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  

 

January 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.       Following a Star, but Seeking a King   Do you look to the stars for guidance or do you have “On Star?” When you travel do you use a compass or your GPS?  Of course the magi of Matthew chapter two only had the star to guide them. This was a special star. One shinning brighter than any other star they had seen. For a precise moment in time this star became their guiding star. Like ships at sea that use the North Star they were being guided by a new brighter star, one that would lead them to a king. They had to pack, make provisions, and select gifts to present to this new born king and hurry because they did not know how long the star would appear. They did not know how far they would travel, what towns they would have to pass, or what kind of people they would encounter. They simply believe the star would come to rest over a heavenly appointed King. Maybe they were surprised when they stopped for directions from King Herod in his beautiful palace in Palestine that the star did not stop above his head or any of his sons. Herod’s priests and scribes informed them that the new ruler would come from Bethlehem as foretold by the prophets of old. So off to the little village of Bethlehem they went. As they approached Bethlehem the star stood still, but not over a mansion or a palace. No a child born to a carpenter and a young mother in the village of Bethlehem in a small house.    Did they doubt the star? Were their bearings correct? Is this the New Born King? If they doubted the star it did not stop them from falling down to their knees and worshipping the little baby nor did they withhold their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They trusted the star and their belief that this child was special. With one sign and with one star they believed. How many more signs will follow this child? How many miracles will happen by his name? How many more people will believe and be saved? I hope we all follow a star and find the King.       In Christ’s Love     Pastor Bill Duke Mission First United Methodist Church   Happy New Year !!! From the staff at  Mission First United Methodist Church  Have a blessed 2012                       Starting January 2012, The church office hours will be changed. The new hours will be 9-12p.m.- 1- 4p.m.    Monday –Friday.          January 2012 1st     Dulce Jasso & Stephane Crespo 8th     Frida Alvarez & Sarah Duke 15th     Bethany Duke & V. Liza Jasso 22nd     Frida Alvarez & Sarah Duke 29th     Dulce Jasso & Stephane Crespo     STITCHES OF LOVE As has been noted in the bulletin, we are not having regular meetings at this time. Since most of our crafters prefer to work at home, it does not make sense to set up the room and wait for 3 hours for no one to come in. So— you will find a hamper with our name on it in the Welcome Center for you to place your donations in.   If you need materials, be sure to check our storage units in the Choir Room!!! We have LOTS of cloth to make walker/wheelchair bags, quilts, prayer bears, or anything else you want to create. We also have yarn for crocheting or knitting baby blankets, etc. If you need anything special, please contact Merryann Palmer. (919-418-6973)   In the past month or so, we have taken donations to the Mission Hospital, the Veterans’ Home, and to Women United.   The UMW executive board authorized us to purchase a case of baby blankets for the Hospital, as they were extremely short of them in the nursery. When Norine Gotcher heard about it, she immediately gave us the funds for a second case!!! The hospital was thrilled to receive almost 100 blankets, and we were thrilled to be able to give them. Thank you, Norine!!   We also had a donation of an entire bag of tiny sewn hats for the nursery. Thank you to the unknown sewer! And let’s not forget the crocheted & knitted stocking hats that will mostly go to the shelter.   Here is a list of things you can make for the hospital and the nursing homes: Baby blankets Lap robes Slippers Twin sized afghans/quilts Walker bags Shawls Adult bibs Hats Pillows (small, to rest tender arms/feet on) Want to buy something instead? All of these items can be donated new as well. Also, the Women United shelters can use almost anything you care to donate. One of the special items that we collect for them is the small sample sized personal care items that you may get from hotels.   The shelter can also use things for children—and remember that some of those children are pretty big ! Toys, clothing, shoes, personal care items, household goods—most anything that can be used to set up a new apartment.   But please remember—we are called Stitches of Love for a reason. The vast majority of our donations should be handmade with love for those who need them.     Small Groups As we end 2011 and start the New Year of 2012, Jay and Betty Crane give us some insight as to what the small group Advent Study meant to them:   "How is your Christmas spirit?  A small study group explored the book, "In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas."  What would you think if your fiancé told you she was carrying a child conceived by the Holy Spirit?  How would you like to ride 60 miles on a donkey in your 9th month of pregnancy, give birth in a filthy barn and place your new baby in a feed trough?  Why did God first announce the birth of his son to shepherds who were so looked down upon they were not allowed to testify in courts because they were always suspected of lying?  These are just a few of the questions we explored in this study group. The next time you think, "Lord, I deserve better than this," God points to the manger.  The next time you ask God to stop all the injustices in your life because he has the power, remember the manger.  God presented his son to the world using the humblest of people and circumstances.  How would you have done it?  This study is making us rethink the meaning of Christmas spirit.  It really is a miracle."   Yes the word “study” implies learning and this is what we as growing Christians are about— Learning and Becoming!   Studies beginning in the near future are:   “Praying With Confidence” We always need to enrich our prayer life. Leader—Ande Leatherman at her home on Tuesday at 8:30-9:30a.m. Beginning January 10th for four weeks. Phone 583-4217   “Noah Built His Ark in the Sunshine”-a lesson in faith. Leader Rose & Ron Forquer at their home on Monday at 1p.m., beginning January 9th for 6 to 8 weeks. Phone 583-4217   Lies Women Believe, The Truth That Sets Them Free" Learn how we can be free to walk inn God's forgiveness and have abundant life.  (Probably men won't be interested in this study, but you are always welcome.)  Leader-Nancy Murdock at her home on Tuesday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., beginning January 12th for 6 weeks. Home 581-9512 Cell 956-638-3149                                                                          Study of the Books of Daniel and Revelation, a real challenge in learning. Leader-Pastor Bill Duke will resume the Brown Bag Lunch at the Church Wednesday Noon starting January 18.   Watch the Bulletin for announcements and sign up sheets at the Welcome Desk. A big THANKS to all our leaders this past year and a "Hurrah" to the new ones for this year.  They have all listened to the voice "calling in the night" and replied "Here I am Lord."  Maybe you too have heard this voice.  We need leaders, or moderators, if you are more comfortable with that word.  Call or see Marge Otto if you feel  "It is I, Lord."  Or if you have any ideas for good studies. 585-7624  Have a Blessed New Year "becoming that person God intended you to be."      Son Shine Lab January 21st 10-11:30 p.m. We are starting a new program on the third Saturday of the month for children in grades K-5th.   It is a cross of VBS and Children's Church. We will focus on real heroes from the Bible who trust and follow God.    Thank you to our youth and adults who have volunteered to be leaders. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Pastor Bill or Claire Richardson at church, cell 503-432-7997, or home 424-3262.                   Coming January 31st. It’s that time again! The Methodist Men will be selling tickets, making sandwiches, simmering soup, baking cakes, (they may have a little help from the women) and getting ready for the crowds of hungry people who will be lining up at the door. Marge Otto will be back, giving her window tour once again. More details to come.           JANUARY BIBLE READINGS January 1:            Genesis 1,2; Luke 1 January 2:            Genesis 3-5; Luke 2 January 3:            Genesis 6-8; Luke 3 January 4:            Genesis 9-11; Luke 4 January 5:            Genesis 12-14; Luke 5 January 6:            Genesis 15-17; Luke 6 January 7:            Genesis 18, 19; Luke 7 January 8:            Genesis 20-22; Luke 8 January 9:            Genesis 23, 24; Luke 9 January 10:          Genesis 25, 26; Luke 10 January 11:          Genesis 27, 28; Luke 11 January 12:          Genesis 29, 30; Luke 12 January 13:          Genesis 13-33; Luke 13 January 14:          Genesis 34-36; Luke 14 January 15:          Genesis 37,38; Luke 15 January 16:          Genesis 39-41; Luke 16 January 17:          Genesis 42, 43; Luke 17 January 18:          Genesis 44-46; Luke 18 January 19:          Genesis 47, 48; Luke 19 January 20:          Genesis 49, 50; Luke 20 January 21:          Exodus 1,2; Luke 21 January 22:          Exodus 3-5; Luke 22 January 23:          Exodus 6-8; Luke 23 January 24:          Exodus 9-11; Luke 24 January 25:          Exodus 12, 13; Psalm 21; Acts 1 January 26:          Exodus 14-16; Acts 2 January 27:          Exodus 17-20; Acts 3 January 28:          Exodus 21, 22; Psalm 12; Acts 4 January 29:          Exodus 23, 24; Psalm 14; Acts 5 January 30:          Exodus 25-27; Acts 6 January 31:          Exodus 28, 29; Acts 7   Welcome New Member Add to your directory: Leo & Penny Brayman 7706 Bunker Dr Mission, TX 78572 Ph: 519-9805 Leo and Penny joined our church in November      Anniversaries: Jan 01Cindy & Lloyd Lawrence Jan 15 Elsa & William Larson Jan 17 Lynn & Gary Thoms   Remember, the deadline for the church newsletter is the 20th of the month!!