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First Church News & Updates - June 2, 2017
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We are blessed to have many talented and inspiring folks in our congregation. One such member is Tom Lough...veteran, composer, Olympian, author. He has an article in the June issue of Guideposts, entitled This Olympian Thrives on Positive Thinking. Click here to read the article.
Last Sunday, as we were enjoying his composition entitled Silent Heroes as part of our Memorial Day recognition, Tom was on his way to Washington, DC on an Honor Flight for Purple Heart veterans.
Tom says, "
I have just returned from the Honor Flight to Washington, DC, for the Memorial Day events. It is billed as the trip of a lifetime, and for me it lived up to its name. From the concert at the Capitol on Sunday night to the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and tour of military monuments on Monday, the trip was a continuous series of moving moments. At the Vietnam wall, I reflected on the names of those killed in action at Hamburger Hill, and also traced the names of my West Point classmates listed there. While sobering, the trip also had its exciting moments as well. Cheering crowds greeted us everywhere, and more than 500 people came to the airport to welcome us home in a wonderful ceremony on Monday night. We are one nation under God, and throughout this trip I could feel that spirit working in me, in my fellow veteran travelers, and in those whom we met. I urge all older veterans to register with Honor Flight Austin so that they can experience this opportunity as well."
Enjoy this First Church news!
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Pentecost Sunday
Have you ever wondered why people say some of the things they do in difficult times? Some are helpful, but many are not!
"Everything happens for a reason." "You must not have been praying right." "You must have some unforgiven sin that caused this."
So how do we cope during difficult times and how can we be truly helpful to others when those things happen to them? Surprisingly, one of the best places to get wisdom for those times comes from the sacred story of Job. So during the month of May, the pastors are sharing
Adults Say the Darndest Things
based on the book of Job. Watch for unique use of music and drama along with intriguing angles of preaching. This is a series you will want to invite friends to, as it deals directly with some of life's peskiest questions.
Sermon Title:
"Out of the Whirlwind"
Dr. Will Cotton will preach at the 9:40 and 11 am worship services this Sunday. Rev. Katie Meek will preach at the 8:30 am service. Holy Communion will be served at all services.
The Source
, our weekly devotional guide, is available on the
church website
.
Please join us in worship this Sunday at 8:30 am (Sanctuary), 9:40 am (FLC), or 11 am (Sanctuary).
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Pentecost - It's More than the Church's Birthday
As a child, I was taught that the significance of Pentecost was that it was the day the church was officially born - the church's birthday. It was the first time a sermon was preached by the Apostles (given by Peter, who just weeks before had denied that he ever knew Jesus. There were 3,000 converts that came to Christ on that day (what a sight that must have been!). What a launch of a movement that is still shaking the world today! Often children will eat birthday cake in church on that Sunday to celebrate what happened on that day. But sometimes I fear that we never get past that.
The truth is that Pentecost was a Jewish feast that was celebrated every year and people from all over the world came to Jerusalem. It was a normal part of the calendar, but God did something that was not on the calendar and not what was traditionally expected. What's more, God did this extraordinary
launch with and through ordinary, fallible, doubting people, just like you and me, who had gathered to wait on the power of God to fill them. I wonder how long the 120 waited in prayer in that room - minutes, hours, days, or a week or more. I wonder if anybody left because they wondered if anything was ever going to happen. What happened that day has ripples all over the world on this Pentecost.
Pentecost is about what happens when the Holy Spirit, the indwelling power of God gets loose in God's people. The church is not self-made or self-powered. Our God-given job...to make disciples of all nations...is too big for that. On Senior Recognition Sunday, I said to our graduates what was said in my own Baccalaureate service,
"May God give you a dream so big that without God's help it is bound to fail." On Pentecost Sunday, Peter said something similar quoting the prophet Joel about sons and daughters prophesying and old men dreaming dreams. If we are not careful, churches can be organizations that do religious activities in their own strength, in response to their own desires, instead of being Spirit-empowered centers that change lives and communities. If we are not careful, the same thing can happen in our personal lives.
In theology, scholars talk about the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as the
Christ event. I would add Pentecost to that. Having the crucified and risen Christ living in power in and through us is what Jesus had in mind all along (at least that's what I see particularly in John 14-16). So you will not be surprised that I find Pentecost to be one of the most exciting Sundays of the year. It also tends to be one where God moves in special ways. I hope to see you here on Pentecost!
Sincerely in Christ,
Senior Pastor
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Fir$t Match...the Spring 2017 Capital Matching Campaign
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Campaign Update: Contributions in this fourth week were $16,067. This makes the current total, including the $30K match, $78,861. Way to go! We will have a complete report next week.
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Coming up next week...two fun and exciting events!
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Friends and Family Game Night -
Wednesday, June 7, 6-9 pm, Family Life Center
.
Friends and Family Game Night is a fellowship event for all ages...children, youth and adults. We will have a variety of board and card games available, but feel free to bring your favorites.
Pizza will be ordered based on the number of folks who preregister. Join us for pizza from 6 - 6:30 pm. If you don't preregister or you're not a pizza fan, feel free to bring your own dinner and/or snacks. Contributions will be accepted to cover the cost of the pizza. We will provide tea. Please
register online or RSVP to tammy@fumc-rr.org.
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Bronze Mosaic - Free Handbell concert next Thursday featuring Cast of Bronze
First Church Handbell Ministry is pleased to welcome
Cast of Bronze, an auditioned community handbell ensemble from Dallas. This concert will feature all sorts of different arrangements including original compositions, marches, classical music and sacred music. This team is amazing! The ringers perform on 331 handbells and chimes, including: 7.5 octaves of Schulmerich bells, 6 octaves of Malmark chimes, 5 octaves of Whitechapel handbells, 3 octaves of Dutch Petit and Fritsen handbells, 3 octaves of BoomWhackers, 2 octaves of DeskSet bells and 2 octaves of R. H. Mayland handbells manufactured in the 1880's. It will be a fantastic concert and we want to pack the Sanctuary!
The concert will take place at 7 pm on Thursday, June 8 in our Sanctuary. Invite your friends and neighbors and let's give this team a hearty First Church welcome!
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June 4 is Promotion Sunday
All children finishing Kindergarten through 5th grade, will move up to their new grade level this Sunday, June 4. Children who have just finished kindergarten will still gather in Pod A as usual and then during the Sunday School hour, the teachers will take them upstairs in Building 5 to the Walk of Faith Sunday School rooms. The children will get a brief tour and then go to room 217, where their parents can pick them up at 10:40 am. Note: Preschool age children will not promote until August.
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Camp Triumph Sports Camp returns to First Church this summer. Sign up today!
- June 12 - 15: 12 noon - 4 pm
- June 19 - 22: 12 noon - 4 pm
- July 24 - 27: 8:30-11:30 am.
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Leadership Team Applications are available
As we wind down the school year, we are beginning to look ahead to the 2017-2018 school year. As we prepare, that means we are looking to add new students to our leadership team for next school year.
We are looking for committee members for each of our teams:
- Outreach Team
- Communications Team
- Hospitality Team
- Worship Team
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Other Student Ministry Info...
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New opportunity for First Church men
Who wants to play softball? We are recruiting for a team to play in a softball league (slow pitch underhand). All ages, sizes and skill levels are welcome.
Why join the team? Christian fellowship and fun...plus a little exercise. Bring the family to the games! It's a great atmosphere for kids and fun.
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Several new Bible & book studies
begin in June
Why not kick off summer with a new Bible or book study? Several new ones are beginning soon. More details are on the church website...just click the links below or contact the group leader.
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Other Adult Ministry Info...
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Two First Church Mission groups are leaving this Sunday morning at 7 am.
Our
High School Students
are heading to Las Cruces, NM, and our
Women's Mission team
is going to Sager Brown in Baldwin, LA. We know you will join us in praying for safe travels and extraordinary success in sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others.
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Other Mission & Outreach Info...
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News from the Council Oak Preschool
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School's Out! Council Oak Preschool has finished another year!
Thank you to the students and families who spent the 2016-17 school year with us! We were blessed to share this past school year with 260 precious children aged 18 months to 5 years old. During this year, we learned, praised God at chapel, played and celebrated the fun of being a kid.
We also partnered with the First Church Children's and Youth Ministries for Fall Festival and Thanksgiving bags donations, and with the United Methodist Men on our school-wide Thanksgiving Feast.
On May 24 and 25, we had graduation ceremonies and sent 93 students off to Kindergarten. We know they are headed off to do great things! We will start the 2017-18 school year in August and will welcome back many returning students and lots of new friends too!
There are still a few openings available for toddlers and 2 year olds for the upcoming school year. Please email Joy Lewis at joy@fumc-rr.org if you are interested. Thank you for an amazing year!
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This week at First Church
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- 7:00 am - Mission groups (High School & Sager Brown) depart
- 8:30, 9:40 and 11 am - Worship Services
- 9:40 am - Handbell Rookie Training Camp, North Suite
Monday, June 5 - The church office will begin summer hours, 9 am - 4 pm
- 8:30 am - UMM Breakfast, La Margarita Restaurant
- 9:00 am - VBS Workday, Bldg. 5
- 9:30 am - First Church Crafters, 115 Winsted
- 11:30 am - Women's Book Club, Bldg. 5-127
- 6:30 pm - Building Circles of Grace, Bldg. 5-232/234
- 7:00 pm - Military First Responders Network, Bldg. 5-124
Wednesday, June 7
- 6:15 am - UMM Breakfast, fellowship, devotional - FLC/Bldg. 3
- 6:00 pm - Friends & Family Game Night, Bldg. 3/FLC
- 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir rehearsal, South Suite
Thursday, June 8
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8:30 am - Round Rock Helpers, Bldg. 4-2
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6:30 pm - Greater Round Rock Discovery Team Retreat, Bldg. 5-127
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8:00 pm - Narcotics Anonymous-Right Stuff, Bldg. 4
Saturday, June 10
- 6:30 pm - Greater Round Rock Discovery Team Retreat, Bldg. 5-127
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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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