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First United Methodist Church
321 E. Harrison Ave.
Harlingen, TX 78550
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Updates and News
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September 2, 2010
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Hang On... Here We Go!
A Note From David
 We have two daughters - Sydney and Haley. I still get shivers when I think about teaching them how to drive. It is a nerve-wracking thing to sit in a car with a new driver. However, my fears were quickly replaced with a confidence that both Sydney and Haley are responsible drivers and weren't going to be a danger to themselves or others.
I imagine that many of those same fears have been going through our church family as well... After all, you have a new driver at the wheel. I imagine that it is a nerve-wracking thing for you to wonder where we are going and if we are going to die before we get there. But, as we continue to learn about one another, and we learn how to love and trust one another - I hope that your fears may turn into hope and joy.
Fall is here, and we are ready to get things rolling here at the church... JAM is beginning, the Journey Preschool is back in full force, our Wednesday dinners will be beginning soon, new Bible studies, Sunday School classes, and other ministries are ready to be launched. So I hope you will join me in praying for this fall's activities and ministries. I believe God is readying us for an exciting ride.
So, Hang on... here we go!
We hope to see you on Sunday.
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Fall "Kick-Off" Breakfast And Celebration
3rd and 4th Graders Will Receive Bibles
 On Sunday, September 12 at 10 am, we will hold a special "Kick-Off" for our Sunday morning classes for people of all ages. We will have a breakfast served and you will be able to learn about opportunities you have for fellowship and spiritual growth. Come join us and give it a try... If you've been looking for a way to connect - this is one of the best!
One new opportunity we will be talking about is the 10 am Fellowship Hour. Pastor David Payne will be leading this class beginning on September 19. Anyone is invited to join us for a time of getting to know one another, some biblical teaching, the chance to share with others, and I'm sure we will kick in coffee and donuts! Maybe you've never tried Sunday School before... well this is an excellent time to give it a shot!
Also, on September 12 - we will "promote" all of our kid's to there next grade level in Sunday School, and we will be presenting Bibles to the 3rd and 4th graders in our church. It should be a fantastic Sunday - don't miss it!
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Brandon Dyer, FUMC Youth Director
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4:12 Student Update
"Celebrate good times- COME ON! (...Let's Celebrate now)" (Cool and The Gang)
The lyrics from that song have been ringing in my head as I sit back and think about our youth ministry here at First Methodist. We are excited and we are celebrating because God is moving, not only in our student ministry but also in our Church in a powerful way. It is something to join together and celebrate, giving God the glory.
This summer the 4:12 Leadership Team took a sabbatical to refocus the vision and the goals for our student ministry program here at FUMC. For months we have been seeing growth- our students are getting closer to God and we have seen more and more students plug-in at 4:12.
This summer we did not see what I like to call "the Vacation Drop" with our numbers; instead we saw growth! This sent our leadership team scrabbling to recruit and train volunteers to prepare us with the expected explosion in growth coming this fall. In this scramble God amazed us; within a matter of weeks we nearly doubled our volunteer team at 4:12- not just with new parents - but young singles hungry to make an impact in the lives of students.
Needless to say, it has been a powerful and eventful summer at 4:12. This has set the wheels turning for what I believe will be a year of "revival." 4:12 has a new fresh vision statement, ministry goals and a new ministry plan. This will take our current students deeper in their relationships with Christ; while continuing to reach out and bring in more students.
This past Sunday at our "MAIN Event" -the school year kick off, I was blown away. The vision and direction that God has given us has began to manifest. We had close to 100 students- let me add that these are active students in 4:12- not just one time guest kids! There were 60+ parents and close to 20, 4:12 Volunteers. Even more exciting, 6 students gave their life to Christ on Sunday night during worship. That is something to celebrate! Our youth are excited about what God is doing; they are telling their friends and bringing them in. Every week we are seeing new students coming to check out our ministry. We have set the groundwork for a revival to break out at 4:12!
First Methodist, we have something to celebrate- God's got a "party going on right here." I urge you to look around and see all the things God is doing; you will see him moving in the life of our church. Join the celebration- God is doing great things.
brandon@fumcharlingen.org
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JAM (Jesus and Me) Begins September 15
Get signed up now - the new session of JAM will begin on September 15! This will be an exciting year and we hope you will join us. New to the program this year, the students will be preparing a musical to present during the Christmas season - "The Miracle on Main Street." We will also have snacks, Bible time, activities, and recreation.
Registration forms are available in the office, in the Welcome Center, and on our website. You can also download the JAM Registration Form by clicking here. We encourage you to sign up early if at all possible - this way we will be able to prepare better for this time and make sure it is a good experience for everyone.
We could also use some help to make this year's program a success. If you are able to help with: transportation, crafts, teacher assistant, snacks, or general crowd control - call Jodi Hill at (956) 412-1383. Even if you can't do it every week, we could use your help!
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News From Pastor Katy
Primetimers and Young Adult Connect Group
Pastor Katy Fitzhugh
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Prime Timers to the Food Pantry
Our next event is set for Tuesday, September 7th. We will leave from the east (4th Street) parking lot at 8:30 am and head down the street to our local neighborhood food pantry. We will be helping to sort and package food for the weekly distribution on Wednesday. For questions or to RSVP, please contact Pastor Katy at katy@fumcharlingen.org.
Calling Young Adults to Connect
One of the signs of a healthy church is a visible presence of people from all generations. As our young adult attendance is rising, there is a growing need for a place to connect with other young adults. Beginning Thursday, September 16th, the young adults will be gathering the third Thursday of every month at 7pm for an informal time of fellowship, conversation, and study.
Who: Young Adults between the ages of 18 and 35
When: 3rd Thursday of the month @7pm
Where: Starbucks on Ed Carey Drive
katy@fumcharlingen.org
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Confirmation Classes Off and Running
Pastor Jet
Pastor Jet Throckmorton
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Several youth and parents participated in the confirmation orientations held this past Sunday and Wednesday. We're looking forward to a good group, as we discuss and participate in what it means to be a Christian and to belong to a church family. If you are a youth in 6th - 12th grades and have never been a part of a confirmation group, I invite you to check this out. I promise you it's quite different from anything you've done in church before. We will have a third orientation session for interested parents and youth this Sunday at 9:45AM upstairs in the confirmation room. Signs will be posted.
Jet Throckmorton
jet@fumcharlingen.org
(956) 245-0540
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