A Publication of Blueridge United Methodist Church October 2013
From the viewpoint of Mrs. Gloria Thomas The Blueridge United Methodist Church Gala was truly an evening of Purpose and Prosperity. The event purpose was to raise money for the building of a Community Life Center and to honor the members and community leaders for their faithful dedication to Christian living through their service to community, and to the members of Blueridge who have maintained their membership and dedicated their services to Blueridge United Methodist church for 50 years or more. The prosperity was in the overwhelming participation and attendance by the church members, family and friends. The efforts and spirit of the committee was apparent in the beautiful de cor, table settings and organization that went into having an event of this magnitude progress into an evening of beautiful people coming together in spirit and grace. Everyone was dressed to impress and were clearly enjoying being together as a family in Christ for an evening of honoring those whom we admire and love. The programs, the guest speakers, the musicians and other entertainment had everyone s attention and had us all laughing and applauding and smiling throughout the evening. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and everyone I spoke to did also. I commend my church family and the committee for their supporting the cause and Pastor Bess and her visions.
Have you been to worship during the month of September? If so I am sure that you have noticed we have a new format for the bulletin. The new bulletin is designed to give you the important meeting dates and events for the month, the general order of worship and will highlight special events held at Blueridge by way of photos. The bulletin can be recycled, which means you keep the same bulletin for the month, you can either take it home with you and bring it back each Sunday or place it in one of the bins located outside of the entrances and pick one up on Sunday. Blueridge now has a website! It is still a work in progress but it is up and running and includes all the information that a visitor needs to know if they are inquiring about Blueridge. If someone is in need of prayer, they can submit a prayer request online. They can also view the list of ministries that Blueridge has to offer, as well as, the date and time they meet if they desire to join in. You will also be able to view the newsletters & bulletins online, so if you miss getting it in your email or a printed copy, you will be able to view them online. You can view the website at www.blueridgeumchouston.org, share this with your family and friends so they can see what is going on at Blueridge. Blueridge is in the process of reorganizing its children s choir. The children will be rehearsing on the 2nd and 3rd Sunday afternoons immediately after worship. This is a convenient time for the musician and parents because they are here for morning worship and they can rehearse as soon as worship is dismissed and the parents will not have to worry about getting their children to the church for rehearsals during the week after school and work. This choir will be providing the music for worship during youth Sundays. Parents and guardians you are asked to encourage your children to participate so they may be a part of a worship experience that ministers to all. Help them to be a blessing to others as well as themselves.
Friday, September 27, 2013 brought family and friends together in fellowship as the United Methodist Men fried fish and served it with all the trimmings to more than 130. This annual event is a great way for the members and their families to commune together as one big family in a casual setting. Mr. Adrian Stewart, Vice President, states that he is looking for ways to improve this event and that he welcomes any and all suggestions. He is also in need of volunteers to deliver the fish dinners to the homebound members, because they want to make sure that every member is a part of this event. Mr. Stewart also stated that next year they will be looking for persons to perform for the Motown Review Talent Show which will be held during the fish fry. If you have a talent or know of someone who does, get ready for the 2014 Annual Fish Fry & Talent Show. Special thanks goes to the cooks: Ricky Brown, Ben Brown, Tony Brown, Jessie Hicks, O. C. Felton, Sullivan Thornton, Albert Richardson, Carstell Walker & John Thomas (Head Chef); Servers: Eli Gordon, Donny Wilkerson & Mack Hickerson. Special thanks: Charles Gaston (DJ), Robert Fortenberry, London Wilson, Theodore Richards, Oliver Batiste, Pastor Wanda Bess & the Blueridge Family. On the third Sunday of each month, the United Methodist Men host a worship service at Manda Ann Convalescent Home located at 7441 Coffee St, Houston, TX 77033. The United Methodist Men would like for all the members of Blueridge to know that this worship service involves the entire congregation and everyone is invited to join them. They offer a full worship service for the residents at Manda Ann which begins at 9:00 am. The service consists of singing, prayer, communion and the pastors and laity deliver the message. See you there October 20th @ 9:00 am
Blueridge s Church Council Chairperson, Niles Dillard, is one of the business owners that will be recognized during the annual Pinnacle Awards Gala on Saturday, October 11th at the Power Center Linda Crawford 7/21/13 This event is sponsored by the Greater Houston Black Chamber. Congratulations to Niles Dillard and Superior Video Productions. Blueridge is a place where PRIME defines our values of spiritual discipline Ida Hobdy 9/25/13 Passion Restoration Inspiration Motivation Excellence
Choose Your Train: How many of you have ever ridden on a train or seen a train going down the track? Once a train is going in one direction, it s hard to turn that train around and make it go in another direction. Why do you think that s true? A train runs on a track, and once it has started out in a certain direction, it usually continues in that direction. It s even hard to slow a train down once it picks up speed. Let s pretend we re all standing on the platform at a train station. We re getting ready to take a trip and there are two trains waiting at the station. One train is brand new and very fancy. It is painted with gold and silver paint and the seats are red velvet. The dining car is full of delicious food from the fanciest restaurants. The sleeping car has feather beds with satin sheets. This train has a big sign on it that reads, MONEY. In order to ride this train, you don t have to have lots of money; you just have to agree that money is more important than anything in the world. The other train waiting at the station is going in the exact opposite direction. It is an older train, very plain looking. It hasn t been painted for quite some time. The seats are made of wood and they don t look very comfortable. The dining car has enough food healthy, good food but it s not at all fancy. The sleeping car is small with few beds, and people have to take turns sleeping and sitting. The beds have thin mattresses and blankets that are warm but very plain. This train has a large sign hanging on it too. In large, plain letters, the sign reads, GOD. In order to ride this train, you don t have to be rich or poor, but you have to believe that God is the most important thing in life and that money is supposed to be used to help others. As we look around, we see that lots of people are boarding the fancy train and laughing at the few people who decide to ride the plain train. You just happen to notice a large map hanging on the wall of the station that clearly shows where each train is going to end up. You notice that the Money train goes along an easy, flat track, then heads downhill. The track disappears at the end of a cliff. The God train heads up into the mountains into rugged land but ends at a beautiful place marked, Heaven. You look at both trains once again. And then in your imagination you get on a train. Prayer: Jesus, help us all to make the right choices in our lives; and let us help others with the choices they must make
Children & Youth Choir Rehearsal every 2nd & 3rd Sundays after worship Calendar Meeting Saturday, October 12th @ 10:00 am All ministry leaders need to be present to put their event dates on the calendar for 2014 Pastor Bess will be the guest speaker at Almeda Plaza MBC on Sunday, October 13, 2013 @ 3:00 pm she is asking the choir and congregation to accompany her Nominating Committee Meeting October 21, 2013 @ 6:30 pm Charge Conference Monday, November 18, 2013 @ 7:00 pm All ministry reports need to be in the office no later than October 31st The Membership Committee needs all members that have changed their address, phone number or email address to update their information. There are forms located next to the membership box in the foyer to fill out with your corrected information Liberty Tax Service is offering an eight week tax class to anyone interested in learning to prepare taxes. Individuals will be chosen from this class for employment. Classes are scheduled for Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12 pm or 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm For more information call 713-653-9500 Ushers & Greeters Annual Day will be held Sunday, November 10, 2013 @ 10:00 am Dr. Donald Waddleton, Director, of the Center for Congregational Excellence of the Texas annual Conference will be the guest speaker Volunteers are still needed for the nursery on Sunday mornings from 9:45 am - 11:45 am; to help with the children s choir rehearsals on 2nd & 3rd Sundays immediately after worship; Wednesday Night Bible Study 6:30-8:30 pm & the Food Pantry every 4th Saturday beginning at 9:00 am. If you can volunteer please call the church office
Ill and Homebound Mr. Robert Bass Mr. Joseph Davis Mrs. Sedalia Holland Mr. Andrew Miller, Sr. Mrs. Dorothy Tates Mr. Johnny Cade Mrs. Billie Hines Denson Mrs. Lillie Harris Ms. Ida Bell Hoyle Ms. Aline Marshall Mrs. Olivia McZeal Mr. Darby Richards Mrs. Odessa Holmes Mrs. Willie White Mr. & Mrs. George Jenkins Ms. Tara Jenkins Ms. Ruby Leaks Mr. David Miller Milton and Connie Leggett Mrs. Mary Stewart Mr. McArthur Garrett Mrs. Dorothy Brown (Mother of Ricky and Jeeva Brown) Rev. John Brown, (Brother of Janice Evans) Gwendolyn & Leroy Gamble (Siblings of Luvenia Price) Mr. Oris Green (Husband of Alma Green) Mr. Robert Hargrove (Husband of Doris Hargrove) Mrs. Helen Henson (Mother of Gwen Stewart) Minnie of Hopper (Aunt of Gwen Hampton) Mr. Theodore Jarvis (husband of Sheanette Jarvis) Mr. Lawrence Perkins (brother-in-law of Ann Willis) Herbert Sims, Jr. (Son of Tojuania Sims) October Monthly Meetings MONDAY Body Recall Exercise Class 9:00 am Fitness Ministry -Weekly 6:30 pm SPRC Meeting 1 st Monday 6:30 pm TUESDAY God s Breakfast Club Bible Study 10 am FITNESS Ministry 6:30 pm WEDNESDAY Body Recall 9:00 am Wednesday Morning Bible Study - 10 am Wednesday Night Live Bible Study for All Ages 7:00 pm THURSDAY BRASS (seniors) Meeting 1st & 3 rd Thursday 10:00 am Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm FRIDAY Body Recall 9:00 am SATURDAY Cub Scouts 12:00 noon Communion Steward Meetings 1 st Saturday - 9:30 am F.I.T.Ness Ministry: Walk Therapy 8:30am - 9:30 am Trustee Board Meeting 1 st Saturday 8:30 am Ushers - 1 st Saturday - 11:00 am SUNDAY Caring Ministry Meeting 2nd Sunday after worship Blueridge United Methodist Church 2929 Reed Rd. Houston, TX 77051 713-733-5174 (Office) 713-733-1414 (Fax) 832-744-8779 (Pastor) blueridgeumc@sbcglobal.net www.blueridgeumchouston.org Wanda J. Bess, Senior Pastor Marquette Gibbs, Associate Pastor