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A monthly publication from First United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana
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First
ConnectionFEBRUARY 2015
On the Cover: Bless the School @ Rugg Elementary , November 2014
First Connection is a publication from:First United Methodist Church of Alexandria
2727 Jackson StreetAlexandria, Louisiana 71301
(318) 443-5696www.fumca.org
We would love to hear from you! Please send us your Feedback, Questions, Comments,
Story Contributions, Photos, News or Ideas.
Senior Pastor: Rev. Donnie Wilkinson, [email protected]
Editor: Julie Bacon, [email protected]: Bill Sumrall, [email protected]
A Word from Rev. Donnie.......................................1Youth Winter Conference........................................2New Members............................................................3LECTIO: February Bible Readings.........................42015 Lent & Holy Week Events...............................5Children’s Choir Schedule.................................. .....6Easter Family Fun Day........................................ .....6The Well: Miracles Become Mundane.......... .........7Save the Dates & Announcements.................. .......9Birthdays & Attendance.........................................12Photos around church............................................13
First
ConnectionFEBRUARY 2015
Contents
Our Mission:
Our Vision:
Our Journey:
Our Practices:
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Meet Friends. Meet God. Discover Life.
It has been said that there have been just two great revolutions in human history. Only two that have forever changed humankind.
The first revolution was when someone observed that when a seed is buried in the ground, it will sprout and grow and produce new seeds. Even though it seems to die when it is buried in the ground, in reality it is bringing forth new life.
This single observation is what made it possible for human civilization to flourish. No longer were human beings forced to roam across the earth hunting and gathering food. Instead, we could harvest the power hidden within a seed buried in the ground. This revolutionary insight is not a commandment to be believed-- it is just the way things are.
The second revolution in human history is even more powerful. This revolution was revealed when Jesus showed us that the same pattern applies not just to seeds, but to human beings. If we are to experience the power of life resurrected, we must first be willing to lay our lives down.
“Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” The more I pray and study and grow as a disciple of Jesus, the more I realize that this is not a command for us to grudgingly obey. It simply is the way things are.
The rich, abundant, joyful life that is God’s dream for all God’s children is available to all who will take up their cross and die to themselves.
As we approach the season of Lent, allow me to ask you a question, “What is Jesus calling you to die to so that you can live?”
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Donnie WilkinsonSenior Pastor
A Word From Rev. Donnie
Rev. Donnie
February 2015 | CONNECTION 1
If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take us their cross and follow me. -Matthew 16:24
whats new on fumca.orgCheck out our daily devotions and quarterly bible readings accessible from the homepage menu (fumca.org/bible).
2 February 2015 | CONNECTION
Youth Winter Conference 2015February 6 & 7
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2
Contact: Dylan Reed at [email protected], 318-443-5696
welcomes our new members!
Nicki Davis joined at The Well service on Sunday, December 28.
A NOTE of THANKS!Thank you to Ken Adams for taking care of the rose garden.
Thank you Altar Guild for all the help you do placing flowers on the altar each Sunday to help beautify our sanctuary.
-from the 50/50 Class
February 2015 | CONNECTION 3
4 February 2015 | CONNECTION
Meets in the Fellowship Lounge every Wednesday, 10amRead online at fumca.org/bible
February1 – Exodus 30-31; Acts 82 – Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 93 – Exodus 35-36; Acts 104 – Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 115 – Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 126 – Leviticus 1-3; Acts 137 – Leviticus 4-6; Acts 148 – Leviticus 7-9; Acts 159 – Leviticus 10-12; Acts 1610 – Leviticus 13-14; Acts 1711 – Leviticus 15-17; Acts 1812 – Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 1913 – Leviticus 20-22; Acts 2014 – Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21
15 – Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 2216 – Leviticus 26-27; Acts 2317 – Numbers 1-2; Acts 2418 – Numbers 3-4; Acts 2519 – Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 2620 – Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 2721 – Numbers 8-9; Acts 2822 – Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 123 – Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 224 – Numbers 14-16; Mark 325 – Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 426 – Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 527 – Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-728 – Numbers 24-27; 1 Corinthians 13
Daily Devotional Bible Reading Plan
Holy Week
February 2015 | CONNECTION 5
Lent 2015 Ash Wednesday, February 18 6 pm, Sanctuary
Palm Sunday - March 29
Maundy Thursday - April 2, 6 pm, Sanctuary
Good Friday - April 3, 6 pm, Sanctuary
Day of Compassion - April 4
Easter Sunday - April 5
Eve
nts
6 February 2015 | CONNECTION
Children’s Choir Sings @ both 11am services the following Sunday’s:
February 22 March 29April 26May 17
Children’s Choir practice Wednesday evenings @ The Gathering, 6-7pm
email Elizabeth, [email protected] for more details
First Kidz - Children’s Choir
February 2015 | CONNECTION 7
BY DC Sills, The Well Worship Leader
I recently had a phrase pop into my head and it said, “Miracles become mundane when we lose our sense of wonder.” Not sure where it came from or why it came, but be assured it will come out in a song one day and it is now coming out as part of this narrative. But the phrase stuck in my head and started me thinking about the season of Advent, which we recently journeyed through, and how the world had no idea the miracles that were to come. In Biblical times, prior to Jesus’ birth, the people were experiencing the 400 years of silence, which was the time between the Old Testament’s end and the be-ginning of the New Testament. Those 400 years were the time which God did not speak to the Jewish people. 400 YEARS, nothing, no miracles, no prophets…nothing…darkness and silence.
Can you imagine 400 years? To go from a close rela-tionship with God, where he spoke to you directly and through prophets, to deafening silence that lasted gen-eration after generation. Talk about living on faith! It brings a whole new meaning to the words written in Ha-bakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” 400 years seems like a long time to tarry!
Each year as we experience the anticipation season of Advent and the start of our church year, we only have to wait 4 weeks before we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We are acutely aware during the Advent Season of the com-ing of a miracle, one that provided us with forgiveness and God’s unending grace. It is easy to see the wonder of Christmas through a child’s eyes and feel that wonder in our own hearts.
…continued on page 8
MiraclesBecome Mundane
8 February 2015 | CONNECTION
But it is not as easy to maintain that wonder throughout the remainder of the year. We often find ourselves feel-ing lost, empty and experiencing the silence of God and the lack of miracles in our lives.
During the 4 weeks of Advent, our time of preparation for the birth of our Lord, our faith was tested, we expe-rienced pain, sorrow and trials along with joy, peace, hope and love. In these months that follow Advent and Christmastime as we walk towards the Cross, we will have opportunities to witness miracles as well as oppor-
tunities to dismiss miracles. We will have opportunities to be the answer to someone’s prayers. We will have the opportunity to open our hearts or to harden our hearts when we hear His voice. We will also have the opportu-nity to find Christ in every moment. And to be Christ to those who have never heard His voice, felt His love or experienced His grace. Don’t overlook what you think is mundane, because what is simple and mundane to you might be the miracle that someone else is waiting for…So be watchful and expectant ALWAYS…miracles are all around us, if we keep our sense of wonder! ☐
…continued from page 7
February 2015 | CONNECTION 9
Sunday, February 8, UMW Sunday, Guest Speaker Rev. Cathy Brewton of LifeHouse Ministries (lifehouseministriesinc.com)
Wednesday, April 1, First Kidz Children’s Easter Program, 6:30 pm, Sanctuary
Saturday, April 4, Day of Compassion, Join us in the community. Details in next issue. Contact: Clara Woolf, [email protected]
It’s Coming Soon!
NEW MINISTRY: First Church is starting a new ministry of a work order system for those in need of handy jobs around the house. Please contact Randy Koncinsky at 318-452-1812 or Clara Woolf, [email protected] at the church office for more information.
10 February 2015 | CONNECTION
Interested in helping?! Contact: Clara Woolf, [email protected], 318-443-5696
Birthd
ays1William Murry
3Kimberly Shafer
4Susan GoodwinCharles Robinson
6Gregory Andrus
8Kristin KiesewetterGregory SchleiferKim Sumrall
10Josiah Hayes
12Wade MorrisMerrick Patton
14Thomas MurphyAshley Rhodes
16Stephen KnolesHarold MurryMark Watson
17Lily BrownAlex ChapmanAnn Jones
18Allyson Marlowe
20Frank BoltonKathryn HagemanL J Roy
22Robert Morrison
23Lou RichardsDoris ScroggsClara Woolf
24Danny MarrazzoMegan RoyHeather Wood
25Stacey DebevecScott Netherland
26Cooper ClintonDiane Davidson
12 February 2015 | CONNECTION
December 14, 2014December 21, 2014Christmas EveDecember 28, 2014January 4, 2015
AttendanceChurch319247514147329
Sunday School89106-6094
Birthd
ays
February 2015 | CONNECTION 13
The Gathering on January 7, 2015
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2014
Foundation poured for the new brick fence facing Jackson Street on Friday, January 9, 2015.
