502 N. 6th St. ~ Orange, Texas 77630 Office (409) 886-7466 ~ Fax (409) 886-0489 ~www.fumcorange.org To access the Southeast Texas District newsletter, visit southeastdistrict.org. January 2020 Rooted in Christ ... Branching Out in Faith ... Disciples Growing Disciples Rev. Lani Rousseau Senior Pastor A New Year is upon us. This year the calendar says 2020, a new decade. What will this decade hold for us? It is sometimes a challenge to reflect on what happened last week, [email protected] let alone the past year, but what if we sit quietly and remember the past decade from Norma Bergeron January 2010 to today? Each of us would have different stories of joys and sadness, Administrative Assistant new beginnings and times of tremendous loss. When we look over the vastness of the [email protected] moments, we realize that we can overcome many trials, and we can survive change better than we want to. Of course, for some of you, this particular congregation of the United Methodist Church has been a constant in your lives and in your memory. I am Randall Bridges piecing together your struggles and triumphs as I continue to hear stories each day. In Director of my first 6 months. These are some of the things I have learned so far: Christian Education & Youth [email protected] ♥ You are a generous church. Just in that last few weeks, we took a couple of special offerings for others in need after Tropical Storm Imelda brought destruction and Caroline Dennis flooding, amounting to nearly $2,000. Director of ♥ Your faithful giving supports the Malloy Center and housed mission teams for three Music & Worship Arts weeks in the aftermath of Imelda. We also hosted numerous ACTS retreats and [email protected] Emmaus Walks. ♥ You helped make the Youth’s Angels and Elves Project a tremendous blessing for Scott Lawson five families at Christmas. Custodian ♥ You bought presents for 50 Salvation Army Angels. ♥ You donated thousands of mini candy canes for distribution along the parade route. TBA Organist ♥ In August, 800 books you donated were distributed to 625 children through Back to School Orange, an event that originated in this congregation and has grown to Mary Grimes include the whole community and students went to school equipped with what they need to start the year out right. Nursery Caregiver ♥ Volunteers assembled 100 boxes for the Seafarers’ Center of Beaumont. Mariners look forward to a visit from the chaplain, and each precious goodie box with essential items for their care. Items are collected throughout the year, and your generosity makes this possible. Mission Statement: ♥ You also support the Rainbow Room with diapers and baby wipes and other To make disciples necessary items for CPS social workers to help children removed from their homes. of Jesus Christ We don’t have a count of your totals, but monthly items are taken. (See related for the transformation article in this issue.) ♥ You celebrated the retirements of two faithful friends and leaders with your special of the world. offerings that enabled lovely feasts and times of remembering. ♥ Communion Rail Offerings for Orange Christian Services totaled $1,522 for 2019. I see a pattern of generosity and giving—of yourselves, of your financial blessings, of To have information included your time and your talents. I know that these are just a few of the things I could list. I in the next newsletter, could go on and on with the acts of kindness and generosity that I see and have please send it to experienced in my first 6 months here in Orange. I’m excited to see what God will lead [email protected] us through in 2020 and beyond. I’m certainly glad to be your pastor. by Monday, January 20, so the newsletter can be Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, distributed before February 1. Pastor Lani Lord, help us to be a family of faith, to worship you, learn, grow in your likeness, and serve you by serving others. Amen. Our Faithfulness Worship Attendance Since Last Newsletter Giving Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 15 Dec. 22 November 2019 You can 9:00 ........ 68 9:00 ........60 9:00 ........73 9:00 ........ 54 Income. ....... $30,740.72 also 11:00 ........66 11:00 ........40 11:00 ........ 48 11:00 ........ 71 Expenses ..... $39,508.82 give TOTAL 126 TOTAL 113 TOTAL 116 TOTAL 125 —$8,768.10 online! January Worship January 5, 2020 January 12, 2020 January 19, 2020 January 26, 2020 Matthew 2: 1-12 Matthew 3: 13-17 John 1: 29-42 Matthew 4:12-23 A Different A Re-“New”ed What Are You Follow Direction Life Looking For? Me Epiphany Sunday Altar Guild: Beverly Altar Guild: Beverly Baptism Blalack team & Trisha Blalack team & Trisha of our Anderson Anderson Lord Sunday Parking Lot Greeters: Parking Lot Greeters: 9–Leighia & Richard Barron 9–Dale Dardeau & 11–Drew & Annely Domas Ken Wheeler COMMUNION Altar Guild: Beverly 11–Archie McLellan & Blalack team & Trisha 9 am Inside Greeters: Nevella Toal Altar Guild: Beverly Anderson Julie & Richard Blalack team & Trisha Parking Lot Greeters: Allensworth 9 am Inside Greeters: Anderson David & Pie Bridges 9–Susan & Jeff Eby 11 am Ushers: Team #3 Parking Lot Greeters: 11–Charlie & Beverly John Griffith, Jerry 11 am Ushers: Team #4 9–Jeff & Sherri Frugé Blalack Windham, Nevella Toal, Mat Taylor, Sarah 11–Sandra Hoke & Betty Vernon Murray, Richard Boehme, Drew Domas, Merchant 9 am Inside Greeters: Powell Wayne Mulhollan Charlotte & Ed Foreman 9 am Inside Greeters: Lay Readers: Lay Readers: 11 am Ushers: Team #2 9–Tom Henry Lauren & Sydney Peet Brown Claybar, Phil 9–Brooklynn Pierre 11–Sandra Hoke 11–Beverly Blalack 11 am Ushers: Team #1 Grooms, Ken Hillsten, Ricky Harper, Frank Betty Merchant Welcome Center Greeters: Welcome Center Greeters: Beauchamp, John 9:30-10–Pat McCombs 9:30-10–Available Lay Readers: 10:30-11:15–Suzanne Magee Cochran, Jean Whitley 9–Julie Allensworth 10:30-11:15–Kay Butler Lay Readers: 11–Annely Domas Welcome Center Bakers: Welcome Center Bakers: 9–Brittany Harmon Julie Allensworth & Cindy Reynolds & Welcome Center Greeters: Donna Benefield 11–Judy Taylor 9:30-10–Available Suzanne McGee 10:30-11:15–Suzanne Magee Welcome Center Greeters: The Church Office 9:30-10–Pat McCombs Welcome Center Bakers: will be closed Jan. 1 11 a.m. Ushers 10:30-11:15–Kay Butler Trisha Anderson & for New Years. Ginger Williams Thank you to all of you who Welcome Center Bakers: have served our church by Lori Kratzer & ushering for the 11 a.m. service Brittany Harmon While the January 5 11 a.m. service will be in the Sanctuary, for 2019! the rest of the 11 a.m. services will be held in the Slade Chapel! We are preparing the 2020 schedule and need to know if 2nd Sundays: Bring Cans to you CANNOT serve or would Every 1st Sunday— Recycle want to begin to serve for 2020. OCS Collection Sundays Please email Ken Hillsten at Give money (in envelope marked OCS) or place 3rd Sundays: Bring Donations donated items in OCS containers in the Welcome for the Rainbow Room [email protected] Center. During Communion, all offerings left at 4th Sundays: Bring books for by January 15 to let him know the rail go to Orange Christian Services. Back to School your intent for 2020! Join us in the Family Life Center! Social Media Youth Sunday School at 10 a.m. Join our text message group We share how God is working in our lives and to get reminders about upcoming FUMC Youth look more in depth at the Bible! announcements by Sunday Night C.R.E.W. from 5-7 p.m. texting @fumcora to 81010 Facebook: fumcorangeyouth Christians Ready, Equipped, and Willing Instagram & Twitter: Join us for a meal, fellowship, worship, music, @fumcorangeyouth skits, games, and Jesus. Youth January and Upcoming Activities: January 5: C.R.E.W. Resumes with One Word Painting Night January 24-25: Hot Hearts February 9: Valentine’s Bakesale—Valentine's treats to be sold from 8:45 a.m.-12 p.m. (before and after services). We were able to help 5 families this Christmas during our Angels & Elves Shopping Trip. Throughout the next year, we will be participating in the “One Child Campaign” and will pray for Dayton—a local 15-year-old boy awaiting adoption. On his profile, Dayton says, “When I look in the mirror, I say, ‘You’re handsome, you’re smart, you’re funny.’ I want a mom and Last Game of Sardines with Mr. Doug dad and my forever home.” FUMC 2019 First UMC Church Council Guiding Lay Leader–Carol Allen (Chair); Finance–Sherri Frugé & Tom Henry; Principles Trustees–Gary Bonneaux & Brown Claybar; SPR–Theresa Beauchamp & Greg Defrates; and Members at Large–Jerry Pennington, Betty Merchant & Trisha Anderson; Approved Secretary–Suzanne Magee; Pastor–Lani Rousseau Church Council Meeting Those leaving Council are Carol Allen, Sherri Frugé, & Gary Bonneaux Minutes THANK YOU FOR SERVING! are posted on the FUMC website Those starting their service on Council are Sandra Hoke (Trustees), (under Betty James (At Large); David Bridges (Finance), and TBD. Resources) 2020 First UMC Church Council Lay Leader–Greg Defrates (Chair); Finance–Tom Henry, David Bridges & Betty Merchant; Trustees–Brown Claybar & Sandra Hoke; SPR–Theresa Beauchamp, Jerry Pennington & TBD; Communications—Trisha Anderson; Member at Large–Betty James; Secretary–Suzanne Magee; Pastor–Lani Rousseau Buildings & Grounds (Trustees)—Brown Claybar (Chair), Jeff Frugé, Jerry Windham, Dale Dardeau, and Sandra Hoke Lay Leadership (Nominations)—Jerry Windham, Dick Powell, Angela Abshire, Leighia Barron, Sarah Boehme, and Donna Bell Lay Member to Annual Conference—Caroline Dennis Programming Team Coordinator—Ginger Williams For 2020—meetings will move to the 3rd Thursday of the month.