the Voice April 1, 2015 The newsletter of Longview FUMC | 903-753-4463 | longviewfumc.org 400 N. Fredonia Street, Longview, Texas 75601 Please send all submissions for The Voice to [email protected] The Voice (ISSN-USPS 662-420) is published bi-weekly by Longview’s First United Methodist Church, 400 North Fredonia Street, Longview, TX 75601. Periodicals Postage paid at Longview, TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE VOICE, 400 North Fredonia St., Longview, TX 75601. Helping our City on April 11 CHURCH NEWS As a response to our community’s recent homicides, Mayor Jay Dean is asking Partners in Prevention to work with the Police Department and Police Area Representatives to distribute packets to 200 households in the neighborhoods where the violence has occurred. Teams of police officers and volunteers, particularly those who live in the neighborhoods, will distribute the packets door to door. However, all volunteers are needed and will be welcomed! Holy Week Services Longview FUMC volunteers will be needed to help distribute the packets to the volunteers. If you are able to help on the morning of Saturday, April 11, please contact Steffani Chapman at schapman@ longviewfumc.org. Easter Sunday Services—April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon You are invited to the annual city-wide Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, April 14, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. Please R.S.V.P. to Newgate Mission at (903) 757-6146 no later than Wednesday, March 25. See You There! Nursery Volunteers Needed If you are interested in helping out in the nursery on Easter Sunday please contact Sherel Conklin at (903) 753-3121. Lenten Lunch | Wednesday, April 1 | Noon | Faith Center Holy Thursday Service | Thursday, April 2 | 7 p.m. | Sanctuary Good Friday Service | Friday, April 3 | Noon | Nicholson Chapel Easter Sunrise Service | 6:30 a.m. | North Parking Lot Traditional Easter Services | 8:30 & 10:50 a.m. | Sanctuary Contemporary Easter Services | 8:50 & 11:00 a.m. | Faith Center The Gathering | 7 p.m. | Nicholson Chapel Threads of Love Can you knit or crochet a baby cap, or perhaps sew a simple pattern? The Threads of Love ministry needs help fulfilling requests from our local hospitals for infant items. If you possess basic skills in any needle arts–sewing, knitting, crocheting– please consider joining us. For more information, contact Becky Wallace at (903)452-5924 or Mary Carol Etheridge at (903)241-1247. CHURCH NEWS Dear Church Membership and Staff Jerry and I would like to thank everyone involved in the sending home of my mother, Vivian Frieda. Those include the pastors who came to visit for prayer, support, comfort, and Communion. The Alpha Omega class for food at home and the church, for prayers, cards, flowers, and the many donations to Newgate, Highway 80 Rescue Mission, the various areas of the Church, and the United Methodist Women in particular. Finally, thank you to the many who made time in their day to come for the Memorial service. A Heart Felt Thank-you, Blood Drive Mark your calendar now! Sunday, April 19 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Nan and Jerry Gardner April 9 Pioneers, featuring Texas Shakespeare Festival Join us at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, for our Pioneer Fellowship in the Longview FUMC Faith Center. Texas Shakespeare Festival Artistic Associates Meaghan Sullivan and Matthew Simpson will present an overview of the upcoming TSF 2015 summer season. They will also enlighten us as “Shakespeare Strippers,” showing what goes into an authentic Shakespearean costume, layer by layer! Bring a friend! Invite your neighbors! Pioneers welcomes anyone, especially those who are retired or of retirement age. Please call the church office (903) 753-4463 to make a reservation for the delicious $ 5 lunch. Threads of Love Can you knit or crochet a baby cap, or perhaps sew a simple pattern? The Threads of Love ministry needs help fulfilling requests from our local hospitals for infant items. If you possess basic skills in any needle arts–sewing, knitting, crocheting– please consider joining us. Although we welcome everyone to attend our monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of each month, it is not a requirement. For more information, contact Becky Wallace at (903)452-5924 or Mary Carol Etheridge at (903)241-1247. Laundry Day Thank you to all of the Longview FUMC volunteers who helped to make Laundry Day such a great success. The volunteers from New Gate Mission were terrific as well! We washed over 150 loads of laundry. That kind of help makes a real impact and allows families to stretch their dollar just a little further this month. We were especially touched by a donation made by a woman there to do her own laundry. She contributed so that we could provide more help for others. That is a servant’s heart! Do you or someone you know need a helping hand? Carpenter’s Helpers are ready and willing to help. Carpenter’s Helpers provide small home repairs and odd jobs around your home. If you need help moving a piece of furniture, trimming some shrubs, replacing light bulbs, or replacing batteries in your fire alarm, then this is the team to help. Carpenter’s Helpers express their love of Christ through their work. This team may be contacted by calling the Church Office at (903) 753-4463 or coming by in person to request assistance. You are part of a loving church family… let us help! CHILDREN & YOUTH NEWS Youth Softball: THE FLOOD Help Support our Youth in Mission! We invite you to come support the Longview FUMC youth softball team on Tuesday nights at Hinsley Park, field 4. SOS (Service Over Self) Stock is on sale in the Welcome Center and from youth members. It is $10 per share. By partnering with our youth members you are investing in our mission in Memphis, TN. Please help us make a difference. Tuesday, March 31 at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 at 6:45 p.m. SOS Mission Story Upcoming Youth Events Saturday, April 11: Youth Bonfire/Hayride/Cookout at the Clark’s Farm. Sign up in the youth room. Sunday, May 3: Texas Ranger Game/ Casting Crowns concert. Cost is $42. We will head out after Sunday school for the game. Sign up in the youth room. Limited spots! When asked to share one of his favorite SOS Summer Mission stories, Michael Hanson always smiles and remembers Mama Ann. On his first SOS trip to Memphis, Michael’s work team was assigned to shingle a roof at a home in the Binghampton neighborhood. Upon meeting the team of youth the homeowner insisted the youth call her “Mama Ann”. On our mission trips we eat brown bag lunches that consist of sandwiches and chips, but Mama Ann would have none of that. She prepared a hot, homemade lunch for the work crew of teens every day. Michael’s favorite meal was Mama Ann’s barbequed meatballs, and Michael loved those meatballs so much that he asked Mama Ann for the recipe. Several years later, Michael still has that recipe card and his mom, Michelle, makes those meatballs whenever we have a special Youth Ministry gathering. Please be a part of this important mission trip by purchasing SOS stock in the Welcome Center or from a youth member. High School Senior Recognition On Sunday, April 26, we will honor graduating high school seniors in the 10:50 Traditional service, followed by a luncheon in the Heritage Room, catered by Perfect Catering. If you have a graduating high school senior and would like them to participate, please contact Janice Crane, Youth Director, at (903) 753-4463 or [email protected].
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