Convalescent Service Today

Thanks to Bobbie and Bill Lester for leading today's worship service at the nearby convalescent center (CC).  Bill read the scriptures, and Bobbie delivered the message. 

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Our thanks goes to Belinda's mother Sheila who thought to video some of Bobbie's message on her little digital camera!  It's surprising what great things we can do with the technology at hand these days.  To see some of Bobbie's message, click here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxDkBXhjMU8 .  (Be sure to have your audio "on!"  It's wonderful!  Hey, our church is now on youtube; how cool is that!  Yea, God!!!)

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We were very grateful to have our wonderful Cytha Peters playing beautiful music for us.  And we had the lovely Louise Carll present to help us with our singing.  Thanks to all the faithful folks from the McCamey First United Methodist Church who took time out of their very busy schedules to celebrate God's love for all of us... with our dear friends and neighbors at the CC.  Praise be to God for such faith-filled folks!!!

Birthday Cake at Church!

Belinda delighted in sharing her very special CHOCOLATE CAKE with her church family this morning! Praise God from whom ALL things flow!!!

Prayer for Reformation Sunday

Sunday (October 31st) is Reformation Day in many Protestant churches.  This marks the momentus event at Wittenburg's All Saints' Church, more commonly known as the Schlosskirche (Castle Church), where Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses in 1517.

A Prayer for Reformation Sunday

(from UMCGiving.org)

God of the faithful, we give thanks for Your abundant blessings. Thank You for our fathers and mothers in the faith who, sometimes with significant risk, stood up for their beliefs.  Give us the courage to speak out and speak up, that we might share Your merciful love and grow in grace.  In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Choir Practice -- So Much Fun!



We had a great time at choir practice last night!  Belinda's mother Sheila took this picture from her "perch in the pew," as she listened during the practice.

October 24th in McCamey

In tonight's Ad Board meeting, action was taken on a preliminary 2011 budget, the proposed lay leadership report and a Safe Sanctuary policy (required by the Book of Discipline) for the church.  Attending tonight's Ad Board meeting were Belinda and Pastor Charles, Bill & Bobbie Lester, Jean Myrick, Gloria Odom and Donny Wiley.

Today's message

(St. Joseph Catholic Church - Springfield, IL)

Today's sermon is based upon Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

The Light of the World

Jim & Mary Witcher took this picture tonight of the full moon as rested over the First UMC in McCamey.  What a blessing this is to see! (click on the picture to make it larger)

McCamey night light

 Before the McCamey-Iraan football game there was a presentation made for our very own Andy Andrews.  It was nice to see him on his feet again.

Drivers on FM 305 leaving McCamey couldn't help but notice the beautiful lit stained glass window we have at First UMC.  Thanks to Bill Lester for making the adjustments so that we can share our church with the world!

Beautiful Thursday in McCamey

The McCamey Convalescent Center was really abuzz this morning!  The conversations were as enjoyable as the coffee and donuts!

October's Badgers for Christ

The aroma of fresh garlic bread and home-made spaghetti sauce was in store for the students and faculty from McCamey High School at today's Badgers for Christ.  Thanks to Tandy Adams for cooking up some might-fine food!

 Thanks to Jean Myrick and Gini Christian (who came from the San Angelo District office) for their help in feeding the hungry Badgers!

Midweek Message for October 20th

Praise is due to You, O God in Zion;

and to You shall vows be performed,

O You who answer prayer!

To You all flesh shall come.

When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,

You forgive our transgressions.

Happy are those whom You choose and

bring near to live in Your courts.

We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,

Your holy temple.

- Psalm 65:1-4 (NRSV)

Badgers for Christ is tomorrow!

Don't forget: The October gathering of "Badgers for Christ" will be tomorrow!  The students/staff/faculty are released at 12:12 and are here at the church between 12:15 - 12:20.  On the menu tomorrow is spaghetti!  See you tomorrow!

Great things happening in McCamey!

Today was a special day in the life of the First UMC in McCamey - we welcomed five people into our fellowship as full members of this congregation.  Joining today were Eric & Sara Hill, Grace & Phil Moody and Belinda Alkula    . 

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In the afternoon, Mike Sherrod and Cytha Peters joined Pastor Charles and Belinda in worshipping with the residents of the McCamey Convalescent Center.  Another great day in McCamey! 

Today's message

Today's sermon comes from Luke 18:1-8, the parable of the unjust judge.  May God bless the reading and response to the Living Word.

This morning in Odessa

Pastor Charles and Donny Wiley were in Odessa this morning (following the UMM breakfast) for the Class A session of the UIL Region 6 band show.  It was nice seeing the youth from McCamey High putting their "best feet forward!"

Lovely Day to Visit Justin's Park!

Pastor Charles always enjoys visiting Justin's park behind the church.  And today, knowing he needed to get in a little exercise, he decided to use his new "Badger-orange" lawn-care equipment to spruce up the look of the park.  All are welcome at Justin's Park!  And while there, Mary and Jim W. stopped by for a chat.  What a beautiful day in this corner of God's Kingdom!

The men are back at FUMC!

Donny Wiley got to the church at 6:15 a.m. today and cooked up a fantastic breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs and biscuits!  It was a great time of fellowship!  Today's group included Pastor Charles, Roy Kephart, Jay McWilliams, Glen Smart, Donny Wiley and Jim Witcher.

Glen Smart volunteered to be the group's president and Bill Lester was selected to be the group's treasurer.   Praise God for men who are willing to join forces for good!
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The next gathering of the UMM will be November 6th @ 7:00am.

United Methodist Men's Breakfast

Coffee & Donuts, oh my!

 The place to be in McCamey on any given Thursday morning is the McCamey Convalescent Center for coffee & donuts!  There are some tall tales being told by the dozen, and not by the residents!  This is a terrific way to catch up on the news and hear of by-gone days here in McCamey and Upton County.

It's pumpkin time!

Pastor Charles ventured to the First UMC in Crane this morning to look over the pumpkin patch fund-raiser they are doing.  He just had to pick up some for the churches in Iraan and McCamey! 

First Chilean Miner Rescued: Praise be to God!!!

 
PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!  The first of the 33 men trapped in a Chilean mine since August 5 has arrived at the surface in a rescue capsule!

McCamey Ministerial Alliance Meeting Today

Pastor Charles presided over his first meeting as the president of the McCamey Ministerial Alliance (MMA) this morning at the First Assembly of God Church. A lot was accomplished and there was a lot of energy present!


The first order of business was the welcoming of Christine Sparks, who introduced the MMA to a new program being sponsored by the Upton County Attorney.  The program deals with "relationship abuse awareness" and concerns itself with helping people spot the signs of an abusive relationship and how to get help if it occurs.  Christine will be presenting her story to the McCamey High School students on October 26th.


In other business, the former Frienship Center building is scheduled to be emptied of all contents at the city-wide clean-up day, November 6th.  After that, the building will be readied for its next function, the location of the Excell youth ministry!

The next meeting will be on November 9th at noon at Benoit's. 

The First UMC is looking for someone who wants to be a lay representative          (or alternate) to the MMA - talk with Pastor Charles if you are interested.

Upcoming events in October:
Badgers for Christ - October 20th, Noon @ First UMC
Excell - October 20th, 7:00pm @ First Assembly of God
5th Quarter - after the McCamey-Iraan game on October 22nd @ First Baptist Church

Looking ahead:
Community Thanksgiving Service - Nov. 21st, 6:00pm @ First UMC
Smiles on Wheels - February 12th
Catalyst - April 15th or 22nd (details to be announced)

United Methodist Women @ FUMC

The monthly meeting of the United Methodist Women took place tonight with eleven in attendence.  Peggy Garner presented the program which dealt with the topic of women supporting other women across the generations.

Attending tonight were Jennifer Aguilar, Pastor Charles & Belinda, Marian Brown, Louise Carll, Jack & Peggy Garner, Bobbie Lester, Jean Myrick, Cytha Peters, Theodora Matthews and Cytha Peters.

October 10th @ FUMC - McCamey

We had a fantastic Sunday at the First UMC in McCamey with lots of energy before, during and after worship!  In the afternoon, Pastor Charles, Cytha Peters, Bobbie & Bill Lester and Belinda Alkula continued the celebration by joining the resident of the McCamey Convalescent Center in worship.

Prayer requests were offered for Elmer Jones; Joan Coe; Cleatus Brooks; the United Methodist Men's group; the Monarch Butterfly migration through our area; and the family of Leola Curry.