Join us for this inspirational event:

Saturday, September 18

10:00am-12:00noon

Rev. Ella McDonald will bring our message of hope.  She was born in San Angelo, Texas.  Abandoned at birth, she was raised by her grandmother and nurtured by the hand of the Lord.  She was called to preach at age 27, but chose to be bi-vocational for a number of years, teaching math at McKinney High School while preaching part time.  She has been pastor of Agape Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in South East Dallas since 1988.

Ella is a prolific preacher and is known for her “storytelling,” which brings the Gospel message home where it hurts – home where it heals – home where it helps.  Not much unlike her years of educational service, her unique gift helps people to grasp the power behind the salvation story.

Other details about this event:

Cost:  $10 / participant

Childcare available upon request

Brunch will be provided!

Register NOW below!

Register TODAY for the new video-guided Bible Study from Living the Questions called Uppity Women of the Bible!  We’ll start with Volume 1, a 6-week study of the book of Ruth under the leadership (via video) of Dr. Lisa Wolfe, Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at Oklahoma City University.

You currently have TWO (2) opportunities to take this study:

• Sundays, 4:30-6:00pm beginning September 12; or
• Thursdays, 10:30-12:00noon beginning September 16.

Other information:

• Childcare available upon request;
• The cost of the handouts that come with this study is $5 / participant; and
• Rev. Troy Sims will lead the discussion.

Sign up now below!

The 2nd Thursday St. Simeon group invites you to join them in the monthly discussion of the book, Overcoming Life’s Disappointments: Learning From Moses How to Cope With Frustrations by Harold S. Kushner (the 2003 Perkins Lecturer), beginning September 9, 2010.

Kushner’s idea is to explain the inexplicable in terms that turn negatives into ways of coping. He skillfully uses the tale of Moses to manage the oh-so-true statement, “Nobody gets everything he or she yearns for.” Forbidden to enter the Holy Land? Having wandered for 40 years and endured complaints and rebels, Moses was tired; another leader deserved to take the lead. Plus, reading into the Bible and other religious tomes, the author finds that Moses ignored his family–a critical element comprising the complete life. Moses is not the only example used. Abraham Lincoln was weighed down by depression–or, in his case, what doesn’t kill us makes us strong. In all, the universal lessons for overcoming disappointment remain simple yet profound: remember who you’re working for, substitute new dreams for old, keep promises, be humble, maintain life’s priorities, forgive and forgive, and always dare to dream.  CLICK HERE to preview this book for FREE on-line!

The cost of this book, if you need one, is $10, and we must receive payment before we can order the book for you.

To sign up for this study that meets once a month on the 2nd Thursday of the month, contact Rev. Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229) or fill out the form below!

The 1st Wednesday St. Simeon group invites you to join them in the monthly discussion of the book, HEAVEN: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife by Lisa Miller, beginning September 1, 2010.

According to various polls, most Americans believe in heaven even, as Miller points out, when they don’t know what heaven means. Miller, Newsweek’s religion editor, addresses what and where heaven is and why the concept endures. Having covered many aspects of religion and interviewed people of many different faiths, she offers portraits of famous and ordinary people as well as experts in religious studies to educe how their views do or, more commonly, do not reflect the “official teaching, whatever that is.” The crux of the book focuses on believers, not beliefs, “for how people imagine heaven changes with who they are and how they live.” Miller discusses the heavenly city, afterlife in the Hebrew Bible, resurrection, and salvation, includes a chapter on visionaries, and comments extensively on how heaven is portrayed in pop culture.

The cost of this book is $18, and we must receive payment before we can order the book for you.

To sign up for this study that meets once a month on the 1st Wednesday of the month, contact Rev. Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229) or fill out the form below!

Are you interested in a 4-week study on Thursday mornings from 10:30am-12:00noon?  We hope so!

If we get enough people registered, we hope to do a 4-week study using Justo L. Gonzalez’s book, When Christ Lives In Us. In this book, the author stresses that we are not simply to follow after Jesus but are actively to carry out the ministry of Christ who transforms our lives. He considers eight aspects of Jesus’ ministry and reflects on ways they can shape and guide our ministry as Christians: Calling, Praying, Feeding, Healing, Commissioning, Teaching, Witnessing, Giving.

We have 13 copies of this book, and so long as you are willing to donate it back to the church (notes, underlines, & scribbles included), the cost would be FREE. If you choose to keep the book, the cost would be $8.

Details about this class led by Rev. Sims:

• Day / Time: Thursdays, 10:30-12:00noon – Begins July 22
• Location: Rm 301 (Genesis Class)
• Book cost: $8 (or FREE if you are willing to donate it back to the church)
• Childcare available upon request.

The 2nd Thursday St. Simeon Group will be starting a new book in September.  However, the book has not been chosen.  Thus, voting is now open for those who are currently participating in this monthly study group and for those who would like to join the group.

Here is a short synopsis of the books up for consideration.  Please, pick your first and second choice below.  The second choice will only be considered for breaking a tie.

	HEAVEN: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife by Lisa Miller (ISBN:  9780060554750)  According to various polls, most Americans believe in heaven even, as Miller points out, when they don’t know what heaven means. Miller, Newsweek’s religion editor, addresses what and where heaven is and why the concept endures. Having covered many aspects of religion and interviewed people of many different faiths, she offers portraits of famous and ordinary people as well as experts in religious studies to educe how their views do or, more commonly, do not reflect the “official teaching, whatever that is.” The crux of the book focuses on believers, not beliefs, “for how people imagine heaven changes with who they are and how they live.” Miller discusses the heavenly city, afterlife in the Hebrew Bible, resurrection, and salvation, includes a chapter on visionaries, and comments extensively on how heaven is portrayed in pop culture.  (About $18)
	JESUS: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary by Marcus Borg (ISBN:  9780061434341)  This is Borg’s major book on the historical Jesus.  He shows how the Gospel portraits of Jesus, seen historically, make sense.  Borg takes into account all the recent developments in historical Jesus scholarship, as well as new theories on who Jesus was and how the Gospels reflect that – visioning Jesus as a charismatic healer, sage, and prophet, a man living in the power of the spirit and dedicated to radical social change. (About $11)
	OVERCOMING LIFE’S DISAPPOINTMENTS: Learning From Moses How to Cope With Frustrations by Harold S. Kushner (ISBN:  9781400033362) His idea is to explain the inexplicable in terms that turn negatives into ways of coping. Kushner skillfully uses the tale of Moses to manage the oh-so-true statement, “Nobody gets everything he or she yearns for.” Forbidden to enter the Holy Land? Having wandered for 40 years and endured complaints and rebels, Moses was tired; another leader deserved to take the lead. Plus, reading into the Bible and other religious tomes, the author finds that Moses ignored his family–a critical element comprising the complete life. Moses is not the only example used. Abraham Lincoln was weighed down by depression–or, in his case, what doesn’t kill us makes us strong. In all, the universal lessons for overcoming disappointment remain simple yet profound: remember who you’re working for, substitute new dreams for old, keep promises, be humble, maintain life’s priorities, forgive and forgive, and always dare to dream. (About $10)
	WHY I AM STILL A CHRISTIAN by Hans Küng (ISBN:  9780826476982)  The author is one of the most distinguished and widely-acclaimed theologians of the twentieth century. In this simple, personal and often moving testimony, Hans Kung describes his fundamental convictions and reveals why, despite all the difficulties he has to face, he is still committed to the Christian way. What Hans Kung has thought, experienced and expresses in this book will help others in their search for personal values and a sense of direction – and also help them realize the unique value and importance of the Christian way.  (About $15)