Longview First United Methodist Church

It is a new year! This brings lots of change and new opportunities…new possibilities! Many people are looking forward to the New Year ahead because of the many challenges we faced in 2021. I have certainly felt the weight of all that 2021 brought to me personally and to our church family and wider ministry for Jesus Christ. However, last year also brought many blessings and amazing demonstrations of faith and faithfulness to each of us and all of us together. We took on a church facility in South Longview and have turned it anew into an active center of ministry. We cleaned up the building, gave it some much-needed repairs, and have activated ministry again. We weathered multiple waves of COVID-19 and finished the year with lots of new members and worshippers, both in-person and through our TV/Livestream ministry. We finished the year in the healthiest financial condition our church has ever experienced to most folks knowledge. We replaced numerous HVAC units, survived a terrible freeze last winter, and continued to improve the church facilities in countless ways. In the face of unexpected staff changes, God has provided us with new servant-hearted folks to fill voids and expand our ministry in exciting ways. All of this has positioned us for exciting things ahead!

In today’s newsletter, we are announcing the appointment of Rev. Rick Aguilar as a new pastor on our staff effective February 15th. He will be leading our work in South Longview to develop a new congregational ministry at our South Campus. He comes with his wife Laura and their family to begin an exciting new chapter of ministry as we live further into our mission to be A Beacon of Hope for All. The conference and the district are so excited and supportive about what we are doing in South Longview, they are offering significant financial support to bring Rick to us and come along side us in initially funding our ministry expansion to South Longview.

You will also note how we are starting a new sermon series from 1 Corinthians and are ready to begin new studies on Wednesday evenings as part of Wednesday Night Live. We are restarting in new ways our senior adult ministries through EPIC, Experienced Persons in Christ. EPIC will include quarterly lunch fellowships, game days, and day trips, along with our first 50th Anniversary celebration in three years in February. An exciting Mission Trip to Alaska is planned to augment our countless efforts to serve God and others here in Longview. The women have an exciting coffee planned. The UMW are continuing to offer fellowship and missional support through their many efforts. Accountability groups are thriving and expanding to deepen spiritual formation and grow discipleship. God is so good and is blessing us in countless ways.

I simply ask that you stay connected, be faithful in worship (in-person or virtually through our TV/Livestream ministries), seek opportunities to connect and grow in your faith, find new ways to serve, invite others to join us I our journey with Christ, and open you hearts to be generous in the countless ways you can support what God is doing at FUMC! You are truly A Beacon of Hope for All! I am thankful for all of you!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jay

My name is Rick Aguilar. I was born in Mexico City on September the 19th of 1958. I am married to Laura Aguilar. We have 4 beautiful children and 14 grandkids. I received the calling with my wife in 1987 in Mexico. We enrolled in the Assembly of God seminary in 1989 and graduated in 1993. We founded 2 churches in Saltillo, Mexico between the years 1989 and 1993. In June 1993, we received a call to start a new hispanic ministry at Oak Cliff Assembly of God in Dallas, Texas, where my youngest daughter, Melody Aguilar, was born in 1995. In 1996, I was blessed to get ordained by the Assemblies of God and graduated with my Masters Degree of Theological Arts. I also assisted the Billy Graham School of Evangelism. Since then, we have founded 6 churches in Texas and in Oklahoma. In 2017, God called us to go on a mission to Mexico for 5 years. We worked with over 100 people, baptizing 42 of them in water and the rest of them receiving Christ for the first time. That being said, we have successfully established 7 churches in total. Currently, I am pastoring at the Kirbyville United Methodist Church with my wife, my youngest daughter, Melody, her husband, Mario and son, Nehemiah.

Join us in congratulating the Fite family on the baptism of Finley!

Finley Joy Fite was baptized at the 10:45 Beacon service.

Pictured with parents Kent & Laura and sisters Farrah & Frances.

Consider joining one of our Wednesday night studies -

"The Book of Joshua" led by Pastor Romnie or

"Spiritual Disciplines Toolbox" led by Pastor David!

There will be new studies offered later during Lent if you'd prefer something different!

Join us Sunday mornings at 8:30 or 10:45 for our sermon series -

Corinthians: Gifts, Grace, Glory

Come and Sing with the

Chancel Choir!

Wednesday evenings in the Music Suite from 6:30 - 7:45pm

There has never been a better time to join Chancel Choir! In addition to rehearsing anthems for Sunday mornings, we are also working on an exciting music program for Holy Week, including our Easter Cantata "No Greater Sacrifice" on Palm Sunday, April 10!

We are keen to encourage new singers to join our ranks for the time between now and Easter! Please consider joining us as we praise God through the gift of music! We would love to have you sing with us, and you will be made very welcome!

Paul Roberts   

Director of Music & Fine Arts

CALLING ALL ACOLYTES - it's time to sign up for Spring 2022 dates!

All 2nd to 5th graders are invited to participate as an acolyte in the Beacon worship service. Parents, please check your calendars and click here to sign up your acolyte(s) today! This will allow us to print their names in the bulletin each Sunday. Email Jana at [email protected] with questions. Let's get the calendar filled through May!

Regular meetings for children ages pre-k through fifth grade - including music, dinner, and other activities - START TONIGHT! The children's schedule begins at 6:00 PM with music, followed by dinner and activities ending at 7:30 PM. An average of 45 children attend each week, and volunteers are needed to assist with dinner and activities. Anyone is welcome to volunteer, and each parent is encouraged to volunteer once a month for WNL. Here is the link to sign up. This link allows you to select the date and age group you'd like to work with. You can be sure to be blessed by your time with the children as you guide them on their faith journey and build important relationships within the church family!

Dinner is now provided for all children on Wednesday nights! A kid friendly menu has been created, and will include favorite entrees, vegetables, and fruits. A donation of $5 per meal would be appreciated to help with food and preparation costs. Here is the link: Wednesday Night Live Children's Dinner Donation. See you Wednesday for faith, fun, and fellowship! For more information, contact Jana at [email protected], or 903-753-4463.

Wednesday Night Live is back for Youth TONIGHT! 6th-12th graders, the best time of the week is here!

Join us 6pm - 7:30pm in the Youth Wing for dinner, devotion, and some recreation time in the Faith Center gym! We have new additions and old favorites! You will receive a gift tonight! Drop-off and pick-up are at the North parking lot doors.

Parents interested in joining together to provide a youth meal, please contact Janice at [email protected]. With your support, we provide an exciting, meaningful time for students to gather and learn more about faith in Jesus Christ.

Our annual January event is here - The Rise East Texas Youth Conference! We will have three sessions of awesome worship, speakers, & service. We are excited that former NFL player, Shep Shepherd, is back with us. Shep speaks to a variety of organizations with many being college football teams like the National Champions, the Georgia Bulldogs, as well as several NFL teams. His message applies to life and living it with Christ. I hope all youth (and adult volunteers!) will consider joining us. More information may be found on the youth page of our church website or on our FUMC Longview Youth facebook page. Remember to "like" us to stay informed!

If you're ready to register: rise.lvfumc.org

Volunteers needed to cook and serve breakfast at Newgate Mission on the 2nd Sunday each month. Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, families, or individuals can sign up to help. The cost of the breakfast menu is $220. Contact Pastor Romnie to sign up or for more information.

If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend, you’ve probably found that this can be a painful, confusing time, maybe feeling isolated or have questions about things you’ve never faced before. Grief Share can help you face these challenges and move forward toward rebuilding your life through the following elements: (1) video seminar with experts; (2) support group discussions with focus and (3) personal studies and reflection (workbook).  After my husband passed away 8 years ago, I tried different grief studies, but I could not truly move forward toward rebuilding my life until I went through Grief Share, which was quite by accident. A friend of mine promised her pastor she would go 3 times but needed a ride. So I was sitting through the first session with my friend, as her driver, and realized this was where I needed to be, maybe divine intervention. Through Grief Share, I finally was able to put one foot in front of the other and start rebuilding my life, from mourning to joy.



We will be offering Grief Share in a few weeks at FUMC, not only for members, but anyone in the community who needs help and guidance moving forward. If you’re interested or know anyone who would benefit from these classes, please contact Shirley Lancaster, [email protected], or by phone, including texts, at (913) 706-3874. You may also contact one of the Pastors if you would like to discuss whether this might be right for you.

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