First United Methodist Church
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
710 N. Austin St. ♦ Seguin, Texas 78155
(830) 379-4112 ♦ www.fumcseguin.com
email: office@fumcseguin.com
the
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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 03
How Could You?
Rev.
Steve
Purdy
One of my favorite “post-resurrection
appearances” of Jesus was at the Sea of
Galilee (John 21). Peter, Thomas, Na-
thanael, James, John, and two other dis-
ciples fished all night but caught nothing.
At dawn, Jesus was on the shore and said,
“Throw out your net on the right-hand
side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of
fish!” Of course, when they tried the other
side of the boat, they caught a school of
fish – 153 to be exact.
What happens next really fascinates
me. John tells Peter, “It is the Lord!”
The scripture says in verse 7: “When
Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for
work), jumped into the water, and swam
ashore.” However, if you can believe it,
verse 8 tells us, “The others stayed with
the boat and pulled the loaded net to the
shore, for they were only out about three
hundred feet.”
In retrospect, it seems to me that:
• John may have wondered about
Peter, “How could you not have known it
was Jesus… after the other miracle when
he told us to try the other side of the boat
and our nets were miraculously filled?
How could you be so clueless?”
• Peter may have wondered about
John, “How could you have stayed in the
boat with all those silly fish instead of
swimming immediately to the Lord?”
It seems to me that simple distinction
describes many of us. There are those of
us like John who see spiritual insights
but are content to stay in our routine, and
there are those of us like Peter who work
hard until some insight dawns upon us
and then we take immediate action.
There is no indication that there were
hard feelings between John and Peter.
Jesus made certain that they broke bread
together (breakfast). Then, Jesus asked
Peter three times whether he loved Jesus
and Peter replied “yes.” Jesus told him
to take care of the other followers, and
not to be concerned about his own needs.
When Peter was somewhat hurt by
Jesus’ repeated questioning him of his
love, Peter turned around and saw John
following them and said, “‘What about
him, Lord?’ Jesus replied, ‘If I want him
to remain alive until I return, what is that
to you? You follow me.’” (21-22)
Jesus is an amazing Lord – an amazing
Leader! He loves those of us who have
spiritual insights but are slow responders,
and he loves those of us who are hard
workers and quick responders. We might
not understand one another at times and
we might even think, “How could you…”
but the bottom line response from Jesus
is “What is that to you? You follow me.”
Lord, help me to follow you!
Hygiene Products Needed
As part of the Faith in Action Sunday,
the Children will be making kits with Per-
sonal Hygiene items for the under served.
Could you help with a donation? Each
Sunday for four weeks starting February
13, we will have a collection drive. Bars
of soap, bottles of shampoo, tubes of
toothpaste, disposable razors, deodorant,
and combs are needed. Please donate
unopened, regular size bottles of these
Missing
Equipment
We are missing our church Video
Camera as well as a Digital Camera
from the Christian Life Center. If you
borrowed either of these, please return
them to the church office.
NON-PROFIT ORG
SEGUIN, TX
PERMIT NO. 55
FEBRUARY 11, 2011
products. Collection boxes will be placed
around the church. The collection will
be according to the following schedule.
February 13- Toothpaste
February 20- Soap bar
February 27-Shampoo
March 6- Deodorant, package
of disposable razors, package of combs.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONA-
TION!
Flower Power
Join us this year in helping beautify
our altar. You may place flowers to honor
someone for a birthday, an anniversary,
in memory of, or “just because.” You
don’t have to use “florist flowers” if you
don’t chose to. Look out at God’s creation
and be creative! Call Susan Brannan to
schedule a Sunday soon.
Calendar 2
Inside
Candace’s Corner
Singles
3
3
Wesley Nurse 3
Youth News 4
Page 2
Church Calendar
Sunday - February 13
8:00a Worship, Sanc
9:15a Sunday School
9:15a Confirmation Class, 309
10:30a Worship, Sanc
10:30a Seasons Worship, GR
4:30p Christ Choir, MR
5:00p Youth Group, GR
Monday - February 14
5:30p Into the Word, Into the World,
Library
5:30p Dance Aerobics, GR
6:00p Emmaus Brd Mtg, Parlor
6:15p Emmaus Potluck, HH
7:00p Emmaus Gathering, Sanc
Tuesday - February 15
9:00a Butterfly Quilters, Rm 207
9:15a Ruth Circle, HH
10:00a Hannah Circle, Parlor
4:00p Circle of Angels, 10
5:30p Yoga, GR
6:30p Reach Comm Mtg, Parlor
7:00p Finance Comm Mtg, Library
8:00p Members Basketball, GR
Wednesday - February 16
5:30p Dance Aerobics, GR
6:15p Handbell Rehearsal, MR
7:30p Choir Rehearsal, MR
Thursday - February 17
10:00a Seniors Exercise Class, GR
6:00p Making Love Last a Lifetime, 10
6:00p SPRC, Library
8:00p Members Basketball, GR
February
First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas FEBRUARY 11, 2011
Worship Stats
Statistics for January 23, 2011 Statistics for January 30, 2011
Saturday - February 19 Collection Collection
9:00a Dance Aerobics, GR Needed Weekly $16,494.00 Needed Weekly $16,494.00
Sunday - February 20 Needed to date $65,974.00 Needed to date $82,468.00
8:00a Worship, Sanc Needed in 2011 $857,677.00 Needed in 2010 $857,677.00
9:15a Sunday School Received to date $68,378.00 Received to date $79,671.00
9:15a Confirmation Class, 309
Worship Attendance Worship Attendance
10:30a Worship, Sanc
8:00 AM 121 8:00 AM 98
10:30a Seasons Worship, GR 10:30 AM 145 10:30 AM 151
4:30p Christ Choir, MR Seasons 87 Seasons 115
5:00p Youth Group, GR Total 353 Total 364
Monday - February 21
5:30p Into the Word, Into the World, Sunday School Attendance 269 Sunday School Attendance 267
Worship Experiences
Library
5:30p Dance Aerobics, GR
Tuesday - February 22
9:00a Butterfly Quilters, Rm 207 February 13 February 20
4:00p Circle of Angels, 10 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
5:30p Yoga, GR 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
8:00p Members Basketball, GR
Wednesday - February 23 Scripture Scripture
5:30p Dance Aerobics, GR Psalm 119: 1-8 Psalm 119:33-40
Acts 9:1-19 Luke 24:13-35
6:15p Handbell Rehearsal, MR
7:30p Choir Rehearsal, MR
Thursday - February 24 Sunday School for all ages is held each Sunday at 9:15 a.m.
10:00a Seniors Exercise Class, GR
6:00p Making Love Last a Lifetime, 10
8:00p Members Basketball, GR
Saturday - February 26
9:00a Dance Aerobics, GR
Save the Date
Next Order deadline
February 16
Next Pickup Date
February 26
8:00-10:00 AM
April 10 the Scroll
is a bi-weekly publication of
First United Methodist Church
710 N. Austin St.
Seguin, TX 78155
FEBRUARY 11, 2011
Candace’s Corner
This and That
Calling all children! If you have been
watching for your Kids 4 Christ Newslet-
ter in the mail, please know that it will
be coming soon – in a new way. You will
soon find it on our Church website. In an
effort to save paper, ink and postage, as
well as reaching more children, I will be
adding it to our new website. Mom and
dad - please let me know how your child
likes it. If you have other suggestions
that will better reach children and their
friends, please let me know.
Sunday School attendance is up and
classes are going great! It seems that each
year holding Confirmation during the
Sunday School hour brings us all back
together - and that’s how it should be! If
you have not yet found a Sunday School
class for yourself, please check out our
Sunday School brochure. We have 12
adult classes, an exciting youth class and
wonderful children’s classes - and each
would welcome you warmly!
Our recent Faith Comes by Hear-
ing offering received $1,006.00. When
I spoke with the representative from
FCBH, he informed me that our financial
gift will go toward printing a book of the
Bible in the language of Uganda. (Each
book of the Bible costs $948.) Thank you
Weekday School News
Fall
Registration
Fall Registration will begin on March
1. Registration will be available to
church members and students that are
currently enrolled this school year. We
offer child care for children six months
to four years of age. Preschool hours are
8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. with extended early/
late care options. Registration will then
be open to the public starting April 1. For
additional information or any questions,
please call the school office at (830)
379-4116.
Thank you
First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas Page 3
Singles’ Ministry
so much for reaching out to men, women,
youth and children throughout the world Lent is when we are spiritually reach-
with this ministry. There are still free ing out to God by practicing acts of self
CD’s of the New Testament available for -denial, or by adding a spiritual habit. We
anyone who would like one. CD players see Jesus atonement for our sins, and with
February 21st -- Spiritual Journey
must be MP3 compatible. our actions, we loudly proclaim our desire
gathering focusing on Acts of Compas-
And lastly, after months of prayer, I to be more Christ like each day. We add
sionate Social Justice: What are your
have made the decision to cut my hours a Lenten worship service on Wednesday
formative spiritual practices?
from full to three-quarter time. This will nights where we join the other United
Room 10 at 4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
change my office hours to: Sundays from Methodist churches of Seguin --what a
You are welcome to attend this last one
7 am–noon and Monday-Wednesday blessing, a joy, it is to worship with our
in this series.
from 8 am–5 pm. Please know that this brothers and sisters. We have Lenten
decision was mine entirely. With Lee studies in Sunday School. Maybe you will
March 2nd—The Invitation: a Taize
being retired, we are looking forward to decide to add Sunday Morning Singles
inspired worship service will focus us
spending more time together and getting Fellowship to your priorities of Christian
on the Lenten season --which begins the
some much needed work done at home. Growth. We have two excellent choices
next Wednesday, March 9th. We will not
I may be in need of volunteers from time for Singles. Faithworks meets in room
hold a Taize worship service in April due
to time, so please let me know if you are 205 and is studying the Jesus Priorities:
to the Lenten services.
willing. Eight Essential Habits. Circle of Friends
And finally, I am excited about the out- meets in room 10 where they continue to
come of our January Leadership Event. reach out in faith in acts of service.
Over 80 men, women and children shared
new insights and ideas to help bring the See you in church!
love of Jesus Christ to even more men Pastor Patricia
and women in our community. Be sure to
read your Scroll when it arrives, whether
by mail or colorful e-mail. Look for ways
you can be of service to the church – and
let us know how we can be of service
Wesley Nurse News
to you.
Walk to Jerusalem
It is not too late to join; participants
can join at any time during the Walk.
Contact the Wesley Nurse to get your
Relay for Life packet. The mileage will be placed on
Does First United Methodist Church the Walk to Jerusalem map weekly. The
want to have a team for the 2011 Relay map is located on the first floor of the
For Life event? Relay for Life is a fun- educational building near the elevator.
filled overnight event that celebrates sur- Watch for our progress. Enjoy walking
vivorship and raises money for research for great health!
and programs of your American Cancer
Society. Relay participants are able to
celebrate those who have battled cancer,
remember loved ones lost, and empower
individuals and communities to fight back
against the disease that takes so much.
The event will be on April 29, 2011. If
you are interested in participation on
a team or being a team captain, please
contact Danna Dyess, Wesley Nurse.
Peace,
Danna Dyess
ddyess@ mhm.org
830-379-4112 ext. 306
Senior Exercise Class
The Senior Exercise Class meets on
Thursday Mornings at 10 am in the Chris-
tian Life Center. We have been walking
in the CLC. Twenty-four laps around the
CLC= 1 mile. Come exercise with us!
Page 4 First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas
Spoons by the
Handful
Pastor Ron
Welborn
Would you rather be a spoon or a fork?
OK, you can pick knife if you want. But
if your best friend or your pastor (and gee,
what if your pastor was your best friend?)
asked you what utensil best describes you
would it be fork, spoon or knife? Work
on that.
I find forks a bit grabby, always stab-
bing stuff and piling it on their plate,
taking anything in reach and claiming it
belongs to them. Forks are like “gimme”
people who never seem to have enough
stuff and have to grab more. My table
fork moments embarrass me.
Knives are used to get rid of anything
that is disgusting, ugly or that just doesn’t
seem right. Knives are a little like those
people who always seem to have a way of
cutting down your thoughts or ideas. The
apostle Paul started life as a knife person.
He was a Pharisee and he took great joy
in his work surgically cutting Christian-
ity down to size. Why? Paul considered
Christianity an offensive growth on the
body of Judaism. He had his idea of how
the Law was to be interpreted. He was
sure he knew the difference between right
and wrong, clean and unclean, chosen or
rejected. I’ve known a few folks like that.
In fact, I’ve played the role of table knife
far to many times.
Forks and knives don’t seem very
Christian to me. So that leads me to
the spoon. Spoons can scoop up stuff
and pass it around the table. Spoons are
designed to serve. I like spoon people.
They are adaptable. They can operate in
a variety of settings. They can dig into
a cup of hot soup or ice cream straight
from the freezer with equal fervor. They
just scoop it up. Yes spoons are good
for scooping and serving but spoons are
also great for stirring things up. I know,
knives and forks can be used to stir things
up, but they don’t have the same energy
a good spoon does.
When the apostle Paul left his life as
a knife behind he became a spoon – so to
speak! His sharp edges were smoothed
out. His rigid view of religion was
molded into a gentle curve. As a spoon
Paul was committed to serving Christ.
How? He did it by serving others. Not
a bad role model for us.
I looked across the kitchen at our sil-
verware drawer. I was almost afraid to
look but I did; 16 forks and 31 spoons.
Praise the Lord! I didn’t bother counting
the knives. They were destined to come
in third. Tomorrow or the next day I’ll
check out the church. I already have an
idea what I’ll find; spoons by the handful.
Be “in service” instead of “in competi-
tion” with your brothers and sisters. In
other words, be a spoon.
Forget trying to “have it all” but in-
stead “share all you have.” Be a spoon.
What would it take to knock the
sharp, cutting edges from your relation-
ships? What would it take to blunt the
frantic fork-stabbing tendency we all
face? Think about it and consider being
a spoon-shaped Christian. And when
you work up the courage, go count the
tableware in your kitchen drawer. I’ll be
curious to hear the results.
Pastor Ron
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FEBRUARY 11, 2011
Dates to put on your Calendar: based upon these countries. They will
Feb. 13: The Big Split! The Jr. High have gained an in depth perspective of
and High School students will meet at what it is like to live in these particular
different times Sunday Evenings. countries as missionaries. What the
Jr. High (6th-8th): 4:30pm strides and struggles are of living as a
Meal: 5:30pm Christian in these countries is like in
High School (9th-12th): 6:15pm their small groups and perform different
activities that you would participate in
these diverse cultures. My prayer for
Chocolate. Covered
our students is that after attending these
STRAWBERRIES:
mid winters that they will have more of
For Valentines Day!! Order Today!!
a kingdom perspective for the globe than
Find a Student or Find Shook!! You can
just the little bubbles of security they have
pick up your Strawberries Feb. 13th after
locally in Seguin, TX.
the 10:30 services!!!! $3.00 for 2 Straw-
The Lord is growing a great group
berries, sold in increments of 2!!
of young people in our church. Mid
Winters are just one of the many things
Feb. 20th: We are headed out to
we as a Student Ministry will do to grow
Cathedral Oaks for a Victoria District
their faith. We have more events geared
Youth Worship Service! Mark Swayze
toward growing them in their walk with
Band will be our worship band!!! We
Christ and we as a church family should
will leave from FUMC @ 3:30pm and
be very proud of these brave young souls
be back around 10:30pm.
that dare to believe that their actions here
in the present change the world for the
WOW!! As you are reading this right
better in the future!!
now we are at SWTC Mid-Winter 5 in
Leakey, TX!! Mid-Winters are a great
HERE IS TO US PASSING THE
way for our students to experience the
TORCH OF CHRIST’S LEADERSHIP
Lord during the school year. It is a time
TO THE CAPABLE HANDS OF OUR
to still their minds, bodies, and spirits
YOUTH TODAY!
for a weekend amongst their peers and
spiritual leaders from around our confer-
-Shook
ence. The focus this year is “No Matter
How Far!” Meaning that we will go to
the nations of the earth no matter the
distance to show Christ’s peace, hope,
and love to his children. Mid Winters
are always a great way to show students
not only how to have a genuine encounter
with the Holy Spirit and that you can have
fun at same time. All who attend the Mid
Winters are put into place and challenged
on how to live the best life possible for
Jesus Christ. This year the theme deals
with 20 different countries and our stu-
dents were put into different small groups
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