FIRST CHURCH NEWS Loving God. Living Faith. Serving People.

November 11, 2013 Volume 04, Issue 15

First United Methodist Church | 801 West Avenue B @ Glenbrook | Garland, TX 75040

972-272-3471 | www.fumcgarland.org

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As in every year, the months of November and December are the

times for every member to catch up on their giving and for those who can to go the second mile of extra giving so that First Church can finish

the year in the black (all bills paid).

This year will be a particularly strong challenge as we are

approximately $70,000 farther in need than this time last year. In essence this means we need $350,000 in income form November 1 -

December 31.

Why the increased need? Because at the first of the year the church

voted to take on a budget 10% higher than in the past to fund vital

ministries: increase support to the ROC, develop Contemporary Worship, improve building maintenance and many others. Fortunately,

giving has remained high and we are not receiving less than the year before (this is a generous church!) but giving has not come up to the

level needed. The Finance committee has now cut back expenses to

previous levels but the deficit remains. We need your help to

eliminate it!

Please follow the Sprint to the Finish running man as he shows

each week how close we are coming to our goal. Please pray and ask

what God would have you do and do whatever you can.

Thanks to all who participated in the

“From the Inside Out” campaign. First Church is entirely debt free for the first time

in many years.

On October 30th a check for $182,035

was written to Comerica Bank to make the final payment on a debt which was

originally almost $1,000,000. It is a great day in the life of

Building Debt Paid Off! First Church in which all members should

feel proud and very grateful. Now, as gifts continue to come in through

the year, a new digital sign, a new air

conditioner for the sanctuary and improved

sound and video will be possible! First church is a great and generous church

looking forward to a bright and wonderful future!

Sprint To The Finish

Help First Church FINISH the year financially strong.

NOVEMBER 11, 2013 FIRST CHURCH NEWS PAGE 2

Saturday, November 16: Parent’s Day Out, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. We will be providing activities for children as a way to raise money for our youth Mission projects.

Sunday November 17: Pure Joy! @ 4 p.m., UMYF @ 5:30 p.m. dinner followed by “The Gathering” worship service @ 6 p.m.! The Youth will gather in LOFT after to discuss the worship focus.

Sunday November 24: Pure Joy! @ 4 p.m., UMYF @ 5:30 p.m. Decorate the LOFT for Christmas!

Youth News!

Senior Adult Field Trip

to IBOC

Tuesday, Nov. 19

Please join us as we journey across Dallas to the Inspiring Body of Christ Church. It's a very large non-denominational church that has about 7,500 members in worship each week. They dramatically illustrate the command of Jesus when He said "be fishers of men" by having installed a huge salt water aquarium that my sources say is beautiful. A lady from Lovers Lane UMC has taken a group over there & highly recommends it. They offer tours twice a week, each about 30 minutes long. There is no charge but I might suggest a small love offering if so moved.

We are signed up to go on Tuesday Nov. 19th. We will leave the church parking lot at 10:00 a.m. and do the 11 a.m. tour, then eat lunch at a nearby restaurant and return to the church no later than 2:00 p.m. We will go in private cars or the church van if needed. In case of inclement weather we will reschedule.

Please call me at 972-240-0339 to make a reservation or ask any questions.

Nelda

Pure Joy! Scrip Sales

Gift cards are on sale this Sunday in the Garden Room. Order gift cards to help fund Pure Joy! Spring Break Choir tour.

There are gift cards available for purchase at the table for: Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body Works, and ITunes. The next sale dates are November 17 in time for Black Friday shopping and December 1 & 15 in time to do your Christmas shopping.

VNA Quarterly Bereavement

Luncheon

Thursday, December 5, 2013 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

in Schreiber Hall Lunch will be provided at no charge.

Laurie Taylor, MS, Ct Executive Director, Grief and Loss Center of North Texas

Coping with Holiday Heartache

The luncheon is open to anyone in the community

grieving the death of a loved one.

RSVP: Sue Rafferty, 214-689-2922

Transportation provided.

Invite a friend you think would benefit.

Come enjoy a lovely meal with others who understand loss and learn more about helping yourself.

Grief literature and resources available without cost.

Coming Your Way!

“With Jesus & Paul

In The Sandbox”

a Bible study in Corinthians & the Gospels on

Christian Maturity

10 sessions/2 sections: Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

and as part of The Oasis @ Wednesday

Windows, 6:30 p.m.

50 minute session

February 5 thru April 9

Clay Womack, group leader

sign up begins Sunday, December 1

NOVEMBER 11, 2013 FIRST CHURCH NEWS PAGE 3

ROC Food Pantry

Thank you First church for your many boxes of Mac & Cheese for the ROC Food Pantry in October. You have helped

the efforts of the Sunday School classes with providing 100 boxes of food. The ROC gives out over 130 boxes of food a month to Garland families. This month’s food item is Canned Tomatoes. Bring your cans to the ROC Food Pantry display in the Garden Room.

Metro Family Ministries @ the ROC the Re’Creation Outreach Center

Website: www.roc-n-garland.org Location: 3375 Edgewood Drive, Garland, TX 75042

“Where The Hard Winds Blow...”

Oklahoma City Mission Trip November 3-7

Recap by Team OKC!

Thirteen FUMC persons responded to God’s invitation and comprised “Team OKC!” traveling north to the Oklahoma City area on November 3rd and giving service and witness in Christ’s name to folks whose lives were transformed by the hard winds of F4 & F5 tornadoes. Team OKC was comprised of Doyle Conaway, Stan Standfield, Jim Tate, Darlene Sutton, Justin Womack, Molly Bishop, Neal Okerblom, Randy Burham, Ken Boyd, Howard Inman, Gary Barr, Fritz Steininger, and Clay Womack.

Newcastle UMC of Newcastle, Oklahoma showed our team remarkable welcome & hospitality, providing us with excellent lodging at the church. Team OKC was assigned two service sites: the damaged home of the Vidal Romero family who reside in a rural precinct of the city of Norman and in the countryside burg of Pink, Oklahoma -- “The Mission” disaster recovery aid center.

The Romero’s, a young family of three, had the roof of their modest home torn away and significant damage wrecked upon the residence. Our assistance to this sweet family provided new exterior siding, interior painting, carpentry repairs where roof & walls connect, and electrical service to the kitchen.

“The Mission”, directed by retired Catholic priest Father Kevin is a life-saver in rural Pottawatomie County. All kinds of disaster aid and support are available in and through The Mission. Team OKC’s opportunities for The Mission and its workers were two: (1) to install drywall, plus tape & bed, a new area that will soon become a dormitory for disaster response volunteers, and (2) further the installation of restroom/shower suite in this dorm via electrical work, plumbing work, and structural modifications.

Only a half-day’s drive from Garland, this Nov. 3-7 opportunity allowed team members to either stay the whole week or drive up & serve during certain days of the week. God was given glory through word, deed, and compassionate listening. The fellowship was strong and warm.

Team OKC was blessed to hear the narrative of the decades-long tornado history & story for those communities in central Oklahoma. That story will stay with us for a long, long time. Much more is left to be done up north of the River Red! Be watching for 2014 mission trips details to the OKC and/or West, Texas areas.

Austin Street Homeless Centre Breakfast Ministry

December 8th

Awake & Moving Before The Roosters!

4:15 a.m. Gathering – FUMC Parking Lot – December 8

Food Donations in church kitchen by 10 a.m. Saturday – December 7

Garden Room sign up!

It takes us all to feed 350 Austin Street residents.

This unique ministry will speak to your heart.

Young Families In Mission Pumpkin Day - November 17

Parents and children are invited to a fun mission project of baking pumpkin bread for homebound members of our church. You can participate in any three phases of this

project. Beginning at noon children will: wash pumpkins and take all the pulp out to prepare for cooking, assist in following the recipe to cook pumpkin bread, families will package bread and deliver to homebound persons. Pumpkin Day is a wonderful opportunity for families to

participate in a “hands-on” missions project with a great follow-up. Children can see how their efforts help other people.

We have to purchase the supplies so please contact the church office to let us know if you will join us for Pumpkin Day.

NOVEMBER 11, 2013 FIRST CHURCH NEWS PAGE 4

Come To The OasisCome To The OasisCome To The Oasis Wednesday Windows

November 13, 20 & December 4 Dinner Served: 5:30—6:30 p.m.

$5 for adults, $3.50 for children, $5 for Salad Plate, $15 family maximum

Menu: (Nov. 13) Chicken Stew or Beef Stew, Corn Bread or

Crackers, Fruit; Child’s Meal: Corn Dogs, Chips (Nov. 20) Salisbury Steak, Fried Potatoes, Green Beans

Child’s Meal: Chicken Nuggets (Dec. 4) Taco Salad, Refried Beans, Fruit;

Child’s Meal: Nachos or Burrito

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS: 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. - 2nd Floor

YOUTH BIBLE STUDY: 6:30 p.m. on the Third Floor

CHANCEL CHOIR: 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room

Holy Communion Served Every Wednesday at WINDOWS in Room 106

7:22 pm – Table One 7:30 pm – Table Two Come refresh your spirit at the Lord’s table.

Programs - 6:30—7:15 p.m.

November 13: Dr. Robert Hunt, Part 2 - Tensions Between Secular &

Religious Zionism Jennie Sawyer & Connie Miller, Recycle Christmas

Wreaths - 127 Sarah King, Water Coloring - slightly advanced class.

$10 fee - Room 125 November 20: Fred Durham - Finding God Through His Biblical

Names, Part 2 Jennie Sawyer & Connie Miller, Recycle Christmas

Wreaths - Room 127

NO WINDOWS ON NOV. 27 December 4: (Final Windows of the season) Rita Brock of the Soul Repair Center at Brite Divinity

School, TCU - Room 103/105 Jessica Fincher, Christmas Ornament Glass Etching -

Room 127 Every Week: Wisdom Walkers Exercise Class with Courtney

Thompson. Room 120/122.

Tom the Turkey is Ready for Delivery!

There are 15 Turkey Tags left.

Please deliver your turkey dinners on Saturday, November 23rd. If no one is home, try again. After the second visit, leave the "Sorry We Missed You" card on their door and bring the box to the ROC, 3375 Edgewood Dr., Garland, TX 75042. There will be people at the ROC on Saturday until 5:00 p.m. and again on Sunday afternoon to help deliver.

There is a brochure in the information attached to the turkey, please leave this brochure with the food box.

Thank you for reaching out to the community around the ROC with this expression of God's love.

Join us for our contemporary worship service every third Sunday of the month led by Wesley Duncan. Invite your friends to “Come and See” what’s happening at The Gathering.

Sunday, November 17 - 6 p.m.

Parent’s Night Out Saturday, December 14 - 1 - 5 p.m.

Suggested donation (not required): $20 for first child & $5 for each additional

An opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done and let the kids have a great time being entertained by our Youth

department. They will have Schreiber Hall, the Garden Room and the

Playground to participate in games and activities. Please contact Randy Adair for more

information. 972-272-3471

UMW Bake Sale Sunday, November 24 in the Garden Room

Here’s your chance to buy delicious holiday baked goods.