Two Sections, Section A December 16, 2011 Vol. 158, No. 34 | 073785
Pastor’s Pen: The Road that Leads to the Child - In All of Us by Dr. Tim Walker, Senior Pastor
Inside This Issue: 6A AMOS Holiday Food Drive 7A Our Gift to You! 8A Poinsettia Dedications
In the book, Dear God, Children’s Letters to God, one young man wrote, “Dear God, was there anything special about Bethlehem or did you just figure that was as good a place as any to start a franchise? Your friend, Jim. Age 12.” During this season, we all travel in our minds and hearts down the road to Bethlehem, the road to a holy place, a kneeling place, a singing place. It is the road that leads to the rediscovery of the child in your spirit. Christmas is about babies and children, isn’t it? We could use a little of their attitude, couldn’t we? A child loves. How does a child love? With actions? No. With words? No. It loves with disinterest. There is a sense in which a young child can feel and give love just by being there. Malcolm Muggeridge observes that the most enjoyable aspect of friendship is that it is the most disinterested of human relationships. By disinterested, we do not mean that we should not be interested in our friends, nor do we mean that we should not care for them. Friendship is disinterested because we are not in it for anything other than itself. We are not in it for power, or influence, or prestige, or anything that it might offer us, but just for the thing itself. There is a sense in which we are not in it even for friendship. Have you noticed that the people who are most desperate for friendship many times have few friends? There’s really no mystery. We do not find friends by looking for them; we have friends when we discover that there are others who are interested in the same things we are interested in, who share the same concerns and hold the same matters to be important. Good friends may not always agree with questions that are discussed, but they do agree about the questions worth discussing. C.S. Lewis tells us that we think of lovers face to face, looking at eat other, Continued 7A
Visitors to Bethlehem Experience Christmas Truth by Donna Fields, Director of Children’s Ministry
Thank you to the 112 plus volunteers who worked so tirelessly to create a wonderful weekend of memories for all those who visited Bethlehem! From the time visitors entered our Church, greeted warmly by our greeters and hospitality team, to meeting their tour guides, to encountering the frantic census taker, receiving their coins and purchasing fruits, breads, toys and blankets in the marketplace from our vendors, a feeling of excitement and anticipation was building. Then, as the tour entered the village and listened to the concern of the Left: Visitors to Bethlehem visit the marketplace. tent families, petted the sheep and heard the shepherds’ story and saw the beauti- Above: Jay, Monica and Tess Tucker as Mary, ful star, we began to realize we were becoming part of a miracle. Continued 6A Joseph and baby Jesus. The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, TX 75247-3919. Periodicals Postage Paid at Dallas, TX and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas TX 75266-0275.
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AMOS Holiday Food Drive By the Numbers
70 + 20
Boxes/Bags
$1,520 Raised
6A Thanks to everyone for another successful AMOS food drive. We had many people deliver the food to the Activities Center, help sort, re-pack, load the trailer and deliver the 70 big boxes plus 20 more sacks(when we ran out of boxes) of food to AMOS. And another thank you to those who donated money for the perishables.This will serve many families and keep them from going hungry during the next few months. Remember too that with the cold weather upon us, your gently used coats, jackets, sweats and blankets in any size can be gratefully recycled to these needy people. Just leave them in the AMOS barrels by the elevator. Thanks again! Sincerely, Janis Chapman
One Night in Bethlehem Continued Upon hearing Miriam, the Inn Keeper’s wife and then being invited into the stable to meet Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, our hearts filled with wonder. Families and friends were reminded of the most wonderful gift of all and then shared a time of blessing with our pastors. There are so many roles in putting One Night in Bethlehem together, from tending donkeys and sheep to building pvc frames, painting backdrops, sewing costumes, baking bread, marketing the performance, making cookies, stocking the actor’s snack rooms, buying toys and fruit and rehearsing lines. Our actors did a phenomenal job being frantic, getting arrested, being stern and convincing as soldiers and senators, taking care of children in the village, selling their wares in the marketplace, tending their sheep in the shepherds’ field, being heavenly angels and showing us the love of Mary and Joseph for baby Jesus. We also appreciated our team of pastors as they shared God’s love through blessings in the chapel. We couldn’t create Bethlehem without the talents of each volunteer that they so graciously shared. I would like to say thank you to each person who gave up their time during this busy Christmas season to make Bethlehem come alive for the 718 visitors this year. Just as Mary treasured up and pondered these things in her heart, I pray that each volunteer and visitor to Bethlehem will have hearts full of God’s love. Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who made One Night in Bethlehem possible this year: Ryan Adams; Kasi Baker; Alan Barkley; Michaela Blair ; Jeff Burch; Sherry Colwell; Bryce Cottle; Kayleigh Cottle;Warren Cottle; Lori Cottle; Kelsi Curtin; Kem Curtin; Maddie Curtin; Tracy Curtin; Amber Davidson; Faith Dolan; Mara Dolan; Gene Dolan; Lindsey Edgar; Mark Edgar; Patti Edgar; Abby Ellis; Andy Ellis; Jack Ellis; Leigh Ellis; Sam Ellis; Andrew Fields ; Randy Fields; Sam Fields; Angela Flores; Camille Flores; Jason Flores; Pam Gallick; Reid Guerrero;Alan Hale; Robert Hale; Valerie Hale; Brittany Harrell; Liz Harrell; John Harrell; Kayleah Harrell; Zach Harrell; Ashley Hedrick; Dana Hedrick; James Hedrick; Austin Hedrick; Billy Hennings; Candace Hennings; Carl Hennings; Sandra Hennings; Timothy Hennings; Pauline Henry; Dave Hill; Kris Hill; Davis Hord; Ellie Hord; Jenni Hord;Caleb Jones; Austin Karg; Faith Karg; Josh Karg; Randy Karg; Alice Kimbrough; Clare King; Emily King; Bob Liebrock; Andrew Leonhard; Alexis Louder; Jessica Louder; Jody Louder; Price Louder; Debbie Markley; Lou Matson; Jim McCarley; Sue McCarley; Doug McDonald; Jordan Middleton; Maggie Middleton; Hilda Moody; Sarah Moody; Steve Moody; Melissa Olsen; Jake Pannell; Lee Pierce; Terra Pierce; Kenneth Priebe; Kaci Rybolt; Jim Sears; Phil Sheldon; Brent Shuler; Emily Shuler; Melissa Shuler; Ben Simmons; Emma Simmons; Geoff Simmons; Rita Simmons; Sally Simmons; Justin Stephenson; Stephanie Stephenson; Caleb Swaringen; Charles Thomas; Libby Thomas; Laura Tohkubbi; Jay Tucker; Monica Tucker; Tess Tucker; Deborah Wilson; Cassidy Wray; Cristian Wray; Robert Wynne; Vanessa Wynne.
Merry Christmas from Dr. Tim Walker and the Staff of First United Methodist Church of Midland!
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Year-End Gifts Per IRS regulations, year-end gifts need to be received in the Church office by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2011, or postmarked on or before December 31, 2011, to be counted in 2011 tax records. Thank you for your generosity!
Holiday Madness!
by Clark Williams, Foundation Development Committee Consultant
Every year it’s crazier. The five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day melt together in a hair-on-fire blur. There’s never enough time to do the cooking, decorating, shopping, cleaning, wrapping, traveling and mailing. A church member once told me, “I hate Christmas.” We’ve turned the celebration of God’s greatest gift into a maniacal season hated by half the adult population. We’ve commercialized Christmas to the point we’ve almost lost it. We’ve politicized Christmas to the point we’re afraid to celebrate it. We’ve almost tinseled and wassailed God’s infinite gift into a big, fat, nuthin’. The birth of Jesus took place in a similarly busy season. Caesar Augustus had called for a census. Everyone was traveling, eating out, and taking care of their business under penalty of law. Do you think they were cheerful? No one wanted to do the census, but no one dared defy Caesar. The inns were booked solid, with “no vacancy” signs hung in plain view. People were stressed out, angry at Caesar, and financially strapped at the very moment Jesus was born. Jesus came to solve all that stress, not to cause it. Far from causing it, Jesus comes to release us from its grip. If we focus on the omnipotent infant in the manger, the craziness melts away into peace. During this season of giving is a great time to start a family conversation about planning a gift to the First United Methodist Church of Midland Foundation. What might you do to honor God’s Greatest Gift?
Confirmation 2012 begins Sunday, January 8 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Rooms 221-223!
If you haven’t registered for the class, please e-mail Donna Fields @
[email protected] ASAP so we will have your supplies ready for you.
Pastor’s Pen Continued absorbed in each other. Friends may hardly ever look at each other; they are too busy looking out to sea, or at a lake from the boat, or talking about a book, or watching a performance. Friends set no limit on the number who can share their friendship so long as the basic requirements are met. The child in us is wanting to get out and let as many friends in as can come. This week, let us take the road to Bethlehem and see the love that surrounds the manger. I imagine you’ve seen the cartoon of Charlie Brown with Lucy holding the football? Charlie Brown always asks Lucy to hold the football for him when he kicks it. And every time Lucy holds the ball for him, she pulls it away, and Charlie Brown falls flat on his face. One time Linus asked him, “Charlie Brown, why do you fall for it every time?” He said, “I don’t know. I guess I just have an incurable faith in people.” We love to sing about the child of the manger because it reminds us of a pure kind of trust. A trust that yields itself to the care of others. A trust that allows others to come in. A trust that depends totally on the trustworthiness of others and of God. Watch a child allow a parent to toss him or her up into the air. Watch a child reach out in response to someone reaching out. Watch a child who really has no choice but to trust. Dwight Moody used to tell the story of a child who was trying to get a pebble out of a glass vase. He reached his hand in and doubled his fist around the pebble, and then could not pull it out. “Let go,” said an older person standing by. The child dropped the pebble, the vase was turned over, and out came the pebble. Many of us need to follow that child’s example of trust and “let go”. Beneath the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a silver star marks the alleged precise spot where Christ was born. A stone slab nearby is supposed to mark the exact site of the manger wherein he lay. The Holy Land is littered with such shrines, divided up like African territories in the old colonialist days, between the different sects and denominations (the Greeks, the Armenians, the Copts, the Latins, etc.) and often a cause of rancor among them. Some of the shrines are undoubtedly fraudulent, some in dubious taste, and few to my liking. Yet one may note, as the visitors come and go, ranging from the devout to the inanely curious, that almost every face somehow lights up a little. Christ’s presence makes itself felt even in this dubious birthplace. Karen joins me in wishing you the best Christmas season ever. This is a “Christmas congregation” in the sense you share ongoing hope, peace, joy and love. We look forward to seeing you at one—or all of our services. Christmas blessing is what we feel.
Our Gift to You! 2012 First Church Calendar Limited quantities are available, so pick up your copy in the church office or following the Christmas Eve service you attend.
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2011 Poinsettia Memorials and Honors In Memory of: Cecil & Lillian Adams by Cecelia & Bob Davis Mr. & Mrs. A.P. Alexander by Shavon & Ben Hankins Vernard Alexander by Patti Alexander Steve Aycock by Patricia Brabham Len Barrett by Shirley Barrett, Jerry, Ed, Vic & Sally Mr. & Mrs. Ben F. Black by Fredda L. Black Dr. Leon B. Blair by Matthew & Roxie Blair Jessie Jo Blair by Sharla, Michael & Michaela Blair Andrew Booker by Ruth Booker Bryce Booker by Ruth Booker Mary Jo & Alton Bostick by Jan & Andrew Reed Rev. Tom & Miriam Brabham by Patricia Brabham Gary G. Burnett by The Burnett Family C.W. & Eula Calhoun by Dolly & Rayford Calhoun Roy E. Campbell by Carole & Steve Betton Audra B. Cary by Cindi & Mark Mladenka Clovis & Polly Chappell by Polly & Ferrell Davis Michael Chilcoat by Ann Chilcoat Tommie Conner by Cheryl & Bob Wray
Bo Davis by Sue McCarley Paul & Mary Frank Davis by Polly & Ferrell Davis Leland & Elizabeth Dellinger by Joyce & Stan Dellinger Phil Foreman by Jamie, Nathan, Maddy & Brack Foreman Ann Frazier by Dana Atwater Samuel Ryan Geer by Peggy Geer Tracy Hagins by Lois & Bernie Hagins Mr. Hugh Hale by Valerie & Alan Hale Mr. & Mrs. A.B. Hankins by Shavon & Ben Hankins Alison Hankins McCollum by Shavon & Ben Hankins Marvis Hendrix by Judy Billingsley Marvis Thomas Hendrix by Susie Mason Chris & Rose Iaggi by Joyce & Dan Pemberton Lee Kempf by Betty Kempf Olen & Margaret Lane by Leigh Ann & Skip North Gordon Leach by Joyce Leach Mrs. Evelyn Markley by The Priebe Family Madeline Ayn McDaniel-Blair by Matthew & Roxie Blair Jennifer Lauren Mladenka by Cindi & Mark Mladenka W.E. “Shorty” & Dilly Nance by Kay Manly
Frances Newton by L.E. Newton Jr. Frances Newton by The Newton Family Elton North by Leigh Ann & Skip North Our Loved Ones by Kathryn White Our Parents & Kel’s Sister by Teresa & Kel Becker Bette & Nathan Outlaw by Dianne Tipton Dick & Mary Pemberton by Joyce & Dan Pemberton Mr. & Mrs. William Priebe by The Priebe Family Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Purser by Patti Purser Missy Rasnick by Jamie, Nathan, Maddy & Brack Foreman Dot & Elvin Reed by Jan & Andrew Reed Rick Ricketts by Kati Lewis Rick Ricketts by Mary & Craig Tellinghausen E.C. (Bill) & Elowiese Ruhman by Donna & Gordon Cornelius Joyce Sears by Jim Sears Larry Seright by Carolyn Stice Dock Sharp by Ramona Sharp Bobbi Spier by Bob Purser Norman Stapp by The Newton Family Janice & Everett Starr by Charlotte Starr
Clarence & Pauline Todd by Matthew & Roxie Blair Don Walker by Paula Walker Francis Walker by Betty Kempf Mr. & Mrs. Gene Walker by Karen & Tim Walker Col. Bruce Wallace by Valerie & Alan Hale Mr. & Mrs. Mac Webb by Karen & Tim Walker H.C. & Avalyn Whitmire by Betty Sumner Jack N. Whitmire & John P. Whitmire by Betty Sumner C.V. & Bertha Williamson by Dolly & Rayford Calhoun Michael Wray by Cheryl & Bob Wray
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2011 Poinsettia Memorials and Honors In Honor of: Karen Isbell & Reese Beall by Julie Cole Ben Hadden Family by Fredda L. Black Wendall & Carolyn Blair by Sharla, Michael & Michaela Blair Don & Mickey Bradley by Sharla, Michael & Michaela Blair Mrs. Jackie Cary by Cindi & Mark Mladenka James Chilcoat by Ann Chilcoat Doc & Gayle Dodson by Kati Lewis Doc & Gayle Dodson by Shavon & Ben Hankins Carol Farmer by David & Sharon Farmer Sam & Andrew Fields by Donna & Randy Fields Jay Gage by The Thomas Family Roberth & Edith Garst by Judith Brown Beth Garza by The Children’s Choir & Families Finely Nicole Geer by Peggy Geer Melissa Hagins by Lois & Bernie Hagins Russell & Susan Hall by Oasis Youth Russell & Susan Hall by The Youth Choir
Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Heidelberg by Shavon & Ben Hankins Charlene Hendrix by Judy Billingsley Emily Knight by The Angel Choir & Families Joan Lucas by The Children’s Choir & Families Madison & Zach Luikens by Cindi & Mark Mladenka Marilyn Mathis by Julie Cole Sue McCarley by The Angel Choir & Families Michael Mladenka by Cindi & Mark Mladenka Niki Moshell by Barbara Cox My Family by L.E. Newton, Jr. L.E. Newton. Jr. by The Newton Family Barbara North by Leigh Ann & Skip North Glen Olsen by The Children’s Choir & Families The Pelfrey Family by Anonymous Keith Pennington Family by Fredda L. Black Mildred Purvis by Julie Cole Dick & Andy Richey by David & Sharon Farmer Curt Sievert by Libby Thomas
Fay Smith by Anne Lawson Special Needs Ministry by Mickell & Will Abney Mr. & Mrs. Bill Spier by Patti Purser Betty & Bill Sumner by Their Children & Grandchildren Caleb Swaringen by The Children’s Choir & Families H.G. Vanderlee by Gail & Wes Strain Dr. & Mrs. Karen Walker by Gail & Wes Strain Dr. & Mrs. Tim Walker by Fredda L. Black Kim Whittenberg by Julie Cole Sarah Wyrick by The Children’s Choir & Families
Thank you for your support of Oasis Youth Ministries!
Christmas Worship Services
New Members Pat and Lisa Champlin Randy and Lupe Decker Cari Guerrero Mark and Lisa Hatfield Bob, Ellen and Hutton Hinson Vicki Wright Roger and Sarah Wyrick
Candles and Carols in the Chapel Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Saturday, Dec. 24 at 5:30 p.m. Communion, Carols and Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Saturday, Dec. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Christmas Day Worship Service Sunday, Dec. 25 at 10:45 a.m. (Sanctuary) - No Sunday School New Year’s Day Worship Service Sunday, Jan. 1 at 10:45 a.m. (Sanctuary) - No Sunday School
Please join us for our Family Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. We will enjoy singing Christmas carols, lighting the Advent wreath, hearing the Christmas story and then joining in an interactive Instant Christmas Pageant. All children will receive a keepsake stuffed donkey to help them remember the brave little donkey who carried Mary to Bethlehem.
Our Christian Family as of 12/15/2011
Christian Sympathy To: Mike and Debbie Burke and family on the death of Debbie’s father, Byron Terry Sr. of Hughes Springs, Texas. Helen Bybee and family on the death of her husband, Cecil Bybee. The family of Warren Alexander on his death. The family and friends of Lee Hobbs on his death.
Joy: Hope Morgan was born to Jared and Kristine Richardson on November 27, 2011. Grandparents are Gordon and Donna Cornelius.
