Rev. John Fleming, First United Methodist Church of ...

The Informer

First United Methodist Church of Gainesville

October

Rev. John Fleming,

Pastor

Inside this Issue Prayer Requests 2

Missions and Ministry 2

Children’s Ministries 3

Music Ministries 4

Student and Family 5 Ministries

Church News 6 & 7

John’s Epistle “Giving Our Best”

Pastor John

As most of you have probably

already realized, the month of October signals the return of a ritual at First UMC—as in many United Methodist Congregations around the country—the annual Stewardship Campaign. You may find this hard to believe, but I’m actually excited to help lead this event for the first time with my new congregation.

Several weeks ago I began thinking about the Stewardship Campaign, visiting with staff members about it, collecting information about past campaigns, and meeting with key Lay Leaders in the congregation to start planning. During those congregations, someone mentioned to me a fact that caught me off guard—historically, the month of October has been a low attendance period in worship, presumably because members of the congregation don’t want to hear about money.

That comment resonated with those shared with me a few weeks ago following the third of my five sermons on the Vows of Membership in the UMC—you know, the one about giving. As I greeted people after worship that morning, I was surprised to have several people say that I had tackled a difficult subject.

My surprise about both of these instances of hesitation about addressing the subject of giving

stems from my belief that giving is as much a part of the life of faith as is prayer. I’ll admit that I can reach back into my experience to a time when I remember a sense of anxiety about talking to my congregation about money and, even further back into my memory, an awareness growing up that preachers generally don’t like talking about money any more than church members like hearing about it. To be honest, however, that is so remote from my thinking that it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around that concept now.

It’s not that I have grown “comfortable” with talking about something “difficult.” Instead, I feel as if my own concept of giving has been so transformed that I feel as if I am holding people back from experiencing the fullness of God’s grace if I don’t help them understand the spiritual joy of giving. I certainly cannot hold myself up as a shining example in this regard, but I have come to yearn to give in ways I never thought it would be possible for me to do. It’s much the way I feel about sharing the joy of studying and contemplating the scriptures—and you certainly would think it was strange for a pastor to feel anxious about encouraging their congregation to read the Bible more frequently.

Money is so central to our lives that Jesus talked about it more consistently than any other subject except for the Kingdom of

Heaven. Likewise, giving is so central to our identity as Christians that it is simply impossible for us to ignore it and have a healthy spiritual life.

This year, our Campaign theme will be “Giving Our Best,” a reference to the ways that God calls us not just to do “something,” but to do our absolute best. I am so thankful that I have been sent to serve a congregation with such brilliant minds in the field of finance and administration, so that I can focus my efforts on helping us engage with the witness of scripture and embrace the goodness of generosity. I’m anxious to share my thoughts with you, as we rethink the meaning and role of giving in our Christian community.

I hope that you’ll not give in to a sense of anxiety about this subject and find “more important” things to do with your Sunday mornings in October. Let’s break the usual pattern of low attendance this month and engage in this important journey together, just as we will many other important aspects of Christian faith in the years to come.

Grace and peace,

Pastor John

October 2016 Worship

Prayer Concerns: Mila Jade Mellman, Karla Denny, Kelly Dill, Susan Adams (Ruth Adams daughter-in-law), Carroll Burgess, John Padgham, Holly Oliveira.

Congratulations to: Jane & Richard Dobson for the birth of a new grandchild, Claire Evelyn.

Sympathy to: Rick Nichols for the passing of his father, Paul H. Nichols.

Ongoing Concerns: Mary McCain, Dr. Mike Paclik, Melinda Reed, Carol Felker, Lucy Beall, Dorothy Proffer, Romona Hatcher, Don Howeth, Pat Peale, Marge Priest, Kristin Hatton, Joanna & Taylor Williamson, Sam Meeks, Mia Delarosa, William Cowdrey, Betty Bennett, Jacey Schmidt, Velia Hernandez, Nancy Williams, Harold “Bud” Sutton, Jerry McWilliams, Walter Boeko Jr., Becky Haines, Madison Clark. Military Personnel: Ben Davis, Jerry Horn, Craig Fiske, Jacob Freeman, Kelsea Stafford Louisiana, John Enderby, James Embrey, Tim Deater, Kennedy Pierson, Larkin O’Hern, Patrick Noland, John Candie.

We Hold in Our Prayers...

Page 2 Miss ions and Min istry

October 2 Sermon: Giving Our Best Part 1 “Bread for the World” (John 6:25-35)

October 9 Sermon: Giving Our Best Part2 “One Life to Give” (Mark 12:38-44) October 16 Sermon: Giving Our Best Part 3 “In God We Trust” (Mark 13:1-8) October 23 TBA October 30 TBA

October 17 6:00 p.m. SPRC Committee Rm. 113 October 18 6:00 p.m. Finance Committee Rm. 113 October 25 7:00 p.m. Administrative Council Fellowship Center

Church Meetings for October

“UMCOR” Relief for Louisiana

During September the Communion Offering and special offering was for UMCOR Relief for Louisiana. which supports the disaster relief work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR also maintains the Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana which houses disaster relief supplies to send all over the world. We collected $2217.88, great job First UMC.

Page 3 Chi ldren’s Min istry

Page 4 Mus ic Min istr ies

Page 5 Youth Min istry

FUMC Gainesville TX Youth @youthFUMCgville

Sundays: Sunday School: 9:45 a..m. • UMYF: Schedule Varies during October

Wednesdays: Jr. High Study Hall 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. • Jr. High Bible Study 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Sr. High Bible Study 6 - 7 p.m.

Contact Kristi: [email protected] Text or Call (940) 641-1110

Fall is officially here, the weather is finally cooling down a bit, and Halloween decorations are starting to pop-up everywhere. September was a great start to all our regular youth programming, and we’ve got some fun fall activities planned for October.

We will continue with our “Half Truths” lessons in Sunday School during October, and we are moving through the stories in the Old Tes-tament, using “Echo the Story” during our Bible Studies on Wednesdays.

I want to thank the parents who have been providing meals for us on Sundays. The youth, and their bellies, greatly appreciate the snack suppers. Thank you to Marilyn Sebade, Brenda Klement, Breigh Mills, and Lisa Bloom for the tasty food!

Make sure you have an October calendar of events with the up-dated times and events. If you have any questions, please let me know! In Christ,

Kristi

Bubble Ball: Sunday, October 2nd, 4 - 7 p.m.

The GO Camp Ministry of the North Texas Conference will be bringing Bubble Ball to our youth group on Sunday, October 2nd! We will play Bubble Ball from 4 - 6 p.m., then eat from 6 - 7 p.m. Youth can invite friends. And parents, if you are daring enough and want to come play, I'd love to see you all out there, too! All participants must have a waiver signed by their parents in order to play.

Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch: Sunday October 9th, 3 - 6:30 p.m. Following the Mission Trip Meeting, we will head to the Wild Berry Farm in Sadler to visit their Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. The cost is $6 per person, plus money for food, snacks, and buying pumpkins.

Fall Fest: Sunday, October 30th, 5 - 7 p.m. All youth will be needed to help oversee the children’s games at our annual Fall Fest. You are welcome to wear costumes, but please keep them kid-friendly…we don’t want to scare the little ones who will be in attendance. There is also a costume contest category for youth, so be creative!

Mission Trip Meeting: Sunday, October 9th, 2 p.m.

All parents of potential Sr. High Mission Trip participants should plan to attend this meeting. We will discuss our Mission Trip options, dates, costs, and fundraisers. Mission Trip will be open to all current 8th - 12th grade youth. We will also need several adult leaders to join us. If interested, please contact Kristi Bloom for more information.

October 2nd

Bubble Ball 4 - 7 p.m.

Sundays in October:

October 9th

3 - 6:30 p.m. Corn Maze &

Pumpkin Patch

October 16th Combined

UMYF 4 - 7 p.m.

October 23rd

Interest Groups 4 - 7 p.m.

Crafts, Guitar Basics, or

Service Project

October 30th Fall Fest

5 - 7 p.m.

Page 6 Church News

Looking For C.O.W. Wranglers Wagon “Cookie”

Financial Highlights

August 31, 2016 August YTD August Annual Budget Percent of Budget Income $ 67,549 $547,708 $892,859 61.34% Budgeted Expenditures $ 43,393 $413,795 $815,357 50.75% Designated Expenditures $ 16,397 $171,386

Subtotal Over/(Under) $ 7,759 ($37,473)

Debt Reduction Gift $0 $0

Over/Under $ 7,759 ($37,473) $77,502

Notes Payable: Sanctuary Restoration Paid in full. Phase I & II Building $648,346

Children on Wednesdays began on Wednesday, September 7. Wranglers are needed to herd the children from activity to activity and teach a Bible Story. The more Wranglers we have the more grade levels we can serve. We also need a “cookie to prepare and serve a snack. Please contact the church office for more information.

Tabletop Treasures

Tabletop Treasures The United Methodist Women present “Blessed from the Past” 26 years of Tabletop Treasures on Tuesday, October 11. This community-wide event benefits local non-profit organizations and UMCOR (relief efforts). The ticket cost is $15.00 per person which includes viewing of the unique and decorative table displays, lunch, and entertainment. The display is open from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with lunch served between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased through the Church Office or through members of UMW.

The United Methodist Women’s Mizpah Circle will meet on Monday, October 17, at 10:30 a.m. in the Church Parlor. All women are invited to attend. Please bring your calendar for a planning session.

Mizpah Circle

Fall Fest

Page 7 Church News

October 30 Family Fun For

All Ages

5 to 7 p.m.

Hot Dogs Games and Prizes

Cake Walk Costume Contest for all Ages

Face Painting & Balloon Artist

Chili Cook-off Contest

Any kind of chili may be entered Prizes will be awarded for:

Best Overall Most Unique

Ring-Your-Bell If you would like to be the “Chili Wrangler”

Please notify Greta in the church Office.

Service Saturday

Mark your calendars for October 22nd! Service Saturday is an opportunity for our church family to engage in service together in our community. We will have several service opportunities again this time. Sign-up sheets will be available soon! If you have any questions or suggestions for service opportunities in our community, contact Katie Brinkley at 940-206-7807 or [email protected].

We appreciate your support of Era ISD and the Hornet Yearbook. Your business ad allows us to fund our publication and creats a lasting history of our school and your community. Thank You

Gwen’s Group for 50+

On Thursday, October 6, the group will go out to dinner at I Hop and then drive over to NCTC to enjoy the fall vocal concert which begins at 7:30 p.m. We will leave from the church at 6:00 p.m. Meal cost $8.00 to $12.00 and the concert is free. Donations to the Choral program are welcome.

Thank You

214 S. Denton Street

Gainesville, Texas 76240

We’re on the Web! www.firstumcgainesvilletx.com

Phone: 940-665-3926

Fax: 940-665-4372

[email protected]

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

First United Methodist Church

Your Church Staff

Rev. John Fleming Pastor Greta Cuellar, Christian Education Director Mary Jarvis, Finance Administrator Jean Smelcer, Church Office Administrator Melodye McLeroy, Church Accompanist Susan Beall, Music Ministries Director Debra Poore, The Learning Tree Director Kristi Bloom, Youth Ministries Director Staff E-mail Addresses: John Fleming: [email protected] Susan Beall: [email protected] Mary Jarvis: [email protected] Greta Cuellar: [email protected] Jean Smelcer: [email protected] Kristi Bloom: [email protected]

Debra Poore: [email protected]

105 S. Denton Street Gainesville, Texas 76240

Monday / Tuesday / Thursday 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

665-7939 Volunteers welcome!

Second Time Around Informer Article Deadline

All articles and information for November 2016 issue of “The Informer” need to be submitted no later than Monday October 24, you may drop off your information to the church office or e-mail to [email protected]

10/2016

«First Name» «Last Name»

«Address»

«City», «State» «Zip Code»

The Mission of First United Methodist Church is to know Christ and make Him known.