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Tim Bruster — Live a Fruitful Life
Roger Partridge — Faith In Action: Your Year-End Giving
Lisa Helm — You Can’t Judge a Book (or a Building) by its Cover!
Honoring Our Veterans and Military Personnel
Member Spotlight: Jim Barrow Leading on a Jet Plane
Book Study: Falling Upward by Richard Rohr
High School Retreat
Revolution Weekend 2016: Get Dirty
First Street Methodist Mission New Volunteer Orientation
Food Delivery for Thanksgiving Baskets
November Mission Sundays: Hats, Gloves, and Scarves
Spectrum Concert Series: Music to Your Ears
This Sunday’s Worship Opportunities
Traditional Worship | 9:30 & 11:00 am | Sanctuary | Dr. Tim Bruster
DiscipleChurch | Community Breakfast | 7:30 am | Wesley Hall
Chapel | 8:30 am | Rev. Page Hines
Discussion Groups | 9:30 am
Chapel Communion | 10:35 am | Chapel | Dr. Len Delony
eleven:eleven celebration | 11:11 am | Wesley Hall | Charme Robarts
First 7th | 5:30 pm | Wesley Hall | Rev. Lance Marshall
Live a Fruitful Life
Dr. Tim Bruster
Galatians 5:13-17, 22-25
Dear Friends,
In the fifth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he describes the FRUITFUL LIVES of those who belong to Christ and are open to God, the Holy Spirit, working within them. He writes:
“. . . the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” He doesn’t stop at describing that life, but he also calls the Galatians — and I believe he calls us — to LIVE it. He writes:
You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour each other, be careful that you don’t get eaten up by each other!
I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires. A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. They are opposed to each other, so you shouldn’t do whatever you want to do.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit.
This Sunday, continuing our series on the Apostle Paul, we’ll look at Galatians 5:13-17, 22-25 and ask the question of ourselves, “What are the tangible results in my life that come from my relationship with God?” It’s just another way of asking, “What kind of fruit am I bearing in my life?”
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Tim
Click here to see classes meeting on Sunday, November 8
Every Sunday morning, groups of adults meet in FUMCFW Sunday School classes to enhance their spiritual growth and enjoy fellowship with other Christians. We have classes for a variety of demographic groups, with many different class personalities and styles. Visit the Adult Sunday School page to learn more!
Click here to see who’s blogging this week, posted each Friday!
Throughout each week, our FUMCFW bloggers (staff, lay leaders, and others wanting to share thoughts and information related to First Church programs, events, and activities) write on a variety of topics. And, while you can always find the latest posts on our blogs link at the top of every page, we also send each week’s collection out every Friday under the “Who’s Blogging This Week” subject line.
Click here to see a list of upcoming programs and events
Faith In Action: Your Year-End Giving
Roger Partridge
As the end of 2015 approaches, I have been getting a number of questions about making year-end financial gifts to our church. To help you sort through your options, here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your year-end gifts to FUMCFW are processed by December 31, 2015, to be applied to your 2015 tax year. Thank you for helping our church end its 2015 financial year on a strong note with your year-end gifts!
Outright Gifts
Making an outright gift to FUMCFW can maximize your charitable deduction and confer immediate benefits to the church. There are two options for making an outright gift. You can: Click here to continue reading.
You Can’t Judge a Book (or a Building) by its Cover!
Lisa Helm
When Fort Worth Business recently listed our church among Fort Worth’s “Best Downtown Buildings,” it wasn’t surprising to most of us. We all know and appreciate the awe-inspiring beauty of our church’s beautiful Gothic Revival architecture, along with the warmth and charm of our sanctuary that more modern churches simply can’t match.
But sometimes I think it’s because of our beautiful Gothic exterior that people assume we’re an “old” or “stuffy” church, which couldn’t be further from the truth! Click here to continue reading.
Honoring Our Veterans and Military Personnel
Sunday, November 15
10:15 am – 12:15 pm | Welcome Center
I recently had the honor of officiating the memorial service for BV Shaw, father of church member Trish Shaw, at the DFW National Cemetery. BV was a courageous civilian flight instructor for the Army Air Corps in the early years of WWII. He loved God, taught Sunday School, and inspired in his children, Bryan and Trish, a love for flying leading to their flight careers. Prior to the service, I walked around rows and rows of numerous graves of men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, in Vietnam, in Korea, and in WWII. It was humbling to see fresh graves of those just returning from the Mideast — often young men and women in their 20′s and early 30′s. We continue to pray for peace. Our Lay Ministry Committee and congregation will honor all veterans and active military personnel on the Sunday following Veterans Day with a special gift at a table just outside the Welcome Center. We appreciate this opportunity to honor you all!
Chuck
New Members
Known Hospitalized
Francis Batchelor
Yale Lary
Barbara McWhorter
Ed Petrushka
Lori Peugh
Col. Warner “Tex” Rankin
Jim Rohleder
Ellen Rosenstein
Ross Sandlin
Diane Siegel
Dr. G. Douglas Tatum Jr.
In Memoriam
Doris Klabzuba
Jeanie Sandlin
Births
Landrie Judith Jarrett was born Wednesday, October 28, 2015.
Proud family includes: parents, Christine & Brandon Jarrett and grandfather, Chris Lokey.
Member Spotlight: Jim Barrow Leading on a Jet Plane
“Our flight woke the world up to what we can really do to help.”
— Jim Barrow, FUMCFW member and pilot for volunteer flight missions
There are so many ways to serve, but it’s not every day a luxury jet is filled with goods to help others. A team effort to aid Syrian refugees recently transformed an entire aircraft by replacing its seats with supplies. A Boeing 737 plane that is usually reserved for luxury flights was packed with a 25,000-pound shipment containing everything from baby formula and diapers to medical equipment.
This same aircraft was used to deliver medical equipment to Liberia during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Donations funded the trip to supply seven tons worth of gloves, goggles, gowns, and more to help fight the Ebola virus. And on its very first mission in 2013, the volunteer crew helped take several of the firefighters who were tragically killed in the deadly Arizona wildfires back home with their families for a memorial procession in their honor.
The impact of these first few missions is immeasurable, and they won’t be the last. Our very own Jim Barrow piloted the plane, and FUMCFW is proud to share his unforgettable experiences of serving others through these missions. We are so thankful to Jim for having the courage to lead the way.
Click here to read the full story.
Pictured above from left to right: László Pavelcze, Director and Rescue Commander for Hungarian Baptist Aid Rescue 24; Jim Barrow, FUMCFW member and Director of Operations for ATX Air Services; and Dr. Béla Szilágyi, Vice President of Hungarian Baptist Aid
Photo courtesy of Bertalan Feher
Have some exciting news about an FUMCFW member that you would like to share? This section of the E-news is the perfect place to do just that! Please send your information to Caroline Petty (cpetty@myfumc.org) and we will include your story!
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Book Study: Falling Upward by Richard Rohr
November 4 – 18, 2015
Wednesdays | 10:00 – 11:00 am | Room 230
November 8 – 29, 2015
Sundays | 1:00 – 3:00 pm | Room 230
Led by Dr. Len Delony
In Falling Upward, Father Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and show them that those who have fallen, failed, or “gone down” are the only ones who understand “up.” Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about getting old, dealing with health issues, and letting go of life, but the whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. What looks like falling down can largely be experienced as “falling upward.” In fact, it is not a loss but somehow actually a gain, as we have all seen with elders who have come to their fullness. Click here to purchase the book on Amazon. For more information, contact Dr. Len Delony (ldelony@myfumc.org) at 817/939-4593.
Visit the Adult Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
Visit the Children’s Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
Visit the FUMC Day School page for more information on programs and activities.
First Street Methodist Mission New Volunteer Orientation
Tuesday, November 17
2:30 pm | First Street Methodist Mission
Please join the staff of First Street Methodist Mission to learn about the services and ministries offered at the Mission and how you can join our volunteer family. Orientation will be held on the third Tuesday of each month. Orientation will include a tour of the facility, information about the various services provided, and how to begin volunteering. For more information, or to sign up for the orientation, please contact Elizabeth Becker (ebecker@firststreetmission.org) at 817/339-5068.
Thanksgiving Baskets
Join hearts and hands to provide 800 local families with a holiday meal.
Food Delivery For Thanksgiving Baskets
Friday, November 20
6:00 pm | Wesley Hall
Thanksgiving Basket Assembly And Pickup
Saturday, November 21
8:00 am – 1:00 pm | Wesley Hall
Food items for Thanksgiving Basket Assembly will be delivered on Friday, November 20, and volunteers are needed to help unload them. On Saturday, November 21, First Street Methodist Mission will assemble 800 Thanksgiving baskets. Volunteers are needed to help assemble boxes of food, package fruit and vegetables, and welcome guests and case managers. For more information or to sign up to volunteer on either day, please contact Linda Murphy (lmurphy@firststreetmission.org) at 817/335-6080, ext. 103.
November Mission Sundays: Hats, Gloves, and Scarves
During the month of November, please bring hats, gloves, and scarves to:
First Street Methodist Mission
Monday – Thursday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
OR in the donation bins at the West, East, & Garden Entrances | Sunday mornings
For more information, contact Elizabeth Becker (ebecker@firststreetmission.org) at 817/339-5068.
Small Gifts. Big Difference.
Visit the Compassion & Justice Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
Spectrum Concert Series: Music to Your Ears
Monday, November 9
7:00 pm | Leonard Memorial Chapel
“If you’ve never been to a chamber music concert before, you’ve got to try it.”
— David Hermann, founding member of Spectrum
Be sure to catch the first Spectrum Concert of the 2015 – 2016 season, this coming Monday evening in Leonard Memorial Chapel. In this concert, the Spectrum, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s professional chamber music ensemble, will feature Allan Steele, principal cellist for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO). Together with Peggy Graff, pianist, Allan will perform “Six Studies in English Folk Song” by Ralph Vaughan Williams. This piece of chamber music is a collection of six English folk songs for cello and piano. Allan is an extremely talented cellist, and we are excited that he will be featured in this Spectrum Concert.
Spectrum partners with FUMCFW to provide a free performance venue that is open to the Fort Worth community and surrounding areas. Join us for the upcoming concert for some never-before-seen performances. From light entertainment to folk songs, it will be music to your ears.
Click here to read the full story. For more information, please contact Peggy Graff (pgraff@myfumc.org) at 817/339-2405.
Visit the Music & Worship Arts page for more information on programs and activities.
High School Retreat
November 14 – 15
Saturday 8:00 am – Sunday 11:00 am | Lyle Lodge | $20
Register and Pay Online Now
High Schoolers! We will be heading back out to Lyle Lodge to unplug from the world, and find rest and peace in the midst of our own slice of community with one another. We come back the next morning in time to put together boxes for Thanksgiving Baskets for First Street Methodist Mission!
The Gathering at the Marty Leonard Chapel
Sunday, December 6
2:00 – 3:00 pm | Lena Pope Marty Leonard Chapel
3131 Sanguinet St. | Fort Worth, 76107 C
Cornerstone Youth Choir will be singing at The Gathering at the Marty Leonard Chapel. It is a community concert with several choirs coming together to sing. Church member Jeff Donahue coordinates this special musical performance.
Revolution Weekend 2016: Get Dirty
Crafted by God. Made for a purpose.
January 16 – 18, 2016
Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center | Grades 7 – 12
Youth: $100 11.1 – 11.15 | $125 11.16 – 12.6 | $150 12.7 – 1.3
Adults: $50
Guest Speaker: Dwight Johnson | Musical Guest: Bus Seven
Click here to register and pay as a youth
Click here to register and pay as an adult
It’s that time again! Our big winter retreat, Revolution Weekend, is coming up and we want YOU to join us January 16 – 18 down at Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center! Click here to see what you can look forward to at Revolution Weekend 2016: Get Dirty and why you will want to be a part of it.
Visit the Youth page for more information on programs and activities.
