First United Methodist Church 404 Azalea St. Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Volume 48, Issue 4
April 11, 2018
EASTER QUOTES
The Lord is risen! The Jesus did not die on the Inside this issue: Lord is Risen indeed! cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted April Birthdays 2 I want to share some lives. His purpose is far Memorials 2 quotations about Easter deeper: He wants to make that I have run across and us like himself before he Children’s Ministry News 4,5 have given me food for takes us to heaven. This is Youth Ministry News 6,7 thought. Perhaps it will our greatest privilege, our give you something to Finance Committee 8 immediate responsibility and Report “chew” on as well: our ultimate destiny. ~ Rick Warren Society of St. Stephen 9 Dr. Lynne Settlemyre News Easter says you can put Pastor truth in a grave, but it won't Our Lord has written the Church Library News 9 stay there. promise of the resurrection, Easter is always the answer ~ Clarence W. Hall Women’s Ministry News 10 not in books alone, but in to "My God, my God, why every leaf in spring-time. Scholarship News 11 The stone was rolled away hast thou forsaken me!" ~ Martin Luther from the door, not to permit ~ Madeleine L’Engle Christ to come out, but to Our old history ends with the A dead Christ I must do enable the disciples to go in. cross; our new history everything for; a living Christ ~ Peter Marshall begins with the resurrection. does everything for me. Special points of ~ Watchman Nee We live and die; Christ died ~ Andrew Murray interest: and lived! ~ John Stott Let every man and woman May you experience the First Vergel & count himself immortal. Let Do not abandon yourselves joy of Easter today, and Anita Perry him catch the revelation of Scholarships to to despair: We are the every day! Jesus in his resurrection. Let be awarded on Easter people, and him say not merely, "Christ God Bless, May 6th Hallelujah is our song. is risen," but "I shall rise." ~ Pope John Paul II SLP Summer ~ Phillips Brooks Camp June 12th - Christ has not only spoken And my two personal July 26th to us by his life but has also favorites: Birds, Bees, spoken for us by his death. Flowers and Faith ~ Soren Kierkegaard - pg. 3 P a g e 2 The MESSENGER
Debbie Smith 1 Toni Galloway 11 Benny Howard 19 Ryan Henderson 1 Wade King 11 Tony Webb 19 Tommy Kerr 2 Tommy Settlemyre 11 Nick Saxton 21 Jerry Higgins 2 Cindy McCoy 12 Noah Hankinson 21 Garrison Goldman 3 Nancy McGaugh 12 Cody Orr 22 Ed Suazo 4 Alicia Reyna 13 Laney Spoonemore 22 Madison Helmintoller 5 Becky Wanieck 14 Benjamin Cook 23 Sidney Helmintoller 6 Roberta Hemphill 14 Loren Whitehead 25 Tom Patterson 7 Lynne Settlemyre 15 Betty Petersen 25 Gabriel Reyna 7 Mark Strong 16 Emily Grady Parell 26 Ron Mertz 9 Richard Wood 16 Letha Kuck 26 Jim Abel 9 Ron Bachman 16 Pat Patterson 27 Jake Broaddus 10 Kate Webb 17 Carolyn Morrison 28 Sharon Doerr 10 Meri Joy Brightwell 18 Vannysa Vega 29
If you have a birthday this month and do not see your name listed, please call the church office so we can update your record.
Memorials
Donation received in memory of:
John Motes
Given by:
Peggy Wille
School for Little People Summer Camp
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays June 12th –July 26th
(No school July 4th week) Prayer and Praise Notes: To request prayer through our Intercessory Time: 9-1 (Please bring lunch)
Prayer Team, complete the Prayer Registration: No later than May 1st Request form on ConnectCard in your Cost: $250 Sunday bulletin or contact the church office 979.297.3046 or [email protected].
Volume 48, Issue 4 P a g e 3
Birds, Bees, Flowers and Faith By the Rev. Mark Price*
When the weather turns warmer and because when its spidery branches are Play. Not a video game or a phone app. the grass grows greener, it’s easier to moving with the wind, they seem to be Physically play. Move. Dance. understand the promise of new life and arms waving in praise of the season. Interestingly, the Irish jig and tap renewed hope that Christians proclaim According to tradition, forsythia means dancing have their roots in an early as “Easter people.” anticipation—an appropriate companion Saxon tradition called the “hop- word for Resurrection. egg.” The purpose was to step As we celebrate the Easter season, the among a dozen eggs as if walking the It is said the dogwood tree used to grow 50 days after the Resurrection, we see Stations of the Cross. This egg dance is straight and tall, but reminders all around us. So be sure to likely the distant relative of hopscotch. after it was used as keep an eye out on your next spring a crucifix for Christ, The Council at Nicaea in 325 AD gave stroll. God made it short the Church a revised creed. The last Birds and twisted with a line reads: “We look for the resurrection The robin, a very thin trunk so it could never be used as a of the dead, and the life of the world to common bird in the cross again. The dogwood bloom has come.” U.S., has a red breast four parts, each with a rusty red color As Easter people, we don’t have to look and a legend to explain it. Seems that on the end and a small hole, a reminder further than spring for an exclamation once a gray robin flew to Christ’s crown of where the nails were driven into the point to that affirmation. of thorns to draw out a thorn, and when cross. The center stamens look like the it did, a drop of Christ’s blood fell on its crown of thorns. breast, leaving a stain forevermore. Faith Bees The traditions that developed around It takes lots of buzzing bees to spread these spring symbols helped explain the pollen and make flowers grow. The the concept that God in the flesh took honey these creatures create is a on death and came back to tell us there biblical symbol of God’s favor. The is life on the other side. What fantastic Torah agrees, for it describes God’s news! promised land again and again as The four branches of This spring, be a witness to the good “flowing with milk and honey.” dogwood blossoms remind news that Christ is risen: people of the Cross. It is Flowers believed Christ's crucifix was Learn about the symbols and notice Long considered a symbol of hope and made from a dogwood. them when you are outdoors this Photo by Cindy Caldwell new life, the daffodil is one of the season. Even better: plant some blooms most often connected to the dogwoods and flowers in your yard and Article copied from UMNow at Resurrection. UMC.org. United Methodist on the grounds of your church. Now is a biweekly e-newsletter Tradition says that for church members to high- giving a gift of Fashion a cross from cuttings of spring light examples of Christian daffodils will ensure flowers. Invite others to help. Set it out living, share inspirational in front of your church, or even your messages, and focus on what it happiness for the receiver—but always means to be part of our give a bunch: a single bloom signals house, for all to see. connection. doom. Make (don’t buy) a gift for someone *Mark Price is Minister of who needs to be reminded of the love Spiritual Formation and The flowering shrub known as the Facilities Manager at Christ forsythia is what I call the Easter tree, of God made known in the Risen Christ. United Methodist Church in Franklin, TN P a g e 4 The MESSENGER
This month our our children that Paul’s 2. We can help others Elementary students will story is really our own learn about God be studying discipleship. story. through kind The tomb is empty, now actions. Our elementary GO AND TELL! We will memory verse for April 3. We can help others Coming Up be taking a look at the is: learn about God by life of the Apostle Paul taking care of God’s May 4th and what his journey He began to preach house. Block Party into and through about Jesus in 5-7 PM discipleship was like. synagogues. “He is God’s 4. We can help others Our children are part Son”, he declared. learn about God by of the most un- sharing God’s word (Acts 9:20) reachable group in the with others. world. Who better to Our Preschoolers The preschool share the love of Jesus will also learn about memory verse for April Christ with children sharing the Good News! is: May 13th than other children? The lesson themes will Sunday School singers When we equip our be- Tell everyone the good perform at the 9AM children to share the news about Jesus. gospels, we are 1. We can help others service teaching them to walk learn about God (Mark 16:15) with Kingdom purpose. through the things June 3rd Together, let’s show we say. VBS volunteer meeting 12 Noon
June 4th-8th Choir Camp
June 17th-22nd Lakeview Summer Camp
July 16-19th VBS! Volume 48, Issue 4 P a g e 5
Palm Sunday – Elementary Students baked ‘Empty Tomb Rolls’. They were delicious! Thank you Theresa Cravey for providing all supplies and planning a fabulous lesson.
Hosanna! Hosanna! Preschool Sunday School P a g e 6 The MESSENGER
God’s Glory
Easter morning in our youth group was amazing. Not only did we get to celebrate the
resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ, but we also got to see the Holy Spirit working April & May through our youth group. Dillon Martinez was baptized during worship on Easter Sunday Night YOUTH morning. At 10am, we celebrated Dillon’s baptism and our other youth lifted him up SCHEDULE with words of encouragement. We celebrated fellowship with gifts and breakfast that 7th - 12th Graders was made possible by some of our amazing youth volunteers.
April 22nd Vannysa and I give thanks that we can be part of Dillon’s spiritual journey. I give thanks Road Trip Time TBD for all the youth leaders who have taught Dillon and mentored him. I give thanks to his family members and friends that get him to church and to youth group on Sunday nights. April 29th Night out at the Park I have never seen a young person that faces more challenges but still keeps such a very 5 - 7pm strong faith. If you ever need a reminder of God’s greatness and the work of the Holy
May 6th Spirit, just take a look at Dillon. In His Service, Kim Senior Honor Night 5 - 7pm
May 13th NO Sunday Night Youth Group – Happy Mother’s Day!
May 20th Food Fear Factor Night 5 - 7pm
UM Army Meeting
April 29th at 3:45pm in the Youth Center Our April 10am Bible Study Topic is LOVE Parents and Students Should Attend
Loving Others We have 15 students and 6 adults attending UM Army from Loving God June 3-9 in Port Neches, TX. Loving Ourselves Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare. Volume 48, Issue 4 P a g e 7
FIRST YOUTH - FUN, FELLOWSHIP, FAITH, FOOD & FRIENDS
May 6th is Graduation Sunday for our 12th graders. They will be honored at the 9am and 11am worship services, attend a breakfast at 10am, and have a celebration luncheon after the 11am service with their families, our pastors and youth staff.
Our church will also be awarding the first ever Perry Scholarship. Please be sure to join us for worship on Sunday, May 6th. P a g e 8 The MESSENGER
2018 Communion Offerings Amount Given
January — Pastor's Discretionary Fund $ 1,453
February – Freeport Port Ministry $ 688
March - UMCOR $ 2,132
April - Easter Offering $ 10,109
Stewardship Report as of 3/31/2018
Budget needs weekly ...... $ 13,372
Budget needs to date ...... $ 173,825
Budget receipts to date ...... $ 148,981
Springing into Action
March 20th marks the beginning of Maybe your assets have grown and For more information about estate spring. The sun comes out, flowers new items of value should be added planning, contact Heartspring bloom and all of nature seems to to your distribution plan. Perhaps Methodist Foundation spring back into action. We typically you have discovered a new passion 713-533-3780, 1-800-521-9617 spend time in "spring cleaning" that you want to support. or [email protected]. mode in an effort to start fresh. Now would also be a good time to check Our financial partner, Heartspring on your will and estate plan and Methodist Foundation, offers a free freshen up the language to match Wills Guide with a checklist of your current situation. Perhaps your things to consider when updating family has increased or decreased your plans to ensure your wishes in size since your last update. are honored. Act now!
Volume 48, Issue 4 P a g e 9 Society of St. Stephen Did you know that rent A single mom; 10 month-old sick baby contact called me often to check on has become very girl! Can’t take the baby to day care, progress, to update me and even to expensive in our area? so nothing to do but take off work from invite me to a mission program that It varies from $750 - my job as an aide in a school. What had a free food giveaway. When I comes first – medicine, diapers, food or couldn’t make it, she delivered it $1150 for apartments rent? When the baby is crying with an herself. I hope the Society knows how and up to $1350 for a earache and congestion is getting much I appreciate their love and small house. When we receive deeper, the answer is easy, “I’ll figure concern. I sent a text but if you see one requests for rental assistance, it the rest out later!”. But then the next of these people, please tell them again often takes weeks to a month to day comes and rent is due. If I am late, for me that I am so grateful. And thank complete a case because we work the late fees are assessed every day - you as well for the donations you make with various other Christian $50 the first day and $10 a day after so that others like me can be helped in agencies to secure enough aid to that. I have a bit of money in savings, a time of emergency! help a client pay that month’s rent. but not enough for all of it. Gratefully, The following story, reported by the people at Society of St. Stephen and Text: Thank you all sooooooo much for another church were willing to work everything! The cards are so sweet. I really one of our clients, is an example of with me. Because of their deadlines and appreciate it and all the help. I needed the amount of time and effort our requirements, my late fees built up, but those encouraging words! Definitely God sent. caseworkers put in to assist people they made special trips to speak with in need and, as you can see, this the manager at my apartment and The Society of St. Stephen is a group of people client was very appreciative for the deliver my checks by hand so I didn’t from the First United Methodist Church, assistance she received. have to wait several more days for Chapelwood United Methodist Church, and Christ Lutheran Church who are committed to them to go through the mail. My providing emergency or temporary assistance to local people in need.
The grand reopening of the church Mary Helen Israel Jeanettte Sciba The library will be open on Sundays library took place on Sunday, April Brenda Reixach Barbara Miller during and after church. To check out a 8th. If you haven’t yet seen the Becky Wanieck Wilda Patton book, locate card in book, fill out name beautiful renovations, stop by and Sharon Doerr Rosa Mertz and date and place card in basket at Chloe Taylor Lettie Abel take a look. check out area in library. Books will be Diane Hester Kim Lee Jane Zhang Lindsay Pulido due back one month from the date We have so many people to thank for Andy Wheeler Kyehan Lee checked out. all the time and effort put in to making Wayne Harrison Michael Lee the library a valuable resource for our Members of the Youth Group Watch this column in future editions for church family once again. more information on some of the books The Carpenter’s Hands group also and/or authors now available for your First and foremost, thank you to played an integral part in the library reading pleasure. But for now, here is a Kimberly Bowers for all her hard renovation. This group includes: library trivia question for you to ponder: work, dedication and leadership for this project. We would also like to Bruce Neumann Butch Munnerlyn What book is most often stolen Ralph Hendricks Tom Crawford thank the following people who from public libraries? worked tirelessly to see this project Joe Morris Kelton Thomson Janet Steffler Bill Cromwell come to fruition: The answer will appear in next Pete Zafereo month’s newsletter. P a g e 10 The MESSENGER
“Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.”
— Luke 1:45 CIRCLE MEETING at CARRIAGE INN 3rd Monday of each month 9:30AM Contact Phyllis Motes, 297-5296
LADIES COVENANT GROUP Women’s Ministry Dinner nd 1st & 3rd Sundays Sunday, April 22 5:00pm 5:15pm in Wilson Parlor Asbury Room Childcare available All ladies are invited to attend!
Join us as we share a meal, enjoy fellowship and help us shape this ministry into God’s instrument for the ladies in MOMS in PRAYER GROUP our community of believers. 9:30am Wilson Parlor Meets every Monday morning (during school year)
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT th PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Friday, April 20 5:30pm 3rd Wednesday of each month Wurst Haus 11am Contact Mary Helen Israel, 297-6968 or Contact Linda Neumann [email protected] [email protected]
There are still a lot of open dates on the Altar Flower calendar for 2018. Forms are located on the counter Do you have news you would like to in the Narthex. Fill one out, mark name on share in our monthly newsletter? calendar, and reserve a Sunday where you Contact the church office at can provide a beautiful flower arrangement [email protected] or 979-297-3046 in memory or in honor of a special person (or people) in your life! Volume 48, Issue 4 P a g e 11
First VERGEL & ANITA PERRY Scholarships to be Awarded
Sunday, May 6th will mark a Vergel and Anita left this life on special day in the 75 year earth to be with the Lord six Now fully funded, history of First United Methodist months apart in 1997, but their the Scholarship Church of Lake Jackson! On this legacy continues with their two Committee day, we will award the first two children - son, Vergel, Jr., who should be able $500 scholarships from the was born on his father’s to award at least Vergel & Anita Perry birthday, and daughter, Patricia one $500 scholarship from the Scholarship Fund. Perry Hattinger. Vergel & Anita Perry Scholarship Fund each year Vergel and Anita Perry were In December of 2002, Patricia from now on. among the first pioneers to wanted to create an endowment settle in Lake Jackson and were to honor the memory of her founding members of this parents; thus began the Vergel church. & Anita Perry Scholarship Fund.
It was her intent that, once the Vergel helped build the first income from the endowment sanctuary of the church and also reached $500, a “youth of the did the lettering and painting on church” would receive a college the first church signs. He taught scholarship. Since Patricia’s Brazos Mall 979-297-4002 high school Chemistry for initial gift of $3,000 in 2002, Bring in your church bulletin on several years then joined Dow she continued to add to the Sundays or Wednesdays to Chemical in 1942 where he endowment every year until receive 10% off your bill and our worked in Central Lab until his 2013. church can get back another retirement in 1980. 10%! In 2016, the Endowment Just ask your server for Anita taught the very first Committee, with the support of more details. Kindergarten class in Lake the church’s Administrative Jackson and she worked for the Board, added an additional Brazosport Independent School $10,000 from the Memorials District for 34 years, teaching fund. Kindergarten, as well as 4th and 5th Grade. First United Methodist Church PERIODICALS 404 Azalea St. #954360 Lake Jackson, TX 77566 LAKE JACKSON, TX 77566 Phone: 979.297.3046 Email: [email protected]
Sunday Worship Service Times:
8am - Classic - Chapel
9am - Contemporary - Sanctuary
11am - Traditional - Sanctuary
10am Sunday School - all ages!
We’re on the web! ljfumc.org
Address Service Requested
The Messenger is published monthly by the First United Methodist Church, Lake Jackson, TX 77566. Periodicals Postage paid at Lake Jackson, TX 77566. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 404 Azalea St., Lake Jackson, TX 77566.
NEXT NEWSLETTER WILL BE MAILED:
May 9th, 2018
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES:
Our Staff Monday, April 30th by Noon
Pastor: Youth Director: Dr. Lynne Settlemyre Kim Copeland Church Secretary: [email protected] youth @ljfumc.org Kelly Colosimo [email protected] Administrative Pastor: Youth Ministry Assistant: Rev. John Settlemyre Vannysa Vega Membership & Finance Secretary: [email protected] Patti Polasek Choir Director: [email protected] Children’s Director: Laura Mays Lindsay Pulido Custodians: [email protected] Contemporary Music Director: Dora Riojas Jordan Goldman Santiago Cavazos