Crosswinds Newsletter
November 10, 2021 - Volume 590
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The holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, which means Christmas is not far behind. Before we fix our attention on food and family celebrations, let us not forget the other important holiday for the church: All Saints’ Day.
All Saints’ Day is a day the church sets aside to give thanks for all those who have gone before us into the glorious presence of Christ. We remember them and the way we experienced God’s blessings through them.
All Saints’ Day calls us to acknowledge the tension of joy and grief that we experience in life. It is a day of great joy as we celebrate God’s promises of new life that is theirs today. We know after having experienced the presence of Jesus, that there is no place they would rather be, and yet it is also a day when we grieve. It is a time for us to come before God and cry out to Him in the midst of the loss we feel.
Our world today doesn’t create a lot of space for grief, which is why All Saints’ Day is so important. Grief, while a painful road to journey in many ways, is also a gift. It is through grieving that we come to experience God’s grace in new ways. It is there in the valley of the shadow of death that God’s promises become even more real to us.
God has a heart for those who grieve. Psalm 34:18 says, “God is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” As seen in John 11, Jesus, the very One who would conquer death, wept at His friend Lazarus’ grave. Romans 8:26 tells us that in our weakness, the Holy Spirit prays for us with groans that words cannot express. In Matthew 5:5, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
All Saints’ Day is a time for us to remember those the Lord has so graciously shared with us. It is a time for us to laugh and cry. It is a time to give God glory and to give Him our hurt. In each of our worship services on Sunday morning, we will be remembering those church members who have gone before us into God’s glory. We will also have time in the service for you to come up and light a candle and share the name of a loved one you would like to remember and honor. Together, we will give God thanks for these and for His promises that hold them.
Pastor Brady Johnston
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This past Sunday we invited the church to bring their 2022 pledge cards forward as an act of worship. If you were unable to be there, we are still taking them. You can also turn them in to the church office at any time during the week or on Sunday morning, or you can mail it to FUMC Midlothian at 800 South 9th St., Midlothian, TX 76065. If you prefer to give online, you may submit an online pledge card by clicking the button below. We hope to have them all in by Sunday, November 14th, so we can continue to make plans for our ministry in 2022. We want to hear from every member of the church, even if you're unable to offer your time, talents or financial treasure in the next year. Thank you! |
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This Sunday, November 14th
9:45 in the FLC
"What is FUMC Midlothian about? How do I get connected? What is available for my kids? How can I serve?" You've been coming to church on Sunday mornings, but you know there is more to FUMC and you have questions. Join us Sunday, November 14th at 9:40 in the FLC for Next Steps with Pastor Brady and Pastor April. Here you can find answers to all your questions and more. Registration is not necessary. We hope to see you there! Contact the church office with any questions regarding Next Steps at 972-775-3993.
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Thanksgiving Meals Outreach |
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We are partnering with Midlothian Home Group to provide meals for seniors, shut-ins and families in need this Thanksgiving! We will need delivery drivers, money to purchase meals and packaged food donations. We will be providing groceries for families, so that they can prepare entire meals.
Seniors & shut-ins will receive hot meals. We will need $325 to purchase these meals. Delivery drivers are needed for Wednesday evening at 5:30 PM and Thursday morning at 10 AM. You can find a list of need items or sign up to be a delivery driver by clicking the button below.
If you would like to contribute money, use Venmo or PayPal or drop it off with David Stanton. Contact David at 214-335-5207. Any funds we receive above the $325 needed will be used to purchase food for families or be used for future holiday meals.
Venmo - @David-Stanton-99
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Decorate for Christmas
After Worship on November 21st
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We need a lot of help getting the church ready for Advent ad Christmas on November 21st! We will serve pizza and drinks immediately following 11 AM worship. Then we will be setting up advent candles, trees, wreaths, garland and the altars. Anyone and everyone can help! We need help with heavy and light lifting as well as folks who are not afraid of heights. (That FLC tree is HUGE!) Please click on the button to let us know if you plan to help, so we can better plan for setup, decorating and pizza. Thank you! |
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Sing in the Christmas Cantata
December 19th at 8:30 AM
Rehearsing Now!
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Calling all adults and youth that like to sing!
Please consider joining us to perform in our annual Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 19th during the 8:30 AM Traditional Worship Service. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights at 6 PM in the choir room. Please join us! If you have questions, please click Paul Martin to send an email.
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Christmas is returning! Is your family ready to celebrate? Our Drive Thru Christmas ADVENTure is an interactive, drive thru event for families on December 5th. Mark your calendars and bring your friends and neighbors. Pile into the car, dress up in your favorite Christmas attire and spread some JOY! This is a community event, there is no registration or cost to our families to enjoy the event. However, we will need help! So if you'd like to work this event and serve our community, please click the button below to sign up. |
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Community Christmas Caroling
Wednesday, December 15th
Details Coming Soon!
Join us as we lift our voices to sing His praise and spread Christmas cheer!
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It's almost time for Advent in a Box 2021! We have put together 4 weeks of interactive, fun-filled, faith-infused Christ-centered experience for your family. It's important to turn our eyes to the meaning behind the season and help each other enjoy holiday celebrations built upon the hope and truth of Christ.
In each box, you will find a way to celebrate each week of Advent with scripture, activities, games, and crafts to do with your family. Everything is provided except for common household items. We have 100 boxes available (at no cost) to our families, please sign up to secure your box. Please note, we have only one box per family available.
Our prayer for you during this season of anticipation and waiting for the coming of Christ is for God to reveal Himself to each of you and for your family to experience the welcoming and arrival of the King of Kings! May you be richly blessed this Advent season and enjoy time growing together as a family!
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We have some opportunities to serve on the Audio Visual (AV) team and in the By The Well band. The band specifically needs help with drums, guitar and piano. However, if you are interested in performing with the BTW band, please contact us, no matter the area your talent. |
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The AV team needs help running slides, sound, OBS (online broadcasting system) and help moderating in both the 8:30 Traditional and the 11 Contemporary services. No experience is necessary. We will train you!
Please consider serving in worship! We are flexible and able to work with your schedule.
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November 12th: GGP Fall Program
November 14th: All Saints Sunday
November 24th-26th: Church Office Closed
November 28th: Advent Begins
December 5th: Christmas ADVENTures
December 15th: Community Christmas Caroling
December 19th: Christmas Cantata
December 24th: Christmas Eve Services
See weekly information below.
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Godly Play Children's Worship gathers during 8:30 and 11 AM worship services. Elementary age children are invited to go with our Children's Ministry Team to worship together in the Fellowship Hall. Of course, children are always welcome to stay with their parents throughout worship.
Sunday School Classes meet between services from 9:45-10:45 AM. If your class is meeting and is not listed below, please ask your class leader to email Mary Beth's with class information. Thank you!
+Children's Sunday School Classes, Sanctuary building, various rooms
+Youth Sunday School Classes, FLC upstairs, Jr. High & Sr. High rooms
+Bill Theiss Fellowship Class, FLC room 109, led by Margie Faulkner
+Adult Bible Class, FLC room 110, led by Mary Ellen Humphrey
+Upper Room Class, FLC room 201, led by Sandra Hill
+Open Door Class, FLC room 107, led by Bill Bullinger
+Servant's Hands, FLC room 204, led by Carol Lee
Men's Monday Night Bible Study meets Monday nights from 7-8:30 PM in the Sanctuary Building Workroom. The study is coordinated by Don Garret.
April's Bible Study meets Wednesday's at 6:30 PM in FLC. Study Topic: “In the Company of Jesus”
Choir meets each Wednesday at 6 PM. Bell Choir meets Mondays 6-7 PM. If you are interested in joining Choir or Bell Choir, please contact church office or Paul Martin.
Discipleship Bands meet at various times throughout the week. New Discipleship Bands can form at any time! For more information, please contact the church office.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 AM - 4 PM and Friday 8 AM - 12 PM.
Worship Together
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Sunday, November 14th
Hope through the Coming Glory
Romans 8:18-27
8:30 & 11 AM Traditional in the Sanctuary
11 AM Contemporary in the FLC
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WayPoints are daily devotionals designed to help us prayerfully engage God’s Word so that we might respond in obedience. We encourage everyone to participate in the WayPoints. They are available at Waypoint and FUMC Facebook.
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Children's Ministry has resumed meeting for Sunday School, Children's Worship, and Wednesday Night Live.
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.
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Junior & Senior High Youth Groups
have resumed and meet during
Wednesday Night Live from 6:30-8pm
and Sunday School from 9:45-10:35am.
Stay connected in FUMC Midlo Youth Ministries! Follow us on our Youth Facebook page, FUMC Midlo Youth (public) and our Instagram page, @fumcmidloyouth. Youth and Youth parents, join our private Facebook Group, FUMC Midlothian Youth. For Remind 101 for Youth, text @midloyouthto the number 81010. If you have any questions, please email the Youth Team.
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We offer Nursery and Early Childhood Care (infant through pre-k) during our Sunday morning worship services. Please email Keelee with any questions. For information regarding God's Garden Preschool, go to God's Garden. Thank you!
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New Prayer Requests:
Cheryl Weadon - home from hospital
Edgar Boteler - hospital
Continuous Prayer:
Karen Wilson, Dorothy Wares, George & Dee Culps, Don Lish, John Lowe, Chelsea Peel, Jim Sibley, Peggy Mathis
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 - Josh Dunaway, 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
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Men, Women and Children (with the help of an adult), if you'd like to thank the church in the newsletter and/or become a part of the Prayer/Card ministry, please send an email to Joy Price. Thank You.
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Thank You for Your Generosity |
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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!
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Senior Pastor: Rev. Brady Johnston
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FUMC Midlothian | 972-775-3993
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8 AM - 4 PM
Friday 8 AM - 12 PM
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