First United Methodist Church Temple Weekly Word 5/3/2020

Weekly Word 5/3/2020

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The Church Office is closed to visitors until further notice. When you call the church office please leave a voicemail, we will return your call.

All activities are canceled until further notice.

Please join us on Sundays at 11am for our live stream traditional service. Our Contemporary service is also on our website and available to you on Sundays
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE
fumctemple.org/church-online

Our church will celebrate Holy Communion during our two worship service broadcasts on May 3. In preparation for this meaningful time of recalling God's greatest promise to us, we hope you will gather bread and juice for all who will worship with you. Further instruction will be given during the worship broadcast. Click on the link for a short message from Pastor Kit: https://fumctemple.org/church-online#text-3697852

Memory Verse: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. “ John 3:17

Dear Church,

In this very different moment of shelter-in-place orders, when all aspects of life are changing by the day, it is comforting to remember that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NRSV). A recent announcement from Governor Abbott have left many wondering about our church’s plans for the immediate future. We write to address that.

Since January, we have been able to broadcast worship services each week online at www.fumctemple.org/church-online and over the radio on KTEM 1400 AM (Sundays at 9am) because of the dedicated service and expertise of our communications team and musicians. We are learning, adapting and investing more resources each week in order to provide meaningful and reverent worship services for people to access from anywhere. We celebrate that, even in these days, we are reaching new people with the hope of God’s love.

Our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world persists. The Children’s Ministry and Student Ministry have not missed a beat, as they rolled out lessons, devotionals, and thought-provoking videos to our youngest disciples. Many of our adult classes have continued, too, with great results. The Christian Collage class jumped into the virtual meeting waters headfirst and has seen their attendance increase by nearly 50%. Wonderful volunteers have called congregants, delivered groceries and facilitated online gatherings of various groups.

We plan to stay the course and continue to offer broadcasted worship services for the next two Sundays. We regret that we are not able to provide a definite timeline for resuming in-person worship and promise to keep you updated when we do have that information. Until then, our staff and lay leadership will continue to consult with civil authorities, medical professionals and United Methodist leaders in order to assess when it is appropriate to resume in-person gatherings and what procedures are necessary to facilitate that transition in a safe manner.

We are so grateful for how you support the church by your prayers, presence (virtual), gifts, service, and witness and look forward to the joyous occasion of coming back together.

Together, we will continue to share God’s love with our community as we host the Shop, Drop and Roll donation drive on May 6 from 9am-6pm in support of local family violence survivors.

LOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE STOP, DROP AND ROLL EVENT IN THIS ISSUE OF THE WEEKLY WORD.

In Christ,
Pastors Tom, Brian and Kit

Shop Drop and Roll Drive Benefits Family Violence Victims

In partnership with AWARE Central Texas, FUMC Temple is hosting a Shop, Drop and Roll Drive to collect basic foods and household items for distribution to local victims of family violence.

SHOP for any items on the list, keep all items in their original packaging and place them in your car’s trunk.
DROP by the church on May 6 from 9am-6pm. Stay in your car, we’ll unload your donated items.
ROLL on to your next destination.

Please see the attached list for more information.
Click here for the list of needed items.
Contact: brian.longley@fumctemple.org or 254.773.5269

Word from Kay Birkholz……..Adult, Women, Program Ministries
     I am missing my church family so much, and thankful that I have had special time with so many of you by telephone, mail, Sunday school (Zoom), Bible study (Zoom), and deliveries to your doorsteps (with my mask). I’m  finding the joy in this time to pray for and check on you. Let me know if you need anything.
     Speaking of door deliveries, the new Upper Room devotion books have arrived (May & June edition). These come in regular and large print and on a first come basis. With the church office closed just e-mail me your address, Howard and I are offering curbside to your home for these books. kay.birkholz@fumctemple.org
     Tuesday Women’s Bible study continues an 8 week study, “It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way”, finding unexpected strength when disappointments can leave you shattered by Lysa Terkeurst, on Zoom every Tuesday from 9:00-10:30. The book is a great read with scripture and video option (women watch in their homes) Study encourages us that our disappointments, failures, and the unexpected can actually serve in helping us grow closer to Jesus.
     Several adult Sunday school classes continue to have weekly study on Zoom. Howard and I have thoroughly enjoyed staying connected to our Christian Collage class led by Phillip and Bette Snyder. Janet Hill reports that Contemporary Christians are meeting on Zoom.
     I look forward to being with Dangerous Women led by Ilene Miller Wednesdays on Zoom at 6:30.
     Continue to read Weekly Word for more exciting things to happen at FUMC as we slowly move back together.

FUMC TEMPLE OFFERS ELECTRONIC
GIVING

Are you looking for a way to continue giving regularly to the church, even if you are gone on vacation? Sign up to make your gifts to the church through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This is probably the most safe, simple and convenient way to be sure your gifts are made regularly to the church. Go to our website fumctemple.org/giving

Meet With a Pastor After Worship May 3

The pastors will be available to visit and pray with you from 12-12:30pm Sunday May 3, 2020. We will meet by Zoom, and each member will be assigned a private virtual "meeting room" for a confidential visit with a pastor for prayer, to make a profession of faith, or to join the church. Join the call clicking this link: https://zoom.us/j/6886735392 or call 1 (346)-248-7799 and enter Meeting ID: 688 673 5392. We are working on a toll free calling option and will make that information available to you as soon as possible.

Our directory helps us call each other by name. Is your profile
accurate? It’s easy for YOU to update your photo and contact
information. Access our Church Directory through our website:
fumctemple.org. Church members, do you need a username and
password? Contact Melissa Piland in the church office.
melissa.piland@fumctemple.org
*If you are a new church member, contact Melissa for a username and password.

FUMC Communications

Over the past few weeks we have had many questions about getting the special member of the week information. If you wish to receive this information on Sundays it is on the bulletin that is sent on Sunday mornings from our Announcements email address. If you wish to be included in these emails please let Melissa know. Melissa.piland@fumctemple.org or call the church office (254-773-5269) and leave a voicemail with your email address to be included. Your address will be added immediately If the special member information is all you need email Melissa, melissa.piland@fumctemple.org, and she will will get back to you with that information.

Pen Pal Program Offered

This program is available to all ages and will pair together all those who are interested in corresponding with one another during this time of social distancing. Our hope is that through this program, you will

be encouraged

inspire one another as you grown in your faith in God

share some of the positive (and not so positive) aspects of personal life in this odd season

be in touch at least once per week

Pairings will be made by Pastor Brian
Contact: brian.longley@fumctemple.org or 254.773.5269

FUMC TEMPLE PRESCHOOL reaches out to their
students with chapel every Tuesday on Facebook at 9:30 a.m. Our lesson this week is based on the book “If You Give A Pig a Pancake” and “If You Give A Pig a
Party”. Our letters of the week are P, I, and Z. We have story time on Facebook on Monday and Fridays.

Blood Donations Needed at Baylor Scott and White. Make an appointment to give blood at www.bswblood.com or 254.724.4376 The mobile blood bank is stationed in the parking lot so that you may donate without entering the hospital.

Feel like you've watched all of Netflix? Ran out of shows on your DVR? We have an AMAZING streaming option for any member of your family! Check out https://fumctemple.org/church-online/amplify to register for your Amplify digital
media account. You can create an account on your
computer, smart phone/tablet, or if you have a smart TV (Roku, Fire, Apple TV, etc) you can add the Amplify channel! Watch Bible studies, wonderful content,a documentary about FUMC Temple! and even some amazing kid options you can feel safe letting your children browse through (that match current curriculum in the Children's department!). If you have any questions that are not answered on the FUMC website, Amanda is happy to help - reach out to amanda.herridge@fumctemple.org or leave a message on her voicemail at the church office number (254-773-5269) and she'll walk you through it.
Have a blessed day & enjoy!

SPECIAL MEMBER OF THE WEEK THANK YOU!

Dear Members,
I cried tears of joy reading all the cards and letters you all have sent me. Thank you, you made my week! Makes me proud to be a member of the best (in my opinion) church in Bell County.
Many Thanks, Bill Brodie

First United Methodist Church
102 North 2nd Street
Temple, Texas 76501
(254) 773-5269