First Church News & Updates - July 26, 2019
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Happy Friday!
Our facilities team is working hard refreshing lighting throughout our sanctuary. They have soared to new heights--55 feet to be exact! I don't think that many of us would jump at the chance to be 55 ft. up in the air changing lightbulbs.
Thanks to Gregg Ormsbee and Juan Lopéz for taking care of our beautiful church! We are grateful for our dedicated and talented staff.
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Enjoy this First Church news.
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Experience Love. Spread Hope.
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Summer Series - Remember Who You Are: The Lion King
Sermon: “Hakuna Matata”
Please join us in worship at 8:30 am, 9:40 am, and 11 am this Sunday.
All worship services will be in the Family Life Center.
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Words from Will - Celebrating our Staff
Just as I thank God every day for our congregational servant leaders, I also thank God for our servant leaders on staff. The partnership of the two together changes lives within our church and beyond our walls. Our Staff-Parish Relations Committee works very hard to find the best staff leaders possible to resource our church’s multi-faceted and Spirit-filled ministry. The people who serve here are in high demand, and we don’t take for granted that they have chosen to serve Christ here. There have been a lot of changes on staff, mainly due to retirements as well as other situations. So, I have chosen to name many of them here.
- Pastoral Staff: We are a multi-staff church in that there are mini-staffs in the greater whole. First, I thank God for our pastoral staff. David Johnson (Associate Pastor) and Pat McCain (Executive Pastor) have won a place in our hearts and in the direction of our church in a very short time. They deeply love you and desire for our congregation to find her optimum ministry potential under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I love hearing them preach, just as you do!
- Program Staff: I rejoice in our Program Staff. Jennifer Hall and her team in Children’s Ministry (Tara Harrelson, Tammy Parks and Kerstin Joos) partner with many of you in bringing children and families into a growing knowledge of Jesus Christ. Taylor Ory and his team (Gretchen Blair and a Youth Assistant to be named) work alongside sponsors and mentors to guide Student Ministry in which learning and missions are fused together to build an outstanding generation of Christian leaders. Our new addition is our Director of Connecting Ministries, Jodi Marfell (former Director of Student Ministries). There will be more about her position as she begins it in August.
- Worship Arts Staff: Michael Rosensteel and his Music Ministry Team, which includes Children's Music Director Jennifer Harvill, Crossroads Worship Leader Brian Batch and his team, Organist Charles Mallory, Pianist Saida Kafarova, Orchestra Director Mark Haas all contribute phenomenal talent and passion to our worship services. Chris Burton, Director of Handbells and AV/Tech, and his team which includes Children's Handbell Director Shari Sloane, and our Tech Team, lead us regularly to the throne of grace in worship.
- Administrative Support Staff: We would be at a loss without our outstanding office support staff. Many of you serve right alongside them as volunteers to keep things hopping at First Church. Kathy Dance and her associate Susan Alley guide all things financial in a way that is efficient, courteous and responsible. Rae Frenette is the administrator to David and Pat and a primary resource person for most program ministries of our congregation. Tricia Gossett is our Database Manager, Membership Secretary and Administrator for the Senior Pastor. Wanell Soslow is our Office Manager and will be retiring on August 8 after 24 years of service. The search for filling that position is ongoing. Betty Robertson serves as our Communications Coordinator in partnership with our Communications Team.
- Facilities Staff: We are blessed to have a dedicated and resourceful Facilities Staff, who partner with Trustees and Finance to provide a beautiful and functional setting for worshipping God, growing in our faith and equipping for mission. Greg Ormsbee gives overall direction to our efforts, teamed with Juan Lopez and Shawn Middleton.
- Council Oak Preschool Staff: Finally, we recognize Joy Lewis and her team as they lead our highly respected Council Oak Preschool.
This list of names does not include our Nursery Caregivers, our Tech Personnel, or our Crossroads Band Members. While this list of names seems large, it is actually overly lean for a congregation of our size. Of course, the secret to their amazing ministries is not so much what they do and who they are as much as how they resource and lead with you so that you become your very best and we become our very best together in ministry for Christ.
I hope you will take time to say thanks to a staff person this week and perhaps even send them a note. Their work is deeply rewarding and highly stressful at the same time. Like you, they balance life at the church and at home. I have known for a long time that having a healthy and congregationally-supporting staff is crucial to the growth of a church’s ministry. Please pray for them, knowing that they are regularly praying for you.
Sincerely in Christ,
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Dr. Will Cotton
Senior Pastor
P.S. This Sunday, the Lion King feature is one people will likely remember for quite some time. Make sure to bring a friend, relative or neighbor with you as we sing and ring “Hakuna Matata” as a gateway to talk about some really important matters of our faith.
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Don't forget. Welcome Home is this Sunday.
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Come see the original Lion King!
Bring your family and join us for an exciting animated movie on Tuesday, July 30 at 6:30 pm. We will be in our theater in Building 5-217. Popcorn will be served! Email
Tammy@fumc-rr.org if you plan to join us so we can get you a door code.
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It's time to sign up for Kids of the Kingdom Chimes. Fall semester begins August 19.
Kids of the Kingdom Chimes welcomes children entering grades 3 -- 5 who would like to ring hand chimes. 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 have a recital at the end of each semester.
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In the Alleluia Chorus, our elementary students (grades K – 5) learn the skills of singing and music reading while they sing anthems of their own as well as join with the Choral Union in joint choral presentations. These early experiences create wonderful memories of joyful musical events linked with the worship of God—thus building the foundation for a walk with Christ.
Register today!
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Stephen Ministry is hosting Q and A Sessions in Payne Cottage this Sunday at 9:30 and 11:00 am. Folks interested in learning about becoming a Stephen Minister can come by, visit with Stephen Leaders, receive information, and learn about becoming a Stephen Minister.
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Ordering made easy...use our
Amazon Gift List
. Items will be shipped directly to the church!
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Save the date for Summer Sizzle...Saturday, August 10!
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News from our Friends of First Church...
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Supporting & Celebrating with our Friends at the
Round Rock Area Serving Center
Date: Saturday, August 10
Place: St. William Church Parish Evangelization Center, 620 Round Rock West Drive
First Church will have a designated table for the event. Tickets may be ordered on the
Round Rock Area Serving Center website. Please remember to put First UMC Round Rock in the space for company name so you will be seated at our table. Read more on our
church website.
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This week at First Church...
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Saturday, July 27
Sunday, July 28
- 8:30, 9:40 & 11 am – Worship Services
- 9:40 am – Sunday school for all ages
- 12:15 pm - Welcome Home, Bldg. 3/FLC
Monday, July 29
- 7:00 pm – Communications Team, Bldg. 5-124
Tuesday, July 30
- 8:30 am – UMM Tuesday Breakfast Group, Juarez Bakery
- 9:30 am – First Church Crafters, 115 Winsted
- 12:30 pm – Brown Bag Theologians, Bldg. 5-122
- 6:30 pm – Family Movie Night, Bldg. 5-217
Wednesday, July 31
- 6:15 am – UMM Breakfast, fellowship, & devotional, FLC/Bldg. 3
Thursday, August 1
- 9:30 am – Heart to Heart Quilters, 115 Winsted
Friday, August 2
- 8:30 am – Round Rock Helpers, Bldg. 4-2
- 8:00 pm – Narcotics Anonymous-Right Stuff, Bldg. 4
Saturday, August 3
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Betty Robertson
Communication
First United Methodist Church Round Rock
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First United Methodist Church | Round Rock, TX
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