First United Methodist Church of Longview
The Voice
June 6, 2018
New members

We are delighted to add Carroll and Sandra Shipp to our church family! Give them a warm welcome when you see them!
We love all God's Children!
Be a part of VBS this summer and share the
love of God with kids
This year, VBS (the short name for Vacation Bible School) is June 25-29.  VBS is a five day Bible camp where kids learn about a specific Bible concept in depth, using a particular theme and multiple learning styles to reinforce the lessons.  This year the theme is whitewater rafting entitled  Rolling River Rampage.   The theme verse is Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you."

VBS runs from 9-11:30 a.m. Monday thru Friday with a blow-out party happening after our last session on Friday!  At 11:30 a.m. Friday, everybody gathers on the north lawn for lunch and a foam party! Mere words can’t do the concept justice!  At any rate, VBS Friday is a blast and a true celebration of all the fun we've had during the week!

Volunteers make VBS happen! There's a place for everyone to share the love of God with VBS!  

Station Leaders -they lead sessions like Bible story time, Science Station, Music, Recreation, Art, and Snacks, so these volunteers mostly stay in one place during the day.  

Shepherds -they have a group of 10-12 kids and a youth helper that they escort from station to station.  It is pretty much the most fun thing grown-ups get to do at VBS.   We need at least 6 more shepherds and would love to have you join us.   Hang with fun peeps, learn something new about the Bible, have a hot dog and cut loose at the Friday Foam Party.  You can register as a volunteer by going to  longviewfumc.org/summerevents.

Maybe you are thinking "But I work in the morning. How can I help with VBS?" Great question! We need people to help set-up and tear down! Even if you can’t be at VBS, you can still help with set up and take down of decorations Sunday before VBS and Friday afternoon!

Finally, VBS kids collect a mission offering for a local mission.  Last year, kids raised over $400.00 for Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network.  There is a catch.  Each day the kids reach their giving goal, something happens to Pastor Nathan.  Like getting silly stringed, pied in the face, squirt gunned, and on Friday, he gets slimed.  Feel free to donate to the VBS mission offering.  Then pray for Pastor Nathan :)

Be a part of making a difference this summer and love all of God's children with VBS! To find out more info or to join the team email Pastor Nathan or call the him at 903-753-4463!
Our first Hands and Feet Pete sighting was in church on Sunday morning!
Can't wait to see where he goes!
Hands and Feet Pete was drawn by one of our recent graduates, Emma Clark
Hands and Feet Pete has begun!

Summer time is a busy season as we travel to see loved ones, enjoy relaxing vacations, and participate in mission trips, camps, and other fun activities! But all that travel means that, over the summer months, we miss the opportunity to be in worship together every Sunday. So this summer we want to introduce you to Hands and Feet Pete- a way to keep us connected even when we can't be together on Sunday morning.

Starting this Sunday, you can pick up your Hands and Feet Pete to take with you throughout the summer. Just snap a picture of you and your friends and family with Pete! Post the picture on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or email it to Pastor Becca at [email protected] . We'll use these pictures on our social media, in the Voice, and other places to help us be connected to each other even while we are apart. Hands and Feet Pete reminds us that we are always the Body of Christ, His hands and feet, whether we are together in Longview or miles apart around the world.
Adult Summer Bible Study
Wednesdays, July 11-August 1
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Heritage Room
Get together with your friends on Wednesday evenings in July, enjoy a cup of coffee (maybe iced coffee to deal with the heat) and study the sermon on the mount! For more information please contact Pastor Mary at [email protected]
Where are you connected?
Youth Ministry headed on our bi-annual visit to SIX FLAGS on June 7!! 
If you have helped with at least 1 confirmation or youth service opportunity between January – May you are invited to join us for Six flags.
We will leave from the church’s north parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and return to the church by midnight. Tickets are $36 per student. Youth ministry will provide one meal voucher per student; additional snack/meal money will be needed. Spots are limited so please sign up early by emailing  [email protected]  or by visiting the church office ( Please see Janice or Ann).  You may pay by check or by credit card. Credit cards do have a $2.00 processing fee and can only be done in the church office . Please wear sunscreen and comfortable clothes. If you bring items, please bring a drawstring bag. 

Youth Ministry is looking for host homes with pools for Grill and Swim on Wednesdays in June and July. Students continue meeting through the summer for devotion and fellowship in our grill and swim program. We are asking for hosts to open their backyards and pools for one Wednesday night (6-8p.m.) where we may have swimming, share a meal and devotion together. Youth ministry takes care of the meal and clean up. If you are interested in hosting our group for one Wednesday night, please contact Janice Crane, youth director, at 903-918-7801 or [email protected] . 


Our first Grill and Swim is June 6 at the Dunnahoos located at 4305 Windrush from 6-8 p.m. please do not forget a towel. Jake, Brandon and Janice are excited about blowing your minds with God and science!    The question of the week- Can something be on fire but not burn away? With God nothing is impossible. Luke 1:3
June 6 mission opportunity – we will be assisting Buckner Family Services at their Bible Camp. Please meet at our church at 10 a.m.  We will return to the church by 1 p.m. We will be outside so please wear comfortable clothes. 


SOS
30 students and adults are heading for Memphis, TN, to begin roofing homes in the lower economic neighborhoods on Sunday, June 10!! Please Pray for Us and those we encounter. Participants of our annual high school mission trip to Service Over Self Missions will depart promptly at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 10. While in Memphis, our students will be replacing roofs for financially stressed families, study and worship with over 200 faith believers, and sharing the light of Christ with those families receiving new roofs. 

For Trip Participants:
Saturday, June 9 – 4:30-6 p.m. Our Trailer will be located in the north parking lot for you to bring bedding and suitcases . You may bring a carry – on, pillow, and light blanket on to the bus on Sunday morning. Please keep valuables with you and a drawstring bag is recommended for these items. WE are also asking each camper to bring a multi- pack of individual bottled Gatorade or Powerade for our week in Memphis. Any flavor or quantity is appreciated.

Sunday, June 10 – SOS Mission members please arrive before 6:30 a.m. to the north parking lot. Please wear your orange mission shirt. You are welcome to bring a light breakfast with you.  We will depart at 6:30 a.m.
Help us Be a Beacon of Hope for All

Youth Ministry is joining with Buckner Family Services to collect new athletic shoes for local children in the Fall. These new athletic shoes will benefit families participating in the School Supply Train in August. The Youth need your help !!!. We have set a target to collect 300 new pairs of shoes. Guess how you can help?
Please consider donating a new pair of shoes, any size from toddler to the largest men shoe you can find!!!!! Our students in Spring Hill, Longview, Pine Tree and surrounding areas need our help. Every child likes to go to school with a new pair of shoes, please help us be a beacon of hope for all the children in Longview.

Donations for Asbury House

Each month Asbury House is collecting one type of item to help stock their shelves! In June they are collecting fruit! It can be fresh, canned, dried, or frozen!You can bring your donation items to the church office during the week or drop them off at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings in the Asbury House boxes!
The missions team is excited to announce that we will be hosting LIHN families from June 24-30 ! If you would like to be a part of a ministry that shows the love of God to families in need by providing them with a safe place to stay, come to our training event this Sunday, June 10 from 9:30-10:45 a.m . You will be blessed!
Life Together at FUMC Longview
Mark your calendars for the
Bishop's Listening Session
August 13
7 p.m.
Faith Center
  “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it” 
Psalm 24:1

      Hard working, self-reliant, and successful people often fall into a trap. We see people all around us who do not work as hard. We start to feel as if all we have is by our own efforts. A person of faith should understand that everything we see, touch, feel, or imagine is due to the gifts that God has given to us. The gifts of strength, intelligence, discipline, and sometimes even luck are all from above. We are just the stewards of the gifts God has entrusted us with. It says so in the Bible! 
To see our April financial statements click here .
"These Kids Have Talent" coming to Pioneers June 14
 
Come prepared to be amazed and entertained by two exceptional young musicians at Pioneer Fellowship 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, in the Faith Center. Act 1 will feature Riley Cox, age 8, playing some of his favorite songs on the baby grand piano. Act 2 will showcase Keaton Bradbury, age 9, who sings and plays the guitar. Both of these boys love to share their talents and spread joy through music.

Michelle and our kitchen staff will be serving a delicious meal: garden salad, chicken-fried steak (baked), mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon and onions, rolls, and chocolate cake for dessert. Cost is $5.

Those with June birthdays will be recognized and receive a birthday cake compliments of United Methodist Women.

Bring a friend! Invite your neighbors! Pioneers welcomes anyone, especially those who are retired or of retirement age. Please call the church office (903-753-4463) to make a reservation for lunch.
Join in the fun!
The church has always been the perfect place to do things together and enjoy Christian fellowship! A growing interest has developed in the arts of needlecraft and quilting. Whether you are a beginner, want to learn, or have a lot of experience, we invite you to join us, beginning May 31st, on Thursdays at 1 p.m. in room 344 on the third floor. Come join us for a time of crafting and Christian fellowship!
Sunday, August 19
All four services!

Save The Date

50 Plus Anniversary Luncheon

Friday - September 21, 2018
DO YOU LOVE MEETING PEOPLE AND GREETING NEW FOLKS?
The Hospitality Team might be just the place for you! We have a need for a few extra volunteers, it’s time to put greeters back in strategic locations and entrances to direct visitors and new members where to go in the church. We can always use some substitutes when the regulars are away, or unable to serve. We have two scheduled opportunities to serve in the Welcome center, or at door entrances, 8:00-9:30 and 9:30-10:45. If you enjoy greeting people, and providing information about our church, please consider volunteering once a quarter. Please contact Debbie Hays in the office 903-753-4463 ext109 .
For Your Calendar

June 10
LIHN Training Session
9:30-10:45 a.m.


June 10-13
Pre-teen Summer Slam

June 10-15
SOS High School Mission Trip

June 14
Pioneers
11 a.m.
Faith Center

June 25-29
VBS
9-11:30 a.m.

July 1
Combined Worship
8:30 a.m.- Faith Matters (Faith Center)
10:45 a.m.- God and Country Sunday (Sanctuary)
Noon- Church-wide picnic with potluck dessert!

August 13
Bishop's Listening Session
7 p.m.
Faith Center

To submit an article for the Voice please email Pastor Becca at [email protected]. Info must be submitted by Thursday at 5pm in order to be in next week's edition of the Voice.
First United Methodist Church of Longview
400 N. Fredonia St. Longview, Texas 75601
Tel-(903) 753.4463
Fax-(903) 236.7608