scroll();
Rock for Haiti 02/06/2010
 
Myspace Text - http://www.sparklee.com

Saturday, February 13th a Trio of bands will perform for donations to give to the United Methodist Committe on Relief (UMCOR) to help a ravaged Haiti.

The bands are Captian Amazing and the Fantastics, The Casey Young Band and Three in One.

Bring lawn chairs and blankets and listen to some ROCKING music for a great cause.
 
 
Theology, The Basics;
is a Laity and Clergy study
that will be held on
March 5th and 6th at
Wesley UMC
in Wichita Falls, Texas.
The Rev. Fred L. Durhan Jr.,
Assistant to Bishop Earl Bledsoe
will facilitate. Cost is $35.
Contact church office for more information
940-723-7151.....
 
I Reckon 01/26/2010
 
This reckoning comes from the road, literally, as I am stuck in an I -35 parking
lot 60 miles from Austin, as I go to a continuing education event at the
Texas Methodist Foundation.
I am excited about the upcoming weeks at The Heights. On Sunday, January
31st we will have a special "5th Sunday" worship service during the 10:50
hour with a special guest, Terry Tompkins. Terry is a very talented musician
and singer and has been a part of worship teams and groups in many United
Methodist Churches in the North Texas Conference, including being the worship
leader for Cornerstone, the very popular contemporary worship service
at Highland Park UMC.
I am also excited about the Lenten season which will be here before we know
it. During Lent, we will have Wednesday devotional worship services following
Wednesday evening dinners. Also, we will have a short term Sunday
school class which will be open to everyone. There will be more information
to come in the weeks ahead.
Blessings to all from the road.
Kenny
 
 

 
The Family Life committee will be meeting in the Fellowhship Hall on Sunday, Jan. 31, immediately following the 10:50 a.m. service. We would welcome your presence regardless of whether you are currently on the committee, would like to be on it, or would just like to share some ideas for church activities .A light lunch will be served, so if you would like to attend please RSVP by calling the church office.

 
UMCOR for Haiti 01/13/2010
 
Dear FHUMC Family
 
As I believe everyone knows by now Haiti was devastated by an earthquake yesterday.  We will be collecting a special offering this Sunday and in the days ahead for UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. This is the emergency aid arm of the church that provides long lasting presence and relief to areas impacted by a disaster.  As the operating costs of UMCOR are paid through apportionments, every dollar collected will go to Haiti.  Please consider participating in this offering above and beyond giving to the church, and indicate Haiti Offering on checks or cash envelopes.
 
In a related matter close to FHUMC, I talked with Burt Palmer and Ellen Palmer was in Haiti but left just hours before the quake and is safe in the Dominican Republic.  That is a joy.  But I do ask everyone to pray for a team from Highland Park UMC who was at an eye clinic established by the church in a small town outside Port Au Prince.  The team is trapped there and there are conflicting reports of injuries to the team members.   Please keep the team in your prayers.
 
Kenny  
 
I Reckon 01/07/2010
 
      In baseball, opening day is a special, bordering on sacred, occasion.  Opening day is always a day of hope and optimism.  Everyone is on an equal footing and all are in the lead.  While baseball season is still some 3 months away, New Years is the “opening day” season of the year for everyone else.  As we stand here at the beginning of another year, I feel that optimism and hope for our church.  That feeling, in contrast to some baseball teams, is not without reason or justification.  The fact is there is a lot going on here that gives us reason to hope and look forward to this year. 

      During the period we were snowbound AKA “The Christmas Snow Interlude,” I was able to spend more time thinking about the church, where we’ve been, where we are, and where we can be in the future.  2008 was a tremendously difficult year for Floral Heights with two senior pastoral appointments, deaths and the loss of strong lay leaders, and the economic collapse.  2009 continued with further pressures from the economy and the loss of another associate pastor. 

      Even in the midst of these challenges, in the last six months we have at last had stability in the church staff which has allowed a clearer vision of the future and successful ministries.  Karen has been providing leadership to the young and older adults of our church as well as the Family Life Ministries.  The Seek First Class has grown throughout this year through thoughtful Sunday meetings and fellowship activities.  The Older Adult ministries remain active with trips, programs, and special events.

       Sherry had a very active and ambitious summer Children’s program and the Mission Possible Kids continues to grow and instill a sense of mission in the children of the church. 

       With Justin on board, there is a new spirit in the youth department that has resulted in new youth and youth leaders joining and participating.  The Mystery Ramble was successful and fun and the mission trip this spring to Tennessee promises to be equally meaningful and successful.  Already the group is planning for 2011 with a mission trip next spring to Trinidad.   As Marc has been able to focus on Missions, there have been two new mission trips, one for families and one for young adults.  In addition, there have been day projects, most notably participation in building ramps for persons in the Wichita Falls area.  Breakfast at the Heights is continuing to grow both in numbers and spirit as persons who have entered the church through this ministry are becoming involved in other areas such as helping with the food pantry. This year Marc will also be concentrating on reestablishing an emphasis on evangelism and hospitality. 

      Any thoughts of the ministries of the past year would not be complete without mention of the Food Pantry.  In 2009, the Pantry served 9,418 families totaling 29,000 people.  Of that number, 4,322 were new recipients.  I know not of a more dedicated and immediately impactful ministry in this area, or throughout Methodism.

      In addition to these programs and missions, we had two very successful events that ministered to the community and were sponsored by the Family Life Committee. This fall we kicked off the year with a wonderful concert and party in the parking lot where over 400 people attended and enjoyed fellowship.  This October over 600 people participated in Trunk or Treat and were ministered to by having a safe place to come as a family, be fed, and be in fellowship with others in the church and community.  Those who organized and worked the event were stunned at the turnout and overwhelmed with the wonderful spirit of the workers and participants. 

       Last and not least, the music ministries continue of offer powerful leadership in worship.  Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Karen and Chiemi, we are blessed each week to receive the offering of beautiful music from the Chancel, Youth, Wesley, and Promise choirs as well as the bell choirs.  This year’s Christmas Cantata was the finest I have heard in my years of ministry.

As I hope all can see, there are many wonderful things happening at our church.  Yes we have other areas that we need to nurture or develop and I will be speaking more about them in the next newsletter, but what I hope we can all sense is that this is a special place, with a wonderful past that we celebrated last year and, I think and believe, an even more vital future that we are beginning with all the wonderful activities, ministries, worship and mission going on.

      With all that is going on, it pains me to see that attendance is still lagging.  We don’t want to be the best secret in town.  We want as many people to be a part of this church and experience the love and grace and power of God through the worship and ministries of our church.  In light of this I have one thing to ask.  If you have not been active in the church in a while, please make a special effort to come back and see, and be a part of the wonderful ministry in Christ’s name going on here.  For those who are attending, I ask that everyone be intentional in inviting persons who used to attend regularly to come back home and be a part of the of the Hands On Ministry Experience of God that IS going on at Floral Heights.  


Kenny

 
 
Regularly scheduled activities will resume on January 13th.


District Training Day
For all members and chairpersons of committees
First United Methodist Wichita Falls
2:30 p.m.

Click here to register
Hearts A Fire
Wichita Falls District Event
Featuring Bishop Earl Bledsoe


January 17
Decatur Civic Center
6:00 p.m.
Picture
 
 
8:30 Service Cancelled
Sunday School Cancelled

The 10:50 Service will continue as scheduled.



 
 
Christmas Eve Services Canceled
Due to blizzard conditions and unsafe travel, the 6:00 and 9:00 services have been cancelled.  



If you have an emergency or pastoral need, please call the church office 723-7151.


Merry Christmas!
 
 
Picture
Sunday, January 17th
Decatur Civic Center
6:00 p.m.
Bishop Earl Bledsoe

Combined District Choir