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A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
THEWINDOW 1411 BROADWAY | LUBBOCK, TX 79401 | 806.763.4607 | FUMC.COM | JULY 2021
What’s Inside Page 03 College Ministry
Page 04 Habitat Blitz Build
Page 06 Lil Ceta Photos
Page 07 Memorials & Honorariums
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK
FIRSTLBK
MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
Our mission is to create a grace-filled environment in which Christ transforms lives.
PEOPLE ARE STRANGE In 1967, the Doors released their hit song “People Are Strange”. Though I’m not really a Doors fan, I’ve always thought the title of the song was both profound and ironic. I can’t recite a single word of the song’s SENIOR PASTOR lyrics, but I sure do Todd Salzwedel resonate with the title. And the more I explore the history, precepts, and mandates of our faith, the more I have come to believe that those outside the Christian faith would (or should!) make such pronouncements of us!
It’s probably not a secret by now that the history and development of our faith is of great interest to me. Originally, I was curious how our faith had splintered in to so many different expressions. I was concerned primarily with how we might know that the faith we claimed could be trusted and verified. This led me to search for rational arguments that made sense in the past, just as they do today and forevermore. To be sure, I have been exposed to plenty of teachers, pastors, scholars, and ideas that placed the Christian faith into neatly defined categories and boxes. In a general sense, they have helped me to understand and make sense of some very difficult concepts. Aristotle saw the world as a set of complex logical puzzles that simply needed to be solved. That basic premise is the basis for the type of thinking we generally associate with in our
society. I use the same approach almost daily when asked about matters of faith and life by different people I’m blessed to interact with. But the truth is, our faith journey is rarely that cut and dry. One such alternative is readily available to us throughout the word of God… the Holy Bible. Specifically, I’m referencing the narrative form or worldview. It seems that almost weekly as I prepare for a message or a Sunday School lesson; I find myself drawn to creating rational arguments for the case I want to make – in the footsteps of Aristotle, you might say. In some ways, that’s ironic given the narrative fashion found throughout the Old Testament. In truth, it’s one long story of a people – God’s people – and their ups and downs through life, relationships, politics, suffering and deliverance. And if you really pay attention, Jesus continues this very same narrative method in his own teaching throughout the Gospels. Think about it. Almost every time that Jesus is questioned, he responds with a parable or some quotation from the Hebrew Scriptures to relay more than a rational point. Instead, his answers demonstrate the complexity and mystery of life that make seemingly everyday interactions both messy and exciting. More importantly, they point to the need for grace and forgiveness in our lives from God as well as the necessity for us to demonstrate that same grace and forgiveness to others. Sometimes when I’m confused or frustrated, or maybe not too confident about the decisions (continued on page 2) JULY 2021 | THE WINDOW
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Dear Church Family, For those who remember the infamous “Ice Bowl” game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, the ongoing soap opera between the Green Bay front office and their mercurial QB, Aaron Rodgers, may bring a small smile to your face. Just this week GB President, Shera Atkinson Mark Murphy, added fuel to the Minister of Spiritual fire when he described Aaron Formation and Congregational Care Rodgers as “complicated fella.” Sports pundits from Patrick to Cowherd repeatedly suggest that the two sides need to talk face to face. If ever a movie quote fit a situation, this is it: “What we got here is a failure to communicate.” (1967’s Cool Hand Luke.)
(continued from page 1) I’ve made, I envision God watching all His creation and thinking, “my people sure are strange! And I love them anyway!” Is that the same approach we take in our interactions with others? Or do we expect people, like our ideas, to fit neatly into boxes that we have created and assume God views the world through the same lens? This month, we will celebrate July 4th, our Independence Day. At the inception of our country, the rest of the world surely saw us as “strange”, and probably a little threatening, at least to those in power. The democratic experiment as practiced in our fledgling nation was untested, irrational in some sense, and highly risky. It was based in part on the premise that we could, and should, be a people of contrasting ideas that would help to make us stronger,
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Have you ever considered that the only thing God has exalted above His name is His Word? His word brought creation into existence, establishes our correct path, and relates to us His deep and abiding love. He speaks through His Word, His Spirit and through others (yes, sometimes God sound like a spouse, parent, or friend) as well as the quiet whispers and impressions or nudges. Wouldn’t it be a shame to miss God’s conversation because we failed to stop and listen? It would be sad to miss what God has in store because we failed to ask or missed helping to fill the needs of others because we failed to offer ourselves to Him? Let’s take time this summer to “Pray without ceasing”. Let’s also use words to communicate love to God and one another, to show kindness, appreciation and gratitude, to reconcile, to forgive, and to live in healthy relationship with God and others. Soli Deo Gloria, Shera
where ideas like liberty and freedom would be virtues to be extolled rather than smothered. And in that diversity of thought, the hope was that we would emerge as a more just and fair society. How strange that must have seemed 250 years ago. Of course, Jesus ushered in a new kingdom 2000 years ago that looked even more strange. Great liberties were given to each of us in that revolution as well. The liberty to choose God, to be in relationship and serve one another in ways that were counter-cultural, foreign, and unconventional. It was strange and it challenged the power and societal dynamics that were so accepted in his time. But out of that somewhat irrational mindset, 12 unlikely disciples, Mary Magdalene, the Apostle Paul, and so many others carried on the transformational work they witnessed in
Jesus Christ. Surely, those who witnessed them firsthand must have thought, “those people are strange”! So be strange! In doing so, we join a long list of innovators, leaders, servants, and world-changers that dared to dream beyond what normal convention said made sense. They dared to dream that just like the stories we so like to share about our history and our past, God might work again through us today in ways that defied common sense. How strange! And yet, how glorious! I pray your summer is filled with happy memories and blessed time with family and friends! And I look forward to seeing you all each week through worship and service to our community! Blessings! Pastor Todd
We are excited to be planning and preparing for the return of our College Ministry this fall. If you know of any College students looking for community please contact Sara Lattimore at slattimore@fumc.com we would love to reach out to them. Needs •V olunteers willing to serve our college community by providing food for gatherings. •V olunteers willing to prepare welcome gifts for incoming Freshmen. •V olunteers willing to assemble care packages for students who are attending college outside of Lubbock. •D onations and gifts to help provide low cost opportunities to students • P rayers for the hearts of those serving and those we will be reaching.
College Program Launches The Open Table First College is excited to be launching a college community dinner this fall on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm. We are currently in the process of building a team who will serve students through sharing a meal and a Jesus story. If you are interested in being a part of this team please reach out to Sara Lattimore at slattimore@fumc.com. Bible Study Sundays at 10 a.m. beginning again in August, we will have our Bible Study gathering for college students and young adults in Room 5 in the basement.
community as well as give students the opportunity to serve. Opportunities:
• Taco Tuesdays • Networking Nights • Service Saturdays • Dorm Room Devo (digital gathering) • Fall and Spring Retreats • Mission Trips • Care Packages We can’t wait to see what God does this fall through First LBK in the lives of college students and young adults! Come be a part of the outreach! Contact Sara Lattimore for more information and to volunteer, slattimore@fumc.com
Small Groups and Community Building As we continue to build the ministry of First College we are also planning other gatherings and events that will share the love of Christ though relationships and
Missions Receives Grant
Earlier this year, TMF decided to award grants in response to the historic winter storm that impacted our communities, while still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic uncertainty. Twelve NWTX churches or ministries received monies from this initiative including First LBK. These ministries are continuing to reach out in their communities despite the obstacles that keep coming their way. We are thankful for the partnership and passion TMF has for our conference and beyond.
Levelland FUMC - Love & Lunches Meal Program WTA&M Wesley Foundation, Canyon - Food & International Ministries Wesley Community Center, Amarillo - Hispanic Ministries Multiple Ministries Means Memorial UMC, Andrews - Feeding Program St. Luke’s UMC, Midland - Food Assistance & Lamar Elementary AMOS, Midland - Food, Clothing, & Assistance Sweetwater FUMC - Gaylord’s Food Pantry. www.nwtxconf.org/nwtx-news/
Here are the receiving NWTX ministries: Aldersgate Church, Lubbock - Love the Hub Plainview FUMC - Food pantry & Community Garden Hope Community, Lubbock - Feeding, Clothing, & After School Program Texas Tech Wesley Foundation, Lubbock - International Student Ministry Lubbock FUMC - Second Helping & School Ministry JULY 2021 | THE WINDOW
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In Partnership with Habitat for Humanity
Blitz s BUILD
September 6-18
Come Serve with Us! fumc.com/blitz-build Beginning Labor Day Weekend, we will have a Blitz Build work week to help build three houses for neighbors in our community. We will need volunteers to help in many different ways. Below are some more details. Sign up at fumc. com/blitz-build. Basic Blitz Information Dates: September 6-18 Goal: Build three houses in 13 days. Themes for houses-Women’s Build, Student Build, Church Build Location: 404 N. Guava Food and shirts provided during Blitz. Volunteers do not have to have construction experience. Volunteer Needs from First LBK: 15 construction volunteers for each day of the Blitz which will run September 6-18. There will be a morning and afternoon shift each day. (These volunteers must be 18 and up.) 4 JULY 2021 | THE WINDOW
We also need volunteers to do the following jobs: Tool Crew-9 volunteers per day (3 per house) Food/Meal preparation Crew-3-5 volunteers per day Registration Crew-3 per day Clean Up Crew-15 per day (5 per house) Beverage Delivery Crew-9 per day Runners-Licensed drivers who could run to stores and pick up supplies if needed. Habitat will cover the cost of this. These volunteers do not have to be 18 years old, so youth groups or scouting troops, etc. will be great!
Other Needs: Vendors you know who might provide tools, flooring, new paint, cabinets, doors, appliances for three houses, brick, or other materials or services which would cut our costs. LBK Roofing has donated all three roofs for example, which is amazing! If you know of anyone who might help, or have questions, please contact Sara Lattimore slattimore@fumc.com.
Missions & Outreach Ways to Serve LIVING MISSIONALY
GROWING MISSIONALLY
WAYS TO SERVE
MISSION STUDIES
July, September, and November FAMILY PROMISE
Roxanne Turnipseed visited FUMC during our Lubbock Snow Storm. We recorded her presentation about Tranquilidad while she was here. We don’t want you to miss this story! However, because she shares details about the children in their care, the link to her video will not be posted online but is available for classes and groups to watch. We will have past team members available to visit classes and share the video and engage your class in discussion. Please contact Sara Lattimore slattimore@fumc.com to find a time to learn about this mission and how FUMC has been involved over the years.
Our church will partner with St. Luke’s for 2021 to provide meals for Family Promise. Since the pandemic, no volunteers are allowed to stay with the families and meals are delivered. To maintain safety protocols, Family Promise only has two families at a time in their program. Meals can be: · home cooked · ordered and delivered from a restaurant · or gift cards to restaurants can be given to FP staff
SMALL GROUPS
Please let your class know about this opportunity and let me know if you’d like to be included.
Join a Small Group!
Thank you,
Mondays 6:00-7:30 (Ongoing) Lattimore House
Zoellen Fields zoellenfields@gmail.com Home 806-792-7913 Cell 806-787-4256
FAMILIES IN MISSION (Small Group)
A small group for families of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Build community with families that desire to serve, grow, learn, and love others together. Contact Sara Lattimore, slattimore@fumc.com for more information.
MONTHLY MISSIONS FOCUS MISSION TRIPS/ GLOBAL MISSIONS First LBK has a rich history of saying “Yes Lord send me!”. Up until the day before departing for Honduras in March of 2020 we have taken multiple trips each year to help and learn from those in other parts of the world. Through 2020 and this summer we have not been able to travel internationally. The spirit of connecting with our partners is alive and we have plans for the summer of 2022 to begin visiting our partners once again. As we look to return to the mission field we also must evaluate and consider how to best answer God’s call and we hope to take not only mission trips as we have done traditionally but also vision trips that have a purpose of learning from our partners in other places and then advocating for their needs here at home. Please consider praying for our partners and let us also be willing to listen to how God is calling each of us. Our current global partnerships include:
• Tranquilidad Children’s Home in Quimistan Honduras • Bahamas Methodist Habitat in Eleuthera Bahamas • La Mesa Turquesa in Antequera Spain • Students International Magdalena Guatemala • Orphan Care Ministry Harare, Zimbabwe
Contact Sara Lattimore, slattimore@fumc.com JULY 2021 | THE WINDOW
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YAY SUMMER! SUMMER SUNDAYS
FUN & GAMES
SMALL GROUPS
FIRST YOUTH GATHERING
9:45 A.M. Wesley Room
6:30–8:00 P.M. Charles A. Guy Park
TUESDAY TOURNEYS
THURSDAY HANGOUT
7–9 P.M. 7–8 P.M. Locations can be found Locations can be found each week on our each week on our social media! social media!
COMING THIS FALL!
CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION DERS) (7TH GRA AUGUST 15 9:45 A.M. Wesley Room
Lil Ceta
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FALL KICK OFF AUGUST 15 5:30–7:30 P.M. Wesley Room
FAIR BOOTH WORKDAYS INS FAIR @ SOUTH PLA
SEPTEMBER 24–OCTOBER 2
Memorials & Honorariums – June 15, 2021 EVERLIVING CHURCH TRUST In honor of Logan Matthew Bibb celebrating his 5th birthday May 29, by Ben and Robin Lock In memory of Layton Margaret Bibb remembering the short but precious time we shared with you May 2016, by Ben and Robin Lock
Our Life Together BIRTHS Congratulations to Chelsea and Blake Baucum on the birth of their son, Buckley James Baucum. He was born May 4. His brother is Vasker David Baucum. Congratulations to Scott and Kristen Garrison on the birth of their son, Ryan Knox Garrison. He was born April 23. Siblings are Rhett and Austin.
In honor of Rev. Dr. Todd Salzwedel by Jim and Wanda White In honor of Rev. Dr. Todd Salzwedel by John White In honor of Brad and Cate Bibb celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary June 10, by Ben and Robin Lock
July 22, 2021 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. CLC Worship Center All women are invited to join us for a book study and lunch.
Summer
Women's RETREAT Book Study
Cost is $20 and includes the book and lunch. Books may be picked up beginning June 27. To sign up, contact Shera Atkinson, satkinson@fumc.com. Childcare provided with advanced reservations at fumc.com/childcare-rsvp
Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron
SYMPATHIES Dr. Shera Atkinson officiated a memorial service for Shirley Williams Wednesday June 2 in Bowman Chapel. Shirley passed away May 27. She had been a member of First Lubbock since January 8, 2006. Dr. Shera Atkinson officiated a memorial service for Tom Craig, III, June 7 in the sanctuary. Tom passed away January 28. He had been a member of First Lubbock since December 7, 1975. Dr. Shera Atkinson officiated a memorial service for Willis Giddens, June 16, at Resthaven Abbey Chapel. Willis passed away June 10. He had been a member of the Rafters Sunday School class, Friends of Music, and a member of First Lubbock since September 1, 2002.
We are seeking a person to lead the music, media, and TV/streamrelated teams and systems that invite and draw persons into an experience of worship. The person is expected to lead worship at two Sunday morning contemporary worship services as well as a Sunday evening youth service. Leading includes planning and preparing music, and leading paid and volunteer staff to ensure that roles in the worship band, sound, media, and other areas of contemporary worship are well staffed. The ideal candidate would have a high degree of musical competence (both vocally and instrumentally), have strong organizational skills, and be creative. Find out more at fumc.com/dcmm-search JULY 2021 | THE WINDOW
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK
FIRSTLBK
PAID
Lubbock, Texas Permit No. 594
MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
1411 Broadway Lubbock, TX 79401 Return Services Requested
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK
FIRSTLBK
FIRSTLBK
MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
WORSHIP SERVICES Traditional
8:30 a.m. Connect - Sanctuary 9 a.m. Bowman Chapel 11 a.m. Sanctuary
Contemporary
9:30 a.m. Christian Life Center 11 a.m. Christian Life Center @fumclbk @fumclbk 8 JULY 2021 | THE WINDOW
1411 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401 fumc.com The Window is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church, Lubbock