Stephen’s Strands

Pastor’s Bible Study will be returning September 14th at 10:00 a.m.in room 101 across from the office.

September Steps toward Jesus

It is thrilling to see the Restoration of the church’s main building getting finished! We will be stepping into the newly rejuvenated sacred space and celebrating Holy Communion on Sunday, September 4th.

On Sunday, September 11th, we want to invite all our friends and neighbors to celebrate with us when we ask God to consecrate this holy renovation. As we invoke God’s presence once more in the church, let’s take a personal step toward Jesus as well as a congregational and communal one.

Jesus calls each of us into discipleship just as he called Peter and Andrew, and then James and John from the shore of the Lake of Galilee. In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus sees Simon Peter and his brother Andrew casting a net into the water. Matthew 4:19 (NRSV) says: 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”

Jesus spoke to them as fishermen, inviting them to take what they had learned about catching fish for food and use it as a lens through which to watch the steps of Jesus and learn how to follow him in netting people for the kingdom of God. Matthew calls the type of net that Peter and Andrew were fishing with an amphiblestron (Gk). This is a circular or oval-shaped net that is cast by one or two people into the water. The edge of the net is weighted every few inches so that once cast, the weighted edges descend quickly around the fish enveloping them in the net. The fishers then retrieve the net by pulling leather tethers that are tied to the net on one end and their wrists on the other.

As we follow Jesus’ steps, what kind

of net does God want us to use to “fish for people”? Perhaps, it should be a net of Christ’s love that we cast out over the communities we serve. The edges of the net may be weighted with God’s mercy and forgiveness so that when the edges descend, the people know that they are enveloped and embraced in God’s love.

When we love our neighbors as Christ loves us, we are able to encircle our communities like a net, hand holding hand, and step by step, follow Jesus in caring for people. As people sense and understand God’s love is available to them, they are able to receive that love and let it transform their hearts. Then, they are able to grab an open hand and become a part of God’s net of love.

Where will you help cast the net of God’s love during September? Whose hand will you grab to include as we encircle the community? Who should we reach out to with love? Grab a hand and we will share God’s love together!

Members of First United Methodist Church express our thanks to each of you who have recently given a special

financial gift in memory or in honor of loved ones.

In Memory of Gene SmithJohn Hicks

Richard & LeNora HaynieEmily Morrison

Chuck & Jan SwitzerEd & Ruth Severino

Troy & Becky Arterbury

In Memory of Don Yates Sid & Pat HudsonJean Ann Marshall

Rena AsimakisJohn Hicks

Charles & Jackie StanleyButch & Margie Jaggers

In Memory of Mary HicksJudd Scott & Jackie Stempel

In Memory of Dave JaggersJohn Hicks

In Memory of Richard ‘Ric’ ElliottJohn Hicks

In Memory of Betty StewartTroy & Becky Arterbury

Honors & MeMorials Prayer List

Please Note: Names added to the prayer list will remain on the list for 30 days if needed.

They will be relisted by request.

Barbara AlfordCatherine ArcherDejah ArnoldZoey ArthurWillie BaneMarlys BawdonRossi CallenderPatty CheatwoodVicki ClausonTerri ColemanBennie ConnellyWayne CummingsElaina DavisNorma Jean DraperKenny DuckJames DuckVictoria FletcherTravis GannKen GreeneMary Jo HarperSusan HerringKatie HightowerJoAnn HughesButch JaggersMargie JaggersNadine JenningsJolynn JohnsonJoyce Jones

Ed JoyceBob KerrScott KnappAndy KuklishJanette McClungPaul MorganCathy MorganRosemary Morgeson Lanny MooreGail MorrisJohnny NewsomLena Mae Reeder Oscar ReederBob SherrillPeggy SilvaMartha SlaughterJames StuttsJouwert TalsmaColton TaylorDonnie ThomasRex WelkerSue WelkerBradley WestMark WittSteve WrightWynne FamilyMarilyn Young

Sympathy to: ...Mary Beadles on the death of her mother, Lucille Cummings. ...Ruby Neely on the death of her sister, Sue Anderson.

Children’s Sunday School gathers in God’s Garden every Sunday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m. We begin our time all together to say hello and to hear what excit-ing lessons we will be covering that day. We then divide into 3 classes of the following divisions:

Pre-school (ages 3-4 years) This class meets in Rain-bow Hall and age appropriate Bible lessons are taught from both the Old and New Testaments. Children hear and experience how much God loves each one of them. Barbara Hunt is the class leader.

Early Elementary (K-3rd grades) Children stay in God’s Garden and different rooms and areas are used to teach Biblical stories using storytelling, crafts, games and other sensory methods to explore who God is and how He wants to be the most important part of each child’s life. Different teaching styles help to reach each child’s special way of learning. Parents and adult volun-teers rotate leading the class discussions with provided materials.

Pre-teens (4th-6th grades) This high energy group is introduced to Biblical ways of handling their stressful social and family situations with lessons focused on issues facing them in their everyday lives. Power Point games and lessons, current movie releases, interactive group games and discussions are utilized in the teaching curriculum to show how God loves them and is relevant in the world they are living in today. This class is facili-tated by Pam Greenberg.children@fumcmv.org

Come Double This discussion class uses the Quarterly Adult Study as a study guide with in-depth reviews on the Bible. Mature singles and couples. Location: Adult Educa-tion Wing. Room 100.

JourneyLocation: Library, Adult Men and Women. Various topics of studies. Meets in the Church Library.

New Horizons This is a discussion class focusing on various books. Singles and couples. Location: Adult Education Wing. Room 101.

RoundtableA roundtable discussion of many topics, centered on the Bible. Couples and singles, ages in the 50s to the 70s. Location: Family Life Center, Room 201.

Today’s Christians This class focuses on life lessons with scripturally based group discussions. The class includes young & mature singles and couples. Location: Family Life Center, Room 205.

Upper RoomWe use various Bible Studies as a guide to read and discuss the Bible for a better understanding of God’s teachings and how they affect our lives. Primarily Active Seniors.Instructor: John HicksLocation: Upper Room, Adult Education Wing.

Sunday School ClassesChildren Adult

Youth

God’s Olympians 6:00 pm Wednesday

NightsDuring the school year, chil-dren ages 4 through 5th grade

are invited to our exciting Wednesday Nite Live program. We have music, games, prizes, missions and lots of fun.

Our Youth meet in the Family Life Center Youth Room from 9:45 am to 10:30 am every Sunday morning.

United Methodist Youth Fellowship

6:00 pm Wednesday NightsDuring the school year, 6th grade through 12th grade are invited to our

Wednesday Night Fellowship.Join us on Wednesday Nights. We have been studying our life stories, changes in our faith journeys, and who we truly are in Jesus Christ.

M.E.S.S. Bible Study1st & 3rd Mondays

Starting September 19, 20166:30 pm - 8:00 pm

M.E.S.S – Moms Eagerly Seeking Sanctuary

Sanctuary is a place of refuge or safety, an especially holy place, the holy of holies. If you are a mom of any age try-ing to navigate the crazy times of parenting and relation-ships, meeting all the demands of work and family and want to “do it all” while seeking God’s path for your life, this study is for you. If you have any questions, please call Pam Greenberg at 214-236-4894.

Women’s Bible StudyWomen’s Bible Study

Tuesdays, 8:30-10:00 amStarting September 6, 2016

“The Armor of God”By Priscilla Shirer

Cost: Study Book $20.00Please contact Jill Lowry at 972-742-6581 or

Betsy Gekiere @ 972-955-2026

Pastor’s Wednesday Morning Bible StudyStarting September 14, 2016

Pastor Stephen conducts a Bible Study at 10:00am on Wednesday mornings in Room 101, Main Church Building. You are invited to attend this session.

Bible Study Classes

A Time to Sing

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father

for everything. Ephesians: 5:19-20

Although we have enjoyed our summer break from choir practice and we are thankful for our vacation home in the Family Life Center, we are excited to resume choir rehearsals on Wednesday, September 7 at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary. If you have been thinking about singing during worship, or someone in the congregation has complimented you on your voice (and even if they haven't), now is the perfect time to check out singing in the choir! If you would like more information, or to give me heads up you will be coming, please call me at 972-955-2026.

Make a joyful noise,Betsy GekiereMusic Director

Choir RehearsalWednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

beginning September 7

TO ALL THE SUMMER VOLUNTEERS

Summer is a busy time at First United Methodist Church, Mt. Vernon, and despite of all those who have jobs, take vacations, care for children during the summer, you made time to volunteer and help with so many events.Volunteers cooked, served meals and cleaned up

after meals. Many took tablecloths to wash, dry, and press after special events such as the Teacher Appre-ciation Luncheon and the Send-off and the Welcom-ing of one pastor to another. Activity leaders were wrapped like mummys, gave

devotionals and lead craft activities with children. There were bus drivers carrying kids to & from the Church for activities and camps. Buses also car-ried kids to camps in Bridgeport, Mission Trips to San Marcos, and to DFW Airport to catch a plane for a Mission Experience in Puerto Rico. There were sponsors for the Mission Experiences as well.Not only did you volunteer for extra activities, you

continued to serve the church. Stephen Ministers continued visiting with their care receivers. The lawn mowing team continued to mow each week.Thanks to SPR for the time you gave to prepare for

the transition of events to send off and welcome our outgoing and incoming pastor. FUMC would also like to thank those who give of their time to serve on various committees. These committees help provide direction in meeting the needs of our church.And a special thank you to Dalworth who set-up

and broke down various settings for each event every week.Volunteers, your service is so important to us and

we praise God for you.

Dear FUMC

On behalf of Mount Vernon ISD teachers

and staff, I want to thank you for the gracious hospitality you showed us at the back-to-school luncheon on Tuesday. Our sincere appreciation to the church staff and the luncheon committee who decorated the Family Life Center, prepared and served the delicious food, and made lunch a wonderful experience for our MVISD staff.We appreciated your words of encourage-

ment and your reminding us that we have the opportunity every day to share faith, hope and love with students. Thank you for invit-ing Will Ramsay to speak as a former student and remind us of our awesome opportunity to positively impact children and their families for a lifetime.We are grateful for the Christian love and

encouragement FUMC and community volun-teers bestow upon so many children through the Lunches of Love each summer. Our faculty and staff covet your prayers as we work together to help educate and nurture children and their families throughout our community.Sincerely,MVISD Administration, teachers and staff.

Thanks to everyone who prayed, donated, drove, taught, cooked, served, cleaned up, did programs, activities, or devotionals, and provided school supplies during Lunches of Love. Because of you, 90-100 students daily felt the love of Christ through their community.

Lunches of Love

You are the LIGHT of the WORLD—like a CITY on a hilltop that CANNOT be HIDDEN. No one LIGHTS a LAMP and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a LAMP is placed on a stand. Where it gives LIGHT to everyone in the HOUSE.

Matthew 5:14-15

This past summer was a busy, busy time for so many at FUMC. Our youth that went to Bridgeport really thrived on the I AM series and wanted to come back home to share with you--the congrega-tion! Our San Marcos mission was SOUL FOOD…feeding on the word as you are frustrated, feeling really tired and weary while serving…along with questions about the people that live in the home you’re working on. There are so many emotions when you are with a group all week long, work-ing really hard and giving it all you have!! After an 8 day respite between missions, we followed the theme PRAY AS YOU GO in Puerto Rico. Not only did we attend daily devotions, chapel time and had sooo much time together, we worked hard and I knew there were a lot of prayers going up on our behalf. To top off the summer, our youth served at VBC and brought their experiences to the little ones. God gave us glimpses of His GRACE and His LOVE constantly and continues to be our LIGHT…we cannot hide it as believers in Jesus Christ.

Investing in our students PRICELESS

Cindy McDonald

COME ANd MAkE A SpLASH

AT GOd’S OLyMpiCS!We are so excited for the Olympic Games at

FUMC to begin again this year. The year is start-ing off with a splash with waterslides after dinner on Wednesday, September 7th from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. Please bring your students in clothes that can get wet and a towel for the ride home. While the kids get soaked, parents may register their students for the coming session. We are planning lots of fun this year with lessons from Biblical he-roes, scripture memorization, challenging games, mission work and a production in the spring. Students in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to join in the fun and we are excited that we will be offering the pre-school team again this year for children ages 3 and 4. Please come Wednesday night and register your kids for a time with God they won’t forget!

Pam Greenberg Children’s Director

Summer is over, children have promoted, and the new school year is in full swing! We had a great summer with our school age children – the summer camp activities left us all winded! Our last field trip and final outing for the school agers was a trip to the Pittsburg Splash Pad enjoyed by all.

Our August Teacher of the Month is Jessica Circkles. Ms. Jessica recently took on the Toddler Class as lead teacher. Ms. Jessica has been at Rainbow almost a year – mostly in the two-year-old class. She is enthusiastic and loves children and has been a great addition to our staff.

Our classes are almost full for the fall. We have about 2-3 openings at present. Several new children came at the end of August. We have our curriculum in place for the fall. September will be an emphasis on the child and his/her family – God Made Me

Special. Chapel will cover the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Ark, and Joseph and his coat of many colors.

We received a grant from the Texas Workforce this summer to purchase some things for our PK 3 and 4. Ms. Amber has a new kitchen and several new shelving units as well as a library/white board shelf. She has also received a several boxes of new teaching supplies. Ms. Gina got a new 3-in-1 Interactive Easel which will help the PKers with their phonics and math skills. She also received a light-up box that helps children to see patterns and sort. We are really excited about all the new materials!

Rainbow’s annual Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10. We will be accepting donations any time between now and then.

Ms. Janie always has something fun to whip up in cooking class.

Hagen is all dressed up Hollywood style – the theme for the week.

The PK class visited the Sports Complex to extend their sports week – some of the children had never actually sat in a dugout!

Ms. Callie is ready to start her year in PK.

Church EmailsIf you want to be on the church email list, please contact us at

office@fumcmv.org.

Date Team Cooking/Serving Clean Up Home Baker(s)

9/7 Sariego’s Sandy Sariego Tim & Kathey Gutschlag * Kathy Byrd Sandy Sariego Sandy Sariego Ellen Jaggers Kathy Byrd 9/14 Plantinga’s Maaike Maaike * Sandy Sariego Sandy Sariego * * *9/21 Stephen Ministry Linda Moore SM * SM SM * SM SM9/28 Bible Study GRP Jill Lowry BS * *BS *BS * *BS *BS10/05 Men’s GRP Sean Kenedy Sean Kennedy * Bruce Morris Bruce Morris * *Men *Men10/12 Upper Room Pat Wright Pat Wright * UR UR * UR UR10/19 Youth Cindy McDonald Cindy McDonald * *Youth *Youth * *Youth *Youth10/26 ??? ???? ???? * ???? ???? * ???? ????* indicates minimum numbers needed to prepare/cook/serve/clean for a WNL Dinner. All teams would greatly appreciate more help. Please sign-up to help. Call the office @ 903-537-3616 and let the office know when you can help.

Returns September 7

WEDNESDAY NITE SCHEDULE5:15 pm Dinner6:00 pm Nursery for young children in Rainbow Hall 6:00 pm Chancel Choir6:00 pm God’s Olympians6:00 pm Youth

Teams and Individuals are still needed.

WEdnEsday night LivEdinnEr & activity

Wednesday Nite LiveActivities at 6 pm

Wednesday Nite Live September

Dinner @ 5:15 pm

September Menu SepTeMBer 7Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread, Cake

SepTeMBer 14Chicken Tenders, Mashed potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Salad, & Cake

SepTeMBer 21Mexican Stackups & Brownies

SepTeMBer 28Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Salad,

Garlic Bread, Cake

If you have a new address, phone number or email addresses, please let the office know so we can keep our records updated and keep you informed.

Call Church office @903-537-3616

Narthex PlantsThe plants in the

Narthex are furnished by Armadillo Flow-erworks and funded by the Charles Bruce Flower Endowment.

Fund.

Altar FlowersAltar flowers are pro-

vided by Flowerland of Mt. Vernon and funded by the Charles Bruce Flower Endowment Fund in memory of

Charles Bruce, major contributor to FUMC.

Administrative Meetings

Monday, September 12 6:00 pmTrustees

Tuesday, September 135:15 pm

Rainbow Board

Monday, September 196:00 pm

Finance Committee

September 4 Bishop Curry Mike Fisk 11 Elease Hubbell Steve Wright 18 Ellen Jaggers Tom Sample 25 Bob Singer Randall Byrd

Finance Counters

Finance UpdateAugust Opening Balance $45,986Income thru August 31 $28,342Expenses thru August 31 $30,815August 31 Closing Balance $43,513

Virginia Stotts September 1Chloe Copeland September 1Jackson Floyd September 4Dennis Venteicher September 4Joe Andrews September 5Shannara Easley September 6Sadie Hamrick September 7Bennie Connelly September 8Cissy Parrish September 8Steve Wafford September 9Colton Hinton September 9Zach Hedges September 10Ryan Dillard September 11Steven Byrd September 11Archer Findley September 11Madeline Goodman September 14Charles McAfee September 16Patrick Barron September 16Grant Hammonds September 16Jerald Mowery September 17John Ross September 20Andrew Solomon September 20Marcia Hogue September 21Jerod Goode September 21Tima Deal September 22Gerald Hubbell September 22Joanna Earl September 23Chuck Armstrong September 23Sheila Barnett September 23Bailey Floyd September 23Rena Asimakis September 24Shirley McAfee September 26Jill Lowry September 26Katy Dillard September 27Martha Oxford September 27Callie Key September 27Caleb Deal September 28Charles Rutherford September 29Caroline Rutledge September 29

Donate Now!

Due to medical is-sues, the nursery has lost several of their volunteers. If you could help out once a month or so, please contact Ellen Leslie at 903-537-2448 or the church office at 903-537-3616.

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 108:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 5:00pm UMYF 6:30pm Grace Notes

FUMC Office & Rainbow Closed

8:30am Women's Bible Study - Begins again today! 3:30pm Stephen Ministry 6:30pm Boy Scouts

11 12 13 14 15 16 176:00pm Trustees 8:30am

Women's Bible Study 2:00pm Prayer Shawl 5:15pm Rainbow Board 6:30pm Boy Scouts

18 19 20 21 22 23 248:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 5:00pm UMYF 6:30pm Grace Notes

6:00pm Finance 6:30pm M.E.S.S. Moms' Eagerly Seeking Sanctuary - Begins again tonight!

8:30am Women's Bible Study 4:00pm Stephen Ministry 6:30pm Boy Scouts

25 26 27 28 29 308:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 5:00pm UMYF 6:30pm Grace Notes

8:30am Women's Bible Study 2:00pm Prayer Shawl 6:30pm Boy Scouts

9:30am Prayer Time 10:00am Pastor's Bible Study 6:00pm Youth 6:00pm Chancel Choir 6:00pm God's Olympians

9:30am Prayer Time 10:00am Pastor's Bible Study 6:00pm Youth 6:00pm Chancel Choir 6:00pm God's Olympians

8:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments Restoration Celebration 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 5:00pm UMYF 6:30pm Grace Notes *Grandparent's Day*

9:30am Prayer Time 10:00am Pastor's Bible Study 6:00pm Youth 6:00pm Chancel Choir 6:00pm God's Olympians

9:30am Prayer Time 6:00pm Youth 6:00pm Chancel Choir 6:00pm God's Olympians

September 2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

First United Methodist ChurchHwy. 37 North of I-30PO Box 659Mt. Vernon, TX 75457

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage PaidPermit #30

Mt. Vernon, TX