11-10-2009 Newsletter

Please Pray For One Another

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

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

(11-01) June Gammage, Scott Davis, Susan Scarborough Bergman

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

Music with a Purpose The handbell anthem to be presented on Sunday, November 15th, “Prayer for Peace,” was written in response to the events of September 11th, 2001, by Michael Helman. Personally and profoundly affected, he went on soon thereafter to play for the funeral of a young man killed at the Pentagon that day. By the end of September, he was able to visit Ground Zero in New York City. He wrote this composition as a prayer for an end to terrorism and for peace throughout the world. The four opening chords represent the four planes that crashed that day. We hope you will add your prayers as we have to the voice of the composer.

Food pantry items for November are soup and meals in a can (chili, spaghetti, beef stew). The pantry is in need of almost everything! Please make a donation if you can. Thanks!

Check us out in color!

(11-08) Terrie Bradley, Dovie Werlla, Wayne Morris, Linda Moody, Elaine

First United Methodist Church

efforts

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

(10-25) Robert Hill, Beau and June McGuire, Linda Seay’s prayer team

Web site: www.fumcrosenberg.net

Wittneben, Henry Wittneben

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

Bolton, Selma Danklefs, Cynthia Balzen’s father and her aunt, Clay

November 10, 2009  Volume 24, Issue 43

Ramblings: Looking for the “X” Have you ever gone on a long car trip? Yesterday I spent the entire day in the car. Well, maybe not the entire twenty four hours, but I drove 650 miles so it seemed like the entire day. It wasn’t a bad time. I got to spend a lot of time thinking about things and talking with God. I got to listen to a couple of seminars on tape (actually they were mp3’s from my iPhone, but the tape thing helps people understand what I meant). I also listened to a lot of the music that I never get a chance to listen to during my regular days. Beethoven needs to be listened to in its entirety, not one movement at a time. But around hour seven (or was it hour eight) I needed a break. Unfortunately I was by myself and that means there wasn’t anyone to take a break with. So to keep me awake and looking around I played the alphabet game (yes, by myself). For those of you who aren’t familiar with the alphabet game it goes like this. You start with the letter “A” (if you are in the advanced alphabet game group you start with “Z” and work backward). You look for words that start with the letter “A.” Once you find that one you look for a word that starts with the letter “B.” And then you move through the alphabet. It’s not the most challenging game around, but it keeps simple minds (no comments from you) busy. As I was playing the game I noticed something unusual. When I was looking for a letter I would have a hard time noticing a sign with the letter on it. But, once I found the letter, there were signs with that letter everywhere. It was really weird. Then in a moment of inspiration I realized that this game is a perfect metaphor for our relationship with God. Many people go through life looking for something. They aren’t really sure what it is they just know they are looking and

whatever they are looking for isn’t showing up. They are looking for fulfillment. They are looking for peace. What they are really looking for is God and his love. The funny thing about this search is that once they find him they start seeing him everywhere. How about you? Have you been looking for God lately? Does it seem like he’s nowhere to be found? Keep looking. He’s there. (If I was able to find three words that started with “X” you can find God.) Once you see him in action you will see him everywhere. Try it today! Just a quick word on a different topic. Last week we had our second consecration service as we made our commitments to God and the church for our financial tithes and offerings for the new year. I am completely stunned by the response. There are 28 new families that have pledged to be faithful givers for 2010. These are people who have not made commitments in the past. This is amazing. The amount pledged is nearly 25% more than last year’s pledges. What this means is that the ministries of our church are going to have the resources they need to do what God has called them to do for the new year. This faithfulness means that the lives of people around the area will be changed by the work of God through our church. Great job! If you haven’t made your commitment for 2010 there is still time to do it. Pick up a commitment card in the back of the sanctuary Sunday and place it in the offering basket as it comes around during the service or call the office and Debra will be happy to fill out a card for you. God has big plans for you and for our church. Let’s see what He wants us to be blessed by this next year. IGS, John

Opportunities To Serve Tuesday, Nov. 10: 7:00 p.m. - Women’s Prayer Group Wednesday, Nov. 11: 9:00 to noon - Mother’s Morning Out 5:00 p.m. - Children’s Choirs 6:15 p.m. - Handbells 7:30 p.m. - Sanctuary Choir rehearsal Thursday, Nov. 12: 6:30 p.m. - Women’s Growth Group 7:00 p.m. - Praise Team rehearsal Friday, Nov. 13: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14: Anahuac Work Day 9 a.m. to noon - Church Clean Up Day 11:00 a.m. - Convoy of Hope training Sunday, Nov. 15: Angel Tree Project begins 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 B.I.G. Event (grades 6-12) 6:00 p.m. - Growth Group meeting Monday, Nov. 16: 9:00 a.m. - MOMS 10:30 a.m. - Prime Chimers at SPJST in Needville (Carpool from church leaves at 9:30 a.m.) 7:00 p.m. - Finance Committee meeting 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts Tuesday, Nov. 17: 10:00 a.m. - Growth Group meeting 5:30 p.m. - Young Families 7:00 p.m. - Women’s Prayer Group Wednesday, Nov. 18: 5:00 p.m. - Children’s Choirs 6:15 p.m. - Handbells

I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

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

Hot dogs for lunch: One component of the Convoy of Hope experience on Nov. 21 is a free lunch served to all guests and volunteers. This requires a grand total of 5,000 hot dogs. Three Rosenberg churches (First UMC, First Assembly of God and New Covenant Fellowship) have been asked to supply the hot dogs. Buns and condiments are coming from other sources. We have found a source for the hot dogs at a great price and are collecting donations to pay for them. If you feel this is one way you can help, please write a check to First UMC Rosenberg and write hotdogs in the memo line. Please drop the check in the offering plate on Sunday or deliver it to the church office before Nov. 19. Volunteers for the Convoy of Hope need

Hey, Youth!

to go the website and register for the area in which they wish to work on 11-21. Go to www.fortbendconvoyofhope.com , click on “How You Can Help,” scroll to “Volunteers” and click on “Volunteer Form.” We want to make sure we have enough t-shirts for everyone and that adequate volunteers are allocated to all stations.

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Dessert Theater on Dec. 6 Mark your calendars: Dessert Theater: Sunday, Dec. 6, at 1:00 p.m. The Believers Sunday School Class is at it again! We are working hard on a Christmas play called “The Magi, A Journey of Faith.” Please come to the Fellowship Hall for dessert and coffee after your after-church lunch! You’ll laugh a little and gaze in wonder at the profound message unfolding onstage. Admission is free. Brought to you by Miss Teri (Mathis) and The Believers Sunday School Class: Allyson, Brody, Chelsea, Dylan, Emma, Hayden, Katrina, Lauren, Justine, Logan, Matthew, Meg, Olivia, Owen.

Saturday, Nov. 14 9 a.m. to noon Lunch will be served. Nursery available. Inside and outside jobs to be done.

Home Sweet Home Four families are getting excited in Smith Point, Texas as they see their houses approaching completion. Anahuac Comeback: Anahuac Comeback volunteers Home for Christmas are going every weekend now and more helpers are needed. Please so wonderful if we truly get them sign up as a volunteer any Saturday home for Christmas. that is good for you. Contact Margaret Lawley at There is so much to be done, even [email protected] though the houses look finished. 281-342-9651 Help us meet our goal so these famior visit acomeback.org lies won't be disappointed. It will be for more information.

I just got back from the 6th grade mid-winter retreat at Lakeview...and it was awesome! Human battleship, tennis baseball, toilet bowl hockey, human sculptures, small group time, a crazy mismatched fashion show, a walk-in movie, Lakeview food (yum!) and some really awesome praise and worship time...we did it all in one weekend! Everything was just amazing...especially those amazing 6th graders. There are so many things that they could be doing but 100 or more of them came together to spend an intense weekend with each other and with God! It's just incredible to see them singing and worshiping together! Our verse for the week was 1 Timothy 4:12 " Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." That first part always makes me want to pump my fist in the air and be like "Yeah, that's right!" But it's the second part that's a little tricky..."But set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." Wow, that's a pretty serious checklist! I don't want anyone to look down on me because of my age but leading by example is a difficult and trying task for anyone, no matter how old or young. Think about it...leading by example means watching everything we say and do, being careful and intentional about the relationships we have and making sure we stay true to God and what He calls us to do. It's not as simple as saying "Don't judge me!" It means living a life that others can be inspired by and that moves them to want to be better Christians too. It's a serious calling...and it's that idea that is at the heart of the youth group. We don't get together to hang out and just have fun (although we do have a lot of fun!). We come together to learn and grow in our faith with God and to help each other be better examples for others in church, school, on the practice field, and anywhere else we go. It's not about Sunday night...it's about living every day as the best Christian you can be, with the support of your friends and God. This past Sunday morning at camp we had our last worship together and took communion. Two of the 6th graders gave communion to everyone there. That's leading by example! I saw youth sit with kids who were sitting alone at lunch. That's leading by example! Students lead prayer and discussed some tough issues in small groups. That's leading by example! These awesome 6th graders were living out lives that show others what it really means to be a Christian...and I promise you no one was looking down on them because of their age! Step up! Be an example of Christ's goodness and show the world that you are capable of great things through God's love at any age! In His Love, Becca Youth This Week: B.I.G. Event! We are going on a canned food scavenger hunt to give to Helping Hands before Thanksgiving! Also: Check out our website! Just click the youth tab at www.fumcrosenberg.net!

Christmas Greenery is on sale now! Youth will sell greenery until Nov. 15 as a fund raiser. Please talk to a youth at church Sunday to place your order. There will be a table set up in the Education Building where you can view samples of the wreaths and other decorative greenery. Your order will be shipped directly to your home address or as a gift to another address.

Coming Soon! Watch for details! Our Angel Tree will be up on Nov. 15.