First Connections Dec 12-Jan13

FIRSTConnections First United Methodist Church Richardson

Volume 7, Issue 32

December 2012/January 2013

Welcome

to First United Methodist Church Richardson!

The holidays are here! Hot apple cider, a decorated tree, Christmas worship services and New Year’s resolutions fill the hearts and minds of many. And so do the excitement, anxiety, stress and joy that come along during this busy time of year!

For some, celebrating the season may bring joyful memories of the past year.

Others may be grieving the loss of a loved one or be in the midst of a life change. For others, this holiday may mark a fresh start for a new and exciting year! Wherever you find yourself this holiday season we want to walk alongside you on your faith journey.

Whether in worship, small groups, access contemporary service, or through our many ministries, we welcome you to our church campus.

We are available if you have any questions or would like more information.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Elizabeth Wilson, Director Inviting & Involving 972 996 0134 Direct ewilson@fumcr.com

Kristen Ceaser Inviting & Involving Associate 972 996 0154 Direct kceaser@fumcr.com

503 N. Central Expressway P.O.Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75083-0877 972.235.8385 fumcr.com Senior Pastor Dr. Clayton Oliphint Director of Communications & Worship Gloria Scott Editor/Graphic Designer Elizabeth Gonzalez Communications Associate Kevin Burns Website Manager Francy Collins

Worship with Us! Sundays

Service of Communion & Prayer Chapel 8:15 am & 12 noon Traditional 8:45, 9:45, 11:00 am Dr. Clayton Oliphint, preaching access 5:00 pm A Contemporary Worship Experience Dr. Clayton Oliphint, preaching Asian Ministry Chapel 7 pm Zimbabwe Worship Chapel 12:15 pm

Contributors Pavielle Chriss Roger Fortney Diane Grandey Intentional Faith Development Amy Jernigan Holly Lee Mike Lightfoot Dianne Weideman Rodney Whitfield

972 235 8385 fumcr.com FIRST Connections (USPS 022-024) is published six times a year, bi-monthly, by the First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expwy., Richardson, Texas 75080. Periodicals postage paid at Richardson, Texas and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to First Connections, PO Box 830877, Richardson, TX 75083-0877.

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o you remember birthday parties when you were a child? Do you remember how exciting it was to be with friends, sing Happy Birthday, blow out the candles, eat cake and ice cream, open presents, and play games? Seriously, I think every grown up should go to a 4 or 5 year olds’ birthday party once in a while just to remind us of what a joyous experience of wonder it is! But something gets lost as you get older doesn’t it? Birthdays become just another day, and sometimes the age we are turning somehow doesn’t warm the heart! This is not unlike our experience of Christmas.

It is been my experience that many people don’t enjoy Christmas as much as “survive” Christmas. This year we are inviting you to a different kind of Christmas.

During the Advent/Christmas season we will focus recovering the heart of Christmas, reminding us that Christmas is not YOUR birthday, and hopefully finding ways that the meaning of Christmas can impact our lives and our world.

And so, You Are Invited, is the theme for our season and we pray it will be an invitation into a glorious celebration of the birth of our Savior for all.

2012 has been an amazing year of ministry at FUMCR. As we look forward to 2013 I am really looking forward to the launch of our Group Life (small group) ministry. The sermon series that will begin 2013 is called New Year’s Revolution. Instead of making resolutions that are here today and gone tomorrow, we are inviting you into a revolutionary new way of being. To follow Christ is revolutionary. Invite a friend for this exciting series!

On behalf of the Oliphint family and the entire church staff, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. At Christmas you are invited to receive God’s greatest gift, Immanuel—God with us!

In Christ, Clayton Oliphint Oliphint family pictured. Dr. Oliphint and his wife Lori have three children. Erin and Katy are both students at Texas Christian University and Grant is in eighth grade at Parkhill Middle School.

Get Connected in 2013

W riting by R odney W hitfield & I ntentional F aith D evelopment T eam

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rowing up as a Methodist preacher’s kid meant that we moved frequently. Each new move meant making new friends. It was not always easy, but once I had made a couple new friends, it got easier. You probably have experienced this before. Maybe it wasn’t because you moved cities or schools; perhaps you were the new person in a group, job or organization. In all of these situations we desire to make a connection with at least one other person. And this isn’t surprising, since the beginning of time all human beings were created to be in relationships. When we look at scripture we see that, God said, “It’s not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18 The Message).

At FUMCR, we agree with God and believe it is not good for us to be alone. We need to be connected with:

• God • People in our communities • People on the journey of faith

As FUMCR continues to grow we want to be intentional about making sure we stay small. What do we mean by that? We want to create an environment where everyone who comes to FUMCR has an opportunity to connect with other people. It is our hope that everyone be connected with a group of people who know them, support them and encourage them on the journey to be who God created them to be. The spiritual journey is not easy and the life Jesus calls us to is filled with great blessings, but also challenges. Through shared relationships our faith journey can become easier and more manageable. How? Being connected to others means we are not alone in trying to understand God’s word or in trying to live like Jesus. We are not alone in our joys, our struggles and in our service. We live together in community with each other.

Why is Group Life important to FUMCR? “Group life gives people an opportunity to deepen their faith and broaden their relationships. I would highly encourage you, if you are not connected, to participate in Group Life!”

Dr. Clayton Oliphint 4

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In January 2013 we will introduce the newest way for the people of FUMCR to be connected and to share the journey of being a disciple.

What is this new way?

It is called Group Life.

In Group Life people gather in groups of 10 to 15 and meet weekly for 10 to 12 weeks. Group Life members make new friends, connect with God’s word, and serve the community.

Each week they gather for an hour and a half at a place and time chosen by the group. They spend time getting to know one another better and discussing Sunday’s sermon and the scripture upon which it’s based. At some point in the 10-12 weeks they also get together for a social event and participate in a community mission project.

Recently, 45 individuals participated in Group Life Leader Training. Here’s what excited them:

“It is exciting to finally have an easy way to make friends at this church.”

“I am excited about how Group Life is set up.”

“Having the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with people who have common interests.”

“What excites me most is the opportunity to establish a fellowship with a smaller group of church members.”

“Getting to know members of the church on a more personal level. Making those connections makes me feel more at home and part of the FUMCR family.”

Do you want to get more connected? Would you enjoy discussing each week’s sermon and scripture with friends? Are you trying to figure out who God is calling you to be?

If you answered “Yes!” to any of the above, then you won’t want to miss the start of Group Life! Get connected through Group Life in 2013 and join the movement of making disciples through relationships, study and serving our community.

Register online starting January 13, 2013. If you want more information visit the Group Life web page (coming soon) at fumcr.com or contact any member of the Intentional Faith Development Team.

Rev. Rodney Whitfield Young Adults rwhitfield@fumcr.com Rev. Fred Treviño Senior Adults ftrevino@fumcr.com Rev. Rich Rindfuss Contemporary Worship & Discipleship rich@fumcr.com Elizabeth Wilson Director of Inviting & Involving ewilson@fumcr.com F irst C onnections

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a celtic mass composed by rick holt, fumcr member W riting Rick Holt was a percussionist even before he knew what that was. When he was five or six years old he received his first set of drums. His interest and love of music started early. “Choral music has always had a significant presence in my life, as I am the son of a choir director and an active member of my church choir.” Rick received his BA degree in Music Education from Troy University in Troy, Alabama with plans to be a music teacher, but “instead of teaching, I just kept playing in bands all across the southeast.”

“In the mid-90s, when Irish music began to take a prominent role in popular culture, I was drawn to its evocative and emotional nature. As a percussionist, I took up the bodhran (an Irish drum) in 2003 and since then have immersed myself in Celtic music. In 2010 I took a trip to Ireland where I received training in the bodhran and joined the locals for several pub sessions.”

by

D iane G randey

Rick has played as a percussionist in many performances with the Chancel Choir and also with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and has been on many tours with the youth choir. Rick has been singing in Chancel Choir at FUMCR for 23 years.

Rick’s band, 5 Second Rule, was formed three years ago by a group of instrumentalists that have a common interest in Irish music. They play in various venues and festivals in the metroplex. Rick has also been a member of TIMES (Traditional Irish Music Educators Society) where he has served on the board for eight years. He is also the operations manager for the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat that takes place in Waxahachie each fall and has taught the bodhran at the O’Flaherty Irish Music Youth Camp. He also plays with the Trinity Hall Session Players monthly at Trinity Hall in Dallas.

What inspired you to compose this Celtic Mass?

“The initial inspiration for A Celtic Mass came to me late in 2008, and allowed me to blend my two musical worlds—choral and Celtic. I realized that a traditional Latin Mass would work well with some of the different styles of Irish music – jig, reel, air. The nature of those styles is determined by the meter of the music. A choral mass is a sacred musical form, based on the Eucharist liturgy. Although the text is in traditional Latin for the most part, the five sections included in A Celtic Mass— Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei—will be very familiar to most people who have sung Christmas carols and other church hymns. The Celtic reference is the music itself, which embraces the rhythms, melodies and harmonies of the genre.”

How long did it take you to compose this piece?

“I started it in 2008, but didn’t work on it for a couple of years. Then two years ago I started working on it again and it really began coming together which motivated me to complete the work.”

How will this mass be performed?

“The music for A Celtic Mass is all original and is scored for four-part choir, 25 piece orchestra and organ. Also 66 FFirst irst C Connections onnections

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featured will be three distinctively Celtic instruments, the uillean pipes (Irish bagpipes), Irish whistle and Celtic harp.

The five sections of the Mass cover a range of Celtic styles, from dances to airs, and attempts to capture and project the emotion of sacred music in a way that is quintessentially Celtic.”

Tell us about what happened after you finished the composition? How did it get printed, how did you convince Mike to have the choir perform it when there wasn’t really anything to listen to at that point?

“As I was nearing completion of the piece and beginning to let a few people listen to the computer version and telling people of my progress, the common response was always “you should get the choir to do this!” In early 2012, I approached Mike Lightfoot and told him that I had written the Mass and asked about the possibility of having a Celtic Christmas concert this year. Mike is always open to new and diverse ways in which to enrich the congregation of FUMCR, so when he expressed an interest in hearing it, I invited Mike and Mary to give it a listen.

They were definitely on board, which thrilled me.” (In a separate interview with Mike, he said he was nervous to listen to Rick’s composition. “What if it was something that wouldn’t be quite right for our choir or our Christmas program? But from the very first time we heard it, we could tell it was something special.

Advent Study

"A Different Kind of Christmas" Join your church in understanding the broader missional meaning of Jesus' birth and experience a Christmas season with more peace and joy. Be in worship for sermons based on this practical and inspiring Advent study. Take part in a small group to extend the impact.

“To complete the Celtic Christmas concept we partnered with the Southwest Celtic Music Association to bring in an international touring act (SOLAS) to headline the second portion of the concert, and thus we now have “A Celtic Christmas” concert.

Two small groups forming for this study: Sunday Group 11 am - 12 noon Room 213 Dec 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30

Rick’s Celtic Mass, his gift to music ministry, will be performed in concert at FUMCR Saturday night, December 8, at 7 pm.

Wednesday Group 9:30 - 11 am Room 210 Dec 5, 12, 19, Jan 2

It will be an evening you don’t want to miss. FUMCR is blessed to have R. Daniel Holt in our midst.

Register online fumcr.com

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FUMCR W riting

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M ike L ightfoot

In the church music world, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! This year at FUMCR, you will be inspired by the music of adult and children choirs, hand-bell choirs of all ages, vocal ensembles, strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion, as well as the glorious sounds of the Klais organ accompanying your favorite songs of the season.

While all of our choirs will participate in morning worship services during the four Sundays of Advent, we will also offer several special opportunities for everyone to enjoy additional music. Each Sunday of Advent, between worship services, there will be special music played from the balcony of the Shawver Welcome Center. On Saturday evening, December 8, the Chancel Choir with orchestra and Celtic instruments, will present A Celtic Mass, written by Chancel Choir member, Rick Holt. SOLAS, a world-renowned Irish band, will be featured in this FIRST Inspiration Concert. On December 9, the children will present their holiday musical, Candles of Christmas.

Finally, on Sunday morning December 16, choirs, orchestra and dancers will be a part of worship at all morning hours.

At FUMCR this is a special time of singing the great, familiar songs of Christmas, and of hearing the choirs and instruments lead us in a celebration of Christ’s birth. Children, bells, pipe organ, brass, bagpipes, dancers, orchestras and choirs will make this year’s Christmas celebration special.

December 8

December 2 8:45 am

FIRST Inspiration Concerts presents: A Celtic Christmas 7:00 pm

The Journey Youth Choir

9:45 & 11:00 am The Journey Youth Choir, Carillon and

Westminster Choirs and Chancel Choir Between worship services from the Shawver Welcome Center Balcony

Bells of Bronze (youth handbell choir)

Chancel Choir, Orchestra and Irish-American Band, SOLAS

The music of Ireland and Scotland will fill the air on this evening.

First, Chancel Choir with orchestra and Celtic instruments will present the debut performance of A Celtic Mass, written by FUMCR’s own Rick Holt, a member of Chancel Choir. There will also be a stirring arrangement of Highland Cathedral. This arrangement by Rick Holt includes choir, organ, orchestra and a pipe and drum group.

The second half of this concert features the world-renowned Celtic band, SOLAS. This is the quintessential Irish-American band recording and touring in the U.S. today. SOLAS will present their Christmas music, Celtic-style. This will thrill everyone with footstomping music and Irish dancers. Include this on your short list of Christmas concerts this season.

Purchase tickets online at fumcr.com/concerts. $12.00 SOLAS

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Children's Christmas Musical Sunday, December 9 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary

Journey Youth Choir

December 9 8:45 am

9:45 & 11:00 am

Genesis and Festival Ringers, Bells of Bronze and The Journey Youth Choir Genesis and Festival Ringers, Children’s Choirs and Chancel Choir

Between worship services from the Shawver Welcome Center Balcony

Ted Thompson, piano with grandchildren

Delaney, violin and Samuel, piano 7:00 pm

Children’s Choir musical “Candles of Christmas”

Come celebrate the light and beauty of Christmas with “Candles of Christmas,” performed by the children’s choirs. With familiar Christmas carols and narrations, the children will honor the miracle of Christ’s birth and will experience with you, the joy of the angels who first announced it!

All children's choirs will perform with song and the spoken word.

a celtic christmas

December 16 8:45 am

Come and Celebrate the birth of Christ through the voice of our children.

saturday, december 8

The Journey Youth Choir with professional orchestra, favorite Christmas hymns

9:45 & 11:00 am Favorite songs of Christmas, led by Chancel

Choir, orchestra and dancers.

7 pm

SOLAS

“…Irish-America’s most influential band.”

Between worship services from the Shawver Welcome Center Balcony Carrie Robbins, piano The choirs will sing beautiful anthems, the congregation will sing favorite hymns, and the dancers will rejoice to the sounds of Christmas, all accompanied by live orchestra. This year we will sing several familiar songs of Christmas, arranged and orchestrated by modern-day composer, Mack Wilberg.

December 23 8:45 am

The Journey Youth Choir

9:45 & 11:00 am Chancel Choir Between worship services from the Shawver Welcome Center Balcony

Leo Eveleth, piano On the final Sunday of Advent we will continue to hear the songs of Christmas and sing favorite hymns.

“a celtic mass” a new work by R. Daniel Holt featuring the Chancel Choir and Chamber Orchestra with Irish Instruments

Tickets $12 online fumcr.com/concerts irst C Connections onnections FFirst

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Advent 2012

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Our Advent Offering will support three areas this year:

Zimbabwean Children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic are provided tuition support through this ministry.

Currently, 169 of the orphaned children are being served so they may attend full school years.

Methodist Children’s Home serves over 1,400 children and youth through residential group care, foster care and a variety of family and community services. It also includes a Boy’s Ranch where teenage boys work, participate in FFA and receive further education.

NETWORK of Community Ministries is a non-denominational community based organization providing emergency services, an adolescent and children’s clinic and Senior Net to an area encompassing fourteen zip codes in Dallas county. In 2011, Network assisted 53,770 adults, children and Seniors.

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Advent offering envelopes are available in the pew backs. Designate check for this offering or give online at fumcr.com/adventgiving.

Sunday, December 16

7 pm Sanctuary

Dr. Clayton Oliphint, Meditation

A service designed for individuals or families that have suffered loss, through death, divorce, separation, or unemployment, as well as those dealing with addiction. Stephen Ministers will host a reception in the Shawver Welcome Center following the service. *Child Care Available

Sunday, December 23

5 pm Sanctuary

You are invited . . . to the Birthday Dr. Clayton Oliphint, Message

Luke 2: 18-20

A perfect alternative for families that are traveling on Christmas Eve! *Child Care Available

December 24

You are invited . . . to the Birthday Luke 2: 18-20 1:00 pm* Family Worship with Candlelight Rev. Rodney Whitfield, Message

4:00 pm*

Pageant and Candlelight Worship

6:00* 9:00** 11:00 pm Traditional Worship with Candlelight Dr. Clayton Oliphint, Message *Child Care 3 years and younger ** Live streaming

Regular Worship Hours will be observed on December 30 and January 6 8:45 9:45 11:00 am & access at 5 pm F irst C onnections

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W riting by A my J ernigan P hotograpy by R odney W hitfield and FOCUS P hoto M inistry What are you doing Tuesday nights? Are you dodging balls, running the bases or throwing a touchdown pass? Are you spending time with others in the Methodist community? Let us share what a group of young adults (ages 20s to early 40s) from FUMCR and other nearby Methodist churches have been up to this year.

At the beginning of the year, a young adult in our church had an idea to bring people closer together in a fun and active way. Taylor Newsom and Heather Canny, Director of Family Life, worked together to organize the intramural sports league hosted by FUMCR. “Young adults at FUMCR have never had a common ‘cause’ to rally around because we are comprised of various ages and life stages, have conflicting schedules, and have different opinions on what ‘church life’ looks like. Creating the intramural league was a way to bridge those divides and bring ALL young adults together for fun and fellowship.” (Taylor Newsom, FUMCR) In our first season, we had three teams from FUMCR and one team from Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) along with individuals from Garland United Methodist and friends. Playing dodge ball brought back memories of when we were in middle school. Some of us are still catching our breath from full court basketball. For the last sport of the Spring season, we took the fun outside and played kickball on Oliphint Field.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)

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On the first night of the Fall season, we had a kick-off party that included food and a DJ. We are very appreciative of the Men of Faith Men of Honor group that grilled burgers for players, their family, and friends that came. Joining FUMCR and HPUMC this time around were teams from Lovers Lane United Methodist and St. Andrew United Methodist. More individuals signed up and joined teams too. Approximately 70 people participated!

“This is my second season with FUMCR sports league, and my number one reason for coming back is that it’s a lot of fun.

I enjoy the opportunity of fellowship with other members of HPUMC as well as meet new people from other teams. I also find the league to be reasonably priced, well managed, and a very safe environment compared to other DFW sport related leagues. Thanks again for hosting this league.”

(Jennifer, HPUMC) The Fall season began with flag football, and five-on-five soccer followed. We rented lights so we could get our games in after the sun set. We finished the season with indoor volleyball. Our last game was in December and we celebrated with a dinner and trophy presentation to the winning team. Their name will be placed on it, and it will be passed along to the winning team each season. Who will win the trophy next season?

“This is our first year playing, and I really enjoy the opportunity to go out every week and get a lot of fun and exercise, and at the same time, meet and get to know people that I know share the same values, and have some great fellowship.”

(Ben, St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church) Win or lose, we’ve had a great time playing a variety of sports and games. Intramural sports organized by FUMCR have given young adults in several Methodist churches an opportunity to connect. Many friendships have been made!

Sports, Recreation & Health programs for all ages and stages Family Life Ministries programs are open to anyone: church members and guests as well as community members.

With a wide variety of options, we have something for everyone. So check out the listings here on the website, then bring a friend and make more when you get here. It’s a great way to connect with each other and with the church while you stay physically and spiritually fit.

Senior Adults Fit For Life Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9-10 am Bartula Family Life Center Gym

Baby Boot Camp Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9:30 am First Center Parking Lot

Senior Adults Yoga Stretch Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10-11 am Bartula Family Life Center Gym

Baby Boot Camp (meets twice a week) offers a fitness routine that involves both mom and baby.

Contact: Heather Canny Director of Family Life Ministry hcanny@fumcr.com

Yoga Wednesdays, 7:15-8:15 pm, 205 Education Center Saturdays, 10-11 am, Mays Hall $5 per class Recommended equipment: yoga mat, yoga block, yoga strap, comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, easily removable shoes. Beginner friendly.

Taught by certified yoga instructor.

Tammie Haug Administrative Assistant thaug@fumcr.com

“Being a recent college graduate and a sports-playing fanatic, I was thrilled that the church was offering an intramural sports league. I saw it as a way to meet people my age as well as a chance to play some of my favorite sports. After a nervewracking first week, I can’t imagine not meeting these people who have become my second family.” (Taylor Smith, FUMCR) Interested in playing? Don’t miss out on the fun; the Spring 2013 season begins in February. We will play dodge ball, basketball, and kickball. Sign-ups begin in late December or early January.

“Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people.”

Psalm 3:8 (NLT)

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Fifty Years Strong

F

ifty years ago, a small group at FUMCR started a Sunday School class. This group grew and eventually became Pathfinders. Today, this group is 165 persons strong and continues to meet the needs of not only it’s members, but those of FUMCR. At one time, the group had a membership of over 200 and was primarily a couple’s class. At the beginning of 2012, the group was evenly divided between couples and singles with 55 of each.

Several things contributed to the growth and strength of the Pathfinders. The group was and is faith based, not only in many Bible lessons that are presented, but in the wide variety of volunteering by group members. Pathfinders have mentored younger groups who look to the Pathfinders for guidance and ideas that have evolved from Pathfinders leadership.

W riting

P hotography R oger F ortney

and by

Perhaps Pathfinders can be summed up by the following quotes from group members: “caring for members has been an important part of the group—bringing food to the sick, providing transportation, and prayers, cards, phone calls and hugs on Sunday morning;” “The Pathfinder group goes that extra mile to uplift spirit due to an illness or other need. I was diagnosed with cancer and as I received a card of encouragement from a Pathfinder, I put it in a basket to keep enjoying it. I heard from nearly every member of the group, sometimes more than once. Six months later I am still reading the encouragement from those cards;” “A pleasant natural dynamic helping network of friends with wisdom, strong values and beliefs fueled by goodwill, generosity of spirit and a sense of community.”

“A pleasant natural dynamic helping network of friends with wisdom, strong values and beliefs fueled by goodwill, generosity of spirit and a sense of community.”

Over the years, core values were developed through family retreats at Bridgeport, Lake Texoma, and James Park (in Colorado). The Pathfinders developed the Pancake Flip for fundraising, but it turned into a church-wide social activity that is anxiously awaited each year. Mini dine-ins/ outs and ladies coffees give Pathfinder members an opportunity to get to know each other through small group activities.

What we see in the Pathfinders group is reflected here at First United Methodist Church of Richardson: faith, caring, and sharing and the belief that Jesus Christ has given us a home that allows us to live our faith to the fullest.

Traditions have become strong in this group. The annual Christmas and 4th of July programs have been presented for decades. The group parties, though fewer now, included such themes as The Follies, Hobo party and George Birthington’s Wash Day. Pathfinders’ second mile giving has always been strong and includes support of Ark House and Bethlehem Center, training of dogs for wounded veterans, and FUMCR youth scholarships.

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Class presidents: Roger and Ruth Fortney and June Delleney and Carl Hopper.

3 Worship X And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

W riting

– Hebrews 10:24-25

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hen each of us joined the Methodist Church, we made a sacred vow, a commitment witnessed

by God and the congregation. We promised, individually, to support the church through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and (added recently) our witness.

Like many promises in our life, we can tend to focus on this as an obligation we have to fulfill—a burden that we have taken on. But, as the quotation from Hebrews affirms, when we meet together, there is something beyond meeting a “requirement” that happens. Attending worship provides us support, affirmation, and encouragement in our faith that is essential to our Christian lives. Being a part of a Christian community means that we are present, both as part of a body of believers coming together to offer God our worship and praise as well as to spur others and receive their encouragement to acts of love and good deeds.

The strategy for First United Methodist Church Richardson was aspirational in nature, put forth with the intention of creating the church that we believe God wants us to be.

The elements of the strategy were filtered down to only the most important and critical “to do’s” for us to become that church. And, among those critical elements was for us to grow worship attendance by 20% over 5 years. There is opportunity for improvement; as Clayton noted in a recent sermon, our percentage of attendance in worship is below average for Methodist congregations. He noted that if we as members of the congregation are in town and not ill, we should be in worship. This is, in part, fulfilling that vow we made. But it is also an opportunity to take advantage of the blessings of being a part of a body seeking God’s kingdom.

If we are not in church on Sunday, that opportunity is lost.

Let’s, as a congregation, rise to the challenge of meeting—or exceeding—our goal of 20% worship attendance growth over 5 years.

W

by

H olly L ee

Three Ss of worship Show up!

Make coming to church a joyful habit.

Sign in!

Help us to accurately track worship attendance.

Sit with friends... and invite someone to sit with you.

E

cherished past. bright future.

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From the Business Office As the new year approaches, we are working on preparing our annual church budget. The majority of our budget comes from pledge giving from the congregation. Pledges allow us to better estimate the contributions we will receive in the next year so we can be good stewards when allocating expenses. Pledging also allows you to prayerfully consider your financial commitment to the church as a part of your faith journey.

Please prayerfully consider making a pledge commitment for 2013 or take a step up if you are able to do so. We will be mailing out 2013 pledge packets in January. You may also pledge online by going to fumcr.com. Click on GIVE ONLINE on the home page. Make your pledge today and let us know that the church can count on you in 2013 as we seek to welcome, grow, and serve.

Blessings, Dianne Weideman, Director of Finance dweideman@fumcr.com 972.996.0106

$5 M

Music & Worship $1,179,400 or 23% Outreach $731,400 or 14% Family Ministries $617,500 or 12% Welcoming & Discipleship $614,200 or 12% Debt Service $547,500 or 11%

Buildings & Grounds $988,300 or 20% Administration $391,700 or 8%

In memory of Pat Henderson by Long Cove Ladies; Dale Ann Jones; William Henderson; Lynn Sinclair; Jim and Dona Siragusa; Charles and Gwendolynn Starin; Donna Watkins; Jack & Margaret Morrison; Ernest and Christine Henderson; Donna and William Baxter; John and Linda Thiessen; Mike and Laura Watson; Carole Graham; Rex and Carolyn Sedwick; Wayne and Mary Lou Young. In memory of Jeri Wakefield’s mother by Vivian Cromwell; Mary Turner; Karen Long; Jo Lynne Merrill; Margaret Hensley; Richard and Jane Wakefield. In memory of Mary Lightfoot’s father

by The Carillon Ringers; Melissa Brumfield. In honor of the prayer blanket ministry by Louise Lunn. In memory of Gail Clark’s mother by the Joyful Questers Sunday School Class. In memory of Sharon Asmah’s mother by Bonnie Edwards. In memory of Eloise Gates by James and Holly Lee; Ben and Betty Sloan; Debbie Hoff; Jerry and Anne Wilson. In memory of Lila Barnes by Roger and Lynda Rice. In memory of Jay Cooke’s mother from Sandra Watkins. In memory of Sandra Smith by Judy Cash. In memory of Gene Aldridge by Larry and Carolyn Lesh; Janice Harkins; Drew and Jana Dodson; Jeanne Brewer; Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation; Ruth and Tommy Hartnett; Vance Trimble; George and Alys Richards; Glenn and Abbie Jeter; Dan and Diane Adamson. In memory of Raymond Johnson by Thomas Cornell. In memory of Dirla Renae Tobianski by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Dunn, Jr. In memory of Daryl White by the Joyful Questers Sunday School Class.

Memorials/Honorariums - through November 1, 2012.

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F irst C onnections

December 2012/January 2013

January 18 - 20 Riverbend Retreat Center

Planned by the 9th grade class. Register online.

SAVE THE DATE Sunday, February 7 7 - 8:30 pm SPEAKER’S CORNER Genetic Technology and Religious Faith in Dialogue

Frederick Grinnell

Leroy Howe

PhD Tufts University

PhD Yale University

An in-depth dialogue about about new and exciting developments and capabilities in genetic/DNA technology and the religious, ethical and moral implications involved. The speakers will present their views and take questions from the audience.

During Spring Break Register online.

Adult chaperones needed.

March 8-13

Register online.

Adult chaperones needed!

F irst C onnections

December 2012/January 2013

17

Welcome to Our Newest Members!

September 9

Valerie Whitfield

Pictured with her husband, Bishop Max Whitfield Jana Allen

Masimba Kaseke

October 14

October 7

John and Lisa Brewer

Sons: Jack, Bo and Cade

Teresa Wilmoth

October 21

Donna Cashiola

September 16

Hassan Ismail

Richard and Veronica Salazar Sons: Richard Jr., Erick and Christopher

Amy Scott 18

F irst C onnections

December 2012/January 2013

Glenda Cook

Billie Askew Virginia Reynolds

November 4

October 28

Gerald and Jamie Moody

Children: Christopher and Kaylee

Carolyn Austin

George and Kathy Betz

November 11

David and Margie Robertson Sharon Boutte Mark McGinn

David and Mary Jo Williams Roger and Amy Bakos

Daughter: Ava (not pictured)

Paul and Beth Braziller F irst C onnections

December 2012/January 2013

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PERIODICALS

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

503 N. Central Expressway P.O. Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75083-0877 972.235.8385 fumcr.com

Coming January 2013!

Future Attractions Lent 2013 Journey Youth Choir Dessert Theatre Summer Mission Trips North Texas Annual Conference

fumcr.com