Our Children’s Sunday School worked together today to sell lemonade after the 10:30am Worship Service to raise money for PowerPaks 4 Kids, a project of the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, that provides food for disadvantaged children in our community on weekends.  It cost about $170 / child per year to provide this service.

By raising $742.48, our children provided this service for a little over 4 children!  Way to go!

All of Children’s Sunday School (Pre-School, Grades K-6, including Confirmation) will meet in the FUMC Park (across 11th St from the Church) on September 4, 2011!  Come join the fun!

For more information, contact
Kim English (children@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x272).

On Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, seven young people were confirmed, publicly professing Jesus as their Lord and becoming full members of our church!  In fact, one of them, Jamie Whitmer, was baptized!

The 2011 Confirmands are:  Jamie Whitmer, Avery Trevino, James Scales, Will Harrison, Hailey Harrison, Yeager Edwards,  and Alex Alread.

Here is the Affirmation of Faith that they wrote at their Christmas in April Retreat on April 9, 2011:

We, the body of Christ, truly believe that God is the awesome Creator of life, heaven, and earth. God is the great Giver of mercy and grace, Who created us in God’s image. The Creator sent Jesus to die for us and will always forgive us.

We, the children of God, believe Jesus is our Healer, Teacher, and Leader. After His crucifixion, He rose again on the third day, and He will be with us in our hearts and souls forevermore.

We, as a congregation, trust in the Holy Spirit, Breath of Life, Tongues of Fire, and Living Sanctuary. The Spirit gives us the gifts and fruit necessary to build God’s kingdom.

We, the people of God’s kingdom, participate in evangelism, sharing the good news, and worship forever. Throughout the body of Christ, we connect to God and each other with endless hymn.
Amen.

Join us as we begin Holy Week together at FUMC with these great events on Palm Sunday:

• 10:30am – Worship
  featuring: Palm Procession & Confirmation
• 4:30pm – Easter Egg Hunt
• 5:15pm – Evening BBQ Meal (Hot Dogs Provided for Children)
  - Get you tickets SOON! 
  • $6.00 / Adult
  • $3.00 / Child
  • $20 MAX per Family
  • Visitors eat FREE, so bring a friend!
• 6:00pm – Passion of the Lord Service
  with “eye-witness testimonies” and the Chapel and Chancel Choirs leading us from Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to the Last Supper through the Crucifixion.

A highlight for the Confirmation Class each year is the Christmas in April Retreat where the focus is helping the 6th graders discern their spiritual gifts for service in our church and community as they prepare to become full members of the church on Confirmation Sunday (which will be Sunday, April 17, 2011).  On April 9-10, 2011, six confirmands took part in this event at Camp Chaparral in Iowa Park, Texas.

As a part of this weekend, youth helpers (in grades 7-8) attended to help the confirmands in this endeavor and to forge relationships for an easier transition for our 6th graders to enter our youth group.  Also, parents (and one little brother) attended for a special 2-hour segment working with their children and the youth helper to better understand spiritual gifts and their importance within the Body of Christ.

Another highlight included the confirmands writing their own affirmation of faith, which will be professed publically for the first time on Confirmation Sunday!  Be sure to be here for that joyous occasion.

In addition, we saw how John Wesley’s understanding of the workings of God’s grace can be seen through the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Special thanks go to Jeff Ginn, Allison Martini, and Troy Sims for chaperoning this event.

Check out more pictures by clicking this strip:

The K-1st Grade Sunday School Class (under the leadership of Courtney Grimes & Andreia Waggoner) learned about what Jesus did in his last week in Jerusalem by taking part in a scavenger hunt.  The children had much fun learning about these important aspects of Jesus’ life!  Check out the pictures on this page!

THANK YOU to Courtney & Andreia!