FUMCFW Weekly News 1.13.17

The church will be closed Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Fit First Classes (Yoga and Boot Camp) will not meet on Monday.
First Street Methodist Mission will offer services as usual.

THIS SUNDAY

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

DiscipleChurch | 8:30 am | Chapel | Dr. Mike Marshall

The Gathering | 9:30 am | Wesley Hall | Rev. Lance Marshall

eleven:eleven celebration | 11:11 am | Wesley Hall | Rev. Tom McDermott

More Ways to Worship

Live Stream | Join us live online on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am for Children First (first Sunday of each month), 11:00 am for Traditional, and 9:30 am for The Gathering, and at 11:11 am for eleven:eleven celebration.

WRR Radio | Listen to each previous week’s sermon and music on Sunday mornings at 7:30 am on WRR 101.1 FM.

Worship Bulletins

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

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

Sunday School Teachers & Topics

“Who Are We”

Dr. Tim Bruster

Romans 12:4-8, Matthew 5:13-16

Who are we? Who is our neighbor? And what is God calling us to do?

Dear friends,

This Sunday in the Sanctuary services I will begin a series of sermons entitled The Heart of the City. This series will be part of a conversation about the good news of all that is going on in our congregation and all around us. The tremendous growth of Fort Worth is making the title of the series more and more descriptive because, as the Trinity River Vision and the West 7th area continues to develop and grow, the city center will be just about where we sit.

This is exciting! This is also challenging! We, as members and leaders of First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth have a commission to be God’s people in the world. We have a commission that is succinctly captured in the mission statement of our denomination: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As a congregation, we express this mission in our tagline: Love God. Serve People. Transform Lives. It’s branded on just about everything around here, and it comes to mind and rolls off the tongue very easily. It’s the quick-and-easy summation of our identity as a church — a statement of how we understand our ministry together. But what does this familiar and seemingly simple statement really mean?

This is a good time to take stock and begin to clarify the answers to some important questions and what those answers mean to us as a community of faith and as individual Christians.

The first three sermons are questions posed in Gil Rendle and Alice Mann’s book “Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations.” Then, we’ll take a look at what’s ahead in our church and in our community, what role everyone has to play, and to wrap it up, we’ll remind ourselves of how a church is built.

January 15, 2017 — “Who Are We?”
Romans 12:4-8 and Matthew 5:13-16

January 22, 2017 — “Who is Our Neighbor?”
Romans 12:9-18l and Luke 10:25-29

January 29, 2017 — “What is God Calling Us to Do?”
Romans 12:1-2, 9-21 and Matthew 28:16-20

February 5, 2017 — “What’s Ahead?”
Romans 12:1-2 and Hebrews 12:1-2a

February 12, 2017 — “We All Have a Role to Play”
Romans 12:1-18

February 19, 2017 — “How a Church is Built”
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

This Sunday we begin with a basic question: Who am I? We are “hard-wired” to begin asking this important question from an early age — probably before we even have the words to ask it. Then, the question resurfaces from time to time throughout our lives — particularly in our significant times of transition. But, this isn’t just a question for individuals. Groups of people — institutions, communities, organizations, cities, nations — and churches also ask this question from time to time. Throughout the life of the church, we ask, Who are we? That’s our question for this coming Sunday. I look forward to seeing you then.

Grace and Peace,

Dr. Tim Bruster,
Senior Pastor

CHURCHWIDE NEWS

Longtime Church Member and Leader Nancy Fisher Joins FUMCFW Staff as Director of Stewardship

Nancy Fisher has been named Director of Stewardship of FUMCFW. An active First Church member since 1994, Nancy has served as the Lay Leader and Board of Stewards chair for two years and followed that as chair of the Church Council. “I have been blessed and honored to serve in these roles which allowed me to meet, interact, and learn from extraordinary lay leaders and church staff,” Nancy says. Read more.

More Fresh Faces of 2017

In addition to Nancy we have two other new staff members to announce: Donna Smith and Heather Teems. With Jennifer Stephens’ move over to the First Street Methodist Mission to assist with operations, Donna Smith is our new receptionist who started in December, so you may have already seen her smiling face in the Main Office. “I was told about the position and thought I would be a good fit,” she recalls. “I love helping others.” Read more.

Warm Welcome on Christmas Eve — and Always!

First Church had a full house on Christmas Eve with more than 3,500 people worshipping with us. From greeting to ushering to making sure everyone at each of our six services had a candle and someone to light it, our Welcoming Ministries volunteers were also out in full force. About 232 people in the crowd were visitors, many of whom were invited by a friend or family member. “This is AWESOME! ” Read more.

Music and Memories on Sunday Morning

In response to the many questions received since last Sunday about the lovely harpsichord played in both Sanctuary services, the instrument was a gift to our church from Beverly and Dr. Lamar Smith. “It was a prized possession of our church member Louise Canafax,” Lamar says. “Louise herself was an accomplished cellist and owned several beautiful musical instruments.” The Smiths bought the harpsichord from Mrs. Canafax’s estate. Read more.

First Yoga with Linda Blanchard

Helping FUMCFW achieve health benefits of breathing, stretching, strength, and balance through consistent yoga practice, with modifications available to meet the needs of all ages, fitness levels, and personal challenges. First Yoga is our comprehensive fitness ministry program led by Linda Blanchard. Linda is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Therapist, certified through Yoga Alliance, who has been practicing and teaching yoga for more than 12 years. Read more.

Ronald McDonald_SQ1

Full Plates at the Ronald McDonald House

This past Saturday everyone filled up during lunchtime at our local Ronald McDonald House. FUMCFW volunteers stacked portions of Serve and Play on their Healthy Plates while others loaded their plates with a delicious hot meal. “The event went great and we had plenty of food!” says Allison McMahon who organized this opportunity. Read more.

First Talks — Ideas Worth Talking About!

Check out this great new Adult Education discussion group meeting on Sunday mornings. It’s a combination of succinct and exciting TED Talk-style presentations followed by facilitated, engaging conversations around the topic of the day. Each week will be different with speakers from around the Metroplex, including artists, educators, theologians, entrepreneurs, and great thinkers of all sorts. Read more.

Academy Teachers for God’s Children

Registration for Spring Academy Sunday School is now underway, and classes are already starting to fill up! Academy starts on February 12 — and we still need more volunteer teachers to help out. “This Academy model is wonderful, but it only works if everyone does their part,” says Mark Burrows, Director of Children’s Ministries. “In most cases, we already have a lead teacher in place. Bible-based curriculum and materials are taken care of. Read more.

Register Soon for Cowtown 5K!

Register by January 20 to join FUMCFW Fit First for the 2017 Cowtown Adult 5K! Walk or jog the 5K race with us at the Fort Worth Cowtown on Saturday, February 25. We will register as a team online at cowtownmarathon.org. Just choose “Fit First” in the team drop-down box. The race begins at 8:30 am, and we will meet together as a group in front of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame at 8:00 am. Read more.

Next Up in The Gift of Music Concert Series

The spectacular and unique collage of music offerings that comprise our 2016 – 2017 FUMCFW Concert Series, The Gift of Music, continues with The Greater Tarrant Men’s Choir: An EcuMENical Chorus on January 21 in the Sanctuary. Experience a single day of singing with men from all denominations across Tarrant County while enjoying some of the area’s finest choral direction and inspiration. Read more.

MEMBER NEWS

BAPTISM

Martha Kathryn Moses, daughter of Laura & Mitchell Moses

HOSPITALIZATIONS

Gene Brannan
Lela Mohrbacher
Lori Bruns
Peggy Von Duynn
Tracye Moore

IN MEMORIAM

Wesley Collins

GIFTS & MEMORIALS

MEMORIAL GIFTS

First Street Methodist Mission in Memory of:
Byron Searcy by Beverly & Michael Reilly
Byron Searcy by Lee Ann Embry
Byron Searcy by Lee Christie
Byron Searcy by Martha & Robert Park
Byron Searcy by Robert Smith
Byron Searcy by Sandra & Charles Hart

Food 4 Kids in Memory of:
Betty Fox by JonAnna & Francis Reidinger
Mary Andrews by JonAnna & Francis Reidinger

Foundation Fund in Memory of:
Hershel & Carolyn Winn by Mr. & Mrs. Shelby Adams
Mary Andrews by Mrs. Frances Mizell
Walter Gates Jr. by Mr. & Mrs. A. Roy Webb
Walter Gates Jr. by Ms. Abbie W. Freiley
Walter Gates Jr. by Mr. & Mrs. George T. Crowder
Walter Gates Jr. by Ms. Kaye E. Thornton
Walter Gates Jr. by Mr. & Mrs. Larry E. Small
Walter Gates Jr. by Mr. & Mrs. Mark L. Davis

General Fund in Memory of:
Bernie Ostby by Orville Johnson
Betty Fox by Karen Bain & Pilar Lopez
Betty Fox by Kathe & Stephen Goodwin
Betty Fox by Kay Watkins
Byron Searcy by Alice Cranz
Byron Searcy by Martha & Charles Brooks
Byron Searcy by Sharon Townes
Jim Shaw by Kay Watkins
Ruben Brown by Nancy & Tony Phillips

Methodist Justice Ministry in Memory of:
George Hopkins by Ellen & Robert Rogers

HONORARY GIFTS

First Street Methodist Mission in Honor of:
Byron Searcy by Sumer & Kirk Searcy
First Street Methodist Mission by Pat & Shelby Adams

Fit First in Honor of:
Jennifer Stephens by Kay Watkins

Foundation Fund in Honor of:
The Reverends Linda & Tom McDermott by Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Adams
Lou Ann Blaylock by Mr. & Mrs. Shelby Adams
Sid Johnston by Mr. & Mrs. Shelby Adams

General Fund in Honor of:
Rev. Chuck Graff by DJ Lewis
Jennifer Stephens by DJ Lewis
Rev. Lance Marshall by DJ Lewis
Dr. Len Delony by DJ Lewis
Live Streaming & Archives by Kay & Lyle Larson
Media Ministry by K. Larsen

WHO’S BLOGGING

It Takes a COMMUNITY!

Lisa Helm

With the tallies now complete, I am so excited to tell you that of the more than three thousand people who worshiped with us on Christmas Eve, more than 200 of them were visitors. Think about that for just a moment. If you put them all in one place we’re talking about a standing-room-only crowd in the Chapel. A full center section in the Sanctuary. Read more.

Two more classes FULL

Mark Burrows

Hi Families,

Mad Scientists and Legos are now FULL . . . along with Visual Arts. We still have many great options available. Register online here. And the number of volunteers we need is now in single digits. (But that still means we need 9 volunteers.) Read more.

The Theology of Revolution Weekend

Andrew Mochrie

As Revolution Weekend approaches I want us all to use its arrival at the beginning of 2017 as the beginning of a change in thought and ways of thinking about youth retreats. They are these things that a lot of us have experienced and have a variety of memories ranging from good, bad, and at times just plain weird. Read more.

seven lessons for the living

Rev. Tom McDermott

I was visiting a friend one morning over the holidays, when her 5-year-old came running into the living room shouting, “Mommy, Mommy, the Big Truck! It’s the BIG TRUCK!!” We heard the roaring sound of a large truck coming down the street. Ella ran back to the window to look. “Mommy, it got our trash!” Read more.

EVENTS

Learn more about upcoming events as well as additional church activities by clicking on the links below.

Learn more

January Mission Sundays

During the month of January, please bring Liquid Laundry Soap 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

Free Community Boot Camp

Mondays & Wednesdays | 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Justin Youth Building Gym | 801 W. 5th St.
Waiver required | Registration required

1.9 – 5.11 First Yoga

Mondays & Tuesdays | 9:30 – 10:30 am
10:45 – 11:30 | Chair yoga
Wednesdays | 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Thursdays | 8:30 – 9:15 am
Room 320 | Led by Linda Blanchard | All ages & fitness levels
Registration required | $70 per 10-class punch card

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