On December 4, 2011, First United Methodist Church welcomes the family of David and Susie Tanner along with their son, Andrew as new members! The Tanners have found a home in the Aldersgate Class that meets on the third floor at 9:15am and Andrew is in the School For Little People.

Luke Preston Ritchie was born to Josh & Laura Ritchie (and proud grandma, Kay Preston) on Friday, September 9, 2011.  At birth, he weighed 9lbs, 13oz and was 22.5 inches in length.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Did you know our very own Jim Hoggard has had a book published by Wings Press entitled, The Mayor’s Daughter? Here is a brief synopsis of the book:

In the north Texas oil-boom town of Kiowa Falls, civilization is just beginning to overtake frontier chaos. Ru-Marie, the daughter of the town’s mayor, is a well-read, young romantic and budding artist. Her tastes in love—her parents insist—are less refined. As they throw off the sham of sophistication, a family war erupts and, with it, frontier justice. Set in the 1920s, this novel utilizes several means in order to recount the intriguing events, including first-person accounts, letters, an interview, and murder trial excerpts.

“In the 1920s, a murder rocks a small Texas town. . . . There, artistic high-schooler Rue-Marie Coleman falls in love with Buster Lopreis. . . . Hoggard uses a variety of strategies to build up to his violent climax, combining straightforward narrative with what Ru-Marie conveys to John Evening through interviews.”  —Booklist

Anderlee Lake Dray was born to Tyler & Alise Dray (and proud grandparents, Fred & Connie Bunton) on September 7, 2011.  She weighed 7lbs, 5oz. and was 20 inches long at birth!

Sabine Tsai English was born to Ryan English & Lily Tsai (and proud grandparents, Doug & Carol English) on August 10, 2011.  She weighed 8lbs. and was 20.5 inches long at birth!

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Donald B. Cowan Legacy Choir will perform June 25, 2011 at Memorial Auditorium here in Wichita Falls, and our own YES Committee will be providing transportation (up to 14 people) to the event from the FUMC parking lot at 7:15pm.  A sign up sheet is available in the church office for you to sign up on – first come, first served.

You will need to buy your own ticket ($20) in advance for the concert from the MPEC office (940-766-5555 or CLICK HERE for other options).  Do not try to purchase tickets with the rest of the group from the church as no blocks are reserved.

Questions?
Contact Judy Ballard (692-0261) or  Sue Babb (767-1079).

The Donald B. Cowan Legacy Choir in Wichita Falls, Texas is a chorus of talented Rider High School A Capella Choir alumni who are dedicated to honoring their director, Don Cowan, who served as choral director at RHS from 1961 – 1993. Mr. Cowan instilled into the hearts of all choir members, under his direction, an exceptional love and reverence of beautiful music. That spirit and music lives again!

If you just can’t make the June 25 event here in Wichita Falls, they will also be performing July 9, 2011 at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.  CLICK HERE for more information for tickets about that performance.

Tammy Sparks, director, & Darlene Moore, accompanist, help our Cherub Choir (age 4-Kindergarten) make a joyful noise. Both are making an indelible mark on these young people by sharing God’s love with them and helping them to share their God-given talents with others!

In addition to directing the Children’s Choir, Tammy is also active in the FUMC Orchestra in which she plays the violin. She is an active member of the Open Door Sunday School Class where she also participates in the Mt. Calvary UMC Power Meal, providing food for the less fortunate. In addition, you can see her helping with building or painting wheelchair ramps from time to time with our missions projects!

Darlene is always willing to lend a hand wherever she is able!

THANK YOU TO BOTH
for your service and example!

Leave a note of thanks below to these wonderful volunteers!

All total, nine people came and spent 2-3 hours on Saturday, April 16, 2011 making a great difference for their church:

• Paul Goodrich
• Maggie Goodrich
• Lamar Baer
• Nancy Orr
• Kristen Gossett
• Elizabeth Yeager
• Mitizi Brotherton
• Glenn Barham
• John Dillard

Rev. John Dillard, in writing about this productive day, said:

Because of your work: there is more light in the sanctuary; leaves were removed from places they shouldn’t be, sanctuary trash and upside down hymnals were put in their proper places; wall paper was re-stuck on the wall where it was originally intended to be stuck; scuff marks were removed from a stairwell, weeds were pulled out of the way so we look more inviting for our guests and members, and the dust bunnies were chased out of the sanctuary!

THANK YOU!

See more pictures by clicking this strip!

You are invited to this FREE organ concert of Dr. Kiyo Watanabe, organist, with violist, Ethan Rouse:

• Friday, January 14, 2011
• 7:00pm
• In the FUMC Sanctuary

The concert will begin with Classical pieces but will reach its rousing finale with an original medley arrangement of Pink Floyd songs.

For more information, contact Dr. Kiyo Watanabe (kwatanabe@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x231).

Church member, Elva Roark (who joined FUMC on January 25, 1942), celebrated here 95th birthday on November 17, 2010.  To celebrate, her family threw a party for her on Sunday, November 21 at her Woodland Terrace Senior Living residence in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Approximately 65 residents attended as well as her 2 surviving sisters from Shawnee, OK, her son and daughter and their spouses, 2 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

CONGRATULATIONS!

L-R:  Jennifer & Bill Roark, Elva, and Carol Ann & Mike Mamminga