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A monthly publication of the First United Methodist Church
The Voice Rev. Cassie Wade, Pastor
Rev. Ricky Harrison, Associate Pastor
(940) 627-3362; [email protected]
Issue 4 of 12
April 1, 2020
Children: Ashley Craven Youth: Patrick Steil Secretary: Ann Piña
Administrator: Bonnie Wohlleben
My mind has been buzzing with all the ways our world has changed in just four short weeks. There is not one aspect of our daily lives that has not been impacted by this unprecedented season. New terms like essential and non-essential jobs, social distancing, and distance learning have become an overnight reality with a whole new set of norms impacting our daily lives. Many of us don't yet understand the full impact of these new guidelines for social engagement. Dare we go out or not? Can we go to work or not? I have heard from some of you who are struggling with the reality of social distancing. One of the toughest
realities is the separation from friends and social circles that we have learned to lean into during times of difficulty as well as times of joy. Even in these difficult times, we can find our faithful and steadfast God in new and fresh ways - though it might stretch us. God's people have experienced a kind of exile throughout God's salvation story. In Egypt, in Babylon, and even in Jerusalem after the crucifixion, the disciples hide in the upper room. But God never leaves us; God seeks the faithful out in new expressions of love and grace. "When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord." ~ Jeremiah 29:13-14 In this crazy new world, we are seeking to find God in new expressions of faith and love for one another. We will worship God in separate spaces, but with a single heart and voice. We will care for one another through a variety of digital media, but with a single passion for one another's well-being. We will find new ways to pool our resources, so that the Decatur Methodist Family continues our legacy of support for our neighbors. Elsewhere in this publication, you will find the new ways you can join us for worship, learning, giving, and serving. And remember, each of you are in my prayers daily. Pray for me and your church staff also. Let's us all rely on the God who seeks us out in new ways during this odd and anxious season.
Peace be with you, Pastor Cassie
In keeping with our new social distancing standards, we
want to help you with errands such as picking up a few gro-
ceries, dropping off your mail, or delivering a package. A
team of people are on stand by to run these errands for
you. Contact Megan Hughes
(972-897-9560) and she will deploy a team member to run your errand and drop your goods at your door, leaving you safe inside your home.
If you would like to join Doorstop Ministry as an errand runner, you can contact
Megan Hughes as well.
CHURCH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Trevon Adkins, Noah Smith, Cathy Sides, Madolyn Congden, Wilma Bender,
Christopher Cabellero, Joe Quinn, Trevor Munnerlyn, Mildred Terrell, Family of Pam Lowry, Family of Wylodene Weatherford, Healthcare Workers, Those who are Sick and their Families, Our Leaders, Tera Beaumont and Family, Anna Landgren, Teresa Perkins and Family, Annie, Tim Woodruff
In the Military: Jake Logue, Kolin Rottner, Keygun Beaver, Bryce Dudley, Joshua VanNoy, Nathan Darington, Matthew Roberson,
Chris Hammond
3 - Hannah Martin
4 - Patina Berardi, Florence O’Bryan, Jenn Sanders
5 - Theresa Thornton, Shirley Watson
6 - Robbie Cartwright
7 - Zoey Craven, Chance Walther
8 - Meiwen Brannan, Regina Stone
9 - Emily Boyd, Jordan Walker
10 - Carolyn Rhea
11 - Ellie Miller, Luke Summers
12 - Emma McAlister, Heather Watson
13 - Ron Silvers
14 - Kennedy Hafer, Benjamin Lunday, Alden Sandford
15 - Joyce Kirk, Rosemary Martin
16 - Dave Evans
17 - Gordan Hofstra, Jeffrey Short
18 - Zachary Knox, Sis Renshaw
19 - Ronnie Gage, Madi Moreland
20 - Bob Pangrac
21 - Mike Stone
24 - Trey Klose
25 - Michael Little
28 - Judy Deaton, Tyra Steil
29 - Lynda Trow
30 - Cindi Fusco, B.V. Hammond, Trey Milliman
Scholarship Application Deadline
Saturday, April 4 4:00 p.m., Church Office
Decatur Cares Mobile Food Pantry (Drive-Thru) Saturday, April 4
7:30 a.m., FUMC Parking Lot
Scholarship Committee Meeting Monday, April 13
6:00 p.m., Virtual via Zoom
Preschool Board Meeting Monday, April 13 5:00 p.m., Virtual
Church Council Meeting Tuesday, April 21
6:00 p.m., Virtual via Zoom
Staff Meeting Thursday, April 16
12:00 p.m., Virtual via Zoom
April
Happenings
Virtual Group Meetings
Cross & Flame Class - Sundays @ 9:30 am
Character Builders Class - Mondays @ 10:00 am
Coffee with Cassie - Tuesdays @ 10:00 am
Evenings with Ricky - Wednesdays @ 6:00 pm
Children’s Time - Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm
Youth Group - Wednesday @ 6:00 pm
April
Birthdays
Donations for WARM
Canned Meats
Sunday Refreshments Volunteers Needed
Guest Follow Up Pam Williams
Care Corp
Barbara Haley - Notifier Marguarette Roberts, Cynthia DesRoches,
Sally Rieger, Dena Silvers
April 5 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Scripture Reader: Barbara Haley Communion Servers: Asa Johnson, Ronnie & Debra Walker
Acolyte: 10:50 a.m. Worship Service
Scripture Reader: Greg Johnson Communion Servers: Jim & Sherry Henderson, Trumanell Maples
Acolyte: Counters: Evan Hughes
April 12 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Scripture Reader: Virginia Caraway Communion Servers: Marcy Perkins, Penny Holt, Sharon Meyer
Acolyte: Trey Milliman 10:50 a.m. Worship Service
Scripture Reader: Jennifer Featherston Acolytes: Tucker Hammons
Counters: Evan Hughes & Junior Sconce
April 19 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Scripture Reader: Youth Communion Servers: Youth
Acolyte: 10: 50 a.m. Worship Service
Scripture Reader: Youth Acolyte: Alissa Butler
Counters: Cheryl Renfro
April 26 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Scripture Reader: Penny Holt Communion Servers:
Thomas Laird, Virginia Caraway, Jamie Walther Acolyte: Audree & Zachary Knox
10: 50 a.m. Worship Service Scripture Reader: Trumanell Maples
Acolyte: Lane Craven Counters: Junior Sconce
April Communion Set Up: Seekers Class
(This is the schedule as it would have been for April)
Email any prayer requests to
Open Enrollment begins April 1st!!! We are so excited for all the new students! If you are interested please email us at [email protected] or call (940) 390-9307 and we will get all the information to you. You can also find registration forms on the web-site https://www.decaturmethodist.org/learn/preschool/.
We know this is a stressful time. We miss seeing all our students smiling faces and their big hugs! Please let us know how we can help or pray for you. We will be posting ideas on the facebook page throughout the weeks of different activities to do with your child/ren.
~Miss Amber & Miss Katie
We WILL HAVE YOUTH Group! Best news is you won't even have to leave your house! We will have Youth Group Live via ZOOM - which is a really great way to have meetings with lots of people online. We will see how it all works! I have some GAMES planned! It will be a fun experience. Please try to connect about 5 minutes before.
Mission Trip 2020CTCYM has NOT cancelled these trips yet and I think we will be going on this trip - so if you haven't
signed up yet, PLEASE DO! It doesn't cost you anything to get signed up.
What: Youth Group Mission Trip - Junior High and Senior High.
We will be partnering with Central Texas Conference Youth Mission (CTCYM) for the first time. We were going with TeamEffort, but they advertised the 3rd week, but it turned out they were not doing a mission camp that week.
Anyway, the dates and location remain the same!
I have been on CTCYM trips in the past and they are phenomenal! It is the entire Central Conference doing mission trip on the same week. This year they are invading the state of Arkansas and doing mission work all over the state. On the last day,
all the mission teams will converge at some large stadium for a final worship. It is an awesome thing to see the one to two thousand Christian students and adults who made a difference that week.
Where: Somewhere in Arkansas... town to be determined soon by CTCYM.
When: June 21st - 27th. Signup extended to March 13th.
Cost: $100 per student (church funds the rest of the $250 mission trip fee + all other expenses). Fees are due March 15th also, but if
you need a little more time, that is fine.
CTCYM Registration: Every Youth and Adult going on the trip must register with CTCYM here at this link: https://ctcym.campbrainregistration.com/ -
when you get to the payment page, choose "pay by check".
Forms: And then please get this form signed and notarized (corrected, if you did the Team Effort one, this is a new one that we
need notarized, sorry!) and returned. I need to get a solid headcount to make sure we have enough time to get van rentals, chaperones, etc.
Questions? Contact the Youth Director, Patrick Steil at [email protected].
What’s Happening In...
So many changes as we are in a new season. I know I can say I truly miss all of you, our gatherings and time
together. We are unable to gather at this moment but know each one of you are in my thoughts and prayer's.
I cant wait to get back to church and have our normal studies and time together. Know during this season it is
important to spend time with God, we can do that in many ways.
*Prayers
*Read scriptures
*Make cards for other
*Helping Mom and Dad
Our Wednesday night bible studies that we recently had we focused a lot on Praise, Pray and Play. It is im-
portant that during this new season we focus on giving our fears and hopes to our God and knowing he is lis-
tening and here for you whenever you need him. Remind your kiddos God is like Sprite when you talk to him
“shake bottle” he gets warm and fuzzy… however if you don't talk to him he gets sad and gooey like “slime.”
So during this season please remind your kiddos he is always here and wanting to hear from them.
I look forward to our Zoom calls, if you are interested in joining in on our kid fun, please email me your con-
tact information and I will get you included in on our app as well as our weekly communication.
I can always be reached by email at [email protected]
Together In Christ,
Ashley Craven
Looking at this sweet photo reminds me of not only a
special time with little friends, but also how much I miss
these faces.
On March 11th, the nursery staff and Presley Hughes
celebrated Reconnect with the children’s worship team.
Our numbers were small that evening and Children’s
Director Ashley Craven invited Presley to join their group
to discuss Jesus’ promises. Presley held her own with the “big” kids. (She’s use to it because
big brother Hudson has trained her well.)
The children played and created a cross craft, and they were excited to show off their
handiwork for this photo.
A typical Wednesday evening with our young worshippers, and oh, how I can’t wait for
them to begin again!
We will get there.
I am certain if we keep our eyes on the cross and child-like faith in our hearts we will
emerge stronger than we could ever imagine!
Be strong and courageous! (And keep washing those hands!)
With love,
Alea Pena, Nursery Coordinator
The Chancel Choir regret we will be unable to share the Easter Cantata,
“The Living Last Supper,” with the congregation on Palm Sunday.
It is a very moving work and we were blessed to have five
rehearsals on the collection.
We are all anxious and hope to return to the sanctuary, to
raise a joyful noise to the Lord, together with the
congregation in the near future.
~Your Chancel Choir
TeleCare Ministry During this season of social distancing, we want the church to reach out to all our older adults just to make sure all is going well. If you would like to help us make calls, please contact Cassie at [email protected]. We are forming TeleCare Ministry teams today.
Just a word about being the church during these days. If you receive a call from a Sunday School class member, a Bible Study buddy, a choir friend, or just a pal who misses worshiping next to you on Sunday, then know that this is a contact from your church. If you would like for one of the pastors to contact you, please let that person know or call the church office and leave a message (940-627-3362). A pastor will be reach out to you.
WORSHIP WITH THE DECATUR METHODIST FAMILY VIA LIVE STREAM
Sundays @ 10:30 am Facebook @FUMCDecaturTX | @PecanStreetMission
www.decaturmethodist.org/Live
Email Prayer Requests to [email protected]
In need of financial assistance this season? Email [email protected]
or call (940)627-3362 and leave a voicemail. A staff member will reach out to you.
(Remains 100% confidential.)
Ways to give:
Online @ decaturmethodist.org/give
Mail checks to P.O.Box 302, Decatur, TX 76234
Smart Phone App - Give+
www.decaturmethodist.org
Like us on facebook FUMC Decatur, Texas
Follow us on Twitter @fumcdecaturtx
Follow us on Instagram fumcdecaturtx
First United Methodist Church
104 South Miller Street
Post Office Box 302
Decatur, Texas 76234-0302
THIS NEWSLETTER CREATED ESPECIALLY FOR
YOU!
Thursday, April 30 8:30 a.m.—Character Builders Classroom
Monday, April 27 at 1:00 p.m.
For any submissions you would like put in The Voice, call the church office at 627-3362 or email [email protected].
If you want to see your church event pictures in The Voice, send them to us! We would love to include those for all the church members to enjoy.
