Longview First United Methodist Church

   What a great Holy Week and an amazing Easter Sunday! This Sunday, April 24th, the celebration and good times continue as we will welcome in 11 new church members through Confirmation. A journey that started for most of them when they were infants will begin its next chapter this week. Confirmation Sunday isn’t a Sunday of endings but a Sunday of new beginnings for these students. Sure they don’t have to give up their Sunday afternoons anymore to hear about John Wesley and the Methodist Church, but it's so much more than an end to “formal” Confirmation classes.

As the Confirmands take their vows on Sunday during the Beacon Worship Service at 10:45, they take their first steps as full members of our congregation. They take the final steps to confirm their baptism, and they embrace all that it means to be a follower of Christ and a member of the body of Christ.

This Sunday also gives us as a congregation a chance not only to support these students and their families at this moment. It also gives us the opportunity to welcome them into full membership and renew our own vows. We are reminded what it is to be not only a member of the body of Christ in its fullness but a member of First United Methodist Church Longview. 

Our 2022 Confirmation Class is:

Riley Cox

Lilah Haas

Uchenna Ibeh

Luke Jones

Matthew McHaney

John Clark McHaney

Grayson Minshew

Mollie Kate Ogle

Elisa Shebli

Riggin Smith

Mahina Wacasey

Come and join us as a church family in welcoming them this Sunday to full membership at First United Methodist Church Longview! 

Blessings,

Pastor David

We need volunteers for our Cinco de Mayo event at the Beacon Center, Centro Casa de Luz, our South Campus! We need people Saturday, May 7 at 1:00pm to set up for the event at 3:00pm. In collaboration with the East Texas Food Bank, there will be food distribution and lots of volunteers will be needed! Let us know if you are interested by contacting Pastor Rick at [email protected] or by contacting the church office. We thank you for being a Beacon of Hope for All!

What an incredible turnout for our Sunrise Service at Heritage Plaza! Over 280 people showed up to worship our risen Savior!

Draw Near to God and God will Draw Near to you (James 4:8).

If our Lenten study of the prodigal son has left you longing for a deeper relationship with the Father, please consider joining Pastor Debbie for Exploring the Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Tradition on Wednesdays starting TONIGHT April 20th at 6:15pm or Thursdays at 10:00am, both located in the Genesis classroom.

The Gospels According to David

Have you ever wondered why there are 4 Gospels? Or why they are called Gospels? In this short 4-week study, we will peek into Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and talk about what makes them the 4 Gospels of the New Testament.

Wednesday Night Live for children Pre-K to 5th grade, including music, dinner, and activities, is now meeting each week from 6:00pm to 7:30pm! Dinner is provided for all children on Wednesday nights! A kid-friendly menu has been created, and a donation of $5 per meal would be appreciated to help with food and preparation costs. Here is the link to donate: Wednesday Night Live Children's Dinner Donation. See you Wednesdays for faith, fun, and fellowship! For more information, contact Jana Pritchett, Children's Director, at [email protected], or 903-753-4463.

We invite all high school seniors and families to join us for 10:45 Beacon worship service and celebration of your youth high school commencement. Please email [email protected] by April 27 a senior photo and the following information: student's name, parents' names, High School, and future plans (university, military, employment). We want to celebrate with you, share in prayer over you, and send you off with a gift from our church. Any other questions may also be directed to Janice Crane, Youth Director.

GIFT CARD DRIVE FOR

FOSTER YOUTH GRADUATES

This year 34 East Texas youth will leave foster care as high school graduates. They will move from foster care placements into dorm rooms or apartments without family support to provide necessities. For several years United Methodist Women (UMW) has hosted churchwide graduation showers for foster youth to help with their transition. UMW is seeking donations of gift cards from retail or online stores, such as Walmart, Target, Amazon. Gift cards of any amount will go a long way in helping. Donations may be dropped off at the Church office on or before Sunday May 8. Thank you for your continued support. For more information contact Debbie Lile at 817-692-0233.

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