The Informer - Clover Sites

This month (Feb. 11-20) Suzanne and I, along with four other pilgrims, will be taking our journey to Israel to visit the sacred sites of the Bible. I made my first trip to the Holy Land in 1997 and as soon as I returned I knew that I had to go back. One reason was that it had been an abbreviated 7-day trip for pastors and because of plane troubles before leaving the USA, we lost a whole day of touring. The day we lost was one of the days I had been looking forward to the most – to Masada and the Dead Sea. I had

written a paper about Masada for a college class in Judaism and had always wanted to see it for myself.

We returned to Israel for two days in November 2011 on the “Lands of the Bible” cruise, but Masada was not on the itinerary. If all goes according to plan, I will get to stand atop that impressive symbol of freedom and faith on the seventh day of our tour. If you don’t know the story of Masada, you should look it up online or in an encyclopedia.

Masada is just one of many places we will visit. We will walk in Jesus’ footsteps in Nazareth, Cana,

Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee (although not literally, lest we suffer Peter’s fate when he tried to walk on water!), Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, and many more. I especially look forward to celebrating Holy Communion with our fellow travelers at the Garden Tomb.

I’m sure we will have many photos to show and many stories to tell when we return. I will pray for you as I trust you will pray for us, that our faith will come alive in this special place.

Grace and

“WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS”

First United Methodist Church of Gainesville February 2014

Prayer Requests 2

Missions 2

Children’s Ministries 3

Music Ministries 4

Student and Family Ministries

5

Church News 6

Church News 7

Inside this issue:

Rev. Don Yeager, Pastor

Worship Services

8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Rev. Don Yeager Pastor

Happy

Valentines

Day

February 14

The Informer

February 2014 Worship

Sympathy to: Ryan Addison for the death of his father.

Prayers of healing: Rod Miller, Donnie W a s h b u r n , Gretchen Yeager, Jill Blyth, Betty B e n n e t t , J a m e s Lane, Fred Bradley, Peggy Padgham. P r a y e r s o f continuing support for: Eddie Morris, Ashley Blakeslee, Pal Hildebrand, Nancy Williams, Lee Warder, Candi Hildman, Shirley Skaggs, Marge Priest, Harold “Bud” Sutton, Glenn Bewley, Jeanne Cullington, Jerry

McWilliams, Gloria Pierpont, Ruth Goudy, Lundy Hooten, Fred Scott, Sara Billie Tyler, Walter Boeko Jr., , Kelly Dill, Stewart Apgar III, James Herman, Loveta Lane, Kelly Foster, Becky Haines, Evalyn Jones, William Cowdrey, Madison Clark, Roumaine Mecca. Military Personnel: William Snyder, Larkin O’Hern, Alisa Davis, Jerry Horn, Bradlee Brackeen, Stephen Ruzicka, Kelsea Stafford Louisiana, Jason Brown, Craig Fiske, John Enderby, Josh McMullin, Jacob Freeman, James Embrey.

We Hold in Our Prayers...

Please update the

church monthly to

keep names on the

prayer list.

Page 2 Miss ions and Min istry

February Communion Offering

The February Communion offering to be received on Feb. 2, 2014, is designated for VISTO and the “Souper Bowl of Caring.” The “Souper Bowl” began a little over 20 years ago with one youth group in South Carolina and has since become a nation-wide effort that has raised over $50 million to feed the hungry in local communities. Your gifts will help buy food for families in need in Gainesville and Cooke County. One of the most effective programs at VISTO for feeding the hungry is the “Backpack Buddy” program. Our church has been a sponsor of this program since its inception in 2007. Each week during the school year we pick up food from VISTO and pack about 15-20 backpacks full of nutritious food for students at Edison and Chalmers Elementaries to take home for the weekend. Overall the Backpack Buddy program feeds hundreds of children in Cooke County. First Christian Church is sponsoring a “Souper Bowl of Caring” on Sunday, Feb. 2 as a fundraiser for VISTO. They will offer various kinds of soups and desserts from 11:15 am – 1:00 pm in their Fellowship Hall. There is no charge but all donations go to VISTO.

Feb. 2 SERIES: GOD’S PURPOSE FOR THE CHURCH Fourth in the Series: “Service” (Micah 6:1-8) Holy Communion

Feb. 10 Last in the Series: “Worship” (1 Cor. 2:1-12)

Feb. 16 Guest Preacher: Rev. JH Langley (Pastor Don on Holy Land trip)

Feb. 23 Sermon: “When Love Is Difficult” (Matt. 5:38-48)

It is an annual tradition to thank our wonderful Second Time Around volunteers with an Appreciation Lunch. This year’s lunch will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fellowship Hall. It’s free, but please sign up on the sheet that’s at the store or call the church office if you plan to join us for lunch, so we know how many to plan for. Everyone who volunteered at any time in the last year is invited.

Second Time Around Volunteer Appreciation Lunch

Children’s Director Message February for the children brings the joy of hearts, candy, and valentine cards. This year we have the added bonus of combining our Parent’s Night Out with Valentine’s night. Having raised three children, my husband and I always appreciated

Parent’s Night Out. The children will have food, fun, and many activities to entertain them, starting from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Parent’s Night Out is open to nursery through 5th grade children. Pre-registration is appreciated, with forms available at

the kiosk and in the office; cost is $10.00 for first child and $5.00 each additional. Payment will be taken on the night of the event. Forms may be turned into the office, offering plates, or to me.

Vacation Bible School

Our Birthday Kids

2/8 Benson Tran 2/27 Konnor Bloom 2/27 Christopher “CJ” Morgan

Children’s Camp: C-3 July 22-26

online registration is due to begin on February 17. http://www.bridgeportcamp. org/ Children’s camps fill up very quickly. Come by the office and talk with me about available scholarships.

Page 3 Chi ldren’s Min istry

Special thanks to the board of Trustees for allowing the children’s classrooms to have a little color on the walls. Each classroom now has one wall painted in a child friendly color. Much gratitude and thanks goes to Jonathan and Philip Cuellar and David Nichols for getting the job done.

Colorful Classrooms

VBS will be held June 16-20 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Participating in the program equals smooth transitions from station to station for each group of children. Working behind the scenes, or as a leader, or perhaps you have prefer to decorate…there is room for everyone to participate. Contact Greta Cuellar to be a part of VBS! 665-3926.

Page 4 Music Min istry

Music Director Message

Music Ministries Calendar:

WEEKLY: Sundays – 3:30 Ring of Fire, 4:15 Student Choir Wednesdays – 3:30-5:30 COW Choirs, 6:10 Heritage Ringers, 7:15 Chancel Choir SPECIAL DATES: Monday, Feb 3 – 5:30 Worship Committee Meeting in Rm113 Sunday, Feb 9 – Heritage Ringers play in worship (both services) Sunday, Feb 16 – COW Sonshine and Disciple Choirs sing at 10:45 Wednesday, Feb 19 – COW Sonshine and Disciple Choirs sing at Wheeler House (during normal COW time) Sunday, Feb 23 – Student Choir sings in worship (both services)

A Note from Rebecca... In January, we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord, and we discovered more about God’s bountiful, cleansing love for us through baptism, remembrance of baptism, and constant life-giving renewal. I also went to a Church Music workshop down in Dallas in which one of the themes of worship was the Living Water of God. One song in particular has stayed with me, and I wanted to share it with you, as a way of continuing to remember our baptism and God’s grace in our lives. Perhaps you can use it during your prayer time, or simply read it aloud to yourself now, and experience God’s love and life. “Shall we gather at the water of God’s grace? On the shoreline, at the water, can you hear the voice of God, Saying ‘Follow me! Follow me! Follow me to the heart of eternity Where the reign of God is unending.’ Shall we gather at the water of God’s grace?” This month and always, may you be washed with God’s ever-flowing love and forgiveness as we move through life together. Grace and peace, Rebecca

Worship Arts Corner... We’re in need of some things to help make worship even more beautiful and meaningful on Sundays. If you have any of the items listed below that you are willing to donate to the Worship Arts Ministry, please let Rebecca know!

solid-colored cloth (any colors and sizes welcomed; especially white, black, reds, purples, blues, greens, & golds)

pillar candles (especially white, either with or without candle holders)

pitchers & vases (pottery or glass, all shapes & sizes)

sturdy, small boxes (with lids, like shoe boxes)

Student & Family Director Message

First Methodist Church of Gainesville will be having an All-Church Retreat at Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center this April 5-6th. What is an All-Church Retreat? Think of it like a family reunion. It will be a time for us to gather as a church family, young and old, families and singles, everyone. There will be studies, worship, and times of fellowship. Our theme is “sharing the faith through to generations”. We will use this opportunity to go beyond the things that divide us and to reconnect as ONE Body of Christ. There are sleeping quarters in cabins and some in two- person suites. We will eat together as a community, and there are some activities especially designed for children and a ROPES Course for any youth and adults that are interested. For those that would like to join us for the day we will have a shuttle out and back so you don’t have to sleep at camp. The first 25 to sign up will get $20 off per person. If you have any questions please contact Greta or Bill. Thanks!

Page 5 Student and Fami ly Min istr ies

Habitat For Humanity Chili Lunch

Gainesville Habitat for Humanity will hold its Annual Chili Lunch on Friday, February 7, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Gainesville Civic Center. Tickets are only $8 per person (dine-in or take-out) for a bowl of delicious homemade chili, homemade dessert, drink, and all the fixings. This supports a great cause – providing affordable housing for people in need. Habitat houses are not given to recipients; they pay for them with “sweat equity” through working on the house during construction and through a no-interest mortgage loan. House #9 was completed and occupied in 2013. Funds raised through the Chili Lunch will help Habitat get started on House #10.

Do you have trouble hearing Pastor Don when he preaches or the choir when they sing? If so, the Williams Sound listening devices in the sanctuary may help you. These are brand new devices that are a part of our new sanctuary sound system. You simply put the earbud in your ear, turn on the device and adjust the volume, and you hear everything that is coming through the sound system. These devices are available at the back of the sanctuary at the new sound desk. If you wear a hearing aid equipped with a telephone coil, we also have neckloops that will work in conjunction with your hearing aids. These are also available at the sound desk. NOTE: One of our new Williams devices is missing. We started out with four and now we have only three. If you happen to know where this missing device is, please notify the church office right away. Thanks.

Listening Devices Available in Sanctuary

Fat Tuesday Feast Tuesday, March 4, 5:30-8:00 p.m. Come out at 5:30 and enjoy a kids’ parade, then skip on inside for a festive night of food and jazz! The NCTC Jazz Band will be playing during dinner, with games for kids and adults alike! First UMC’s youth will be preparing, serving, and cleaning up for this event, and in return you’re invited to give generously in a love offering toward their youth summer mis-sions.

Page 6 Church News

Sanctuary Interior Renovation Project Update

While it may seem that the sanctuary renovation project has been going on forever, it’s really just been twelve months. The project is almost complete, with the stained glass windows being the largest unfinished portion. They have simply taken longer than anticipated. Stanton Glass is expected to remove the windows on the east side (at the back of the sanctuary) for renovation during the last week in January. The carpet will be installed soon and new tile in the north tower entry has been finished. We are planning a rededication service with Bishop McKee present as soon as that can be scheduled. We would like to have one combined service and a luncheon afterwards. Gifts for this project have been very generous. If you made a pledge, we hope you will continue to fulfill it.

Agape Quilters Thank you for your support and kind words. Responses from quilt recipients have been a blessing for us. As of January 2014, we have completed 100 Prayer Quilts and presented at least 88. Because of your generosity, we can continue our ministry; creating quilts stitched in prayers which are then given to any member of FUMC who is facing long recovery of self or family. We also try to provide comfort for the Homebound. We refer to the church prayer list and church office whiteboard for information. If you know of any potential needs, please inform the church office. In 2013, we began extending this ministry to the newborns in our church family by presenting them with a Prayer Quilt to accompany the Bible that is given. We meet the second Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m.-noon. The quilting room is equipped with everything necessary for the “spur-of-the-moment” quilters. We also have “take-home” things that need to be done, like attaching quilt labels, or making sure there are no pins left in the quilts! If you have never quilted, we will teach you. If you prefer to work from home, super! The quilts can be hand quilted, machine quilted, or tied. In September we ask the congregation to join us in this ministry by saying a prayer while tying a knot in the quilt, what better gift than a quilt laden with prayer from the people of your church. There is power in such prayers, when you see a quilt on display, come forth with your prayer and tie a knot. Who knows, that quilt could possibly go to you or your loved one. On a personal note, thank you to Julia Wood, Elaine Coulter, Marilyn Wooldridge, Jo Brannan,and Debbie Poore, for your time and effort. Past hands that have stitched and prayed with us are Barbara Smith, Rocio Huerta, Margene Enderby and Gwen Grove. (Sorry if I forgot someone.)

All laity are invited to a special Northwest District day with Bishop Mike McKee on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 9:30-Noon at Sherman First UMC (401 N. Elm St.). The bishop will talk about several initiatives of the North Texas Conference as well as challenges and opportunities fac-ing the conference.

Northwest District Laity Day With the Bishop

January Project for Our Congregation

Dave Ramsey’s The Legacy Journey

At Annual Conference, Bishop McKee asked the North Texas Conference to participate in four concepts, one of which is sharing your faith story with your children. and, who better to share our walk with the Lord than our church family? Beginning in January you are invited to pick up a “Faith Story” Questionnaire. The questionnaire will allow for as much or as little as you may wish to share. Anyone who would rather tell their story instead of write it out may call the office (665-3926) for an appointment for a volunteer to take down your story. The stories will be compiled for our archives and in May we will celebrate our church’s anniversary in an All-Church Event. Pick up your questionnaire today located on the tables as you enter the sanctuary or in the church office.

Page 7 Church News

Sarah Circle

Sarah Circle will meet on February 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the church parlor. Hostesses will be Linda Beach and Kasey Mercer. A devotional about “Love from: My Heart…Christ’s Home” will be given. Linda and Kasey have planned a wonderful meal of cheesy potato soup, chicken salad sandwiches on croissant, and a chocolate mousse dessert. Bring a friend! Please let Greta know if childcare will be needed by Sunday, February 2.

We have all benefited from prayer, and how comforting it is for others to say they are praying for you. Our church’s Congregation Care Committee would like to take on this ministry of praying for those in our congregation and community and then mailing them a note stating they are in our prayers. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please join us at the church at 11:30 on Tuesday, February 4 for a brief time of prayer and an organizational meeting. If you have questions, please contact the church or Sharron Acker at 817-368-0860.

Prayer Group Organizational Meeting

The Legacy Journey is an all-new, seven-week, biblically based class that teaches you how to truly live and leave a legacy for generations to come. This class will lead you deeper into investing, basic estate planning, purposeful living, safeguarding your legacy, and discovering the keys to generational wealth and true generosity. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small-group activities, you’ll learn a biblical framework for living intentionally now so that later you’ll be able to leave a legacy that will secure your family’s future and make a lasting impact on the world around you. The Legacy Journey will be facilitated by Blake Wallace of Edward Jones Investments. This class will begin Tuesday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m. in room 113A. Classes meet for around an hour and a half each week for seven weeks. Sign up information will be in the March Informer.

214 S. Denton Street

Gainesville, Texas 76240

We’re on the Web! Www.fumcgainesville.com

Phone: 940-665-3926

Fax: 940-665-4372

[email protected]

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

First United Methodist Church Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 146 Gainesville, TX 76240

Your Church Staff

Rev. Don Yeager, Pastor Bill Mauldin, Dir. Student /Family Ministry Sharon Nichols, Administration Rebecca Garrett, Dir. Music Ministry Greta Cuellar, Christian Education Director Marlene Williams, Accompanist Jean Smelcer, Receptionist & Dir. Communications Melodye McLeroy, Organist Connie Hoberer, The Learning Tree Director Carolyn Hook, 8:30 Pianist Staff E-mail Addresses: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

105 S. Denton Street Gainesville, Texas 76240

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

665-7939 Volunteers welcome!

Second Time Around Informer Article Deadline

All articles and information for Mar. 2014 issue of “The Informer” need to be submitted no later than Monday, Feb. 17; you may drop off your information to the church office or e-mail to [email protected]

2/2014

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