10-20-2009 Newsletter

Please Pray For One Another

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

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

Selma Danklefs, Cynthia Balzen’s father and her aunt, Clay Wittneben, Celebration: Tory Teykl had her neck brace removed last week!

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!

Henry Wittneben

First United Methodist Church

(10-18) Bill Castillo, Bob Whitley, Al Liebman and family, Larry Bolton,

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

Setliff, Pat Baggette and family, Suzette Scott, the family of Donna Kelley

Web site: www.fumcrosenberg.net

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

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

(10-4) Joel Salas, Elaine Parker, Gary Reyes, Denise Clenney

October 20, 2009  Volume 24, Issue 40

Ramblings: A rambling in two parts Last night I was part of the Finance Committee meeting. Our October meeting is always great because this is the meeting when all the ministry areas bring forth the fruits of their prayers and plans for the next year and present their budget requests for next year. At this meeting we got to see some of the vision God has for our church for next year. When we added up all the requests we were astounded. The dreams and prayerful discernment of the different ministry groups resulted in an increase of 30% over our 2009 budget. Some people will choose to see this negatively, “In this tough economic climate, how can people be asking for more?” but that’s the wrong attitude. Rather, the proper attitude is to look at the positive aspects of a larger budget: we are doing more for the kingdom of God. Our church is in the midst of growing, both in numbers and in ministry opportunities. God’s hand has been seen all over the place and I truly believe God wants us to do even more. When God wants something done, God provides what is needed. This has been seen over and over in the life of this church and the lives of God’s people through out all of history. God has already provided all we need to do the ministry he dreams of (which is way more than we are dreaming of). We look at a 30% increase and say, “we can’t do that.” God looks at a 30% increase and says, “is that all? We have a whole world to reach.” (Remember this is the same God who on the day of Pentacost had a 2500% increase in his church.) Rather than be intimidated by this increase, we should embrace it and

see what it is going to take for us to not only meet this challenge, but exceed it. I am excited about what God is doing through our church. Our churchwide emphasis Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity is nearing its conclusion. Last week, we talked about “Cultivating Contentment.” In our growth groups and our worship services, we addressed head-on our human tendency to accumulate possessions and wealth, and we discovered how to consciously change our ways. If you were unable to be with us, you can request a tape of the service by calling the office (we are working on getting the weekly messages on our website in the coming weeks). This Sunday brings our final topic in the series: “Defined by Generosity.” What defines your life? Is it wealth? Belongings? Faith? Many of us live with a scarcity mentality, worried that we must gather and hoard as much as possible, saving for some imagined “rainy day.” Or we focus on selfgratification. But the Bible promises both God’s blessings and joy for those who choose to live another way. During the service we will take action to change our lives by setting five specific personal goals to work toward over the next year. Then, on the following two Sundays, we will consecrate our gifts to the ministry of our church for the coming year. I urge you to join us this Sunday as we learn how to live a new way— as people who are defined by generosity and who experience true joy. IGS, John

Opportunities To Serve The Pumpkin Patch is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 31. Tuesday, Oct. 20: 5:30 p.m. - Young Families 7:00 p.m. - Women’s Prayer Team Wednesday, Oct. 21: 5:00 p.m. - Children’s Choirs NO Handbells this week 7:30 p.m. - Sanctuary Choir rehearsal Thursday, Oct. 22: 6:30 p.m. - Women’s Growth Group 7:00 p.m. - Praise Team rehearsal Saturday, Oct. 24: Anahuac Work Day 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Fall Festival in the Pumpkin Patch Sunday, Oct. 25: 8:30 a.m. - Blended Worship Service 9:40 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages 10:50 a.m. - Traditional Worship Service 5:00-7:00 p.m. - Youth (grades 6-12) - Costume Party 6:00 p.m. - Growth Group meeting Monday, Oct. 26: 9:00 a.m. - MOMS 10:30 a.m. - Prime Chimers rehearse holiday music at church 7:00 p.m. - Lay Leadership Committee meeting 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts Tuesday, Oct. 20: 10:00 a.m. - Growth Group meeting 7:00 p.m. - Women’s Prayer Group Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Hebrews 13:5-6

Coming in November

Pumpkin Patch

“An opportunity for the Body of Christ to make an enormous impact on the poor of Fort Bend”

Important Dates

Join the body of Christ showing Christ’s love by offering FREE food & drink, immunizations for children, health check-ups and screenings, haircuts, groceries, job fair, kids’ carnival, family entertainment, community services and much more, including an opportunity for prayer from a trained volunteer, when our guests allow us the privilege to do so.

Needed : 700 volunteers November 21st at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds For more information call Judy Morris (281-346-2305) or visit our website: www.fortbendconvoyofhope.com

 Trips to Anahuac are set for Oct. 24, Nov. 7 & 21 and Dec. 5 & 12. 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. If you can make a trip, please let Monetary donations also are Margaret Lawley know. Email her at needed. Mark the check for [email protected] “Anahuac” in the memo line. or call her at 281-342-9651

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL COUNTRY STORE & HARVEST CAFÉ!

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

Our 4th annual Country Store & Harvest Cafe have chalked up another banner year! The perfect weather brought folks out to shop and dine and a festive feeling of excitement was everywhere! Our event raised $1,893.90 with all proceeds going to our ever-growing Children's Ministry. We thank everyone who came out on Saturday as well as all of the volunteers who worked hard behind the scenes. Celebration's home baked goods were a BIG seller so we really appreciate all the folks who contributed to their booth. Special thanks go to Mandy Bryan for lining up such a great array of craftsmen for the Store and to Pat Shirk for coordinating all of the food & kitchen help in the Cafe. We appreciate everyone's support and look forward to next year! Jennifer Hartmann

Oct. 24

Fall Festival

Oct. 31

Trunk or Treat

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 Fall Festival from 1-4 p.m. Children are treated to free games, face painting, candy, a cookie walk and more. The free Feel free to wear your air bounce is open all day from Pumpkin Patch t-shirt every Sunday. 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. It’s great advertising! We still need volunteers to help with the games. Please let *Trunk or Treat in the Pumpkin Elizabeth know if you can be Patch on Saturday, Oct. 31, from here Saturday to help. 5-7 p.m.! Volunteers are needed *Donations needed: 2 liter sodas to bring candy, stickers and other all flavors, all kinds, diet and regular small goodies to pass out to **Soda donations are needed by children who come through the Friday, Oct. 23. They are used for patch. As usual, this is a free the Fall Festival. Donations can be outreach to the children of our left in the Education Building under church and the community. the PP bulletin board or in the

Hey, Youth! Sunday I was in a really great mood...I had the windows rolled down in the car, jamming out to some great tunes (Hillsong United...check those guys out!), and just really glad to be alive and at church! I loved the worship and the great hymns and felt just really happy to be alive! I was just loving the weather...I mean everything seemed better because of the awesomeness going on outside! It just feels like such a gift! And it is!! But then I realized....that the rain, the heat, and yes, even humidity is a gift. I mean… I love it when it’s gorgeous but we need rain. I wouldn’t appreciate the glory of a day like Sunday (or today or tomorrow) without the rainy, hot, and sticky days of summer. So every day is a gift because every day is exactly what we need and every day, every thing, is an opportunity to thank God for the glory of our lives in and as His creation. How wonderful to be a child of God relaxing in the sunshine! How wonderful to be a child of God dancing in the rain! It’s easy to feel that way when things are going good, we have what we want, and we get to do things we want to do, like hang out with our friends. It’s harder to say thank you when things are not the way we want or the way we think they should be. The trick is to appreciate ALL the things God gives us...every breath, every moment, every thing! 1 Timothy 4:4 says “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving.” So give thanks! Be thankful for today’s glory and tomorrow’s rain. Today’s hard times and tomorrow’s relief. In all things, give thanks to the God who created us! In His Love and With Lots of Thanks, Becca This Sunday @ Youth: Costume Party! Find a favorite scripture and dress the part! You've got three chances to win prizes: the funniest, the most creative, and the most accurate. But you have to have the scripture memorized in order to win! *Want a chance to win a $25 Target gift card?? Get your name entered into a drawing to win...one for you and one for every friend you bring...so bring your friends and bring it on!*