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First Church News & Updates - September 15, 2017
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Mission Accepted...First Church members have stepped out in faith in response to recent devastating hurricanes. Our Outreach team has developed a new slogan/logo to represent the many aspects of mission at First Church. Read more below...
Enjoy this First Church news.
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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 and how to 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:
"The Work of Your Fingers - Taking a Fresh Look at God in Creation"
Rev. Katie Meek will preach at all three worship services 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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Why Take the Survey?
The survey was one of the things I personally asked for in our Visioning together. Everyone was invited into the
31 Days of Prayer and now everyone is invited to participate in the survey. This will let the Core Vision Team know some of the basic concerns, dreams and values of our congregation. They could have assumed that they already knew, but that is rarely wise. This is part of our information gathering phase of vision discernment. After hearing from you as a congregation, we will then be gathering information about the communities around us...demographics, the giftedness and challenges of those communities, and how things are changing since the 1993 and 2005 vision efforts.
Once we have gathered, as clearly as possible, our information inside and outside the congregation, we will then look at the gifts and passions of our church and see where we can best meet those inside and outside needs. That will lead us to what God is calling us to be and do together in the next five years...our vision. A strategic plan will be developed to meet that vision.
So this is a stage of holy listening... listening to God, listening to one another and listening to the needs of the communities around us. The survey is where we are intently listening to you. You can also write down your insights and send them to me or Rob Putney, so that we can share them with the team.
Please Take the Survey!
It's really important. Click the button at right, or go to
our church website and click on the survey button on the front page. Thanks so much.
Sincerely in Christ,
Senior Pastor
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Celebrating United Methodist Women
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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. We invite all members of the congregation to join us for lunch (even the men)!
Is UMW the place for you? Please join us for lunch and find out more!
If you have a heart for mission and are interested in connecting with other women with a similar passion, we invite you to join us. First Church UMW is a community of women worshiping, sharing, praying, studying, serving and working together. We are a creative & supportive organization that works with women, children and youth in the local and global community. Young mothers, retirees, career women, married, single...all are welcome.
Here at First Church, we are committed to fulfilling the UMW purpose in all areas of our lives and in the work we do to help the women of the world. We invite you to join us in that mission. For more information, please contact Diane Brault, 512.497.3663 or djbrault@aol.com, or visit the
church website.
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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.
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.
Have you bought your ticket yet?
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.
Want to help?
We welcome your help in three ways:
- Donate a basket, item or service for the silent auction. To donate, email Trisha Seguin, tseguin@austin.rr.com.
- Cash donations are always appreciated. Sponsorship donations of $500 or more will receive special recognition during the event. Contact Trisha Seguin, tseguin@austin.rr.com.
- Volunteer to help with the event...set up, servers, ticket takers, etc.To volunteer to help with the event, email Kathy Ford, kathyford03@yahoo.com.
It promises to be a very special evening and it's for a great cause!
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Pictorial Directory Photos...last call
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So you have been busy and haven't scheduled your directory photo appointment.
There is still a little bit of time. There are a few openings on Friday and Saturday. 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
866-756-0281 to ask about alternate locations.
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Congratulations to the Council Oak Bells!
The Council Oak Bells team continues its dedication to performance this season. This group performed a showcase concert on Saturday, September 9, at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas. This concert was in response to an invitation from the Greater Dallas Handbell Association. The performance was part of the GDHA's Fall Seminar, attended annually by many ringers and directors from the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area. In addition, both Shari Sloane and Carla David were teachers at the event.
We are so proud of the Council Oak Bells. This is the first time a church handbell choir has been invited to perform at this particular event. In the past, professional community choirs have been featured. First Church CrossRoads musician Brian Batch joined Council Oak Bells for this performance.
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J-Team Kick-off is September 17
J Team Kick-off is this Sunday at 2 pm! We hope all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade children can join us at Acrotex
,
3100 N Interstate Hwy 35 in Georgetown. The cost is $7. Acrotex requires a parent to sign a waiver.
The first meeting will include a parent meeting. Please bring your calendars! Subsequent events will be drop off. RSVP to Tammy@fumc-rr.org.
We hope to see you Sunday!
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Camp Eagle in 2018...Registration is open!
Save these 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 Camp Eagle creates experiences that will impact students and their faith. It is an amazing experience for all who go. It will change the way our students think. It is something they will take with them.
Visit the website for all the details and to download the registration forms. October 1 is the deadline to register and turn in your $100 deposit. Don't delay...spots fill quickly!
The cost for adults is $200 and we ask that you drive students to and from camp. Adult registration forms are also available on
the website.
It is an amazing, life-changing experience and we hope your student will be able to join us! We can't wait for Summer 2018!
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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.
- The Parenting Years Seminar Series: Begins Sunday, October 1, 6:30 pm.
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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. Click here to register.
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Other Adult Ministry Info...
- Caring for an Aging Loved One? We want to start a support group, as well as share information that we have learned from our own experiences. If you are interested, contact Rev. Dr. Beverly Jones, 512.255.3336, or Beverly@fumc-rr.org.
- Community Bible Study - Tuesdays at 7 pm. Contact Paul Lake, plake4401@gmail.com.
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Flood Bucket Packing Party on September 16
We had a great turnout on September 2 and assembled 200 Flood Buckets and Health Kits in less than 45 minutes, so we have scheduled a second work day. On Saturday, September 16, we will meet in the Family Life Center (Building 3) at 9 am to assemble an additional 300 Flood Buckets. It'll be all hands on deck. And with enough people, we will finish quickly. So don't miss it! Click for details...
New First Church Mission Accepted T-shirts will be available for purchase on Sasturday.
Do you have a passion for mission? It might be hurricane relief, working at the Round Rock area serving center, joining an emergency response team, reading to elementary children...mission has many faces. At the Flood Bucket workday this Saturday you will have the first opportunity to buy one of our new "Mission Accepted" t-shirts.
The t-shirts are $12. We expect they will sell out on Saturday. We will then take orders and place a larger order in the near future. Wear them proudly and show your passion for mission and passion for First Church!
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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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Saturday, September 16
- 9:00 am - Hurricane Relief Flood Bucket Packing Party, Bldg. 3/FLC
- 10 am - 5 pm - Pictorial Directory Photos, Bldg. 5-2nd floor
Sunday, September 17
- 8:30, 9:40 and 11 am - Worship Services
- 8:30 am - LifeGroup - Spiritual Growth, Bldg. 4/Payne Cottage
- 10 am - 5 pm - Pictorial Directory Photos, Bldg. 5-2nd floor
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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
- 11:00 am - Youth Leadership Team, Bldg. 5-223
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11:30 am - Alleluia Chorus Children's Choir, Bldg. 4, Room 2
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12:00 pm - UMW Celebration Luncheon, Bldg. 3/FLC
- 12:30 pm - Stephen Ministry Training, Bldg. 5-126
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2:00 pm - J-Team Kick-off
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5:00 pm - Youth Choir, Bldg. 4-Room 2
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6:00 pm - FUSION Youth, Bldg. 3/FLC
Monday, September 18
- 4:00 pm - Kids of the Kingdom Bells, FLC East Cry Room
- 6:30 pm - Communications Team, Bldg. 5-124
- 7:00 pm - Boy Scout Troop #157, Bldg.3/FLC
- 8:30 am - UMM Tuesday Breakfast group, Juárez Restaurant on South Mays
- 8:45 am - Ring of Joy rehearsal, North Suite
- 9:30 am - UMW Deborah Circle, Bldg. 5-232.234
- 9:30 am - Tuesday Women's Bible Study, Bldg. 5-122
- 12:30 pm - Brown Bag Theologians, Bldg. 5-122
- 6:00 pm - Stephen Ministry Training Class, Bldg. 5-126
- 6:30 pm - Outreach Team, Bldg. 5-122
- 6:30 pm - Stephen Ministry Supervision, Bldg. 5-123, 126, 127
- 7:00 pm - Community Bible Study, Bldg. 5-223/224, 220 & 225
- 7:00 pm - Finance Committee, Bldg. 5-124
- 6:15 am - UMM Breakfast, fellowship, devotional - FLC/Bldg. 3
- 9:30 am - Disciple Bible Studies, Bldg. 5-124, 127, 136
- 9:30 am - Wednesday Women's Bible Study, Bldg. 5-232/234
- 5:00 pm - Revelation Ringers rehearsal, East Cry Room/FLC
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6:00 pm - Heartsong rehearsal, South Suite
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6:30 pm - Wednesday Women's Bible Study, Bdlg 5-232/234
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6:30 pm - Disciple Bible Studies, Bldg. 5-122, 124, 136
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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 21
- 9:30 am - Heart to Heart Quilters, 115 Winsted
- 11:30 am - JOY Senior Fellowship Luncheon, Bldg. 5-127
- 7:00 pm - Council Oak Bells rehearsal, North Suite
- 7:00 pm - Orchestra rehearsal, South Suite
Friday, September 22
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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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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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