Would you believe?  Our youth group has served meals at the North Texas Annual Conference for the following groups:

• UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief) & VIM (Volunteers in Mission) (Monday Lunch)
• Highland Park United Methodist Staff (Monday Lunch)
• Bishop, Cabinet, Extended Cabinet, Dignitaries, Preparation & Qualifications Committee, Ordinands, & Those Being Commission (plus family and mentors of all of the above) before the Ordination Service (Monday Supper)
• North Texas Conference Order of Deacons (Tuesday Lunch)

THANK YOU to our youth for your service and for representing FUMC so well!

Thank you, also, to Bryan Press of Monarch Catering (and FUMC Member) for the delicious food!

One of the highlights of the Confirmation year is the “Christmas in April Retreat” where the Confirmands learn about and begin to discover their spiritual gifts for serving in the church.  This year was no exception.

As a part of the primary program time, parents and grandparents came to share the experience with their 6th graders.  Thus, all were able to consider the importance of every member of the body of Christ, the church.  When one is not there, the tasks before us are more difficult – sometimes impossible!  Plus, as members of the same body, we have to learn to work together in sharing and using our gifts for the good of all.

After supper, the eleven Confirmands worked on their own Affirmation of Faith in their own words, and this creed will be read for the first time in worship on Confirmation Sunday, April 25, 2010.  Then, after a bit of free time, they watched the theatrical version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and considered how John Wesley’s basic theology is summed up in that movie!

Special thanks go to six youth helpers (Andrew Beltchev, Drake Davis, Breanne Press, Hope Rouse, Courtney Tate, and Keeley Trevino) and three adults (Jeff & Holly Ginn and Wilma O’Connell) who worked with Rev. Troy Sims to make this event a success.

The Confirmands that attended this trip include Paul Acosta, Collin Brauner, Emma Knight, Mason Lamb, Lauren Meaders, Ali O’Connell, Millicent Paris, Cory Press, Myrah Rogers, Ashley Tate, and McKinley Thacker.

Check out the pictures below!

Moms and daughters of all ages (including grandmothers and great grandmothers) are invited to this fun event to take place on the 3rd floor here at FUMC:

• Friday, April 23, 2010
• 6:30-10:00pm

Wear your PJs and bring a game and a snack to share!

For more information, contact Rev. Lydia Pellikan
(lpellikan@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x272).

To sign up, fill out the form below!

• 8:30am Worship in the Sanctuary
• 10:30am Worship in the Sanctuary

Both services will feature the Easter Lily Procession, a tradition at First United Methodist Church since the 1940s.

Also, in lieu of Sunday School, we are inviting all adults and youth to share in the Fellowship Hour (9:15-10:15am).  Bring breakfast goodies to share in the Atrium and let our Youth Group inspire you in Fellowship Hall, beginning about 9:35am.

HAPPY EASTER!

What is Disciple Now?

An action-packed, Spirit-filled, crazy-fun weekend retreat right here in Wichita Falls!  While living out of host homes in the community, we’ll worship, serve, study, and play together in small groups and as a family of God together as we seek to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

This Year’s Theme:

FACING THE GIANTS:  We’ll be watching and doing study from the Christian film, “Facing the Giants.”  We will tackle the value of giving our best, being wholehearted.  We will look at what it means to persevere in the midst of feeling defeated.  We will also look at what it means to love God more than anything else.

Let us face our giants together with God because. . .
“For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible!”

Matthew 19:26

The Schedule:

Youth in Grades 7-12 are invited to take part in this joint event with other United Methodist Churches in Wichita Falls!  For more information or to sign up, contact Jeff Ginn (jginn@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x230)

You won’t want to miss the festivities coming your way on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010 as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

10:20am – Children Age 3 – Youth (up to Grade 12) are invited to gather in the Narthex of the Sanctuary to prepare for processing with Palm Branches to the altar rail, reliving Jesus’ triumphal entry;

11:30am – Join us for the Berean Sunday School Class Spaghetti Lunch in Fellowship Hall.
Let us know if you plan to eat by filling out the form below!

• $7 / Adult (Grade 7 and Up)
• $4 / Child (Grade 6 and Under)
• $25 MAX / Family
• Bring a friend, and your friend eats free
  (thanks to the Evangelism Committee)
  

During Lunch – Children & Youth (Grade 4 and up) are invited to help hide Easter Eggs!

Following Lunch – Children (Toddlers – Grade 3) are invited to take part in the Easter Egg Hunt (please, bring your Easter Basket).  Each child will receive an Easter Gift for participating, and we anticipate a special guest!