Stephen’s Strands In July each year, we celebrate U.S. Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. We take pride in our

national characteristic of being “an independent people.” It is important that we acknowledge that God’s vision for

us is that we be a people “dependent” on God, our Father and Creator and on God’s vision that we will love our

neighbors as ourselves.

We are called to be people of relationship. This begins with our relationship with God, our Father. Relation-

ships begin by getting acquainted. When was the last time you spoke to God? Did you give God time for you to

listen to what God had to say to you? When we have a conversational relationship with God through Jesus Christ,

God’s Son, and the Holy Spirit, we not only speak but listen for God to speak to us.

Listening for the Holy Spirit to speak within us is often referred to as “waiting on the Lord.” We get anxious

just hearing the word “waiting.” Let’s avoid the anxiety of waiting by learning to listen to the Holy Spirit peace-

fully.

Listening to your best friend is not typically an anxious practice. Best friend relationships are built on trust.

Most of us build trust in people who listen to what we have to say. We give trust to those who listen even if they

respectfully disagree with us.

No one listens to what we have to say better than the Holy Spirit. When we share our deepest thoughts,

prayers, fears, and hopes with the Holy Spirit, we simultaneously offer our trust because we have spiritual senses

that recognize how attentively the Holy Spirit listens to us. As our trust grows, we become more capable of listen-

ing for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Our faith in our relationship with God grows with every shared listening experience. We share what’s on

our hearts with God knowing that the Holy Spirit is always listening and then we listen for the leading of the Holy

Spirit in friendly conversation. There is no need for anxious waiting, just respectful listening.

This week I want you to read Psalm 130:1-8 each morning. The first morning, focus on vss. 1-2, “Out of the

depths I cry to you, O LORD. 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!”

The next morning, read vss. 3-4, and each successive morning read the next two verses. I believe that this will

kindle your trust in the Lord and your listening skills to sense the Holy Spirit’s leading. Let me know how this

works!

Blessings, Stephen

Prayer List

Please Note: Names added to the prayer list will remain on the list for 30 days if needed. They will be relisted by request.

If you would like to have a prayer request emailed out or would like to add someone to the prayer list, please email the Church office at

office@fumcmv.org

Honors and

MeMorials

Sympathy to: ...Maegen Law and Kay Kastner on the passing of their grandmother and mother, Saundra Efurd.

Members of First United Methodist Church

express our thanks to each of you who have recently given a

special financial gift in memory or in honor of loved ones.

In Memory of Travis Gann L-3 Aerospace Systems

In Memory of Saundra Efurd Gail Reed

Larry AdamsTara AllenMary BaneWade BradshawJenny BergmanDavid BergmanBetty BogueMarvin BradfordDavid BrewerJanie BynumPatty CheatwoodTim ClipsonTerri ColemanCarolyn DaltonNorma Jean DraperKenny DuckJoanna Earl

Sharron Meek ElliottChuck EtheridgeVictoria FletcherJan Banman GraciaRichard HaynieJean Lowry HaysNadine JenningsJolynn JohnsonBlake JonesRobert JonesSamantha MasseyLou Gene MaxtonDennis McBrideKenneth McGeeSusan McGeeJessie MillsLanny Moore

Marla NolleyBlaine NordinDawn ParsonsDorothy PriceHelen PriceLena Mae Reeder Don RoseChris SheltonSarah SheltonPeggy StuttsBrant TracheilGrant WatsonDorothy WeaverCharlotte WhitesidesDorothy Winfield

The FUMC office and Rainbow Connection

will be closed Wednesday, July 4th.

We will resume business on Thursday, July 5th.

Library News

Thank You to Lena Mae Reederfor updating and improving

our Library. Stop by and take a peek, and maybe grab a

good book to read!

VISION TEAMS CONTINUE TO PRESS FORWARD ….The number 1 priority of all the Vision Teams is Prayer. We constantly seek the Lord’s wisdom and vision for our church and community. Due to so many being on vacation and school being out for the summer, Vision Teams will continue “behind the scenes” operations with more activity becoming visible in the Fall.If you have any questions regarding the Vision Process or any of the Vision Teams, please contact Jean Ann Marshall, point person for the Vision Team Process. 903/537-4569 or jeanannm@suddenlink.net.Do take note of the following TEAM UPDATES for the summer months.

INITIATIVE # 3COMMUNITY SERVICES VISION TEAM

ADULT MENTORING AND HANDY MAN SERVICES

INITIATIVE #1 PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG

FAMILIES AND ExPAND

Kayce Jordan is chair of this team. The Discussion Group is taking a break for the summer and will resume again in the Fall. (Watch for the dates!)

We have had a change in the chair of this group. We want to thank Deb and Bruce Morris for the ground work which has already been laid. Some initiatives have been implemented with plans for more under their direction, but because of an over-full schedule, they felt the need to step down.Sharon Sehon agreed to chair the group and had a meeting of the members on June 18 to re-state their mission and brainstorm where we could take the team in the future.This Team will continue through the summer months with FIRST FRUITS where everyone is asked to bring a canned food on the first Sunday of each month. There will be a tub in the narthex

INITIATIVE # 5ExPAND NEWCOMER SERVICES

We are still looking for volunteers to help man the Info Center before and after each service. THE INFO CENTER IS THE CONTACT POINT FOR SIGNING UP FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE CHURCH.

for collections to be taken to our food bank to help provide for local families in need.We want to share some figures with you that will help you better understand how FIRST FRUITS affects this community. The poverty rate in the U.S. is 12.7% (based on 2016 census). Franklin County poverty rate is 16.8%, with children in poverty being 29%. Between 2000 through 2011, poverty in Franklin County increased 37.7%. Children under 18 are most affected. Your donations on an average month is 198 pounds of canned goods. This is food families would not have if not for your generosity. God asks us to love our neighbor and to feed the hungry. GOOD JOB FUMC MT. VERNON!

What great fun we had on Wednesday, June 20, eating Tex-Mex dinners at El Manna Restaurant! It was so nice seeing the congregation coming together in community to enjoy fun and fellowship. We had 57 enthusiastic Methodists breaking bread together and all participating in a new form

E x P A N D W E D N E S D A Y N I G H T L I V E WITH FUMC’S SUMMER NIGHT OUT

of FAMILY FUED designed by Pam Greenberg. Winners of great door prizes were Peg Silva and Pat Wright. Good job Pam! This event is right in line with the North Texas Conference of “ FACES IN NEW PLACES”. Another event is in the works for July so watch for the date!

Where? - FUMC Family Life CenterWhat? - VBC 2018

When? - July 23rd – July 26th

What time? - 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, Lunch served immediately following

For more information, call/contact Pam Greenberg,

214-236-4894 or children@fumcmv.org

Come and join us for “the ride of a Lifetime with God” at VBC July 23rd – 26th from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. We need you to help the students find Adventure, Acceptance, Joy, Rest and Peace on the river by helping us in any or all of the following roles:

River Guide (Small Group Leader)• Crafts• Recreation• Storytelling• Science Leader• Decorating•

Please contact Pam Greenberg at 214-236-4894 or children@fumcmv.org to let us know how you would like to share your time and talents so our children can see the love of Christ through you!

Vacation Bible Camp (VBC)

February 146:15 pmFirst United Methodist Church

San Marcos 2018 was a very busy week with hard work and dedication on everyone’s

part. Our youth worked tirelessly in the heat & the humidity, and for some of the stu-

dents this was their first mission trip. After our first work day we visited Jacobs Well.

I think the youth loved it as much as I did? The well is fed by the Trinity Aquifer,

which pushes up water and it spills it into nearby Cypress Creek. Locals and visitors

have been swimming in this spot for hundreds of years. The well is about 42 feet deep

& has caves that go even deeper…it is super cold, but feels amazing in the heat of a

Texas day (especially when your grungy & hot)! We fell in love with Ms. Cruz on our

first job & needless to say, she was very patient with us. After we did all that we could

at her house—we moved on to the next one. Much was accomplished in 4 days and

the carpenters were delighted and grateful for the help our students gave. We did all of

the traditional activities, swimming in the river across from the campus, attending the

Methodist Church, checking out downtown San Marcos, floating the river, and on our

last day we head to Schlitterbahn Waterpark. No wonder I’m still trying to catch up on

some sleep!! Thank you all once again for supporting our trips that changes the lives of

many!

We are blessed to be able to go out & serve in the name of our Heavenly Father.

Grace and Mercy,

FUMCYOUTH, Ashlyn Woods, & Cindy

2018 Confirmations

RainbowconnectionOur school age class has had a busy June as well. They have gone to the movies and Mt. Pleasant splash pad on Wednesdays, the Summer Reading Program at the library on Tuesdays, and even a puppet show hosted by the library. Our younger children have been enjoying water days on Thursdays to help stay

cool while outside.

Rainbow is Getting a Facelift!Rainbow received a $6000 grant from the Harris & Irene St. Claire Endowment and an anonymous do-nation of $2000 for the improvements in Rainbow Daycare Connection and the children they serve.Recently four classrooms received new flooring donated by Lowe’s and installation paid for by Santa’s Sweeties at a cost of $7000. Rainbow has a fresh coat of paint provided by the Harris & Irene St. Claire Endowment and an anonymous donation. Thanks to Santa’s Sweeties & Jackie Carlson for cleaning and organizing classrooms. Finishing touches yet to come.

Come by and check out Rainbow’s new look!

Come by the FUMC office and we’ll get you set up for

automatic transfers from your bank. You decide what day

and how much.

It’s easy!!

Finance Counters

Administrative Meetings

Finance UpdateJune Opening Balance $ 45,636.83Income thru June 30 $ 27,488.83Expenses thru June 30 $ 54,534.22June 30 Closing Balance $ 18,591.44

Church EmailsIf you want to be on the church email list, please contact us at

office@fumcmv.org.

Rainbow Board MeetingMonday, July 9 @ 5:15 pm

Trustees MeetingMonday, July 9 @ 6:00 pm

Church CouncilTuesday, July 10 @ 6:00 pm

Finance MeetingMonday, July 16 @ 6:30 pm

July 1 Randall Byrd Stan Silva 8 Linda Barnhart Nancy Craig15 James King Steve Wright22 Mike Fisk Gail Reed29 Nancy Craig Linda Moore

Altar FlowersThe First Sunday of each month altar flowers are provided by Flowerland and given by the Charles Bruce Flower Fund.If you would like to provide altar flowers on any other Sunday, in honor or in memory of, sign up at the info center. You may contact Flowerland (903-537-3755 or 903-588-4881), or you may bring an arrangement from another florist, or create an arrangement yourself on the special day you signed up for on the calendar.The office would like to recognize this special occasion and ask that you make arrangements 2 weeks prior to that special day.

Coleman Johnston July 01Judd Scott July 01Robert Robinson July 01Brooke Baze July 01Sue Whiteley July 02Johnny Kirby July 03Julie Grant July 03Justin Pamplin July 05Pat Wright July 06Charles Winfield July 08Charles Stanley July 08Hal Gibson July 09Victoria Fletcher July 09Kathy Byrd July 09Johnny Newsom July 10Daniel Hicks July 13Destiny Barron July 13Barbara Hunt July 15Ken McDonald July 15Billy Jordan July 16Emmi Patrick July 16Katherine Jordan July 16Lawson Powell July 17Maitland Rutledge July 19Judy Kirby July 20Linda Moore July 20Mary Beadles July 21Lillian Johnston July 21M. Lorraine Deaner July 22Connie McGill July 23Carolyn Hammonds July 25Larry Casey July 26Joy Stone July 26Garrett Greenberg July 27Alyssa Auringer July 28Randy Olson July 29Betty Lightfoot July 30Emmersyn Reed July 30Veronica Jordan July 31

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 148:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 4:00pm Youth

5:15pm Rainbow Board Meeting 6:00pm Trustees Mtg

8:30am Believers in Grace 2:00pm Prayer Shawl 6:00pm Church Council Mtg

8:30am Mowing Team Breakfast

15 16 17 18 19 20 218:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 4:00pm Youth

6:30pm Finance Mtg

4:00pm Stephen Ministry

22 23 24 25 26 27 288:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 4:00pm Youth

2:00pm Prayer Shawl

29 30 31

Thursday Friday Saturday

July 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

8:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 4:00pm Youth

FUMC and Rainbow Connection Closed

5:00pm Youth

5:00pm Youth

5:00pm Youth

8:30am Worship Service 9:30am Refreshments 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 12:00pm Today's Christians Luncheon 4:00pm Youth

Senior High Bridgeport : July 2nd - July 6th

Lunches of Love

Lunches of Love

Jr. High Bridgeport : July 16th - July 20th

Lunches of Love

Vacation Bible Camp : July 23rd - July 26th

Lunches of Love

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage PaidPermit #30

Mt. Vernon, TX

First United Methodist ChurchHwy. 37 North of I-30PO Box 659Mt. Vernon, Tx 75457

Lunches of Love 2018July 9 - August 8Monday - Friday

11:45 am - 1:00 pm

Lunches of Love is a summer lunch and activity program for children and youth at Mt. Vernon who receive free and re-duced lunches during the school year. They will come to the Family Life center five days a week for 5 weeks.If you have any questions, contact:

Susan Sample @ 903-860-7079.