Stephen’s StrandsWe have begun our Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week to Easter, walking with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem and many points in between. Together, we looked at the story of the ten lepers whom Jesus meets along the borders of Galilee and Samaria (Luke 17:11-19).

When the ten lepers see Jesus about to enter a village, they cry out to him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Drawing near to God by asking for mercy is a perfect pattern for us to follow. Seeking God’s mercy puts us in the posture of humility and recognizes the greatness of God. Jesus responds by telling the lepers, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” Then, as they walk toward the priest, taking steps of faith, they were made clean.When one of them, a Samaritan, saw that he was made clean, he returned to Jesus praising God with a loud voice. He laid down in front of Jesus and thanked him. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

The love of God in Jesus, crossed the barrier of leprosy and the border of Samaria, to heal the lives of the ten lepers. No cultural boundary, protective distance, or customary prohibition could hold the love of God back from these hurting lepers. Jesus reached across every prejudice, barrier, and obstacle to show these outcasts that they would never be outcasts in the Kingdom of God.

God has crossed every barrier to bring God’s love to our hearts through Jesus Christ! Nothing could keep God from loving us!

We are responsible to love the people of God’s creation by reaching across every cultural boundary, prejudicial distance, and fearful difference in order that they may know we love them as God loves them. Who are the cultural lepers in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces? How can we live the love that God has entrusted us with to reach across every obstacle?

When we love others with the love and mercy that God loves us, we demonstrate our thankfulness to God like the healed returning leper! Let me know which community boundary or barrier we should reach across next with God’s love. Blessings, Stephen Cotten

Prayer List

Please Note: Names added to the prayer list will remain on the list for 30 days if needed. They will be relisted by request.

If you would like to have a prayer request emailed out or would like to add someone to the prayer list,

please email the Church office at office@fumcmv.org

In Memory of Donald Lightfoot Gail Reed George & JoAnn Turner

In Memory of James Duck Vivian Fritz Ruby Neely

In Memory of Charles Huey Ruby Neely

In Memory of Oscar Reeder Harry & JoAnna Earl

Members of First United Methodist Church express our thanks to each of you

who have recently given a special financial gift in memory or in honor of loved ones.

Honors & MeMorials Bentley AlvarezDejah ArnoldWade BradshawJenny BergmanDavid BergmanBetty BogueDavid BrewerPatti BrewerJanie BynumPatty CheatwoodTim ClipsonTerri ColemanCarolyn DaltonNorma Jean DraperKenny DuckJoanna EarlSharron Meek ElliottChuck EtheridgeVictoria FletcherOleta Gann Jan Banman GraciaJack GullisRichard HaynieCandy HolmesGerald HubbellMargie Jaggers

Nadine JenningsJolynn JohnsonBlake JonesRobert JonesBob KerrCharles LowrySamantha MasseyLou Gene MaxtonDennis McBrideKenneth McGeeLanny MooreMarla NolleyBlaine NordinEarl PageDawn ParsonsLena Mae Reeder Dan Rembold Don RosePeg SilvaVirginia SmithJimmy StroudPeggy StuttsTim Sumrow Johnny TomBrant TracheilGrant WatsonCharlotte Whitesides Sympathy to:

....family and friends of James Duck

Pastor’s BiBle studyWednesday Morning

10:00 amAnyone who would like to attend is welcome to the Pastor’s Bible Study. Each week the Pastor encour-ages discussion on bible scriptures that will be used during the following Sunday worship service. This is a time to prepare for the sermon you will hear at Sunday.

Believers in Grace (BIG)BIG Bible study meets at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, and will begin a new study called Seamless by Angie Smith on March 20. In 7 sessions, Seamless covers the people, places, and promises of the Bible, tying them together into the greater story of Scripture. Whether you've grown up hearing Bible stories or you're exploring Scripture for the first time, the full scope of the Bible can be overwhelming.Experience the Bible as a whole as you gain clarity and confidence in your understanding of Scripture. Discover a biblical context that reshapes and brings to life stories from the Old and New Testaments. For more information, please contact Jill Lowry 972-742-6581 or Betsy Gekiere 972-955-2026.

MESS Bible StudyOur semi-weekly, Monday evening Bible study is currently participating in the “Wait and See” guide by Wendy Pope. This innovative study on waiting well is for ladies of all ages and we would love you to join us anytime! Following is an excerpt from the book’s welcome:“This Bible study is unlike any you’ve ever done. I kept you in mind throughout the entire creative process. You, the woman who wants so badly to study God’s Word but doesn’t know where or how to start. You, the woman who gets so excited to start a new Bible study but stops going to class because you didn’t get your blanks filled in. You, the woman who loves to study the Bible but doesn’t want to study alone. This study is for you! Come with me to a Bible study without guilt and homework – the Bible study you’ve been waiting for!” from “Wait and See” participant’s guide, Wendy Pope. Our March meeting dates are Monday the 5th and 19th from 6:30 -8:30 pm. A light supper is served so come with an appetite - for food and God’s word!Questions? Call Pam Greenberg, 214-236-4894.

CREDO ConfirmationHey Church! This semester we have 9 young ladies in the 6th and 7th grade that are committed to our confirmation experience for 2018! We have had a BLAST! January and February have been so jam packed and so much FUN! Confirmation started off at G&J Hideaway in Mineola with team building games, lessons on Creation, Sin, and Redemption. Experiencing God’s creation, in God’s natural sanctuary at G&J is unforgettable! We have also spent a weekend together at Bridgeport Camp with the North Texas Conference for an experience called Confirmation Connection. There we learned more about similar topics, John Wesley, and the Old & New Testament with other confirmands in our conference. We’ve learned to listen to the Holy Spirit (thanks to Liz Ethridge and the Eagle Point Hecklers), learned about the church beyond our walls, and about being a NEW creation in HIM! We’ve just returned from the Bishop’s Rally at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas on February 18th, where we worshiped, played games, bungie jumped, and shared Holy Communion with hundreds of other youth in our conference! We are on the move: learning and loving to learn about OUR faith in our Father! Thank you so much for your love and support! ~Savvy, Rachel, Zoey, Madelyn, Makena, Chloe, Gracie, Claire, Katie, Kelly Newsom and Stephen Cotten.

Confirmation ProfileChloe Copeland

Chloe is the daughter of Jon and Crystal Copeland and has three sisters Taylor, Kaleigh, and Sophie. She is already active in youth here and enjoys the lessons and activities on Wednesday nights. As a 7th grader at school she participates in cheer and in UIL oral reading, modern oratory, calculator, and math. Her goal is to attend college and become a lawyer. Her favorite thing about confirmation so far was the all day event at G&J Retreat Center. Pictured with Chloe is her mentor Corrine Johnston.

Confirmation ProfileClaire Rutledge

Claire is the daughter of Rusty and Mesha Rutledge and has an older sister, Maitland, and brother Max. As a 7th grader she likes math and reading and participates in volleyball, basketball and track. Outside of school she takes dance and loves HipHop. She also enjoys riding four wheelers, riding horses, and swimming. In the future, she hopes to work in a field that involves animals. Her favorite things

Confirmand ProfileMadelyn Easley

Madelyn is in 6th grade and is the daughter of Brandon and Shannara Easley. She has a younger sister, Zoey, and brother, Trey. In school her favorite sub-jects are math, reading, and band. She also likes gymnastics and tumbling. Her dream is to be a Blue Angel pilot after meeting and being inspired by the first woman to reach that goal. This year she enjoys being a helper with the Ignite Kids on Wednesday nights. She thinks that the first event of confirma-tion at G&J Retreat Center was one of the best so far. She is pictured here with her mentor Maaike Plantinga.

annual dinner and dance was an amazing night. we had at the annual dinner and dance! We had 32 guests with 10 volunteers, 15 youth and Cody serving as our DJ! The Round Table Class is always faithful to join us and it was wonderful to see new friends attend for the first time. The food was excellent thanks to our Chefs--Scott Newsome, Melissa, Corrine & Coleman Johnston. The hokey pokey is one of the best parts of the dance…seeing us all in a circle, ages 6 to 92 having a blast! And the beauty of Harry Earl or Billy Jordan teaching the waltz to our ladies of various ages. We raised close to $600 dollars for missions. Each year I leave after a very long day of hard work & fun feeling blessed and my heart overflowing with love! To our guests…Your support not only helps our youth financially, they enjoy your presence!! Last, but not least-- Volunteers, well you know how my heart swells from your support! Much love,Cindy

souper Bowl sunday was a success raising close to $150.00 for the food bank. Thank you for your support bringing your dollars & cents!The youth, their parents & myself are grateful for the chili donations on game day…you gave close to $500.00 toward our mission trip this summer. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! Please keep us all in your prayers concerning travel safety, safety on the jobsites, fellowship with one another, and that our students would realize just how close Our Savior is working in them and beside them as they are serving others. Grateful to be the hands and feet of Jesus ChristLoved beyond measure,Cindy

Vision teaMs Continue to Press ForWard ….

initiatiVe #1 - ProVide PrograMs For young

FaMilies and exPand

initiatiVe # 2exPand PrograMs For youtH

initiatiVe # 2

initiatiVe # 3CoMMunity serViCes

Vision teaMadult Mentoring and Handy Man

serViCes

We constantly seek the Lord’s wisdom and vision for our church and community. The different initiative teams continue to focus on our church mission statement of “Making Disciples for Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World” in order to validate what we are doing meets that standard. We ask for your continued prayers as we move through this process. If you have any questions regarding the Vision Process or any of the Vision Teams, please contact Jean Ann Marshall, point person for the Vision Team Process. 903/537-4569 orjeanannm@suddenlink.net.

This team, with Kayce Jordan as chair, continues to meet from 6 – 7 pm in the Upper Room on Wednesday nights opposite THE STAND. Come join this group and “grow spiritually together”. (Watch for the dates!)

Christina Bradford, chair of this Team continues to explore different areas for youth involvement. This Team overlaps with many of the other Teams such as Wednesday Night Live. You will continue to see great things happening!We identified Sundays as an opportunity for the vision team and volunteers to positively impact our Youth programing. We are reviving the Sunday programing to have a gathering time each Sunday from 4 PM to 6PM starting February 11th. Our initiative is to provide a time to relax, have fun and hang out with their friends from Youth in a comfortable, positive setting. Activities have been scheduled through the spring semester. Some of the activities are fun, hang out times with games and snacks but we have also included gatherings in the community as well as service projects. Our schedule for March includes practice for Good Friday service:

March 4 Games and Good Friday PracticeMarch 11 Little Creek Park Clean Up and PicnicMarch 18 Comedy Break and Good Friday PracticeMarch 24 Church Work DayMarch 25 Good Friday Practice

The Team is currently working on a monthly program of collecting canned goods for the food bank, called “First Fruits”. We are asking everyone to bring a canned food on the first Sunday of each month. There will be a tub in the narthex for collections. Our food bank provides a valuable service to local families.

Other areas such as Quarterly Movie Night and Adult Night Out Programs for men and women, (offering nursery services), having a speaker or using the bus for offsite programs are currently being studied.

initiatiVe # 4 - ProVide transPoration to and FroM tHe CHurCH For elderly, youtH and CHildren

This Team has done extensive research as well as a needs assessment study and determined there is not a need specifically for transportation to and from the church for elderly, youth and children. The Team has concluded their work on this initiative; however, there is a group of individuals willing to provide transportation on a special needs basis, such as to and from doctor’s appointments. SEE SEPARATE ARTICLE.

We are asking for volunteers to help guide the activities on Sundays. In addition individuals or Sunday school groups can support the youth by:

Donating pallets for a construction project planned •for April.Providing snacks for Sunday gatherings. •Hosting a summer gathering at your place.•Continued prayers for our Youth and volunteers.•

If your group would be interested in donating food and drinks for picnic to follow service project at Little Creek Park on March 11, please contact Christina Bradford 903-767-7151

February 146:15 pmFirst United Methodist Church

MarKeting and adVertising(chair, Jackie Carlson)

Busiest lady in town as she oversees all advertising, marketing, as well as flyer and poster layouts.

initiatiVe # 6 - exPand and ProVide adult FelloWsHiP and sHePHerd

grouPsThis is a fun group with a mission of bringing friends and neighbors together in adult fellowship in order to know, to care for, and to serve each other more deeply. They continue to meet each Wednesday from 3:30 – 5:00 in the Family Life Center, Room 201. An average of 10 folks gathers each week to enjoy Cribbage, Rummikub, Canasta, 42 and other games.

The Team will be meeting soon to discuss Shepherd Groups. They will be defining what Shepherd Groups are, accessing the need for such groups and how they would be established.

neW MeMBer CeleBration lunCHeon

FUMC wants the entire congregation to be our guest at a luncheon on Palm Sunday, March 25, welcoming the following new members who have joined the church since our last Newcomer celebration:

Robert and Christy Jones

Eric and Maegen Law and children Jobe and Knox

Ben, Sandra and Tami Tyler

Stephanie Lueckemeyer

Please join us as we come together to welcome these folks into our FUMC Mt. Vernon Family. We will gather in the Family Life Center immediately following the 11:00 service.

Let’s break bread together and make this a most joyous occasion!

WE MUST KNOW HOW MANY TO PLAN FOR, SO FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, ON THE ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION FORMS BY YOUR NAME, PLEASE WRITE 3/25 AND CIRCLE THE NUMBER OF GUESTS WHO WILL BE ATTENDING.

FelloWsHiP gaMes (a variety of board games,

card games and domino games.)

initiatiVe # 5exPand neWCoMer serViCes

The mission statement of this Team is to “Recognize new members and contact people in the community to share the love of Christ”. The following are things we are doing to live up to that mission statement.

uPdate on inFo Center (welcome information desk)

Jerald Mowery has almost finished work on the inFo Center. Jerald offered to build the unit and furnish all materials. When you see him please extend a big thank you for his generosity.

Once the Info Center is in place Jackie Carlson and her Marketing Team will proceed with signage.

Wednesday Nite Live

3:30 pm Fellowship Games5:00 pm Dinner5:30 pm Nursery for young children in Rainbow Hall 5:30 pm Chancel Choir 5:30 pm Ignite Voices6:00 pm Ignite Kids6:00 pm Youth6:00 pm Bible Discussion Group March 286:30 pm The Stand March 7 & 21

March MenuMaRCH 7

Chicken Patties, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans,

Salad & DessertsPrepared by Maaike &

Kathy’s Team

MaRCH 14NO WNL DINNER

MaRCH 21King Ranch Chicken

Salad, Bread & DessertPrepared by Upper Room

MaRCH 28 Hamburger or Corn Dogs,

Chips & DessertsPrepared by Roundtable

Dinner @ 5:00 pm

Finance CountersMarch

04 Gail Reed James King11 Neil Scott Deb Morris18 Tom Sample Stan Silva25 Deb Morris Brian Ruyle

trustees MeetingMonday, March 5 @ 6:00 pmrainbow Board Meeting

Monday, March 19 @ 5:15 pmFinance Meeting

Monday, March 19 @ 6:00 pm

Administrative MeetingsFinance Update

Feb. Opening Balance $69,868.69Income thru Feb. 28 $35,373.74Expenses thru Feb. 28 $48,958.33Feb. 28 Closing Balance $56,584.10

Doloris Robinson March 01Melanie Bishop March 03Amy Solomon March 04Sherri Kennedy March 06Andy Kuklish March 06Samantha Lowry March 07Richard Barnhart March 09Cody Bradford March 09Jon Robert Gekiere March 10Sharon Sehon March 10LuAlice Weilbacher March 10Chock Yates March 10Charlotte Byrd March 11Don Pellikan March 11Bob Sehon March 11Crystal Forsyth March 12Meredith Reed March 14Betsy Gekiere March 15Kristi Key March 15Milo McCamant March 15Wayne Thames March 15Dylan Hunnicutt March 16Judy O'Hara March 18Jeff Briscoe March 21Chuck Etheridge March 21Steven Rader March 22Preston McDonald March 23Tim Gutschlag March 24Vivian Fritz March 25Lou Maxton March 25Peggy Stutts March 25Taylor Copeland March 28Kenneth Greer March 28Virginia Smith March 28Becky Arterbury March 29Sean McDonald March 29Ryan Fisk March 30

Church EmailsIf you want to be on the church email list, please contact us at

office@fumcmv.org.

We

need you!(Male or feMale)

Mowing TeaM Here is an opportunity for you to be a good stew-ard by helping with the ministry of the mowing team and making some new acquaintances. This team is responsible for mowing only the exterior of the drive around the church grounds and weed eating. There are very few obstructions! I’m sure there are those of you that enjoy being outside and riding a mower on a pretty day. We have open-ings on Friday Teams and Saturday Teams. Our goal is to get 4 complete teams of 4 people each, meaning you would mow only once a month. Mowing teams will begin in April.

Would you commit to 1 summer of mowing?You may contact Randall Byrd 817-247-3736 or Cody Bradford 903-452-1135Let us know the best day for you (Friday or Satur-day) and give us a contact phone number. *(We have riding lawn mowers, a weed eater, a blower and an edger. We just need people to oper-ate them!)

Mowing team Breakfastsaturday, March 10th

9:00 amBreakfast will be served to all those interested in volunteering for this mowing season.Breakfast includes Egg and Sausage Casserole, donuts, & hot coffee.At this time, we can make assignments to each weeks’ team. Hope to see many capable men and/or women at this breakfast. If you’re will-ing to volunteer for mowing but can’t make the breakfast let Randall or Cody know.

Need A Friend?Someone to Listen?

Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry of pastoral care. Stephen Ministers provide compassion-ate and active listening under the guidance of the Holy Spirit - helping persons to know that they are loved by God....that God has not abandoned them....and that God will enable their restoration.When life seems overwhelming, perhaps a Stephen

Minister can assist you. Want to know more? Talk to Pastor Cotten or call Pat Hudson at 903-588-3116

or Mary Bane at 903-860-2193.

stePHen Ministry

ONE PLaNT FOR ONE DESIGNaTED NaME$20.00 per plant

Please PRINT Memory of:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Honor of:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

From ______________________________________

(Please include payment with your order.)

Order TODAYEaster Lilies add beauty to our Easter cel-ebration. You may reserve plants In Honor or In Memory of someone. After the Easter Worship services, you may take your plant/plants. To order a lily, complete the form be-low and place it with $20.00 for each plant in the collection plate or bring it to the office.

“LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR TRANSPORTATION”

We have formed an individual group who is willing to provide transportation to and from doctor’s appointments when a person is unable to drive due to recovering surgery or illness. If you have a situation where you need a driver, please contact one of the following individuals. We have already provided transportation to a neighbor in need and we are here to serve when these situations arise.

Becky Arterbury 903/563-7761 rtbury1@gmail.com

Beverly Kelley 903/285-0980 beverly.f.kelley@gmail.com

James King 903/563-6369 jkingiv@hughes.net

Johnny Kirby 903/343-1168 johnjudykirby@gmail.com

Judy Kirby 903/343-1169 johnjudykirby@gmail.com

Jean Ann Marshall 903/537-4569 jeanannm@suddenlink.net

Tom Sample 903/466-3397 sample.tom@gmail.com

Sharon Sehon 903/767-3464 sehon2@peoplescom.net

Stan Silva 505/331-1094 S.silva7485@suddenlink.net

Wayne Thames 903/767-0161 wthames1@hotmail.com

Also, if you feel called to join our group, just let us know.

rainboW ConneCtion

The first part of 2018 has brought some changes to Rainbow. Our little tot’s teacher, Stephanie Methe, had her baby boy and has decided to be a stay at home mom. We are sad to see her go but are excited that she is able to enjoy this season in her life. We would like to welcome our new two year old teacher, Brandi Hammond, to Rainbow. The twos already love her and she has implemented many positive and creative ideas in her room. All classes enjoyed a Valentine’s exchange and parties in their classroom. Our active board and scooters have received LOTS of use this past month with all the rainy weather. We are blessed to be able to provide indoor alternatives for physical activity when there is inclement weather. Hopefully March will bring more opportunities for outdoor play! We had our annual state inspection in February and we had only one small deficiency, which was quickly brought into compliance!

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 108:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 3:00pm Confirmation 4:00pm Youth

6:00pm Trustee Mtg 6:00pm Cub Scouts 6:30pm M.E.S.S.

4:00pm Stephen Ministry 6:30pm Boy Scouts

Daylight Savings Time - Spring Forward Mow Team Breakfast @ 9 am

11 12 13 14 15 16 178:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 3:00pm Confirmation 4:00pm Youth

5:15pm Rainbow Board Meeting 6:00pm Cub Scouts

2:00pm Prayer Shawl 6:30pm Boy Scouts

9:30am Prayer Time 10:00am Pastor's Bible Study 5:30pm Chancel Choir 5:30pm Nursery

18 19 20 21 22 23 248:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 3:00pm Confirmation 4:00pm Youth

6:00pm Cub Scouts 6:00pm Finance Mtg 6:30pm M.E.S.S.

4:00pm Stephen Ministry 6:30pm Boy Scouts

8:00am FUMC Clean-up Day

25 26 27 28 29 30 316:00pm Cub Scouts

6:30pm Boy Scouts

7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service

7:00pm Good Friday Service

March 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9:30am Prayer Time 10:00am Pastor's Bible Study 3:30pm Fellowship Games 5:00pm WNL Dinner 5:30pm Ignite Voices 5:30pm Chancel Choir 5:30pm Nursery 6:00pm Ignite Kids 6:00pm Youth 6:30pm The Stand

9:30am Prayer Time 10:00am Pastor's Bible Study 3:30pm Fellowship Games 5:00pm WNL Dinner 5:30pm Nursery 5:30pm Chancel Choir 5:30pm Ignite Voices 6:00pm Youth 6:00pm Ignite Kids 6:30pm The Stand

8:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service new Member luncheon (after the 11am service) 3:00pm Confirmation 4:00pm Youth

9:30am Prayer Time 10:00am Pastor's Bible Study 3:30pm Fellowship Games 5:00pm WNL Dinner 5:30pm Nursery 5:30pm Ignite Voices 5:30pm Chancel Choir 6:00pm Youth 6:00pm Children's Egg Hunt 6:00pm Ignite Kids 6:00pm Bible Discussion Group

<----------------------------------------- MVISD Spring Break-------------------------------------------->

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage PaidPermit #30

Mt. Vernon, TX

First united Methodist ChurchHwy. 37 north of i-30Po Box 659Mt. Vernon, tx 75457