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PETE’S PLACE Believe it or not we are getting ready for year-end. Reports will have to be filed, issues resolved, budgets approved, and on and on. It’s that time of year.

One of the things we pay particular attention to is our membership. Membership plays an important role in determining our apportionments. The formula for deter-mining our apportionments weighs our expenses and our membership. Expenses ac-count for two thirds of our apportionment payment and membership accounts for one third. It’s a complicated formula but in the end it boils down to the expense and mem-bership numbers to determine what our apportionments are.

We are doing an outstanding job with our expenses this year. And we are making pro-gress on our membership roll. If you remember last year about this same time we listed over 300 names of people that had moved, changed their membership, or had not been in attendance for several years. We sent them all letters and asked if they wanted to continue to be members of this church. Some said yes, some said no, but the majority just didn’t answer.

The people that said yes we continue to count as members. The others we are remov-ing from our membership list. Last year we removed about 40 names, this year we will remove about 236, their names are listed in this Spire.

276 names removed from our membership list will result in over $9,000 savings to the church. While we would rather have these people as active members it is important that our records be accurate. So if you see our membership drop this year, you now know why.

This is one of those things we hate to do but it is necessary. Thank you for your under-standing and patience in this matter. This is the last year we will publish these names and in November we will remove them from our membership roll.

Grace and Peace,

Pete

The SpireThe SpireThe Spire FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS | JULY 2017

DEAN’S DESKTOP deanlibby@ssfumc.org

At Annual Conference on June 4-6, Bishop McKee appointed me to serve a fourth year as the Associate Pastor here at First UMC Sulphur Springs. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to be in ministry here in Hopkins County and to serve alongside Pastor Pete and the fantastic staff of this great church. I am looking forward to what 2017-2018 has in store for FUMC, Ignite, and all the ministries that go on in and around 301 Church St. I look forward to being in worship and ministry with you this month! Blessings, Pastor Dean

FUMC Back to School Clothing Sale Saturday, August 5th

The Back to School Clothing sale will be Saturday, August 5th from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Each item is 25 cents and all remaining clothes after sale are donat-ed to the clothing ministries, League Street Church of Christ and Can Help. We will begin taking gently worn donations of clothing, shoes and backpacks on July 30th. Boxes will be located at both entrances of the Family Life Center. Please, we need lots of children clothes and lots of volunteers to organize with the sale. Any questions please call the church office 903-885-2185 or email nancykirkpatrick@ssfumc.org.

The Not Over The Hill Yet group will be taking a day trip on Sunday, July 30th to the Granville Art Center in Garland Texas. Hello, Dolly!, the Broadway musical filled with humor, romance, high energy dancing and some of the greatest songs in musical history. The bus or van (according to how many going) will leave FUMC after Sunday School and will enjoy lunch on the way. The cost of the tickets are $30 per ticket to be paid in advance and non refundable. For reserva-tions or more information call the church office 903-885-2185.

“42” TOURNAMENT

Sulphur Bluff United Methodist Church is having it’s fourth annual George Dorner “42” tournament on Saturday, July 8th starting at 10:00 am. Early regis-tration will be $10 per person, at the door price will be $25 per team. There will be trophies for first place team. They will be serving Pizza, Nachos, Drinks and desserts by donation only. If you do not play, come and eat & be a part of the socializing. Proceeds go to buying bibles for the Sulphur Bluff

senior class. Make checks payable to , Sulphur Bluff UMC, memo Bibles. For more info call Tony & Eva Dehart 903-945-2254.

CLOTHING SALE

NOTHY TRIP, JULY 30TH

To keep our prayer list up to date, please contact the church office if you have updates on those who are listed here.

CURRENT CONCERNS Ty Funderburk Kathy Crowson Nell Crowson Sharon Hughes Sam Gilbreath Bear Littleton Beth Shurtleff Ann Gideon Caroline Spellman John Kramer Ambria McArthur Bonnie Gilmer Robert Gideon Perry Sandlin Jean Marie Rowell Deanna Anderson Bob Edgar Ida Martin Cannon Scroggins Robert Fisher Bob Patterson Suzanne Bramlett

Jennifer Moore Rev. Al Davis Rev. Gaither Day Alexis Whiddon Mary Edwards Mary Gray Tom Klock Dougan Family Pat & Lanell Gerald

LONG TERM CONCERNS Sandy Martin Becky Graves Jackson Bouquet Duncan Graves Billie Couthran Joyce Libby Claude Philo Henry Preuss Christine Street Billie Rushin Don Carbonneau Bo West

Max & Sherry Baxter Helen Gumm Savoy Tutt SYMPATHY Bonnie Burtch and family on the passing of her sister Maxine Norlin Nancy Kirby and family on the passing of her father Joe Louis Borden Jan Chapman & Rita Ed-wards and family on the passing of their father Van Bell. Joe & Tammy Dougan and family on the passing of his sister Holly Dougan Fran Beers and family on the passing of her sister Barbara Aten

PRAYER CONCERNS

The NOTHY (Not Over The Hill Yet) Group recently enjoyed a day trip to Tyler to tour

the Rose Gardens and the Goodman-LeGrand Mansion. Their next trip is scheduled for

July 30th to see Hello, Dolly at the Granville Art Center in Garland.

Dear FUMC,

Thank you so much for the schol-arship & money. It will help so much with books & classes. One day, I hope to use my profession (child psychology) as a way to shine Jesus’ light. Thanks to FUMC I feel as though I have a strong foundation of God & his love for me.

Thanks, Summer Brooks

Dear FUMC,

Thank you very much for the bi-ble, scholarship money and senior Sunday lunch. I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to have all of you as my church fami-ly. Thank you for the constant love and support you all have showed me throughout my life.

Love, Dane Rutherford

Dear FUMC,

Thank you for the generous schol-arship you gave me for gradua-tion. Your love and support throughout high school has been priceless.

Thanks, Caleb Lewis

THE MAILBOX

Communion Service—8:30 am

Sunday School —9:45 am

Traditional Service—10:45 am

Ignite Service—10:45 am

Handbell Rehearsal—6:30 pm

SonRise Men’s Group—6:45 am

Dinner Bell—11:45 am

Choir Rehearsal—6:30 pm

Please note these numbers are through

May 31, 2017

YTD Budget Receipts $ 398,401

YTD Budget Expenses $ 427,002

UPCOMING EVENTS Smith/Snyder

Wedding July 7

th

Vacation Bible Camp July 10-14, 9am-12pm McCullough/

McSheffrey Wedding July 15

th

Young at Heart Monday, July 17

th @

10:30am

Unity Sunday July 30

th@ 10:45am (one traditional service only)

Luncheon to follow

NOTHY Trip July 30

th

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

FINANCIAL UPDATES

Littlefield, Steve Littlefield, Monica Littlefield, Kylie Lockhart, Bruce Lockhart, Bryan Lockhart, Brock Long, Frank Long, Julie Long, Amy Long, Sam Lopez, Armando Leuzingen, Alyssa Littlefield, Steve Littlefield, Monica Littlefield, Kylie Lockhart, Bruce Lockhart, Bryan Lockhart, Brock Long, Frank Long, Julie Long, Amy Long, Sam Lopez, Armando Magee, Don Maiden, Dean Mark, Jerry Martin, Dan Martin, Janet Martin, Brooke Martin, Jennifer Mason, Jeannie Massey, Jeff Massey, Zack Massey, Adam Mayers, Harold McCarley, William McCarley, Barbara McCauley, Sara McKee, Todd McKee, Justin McKee, Chance McKinney, Patrick McKinney, Susan

McMahan, Jennifer McMahan, Karen Moore, Michael Moore, Kim Moore, Haley Moore, Martin Moore, Stevie Morgan, Louanne Morris, June Mull, Nichele Nelson, Emily Nichols, John Nowlin, J.T. O’Brien, Pat O’Brien, Jennifer O’Neal, Scott O’Neal, Micah Payne, Cody Payne, Dee Ann Payne, Matt Pearson, Gary Pearson, Jay Petty, Micah Phillips, Tim Phillips, Melissa Phillips, John Plaxco, Ronnie Presley, Angelette Ragsdale, Keith Ragsdale, Stacy Ragsdale, Sarah Rawson, David, Jr. Rawson, Mallory Ray, Charles Ray, Jo Lynn Rich, Jana Roberts, Jennifer Roberts, Judy Robinson, Sam Roed, Kristine Ross, Richard Ross, Juanita Santocono, Catherine

Sartin, Carey Sartin, Keith Schmidt, Jacob Semple, Terri Sewell, Justin Sikes, Brooke Small, Doug Small, Emily Small, Dustin Small, Brant Stump, Mike Stump, Debbie Stump, Elizabeth Thomas, James Thompson, Richard Thurman, Haley Tirado, Terry Tucker, Jacky Tucker, Carla Turner, Ross Walley, Donna Walley, Michael Walter, Claud Weir, Cynthia Westbrook, Connie Westbrook, Kathy Westbrook, Emily Westbrook, Ryan Westbrook, Steve White, Ryan White, John White, Jocelyn Wilemon, Rex Jr. Wilkinson, Lori Williams, Patricia Winnett, Sam Woodward, Liberty Yonker, James Yonker, lesleigh

MEMBERSHIP AUDIT 2017(CONT.)

Adam, Emily Alford, Brandon Allen, Dwayne Ayars, Tom Ayars, Amy Balkcom, Daniel Barclay, Sim Barnett, Laura Barron, Barbara Joe Baxter, Adam Baxter, David Bell, Patti Blount, Ronny Blount, Linda Blount, Courtney Bradley, David Brink, Mindy Brown, Ella Bryant, Bill Bryant, Lydia Bryant, Emily Butler, Baleigh Cerroni, Mary Ellen Christall, Bryan Clayton, Michael Copeland, Dustin Cox, Kody Cox, Dorothy Craft, Jessica Cruz, Kathryn Bell Culberton, Lillie Dorris, Rene Dorris, Dennis Dorris, Derek Dorris, Devon Duncan, Mike Duncan, Pam Duncan, Rebecca Fields, Chester

Flippin, Toby Flippin, Tony Flippin, Beckey Flippin, Josh Foster, Rebecca Friesth, Francie Gaertner, John Gaertner, Catherine Gafford, Jeremy Gafford, Crystal Gammill, Ted Gammill, Donna Gideon, Lisa Gideon, Whitney Gilbert, Jess Glibert, Susan Gilbert, Emily Gilreath, Robbie Gilreath, Rhonda Goodson, Nancy Granstaff, Jeannie Gray, Burl Gray, sue Gray, Brian Gregory, Marvin Gregory, Cindy Gregory, James Gregory, Ashley Gunn, Brandon Green, Daisy Hanna, Jerry Hanna, Marcia Harper, Jamie Henderson, Dean Hensley, Timothy Hensley, Christopher Hernandez, Aline Holloway, Paul Holloway, Anne

Holloway, John Hope, Pam Hope, Zachary Hughes, Joni Johnson, Johnny Johnson, Ann Johnson, Joe Johnson, William Johnson, Rena Johnson, Mark Johnson, Kirk Johnson, Scott Johnson, Sherry Johnson, Tracy Johnson, Trevor Johnson, Tucker Keahey, Mark Keahey, Stephanie Keahey, Kyle Keys, Kelly Keys, Scott Kirkpatrick, Scott Kirkpatrick, Kathy Kirkpatrick, Linda Knight, Latisha Lamphere, Jess Lamphere, Nancy Lamphere, Brittany Lanius, Amanda Larue, Bill Larue, Crystal Larue, Jason Lay, Charles Lay, Jeannie Lay, Mollye Leighton, Jerry Leighton, Brenda Leonardo, Sarah Leuzingen, Alyssa

MEMBERSHIP AUDIT 2017

The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church requires two “readings” of the names to be removed in a membership audit. This is the second publication of the names for that purpose. Please see Pastor Pete’s article for more details regarding this process.

July 1 Vance Payne

Karen Shoemaker July 2

W.B. Cox Sharon Helm

July 3 Mike Dodd

Joy Lane July 4

Beverly Browning July 5

Jake Caddell July 6

Ursula Campbell Candy Jones

July 7 Mary Ann Anglin

Corban Philo Susan Watson

July 9 James Kennon

July 10 Ann Bryant

July 11 Kaylee Anderson

James Bagwell Kiffer Davis

July 13 D’Anne Chaney Frank Gillespie

Dena Irving Crawford Johnson

Kallie Ann Mabe July 14

John Karlovich July 16

Sarah Kramer July 18

Virginia Boyd

July 19 Rosemary Bailey Sharon Burnette

Pat Johnson Debbie Young

July 21 Debra DeGroff

Rita Edwards Caleb Leija

July 22 Marc Maxwell

July 23 Holly Tilley

July 24 Patsy Cowan

July 25 Kathy Crowson Coy Tomlinson

July 26 John Boles

Paul Glover July 27

Brandon Williams July 28

David Graves Karon Hanushek

July 29 Ann Gideon

July 30 John Allen

Sidney Burgin July 31

Ken Hanushek

In Loving Memory of Reid Adrian By: G.V. & Sharon Hughes, Charles & Grace Murray, Barbara Abercrombie In Loving Memory of Kellene Dawson By: G.V. & Sharon Hughes In Loving Memory of Faye Day By: G.V. & Sharon Hughes, Charles & Grace Murray, Darla Bennett, Mickey & Barbara McKenzie, Billie Grace Reyn-olds, Mike & Kay Hayes, Barbara Aber-crombie, Betty Chapman In Loving Memory of JoBeth Dickerson By: Mickey & Barbara McKenzie In Loving Memory of Juanita Wallace By: G.V. & Sharon Hughes In Loving Memory of Dorothy Easley By: G.V. & Sharon Hughes In Loving Memory of Barbara Fromby By: G.V. & Sharon Hughes

In Loving Memory of Kathy Hipkins By: Burke & Sue Bullock, Bernie & Fran Beers, Lake County Crime Stoppers, Joe & Janet Wheeler, Jackie Brice, G.V. & Sharon Hughes, George & Barbara Law, Mickey & Barbara McKenzie, Barbara Abercrombie, Harold Cowley In Loving Memory of Jerry M. Fuller By: G.V. & Sharon Hughes In Honor of T.C. & Sally Hamilton By: G.V. & Sharon Hughes In Loving Memory of Wilma Brice

By: Charles & Grace Murray, Billie Grace Reynolds, Mike & Kay Hayes In Loving Memory of Grady Sellers By: Mike & Kay Hayes

In Loving Memory of Van Bell By: Betty Chapman

JULY BIRTHDAYS

MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS

Kid’s Camp We had 11 kids go to Bridgeport this month, and we had a fabulous week! Thank you for supporting our campers with your donations, your prayers and your letters. Here are some camp highlights in their own words.

My favorite thing was worship, and what I learned about God is I am his child. I like playing gaga ball! I learned that Jesus’ disciples were sinners. My favorite was sleep. I liked the family groups.

My favorite thing was worship and what I learned about god was that He is always with us, no matter what we do or where we go. My favorite thing was the pool! I liked spending time with my friends. I liked worshipping God. I loved my family group and my cabin!

My favorite thing was worship and I learned that no matter what God will al-ways love you!

VBC July 10-14 Registration is open online! Just go to www.sfumc.org/children/vbc and click on the link for the registration form. We strongly recommend that you pre-register to help ensure your child is placed with their requested friend. Online registration will close at noon on Saturday, July 8th. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and our Rome VBC won’t be either! If you can help set up the week before (set construction/painting, marketplace, craft/activity prepa-ration), please let Adrienne know. We still need help! If you’re available any days that week (or every day!) please let me know. We need grown ups for group leaders, we need youth, and we have a few spots for marketplace. It is really fun stuff, and we have GREAT KIDS!

THE KIDS’ PAGE adriennelilley@ssfumc.org

The Youth summer schedule is “fluid”. Sign up for text notifications by texting @ssfumc to 81010

and don’t miss a thing. (If you have trouble signing up you may try texting @ssfumc to 4423337430.

And ZOOM… there goes JUNE What a crazy and exciting June we had around here with the youth department… SS Work Camp was another huge success and have so many to thank for their prayers and gifts to help make that happen… we painted 19 houses, bringing our 11 years total to 204 houses!

And then this past week was filled with excitement and fun as we explored that everything is not what it appears to be at Camp Anakainoo on Lake Texoma…

What’s Next… Wednesday Night UMYF starts back up on July 5th

Dinner Bell Help: Youth invited/encouraged to come help out with Dinner Bell on Wednesdays during the summer to help relieve some of the normal helpers. (10:45-12:00) Blitzed Out will be week of Aug. 2nd-5th

YOUTH NEWS jasondietze@ssfumc.org