February 8, 2010 Christian Newsletter

Bellville Methodist Believer P.O. Box 188 Worship Services: 9:00 a.m., & 11:00 a.m. Phone: 979-865-5976 234 S. Masonic St. Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. Fax: 979-865-9329 Bellville, Texas 77418 www.bellvilleumc.org Email: bellvilleumc@att.net Senior Pastor—Rev. Robert Stutes Assoc. Pastor—Rev. Amy Haralson

Each Week Sundays

9:00am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 10:00am Sunday School

11:00am Contemporary Worship (MAC) (Children’s Church ages Pre-K—2nd grade)

6:00pm Worship Services broadcast local cable 12 Mondays

10:00a.m. Walk With A Friend (meet in MAC) 7:00p.m. CBS

7:00p.m. Disciple 2 Study (212) Tuesdays

9:00a.m. Exercise (MAC) Noon AA (217)

6:00p.m. Senior Basketball (MAC) 7:00p.m. A.B.E. (Adult Basic Education) (216)

Wednesdays 10:00a.m. Walk With A Friend (meet in MAC)

3:30p.m. Inner Healing Training (208) 4:00p.m. Children’s Choir (305)

6:00p.m. MYF 7:00p.m. Chancel Choir (102)

9:00pm Men’s Basketball (MAC) Thursdays

9:30a.m. CBS 6:00p.m. Senior Basketball (MAC) 6:30pm AA & Al-Anon (211, 217)

7:00p.m. A.B.E. (216) Fridays

9:00a.m. Exercise (MAC)

Other Scheduled Events Tuesday, February 9

6:00p.m. Senior Basketball (MAC) 6:30p.m. Ladies Bible Study (208)

Wednesday, February 10 6:30p.m. Trustees (204) 7:00p.m. Finance (208)

8:00p.m. Church Council (204) Sunday, February 14

2:00p.m. Nursing Home Worship 6:00p.m. Valentine’s Day Party (MAC)

Monday, February 15 7;00p.m. Just Walk (Small Group) (206)

Tuesday, February 16 6:30p.m. Ruth Circle (204) Wednesday, February 17

12:15 Ash Wednesday Service (sanctuary) 7:00p.m. Ash Wednesday Service (sanctuary)

Sunday, February 21 7:00p.m. Transformation (208)

Valentine’s Day Party

(Formerly Ladies Night Out)

Sunday, February 14, 6:00p.m. in the MAC

Special Entertainment by Comedian Brent Reed

(www.brentreedcomedian.com)

Childcare provided

Come enjoy a great meal and wonderful entertainment

compliments of the BUMC Methodist Men

Everyone is invited

In Our Prayers Sharron Higginbotham Buck Fergeson Sharon Pederson JoAnn Fergeson Margaret Flanagin Ron Neel Kemmie Adair Ken Beil Susan Zaskoda Mel Tarwater Judy Emanuel Conway Waak Leta Savoy Erwin Carby Grace Mumme Clayton Crane Mary Lane Harle Buck Hayden Flora Wendt Woodrow Woehst Beth Stutes Agee Spidle Betty Hudgins Jim Witte Mary Jo Newman Dianne Morgan Della Maler Autumn Mills Zeda Hyder Howard Hopkins Don Mahlmann Joy Haney

Nicole Gilbert Allen Newmann Nora Hein Omelia White Bobbi Murrell David Pagel Kelly Fisher Ronnie Fichthorn Judy Stork (Miriam McReynolds cousin)

Shawn Snider Don Young Tanya Tallin Lorene Eckermann (Janice Hord’s cousin) Betty Voswinkle Burton

Please keep ALL our service persons and their families in your prayers

Michael Quintero (grandsons of Jackie Sabrsula) David Quintero

Shane Harless (cousin of Janice Hord) Sean Whitfield (in Afghanistan—nephew of Jim Oliver) Gregory Hill (grandson of Clayton & Margaret Crane) Orion Jones (cousin of Dorothy Mittanck) Mitch & Emily Bruce (in Afghanistan-niece of Jim Oliver) Zachary P. Jones (in Iraq—son of Paul & Pam Jones) John Lanier

BUMC Prayer Line— 979-227-2022 (this is a local cell number, not long distance)

**NEWSLETTER DEADLINE** The next newsletter will be mailed on Monday, February 22. Deadline for articles is Tuesday, February 16. Copies

will be available in the Welcome Center on Sunday, February 21, and it will also be posted electronically on the bellvilleumc.org web site.

A NOTE OF THANKS I wanted to say "Thank you" to BUMC for allowing Crosstalk to provide music for your congregation on Jan. 10. We were blessed by your members and your message. You made us feel very welcome and comfortable. Thank you, again.

Blessings, Karl Brinkmann Crosstalk – First UMC, Bryan

I want to express my love and appreciation to each and everyone for your many prayers, visits, calls, cards, gift, flowers, words of concern, and other acts of kindness.  

It has been over a year (first of August 2008) since I first became ill with Guillain‐Barre Syndrome.  I had been in a coma, paralyzed, was on a respirator, in three different hospitals, T.I.R.R. Rehab and two different rehab/nursing facilities.  Throughout this whole time, you have been so supportive.  Your encouragement kept me going.  

I am currently at Stalling Court Rehab/Nursing Center 4616 N. E. Stallings Rd. Nacogdoches, TX 78965  

I now have feeling and movement throughout my body.  I am able to move my legs somewhat now and by the grace of God I will stand and walk again in time.  

I know God “put me here for a reason” and I pray I am serving him to the best of my ability. 

        —Della Maler 

UPPER ROOMS Will be ready to deliver by Sunday, February 21.

They are located in the wall slots across from Room 204

Thank you

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14

“Just Walk: The Single Greatest Gift” John 4: 5-10

message by Robert Stutes

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21

“Just Walk: Living in 3D” Mark 3: 1-5

message by Robert Stutes

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS A big “WELCOME” to the newest members of the BUMC church family! Keith & Holly Dzierzanowski, and son Garrett Jay & Mary Matthews We are delighted to offer the right hand of Christian fellowship to you!

JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM! On Sunday, February 14 we launch an exciting churchwide study – JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM. For four weeks (through March 7) – our adult classes and the Sunday morning preaching messages will focus on the same theme. We will all truly be on the same page as a church family! You will learn how God can work through ordinary encounters, conversations and events. How your life can be an amazing influence on others! You will realize that God still uses ordinary believers to accomplish extraordinary things! You may wish to get a copy of the book of the same title by Bill Hybels. We have copies available in the Welcome Center for twenty dollars. (You do not have to read the book to profit from this learning experience!) In addition to our Sunday morning classes, Pastor Robert will lead a study group during the week, meeting on four Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in Room 206 (beginning Feb. 15). Call the church office to reserve child care for the Monday evening group.

UPCOMING DISTRICT TRAINING EVENTS FOR CHURCH LEADERS

“Rekindling Your Congregation's Spiritual Passion” Tuesday, Feb. 16 – 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Christ UMC College Station Check with Pastor Robert or Pastor Amy for more info.

LEADER CONFERENCE FEB. 16 Pastor Robert and Pastor Amy will attend a district leadership event on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in College Station. The workshop is titled “Rekindling Your Congregation’s Spiritual Passion.” It is presented by Bill Kemp, author of the book Ezekiel’s Bones. Other church leaders are also invited, but if you are interested in attending, we need to RSVP for you right away. Please call Donna or Pastor Amy if you are interested. We also have copies of the book Ezekiel’s Bones available to read and share (in the church office).

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES AT BUMC WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17

12:15 p.m. Brief prayer service with ashes (sanctuary) 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday worship with ashes (sanctuary)

For most Christian groups worldwide, Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, the forty days of repen-tance and spiritual discipline that precede Easter. This meditative worship experience helps us to begin our Lenten observance together. The mark of ash is a sign of the call to repent, as well as a reminder of mortal-ity – remembering that we were created from dust, and to dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19).

Ruth Circle Tuesday evening, February 16

Join us for social time at 6:30p.m. Program by Amy Haralson at 7:00p.m. All ladies are invited! See you there!!

Other offerings received in December:

Wish List $ 1,646.00 MAC Patio Furnishing $ 400.00 Children’s Ministry $ 975.00 Praise Band Equip $ 1,145.00 Wireless Mikes $ 425.00 Nursery $ 1,800.00 Youth $ 1,600.00 Society St. Stephen $ 610.00 Methodist Men $ 950.00 Meals on Wheels** $ 93.00 Food Pantry $ 755.00 Communion $ 899.00 Adult Choir $ 2,500.00 Memorials $ 745.00 Building $ 117,397.07 **from recycled cans $ 28.00 for Meals on Wheels

Stewardship Report January 2010

*******************************

General Budget Offering Jan 3 $ 11,013.00 Jan 10 $ 15,204.50 Jan 17 $ 9,064.00 Jan 24 $ 9.638.00 Jan 31 $ 12,928.50

Average weekly need is approximately $ 12,654.00

FEBRUARY COMMUNION OFFERING – DISASTER RELIEF – YOU CAN STILL ADD YOUR GIFT. Our Communion offering on Feb. 7 supported United Methodist disaster relief efforts, with half of the offering designated for Haiti earthquake relief and the other half sent to UMCOR for undesignated relief efforts, now or in the future. You may still contribute to these projects. Just make your check payable to Bellville UMC and mark it in one of three ways: • COMMUNION – to be used as explained above • HAITI – specifically for relief efforts in Haiti • HEALTH KITS – to defray the costs of the 2,000

health kits we assembled for Haiti Thank you for your generosity in this time of overwhelming need.

Other offerings received in January:

Youth $ 100.00 Society St. Stephen $ 100.00 Missions $ 100.00 Meals on Wheels** $ 1,307.00 Food Pantry $ 77.00 Communion $ 597.01 Memorial Fund $ 25.00 Building $ 1,240.00 Pantry Building $ 5,200.00 Haiti $ 2,530.00 Health Kits $ 1,394.00 **from recycled cans $ 67.20

HELP FOR OUR NEIGHBORS… At its January meeting, the Church Council approved a special donation of $1,000 for assistance to our neighbors at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church who lost their building in a recent fire. Let us all pray for our neighbors of this historic rural church in their determination to continue their ministry and to rebuild. Thank you to each member of Bellville UMC as well, for it is your faithful support that allows us to help out in situations like this!

ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES Have you heard of “Angel Food Ministries (angelfoodministries.com)?” It is a ministry that began in Georgia in 1994 and now serves 44 states. Prepackaged food boxes are made available to ANYONE at a reasonable cost. This is not “free food,” but it is a ministry that is very helpful to folks who are on tight budgets, or anyone who would like to maximize their food purchasing dollars. There is a branch of Angel Food Ministries in Brenham and Bellville. The local contact is Trish Kirchman (865-8617). Monthly orders are placed in advance for local pickup. We also have a sample monthly menu in the church office if you would like to look at it. There are no income requirements—this is a ministry that can help anyone.

Aiming High

We often hear about how we can improve the quality of our lives, but more often it is unfortunately in the context of something to be purchased. We cannot possibly purchase the quality of life promised to us by Jesus Christ. It is priceless and can be attained only one way: through a complete relationship with God. In Acts 17 it says, “The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him!” (The Message) Isn’t that a comforting feeling? He is always near and we cannot get away from Him. That is what we can truly call quality of life. God’s Peace, Pastor Amy

PASTOR SIGHTINGS

Pastor Robert will be out of the office the week of February 8-12, attending a leadership conference at Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. This is the church led by noted author and pastor Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life). He will be back in Bellville to lead worship on Sunday, February 14.

MONTHLY ATTENDANCE UPDATE Worship Sunday School Jan. ‘10 306 211 Jan. ‘09 328 233 Change - 6.7% - 9.4% Compare to four years ago: Jan. ’06 202 177 We have come a long way but we can do so much better. Remember the Word: “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one an-other, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25).”

SUMMER YOUTH MINISTRY LEADER As we have done in some previous summers, we would like to include a summer youth ministry itern as part of our leadership team for BUMC Student Ministries this summer. This could be an ideal ministry position for a mature college student. If you—or—someone you know—might be inter-ested in this position, contact Pastor Robert (robert@bellvilleumc.org) Thanks

The BUMC FLOWER CALENDAR is empty!!

If you would like to put flowers on the altar, sign up in the church office.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOOD AND DRINK DEAL

AT DAIRY QUEEN

From 5:00—9:00p.m. each Wednesday evening at the Bellville Dairy Queen, purchase any food or drink item and simply tell the clerk that you are with the Methodist Church. Dairy Queen will rebate 10% of the sale to the Bellville Methodist Men’s organization. The Methodist Men will utilize this rebate to support the Sunday meals for the senior citizens of our community.

True Freedom We all have pains, sorrows and empty places, but Jesus wants us to be free from them, even in the middle of life's difficult circumstances. One very effective way to get free is through inner healing prayer ministry, which invites the Holy Spirit to bring peace to emotional pain. Beginning Wednesday, February 10, from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Rev. Kathy Eason will facilitate a 12-week course on the basics of Theophostic Prayer Ministry, the method of inner healing that is used so successfully at Serenity Retreat here and in Houston. The class fee includes the textbook and two workbooks. Partial scholarships are available. To register call Kathy Eason at (713) 456-0765, or Janice Hord at 877-4430 for more information. .

HELP NEEDED Loving caregiver needed for our Church nursery during Sunday morning services. Must be dependable and have a love for children. Apply in the church office or call 865-5976 for more information.

NEED EXTRA CASH? Daytime Community Bible Study is in need of a temporary nursery worker Thursdays 7:45—2:15p.m. through the rest of the school year. Please call Michelle Majewski at 979-865-8860 for info.

A NEW nursery for a New Year! THANK YOU to those who donated to the Nursery's wishlist!

We were able to buy a new carpet, toddler climber and an infant crawl space! If you haven't stopped by to see some of the improvements we are making in the

nursery, please do so this week!

Our Theme for February is "My Family Loves Me."

Thank you to our January Volunteers: Kristen Atkinson, Patti Garner, Sharon Godden, Nancy Grube, Janice Hord, Sandra McKeown, Natalie Neumann, Carol Pagel, Patrick Pagel, Karen Peacock, Kim Quinney, Kim Shoquist, Annie Wingo,

Katie Wingo, and Kevin Wingo!

The nursery served 38 children during January, including 7 children new to BUMC! HELP WANTED! Our Nursery is growing, and we need your help!

We have a paid staff position available on Sunday mornings. PLUS, we need 4 volunteers every Sunday! Your service allows moms and dads to attend Worship and Sunday School.

Please consider volunteering in honor of a family with young children! WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR FEBRUARY! You can still attend Worship and Sunday School! Call or email Stacy, 865-4311 or stacy@bellvilleumc.org, if you are interested in paid or volunteer positions!

B. A. R. K.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

We will be going to Clear Creek Annual Clean Up.

Breakfast at 6:00a.m. in the MAC

Leave about 6:20a.m.

Lunch will be provided Return by 4:00p.m.

All ages are welcome

Kids under 16 will require adult sponsor.

Sign up at the church office 979-865-5976

If we have enough people sign up to go, we will get a bus!

BUMC CHILDREN’S CHOIR The children's choir is raising their voices joyfully in 2010!  We sang at the 11:00 service on January 24th and we look forward to singing at the 9:00 service on February 28th. Mark April 18th on your calendar!  The choir will performing an awesome musical:  "Under God's Sea in 3D".  It will be an exciting experience filled with wonderful songs and a great message to daily dive deeper into God's world and word. Keep Jesus and a song in your heart!        Cheryl Pritchett 

02/01 Linda Myers 02/02 Jim Batson 02/02 John Godden 02/03 Bryce Hall 02/03 Faith Head 02/03 B.H(Rief) Riefkohl 02/04 Jenna Hardin 02/04 Mary Lane Harle 02/04 Brett Heintschel 02/04 Norman Kiecke 02/04 Rebecca Selcik 02/04 Gayle Turner 02/05 Hannah Michna 02/05 Delores Parr 02/06 Will McKeown 02/07 Cassidy Bryant 02/07 Melvin Jones 02/07 Nancy Loeffler 02/08 Bobbie Buckley 02/08 Charlene Robertson 02/09 Philip Shackelford 02/09 Joanne Wied 02/09 Ethel Workman 02/10 Velma Bartlett 02/10 Zachary Higginbotham 02/10 Todd Keaton

02/11 Shirley Mahon 02/11 Michael Mullen 02/12 Bo Brandt 02/12 Jay Matthews 02/13 Tye Holloway 02/14 Wanda M. Beil 02/14 Emily Neumann 02/14 Roy Schubert 02/15 Joe Grief 02/18 Meredith Wehring 02/18 Allison Wehring 02/18 Jamie Willingham 02/19 Kelly Bernard 02/20 Carol Ainsworth 02/21 Mable Dimick 02/21 Sandra Melville 02/21 Brooke Wallace 02/22 Zachary Paul Jones 02/23 LM."Buck" Hayden 02/23 Joseph McReynolds 02/23 Jake T. Payton 02/24 Ty Hardin 02/24 Amber Klump 02/25 Rex Wallace 02/25 Flora Winn 02/28 Molly Lottridge 02/28 Abby McKeown

02/05 Larry & Miriam McReynolds 02/10 Travis & Leslie Wallace 02/11 Edward & Mauldine Schubert 02/15 Frank & Barbara Robinson 02/16 Bo & Jill Brandt 02/22 Brad & Lisa Moseley 02/28 Don & Patsy Lawrence

Thank you Sandra Mckeown and Janet Montgomery for going on the mid winter retreat at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center. The Jr. High and High School kids had a wonderful time and the Lord touched all of our lives.                                                                                                         Ron Bond Youth Ministries  2010 

WALK WITH A FRIEND

Good for your heart, good for the mind, and good for the body.

(and much more fun with a friend! ) Walk with a friend

is just the encouragement you need to get up and get moving!!

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

WE WILL WALK EVERY Monday & Wednesday

@ 10:00a.m.!! Meet in the MAC—Don’t miss out

on this opportunity!

Senior Adults You are all invited to join us for

Fun & Lunch Bunch Thursday, February 11, 2010

10:00 a.m.

LUNCH PROVIDED

Games Food Fellowship

Bellville United Methodist Church P.O. Box 188 Bellville, Texas 77418 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Bellville, Texas 77418

Permit # 25

Do you ever hear someone who claims to love Jesus but has no interest in church? We church folks (especially we preachers) may be inclined to think they just don’t get it! But perhaps their “negative evaluation” of “organized religion” could be an important learning time for us. The Greek words “KERYGMA” and “KOINONIA” help describe key functions of the church. KERYGMA represents the content of the message. KOINONIA is the character of the Christian community as we seek to live out the message. The late author Ray Stedman suggests that we tend to do a satisfactory job at holding on to the KERYGMA, but that we sometimes fall short in the KOINONIA. And he suggests that may be one reason why church is unappealing to some folks: “People are disappointed because they hear great words but they don't see great lives. They don't see warmth, they don't see love and acceptance, they don't see understanding and forgiveness. What they too often run into is strife and bickering and fighting and quarreling and unforgiveness, jealousy and bitterness, grudges and splits and feuds and divisions, hostility and anger, worry and anxiety. They listen to the preaching of these great words that the church has to say and then they look at our lives to see how it works. And what they see convinces them that the words are not true.” Stedman imagines these onlookers challenging us: “What are you Christians talking about? What do you have that we don't have? What is so great about this message? Why doesn't it do something for you?’” These are indeed challenging words. Even as we work hard to be faithful and accurate in our proclamation of the message (the KERYGMA), let us never forget that it is the “living out” of that message (the KOINONIA) that helps show the world the truth of the message of Christ! How are you living out the message? Robert Stutes