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
My Prayers: Concerns: Crystal Reed Dennis Collins Kay Fleming Jo Reynolds Gayle McCloskey Marjorie Wilson Lori McGill Rebecca Zettel Paul Gradel Jennifer Brown Edna Yowell Extended Prayer Concerns:* Anita Hollaway Ann Galyen Carol Campbell Darla Anderson Dan White Claude Beavers Gracie Pastic Elizabeth Breyer Erin Wyrick Scott Fields Joan Brackeen Margie Roan Jack Boothe Mildred Bailey Ruth Beecher Luzell Kelley * Laura Terrill Inez Hulkewicz Katherine Beavers Linda Callier Mike McGill Jenna Hemphill Robert Griffin Wes Carlock Bob Alexander Linda Anderson Betty Slone Harold Slone Sr. Rosie McCullough Jane Vaughn Marsha Tressa Charles Overstreet Tommy Cokendolpher The family of Ross Fleming Helen & Ross Stowers 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: Thanks to all who volunteered for the Church Work Day! A big HUGE thanks goes to the following.......... Luke Fox Nick Fox Mike Fox Gary Hutchings Lynn Anderson Cheryl Clark Laurie Petrey Carol Anderson Julie Riland Chris Nieman Wayne Nieman Mary Van Pelt Bill Maloney Frank Story Steve Eason Cyndi Hutchings A lot of work was done, and we had a great time.

NorthStar

July 19, 2011

Abril's Epistle

Solid Foundations

An acquaintance of mine who is in the midst of some extensive - and expensive - foundation repair on her home. Hot, dry Texas summers can cause the soil under our homes to shrink and shift, causing massive damage.

I am reminded of that old children's song: "The wise man built his house upon the rock, house upon the rock, house upon the rock ... and the rains came tumbling down." And we know what happened to the foolish guy who decided to build his house upon the sand. Sand shifts, making a very poor foundation for a home.

Jesus tells the story of the wise man and the foolish man in the 7^th chapter of Matthew, as an illustration of what can happen to us when we try to take shortcuts to God - cheapening the experience for ourselves, and quite possibly paving the way for failure of our relationship altogether.

Usually damage to home foundations happens over time; years of neglect can result in what seems like sudden disaster. But the truth is that slowly moistening the soil several times a year may prevent the expense of repair down the road. If we want a healthy foundation, we need to spend time taking care of it.

The analogy holds true for the relationships that we have with our spouse and other family members as well as with our friends. If we want to have a healthy marriage or friendship, we must nurture that relationship, "watering" it with our time and our attention.

Jesus says, "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life - to God! - is vigorous and requires total attention." (Matthew 7:13-14, The Message)

How can you test the soil of your relationship with God? One way is to be honest with yourself about how much time you spend nurturing that relationship. Another way is to check your "soul gauge." Do you feel empty, or full? Do you feel anxious, or at peace? Do you worry a lot, or do you rest in the knowledge that God has it all in hand? Our outward behavior is a sure sign of our inward reality. If you feel a little stressed and out of sorts, maybe spending some time in deep, concentrated prayer and Scripture reading will help.

When I was growing up, my grandmother lived in a house with a pier and beam foundation, and as she aged, so did it. If we ran through, as children often do, the dishes in the cabinets and the pictures on the wall would rattle! I am finding Buckingham to be a church with a solid foundation, strong enough to sustain measured growth and lots of children running through the halls! And I am looking forward to what God will do!

Glory to God!

Abril

RECORD OF STEWARDSHIP

...And I will be loyal to the United Methodist Church and will support it with...

My Presence:

July 10th - 128 July 17^th - 139

My Gifts:

Capital Campaign

2011 Beginning Balance $15,131.34

Gifts Received $19,020.95

Paid Out -$17,261.40

Fund Balance 5/31/11 $16,890.89

Loan Balance 5/31/11 $ 0.00

Annual Apportionment Goal $26,332.00

Apportionment Paid '11 51% paid $13,409.00

Giving through 5/31/11 $110,666.00

Expenses through 5/31/11 -$121,724.00

Total Shortage 2011 -$11,058.00

Estimated May Expenses $24,700.00

Weekly Income Needed $6,125.00

Average Sunday Offering in 2011 $4,939.00

Activities and Announcements

Women of Buckingham

The Women of Buckingham are in support of the Wesley-Rankin Community Center in their endeavor to reach out to the children in the communities. Each year they help at the start of the school year by providing school supplies to children in need.

If you can help we will be taking donations of supplies starting this Sunday through July 31 (not much time!!) See the information below from the Wesley-Ranking Center:

We are asking that backpacks be canvas in colors of green, navy blue, black or gray please no reds or royal blue.

10^th grade

□ backpack

□ 2.5 inch binder (or 3 inch)

□ 5 pocket folders (with or w/o brads)

□ colored pencils

□ ruler

□ 1 dividers-8 cut

□ 1 comp book

□ 4 college ruled spirals

□ 1 multi-subject spiral

□ 3 college ruled filler paper

□ pencil pouch

□ 5 pens (blue/black)

□ 1 red pen

□ 12 pencils

□ eraser

□ 3 pencil toppers

□ 2 highlighters

□ 2 glue sticks

□ 2 pkgs. lined index cards

Korean Church Celebration

Don't miss it! Wesley Korean UMC is moving to a new location. July 31st is their last day to worship in the building next door and they would like to thank BUMC for being such good neighbors. The WKUMC Choir will perform during the 11 o'clock service on that day, followed by an all-church lunch prepared for us by their church members. Make sure you sign up for the lunch when the clipboard comes to you. For more information, contact Lori Reynolds at Lreyn82152@aol.com or 469-323-0639.

VBS Giving Tree

The VBS Giving Tree is up in the back of the Sanctuary. Items needed for VBS are printed on leaves & apples on the Giving Tree. Participants should take one (or several) apples/leaves and return those items (with the apples/leaves) to that table or the church office no later than Wednesday July 27. Also, there is a mandatory VBS for all volunteers tonight, Tuesday July 19 at 7:00pm. VBS starts July 31-Aug. 4 from 6:00 to 8:30pm. All children entering Pre-K through 5th grade are welcome! We need volunteers & participants so spread the word!! Registration forms are available by the church office, in the People Center, and near Wesley Hall. You can also register online by visiting this site: http://www.cokesburyvbs.com/shake-it-up-cafe/BuckinghamVBS. This link is available on the BUMC homepage. If you have any questions, please contact Karron at Karron@bumcgarland.org.

WHO IS BOB?

If you really want to know, you have to come to a meet and greet party for BOB. The Women of Buckingham are sponsoring this event so please leave the guys at home. BOB only wants to meet women....sorry guys. BTW, a few words about what this is event is NOT...... this is not a meeting; you will not be asked for money (unless you want to buy the wine); you will not be asked to volunteer for anything; you will not be asked to speak in public and, best of all, will not be expected to stay until the end. However, BOB is a big fan of Jesus so there will be a few words in His honor.

Place: Siciliano's--A Taste of Italy - private room
2210 W Buckingham Rd
Garland, TX 75042-4900
Phone: (972) 276-8913

Date: Thursday, August 4, 2011 Time: 7:00 p.m.

Dinner will be provided....even if it is only pizza!!! Beverages of choice are available at your expense. Please contact Cyndi Hutchings at 972-495-2629 with any questions.

LAFF

Are you ready to LAFF?
The Lord's Acre Fall Festival is fast approaching! We have about 3 months before the event and we need YOU to help make it successful. Volunteer sign-up sheets and donation lists will be made available starting in August. No amount of time, money or donation is too small! For additional information, contact Lori Reynolds at Lreyn82152@aol.com or 469-323-0639.

Blood Drive Results

Thanks so much for making this drive a success. We collected 17 pints of blood, with 4 folks unable to donate. That means we will have helped 51 needy people (each pint is broken into 3 components). BUMC has awesome people!

T-shirt update: I noticed that we received T-shirts (and I liked this T-shirt!) at this drive and folks told me they got them at the last drive. It seems the point system is only in effect at the donor centers. If Carter comes to your location you get a T-shirt at the time of the donation. I apologize for sharing incorrect info but I didn't read the fine print.

The next Blood Drives are scheduled September 18 and Nov. 20.

Thanks

Nancy Sherlin

BUMC Blood Drive Coordinator

Upcoming Meeting dates

July 19^th - VBS Meeting (7:00PM)

(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.)

BUMC 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 28^th and there are still spots available!

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.

972.272.6042