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First Church News & Updates - August 4, 2017
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Greetings!
"Notice me, Horton" was the featured song in worship last Sunday. Listening to it again is a great way to start your Friday.
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"Notice me, Horton" - July 30, 2017
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We hope to see you on Sunday. Enjoy this First Church news!
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Sermon Series: The Gospel and Dr. Seuss
Last summer, we had fun with
All God's Critters and celebrated the roles that animals played in the Bible. This year, we bring into conversation the teachings of the Bible and the writings of Dr. Seuss in our new sermon series,
The Gospel and Dr. Seuss. You will be surprised at how well they come together. Our children will be doing some of that in Sunday School and it will also become a part of our children's times on Sunday morning.
Will there be a sermon or at least a large part of one be done entirely in rhyme? Will the preachers have any wisdom to spare should they dare to share? And do you have a
cat in the hat hat to wear? Our choirs are working hard on selections from Seussical and the Lorax. Zany series like these have a way of helping us hear the gospel with new ears and allows us another way to invite people to worship services just to experience the novelty of it all.
Sunday, August 6
Sermon Title:
"Solla Sollew - What's Your Picture of Heaven?"
Dr. Beverly Jones will preach at the 9:40 am worship service and Dr. Will Cotton will preach at the 8:30 and 11 am worship services this Sunday.
The Source
, our weekly devotional guide, is available on the
church website
. We will celebrate Holy Communion at all services on Sunday.
Please join us in worship this Sunday at 8:30 am (Sanctuary), 9:40 am (FLC), or 11 am (Sanctuary).
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Why A Time for Fresh Vision?
Several people have asked me that question in several different ways. Is there something wrong with the vision we already have? Have we done everything we have envisioned before, and if not, why not just keep at the one we already have? Are we asking for a vision when we already know what God wants us to do? These are important questions.
First, our new time of visioning together is not a protest to past visioning times, but is actually a part of what this church does about every 10-12 years. While our mission is the same..
.to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world (our denominational statement) or
to share the love of God in Jesus Christ (our congregational statement), how we accomplish that mission changes
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Dr. Will Cotton
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because of two main things: 1) we change in age, gifts and personnel, 2) the mission field we serve changes. When we compare ourselves to 1994 and 2006, the change inside and outside us is dramatic. Our Vision Core Team will be learning just how much and helping us adjust our ministries so that we carry out the cause of Christ in the very best ways possible. In so doing, we will be staying true to who we have been since the early days of this church.
Second, a growing and vital people of God must always be sensitive and responsive to God's call. When the apostle Paul was following Christ, God called him to move west into Greece and Rome instead of the ways he had gone before. The plan changed. So, we seek new vision to be sure we are in step with Christ for this day and time.
Third, even though the mission is in the Bible and plain for all to see, and even though what we explore often involves areas we have explored before, what we do needs God's guidance and the filling of the Holy Spirit. That gives the church new purpose, boldness, energy and focus. In Proverbs 29:18, we read,
"Without a vision, the people perish." When we dream with God we stay lively and dynamic. Another translation reads,
"Without a vision, the people cast off restraint." In a church as large as ours, it is easy to become a collection of groups of people who each go in their own direction. We then lose our power to make our greatest impact.
I was asked to lead our congregation into new vision before I officially became pastor here last year. Now we are joining together to do just that. We are discerning what God would have us become and do in our next great chapter. In the past that both stretched and blessed us more than we ever dreamed. I expect nothing less this time around. What a joy it is to share in this effort with you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Dr. Will Cotton
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Have you reserved your photo session?
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September Photo Sessions are now open online!
Our August photo sessions have been taking place this week. We still have a few of openings this Saturday and Sunday. The September 13 - 17 sessions are now open also. The Wednesday - Saturday sessions will be in Bldg. 5-223/224. The Sunday sessions will be in the Sanctuary North Suite (Handbell Suite).
You can plan your photo to reflect your family's interests. Choose your colors, bring the family dog, musical instrument...anything that you think best represents your family.
It is easy to sign up.
Click here to learn more and sign up online.
We need you this Saturday or Sunday!
We need
two people on Saturday and
two people on Sunday to help host the photo sessions. Volunteers will greet and check in families and assist the photography staff as needed. It is a relatively easy job and is a great time to visit with many of your First Church family and friends.
Click here to read more and to volunteer! Questions? Contact Betty Robertson, betty@fumc-rr.org.
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Mission Panama is coming up soon!
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Mission Panama Team leaves on Saturday!
Thanks to your generosity, they will be taking with them a check for $7500 for wheel chairs and church building furnishings. They will be doing four days of clinic while in Panama. Please keep the team in your prayers as they share the love of Christ with the people of Panama.
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Family Movie Night: August 10
Children's Ministry is hosting a Family Movie Night on
Thursday, August 10
. We will gather at
7 pm
on the back patio, facing the playground. Bring some chairs and/or blanket for your family to sit on.
We will be serving popcorn, but feel free to bring a snack to share, if you wish. We will have a few minutes to gather and socialize.
The movie is Mary Poppins! Showtime is at
7:30 pm
! We hope to see you there!
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August 20 is Promotion Sunday for Preschool Children
All children will go to rooms based on their age as of September 1, 2017. Some children may be moving to a different pod. Talking to your child about change before your arrival can sometimes help with transition. All children will need a
2017-18 registration form.
Please indicate all programs you would like your preschool child to attend. You are welcome to print the form and fill it out before your arrival if you wish.
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Other Children's Ministry Info...
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Save the Date: Fusion is Back on August 27
Mark your calendars because Fusion will be returning on Sunday, August 27 from 6-8 pm in the Family Life Center. This is our weekly programming on Sunday nights during the school year for students in grades 6-12.
We have snack supper for $3, games, fellowship, worship and small groups! We can't wait for another amazing year, so save the date and join us as we kick off another school year!
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Financial Peace University begins September 6
If you're tired of living paycheck-to-paycheck and would like to manage your money smarter, this 9-week course is for you. Dave Ramsey, through fun and entertaining videos and lessons, leads us through a process of learning to decide where our money goes, rather than letting it control us. Classes begin September 6 at 6:30 pm. Cost is $93.Childcare will be available by registration if there is enough demand. Click here to register.
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JOY Fellowship Summer Gathering and Planning Session
Date: August 17
Time: 10:00 am in Payne Cottage, room 2
Program: Join us for some breakfast goodies and help us plan our upcoming year.
Dr. Beverly Jones, Associate Pastor, will lead us in discussing our mission and activities. We hope to see you there.
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DISCIPLE Bible Study - Registration for Fall Classes is Open!
If you have never taken a DISCIPLE class, now is the time to get started! There are still openings in long term DISCIPLE I (morning class) and short term classes Invitation to the Old Testament (morning) and Invitation to Romans (evening). If you've taken 3 DISCIPLE classes, there are still a few openings in Jesus in the Gospels (evening).
Classes begin in late August and early September.
Click here for details, course descriptions and registration links.
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Other Adult Ministry Info...
- UMW Lydia Circle - August 8, 6:30 pm in /Bldg. 4/Payne Cottage
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Care Caller Ministry Looking
for Volunteers
"Thank you for calling me! It means so much that someone from the church would call about my mother."
This is a typical response for a Care Caller, our church's newest Care Ministry. Volunteers call those in the church who have expressed a concern for a loved one, offering a caring ear of support and touching others in the name of Christ who touched the lives of countless souls. Most conversations last only a few minutes, but in that simple, brief phone visit, a lot of love is communicated.
Would you like to be a Care Caller? All you really need is a phone, a computer, and the willingness to reach out. The time commitment is normally less than an hour per week. For more information, contact Van Dickens, Retired Clergy-in-Residence at
louisianavan@gmail.com or Beverly Jones, Associate Pastor, at
beverly@fumc-rr.org,
512.255.3336).
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News from Boy Scout Troop #157
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A busy summer for our Scouts!
Scouts from our Boy Scout Troop 157 have been crisscrossing the country in July. Forty-three Scouts and 17 adult Scouters drove to Camp Alexander in Colorado spanning 9 days. The boys worked on a variety of merit badges and Scouting skills while enjoying the cool mountain air. Quite a bit of rainfall throughout the week resulted in an impromptu service project repairing a roadway and parking area at the camp. Another group of nine Scouts and three Scouters attended Sea Base High Adventure Base in Florida where they enjoyed a week on the ocean. National Jamboree in West Virginia was another destination that six Scouts attended with thousands of others from across the nation. A great time was had by all no matter where they went. The Scouts and Scouters built a lifetime of memories and experienced many of God's natural wonders.
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MOM's Salvation Army School Supply Drive serves Williamson and Travis County
The Ministry of Motherhood (MOM) is sponsoring a school supply drive and invite you to donate!
The supplies will be used by the 100 children living at two emergency shelters.
Items needed inclulde
Flash drives, Notebooks, Ballpoint
pens (black or blue),
Kleenex,
Glue (bottles - not glue sticks),
Composition books,
Felt tip pen sets,
Colored pencils,
Backpacks. The greatest need of for older kids in grades 6-12.
Please bring donations to the church office by
August 10
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Calling all Backpack Project Volunteers...
Join us on August 6
Whether you are new to the First Church Backpack Project or have been around, served at Bluebonnet or Wells Branch or volunteered at the Backpack House...let's get together, Sunday, August 6!
There's lots of new ground to cover and new things to introduce. Come to Payne Cottage (Bldg.4) after the 9:40 or 11 am worship service. If you can't be there but need information, email:
kathyford03@yahoo.com
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Other Mission & Outreach Info...
- Round Rock Helpers are ready to serve! Call Fred Clark at 512-450-4398 for more info.
- The Villages: read more about our strategic vision for church-wide Outreach and Mission-local, regional, and global.
- The Handbell Ministry is staffing the Twin Oaks Cafe in August.
- ABC Literacy Program: Share the gift of reading with our children
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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Footprints Children's Grief Ministry
Classes Start Sept 14
Parents and children are greatly affected when death or divorce occurs in the family. Footprints Children's Grief Ministry classes are designed to help parents and children with those issues. The next class series will begin on September 14. Weekly one hour classes are offered for children 6 to 18 years old. The class series runs for 10 weeks. Registration forms can be found at
www.fpcgm.org
or by calling (512) 705-5194.
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This week at First Church
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- 8:30, 9:40 and 11 am - Worship Services
- 10 am - 5 pm - Pictorial Directory Photo Sessions, Sanctuary North Suite
- 6:00 pm - Board of Trustees meeting, Bldg. 5-122
- 8:30 am - UMM Tuesday Breakfast group, Juárez Restaurant on South Mays
- 9:30 am - First Church Crafters, 115 Winsted
- 7:00 pm - Nurture Team, Bldg. 5-122
- 7:00 pm - LEADFirst meeting, Bldg. 5-127
- 7:00 pm - UMW Lydia Circle, Bldg. 4-2
- 6:15 am - UMM Breakfast, fellowship, devotional - FLC/Bldg. 3
- 2 - 9 pm - Pictorial Directory Photo Sessions, Bldg. 5-223/224
- 5:45 pm - Heartsong rehearsal, South Suite
- 7:15 pm - Chancel Choir rehearsal, South Suite
Thursday, August 10
- 9:30 am - Heart to Heart Quilters, 115 Winsted
Friday, August 11
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8:00 pm - Narcotics Anonymous-Right Stuff, Bldg. 4
Saturday, August 12
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Blessings,
Betty Robertson
Communications
First United Methodist Church Round Rock
First Church exists to share the love
of God in Jesus Christ.
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First United Methodist Church | Round Rock
512.255.3336 |
newsletter@fumc-rr.org | http://
fumc-rr.org
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