It’s that time of year when kids go back to school! It’s an exciting time with new backpacks, old friends, after-school activities, sports, and everything that makes education exciting. But, learning and growth are not just for school children. We are all called to keep growing and learning long after we have graduated. As the young people in our community literally go back to school, we will be learning from the section of the Bible that’s referred to as “wisdom literature” – the Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes – in our "Back To School" series. 

Our second lesson comes from a single proverb, stating that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. This solitary sentence reminds us of the reason we look to the Bible, and specifically books like Proverbs — to seek the wisdom of God. Being open to the wisdom and instruction God gives us allows us to grow in faith.

We are excited to announce new ministry at Silverlake Elementary this coming school year. Campus Connections will provide much needed support,  connection and fun for the students and the volunteers as well. The ministry provides two ways to participate: Pen Pals and Club Leaders.

First through Third Graders are working on their writing and communication skills, and the teachers say having a pen pal is a perfect way to do both! This will be a weekly opportunity for you to correspond with a student with post cards.  A volunteer will deliver the post cards each week between FUMCG and Silverlake. Knowing that an adult that cares about them enough to write them each week goes a long way in building a child’s confidence.

Students are also in need of a fun and educational break from class for 30 minutes every two weeks. In these clubs, a small group of students will be pulled out of class to join an interest club of their choice led by a caring adult. How can you help? “Any thing your members like to do as a hobby or skill, I guarantee there are kids here who want to learn more about it.”- Ariel, Silverlake Counselor. That means literally anything: board games, knitting, art, chess, crafts…the sky’s the limit.

Both opportunities will be from October-December and February-Spring Break.

Do you have a few minutes to spare to make a difference in a child’s life? Please see the sign up genius below to register your interest.  We will have an informational meeting at the beginning of the school year. For more information, please contact Pastor Allen (allenl@fumcg.org).

MusiKool Kids is starting back up again Sunday, August 21! We are so excited to see everyone and start making music again!

MusiKool Kids is First Grapevine's Children's Choir. All pre-k through 6th grade children are welcome to practice with us on Sunday mornings. We perform throughout the academic year and break for the summer months. We'd LOVE for your child to sing with us!

Check out our new MusiKool Kids site! We'll be updating it throughout the year with announcements and practice tracks! You can also check out the fun events we have planned for the year!

Please contact our Musikool Choir Director, Rebecca Kraft (rebeccak@fumcg.org), if you have any questions!

Sept. 13 | 10 AM - 12 PM | Leach Hall

The crafting group is back September 13 and will be doing a fall craft! The craft will be beginner friendly, so consider inviting a new friend to try out our group. Questions? Contact Pastor Carly Payne (Carlyp@fumcg.org).

Join Dr. Cindy Ryan as she leads a book review for "Wholehearted Faith" by Rachel Held Evans on September 20 at 10 AM and again at 6 PM that evening in Leach Hall. The session will be a lecture-style teaching of the book, where Dr. Cindy Ryan reviews the book's important points, while you listen, so it is not required that you finish the book or have even opened the book to read it. We hope you will join us.

Imagine the comfort and fun of a dinner party paired with the soul-filling aspect of a church service and you get “Dinner Church!” During the evening we’ll enjoy a meal together (prepared by our own Chef Rev. Allen Lutes,) take a moment to center ourselves and pray, hear a devotional, and have some thought-provoking discussion at our tables! To close, we’ll take some time to pray with and for the people at our tables. This is open to people of all ages and stages, so bring your kids and invite your neighbors!

We hope you’ll want to share this experience and invite your friends and neighbors to this event. Email Pastor Carly at carlyp@fumcg.org for questions. Keep an eye out in E-news for more information or check out FirstGrapevine.org/dinnerchurch.

Join us for our 2022 Homecoming Harvest Dinner & Auction! This food, fun and fellowship event will take place on October 1, 2022, from 6 PM-10 PM at Austin Ranch (2009 Anderson Gibson Rd, Grapevine, TX). 

We have secured once again, world-famous auctioneer, Walt Cade, CAI, ATS, BAS, CES, TxLic 16645,who is featured on Storage Wars Texas. If you don’t remember Walt, you can read all about him at WaltCadeAuctions.com. Not only will you have a chance to bid on some really awesome packages, but you’ll also be helping our missions and ministries as you do so! We will have dinner, a DJ for dancing, a Big Board, Buy It Now items, Live Auction and Last Call opportunities…it’s sure to be an exciting night!

Some of our Live Auction items include a condo in Washington D.C. for a week, A Night in New Orleans Three-course dinner for eight prepared by Pastor/Chef Allen, Surf & Turf dinner for a group of eight, just to name a few. If you have an item or items you’d like to donate, please contact Julie Croft (juliecroft@hotmail.com) or Trudy Hughes (trudyh@fumcg.org). We are still in need of Buy It Now items, items for baskets, and gift cards. If you have items or gift cards you would like to donate you may drop them off at the Church office.

Tickets go on sale online September 1. Cost is $45 per person before September 15, $50 per person September 16 and after. You won’t want to miss this fun evening! Questions, please contact Julie Croft (juliecroft@hotmail.com) or Trudy Hughes (trudyh@fumcg.org).

Traffic directors: If you’ve always wanted to wear an orange vest and tell people where to go, we need people to help guests park.

Table decorators: This could be done anytime after 2 PM, and supplies will be provided.

Hospitality: Help welcome and register members and guests.

Donate Candy or trinkets: We like to keep backup candy for people who don't bring candy and/or run out. Candy can be dropped off at the office on weekdays and, in 2001, on Sunday mornings. You do not have to register to bring candy or trick-or-treat trinkets.

Decorated Trunks: Open your trunk to hand out treats to little ghosts and goblins. Decorations can be as simple or elaborate as you want. PRIZES will be awarded for the top 3 trunks. If you would like us to provide candy, let us know. We will have extra candy should anyone forget or run out. If you are interested in having a "Teal Trunk," let us know, and we will assist in suggesting or providing trinkets for those children with allergies.

RENT A PARKING SPACE FOR FREE: Does decorating a trunk terrify you or give you spooky thoughts? Signup to take a parking space and set up a game like corn hole, ring toss, or basketball, or use your parking space as an outdoor patio to hand out candy. You do NOT HAVE to decorate a trunk. There is, however, a prize for the best trunk, for you competitive types. We need 26 trunks or spaces filled.

Nov. 11 | 6 PM | Grand Hall at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau (636 S. Main St.)

Veterans are welcome to attend the free 2022 Annual Salute To Veterans Dinner hosted by First Grapevine UMC in their honor on November 11 at 6 PM in the Grand Hall at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau (636 S. Main St.). The keynote speaker will be Four-Star General in the U.S. Airforce, Bruce A. Carlson. He was the 17th Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and served as the sixth Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. 

A presentation of the Veterans with photos from their time in service, current photos, and the military branches they served will be shown during the dinner. If you would like to be featured in the presentation, please email your full name, photos, and the military branch to priscillas@fumcg.org.

In-Person Worship: 385

Online: 531

Sunday School: 138

Pictured:

Amy Willingham, Carole Lee, Sherry France, Pastor Carly Payne, Terri Vrabel, Kay Fluitt-Hidalgo, Rodney Bond, Ginger Bond, and Debbie Edgren

Back To School Series: The Lord Is My Shepherd & Backpack Parade

We are excited about our ministry and missional events. This is just a friendly reminder that we have some procedures to make your ministry or missional events successful. Our Media and Communication Guide lists deadlines for e-news, updates to the website, ministry spotlights, videos, and more. The First Grapevine Brand Identity Standard Guide will help to ensure that your marketing materials are in line with the church's brand standards. If you have an upcoming event, be sure to let us know by filling out the Room Request form on our website (FirstGrapevine.org/roomrequest) or by entering it into ServiceU so that our staff can help make your event possible. We couldn't do church without you. Thank you for helping others experience and share God's love!

First Grapevine, A United Methodist Church

FirstGrapevine.org | Link to E-News