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First Church News & Updates - September 8, 2017
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"Requiem" by Eliza Gilkyson, arr. Craig Hella Johnson
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Last Sunday was a moving service as we focused on all those affected by Hurricane Harvey. The Chancel Choir performed
Requiem by Eliza Gilkyson, arr. Craig Hella Johnson. This piece was written following the tsunamis in Asia in 2004. It rings true for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, and is dedicated to everyone, and everything, that has been lost.
"In the dark night of the soul, bring some comfort to us all. Oh, loving Father come and carry us in your embrace that our sorrows may be faced."
And now we move forward, watching closely the path and impact of Hurricane Irma.
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Credo...Keeping your faith in unbelievable times.
Ours is a time when people are struggling for faith. People are struggling with what they believe in, how do they keep believing. We hear it in our young adults. They want to believe in a God who makes a difference. They know the God that they don't believe in-a God of easy answers, a God tied to a particular political point of view. But they struggle with what kind of God they do believe in.
Sermon Title:
"I Believe - Help My Unbelief"
Dr. Will Cotton will preach at the 8:30 and 11 am worship services and Rev. Katie Meek will preach at the 9:40 am worship service this Sunday.
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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Labor Day Weekend is usually one of those Aces and Spaces weekends with lots of space between the folks sitting in the pews, as people are on the move for the last trip away before fall officially sets in. But Hurricane Harvey changed all that. The crowds in worship were strong and the participation in our weekend mission efforts were beautiful to behold. I thought setting a $10K fund raising goal the week before a holiday weekend was risky, especially since we had low attendance here on the Sunday before (due to our own weather issues).
I couldn't have been more wrong. The e-mail appeal went out Tuesday morning and by Wednesday afternoon it was $23,000, by Thursday afternoon $36,000, by Friday afternoon, $42,000 and the total now by Thursday morning is $57,488.18. Thank you for such a powerful outpouring of the love of Christ!
The first load of flood buckets and health kits has been assembled, with some of it shipped already to some of the hardest hit areas of southeast Texas. On
Saturday, September 16, we will have our second
packing party to finish out buckets we couldn't complete due to lack of available supplies, and then pack an additional amount of them. The need for the buckets is great - for the Houston area, but even more so in areas of the coast that have not gotten as much notoriety. Please plan on being there, for as we saw before, many hands make light but very high impact and joyous work!
September 16 is also when training will be held for our
Emergency Response Teams. We are the host church, so other congregations will be represented. The training will be held in the Family Life Center from 9 am to 5 pm. The first part of the training will be joining in the filling of flood buckets, and the second part will be training for cleanup and restoration work in the flooded areas. Please contact Dave Scott at
txgolfersall@gmail.com, if you are interested in being part of a mission team. Also, let him know, or
sign up online, if you can help shop and organize items on Friday evening, September 15, so that things move quickly at the packing party.
Words cannot express how honored I am to serve among you as your senior pastor. See you Sunday.
Sincerely in Christ,
Senior Pastor
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Announcing a special CrossRoads Event...
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Want to hear some of the best gospel rock around?
Mark your calendar for September 28, from 6 - 9 pm! Join us for a live concert, dinner and silent auction fundraiser, with music provided by First Church's very own CrossRoads Band. The CrossRoads Band provides exceptional contemporary praise worship experiences every Sunday. We want to:
- Expand their reach and impact by producing an album of their original compositions, and
- Raise additional funds to beautify the Family Life Center.
Tickets are $35 per person or $280 for a table of eight. and tables are going fast. Tickets are on sale in the Church courtyard on Sundays through September 24, or email Terri Bowden, terri.l.bowden@gmail.com.
The United Methodist Men are preparing the delicious meal. The menu will be fresh tossed green salad, roasted pork loin medallions with apricot coulis, green beans almondine, fresh rice pilaf, and heavenly lemon and cream layer cake for dessert. A vegetarian option is available, with summery savory marinated chilled bean salad instead of the pork loin. Please specify if you wish a vegetarian plate when you order tickets.
Auctions...silent and live!
The silent auction will feature music lessons, a tailgate party package, instruments, gift cards, handcrafts, hotel packages, artwork, spa experiences, and more. It's a chance for you to snag a good deal and help out a worthy cause just in time for Christmas! Plus...the CrossRoads Band is donating a live concert! Imagine having these talented artists perform live at your upcoming wedding or family reunion. Come prepared to bid on this special prize. We are accepting items and services to place in the silent auction. To donate, email Trisha Seguin, tseguin@austin.rr.com.
Cash donations are appreciated. Sponsorship donations of $500 or more will receive special recognition during the event. There are other ways you can help. To volunteer to help with the event, email Kathy Ford, kathyford03@yahoo.com. It's for a great cause!
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Pictorial Directory Photos...Last sessions next week
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Calling all procrastinators. The final directory photo shoots are September 13 - 17!
So you have been busy and haven't scheduled your directory photo appointment. There is still a little bit of time. There are still appointments available every day...although there are only two appointments open on Sunday. We want you to be part of our family album.
Click here to sign up!
What if you just can't get your photo done? Several people have asked if they can submit a family photo or use the one from the 2014 Directory. We prefer that you have a new photo made, but the answer is yes. The cost will be $10 per photograph. If you want to submit a photo, please send a .jpg file or high-quality scan of your photograph to Betty Robertson, betty@fumc-rr.org. If you want to use the photo from the 2014 directory, please email your request to betty@fumc-rr.org. The photographers may be in our area at other churches in the next couple of weeks. If so you can go to another location and have your photo made for our directory. You will need to call Lifetouch at
866-765-0281 to ask about alternate locations.
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Worship Arts...Children & Youth begin ringing & singing in September
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September 10 is Camp BIG Church
Camp Believe in God (BIG) Church will be in the sanctuary at 9:45 am on September 10. At First Church, we encourage families to worship together. During preschool years, children have the opportunity to practice worshiping, for a short time, before children are dismissed to attend Bible Buddies.
Children who are now in Kindergarten are invited to stay for the full service.
At
Camp BIG Church, you will learn some exciting things about worship from our senior pastor, Dr. Will Cotton. You will also learn about the new format of the elementary children's Sunday School program, Walk of Faith. To allow all kindergarten children and their parents to attend
Camp BIG Church, we will not have Sunday School for kindergarten children on September 10. A light breakfast, in the foyer, will follow. Please
register online so we will know to expect you!
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J-Team Kick-off is September 17
J-Team kick off is coming soon for children in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. We h
ope you can join us on Sunday, September 17 from 2-4 pm. We will meet at Acrotex, located at 3100 N Interstate Hwy 35 in Georgetown, TX 78628.
There will be a parent meeting at this first J-Team so we can get all children registered and plan the calendar for the year. Please bring your personal calendar and fun ideas for J-Team locations! RSVP to
Tammy@fumc-rr.org.
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Student Ministries is running the Twin Oaks Cafe in September. Come see what's new!
Students will be working to raise money to attend Camp Eagle next summer so we want to invite you and encourage you to stop by and support them.
We will have Frappuccinos!
They will be serving Round Rock Donuts, breakfast tacos, sodas, coffee, and
something totally new and exciting....Frappuccinos!
We hope you will come out
on Sunday
mornings and support the students who plan to experience Camp Eagle in 2018.
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Ignite High School Bible Study
Ignite is our in-depth High School Bible Study for students who are interested in exploring the Bible on a deeper level. The study meets on Wednesdays at 8 pm beginning on September 20 in Bldg. 5-222.
We not only study Scripture together, but we bond together as a group and hope to support and encourage one another. We hope to offer a space where students can open up, share and know that there are people who aresupporting and praying for them. Interested students should contact Jodi Marfell, jodi@fumc-rr.org.
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Other Student Ministry Info...
- FUSION: Sundays at 6 pm.
- Impact Middle School Mentor Program registration is open. Study begins September 20.
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September 17 is UMW Sunday
The United Methodist Women will be celebrating UMW Sunday on September 17 with a special mission moment during all services and a salad lunch immediately following the 11 am service.
Please join us for lunch and fellowship!
We invite all members of the congregation to join us (even the men)!
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Mom Life meets September 14
Mom Life will be hosting a guest speaker and author, Karen Bennett, on
Thursday, September 14,
12-2 pm in Bldg. 5-127. Her book touches on several topics: Christian Apologetics, Forgiveness, Getting Intentional in Your Faith, Parents Faith is not their Children's, etc. She will have a few copies of her book for sale
and one to give away in a drawing. Please join us for this interesting program.
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JOY Senior Adult Fellowship
The JOY Senior Adult Fellowship group invites you to join them for their fall kick-off meeting on Thursday, September 21 at 11:30 am in Bldg. 5-127.
The program will celebrate
Swedish Settlers in Williamson County. Elroy Haverlah, author of Anna's Journey: A Story of Early Swedish Immigrants to Texas, will be the guest speaker.
$5 donation is requested for the luncheon.
JOY Fellowship welcomes all mature adults over the age of 60 (or thereabouts!), who enjoy spending time with others while learning, traveling, and just having fun together.
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Other Adult Ministry Info...
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Disaster Relief Team (DRT) Training
We're forming an
UMCOR* Disaster Relief Team
to help with the Harvey recovery. If you want to be a part of a team that goes into areas affected by disaster, we'll be putting together a training on
Saturday, September 16, 9 am-5 pm.
The recovery effort for disasters like Harvey can last 5 years or more. We're going to need your help to clean, clear, and rebuild. If you are interested in this training, go to our church website to begin the process. There are forms and written information that will be need to be completed. For more information, email our UMCOR Coordinator, David Scott,
txgolfersall@gmail.com
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Flood Bucket Packing Party on September 16
The packing party last Saturday was so successful we will be hosting a second one on September 16. Click for details...
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Other Mission & Outreach Info...
- The Villages: read more about our strategic vision for church-wide Outreach and Mission-local, regional, and global.
- Student Ministry is staffing the Twin Oaks Cafe in August.
- 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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This week at First Church
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- 8:30, 9:40 and 11 am - Worship Services
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9:45 am - Camp BIG Church for all Kindergarteners, Sanctuary
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11:30 am - Alleluia Chorus Children's Choir, Bldg. 4, Room 2
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12:00 pm - Mission/Outreach Café Meeting, Bldg. 4/Payne Cottage
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12:15 pm - Sunday Ladies of Faith, Bldg. 5-124
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12:30 pm - Stephen Ministry Training Class, Bldg. 5-126
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5:00 pm - Youth Choir, Bldg. 4-Room 2
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6-8 pm - FUSION Youth, Bldg. 3/FLC
Monday, September 11
- 4:00 pm - Kids of the Kingdom Bells, FLC East Cry Room
- 6:30 pm - Invitation to Romans, Bldg. 5-136
- 7:00 pm - Adult Christian Education Meeting, Bldg. 5-122
- 7:00 pm - Boy Scout Troop #157, Bldg.3/FLC
- 8 am-4 pm - Big Pink Bus on campus
- 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 House
- 9:30 am - Tuesday Women's Bible Study, Bldg. 5-122
- 12:30 pm - Brown Bag Theologians, Bldg. 5-122
- 7:00 pm - Stephen Ministry Training Class, Bldg. 5-126
- 7:00 pm - Community Bible Study, Bldg. 5-223/224, 220 & 225
- 7:00 pm - LeadFirst Committee, Bldg. 5-127
- 7:00 pm - Nurture Team Meeting, Bldg. 5-122
- 7:00 pm - UMW Lydia Circle, Bldg. 4/Payne Cottage
- 6:15 am - UMM Breakfast, fellowship, devotional - FLC/Bldg. 3
- 9:30 am - Disciple Bible Study, Bldg. 5-136
- 9:30 am - Wednesday Women's Bible Study, Bldg. 5-232/234
- 2 - 9 pm - Pictorial Directory Photos, Bldg. 5- 2nd floor
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5:00 pm - Revelation Ringers rehearsal, East Cry Room/FLC
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6:00 pm - Wednesday Women's Bible Study, Bdlg 5-232/234
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6:00 pm - Heartsong rehearsal, South Suite
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6:30 pm - Disciple Bible Study, Bldg. 5-122 & 124
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6:30 pm - Financial Peace University, Bldg. 5-127
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7:00 pm - Jubilation bell rehearsal, North Suite
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7:15 pm - Chancel Choir rehearsal, South Suite
Thursday, September 14
- 9:30 am - Heart to Heart Quilters, 115 Winsted
- 12 noon - Mom Life group, Bldg. 5-127
- 2 - 9 pm - Pictorial Directory Photos, Bldg. 5- 2nd floor
- 6:00 pm - Greeter Celebration, Bldg. 5-127
- 7:00 pm - Council Oak Bells rehearsal, North Suite
- 7:00 pm - Orchestra rehearsal, South Suite
Friday, September 15
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8:00 am - Round Rock Helpers, Bldg 4/Payne Cottage
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9:30 am - MOM weekly gathering, Bldg. 5-232/234
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2 - 9 pm - Pictorial Directory Photos, Bldg. 5- 2nd floor
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8:00 pm - Narcotics Anonymous-Right Stuff, Bldg. 4
Saturday, September 16
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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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