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We needed it, God provided it... through your generosity.
THANK YOU!
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God Showed Up
When pressures came, it seemed t’was no way out.
When fears arose, they made us want to shout.
God showed up and brought to darkness, light.
God showed up and made the wrong things right.
When once it seemed there was nowhere to turn.
We kept the FAITH; and this is what I’ve learned…
God showed up and brought about a change.
God showed up and puzzling things arranged.
When we knew we had to have some hope,
into our hearts, the Holy Spirit spoke.
We needed help and knew it was a must.
Then, God showed up; and He showed up in US!!
There were times when worry took a toll.
Then God showed up; and soon, we met our goal.
We made a plan. We did not make a fuss.
Our God showed up; and He showed up in US!
b. Connelly
TO EVERYONE WHO PRAYED AND GAVE SACRIFICIALLY TO HELP US MEET OUR GOALS!
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I am so thankful for the honor of having had Jean Shine extend the invitation to offer the Invocation for the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Wreath Laying Ceremony, on Saturday, November 29th. What a beautiful tradition begun by Jean and Hilary Shine. Rather than retell the story, let's hear from Brandy Cruz, who did a feature story on this holiday tradition in a Fort Hood Public Affairs article published on December 3rd, 2020. She writes,
"Recalling how it all began, Jean Shine, founder and president of Wreaths for Vets and the Friends of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, said the whole thing was completely God-led from day one, Dec. 15, 2007, when she found out Wreaths Across America only sent six wreaths to the cemetery. She was determined to put a wreath on every single grave, so after calling around and realizing nobody local had any wreaths at such a late notice, she jumped into her van and headed to Austin, where she hoped she could find some at a warehouse.
“They said, ‘You can dig around and see if you can find anymore.’ I did and found just enough wreaths,” Shine said. “Even more-so, they had a half-price sale and they were the perfect size and I didn’t know that when I bought them.”
Excited about finding the wreaths, she drove to Walmart after she got home in the middle of the night and asked if they had any bows. They had 400 red bows.
“What I did not know is they were the perfect size. And what I did not know is they gave me a discount when they found out what I was doing,” she added. “The whole project has been blessed from day one. It was the right thing to do and our whole community has loved it.”
With 12 volunteers to help her that first year, Shine’s determination paid off with a wreath at every grave. The following year, she created the non-profit Friends of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, which fundraises and organizes Wreaths for Vets. This year, hundreds of volunteers prepared the wreaths on Nov. 21 in preparation for Saturday’s wreath-laying. Despite the bad weather forecast Saturday morning, Shine estimated between 1,000 to 2,000 volunteers braved the elements to honor the fallen."
That was then... this is now! On Saturday, November 29th, 2025, more than 17,000 wreaths adorn the resting places of fallen soldiers and/or their spouses. The Shines are now training people in other states to do what we are doing here, in Central Texas. Recently, more land has been dedicated to extend the number of graves on the grounds of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Jean's goal is to provide a building where the wreaths can be stored, rather than using trucks. We can help.
The committee for this annual event welcomes donations. As I was speaking to Jean on Saturday, she was approached by a woman who desires to leave funds from her family's estate to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Wreath Laying Ministry. Donations are always welcome.
| | The next GriefShare Session will begin on January 14th. Those interested in joining may contact Trudy Horridge (512) 293-5453 for more information. | | |
- First United Methodist Church's
Angel/ Giving Tree -
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Our 2025 Angel/Giving Tree will be up in the Welcome Center area beginning Nov. 23rd and will be available till December 11th as we will need to return the gifts - cash to Aldersgate and presents to the local office of the Methodist Children's Home for distribution December 12th.
Aldersgate Enrichment Center began as a ministry of the United Methodist Men here in Central Texas. In 1987, the Central Texas Conference approved the development of this ministry which consists of both housing and employment for mentally challenged adults, offering a safe work environment and has become a unique vocational community that this church continues to support. If you would like to make a donation to Aldersgate, please mark so on your check or envelope and we will be forwarding one check to them for their staff to purchase gifts for the residents.
Methodist Children's Home Family Outreach in Killeen. The primary goal is to strengthen families to help them provide a safe, stable, and healthy family environment. They believe families are the strength of our community and the natural place to help children develop to their fullest potential to build safe and healthy children and communities. Our church, through United Women in Faith, circles and classes, have worked to foster a good working relationship with this outreach center.
Please Sign Out A Methodist Home Ornament On The Sheet Provided At The Welcome Desk!!
| | - Connectional Missional Giving - | | |
Please remember our Connectional Missional Giving Obligation is due by December 31st, 2025. You have already been so generous; however, any amount you can give will be appreciated.
| | Carols, Cocoa, and Cookies | | - Child Development Center - | | BusinessRate is a Better Business Bureau accredited business with an A- Rating. | | |
We are recognized by BusinessRate as one of the Top 3 Child Development Centers in Killeen. This rating is based on authentic feedback through Google Reviews online. Thank you to our CDC board, CDC staff, and parents. You are greatly appreciated!
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| The CDC Book Fair is taking place NOW! Please visit the CDC hallway and check out what is being offered this Christmas season. | |
"Equipped To Reach"
An Evangelistic Opportunity For Church Members and Leaders
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Our “Equipped to Reach” preview event is coming up on Monday, December 8—This is more than just another training; it’s a chance to ignite a movement of everyday disciples who are ready to share the gospel in innovative ways and transform their communities.
“Equipped to Reach” is designed to help us live out our mission to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world" by focusing on our North Star Objectives:
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Grow (Multiply Disciples) – equipping believers to confidently share their faith and invite others to experience the transformative love of Christ.
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Grow Younger – finding new ways to engage young people in the faith.
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Grow More Diverse – enriching our congregations by ensuring that there is space for all.
Imagine the impact if every church had lay members who were trained, inspired, and ready to reach people in innovative ways for Christ - that’s what "Equipped to Reach" is all about.
Event Details:
- Date: Monday, December 8
- Time: 6:30 p.m. (online)
- Who: Lay members, ministry leaders, anyone passionate about reaching others
- Purpose: Information Session to learn more about this program, which will launch in 2026
Registration is simple: https://htcumc.jotform.com/252876576940068
Let’s work together to ensure every church is Equipped to Reach - thank you for leading the way!
God Bless,
Rev. Dr. Mary Spradlin
District Superintendent
| | - Opportunities at FUMC - Killeen - | | |
Below is a list of highlighted events for the upcoming week. Items in italics indicate off-site events. Click on the link above to view the full church calendar.
Sunday, December 7
8:00 AM & 11:00 AM | Worship
9:30 AM | Adult Sunday School Classes & Emmaus Prayer Group
9:30 AM | Guiding Young Minds (GYM) Sunday School Class
9:30 AM | Children's Sunday School Class
11:00 AM | “Kids Korner” Group
12:00 PM | Youth Team Planning Meeting
2:00 PM | Heights Concert Band Concert - Killeen HS
4:00 PM | Youth Group Meeting - Arts & Crafts
Monday, December 8
7:30 AM | CDC Scholastic Book Fair (Monday-Friday)
8:30 AM | Frisch Park Workday
6:00 PM | Mandatory CDC Staff Meeting
Tuesday, December 9
9:30 AM | Mary Ruth Circle Meeting - Book Study
10:00 AM | Dominoes/42 Group
10:30 AM | Quilting Circle
5:30 PM | Son N’ Fun Bunco Fellowship
Wednesday, December 10
10:00 AM | Church Staff Meeting
10:30 AM | Morning Bible Study with Ken Smith
5:00 PM | Deeper Waters Bible Study w/ Snack Meal
7:00 PM | Chancel Choir Practice
Thursday, December 11
6:30 PM | Rainbow Emmaus Gathering
Friday, December 12
8:30 AM | Frisch Park Workday
Saturday, December 13
8:00 AM | United Methodist Men’s Breakfast Meeting
Sunday, December 14
8:00 AM & 11:00 AM | Worship
7:45 AM | Youth Ornament Sale
9:30 AM | Adult Sunday School Classes & Emmaus Prayer Group
9:30 AM | Guiding Young Minds (GYM) Sunday School Class
9:30 AM | Children's Sunday School Class
11:00 AM | “Kids Korner” Group
3:30 PM | 1st Cav Christmas Band Concert - Ellison HS
4:00 PM | Youth Group Meeting - Christmas Celebration & Cookie Swap
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- December Altar Rail -
United Methodist
Student Sunday
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- December Food Pantry -
Holiday Menu Items
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- Giving and Attendance -
Month of November
| | General Fund/Building Fund Offering | | The offering totals for November will be sent out next newsletter. We appreciate your understanding. | | Total Attendance for November | | Please report all your small group attendance to the office after each meeting or email your attendance to the church office. Thank you! | |
- Thank you -
Hosting a blood drive is one of the most impactful ways to ensure local patients have access to the lifesaving blood they need. We're incredibly grateful for your passion and efforts to help save lives by making transfusion possible.
Sincere thanks for making a lifesaving difference by donating 11 pints of blood for Texans in need.
-The Carter BloodCare Team
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A Note from the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee (SPPRC)
Church Friends,
This time of year we celebrate the birth of our Jesus. Let's also show our gratitude to our church staff with cards, notes, and gifts. We will have a basket in the Narthex for you to drop your cards, notes, and gifts to our staff: Pastor Beverly Connelly, Julie McBride, Mike Tuggle, Chloe King, Lynn Bedard, Jessica Bain, Sara Charlton, Jamie Garrett, Charles Thomas, Reyna Guerrero, Adrien Pittman, and Michelle Mock. This year we will also include Colleen Smith-Fey and Zel Heaney (more information about these two staff members will be forthcoming).
Thank you, Church,
SPPRC
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- Thank you -
Thank you to each of the small groups that participated in the wreath decorations. You did a fabulous job. Many thanks go to Marty Portmann, who coordinates this event annually.
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- Honoring A True Soldier -
We do not usually publish the funeral services of our members who have passed. However, this situation is unique. Robert Leon Whitney has stood guard (alone) beside the casket of every fallen soldier who has passed through our church. Bob did this for forty years. We wanted to ensure that Bob had soldiers standing guard on his behalf. Our military men and women (from all branches) stood and saluted Bob on December 2nd, 2025. Willie Singleton and Bob Kure flanked his casket on either side, for the entire remembrance service. Bob's life celebration is being published; because we may have just started a new tradition at FUMC, Killeen, to honor our fallen service men and women. As we live into this new tradition in the future, we will remember Robert Leon Whitney, a true soldier.
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First United Methodist Church Killeen | FUMC-Killeen
Please note that if you choose Safe Unsubscribe below, you will unsubscribe from ALL FUMC-Killeen email lists.
If you would like to get your event in the newsletter, put in a thank-you note, or any other submission, please send it to info@fumc-killeen.org by the Wednesday prior to the week you would like it to appear.
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