Crosswinds Newsletter
February 3, 2021 - Volume 552
|
|
Have you ever been in a rut? I’m told that in the northern territory of Canada, there is a sign at the beginning of an unmaintained dirt road that reads, “Choose your rut carefully. You’ll be in it for the next 26 miles.” We all know that feeling.
Chances are that you’ve experienced the same sensation in your relationship with the Lord. Spiritual ruts are real, and there are all kinds of reasons why we get stuck in them.
For some Christians, the rut happens because they never step beyond belief in Jesus to truly following Him. For others, they just neglect their relationship with Christ without realizing that an unattended soul will stagnate. Still for others, fear keeps them from taking the next step toward Jesus. It’s choosing comfort over stepping out in faith that bogs them down.
For many Christians, the events of the past year have forced us into a rut we didn’t choose. Being disconnected from our church family has led to feeling disconnected from God. If the idea of being in a spiritual rut resonates with you, regardless of the reason, then I challenge you to consider joining a Discipleship Band.
What is a Discipleship Band? A Discipleship Band is “a group of 3-5 people who read together, pray together, and meet together to become the love of God for one another and the world.” It is in walking with other like-minded Christians that we can begin to pursue Jesus with renewed focus. These small but intentional communities are primed to experience the Lord’s presence and power in new ways. With God’s help, we can leave behind the rollercoaster spiritual life that’s filled with high-highs and low-lows for one that is steadily growing in God’s grace.
Discipleship Bands will play an instrumental role in our church’s vision for “making disciples of Jesus Christ”. If you’re interested in joining a Discipleship Band or if you would like more information, please fill out the form found on the link below.
Pastor Brady Johnston
|
|
Facilitator Training
February 8th & 9th
7 PM on Zoom
|
|
Choir Rehearsals Tonight
Feb 3, 6 PM in the Sanctuary
Please join us or contact Paul if you are interested in choir.
ALL ARE WELCOME AND INVITED!
|
|
|
|
We will begin confirmation classes in the coming weeks. This is an invitation to any of our students, 6th grade or older who have yet to go through confirmation, to join us. We will have a parent meeting regarding Confirmation this Sunday, February 7th at 10 AM in the Family Life Center. If you are interested, please sign up by clicking the blue button and using the Google Form linked below.
|
|
Volunteers & Items Needed!
Youth Fire Night
|
|
We have an exciting event coming up for our youth, but we need your help! On Wednesday, February 10th we have a special night for our students called FIRE NIGHT. Who doesn’t like hot cocoa and fire pits?? But we need your help to make it happen!
Right now, our greatest needs are volunteers and portable fire pits, but there are many small ways you can help as well. Please click on this sign up link and look over all the different ways you can serve, whether it's by bringing items or your presence!
Email Keelee with any questions. Help us spread the word to our youth (6th-12th grade)! Download the image below to share.
|
|
Ash Wednesday
February 17th
Services at 10 AM & 6:30 PM
Drive Thru from 11:30 AM - 1 PM
|
|
This year for Ash Wednesday, we will offer two in-person services as well as a drive-thru blessing. In-person services will be held at 10 AM and 6:30 PM. The drive thru blessing will be open from 11:30 AM until 1 PM. We hope to see everyone. Please feel free to share. |
|
Central Texas Emmaus Annual Gathering
Virtual via Webinar
Thursday, 2/4 @ 7pm
|
|
Quilts for Veteran's Families |
|
The First Baptist church of Midlothian needs help with their ministry of handmade patriotic quits. They are reaching out to all the churches of Midlothian. The letter below from Barbara Ross is self-explanatory. Please help if you can.
Dear Potential Helpers, this letter is an all call to anyone who knows how to stitch a seam or has any extra fabric to help with a new ministry at FBC.
It came to my attention that our new hospital is continuing a tradition that was started at Methodist Mansfield. As a veteran passes away in the hospital they are given an American flag and a family member is also given a handmade patriotic quilt or throw. Seven women from FBC have diligently been sewing their hearts out for this endeavor. We have turned in 7 quilts since Christmas and there have been 3 deaths in the hospital already. It is going to be hard to keep up at this rate.
I believe there are more women (and maybe even a few men) who might like to help out. WE HAVE QUILTERS. We need fabric and/or people who would piece the top together. The fabric must be red, white or blue or carry a patriotic theme: flags, firecrackers, etc. The top can be as plain as a checkerboard or 9 block square or strips or any kind of pattern. We also have the batting to use in the center. We just need sewers and fabric.
If we could get 3 or 4 more churches involved in this we could furnish the hospital with maybe 8-12-quilts or throws a month. I hope to be sending this letter to Stonegate, Legacy Oaks, the Methodist Church and the Bible Church. I, myself, do not sew but I can travel back and forth to pick up and deliver fabric and quilt tops all over Midlothian. If you think you might be able to help with this I am furnishing my email and phone number so you can get in touch with me. Any questions or suggestions? Please call 972-365-8455 or email Barbara Ross.
|
|
Creation Kids Links:
Stay connected in Creation Kids Children's Ministry! Follow us on our Facebook page, Creation Kids, and our Instagram page, @creationkidsfumcmidlo, to keep up with resources for connection. For more information, email Keelee Allen.
|
|
Youth Group TONIGHT!
Junior and Senior High
Wednesday Nights, 6:30-8 PM
in the FLC
Stay connected in FUMC Midlo Youth Ministries! Follow us on our Youth Facebook page, FUMC Midlo Youth (public). Youth and Youth parents, join our private Facebook Group, FUMC Midlothian Youth. For Remind 101 for Youth, text @7b2dff6 to the number 81010. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Brady.
|
|
Nursery and Early Childhood
Infant Through Pre-K is Available
|
|
We offer Nursery and Early Childhood care (infant through pre-k) during our Sunday morning worship services. If you would like your children to attend, please visit our Creation Kids Webpage to review our entire policy before bringing your children. Elementary age children will need to stay with their family in worship at this time. If you have any questions, please email Keelee Allen at Keelee. Thank you!
|
|
The Discipleship Videos will be discontinued as we are moving to a new model for our discipleship program. If you are interested in more information regarding our Discipleship Bands, please contact Pastor Brady at bradyj@fumcmidlo.org.
|
|
Worship Together
Sunday, February 7
|
|
"This is Love"
1 John 4:7-10
8:30 AM Traditional
11 AM Contemporary
|
|
|
|
|
WayPoint is a daily guide to help you grow and expand upon the scriptures we are studying. WayPoints are available at Waypoint and FUMC Facebook.
|
|
Church Office Hours & Appointments |
|
Church office visits can be made by appointment only at this time. In effort to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19, church staff will primarily be working remotely. Phones will be forwarded and answered. Please contact the church office at 972-775-3993 to make an appointment for church business.
If you have any personal financial questions, please send an email to finance@fumcmidlo.org. Attach copies of any documents necessary regarding your questions.
Please remember we are practicing social distance and wearing face masks as an act of love for one another while on campus. Face masks are required when you are at the church - in both the Main Building and the Family Life Center. Thank you.
|
|
New
Jim & Lisa Mayo - positive to COVID-19
Two longtime members of our church passed away last week. Please pray for the family and friends of Raymond and Laferne Cuddy.
Continuous Prayer
Karen Wilson, Dorothy Wares, George & Dee Culps, Don Lish, John Lowe, Chelsea Peel, God's Garden Preschool
COVID-19 Crisis, All those who have to make important and wise decisions regarding reopening businesses, churches and all other places
Military
ARMY - Matt Carroll, Tim Kruettner, Harold Barton, Josh Schenck, Austin Lockwood
NAVY - Matthew Price, Andrew Cantrell, Zachary Tucker, Thomas Shirley, Matthew Watford
AIR FORCE - J.D. Culps, Andrew Miller
MARINES - Collin Johansen, Josh Dunaway, Seth Allen, Bradley Perez, Elizia Delapaa
NATIONAL GUARD - Derek Boots
Remember in Prayer
Our world, our country, our community leaders, all our military troops and first responders around the world, our church, our pastors, the staff, church members, visitors, and Midlothian community
|
|
|
|
To My Church Family,
I would like to thank everyone for the lovely get well cards. They were very much appreciated. I am home trying to regain my strength.
Mel Nolan
|
|
Thank You for Your Generosity |
|
Thank you for your generosity! We continue to do great ministry as a church because of you and your faithfulness. We encourage you to continue giving to the church's ministry either by mailing in your financial gifts or giving online by clicking on the button below. Every gift helps us do greater things for God's Kingdom!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
