July 27, 2011 The Hardy

Heartline

Have you ever wondered: Does the Bible make a difference? The newest

section of it was written 2000 years ago to a group of farmers and fisher-

men who had no idea what e-mail or an ipod was. The oldest section was

written many hundreds of years before that to an oppressed group of peo-

ple who barely classified as a small culture of the world (much less a dominant contributing culture to the history

books). Why would that book have anything to do with the stress of getting my child dressed for a soccer game,

paying the water bill, or figuring out how to make all of the Christmas plans work between the in-laws and the

―outlaws‖ of my family?

The answer: When you walk into the bookstore and go to the non-fiction section you cannot find the Bible among

the literature on Napoleon’s conquest of the world, or Admiral Nelson’s tactics in maritime warfare. You also can-

not find it in the fiction section with trashy romance novels with an airbrushed Fabio on the cover or the latest sci-

ence fiction thriller that is number 15 in the series. The Bible even in a secular bookstore has a section to itself

because it is notably different.

It is the history of how God works in the lives of God’s children. It is the story of hope that we want to write into our

lives for the future. It is the avenue in which the Holy Spirit makes a difference in our lives because we decide to

sit down and read what God says to us on this day. God uses this one book to make a difference in whoever de-

cides to give the Lord time to make a difference in their lives.

I want to see how God makes a difference in my life. So here at Hardy UMC we are going to challenge each other

to sit down for the next 90 days starting August 24th and read the Bible cover to cover. We are going to give God

20 minutes a day for ninety days and watch God make a difference in our lives. I want to see the difference… will

you join me?

FROM MICAH Have you ever thought about how good our God really is? Consider how sinful man can be…pretty

overwhelming, right? Here we were, sinful man, really just lost with no hope of finding our way. And

then, seemingly out of the blue, Jesus is born into the world to die and rise again so we could be free. That’s amaz-

ing love. Only a good God would do something like that.

So why do we sometimes think God is not really good? Often we just get so caught up in our own circumstances

that we are unable to view our situation from God’s eternal perspective. There’s a reason we have the idiom

―hindsight is 20/20‖. We usually understand and see God’s hand after we have come through the valley of the

shadow of death, as Psalms 23 puts it. As Christians we just need to keep in mind the rest of the Psalm. Though

we walk through the valley, He is with us…because He is good!

Mark your calendars and join us as we resume choir rehearsals on August 10!

Come early at 6:30 to enjoy a light supper in the fellowship hall before we

move to the choir room for practice.

It’s time for the Christmas Choir to begin rehearsals again. Christmas Choir will start on August 24 at

7:00. Rehearsals will be finished by 7:30. Hope to see you there!

Our handbell group will be taking a break in the fall semester. If you are interested in being a part of

this group after we reorganize, please contact Micah or the office.

We’re the church

with a warm heart

Have a Blessed Day,

Rev. Preston Greenwaldt

WE UPHOLD OUR VOWS

By Our Prayers: All Hardy homebound members, all nursing home residents, all our brave service men & women & their families, Buddy Nettles, Delphia Seitz, Lil Miller, Jean Godfrey, Kathleen Flournoy, Sonny Westerman, Blanche Arnold, Alta Hirsch, James Bell, Pauline Rentfro, Meredith & Ethel Edwards, Gaylon Owens, and the family of Bob Bowden. For more details go to www.hardyumc.org and click on “Prayer”.

By Our Presence: Through Sunday, July 24, 2011 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 Sunday School 150 206 245 198 Morning Worship 224 289 346 311 Evening Worship 70 105 60 68

By Our Gifts: Month ending July 24, 2011 2011 Budget Received in July Received to date $449,128 $35,104 $251,676

Apportionments Paid to Date Balance $59,433 $21,497 $37,936

Hardy Memorial United Methodist

Church Texarkana, Texas

Phone: 903-793-1116 Fax - 903-793-6663

Rev. Preston Greenwaldt

Pastor Home: (903) 794-7746

Cell: (713) 857-6245 pgreenwaldt@hardyumc.org

Mary Lou Thornton Director of Education

mlthornton@hardyumc.org

Cindy DoBell Church Secretary

cdobell@hardyumc.org

Mary Ann Resecker Financial Secretary

mresecker@hardyumc.org

Micah McBay Director of Music Ministries

Micah.mcbay@txkisd.net

Dee Dee Williams Director of Youth Ministries dwilliams@hardyumc.org

Sharma Castillo Director of Children’s Ministries

scastillo@hardyumc.org

David Favors Director of Maintenance

903-556-3372

Sue Jones Nursery Director

903-838-4665

USHERS Joe Bell, Ken Markham Bob Weber, Chuck chambers,

Greg Smith, Steve Hackett, Mike Whitehurst, Chris Carroll CHILDREN’S CHURCH

August 7—Joy Richardson August 21—Shelly Whitehurst August 14—Kristi McCasland August 28—Sharma Castillo

ACOLYTES August 7— Emily Smith, Hunter Smith August 14—Emily Smith, Audrey Mohon August 21—Sara Grace Little, Cooper Little August 28—Miller Hornsby, Connor Hornsby

We would like to extend a warm “Hardy“ welcome to our newest members: Bobby & Debra Wheeley and Aaron Pitman. We are excited to welcome them as our newest members. Please add them to your directory. Bobby & Debra Wheeley Aaron Pitman

110 Lost Antlers 45 Pitman Lane Texarkana, TX 75501 Texarkana, TX 75503

YOUR BUCKET LIST

Many Christians admit that one of their most important lifetime goals is to read the Bible

from cover to cover. We all admit this is a lofty goal, but it is actually a goal which is at-

tainable. Most people can wrap their minds around doing something for 90 days. If

given a choice to diet for three months instead of twelve months, the 90 days sounds

much more doable, right?

Join us for a reading of the Bible in 90 days. It will be a united effort and a self-satisfying adventure.

You don’t have time? Of course you do! The 90 days will be kicked off on the evening of August 21 when partici-

pants will join together at 5:00pm to pick up materials and register for an accountability group. The small groups,

which will meet for one hour, one day a week, will be offered on both Wednesday and Sunday evenings: Wednes-

day at 6:00pm and Sunday at 5:00pm.

Hardy is a family church filled with love and dedication. This trip through the Bible together will only

serve to solidify that unity which we already experience.

It is our goal to involve EVERY member of Hardy in this endeavor. Let’s make it a church-wide commitment.

Is it just a Hardy thing? Absolutely not! This is an opportunity for your friends and neighbors to join us. Please step

out in faith. Sign up your intention to participate at a table in the foyer, and begin encouraging your Sunday school

class members, your friends, your extended family to join us on this journey of faith.

MISSION MOMENT

Hardy’s Missions Committee has several opportunities for our congregation to reach out and help

others and show that we are truly the church with the warm heart.

SAGER-BROWN MISSION TRIP - There are two trips planned – December 4 – 9, 2011, and May 20-25, 2012.

Prayerfully consider giving of your time to spend one of these weeks at the UMCOR Sager-Brown Depot in

Baldwin, Louisiana. Reserve your spot ASAP by contacting the church office.

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE – Collection bins are by the table in the foyer for your donations. The supplies will be

distributed through CPS Rainbow Room, local school districts, United Way Agency and UMCOR. PLEASE

help fill the bins so children can have the supplies they need when school starts.

BINGO AT STERLING HOUSE – Our committee has adopted Sterling House to help connect with and meet

needs of their elderly residents, some of which are members of our church. We need volunteers to do

BINGO the 1st Saturday of each month, from 2 to 3 p.m. The upcoming dates are August 6, September 3,

October 1 and November 5. Only one or two people are needed each month. Contact Carolyn Fant, Linda

McClemens or the church office. We are also collecting small items for Bingo prizes. The collection bin for

these items is in the Ephesians classroom.

That’s DinnerTainment

You are cordially invited to an evening of dinner and entertainment

Hardy Memorial United Methodist Church

August 12-13, 2011

Make plans to join us on August 12-13 for a sit-down dinner prepared and served by Hardy’s Master Chef Sonny

McBay. Dinner will be followed by musical entertainment consisting of show tunes performed by members of the

McBay family. Due to seating capacity, accommodations will be available for no more than 80 guests each night.

Tickets are $15 each and will be sold in the foyer beginning on July 31. Since this will be an adult evening out,

nursery and childcare will be made available.

August 1–Jason Fedric Don McIntosh August 2–John Fedric Sharon Pool August 3–Betty West August 5-Betty Griffin Rob Vickers August 6-Sara Barnett Chris Akin Doug & Alice McVey August 7-Julie Patterson Rhonda Reed Bob Joyner Greg & Ann Felling August 8-Renda Gross Paul & Bonnie Miller Julie & Mark Patterson August 9-Julie Miller August 10-Blanche Arnold Bruce & Kathy McConnell August 12-Shelby Sulivan August 13-Ed & Dottie Miller August 14-James Pool Dianne Good August 15-Joe Yates August 16-Martha Miller Victoria Pierce August 17-Betty Head Mason Guillory

August 18-James Baldwin Ashley Davis Kim Adkins August 19-Judy & Sonny Westerman Katie Bennett August 20-Wes Mills Paul Miller Rex Chambers Skylar Davis Jimmy & Renda Gross August 21-Earlyne Haire Louise Womack August 22-Jennie Fedric Paul Coen August 25-Billy Claussen Ken Markham Kristie Wright August 26-Jerry & Lynda Poore August 27-Becky Moore Mary Lou Thornton Jerry Poore, Sr. August 28-Morgan Williams Joe & Dee Dee Williams August 29-Diane Cannon Sara Vickers Matt Clark Carlos & Sue Harvey August 30-Mary Spencer August 31-Carolyn deBie

Hardy Dinner Club

All members and friends of Hardy

are welcome! This group meets

every month, typically on the third

Saturday, at a different restaurant.

This month: Saturday, August 20, 5:15pm

China Inn (State Line Blvd.)

New Horizons Fun Time for Over 55ers!!

Devotional—Bob Bell

Sandwiches—Betty Griffin, Betty West

Each person should bring a salad, veggie, or dessert of

your choice. This group will meet in the Fellowship Hall at

12:30 pm on Monday, August 22. BINGO is played each

month.

Youth Sunday Helpers:

Date Balcony Ushers Children’s Church

August 7 Ken Pratt Hunter Smith Ellie Mohon Hailey Woods

August 14 Alex Quinn Tyler Smith Logan Smith Kristin McCasland

August 21 Conner Patterson Price Eubanks Sara Grace Dawson Woods

August 28 Gunner Gilbert Micah Denby Leighton Weber Morgan Williams

Children’s Ministry

Sunday, August 21st

Youth Summer Mission Project

Rainbow Room of Texarkana

UMARMY Thank you for your generous donations for this year’s

Hardy UMArmy team. Nine youth and four adults from Hardy trav-

eled to Winnie, TX for a week of hot & sweaty mission work. We

really appreciated your gas money and Sonic cards!!!

High School Youth Float Trip on Mt. Fork River near Beaver’s Bend

We will leave Saturday, August 13th and return Sunday, August 14th

Vacation Bible School—Thank you to all the youth that helped make VBS a huge success this year:

Hailey Bagley, Kaitlyn Biggar, Jordan Boutwell, Emily Carroll, Michael DoBell, Price Eubanks, Gunner

Gilbert, Meaghan Harris, Alyssa Igyarto, John Igyarto, Sara Grace Little, Alex McBay, Meaghan McBay,

Kayla McKee, Marshall McPherson, Ellie Mohon, Hanna Pate, Conner Patterson, Aaron Pitman,

Miranda Powell, Kenneth Pratt, Sydnee Russ, Jared Smith, Logan Smith, Nikki Werst, Scottie Werst,

Gracie Williams, Morgan Williams, Nikki Wilmoth, Dawson Woods, and Hailey Woods.

THANKS FROM SHARMA AND SUE

The 2011 Vacation Bible School is over and goes down in history as one of Hardy’s best! It would be impossi-

ble to name every individual who helped to make this year’s VBS a success without accidentally leaving some-

one’s name off the list. In general, we thank the kitchen crew, the leaders, the nursery workers, the decorators,

the youth, the music directors and the story tellers. Thanks also to the adult Sunday school classes for provid-

ing delicious cookies. As we are often reminded, ―It takes a village …‖ Our children were greatly blessed.

Everyone enjoyed the pool party at the Stringers for BIG Adventures on July 19.

Make plans now to join us on:

August 2nd 10:00am to 1:00pm— for Movie Day at the church

BIG will begin on Wednesday, August 24th from 6:00pm-7:00pm. This is for ages 3

years-3rd Grade. Please note the time change! We are excited and looking forward

to the new school year.

Club-N-Btween

Calling all 4th and 5th graders! Club-N-Btween will begin meeting on Wednesday, August 24th from 6:00pm to

7:00pm. Come enjoy a devotional, games, and fellowship

Announcements

BACK TO THE BASICS ON AUGUST 21

All children and their teachers will meet at 9:30am on August 21 in the Fellowship Hall to kick off the morning.

After a continental breakfast, everyone will venture to their classrooms for Sunday school. Those who are eligi-

ble for promotion will be escorted to their new class rooms to meet their new teachers. Students going into the

third grade in school will be presented a Bible from the church during morning worship.

SCHOOL BELLS ARE ABOUT TO RING!

Students will have an opportunity to bring their backpacks to the altar on August 21, and teach-

ers are invited to bring their class roll books for dedication. It is most signifi-

cant to ―tuck‖ Jesus into backpacks, textbooks, and roll books as well as to

wrap Him around all extracurricular activities. Junior high and high school

students are encouraged to bring a symbol of their activities to the altar. This

might include drill team hats, color guard flags, soccer balls, band instruments, etc.

Hardy’s Dinner Bell Ringing Soon

For those who regularly enjoy our Hardy Dinner on Wednesday evenings and who have been anxiously await-

ing a new season to begin, your wait is about over. For those who haven’t had an opportunity to taste the

delicious fare offered, your opportunity awaits you. Hardy’s Chef McBay will open the doors for another sea-

son of great food and wonderful fellowship on Wednesday, August 24. Reservations are required. Please

contact the church by Tuesday noon the week of the dinner in order to reserve your place. You may also be

placed on the ―Standing Reservation: list. In that case, your only responsibility each week is to let the office

know if you will NOT be attending. The doors will open at 4:30pm with dinner served from 4:45-6:00pm.

Please make arrangements to come early if you are registered to take The Bible in 90 Days study which will

follow dinner.

August 24 — Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, lemonade pie

August 31 — Sesame chicken strips, fried rice, roasted veggies, Jello angel food cake

New Head Shepherd Needed

A special thanks goes out to Jean Stephens who has headed the Shepherd Ministry at Hardy for many years. Under

her coordination, this evangelistic tool has served to touch the lives of our many members. Since Jean has decided

to step down, we are in need of a new head shepherd. If you are willing to serve in this capacity, please contact

Mary Lou for further information.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY TO RESUME

All interested ladies are invited to join the Tuesday Morning Bible Study Group which will be led this fall by Sara

Vickers. The fall study, which will begin on September 13, will be on Beth Moore’s Daniel: Part II. Whether or not

you have had the opportunity to study the first half of Daniel is not important. All are welcomed. Join us in the

Ephesians Class room each Tuesday at 9:30am.

Please contact Mary Lou in the church office if you are interested in participating.

We’re on the web:

www.hardyumc.org

“We’re The Church With The Warm Heart”

Hardy Memorial United Methodist Church

6203 N. Kings Hwy.

Texarkana, Texas 75503

Phone No. (903) 793-1116 Return Service Requested

NON PROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 26

TEXARKANA, TX

The Bible in 90 Days

That’s DinnerTainment

So many exciting and new things happening at Hardy. Check inside this newsletter for

all the details and start marking your calendar now.