THE MESSENGER - OCTOBER 2007

THE MESSENGER

Volume 9, Issue 10                                                  October, 2007

Message from Judith Reedy

Dear Church Family,

One of the first scriptures we learn in many of our

Bible studies is Genesis 12:2-3.  WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!  It is true:  We here at FUMC, The Colony, have been blessed!  The stories shared at the Tent Celebration are some of the many stories of blessing here.  Special thanks to Becky Aduddell, Evangelism Chair, who worked so hard to bring us all together for this celebration!

Expect more blessings in the month of October.  On Sunday, October 7, we will be led in worship by the children for Children’s Sabbath; at the conclusion of our 11:00 service, we will gather on the east lawn for the dedication of our Children’s Playground; and at 2:00 we will gather on the north lawn for the annual Blessing of the Animals!  (PLEASE REMEMBER: WE BLESS ALL OF GOD’S CREATURES!)

On Sunday, October 14, we will be blessed by lay speakers who will bring us their stewardship message and personal testimony. 

On Sunday, October 28, we will celebrate All-Saints’

Day.  On this day, we will celebrate the lives of all those saints who have been a blessing to us AND WE WILL HAVE COMMUNION FOR THE

SECOND TIME IN OCTOBER.  This communion will take the place of our communion in November.

Having been so blessed, we will continue to seek ways to be in mission as the body of Christ and to bless the lives of others.  We will celebrate these ministry opportunities together at one worship

service on November 4!  (See Stewardship, p.3.) 

Please mark your calendars.  Don’t miss the spirit-filled music and message and the chance to see so many other faces!   

I look forward to seeing you, especially on Sunday!

Grace and Peace,

Judith

Judithreedy@fumcthecolony.org

Dear FUMC Family,

I want to thank my church family for all of their love, support, and prayers while I spent 2 1/2 months in the hospital.  I am very weak but looking forward to seeing and hugging everyone soon.   

                                Love, Linda Cloyd

NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!”  All of our music ensembles are doing just that in a wonderful way as they rehearse and sing or play for us during the Sunday morning services this fall.

We will be starting to rehearse Christmas music soon. 

If you are interested in singing with us for the holiday season, please contact Sonja Roebuck about information on the music ensembles. We hope you prayerfully consider enjoying the fun and fellowship of these groups as we lead the congregation in worship and praise of our Savior, Jesus Christ!  We would love to see YOU in choir!

MUSIC ENSEMBLE SCHEDULE for Fall 2007

Every Wednesday      

7:00 – 8:30pm   CHANCEL CHOIR (adults)

Every 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

THE “E” WORD

Evangelism wishes to thank all those who helped with, participated in, or attended the tent Celebration event, “Sharing Your Story.”  What a

glorious way to kick off fall!  The inspiring speakers, the wonderful food, and spirit-filled music will not soon be forgotten. So many people helped that we can’t begin to name them all, so a great big THANK YOU to everyone!!  We hope to bring more outreach opportunities to our church and community family in the future.

Look for the “E Team” to be handing out bags with information and small gift items at the bazaar in October!!  We want to share FUMC, The Colony with the whole community.  We seek to invite others to know and experience Christ in a personal way right here at First Church!

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

Becky Aduddell, Evangelism Chair

SPECIAL INVITATION: 

On Sunday, October 21, you will have an opportunity to contribute to all the ministries and more mentioned in our Lay Leader’s column.  This is our traditional COLD CASH Sunday.  We will have an ice chest in the foyer for your COLD CASH – this includes cash, coins and checks marked especially COLD CASH.

United Methodist Women’s

19^th Annual Harvest Craft Bazaar!

Saturday, October 20

9:00am – 4:00pm

Don’t miss the 19^th Annual Harvest Craft Bazaar.  Shop with over 70 crafters featuring jewelry, embroidery, knitting, ceramics, quilts, sports memorabilia, baby and children’s items, toys, scrapbooks, candy, stained glass, home décor, holiday decorations, yard art, Kettle Korn and SO MUCH MORE!

Stop by the Pumpkin Patch (Youth), Sand Art booth (KICK), Bake Sale and Opportunity Drawings (UMW).  Plus the UMM are serving breakfast and lunch! 

Bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank in exchange for a drawing entry in the Opportunity Drawings (one ticket per family)!

FROM OUR LAY LEADER GARY WIMBISH:

In September, I spoke about the power of our collective giving in the North Texas Annual Conference, a power which enables us to spread the love of Jesus Christ, educate clergy, encourage cooperation with other faith communions, fund the General Conference, nurture Africa University and support our Bishop, district and retired clergy.  I encourage all of you to visit our conference site http://www.ntcumc.org/default.asp to find details on all ministries we support.  I have highlighted just a few. 

At United Methodist camps and retreats campers, children, youth and adults learn to slow down, to notice, and to become more attuned with what is happening around them and within them.  The Bridgeport Camp & Conference Center offers summer camps and retreat facilities to thousands of children, youth and young adults from third grade to age 20. The Prothro Center provides relaxing facilities that foster spiritual renewal, personal growth and leadership formation for individuals, families, and groups.

The Creating Congregations Team assists congregations, districts and the Annual Conference in the ministry of establishing new groups, fellowships, and congregations in which persons may experience the grace of Jesus Christ.  These groups include African-American Ministries, Hispanic/Latino Ministries, Project Pentecost (ethnic churches), Church Revitalization and new Congregations of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The Igniting Ministry Initiative provides methods to tell the community around us who we are and what we believe. 

The Austin Street Centre provides emergency shelter and related services to homeless persons in a compassionate community.  C. C. Young and the Wesley Village's Senior Living Community are service retirement communities dedicated to the elderly.  Communities of Shalom offer help, hope and healing to congregations and neighborhoods and address the internal and external pressures of poverty, racism, lack of vision, limited resources, and demise of the spirit.

The Dallas Bethlehem Center provides the children of South Dallas a positive environment for growth.   Rev. Clayton Lewis established the Wilkinson Center to assist families with food and clothing after seeing a child digging in a dumpster for food.

These are just a few examples of the ways that YOU reach others for Jesus Christ through our connection.  We should be proud of our campus ministries, hospitals, Christian education and caring for persons of all ages, races and economic conditions.  COLLECTIVELY we ARE making a difference!

The Cathy Yaw Memorial Retreat

November 9-10

Prothro Retreat Center, Lake Texoma

The United Methodist Women are hosting a Women’s

Retreat “in memory of Cathy Yaw, an exceptional woman of God.”  Guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Sheron

Patterson, Senior Minister at Highland Hills UMC,

columnist for The Dallas Morning News and radio talk show host.  Her emphasis will be on wellness and wholeness in women.  Plan to join us for a time of

fellowship, prayer and worship and time to share.  There will be 15-minute massages, facials and

reflexology available at $12.00 each, and a gift shop offering unique handcrafted items from local artisans.  Cost is $55.00 (October 24 deadline). 

FINANCE

October Committee of the Month

The mission of the Finance Committee is to

1) Develop the operating budget for FUMC The Colony, 2) Approve, manage and report upon the current financial expenditures, fundraising efforts and budgetary amendments associated with the on-going operations of FUMC The Colony 3) Work with other committees within FUMC The Colony to understand the future financial needs and obligations of FUMC The Colony and to provide feedback and guidance responsibly to all areas of the church family to maintain financial solidarity across the on-going 5-year plan.  

Activities of the Finance Committee that are handled primarily at the monthly meetings include:

· Review of the financial records and statements of FUMC The Colony

à Balance sheet and cash flow statements

à Revenues vs. accounts payable

à Review of operating expenditures vs. budget

à Review of restricted fund expenditures and future financial commitments (Apportionments being a focal point)

· Review of fundraising requests

· Review of non-recurring issues – status of church investments, proposed changes to current year budget brought to Finance Committee by other committees within the church

If you have experience in or understanding of Accounting, Finance, Risk Management, Economics, Management, General business (for profit or non-profit), Fundraising, Teaching, Psychology, IT, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Divinities, Physics, Sociology, Writing, Music, Selling, Purchasing or other skill dealing with people and/or money, and you can do basic math, we would love to have your expertise in making FUMC the best it can be.

Please contact Scott Evans at 972-625-3966, the pastor 972-625-1281, or any member of the Lay Leadership Committee if you have interest in this committee.

STEWARDSHIP MOMENTS

God frees, empowers, and challenges us to consider our "Stewardship Responsibilities."  As we approach our fall campaign here at FUMC The Colony, we ask that each of you pray about and consider what stewardship means to you.  Take time to review your efforts over the past year.  Plan and prepare to open your hearts during this special time in the life of our church.

Remember this:  God has given us all that we have (as well as all that we will have), including the freedom to decide (free will) how we will respond to this generosity.  Will we operate from a theology of scarcity or abundance?  Will we hoard or share? Will we be burdened by these gifts or freed and empowered by them?

Think about your days in school or on the playground.  Usually, kids pick teams by selecting the players one at a time.  Some players always get picked first, some are picked later and some are picked last.  Whether you were first or last, you understand the difference.  Where will you and your family place your faith and religion for life’s game in 2008? 

Consider how you are responding to the following:

1. God Gives a New Covenant.  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16).  Have you accepted God's ultimate gift?

2. God Challenges.  "But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you.  And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (Luke 12:20).  Have you responded to God's challenge by helping feed and care for God's people?

3. God Commissions.   "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."  (Matthew 28:19). Have you personalized and responded to God's call to action?

On Sunday, November 4, 2007, we will gather together for one service at 10:30am to celebrate.  Our District Superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Larry George, will bring the message.  Lunch will follow, and is provided by Stewardship.  There will be no Sunday School. 

When you consider your commitment to your Church and to God for this year’s Stewardship campaign, don’t pick your faith last.

It is our RESPONSIBILITY to demonstrate our stewardship by weaving together gifts of time, talent, treasure, body, mind, and spirit as we travel on our lifelong stewardship journey.  When we do, our progress should be obvious and reflected in the way we live our lives.  Our stewardship journey is unique to each of us.  It takes a lifetime to complete.

Blessings from the Stewardship Committee,

Russell van Holsbeke, Chair

INVITATION

If you would be willing to share a testimony or a stewardship moment with the congregation during our fall campaign, we would love for you to contact the stewardship committee or the church office to explore that opportunity.

It’s Halo-Ween Time!

 It’s a free carnival for all children on October 31, from 6 to 8 pm at the church.  Each child

receives a hot dog, chips, drink, and the

opportunity to participate in games, including a cupcake walk and lots of candy!

The Halo-Ween Carnival Needs Your Donations!

The Halo-Ween Carnival will be on Wednesday, October 31 at 6 pm.  We will begin set-up and preparations on Sunday, October 28 at 5 pm. 

The youth have everything covered except the candy.  We need your help in candy donations for the Carnival!  There will be a box in the Narthex where you can drop off packages of individually wrapped candy. 

This is a great community-wide event and if you’ve never come by, swing by and join us in all the fun we are having

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Wow! Adult Christian Living Classes have exploded!!!!  Yes!!!  We have three new classes that offer a variety of subjects and formats.  Try one out; you’ll be surprised what happens in the building past the donuts!!!  Take a trip down the hall.  You will see folks young and old learning about Jesus and about each other.

The 30 + class is beginning a new curriculum called, Being Attentive (to God); it has a video and discussion format.  The Nooma Class continues to go through the Nooma videos and discuss topics that deal with living a Christian life.  The 55 and Holding class is discussing a book on the Moral Teachings of Jesus.  YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!

Remember that there are always classes for children 3 years old to 12^th grade available 9:45 am to 10:45 am.  The younger children are in the education wing and the 6^th through 12^th grades are in the Youth Building.

Rev. Rebecca Grogan, Associate Pastor

UNITED METHODIST MEN
 

All men are invited to join us for the

 United Methodist Men’s breakfast

Saturday, October 13, 8:00am.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Please join the United Methodist Women for

breakfast Saturday, October 13, 2007, 8:00am.  At 9:00am we will have Julia Scherer bring the presentation:

"Life Changes."  Breakfast and childcare will be provided.

With Continued Peace and Happiness,

Marilyn P. Bryant 972-625-5133, ladyptwo@aol.com

Student Ministry Nooz

PUMPKIN PATCH, ‘nuf said….well, maybe not; sign up to support our Patch by working on week nights (5 to 8 pm) and weekends (all day Saturday and Sunday).  This is an important fundraiser for Student Ministry and makes it possible for us to do lots of stuff!!!!  We need parents to sign up too (an adult needs to be present at all times at the Patch).  So, spend some quality time with a parent at the Patch…..ANYWAYS, support the PATCH!  Now.  ‘Nuf said.

We are excited to have some new people (they aren’t really new, they aren’t babies or anything….they just haven’t been to Youth Group since I’ve been there) at Youth Group.  We welcome anyone who is 6^th through 12^th grade to join us.  I still have people ask me what we are doing that particular week…..it’s pretty much the same….we eat (awesome food) and play a game or two (always funny and different) and then we break into small groups (several jr. high and several sr. high) and talk about stuff that is happening in your world and your faith journey….sometimes it’s fun and sometimes it’s serious, and most of the time it’s both.  Then we worship…..so it isn’t that different from week to week….not weird, not boring……

We are doing Snack Supper different from before.  Instead of parents fixing meals at home and bringing them up, we are buying the fixin’s for supper and parents are asked to come up and prepare, serve and clean up.  So far we’ve had Pizza, sloppy joes, and spaghetti, yum….For you it’s $3 for this great supper which also includes chips or veggies (with the spaghetti) and dessert and a canned drink……beats McDonald’s in price and decent food!  Remember $3!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless, Rebecca

K.I.C.K. NEWS

Kids in Christ’s Kingdom

(4th & 5th grade youth)

October begins with the K.I.C.K. kids participating in Children's Sabbath Sunday on October 7th.  During both services, the kids will be involved in reading scriptures, prayers and assisting with ushering and the offertory.  There is no meeting that night of October 7th, but kids are asked to attend both the 8:30 and 11:00am services.  There will be a regular meeting on October  21st, 5:00-7:00pm. Remember: Friends are always welcome!  For more information, contact Ryan Toornburg at 214-618-0707.