THE MESSENGER - FEBRUARY 2008

THE MESSENGER

Volume 10, Issue 2                                                    February, 2008

Message from Judith Reedy

Dear Church Family,

This coming Sunday will conclude the five-week sermon series “Are You Changed?”  Over these past few weeks of Epiphany and following, we have explored the difference between change and transformation.  If we have been transformed, we have become new persons.  The story below is a story that tells how God, working through others, can take whatever you have become and transform you.

During World War II, in a small village near an industrial plant, a bomb fell off-course and destroyed the village cathedral. After the war, the people of the village gathered any items they had of any value and gave them to the pastor to sell, in order to buy materials to rebuild their place of worship.  Drawings were completed and the townspeople gave to the pastor everything but the bare necessities that they needed to live on.   

The contractor was given a strict time frame in which to complete the building.  He had no trouble finding brick masons, stonecutters, and carpenters, but he needed three stained glass artisans to complete the project on time and could only find two.  One day a disheveled-looking little man came to the contractor and said he was a stained glass artisan and had heard the contractor needed a third worker.  The contractor scoffed at the little man with tattered clothes and unkempt hair.  “You?  You are a stained glass artisan?”  “Yes,” replied the little man with a smile.  “Not only that, I will work for three meals a day and a place to sleep at night.”  The contractor felt like he could

not lose.  “One more item,” said the little man.  “Could you put a curtain around the window where I will be working?  I don’t like people watching me work.”  “Sure, okay,” said the contractor.

Months went by, and the building rose from the ashes.  Every morning the little man would speak to the other two stained glass men and then quietly go behind his curtain to work.  Finally the day came for the townspeople to inspect their new cathedral.  The contractor showed off the fine woodwork, the precision-cut stones, the glistening marble and then moved over to the first two stained glass windows.  The beauty of their new church home astounded the people.  A quiet hush fell over the building as they approached the curtain covering the third window.  All they heard was the tapping of a hammer.  The contractor barked out, “Are you finished yet?”  The little man tapped his hammer one last time.  “Sure, take the curtain down!”

There before the people was the most magnificent, most wonderful, most elegant stained glass window anyone had ever seen.  Tears welled up in their eyes as they admired the craftsmanship and the pure beauty of the glass used to make the window.  The contractor asked the little man if he could tell them where he got the glass to make the window.  It was far superior to all the glass in the other two windows.  “Sure,” replied the little man.  “Every morning I would go through the trash barrels for the discarded, old pieces of glass.  I used those discarded pieces to make my window.”

This is just a story, but it is a story that tells us that it does not matter how shattered, broken or discarded we feel, nor does it matter what sins we have committed.  The amazing power and grace of God can transform us! 

Gordon Mote is a beautiful example of God’s transformative powers.  We will be blessed to have Gordon here in concert on Sunday, February 17, at 6 PM.  Korto Greene is still another example of transformation.  She, too, will be here on February 17, along with her adoptive parents Rick and Linda and Gordon’s daughter Samantha.  Please mark your calendars and come celebrate the transforming powers of our amazing God!

Grace and Peace,

Judith

Judithreedy@fumcthecolony.org

Stephen Ministry

 Is one of your New Year's Resolutions to GET

 INVOLVED in FUMC, The Colony?  Are you

 ready to be TRANSFORMED?  If you communicate well in a one-to-one environment, can listen, respond non-judgmentally and are willing to commit to two years service within the church, we have an opportunity for YOU.  A new class to train Stephen Ministers is beginning in late February.  For more information, please call the church office, 972-625-1281.

SPOTLIGHT:  MISSIONS

There are no places in the world where God is not present, only places where God in Christ is not yet known, acknowledged, served, or heeded.  This statement is from the Guidelines for leading the congregation in Missions produced by the United Methodist Church.  Pastor Reedy has declared that 2008 be the year of Transformation.  The Mission Committee for FUMC The Colony participated in the annual planning meeting this past month. We edited our Mission Statement to the following: "Carry the Light of Christ OUT into the World."  I think this statement of purpose follows exactly with the direction we have been given and I hope you all agree.  I hope you agree because it will take all of you to reach our objective.

Our first order of business this year is to collect discover all the ways in which our church is already participating in mission.  We will then provide that information for you so you can find a place to serve.  We will try not to miss any mission areas as well as watch for new opportunities.

We have a wonderful committee dedicated to their partnership in God's mission.

Please feel free to forward mission opportunities and/or information to the committee, or even attend our mission meetings. Missions will be the committee of the month for February.  Look for new and more detailed information each Sunday.

Paula Ward, Chair

BOY SCOUT SUNDAY

First United Methodist Church, The Colony is celebrating Boy Scout Sunday on February 10^th.  We would like to show our appreciation for all the projects the Scouts do for the church. Those include our outdoor worship area, the newly painted walls in the education building, some of our cement sidewalks, and more.  Currently we have 14 separate Scout groups meeting here at the church.  They are always in need of service projects, so if you have any ideas for those projects, please contact the church office at 972-625-1281.

CATCH THE SPIRIT 

Need something

a little different

on Sunday

morning?

Come brighten your day and catch the spirit

at 9:45! 

Come grow

with

us!

NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Since Palm Sunday and Easter are early this year (March 16 and 23), our FUMC music ensembles are already preparing Lenten and Easter music for special services.  If you would like to participate in these special events by becoming a part of our music ministry team, please contact Sonja Roebuck at 972-625-1281.  Come join us and discover the blessings

of worshiping the Lord through music!

MUSIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Wednesday      

7:00 – 8:30pm   Chancel Choir (adults)

Sunday

During the 11am service after Children’s Church

     Cherub Choir (age 4 – 1^st grade)

12 – 12:45pm Cantate Choir  (grades 2–5)

1:00 – 2:00pm Sanctuary Ringers (adults)

4:00 – 5:00pm Celebration Singers (grds 6–12)

Sonja Roebuck, Music Director

TRANSFORMING LIVES ~ TRANSFORMING AFRICA

Our Lenten study this year focuses on FUMC’s 2008 theme—Transformation.  It is a 40-day devotional guide that will be used every day during Lent throughout the North Texas Conference.  This is an opportunity to be in prayer and mission with all NTC churches.

Celebrate

Shrove

(FAT) Tuesday

with a

Pancake Supper

February 5

5:30—7:30pm

Come one, come all—it’s Free.

There will be goodies for the kids. 

It’s all you can eat, so come hungry. 

Contact the church office at 972-625-1281,

if you have any questions.

Ladies' Game Night!

Friday, Feb 1^st

7:00 p.m. to ???

It’s time for a Ladies’ Night Out… or maybe we should call it a Ladies’ Night In – Lock-In!  All ladies join us for a game night.  Bring your favorite games of all kinds, a snack to share (chips, dip, cookies, fruit, etc.) and bring a friend! This is a night for us just to laugh and enjoy one another’s company.  If you’d like to stay the night, bring your sleeping bag and air mattress… we’ll be sleeping on the Sanctuary floor (yes, just like the Youth!).  Or leave at anytime.  If you stay the night, please RSVP that you will be staying the night so we can plan breakfast.  To RSVP and for more information please contact Tracey Mostyn at frog2shine@aol.com or call 214-223-3323.  We look forward to seeing you there!

The United Methodist Women

UMW breakfast and business meeting will be held on Saturday, February 9, 8:00 to 10:00am.

You won’t want to miss this concert with

Gordon Mote’s new music!

Join us and invite your

family and friends. 

 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17th, 6:00pm

DINNERS FOR EIGHT

Join us for a Pre-Concert  Picnic and join a dinner group known as the "Dinners for 8."  All are invited on February 17th at

4:30 pm, in the Big Room, B7,

to bring their favorite picnic food and meet and mingle as we establish new dinner groups for the next 4 months.  Each dinner group will meet each month to fellowship and dine together in each other's homes, or a restaurant.  For questions call Melody Malone @

972-625-6283 or just come on the 17th!  Babysitting will be provided.

Christian Living News

Christian Living continues to grow with new Sunday morning classes and Adult Bible studies.  After our all church retreat, we continue to stand in support of our mission statement to continue to offer opportunities for nurture and knowledge in living a holy life dedicated to God.  If you feel the need to raise your level of commitment by attending a Sunday morning class or Bible study, there is information at the “Information Station” in the Narthex and more information on the bulletin board just outside the Education office area.  Or you may call Rev. Rebecca Grogan and I’d be happy to talk with you about ways we can help you grow in your faith and understanding.  There are as many ways to go about growing in faith as there are people in the world so we can make something work for you. Come see us!

REGISTRATION

2008-2009

SCHOOL YEAR

The Preschool & Parent’s Day Out is having

Registration for the 2008-2009 school year for church members, currently enrolled students, and their siblings on Monday, February 4, 9:00 to 11:00am.  Church members will receive free registration.  Open Registration for new students will begin Tuesday, February 12^th at 9:00 am.  Registration packets are now available.  Call the Preschool/Parent’s Day Out office for more information.  972-625-2891.

K.I.C.K. NEWS

Kids in Christ’s Kingdom

(4th & 5th grade youth)

Meetings

February 10th & 24th

5:00-7:00pm

We will have regular meetings in February.  Remember friends are always welcome!  For more information, contact Ryan Toornburg at 214-618-0707.

UNITED METHODIST MEN

The United Methodist Men will have their monthly meeting and breakfast on Saturday, February

9th, at 8:00am.

STUDENT NOOZ!!

Hey it’s my least favorite month!  Do you have a least favorite month?  Why?  Mine is February because that’s always been the month when my asthma was worse.  All my life I could pretty much count on not breathing in February……bummer.  But NOT THIS YEAR!  COZ it’s FEARLESS FEBRUARY!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 3, 5 pm to 7 pm is Faux Bowl Party!  We don’t need no stinkin’ football game to have fun……be a part of the fun of faux (it means fake).  We will be creating our own teams complete with colors, mascot and cheerleaders??????  And the prize? Well, let’s just say that it is the ultimate in faux!  Geaux team!!!!  Bring a large white t-shirt (it will not be white at the end of the night!) and $3 for supper.

February 10, UNLIMITED, yes I said, UNLIMITED

laser tag and buffet pizza and drinks at The Zone.  We will meet at the church at 5 pm to car pool to The Zone (about 15 minutes away in McKinney) to rock the house with tag and fellowship.  We will return to the church around 8:30 pm.  The cost is $15 and yes you can bring friends.  What?  You think we are snobs?

February 17, Will be our respite from the CRAZINESS that is FEARLESS FEBRUARY, but well, we still have to go with the theme, so don’t be a scaredypants and chicken out!!!!!  Bring $3 for snack supper (promise nothing gross like worms, bugs, sludge) and be ready to have fun and worship.

February 24, The last Sunday in Fearless February, man……we will meet 5 pm to 7 pm and close the month down in fashion.  Praising God can be a raucous thing and we can do it right!  Bring $3 for snack supper.

February 24, no, it’s not a repeat but a reminder

STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING AT 3 PM, Rebecca’s office!!!!  Gotta keep dreaming about what your student ministry looks like and does!!!!!!!!  Any 6^th – 12^th grade students welcome.

I’m done, gotta go blow my nose and hit the inhaler….. February, bah-humbug!