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This Week @ First Methodist Grapevine
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July 22, 2015 | In This Issue:
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Sunday, July 26
Worship at 8:30, 9:00, 9:45, 11:00 AM | Sunday School at 9:45 AM
  This Sunday, we wrap up the "REAL" sermon series with Dr. Cindy Ryan sharing how she has seen God at work in "real life." Dr. Cindy Ryan will speak in the English services and Rev. Dean Reed from Justice For Our Neighbors 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
Also This Sunday: Colby Mowery Shares About VAST
Upcoming Sundays... August 2 - Rev. John Mollet will be back in the pulpit after time off for vacation August 9 - Rev. John Mollet speaking August 16 - Missions Celebration Sunday! August 23 - The Great Reveal | New Sermon Series Begins |
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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.
Future Facilities Planning
Did you know that our church has five houses and our Heritage Campus that are being considered for sale? Our properties consist of our Downtown Campus, the Thrift Shop, Forbes House, two rental house properties on Ball Street, a parsonage in Colleyville, and the Heritage Campus. The Central Texas Conference Committee for Buildings and Locations recently approved the planned sales. A Church Conference will be held at 12:00 noon on Sunday, August 2, to seek church approval for these sales.
Did you know that the Heritage Campus started with the bold idea of combining our two congregations and giving a kick-start to a church that struggled in that location for many years? After considerable effort, resources, and struggles, we decided to suspend Sunday services at the Heritage Campus in October of 2014. The dream of continuing the ministry that had been Minter's Chapel will live on with committing one-third of the proceeds from the sale of the Heritage Campus to a new church start somewhere in our Conference. Minter's Chapel was one of the oldest churches in the area and moved to the Heritage Campus location when DFW Airport was built. Keep reading...
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Church News
Church Conference
We will hold a Church Conference on Sunday, August 2, 2015, at 12:00 PM in the Sanctuary. The business to be addressed at the conference will be to seek approval for the sale of various church properties as already approved by the Trustees and the Central Texas Conference's Committee on Buildings and Locations. We will also discuss possible uses for the proceeds from such sales. For further insight into the issues to be addressed, we encourage you to read the Pre-Conference Points document (pdf) prior to the August 2 meeting.
 Website Usability Survey This summer, we are going through a clean-up and evaluation of content on our website. We'd like to get your feedback as we go through this process. Please take a moment to take our website usability survey. We appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts! You can look forward to the launch of our "refreshed" website in late August.
Donate Your Musical Instruments  We are starting a Mariachi Christian Youth Praise Band! There are 14 youth who have signed up and are eager to learn, but we need instruments! Old or used are just as good as new, so if you have one of the following instruments gathering dust, please consider donating! We need 5 violins, 3 trumpets, 2 guitars, 1 vihuela and 2 guitarrons (Mexican Bass guitars). Lessons will begin at the end of August. The new group will perform at "Las Posadas" in December with other Mariachi players. We are excited and so are the youth! If you have an instrument to donate or have questions, please contact Rev. Armando Alvarado (armandoa@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x122). Encourage Others to 'Get Caught Caring'!
 As a way to focus on our one word for 2015 - CARING - we created church t-shirts that encourage ourselves and others to 'get caught caring'! The shirt features the church logo on the front and the "Get Caught Caring" wording, along with our web address, on the back. We have had several requests to place another order of shirts, so if you didn't get one the first time or would like to order another one, please sign up on the Check-In in Sunday's bulletin or bring your payment by the church office. We will order the shirts as soon as we have enough requests for a minimum order. The cost for each shirt is $10, and all proceeds above the actual cost of production will go to Missions Ministries. Questions? Contact Melissia (melissiam@fumcg.org).
Shop = Give
 If you are an avid online shopper, there are ways you can support the church as you shop. Amazon has a program called AmazonSmile that donates a percentage of your Amazon purchases to your chosen organization. We are a registered AmazonSmile charity, so be sure you select the church and shop through smile.amazon.com.
In addition, the United Methodist Church has a program called UMC Market that has recently been upgraded. Visit www.umcmarket.org to find out more about how you can shop at Home Depot, Target, Petco, Expedia and many more online retailers and get a donation for the church!
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Worship Ministries
Rehearsal Schedule
Note that Chancel Choir, Fishers of Men and Grace Notes are off for summer break. All rehearsals will resume August 19. For more information, contact Director of Worship Arts Wren Robinson (wrenr@fumcg.org or 817-481-2559 x133).
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 Compassion Ministries
Metamorphosis Conference
 We will be hosting the Metamorphosis Conference in cooperation with TBE Journey o n Friday and Saturday, July 31-August 1. TBE Journey is an organization that helps individuals overcome depression, anxiety and other negative patterns. The conference is for both men and women, youth (over age 16 with a parent) and adults. Discover who you are, how God wired you, how others experience you, why you react to situations the way you do, rekindle your passion for life, and learn how to overcome the negative patterns in your life. Register and get more information at www.MetamorphosisConference.com.
 Service of Healing and Wholeness Our next Service of Healing and Wholeness will be on Sunday, August 9, 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.
Upcoming Classes: Exposing Depression | SOS (Shake Off Shame) Following the Metamorphosis Conference (details above), there will be two classes for women only held here at FUMCG. Both groups start on Tuesday, August 11.
- Exposing Depression will meet from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Room 2002. Depression is often caused by an identity crises and can leave you feeling lonely, lost and without hope. In this class, we explore the different ways our minds think, the wounds our souls carry, and the way we interact with the people around us.
- SOS will meet from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Room 2010. This class is about uncovering shame, and its crippling lies that deceive you into believing you are not enough. Together we will discover what it looks like to see ourselves through the heart of God and begin to define ourselves with His truth about our identity.
Space is limited for these classes, and registration is required. Visit www.TBEJourney.com for all the details.
Stephen Minister Applications
 We are currently taking applications for new Stephen Ministers! Stephen Ministers work alongside our pastors to care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people who are going through a difficult time. Is God calling you to become a Stephen Minister? If you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and listening, Stephen Ministry might be the right place for you to serve! The application deadline is August 14. A training start date will be determined at a later date. Applications are available at the Welcome Center in the Sanctuary, online (PDF) or by contacting Katherine Hunter (817-481-2559 x130 or katherineh@fumcg.org). Questions? Visit our website for more details or contact Sandra Nasr (sandranasr58@gmail.com), Katherine Hunter (katherineh@fumcg.org) or Julie Croft (juliecroft@hotmail.com).
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Mission Ministries
UPDATE: Blood Drive on July 23
Our next Blood Drive is coming on Thursday, July 23, 4:00 to 7:00 P.M in Room 2001, and we need your donations. You may make your appointment online now or contact Cheri Rutledge at cherir@fumcg.org. Appointments are made in twenty minute increments beginning at 4:00 PM. We still have many appointments left between 5:00 and 7:00 PM. Questions? Call the church office at 817-481-2559 or contact Cheri.
UPDATE: Feed Our Kids - Shady Oaks
 The first week at Feed Our Kids Shady Oaks was amazing. What a blessing to work alongside our neighbors. We will be at the GRACE site until August 7, and there are many opportunities for volunteers to come out and join the fun. We still need youth to come to the site each day to play with the kid and volunteers who would like to do a special craft, bring a fun game or face paint. We need a few site coordinators for the following dates: 7/28, 7/30 & 31, 8/4 & 8/6. A site coordinator arrives at the church in the morning at 10:00 to make sure the cooks have everything they need, helps load up at 11:30 to go to the site and then returns everything back to the church at 1:00. Please consider volunteering to help out; the kids absolutely love it when we show up with something special! Sign up to help on the Check-In insert in the Sunday bulletin or contact Debbie Price at debbiep@fumcg.org or 817-481-2559 x108.
UPDATE: Connect GCISD Back to School Fair
 The Connect-GCISD Back to School Fair is coming up August 8. Our greatest need right now is for new backpacks. About half of the 1,600 backpacks needed have been donated at this point. Please bring your backpack donations to the receptacles located by the church office and in the chapel and sanctuary foyers. We also still need many volunteers for the day of the fair, Saturday August 8, 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon at Grapevine High School. If you would like to volunteer to help out at the Fair, we now have the volunteer sign-up form active on SignUp Genius. Click here to sign up. Questions? Contact Cindy Ryan (cindyr@fumcg.org) or Carolyn Ann Walgren cwalgren@verizon.net.
School Supplies for Shoeboxes
 It's Christmas in July! This is a great time to be collecting school supplies, toys, hygiene items, etc., and planning packing parties for Operation Christmas Child. OCC brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through simple, gift-filled shoe boxes and evangelistic materials that tell the Good News of God's love. If you'd like to donate items, please leave them in the box outside the church office through the month of July. We'll also need volunteers to help with our efforts as we get closer to collection time in the fall. If you're interested in helping, contact Neil Anderson (817-430-1678 or stealthna@charter.net). Visit www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC for more information on what items to donate and details about how to pack a box.
God Can Needs
Don't forget to pick up a few extra items when you do your grocery shopping! Although the GRACE Food Pantry doesn't update their needs list every week, they do let us know when things have substantially changed. So... note that they still have need for cooking oil, tuna, evaporated milk, canned soup/stew, spaghetti sauce, condensed milk, ramen noodles, children's cereal, syrup, 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.
 Project Read Book Drive
Project Read is still taking your book donations to help fill our needs for Feed Our Kids summer distributions. Bring your donations of new or gently used books, especially for young readers and for Spanish speakers, to the donation boxes 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.
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VAST - Valuable After School Time - is coming to FUMC Grapevine!
FUMC Grapevine is partnering with the Grapevine Police Department to open a second campus for their successful after school program, VAST. VAST will serve up to 50 children, grades 1-6, and will target Cannon & Silver Lake Elementary Schools and Grapevine Middle School. VAST starts August 31 and will run Monday-Thursday, 3:00-6:00 PM, following the GCISD calendar.
 VAST will offer the following to children in our area: - Structure
- Tutoring
- Cultural Exposure
- Long-Term Mentors
- Healthy Snack & Dinner
- Access to Technology
- Spiritual Support
How Can You Help? VAST needs nine volunteers (counselors) each day. A volunteer must be 16 years or older and is encouraged to come one day a week for a six week commitment. A VAST Counselor helps with homework tutoring, reading development and fosters long-term relationships with the kids. There are two field trips a month, exciting speakers and varied learning experiences. This is a wonderful and exciting opportunity to share your gifts and talents with children in a unique environment where the goal is to foster the love of learning in a safe and healthy environment. We hope you will prayerfully consider being part of the team. If you are ready to volunteer, click here to fill out the volunteer application. Counselor training will be held on August 15, 9:00-11:00 AM in the Family Life Center. Questions? Contact Debbie Price (debbiep@fumcg.org) or Colby Mowery (cmowery@grapevinetexas.gov).
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 Volunteer Connection
ESCORT A FAMILY AT GHS August 8
Only 14 have signed up. The goal is 150. It's big, and you are needed.  Maybe it has something to do with my former education background. Maybe it's because this is such a big deal... over 1,600 GCISD students' parents took the time to show they care about their children's success in school by pre-registering to attend the CONNECT Back-to-School Fair. Maybe it's because kids who cannot afford the required school supplies don't start their year on an even learning field as students who can afford supplies. (To be qualified to attend, families must qualify for reduced meal plans in our school district.) Maybe it's just because I care, so I want to paint a picture for you of why you are needed.
 When a family arrives at the GCISD CONNECT Back-To-School Fair on August 8, they will be greeted and introduced to an "escort" who will walk with them around the dining room and gym, stopping at each table filled with donations and information. The joy begins at the first stop, where each student chooses their favorite backpack! Stacked from little ones to big ones, the students are excited to strap on their new backpack and move on to what's next. Transportation representatives provide school bus info. Medical providers offer discounted services. Nutritionists provide healthy breakfast snacks and the chance to sign up for meal programs. The Lions Club offers free eye tests. Grapevine Firefighters and Police Officers interact with families about safety, and provide fun and functional things to place in that new backpack. Colby Mowery represents the Outreach Center, greeting families warmly. My favorite time of escorting is when I look across the gym and see our bright blue FUMCG tent with members handing out information about our church and the Thrift Shop displaying the amazing array of items sold for pennies on the dollar. And then, it's out the gym door for the last and perhaps most exciting stop. The student hands over a voucher and they are cheerfully given a package containing every school supply they will need for the best possible beginning of the new school year!
Are you ready to share the joy? When you arrive at 8:15 AM (dressed in your FUMCG t-shirt), you will have a brief training session with Dr. Cindy Ryan and Carolyn Ann Walgren. Then, you will be sent out to begin escorting! When you have finished with one family and said goodbye (often with hugs and always with joy), you will return to escort the next family and so on. The time flies by! Every year when I walk to my car I think how glad I am that I got to be a part of this amazing thing that CONNECT has made possible. You won't ever want to miss another CONNECT Back-To-School Fair again! Got the picture? Great! Sign up via the Sign-Up Genius link. Questions? Contact Cindy Ryan ( cindyr@fumcg.org) or Carolyn Ann Walgren ( cwalgren@verizon.net).
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 Name Our Ship! Since the theme of the 2015 Gala and Auction is "CAREibbean Cruise," we need a name for our ship. Put on your thinking cap and submit your clever Ship Names to Reneé Tielkemeier by August 11 (reneet@fumcg.org). The ship name will be chosen by the Gala Committee and the winner will be announced in a future edition of E-News and receive two free Gala tickets! We continue to get some awesome auction items! New this month are two wonderful cruises...one is a sunset sail on Lake Grapevine and one is a spectacular cruise on the Mississippi River! We have also begun our photo gallery of a preview of some of the items that will be up for bid this year. Check it out on our website at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/gala. Your auction team is hard at work obtaining new and favorite auction items. They need your help! If you have something great to donate, email Bev, Rachel or Renee (beverlyc@fumcg.org, rachelstiverbell@yahoo.com, reneet@fumcg.org) for information on the "how to!" |
| Adult Discipleship |
Please join the Seekers Class this Sunday as they wrap up a series led by Dr. Jesse Sowell, "Matthew...The New Testament Torah?" Seekers meets at 9:45 AM in Leach Hall. Many in our church have enjoyed Dr. Sowell's Bible studies and classes, so this new study will be of interest to many of you. Seekers welcomes anyone to join in!
New Adult Sunday School Class: CAFE
 A new Adult Sunday School class is getting underway on Sunday mornings at 9:45 AM in the Library (except for weeks that Discover the Church meets). CAFE - Christians Applying Faith Everyday - is a small-group, discussion based class for ages 18+ that examines and discusses how Bible teachings apply to contemporary issues and current events in our modern world. Members take turns leading the class each week in these discussions and see what Bible verses apply to modern day life and how we can apply these lessons in our everyday lives through mission. The class meets off-site one Sunday each month for service and outside growth opportunities. CAFE welcomes anyone who is looking for a small Bible study group to attend. Come make CAFE your home on Sunday mornings!
Sisters in Faith Serving Event  Sisters in Faith will hold their next event at the Connect Back-to-School Fair on August 8. Connect is in need of escorts (need is 150 and currently there are 8 people signed up) for the fair. Escorts serve by walking families through the fair and helping them get what they need. The fair is at Grapevine High School from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Sisters in Faith will meet at the Starbucks in front of Grapevine High School at 8:00 AM for fellowship and prayer before we go to work! Please let Nicole Wilson (nicole.wilson22@verizon.net) know if you are planning to come, and be sure to sign up on the Connect Sign-Up Genius page. Mark "Sisters in Faith, FUMC Grapevine" in the comments section of your sign-up.
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Young Adults
New Young Adult Class on Sunday Mornings!
 Do you want to attend a class that is refreshing, creative, and insightful? A class that offers a new approach to looking at the Bible and being encouraged to see how God is working in our lives? In the midst of thinking about all we do, we may be asking ourselves, "Where do we belong?" Perhaps it is time to move beyond the old way of thinking and search for where God is leading us today. We invite all college age young adults to join us as we seek real solutions, peace and justice in our world. We'll start with a discussion of possible topics and themes on Sunday, July 26, at 9:45 AM in the Arts & Crafts Room of the Senior Activities Center. Questions? Contact Neil Payne ( Neil_Payne@rocketmail.com).
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Instructions for Christian Living - Part II
by Nancy Johnson
 The Apostle Paul wrote two letters to the church at Thessalonica after he had spent time there. He ministered in the synagogue for three Sabbaths (Acts 17:2) and if indeed Paul was there for only three weeks he taught these new Christians an amazing amount of information. Although he had to leave the city in a hasty manner at night, he left a thriving church that took his teaching to heart and put their faith in action. Paul wrote his letters to the Thessalonians who were experiencing real problems in a world that was not responsive or friendly to the Christian faith and today we can likewise relate to this. Keep reading...
Read more posts to help you with your personal spiritual formation at the Quiet Corner for Spiritual Formation - www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/quiet.
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| Family Ministries |
 The Great Reveal We are excited to announce the coming of new Family Ministry programming here at FUMC Grapevine! You will notice throughout the summer that all of our themes are being replaced with new signs indicating "The Great Reveal: Coming Fall 2015." Creating and reinventing a ministry means hanging on to who we are while moving forward to become who God is calling us to be. It will take some time to create a quality, Christ-centered, people-reaching ministry! Read more on our website or in the June Family Ministries newsletter (pdf). Questions about Family Ministries? Contact: Patty Bandy, Director of Family Ministries (pattyb@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x129) |
 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)
Deeper (Youth Bible Studies) - TONIGHT (Wednesday, July 22)
Middle School | 5:45-7 PM in the HUB
High School | 7:15-9 PM at Tropical Sno (2199 E Dove Rd, Southlake)
This Sunday, July 26 Hooked will be from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Family Life Center for food, fellowship, etc.
Costa Rica Youth Mission Trip Juniors and Seniors, mark your calendars! The 2016 Youth Mission Trip to Costa Rica has been set for March 12-18. Our first informational meeting will be on Sunday, August 30, at 3:00 PM in Leach Hall. Questions? Contact Rev. Armando Alvarado ( armandoa@fumcg.org). |
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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)
Tween Missions - Do Good.
The tween mission trip is almost here! We are finalizing all the details and getting excited for what we hope will be a transformative experience for our tweens. We would like to thank everyone that picked up a donation bag on Sunday to help make this trip a success! If you have questions about Tween Mission, contact Melissa Howell (melissah@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x136) or visit our website at firstmethodistgrapevine.org/tweenmission.
Sports Camp August 10-13
 We have one remaining Sports Camp scheduled for this summer, and it's not too late to register! ALL-STAR SPORTS & GAMES camp is a multi-sport camp consisting of fun games like Dodgeball, Kickball, Team Handball, and other games revolving around classics sports like Basketball, Flag Football, and Soccer. This camp is for boys and girls, age 5 to 12. Go to www.TriumphSports.info to register and get more information and to register. |
Benevolence Donors... Caught Caring
We received a lovely thank-you from one of the families who recently received financial assistance from the Benevolence Fund:
"Just a little note to Thank You so very much for your help to pay my rent this month. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Many Blessings to you."
Seekers & Walgreen's... Caught Caring
Last Sunday, the Seekers Sunday School Class took up a collection to buy backpacks for the Connect Back-to-School fair. Then, the Camipisis headed to Walgreen's to take advantage of a $2.99 sale on backpacks. The Assistant Manager and staff at the Walgreen's in North Richland Hills helped them stretch their money, and they ended up getting 78 new backpacks! Note: The Walgreen's sale is good through July 25!
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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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