First United Methodist Church ~ 301 Church Street ~ Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482 Phone: 903.885.2185 ~ Fax: 903.885.4540 ~ www.ssfumc.org

July 2012 We Are First Church:

People Making a Difference

Church Staff

Rev. Pete Adrian Senior Pastor

Rev. Debbie Riggsby Associate Pastor

Carol Allen Director of Worship Arts

Jason Dietze Youth Director

Lane Doughtie Asst. Youth Director

Adrienne Lilley Children’s Director

Jill Dietze Nursery Director

Paul Glover Business Administrator

Jennifer Philo Media Services

Nancy Kirkpatrick Administrative Assistant

Mike Dodd Handbell Director

Ken Hanushek Pianist

Deanna Spraggins Organist

Sam Gilbreath Building Maint. Supervisor

Billy Elam Custodian

Virginia Massey Weekend Custodian

Marianne Shuler After School Program Director

Keitha Manning After School Program

Brenda Rollison After School Program

Cassie Webb Nursery Attendant

Mac Morgan Nursery Attendant

―Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the

same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body,

and each member belongs to all the others.

Romans 12:4-5

IN THIS ISSUE... Pete’s Place………………………………………………………………………..3

Debbie’s Awe-Some Adventure…………………………………………………….3

Church is Just a Click Away………………………………………………………...3

Prayer Concerns…………………………………………………………………...4

July Birthdays………………………………………………………………………4

July Calendar………………………………………………………………………5

Just 4 YOUth……………………………………………………………………...6

New Stephen Ministry Training This Fall……………………………………………7

Camp Brave Heart…………………………………………………………………7

Unity Sunday………………………………………………………………………7

Save the Date……………………………………………………………………..7

Hope Community………………………………………………………………….7

Fun With…………………………………………………………………………..8

Lands End Summer………………………………………………………………...8

Not One But TWO Disciple I Groups This Fall……………………………………..8

Upcoming Walk To Emmaus Weekends…………………………………………….8

Coming This Fall…………………………………………………………………..8

How Do We Pray?...............................................................................................9

The Best Is Yet To Come…………………………………………………………..9

Memorials & Honoriums………………………………………………………….10

Texas Ramp Project Needs You…………………………………………………...10

Church Mailbox…………………………………………………………………..10

Ministry Safe……………………………………………………………………..10

A Blast in Babylon!.............................................................................................11

Emancipation Shower…………………………………………………………….12

Drive In………………………………………………………………………….12

Page 3 The Spire

The good news is Debbie and I have both been reappointed to First UMC!!!! That was the best part of Annual Conference this year. Annual Conference was, for the largest part, uneventful (or maybe I should say "unproductive" much like General Confer-ence the month before), that is until the Bishop rescinded his previously announced retirement. Our Jurisdictional Conference is next month (July) in Oklahoma City. That's the conference at which Bishops are assigned to their respective conferences and that's when we'll find out if Bishop Bledsoe comes back to North Texas Conference. That's enough of the "business" of the church.

I'm re-visiting one of my favorite books "Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives" by Wayne Muller. In one chapter he tells the story of a South American tribe that went on a long march, day after day, when all of a sudden they would stop walking, sit down to rest for a while, and then make camp for a couple of days before going any farther. They explained that they needed the time of rest so that their souls could catch up with them.

The Scriptures tell us that Christ would often try to find a place where he could be alone to pray - maybe that's how he let his soul catch up to him. When is the last time you really stopped to let your soul catch up with you? Have you ever just quit doing some-thing during the day and rested? I mean really rested. A time where you could say a simple one line prayer, look at the flowers in the garden, smell the grass and trees - when was the last time you let your soul catch up? Try it. Go for a walk, enjoy the scenery, talk quietly with God. But take time to let your soul catch up with you. Just 30 minutes, if you're walking stop when it is time to stop, begin when it is time to begin again but spend 30 minutes giving yourself a brief Sabbath during the middle of your busy schedule.

At the end of the time notice what has happened to your body, your mind, your sense of time.

Grace and Peace Pete

PETE’S PLACE

DEBBIE’S AWE-SOME ADVENTURE Who said you can’t go home again? Last weekend, I had an opportunity to return to my old home near Moundridge, KS, to visit the family who had bought my family’s homeplace. My sisters and I had thought that they would have torn down the farmhouse to build a new home since the old home had wiring, plumbing, and foundation problems. But the family had kept the basic structure and started remodeling from there. The transformation was amazing—especially the addition of 3 more bathrooms to what was just a 1 bathroom house. Even though I found myself sharing stories and having memories flow into my thoughts, I realized that the changes I was seeing in the house were vital for the house itself and for the well-being of the family. After all, the removal of dead cats from under the porch, live snakes out of a wall, and mold from in the laundry room was a good thing.

The experience made me wonder what I am holding on to that God wants to remodel and transform? I’m sure there is clutter and debris that are not life-giving. How is the structure of your life? What does God want to remodel? Let’s take a deep breath and let God begin to change our lives. What about our church? What does God want to do in us and through us to grow God’s king-dom? There might just be some life-destroying things lurking in our church corners in the midst of all the Spirit-inspired things happening at FUMC.

Now I want to offer a word of hope as we enter into new and renewing changes. Before my family said goodby to the farmhouse in 2010, we all gathered in the large kitchen. We joined hands in a circle and prayed for the young couple who had one daughter then and would soon have another. We asked God to bless them and to fill their new home with the love that we had experienced. God answered our prayers then. God will answer our prayers for support in the changes to come at FUMC!

Clearing the cobwebs, Debbie

Did you know that even if you can't be here on a Sunday morning you can still be a part of the worship service? Live webcasts of audio (both service) and video (10:45) are available on the church website ( www.ssfumc.org ). We also have an audio podcast available on iTunes. Check it out!

CHURCH IS JUST A CLICK AWAY

Current & Pressing Prayer Requests Jan Chapman Ellie Beers Moore James Perkins Kathy Hipkins Kathie Sewell Jill Barclay David & Ruth Correia Holly Dougan Wyvonne Bronson Norma Tutt Roy Pelton Jim Johnson Bonnie Gilmer Morris Abercrombie Bill Campbell

Hospice Pat Eagle Robert Ardis Mike Kelty

Friends & Family of Our Church Matthew Glasco Brandi Schmersahl Elgin & Coy May Moore Robert Castleberry Micah Reed Clay Evans Sandra Blackmon Bobbie Luker Donna Adams Janice Lemon Hein Eilene Campbsey Kathe Moriniere David Hood Mary Starrett Harry ―Tub‖ Dollins Dan Heinen McKenzie Young Robin Woodall Briley Hostas R.B. & Judy Narramore

Longer Term Health Concerns Ben Dickson, Jack Dickerson, Louis McGrede, Henry Preuss, Johnny Latimer, Jack-son Bouquet, Becky Graves, Sandy Martin, Bobby Ramsey Sr., B.F. Ashcroft, Don Car-bonneau, Sam Robinson, Walter Zimmerman, Richard & Marge Clement, Bob Mor-rison, Beverly Harris Rawlings

Homebound Ruth Milam, Louise Fox, Lilli-an Kinsala, Sue Stewart, Jack-ie Blount, Maxine Bell, Annie Lou Dickerson, Billiefae Sellers, Modene Huggins Rosemary Bailey

Joy We celebrate with joy :

McKenzie Young, infant daughter of Mandy & Jesse Young and the niece of Angie & Mark Faulks received a heart transplant on June 23

Sympathy We express our heartfelt sym-pathy to:

Jarred & MaKenzie Glenn and family on the loss of their son, Jace Glenn

Tod McKee and family on the loss of his wife, Judy McKee

Bill & Nina Alford and family on the loss of his mother, Helen Alford

PRAYER CONCERNS

The Spire Page 4

July 1 Mike Hadaway

Judy Roberts Karen Shoemaker

July 2 Baleigh Butler

W.B. Cox Emma Edge

Sharon Helm Allie Skelton

July 3 Mike Dodd

Joy Lane Joe Perkins

July 4 Beverly Browning

Pam Darrow July 5

Aaron Boles Jake Caddell

July 6 Raquell Campbell Ursula Campbell

Candy Jones Katy Sellers

July 7 Mary Ann Anglin

Corban Philo Susan Watson

July 8 Libby Hanushek

July 9 Maryann Borham

Burl Gray James Kennon

Mary Ann O’Neal Marion Wesner

July 10 Ann Bryant

Gaither Day

July 11 Kaylee Anderson

James Bagwell Kiffer Davis

Tony Highfield Mike Stump

July 12 Gene Barnett

July 13 Cody Blount

D’Anne Chaney Dena Irving

Crawford Johnson July 14

Brian Gray Casey Osborn

July 15 Imogene Barnett Brandon Sandlin

July 16 Sarah Kramer

July 17 Cody Payne

July 18 Virginia Boyd James Perkins

July 19 Rosemary Bailey Sharon Burnette

Pat Johnson Debbie Young

July 21 Rita Edwards

T.H. Vandeventer July 22

Adam Baxter July 23

Lynn Massingill Holly Tilley

July 24 Katie Barnett

Hayley Thurman

July 25 Ella Brown

Kathy Crowson Dan Hoke

Coy Tomlinson July 26

John Boles Paul Glover

July 27 Michael Skelton

Brandon Williams July 28

David Graves Marcia Hanna

Karon Hanushek Anne Holloway

July 29 Ann Gideon

July 30 John Allen

Sidney Burgin Teresa Elliott

July 31 Ken Hanushek

Malcolm Kirkland Miriam Robinson

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Mark 5:21-43

2 5pm Stephen Ministry

3 7:30am SS MEN-

nows 9am Respite Care 10am Prayer Group 5:15pm Cluck Hens

Grp

4 Church Office

Closed

5 12pm Rotary

6

7 8am Chrysalis Flight

Mtg in FH

8 2 pm Emancipation

Shower in Parlor

9 9am Staff Meeting

10 7:30am SS MEN-

nows 9am Respite Care 10am Prayer Group 5:15 pm Trustees

Mtg 5:15pm Cluck Hens

Grp 6 pm Missions Mtg

11 6:45 am Son Rise

Fellowship 10:30 am Pastor’s

Study 12 pm Dinner Bell 6:30 pm Choir

12 12pm Rotary

13

14

15

Mark 6:14-29

16 9am Staff Meeting 10:30 am Young at

Heart

5pm Stephen Ministry

17 7:30am SS MENnow 9am Respite Care 10am Prayer Group 5pm Finance Mtg 5:15pm Cluck Hens

18 6:45 am Son Rise

Fellowship 10:30 am Pastor’s

Study 12 pm Dinner Bell 6:30pm Choir

19 12pm Rotary

20 21

22

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

23 9am Staff Meeting

24 7:30am SS MENnow 9am Respite Care 10am Prayer Group 5:15pm Cluck Hens

25 6:45 am Son Rise

Fellowship 10:30 am Pastor’s

Study 12 pm Dinner Bell 6:30 pm Choir

26 12pm Rotary

27 28

29

Unity Sunday 10:45 worship followed by a

Church luncheon

John 6:1-21

30 9am Staff Retreat 5pm Stephen Ministry

31 7:30am SS MENnow 9am Respite Care 10am Prayer Group 5:15pm Cluck Hens 6pm Care & Nurture

July 20 12

—————–————-Children’s Camp at Bridgeport—————–————- —–———-Camp Anakainoo—–———-

——-Boys Chrysalis Flight——-

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Summer Slam . . . The heat wave is coming, but we keep on a’rollin. Work Camp was another great success, our Mission Mayhem going on right now I know is gong to be wonderful, and Camp Anakainoo is on the horizon . . .

SSWC Work camp was amazing (again). We painted 20 houses in 3 days, bringing the 5 year total to 102 houses. That’s 102 houses painted in just 15 days of actual painting . . . incredi-ble!! We had over 300 teens and adults painting away from over 10 churches in the surrounding area and several from not so surrounding. Another 100+ volunteers behind the scenes feeding and delivering and caring for all those working on hous-es. Many of them our FUMC family . . . it was awesome to see so many of you there at meal times and delivering food to the crews. And not to mention those wonderful men of our church who went out a month in advance and did pre-work on many of the houses so all the kids had to do was scrape and paint.

Sr. High Mission Mayhem Funny how sometimes one door closes and God opens a bigger and better one. Just when our Habitat gig fell through at the last minute, God planted a great idea for our kids to serve some of our very own in our church who could really benefit from some strong, serving teens. I hope you’re not reading this thinking I could have used them, but if you are, let me know how we can help and we will see what we can do. Now, I’m not necessarily opening a year round work crew, but we would love to help you if you have a need that cannot be met. We are honored to serve.

Camp Anakainoo (July 11-15) Okay, we’re extending the deadline for registration to this com-ing Sunday, July 1st. You should have received a flyer with in-formation, but if not, please let me know ASAP. This promises to be another great camp with our friends from Wesley, Green-ville and FUMC, McKinney at Sky Ranch, Cave Springs, OK. You can register online from the church website under the stu-dent ministry tab. The cost is $355, but please don’t let that be a reason not to go . . . we can work out something and I know there are those out there in the church family who would love to help. Let me know ASAP.

Not So Long Range Dates: August 10-12: Blitzed Out (incoming 6th Graders invited!)

Who’s Getting Older This Month:

11th: Kaylee Anderson 16th: Sarah Kramer

25th: Coy Tomlinson 29th: Dylan Kelley

JUly Calendar: Wed 11th – Sun 15th: Camp Anakainoo *go to church web-site for more

information Wed 18th: UMYF (6:30 – 8:00) *NO meal Wed 25th: UMYF (6:30 – 8:00)

*NO meal Sat 28th : Sr. High Guys Day at Ryan’s (tentative date)

*more info & confirmation to come

NEW STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING THIS FALL FUMC will be offering a unique and equipping ministry and mission opportunity for you to grow as a responder in Chris-tian care and compassion to persons in need. Stephen Min-istry is a 50-hour training full of insights for caring and skills to respond to people who may have lost a loved one, going through a divorce, dealing with drugs in the family, or find-ing themselves in a very difficult situation. We’re looking for people with the gifts of listening and compassion. If you are thinking about becoming a Stephen Minister, please let us know. We’d like to talk with you more about it and give you an application. For more info, call or text Debbie at 903-243-3333 or email at debbieriggsby@ssfumc.org or talk with Tom Young, Dennis Schmersahl, Lew Riggsby, or Bar-bara McKenzie.

The Back to School Clothing Sale is back on the church calendar for August 18. If one of your summer projects is to clean out closets, please consider donating your clothing items to this wonderful mission project. Since storage space is scarce at the church we can’t take donations until early August but your donations will be greatly appreciated.

The Back to School Clothing Sale was started to help fami-lies provide shoes, clothing and backpacks for their school-aged children. It has been a huge success and a blessing to our community. Every item is priced at 25¢. Items not sold are boxed up and donated to the clothing ministry at League Street Church of Christ.

SAVE THE DATE

You are invited to join us each 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month

for a Praise & Worship Service. We meet at 6:00 pm for food & fellowship and

worship begins at 6:15 pm A Growing Disciple group, facilitated by

Rev. Debbie Riggsby, meets at 4pm Hope Community Center is located at 110 Glover St.

(the corner of Glover and North Davis St.) For more information call 903-532-0708 or visit us

at www.HopeCommunityCenter.info or like us on Facebook.

The Spire Page 7

CBH is a grief camp for children ages 6 and up on August 3rd at FUMC Sulphur Springs and hosted by Cypress Basin Hospice. Camp activities will include special memory pro-jects, arts, crafts, games, and entertainment. CBH is free of charge. For more info or to volunteer, contact Cypress Basin Hospice at 903-577-1510, info@cbhospice.org, or call Sarah Maddux at 903-438-2796.

CAMP BRAVE HEART

Mark your calendars now for our 5th Sunday

Unity Celebration Sunday July 29th at 10:45am

Followed by a luncheon in Fellowship Hall

The Spire Page 8

UPCOMING WALK TO EMMAUS WEEKENDS

In his June 24th sermon, Pete talked about taking off the armor of the culture and putting on the armor of faith for God. We often do not see how much the culture affects our life. But going on a Walk to Emmaus or a Chrysalis (for youth 15-18) weekend will help you see culture’s draw and show you the depth of God’s amazing love for you! During the weekend, experience the work of the Holy Spirit in you to guide you into becoming a faithful follower of Christ and a leader in growing God’s kingdom. We invite you to pray about going on an upcoming weekend. For more info, call Debbie Riggsby at 903-885-2185.

Boys’ Flight July 20-22

Girls’ Flight July 27-29

Women’s Walk 12-116 Sept. 27-30, 2012 Lone Star

Men’s Walk 12-117 Oct. 18-21, 2012 Lone Star

Women’s Walk 13-118 Feb. 21-24, 2013 Lone Star

Men’s Walk 13-119 Apr. 25-28, 2013 Lone Star

Women’s Walk 13-120 Sept 26-29, 2013 Lone Star

Men’s Walk 13-121 Oct 17-20, 2013 Lone Star

Check www.netemmaus.org for more details

A new summer series for kids!

Who: All children 3 years old through 5th grade

What: Explore a surprise theme each week, $5

When: 9:30-12:00pm Wednesdays, July 11th-August 1st

Where: First UMC

Why: To HAVE FUN exploring God’s great big world!

We need your help to make this happen! If your child is participating, please sign up to help with 1 day of

―Fun With‖.

Register TODAY on the church website!

Pete and Debbie both believe that letting the Bible engage your life in a Disciple I Bible Study is so important for each person in our church as well as our whole church family. So this fall we’re offering a Tuesday evening and a Wednesday evening class. If you have not taken this integral part in growing disciples of Jesus Christ, start clearing your sched-ule to join either Debbie on Tuesdays or Pete on Wednes-day. You are invited to start praying about this transforming adventure and asking God about participating. To talk more about it, call Debbie at 903-243-3333.

NOT ONE BUT TWO DISCIPLE I GROUPS THIS FALL

Jill Barclay is starting a 6 weeks called Overcoming Chal-lenges by Bill Hybels based on Nehemiah. There will be a class Tuesday morning at 9:30 am and another Tuesday night at 6:00 pm starting July 10th. Books are $8.

Call Jill at 903-383-3363 for more details!

LANDS END SUMMER

Here are just a few of the upcoming offerings for study and growth: Christian Caregiving – Lew Riggsby and Lynne Merrick Wednesday Bible Study – Phil Morgan Tuesday Night Bible Study on James – Nancy Rooks

and Jill Barclay Land’s End Groups – Jill Barclay Beth Moore on Wednesdays Disciple I on Tuesday or Wednesday nights – Debbie

or Pete Good Grief Support Group for the Holidays – Sarah

Maddux, Lynne Merrick, and Patty Osborne

COMING THIS FALL

The Spire Page 9

In Luke 11:1 one of Jesus’ disci-ples said to him, Lord teach us to pray.‖ Jesus responded by teach-ing them the Lord’s Prayer.

Do you have a special place in which to pray? This could be a comfortable chair or outside un-der a tree. There isn’t just one place or one way to pray to our Lord. We each have our own thoughts on reaching out to Jesus.

Our Church has a quiet place in which to pray with others. The ―Prayer Room‖ is located on the second floor near the choir room. With the light beaming through a beautiful stained glass window it sets a reverent mood and atmosphere to talk with God. The window was designed and built by Max Bradford. As anywhere in the world, God is always there waiting patiently and listening for us to join

Him. I know He listens and guides all those who come to the room. Some prefer to pray silently. Some prefer corporate prayer, supporting one another.

In each pew of the sanctuary there is a prayer card for special re-quests. Some prefer to drop the card in the offering plate. You will be blessed as your request is of-fered up in prayer. Some people find a special meaning in these requests and bring them to prayer time on Tuesday morning. If you know of a brother or sister in Christ in need this could be a

wonderful opportunity to gather and feel close to God’s love and mercy.

I’ll see you in the Prayer Room on Tuesday.

Nancy Ferguson

HOW DO WE PRAY?

As I write, it is just exactly 7 AM and the temperature is 73 degrees. The predicted high is 104 degrees. Welcome to summer in beautiful North East Texas!! Hot! Hot! Hot! There is little relief in sight for many months.

As I move from my air conditioned home to my air conditioned car, to travel to my air conditioned office at church, I am mentally getting out the Christmas decorations and brushing off the holly and the ivy. It’s time to make final decisions on Christmas music for 2012.

Since I really love Christmas music this is hardly a difficult task for me. I catch myself humming ―Away in a Manger‖ as I do the dishes.

This year will be special because we will celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world! Born anew! Born again! Come to the world to save us from our sin.

What’s special about that?

It is special because it is the time when we gather our thoughts and actions into one glorious celebration, one time of remem-brance. The time when we know that God’s plan is as simple and perfect as a newborn baby.

So in the midst of this Texas heat, I practice the presence of the Christ Child on that ―Silent Night‖. ―In the Bleak Mid-Winter‖ sounds pretty good right now.

As always, I wish to invite you to come sing with us in our Sanctuary Choir. We are coming back this week from a short summer hiatus. Rehearsals resume July 11th. Break out of your rut!! Do something different this summer. Come sing in choir.

We have a place for you, and music and a folder and a robe and, well, you get the idea. And the best incentive of all, we rehearse and worship in an air conditioned space. It’s cool man! And Christmas is coming!

Carol

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

The Spire Page 10

MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS In Loving Memory of Helen Alford By: Bernie & Fran Beers, Sidney Burgin, Rex & Barbara O’Dell, Jackie Brice, Billie Grace Reynolds, Judy Tipping, Rev. Debbie & Lew Riggsby, Charles & Grace Murray, Cathey Pribble Williams, John & Linda Haynes, Joe & Lucy McCorkle, James & Annada Jones, James & Neva McClurg, Bob & Jeanette Connally In Honor of Gaither Day on his Birthday By: Bob & Ann Gideon In Honor of the Good News Bible Class By: Jimmy & Candy Jones In Loving Memory of Ola Hughes By: Lloyd & Jo Ann Johnson, Ken & Bonnie Burtch, Charles & Grace Murray, Cathey Pribble Williams In Loving Memory of JoBeth Levine By: Cathey Pribble Williams In Loving Memory of Judy McKee By: North Hopkins Water Supply, Messengers Class, Rev. Debbie & Lew Riggsby In Honor of Joe Perkins on his Birthday By: Bob & Ann Gideon, Dallas Friends

CHURCH MAILBOX

Our North Texas Conference has a new and enhanced pro-gram for helping churches provide a safe environment for children, youth, and vulnerable adults from those who would harm and prey upon them. The program is called Minis-trySafe and includes background checks and on-line training. This is important for the well-being of our church because only 1 out 6 perpetrators are even known by our criminal justice system. We need to build a community of trained persons who not only share the love of Christ but can help provide a safe place for all God’s children. Everyone who works with children, youth, and vulnerable adults from the Dinner Bell to Sunday School will soon be receiving an email invitation for the training and background check forms to fill out and return to the church office. For more info, call Deb-bie at 903-885-2185. Join with us in creating a safe place and a warm welcome for all.

MINISTRY SAFE

Dear Church Family:

Have you ever been given a gift or blessing and you did not know it? It happened to me!

T.C. Hamilton asked me if I would help him cook hamburgers for the Dinner Bell. T.C. is my friend and I can never say ―No‖ to a friend, or my church for that matter. So I agreed. To be honest, I was not real excited about sweating over a 1000 degree grill on a hot summer day.

I got to the church at 10:00 a.m. to fire up the grill. I was amazed that there were people already at the church visiting and waiting to receive a good meal. My goal at this point is not only to cook burgers, but not burn them up or burn the church down or injure any of my co-workers. I was met by happy faces like T.C., Judy Gilreath, Lindsay Caldwell, Jimmy Jones, and others who were cheerful servants. I understand why. By 11:30, I guessed there was well over 100 people there. They were the most gracious and appreciative folks. They thanked me and everyone else who helped with their meal. I was amazed that we had such a need in this town and that more than 100 showed up!

I was filled with pride that our church saw a need and sprang into action. If you have not volunteered to work at the Din-ner Bell yet, please do. They are also always in need of do-nations. T.C. gave me a gift and I did not even know it. What a wonderful feeling I had knowing that I helped a little that day to brighten someone else’s day. A hot meal served by a cheerful person is a gift to all involved.

I heard the phrase the other day: ―Applied Christianity.‖ The Dinner Bell exemplifies that. Way to go FUMC!

Clay Johnson

TEXAS RAMP PROJECT NEEDS YOU Texas Ramp Project builds wheelchair ramps for disabled or elderly people who can’t afford to buy one. In a few hours on a Saturday morning, we give these folks the freedom to leave their home again—the home where they want to re-main.

We have a great group of volun-teers in our efforts at FUMC but younger volun-teers are needed.

If you would like more infor-mation about the time com-mitment or the projects they build please contact Max Bradford at 903-243-1069.

The Spire Page 11

VBS was a wonderful success! We shared the truth about the One True God with 130 children! Throughout the week, children and adults alike had a won-derful time exploring ancient Babylon. From the Marketplace, to the Palace Playground, to Celebration, and to everyone’s favorite, Daniel’s Adventures, children were immersed in the Babylon experience and saw for themselves what it might have been like to live in a strange land, as Daniel did. They learned that no matter where they go, even in Babylon, God is always with them.

The children also raised $314.24 throughout the week for Imagine No Malaria. This is a Methodist supported mission that

provides mosquito nets, medication, and education about malaria to people in Afri-ca. Our children were moved by stories of children at risk, and continue to pray for the families who will benefit from their gift.

Each day, parents came in to share stories about how their children were impacted by VBS. Some

children continued to talk about Daniel and King ―Nevercudnever‖ at home throughout the week,

and others remembered, as they walked into a dark room, that ―When I am afraid, God is with me.‖

The lessons learned in Babylon continue to grow in our children, and

it is all thanks to the wonderful volunteers, listed below, who made

VBS possible. When you see these angels, please be sure and thank

them for making a difference in the lives of our children!

A BLAST IN BABYLON!

Debbie Stinson Chaney Johnson

Judy Moore Julie Vaughan Sidney Dietze Peyton Dietze Lexi Anderson Candy Jones David Larkin Will Horton Pete Adrian

Debbie Riggsby Jill Dietze

Brooke Doughtie Nanci Williams Taylor Harden Amy Harden

Brooke Harden Angela Zahn Aubrey Faulks Jessica Wasson Deidra Wallace Summer Brooks

Frances Charlton Chase Charlton Jaye Doughtie

Donna Williams Sally Toliver Jessie Castro

Sue Ann Johnson Benny Johnson Natalee Foster Kaci Crowson Gracie Horton Tristan Morgan

Carol Gee Peggy Dietze

Meagan McCullough John Little

Tanya Bridges Delaina Russell Kade Crowson Kathryn Jones Christi Funk Ross Funk

Juanice Tomlinson

Andrew Foster Pam Sellers

Eddie Jo Edge Mary Ellen Little Susan Toliver Blaire Littleton Nancy Rooks Judy Jones

Lew Riggsby Paula Altenbaumer Sue Ellen Hurley Cathey Williams Jessica Cowley David Stribling Sid McClure

Coy Tomlinson Anne-Michelle Penson

Jennifer Graves Mandy Fenton Leesa Toliver Sarah Kramer Emma Lane

Gage Penson

Ryder Caddell Joy Lane

Mike Davis Christie McCullough

Jim Rooks Sara Allen

Lesley Williams Drew McCullough

Dana Wallace Lisa Johnson

Nancy Kirkpatrick Jennifer Philo Jason Dietze Brian Toliver Rusty Harden

Cathy Schmersahl Amber Norris Jamie Young

Sam Gilbreath Billy Elam

All of our adult Sunday school classes

Southwest Dairy Museum

Our Wonderful Volunteers...

Non Profit Organization

Permit #168

Sulphur Springs

Texas 75482

First

United

Methodist

Church

301 Church Street Sulphur Springs, Texas

75482

903.885.2185 www.ssfumc.org

Office Hours Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm Friday 8am-12pm

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Date Sensitive—Please deliver by July 3, 2012

EMANCIPATION SHOWER

Join us Sunday, July 29th at 6:00 pm for a night at the Drive-In

Bring your lawn chairs and join us in the Family Life Center Gym for a screening of

“Courageous”. Nursery will be provided for children under 3

and older children will be treated to their own movie upstairs in The Zoo.

We will have movie concessions for your dining pleasure.

Sunday, July 8th, the UMW will be hosting an Emancipa-tion Shower for a young man named Caleb. Caleb is 18 years old and will be leaving the foster care system.

An Emancipation Shower helps people like Caleb by providing items that are needed to set up an independ-ent living situation. Those items include bedding, tow-els, dishes, cooking utensils, pots & pans and much, much more.

Items needed include: queen-size bedding (black is his color choice), pillows, alarm clock, trash can, lamp, tow-els/washcloths, clothes hamper, hangers, plastic storage tote, person hygiene items, can opener, broom, mop, dish towels, school supplies. A complete list is available in the church office.

Please make plans to be here July 8th at 2pm in the Church Parlor as we shower Caleb with love and support and the items he needs for this new chapter in his life.