I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :
Real Life Groups
2
Discipleship 3
CDO 5
Children’s Ministry
6-7
In Memory 8
Music 10
F i r s t U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h
First Connections
A u g u s t 1 , 2 0 1 4 V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 3
M a r k Y o u r C a l e n d a r s August 10 -
Youth Shareholder”s Luncheon
September 1 - Office closed for Labor Day
September 3 - CDO begins
September 7 - Fall Launch
September 10 - Real Life begins
September 14 - Bishop Earl Bledsoe visit
Bishop Earl Bledsoe will be our guest preacher at both services on Sunday, September 14.
A meal will follow the 10:50 a.m. worship service in Garrett Hall.
The son of a Methodist preacher, Bishop Bledsoe received his call to preach at Christ United Methodist Church in Levelland.
He went on to graduate from West Texas A&M University in Canyon and the Perkins School of Theology at SMU.
Bishop Bledsoe also holds a doctoral degree from Drew
University in New Jersey. His first appointment was to
Wyatt Memorial United Methodist Church in Amarillo. He later transferred to the Texas Conference, serving churches in and around Houston. After being elected Bishop in 2008, Bledsoe first served the North Texas Conference (Dallas Area) before being assigned to our area in 2012. He and his wife
Leslie have six adult children and several grandchildren.
Bishop Earl Bledsoe to Preach
Sunday, September 14
Becky Woodall accepts
a Sadie Ray Graff
Award from Keep
Texas Beautiful on
behalf of Kids With
Purpose. This award
recognized KWP for
working to improve
and beautify their
community.
P a g e 2
Sign up for a
Real Life
Group today.
Don’t miss
these exciting
opportunities.
Real Life Groups Begin Wednesday, September 10
Real Life activities begin again on September 3. Real Life is every Wednesday evening, beginning with a meal at 5:30 p.m. and group studies for adults beginning at 6:00 p.m. Special activities for children also begin at 6:00 p.m., and a nursery is provided. The group studies on the schedule for this fall include exciting opportunities for everyone. Five Love Languages -
September 10- October 8 - Maintaining healthy relationships is a daily, lifelong pursuit. Joan Pearce will facilitate this group study to help you effectively nurture romantic relationships as well as casual, business, and familial relationships .
Discipleship Pathway 101 - September 10 - October 15- Jim Anderson will co-facilitate this group study that equips members to be better disciples and help others become disciples.
Financial Peace University - October 15 - December 17 - Wayland Pearce and Linda Conway will facilitate this group study to show God’s way of handling money, including how to get rid of debt, manage money, and spend and save wisely.
Sharing Faith in Non-Intimidating Ways - October 15 - December 3 - Using the information presented by Bob Farr at a workshop last fall as a beginning point, Walt Shipman will lead this group in finding ways to share their faith.
Midweek Missions continue - Brad Mikeska will lead this group in mission assignments in our community.
How do I sign up?
Sign-ups for these groups will begin in August. We need to have an idea of how many are interested in each one so that we can order the necessary materials. We will have forms to fill out during church services. If you cannot attend church but want to sign up, go to www.fumcbs.com or call 432-267-6394. Have an idea?
If you have an idea for a future group study, contact Linda Conway or Karen Carmen and share your idea.
P a g e 3 V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 3
First Connections is a publication of First United Methodist Church. First Connections is
published quarterly (August, November, February, May). If you have information that needs to be
included in this publication, contact Sheryl Preslar at the church office. Deadlines for the
publication are July 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15. If you have information that needs to
go out in a more timely manner, contact Sheryl Preslar to find the appropriate media venue for
your information.(i.e., website , Facebook, church bulletin).
It was the end of May. I had been meeting with them for the past 34 weeks. They didn’t want it to end. They kept asking what was next, but it was time. It was time for them to ask, seek, and knock for opportunities for God to use them.
You see, we had just spent the last nine months going over the basics of the faith, memo-rizing key scrip-tures to use in our everyday lives, learning about Biblical leader-ship, and discov-ering the Master’s plan of evangelism and how God wants us to go about fulfilling the great commission.
After going through the Discipleship Pathway, they were ready.
Perhaps that’s the reason when the Adult Discipleship Team was looking for someone to lead a particular class this Fall, one of the members of the Discipleship Pathway class spoke up and said, “I’d like to teach that. ”
Maybe that’s why another member of the Discipleship Pathway class stepped up to fa-cilitate Financial Peace University this Fall. Yet another offered to help me teach the next Discipleship Pathway class this Fall.
It seems clear to me. The Discipleship Pathway course at FUMC Big Spring equips, enables, and in-spires people to do what God has called them to do. They want to make a difference in the life of their church. The status quo of church is no longer accepta-ble. It’s no longer boring. They’ve caught on to what the church could
and should be. So what about you?
“The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity,
but its sending capacity.”
by Jim Anderson
P a g e 4
Painting Shows Jesus Leading the Flock in The Good Shepherd by Sheryl Preslar
The Good Shepherd is by the German painter, Bernhard Plockhorst (1825-1907).
It is a stunning picture of Jesus reflecting the well known lines from John 10:11-16.
In this beloved picture, Plockhorst shows Jesus, our gentle loving shepherd, holding a young lamb in the crook of his right arm.
Likely so tired and weary during the journey to the safe place, Jesus is leading the rest of the flock as the last rays of the setting sun behind his shoulder changes the sky to a warm evening gold.
Weary, as we all are at times during our journey through life, needing to be tenderly carried, He carries the lamb, who could be any one of us, through the rock strewn path with threatening brambles reaching to snag the carless from both sides.
All the while, Jesus gazes lovingly down at the lamb resting in his arm who is returning its gaze to our Lord and shepherd.
How tenderly Jesus is looking at his wooly burden, which calls the Twenty-third Psalm to mind.
I like to think the big sheep to his left might be the little one’s mother pressing close but not alarmed at all. There is nothing to fear when walking with The Good Shepherd.
Like many artists from that period of time, Jesus is portrayed
with light hair and fair complexion. In the original painting, there is a brightening of the sky behind Jesus’ head, giving the effect of a halo just above and behind his head. Also in Plockhorst’s painting, there is one black sheep off to Jesus’ right and behind, mixed in with the herd, symbolizing one who had wandered from faith and has returned, a type of prodigal.
Though the black sheep is not in the stained glass window of our beautiful church, the rest of the artwork is a wonderful rendition of Bernhard Plockhorst’s famous work.
Take time to look at our stained glass window. The colors are breathtaking but not near as breathtaking as the Shepherd’s love for us.
Pause to admire the window and think on John’s line 10:14: “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.”
Take time to
look at our
stained glass
window to see
The Good
Shepherd.
P a g e 5 V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 3
Children’s Day Out Minis-try had a wonderful 2013-2014 school year and is eager to start the 2014-2015 year.
Six of the teachers and I attended weekday education training in Austin, July 10-12.
This training is valuable to our ministry and offers our teachers an opportunity to learn the latest research based and age appropriate techniques for teaching in-fants through preschool age.
It also helps to also reig-nite our passion for our job and get excited about what the future holds.
We at CDO greatly appreci-ate our family at FUMC for supporting and believing in continued education and life-long learning.
CDO wrapped up the Sum-mer Session July 30 and will be closed all of August. The 2014-2015 school year will kick off September 2 with a
Meet the Teacher from 6:00-7:00p.m., and the first full day of CDO will be September 3.
The theme this year comes from Psalm 93:4: Mightier than the waves of the sea is His love for you. We have chosen this verse to continue our biblical foundation that God loves us at all times.
This fall we look to add several new elements to our day here at CDO. Weekly I lead Praise Party with the children. This is a time of singing, dancing and wor-shiping together.
Ms. Mary comes to us as a retired school teacher/librarian and does a fabulous interactive story time with the children.
Two staff members, Ashley Marquez and Roxy Valenzue-la, are going to be teaching the children Yoga. That’s rights – Yoga and preschool-
ers can go together! Yoga ac-tually helps develop and strengthen muscles; enhance flexibility; develop and strengthen balance and pos-ture; build self-confidence, self-awareness and self-esteem; and finally sharpen a child’s ability to focus.
And, we will continue our chapel time with Ms. Becky bi- weekly. I would love to add a Spanish teacher for our three- and four-year-old classroom, but God hasn’t made that clear to me yet.
ALL this on top of the great things happening in the class-room is exciting for our min-istry.
With God’s guidance CDO continues to grow and flour-ish in all the right areas. I am excited about all that is hap-pening and is to come. As al-ways, your prayers and sup-port are greatly appreciated.
CDO Prepares for New School Year by Brenna Hoff
CDO Staff attends training in Austin in July to prepare for upcoming year.
P a g e 6
A “Weird Animal” Thank You
from Becky Woodall
Another VBS has come and gone… and it was sure a great, great week! Weeks and weeks of planning and preparation took place before the event.
One “Weird” week! And it wouldn’t have gone over at all without the many people who stepped up and gave of their time to make it all possible.
Many thanks for all the decoration making, grocery shopping, cutting, painting, pasting, hanging, cooking and cleaning, group leading, mission and craft organizing, bible adventure planning, game directing, moving of furniture for
various reasons, and then staying in it for the long haul and helping clean up after the whole thing was over when we all just wanted to go home!
All of this wouldn’t have happened without your help! THANK YOU!
AND A HUGE THANK YOU to Jamie Walker! I can’t imagine doing VBS without you! You have brought so much to the table. Your strengths are my weaknesses and We make a great team!
You are amazing and watching you lead VBS Worship is so much fun! It’s a gift and I can’t thank you enough for sharing it with all of us!
P a g e 7 V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 3
You’ve got to have your eyes closed, be on a really long summer vacation, or just be plain blind if you haven’t seen God at work through the lives of our children this summer.
From Vacation Bible School to Ceta Camp to Kids With Purpose…the love of Jesus and God’s work in the
lives of others is overflowing. It’s your own fault if have missed it.
Our lives have been touched through all of these things. And we have touched the lives of others.
We’ve witnessed, learned, worshipped, and reached out in service locally AND globally, both inside our
walls and out in our own community.
Jesus is among us… just open your heart… and your eyes. The opportunities are everywhere.
Ask what YOU can do for the CHURCH… NOT what the CHURCH can do for YOU.
We are called to serve.
A Children’s Ministry Moment …
by Becky Woodall
In Memory -
Jack Abendshan
Joan Beil Food 2 Kids
Glenda Arnold Food 2 Kids
Lee & Fran Emerson Church Fund
Dean Forrest
Jeanne Cole Food 2 Kids
Marcie Lykken
Doug Lykken Teddy Bear Fund
Jeanne Cole Teddy Bear Fund
Jane Jones Radio Ministry
Walt & Namiqa Shipman Teddy Bear Fund
Joan Beil Teddy Bear Fund
Sara H. Warren Church Fund
Glenda Arnold Teddy Bear Fund
Ray & Norma Alexander Music Ministry
Pathmakerw Sunday School Music Ministry
Beth Spence Teddy Bear Fund
Van & Kristy Hayes Church Fund
Lena Marquez
JoAnne Forrest Food 2 Kids
Nila Allen Children’s Ministry
Mamie Lee Dodds Youth Ministry
Evangeline Sturm
JoAnne Forrest Food 2 Kids
Nila Allen CDO Special
Ray & Norma Alexander Church Fund
Hayes Stripling
Steve & Gay Herren Relay For Life
Sara H. Warren Church Fund
Larry Bob Conway
Steve & Gay Herren Relay For Life
Jerry Foresyth
Steve & Gay Herren Relay For Life
Sara H. Warren Church Fund
Russ McEwen
Sara H. Warren Church Fund
Mary Jennings
Steve & Gay Herren Relay For Life
Steve & Sandra Waggoner Church Fund
Lee & Fran Emerson Church Fund
Joan Beil Mission & Outreach
Sara H. Warren Church Fund
Nila Allen Children’s Ministry
JoAnne Forrest Food 2 Kids
Rev. Sharon Wiese Church Fund
Ray & Norma Alexander Church Fund
Ruth Salisbury
Frank & Nikki Broyles Church Fund
Mr. & Mrs. E. L. Hamby Church Fund
Lee & Fran Emerson Church Fund
Carl Bradley
Joyce Howard Bradley Church Fund
Jimmy Ivins
Rev. Bill Ivins Radio Ministry
Gil Rouille
Lee & Fran Emerson Church Fund
Thomas & Jobeth Corwin Church Fund
Jean Range
Murray & Diane Murphy Radio Ministry
Jane Jones Radio Ministry
Walt & Namiqa Shipman Food 2 Kids
Ladd & Betty Smith Church Fund
Thomas & Jobeth Corwin Church Fund
JoAnne Forrest Food 2 Kids
Steve & Gay Herren Mission & Outreach
Joan Beil Mission & Outreach
Sara H. Warren Church Fund
Nila Allen Nicaragua Mission
Glenda Arnold Food 2 Kids
Ray & Norma Alexander Church Fund
Mary Ellen Pope
Thomas & Jobeth Corwin Church Fund
Gladys Kruse
Glenda Arnold CDO Special
P a g e 8
V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 3 P a g e 9
Nadine Hodnett
Steve & Sandra Waggoner Church Fund
Patty Hinson Philathea Class
Tom McCann Philathea Class
Jane Jones Philathea Class
Robert & Holly Moore Philathea Class
Thomas & Jobeth Corwin Philathea Class
Delbert & Barbara Donelson Philathea Class
Donations in honor or in memory of a person,
group, or ministry can be made to the church’s
general fund or a special account. Donations to
special accounts are noted in the preceding list.
If you need information about special accounts,
contact the church secretary for information.
How Do You Get Your Information? Wondering what is going on at First United
Methodist Church? There are several ways to get
information. First, come to Sunday worship.
Announcements as well as the church bulletin
publicize activities and events. Join the FUMC
group on Facebook—First United Methodist
Church of Big Spring. If you don’t know how to
get on Facebook or join a group, call Jim
Anderson at the church and he will walk you
through it. Go to the website at
www.fumcbs.com. Watch for the quarterly
publication of First Connections.
STAFFSTAFFSTAFF Pastor Bill Ivins
Discipleship/Evangelism Jim Anderson
Music Gershom Garcia
Children and Families Becky Woodall
Youth Beau Niewoehner
CDO Brenna Hoff
Secretary Sheryl Preslar
Building Steward Simona Mendez
CDO Children finish
off 2014 year.
P a g e 1 0
Choir
rehearsals
Wednesday
evening at
7:30 p.m.
The Staff/Parish Relations Committee is pleased to welcome Gershom Garcia to our church staff as our part-time Minister of Music.
Gershom and his family come to us from the Houston area where he previously taught choir in Cypress.
His school choirs are among the top ranked groups in the state of Texas. Gershom will be the new choir teacher at Big Spring High School.
In addition, he served as the Director of Worship and Fine Arts at a United Methodist Church in Magnolia, Texas.
He held that position on a full-time basis before entering into public school teaching. He then held the position on a part-time basis.
Garcia brings a strong background in traditional and contemporary church music.
Gershom received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Houston and a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Baylor University.
He and his wife, Emma, have two children. Marissa will be a Freshman Music Education major at Texas Tech this Fall. Josiah will be a Freshman at Big Spring High School.
FUMC Welcomes New
Minister of Music
Celebration Choir bids farewell to Anna Gann and Chandler.
P a g e 1 1 V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 3
SAM enjoys entertainment by Jack-
ie Henry at April event.
JAM performs on Palm
Sunday.
Get out your phones/computers/calendars and WRITE THIS DATE
DOWN
Fall Launch Sunday,
September 7
We’re kicking things back into gear this fall with many discipleship
opportunities that would be PERFECT to invite someone new to
attend OR it may be the first time you get involved somewhere!
See all the pictures from the camps
on the FUMC Facebook page.
First United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 1229
400 Scurry Street
Big Spring, TX 79721
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Big Spring, TX 79720
Permit No. 36
First Connections First United Methodist Church
400 Scurry St. Big Spring,, Texas Phone: 432-267-6394 Get the most up-to-date information on Facebook by
joining our Group - First United Methodist Church of Big Spring.
Visit our website at www.fumcbs.com
Compassion, Hope, Community
Worship Services
Sunday, 8:30 a.m.
Sunday, 10:50 a.m.
Sunday School
Sunday, 9:45 a.m.
Noon Bible Study
Wednesdays, 12 noon
Real Life
Wednesdays - Dinner at 5:30
Study Groups and Children’s Choir/Bible Drill 6:00 p.m.
EPIC Youth
Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.
Adult Music
Celebration Choir rehearsal - Wednesdays, 7:30