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CONNEXION E-NEWS FUMC TAYLOR, JANUARY 20, 2017 
Sunday, January 22, 2017

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

This Sunday is Ecumenical Day and its focus is on Christian unity. As a matter of fact, churches around the globe pray for Christian unity from January 18-25 each year. The theme for this year is "Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us" to proclaim reconciliation in word and deed (2 Corinthians 5:14-20). This year, the theme and praying for Christian unity is particularly important for various reasons. 

    1. We celebrate God’s love and grace, and are reminded that it was in the year 1517 that the German scholar and monk, Martin Luther, reflected the main concerns of the people and church in his famed document called Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences also known as the 95 Theses. Nailing these documents on the Wittenberg Castle church doors, Luther’s questions and concerns over Catholic dogma led to the beginning of the Protest-ant Re-formation (Note: The word protestant is derived from the word protest). The story of Christianity is really fascinating and I encourage you to learn more about our past. 

    2. We recognize the pain of the subsequent deep division which afflicted the Church and how it continues to affect us today. May we always remember our original and deep connection to our sisters and brothers in the Catholic and Orthodox faith traditions. As we celebrate our 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, may we always remember that in the beginning when the church was born, and before the various denominations as we have it today, there was one church. 

    3. As we welcome the 45th president of the United Stated of America into office, may we above all else remember we are first sisters and brothers in Christ, and everything else comes second, third, and so on. We have one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. Regardless of where we stand on the political and social spectrum, may we extend grace to everyone whom we differ and offer an opportunity to take steps toward reconciliation. May we pray for President Trump, everyone in his cabinet, and everyone in congress. Let us pray for Mr. Trump’s presidency that he will demonstrate love, grace, justice, and peace for all. 

Let us give thanks to God for all churches. As we recite each Sunday in our Affirmation of Faith, we believe in the holy catholic (universal) church. Let us pray for Christian unity. Let us pray for all people regardless of their religion or non-religion. Let us pray for our country. Let us pray for the world. May God heal our hearts and help us to spread peace. “Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.” We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen

This last Sunday was Human Relations Day, a day that focuses on relationships with all of God’s children. To help us live this out more fully, we were challenged to do something nice for someone each day for 7 days, and it could not be the same person. I hope you are meeting the challenge. You will be given an opportunity to share your story in worship on Sunday. Our message for this Sunday will come from 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. 

Stay encouraged, hopeful, and blessed. See you on Sunday!

Sela

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. 

What is MinistrySafe?  

MinistrySafe is the official abuse prevention system for all churches in the Central Texas Conference (CTC). Adopted by the 2014 Central Texas Annual Conference as the conference’s required abuse prevention system, MinistrySafe provides churches a comprehensive system of resources to assist in the design and implementation of safety systems, which reduce the risk of sexual abuse of children, youth and vulnerable adults. The MinistrySafe system includes these foundational components:
  • A MinistrySafe policy in each congregation;
  • Volunteer/staff screening, including an application, interview and reference check;
  • Appropriate criminal background check for volunteers/staff;
  • Online training for volunteers/staff;
  • A unique control panel for each church to assist in record keeping during each part of the process, and automatic renewal of training;
  • Monitoring tools for periodic review of the system.
Question? Talk with Blythe Cavender, Children’s Ministry Director or Joanne McDaniel in the Church Office. You may also download and review a copy from our website's MinistrySafe page

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:

Mary Pearl Sutton
Edna Cowan
Roy Rogers
Chris Lair
Paula Jackson
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 take them to the food pantry at the end of each month.

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. 

  • Jan 26th: Valentine Day Cardmaking: a chance to serve, come make Valentine's for seniors.



MOTHER'S DAY OUT

The power to fight evil and protect...Kids love Super Heroes! This week we will talk about our favorite heroes and learn how Jesus is our biggest Super Hero of all.

Our letter will be "S"
 
The Bible story will be the Wedding at Cana – John 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) 
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.
Children's Ministry
Huge thank you to Heather and Graham Lair who are helping out with our Children's Ministry on Thursday evening. Melissa Burrow have also joined the Thursday evening children fun. Please be in prayer for this important ministry of the church. 

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, and Lillie Mosher. 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. 

Trustees
We are very grateful for our trustees who help not only maintain the physical appearance of our church, but also in helping with our safety with proper lighting, security cameras, walkways, cleaning gutters, directional signage, and so many other things that we often are unaware of and take for granted. 

Per request from our Ministry Safe Committee, this week we are especially grateful to Frank Chavana who relocated all of the wooden pallets that were leaving against the storage fence and moved them inside. For the safety of all children, there is now a combination lock on the fence door. If you need this combination, please check with the office or Trustees.

Canned Food Drive
Many thanks to everyone who have been contributing to our canned food drive. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Thursday Evening Children's Ministry
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: Conner Cobb, Tyler Cobb, Edwin Cavender, and Lillie Mosher. 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 (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 15, 2017

Worship Attendance: 98  | Sunday School: 22

Counters
1/22 Bobby/Sandra
1/29 Brian/Charlene

Finance to Date
2017 Budget $172,985
Income: $7,605
Expenses: $11,233

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. 

January

Sunday, 1/22,    11:30 a.m. Fellowship Luncheon
Monday, 1/23,  6:30 p.m. Stewardship Team Meeting
Wednesday, 1/25, Check-Out (End of Year Report) Due
                              5:00 p.m. Evangelism Team Meeting
                              6:00 p.m. Choir
Thursday, 1/26, 5:30 p.m. Valentine's Day Cardmaking for seniors (Children's Ministry)
Tuesday, 1/31 7:00 p.m. MDO Meeting

February
Sunday, 2/5 9:30 a.m. Circle 1 Meeting
Monday, 2/⁠6, 6:00 p.m. Worship Team Meeting
Sunday, 2/12 9:30 a.m. Valentine's Cookie Decorating Party by Circle 1 during Sunday School
Monday, 2/13 6:30 p.m. Committee Meetings (Finance, Ad Council & Trustees)
Wednesday, 2/15 7:00 a.m. Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Sunday, 2/26 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Luncheon

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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