Crosswinds Newsletter
August 4, 2021 - Volume 577
A Word from the Pastor
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Lately, I’ve been studying the Book of Acts. The church at Antioch has really caught my attention. Antioch was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. When the Good News was preached, they came together as a newly redeemed community in Christ. 

Though it was only a single church, what happened at Antioch shaped the world as they knew it. The church had an amazing culture of discipleship. They produced leaders who would go on to carry the name of Jesus far and wide. They gave generously to support their communities in times of trouble. There was the expectation in their church that each believer was dedicated and involved in Jesus’ mission. The Lord did amazing things through the work of that church. 

I believe that kind of culture is what Jesus wants from every church. Every member of Jesus’ church should sense a call to serve. Jesus entrusted His mission to us, and by golly, we want to be faithful servants of Jesus as He modeled for us. 

There are always opportunities to serve in the church. Right now, we have need for people to serve at our Backpack Drive Thru Blessing on Sunday, August 8th. We need to fill a few slots for Sunday school leaders for both our youth and children. Talk about being on the frontlines of raising up disciples! We are also looking for people to serve with our Sunday morning hospitality team. The opportunities abound and there will be more. 

My question for you is this: How are you actively involved in the church’s mission? For some, that will be an easy question to answer, but some haven’t found a place to land just yet. That’s ok, but if that’s you, start praying and seeking a place to serve. Visit with the staff and we’ll be happy to guide you in that process. 

I pray we continue to make raising up disciples who are actively involved in Jesus’ mission an important part of our church culture.

Pastor Brady Johnston
Back-to-School
Drive Thru Backpack Blessing
We're sending our students, teachers, administrators, faculty, and staff back to school this year with our prayers and blessings! This is for anyone working with education from preschool - collegiate level. We will have a special time of prayer on THIS Sunday, August 8th from 6-7pm in our parking lot. All are encouraged to come and be blessed! No registration is required, just come on by and bring our friends. Instructions for the event will be posted prior to August 16th for entrance and exit of the parking lot.

We'd love to have a large group to pray. Please contact Keelee for more information or to volunteer. We ask those serving to arrive at 5:45 to prepare. Thank you!
Youth & Children's Sunday School Returns
This Sunday, August 8th
That's right! Our kids will return to their Sunday school classrooms THIS Sunday starting at 9:45 AM. We can't wait to see them and dive into God's word together!

Please note that though we have a solid team, we are looking for a few more volunteers so that volunteers can have some Sundays off. You can email Keelee with any questions regarding classes and volunteering.
Let's Connect with the Community
at the Mayor's Back-to-School Bash
Saturday, August 14th
FUMC Midlothian will be hosting a booth at the Mayor’s Back to School Bash on August 14th and we need YOU! We're looking for church volunteers to help man the booth and share our welcoming spirit with the community. We will work 2 shifts: 8 AM (setup) - 11 AM and 11 AM - 1 PM. If you are able, please come help hand out candy, bracelets, cookies and share a fun activity with our guests.

It would be great to have a large group representing our church for community outreach! To sign up, please contact Andrea Newsom via email or by phone at 254-292-3522. More information regarding The Mayor's Back to School Bash can be found at Manna House's website.
Save the Dates!
WNL Kickoff
September 1 at 6 PM

Pumpkins Arrive
September 26th

Trunk-or-Treat
October 24th
We Are Growing
Youth & Children's Sunday School Volunteers Needed!
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Are you interested in building relationships and sharing the love of Christ and God's Word with the younger generation? We are growing our Sunday school teams for youth and children and would love too add four youth teachers and six children's teachers to our team. This is NOT an every Sunday commitment! On your teaching days, you will serve from 9:35-10:35 AM. Curriculum will be provided and we will train you! Members who are interested, please e-mail Keelee for more information.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
~Proverbs 22:6
Part-time Early-Childhood Care Workers Needed
Nursery through Pre-K
Come join our Early Childhood Care Team where you will be serving young children (infants through not yet in Kindergarten) and their families. Your primary purpose is to provide dependable, safe, secure, and nurturing care to the children while at our Church, ages 0-5 years in a clean environment. This is a part time (4-8 hours) weekly position with openings on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights (during the school year), and as needed childcare for various ministry events. Email Keelee Allen, Children's Minister for more information.
Mark Your Calendars
August 8th: Youth and Children's Sunday School begins, 9:45 AM
August 8th: Drive-Thru Backpack Blessings, 6-7 PM
August 15th: Backpack Blessings in both worship services
August 29th: Godly Play begins
August 30 & 31st: Meet the Teacher for GGP
September 1st: GGP Fall Begins
September 9th: Wednesday Night Live returns
September 26th: Pumpkins arrive
September 27th: Pumpkin Patch opens
October 2nd: Lord's Acre Festival
October 9th: Church-wide Garage Sale
October 24th: Trunk or Treat
Men's Breakfast meets the second Sunday of each month at 7:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
See weekly information below.
This Week at FUMC
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.

Children's Church meets during both services throughout the summer. Children will be released to our Children's Ministry Team early in both services, to go worship 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, Book of James
+Adult Bible Class, FLC room 110, led by Mary Ellen Humphrey, "Defined: Who God Says You Are"
+Upper Room Class, FLC room 201, led by Linda Berrey, "Heaven, What Everyone Ought to Know"
+Open Door Class, FLC room 107, led by Bill Bullinger, Max Lucado study
+Servant's Hands, FLC room 204, led by Carol Lee, Love Does

J.O.Y. Games Group meets in FLC Room number 110 at 9:30 am each Monday. Join us for fun, fellowship and friendly competition!

Men's Monday Night Bible Study meets Monday nights from 7-8:30 PM in the Sanctuary Building Workroom. Currently they are finishing the Messler study of proverbs and is looking to study the Gospel of John next. The study is coordinated by Don Garret.

Worship with Us This Sunday
August 8, 2021
If you can?
Mark 9:14-24
Pastor Brady
8:30 AM Traditional in the Sanctuary
11 AM Contemporary in the FLC
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.
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.
Junior & Senior High Youth Group
will resume in September

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 @7b2dff6 to the number 81010. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Brady.
We offer Nursery and Early Childhood Care (infant through pre-k) during our Sunday morning worship services. Please email Keelee with any questions. Thank you!
Prayer Requests
New
Erica Livermore (granddaughter of Don & Joy Price) - health issues

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 - 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
If you'd like to thank the church in the newsletter, please send an email to Joy Price. Thank you!
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
Administrative Assistant: Mary Beth Mayo
Finance Coordinator: Barry Hornburg
Organist: Laurie Duke
Media Director: Valerie Dick
Facilities Director: Matt Sanders 
FUMC Midlothian | 972-775-3993
Office Hours: M-Th, 8 AM - 4 PM