes in diet and ritual practices through time at these sites. While at Eastern, Dr. Durand has published close to 20 peer-reviewed research articles and chapters in several books and monographs. She regularly presents papers concerning her research at national and regional scientific conferences. Dr. Durand has secured numerous grants from federal and private sources as well as ENMU Internal Research Grants to support her research activities. Preparations for the sale will begin on Sunday afternoon, right after Sunday School, on July 30, with setting up all the tables and clothing racks in the Fellowship Hall. On Monday, 8:00 AM, July 31st, we will begin hauling furniture and household goods from storage and homes. Donations: If you have items to donate to the Yard Sale, call Gerri at the church at to set up a time for large item pickup. You can bring other items to the church any time Monday through Thursday. There will be someone working in the Fellowship Hall from 8:00 a.m.until evening each day that week. Sorting, cleaning, organizing, and pricing items will start at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 31st. All volunteer workers are welcome. (Snacks are furnished for workers.) As a church-wide team working together, we can make this the best Yard Sale ever!!!! Let s work together to honor God! Other contact numbers: Pat Burns Elwyn Hulett Special Called Charge Conference The special called charge conference was held Tuesday, July 25 at the church. District Superintendent, Jane Vaughan, presided. She opened with a prayer and then explained the purpose of the Conference. After a brief discussion on the purpose, a thumbs up or thumbs down vote was taken. It was a unanimous thumbs up to allow the funds left from the church bond payoff to be used for major maintenance and repair of the church properties. This will include both the church and parsonage. The Trustees say thanks for your vote of confidence on this matter. Co-Chair, Pat Burns shows a portion of the items that were sold last year - and he anticipates more this year. (Pat is the one in the hat!) 8