Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat...Today!
First Church News & Updates - October 27, 2017
 
 
UMM Brisket

Enjoy this First Church news.
This week in worship...
Sermon Series

Giving Matters...You, God and your Money
Jesus taught that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. He spent more than half of his teaching on dealing with possessions and wealth. This shows that how we regard wealth is important to God. But also God understands how important it is to us. So this series begins with God as the great and joyous giver inviting us into giving that is both fulfilling and joyful.

Sermon Title:  "God Is Exuberantly Generous"

Dr. Will Cotton will be preaching at the 9:40 and 11 am worship services. Dr. Beverly Jones will be preaching at the 8:30 am service.  The Source , our weekly devotional guide, is available on the church website

The Revelation Ringers will be ringing at both Sanctuary services.

Please join us in worship this Sunday at  8:30 am (Sanctuary), 9:40 am (FLC), or 11 am (Sanctuary).
Come join the fun at Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat!
Fall Festival
It's almost time for our sixth annual Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat! It will be this Sunday, October 29, from 4-6 pm. This is an afternoon for children and families of our congregation and community. Come and bring your whole family. Children can trick or treat at the decorated trunks and also participate in our Fall Festival activities. 

It's not too late to volunteer to help!
  • Volunteer for the Festival: There are still opportunities to sign up and volunteer for the festival portion of the event and this will be a huge need as well. If you have a high school student, they can earn service hours by volunteering. We will need volunteers to set up, work the booths and clean up! Click here to volunteer! 

  • Donate Candy: We rely on candy donations to pass out to children during the trunk or treat so we are asking for you to help donate candy. You can bring the candy to the one of the large tubs on the church campus.
  • Volunteer to provide a Trunk: Trunk or Treat relies on people signing up to bring their trunk and help pass out candy to children as they come through. You will come with your car, decorate your trunk and then pass out candy. To sign up your trunk follow this link: Trunk or Treat Sign Up
We look forward to this event every year and hope that you will help us in making it a success yet again. 
Thank you for your help!
Hurricane Relief Update...
Hurricane Response
  
Flood buckets are on the move! Over 350 of the Flood Buckets assembled last month were delivered to the Disaster Response distribution center in Kerrville. Another 40 or so have already been delivered to local churches and homeowners along the coast. The remaining 100 are destined to be used by our own disaster response teams as they respond over the next months and years. Yes, it will take years to fully restore the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey. 

Right now the focus has shifted from providing materials and supplies to fielding people willing to serve those in need. Teams are forming now and our first team deployed to the Texas coast last weekend. To ensure that all who want to serve are properly trained, new training sessions are being offered on an ongoing basis.  We have added a Disaster Response page to our church website which will include information on training opportunities, reports from mission teams and more. For more information, contact Dave Scott at txgolfersall@gmail.com. Stay tuned to learn more about how your amazing generosity in response to Hurricane Harvey will be used going forward to assist families and communities in crisis. Thank you!
Ministry Focus...
Caring Ministry
Caregiver Survey
  
Caring for an Aging Parent or Loved One? Need Help? New Survey Available for You!
First Church is seeking to meet the needs of the so called Sandwich Generation and others who are responsible for their aging parents and loved ones, and at the same time are responsible for children of their own, their work and other responsibilities. If this describes you, you are invited to take this survey. The survey will help us to better serve your needs. If you have questions or additional ideas contact Wanell Soslow at wanell@fumc-rr.org.
Children's Ministry
Kids for Christ Council
Kids for Christ Council
The Kids For Christ Council is a task force of parents interested in serving in the areas of children's programming along with the Children's Ministries Team. The next KFC meeting will be Sunday, November 5 at 12:15 pm!  We invite new members to join our council and would like you to prayerfully consider participating in this important part of Children's Ministry! 

Please join us or call the church office for more information. For more info...
Student Ministry
Fall Mission
Fall Mission...We're heading to Houston !
November 11-12
Our students and adults will be headed to the Houston area to assist in Hurricane Harvey relief.  Teams will be sheet rocking houses, picking up debris and building a wheel chair ramp. It is not too late to join us! Registration forms are available through  November 5 on the church website. Contact Jodi Marfell, Director of Student Ministries, jodi@fumc-rr.org, for more information.

Camp Eagle
Camp Eagle 2018 - Dates: High School: 
July 22-27, Middle School: August 3-8
Camp Eagle is a high adventure Christian Camp in Rocksprings, TX. Through high adventure activities, bible study and fellowship, they create experiences that will impact students and their faith.The cost is: High School: $420, Middle School: $345 To register for the camp you will fill out a registration form, turn it in to the Student Ministries Office, along with a $100 deposit. Spots fill very quickly!

We also need adults to go as chaperones for the week. The cost for adults is $200 and we ask that you drive students to and from camp. Click for complete details and forms...
Other Student Ministry Info...
Adult Ministry
Methodism 101
Methodism 101 begins November 5
What makes United Methodists unique? How are we both like other Christians, yet see things differently?
You are invited to a three-week class to explore these questions: our history, our theology, our way of living, and our place in God's work and in our world today.  Led by Dr. John Clifford,  Methodism 101  begins on November 5 and will meet at 9:40 am on Sunday mornings for 3 weeks.

Winter Camp 2018
Winter Family Camp: January 12 - 15, 2018
Please make plans to join your First Church family for another great, restful weekend at the HEB Foundation camp in the gorgeous Texas Hill Country. Cabins are centrally heated with hot showers, and there is a lodge with a huge fireplace where we gather to eat, sing, and worship together. All meals are included. Cost is only $30 per adult or child 13 or older, $15 per child 4 - 12, and free for children  age 3 and under. Registration will begin in December.  Contact Paul Pulley, pwptcp-fumc@yahoo.com or 512.828.3871  with questions or to be included in email list for further information.
Other Adult Ministry Info...
  • Women's Book Club: Tuesday, November 7, 11:30 am in Bldg. 5-127. November book selection is  The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg. December book selection is 
    The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank.
  • Tuesday Women's Bible Study: Meets Tuesdays at 9:30 am in Bldg. 5-122. New study, Finding I AM by Lysa TerKeurst, begins October 31.
  • Dinner Groups are Forming: Dinner groups are a great way for newcomers to feel more at home. For more information contact Patti Ruth 512-944-5339 or pjruth1@gmail.com.
  • New Grief Support Group is forming:
     First Church will be offering a 6-8 week curriculum based Grief Support Group this fall/winter. This group is designed to be a place of support through sharing, learning and caring. For more information, contact Dr. Beverly Jones, Associate Pastor, at beverly@fumc-rr.org.
Mission Focus...
Thanksgiving Bags Project

Sharing our blessings at Thanksgiving
Every year our church feeds nearly 300 families Thanksgiving in the greater Round Rock area through our Thanksgiving Bag Ministry. Join us this year as we feed 200+ families in eight partnering schools, 100 families in the Houston area, and families in our local National Guard. If you would like to help, just pick up a bag in the sanctuary, Family Life Center, or Building 5, fill the bags with items on list and return to the church by  November 12 ! Click here for all the details...
Angel Tree

Would you like to be a Christmas Angel?
Each year at this time, the Williamson County Child Welfare Board asks for help to purchase gifts for the children in foster care in Williamson County. The First Church Outreach Ministry is sponsoring this program for our church. This year we can help out by purchasing gifts for up to 120 children. Click for more information...
Holiday Extravaganza

First Church Crafters annual holiday craft sale will be on Sunday, November 12
This  Holiday Extravaganza  will be held from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm at the church gazebo. From Christmas decorations to gorgeous jewelry, we know that you will find the perfect gift for that special someone! Since our creations are handmade and hand crafted from recycled and re-purposed  items, we believe that you will definitely find unique and exquisite gifts for all. As always, proceeds from the sale will go to missions, so please take a few minutes and browse our treasures on November 12. We know that you won't be disappointed.
Other Mission & Outreach Info...
  • Disaster Relief:  Donations are still being accepted for hurricane relief.
  • The Villages: read more about our strategic vision for church-wide Outreach and Mission-local, regional, and global.
  • Round Rock Helpers: Providing handyman services and assistance to seniors.
  • First Church Backpack Project: Donate or volunteer!
  • Student Ministry is staffing the Twin Oaks Cafe in October.
  • Plastic Bag Recycling: Donate your plastic bags for use at the Round Rock Area Serving Center. Leave them in the white barrel in Payne Cottage. They are picked up weekly.
  • Drive-A-Senior Needs More Drivers: Visit  their website, or call 512-310-1060 to learn more about this community service to our elderly neighbors.
  • Round Rock Area Serving Center:  Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs! New volunteer orientation is on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 4 pm at 1099 E. Main St., 2nd floor conference room.  Call 512-244-2431.
Scrub-a-dub Day is tomorrow!
Scrub-a-dub Days

October is Pastor Appreciation Month
Pastor Appreciation
Save these dates for upcoming holiday events!
Advent and Christmas...just around the corner
In order to help you plan your calendar, we want to share some church-wide and community events:
  • November 12: Christmas Angel Tree in Sanctuary foyer
  • November 12: First Church Crafters Holiday Extravaganza, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, Gazebo
  • November 14: Thanksgiving Basket delivery, 6 - 8 pm
  • December 2:  Ring Noel 2017, Sanctuary
  • December 4:  Children and Youth Bells Advent Recital, 6 pm, Sanctuary
  • December 10: Christmas Cantata, 8:30 and 11 am worship services
  • December 10: CrossRoads Christmas, 9:40 am, Family Life Center
  • December 15: Round Rock Community Choir Holiday Concert, 7 pm, Sanctuary
  • December 17: Senior Access Christmas Choral Concert, 6:30 pm, Sanctuary

We will add additional events and dates as information becomes available.                             

This week at First Church
Saturday, October 28
  • 9 am - Scrub-a-dub Day, church campus
Sunday, October 29
Fall Festival
  • 8:30, 9:40 and 11 am - Worship Services
  • 8:40 am - LifeGroup - Spiritual Growth, Bldg. 4/Payne Cottage
  • 11:00 am - LifeGroup - Parents & Families in Transition, Bldg. 5-124 
  • 11:00 am - LifeGroup - Young Parents, Bldg. 5-148
  • 11:00 am - LifeGroup - Putting Your Faith into Action Bldg 5-136
  • 11:30 am - Alleluia Chorus Children's Choir, Bldg. 4/Payne Cottage
  • 3:00 pm - Youth Choir, Bldg. 4/Payne Cottage
  • 4:00 pm - Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat, church campus
Monday, October 30
  • 4:00 pm - Kids of the Kingdom Bells, Bldg. 3/FLC, East Cry Room
  • 7:00 pm - Boy Scout Troop #157, Bldg.3/FLC
Tuesday, October 31
  • 8:30 am - UMM Tuesday Breakfast group, Juárez Restaurant on South Mays
  • 8:45 am - Ring of Joy rehearsal, North Suite
  • 9:30 am - First Church Crafters, 115 Winsted
  • 9:30 am - Tuesday Women's Bible Study, Bldg. 5-122
  • 12:30 pm - Brown Bag Theologians, Bldg. 5-122
  • 7:00 pm - Community Bible Study, Bldg. 5-223/224, 220 & 225
Wednesday, November 1
  • 6:15 am - UMM Breakfast, fellowship, devotional - FLC/Bldg. 3
  • 9:15 am - Council Oak Preschool Chapel, Sanctuary
  • 9:30 am - Wednesday Women's Bible Study, Bldg. 5-232/234
  • 5:00 pm - Revelation Ringers Tins rehearsal, East Cry Room/FLC
  • 5:00 pm - Revelation Ringers Bronze rehearsal, North Suite
  • 6:00 pm - Heartsong rehearsal, South Suite 
  • 6:30 pm - Wednesday Women's Bible Study, Bdlg 5-232/234  
  • 6:30 pm - Financial Peace University, Bldg. 5-127
  • 7:00 pm - Jubilation bell rehearsal, North Suite
  • 7:15 pm - Chancel Choir rehearsal, South Suite
Thursday, November 2
  • 9:15 am - Council Oak Preschool Chapel, Sanctuary
  • 9:30 am - Heart to Heart Quilters, 115 Winsted
  • 7:00 pm - Council Oak Bells rehearsal, North Suite
  • 7:00 pm - Orchestra rehearsal, South Suite
Friday,  November 3
  • 8:00 am - Round Rock Helpers, Bldg 4/Payne Cottage
  • 9:30 am - MOM weekly gathering, Bldg. 5-232/234
  • 8:00 pm - Narcotics Anonymous-Right Stuff, Bldg. 4
Saturday, November 4


There is always a lot going on at First Church. Visit the website, find us on Facebook or Twitter, and check the Church Calendar so you don't miss out! 
Blessings,


Betty Robertson
Communications
First United Methodist Church Round Rock

First Church exists to share the love  of God in Jesus Christ.
Just a reminder... You're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in First United Methodist Church. Don't forget to add newsletter@fumc-rr.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to additional First Church E-Mail lists, you can do so by clicking Update Profile/Email Address below. You will then receive an email in which you can specify the First Church E-Mail lists you prefer. If you click Safe Unsubscribe below, you will be unsubscribed from all First Church E-Mails.
First United Methodist Church | Round Rock 
512.255.3336 | newsletter@fumc-rr.org | http:// fumc-rr.org
STAY CONNECTED: