For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1Corinthians 1:18
March, 2013 Volume 2, Issue 3
Inside This Issue:
The Circuit Writer • A Cause for Celebration, page 2 • Theological Word to Know, page 2 • Church Calendar, page 3
• Church Worship Schedule, page 4 • Faith is Fun, page 5 • BeADisciple.com, page 5
30 Hours Without What?
Superintendent to Visit FUMC
Imagine you’re a teenager and you’ve just been asked to go without eating for 30 hours. It’s usually a shock for most young people to think about. That’s exactly why we do it. Everyday people around the world go hungry, and not because they choose to do so. Because they lack food, they also deal with various medical conditions and, on average, 29,000 people die everyday due to issues relating to malnutrition. This is not okay! The 30 Hour Famine is a program designed to help raise awareness and funds for children around the world. Participants go without eating for 30 hours to share in the struggle of others. We host the famine as a lock-in for JR High and High School students. No, we don’t eat, but we do have fun, learn about what we can do to help others and we begin making our difference. Consider this an invitation to every student you know to join us. The Famine is scheduled for May 10 -11. We have our first informational meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 21st at 6:30pm. This is for students and parents to hear more about what we’re doing and ask any questions about the Famine. Contact our office or speak with John or Gloria Fletcher for more information.
The Reverend Terrence Hayes is completing his final year as our Victoria District Superintendent (DS). His term will be completed and a new DS will be appointed at Annual Conference in June. In the meantime, we have the blessing of welcoming Terrence to our congregation once again before he is appointed elsewhere. On Sunday, March 24th he is scheduled to preach at our Palm Sunday worship service. Terrence is a gifted preacher; without a doubt you will appreciate his words. Make sure you’re with us to welcome and show our appreciation to Terrence.
Easter Schedule Make your plans to celebrate Easter with us. • Mar 27: Bible study about the last night Jesus spent with his disciples. We meet at 6:30pm • Mar 28: Maundy Thursday worship service at 7pm • Mar 29: Good Friday worship service at 7pm • Mar 31: Easter Sunrise service at 7am • Mar 31: Fellowship breakfast following sunrise service
The Circuit Writer
Page 2
A Cause for Celebration March is full of exciting holidays. Here are a few: Peanut Butter Lover’s Day; If Pets Had Thumbs Day; Holy Experiment Day; Frozen Food Day; Extraterrestrial Abductions Day; Goof-Off Day; Something on a Stick Day; I Am in Control Day. Laugh now, but we’ll see how you feel come Chocolate Covered Raisin Day! Of course, calling these days holidays might be a stretch. Still, these made-up days help us break the monotony of each day and give us something to celebrate. So, enjoy them if you like, but also recall there is another day in March that gives real meaning. For many, Easter first brings images of eggs and chocolate, or some combination of both. Bunnies and baskets are a must, as are family barbecues, too. These help us enjoy the day and the opportunity to meet with family and friends to celebrate. So, enjoy them, but know that our true meaning as God’s people is celebrated in Christ’s Resurrection. That’s why some people call it Resurrection Day; we are Resurrection people. God’s love was proven on Friday and we see the power of God on Sunday. Christ’s Resurrection brings hope and new life every day. That’s worth a celebration! Blessed Beyond Belief,
Words From Wesley
"While I was preaching at West Street in the afternoon there was one of the most violent storms I ever remember. In the midst of the sermon great part of a house opposite to the chapel was blown down. We heard a huge noise, but knew not the cause; so much the more did God speak to our hearts; and great was the rejoicing of many in confidence of His protection." Journal, March 15, 1752
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
Theological Word to Know Regeneration In theological terms, this is the concept of God’s work in us that brings new life. Think of spiritual rebirths or the phrase “growing in grace.”
Your Ad Board At Work The Administrative Council is the hub for all the ministry of our church. It is the group that helps the various ministry leaders fulfill their commitment to serve. It is a group that fosters encouragement, spiritual discernment and accountability so that our church can move forward with God’s plans. Members of the council are elected each year and others are appointed by virtue of another leadership office. These people are charged with the responsibility of leading our church. We hope you are in the habit of praying for and encouraging them. You should also know that you are invited to attend any of our council meetings; meeting dates are posted each month. Your voice and opinion matter and help our leaders make faithful ministry decisions.
4
3 Communion Sunday
18 8am, Aerobics @ AC
25 8am, Aerobics @ AC
17 Lunch Bunch @ Kloesel’s
24 Palm Sunday
7am, Sunrise Service Breakfast to follow
31 Happy Easter
11
10
3pm Nursing Home Worship Service
Mon
Sun
26 8am, Men’s Breakfast 8am, Aerobics @ AC
19 8am, Men’s Breakfast Emmaus @ Shiner FUMC
12 8am, Men’s Breakfast
5 8am, Men’s Breakfast 6pm, Administrative Council Meeting 6:30, UMW
Tue
7pm, Maundy Thursday Service 7pm, Good Friday Service
4pm, F.U.S.E.
29
30
23
Quilt Show 9:30am—3:30pm
Quilt Show 9:30 am –3:30 pm 22
16
15
9
2
1
8
Sat
Fri
28 9-11am Food Pantry
6:30, 30 Hour Famine info mtg @ Fellowship Hall
21 9-11am Food Pantry
14 9-11am Food Pantry
7 9-11am Food Pantry
Thu
27 6:30, Bible Study
4pm, F.U.S.E.
20 6:30, Bible Study
No F.U.S.E.
13 6:30, Bible Study
4pm, F.U.S.E.
6 6:30, Bible Study
Wed
www.shinerfumc.org
Shiner First United Methodist Church
MA R CH 2 013
The Circuit Writer
Page 4
Teaching Children to Pray It is never too early to teach children to pray. "Bible stories and prayer are the two greatest gifts we can give to children," said the Rev. Leanne Hadley, minister to children and their families at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Prayer is that anchor that is going to hold them when life's storms hit." Even the youngest "children have very real experiences with God in very simple ways," she continued. "We help children knock on the door and God opens it."
"Prayer tools," such as prayer beads, can calm children and help them pray. Hadley has children pull beads as they repeat a phrase, such as "Jesus, bring peace to my life," 10 times. Then the group enters a time of silence to soak in the peacefulness. "Their lives are so busy – they really are fascinated with stillness," she said. Prayers can be in pictures, songs, art, movement and dance, said the Rev. Melanie Gordon, director of children's ministries for the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tenn. "We have to make sure that we honor that there are other ways (than words) to show God how thankful we are."
Hadley and her team often lead contemplative prayer with the children they serve. One adult dims the overhead lights and lights a candle. "We just sit in the light of the candle and ask God to be present with us," Hadley said. Children's pure intensity and earnestness in prayer ofShe often ends the prayer time by asking if anyone felt ten inspire her. God's presence.
Sunday Worship Schedule For March (Please let us know if changes are necessary)
Flower Lay Reader
Prayer Ministers
Ushers
Organist/pianist Donor Irene Cerny
3rd Carolyn Hilscher
Karen & Elson R. Schreiber
Joe & Betty Sestak
10th Eva Eddy
Robert & Shirley Wittman
Deborah Richmond
17th Jerry Black
Betty Britsch
Don Minear Jerry Black, Paul Koone, Tom Bays, Howard Dennis & Kay Simmons Esse
Irene Cerny
24th Clarence Little- Eva Eddy & Carol field Gambrel
Emi Bozka
Don Minear
31st Howard Esse
Easter Flowers
Irene Cerny
Joe & Betty Sestak
The Circuit Writer
Page 5
Faith is Fun
United Methodist Women The UMW held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 19th. Pam Brooks provided the meal which included chicken spaghetti, salad and garlic bread. Karen Schreiber provided a birthday cake for all members who had a birthday in February. Discussed at the meeting was a thank you note from the Methodist Mission Home and Winford Lott family for donations made. The treasurer reported a total of $850.00 in the UMW fund and Barbara Tieken also reported a total of $3,840.00 in the Millard Kuykendall Scholarship Fund. The ladies also discussed the upcoming Quilt Show to be held on March 15th & 16th. They will have the concession stand and any help will be appreciated. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex. Betty Britsch, Secretary
F.U.S.E. Sparks Fun and Fellowship It’s fellowship because we’re together. It’s uniting because we have people from all walks of life. It’s Shiner because that’s where we are. It’s energetically because it’s fun. Put all that together and you have F.U.S.E. (Fellowship Uniting Shiner Energetically) Each week our church hosts F.U.S.E. for elementary aged students in and around the Shiner community. There are no fees and everyone is invited. Here is a glance at our usual schedule:
There are several ways you can help our church continue this program. First, you are praying, right? Second, we are always in need of powdered drinks and snack items (chips, popcorn, animal crackers, etc). • Third, the more volunteers we have the better. More eyes help us ensure the safety of all the children. • Finally, we need people to help lead. There are times when John & Gloria attend and they do not like to cancel F.U.S.E. just because they’re not there. • •
4-4:30—>Free Time 4:30-4:40 —> Warm Up (Walk/run the lines to jumpy/active music) 4:40-5:00 —> Organized Games (Relays, skill games, team games) So, consider how you can be involved; you might have ideas for us. Let us know how you would like to 5-5:20 —> Snacks be a part of the fellowship that unites Shiner energeti5:20– 5:30 —> Devotional cally. 5:30-6:00 —> Free Time
Shiner First United Methodist Church P.O. Box 122 102 Church Street Shiner, TX 77984
Circuit Writer: March 2013 Rev. John Fletcher, Pastor Mary Kristynik, Church Coordinator
Phone: 361: 594. 3830 | Fax: 361. 594. 3660 Sunday School 9:30 am | Sunday Worship 11:00 am Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm www.shinerfumc.org /ShinerFUMC
Jesus Manifesto
The Christian faith, Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola argue, has been made to be about a lot of things. What is needed to counter the imposing “self-centeredness” in the church, is a more faithful look at who Jesus really is. A higher Christology (study of the nature & person of Christ) is needed to revive God’s church. John blogs at www.anotherjohn.com
Happy Birthday Pat Lee 3/7 Jade Kurtz 3/10 Robert Wittman 3/12 Sharon Kelton 3/13 Doug Myers 3/14 Tracy Kurtz 3/16 Bruce Bayliss 3/29 Happy Anniversary Dana & Pam Cimrhanzel 3/14