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First Church News & Updates - July 27, 2018
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Breaking news! The heat may have scrambled the E-News editor's brain!
You may have seen this E-News on Thursday afternoon when we inadvertently sent the proof copy to the full list instead of the few who proof the E-News each week. This version is essentially the same except for a few minor edits.
As July winds down, we will be ramping up for fall registrations and events. Registration is now open for Kids of the Kingdom Chimes. Children's Promotion Sunday is coming up for pre - K through Kindergarten. Student Ministry is planning their fall kick-off programs. New adult classes and Bible Studies begin soon. Watch for details coming soon. Don't miss out!
Enjoy this First Church News.
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This is the third Sunday in the Play Ball sermon series. This is a fun, intriguing and inspiring series - a great opportunity for you to invite someone to join you and experience the good news of God's love in a fresh and life-changing way. Expect some surprises and fun music! Feel free to wear your baseball jerseys or t-shirts.
Dr. Will Cotton will be preaching at 8:30 and 11 am
. Rev. David Johnson will be preaching at the 9:40 am service.
In honor of Carla David, Nancy Alvarez will play two a handbell solos at the 8:30 and 11 am services.
Please join us in worship this weekend...Sunday at 8:30 am (Sanctuary), 9:40 am (Family Life Center) or 11 am (Sanctuary).
Thanks for your flexibility and patience last Sunday when the AC went out in the sanctuary. The worship services all went well in the Family Life Center. We expect to be in the sanctuary this Sunday. Stay tuned...
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After 32 years of outstanding and faithful ministry, Carla David, Director of Handbell Ministry, is retiring effective July 31. When a 3 octave set of handbells was donated to the church in 1986, Carla, a former band director, volunteered to direct a team of 11 ringers. Today there are seven teams of ringers at First Church, age 3rd grade through adult (including bells and chimes). Carla and our handbell ministry are recognized throughout the nation for their performances and education innovations.
In addition to her position at First Church, Carla revitalized the handbell program at Baylor University and directed the Baylor Bronze from 2004-2010. She has served on the board of the Area IX Handbell Musicians of America, and has taught at area workshops and clinics. She and her husband, Elbert, have two grown children, Faye and Andy, and four wonderful grandchildren. Traveling and spending time with those grandchildren are at the top of Carla's retirement agenda.
If you ask people about their favorite handbell moments, they will no doubt mention POPS, Ring Noel, Chime Camp, Children's Recitals and more. Ringers of all ages frequently provide special music during worship services. As with all First Church ministries, the Handbell program has a missional aspect. It provides support for community programs through the POPS and Ring Noel benefit concerts.
Thanks, Carla for a wonderful 32 years of great music and leadership in the name of Christ!
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Carla David - Thank you so much!
If you have watched Carla David very long in ministry, there are some things you should have observed. She loves handbell music and has kept it vibrant, varied and moving for 32 years. Handbell ringing and chiming is in her soul. That love is also shown in the way she works with the worship planning team, as she brings passion, creativity and depth to the whole of the worship service, not just
her groups.
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Dr. Will Cotton
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She is also the consummate coach. She has high standards and expects the very best of her ringers and she helps them have a blast doing it. They have wonderfully individual personalities but they work as a unit. They are performers, entertainers and most of all, ministers of God in song. It has been my delight to enjoy her ministry for two years (which was one more than she said she would do at first), but many of you have enjoyed it from the beginning and watched it become a nationally recognized ministry.
Lastly, Carla has been wonderfully helpful in the search (what could have been the hardest of placements) and transition for our next Director of Handbell Ministries, Dr. Chris Burton. This Sunday, please go by the north suite to express your thanks and appreciation for an outstanding lifetime of ministry offered in the name of Christ.
Well done Carla, in more ways than we can express!
Sincerely in Christ,
Dr. Will Cotton
Senior Pastor
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First Church's Mission Panama 2018 team is gearing up for our 4th mission trip!
This year's team is our largest group yet with 24 members; 2 doctors, 1 nurse practitioner, 6 nurses, and a pharmacist along with a pastor, 4 translators, 1 missionary and 8 lay people. We will be working in clinics near Santa Catalina, serving the local community in the name of international service.
Over 400 Panamanian men, women, families and school children will receive care from our team in remote areas where doctors are scarce and medicine is expensive or unavailable. To do this we need your help!
Our mission team raises funds to purchase common antibiotics and medicines to take with us for the doctors and nurses to use in clinic. Each team member will also take one extra suitcase filled with over-the-counter items such as:
- Tylenol liquid
- Ibuprofen liquid
- Benadryl liquid
- Claritin liquid
- Zyrtec liquid
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Lotrimin (generic) cream
- Adult multivitamins
- Artificial tears
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
If you are able to donate any of these over-the-counter items, please bring them to the sanctuary and Family Life Center foyers or to the church office any time between now and Sunday, August 19th. We also need a few more suitcases. If you have a large, wheeled suitcase that you'd like to donate, please contact Rae Frenette,512.255.3336 or
rae@fumc-rr.org.
Aside from physical donations, we also need your prayers for a safe and effective journey. We will have our prayer bracelets available again in the foyers before each service on Sunday, August 12 and 19. Make a donation and choose a bracelet that you can wear to remind you to pray for us!
Mission Panama 2018 team thanks you for your support.
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College Students...it's time to sign up for a Church Mouse
A ministry called Campus Renewal reports the 70% of Christian teens are choosing to no longer follow Jesus after their first year of college. That is a pretty scary statistic. So often, these teens are leaving the church that they grew up in without making any connection with a new church. Here at First Church, we have a program called the
Church Mouse program. Through this program, members of the congregation get the opportunity to be a small connection between a college student and their home church. Through prayer, cards and the occasional care package, adopted students get a reminder that someone here at First Church is thinking of them. It is a great way to do our part in combating this crazy statistic and loving on our young adults.
If you have a college student that would like to participate,
click here and fill out the form by August 7, 2018. If you would like to adopt a college student, be on the look out!
Adoption day is August 26, 2018.
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Water Play Day is Monday, July 30, 9:30 - 11 am
Join us for a small swimming pools, slip-n-slide and sprinkler event. Activities are younger aged focused, but older siblings through 5th grade are welcome. A change of clothing before going home is recommended! We get wet and messy!
Bring your own towel, snacks, sunscreen and shoes that can get wet.
Invite your friends! No charge! Free event!
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August 3-8 - Middle School Camp Eagle
We still have 1 male and 3 Female Spots available! And we need 2 male chaperones.
Email us!
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UMW Lydia Circle meets on August 14, 6:30 pm, Payne Cottage
Come and hear about the Malawi Mission trip. Our guest speaker will be
Diane Bouchard sharing information on her recent trip to Africa with
drops of grace®.
Their mission statement is drops of grace® shall exist to hear and act on God's call to partner with communities around the world to provide safe water, sanitation, health, education and shelter.
We hope you will join us for this informative program plus a devotional, refreshments and sharing of joys and concerns. All women of the church are always invited to join us. For more information contact Patti Ruth at pjruth1@gmail.com.
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New Dinner Groups are forming!
If you are new to Round Rock or to First Church, you may want to join a First Church Dinner Group. The groups meet monthly and share a meal. The host rotates within the group and sets the main course and the other members provide the accompanying dishes. The date varies with the group mutually deciding the night with the other participants for the following month. This is a great way to become part of our church fellowship and maybe make lifelong friends. To get involved, please contact Patti Ruth, 512-944-5339 or pjruth1@gmail.com.
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Paths to Positive Living SS Class announces next class study beginning August 12
The faith of Wesley makes a difference. It is real and relevant in today's world. In The Wesleyan Way: A Faith That Matters, Scott Jones invites us into a deeper and more active commitment to Christ. Each week, a different presenter, including Adam Hamilton and Rob Fuquay, shares personal faith experiences. Join us as we become part of God's work in transforming the world!
Location/Time: Sundays, 9:40 am, Bldg. 5-136. Contact Debby Utley, debbyfaeu@gmail.com, for information. All are welcome. No registration needed. Just come!
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Register today for your next (or first) D
isciple Bible S
tudy!
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Sign up today! Kids of the Kingdom Chimes is for children entering 3rd-5th grades who would like to ring hand chimes. Students will learn rhythm, reading, and ringing. Playing hand chimes is a wonderful opportunity for your child to learn to read music and ring. No experience is necessary. We will play in church 1-2 times per semester and a recital at the end of each semester.
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Chime Camp Week 1 was wonderful. It's not too late to register for the August Chime Camp!
These wonderful 3-day camps are offered to all children entering 3rd-5th grades in the fall of 2018. Children learn the basics of ringing chimes from experienced teachers.
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- Year to date Revenue: $1,188,296.63
- Year to date Expenses: $1,269,861.80
- 2018 Budget: $2,481,067.63
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This week at First Church
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- 8:30, 9:40 and 11 am - Worship services
- 9:30 am - 12:30 pm - Retirement reception for Carla David, North Suite
- 9:30 am - Children's Water Day, outdoors
- 7:00 pm - Does It Make Sense to be a Christian?, Bldg. 5-127
- 8:30 am - UMM Tuesday Breakfast group, Juárez Restaurant on South Mays
- 12:30 pm - Brown Bag Theologians, Bldg.5-122
- 6:30 pm - Stephen Ministry Leader Meeting, Bldg. 5-126
Wednesday, August 1
- 6:15 am - UMM Breakfast, fellowship, & devotional, FLC/Bldg.3
Thursday, August 2
- 10:00 am - A Matter of Balance, Bldg. 5-127
Friday, August 3
- 8:30 am - Round Rock Helpers, Bldg. 4-2
- 8:00 pm - Narcotics Anonymous-Right Stuff, Bldg. 4
Saturday, August 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!
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Blessings,
Betty Robertson
Communications
First United Methodist Church Round Rock
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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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