Measure Your Life in Love - First UMC Decatur · 10/10/2018 · midnights, or cups of coffee? Is a...
Transcript of Measure Your Life in Love - First UMC Decatur · 10/10/2018 · midnights, or cups of coffee? Is a...
A monthly publication of the First United Methodist Church
The Voice Rev. Dr. Brian Bosworth, Pastor
Rev. Ricky Harrison, Associate Pastor
(940) 627-3362; [email protected]
Issue 10 of 12
October 1, 2018
Children: Ashley Craven Youth: Patrick Steil Secretary: Ann Piña
Administrator: Bonnie Wohlleben
Measure Your Life in Love True Confession: I have a major soft spot for musicals. Broadway musicals, high school theatre, musical film –
you name, I love it. From the cast of Wicked onstage at Fair Park to the Berkner High production of Sound of
Music, I just love musicals. One of my early favorites is the movie version of Rent. The opening number,
“Seasons of Love”, asks a profound question – How does one measure a life? Is a life measured in the number
of years lived? In the 525,600 minutes that make up each year? Can a life be measured in daylights, sunsets,
midnights, or cups of coffee? Is a life measured by the bridges burned, tears cried, truths learned, or the way
one died? How about love? What if we measured our lives in love, by love, and through love? “Measure your life in love” the
opening number exhorts, “seasons of love.”
What might it look like for our lives to be measured in love? In raising children, choosing to commit our life to another in
marriage, in giving away the cash in our wallet to a hungry stranger, tutoring a student who has fallen behind the curve, in
holding open the door, offering a smile and encouraging word, in investing our lives in the well-being of those around us – there
are so many ways we pour out our lives in love to the world around us. Scripture says simply, “God is love, and those who live
in love live in God and God lives in them” (1 John 3:16). Every time we love, we catch a glimpse of God. The same scripture
reminds us, “We love because God first loved us” (3:19). So each time we love, we are living like God and responding to God’s
love for us. Every act of love, no matter how small, reflects God.
Quite simply, that is the primary motivating momentum behind our work planting Pecan Street Mission. Every time we gather,
we repeat the phrase “Love Deeply, Live Differently” to remind people that love is our core. Since God first loved us, we are
moved to be contagious carriers of God’s love out into the world. As I’ve repeated countless times, 59% of the Wise County
population claims “no religious affiliation” – no meaningful connection to a community of faith inviting them deeper into the
love of God. We get to be the agents of God’s love in this community. For people who have been hurt, abused, & neglected by
the church, we get to say “You are loved” – For people who have been told their entire lives they are unlovely & unlovable, we
get to say “You are loved” - For people who have serious questions about faith & the work of God in the world, we get to say
“You are loved” – For people seeking a place to reconnect with the God who has loved them since before they were born, we get
to say “You are loved.” Our work, as people of faith, is to invite others into experiencing this rich and abundant love of God that
has so overwhelmed our lives. The seeds of God’s love have already been planted; now we get to work alongside the Master
Gardener as love bears rich fruit.
Let’s lean-in to measuring our lives in love, giving love away each moment of our days. When our last breath has been taken,
may it be said, “They lived well in love.”
In Christ,
Ricky Harrison
Pecan Street Mission, Preview Worship
Pecan Street Mission is a new faith community anchored in First United Methodist Church of Decatur launching in December 2018. Join us October 14th and November 11th as Pecan Street Mission “previews” a new modern worship community!
Our family-friendly modern worship service begins at 10:45am in Asbury Hall. Come early for coffee & breakfast snacks!
pecanstreetmission.org
Preschool Board Meeting
Monday, October 1 5:00 p.m., Room 300
Wise County United Methodist Men
Tuesday, October 2 6:30 p.m., FUMC Alvord
Decatur Cares
Saturday, October 6 7:45 a.m., Parking Lot
Blessing of the Animals
Saturday, October 6 10:00 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, October 9 6:00 p.m., Room 209
Staff Meeting
Thursday, October 18 12:00 p.m., Room 209
Family Ministries Team Meeting
Monday, October 22 5:30 p.m., Room 209
Methodist Men’s Breakfast
Saturday, October 27 7:00 a.m., Room 100 (Fellowship Hall)
Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 27 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., FUMC Parking Lot
NO Reconnect
Wednesday, October 31
CHURCH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Tim Woodruff, Abby Bramlett, Aniston Reeves, Rev. Don Yeager,
Family of Belinda Wohlleben, Noah Smith , J.E. Carson , Madolyn Congdon, Keith Harrison, Allen Jamison,
Bruce Shrull, Merle Di Noto , Earl Wohlleben
In the Military: Charlie Fortenberry, Michael Jordan, Jake Logue, Josh Murphy, Chris Hammond,
Matthew Roberson, Kolin Rottner, Joshua VanNoy, Keygun Beaver and Bryce Dudley
1 - Cynthia DesRoches, Dave Eaton
3 - Noah Smith, Ashtyn Talley
4 - J.E. Carson
5 - Sharyn Helm, Jordan Null
6 - Jacob Vaughan
7 - Terick Hunt, Fred Renfro, Cliff Vick
8 - Kody Klement, Shaylee Martin, Randy Shrull
9 - Crystal Klose
11 - Zayne Browning, Austin Sewell, Will Swanson
12 - Nancy Boyd, Nick Martin, Dixie Parks
13 - Casey Edwards
15 - Cassie Shenkir
16 - Kevin Munnerlyn
17 - Jacie Stone
18 - Sarah Culpepper, Mayli Moreland
19 - Jo Woodruff
20 - Liz Lyles
21 - Buddy Black, Ricky Harrison, Michael Hooe, Riley Keller
22 - Corey Bosworth 23 - Henry Walker 25 - JoAnn Cocanougher, Rick Quiring, Bonnie Rawlings,
Debra Wilkinson, Roxanne Williams
26 - Dana McCarroll
29 - Aubrey McAlister, Abigail Roberts, Linda Smith, Jennifer Vaughan 30 - Steven Behringer
October Happenings
FUMC Mission Statement
“Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world.”
October Birthdays
Donations for WARM
Paper Goods (Paper Towels, Toilet Paper)
Sunday Refreshments Open Doors Class
Guest Follow Up Shirley Peterson
Care Corp
Donna Reeves, Notifier Dana McCarroll, Roxanne Williams, Becky Black,
Clyde & Penny Holt, Chris Sconce
October 7th 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Communion Servers: Thomas Laird & Marguarette Roberts Acolyte: Ben Bond
10:50 a.m. Worship Service Communion Servers: Cheryl Renfro & Annette Stephens
Acolyte: Counters: Mason Woodruff & Annette Stephens
October 14th 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Communion Servers: Jamie Walther & Jane Pemberton Acolyte: Hannah & Trey Milliman
10:50 a.m. Worship Service Acolytes: Tucker Hammons & Abby Reeves
Counters: Gary Cocanougher & Clay Patterson
October 21st 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Communion Servers: Youth Acolyte: Madi & Mayli Moreland
10: 50 a.m. Worship Service Acolyte: Alissa Butler
Counters: Terry Huston & Cheryl Renfro
October 28th 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Communion Servers: Asa Johnson & Ronnie Walker Acolyte: Audree & Zachary Knox
10: 50 a.m. Worship Service Acolyte: Lane Craven
Counters:
October Communion Set Up: Seekers Class
Saturday, October 6th
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
905 S. Church St., Decatur, TX
Bring your pet (or a photo of your pet)
Please keep your dogs on leashes and cats in carriers
Large animals welcome!
Provides scholarships for Methodists around the globe.
Sunday October 7th
Reconnect – The 2nd Half with Rev. Adam Hamilton
The 2nd half of Reconnect for this fall begins Wednesday, October 3. With so much
going on in our lives, our communities, and in the world, it’s time for a hopeful and
inspiring topic for Reconnect that helps us remember and find hope in Jesus’ words,
“Don’t be afraid.” Adam Hamilton’s study, Unafraid: Living With Courage and Hope
in Uncertain Times will be our study topic for the remainder of the fall. Sign-up in the
Narthex or come by the office to pick up a book. The price is $15.00 per book.
THANK YOU for your generous support on the last two mission projects!
They were a great success and
because of your generosity,
a lot of people have been helped.
Preschool Supply Drive Gen 1 Shoe Project
All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 4
Great Day of Service (Thanksgiving Boxes) Sunday, November 18
Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner
Sunday, November 18
Hanging of the Greens Family style event for all ages
Wednesday, November 28
Choir Cantata
“Christmas Presence - A Gathering of Hope, Peace, and Love”
Sunday, December 23
Christmas Eve-Eve Community Candlelight Worship Dec. 23, 7pm @ the Downtown Square
SAVE THE DATE
We have many areas in
the church that have
a great need
for volunteers.
Would you offer your time and talents to any of the areas below?
Volunteer for one thing or many.
Youth Department
Children’s Department
College Ministries
Guest Follow-Up
Care Corp
Attendance Pick-Up
Church Historian
Office Help
Communion Server
Communion Set-Up
Voice Folder
Scripture Reader
Learning • Growing • Giving • Serving
Meet your new Secretary, Ann Pina Stop by the church office in the mornings to say hello and welcome Ann!
A Note From Ann: I was born and raised in Crossett, Arkansas. I later attended the University of Louisiana where I earned both a BBA in marketing as well as a BGS while obtaining my teach-ing certification. At the university, I served as an office manager before becoming a financial aide counselor. I also taught school for 9 years in Kennedale ISD. For the past two years, I have served as a math tutor for EMS-ISD. I moved to the DFW area in 1998 and married my husband in 2004. We moved to Bridgeport in July 2018 and have two daughters that attend school in Bridgeport ISD.
Saturday, October 27
Such a fun way to reach out to the children and families of not only our
church, but our community as well! What a great opportunity!
We have a lot of fun things planned for this year’s
Trunk or Treat, including a Trunk Contest.
Decorate a trunk with your family, Sunday School class, friends, you name it!
Church participation is key!
Put your thinking caps on, be creative,
and let’s have a great time!
Sign-Up sheet in the Narthex or Contact Ashley Craven
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER TODAY!
Trunks Needed!
FUMC Finance Update
General Operating Fund
2018 To Date - $446,876 Average given weekly -
$11,759
Weekly budget need - $13,391
Building Fund Pledge Drives CTV (Original drive) Pledged - $$350,898 Pledges Received - $333,391
STV 20/20 (Current Drive) Pledged - $316,130 Pledges Received -
$243,365
Total Loan Balance - $198,000
First Saturday of each month
7:45 am - 10:00 am
www.decaturmethodist.org
Like us on facebook FUMC Decatur, Texas
Follow us on Twitter @fumcdecaturtx
Follow us on Instagram fumcdecaturtx
First United Methodist Church Presorted Standard
104 South Miller Street Non-Profit Organization
Post Office Box 302 U.S. Postage Paid
Decatur, Texas 76234-0302 Permit No. 166
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
THIS NEWSLETTER CREATED ESPECIALLY FOR
YOU!
Thursday, November 1 8:30 a.m.—Character Builders Classroom
Monday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m.
For any submissions you would like put in The Voice, either call the
church office at 627-3362 or email [email protected].
If you want to see your church event pictures in The Voice, send them to us!
We would love to include those for all the church members to enjoy.