Please rain!!

The sign along S. Burleson says what is on everyone's mind in west Texas: Please rain!  We are praying daily for relief from the on-going drought!!

Weather was the main topic of conversation this morning at the McCamey Convalescent Center.  Residents and visitors alike could talk of little else!

UMCOR response to spring storms

The storms that tore through the southeast last night (and last week) have wrecked havoc in communities large and small. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is already at work bringing relief, helping annual conferences respond and reach out to people whose lives were forever changed by the storms.


Please consider helping UMCOR reach those in need. 100% of your donation goes to the relief effort.  Remember on the donation form to give credit to First UMC - McCamey.


Visit this link to make your secure donation.

May e-newsletter is available

The May edition of the e-newsletter is now available at this link.  The paper version will be available on the table at the rear of the sanctuary on Sunday morning.

Prayers for Folks Affected by Nearby Fires Today!

Here is update a few minutes ago about fire situation around Crane.  Request prayers for all involved.

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Fire in Crane County Causes Evacuations UPDATE 9:55 PM

UPDATE 9:55 PM
Many evacuees are now at the new Crane Elementary school Gym.

Nursing home is being evacuated to the hospital.

Basin Estates is being evacuated. The Crane County Sheriff’s Dept. says the fire started on E FM 1601 around 4 p.m.

N 385 16 miles north of Crane is closed.

Hwy 329 west of crane is closed to 1601.

Firefighters are battling two fires west of Crane County.

Emergency officials confirm tonight that a fire in Crane County has caused the evacuation of the nursing home. The facility is located on the West side of town. We're told the fire is located West of Crane and South of Highway 329. No word on the size of the blaze. Winds will push it from West to East.

Prayer Requests from Easter Sunday

JOYS: Beautiful Easter sunrise service sponsored by the McCamey Ministerial Alliance; Tony Aguilar’s promotion and change to “regular”-hour shift; 90th birthday celebration of Curtis Winfield; Our visitors: Jean Myrick’s daughter and her husband: “The Myrick Family Pew!” “Hello” from Marilyn and Jerry Whitaker from Colorado’s snowy scene; Worship assistance from Silvia and Ashley Ricks; Medical people who stand ready to help us; Fire fighters who stand ready to help us.

CONCERNS: Rain needed; Healing mercies for Rick C., Larry M.,; Pat H.; Sara Hill’s parents who have a house full of extended family members (and their critters) staying with them for a couple of weeks (due to evacuation from fires); Travelling mercies.

Easter in McCamey, part 3

Our Easter celebration continued this afternoon with worship at the McCamey Convalescent Center.  We shared flowers, the jelly bean prayer, and lots of singing with the residents, what a blessing it is for everyone!

Roy & Alice Kephart, Bill & Bobbie Lester, Cytha Peters, Mike Sherrod, and Belinda Alkula joined Pastor Charles in sharing this time with the residents.

Easter in McCamey, part 2

Our Easter Sunday in McCamey continued with the community coming together in worship.  The placing of carnations on the cross is a lovely tradition at FUMC and seeing the cross (which last week was fixed with palm branches) come alive with color was wonderful!

Easter in McCamey, part 1

Easter began in the early morning hours with a community sunrise service.   The McCamey Ministerial Alliance sponsored this gathering, hosted by Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Following the service, First Baptist Church hosted a breakfast which was a treat for one and all.

He is Risen!

Easter Prayer

O Lord, Your wondrous birth means nothing unless we are born again; Your death and sacrifice mean nothing unless we die to sin; Your resurrection means nothing unless if You be risen alone. Raise and exalt us, O Savior, both now to the estate of grace and hereafter to the state of glory; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit You live and reign, One God now and forever. Amen.


- The United Methodist Book of Worship, #392

Which came first: Easter or the Eggs?

A great story by the United Methodist News Service on some of the traditions that have grown up around the Easter story.  Check out this link to more about it.

Good Friday at FUMC - McCamey

Tonight's Good Friday service was a gift to all who attended.  With a focus on the passion of Christ (in John's account, chapters 18-19), we went deeper into the events with a telling of "Two Faces in the Shadows." 

Thanks to Gloria Odom (table visuals), Cytha Peters (music), and Dollie Lynch (shared the delivery of the message with Pastor Charles) for helping to make tonight special.

Good Friday Meditations

(St. John of the Cross by Salvador Dali, 1951)

Today is Good Friday and together with Christians around the world we remember the fateful events that led to Golgotha and the Cross.  Please join us for worship at 7:00 p.m. as we engage "Two Faces in the Shadows."

The Seven Last Words of Christ, the last seven expressions of Jesus on the Cross recorded in Scripture. Ponder these words today as you experience the Passion of Christ.


The First Word: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." - Luke 23:34


The Second Word: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." - Luke 23:43


The Third Word: "Jesus said to His mother, 'Woman, this is your son.' Then He said to the disciple: 'This is your mother.'" - John 19:26-27


The Fourth Word: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" - Mark 15:34 and Matthew 27:46


The Fifth Word: "I thirst." - John 19:28


The Sixth Word: "When Jesus had received the wine, He said, 'It is finished'; and He bowed His head and handed over the spirit." - John 19:30


The Seventh Word: "Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit.'" - Luke 23:46

Worship on Holy Thursday

Tonight's Holy Thursday worship service was an intimate approach to the rembrance of the "last supper" in the upper room.  Following the service, miniture red roses were given to the congregation as a reminder of the new life given us through Christ.

Maundy Thursday

Giotto, The Arena Frescos, (1305-1306)

For today, read John 13:1-17, 31b-35 as you enter into the mystery of the Christ's last supper with His disciples.

Easter is coming!

The McCamey Convalescent Center was abuzz with activity this morning for the weekly coffee, donuts and newspaper time.  Thanks to Jean Myrick and Alice Kephart for sharing in this time with the residents.

Wednesday evening in McCamey

Holy Week is a busy time and here in McCamey.  We are happy to be able to share this time as a community of faith. 

Our choir met this evening for practice, and they are really looking forward to sharing the Easter blessing with one and all!

Badgers for Christ today!

More than thirty Badgers, faculty, and UMC members gathered in the fellowship hall this afternoon for the final "Badgers for Christ" of the 2010-2011 school year.  Pastor Charles passed out "Zero" candy bars, reminding the students that the bar was the only "zero" in their life.  He also shared a "Crown of thorns" with the students and how before the glorious resurrection, Jesus had to endure the crown for our sakes.

Thanks to Pastor Charles, Bill Lester, Billie Mitchell, Jean Myrick, and Gloria Odom for helping make this final gathering of the year possible.

Wednesday of Holy Week

(St. Stephen's House, Oxford)

Jesus surrounded Himself with people who, like us, had failings and shortcomings. The events of Holy Week reveal the disciples' human nature and weaknesses: Judas betrays Jesus for a pocketful of coins; the disciples sleep while Jesus agonizes in the garden; Peter's anger causes him to take up a sword and strike the high priest's slave; the chief priests act out of fear or jealousy of Jesus; Pilate's willingness to hand over a man he believes to be innocent; and perhaps most poignant of all, Jesus' own very human desire to escape the Crucifixion. And is it possible that even today, our own human nature, weaknesses, and failings cause us also to betray, deny, convict, and crucify again? (from www.gbod.org/)

Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week:
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave His body to whipped and His face 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 www.dailyoffice.wordpress.com/)

Church Class, Meetings and Potluck Tonight

Tonight was the night to be at church!  Pastor Charles taught the final class in the Lenten study:  "United Methodist Church 101."  Afterwards, there was a trustees meeting, a potluck and an administrative board meeting.  Praise be to God for faithful folks who take the time to improve the life of the church!!!

Palm Sunday

What wonderful Palm Sunday worship services we had today at the church and at the nearby convalescent center.  We so appreciate the church members who joined the residents for worship today:  Cytha Peters, Alice and Roy Kephart, Bobbie and Bill Lester and Pastor Charles and Belinda Alkula.  Praise be to God for a wonderful Palm Sunday!!!

Today's Scripture Lesson

Today's lesson is Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29.  This concludes our Lenten sermon series from the Psalms.