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April 10, 2012
Church Matters First United Methodist Church, Euless
106 N. Main St. at Airport Freeway. Euless, TX 76040
Phone: 817-283-4421 www.fumceuless.org
Senior Pastor Rev. Gary Turner
Associate Pastor Rev. Beverly Springer
[email protected] Gary Frankly Speaking
"Smart as an Ant"
I am loving this spring. The truly spring temperatures have made sitting on my back porch in the late afternoon a delightful respite from daily activities. As I sat outside enjoying the bird song, the plane departures and the TRE whistles as they approached the
crossing, my attention was diverted to a mourning dove whisking by. I was mentally transported 125 miles west of here, with memories of dove hunting in Eastland County.
In the “hood” they have “pick up” basketball games. In the country you have “pick up” bird hunting. A rancher will say, “I saw some birds this morning, why don’t you come on out this afternoon?”
Responding to the one such invitation of a church member, I dutifully loaded up my Remington 1100 and headed out south of town. I went out a little early in the afternoon knowing that they might not be flying yet, but I wasn’t sure how long I could stay. For nearly an hour I sat in the “shade” of a mesquite tree and didn’t see a single bird. As I waited and watched, I prayed. (No, I wasn’t praying for God to send in a flock of birds.) I was praying for God to reveal himself to me and lead me to a deeper understanding of his working in my life and the life of the church.
Now some folks would say that the fact that I spent half the afternoon in a dried up wheat field without killing a single bird would be a waste of time. I have a little different perspective. When I prayed, God answered. As I sat under that bush watching and listening for a future meal to fly by, I happened to look over at a red ant bed. Streaming in and out of the hole were dozens of busy little ants, foraging and retrieving. In that quite time I took my eyes off the sky and watched another portion of God’s creation.
I decided to track the activity of one ant leaving the mound. As he started off, he followed the trail that so many others had followed. He seemed bound to go the same direction. I thought there might be a special stash of food somewhere to which they all were going. But then, he strayed from the beaten path and began to trek out on virgin territory. I thought he might be lost. I didn’t know what the outcome would be, but then I noticed that he had found a grain of wheat and was dutifully carrying it back to the mound. Going against the flow of traffic he entered the hole and disappeared.
I began tracking another one. Following the same course out as his mound-mate, he too went so far and then diverted from the beaten path to a piece of grain and dutifully returned to the hole. I watched several more follow the same routine. Every time they would leave, forage, and come back with food for the colony. Not once did I see an ant grab the grain and head off for his own little domicile. None seemed to be driven by independence or a desire to make it on his own. Each responded to the higher calling of the Creator. They had no choice.
The difference between us human beings and those ants is that we have free will. Instead of serving God’s kingdom through the community of faith, we can serve ourselves. We can meet our own selfish interest and cart our hard earned spoils off to our own little collective. But what would happen to the ant if the ant tried to do that. It would die. Precisely! And the ant is smart enough to know that.
During my six-plus years as your pastor I have observed this congregation working like ants to build the kingdom. You have each shared your talent and wealth for the common good. I look forward to how God will continue to do that in the months and years ahead. Originally published 10/13/1999, Republished 01/26/2005, Republished 02/05/2007, Republished 04/10/2012
Texas Trash Off Saturday, April 14
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
First United Methodist will be responsible for picking up trash on Hwy. 10 from the church’s property west to Ector.
The city supplies the trash bags and picks them up from the roadside. This is a fun and painless way for our church to support the city.
There will be a free drinks & food at The Village at Bear Creek Park for those who work at 12 noon.
KAIROS
Kairos means “God’s special time”…and what a time it is! The four-day weekend with the “brothers-in-white” (inmates) and the “free-world” (volunteers) is a true work of the Holy Spirit moving amongst our brothers and planting seeds in a very dark place. This “special time” cannot happen without the support of churches like ours. The James V. Allred Unit near Wichita Falls will be the site of “seed plantings” from April 19 – April 22. Please support this Spirit-filled mission by donating to the meal tickets, signing the church poster and signing the prayer chain……your prayers are PRICELESS!
Save your acts for next time!!!
The Follies have been canceled.
Anna Mindy Robbie Ann Burns Johnny Jo Kemp Frances Hodo Robin Biles Alvin Groves Kelli Nowlin Clifton Cooper Leah Bennett Sharon Menix Paula Brown Mimi Maloney Sherwood Abbott Jim Correnti Dillon Norred Richard Stone Kathy Chapman Nancy Bickel Roger Ivey Julie Ratliff Randy Caldwell Kellsey Abbott Linda Wilson Kay Campbell Frances Hodo Opal Willis T.J. Pepper Kevin Maines Gail Goodson Kim Knighton Jack Darring Gary & Kristi Abernathy Area Storm Victims The Taylor Family Charles & Judy Gravely Bob & Barbara Collier Hungry of spirit & body Mark & Vicki Baker Gary Frank Cooper Daniel Keeley Warner Muirhead Lois Johnson Military & veterans Gene & Helen Dirks Kathryn Borah Jenifer Hurlbut Charlotte Everett Glendora Waldrup Mark, Pat May’s friend People of Kenya Martha Wells’ Aunt Gussie Pam, Mark Pilney’s friend The Millers, Katy’s friends Samie McGuffie, Elizabeth’s friend Rada Hickman, Helen Davies’ friends Krista Fortune, Lindsay Howard’s friend Emma Belle Stanley, Elizabeth Hurlbut’s friend Justin, Taylor & baby Chloe Knighton Carl Frear, Ellen Garcia’s father Olivette Patterson, Kaye Walton’s mother Scott Montoya, Adam Montoya’s father Janice Frost, Adam Montoya’s grandmother Debbie Barnett, Alan Moffatt’s friend Sue Murray, Carol Kramer’s mother Caroline Taylor, Tami Polenz’s mother Rev. Jason Woolever’s mother Nancy Wilson, Jo Kemp’s niece Hanna Berg, Ron Hight’s friend Carl Coley, Ann Wilson’s father Cindy Miller, Teresa & Johnny Watts’ friend Mark Arnold & family, Bill Hurlbut’s friend Bill Spearman, Dottie Rust’s brother Ollie, Chris, Steven, Latoya & Sean Osallis Bill & Kitty Kirkly, Billie Bradford’s friends Betty Williams, Marla Williams’ mother-in-law Arnold Murdock, Marla Williams’ brother Dana Moser, Melba Taylor’s granddaughter Connie Fuller, Melba Taylor’s niece Chris Coley, Ann Wilson’s brother Carol Cohagan, Charlotte Ellis’ sister American Airlines employees Pierre Tshimanga & family Don Lade, Pat May’s brother Gabrielle, Preschool student Brian Gibbs, Tami Polenz’s brother-in-law Kristy, Shirley Mercer’s granddaughter Tyler Dennis, Mistie Taylor’s godson John Govel, Joyce Humphrey’s friend Maurine Padgett, Nancy Bickel’s co-worker Parisa Mardani Kamali, Teresa Watts’ friend Amanda & Heath Robertson
Jason Knighton Justin Knighton Gail Worofka David Graveley Kevin Balentine Jeffrey Stone, Lucille Link’s nephew
Casey Waldrep, Steve Elliott’s friend James Fiaccone, Sue Fiaccone’s grandson Jason El-Obari, Jo Kemp’s friend
Ganoe Howard, Mistie Taylor’s great uncle Carol Rust, Dottie Rust’s daughter Nona Taylor, Matt Taylor’s mother Nolan Hardwick, Barbara Collier’s father Steve Nolen, Lucille Link’s friend Virginia Moyer, Carol Turner’s aunt Betty Rustin & family, Mimi Maloney’s cousin Hannah King, Julie Ann Brown’s niece Laura Wells, Kathy Berkeley’s niece Maggie & George Aune, Kate Allred’s relatives Betty Leggett, Mistie Taylor’s friend’s mother Ashlin Bean, Sharon Menix’s grandson Carl Larson, Julie Ann Brown’s extended family Susan Dancer, Jared Deisinger’s friend Nancy Jones, Billie Bradford’s cousin Rodney Roach, Dottie Rust’s friend Donna Nolan, Pat Hoover’s friend Mary Ann Johnson, Randy Pilney’s friend James Herrod, Rodney & Debbie James’ friend Patrick McClure, Dottie Rust’s son-in-law Holly Flores, Darlene Anderson’s sister Louetta Turner, Maggie Lucas’s mother Alaine Richter, Millie Richter’s daughter-in-law Nathan Johnson, Dave Allred’s friend Meredith Stone, Richard Stone’s friend Barbara Marino, Mary Turner’s friend Victoria Hatch, Krista Tidmore’s niece Gabriela Troya, Caro Kenyon’s sister Linda Brown, Julie Ann Brown’s sister-in-law Chuck Perkins, Nancy Bickel’s co-worker’s son Charlie Wymore, Nancy Bickel’s co-worker Loren & Betty Good, Lynne Moffatt’s friends Steve Townsend, Roger & June Ivey’s friend Margarita Quevedo, Caro Kenyon’s friend Dovie Pilney, Stephen, Randy & Mark Pilney’s mother Anabela de la Fuente, Caro Kenyon’s sister Hazel Gratsch, Linda (Dave) Lewis’ mother Carol and Ray DeBiase, Marilyn Long’s friend Virginia Mello, Richard Stone’s friend Carrie Allred, Dave Allred’s daughter Lois Weems, Joyce Humphrey’s mother Sydney Marie Peel, Pat May’s great niece Donise Harvey, Diane Weyer’s friend Ira Mark Rodriguez, Audrey Coats’ cousin Pam Roorda, Johnnie Girod’s daughter Clarence Clay, Kristi Abernathy’s grandfather Billy Merritt, Kristi Abernathy’s uncle Brenda Buntin, Kristi Abernathy’s aunt Kent Dalrymple, Janice Kasten’s cousin Jack Loftin, Stephen Pilney’s co-worker’s father Zach Sanders, Sharon Patton’s friend’s grandson Pearl & Ray Wygle, Barbara Collier’s aunt & uncle Ann & Joe Horn, Barbara Ledbetter’s aunt & uncle Alyssa, Rita Young’s co-worker’s granddaughter Steve Jackson & family, Bob & Sylvia Newsom’s friend Family of Chris Burnett, Thomas Hawthorne’s friend Steven, Rachel, Eliza & Liam Heyduck & family (new pastor) Jeremiah & Sal Unga family, Robert & Cheryl Cheek’s friends Holly & Monroe Baggett, Sharon Menix’s sister & brother-in-law Eric & Jocylyn Spivey & newborn premie, Jacob Ric & Shelly Grant’s friends Faye & Weldon Clark, Melba Taylor’s sister & brother-in-law St. Barnabas United Methodist Church, Arlington Rev. Will Cotton
Congratulations to Rodney and Debbie James on the birth of their new granddaughter, Alexis Teresa Morales on Friday, March 30. She weighed 7 lbs. 14 ozs. and was 19 1/2 inches long. Proud parents are Jorge & Tiffany. Big brother is
Gabriel. All are doing well. Congratulations to Kimberly Knighton and to James Knighton on the birth of their granddaughter, Chloe Marie. She weighed 8 lbs. 10 ozs. She is the daughter of Justin & Taylor. Everyone is doing well.
If your would like to get your Newsletter by email, please email your ema i l address to Phy l l i s a t [email protected] and let her know.
If you are planning a move, please let the church office know your new address. We have to pay $.45 if your newsletters are returned for not being deliverable as addressed. The Post Office will not forward bulk mail.
Thanks for your help.
Last week we had our Easter parades, egg hunts and parties. The children looked adorable in their various Easter bonnets. We
had traditional bonnets, Easter eggs hidden in grass headbands, bunny ears and duck hats. The students enjoyed collecting the Easter candy and eggs. This week we will resume our study of letters with the letter X for Xavier Fox. The PK1 and Cherub classes will begin a unit on Farm Animals and the PK2 classes will start a Bug Unit. Our Kindergarten students are going to Casa Manana to see Alice in Wonderland on Tuesday and our PK2 classes are going to UTA to see a Stephen Fite concert.
The winner of our registration drawing for all those who were registered by April 1 is Diya Dharmacy. Congratulations Diya and family!
Preschool and Kindergarten will be performing at Arbor Daze on Saturday, April 28 at 9 a.m. on the Main Stage. Come on out and watch us perform!
Reception for Gary & Carol Turner
Sunday, May 6 Family Life Center
A luncheon celebrating Gary & Carol’s ministry
will be held immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service in the Family Life Center. This will be a potluck with the church providing the meat & drinks. Please bring food by the first letter of your last name. A thru F - Vegetable dish, G thru L - Desserts, bread or other side dish M thru R - Salad or other side dish & S thru Z - Desserts, bread or other side dish.
SAVE THE DATE Saturday, May 26
2:05 game against the Blue Jays
Fresh Start will host a parking lot tail gate party at 11:00 a.m. The game is especially exciting as Christian singing group Casting Crowns will be presenting a concert that will start at 12:00 noon. Sounds like a home run kind of day!! Tickets are in the shade again similar to last year in the top level along the 1st base line. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students.
Sunday, May 6 Gary & Carol’s last Sunday
Luncheon celebrating Gary & Carol’s ministry 12:15 p.m. in the Family Life Center
Sunday, June 17 Arrival of Steven, Rachel, Eliza & Liam Heyduck
Reception 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Swor Parlor
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS COMING!!!! JUNE 18 - JUNE 22
VBS Registration Celebration
Sunday, May 20 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
In the Swor Parlor
Registration for volunteers and participants.
In Memory of Doris Wren
Given by: Kay Campbell For: Memorial Fund
In Honor of Robert Nail’s Birthday
Given by: Kay Campbell
For: Memorial Fund
A big thank you again to Michael Halleck for the French drain in front of the office. It really was nice last Tuesday afternoon when we did not have to wade in the water. It is the Eagle Scout project that has kept on giving.
“Invitation To Psalms” A short term DISCIPLE Bible Study
Make a deeper connection to the world of the Psalms so that these well known scriptures can help you give voice to all aspects of our human experience.
Sundays from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Swor Parlor.
10 weeks course - Cost $12. Facilitator - Richard Stone
Get your participant book on May 6. Sessions are May 20 - July 22. The class is limited to 15 people and will be first come, first served.
Deadline to sign up is Sunday, April 22.
Your Board of Trustees have begun the parking lot project. We have bid out for design work after having the soil surveys completed. Once a design company is selected, then an official design is completed and approved. Following that, bids to construction companies and city
permits will go out followed by selecting a company and then the work. As part of our Forward in Faith commitment, we will be adding approximately 50 spaces to our existing lot on the Southeast corner along Highway 10. We look forward to this campus improvement.
Check out our website at: www.fumceuless.org
April 15 - April 21 Sunday, April 15 8:00 a.m. Library Opens 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Assemblin’ & Singin’ 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:30 p.m. Liberian Church
Monday, April 16 7:00 p.m. Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, April 17 1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting
Wednesday, April 18 9:00 a.m. Tarrant Area Food Bank Workday 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir
Thursday, April 19 10:00 a.m. Time of Prayer
Friday, April 20 9:00 a.m. Food Pantry open
FOOD PANTRY NEWS AND INFORMATION The food pantry is in need of the following
items:
Canned Soup Fruit Juice Macaroni & Cheese Vienna Sausage
********************************************Food Pantry Volunteers
April
Apr. 13 - Dennis Burk, Gloria Daves, Helen Davies, Jill Schaneberg Apr. 20 - Phyllis Augustus, Darlene Carter, Josie Laster, Dottie Rust Apr. 27 - Trish Franklin, Pam Jagen, Sharon Menix
If you would like to volunteer to work on our days at the Tarrant Area Food Bank, please contact Sharon Menix or the church office at 817-283-4421.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Sunday School ................... 174
Worship 8:30 ................. 157
11:00 ................. 236
Total .................. 393
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Leave the church at 8:20 a.m.
Flowers For Sale
Thank you for the great response to our 4th annual Flower Sale. We have 25 flats left of Marigolds, Petunias, Begonias, Zinnia's and Coleus. They are $16 a flat. Large Hibiscus for $25 are for sale as well as Sweet Potato plants
at $4 each. They are in the Family Life Center. Stop by and help us give these plants good homes.
Special thanks to our choir for the wonderful music at all of the Holy Week services!
