BASCOM

In This Edition

Pastoral Article—

Feature Page 1

Christian Education—

Page 2

Events, Meetings, Stud-

ies—

Page 3

New Members-

Page 4

Pastoral Article

Be Explorers! Dr. Allison Thompson

As we finish this Christmas season and barrel down the road toward the beginning of a new year, my thoughts turn to the importance of being open to

new opportunities coming to us personally and also corporately as a church. Often, we come to points in our lives when we feel as if all of the “thresholds“ have been crossed and major decisions made. We revel in the thought that continuity and comfort will be the adjectives that describe our existence.

The problem with this universal yearning to have a rather unchanging milieu is the simple fact that the Bible does not support that value! We never hear about people retiring from life or from faith in the Holy Scriptures. Rather, the over-arching theme in the lives of Biblical characters is their calling to meet challenge after challenge head on! Yes, the things that God asks of us are NEVER within our comfort zones.

Abraham at a ripe old age was called to move his tribe from Ur of the Chaldeans to the Promised Land. Joseph was expected to find his calling in Egypt. Ja-cob only developed into a true leader once he was AWAY from his family. David was forced to fight against his once beloved King Saul and his kinsman Absalom. Ruth had to leave her culture and become an Israelite. Rahab turned against her city and her people to align with God…. You get the picture!

Epiphany literally translates to mean “an awakening which leads to change.” God’s sacred purpose relies on our willingness to receive and act on new under-standings of his ultimate will. This is illustrated in the lives of the Biblical heroes who only blossomed into God’s faithful few in the unlikeliest of environments filled with great uncertainty.

January/February Newsletter 2016

BASCOMUNITEDMETHODIST.COM bascomunitedmethodist@gmail.com

All of this is to simply point out that seeing into the future of

Bascom UMC, walking the path to renewal, and finding our own sacred path will only occur when we are open and flexible, when

we say “yes” to wandering where God calls us to wander.

Whether we must journey into our thoughts and opinions in

order to find a better version of ourselves, or whether we literally must seek new ways of serving,

“Explorers for God”

we must be!

The Magi were explorers and they found Christ as a result.

I wonder what we will find when

we follow the light of Christ?

Adult Sunday School

Believers’ Sunday School

While children learn about Jesus and have fun, the

classroom two doors down is the spot for our newest

adult Sunday school. Each Sunday, about 14 gather to

study what it means to be a Christian.

The Believers’ class is taught rotationally by Karen Hartt

and Pastor Allison and is geared for those who are new

to the habit of attending adult Sunday School

The Believers’ class will continue an exciting series

called ‘6 Things We Should Know About God,’ by Tom

Berlin. Come and see what it’s about!

Every Sunday at 9:45am Jan. 10—Feb 14

The Friendly Sunday School Class

This class continues under the excellent teaching of Linda Medlock and Ruth Living-

ston. The class meets in the fellowship hall next to the kitchen. They are delving into

the deep theology and lessons in the NT book of Hebrews.

Children’s Sunday School The Children’s program will begin, ‘Everything a Child

Should Know about God’ from the Truth for Life Organiza-

tion.

This series introduces children to the most important Bible

truths of the Christian faith. Author Kenneth N. Taylor presents

profound topics including sin, the Trinity, and salvation

through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in an easy-to-read

narrative style written for a child audience. Children will enjoy

Chr ist ian Educat ion: Sunday School

Worship at Bascom

Big Lessons

from Small

Books Series

Sun, Jan 10, 11am 2nd & 3rd John

Sun, Jan 17, 11am Philemon

Sun, Jan 24, 11am Jude

Sun, Jan 31, 11am 5th Sunday Music

Sun, Feb 7, 11am

Titus

Sun, Feb 14, 11am

2nd Thessalonians

Sun, Feb 21, 11am

Haggai

Sun, Feb 28, 11am

Nahum

Sun, Mar 6, 11am

Jonah

Other Events and Reminders

Women’s Tuesday

Game/Fellowship

Night

Tuesday Jan 12, Feb 2

@ 6pm

Bring your favorite

snack, dessert, or

finger food if you are

able. All are invited

regardless!

Events, Meetings, Studies, and Reminders... Be Aware and Be Involved!

Wednesday Night Bible Study Godly Courage, Sacred Insight:

A study of the Book of Daniel

Join us each

Wednesday night at

5:30pm as we cover the

prophetic book of Daniel.

Wednesdays,

Jan 6—Feb 23

Other Events Church Council Meeting Sunday, January 17 after 11am service Lunch provided for Council Members

Community Saturday Morning Breakfast Saturday’s, January 30 and February 27th 8-9:30am

Women’s Game Night Tuesday’s January 12 and February 2nd 6 pm

Men’s Wild Game Feed Saturday, Feb 27 5pm

Looking Forward

March—Chili Cook Off Fundraiser

April—Women’s Luncheon “Memories”

Contact Us

Bascom United

Methodist Church 12565 FM 848

Tyler, TX 75707

(903) 566-1676

Allison Thompson drallison20@gmail.com

Home: (903) 521-3810

Visit us on the web bascomunitedmethodist.com

Bascom United Meth-

odist Church

Email bascomunitedmethodist

@gmail.com

The pastor is available to

meet with you by appoint-

Meet Our Latest New Members

Explorers We Must Be! TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by, AND THAT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

By Robert Frost

Joe and Daniel Mi l ler Ralph Freeman and James and Cindy Beard