Genesis News and Notes
April 29, 2021
Dear Friends,

Despite all the struggle and difficulty that has come with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us could also name some unexpected positive outcomes. One such “silver lining” is that neighbors have gotten to know each other while they’ve spent more time at home. Perhaps, you had porch parties with neighbors, got to know your mail carrier, discovered new locally-owned businesses to support.

Being a blessing to our local world means getting to know our neighbors. Yes, getting to know their needs but also getting to know their strengths and the assets they bring to the community. On Sunday, we will talk about the impact of mutual and authentic relationships between the church and community.

If you have any stories from this past year or prior to the pandemic that you’d like to share about unexpected friendships and partnerships with people you’ve met in the community, feel free to email me (amber@genesisumc.com) . We’d love to hear them!

See you Sunday!

Peace,
Pastors Amber & Paul
Summer Bible Study - "Jesus & Justice"

Pastor Paul will be leading a Bible study this summer on "Jesus & Justice". We will look at words from Jesus, as well as stories and passages from the OT prophets, and how they have inspired and influenced Christians to be concerned about matters of justice. This study meets on Zoom at 1pm on Thursdays, and includes folks from both Genesis UMC and Christ UMC. We will meet every week beginning May 13 through the end of July, knowing that people will be in and out based on summer travel. If you are interested in more info or in joining the study, please contact Pastor Paul at paul@genesisumc.com to make sure he sends you a Zoom invite! 


Music Moments
Keep singing, congregation, I can hear you! 😊

Choir survey responses have been rolling in and you can start looking for the choir to show up in Sunday services a few times this summer! If you are not a current choir member and would like to engage in the conversation, please email me for a survey and more information at rhollimon002@gmail.com.

Last Sunday we moved into the “World Blessing” segment of our spring worship series with an emphasis on ministering to our cities and neighbors, which we will continue this Sunday. Amber shared Biblical passages and personal stories of situations in which God’s people were somewhere they did not expect or plan to be, and how God can use us in those places if we are willing to build relationships with those who are not just like us. Here is a story about how God used 2 men “where they were.”

The lyricist, John Fawcett, of one of our most beloved hymns, “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,” was born to poor parents in England in 1740. He came to Christ at the age of 16 through the ministry of George Whitefield, whom I have mentioned in connection to several conversion experiences in these articles. At the age of 26 he became a Baptist preacher and until his death in 1817 he served an impoverished congregation in Wainsgate, England where his salary for 50 years never reached above the equivalent of $200 per year. The rest of the story is that he had a wife, a large family, a calling to a large and influential church in London but wouldn’t leave his humble congregation, wrote this hymn text shortly afterward, later opened a school for young preachers on his meager salary, declined an offer to become the principal at a large Bible Academy in Bristol, wrote a large number of books on practical Christianity, and in 1811 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his life-long accomplishments from Brown University in the United States.

The Swiss composer who wrote the music for this hymn text was Hans G. Naegeli, a music publisher and a great pioneer in the field of music education. His progressive teaching methods had much influence on Lowell Mason, who has been called the father of public school and church music education in the United States and who is included in the education of every university Music Education major to this day!

God can use us where we are! 
 
Here is a sing-along video of the hymn with lyrics -

Here is a large congregational version -
 
See you Sunday! - Robyn
AV/Tech Volunteer Training!!!

Our new AV equipment is in, and we are preparing to make a big transition in our online and streaming ministry. And we need volunteers to make this happen! We will be having a training on Monday evening, May 17th @ 6pm in the sanctuary. Please consider if you might be willing to be part of the AV/tech volunteer team moving forward. Have questions or want more info? Please contact Pastor Paul at paul@genesisumc.com.
UMM Conversation with a Missionary, May 8th
Everyone is invited to the next United Methodist Men meeting to have a conversation with Rev. Katie Meek, a United Methodist missionary from Central Texas. We will hear more about missionary life and the specific work she is doing in Sierra Leone. Katie will be joining us via Zoom from the other side of the world! Please mark your calendars for 8am, Saturday, May 8th and plan to join us! Follow her on her Facebook page at

To read her bio on the Global Missions website, click here:
Back to Missions - Together
 
It’s been over a year since we have met together as a Mission, Discipleship and Evangelism Committee (Mission Team) planning the outreach work of Genesis United Methodist Church!
 
We all have been through an unusual 15 months of life. God has continued to bless and direct our outreach ministry with many unexpected opportunities to serve our community during this times.
 
With Summer approaching and Fall ahead, we have several opportunities coming up to think about and engage with our community. It is time we get back to some of those fun things we love to do! God needs us working together Engaging with our Community, our Nation and the World!
So Here We Go!  Next Tuesday, May 4th our Mission Team plans to start meeting in-person at 4:30pm. Becky White, our Chair will be leading us as we make a few plans.
 
We will meet in the Dining Room following church safety measures wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer, social distancing and using common sense. Park at back of the Ministry Center and use the entrance by the Kitchen doors.
 
If you have a love for Mission, come join us or just contact Troy Chapman at troy@genesisumc.com if you would like to get involved.
 
Remember “It’s All For Missions!”
Now Accepting Fall Enrollment
See our webpage for more details
SAVE THE DATE!
Mark your calendars now for the
Genesis Men's Retreat 2021.
September 25 and 26.
We'll gather at Camp Arrowhead Saturday morning for an inspirational day at camp, with all of the familiar activities like the Nature Walk, Campfire sing-a-long, three meals and a comfortable hotel room. 
Plus some new activities this year!
And an inspirational message from Rev. Bruce Carpenter!

Come to the Retreat and find God in your life.
Genesis Youth & Young Adults

Genesis Youth and Young Adults along with youth from Christ UMC will meet to play basketball this Sunday at Arlington Heights UMC from 2pm to 4pm.

Last Sunday our Youth and Young Adults enjoyed a time of fellowship as they
helped make sandwiches for the homeless.
Connect with us online.
Join us for worship this Sunday on Facebook Live!
Also, find us on Instagram and Facebook!
ALL CHURCH WORK DAY

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 15th at 9:00 AM for an all church work day. Various spaces in the church need cleaning out so we hope to have many volunteers.
Genesis Garage Sale News

The GUMC garage sale will take place June 4th and June 5th on a smaller scale. We will have more details coming your way soon. Stay tuned.




Top 5 Needs

Want more concrete ideas about ways to serve with Genesis? Check out these volunteer opportunities...

#1. Tech/AV volunteers! Help keep our live-streaming going!

#2. Do you have a pool? Would you be willing to host some church youth for a pool party? Please let us know so we can talk details!

#3. Become a Lawn Ranger! A great time of fellowship as we help care for our lawn and grounds! 

#4. Help with organizing various areas of the church.

#5. Donate birthday greeting cards to the church office.
Phone Problems

The church office is experiencing technical difficulties with the phone system. If you have tried calling the office after hours you have experienced this issue. Please be patient with us as we work through this problem. If you call the church office during the day, and don't get through, please try again. Currently, the voice mail system isn't working, nor is the rollover feature which allows us to receive more than one phone call at a time. We are working with our phone company and will update you on our progress. In the meantime, we kindly ask for your patience.
Genesis Open for In-Person Worship!
Our in-person worship continues to welcome those who desire to be in-person with others in our sanctuary on Sunday. We will continue live streaming in our sanctuary for those not comfortable with returning just yet. You can tune in at 10:30 every Sunday morning for live streaming our worship service. For those of you returning to in-person worship, we ask that you arrive no earlier than 10:15 am, as you will not be allowed to gather prior to or after worship. We look forward to seeing you!
Join Us for Worship on Sundays at 10:30
Go to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GUMCFtWorth and worship with us on Facebook Live! every Sunday morning at 10:30 am. On Facebook, you will be able to interact through likes, comments, and a chat with our ministry team and other worshipers.
Go to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFVF7BR3SiAsTX9ROUTbCuw and worship with us every Sunday morning as the services are posted at 10:30 am. You can also watch these services throughout the week or catch up on previous messages.
Pray with our Prayer Team | Sundays at 5pm
May 2nd - Youth & Young Adults Basketball 2:00pm
May 4th - Missions Meeting 4:30pm
May 8th - UMM (via Zoom) 8:00am
May 13th - Bible Study (via Zoom) 1:00pm
May 15th - All Church Workday 9:00am
May 17th - AV Tech Training 6:00pm
Small Groups at Genesis
We have a variety of small groups that continue to meet online throughout the week. Join us to help stay connected to God and others during this time! Contact Linda Walker for details about how to get plugged in!
Generosity Notes
Memorial Fund

The Memorial Fund allows you to remember or honor a person or event by providing funds for a current ministry of the church. To offer a memorial or honor gift, you may contact the church, mark a gift accordingly or go to our website, www.genesisumc.com
Genesis offers electronic giving, which allows you to make donations on a scheduled, automatic basis. To set up electronic contributions, (checking or savings account or credit or debit card) you can come by the church office and complete an authorization form or go to the church website and give online.

Another great way to give is with a quick text message! Simply send a text to 817-697-2824 with the amount you would like to contribute. Make sure to include the dollar sign before the amount. Within a few minutes, you’ll be sent a text with a link to register. Once your registration is complete you will receive a text verification and a receipt via email.

It is important to know that we can depend on financial support from our congregation members to continue the missions that Genesis provides to so many, as we go through the summer, fall and upcoming holidays.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Troy Chapman at 817-292-4551 or email him at troy@genesisumc.com.

Thank you for supporting Genesis! 
A Word About Finances . . .

We have very much appreciated your continued faithfulness in giving during what has been an unprecedented time of disruption. Understandably, people continue to ask questions about how the church is doing financially. The short and (overly) simple answer is that we have money in the bank, are paying the bills, and are closely monitoring our giving and expenses.

In the weeks and months to come, we will use News & Notes to help provide updates on church finances and highlight specific financial gifts and needs. These updates may include things like year to date budget numbers, as well as perspective from ongoing conversations regarding our building debt.

Our hope is to provide reassurance to everyone that while there continue to be challenges and questions (especially regarding the building debt), we are committed to providing transparent leadership and faithful financial stewardship.

If you ever have questions, you are welcome to contact our Finance Administrator Troy Chapman, Finance Committee chairperson Chris Youngs, or either Co-Pastor for further discussion.
Genesis Prayer List
Concerns:

Gwen Gibson
Mary Manning & husband Sherrell, submitted by Beth Scoggin
Family of Lois Harris
Sylvia Dominey's brother
Redmon Warren
Brandy Sharp, Kaleb Faught's mother
Jennifer Johnson & Emily Pendergrass, submitted by Pat & George Poyner
Aaron Foster
Craig Bender, friend of Shayne & Dennis Rasing
Nancy Echols, cousin of Catherine Hix
Sharon Hague
Family of Linda Duncan
Kerry Winans and her husband Chester
Dimphna Steyn
Syliva Dominey
Margaret Farmer
Kayleigh Krueger
Thad & Lisa Arms

All those effected by COVID-19

Contact our pastors at prayers@genesisumc.com with your prayer concerns.
Co-Pastor - Rev. Amber Massingill - amber@genesisumc.com
Co-Pastor - Rev. Paul Massingill - paul@genesisumc.com
Missions / Interim FinanceAdmin - Troy Chapman - troy@genesisumc.com
Director of Music Ministry - Robyn Hollimon - rhollimon002@gmail.com
Organist/Pianist - LK Fletcher - lisakay@genesisumc.com
Director of Operations - Linda Walker - linda@genesisumc.com
Director of Handbells - Charlotte Hoffman - ceho1009@gmail.com 
Weekday Preschool Director - Tammy Beck - weekdaypreschool@yahoo.com
 Genesis United Methodist Church
 7635 S. Hulen Street, Fort Worth, TX 76133
 817-292-4551