A Prayer for All-hallows Eve

All Hallows Church "Rose Window" - North Greenford, London, UK

“God, we thank you for life. We thank you for those who have lived with us and now because of your goodness live in a new way in a new place. This is a season of grief and remembrance and sadness. But because of the victory of Jesus over death, it is not a season for fear or despair. We have hope, because of Jesus’ resurrection that we too will live forever. That fact of faith allows us to rest here and now and enjoy our moments with you here while we have them here. After all, we have forever to enjoy the rest! Remove fear of death in our lives and lead us to trust you for every moment. Thank you God for a Holy All Hallows Eve. Amen.”
Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/prayerplainandsimple/2009/10/a-prayer-for-all-hallows-eve.html#ixzz1cO3njvQ0

Prayer for Reformation Sunday

Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic church. Fill it with all truth and peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in need, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, ELCA

World Day of Prayer for Peace

"The year 2011 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened in Assisi in 1986 by Pope John Paul II. On that occasion the leaders of the great world religions testified to the fact that religion is a factor of union and peace, and not of division and conflict. The memory of that experience gives reason to hope for a future in which all believers will see themselves, and will actually be, agents of justice and peace."

John Paul II's Prayer for peace - At the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World at Assisi in 2004, John Paul II concluded the Joint Commitment to Peace with this prayer:  May God hear our prayers and grant justice and peace to the world.  Violence never again!  War never again!  Terrorism never again!  In the name of God, may every religion bring upon the earth justice and peace, forgiveness and life, love!

Sunday, October 23rd in McCamey

Joys:
+Great week to be a Badger!  Clean sweep of Iraan in football and the Badger Band took a "1" away from the UIL meet in Odessa.
+Forsan's band also got a "1" as did Crane High School (Sara Hill is involved there).
+The Kepharts and the Whitakers are due back in the next couple of weeks.
+Peggy & Jack's great-grandson, Tavyn, turned three this past week.
+Theodora M. marked her birthday last Friday.
+Derek W. will be home next week - he goes to Afghanistan in December.
+Colton W. had very good reports from the doctors last week.

Concerns:
+The people of Turkey who experienced a 7.2 earthquake yesterday.
+The people of Libya who are celebrating freedom this week and are now faced with life without one-man rule.
+The people of Liberia who are dealing with outcomes of recent elections (the current president of Liberia is a United Methodist).
+Jim & Mary F. are coming to terms with end-of-life issues.

Healing prayers are asked for: Stephen A., Miley B., Jeanene C., Mary F. (cancer), Terry G. (Grace M.'s mom), Jane H., Elemer J., Jean K., DeWayne L., Aurora L., Terry M., Cadyn M., Jimmy P., Donald P. (Pastor Charles' cousin), Doug P., Bill T., Colton W., and Henry W.

Today in Wesley's Words



Norwich, England

Sun 23 Oct 1763:

I met the society for the first time [at Norwich], immediately after the morning preaching. Afterwards I went to church, with a considerable number of the people, several of whom I suppose had not been within those walls for many years.  I was glad to hear a plain, useful sermon, and especially for the sake of those who, if they had been offended at first, would hardly have come any more.

In the evening God made bare his arm, and his word was sharp as a two-edged sword.  Before I had concluded my sermon the mob made a little disturbance.  But let us only get the lambs in order, and I will quickly tame the bears.

- John Wesley's Journal

McCamey - Iraan Football

Pastor Charles was on-hand tonight at the McCamey-Iraan football game, won by the Badgers, 19-6.  There was a great turn-out from the McCamey community and the team deserved the win to move to 6-2 on the season.

District Spiritual Retreat

The San Angelo District's Fall Spiritual Retreat was held today at Fort McKavett (south of Menard).  Pastor Charles  joined thirty others in the day-long event.  There were two wonderful speakers, and Amy Moore and Gini Christian were on hand to lead the gathering.  Amy led the singing, and Gini coordinated the hospitality.  It was a blessed day for all in attendance!

Badgers @ FUMC

There was a full compliment of Badgers on hand today for Badgers for Christ!  More than 50 students, faculty, and UMC members were on hand for pizza, chips, home-made chocolate chip cookies and drinks.

Thanks to these folk for their help today: Pastor Charles, Andy Andrews, Pam Jackson, Bill Lester, Billie Mitchell, Jean Myrick, Gloria Odom, Debbie White, Jim Witcher and Mary Witcher.

Church Conference Update

In order to prepare the packets for the upcoming Church Conference (on November 6th), the following items are shared for your consideration and attention (as appropriate):

There will be a PPRC meeting (only for those persons on the committee) on Sunday, October 23 at 4:00 p.m. in the church parlor.

There will be a Ad Board meeting at 5:30 p.m. following the PPRC meeting.

Nominations: Suggestions are needed as soon (to the pastor) as possible for Church treasurer; Chair of the Finance Committee; Financial Secretary; and Chair of the Trustees.

Church Conference will take place during worship on November 6th. 
Reports due to the pastor, no later than Sunday, October 23rd (with responsible person listed):
+Report of the Trustees (Dollie Lynch)
+Report of the Finance Committee (Bill Lester)
+Copy of 2010 Financial Audit (Bill Lester)
+Lay Speaking Ministries Annual Report (Bill Lester & Bobbie Lester)

Sermon text for October 23rd

I Thessalonians 2:4b

This week's sermon text comes from First Thessalonians 2:1-8.

"The epistle illustrates mutual support and nurture changing lives within the community of faith. As Jesus shows us, the requirements are very simple: Love God fully, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves." - from Ministry Matters

A blessing in McCamey

                            

Today was a special day in the life of the First UMC in McCamey. We were blessed to have Eric and Sara H. and their families with us as their daughter Brinlee was presented for baptism. 

Joys and concerns from this morning:
Joys
+Joan C. had a great time at her school homecoming in May, TX (May HS won!)
Birthdays this week - Theodora M. and Seth C.
Anniversaries - Larry & Connie Miles (3rd) and Tony & Jennifer Aguilar (5th)

Concerns
+Amy (Gloria O.'s granddaughter) has a sports injury and will be in a cast for six weeks.
+Chelsea H. on a death in the family; the family of Joyce Tims; the family of Terry Mcgrew; the family of Theresa Zwak.
Prayers for healing: Stephen A., Miley B., Jeanene C., Charles H., Elmer J., DeWayne L., Aurora L., Jimmy P., Bill T., Colton W., and Henry W.

District Ministries Council Meeting

Pastor Charles attended the San Angelo District Ministries Council meeting this morning at Wesley UMC (in San Angelo).

Among the items to note:
+District Celebration & Workshops (Jan. 21, 2012)
+A Lay Ministries training is scheduled for Del Rio with additional offerings to come in Ozona and in San Angelo.
+UMM Spring Rally @ Mt. Wesley in Kerrville - Feb. 24-26, 2012
+Funds are available for congregations to initiate new ministries.
+District confirmation retreat, April 13-15 @ Camp Butman
+District Conference, May 19, 2012

+The district youth scholarship fund is growing! Orders are still be taken for shirts at the district office. A new fund raiser will be canvas tote bags. Cost: $20 (50% of proceeds go to the scholarship fund). To see the bags, click here.  You can personalize the bags in the same way we did the denim shirts. Call the district office at 325-486-1500 for additional information.

Tonight at Benoit's

We gathered at Benoit's tonight for supper, another "UMs on the town" in McCamey!  We met tonight rather than on the third Friday of the month due to the McCamey-Iraan football game taking place next week.
We enjoyed ourselves and there was a small but lively group on hand - come join us next month at Elena's (November 18th @ 6:00 p.m.), you'll be glad you did!

Passing of Theresa Zwak

Please lift up in your prayers today the family of Theresa Zwak.  Theresa passed away at 3:30 a.m. this morning after a bout with pneumonia.  She was the mother of Tina Moody and grandmother of Tandy Adams.

Are you in?

Friday is the date for our next "UMs on the town" in McCamey at Benoit's.  This is a change in our regular third Friday suppers due to the McCamey-Iraan football game taking place on the 21st (in Iraan).
Please plan on joining us (and invite someone to come with you) at 6:00 p.m. for another "no muss - no fuss - no program" gathering!

UMW's October Meeting

The United Methodist Women (UMW) met tonight at the church for its monthly meeting and program.  Peggy Garner offered a devotional using humorous items from "Kids in the Kingdom."  Cytha Peters provided the refreshments, ice cream and a home-made "pumpkin dump cake."

October is National Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, and tonight we heard from Christine Sparks about her experience with this all-too-common issue.

It's Pumpkin Time in Crane!

The First UMC in Crane invites everyone to stop by their pumpkin patch for all your gourd needs.  There is a wonderful variety of pumpkins ranging from really big to really small as well as ornamental gourds.

The pumpkin patch is open from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Mondays - Saturdays and after church on Sundays.

On Saturday, October 15th, there will be a Pumpkin Fest & Craft Fair at the church in Crane from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Next Sunday's sermon text

We begin a new epistle this week, with a look at First Thessalonians 1:1-10.

Blessings on this Sunday

What a blessing the past three days with rain each day have been for us here in McCamey!  There is something wonderful about having puddles in the parking lot!

Thanks to Cytha P. for bringing the gift of music to the Mccamey Convalescent Center this afternoon.

From our joys and concerns:

Joys:
+Rain!!!
+Sherry and Jack P. celebrate the birth of a great-grandson, Brody!
+Connie and Larry M. have completed the classes for adoption of a child.
+Sara H.'s mom, Carolyn, is with us today.
+Guest of Gary & Luann, Shanna.
+Aurora L. is still in the hospital but is doing much better.
+McCamey Badgers are 5-2 on the season after last Friday's win over Wink.

Concerns:
+Theresa Z. is in hospice care in Odessa.
+The members of our congregation away this weekend.
+The residents of the McCamey Convalescent Center.

Thanksgiving for the rain

Here from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer is a Thanksgiving for Rain:

 

O God, our heavenly Father, who by Thy gracious providence dost cause the former and the latter rain to descend upon the earth, that it may bring forth fruit for the use of man: We give Thee humble thanks that it hath pleased Thee, in our great necessity, to send us at the last a joyful rain upon Thine inheritance, and to refresh it when it was dry, to the great comfort of Thy unworthy servants, and to the glory of Thy holy Name; through Thy mercies in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A thought for Yom Kippur

Today is observed as Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement

"I pray not that you walk in my shoes - nor I yours - but that together we walk so close to Rabbi Jesus that we are covered with dust from his sandals." - Neal Rylaarsdam

What are you doing this Sunday?

There are people living in McCamey sitting at home on Sunday mornings because no one invited them to Sunday school or to worship. Let's go into the community and change some lives!