First Church News & Updates - February 15, 2019
|
|
Here is the Chancel Choir singing
"I Then Shall Live".
|
|
On Monday, February 18, the church office will be closed in observance of Presidents' Day.
Enjoy this First Church E-News.
|
|
Experience Love. Spread Hope.
|
|
Our winter sermon series is
Community...I'll Be There for You.
Sermon: "The One about Dealing with a Mess"
Dr. Pat McCain will preach at the 8:30 and 9:40 am worship services. Dr. Will Cotton will preach at 11 am. The Revelation Ringers Bronze Handbell Team (9-12 grade) will be ringing at 8:30 am. The Revelation Ringers Tins Handbell Team (6-8 grade) will be ringing at 11am.
Please join us in worship at 8:30 am (Sanctuary), 9:40 am (Family Life Center) and 11 am (Sanctuary) this Sunday.
|
|
Words from Will
A Word on General Conference
From February 23-26, delegates in the United Methodist Church from around the world will gather in St. Louis for a called session of General Conference to consider our denomination’s position on gay marriage and ordination.
At First Church, we have held information sessions for our administrative committees, for United Methodist Men and United Methodist Women, and held an open session for the congregation. Other groups and classes have also studied the options being considered. One thing for sure, people have strong thoughts and feelings about this issue, and in our church opinions differ. I have even heard differing opinions between spouses! So here are some guidelines as the conference gathers next weekend.
- Pray for our denomination and its ministry daily. Other denominations have divided over this issue and losses have been heavy. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- Be well-informed. As advocates of the different sides of this issue gather, lots of opinions and fears are being shared. In the coming days, the press will be capturing tweets and short phrases and creating headlines that can be misleading. The United Methodist News Service and our denominational website are great sources of information before, during and after General Conference. As I am able, I will also be catching a livestream of some of the deliberations.
- Be compassionate with one another and listen carefully. For what we will hear are not just positions but journeys of the heart.
See you Sunday.
|
|
Dr. Will Cotton
Senior Pastor
|
|
New Pastor's Bible Study begins February 24
The Pastor’s Bible Study will finish this Spring semester with a four-week study of Philippians entitled
“Reclaiming Joy.” This great letter of the apostle Paul is one of his most inspiring and personal. All are invited to this class to be held in the South Suite of the sanctuary on Sunday evenings from 6 - 7 pm, with a light supper provided at 5:30 pm.
|
|
Some of our disaster relief missions require special certification in order to participate...these are early responders. But after the initial work following a disaster, much work remains that can be done by any volunteer. One of those opportunities is coming up, March 22 - 24 in Victoria. It is a great way to share your time with others from our church with a heart for mission and helping others. Contact Dave Scott,
txgolfersall@gmail.com, to volunteer.
|
|
LifeGroups...Experience Love. Spread Hope.
There are three main components to a thriving
LifeGroup: deep relationships, spiritual growth and acts of service. Each one of these components requires letting go of oneself and acts of love. This week we challenge each one of you to step outside of your normal routine and show love within the community by doing random acts of kindness. On Sunday there will be First Church cards available for you to pick up so you can give these to the persons that you perform acts for.
Here are a couple of examples:
• Pay for the coffee or food for the person behind you in the drive thru.
• Buy a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store and ask the clerk to give them to the next mom she sees with young kids.
• Leave a gift card at the pharmacy with the clerk and ask them to use it to pay for a prescription for a person in need.
• Order dessert for a table of veterans, active military or first responders who are dining out.
Be sure to have whoever is helping you with your act to keep your identity a secret and to give the person a First Church card.
|
|
DNOW 2019 - Student Ministries has challenged the congregation to a food drive to benefit the First Church Backpack Project and the Round Rock Area Serving Center. These are the products needed.
- Family sized Cereal - 18 - 20 oz. boxes
- Peanut Butter - 16 oz. plastic jars
- Peaches, pears, applesauce - 16 ounce cans
- Shells and Cheese sauce
- Protein Item like Chef Boyardee, chili, or stew - 16-18 ounce cans
|
|
This week at First Church...
|
|
Saturday, February 16
- 1:00 pm – Visitation with Erma Reynolds Family, Foyer
- 2:00 pm – Memorial Service for Erma Reynolds, Sanctuary
Sunday, February 17
- 8:30, 9:40 and 11 am - Worship services.
- 11:30 am - Alleluia Chorus Children’s Choir, Payne Cottage
- 5:30 pm – Snack supper for Adult evening studies, Foyer
- 5:30 pm – Ignite Student Snack Supper, Payne Cottage
- 6:00 pm – Ignite Student Ministries, FLC
- 6:00 pm – Pastor’s Bible Study, South Suite
Monday, February 18 - Presidents' Day, church office will be closed
Tuesday, February 19
- 8:30 am – UMM Tuesday Breakfast Group, Juarez Bakery
- 9:30 am – Women’s Bible Study, Bldg. 5-122
- 9:30 am – UMW Deborah Circle, Bldg. 5-232/234
- 12:30 pm – Brown Bag Theologians, Bldg. 5-122
- 6:00 pm – Military/First Responders Network, Bldg. 5-122
- 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry Supervision, Bldg. 5-123,126,127
- 7:00 pm – Finance Committee, Bldg. 5-124
Wednesday, February 20
- 6:15 am - UMM Breakfast, fellowship, & devotional, FLC/Bldg. 3
- 9:30 am – Women’s Bible Study, Bldg. 5-232/234
- 5:00 pm – Revelation Ringers, North Suite & FLC
- 6:00 pm – HeartSong Choir rehearsal, South Suite
- 6:30 pm – Women’s Bible Study, Bldg. 5-232/234
- 6:30 pm – Jubilation Bells rehearsal, North Suite
- 7:00 pm – DNow Meeting, Bldg. 3/FLC
- 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir rehearsal, South Suite
- 8:00 pm – HS Wildfire Bible Study, Bldg. 5-223/224
Thursday, February 21
- 9:30 am – Heart to Heart Quilters, 115 Winsted
- 11:30 am – JOY Monthly Luncheon, Bldg. 5-232/234
- 7:00 pm – Council Oak Bells, North Suite
Friday, February 22
- 8:30 am - Round Rock Helpers, Bldg. 4-2
- 9:30 am - MOM weekly gathering, Bldg. 5-232/234
- 7:30 pm - DNOW Rally, Bldg. 3/FLC
- 8:00 pm - Narcotics Anonymous-Right Stuff, Bldg. 4
Saturday, February 24
|
|
Betty Robertson
Communication
First United Methodist Church Round Rock
|
|
Just a reminder... You're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in First United Methodist Church. Don't forget to add
newsletter@fumc-rr.org
to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!
|
|
First United Methodist Church | Round Rock, TX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
