FUMC Newsletter - Sterling City, Texas 76951 Church Services Sunday School- 10am Worship Service-11am Issue includes: Prayer List Pastoral Letter Monthly Celebrations Announcements August Financial Report West District News Please look through this newsletter, attend, worship, and follow us @ www.sterlingmethodists.com or check out or Facebook page Sterling City First United Methodist Church
Flood Victims Cynthia Browne, (Cathryn Cope Kessler s daughter) Lupe Escobar Susan & Tommy Wyatt Jo Del Myrick Bill Eubank Brent Majors Shawna Walker Sam Lucero Florence Bodine Emery Holt, Culley Jo s niece Hunsley Strickland Haley Stallings Jerry Gibbs Ramone Navaro Rosemary Rodriguez Sheila Kinsey Jerry Orsak John Blackstock Grover Johnson Dr. Pat Moore Jo Foster (Nana) Shelli Stokes Betty Fields Eileen Sonberg Skeete Foster Chad Kane & Family Ollie Schneemann David Longoria Bill Davis Jim Gerner Cancer Beverly Pruitt Adela De Hoyos Anna Robledo Tommy Bynum Albert & Phillip Estrada Mary Rodriguez Jere Thomas Ronnie Kilpatrick Bitsy Durham Grace Copeland Carol Brown Dolly Rauch Mike & Jaynell Bodine Donnie Hinderliter Kent Beard
September 4 th, 2017 The craziness of the gas situation in the last week or so is illustrative of so many things! The day it was the worst, last Thursday, I spent much of the day in Robert Lee in a meeting. Upon leaving Robert Lee, I noticed that their gas station was busier than normal but didn t think much of it. When I got back, LaNae told me I had better go get gas that Dallas was out, San Angelo was running out, etc. I reluctantly went across town and saw most of Sterling there with me! Some people were also filling up multiple portable containers (you know who you are) Anxiety was high, it seemed. I even felt my anger rising as someone parked at a gas pump and must ve been enjoying a five course meal inside before they were going to come move their car! Ugh! On a positive note, at least I ended up with a full tank of gas in case I had needed to make a hospital trip after ingesting several breaths full of industrial insecticide (at least now my respiratory track is certifiably insect free!) There are some lessons out of this absurdity, though. Here are a few that come to mind: The Holy Spirit My good friend s wife actually ran out of gas in Austin as she couldn t find a station with gas. My friend was stuck at home with two young sleeping kids so she walked several miles home in the dark. Why didn t she Uber? I don t know Scripture says we will hear rumors of all sorts of things. Some theological weather forecasters like to predict the second coming, world events, and such. I don t give them any attention. One promise I put my full faith in is that God s Holy Spirit will never leave and never run out! You can be certain of that! Our Tanks Our spiritual tanks are like gas tanks. If you constantly let your tank run low or run out (not mentioning any names), you re going to be much worse off when you really need the strength of full faith. Maintain your spiritual tanks through worship, prayer, fellowship, fasting, and sacrificial giving. These deposits will last for all eternity! It s free to fill -up and you can do it anywhere! You don t have to wait in line or wait on the inconsiderate person eating a five course meal while parked at the pump. Occasionally someone may sit in your seat in worship, but you can lovingly move to another and give them a loving wave as you bless their hearts under your breath. Our Hectic Life When do you need more gas in your tank? When you re driving longer distances, or into sparse territory, etc. I ve become quite the gastician since living here calculating when best to fill up based on a 90-mile roundtrip to town, etc. When our lives are hectic (like this time of year, amen!), we need full spiritual tanks to push us through with as many fruits of the Spirit as possible at their strongest! Take the time to fill your tanks, it will be well spent! There is a great deal happening around our parts these days. A good calendar and a well-worn Bible will help you navigate! It is a privilege being your pastor! Rev. Jim Noble
1st Laura Gladden 6th Doris McClellan 9th Bryce Thomas 13th Linda Horwood 13th Morgan Cox 13th Pat Copeland 16th Melinda Gaines 18th Carly Horwood 20th Mary Helen Glass 22nd Carmen Barber 24th Melissa Orsak 25th Ross Copeland 28th Starr Foster 30th Stan Horwood 3rd Steve & Rose Monreal 10th Larry & Mary Helen Glass 18th Michael & Deana Jaramillo 24th Tooter & Rosanne Jameson
Women's Bible Study Tuesday mornings at 9am. 6th - Faith According to Andy Griffith at 6:30pm. 10th - Youth Fellowship at First Presbyterian Youth Center in San Angelo (4pm to 6pm) 17th - Financial Peace University - Dave Ramsey at 5pm. 22nd - Homecoming and 5th Quarter Dance (30 minutes after game until??) 27th -See/Saw You at the Pole. 7am - School flagpole. 7pm- Family Life Center
A new study, "Faith According to Andy Griffith" September 6th at 6:30pm in the Family Life Center. Bring your own comfortable chair or seating if you'd like or use one of our luxurious folding chairs. Pastor Jim will show an episode of Andy Griffith and then lead discussion on the life and faith lessons illustrated by this legendary television show. The first episode we examine will be the hilarious, "High Noon in Mayberry" from Season 3. Join us! Bring your kids and family! Invite a friend! 9 week class presents biblical, practical steps of how to get rid of debt, manage your money, and spend and save wisely. Dave Ramsey class will begin September 17th at 5pm. The cost is $100. Contact Trey Wilson or Pastor Jim for more information. Sco co Fre the
If we are missing your photo or information form in our church directory PLEASE READ BELOW! We hope to have every FUMC Family Member included! Please submit your photo AND/OR your Member Information Form using the links below. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to email, call or text me. (325)396-5295 or fumc299@gmail.com OR PHOTO https://www.instantchurchdirectory.com/submit_photo.aspx? id=4297c31f-0b51-4adf-9f69-c6992ad0ba9f ** If you have not filled out a Church Member information sheet, PLEASE do so!! Attachments area Preview attachment Member INFO.pdf73 KB -Ellen
October 13-14, 2017 San Angelo, TX Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) is a mobile dental clinic that travels around the state providing free basic dental care to Texans with limited resources and/or access to care. Our volunteer dental professionals primary focus is on relieving pain and preventing infection by providing extractions, fillings, and cleanings. In limited cases, replacing missing front teeth or repairing partial dentures may be available to restore a smile. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Patient Registration Guiding Parents to & from Stations Oral Health Education for Adults/Kids Serving Food to Patients & Volunteers Bilingual Assistance Dental & Medical Professionals Set Up/Tear Down (Thursday & Saturday PM) www.tmomvolunteer.org Volunteer information on the next page!!
October 13-14, 2017 San Angelo, TX HOW TO REGISTER ONLINE: Go to www.tmomvolunteer.org Click Register under San Angelo Event Complete Information for Create an Account Receive an Email and Follow Instructions to Completer Registration Most Volunteers will be Community Volunteers, unless medically trained For Community List: First United Methodist Church Choose your Shift (s) and T-Shirt Size Note Section: Ok to add your spouse here Name, Shifts, T-Shirt Size, or list job preference, such as registration or hospitality Click Register to Finish! Receive reminders and event information! www.tmomvolunteer.org
August Financial Report Actual YTD Pledges, Gifts, Donations $147,295 $174,899 $262,348 $174,899 $262,348 Expenses: $18,333 $27,500 Pastoral Expenses 103,248 Program Expenses Operating Expenses 3,116 Other Expenses Total Expenses $173,049 $179,232 $268,848 Excess income/(expenses)
West District News September, 2017 Dear Friends, Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Much of the state of Texas has suffered from the effects of Hurricane Harvey. News images have shown devastating losses in communities all along the Texas coast, Houston, and inland areas stretching all the way to Bastrop. In some areas, the rainfall and flooding continue. Thousands of people have lost their homes, tens of thousands have been displaced, and the damage to property is immeasurable. Our communities will take months, perhaps even years, to rebuild. Within our Rio Texas Conference, communities such as Rockport, Aransas Pass, Port Aransas, Fulton, Portland, and LaGrange have been especially hard hit. Along with the communities impacted by the flooding, many of our churches have also been damaged. Recovery efforts have not yet fully begun because crews are still clearing enough debris and power lines to make some areas accessible. As the disaster passes, the recovery begins. As United Methodists, it is part of our calling to reach out to those who are suffering and in need. Our Disaster Response Team has already begun deploying Early Response Teams to communities in the Coastal Bend under the leadership of Eugene Hileman. They are equipped with flood buckets, hygiene kits, blankets, tools and equipment provided by your generosity. United Methodist early responders are not always the first to arrive, but they are often the last to leave because we are committed to serving as long at takes to rebuild lives, to rebuild homes, to rebuild communities. Because of the scope of this disaster, we will all need to pull together to reach out. We must hold those who have lost somuchclose to our hearts. People are asking, "What can I do to help?" First, we solicit your prayers. Pray for those who grieve, who are disconnected from their families, and who face uncertainty. Pray for first responders, community leaders, police, firefighters, EMT s, troops, and others. Pray for the thousands of volunteers who will descend upon the Coastal Bend to lend a hand in restoring these communities. Second, financial generosity is vital when responding to this scale of need. There will be a time and place for specific material donations, but our response teams need the immediate flexibility that financial gifts make possible to purchase needed supplies and materials. Your generous gifts make a difference. I am issuing a special appeal to the churches of the Rio Texas Conference. I ask that our churches take up a special offering this Sunday and direct it to Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Fund Conference ADVANCE #2057. The dollars given to this fund will go directly to relief and recovery. With your donations, we will partner with The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to sustain this relief effort for the many months ahead. They will allow us to offer immediate relief and to partner with Volunteers in Mission (VIM) and UMCOR for long-term response.
West District News I am issuing a special appeal to the churches of the Rio Texas Conference. I ask that our churches take up a special offering this Sunday and direct it to Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Fund Conference ADVANCE #2057. The dollars given to this fund will go directly to relief and recovery. With your donations, we will partner with The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to sustain this relief effort for the many months ahead. They will allow us to offer immediate relief and to partner with Volunteers in Mission (VIM) and UMCOR for long-term response. In addition to sharing this appeal in churches, I also ask that you share the appeal via email and social media. Individuals can give online at riotexas.org/give and have their gift applied to their church s giving toward the Conference Advance. Also, please review the information below for more ways that you can assist with the recovery effort. We especially need certified Early Responders. If you have not been trained, there are upcoming training opportunities listed here. Thank you for your desire to help, your willingness to serve, and for your generous response. Yours in Christ, Robert Schnase, Bishop A Christian Greeting "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." John 16:7 KJV This very promise Jesus gave us contains a name for the Holy Spirit that reveals the uniqueness of His nearness in our lives. This name "Comforter" is equally translated from the Greek text into six other names. Interestingly, each describes a slightly different aspect of the Holy Spirit's precious, personal ministry in our lives. Comforter: One who relieves another of mental distress. Counselor: One whose profession is to give advice and manage causes. Helper: One who furnishes with relief or support. Intercessor: One who acts between parties to reconcile differences. Advocate: One who pleads the cause of another. Strengthener: One who causes you to become stronger, endure, and resist attacks. Standby: One who can be relied upon either for regular use or in emergencies. God never expects more from us than the Holy Spirit would do in and through us. Thank you God! More of Him, Less of Me, Gini "Life Is...Just Better with Jesus" Anne Graham Lotz