Your Weekly News and Updates |
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Welcome to your weekly newsletter from First United Methodist Church of Livingston! We hope that you enjoy what we share and that this newsletter will connect you to more activities within the church and community! Keep reading to see what is happening around FUMC Livingston this week and in the weeks to come! |
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2021 is the year for new opportunities. As we all continue to battle with the uncertainty of covid-19 digital ministry has become vital to the mission of our church. The sad reality is that many people have yet to return to in person worship, bible studies, meetings, or Sunday school classes. As a brand new ministry of the church we aim to meet the needs of our new digital congregation. We can’t do it without your help though. We want to invite you as a church join us in reaching our brothers and sisters to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. We understand that technology can be very scary for so many, but we have been very intentional in creating a fun and easy to learn platform that anyone can jump right into. If you are a creative type, and currently have no means of satisfying that itch than look no further than FUMC Studios. Maybe you have a passion for organization well surprisingly this ministry is for you as well as it takes a lot of organizing to keep video projects on budget and on time. We want to encourage you to be in careful prayer and consideration for this new opportunity to serve others in our church who long to be in the presence of the Lord. For more information feel free to contact Alain Leistikow. God bless everyone in 2021.
In the Love of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Alain Leistikow
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(Families And Individuals Thanking Heroes)
Recently we received a letter from that explains so much about the attitude and commitment of our military.
Dear Sir of Ma’am,
I send my warmest greeting to you and thank you for the continued support of the 380thAir Expeditionary Wing.
Your care and thoughtfulness does not go unnoticed by the men and women stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base. We are grateful to have community members who are thinking of us and receiving heartfelt messages from strangers is quite humbling. I can personally attest to the wide smiles and happy conversations that occur each time we open packages from your generous organization.
Thank you for taking time from your busy schedules and thinking of us here. For many members, our service is not about disliking what lies before us, but rather in loving what is behind us.
Sincerely,
J. M. Hendrickson
Lieutenant Colonel. USAF
That is why F.A.I.T.H. continues to meet the second Thursday of every month since 2006. That is why we have packed and mailed over 22,000 packages to Heroes across the globe. That is why we will Pray Them All Home.
We invite you to join us for socially distanced outdoor packing, the second Thursday of every month at Livingston Physical Therapy at 6:00pm.
You will be blessed!
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From everyone at Core Student Ministries we welcome you into a new year. We are so excited to start back up with Confirmation, and Wednesday Night Youth Worship this week. Our theme this year as a youth group is Diving Deeper. For so many people, teenagers included, 2020 was a tough year to get through. We all have experienced loss in some form or fashion last year, but thanks be to God that is not our future. Regardless of what transpired in 2020 our Lord Jesus has, can, and will overcome all things. This year as a youth group we will be intentional in helping our teenagers grow deeper in their faith in Jesus Christ. Now this may seem like common sense as that should always be our focus, but the sad reality is 2020 was a large stumbling block for the faiths of many people not just teenagers. In all things that we do this year we are going to pursue just as someone would pursue the sport of Freediving. The current world record for the deepest anyone has ever dived on a single breath is 253 meters or 830 feet. This remarkable feet of endurance is not something that can happen overnight. It takes years of hard work overcoming one small obstacle at a time. This is how we will pursue Jesus this year. Faith does not happen overnight. It takes years of hard work, overcoming one small obstacle at a time. We invite you all to pray for our students in 2021 so that we can accomplish our mission of creating disciples for Jesus Christ. May God bless us all! Amen.
In the Love of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Alain Leistikow
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Well church I know many of you have been chomping at the bit to find out the gender of our precious little baby. Wait no further…Natalie and I are proud to announce that the Lord our God has blessed us with a GIRL!!! We are so very excited and ask for continued prayers for healthy growth over the coming months. Our little girl is expected to be born on June 28th. Thank you for your support and love as we start this new adventure as a family. No names have been chosen as of yet. We are still seeking the Lord on that front. If you have any advice or bits of wisdom we would love to hear from you. God bless. Amen.
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Will We Ever Be United?
In this text, Paul tells the Corinthians they should be perfectly United in mind and thought. This text calls to question whether or not that is even possible in today's world. How can we be united when we are so divided? Well, there is one place where we all stand together, at the foot of the cross.
Preached by Rev. Steve Woody at the 9:00 am Gospel Service.
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"From Death to Life"
In the reading today we are reminded of the invitation John gives to be baptized and Jesus himself answered that given invitation. In this mighty act John's words of "After me will come one more powerful than I" are seen into realization. When Jesus arose from the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descend on Jesus. When Jesus was baptized, he did so that he might take our sin upon Himself as well. Our sin leads to death, the death He suffered on our account.
Preached by Rev. Brian Waddell at the 9:00 am Contemporary Service and the 11:00 am Traditional Service
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From Death to Life
(Mark 1: 4-11)
1. “I will send my _________ahead of you, who will _______
______________ _____________- a voice of one calling in the
desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make ____________ paths
for Him”
2. This was the Lord, ______________, the almighty God that
gave _________________ back in the days of Moses.
3. We know the divinity of Jesus came at the time of his
_________________, when ________________ spoke to Mary
about what was to happen.
4. Despite our best _________________ and even some real
hard work we know that a lot of those ______________ we will
soon put in the rearview also.
5. By the baptism Jesus was showing his ________________
to begin what he came to do.
Quick Review
Looking back over your notes, which point, or scripture challenged, confused or caught your attention?
Do you agree with statement #4 above? Why or why not?
Digging Deeper
1. Read John 1: 29-34. How does this story differ from our scripture reading? Which one is more powerful for you to read?
2. Read Galatians 3: 26-29. What does this text suggest about our place with God? How does this next make you feel? How are you sharing it with others?
Taking it Home
Looking back at this Sunday’s teaching and study, what is most important for you regarding how God can give you a joyful heart?
Do you have a Heart for Jesus? Have you received God’s gift of baptism? Even more have you found strength in the vows you took and the vows the church took also with you?
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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN NEWS:
The United Methodist Women will hold a General Meeting on Thursday, January 21 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Small Room. Devotional will be given by Susie Thornton. The Program is the new 2021 UMW Reading Books and Reading Program. Grace Baker is Hostess and will bring the drinks. *It is possible that this meeting may have to be canceled because of the increasing of the C. Virus.*
I have put new listings of our meeting dates and 2021 Budget and members in our mailbox in the mailroom. Please add to your 2020 Directory. We are not making a complete new directory for this year.
There is a TX Conference ZOOM Training Meeting this Saturday at 10:00 and a ZOOM District Training Meeting Saturday, January 23 at 10:00.
Suzanne Ganzer, UMW President
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Please, Don’t Forget Your Church!!
Although there are expenses we can defer during this crisis, 75% of our expenses cannot be deferred. This means that we need to come together to insure that our church is not damaged financially by this crisis. Here are all the ways that you can give:
GivePlus App. (available for android and apple) Give anytime and anywhere. You can find this app in your app store and after opening the app, you will be prompted to enter a zip code. Look for Livingston First UMC, choose that as your preferred church. You can link a credit/debit card or bank acct. Your giving can be one time or recurring.
Web Giving: Logon to https://www.livingstonfumc.org/. At the top of the home page click on “Online giving”. Scroll down to “Choose a Fund”. You can link a credit/debit card or bank account or use your existing PayPal to give.
Auto Draft: Request a form from our financial manager, Cynthia Lane. The form can be emailed to you at your home. Fill the form out and return it to back to Cynthia. Be sure to choose which week of the month you want to draft to take place (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) and to which fund (General, building, etc.)
Bank Bill Pay: Through your bank you can set up Livingston FUMC as a vendor. Be sure to state in the memo which fund you want to give to (General, building, music, etc.)
FUMC Self-addressed envelopes: If you prefer cash or check these envelopes can be picked up at the church.
Our giving has gone down since we have not been able to have live worship. Please, use one of these means of giving so we can maintain the financial health of our church.
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Canceled Until Further Notice
Fellowship Meal Prices have changed.
Adult: is by donations
Youth: $2.00
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What Matters Most
Not just in 2020, the world has always been full of trials, disappointments, temptations, and fractured friendships but yet we are meant to find and live with contentment and joy.
Join us as we discover how to banish anxiety, reset our negative patterns of thinking, and establish our priorities in Christ through this study of the book of Philippians.
Tuesday Morning Seekers Study Group
Fellowship Hall
9 – 11am Tuesdays through Feb. 16
Material Fee: $14.00
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Becoming Heart Sisters
Friendships with other women are as important to our health as rest, exercise, and prayer. God created us for relationships. If you have ever been hurt by a friend, struggled to balance friendships with everyday life, or longed for more authentic and deeper friendships, this Bible Study is for you.
Come join our Tribe!!
Women of Grace Study Group
Fellowship Small
9 – 11 Wednesdays through Feb. 17
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Men’s Bible Study Group: Refiners Fire
Tuesdays 6 – 8 pm in the Fellowship Small
Refiner’s Fire Men’s Group
We Work Together to Refine Christian Men to Reflect God’s Purpose through Study, Prayer, and Fellowship.
Come and grow your Faith with others who also struggle with finding the time, and opportunities to Study, Pray, Outreach, and Fellowship.
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.” Malachi 3:3
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Please Keep These People in Your Prayers: |
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Jim & Sue Rosser
Susan Peterson
Ron Cobb
Ray and Ann Hill
Cheryl Anderson
Jeanette Stratmann
Debra Carlos
Barry Hindes
Elaine Brammer
Ann Leach
Kimberly Fowler
Marion Roberts
Sue McGwier
Leon Bailey
Rev. James Frazier
Elliott Diggins
John & Ann Gardner
Richard & Katherine Wade
Lisa Mayhugh
Cheryl Yoder
Jerry Riley Jr.
Susie Gearing
Blakely Schwartz
Anna Hazelton
Pat Hughes
Cheryl Liljequist
Paul & Margie & Ryan Woodworth
Elton Brownlee
Patsy Hughes
Travis Poe
Linda Crawford
Hellen Ray
Dale McFeeters
John Ray
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Lisa Sikora
Sara Davison
Pete Lane
Family of Wilda Moore
Pam & Dennis Moore
Family of Gary Holly
Tim Schossou
Brenda & Family
Richard & Katherine Wade
Richard McMurry
Pat Addison
Clara & Ronny Hughes
Evalina Polovinkini
Family of Don Galloway
Brenda Lucas
Jay Paul
Wayne Patterson
Family of James "j" Kennedy
Frank Zieger
Len & Barbara Wiese
Billie Garrison
Ray Camper
Ryder Murphy
Linda Banks
Bill Westmorland
Joe Westmoreland
Ronnie Myers
Barrandey Family
Steffie Garcia's family
Family of Jesse Zuniga
Regina Green & Family
Jim & Rene Sylvester
Pat Milner
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First United Methodist Church of Livingston
936-327-7100
email - operationsmanager@livingstonfumc.org
www.livingstonfumc.org
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