San Saba

First United Methodist Church

November 2013 Newsletter

San Saba

First United Methodist Church

204 W. Brown

325-372-3120 www.sansabafirstumc.com

Rev. Dan Harrington, Pastor

We bid you welcome

In the name of

Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray with us,

Sing with us, rejoice

with us

Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Worship 10:00 a.m.

Ministers: Entire Congregation

Worship Leader: Tracey Thomas

Accompanist: Nettie Oma Carpenter

Choir Director: Tracey Thomas

Church Secretary: Karen Alexander

Custodian: Mario Mendiola

From the Pastor’s Desk……

As the season of Thanksgiving approaches, I

am overwhelmed at all we have to be thankful

for. All of the chapters in life are special, but

this one has been especially full of life, and time is just flying by. This

Sunday the time will change, it will get dark earlier, and soon it will be

time to get ready to enter the mystery of Christmas. As I write this news-

letter article, new carpet is arriving that will cover the altar area and choir

loft. (Thank you Trustees!) The praise band is about to practice and the

choir is practicing the annual Christmas Cantata. This Sunday is All

Saints Day- and as we celebrate those who have, as my professor used

to say “transferred their membership to the Church Triumphant” I am es-

pecially grateful to all the living saints who support the church with their

prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness in our community.

Ministerial Alliance Hymn Sing

“Praise God, Praise God!” we sang as the final verse of Amazing Grace

wafted up to the dome of FUMC on Sunday Oct. 27th. Lifting our voices

with other Christians from San Saba and singing the songs of our faith

was so joyful, I couldn’t stop smiling. The food and fellowship was noth-

ing short of amazing. We took an offering and raised $1,047 for folks in

San Saba that need financial assistance. The next Ministerial Alliance

Hymn sing is set for the fifth Sunday in January. Praise God!

Thanksgiving Meal with our Neighbors

Our neighbors at First Baptist Church have once again invited us to an

evening of food and music at the Civic Center on Nov. 24th at 5PM. We

are asked to bring desserts and side items. We look forward to another

rockin’ good time.

Godly Play Update

Godly play Elementary Sunday School is off to a great start! Godly Play

offers a creative, child – honoring way of entering into and experiencing

the biblical story. In Godly Play, we play with the language of God and

God's people: our sacred stories, parables, liturgical actions and silence.

The most exciting part about Godly Play so far has been watching the

children get into the stories, tell them again in their own words, and work

creating art that relates to what they have learned. Big thanks to all who

have supported this ministry as we continue to build our classroom.

Continued on page 6…... 1

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Thanksgiving with Our Neighbors

We have been invited to share a Thanksgiving Meal with First

Baptist Church at the Civic Center on Sunday evening November

24th, 5 p.m. We are to bring either a vegetable or a dessert.

The sign up sheet will be on the back table in the sanctuary. We

also need a head count of how many will be attending. You will

be able to note that on the sign up sheet. Please make plans to

attend and enjoy the god food, fellowship and music.

First Choir News It's time!! If your heart loves to sing the glorious songs of Christmas, come sing with us on Wednesdays at 7:00 as we work on "Bethlehem Morning", our community choir Christmas cantata. The music is so sweet, but we can also do a lit-tle toe-tapping to "Children, Go Where I Send Thee". Fa-miliar carols include "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Joy to the World" , while newer songs include "We Were The Rea-son" and "Here I Am to Worship". Our choir (and friends!)

are surely making a joyful noise, but we welcome all who know that Jesus is OUR reason for joy in the season... and who love to SING! The cantata will be pre-sented on Dec 15 here in our sanctuary and in Cherokee on Dec 8.

Truthseekers Class Our newest Sunday school class now has a name. We are Truthseekers, and seek to determine ways to be more Godly and walk in HIS will through a series of meditations on scripture written by some of the greatest Christian writ-ers throughout the ages. Having just finished a series of meditations on "Preparing for the Spiritual Life", we were charged to surrender every day to God's will no mat-ter how divided our human hearts may be and the many im-perfections within us. As we saw, the cost of non-discipleship is even greater on our lives. Next, we begin a series on the Prayer-filled life. I, for one, can't wait to see where God leads us all through the next 8 weeks through such writers as Martin Luther and Henri Nouwen. It is never too late to begin! We meet upstairs above the sound booth at 9:00 am.

Prayer Concerns

Pat Belk

Suzanne Walters—now living in Eastern Star’s Assisted Living in Arlington

Peter Hald

Gene Hinyard, son of Mary Sue Hinyard

Ronnie Schmidt

Lylah (Stephanie and Chase’s daughter) (Henry Warren’s family)

Stan Burnham

Stephanie Conner (Nettie Oma’s family)

Bettye McLaughlin

Elsie Millican

Mark Owens (safety)

Katie Andreas (in hospital, continuing prayer)(family of Trish Warren

Joe Mack Tilson

James and Pat Reavis

Gordan Hall (prostate cancer)

Kathren Wolfe (Martha Schanhals’mom)

Margaret Ann Seiders (Celia Bell’s Mom)

Landon Yarbrough

Pete Hemenway (friends of Trish Warren)

Ray & Ruth Riggs

We are trying to update the prayer concern list. If you would like to add a loved one or family friend back on,

please let us know. Carolyn

3 3

Stewardship Report

General Fund Income for October $ 9,390.00

General Fund Expenses for October $11,929.85

General Fund Income to date for year $114,170.46

General Fund Expenses to date for year $119,499.13

General Fund Balance on January 01, 2013 $14,137.58

General Fund Balance on October 31,2013 $ 8,808.91

We are cureent on all our bills except apportionments.

Our apportionments for the year are $18,139.

We have paid $11,544 as o October 31.

Submitted by Millie Burnham, Treasurer

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Can You Top This?

When my sister was about 3, my mom overheard her talking with a neighborhood

friend.

My dad works for an insurance agency”, proclaimed the girl.

Clearly pleased with her status as the pastor’s kid, my sister responded haughtily,

“well, my dad works for God!”

Heidi Mann

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

The Tuesday Morning Bible Study has met each Tuesday in October under the direction of Trish Warren.

Each week the group has been studying James McDonald’s Always True, God’s Promises. Each week the

group has spent time on one of the following promises:

1. I will not fear; God is always with me.

2. I will not doubt; God is always in control.

3. I will not despair; God is always good.

4. I will not falter; God is always watching.

5. I will not fail; God is always victorious.

Under Trish’s excellent guidance, we have all come to a greater understanding of these promises.

Those participating are: Millie Burnham, Pat Butler, Nettie Oma Carpenter, Kathy Gage, Barbara Gilger,

Barbara Gober, Frances Hibler, Cherry Kay Lange, Carolyn McDowell, Ann McElroy, Kathy McEwin, Lynn

McHenry, Jeanne Owen, Andrea Robinson, Lesa Schulze, Barbara Self, Wahnee Stallings, Vickie Stevenson,

Trish Warren, Nelda Weatherby, and Betty Wilson.

Left:

The newest instrument to the Praise Band is

the box drum or corsoba kajon deluxe.

Carmen, Maria Harrington’s sister, is shown

here playing it. A few members have

expressed an interest in it.

Right:

Pastor Dan performing blue grass and gospel

music at the Fuel Coffee House in Llano

Texas. Jennifer Reeves sang several hymns

with Pastor Dan.

Our Church Family

The Joe Pete Smith family enjoyed Joe Pete's mother who visited from Alaska. She helped us plant grass and work on finishing the carport. Daylon and Lynlee were able to take a weekend trip with her to visit extended family. Dylan and Lynlee en-joyed trick or treating with friends/family on a hayride. Day-lon was a pirate and Lynlee was a bear. Jaycie Everett is busy playing basketball and her brother Jason is playing soccer. Jantzen Bell along with the rest of the San Saba High School marching band will be headed to San Antonio on Sunday and will be participating in the State UIL Band Contest. His parents, Bud & Celia Bell, will also be headed to San Antonio on Monday to cheer the band on. It is the first time ever the San Saba

High School band has advanced to the state level! You might not have recognized the Mays kids last Saturday night. Nolan was batman. Libby was a cat and Emily was a sock monkey. They have also remodeled two rooms in their house. Did you notice that Ana Millican and Madison Shahan were winners of the October San Saba Literacy Project? Ana, granddaughter of Bob & Debbie Millican, drew a horse while Madison, daughter of Kevin & Monica Shahan and granddaughter of Bob & Deb-bie, wrote a story about the Sugariffic Invention. Way to go!!!! We have a ce-lebrity in our church family. David Gilger was honored at a recent San Saba High School football game for his support of the Dillos. The San Saba High School Alumni Association presented him with a honorary membership status. His picture was on the front page of the San Saba News & Star and there was a nice article written about him. Thanks goes out to Mike Thomas for getting our pro-jector system fixed. The Harrington family is glad to welcome back Lynne & Bill Berry after several months absence to North Carolina. Nettie Oma Carpenter was just one of several church family members who celebrated a birthday in October. She certainly had a bunch of family to help celebrate. Her daughter and son-in-law, and her two grandsons and their wives attended church with her that Sunday. Corey Dyson and her daughter Myles were in to visit with her mom and dad, Ronnie & Lesa Schulze and sister, Mindy Cantu. We are sorry to report that Eli Wise, son of Mark & Stacy Wise, was bitten by his grand-

mother’s dog. Eli was taken to Cook’s Children’s Hospital and had a skin graft on his nose. Unfortunately he can no longer suck his thumb and he is not very happy about that. We send him get well wishes. Casey Mathis is a member of the 7th grade cross country team that was district runner up.

The United Methodist Men are now meeting every Sunday morning. The group begins with breakfast at 7:30

and ends with a bible study at 8:00 am in the church parlor. Anyone interested in participating is welcome to

join the group. Cooks for the group are Mike McDowell and C.K. Stevenson.

Dylan Smith

Lynlee Smith

Continued from page 1…… Youth News

United Methodist Youth Fellowship this month in Goldthwaite

Each month the youth of San Saba UMC meet for an evening of Fellowship including singing, eat-

ing, and Bible Study. On Sunday Nov. 10th, 5-7PM all Jr. and Sr. High students are invited to car-

pool to Goldthwaite FUMC for an evening of games, food, and devotions.

Midwinter Camp opportunities:

Midwinter Retreats are sponsored by the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist

Church Council on Youth Ministry. Midwinters are spiritual retreats which include renewal, awesome

worship, inspiring speakers and a chance to meet new friends.

Our theme verse for Midwinter 2014 is “Awaken,” based on Ephesians 5.14: “Awake, O Sleeper, arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!" This theme is calling us to awaken to the risen Lord, to the Holy Spirit among us, and to be the church that Christ has called us to be -- a church of revival that reawakens the love and grace of Jesus Christ to the world. MW1 Midwinter U: 1.10-12.14 | HEB Echo Valley (Sr. High and College)

MW 2 Mission: 1.24-26.14 | BluePrint, San Antonio (Jr. and Sr. High)

MW 3 Mix: 1.31-2.1.14 | Mt. Wesley (Jr. and Sr. High)

MW 4 Mix: 2.7-9.14 | Mt. Wesley (Jr. and Sr. High)

MW 5 Mix: 2.14-16.14 | Mt. Wesley (Jr. and Sr. High)

MW 6 Mix: 2.21-23.14 | HEB Echo Valley (Jr. and Sr. High)

Please let Pastor Dan know if you are interested in attending one of these awesome Midwinter

Camps.

Pastor Dan

Above: Picture from the Godly Play Classroom