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HEALTH CONCERNS Kelli Marr, Brenda Havens, Ed Smith,
Baby Marshall—friend of Pam Pandolfi, Sean Lowry’s grandmother and grandfather, Danni Tanksley, Junior Walker, Bob Ingham
JOYS & OTHER CONCERNS College students—finals and traveling, beautiful cantata—thank you all, all those around the holidays traveling and for those that suffer from depression around holiday time.
IN CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Johnny McDonald family, the family of Mel Brooks sister—lost her father in law, the family and friends of Sandy Cheshire and Glen Waldo
ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS: Dylan Brown, Shelly Gross, Lou Ann Barnhart, Betty Hill, Carolyn Mason, Beth Sanchez, Judy Gilliam, Kimberly Conrad, Kathy Noel, Keith & Dorinda McCormack, Terry Gamblin, Betty Ketchersid, Martin Mordecai, Waylon Malone, Erin Green, Priscilla Delatte, Christie Wilhite, Brandi Sustaire, Bobby Altman, Kason Gabbard, Alisann Smookler, Addi Martinez, Lynn Guy, Thelma Fulton, Kelli Marr, Carol Turner, Karen Dillehay, Rachel Stockstill, Rachel Musgrave, Hunsley Strickland, Earl Blair, Vanda Paris, Arline Rugger, Maxine Sherrod, Terri Gill, Annette Lippold, Jan Winstead, Pancho Ybarra, Ethel Schroeder, Michael Brewton, Brenda Havens, Jan Winstead, Monica Avery
ADDITIONAL INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: President Trump and our country’s leaders, Backyard Missions, War-torn Countries, New Life Children’s Home, the economy, our policemen and firemen, those in the military, unchurched men, women and children and the Wesley Foundation.
Please email [email protected] or call 806-655-2851 with all prayer requests, joys, concerns or updates.
1818 4th Ave Canyon, TX 79015
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Canyon, TX
Permit No. 130
January 2020
from The Official Newsletter of First United Methodist Church, Canyon, Texas
phone: 806 655-2851 • web: www.firstchurchcanyon.com • prayer request email: [email protected]
Joys and Concerns
Pastor’s —Rev. Rick Enns
CHURCH STAFF
SENIOR PASTOR Rev. Rick Enns
ASSOCIATE PASTOR Charlie Keys
LAY MINISTER Roman Asbill
PASTORAL CARE Angela Asbill
YOUTH MINISTER……………………… . ..Kayla Irlbeck
ASSISTANT YOUTH MINISTER ......….Ramon Mendoza
YOUTH INTERN .………………………….Suzanne Buck
CHILDREN’S MINISTER Kim Hopson
CHILDREN’S INTERN ……………………. Danielle Rice
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR Scott Dillard
FINANCE MANAGER Christi Ybarra
MUSIC DIRECTOR Melanie Brooks
ORGANIST Cameron McMinn
ACCOMPANIST B.J. Brooks
MODERN WORSHIP MINISTER Jason Lester
KITCHEN COORDINATOR Charlotte Wilson
SENIOR PASTOR ASSISTANT Christi Ybarra IHH CHILD DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Brenda Shepherd
By the Numbers For November, we averaged 218 in the 8:30 Traditional, 98 in the 10:50 Traditional, and 164 in the 10:50 Modern. Overall, we averaged 480 worshipers.
This was the most well attended November in the last 10 years.
Our finances as of October 31, 2019:
Income - $844,246 Expenses - $852,475
Thank you to everyone who helped with the 2019 Angel Tree Ministry. Thanks to all of you we were able to bless 198 children from 78 different families with Christmas gifts. There are so many generous and giving people in the church and we were blown away to see everyone step up to make this ministry a success. Many children and families got to experience the love of Christ through the Angel Tree ministry this year. Thank you, again, to everyone who helped out! Thank you again for the college goodie box—one step closer to finishing up my degree and with the prayers of my church family it has helped getting me through one of the biggest semesters yet. Sierra Ybarra Dear Church Family,
Thank you for all the prayers, cards, food and financial support during my illness. We are so humbled by your generosity!
May God bless each of you in the New Year!
Mark & Brenda Havens
Traditional Worship 8:30 & 10:50 a.m. Modern Worship 10:50 Sunday School Hour 9:40
Building Your Kingdom
Just eight verses. That’s all it says about the reign of Omri in 1 Kings 16. From verse 21 to verse 28 we hear about the reign of this king of Israel. It starts with a conflict and division between the people of Israel. Some of the people didn’t want Omri as king. And his reign ends with these words, “Omri did what was evil in the sight of the LORD; he did more evil than all who were before him” (vs. 25). Wow! Not a great endorsement by the writer of 1 & 2 Kings.
But here is the fascinating thing. In my Bible notes it gives some of the history surrounding Omri’s rule. Historical records say something different about Omri. According to history, Omri was a successful leader. He made strategic alliances with the peoples and nations around Israel. Apparently, he was able to expand the nation into new territories and fortified the capital of Samaria. Archeologists have discovered that there was great wealth amassed during Omri’s rule. Omri didn’t rule for long, only 12 years, but long after his reign Assyrian rulers would continue to describe Israel as the “land of the house of Omri.”
What a dichotomy between the description of his kingdom! The biblical record sees him as doing more evil than any king before him. History sees him as a successful leader. What kingdom are you building in your life? Would you rather be praised by men or praised by God? Here is how God describes Omri, “for he walked…in the sins that he cased Israel to commit, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols” (vs. 26).
It reminds me what my friend, Ben Trotter, told me: “God’s not impressed with your success at the sacrifice of your soul.”
I pray that during this season of Advent, you take a moment to reflect on which Kingdom you are building in your life. Success in God’s Kingdom looks vastly different from success in the world.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
In Christ,
Rick Enns
P.S. We have 3 Christmas Eve services this year! In the sanctuary we will have our traditional candlelight service at 4:00 & 6:00 pm. In the Fellowship Hall we will have a modern candlelight service at 4:00 pm.
Thank You Notes
Upcoming Sermon Series...
Traditional Candlelight Service
4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Modern Candlelight Service 4 p.m.
in the Fellowship Hall
Thank you to all that made this fun family event happen. One Starry Night happened on Dec. 4 in Fellowship Hall
36 families attended
20 youth and adults volunteered
Upcoming Events The Wesley Class Meeting written by Charlie Keys
SPRC Committee
Monday, January 13 Church Library at 6 p.m.
Finance Committee:
Monday, January 20 Room 113 at 6 p.m.
Trustees Committee
Monday, January 27 Room 113 at 6 p.m.
Church and Church office closed
Monday, December 23 at noon through Friday, December 27. We will be open on Monday, December 30 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, December 31 9 a.m. to noon.
Closed Wednesday January 1st and reopen Thursday, January 2 at 9 a.m.
Team Meetings & Announcements
ONCE A MONTH BAKING
We spend a day together in the kitchen with fun, fellowship, and filling the freezer with baked goodies to use for our Sunday mornings hospitality.
If you would like to join us on one of our Once A Month Baking days, please e-mail kitchen coordinator Charlotte Wilson at [email protected] for more information.
Our upcoming baking days:
Thursday December 19th
Saturday January 18th
Friday February 7th
Saturday March 28th
Join us for Wednesday Night Fellowship Meals starting January 15, 2020
5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Everyone is welcome!
$3 per individual (Season pass $30)
$10 per family (Season pass $100)
January 15th
Million Dollar Pasta Bake, Caesar Salad
Reeses Cup Cookies
January 22nd
South African Chutney Chicken
Rice, Green Bean Salad, Peanut Butter Cake
January 29th
5-ingredients Chili, Toppings, Cornbread, Crackers, Sopapilla Cheesecake
Season passes for Wednesday Night Fellowship Meals now available!
Individuals $30
Families $100
Passes cover our entire Spring season, starting January 15th and ending April 22nd, a total of 12 meals. Season Pass holders may skip the ticket line and go straight to the serving line.
Passes available for purchase on Wednesday nights, or online at firstchurchcanyon.com, or from kitchen coordinator Charlotte Wilson on Sunday mornings.
Monday, December 24
Wednesday, August 21 5:30-7:30
CALENDAR Worthy!
Fourth graders now have the opportunity to begin serving the church as serving as an acolyte. Acolytes carry the Light of Christ in our traditional services each week. Training will be held on Wednesday, January 15 at 5 pm, Wednesday, January 22 at 5 pm, and
Wednesday, January 29 at 5 pm.
Sunday, January 26, 2020 will be a day of celebration! The day is quickly approaching for our 3rd graders who have been anxiously awaiting the day they receive the gift of “The Third
Grade Bible.” No more waiting, join us in one of our three worship services as this wonderful gift is given.
Our traditional services will also honor acolytes who faithfully carry the Light of Christ each Sunday morning. The new class will be introduced, returning recognized, and retiring acolytes will be thanked for their service the past 2 years.
Sunday, January 12 —Youth Basement at 7 a.m.
George Whitefield, a contemporary of John Wesley, famously said “My brother Wesley acted wisely—the souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in class, and thus preserved the fruits of his labor. This I neglected, and my people are a rope of sand.” George Whitefield was a famous and well known preacher, preaching to crowds of 20,000 plus people. But it seems that despite the large crowds he preached to, he realized his failure to apply a fundamental truth. In the words of John Wesley “The church changes the world not by making converts but by making disciples.” John Wesley understood that people grow in groups. Therefore, it was crucial after someone experienced conversion and forgiveness for their sins, that they be planted into a group in order for discipleship to take place. I am very encouraged and excited that several groups within our church are putting forth the effort to reclaim this essential small group experience. These groups are using Kevin Watson’s book “The Class Meeting” as a launching point. Watson’s book is a fantastic resource. Rather than simply teaching the group about The Wesley Class, the book guides you to the point that by the end of the book the group is operating as a Wesley Class. The Wesley Class format focuses on transformation and accountability rather than on information. There is no curriculum to prepare or study. Rather each member of the group is expected to be striving to develop their personal relationship with the Lord and be prepared to help the other members of the group do the same. The group celebrates the strong and growing aspects of each members relationship with Jesus, but also encourages and holds each accountable for the areas that need to grow. Within a typical class meeting the group members would all be expected to share and discuss questions such as How is it with your soul? How have you struggled this week? How can we pray for you? Where have you seen God this week? What are your grateful for? The expectation that everyone
shares and discusses questions like these leads to a very intimate and supportive community of believers. We first launched a Wesley Class one year ago, led by Carson and Kristin Gerber. The group currently meets on Sunday mornings and has developed into a thriving, life giving
group. Group member Jodi Hartman describes the impact of the group, “James and I grew up in this church attending Sunday School from childhood to adulthood. We have gained knowledge about the Bible and God our whole life, but the Wesley class is focused on your own personal faith walk. How did I pursue God this week? How has God pursued me? How is it with my soul? These questions are now a part of our everyday lives. It has changed how we interact with each other, our children, at work, and with our social circles. It’s been life changing!” One of the most shining moments of discipleship came when the original Wesley Class approached me and asked how they could help other people experience the power and impact of a Wesley Class. Our discussion led to the plan of hosting an informational dinner. The dinner was hosted by the original group and was a great success. Afterwards we had 20 plus people who were interested in being a part of a second class. In fact, there were so many interested people we have had to alter our plan to now launch two new classes. The new classes meet in the youth basement in room B16. During the month of December, they are having preliminary meetings to build community and get to know one another. Then in January the groups will begin Kevin Watson’s book. If you are interested in being a part of one of the new classes contact James or Jodi Hartman. Their contact information is listed in the 2020 Grow Group book.
I am also excited to share that the Wesley Class format with be an integral part of the DNA of our second campus in Amarillo. Our Amarillo Campus Pastor Toni Bailey plans to begin a Launch Team Small Group in January. The small group is for anyone interested in being a part of the launch team for the Amarillo Campus. The group will meet on Wednesday evenings in Toni’s home in Amarillo. The group will also use Kevin
Watson’s book and will follow the Wesley Class format. If you would like more information about this group or would like to join contact Toni Bailey. Her contact information is also listed in the 2020 Grow Group Book. If your group is interested in using Kevin Watson’s book “The Class Meeting” please feel free to contact me, [email protected].
Important Tax Deduction Information In order for you to claim a deduction for contributions you make to the church in 2019, we must receive your contribution by the end of the year. Contributions that you make in 2020 cannot be deducted on 2019’s tax return even if the check is dated this year. There is one exception—a check that is written, mailed and postmarked 2019 can be deducted this year even if it is not received by the church until 2020. Our church will be following these rules in issuing receipts.
