Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

This coming Sunday, November 4, we will conclude our Stewardship month with one Celebration Sunday service at 10:30 AM. The Rev. Dr. Larry George will bring our message. This past month, three of our church families - Bill and Sharla Ferguson, Ron and Vicki Fluegge, and Kevin and Lesa Haney - brought us powerful messages on Laity Sunday. They shared with you their compelling reasons for upholding FUMC with their prayers, their presence, their gifts and their service.

As we approach Celebration Sunday, you are once again being asked to consider your membership vows to support our church with your prayers, your

presence, your gifts, and your service.

I want to ask you to pray about each of these in your life. Prayer shapes the person who prays. Prayer

requires action on our part. As the African proverb says, “When you pray, move your feet.” Please decide how much time you are willing to spend in prayer in the upcoming year.

Next think about how often you are going to be here in worship this next year. Your presence makes such a difference. Please pray about this.

Then decide what kind of service you are willing to provide in what area of ministry here at FUMC. The Lay Leadership Committee is in the process of adding many people to our ministry areas. Please pray about accepting one of these positions and sharing your talents.

Finally, decide how you are going to support FUMC financially. This may be the year you begin tithing, or it may be the year you start moving towards a tithe so you reach that 10% figure in the next several years. Your gifts make ministry as the body of Christ possible.

I know that this congregation is filled with joyful Christians who are committed to carrying out God’s vision for our church – a vision that includes our becoming deeper disciples and continuing to make disciples of Jesus Christ. I hope that you are excited about all that God is making available to you!

Grace and Peace,

Judith

Judithreedy@fumcthecolony.org

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour before bedtime Saturday, November 3rd!

NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

We will be starting the month of November with a wonderful service of worship and praise at 10:30am on November 4. J 5:3, the Celebration Singers, Chancel Choir and Cantate Choir will all be leading the congregation in worship. We hope you will not miss this exciting Celebration Sunday at FUMC!

The FUMC Music Department will again have their holiday dessert fundraiser in November. We will have order forms for you to complete on Nov. 4 and Nov. 11 and then your delicious desserts will be available for pick-up during Thanksgiving week. The proceeds from this fundraiser will help us purchase music and supplies for our ensembles.

Would you like to do something different this year to joyfully celebrate the season of our Savior’s birth? You are invited to join us as we prepare for our special Christmas musical presentations! Our children, youth and adult choirs are all rehearsing holiday music now and we would love to have some new singers join us for these events! Please see the schedule below for rehearsal times and contact Sonja Roebuck at 972-625-1281 if you would like more information.

MUSIC ENSEMBLE 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)

12:00 – 12:45pm CANTATE CHOIR (grades 2 – 5)

1:00 – 2:00pm SANCTUARY RINGERS (adults)

4:00 – 5:00pm CELEBRATION SINGERS

(grades 6 – 12)

Sonja Roebuck, Music Director

SILENT AUCTION

FUNDRAISER

Sunday, December 2

8:00am-1:30pm, Room B7

The FUMC Finance Committee is sponsoring a “Silent

Auction.” Get Christmas gifts for family members and friends and help your church family meet its annual

apportionment goal!

If you have items to donate or a merchant you do business with who will donate an item, please contact Bob Fisher at 469-384-9731, or Barbara Austin in the church office at 972-625-1281.

THE “E” WORD

A little boy looked up at his mother and asked, "Mama, do you know why God made us?"

Knowing that her son had his own explanation, she asked, "Well, Justin, do you know why?"

"Oh, that's easy. Because the people in the Bible were so bad, He wanted to start over."

When you think about it, it's easy to see how this first-grader could come up with such a conclusion. When he listens to the Bible stories in Sunday School, he hears about Adam and Eve, who messed things up for all of us. He hears about Jonah, who wouldn't obey God and was swallowed by a big fish. He hears about Judas, who betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins. The Bible is painfully realistic in its portrayal of people. It is no whitewashed version of the history of God's people. In its honest presentation of its characters, the Bible proves that we all need to be forgiven of our sins. The "bad" people of the Bible remind us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). But there's great news. God did provide a way to "start over." He sent Jesus, who died so that we could become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Trust Jesus and go out and tell others about him during this autumn season as we move into a time of harvest, a time of thanksgiving, and a time of celebration. Now is the time to “start over.”

Don’t forget to share Jesus Christ with others daily!!

Becky Aduddell, Evangelism Chair

2007

CHARGE CONFERENCE

Monday, December 3rd

7:00pm in the sanctuary

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Q) What is Stephen Ministry anyway?

A) It is people bringing hope by being there and

listening.

Q) Who can use it?

A) Anyone feeling they are going through a tough time.

Q) Why should I bother someone with my problems?

A) Because trouble shared is half the burden, and we are

instructed to share one another's burdens.

Q) I'm sure the Stephen Ministers are needed for bigger

problems than mine.

A) Problems do not come in measured sizes. If you think you could benefit from having someone to bounce things off in a confidential relationship, call the church office and ask for a Stephen Minister. Tell your friends and coworkers about this ministry. It is open to the community. Call the church office 972-625-1281 today.

9:45 NEWS

Want to beat the holiday rush for that holiday feeling? We're having our semi-annual collection for Friends of the Family and hope you'll bring items of support for the displaced women and children in need.

The following items are currently needed in their facilities:

diapers baby wipes paper towels

napkins toilet tissue facial tissue
hand wipes shaving supplies toiletry items

stuffed animals twin or full bed sheets
towels and washcloths women's and children's jogging suits

Look for the Friends of the Family bin in the narthex!

LAY LEADERSHIP

November Committee of the Month

The Lay Leadership committee is a resource for other committees. We identify, recruit, nurture, and equip individuals for leadership and service roles that align with the ministry needs of the congregation.

The Lay Leadership Committee's primary job is to build leadership within the church by encouraging members and nominating people who “best-fit” various ministry areas during Charge Conference as well as all during the year as the need arises.

When the Lay Leadership Committee is doing its job:

· Everyone that wants to get involved in the activities of the church can find a place.

· The leadership of the church consistently represents the makeup of the church body.

· Church members reasonably understand the “inner working” of the church organizational structure and purposes of the committees.

This year, reaching toward these goals, the Lay Leadership committee has developed several programs that we hope will help the members of our church learn about the committees and where they can serve.

As Christians build themselves up daily, the Lay Leadership Committee strives daily to serve our church by making the members and the committees stronger.

Are you a servant leader? Consider joining us and serving our congregation!

Bill Smith, Lay Leadership Chair

972-625-0887 or wild1180@gmail.com

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

The United Methodist Women will not have a breakfast at the church in the month of November as they will be offsite at the Cathy Yaw Memorial Retreat.

STEWARDSHIP MOMENTS

What is Stewardship? Christian stewardship is our vocation to share in God's mission of compassion, generosity, and justice. Christian stewardship is an expression of love for God and neighbor.

· Stewardship to God is giving of self.

· Stewardship to our church is the highest order of worship.

· Stewardship to God and our fellow man is the most sincere expression of our love for God.

· Stewardship is the most instructive way of teaching the word, because we are teaching by example.

· Stewardship is the most persuasive form of evangelism because we bring the hand of God to the untaught. We are the hands, eyes and ears of God.

· Stewardship is the most eloquent witness to God because we demonstrate that God is in our lives, rather than merely saying words.

Obviously the Church needs many things to survive. Money is an important part of what the Church is because it allows the Church to help so many people in so many ways. But, more than just money, the Church needs you. Take your time and look around. There are many ways you can contribute yourself to the Church. Stewardship is giving, and many people here are willing to hold your hand and guide you through this journey.

Do you live your life as an eight-day-week?

Most people live their lives by an eight-day-week. They have Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,

Saturday, Sunday and Someday.

Many people plan to do noble things - like adequately

support the Church…Someday.

Christian Stewardship is the practice of systematic and proportionate Giving of time, abilities and material possessions based on the conviction that these are a trust from God to be used in his service for the benefit of all humankind in grateful acknowledgement of Christ’s redeeming love.

Remember Celebration Sunday is November 4, 2007. Please bring your family and enjoy the great food and fellowship.

Blessings from the Stewardship Committee,

Russell van Holsbeke, Chair

UNITED METHODIST MEN

The United Methodist Men will have their monthly meeting and breakfast on November 10th at 8:00am. We will

announce the speaker at a later date. Join us for a Devotional, a great healthy breakfast and super fellowship. This will be our last meeting in 2007 and we hope you can join us as we plan for 2008.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

My, how we’ve grown…

There are now six adult Christian Living classes on Sunday mornings. I would imagine there is one that will fit you! There is a bulletin board just inside the education wing that tells where all the classes meet. All of them would love to have you visit and make one of the classes your home.

On October 28, we began a Methodism 101 class for new members and visitors, but really it’s for anyone learning more about our church and the United Methodist Church in general. This class will continue to meet on November 11, 18, and 25. You are welcome to come at any point!

Hear now, all citizens, it has been decreed…

The year is 1 A.D. and you have been called by the emperor to return to your city of birth for census and tax collections! That’s how “A Night In Bethlehem” begins as you enter the city gates with your coins for taxes and your entire family for census. You can buy your evening meal with your few coins in the marketplace and then go to the field, spread your blanket, and eat with your family. Take care; there are tax collectors and soldiers collecting while you shop and eat. Then you will begin to notice an expectant couple wandering through the crowd as they search for a place to stay the night; their names, Mary and Joseph.

We invite you to this extraordinary experience of the Christmas story with your family on Sunday, December 9, at 5 pm. Begin the Christmas season in a whole new way.

Rev. Rebecca Grogan, Associate Pastor

K.I.C.K. NEWS

Kids in Christ’s Kingdom

(4th & 5th grade youth)

Meetings: November 4th & 18th, 5:00-7:00pm

We will have regular meetings on November 4th and 18th. With the weather turning colder, KICK is a great way to enjoy some indoor activities! Remember friends are always welcome. For more information contact Ryan Toornburg at 214-618-0707.

K.I.C.K. will begin taking pre-orders for Christmas Poinsettias this month. Look for the table in the narthex on Sundays.

Student Ministry Nooz

Thanks!!!!!

Thanks to all of you who helped out with Pumpkin Patch and Halo-Ween. Both were great events and exceeded our expectations! Thanks to a generous donation by a church family that paid for the cost of the pumpkins; all that we sold was added to our missions fund.

Practice, practice, practice!

Did you ever wonder about how many hours you put in perfecting your scores on a video game? Or how many times you did something that you wanted to look perfect, whether it was your hair, a cartwheel, or a music piece? There are very few things we do that we perfect the first time we do them. I know that I learn a lot from watching people do things.

One thing I’ve learned by watching in worship is that some people really know how to pray. I would imagine that they have really put some time in talking to God and being aware of the results that happen in their lives. Do you practice prayer? That sounds funny, but it makes sense.

I learned that I have to close my eyes or I’m distracted by what’s going on or by what I see. Closing my eyes makes me focus on the words and who I’m talking to. What do you need to do to make your prayer life fuller, richer? Here are a couple of suggestions; you can probably think of others:

· Pray at least once a day at the same time in the same place every day.

· Start with a verse or sentence that centers you on prayer. Look at Psalms for some good ones.

Find something to focus on. close your eyes, stare at a stone, hold your Bible, anything to get focused in prayer.

Calendar for November

Sunday, November 4 UMYF 5 – 7 pm

Sunday, November 11 UMYF 5 – 7 pm

Sunday, November 18 Community Thanksgiving at

First Baptist - No UMYF

Tuesday, November 20 Union Gospel 4 – 7 pm

Thursday, November 22 THANKSGIVING ALL DAY!!!

Sunday, November 25 UMYF 5 – 7 pm