GrowingTogether FEBRUARY - MARCH 2013 SHARINGTHEHEART.ORG

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

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T his is the season in our

church family’s life when we focus in an especially intense way on Jesus’ journey to the cross and on his resurrection from the dead. It is the season of Lent, and we use this time to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and power over sin and death, and their implications for our lives and for the world.

Of course, any time is the right time to keep the “main thing” front and center, but this season is a traditional one in the Church for acknowledging the journey of faith as disciples. It is a journey of God’s grace that has come at a cost and that has freed us to be the people of faith, hope, and love that God created us to be.

Last month, a group from the First UMC church family made a journey to the Holy Land. When we visited Jerusalem, we ventured into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This famous church is considered by

many to be the holiest Christian site in the world. It marks the traditional locations of where Jesus was crucified and the tomb where he rose. One of the most interesting things that visitors discover is the proximity of Golgotha (where the cross stood) to the place that marks the tomb. The current church (built by the Crusaders) encloses both sites under one roof.

We often suppose that Jesus’ body was carried some distance to the garden for burial in Joseph of Arimathea’s newly hewn tomb. There is no scriptural reason for this assumption, however. The place where the cross stood and the place where Jesus was laid when he was taken down could easily have been adjacent.

What is remarkable in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre experience is that the single church for both sites offers a potent reminder of the all-significant connection between the two. Here is the very ground of our

Christian faith. As we express it often in our services of Holy Communion, “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.”

This is the “main thing.” Growing in our knowledge of the basis of our faith, in our understanding of its implications, and in our ability to apply what we learn to everyday life is at the heart of discipleship. Take time this season to study and to focus on living out what you learn in witness and in service. That is ultimately what the following pages are for: to equip and to encourage you in your journey.

Please continue to let us know how we can help along the way.

John Harman Adult Discipleship Pastor

The Journey to Easter

“Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come

again.”

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Adult Discipleship Goes Easter Join us on Resurrection Sunday for a Special Event

A Class where You Can Connect and Grow New to First UMC? Join the Journey!

I f you are new to First United Methodist Church, you’ll find the Join the Journey experience to be an opportunity

to make a meaningful connection. It is especially designed to answer your questions about the Christian faith, the Methodist Church, and life in the church family. As you explore some basic topics in Christianity, Methodism, worship, Bible study, and service and discipleship, you will get to connect with other newcomers and begin a journey of learning and spiritual growth together in this family of faith.

The weekly sessions are designed to inform and equip you to understand and respond to the biblical call to a life of discipleship. Sessions will also use United Methodist Bishop William Willimon’s This We Believe: The Core of Wesleyan

Faith and Practice (Abingdon Press, 2010) as a supplement for discussion. We hope that every person in the church family has a regular place of connection where you can learn

and grow in community. We believe that Join the Journey will help you find a pathway to that connection that is right for you.

The class meets in rolling 10-week sessions, so it is an ongoing group that you can join anytime in the cycle. You will find us every Sunday at 10:05 a.m. in Room C210. Pick up

a brochure in the main church lobby or visit

sharingtheheart.org/connect to learn more. Connect with us, and join the journey! Contact Rev. Liz Greenwell for more information: lgreenwell@sharingtheheart.org.

Here are the individual upcoming sessions and leaders . . .

Feb 3 Who is God?

Dr. Ron Bentley March 24

Visitor Information Class (incl. Facilities Tour)

Pastor Liz Greenwell

Feb 10 How is God at Work? March 31 EASTER SUNDAY

Feb 17 The Church Worships

Pastor John Harman April 7

Welcome to the Table!

Pastors Liz Greenwell & John Harman

Feb 24 The Church Grows

Pastor John Harman April 14

You Are On the Journey

Pastor Liz Greenwell

March 3 The Church Serves

Pastor Janet Cavalier April 21

What is United Methodism?

Dr. Don Renshaw

March 10 Sunday School Roundup

Class Representatives April 28

Who is God ?

Dr. Ron Bentley

March 17 Called to Grow: Intentional Discipleship

Pastors Liz Greenwell & John Harman May 5

How is God at Work?

Pastor Chris Rickwartz

Every SundayEvery SundayEvery Sunday

10:05 a.m.10:05 a.m.10:05 a.m.

Room C210Room C210Room C210

Join the Journey

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Discipleship at FUMC

Get an App to Help YouVersion and the Bible Reading Plan

I f you are following our Bible reading plan during the 100 days

between Sunday, February 10 and Pentecost Sunday, May 19 (see p. 6), consider the free YouVersion app to help you along.

You can register for free at YouVersion.com. Then, browse the Bible reading plans under the “Partial Bible” category. The plan we are doing is called “The Essential 100.” If you use a smartphone or tablet, download the app so you can have each day’s reading ready and with you wherever you are.

Note: We combined days 1 and 2 of the plan into the first day’s reading so that we begin and end on a Sunday. Read Genesis 1– 3 on day 1, and you’ll be on schedule.

Explore the other features of YouVersion as well, and use it or your other favorite Bible reading app to stay on track. Make Scripture part of every day!

Sunday Morning Bible Study Worship and Grow with us on Sunday mornings

Men’s Bible Study Friday Mornings at 7:00

T he Friday morning Men’s Bible Study welcomes all men to an hour of coffee,

fellowship, and Bible study every week at 7:00 a.m. The group is currently studying through the Book of Acts and discussing how the challenges faced by the early church can help Christian men live faithfully through today’s challenges.

This study meets in the Parlor (Room B115). Because of the early hour, please enter through the door on Benge St. near the northwest corner of the main church building. Contact discipleship@sharingtheheart.org if you have questions about the men’s Bible study, and we’ll be glad to assist!

D id you know that hundreds of adults participate in classes at First United Methodist Church every Sunday morning? Adult Sunday

school is the largest discipleship ministry and has much to offer for study, growth, and fellowship.

The 23 regular adult classes on Sunday mornings include large lecture-style classes, mid-sized guided discussion Bible studies, and smaller groups that focus on biblical topics in more personal and informal settings. From inductive Bible studies to topical book discussions to marriage and family-focused fellowships, FUMC has a variety of opportunities on Sundays that is sure to include a match for your interests and style. And there is always room for you!

Sunday school classes welcome guests and those who just want to “shop around.” The Adult Discipleship Leadership Team (ADLT) and the leaders of the Sunday classes encourage you to try the wonderful combination of worship and group discipleship growth as a regular part of your Sunday morning experience.

At FUMC, we believe that a life of faith is a life of growth, and we invite you to grow with us on Sunday mornings. Browse the different classes at sharingtheheart.org/adults. We welcome your presence and participation as we open our lives together to the transforming experience of Bible study in community.

Your Next Step: Connect sharingtheheart.org/connect

I f you spend any time at all around First UMC, you quickly learn how important we believe it is to find a

place of connection. Because the church is large, our connections to groups that study, fellowship, or serve together are our primary places of care, growth, and ministry. In short, you need to connect somewhere in order to participate fully in the life of a church family like this one.

How do you get started? Starting is simple. Scan the QR code above or go directly to sharingtheheart.org/connect. There you will find a few links that will guide you toward connection, beginning with Join the Journey (also see p. 3) and an introduction to serving at FUMC.

In addition to worship, find a connection to learn, grow, serve, care, and be cared for. And let us help where and when you need.

www.sharingtheheart.org/connect

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Growing Together in Lent

D ave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University is returning! FPU is a nine-week life-changing program that empowers and teaches you how to make the right money decisions to achieve your financial goals in the context of God’s plans for your life.

This experience will help you learn about cash flow planning, debt reduction and elimination, wise investing, and giving. Biblical principles for achieving and maintaining financial peace are central to this practical program. It takes knowledge from God and turns it into action in our lives through a step-

by-step process taught by best-selling author and financial counselor Dave Ramsey.

FPU is for everyone—from the financially secure to the financially distressed. Visit sharingtheheart.org/financial-peace-university for more information and some helpful links.

An Information and Orientation Session will be held at 4:00 pm in Room A200 on Sunday, February 17, and the weekly class will begin at the same time and place on Sunday, March 3. Find out more about FPU at the information session with no obligation to join the class. You will receive instructions there on registration, how to procure the materials for the course, and how to be prepared for the first session if you choose to participate.

W hat is the “big picture” of the Bible? Where does it all point and how are we to respond? Join the short

term Disciple Bible study experience Invitation to the New Testament this Lent season and explore the implications of the story of Jesus for our lives and our community of faith.

Invitation to the New Testament uses Matthew’s Gospel as a starting point to show how the earliest Christian communities wrestled with these questions, and to invite you to hear and understand the call to discipleship in fresh ways. This nine-week study is an excellent opportunity to focus, study, and grow during this season of Lent and Easter.

Though only nine weeks, the class enjoys the strengths of the Disciple Bible study format, with daily readings and reflection, and a weekly group meeting that includes a brief

video segment by biblical scholars and group discussion of the week’s readings. This class is tentatively scheduled for Tuesdays at 7:00 pm in Room B200

beginning February 26.

Register at sharingtheheart.org/short-term-studies.

D o you want to read and study the Bible on your own but have trouble

with where and how to get started? Is there a better way than just beginning in Genesis and trying to read through the Bible all the way to Revelation? Or are you looking for some ways to “freshen up” you personal study?

Personal Bible Study Basics is a 4-week introduction to some strategies, tools, resources, and methods for studying Scripture regularly on your own. In addition to the Bible study groups at church where we study, discuss, and grow in

community, the regular learning and nourishment from studying on our own are an important part of our growth as disciples. Sometimes a few tips, some

helpful tools, and a good plan are what we need.

Adult Discipleship Pastor John Harman will lead this basic class of four 90-minute sessions at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evenings, February 27, March 6, 20, and 27. See sharingtheheart.org/short-term-studies for more details about Personal Bible Study Basics and to sign up. There is no cost to participate.

Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Informa on and Orienta on on February 17

An Invitation to the Bible for You Invitation to the New Testament and Personal Bible Study Basics

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Personal Bible Reading Reading the Bible for Growth and Strength in 2013

T he season of Lent begins on February 13, and what a great time to re-focus on the big picture of the biblical story of God’s grace! After a brief period of meditating on the Scriptures in the Psalms, we begin a 100-day journey through the

Old and New Testaments. We’ll engage the broader story of our relationship with a loving and forgiving God who provides for us by grace what we cannot gain on our own. Using 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament passages, this reading plan will carry us from Sunday, February 10 through Pentecost Sunday, May 19.

You can get a copy of this reading schedule printed on a bookmark in the main church lobby. Let’s read and grow together!

February 2013

1 Psalm 119:1-16 14 Genesis 12 27 Exodus 12:1-42 7 Judges 4–5 20 2 Kings 25

2 Psalm 119:17-40 15 Genesis 15 28 Exodus 13:17–14:31 8 Judges 6–7 21 Psalm 23

3 Psalm 119:41-64 16 Genesis 21:1–22:19 9 Judges 13–16 22 Psalm 51

4 Psalm 119:65-80 17 Genesis 27:1–28:22 10 Ruth 1–4 23 Psalm 103

5 Psalm 119:81-104 18 Genesis 32–33 11 1 Samuel 1–3 24 Proverbs 1–4

6 Psalm 119:105-120 19 Genesis 37 12 1 Samuel 8–10 25 Proverbs 16–18

7 Psalm 119:121-144 20 Genesis 39–41 13 1 Samuel 16:1–18:16 26 Isaiah 51–53

8 Psalm 119:145-160 21 Genesis 42:1-38 1 Exodus 19:1–20:21 14 1 Samuel 23:7–24:22 27 Jeremiah 1:1–3:5

9 Psalm 119:161-176 22 Genesis 43–44 2 Exodus 32–34 15 2 Samuel 5–7 28 Daniel 6

10 Genesis 1–3 23 Genesis 45:1–46:7 3 Joshua 1:1-18 16 2 Samuel 11:1–12:25 29 Jonah 1–4

11 Genesis 6:5–7:24 24 Exodus 1–2 4 Joshua 3–4 17 1 Kings 2–3 30 Malachi 1–4

12 Genesis 8:1–9:17 25 Exodus 3:1–4:17 5 Joshua 5–6 18 1 Kings 8:1–9:9 31 John 1:1-18

13 Genesis 11:1-9 26 Exodus 6:28–11:10 6 Judges 2:6–3:6 19 1 Kings 16:29–19:18

March 2013

“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.” (Psalm 119:111-12)

Welcome to GrowingTogether! GrowingTogether is the bimonthly newsletter of the Adult Discipleship Leadership Team (ADLT). Its purpose is to highlight upcoming opportunities to connect and grow in the First United Methodist Church family, and to encourage you on your journey of faith. We believe that a journey of faith is a journey of growth and that connecting with God through Bible study and with one another in Christian community are essential to our growth. If the ADLT can provide information or guidance for you along the discipleship pathway, please let us know: discipleship@sharingtheheart.org.

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February FUMC Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27

This Calendar features the opportunities to connect and grow contained in

this edition of GrowingTogether. For a comprehensive list of church-wide

ministries and events, visit the calendar at sharingtheheart.org.

7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

12:30 pm Disciple I 6:30 pm Evening Worship 7:00 pm Christian Believer

12:00 pm Worship 12:30 pm Disciple I

6:30 pm Worship Service 7:00 pm Christian Believer

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7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

9:30 am Women’s Bible Study Beth Moore

Join the JourneyJoin the Journey 10:05 am, Room C210

Join the JourneyJoin the Journey 10:05 am, Room C210

Join the JourneyJoin the Journey 10:05 am, Room C210

Every Sunday Morning: 8:00 am

Traditional Worship 9:00 am

Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship

10:05 am Adult Sunday School Join the Journey Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship

11:10 Adult Sunday School Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship

7:00 pm

Small Group

7:00 pm

Small Groups

Women’s Bible Study

7:00 pm

Small Groups

Women’s Bible Study

Join the JourneyJoin the Journey 10:05 am, Room C210

7:00 pm

Small Group

7:00 pm

Disciple I

Jesus in the Gospels

Inv. to New Testament

9:30 am Women’s Bible Study Beth Moore

4:00 pm

Disciple I & II

Disciple III & IV

4:00 pm

Disciple I & II

Disciple III & IV

Financial Peace Info Mtg

4:00 pm

Disciple I & II

Disciple III & !V

6:00 pm

Beth Moore

7:00 pm

Disciple I

Jesus in the Gospels

6:00 pm

Beth Moore

7:00 pm

Disciple I

Jesus in the Gospels

7:00 pm

Disciple I

Jesus in the Gospels

9:30 am

Disciple I & !!

9:30 am

Disciple I & II

9:30 am

Disciple I & II

12:30 pm

Lenten Luncheon

6:00 pm

Beth Moore

7:00 pm

Small Groups

Women’s Bible Study

7:00 pm

Small Groups

Women’s Bible Study

4:00 pm

Disciple I & II

Disciple III & IV

10:00 am

Women’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

10:00 am

Women’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

10:00 am

Women’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

10:00 am

Women’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

9:30 am

Disciple I & II

12:30 pm

Lenten Luncheon

6:00 pm

Beth Moore

12:30 pm Disciple I 6:30 pm Evening Worship 7:00 pm Christian Believer

9:30 am Women’s Bible Study Beth Moore

7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

6:30 pm Evening Worship

7:00 pm Christian Believer

Personal Bible Study Basics

12:30 pm Disciple I

9:30 am Women’s Bible Study Beth Moore

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March FUMC Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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1 7 6 4 3

11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 315 N. CHURCH ST. MCKINNEY, TX 75069

SHARINGTHEHEART.ORG 972.562.8556 DISCIPLESHIP@SHARINGTHEHEART.ORG

This Calendar features the opportunities to connect and grow contained in

this edition of GrowingTogether. For a comprehensive list of church-wide

ministries and events, visit the calendar at sharingtheheart.org.

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5 7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

10:05 am, Room C210

Join the JourneyJoin the Journey 10:05 am, Room C210

Join the JourneyJoin the Journey 10:05 am Visitor Information Class

Join the JourneyJoin the Journey

7:00 pm

Small Group

10:00 am

Women’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

10:00 am

Women’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

7:00 pm

Small Groups

Women’s Bible Study

7:00 pm

Small Groups

Women’s Bible Study

7:00 pm

Small Group

7:00 pm

Small Group

6:30 pm

Evening Worship

7:00 pm

Christian Believer

12:30 pm

Disciple I

9:30 am

Women’s Bible Study

Beth Moore

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10:05 am, Room C210

4:00 pm

Disciple I & II

Disciple III & IV

Financial Peace

Join the JourneyJoin the Journey

10:00 am

Women’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

10:00 am

Women’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

7:00 am Sunrise Service 8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:00 am Traditional Worship 10:05 am Traditional Worship Wellspring Worship 11:10 am Traditional Worship Wellspring Worship

7:00 pm

Worship Service

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7:00 pm

Worship Service

7:00 pm

Disciple I

Jesus in the Gospels

Inv. to New Testament

9:30 am

Disciple I & II

12:30 pm

Lenten Luncheon

6:00 pm

Beth Moore

7:00 pm

Disciple I

Jesus in the Gospels

Inv. to New Testament

9:30 am

Disciple I & II

12:30 pm

Lenten Luncheon

6:00 pm

Beth Moore

7:00 pm

Disciple I

Jesus in the Gospels

Inv. to New Testament

9:30 am

Disciple I & II

12:30 pm

Lenten Luncheon

6:00 pm

Beth Moore

4:00 pm

Disciple I & II

Disciple III & IV

Financial Peace

Daylight Savings Time Begins

4:00 pm

Disciple I & II

Disciple III & IV

Financial Peace

6:30 pm Evening Worship

7:00 pm Christian Believer

Personal Bible Study Basics

12:30 pm Disciple I

9:30 am Women’s Bible Study Beth Moore

6:30 pm Evening Worship

7:00 pm Christian Believer

Personal Bible Study Basics

12:30 pm Disciple I

9:30 am Women’s Bible Study Beth Moore

6:30 pm Evening Worship

7:00 pm Christian Believer

Personal Bible Study Basics

12:30 pm Disciple I

9:30 am Women’s Bible Study Beth Moore

7:00 am

Men’s Bible Study 7:00 pm

Small Groups

Women’s Bible Study

7:00 pm

Disciple I

Jesus in the Gospels

Inv. to New Testament

9:30 am

Disciple I & II

6:00 pm

Beth Moore

4:00 pm

Disciple I & II

Disciple III & IV

Financial Peace