Lubbock District News

 

 

Our mission is to provide service and leadership to enable the United Methodist Church

in the Lubbock District to be in Ministry to the Church and to the World

                                                                                                           December 2013                                                                                                                             Volume 12 Number 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WATCH YOUR STEP

By George White

 

Watch your step. You are approaching a dangerous manger.

It also serves as a makeshift baby bed.

Beware, for the one you seek did not stay a baby.

Jesus, nursed and cuddled by Mary, later claimed

everyone who does God’s will as his mother.

Jesus, worshipped by shepherds, later challenged

us to seek out not lost sheep, but lost people.

Jesus, given gifts by wise ones who had traveled

from afar, called us to go out of our way to care for

the hungry, the lonely, and the homeless.

Watch your step as you take this Bethlehem baby

into your arms and whisper to him.

You may find him taking you into his arms,

whispering new life into you

 

In our “Christian” tradition, which is the real reason for Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the “Christ” child.  This is the reminder of “Emmanuel – God with us.”  It is a joyful time, if not the most joyous time, of the year.  And our “secular” traditions help celebrate that joy with all the decorating, gift giving, family gatherings and fabulous food.  There is euphoria during this season.   As George White reminds us, there is a small precious baby, there is the worship of the shepherds and there are the gifts from the wise men.  But, we must not forget that there is a “price” to having “God with us.”  That price is a call to do God’s will, to reach the lost, to care for those in need, to not simply receive but also to give.  Yes, White is correct as he reminds us to “watch our step.”   This is not just a “feel good time” that we love; it is also a time to remind ourselves of God’s calling upon our lives.

 

                                                                                                    Richard Edwards

 

 

 

 

 

PRAYER CONCERNS

Sympathy

·       Please be in prayer for Nancy & James Moore on the loss of their infant grandson, Rocky Miers.  Nancy is the pastor of FUMC Colorado City.

·       Sympathy is extended to the family of C.B. Melton.  C.B. was a retired member of our Conference.

·       Please be in prayer for Juanita Hardaway and family on the loss of her daughter, Debbie Britt.  Juanita is a retired Diaconal Minister of our Conference the surviving spouse of Rev. Cecil Hardaway.

·       Sympathy is extended to Tamra & Lane Boyd on the loss of Tamra’s mother, Louise McInturff.  Lane is a retired member of our Conference.

Health Concerns

·       Charla Berryhill, the assistant benefits officer for the Conference, is home recuperating following gastric bypass surgery. 

 

Prayers for FUMC Morton

Word was received early Sunday morning from Rev. Darrell Patterson, Big Spring District Superintendent, that FUMC in Morton was burned.  Evidently the fire was intentionally set.  An individual, associated with the deliberate fire, has been caught and there may be others.  An excellerant was used throughout the building and it was totally consumed before the fire department arrived. 

 

The pain and loss to the church members, Pastor Lyndall Fletcher, to the community and to the kingdom are great.  Please pray for the church; though the building is gone, the Church still stands. 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Save the Date:

The Lubbock District will be hosting the Epiphany Celebration on Saturday, January 11^th, 11:30 AM.  All clergy and family, retired clergy and family & surviving spouses are invited. Invitations will be mailed at a later date.

 

In the NWTX Conference: The following was received from Bethel UMC, Abilene:

“Bethel did it again!” Bethel UMC in Abilene hosted a Halleluya Night in October and received over 3800 people during the evening of celebration.  People came from left and right through the parking lot to hear the gospel, listen to gospel music, play games and just have good clean, safe fun.  The speakers were so loud that people down two blocks wanted to know what the commotion was and ended up joining in the festivities.  Not only was free food given out, but the most important goal was to share the gospel.  Cross necklaces and bracelets were a big hit.  Everyone wanted Jesus’ protection while trick or treating.  People knew where to find protection “AT THE CROSS OF JESUS”.  Both children and adults enjoyed the fun. “PRAISE GOD for his protection and love.The celebration started off with the congregation manning all the booths and cars for trunk or treat, but the Lord knew our hearts and sent volunteers from all over, all the way from Trent.”

 

Around the District:

 

On Sunday November 3^rd, Matador UMC hosted their annual Harvest Festival with the hope of raising $14,000 above and beyond their normal tithes and offerings.  With a little more than 50 people in attendance, they actually raised $16, 000.  To celebrate this event, Rev. Dave Andersen, the Conference Financial Officer, served as the guest preacher.  After worship, all in attendance were invited to a turkey dinner.  The food was excellent and the desserts even better!  Thanks be to God for those individuals at Matador UMC who chose to be so generous and made this a successful event.

 

Approximately 40 members and friends of First United Methodist Church, Floydada, gathered on Sunday afternoon, November 17, 2013, to pack boxes destined for soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, in celebration of Christmas. This is the sixth year Floydada FUMC has sponsored this project.  One hundred twenty-six packages were mailed to Army Chaplain Jeff Matsler’s battalion and to two other units in Afghanistan. Major Matsler is an elder in the Northwest Texas Conference, and Floydada is his charge church.

 

Snack foods, tee shirts, toilet articles, fruit drink and cocoa mixes, decks of playing cards, puzzle books  and devotional materials, as well as many personal cards,  were included in the packages in appreciation for the service and sacrifice of men and women soldiers.  Wacky Wednesday after-school participants, youth, and children’s Sunday school classes made many of the cards.

 

Contributions in the amount of $3,460.53 were received to aid in mailing costs and filling the boxes.  This included “Children’s Offering” donations of $475.53 taken during worship services in prior weeks.   

 

The First United Methodist Church of Hart, celebrated its annual Harvest Festival on November 17. The Festival is not only our Thanksgiving celebration, but it is also our primary day of giving for the year. Mrs. Jonalyn Jones, a local florist, decorated the church, putting appropriate autumn decorations on the church windows, the altar, and on the Fellowship Hall tables. There were some 36 people at the morning worship service. The Rev. Jimmy Nunn, our Conference Director of Missions and Administration gave a wonderful and inspiring morning message “Not More or Less,” using Luke 17: 5-19 as his text.

Following the service, we all (our congregation and people from other area churches) enjoyed another “harvest,” a bountiful table as only United Methodist ladies can provide. As we were eating, we heard that some $18,000 had been unselfishly given for the church’s program for the coming 2014 year. Many prayers had been answered, and many ”Praise the Lord’s” were spoken there that day.

Dr. Wilbur Ormond

Spirit Wind 2014

Spirit Wind is the official youth choir of the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Youth who have completed the 8^th grade through graduating seniors during the 2013-2014 school year and are 19 years of age or younger are eligible to participate.  Audition interviews for singers and instrumentalists for the 2014 tour will be held:

 

January 11-First UMC Canyon 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

January 11-St. John’s UMC Lubbock 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

 

January 25-St. Luke’s UMC Midland 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

January 25-McMurry University Abilene 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

 

For additional information, contact Jay Sedberry at [email protected] or call

806-777-4970 ; Dr. David Wallis [email protected] or call 325-232-3240

 

 

 

McMurry University’s Honors Program

McMurry University’s Honors Program offers scholarships, ranging from full-tuition for four years, to outstanding incoming freshmen. Applicants must be in the  top 5% of their graduating class, score 27 on the ACT or 1220 on the SAT.  The deadline for completing an honors application is February 1, 2014.  For more information, visit www.mcm.edu/honors or contact honors admissions coordinator Kim Tate at [email protected] or call 325-793-4991.

 

Remember…Clergy & SPRC Assessment of Congregation due by December 31^st 2013.  Clergy Assessment of Self and SPRC Assessment of Clergy due by January 31^st 2014. 

  

 

 

“Connect” Youth Leaders’ Retreat

Save the date! “Connect” is a gathering at Ceata Canyon April 26-28, 2014 for NWTX Conference youth workers, pastors and volunteers.  If you are passionate about youth ministry and passionate about being connected to other youth workers for support, encouragement and ideas, then this gathering is for YOU as we CONNECT with God, CONNECT with each other and CONNECT with ourselves.  Registration will begin in February 2014.  If you have questions, please contact Rev. Kirk Dana: [email protected]

 

Please Note:  The Nuture Committee has $1,000 scholarships for a single pastor or couples in ministry for SonScape Retreats.  Call Lewis Holland for more information at (806) 217-0561.

 

 

Typhoon Haiyan has devastated thousands.  UMCOR is responding.  If you want to make a difference right now, you may donate to UMCOR’s Advance #982450.  Your church can also send your donations to the Conference Office with the Advance #982450 or Typhoon

Haiyan written in the memo line.

 

 

Restore Youth Retreat

Feb. 15-16, 2014

@ Ceta Canyon

Speaker: Duke Underwood

 

Contact Ceta for information at 806-488-2268 or [email protected]