Joys and concerns from Sunday, May 29th

JOYS: 6-year-old Maylee’s release from the hospital; Last week’s rain - Report that the first graders in McCamey did a rain dance last week … and that God honored all of our prayers for rain; Music ministry team’s offerings each week; Family Pews:  Lester and Wylie Families; Birthday Remembrances:  Lou Ann C. and Justin L.; Birthdays:  Dolly Lynch, Jean M.’s grand-daughter, Cytha Peter’s sister Olivia and Derek Wiley; Wedding Anniversaries:  Gary and Luann Elliott, Stephanie and Zane G., the Rev. Sheldon and Mrs. Johnson, Roy and Alice Kephart; Milestones:  Jennifer and Tony Aguilar met five years ago this weekend; McCamey Independent School District’s Service Awards:  Ruthie Andrew’s 25-year watch, Bobbie Lester’s and Luann Elliott’s 20-year briefcase from the school; upcoming wedding of Maurine Jacobsen’s grand-daughter; hearing children in church today; Barbados Cookoff fun in Rankin this weekend, including a community worship service today; recent graduates and their families and friends; gratitude for the people who died in defense of our country.

CONCERNS: Family of Billie Reaves; Healing mercies:  Gloria O., Lou Dell M.; Belinda A.’s niece Lisa’s 30-day backpacking trip to Europe in June; Rain needed; Folks going through life transitions; Travelling mercies;

Memorial Day Weekend in McCamey

It was a real blessing for everyone who come to worship today in McCamey.  Thanks to our choir for their musical ministry and to Donny Wiley for his service as our lay reader. 

This afternoon, Roy & Alice Kephart, Belinda Alkula, Grace Moody and Cytha Peters were on hand to share the worship with the residents at the Convalescent Center.  Thanks to each of these faithful witnesses!

Sunday's Scripture Lesson

(The Aeropagus, Athens)

Today's scripture lesson comes from Acts 17:22-31 and tells of Paul's laying out the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers the rational for a belief in Jesus.

Getting work done

The long-awaited work began yesterday on the heating/AC units at the church.  Thanks to our trustees for getting this project taken care of and for the two workers from Artic Air for doing such a good job for us!

Memorial Service for Billie Reaves

A memorial service for Billie Reaves will be held at the First UMC in McCamey on Friday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m.  A time of fellowship will follow at the church. Interment will be at Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo at 3:00 pm.

Passing of Billie Reaves

A phone call came this afternoon to the church with the news that Billie Reaves, of Conyers, Georgia (formerly of McCamey) has passed away.  Billie was the widow of Ernie Reaves.  (To see an online obituary, please click here.) 

WOW: 20,000 Hits to This Website!

WOW:  20,000 Hits!  Yea, God!!!

We are ready for summer!

Are you ready for summer?  Our choir is ready to lead the way this Memorial Day weekend.  You'll want to be in worship (and to bring a friend)!

Ten reasons people don't go to church

Here is a great video that just might be the help someone needs to move in a faith-filled motion.

Aldersgate Day 2011

(Epworth, England - Home of The Wesleys - This large mural hangs behind the Front Desk in the Walker Lobby at Epworth By The Sea.  Seen left to right are places found in Epworth, England: The Red Lion Hotel, John Wesley preaching from the steps of the old Market Cross, The Old Rectory, John Wesley preaching from horseback, The Parish Church of St. Andrew)

Today is the 273rd anniversary of John Wesley's "Aldersgate experience."  We would do well to search our hearts for those experiences when God fanned the flames of our spiritual passion.  Each one of us can have a heart burning brightly and passionately for our God.  If we would but strive after this and expect it, then the revival begun in us would spread to our churches, our community, and the world! 

Joys & concerns from May 22

Our joys and concerns from May 22nd:

JOYS
*Baptism of Cytha Peter’s twin grand-daughters today.
*Family Pews (total of 2 ½ - a new church record): Visiting family members and friends of Cytha Peter's.
*Healing mercies: Verla F., Larry M., Sheila H.
*Saw clouds this morning!
*Great ice cream social at the church last week for the graduating high school seniors and their sponsors.
*Fun “United Methodists on the Town” at Elena’s Mexican Restaurant Friday night.
*Yajaira C. has been a wonderful childminder for the church. She is moving soon. We will really miss her. And we wish her well. Every blessing to her.
*Tonight’s high school baccalaureate service begins at the high school auditorium at 8:00 p.m.
*Last week, members of “McCamey Operation Pride” (MOP) sponsored a planting operation for 40 kindergarteners.
*Soon-to-be graduates and their families and friends.
*School staff members -- faculty and administration.

CONCERNS:
*Healing mercies: “Mom” D. fell and is back home now.
*Rain needed.
*Prayers are being asked for Maylee M., daughter of Matt & Leigh Ann, granddaughter of Jerry & JoCarol Stinson.

Baccalaureate Service

Concluding today's busy schedule was the Baccalaureate Service at the McCamey High School.  Candace Hines was presented the scholarship on behalf of the McCamey Ministerial Alliance.

Cytha Peters, Donna Wiley, and Pastor Charles were on the program representing First UMC in this annual event sponsored by the McCamey Ministerial Alliance.

Other churches represented tonight were: First Assembly of God (Pastors David & Kathryn Snodgrass); First Baptist Church (Tandy Adams); Sacred Heart Catholic Church (David Adler).

The afternoon in McCamey

This afternoon, Cytha Peters was the center of attention in McCamey with two events on the schedule.  First up, at the High School library was a reception for Cytha marking her retirement this week from teaching after 29 years.  Many First UMC members were on hand to share in this time with Cytha.

Cytha Peters brought her students to the First UMC this afternoon for a piano recital which was a real treat for the families and First UMC members in attendance.  Maybe someone from this group will emerge to become a church musician just like their teacher!

Heritage Sunday @ FUMC - McCamey (p.2)

Our worship continued this afternoon at the McCamey Convalescent Center with a time of worship with the residents.  It is always a blessing for the First UMC members who take part in this service, we are all blessed to share in the worship of God wherever it might be!

Heritage Sunday @ FUMC - McCamey (p.1)

Our worship service this morning was alive with celebration: celebrating our awesome God, the heritage of our members, and a baptism of Stella and Elliott Dillon, granddaughters of Cytha Peters.

Heritage Sunday 2011

(portrait of the Rev. John Wesley)

Each year, the Sunday closest to May 24 (Aldersgate Day) is designated by The United Methodist Church as Heritage Sunday.

Pastor Charles will be giving membership pins to those who have been members of the First UMC in Iraan for 25 years or more. Everyone will be presented with a certificate which commemorates their faithful witness.


Today's sermon, "Our Heritage, Our Promise" is based upon I Peter 2:2-10.

District Conference Gathering

The San Angelo District held its annual District meeting today at St. Luke UMC in San Angelo.  This gathering is in preparation for the Annual Conference sessions in Corpus Christi (June 8-11).
A lot of information was shared, much of it may be found on the Conference website.

UM's at Elena's

Tonight's gathering of UM's on the town was at Elena's and was so much fun!  There was a great turn-out tonight, we had fourteen coming out for good food and great fellowship!  Maurine Jacobsen won the door prize, a copy of the new McCamey Chamber of Commerce cookbook.

New addition to our E-ministry!

The First UMC website has a new addition - The Online Sunday School!  Please share the link on our website with anyone with children in grades K -6.  The Online Sunday School material has games, scripture lessons and more and is a great way for families to share their faith in a fun way! 

Greetings from the Convalescent Center

The conversations around the community room this morning were a bit quieter than normal, possibly due to the McCamey newspaper not being available today.  Still, it was a good time to be with so many people from the community and with the residents!

A gift for Cytha

During choir practice tonight, the choir members surprised Cytha with a gift in honor of Cytha's retirement from teaching next week.  Cytha was tickled to receive a beautiful picture frame which she announced would be just right for a picture of her granddaughters!