Lytle United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 608

Lytle, Texas 78052-0608

(830) 772-3345

Lytleumc.com

MARCH 2014

Thomas said to Jesus, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:5-6

A blonde driving a car became lost in a snowstorm. She didn't panic however, because she remembered what her dad had once told her. "If you ever get stuck in a snowstorm, just wait for a snow plow to come by and follow it." Sure enough, pretty soon a snow plow came by, and she started to follow it. She followed the plow for about forty-five minutes. Finally the driver of the truck got out and asked her what she was doing. And she explained that her dad had told her if she ever got stuck in a snow storm, to follow a plow. The driver nodded and said, "Well, I'm done with the Wal-Mart parking lot, do you want to follow me over to Best Buy now?"

We live in a strange world. We are told it doesn’t matter what we believe, as long as we believe in

something. We are told that all religions are the same. We are told that we are arrogant for claiming to

know truth, because there isn’t any truth—everything is relative. We are told that all roads lead to heaven.

It’s a strange world we live in. We look around and what we see are a lot of people following snow plows

in Wal-mart parking lots, and they want us to join them. No thank you. I want to get home, and there’s

only one snow plow heading that direction. I’m following Jesus. Grace and peace,

Scott

Doorknob Hanger Project – Palm Sunday, April 13 ONE CROSS—ONE MAN—AND A WORLD THAT WAS CHANGED FOREVER

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they

call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of

whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to

them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How

beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" - Romans 10:13-15

I still remember the woman who invited me to church. I left the church when I was

in high school and a wandered in the wilderness a long time. But then she invited

me back home, to where my father was waiting for me. I don’t know if she had

beautiful feet, but she will always shine in my memory.

On Palm Sunday we are asking you to consider joining with us to bring the Good

News to people in Lytle and the surrounding area. We will meet at 2 PM at the

church to break into teams to deliver 1000 door hangers. Printed on the back of the

door hangers will be information and an invitation to Easter morning services, and

stapled to the door hanger will be a small pamphlet containing the Good News.

What a great way to spend 2 or 3 hours on Palm Sunday. Mark this date today, and

join us. Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8).

Church Work Day – March 22

Show you care, by helping to keep God’s church looking good!

Our spring workday is scheduled this year for Saturday, March 23. We will gather

at 9 AM to begin work, and take a break at lunch for a meal provided by the

church. This will be a very satisfying day and joyful day as we all work together.

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Covered-Dish Lunch – March 23

Church Schedule March 4, Tuesday - In-Reach Team meeting from 6 to 7:30 PM. Outreach Team meeting from

7:30 to 9 PM. Everyone is invited to either meeting or both.

March 8, Saturday – Food Pantry Funfest, 10 AM to 3 PM.

- Youth yard sale, 8 AM to 3 PM.

March 10, Monday - The United Methodist Women will be meeting at 2:30 PM at

Bethel Kay Bateman’s. Linda Bahlmann will be leading the program.

March 14, Friday - Koinonia Emmaus Community gathering at New Fountain UMC.

March 22, Saturday - Church Spring Work Day.

March 23 - Covered-dish lunch.

March 29, Saturday – Boyscout Pancake Dinner.

March 30 - One-Great-Hour of Sharing Sunday

April 13 - Passion/Palm Sunday.

April 17 - Holy Thursday Worship Service at 7 PM.

April 20 - EASTER

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Youth News

March 7 - Pricing for the yard sale. Come as soon as you can after school. We will price til midnight and then have a "lock-in" at the church.

March 8- Yard Sale. We will set out stuff at 8:00, sell until 3:00, and then clean-up. We usually finish cleaning up at 5:00pm

March 9 - I need to know who is planning on going on the mission trip to Moore, Ok, and I need to know your t-shirt size. After this date, a spot is not guaranteed.

March 16 - Tentative date to decorate the Jr. High Sunday School Room

March 23 - Trip to the Movies! Meet at the church at 1:30. We will return by 7:00 p.m. We will be seeing "God's Not Dead" (The movie times are not posted yet, so the time may change. I will keep you informed.) Cost will be $5.00.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Youth Winter Retreat at H.E.B. Camp

Youth and adults traveled to H.E.B. camp in the beautiful Hill Country to get closer to God and

closer to each other. This year was different as our youth joined with the youth of Mcqueeney Baptist

church, and the program was led by their youth pastor, Clayton Garcia, husband of Kelsey (Scott) Garcia.

The program included Bible readings, group discussions and special projects, which were all interwoven

to help the youth apply their faith to their lives. The weekend had many highlights, including the

activities and sessions, the beautiful outdoors, communion on a mountain, and the great “together time.”

Congratulations to Jessica Crouch and husband on the birth of their son Gunner on February 21. Congratulations to grandparents, Robert and Debbie Hunt, as well.

Congratulations to Shawna McAllister and husband on the birth of their son Zachary. Congratulations to grandmother, Sherry Morrow, as well. Zachary joins his three sisters.

He is going to be spoiled by them, or picked on by them, or both.

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Love Fund Established to Help Ruby Reichel

Many people have asked how they might best support Ruby during her struggles

with her cancer reoccurrence, so the church has set up a “love fund.” Donations

will be used to help Ruby with outstanding medical bills, and help her to pay for

new treatments that are necessary to fight the cancer spots that have appeared as

of her last check-up. You may give to the fund simply by writing a check to the

church and noting on it “Ruby Reichel Love Fund.”

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Children’s Puppet Ministry to Meet Sunday Mornings in March

Our Sunday school enrichment program for March is our children’s puppet

ministry. The puppet ministry will rehearse March 2, 9, and 16 and will help lead

worship on March 23. The two songs they are doing are “Stand Up for Jesus” and

“The Little Country Church.” Be sure to be in church on the 23rd to support our

children. The next enrichment program is our children’s choir, which will rehearse

starting on March 30th, from 9:30 to 10 AM, and will be followed by Sunday

school from 10 to 10:40 AM.

Lytle Food Pantry Funfest

A Great Success!

Despite the cold and rain, Our 1st annual “Food Pantry Funfest” was a very blessed event as

we raised over $3000 for the Methodist Food Pantry. The chicken

fajita tacos made approximately $1,400, the country store - $400, and

the silent auction - $1,200. In addition, the youth made $850 through

their yard sale to help fund their summer mission trip to help tornado

victims in Moore, Oklahoma. Only God could fulfill two

conflicting prayers requests: prayers for rain and prayers for a successful Funfest and yard sale.

Part of our Funfest was a baking/canning contest and our winners were: Ann Williams for the best

pie, Rose Lynn for the best canned good item, and Marty Bennett for the best cake/cookie.

We would like to thank everyone who participated, especially our leader, Linda Stewart, and all

our section leaders: Food—Bethel Kay Bateman (and our fajita cooker, Dustin Noll), Children’s

Activities—Nicole LaFond, Silent Auction—Angela Oliver, Entertainment—AnneVillarreal, Country

Store—Jennifer Noll, and publicity—Trisha Broach. We would also like to thank the In-reach team, those

who provided items for the silent auction or the country store, Kyle Jackson and the outreach team for

spearheading our expanded Food Pantry, HEB for helping to keep food costs down, and many local

businesses that helped publicize this event. Thank you all for your prayers.

Member Profile By Trisha Broach

Connie and Lloyd Scott have been members of the Lytle United Methodist Church since 1996. When they were

looking for a church to attend, they visited our church and Lloyd saw a familiar face in David Lynn. David

insisted they stay for the potluck luncheon going on after church, and they have been coming back ever since, and

now attend the 8:30 service. Connie and Lloyd live in Atascosa and have been married for 24 years. Their daughter

Kelsey, is married and lives in Seguin, while their son Sean is currently attending Texas A&M University in

College Station. Connie has been our church administrator for 9 years. Many of you have had the pleasure of

working with Connie already. Lloyd works at Benton City Water and is currently active in the Men's Prayer

Breakfast, the church Trustees, and the Nominations Committee. They are very happy and settled in their lives

right now, sharing time between their home here and their house in Rockport. Connie and Lloyd agreed that

although they believe that their relationship with God is the most important thing in their lives, they struggle like

we all do in growing as a disciple of Christ. Lloyd credits reading the Bible first thing of the day and having

someone to be accountable to as guards against falling off track in the Christian walk. When asked if there was

something that they would like to do, that they had not yet done Lloyd replied, "I'd like to own my own business".

If you see Connie and Lloyd, be sure to say hello, and if you don't know them very well - introduce yourself. They

truly are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

“Membership Profile” will be a semi-regular feature of the newsletter, thanks to Trisha Broach

The Season of Lent, March 9 – April 13

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. - Luke 24:27

The season of Lent is a 40 day period of preparation, through prayer and worship, prior to the

celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter. During this Lenten season we are exploring

“Jesus in the Old Testament.” Jesus spoke the scripture words above to two disciples on the road to

Emmaus and when he said “all the scriptures” he was speaking of the Old Testament. During Lent we

will explore some of the passages Jesus may have shared with these disciples, and in the process we may

experience what they felt: hope, joy, transformation, excitement, and peace.

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Miscellaneous News

Sunday School Assistants - Sunday School Assistants make a huge difference in our Sunday

school program. Thank you to those who have served in the past. Please consider being one in the near

future. Sign up on the church bulletin board, or simply show up. You are a blessing.

Youth Group Taco Sales - The youth group sells your favorite breakfast taco before Sunday school

on the last Sunday of every month. The next sale is on March 30th. Come hungry!

Highway Pick-up Day - Our church has adopted highway 463, starting from the Lytle water tower

and heading out beyond Lake Shore Estates, and our next pick-up day is scheduled for Saturday, April 26.

Community Yard Sale – Saturday, May 10 - The Outreach Team has set May 10 as the date for

our 3rd

annual community yard sale. The purpose of the sale is to help connect the church to the

community. The yard sale will be in the front yard and the parking lot, and people will be given a marked

off area for free for the day. The church will provide music and free hotdogs for shoppers and vendors.

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Prayer Concerns Steve Mathis—pneumonia Bethel Kay Bateman—having heart and medication problems Linda Martin—recovering from elective jaw surgery Sherry Morrow—at Warm Springs Rehab, scheduled to come home soon. Marcia Wade—arthritis Ruby Reichel—recurrence of cancer Shannon Marshall—cervical cancer Wayne VanWinkle—starting to forget Dorna Mundt (Nancy Burns’ aunt)—for peace and salvation Charles Simpson—upcoming prostate cancer surgery Eva Simpson—age 89, very weak, in hospital at St. Luke’s Robert Kappes—worsening COPD Ruby Rankin—worsening dementia Lisa Jeffcoat (Steve Mathis’ sister)—had two strokes Wayne Morgan—starting treatment for lung cancer Martha Calk—recovering from fall and having heart problems Kathy Oatman—new treatment for multiple myeloma Bubba Parr’s granddaughter and family—she was diagnosed with cancer Mark Downing (Nicole LaFond’s father)—healing from back surgery Stewart family—loss of husband Jessica Rankin McKibban—to have major surgery this month Kathy Chandler—home Annalise Craig—leukemia Mary Bednarz—bladder cancer Krista Soria—breast cancer Robert Wagner, Sr—cancer Dominic—leukemia Elvin Coble—recovering from brain surgery Carl Ernest’s granddaughter—premature twin Bonnie Lou Roberson—health Ken Gunn—diabetes and grieving his wife Albert Rakowitz (Beverly Miller’s father)—cancer throughout body, prayers that the Lord be with him Trey Keith—lymphoma Raymond Tietzman (Connie Scott’s father)—dementia, heart disease Bill Ullery (Sara Michael’s nephew)—needs liver and kidney transplant, family stress Shelle McMillan’s Uncle Ken—cancer, now with brain tumors Darren Michaels (Ken’s cousin)—recurrence of leukemia Ray Escalante—treatment for liver cancer Frenchy Grant—health, adjustment to new home, for peace Lee Craig—heart disease Michelle Keith—health Patti Reese Moore—early Alzheimer’s Debbie Hunt Johnny Roberson—Laurie Beth’s uncle, declining health Mike and Cindy Williams—our missionaries on the Arabian Peninsula Dustin and Mallary Covington—our missionaries in India Our president and government Our military and their families For persecuted Christians around the world Our Church Family Soldiers and Civilians Working with the Military William Meyer—Marines, Camp Pendleton John Alexander—Marines, North Carolina, recovering from foot injury Chris Saindon—Navy, Connecticut Forrest Keith—Navy Kyle Pringle—Army Joe Brauchle—stationed in Okinawa Josh Orbinati—Michele Brown’s nephew, in Coast Guard, Oakland, CA Craig Wolf—Air Force Jonathan Heiman--Navy

CHURCH GOALS FOR 2014 These specific goals complement the ongoing duties and events managed by these teams

Outreach Team

1. Expand the food pantry ministry and develop the

prayer/evangelism aspects of it.

2. Institute regular community door hanger

evangelism events, prayer walks, door step

visitation and general prayer for the community.

3. Revitalize the Lytle Area Mission Project.

4. Develop our positive name recognition in the

community.

5. Develop substitute events, to go along with

“Welcome Home,” that we can alternate from

year to year as fund raisers for military ministry.

In-reach Team

1. Strengthen and expand our small group ministry,

whether midweek or Sunday mornings.

2. Review/revise worship openings, and review our

two worship services in general.

3. Improve our internet capabilities.

4. Start a children’s program to supplement Sunday

school, whether on Sunday evenings or

midweek.

5. Provide/develop leadership training

opportunities, especially internet based.

United Methodist Women

The United Methodist Women will be hosting a spring trip in April. They

will be traveling to San Antonio, on Tuesday, April 15, to visit “Threads of Love”

ministry. This ministry is dedicated to the production and distribution of clothing

and care items to the premature babies - living and deceased - serviced by local

San Antonio hospitals and care centers. Their mission is to show the love of

Christ to families at a time when their personal pain is hard to endure, letting

them know that God is faithful. Call Linda Stewart at (210) 355-8143 for more

details about this trip, and about the United Methodist Women in general.

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Prayer Garden Celebration on March 16

One of our projects for the March 23 workday will

be to whip the prayer garden back into shape. During the

worship service on March 16 a list of the garden’s brick

paver dedications will be included in the bulletin, as well as

an order form for those who would like to purchase and

dedicate a new paver. If you missed that Sunday, new

dedicated pavers can still be ordered through the month of

April (forms are available from Connie Scott).

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Walk to Emmaus News!

The next Koinonia Emmaus Community gathering will take place at New Fountain UMC outside

of Hondo on Friday, March 14. The Koinonia community is made up of Emmaus people, from many

denominations, who join together on the second Friday of each month (7:30 PM) for a praise-filled

community gathering. This year’s walks sponsored by our Koinonia Emmaus community will be Men’s

walk #1753, which will take place May 1 through 4, and Women’s walk #1765, which will take place

October 2 through 5. Get your pilgrim applications in for these walks, and let’s all keep these walks in

our prayers. If you would like more information about Emmaus, a very special Christian retreat, call the

church office, pick-up a brochure at the church, or see the Emmaus bulletin board.

Order Easter Lilies Once again this year our Sanctuary will be filled with lilies for Easter. Purchasing a lily in memory of, or

in honor of, a loved one is a meaningful tribute. This year lilies are only $10.00 per plant. Just complete

the form below and place it in the offering plate with your check. The deadline to order is April 13.

Name(s): ________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________________________________________

In Memory of: __________________________________________________________________ AND/OR

In Honor of: ____________________________________________________________________

Confirmation Classes Begin Wednesday, April 16

Confirmation 2014 for youth in the 6th grade and up begins on Wednesday, April 16, and

will be held from 4 to 6 PM. Through engaging activities, readings, and skits, they will be

introduced in a systematic way to the Christian faith. Those who choose to will be confirmed

on Sunday, May 18. For more information about confirmation, talk to the pastor.

Children’s Mission Project Completed

During February the children of our church worked to raise funds to help support Casa de

Misericordia (House of Mercy), which is an orphanage in Piedras Negras, just south of Eagle Pass. This

is a wonderful ministry supported by our church for many years. Their mission statement is “to provide a

safe, nurturing, God-centered home for the abused, neglected and homeless children of Coahuila,

Mexico.” The children raised funds through a coin offering during children’s time in February and

through a bake sale on February 9. They raised $501.36 for this great cause. Way to go!

Church Helps the Food Pantry through

Souper Bowl Sunday

Through the Souper Bowl of Caring

offering on Super Bowl Sunday,

February 2, the youth collected

donations for our food pantry. That

afternoon they purchased food in

preparation for Monday night. The

food pantry is open on the first and

third Mondays from 6 to 7 PM. Keep

this mission in your prayers.

Church Helps the San Antonio Pregnancy

Care Center Care Closet

During the month of February church

members filled up a crib full of supplies

for mothers in unintended pregnancies

and then layettes for their newborn babies.

All these supplies, plus the crib were

delivered to the Pregnancy Care Center by

the Meyer family. As you can see from

the picture, it was a tight squeeze. Thank

you to everyone who donated. Please

keep this great ministry in your prayers.

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A Record of Our Faithfulness

February 2 - Sunday School - 48

Worship - 48 & 53 = 101

Offering - $5975.66

February 9 - Sunday School - 51

Worship - 61 & 52 = 113

Offering - $4905.00

February 16 - Sunday School - 56

Worship - 50 & 85 = 135

Offering - $1706.00

February 23 - Sunday School - 46

Worship - 50 & 70 = 120

Offering - $1208.00

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Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary in March

Birthdays:

Jim Pruett

Charles Collins

Robert Hunt

Betty Kroeger

Jason Bayne

Pearl Tally

Brad Boyd

Taylor Grosz

Michael Wells

Heaven Cantu

Samantha Jackson

1st

2nd

4th

4th

5th

6th

6th

6th

8th

11th

11th

Linda Foxworth

Garnett Wagner

Steven Mathis

Rex Mayhew

Trace Joyce

Jenny King

William Reichel

Peter Wagner

Ian Simons

Ken Michaels

Linda Martin

12th

13th

13th

15th

15th

17th

19th

19th

19th

20th

21st

Tristen Inocencio

Tim Ahr Jr.

David Ralph

Anniversaries:

Robert and Debbie Hunt

Tim and Leanna Ahr

Joe and Jill Daggs

Jim and Kitty Alexander

21st

26th

27th

15th

15th

17th

28th

Our Church’s Purpose To reach out to our community and beyond to share the Good News of Jesus Christ

in word and deed, and to welcome people into this body of Christ

where we might all be filled with God’s strength and vision.

Easter Events Passion/Palm Sunday, March 24 Come and participate in the palm parade, listen to the story of Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem, and

experience the power of God. We will also be having a covered-dish lunch after the second service.

Holy Thursday Worship Service, March 28 The Holy Thursday service will begin at 7 PM. The whole service will take place in the sanctuary and

will begin with communion as we remember the last supper. After communion the service will focus on

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross through anthems, songs, and dramatic readings. Six dramatic readings will

examine the cross from the perspective of skeptics (then and now), seekers (then and now), and believers

(then and now).

Easter Sunday, March 31 Sunrise Service (7 AM) – The Easter sunrise service will again be held on the

front lawn of our church, and will include a short sermon by the pastor and Holy

Communion. It will be a quiet contemplative service to begin the Easter celebration.

Sunday School and Easter Egg Hunt (9:30) - Our traditional Easter

egg hunt will again be held during the Sunday school time, Easter morning, beginning around 10 AM.

Have your child bring their basket, but we will have spares just in case. To give our celebration the South

Texas twist, we will also have piñatas for the children.

Early Morning (8:30) and Late Morning Service (10:45) Christ is Risen! Come to either the early or late morning worship services to experience

the power of God. Both services will feature beautiful Easter music from the choir. We

will also transform the cross of Good Friday into the flower covered cross of Easter.

Between services we will be serving coffee, orange juice, and donuts in the fellowship

hall. Come and be part of the most special day of the Christian year.