By Rev. Jay Gage, Associate Pastor-Youth

Oasis Youth Ministries is alive and well and looking forwardto an awesome 2010. We have an amazing group of adults andstudents who are actively seeking to live out their faith andgrow in Christ. We currently meet on Sunday nights from 6-8p.m. in the basement of the Church. This is where our 30 plusadult sponsors connect with our teens for great food, worship—led by our all-youth praise band, teaching—by myself or special guests and small group discipleship.

We closed out 2009 with increased attendance and lots ofexciting activities. Throughout the summer we had manyplanned activities for the youth to participate in on a weeklybasis that had them doing all sorts of zany, fun things. Notonly is Youth fun with lots of fun activities but there is a seriousside as well. Each year the Youth go on mission trips in effortsto spread the Good News with others, realize that no matteryour age or abilities you can always help someone else, learnhow to grow in Christ and live out their faith. During 2009, wetook three mission trips. (Serious—yes, but still fun.)

The first was to Mexico in March. On this trip we took 50people and did a Vacation Bible School, put roofs on two

houses and helped over 60 people receive recycled eyeglassesfrom the Lion’s Club. It was incredible to have people walk intoour eyeglass clinic legally blind and leave seeing nearly 20/20.Our youth did the vast majority of the work and establishedlasting relationships with the people there. This year, the border passed very strict guidelines on what could cross over sowe were not able to go but that has since been resolved and wehope to resume our trips to Mexico in 2011.

Our second trip was UM ARMY (United Methodist ActionReach-out Missions by Youth) in June. This is our senior high

First United Methodist Church w 300 North Main Street w Midland, Texas 79701 w 432.682.3701 w www.firstmethodistmidland.com

TOWER TIMESedition of The United Methodist Reporter

Two Sections, Section A | 073785 | Volume 156 | Number 44 | March 5, 2010

The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, TX 75247-3919. Periodicals Postage Paid at Dallas, Texas and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275.

Oasis Youth Ministries Has an Exciting 2009

implementing programs and giving us all a bigger heart formissions. Dondi accepted the call to go to full time missionsand left for Youth With a Mission in February. We miss her butare looking forward to the arrival of Madison Mladenka whowill begin on June 1.

We are in the process of making some structural changesfor 2010/2011 that will enable us to continue growing andhope that we can count on your continued prayers and supportin the future. I feel so blessed to be a part of this congregationand look forward to many more years of service to the youth ofthis church and community. For more information on OasisYouth Ministries, how to get involved or volunteer contact meat 682.3701 x 233 or jaygage@firstmethodistmidland.com.

trip and 53 youth and adults ventured to Snyder, Texas wherewe joined forces with youth from FUMC Lubbock, Trinity UMCSnyder and FUMC Childress. The youth were divided into workteams and did small scale construction projects on several sitesin the city. The youth did everything from roof repair andpainting to replacing sheetrock and plywood. Several of theyouth recommitted their lives to Christ and made lastingfriendships with youth from other churches. This year the team will be heading to Big Spring where we will be joined byLubbock and hopefully other churches in our conference.

Our third trip was ROTC (Reaching Others Through Christ)in July. This is our junior high trip and we took a whopping 73people. This was an especially good camp because several ofour senior high kids took leadership roles including our youthpraise band who led worship each evening. The kids at ROTCconcentrated on building ADA compatible wheelchair rampsfor people in the community. We also spent one day doing several community service projects around town. This was anamazing experience for junior high students to see that theywere able to make a significant difference in a person’s life no

matter what their age. It was also a great week for our juniorhigh and senior high kids to bond. This year we will be goingto Floydada, Texas in July to work there along with FUMC BigSpring and hopefully other churches in our conference.

As if all this weren’t enough for one year, our Youth werestill in action, raising over $1800 to buy gifts for 35 kids inMexico at Christmas as well as buying Christmas gifts for ayoung man in Greenwood who has leukemia; helping sortfood for AMOS; assisting in the Coats for Kids coat drive; attending a youth conference in Lubbock; taking a trip to SixFlags; participating in Fields of Faith at Grande Stadium andseveral students attend a weekly Bible study.

As my wife Becky and I work towards finishing our sixthyear here, it is exciting to see how well our youth ministry isdoing. I was able to hire a full time assistant in 2009 andDondi Carter joined our staff in January. She did an outstanding job of connecting with the youth, planning and

Michael Mladenka, Ty Parkison, Danny Ramos and Libby Norwoodhave a jam session.

Kenneth Priebe and Tiffany Simon work on a wheelchair ramp.

Amber Pitts is hard at work.

Are Bryson Rolls, Emily Shuler and Michael Bunsen pausing for abreak or actually holding up the board??

Danny Ramos helps roof a house.

Tower Times | 8A

DEADLINESTower Times

March 19 issue deadline is March 11 at noon.Sunday Bulletin Announcements

March 14 deadline is Tuesday, March 9 at noon.

Numbers170 In 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship (2.28.10)374 In 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship (2.28.10)

228 In 10:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship (2.28.10)405 Attended the Evening of Entertainment

13 New Stephen Ministers1,887 Visits to Our Website Last Month

21 Confirmands Take a Field Trip to the Jewish Synagogue in Odessa

Contact Jana Huff, Director of Communications atjanahuff@firstmethodistmidland.com.

Stretch it Outwith Erika Nielson Vargas

Questions? Call Erika at 853.7244.

YogaTuesdays

Room 221-2236:30-7:30 p.m.

FREE

Enjoy a variety of ways to worship at First Church.TELEVISION:

My TV 16(NOSA) 10 -10:30 a.m. SundaysBig 2 (KMID) 5:30-6 p.m. Sundays

PODCAST: www.fumcmidland.sermonpodcasts.net

WEB (Streaming Live): 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.at www.firstmethodistmidland.com

RADIO (Live): 11 a.m. on KWEL 1070 AM

DVD/CD OR PRINT: Available in the Church foyer

SUNDAY WORSHIP: 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. in Sanctuary10:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

More First Church news on page 4A.

Join us this Lenten season as we explore the week leading up to the resurrection.8:30 & 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship with Dr. Tim Walker 10:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship with Rev. Steve Brooks

All Races Have HazardsBy Dr. Tim Walker, Senior Pastor

He left that place and came to his hometown and his disciples followed him. On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue and many who heardhim were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done byhis hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sistershere with us?” And they took offense at him. ~ Mark 6:1-3

Jesus was not exempt from hazards. Joseph was not exempt from hazards. He was the designated heir of a wealthy Old Testament farmer in Israel—and was sold at

age 17 into slavery.Job was winning the race—wealthy, powerful and faithful—but he lost everything including his family.Have you stumbled on the hazard?Have you ever had a dream that was disrupted?In your discipleship, can you identify with Jesus that the very people you thought would support you do not? ‘Hazards come in the form of circumstances—but they also come in the form of relatives and friends and colleagues. How many

times when you’re watching an Olympic event do you see that it is another athlete who ruins the chance of the runner or skater?It’s simply part of the race.

There is much we can learn from the life of Christ. There will be hazards. Some are predictable and some are not. Our task is torun the race, to stay the course and to follow Jesus anyway.

Devotional for Lent

By Kim Roemer

We are very proud to announce that First United Methodist’s Stephen Minister Trainees have completed their 50 hours of training. These 13 trainees havediligently fulfilled their commitment to the training process in order to begin God’s work as Stephen Ministers at First Church. This training has providedthem with the knowledge and skills to offer quality, distinctively Christian care to those suffering from grief, loss or any other crisis in their life. This dedicated group will be commissioned as Stephen Ministers on March 7 at the 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service and will be introduced at the 10:45 a.m. Traditional and Contemporary Worship Services. This commissioning is symbolic of when Jesus commissioned His disciples to go out and minister to others in His name. These Stephen Ministers will be commissioned to extend Christ’s love to those members of our congregation that are inneed of one-to-one Christian care due to any life changing event. Craig Tellinghuisen will also be commissioned as a Stephen Leader. He fulfilled his 50additional hours of Leader training last summer. We thank God for the gifts and commitment that this group, along with our veteran Stephen Ministers,are willing to dedicate to this congregation. This ministry is blessed to receive this lively group. We ask that you pray for them in the coming weeks as theyjoin our regularly scheduled bi-monthly Supervision/Continuing Education meetings. A special thanks to those Stephen Ministers that participated inequipping these trainees for their work with care receivers. They are Macky Pitts, Dee Kemp, Kem Curtin, Carol Chandler, Craig Tellinghuisen, Carol Slykerand Sally Shelton.

Congratulations to our New Stephen Ministers!

Playground Construction Begins Soon

Now on Facebook!Follow the Ministry Connection on Facebook. facebook.com/TheMinistryConnection

Joys & Concernsas of March 2, 2010, 9 a.m.

Merle Haag (MMH)Marilyn Harrison (MMH)

Ed Wilson (Surgery)

CONCERNS

The new Stephen Ministers include: (top row) Clayton Hooper, Brent Shuler, Jill Dolloff, Nancy Birkelbach, Rob Tyre, Alan Barkley, (bottom row) Mara Dolan, Glenna Bell, Mary Anna Brimberry, Lois Hagins, Paula Walker and Karen Walker. Not pictured is Melissa Harrell.

Thanks to the generosity of our church familyand friends we are thrilledto announce the new playground constructionwill begin soon! The playground will be officially closed March 15until completion, expectedto be by June 1! Thank youagain for your support ofthe One Way to Childrenat Play campaign!

Tower Times | 4A

Confirmation 2010: The DirectionBy Donna Fields, Director of Children’s Ministries

Confirmation 2010 has begun and over the past six weeks we have enjoyed lessons on theChurch, Methodism, understanding our Worship, the Sacraments and begun our study throughthe Bible. We have 21 Confirmands this year and are so thankful for them and for their families'commitment to being here each Sunday. I would like to thank our guest teachers that havejoined me for the course so far: Daniel Harris, Macky Pitts, Jerome DeLaCruz, Tim Walker andWarren Cottle.

As we study worship, we have already visited both First Methodist services and are planning tovisit Temple BethEl in Odessa, St. Ann's Catholic Church and Mt. Rose Baptist Church in Midland. As part of the class, we will compare the similarities and differences in these ways ofworshiping God.

Over the next seven weeks we will continue our walk through God's word. The course contin-ues with studies on prayer and church membership. We will also be doing several service projectstogether. We began by making health kits for Haiti, as told by Confirmand, Michael Loftis, in hisreport below:

"Here at First Church our confirmation class made "care packages" which consisted of: soap, band-aids, nail care items, hand cloths, towels, toothbrushes and a dollar for toothpase (for the security rules of shipping toothpaste). The packages are going to be sent to Haiti. The people in Haiti recently suffered an earthquake and are still in desperate need of prayer and help."

If you haven't already signed up to be a prayer partner for our Confirmands, please take a look at the list of Confirmands below and keep them in your prayers. If you'd like to be a prayerpartner for a specific confirmand, please let Dana Hedrick know right away at 413-5611 ordhedrick@suddenlink.net.

Back/top row: Andrew Fields, Pierson Beach, Michael Moore, Michael Loftis, Timothy Hennings and (seated) Matthew Moore. Bottom row: Joshua Vesper, Darby O’Grady, Kayleigh Cottle, Kayleah Harrell,

Megan Flowers and Kayleah’s friend, Sophia.

Pierson BeachBritt BolerJordon BolerKayleigh CottleSamuel DeLaCruzAndrew FieldsMegan Flowers

Maddy ForemanKayleah HarrellAshley HedrickTimothy HenningsQuade HuckabaTalon HuckabaMichael Loftis

Matthew MooreMichael MooreMelissa OlsenMeagan PrietoAbby RagsdaleSebastian RamosJoshua Vesper

2010 Confirmation Class

Order your Easter Lilies benefitting Camp Serve and the Women’s Retreat now. Purchase envelopes are available on Sunday morning in your bulletin, atthe Fresh Start table, in the Ark or anytime at the Church office or you may purchase them by calling Deborah Wilson at 682.3701 x 232.