A monthly publication for the members and friends of Christ United Methodist Church, College Station, Texas
Inside Christ UMC
Volume 13 Issue 8 August 2011
The great 18th Century preacher, George Whitefield, who challenged and encouraged John Wes-ley to preach in the fields of England, often prayed the following prayer: “O Lord, make me an
extraordinary Christian.”
I came across that prayer this past week when Jana and I were having our prayer time together, and it truly spoke to me. “Lord, make me an extraordinary Christian.” What a word! Is that a prayer you pray? I confess that I haven’t prayed that prayer in any form often enough. Usually, my prayer goes something like this: “Lord, please help me make it through the day;” or… “Lord, you know
what’s coming up for me – give me the strength to make it through it;” or… “Lord, forgive me for ________;” or… “Lord, I need your help.” Do you get the picture? Oh, yes, there are prayers of
praise that I pray – simply thanking God for His goodness and blessing.
But much of the time my prayers are asking God for some kind of divine intervention into the daily grind we call life. But after reading that prayer of George Whitefield, I’ve decide to reevaluate my prayer time. Just think about it… asking God to make you and me into extraordinary Christians. What might be the by-product of such prayers?
It may be that we would truly be the kind of salt and light Jesus was talking about in his Sermon on the Mount. It may be that we would find ourselves reaching beyond the mere appearance of religion and allow the Spirit to move deep within us to truly transform our lives.
I challenge us all to pray the following prayer every day.
“Lord, make me an extraordinary Christian today. I give You authority over my thoughts and my actions. I surrender my desires and my wants and my predispositions, and I ask You to fill me with Your grace so that I can be FULLY used by You. Lord, remind me that my walk with You is not defined by the tasks I perform,
but by my devotion and submission to You.
For out of that surrendered life, You can perform Your greatest works through me. Lord, make me an extraordinary Christian today.”
Inside Christ UMC
In this issue:
2 Celebrating Christ UMC Upper Rooms New Members Financial Report 3 Children’s Ministries MOPS Youth Ministries 4 Hymn Sing & Ice Cream
Social
Upcoming Music Events Join Music Ministry 5 The Love In Between Tour
Emergency Responder Team Training
Mission Global Outreach Meeting
6 Your Next Step...Grow 7 ETC Venture Class Keeping Marriages Healthy Service Opportunity 777 Prayer Walk 8 Salt & Light Bookstore
Notes from Jerry
1st Wednesdays
@ Christ UMC
August 3, 6:00 p.m.,
Fellowship Hall
It’s summertime! Keep the
heat out of your kitchen
and join us for dinner! We’ll
be serving up good ol’ summertime fare -
hamburgers and hot dogs! Cost is $6 per
person, not to exceed $15 per family!
If you are interested in moving your visitor
status to that of member, or if you have
questions in general about Christ UMC, this is a
great opportunity. Join the pastors for coffee at
5:30 in the Connection Center, then walk over
for dinner afterwards. To RSVP for the coffee,
contact Kay at kayvillasana@christ-umc.org.
Children’s
Ministry
Coming August 28
at 9:30 & 11:00.
Come hear more
about it on the
21st at 9:30.
COMM+UNITY Presents:
The Love In Between Tour
September 16, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Featuring:
Matt Maher,
One Sonic Society,
Sons and Daughters
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Children’s Ministries
Youth Weekend
August 12 - 14
Christ’s Youth Ministries hosts its first Youth Weekend! The weekend will focus on dressing ourselves in the armor of God, Ephesians 6! We will gather at the church on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and open the weekend in worship. Follow-ing worship we will break out into small groups and stay with youth families during the weekend. This weekend is an opportunity for all youth to deepen their faith through discussions and small group time! The weekend will end as we all gather for worship in the River (9:30 a.m. ser-vice) on August 14. Registration forms are available in the Youth Room. Registration is due no later than August 3. For more information please contact Courtney Mardis at courtneylynn45@gmail.com or 806-778-1990.
Youth Ministries
Promotion Sunday
August 21, 9:30 a.m., Children’s Building
This is the day that all children get ‘promoted’ to the next grade in Sunday School. Parents are asked to come with their children for a welcome and to fill out a registration form. There will be a parent preview of
the upcoming program “Dig” during the 9:30 hour.
Blessing of the Backpacks
August 21, 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Join us at the 11:00 service for a very special day for all school-aged chil-dren at Christ UMC. Chilchil-dren will line up in BiG House and walk together to the sanctuary. Each child will be given
a special backpack tag to remember that Jesus is always with them.
Kids for Christ Camp
September 9 - 11, Frontier Camp, Grapeland, TX
Kids for Christ Camp is a weekend of fun and learning about Christ for children in 2nd through 5th grades. Join us for lots of fun on the water weenies and giant slide, horseback riding and lots of worship! Kids will grow clos-er relationships with their friends and with Christ on this weekend retreat. Cost is $120; scholarships available (no cost for chaperones). Registration forms can be down-loaded on our website under Events. Return downdown-loaded forms and payment to the church office by August 29. For more information, contact Rachel South at
rachelsouth@christ-umc.org.
Welcome to the newest
members of the
Christ UMC family!
2
August Youth Calendar
2 Christ-tastic Tuesday 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Project Hope & Lunch
3 Recharge 5:00-8:00 p.m.
4 The Bridge Food Pantry 4:30 - 8:00 p.m.
7 Common Ground 9:30-10:30 a.m. , 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Youth Band 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Refuel 5:00-7:30 p.m.
5-14 Peru Mission Trip
9 Christ-tastic Tuesday 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Lunch/Movie in Youth Room
10 Recharge 5:00-8:00 p.m.
12-14 Youth Weekend
Aug. 12 @ 7:00 p..m. - Aug. 14 @ 11.00 a.m.
14 Common Ground 9:30-10:30 a.m. , 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Family Promise Set-up 10:30 a.m.
No Refuel
16 Christ-tastic Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Southgate & Lunch
17 Recharge 5:00-8:00 p.m.
18 Southgate Lunches 9:00 a.m. 19-20 Global Mission Outreach
21 Promotion Sunday/Blessing of the Backpacks
Common Ground 9:30-10:30 a.m. , 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Family Promise Tear-down 10:30 a.m.
Refuel 5:00-7:30 p.m.
24 Recharge 6:30-8:00 p.m.
28 Common Ground 9:30-10:30 a.m. , 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Youth Band 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Refuel 5:00-7:30 p.m.
30 Breakfast Challenge 7:00-7:45 a.m. 31 Recharge 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Celebrating Christ UMC
This is the month when we hurry up and take that last min-ute vacation, get the children outfitted with new school clothes and supplies, and get into the “new” routine fol-lowing our relaxed (or maybe not so relaxed) summer schedules. It’s also the time for us to get involved in new Bible studies, assume new volunteer roles and recommit to be present in worship and Sunday School each week. Children are the future of our church and I want to share a few of the opportunities to serve in this ministry. Rachel South, our Children’s Director, has developed an outstand-ing program that will kick off this fall. The Tweens/SLAM (Students Living With A Mission) is for 5th and 6th graders and crew leaders are needed for worship, hospitality, me-dia/tech and story telling. Does this interest you? Perhaps you’d rather serve in a one event capacity such as Advent, Easter or Backpack Sunday. If camping is your calling the Kids for Christ Camp (2nd - 5th graders) weekend retreat is set for September 9-11th. Or if you’d like to learn about other opportunities to serve our children’s program, call Rachel. Thank you to each one of you who faithfully serves. We are all mentors for our children…remember what we say and do makes a lasting impression on them…good or bad!
Blessings,
Irene Keating, Lay Leader
June 2011
Financial Report
Go to www.christ-umc.org/#/
resources to view the June 30,
2011 financial reports. Should
you have a question, please
contact the finance office.
M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers)
Every other Monday, 9:30 -11:45 a.m., Youth Room, Annex Building MOPS is a support group for moms with children from newborn to six years of age, focusing on the unique needs of women in this phase of life. MOPS meets here twice a month, following the school calendar, on alternate Mon-days. A biblically-based lesson and activity is provided to the preschoolers in childcare at the church nursery while the moms meet in the Youth Room. Childcare is provided by registration.
The first meeting for Fall 2011 will be August 29. Registra-tion for the fall 2011 semester will be $50 (no addiRegistra-tional charge for childcare). Payment reserves your spot, provid-ed there is space available in the childcare rooms. Spaces in MOPS are assigned on a first come, first served basis upon receiving your registration form and payment. You can register online on our website. Contact Sara Hoffman at 690.7964 or sarajhoffman@hotmail.com for more infor-mation.
Did you know?
“Upper Room” and “Men of Integrity”
devotionals are now available for
July/August in the Connection
Center.
Bethany Pechal
Seth, Kimberly, Clayton, Kayden & Zane Breazeale
Cowboy & Bets Davis
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worship.grow.serve
M
issions
G
lobal
o
utreach
s
eMinar
August 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m. &
August 20, 8:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall, Annex Building
Cost $15; includes workbook & lunch
Satur-day. The Global Outreach Seminar provides a
deeper understanding of the biblical basis of
the church’s mission both at home and around
the world. It offers a fresh perspective on the
peoples of the world. Participants are
chal-lenged to greater involvement in outreach. The
seminar is designed for church leadership as well
as for the entire congregation. Register on our
website under Events. Contact Tim Ackerman
at tlackerman@suddenlink.net or Tommy
Myrick at tommymyrick@christ-umc.org for
more information.
5
Early Responder Team Training
August 20, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Early Responder Teams are trained and equipped to en-ter a disasen-ter site soon afen-ter one strikes. Teams are self-sustaining. They have their own transportation, fuel, food, equipment, and lodging already covered. In the name of Christ, they bring immediate assistance to en-sure no further damage is done. The Texas Annual Con-ference, in partnership with UMCOR, is now conducting Early Responder Training using approved UMCOR cur-riculum. Early responders representing our conference must have this training to be certified.
If you are interested in joining the Early Responder Team, please attend this training. A Safe Sanctuary Background Check is REQUIRED prior to attending the class if you want to be certified and receive an ID badge from UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Cost of the class is $25, which includes lunch, a manual and a photo ID badge.
For more information, contact Tommy Myrick at 979.690.4673 or tommymyrick@christ-umc.org.
worship.grow.serve
New and Upcoming Opportunities
Upcoming Music Dates
Mark your calendars and join us!
August 10, 6:00 p.m.
Music Awards and Appreciation Dinner
August 17
Music and Arts Council Elections
August 21, 6:00 p.m.
22nd Annual West District Hymn Sing and Ice
Cream Social
September 6
Adult Handbell Rehearsals Resume
6:00 - Kyriokos, 7:00 - Canticles
September 7
Children’s Choir & Bells / Instrumental Kick-off
4:00 - Children’s Choir
5:00 - Bells and Instrument Class
September 14
Ensemble Rehearsals Resume
Jubilate, Gloryland, Voices 4
September 16
Matt Maher Concert, 7:00
Tickets required
September 18
Youth Choir Kickoff Rehearsal
Hymn Sing
and
Ice Cream Social
August 21, 6:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
Christ UMC will host the 22nd
annual West District Hymn Sing
and Ice Cream Social. This is a fun
and inspiring event. Everyone
is invited to come and listen to
choirs from around our district
sing wonderful anthems, and
we will all join our voices in the
great hymns of the faith. After the
hymn sing, we move to the
Fel-lowship Hall for an old-fashioned
ice cream social.
Come Join the Music Ministry
If you have ever considered joining one of the
many music groups of Christ UMC - August is
the perfect time to do that. We will all be
re-turning from our summer break and beginning
to learn new music and welcome new friends.
Contact James in the music office for more
in-formation or visit the music page on our
web-site -
www.christ-umc.org.
COMM+UNITY Presents:
The Love In Between Tour
September 16, 7:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
Featuring:
Matt Maher
One Sonic Society
Sons and Daughters
National Christian recording artist and worship lead-er, Matt Mahlead-er, along with the bands One Sonic Soci-ety and Sons and Daughters will perform a Praise and Worship concert at Christ UMC! This concert is geared toward building community through prayer and wor-ship! Over the past few years, Matt Maher has been on quite a journey, making the transition from full-time ministry at his home church in Mesa, Arizona to life as a respected worship leader with an international plat-form. In that time, he’s developed a reputation for being a versatile songwriter – always eager to build bridges between communities and inspire others to creative ex-cellence—all for the glory of God.
For tickets and more information, see our Facebook page or our website.
7
Sunday School
Christian Parents Rising (CPR)
new Sunday school class
Sundays, 11:00 a.m., Room S111, Sanctuary Building
Christian Parents Rising will address modern real life needs of Christian families and parenting. Featuring Bible-based studies and discussions, the group will kick off with “Song of Solomon” from Tommy Nelson. Whether you are single, married, en-gaged or divorced, this teaching is an absolute must. There is never shame and guilt as we all have scar tissue in this area, but there is laughter, truth, forgiveness, practical guidelines and joy as you say like the millions of oth-ers, “Wow, I wished I had heard this years ago.” For more information, con-tact class leaders Nick & Gretchen Lutz at lutzfamily@suddenlink.net. You can also sign up online.
Upcoming Bible Studies and Sunday School studies
We have a variety of Bible Studies to choose from for your personal growth journey! Registration for all of these classes will be available on our website under Grow, or contact Jodi Warner at 979.690.4673 or jodiwarner@christ-umc.org.
worship.grow.serve
6
Having A Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us From the Inside Out
Wednesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Aug. 31 - Dec. 7,
Room 108, Annex Building
Sometimes its incredibly difficult to serve God with grace and strength and reflect Jesus in the things you say and do. Often we try to do things in our own strength, running ahead of God. Jana House will lead a 14-week study on the life-transforming book “Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out.” Child care is provided.
Sisters Searching Ladies Study,
Wednesdays, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Sept. 7 - Dec. 7
Room 106, Annex Building
Why is respect more important than love? Do men have an inner vulnera-bility? Join this group for the fall study “For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men” by Shaunti Felhahn. Open to all wom-en. Childcare is provided through reg-istration. Contact Rebecca Abernathy at rebabernathy@gmail.com or Laura Burris at lmburris@yahoo.com with questions or for more details.
ETC - Education,
Travel &
Connecting
for 50+ Adults
Picnic at the Gully’s
Party Barn
September 10th, 4:00 p.m.
We will gather at J. W. & Zelda
Gully’s party barn, a fabulous
area where we can have a great
time for a picnic and fellowship.
There will be several options for
fun. Fishing, football on a big
screen TV, Shanghai (card game)
42 (domino game), badminton
(if I can find someone who has
a set) for starters. This will be a
potluck, so bring your favorite
picnic food! More to come as we
get closer to September 10th.
For questions, contact, Pat
Vander-Boom at kmpv@verizon.net or
599-2332.
Join us for the next 777 Prayer walk on August 7th. You are invited to walk the path at either 7:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. Each person will receive a paper with instructions, prayers and scriptures to pray as they walk.
We will be praying for our church: the ministries, staff, volunteers, members and other concerns like our nation, etc. The idea is to promote prayer in the church.
7 7 7 P r a y e r Wa l k
Parenting 101
Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sept. 7 - Nov. 16
Room 108, Annex Building
This group will spend the fall learning about “The Five Love Languages of Children” by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. To be their best, children need to feel loved. But if you and your child speak different love languages, your affection might get lost in trans-lation, affecting your child’s attitude, behavior and development. Join oth-er parents to learn more about how your children interpret love and creat-ing a sense of security in which they can thrive. Register online or for more information, contact Kristin Schaefer at tiggeraggie@hotmail.com.
Men’s Ministry
Mondays, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. or Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. October 3 - November 8
Fellowship Hall, Annex Building This fall the Men’s Ministry will engage in a challenging, thought-provoking study on the series “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman. Jesus isn’t looking for fans, He wants completely commit-ted followers. Idleman points out that it costs little to be a fan, but it costs everything to be a follower. All men are invited to join us for this amazing six-week study. For more information, email mensministry@christ-umc.org.
Keeping Marriages Healthy
August 6, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Atrium Room, Annex Building
Have you signed up for the Keeping Marriages Healthy seminar? Learn
to love for life. Talk with each other, solve problems, manage stress and
anger, set goals for the future, enjoy being together. Register on our
website under Events.
Venture Class
August 10, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Room 106, Annex Building
Learn more about Christ UMC - our ministries, classes,
pro-grams, and church in general. If you have joined the church,
you have been here and are still searching for a place to
con-nect, or you would like more information before deciding to
make Christ UMC your home, join us for Venture to share in
fellowship and learn more. All participants are included in a
guided campus tour the following Sunday. Register online or
contact Mickey Ohlendorf at mickeyoh1@verizon.net or Jodi
Warner at jodiwarner@christ-umc.org. Childcare is available by
reservation.
Service Opportunity
Looking for a place to serve?
How about joining the First
Wednesday Meal Team. You
can volunteer as a greeter, dish
washer, table clean up, server,
etc. on the First Wednesday of
each month. Meal prep starts
around 4:00 p.m. Contact Billy
Castillo at
bckc@suddenlink.net
for more information.
Christ United Methodist Church
4201 State Hwy 6 South, College Station, 77845
979.690.4673 www.christ-umc.org
We’re preparing for an end-of-season, end-of-summer, and back-to-school sale. Watch your bulletin and weekly email for more details to come!
The bookstore suffered a loss of revenue in 2010 due to the economic downturn and we, like so many other businesses around the country, are struggling. Help us to get back into the black and to be a strong support with our profits to mis-sions simply by shopping us first! Allow us the pleasure of ordering books or other items that you need – individually, for your Sunday school class or your small group.
In 2010 we were able to donate goods in kind to various mission groups and projects rather than send them a check from profits. Prior to 2010 we funded over $10,000 in mis-sion projects. We need your help to change this around. Help us by shopping. We have a promise in scripture, Philip-pians 4:13 “we can do everything through Him who gives us strength.”
Salt & Light
Bookstore
Another way to help and one which should be #1: Pray for the bookstore; (I’ve always said this and truly mean it) Salt & Light belongs to God and is to be used as His resource to help our congregation grow in our individual spiritual walk. Check out our website www.missionbookstore.org or go to our Facebook page Salt & Light Mission Bookstore where we will offer specials for our friends at this site only. Re-member our prices are usually lower than advertised on the website.
