-- Week of October 27, 2021 -- |
|
The Harvest Miracle series reminds us about our promise as Methodists to faithfully support the church: prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Join us for worship on Sunday as we dive into the importance of witnessing our faith as individuals and as a church through our actions. We hope you will join us in person or online for an inspiring message from scripture Matthew 10:16-20 (NIV). |
|
Worship with us in person or online
|
|
I'm enjoying The Harvest Miracle message series and how each message ties back to the membership vows I took when I joined First Grapevine in 1985. I committed to supporting our local church with my prayers, presence, gifts, and service. The word "witness" was not part of the Methodist vow back then. In 2008, the Methodist church general conference added "witness," which was a brilliant addition. (I'm sure they're happy I agree with them).
It seemed natural when I joined First Grapevine that I would support my church by praying. Praying, after all, is what Christians do. We pray for one another, for ourselves, and our families. We pray for our world, our leaders, the past, the present, and the future. We pray because we know God listens.
Presence also made sense to me. Being in attendance provides that spiritual feeling you get when the music, or a prayer, or a message touches you in a way that no other experience can. By being present, we are able to fellowship and build relationships with one another and strengthen our relationship with God. We gravitate to like-minded people after God's heart, who we seek to spend more time with by being in church. I think God meant for it to be this way.
Back in 1985, I understood the importance of giving my gifts and service to the church. However, I wasn't always a cheerful giver (though that's a story for another time). The more I gave in service to our church, the easier it was to turn cheerful on my financial giving. I remember the first service activity in which I participated. It was January 1986, and there was a call for volunteers to clean up the Christmas decorations in the Sanctuary. It seemed like an easy request, with no particular skills required. Little did I know that by saying yes to that call, this church was planting a seed in me that was ready to grow. Somedays, I feel like I have a whole belly of seeds in me wanting to grow. I've had many opportunities to say yes to serving at First Grapevine. In doing so, I often end up working with people I've never met before. I'm amazed at the talent and the heart of so many members of this church and how amazing things are being accomplished because of them. Thanks to all of you who commit yourselves to First Grapevine. You make a difference.
Now for this "witness" thing. I'm reminded of Mark 4:21-23:
He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear."
I think most of us enjoy sharing our life experiences with others. Is there such a thing as a grandparent out there who doesn't want to share a grandchild's picture? Should we admit we've all bragged a bit about our children's accomplishments? What about telling others about our new job, our house, our gardens? What about letting the world know it's your birthday? Do you do that? I know I do. When people hear about what is going on at First Grapevine, they are amazed. We feed, we share, we pray, we visit, we build, we engage, we lift, we laugh, we cry, we sing, we teach. We, we, we... I'm proud to be a member of First United Methodist Church of Grapevine, and I'm proud to serve and cheerfully give to our church financially. Sometimes I worry I am keeping the great news of First Grapevine under a basket. I probably need to do a better job in 2022.
We are in our stewardship season right now. We are being asked to think about how we support our church in 2022. Many will think this is just about the financial portion of stewardship, but it's not just that. I hope you will join Sue and me in renewing your commitments to prayer, being present, generously giving, sharing your talents, and proudly telling others about us. Let the world know what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are unsure how to get involved, ask me or someone on staff, and we can figure out how to get you connected. Imagine when we all recommit ourselves, what can grow! If you feel God is leading you to complete the commitment card, you may complete the card mailed to you or submit it online at FirstGrapevine.org/commit.
Rick Schultz
Lay leader at First Grapevine
|
|
Thirsty Thursday: The Back Porch Live Podcast
Oct. 28 | 4 - 7 PM | Third Rail in Harvest Hall
Join us as we get to know one another and our neighbors. Come for fun conversations, trivia, and a Back Porch Live Podcast Event on Thursday, October 28 at Third Rail in Harvest Hall (815 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051).
|
|
Third Grade Bible Presentation & Learning and Loving Your Bible Class
Oct. 31 | 11 AM -1 PM
Studying Scripture is one of the most important ways we learn about God. This Sunday, October 31, each third grade student will be presented with a personal Bible during the 11 AM Contemporary Service as a statement of their faith growth development.
Following the 11 AM service, third, fourth and fifth graders are invited to lunch and an hour of hands on our Bibles. RSVP to Hayley, Family Ministry Admin (hayleyp@fumcg.org).
|
|
All Saints Remembrance Service
Wednesday, Nov. 3 | 6:30 PM | Sanctuary
Join us on Wednesday, November 3 at 6:30 in the Sanctuary for All Saints' Remembrance service. All Saints' is an opportunity to give thanks for all those who have gone before us in the faith. During a special worship service, we will reflect upon and commemorate members, family, and friends we have lost. There will be a candle-lighting opportunity, a special tolling of the bell, and more. Our Stephen Ministers will also be available to pray with you. We invite you to this powerful and holy service of remembrance.
We are opening up our remembrances to any loved one you have lost. If you would like to submit the name of a loved one for the tolling of the bell, please send the names to Amanda Wilson (AmandaW@fumcg.org) before Wednesday, October 27, so they may be included.
|
|
Fall Hike
Nov. 6 | 10 AM | Cedar Hill State Park (1570 FM1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104)
Join us for a Fall Hike at Cedar Hill State Park! We'll meet at 10 AM in the park for a devotional and a family-friendly hike. Stay afterward for a picnic with church friends! You will need to bring $7 for the entrance fee to the State Park. Email (carlyp@fumcg.org) to sign up for more details.
|
|
Salute to Our Veterans Dinner
Nov. 11 | 6-8:30 PM | Family Life Center
The Community Building Council cordially invites Veterans in our church and their families to a dinner in honor of their service on November 11, from 6-8:30 PM in the Family Life Center. In addition to dinner, there will be a program and message, An Appreciation of Our Past: A Challenge for Our Future from our keynote speaker, Chaplain (Maj) Nathan Tucker, in the United States Air Force 136 Airlift Wing in Fort Worth and Senior and Founding Pastor of Alliance Community Fellowship in Fort Worth.
|
We ask that Veterans submit a photo of when they were in service and a current photo so that we may showcase them during the dinner. Please email photos to Priscilla Sanchez (priscillas@fumcg.org) before October 29.
Call (817) 481-2559 or signup below to attend.
|
|
Tween Gratitude Café
Nov. 12 | 6:30 PM | Founders Chapel Atrium
November is such a great time to think about what we are grateful for with Thanksgiving on our heels. With Christmas around the corner, we have to guard against wanting more and more. TV and social media will try to convince us that we need everything everyone else has and more. There are so many things for which we can be thankful, let’s spend an evening in gratitude while sipping hot chocolate and sweet treats.
|
|
Thanksgiving at the Slab
The Church on the Slab ministers to those less fortunate in Ft Worth. Our church provides a meal after the service on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Last year, they were not able to have Thanksgiving Dinner due to COVID-19. This year, Dinner is on! Various churches and individuals will contribute to the meal (in addition to the meal on the 3rd Sunday). More details will be provided as the plan comes together.
If you are interested in being involved in either the 3rd Sunday or Thanksgiving, please contact Jeff Murphy, (817) 793-32687 (jeff_murphy@verizon.net).
|
|
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
National Collection: Nov. 15-22
There are millions of children in need around the world, many who have never received a gift. We want them to know God's gift of salvation through trusting and believing in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior and Lord. We have 2 ways to prayerfully prepare to pack your shoebox gift.
1) We have created a BASBO (Build A Shoebox Online) website specifically for our church. With just a few clicks, you can pack an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift online to help share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a boy or girl in need around the world. Simply select toys and other fun items you would like to include from the collection, and personalize your gift with your own letter and photo.
2) Pick up a shoebox in the atrium/foyers and follow the instructions in the brochure on "How to Pack a Shoebox", fill it with the items you choose for a boy or girl and return the shoebox here during the National Collection Week, November 15-22. Most importantly pray for the child who will receive your gift. Thank you for your support. Have fun!
|
|
Opportunities to Share God's Love By Serving |
|
Welcome to First Grapevine Staff |
|
Please join us as we welcome Hayley Piske to First Grapevine in the role of Administrative Assistant to Family Ministries and is also responsible for membership. Hayley brings several years of customer service and Administrative skills and a heart for serving others. If you are in the church, please stop by and welcome her. |
|
Please join us in welcoming Amanda Wilson to First Grapevine in the role of Executive Assistant to the Pastors and responsible for congregational care. Amanda has a great background that will help her in this role, and we are excited to have her join the staff. Please stop by and welcome Amanda and help her get to know our congregation! |
|
Last Week's Numbers & Gifts |
|
Online Worship: 568
In-person Worship: 268
Sunday School: 125
YTD Baptisms: 6
|
|
A gift was given to the Costa Rica Village in memory of Mike Bullmer by Laurie Urrutia.
Gifts have been given to Be Our Guest in memory of Brian James by:
- The Zorn family
- Shelby Fanning
Gifts have been given to the Endowment Fund by:
- Rebecca & Paul Bielss
- Jeannie Dalmolin
- Sarah & John Erickson
|
|
Costa Rica Village Update |
|
Please continue to be in prayer for our friends and family in Costa Rica. COVID cases are still very high in Costa Rica, with vaccination rates still relatively low. Many of the rural Costa Rican churches had returned to in-person services, yet with an ongoing surge of COVID cases, they are having to adjust their plans. After much prayer and discussion with the local pastors, the CR mission team will not travel to Las Juntas this December. We will support the Las Juntas church by sending funds for Christmas gifts and community outreach. Read More
|
|
Be Our Guest
Be Our Guest has had a successful run of drive-through meals. On October 19, we were blessed to have 140 meals passed out. While the in-person volunteers have been small, it has taken a wonderful group of volunteer cooks and bakers to provide us with the casseroles and desserts to be distributed. We can not thank you enough for the help in continuing the Be Our Guest ministry in this way.
On November 16, we are planning to return to a Be Our Guest in-person meal. We will be asking cooks, hosts, servers, food scrapers, and dishwashers to use our SignUp Genius to help prepare and serve the meal. It has been a while since we have done this, and we wanted to provide notice to be on the lookout for the SignUp in the next couple of weeks.
We look forward to providing the in-person fellowship that has made this program a success. Thank you in advance for your help.
The Be Our Guest Team
|
|
Costa Rica "Fun"Raising: Empanada Making |
|
Trunk or Treat
We had an incredible Not So Scary Trunk or Treat this past Saturday, October 23, with over 650 attendees. Thank you to all of the families and participants who helped shine the light of Christ with the community through a fun and safe Trunk or Treat. Below were our Trunk winners:
Lauren Allen – Most Creative
The Colemans – Best Theme (Lions Den)
Meg Mochel + Peter Hanna – Most Interactive/Most Visited
|
|
We are so excited to start ramping up our ministries and missional activities. 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
