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First United Methodist Church of Longview
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The Voice
September 26, 2018
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Heather Pevey and Elliott Lenhart ,some of our newest acolytes, all smiles after service
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The first faith based principle of stewardship we discussed several months ago was Ownership. Every talent we have, every opportunity we have taken, everything is a gift from God. We do not own anything. We are called to be faithful caretakers. We are not the owners. We are stewards.
The second Principle of faithful stewardship is responsibility. Over the last several years, as a congregation, we have not shown very much responsibility. We will explain two different reasons why we say this.
First, even though bills and salaries must be paid every month we only meet our monthly obligations two to three months a year. January and December, historically, have been the two months we contribute to the church. We believe the January effect is due to those of us that give our full pledge following the biblical idea of first fruits or perhaps a New Year’s resolution to be better about our promises. The December effect is due to those of us who pre-pay our following year’s pledge for tax reasons or realize we need to catch up on our current pledge. It is very unusual for the church to have a positive financial month other months. We should be more consistent in our giving and save every Pastor’s growing fear that builds over the summer as our available cash is depleted,
Secondly, and more important, is the fact that we will send out over 800 pledge cards to all of the active households on our rolls. Pledges received over the last four years have numbered 310, 312, 289 but only 212 for 2018. Our attendance has not fallen significantly but our number of pledges has.
When we joined the church all of us promised to support her with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness. It appears as if we don’t take our promises seriously. When someone is sick, is getting married, passes away, or is hurting in any way, we expect the church to be there for us. Our feelings are hurt if she somehow disappoints us. Given what our recent history shows, we wonder how disappointed she is in us.
Joe Wallace Richard Manley
Co-Chairman Co-Chairman
Committee on Stewardship Committee on Stewardship
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To see our August financial statements
click here
.
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Join us for dinner tonight!
We start serving in the Faith Center at 5 p.m. and the line will be open until 6:30 p.m. Cost is $6/person. We will also have a short communion service at 6:15 p.m. in the Heritage Room.
Please call the church office at 903-753-4463 for reservations!
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Adults:
Join us for yummy chicken fajitas with sautéed onions and bell peppers! And we'll have all the fixings- cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, as well as tortillas, refried beans, rice, and chips and salsa! For dessert we'll have chocolate and vanilla pudding.
Kiddos:
Fish sticks with corn and grape juice to drink!
Kid's supper is served at 6 p.m.
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Join us for Kidz Blitz!
Meet in the "purple room"- room 212 for dinner at 6 p.m. Following dinner, we will have a worship session, whole group lesson and activity, and end by breaking up into small groups by ages. We are excited to see each of you!
Parents, please pick your children up by the church office at 7:30.
This month’s memory verse:
“Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23
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Calling all 3rd graders:
In preparation for the presentation of their Bibles in October, Children's Ministry will be holding a Bible Bonanza for the 3rd graders. This three week event will be held during the first 15 minutes of the Sunday School hour.
For each of these three weeks, our kids will learn stories and people of the Bible as well as learn how to look up specific books, chapters, or verses on their own.
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We will be collecting candy for the Family Fall Fest from Sunday, September 30
th
-October 24
th
.
There will be three drop off locations throughout the church. You will find metal containers by The Welcome Center, the church office, and the Cook Foyer outside the Faith Center.
Please help us as we prepare for this community event!
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Our September service project is Saturday, Sept. 29 at Asbury House.
We will mow, edge, and do other yard work. The address is 320 S. Center St. Please bring a rake and/or gloves, if possible. We will begin at 8:30 a.m. and hope to finish by 11 a.m.
This is a great way to serve others and to get community service hours!
2018 Youth StayTreat is Saturday October 6-7
We will combine the elements of retreat with a lock-in and wrap it all up with worship together on Sunday, Oct. 7.
Beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 we will begin our retreat at FUMC and encounter a day of devotion, games, worship and entertainment. Students need to pack toiletries, pillow, sleeping bag/mattress, and casual clothes for Sunday. Please bring $20 which will cover the cost of outside meals and entertainment. Students will be dismissed after the late services on Sunday. You may sign-up by
clicking here!
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We need your help!
Our youth ministry students are collecting 300 CANS of soda to hand out for the 2
nd
annual Newgate Mission Trunk or Treat on October 27. Please help us by donating a twelve pack of soda (any flavor). You may drop off your cans at the church office or youth room. Last year we had a great time meeting children and adults while passing out candy and meals. If you would like to join the Trunk or Treat, please contact Romnie Scott at
rscott@longviewfumc.org
Newgate’s Trunk or Treat is Oct. 27 from 4-5:30 p.m. We hope you will join us.
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Janice Crane, youth director, and Jake Hall, youth assistant director, get the chance each week to go out into the community and support our students at their activities. This week we would like you to meet Jenna and Jordan Crum, 8
th
graders, who twirl for White Oak Middle School. Although you may think they are twins, they are actually two-thirds of the Crum Triplets! Their brother, Josh, is involved with Boy Scouts. All three have a heart for God and a desire to grow deeper in their faith. The Crums enjoy reading, going on mission trips, and serving at Newgate Mission. Jake and Janice appreciate their faithful participation and the way in which they welcome anyone who comes to be a part of FUMC Youth Ministry.
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MEN’S MINISTRY DAY RETREAT
OCTOBER 20, 2018
11AM-6PM
Double E Ranch, Gilmer, TX
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Lunch and Dinner courtesy of FUMC Longview Men’s Ministry, prepared by local guest grill experts.
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Activities:
Fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, skeet shooting, bragging about fishing or skeet skills, devotion time.
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Stuff to bring:
Mandatory-A good lawn chair. Optional-We will have gear set up for folks, but if you like, you can bring your own fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, or skeet gear. That way you can’t blame results on equipment.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SIGN UP, CONTACT:
BRETT WALKER 903-987-3090, STEPHEN SCOTT 903-235-3363,
or JOHN TURNER 903-261-4673
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Can you help?
Newgate Mission is in desperate need of men’s clothing (jeans, t-shirts, underwear, shoes, socks). Donations can be dropped off at the Newgate Office (207 S Mobberly) Tuesday-Friday, from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
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Donations for Asbury House
Each month Asbury House is collecting one type of item to help stock their shelves! In
September they are collecting
facial tissues! 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!
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Upcoming Music & Fine Arts Event...
The Annie Moses Christmas Tour 2018
Monday, December 17 | 6:30 p.m. | Fellowship Hall
Annie Moses Band has been spreading their Christmas cheer across America for over a decade. Christmas With Annie Moses Band is a perennial holiday favorite and stands on the PBS charts as one of the most played specials of the season.
Featuring awesome arrangements of carols old and new, the Annie Moses Band - infused with that unmistakable instrumental sparkle - presents an exciting evening of Christmas music for the whole family. Join us for this spectacular concert in our Fellowship Hall (off Whaley Street between Fredonia and Green) on Monday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m.
This concert is a ticketed event. Tickets are currently on sale to the general public for $15 through our website, but a special reduced price of $10 per ticket will be made available exclusively to members of First United Methodist Church, Longview from Monday, October 1 to November 30 in the Church Office. Please note that these tickets will be sold on a strictly
‘first come, first served’
basis.
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Life Together at FUMC Longview
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The Texas Annual Conference Core Leadership Team invites you to attend Heart & Mind Listening Sessions. These Listening Sessions, approved by the body of the 2018 Annual Conference, are presented to help you to discern the issues before our February 2019 General Conference.
These sessions are different from the information sessions with Bishop Jones
. Here you will be invited to engage in a “Holy Conferencing” atmosphere with guided discussions. Recommended pre-session reading will be listed on the Conference website to help each of us be fully informed and inquire how best to lead our churches during this time.
The General Conference Delegation has been invited to participate in the discussion regarding the issues and voting that will take place in our United Methodist Church. First United Methodist Church Longview will be hosting a session on
Sunday, October 7 from 4 – 6 p.m
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in the Faith Center
Refreshments will be served. Childcare will be available by RSVP directly to 903-753-4463. Please provide the age of your child so that age appropriate childcare can be arranged.
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To submit an article for the Voice please email Pastor Becca at
bnewcomb@longviewfumc.org. Info must be submitted by Thursday at 5pm in order to be in next week's edition of the Voice.
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First United Methodist Church of Longview
400 N. Fredonia St. Longview, Texas 75601
Tel-(903) 753.4463
Fax-(903) 236.7608
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