This Week

@FUMC Allen

October 19 2014

During a high and holy moment in Israel's ancient narrative, God's people stepped into the Jordan River and entered the long anticipated Promised Land.

While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan." Joshua 3:17

God's people truly stepped into a new future. By no means was their new future easy and as they quickly learned, without sacrifice, but it was into the very land that their ancestors had been told about for so very long. It was a good and broad land; a land flowing with milk and honey. Exodus 3:8

This was not the first nor the last of sacred times in the story of God's people, but it was indeed a holy moment. It was a time that together they had their eye on God and they obeyed. It was a time when they relished in the fulfillment of God's promise and anticipated what God had in store for them.

This Sunday, we'll celebrate and give thanks for all the many ways that God is fulfilling God's plans for FUMC Allen and anticipate where God is leading us in the future. We are so very blessed by a diverse congregation with passionate and talented people. We are so very fortunate to be operating in an amazing facility and to know our footprint is extending into northwest Allen and southwest McKinney and beyond at McNeil Elementary with the ministry of Living Life Church . We will consider the first part of the story of Joshua as he is commissioned to take charge and is instructed by God on how to move forward. The very words used to commission and instruct him will serve as words to guide and encourage FUMC Allen as we venture down this path of Stepping N2 the Future.

For the coming five weeks, I want to ask you and your family to...

Attend worship unless you are sick or out of town; be attentive and read all church communications to stay informed. We will soon be posting dates for church gatherings, such as Prayer Walks and Town Hall Meetings, where we will pray for and later discuss Strategic Stepping Stones for our church's future.
Read the story of Joshua in church and at home. Use the words that guide Joshua as words for your prayers. Pray for FUMC Allen and our future. Pray that we will be strong, courageous, and faithful to God's teaching and open to God's guidance.
Pray daily in preparation for November 16, when FUMC Allen families will have the chance to take the next step in our faith journey by returning Estimate of Giving/Pledge cards. All families will be challenged and invited to prayerfully take the next step in their journey of giving by increasing their pledge/giving amount by 10 percent for 2015 giving.
Plan now to attend our annual church-wide--EVERYONE is invited--Charge Conference on November 19 at 7:00pm when we will approve a new Strategic Plan for our future.

Will I see you this Sunday?

Rev. Todd Harris

Sign up SUNDAY to help Women in Mission (UMW) with their annual FALL BAZAAR on Saturday from 9:00am-4:00pm. If you can't help, be sure to come and shop on October 25! Contact Ruth Swingle, 214.693.1851.

STOCKINGS FOR SOLDIERS collections begin THIS SUNDAY. Drop your gifts in marked tubs from October 19-November 2. Cash donations to help cover shipping costs can be dropped in the offering plate; designate Military Stockings in check memo line or on offering envelope. Contact Debbie Wilson, ddwhammer@yahoo.com.

Invite your friends and neighbors to join us at our FALL FESTIVAL, October 26, 12:00pm-2:00pm, in the west parking lot. If you can provide a trunk or help in any way, contact Mary Freeman, MaryF@fumcallen.org.

This Week

Sun Oct 19/2014-Sat Oct 25/2014

Sun Oct 19

Join us for our quarterly NEW MEMBER/GUEST LUNCHEON at 12:15pm in the gym. Meet your staff, learn about United Methodist doctrines, and find out how you can connect with the ministries of FUMC Allen. Childcare provided. Please contact Rev. Maxie Moore, MaxieM@fumcallen.org, if you plan to attend.

The DEBORAH CIRCLE welcomes Bernie Dickson, a respected study leader at FUMC Allen. Join the circle at 12:15pm in the parlor for a time of spiritual devotion, learning, fellowship, and new information about Bernie's IMPACT project, which benefits My Brother's Keeper. Contact Burna Faye Kennedy, 972.423.7763.

YOUTH MINISTRY welcomes all youth, grades 7-12, to join COLLIDE from 5:00pm-7:15pm for worship with Jordan Dumont, a discussion on dealing with disappointment, and a quick game of snowball. Contact Eric Pugh, EricP@fumcallen.org.

Tue Oct 21

CAREGIVERS UNITED Join Elder Care Attorney Lori Leu as she presents Legal Issues for Care Receiversat 7:00pm in the parlor. Contact Beverly Allen, 972.727.8261.

Wed Oct 22

SOUL FOOD CAF� is open for dinner Wednesdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. This week's menu: chicken spaghetti, green beans, salad, rolls, cake; hot dog meal for kids. $5/adults; $2/children; $18 family max. Take-out boxes available. RSVP on the back of your registration form TODAY or e-mail Rev. Maxie Moore, MaxieM@fumcallen.org, by Tuesday noon.

Wed Oct 22-Wed Nov 12

GPS: GROW, PRAY, SERVE

Sat Oct 25

Women in Mission ANNUAL FALL BAZAAR, 9:00am-4:00pm

The United Methodist Men of FUMC Allen are selling smoked sausage, turkey breasts, and pork shoulders just in time for the holidays. Place your order in the gathering area October 19, October 26, or November 2. Pick up your smoked BBQ on Sunday, November 9. All proceeds support UMM scholarships, missions, and ministries. Contact Tracy Holloway, umm@fumcallen.org.

Next Week & Beyond

Sun Oct 26/2014-Sun Nov 23/2014

Sun Oct 26

Invite your friends and neighbors to join us at our FALL FESTIVAL 12:00pm-2:00pm, in the west parking lot. Dress in your favorite costume, enjoy Trunk or Treat games, play laser tag, visit the petting zoo, and listen to great music. Lunch provided; all donations benefit our church's scholarship fund. If you can provide a trunk or help in any way, contact Mary Freeman, MaryF@fumcallen.org.

Tue Oct 28

The Rebuilding Life WIDOW SUPPORT GROUP meets at 5:30pm in the parlor for a finger-food potluck dinner. Contact Peggy Weygandt, 972.398.3406 or peggy.weygandt@gmail.com.

Sat Nov 1-Sun Nov 2

THE CROSS COUNTRY RIDERS have hotel information now available for the upcoming overnight ride to Arkansas on November 1-2. Contact Mark Stevenson, 214.668.1529.

Sun Nov 2

ALL SAINTS DAY 8:15am 9:30am 11:00am

Wed Nov 19

CHARGE CONFERENCE 7:00pm FUMC Allen Sanctuary

Sun Nov 23

LAITY SUNDAY is a special service where our non-clergy members lead in all aspects of worship. If you want to participate at one of the three sanctuary services, contact Rev. June Franck, JuneF@fumcallen.org.

All boys and girls in grades 5 and 6 are invited to attend Created By God, an age-appropriate human sexuality class, November 7 and 8 at FUMC Allen. Mandatory parent information meeting is November 5.

$45 includes book, materials, lunch, and snacks. Register online at www.fumcallen.org. Questions? Contact Mary Freeman, MaryF@fumcallen.org.

Creekwood UMC's Annual Pumpkin Patch is open now until October 31 benefitting Creekwood UMC ministries. They have a wide variety of pumpkins in a beautiful setting around their barn, with hay bales and lots of spots perfect for a family photo. The Pumpkin Patch is open weekdays 12:00pm until dusk and weekends 9:00am until dusk.

Creekwood's Annual Fall Festival (which takes place out and around the barn and the pumpkins) is Saturday, October 18 from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. The event features food, games, crafts, and a petting zoo!

Contact Information

Alison Thomas

Director of Communications

First United Methodist Church of Allen

972.727.8261

Engaging Online

Need assistance logging into EngagingOnline, your online source to your membership data?

Email Engagingonlinehelp@fumcallen.org.

In This Issue

Sign Up This Sunday

This Week

The Great UMM Smokeout

Next Week & Beyond

Created By God

At Our Sister Churches

Contact Us!

This Sunday's Sermon

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Stepping N2 the Future

Joshua 1:1-9 and 3:1,17

Rev. Todd Harris, preaching

Sanctuary

8:15am 9:30am 11:00am

October's COMMUNION OFFERING benefits the ministries of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Visit their website at www.umcor.org.

This Week at The Way

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Hearts for Holiness:

Distinctive Methodism

Rev. Brian McPherson, preaching

11:00am Fellowship Hall

Words from The Word

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy...Psalms 126:5

Blessed is the man that fears the LORD that delights greatly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth. Psalms 112:1-2

The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. Exodus 34:26

Stewardship/Generosity Report

On October 19, we received $28,107 in the offering. We celebrate and thank you for your generosity. By year-end 2014, we need to receive $536,350 to complete our ministry funding and operating budget. If you have questions about your pledge balance; want to set up online contributions; or need information about stock transfers, contact Jackie Campbell, JackieC@fumcallen.org or 972.727.8261. Together, by God's grace, we can do all things through Christ!

As Christians, we are called to go OUT into the world to do the work of Christ. At FUMC Allen, we track the hours our members IMPACT the community working as volunteers for various service organizations, such as Allen Community Outreach, schools, sport teams, scouts, and more.

Our 2014 year-to-date total is 4,976 hours.

Report your service hours on the registration form found in this bulletin, and keep up the great work.

Do you have a prayer request?

Communications
The deadline for the Nov 2 Sunday worship bulletin is 5:00pm,
Friday, October 24.

Email items to spark@fumcallen.org.

Click HERE to read the Oct 19 worship bulletin.

Click HERE to read the Oct 12 worship bulletin.

Click HERE to read the Oct 5 worship bulletin.