Our 2012 Perkins Lecturer will be Dr. Luke Timothy Johnson, the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia. Professor Johnson earned a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from Yale University, as well as an M.A. in Religious Studies from Indiana University, an M.Div. in Theology from Saint Meinrad School of Theology, and a B.A. in Philosophy from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.  Professor Johnson’s research concerns the literary, moral, and religious dimensions of the New Testament, including the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts of early Christianity (particularly moral discourse), Luke-Acts, the Pastoral Letters, and the Letter of James.

A former Benedictine monk, Professor Johnson has taught at Yale Divinity School and Indiana University, where he received the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching, was elected a member of the Faculty Colloquium in Teaching, and won the Brown Derby Teaching Award and the Student Choice Award for teaching. At Emory University, he has twice received the On Eagle’s Wings Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2007 he received the Candler School of Theology Outstanding Service Award.

Professor Johnson is the author of more than 25 books, including:

• The Real Jesus: The Misguided Quest for the Historical Jesus and the Truth of the Traditional Gospels;
• The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation, which is widely used as a textbook;
• Among the Gentiles: Greco-Roman Religion and Christianity;
• The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters;
• Living Jesus: Learning the Heart of the Gospel;
• The Gospel of Luke;
• Religious Experience in Earliest Christianity: A Missing Dimension in New Testament Study;
• The Acts of the Apostles;
• The New Testament: A Very Short Introduction;
• Hebrews: A Commentary;
• The Letter of James;
• Faith’s Freedom: A Classic Spirituality for Contemporary Christians;
• The First and Second Letters to Timothy;
• Scripture & Discernment: Decision Making in the Church;
• Reading Romans: A Literary and Theological Commentary;
• Letters to Paul’s Delegates: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus;
• The Jesus Controversy: Perspectives in Conflict
  co-authored with John Dominic Crossan and Werner H. Kelber;
• The Living Gospel; and
• Brother of Jesus, Friend of God: Studies in the Letter of James.

He has also published several hundred scholarly articles and reviews.

Here is the tentative schedule for the 2012 Perkins Lectures, Practical Christianity: Lessons from the Letter of James:

• Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 10:30am
  “Friendship with the World and Friendship with God: The Need to Choose”

• Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 7:00pm
  “The Power of Speech for Good and Evil”

• Monday, March 5, 2012 at 11:30am
  “Faith and the Faithful Use of Possessions”

• Monday, March 5, 2012 at 7:00pm
  “Christian Community: Competition or Cooperation?”

More information will be provided when it becomes available!

This exciting trip for up to 14 people includes a VIP guided tour of Cowboy Stadium, highlighting The Dr. Pepper Star Bar, the Main Club, post-game interview room, as well as the Cowboys’ and Cheerleaders’ locker rooms.

After lunch at a local restaurant, it’s on to Texas Motor Speedway for a green flag, high-speed visit to one of the world’s largest and most modern sports facilities. We’ll see Pit Road, Victory Lane, and (cross your fingers) a possible lap around the track (if available on the day we are there).

• March 1, 2012
• Depart FUMC at 7:00am
• Return approx. 6:15pm
• Cost of trip:  $37.00 per person (Lunch will be on your own)
  Full payment is due February 17th.
• We only have 14 tickets so you need to commit early.
• The sign-up sheet is in the church office.

When signing up please include an emergency contact phone number. This is required and necessary in case we need to contact someone while we are on the road.

If you have questions, please
contact Jeanne Rigg at 692-5130.

Life and the life of faith are a journey for which we need nourishment – physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Join Rev. Troy Sims on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:00noon or 6:30pm in Perkins Chapel to begin considering finding this food.

Then, on February 29, 2012 at 12:00-1:00pm, we’ll continue these thoughts as we begin a weekly Lenten study (skipping March 14 for Spring Break) using Robert Schnase’s book, Forty Days of Fruitful Living: Practicing a Life of Grace.  The study will go through April 4, 2012.

Particular verses to consider prior to worship and during the study are:

• John 4:34 – Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” (NRSV)
• John 6:53 – So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (NRSV)
• John 14:12 – Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. (NRSV)

Even if you choose not to participate in the study, we hope you’ll consider getting a copy of the book to read for personal devotional use throughout the season of Lent.  If you do use the book for the study or only personal use, you’ll start reading on Ash Wednesday, reading each successive day except on Sundays when you’ll read the unnumbered thematic introductions.

The book costs $12, and the church will not order the book for you until receiving the money.  Or, if you prefer to order the book yourself, click the image of the book or the title of the book above.

Register now below!

For more information,
contact Rev. Troy Sims
(tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231).

Order a book for you?

-- YES, and I understand I must pay for the book before the church will order it. NO

Name:

Phone:

e-Mail:

Comments:

Enter this Code:

Bring your spouse!

Bring a date!        

Meet your future date
and / or spouse!

Save the date for the Renew & Remix Dance Party Extravaganza for All Ages on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 7:00pm!

The night will begin with a short service re-affirming wedding vows.  That will be followed by a dance party “reception” featuring dancing to music of the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s!  There will even be wedding cake and hors d’oeuvres.

Kids:  Bring your parents & grandparents!
Parents:  Bring your parents & kids!
Grandparents:  Bring your kids and grand-kids!

Please, RSVP below!

Name:

Phone:

e-Mail:

How many children, youth, and adults will attend?

Need childcare?

Yes

No

What is the age of the children?

Comments:

Enter this Code:

A spring, 2012 trip to the scenic and historic Texas Big Bend area has been planned by the FUMC YES Committee. Reservations are being taken now at the sign up sheet at the church desk.

The trip to Big Bend will leave from the church on Saturday, April 14 and return on Wednesday, April 18th. We will stay one night in Alpine with some time for exploring and shopping, two nights in Big Bend with a half day guided tour on our bus, and one night at the Indian Lodge, Fort Davis, with dinner and a star party at the observatory.

Cost of the trip:

• $548.00 for one person with a single room
• $328.00 per person if sharing a room

The price includes breakfast in Alpine, the guided tour in Big Bend, and the dinner in the Star Café and the Star Party.

We have a few seats left on the bus and would love to have you join us. Since Rev. Paul Goodrich said this area might equate to paradise for him, we had all better go and have a look!

A deposit of $100 is required by Jan. 29, 2012 with the balance to be paid by March 1. No refunds will be given after this date. Total cost of the trip will be announced as soon as plans are finalized.  Make your deposit check out to “YES Committee, FUMC” and mail to

Jeanne Rigg
4517 Shady Lane
Wichita Falls, TX  76309

For further information, you may contact her at 692-5130.

A provocative new study will begin on Sunday afternoons beginning February 12, 2012 as the Sunday Afternoon Study Group discusses Gregory A. Boyd’s book, The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church.

In writing of this book, Tony Campolo says that it “addresses a major concern of evangelical Christians who are fearful that patriotic zeal is being confused with Christianity and that Christianity is being used to legitimize a socio-political system that ought to be biblically critiqued.  We’ve needed this book.”

The author, Greg Boyd, is the founder and senior pastor of the mega-church, Woodland Hills Church, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Here are details of the class:

• Sundays, beginning February 12, 2012
• 4:30-6:00pm
• In Room 302.
• Childcare available upon request
• Cost for the book:  $11 (you must pay for the book before the church can order it for you)
  (if you’d like to order the book yourself, click the image of the book above).
• Register NOW below!

For more information about this study,
contact Rev. Troy Sims
(tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229).

Order a book for you?

YES, and I understand I must pay for the book before it can be ordered. NO

Name:

Phone:

e-Mail:

Need Childcare?

-- YES NO

Give names and ages of children for childcare.

Comments:

Enter this Code:

The Young Adult Singles will watch and consider the story behind the life of Christopher Gardner through the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, on:

• Sunday, January 29, 2012
• 6:30pm
• On the 3rd Floor of FUMC
• Feel free to bring your supper with you!

After watching the movie on the big screen, Jessica Holley will lead a discussion focusing on:

• The misspelling of “happiness” – the constant why;
• The testament of the human spirit and overcoming great challenges life gives us; and
• That maybe God wants us to reach out and help others.  Does that constitute true happiness?

For more information about the Young Adult Singles,
contact Rev. Troy Sims
(tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229).

We may not be in the Garden of Eden,
but we are planning a
Garden of Eatin’ Chili / Stew / Dessert Cook-Off!

Plan now to enter your recipes and to be present to vote for this wonderful event that supports our four primary mission focus:

• PowerPaks 4 Kids – 40%
• Texas Ramp Proj­ect – 25%
• Imagine No Malaria – 25%
• Faith Mission – 10%

Even if you do not enter a recipe, we hope you’ll bring your appetite and money to share (any cash donation or check accepted)!

• You’ll vote for your favorite chilis, stews, and desserts by placing money in a box by your favs.
• You can vote for as many as you want and give as much as you want when you vote!
• Cost to eat:
  $10 / Adult
  $5 / Child
  $25 MAX / Family

If you plan to enter a recipe, let us know by filling out the form below!  Good luck!

Name:

e-Mail:

Phone:

I'll bring the following food:

Chili:

Stew:

Dessert:

If in a Sunday School Class, choose it here:

Pre-School Children's (K-Grade 6) Jr. High Youth Sr. High Youth Aldersgate All Saints Berean Bi-the-Way Exodus Genesis Keystone LTQ Open Door The Journey Win-Some Zarepath

Comments:

Enter these characters:

As we go forward into the new year of 2012, I have already learned something new that I wish to share with you.

We all probably know that when lion trainers/tamers go into a cage with one or more lions, that the trainer carries a whip, a pistol, and a stool. I have always wondered why they carried a stool into the cage, and I just learned why.

The trainer holds the stool by the back and thrusts the legs toward the face of the lion. The lion tries to focus on all four legs at the same time. In trying to focus on all four legs, a kind of “paralysis” overwhelms the lion. The lion becomes tame, weak, and disabled, because its attention is too fragmented.

I believe that we humans can experience the same thing. We may want to accomplish many worthy goals in 2012, for ourselves, our family, and / or our business. But if we focus on too many goals at once, we will not be able to focus on any goal.

Let us make sure that we focus on only those things that we can handle at once. It may be 3 things, two things, or only one. But staying focused as we go forward will enable us to accomplish many things.

As always, I look forward to seeing you, especially in worship.

Paul Goodrich

Marjorie Arthur, 91, who joined FUMC on February 14, 1971, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2012.  Her service will be:

• Sunday, January 15, 2012
• 2:00pm
• In the FUMC Sanctuary
• Rev. John Dillard will officiate
• Owens & Brumley will direct the proceedings

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Please, keep Marjorie’s family in your prayers.

Leave a note below about what Marjorie meant to you.