Wonderful Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday is TONIGHT!
Stewardship Commitment Sunday
November 20, 2005
Mark Lindemood, preaching
Watch the mail for stewardship information this week.
UMW News
Sunday a.m., November 20
All Types of FABULOUS BAKED ITEMS!
Don’t miss this opportunity!
Proceeds benefit UMW Missions.
UMM News
Pecan Sale!
$7 per bag
halves or pieces
Table set up in hall before and after church.
All proceeds go to UMM Pledge to Missions
New Adult Sunday School Class
Come join the YOUNG ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
9:15 a.m. - Anniversary Room
Class will be studying Christ: Jesus' Life, Teaching, and Ministry which draws from the gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke and uses them as guides for exploring Jesus' life, what he taught, and how he cared for others. Learn clearly what it means to live in God's kingdom now and in the future. David Cameron will facilitate the class.
Carol of Lights Pre-event Event!
Please join all the St. Paul’s family for an update on an old tradition. The 47th Annual Texas Tech University Carol of Lights will be held on Friday, December 2, beginning with a Carillon concert at 6:30 p.m., and the outdoor ceremony beginning at 7:00 p.m. Before the festivities begin at Memorial Circle, one and all are invited to enjoy a pre-Carol party at St. Paul’s. The gathering will begin at 5:15 and continue until we hear the bells calling us to Campus. We will meet in the Courtyard between the Sanctuary and Washington Hall [or if too cold, in Washington Hall]. Park at St. Paul’s and bring your walking shoes so we can stroll together to enjoy the Carol of Lights after our fellowship time.
Lay Speaking Course
As part of the Fall Wonderful Wednesdays offerings, we will present the Lay Speakers Basic Training Course starting in November.
Lay Speakers (or Exhorters as they were called by John Wesley) have a rich historical tradition in the Methodist Church. Lay Speakers serve in many capacities. By definition, Lay Speakers are dedicated to "leading, caring and communicating."
Lay Speaker training is preparation for leadership in the congregation. Despite the connotations of the title, Lay Speakers are not just stand-ins or fill-ins for an empty pulpit. Lay Speakers fill leadership roles in every aspect of the church and congregation.
If you seek to better understand your role as a leader in our congregation and in the Methodist Church as a whole, then you will find no better way than this series of training.
The Basic Course is 5 weeks, a total of 10 hours of discussion, reflection, prayer and understanding. The classes will begin on November 9, and run through December 14. Classes will cover topics which include "Called by God", "Called to Leadership and Service", "Called to Grow in Faith", "Called to Witness and Teach", and "Called to Lead Worship."
If you are interested or need more information, please contact Dennis Howard at the Church office at 762-0123.
Opportunity to Serve
Children’s Sunday School has opportunities for service:
Teacher needed once a month to complete the Preschool Teaching Team
Rotation Sunday School for Kindergarten – 6th Grades needs Cooking Teacher
Substitutes needed for Preschool through Elementary ages
Give prayerful consideration to these
opportunities for service and growth.
For information, feel free to contact
Ronda Langston, Lisa Viator, or David Cameron.
A Note about our Finances
One question that I am often asked is “How much should I be contributing?”
This is a very personal question and I am often hesitant to offer an answer since such a decision involves a lot of personal introspection and reflection.
Scripture is often used as a source of guidance on giving (the tithe being the scriptural basis for determining the “proper” amount to give). In fact, Christ speaks more about financial matters than any other topic.
One popular bit of advice is to “give till it hurts.” I suppose that this bit of wisdom came out of the philosophy that until we suffer we aren’t really doing good. I do doubt the wisdom of this advice. Most of us try to avoid suffering so intentionally putting ourselves into this frame of reference, no matter how good it is for our soul, stands a slim chance of happening.
So, I tend to tell people to “give till it feels good.” Giving is really a means of celebrating the gifts that God has bestowed on us. The joy should be in sharing those gifts. Christ reminds us that it isn’t the size of the gift or the intentions behind the gift that matter, it is the frame of mind from which the gift springs. So, when contemplating your contributions, remember to celebrate your God-given gifts with great joy and . . .
“Give till it feels good!”
Blessings and Peace to you all,
Dennis K. Howard
UMY News
Youth Calendar to the End of the Year
November 20-- 4:30 p.m. Youth Council, 5:30 p.m. Board Game Night (Youth vs. University)
November 27-- Yet to be decided – based on number of youth in town that weekend
December 4-- 5:30 p.m. Discussion on the Trinity (Bobby McMillan)
December 11 -- 5:30 p.m. Youth Christmas Party/White Elephant Gift Exchange
December 25-- No Youth. Merry Christmas!