TEACHERS & TOPICS | MEMBER NEWS | CHURCHWIDE NEWS
SAVE THE DATE | MINISTRY NEWS | GIFTS AND MEMORIALS
THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Traditional Worship | Sanctuary | 9:30 & 11:00 am | Dr. Tim Bruster
Special Music: Adoramus with the Singing Girls of Texas present Vivaldi’s “Gloria”
DiscipleChurch | Community Breakfast | 7:30 am | Wesley Hall
Worship | 8:30 am | Chapel | Rev. Casey Langley
Discussion | 9:30 am | Foundation Building
Chapel Communion | 10:30 am | Chapel | Dr. Len Delony
Special Music: Elizabeth Wills
eleven:eleven celebration
11:11 am | Wesley Hall | Rev. Tom McDermott (Click here to read Tom’s blog)
First 7th | Worship | 5:30 pm | Chapel | Rev. Casey Langley
Discipleship Discussion Groups | 6:30 pm
Click here to view and download PDFs of this Sunday’s worship service bulletins.
Believe
Dear Friends,
This week, the Third Sunday in Advent, we’ll continue our exploration of the Real Christmas by taking a look at the messages from the movie, Elf, with the first chapter of John and our scripture for this week, Mark 1:14-15.
The place where all these thoughts connect for me is around the word, “believe.”
The root of “believe” has a connection with the root for “beloved;” to believe, at its root, really means “to hold dear” — or to deeply love. In this sense, believing is not just a cognitive or a rational act, but much, much more than that. To believe, in the deeper sense, it not simply a rational ascent to a set of propositions, but a profound trust.
Click here to read the rest of Tim’s blog.
Looking for the Perfect gift?
Honorary and Memorial gifts are a one-stop, one-size-fits-all perfect way to honor everyone on your list, as well as the memory of loved ones.
This Christmas season, use our Advent Giving Catalog (online here or in the Welcome Center and Main Office) to find just the right “fit” — the giving opportunity that most touches your heart this holiday season.
Ways to Give
1) View the Catalog and Donate Online
2) Sundays (9:00 am – 12:30 pm) in Room 147
3) Drop a check off in the Main Office of the Church*
*Write the ministry’s name you are donating to on the memo line of your check (attach note for multiple donations using one check)
Honorary & Memorial Cards
Honorary & Memorial cards can be printed online at time of donations or picked up in Room 147 on Sundays and in the Main Office during the week. If you would like for the church to mail the Honorary/Memorial card to the recipient please provide the recipient’s name and mailing address with your check.
TEACHERS & TOPICS
Click here to see classes meeting on Sunday, December 14
MEMBER NEWS
NEW MEMBERS
BAPTISMS
KNOWN HOSPITALIZED
Dr. David Grant
Tyler McGuire
Arden McKinney
Barbara Wren
BIRTH
Luke Tanner was born November 26, 2014.
Proud parents are Lissy & Chase Tanner.
IN MEMORIAM
Joe Ambrose
THIS WEEK DURING ADVENT:
Click here for complete information on all of our Advent activities!
BLESSING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS
Lay Ministry Hospitality Initiative
December 7 & 14 | Pick up boxes for treats
9:00 – 9:30 & 10:30 – 11:11 am | Welcome Center
December 7 – 20 | Deliver treats to local first responders
Share hospitality with others by baking goodies and taking them to local fire and police departments. Click here for more information, or contact Sammye Dunn (sammyelou9@gmail.com) or Rev. Chuck Graff (cgraff@myfumc.org) at 817/339-5065.
12.16 & 17 PRE-SCHOOL CONCERTS
2 year olds | 10:00 am | Wesley Hall
3’s, 4’s, & K | 11:00 am | Wesley Hall
There’s really nothing like the joyful noise of young children singing their favorite Christmas songs with all their hearts to amp up your holiday spirit. Join us for these sweet expressions of Christmas joy.
12.20 WINTER CONCERT
FEATURING PETER MAYER AND ELIZABETH WILLS
6:00 pm | Annual Winter Drum Circle
(drums provided — or bring your own!)
7:00 pm | Doors open
7:30 pm | Music begins | Wesley Hall
Free parking across the street
Enjoy coffee, pastries, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider
Click here for more information. Click here to buy tickets for $20 or at the door with cash or check.
12.14 CHRISTMAS CHEER
2:30 – 5:30 pm | Starting in Wesley Hall
Join us for this special day of service AND fun! Christmas Cheer begins with caroling groups traveling to downtown assisted living facilities to celebrate God’s love through song and fellowship. Then it’s back to Wesley Hall to celebrate the joy of Christmas with carriage rides, flip books, a Christmas card station, and cookie decorating. If you have questions or would like to volunteer your musical talent as a musician or song leader or if you would like to help with set up in Wesley Hall, contact Elizabeth Marshall (emarshall@myfumc.org) at 817/339-5096.
2014 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
Looking for a daily pick-me up that connects the fun and frivolity of your favorite holiday classics with their deeper meanings and
reflections? Click here to follow our GPS Daily Devotional, Advent Edition, one day at a time — or pick up your printed copy of our complete 2014 Advent Devotional in the Welcome Center or Main Office.
FIRST PEOPLE
Have some exciting news about an FUMCFW member that you would like to share? This brand new section of the E-news is the perfect place to do just that!
Please send your information to Lisa Helm (lhelm@myfumc.org) and we will include your story!
MATTHEW AND MICHELLE PHILLIPS THANK FUMCFW
FOR THEIR TUMCA SCHOLARSHIP
When Matthew and Michelle Phillips, children of Tony and Nancy Phillips, received an unexpected letter from Bishop Dan E. Solomon, it contained a very special surprise that placed them among the sixty-plus students across Texas awarded a TUMCA scholarship to help fund their Texas Wesleyan education.
Each year, every local United Methodist church in Texas pays “apportionments,” or specified amounts of funding, to the Texas United Methodist College Association to help Texas United Methodist students attend TUMCA colleges and universities. While members of our congregation may or may not be aware of these annual apportionments we pay as a congregation, it’s important to realize that this is just part of the real support we help provide as part of the greater United Methodist faith community to enable our young people to pursue higher education in a faith-focused environment.
“We want to give a big thank you to FUMC for paying their TUMCA apportionment,” said Matthew and Michelle in this open note to our congregation. “As a result, we were awarded scholarships to help with our tuition at Texas Wesleyan University. We have been fortunate to be a part of this congregation our whole lives from infant baptism to high school graduation. We are thankful that our Methodist experience can continue at Texas Wesleyan University.”
MINISTRY NEWS
(Click on the name of a ministry below to skip directly to their news)
CHILDREN | ADULTS | YOUTH | MISSION
CCT | CCM | MWA | OUTREACH
Hello Families!
We want to celebrate with you! This week is packed with opportunities to experience in the wonder of this time of year. Check it out:
Christmas Cheer: A Churchwide Caroling Event & Christmas Celebration
THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
Caroling │ Meet in Wesley Hall │2:30 pm
Christmas Celebration │ Wesley Hall │ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Christmas Cheer begins with caroling groups traveling by charter bus to assisted living facilities in our area to celebrate God’s love through song and fellowship. Then it’s back to Wesley Hall for a Christmas party with carriage rides through downtown, a holiday flip book photo booth, cookie decorating and a Christmas card creation station! Please extend this invitation to your friends and family, and be sure to wear your most festive holiday garb! Special thanks to Danielle Walker for chairing this meaningful event.
Practice as a Family: Click here for a pdf of this year’s songbook. We encourage you to sing these carols with your children throughout the week to prepare. Copies of the songbook will be provided to each caroler at the event.
Volunteering: Would you like to volunteer your musical talent as a carol leader, guitarist or keyboardist? Or perhaps you’d enjoy helping children make Christmas cards or decorate cookies? Check out our simple volunteer opportunities and sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4badae28a5fb6-christmas. If you are volunteering as a musician, we are happy to provide you with sheet music in advance, if needed (see attached songbook for list of carols).
Donations of Warm Clothing: If you would like to bring a donation to Christmas Cheer, we will be collecting warm clothing (new scarves, gloves, hats and coats) for boys and girls size infant through young adult. These donations will go to children in need in Fort Worth.
We look forward to spending time with you and your family as we celebrate the joy of Christmas and spread the message of love and hope throughout our community.
Blessings,
Mark
Visit the Children’s Ministry page for more information on programs and activities.
Visit the FUMC Day School page for more information on programs and activities.
PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE: STRONG MARRIAGES BUILT TO LAST
Sundays in February 2015
Foundation Building | Room 274
$100 per couple | Register by 1.26 Childcare available
Led by Joy Allen, LCSW, M.Div.
Joy Allen, LCSW, M.Div. is committed to helping couples create positive, respectful relationships with passion and health. This workshop helps couples to quickly recognize and develop strategies for approaching issues in their relationship that may limit their satisfaction. Participants will develop an understanding of the differences in each other’s personality, and explore powerful means of enhancing the intimacy and satisfaction they desire for their lives together. Cost includes materials as well as an individual session with Joy Allen. Click here to register or by contacting Marianne Wilson (mwilson@myfumc.org) at 817/339-5071. For more information contact Dr. Mitzi Ellington at 817/907-3243.
2015 LIVING THROUGH GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
Sundays | Jan. 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, & 22
9:30 am | Foundation Bldg., 2nd Floor
Charme Robarts will lead the group along with Rev. Phyllis McDougal.
For more information, contact Rev. Phyllis McDougal (pmcdougal@myfumc.org) at 817/339-5082.
Visit the Adult Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
REVOLUTION WEEKEND 2015: #SELFIE — “WHO AM I? WHOSE AM I?”
January 17 – 19, 2015
Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center | Grades 7 – 12 | $125 for Youth | $50 for Adults
Guest Speaker: “Werm” | Musical Guest: Bus Seven
Hey Youth Families!
It’s that time again! Our big winter retreat, Revolution Weekend, is coming and we want YOU to join us January 17 – 19 down at Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center!
Many of you have been a part of this awesome 3-day weekend trip before; if you haven’t here’s what you can look forward to at Revolution Weekend 2015: #SELFIE and why you will want to be a part of it:
Three days at Glen Lake Retreat Center for a weekend of fun, worship, friends, and so much more!
An AMAZING band, Bus Seven, back for the third year in a row, to lead worship with us, PLUS an AWESOME speaker named Werm (he’s got GIANT hair)!
A mix of big group and small group time, so everyone gets to meet new people and mingle with the whole group — and get to know one another in small group settings!
Engaging and empowering worship that invites teenagers to know whose image they are made in — God’s!
A chance to get away and spend time with friends and with God!
Click here to register and pay online now for what is going to be another amazing Revolution Weekend: #SELFIE! See you there!
Share your photos from Youth Events:
Downtown Scavenger Hunt | Middle School Retreat | Cowtown Brush Up | First Wednesday Dinners | High School Retreat
Please make sure you allow your photos to finish uploading before exiting the page!
Click here to learn more about our photo sharing feature.
Visit the Youth page for more information on programs and activities.
12.14 LOOKING FOR SOME CHRISTMAS GIFTS
AND A WAY TO SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE?
9:00 am – Noon | Room 147
Come browse our selection of handmade Kenyan nativity scenes, handcrafted Kenyan ornaments, scarves, jewelry, cosmetic cases, bags and more! All of these beautiful items from Kenya make wonderful gifts — so come get some of that Christmas Shopping out of the way and support a great cause since all proceeds benefit the African Orphan Endeavor!
1.11.15 KENYA MISSION TRIP INFORMATION MEETING
Noon | Room 154
The 2015 Kenya Mission Trip is fast approaching. If you or someone you know might be interested in FUMCFW’s Kenya ministry or are thinking of attending the 2015 Mission Trip, please join us to learn more about this life changing opportunity!
Food 4 Kids is a ministry of First Street Methodist Mission that will send food home for the weekend for 100 kids at I.M. Terrell Elementary during the school year.
GROUP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
September 7, 2014 – May 31, 2015
Any Sunday, for an hour between 9:00 am – Noon
Get a group together and sign up online now to fill backpacks with food! It’s a great opportunity to spend time with friends and do something meaningful! Each group needs a minimum of 8 volunteers.
Questions? Contact Elizabeth Becker, Mission Director, (ebecker@firststreetmission.org) at 817/339-5068. Thank you for your help!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO HELP FILL BACKPACKS
Visit the First Street Mission Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
Visit the Outreach Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
Visit the CCT page for more information on programs and activities.
Visit the CCM page for more information on programs and activities.
Visit the MWA page for more information on programs and activities.
GIFTS AND MEMORIALS
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Christmas Memorial Fund In Memory Of:
Ms. Shirley Jackson by Kay Watkins
Feed the Flock In Memory Of:
Rev. George Warren by Sharolyn & Carl Stenger
Wanda Ballard by Sharolyn & Carl Stenger
Bobby Bragan by Sharolyn & Carl Stenger
First Street Methodist Mission In Memory Of:
Dale Jeffers by Friendship Force of Fort Worth
General Memorial Fund In Memory Of:
C.L. Turner by Mr. & Mrs. Roy Dowdle
Justice Ministries In Memory Of:
Wanda Ballard by Mary Alice Chandler Selcer
Ralph Beaver Scholarship Fund In Memory Of:
C.L.Turner by Dr. & Mrs. Ed Reiter, Betty Carruthers, James Malloy
Thanksgiving Baskets In Memory Of:
Mr. James Kent by Jean Kent
Mr. & Mrs. C. W. Kent by Jean Kent
Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Burch by Jean Kent
Rev. John Flynn by Jean Kent
C.L. Turner by Jean Kent
Dale Hulsey by Jean Kent
Doris Smith by Dell Smith Wood
HONORARY GIFTS
Foundation Honorarium Fund:
Happy Holidays to Sid Johnston from Pat & Shelby Adams
Happy Holidays to Linda & Hank Bilman from Deborah Cunion
Foundation Mission & Outreach Fund:
Happy Holidays to Dr. Bill Longsworth from Marty Harman
General Honorarium Fund In Honor Of:
Rev. Phyllis McDougal by Leigh Marks
Thanksgiving Baskets In Honor Of:
Rev. Larry Grubb by Doris Jacks