The Circuit Writer January, 2013

Volume 2, Issue 1

Forgiveness is a key element of our faith. We be-

lieve that God, out of a great love for humanity, offers

forgiveness to each of us. That action is based solely

on God’s willingness, not ours. We cannot earn or

work our way toward God’s forgiveness; we can

merely accept it. Once we experience

God’s forgiveness, we are able to learn

to forgiveness others just the same.

Quite often we find that both of those

tasks can be difficult. We are unable

to fathom that God would be so willing

to forgive us, just like that. And, well,

we know the people that have wronged

us and forgiving them seems more im-

possible than anything.

You may think you’re the only one

who has had those kinds of thoughts.

Rest assured you are not. So, we want

to invite everyone to a special study

where forgiveness is the main topic of

discussion. Join us for a 4-week study entitled For-

giveness: Finding Peace Through Letting God that

begins Sunday, January 20th at 5pm.

Everyone is invited. Invite your friends and

neighbors. There is no charge to attend. Participants

may want to purchase the book by the same name for

further study and reflection.

Finding Peace Through Letting Go

Among all the people that work in our church,

there are people who have accepted the call to be

leaders in our church. We thank God for their

willingness to give their time and work. On Sun-

day, January 13th, during our wor-

ship service we will recognize and

pray for them. Join us as we pre-

pare for our ministry together.

John Wesley shared a time of wor-

ship with the people called Method-

ists that has been labeled a Cove-

nant Service. He once said of this

time that, “I do not know that ever

had a great blessing.” It was a time

for participants to renew their covenant with God.

A Covenant Service requires persons to commit

themselves to God fully. Participants even sign a

copy of their prayer to keep throughout the year.

This month we are going to share in the Cove-

nant Service. The tradition will be a part of our

worship service on January 13th. Come prayer-

fully prepared to renew your covenant with God.

Covenant Renewal

• Keep Looking!, page 2

• Theological Word to Know, page 2

• Church Calendar, page 3

Inside This Issue: • Sunday of Tears and Comfort, page 4

• Faith is Fun, page 5

• Women’s Bible Study, page 5

For the message about the cross

is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved

it is the power of God.

1Corinthians 1:18

Leader Installation

With the rush of the holiday season behind us and the

New Year before us, I always appreciate receiving

late Christmas cards. Sometimes, the cards get re-

turned to sender and that accounts for the tardiness.

There are address mix ups that happen, too. Most of

the time, however, I am thankful because someone

sends a card because they are just like me—mailing

cards just didn’t happen on time this year. More than that,

though, I like being reminded of the joy of the season.

Stress, anxiety and uncertainty are abundant and all too

familiar to many of us. Each of those alone is enough to

burden someone. When they are blended into everyday

life, waking up everyday can be a chore. We need the re-

minder that God wants so much more for us. God offers

peace that surpasses all understanding. There is healing,

pure wholeness of spirit that only God can provide. When

we are overwhelmed by the circumstances we see, it can

be difficult to experience what God desires for us. That is

why I love those late cards; I am reminded that God is at

work. What do you see that reminds you of the same?

Keep looking!

Blessed Beyond Belief,

Keep Looking!

Epiphany

In general, an appearance of the divine. The

church recognizes an Epiphany feast on Jan 6th

that celebrates the visit of the Magi to worship

the Christ child.

"Whether this be the last or no,

may it be the best year of my life.

--January 1, 1785

Theological Word to Know

Part of the Team

Words From Wesley Every month, we include information about our

church in Shiner and our church throughout the

world. We also try to add a mix of information,

thought and even humor. Many of you have told

us that our publication is a useful form of com-

munication. We want to keep it that way, and we

need your help to do so.

Are you a photographer? You could easily con-

tribute to our newsletter. Are you a writer? Well,

we could use you to keep our newsletter relevant.

A committee member? Your input into your

committee’s work would be valuable. Even if

you don’t like to write or take pictures, we could

use help folding newsletters.

So, what do you say? Are you a part of our team?

The Circuit Writer Page 2

Remember Paul’s blessing: remain joyful in your

hope, patient in your afflictions and faithful in

your prayers (Romans 12:12).

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1

2

3 9-11am Food Pan-

try

4

5

6 Communion Sunday

Nursing Home Devo-

tion 3:00p.m

.

7

8 8am, Men’s Break-

fast

9 F.U.S.E. @ Activity

Center 4-6 p.m

. UMW Meeting

10

9-11am Food Pan-

try

11

12

13

Leader Installation

14

15

8am, Men’s Break-

fast

16

17

9-11am Food Pan-

try

18

19

20

UMW Service

21

22

8am, Men’s Break-

fast

23

F.U.S.E. @ Activity

Center 4-6 p.m

.

24

9-11am Food Pan-

try

25

26

27

28

29

8am, Men’s Break-

fast

30

F.U.S.E. @ Activity

Center 4-6 p.m

.

31

9-11am Food Pan-

try

JANUARY 2013

Shiner First United Methodist Church

A Sunday of Tears and Comfort

It was supposed to be Christmas Pageant Sunday at Newtown United Methodist Church. The joy candle

was to be lit on the Advent wreath. Christmas caroling

was to take place after the second service.

Instead, it was a time to weep, a time to mourn. Two 7-year-olds from the congre-

gation were among the 20 children and six

adults who were killed two days earlier,

Dec. 14, in the shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School…..

The sanctuary of Newtown United

Methodist Church is historic with narrow

pews like the colonial era. On Sunday, Dec. 16, the sanctuary’s

first floor and balcony quickly filled to

capacity for the 8 a.m. service and was

well beyond overflowing, with people standing in the vestibule, during the 10

a.m. service. McLee; Kawakami; the Rev. Jane Sibley,

the minister of visitation and spiritual growth; and the

Rev. E. Sue Klein, a deacon, entered the front of the chancel in silence, mirroring the quietness of the con-

gregation as it gathered. Flowers — sent by people from around the world —

framed the cross. The altar had 28 small candles burn-

ing, something Kawakami noted as he

prayed. “We remember the 20 children, the six adults, the mother of the assailant, and

yes, even the shooter himself. We com-

mend them all to you, Lord.”

Bishop Martin McLee said that messages of care and love “have been received from

across the world, from Zimbabwe and

nearer. Many are connected in our pain.

We are not alone. In the midst of our pain we are not alone! And we give thanks that

God is our Comforter…and we say,

Amen.”

You can read the article, in its entirety, at

www.umc.org.

The Circuit Writer Page 4

Lay Reader Prayer Minis-

ters Ushers

Flower

Donor Organist/pianist

6th Eva Eddy Kitty & Laddie

Vincik

Fred Hilscher,

Allen Timm,

Buddy Minear,

Reg Othold

Communion

Irene Cerny

13th Howard Esse Pat Lee Don Minear

20th Paul Koone Pearl Roberts Gayle Minear Irene Cerny

27th Clarence Little-

field

Karen & Elson

Schreiber

Fred & Carolyn

Hilscher Don Minear

Sunday Worship Schedule (Please let us know if changes are necessary)

Our pastor regularly sends an email that includes

information about what is going on at our church.

Many of you already receive that email. If so, this is

a reminder to check your inboxes (or Trash or Spam

boxes) and make sure the messages are coming

through.

If you have yet to sign up, what are you waiting for?

It’s free and painless. There are four easy ways you

can make sure you’re up to date with our church:

1) Go to (or click if you’re reading this online) this

line and register: http://eepurl.com/ojOKX

2) If you’re on Facebook, make sure to LIKE our page

(www.facebook.com/ShinerFUMC). We post the email each week.

3) Go to our website (www.ShinerFUMC.com) and follow

the link instructions. 4) Finally, if you have a smart phone, you can use your

scanner on this:

Another Note

Faith is Fun Women’s Bible Study

Our church is close to beginning a new ministry. We

would appreciate your input as we do so. By the first

week in February, we are looking to host a weekly

Women’s Bible Study. This will be a time for the

women in our community to come together for Bible

study, encouragement and prayer.

Topics will vary, but what will be the same is the

open environment and support each participant will

receive. This study time is designed to be for women

of all denominations. We are hoping to welcome

women from the churches in and around our commu-

nity and those who may not have a church home.

We need your help in determining the best day and

time to host this opportunity. Also, we anticipate

that childcare would be an important element for

some participants.

Are you interested in participating? Let us know.

We want to hear your ideas and thoughts. This is

going to be a ministry of our church. As with all our

other ministries, we need church members and

friends to ensure that we are prepared to serve faith-

fully. This is going to be a lot of fun and a blessing

for many people, but it will require some work, espe-

cially in the beginning.

So, pray about how you want to participate and let

us know how you think we can best serve our com-

munity this way.

The Circuit Writer Page 5

Quick News

• Have you changed your email address or tele-

phone number? Did you notice your birthday or

anniversary was missing from the newsletter.

Please contact our office to make sure we have

your contact information.

• We are welcoming two members during our ser-

vice on January 6th!

• Members of the United Methodist Women are

leading our worship service on January 20th.

• The United Methodist Men meet every Tuesday

morning for breakfast at 8am.

Shiner First United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 122

102 Church Street

Shiner, TX 77984

/ShinerFUMC

Phone: 361: 594. 3830 | Fax: 361. 594. 3660

Sunday School 9:30 am | Sunday Worship 11:00 am

Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm

www.shinerfumc.org

Circuit Writer: January 2013

Rev. John Fletcher, Pastor

Mary Kristynik, Church Coordinator

Happy Birthday -

Joey Kurtz 1/17

Emilia Bayless 1/28

Happy Anniversary

Joe & Betty Sestak 1/25

Bev & Dick Nance 1/25

Somewhere along the way of church, youth ministry

was designed to keep young people interested and in

church. The result has been that youth ministry has

became more about entertainment than disciple mak-

ing. If this is an issue we recognize, how do we break

free from it? This book gives a good head start.

John blogs at www.anotherjohn.com

The Journey