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Last weekend I was privileged to attend the Walk to Emmaus, a 72 hour retreat during which we listened to several different folks talk about their faith, and the way that God has worked in their lives.
I was amazed and humbled to hear their stories. Some spoke of loss, and how God used God’s people to reach out and surround them with His love. Others spoke of emptiness, and how, at just the right time, God sent someone to be a companion for them on their journey. One spoke of the abuse she had experienced, and how she had experi-enced God’s presence even in the midst of pain and brought her out of that abusive situation.
At the same time, we met in table groups where we had the opportunity to share what was going on in our lives right now. The courageous women at my table told of hardships in their lives, and we were able to pray for one another and assure one another that God is with us and loves us no matter how dark the present may seem.
And all through the weekend, I was struck by the power of testimony. Webster defines testimony as a “first-hand authen-tication of a fact”. There is nothing more powerful than to hear someone’s first-hand account of the fact of God’s working in their lives.
And, after all, isn’t that what the scripture is all about? In the Bible we find first-hand account after first-hand account of how God entered into the lives and hearts of real people with real challenges and transformed them. We find stories of meaning, purpose and hope in the midst of trouble; stories of joy in the midst of sorrow; stories of peace that passes all understanding right smack dab in the middle of the chaos of life.
Story is powerful. And personal story is even more powerful. So don’t be afraid to tell your story…your testimony…your first- hand account of how you have experienced God’s gracious love in your life. Look for opportunities to share when and where and how you have seen God at work. And I can promise you, God will use your story to bless all who hear it.
God Bless,
First United Methodist Church 404 Azalea St.
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Volume 49, Issue 7 July 10, 2019
MESSENGER
The
A Big Shout-Out to
our VBS Volunteers!
Place of Grace Update
Taco Tuesdays with
Titus - for Youth
Ladies’ Retreat -
September 27th
& 28th
Churchwide Pool Party
on August 2nd
at Clute
Park/Pool
Habitat for Humanity -
July’s Communion
Offering Recipient
Organization
Dr. Lynne Settlemyre
Pastor
Rosemary Holt 7/02
Melissa Miller 7/03
John Cannan 7/03
Alex Haase 7/04
Yvonne Cook 7/05
Jordan Goldman 7/05
Frances Bitter 7/07
Michelle Overman 7/07
Robert Overman 7/08
Stacey Aycock 7/20
Tristan Garrett 7/25
Eli Richter 7/25
Sandra Miller 7/27
Bailey Daeschner 7/27
Maxwell Henderson 7/29
Becky Hendricks 7/29
Jennifer Cannan 7/30
David Galbreath 7/09
Kimberly Bowers 7/11
Rita Holt 7/13
Ashley McCain 7/14
Barbara Michna 7/15
Michael Abel 7/15
George Hoot 7/16
Kelly Johnson 7/17
Darlene Sargent 7/18
If you have a birthday this month and do not see your name listed,
please call the church office so we can update your record.
P a g e 2 T h e M E S S E N G E R
Brazos Mall 979-297-4002
Bring in your church bulletin on
Sundays or Wednesdays to receive
10% off your bill and our church will
get back another 10%!
Just ask your server for
more details.
J U L Y B I R T H D A Y S
CHURCH-WIDE pool party
and hot dogs
at Clute Pool/Park
V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 7 P a g e 3
M E M B E R N E W S
Jose Christian Estrada, age 39, passed away on June 17th.
Condolences may be sent to his aunt, Dora Riojas, 317 Shady
Lane, Clute, TX 77531.
Paul Borel passed away on May 31st.Condolences may be sent to his
mother, Sue Roundtree, 113 Mesquite St., Lake Jackson, TX 77566.
Nina Kirk passed away on June 25th. Condolences may be sent to her
husband, Wendell Kirk, 201 Dahlia St., Lake Jackson, TX 77566.
Nancy Long, a former long-time member of this church, passed away on June
22nd. Condolences may be sent to her daughter, Karen Long, 12999 SE 169th
Ave #250, Happy Valley, OR, 97086.
Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers during their time
of grief.
Sympathies
Gene & Pat Shaw
Ed Suazo
Darline Kelley
Ralph & Becky Hendricks
Letha Kuck & family
Dwayne & Lisa Pesek
Ken & Belinda Barr
Wynama Wheeler
Family of Nina Kirk
Jackie Brewer
Fran Leatherwood
Verna Kelley
Gerald Beasley
Dwight & Janet Steffler
Chris Nunn
William Devine
Debbie Ford
Fry family
Cindy McCoy
David McCoy
Buel Singleton
Ryan Masterson
Bryan Hoskins
Linda Malvern
Danny Larson
Paul Larson
Nick Tullier
Jim King
Chris Collins
Michael Leyva
Krystal Watson
Mary Jean Cobb
Josh Kiss
Tina Amason
Family of Johnny Greenberg
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Hi all! As I am preparing my newsletter for July, we are in the midst of VBS. I am extremely
proud to be a part of this Church family. Our VBS has been blessed with an abundance of vol-
unteers. These are not only volunteers, but awesome, God-loving people to help guide the
children of our future. Many times the volunteers are overlooked but this time I want to give
a huge shout out to them all!
The Kitchen/Clean-up Crew:
Many Blessings,
Amy Henderson
Director of Children & Family Ministries
P a g e 4 T h e M E S S E N G E R
C H I L D R E N & F A M I L Y M I N I S T R Y
Kim Lee
Joe and Dorothy Morris (not pictured)
Jim Snyder
Mike Hankinson (not pictured)
Serena Andrews
Bruce and Linda Neumann (not pictured)
Richard and Myong Coogle
Carmen Duarte (not pictured)
Pam Rester
Dora Riojas (not pictured)
Shirley Stephenson
Ron & Margaret Bachman
P a g e 5 V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 7
Preschool Volunteers:
Alicia Reyna Sharon Doerr
Lillian Stringer Beverly Barnhart
Kyla Klehm Annalisa Galbreath
Theresa Cravey Ryan Henderson
Joel Vega Bryson Wintjen
Other Volunteers: Kyehan Lee
Misty Hankinson Tina Moore
Mary Helen Israel Deana Wheeler
Aaron Zimmerman Kevin Anderson
Anne Anderson Laura Sizemore
Youth Volunteers:
Kaden Baldridge
Jackson DeAtley
Natalie Anderson
Sarah Grace
Hankinson
Bethany Hankinson
Michelle Ebey
Caleb Edinger
Misun Jang
Cooper Wattier
Hailey Edinger
Michael Lee
Isabel Duarte
Gabriel Reyna
Noah Hankinson
Emma DeAtley
Jaryn Tracy
Brandon Wood
Luke Abel
Zach Nunn
Amy Lee
Jaslyn Tracy
Wade King
Elementary Volunteers:
Erin Cravey
Leila Locke
Kelly Colosimo
Debbie Wintjen
Seung Jang
Yvonne Goldman
Anna Ross
Chelsea Tummins
Tiffany DeAtley
Becca Moore
Marjorie King
Terry Rester
Ranelle Hampy
Vannysa Vega
...and everyone who provided treats and snacks
for our wonderful volunteers!
P a g e 6 T h e M E S S E N G E R
Kim Copeland - Youth Director [email protected]
Vannysa Vega - Youth Ministry Asst. [email protected]
Bryson Wintjen - College Youth Ministry Asst. [email protected]
Y O U T H M I N I S T R Y
UM Army 2019 was very special. There were homes transformed, adults with their faith
renewed in God, and students whose attitudes were uplifted and their lives even transformed.
We give so much thanks to our church for supporting our youth and their sponsors so we could
all go to UM Army and be part of a wonderful mission week. #pasauma2019
P a g e 7 V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 7
JULY RETREATS
July 9th - Youth Band Retreat - Overnight retreat with a
focus on practicing music and enjoying food and fellowship
with the band - $5 donation requested to help with the cost
of food
July 10th - Youth Group Retreat - Overnight retreat with a
focus on Grace and enjoying food and fellowship with the
youth group - $10 signup to help cover the cost of food
**Look for specific times and more details in upcoming
youth emails
On Tuesday July 16th, 23
rd and 30
th, we are going
to meet out in Lake Jackson for tacos and to learn
the book of Titus.
3:00pm meetings
Breakfast Tacos - here we come!
We are planning to master Titus just like we
mastered Galatians. Titus will be even better
with tacos!!!
Retreat Signup starts on Sunday, June 30th in the youth center.
Space on July 10th may be limited so bring your $10 for signup.
July 7 - No Sunday Night Youth July 14 - Guest Speaker OR Youth Council Planned Youth Night - 5-7pm July 21 - Guest Speaker OR Youth Council Planned Youth - 5-7pm July 28 - Remnant Gathering at First Baptist Church - 5-7pm - meet at our church at 4:50 to walk over together August 2 - Friday - Church Wide Gathering at the Clute Pool August 4 - No Sunday Night Youth - 5-7pm August 11 - Slip and Slide Kickball and Sendoff for Bryson - 5-7pm
July & August Youth Schedule
Stewardship Report as of
6/30/2019
Budget needs weekly .......... $ 13,676
Budget needs to date .......... $ 355,568
Budget receipts to date ....... $ 318,569
2019 Communion Offerings Amount Given
January — Pastor's Discretionary Fund
$ 1,748
February – Freeport Port Ministry
$ 871
March - UMCOR
$ 902
April - Easter Offering
$ 9,489
May - Golden Cross
$ 778
June - Prison Ministry
$ 1,117
Progress is being made!
The Interior Team has taken on the challenge of
coordinating lighting, paint colors and flooring that
are functional yet stylish; stylish not faddish; and
economical yet durable. What a challenge indeed –
and they are being extremely diligent! So far, they have
reviewed approximately seventy (yes, 70) different floor samples, countless paint colors,
and numerous lighting ideas. They have consulted with an interior decorator whose services
were donated by a church member. They are growing closer to finalizing a plan, which will
then be submitted for approval. Bids will soon go out and hopefully we will see the transfor-
mation begin not long thereafter.
The parking lot requires an engineering study and various permits. After that, the final bids
will be submitted and work will begin.
Because of your faithful support of the Place of Grace campaign, the church facilities will
continue to be powerful instruments of ministry.
P a g e 8 T h e M E S S E N G E R
117 pledges received for a total
of $478,724
Total donations received to date:
$ $ 191,749.41
C H U R C H F I N A N C E S
PLACE OF GRACE UPDATE
Our goal is to promote growth opportunities for women in our church
through spiritual, service, and social activities.
MOMS in PRAYER GROUP
9:30am Wilson Parlor Meets every Monday morning
(during school year)
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT
July 12th 5:30pm
Runway Café at the Airport
Contact Mary Helen Israel, 297-6968 or
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY 3rd Wednesday of each month
11am
Contact Linda Neumann
P a g e 9 V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 7
Women’s Ministry Dinner
Next meeting will be July 28th @ 5pm
Asbury Room
W O M E N ‘ S M I N I S T R Y
Save the Date!
Registration Forms available in Narthex & church office
P a g e 1 0 T h e M E S S E N G E R
Society of St. Stephen
We had an increase in calls for
assistance in May. Hot weather brings
higher utility bills, which results in
Society receiving more calls. We are
down to $2000. We will take calls on
Monday of next week in order to help clients
with rent and bills that are due. Then we will
have to close for the rest of the month of July
due to lack of sufficient funds. We hope that this
will allow us to reopen in August and stay open.
If you find your heart nudging you to make an
extra, personal donation, it would be greatly
appreciated. We want to serve our clients.
One case we received recently was from an
elderly woman, who lives with 3 other adults.
They are on welfare and all contribute toward
paying the bills. This month they found them-
selves $300 short. We were able to help them
with $200 and they were able to scrape up the
rest. They were very grateful for the help. Their
landlord reported that they were very good
renters, and she was willing to work with them
on their rent. She is also helping them look for a
less expensive place to live. They are obviously
responsible because they were already working on
getting the rent for the next month, rather than
waiting until the rent was due or overdue to call.
The Society of St. Stephen is a group of people
from the First United Methodist Church,
Chapelwood United Methodist Church, and Christ
Lutheran Church who are committed to providing
emergency or temporary assistance to local people
in need.
July 21st
O T H E R M I N I S T R I E S
Our College and Young Adult Bible study will continue on
Sunday mornings at 10am on Sunday mornings until mid-
August. The group is student-led and will start with a study
on Ephesians. Coffee and snacks provided.
Meet in the Submerge (Blue Door) room.
Ephesians Study Submerge
P a g e 1 1 V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 7
GMO (Gracefully Moving On)
is a ministry of our church for
widows and widowers. It is not
a counseling group. We are
made up of recent and long-
time widows and widowers who
are experiencing this time of life
alone. It is not just for our
church members.
We have a covered-dish lunch-
eon on the fourth Thursday of
each month in the Asbury room
at 11:30. This is a time to feel
free to talk, or not, about our
present and past times.
Please join us when you are
ready.
This month we will meet
together on July 25th.
O T H E R M I N I S T R I E S
M ission
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and
hope.
Vision
A world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity of Southern Brazoria County revitalizes neigh-
borhoods, builds affordable and sustainable housing solutions, and empowers families through successful homeowner-
ship. We have partnered with volunteers, the community, and qualified families with limited incomes to strengthen com-
munities in Brazoria County area.
The July 2019 Communion offering will benefit:
W h a t T h e y N e e d :
Church Families to act as advocates for a Habitat family
working to qualify for their home.
Companies/churches willing to donate a meal for a Habitat
build (do not have to cook it, you can just pay for it & we’ll
have it catered).
Strong people to load & unload furniture donations on an
as-needed basis.
People to work our food tent during a build.
Church members to act as liaison from their church with
Habitat.
Someone to lead a crew prepping a house for painting -
(five Saturdays a year).
Someone to visit local businesses and request donations for
our ReStore.
Someone to collect serial numbers from all tools and
electronics.
For more information about any of these, please call the Habitat
office at 979-285-2800.
The Messenger is published monthly by the First United Methodist Church, Lake Jackson, TX 77566. Periodicals Postage paid
at Lake Jackson, TX 77566. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 404 Azalea St., Lake Jackson, TX 77566.
Youth Director:
Kim Copeland
Youth Ministry Assistant:
Vannysa Vega
College Youth Assistant:
Bryson Wintjen
Choir Director:
Laura Mays
Pastor:
Dr. Lynne Settlemyre
Administrative Pastor:
Rev. John Settlemyre
Children’s Director:
Amy Henderson
Assistant Children’s Director:
Kimberly Bowers
Contemporary Music Director:
Jordan Goldman
Church Secretary:
Kelly Colosimo
Membership & Finance Secretary:
Patti Polasek
Pianist/Organist:
Nadine Womack
Custodian:
Dora Riojas
Our Staff
Phone: 979.297.3046
Email: [email protected]
First United Methodist Church 404 Azalea St. Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Address Service Requested
Sunday Worship Service Times:
8am - Classic - Chapel
9am - Contemporary - Sanctuary
11am - Traditional - Sanctuary
10am Sunday School - all ages!
PERIODICALS #954360
LAKE JACKSON, TX 77566
