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The Third Sunday of Lent, February 28
Journey of Stones: "Day By Day"
Rev. John Mollet preaching in English
Rev. Armando Alvarado preaching in Bilingual
Worship at 8:30, 9, 9:45, and 11 AM
From the tempter asking Jesus to turn stones into bread in his wilderness wandering to the stone of the empty tomb being rolled away, the Lenten landscape is full of stones. Ecclesiastes says that there is a time for everything including a time to gather and scatter stones. If we picture everything that is keeping us from God like a stone in our path, we can begin a clearing season of our souls. This year for the 40 days of Lent, you are invited upon a soulful journey of stones.
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"What's Next" Gatherings
Come hear updates and information about "What's Next" for our church by participating in a special set of gatherings hosted by our Senior Pastor John Mollet. John periodically leads these meetings in order to share new information, update us on on-going projects and answer any questions you might have. We will be hearing updates about the sale of properties, staffing plans, and learn about the "Winds of Change" initiative. We hope to see you at one of the meetings and look forward to the wonderful future into which God is leading us! Two of the opportunities will be during the Serendipity Bible Study, led each week by Kenda Diehm. All are invited to join in any of the gatherings. The remaining schedule is:
February 24 - 6 PM in Leach Hall (Serendipity Bible Study)
February 25 - 9:30 AM in Leach Hall (Serendipity Bible Study)
February 25 - 6:30 PM in Leach Hall
February 28 - 4 PM in Room 2001
Winds of Change
Over the past five years, our church has undergone many changes... from the passing of Dr. Ken Diehm, to the closing of the Creative Learning Center, the loss of dear church members, changes in staff and ever-growing and changing ministries. Over the next few weeks, you will begin hearing us talk about "Winds of Change," an initiative to teach valuable skills to help us deal with change, both in our personal lives and in our lives together as a church family. We will be explaining more about the process in the "What's Next" meetings (schedule listed above). Please mark your calendar now for five Sundays, April 3 through May 1. These will be important days for you to plan to be here! Read more...
Jesus Calling Update by Dr. Cindy Ryan
The next chapter of our church's Jesus Calling story is up on their website at www.jesuscalling.com/blog. There is also a podcast available. Please check out church members' Donna and Steve Rozenburg's journey and how they were helped by the book and began a quiet ministry that started spreading the book throughout our church.
We believe our church members are one of our best resources for sharing this book with others. In daily life, we all encounter friends and relatives who are going through hard times. Whether a divorce, a difficult diagnosis, grief, trouble with relatives or parenting or aging parents, Jesus Calling is a great resource. Because we now have 1,900 copies of this book supplied by Brent and Monica Wicke in memory of their mom, Amy, we will keep a shelf in the church office supplied with copies of the book that we want you to give away. Once they run out, we will re-supply. Help us spread the word and spread the love by making it your individual ministry to put a book in the hands of someone who needs it. |
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Opportunities to Serve and Give...
Costa Rica Prayer Partners
Every spring break for the past 5 years, FUMCG has commissioned a group of high school juniors and seniors to travel to Costa Rica to hold a Vacation Bible School, visit the children's home, perform projects in churches and form relationships with the Methodist church there. In an effort to connect our children with this ministry, we are recruiting teams of one adult and one child (3rd graders, tweens, and younger youth) to partner with one of the trip participants, committing to pray for him or her up to and during the trip. The commissioning of the Costa Rica team will be at the 9 AM service on March 6, and the trip is March 12-18. If you would like to be a prayer partner, please sign up on Sunday's Check-In or contact Patty Bandy (pattyb@fumcg.org) or Marilyn Hall (marilyn_hall@verizon.net).
What Touched You?
Have you been involved in ministry to one of our Villages? Whether you have served in our local Grapevine Village or traveled the world to visit Kenya, Costa Rica or Latvia... we have one question for you: What touched you the most about your experience? Send your answer to Pat Laster (patlaster@verizon.net).
Host Homes Needed
We will be hosting a Bell Choir from Cesis, Latvia, in worship on Sunday, April 10. Host homes are needed for choir members on Saturday and Sunday nights, April 9 and 10. If you can host, please contact Melissia with the number of people you can accommodate (melissiam@fumcg.org).
Kenya Mission Trip Scheduled
Our annual Kenya mission trip has been scheduled for May 17-28. Participants will spend time with our AIDS orphans and street kids, visit churches and schools, and take part in medical camps. Approximate cost is $3,000 per person which includes air travel, ground travel while there, lodging, insurance and meals. If you are interested in seeing what we are doing in our Kenya village, join us on this trip! Contact Trudy Hughes (trudyh@fumcg.org) or Mark Howe (mhowe@howewood.com) for more information.
Pray for General Conference
The United Methodist Council of Bishops invites each annual conference to host a 24-hour prayer vigil during the 131 days leading up to the May 10 opening of General Conference 2016. The official Central Texas Conference day of prayer is Sunday, February 28. The Conference has created a sign-up for prayer times, and all are invited to participate. These prayer times have been divided into 15 minute increments and divided by district or service area. Note that we are in the EAST DISTRICT. We invite you to sign up for a prayer slot and spend time praying for the dialogue and decision-making that will occur at General Conference in May. Click here to sign up...
God Can for the GRACE Food Pantry
We collected 132 items for God Can last week. GRACE is low on several standard stock items, including juice boxes, snacks, canned soup/stew, condensed milk, ramen noodles, canned fruit, condiments and toothpaste. Click here to view the full list (pdf). If you would like to donate any of these items, please bring your donations to the God Can bins outside the church office or in the Sanctuary Foyer/Atrium.
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Opportunities to Grow...
Belong Tour for Women
Since Women of Faith has concluded its 20 year run of worship with women worldwide, The Belong Tour has risen from the amazing team of leaders! Come join us as we listen to leaders Jen Hatmaker, Patsy Clairmont, Shauna Niequist, and recording artist Nichole Nordeman guide us through the inaugural tour! Worship will happen September 30 - October 1 at American Airlines Center. Tickets in an AMAZING section of AAC have been reserved for the ladies of FUMCG and their family and friends until March 31. The cost is $105 for the weekend (lunch not included). Please email Lezleigh Kleibrink at lezleigh_k@yahoo.com or call at 817-683-8531 to find out how to purchase tickets. Quantities are limited! To read more about the event, go to www.belongtour.com.
From the Spiritual Formation Blog...
Surrender
by Fred Rigdon In growing our spiritual character we try to establish a daily rule or way of life which includes practicing the spiritual disciplines throughout our day. A central part of this is going to God in various methods of prayer and in the study of scripture, and asking for His help and guidance. As much as this guidance helps us to live spirit-filled lives, and as rewarding as we find this deeper relationship with the Lord to be, many of us find it difficult to maintain our daily rule on a consistent basis. Keep reading...
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This year our church celebrates 150 continuous years as a congregation of the Methodist Church! The date for our First Methodist Grapevine 150th Anniversary Celebration will be October 9, 2016. We hope you will mark your calendars and plan to celebrate with us in a special service and participate in other fun activities. We will worship together in ONE worship service, followed by a catered lunch. From time to time we will be updating you on plans for that special day and other events surrounding this milestone in our church and community, so watch this section of E-News for updates.
150 Years of Great Cooking!
The first item on our agenda is to collect recipes for our sesquicentennial cookbook! We will be collecting your favorite new and old recipes to publish this summer and have available for purchase by our October 9 celebration. We'll also include some old favorites from past church cookbooks and great recipes from our Be Our Guest team! We know we have the best cooks around, so be sure to submit your favorites to share! You may pick up blank recipe forms in the church office, download a printable form (PDF), or fill out the online form by April 15.
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Caught Caring...
Gifts Given
- A gift has been given to
Weekend Food in honor of Rob Rhoades by Mary Rhoades. - A gift has been given to our Villages in memory of Ken Diehm by Karen McCutchan.
- A gift has been given to the Prayer Shawl Ministry in honor of Jannette Gross by the Connections Class.
- Gifts have been given to the Permanent Endowment Fund in memory of John Harris by Don Davis and Mike & Angelia Ozymy.
- Gifts have been given to the Benevolence Fund in memory of John Harris by Stephen & Gayle Cox, Don & Beverly Myers, and Odell & Barbara Evartt.
Flower Delivery Team and
Prayer Shawl Ministry
We are thankful for our Compassion Ministries and the great work they do to show others we care! The Prayer Shawl Ministry and Altar Flower Delivery Team were both caught caring for Bev Campisi's mom, Minnie Mae Hall...
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First United Methodist Church | 422 Church Street | Grapevine, TX 76051
E-News is published every Wednesday afternoon. The deadline for submissions is Tuesdays at 5 PM. Send requests to melissiam@fumcg.org. Past editions can be found in the E-News Archives. |
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