August 16, 2013
Friends,
This past Sunday we began looking at Paul’s image of fruit to describe a Christian life. Just as a tree bears certain fruit according to what kind of tree it is, so it is with our lives. Just as a healthy tree bears healthy fruit, so it is that our spiritual health influences the kind of person we are and the life we live. The fruit of our lives, in other words, can be a kind of indicator of how our discipleship is doing—how closely we are following Jesus. READ MORE
CHURCHWIDE NEWS
CONNECT!
Watch your email for the link to the summer issue of CONNECT!
Printed versions will be mailed and available in the Welcome Center next week.
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD
8.16 | 8.17 | 8.18
Fun for the whole family!
Friday, August 16 | 7:00 pm
Saturday, August 17 | 2:00 & 7:00 pm
Sunday, August 18 | 2:00 pm
A Year with Frog and Toad, a delightful, Broadway musical that’s fun for all ages will be hopping onto our Wesley Hall stage for four performances of our annual churchwide musical August 16-18. Tickets will be free, but reservations are encouraged to assure plenty of seating and refreshments! And, while this is truly a musical for the whole family — and a little something geared for all ages — childcare is available with reservations for little ones unable to make it through the show’s hour and a half runtime.
Make your reservations online at www.myfumc.org.
For more information, please contact Janis Rathburn (jrathburn@myfumc.org)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR LA TRINIDAD
Rev. Chuck Graff is serving temporarily as part-time interim pastor at La Trinidad UMC and the Diamond Hill Mission until a full-time pastor is appointed in November.
Says Chuck, “I hope and pray that the new relationships we create together with our brothers and sisters at La Trinidad and Diamond Hill will last beyond this short-term commitment to serve there until a new, fulltime pastor can be appointed. I welcome your ideas on how you might like to support and participate with us, and I hope that you will come and visit our ministries when you are available.”
Please contact me if you would like to receive additional information at 817/339-5065 or at cgraff@myfumc.org, or visit us anytime! Anyone interested in supporting La Trinidad is welcome to help with the following opportunities:
• We will be cooking hot dogs for families beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, August 23, at the Diamond Hill Church. We will then be sharing the food, Back To School Packets and shirts with the children and their families from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at that location. Please come and join me that day as we serve others on the north side of Fort Worth.
• We are also serving food at the Rangers home games at station 115 if you come to the ballpark.
WANTED:
Sanctuary Hearing Devices
Hearing Devices are available in the back of the sanctuary for those who need them. Please ask an usher for a hearing device and return the device to an usher at the conclusion of the service. Several of our hearing devices are unaccounted for and we are asking for your assistance in locating them. If you see a hearing device in the sanctuary or have inadvertently taken one home, please return it to the church. Thank you!
“LET THE CHILDREN COME” CAMPAIGN
The Outreach Ministries of FUMC are devoted to making a difference in the lives of children living in poverty. Whether these children are served through the First Street Methodist Mission, the Children’s Outreach Ministries or the Justice Ministry, our goal is to make a difference in the lives of children who, through no fault of their own, are living in poverty.
Please make a difference by designating your check in the offertory to “Let the Children Come Campaign” or click HERE to donate online.
MINISTRY NEWS
ADULTS
SUNDAYS 8.18 & 8.25
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE
WITH DR. DAVID GRANT
6:00 – 7:00 pm | Room 154
Come to one or all sessions of this free, four-week course. Dr. David Grant, Professor of Religion at Texas Christian University for 30 years, will present an introduction to the Bible focusing on three simple but very important questions: What is in the Bible? Who wrote the Bible? How should we use the Bible? For more information, please contact Gayle Ammerman (gammerman@myfumc.org).
FALL ADULT STUDIES 2013
This fall we offer a variety of social, literature and bible studies to choose from!
Register in the Adult Education Office
Sundays | August 25, September 1 & 8
9:00 – 12:00 pm
Web & Social Media 101
Sundays | 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Sept. 8 – Oct. 27 | Wesley Hall
United Methodism 101
Sundays | 6:15 – 7:30 pm
Sept. 8 – Oct. 27 | Wesley Hall
Women’s In-Depth Bible Study
Mondays | 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Sept. 16 – May 11
Room 272 | Foundation Building
Men’s In-Depth Bible Study
Tuesdays | 7:00 am | Room 154
Disciple Bible Study I
Tuesdays | 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Sept. 10 – May 27 | Room 231
Thursdays | 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Sept. 12 – May 29 | Room 231
The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions
Tuesdays | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Sept. 17 – Nov. 12 | Room 231
Bible Study: History of Paul
Wednesdays | 9:30 – 11:00 am
Sept. 11 – Nov. 20 | Room 231
Short-Term Disciple Bible Study
Daytime | 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Wednesdays | Sept. 4 – Dec. 18
Evening | 6:00 – 7:15 pm
Wednesdays | Sept. 11 – Dec. 18
Room 350
Wednesday Night Theology Academy
Second Wednesdays | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Wesley Hall
Mission & A Movie
Wednesdays | 6:30 – 8:00 pm | Wesley Hall
Sept. 25 | Oct. 23 | Nov. 20
Thursday Theologians
Sept. 19 – Dec. 5 | 9:15 – 11:00 am
Room 350
POPs (Parents of Preschoolers)
Book Discussion Group
Second Thursdays | 9:45 – 10:45 am
Sept. – Feb. | Room 230
Registration information:
Gayle Ammerman
(gammerman@myfumc.org)
at 817/339-5091
Childcare reservations:
Paula Wagstaff
(pwagstaff@myfumc.org)
at 817/546-4414
Scholarship and class information:
Rev. Gena Anderson
(ganderson@myfumc.org)
at 817/339-5067
CHILDREN
PARENTS’ DAY OUT HAS OPENINGS FOR THE 2013 – 2014 SCHOOL YEAR!
Monday/Wednesday/Friday spots from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm are available for children ages 3 months – 23 months. You can chose 1, 2 or 3 days. Contact Paula Wagstaff, PDO Director (pwagstaff@myfumc.org) at 817/546-4414 to register or for more information.
2013 FALL ACADEMY
Registration for our 2013 Fall Academy has been great — so great in fact, that two of our classes — Treasure Hunters and Visual Arts — are completely FULL.
The good news is we still have spots available for many other wonderful classes:
Younger children K – 2nd:
Stomp, Boom, Blast
Threadbare Puppet Studio
Mad Scientists
Legos
Older children 3rd – 5th:
Legos
Guitar
Faith in Action
For more information contact Nikki McInnis (nmcinnis@myfumc.org).
FIRST 7TH
BIBLE AND BAGELS
SUNDAYS | 9:00 – 10:00 am | Einstein’s Bagels on 7th
This casual Sunday morning gathering is a great opportunity for people who have never participated in a Bible study or small group meeting before. It’s a REALLY good place for people who are interested in learning more about Jesus or Christianity in a no-pressure, comfortable environment. For more information, visit First7th.org or contact Lance Marshall (lmarshall@myfumc.org).
FIRST STREET MISSION
AUGUST MISSION SUNDAYS:
COLLARED SHIRTS
Throughout August, please bring collared shirts (without logos) to the First Street Methodist Mission during regular donation hours, Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, or to the Welcome Center on Sundays. Remember: Small Gifts, Big Difference!
HOME START-UP KITS
Do you have any spare, new or gently used towels and sheets? The Mission includes these items in our home start-up kits and supplies are low. Contact Rev. Page Hines (phines@firststreetmission.org) at 817/339-8881.
ROOM AT THE INN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday nights in July and August, our First Street Methodist Mission provides respite from the oppressive summer heat to 12 homeless men. To make this vital ministry happen, we need volunteers willing to clean laundry, cook breakfast or spend the night with our guests. Training is provided; please contact Rev. Page Hines (phines@firststreetmission.org) or Elizabeth Becker (ebecker@firststreetmission.org).
It’s time to link your KROGER PLUS CARD to First Street Methodist Mission for the 2013 -2014 Kroger Community Rewards Program so that a percentage of your purchases supports the work of First Street Methodist Mission. If you do not have a Kroger Plus Card, you can pick one up at the customer service desk at any Kroger location. To link your card online, go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com. and use the Mission’s NPO number 82783 to link your card to FSMM. Just one more way that your small gifts can make a BIG difference!
YOUTH
8.25 – ALL YOUTH FAMILY MEETING
9:30 – 10:30 am | The Justin Building
Casey and Martin will lay out the new school year schedule, programming and some exciting changes! Youth will be registering for Sunday School classes, signing up for programs throughout the year, and learning about the upcoming Justin renovations. Please make it a priority to have at least one parent in attendance at this short meeting. There will be a lot of new information and opportunities you don’t want to miss.
MEMBERS
BIRTHS
William Walker born Friday, August 9.
Parents Scott & Danielle Walker
Thomas West Poole born Thursday, July 25
Parents Kelly Decker and Olyn Poole
BAPTISMS
Elise Liberty
daughter of Julie and Eric Ledford
Campbell Kristine
daughter of Sarah and Jeremy Hutcheson
KNOWN HOSPITALIZED
Nan Shelton
Betty Fox
IN MEMORIUM
James Rainbolt
Jeff Moorse
Dr. Bruster continued:
As I thought about that for my own life and my conversations with others, I think you and I need indicators like that. So, here’s another image I introduced on Sunday from my experience of being a private pilot: the scan that a pilot does of the instrument panel and the airspace outside during a flight. Just as a pilot develops the habit of scanning the instruments inside and the airspace outside to be aware of what the plane is doing and how the plane is in relationship to its surroundings, so we need a similar habit. I think of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control as “instruments” or indicators of the nature of my followership in relation to Jesus as I look inside myself and outside of myself in relation to others.
In the sanctuary services on Sunday we’re taking a look at three instruments in the scan: patience, kindness and generosity. I invite you to join me in these days leading up to Sunday in taking a good long look at these facets of your life. Join me in asking and honestly answering some questions: How patient am I with the faults, mistakes, and foibles of others—and how aware am I of my own? Am I kind and do I express that kindness to all and in concrete ways? Am I really generous in giving of myself—my time, my talents, my influence, my intellect and my money?
I look forward to seeing you!
Grace and Peace,
Tim
COMMUNICATIONS CORNER
Do you have an eye for great photographs and videos? A nose for news? An ear trained for stories that could make a difference? A few hours a week to help the communications team find and tell the stories that matter to our faith community? We want you! In anticipation of our brand new website set to launch this summer, our fall issue of Connect magazine (the summer issue is headed your way in the next few weeks!) and exciting new opportunities to tell our stories using these new vehicles, we’re looking for volunteers to work with our dynamic, revamped Communications Committee to form editorial, photography, videography, and social media teams. For more information or to join our volunteer list, please contact Lisa Helm (lhelm@myfumc.org) at 817/339-2403 and we’ll be delighted to tell you more!
