METHODIST
MESSENGER
April, 2015
“Rejoice In The Past … Build For The Future”
Our mission is to provide an environment for spiritual growth through
Easter is not too far away and we hope you will join us for 4. By the Resurrection we have motivation to live a selfless
worship to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior and life of service. “And he (Jesus) died for all, that those who
Lord. I expect it to be a glorious day! But when the lights live should no longer live for themselves but for him who
go out and the church doors are locked, will Easter be over? died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15
Shouldn't Easter be more than just a one day event?
Apparently so! The Apostle Paul believed that the Resurrection of Christ was more than a one day holiday when he
5. By the Resurrection we are filled with hope regardless of
life’s circumstances. “Praise be to the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he
wrote these amazing words, “I want to know
has given us new birth into a living hope
Christ and the power of his Resurrec-
through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
tion.” (Philippians 3:10). Is there a secret
from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
about the Resurrection and its lasting power
that Paul longed to experience? Is it possible
6. By the Resurrection we are assured of our
for us to discover this secret and use it to
bodily resurrection after death. “And if the
impact our lives every day of the year? Let
Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead
me share with you seven power-packed rea-
is living in you, he who raised Christ from
sons that were shared with me of why the
the dead will also give life to your mortal
Resurrection is important to Believers each
bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”
and every day of every year.
Romans 8:11
1. By the Resurrection we are certain that Jesus is the Son
of God. “Jesus was declared with power to be the Son of 7. By the Resurrection Jesus guaranteed us eternal
life. “Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the life.
God by his Resurrection from the dead.” Romans 1:4
2. By the Resurrection we are sure of a right standing before God. “Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins
and was raised to life for our justification (righteous standing before God.” Romans 4:25
He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and
whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
John 11:25-26
Make Easter a year-long event where each day brings
3. By the Resurrection we claim victory and power for daily another wave of Resurrection life and power to your
living. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer life! You have God’s Word on it. Believe it and power up!
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me.” Galatians 2:20
Rev. Mike Morris 2014
If you would like to submit a name for the Prayer List, there are ‘Prayer Request’ cards in the pews.
You may also call the church office @979-732-2643 or e-mail the office at [email protected]
PRAYERS FOR HEALING: Annette, Dale Alexander, Jamie Bolin, Charles Bowen, Ernestine Day,
Sandra Dusek, Lee Everett, Carl Geisler, Jordan Gonzales, Alfreda Houston, Jane Kulhman, Ruthie Linkhart,
Robert & Candi Lopez, Mike McGarrety, Phyllis Moncsko, Barbara Mondrik, Sweets Peirsol, Zada Pyssen,
Josie Rodriguez, Carmen Slovak, Peggy Wunneburger, Keslee Wilhite, Peter Youngren, Rev. Martin Williams
PRAY FOR OUR HOMEBOUND Har low Dolch, Ir ene Noska
RIVER OAKS Dor is Cobb, J uanita McDaniels
THE OAKS Shirley Cassell, Marjorie Cloutier, Pat Kelly, Bernice Lehmann
SUNDANCE AT WOODCREEK RESERVE, KATY Betty Clar ke
ARBOR OAKS AT CRESTVIEW, BRYAN Doyle Moor e
FRANKLIN PARK STONE OAK, SAN ANTONIO Ken Clar ke
OUR MILITARY Ronnie Alexander
OUR CHURCH LEADERS Bishop, Rev. J im Dor ff, Cr ossr oads Distr ict Super intendent, Rev. Dr .
Robert Lopez, FUMC Lay Leader, Erica Meinke
Looking for a way to help in the church? We would
love to have your help in the Altar Guild. We now
have a group of 11 ladies for the early service and 5
for the late service. Men are welcome also! Our
main duty is to straighten the pew racks, check the paraments
for the correct color, order flowers, and when need be, set up
the communion. We also decorate the church for Christmas
and Easter seasons. If there is a wedding or funeral during the
week we make sure things are set up for it. Please consider
joining us. I would be glad to answer any questions you may
have. Please call me if you have any question or need more information.
Kathy Pustejovsky
979-732-2560
Liturgical Colors
Ever wonder what the different colors on the altar represent?
They represent different seasons of the church year. We are presently in the Lenten season so the color is purple, which represent
the royalty of Christ as King. Lent lasts for forty days from Ash
Wednesday until Easter Eve. These forty days vary in our calendar because it is based on the lunar calendar. The Lenten season
commemorates the suffering and death of our Lord and is a renewal season and a time of penitence and self-denial.
On Good Friday the color will change to black or a barren Altar.
These colors symbolize the loss and death of our savior.
Easter Sunday morning the color will be white to represent the
Resurrection and new life of our savior and ourselves.
There is a wonderful pamphlet in the pamphlet rack in the back
of the church that describes the whole Christian year and what
each of the colors signifies.
Columbus Christian Women’s Organization
The CCWO meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month from
8:30am to 10:00am to put together military packages to be
shipped to our troops. If you would like to help please drop by
the COC (Community Outreach Center) 2002 Hwy 71 S,
Columbus
Choir News
The Chancel Choir presented an Easter Cantata at the
10:00am service on Palm Sunday, March 29th.
Daybreak Praise Band is a more contemporary choir and
practices every Thursday night at 7:00pm in the
Sanctuary. They provide the music for the 8:45am service on Sunday. Daybreak is a combination of guitar,
drums and other contemporary musical instruments. If
you have an instrument you would like to add to our ensemble, please contact the church office at 979-732-2643.
The FUMC Hand Bell Choir continues to practice each
Thursday at 6:00pm-7:00pm in the Education Building,
Room 13. We are blessed with the guidance and teaching
skills of Ruth and R.C. Lumpkin. Other choir members
include Brenda Howard, Lisa Patteson, Karen Broussard,
Stephanie Mattix, Jane Kuhlman and Philip Schmidt.
Others interested in ringing with them are welcome.
Knowledge of reading music is helpful.
For more information contact Brenda Howard at
979-732-2764.
Community Outreach Center (COC)
2002 Hwy 71 S, Columbus, TX
We invite you to come join us for a delicious meal at Grace’s Table. This is a
meal prepared by various groups in the church on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday
of each month to be served to anyone in the community. The meal is free so
bring your family and friends and join us for food and fellowship. Serving dates
this month are
April 8 & 22, 2015 5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
Blood Drive
First United Methodist Church was named the Church of the
Year 2010 for its Blood Drive endeavors! Let’s keep this going!
Our next Blood Drive is Friday, April 24th, noon-6pm at the
Family Life Center, 419 Washington, Columbus. See you there!
Youth On The Move
The youth will be sponsoring the Resurrection Easter Egg Hunt on Easter
Sunday at 10:00 am. To make this event successful they need donations of
bags of candy. If you can provide any of these items there is a box in the
Narthex to put them in or you may drop them off at the church office, Monday thru Friday between 9am and 2pm. Bring family and friends and visit
with the Easter Bunny.
For more information about our youth group, please call Karen Broussard
at 979-732-1801 or Philip Schmidt at 979-732-4085.
Welcome Interim Pastor Rev. Stan Warfield
Reverend Stan Warfield is a retired minister with over forty years
experience. He has served in the Bishop’s cabinet in the Oklahoma
Conference. He retired several years ago and moved to his wife’s
hometown of Eagle Lake where he now serves as Justice of the
Peace for Precinct 4. His last appointment was in Stillwater,
Oklahoma. He has done several interim appointments since he
retired and begins at FUMC Columbus March 29. He will be with
us until June 28th.
Please take time to introduce yourself to Rev. Stan Warfield and
make him feel at home with us.
Thank you Rev. Warfield for taking this assignment!
Happy Birthday
April
02-Michele Hobizal
02-Mary Ann Steger
03-Harper Mau
04-Phil Cox
04-Kurt Seidel
04-Jill Whitcomb Jelinek
04-Sandy Lundgren
05-Mark Hill
05-Cory Noska
05-Efrin Ramirez
06-Paula Swindle
06-Fredda Turner
07-Evelyn Howell
07-Carolyn Olson
08-Chris Hancher
10-Parrie Hartley
10-Sandra Dusek
12-Donovan Chambers
12-Nancy Wright
15-Jeremy Schelsteder
16-Robert Neisner
18- Deborah Orey
19-John Koepke
20-Jim Rawson
24-Charles Wenske
25-Thomas Hamilton
25-Andy Moore
26-Kolden Brown
26-Robert Schielack
27-Anthony Hernandez
27-Kyndal Kuhn
29-Isabel Halcom
29-Juanita McDaniels
29-Marie Koonsman
First United Methodist Church
1229 Milam St.
Columbus, Texas 78934
Phone: 979/732-2643
Fax: 979/732-2649
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
STANDARD RATE
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 41
78934
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
EASTER SERVICES
8:45AM—Service with Communion
10:00 AM-Easter Egg Hunt & Reception
11:00 AM-Service with Communion
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN US
The Resurrection recreates us and gives us a new
identity, our true identity.
Christ is risen! He is truly the Son of God!
By recognizing this we can truly say
“Happy Easter”!
May you have a happy and blessed Easter. Take
this blessed time to enjoy family!
From the staff at First United Methodist Church
NEW PASTOR ASSIGNED TO FUMC
On Sunday February 15th the SPRC committee met with the district superintendent
and our newly appointed pastor and his beautiful family. He will become our pastor in
July after appointments are made. In the interim we will have a retired pastor fill in to
take care of hospital visits, part-time office duties, and some other important pastoral
duties. We are excited that pastor Mark Brechin will be joining our family here at
FUMC Columbus and look forward to growing together as friends and as faithful
followers of Jesus Christ.
Kris Kuhn , SPRC Chairperson
FROM Rev. Mark Brechin:
I was born in Beaumont, Tx. in 1965 and moved to Sealy, Tx in 1976 where I graduated in 1984. I received a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Southwestern University, a Masters of Business Administration from UT Austin, and a Masters of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian. I am currently working on the dissertation stage of a
Doctor of Ministry in Spirituality from Oblate School of Theology. My dissertation is
focused on the vitality of Emmaus Reunion Groups.
I am an Eagle Scout and Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow and a current member of Lions. I have two children, Alicia (12) and Carolina (11). My wife is also a
pastor and will be serving Industry UMC. My mother, 85, still lives in Sealy. I have
previously served at Somerset UMC (2000-2006) and FUMC Devine (20062015). Before my ministry, I was a systems analyst and
computer consultant in
Dallas and Houston.
You pronounce my last name Bree-kin, but most people just call my Pastor Mark.
Worship Committee & Altar Guild
The Altar Guild and Worship Committee are busy
preparing for Easter. We will prepare the church for
Easter Sunday on Saturday, April 4 at 10 a.m.
Volunteers would be especially appreciated for this day
as more will have to be done. The more people and
help we have the quicker we will get things done!
We again are asking people to bring flowers and
greenery to church on Easter Sunday to decorate our
flower cross that will be placed near the entrance to the
church. Any and all help will be appreciated.
Upcoming Events:
Thursday April 2 Holy Thursday - Service at 6pm
Then strip church after the service for Good Friday.
Friday April 3 Good Friday - Tenebrae Service at
6pm
Saturday April 4 at 10am - Decorate the Church
for Easter
Sunday April 5 Easter! No Sunday School
AFTER SCHOOL MINISTRY
A free ministry for children in grades 1-5. We offer daily pick of
children at Columbus Elementary.
VOLUNTEERS ARE
ALWAYS NEEDED. Please consider donating time as an ASM
Volunteer on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
2:45-5:00pm. Call the church office to inquire 979-732-2643.
APRIL 2015 SCHEDULE
READERS
8:45AM
Apr 5 Brenda Buehler
Apr 12 Philip Schmidt
Apr 19 Brenda Jax
Apr 26 Jean Crelia
11:00AM
Apr 5 Rick Walla
Apr 12 Lee Everett
Apr 19 Carmen Slovak
Apr 26 Brenda Howard
USHERS
8:45AM
Apr 5 John Wagner
Apr 12 Don Benson
Apr 19 Jerome Emmel
Apr 26 Rudy Rodriguez
11:00AM
Apr 5 Gary Chandler
Apr 12 Stephen Moore
Apr 19 Royce Jurries
Apr 26 Tom Russell
O.W.L. Ministry
Come join us as we sing, have a devotional
and communion and visit with our seniors at
their residences.
Tuesday, April 7, 10A.M. @ River Oaks
Wednesday, April 15, 10A.M. @ The Oaks
Tuesday, April 21, 10A.M. @ True Living Care