THIS SUNDAY
Traditional Worship | 9:30 & 11:00 am | Sanctuary | Dr. Tim Bruster
DiscipleChurch | 7:15 am | Community Breakfast | Wesley Hall
8:30 am | Worship | Chapel | Dr. Bill Longsworth
9:30 am | Discussion | Foundation Building, 2nd Floor
The Gathering | 9:30 am | Wesley Hall
11:00 am | Justin Youth Building
Rev. Lance Marshall
Chapel Communion | 10:35 am | Chapel | Dr. Len Delony
eleven:eleven celebration | 11:11 am | Wesley Hall | Rev. Tom McDermott
Worship Bulletins
Connections | 10:30 – 11:00 am & noon – 12:30 pm | Garden & Wesley Hall
Join us at Connections between services.
More Ways to Worship
Live Stream | Join us live online on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am for The Gathering, 9:45 am for Children First (first Sunday of each month), 11:00 am for Traditional, and 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.
Sunday School Teachers & Topics
The Gift of Emptiness
Dr. Tim Bruster
Mark 15:22-38, Philippians 2:5-11
This week we’ll continue our Lenten exploration of “Gifts of the Dark Wood” with an examination of “The Gift of Emptiness.”
It doesn’t seem like there can be a gift in emptiness, does it? In fact, how can there be anything at all? Emptiness is, well, empty. Whether it’s something as mundane as emptiness in a bank account or a cupboard, or as serious as emptiness in a home or heart, we fear emptiness or even the prospect of emptiness. Read more.
Robert Stovall gives a quick preview of the music offering for this Sunday.
Welcome to Lent 2017: Gifts of the Dark Wood
This Lent we will explore what it means to be in the “Dark Woods” moments of our lives. We are not just going to talk about how to get out of it, as if life is good only when we are not there. We are going to explore what it might mean for our lives to recognize the gifts of being in the Dark Woods. What if times of uncertainty, failure, or emptiness are actually opportunities for spiritual awakening?
Together we will take a journey in this season of Lent. Our worship series, “Gifts of the Dark Wood,” is about “seeing life through new eyes.” When we allow ourselves to accept the personal journey we can experience within the Dark Woods, the Holy Spirit tends to nudge us, awaken us, to a fuller life. Life is messy. Life is uncertain. Rather than a problem to be solved, what if we saw uncertainty, failure, emptiness, and loss as gifts? What if we saw how these uncomfortable times can actually help us let go of all we cannot know so that we can live more wholeheartedly? Let us begin the journey . . .
2017 Lent Programs and Events
CHURCHWIDE NEWS
Happy Heart Day for Kids Hope
To celebrate this past Valentine’s Day, our Kids Hope mentors gave their students yet another special treat during a party at the T.A. Sims Elementary School Library. Children and parents who were able to attend visited with the mentors while enjoying refreshments together. “It was great to see so many parents and guardians of our kids present!” recalls Gay Ingram, FUMCFW Kids Hope Coordinator. Read more.
MEMBER NEWS
NEW MEMBERS
BAPTISMS
HOSPITALIZATIONS
Carol Row
Charme Robarts
IN MEMORIAM
Donna Jane Livingston
GIFTS & MEMORIALS
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Children’s Ministries in Memory of:
Rev. Michael Patison by Patsy Palmer
First Street Methodist Mission in Memory of:
Cal Campbell by Joe Needham
Loretta Crittenden by J.W. Speigth
Loretta Crittenden by Kaye Thornton
Foundation Fund in Memory of:
Joan Bailey by Mr. & Mrs. Neil Isbell
Rev. Michael Patison by Mrs. Fran Mizell
R.L. Dowdell by Mrs. Martha Sisler
Ronnie Pyeatt by Mrs. Martha Sisler
Walter Gates Jr. by Mr. & Mrs. Bennie Downing
General Fund in Memory of:
Rev. Michael Patison by Betty & David Lowe
Rev. Michael Patison by Ms. Joan Sides
Rev. Michael Patison by Rev. Ouidga & Rev. Jack Meyers
Rev. Michael Patison by Patsy Feemster
Rev. Michael Patison by Paula & John Leikert
Ronnie Pyeatt by Joyce & John Waller
Ronnie Pyeatt by Mary Stewart & Jim Ramsey
Methodist Justice Ministry in Memory of:
James Robert Dennis Jr. by Debra & Conner Stamper
Thelma Price by J.W. Speigth
Music Ministries in Memory of:
Rev. Michael Patison by Marguerite Kluck
HONORARY GIFTS
First Street Methodist Mission in Honor of:
Mayor Betsy Price by United Methodist Women
Methodist Justice Ministry in Honor of:
Janell Tucker Shackelford by Suzanne & Don Watkins
BLOGS
Exciting Times for Our Music Programs
Robert Stovall
I hope you enjoyed the many different choirs we presented in recent weeks. We had our Singing Men and Singing Women of First Church perform as well as our wonderful students in the Cornerstone Youth Choir. We also heard from Crossroads, our in-house Bluegrass Ensemble, just a few weeks ago. Read more.
Let’s Talk
Nancy Fisher
I love to talk! No doubt it has at times gotten me into trouble like in Ms. Massey’s first-grade class as evident by my report card. It has, however, brought me far more joy than misery. A shoutout of thanks to the New Passages Sunday School class that gave me the opportunity to speak to them recently. Read more.
Summer Jam (The Artist Formerly Known as “Day Camp”) Registration is Now LIVE!
Mark Burrows
Hello Families.
We’re doing our Mission Day Camp differently this year. This Summer — June 12 – 15 — we are calling it SUMMER JAM! Online registration is now live! It will be four days (Monday – Thursday), 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day, here at the church. Read more.
What is The Gathering? Part II: Music, Different
Rev. Lance Marshall
Of all the unconventional aspects of The Gathering, our use of music during worship may be the most unique. After we begin the service we feature some music to open our hearts and minds and to help us get into a worship mindset. But unlike most church services there is no standing, no singing, and no live musical performance. Read more.
Rest = Strength
Jennifer Stephens
Last weekend Fit First participated in the Cowtown 5K, Half marathon, and Marathon. What an amazing experience and accomplishment to share with our community. Fellow runners supported each other along the course with words of encouragement. The community was a comforting sight, especially as the miles increased. Read more.
The Uncertain Tour and the Gift of Emptiness
Rev. Tom McDermott
The 40-something-year-old woman spotted me in my booth from the other side of the exhibit hall crowd. I couldn’t help but notice her. She was dressed like an Easter morning sunrise beaming through the hundreds of men and women, educators, and vendors wandering the Exhibit Hall aisles of booksellers, classroom suppliers, and educational entertainers. Read more.
Uncertainty, Emptiness, and Vulnerability — The Birthplace of Love
Dr. Len Delony
As we travel deeper into the Dark Wood this Lent, and let go of our compulsion to be in control in the midst of uncertainty, we might move further into a sense of emptiness. If we pay attention to our own experiences, vulnerability can actually be a place of new birth. Read more.
EVENTS
Learn more about upcoming events as well as additional church activities by clicking on the links below.
Learn more
March Mission Sundays
During the month of March, please bring adult underwear 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
1.26 – 4.6 Thursday Theologians
9:15 am | Refreshments & gathering
9:30 – 11:00 am | Book discussion | Room 350
Led by Rev. Linda McDermott | Registration closed
3.5 – 4.2 Luther & Wesley: Before & After
Sundays | 9:30 – 10:30 am | Room 332
Led by Dr. Lamar Smith
3.5 – 4.2 Sunday Lenten Study: “Gifts of the Dark Wood”
Sundays | 11:00 am – noon | Room 331
Led by Rev. Chuck Graff
Registration required | Book available for $12
3.6 – 4.10 Monday Musers Lenten Study Group
Mondays | 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Foundation Building, Room 271
Led by Dr. Mike Marshall
3.8 – 4.12 Wednesday Lenten Study: “Gifts of the Dark Wood”
Wednesdays | Noon – 1:00 pm | Room 154
Led by Rev. Linda McDermott
Registration required | Book available for $12
3.8 – 4.12 Pastor’s Lenten Study
Wednesdays | 6:00 – 7:00 pm | Room 231
Led by Dr. Tim Bruster
3.12 – 3.26 Preparing for Marriage
Sundays | 5:00 – 7:00 pm | Foundation Building, 2nd Floor
Led by Rev. Phyllis Barren | $160 per couple | Registration required
3.24 – 3.26 Roots of Change Intensive Weekend
6:00 pm Friday – 2:00 pm Sunday
Lyle Lodge | $150 per person | Register by 3.17
3.26 Rise Against Hunger
8:00 am – 12:45 pm | Justin Youth Building
Volunteer
4.4 United Methodist Women Annual Fundraiser
10:30 am | Ridglea Country Club
Tickets on sale in Welcome Center 2.19 – 3.26
4.8 Habitat for Humanity Cowtown Brush Up
Registration required
4.9 Choral Union Holy Week Concert
7:00 pm | Sanctuary
Ongoing Programs
Free Community Boot Camp
Mondays & Wednesdays | 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Justin Youth Building Gym | 801 W. 5th St.
Waiver required | Registration required
First Talks
Sundays | 9:30 – 10:30 am | Room 350
First Yoga
Class canceled 3.7 – 3.17
Mondays & Tuesdays | 9:30 – 10:30 am
10:45 – 11:30 am | 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
First We Drum
Second Tuesday of each month
7:00 – 8:30 pm | Wesley Hall
Men’s In-Depth Bible Study
Tuesdays | 7:00 – 8:00 am | Room 154
Led by Fred Cantu and other leaders
De Colores! Emmaus Ministry Fourth Day Reunion Group
First Wednesday of every month
Noon | Room 230
Walking, Running, & Cycling Group
Saturdays | 8:00 – 9:00 am
The Trailhead at Clearfork
4801 Edwards Ranch Road
Fort Worth, TX 76109 | Waiver required
Fill Backpacks for Food 4 Kids
Sundays | Pack backpacks for 1 hour between 9:00 am – noon
First Street Methodist Mission
Baptism 101
First Sunday of every month
11:00 am | Room 230 | Registration required