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A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
THEWINDOW 1411 BROADWAY | LUBBOCK, TX 79401 | 806.763.4607 | FUMC.COM | MAY 2021
What’s Inside Page 03 Missions
Page 04 Staff Transitions
Page 05 Youth Easter
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.
REFLECTING ON HOLY WEEK Wow! I’m not sure what else to say but… wow! I’m sure you join with me in giving thanks for the amazing work put forth by the worship teams and leaders that helped to make the services of Holy Week (including SENIOR PASTOR Palm Sunday, Maundy Todd Salzwedel Thursday and good Friday) and Easter such a moving and amazing time to gather as a community! The Spirit of God was present in a mighty way throughout!
year, I just want to express how proud I am of our church for how we dealt with, and continue to address, the dynamic situation we have found ourselves in as a global society. Every step of the way, we’ve had to make decisions that could have been viewed from a multitude of perspectives. Sometimes people thought we were being too strict and other times too loose. We have worked hard to understand the various viewpoints that have been expressed and diligently worked to respond accordingly. For the church as a whole, as well as each of us as individuals, it has warmed my heart that the overwhelming expression has been one of care for one another – both physical and emotional.
There is no way to accurately quantify the hours of work and preparation that such offerings require. Suffice it to say that the cumulative work and efforts of so many helps to make that holy time a blessing that so many of us get to experience and share with our family, friends and neighbors. It’s easy to forget the extra hours of childcare, volunteers for egg hunt preparations, extra cleaning, additional rehearsals… well, you get the point. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!
In many ways, the last year has been similar to what we remembered during Holy Week. The anxiety and fear of physical danger was surely present in some of the disciples. Likewise, there were others that were probably of the view that the concerns were overblown. Jesus alone understood the reality of what they were walking into. After Jesus resurrection, though, we never see Jesus go through and assess the actions or ideas of the disciples beforehand. Instead, he instructs them to go with confidence into the all the world to make other disciples.
One of the great joys of such a season is that it gives us the opportunity to see and meet new people who chose to spend their Easter with us! I know I took great pleasure in seeing so many different people! And I have absolutely loved seeing so many new faces each and every week at church! As we continue to emerge from the restrictions the COVID pandemic necessitated this past
Our tendency at times is to judge one another based on past experience. This is completely rational. But we also serve a God who is capable of transformative work in all of our lives. It is my opinion that the disciples began to see one another (and the rest of the world) (continued on page 2) MAY 2021 | THE WINDOW
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Dear Church Family,
Shera Atkinson Minister of Spiritual Formation and Congregational Care
As I was praying for the requests and concerns from the worship services and several classes this week, I was reminded of the importance of hope; Not just wishing but hope anchored in Christ. A treatise on hope is found in the book of Hebrews. Later, I came across the following blog by Neal Pollard:
“An epistle centering around the superiority of Christ as our all-sufficient One would certainly be expected to contain a message of hope. While some had apparently given up Jesus as their hope (6:4-6), the writer of Hebrews had a higher estimation of those to whom he writes. For one thing, they had a legacy of good works and brotherly love and benevolence (6:10). His desire was that they would continue to stay strong. In expressing this, the writer suggests hope as an integral tool to keep them hanging onto their faith in Christ. In these final ten verses of Hebrews six, he mentions three qualities of hope that would help them–and will help us–hang onto our hope in Christ no matter what. This hope is durable (11). Look at the language he uses. This hope was tied to an assurance that would endure “until the end.” It was a hope that would lead them to “inherit the promises” (12), just as Abraham’s hope in God led him to his inheritance (13-17). God desires to show us, as heirs of the promise through Christ, His unchanging purpose (17), so He guarantees that promise through an oath build upon the foundation of Himself. Hope which is guaranteed by the very nature and character of God is hope that will outlast anything! Nations rise and fall. Presidents serve only one or two terms. (continued from page 1) through different eyes after witnessing the resurrection. I believe they were opened up to a world of possibility as a result of the power of the risen Christ. Today, we find ourselves in a society that too readily opts for hopelessness and division. It isn’t that different than the environment the early disciples found themselves in sociologically. And like the early disciples, we are given a choice to encounter the future unafraid and empowered with the transformative power of Jesus, or to return to the 2
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Supreme court justices, at most, can serve only a lifetime. Our hope transcends time. This hope is tangible (18). These Christians needed to count on a refuge in difficult times (see 12:4), and we desire the same thing in our lives! Knowing that God is so trustworthy, we are encouraged to “take hold of hope” that is found only in Christ. To say that we can take hold of hope and that it is set before us means that it has substance. In a world where nothing seems certain, evidence from scripture, nature, order and design of the universe, and so much more allows us, by faith, to grab this hope. He had already told them to hold onto that hope in Christ earlier in the letter (3:6) and to encourage this response he points them to scripture (cf. 3:7-11; Psa. 95:711). Scripture helps us see the solid hope we have in Jesus. This hope is stable (19). It is an anchor. Anchors keep a vessel from drifting, an appropriate illustration since the Christians were tempted to drift from Christ (2:1). By maintaining their hope, they could anticipate three blessings: (1) sureness, (2) steadfastness, and (3) the service of the sacrificial Savior (19-20). All three of these descriptions of this Almighty anchor underline the security found in keeping ourselves anchored in Christ. Those who keep Jesus as their hope are able to weather the most horrific storms of life! As Christians, we may find ourselves ready to abandon Jesus as our hope. So many things attempt to pull us from Him. Let us draw encouragement from this inspired writer, as surely these first Christians did, and rejoice in these changeless characteristics of hope!” preacherpollard.com My prayer for you is that you may be anchored in the durable, tangible, and stable Hope of Christ so that when storms come you may stand firm and confident. Soli Deo Gloria, Shera way things always were. I hope that we (individually and collectively) choose the path of hope, of love, and possibility. My prayer is that we continue to emerge from this pandemic moment in our lives renewed by God’s love and grateful for our fellowship with one another. May God continue to bless us as we seek to be a community renewed and transformed by His enduring and everlasting grace! Pastor Todd
MONTHLY MISSIONS FOCUS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FirstLBK has a long history with Habitat. FirstLBK has helped to fund and build several houses over our history. This year we are embarking on a new journey to help build another house. We are partnering with other churches to help fund and build 3 houses this September. Missions asks that you join us in prayer as we prepare for this journey and that you consider how God is calling you to be a part of helping build a home for a family in our community who needs a home. Our pledge is $21,000 towards this project and it will take financial gifts and lots of volunteers to provide meals, and to pick up a hammer or paint brush to make this project possible. In short we need the community of FirstLBK to rally for this mission. Contact Sara Lattimore, slattimore@fumc.com
Missions & Outreach Ways to Serve LIVING MISSIONALY WAYS TO SERVE SECOND HELPINGS We have opened up our kitchen to a limited number of volunteers. If you are interested in serving please submit the interest for at fumc.com/first-missions. SNACK PACKS Take your family or join some of your church family in packing snack packs with Food2Kids. Sign up with Food2Kids directly Food2Kids 2020 - 2021 Calendar signupgenius.com/ go/10c084baaa622a4f85-food2kids Be on the lookout for a church-wide packing day. The warehouse is located at: South Plains Food2Kids - 12516 Chicago Ave. GROWING MISSIONALLY MISSION STUDIES 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. SMALL GROUPS Join a Small Group! FAMILIES IN MISSION (Small Group) Mondays 6:00-7:30 (Ongoing) Lattimore House 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 ON THE CALENDAR May 8 HELPING HANDS Join us for a work day on homes in need right here in Lubbock. Contact Frank or Katy Phillips, frankandkathyphillips@ gmail.com. Sign up at fumc.com/helping-hands-ministry. July, September, and November FAMILY PROMISE 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 Please let your class know about this opportunity and let me know if you’d like to be included. Thank you, Zoellen Fields zoellenfields@gmail.com Home 806-792-7913 Cell 806-787-4256 September HABITAT FOR HUMANITY September 2021 we will have a Blitz Build work week to help build 3 houses for neighbors in our community. We will need volunteers to provide meals and to pick up a gamer and help. We also need financial gifts towards this project. Sara Lattimore Director of Missions & Outreach slattimore@fumc.com fumc.com/first-missions MAY 2021 | THE WINDOW
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A Season for Everything – Staff Transitions Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NRSV) 1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. The wisdom of the book of Ecclesiastes recognizes the power of seasons. Ebbs and flows. Come and go. Day and Night. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. To everything there is a season. In the coming months, seasons will change for two of our ministry staff members. Auggie Aguilera first played at First LBK over 10 years ago. In 2014, he became our Director of Contemporary Music. Since then, Auggie has grown
into new roles and expanded his responsibilities. In 2019, he was licensed as a local pastor in the United Methodist Church. Now, seasons will change for Auggie, as he has accepted an appointment by our bishop, Earl Bledsoe, to serve as the pastor of the UMC in Lockney. Auggie and his family’s final Sunday among us will be at the end of June. Kirk Dana joined our staff in 2015. Kirk is finishing up a lifetime of ministry to youth. He has served in churches in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas. The number of Sundays, mission trips, and youth events that Kirk has been a part of is astounding. At the end of September, Kirk will retire and move to Oklahoma City. As a church we get to celebrate Auggie and Kirk and their families. We want to bless them and send them out into the next season of their lives and ministry. For our church, that also means that we covet your prayers for these transitions. We are currently searching to fill both of these positions. Below is a list of each search team that is responsible for seeking and finding God’s anointed person who can take on these vital roles in the life and ministry of our church. If you have any questions or input, or just want to talk about either of these positions or the process of hiring,
please do not hesitate to approach anyone on this team. As always, you can contact me at bbarkley@fumc.com if you would like to speak with me. Grace and Peace, Pastor Bailey Search Team for Director of Youth Ministry Todd Salzwedel Bailey Barkley Mark Hocker Josh Damron Laurie Brehmer Daun Lipetska Tish Keller Jamie Owen Stan Cribbs Ella Barkley Dane Damron Search Team for Director of Contemporary Music Ministry. Todd Salzwedel Bailey Barkley Auggie Aguilera William Sommer Matt Quick Brian Bruening Steve Williams Kristi Reinhart Bev Henson Dana Porter Kassidy Johnston
A Message From Kirk Dana Dear FUMC family, Way back in 1973 one week after I graduated from High School I accepted my first job as a Youth Pastor and over the last 48 years it’s been an incredible journey! I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to serve the congregation of FUMC Lubbock for the past 6 years as the Pastor for Youth Ministry. The teens, their 4
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families and our congregational members that make up this community are simply amazing and I am thankful for each and every one of you. I want to share with you that I will be retiring from full-time ministry on October 1, and Tina and I will be moving to Oklahoma City to be near our siblings and their families for the first time in 34 years. You all have made me a better pastor, husband, person and friend and I’m grateful that this church has been my last ministry stop. Blessings, Rev. Kirk W. Dana
CROSS WALK & EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE
9:45 A.M.
May 5 | May 19 6:45-8:00 P.M. | Wesley RM
FIRST YOUTH GATHERING
MIDDLE SCHOOL
5:30-7:30 P.M. | Wesley RM
May 12 | May 26 6:45-8:00 P.M. | Wesley RM
GRADUATION SUNDAY CELEBRATION MAY 16
9:30 A.M. | Senior Rose Breakfast 11:00 A.M. | Class Presentation in Traditional Service
SUMMER 2021 SCHEDULE SMALL GROUPS
Sundays | 9:45 A.M. Wesley Room
Sundays | 6:45–8:00 P.M. Charles A. Guy Park beginning May 30
FIRST YOUTH SUMMER GATHERING
7TH–12TH GRADE COMMUNITY GROUP
Wednesdays | 6:45–8:00 P.M. Soda Shack & Neugebauer Park beginning June 2nd
SUMMER 2021 BREAKFAST SIGN-UPS Parents, we need your help to provide breakfast on Sunday mornings during the summer from June 6–August 15. Sign-up links can be found on the Parents tab of the website: https://www.fumc.com/parents
SUMMER EVENTS SUMMER 2021 MISSION TRIP June 21-25 Oklahoma City, OK
CAMP NOVA
July 12-16 Registration is open now: https://cetacanyon.org/camps/
LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH:
GRATS • CLASS OF ‘21 • CONGRA
COMMUNITY GROUPS HIGH SCHOOL
FIRST YOUTH
GRADUATION SUNDAY
CELEBRATION May 16, 2021 9:30 A.M. | SENIOR ROSE BREAKFAST 11:00 A.M. | CLASS PRESENTATION during the Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
I know the plans I have “‘For for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
”
TS • CLASS OF ‘21 • CONGRATS • CLASS OF ‘21 • CON
SUNDAY SCHEDULE SMALL GROUPS
GRATS • CLASS OF ‘21 • CONGRA
TS • CLASS OF ‘21 • CONGRATS • CLASS OF ‘21 • CON
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Wednesday Bible Study Begins June 9 • Noon Room 206
College Ministry Updates We are excited to be planning and preparing for our Summer and Fall College Ministry. We will be hosting several events and planning our weekly gatherings for the 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
Contact Gloria Ashby, gashby@fumc.com
Church Council Wednesday, may 19
5:30 p.m. • CLC 134/135
Holy Land Trip information and update I wanted to update you on a few pieces of information, and to invite you to some special gatherings if you are interested in traveling together to such a special place! As vaccination rates continue to rise both here and in Israel, we are well on track according to all indicators for our trip this September! You might be aware that Israel has not yet opened up unrestricted travel with the US yet, and that is due to a number of factors. I’ll address those in more detail at upcoming gatherings. I want to invite you to some classes that will help prepare you for travel to the Holy Land. Given the unique nature of the year and the added complexity of the pandemic, I am going to invert the order that I usually offer these classes. As such, the dates and subject matter will be as follows:
May 23 - Travel tips and questions June 13 - History and conquest of the Holy Land June 20 - Spiritual Legacy and Current Reality of Israel
These gatherings are open to everyone, regardless of whether they are traveling this September or not, so feel free to invite others as you wish. The meetings will be held in the CLC on Sunday evenings from 5:00 - 6:30. I am so excited to share this experience with each of you! Registration is still open if there are friends or family you would like to invite along. As always, feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions. 6 MAY 2021 | THE WINDOW Pastor Todd
Volunteers willing to serve our college community by providing food for gatherings. Volunteers willing to prepare welcome gifts for incoming Freshmen. Prayers for the hearts of those serving and those we will be reaching. To volunteer please contact Sara Lattimore, slattimore@fumc.com.
National Day of Prayer May 6, 2021 marks the annual National Day of Prayer. This year, the prayer ministry team invites you to a come and go prayer day to be held in the chapel. You are asked to come anytime during the hours the church is open, pray in the chapel, and write a prayer for our community, state, and nation on the letterhead supplied to you. These will be collected and copies sent to our Senators and Representatives. Naomi McGuire
Memorials & Honorariums – April 2021 CHILDREN’S MINISTRY In memory Marcus Lambert by Walt and Terrie Eads
In memory of George Morris by Robert and Sharen Musselman
EVERLIVING CHURCH TRUST In honor of Campbell Schwartz’s birthday, March 24 by Ben and Robin Lock
In memory of John Shropshire by Robert and Sharen Musselman
In honor of Carson Bibb’s 10th birthday, March 30 by Ben and Robin Lock
In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Robert and Sharen Musselman
In memory of John Shropshire by David Alderson
In memory of Nan Woolam by Robert and Sharen Musselman
In memory of Robert Carr by Robert and Sharen Musselman
In memory of Dr. T.H. Holmes by Charles and Paula Key
In memory of Becky Cooke Davis by Robert and Sharen Musselman
In memory of Billie Ruth McCarty by Fuston McCarty
In memory of Dee Craig by Robert and Sharen Musselman
In memory of Loyd Sanders by Scott and Cathy Porter
In memory of Dub Harris by Robert and Sharen Musselman
In memory of John Shropshire by Mike and Linda Brown
In memory of Lex Jameson by Robert and Sharen Musselman
FRIENDS OF MUSIC In memory of Elma Nelle Cowan by Lewis Cowan and family
In memory of Mickey Hammonds by Robert and Sharen Musselman
In memory of Billie Ruth McCarty by Fuston McCarty
In memory of Billie Ruth McCarty by Robert and Sharen Musselman In memory of Bill McMillan by Robert and Sharen Musselman In memory of Jack Miller by Robert and Sharen Musselman
In memory of Dr. T.H.Holmes by Rafters Sunday School class
MISSIONS In honor of Lee Williams by City Bank MUSIC MINISTRY In memory of Wendell Howard by Sandy Howard TV MINISTRY In memory of Billie Ruth McCarty by Fuston McCarty
Our Life Together BIRTHS Congratulations to Morgan and Troy Pickering on the birth of their daughter, Annie Lucille Pickering. She was born April 16. Big sisters are Hadley and Tilly. BAPTISMS Congratulations to Sam and Amanda Krier on the baptism of their daughters, Ava, Elly, Karsyn, and Stevie March 28, in the 9:30 Contemporary service by Rev. Bailey Barkley. Congratulations to David and Carolyn Wilkerson on the baptism of their daughter, Charlotte Corinne. Charlotte was baptized Sunday April 18 in the
11 Traditional service by Pastor Todd Salzwedel and Dr. Shera Atkinson. NEW MEMBERS Congratulations to Brad and Bobbie Jo Dentis on joining First Lubbock April 4. They are transferring from Boston Avenue in Tulsa, OK. They have two sons, Noah and Walker. Congratulations to Brian and Nancy Schroeder on joining First Lubbock April 18 in the 11 Traditional service by Pastor Todd Salzwedel. SYMPATHIES Sympathies to Steve and Connie Holmes and Curtis and Barbara Fish and family on the death of their father Dr. T. H. Holmes. Dr. Holmes passed
away March 18. A private burial was held March 23, followed by a memorial service at in Bowman Chapel. Reverend Jim Powell officiated. A reception followed. Dr. Holmes was a member of the Rafters Sunday School and a member of First Lubbock since October 14, 1984. Sympathies to Debbie Mattson on the death of her husband Mitch Mattson. Mitch passed away April 1. A private backyard service was held at their house April 8. Rev. Bailey Barkley officiated.
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MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
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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
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1411 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401 fumc.com The Window is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church, Lubbock