First United Methodist Church

2600 East Main Street Gatesville, TX 76528

(254) 865-2520

Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage Paid

Gatesville, TX

Permit No. 74

Change Service Requested

SP TLIGHT First United Methodist

Gatesville March 2018

The mission of our church is to raise up disciples of Christ through love, service, and example.

My Word

What is it that makes a family a family?

When I pray with an individual recovering from a surgery or illness in the hospital, I usually close my prayer with the hope that this person will soon return to his/her family at home and in church. I won-der if that confuses the person I’m praying for. The family at home is easy to understand: mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter. Like it or not, they are family. But what about the church? Are we really a family?

There are some church members that I look up to and wonder if there is any way I can be adopted into their family. Then there are those with whom I have nothing in common. Are we family? What about members of other denominations in other cities. Are we related too?

To be a part of a family is to be united by blood as well as choice. I know of families that argue at the drop of a hat but as fast as the argument started it is over and life goes on as if nothing happened. It means that no matter how much they yell or disagree over little things like politics, house rules or money, when it comes to the important things like health, safety and security, they are there for each other. And if anything or anyone threatens one member of the family the other members are quick to respond no matter how recent or severe the last disagreement.

The same is true for the children of God and the brothers and sisters of Jesus. We will fuss and fight from time to time. We will disagree over issues, both serious and silly – money, politics and even the-ology. But when we hear of the plight of one of our brothers or sisters in other parts of the world, we don’t bother asking what church they attended or for whom they voted before we extend a helping hand. At least that’s the way it is supposed to be.

Matthew writes of a time when Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. Jesus posed the ques-tion, who is my mother and brother. He looked around at those who had been following him and said, “whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50

We are brothers and sisters, mothers and daughters, sons and fathers of each other because we are related by choosing to do the will of the Father as well as through the blood of Jesus Christ.

I’ll see you at the family reunion this Sunday morning at 8:30 and 10:30.

Rev. Gene Gurley

revgene@yahoo.com

Into the city I’d follow the children’s band, waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand.

Birthdays 1 Ann Gurley

2 Doris Nichols

3 Leola Shoaf 4 Linda Lovelace

5 Harrison Smith

7 Clayton Gregory

7 Bennie Hansson

12 Marilyn Decker 15 Rhysa Smith

18 Delaney Lee

19 Carol Smith

20 Julie Gardner 20 Robin Sweazea

23 Brooke Brown

25 Bonnie Latham

28 Jane Harvey

29 Larry Miles

Attendance

February 4

Sunday School 79

8:30am Worship 50

10:30am Worship 108

February 11

Sunday School 59

8:30am Worship 30

10:30am Worship 63

February 14 Ash Wednesday 70

February 18

Sunday School 75

8:30am Worship 43

10:30am Worship 99

February 25

Sunday School 92

8:30am Worship 41 10:30am Worship 108

Prayer Concerns

Angie Alhf Karen Arnold

Pat Aslin

Zula Ayers

Sue Bandy

Amelia Bogard

Jeanette Brooks

Bobby Cole

Barby Daniel Layla Evetts

Joe & Carolyn Floyd

Calvin Ford

Phyllis Head

Sally Jund

Laurline McCullough

Barbara Miller Terry Norman

Lilly Paxton

Karen Reaves

Tookie Schamber Treasa Telle

Casey Shirley

Kay Silver Stan Sugg

Tom Theaker Linda Ussery

Ilene Whitte

Mr. & Mrs. Wagner Our President

Military

Brandon Durham

Shane Clark Tom Cushing John Decker Dusty Dossman

Than Dossman Dylan Hartmann Robert Miller Larrett McCoy

Matt Mohler Joe Patterson

Anthony Pemberton

Fredrick Ralls Wesley Reay

Stephan Sowders

Jacklyn Stribling

Jeron Tarpley

Eric Ward

March 4

8:30 W. Wall 10:30 G. Sadler

March 11

8:30 V. Riddle

10:30 H. Theaker

March 18

8:30 A. Daze

10:30 R. Sweazea

March 25

8:30 R. Jones

10:30 M. A. Leib

MemorialsMemorialsMemorialsMemorials LiturgistsLiturgistsLiturgistsLiturgists

JOYCE EDWARDS

Marty Bates

Greg & Kelly Miller The Oaks/Welcome Rm. Eugene & Linda Shirley

Karen Kindrick, Diane Sikes, Donny & Laura Kindrick Lynn & Penny Massingill Mary Mitchell

ROBERT CAVANAUGH

Betty Brown

Kenneth & Velva Riddle

Donnie & Patsy Smart

BEN SILVER

Eugene & Linda Shirley

DONALD SMITH

Eugene & Linda Shirley

Melinda Anderson Ivy

Helen & Tom Theaker Bob & Carolyn Brown

Jon & Judy Brown

Dede & Dina Powell Donnie & Patsy Smart Joyce Pruitt & family

JEFFREY ARNOLD

Pat Miller Henson

Betty Brown

Melinda Anderson Ivy

GHS Class of 1955

Bob & Carolyn Brown

ZULA AYERS

Kenneth & Velva Riddle

Anne Ramminger AMANDA THOMPSON

Kenneth & Velva Riddle

Thank your for your generous contribution to the Gatesville Care Center. We appreciate your support in helping the needy in our com-munity. This money will be used wisely toward meeting the needs of our clients.

GATESVILLE CARE CENTER

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for the many prayers, hugs, and concerns that were given to me during such a difficult time in my life. I’m thankful to have such a caring pastor and church.

Darlene Stephenson

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

The United Methodist Women will meet Tuesday, March 13, at 5:30 p.m. in the Banquet Room. Doris Nichols will present the program Climate Justice Part 4–Chapters 7 & 8. Hostesses are Elizabeth Thomas and Patsy Smart. All women are invited.

BLANKET CUTTING AND TYING

Anyone who is interested in cut-ting/tying blankets for the Rain-bow Room, please contact Linda Klontz, by text at (937) 206-6418 or by e-mail at lindakay0118@gmail.com

BAPTISM RENEWAL SERVICE

On Sunday, March 11th we will hold a baptism renewal service during both worship services. From time to time someone will ask to be re-

baptized in the church. It usually follows a conversion or born again experience, or simply because they can’t remember their baptism as an infant. However, as United Methodists, we believe that baptism is an act of the Holy Spirit and as such is a ‘forever’ thing. It doesn’t need to be done again. We believe that through baptism, we become members of God’s uni-versal church.

The service will follow a sermon on “When Je-sus Went to the River”, a part of the “Going Places with Jesus” series. Everyone who has been baptized before is welcome to participate. If someone has not been baptized before, they might consider being baptized at this time. BULLETIN BOARD MANAGER

Don’t wait for someone else to volunteer; they are wait-ing on you. We are looking for a person who will update the church bulletin board peri-odically with news of the members of the church and

news about upcoming events in the area. For more information contact Rev. Gurley.

CHURCH SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST WANTED

Must have experience with MS Office, basic bookkeeping, filing, record keeping, social media and phone etiquette and operations. Complete job description available on request. Send resume to United Methodist Church, 2600 E. Main St., Gatesville, 76528 or fumcgatesville@embarqmail.com. Must be able to start on Apr 2,2018.

Sunday, March 11th

Upcoming Events

March 15 Game Night @ Dairy Queen 6:00 p.m.

March 28 Dinner & Passion Play @ UMHB

April 20 “1940’s Radio Show” @ Temple College

SUNDAY SCHOOL K-3

Sharon Sullins & Jane Harvey 4-6

Debbie Martin, Amanda Martin & Kayla Sellers

Bible stories each week: March 4 Mary Honors Jesus

John 12:1-8

March 11 Bartimaeus Shouts to Jesus

Mark 10:46-52 March 18 Jesus Breaks the Bread Mark 14:12-26 March 25 People Welcome Jesus

Mark11:1-11

LEARNING THE

BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

(4y-3rd grade) Jane Harvey Singing praises (Gospel Bluegrass Music) to God in the little chapel with David Nauert.

WEDNESDAY WORD

Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. $3 Adults

$ 2 Kids 12 & under $8 Family cap

Bible Study from 6:00 until 7:15. Guest Chefs & Menu

March 7 Becky and Bruce Necessary

Baked potatoes, fixings and dessert March 14 No Wednesday Word Meal Spring Break

March 21 Gaye Sadler, DeDe Powell & Anne Ramminger Sub sandwiches, baked beans, potato

salad, chips and cake

March 28 No Wednesday Word Meal Walk With Jesus Easter Event — FLC

Jane Harvey & Linda Klontz

March 7 The Sower; Matthew 13:23

March 14 Spring Break

March 21 The Mustard Seed; Mark 4:32

March 28 Walk With Jesus Easter Event — FLC

GLEN LAKE SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE

Family Camp

# 1 (June 8-10) # 2 (July 22-24) K-3rd w/family $ 100.00 each

Trailblazer # 1 (June 17-22) #2 (July 15-20) 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th grade $ 375.00 each

Expedition #1 (June 24-29) #2 (July 8-13) 6th, 7th & 8th grade

$ 375.00 each

Pathfinder (July 1-6) 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th

$ 375.00 each

Trek (July 20-22) 1st, 2nd & 3rd grade $ 160.00 each

Please contact Children’s or Youth Directors if you plan to Attend.

WALK WITH JESUS EVENT A free Holy Week Event where chil-dren and families Walk with Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem. This is a community

wide; one hour event, rotating through five stations. We are asking for wrapped candy donations. Please put in Ms. Jane’s office. Thank you!!!

DATE: Wednesday, March 28, 2018

SHOW TIMES: 5:30-6:30, 5:42-6:42, 5:54-6:54, 6:06-7:06 & 6:18-7:18

DEBBIE HILL NEW NURSERY DIRECTOR

Congratulations to Debbie Hill as she steps into the role of Nursery Supervisor. Debbie is no stranger to the nursery. She has worked there during the Wednesday Word Program for nearly three years, and has filled in on Sunday mornings when needed. She is loved by the chil-dren in the nursery already. As the number of young families continues to increase, so does the need for a nursery on Sunday as well as special services during the week.

Debbie has been a member of First Gatesville since 2004. Please welcome her in her new role.

Palm Sunday

Morning Worship 8:30 am

Procession of the Palms 10:30 am

MorningSong Concert 6:00 pm

Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service 6:30 pm

Good Friday

Tenebrae Service 6:30 pm

Easter Sunday

Sunrise Service at CCC 7:00

Service of Resurrection 8:30 & 10:30

WALK WITH JESUS MEETING

We are having a meeting after church Sunday, March 4th at 11:45 a.m. for the Walk With Jesus Easter Event for Families. If you would like to partici-pate, please make plans to attend. If you are not already Ministry Safe trained, please get with Ms. Jane before this event on Wednesday evening March 28, 2018. We are asking for the members to donate wrapped candy. The public is invited.

COMING THIS SUMMER!!! June 25-29, 2018

See details in The Flashlight and the Spotlight.

MARCH 2018

Wednesday

E

venin

gs

5:3

0 p

.m.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

6:30 AA

3

4

8:30 Worship

9:30 SS

10:30 Worship

4:00 Oaks

5

6:30 AA

6

7

5:30 Wednesday

Word Meal 6:00 IMPACT

6:00 Prayer and

Bible Study

6:00 Choir 6:30 AA

8

Noon-6:00

Carter Blood Drive

9

6:30 AA

10

Robert Cavanaugh

Memorial Service

11

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS

8:30 Worship 9:30 SS 10:30 Worship

12

6:30 AA

13

5:30 United Methodist Women

14

NO WEDNESDAY

WORD MEAL

6:00 Prayer and

Bible Study

6:00 Choir 6:30 AA

15

16

6:30 AA

17

18

8:30 Worship 9:30 SS 10:30 Worship

19

6:30 AA

20

21

5:30 Wednesday

Word Meal 6:00 IMPACT

6:00 Prayer and

Bible Study

6:00 Choir 6:30 AA

22

23

6:30 AA

24

25

Palm Sunday

8:30 Worship 9:30 SS 10:30 Worship

6:00 Evening of Lenten Music @

FUMC

26

6:30 AA

27

28

5:30 Walk With

Jesus Easter Event —FLC

6:30 AA

29

6:30Maundy Thursday Service

30

6:30 Good

Friday Service

6:30 AA

31

I.M.P.A.C.T. News

Wednesday Word IMPACT is now studying Fathom a youth directed biblical study.

Sunday School meets @ 9:30 a.m.

THANK YOU !!! IMPACT would like to say thank you again for all the support on the "Soup"er Bowl Sunday Fundraiser! We hope everyone enjoyed the soup.

We love hearing ideas for the youth! If you know of any needs that the youth can help with, please let us know!

Youth Council: Gene Gurley, Mary Minshew, Jackie Williams, Lisa Bankhead, Tabatha Grace and Lute Sullins.

Check out The IMPACT Bulletin Board in the hallway for pictures, news, and sign-up sheet!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 8 Toby Mac Concert in Belton

Wednesday nights we are doing the bible study Fathom and on Sunday mornings we are joining the Way Sunday school room for The Case For Christ.

During this month we will be picking up the trash on the streets around the church for Keep Gatesville Beautiful and will try for an outing over spring break. We look forward to the Easter program this month. We are making plans to attend the Easter Pageant at UMHB.

YOUTH ON A MISSION

The Youth Missions Camp committee is preparing for a great week this June. They will spend each day focusing on a mission project either at one of the area agencies or at the home of a person who needs help. They are currently lining up job possibilities. If you, or someone you know has a project, such as minor repairs, painting clearing out brush or something similar, please contact Lisa Bankhead at 223-2396 and give her your information. If your project is selected, you will be notified of the start date that will take place sometime during the third week of June.

PRAXIS INTERSHIP IN PASTORIAL LEADERSHIP

The Praxis Internship provides college students an opportunity to experience pastoral ministry through a ten-week, paid summer internship in a local church. In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul reminded him to "fan into flame the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV). Through a guided experience of action and reflection (Praxis), we help college students explore and discern how God might be calling them into ministry and ‘fan into flame’ their passion to serve God.

Each intern is matched with a mentor pastor who guides them during the summer. Praxis is designed to provide a range of experiences related to pastoral leadership. For more information or to apply, go to ctcumc.org/praxis.