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“Come expectantly seeking Jesus. Follow Him boldly. Go witness intentionally.” June 2020

The Messenger

The Old Testament is filled with obscure but fascinating stories strewn across the history of God’s people. One of those interesting and obscure stories is found in 2 Kings 7. This is the age of Elisha the prophet and comes in a time of crisis. Samaria (ie the Northern Kingdom) is under siege from Syria. The situation is desperate – the King, his army and his people are surrounded, the people are isolated and trapped in the city and starving, military resources are exhausted and they wait upon God to come to their rescue. The King in abject frustration has lost faith in the word of the prophet encouraging them to wait upon God and plans to kill Elisha. It is at this point, at the opening of chapter 7, that Elisha gives a remarkable word, saying:

7 Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah[a] of the finest flour will sell for a shekel[b] and two seahs[c] of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” 2 The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?”

“You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”

Elisha’s word predicts an immediate reversal their situation – from a starvation that is forcing cannibalism to enough affordable flour and barley to feed all. The predicted reversal is so dramatic as to be unbelievable to the officer attending the king. Meanwhile, outside the gates of the city are 4 lepers who are discussing their options in this desperate situation. They reason that if they go into the city, they will die of starvation; if they stay at the city gate, they will die of starvation – so they might as well take their chances of surrendering to the Aramean army surrounding them. At least, they reason, if they are killed, their deaths will be quick. So at dusk they get up and go out to the camps of the Arameans only to discover the camp hastily abandoned. The scripture tells us that during the evening, the besieging army heard the sound of an approaching army and fled in panic leaving everything behind. So the lepers stumble into an abundance of food and a plethora of plunder. After eating their fill and looting some valuable plunder, the Lepers felt convicted that they need to tell those trapped and starving in the city the good news. So they walk to the city gates and declare that the army has left and there is a camp left with an abundance of food. At first, the king is reluctant to believe it – thinking it a trap. But desperation prevails and soldiers are sent to discover the truth. That day a seah of flour or 2 seahs of barley sold for a shekel – just as Elisha had declared. while this fascinating story from scripture does not exactly parallel our situation, there are features that speak to our circumstance. There is a sense in which we are surrounded and besieged by an invisible enemy. While we may not be starving from lack of food, we are starving from lack of social contact, our economy is strangled from being shut down. And truth be told there is still too much fear dictating the responses of our lives. When good news comes our way, we are reluctant to believe it and respond to it with faith and joy. But, there are those few who begin to believe – those few who dare to step out – those few who realize that the starvation of isolation is so damaging that they dare to step out into the sunshine. That, it seems to me, is where we are right now. We need to listen to the words of hope and dare to step out in faith. And interestingly, those who are the first to dare to venture forth become the pioneers for those still trapped in isolation We have now come to that stage of our current crisis when we need to hear the words of hope and dare to step out of our isolation in faith. And this is not just about us – the faith of a few can build of momentum that changes the atmosphere for others. So we intend to step out in faith soon. To begin to gather in worship and study. Prayerfully lift up the church and our community as we venture forth from isolation into the light of restoration.

Keefe

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Beth Aikman

Bob Asmussen Elaine Asmussen Betty Bozeman

Tina and Keefe Cropper Mary Ann Fitzgerald

Lynn Emmert Bruce Grider Diane Mosley Jack Robinson Gary Simpkins

Eddie Steck Larry Tucker

Annette Wilbourn Ron Wimp

Financial Update as of May 26, 2020:

Year-to-Date Giving: $ 159,145 Year-to-Date Budget: $ 161 ,763

11:00 am Service Michelle Dobbs, Kevan Burroughs, Ben Burroughs, Ava Burroughs, Abby Dobbs, David Dobbs, Carolyn Manning, Communion Asst:

June Communion Offering

CS Food Pantry Food Pantry

Carter BloodCare Blood Drive

First United Methodist Church-Quitman

J.O.Y. Hall

Saturday, June 6, 2020

10:00am – 2:00pm To make an appointment, Link to:

https://ww3.greatpartners.org/donor/

schedules/drive_schedule/112512

Let’s Return to Worship with Great Joy!

Between 607 and 586 bc, the Hebrews in Judah experienced a series of devastating encounters with Babylon culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and what is called the diaspora – the dispersion of the Jews as captives in Babylon. For 70 years they endured – praying and longing for return to their land and most particularly to the temple to worship. The Psalms are filled with their longing to return with festive throngs of God’s people to worship the Lord their God. The first to return are mentioned in the Ezra. They came upon a temple was utterly destroyed, the stones that had once been a temple scattered and shattered. But the Jews returned with and determination to rebuild and to worship. Since March we have had our own kind of diaspora – scattered by a virus and quarantined in a kind of captivity. But now, the doors are opening for our return to in-person worship. And like the Jews, what we return to will require a kind of rebuilding of our own. Our first steps into our temple will be in Joy Hall. And that is precisely how we must return: with great joy. The joy of gathering in God’s Presence; the joy of being together again. And from this day we will continue to rebuild until all our family can return. You will be receiving a letter that explains our first steps in this our return. Our goal is to accommodate everyone’s needs until such time as the whole family is together again. Can’t wait to see you all on June 7! And may God richly bless you!!!

Keefe

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June 01 Bobby Phipps June 06 Kathy Thurman June 07 David Simpkins June 08 Kim Wilson June 09 Gary Simpkins June 16 Mandy Hubbard June 17 Mike Narkiewicz June 18 Mary Ann Nichols June 22 Ben Burroughs June 23 John Seekins

The definition of shelter means to protect or shield from something harmful. Recently, to some degree, we have all been 'sheltering'. This is not the first time that we have needed shelter. In every generation it has been needed, and God was faithful to supply exactly what was needed. Dottie Rambo penned a song entitled Sheltered in The Arms of God, so appropriate for a time such as this.

I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender They're leading me in paths that I must trod

I'll have no fear for Jesus walks beside me For I'm sheltered in the arms of God

So let the storms rage high The dark clouds rise They don't worry me

For I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God He walks with me

And naught of earth shall harm me For I'm sheltered in the arms of God

David Jeremiah, author & pastor, gives a detailed example of God's protection in a short video (4 minutes), I hope that you will follow this link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ghUW4WM0Tg) so that you can be reminded of God's provision to each person in need. You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall Isaiah 25:4 (NIV) It is my prayer that you are safe in God's care and comfort, always. Lepha

June 23 Janeva Tuell June 25 Jo Anna Nelson June 26 Gary Taylor June 27 Baylee Eberhart June 28 Kent Gibson June 29 Nicholas O’Neal

Regretfully, Lepha has resigned as the FUMC Choir Director effective June 30th due to family circumstances that need her full attention. We will miss you Lepha. We will miss your beautiful voice and your devotion to the Choir; but most of all your gentle, sweet and kind heart. God be with you and blessings to your family. With love, Your Church Family

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C.R.E.W. Connect, Revive, Expand, Worship

JUNE 2020

Congratulations Seniors!

Ben Burroughs Jentri Jackson

Julia Simpkins Jace Reid Julia Simpkins Cheyenne Williams

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“Mrs. Marilyn’s”

These QHS graduates started school together as students of the FUMC sponsored preschool, Mrs. Marilyn’s. The school was located in the FUMC office building and later at the Annex.

Mrs. Marilyn is proud of you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm895K_XfYU

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LIBERTY LINES By John Sparks I’m certain most in our two churches are looking forward to the opportunity to soon greet each other AT the two church-es for services and special events. Who knows there may be hand-shaking and even hugs exchanged. The corona virus pandemic has indeed been an historic event. For many fami-lies, of course, these few weeks and months of early 2020 will remain in our memory for the remainder of our lives. For those who spent more time and concentration in prayer, most, if like me, were once again humbled by the reassur-ance that God is ever-present and in-charge. We all owe a unanimous “Thank You” to Pastor Keefe and all those involved is bringing us an uninterrupted stream of messages and services beginning immediately upon our “shelter-in-place” order. I know all were appreciative of the uninterrupted continuation of the Early Risers Sunday School Lessons and the Women’s Bible Study, both led by Lenore Gasperin. Certainly, there was a frenzied scramble to connect as many of us as possible through the ever-improving system of electronic-driven communications. No doubt there will be continuing use of the internet to link us with our religious leaders and each other. Even with the virtual shut down of our normal way-of-life, many non-human life-as-usual norms went on unabated. For example, at Liberty’s little acreage, the grass continued to grow and demand attention. Thanks to several dedicated trustees and members, maintenance of our grounds and the Liberty Prayer Garden continued uninterrupted. We all owe a “Thank-You” to Bob and Robin Stewart, Jim and Martha Gould and Chuck Holt for the loyal dedication to our proper-ty and grounds. Another kudo is due Charlie and Andy Smith who donated a rider mower to Liberty which has seen several weeks of service. During the shut-down, Hinds Metal was called in to address some roof and drainage problems around the grounds. Re-pairs and improvements addressed and completed. And, dur-ing this same period the Three Shovels irrigation firm was contracted to install a state-of-the-art electronically con-trolled irrigation system in-and-around our buildings and throughout the Liberty Prayer Garden The Trustees are de-veloping plans to thoroughly strip and polish the floor throughout Fellowship Hall. As we approach the somewhat normal life style, we can again turn our attention to the continued development of the Liberty Prayer Garden. With Spring waning, there are still a few days for us to provide new plants for the Garden. With a change in ownership of the Bob Wells Nursery, our account with that business has been closed—we hope to renew the account very soon so that purchases with that firm for the Liberty Prayer Garden can made by individual members on a sales-tax-free transaction. More on this later.

2581 HWY 154 East

Quitman, Texas 75783 903-638-9634

www.libertyumc.info

Sunday Worship Times 9:30 a.m. Worship Service

I am certain that there have been very important developments in the continuing negotiations in the establishment of the two governing organizations in the soon-to-be divided United Methodist Church. I don’t know about you, but I am very anxious to catch up! See You-All in Church soon!

June 01 Renee Boswank June 05 Jean Bollinger June 05 Martha Gould June 07 Tommy Bingham June 11 Bridget Hensley June 12 Chuck Holt June 14 Gene Deuson June 30 James Robert Clanton

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First United Methodist Church 406 E. Lane Street

903.763.4127

Early Worship 8:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m.

www.fumcquitman.org

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Liberty United Methodist Church 2581 E. St Hwy 154

903.638-9634

Sunday School 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 10:45 a.m. www.libertyumc.info

HAVE YOU MOVED OR HAVE A NEW PHONE NUMBER?

If so, please contact the church office at 903.763.4127 to update our records.

Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid

Permit No. 14 Quitman, TX

First United Methodist Church P O Box 1643 Quitman, TX 75783

“Transforming God’s Children Into Disciples”

THANK YOU!

On behalf of the Staff Parish Relations Committee and all the congregation, we would like to thank Keefe and the rest of the staff who have continued on with the work of the church! In these uncertain times they have stepped up to the plate to continue our ministry and we all have received a needed blessing from their work. Becky Bradfield, S.P.R. Chair