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First News First United Methodist Church Carrollton July 7, 2011

www.firstchurch.net

Lessons from a National Champion

Special points of interest: •

Summer Camp Pictures



Millionth Meal



Romania Mission



A Call to Prayer

In this issue: Feed My Starving Children MobilePack Event

2

Youth Camp Pictures

3

Romania Trip Prayer Time

3

Children’s Camp Pictures

4

Submission Deadline is Tuesday, July 19 for First News July 21 Also every Tuesday by 4:00pm for a suggested announcement slide or Sunday school announcement for the following Sunday Send to: [email protected]

Have you ever known someone who is a national champion at anything? Given that we have some 310,000,000 Americans, it is pretty tough to excel enough to become a national champ … even if the category is age and sex graded. For example, there are 2,000,000 8-year old girls in America – 2,000,000 “opponents” even if you’re only counting 8-year old girls. One of those 2,000,000 8-year olds, who is part of our church, is today a national champion. Kelli Butler won the national championship in Tae Kwon Do last Saturday in California. Her feat is made even more amazing by the fact that she’s participated in Dr. Richard Dunagin Senior Pastor the sport for less than a year and hasn’t even earned her first colored belt. (She’s still a novice “white belt.”) Before making the trip to Los Angeles, Kelli and her dad came to my office for prayer. I told Kelli straight up that I wasn’t going to pray for her to win. I noted that there was probably some little girl in Connecticut who was visiting her pastor that very day, asking him to pray for her to win the same tournament. How could God answer both prayers? Kelli said she understood about prayer, but she still wanted to know what Connecticut was! We then prayed that God would help her do her best, and that she would have a great adventure on her first airline trip. We also prayed that God would give her compassion for all the people she would meet, including her opponents. I asked Kelli how come she was so good at a sport she had just taken up. She pointed to her chest and said, “It comes from here.” It’s about the heart. And indeed, Kelli has a heart for Tae Kwon Do. She is fearless when it comes to her sport. As I’ve thought about Kelli’s experience, I want to make these observations: First, God would have us all be people of a strong heart. We should put ourselves into those things that we have passion for, and pursue them unafraid. Who knows where you’ll end up if you do. Second, many of the principles of prayer are understandable even to children. Our problem is often not understanding as much as it is acceptance. We want to “win” so badly that we ask amiss. And finally, God would make champions of us all – not in sports, but in loving all those we come in contact with, including our “opponents.” And the championship He has for us all is not limited to this location or this timeframe. It’s for keeps and it’s for more than this universe. I pray that your life is also an adventure with Him. Yours in the Master,

P.S. Kelli will represent the U.S in the international tournament in October.

Feed My Starving Children MobilePack Days September 23-24 First Church Carrollton

150,000 meals will be packed in 2 hour shifts on Friday evening and all day Saturday. Ideally, each participant donates $40 to cover the cost of the food, but many are able to donate more funds so that the donation is not a requirement. How can you do your part? Collect your change at the end of the day. Pick up a tube of M&Ms in the church office if you would like to make a game of it. Pack your lunch once a week and save the $$. Forego soft drinks or gourmet coffee drinks for a period of time. Hold a garage sale. Sell something on ebay. Ask your employer if they will match your personal donation and double the benefit! Recruit your Scout troop, coworkers, bridge club, book club, or other group to participate. Ask a neighbor to invite their church to participate. This event provides great collaboration and cooperation between different groups that usually do things on their own.

Fund Raising Goal: $36,000 $12,000 due June 25 Missions has already advanced a portion of this payment. Please contribute soon if you can!

$12,000 due August 10 $12,000 due October 24

Matching funds have been offered and will be given as funds come in from the church.

Save the Dates! Shift sign-ups will be available soon. More information:

http:// fmscdallasmobilepack.blogspot.com/ or contact Abbey Daniels at [email protected]

Testimonies from Spring Break Trips Update on the school and the newest church in Cambodia And more! Visit the Missions Blog!

http://www.firstchurch.net/missionsblog/

A Call to Prayer Believing that our nation is in crisis and that only God can heal our land, many Christians will gather together for prayer at "The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis." The assembly will be at Houston’s Reliant Stadium, August 6, from 10:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. If you would like to attend, you can register for free at http:// theresponseusa.com/.

First Notes The Romania Mission Team departs Friday, July 15. A time of prayer for the team will be held this Wednesday, July 13, at 6:30pm in the Parlor. Please be in prayer for this team of 7, led by Dane and Abbey Daniels, leading worship at youth camps in Romania for 2 weeks.

Roughriders Baseball Bullpen seats plus unlimited food & soft drinks July 17—tickets available Sunday First Love Benevolence Scrip Gift Card Orders due Sunday, August 7 Orders will be delivered August 14 110th Anniversary Sunday, September 11 Details to come! Our prayers are with those who have been hospitalized recently: Mary Carson Thyra Harvey Jim Giffen Barry Ward Erida Godwin-Pratt Our deepest sympathy is extended to: Sharon and Peter Weekes and family in the loss of Sharon’s father Calder Maxwell.

More pictures at http://bit.ly/nOFaNk

www.firstchurch.net

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2201 E. Hebron Pkwy. Carrollton, TX 75010 Tel: 469-568-1240 Fax: 972-394-6236 E-mail: [email protected] Service Times Sundays: 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. TRUTH Youth-led Service