Vision Statement:

First United Methodist Church is

a loving, supportive family of

faith working together to share

God's love.

A Taste of What’s Inside

2,5 Church Facts

2 Scholarships

3 Children’s Corner

3 Youth News

4 Music Notes

4 Cub Scouts

5 Newsletter Deadline

5 Welcome Keith and Judy Byrd

5 Welcome Clinton Darby

Mark Your Calendar

2 Scholarship Deadline - August 1

3 Vacation Bible School - July 17 - 21

3 Impact Weekend - July 6 - 8 3 Youth Summer Camp July 9 - 14

5 Newsletter Deadline – July 6

Greetings Friends . . . I begin with a salutation for the season: “Happy, blessed, and safe, 4th of July.” Along with this, of course, prayers for our nation are in order. As we head into July it is important to note, and again to pray for, a variety of opportunities coming up when we, at First UMC, will be ministering to our own and hosting company at the same time. In the very near future Matt Potter, our Director of

Youth Ministry, will kick off “Impact Weekend.” Members of youth groups in sev-eral area churches will be in attendance. Immediately following a few members of our United Methodist Youth Fellowship will be heading over to Lakeview Con-ference Camping Center at Palestine for a week plus of summer spiritually based camping experience. As you know our group includes youth from the community who do not attend this church on Sundays. It is our joy to be here for them and to offer these the chance to go to a quality church camp. Just following these events Chandra Sorrells, Director of Children’s Minis-try, will move us forward into Vacation Bible School. VBS week is always a won-derfully intense time, in a VERY positive way, which includes our own kids and quite a few from the community. Thanks to Matt, Chandra, and a sea of wonderful volunteers, for the ways in which we touch the lives of younger folk during the summer. Finally, it is our privilege to welcome a new face onto the church staff. As you know Esther Faggione was hired a couple of months ago to move into the church office following the retirement of Carol Craddock who faithfully cared for us for a number of years. Over the short haul Carla Potter has ably filled, in inter-im, the custodial responsibilities which were Esther’s for a number of years. This brings me to . . . Clinton Darby who, by the time of this reading, will already be on staff as custodian. (Please see “Pastor’s Letter,” page 3)

Pastor, Richard Laster pastorlaster@etex.net

Secretary, Esther Faggione gilmerchurch@gmail.com

Financial Secretary, Lamon Geddie fumcacct@etex.net

The Methodist Messenger Volume 73, Issue 12 July 1, 2017

First United Methodist Church

Contact Us

105 N. Montgomery St Gilmer, TX 75644 903-843-2610

www.gilmer-fumc.com

P age 2

WE SHOW OUR LOVE

By Our Prayers . . .

Ceci Crombie, Lamon Geddie, Roy Helpenstill, Kaytlin Poe, Billie Stevenson

Remember ongoing prayers for loved ones with seri-ous illnesses, our shut-ins, family and friends in the military service and the leaders and staff of our church and our country.

Remember to check our Web Site for up-to-the-minute prayer requests.

Prayer Ministry

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about

everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget

to thank Him for His answers. -- Philippians 4:6

Submit requests to Church’s web page:

www.gilmer-fumc.com

Or Call: Church Office – 903-843-2610

Betty Parish – 903-843-3865

Annette Breazeale – 903-843-3873

Date Sunday

School Worship Visitors

6-11 66 132 26

6-18 88 156 20

Average

Year to Date

86 173 28

Average

Last Year

97 166 28

Our Worship Service is broadcast

on ETEX, Channel 999, Sunday, 6 p.m.

and Monday, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Our Presence

College Scholarship applications are now available on the table outside the church office. If you have graduated from high school, are continuing your college education, and are a member of FUMC, please stop by and pick up an application. The deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 1, 2017. If you have questions or need additional infor-mation, please call Esther in the church office at 903-843-2610.

1

P ag e 3

The Methodist Messenger P age 3

Hello everyone! We have a few big things coming up soon. Im-

pact weekend is scheduled for July 6 - 8, and will start Thursday evening

and conclude on Saturday evening. Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m.,

Thursday, July 6th. Impact is open to youth going into 6th grade through

12th. Cost is $40 per person and that includes food, activities and a T-

shirt. Each youth may want to bring some extra money if they want to get

any additional food or drinks during some of the activities. If you are inter-

ested in attending impact weekend or if you have any questions please

let me know.

Summer camp is approaching as well. If you are going to church

camp then we will be meeting at the church at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 9th.

Camp this year is Sunday through Friday (July 9 - 14). If you have any

questions about what to bring or about the week please let me know.

Matthew

by Chandra Sorrells

Children’s Corner

by Matthew Potter

Youth News

Mark your calendars

now!

VBS

July 17-21st

8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Rising K-6th grade

Lunch will be provided Please take a few mo-ments to read through this newsletter. You’ll find out about Impact Weekend, North District Camp, Vacation Bible School, and Clinton Darby. Also remember to pray for the nation during the time we cele-brate July 4th and beyond. And while you’re at it take a few moments to say thanks to the faithful members of the church staff, some of whom I remembered above. See you Sunday, if not be-fore... Regards and God Bless…

Richard

Pastor’s Letter

(Continued from page 1)

Th e M ethodi st Me s se nge r P age 4

Music Notes by Lora Robison

The worship service for July 2, 2017 will have a patriotic theme in celebrat-ing this year’s Independence Day. Hymns will include “America, the Beautiful” and “This Is My Song.” The anthem will be “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” per-formed by soloists Steve Nye, Buzzy Green, and Laurie Woodson, along with the choir and congregation. Our service for July 9, will include the favorite hymns “Love Divine, All Loves Excel-

ling,” “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” and “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” all from The United Method-ist Hymnal. Matthew Faggione will be singing “In Christ Alone” for our special music for the day. July 16, will include from The United Methodist Hymnal “Hymn of Promise,” “Spirit of the Living God” and “Thy Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet.” Cori Beasley will be our soloist for the day. She will be singing “On Eagles Wings” arranged by Hayes. We look forward to July 23, when our guests Darren and Melanie Richardson will be here to share their annual gospel worship with us! Hope you are having a GREAT SUMMER! In Christ’s love,

Lora

In honor of all First United Methodist Church and its members do for Pack 314, the Cub Scouts spent some time Saturday, June 17th pulling weeds in the prayer garden. Thanks for all you do to support our program!

If you would like to provide flowers for Worship on any of the following dates, please contact Esther in the church office (903-843-2610).

July 9 December 17 December 24

Flowers for …

July 2 Mr. and Mrs. Larry Morse and family

July 9

July 16 Mr. and Mrs. Milton Monk

July 23 Mr. and Mrs. Charles Winn and family

and Dinah Spence and Family

July 30 Mary Wightman

Greeters… Diane Chevalier and Kathy McClain

Lay Reader… Our Youth

The Sanctuary Flowers for…

June 4 were given by Mrs. B. M. Stevenson and family in memory of Bill Stevenson and Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Brogoitti

June 11 were given by Millie and Verlon Feller to the Glory of God, to honor the members of First United Methodist Church of Gilmer, and to celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary, June 11, 1949.

Th e M ethodi st Messenger Fol low us on F aceboo k - Fir st Unit ed Methodi st Church o f Gi lm er

Deadline for Newsletter Articles…

July 6, Noon

P age 5

We would like for you to say hello to our new custodian, Clinton Darby. Clinton is new to Gilmer and to our church, so let’s make him feel welcome, as us Methodists know how to do. When you see him

working around the facility tell him how glad we are to have him on our staff. Blessings, SPRC Committee

Keith and Judy Byrd

P.O. Box 1314

Gilmer, TX 75644

Joined June 25, 2017