Crosswinds Newsletter
October 13, 2021 - Volume 586
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One of the most important jobs of a church is to be a presence in the community in which it is located. This involves members reaching out beyond the walls of the church to meet needs. Now when we think of needs, we most commonly think of physical needs, like hunger, poverty, etc. While those are pressing needs, there are other needs that we must be aware of, like the need for relationships.
Human beings are highly relational creatures. We desire to know and be known by others. We crave meaningful relationships that satisfy our deep need to belong. This is why the gospel is so powerful, as it addresses both our greatest need--to be in relationship with God--and how we can have that relationship through Jesus Christ. It is the role of the church to be a witness to this relationship in our own lives and to invite others to enter into it.
Research today shows that the most effective ways of leading people toward a walk with Christ is through relationships. It is through the relationships and connections that we make with others that God uses to draw them in closer. The latest statistics I’ve seen regarding first-time visitors is that 86% come because of a personal invitation.
This is important for us to recognize because right now we have two amazing opportunities to connect with our community: the Pumpkin Patch and Trunk or Treat. The Pumpkin Patch draws people from all over our community. Working the Patch gives you an opportunity to meet people. In just one shift, I had three different families ask me about the church. I was able to invite all three without it being awkward for any of us.
Trunk or Treat is another opportunity for us to make connections. Two years ago, we had around 1,200 people attend. It’s fun for everyone, and guests appreciate the presence of the church. In my experience, connecting with guests in events like this builds trust; when attendees are ready to visit a church, they are most likely to try the one they have already enjoyed. I want you to consider giving your time and energy to serve in one or both of these ministries.
In case you somehow missed it, Midlothian is growing, yet in my conversations with other local pastors, church attendance is down a little from what it has been in the past. Of course, the pandemic plays a role in this, but what this tells me is that there are more people that need to be reached in Midlothian today than possibly ever before. Let us renew our commitment to be a church that values reaching people for Christ!
Pastor Brady Johnston
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Can You Help Serve in the Patch? |
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The Pumpkin Patch is a wonderful fundraiser for Youth Missions and a great opportunity for community outreach for the entire church! Please consider signing up for a two hour shift to work The Patch. Just click the button below and see if you could give 2 hours of your time. Minors need to be accompanied by an adult. We will sign off on your community service hours worked. And remember, you don't have to sign up alone! Sign up with a friend, your Discipleship Band, Emmaus Group or Sunday School Class. Thank you for your support. We’ll see you in the patch! |
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Though prefer to have at least two workers during each shift, we need to have at least one worker available for each shift. We have multiple shifts upcoming this week with no workers signed up. If you can help with one of these shifts OR a shift with a single worker, please go to the signup button above and sign up.
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Join us for Trunk-or-Treat on Sunday, October 24th from 3-5 PM! We will have games, candy, bounce houses, pumpkins and more - always a fun time!
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Ways to Help with Trunk-or-Treat |
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Trunk-or-Treat is one of the biggest community events we host each year, bringing hundreds, if not thousands of people onto our campus. It is a great opportunity to invite our neighbors with a welcoming spirit! But to make Trunk-or-Treat truly successful, we need decorated trunks! So start thinking about how you can decorate your trunk in a family fun way. Sign up by clicking the button below.
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Though each “Trunk” provides treats, we need extras to have on hand, in case some run out. Please consider donating candy, but don’t wait! If we don’t have enough reserve, we will go buy more the week before. All candy must be wrapped. Please do not donate candy with nuts or chocolate. Donations can be placed in the bin outside of Miss Keelee’s office. |
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The church wide garage sale was a huge success! Not only did we raise $4300 and counting, but we had many opportunities to welcome people into our church and share the love of Christ with them! Any time we choose to share Christ's love is a huge success. A family in great need was served, as were others whose situation we don't necessarily know. So we give thanks for the opportunity to share God's love and hope. Thank you ALL show served, donated, set up, broke down, shared, shopped and participated in the garage sale in any way! |
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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 (broadcasting live online) 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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Combined Services
Sunday, October 31st at 10 AM
Church Lunch & Note Burning Immediately Following
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Sunday, October 31st, we will combine all three services at 10 AM in the FLC. We will then celebrate the paying off of the FLC with a church lunch and note burning! Please join us as we celebrate freedom from the FLC debt! |
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Calling ALL 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders! |
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Want to go to camp for a weekend? Come join us November 5th and 6th at Glen Lake Camp!
Bible Camp is an opportunity for children, 3rd-5th grades, to come into the camp setting and gain skills and knowledge necessary for navigating the Bible. This year, campers will learn about being a follower of God from the obedience of the Israelites that faced Jericho, the story of the tax collector Zacchaeus and repentance, and from the strength and confidence of Paul in a shipwreck. These building blocks of obedience, repentance, strength, and confidence will help our campers follow God and grow deeper through these Bible stories. Cost is $45 for the weekend (includes food). Visit Glen Lake Bible Camp for more information. Please contact Keelee Allen at Keelee when you register, as she will need to coordinate adults for camp.
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October 17th: Youth Event
October 24th: Trunk or Treat
October 26th: Church Conference
October 31st: Combined Worship Service, Lunch & Note Burning
November 5th-6th: Glen Lake Bible Camp
November 14th: All Saints Sunday
November 17th: Senior Sunday
November 12th: GGP Fall Program
November 14th: Youth Event
November 17th: Friendsgiving Dinner
See weekly information below.
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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.
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.
Choir will not meet this week. We hope to resume on October 20th.
Bell Choir meets Mondays 6-7 PM. If you are interested in joining Choir or Bell Choir, please contact church office or Paul Martin.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 AM - 4 PM and Friday 8 AM - 12 PM.
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This Sunday, October 17
“Gospel-Shaped Generosity”
2 Corinthians 8:8-9
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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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
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.
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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. Thank you!
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New
Rodney Hill - home from 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 - 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
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Dear Praying Friends,
Thank you friends who sent cards and said prayers for me during my recent hospital stay and recovery. Your thoughtfulness helped me heal and made me feel loved. I really appreciate your kindness.
Sincerely,
Marsha Rose
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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