The Pastor’s Pondering Rev. J. Paul Bruhn

January, 2021 Grace and peace to y’all in JESUS’ mighty Name! Volume 50 We just had a wonderful series of holidays this last Issue 1 month, had in person worship services that were broadcasted globally – who would have thought about that just First United Methodist one year ago – and we are continuing the fight against covid-19 “Serving Him by serving others.” th with the first vaccines becoming available. As so often over the 1006 16 Street last twelve months, it seems nobody can really agree on how to Hondo, Texas 78861 handle the situation. Our proverbial skin seems to become more (830) 584.0300 and more thin, and people seem to become upset over some of www.fumchondo.com the smallest offenses. [email protected] How are we to respond to all the demands and expectations that surround us? Mask or no mask? Hug or 6 ft. distance? In person Office Hours... or tele-commute? And once I finally did make a decision, who Monday - Thursday will I offend willingly or unintentionally? All these choices and 8:30 am - 4:00 pm possible consequences can have a paralyzing effect on one’s life.

Some might just want to hibernate until no more covid challenge Church Staff... exist. That is not really a valid and viable option. Pastor It might be time to look for the Moravian Watchword for 2021. Rev. J. Paul Bruhn This small Christian community in central Germany has [email protected] prepared scripture readings for every day since the 1700s. Additionally they look for a Bible verse that will be the theme Choir Director for a whole year. was very much influenced by the Leon Moravians, since he met them on the ship that brought them all Accompanist to Georgia. It was in one of their home groups back in London, Victoria Reed on Aldersgate Street, that John Wesley received of his

Office Manager faith and salvation, while he had already been an Anglican priest Marion Bruhn for several years. While a small group had gathered to read the [email protected] preface to the Epistle to the Romans by Martin Luther, John Wesley felt his heart so strangely warmed. Custodians, So what are the Moravians sharing with us this year? Ramon Martinez They have given us Luke chapter 6, verse 36. Angelica Martinez Jesus Christ says, “Be merciful, even as Jessica Gomez your Father is merciful.” (English Nursery Attendants, Standard Version) Rosario Robles (Yes, I have included the artwork of a Laurie Schuh German illustrator that includes the German Bible verse) With many people being on the edge it is so easy to hurt one another. Instead take a deep breath, count to ten, and then respond with grace and mercy. It is in James 2:13 that the brother of Jesus is reminding us that, “mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Maybe, we need to recommit This is expressed in Lay Leader ourselves to a life style of a prayer, which is grace and mercy in the midst reprinted in this newsletter. Tricia Boll of increasing judgmentalism. I pray that you may find While I’m not sad One way of celebrating the time to prepare yourself to see 2020 in the GOD’s mercy and goodness for this exciting and invig- rearview mirror, at the beginning of the new orating opportunity to mark it has been a year to be year and remembering His a fresh start for your walk remembered, not only for its goodness is to rededicate our with GOD. challenges but for the lives to serve Jesus Christ. Keep the faith and stay learning opportunities we You are invited to join us for safe! have embarked upon for the our annual Covenant Renewal Pastor J. Paul Bruhn <>< sake of the Church. Service on January 3, 2021 at I have to admit to feeling 10:00 am live in our sanctuary Covenant Prayer idle at times in the role of or joining us on Facebook I am no longer my own, lay leader in this new church Live and AM1460 KCWM. but yours. environment. The idleness On August 11, 1755 Put me to what you will, isn’t laziness, but more John Wesley celebrated for rank me with whom you uncertainty of the effective- will; the first time a Covenant ness of digital ministry and Renewal Service with a group put me to doing, put me to suffering; how to reach others when of Methodists. In London let me be employed for you, there is so little feedback these services were held on or laid aside for you, from those in cyber space. New Year’s Day. Around the exalted for you I pledge to learn more in country the Covenant Service or brought low for you; 2021 in order to reach more was conducted whenever John let me be full, people in this digital Wesley visited the Methodist let me be empty; ministry age. Societies. let me have all things, I am inviting our laity to Today this service helps let me have nothing; contribute their time and people in Methodist congrega- I freely and heartily yield all talents to this end so that we things to your pleasure and tions all over the world to can incorporate a new refocus their lives on Christ disposal. And now, O glorious and ministry at FUMC Hondo: their Savior and LORD. God blessed God, Father, Son, Digital Social Ministry. is faithful and God’s covenant and Holy Spirit, Please contact Pastor J. Paul is trustworthy. We are the You are mine, and I am or me if you have anything ones with short memory, Yours. to contribute to this effort. forgetting and breaking the So be it. And the covenant Let’s make an impact for covenant. This service offers which I have made on earth, Christ in 2021 that doesn’t an opportunity to enter or let it be ratified in heaven. look like ‘the same old re-enter into the covenant Amen. church’! relationship with God. Since it is a covenant between God and an individu- al, membership in the United Thank you, for all the tokens Methodist Church is not of appreciation, cards, gifts, required to partake in this tasty treats and encouraging service. The core element of words you have blessed us the service is the believer’s with. dedication to God. The Bruhn family

UMW News Medina County Food Pantry Worship Assistants UMW has not Writes: Liturgists finalized its 2021 Thank you so very much for Jan. 3 - Ruth Blanton the financial support and plans Jan. 10 - Miles Hutson food support you have given Medina County Jan. 17 - Chris Kailipaka Food Drive On January 3 Food Pantry throughout Jan. 24 - Jan Weems Our next Food Drive is on this 2020 year. Jan. 31 - Marion Bruhn Communion Sunday, The generosity your Church January 3. body has, shows your love Finance Counters Our December Food Drive for God, our Father and Jan. 3 - Tom Stoner brought in 184.5 pounds of Christ our Lord, and the Jan. 10 - Burt Herrmann assorted canned goods. volunteers who minister to Jan. 17 - Alan Bohlen If you do not attend the clients in need of food Jan. 24 - Sunday worship or you assistance also share this will be out of town, you Jan. 31 - love. can bring your food items May God continue to bless Trustee Counters to the Church office during your church body, and the week (Dec. 28-Dec. 30, Jan. 3 - Tricia Boll may Christ bless you all Jan. 10 - Mike Weems Monday-Wednesday, 8:30 with His peace and joy a.m.- 4 p.m. Or Thursday throughout the coming Jan. 17 - Lorine Hackebeil Dec. 31 8:30-12:30). year. Jan. 24 - Edmund Strickler Please know that the Food With Sincere Gratitude Jan. 31 - Jim Callis Pantry is deeply Medina County Food Pantry appreciative of your giving Board of Directors & Children’s Church and your generosity. Volunteers Jan. 3 - No Children’s Thank you to everyone for Jeanette Black Church opening your hearts to this Jan. 10 - Marcy Rothe ministry. Jan. 17 - Cora Rothe

Jan. 24 - Margie Strickler Children’s Church Jan. 31 - Sandy Callis We will begin Children’s SS classes on January 10 beginning with Gideon, Ruth, Hannah, and Samuel. Worship Attendance If YOU would like to teach in Dec. 6 - 62 2021, please let us know. We Dec. 13 - 103 can make arrangements Dec. 20 - 58 for YOU to complete the Safe San Antonio Food Bank Dec. 24 5pm - 60 Gathering requirement. Next San Antonio Food Dec. 24 7pm - 45 Bank Distribution will be Dec. 27 - 55 Additionally, YOU will receive January 12, 2020. detailed lesson plans including activity sheets and “take home cards” which the parents can January 3rd the first Sunday of the new year we will celebrate use to reinforce the lesson at a in John Wesley’s tradition. home. You will have the chance to commit yourself to God and His Education Committee purpose for you as part of the service.

Our Prayer Concerns Financial Report Financial Report Robert Clopton August 2020 October 2020 Hilo DelBosque General Fund 40,983.04 General Fund 45,652.22 Debbie Dryden Income: 30,109.69 Income: 16,996.65 Expense: 25,597.67 Expense: 19.786.81 Jeff Friesenhahn Balance $ 45,495.06 Balance $ 42,862.06

Ralph Gilliam Building Fund 48,547.54 Building Fund 56,956.14 Tracy Halliburton Income: 404.12 Income: 3.90 Will Hartnett Balance : $ 48,951.66 Balance : $ 56,960.04

Angie Hawley Memorial Fund 20,717.70 Memorial Fund 21,676.03 David Howard Income: 1.76 Income: 0.74 Balance: $ 20,719.46 Balance: $ 21,676.77 Barbara Ledbetter Ethel Martin Altar Fund 1,233.85 Altar Fund 1,234.06 Income: 0.11 Income: 0.09 Rosa Martinez Balance: $ 1,233.96 Balance: $ 1,234.15 David McGehee Scholarship Fund 33,667.76 Scholarship Fund 33,709.90 Meghan Moss Income: 22.81 Income: 19.99 Sarah Moss Balance: $ 33,690.57 Balance: $ 33,729.89 Melissa Murry Jennifer Parsons La Financial Report Financial Report Porte September 2020 November 2020 Roy Rivera General Fund 45,495.06 General Fund 42,862.06 J.D. Schmidt Income: 24,577.20 Income: 37,517.80 Eva Schuh Expense: 24,429.04 Expense: 22,851.16 Balance $ 45,652.22 Balance $ 57,528.70 Shaylene Voigt Jan Weems Building Fund 48,951.66 Building Fund 56,960.04 Income: 8,004.48 Income: 5.60 Mary Zdeb Balance : $ 56,956.14 Balance : $ 56,965.64

Nursing Home: Memorial Fund 20,719.46 Memorial Fund 21,676.77 Income: 956.57 Income: 1.07 Joe Kailipaka Balance: $ 21,676.03 Balance: $ 21,677.84

Our Troops: Altar Fund 1,233.96 Altar Fund 1,234.15 Erik Arias Income: 0.10 Income: 0.12 Balance: $ 1,234.06 Balance: $ 1,234.27 William E. Bryant Logan Dean Scholarship Fund 33,690.57 Scholarship Fund 33,729.89 Income: 19.33 Income: 16.59 Bryan Franklin Balance: $ 33,709.90 Balance: $ 33,746.48 Joe Frank Garcia, III Benjamin Highsmith Kevin Rothe Thank you for your faithfulness in the financial support of Everything the our Church Family Lord makes reveals and ministry. His glory May God continue to bless you in all that you do. Shalom Pastor J. Paul Bruhn

First 1006 16th Street, Hondo, Texas 78861 (830) 584-0300 www.fumchondo.com [email protected]

January 2021

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2

3 Food Drive 4 5 6 7 8 9 10:00 am Covenant 7:00pm Scout 6:00pm Choir Renewal Service Troop 370 Practice with Communion meeting No Children’s Church 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10:00 am Worship 7:00pm Scout 6:00pm Choir Service Troop 370 Practice 10:30 am Children’s meeting Church 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 10:00 am Worship 7:00pm Scout Newsletter 6:00pm Choir Service Troop 370 Deadline Practice 10:30 am Children’s meeting Church 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 10:00 am Worship 7:00pm Scout Newsletter 6:00pm Choir Service Troop 370 Prep & Mail Practice 10:30 am Children’s meeting Church 31 10:00 am Worship Service 10:30 am Children’s Church

First United Methodist Church “Serving Him by serving others.”

(830) 584-0300 [email protected]

Choir News Praise God!!! Choir started up We are having Choir practice at 6 pm on Thursday evenings. Come and join us as we make a joyful noise and praise the Lord.

Opportunities to live, love, laugh and put The Lord is God first in everything. with you at The Newsletter can be seen in full COLOR online at all times and in Do all the good you can, www.fumchondo.com. every season by all the means you can,

in all the ways you can, Methodist Websites: First United Methodist, Hondo in all the places you can, http://www.fumchondo.com/ Angel Tree Hill Country District UMC Originally we signed up at all the times you can, http://hcdumc.org/ to sponsor 15 children. Rio Texas Conference However we were not to all the people you can, http://riotexas.org/ able to change the United Methodist Church amounts to $42. So we as long as ever you can. http://www.umc.org/ sponsored 24 children instead. Thank you for John Wesley your generosity.