A monthly publication of the First United Methodist Church

The Voice Rev. Dr. Brian Bosworth, Pastor

Rev. Zack Landis, Associate Pastor

(940) 627-3362; info@decaturmethodist.org

A few weeks ago, I heard someone say that the reason they attended church is because they had always attended church. As I thought about that particular response to the original question, “Why do you attend church?”, a few things came into my mind about the way the person answered the question. Initially, I wondered if the answer was one that gave some sort of protection or insulation to the responder from having to answer any further questions about the motivations regarding their faith. A simple, concise and convincing answer may keep from being asked any more questions, in other words. Next, I thought maybe the person was unsure about what was currently offered in the way of ministry

opportunities at the church. Maybe the responder didn’t actually know what learning, growing, and/or serving opportunities were available at the church and so they just responded in a way that affirms loyalty to the local church without having to invite someone to an opportunity to grow in their faith. However, I finally reasoned that maybe the person answering the question had forgotten or may not have ever been exposed to the deeper “why” about a life in the faith. In other words, maybe we haven’t thought carefully about what faith in God has meant to us. We see the “what happens” or the results, such as: we go to worship, we have church friends, we make food for a potluck or a bereavement meal, we go to a study or a small group meeting, etc. These kinds of answers are more for a question that asks, “What do you do,” rather than “Why you do.” I believe we have become conditioned to speaking more about the “what’s” of faith than the “why’s.” It seems a bit easier to think of what time worship begins or what the “mission of the month” is rather than why we act in faith when someone asks a church question. At the same time, it seems that we have also become conditioned to understand the “what’s” to be the motivator for our faith response instead of the “why’s.” When we do, we miss opportunities for ourselves as well as others. When we begin with the “what’s” (using worship as an example) we hear people sometimes say things like “the music isn’t for me, I didn’t get anything out of the sermon, or it doesn’t flow.” On the other hand, when we start with the “why’s,” we could hear “worship invites us to be God’s people through relationships with God and others, understanding God in new and life-changing ways is what I experience in worship, and I hear how God loves me in Scripture, music, or preaching.” I believe Disciples, or followers of Christ, are best motivated by the “why’s” of our faith. I think inviting others into a life of faith, as well as moving deeper in personal and communal discipleship, occurs more effectively when we start with a “why” than the “what.” The “what’s” are meant to eventually be a result of the “why” that gets us going. It’s like grace in a way. We can understand the movements of grace, beginning with “prevenient” as the “why,” and moving through justifying and into sanctifying grace as both “why” and “what” as a life of discipleship. So think about the “why” of your own faith story or journey. Why has a relationship with Jesus helped you learn and grow? Why do you trust God to be your everything or your anything? Why are you in a relationship with God and why do you trust others to join you along the way? Give this some thought. Disciples not only practice the “why’s” but they make other disciples from the “why’s” of faith. See you in worship and bring your “why’s.” Brian

Issue 10 of 12

October 1, 2016

Youth: Laura Landis Children: Ashley Craven

Interim Secretary: Valleri Sewell Administrator: Bonnie Wohlleben

Charge Conference is October 16

Our Charge Conference is set for Sunday October 16, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

This year is a cluster type of meeting, which is new for us. Decatur FUMC is hosting all the UMC's in

the southern end of the District that day. We will conference together that day and experience

what it means to be a part of the connection of churches.

There will be a time of fellowship and refreshments in Fellowship Hall afterwards.

World Communion Sunday Sunday, October 2

United Methodist Men’s Banquet Tuesday, October 4

6:30 p.m., Bridgeport Conference Center

Blessing of the Animals Saturday, October 8

10:00 a.m., Wise Co. Episcopal Church

Administrative Board Meeting Sunday, October 9

12:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Preschool Board Meeting Monday, October 10

6:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Family Ministry Team Meeting Tuesday, October 11

5:30 p.m., Character Builders Classroom

Medicare Info Gathering Wednesday, October 12 4:30 p.m., Wesley Center

Charge Conference Sunday, October 16 3:00 p.m., Sanctuary

Community Ministries Team Meeting Tuesday, October 18

5:30 p.m., Character Builders Classroom

Trustees Meeting Tuesday, October 18

6:30 p.m., Character Builders Classroom

Staff Meeting Thursday, October 20

12:00 p.m., Character Builders Classroom

Laity Sunday Sunday, October 23

Trunk or Treat Sunday, October 23 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Unity Service Sunday, October 30

CHURCH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Bonnie Cocanougher, Betty Champion, Sally Renshaw, Lola Greb, Noah Smith, Jim Henderson,

Suzanne Hencken, Tim Rieger, David Deaton

In the Military: Charlie Fortenberry, Michael Jordan, Jake Logue, Garrett Muelstein, Josh Murphy, Chris Hammond,

Matthew Roberson, Kolin Rottner, Joshua VanNoy, Matthew Broker, Keygun Beaver and Bryce Dudley

1 - Cynthia DesRoches, Dave Eaton 2 - Diana Allen 3 - Noah Smith, Ashtyn Talley 4 - J.E. Carson 5 - Sharyn Helm, Jordan Null 6 - Jacob Vaughan 7 - Cameron Keese, Fred Renfro 8 - Kody Klement, Randy Shrull 9 - Crystal Klose 10 - Laura Waggoner 11 - Zayne Browning, Austin Sewell, Will Swanson 12 - Nancy Boyd, Nick Martin, Dixie Parks, David Salmon, Donna Young 13 - Casey Edwards, Vance Renshaw 14 - Deborah Marshall 15 - Cassie Shenkir 16 - Kevin Munnerlyn 17 - Jacie Stone 18 - Sarah Culpepper 19 - Tracey Stephens, Jo Woodruff 20 - Allen Cocanougher, Liz Lyles 21 - Buddy Black, Michael Hooe, Riley Keller 22 - Corey Bosworth, Linda Bowersox, Ryan Grace 23 - Lisa Leaton 25 - JoAnn Cocanougher, Rick Quiring, Bonnie Rawlings, Debra Wilkinson, Roxanne Williams 26 - Roger Leaton, Dana McCarroll 27 - Randy Argo 28 - Zach Gage 29 - Aubrey McAlister, Abigail Roberts, Linda Smith, Jennifer Vaughan 30 - Steven Behringer

October

Happenings

October

Birthdays

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

October 2nd 8:30 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Barbara Haley Communion Servers: Virginia Caraway & Marguarette Roberts

Acolyte: Eleanor & Ben Bond 10:50 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Sally Rieger Communion: Ron & Dena Silvers

Acolyte: Kathryn Highlander & Kennedy Hafer Counters: Jennifer Vaughan & Dwight Reeves

October 9th

8:30 a.m. Worship Service Scripture Reader: Virginia Caraway

Communion Servers: Sharon Meyer & Thomas Laird Acolyte: Noah Holt

10:50 a.m. Worship Service Scripture Reader: Valleri Sewell Acolytes: Nolan & Shelby Sewell

Counters: Jack Tucker & Barbara Swan

October 16th

8:30 Worship Service Scripture Reader: Youth

Communion Servers: Youth Acolyte: Audree Knox

10: 50 a.m. Worship Service Scripture Reader: Youth

Acolyte: Wiley Stone & Emma McAlister Counters: Casey Edwards & Mason Woodruff

October 23rd

8:30 a.m. Worship Service Scripture Reader: Rita Tucker

Communion Servers: Asa Johnson & Ronnie Walker Acolyte: Eleanor & Ben Bond 10: 50 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Fred Renfro Acolytes: Julie Stone & Parker Deaton

Counters: Brian Knox & Gary Cocanougher

October 30th 10:00 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture Reader: Penny Holt Communion Servers: Jack & Sharon Smith

Acolyte: Zoey & Lane Craven Counters: Fred Renfro & Jennifer Vaughan

October Communion Set Up: Seekers Class

Donations for WARM Paper Goods (Toilet Paper & Paper Towels)

Sunday Refreshments Open Doors

Sunday Morning Greeters Men’s Class

Visitor Follow-Up Shirley Peterson

Care Corp Linda Smith, Roxanne Williams, Becky Black,

Donna Reeves, Dana McCarroll & Naomi Rawle

NURSERY OPENING

The church nursery is currently seeking a qualified nursery

attendant available Sunday and Wednesday evenings.

If you are interested, please contact

Alea Pena at 817-676-3491.

Job candidates must be at least 18 years of age

and complete a background check.

Walk to Emmaus If you've ever wanted to know more about a Walk to Emmaus or are interest-ed in attending one, the deadline is fast approaching!

The Red River Emmaus Community will host its Women’s Walk October 13-16 and the Men’s Walk October 27-30 in Burkbur-

nett. Deadline to register for the Women’s Walk is October 10th. Contact Valleri Sewell for more

information. (940) 231-5228.

October 9th is Clergy Appreciation Day!

Have you thanked your pastor lately? Sometimes we take for granted everything our Pastor’s do on a daily basis, not to

mention the extra unscheduled pastoral duties that arise.

This is the perfect opportunity to show Pastor Brian and Pas-tor Zack how much they are truly appreciated.

Medicare Info Gathering October 12th - 4:30 p.m. Wesley Center This gathering is a time to learn more about Medicare and have your questions answered prior to Open Enrollment.

Topics Include: Medicare Guidelines

Prescription Plans Upcoming Changes in Medicare

Products and General Availability Q & A

Presenter - Clay Patterson, CRU, ChFC

Our dear Father in Heaven, We thank Thee for the rain, the sun, the trees and all the beauty of

this world. We thank Thee for our brothers and sisters in the Czech

church and especially that we can laugh and smile and just be there

for them as they are there for us. We make it through this world

knowing that we are not alone. In our joy as well as in our times of

sadness we feel thy presence. May we seek to understand and do Thy will. May we reach out to

others and seek to be a light in the darkness. Help us to smile and

bring warmth to those around us. Guide our efforts as a church and

those of our sister church in the Czech Republic. We ask these things in the name of Him who brought us hope and

gave our lives meaning. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Submitted by: Joe St.John

WHAT IS A CARE CORP???

This is a caring group of church members who provide a meal or reception for a grieving

church family who has just lost a loved one.

The Care Corp consists of a Notifier and five or six church members who serve for two months at a time to assist with the

meal or reception on the day of the service. There a variety of ways you can help. Commit to a two month “term” to help

set up the meal, provide food, or be available to be called on as necessary for back up.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to participate in this ministry and would like to help please contact the church

office or sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.

Learning • Growing • Giving • Serving

Reconnect: The 2nd

Half For our last half of the fall season, Reconnect offers 2 new studies for adults. The first is “At the Crossroads: Leadership

Lessons for the Second Half of Life.” This Bible-based study offers both hope and help to members of the Boomer

generation (really anyone) who often experience anxiety about how to live their lives with purpose, passion, and mission.

The second offering is “The Thirteen Apostles” by J. Ellsworth Kalas. This study of the original twelve apostles and

Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot, uses Scripture and historical and traditional writings to understand more fully the

leaders of the early church.

There is no cost associated with either topic.

Decatur FUMC together with

Wise County Episcopal Church

Bring your pet (or a photo of your pet) to:

Saturday, October 8, 2016 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: Wise County Episcopal Church 905 S. Church St., Decatur, TX

Animals of all kinds welcome Pets placed on a leash or in a carrier are appreciated

Please no vicious animals

We would like to honor our veterans this year with a slide show of those who have served. If you would like to submit a photograph of you or

your loved one that has served, please send to administrator@decaturmethodist.org or bring to the church office. Fol-

lowing is a list of some we already have from past services. (If you like, you may send in an updated photo as well.)

Buddy Black, J.E. Carson, Jim DesRoches, Cliff Dudley, Bob Haley,

Marty Keller, Evan Kirkpatrick, Alan Lane, Raymond Nellis, Dave Peterson, Dwight Reeves, Arthur Fred Renfro, Mike Range, Joseph

Renfro, Sam Renshaw, Jackie Smith, Don Stephens, Wayne Stone, Bobby Terrell, Foster Walker, Martin Woodruff,

Cecil Wood and Cecil Wood Jr.

Prayer Prayer for our sister church in the

Czech Republic

Youth in

Action

GIVING

SERVING

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, October 5

UMYF—Wesley Center @ 5:30 - 7:30

Sunday, October 9

Confirmation during Sunday School

Wednesday, October 12

UMYF—Wesley Center @ 5:30 - 7:30

Sunday, October 16

Middle School Party at Laura’s House

5:00 - 7:00

Wednesday, October 19

UMYF—Wesley Center @ 5:30 - 7:30

Sunday, October 23

Senior High Trip after Sunday School

Trunk or Treat 4:00 - 6:00

Wednesday, October 26

UMYF—Wesley Center @ 5:30 - 7:30

Sunday, October 30

Work day in new youth space.

Learning

Giving Serving

Growing

October 16 – Noisy Offering for Thanksgiving Baskets

October 23 - Trunk Or Treat 4:00-6:00 pm

November 13 – Children’s Choir singing AMERICA

November 19 – Deliver Thanksgiving Baskets

December 4 – Children's Play “The Christmas Carol Special Report”

Join us for some great games, trunk or

treat and a hot dinner.

Non-food treats will be available for children

with food allergies.

(Now accepting donations of individually

wrapped candy)

Children Ministry is now

accepting donations for our

annual Thanksgiving baskets.

Cost per basket is 35.00.

We as a church will deliver the

baskets to the families in need

on Saturday November 19th.

Sunday School Volunteers 1st Sunday - Jamie Milliman / Megan Hammon

2nd Sunday - Penny Holt / Casey Edwards / Ashlee Bohn

3rd Sunday - Debra Walker / Jamie Milliman

4th Sunday - Regina Stone / Barbra Haley

Noisy offering this month will go directly

toward our annual Thanksgiving

Baskets.

Children’s Ministry Wednesday Reconnect

We start off each Wednesday night

with dinner at 5:45 in the fellowship

hall, then move into our bible study

from 6:15-7:30.

November 13th the Children’s Choir

will sing America to honor our Veterans.

My Recent Adventures

I wanted to take a moment to tell you about my recent adventures. Since before I was

appointed here, our church has had a vision to begin a new service that would reach out

to people who were not here yet. So, due to this and because we have not had many people who have said they would

be interested in being a part of the launch team, we are starting the new service like you would start a brand new

church. This means that I need to be out in the community, so that is what I have been doing recently.

Last month, a team from our church went to the New Church Bootcamp that teaches how to start a new church or a

new service. What we learned there, we are now implementing, and that is why I have been out of the office a lot and

not in worship the past two Sundays. In my adventures, I have been hanging out at Starbucks, I’ve been at the gym,

and I’ve even hung out at, yes, a few bars. Two Sundays ago, I didn’t even go to church. Instead of going to church, I

went all around Decatur to see where people were on Sunday mornings. I met a few people at Whataburger who were

about to go to the lake. I met a few people buying stuff for their homes or yards at Lowes. I even saw a few “church

members,” don’t worry no names mentioned.

Overall though, there was one place where more people were than any other. You might guess Walmart, but you

would be wrong. The one place where there were more cars and people than any other is, Home. That’s right. There

were more people still at home that any church or store, from what I could tell. When we were growing up, the few

times that we were allowed to stay at home, we said that we went to “St. Mattress Cathedral.” So, what this means for

us as we plan this new service for new people, is that there are plenty of them. The “ponds” are full of people who

aren’t in church, but the “fishers” are few.

So, as we continue to work on launching the new worship service, you might see me around town fishing for people. I

will ask that you will continue to pray for the new service and for the people we are hoping to reach. I also want to

ask you to send anyone you know who might be interested in the new service to me.

In Christ’s Service,

Zack

Decatur Methodist Women’s Ministry

Hosted by: The Lydia Group

All Meetings - 6:00 p.m., FUMC Fellowship Hall

October 17 - Kayla Prock, CASA

November 15 - Jason Wren, ACTS For Others

December - OPEN (Possible Mission Project)

January 17 - Lynda Trow, FUMC Decatur

February 11 or 18 - Methodist Children’s Home

March 21 - Eva Ray Tindol

April 18 - Floral Arrangement

May 16 - Annual Salad Supper

A 5th Sunday in October

There are 5 Sundays in October which means on

October 30th, we will only have ONE worship service.

That day, worship will begin at 10:00am, with Sunday

School at 9:00 and fellowship/coffee at 8:30am.

These days of combining worship into one experience

have become popular and unifying.

www.decaturmethodist.org

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OUR VISION STATEMENT

“We are a people of grace, love, and hope who faithfully

participate in a way of life

that includes learning, growing, giving and serving God.”

Learning • Growing • Giving • Serving

First United Methodist Church Presorted Standard

104 South Miller Street Non-Profit Organization

Post Office Box 302 U.S. Postage Paid

Decatur, Texas 76234-0302 Permit No. 166

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

THIS NEWSLETTER CREATED ESPECIALLY FOR

YOU!

Monday, October 24 at 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 27 8:30 a.m.—Character Builders Classroom

Did you know? Did you know the way Worship Attendance is officially recorded is by

the books we sign in to each Sunday morning? We don’t want to miss having you on record. So please PRINT and list

family members separately so we know you are all here! Thank You!