First United Methodist Church Marshall

Connections

In His service,

Rodger D. Garbs

May 8, 2012

From Rev. Rodger D. Garbs

Are you connected?

The question, “Are you connected?” means different

things to different people. However, there is an anger

associated with electronic connectedness. Despite all the

hype about being connected through the Internet, a

number of studies suggest that this technology is actually

disconnecting many of us from those around us.

A study of the Stanford Institute found that 13 percent of

regular net users, those who are on the web five hours or

more a week, reported spending less time with family and

friends; 8 percent said they were now attending fewer

social events; and 26 percent said they talked less to

friends and family by telephone. That’s disturbing.

Being connected to family and friends is what gives life

meaning.

Of course, not all or even most of our personal isolation

can be blamed on the Internet. The average American

today already has only a third as many friends as 25 years

ago, and one-fourth have no close confidants at all,

according to recent research. We are becoming a

disconnected society.

This is troubling because staying connected is important

to our health and general well-being. When a partner’s

spouse dies, his or her risk of illness or death skyrockets

for the first year. Retirement also changes social networks

and can be very stressful. The point is that it’s very

important at any age in life to stay connected.

Of course our most important connection is to Christ.

Christ says to us, “I am the vine; you are the

branches.” (John15:1) The Gospel says here that staying

connected is most vital. Christianity has two central

focuses - staying connected to our neighbor and staying

connected to God. Without either of these, we are not

whole people.

We lose our heart, we lose our soul, when we lose our

connection to God. “What good is it for someone to gain

the whole world,” said Jesus on one occasion, “yet forfeit

their soul?”(Mark 8:36) We know the answer to that.

Lose your connection to God, and nothing else you

accomplish will have any real meaning. Lose your

connection to God, and you lose the meaning to life.

And so I ask you: how connected are you?

We are currently seeking volunteers for our Office Angel ministry to fill the summer calendar.

Opportunities include:

- Receptionist

- Filing

- Newsletter team

- Typing in Microsoft Word & Publisher

- Website updating

There are two shifts, 8:30 a.m.-noon; and 1-4 p.m. Monday.-Friday.

Please contact Robyn in the church office at (903) 938-6622, or email me at office@fumcmarshall.org if you’d like to join our team.

needed

With summer coming quickly, there are quite a few opportunities to serve in the ministry at FUMC. There are many times when vacations, special events, and work outside of the church will leave vacancies in positions that need to be filled in both services. If God has laid it on your heart to be more involved, this can be a fun way to share in His work.

There will be opportunities in:

• Live audio • Television audio • Television camera operator • Worship team vocals • First Connect lighting • First Connect lyrics/projection screen operator • Worship team musicians

If you do not have a background in some of these areas, you can still help. You just need the passion to serve. If you or someone you know would like to be a part of any of these areas, please let me know!

Thank you, Robert

Kids Korner

We had a great time at GATORS &

FRIENDS!! Be sure to check out the

church website for some great photos!

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

Sunday, May 13th @ 10:00am in Beard Hall

There will be special entertainment provided by the

children. All ladies are welcome!!

Don’t forget, the last reConnect is Wednesday,

May 16th. We will resume in the Fall. It’s been a

blessing being with the kids this year and I will miss

the kids who are moving up to youth!! :)

VBS 2012: JUNE 11-15TH

9:00am—12:00pm

For ages 3yrs-5th grade!!

"Babylon: Daniel's Courage in Captivity"

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Just go to the church website @

www.fumcmarshall.org, and click on the

Children’s Ministry tab and Vacation Bible School

VBS MISSION: MOSQUITO NETS for kids and

their families in MALI, AFRICA.

Contact Sandy or Charlee for more details on how

you can be a part of the adventure!! There are many

opportunities, if you are interested!!

Blessings, Sandy Craig

Director of Children’s Ministries

sandy@fumcmarshall.org 903-938-6622 ext. 43

Volunteers needed

Young at Heart Seniors’ Group

May 15 & 22 10am-1pm

Join

us!

Because of Him, Charlee Garbs , Education Director charlee@fumcmarshall.org

It’s that time of year again when everyone is busy,

busy with exams, projects, award ceremonies,

graduations, and many events that get us all ready

for the nice and relaxing months of summer.

Children will soon be out of school, and vacation

suitcases will begin to be filled for those summer

get-a-ways. Summer, believe it or not, is one of

the busiest times for a church, and ours is no ex-

ception. Let me remind you that activities will be

happening for ALL ages all summer long. Stay

involved and connected. Make this the summer to

grow closer in your relationship with Christ and

your relationship with your church family. Here

are just some of the events taking place in May

and June.

GriefShare Celebration Dinner- Thursday,

May 17, 6:00pm, church prayer garden

Women’s Summer Bible Study – Begins

Tuesday, June 5, 5:30pm each week for 6

weeks, church parlor

New GriefShare Cycle begins – Thursday,

June 7, two-sessions, 1:30pm and 6:00pm,

church parlor

Please call me for more information about these

events or to be involved in any of these ministries.

As we come to the close of another school year,

we will also be finishing two wonderful studies/

support groups that have been going on this

Spring. I would like to send a HUGE thank you to

Dana Harris and Ken Goolsby for their dedication

and leadership for the Financial Peace University

session. I know everyone who has participated has

truly been blessed, and I thank you for doing such

an amazing job. Another HUGE thank you needs

to be given to Debbie Bates, Linda Endicott,

Brenda Dearman, Margie Hendry, Linda Lewis,

Ginny Harris, Dora McCarty, and Marianne

Blalock for their dedication and leadership with

the GriefShare program. We are now finishing our

second complete cycle, and I could not have done

anything without the help of these ladies. With

their help, we were able to add an evening session

this spring. Thank you all.

May you all be blessed this week. See you

Sunday.

God’s Social Network

A small group from the church will be going on a week-long mission trip to Mexico City July 28-Aug. 4 to work on a project with the One Mission Society’s Men for Missions.

This will be the fourth trip for some of our church members. In the past, we’ve explored the Mexican culture, worked on a church Sunday and seminary school rooms. We’ve also helped with con-struction on a shelter for homeless children, where they are able to learn about Christ and tend to their basic needs, like food and hygiene.

If you’d like more information about the trip, or

would like to donate money to help fund the trip,

contact the church office.

Opportunities to pray, go and give for Summer Mexico Mission Trip

Every year we jam-pack our summer with fun. This summer is no exception; we have

a something for everyone. If you see anything on the calendar that you are interested in

attending, go to the church website www.fumcmarshall.org and go to the student ministry

page; there you can find all the details you need to know about our trips.

May

Friday, May 11th-12

th— 30 Hour Famine (Senior High Lock-in)

Wed, May 30 — Youth Worship Service 6:30pm-7:30 (CLC

Saturday, May 19 — UM ARMY Adult Training (Tyler TBA) All Adults Going to UM ARMY

Sunday, May 20 — Senior Sunday

Sunday, May 27— Confirmation/M.U.D (Move Up Day)

June

Wednesday, June 6-Sat 9 Mystery Trip

Monday, June 11- Friday 15- Youth Helping With V.B.S Sunday, June 17— Summer Camp Sunday Monday, June 18-Fri 22nd- District Camp

July

Sunday, July 1st- Saturday July 7— UM ARMY (Huntsville Texas)

Sunday, July 8— UM ARMY Sunday Thursday, July 12— Sunday July 15

th- Big House (Van Texas)

Sunday, July 15th— Friday, July 20

th— Worship Conference (Kansas City)

Wednesday, July 25th — Wednesday Day Trip

August

Wednesday, Aug. 8th- Day Trip

Wednesday, Aug. 15th- Day Trip

Saturday, Aug. 18— Back to School Event Monday, Aug. 27— First day of school

Jordan “JoJack” Jackson

Director of Youth Ministries

jordan@fumcmashall.org

Youth Summer Events

Gators & Friends Trip

Wednesday, May 9 7:00a Men’s Book Study, Room 102 reConnect each Wednesday evening: 5:00-6:30 Dinner, Beard Hall 6:00 Nursery* (infant and toddlers) 6:00 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6-6:30 Kids’ Hand Chimes, Room 254 6-7:30 Little Lambs (3&4 year olds), Room 116 Kids R.O.C.K., Children’s Choir (K-6th gr), 3rd Floor Youth (7th-12th), 3rd Floor 6:00 Financial Peace Study, Dana Harris, Room 232 6:15 Acts Bible Study, Jim Ammerman

Thursday, May 10 1:30p GriefShare, Parlor 3:00p MM Tutoring, Youth Area 5:30p Worship Team, CLC 6:00p GriefShare, Parlor

Friday-, May 11 6:00p 30 Hour Famine youth lock-in

Sunday, May 13 9:00a Traditional Worship*, Sanctuary 10:00a Mother’s Day Brunch, Beard Hall Sunday School* 11:00a First Connect*, Christian Life Center

Monday, May 14 6:00p Trustees meeting, room 117 *Nursery available.

Calendar

General Operating Fund

April 30, 2012 YTD Total

Received $ 4,771.20 $ 248,933.80

Required $ 15,581.00 $ 280,458.00

Difference $ (10,809.80) $ (31,524.20)

Attendance

Sunday School: 168

Sunday Worship Total: 262

Traditional - 145 First Connect - 117

Designated Funds: April 22 April 29

Building Fund $66.00 $66.00

Children's Dept 140.00 40.00

Choir Fund 20.00 20.00

Everliving Trust 100.00 50.00

Faith Promise 99.00 199.00

First Connect 50.00 50.00

FUMC Day School Playground

Equipment 0.00 75.00

Music Memorial 25.00 25.00

Organ 185.00 0.00

Society of St. Stephen 0.00 20.00

Total $685.00 $545.00

Cookies for Soldiers

Wed, May 16

Bring your homemade

COOKIES to the

Dining Room by 9am.

REMEMBER IN PRAYERREMEMBER IN PRAYERREMEMBER IN PRAYER

OUR MILITARY

and THEIR FAMILIES:

Corey Burton

Kelly Risner Burton

Derek Cottrell

Brandon Fitzgerald

Robert Hall

Johnathan Massey

Luke Purcell

Troy Reaves

Jason Woodly

HOMEBOUND:

Bennye Almond

Jerry Cothron

Dorothy Davis

Gene & Gerri Elliott

Joe Gordon

Betty Norman

Lorena Pyle

LaVera Roberts

Nancy Watson

Margaret Weaver

ASSISTED LIVING:

Ella Brunson Juanita Green T9C Jordon Anne Kerr Barbara Thames Bonnie Timmins Patty Vaughn

NURSING HOMES:

Norma Bynum

Billy Dinkle

Paul Hintz

Ahlene Reavis

Norma Simmons

Jerry Tomlin

PRAYER REQUESTS

Gerri Elliott

Dot Floyd

Kathleen McCray

Dee McCrary

Roscoe Meek

Laurie Moseley

Harold Raines

Wendy Reed

Mike Wood

Family of Robert Magers

Names will remain on prayer list for two weeks unless otherwise

In Memoriam

We gratefully acknowledge the following donations given in loving memory...

In Memory of Dr. Martin Clark

Margie Hendry

Sharon & Mike Knoerzer

Nancy & Jack Williams

In Memory of Gertrude Swift

Luanne & Horace Neely

In Memory of Dorothy Rose

Williams

Belinda & Victor Anderson

Bonnie & Murrell Brown

Jane & Glynn Byman

Nancy & Ken Conwell

Margie Hendry

Sharon & Mike Knoerzer

Doug & Mary Lawson

Libby Matthews

Marjorie Morgan

Luanne & Horace Neely

Betty Norman

Martha & Raymond Spencer

Shirley Taylor

Ann & Gid Terry

In Memory of Elizabeth Williams

Belinda & Victor Anderson

Luanne & Horace Neely

In Memory of Sarah Zachry

Luanne & Horace Neely

Honorariums given

to honor Cecelia Wood

Your Lunch Bunch Friends

Non-Profit Organization

U. S. Postage

Paid

Permit #106

Marshall, TX 75670

First United Methodist Church 300 E. Houston St.

Marshall, TX 75670-4175

Address Service Requested

Email: office@fumcmarshall.org

Web: www.fumcmarshall.org

903-938-6622, M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

reConnect WEDNESDAY

Dinner, 5:00-6:30pm

Upcoming menus:

May 9 — Cheese burger, French fries

dessert and tea

May 16 — Chicken spaghetti, salad,

garlic bread, dessert and tea

May 16 is the last ReConnect until school starts again.

What: Pack 239 Mother’s Day Bake Sale

When: 9 a.m.to 11 p.m. Sunday

Where: Donut Hall