Today's blessings!

July came to a close today in McCamey, but before it did we enjoyed many, many blessings from God!  Several of the folks who were at Friday night's baseball game in Midland wore their Rockhounds jerseys today (we got them at the game).  It was fun to see Jonah and Ashley (our ushers) wearing theirs as they took up the offering!

This afternoon at the convalescent center, Belinda Alkula, Bill& Bobbie Lester, Grace Moody and Cytha Peters joined in the celebration of the Lord's Day with the residents.  Charles Rogers, who was with us just last week in worship and who passed away last Thursday, was remembered during our time of prayer.

July 31, 1744

(Cape Cornwall)

The following is the entry in the journal of Charles Wesley for this date in 1744:    "I rode to St. Just. I climbed up and down Cape Cornwall with my brother Meriton [a Methodist lay preacher], to the needless hazard of our necks. I preached in the afternoon to a larger congregation than ever, and continued my discourse till night from Luke xxi 34. The Spirit of love was poured out abundantly, and great grace was upon all. I walked to the Society; stood upon the hill, and sang, and prayed, and rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. I concluded the day and month as I would wish to conclude my life."

Ballgame (part 4)

More fun!!!

Ballgame (part 3)

Folks of all ages enjoy going to a baseball game... especially when it is with their church family!  Yea, God!!!

Great Time at the Ballgame (part 2)

Yee-haw!  We had a G-R-E-A-T time at the game last night! 

Take us out to the ballgame (part 1)

We had a great time tonight in Midland at the Rockhounds' game with nineteen McCamey UMC folks making the trek.

More about tonight's event and more pictures will be posted tomorrow.

Are you ready for some baseball?

Hey, you!  The mascot for the Midland Rockhounds baseball team wants YOU.... to be sure to attend tomorrow night's baseball game.  Friday night at 7:00 p.m. is the place to be if you want to have a lot of fun at the baseball game in Midland.  Be there... or be square!  P.S.  Don't forget to wear your McCamey FUMC denim shirts, if you want to... all of us wearing our shirts will make a great picture for the blog!  Suggest you wear something cooler underneath, so if it is way-too-hot (which we expect), you can take the denim shirt off.

This morning at the MCC

There was a good turn-out from the community this morning at the McCamey Convalescent Center for the weekly "coffee & donuts" gathering.  Everyone had a good time catching up on the news from the community and of course, the treats were a big hit!

Bill & Bobbie Lester joined Pastor Charles from our church in spending time with the residents.

Prayers continue to be asked for Charles Rogers (a MCC resident) and his family.  Mr. Rogers is a long-time Iraan resident and a retired biology teacher in the Iraan-Sheffield ISD.

This Time Last Year....

If you are keen to see what we were doing this time last year, click here!  God is SO GOOD; he always sees us through!!!

Scripture lesson for July 31

(The Apostle Paul, mosaic in the Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily, Italy)

This week's sermon scripture lesson continues our reading from Paul in Romans 9:1-5. This lesson finds Paul sharing his desire for his people (Paul emerged from the Pharisee tradition of Judaism) to share in the knowledge of Christ. This passage has been used to show how God has turned God's back on the Jewish people but this is not Paul's intention. Come to worship on Sunday and hear for yourself what it means to be confirmed by the Spirit.

Prayers for Norway

Please visit the General Board of Discipleship website to join your prayers for the people of Norway following last week's attacks on its citizens.

Joys and concerns from July 24th

JOYS

+The rain we did receive last Friday night.
+Birthdays:  Georgia M. (87), Freddy M. (91)
+Anniversary:  Bill and Bobbie L.
+Our new youth usher:  Jonah A.
+Healing Mercies:  Joann D., Cleo D. (aka “Mama D”) and Henry W.
+Last Wednesday’s observance of the 1-year anniversary of the opening of the town’s Wellness Center… commemorated by the dedication of its outside fountain – a gift in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Shipman, Justin Lester and in honor of Amy Gray Lester.
+Donny W.’s sister Melody is with us today.
+Lou Dell M. is with us today.
+Visiting with friends and family members.
+Our church.
+Last Friday night’s Drum Corps International (DCI) show in Odessa, which was awesome.
+Last Friday’s successful bake sale/fundraiser for family of Ronnie Ward’s grandson Colton’s medical bills; over $5,000 was donated. 

CONCERNS
+Rain desperately needed.
+Our government and its leaders.
+Healing Mercies: Andy A., Edna Earl B. (Theodora M.’s sister), Miley B., Charles H. (currently in Christian Science Hospice Home in Missouri), the Rev. Claire Richardson’s mother, Jane Harrison, who is terminally ill. Ronnie W.’s 6-month-old grandson Colton who is undergoing chemotherapy. Joann N. (recovering from apparent stroke in Indiana).
+Comfort for families and friends of shooting/bombing victims in Norway and shooting victims in Grand Prairie, Texas.
+Safe travels for Verla F., Alice and Roy K. in their travels.
+Peggy and Jack G. asked for special blessings for great grandchild.
+Flooding up north (folks expected to be dealing with excess water this next month).
+Those struggling with life decisions.
+Our church.
+ Our youth.  Our schools.  Teachers/students.  Athletes/coaches.  Our country.  Our leaders.  Our military (and their family members).  Countries fighting for freedom. +Unspoken requests.

From start to finish

From the early morning hours in the pastor's study to mid-afternoon at the McCamey convalescent center, blessings abound in McCamey! 

The adult church school class, led by Bobbie Lester, continues to meet during the summer and is a blessing to all who attend.  The class meets from 9:45 - 10:30 in the parlor (by the kitchen). 

The worship service was blessing with Lou Dell Myrick being able to be with us (by way of NYC); a beautiful rendition of an old standard hymn by the choir; and the introduction of Jonah Adams as our new youth usher.  During our time of joys & concerns we celebrated the Lester's 39th anniversary (on Friday) and bid goodbye (only temporary!) to Verla Flading (going back to NY) and to the Kephart's (headed to NM).

Pastor Charles preached on Romans 8:26-39 and included a paragraph from John Wesley's sermon on this text, "On Predestination" - "What is it, the, that we learn from this whole account? It is this, and no more: (1) God knows all believers; (2) wills that they should be saved from sin; (3) to that end, justifies them; (4) sanctifies and (5) takes them to glory. O that men would praise the Lord for this his goodness; and that they would be content with this plain account of it, and not endeavor to wade into those mysteries which are too deep for angels to fathom."

This afternoon, Cytha Peters, Alice & Roy Kephart, Verla Flading, Belinda Alkula, and Bobbie & Bill Leter joined Pastor Charles in worship at the convalescent center.

Fountain Dedication Prayer

Pastor Charles offered the invocation and used the words from our baptism liturgy (The Book of Worship, p. 90) as the basis for this prayer:

"Eternal Father, When nothing existed but chaos, you swept over the dark waters and brought forth light. In the days of Noah, you saved those on the ark through water. After the flood, you set in the clouds a rainbow. When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt, you led them to freedom through the Jordan, to the land which you promised.

In the fullness of time you sent Jesus, nurtured in the water of a womb. He was baptized by John and anointed by your Spirit. He called his disciples to share in the baptism of his death and resurrection and to make disciple of all nations.

Pour out your Holy Spirit, to bless this gift of living water, and those who witness it may know of your gift that is our life. May this living water serve as a reminder of that love which prompted the gift of this fountain. May this fountain be a blessing to this community. And may your Spirit guide us to you. Amen."

Happy birthday, Georgia Moss!

In addition to the regular gathering this morning for coffee & treats at the convalescent center, everyone sang happy birthday to Georgia Moss, who turns 87 this week! Thanks to Verla Flading and Alice Kephart for sharing in this morning's gathering with the residents.

Church Blog Has Over 23,000 Hits Now!

WOW:  Over 23,000 Hits!  Yea, God!!!

Wellness Center Outdoor Fountain Dedication Today!

Today was the 1-year anniversary of the opening of the Wellness Center in McCamey, Texas.  The beautiful outdoor fountain, donated by the Lester and Shipman families, was dedicated at 10:00 a.m.  Pastor Charles Alkula delivered the prayer of dedication and blessing, and Mr. Bill Lester offered some lovely personal thoughts to those gathered for the event.

Prayers for Jeannie Marie West Beck

Got a call yesterday to church office from Twoie Darby... about one of his McCamey school mates -- Jeannie Marie West Beck.  
He said he had just spoken with Jeannie Marie West Beck who currently lives in San Angelo. She is diagnosed with brain cancer.   She returned home yesterday from her first chemo treatment. She was told that they do not expect her to live past the first of next year. She asks for prayers. She asked Twoie to let all the folks here in McCamey know about her situation. (In October, she will be 64).  It is believed that her only living relative is a child who lives on the east coast.

She joined this church as a young girl (with full membership) -- in the spring of 1954. She transferred to FUMC-San Angelo on 11/17/1968.   

 

If you'd like to send her a card, please let Pastor Charles know and he'll give you the address.

Today in McCamey

Thanks to Belinda and Bobbie & Bill Lester, Rev. Larry Young (Big Lake/Barnhardt) got to tour the wellness center today.  Pastor Charles had spent some time with Pastor Young this morning at the church, showing him how to set up a blog and a website for his congregations.

Dedication of the Wellness Center Fountain

The community is invited to the wellness center tomorrow for the dedication of the outdoor fountain.  This beautiful feature is a one-of-a-kind fountain (and the only outdoor fountain in Upton County).  The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m.  The wellness center is also celebrating its one-year anniversary tomorrow.  Everyone is invited to participate in tomorrow's activities!

Scripture Lesson for July 24th

(The Apostle Paul in Prison (1627), Rembrandt van Rijn)

The scripture lesson for Sunday (July 24) that Pastor Charles will be preaching from is Romans 8:26-39.

"Paul dealt in very succinct, even lyrical, sentences with several subjects of utmost significance: prayer, the assurance of salvation, predestination, the sovereignty of divine love, the unbreakable spiritual bond between the believer and God. The whole reading should be approached not as systematic theology but as the experience of profound faith by one who knew whereof he spoke." - David Sherman (Midrash)

Joys & Concerns from July 17

JOYS
+Louise C. is back with us today.
+Birthdays: Connie M., Taylor A., Henry W.
+Anniversary: Debbie and Henry W.
+That Henry W. has made it one year past his initial diagnosis of cancer.
+Healing Mercies: Joann D. and Cleo D. (aka “Mama D”).
+Visiting family members and friends.
+This coming Wednesday’s dedication of the fountain outside the Wellness Center, beginning at 10:00 a.m. to acknowledge its gift to area communities, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Shipman, Justin Lester and in honor of Amy Gray Lester.
+Our church.

CONCERNS
+Rain desperately needed.
+Our government and its leaders.
+Prayer for healing: Andy A., Edna Earl B. (Theodora M.’s sister), Miley B., Charles H. (currently in Christian Science Hospice Home in Missouri), Claire Richardson’s mother, Jane Harrison, who is terminally ill; Ronnie W.’s 6-month-old grandson Colton who is undergoing chemotherapy.
+Those involved with firefighting.
+Travelling mercies for family and friends … some of whom are in Louisianna, N.M., Texas (beach, lake, ranch), etc.
+Those struggling with life decisions.

Continuing Prayer Needs:
+Rain.  Our church.  Our Youth. Our Schools. Teachers/Students. Athletes/Coaches. Our country and its leaders. Our military (and their family members).  Countries fighting for freedom.  Unspoken requests.

A very busy day in McCamey

The First UMC family was busy from the early morning hours to early evening. 

This morning, our adult church school (led by Bobbie Lester) and worship gave our day the foundation we needed for the day ahead.  In the afternoon, Bobbie & Bill Lester and Belinda and Pastor Charles worshipped with the residents of the convalsecent center. 

The day concluded with the trustee and ad board meetings and a fabulous potluck.  A lot of great ideas are being generated, and a lot of enthusiastic people are bringing these ideas to fruition.  Praise be to God!!!