No doubt you have seen much reaction in the news and on Facebook of our recent General Conference decision regarding human sexuality. The only body that speaks for the United Methodist Church on our positions is the General Conference.
I know that many in our church are shocked and angry by this decision. The Traditional Plan that passed is in large measure identical to our position since 1972. Our Judicial Council will rule at their meeting in April as to whether the complete plan is in keeping with the Constitution of the United Methodist Church. Only the parts that are constitutional will make it in our Book of Discipline.
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray we will be kind to each other, for each one of us is a valued, sacred, child of God. New World UMC will continue to welcome the LGBTQ community to our churches and affirm their sacred worth. The Table of our Lord is open to all.
I have been saddened by angry voices from some of our largest churches in the nation that are demanding this position be changed. That will be a difficult hill to climb.
I encourage our laity and our leadership to follow the good counsel of Bishop Mike Lowry to begin a 30 Day observance of Prayer and Discernment. May we be a people of prayer as we consider what this decision means for us in New World UMC. Let us pray for our neighbors, and refuse to criticize our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us choose our words carefully when we do speak. I call us to prayer, grace, and peace. Jesus is Lord of all.
Pastor Mike
|
|
|
The United Methodist Women (UMW) will be conducting a
Silent Auction Fundraiser in conjunction with our
Spring Luncheon & Fashion Show on Saturday, April 6
th
.
All of the proceeds from the auction go to benefit the charities our organization serves and supports throughout the year: Arlington Charities, Arlington Urban Ministries, and the UTA Wesley Foundation.
You can help support our efforts in two ways: First, please consider inviting your family and friends to attend our event. Second, we would like you to consider donating an item or particular service you or an organization you know of could provide.
Donation ideas could include:
Event tickets: Sports, Theatre, or Concert tickets
Experiences: such as a Golf foursome, Spa certificate, Gift cards, or Zoo passes
Services: Handyman for a day, Lawn care, Pet sitting, Personal training, Babysitting
New items: Household items, Jewelry, Accessories
Themed Gift Baskets
Gift Cards
We will need all donated items by Sunday, March 31
st
.
For more information about the Silent Auction contact:
Shelley Allman shelleyallman@outlook.com
|
|
|
The Connection Team
will meet this coming Sunday, March 10th from noon -1pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Lunch will be served so please RSVP.
We will be making plans for Easter including distributing Lent/Easter Event postcards to the neighborhood and hosting a Connection Time breakfast on Palm Sunday.
As always, we welcome anyone interested in being part of our ministry to create a
welcoming environment at New World.
Our focus starts in the
Parking Lot
, continues with the front door
Greeters,
then into the Fellowship Hall for
Connection Time
, and finally into the heart of the congregation with
After Service Hosts
and
Guest Follow up
.
Hope you can join us!
Anna Lee
972-642-6576
|
|
|
Week of Prayer
March 3 - March 8
8:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
.”
Philippians 4:6-7
As we each prepare our hearts and minds for the season of Lent, New World is offering a week of prayer, March 3-8. The New World sanctuary will be open for prayer daily 8AM-8PM. Prayer stations will be available. You are invited to come and sit in stillness for a while.
|
|
|
Beginning today, and going through April 10, we will explore the book
Embracing the Uncertain by Magrey DeVega. Just turning on the news lets us know we are living in uncertain times. Economic instabilities, eruption of violence, and natural catastrophes can alter the lives and landscapes of entire communities. Our individual lives are often just as unsteady: relationships can break, plans can falter, and confidence can fail. Uncertainty can definitely be uncomfortable. Many of us prefer stability and a predictable future to an unknown fate. We are wired to want to control our destiny. The reality is that in our fast-changing, unpredictable world there are few guarantees in life. It's those who are willing to embrace uncertainty and make the risky decision to follow Jesus despite the many "unknowns" who will reap the greatest rewards. Embracing the Uncertain invites readers this Lent to engage and wrestle with life's uncertainties through the lens of Scripture. Class will meet from 11 am to noon in room 25-26. Copies of the book are available in the main office for $10. To sign up contact Pastor Gena at
gena@nwumc.org
|
|
|
Lent Photo Challenge
BEGINS TODAY!
|
The Lent Photo Challenge will run from Wednesday, March 6, through Sunday, April 21. Remember to mention @nwumc and to use #nwumclent along with your pictures so we'll know you're participating. Can't wait to see your photos!
|
|
|
For our program this month, Corporal Danny Whittington with the Arlington Police Department will address senior safety.
The meal will be catered by David's BBQ for $10.00 per person. No reservations required; pay that day by cash or check to New World with "PT Lunch" in note.
Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 on Tuesday, March 12. Guests welcome!
|
|
|
New World Preschool will be having a Garage Sale on Saturday, March 16, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Donations will be accepted from March 12 until March 15. Children’s items ONLY please. If you would like to volunteer please contact
Kathy Goodell
or
Amber Walter
for more information.
|
|
|
And The Results Are In...
|
Thanks to everyone that participated in our Chili Cook-off held Sunday, March 3.
Our event would not have been a success without the participants, table decorators and of course the taste testers! With your help, we raised a sizable amount to help our Hands & Feet Youth Choir travel to West Texas on the annual Choir tour.
|
|
|
 |
People's Choice - Jeff Duer
|
|
|
|
Best Decorated Table -
Sherry & Tommy Marshall
|
|
|
|
The Children’s Department will be highlighting Arlington Urban Ministries during the season of Lent. Each week we will have a designated item that you can bring to church to donate to the ministries of AUM.
On Souper Bowl Sunday in February, we collected money and peanut butter for AUM. When Kathy Alexander delivered the peanut butter, the workers were so grateful and appreciative. They had run out of peanut butter and said it was a wonderful item for families as well as being very helpful for the homeless. This is a project that children can get excited about. They can help shop for the items, then bring them to the church and see all the different things that are collected.
Arlington Urban Ministries is a faith-based organization that empowers clients by providing support, education and resources to improve their long term financial stability. Our church has a long relationship of supporting AUM. During this Lenten Season, we invite you to join our children as we fill AUM’s pantry and provide other needed supplies that will help them continue to serve their clients.
The weekly needs include:
- March 10 - 15 - Cans of Soup
- March 17 - 22 - Canned Meats
- March 24-29 - Socks for all ages
- March 31- April 5 - Sunscreen/Bug Spray (with summer coming this is a needed item for homeless people)
- April 7-12 - Travel size Hygiene Items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, deodorant, hand sanitizers
- Palm Sunday- A special and extra donation of money to be given to Arlington Urban Ministries
Let’s help others!!!
|
|
|
The Preschool and Children's Choirs are preparing music for Palm Sunday, the Sunday we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the beginning of Holy Week.
The children will lead the Palm Sunday processional in both the 9:30 and 11:00 am worship services.
The children should arrive by 9:15 am. The Preschool children will gather in Room 11 and the Elementary children will gather in Room 8,9,10. If you have any questions please contact Kathy Alexander,
kathyalex@nwumc.org
or Steven Couch at
steven@nwumc.org
.
|
|
|
We will gather at Gibbins Park at noon for a
Church Family Picnic of Hot Dogs and Fixins.
We will need lots of filled Easter Eggs for the children to hunt.
The Hot Dog Lunch will be provided by the church.
Bring your lawn chairs & blankets to sit on
and plan to have a great time with friends and family!
Invite your friends, co-workers, and family to join us!
|
|
|
Important Youth Dates
March 10
No Shine ~ Spring Break!
March 17
Hands & Feet ~ 4:30-5:30
Shine ~ 5:30-7:30
|
|
|
Are you graduating from high school, college, or from getting your bachelors, masters, GED, etc? The quilt ministry is making quilts to honor those who are graduating, and these will be given out on Senior Sunday May 19
th
. If you are graduating
and would like to be honored, please email Sarah Bush at
sarah@nwumc.org
by April 21.
|
|
|
“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”
Matthew 6:17
|
|
|
Finding Restoration
Over the last few months, I have seen my health restored and replenished in many ways. The key to my recovery has been a steady diet based on the Word of God. Having a prayer life is vital, but our hearts were meant to feast on God's word on a daily basis. In December of 2018, I recognized my great need to get back into the Word. After returning to God's word each day, I began to regain my wholeness of heart and also my union with God - from that point on my health steadily improved.
For whatever reason, you may have experienced a prolonged absence from enjoying the word of God. If you struggle with finding the right place to resume this journey, ask the Spirit of God to guide you to a specific book or chapter for a fresh start. The late A.W. Tozer once said to start with John, Isaiah, or the Psalms. For me personally, I have always enjoyed the fellowship that David shared with God. He was the first king of Israel that understood the true essence of servanthood and he loved to worship God. Furthermore, Samuel was also an amazing prophet with a strong commitment for completing whatever God asked him to do. Their personal stories teach us what it's like to walk with God - something vital for each one of us.
More recently, I discovered a prayer that needs to be shared with you – taken from the May 2018 Newsletter published by John Eldredge at Ransomed Heart. This prayer will help restore your connection to God so you can once again enjoy His intimacy. I'm using this prayer on a daily basis to strengthen my relationship, communication, and wholeness in Him. This prayer helps repair the damages that are a result of living in a fallen world.
"Jesus, Father, Holy Spirit—I give myself to you to be one with you in everything. I pray for union and I pray for oneness. I pray to be one heart and one mind, one will, one life. Restore me in you; restore our union. I give everything and everyone to you in order to have union with you. Heal our union, God; restore and renew our union. I pray your glory fills our union. I pray for a deeper union with you, a deeper and more complete oneness."
Submitted by Bill Kucera
New World Intercessory Prayer Ministry
If you have a prayer article that you would like to
|
|
|
Lord, Hear Our Prayers...
Hospital
Terry Dunklin:
Heritage Oaks
Richard Noren:
Surgery, March 13, Baylor Orthopedic
Recuperating At Home
Jim Freeman, John Mitchell, Jerry Richardson, Nancy Tyson's husband, Paul
Those Facing Cancer and its Treatment
Lynda Arnold’s sister, Jonda
Amanda Heathcott
Todd Milam
Hospice Care
Gwenne Galati:
Home Hospice Care
Ruth Savage:
Meadowbrook Memory Care, Arlington
Chronic Condition
Leigh Jamieson
Tradel Harris, Darlus Schoonover’s granddaughter
Death
New World member, Sally Cole, died on Saturday, March 2.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, March 7, at 2:00 pm, at New World with Committal to follow in Moore Memorial Gardens at 3:30. Please keep Bob, their children and other family and friends in your prayers.
|
|
Our Gifts and Our Presence
|
|
|
|
Text To Give:
817-789-4129
|
|
Worship Attendance:
Sunday, March 6 - 240
Adult Sunday School - 75
|
|
Mike Alexander
Senior Pastor
Erin Sloan Jackson
Associate Pastor of Missions
Gena Anderson
Associate Pastor of Discipleship
Steven Couch
Director of Worship & Music
|
|
Jin Ah Kwon
Organist/Music Assistant
Kathy Alexander
Director of Children’s Ministries
Sarah Bush
Director of Student Ministries
Heather James
Business Administrator
|
|
Becky Hankins
Executive Administrator
Gail Hall
Communications
Francisco Adon
Facilities
Amber Walter
Preschool Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
