HEALTH CONCERNS: Pancho Ybarra, Barrett Alexander, Donna Bell, Tim Wilson, Mary Kempf, Tim Wilson

IN CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY: the family and friends of Treston Johnson

JOY & CONCERNS: CHS cross country girls—won state, UMW raised about $10,000 for missions, Canyon Band—4th in the state—All Region Choir Tobin, Meghan, Bella, prayers for military and all those deployed, those struggling with PTSD

ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS: Dylan Brown, Shelly Gross, Dick Elliott, Lou Ann Barnhart, Betty Hill, Carolyn Mason, Beth Sanchez, Judy Gilliam, Kimberly Conrad, Kathy Noel, Keith & Dorinda McCormack, Terry Gamblin, Betty Ketchersid, Merrell Winstead, Martin Mordecai, Waylon Malone, T.K. Baker, Erin Green, Priscilla Delatte, Christie Wilhite, Brandi Sustaire, Bobby Altman, Kason Gabbard, Alisann Smookler, Addi Martinez, Lynn Guy, Thelma Fulton, Kelli Marr, Becca Hill, Clois Rowland, Carol Turner, Karen Dillehay, Rachel Stockstill, Rachel Musgrave, Hunsley Strickland, Earl Blair, Terri Gill, Annette Lippold, Pancho Ybarra ADDITIONAL INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: President Trump and our country’s leaders, Costa Rica Team, Backyard Missions, War-torn Countries, the economy, our policeman and firemen, those in the military, unchurched men, women and children and the Wesley Foundation. Please email fumcpray@gmail.com or call 806-655-2851 with all prayer requests, joys, concerns or updates. If you have requested someone be added to the Ongoing Prayer Concerns, please update us on that person occasionally; especially if that person needs to be removed from the list.

1818 4th Ave Canyon, TX 79015

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Canyon, TX

Permit No. 130

December 2018

from The Official Newsletter of First United Methodist Church, Canyon, Texas

phone: 806 655-2851 • web: www.firstchurchcanyon.com • prayer request email: fumcpray@gmail.com

Joys and Concerns

Putting Your House in Order Sunday, December 2, 4:00-6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Would you like to know that your generosity will continue

even after your death? Have you had conversations with your

loved ones about the values you would most like to pass on?

Do you have a will? Have you thought about who should have

your most precious possessions after you have died? Would you

like to greatly relieve the stress upon your families when it comes

time to plan your funeral? Do you know the tax advantages of

remembering the church and other charitable organizations in

your legacy giving?

If you are interested in questions like these, join us for this

workshop called Putting Your House in Order, sponsored by the

Texas Methodist Foundation. In addition to addressing some of

the questions above, the workshop is meant to prepare you for a

visit to the professionals who can most help you with your

particular wills and estate planning questions.

The workshop, led by Rev. Richard Edwards, Area

Representative of NorthWest Texas Conference for TMF (see

below), includes a workbook in which you can record all the

important information that will help loved ones with funeral

planning and with the probate process. This powerful workshop

will guide you through some of life’s toughest planning tasks!

The cost is $10 per participant and includes a 45-page booklet

that is an invaluable resource for chronicling personal information

for the purposes of probate. And it wouldn’t be a real Methodist

meeting if we didn’t have some type of food and drink there. We’ll

make sure you won’t go away hungry!

I look forward to seeing you there! Please RSVP so we can have

the proper number of workbooks for the evening. RSVP to Scott

Dillard, Church Administrator at sdillard@firstchurchcanyon.com

or contact the church office.

Richard grew up in the United Methodist

Church and has served as a pastor and district

superintendent for over 40 years. He brings a

deep knowledge of both local church and

“beyond the local church” issues. He has a deep

concern for the financial stability of the church

and hopes to help churches build on that

stability, by creating an “owned stewardship” by

members and participants of the church.

Richard grew up in Tulia, Texas, where he was a member of

First United Methodist Church.

After receiving a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Texas

Tech University in 1973, he attended Perkins School of Theology

at SMU, graduating with a Master’s of Theology in 1978.

Before being appointed Superintendent of the Lubbock District,

Richard’s appointments included Booker UMC; First UMC, Olton,

First UMC, Muleshoe; First UMC, Dumas and Sr. Pastor of St.

Luke’s UMC, Midland.

Richard has served on numerous conference committees/

boards, including:

• Conference Council on Finance and Administration; Board of

Ordained Ministry Conference Committee on Insurance;

Conference Board of Higher Education

• Ceta Canyon Board of Trustees; Conference Committee on

Worship; Conference Ministry Team; Bishop’s Dream Team;

Conference Committee on Nominations; Bold New Directions

Incubator; and numerous district offices

….continued on page 2

A Note From the Pastor

By the Numbers Attendance and Finances

• YTD, we are averaging 194 in the 8:30 Traditional, 112 in the 10:50 Traditional, and 125 in the 10:50 Modern. Overall, we are averaging 431 worshipers per Sunday compared to 405 at this time last year.

• Our finances as of October 2018: Income - $829,203, Expenses - $815,542

• YTD, we have had 177 first time guests.

CHURCH STAFF SENIOR PASTOR Rev. Rick Enns

ASSOCIATE PASTOR/YOUTH MINISTER Charlie Keys

PASTORAL CARE Angela Asbill

SOCIAL MEDIA Roman Asbill

YOUTH ASSISTANT Kayla Irlbeck

YOUTH INTERN …………………………….Stephen Williams

YOUTH INTERN Carolyn Castro

YOUTH INTERN……………………………….Ramon Mendoza

CHILDREN’S MINISTER Kim Hopson

CHILDREN’S INTERN ………………………….. Danielle Rice

CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR Scott Dillard

FINANCE MANAGER Christi Ybarra

MUSIC DIRECTOR Melanie Brooks

ORGANIST Cameron McMinn

ACCOMPANIST B.J. Brooks

MODERN WORSHIP MINISTER Jason Lester

KITCHEN COORDINATOR Charlotte Wilson

SENIOR PASTOR ASSISTANT Sarah Tirey

IHH CHILD DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Brenda Shepherd

Thank You Notes THANK YOU!

A big thank you to all the Sunday school class members who helped with our Wednesday Night meals this past season! Great teamwork and fellowship!

Charlotte Wilson, Kitchen Coordinator

Thank you for the honors of All Saints Day, Sunday, November 4th. That was truly a blessing and a great way to remember my Saint, my father, but to see the others there as well sharing and remember their Saints as well.

One in particular has been very visual in the news and in media and what an inspiration they have brought to the trust they have in God and His Glory. It was hard on me and my family to be there for my father but to be there for a child was just an inspiration to me personally and just a testimony of their faith in God and trusting in Him.

Respectfully,

Brian Thomas

Dear Church family,

I’d like to thank you for the beautiful services you provided for my parents this year, for my father in March and my mother in September. Losing them both was difficult, but your support and prayers helped us through & were truly appreciated.

The Montandon family

Traditional Worship 8:30 & 10:50 a.m. Modern Worship 10:50 Sunday School Hour 9:40

Putting Your House in Order Sunday, December 2, 4:00-6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Please RSVP so we can have the proper number of workbooks

for the evening. RSVP to Scott Dillard, Church Administrator at

sdillard@firstchurchcanyon.com or contact the church office.

CHARGE CONFERENCE

SUNDAY, December 9, 2:00 p.m.

Our annual Charge Conference is set for Sunday, December

9, at 2pm here at FUMC Canyon. We will celebrate the

ministry of our church, review membership, elect leaders,

and set the pastor’s salary for 2019. Our Charge Conference

will be combined with St. Stephen UMC and St. Paul UMC.

Important Tax Deduction Information

In order for you to claim a deduction for contributions you

make to the church in 2018, we must receive your

contribution by the end of the year. Contributions that you

make in 2019 cannot be deducted on 2018’s tax return even

if the check is dated this year.

There is one exception—a check that is written, mailed

and postmarked 2018 can be deducted this year even if it is

not received by the church until 2019. Our church will be

following these rules in issuing receipts.

Upcoming Events Ministry Spotlight Pastoral Care/Bereavement written by Nola Hopkins

Church and Church Office CLOSED Wednesday, November 21 through Friday, November 23—office will reopen Monday, November 26. UMW Book Review: Thursday, December 6 at 9:30 am, Church Library Charge Conference Sunday, December 9 at 2 p.m., Fellowship Hall

SPRC Meeting: Monday, December 10 at 6p.m.—Church Library Finance Committee: Monday, December 17 at 6 p.m.—Room #113 Trustee Committee: No Trustees for December

Team Meetings & Announcements

When difficult times happen, the Bereavement Team and Pastoral Care Team are ready to help.

The Bereavement Team serves dinners to families before or after a loved one’s funeral. They serve “comfort food to comfort them in their time of grief and provide a meal, so they don’t have to cook and clean up,” team leader Guylene Griffin said. “It’s a time for them to sit together as a family and reminisce, cry, laugh, take pictures, and remember easier days.” When Griffin receives a call that a meal is needed, she makes a list of the amount of food needed for the number to be served which has ranged from 20 to 150. She then contacts Vivian Thurman with the amounts, and Thurman e-mails team members about the dinner. Members don’t have to work every funeral.

The church provides chicken from United Supermarkets. Everything else is home-made. The 25 to 30 team members have different responsibilities. Some members cook, while others may also cook, set up, serve, and clean up.

“Some people aren’t comfortable making desserts, but they make mashed potatoes that are like a cloud,” Griffin said. “Some people love to make deviled eggs; God bless them for it.”

Lou Bulman sets the tables with linen cloths and centerpieces. Real dishes are used for the buffet-style meals.

“As far as I am concerned, it’s one of the most important services our church provides,” Bulman said. “I have been there and know how important it is. We certainly need to give it a lot of our attention. I enjoy doing it and feel good about it.”

The reward of the ministry is “knowing in your heart that you have provided comfort to a grieving family,” Griffin said. “It’s a beautiful ministry. Tired as you are afterwards, your heart is incredibly full.”

Anyone who would like to join the Bereavement Team can call Griffin at 806-655-9818.

Angela Asbill directs the Pastoral Care Team which consists of Jane King, Ed Smith, Rick Enns, and Charlie

Keys. The team visits church members in the hospitals or rehabilitation facilities. When patients check into BSA Hospital, they can sign a paper giving consent to let people know they are in the hospital. Asbill calls the hospital to see if any church members have been admitted. Northwest Texas Hospital does not have such a list. In either case, the best way to know if someone is in the hospital is for a family member or Sunday School class to call Asbill at the Pastoral Care 806-683-7470.

“With more than 500 members, it’s difficult to keep track of every person, so it’s helpful for the members to help keep us informed, so nobody gets overlooked” Asbill said.

When team members make a hospital or rehab visit, they try to limit the visit to five minutes or fewer so they won’t

disturb the patient’s rest unless the patient wants a longer visit.

If someone has a loved one having a surgery, he/she may request that a team member sit in the waiting room with family members during the surgery. Asbill also oversees Home Friends, a ministry for church members who are homebound and can no longer attend church. Home Friends volunteers visit

their people at least once a month. They may take them communion and Upper Room booklets. This Christmas they will deliver calendars with special church events listed on dates and pictures of church activities that coincide with the months. They will also take poinsettias to them. They will take lilies to them at Easter.

Volunteers may spend time visiting, playing dominoes, or taking their friends for a drive. They usually spend one to four hours a month with their friends.

“Homebound” includes those living in assisted living or rehabilitation facilities or the veterans’ home in Amarillo. Scott and Nikki Dillard lead a devotional every Friday afternoon at Hudson House, an assisted living facility. They base it on the previous Sunday’s sermon at FUMC. They also select hymns that were sung, and Marilyn Dees plays the piano. Anyone who would like to be a Home Friend volunteer should call Asbill at 806-683-7470.

ONCE A MONTH BAKING

We spend a day together in the kitchen with fun, fellowship, and filling the freezer with baked goodies to use for our Sunday mornings hospitality.

If you would like to join us on one of our Once A Month Baking days, please e-mail kitchen coordinator Charlotte Wilson at usdkwilson@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Next baking day: December 6th

New Members of FUMC Canyon

• NWTX Alternate Delegate to General

Conference and delegate to

Jurisdictional Conference

He recently served three terms on the

Providence Place Board of Trustees, San

Antonio, and currently serves on the Board

of Trustees for McMurry University,

Abilene, and on the Perkins School of

Theology Executive Board, Dallas.

‘In His Hands’ celebrated their annual

Thanksgiving Gathering on Tuesday, November 13th and Wednesday, November 14th in the Fellowship Hall. There are over 500 family members/friends of the preschool children that come annually to enjoy a program presented by the Pilgrims, Native Americans, and Turkeys of ‘In His Hands’

‘In His Hands’ would like to invite you to be a part of their annual Christmas Program on Tuesday, December 11th. There is a choice of two program times, one at 6:00 p.m. and one at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary! Please come and join us for this wonderful night of celebration.

Sunday, December 9

“The Glory of

Christmas”

Angel Tree Ministry Please be in prayerful thought about how you will help with the Angel Tree Ministry this year.

Our biggest need is for you to adopt an Angel (or two or three or more) off the Angel tree but there are many other ways to be involved too. Be on the lookout for more information in your Sunday School bag! If you have any questions, please reach out to Jessica Tudyk at 806.654.3787 or FUMCCanyonAngelTree@gmail.com.

November 18 - Angels will be on trees ready for adoption

December 9 - Presents due to church

December 16 from 3:30pm-5:00pm - Present pick up in the Fellowship Hall

Serm

on

Se

ries

Beginning Sunday,

December 2

4:00 & 6:00 p.m. Nursery Available

Monday, December 24

On October 28, 2018, Seleta

Abbott joined our church by

transfer of membership from

Lake Ridge UMC in Lubbock,

Texas. Seleta is retired.

Welcome to FUMC Seleta!

We are excited you have

joined our church family.

On October 28, 2018, Reece and Bobby

McElroy joined our church by transfer

of membership from Lake Ridge UMC

in Lubbock, Texas. Both Reece and

Bobby are retired. Welcome to FUMC

Reece and Bobby! We are blessed you

have joined our church family.

Sunday, December 9—Youth Basement

7:00 a.m.

Hanging of the Greens,

Wednesday, November 28,

5:30PM

This is a time where we celebrate Christ's

coming, which includes hanging

greenery traditionally associated with

everlasting life.

Decorations start at 5:30pm. Dinner,

fellowship, and singing start at 6:30pm.