First United Methodist Church
of Longview
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The Voice
February 20, 2019
Over the past several weeks I have had the privilege of studying with a group on Wednesday nights to talk about prayer. We’ve talked about what prayer is, how we engage in it, and most importantly, why it matters. Prayer is often one of those things Christians talk about but we aren’t always good at actually doing it. Or we might pray for someone really quick while we are driving or doing something else with half our mind on it and only half our heart in it. 

But prayer, the ability to come knowingly into the presence of God and have a conversation, is a beautiful and transformative gift from God. You are invited to talk to the Creator of the Universe. Daily. More than that, we are told to spend time in prayer every day! I recently heard someone say that we shouldn’t have a “prayer life” but rather we should embrace a life of prayer. Imagine what it would be like to spend such intentional time in honest, vulnerable, and transformative prayer that every task you did throughout the day became an extension of that prayer. Seriously…think about it a second. What parts of your life do you think would shift? What would your attitude towards daily tasks possibly become? How would your response to trouble or difficulties change? What kind of joy, hope, peace, and love might be planted and growing in your life if you spent regular and intentional time in prayer - not with half a mind on it or in a way that allowed you to church-up your language or life but in an honest and vulnerable prayer to the God who knows you and calls you beloved? Just imagining it, you already know it would be awesome. Let me tell you - it’s also entirely possible for you and a real invitation that is extended to you this very moment.

As the United Methodist Church gathers together next week for the called General Conference in St. Louis, our invitation to you is that you would be in intentional prayer over it. Pray for our leaders, pray for the delegates, pray for the discussions that will be had. We are going to pray for this time and this situation with honesty and fervor, and in doing so we will find a spirit of faithfulness, not fear. The Church is God’s, and God will take care of her. And we, as people who love her, are going to pray for our beloved church. 

We have created a 4 day prayer initiative that will run throughout the days of the General Conference. Each morning an email will be sent to your inbox with a scripture and a prayer focus for that day. You can just read it and pray it as it is, or use it as a reference point as you pray your own prayers. Either way, let’s spend these days not in fear or anxiety, but instead praying and finding joy and hope in the God who has invited us into transformative conversations.  

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Becca
Where are you connected?
We still have several pews from the Nicholson Chapel available for purchase!

The price is $325 per pew, and at this time we would like to open this opportunity up to all members of the community, and to those who would like to purchase multiple pews.

Please feel free to share this opportunity with friends and family!

Contact Linda Cook at the church office or at lcook@longviewfumc.org to purchase or with questions.










Scripture this week:

Luke 6: 27 - 38
Love your enemies - this love is never conditioned on another person's behavior; instead it is motivated and empowered by the giver, not the receiver. If we have received the love of Christ, how can we do less than share it?
Resource Material Available!
Need a new study for your Sunday school class? We've added some new resources to our literature closet for you!

Need help figuring out what might be good for your group? Pastor Becca would be happy to help! Email her at bnewcomb@longviewfumc.org, or come by the church office to look through the literature closet!
Wednesday, February 20th - Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, and green beans

Wednesday, February 27th - Tacos, refried beans, and fruit
Upcoming Dates

Bailey McDonald, Assistant Director of Program and Ministry , will be here February 24 to meet with families and show them how church camp can impact their child's life. Incoming 3rd through 12th graders can attend camp.

Ash Wednesday service: in the Faith Center, March 6. Children stay with their parents for dinner in the Heritage Room AND during the Ash Wednesday service. After the service, they will join Loren and their teachers for their regular Wednesday night activities.

The District Pre-Teen Mission Camp (SummerSlam!) for 4th through 6th graders will be June 18 - 21. This year, St. Luke's Methodist Church in Kilgore is hosting this event.

Vacation Bible School will be held July 15 - 19 from 9:00 - 11:30 AM.
Lakeview Day is this Sunday!
Bailey McDonald, Assistant Director of Program and Ministry at Lakeview Summer Camp, will be here February 24th to meet with families and show them how church camp can impact their child's life.

FUMC camp dates are June 23 - 28, 2019. Incoming 3rd through 12th graders can attend camp this summer.

If you have any questions, contact Janice Crane at jcrane@longviewfumc.org
Donations for Asbury House

Each month Asbury House is collecting one type of item to help stock their shelves! In February they are collecting toilet paper! You can bring your donation items to the church office during the week or drop them off at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings in the Asbury House boxes!
Life Together at FUMC Longview
Join us for Wednesday night dinners, where Chef Michelle and her staff are sure to whip up a delicious meal!

February Menu

February 20 - To start: A side salad
Meal: Spaghetti and meatballs with warm garlic bread
Dessert: Apple cobbler
Drinks: Tea, coffee, and water

February 27 - To start: Pasta salad or coleslaw
Meal: Pulled pork sandwiches and fixings, served with chips and BBQ beans
Dessert: Lemon and cherry pie bars
Drinks: Tea, coffee, and water
To submit an article for The Voice, please email Megan Hopper at mhopper@longviewfumc.org. Info must be submitted by Friday at 5 PM in order to be in next week's edition of the Voice.
First United Methodist Church of Longview
400 N. Fredonia St. Longview, Texas 75601
Tel: (903) 753.4463
Fax: (903) 236.7608