Connexion E-News FUMC Taylor 2/17/2017

CONNEXION E-NEWS FUMC TAYLOR, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Sunday, February 19, 2017
8:30 Worship Traditional with Communion
9:30 Sunday School (Children and Adults)
10:30 Worship Traditional

This past Sunday during worship, we were blessed to hear the children sing, “Magic Penny.” This song has replayed in my head over and over again the entire week. So now, sing along with me:

Love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

It's just like a magic penny,
Hold it tight and you won't have any.
Lend it, spend it, and you'll have so many
They'll roll all over the floor.

For love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

Continue singing it for the remainder of this week. :) All kidding aside, the lyrics to this song is so true, love is like a magic penny, it's something to be given away. If we try to hold on to it, whether love or money, we lose it. We end up with no love and no money at all, or at least with no real purpose or meaning. But if we give it away through loving other people and sharing our blessings with others, we’ll end up gaining more love, happiness, and people in our lives. Perhaps this may be because we're not the source of love or money. God is the source of love and all financial blessings. We are God's distribution channels. When we understand it this way, that we are not the source or owners of love and money, it's easier to manage it and give it away. I hope that we have been good managers and distribution channels for God and have shared some love with several of God’s people this week.

With giving and sharing in mind, the Evangelism and Stewardship Teams have been gearing up for the Lenten Season. All will be revealed on Sunday, February 26, during worship.

Our challenge for this week was for us to follow and practice the 1st commandment of Loving God with all of our hearts, minds, and souls. How have you lived that out this week? You will be given an opportunity to share on Sunday. You may also choose to pass or to let me know ahead of time your response or not to call on you.

This coming Sunday, our message will come from Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18.

Stay encouraged and faithful.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Sela

The church office is in the process of updating our contact records. We would like everyone to fill out all information in the registration books with current address, phone numbers and email addresses. Also, we would like your month & day of birth. You may also send the church office an email office@fumctaylor.org with your updated information. Thank you for your assistance!

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 as a word document, pages, or similar 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

Betty Brown
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
Donna (Vesta's daughter)
Linda Hilliard
Linda Clevenger's Family
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.

“The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is a community event where everyone can join in the fight against cancer. Teams participate overnight and raise much-needed funds to support the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives from cancer by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.”

The event includes entertainment and family activities. This year’s event is on April 2, 2017, 6pm-midnight, and will be held at Taylor Memorial Field. Please call Debbie Grimm for more information, 512-718-2310.

If you would like to make a donation (sug. $10) and have a Luminaria in memory of someone lost to cancer or in honor of someone still fighting or who has beaten the disease, please contact the church office for a form. If you would like to organize a team for the church, please also contact the office.

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.

Feb. 23 Arts & Crafts

MOTHER'S DAY OUT

Thunderous steps, eating high from tree tops, swimming the deepest depths of the ocean and soaring through the sky...Brontosaurus, stegosaurus, pterodactyl...this week we will learn about the fascinating dinosaurs that use to roam our earth.

Letter of the week “D”

Bible story of Loaves & Fishes - John 5

Feb. 23^rd Class Picture Day

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.)
Month of February “God Loves Me” series

Feb. 19 God Loves My Family
Feb. 26 I Can Love God Back

Elementary & Youth Groups

Feb. 19 & 26 The Ten Commandments

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 Bible Study with Tenth Street United Methodist Church

We will be studying Adam Hamilton's "24 Hours That Changed the World," dealing with the crucifixion. Studies will be Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. at Tenth Street UMC, from March 8 to April 12, skipping March 15. Each of the five sessions will last one hour and will be co-led by Revs. Travis Summerlin and Sela Finau.

Valentine's Party
Thank you so much to Circle One for the Children's Ministry Valentine's Party during Sunday School. Great job also for teaching and leading the children in singing "Magic Penny" during worship. An unforgettable song, like, literally! :)

Family Game Night
Special thanks to the Missions and Outreach Team for an awesome Family Feud Game Night. Thank you for going the extra mile with organization, beautiful decorations, and prizes for all. The evening was filled with good food, friends, and laughter. I am so grateful to see God at work in our midst.

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 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. 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.

Family Game Night, Sunday, February 12, 2017
A great meal before our Family Feud game.
Special thanks to the Missions and Outreach Team for going the extra mile with organization, beautiful decorations, and prizes for all.

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.

February 12, 2017
Worship Attendance: 98 | Sunday School: 28
February Communion Offering: $50

Counters
2/19 Shelli/Frank
2/26 Marsha/Jim

Finance to Date
2017 Budget $172,985
Income: $17,348
Expenses: $21,543

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
Monday, 2/20, 9:15 a.m. Bible Study
Tuesday, 2/21, Glory Bound Bible Study
Tuesday, 2/21, 7:00 p.m. MDO Meeting
Thursday, 2/23, 5:30 p.m. Children's Ministry
Thursday, 2/23, 7:00 p.m. Stewardship Meeting
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

March
Wednesday, 3/1, 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service

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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