the circuit rider the pastor’s pen · easter sunday brunch tricia boll the easter brunch will be...
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The Circuit RiderThe Circuit RiderThe Circuit Rider
April, 2017April, 2017April, 2017 Volume 46 Issue 4
First United Methodist Church “Serving Him by serving others.”
1006 16th Street Hondo, Texas 78861
(830) 426-2073 http://www.fumchondo.com
Office Hours... Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Church Staff... Pastor, Rev. Dr. Lonnie Phillips
Music Director, Susan Phillips [email protected]
Secretary, Shannon Rothe [email protected]
Wesley Nurse, Janet Crain (830)426-5532
Custodians, Ramon Martinez Angelica Martinez
Nursery Attendants, Sherry Hartnett Rosario Robles
In this Issue... Pastor’s PenPastor’s PenPastor’s Pen Health & WellnessHealth & WellnessHealth & Wellness Lay Leader’s CornerLay Leader’s CornerLay Leader’s Corner Church NewsChurch NewsChurch News UMW NewsUMW NewsUMW News Prayer Concerns Prayer Concerns Prayer Concerns Liturgists & AssistantsLiturgists & AssistantsLiturgists & Assistants CalendarCalendarCalendar
The Pastor’s Pen “Taking Flight” Rev. Dr. Lonnie Phillips
I recently boarded an airplane flying from Ft.
Worth to San Antonio. As you know there is the take-off, then cruising along and finally, landing. The taking-off part involved gathering momentum for elevation. The cruising-along portion can sometimes have moments of disruption due to air-pockets and high winds. The landing has elements of rapid braking with seat belt tightening. The church’s liturgical calendar and ministry life at times can resemble this airplane analogy. But no analogy is perfect.
We have recently been on a Lenten journey flying along but soon to stop with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The sudden braking can be startling. The journey itself may well have had some moments of commotion and concern. The stopping and end of the journey brings it’s own challenges. Death and endings have a way of pushing the envelope on mortality, vulnerability and legacy questions. So what is the meaning and purpose of our life? What do we choose to do with the life we’ve been given? What does it matter if there is an accident or illness? How does one respond?
The finality of last meals and last words and our remembrances of them can be cherished in love. Grief comes when love goes missing. Memories have a way of helping keep alive the story of love. The Jesus story, however, continues because God’s love is eternal.
Easter greets the disciples today even as it did back then. God’s everlasting re-creative love comes pouncing back on the stage in the resurrection of the Son. We, too, are given new life and hope because of God’s faithful activity in Christ. In faith, each new day brings opportunities for continued loving service toward others. Such is the church’s life and mission of witnessing to God’s great act of love.
Presently, we here at FUMC Hondo are engaged in a project of addition and renovation. Handicapped accessible restrooms will be added and Sunday School space expanded along with offices relocated. As of today (March 27) $131,853 has been pledged or redirected to this new effort. Total estimated cost is $250,000. New pledges are still being accepted. At some point the Finance Committee will need to make a recommendation concerning a bank loan to the Church Council.
Please continue to keep the Trustees, Finance Committee and Church Council leaders in your Easter hopeful prayers. Much still needs to be done. Easter is about the plane with its many passengers lifting-off/taking-off, being elevated to new heights of love and service. May we remain true to our God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Blessings, Lonnie
Easter Sunday Brunch Tricia Boll
The Easter Brunch will be a congregational effort and the sign-up sheet to bring food and/or help is in the Narthex/Fellowship Hall through April 9.
We would like eight of each of the following: breakfast casseroles, fruit bowls or fruit salad, breakfast breads, and juices. If anyone wants to bring their favorite breakfast specialty, feel free to do that. We will also be needing eight Worker Bees, so please let Tricia know if you can help. The brunch will be buffet-style and begins at 8:30 am, so please bring your casseroles hot from your ovens and your cold items from your refrigerators at that time. We will serve continuously from 8:30 am until 9:30 am, at which time the Easter Egg Hunt will begin.
Choir Practice for Lent During Lent, choir rehearsals
on Wednesday evening will begin at 7:05 pm due to the Lenten study, which starts at 6:00 pm.
Maundy Thursday We will have a special service
on Maundy Thursday at 6:00 pm. Maundy Thursday is an
alternate name for Holy Thursday, the first of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus. The English word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum, which means "commandment." As recorded in John's gospel, on his last night before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then gave them a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). While John's gospel does not record the institution of the Lord's Supper among the events of this night, the other gospels do.
Easter Lilies Lilies are on sale now through
April 10. An order form is included below or can be found on the table in the Narthex. Lilies are $12.50 each and the dedications will be included in the bulletin on Easter Sunday.
Easter Egg Hunt Filled Eggs are needed for our
Easter Egg hunt on Easter morning at 9:30 am. If you would like to help with this, please bring filled eggs to the office by April 10th. Also on the morning of the Easter Egg hunt, please have your children, 5th grade and younger, bring their baskets.
Mission Projects Keri Dodson
Operation Christmas Child - April is small stuffed animals month for our year round collection project . Check stores after Easter for sales! There are labeled tubs under the display in the Narthex for January-April items.
Lenten Used Clothing Drive - Please have all bags of clothing to church by April 2 in time for pick up beginning on April 3.
Food Drive - The Food Pantry depletes greatly during summer months because children are home all day. In May, we will do a PBJ drive in conjunction with Friends Academy, please bring jars of peanut butter and jelly during this month.
Contact Keri Dodson ([email protected] or 830-486-8354) for more info.
Digital Newsletter, Anyone? The office manager is
considering making the newsletter available by email for those that would prefer that method of delivery.
Anyone with an email address in our system will be receiving an electronic copy as well as a paper copy for April only.
Please email the church office, [email protected], if you would like to receive the newsletter via email instead of through the US mail service.
UMW News Janice Highsmith
United Methodist Women will meet April 5 the home of Sondra Burris (1145 PR 2321).
A carpool will gather at the church at 9:10 a.m. to share rides to Sondra’s.
Martha Nell Allen will share the 5-Minute response.
Ethel Martin will present the “Call to Prayer and Self-Denial” program. “In 2017, the offering received from the Call to Prayer and Self-Denial observance will support programming and advocacy for the health of mothers and their children. Programs may include prenatal and postpartum care, access to health care, educational opportunities in medical fields, child protection, crisis ministries, advocacy for equity in law and service for women and children, educational workshops, trauma and health counseling and reproductive health—family planning, cancer screening and healthy childbirth. One hundred
percent of the offering will go directly to maternal and child health programs and advocacy.” (Response Magazine)
Hill Country District UMW will be hosting “A Day Apart” event on April 8 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at North Shore UMC. The program “Untying the Knots of Your Spiritual Life” will be presented by Rev. Kimberley Burke. Lunch is $10 and reservations need to be made through Betty Gilliam by April 3.
Looking ahead, our next meeting will be May 3 at New Fountain UMC. We will meet 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for a mission study, Climate Justice: Call to Hope and Action. We will enjoy breakfast refreshments and begin the study at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is asked to bring your lunch (brown bag style!) and drinks will be provided. Thank you to NFUMW for hosting and inviting us to participate in this mission study.
All women of the church are invited to attend.
Join the UMW in mission to our community!
Lay Leader’s Corner
Carolyn Muennink
Here we are in the midst of the Lenten Season. During these 40 days, we are invited to intentionally focus on our spiritual growth and our relationship with God. This may involve periods of fasting, mediation and prayer. We should stop and take a look at ourselves, our growth and where we are headed as we move toward Easter. The hope is that our spiritual lives will become enriched by these acts. Through this spiritual journey of deep transformation we as Christians embody the character of Christ, both inwardly and outwardly. As we experience this holy season of Lent here in our church, I pray blessings on all of you for a meaningful Lent and a very Happy Easter!
Addition and Renovations Project Update Thank you to all that have sent in their pledge cards, we have a total
of $83,050 pledged for this project. Also, a letter went out to all who donated to the New Office/Fellowship Hall fund from 2011 to present asking to redirect those funds to the Addition and Renovations Project. So far we have been given permission to redirect $21,752 of those donations as well as a donation that was put into a CD of $27,051. That gives us $131,853, which is a little over half way to our goal of $250,000.
Stress is a part of life, and you can’t always avoid it. Whether it’s being stuck in traffic, or other more personal issues, such as juggling work, family, and a multitude of commitments, you can become too stressed out and busy. You cannot always control situations that cause stress, but you can control how you respond to it. You need to set time aside to unwind or your mental and physical health can suffer.
Physical symptoms of stress include: fast heartbeat, headache, stiff neck and/or tight shoulders, back pain, fast breathing, sweating, and upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea. Emotional symptoms of stress include feeling: cranky, angry, frustrated, jumpy, tired, hard to focus, excessive worry, and imagining that bad things are happening or about to happen.
The first step of managing your stress is determining what is causing your stress and knowing your own coping strategies. After you figure out what is causing your stress, try making some changes in your life that will help you avoid or cope with stressful situations. Listed below are some ideas to help: Manage your time—Time
management is a way to find time for more of the things that you want and need to do. It helps you decide which things are urgent and which can wait. Finding a balance between personal, work, and family needs will make your life easier, less stressful and more meaningful.
Exercise—working out regularly is one of the best ways to relax your body and mind. At the very least, you should get 30 minutes of activity 3-5 times each week. Relax your muscles by stretching, enjoying a massage, or taking a hot bath or shower.
Deep breathing—stopping and taking a few deep breaths can take the pressure off you right away.
For optimal benefit, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Imagine yourself in a relaxing place and slowly take deep breaths in and out for 5-10 minutes at a time.
Eat well—eating a regular, well-balanced diet will help you feel better in general and may help control your moods. Your meals should be full of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean protein for energy. Limit how much caffeine and alcohol you drink, and don’t smoke.
Get enough sleep—Your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping. If your worries are keeping you from sleeping, keep a notepad or your cell phone by your bed to record what you are worried about—to help you let it go while your sleep. Go to bed at the same time every night and get up around the same time every morning. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
Take a break—You need to plan on some real downtime to give your mind time off from stress. Look at your life and find small ways you can slow down and chill out. Try meditation, yoga, prayer, listening to music, or spending time in nature.
Make time for hobbies and/or give back to your community—Try to do something every day that makes you feel good—even 15 or 20 minutes will do. Relaxing hobbies include things like reading, knitting, playing golf, watching a movie, doing puzzles, and playing card and board games. Volunteering or finding a way to be active in your community can create a support network and give you a break from everyday stress.
Talking about your problems to family members, friends, your pastor, your doctor, or a therapist
can help lower your stress. You can also talk to yourself! But in order for self-talk to help, your
need to make sure it is positive and not negative.
Go easy on yourself—Accept that you cannot do things perfectly no matter how hard you try, and you also cannot control everything in your life. Remember to laugh—laughter goes a long way towards making you feel relaxed.
Eliminate your triggers—Figure out what are the biggest causes of stress in your life. Is it your job, your commute, your schoolwork, or your commitments? See if you are able to eliminate them from your life, or at least reduce the load. If you can’t identify the main
causes of your stress, try keeping a stress journal. Make note of when you become anxious and see if you can determine a pattern, then find ways to remove or lessen those triggers.
Information for this article was sourced from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America https://www.adaa.org/tips-manage-anxiety-and-stress and WebMD http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/health-and-balance-manage-stress websites. For more information, please visit me in my office.
Blessings, Janet Crain
Janet Crain, RN, is a Wesley Nurse with
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Nurse program is a faith-based, holistic health and wellness program committed to serving the least served through education, health promotion and collaboration with individual and community in achieving improved wellness through self-empowerment. Learn more at www.mhm.org
Health & Wellness Managing the Stress in Your Life Janet Crain, RN, Wesley Nurse
April Assistants Liturgists Apr. 2 Ruth Blanton Apr. 9 Jan Weems
Holy Thursday Apr. 13 Chris Kailipaka
Easter Sunday Apr. 16 Youth Apr. 23 Jackie Stoner Apr. 30 Fred Meyer
Trustee Counters Apr. 2 Bruce Martin Apr. 9 Sandy Hutson Apr. 16 Brenda Vavricek Apr. 23 Sandy Hutson Apr. 30 Greg Rothe
Finance Committee Counter Apr. Jan Weems
Financial Report Ending February 28, 2017
2017 Approved Budget: $340,545.00
General Fund $33,063.00* Income: 21,982.88 Expense: 22,305.69 Balance: $32,740.19
*Includes $20,943.81 from CD#2. Building Fund $60,091.20 Income: 229.62 Expense: 0.00 Balance: $60,320.82
Memorial Fund $13,743.98 Income: 336.60 Balance: $14,080.58
Scholarship Fund $32,290.59
Altar Fund $1,734.42 Income: 282.63 Expense: 200.00 Balance: $1,817.05 CD - Future Bldg. $27,051.03 CD - Memorial $19,870.72
Worship Attendance Mar. 5 115 Mar. 12 90 Mar. 19 115 Mar. 26 110
In Memoriam... The following memorials have been received since our last newsletter.
In Memory of: Mogie Boon
Brenda Vavricek George & Elsie Riddell
Yvonne Nations
Herbert Faseler Brenda Vavricek
Gerald Hay
Brenda Vavricek Tad & Bette Wooten
Charles Alexander
Ellen Tonne
Our condolences to these families on the loss of their loved ones.
Prayer Concerns Betty Alexander
Betty Brown Dalaine Brown
Sam Bybee Jean Callaway
Jerry Carrington Carol Crenwelge
Joe Cross Kimberly Callaway Dean
Debbie Dryden Rick Franklin
Patsy & Bobby Graff David Guerra
Tracy Halliburton Bryan Hartnett Alice Herrera Jeannie Jasso
Annise Lindeberg Sarah Lloyd Jane Martin
Rosa Martinez EdWinnie McWhirter
Denise Moon Amelia Prince
Rudy Quintanilla
Sandra Real Bob Ross
Lisa Haass Rothe Renie Schulte Sarah Wade Kris Wilson
Nursing Home Residents: John Charles Hartman
Jessie Hunter Elsie Kotowski
James McTaggart Carolyn E. Muennink
Our Troops: Erik Arias
William E. Bryant Emerson Cooper
Kacy Kindred Chauncy Krol T. J. Littlefield
James McTaggart, III Kevin Rothe
Bryan Thompson
Koinonia Emmaus Gathering
April 7 at 7:30 pm at New
Fountain UMC.
The Newsletter can be seen in full COLOR online at
www.fumchondo.com
5-Star Church Donation at Work The following letter is from the missionary that received a donation from us through our 2016 5-star giving.
The newsletter mentioned and any subsequent letters from this missionary will be posted on our bulletin board outside the office.
Adult & Teen Challenge
We had the Women’s Choir from Adult & Teen Challenge participate in our worship service on Sunday, March 19th. The women were able to join us for our morning fellowship time and went to the Seekers Sunday school class. A special collection was taken for them and they also had crafts for sell that morning. Afterwards they were treated to lunch at Hermann Sons Steak House as well. Their testimonies and beautiful music were a blessing to all of us.
The following thank you letter was received from their Choir Director last week.
Adult & Teen Challenge 3850 S. Loop 1604 W. San Antonio, TX 78264
An Easter Prayer for United Methodists Easter is a time of joy and renewal. Followers of Jesus saw their darkest days replaced with the miracle of
hope and eternal life. Christians today take time for self-examination and reflection during Lent. "Going dark" for a few weeks prepares us to fully experience those first rays of resurrection light on Easter.
This prayer was composed by the Rev. Michaela Youngson, the Methodist Church of Britain.
When everything was dark and it seemed that the sun would never shine again, your love broke through. Your love was too strong, too wide, too deep for death to hold. The sparks cast by your love dance and spread and burst forth with resurrection light. Gracious God, We praise you for the light of new life made possible through Jesus. We praise you for the light of new life that shone on the first witnesses of resurrection. We praise you for the light of new life that continues to shine in our hearts today. We pray that the Easter light of life, hope and joy, will live in us each day; and that we will be bearers of that light into the lives of others. Amen.
This prayer is copied from http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/an-easter-prayer-for-united-methodists. And a video was produced by United Methodist Communications in Nashville, TN. Media contact is Fran Walsh, 615-742-5458. This video was first posted on March 14, 2017.
April, 2017April, 2017April, 2017 F
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Cal
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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2 5th Sunday of Lent
8:30am-Fellowship 9:00am-Sunday School 10:00am-Communion
Service
1:30pm-Drama Club
3
5:30pm-Women’s Bible Study
7:00pm-Boy Scouts
4
9:00am-Walk Aerobics 10:00am-Sit-n-Stretch 4:00pm-MC Food Pantry
Meeting
5:00pm-Girl Scouts 6:00pm-Webelos II
5
9:30am 6:00pm-Creed Lenten
Study 7:05pm-Choir Practice 6:30pm-Cub Committee
Meeting
6
9:00am-Backpack Ministry
9:00am-Walk Aerobics 10:00am-Sit-n-Stretch
6:00pm-Girl Scout Meeting
Lenten Clothes Drive
Ends
7
7:30pm-Koinonia/Emmaus Gathering @ New Fountain UMC
8
9 Palm Sunday
8:30am-Fellowship 9:00am-Sunday School 10:00am-Worship
1:30pm-Drama Club
10
10:00am-Health Committee Meeting
5:30pm-Women’s Bible Study
7:00pm-Boy Scouts Last Day for Easter Lily
Orders
11
9:00am-Walk Aerobics 10:00am-Sit-n-Stretch 5:00pm-Girl Scouts 6:00pm-Webelos II
12
6:00pm-Creed Lenten Study
7:05pm-Choir Practice
13 Maundy Thursday
9:00am-Backpack Ministry
9:00am-Walk Aerobics 10:00am-Sit-n-Stretch
6:00pm-Worship Service 6:00pm-Girl Scout
Meeting
14 Good Friday
15
16 Easter Sunday
8:30am-Easter Brunch 9:30am-Easter Egg Hunt
10:00am-Worship
17
5:30pm-Women’s Bible Study
7:00pm-Boy Scouts
18
Newsletter deadline 9:00am-Walk Aerobics 10:00am-Sit-n-Stretch 4:00pm-MC Food Pantry
Meeting 5:00pm-Girl Scouts 6:00pm-Webelos II 6:00pm-Finance Meeting
19
4:00pm Chapel of God’s Country
6:00pm-Board of Trustees
6:30pm-Choir Practice
20
9:00am-Backpack Ministry
9:00am-Walk Aerobics 10:00am-Sit-n-Stretch
6:00pm-Girl Scout Meeting
21
4:00pm-Go Blue Day using parking lot
22
23
8:30am-Fellowship 9:00am-Sunday School 10:00am-Worship
1:30pm-Drama Club
24
5:30pm-Women’s Bible Study
7:00pm-Boy Scouts
25
9:00am-Walk Aerobics 10:00am-Sit-n-Stretch 5:00pm-Girl Scouts 6:00pm-Webelos II
26
9:00am-Newsletter Prep and Mail
6:30pm-Cub Pack Meeting
6:30pm-Choir Practice
27
9:00am-Backpack Ministry
9:00am-Walk Aerobics 10:00am-Sit-n-Stretch
6:00pm-Girl Scout Meeting
28 29
30
8:30am-Fellowship 9:00am-Sunday School 10:00am-Worship -
Confirmation
1:30pm-Drama Club
31
5:30pm-Women’s Bible Study
7:00pm-Boy Scouts
Maundy Thursday Service - Apr. 13 at 6:00 pm Easter Brunch - Apr. 16 at 8:30 am
Easter Egg Hunt - Apr. 16 at 9:30 am Easter Worship - Apr. 16 at 10:00 am
Confirmation - Apr. 30 at 10:00 am
Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 16
Hondo, TX 78861
First United Methodist Church
“Serving Him by serving others.” 1006 16th Street · Hondo, Texas 78861 · (830) 426-2073
http://www.fumchondo.com · [email protected]
Address Service Requested
Ministry Meetings UM Women
1st Wednesday - 9:30 am Medina County Food Pantry
1st Tuesday - 4:00 pm Chapel of God’s Country
Ministry 3rd Wednesday - 4:00 pm
Walk Aerobics Tuesdays & Thursdays - 9:00 am
Sit-n-Stretch Tuesdays & Thursdays
10:00 am
Join us this Sunday 8:30 am - Fellowship Time 9:00 am - Sunday School
10:00 am - Worship Service
Methodist Websites: First United Methodist, Hondo
http://www.fumchondo.com/ Hill Country District UMC
http://hcdumc.org/ Rio Texas Conference
http://riotexas.org/ United Methodist Church
http://www.umc.org/
Important Dates UMW at - Apr. 5 at 9:30 am at Sondra Burris’ home Choir Practice Time Change - 7:05 pm during Lent
Maundy Thursday Service - Apr. 13 at 6:00 pm Easter Brunch - Apr. 16 at 8:30 am
Easter Egg Hunt - Apr. 16 at 9:30 am Easter Worship - Apr. 16 at 10:00 am
Newsletter Deadline - Apr. 18 Finance Committee Meeting - Apr. 18 at 6:00 pm Board of Trustees Meeting - Apr. 19 at 6:00 pm
Newsletter Prep. - Apr. 26 at 9:00 am Confirmation - Apr. 30 at 10:00 am