A Periodical from First United Methodist Church in Temple, Texas

February 2009

The Word

Inside This EditionA Gift from Germany•

Words of Gratitude•

Easter Picnic Pictures•

Construction Pictures•

May 2009

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Genesis 1:31

The Word from Pastor Tom

On April 17, 2009, Bishop Lowry wrote in the United Methodist Reporter about his observations of the Temple District. He spoke about how some churches were doing well and some were struggling. He described our church in the following words: First United Methodist Church in Temple is a powerhouse.

In looking at everything that is happening in our congregation, I think Bishop Lowry is right.

Often when things are going our way, we forget to take stock of just how good life is and tell God thank you.

This is what I see happening in our faith family. People are growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Bible studies are everywhere. We desperately need to give our children additional space. The Common Ground Worship Service has skyrocketed in attendance. There is laughter in the halls. We are building a new building, renovating another and have just purchased the El Divino property. We have to build more parking lots to meet our increased attendance. Baptisms are a regular part of worship.

One statistic that our church should be particularly proud of are those that are responding to God’s call into the ordained ministry. As of today, we have six members of our congregation in the process of becoming United Methodist clergy. I have never heard of one congregation with so many candidates for the ministry. This is a testament to your faithful witness.

God has chosen to use our church to make a tremendous difference. As long as we keep God at the very core of our reason for being, I believe our church will continue to touch lives and make disciples for Jesus Christ. When we do this, we make God smile.

God Bless,

Tom Robbins

Worship With UsContact Us

First United Methodist Church102 N 2nd StreetTemple, TX 76501254-773-5269contact@fumctemple.orgwww.fumctemple.orgMail: P.O. Box 773 with zip 76503

PastorsRev Tom Robbins - Sr. Pastortom.robbins@fumctemple.org

Rev Jane Woodward - Assoc. Pastor/Music Ministerjane.woodward@fumctemple.org

Rev Hubert Austin - Assoc. Pastorhubjan1929@att.net

Rev Tim Wilson - Assoc. Pastortim.wilson@fumctemple.org

TraditionalMain Sanctuary8:30am & 11:00am

ContemporaryDennis Hall9:00 am

Wednesday ChapelChapel10:30am

Sunday School10:00am

SermonsRadio Broadcast KTEM 1400 AM Sunday 9:30 amwww.fumctemple.org/content.cfm/sermons

Soldier of the Month

Specialist (SPC) Jed Snyder was born in Temple in 1985. He joined the Army in January of 2006. His first duty station was Ft. Irwin, CA, home of the National Training Center. He met and married Jeanene Matthews in 2007 and little Rebekka Ann joined the family in 2008. Jed was transferred to Ft. Riley, KS in 2008 and from there was deployed to Iraq with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. He is due home for mid-deployment leave in July and will finish his deployment in October.

Address: SPC Snyder, Jed B Co. 1-18th 2HBCT, 1 1D APO AE 09344

FUMC Event Calendar

Wednesday Nights Meals

Our Wednesday night meals are ending soon for the summer! Below is the catering schedule for the last couple of weeks:

Date Caterer

May 6th Kolache Kitchen

May 13th Las Casas - White Wings

Have a Cool Summer!

Mother’s Day Out

FUMC Preschool & Mother’s Day Out 2009-2010

FUMC Preschool and Mother’s Day Out offers 2 or 3 day programs, Tuesday/Thursday, or Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 9-12 or 9-2:30. We provide care for children 6 months through 5 years of age that have not attended kindergarten.We also offer an early bird class that starts at 7:45 for children 18 months or older.

Our program starts in September and goes through May. A separate summer program is available, and that runs Tuesday/Thursday only for 6-8 weeks in the summer.

If you have additional questions, please call Jill at the school office 254-773-1947.

First United Methodist Preschool & Mother’s Day Out102 N. 2nd St.

Temple, TX 76501254-773-1947

Director: Jill Boatler

Lass die kinder zu mir kommen, verbiete ihnen nicht. In case your German is a bit rusty, find Iris Rankin, our Director of Children’s Ministries, and she will happily supply the translation. And well she should. That’s because Iris is a native of Germany, and has come to us as an honored gift from that country.

Iris Ertel met her future husband, James Rankin, while he was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army. They married and came to Fort Hood in 1986. Upon his discharge from the service, the Rankins moved to Temple in 2000, two years after she became a U.S. citizen. Their family includes two daughters, Cindy and Kimberly, and a son, Jason. James is now a member of the Temple Police Department.

Incidentally, Iris has a special remembrance of Fort Hood. Her uncle was a prisoner of war there during World War II.

After the Rankins joined this church through the Common Ground worship service, Iris became a volunteer for the Mother’s Day Out program. That led her to apply for the job as Children’s Director when the position became open. In August of 2005 she accepted the position, and it has been a happy circumstance for the church and its expanding children’s department ever since. Thus the opening line above is a highly significant scripture verse for Iris. In English or German, those words of our Lord forever hold true: Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.

Iris takes that teaching quite seriously as she serves as a highly valued member of the church staff. Even now, Iris and her assistants are planning this year’s Vacation Bible School, the theme of which sounds awfully exciting, Rome: Paul and the Underground Church.

But Iris is hardly seasonal in her approach in ministering to these children. She feels they are rightly a part of the church family that continues to grown, but still maintains a unique small church atmosphere. In this church, Iris believes, friendships are vital, as are new ideas for sprucing up her department. For her, it’s all part of being involved in wholesome and creative family relationships throughout the year that reflect the guidance of Christ. Her rich and radiant personality is a prominent feature of that Christian commitment.

In addition to all her achievements as Children’s Director, I can personally vouch for Iris Rankin in another manner. Believe me, she is an excellent hugger. And what church, pray tell, doesn’t need such embraces? I look forward to her hugs every Sunday—just like those little children given to her care and attention.

That’s just another application to that meaningful teaching of Jesus: Lass die kinder zu mir kommen, verbiete ihnen nicht.

In view of the notable gift of Iris Rankin Germany has given us, I am going to learn to say that verse in her native language. I will even throw in a wunderbar for good measure.

A Gift from Germany

by Bill Horick - Retired Pastor

Special Bible Study Event

Dr. David Mosser Bible Study of I & II Samuel

May 17th through the 19thin Dennis Hall.

Meal provided on Sunday May 17th only at 5:00 pm. Bible study is from

6:00 pm to 7:30 pm each day

...More about Dr Mosser!

David Mosser is currently the senior minister of FUMC, Arlington, Texas (Central Texas Conference) a congregation of 5000 members. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and grew up in Independence, Missouri. Mosser served as the president of the Junior Class and Student Body of Van Horn High School. In addition, he was an Eagle Scout in 1968 and came to Texas for college and seminary in 1971. David is married to Helen Segerstrom Mosser (1984) and they have three children: Cassie Leann, Robert Ryland, and David Neil, Jr. Mosser’s active ministry includes writing Bible curriculum for adults, and articles and book reviews for theological journals.

Make plans to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to experience God’s Word!!!

Words of Gratitude

by Jane Woodward

Holy Week and Easter was a very, very busy time at First UMC, Temple. There was music to be rehearsed and sung, communion to be prepared and served, and altar decor to be arranged. Most of us never see these behind-the-scenes tasks that are done by our members late some evening or during the middle of a Saturday afternoon. Were it not for these labors of love, we would not have had such a beautiful and meaningful week of worship services. We thank them for their service to our church, to the glory of our God and his risen Son, Jesus. Maundy Thursday: Laura Petty made sure that the communion bread and juice were in the Sanctuary on the trays. Stephen Ministers helped serve communion. The Fabian Fowler family, Kathryn Hermans, Carol Curtis, Cindy and Maxwell Newton, Gary Holmes, Gary Morton, Bruce Hennie and Trent Houlden took part in the stripping of the altar that evening, all made even more meaningful as Kathleen Brown chanted Psalm 22. Certainly our Men’s Chorus came through to bless us with incredibly beautiful music. Good Friday: Kimberly Rankin and Caleb Dlugas did special acolyte duty, lighting fourteen candles, and extinguishing them, one by one, as the passion story was read by Pastor Tom. Our Chancel Choir, after many hours of rehearsal, presented a beautiful rendition of Schubert’s “Mass in G”. Layspeaker Bobby Barina led several integral parts of this worship service. On Saturday between Good Friday and Easter, Norman Northen was in our Sanctuary, adorning the windows in our Sanctuary with beautiful white candles and white cloth and white flowers. Barbara Trainer led a crew to travel to Cameron to pick up the Easter lilies and deliver them to our Sanctuary and Dennis Hall. Easter Sunday: Our Chancel Choir did double duty at 8:30 and 11:00 worship services. Josh Averitt, Joshua and Jennifer Essary gave their musical gifts to us by playing in the brass ensemble that augmented the music in both of those services. These are only a few examples of the ways in which our very dedicated laypeople give to their church of their service. Please express your thanks to these persons for their work and their dedication.

WORDS ABOUT SUMMER MUSIC

During the afternoons of the week of VBS, we will offer PRAISE CAMP for those children who have completed grades one through four. Dates for VBS are June 15 - 19. Praise Camp will meet June 15 - 18, in the afternoons from 1:30 to 5:00. Children who come to VBS AND PRAISE CAMP will have supervised lunch and playtime from Noon til 1:30. (Bring sack lunch.)

The Third Annual Patriotic Concert will take place on Sunday evening, June 28th, at 7 p.m. Our Chancel Choir has begun reharsals in the Choir Room oon Wednesday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. If you would like to participate in this special concert, please contact Pastor Jane.

jane.woodward@fumctemple.org.

“Girlfriends in God”Ecc:4: 9, 10 ”two are better than one…”

~ May Events ~

“Lunch and Laughter”at Middleton’s Tea Room – Friday, May 15Noon – (Dutch Treat)…just a little “girl time” to catch up with each other,

surrounded by beautiful tea pots and tea cups and all those other “tea things” that make life special! The food is always delicious!

RSVP by May 12

Wildseed Farms, Fredericksburg, TX – Sat., May 23 – van leaves at 8AM.Hey girlfriends! – set your alarm, grab your flip flops and a little “pocket

change” – check out the “butterfly house”– fields of breathtaking flowers –and great specialty gifts! After lunch we’ll head downtown for more shopping!

RSVP by May 18

Movie Night is back!!! – Friday, May 29, 6:00pm in Dennis HallFree movie - Free popcorn/snacks – Door Prizes . . . What a deal!!Nursery available by request – please RSVP for nursery by May 20

RSVP phone numbers –Phyllis Davis 254-231-8788 or Judy Johnson 254-217-0497

FUMC Youth

Jeff Stegall

Senior Sunday Brunch.

May 17 10:00-11:00 in the parlor

All Seniors and their guests are invited to be part of this celebration.

THS Senior BaccalaureateMay 31st here at the Church

Seniors report at 3:30 in Dennis Hall and program begins at 4:00 in the Sanctuary,Speaker: Rev. Quinton GibsonMusic: Common Ground praise band and others

80’s skate party

May 17th at Skate Haven - Watch the Weekly Word for more information

Backpacking Trip

The backpacking trip to Colorado for July 23-30

is filling up incredibly fast. If you are interested please call Jeff and check to see if there are spots still open.

FUMC Youth

Youth Calendar• May 10—No activities as you should spend this time with your family• May 13—Normal Wed. Activities• May 17—80’s Skate party!!• May 20—No Wed. Activities• May 24—5:00-6:30—Youth Activities• May 27—No Wed. Activities• May 31—Baccalaureate

FUMC Outdoor ministry

The Easter picnic was fun! Despite the windy and cool weather the children enjoyed the Easter egg hunt, had fun making crafts, coloring each others hair, getting great balloon creations from our very own “Magical Grandpa” and playing lots of fun games. A special thanks to everyone that helped make this event possible. The joy in each child’s face was worth all the difficulties we had with the weather. We would like to say thank you to Charlie Kimney who donated the Ralph Wilson Youth Center for us to use and cooked all the Hamburgers and Hot dogs for the Jericho fundraiser.

FUMC Children

Iris Rankin

This month we have many fun events from the Mothers’ Day brunch on the 10th of May, during Sunday school hour in the Parlor, to Prayer & Share on the 13th for all 3rd – 5th grade

students. The MOPS group will meet on the 14th of May in the Parlor at 9am and childcare is available.

Last but not least we will have our end of the school year

Parents Night Out on May 29th from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This is a great opportunity for our parents to go out on a date or just take a quiet evening at home while we will entertain

your children with fun crafts, games, movies and dinner. Reservations are required so please contact the church office to make reservations.

VBS registration is now on the way, mailed a registration form for VBS and the Praise Camp out to all our

Parents. If you did not receive it yet, please visit our website at www.fumctemple.org to

register online or you can register at the VBS registration table on the 1st floor foyer.

March Memorials & Honorariums

MARCH 30TH – APRIL 19TH

Organ Fund:IN MEMORY OF ERMON MILLER:Walt & Sandy Makiej; Bob & Lynda Myers; Wilson & Dorothy Moon

IN MEMORY OF ALLEGRA BARNES:Ted & Kathy Floca; Bob & Lynda Myers; Walt & Sandy Makiej; Wilson & Dorothy Moon

IN MEMORY OF LOUISE HACKER:Mike & Ilene Miller

IN MEMORY OF CLAIRE WELLS:Mike & Ilene Miller; Walt & Sandy Makiej; Wilson & Dorothy Moon

IN MEMORY OF JACK JAVENS:Wilson & Dorothy Moon

Foundation Fund:IN MEMORY OF ALLEGRA BARNES:Bob & Barbara Probe

Children’s Special Fund:IN MEMORY OF BILLIE JEAN SCHMIDT:Dave Burgess

Memorial Fund:IN MEMORY OF ERMON MILLER:Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Rucker

IN MEMORY OF ANN CHAMLEE:Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Rucker

IN MEMORY OF ALLEGRA BARNES:Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Rucker

IN MEMORY OF EVANNOA HALL:Donald & Maurine Hall

IN MEMORY OF LOUISE HACKER:LaRue Diddle

Building Fund:IN HONOR OF THE CHANCEL CHOIR:Dr. & Mrs. Carl Bradley

IN HONOR OF THE WESLEY CHOIR:Dr. & Mrs. Carl Bradley

IN HONOR OF THE YOUNG @ HEART GROUP:Dr. & Mrs. Carl Bradley

IN HONOR OF ART TUTTLE:Jerry & Ann Secrest

IN HONOR OF EARL GOODFELLOW:George & Martha Brasher

IN HONOR OF THE MONDAY AFTERNOON LADIE’S BIBLE STUDY:Joe & Elaine Wells

IN HONOR OF BILL & APRIL JONES:Tommie & Nancy Daniel

IN MEMORY OF EVONNOA HALL:Jerry & Ann Secrest

IN MEMORY OF JACK JAVENS:Doug & Barbara Trainer

IN MEMORY OF TIM & EARLENE FAULKENBERRY:Dorothy & Carolyn Marks; Doris Johnson

IN MEMORY OF HARVEY DAVIS:Vernon & Juanita Hicks

IN MEMORY OF LOUISE HACKER:Tommy & Doris McNeill

*Memorials continued on next page*

IN MEMORY OF ALLEGRA BARNES:Contemporary Christian Sunday School Class; Doug & Barbara Trainer; Gretchen London; Mary Gladney; Mr & Mrs Ralph Cole; Jerry & Ann Secrest; Dawson Sunday School Class; Perry, Laura, & Thomas Cloud; June & Sue Lykes; Bob & Marda Keith; Tommie & Nancy Daniel; Buzz & Toni Rahm; Mike & Ilene Miller; Edwin & Marjorie Adams; Dorothy & Carolyn Marks; Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Cathey, Sr.; The Addington Family & The Duncan Butler Family; Retired Former U.S.D.A. Farmers Home Administration Employees; Jo Davis; Dr. & Mrs. Bert DeBord & Julie DeBord; Eva Dawson; Bill & Patsy Horick; R.H. & Mary Schlieker; Betty Jane Addington; Lamar & Judy Eidson; Clay & Monie Roming; Naomi Myers; Wayne Matthews & Sandra Oliver; Ray & Linda Gibson; Bob & Barbara Probe; Rick Orson; Janice Wright; Thomas & Margaret Owens; Louis & Charlynn Casey; Donness Shine; Friends @ Extraco Banks; Kay Lightsey; Vernon & Juanita Hicks; Jack & Charlotte Elrod; Lisa Williams; Dale & Cullene Parmer; James & Diane Mangan; Robert & Sandra Farrell; Steven & Gwendolyn Beeler; Mr. & Mrs. William Matush; Doris Johnson; Harry Janek; Jim & Sue Hinds; Ines Moore & Dale McKown; Mr. & Mrs. Chad Arnold; Harriett McDonald; Sindy Greenwood; R.E. & Jeanette McDonald; Pat Campbell; Evans Ranch, Inc.; Ann DeLany; Don & Maxine Mocksfield; Dr. Gene Jackson; Don & Vivian Walker; Pat & Ellen Patterson

IN MEMORY OF ERMON MILLER:Ken & Marlena Kjelland; Col. (Ret.) & Mrs. Mark Erskine; Larry & Susan Miller & Co-Workers at Dept. of Assistance & Rehabilitation Services – Austin; Alan McCorkle; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hovel; Jauniece & Guy Huggins; Don & Maxine Mocksfield; J.W. & Ruth Perry; Louis & Charlynn Casey; James & Leila Davis; James & Dorothy Prince; Karl & Susan Kuykendall; Mr. & Mrs. William Matush; Dorothy & Carolyn Marks; Doug & Barbara Trainer; Constance Wallace; Marilyn Hoster; Mr. & Mrs. Carl Cooper; Jerry & Ann Secrest; Tommie & Nancy Daniel; Janice Wright; Jo Davis; June & Sue Lykes; Kay Lightsey; Vernon & Juanita Hicks; Barbara Thomas; George & Martha Brasher; Pat Campbell

IN MEMORY OF CLAIRE WELLS:Kenneth & Jacquelyn Watson; The Monday Afternoon Ladies’ Bible Study; Greg, Loraine, Joe, & Rob Phillips; Perry, Laura, & Thomas Cloud; Patrice Stephenson; The Bruce Smith Family; Nancy Phillips; Ray & Mary Nieto; Louis & Charlynn Casey; G.N. & S.W. Hester; Butch & Debra Moore; Tommie & Nancy Daniel; Toni Rahm; Jane Haywood; Cindy Goodfellow; June & Sue Lykes; Delane Redden; Tobi Bigelow; Jo Davis; Jack & Charlotte Elrod; Sindy Greenwood; Mary Owen; John & Nicole Spurlin; Paul & Lucia Tipton; Don & Vivian Walker; The Cleburne High School Band Students; David Fitch; Walter & Doris Tomlin

Latest Construction Pictures

Common Ground Praise TeamBy Sherrie Wilson

The Common Ground Praise Team from First United Methodist Church here in Temple had the opportunity to headline the entertainment at the 2009 Laity Banquet on February 24th at the Frank Mayborn Convention Center in front of a packed house of close to 1000 people from all of the area Methodist churches in the Temple District. First-Temple was well represented at the banquet, drawing the largest crowd from our church that has attended the event in recent memory. The Common Ground praise team did a wonderful job and had many people, including Bishop Lowry, compliment their performance.

This is not the first time that the Common Ground praise team has taken their act on the road into the community. In addition to the laity banquet the band has played at the Bell County National Day of prayer service and for the Day of Champions Sports Camp for the last 2 years.

The Common Ground Praise Band was put together from a group of volunteer musicians and soloists to provide music and lead worship for our church’s new Contemporary Worship service begun in January of 2003. The band has had several different leaders and personnel over the years from its humble

beginnings when it averaged about 40 people to the present, averaging over 150 each week and filling our present worship space in Dennis Hall to capacity. Common Ground is eagerly anticipating moving into its new worship facility in the coming year.

The Common Ground praise team has been under the leadership of Tim Wilson for the past 3 years and currently consists of 17 members including 7 singers, 4 guitar players, 2 bass guitar players, 2 drummers, 1 pianist, and a sound tech and an audio/visual tech. One of the unique things about our praise team is that it is a very multi-generational group that meshes so well as a team and enjoys playing together. It is truly a worship “team”.

Missions

BREAD OF LIFE PANTRY NEEDS

Our Bread of Life Pantry is low. The pantry is in desperate need of the following items: canned fruits, vegetables, soups, chili, ravioli/spaghettios, macaroni & cheese, top ramen, cereal bars/instant oatmeal packs, tuna, spam, and vienna sausage. The next time you are out shopping, consider picking up a few extra of these items to donate to the pantry. The Bread of Life pantry has been very busy recently serving about 15-20 people per week, and

we have been seeing more and more new people in need of assistance in the last couple of months. Please help support this mission outreach.

Three individuals of the Common Ground praise team are charter members of the band that have been a part of the group since the inception of the Common Ground worship service over 6 years ago. These include Tim Wilson who sings, plays bass guitar, and is the worship leader for the group; Sharon Laughlin who plays keyboard; and Ralph McCulloh who is one of our singers. Over the next several months, please be looking for a monthly feature article in the magazine spotlighting all of the members of the praise team.

If you have not had the opportunity to hear the Common Ground praise team, please check them out sometime at the 9:00 AM Contemporary Worship service in Dennis Hall.

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FIRSTUnited Methodist Church

102 N 2nd StreetTemple, TX 76502

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Temple, TX

Permit No. 123

Devotional by Hubert AustinFrom God’s Little devotional Book by Honor Books

In A Closer Walk Catherine Marshall tells about the struggle she experienced after writing a novel titled Gloria. After two-and-a-half-years of work, the project was abandoned. To her, the shelved manuscript was “like a death in the family.”

While attempting to reconcile her conflicting emotions, Marshall spent time at a retreat. There, she reread a bible story about a time when poisonous snakes filled the Israelite camp. The people recognized the snakes as punishment for their sins, and cried out in repentance. The Lord told Moses to “make a bronze snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live” (Numbers 12:8).

Marshall realized that just as the Israelites took that which had hurt them and lifted it up to God for healing, we can take our own mistakes and sins, lift them to God, and trust Him to heal us. She writes “When any one of us has made a wrong turning in our lives through arrogance or lack of trust or impatience or fear, God will show the way out.” God always knows where we are and how to get us back on His path.

If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. - 2 Timothy 2:13 NIV