God is not threatened by science. Science is not threatened by God. Do faith and science conflict? How do we know what we know, and whom do we trust to teach us?

Faith and science share this: an intense desire to unravel the mysteries of life.

Using Colossians 1:15-20 for 5 weeks, beginning January 10, we will look at:

E u l e s s 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 January 2016

Church Matters

Church Matters

Inside this issue:

Prayer List 2

Birthdays /Anniversaries

2

Memorials /Honorariums

3

Food Pantry 3

Thank You 3

Giving Envelopes 3

Beach Club 4

Night of Hope 4

December Calendar 5

Important Dates 6

Pictorial Directory 7

Discipleship Journey 7

Euless First Kids 8

E1ement Students 8

Preschool 8

Hospitality 9

Abundance Cafe 9

Highway Update 9

Stewardship Moment 10

From The Pastor 10

Wesley’s Questions 11

New Members 11

As 2016 begins, we want to take time to celebrate where we are in ministry, preparing us for changes that are inevitable in the growth of a flourishing congregation.

To begin the year, we will celebrate that we are debt free. The "Burn our Debt" celebration will be Sunday January 3, 2016.

Over the last 8 years the Euless First family has reduced our building debt from $700,000 to it's current level of $8000. What a glorious symbol of your generosity and commitment. Join us January 3 with a breakfast during the Sunday School

In 1876, Euless First United Methodist Church started with about 50 members. They had a dream of making a place to worship God and support the community. They started with a two- story building on the 100 block of North Main Street. This building was first used as a meeting hall, community center, and place of worship for Methodists and Presbyterians.

Through the years buildings have come and gone, yet an understanding for worshiping God and being a community has flourished!

hour. This will be a chance for us to celebrate and to have time as a congregation to update information about the highway expansion.

Second, it is time again for an All-Church Pictorial Directory. It has been 3 years since our last directory and we are excited to announce picture taking on January 6-9 and 13-16, 2016 in the Swor Parlor.

We will have more celebrations throughout the year, we are so excited about our first 140 years, and can’t wait for the next 140!

140 Years of Min is t ry

Vision

Creation

Connection

Order

Reconciliation

With these topics as our focus we will see how faith

and science can get along and work together in a new sermon series– Faith Science: Unraveling the Mysteries.

Bl inded by Sc ience

Church Matters

Jeff Hallberg, John and Sally Rhymer's friend

Kenny Rasmussen, Linda (Larry) Lewis' uncle

Lee Swann

Marie and Danielle Garrett, Billie Bradford's friend

Mark Rust, Dottie Rust's son

Mel Aloway, Jo Kemp's brother

Peace

Praise for continued healing of loved ones

Praise the Lord for all his blessings

Sue Martin

Continue Strength and Healing:

Alton Ray

Ann Burns

Baker and Michelle Ingram

Billy Smith

Bobette Banks, Billie Bradford's friend

Burton family

Cameron Mode and family

Carol Rust, Dottie Rust's daughter

Cassie Sumner, Sally Rhymer's friend

Cheryl Bowie, Billie Bradford's friend

Cristi Honea, Bill Farmer's friend

Doris Alexander, Dottie Rust's sister

Gordon and Linda Roberts, Nancy Bickel's friends

Honor Vaughn, Teresa Sprague's mother

James and Cindy Stewart, Janet Ledbetter's friends

Jerry Angel, Janet Ledbetter's friend

Joe Brown, Jackie Robinson's brother

John Lewis

Kellsey Abbott, Sherwood and Cheri Abbott's granddaughter

Kevin Maines

Leah Bennett

Lilia Olvera and her family

Lisa Moffatt, Lynne and Alan Moffatt's daughter-in-law

Prayer L ist Susan McGehee

Sydney Marie Peel, Pat May's great niece

Terron Muller, Les Foley's niece

Warner Muirhead

Comfort in a Time of Loss:

Family of Kenneth Family of Bert Poss, Leah Bennett's brother

Family of John Monroe Baggett, Sharon Menix's Brother-in-law

Family of Kenneth Reed, Pat Hoover's friend

Family of Kimberly Knighton

Family of Lee Haggard, Johnny and Teresa Watts' friend

Family of Stephanie Skipworth, Trevor Gale and Christian Kramer's friend

Protection:

Chris Maxson (Army), Billie and Jay Bradford's friend

Colton Hardaway (Army) and Kayla Davis (Navy), son and daughter of Michael and Lore Osborn

Daniel Collier (Air Force), Bob Collier's grandson

Eric Sherrer(Army), Justin Sherrer (Army), and Alan McCleland (Army), grandnephews of Vic and Judy Torres

Gail Worofka

Josh Crow (Navy), Annette Kelleher's son

Justin Knighton (Army)

Matthew Lee (Air Force), Michelle Barker's brother

Sam Weatherby (Army), Gary and Carol Turner's nephew

Stephen Tate (Army), Janet Ledbetter's son

William Crowder (Air Force), Yvonne Rohlfing's son

Bir thdays

We are praying for...

New Concerns

All of God's children around the world

Ann Keller

Anthony Cisneros, Jackie Robinson's grandson

Bob , Vera Farmer's friend

Chris Coley, Ann Wilson's brother

Clara Klasen, Ken Klasen's mother

Corky and Linda Crane, Billie Bradford's cousin

Don Wilson

Donna

Drama at work

Ellen Pitcher, Marilyn Long's friend

Flach family, Vickie Smith's friend

Genesis Ramirez

Genesis Sunday School family and friends, and everyone - have a wonderful Christmas

Greig family

Helen Davies

Jackie Robinson's sons

Lois Weems, Joyce Humphrey's mother

Marlene Hill, Vic and Judy Torres' friend

Michele Heroux and family, Amber Hawthorne's friend

Miss Johnnie, Patsy Brown's friend

Nick and Lisa Schoenberger, Ron Coats' friends

Nolan Fisher

Nolan Hardwick, Barbara Collier's father

Ollie O'Sallis' family and friends: Christopher, Steven, Sean, Latoya, Pat, Janice, Clara, Gwen and daughter Rosa, and Gertrude

Pat Holland, Cindy Balentine's sister

Pierre Tshimanga's family

Robbie Breaux, Audrey Coats' friend

Roger Ivey

Rose Marie, Patsy Brown's friend

Stan Clarke, Sue & Richard Morrow's friend

05 –Emily Halleck, Shirley Mercer, Judy Torres

06 –Jerry Tewalt, Ann Wilson, Karen Phillips

07 –Brad Tribble

09 –O.D. Lively

11 –Larry Augustus, Bonnie Haddock,

January

01 –Melba Taylor

02 –Michael Henderson, Don Martin, Doris Rieman

03 –Billy Byers, Jeremy Harrison

04 –Aubree Marlow

January

09– Shane & Tara Mullin

10 –Michael & Laura Henderson

17 –Toni McMillon, Grady Tindel

18 –Ken Denne

19 –Lynne Moffatt

21 –Emily Tarrh. Donna Bertram

22 –Vera Bohnet-Farmer, Nancy King, Isaac Putnam

23 –Lauralee Arnold

24 –Barbara Collier, Lois Rafferty

25 –Merideth Sparks

26 –Robert Nail

27 –Joe Jordan, Richard Morrow, Clay Smith

28 –Daniel Arnold

29 –Jo Kemp

30 –Larry Lucas, Dale Miller

31 –Alex Maloney, Jerry Waldrup, Penelope Chico

If your prayer request has been left off, please resubmit it. All requests are for 30 days only and will need to be resubmitted after that time.

Anniversar ies

Page 2

In Memory of Lost Loved Ones/General Budget: Friendship Class

In Honor of Sherwood Abbott & Sharon Menix/Food Pantry: Judy Torres

In Honor of Mrs. Doris Conrad, Mrs. Erna Lois

Huse, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Menix, Mr. and Mrs. Weldon Menix, Mrs. Charlene Keune, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Menix, Ms. Fern De La Garza, and Mr. and Mrs. Delmer Walton/Food Pantry: Sharon Menix

declined in past years, we have had more inquires in the last couple of months. If you are interested in having personal envelopes to mail in your pledges, please let Bob Collier or the church office

In years past, Euless First United Methodist Church was ableto provide mail-in giving envelopes to those that requested them. These would go to a printer and be printed.

While requests have

at 817-283-4421 know. The church office will make and send you envelopes from in house. We will no longer be sending these out to a printer.

Memor ia ls & Honorar iums

Food Pantry food. Yet, the need is still all around us.

For 2016, a couple of our volunteers are going to take a break from the regular schedule. We are looking for more help. While we need volunteers with the ability to lift bags, it is not totally necessary. If you can help we can find a job for you! The Food Pantry is needing MORE volunteers for Friday mornings 9:00 am. til Noon. If you are able to help please call Sharon Menix at 817-581-9144 for more information.

In celebration of our

wonderful volunteers we hosted an appreciation lunch at Cheddars on December 16. Every aspect of the Pantry is run by volunteers and we are so grateful for all they do!

Our food needs are:

Ranch Style Beans

Pork and Beans

Canned Soups

Food Pantry Volunteer Schedule:

January

08 –Brenda Hurlbut, Linda Lewis, Dottie Rust,Hedy Taylor

15 –Phyllis Augustus, Kathy Chapman, Gloria Daves, Jill Schaneberg

22 –Marie Bean, Darlene Carter, Brenda Hurlbut, Judy Torres

29 –Gloria Daves, Brenda Hurlbut, Sharon Menix, Darlene Carter

2015 was a wonderful year for the Food Pantry, we were able to serve numerous families with

Page 3

Church Matters

Giv ing Envelopes

In Memory of Kimberly Knighton/Pastor’s Emergency Fund: Dale & Derexa Wooley

for all your good works and may God bless you all.

Thank you again and again. Thank you for your help in my time of need. Thank you and your staff

- Nancy B (a woman served by the Pastor’s Emergency Fund, she included a $50 check.)

Thank You Let ter

Church Matters

Beach Club

Page 4

have been blessed with about 35 children coming each week, and we hope that number will grow.

It was a great fall semester, and volunteers are grateful for the break, but looking forward to a great 2016.

Students and volunteers wanted to give a big thank

This is the second year Euless First United Methodist Church has sponsored KiDs Beach Club at South Euless Elementary School.

KiDs Beach Club is an after school program for 3rd through 6th grade boys and girls, where children can come together to worship God, learn Bible stories, sing, pray, eat snacks, have fun with friends and build relationships with adults who care about them. We meet in the school gym on Tuesday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:15. We will be starting up again on Tuesday, January 12. We

you for all of your support.

If you are interested in volunteering in 2016, please contact Pastor Beverly at Beverly@fumceuless.org or by calling 817-283-4421 .

Night of Hope A huge thank you to the 75 volunteers, approximately 40 from Euless First United Methodist Church, who helped make Night of Hope at South Euless Elementary School on December 14 such a huge success. What a blessing it is to share the love of God with 87 families and 211 kids this holiday season.

Church Matters Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1– New Years 2

Office Closed

8:30 Al-Anon

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 3:00 Centro Familiar Cristiano 4:00 Handbells

6:30 Cub/Boy Scouts

7:00 Al-Anon & AA 7:00 Trustees

Meeting

10:00 UMW Harmony Hope

6:30 Girl Scout Troop

7:00 Confirmation Class

7:00 Choir Practice

6:30 Men’s Coffee 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

9:00 Food Pantry Open

8:30 Al-Anon 10:00 Texas Premier

Sports

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 3:00 Centro Familiar Cristiano 4:00 Handbells 5:00 E1ement Students

6:00 UMW Executive Board Meeting

6:30 Cub/Boy Scouts

7:00 Al-Anon & AA 7:00 Finance

Meeting

3:00 Beach Club 6:30 Boy Scout Troop Committee Meeting

7:00 Confirmation Class

7:00 Choir Practice

6:30 Men’s Coffee 6:00 UMW

Thoughtful Friends

7:00 Al-Anon & AA

9:00 Food Pantry Open

6:00 Winter Mission Trip Retreat

8:30 Al-Anon 10:00 Texas Premier

Sports

17 18– MLK Holiday 19 20 21 22 23

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:30 Blood Pressure

Screening 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 3:00 Centro Familiar Cristiano 4:00 Handbells 5:00 E1ement Students 5:00 Food Pantry Open

Office Closed 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

3:00 Beach Club 6:30 Girl Scout

Troop

7:00 Confirmation Class

7:00 Choir Practice

6:30 Men’s Coffee 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

9:00 Food Pantry Open

8:30 Al-Anon

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 3:00 Centro Familiar Cristiano 4:00 Handbells 5:00 E1ement Students

6:30 Cub/Boy Scouts

7:00 Al-Anon & AA

3:00 Beach Club 6:30 UMM Dinner

and Meeting

7:00 Confirmation Class

7:00 Choir Practice

6:30 Men’s Coffee 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

9:00 Food Pantry Open

8:30 Al-Anon

31

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 12:00 Chili Cook-off 3:00 Centro Familiar Cristiano 4:00 Handbells 5:00 E1ement Students

Page 5

January

1 New Years Day– Office Closed

2 Euless Kids New Year’s Party 3:00 p.m.

4 Trustees Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room

5 United Methodist Women Harmony Hope Meeting in the Swor Parlor at 10:00 a.m..

11 Finance Committee Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

12 Beach Club at 3:00 p.m. at South Euless Elementary School

14 United Methodist Women Thoughtful Friends Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

15 Winter Mission Trip Retreat

17 Blood Pressure Screening between our two worship services

Food Pantry open from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day– Office Closed

26 United Methodist Men Dinner and Meeting 6:30 p.m. in the Swor Parlor

31 Chili/Soup/Corn Bread Cook Off– 12:00 p.m.– Vote for the best with $ and support E1ement Kids Missions

Regular Events:

Sundays– Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.; Abundance Café at 9:30 in the Family Life Center Café; Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.; Handbells at 4:00 p.m.; E1ement Students at 5:00 p.m.

Mondays- Al-Anon meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Library, and AA meets in Rm 203 at 7:00 p.m.

Tuesdays- Beach Club at 3:00 p.m. at South Euless Elementary School

Wednesdays– Choir Practice at 7:00 p.m.; Confirmation Class at 7:00 p.m. in Rm 220

Thursdays– Men’s Coffee at 6:30 a.m.; Al-Anon meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Library, and AA meets in Rm 203 at 7:00 p.m.

Fridays– Food Pantry from 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m. except 5th Fridays

Saturdays- Al-Anon meets Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. in the Library;

Texas Premier Sports meets in the Gym from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Important Dates

Page 6

Church Matters

Pictor ia l D i rectory folks in the directory as as possible. Having everyone’s picture helps our newer church members get to know you. So please consider being in the directory not for you--but for others!

Q: Can I have my pet pictured? A: Yes.

Q: Can I use my picture from the last directory. A: No---Lifetouch requires a new picture.

Q: If I just had pictures taken by another photographer--can I use that picture? A: Yes---but that photographer must sign a copyright approval, and submitted pictures are placed at the back of the picture section.

Q: What if we have bad

weather during the picture taking? A: Lifetouch will get us makeup days should the weather be bad.

Q: Am I going to be pressured to buy extra pictures? A: By having your picture taken--you will receive a free 8 x 10 and copy of the directory when it arrives. If you want to purchase additional poses or pictures that is up to you. But you should not feel pressured. I (Dave Lewis) was present for every picture session during the last issue and heard very favorable reports on the photographers. Should you have any issues--please talk to me.

This directory helps nurture our flock and we thank you for your help!

Thank you for the great response signing up for our all-church directory. Our goal is to have 180 families in this directory. You might have some additional questions, so let’s see what we can answer.

Q: Didn't we just do a directory? A:Our last directory was Summer of 2013. Most churches do one every three years---we decided to do it early in the year in honor of our 140th anniversary and in anticipation of impending busyness from highway dates.

Q: What if I don't want to be in the directory? A: We will include your address in the back section but we would love to get as many

Church Matters

Disc ip lesh ip Journey Alpha, a 10 week study, includes dinner, a video and small group discussion that explores foundational truths and beliefs of the Christian faith in a caring, non-judgmental environment.

The Wesleyan Way, an 8 week small group study, helps seekers and believers to envision and practice discipleship as a way of life and become a part of God’s work in transforming the world.

God’s Grand Plot, a one

day retreat event, tells about the Bible’s historical overview, its organization, and how God’s story affects the human heart.

Serving From the Heart, a 3 week small group study, is designed to help each participant consider his or her own spiritual gifts, talents & abilities, individuality, dreams and experiences to discover how they can best serve God and their neighbor.

JOIN US ON THE JOURNEY!

Euless First United Methodist Church strives to follow Jesus Christ a bit better today than yesterday. We seek to do this by offering Discipleship Journey opportunities which help guide people from KNOWing God, to GROWing in relationship with God, to GOing forth with God serving others and GLOWing for God by sharing one’s faith.

A variety of studies are coming soon!

Page 7

Several days after writing this article, Aubree Marlow tendered her resignation from the position of Director of Children's Ministries. Your SPRC will begin work to fill the opening early in the new year. In the meantime, Donna Bertram has stepped up to lead the New Year's Winter Party presented as follows:

Happy New Year! I hope everyone is ready for another great year in the Children’s Ministry! We are kicking things off with a New Years/Winter Party on Saturday, January 2 at 3:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. We’ll ring in the new year with lots of fun! With a new year always comes new opportunities. If you’ve been

Euless F i rs t K ids

mission and service projects, including CTCYM each summer. If you would like to enter, please register at fumceuless.org or speak with Shane.

In January

03 - No E1ement Table.

10 - BE. @ The E1ement Table: Fun Stuff

15 & 16: Service Retreat

17 - SERVE. @ The E1ement Table: E1UMC Food Pantry

24 - LOVE. @ The E1ement Table: God in the Movies

We can't predict what weather January will bring, but we know it

brings great Chili, Soup, and Cornbread! We're issuing a call for entries in the annual Chili, Soup, & Cornbread Cook-off fundraiser to support the mission and service projects of E1ement Students for 2016 It’s a great time to eat, fellowship, and financially support our students as they pursue

Page 8

Church Matters

31 - Chili & Soup Cook-Off

31 - BE. LOVE. @ The E1ement Table: Worship

Coming up in February:

Midwinter Camp & Super Bowl Party.

For more details on any of these events or to see photos, please visit our website: e1ementstudents.com.

Shane Mullin– Youth Ministry Director

considering serving this year, please think about helping out in the Children’s Ministry! Lots of opportunities are available! Email the church office to find out where you can serve!

Aubree Marlow- Children’s Ministry Director children@fumceuless.org

E1ement Students

Angel News:

Preschool is back from Christmas break. We continue to enroll students in classes that have openings. This month we will be learning about winter. The PK2 students will be learning about Texas and participating in our annual RODEO and sing-along around the campfire. Our PK1 students will also be doing a dinosaur unit. Units for our Cherub and Toddler classes include: winter, teddy bears and hibernation. We will have Pajama Days on January 21 and 22. Diamond Photo will be

here January 26 and 27. Weather permitting, each child will take a short pony ride. Our Rodeo will be January 28 and 29.

Please plan on attending our annual Family Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, February 20 from 10 AM to 2 PM. We are accepting donations of items for the auction. Re-gifting is encouraged, so if you get something for Christmas that isn’t right for you, please consider donating it to our auction. Hamburgers, hot dogs and grilled cheese will be

served. $6 for adults and $3 for children. We are also seeking vendors to sell items at our event. Cost is $20 for a 5’ table and profit is yours to keep.

Preschool would like to thank Mike Springer for running the sound for our program. Mike always makes himself available to us and we appreciate his willingness to help us. We also want to thank Charlie and Cheryl Baker for assisting us with our Christmas program in a very special way. They spread lots of joy to both children and adults!

Euless F i rs t Preschool

Church Matters

"I don’t do great things. I do small things with great passion." - Mother Teresa

10 minutes a week could change our world!

Here is a small thing each of us can do that could greatly increase our outreach: it will cost you only 10 minutes a week.

For the first 3 months of 2016, we invite you to try this small thing: for the last 5 minutes before worship and the first 5 minutes after worship, talk with people you don't know.

Every week we have visitors to our worship services. Every week we sit near other members we don't know very well.

For the next 3 months, simply commit those 10 minutes each Sunday to strike up a conversation with someone you don't know as well.

Most of us have a tendency to talk with people we already know. Sunday morning is a great time to catch up on each other's lives and families.

Identify someone you

don't know very well, and ask about their family. Invite them to tell you how they spent their Christmas.

If all else fails, talk about the Dallas Cowboys!

Find someone you don't already know, a visitor or another member, and get to know them. You may be surprised what a difference such a small thing can make in someone's life!

Hospi ta l i ty

Page 9

fellowship breakfast in the Cafe area from 9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each Sunday. Donations are welcome, and all proceeds benefit church

Back by Popular demand---the Abundance Cafe will continue each week in 2016. Many thanks for Sunday School classes taking turns hosting this

apportionments. Sunday School classes are asked to volunteer and support. Contact Dave Lewis if you can help. Join us for breakfast!

Abundance Cafe

We have received the initial offer letters for both the East Property and the West Property.

We received the offer on the East Property Friday, Nov 13th

We received the offer on the West Property Wednesday, Nov 25th

Due to the sensitive nature of the negotiating process, and at the advice of counsel, we are unfortunately not able to

discuss the amounts, characteristics, or any other details or particulars of the offers, or of our pending or likely counteroffers, at this time. Until a final settlement is reached, we will not be able to disclose specific details.

This is our latest message focusing on keeping our congregation informed. Representing our church in this endeavor is the committee

elected by our Church Council in January, 2014. This group includes Jim Arnold, Alan Moffatt, Brad Tribble, and Steve Heyduck. Earlier this year, Church Council determined that the current Chairs of Finance and Trustees, Thomas Hawthorne and Clay Smith, would also be part of this team.

Highway Update

10 Financial Principles that are Biblical part 1 of 10

Relying on God Understanding that God owns everything and we are managers of the gifts He gives is a foundational principal in understanding our relationship to God and how we should respond to Him. If we don’t get this one right, the rest won’t make any sense! Principle #2 GIVING IS ESSENTIAL Giving is the result of understanding what it means to live a life of stewardship. It is essential because it involves putting

God first in our lives. In what ways can we put God first? One way is to spend time with God — to have a daily quiet time with Him. If that is not happening in our lives, it means that someone or something else is more important than the Lord. Another way to put God first is to trust Him to take care of us.

Trusting comes before giving. Sometimes it is easier to trust God for our eternal salvation than it is to trust Him to “give us this day our daily bread”. However, Christians know that if we trust in God and

live according to His will, He will take care of all our needs. If we trust in God, we can never say “I can’t afford to give”. According to Deut. 14:23, one purpose of tithing was to teach the people of Israel to put God first in their lives. Tithing teaches a reliance on God that is fundamental to our relationship with Him.

Trusting Comes Before Giving

Reprinted by permission: Barnabas Foundation, Tinley Park, IL

Church Matters

Stewardsh ip Moment

Page 10

Online Giving Link

alone! This is something our newer members tell me time and time again: they deeply appreciate how caring you all are, regardless of upset or life situation.

At the same time, our long-time members face the challenge of living up to expectations that sometimes fall on long-time members. Everything is supposed to be ok all the time. The longer we are here, the stronger the urge to wear a mask of "I'm fine" whether or not I am actually fine!

Wearing such a mask is tiring. Presenting a false front exhausts the soul and the body.

In 2016, let's practice being the church for one another - for everyone we

Can you believe another year has gone by already?

What kind of year was 2015 for you?

For some, it was a difficult year. Some of our church families found 2015 filled with sorrow, or uncertainty, or even mourning.

For others, it was a year of happiness and excitement. Some found exciting new jobs, or great promotions, or additions to the family.

Whatever kind of year 2015 was for you, we are now all facing a new year. Let's face it together.

One of the things I most appreciate about our congregation is the way our people look after one another. There is never a need to carry a burden

meet! Let us work to let down our guard, to silence the voice inside that insists we must bear our burdens alone. No one must bear their burden alone. It is exactly for this that Jesus has drawn us together to be a church!

- Steve Heyduck

From the Pastor

Church Matters

Euless First United Methodist is excited to welcome our newest members Ken and Vickie Denne, Genesis Ramirez,, Jessie Hunt (not pictured), Guillermo and Claudia Chico with Penelope, Julia Smythe, and Leesh Ellsaesser with Jason and Zoe, Joshua and Savannah.

With them in our presence, we will never be the same. Please find these folks and tell them how grateful we are to have them in our midst.

New Members

Page 11

Wesley knew in his day what you and I know today; hypocrisy is, perhaps, the strongest enemy of Christians. It is so tempting to focus on other people’s wrongs; in fact, this distracts us from our own failings.

Perhaps Wesley would remind us of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:

3 Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when there’s a log in your eye? 5 You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye.

If we want to grow as disciples of Jesus; if we truly intend to follow Jesus a bit better today than yesterday, we must begin by being

Part of John Wesley's genius, as the founder of the Methodist Movement, was the way he organized to make disciples. He established small groups everywhere he went. When these small groups met, they would go through a list of questions at each meeting. The questions were designed to guide the group members into a deeper walk with God.

Wesley had 22 questions for small group meetings. We will stretch these almost through the year. One will appear in each monthly newsletter through November, and another mid-month through the email weekly update.

Here is the first question:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other

words, am I a hypocrite?

honest with ourselves about our current state. Wesley’s first questions is the place to start for honest disciples.

We encourage you to begin your daily devotional time each day for the next week with this question. Even better, find someone you know and trust - someone in your Sunday School class or someone you sit near in worship, and invite them to pray for you for the next week or two. Pray for them for the same period of time.

If you are both willing, ask this question aloud of each other, and discuss your honest answers to it.

We are ALL hypocrites sometimes. This simple exercise will help you reduce your own hypocrisy, and you will find yourself following Jesus better for doing so!

Wesley ’s Quest ions

Julia Smythe joined 12/13

Leesh Ellsaesser with Joshua,

Savannah, Jason, and Zoe joined 12/13

Genesis Ramirez

joined 10/11

Ken & Vickie Denne

joined 9/20

Maria, Guillermo & Claudia Chico with Penelope

joined 12/6

L e a r n i n g t o F o l l o w J e s u s a B i t B e t t e r T o d a y t h a n Y e s t e r d a y

106 N. Main St. Euless, TX 76040

Phone: 817-283-4421 fumceuless.org

Twitter.com/EulessFirstUMC Facebook.com/EulessFirstUnitedMethodist

Youtube.com/sheyduck Pinterest.com/EulessFirstUMC

Instagram.com/EulessFirstUMC

Sunday Worship 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Euless First United Methodist Church

PO Box 967

Euless, TX 76039

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

NPA# 225165

Permit No. 2

Euless, TX

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Mission: Euless First United Methodist Church strives to follow Jesus Christ a bit better today then yesterday. Through these efforts we

develop a relationship with Christ and thus transform people, their lives, our community and the world.

Purpose: We seek to follow Jesus better by moving people from knowing God, to growing in relationship with God, to going forth with God to serve others, and finally, glowing for God by witnessing to their faith to

others.

Vision: Our vision is to be a community of God's love and grace so that the larger community and world see God by our actions and outreach.