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CONNEXION E-NEWS FUMC TAYLOR, FEBRUARY 3, 2017 
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Communion Sunday
Communion Offering will go to the Methodist Children's Home in Waco.

8:30 Worship Traditional with Communion
9:30 Sunday School (Children and Adults)
10:30 Worship Traditional with Communion

Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast
The United Methodist Hymnal Number 339
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

1. Come, sinners, to the gospel feast;
let every soul be Jesus' guest.
Ye need not one be left behind,
for God hath bid all humankind.

2. Sent by my Lord, on you I call;
the invitation is to all.
Come, all the world! Come, sinner, thou!
All things in Christ are ready now.

3. Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed,
ye restless wanderers after rest;
ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind,
in Christ a hearty welcome find.

4. My message as from God receive;
ye all may come to Christ and live.
O let his love your hearts constrain,
nor suffer him to die in vain.

5. This is the time, no more delay!
This is the Lord's accepted day.
Come thou, this moment, at his call,
and live for him who died for all.

This past Sunday, our message was from Micah 6:1-8. We were challenged to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. And/Or, be courageous! You will be given an opportunity to share in church. You may also email/text me before hand or post your comment on our Facebook page, and I will share with the congregation. Our message this Sunday will come from the Gospel as written by Matthew, chapter 5:13-20.

This Sunday we will begin giving to various ministries of the United Methodist Church within our conference. Each month, we will announce the ministry recipient. February Communion Offering will go to the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco. If you wish to give to the month’s ministry, please bring your gift and leave behind at the communion rail.

Stay encouraged and faithful.

See you Sunday! Sela 

 

This Sunday, you may wear your favorite Dallas Cowboys gear to worship! Oops, I mean you may wear your favorite team's jersey to church! 
We are the E-Team, the Evangelism Team! 
We will have a meeting on Wednesday, 2/8, at 5:00 p.m. in the pastor's office. If you are interested in serving your church through Evangelism, we invite you to join us. 

If you don't know what Evangelism is, don't understand its relevance in our context today, and you'd like to find out how it's deeply embedded to our mission as a church and our faith as Christians, come join us, as we unbind the Gospel. 

We're currently planning for the Lenten season and beyond and we could use your insight and help. Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Celebrate Valentine’s with a Family Feud!

Bring your family to play Family Feud on Family Game Night, Sunday, February 12, from 5-7:00 p.m. You may form your “family” prior to the event. Prizes will be given. The meal will be Chicken Casserole. You may bring a side dish, dessert, or snack to share if you wish. Otherwise, it's not necessary for you to bring anything but yourself. 
We're meeting this Thursday, February 9, at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Come join us! 

Member Spotlight
Carolyn Gautier

January 29 and February 5, 2017

Carolyn Gautier was born in Chicago.  Her father was in law school at Loyola University, and met her mother at an anti-communist rally.  She has two sisters in Texas, a brother and sister in Chicago, and a brother and sister in California.  There were originally nine children, of whom seven are still with us today.  Her family was raised Catholic and always tells the story of when her father was dying, and Carolyn hadn’t been to church in a while.  She felt compelled to get a priest to administer last rites for her father.  It was the middle of the night, but she went to the church, knocked on the door, and asked the man who answered, “Are you a priest?”  He said yes, and she asked him to come say last rites for her father.  He agreed, and only later they found out that he was the pope’s emissary, at the church for a temporary time.  Carolyn had gotten the emissary of the pope out of bed for her father.  It’s that kind of dedication and loyalty that makes Carolyn such a good friend.

Carolyn worked and retired from AT&T after 25 years. She then worked in Austin for 2.5 years as a medical claims analyst, doing Medicaid claims for 99 counties. She retired in November, but may continue to do work for them from home.  She liked the way her job was a puzzle, and she had to find the anomaly to finish the claim.  She enjoyed the people she worked with, she could wear jeans, and they had good coffee.  What could be better?

Recently, Carolyn and her sister purchased a duplex together in Gauthier, Mississippi.  The town was founded by her great-grandfather.  Mississippi is kind to seniors and seems like a good place to retire, but Carolyn wasn’t really intending to buy property there.  This duplex just popped up, and the price and layout was just too good to resist.  She is in the process of moving there, but she promises to come visit often.

Carolyn has been a member of the church for six years.  She started by going to the Sunday School class led by Mitch and Lisa Drummond.  She was most impressed when Mitch and Glynn Tucker got into an argument, but later they remained friends.  Glynn, in particular, loves to banter back and forth with Carolyn but when the chips are down, he is there for her.  He once came over in the middle of the night to help her get her lights turned back on. And once when she totaled her car, Debi Tucker met her at the police station to take her home.  She has many friends at the church and counts Shirley Ball and Linda Clevenger as very dear women friends.

Her favorite hymn is Amazing Grace.  Just hearing the hymn makes her cry every time.  She loves the story of how it’s written, and that the song talks about redemption and renewal.

Her friends would describe her as funny and telling lots of funny stories.  Many have told her to write a book.  She really likes children, and has lots of nieces and nephews she enjoys.  She is very close to her family.  She’s easy going and grateful, and she takes nothing for granted.  “I don’t worry because God has control,” she says.  As for flaws, she does admit she will procrastinate.

Long before Carolyn came to Taylor, she had always enjoyed doing an artistic signature that includes a duck.  Quite the coincidence!  She loves to play games and especially darts.

Carolyn has fun all the time, and especially had fun one time when she went to China with some friends.   They were on a double decker bus and ended up in the bus garage!  They all just started laughing.  The bus driver didn’t understand why they were laughing and, not speaking English, didn’t know how to help.  They ended up taking a bus to the airport, calling the hotel, and getting a shuttle from there.  They were just in hysterics.

We’re going to miss having Carolyn on a full time basis, but let’s hold her to that promise to come visit often!

Written by Robin McKinley

Small groups are extremely important in the life of the church. If you are currently not connected to any small group, consider joining one. If the existing groups do not fit your interest and/or your schedule, consider starting a new one. I highly encourage you to get involved this new year with God and your church. Stay spiritually nourished, healthy, connected, and encouraged. 

It is also important that we have a record of the numbers attending our weekly and/or monthly small group gatherings. In the kitchen, you will find a clipboard with a report, please fill out the report at the time of each meeting. These will include: bible study groups, women’s groups, men’s groups, children’s nights, choir groups, Al-Anon & A.A., etc. Your cooperation is appreciated and important. 

The season of Lent is fast approaching and begins this year on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017. I am requesting your participation in writing a devotional for the season of Lent. Your devotional will be published in a small booklet as well as various online mediums to be distributed to our church members and visitors.

My hope is that we will collect at least 40 devotionals. Our theme is simply Lent. Share a personal story.

To allow time for editing and publishing, I ask that your devotional(s) be sent back to me electronically by Monday, February 20. Feel free to write more than one, but please let me know.

Thank you again for your consideration to share a devotional with your church family. If you have any questions, please feel free to either email or call me.  

Peace, grace, and blessings to you, always! 

Sela

Requested devotional format/guideline.

Guideline:

Word Limit: 300-500 words (without the Scripture text). You may indicate your desire on what day or week you are writing for, if any. Please also include a short prayer at the end of your devotion (1-3 sentence).

Font and size: Times New Roman, 12 point

Scripture and Version: Please include the Scripture text and indicate the version you are using. If you don't select one, I will use the NRSV. If you need suggestions, just let me know.

Please submit your devotional(s) electronically to sela@fumctaylor.org in the following order:

Your Name

Title of Devotional (Centered)

Scripture: Scripture verse(s), and version

Devotional: Word Limit: 300-500 words (with/without the Scripture text). Font: Times New Roman, 12 point

Prayer:

DATE: February 19, 2017
WHAT: 2017 Committee Training
FOR: S/PPR Committees, Finance Committees and Admin/Leadership Chairs
TIME: 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: First UMC, Killeen

Please mark your calendar and click on the link to register!

https://form.jotform.com/61296268642160

Mary Pearl Sutton
Edna Cowan
Roy Rogers
Chris Lair
Frieda Isbell
Don Hughes
Donna & Bob Keller
Charlotte Underwood
Steven Lee
Florence Finn
Carolyn Briggs
Melissa Hill
Charles Chenault
Jamie Avery
Suzie Barber              
Carol Bullion
Terry Dyer and Family
Donna (Vesta's daughter)
Linda Hilliard
Homebound
Fred Switzer
Florence Finn 
Paula Douglass 
Corene Dodson
Millie Whittington
Betty Ashworth 
Sarah Schwartz
*Names will remain on the Prayer List for 6 weeks unless requested otherwise. 
Thank you everyone for your generous giving! 

Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry

Please bring your canned good items and place them in our cart located in the fellowship hall. We will bless them on the last Sunday of the month and take them to the food pantry.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

SUNDAY

Children’s Sunday School classes include Nursery (ages 0-2), Preschool (ages 3-5), Elementary (ages K-5th), Middle School and High School. For information on Sunday School, please contact Blythe Cavender. 

Children’s Church is during the 10:30 a.m. service. 

Thursday
Thursday Night Children’s Ministry Program from 5:30-6:30pm. For information on Thursday nights, please contact Heather Lair or Melissa Burrow.



MOTHER'S DAY OUT

This week we will be learning about Sun & Rain and how both are so important to our lives.
 
Letter of the week “Q”
 
Our Bible story is about Jesus Heals the Paralytic – Mark 2
 

YOUTH MINISTRY
We are growing and we want you to come grow with us. We meet in the Youth Room each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and we are in the process of holding weekly gatherings. 

We are currently seeking a Director of Youth Ministry. If you're interested or know someone who may be interested, please visit our webpage for a job description and requirements. Thank you

Please be in prayer for this important ministry of our church. 
Sunday School Class Lessons 

The Mighty Mini Methodists (3-4yr.) 
Elementary & Youth Groups 
The Builders (Adults with Rev. Bob Walker) - Half Truths by Adam Hamilton
The New Horizons (Adults with Lisa & Mitch Drummond) - The Wired Word

Weekday Lessons
Monday, 9:15 a.m. Meets in the Fellowship Hall. Currently following the weekly lectionary texts. 
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Meets in various homes and church.
Lenten Devotionals
Many thanks to those of you who have turned in a devotional. I look forward to receiving yours. 

Children's Ministry
Huge thank you to Heather and Graham Lair and Melissa Burrow who are leading our Children's Ministry on Thursday evening. Please bring your children and their friends.

Acolytes 
A very special thanks to all of our acolytes who have participated so far during Sunday morning service: Conner Cobb, Tyler Cobb, Edwin Cavender, Lillie Mosher, Elijah Larison, Zoey Larison. They are a huge and important addition to our worship service. If your child/ren would like to participate and be an acolyte, please inform our Altar Guild coordinators for the month. You may also let the pastor or office know. 

Prayer Shawl Ministry
This important ministry of the church is back in gear for the new year. If you would like to take part and be in fellowship with these ladies (men are welcome), just show up at church on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 2 to 3:00  p.m. The prayer shawl ministry under the leadership of Vada Rose have made some beautiful warm hats. If you know someone that could use a hat in the cold, please take one or two. They are located in the narthex. 

Canned Food Drive
Many thanks to everyone who have been contributing to our canned food drive. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Take a hat and give it to someone in need. Compliments of Vada Rose and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. 
Acolytes 
A very special thanks to all of our acolytes who have participated so far during Sunday morning service. Acolytes are a huge and important addition to our worship service.

If your child/ren would like to participate and be an acolyte, please inform our Altar Guild coordinators for the month (Printed on the Sunday bulletins.) You may also let the pastor or office know. 
 
New Year. New Leaders. New Committee Members. New Goals.
You may download and review our current church committees and members from our website. 

Keep Our Earth Clean 
We need volunteers to take our recycles to the Recycling Center here in Taylor. It will only require being taken one or two times each month. Please call the church office to sign up for your month. 

January 29, 2017

Worship Attendance: 96  | Sunday School: 31

Counters
2/5 Shirley/Don
2/12 Brian/Charlene

Finance to Date
2017 Budget $172,985
Income: $11,834
Expenses: $11,378

Wayside Chapel
Wayside Chapel is open to the public during the week, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Need to spend time alone in prayer and in church, come to the chapel. 

February

Sunday, 2/5, 9:30 a.m. Circle 1 Meeting
Monday, 2/6, 9:15 a.m. Bible Study
Monday, 2/⁠6, 6:00 p.m. Worship Team Meeting
Monday, 2/6, 7:00 p.m. Stewardship Team Meeting
Wednesday, 2/8, 5:00 p.m. Evangelism Team Meeting
Thursday, 2/9, 2:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry
Thursday, 2/9, 5:30 p.m. Children's Ministry
Sunday, 2/12, 9:30 a.m. Valentine's Cookie Decorating Party by Circle 1 during Sunday School
Sunday, 2/12, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Family Feud Game Night
Monday, 2/13, 9:15 a.m. Bible Study
Monday, 2/13, 5:45 p.m. Nominations and Leadership Dev. Committee Meeting
Monday, 2/13, 6:30 p.m. Committee Meetings (Finance, Ad Council & Trustees)
Wednesday, 2/15, 7:00 a.m. Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Wednesday, 2/15, 5:00 p.m. Staff Conversation 
Thursday, 2/16, 5:30 p.m. Children's Ministry
Monday, 2/20, 9:15 a.m. Bible Study
Monday, 2/21, 7:00 p.m. MDO Meeting
Thursday, 2/23, 5:30 p.m. Children's Ministry
Sunday, 2/26 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Luncheon
Monday, 2/27, 9:15 a.m. Bible Study
Tuesday, 2/28, 3:00 p.m. Circle 6 Meeting, Geneva's Home
Tuesday, 2/28, 7:00 p.m. Glory Bound Bible Study

For a complete view of our church calendar, please visit our website. If you have a meeting or an event that needs to be added to the calendar, please send an email to office@fumctaylor.org

Stay connected with your church via text message. Just follow the instructions above. 

Sunday Announcement
If you have announcements for Sunday morning, please let the pastor know ahead of time if possible. If the announcement is relevant to the majority of the congregation and pertinent to visitors, by all means share your exciting news or mission highlight. Otherwise, it may be best to share the information via other platforms such as this newsletter. If you'd like your news shared here, please send them to the office: office@fumctaylor.org


Thank you for your consideration. 
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To view more photos, please visit our Facebook page.

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For Pastoral Emergencies after hours,
contact Rev. Sela Finau
817-874-3533 | sela@fumctaylor.org. 


First United Methodist Church
907 West Lake Drive
Taylor, Texas 76574
www.fumctaylor.org
512-352-2593 | office@fumctaylor.org 
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