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Monthly newsletter of A&M United Methodist Church, College Station Texas - August 2014
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417 University Drive, College Station, Texas • www.am-umc.org • [email protected] • 979-846-8731
August 2014
Sharing the Heart of Christ
A&M United Methodist Church
UMW Missions Garage Sale
The UMW Missions Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, August 23rd, 7:00 A.M. –12:00 P.M. Donations will be accepted at the Annex Fellowship Hall on Saturday mornings from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. and by appointment UMW is seeking donations of housewares, kitchen items, furniture, linens, electronics, gardening items,
home health care equipment, toys, plants, lamps, books, and videos. No clothing, except for choice boutique type items will be accepted. See the UMW bulletin board for more information. Proceeds benefit UMW mission projects. Volunteer help is needed. For information on delivery of donations or to volunteer, call Joyce Louis (776-0073), Kathy Taylor (268-8025) or Nancy Schneider (693-4538).
A&M UMC Photo Directory—Help Us Complete the Picture!
A&M UMC is creating a new photo directory and we need you to help make it complete! By participating in the photo sessions, you will receive a free 8x10 photo and a printed directory. Photo sessions will be held September 16th – 20th and September 23rd – September 27th. Sign up for your professional photography session in three convenient ways:
1. 1. Schedule your appointment online at our website: www.am-umc.org (beginning 8/4) 2. 2. Look for sign-up tables on Sundays, located
in the Welcome Area, outside the Great Hall or during your Sunday School class.
3. 3. Or for assistance, contact Nancy Browning at [email protected] or (979) 846-8731.
Our directory won’t be complete without you. Sign up today!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Reasons Reflections ................ 2
Stephen Ministry ..................... 2
Adult Discipleship ................... 3
College Ministries ................... 3
Children/Family Ministries .... 4
Youth ....................................... 5
News/Announcements...……...6-8
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST 3rd Grade Bible Presentation
8/17
South Knoll Teacher Breakfast
8/21
UMW Missions Garage Sale
8/23
Blessing of the Backpacks & School
Supply Drive
8/24
Back to School Bash
8/24
Boy Scout Spaghetti Fundraiser
8/24
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A&M UMC is a Stephen Ministry Congregation!
Feeling overwhelmed? You don’t have to face it alone. We have Stephen Ministers trained to help you when life takes a difficult turn. Stephen Ministers are specially trained laypersons equipped to listen carefully to how you are feeling. They are trained not to solve problems, but to listen and ask God to offer solutions. If you or someone you know might benefit from receiving a Stephen Minister, speak with one of A&M UMC's Stephen leaders or pastors to see if Stephen Ministry would be a good fit. You can also fill out the “Request a Stephen Minister Pew Card” available on Sunday mornings. If you are feeling a call to become a Stephen Minister I strongly encourage you to talk to one of our pastors or Stephen leaders. This ministry will transform your life. I guarantee it. Training to become a Stephen Minister begins in September. Contact Tom Bennett ([email protected]) or CJ ([email protected]) if you are interested.
As August progresses, you will hear more and more talk about new small groups starting. If you are not currently participating in a small group, I hope you will consider joining one of these groups.
The groups will begin by working through The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows by James Bryan Smith. It is the first of three books in The Apprentice Series which are written to be tools that help us to become more as Christ would have us be so that we might live more fully in the love and joy of God. Each week the book examines an aspect of God (God is good. God is loving. God is generous. God is trustworthy. God is holy) as well as some common misconceptions about God that hinder our ability to love and live for God. Each week also has a simple “soul training exercise” that helps create the ability, space, and awareness to experience God’s goodness and presence that is around us all the time. The soul training exercises aren’t complicated. They begin with seeking to sleep one night until you are fully rested. Other exercises include things like sitting quietly with God for five minutes, making a list of things you are thankful for, and reciting the 23rd Psalm.
The gifts of the small group are multiple. You certainly have a little more incentive to read and do the practices, and you have people who can model grace if you ever fail to do them. But even more, small groups offer the support that is so necessary for spiritual growth while allowing you get to know some people who also become friends. We have been running pilot groups during the summer. Several of these participants are considering leading groups throughout the week in the fall. Those going through the groups are saying wonderful things about them. When the sign-up sheets come out, I hope to see your name on one. Grace & Peace,
P.S. If you’d be interested in hosting a group in your home, please contact Anne Campbell-Smith. You don’t have to lead a group to host a group. Not all who lead can host, and not all who host have to lead. Use the gift you have.
Journeying Through Grief
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? The death of someone we love can be one of the most difficult things we deal with in our lives. Our sadness can become so intense and our actions so unfamiliar, even to ourselves, that we wonder if we are going mad. I want to assure you that you are not alone and you are not going mad. A&M UMC wants to come alongside you as you journey through your grief. We are making a wonderful resource available to those who have lost someone they love, a book series called Journeying Through Grief. There are four small, easy to read books in this series each describing feelings that may surface around the time of loss. Many find reassurance knowing their experiences with grief are normal. If you are interested in receiving the Journeying Through Grief series, let CJ know [email protected].
John Reasons
Senior Pastor
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Anne Campbell-Smith Adult Discipleship Coordinator
News & Notes on
Adult Discipleship “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them.”
Ez 11:19a
College Ministries
Financial Peace offered Sundays, 5:00 P.M. in Room S-113. Contact Sandie Bennett at [email protected] to register. Class starts on 9/14. The Trouble with the Truth, balancing Biblical truths with grace, offered Monday 11A.M.-12:00 P.M. in Room S-202. Contact Sterling Allen at [email protected] to register. Class starts 9/8 Children of the Day, the newest Beth Moore study on Thessalonians 1 and 2 is offered Mondays 9:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. in Room C-211. Contact DeEsta Garrett to at [email protected] to register. Class starts 9/8 Embraced by God, written by Babbie Mason, centers on seven promises God gives to all women. Offered Thursdays 10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. in Room C-211 Contact Jacque Halverson at [email protected] to register. Class starts 9/11 Honeymooners at Heart will study The Art of Marriage. This is a Bible study combined
with date nights. Whether you have been married 5 months, 5 years or 5 decades, this is a wonderful way to keep the love and joy alive. Offered Wednesdays 7:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. in Room S-219. Contact Steve and DeEsta Garrett at [email protected] to register. Class starts 9/10 Mom to Mom is a mentoring group based on Titus 2:4, geared to mentor, mature, equip and encourage women at all stages of motherhood in their relationships with their husbands and children. Offered Wednesdays at 6:15 P.M. Contact Ellen Palomo at [email protected] to register. Class starts 9/10. Pastor-led Bible study will meet Wednesdays 6:15 P.M.-7:30 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. Supper is served in the Great Hall from 5:30 P.M.-6:15 P.M. Title and subject to be revealed September 10th! You won’t want to miss this. New In-Home Small Groups will be forming in early September. Stay tuned for details…
If the Shoe Fits: A Women’s Retreat Worth Kicking Your Shoes Off For
October 25th
9:00 A.M.– 3:00 P.M. $25 (includes lunch)
A&M UMC Great Hall National speaker, recording artist, and author Shannon Perry will lead a one-day spiritual conference for women. Visit Shannon’s web site at www.shannonperry.com. Childcare is available by advance reservation only. Each child will need to bring a lunch, drink and snacks. Registration for the event will begin August 24th.
Entering college can be scary. This is a challenging transition for many young people - we need your help connecting students to our local church family here at A&M UMC. One thing I consistently hear students say is, “This is more than a ministry, this is my home and these are my family.” You have become a family to hundreds of students. We need your help getting students connected to our local church family. September 4th at 7:30pm we are hosting Mark Swayze and Mark Fangue for a live concert w/ free pizza. We need the help of the entire congregation to make this a successful event!
Post the event to Facebook or Twitter - I challenge you to post a picture a day on yours or someone else’s wall. (sample Facebook post on right with Twitter #)
short training session Sunday August 31st after the 9:45 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. services in the Great Hall. See you there!
A new school year means new Bible studies and many more new opportunities to get involved at A&M UMC!
Fall Studies Being Offered
Cj Stachurski Director of College Ministries
Volunteers are needed on 9/4 to set-up, welcome, register, serve food, clean up, etc. If you are interested in helping students find a home away from home at A&M UMC, let CJ know at [email protected]. There will be a
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A&M UMC Children & Family Ministries Please feel free to join in on any of these activities.
Questions about A&M UMC Children & Family Ministries? Contact Gwenda Beavers at 846-8731 or
[email protected]. Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/269920456499608
Back to School Bash August 24th
2:00 —4:00 P.M. (Children) 4:00—6:00 P.M. (Youth)
A&M UMC Annex Grab your swimsuits and towels and join the
fun as we play on the giant waterslide.
Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 24th
During the Children’s Sermon Please join us for a special Back to School Blessing for all those heading back to school. Students only need to bring their
backpacks and come forward during the Children’s Sermon. The congregation will be led in a prayer and the students will receive a backpack tag for their backpack.
School Supply Drive
Please help! We will be collecting new school supplies and backpacks to be distributed to Crockett Elementary (BISD) and South Knoll Elementary (CSISD). Supplies can be dropped off in the boxes in the Welcome Area or outside the Great Hall. Questions? Contact Gwenda Beavers at [email protected].
3rd Grade Bible Presentation August 17th
Third grade is such an important time in your child's life. At A&M United Methodist Church, we believe it is time for your children to receive their own copy of the most important book they will ever read, the Holy Bible. On Sunday, August 17th , during the worship service of your choice, we would like to present your children with their very own Bible.
Let us know which service your child will attend to be presented their Third Grade Bible. If the 17th will not work for your family, please let us know and they will be able to receive their Bible in Sunday School the following week. Please contact Gwenda Beavers at 846-8731 or via email at [email protected] to verify that your child’s name is included on the list to receive their Bible.
Are you on the Children’s & Family Ministry E-mail List?
Send an e-mail to Gwenda Beavers ([email protected]) to be added to the contact list and receive all the reminders
and breaking news from the Children’s & Family Ministry program.
Family Retreat October 3rd-5th
Camp Cullen YMCA Camp, Trinity $93 per person
Join us for a family retreat October 3rd—5th at Camp Cullen YMCA Camp (http://www.ymcacampcullen.org/) Save your spot NOW—50% deposit due to Gwenda by Tuesday, September 2nd, to reserve your space at the retreat.
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April Place: [email protected]
Follow Us On Facebook:
www.facebook.com/
groups/4893416913/
A&M UMC
YOUTH
Back to School Bash! Sunday, August 24th, 4:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M.
We are having a water day to celebrate your last day of summer! There will be water games and an inflatable water slide at the church. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!!
Important Youth Dates! Swim ’N Scripture: 8/6 (Appletons) Mission Day: 8/10
Swim ‘N Scripture: 8/13 (Tindalls)
Youth Counselor Retreat: 8/22-24
Back to School Bash: 8/24
Parent Meeting: 8/31
Striving for Righteousness: 9/19-21
Youth Book Club We are starting a Youth Book Club for our high school students! (But if any JH students are interested, just let April know). We are reading Love Wins by Rob Bell. Our first meeting is Tuesday, August 5th at 6:30 P.M. in C-211 and we will discuss Chapter 1. We will provide snacks but you are also welcome to bring your dinner.
Mark your calendars for this year’s SFR Retreat!! It will be September 19th – 21st at Camp Cho-Yeh. This is our annual retreat for Jr. High & High School students to discuss pursuing righteousness in relationships. And, its really FUN! Sign up forms will be sent out soon. Cost is $120 per youth for the weekend plus dinner on the road ($10).
Striving for Righteousness Retreat September 19th—21st
Camp Cho-Yeh
Elijah Partners
“The greatest thing we can do, the one thing we must do, the one thing we have the privilege of doing, is to pray.” – Barby Parish Williams
From Elijah and Elisha to Paul and Timothy, the Bible speaks in numerous places to the importance of spiritual mentorship between generations. During the upcoming school year, we would like to create this opportunity for the junior high and high school students of A&M UMC in a unique way through the Elijah Partner Program. Elijah Partners are adults in our congregation who commit to praying for one youth by name for the entire school year. What makes this prayer ministry unique is that the Elijah Partner is anonymous to the youth. In the crazy, demanding life of our youth today it is nice to know someone (and they don’t know who!) is praying for them. Our goal is that every student in the youth group has an adult from this congregation praying for them year round, beginning in September and ending with a “revealing party” at the end of the school year. Being an Elijah Partner is open to any adult who would like to participate. For more information, email Taylor Jones at [email protected]. To sign up as an Elijah Partner now, fill out the forms found in the Welcome Areas or use the following link: https://amumcyouth.wufoo.com/forms/elijah-partner-sign-up/
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Operation Christmas Child Back-to-school sales are in full swing right now so as you are shopping for supplies for your children, think about purchasing several extra items for the Operation Christmas Child boxes your family will be filling in October. It’s a great way to save a little money and be ahead when the OCC project kicks off towards the end of September. Suggested items include: crayons markers sharpeners map pencils glue sticks (no liquid glue) pencils
Do You Know Where These Missing Members Are? The following members have moved away and we have no forwarding address for them. If you know the mailing address or other contact information on any of them, please contact Cindy Allen at (979) 846-8731 or [email protected]. As per the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church we are doing our yearly membership audit. If we cannot find these people, we will begin writing their names off the rolls through Charge Conference action.
Austin Adams
Roy Aviles Andy Barringer Ann Baum Katherine Cantrell Lauren deFeriaz
Courtney Ellison-Harvell Dan Fordiani III Amy Fowler Marc & Courtney Garrett Mandy Gibson Denise Jemaa
Lily Luc Krystil Macik Angel Sandoval Taylor Smith Cathy Spohnheimer
Spaghetti Plate Lunch with Dessert August 24th at A&M UMC
Suggested donation—$5 per plate The United Methodist Men will hold a spaghetti plate lunch fundraiser for Boy Scout Troop 802 camp scholarships. Scouts will be selling advance tickets on 8/17. Donations welcome.
Volunteers Needed! Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
August 21st South Knoll Elementary
A&M UMC will provide breakfast for the teachers at South Knoll Elementary on August 21st. Volunteers are needed to make this a spectacular event. Contact Gwenda Beavers at [email protected] or 846-8731 to find out how you can help.
College Small Group and Bible Study Leaders Needed We are in need of individuals passionate about sharing the love of Christ with college students through studying of scripture and meeting together to train our souls in the way of Christ. You can invite students to join an existing group or start a new one! If you are interested in joining with students on our journey toward wholeness in prayer and study let CJ know at [email protected].
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Memorials
John Eugene Wilson, brother of Robert Wilson; Linda Polansky; Keta Jones; Bettye Clements, mother of Sandie Bennett; Billie Maxwell; Katherine Wickes, Ken Lee; Lawrence & Mary Margaret Smith; Jenny Barker; David Kelly; Ron Hart; Edwina Granberry, mother of Jay Granberry; Allie Lutz and her mother, Renate; JoAnn Raisor; Helen Houdek, sister-in-law of Phyllis Nicks; Emma Gene Schroeder; Joe and Mary Majors; Mary Jane Hirsch; Tex Owens; Nathan Bloys, Floyd and Beverly Cherington’s grandson; Pearl Kiser; Dorothy Holland; Cleve Walkup; Clare and Mary Alice Gunn; Betty Gilbreath; Marj Benson; Stephan Munion; Frances Henry; and Jean Gresham. Prayers of Comfort for: the family and friends of Gail Marion following her passing on July 9th and for the family and friends of Morris House following his passing on July 9th. Thank you for providing the church office with regular updates regarding the need for continued prayer for individuals on the prayer list. Periodically, the above prayer list will be updated. If an individual’s name is removed, but prayer concerns continue, please notify the office at [email protected] or (979) 846-8731 so that they may be added back to the list.
Church Finances As of July 27, 2014
July YTD
Contributions $ 91,323.28 $ 746,297.14
Expenses $ 99,569.25 $ 844,673.09 2013 Carry Over $104,728.07
Welcome Our New Members Jason, Jenna, Jackson and Atticus Kurten John & Rhonda Hansen Bob & Linda Whitson
Welcome Our New Babies Casen Wayne Bell, grandson of Ed & Penny Thomas
Donor In Honor/Memory of Ministry/Program
Mr. & Mrs. E.L. Walker Ruth Walker Ministries
Ann Marsh Bill Smith’s brother, Donald Smith Stained Glass Windows
Ann Marsh Morris House Stained Glass Windows
Gene Pavlat, Texas FMHA Gail Marion ‘65 Marion Endowment
Robert & Elizabeth Chenoweth Morris House Stained Glass Windows
Robert & Elizabeth Chenoweth Gail Marion ‘65 Marion Endowment
Alan & Mary Ann Jackson Morris House Ministries
Sandra Runnels Gail Marion ‘65 Marion Endowment
Robert & Elizabeth Chenoweth Lynn Furr Stained Glass Windows
Laura Haines Cook Mr. & Mrs. Paul Haines Paul G. Haines, Jr.
Stained Glass Windows
A&M United Methodist Church
Sign up online to receive weekly
e-news updates! www.am-umc.org A&M UMC Publication Deadlines
Do you have information you need to share about your ministry area? Here are the deadlines to keep in mind:
Bulletin Announcements - due the Monday prior to the Sunday to be published (length should be no more than 2 lines)
E-News Announcements - due Wednesday of the week you need to publicize the info
Printed Newsletter - 8/28, 9/25,10/30, and 11/18 Publication of information is subject to approval and space limitations. Have questions? Contact Nancy Browning at [email protected] or (979) 846-8731.
A&M UMC is accepting applications for a part-time sound tech to set-up and operate the soundboard during the 9:45 A.M. Ekklesia service. The hours for this position are 8:15 A.M.- 11:15 A.M. each Sunday, plus additional hours as needed. Please send a cover letter and resume to Mark Fangue at [email protected].
Now Hiring: Part Time Sound Tech
