March 1, 2015

Worship with Us

Sunday

10:00 a.m. - Sunday School

11:00 a.m. - Worship Service

12:00 p.m. - Youth

5:00 p.m. Disciple Bible Study

Wednesday

6:00 p.m. - A.W.E.

6:30 p.m. - Gravity / Youth

7:00 p.m. - Chancel Choir

Rehearsal

7:00 p.m. - Children’s Bible Study

7:00 p.m. - Adult Bible Study

Phone: 903-389-2225 www.fumcfairfield.org

Pastor

Rev. Michael D. Bedevian

Youth Director

Brent Aiken

Director of Music

Dianne Murden

Organist

Cynthia Outlaw

Pianist

Marilyn Toothman

Secretary

Tonya Roberts

Director of Weekday

Ministries

Cynthia Outlaw

The Staff of

First UMC Fairfield

First United Methodist Church

The Servant “Rescue the Perishing”

I have such a great respect for our military brothers and sisters who insist that no one be left behind. That’s why we also appreciate so deeply those who have committed their lives to public safety, the ones who run into fires and toward gun-fire, instead of running away: firefighters, police officers and others.

It reminds me of a verse in Luke 19:10, where we hear Jesus’ intention. He came to seek and save that which was lost. Period. And that’s what we’re supposed to do. When we take lost-ness seriously, we do something. We do whatever it takes. And we don’t have to think about it. We don’t have to be encouraged or inspired or reminded. We just do it.

Some of you may remember the movie, “The Guardian,” a film I got to see with Linda a number of years ago. Kevin Costner plays a Senior Chief in the US Coast Guard. At the beginning of the movie, he is involved in a tragic accident during an ill-fated rescue attempt in the frigid seas off Kodiak Island in Alaska. In the wake of the tragedy, he is assigned to train a new class of would-be-rescue swimmers.

Throughout the movie, references are made to the incredible number of lives his character has saved. No one is quite sure how many; not just dozens, but hun-dreds. Some say two hundred. Some say three hundred. No one knows his real number.

One of the young men in that class, an amazing world class swimmer, is played by Ashton Kutcher. He has to know the answer. So he asks a question at the end of the movie, “What’s your real number?” The answer Costner’s character gives is twenty-two. You can imagine the young recruit’s answer. It wasn’t quite what he was expecting to hear. He didn’t quite know what to say.

Then Costner’s character explained: “That’s how many I lost. It’s the only number I ever kept track of.” Let me ask you a question: How would the church of Jesus Christ be different if that’s the only number we worried about? I leave you with one last thought. Next time you are in church, open your hymnal to #591, “Rescue the Perishing” and read the words. All of them. And know, this is the duty of a Christian. It’s what we’re supposed to do. Have you ever wondered, how many you have brought to Christ? If the number isn’t as high as you’d like it to be, I’ve got good news for you. There’s still time.

Pastor Michael

Lunch Bunch

Please join us for lunch on

Volunteer Request

I am seeking volunteer (s) to work in the church office while I am on vacation. A volunteer is need to answer phones and greet visitors. This could be either for a full day or a half a day. Computer experience would be a plus, but not a necessity.

Dates needed: Tuesday, March 10th (afternoon 1-4) Wednesday, March 11th (morning 8-12) Thursday, March 12th (all day) Friday, March 13th (afternoon 1-4)

Please prayerfully consider helping and call me at the church office to set up days and times that you are available as soon as possible.

Thank you for your consideration,

January Receipts $ 37,672

January Budgeted Expenses $ 41,535

After January Expenses $ 32,277

Note Balance on Building $727,419

Monthly Debt Service $ 6,335

Wednesday, March 4th

12:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall

We are excited to announce that a Prayer Service in the Manner of Taizé is scheduled for March 29 at 6:00 p.m.,

a very meaningful way to begin Holy Week. Singing will be led by guest musician Ben Hensley, Minister of

Music at Oak Lawn Methodist Church, Dallas

WEDNESDAY FAMILY NIGHT

March 4 Meatloaf

Mash Potatoes Green Beans

Salad Homemade Banana Pudding

Kids Menu Peanut Butter and Jelly

Pizza Rolls

March 11 Beef Tips in Sour Cream Sauce

Egg Noodles Bushes Baked Beans

Garlic Bread Lettuce, Tomatoes Salad

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Kids Menu

Hot Dogs and Chips Peanut Butter and Jelly

Make your calendars….

Vacation Bible School is coming soon!

July 26th - July 29th

If you would like to volunteer please contact:

Cyn Outlaw: 903-389-2980

We are delighted to welcome you into our church family at

First United Methodist Church, Fairfield

Naomi White, Joined FUMC, Sunday, February 8 transferring

from another denomination

Rick and Melinda Edwards, Joined FUMC, Sunday, February 15

transferring from another denomination

Fairfield UMC Confirmation Class Begins

Fairfield UMC is proud to announce the forming of its

newest Confirmation Class. The class will begin meeting

on Sunday, March 1, with the focus on learning about the

doctrines of our faith. This weekly journey will continue

through Sunday, May 24, Pentecost Sunday. This is one

of the traditionally historical times when confirmands have

been received into membership with the church through full

profession of their faith. The names of our confirmands are:

Dane Hunter Allman, Kendal Mari Crawford, Daniel Aaron

Crouch, Cameron McVeay, Alyssa Grace Anderson

Thorne, and Rileigh Katherine White. Please be in prayer

for this fine group of 6th graders, and if you see one during

the week or at church, give them some encouragement.

Wondering What to Do with those Slightly Used Clothes?

Share them with residents of a local nursing home. They will enjoy having something “almost” new.

The next time you can clean out a closet, set aside a few pieces that could be enjoyed by a male or female resident of Fairview Healthcare. You are welcome to deliver the items yourself, or call Eunice Barker at 903-389-8796 or Jerri McBay at 903-388-2243. They will be glad to make arrangements to get the items and deliver them to the nursing home.

Scriptures & Sermons

March 1 Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31

March 8 Parable of the Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-32

March 15 Parable of the Persistent Widow Luke 18:1-8

March 22 Parable of the Foolish and Wise Virgins Matthew 25:1-13

March 29 Parable of the Wicked Tenants/Vineyard Matthew 21:33-44

Date Name

March 1 Madelyn Morrison Riley Ralstin

March 8 Will Thorne Brady Williams

March 15 Ava Grecu Nadia Grecu

March 22 Carolyn Dunlap Nathan Dunlap

March 29 Cameron Cockerell Eli Martin

If your child is unable to serve on the Sunday that he/she is assigned, please call or text another parent to arrange for a substitute.

Month Name Name Name Name

March Steve Anderson Sonny Schick Eddie Smith John Thorne

April Bob Anderson Andy Awalt Maurice Burleson Chad Morgan

Sunday Servers

Date Name

March 1 Donna Smith

March 8 Brent Aiken

March 15 Bob Anderson

March 22 Kevin Benedict

March 29 Chad Morgan

Date Name Name

March 1 Sam Bournias Loften Dunlap

March 8 Sam Bournias Susan James

March 15 Sam Bournias Eleanor Clark

March 22 Sam Bournias Chard Morgan

March 29 Sam Bournias Suzann Leadbetter

Church Council Tuesday, March 31st 6:00 p.m.

Memorials & Honorariums

Gifts to Capital Building Fund

In memory of Homer Bond Jr. by Scott & Carolyn Newberry, Sherry & Hugh D. Reed III

In memory of O.B. Utley Jr. by Scott & Carolyn Newberry

In memory of June Awalt by Scott & Carolyn Newberry

In memory of Joy Gibson Fischer by Scott & Carolyn Newberry

**Remember to indicate the person or persons for whom your memorial or honorarium is dedicated and to what fund it is to be credited: General, Capital Building, Choir, Youth,

etc.

March Music

Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, Vocalists, GloriBells and Instrumentalists are all prepping beautiful, inspiring

music for worship during the Lenten Season. Every Sunday Worship hour is planned so that the sounds of worship and praise will lead your heart closer to God.

Scheduled special music includes handbells ringing on March 1 & children singing on the 22nd, each adding their

unique blessings to our worship.

The musicians of FUMC would like to thank the church for allowing us to proclaim our Christian beliefs by embracing

God’s artistic gifts to create heart-warming music! We have always been surrounded by your loving care and support; we have always felt your prayers. We are proud to serve you and our God!

Thanks! Dianne

Children Wave Palms

Sunday, March 29th at the

11:00 a.m. service.

All interested children meet in the

Welcome Center at 10:45 a.m.

Easter Egg Hunt

Wednesday, April 1st After A.W.E.

Ages 0 through 5th gr.

Children will meet in A.W.E. Kids classroom

If you would like to contribute “stuffed eggs,” a collection box will

be placed in Narthex.

STRENGTH AND ENCOURAGEMENT Michelle Adams Patsy Ahlfinger Barbara Anderson Sonny Andrews Dale Barker Maria Berger Billie Bond Bill Carlisle Eleanor Clark Juliette Coleman Mary Helen Cornish Randy Davis Tracy Donovan Donald Ezell Fred Galley James Hardison Angie Harrison Megan Hempel Bob & Francis Henley Nick Henley Helen Herren Michelle Heath Beth Hilliard Drew Hilliard Olivia Hughes Tom James Betsy Keller (homebound) Haley Klepper Leland Knapp Landin Larkin

FUMC PRAYER MINISTRY

Sean Marriott Joe Micheletti Sissy Micheletti Charlene Miller Laverne Paige Jack Patterson Billie Pearson Bob Pearson Jan Powell Ruth Ann Quiggle Aden Ridought Rory Roach Bobby Robertson Hazel Sasser Christian Shaffer Evelyn Shaw Margie Shepperd Dillion Smith Sara Smith Steve Smith Wayne Taylor Nekeshia Terry Carolyn Thorne Kayla Turner Charlcie Utley Marie Vestal Myrtle Walthall Grace Wathen Patricia Wattis Doug Wells Larry Williams

John Williamson Sherry Wilson Martha Zelisko

PERSONS IN LOCAL NURSING HOME FACILITIES

Larry Bonner (Longview) Claudine Gibbs Norma Helms Don McLeod Marty Patterson Eva Beth Shinn Lucille Wathen

THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING

IN OUR ARMED FORCES

Ryan Aiken Daniel Barker Damon Box Jordan Burton Cheng Li Chris Marr Brandon Read Ty Salazar Mike Steward

“The worship services are available on CDs.” Worship CDs may be picked up at the church office. If they are

not available, please tell the church secretary and she will make sure you get one.

Sermons are available for listening on the Church web site: www.fumcfairfield.org/media/sermon-audio

First United Methodist Church 201 North Mount Street Fairfield, Texas 75840 903-389-2225 www.fumcfairfield.org

Non-Profit Organization

Bulk Rate U.S. Postage

PAID

Fairfield, TX

Return service requested

Time value mail please expedite

We thank God for………………….

MARKETPLACE

March 25, 6:30 p.m.

Jerusalem Marketplace is an exciting way for children and adults to learn how Jesus lived. Come and witness the drama of Bible times.

This is a family experience!

Please contact Nicole Hughes if you would like to help with Jerusalem MarketPlace.