Wednesday in Holy Week

["The Betrayal of Judas" - fresco from the Scrovegni Chapel - Padua, Italy]

Read John 13:21-35



Collect for the Wednesday in Holy Week: Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave His body to be whipped and His face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and... reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. [from the Book of Common Prayer]

Tuesday of Holy Week

"The Elect Being Called to Paradise" The Chapel of San Brizio, The Duomo - Orvieto, Italy

Read John 12:20-26

Collect for the Tuesday of Holy Week: Almighty and everlasting God, who, of Thy tender loves towards mankind, hast sent Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follw the example of His great humility: Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of His patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Monday of Holy Week

Read Matthew 21:18-22

Collect of the Day: Monday in Holy Week: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first He suffered pain, and entered not into glory before He was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ Your Son our ...Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. [from the Book of Common Prayer]

Palm Sunday 2010

Palm Sunday at the First UMC in McCamey was a blessing for each of us today.  We hope it was for you, as well.  The worship service included the placing of palm branches on a cross in the sanctuary and special music by Cytha Peters and her friend Mike.  Our time at the McCamey Convalescent Center in the afternoon was a special time with the eighteen residents in the community room and visits to other residents in their rooms.

At 5:30 p.m., we gathered again in the fellowship hall for the final session of our Lenten study.  We have really enjoyed learning about the major religions of the world.  Members of the group left with a deeper understanding of these faiths and of their own.

Prayer for Palm Sunday

It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

(The Book of Common Prayer)

More Work at the Parsonage

The parsonage is looking better all the time.  Roy Kephart and his grandson Randy Brown have been working hard to build a new-and-improved recycling bin behind the parsonage.  It is looking great!  Pastor Charles could be seen working on the flower beds, getting things spruced up for Easter!

District Meeting in San Angelo

The monthly Pastors and Professionals meeting (of the San Angelo District) took place today at Trinity UMC in San Angelo.  It was a great turnout with worship, useful information, and fellowship on tap.  What a blessing to be in the company of such faithful servants!!!

More from Badgers for Christ

As you can see from this post and the previous post, there was a lot going on at the church this afternoon!  Wow!!!!  Thanks to Mary & Jim Witcher for hooking up with Fazoli's in Odessa and getting the plates on which we served the spagetti.

The Badgers are Active @ FUMC!

The Badgers for Christ were out in full-force this afternoon and the fellowship hall was buzzing with the energy of nearly 40 teenagers.  On the menu today was spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread.  Jim and Mary Witcher were in charge of the preparation efforts and were assisted by Debbie White.  Other volunteers today included Pastor Charles & Belinda Alkula, Andy Andrews, Bill Lester, Tandy Adams and our school superintendent Donny Wiley.

One More Class This Sunday Night

Community Blood Drive

Methodist History in Upton County

Did you know that the First United Methodist Church in the nearby town of Rankin is on the site of the first church in our county of Upton County?  (Note: If you click on the picture of the historical marker, it will increase in size, making it easier to read.)

Praise be to God for all the saints who have gone before us, blazing a faith-filled trail for us to follow!!!

The faithful were busy in McCamey today with worship at both the church in the morning and at the McCamey Convalescent Center in the afternoon.  During the worship service, Pastor Charles presented the congregation with the the plaque recognizing the church as an Official Welcoming Congregation.  What a blessing to be among such faithful witnesses!

We shared a busy afternoon/evening with an Administrative Council meeting followed by the fifth session of our Lenten study group.

Collect of the Day: Fifth Sunday in Lent

From Book of Common Prayer:

Collect of the Day: Fifth Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A prayer for the first day of spring

A Prayer in Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees,

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,

The which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfil.

-by Robert Frost

Last Day of Winter in McCamey

With the last day of winter officially upon us, it was nice to see so much activity at the church today. Jean Myrick and Belinda were busy getting the choir music folders ready, you'll want to come on Sunday and see what the music-makers are up to!

Mary Witcher has worked her magic again in the fellowship hall, transforming the space from its St. Patrick's Day theme to an Easter theme.  Come on by and enjoy it for yourself.

Pastor Charles has completed  the reorginzing of the greeting cards which can now be found in the storage room (the one with the two door knobs).  Be sure to visit and make use of this resource.

One of the treasures unearthed is a large number of church plates.  If you would like one for yourself or as a gift, please place your donation in the offering plate, marking the envelope, "plates."

Thursday in McCamey

The McCamey Convalescent Center was the place to be on this beautiful day.  This weekly gathering takes place each week on Thursday at 10:00 am.  The coffee & treats and visiting with the residents brought out a good crowd and some lively conversation.

Newsflash!

Everyone is welcome!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

                                                                   

(Window from St. Patrick's Cathedral - County Armagh, Ireland)

Saint Patrick's Breastplate Prayer

I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever. By power of faith, Christ's incarnation; His baptism in the Jordan river; His death on the Cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spicèd tomb; His riding up the heavenly way; His coming at the day of doom;*

I bind unto myself today.


I bind unto myself the power of the great love of the cherubim; The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour, the service of the seraphim, Confessors' faith, Apostles' word, the Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls, all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of virgin souls.


I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heaven, the glorious sun's life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need. The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward, the word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin, the vice that gives temptation force, the natural lusts that war within, the hostile men that mar my course; Or few or many, far or nigh, in every place and in all hours, against their fierce hostility, I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles, against false words of heresy, against the knowledge that defiles, against the heart's idolatry, against the wizard's evil craft, against the death wound and the burning, the choking wave and the poisoned shaft, protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name, the strong Name of the Trinity; By invocation of the same. The Three in One, and One in Three, of Whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord.
_______________________________________
* Note: "day of doom" is an Old English term meaning "Day of Judgment."

We're an official "Welcoming Congregation!"

March 15, 2010


First United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula
1601 S. Burleson Ave.
McCamey, TX 79752

Dear Rev. Alkula and church members:

United Methodist Communications is pleased to award First United Methodist Church initial certification as an official Welcoming Congregation in 2010.  Because The United Methodist Church places a high value on radical hospitality as a vital ministry, we know you will want to celebrate this important achievement in your congregation by continuing to embrace newcomers and provide opportunities for discipleship through your welcoming lifestyle.

Your welcoming plaque and original copy of certification letter will be sent via UPS to the church address. In addition to the plaque, your church is recognized as a certified Welcoming Congregation on the denomination’s Find-A-Church.org website. Your church’s profile displays this designation. We encourage you to visit Find-A-Church.org to update your church information with pictures, worship times, ministry listing and a word of welcome!

We hope you will continue to participate in annual renewal of the welcoming certification program so every member of your congregation can embrace welcoming as a lifestyle, and your church can maintain a dynamic welcoming ministry for all people. Details concerning the annual renewal process will be sent to you after April 1, 2010.

To help you strengthen and maintain a dynamic welcoming ministry in your congregation and to help you extend your welcome into the community and the world, we invite you to visit RethinkChurch.org and review the information and resources available. In addition, we have added your church email address to our database so you can begin receiving email updates about Welcoming Certification and welcoming ministry training and resources.

On behalf of United Methodist Communications, we thank you for ensuring newcomers know the people of The United Methodist Church have open hearts, open minds and open doors.

Sincerely,

Sheila Harrison
Certification Coordinator
United Methodist Communications

cc: District Superintendent, Rev. Larry Altman
     SWTX Conference Communications, Thomas Monahan

Rainy Days in McCamey

Yesterday we had a rainy day here in McCamey, and we understand that more rain might be coming our way.  However, it did not dampen the spirits of children who are out of school for their spring break this week!  We spotted some of them having a great time at the playground behind the church.  Justin's playground was the fun place to be!  Praise God for safe places that our children can enjoy!!!