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This Week @ First Methodist Grapevine
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June 3, 2015 | In This Issue:
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Communion & Confirmation Sunday, June 7
Worship at 8:30, 9:00, 9:45, 11:00 AM | Sunday School at 9:45 AM
 This Sunday, we continue our series of messages about how we see God in action in "real life." Our speakers will give testimony about where they have seen God at work and experienced Him in very real ways in their lives.
Melissa Howell, Tweens/Early Teens Director, will speak in the English services.
Rev. Armando Alvarado will speak in the Bilingual Service.- 8:30 AM - Traditional Worship in Founders Chapel
- 9:00 AM - Contemporary Praise & Worship in the Family Life Center
- 9:45 AM - Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
- 11:00 AM - Blended Worship in the Sanctuary
- 11:00 AM - Bilingual Worship in Founders Chapel
Confirmation The Confirmation Class of 2015 will be accepted into full membership in the church during the 11:00 AM worship service this Sunday. Please come join in the celebration of this milestone in their faith journeys!
Communion Offering  This Sunday is Communion Sunday. Holy Communion will be served in all worship services, and our Communion Offering will go to Africa University. Africa University is the only United Methodist degree-granting university in Africa. In a continent torn by war, AIDS, poverty, cyclones, and other natural and human-made hardships, Africa University shines as a beacon of hope and light. Please bring your offerings with you to the altar during communion this Sunday. Write "Africa University" in the memo of your check or envelope.
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Worship Ministries
This Week
This Sunday, the Chapel Ensemble will share special music in the 8:30 AM worship service. In the 9:45 and 11:00 AM services, we'll be treated to a solo by Vickie Smolek!
Worship Archives
If you missed any of the services last week, you can view them on the worship stream archive at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/live. To access past broadcasts, click the "On Demand" tab.
Rehearsal Schedule
If you would like more information, contact Director of Worship Arts Wren Robinson (wrenr@fumcg.org or 817-481-2559 x133).
Wednesday:
6:00 - 6:50 PM Grace Notes (Women's Chorus) - Sanctuary
6:00 - 6:50 PM Fishers' Of Men (Men's Chorus) - Music Room
7:00 - 8:30 PM Chancel Choir - Music Room
7:00 - 8:00 PM Orchestra - Sanctuary
Sunday:
7:50 - 8:15 AM Chapel Ensemble - Founders Chapel (1st and 3rd Sundays)
9:00 - 9:35 AM Chancel Choir - Music Room
9:15 - 9:35 AM Orchestra Warm-up - Sanctuary
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DID YOU KNOW?
"Did You Know" is a series of feature articles that highlight various aspects of ministry in the church. Be on the lookout for the "Did You Know" inserts in Sunday's bulletin each week. If you miss Sunday, the articles are linked on our website at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/didyouknow.
Nursery Ministry
 Did you know that our Nursery Ministry has a new Director? Monica Vickery joined our Family Ministries staff in April to help nurture and guide the youngest of our church family. She was a Preschool teacher for eight years, and holds a NAC certification for maintaining high standards of excellence in her classroom. Her son, Robert, is eight months old and is just as busy as you might imagine! Did you know that our Nursery Ministry is growing? Our average attendance is about 56 children each Sunday, but we are also growing the depth of relationships. If you spend a few minutes on our hallway, you'll hear lots of kiddos running in to catch up with their teachers. Keep reading...
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Church News
Last Chance MinistrySafe!!
If you plan to volunteer over the summer in any program that works with children including mission trips, driving vans, Grapevine Village activities, VBS, Sunday School, Tweens... We have added one FINAL training this Sunday, June 7, 5:30 to 7:30 PM (location TBA). Please come! We will place a sign on the tunnel door with location information. Bring your own food as dinner will not be provided.
Central Texas Annual Conference
 The annual gathering of pastors and lay representatives of the Central Texas Annual Conference will be June 7-9. Annual Conference will kick-off with the Opening Worship Celebration of Remembrance and Resurrection at 7:00 PM, Sunday, June 7, at White's Chapel UMC in Southlake. The meeting of the Annual Conference will be conducted at White's Chapel on Monday and Tuesday, June 8-9. Our pastors will be in attendance, along with our lay delegates: Allen & Jessie Mossman, Walt Milner, Mike Rushing, Barbara & Odell Evartt.
Appreciation for Rick & Liz Mang  Rev. Rick Mang will be reappointed to First Methodist Church in Crowley, Texas, effective July 1. Rick and Liz's last Sunday with us will be June 14. Rick will preach on June 14, and we'll have a cookie reception to give everyone an opportunity to wish the Mangs well. If you would like to give toward a love offering for Rick and Liz, please mark "Mang Love Offering" in the memo of your gift (note that love offering gifts are not tax deductible). We will be sad to see Rick and Liz leave us, but wish them blessings on their new ministry in Crowley. Click here to read Rick's announcement letter.
New Associate Pastor to be Appointed
 We are excited to announce that Rev. Jenn Pick will be appointed as our new Associate Pastor at Annual Conference in June. New appointments take effect July 1, so Jenn will begin work that day. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee has had the opportunity to meet Jenn and we are excited about her new ministry here at FUMC Grapevine. Jenn has most recently been serving at First Methodist Church in Mansfield. She is a 2010 graduate of Drew Theological Seminary. Jenn is passionate about creative worship and international relations. Jenn has spent much of her ministry tenure in the New York Annual Conference, but she grew up in Red Oak, Texas. If you would like to learn more about Jenn's background, we invite you to view her resume (pdf). Jenn and her husband Todd have a 9-month-old son, Drew. Todd works in the Central Texas Conference Office coordinating the Healthy Church Initiative.
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 Compassion Ministries
 Service of Healing and Wholeness A Service of Healing & Wholeness will be held on Sunday, June 7, at 6:00 PM in Founders Chapel. In the book of James 5:13, we read: "Are any of you suffering? Call the elders (members) of the community together, have them lay hands on you, and pray for you." Whatever your need for wholeness: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or relationships - you are invited to come and let God begin a good work in you.
Prayer Shawls
Across centuries, prayer shawls have symbolized peace and spiritual nourishment. Prayer Shawls are knitted or crocheted and filled with the power of prayer for those in need. We would like
to gauge interest in a possible prayer shawl ministry to provide shawls to those facing a challenging diagnosis, chronic illness, or needing comfort following a loss or times of stress. There will be an interest meeting on Tuesday, June 9, at 6:00 PM in Room 2007. For questions or more information, contact Gail Hoggatt at gmhoggatt@yahoo.com or Sandra Nasr at sandranasr58@gmail.com.
Condolences We would like to extend Christian condolences to... - Yvonne and Mike Hoover on the loss of husband and father Wayne Hoover on June 1. Services for Wayne will be Monday, June 8, at 12:30 PM at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel, under the direction of Bluebonnet Funeral Home.
- Mark Talbert and family on the loss of his uncle on May 18.
Congratulations to...
- Cheri and Bob Rutledge on the birth of their granddaughter, Lily Madeline Rutledge, daughter of Hal and Kelli Rutledge, on May 28. Lily is also the great-granddaughter of Bernie Sorrels (Kelli's grandmother). A gift will be given to Kenya Kids Can in celebration of this birth.
- Jeanice Massey on her marriage to Chris Wheelock on May 30.
- Leonard Walton & Linda Allen on their marriage on May 30.
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Mission Ministries
Top Needs
Top needs this week are:
- Benevolence Funds. This fund provides emergency financial assistance to families in our community. If you'd like to give, please mark "Benevolence" in the memo of your gift.
- Two electric dryers. Two of our neighbors in Grapevine Housing Authority apartments are in need of dryers.
- Dresser and Chest of Drawers needed for a neighbor.
Contact Bev Campisi at beverlyc@fumcg.org if you can help with either of the neighbor needs.
Project Read Book Drive
 Project Read is in need of book donations to help fill our needs for Feed Our Kids summer distributions. During the summer we take books to the lunch sites for Feed our Kids all summer long (not just during the weeks the church is "in charge"). Volunteers read donated books with the children and give books away to be taken home.We need your donations of new or gently used books, especially for young readers and for Spanish speakers. Donation boxes can be found in the foyers of Founders Chapel and the Sanctuary as well as outside the church office through August 21. We can also use monetary donations to purchase books. Note "Project Read" on your check or envelope if you wish to do so.
If you would like to volunteer to help, sign up on Serve Over Summer online at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/sos or in Sunday's bulletin. Read more about Project Read at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/projectread.
God Can Needs
We collected 63 items for GRACE this week. The GRACE Food Pantry is currently OUT of cooking oil, tuna, evaporated milk, canned soup/stew, spaghetti sauce, condensed milk, ramen noodles, children's cereal and syrup. They are currently LOW on condiments, vienna sausages, canned fruit and juice. Click here for GRACE's full updated list of needs (pdf). Please bring your donations to the God Can bins outside the church office or in the Sanctuary Foyer/Atrium.
Feed Our Kids Big Week
Feed Our Kids Big Week will be July 6-10. Here are our current needs:
- Donation Station volunteers needed after each service on Sunday, June 14 and Sunday, June 21. Help people choose needs off of the display boards and provide info about when we need donations and where to drop them off.
- Site Coordinators needed to fill out GRACE paperwork and commit to being at a site for the week. Can be a shared position as long as each day is covered. Simply guide volunteers as to where they can help and be a contact person at each site.
To volunteer, contact Deb Scheiwe (debscheiwe@verizon.net).
Central Texas Conference Disaster Response
The CTC Disaster Response Ministry supports the efforts of our congregations to prepare for and respond to disasters near and far. Laraine Waughtal, coordinator of Disaster Response for the Central Texas Conference, has been keeping us updated about the response to flooding in Texas. Visit http://www.ctcumc.org/ctcdisasterresponse for details about the current state of our response. If you would like to give financial gifts, you may do so through the Disaster Relief Advance fund - United States Disaster Response Advance #901670 at www.umcmission.org/advance.
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Record Number of Economically Disadvantaged Students Have Registered for Connect GCISD Back to School Fair
By Dr. Cindy Ryan
 On August 8, 2015 we will hold the 4th Annual Connect/GCISD Back to School Fair at Grapevine High School. This fair serves those in GCISD who are classified as economically disadvantaged, which is roughly 1 in 4 of the students GCISD serves. This year, we have a record number of students who are already pre-registered for the fair, almost 1600!
The Women's Division of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce provides generous funds for school supplies for these children, as does Connect. However, this year's pre-registration is the highest ever and we are in need of individuals and community groups to help provide schools supplies for all these extra children.
Our church has been a big part of the Back to School Fair in the past by providing gift cards, backpacks and school supply packs for the children as well as countless volunteers the day of the event.
If you, or an organization you are a part of, would like to help "stand in the gap" and provide school supply packs for GCISD children in need, you can go to www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks - enter school codeGCE000 - or you can donate to Connect at the GCISD Education Foundation, PO Box 292, Grapevine TX 76099 and all funds will go directly to school supply packs. Just be sure and mark Connect clearly on your check.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer at the fair contact me cindyr@fumcg.org or Carolyn Ann Walgren cwalgren@verizon.net. We will also have a sign up genius link when it gets closer to the fair date.
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 Volunteer Connection
iCare Team in place this Sunday
Eight places under the roof of our busy facility have been identified and will be staffed this Sunday by 8 volunteers willing to stand, say hello, and even offer a caring "May I help?" They don't claim to know where everything happens on our busy campus, but they are equipped with the brochures that are always available outside our Sanctuaries and office which do have that information.
If you are willing to add your name to this team and be scheduled to serve between 9:30 and 9:50, please let me know! While I have 8 for the first Sunday of each month, the other Sundays have holes to be filled. If you wish to offer this added layer of leadership I will look forward to having you also tell me if you have a preferred Sunday for me to schedule you. And while I will be away until Monday June 8, I will be in touch with you when I return. Be blessed to be a blessing by showing you CARE! Questions? Contact Bev (beverlyc@fumcg.org).
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Access-Life Expo RELOCATED
 NOTICE: The Access-Life Expo that was to be held at Lake Grapevine in June HAS BEEN RELOCATED due to the flooding at the lake. The new location is at Haven's Horse facility at 4200 Keller-Haslet Road, Fort Worth (address is in FW, but this is near Keller).
Help our Helping Hands Special Needs Ministry in supporting the Access-Life Group, a non-profit Christian organization, by volunteering for the Outdoor Expo Event at Haven's Horse Facility on Saturday, June 13, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This free event is for our local families living with disabilities. It is an outdoor adventure for all ages and levels of disabilities. Our church will be donating the water, ice and volunteers to make this the best Expo for the participants. If you would like to volunteer to help the day of the event, we'd love to have you! Volunteers and participants alike must register on the Access-Life website, www.access-life.org. Follow the information on the left side of the registration page. Questions? Contact Helping Hands Ministry Coordinator Joyce King at 817-488-9141.
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Seekers Summer Programs
 During the summer months, the Seekers Sunday School class will have a series of special programs. This Sunday, June 7, Seekers will be presenting a four-part video and discussion based on the movie, "God's Not Dead." A college freshman starting a philosophy class is challenged by his professor to prove God's existence by researching and presenting arguments and evidence over the course of the semester culminating with a debate with the professor in front of the whole class. The question stands,"How far would you go to defend your faith?" The moderator for the first week is Neil Anderson. Seekers meet in Leach Hall at 9:45 AM. All are welcome to join us during this series.
BSF Coming to FUMC Grapevine
 FUMC Grapevine is excited to welcome the women's daytime meeting of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) to our campus, starting the fall of 2015. Some of you may be familiar with BSF. For those who are not, it is a weekly in-depth, inter-denominational Bible study group that has participants across the world. Our local Grapevine women's BSF will begin meeting at FUMC Grapevine starting in September, and we wanted to give you a heads-up about it! About 500 women and 200 children will fill our church campus each Wednesday morning. Get more information on our website at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/bsf or at www.bsfinternational.org.
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Jonathan, Son of Saul
by Fred Rigdon
 When we practice spiritual formation, whether by prayer, Bible study, or other spiritual disciplines, we try to approach God with an attitude of humility, faith and love. Jonathan, the son of Saul, Israel's first king, is an example of someone who displayed that attitude. For the first few centuries after the Israelites settled in Canaan, they were governed by a series of judges, who were military leaders as well as rulers, and God was the only King of Israel. Eventually, however, the Israelites rejected their covenant relationship with God. Theyasked the prophet Samuel, who was to be the last of the judges, to appoint a human king. Keep reading...
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| Family Ministries |
MinistrySafe Training Make-Up Session
 Last Chance... another MinistrySafe Training will be held this Sunday! Everyone who volunteers for any Ministry that reaches out to children and Youth in our church or community is required to Complete MinistrySafe Training, regardless of any prior screening you may have had. This includes Village Activities, Sunday School Teachers, Summer Swim Lesson, VBS, all Youth Ministries, all Church Mission Trips. We will have an additional MinistrySafe Training session on Sunday, June 7, 5:30-7:30 PM - location tba. RSVP to Linda McClure in the church office - lindam@fumcg.org , 817-481-2559 x126. Childcare is provided. Please RSVP your childcare needs to Monica Vickery ( monicav@fumcg.org ). Questions about Family Ministries? Contact:
Patty Bandy, Director of Family Ministries (pattyb@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x129)
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 Youth Ministries
Questions about Youth Ministries? Contact:
Michael Franklin, Youth (michaelf@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x116)
Melissa Howell, Tweens/Early Teens (melissah@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x136)
Patty Bandy, Director of Family Ministries ( pattyb@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x129)
June Youth Calendar (pdf)
Deeper - Youth Bible Studies
TODAY, Wednesday, June 3, Deeper is from 5:45 to 7:00 PM for Middle School in the HUB with snacks. High School is 7:00-8:15 PM at Patty's (514 W Nash, Grapevine) with snacks.
Soccer
Soccer this Thursday will meet 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the GMS field.
This Sunday, June 7
- ACYM Meeting from 4:30 to 5:30 PM in the HUB
- End of School Bash! 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Logans, including a meal! (2802 Springbranch Ct. GV)
Feed our Youth on Mission Trip
Our youth and adult sponsors are traveling to Lake Charles, LA in June for a week of mission work. While on mission trip, they will consume a total of 1,921 meals! That calls for a lot of food. We would like your help in supplying some of the non-perishable items. You can pick up a grocery bag in the foyer of the Sanctuary or Founders Chapel. Purchase the item on the bag and return it no later than June 11 to the HUB, Church Office or bins located in the foyers.
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 Ministries for Children
Questions about Children's Ministries? Contact:
Amy Gravitt, Children's Director (amyg@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x213)
Monica Vickery, Nursery Director (monicav@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x145)
Melissa Howell, Tweens Director ( melissah@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x136) Patty Bandy, Director of Family Ministries (pattyb@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x129)
Children's Ministry End of School Bash!
The Children's Ministry is so excited to let you know that we will be having our "End of School Bash" this Sunday, June 7, during the regular Sunday School hour. We will meet in Founders Chapel at 9:45 AM to watch Will Baffle do some pretty AWESOME magic tricks. Please drop off and pick up children K-5th at Founders Chapel. Preschool will still be dropped and pick up in Room 211 as usual.
Mommy and Me Class This Summer  Join us for Mommy and Me classes at FUMCG this summer! Monica Vickery, our Nursery Director, will be leading an exciting class for children ages 6 months to 4 years old. Each class will include story time, a sensory activity, and a special make and take craft for each child. We are looking forward to discovering a special love and appreciation for books, while exploring our senses and creativity. Remaining classes will take place Wednesdays, June 10, 17 and July 8, 15, 22 from 10:00-10:45 AM in Room 208. To be part of this special family experience, register online or contact Monica Vickery at monicav@fumcg.org or 817-481-2559 x145.
 Register now for VBS!
We're excited about our upcoming Vacation Bible School... G-FORCE: God's Love In Action! VBS is June 22-26. The cost is $15 per child. Registration forms are available in the church office, at the check-in areas in the Atrium, and online at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/vbs. Scholarships are available; please contact Linda McClure (lindam@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x126) for details. Sports camps will be offered directly following VBS this year (see details below). We're also looking for wonderful volunteers to help with decorations, crafts, snacks, recreation, music, and all the other prep work to make this week the best VBS yet! If you are interested in volunteering please contact Amy Gravitt (amyg@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x213) or Karen Seals, our VBS Coordinator (karen.seals@verizon.net, 817-329-5479).
VBS Wish List
Looking for a way to help with VBS? We have a "wish list" of needs that we'll be keeping updated from now until VBS begins. The full list is updated and available on our website. Please bring your donations to the drop boxes outside room 212/215 and outside the church office.
Elmer's glue refill jugs
Glue Dots
Glue sticks
Powdered Lemonade
Powdered Gatorade
Plastic file folders
Large safety pins
Red, yellow or green colored cord
11x14 card stock (white)
5 pool noodles
4 in flower pots (new)
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Washable markers
Crayons
Water colors
2"X4" Avery 5163 Shipping labels
Gallon storage bags
5 oz cups
9 oz cups
Curling ribbon (yellow, red, purple, blue and green)
Coin envelopes
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 Summer Sports Camps
New this year, we are hosting a series of Christian sports camps for children ages 5 to 12, in partnership with Triumph Sports. There will be a camp on the afternoons of VBS in June, one in July, and one in August. Visit our website or the Triumph Sports site at www.triumphsports.info for more details and registration information. Click here to download a flyer about the camps (pdf).
Tween Missions - Do Good.
 We are hosting a mission trip for Tweens August 2-6. The structure of the mission trip is designed to be an age-appropriate version of CTCYM. Tween Mission is open to students who have completed 4th or 5th grades. FUMCG Grapevine will serve as the living center for sleeping, eating, and showering. The event will begin at 7:00 PM on Sunday, August 2, and end at 7:00 PM Thursday, August 6. During the day, students will engage in service activities in the community. The evenings will consist of fun games and activities, Christ-centered worship, and daily devotionals. This will be the third year that Grapevine has hosted a tween mission trip and we are excited to have the opportunity to open it up to other churches in the conference. Registration is limited to 60 participants, on a first-come/first-serve basis. Register online at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/tweenmission.
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- A gift has been given to the Permanent Endowment Fund in memory of Carolyn Lease's mother, Anne Hintz, by Bill & Katherine Brink.
- A gift has been given to the Permanent Endowment Fund in memory of Ginger Williams by Chuck & JoAnn Compton.
- A gift has been given to Kenya Street Kids in honor of Michele Crater's graduation by Allan & Trudy Hughes.
- A gift has been given to Latvia Village in honor of Joe Ann Standlee's 80th Birthday by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Burgess.
- A gift has been given to Project READ in memory of Lina Finau by Rick & Linda Davies.
Weekend Food Team... Caught Caring (Again!)
by Kristine Hall, Weekend Food Volunteer Coordinator
We AGAIN had people who deserve some snaps for stepping up so that Weekend Food happened last week. There was a snafu with the final food order from Sam's, and we found out at about 1:00 PM, the Friday before Memorial Day, that we only had half the order. Audrey Zapor was quick to loan me pen, paper, and calculator (and phone numbers, and inspiration and pats on the back to keep me calm!) while I tried to figure out exactly how much food we needed. Trudy was supposed to have the afternoon off, but she patiently waited for me to get her the inventory numbers and then stayed and placed a replacement order with Sam's. Then, on Saturday morning, because it was pouring rain, Anne & Rob Rhoades rented a U-Haul to pick up the Sam's order so it could be kept dry. Finally, snaps go to my husband, Ken Hall, who went with me (he volunteered! I didn't force him!) to meet Anne & Rob at the church Saturday morning to unload the goods. It really takes a village sometimes, and we are quite blessed that we have lots of wonderful people in our village!
Caught Caring for the Sibleys
Melburn Sibley shares... Nearly every Methbodist member who has come to visit Martha has prayed for her. What a blessing! A. J. Gordon observed, "You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed." John Wesley believed that, "God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." E. M. Bounds added, "God shapes the world by prayer." And he noted, "Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still."
Thank you, from Martha and Melburn Sibley.
FUMCG... Caught Caring!
We received the following note from a community member last week... you all are touching lives far beyond what you know!
I signed up to receive your newsletter several years ago when my family was looking for a church home. I've always been interested in all the ministries FUMCG provides.
This particular communication blessed me, realizing how many lives you're touching in so many varied outreaches. I read a devotional recently where someone was 'feeling sorry' for a pastor because, in the speaker's opinion, 'your church is dying'. The pastor disagreed. The speaker said 'I've seen your attendance - you're dying'! The preacher said 'that's your problem' - You're counting numbers; we count 'touches'. We're up 10% every month in touches - a phone call, a meal, a prayer.' Your numbers must be up 100%!
I commend your leadership for hosting BSF. It changed MY life and the life of my church when they met in our facility in the 80's. In fact, just today I placed phone calls to two of the influencers in my life during those BSF years. I'm signed up for the study of Revelation. Because the classes are going to be 'filled to overflowing', maybe I'll get assigned to Grapevine!
May the JOY of the Lord ever be the strength of FUMCG. Have a blessed summer experience - touching lives.
Christine Burkett - Irving
Support Our Military... Caught Caring!
Thanks to everyone who supported our troops with Care Packages. We were able to ship 15 USPS boxes and 2 large boxes of snacks, powdered drinks, personal hygiene items and vitamins & cough drops. The shipment is being sent to our troops stationed in Djibouti, Africa.
May 2015 Costa Rica Mission Trip Recap
by Cathy Jackson
At the Methodist Children's Home in San Jose, Costa Rica, we shoveled rocks, we lifted buckets of sand, we mixed concrete, we pushed wheelbarrows, we filled trenches, we carried cinder blocks, we dug pits deeper than some of us were tall, we bailed water from those pits, we removed boulders and scooped slimy sludge from the same and then we did it all over again the next day and the next day and the next! AND WE HAD FUN DOING IT ALL!!
In our VBS sessions at the home and at Ebenezer Methodist Church, the children learned that each time a young David played music to soothe King Saul the king was refreshed and made well. Our days in Costa Rica were filled with the music of the laughter of the children, the sounds of the tambourines we made with them and the songs they sang, the voices and comradery of our multigenerational team, the fellowship with the Costa Rican construction workers (who laughed both with us and at us often!) and the love of the Zirkels and Pastor Roberto. And this music refreshed us daily and we were blessed!
God is working in amazing ways at Hogar Metodista. 21 orphans, in two beautiful homes, are being lovingly nurtured, cared for, educated and raised up in the ways of the Lord by a team of fantastic adults. Since the first house was opened, 48 children have resided at the orphanage, with 11 being adopted and 9 more being placed with family members. While we were there an adoption was being finalized and another precious child was being placed with Ray and Lidia! Construction of a multipurpose building is progressing with the efforts of each mission team that arrives and with the continued labor of the 4 Costa Rican workers when teams aren't present. Due to the encroachment of squatters and their protected rights in Costa Rica, the construction of an 8 foot high perimeter wall has become a priority, necessitating the digging of the massive pits for concrete post holes! The Zirkels discussed the priorities of the current needs facing the orphanage (operational funds for the boys' house, emergency medical funds and educational scholarships for some orphans) and we discovered many opportunities for service in our Costa Rican mission field. Our team is excited about and looking forward to sharing with the congregation the many ways in which we can continue to serve our Costa Rica village!
 If you are interested in our ministries in Costa Rica, we invite you talk with any of our mission team members... Anna Zapatero, Armando Alvarado, Terry Doyle, Mary Doyle, Lindsey Breunig, Joy Dister, Preston Schaap, Tommy Hudspeth, Cathy Jackson, Matt Jackson, Debbie Price, or Mateo Martinez.
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CAUGHT CARING
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 As we continue to keep our focus on "Our One Word" for 2015 - CARING - we'd like to encourage you to keep your eyes open for people "caught caring." If you catch someone caring, send us a story! It can be just a few words, a picture, etc. Send your "caught caring" stories and photos to Melissia at melissiam@fumcg.org. |
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