CONNECT www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org
facebook.com/fumcgrapevine
26 @grapevinefumc
16
pinterest.com/fumcgrapevine
youtube.com/FUMCG
8 firstmethodistgrapevine.org/truthcast
The Church at Work e-zine (electronic magazine) is designed to give
you a glimpse into the stories being lived out through the ministries of First United Methodist Church Grapevine. Lives are being touched and changed forever, and we want you to hear the story.
4
4
An Unlikely Partnership
8
Becoming a Neighbor
12
The Missing LINK
16
La Fuenta de Vida
22
A Heart for Latvia
26
Feed Our Kids
30
The Urge to Give
32
Upcoming Events
34
Healthy Living / Healthy Giving
12
22 30
If you have feedback about the e-zine or a story to tell, please contact: Dr. Cindy Ryan cindyr@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x222 or Melissia Mason melissiam@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x109 The Church at Work || 3
An Unlikely Partnership By Joni Lehmann
O
ne was retired from IBM, the other was a senior in high school. It might appear to be an unlikely partnership, but when two people have the same passion and vision, age
differential is not a factor.
T
he AIDS Orphans project was formed in 2008 by Donna Chabot and Rachel Davis after they were brought together by former pastor Ken Diehm. Chabot had traveled
to Kenya with Diehm and other church members in the summer of 2008 in the church’s second visit to the country after the initial trip in 2007. Diehm had asked the team members to pray about an area in Kenya in which they would commit to serve. Chabot
4 || The Church at Work
recognized that due to her love of children
of them sponsored by Christmas, which
and years of teaching youth Sunday
was accomplished. The number then grew
School, this was the area in which she
to 120 and was up to 220 by 2011.
was needed.
Sponsors agree to a three-year
“It’s the way my life has evolved,” said
commitment of providing $20 per month.
Chabot. “After visiting Kenya, I felt there
What seems like a small amount to most
was no hope for the children without
Americans is a life-saver for the AIDS
education and their basic needs being
orphans, providing basic needs from food
met.”
to medical expenses to school uniforms.
D
avis also had a calling for working with underprivileged children after
seeing a commercial for World Vision, according to Chabot. Rather than bring an outside organization into the church, it was decided that the new partners would start their own. “It was the perfect pairing of two people aged 60 and 17,” said Chabot. “We were a dynamic duo and it was an exciting time.”
All of the AIDs orphans have some type of shelter, although for many it is in a hut without electricity. Public education is free in Kenya, but all children are required to wear a uniform to attend. Without sponsorship funds providing uniforms, many children miss out on this basic opportunity for an education. The AIDs orphans are coordinated in Kenya through the KAAGA Synod, a branch of the Methodist church. Sponsors are encouraged to write letters to their
Eventually, Rachel’s twin sister Rebecca
orphans, which are delivered each time
also joined the team and the sisters
a church team travels to Kenya in what is
worked with the project until they
designated as “AIDs Orphan Day.” Letters
graduated from high school and left for
can also be distributed through the Synod.
college. t took the group four months from July
O
to November of 2008 to get the grass
children over time. A young man named
roots effort off the ground. The names of
Nicholas is Chabot’s sponsored orphan.
the first 80 orphans were hand-written on
She began sponsoring him in 2008 when,
index cards with the goal of having each
at the age of 19, he started third grade.
I
ur sponsors have seen great improvements and changes in their
The Church at Work || 5
a significant difference in the letters she has received from Mercy over the years, specifically the educational growth she has made from 2012-14. The ultimate goal is for
Left: Nicholas in 2008 Below: Nicholas in 2014
each child to graduate.
T
here are many success stories like Nicholas and Mercy, but some have
also ended in tragedy. According to Chabot, “It is the successes which keep us going.” After coordinating AIDs Orphans for the first five years, Chabot has stepped back this year. Trudy Hughes, who worked with Chabot after the Davis sisters left for college, has taken on responsibility for the program and has additional orphans that need to be sponsored. The children range from age 3 to 17 and sponsors can designate their preference for a male or female. Although not as involved as she once was, the program is still close to Chabot’s heart. Nicholas is now 25 and hopes to graduate high school this year and then plans to
“It was my dream. It’s nice to know I have
attend mechanical training school.
this person across the world that I pray for and he prays for me.” W
Melissia Mason, who serves as FUMC Communications Director, adopted a little
If you would like to sponsor one of
girl named Mercy when she was six. It is
the available AIDS orphans, contact
remarkable to see the progression Mercy
Trudy at trudyh@fumcg.org or 817-
has made as she’s evolved into a beautiful
481-2559 x150.
young woman. Mason has also noticed 6 || The Church at Work
Above: Mercy over the years... Right: What a difference a couple of years of education makes! Mercy’s simple letter from 2012, compared to her “novella” of 2014... Below: AIDS Orphan Celebration Day in July 2014...
Joni Lehmann has been a member of FUMC Grapevine since 1999. She enjoys participating in Kenda’s Wednesday evening bible study, Suddenly Single and the Campus Angels ministry. She has served as a writer for the church e-zine for the past year. Joni works as the Associate Director of Communications for the Big 12 Conference.
The Church at Work || 7
Becoming a Neighbor to the Neighborhood Grapevine Community Outreach Center
“I
By Colby Mowery
bring my daughter here because it’s a safe environment, and because she
loves it so much that I have to drag her away each day.” How can we get to a place where parents have to drag their kids away from the ‘police station’ because they love it so much? Safety, trust, change. That’s the formula for becoming a neighbor to the neighborhood. Safety, trust, change. That’s the formula that the Community Outreach Center has followed on Mustang Drive: Create a place that is safe for everyone, learn to trust and to be trusted in the community, and watch profound changes occur. In 2009 the Grapevine Police Department and the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD entered into a collaborative partnership to open a Community Outreach Center on Mustang Drive in order to serve the needs of a marginalized community. The results have been profound: a 51.6% decrease in crime since the center was created. So, to what does the center owe its success? “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). In short, the center has
8 || The Church at Work
The Church at Work || 9
become a trusted and cherished centerpiece
We decided that we could find a
of the neighborhood, affectionately referred
project for Raquel – picking up trash
to as “la policía” by the majority of the
and cleaning the computer lab at the
community.
center. Raquel’s father brought her to
W
the center and called every day for two
outreach center embodies a good neighbor,
of her service hours, Raquel asked me if
I think of Raquel. Raquel first stepped into
she could continue to come to the center
the outreach center nearly two years ago,
and help out, as she enjoyed some of the
mom and dad on either side of her, and
interactions with the kids.
hen I think of ways that the
wide eyed. She had been caught at school with alcohol, and had not completed the community service hours assigned to her. Now she only had a few days to finish the hours before the punishment became more severe. Her mother and father had the confused look of two weathered parents. How could their daughter do this when they had worked so hard to provide for her and give her a better life in the United States?
10 || The Church at Work
weeks to make sure that she was doing the service assigned to her. At the end
Raquel continued to come to the center 3 to 4 days a week, and eventually became a tutor in the recently-formed after-school program. Each week, we noticed that Raquel participated more and more, and even began to encourage other kids in their studies and with their problems at home or school. As Raquel began to spend more and more time encouraging others, more and more girls began to
seek her out as a role model. Eventually,
outreach center is a place that sends a
Raquel began to compete in beauty
message of belonging: you are welcome
contests and to shadow reporters to learn
here... all are welcome here. Trust then
how to conduct interviews. This led Raquel
flows out of this security.
to realize that she had the potential and the position to talk with young girls about self-image and to affirm their self-worth. Raquel used the platform of the afterschool program to positively encourage young girls and help them find their niche, just as she had found hers in helping others.
But trust is a two-way street: it is only given inasmuch as it is reciprocated. The center has become a neighbor because it also depends upon and trusts in the community. This mutual trust and confidence can lead to great changes, and even transformation on both a personal and neighborhood level.
Raquel’s story is just one of the many
So, what kind of a neighbor are you
stories about lives being changed and
becoming? W
people being encouraged through the Community Outreach Center. The outreach center has worked to bring physical and emotional security to the neighborhood, just as a trustworthy neighbor whose door is always open, and whose ear is always attentive. The
Colby Mowery and his wife MJ have been members of FUMC Grapevine since 2013. They enjoy attending the bilingual service and being involved in the community on Mustang Dr. where Colby works as the coordinator for the Community Outreach Center. In his spare time, Colby enjoys soccer, running and fishing.
The Church at Work || 11
LINK is the “Missing Link” By Carolyn Ann Walgren 12 || The Church at Work
W
hat kinds of social interaction and
ministry is to allow all of God’s children to
fellowship opportunities are available
“come to me” as stated in Matthew 19:14,
outside the home when special needs
Joyce recently realized that adults were
children become adults and no longer
in need of a loving and nurturing social
have those opportunities through school?
environment.
Apparently, there are very few. “After volunteering at the Access-Life Expo FUMCG member Joyce King wants to
for the last couple of years, I realized there
change that. On Tuesday, September 9,
was a need for avenues for fellowship for
Link held its first gathering.
adults, ages 18 to 80. There
There was a craft table, a
is nothing for them beyond
small bowling game, cookies
high school and subsequently,
made by some wonderful
isolation is a big problem,”
United Methodist Women
Joyce said.
(UMW), lemonade and water, and great music by the band
Further, she expressed, “I’ll
Mariachi Allende. Several
see parents in the grocery
adult and youth volunteers
store with adult children with
were there, with warm hearts
disabilities and realize they
and smiles, ready to socialize.
need social interaction in a
L
place just for them.” This realization was
ink appears to be the “missing link”
confirmed by a very conversant adult child
for adults with physical or mental
and his parents who attended Link’s first
disabilities. The idea for this new ministry
event.
arose out of Joyce’s coordination and volunteer work through our Helping Hands
“I don’t have a lot of social interaction,”
ministry and at the Access-Life Expo. As
explained 43-year-old Andy Morrison. “I
the foundation of the Helping Hands
work at the Dallas Public Library and at
The Church at Work || 13
the George Bush Presidential Library. But most of the people I’m around are normal. They don’t always know what to think of me.”
“What is normal?” I asked.
“Neuro-normal,” Andy explained. “That’s
When I asked Andy what he would like
a term doctors use to describe people who
to see Link provide in the way of social
don’t have neurological disabilities or
interactions and fellowship, he both
deficiencies.”
wittingly and seriously replied, “That’s like asking someone, who has only had
H
is mom explained that Andy has
bread and water their entire life, what
Asperger’s. At the Link event, she
they would now like to eat and give them
said, “This is nice, especially for parents,
endless options.”
to bring their adult children somewhere that no one will judge their actions. Since
“Good point,” I said with a smile. Some
he was small, I knew the only place
of the ideas are bowling, movies, card
I would get help for him would be in
and board games, art classes, BINGO,
churches.“
or just dinner together. Simply, anything
14 || The Church at Work
low-cost and tailored to disabled adults
Link would like to hold its next event in
and their needs for fellowship and social
January or February, and hopes the word
interaction.
spreads so many more of God’s extraspecial (adult) children will come!
When needs have arisen over the years, FUMCG’s Helping Hands has reached out
If you can help link Joyce to ways to reach
to meet those needs with the pairing of a
out to more guests or if you would like to
“buddy” for children’s Sunday School and
be a part of this wonderful ministry, contact
Vacation Bible School, as well as a monthly
Joyce King at fumcdt@gmail.com or the
respite night called “Bryan’s Buddies.”
church at 817-481-2559.
Link is an effort to branch out further to meet the needs of adults. Joyce’s hope is
Just as Andy’s mom recounted to Andy and
that Link could expand and include other
his dad as they were leaving the Family
churches in order to reach more people.
Life Center that night, “This is a good
“It would be wonderful to be able to have
program!” W
a social event once per quarter and rotate churches,” she explained. It is also obvious that other ministries within FUMCG would offer assistance as well, just as UMW displayed in making cookies.
Carolyn Ann Walgren and her family have been members of FUMC Grapevine since 2007. She and her husband Mark have two daughters, Ellen and Laura. Carolyn Ann has been very active in local outreach ministries like Be Our Guest and is the leader of the CONNECT Ministry, which helps GCISD students.
The Church at Work || 15
“La Fuente de Vida” Iglesia Evangélica Metodista Las Juntas, Costa Rica
By Pastor Roberto Barrantes
We asked Pastor Roberto Barrantes to share his thoughts about our Costa Rica Village of Las Juntas. The following is a translation from his original Spanish. Although I’ll be sharing about the ministries in our Church, I believe it is important to give some background information, which will help us to have a complete picture...
T
he Lord knows that we were praying for help with our projects in the Church. I ventured to notify our brother in Christ Ray Zirkel, who was my teacher in Seminary at that time.
Some months later (late 2009), brother Ray called to tell me that a church in Texas wanted to come here to establish missionary work in our country. He advised us that they were coming to “explore,” to define which part of the country the Holy Spirit was guiding them to.
16 || The Church at Work
T
rue to his promise, brother Ray and
serve as a channel of blessings for the
the group arrived on the evening
community, and the congregation would
of Saturday, February 24, 2010. Las
be like a bridge to help.”
Juntas was the last leg of a tour through several parts of the country. The next
After breakfast, the group attended our
day (Sunday, February 25) we met for
Sunday service and then invited my
the first time at breakfast. With brother
family and I to lunch. We shared more,
Ray translating, pastor Ken Diehm told
prayed and said our good-byes.
me about the vision God had given him and FUMCG. He asked us about our vision and projects for the Church and the Community.
S
ome months passed, and on August 12, 2010, I received a copy of an
e-mail, sent by sister Debbie Price to brother Ray Zirkel. It read, in part:
Personally I was excited, as I realized how the Holy Spirit was complementing both visions of love to God and love of neighbor. In his words, they said that they wanted to work together with the church where the Lord would lead, “...and in addition, help to strengthen the local Church while the Methodist Church would
“First of all a very delayed thank you for everything you did for us in Costa Rica. How you managed to show us so much of Costa Rica in such a short period of time, is still mind boggling to me. You really gave us a picture of how the church is working in Costa Rica, and gave us a lot to think about. I think that Ken has already mentioned to you that we are interested in pursuing a long-term relationship with Roberto and
The Church at Work || 17
his church in Juntas…
This was the vision that Pastor Ken Diehm
…We want to provide the things that they cannot provide for themselves, and help them live out their vision for their church and community, not impose our own. They are such a vibrant congregation, and we were so impressed with their spirit. We all fell in love with the church and its people….”
shared that Sunday morning, February 25, 2010. That vision has come to pass, by the faithfulness of the Lord, to Him be all honor and glory. We also glorify the Lord because through
By God’s Divine Providence, the Lord
our Methodist connection, the various
had given FUMCG a vision to adopt
ministries of our local church in Las Juntas
our congregation and community as a
have been developed. We’d like to share
mission in Latin America. I have no doubt
about some of these ministries:
that the Holy Spirit not only guided you
the Methodist Church would be a channel
MINISTRY OF CHRISTIAN SOCIAL SERVICE
of blessing for the community and that
Every 15 days this Ministry collects food
the congregation would be a bridge to
from the members of the congregation for
help families.
delivery to other families even more needy
toward us, but joined our two visions: that
I
than themselves. This ministry performs n the midst of this interaction, with
activities such as meal preparation and
the Church (love of God) and with the
the sale of used clothes. With the resources
community (love of neighbor) the Holy Spirit guided our churches, training us and transforming our own lives. I have seen how the Holy Spirit has worked in many of us, but also in many of the missionaries (adults and youth), who have come to Las Juntas.
18 || The Church at Work
obtained (always insufficient), the ministry
has helped people who don’t have the
and in turn, donates funds assist those
money to attend medical appointments,
attending activities of the Conference (the
purchase eyeglasses and purchase
Church also supports transportation) or
food. The ministry provides financial
whatever the church needs.
support to families that are going through difficult times, support in the education
METHODIST YOUTH MINISTRY
of their children and the payment of
The Youth Ministry is one of the ministries
basic services. It has helped families of
with the least economic capacity, since
the church as well as those outside the
young people are studying and do not
church.
yet work. They raise funds to be able to participate in various activities appropriate
MINISTRY OF WOMEN
to their age, such as camps and activities
In spite of the fact that the majority of
of spiritual formation. (The Church also
our church members are women alone
supports the payment for transportation).
and heads of their own households,
support families of the communities
MINISTRY OF DISCIPLESHIP, EVANGELISM AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
(money from the Church also support
As part of the Annual Work Program
this project). In addition, the Ministry of
adopted at the end of last year 2013,
Women cooks food for Mission Groups,
training was provided to the facilitators
the Ministry of Women raises funds for its annual project “Week for Jesus” to
or Sunday school teachers to work with children. They were divided into groups according to age segments and the Church has purchased training materials for teachers, appropriate for each segment of age (4 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 11, and 12 to 17
The Church at Work || 19
years of age). Young people over the age of 18 years do not have space for Christian formation on Sundays, so they gather on Saturdays in the afternoon with their leader. Children under the age of 4 also lack space for their class, and so they remain in the sanctuary on Sundays. Throughout the year, there are courses of Christian education and courses for baptism. By means of the program “Seminar in Your Church,” members have been taught subjects such as homiletics, hermeneutics, systematic theology 1 and systematic theology 2. If the Lord allows for this, on September 28, along with other local chruches, for the first time we are going to have the Month of the Bible, with evangelistic sermons on the Word of God.
members copy. They meet once a week for a lesson. At other times they have had activities of community outreach.
MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS The Church takes strategic efforts toward the goal of an integral development of character, emotion, creativity, spirituality, sociability and corporality for each child. This Ministry is in charge of the Group of Guides and Scouts N°73. It has been difficult to sustain and develop it because of a lack of volunteers committed to the
MINISTRY OF SMALL GROUPS
time required, and a lack of resources to
We have established some small groups in
implement the methodology and equipment
homes, but it has been difficult to sustain
needed. However the Group to participates
them in time. To each group, the church
in some activities to the extent they are
gives a manual of Bible study, which the
able. There is also work to open bridges
20 || The Church at Work
of evangelization and discipleship, both inside the group and outside in the community.
MINISTRY OF WORSHIP, MUSIC AND ARTS This is one of the ministries which this year has been developing in the best way. At this time the band (Ministerio Hava = “Fuente de Vida” in Hebrew) is recording CD’s and then plan to sell them in order to raise funds to enable them to sustain their group financially.
Also the group of Performing Arts (Ministry “Messengers of Praise”) is very active, practicing and doing presentations in special activities, within and outside of the local Church. W
Pastor Roberto Barrantes used to be a fireman in Las Juntas. He retired, then answered the call to ministry and now serves as Pastor of La Fuente de Vida. He attends seminary in San José. He and his wife Anna have five children, all of whom are married except the youngest, Bitia, who attends the University of Costa Rica. All of his sons have also served as firemen.
The Church at Work || 21
A Heart for
Latvia By Madeline Payne
L
atvia, our newest international
about and visited the thirteen Methodist
village, has held a place in my heart
congregations as well as the Apple Festival,
for over five years. My family was introduced
held in Wesley Camp, and the Hope Center,
to Latvia through the connection that our
a home for young mothers. When we
previous church had with a Methodist
returned, many thoughtful discussions were
Church there. The excitement I possess
held. The outcome was the introduction of
for the involvement of FUMC Grapevine in
Latvia as our third international village.
Latvia is beyond words!
Members of FUMC Grapevine took our
W
e embarked on our second trip in July of 2014 with a team of ten
first exploratory trip in September of 2013.
willing servants of God. The first three days
While we were there, our church learned
were spent culturally indulging ourselves
22 || The Church at Work
with the history of Latvia through visiting
and I had been to the camp on three
places such as the Occupation Museum, the
previous occasions and therefore knew
Open Air Museum, the KGB Building and
what to expect. However, for Isabella Brown
the Jewish Memorial. Upon that Monday,
and Emily Hall, the other two youth that
our team divided into two groups, one group
accompanied the team to Latvia, this was
going to volunteer at Wesley Camp and
not the case.
the other going to be introduced to other churches, the Hope Center, and the After
Ana, the camp director, asked us if we
School Program.
would like to be shepherds (i.e. counselors), an offer we all eagerly accepted. We were
M
y desire to return to Wesley Camp
paired with another Latvian Shepherd
was fulfilled Monday afternoon
and assigned a group of kids for the week.
upon our arrival there. My brother, Conner,
Though doubts about being incapable of
The Church at Work || 23
the responsibilities of a shepherd entered
realized that I wasn’t qualified to be a
the minds of Isabella and Emily, they
shepherd but God had chosen to qualify
continued with the courage of God. By the
me for the task.”
end of the week, they both fervently agreed that being a shepherd was the best decision they had made.
G
od blessed me with a sweet group of girls, ages ten to twelve.
Throughout the week, my girls taught me
I
sabella explains it in this way: “I was
Latvian and I assisted them in English,
a bit unsure at first about being a
though they could speak the language
shepherd as I wasn’t sure how much of a
extremely well.
help I would be with the language barrier and all. However, by the second day I
We also bonded during activities such
was so close with my group that I couldn’t
as trips to the beach, campfires and
imagine not being a shepherd. At the end of
devotional time. In any free time we had,
the week I was reflecting on everything that
the girls wanted me to teach them how
had happened while talking with my mom
to play the ukulele, which I had brought
and she reminded me of one of my favorite
over and learned only a few weeks
quotes that states ‘God doesn’t choose
prior. To this day, it amazes me how
the qualified, He qualifies the chosen.’ I
relationships can form in such a short
was really able to relate to this because I
amount of time. By the end of the week, I
24 || The Church at Work
had six new little sisters.
W
boys at the camp as they learned how to use power tools while helping build the tables.
hile at the camp, we were involved in many arts and
crafts. The biggest hit was the yellow t-shirts (which YOU, church, helped
I
look forward to return trips as the relationship between our church and
Latvia continues to grow. W
provide) with the color-your-own Joseph on the back. Though the kids immensely enjoyed coloring their own camp t-shirts, they had a marvelous time signing each other’s shirts as well.
Madeline Payne and her family have been members of FUMC Grapevine since 2012. Madeline is a freshman at Grapevine Faith High School, and is an avid tennis player. Her parents are Richard and Julie Payne, who serve as the lay leaders of the Latvia Village. Madeline and her brother, Conner, are active in youth and missions. She has served on the Middle School Mission Trip, Feed Our Kids and multiple Latvia teams.
The picnic tables that our church funded were a huge success. Not only were we able to build and provide two brand-new wooden benches that convert into a table, but we also provided the camp with the layout and supplies list for future teams to build the picnic tables. Furthermore, it was a fantastic learning experience for the
A Special Note about our Latvia Village... The Latvia Village Team has chosen
Riga First Church
as our first partner in ministry there.
The Church at Work || 25
Feed Our Kids Grapevine Village 2014 By Pastor Armando Alvarado with personal testimony
by Maria Medina
26 || The Church at Work
“According to the book of Acts, the Christian community in Jerusalem not only shared communion through the Eucharist but also shared their meals and property as needed (Acts 2:44-47). Pentecost formed a community that broke through not just the barriers of language and culture but also the barriers of wealth and social class. Whether it is through sharing our bread in communion or our struggles and hopes in life, Christ calls us to form a community not through the imposition of a single standard, but by sharing what we have and who we are with others.� (Luis G. Pedraja)
T
his summer was an amazing time
that when we encourage others to lead
to see how we as a community of
and invite people to be part of our
faith shared our leadership and gave up
community of faith, trust becomes a factor
our authority, our power, to decide what
and sometimes an issue. Our ability to
should be accomplished during Feed
relinquish our control and give people the
Our Kids at the GRACE site. As a church
opportunity to lead is truly the result of
who believes in the Holy Spirit and trust
radical hospitality.
that God is leading us to reach out into the community, we decided to encourage families from the Grapevine Village to plan and organize the four weeks of Feed Our Kids. What an experience and blessing that was!
M
aria Medina is a member of our church who lives in the community
which we call the Grapevine Village. She is a mom of a teenage son, who is a junior at Colleyville Heritage High School. Her husband is a construction worker and she
Several ladies from the Shady Oaks
takes care of children and makes some of
Mobile Park (Grapevine Village)
the best tamales in North Texas. I asked
gathered one day and discussed what
her about her experience as a leader this
types of food the children would like.
summer with Feed Our Kids. Here’s what
This is where we as a church realized
Maria has to say... The Church at Work || 27
Each morning I would wake up and
mom, I have seen how much money has
pray to God, asking that today our
gone to waste because the children do
service to the community through Feed
not eat the type of food served.
Our Kids would go as planned. Praise God it went well.
My experience of working with others created a whole new way of thinking. I
Planning for the four weeks and
felt like we are part of something much
discussing the type of foods we would
bigger. I learned from other people
serve, we asked ourselves what the
how to do things in different ways
children would like, only because we
and even though I don’t know much
did not want to buy and serve lunches
English, (enough to understand, but
that would go to waste. As a leader and
not able to respond) it was as if I knew
28 || The Church at Work
the language because everything went well. The reason why I do this is because in my heart I have a need to help others. I don’t have lots of money, but I have time, energy and a willing heart for God. Some people from the neighborhood would try to discourage me and say, “You don’t know what you’re doing,” but by the Grace of God everything went well. It was an honor to serve as the leader for Feed Our Kids this summer. If I could change anything, I would try to encourage others from the neighborhood to go to church, to serve and be part of the community.
Maria Medina and her family have attended FUMC Grapevine since 2009. She and her husband Jaime have a son, Jonathan, who has attended several youth mission trips. Maria has been involved with Las Posadas, making tamales for activities and she participates in the Wednesday evening Spanish Bible Study.
Philippians 2:1-4 says “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (THE MESSAGE)
The Church at Work || 29
The Urge to Give By Rev. Melburn Sibley
What makes us want to sacrificially share with other people or causes? When we see a person in need there is a tug within, encouraging us to help. What is the source of this urge?
A
friend who has a good sense of humor told this about herself. She was in Dallas and saw a man holding a sign asking for money. She said,” I don’t
know why, but I felt sorry for him and held out a $20 bill.” She knew that we are advised not to encourage such begging for a number of reasons, including that it is illegal. Also, you have no idea how the money you give them will be used.
30 || The Church at Work
Laughing at herself, she said he probably
What happens to us when we give of
told his buddies that if they saw a fat lady
ourselves and our resources to help
in a red Buick, she is easy pickings!
others? Isn’t there a satisfaction that comes from knowing we have given a
What makes us spontaneously step out to
lift to others, whether it is an individual
meet a need? Could it be the stirring of the
or a worthy cause such as the Villages,
Spirit of God who lives in us?
Weekend Food, or GRACE?
“...we know in our We respond to the urgings within because we have been
hearts that Jesus
so richly blessed by God and
would provide for
we know we have the resources
others were He in
to meet some of the needs of others. Caring is in the DNA of
our shoes...”
a Christian.
Our actions of love put us in touch with our Savior, for our giving is an indication of our relationship with Him.
We call this stewardship... acknowledging God’s ownership.
Life itself and the abundance that we Additionally, we know in our hearts that
enjoy are all a gift from God, who is the
Jesus would provide for others were He in
source of all. The question is, how will we
our shoes, and He is our pattern for living.
use this gift?
Wouldn’t it be better to help ten even if nine simply want to take advantage, than to refuse all ten and miss helping one who really needs and deserves a lift?
Rev. Melburn Sibley has been on staff at FUMC Grapevine since 2004, serving as Minister of Resource Development. He and his wife Martha have a daughter, Michele, a son, Michael, and three grandchildren. Melburn has served as the pastor of multiple churches, Superintendent of the South Texas Children’s Home and leader of over 70 capital stewardship campaigns in various denominations.
The Church at Work || 31
32 || The Church at Work
Coming up this quarter . . October
10/1-31 Pumpkin Patch! 10/5 World Communion Sunday 10/12-26 Stewardship Series 10/18 Fall Into Missions 10/26 Commitment Sunday | Fall Festival | Gospel Sing
November 11/1 11/2 11/9 11/23 11/22-24 11/27-28 11/30
Texas Mardi Gras Gala & Auction at the Austin Ranch Communion Sunday | All Saints Sunday | Service of Healing & Wholeness Support Our Military Care Packages WORSHIP TOGETHER IN GRATITUDE | ONE worship service at 9:45 AM Potluck lunch to follow | Charge Conference at 3:00 PM Thanksgiving Mini Mission Thanksgiving Holiday First Sunday of Advent
December 12/1 12/14 12/21 12/24
Communion Sunday The 78th Annual Candlelighting Regular Worship Schedule | Happy Birthday Jesus Party during Sunday School Las Posadas at 6:00 PM in Founders Chapel & Family Life Center Christmas Eve Worship
All Services at the Downtown Campus 5:00 PM - Kid-Friendly Worship (Sanctuary) 6:30 PM - Traditional Candlelight Worship (Sanctuary) 8:00 PM - Traditional Candlelight & Communion (Sanctuary) 11:00 PM - Bilingual Candlelight & Communion (Founders Chapel) 12/28
ONE service hour at 11:00 AM | No Sunday School English in the Sanctuary | Spanish in Founders Chapel
Watch E-News, Bulletin and website for full details! The Church at Work || 33
Get ready to make a change for the better in 2015... www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/stewardship
First United Methodist Church Grapevine Downtown Campus: 422 Church Street | Grapevine, TX 76051 | 817-481-2559 Heritage Campus: 4344 Heritage Avenue | Grapevine, TX 76051 | 817-571-1111
www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org