-- Week of November 11, 2020 --
This Weekend
Join Rev. Palma this Sunday at 9:30 AM for a message on how to respond to fear (Mark 4: 35-41). Our live stream will be available for our 9:30 AM service at FirstGrapevine.org/live. You may also watch the pre-recorded worship on Sundays at FirstGrapevine.org/watch), YouTube, or First Grapevine app. 
Veterans Day Service
Happy Veterans Day! First Grapevine is proud to present a special Veterans Day service, featuring prayer, a salute to the armed forces, and familiar patriotic music. The Veterans Day service will be available today on e-news, our app, and on our website.
Looking Ahead
Zoom Introduction Class
Nov. 11 | 9:30 AM | Zoom

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming soon, and many of us not traveling, Zoom is a good way to stay connected with our family and friends. Although this is an introduction to using Zoom, there are many options that may be used during a Zoom session that many folks are not aware of, so we will be reviewing those options. Join us on November 11, from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM. Attendees must have access to a computer or an iPad. Handouts will be sent by email prior to class, including a link to the Zoom session. To sign-up, please send an email to Dick Guckel (captain.dick@verizon.net).
Back To The Future Strategy Sessions
Nov. 12 - 22 | Zoom

During the month of November, we will be hosting a series of Back to the Future Strategy Sessions to provide an update on our Community Building and Evangelism Initiative. We invite you to attend one of the four scheduled sessions below to learn about this exciting opportunity.

November 12 at 6:00 pm (Register in advance for this Zoom session) 

November 16 at 2:00 pm (Register in advance for this Zoom session) 


Lectio Divina Weekly Group
Thursdays | Noon & 5:30 PM | Zoom
 
At First Grapevine, our mission is to “Experience and Share God's Love!” Would you like a time-honored way to experience God’s love through contemplative prayer? During September, Pastor Carly introduced many of us to an ancient Christian way of prayer known as Lectio Divina.
 
This simple way of prayer opens us to a deep level of communication with God through praying the Scriptures. This can be an integral part to helping us then share God’s love. If you have interest in learning more or joining this ongoing group, please email Jeff Edgren (jwedgren@gmail.com).
Be Our Guest Drive-Thru Dinner
Nov. 17 | 5 PM | FLC Tunnel

The Be Our Guest team has created a new and creative opportunity to provide family meals to our friends in the community. Be Our Guest 2 Go will be a drive-thru family meal distribution on November 17 from 5 until 6:30 PM in the Family Life Center tunnel.
Bilingual Bible Study Group /
Group de Estudio de Biblia
Tuesdays / Martes | 7 - 8 PM

Join Rev. Ali Lopez-Valcarcel for a Bilingual Bible Study on Tuesdays. Rev. Ali will lead and guide the study group as they take a closer look at the Bible and discuss critical topics to help you grow in your spirituality. Join the Bible Study group each Tuesday, from 7-8 PM, on Zoom. Please email bonitar@fumcg.org for the invitation. We can't wait to see you there.
Small Groups
Small Groups

At First Grapevine, we have a welcoming community of faith. Through one of our small groups, you will gain community, a knowledge of God’s word, and purpose. Regardless of your stage of life, we have a place for you.
Volunteer Opportunities
Ushers / Greeters Needed

We have many dedicated members who have served as ushers and greeters for years. Many of those dedicated volunteers are among many who want to remain at home for safety and watch our services online. We need some new volunteers who want to attend our in-person services and help maintain our safety standards. Efforts include helping with preregistration check-in or capturing information from those who walk in to attend our services. We need help with our seating and dismissal plans. We would like to have enough volunteers that we can set up a rotation plan to lessen the burden on a few who are now serving. If you are interested, please contact Cyndi Hobart (cyndih@fumcg.org) and she will send you a Sign-up Genius.
United Methodist Children's Home Bike Project

For over 20 years, we have been providing new bicycles and helmets to the children at the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco. Each year, we raise money for the bikes and helmets, put the bikes together and deliver them to Waco. This year the need is great, but our funds are very low. The Children's Home has 190 kids who need bikes! A new bike and helmet are $100, but donations can be made in any amount. Please note "Bike Project" in the memo online or on your check.

Bike assembly will look a little different this year with health and safety measures in place. The assembly and delivery dates are still to be determined so please look for updates in a future
e-news.
Operation Christmas Child Nov. 1-15 | Sanctuary

For nearly two decades, we have collected Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts and delivered them to boys and girls overseas. Each box is an opportunity to delight the heart of a child and share the Good News of Christ with them and their families.

To participate you will need to pack a shoebox or as many as you'd like. You can pick up pre-printed shoeboxes, How to Pack a Shoebox instructions, and Prayer cards at our church on the following dates/times: Nov. 5 and 12 at 9:30-10:30 a.m.

All supplies will be available in our foyer in the main sanctuary from November 1-15. Special thank you to the Seeker's Sunday School Class for donating 150 pre-printed shoeboxes for our church families. You may drop off your packed shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, November 16-23 at the South Entrance from 9:30-10:30 AM any day (except Nov. 21). Please go to samaritanspurse.org/occ for more information.

We are grateful for your prayers and supports as we respond to Christ's call to, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel" (Mark 16:15). Thank you and may God bless you.

In Christ's Service,
Neil & John
Be Our Guest Drive-Thru Dinner Volunteer Need

We will be conducting a drive through Be Our Guest on Tuesday, November 17. We are asking for assistance by either creating a King Ranch Casserole or a dessert for this occasion. If you would like to serve by cooking or baking, we invite you sign-up to serve today.
Loving Gratitude
This Sunday, November 15, we will begin the stewardship journey of Loving Gratitude.  The theme scripture is 1 John 4:7-12 where the author reminds us that God is love. Each week we will be inviting you to look and reflect upon a specific loving gift you have received from God. We invite you to create a list of such gifts from God and ask that prayerfully consider sharing them with us (info@fumcg.org). As we ponder God loving and trusting us with all creation, what other response can there be but deep, soulful, loving gratitude?

We ask you to join us in prayer during our journey of Loving Gratitude together. We will celebrate our journey on Commitment Sunday, December 13. We will be providing more information in the following weeks.
2020 Year-End Giving
I want to begin by thanking all of you for how you have supported the ministries of First Grapevine in 2020. Because of your gifts we have been blessed by God to be a part of making a difference in the lives of those God has called us to serve and love. On Sunday, October 25 we confirmed 15 young people in a holy worship service during our in person 9:30 am service. As a part of that service I was blessed to confirm my first confirmand virtually. He was represented at the altar of our church as one of our staff held an I-pad of him at home. When I came to him I looked at him on the screen and I spoke those holy words of confirmation to him. He was smiling and obviously by his facial expressions and body language the Holy Spirit was present with him, there in the room of his home. I was absolutely overwhelmed with the emotion of it and the connection of it not only with him virtually but with all of our confirmands as I was blessed as their pastor to share in such holiness. Through the financial gifts you provide you were a part of God’s loving that day and everyday in 2020. Thank you! As we draw this year to a close we face a financial challenge of raising $240,000 in addition to our regular giving to meet our year end financial obligations. In the ascension story in Matthew 28 just before Jesus ascends into heaven to join God he challenges his disciples with those great words about going and making disciples of all nations. Finishing the challenge to those friends he closes by saying, “and lo, I will be with you always, even to the close of the age.” First Grapevine has partnered with God in loving for over 150 years. I am sure that this year will be no different than any of the others. As with deep and abiding gratitude we join in God’s loving to the world through the gifts we have given, are giving, and will give as we seek to be the church God calls and leads us to be in the midst of this pandemic before us as we provide ministry to continue to those who need it most.


I will see you on the road,

Travis

I John 4:7
Membership Database Update
We are currently working on cleaning up our membership database and have several members for whom we lack a sufficient address. Perhaps they have moved and didn’t update their address with the church. If you see anyone you know on the list below and have their address, please contact Bonita Ramsey (bonitar@fumcg.org) with that information.

Congratulations
We would like to wish church member and long-time volunteer Emily Diehm a Happy 90th Birthday on November 16!
Last Week's Worship Numbers
Online Worship - 492
In-Person Worship - 129
Sunday School - 101
Baptisms YTD - 6
Gifts have been given to the Endowment Fund in memory of Allen Mossman by:
  • Betsy & Thomas Milyo   
  • Susan & Jerry Pittman     

A gift has been given to the Benevolence Fund by Barbara & Mark Maness in honor of Ed & Kim Crater’s commitment to furthering God’s Kingdom through their years of service at First Grapevine.

A gift has been given to the Bike Project by Kenda Diehm in honor of Emily Diehm’s 90th birthday.

A gift has been given to Weekend Food by Sandy Robinson in honor of Carol Tummarello.
Condolences
We extend Christian condolences to Sandra Paolucci and family for the loss of her mother, Bunny Sanders, on November 7, 2020.
Connecting
Sunday In-Person Worship
First Grapevine, A United Methodist Church