OOD NEWS G r e g g t o n U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h A u g u s t , 2 0 1 3

Sharing our

faith on the

way back

There are all kinds of

ways for you to share

your faith in Christ as

a new school year

opens. The important thing is that we do share our

faith with God’s children.

Your class or group could adopt a class or teacher

to pray for and support in the school of your

choice during the coming school year. If you

would like help identifying a particular group, contact Rev. Ricky Ricks in the church office. Join in donating school supplies over the next few

weeks. The list is online at our church’s website

and available in the church office. Donate your time to the Afterschool program beginning the middle of September.

‘Adopt’ a college student. The group meeting for

college student sponsors is Sunday, August 18 at

10am.

Adopt a child and a backpack. It’s time to start

providing backpacks of food once again. The

backpacks go home each weekend with nourishing

food for kids. If you would like to adopt a child,

the cost is $167. If you would like more

information, contact Ryan Roberts in the church

office at ryanr@greggton.org or call

903.759.3831.

You are invited to the Senior Adults Arts

and Crafts display on

Sunday, August 11

The arts and crafts will be on display all

day this Sunday.

We welcome Greg & Sarah Crom

as our newest members.

Greg is transferring from Belton United

Methodist Church in Belton, TX. Sarah is

transferring from Trietsch Memorial United

Methodist Church in Flower Mound, TX. They

have been married for almost 4 years and have a

9-month-old son, Allen. Greg works at Eastman

Chemical Company, while Sarah is a stay-at-

home mom. Greg and Sarah both graduated from

Texas Tech.

We are:

Reaching people with the love of Jesus Christ.

Connecting people to Jesus and to each other.

Forming people as followers of Jesus.

Sending people out to live as Kingdom people.

First, thanks to Kendra and Scott Toliver for having us

over for the swim party! It was a blast. We missed lots

of people, but look forward to being together soon.

August Happenings

August is a busy month for our children’s ministry.

We want to encourage everyone (children and parents)

to attend the ice cream social on August 11th at 6pm.

Take some time to introduce your children to other

adults. Adults, take the time to introduce yourself to

some of our amazing children.

On Sunday, August 18th, we will begin a new year

of our small groups. There will be small groups at

9:30 and 11:00am, with large group in between at

10:00am. Parents, this way you choose what works

best for your family. You may choose for your child to

worship with you and attend small group during the

alternate worship service or for your child to begin

worship with you and then move into their small

group as worship continues.

August 25th is our back to school party. We will let

you know the time in the coming days. There will be

inflatables, games, and lots of fun. So bring a friend,

bring your parents, and enjoy the fun.

New this fall is a four year old class. The class will

meet between 9:30am and 11:00am. You may choose

to come at 10:00am if the second service is your

worship preference.

Put this on your calendar! Our next FX (Family

Experience) will be September 22. We are excited

about a new year of FX!

Children’s Ministry

New Horizons

Preschool

New Horizon Preschool had an amazing summer.

Registration is underway for the fall.

New Horizons will begin after Labor Day.

Join us for Sunday School each Sunday at 10am and fun Sunday nights 5:30 - 7:30pm.

Let me first thank everyone for your generous and warm welcome to the Greggton family. I am so

delighted to be apart of this dynamic team. I understand that transitions can be difficult at times, but you have

help make this one of the smoothest in my memory!

So far we as a youth group have had a few Sunday school lessons together, gone to district camp, and help

out with the Asbury house garage sale. I am looking forward to many more opportunities to get to know the

youth both in corporate and personal situations. I am beginning to formulate the year ahead of us, and while I

can assure you that things will change, I cannot say how they will look just yet. We will be looking at

formulating a community of believers who have opportunity to reach out to others, serve their fellow humans

and worship their God in spirit and truth. We will be a force for good in this area that is so profoundly

magnetic that we attract new families as well as drawing existing families into a closer relationship with God.

I am very excited to be apart of this church and this youth group; I can not wait to see what unfolds in the

coming year!

Gene Evans

Adult Sunday Morning Classes

Agape Class - Room 501, This class is for the mature

aged who desire to study God’s Word.

Alethea Class - Room 508, A discussion led class for

persons of all ages. The class starts with singing

Gospel hymns from the Cokesbury hymnal.

Christian Viewpoint - Room 510, All are invited as we

continue our study of Christianity and World

Religions.

Families in Christ Class - Room 506, Folks who want to

grow together in their relationship with Christ.

Friendship/Sunshine Class - Room 117, A group of

mature aged people using the Adult Bible Series.

New Beginnings Class - Room 504, A discussion led

class for young to middle-aged adults.

Open Circle - Room 503, A discussion-based class for all

ages.

Welmaker-Joy Class - Room 505, This class is for people

of all ages and walks of life that desire to learn about

God’s word.

Women of Grace - Room 502, A class for women of all

ages that desire to grow in their relationship with God as

a daughter of Christ.

Young Adults - COMING SOON...

United Methodist Women

The UMW group’s next General meeting will be September

16th, and Mercy Ships will be presenting a program.

However, below are some of the activities going on this

summer. Contact the church office for more information.

Monday, Aug 19th Hands On Project Workday. Collect

and prepare all items for UMCOR.

Weekday Groups

Unforgettable Day Club meets each Tuesday from 10am

until 2pm in the Community Room. Day Club is for

persons affected by memory loss.

Alzheimer’s Association Group Meeting is Tuesday June

4 and June 18 from 2:30-3:30pm.

The Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet from

1-2pm in Room 117 on Tuesday, July 23rd.

The Women’s Care Group meets each Tuesday in the

home of one of its members.

This summer, the group is taking on a different book each

week. They hope to see some new faces for a great time of

fellowship. A booklist is now available; just contact Amy

Cave at 903.530.5781 or the church office.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets each

Thursday from 5:30-7:00pm.

Yellow Roses is a group for single women. They meet

every 3rd Friday of the month at 11am. All are

welcome!

FOOD, FOOD, FOOD

Do you like to cook? We like

to try and provide folks with

a few meals after they have

been in the hospital or are ill

for an extended period of

time. If you are interested in helping, please contact

Debbie Cardwell at 903.759.3831.

Adult Groups for growing in faith

Debbie’s Tip of the Month!

As I continue to recover and return to some normalcy,

I have noticed that I see life through a different set of

glasses. I am learning to not sweat the small stuff and

focus more on what really matters. This reminds me

of when Martha went to Jesus and complained that

Mary had left her to do all the work. Listen to how

Jesus responded: "'Martha, Martha," the Lord

answered, "you are worried and upset about many

things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.

Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be

taken away from her'" (v. 41-42 NIV).I am choosing to

be a “Mary”.

Debbie Cardwell

Member

Spotlight

Happy Birthday

this month to:

August 1 Bob Hardwick

August 2 Fred Langley

August 3 Helen Mallory

August 4 Vicki Couser

Blake Warren

August 7 Nancy Keller

Debbie Mahoney

August 9 Chris Chapman

Harriet Hall

Bryndin Hartman

Kaylie Hartman

August 10 Ruth Price

Mike Withrow

August 12 David Hash

Johnnie McCune

Pam Turner

August 14 Lisa Palomaria

August 15 Brittany Conway

Susan King

Linda Wood

August 16 Leah Neely

Cooper Terry

August 17 Janet Adams

August 18 Madison Garcia

August 19 Janet Blake

August 20 Sue Dunn

August 22 Destiny Parrish

August 24 Carolyn Brown

August 25 James Morris

August 26 Aaron Ivy

Louann Minter

Jeff Voight

August 27 Susan Warren

August 28 Don Abbott

August 29 David Barrow

Dow Harleston

Ira Sheek

August 30 Matt Collins

Dinah Morgan

August 31 Pat Breedlove

Buck Coulter

Angela Coulter

Tom and Linda joined

Greggton in 2008. They

moved to Longview

from Leonard, Texas.

Tom is a retired

mechanical engineer. He

enjoys singing in the

choir, gardening, reading

and riding his bike. Linda is a retired office worker.

She enjoys reading and working on her crafts. They

have 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great

grandchild with another on the way.

Thank You, Greggton

Dear friends at Greggton:

Our hearts are full of gratitude to you for your many

expressions of love and care during the days of our

mother’s illness and her recent homecoming. Your

prayers, cards, calls, visits and meals were such

thoughtful ways you showed compassion and

Christian love to our family.

We are so thankful to everyone who helped with

Mother’s memorial service: Ricky, Justin, Vicki,

Cathy and members of the chancel choir, along with

assistance from Debbie C., Rick S., Ruby and others.

Our family also appreciated the wonderful luncheon

prepared by members of the Welmaker-Joy class.

Our parents, Anne and Emmitt Barrow, truly loved

their years here at

Greggton UMC and the

special friendships formed

with you. They would

probably want to express

their heartfelt thanks to

you and to share the words

fo the song, “God be with

you ‘til we meet again.”

Gratefully,

Debbie Barrow &

family

With our giving Thank you to all who are financially supporting the

mission and ministry of the church! So far during the

month of July, we received $48,466 towards our mission

budget. We have received $377,372 year-to-date. Our

current budget year-to-date is $385,532. But the best

news is that as of June 30th, we were current on our

apportionment giving to our District and Conference

offices as well as missional giving. This is a great

accomplishment! There is still 6 months left in 2013,

and we have a long way to go; but God is working

through us to make this church a great place to be!

Greggton UMC is wonderful!

We received $13,927 toward our Capital Campaign this

month. A huge thanks to all who are keeping the

commitment you made. The Narthex and Parlor are not

only beautiful, but are very functional for what we need.

Remember, we offer online giving! It is convenient and

secure. Just visit

http://www.greggton.org/#/giving-and-resources and

click Online Giving. You will be redirected to

Heartspring Methodist Foundation site. You can sign up

for an account if you want to do automatic giving, or

give as a guest for one-time giving.

We also received these gifts to honor God’s Kingdom:

In memory of Anne Barrow by: Jimmy & Dixie

Andrews, Bradys Bagley, Dave & Billie Bennett, John &

Janet Blake, Giles & Juanita Blalock, Virgil & Elizabeth

Brown, Otis & Freddie Burk, Louise Burson, James &

Carol Caraway, Bill & Ola Lee Coons, Brenda Davis,

Steve & Paula Fitts, Gwen Gabriel, David & Zella Hash,

Terry & Vicki Hedden, Dub & Dean Hinton, Ruth

Humphrey, Lois Johnson, Ron & Jerry Anne Jurenka,

Bobby & Nita Koonce, Jack & Peggy London, Marvin &

Edwina Murph, J. R. & Mary Murray, Jerry & Junell

Nichols, Grace Sneed, Maxine Wheaton, Bob & Gay

Wylie, & the folks at Unforgettable Tuesday Day Club.

In memory of Beatrice Clement by: Terry & Vicki

Hedden.

In memory of Jon Marples by: John & Linda Eaves,

Ron & Jerry Anne Jurenka, & Grace Sneed.

In memory of Janet Day by: Grace Sneed.

In memory of Opal Scott by: Marvin & Edwina Murph.

A gift was made in honor of Richard & Nancy

Andrews by: Susie Daniel.

Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, Witness In Our Prayers

Monday Night Prayer team

6pm Mondays - church prayer room

Contact Sonya Cline at 903.759.3831 for information.

Tuesday Morning Men’s Prayer Breakfast

7am Tuesdays at the Whataburger on Gilmer Road

Contact Tem Carpenter for more information.

May We Pray for You?

There are prayer cards in the worship centers, you may

go online to the church website or contact the church

office. Our staff and/or prayer teams will join in praying

for you or your joys or concerns. Prayer List and

Calendars are available for you to pick up each Sunday

in our worship areas and welcome centers.

Let us never forget to hold each other in love as we

grow in Christ.

With our Presence We are thankful for each person who joins in the

mission and ministry of our Greggton community.

During July, we welcomed 18 guests, we averaged 266 in

worship. We had 19 participate in children’s groups, 27

in youth groups, and 196 in adult groups.

In our Service There are so many ways that our Greggton community

is sharing the Kingdom of God! Thank you to all those

who worked on the Asbury House Garage Sale. Blessings

on you. Thanks to the counselors that gave of their time

to share Christ with kids at church camp. Thank you to

those who showed up to help the Roberts family unload

their moving van. The servant list goes on and on...your

service to God and one another is greatly appreciated!

If you have someone or a group, you would like to celebrate next month, contact the church office.

In our Witness We are so blessed to have God in our lives. But how are

we sharing in that abundant love? If you are not a part

of a group, or not in mission, you are missing out of a

vital part of spiritual living! Contact Ryan Roberts in the

church office...we can help get you plugged in!

Sending Ministries

ASBURY

HOUSE

GARAGE SALE

IS FRIDAY,

AUGUST 2ND.

8am until 5pm

Proceeds from this

wonderful sale go

to support the

great work of

Asbury House with some amazing children. Thanks,

Greggton for supporting

Asbury House!

Campbell’s Soup Labels and

Boxtops for Education

Do you eat soup? Do you buy food with those

boxtop labels? Did you know that our United

Methodist Women collect these? The labels are sent

to Henderson Settlement in Kentucky. Henderson

Settlement began in 1925, and is a mission of the

United Methodist Church. They provide services

for senior adults, as well as children and youth

programs year-round. These labels are something

you would just throw away; here is a place to bring

them! We have collection boxes on the bulletin

board by the church offices, or in the Sunday School

wing. Fore more information, contact Lois Johnson

at 903.759.0474.

Longview Community Ministries

Food Box Needs

LCM’s needs for the month of August are: mac &

cheese, green beans, carrots, and large boxes of cereal.

Any non-perishable items are welcomed! You may

drop them in the marked boxes around the church.

Thank You, Greggton

Ricky:

I appreciate the wonderful support we received

yesterday from Greggton! I appreciate everyone

giving of their time during the weekend to come and

help us in the heat! Greggton has always been so

faithful in giving of their time and financial

support. THANK YOU!!

Pam Surles

School

Supplies

Are NOW

Being

Accepted!

Okay, maybe

some of us don’t

want to think

about school just

yet. So let’s think about helping

children whose families have financial difficulty getting

school supplies together. Stores are currently placing

school supply items ‘on sale’ and we want to invite you

when you are out shopping to pick some up and drop

them by the church office. A Pine Tree School supply

list is available in the church office. Please join in

making a difference! School supplies will be collected

through Sunday, August 18.

Greggton United Methodist Church

1101 Pine Tree Road

Longview, Texas 75604

(903) 759-3831

www.greggton.org

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Longview, TX

Permit No. 235

August, 2013

So what is Ryan doing? And Virginia? And

Gene?

Sunday I asked you the question, ‘So what are you

going to do with the rest of your life?’ and offered the

apostle Paul’s response, “Forgetting what lies behind

and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on

toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of

God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Every one of us is committed to living faithful lives in

community with each other and you.

Ryan, Virginia, and Gene are joining the leadership

team of our church family not so we can replicate the

past or maintain a status quo, but that we can deepen

our relationship with God and embolden our

discipleship. As rich as our past has been each of them

brings a passion for Christ and a passion for making

disciples. All of us (new staff and old) are committed

to following the Holy Spirit and making disciples of

Jesus Christ.

So what’s Ryan doing? Ryan is going to be working to

birth discipleship and mission groups and leaders to

reach more and more people with the hope of Christ.

Those groups and leaders will birth more groups and

more leaders so we reach even more people. Ryan will

share in the preaching responsibilities with the Connect

worship service. He will be helping in our shared

ministry efforts with Wesley-McCabe and Gladewater.

He will also be leading our church in using social

media to spread the Gospel. And perhaps his biggest

challenge - guiding the technology of our church

family.

What will Virginia be doing? Virginia is here about a

day and a half each week, as well as providing pastoral

care throughout the week. She will be helping us to

reach the diverse population that is our Greggton

neighborhood. She will be preaching every 4 to 6

weeks in our worship services.

Then Gene. If you have noticed a theme, you know the

answer is discipleship. Gene is focused on discipleship

with youth. He is leading the Connect worship service

with an aim of us reaching more people for Christ

through that service. And finally, he will continue to

lead our Saturday night worship, Refuge, where

amazing stories of hope and salvation are being shared.

What is Ryan, or Virginia, or Gene doing? Answering

the call of God. We are better for it!