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Crosswinds Newsletter
March 13, 2024 - Volume 712
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I have three numbers for us to consider today: 85, 82 and 2. I want you to remember those numbers because they are important. What do they mean? I’m glad you asked.
Let’s start with 85. Several years ago, a survey of hundreds of churches tried to uncover the primary reasons why people decided to go to their church. They found that roughly 10% of people came because they were attracted by a program of the church. Five per cent came because they liked the pastor or staff. The rest came because someone they knew had invited them. Just what was that percentage? You guessed it--85%. Eighty five per cent of people are in the church they are today because someone they knew extended an invitation.
Several years ago, the Billy Graham Association conducted a national survey to find the percentage of unchurched people who would consider going to church if someone they knew invited them. Just how many unchurched people would entertain visiting a church if asked? 82%. 82%! That’s how many people who don’t know Jesus would give the church a shot if someone were willing to ask.
So, what’s the story behind the number 2? Honestly, it isn’t as encouraging as the story behind numbers 85 and 82. The number 2 is the percentage of Christians who regularly invite their non-churched friends to church. Only 2% of Christians routinely think to ask their unchurched friends and neighbors to join them for Sunday worship. Ouch. We have to do better than that church.
If 85% of us are in church because someone loved us enough to invite us to come, and 82% of people who don’t have a church family are willing to consider coming if asked, then we had better be among the 2% who will invite them to sit next to us in worship.
As we approach Easter, I want you to invite at least one friend or neighbor--anyone you know that doesn’t have a church home or relationship with Jesus--to join you for Easter Sunday. Let’s not be among the 98% who won’t ask. Let’s be among the 2% who do. Your invitation might just be the thing God uses to change someone’s life.
Blessings,
Pastor Brady
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It's Spring Break Week!
There is NO meal tonight.
YOUTH will meet at Midlo Scoops at 6:30.
CHOIR will rehearse as usual.
All other Wednesday activities are on break.
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Praise Hunt in the Park is a great opportunity to be the church beyond the walls! It is an occasion for us to share the Good News of Jesus so that we might reach new people for Christ and live out the Great Commission Jesus gave to His church. Sign up to serve, today! | |
This Easter we are ordering tulips instead of lillies. Click on order form below it you want to order your tulips.
2024 Easter Tulip Order Form
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The Missions & Outreach Team is researching international missions opportunities. We would like to assess the congregation's interest. Please send an email to missions@fmcmidlothian.org to indicate if you are interested in international missions. This does NOT commit you to any mission, it just gives us an indication of the amount of interest in our congregation. If you have specific missions knowledge, please share with us any information or opportunities that we could research. | |
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The church is providing Easter meals for senior citizens and families that participate in our Food4Kids program. All meals (families and seniors) will be picked up or delivered on Saturday morning, March 30.
We need help in multiple areas:
We need packaged food, delivery drivers, packers, gifts for the senior citizens, and money to purchase food. Click the link below to sign up to donate food, gifts or volunteer to deliver meals or package food: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4CAEA928A1F58-48426214-easter.
You can also make a donation to the church by one of the methods below:
1. Online donation (select 'Holiday Meal Ministry') https://fmcmidlothian.churchcenter.com/giving
2. Venmo: @fmcmidlo (note 'Holiday Meal Ministry')
3. Zelle: Finance@fmcmidlothian.org ('Holiday Meal Ministry')
If you know a family not served by Food 4 Kids that could use a meal this Easter, direct them to sign up to receive a meal here: https://forms.gle/2NXdDiaNfPmNk3mK9
Do you know a senior citizen who could be blessed by a meal and a visit on Easter? Please email missions@fmcmidlothian.org with as much info as possible so we can add them to the list.
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Scholarships for FMC Seniors | |
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Each year, FMC Midlothian awards scholarships to high school seniors who plan to pursue a 2 or 4 year degree or join the military. Last year, $1,800 was awarded, with nearly $12,000 awarded to FMC seniors over the years. These scholarships are funded through the generosity of our congregation!
Our goal is to award as many scholarships as God gives us the funds to allow. To donate, you can send a check to the church, Venmo or give online below. Whichever method you choose, please memo that it is for “Senior Scholarships.”
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Class of 2024 Scholarship Application | |
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The 2024 First Methodist Church Senior Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior(s) who plans to attend a two or four-year college, or to join the military after graduating high school. The scholarship will be awarded based on the applicant’s history of activity and service within the church and/or the community, as well as the applicant’s answer to the essay question.
Graduates applying for a scholarship are asked to complete an application detailing their church, community, and service activities. They also must write an essay answering the question, "How has your life been changed by Jesus Christ?" or "How have you seen the lives of others changed through Jesus Christ?"
Scholarship winners will be selected by a committee of educators and youth leaders. Applications are due by April 14, 2024 and winners will be announced by the end of May. For more information about scholarship requirements, contact Laurie Lundberg at 972-877-8838 or email Laurie. Scholarship applications may be downloaded by request to complete by hand or completed online using the button below. We encourage all FMC Midlothian high school seniors to apply!
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Senior Sunday is April 28
During All Services
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Senior Sunday is set for April 28th and we are excited to honor you, but we need your help! Please complete the senior information form by clicking here to submit senior info and drop 3-4 pictures, labeled with your name, into the Google folder linked when you click upload senior photos. Pictures should include at least one "senior" picture, a baby or childhood picture and whatever other photos you wish to use. Please have the photos labeled with your name. We need this information now in order to have time to create slides for everyone. If you have any questions, please email Valerie Dick. | |
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JR Irvin is looking for Reading Buddies! We have a special opportunity to reach beyond our walls and read to the children on Fridays, 9 to 10 AM. You can choose what Friday(s) you want to read and as well as what grade you want read to! We will read to preschool, kindergarten or first graders if we have enough volunteers each week. Midlothian ISD requires a background check for all volunteers, which will be provided after you register your interest. Please email Missions if you have questions.
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Bring the Light of Christ Into Worship
The lighting of candles in a worship service symbolizes Jesus’ presence with the worshipping community. We are seeking light bearers to assist with the lighting of the altar candles during the 11 AM traditional service. Adults, youth and children at least 8 years old are welcome! If interested, please click here for more information!
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Mar 11-15: Spring Break
Mar 24: Palm Sunday, Praise Hunt in the Park
Mar 24-31: Holy Week
Mar 30: Easter Meals
Mar 31: Easter Sunday
Apr 8: VBS Sign Ups
Apr 14: Senior Scholarship DEadline
Apr 21: VBS Cookout
Apr 28: Senior Sunday
May 5: Confirmation Sunday
May 19: Pentecost Sunday
May 29: VBS Volunteer Training
Jun 9-13: VBS
Jun 15-21: High School Maui Mission Trip
See weekly information below for regularly occurring events.
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March 17th
“A Witness to His Glory”
Matthew 17:1-13
8:30 & 11 AM Traditional Worship
11 AM Contemporary Worship
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WayPoint is a weekly devotional, written by our pastors to dig deeper into the current sermon/series. Click the links below to access digitally. | |
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Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8 AM - 4 PM and Friday 8 AM - 12 PM.
For non-emergencies, please contact church staff during office hours or send email.
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Join us Wednesdays as we study, sing, eat, worship and fellowship together! Wednesday Schedule
(SB denotes Sanctuary Building, FLC denote Family Life Center):
Pastor April’s Bible Study, 4:30-5:45, Sanctuary
Children's Choir, 5-5:45, SB 301
Wednesday Meal, 5:30-6:15, FLC
Men’s Bible Study, 6:30-7:30, FLC 108
Women's Bible Study, 6:30-7:30, moved to FLC 107
KidsClub, 6:30-7:30, SB Fellowship Hall, Nursery, 202 & 205
Adult Choir, 6:30-8, SB 301
Student Ministries, meeting at Cedar Hill Roller Rink on 2/21, 6-8
DivorceCare & DC4K, 6:30-8 PM, FLC 203 &201
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Weekly & Monthly Gatherings | |
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Sunday School Classes meet between worship services from 9:45-10:45 AM. Children's classes meet in the Sanctuary building. Youth and adult classes meet in the Family Life Center (FLC).
Children's Classes, Sanctuary Building
Youth Classes, FLC Youth Halls
Bill Theiss Fellowship Class, FLC 109
Adult Bible Class, FLC 110
Upper Room Class, FLC 201
Open Door Class, FLC 107
Servant's Hands, FLC 208
New Horizons Class, FLC 203
Awakening Class, FLC 204 & 205
All Thee Above, FLC 207
Men's Monday Night Bible Study, Mondays 7-8:30 PM, SB 302
Handbell Choir Mondays, 5:45-6:45 PM, SB 302
Discipleship Groups, contact the church office for information
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Please send your prayer request to Mary Beth or Joy. If you want to join our Prayer/Card Ministry group, send your request to Joy. Not everyone sends cards, but you can pray, thus Prayer/Card Ministry.
New Prayer Request:
Jan Prather Family - death of Jan
Liz Hayes & Family - death of Gary
Continuous Prayer:
Karen Wilson, George & Dee Culps, Don Lish, John Lowe, Boyce Whatley, Pat Patterson, Joy Price
Military:
ARMY - Matt Carroll, Tim Kruettner, Harold Barton, Josh Schenck, Austin Lockwood, Trey Ditto
NAVY - Matthew Price, Andrew Cantrell, Zachary Tucker, Thomas Shirley, Matthew Watford, Thomas Padgett
AIR FORCE - JD Culps, Andrew Miller
MARINES - Josh Dunaway, Bradley Perez, Elizia Delapaa, Cash McAdoo
NATIONAL GUARD - Derek Boots
TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD - John Jackson
Derek Vance
Note : Please let Joy Price know if anyone on the list above should be removed.
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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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. You can give to the church's ministries in service, mailing in your financial gifts or clicking below to give online. Every gift helps us do great things for God's Kingdom!
Please note, if you write a check to the church, make sure checks are made out to FMC Midlothian or First Methodist Church of Midlothian. Please do not use the word United in the recipient line. Thank you!
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FMC Midlothian | 972-775-3993 | fmcmidlothian.org
Office Hours: M-Th: 8 AM - 4 PM, F: 8 AM - 12 PM
Pastors are available for non-emergencies M-Th during office hours
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