The Window - September 2020 by First United Methodist Church Lubbock

A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

THEWINDOW 1411 BROADWAY | LUBBOCK, TX 79401 | 806.763.4607 | FUMC.COM | SEPTEMBER 2020

What’s Inside Page 02 Children & Youth

Page 04 September Missions

Page 05 Singing During Tough Times

Page 06 Youth Fall Schedule

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.

GREETINGS FUMC FAMILY! One of the many things I like to do is play golf. Of course, I don’t get to play it nearly as much as I’d like, and consequently I get frustrated that my game has slipped as much as it has over the years. As a competitor, I was alSENIOR PASTOR ways taught some very Todd Salzwedel basic rules that applied to all aspects of life; do your very best, be a good sport, and be a person of integrity on and off the field of play. These were, and continue to be, great lessons to guide any of us wherever we find ourselves. But be honest, isn’t it fun to win once in a while? Don’t we like it when we feel like we’ve achieved some measure of success? I mean, how many of us undertake any kind of endeavor with the goal of being the worst at it? No one!

was dependent on my round being perfect, which it never was. And when my happiness was connected with success, well, I was rarely happy about my golf game!

Sometimes though, we can confuse winning with success, or fail to understand the difference between success and happiness. Someone once said, “success is getting what you want while happiness is wanting what you get.” If I’m really honest with myself, I can at times make my happiness dependent on my success, which more often than not becomes a recipe for discouragement.

There is so much around us in our world right now that we can pick apart – so many things we can paint as failures and sources of unhappiness. The real challenge for us as Christians though is to find a way in the midst of a tough situation, or a grueling round of golf, to simply give thanks.

I really enjoy playing golf. When I was younger, I focused most of my attention on the shots and holes I did not play well. For days after a match, I could recall poorly hit shots, misreads on greens, and distractions that frustrated me. What I could not recall were the good shots I hit or the decisions that got me out of trouble. My understanding of success

The great golfer Byron Nelson gave some sage advice for any golfer regardless of skill level. He said, “I guess the best way to avoid getting uptight is to be realistic about yourself. Realize you’re going to hit some shots well… and some badly. You’ll win some matches… and lose some. It really isn’t the end of the world either way. Great advice, but sometimes difficult to live in to. It’s human nature for us to recognize those aspects of our life that aren’t what we hope they would be. We can beat ourselves up or disparage those around us. I wonder if our pursuit of success sometimes gets in the way of happiness. The apostle Paul gives us simple instructions saying, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:18).

Maybe the great Bobby Jones had it right when he said, “the real way to enjoy playing golf is to take pleasure not in the score, but in the execution of the strokes.” Take time to take pleasure in the little things that God is doing in your life directly and through others…and give thanks! I know that I give thanks for each of you! Grace and Peace! September 2020 | The Window 1 Pastor Todd Salzwedel

After a harrowing spring and summer, we have finally arrived at September. Schools are back in session, football games are on the horizon, and maybe, just maybe, cooler weather will appear. Even if the children are grown and gone, adults, too, are gearing up for a resumption of activities, concerts, sporting events and other special occasions. Here at Shera Atkinson First Methodist, our schedule of fall Minister of Spiritual activities will soon be underway. Formation and You will want to make note and Congregational Care take advantage of the following opportunities to learn more about our Savior, serve others and allow them to serve you: • Sandra Richter- Old Testament Scholar will speak at the Welburn Payne Christian Life Conference on November 21 • What Matters Most- A Study of Philippians will begin Wednesday, September 9, at noon • Better: A Study of Hebrews by Jen Wilkins begins Thursday, September 24. Please Contact Gwen Morgan for more information. • New Men’s Spiritual Formation Groups will start in October. Please be watching for a video from Pete Christy that will mark the beginning of the formation of new groups. First Youth has been having outdoor, socially distanced activities all summer long, and Youth Small Groups recently started back up meeting outside for study and community.

September 2020 | The Window

• Al-Anon meets in person beginning September 9. Be watching for a video by George Comisky and Tom McGovern for information on addiction and recovery. • Watch for videos from the FUMC Counseling center on topics such as motivation, dealing with the Holidays and more. • Travel the Highways of Advent- Our Advent Study begins November 29. There will be many other opportunities throughout the fall! Then, in January, the FUMC Women’s ministry is excited to bring Lisa Harper! As I wrote, these are harrowing times fraught with disunity in our nation and difficulty. But A.W. Tozer wrote: “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity’ conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.” I am grateful we can gather for worship, study and fellowship so we may all look to Christ and be nearer in heart to one another! See you in worship and class! Soli Deo Gloria, Shera

Go on singing There is some thinking in the philosophical world that music is a byproduct of language and simply a pastime for us to feel good. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a huge philosophical person, and this thinking makes me cringe! So I got to thinking that if this were true, and we eliminated all music from the world, life would go on as usual as if nothing happened. Can you imagine that? No movie theme songs, no ringtones, no iTunes, no records, 8-tracks, cassettes or CDs; not even any worship music. I am sure life would be impossible to just go on as usual.

helping us through our tough times. Music has shown to improve mood and brain function. Some scientific studies show that our brains take a picture of a song and leaves imprints of the lyrics and melodies for future reference.

Singing can indeed get us through anything! No situation is hopeless for those who call out to God, and singing can be one of the best ways to communicate with God. No matter what, we can go on singing.

That’s amazing to think about! Music is everywhere, so maybe that’s why we get songs stuck in our head. I invite you to read “This is Your Brain on Music” by Daniel J. Levitin for more specific studies on how music plays such a large role in our day and age, all the while showing music can increase our mood.

If you remember from last month’s article, we are ending by stating this short line from The Methodist Hymnal from 1966 that was prefaced from the Wesleys to the congregants: “Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of it being heard…and above all, sing spiritually.”

No doubt, during our pandemic, music might as well seem like a bystander waiting to be used for the right reason and the right circumstances, but music and singing can play a huge role in

Perhaps this is why the psalmist wrote in Psalm 89:1, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever”. No matter the circumstances around us, it is comforting to know that God is listening to our cries.

+Soli Deo Gloria+ Matt Johnston Organist and Assistant Director of Traditional Music

A sign of the times – Children’s Director, Tessa Armes, and Shera Atkinson in chapel, gave a blessing over the backpacks of masked students and gifted them with a backpack tag.

September 2020 | The Window

September Missions Month

Where will you serve? Hello family!

Typically, in September, we take time to highlight our mission activities and ask for your financial support. In this unique season, we have decided that this September we will launch sign up opportunities for you to contribute your time and talents to the missions of First LBK. During this season of COVID-19, the mission team and volunteers have been busy planning and adjusting for how to do missions in a very different environment. We have continuously served food to our neighbors without missing a single day due to COVID-19. Now our food service looks very different and our supply cost are higher, but

our neighbors know that they are loved and can count on us to keep showing up even when things get rough.

We cannot be present on the Bayless Elementary campus this semester. However, our gifts of supplies, snack packs, and prayers are passing through the doors and reaching them with Christ’s love and our continued support even when we can’t sit with them. Our mission trips have been postponed, but the missionaries we support have been as busy as ever providing for the communities in which they live and serve during this season. Our financial and prayer support has continued even when

Growing Missionay Book Study Loving My Actual Neighbor Love God. Love Others.

September 2020 | The Window

Grace and Peace Sara Lattimore, Director of Missions and Outreach

Growing Missionay Families in Mission Small Group

Mondays

Alexandra Kuykendall lays out the framework for where to begin. From practicing humility to listening with understanding to being generous in our relationships, Loving My Actual Neighbor offers practical, start-now steps readers can take to love their neighbors.

This month of September, please consider how God is calling you to continue to show up during this season. Will you sign up for the Bayless Prayer Team? Will you help pack snack packs at Food2Kids this quarter? Will you help pack or deliver lunches through Second Helpings? Will you help First LBK reach our neighbors in new ways? Your gifts of time and talents are needed in this season of missions. How can we help you get plugged in?

Something new this fall! 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.

As Christians, we know we are called to love our neighbor. We may even grasp that "neighbor" encompasses more than just the people living next door or down the street. But what we too often don't know is how to begin. How do we love our neighbor? Where do we start? What does this look like in our increasingly isolated world?

Wednesdays September 9- October 28 6-7 p.m. at First LBK - room TBD

our physical presence was not possible.

Begins September 14 6-7:30 p.m. at the Lattimore house Contact Sara Lattimore for more information, slattimore@fumc.com. Purchase the book at your favorite bookstore.

MISSION MOMENTS SCHOOL OUTREACH Thanks to your support and generosity blessed Bayless Elementary with over 500 pencil boxes for students, 700 dry erase markers, and nearly 600 glue sticks! The teachers and students were very grateful. Snack Packs for Bayless will partner with Lubbock Food2kids. This will help provide quality snack packs in a sustainable way as we journey into this very different season. Be looking for sign-ups for opportunities to volunteer stuffing sacks at the Food2kids warehouse. Beach Club has been suspended for this school year. But we know that the teachers, students, and families at Bayless need our prayers and support this year. We are working to arrange various teacher support and prayer opportunities for this school year. Be watching for sign up information in September.

We are still delivering lunches to Grace campus to help them social distance and keep their campus healthy. If you are interested in delivering lunches from Second Helpings to Grace Campus on a Tuesday or Thursday between 11:00 and 12:00, please email Sara Lattimore slattimore@fumc.com to sign up. GLOBAL OUTREACH Mission Trips As we finish out the remaining months of 2020, our ability to plan for the long term remains stunted. However, our partnerships remain strong and vital to the missionaries and organizations we help support. We are contributing financial gifts during this season and are actively working to plan trips as soon as international travel becomes an option. Please join in prayer for these missionaries:

FOOD OUTREACH

• Tranquilidad in Honduras

Second Helpings

• The Marcum Family in Spain

We are still serving food to our neighbors! Our dining room remains closed but our staff and volunteers are still working hard to provide around a 175 meals 3 times a week. As the seasons change, and we monitor the situation in our community, we will look for ways to provide dignity and hospitality for our guests.

We are looking at and planning for our postponed Alaska trip from this summer to head out hopefully in June 2021. Watch for more details about this trip and about participant sign ups. Grace and Peace, Sara Lattimore Director of Mission and Outreach

We added a portable outdoor hand washing station this summer to provide our guest the opportunity to wash their hands with soap and water.

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Memorials & Honorariums – August 15, 2020 EVERLIVING CHURCH TRUST In memory of Ronnie Zahn by Charles and Cherly Neeb

GENERAL MINISTRY BUDGET In memory Pamela Blackburn by Mike and Marilyn Riley

In honor of Cate Bibb on her birthday, July 19th by Ben and Robin Lock

PRAYER GARDEN In memory of Ed Smith by Hannah Tipps and Shelby Cox

In memory of JoAnn Knight by Joe and Sally Hornaday

SECOND HELPINGS In memory of Dee Craig by Nancy Edwards

In memory of Ed Smith by Pat Enloe In memory of Ed Smith by Joe and Pam Murfee In memory of Peggy Jean Crow by Quester’s Sunday School class In honor of Holden Schwartz on his birthday, August 13 by Ben and Robin Lock

In honor of Lee Kidd, brother of Hannah Tipps, wishing him a blessed and happy celebration on his 84th birthday by Hannah Tipps In memory of Dee Craig by the family of Wanda W. Bryan In memory of Dee Craig by Mike and Sharon Bennet

In memory of Pamela Blackburn by Scott and Cathy Porter

In memory of Dee Craig by Nathan and Julie Swindle

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY In memory of Ed Smith by Mike and Sharon Bennett

In memory of Dee Craig by Angela Green In memory of Barbara Thorn by Don and Nell Furgeson

In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Robert Stewart In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Warren Taylor In memory of Judy Wiebusch by John and Janeen Gilliam

Our Life Together – August 2020 BAPTISMS Congratulations to Robert and Sarah Foy on the baptism of their son, Robert Edward Foy, IV, August 16 in 11 traditional by Pastor Todd Salzwedel. BIRTHS Congratulations to John and Courtney Norton on the birth of their son, John Lyle “Luke” Norton. He was born August 6, 2020.

Congratulations to Robert and Sarah Foy on joining First Lubbock August 16, in 11 Traditional with Pastor Todd Salzwedel. They have a son Robert Edward Foy, IV. They transferred from Dothan UMC in Dothan, AL. SYMPATHIES Sympathies to Susan Crow Hicks and family on the death of her mother, Peggy Jean Prince Crow. Peggy passed away May 11. Peggy was a member of the Friends of Music and a member of First Lubbock since September 29, 1980. Graveside services will be held in Slaton. A time and date had not been officially determined. Her husband, Don Crow passed away November 19, 2016.

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Edgar, Michelle, Isaac and Moira Rollins on joining First Lubbock August 9 in 11 Traditional with Pastor Todd Salzwedel. The Rollins family Sympathies to Tommy and Norma transferred from College Heights Baptist Cooke, Libby and Austin Davis, and Church in Plainview. Jonathan and Jennifer Cottrell on the death of daughter, mother, and sister,

Becky Davis. Becky passed away August 9. Visitation was held at the Venue on Broadway. A funeral service was held August 14 in the sanctuary at First Lubbock officiated by Dr. Shera Atkinson. Becky had been a member of First Lubbock since December 4, 2011. Sympathies to JoAnne Smith on the death of her husband, Ed Smith. Ed passed away August 11. Ed was a part of the Friends of Music and a member of the HI Robinson Sunday School class. Ed had been a member of First Lubbock since April 12, 1959.

September 2020 | The Window

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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK

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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

September 2020 | The Window

1411 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401 fumc.com The Window is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church, Lubbock