MESSAGE FROM PASTOR BLOSSOM | | Dear Faith-filled Friends, | | We have the best job! And by we, I mean you and me. I’m not talking about our professions, but our calling. You and I are called to live as disciples of Jesus and to make disciples of Jesus. This doesn’t require a seminary degree or ordination—it’s our shared calling! I’m so honored to be part of the ministry of First Waco as we seek to be disciples and make disciples…together. | | 📖 As Nick and I were leaving the church office this past Wednesday evening, I was delighted to greet parents arriving for our Godly Parenting Class. I’m so thankful for these amazing moms and dads who are intentional about raising their children to be disciples of Jesus! For parents who missed our kickoff session, please consider joining the group this coming Wednesday at 6 PM. If you need childcare, be sure to RSVP to Bernadette Ostroff so we can have childcare ready for your little ones. | 🐾 I also want to invite you to our Blessing of the Animals this Saturday, October 24, from 10 AM to noon at First Waco! We can’t wait to meet the precious and precocious pets of our church family during this come-and-go event! Have a pet of any kind? Stop by and let us ooh and ahh over your pet as we offer a blessing for them (and for you). And if your pet has social anxiety (like our sweet dog, Honey!), feel free to bring a picture instead. Please invite a pet-loving friend or neighbor to join us, too. It’s a paws-itively wonderful opportunity to connect with our community…and most importantly, to help them connect with God! | | |
As we seek to live as disciples and make disciples, I’d like to close with a prayer from the Lectio 365 daily prayer & devotional app that beautifully captures this calling:
Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet.
Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say. Amen.
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Much love,
Pastor Blossom
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Link to “Check Out Lectio 365 App: | | | SAVE THE DATE: SHINE FUNDRAISER! | | IMMEDIATE NEEDS ARE OCTOBER 28 & NOVEMBER 4! | | |
We celebrate what God is doing in the life of our brother in Christ and Youth Director, Ahmad Washington! His recently published book, The Cycle of Connection: Every Student Needs a Cheerleader, a Counselor, and a Coach, has become an Amazon #1 Best Seller in eight categories! Praise God!
This book equips educators, parents, and youth leaders to help children and youth feel seen, safe, and supported. We celebrate this blessing with Ahmad and his family and pray God continues to use this work to impact lives for His glory!
Interested in a copy? You can purchase it on Amazon or directly from Ahmad at church.
| | ANEW 2026 ANNUAL WOMEN'S GATHERING | | OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD | | If you are having a packing party, contact the business office as soon as possible. | | CONNECT WITH KIDS, YOUTH, & WOMEN | | For the FirstKids, FirstYouth, and FirstWomens newsletters, click the buttons below. | | Thank you so much for generously giving to God’s Kingdom! The church cannot operate without you, so thank you for helping us serve the Kingdom well! Below, you’ll see September's income and expenses. | | If you would like to help strengthen the ministry of Christ at First Methodist, you can do so by clicking HERE – or if you have any questions about the church's finances, I’d love to hear from you! – Bev@firstwaco.com | | Per our Financial Institution’s request, please make checks payable to First Methodist Church Waco. Please mail to 4901 Cobbs, 76710, as the PO Box is no longer active. Notation to special groups can follow that or be noted on the memo line. Thank you. | | | September Income | September Expenses | YTD Income | YTD Expense | | $136,190 | $180,685 | $1,631,490 | $1,589,554 | | | Jacque Schuster, Margaret Elliott, Danny Bostick, Kim Jung, Dave Rumph, Patrick & Margie Smith McMillin, Kendall Nowotny, Carly West, Lois Wandless, Tommy Attaway, Harriet Johnson, Kristin Randall, Betty Fason, Theresa Frederick, Kyle Kilpatrick, Leonard Elliott, Kermit & Evelyn Brock, David McAlexander, Gordon Borden, Ronnie Marroquin, Judy Powers, Shirley Terry, Martha Teague, Janine Hoffpauir, Merle Chapman, Joann Johnson | | |
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24:
Blessing of the Animals | 10am-Noon | Front Lawn
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25:
Rev. Dr. Blossom Matthews | Fearless: 1 Peter 5:6-11 | 9:30 & 11 am | Main
Rev. Dr. Gary Torian | Fearless: God Himself Will Restore Us | 1 Peter 5:6-11 | 11 am | Speegleville
Youth Podcast Recording | 11 am | Studio
Youth Gospel Skate Night | 6-9 pm | Skate World
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26:
Health Shapers | 9:30 am | Chapel
Pickleball Open Play | 6 pm | Family Life Center
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27:
Prayer Team | 1 pm | Prayer Room
Pickleball Open Play | 10 am | Family Life Center
The Table | 7 pm | College House | 821 Speight
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28:
Band of Brothers | 7 am | John Wesley Room
Prayer Room with Pastor Nick | Noon | Live on YouTube
Godly Parenting | 6-7:30pm | John Wesley Room
Youth | 5:30-7:30 pm | Youth Room
Traditional Choir Rehearsal | 6 pm | Chapel
Chrismons | 6pm | Garden Room
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29:
Men's Prayer Breakfast | 7 am | Commons
Health Shapers | 9:30 am | Chapel
In Stitches | 10 am | Room 110
Vines of Life | 1 pm | Room 110
Pickleball Open Play | 10 am & 6 pm | Family Life Center
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30:
Church Offices Closed
Men's Bible Study | 9 am | Speegleville Campus
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY-THURSDAY | 8:30a - 4:00p | Main Campus
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2:
Women's Restaurant Night | Luigi's | 5:30 pm | 6025 Woodway Drive
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8:
Shoeboxes Due
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14:
ANEW | 9:30 am-4 pm | Tyler Street Church
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15:
SHINE Fundraiser | Noon | Family Life Center | Dine In or To Go
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6:
Advent by Candlelight | 4pm | Family Life Center
DECEMBER 13:
Christmas Cantata | 11 am Traditional | Sanctuary
| | To reach the pastors by email, click here or call the church at 254.772.5630. To reach the Business Office, call 254.772.5630 x202 or Accounting@firstwaco.com. To give to church ministry, click here, use the app, or call the church. Mail checks to First Waco, 4901 Cobbs, Waco, 76710. | | FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA | | |
First Methodist Waco Campuses
Main Campus: 4901 Cobbs Drive, Waco, TX 76710
Speegleville Campus: 606 Willow Grove Road, Waco, TX 76712
College Campus: 821 Speight Avenue, Waco, 76706
If you need to reach a staff member by phone, please call 254-772-5630.
| | Copyright © 2026 First Methodist Waco, all rights reserved. | | | | |
