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Dr. Tim Bruster — The Only Place to Live
Other Sunday Morning Offerings

Honors From Annual Conference
A Stole and a Smile for Rev. Casey Orr
Bittersweet Farewell to Roger Partridge
Snow Cones and Classic Autos
Beware of Phony Phone Calls
Outdoor Retreat Ministries 5th Street Celebration

Beginning Camping Basics
Grief Support
Monday Musers Summer Study Group
Pastor’s Bible Study
Wednesday Morning Summer Study Group

Vacation Bible School

June Mission Sundays

Singing Women of First Church
Cornerstone Youth Choir Tour
DFW Brass

Rising 7th-Grader Summer Mission Blitz
Vacation Bible School Volunteer
2016 Summer Mission Trip
Camp Barnabas

Traditional Worship | 9:30 & 11:00 am | Sanctuary | Dr. Tim Bruster

DiscipleChurch | 7:20 am | Community Breakfast | Wesley Hall
8:30 am | Chapel | Rev. Chuck Graff
9:30 am | Discussion Groups

Chapel Communion | 10:35 am | Chapel | Dr. Len Delony

nine:thirty-nine | eleven:eleven celebration | 9:39 & 11:11 am | Wesley Hall | Charme Robarts

Click here to view and download PDFs of our worship bulletins, posted weekly as soon as details are finalized!

“The Only Place to Live”

Dr. Tim Bruster

Luke 12:13-21

Third in the series: “Parables of the Realm of God”

Dear friends,

Once someone in an inheritance dispute with his brother wanted Jesus to make his brother divide the inheritance. Jesus responded, “Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?” Then he said, “Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” It was after that when he told the parable that is the focus of my sermon this Sunday:

“The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

This Sunday is Father’s Day. I celebrate fathers and those who are like fathers to many. I celebrate grandfathers and great-grandfathers. But as a father my temptation on Father’s Day is to preach to myself about fatherhood. Not strictly in celebration — although there is most certainly plenty of that — but also in challenge. This parable challenges me to pay attention to my own tendency to live in the future to such an extent that I miss out on important moments with those most important to me. It was my father’s tendency and I have worked hard to avoid that. He died at age 58 when I was 16, never quite getting around to living in the only place to live — the present.

When Susan and I got married, my mother said, “Don’t save all your money for some future time. Don’t live for some future time. Live your life as you go along.” I imagine she said that to us because of her experience with my father. He provided for us and planned and planned for the future, but missed a lot of living because he was too busy to live in the present. To use the words of Jesus’ parable, he built “bigger and better barns” so he could “live at ease” — and then he was gone. The fact is, the present is the only place we can live. Without question the past is important and certainly planning for the future is important — but the only place we can live is in the present.

Considering all this made me think of the 1938 Thornton Wilder play, “Our Town.” In an especially poignant moment of this play, a character named Emily, who has died during childbirth, comes back to relive her 12th birthday. The memory proves too painful for her as she notices that no one stops and really looks at one another. She asks the unforgettable question: “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? — every, every minute?” So, going back to our parable, what does it mean to be “rich toward God?” I think it’s about living in the present and paying most attention to what’s in front of you. It’s so easy to get caught up in always looking toward the next thing to do — to get locked into that future focus  — and to follow the notion that when we get to that next place or do that next thing or achieve that next milestone, then we’ll start really living. But when we really examine this parable, we see that Jesus is telling us otherwise. Live in the now — it’s really the only place to live.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Dr. Tim Bruster
Senior Pastor

 Other Sunday Morning Offerings

The Gathering | 9:30 am | Room 350 | Rev. Lance Marshall

This new and different First Church Sunday morning offering led by Rev. Lance Marshall offers a casual and relevant opportunity for prayer, study, topical exploration, and high-spirited connection free from typical worship or Sunday School structures.

nine:thirty-nine celebration | 9:39 am | Wesley Hall | Rev. Tom McDermott

This engaging experience of laughter, storytelling, and message, infused with the music of Elizabeth Wills, Brad Thompson, and the Revolution Band, offers a nontraditional, unorthodox, and transformative 50-minute worship experience. If you’re ready to “reconnect your spirit without disconnecting your mind,” join us Sunday mornings at 9:39 or 11:11 am in Wesley Hall. Discover new insights into radical community, the universal love of God, and living for the healing and transformation of our world. Come casual, bring your family, and join the celebration!

Connections | 10:30 – 11:00 am & noon – 12:30 pm | Garden & Wesley Hall

Each Sunday, Wesley Hall will be set up and ready to offer members, visitors, and guests from all our different Sunday morning worship and study opportunities a chance to visit, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy a Sunday morning treat.

Click here to see classes meeting this Sunday, June 19

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!

Faith in Action: Road Trip to Waco

Roger Partridge

Last Tuesday I filled my car with passengers with a huge desire to go to Waco, Texas. While it seems like that statement would only apply to a Baylor football game or maybe a shopping trip to Magnolia Market, I’m not interested in either. What did attract this carload of enthusiasts to Waco was the service of ordination for our very own Rev. Casey Orr. The annual conference for our Central Texas Conference was held in Waco this year, so it made for a prime road trip opportunity. During this meaningful service, Casey was ordained as a deacon in full connection. Dr. Tim Bruster and Casey’s mentor, Rev. Donna McKee, stepped forward with her as she received the blessing from Bishop Lowry. Click here to continue reading.

Click here to read more posts from Roger

It’s Official: the Lazy Days of Summer are Here!

Lisa Helm

When I was growing up, one of my favorite summer sounds was the snow cone truck. This Sunday, I invite everyone to join me on 5th Street for Kona Ice snow cones (it’s still my favorite summer treat!) and classic cars as we honor fathers and father figures.

Beat the heat between services this week as we enjoy Connections on 5th Street!

See you Sunday, Click here to continue reading.

Click here to read more posts from Lisa

When Father’s Day is Hard

Charme Robarts

I’ve posted this article the last couple of years, hoping it will be helpful if you are having a hard time with Father’s Day. Feel free to email me if you want to share your feelings.

Maybe as you’ve watched the TV commercials or passed by the card aisle at Target, you’ve felt a pain in your gut about Father’s Day. All the sentimental words, and happy pictures of fathers and children hugging and playing may bring you sorrow. Families can be complicated, and the holidays sometimes make for particular difficulty. Click here to continue reading.

The 5 W’s and 1 H of God: WHEN Things Fall Apart

For many people the path of life eventually comes to the cold waters of a faith crisis. That crisis can take shape in many different ways, and it may begin against the backdrop of strong faith, weak faith, or no faith. Faith crisis is not the result of only one kind of religion or worldview; it is not a respecter of persons or religion.

For some the crisis may be like a defiant fist shaking at the universe or a sullen sauntering into the hinterlands of the psyche. For others it feels like an existential loneliness, a moving through life, struggling for meaning while the language of God and God’s will fills your airwaves and remains in the mouths of the people you love — and you know the words, but you no longer understand them. Click here to continue reading.

Click here to read more posts from Charme

Amazing Grace aka “The Spiritual Practice of Welcoming Prayer and Building Bridges” — Part 2

Dr. Len Delony

We have what we need . . . but we need to get better at knowing what we have . . .

OK — Here’s a pop quiz: What is the last line of the first verse of the song “Amazing Grace”? . . . Don’t peak now! . . .

And the answer, of course . . . “Was blind, but now I see.” Click here to continue reading.

Click here to read more posts from Len

NEW MEMBERS

BAPTISMS

HOSPITALIZATIONS

Spencer “Monty” Brown
Elizabeth “Liz” Joplin

BIRTH

Caroline Stovall was born on Monday, June 13, 2016.
Proud family includes: parents, Lisa & Ryan Stovall, brother, Preston, & sister, Kate.

Click here to see a list of upcoming programs and events.

Honors From Annual Conference

Following the 2016 Central Texas Annual Conference in Waco, Texas, FUMCFW has some exciting news to announce:

Our own Executive Pastor Rev. Page Hines was elected as Vice Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, which enlists, equips, and sustains leadership for the current and future ministries of Jesus Christ and the United Methodist Church. “This is a real honor for Page,” says Dr. Tim Bruster, “and it’s a vote of confidence by her fellow clergy on the Board of Ordained Ministry.” Page is the first deacon to be elected to this position, and only one other woman has served as chair. “I think some of our conference’s most important work is conducted by the Board of Ordained Ministry, so to be elected to this position is a huge honor and a humbling responsibility,” Page says. “As a clergyperson, deacon, and woman, having this kind of seat at the table is an incredible opportunity.”

FUMCFW member Carl Stenger was honored for his 35 years of service in the area of church growth and development. Dr. Tim Bruster describes Carl as “an amazing longtime church member who was extremely involved in the life of our church in a number of capacities. Carl was a very popular teacher and member of our congregation, and although they have now moved to Allen, Texas, we all still miss both Carl and his wife, Sharolyn, very much.”

Heartfelt congratulations to both Page and Carl! We are so proud of the many ways in which our staff and members serve our church and our denomination year after year.

A Stole and a Smile for Rev. Casey Orr

“From youth ministry, to discipleship, to ordination, I have loved every layer of ministry.”

— Rev. Casey Orr

Five years ago, Rev. Casey Orr was FUMCFW’s Director of Youth Ministries. Today Casey is our Associate Pastor of Discipleship, and last week she was ordained as Deacon in the United Methodist Church. Just as she says she has loved every bit of it, so has our faith community. Casey has been here for our church as a leader, co-worker, and friend — with a hand to hold, shoulder to cry on, and laugh to share. She is not simply a minister; she is an important part of our First Church family.

While she is still on her final stretch of maternity leave, Casey took some time out from baby duty to share some of her ministry experiences with us. From graduating youth to renovating buildings to baptizing other little ones — plus an exciting new project in the works — she has been through a lot with our church. She’ll tell us about her calling as a pastor, her greatest accomplishments, her plans for the future, and much more.

Click here for some behind-the-scenes Q&A with Casey. She will be back at FUMCFW this coming Sunday, and we will celebrate her ordination and return as a church family. Be sure to look for Casey in the traditional Sanctuary worship services — she’ll be the one up front with a stole and a smile.

Congratulations and welcome back, Casey!

Bittersweet Farewell to Roger Partridge

“It is with a very heavy heart that I submit my resignation from FUMCFW. I’ve loved serving with this staff and congregation, and am so grateful for the support I’ve received from all. My last day here will be June 30; I am leaving to work with the Gladney Center for Adoption in raising funds to assist families through the adoption process.”

— Roger Partridge, Director of Stewardship

We are sad to announce that earlier this week Roger Partridge, Director of Stewardship, resigned to pursue an opportunity with the Gladney Center for Adoption. While we are happy for Roger in this opportunity in which we know he will shine — and we know well the gifts he will offer the Gladney staff — it is bittersweet for us as a staff and church family to say goodbye.

Although we will miss Roger tremendously, we have been blessed during our time with him here and wish him well on his journey ahead. “When I think about Roger, I remember first how involved he has been in so many places in our church,” says Dr. Tim Bruster. “Sometimes it has felt like he has mastered omnipresence! Roger has been so engaged in so many places — meeting people, building relationships, and supporting the ministries of our staff members — that to use the ‘the team player’ cliché is something of an understatement. We will deeply miss Roger. I will miss his leadership, the staff will miss his congeniality, and the congregation will miss his smile, energy, and caring commitment to our church. We wish him all the best as his ministry continues, wherever he goes from here.”

Thank you, Roger. Please keep in touch and know that the prayers of our First Church faith community follow you wherever you go.

Click here to watch Roger perform a handbell solo, just one memory of the many ways he has been involved here at First Church.

Beware of Phony Phone Calls

We have received several reports over the last few weeks about a man pretending to represent FUMCFW, while he is actually using our name for a property rental scam. According to those contacted, he claims he is one of our pastors on temporary assignment with Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. He then proceeds to offer low rates on real estate properties in an attempt to gain personal information or money. Be on the lookout for this type of scam under the pretense of missionary names, and do not give out your information if contacted.

Snow Cones and Classic Autos

Sunday, June 19
10:30 – 11:15 am & noon – 12:30 pm | 5th Street 

In honor of fathers, fatherhood, and father figures everywhere, everyone is invited to our festive First Church Father’s Day celebration on 5th Street. Enjoy Kona Ice snow cones (for the throwback price of just $1), browse a fascinating array of classic autos, and celebrate this special day together. See you on 5th Street!

Outdoor Retreat Ministries 5th Street Celebration

Sunday, June 26
9:00 am – 12:30 pm | 5th Street

Camp out with FUMCFW Outdoor Retreat Ministries at our annual 5th Street Celebration! This is your chance to get the details about our upcoming outdoor retreats and hear stories from past campers. You can also check out camping gear and shelters, including special RVs, tents, and our very own cargo trailer. Plus, sample some tasty Dutch oven cooking to get the full experience. Take a break from your fast-paced world to step outside and learn all about this growing ministry! For more information, contact Rev. Chuck Graff (cgraff@myfumc.org) at 817/339-5065.

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Beginning Camping Basics

Sunday, June 26
11:00 am – noon | Room 340 – 341
Led by Claudia Blalock & Marcos Jorge

Want to take your friends or family camping outdoors in God’s beautiful creation, possibly to a state park or with FUMCFW? In an hour, we will teach you about sleeping bags, pads, and tents to guide you in your purchases or equipment rental. Food preparation and stoves will be briefly discussed. Questions are welcome and tent setup will be demonstrated. No charge nor registration is required. For more information, contact Claudia Blalock (claudia.blalock@att.net).

Grief Support

June 1 – 22
Wednesdays | Noon – 1:15 pm
Foundation Building, 2nd Floor Counseling Room
Registration required

Led by Charme Robarts, certified Grief Recovery Specialist and Community Advocate, this group is focused on providing participants with tools and basic understanding of ways to handle grief that are healthy and lead to healing. Participants have the opportunity to share their story and to listen to others. Through the giving and receiving of support and attention, grievers often find comfort and renewed hope. To register, email Charme Robarts (crobarts@myfumc.org).

Monday Musers Summer Study Group

June 13 – August 29 (Not meeting July 4)
Mondays | 1:00 – 2:15 pm | Foundation Building, Room 271
Led by Dr. Mike Marshall