Living, Loving, and Serving THE MESSENGER April 2018 Methodical Discipleship HE IS RISEN! Happy Easter to you and your family. Do you expect to see Jesus in unexpected places? Mary Magdalene did not expect to see Jesus in the garden on the morning of the resurrection, but he was there and called to her (John 20:11-18). For many people Easter is the routine of egg hunts, candy, bunnies, and holidays at church. Habit of the expected. Habit of going to church on a holiday because that is what their family has always done. They hear the same scriptures, and the same songs that they head the year before. And the year before that. And the year before that. Going back to their childhood. They may not even know to hope for something unexpected. Now, for others, Easter is the routine of church activities. Easter egg hunts, dressing up for church, and family cook outs. Its still a habit, but a habit that gives comfort. Habit of the expected. Habit of going to church on a holiday because that is what their family has always done. They hear the same scriptures, and the same songs that they head the year before. And the year before that. And the year before that. Going back to their childhood. They may not even know to hope for something unexpected. What happens when expectations are not met? What happens when the unexpected shakes us out of our routine? Jesus does the unexpected. Jesus is the unexpected. Appearing to Mary in the graveyard was completely unexpected. We, inside the church, expect it because we have heard it over and over. Every year we celebrate but do we have the shocked joy that Mary had when Jesus called her name in the early morning hour? Resurrection should be a shocking, overwhelming experience! We are transformed when we have a second birth of the Spirit. Our hearts should sing to the Lord in praise and thanksgiving. We should vibrate with the need to share the joy of salvation that comes from knowing the tomb is empty. The knowledge that the world has changed permits us to not go about business as usual. Are you a creature of habit? Is the Easter holiday a habit for you? Is it habit for your family? How do you go about capturing the joy of the Temple curtain being torn asunder? Who have you discussed not longer needing a high priest to intercede with God, for you and other believers? Have you talked about angels telling the women he is not in the tomb? Have you talked about the doubt of all the disciples as well as Thomas? Church Office: (325) 692-1173, Secretary: diane@elmwoodwestumc.com, Pastor: dare@elmwoodwestumc.com
THE MESSENGER PAGE 2 2018 Summer Mission Trip The UMW Garage Sale was a success, even though we had fewer customers than normal. We made over $4,000 and will be able to fund several activities. We would not have been able to do as well, had we not had all the help we had. Our ladies did a great job, and I thank them, everyone! Without the men we would not have been able to have the Garage Sale. Their muscles, imagination and help before, during and after the sale was tremendous! Thank you! Thank you to all of you! Come join us at one of our meeting. Every second Thursday, at noon We have a Potluck and a good program. The date for the 2018 Summer Mission Trip has been scheduled for the week of July 29. If you are interested in this opportunity, please talk to Melissa or Jen. One of the best things about the UMCOR facilities are there are jobs for everyone, no matter your physical ability level or age. The accommodations are very comfortable and food yummy. There is also a free day for sightseeing built into their schedule. Please pray and think about attending this very affordable mission opportunity. Fifth Sunday Hymn Sing Sunday, April 29, we will have a Fifth Sunday Hymn Sing. It will be sometime in the afternoon. This exact time has not been determined. If have a preferred time, speak to Dare or Geoffrey. Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
THE MESSENGER PAGE 3 2018 VBS VBS has been scheduled for the week of August 6-10. Sharon Potter has agreed to head up this years VBS. If you would like to be apart of this outreach, you can talk with Sharon or Melissa. 30 Hour Famine Our youth will be participating in the 30 Hour Famine with the Methodist Youth of Abilene. This event will be at St. Paul UMC on Friday and Saturday, April 27-28. What s the 30 Hour Famine? Take a youth group lock-in, thought-provoking Bible studies, games, inspirational videos, and more and mash them all up into an unforgettable day-and-a-half of going without food to raise funds for the hungry. Talk with Melissa to find out how you can support this mission. Opportunities for Fellowship Brown Bag Bible Study Wed. at noon Sunday Monday Evening Discipleship Prayer Sunday Morning Service Youth and Children Activities Choir Wednesday Fellowship Meal Monthly Potluck and Bunco Family Ministry Events Wednesday Evening Creative Club Wednesday Evening Bible Study Senior Sunday has been scheduled for Sunday, May 27. If you would like to make a donation towards the purchase of Bibles, please talk to Dare or Melissa. Lay Speaker Training April 21 st, 2018 We will be offering Lay Speaker training here at Elmwood West UMC on Saturday, April 21 st from 9AM to 4PM. This is an Abilene District event that will cost $25 and includes lunch. Dr. Jerry Marshall with be teaching the basic course Lay Servant Ministries, and Rev. Dare Stevens will be teaching the advanced course, You Can Preach!. Everyone, who feels a call to ministry is welcome to participate. Please make your check payable to the Abilene District. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Jerry Marshall at marshall.jerry@sbcglobal.net or 325-735-3114, or Rev Dare Stevens dare@elmwoodwestumc.com or 325-692-1173. Please email Dr. Marshall or Rev. Stevens to sign up.
THE MESSENGER PAGE 4 Prayer Request Continued Prayers for: Our prayer group meets on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. You can always email concerns and requests to: abileness@suddenlink.net or dare@elmwoodwestumc.com Mary Hewitt Francis Howe Dorris Roberts Shirley Davila Sherry Gault Mary Steed Lena Moore John Hewitt Jo Ann McRae Sid Harp Joe Mack Howard Pam Redman Connie Selden 4/02 Patty Willis 4/6 Bill Temple 4/11 Ted Pool 4/15 Ricky Carroll 4/18 Peggy Jackson 4/20 Jen Stephenson 4/22 Bob Weckwerth 4/26 Lily Johnson LeNell Turner Attendance and Giving March 4 Sunday 53 Service 68 Budget $6,978 Special Projects $315 March 11 Sunday 43 Service 56 Memorials and Honorariums: In Memory of Claudette Carroll By Howard Carroll, John and Mary Hewitt In Memory of Ray Howe By Sam and Peggy Kirkpatrick. Helen Kisner, Jeanne and CB Hester In Honor of Sam and Peggy Kirkpatrick By Ricky Carroll Budget $3,559 Special Projects $415 March 18 Sunday 55 Service 63 Budget $3,008 Special Projects $45 March 25 Sunday 59 Service 67 Budget $3,069 Special Projects $165
April 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Easter Sunday 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6:00 Bunco 6:00 Finance Meeting 5:00 Children 5:30 Meal 6:15 Youth 6:15 Choir 6:15 Creative Club 6:15 Bible Study Noon UMW 15 16 17 11:30 New Beginnings 18 5:00 Children 5:30 Meal 6:15 Youth 6:15 Choir 6:15 Creative Club 6:15 Bible Study 19 20 21 4-6 Lay Speaker Training 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 5:00 Children 5:30 Meal 6:15 Youth 6:15 Choir 6:15 Creative Club 6:15 Bible Study 29 30 Fifth Sunday Hymn Sing