A Periodical from First United Methodist Church in Temple, Texas

February 2009

The WordThe Word

Inside This EditionInside This Edition

Not to be Overlooked•

Youth Backpacking Trip•

Summer Activity Pictures•

September 2009p

His Love Endures ForeverHis Love Endures Forever

Psalm 136Psalm 136

The Word from Pastor TomThe Word from Pastor Tom

This afternoon I looked in the cupboard for something to eat for lunch. The fi rst thing I saw was a jar of peanut butter whose label read, “No Sugar Added.” Then I noticed the bread was really cardboard and the cookies had no calories or taste. Also, somebody needs to explain to me exactly what Splenda is. I looked in the refrigerator and I saw 1% milk, which tastes like nothing more than “White

Water.” Seeing what is supposed to pass for food in my house makes me want to quote Psalm 22: “My God my God, why have you forsaken me?” I have asked my wife why she

keeps punishing me with pseudo food and she says it’s because she wants me to live. Living may be overrated.

One of the ways that Jesus defi nes heaven is as a great banquet. I can’t wait. Of course we will be sitting at the heavenly table and my wife will start to remind me about my high cholesterol and then God will say, “Shannon, it’s OK. In heaven, Tom can eat as much as he wants.”I love God. Not just because of the heavenly banquet but because he has blessed me immeasurably. I am exceedingly grateful.

How about you? When was the last time you looked at your life and realized how blessed you actually are? In the very best times in life, God deserves to hear our thanks. In the very worst times in life, God deserves to hear our thanks. God is a continual active presence; yesterday, today, and for all eternity. God is good. That will never change.

God Bless,

Tom

Worship With UsContact Us

First United Methodist Church102 N 2nd StreetTemple, TX 76501254-773-5269contact@fumctemple.orgwww.fumctemple.orgMail: P.O. Box 773 with zip 76503

PastorsRev Tom Robbins - Sr. Pastortom.robbins@fumctemple.org

Rev Jane Woodward - Assoc. Pastor/Music Ministerjane.woodward@fumctemple.org

Rev Hubert Austin - Assoc. Pastorhubjan1929@att.net

Rev Tim Wilson - Assoc. Pastortim.wilson@fumctemple.org

TraditionalMain Sanctuary8:30am & 11:00am

ContemporaryDennis Hall9:00 am

Wednesday ChapelChapel10:30am

Sunday School10:00am

SermonsRadio Broadcast KTEM 1400 AM Sunday 9:30 amwww.fumctemple.org/content.cfm/sermons

Sermon SeriesSermon Series

FUMC Event CalendarFUMC Event Calendar

Not to be OverlookedNot to be Overlooked

by Bill Horick - Retired Pastorby Bill Horick - Retired Pastor

A long time ago, back when a district conference lasted all day and ended in the evening, a group of clergymen (ladies weren’t in the ranks at that time) dutifully made their reports to the conference. But not one of those guys bothered to mention the work of the Women’s Society of Christian Service in their church. I was one of those pastors. The district president of the WSCS also made her report, and she rightfully admonished us preachers to never overlook the role of the women’s organization. For that matter, no one ever should. From its beginning in Boston in 1869, this outreach endeavor of Methodism has come a long, long way. In 1973 it assumed the title, United Methodist Women, and its goal has always been clear: a community of women whose purpose is to know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. What might today’s pastors say about this invaluable unit in local churches? Well, I think they could begin with this quotation: “Her name is Legion, for she is many. She lives in the open country, the small town, the pleasant suburb, the sprawling metropolis, the celestial city. She has spontaneously and joyously offered her gifts: an active mind, a dedicated voice, gentle hands, strong arms, willing feet, a compassionate spirit, an open purse, a prayerful and faithful heart. Her children, physical and spiritual, near and far, living and dead, rise up to call her blessed. She has had many names, but today she is known and praised by one common name. She is United Methodist Woman.” Trust me, this Undefeatable She is alive and active in our church, and must not be overlooked in its ministry. Indeed, ministry is a key word for our United Methodist Women. One of their leaders recently informed me that “ministries is now more widely used than missions. Ministry is people working with people, instead of just helping them or doing things for them.” With a membership of 85, our UMW is led by President Barbara Thomas and her slate of offi cers. The membership is divided into two Circles, the Dorcas and the Esther, and a number of at-large members. For your information, a Circle is the basic core in any local UMW organization. Sunday the 27th of this month will be designated church-wide as United Methodist Women’s Day. Moreover, these ladies plan a major surprise as part of their recognition on that day. Let me just say this. That surprise, like the UMW itself, is not to be overlooked either.

We are so excited about cooler weather and a fall season upon us! Lots of plans have been made and we hope your children will enjoy spending time here at church with our various programs.The recycle program will continue since it really made a difference in our members that serve in the various military services.

One new program that we started this fall is a TWEEN Group that meets Wednesday afternoons, during the Bible Zone with Jeff Stegall. This program is geared towards our 5th and 6th grade

students to give them an easier transition from the children’s department to the youth department. We will include the 6th grade students in our school pick up program.

On the next page you will fi nd our calendar that will give you an quick overview on our programs for this fall season, we did not list Sunday school on Sundays from 10- 10:45am nor did we put down each Wednesday night activity but chose to add the fi rst and the last date of Wednesday night activities for the fall calendar.

We are looking for members that might be interested in serving on the 2010 Children’s council. This group will meet every other month and work on decisions such as what to offer our children here at church, review existing programs and guide the children’s department throughout the year. If you are interested, please contact me at the church offi ce. We need to have our nominations by the end of October.

Our Pumpkins will arrive on the 17th of October and we will as always need lots of volunteers to make it all happen. Please consider helping with this worthwhile cause all monies raised will go towards our playground expansion that we so desperately need!

There will be lots of exciting events happening this fall, our new building will be completed, the playground will receive a makeover and pumpkin place will be at it’s new location. I hope you take time out this fall to enjoy some or all of the events planned for our children.

Vacation Bible School 2009Vacation Bible School 2009

Praise Camp 2009Praise Camp 2009

Glen Lake Summer Camp 2009Glen Lake Summer Camp 2009

FUMC YouthFUMC Youth

Jeff StegallJ

Jr. High Fellowship time

Open to all 6th-8th graders (snack supper included)

5:00-6:30 Sept. 20th, 27th

Come join us at the youth building for a time of fun, fellowship, and small group time

Tween Group

Open to all 5th-6th graders

We will meet every Wed. 3:45-4:40 in the youth building and this will be a time of fun and learning for all 5th and 6th graders

Jr. High Boys Bible Study

Every Wed. 6:10-7:00 in the youth building. This is a small group time for all 7th-8th grade boys

Sr. High I group

7:00-8:00 Starting Sept. 20th we will meet at Starbucks by the high school. This is open to all Sr. high youth and will be a time of fellowship and study.

FUMC YouthFUMC Youth

Backpacking TripBackpacking Trip

June MEMORIALS & HonorariumsJune MEMORIALS & Honorariums

JUNE 1ST-30THJUNE 1ST-30TH

Memorial Fund:IN MEMORY OF COLE WILSON PEMBERTON:Ron & Sue Nedry

IN MEMORY OF CURTIS YOUNTS, SR.Jim & Mary Clawson; Faye Sefcik; Dr. & Mrs. John A. Barton, Jr.

IN MEMORY OF E.P. SPURLIN:Friends at Extraco Banks; Bill & Anna Brodie

IN MEMORY OF MAGGART HOWELL:Bill & Anna Brodie

Mexico Mission Fund:IN MEMORY OF MATTHEW MOORE:Tom & Susan Thomson

Organ Fund:IN MEMORY OF EVELYN ASHBROOK:Ted & Kathy Floca; Jo Davis

IN MEMORY OF MARTHA ADAMS:Ted & Kathy Floca

IN HONOR OF JO DAVIS:Walt & Sandy Makiej

Building Fund:IN HONOR OF BILL & ANNA BRODIE’S 55TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY:Bill Brodie

IN HONOR OF LOIS REDWINE:Don & Vivian Walker

IN HONOR OF MRS. J.C. PITTS AND MR. & MRS. GEORGE LUCK:Don & Vivian Walker

IN MEMORY OF ELWOOD CRIPE:Ron & Sue Nedry

IN MEMORY OF MARTHA ADAMS:Adrian Walker; Louis & Charlynn Casey; Earl & Cindy Goodfellow; Jane Haywood; Sandy & Sue Lowry; Paul & Lucia Tipton; June & Sue Lykes; Howard & Kay Birkholz; George & Martha Brasher; Doug & Barbara Trainer; Bob & Lynda Myers; Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Secrest

IN MEMORY OF ALLEGRA BARNES:Marilyn Hensley; Gerry Miller; Dick Waters

IN MEMORY OF CURTIS YOUNTS, SR.Bill & Anna Brodie; Sam & Fran Farrow; Friends at Extraco Banks; Jane Haywood; Sue Mayborn; Ralph & Debbie Sheffi eld; J.W. & Ruth Perry; Dick Waters

IN MEMORY OF HOMER KLUCK:Katharine Johanns; Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Secrest

IN MEMORY OF COLE WILSON PEMBERTON:June & Sue Lykes; Bob & Lynda Myers; Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Secrest

IN MEMORY OF E.P. & FRANCES SPURLIN:Merlin “Swede” Erickson

IN MEMORY OF E.P. SPURLIN:June & Sue Lykes

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT & EVELYN ASHBROOK:Dr. & Mrs. Jeff Jackson and Ian & Kyle Jackson

IN MEMORY OF EVELYN ASHBROOK:Howard & Kay Birkholz; Gary and Brenda Smith; The Best Li’l Hairhouse in Temple; Dr. & Mrs. Jon Bergstrom; Bert, Ethel, & Julie Debord; Janice Wright; Tommy & Nancy Daniel; Mike & Ilene Miller; Ray & Linda Ashcraft; Tommy & Claudette Stone; Adrian Walker; Don Cummings; Don & Vivian Walker; Allene Ward; The Staff of Oak View Apartments (Charlotte Wheeler, Jerry Parker, Ronald Speck); Kenny & DeAnn Martin; Louis & Charlynn Casey; Hal & Jan Anderson; Dale & Jo Nita Kaulfus; Glenn & Janet Odstrcil; Perry, Laura, & Thomas Cloud; Ethel Venable; Earl & Cindy Goodfellow; Dr. & Mrs. Victor Schulze; Jane Haywood; Sandy & Sue Lowry; James & Jan Lundbeck; Wade Matthews; Ashbrook Family Trust; J.W. & Ruth Perry; Edwin & Marjorie Adams; Paul & Lucia Tipton; Friends at Extraco Banks; June & Sue Lykes; Paul & Shirley Gilliland; Steve Wright & Wright Builders; George & Martha Brasher; Raleigh & Marianna White; Doug & Barbara Trainer; Bob & Lynda Myers; Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Secrest

IN MEMORY OF SAM REDWINE:Don & Vivian Walker

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT TUTTLE:Don & Vivian Walker

IN MEMORY OF ALAN McCLURE:Bob & Lynda Myers

IN MEMORY OF CLAIRE WELLS:Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Secrest

IN MEMORY OF MARGARET SCANIO:Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Secrest

July MEMORIALS & HonorariumsJuly MEMORIALS & Honorariums

July 1st-31stJuly 1st-31st

Building Fund:IN MEMORY OF ALAN McCLURE:Earl & Cindy Goodfellow and the Monday Bible Study Group; X-Analog Communications, Inc.; June & Sue Lykes and the Monday Afternoon Ladies’ Bible Study; Marjorie & Edwin Adams; Buzz & Toni Rahm; Dick & Patty Mayfi eld; Jane Haywood; Raleigh & Marianna White; Richard & Aida Sapp; The Morton Family & the Monday Ladies’ Bible Study; Tobi Bigelow & the Monday Ladies’ Bible Study; Mrs. Margaret Williams; Bob & Grace Whitis; Anne Carole Redden & The Monday Bible Study Group; Adrian Walker; Robert M. Bicket; Louis & Charlynn Casey; George & Martha Brasher; Tom & DeAnn Bartlett; David & Laura Petty; Dave & Susan Jones; B.J. Finch; William & Dora Kelley; Paul & Susan Poston; Don & Susan Rohde; Barbara Thomas

IN MEMORY OF EVELYN ASHBROOK:Buzz & Toni Rahm; Robert & Betty Blair; Paul & Susan Poston

IN MEMORY OF MARTHA ADAMS:Buzz & Toni Rahm; J.W. & Ruth Perry; Paul & Susan Poston

IN MEMORY OF HARVEY DAVIS:Raleigh & Marianna White

IN MEMORY OF CLAIRE WELLS:Raleigh & Marianna White

IN MEMORY OF ALLEGRA BARNES:Raleigh & Marianna White

IN MEMORY OF NELL WADSWORTH:Lois Redwine; Mike & Ilene Miller; Vivian Walker; Glen & Nell Brindley; Eva Lee Money & Family; Dr. & Mrs. Bert DeBord & Julie DeBord; Ray & Linda Ashcraft; Tommie & Nancy Daniel; Sindy Greenwood; Gary Don & Brenda Smith; Dr. & Mrs. Delma Posey; Frank & Judy Norman; Edwin & Marjorie Adams; Bill & Dene Heath

IN MEMORY OF HENRY HUTKA:Jane Payne

IN MEMORY OF CHARLES ARNSPIGER:Barbara Thomas

Organ Fund:IN MEMORY OF EMMA ROSS:Ted & Kathy Floca

IN MEMORY OF NELL WADSWORTH:Ted & Kathy Floca; Jim & Georgia Vaughn

Children’s Department:IN MEMORY OF EVELYN ASHBROOK:Donna Martin

IN MEMORY OF HUNTLEIGH ELIZABETH HARVEY:Louis & Charlynn Casey

Mexico Mission Fund:IN MEMORY OF NELL WADSWORTH:Sue & Sandy Lowry

Building Fund:IN MEMORY OF NELL WADSWORTH:Tom & Peggy Rogers; Ken & Marlena Kjelland

IN MEMORY OF COLE WILSON PEMBERTON:Dr. & Mrs. Carl Bradley

IN MEMORY OF ALLEGRA BARNES:Kay & Darrell McDonald

IN MEMORY OF VADA LEE MANGAN:Jack & Charlotte Elrod

IN MEMORY OF ELLNA BEECHEM:Jack & Charlotte Elrod

IN MEMORY OF ALAN McCLURE:Michael Mullins

IN MEMORY OF MILDRED SMITH:J.W. & Ruth Perry; Barbara “BJ” Finch; Earl & Cindy Goodfellow; Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Kruppa; Contemporary Christians Sunday School Class

IN HONOR OF HUBERT & JAN AUSTIN:Perry, Laura, & Thomas Cloud

IN HONOR OF JOHN ROARK:Adrian Walker

Memorial Fund:IN MEMORY OF NELL WADSWORTH:Gerald & Linda Witt

IN MEMORY OF JAMES HOLMES:Larry & Marcia Robinson; Maggie Hatley

August MEMORIALS & HonorariumsAugust MEMORIALS & Honorariums

August 1st-31stAugust 1st-31st

Organ Fund:IN MEMORY OF ELLNA BEECHEM:Dorothy Marks

IN MEMORY OF VADA LEE MANGAN:Dorothy Marks

IN MEMORY OF MILDRED SMITH::Ted & Kathy Floca

Children’s Department Fund:IN HONOR OF HUBERT & JAN AUSTIN:Nancy Derry

IN MEMORY OF NELL WADSWORTH:William & Donna Martin

Pastors’ Discretion Fund::IN MEMORY OF JAMES HOLMES:Joe Hatley

August MEMORIALS & HonorariumsAugust MEMORIALS & Honorariums

August 1st-31st - ContinuedAugust 1st-31st - Continued

Your Money at Work

2009 3rd Quarter Operations Income Goal: $ 392,750September 7, 2009, Operations Income Received: $ 232,846September 7, 2009, Organ Note Balance: $ 247,247September 7, 2009, New Construction Loan Balance: $ 1,403,533Total Building Campaign Pledge to Date: $ 2,962,006Total Building Campaign Pledge Paid to Date: $ 1,585,843Total Remaining Building Campaign Pledge Outstanding: $ 1,376,163

Choir Rehearsal Schedule

Sundays – Wesley Choir – 8:00 a.m.Wednesdays:

Children’s Choirs (ages 4 through 5th grade) – 4:45 p.m.Youth Choir (6th through 12th grades) – 5:30 p.m.

Handbell Choir (adults) – 6:00 p.m.Chancel Choir – 7:00 p.m.

New members always welcome!!!

FIRSTUnited Methodist Church

102 N 2nd StreetTemple, TX 76502

Non-Profi t Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Temple, TX

Permit No. 123

Devotional by Hubert AustinDevotional by Hubert AustinFrom God’s Little devotional Book by Honor Books

An old poem tells the story of a woman who was walking through the meadow one day. As she strolled along meditating on nature, she came upon a field of golden pumpkins. In the corner of the field stood a majestic oak tree. The woman sat under the oak tree and began musing about the strange twists of nature. Tiny acorns hung on huge branches and huge pumpkins sat on tiny vines. She thought, God blundered with creation! He should have put the small acorns on the tiny vines and the large pumpkins on the huge branches. Before long, the warmth of the autumn sunshine lulled the woman to sleep. She was soon awakened, however, by a tiny acorn bouncing off her nose. Chuckling to herself, she amended her previous thinking; Maybe God was right after all!

In every situation, God knows far more about the people and circumstances involved than we can ever know. He alone knows how to create a Master Plan that provides for the good of all those who serve Him. Today, trust Him and His plan – it may seem backwards, but He always does what is best.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. – 1 Peter 5:6