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This year’s theme for Lent and Easter will be a little different than in previous years and I hope you find it meaningful. The theme is “LIVING LENT As People of the Resurrection.”
Each week of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday, will focus on a different word to consider while living Lent as Easter people. An important thing for us to remember is that while Lent is a valuable time to prepare to celebrate Easter and the resurrection, we don’t have to pretend that Easter has not happened yet. All that Christians are and do is colored by the single greatest affirmation in history: “Christ is risen.” Even Lent.
So as we go through Lent, we will view it through the lens of the resurrection. The focus words and themes will be: Ponder (Ash Wednesday) – Consider our relationship with God and others Purpose (Feb. 14) – Find God’s purpose for our lives People (Feb. 21) – People matter to God and to us Proclaim (Feb. 28) – Making known the God who seeks and embraces us Praise (Mar. 6) – Even in sorrow we can celebrate God’s love Pain (Mar. 13) – God’s reckless love in Jesus Palms (Mar. 20) – Welcoming the King of Glory Prayer (Holy Thursday) – Jesus prays in anguish Passion (Good Friday) – By Jesus’ death we have life everlasting Paradise (Easter Sunday, Mar. 27) – We rejoice in the end of the
story: Paradise
I hope you will be present in worship throughout Lent as we explore all these themes.
Grace and peace,
“LIVING LENT AS PEOPLE OF THE RESURRECTION”
First United Methodist Church of Gainesville February 2016
Rev. Don Yeager, Pastor
Worship Services
8:30 and 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School 9:45
Rev. Don Yeager Pastor
Prayer Requests 2 Missions and Ministry 2 Children’s Ministries 3 Student and Family Ministries 4 Student and Family 5 Ministries Church News 6 & 7
Inside this Issue
The Informer
FEBRUARY 2016 WORSHIP
Prayer Concerns: Dorothy Proffer, Don Estes, Pal Hildebrand, Larry Noland, Reita Miller, Karla Denny, Minnie Flemming, Duane Burgess, Dr. Mike Paclik, Joe Bob Jones, Allen Pierce, Romona Hatcher.
Sympathy to: the families of Sara Billie Tyler, Bob Brown, Betty Clay, William Thomas Kaler, Jane Richroath, Ella Mae James, Bill Gage.
Ongoing Concerns: Avery Flowers, Don Howeth, Bill Hawke, Pat Peale, Marge Priest, Kathleen Heffley, Kristin Hatton, Joanna & Taylor Williamson, Misty Beaver, Sam Meeks, Mia Delarosa, William Cowdrey, Betty Bennett, Jacey Schmidt, Velia Hernandez, Rod Miller, Nancy Williams, Harold “Bud” Sutton, Jerry McWilliams, Walter Boeko Jr., Kelly Dill, Becky Haines, Madison Clark.
Military Personnel: Ben Davis, Jerry Horn, Bradlee Brackeen, Stephen Ruzicka, Jason Brown, Craig Fiske, Jacob Freeman, Kelsea Stafford Louisiana, John Enderby, James Embrey, Tim Deater, Aaron Krewson, Kennedy Pierson.
WE HOLD IN OUR PRAYERS...
Page 2 Miss ions and Min istry
Feb. 7 SERIES: “DOES THE BIBLE REALLY SAY THAT?” Sermon: “We All Worship the Same God”
Holy Communion at both services
Feb. 10 Ash Wednesday Worship & Communion, 6:30 p.m. Sermon: “Ponder” (Luke 5:27-32)
Feb. 14 NEW SERIES: LIVING LENT As People of the Resurrection Sermon: “Purpose” (Luke 19:1-10, 15:1-2)
Feb. 21 Sermon: “People” (John 10:14-18, Luke 15:3-10)
Feb. 28 Sermon: “Proclaim” (1 Peter 2:9-10, Luke 15:11-32)
The February Communion offering to be received on Feb. 7, 2016, is designated for VISTO and the “Souper Bowl of Caring.” The “Souper Bowl” began a little over 20 years ago with one youth group in South Carolina and has since become a nation-wide effort that has raised over $50 million to feed the hungry in local communities. Your gifts will help buy food for families in need in Gainesville and Cooke County.
One of the most effective programs at VISTO for feeding the hungry is the “Backpack Buddy” program. Our church has been a sponsor of this program since its inception in 2007. Each week during the school year we pick up food from VISTO and pack about 30-40 backpacks full of nutritious food for students at Edison and Chalmers Elementary Schools to take home for the weekend. Overall the Backpack Buddy program feeds hundreds of children in Cooke County.
FEBRUARY COMMUNION OFFERING
Page 3 Chi ldren’s Min istry
Page 4 Mus ic Min istr ies
Page 5 Student and Fami ly Min istr ies
Page 6 Church News
“SOUPER BOWL OF CARING” SOUP LUNCHEON
LENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS
This year our Lenten Series is connected from devotional topics to sermons. Pick up your free copy of “Living Lent As People of the Resurrection” devotion booklet at Sanctuary entrances. We have a
GWEN’S GROUP
On Saturday, February 27, the group will travel to Decatur to see Wise County Heritage Museum. The van will leave at 10:30, front parking lot. We will stop to eat at the Whistle Stop Restaurant for lunch before going to the museum. $20.00 per person should cover lunch and admission to the museum. All ages 50+ wishing to go, please sign up by calling the front office 940-665-3926.
LENTEN LUNCHEONS
First Christian Church (401 N. Dixon) is holding a “Souper Bowl of Caring” Soup Luncheon on Sunday, Feb. 7, from 11:15 am – 1:00 pm to benefit VISTO. There will be 30+ varieties of soup and all donations help feed the hungry in our community. VISTO will also have their “Escape Room” there for groups to play and prize will be given to the church with the largest attendance. Everyone is invited.
MIZPAH CIRCLE
The Wednesday Lenten Luncheons sponsored by the Cooke County Ministerial Alliance are an annual tradition. This year they are being held at at our church in the Fellowship Center. The luncheons begin on Feb. 17 and will continue until March 16. The luncheons start at noon and are finished by 1:00 pm. Different churches serve a simple lunch and provide a Lenten-themed devotional. Everyone is invited! There is no charge but donations will be received to benefit the Epiphany Ministry at Gainesville State School.
CHILDREN’S SNACK TABLE UPDATE
We have placed the sign-up sheet for snacks on the Missions Bulletin Board in the kitchen hallway by the children’s snack table. Anyone may sign up to provide snacks. There are still some spots to be filled if this is your calling. Need 2016 sign-up’s please.
The United Methodist Women’s Mizpah Circle had a wonderful day of Fellowship and caring on Monday January 18. This circle of women put together almost 20 casseroles to be used when needed for people who have had surgery, or experienced a death in the family. Often times this is a missed opportunity to care for our church family when the office has not been informed of a need. Please call Jean if you know a family or individual that needs a meal during these times, even if you think someone else may have called. We would rather be called several times than not at all. 940-665-3926
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Page 7 Church News
December 31, 2015 December YTD December Annual Budget Percent of Budget
Income $121,366 $925,481 Budgeted Expenditures $ 82,426 $738,894 $757,031 97.60% Designated Expenditures $ 43,422 $286,627 (Not budgeted)
Subtotal Over/(Under) ($4,482) ($100,039)
Debt Reduction Gift $0 $129,771
Over/Under $4,482 $ 29,732
Notes Payable:
Sanctuary Restoration $ 29,556 Phase I & II Building $675,827
SECOND TIME AROUND VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUNCH
It is an annual tradition to thank our wonderful Second Time Around volunteers with an Appreciation Lunch. This year’s lunch will be catered by Sarah’s on the Square and is on Wednesday, February 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Center. It’s free, but please sign up on the sheet that’s at the store or call the church office if you plan to join us for lunch, so we know how many to plan for. Everyone who volunteered at any time in the last year is invited.
Parents and Volunteers of Children, Youth, and Sunday School Teachers: The REMIND SYS-TEM is set up to help keep you as up to date as possible. Want to join a group? Call or text me to get connected. Call the Church Office# 940-665-3926 or Greta Cuellar C# 940-727-2221.
REMIND SERVICE FOR GROUPS
THANK YOU
FUMC, Thank you so much for the lovely retirement reception, and generous Callalily Garden Center gift certificate. I appreciate all of your congrats and kind words. The meant so much to me. Larry and I enjoyed visiting with you. Much appreciation, Connie Hoberer
CHURCH-WIDE SUPER BOWL PARTY
Come to the Fellowship Center on Sunday, February 7, to see the game on the big screens. It’s a Pot Luck, come and go, atmosphere. Stay through half-time or later. Not a football fan? Bring a game to play. I am certain you will find someone just like you.
Thank you so much for your donation to Prosthetic Promises. Your donation is greatly appreciated. We are very grateful for the generosity of the Seeker’s class and the UMC Women for their continued support. The Prosthetic Team; John Brinkley, Christine Reiff, Katie Brinkley
214 S. Denton Street
Gainesville, Texas 76240
We’re on the Web! www.firstumcgainesvilletx.com
Phone: 940-665-3926
Fax: 940-665-4372
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
First United Methodist Church Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage PAID
Permit No. 146 Gainesville, TX 76240
Your Church Staff
Rev. Don Yeager, Pastor Greta Cuellar, Christian Education Director Mary Jarvis, Finance Administrator Jean Smelcer, Church Office Administrator Jordan Dietz, Dir. Student Ministries Melodye McLeroy, Church Accompanist Susan Beall: Music Ministries Director Debra Poore, The Learning Tree Director Staff E-mail Addresses: Don Yeager: [email protected] Susan Beall: [email protected] Mary Jarvis: [email protected] Greta Cuellar: [email protected] Jordan Dietz [email protected] Jean Smelcer: [email protected] Debra Poore: [email protected]
105 S. Denton Street Gainesville, Texas 76240
Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
665-7939 Volunteers welcome!
Second Time Around Informer Article Deadline
All articles and information for March 2016 issue of “The Informer” need to be submitted no later than Monday, February 22, you may drop off your information to the church office or e-mail to [email protected]
02/2016
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The Mission of First United Methodist Church is to know Christ and make Him known.
