Who We Are Argyle United Methodist Church
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Who We Are Argyle United Methodist Church Our story started with 27 faithful families who moved to a new area and joined together in community. Rancher Henry Johns had a well that was frequented by travelers passing through the area. The well took on special signicance in 1884 as the water source for the annual “Brush Arbor Camp Meetings” sponsored by Prairie Mound Methodist Church as well as for family reunions, prayers, singing, repenting, playing, eating and events each year to celebrate the end of harvest. Many years later, Prairie Mound Methodist Church became part of Argyle United Methodist Church. In 1898, Argyle UMC purchased land atop "Methodist Hill" from the Texas and Pacic Railroad. The rst sanctuary, a frame structure, was built by the rst pastor, Reverend Blueford Henry Webster, and church members. They drove six wagons to the Dallas planning mill to get lumber to build the pews two of which still have a special place in our church today! Over the years, Argyle United Methodist Church expanded. Adjoining property was acquired by trustees in 1947 and again in 1973. In 1986 the sanctuary was renovated and enlarged and a reception area, oces, library, kitchen and social hall were added. By 2003, the church had added three portable buildings and exhausted all means of expanding at its present location. As church membership continued to grow, a need to expand to a bigger building did too. Old "Methodist Hill" and the original Methodist church became the Argyle Town Hall and in 2005, Argyle UMC acquired 20 contiguous acres of land on Highway 377. Argyle UMC held its rst Worship service on Palm Sunday 2009 - where we still worship today! Join us for Worship 8:30 am | Chapel Service A quieter service with piano, hymns & communion 9:45 am | Modern Worship Inspiring Messages and upliting worship music 11 am | Traditional Service Choral & congregational song Exodus: Journey to Freedom Lenten Sermon Series The book of Exodus is one of the foundational books in the Bible. It tells the story of how the Hebrew people who were slaves in Egypt were led out of Egypt through the wilderness and desert to the Promised Land. This Old Testament story is echoed in the story of Jesus and his journey to the cross in Jerusalem. Over Lent, we will explore the story of Exodus and how God used Moses to free the Hebrews. It will lead us to the cross and how God freed us from sin through Jesus Christ. Join us each Sunday ready to remember the Old Testament truths of God’s love, call, presence, and promise for us and all of creation. Use the chart below to see what our study will cover and for a list of all services. If no service time is listed, we will have regular Sunday times (listed on the previous page). February 26: Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30 pm March 1: The New King Didn’t Know Joseph Exodus 1: 8-14 March 8: God Heard His People Cry Exodus 2:23-25 March 15: God Promises Deliverance Exodus 6: 6-8 March 22: Angel of Death Passes Over Exodus 10: 16-20 March 29: Crossing the Red Sea Exodus 14: 26-31 April 2: Seder Meal Service at 6 pm (led by Rabbi Georey Dennis, Congregational Kol Ami) April 5: Standing at the Holy Mountain Exodus 20:1-11 April 10: Good Friday Service at 6:30 pm April 11/12: The Promised Land Luke 24:1-12 4/11: 5 pm (Family), 4/12: 7 am (Sunrise), 9 am (Modern), 11 am (Traditional) Introduction When Pastor Chris asked me to develop the 2020 Lenten Study, I was intrigued and excited by the subject: Exodus. Lent, like Advent, is a time of reection and preparation. We look forward to Easter Sunday when we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, our Lord, who conquered death and oers that gift of salvation for all who believe. This study allows us to look into the past, foretelling another redeeming event. The word exodus is dened as “a mass departure”, usually referring to the events told in the second book of the Bible. For Jews, this book tells of the pivotal story in their collective history: the Passover. Each year they retell the story of God’s deliverance at the Seder. One might ask: what is the connection between Passover and our Lent? The answer is found in the Upper Room where Jesus and his disciples just nished the Passover meal when Jesus shared cup and bread, foretelling the saving act that followed. -Pastor Jon Eckstein How to use this Study Guide This study guide is set to begin Sunday, March 1 and takes you through a daily lesson up to Easter Sunday on April 12. Each week oers a more in-depth look at that Sunday’s sermon. It can be used for individual or group study, although the latter is suggested because of the fellowship and shared insight. Please contact Jennifer Tolin at [email protected] for help in nding a group that’s right for you. The Common English Bible is used throughout all scripture in this study. The Study Questions are the centerpiece of this study. Some answers can be found in the reading, whereas others are found in your own experience or traditions. Finish this daily study with the prayer designed to summarize the lesson. Sunday, March 1 This Week: The New King Didn’t Know Joseph Readings: Exodus 1: 8-14 (8) Now a new king came to power in Egypt who didn’t know Joseph. (9) He said to his people, “The Israelite people are now larger in number and stronger than we are. (10) Come on, let’s be smart and deal with them. Otherwise, they will only grow in number. And if war breaks out, they will join our enemies, ght against us, and then escape from the land.” (11) As a result, the Egyptians put foremen of forced work gangs over the Israelites to harass them with hard work. They had to build storage cities named Pithom and Rameses for Pharaoh. (12) But the more they were oppressed, the more they grew and spread, so much so that the Egyptians started to look at the Israelites with disgust and dread. (13) So the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites. (14) They made their lives miserable with hard labor, making mortar and bricks, doing eld work, and by forcing them to do all kinds of other cruel work. More room for sermon notes on the following page. Sermon Notes Notes: Monday, March 2 This Week: The New King Didn’t Know Joseph Readings: Exodus 1:1-4 Genesis 37 Genesis 42: 1-7 Genesis 46: 1-4 Exodus 1:1-4 (1) These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: (2) Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; (3) Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; (4) Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher. Study Questions: • Describe the circumstances that brought Joseph to Egypt. • What caused his brothers and father to follow him there? Prayer: Lord God, we ask that you watch over those who are moving from place to place. Please let their arrival be welcoming and their stay be lled with joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Tuesday, March 3 This Week: The New King Didn’t Know Joseph Readings: Exodus 1: 5-7 Genesis 41 Genesis 46:26-27 Exodus 1:6-7 (6) Eventually, Joseph, his brothers, and everyone in his generation died. (7) But the Israelites were fertile and became populous. They multiplied and grew dramatically, lling the whole land. Study Questions: • What had Joseph done that so impressed a former Pharaoh that he awarded Joseph’s family prized land and provisions. • How many relatives took this generous oer? Prayer: Loving Savior, show me ways to be your hands and feet, so that I may help share your bounty with those in need. Wednesday, March 4 This Week: The New King Didn’t Know Joseph Readings: Exodus 1: 8-14 Exodus 1: 8-9 (8) Now a new king came to power in Egypt who didn’t know Joseph. (9) He said to his people, “The Israelite people are now larger in number and stronger than we are. Study Questions: • Why did the new king (aka Pharaoh) fear the Israelites? • What was the result of more oppressive workload forced upon the enslaved Israelites? Prayer: We give you honor, glory, and praise, O God. Grant that we will look upon you with awe, yet not with fear. Holy is your name, Amen. Thursday, March 5 This Week: The New King Didn’t Know Joseph Readings: Exodus 1:15-22 Jeremiah 29: 4-12 Exodus 1:16 (16) “When you are helping the Hebrew women give birth and you see the baby being born, if it’s a boy, kill him. But if it’s a girl, you can let her live.” Study Questions: • What was this Pharaoh’s solution for the Israelites’ population explosion? • How is this situation similar to the Babylonian exile? How is it dierent? Prayer: Divine Spirit, lead us to expand our faith and increase in love for you and others. In Your Holy Name, Amen. Friday, March 6 This Week: The New King Didn’t Know Joseph Readings: Exodus 2: 1-22 Exodus 2:3 (3) When she couldn’t hide him any longer, she took a reed basket and sealed it up with black tar. She put the child in the basket and set the basket among the reeds at the riverbank.