Crosswinds Newsletter
January 13, 2021 - Volume 549
A Word from the Pastor
I want to take a minute to brag on you. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hand delivering a check to our conference for our 2020 Connectional Mission Giving, or apportionments. 

In case you’re new to the Methodist church, our Connectional Mission Giving is one of the primary means of connection to the greater United Methodist Church. Through apportionments, local churches collect a portion of money to contribute to the global mission of the United Methodist denomination. This way the church together is able to do more good in our world than any church could do alone. 

The idea for apportionments comes from the model found in Acts 4 when the church pooled their resources in order to meet needs of the people. Through our apportionments, we are able to meet needs all over the world. 

Now, it is common for us to use a significant portion of the Lord’s Acre income to pay our apportionments. Since we were not able to have Lord’s Acre this year and with the other challenges surrounding COVID, we were skeptical we would be able to pay them in full. 

Well, I’m happy to share with you that because of your faithfulness we were able to pay 100% of our apportionments for 2020! I’m blown away by your generosity, especially in such a wild season. 

I’m so proud of you. Thank you for being such an amazing church!  

Pastor Brady Johnston
Face Masks on Campus
Please remember we are practicing social distance and wearing face masks as an act of love for one another while on campus. Face masks are required when you are at the church - in both the Main Building and the Family Life Center. This is also important during the week in order to meet state requirements for God's Garden Preschool. Thank you for your patience, understanding and commitment to love one another.
Reminder: Blood Drive This Sunday
January 17, 9am-2pm
The blood drive this Sunday is full; however, please continue to check for openings as there may be cancellations. If you have an appointment that you won't be able to make, please cancel with Red Cross as soon as possible to allow someone else to fill the slot and need. To make or change an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code “fumcmid” or call 1-800-RedCross. Red Cross will contact you directly if there are any changes.

Please click the links below for information before you donate:

Please use RapidPass before you come (redcrossblood.org/RapidPass). Photo ID or Red Cross Donor Card is required. Let’s Intentionally save lives together!
Youth Group Returns Next Week
January 20
Our Sheep Trail drawing winner is
Tenley Janszen!
Thank you, Tenley and everyone else that participated in the Sheep Trail! You brought so much joy to our local businesses and community through your participation. Also, thank you to all the local businesses that participated and gave our families something fun and meaningful to do this Christmas Season!
Nursery and Early Childhood
Infant Through Pre-K is Now Open
We currently offer Nursery and Early Childhood care (infant through pre-k) during our Sunday morning worship services. If you would like your children to attend, please visit our Creation Kids Webpage to review our entire policy before bringing your children. Elementary age children will need to stay with their family in worship at this time. If you have any questions, please email Keelee Allen at Keelee. Thank you and we are looking forward to seeing our kids and hearing their laughter, insight, and singing in our hallways!
Children & Youth
Creation Kids Links:

Stay connected in Creation Kids Children's Ministry! Follow us on our Facebook page, Creation Kids page, and our Instagram page, @creationkidsfumcmidlo, to keep up with resources for connection. For more information, email Keelee Allen.
NO YOUTH GROUP THIS WEEK!
WE WILL RESUME JANUARY 21
Junior High and Senior High Youth Group meets Wednesday nights 6:30 - 8 PM in the FLC. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Brady.

Stay connected in FUMC Midlo Youth Ministries! Follow us on our Youth Facebook page, FUMC Midlo Youth (public). Youth and Youth parents, join our private Facebook Group, FUMC Midlothian Youth (private community). For Remind 101 for Youth, text @7b2dff6 to the number 81010.
Weekly Discipleship Video
"Jesus & the Scriptures"
Matthew 4:1-4
Question – I want you to share about your practices with scripture. Are you currently reading regularly? What does it look like for you?
Question we will be asking – How might scripture be speaking into your life today?
Read Matthew 4:1-4 together and discuss.
Question – I wonder what it means for you to not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God?
Question – I wonder what steps you can take to grow in your life with God thru the scriptures?
Additional Discipleship Videos are available on our Discipleship Playlist on YouTube as well as our Discipleship Webpage.
Worship Together
January 17
 "The Why is Greater than
the How"
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
8:30 AM Traditional
11 AM Contemporary
WayPoint is a daily guide to help you grow and expand upon the scriptures we are studying. WayPoints are available at Waypoint and FUMC Facebook.
Church Office Hours and Appointments
Church office visits can be made by appointment only at this time. In effort to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19, church staff will primarily be working remotely. Phones will be forwarded and answered. Please contact the church office at 972-775-3993 to make an appointment for church business. Please remember masks are required in both buildings.
Prayer Requests
New
Brian King & Family (Laurie Huber's brother) - COVID-19
Everyone who is now sick with COVID-19
The Skinner Family - protection from COVID-19
Our country
Renee Sutton - COVID-19
Heidi Kelley (friend of Johnstons) - COVID-19
Peggy McMichaels (great aunt of Keelee) - surgery
Clara Hollingsworth (friend of church members) - COVID-19
Sharon Perdasofpy - health issues (not COVID-19) but getting better
Marylin Walters (former member) - health issues
Elaine Woolsey (mother of Pam Rogers) - hip surgery
Laurie Duke - health issues
Mel Nolan - hospital with COVID-19

Continuous Prayer
Raymond & LaFerne Cuddy, Karen Wilson, Dorothy Wares, George & Dee Culps, Don Lish, John Lowe, Chelsea Peel, God's Garden Preschool

COVID-19 Crisis, All those who have to make important and wise decisions regarding reopening businesses, churches and all other places
 
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 - Collin Johansen, Josh Dunaway,  Seth Allen, 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
Thank You for Your Generosity
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!
Church Staff
Senior Pastor: Rev. Brady Johnston
Executive Pastor: Rev. Dr. April Fehler
Children's Director: Keelee Allen
God's Garden Preschool Director: Michelle Coffin
Traditional Worship Leader: Paul Martin
Contemporary Worship Leader: Jason Westbrook
Organist: Laurie Duke
Administrative Assistant: Mary Beth Mayo
Media Director: Valerie Dick
Facilities Director: Matt Sanders 
FUMC Midlothian | 972-775-3993 fumcmidlo.org