 | | | |
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
As part of the Body of Christ and this congregation,
we will faithfully participate in the ministries of the church
by our prayers, our presence, our giving, and our service,
so that through our witness, we can lead others in becoming
disciples of Jesus Christ and thereby change the world. |
| | |
Buckingham United Methodist Church
Rev. John Fleming, Pastor
NorthStar
www.BUMCGarland.org
Listen on Line to weekly servicesmes: 8:30 & 11:00 A.M.
Sunday School Hour is at 9:45 A.M. |
| Prayer | | |
Concerns:
*David Flaherty
*David Mullins
*Dorothy Terry
*Jerry Wilson
*Jimmy Campbell *Johnathon Hooten
*Johnnie Robinson
*Joe East
*Jo Reynolds
*Nancy Jordan
*PamGifford
Extended Prayer Concerns:
*Don & Virginia Aswell *Claude Beavers
*Anita Hollaway
*Joan Brackeen
*Jack Boothe *Tommy Cokendolpher
*Ruth Beecher *Margie Roan
*Carol Campbell
*Luzell Kelley
*Rosie McCullough
* Laura Terrill
*Erin Wyrick *Mildred Bailey
*Rosa Preston
*Jenna Hemphill
*Robert Griffin *Linda Anderson
*Gracie Pastic *Elizabeth Breyer
*Dan White *Katherine Beavers
*Inez Hulkewicz
*Scott Fields
*Linda Callier
*Darla Anderson
*Wes Carlock
*Helen & Ross Stowers
*Ann Galyen *Harold Slone Sr.
*Betty Slone
*Jane Vaughn
*Marsha Tressa *Charles Overstreet
*The family of Ross Fleming
*Danny Greenwood, (Cindy Compton's uncle)
*Bailey Umphress, (friend of the Flemings')
Military: Andrew Aswell, Jeffrey Carnes, Caleb Moore, Holly Nations, Michael Nelson, Logan Crowe, William Hart, Katie Connaughton, Jonathan Lewis, Colin Peden, Jonathan Smith, Summer Heidleburg, Danny Sutton, James Epps, Jon Ahrens, Carey Millhouse, Matthew Watts, Hunt Vinzant, Eric Comley, Jarrad Ahrens, Kameron Smith, Danielle Petrey, Brandon Vickers, Jesse Chambers, Shaun Chavoya, Jeremy Graves, Scott Collins, Matthew Malone, Leanne Munoz & Jeff Munoz
My Service:
We give thanks for all of our volunteers!
|
|
|
|
|
John's Epistle
The Life of Faith
By now most of you have heard the news about our family's move to Sherman, as I am being sent to serve as Pastor at Grace UMC, and of the appointment of Rev. Abril Goforth as the new Pastor of Buckingham UMC. A short two weeks ago, neither Abril nor I expected to receive that kind of call and, frankly, it has thrown our family for a loop. As most of you know, when life suddenly brings this kind of change, it can make you think deeply about every aspect of life.
I have been a faithful participant in the church for most of my life. There was that period of several years, from about the time I left for college until I eventually returned in my mid-20s, that I wandered. Apart from that time, however, I have centered my life around the church.
Still, I began to realize about a little over 15 years ago, that my participation in church didn't really have all that much to do with the rest of my life. It wasn't that I was a "bad person," I just didn't make the connection between the two.
As I have matured, I have begun to really understand what it means to integrate the things I believe about God into the way I live my life. I certainly wouldn't hold myself forth as a shining example of faith, but at least I have begun to understand a central truth about what it means to be a disciple: There is belief; and then there is faith.
Belief is understanding; faith is living that is based in understanding.
Often I talk about worship being the center of Christian life. When the first Christians began to practice their faith following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, that practice was centered around worship. All
other aspects of faith came from their experience of community worship, and the pattern of worship we follow to this day reflects that design: We gather, we hear the good news, we respond in thankfulness, and we are sent forth to live the gospel. If worship only serves to reinforce the things we believe, but does not send us into the world as people who strive to live what we believe, it really doesn't do us much good.
Another way to understand it is to think of the way Jesus described the life of faith. When asked what the greatest commandment was, of all the 613 he had to choose from in the Torah, Jesus answered, "Love the Lord your God." But he didn't leave it at that; instead, he said that there was another law that was "like it," that we must love our neighbor. He then went on to tell the story of the Good Samaritan (or the bad religious persons, depending upon how you read it!) to demonstrate that our neighbor is everyone.
For years now, I have understood Jesus' response in this situation to mean that a belief and devotion to God isn't really belief or devotion at all unless it is lived out in the way we love others. In other words, we worship not just in the hour we spend together on Sunday mornings, but in every moment, as each moment becomes an act of worship. Faith begins in the crucible of community worship, where we are both convicted and forgiven, challenged and confirmed. But it is only belief until we go into the world and live it.
Right now, as my family adapts to yet another cataclysmic life change caused because I am a United Methodist pastor, I am remembering that the journey of faith can sometimes be difficult-very difficult. I do so believe. By the grace of God, may we all find faith, as well.
Grace and peace,
Pastor John |
|
|
RECORD OF STEWARDSHIP
...And I will be loyal to the United Methodist Church and will support it with...
My Presence:
May 15th - 149
May 22nd - 145
My Gifts:
Capital Campaign
2011 Beginning Balance $15,131.34
Gifts Received $14,297.73
Paid Out -$17,261.40
Fund Balance 1/31/11 $12,167.67
Loan Balance 3/31/11 $ 0.00
Annual Apportionment Goal $26,332.00
Apportionment Paid '11 42% paid $11,222.00
|
Giving through 4/30/11 $87,855.00
Expenses through 2/28/11 -$98.759.00
Total Shortage 2011 -$10,904.00
Estimated May Expenses $24,700.00
Weekly Income Needed $6,175.00
Average Sunday Offering in 2011 $5,107.00
|
|
 |
|
|
Activities and Announcements
"The YMCA Summer Program"
We are to host "The YMCA" summer program again this year. The program kicks off on Monday, June 13th and gives us the chance to serve these kids, which many are in foster care and can benefit by our heartfelt love and care. Pray about how you can be apart of this ministry and then act on God's direction. Please contact Pastor John at pastorjohn@bumcgarland.org to learn more about the program.
VBS Meeting
ANYONE interested in volunteering, helping, or supporting VBS should attend this first VBS meeting scheduled for Sunday, June 26th, following the 11:00 Service. Lunch will be provided and we will brain storm ideas and dreams for Vacation Bible School. If you have any questions, please contact Karron at Karron@bumcgarland.org.
Readers Needed
Would you like to be more involved in the Worship Service? Would you like to be a Reader on Sunday mornings? There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the People Center, just stop by the table and sign your name on the date you are available. It is that easy!
Youth
Youth Mission trip on June 12th.
Youth Camps: Senior High Camp starts July 4th.
Jr. High Camp starts June 27th.
Please contact Kevin for more information regarding any of these events. (See youth box for contact information)
Fish Fry
You are going to want to mark your calendar for this annual event! The date to mark is Saturday, June 25th. The best fish fryer around, Mr. Bob Maddux will be frying up some delicious fish while the rest of the church provides the sides. Mark it on your "Gotta Have it List" and look for more details coming soon.
Confirmation Sunday
Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 12th. On this Sunday we will celebrate confirmation of our confirmands. What a great day of celebration this Sunday will be. Please make sure and join us.
Buckingham United Methodist Preschool
Fall Registration has begun! BUMP has space in all three classes. Contact Susi Hanson at 972.272.3804 or hansoncircus@verizon.net for more information. And, don't forget Summer Camp kicks off on June 28th and there are still spots available!
Stuffed Animals
Starting this Sunday we will accept stuffed animals again. Al Gamel will take them once a month to the local police station and help children in a difficult situation cope by having a cuddly stuffed animal to love. Thanks for your help in making this ministry possible.
Upcoming Meeting dates
June 12th - Finance Meeting (12:15PM)
June 18th - UMW Meeting (9:00AM)
June 19th - Administrative Council Meeting (12:10PM)
(If you are planning a meeting and would like for it to be on the Church calendar, listed in the Bulletin or Newsletter, please contact the Church office.)
Mark Your Calendars
We are about 4 months away from the Lord's Acre Fall Festival, which is scheduled for October 22, 2011. Last year's event was such a success--despite the rain--that we want to continue to improve and "LAFF" even bigger this year. Please prayerfully consider how you would like to help. No donation of time ,crafts or materials is too small. Everyone and everything matters! If you'd like more information, contact Lori Reynolds at Lreyn82152@aol.com or 469-323-0639. The next LAFF Leadership meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7 at 7:30pm.
E-Mail Update
The Church is trying to clean-up the current e-mail list. If you have not been receiving prayer requests, Newsletters or other Church News on your e-mail, would you please, contact the Church office at bumcgarland.org or call at 972-272-6042.
|
|
|
|
|
Why A Community Garden?
The goal of this garden is to foster real relationships, provide good food, and to care for the earth.
I am pleased to announce that 4' x 10' plots (half of a 4' x 20' bed) are now available for reservation. A 75 dollar fee per calendar year will help to pay for water and ongoing upkeep. To reserve your space, email Emily McGill at ewmcgill@gmail.com and she will send you a contract. Please be aware that these plots will be assigned on a first come basis to those who have turned in a contract. If you have any questions, email or call Chip & Mary VanPelt at 972-496-1744 or Emily McGill at 940-206-6066. Chip's email is chip.vanpelt@tx.rr.com and Mary's email is mary.vanpelt@tx.rr.com
|
|
|
|
|
