Change is coming!

Next Sunday is a special day in the life of the First UMC in McCamey as we welcome our new pastor, the Rev. Ken Houston, Jr. and his wife (Lynn). 

Pastor Houston will officially begin his ministry in Iraan and McCamey on Sunday, July 1st. 

Passing of Ardell Elliott

Word was received during the joys and concerns yesterday that Gary Elliott's dad, Ardell (93), has passed away at the McCamey Convalescent Center.

Please visit this link to read his memorial notice.

Joys and Concerns from today

Joys: +Ruben had a nice overnight stay with his grandmother in Odessa.  +Theodora’s grandson (Sloan) & his wife had their 6^th anniversary and her great-grandson had his 5^th birthday last week. +The choir sang “Faith of Our Fathers” as the anthem last week. +Gloria arranged for a beautiful Father’s Day display on the communion table.

Concerns: +Family of Ardell Elliott. +Prayers for Pastor Ken & Lynn Houston as they prepare to move to McCamey/Iraan.  +Traveling mercies for those away from home.  

Prayers for healing: Everette A., Nadine A., Elena B., Sandy C., Billy C., Samantha F., Louisa G., Terri G., Elizabeth H., Sara H., Roy K., Cory S., Colton W., Arnold W., and Simone W. 

Continued prayers: +our church +our community youth +our schools, including athletes, coaches, teachers & students +our military members and their families +the homeless +the unemployed +our nation, government & leaders +victims of natural disasters +countries fighting for freedom +unspoken requests.

Unification vote

The Rio Grande and Southwest Texas conferences have voted to unify. At around noon today the votes were counted and both conferences, by a large measure, voted for unification. Now on to Jurisdictional Conference in July.

Go here for official announcement from Bishop Dorff: http://youtu.be/eeQZboPlXso

A thought for Father's Day weekend

"God the Father with His Right Hand Raised in Blessing,"
by Girolamo dai Libri, circa 1555

1. This is my Father's world, 
 and to my listening ears 
 all nature sings, and round me rings 
 the music of the spheres.  
 This is my Father's world:  
 I rest me in the thought 
 of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; 
 his hand the wonders wrought.

2. This is my Father's world, 
 the birds their carols raise, 
 the morning light, the lily white, 
 declare their maker's praise.  
 This is my Father's world:  
 he shines in all that's fair; 
 in the rustling grass I hear him pass; 
 he speaks to me everywhere.

3. This is my Father's world.  
 O let me ne'er forget 
 that though the wrong seems oft so strong, 
 God is the ruler yet.  
 This is my Father's world:  
 why should my heart be sad?  
 The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!  
 God reigns; let the earth be glad!

This Is My Father's World - Text: Maltbie D. Babcock
Music: Trad. English melody; adapt. by Franklin L. Sheppard
Tune: TERRA BEATA, Meter: SMD

Father's Day sermon text

Our Father's Day (June 17) sermon text comes from Mark 4:26-34 and two parables told by Jesus about the kingdom of God. 

Joys and Concerns from this morning

 
Thanks to all the faithful disciples who shared in today's worship and fellowship! 

Bradyn M. and Bradyn M. were on hand to serve as ushers - Coy C. was our greeter - Debbie W. was our child minder - Donny W. was our reader - Gloria O. prepared the communion table -  Cytha P. was our amazingly talented pianist - seven members of the choir lent their voices in praise of our God - Jean M. and Glen S. shared the counting of the offering - and Gary & Luanne E. prepared and coordinated the fellowship meal!

Following the worship service, the congregation gathered in the fellowship hall for a potluck meal in honor of Pastor Charles & Belinda Alkula.  It was a wonderful time together - the Alkulas were touched by the generous expressions received from the community.

Joys:
+Cadyn and Rueben are having fun playing t-ball!  Dollie L.’s Uncle Erwin was recently featured in the San Angelo paper. +It was nice to have Cleon H. visiting. +Birthdays: Roy K. (76) and Cadyn M. (4).  Theodora’s granddaughter, Sloan B., celebrated her 6^th anniversary. +The fantastic meal we enjoyed after worship today.  Donna & Donny were able to be with family last week to meet Derek & Whitney's new daughter, Brinley June W. +One of the Coe’s grandaughters was named an Academic All-American. +Good fellowship at United Methodist Men.

Concerns:
+Family of Deputy Mike Smith. +Family of VyolaLaNelle Pat Sargent.  +Family of C.S. 'Strick' Posey.

Prayers for healing: Everette A., Nadine A., Elena B., Sandy C., Billy C., Ardell E., Samantha F., Louisa G., Terri G., Elizabeth H., Roy K., Cory S., Colton W., Arnold W., and Simone W..

Continued prayers: +our church +our community youth +our schools, including athletes, coaches, teachers & students +our military members and their families +the homeless +the unemployed +our nation, government & leaders +victims of natural disasters +countries fighting for freedom +unspoken requests.

Prayer for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

O Lord our God, we believe, and so we speak.  We speak of your grace, as it extends out to the world around us.
We speak of thanksgiving, for you have done great things among us.

We speak of your glory, because we believe that everything is for your sake; it is in you that we live and move and have our being. You created us for yourself, so that our hearts are ever restless until we find rest in you.

Therefore, we do not lose heart; we believe, and so we speak. By your grace, O God, let our worship today and the words we speak be guided and strengthened by your life giving Spirit, bringing our hearts ever closer to you, so that our lives might bring you honor and glory. Amen.

- Prepared by Michael Anthony Howard from 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

Scripture lesson for next Sunday

On Sunday, the Second Sunday after Pentecost, we will look at 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 (NIV):
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of  faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.  All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

A new arrival

Congratulations to Whitney and Derek W. who welcomed Brinley June W., 7lb 4oz and 19" who arrived at 11:11am on June 4th (three days early).  

Joys and Concerns from Trinity Sunday

"The Holy Trinity" by Andrei Rublev

Joys:
+Jennifer A. reports that her mom (Marilyn W.) will be back for July.
+Rueben A. starts his t-ball season on Tuesday!
+Melody W. was with us this week along with her granddaughter, Sara F. +Derek W. is due back from Afghanistan on Tuesday – he and wife Whitney are expecting their first child on Thursday.
+Jennifer A.’s 5^th grade science class did an outstanding job on the recent STARRS test!                                                  
+Summer school is off to a terrific start!
+Elliott family pew                                                                        
+Roy &Alice K. are back from New Mexico and celebrated their 57^th anniversary!

+Guests in worship! We were blessed to have two Bradyns serving as ushers.
+Andrew & Robin P. are expecting a boy in October!+Bradyn M. is visiting for the summer.

Concerns:
+The community food pantry is running low. Donations may be taken to First Baptist Church, brought to the FUMC or left in the box at the supermarket in McCamey.
+Tia S. is facing some health concerns
+Roy K. is facing some health concerns
+The choir is missing the (brown cover) Cokesbury Hymnals.

Announcements:
+United Methodist Men will be meeting on June 4^th at 6:00 p.m. with Glen S. providing the meal.
+There will be a farewell lunch for the Dr. Charles & Belinda Alkula next Sunday following worship.

A Poem for Trinity Sunday

Lord, who hast form'd me out of mud,

And hast redeem'd me through thy bloud,

And sanctified me to do good,

Purge all my sinnes done heretofore;

For I confess my heavie score,

And I will strive to sinne no more.

Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me,

With faith, with hope, with charitie,

That I may runne, rise, rest with thee.

George Herbert (early 1600's - Cambridge, England)