First Church News & Updates - September 6, 2019
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Hurricane Dorian is still with us and is leaving devastation in its wake in the Bahamas and southeastern United States.
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is monitoring the situation and is in close contact with Conference Disaster Response Coordinators in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. They are well-equipped and prepared to respond to the storms in their area. UMCOR has awarded solidarity grants to Bahamas Methodist Habitat, the Disaster Ministry of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church and to the Florida Annual Conference to undergird initial response efforts. This grant provides immediate, emergency short term funding to address the basic human needs of those affected by this catastrophic storm.
Remember that our church directly supports UMCOR through our apportionments. You may also give a special donation to UMCOR at any time through our
online giving portal. Just choose UMCOR as the designated fund. 100% of contributions to UMCOR goes directly to disaster relief.
Please continue to pray for all those in the path and wake of Hurricane Dorian.
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Enjoy this First Church news.
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Experience Love. Spread Hope.
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Sermon Series - Rooted: Learning to Live Deeply with God
The tendency in turbulent, fast-changing times is to resort to the latest and greatest idea or plan, but what if the best strategy is actually to become more deeply rooted?
Sermon: “Teach the Children Well”
Please invite your family and friends to join us in worship at 8:30 am (Sanctuary), 9:40 am (Family Life Center), and 11 am (Sanctuary) this Sunday.
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Words from Will...What does it mean to pray?
I have been thinking a lot about prayer lately. I actually think what’s happening are stirrings that well may result in my first book. We’ll see. Basically, prayer is simply conversation with God – who is, at least in a direct sense, invisible and inaudible. Yes, I see and hear God through you, and I hope that you do the same through me, but otherwise prayer is pretty quiet and unseen. For most of us, that means that prayer is mostly a monologue in which we talk and we hope that God listens. That leads some people to say that prayer is really self-talk. While, I have gained some insights from hearing myself pray out loud, that’s not why I pray.
The question is, “Does God talk back, either answering our prayers or giving us clear insights through feelings, ideas and emotional spiritual nudges?” I believe God does, so prayer, while quiet, can be a dialogue, not just a monologue. The problem for me is that I am not always a good listener to humans who speak out loud so my track record with God is likely...no, most assuredly...worse.
The Bible teaches us to pray regularly. Why? We are likely to be praying the same things each prayer time (for healing, for guidance, for hope, for the sense of God’s strength and presence). Does God need to be convinced? Are we trying to convince ourselves? Some would say that’s exactly what we are doing – stirring up our own faith or becoming clearer about what we are praying. Prayer does stir our faith and clarify for us, but I submit that prayer does what any other conversation does, it deepens and strengthens the relationship we have with God.
The Bible teaches us to pray fervently, i.e. pray harder. Why? Are we showing God we are serious and does God play hard to get until then? Are we twisting God’s arm so that we get what we want? If our fervent prayers do that, who is God? Fervency in prayer for me is about focus. Tina prefers that I look at her when we are speaking. Speaking profound feedback in her direction while playing a game on my phone is not well received. Much of the power of prayer is muted because our focus is on the problem we have or the stress we are experiencing rather than on God who has the power to make a difference.
What does it mean for you to pray? See you Sunday. We will pray then, too.
Sincerely in Christ,
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Dr. Will Cotton
Senior Pastor
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Weekly Giving: $ 36,288.89
YTD Revenue: $1,442,132.23
YTD Expenses: $1,618,477.60
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It is time to sign up for LifeGroups!
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We are hiring! Childcare positions available.
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Our first J-Team event of the year is Sunday, September 8th from 3 - 5 pm!
We hope your 3rd-5th grade children will join us for some fun and fellowship. We are going to Tumble Tech, located at 1301 Toro Grande Ave (off 1431, across from Nitro Swim). There will be climbing, running, trampoline, Parkour, and playing in the foam pit! Cost is $10 and a waiver must be completed on site to participate. RSVP to Tammy@fumc-rr.org.
Click for details...
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Connecting with our Community
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Good News United Methodist Church in Leander is hosting a night of worship for the North Austin/Round Rock area community on Saturday, September 21, and you are invited to come join as you're able. It'll be a contemplative service centered around contemporary worship music.
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This week at First Church...
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Saturday, September 7
Sunday, September 8
- 8:30, 9:40 & 11 am – Worship Services
- 9:40 am – Sunday school for all ages
- 3:00 pm - J-Team, off campus
- 4:30 pm – Youth Choir, South Suite Sanctuary
- 5:00 pm – Student Ministries IGNITE, Bldg. 3/FLC
Monday, September 9
Tuesday, September 10
- 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
- 6:30pm – Community Bible Study, Bldg 5-223
- 6:30 pm-UMW Lydia Circle, Bldg. 4/2
Wednesday, September 11
- 6:15 am – UMM Breakfast, fellowship, & devotional, Bldg. 3/FLC
- 9:30 am – Women’s Bible Study, Bldg. 5-232
- 6:00 pm – HeartSong Adult Choir, South Suite Sanctuary
- 6:30 pm – Women’s Bible Study, Bldg. 5-232
- 7:00 pm – Chancel Adult Choir, South Suite Sanctuary
Thursday, September 12
- 9:30 am – Heart to Heart Quilters, 115 Winsted
Friday, September 13
- 8:30 am – Round Rock Helpers, Bldg. 4-2
- 8:00 pm – Narcotics Anonymous-Right Stuff, Bldg. 4/Payne Cottage
Saturday, September 14
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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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