Unless you are a farmer or a shepherd, you may find some of Jesus' parables and metaphors challenging.

Let's face it, pastors have gotten a lot of mileage over the years just from explaining the agricultural stories of the bible in terms of modern civilization.

Some are left longing for simpler times, maybe even agrarian times when life was simpler, slower, seemingly safer.

But I don't think that's what Jesus has in mind for us!

Jesus told stories about farmers and shepherds because those were the people who were listening. What kinds of

stories and metaphors and imagery would Jesus use today? The world of commerce? Business and marketing? The world of products and services?

Jesus' message translated today would no doubt use a lot of branding.

Our new sermon series at

E u l e s s F i r s t U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h May 2016

Church Matters

Church Matters

Inside this issue:

Prayer List 2

Birthdays /Anniversaries

2

Memorials /Honorariums

3

Food Pantry 3

United Methodist Women

3

Parable Players 3

Lord’s Acre 4

Fire Fighter Appreciation

4

Stop Hunger Now 4

May Calendar 5

Important Dates 6

District Conference 7

South Euless Update 7

Euless First Kids 7

E1ement Students 8

Preschool 8

Serving From the Heart 9

Stewardship Moment 9

Book Club 10

Annual Conference Poster

10

From The Pastor 10

Wesley’s Questions 11

General Conference 11

Euless First United Methodist Church, which started April 17th, is Branded!

Join us in reading the Bible to help us understand and reach the world we live in. This world, the one we live in, needs the good news of Jesus, and God's plan is for them to get that news through us!

Branded

Highway Update church buildings sit. Our church's TxDOT Negotiation Team is Jim Arnold, Alan Moffatt, and Brad Tribble. With Senior Pastor Steve Heyduck, this team is working closely with our attorney, Dan Foster, to assure the church is fairly compensated for the property the state needs to expand Airport Freeway.

You may have noticed that our beautiful live oak trees on Main Street have been cut back, one of them pretty dramatically. We

believe this was done in anticipation of widening Main Street. It serves as a reminder that change is coming our way.

We know there will be change. But we also know that we are being led into the future God has in mind for us. Let us all continue to pray for discernment and faithfulness as we move toward the future God has in store for us!

Good news: we expect to have closed on the sale of a section of the eastern parcel by the end of this month. As a reminder, the part that we are selling is approximately 30 feet wide and runs the length of the property from west to east. The eastern parcel begins at approximately the western edge of the new parking lot. That is the side of the parking lot that is closest to the church buildings.

Negotiations are ongoing on the western parcel, the one on which all the

Beginning in July we will no longer

bulk mail our monthly newsletter. We will be

switching to an online format. If you will continue to require a PAPER copy, please contact the church office by June 1st.

Thank you! 817-283-4421

Church Matters

Continued Strength and Healing:

Ann Burns

Ann Keller

Baker and Michelle Ingram

Bobette Banks, Billie Bradford's friend

Burton family

Cameron Mode and family

Carol Rust, Dottie Rust's daughter

Charlotte Everett

Cheryl Bowie, Billie Bradford's friend

David, Sally Rhymer's friend

Doris Alexander, Dottie Rust's sister

Ed Zachow

Glada Rose

Gordon and Linda Roberts, Nancy Bickel's friends

Greig family

Helen Davies

Honor Vaughn, Teresa Sprague's mother

James and Cindy Stewart, Janet Ledbetter's friends

Janice Vernon, Don Wilson's sister

Jerry Angel, Janet Ledbetter's friend

Joe Brown, Jackie Robinson's brother

John Lewis

Prayer L ist Rose Marie, Patsy

Brown's friend

Stan Clarke, Sue & Richard Morrow's friend

Steve Merrill and family

Sue Martin

Susan McGehee

Sydney Marie Peel, Pat May's great niece

Terron Muller, Les Foley's niece

Warner Muirhead

Comfort in a Time of Loss:

Family and Fiancé of Family of Cassie Sumner, Sally Rhymer's friend

Family of Garrett Goertz

Family of Gussie Baxter, Martha Wells' aunt

Family of Leah Bennett

Family of Lucy Ann Mason

Family of Ross Dumke

Family of Wilmagene Wills, Misty Taylor's fiance's mother

Protection:

Chris Maxson (Army), Billie and Jay Bradford's friend

Colton Hardaway (Army) and Kayla Davis (Navy), son and daughter of Michael and Lore Osborn

Daniel Collier (Air Force), Bob Collier's grandson

Eric Sherrer (Marines), Justin Sherrer (Army), and Alan McCleland (Army), grandnephews of Vic and Judy Torres

Jim Orsund, Ellen and Aaron Garcia's friend

Josh Crow (Navy), Annette Kelleher's son

Justin Knighton (Army)

Kevin Balentine (Army), Cindy Balentine's son

Koki Fuimaono (Air Force) Leland Brown's friend

Mason Vaughn (Marines), Stephen and Teresa Sprague's nephew

Matthew Lee (Air Force), Michelle Barker's brother

Sam Weatherby (Army), Gary and Carol Turner's nephew

Stephen Tate (Army), Janet Ledbetter's son

William Crowder (Air Force), Yvonne Rohlfing's son

Bir thdays

We are praying for...

New Concerns:

Al Hankins

Allyson Colgrove

Aubrey Ray, Steve Phillip's Aunt

Audrey Bradford, Jay Bradford's mother

Barbara Lottin

Bayleigh Wagoner

Blackburn Malicon, Charlotte Everett's friend

Butch Murden, Ron Coats' friend

Cecil Alford, Vera Farmer's brother

Charlee Mendoza, Eileen Mode's friend

Curtis Borland

Danny Keith, Candy Klasen's brother-in-law

Darell and Darren Mason

Donna Smith, Denise and Les Foley's friend

Dorothy O'Daniel, Billie Pallett's friend

Doug Graham

Doug Graham

Evy Askew

Jared Lacy

John and Terri Stridsberg, Dottie Rust's friends

Judy Mulholland

Kellsey Abbott, Sherwood and Cheri Abbott's granddaughter

Kevin Maines

Landon Power

Lilia Olvera and her family

Lisa Moffatt, Lynne and Alan Moffatt's daughter-in-law

Marlene Hill, Vic and Judy Torres' friend

Michele Heroux and family, Amber Hawthorne's friend

Mike Sprague, Stephen Sprague's brother

Miss Johnnie, Patsy Brown's friend

Nick and Lisa Schoenberger, Ron Coats' friends

Nolan Fisher

Nolan Hardwick, Barbara Collier's father

Ollie O'Sallis' family and friends

Pat Holland, Cindy Balentine's sister

Pierre Tshimanga's family

Rev. Bud Sprague, Steve Sprague's father

Richard and Sue Morrow

Robbie Breaux, Audrey Coats' friend

12 –Savannah Bowers, Beth Gathings

15 –Jim Gathings

17 –London Menton

18 –Ken Klasen,

19 –Leland Brown

20 –Dana Thorsell, Emily Knowles, Eliza Heyduck

May

01 –Chuck Foust

03 –Joyce Nance, Gary Turner

04 –Mary Lib Saleh

05 –Jill Schaneberg, Ron Coats, Janna Hamm

08 –Christopher Hankins,

Johnny Watts

21 –Emily Peters,

Charlotte Everett

24 –Katie Rohlfing-Uhr

26 –Jake Bowen, Julie Ratliff

28 –Nevaeh Lara-Turner, Kyle Lewis, Ken Vowell, Ann Richie

30 –Marilyn Long, Kathy Hurst

Anniversar ies

Julia Smythe's children

Justin, Patricia L. Brown's friend

Kelly Janes

Lisa Bynum

Mary Davis, Billie Bradford's friend

Matt Taylor

Matthew Lee (Praise), Michelle Barker's brother

Melissa Williams, Jo Kemp's daughter

Mike, Helen Davies' friend

Patricia Beau

Patsy Brown

Rachel Mode

Rene Garcia Jr.

Robert and Charlotte Harper, Lynn Flaherty's friends

Sailor Paul Reitz and his parents Tiffany and Christopher, Jackie Robinson's friends

Sara Lindberg and birth of twins, Janice Kasten's daughter

Sarah Bridgman, Vic and Judy Torres' niece

Summer Grant Kelner

Taylor Rust, Dottie Rust's grandson

Tyler and Mennie Wilson, Don and Ann Wilson's son and daughter-in-law

Vicki Smith

If your prayer request has been left off, please resubmit it. All requests are for 30 days only and will need to be resubmitted after that time.

Page 2

May

07 –Craig & Ann Richie

16 –Dale & Ginger Miller

20 –Karl & Nancy King

23 –Ken & Betty Vowell

24 –Gary & Carol Turner

26 –Sherwood & Cheri Abbot, Alan & Lynne Moffatt

30 –Johnny & Teresa Watts

31 –Michael & Kathryn McGee

In Memory of Alton Ray/General Budget: Weldon Cannon

In Memory of Alton Ray/ United Methodist Men: Darlene Carter

In Memory of Alton Ray & Fred Pallett/ General Budget: Bill Byers

In Memory of Deceased Loved Ones/Pastors Emergency Fund: Friendship Class

In honor of Helen Payton’s 84th birthday/Food Pantry: Jimmy and Helen Payton

In Memory of Roger Ivey & Alton Ray/General Budget: Ronald & Kathy Streetenberger

In Memory of Dick Wallace/Pastor Emergency Fund: Sharon Menix, Marie Bean, Wayne and Sheri Lusk, Dale and Ginger Miller, Bill and Sherri Evans

In Memory of Alton Ray/United Methodist Men: Donnie Brothers

In Memory of Alton Ray/General Budget: Frank Douglass

your hostesses, Euless First United Methodist Women (UMW).

This Community Involvement Event will provide information about current opportunities to support our fellow citizens. We will have guest speakers representing:

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)

UCC (United Community Centers)

Euless First is often referred to as “The Church on the Corner.” As a member of the “Church on the Corner”, would you like to learn more on how YOU can become involved in serving our community? Join us following the 11:00 a.m. service in the Swor Parlor on Sunday, June 26 to learn how you can be the face, hands, feet and HEART of Jesus Christ for our Community. A sack lunch will be provided by

Texas Impact/Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy (Texans of faith working for Justice)

Mark your calendars and reserve Sunday, June 26 to support your faith based journey as the face, hands, feet and HEART of Jesus Christ for our Community!

Want to talk about this before June 26th? Contact Sandy Swann or Carol Bolton.

Memor ia ls & Honorar iums

Food Pantry May Volunteer Schedule:

6 –Linda Lewis, Brenda Hurlbut, Dottie Rust, Hedy Taylor

13 –Phyllis Augustus, Gloria Daves, Doris Brown, Jill Schaneberg

20 –Marie Bean, Bill

The Food Pantry is in need of donations. With summer approaching, the shelves can sometimes run dry. Please pick up a couple extra items at your next grocery trip!

Page 3

Church Matters

Uni ted Methodis t Women

In Memory of Lois Weems/Pastors Emergency Fund: Betty Overstreet

In Memory of Lucy Ann Mason/General Budget: Carla Cochran

In Memory of Leah Bennett/Preschool: Ronny & Ferri Redden

In Memory of Alton Ray & Roger Ivey/Pastors Emergency Fund: Doug & Faye Stapleton

Farmer, Dottie Rust, Judy Torres

27 –Doris Brown, Darlene Carter, Bill Farmer, Brenda Hurlbut

Food Pantry needs: Pet Food, canned fruit, ramen noodles and any non-perishable food!!

adventurers dedicated to bringing the stories of the bible to life by way of skits, monologues and improvisations.

Anicia Brown will lead and

We are starting something new here at Euless First UMC, and you are invited to be a part!

Parable Players will be a Troupe of determined

direct this group. For more information, please join us after the 11:00 worship on May 22 in the Swor Parlor.

Parable P layers

Church Matters Lord ’s Acre 2016

Page 4

yourselves to prayer.

Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.“

This is very much our purpose with Euless First’s annual Lord’s Acre. We remember all that God gave us, and contribute to the

Lord’s Acre planning is already under way! October 15th is the tentative date for the event. This is a time for us to remember God’s abundant love.

Romans 12:12-13 says, “Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote

needs of God’s people, right here at Euless First and around the world.

Start praying for how you can give, For everyone has something to give! More dates and more information are coming soon!

from your meal packaging event on 3/20/2016 have been shipped in a container totaling 285,120 meals from our Dallas/Fort Worth warehouse.

The meals will be received by our in-country partner Reach Now International in Nicaragua.

This shipment is being sent through Reach Now International to Fundacion Instituto Biblico Internacional (FIBI), a Nicaraguan non-profit. Fundacion Instituto Biblico Internacional was founded as a means to get children off of the streets of Nicaragua and into the classroom. FIBI serves over 3,200 children of Nicaragua in 14 public schools, 3 orphanages and 5 child feeding centers. Their goal is to not only feed the children, but to also educate them and take care of any medical needs that they may have. Ruth Aruaz of FIBI states ""when the children do not attend classes, many stay illiterate, contributing to

For 6th grader Jonathan Lambert, and many other children like him around the world, going to school means hope.

"I am really happy because sometimes this is the only meal I get for the whole day," he said. "My parents are not able to buy me food."

The Stop Hunger Now meals Jonathan eats every day at school give him more energy to study and focus, and his grades have risen from Bs to As.

Jonathan is only one of the tens of thousands of children around the world who receive Stop Hunger Now meals at school. By packaging meals with us, you have helped Jonathan grow and thrive. And because you shared your time with us, children have hope for their future, families can take a step out of poverty, and communities can prosper.

We are delighted to announce that the meals

further poverty and less opportunities for them to have a better life. A child that is well fed does much better with his or her studies."" For more information on Reach Now International, please visit their website www.reachnow.net

Visit www.stophungernow.orgfor more information about how you can support Stop Hunger Now and continue your involvement in the fight against hunger. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stophungernow for updates, videos, and photos from the field.

Thank you for volunteering with Stop Hunger Now. We truly appreciate your dedication and commitment to the vision of a world without hunger.

Jeff Jones-

Stop Hunger Now

F i re F ighter Apprec iat ion

multiple city fire departments. To thank these fire fighters we will have cards to sign on May

It has been a year since the sanctuary was hit by lighting on April 27. We had an outpouring of help from

1st and 8th. Join us in giving them a great big Thank You from Euless First!

Church Matters Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:30 Abundance Cafe 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 2:00 Lion of Judah

Kingdom Church 3:00 Centro Familiar

Cristiano 4:00 Handbells 5:00 E1ement Students 5:00 Arlington Life Shelter

6:30 Cub/Boy Scouts 7:00 Al-Anon & AA 7:00 Trustees

Meeting

10:00 UMW Harmony Hope

6:30 Just Walk Across the Room

6:30 Confirmation Class

7:00 Choir Practice

6:30 Men’s Coffee 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

9:00 Food Pantry Open

8:30 Al-Anon

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:30 Abundance Cafe 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 3:00 Centro Familiar

Cristiano 4:00 Handbells 7:30 Lion of Judah

Kingdom Church

6:00 UMW Executive Board Meeting

6:30 Cub/Boy Scouts 7:00 Al-Anon & AA 7:00 Finance

Meeting

6:30 Just Walk Across the Room

5:00 Confirmation Rehearsal and Dinner

6:30 Confirmation Class

7:00 Choir Practice 6:30 Boy Scout

Troup Meeting

6:30 Men’s Coffee 6:00 UMW

Thoughtful Friends

7:00 Al-Anon & AA

9:00 Food Pantry Open

8:30 Al-Anon

15– Confirmation Sunday 16 17 18 19 20 21

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:30 Abundance Cafe 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 2:00 Lion of Judah Kingdom

Church 3:00 Centro Familiar

Cristiano 4:00 Handbells 5:00 Food Pantry Open 5:00 E1ement Students

6:30 Cub/Boy Scouts 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

6:30 Just Walk Across the Room

6:00 Preschool Spring Program

6:30 Men’s Coffee 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

9:00 Food Pantry Open

6:00 Boy Scout Camp-Out on the field

8:30 Al-Anon

22—Senior Sunday 23 24 25 26 27 28

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:30 Abundance Cafe 9:30 Blood Pressure

Screening 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 12:00 Parable Players 2:00 Lion of Judah Kingdom

Church 3:00 Centro Familiar

Cristiano 4:00 Handbells

6:30 Cub/Boy Scouts 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

6:30 Just Walk Across the Room

6:30 UMM Dinner/Meeting

7:00 Choir Practice 6:30 Men’s Coffee 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

9:00 Food Pantry Open

11:00 Preschool Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

8:30 Al-Anon

29 30 31

8:00 Library Opens 8:30 Worship 9:30 Abundance Cafe 11:00 Worship 3:00 Centro Familiar

Cristiano 5:00 E1ement Students 7:30 Lion of Judah Kingdom

Church

Memorial Day Office Closed

6:30 Cub/Boy Scouts 7:00 Al-Anon & AA

6:30 Just Walk Across the Room

Page 5

May

1 Ranger’s Baseball Game and Tailgate. Tickets are $13, and can be purchased from Glenn or Kaye Best or Larry Lewis. You are also invited to tailgate with us beginning at noon in the southwest corner of the A parking lot, entrance A2. This is at the corner of Nolan Ryan Expressway and Cowboys Way. It is Blue Bell Ice Cream Sunday, $1 scoops of Blue Bell ice cream!

District Conference 3:00 pm at Grapevine UMC (422 Church St.| Grapevine, TX 76051)

Arlington Life Shelter 5:00 p.m. in the Heyl Kitchen

2 Trustees Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room

3 United Methodist Women Harmony Hope Meeting in the Swor Parlor at 10:00 a.m.

Just Walk Across the Room 6:30 p.m. in the Library 9 United Methodist Women Executive Board Meeting in the Swor Parlor Finance Committee Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room

10 Just Walk Across the Room 6:30 p.m. in the Library

11 Confirmation Rehearsal Dinner 5:00 p.m. in the Swor Parlor/Sanctuary

12 United Methodist Women Thoughtful Friends Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

15 Confirmation Sunday/Pentecost Sunday

17 Just Walk Across the Room 6:30 p.m. in the Library

22 Senior Sunday

24 Just Walk Across the Room 6:30 p.m. in the Library

31 Just Walk Across the Room 6:30 in the Library

Regular Events:

Sundays– Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. / Abundance Café at 9:30 in the Family Life Center Café / Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. / Handbells at 4:00 p.m. / E1ement Students at 5:00 p.m. Food Pantry on the 3rd Sunday evenings 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Mondays- Al-Anon meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Library, and AA meets in Rm 203 at 7:00 p.m.

Tuesdays- Just Walk Across the Room at 6:30p.m. in the Library. For the month of May only.

Wednesdays– Choir Practice at 7:00 p.m. / Confirmation Class at 6:30 p.m. in Rm 220 (first two weeks of May only)

Thursdays– Men’s Coffee at 6:30 a.m. / Al-Anon meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Library, and AA meets in Rm 203 at 7:00 p.m.

Fridays– Food Pantry from 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m. except 5th Fridays

Saturdays- Al-Anon meets Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. in the Library

Important Dates

Page 6

Church Matters

Distr ic t Conference 76051). The following folks should plan to be present:

ALL Clergy (Elders, Deacons, and Local Pastors)

ALL Lay Members to Annual Conference

District Representatives to Annual Conference

ALL Candidates for Ministry certified in January 2016

For more information please speak with Pastors Steve or Beverly.

In preparation for Annual Conference, June 5-8, our district, the East District, will hold its annual pre-conference on May 1, at 3:00 p.m.

Registration is now open. District Conference will be at Grapevine UMC (422 Church St.| Grapevine, TX

Church Matters

please sign up to either volunteer or for your child to attend.

This years VBS will be the same week as the Preschool’s third week of Summer Camp (it is a first to have a third week). While this is great fun for preschoolers, we will still have a preschool class available at no cost, for volunteers who are in need of this option. We do not want anyone to miss out on Vacation Bible School because there is not an option for their preschool.-aged children. Please, let me know if you

Page 7

South Euless Update collecting cards and notes and taking them to the school on Monday, May 2.

If you know a teacher there, please feel free to write a note or card for that teacher and identify him or her on the envelope. Otherwise, please feel free to write a card or note to any teacher. To make it more personal, please consider

including a short story from your own life that expresses your appreciation for teachers.

Thank you for showing your support for the teachers of South Euless Elementary!

Teacher Appreciation Day is Tuesday, May 3.

Wouldn't it be great if we took a few minutes to show the teachers of South Euless Elementary school, the school our church has adopted, that we appreciate them?

Would you be willing to write a note of thanks to one of the teachers at South Euless? We will be

Euless F i rs t K ids Shine bright! Be a ray of light! Shine into somebody’s life! Shine God’s love all over!

Shine bright! Be a ray of light! Shine into somebody’s life! Shine God’s love all over. Shine bright!

We are going to shine bright at the Surf Shack! Vacation Bible School is coming up fast, and we look forward to having a great time while learning how to shine bright with God's love. Kids in Kindergarten through Fourth grade are invited! If you have not done so,

need any help.

This will be a great week! If you can volunteer or register your kids, just go to fumceuless.org/registration.

Get ready to shine bright at the Surf Shack!

-Jamie Nalley

look forward to celebrating them with you as we look toward what’s next in each of these amazing students’ journeys.

In May - It's Busy!

May 1 - BE. @ The E1ement Table | Fun Stuff at All-Church Ranger Game

May 8 - NO E1ement Table | Mother’s Day

May 14 - SERVE. | Project-44 Farm

May 15 - Confirmation Sunday

May 15 - SERVE. @ The E1ement Table | E1UMC Food Pantry

May 22 - Graduating Senior Sunday

Thanks to Everyone who supported our efforts and allowed us to wash

your car on April 10! We raised around $1300 toward our CTCYM Mission Experience - about the full

cost of a van and its gas. We appreciate your support!

May is an important month for young people in our congregation. Not only is Confirmation Sunday this month (May 15), but so is Graduating Senior Sunday (May 22). Both of these events signify the beginning of a new stage in a young person’s life, so we

Page 8

Church Matters

May 22 - LOVE. @ The E1ement Table | God in the Movies

May 29 - BE. LOVE. SERVE. @ The E1ement Table | Worship

Coming up in June:

CTCYM Mission Trip / Serving @ VBS

For more details on any of these events or to see photos, please visit our website: e1ementstudents.com.

Shane Mullin– Youth Ministry Director

E1ement Students

Angel News:

Preschool is in the final stretch! We will be finishing up on May 27. We had a great Wheels Day! The children rode laps on their tricycles and raised money for St. Jude Research Hospital. Totals are unknown at this time as they are still collecting their donations. We have a

little one who was diagnosed with cancer so this hits close to our hearts. We will be having a Dickey’s and Rita’s fund-raiser for this student on May 3. If

you go have dinner and/or dessert at these locations on May 3, please tell them to credit your receipt to Euless FUMC Preschool. They are located next door to each other on Industrial Blvd. across from Trinity High School, 501 N. Industrial Blvd.

The Preschool wants to thank Jordan Graham and his Boy Scout Troop for installing the interim playground. They did a fabulous job! The Toddler and Cherub classes used it to play in during Wheels Day so they could watch the others ride. Thank you,

Jordan for organizing, funding, building and managing!

We will have our Spring Program May 18 & 19. It is a cute musical about Noah’s Ark, entitled “All Aboard!” There will also be an art show following their performances in the Family Life Center. Preschool will be hosting 3 weeks of Summer Camp, June 6-24, for children ages 2 to 6, if they are toilet trained. Registration forms may be picked up in the Preschool Office or downloaded from the church/preschool website.

Euless F i rs t Preschool

Church Matters

Euless First United Methodist Church’s purpose is to seek to follow Jesus better by moving people from knowing God, to growing in relationship with God, to going forth with God to serve others, and finally, glowing for God by witnessing to their faith to others. To do this we have laid out a discipleship journey to continue to grow and glow.

God’s plan for the church calls for each member of the Body of Christ to play a vital role. Sometimes we think that serving God is an obligation, a duty, and that

it isn’t meant to be enjoyable. The truth is, though, that God wants us to find joy and fulfillment when we serve. That happens when we serve in a role that matches who God created us to be.

Serving From the Heart is a 3 day small group study designed to help participants consider their spiritual gifts, talents, resources, individuality, dreams, and experiences to discover where they can best serve God and neighbor.

The course will meet on Saturdays - June 4 (9:00 to 10 a.m.), and June 11 & 18

(9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) in the Library. Facilitated by Lee & Sandy Swann, this study will cost $20, for materials. The deadline to sign-up is Sunday, May 22.

To register please indicate on the back of your connection card during worship on Sunday and put it, along with your payment, in the offering plate, call the church office at 817-283-4421, or go online to www.fumceuless.org/registration. Sign up soon! The class is limited to 12 participants!

Spr ing Stud ies !

Page 9

10 Financial Principles that are Biblical part 6 of 10

Want What You Have

One of our most pervasive and destructive mental tendencies is that of focusing on “what we want” instead of “what we have”. A person who thinks they will be happier with more, finds that once they have more, it doesn’t satisfy. Wanting what we don’t have produces an endless cycle of undue stress in our lives. Principle #6 SECRET OF CONTENTMENT “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the

world, and we can take nothing out of it.” I Timothy 6:6-7. How do we achieve contentment when our culture and everything around us tends to focus on immediate fulfillment. Advertisers usually stress the importance of how good you will feel rather than function of the product or service. That emotional appeal is tempting. We have to remind ourselves that great gain does not necessarily come from having more things. Contentment involves learning to love the will of God, regardless of the circumstances. The believer who is not surrounded with

the latest of everything should not be frustrated by comparison to others. Contentment does not come from material things. As George Fooshee so aptly states in his book, You Can Beat the Money Squeeze, “People buy things they do not need with money they do not have to impress people they do not even like.” Recognize the enemy. The devil’s mission is to divert us from serving Christ, and that may mean by planting seeds of discontent.

A worthwhile saying on contentment: Use it up,

wear it out, make it do, or do without

Reprinted by permission: Barnabas

Stewardsh ip Moment

Online Giving Link

Church Matters

Page 10

Rachel soon finished what she was doing, and sat down to start folding laundry. "Here," she said, putting the basket between us. "You can fold laundry too."

"I've already folded some!" I said, with an edge in my voice. I wanted recognition for what I had already done.

After all, she had been avoiding doing the laundry to get me to do it. Well, I showed her! Now we would do it together!

Except that the whole idea that "she was avoiding it to make me do it" was something I made up in my head.

So, I said, "the story I've made up in my head was that you were wanting me to fold the laundry. Then I made up the story that you

"The story I'm making up in my head is..." this revolutionary phrase has already changed my life.

The other night, Rachel was busy getting some chores done. The kids were in bed, I was ready to relax for the evening.

There was laundry to be folded.

Why was Rachel doing those other chores right now. The answer was obvious. She thought I should be helping fold the laundry.

She does much more of the housework than I do, but I work full time at the church, so it seemed to me a good balance.

So I folded a couple of shirts and matched a few pairs of socks, then sat down to watch TV.

didn't appreciate what I had already done because you didn't mention it or thank me for it."

Yes, I can be that immature. But I bet I’m not the only one.

Rachel and I have been working on our relationship for as long as we have been in a relationship. Lately, I have to tell you, we have, I feel, made great strides in an already good marriage by learning to use this phrase, "The story I've made up in my head is...." We are practicing doing this instead of assuming we know what the other person is doing. Instead of assuming we know their motivations.

What are the stories you make up in your head about others and their actions?

- Steve Heyduck

From the Pastor

summer reading ready. Wherever your vacation takes you, grab a great book and keep your brain, and faith, challenged.

Summer is coming and once again Pastor Steve will be doing a Summer Book Club. Get your thinking caps on and get your

Have s suggestion for a good read? Shoot Pastor Steve an email and let him know your thoughts. Books will be announced by the end of May.

Book Club

part: First, answer one of these questions, or a similar one, with 40 words or less:

1. Why did you become a Christian/Why are you a Christian today?

2. Who is Jesus to you?

3. When did the love of Christ become real to you?

4. Why do you trust Christ?

The posters will be 36" x 48,"

The theme for this year's Annual Conference centers around evangelism and telling our story. We are diving into that theme by lining the concourse of the Waco Convention Center with just that-our stories! To do this, we are launching a Faith Sharing Poster Project.

Here's how you can be a

and they will be returned to each individual's home church following annual conference. Cost per poster is $40. If you are interested in doing a poster, or in sponsoring a poster for another member of Euless FUMC, please let the Church office know as soon as possible. The deadline for submission of all material is May 13th.

Annual Conference Poster

We are practicing doing this instead of assuming we know what the other person is doing.

Church Matters

Page 11

More on that later, but for now; this question of Wesley’s, “Am I enjoying prayer?” challenges us to take prayer off a chore list and make it matter.

If you have a friend, you get this. No one would have to tell you to talk to a friend regularly. If you go too long without talking to a friend, either something has happened to really occupy your time, or that person isn’t as much a friend as you thought.

If they really are a friend, you want to talk to them, and listen to them. You want to spend time with them. If they are going through difficulty, you want to help and you do everything you can to help. They do the same.

Prayer is meant to be this way. Prayer is communication,

Part of John Wesley’s genius, as the founder of the Methodist Movement, was the way he organized to make disciples. He established small groups everywhere he went. When these small groups met, they would go through a list of questions at each meeting. The questions were designed to guide the group members into a deeper walk with God.

Here is the eighth question: 8. Am I enjoying prayer?

In the last question I introduced the idea of a “spiritual checklist of chores.” If there is such a thing, I’m sure prayer would be on it. In fact, for some people, prayer and bible reading are the two essential marks of being a Christian.

interaction, within a relationship. This relationship is between you and God. If you value the relationship, you’ll want to find a way to enjoy prayer that is more fulfilling that bowing your head for a few minutes, mumbling a few words, and checking it off your spiritual checklist of chores.

Try conversational prayer. Talk to God like you would a good, trusted friend. You don’t have to use religious language. Talk the way you talk. Take time to listen, too. You may not hear God audibly, but if you practicing listening for God, I can almost guarantee you’ll feel closer to God, and, probably, even feel like you know what God has said, or would say.

Wesley ’s Quest ions

This legislative body will meet at the Oregon Convention Center, the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest, on May 10-20, 2016. There will be a total of 864 delegates from annual conferences across four regions of the world.

The regional breakdown is as follows: North Central U.S. (92), Northeastern U.S. (86), South Central U.S. (108), Southeastern U.S. (188), Western U.S. (30),

It is 2016, and it is the year of General Conference!

According to our denomination’s website (UMC.org), “General Conference is the top policy-making body of the UM Church, which meets once every four years. The conference can revise church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs.”

Africa Central (42), Congo (138), West Africa (80), Central and Southern Europe (14), Germany ((6), Northern Europe and Eurasia (20), Philippines 95), and Concordat (10). Forty two percent of the voting delegates will come from outside of the United States.

Please pray each day for General Conference, as there will be tough decisions to be made. If you would like more information about what will happen at GC, go to www.ctcumc.org/GC-SCJC16.

Genera l Conference

L e a r n i n g t o F o l l o w J e s u s a B i t B e t t e r T o d a y t h a n Y e s t e r d a y

106 N. Main St. Euless, TX 76040

Phone: 817-283-4421 fumceuless.org

Twitter.com/EulessFirstUMC Facebook.com/EulessFirstUnitedMethodist

Youtube.com/sheyduck Pinterest.com/EulessFirstUMC

Instagram.com/EulessFirstUMC

Sunday Worship 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Euless First United Methodist Church

PO Box 967

Euless, TX 76039

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

NPA# 225165

Permit No. 2

Euless, TX

76039

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Mission: Euless First United Methodist Church strives to follow Jesus Christ a bit better today then yesterday. Through these efforts we

develop a relationship with Christ and thus transform people, their lives, our community and the world.

Purpose: We seek to follow Jesus better by moving people from knowing God, to growing in relationship with God, to going forth with God to serve others, and finally, glowing for God by witnessing to their faith to

others.

Vision: Our vision is to be a community of God's love and grace so that the larger community and world see God by our actions and outreach.