10-13-2009 Newsletter

Please Pray For One Another

First United Methodist Church Rosenberg, Texas www.fumcrosenberg.net

Deaths: Clarence Wagner; Grace Talley-Redifer’s sister-in-law

(10-4) Joel Salas, Elaine Parker, Gary Reyes, Denise Clenney Setliff, Pat Baggette and family, Suzette Scott, the family of Donna Kelley

Christopher Bailey Larry Bolton Scott Cayton Jason Johnson Jeremiah Judkin Rachel Miller Dannielle Pope Needler Cash Radowick

Food pantry items for October are canned vegetables. The pantry is starting to rebound but really is in need of almost everything, especially crackers (Saltines) and meat (tuna and Spam)! Please make a donation if you can. Thanks!

Agape Shop opens again on Saturday, Oct. 31. Please bring your donations with you on Sunday and leave them on the stage in the fellowship hall. Any garage sale items are accepted and appreciated.

Check us out in color!

(10-11) Dovie Werlla, Wayne Morris, Linda Moody, Elaine Bergman, Karen

First United Methodist Church

(9-27) Marie Baker, Beau and June McGuire

Sanctuary: 1127 Third Street Mailing address: 1106 Fourth Street Rosenberg, Texas 77471

Owens

Web site: www.fumcrosenberg.net

Whitley, Al Liebman and family, Nova Tropeano, Joe Balzen’s mother Jan

Phone: 281-342-3333 or 281-232-3246 Fax: 281-342-3333

Concerns: (9-20) Bill Castillo (Lou & Ellie Cumings’ son-in-law), Bob

October 13, 2009  Volume 24, Issue 39

Ramblings: I’ve got mail I received a letter in the mail today. That isn’t the odd part, I get mail all the time now that I’m an adult. I remember when I was a kid I always wanted mail. Practically everyday I would ask my mom if there was any mail for me. It seemed like there was never any mail for me. There was always a lot of mail, but none for me. On those rare occasions when there was a letter or a card that had my name on it a great celebration ensued. I was somebody! I was important! I had mail! Time have sure changed. Now that I have reached the age of adulthood (not necessarily the maturity) mail is not only not exciting, it’s drudgery. Now there is always mail with my name on it. Of course now when there is a letter it usually doesn’t include a gift. It usually includes a bill (or worse it’s one of the hundreds of offers for credit cards or payday loans). But today was different. Today I got a gift in the mail. I belong to a clergy coaching network. Every month I get together with twenty or so pastors from around the country to read, pray, discuss and learn how to be a better pastor, preacher, church leader, etc. This isn’t something the conference requires. It is something I do because I know two things: I want to get better at what I do so I can serve you better and I really want to get

better at what I do so I can serve God better. This coaching network isn’t cheap, but I believe my personal growth is worth the time, money, and effort. (If you aren’t growing you are dying. It doesn’t matter what your age.) If you aren’t intentionally focused on your own personal growth in your job, your family, and your relationship with God you need to get on it. But back to the mail. In the mail today was a letter from the leader of my coaching network. This is odd because we normally communicate by email and video conferencing (he is in New York City). But as I picked it up I realized that there was something in it besides a letter. When I opened it there was a multitool pocket knife inside. His note said we all need the right tools for the job and that he hoped we were getting the tools we needed to be better pastors from our time together. He didn’t need to do this. I didn’t join the coaching network because I was hoping for a pocket knife. I was already a paying member. But he did it anyway. And for a minute I felt like the little kid asking mom if there was any mail for me. The question is: What can you do for someone else today that will make them feel that way? IGS, John

Opportunity to help those who struggle You might be a parent struggling to accept your gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender child. You might be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and wondering how to tell your family or friends or dealing with other related issues. When the church chooses extravagant welcome and hospitality, it makes itself stronger and truer to its core Gospel. An organization called Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays ( PFLAG ) can help. If interested in helping the church help "others" or if in need of help contact Leah Murphy at 281-384-3901

Opportunities To Serve The Pumpkin Patch is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 31. Tuesday, Oct. 13: 7:00 p.m. - Administrative Council meeting Wednesday, Oct. 14: 5:00 p.m. - Children’s Choirs 6:15 p.m. - Handbells 7:30 p.m. - Sanctuary Choir rehearsal Thursday, Oct. 15: 6:30 p.m. - Women’s Growth Group 7:00 p.m. - Praise Team rehearsal 7:30 p.m. - United Methodist Men’s dinner and meeting Friday, Oct. 16: 10:00 a.m. - 49ers games and lunch Saturday, Oct. 17: Anahuac Work Day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Country Store open in Fellowship Hall 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Harvest Café open in Fellowship Hall Sunday, Oct. 18: 8:30 a.m. - Blended Worship Service 9:40 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages 10:50 a.m. - Traditional Worship Service 2:00 p.m. - Blessing of the Pets 3:00-6:00 p.m. - Pumpkin Decorating in the Patch 5:00-7:00 p.m. - Youth (grades 6-12) 6:00 p.m. - Growth Group meeting Monday, Oct. 19: 9:00 a.m. - MOMS 10:30 a.m. - Prime Chimers at Rosenberg Health & Rehab 7:00 p.m. - Finance Committee meeting 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts

No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24

FIRST CHURCH STAFF JOHN R. BLACK………………………………………….…...Pastor ADRIANE GRAY…………………………….....Nursery Coordinator DEBRA RADOWICK……………..…....…. Administrative Assistant KRIS WOLDY……………..………….…..………..…Music Director JOSE LUNA ……………………….……..………...Church Custodian GAYNELL PSENCIK………………….…..…….Financial Secretary JESSICA MYERS………………….…………………..…….Organist BECCA HYDE………………….…………………..…Youth Director

FUMC’s newest outreach project This Christmas season, FUMC will launch a new outreach project, “Lunches of Love.” This rewarding mission project is designed to feed many underprivileged children in our neighborhood. FUMC will provide sack lunches Monday through Friday for children from Bowie Elementary during the Christmas holidays, spring break and summer vacation. Without “Lunches of Love,” many of these children would go hungry during the day while school is not in session. We will need volunteers of all ages (adults and children) to make sandwiches and pack and distribute lunches at three drop-off sites. This is a wonderful opportunity not only to help those directly around our church, but also for members to join together for fellowship and service to our neighbors. Watch for more info and details. Contact Adriane Gray or Jennifer Hartmann with any questions.

L.O.L.

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Hey, Youth! Recently a friend of mine gave me a book to read called Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Rob Bell is also the guy from the Nooma videos (if you haven't seen them, I have them all and I would be happy to lend them to you...they are awesome!) and the pastor at the church he started called Mars Hill. He's an amazing speaker and he has a perspective on being a Christian and what that means that just takes my breath away. Anyway, my friend knew that I liked the Nooma videos and she suggested I read his book...so I did. I just finished the last page and now...I'm awestruck. The things he says about what it means to be a Christian, and what it doesn't mean. About the purpose of the church and about our relationship with Christ... all of it just hit me right between the eyes. I sat on the couch in my office just sobbing for a few minutes. All these ideas, all these beautiful thoughts. It makes me so happy to be a Christian and so thrilled to be living this life. I am filled with my own new ideas now and filled with joy at the wonder of strengthening and deepening my relationship with Christ. My faith is a joy to me. A true, in-your-face, amazing, awesome, wonderful gift! And every time I do something new or find a new way to experience God my heart just leaps up again and I'm struck anew with the awesomeness of God and the glory of living my life in Him. When was the last time you felt that way? When was the last time something touched your heart and you saw with fresh eyes the wonder and beauty of God and His love? Has it been too long? This morning I was talking to another friend (can you believe I have more than one!) and she told me that her daughter came back from a retreat one time and was upset with her! She said “Mom, why didn't you tell me it was like this to love Jesus?" She had been moved by God's love and she felt that joy that just swallows you up. My prayer is that you feel that! That you are able to find new ways every day, every week, every month, to experience God and remind yourself of the glory of living your life in Him. For you maybe it's doing a new mission or helping somebody out. Maybe it's spending time with your family and realizing what a blessing they are in your life. Maybe it's just enjoying a beautiful day and some time with just you and your God. Maybe it's a great sermon, a favorite song, or just a text from a friend. Don't wait for it to just happen...find something that moves you and get inspired! I'm challenging you this week to find something to inspire you...whatever it is for you, wherever it is for you...find a way to experience the joy of being a loved child of God! In His Love, Becca @Youth Sunday: Reverse Photo Scavenger Hunt...bring your camera and bring it on!

Celebration Women's Ministry is once again running the Bake Sale at our annual Country Store and Harvest Cafe on Saturday, October 17th. We are looking for volunteers, and we need your help!! Are you willing to bake something yummy? If you don't like to cook, are you willing to "man the booth" for a few hours on the 17th? In the past we have sold individual servings AND whole cakes, pies, brownies, etc. So, if you are willing to bake, please bring your goods in disposable (or sellable) containers (not your favorite Pyrex that you want back!). Please let Mandy Bryan know how you can help.

Pumpkin Patch Important Dates Oct. 17

Country Store & Harvest Café

Oct. 18

Blessing of the Animals

Oct. 24

Fall Festival

Oct. 31

Trunk or Treat

throughout the month of October. Donations can be left in the Education Building under the PP bulletin board or in the Church office. Thank you for supporting the Pumpkin Patch! *Work schedule is kept in the patch during the week - please sign up to work one shift in the patch or one field trip. Call Elizabeth at 281-610-0035 or email [email protected] to let her know when you can work.

*Saturday is our Country Store, open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free! The Fellowship Hall will be filled with fun crafts Feel free to wear your and merchandise for your shop- Pumpkin Patch t-shirt every Sunday. ping pleasure. The Harvest Café, It’s great advertising! open from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., will feature chicken salad sandwiches *Blessing of the Pets is 2 p.m. and potato soup, as well as other Sunday. All pets and their owners lunch items. are invited. Pumpkin Decorating is Sunday from 3-6 p.m. Purchase *Donations needed: 2 liter sodas a pumpkin and the decorating all flavors, all kinds, diet and regular supplies are free! **Soda donations are needed Trips to Anahuac are set for Oct. 17 and 24. We will do a lot of painting, hanging interior doors, laying carpet and flooring, and doing trim work around floors, doors, cabinets etc. There are lots of interior light fixtures to put in, mostly in ceilings, but at least one outside fixture by each front door. We will also be raking the yards, trimming weeds and bushes and Anahuac Comeback getting the outside areas looking nice. Margaret Lawley will drive the If you can make a trip, please let church van both weekends so Margaret Lawley know. Email her at people can sign up for a ride - first [email protected] come, first serve. Several high or call her at 281-342-9651 school students who are coming to Monetary donations also are earn service hours already reserved needed. Mark the check for space in the van. “Anahuac” in the memo line.