Newsletter for April 2015

Volume 8, Issue 4

April 2015

WORSHIP/SUNDAY SCHOOL TIMES

8:45 am Contemporary Worship Service

9:45 am Sunday School

10:55 am Traditional Worship Service

Church Office (936) 564-8308

Fax (936) 564-8582

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.fumcnac.org

NEWSLETTER

MARCH March 30 - April 3

Holy Week Noon

Services by Nacogdoches

Ministerial Alliance

Prayer Room for Adult and

Children

APRIL 02 - Maundy Thursday Service at 6:00 pm in the Family Life Center 03 - Good Friday Service at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary 05 - Easter Sunday 7:00 am Easter Sunrise Service at Oak Grove Cemetery 7:45 am Breakfast in the FLC 8:45 am Contemporary Worship Service 9:45 am Easter Egg Hunt/ Sunday School 10:55 am Traditional Worship Service April 9 - 11 - Youth Garage Sale 13 - Primetimers at 10:30 am - FLC April 13-14 - Week of the Young Child 19 - Celebration Sunday at 12 noon - FLC

Coffee with the Pastor -

New Member Class at 4:30 pm - Parlor

MAY 03 - Confirmation Sunday 05 - Preschool Cinco de Mayo 10 - Mother’s Day 15 - Preschool Year-End Program 17 - Graduation Sunday 24 - Pentecost Sunday May 24-27 Texas Annual Conference

First United Methodist Church 201 E. Hospital Street, Nacogdoches Texas 75961

Office Hours: Mon-Thur: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm; Fri: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm. Closed for lunch 12:00 -1:00 pm

EASTER SUNDAY - April 5

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY - April 12

YOUTH GARAGE SALE - April 9 to 11

First United Methodist invites you to celebrate Easter with us

Youth Garage Sale - Fundraiser for Youth Missions on Thursday & Friday, April 9-10, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Saturday, April 11 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Join us on Sunday, April 12 as we celebrate Children’s Sunday during both the

8:45 am Contemporary Service and the 10:55 am Traditional Worship Service

7:00 am Easter Sunrise Service at Oak Grove Cemetery

with Dr. Jeff McDonald

7:45 am Breakfast in the Family Life Center

8:00 am Flower Cross on the Front Lawn

8:45 am Celebrate! Contemporary Worship Service

9:45 am Sunday School and Easter Egg Celebration

in the Family Life Center

10:55 am Traditional Worship Service

Easter Cross of Flowers You are invited to bring flowers from your yard

to decorate the cross on the front lawn of the

Church between 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. You are

welcome to bring your camera and take pic-

tures of your family with the cross.

Easter Egg Celebration 9:45 am in the Family Life Center Easter eggs have been a Christian tradition for hundreds of

years. Children’s Ministries is hosting its annual Easter Egg

Hunt for all children through the sixth grade. Babies and chil-

dren 18 months and younger need to bring a dozen eggs filled

with age appropriate goodies and their Easter baskets. Children 19 months of age through sixth grade should bring a

dozen treat-filled eggs in their baskets. Basket parking is avail-

able in the hallway just outside the Sanctuary.

A Note From The Pastor

Did you know that Easter is the only day on the Christian calendar that is set by the moon? Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. I think that is great that we see new life springing up in flowers and buds on the trees and we experience a new life in the risen Savior. I love the words to the hymn by Eleanor Farjeon, or you may remember it being sung by Cat Stevens: Morning has broken like the first morning; Blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them springing fresh from the Word! All around us we are seeing new life springing up! I hope that you are experiencing the joy of being Easter people. See you in church Sunday. Peace,

A Note From The Associate Pastor

Greetings Church, Katie and I wish to express our deepest and most sincere gratitude for all the love and support we’ve received over the past few months. Thank you to all who have treated us to meals, invited us into your homes, and shown us all manner of kindness through new friendships and encouragement.

We especially want to thank you all for the beautiful wedding shower. To all who helped plan and prepare, we are so very grateful. The food and snacks were delicious and the details (such as fairies hidden on the table) showed your thoughtfulness in planning. To all who brought us cards and gifts, we can’t thank you enough! And to all who helped us purchase a new bed, we are completely overwhelmed (in a good way)! We wanted to update you that the bed has been paid for, and we are planning to use the extra money towards either a dinning room table or a bed-room set. We feel so incredibly blessed!

Katie and I are so lucky to have such a wonderful church family. You all have been and continue to be such a blessing!

Thanks Again,

Trent and Katie

Newsletter

Newsletter

Why Do We Wave Palms? On Palm Sunday, we remember when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people greeted him by waving palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna!." "Hosanna" means "save us," and the palm was the sym-bol of Jewish independence. The people were welcoming a messiah that they thought would liberate them from the rule of the Roman Empire. As they soon found out, Jesus wasn't the kind of messiah they expected him to be. On Palm Sunday, we take the part of the crowd joyfully welcoming their messiah. Sometimes, Jesus isn't the kind of messiah we expect him to be. During Palm Sunday and Holy Week, we are confronted with the kind of messiah Jesus really is: a messiah who leads us to the cross and the fulfillment of the resurrection.

Holy Week Prayer Room Holy Week and Easter are the most important times of the church year and throughout Christian history we, as Christ’s followers, have sought ways to draw closer to Him and to grow spiritually during this most un-ordinary time. Along with such Means of Grace as fasting, and the special worship services of Holy Week, the Prayer Room can be a powerful piece of this experience for you. During Holy Week, the parlor is transformed. It becomes a sacred space – a place where

the Passion of Christ is represented in nine stations designed to lead you in prayer through the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Each station employs a passage of scripture -- perhaps God speaks to you through that scripture or -- you may want to use the suggestions that are provided to guide your thoughts and prayers on that theme. If you desire even more direction, a booklet is also made available that provides a detailed description of each station and suggestions for prayer. You may spend as much or as little time at each station as you need – resting in His Word and His presence, seeking the message of Holy Week and Easter.

However long you spend in this sacred space, it will be sacred time. There is no task for you to accomplish, no schedule to keep, no award to earn. You aren’t going to be evaluated, judged, or measured. You will be in a safe place where there is no one to impress, no one to disappoint. The room is set aside from the world for this week, and you are invited to come in and allow God this space in the busyness of your ordinary life to bring you into His extraordinary peace. The Prayer Room will be open Monday, March 30

th through Thursday, April 2

th from 8:30 am until 4:30pm There

is no sign-up and no limit to the number of people who may be in prayer in the room at one time. Come when you are able. This room will be open again for scheduled prayer times after Maundy Thursday service, on Good Friday, and again after Good Friday Tenebrae service. Scheduled prayer times are designed to give you, or you and your family, a personal and uninterrupted time for prayer: a signup sheet is available in the Church Office. Give yourself the gift of unhurried prayer at least once during this Holy Week to draw near—to listen to His voice saying to you, “Come. Be with me.”

Easter Prayer Clock - Prayer Vigil at Home (April 3 - 5) Just what is a prayer vigil? An idea many centuries old, “vigil” indicates time of “vigilance,” wakefulness, a watch. Our church family will be in continuous prayer from Good Friday evening until Easter Sunrise. We invite you and your family to commit to pray one hour at home during the Prayer Vigil. A signup sheet is available outside the Sanctuary.

Maundy Thursday, April 2 Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is the Thursday of Holy Week where we commemorate the institution of the Lord’s

Supper, or Holy Communion. Maundy is from the Latin word for “command.” It reminds us of Jesus’ words in John 13:34,

“A new commandment I give to you.” At this service we are reminded of Jesus and the disciples celebrating the Passo-

ver meal. Prior to the meal Jesus washes the feet of the disciples to remind them, and us, of our role as servants.

This year our Maundy Thursday service will be held in the Family Life Center at 6:00 pm. We will meet around tables

much like the Disciples did at that first Lord’s Supper. This is a family-friendly service where all ages are welcome. Our

music will be led by members of the Contemporary Service Praise Team.

Good Friday, April 3 Good Friday is the day where we remember Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. This somber service is sometimes called

A Service of Darkness, or Tenebrae Service. Tenebrae comes from the Latin word meaning darkness. Our service this

year will center around the seven last words Jesus spoke from the cross. The service will be in the Sanctuary at 6:00

pm, and the Chancel Choir will lead our music as candles are extinguished after each song and scripture reading. During

the service children are invited to Room 212 to experience the Children’s Prayer Room.

PALM SUNDAY/HOLY WEEK - March 29 - April 3

Newsletter

Community Holy Week Noon Services By Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance

Monday, March 30 thru Friday, April 3, 2015

Featuring Pastors and Music Leaders from churches throughout the

Community. Services at 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church, followed by a luncheon

at 12:30 pm in the Family Life Center. Donation: $5.00 per plate. † There will be Holy Week Prayer Stations in the Parlor of the First United Methodist Church.

All are invited to spend time in prayer any time throughout the week.

MONDAY, MARCH 30 Minister: Rev. Leonard Sweat of St. James Baptist Church

Liturgist: Rev. Wanda Cuniff – Christ Episcopal Church Song Leader: Dr. Tod Fish – First United Methodist Church

Organist/Pianist: Christina Harmon – Christ Episcopal Church Ushers: Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Lunch by Sacred Heart Catholic Church; Menu: Orange Chicken, Parsley Rice, Green Beans with onions and Waldorf Salad (chopped apples, tossed walnuts and salad dressing) and Peach Cobbler

TUESDAY, MARCH 31 Minister: Rev. James Rowland – St. Mary’s Catholic Campus Ministry Liturgist: Dr. Sharon Templeman – Westminster Presbyterian Church

Song Leader: Dr. Michael Dean – First Christian Church Organist/Pianist: Dr. James Pitts - Westminster Presbyterian Church

Ushers: First United Methodist Church Lunch by First United Methodist Church; Menu: Chicken & Dressing, Salad and Dessert

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 Minister: Rev. Steve Newton – Westminster Presbyterian Church

Liturgist: Deacon Rafael Landeros – Sacred Heart Catholic Church Song Leader: Rev. George Patterson – Austin Heights Baptist Church

Organist/Pianist: Dr. Andrew Parr – St. Mary’s Catholic Campus Ministry Ushers: Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church

Lunch by Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church; Menu: Chicken Spaghetti, Salad, Bread and Dessert THURSDAY, APRIL 2

Minister: Rev. Trent Oliver – First United Methodist Church Liturgist: Rev. Leo Douglass – St. Paul’s CME

Song Leader: Frank Pratt – Sacred Heart Catholic Church Organist/Pianist: Carole Deptula – Fairview United Methodist Church

Ushers: Westminster Presbyterian Church Lunch by Westminster Presbyterian Church; Menu: Baked Potato and Salad

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 Minister: Rev. Lani Rousseau – Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church

Liturgist: Walter Deptula – Good News Church Fellowship Song Leader: Dr. Debbie Dalton - Westminster Presbyterian Church

Organist/Pianist: James Faucett - Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church Ushers: Austin Heights Baptist Church

Lunch by Austin Heights Baptist Church; Menu: Lasagna, Green Beans, Bread and Dessert

HOLY WEEK NOON SERVICES by Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance

Newsletter

SAVE THE DATE Vacation Bible School

July 20 – 24 We are stepping back in time and “traveling” to Nazareth to see

what life was like when Jesus was a boy. We will explore authentic traditions, build strong relationships with other fami-

ly members, try new crafts and games, smell and taste foods Jesus might have eaten, and learn from Mary, Jesus’ mom,

about God’s incredible love for us.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

FUMC SUMMER SCHEDULE

Calendar Events MAY - AUGUST 2015 MAY

02 - Wesley Foundation Benefit Auction

03 - Confirmation Sunday

10 - Mother’s Day

15 - Preschool Year-End Program

17 - High School Graduation Sunday

24 - Pentecost Sunday

24-27 Texas Annual Conference

JUNE

Children’s Ministry - Faith/Family/Fun Summer Activities in June:

Meet for SFA’s 2 pm Wednesday Movies; Meet for Skate-O-Rama 6 pm $1.00 Way Back Wednesday;

Thursday Afternoon Swims @ SFA Recreation Center Pool

01 - “I Can” Sunday

07 - Service Sunday

07-13 - SH UMARMY to Navasota, TX

20-27 - Jr./Sr. Mission Trip to Belmopan, Belize

21-27 - Hosting UMARMY at FUMC Nac

21 - Father’s Day

22-26 - East District Camp at Lakeview

28 - Patriotic Sunday

JULY


04 - 4th July Ice Cream Social

16-19 - JH Mission Trip to Big House, Longview, TX

19 - FUMC Blood Drive

20-24 - VBS

27-31 - SH Beach Retreat to Laguna Beach, FL.

AUGUST


16 - Youth Sunday/Celebration Sunday

21 - Back-to-School Bash

30 - Promotion/3rd Grade Bible Presentation

Volume 8, Issue 4

ANNOUNCEMENT

“I CAN” SUNDAY for H.O.P.E., April 5th

Every first Sunday of the month is designated as “I can” Sunday. We ask that you bring non-perishable food for H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Eat). Monetary contributions can also be given by placing a check payable to HOPE in the offering plate. Food items especially needed are: Canned meats, peanut butter, cereals, pastas, mac-n-cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, dried and canned milk, baby food, dried beans and peas, nutritious bars and snacks, and cooking oils. Laundry and dish detergents are also needed. Place food in the baskets provided at the en-trance of the Sanctuary, or on the missions table in the hallway. In addition, you can add joy to a needy child’s life on their birthday by filling a Birthday Bag with items for a birthday celebration. Information for contents can be picked up at the Missions Table.

CELEBRATION SUNDAY FOR CARING MINISTRIES, April 19th

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who

comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

FUMC is fortunate to have members who dedicate themselves to caring for others in our congregation, commu-nity, and world. We will have a church-wide celebration for Stephen Ministry, Loving Outreach, Grief Support, and Prayer Ministry at noon on Sunday, April 19

th, in the FLC. During both church services, the six new Stephen

Ministers (Bobbie Forsythe, Becky Smith, Terry Smith, Tip Smith, Ann and Bill Wilson) will be commissioned. Members from all four ministries will be involved in assisting during the services. Afterward, we will gather in the FLC for a cov-ered dish luncheon, and you will have the opportunity to visit with those involved and learn more about these Outreach Ministries. Bring a large serving of your favorite ‘comfort food’ and join in the fun and fellowship.

THANK YOU!!

Our Service Sunday on March 8th was very successful despite the rain. “Ab” Abernethy was so appreciative that

we honored him with this Service Sunday, and the team who were to do clean-up on his project of the Banita Creek Trail didn’t let the rain stop them. They put on their rain gear and out they went. Twenty-two of our members visited eighteen of our members who can no longer attend church activities. They were blessed to have this opportunity to share God’s love with these individuals, two of which passed away the following week. A Love INC client received an inside home repair by several of our men. Two outside Love INC projects had to be postponed until March 29

th. Thanks to all who

participated in sharing your love with the people of our congregation and the community. Our next Service Sunday is June 7

th.

MISSION NEWS

Floy Bousman receiving the AAUW Business Women Award Floy Bousman has been a business woman in Nacogdoches for more than 70 years. She has spent her entire career working for, owning, and managing small busi-nesses. The businesses she and her husband, Lindy, built were located at the corner of North and King Street and included Nacogdoches' first drive-in grocery store, and first Mexican restaurant (El Monterrey) as well as her gift shop, the House of Gifts. Over the years, she and her husband sold the businesses, but retained the prop-erty, which she continued to manage until his death in 1983. Bousman is committed to and continues to encourage the support of local businesses. She loved the years spent serving the public in the restaurant and retail stores she and her husband operat-ed. Proud of the part she played in the growth of Nacogdoches, Bousman will cele-brate her 96th birthday this year, but she has no plans to retire. She has two daughters and four grandchildren. She is active at First United Methodist Church. If you would like to come and support her on this award, the tickets are $25.00 which supports scholarships. The event is at the Grand Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Center at SFA on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 pm. Contact Bernice Wright -936-645-7216 or Lynn Solo-mon - 936-560-3039 for tickets.

Newsletter

MARCH 29 - FUMC Blood Drive at 8 am - FLC

Lenten Study at 5:30 pm - Youth

Center

Confirmation Class @ 6:30 pm -

Rm 211 March 30 - April 3 - Holy Week Noon

Services/Prayer Room for Adults

and Children

APRIL 02 - Maundy Thursday Service at 6:00 pm 03 - Good Friday Service at 6:00 pm 05 - Easter Sunday 7:00 am- Easter Sunrise Service at Oak Grove Cemetery with Dr. Jeff McDonald

7:45 am-Breakfast in the Family Life Center

8:00 am-Flower Cross on the Front Lawn

8:45 am-Celebrate! Contemporary Worship Service

9:45 am-Sunday School and Easter Egg Celebration in the FLC

10:55 am-Traditional Worship Service

07 - Worship Committee Meeting - Library April 09 - 10 - Youth Garage Sale from 8 am - 4 pm - FLC April 11 - Youth Garage Sale from 8 am to 2 pm - FLC

Heart-to-Heart Chorus - rehearsal - Choir Room at 9 am - per-

formance at The Arbor at 10 am.

Evangelism Committee Meeting at 4:30 pm - Library

Board of Trustees Meeting at 5:30 pm - Library

12 - Children’s Sunday

13 - Primetimers at 10:30 am - FLC

April 13-14 - Preschool Week of the Young Child

14 - Children’s Ministry Team Meeting at 5:30 pm - Conf Room

ROOM RESERVATIONS

If you are planning to reserve a room in the Church for a meeting, gathering, etc., a request can be made either by completing a Build-

ing Use Form that can be found in the Workroom or online www.fumcnac.org, scroll down to the bottom of the home page and

click resources, church forms and then building use.

ACCESS ACS To obtain an ACCESS ACS user ID, logon to www.fumcnac.org, click the ACCESS ACS link at the bottom of the page. For more

information, kindly contact Sharon Bright at 936-564-8308 or email

[email protected].

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The next Newsletter will be dated Wednesday,

April 22, 2015. Articles for this issue should be emailed to [email protected] by 3:00 pm Wednesday,

April 15, 2015.

BULLETIN and E-News DEADLINE Please email all information to [email protected] for our

weekly Bulletin/E-News by 3:00 pm on Tuesdays.

Regularly-Scheduled Meetings Mondays:

Men’s Emmaus Reunion Group meets at 6:30 am in the Parlor (1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays)

HRT Emmaus Reunion Group meets on Mondays at 5:15 pm - Barbara LaFour’s

Girl Scout Troop 1406 meets on Mondays at 6:00 pm in the Scout Lodge

Tuesdays:

Girl Scout Troop 1016 meets every other Tuesday at 5:30 pm in the Scout Lodge

Celebrate Service Rehearsal at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Wednesdays:

Christian Writers Fellowship at 5:45 pm in the Room 206

YoWe (Youth on Wednesday Evenings) at 6 pm-Worship and Message; 7 pm-Small Groups

Bell Choir Rehearsal at 6:00 pm in Room 207

Chancel Choir Rehearsal at 7:00 pm in the Choir Room.

Thursdays:

Grace Emmaus Reunion Group meeting at 8:30 am in the Library

Heart-to-Heart Chorus at 9:30 am in the Choir Room and performances at Nursing Homes at 10:30 am (2nd & 4th Thursdays)

Sundays:

Youth Praise Band practice at 4:30 pm in the Youth Lounge

Cub Scouts meets at 5:00 pm in the Scout Lodge

Youth on Sunday Night 5:30-Youth Open Gym; 6:30 pm-Youth Snack Supper; 7:00 pm-Youth Bible Study

FUMCNAC CALENDAR

UMW Circle VI Meeting - Parlor

16 - Missions Committee Meeting at 6:30 pm - Conference

Room

19 - Celebration Sunday for Caring Ministry at 12 noon - FLC

Coffee with the Pastor - New Member Class at 4:30 pm -

Parlor

20 - UMW Circle III Meeting

21 - UMW Circle I Meeting at 9:30 am - Library

UMW Circle II & IV Meeting at 9:30 pm

UMW Circle VII Meeting at 10:00 am

30 - SPRC Meeting at 5:30 pm - Library

PRAYER CONCERNS—UPDATED, Wednesday, March 18 (am)

For a more up-to-date Prayer List, kindly contact our Church Office—564-8308.

J. R. Wright, Marsha Woznock (Ernestine Fountain’s daughter), Amy Ames (Debra Bankston’s

niece), Mark Holl, Quinn William, Bryant Goodall, William Franklin, Ab Abernathy, Jack Matthews,

Caceal Dean (Mary Harbordth’s niece), Audre Smith (Natalie Anderson’s mother), Jim Morris,

Charles Shepherd, Savannah Coonts (Jerry & Mary Lynn Andis’ great-granddaughter), Erik Rob-

berson (Rev. Barbara Robberson’s son), James Scott, Alicia Ross (Natalie Anderson’s co-worker),

Jarrell Grout, Elvin Ervin, Mary Snyder, Jake Sanford, Ashley Akin (Mary Akin’s granddaughter),

Kittie Dobbs, Virginia Kerr, Audry Quick, Steve Goldstein, Barbara LaFour, Bill Tucker, Gary

LaFour, Katherine Beckwith, Amy Risner, James Lee (Jo Taylor’s husband), Sandie Shepherd

(Charles Shepherd’s sister-in-law), Candyce Wagnon (Terry Smith’s daughter), Doug Smith (Sam

Smith’s brother), Carolyn Andrews, C. D. Thomas.

Our Hearts Goes Out To Betty Carter and family on the passing of her husband, Richard Carter Rev. Frank Richardson and family on the passing of his wife, Fran Richardson C. D. Thomas and family on the passing of his wife, Monette Thomas The family of Shirley Crawford (Betty Ford’s friend) on her passing The family of Ernestine Fountain on her passing Leah Kahn and family on the passing of her father, Jerry Lackey

Names will remain on a published prayer list for 90 days. The prayer team appreciates cur-rent updates on requests. Please email your requests and updates to [email protected] If you know of a member of FUMC who is in the hospital or who will be having surgery, kindly con-tact the Church Office - 564-8308. EMERGENCIES, call 936-585-2294.

The mission of the First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches is to make disciples through Christ-centered service and outreach. With God’s help, we will do this through witnessing,

teaching and loving.

First United Methodist Church

201 E Hospital Street

Nacogdoches, TX 75961

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

NACOGDOCHES, TX

PERMIT NO. 11

Our Staff

DR. JEFF McDONALD Senior Pastor [email protected] REV. TRENT OLIVER Associate Pastor [email protected] JEFF CAMPBELL Director of Youth Ministry [email protected] ELSA JORDAN Director of Children’s Ministry [email protected] LISA LABOSKY Director of Preschool [email protected] DR. TOD FISH Director of Music Ministry [email protected] DR. GARY WURTZ Celebrate Worship Leader [email protected] DR. ANDY PARR Organist [email protected] SHARON BRIGHT Office Manager [email protected] KATHY THOMAS Financial Secretary [email protected] JIM JENKINS Building Manager [email protected]

Newsletter for April 2015

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