the Voice
January 21, 2015
The newsletter of Longview FUMC | 903-753-4463 | longviewfumc.org
400 N. Fredonia Street, Longview, Texas 75601
She pushed in front of us at the counter. We all stood there with just a drink to
pay for, but her drink and time seemed so much more important.
She didn’t say, “Excuse me, but I’m headed to do brain surgery on someone and
I’m late.”
She didn’t say, “Excuse me, but the FBI is expecting my call to tell them about an
imminent threat.”
Rags
by Roy James
She didn’t say, “Excuse me, but would you mind letting me go first so I can go
take care of my sick mother.”
She just pushed past us in the line, dropped her dollar fifty on the counter and
said, “There’s my money.” Then out she went.
I laughed a little because just the day before I wanted to do something like that
in the same line. The child at the front of the line was counting out his nickels in
order to pay for his drink. I stood in line, two people back, and watched. I thought
this stop would take just a moment as I was headed from one place to another,
but the child was standing there dropping first this nickel and then that one on
the floor as he counted.
The person behind me said under his breath, “Can’t somebody help him and just
pay for that drink so I can get on with my day.” His words felt like a sledgehammer
aimed at the child’s excitement about the drink. His words were heavy, but being
honest…they were close to my own thoughts.
Grace is the greatest tool we Christian have. Grace is a tool that can form others
and us into God’s image. Grace moves us out to be the body of Christ in the world.
How could I have been grace in that moment? When the clerk at the counter gave
the man in front of me his change, he looked at her and quietly said, “Thank you.
God bless!” It wasn’t much, but just a moment of grace for her. When I got to the
counter she looked at me and said, “So how is your morning?”
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be
hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of
God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must
do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength
that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him
belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:8–11
Grace & Peace, Roy
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.
CHURCH NEWS
Calling all Inn Keepers! There is Room in the Inn!
Longview FUMC will be hosting several
homeless families February 1-8 as
they move from homelessness to selfsufficiency through the partnership
we have with Longview Interfaith
Hospitality Network. When we host
families there are opportunities to serve
and you are invited to be a part of this
wonderful ministry of restoration.
You can participate by cooking or
serving a meal, driving the van, being
a welcoming host for the evening, or
spending the night at the church. If
you are interested in being a part of this
ministry, you can find more information
by calling Donald or Lucy Peacock at
(903) 663-1419, by visiting the Welcome
Center on Sunday, or by visiting our
website www. longviewfumc.org.
Spring Mission Trip
May 3–8, Last date to register: February 1
Please drop off your completed form with payment by February 1 so we can reserve
a place for you on this special trip of serving Christ together!
Cupcakes Needed!
UMW is having their annual birthday party at Rusk State Hospital on Friday,
February 6. We need donations of cupcakes to help make this event one to remember!
Sugar-free and regular cupcakes are needed by Thursday, February 5. We appreciate
your help!
Baby, It’s Cold Outside!
Asbury House: Undie Sunday
Sunday, February 15 is Undie Sunday!
Asbury House is a wonderful child
enrichment center that enables lower
income families to provide their children
with the best possible childcare. These
children do not always have what they
need and we want to help! Collecting
children’s underwear is a great way to
help families by freeing up their money
for other necessities like heat or food.
The children (boys and girls) are sizes
2T, 3T, 4T, and 6X. You may drop off your
donation at the Welcome Center or in
the Cook Foyer.
The cold weather is upon us and Newgate is in desperate need of cold weather gear.
We are collecting coats, mitten, gloves, blankets, sleeping bags, sweaters, long
underwear, socks, hats and anything else you can think of that will help those who
are homeless in the area during this winter season. Donations can be dropped off
in the Church office, outside the Nursery, or in the Cook Foyer.
Have some extra time on your hands? Newgate is also in need of volunteers to
help with their mission.
Haverty’s Angel Tree: A Note of Gratitude
This year, Haverty’s Angel Tree was able to support 149 families and bring joy
to 416 children. Thank you for the money donated, the time spent shopping, the
special delivery service, the elves who put together the toys, and all those who
helped with the interview process. Each of you who helped made Christmas extra
special this year. Thank you!
Like us on facebook.com/Longviewfumc
CHURCH NEWS
2015—2016 S.F.L.C. Registration!
Souperbowl Sunday
It is time for Souper Bowl Sunday! From now until February 2 we will be collecting
cans of soup for Longview Community Ministries (LCM). Collection barrels will
be located in the Welcome Center and the Cook Foyer.
The mission of the annual LCM Souper Bowl is to encourage the community to
join the fight against hunger and poverty in our area. All soup collected will go
to the Food Box at LCM. The Food Box is the largest food pantry in Longview. It
served 14,000 families in 2013 and 17,000 families in 2014.
Attention all Sunday school classes!
Longview FUMC has been enrolled in a competition with the other area churches
to see which church can collect the most cans and win the Souper Bowl! We now
challenge you to see which class will donate the most cans. The class that donates
the most cans will win bragging rights as well as the chance to display the Longview
FUMC Souper Bowl Sunday trophy in their classroom for the next year. LCM
will announce at the end of the event which church has donated the most cans
to their food bank. Last year’s winner was Longview Christian Fellowship, with
First Presbyterian coming in at second place, and Winterfield UMC in third place.
Let’s bring in that soup and win, not just for your class and our church but for
those who are hungry! Go Team!
20th Annual Ladies Valentine Party
Saturday, February 14, 2015 * 2:00-5:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
3901 Bill Owens Pkwy * Longview, TX 75605
Intersection of Bill Owens & Hawkins Pky.
Great Entertainment!
Catered Meal * Door Prizes
Come to the “Love-Share” party on Saturday, February 14th!!!
Women of all ages attend this annual event each year, and many say its their favorite
event—next to their own birthday party, of course! There will be words
of inspiration, fun stories, and much laughter. Bring a friend and meet a
new friend or two as you visit around the tables.
Sheila Rainer is a member of Oakland Heights Baptist Church, but
has hosted this FREE event for 20 years. Call her at 903-736-2121 for more
information.
DRESS CASUAL AND BRING A $5.00 GIFT TO EXCHANGE
School for Little Children, a children's
ministry of First United Methodist
Church since 1958, offers the highest
quality of education and care within a
nurturing Christian environment for
children ages 6 weeks–Kindergarten.
Various days and schedules are available
according to family needs. Early Bird
classes begin at 7:15 a.m. Academic
classes are offered from 8:45–Noon
and continuing through the day with
Afternoon Enrichment classes until 6
p.m. In addition to core curriculum,
classes include Chapel, Music, Motor
Development, Spanish, Drama,
Computer Lab, Cooking, Art, Bible Club
and P.E. The program is structured to
encourage the positive development of
the whole child – spiritual, physical,
intellectual, and emotional. An excellent
teaching staff provides children with the
foundation for lifelong learning.
• Registration materials for current
students for the Fall, 2015–Spring,
2016 school year will be mailed
January 30.
• Registration will open to siblings of
current SFLC students on Tuesday,
February 17, at 7:30 a.m. in the SFLC
Office.
• Registration will open to First United
Methodist Church members on
Tuesday, February 17, from 12:30–6
p.m. in the SFLC Office (Siblings
of current students and church
members may continue to register
on a first come, first served basis prior
to the opening of public registration
at 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 19,
and until classes are filled.)
• Registration will be open to the
public from 5–6 p.m. on Thursday,
February 19, in Room 225.
Call the School Office at (903) 753-3121,
or email Dallas Lemmon, SFLC Director,
or Sherel Conklin, Nursery Director,
at [email protected] if you have
any questions.
CHILDREN & YOUTH NEWS
Upcoming Event and Retreats for Youth
There are three awesome opportunities for youth to grow in their faith and discover
their identity in Jesus Christ.
Children and Youth
Basketball schedule
Saturday, June 24 – Come support our
youngest FUMC family members and
friends
10 Girls – 11 a.m. at Forrest Park Middle
School 1544 Eastman Road
8 U Boys – 9a.m. at St Mary’s School 405
Hollybrook Dr.
DNow:
THE RISE, January 29–31
FUMC Youth and friends are invited to join in a region wide special event at the
Belcher Center to hear great Christian bands, artists and speakers. We will be
joining other youth groups for worship, discipleship, and recreation throughout
the weekend. Our youth and guests are invited to spend the night at our church
or host homes for Friday and Saturday nights. There is no cost.
REDEMPTION:
Midwinter Conference at Lakeview Methodist Camp, February 20–22
FUMC youth and guests will join other youth groups in the district in fellowship,
small group study, and worship for a weekend focused on being redeemed by
God. This is a great time to visit with our friends across the district. The cost is
$115. Scholarships are available.
12 U Boys Red Flames vs. Black flames
3p.m. at Forrest Park Middle School 1544
Eastman Rd.
EXODUS:
Tri-Church Event at Camp Chi-Yoh in Livingston, TX, February 27–March 1
A new opportunity to grow in Christ is our retreat where three local Methodist
youth groups (Longview FUMC, Greggton UMC, and Grace Crossing UMC) will
join together on a biblical journey with Joseph, Moses, and Joshua through the
Exodus. We will discuss our similarities with God’s people in captivity, freedom,
exile, and return to the Promised Land. The cost is $115. Scholarships are available.
12 U Boys White Flames 4 p.m. at Forrest
Park Middle School 1544 Eastman Rd.
Contact Janice Crane, Longview FUMC youth director, for more information or
to sign up for any of these events at [email protected] or (903) 753-4463.
10 U Boys – 11 a.m. at Pinetree PACE
Gym 1701 Pinetree Road (please note
address)
14 U Boys 4 p.m. at Forrest Park Middle
School 1544 Eastman Rd.