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Rev. Casey Orr — The One Thing
Other Sunday Morning Offerings
VBS Celebration Sunday
2016 Costa Rica Mission Trip
Baptism 101
Monday Musers Summer Study Group
Pastor’s Bible Study
Wednesday Morning Summer Study Group
Children First at Lyle Lodge
July Mission Sundays
Desperate Need for Water at the Mission
MorningSong
Camp Barnabas
Traditional Worship | 9:30 am | Sanctuary | Rev. Casey Orr
VBS Celebration Sunday | 11:00 am | Sanctuary | Mister Mark Burrows
DiscipleChurch | 7:20 am | Community Breakfast | Wesley Hall
8:30 am | Chapel | Dr. Mike Marshall
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 | Rev. Tom McDermott
Lots to Celebrate!
This Sunday we have many things to celebrate as a church family, and our children will be front and center for the festivities. Our kids and volunteers will kick things off with VBS Celebration Sunday during the 11:00 am traditional worship service in the Sanctuary, followed by fun for the whole family on 5th Street. That’s not all. This is also your chance to sign up for 2016 Fall Children’s Academy classes and check out THE BIG REVEAL of our latest and greatest addition — the Children’s Wing Expansion! Join us to celebrate this happy Sunday at First Church.
“The One Thing”
Rev. Casey Orr
Luke 10:38-42
The story is brief and seemingly simple. While traveling, Jesus enters a village and approaches the home of a woman named Martha. She opens the door and welcomes him in as her guest. Jesus sits and speaks, sharing himself and his message. Martha’s sister, Mary, sits at his feet and listens to everything he has to say. Meanwhile, Martha is in the kitchen getting everything ready for their meal.
Clearly exasperated by her sister’s disregard for her effort, annoyed that Mary has not even bothered to offer her assistance, and overwhelmed by all there is to do, Martha interrupts Jesus to see if he has noticed Mary’s laziness. She wants him to back her up. She wants him to send Mary to the kitchen to share the workload.
But Jesus does not do what Martha wants at all. Instead, Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part.”
Other translations of Jesus’ response refer to Martha as anxious, troubled, upset, worked up, and fussing.
At first glance, it seems that Jesus is reprimanding poor Martha. But maybe he is reaching out to her as a friend and a pastor. Speaking her name twice, he begins to calm this overwhelmed host. And he gives her permission to let go — both of the perfection she is trying to achieve and the expectations she has for her sister. He wants her to enjoy her time with him, and he knows she will if she can let go of the things that are pulling her focus away.
How is your focus? How blurry is your vision? What is distracting and worrying you? What is preventing you from recognizing Jesus in your midst?
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary!
Rev. Casey Orr
Associate Pastor of Discipleship
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, July 17
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!
Surf’s Up!
You’re invited to catch this incredible wave at VBS Sunday — and tour our newly expanded Children’s Wing!
Lisa Helm
This week, 617 children were sitting on top of the world at VBS 2016: Surf Shack. FUMCFW was transformed into a sea of surfers eager to catch and ride the wave of God’s amazing love as the church opened all our classrooms, Wesley Hall, Leonard Memorial Chapel, the Justin Building, and the Sanctuary to share God’s love with this huge group of lively children. Some highlights of the week were Rev. Tom McDermott rocking out on the electric ukulele in Wesley Hall, Dr. Lamar Smith rapping at the assembly on Thursday, and Dr. Mike Marshall staying ever beach-ready with flip-flops, sunglasses, and a nose covered in zinc oxide for extra sun protection! Click here to continue reading.
Click here to read more posts from Lisa
Your Phone Call Could Brighten a Life!
Rev. Larry Grubb
How many homebound members would you guess that FUMC has? On our list there are 119 entries, and 25 of these are couples. That makes for 144 that we know about. Many of them live in their own home sometimes with caregiver help.
The others are in many various care facilities.
I mentioned that these are the ones we know about. In a church and community this size people frequently get lost. Sometimes they move locally, move in with family members, move out of town, move to a facility, change facilities and the church is not notified about these changes. Click here to continue reading.
Click here to read more posts from Larry
2016 Costa Rica Mission Team Returns With Amazing, Transformative Experiences and Stories to Share!
Rev. Chuck Graff
Our 2016 Costa Rica Mission Team just returned from serving for our 11th consecutive year, and every year our trips are more amazing and transformative. Following a four-hour, direct flight to San Jose, we stayed the first night in the Methodist Center (a former seminary and now a hospitality site for missionary teams, annual conferences, and leaders throughout Central America) just outside the airport. On the second day, we visited the new Methodist Children’s Home north of San Jose, an orphanage for street and abandoned children, taking medicine, shoes, towels, blankets, toys, and other needed items donated by our congregation (THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!). Click here to continue reading.
Click here to read more posts from Chuck
Visions and Dreams for Welcoming Prayer and Building Bridges in Dallas
Dr. Len Delony
These are unsettling, difficult times . . .
David Brooks wrote this week a sobering editorial about the path we have been taking as a country.
The hope he sees lies in the local communities where relationships can welcome and embrace the moment, and bridges can be built where everyone can play a part. It is in these mindful moments and places of grace where the better angels of our nature can prophesy visions and dreams of a better way. Usually, the most important part of discerning the right way is that we be open and trust in God’s promise, “I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you.” (Ezekiel 36:26) Click here to continue reading.
Click here to read more posts from Len
“The real question is ‘How Do You Do?’”
Rev. Tom McDermott
“You’re gonna wanna sing it,” my theology professor told our class as he entered the room. We were clueless. “It’s almost as unavoidable as taking a breath. You can’t really help yourself. You just gotta do it. So here goes . . .
‘It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Could you be mine? Click here to continue reading.
Click here to read more posts from Tom
HOSPITALIZATIONS
Dorthy Casten
Pat King
Spencer “Monty” Brown
Click here to see a list of upcoming programs and events.
Amazing, Transformative Experiences and Stories
from 2016 Costa Rica Mission Trip
The Costa Rica Mission Team has returned from their 2016 trip and they have a lot to share! In Rev. Chuck Graff’s blog, he says:
“We visited the new Methodist Children’s Home, an orphanage for street and abandoned children, taking needed items donated by our congregation. From there, we went on a rainforest train ride on the edge of the national forest to view plants and animals that we had never seen before in the vast beauty of God’s creation.
We then arrived in Puerto Viejo where we worked all week. This year we poured concrete floors, built frames, tied rebar, and laid block walls for Sunday School classes at a rural church site with half of our group, while the other half worked on the parsonage at the main site. At 3:00 pm, we would stop work daily to leave for rural churches near the pineapple and banana fields to lead our VBS sessions. We also worshipped with the local congregation on Sunday morning and Thursday evening.
Our Costa Rica Ministry (thanks to your prayers and support) is blessed to be part of a larger movement of Christianity and Methodism that is spreading across Central America. Our relationships with the people (which our groups says is an extremely important part of our reason for serving) continue to grow, and we need for our congregation to take some part in the spiritual and personal experiences and friendships that we share in this transformative partnership. We go to Costa Rica to serve and to give of ourselves as disciples of Jesus Christ, yet we are blessed many times over through the gifts we receive from God and the wonderful, loving, compassionate, welcoming people of Costa Rica and the churches we love.”
Click here to read more in Chuck’s full blog.
Baptism 101
Sunday, August 7
11:00 am | Room 230 | Led by Rev. Casey Orr | Registration required
Baptism 101 must be attended by first-time parents and/or parents whose older children were not baptized in a United Methodist Church. At the class, a pastor will discuss the history, theology, meaning, and responsibility of baptism. We will also go over logistics and steps to scheduling. Not to mention it’s a great chance to meet other young families. It is offered the first Sunday of every month at 11:00 am in Room 230. While the nursery is available during class time, babies and children are more than welcome to join! There is no cost to join the class; however, we do ask that you register online, or by contacting Gayle Ammerman (gammerman@myfumc.org) at 817/339-5091, so that we can prepare accordingly.
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Monday Musers Summer Study Group
June 13 – August 29
Mondays | 1:00 – 2:15 pm | Foundation Building, Room 271
Led by Dr. Mike Marshall
Pastor’s Bible Study
June 15 – August 31 (not meeting July 20 & 27)
Wednesdays | 6:30 – 7:30 pm | Room 231
Led by Rev. Lance Marshall
This offering is an open Bible study; no purchase or registration is necessary. The current focus of study is the Gospel of Matthew — with occasional detours into other texts and topic of discussion. This study welcomes both those who have never opened the Bible in their lives, as well as to those who study on a regular basis. Join us!
Wednesday Morning Summer Study Group
June 15 – August 31
Wednesdays | 9:30 – 11:00 am | Room 154
This class will examine how God’s presence is always around us, and how God moves in and through our world — even through the books we read and the movies we watch! The group is open all summer, so come when you can. Click here for more information, or contact Gayle Ammerman (gammerman@myfumc.org) at 817/339-5091.
Visit the Adult Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
Children First at Lyle Lodge
Sunday, August 7
10:00 am | Lyle Lodge
7179 Peden Road | Azle, TX 76020
Led by Dr. Mike Marshall
On August 7 we will have Children First out at Lyle Lodge. The service will start at 10:00 am in our outdoor pavilion. Afterward we will open the swimming pool (lifeguards on duty). And lunch is on us — Salsa Limón taco truck! So come join us for meaningful family worship in a beautiful setting, followed by the chance to relax with your family.
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.
July Mission Sundays
During the month of July, please bring diapers to:
First Street Methodist Mission | Monday – Thursday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
OR the donation bins at the East, West, & Garden entrances | Sunday mornings
For more information, contact Linda Murphy (lmurphy@firststreetmission.org) at 817/339-2404.
Desperate Need for Water at the Mission
Please bring bottled water to:
First Street Methodist Mission | Monday – Thursday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Temperatures are high, but the Mission’s bottled water supply is running desperately low. Many of our guests struggle with dehydration and other health conditions caused by a lack of water during the hot Texas summer. The Mission has an urgent need for more bottled water to help us provide as much relief as we can. For more information, contact Linda Murphy (lmurphy@firststreetmission.org) at 817/339-2404.
Visit the Compassion & Justice Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
MorningSong
July 10 – 31
Sundays
Performances | 9:30 & 11:00* am | Sanctuary worship services
Rehearsals | 9:00 & 10:30 am | 2nd Floor Choir Room
* 9:30 am only on July 17
“We’re always singing in the car, in the shower, humming at work, at play, etc. Now is the time to sing with others in the worship setting. It doesn’t matter if you have not been in choir — July is YOUR month to be part of a worship experience through song from the perspective of the choir loft. Come and worship through MorningSong!”
— Robert Stovall, Director of Music & Worship Arts
Continuing in the (new) tradition of Singing Men of First Church and Singing Women of First Church, we now invite our Senior Adults of First Church to join MorningSong on the morning of July 24 to sing “Hymn of Promise” by Natalie Sleeth. And then, on July 31, we invite our Young Adults of First Church (calling all youth choir alums!) to sing “Hope” by Mark Burrows. Come join us for MorningSong and enjoy the view only available from the choir loft! Rehearsals are 30 minutes prior to each service on these Sunday mornings in the 2nd Floor Choir Room. For more information, contact Robert Stovall (rstovall@myfumc.org) at 817/339-5074.
What is YourFavorite Hymn?
All music in worship is special and offered humbly to God. It’s time once again for us to lift our voices together and sing our favorite hymns! Here’s how it’s going to work this year:
Just before 9:30 am Sanctuary worship begins on July 17 and prior to the 9:30 and 11:00 am worship on July 24, Robert Stovall, Director of Music & Worship Arts, will be mingling in the congregation to ask for favorite hymns. Be ready to share your favorite, and he will choose a selection for us to sing together on July 24 and July 31 during Sanctuary worship!
Visit the Music Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
Camp Barnabas
July 23 – 29
Registration closed
Purdy, MO | $250 per person | Space is limited
Grades 9 – 12 (In the 2015 – 2016 School Year)
FUMCFW Youth are headed back to Camp Barnabas this summer for a week of swimming, camping, and playing with amazing campers dealing with mental disabilities. This is an incredible week of life-changing experiences sure to change perspectives, redefine disability, and spread God’s love in an unforgettable way!
“We want to show our volunteers what it looks like to serve others the way Christ calls us to serve, to look past physical appearances and instead, look at the heart.”
— from the Camp Barnabas Mission Statement
Visit the Youth Ministries page for more information on programs and activities.
HONORARY GIFTS
Healthy Plate in Honor of:
Rev. Casey Orr for her ordination by Caren Walker, Ann McIntyre, Kaye Thornton, & Danica Knight
First Street Methodist Mission in Honor of:
Linda Abel by Ruth Huber
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Campership in Memory of:
Anne Jennett by Ronald Jennett
DiscipleChurch Breakfast in Memory of:
Michael Bruster by Kay Watkins
DiscipleChurch Chapel in Memory of:
Dallas Police Officers by Kay Watkins
Foundation Memorial Fund in Memory of:
William S. Montgomery by Diane H. Dryden
General Fund in Memory of:
Carolyn & Herschel Winn by Eva & Neil Isbell
Faires Kuykendall by Eva & Neil Isbell
George Hopkins by Jane Ferguson
Mary Green by Eva & Neil Isbell
Mary Green by Mary Jane & Howard Crook
Methodist Justice Ministry in Memory of:
George Hopkins by Carol Harrell
George Hopkins by Valerie & Andy Ditterline
Liz Joplin by New Passages Class
Oates Foundation in Memory of:
Michael Bruster by Carol Harrell
Michael Bruster by Gaye Fuller
Michael Bruster by Joan Gaspard
Michael Bruster by Linda & Daniel Roe
Michael Bruster by Regan Landreth