Mission First United Methodist Church

Pastor: Bill Duke

1101 Doherty Ave. Mission TX 78572 956/585-1665 Fax 956/424-1307

Www.missionfumc.com   office:shirleyp@myctsonline.com

 

  

 The Word  

 February 2012  

A vibrant, growing, joy-filled fellowship of seekers who are encountering the living Christ,  being transformed by His Spirit,and sharing His love with others.       Heroes                If you look for the word “hero” in a concordance of the Bible you will not find it. Isn’t that strange? Not to say that the Bible doesn’t have heroes because it does. People like Moses, Joshua, King David, Esther, Peter, John, Paul, Mary, and of course Jesus are all heroes.             If asked, “Who are the greatest heroes of all times?” Who would be yours? Hopefully some of us would include Jesus in our list of heroes. We might add to our list a parent, a teacher, a fireman, a policeman, a doctor, or a soldier. The reason they are heroes is because they looked beyond their own needs. They put their life on the line. They made sacrifices to make our lives safer, and better. They care for us and love us. They are willing to stand up for what is right even if it would cost them everything.             It is ironic that most heroes don’t think they are heroes. The person who saves a child from a burning building will say, “I was only doing what anyone else would do. I am not a hero.” Heroes are humble and act on impulse, not for fame. May be that is why you will not find the word “hero” in the Bible, but you will find the formula that makes heroes. Jesus states, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12&13 NIV)             Thank you to everyone who lays their life on the line to make this world a safer and better place.   Grace and Peace to the Heroes   Pastor Bill Duke     Our first Son Shine Lab met with success January 21st.  Fifteen children and three adults enjoyed the morning as they sang songs, played games, ate snacks, and learned about the Old Testament hero Gideon, who trusted God.  We had enough children to form two groups that processed through the four stations.   The youth presented a play on Gideon.  The nachos and cheese was a big hit!  The children commented on the great fun!  They will be inviting more children for next month. Thank you to our eleven adult sponsors and four youth sponsors: Pastor Bill (Music / Assembly/Group Leader), Jeanette (Games/Registration), Cheryl (Art), Claire, Marcos, Sarah, Destiny, and Karina (Bible Story), Harriet and Jim, Martha and Annabelle (Snacks),  Ruth Ann (Group Leader), Earl and Rose (Registration).   We could not have done this without all of you.  Our next Son Shine Lab will be February 18th. Thanks, Claire        February 2012 5th  Frida Alvarez & Sarah Duke   12th  Dulce Jasso & V. Liza Jasso   19th  Bethany Duke & Stephanie Crespo 26th  Frida Alvarez & V. Liza Jasso   Stewardship At the last meeting of the Stewardship Committee I was asked to write a paragraph on stewardship for the newsletter with the intent that this will be a monthly happening. There are a total of 10 of us on the committee including Pastor Bill and our chairman, Bob Grove. We meet once a month for one hour and these are very full hours. I suppose some of you are asking what a Stewardship Committee is for and what it does.. The dictionary describes a steward as “a person who manages another’s property, finances or other affairs. WOW!!!! Sounds like a lot of responsibility, doesn’t it? Well, I have found that serving on this committee is not only a commitment and a responsibility, but also and most importantly a BLESSING. We get to decide how some funds are spent, but we are also challenged to find new and innovative ways to generate those funds. And then we experience the joy of seeing the fruits of our labors. Remember the No Bake/Bake Sale for Mission Head Start? Ramos BBQ fundraiser?   Blue Santa at Christmas? These are just a few of the projects that came out of our committee. Hopefully in the next few months our other members will tell you about some of their pet projects. We also determine where the Communion Rail offering goes. All of these areas require your financial support. They also require commitment of self. Now we are wrapping up “EXTRAVAGNT GIVING” and we have heard from many people how this Church, and that means all of you, has impacted their lives. I’m going to tell you one more story. I wasn’t raised in the Methodist faith and have only come to know it in the last few years. Last summer when I was diagnosed with cancer was truly a low point for me. For the 2 months from diagnosis until my successful surgery Pastor Bill and this congregation gave me so much love and support as well as their ongoing prayers. People I didn’t even know came up to me in Church on Sunday and offered their prayers and well wishes. Some called on the phone. Pastor Bill did all of the above as well as being there the day of surgery with his prayers and support and also his follow up visits and calls. Is this stewardship? I think so…..they were managing my “other affairs”, interceding with God on my behalf.   Did it work? SURE DID!!!!!!!!!! Good stewardship means contributing to our Church not only by our presence on Sunday, but by giving generously of ourselves in serving God and those who may not be as fortunate as we are. This also means giving generously financially. Is good stewardship your way of life? May God bless you all.   Carol Thompson for the Stewardship Committee    Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School is set for June 25th-29th. Please save the date on your calendars if you have helped in the past or would like to help with this event, please speak with Claire or Pastor Bill at church (585-1665). Claire’s cell (503-432-7997.   Thank you, Claire Richardson      Please Buy a Card! Check out the greeting cards in the Welcome Center Book Store. The birthday and Valentine cards are $1.25 with the money going to the church general fund. Please take a look! Pat Adams (612-817-3308      Small  Groups  The Advent Study Group chose to meet one more time after Christmas to evaluate together just what the study had meant to them and how it changed, or added to, "their" perspective of the "Real Spirit of Christmas."   The word "humble" kept being repeated - God's humbleness in sending His Son - humble Mary and Joseph  - humble shepherds - humble surroundings.  Yes, we all had a new sense of "humbleness" a heightened awareness of the real spirit of Christmas    Beginning in January we have had four new study groups get underway.  Now we are looking toward the Lenten Season.  Check the weekly Sunday bulletins for information about Lenten Studies/    The Lenten Season is not just about giving up "sweets," but rather about being in the courtyard with Peter and deciding if we will acknowledge Jesus, or deny him.  Small groups can encourage us and help us make good decisions.                            Marge Otto   February 19th-5:00 p.m. Singer-Songwriter-Evangelist, Jerry Bennett will perform at our church.   Jerry is not just a singer/performer, but his high energy and charisma connects with all audiences. Be sure and mark your calendar, so you don’t miss a great gospel performance.      February 26th-3:00 p.m. our own Dan Steenken will perform. Everyone who has heard Dan and loves his music should not miss this very special afternoon.   A freewill offering will be taken. It will go to the Church’s general fund.         Data Summery from Cards Filled Out in January      What We Love About Our Church Friendly                         123             Pastor Bill                      56             Sermon                          54             Music                              47             Dan & Pianos                33             Stained Glass Windows 25 Jesus or God’s presence 24 The Building 23 Worship 18 Sunday School 11 Choir 9 Place 7 Fellowship 6 Traditional Worship 5 Prayer 4 Group Studies 3 Bible Class 3 Dinner With Friends 3 UMW 3 ESL 3 Coffee 3 Early Service 3 Food Pantry 3 Mission 2 Dinner With Friends 2 Staff 2 Activities 2 Pictures projected 2 Peace 2 Greeters 2 MSP 2 Cushions 2 Dinner and dialogue 2 Library 1 Doors 1 Praise Band 1 Outreach 1 Proximity 1 Volunteers 1 VBS 1 Emmaus 1 Communion 1 Diversity 1 Talents 1 Bill Hospital visit 1       .     People Who Made a Difference in My Spiritual Life A Pastor   38 A Parent or Parents 34 Friend or Friends     31 Sunday School Teacher 21 A Caring Adult  15 An Acquaintance  12 Grandparents  9 Classmates  9 Spouse  7 Choir Director  6 Aunt/Uncle  5 Pastor’s Spouse  4 Pastor’s Daughter(s)  3 In Laws  2 Emmaus People  2 Son/Daughter  1 Prayer Partner 1     Vision and Hopes for My Church More Young People 11 Higher Attendance 6 A 9:30 Service 5 Financial Solvency 4 Continued Vitality 3 Youth Focus 3 Continued Friendliness 2 A Van 2 More Sunday School Teachers 2 More Youth Camps with games and musi c 2 Mission ministries 2 People Continue to Love  2 A Food Drive 1 Show Words to Choir Anthem on screen 1 I hope to pay my tithe  1 Better acoustics  1 More volunteers  1 Need Volunteer Chairperson 1 We need to change the world  1 Occasional lunch and movie  1 Summer meal with kids  1 Youth in mission 1 First time visitors visit   1 Church like it used to be 1 A traditional service 1 Interaction with youth  1 Handicap parking without need to cross the street1 Name tags 1 A Polka Sunday service  1 Wesleyan Holiness  1 Senior housing  1 Lenten services  1 Record services for shut ins  1 Handicap access to second floor of Sunday School building 1 Day school  1 Bring in new people committee  1 Spanish language class  1   .