The Voice Feb. 2015

P.O. Box 116

Lexington, Texas 78947

Address service requested

Lexington & Blue United Methodist Churches

Lexington UMC

508 North Rockdale

Blue UMC

4184 West Highway 696

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Lexington, TX

78947

Permit No. 6

The Voice

Church Office: 979-773-2728

Church E-mail OUR EMAIL HAS

CHANGED:

lexingtonunitedmethodistchurch@

outlook.com

Pastor Phone & E-mail:

979-773-2732 (parsonage)

832-594-8933 (cell)

[email protected]

Website: lexingtonumc.org

Ash Wednesday:

February 18th 7 p.m. at LUMC

Palm / Passion Sunday:

March 29th BUMC 9 a.m./LUMC 11 a.m.

Maundy Thursday:

April 2nd 7 p.m. at BUMC

Good Friday:

April 3rd 7 p.m. at LUMC

Easter Sunday:

April 5th

The Square (Sunrise Service) 7 a.m.

BUMC 9 a.m./LUMC 11 a.m.

L E N T E N & E A S T E R S E RV I C E S

Lexington & Blue United Methodis t Churches

Volume 15 , Issue 2

February 2015

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

United Methodist Women

2

Blue UMC 3

Youth & Children Ministries

4 & 5

Financial Report 10

Calendar of Events 11

The Voice A W O R D F R O M T H E P A S T O R

Get Connected at LUMC on

Sunday Morning

Sunday School

9:45-10:45 a.m.

Journey Class for Adults

Meet in the Church Library with teacher Cinda Lewis

Men’s Gathering

Meet in the Fellowship Hall with teacher John Gibbs

Coffee House

10:45 a.m.

LUMC Fellowship Hall enjoy complimentary coffee & pastries

Dear Church Family,

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any

wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24

The beginning of the year is often seen as a time of evaluation. We are not too far past the

season for New Year’s resolutions; a time to evaluate where we fall short in life so that we can

resolve to make changes and become better people. Often these evaluations focus upon health,

finances, family life, and social issues. In The United Methodist Church we just finished up our

Report Day season; a time when we evaluate everything that happened at the local church during

the previous year so that we can see where the church has been, where it is presently, and where

it might be going in the future. For the Report Day evaluations we look at things like membership

numbers, attendance statistics, and the financial health of the congregation. A few weeks ago I

also had an annual evaluation with our District Superintendent, Rev. Wanda Bess, and we

reviewed my effectiveness as a pastor. The focus was upon what is working for me, what is not,

what can be done better, what should stay the same, and what the future might look like for me

and for our congregations. In case you were wondering…it looks like things are going fairly well

right now.

Evaluations are just one of those things that happen in life. Whether we realize it or not, we are

always evaluating our family lives, our work lives, and our social lives, among other things. We

worry about our children (and perhaps grandchildren) and we wonder what their futures will

hold. We look at where we are in our careers (or possibly in our time of retirement) to try and

figure out how well we are doing and whether or not we can improve. Hopefully, we also spend at

least a little time evaluating our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ to see where we are on the path

of discipleship, where we have been, and where we might be headed.

You see, this time of year is the perfect time to spend evaluating ourselves as Christians. A major

part of our regular routine as disciples should be a period of self-examination. I actually use a 30-

day devotional book which ends each month with a time of self-evaluation where I am called to

identify where God has been working in my life and where I have been actively engaged with God

and God’s creation. This is also the emphasis of the Lenten Season, which we will enter into on

Ash Wednesday on February 18th. Lent is a forty-day period of self-examination as we move

toward the cross of Jesus, which focuses upon repentance, fasting, and preparation for the

coming of Easter. We are to ask the Holy Spirit to move through us and to shine light on those

places in our lives where we have been lacking as disciples. And then we are called to be honest

with ourselves and to come to grips with that which holds us back from having a healthy

relationship with God. The glorious thing, then, is that we can repent and seek forgiveness and

then receive God’s grace, mercy, and never-ending love.

I realize that none of this is easy. I would be lying to you if I said that it is something that I enjoy as

a Christian. But the reality is that it is a necessary part of the life of every disciple if we are to

continue moving forward in our walk with Christ. I invite you to spend some time in prayer,

perhaps reciting the Psalm that I have listed at the top of this page, and if you have any further

questions about this time of evaluation, then know that your pastor is available.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways,

Pastor Michael

LEXINGTON & BLUE

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN "Welcomed by God, welcoming all"

Volume 15 , Issue 2

UPCOMING UMW EVENTS

Come and join us for fun & fellowship!

February 5-Crochet Group 7-Officer Training A&M UMC, College Station 15-UMW Sunday 17-UMW General Meeting 18-Ash Wednesday March 5-Crochet Group 6-World Day of Prayer (FBC) 29-Palm Sunday

A group of women meet every first Thursday to crochet, visit and lift

up the needs of those in our community. Blankets are presented to

all babies baptized in Lexington and Blue United Methodist

Churches, and prayer shawls are given to those in need. Bring your

current crochet, knitting or other hand work project and be a part of

this group.

CROCHET CIRCLE

Romans 12:13, "Share with God's people who are in need.

Practice hospitality."

Membership

All women of Lexington

and Blue are invited to

become members of UMW,

and anyone interested in

the needs of our children is

invited to come for this

meeting. Bring a friend!

UMW COLLECTION

We are always collecting the

following items:

Used eye glasses

Pull tabs

Used batteries

Collection bins are located on the

UMW table in the Fellowship Hall

Please join us Tuesday, Feb. 17th at 2 p.m. as we hear from Mrs. Kathy

Boettcher, Counselor for Lexington Elementary School as she talks about

her group, Peacekeepers. The presentation will be followed with a brief

business meeting, refreshments and fellowship. This is a great

opportunity for everyone to bring a friend!

J A N UA RY ’ S G E N E R A L ME E T I N G : “ W E L C O M E D B Y G O D , W E L C O M I N G A L L ”

T H I S M O N T H ’ S P RO G R A M : “ N U R T U R I N G A C U LT U R E O F W E L C O M E ”

The ladies of United Methodist Women spent an afternoon learning about

the Bastrop Family Crisis Center. The Center offers various services for

families in need. At January’s meeting, the group heard from their

prevention group who works in the schools to help prevent behaviors such

as bullying and dating / relationship violence. UMW also learned of the

critical needs of the center including donations to their Thrift Store which

helps provide needs for those leaving dangerous situations. If you would

like to donate to the Center, please contact the church office for more

information.

The Voice Page 11

All Funds Balance as of 12/28/2014

General Fund $24,946.78

Early Chapel CD $18,000

RTSB CD #1 $40,760.82

RTSB CD #2 $10,150.08

RTSB CD #3 $5,037.15

RTSB CD #4 $10,074.96

DESIGNATED FUNDS in GENERAL:

Early Chapel Cemetery Fund $1,440.97

Journey Sunday School $239.66

Memorial Fund $2,230.03

Methodist Men $233.91

Quintet $1,309.34

Backpack Buddies $9,909.56

The Voice Page 10

L E X I N G T O N A D M I N I S T R AT I V E C O U N C I L T R E A S U R E R ’ S R E P O R T

Minimum amount needed:

$14,932.17/month & $3,445.88/week

2015 District Apportionment - Paid in Full

2015 Conference Apportionments - Paid in Full

Yes, the 2015 Apportionments are PAID IN FULL

St. Stephen’s Fund - As of 1/25/15

$611.42

Money for this fund is given by placing it on the

communion rail during communion or by giving a check in the offering plate and putting “St. Stephen’s Fund” in the memo.

Offering Worship Sunday School

Date: Attendance Attendance

(All Classes)

January 4 $5,407 85 21

11 $2,209.99 67 -

18 $2,582 95 19

25 $2,396.88 63 21

Annual Church Budget for 2015 $179,186.00

Offerings thru 1/25/15 $12,440.87

Remaining amount to raise in 2015 $166,745.13

Pastor Michael Peschke &

Stephanie Kellenberger

Editors of The Voice

Newsletter deadline for

March edition is

February 18

Articles are always needed. Please submit yours to

Pastor Michael or Stephanie.

OUR E-MAIL HAS CHANGED!

[email protected]

Church Office Hours Monday to Thursday

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Voice

BLUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

UPCOMING BLUE EVENTS

Sunday Mornings

9 a.m. Worship

10:15 a.m. Sunday School

Wednesday Mornings

11 a.m. Prayer Group

FEBRUARY

3-NWLC 4H

9-Texas Stars

10-BVFD

18-Ash Wednesday

24-TEEA

February Birthdays

8-Elizabeth Gonzales

15-Alan Turner

16-Gail Biehle

17-Nancy Turner

20-Lane Turner

Blue UMC St. Stephen’s Fund - As of January 25

$343.11

Blue UMC Worship Attendance

January 4 24

11 26

18 35

25 34

Save the Dates:

Children’s Valentine’s Party

February 13th at 6:30 p.m.

Adult Valentine’s Dinner

February 14th at BUMC

Ash Wednesday:

February 18th 7 p.m. at LUMC

Palm / Passion Sunday:

March 29th BUMC 9 a.m.

Maundy Thursday:

April 2nd 7 p.m. at BUMC

Good Friday:

April 3rd 7 p.m. at LUMC

Easter Sunday:

April 5th BUMC 9 a.m.

Flashback

to

Valentine

Card

Making in

2012

L E N T E N & E A S T E R S E RV I C E S

YO U TH & JHYF PRO GR AM S

Volume 15 , Issue 2

“Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Summer will be here before we know it. The Lexington UMC Youth have the opportunity to go to three

camps this summer: U.M. ARMY, District Summer Camp, and Big House. Here is some information on

these camps.

U. M. ARMY (July 12-18) – United Methodist Action Reach-Out Mission by Youth (UM ARMY) began in 1979 with a

single work camp in Athens, Texas, where youth groups from several Houston churches gathered to provide

home repair assistance to people in need.

Today this organization has grown to more than 40 work camps throughout East and Southeast Texas with over

3,500 senior high youth and adult volunteers annually. Our mission is two-fold; serving people in need, and

providing young people an opportunity to mature in their faith-walk and life skills through Christian service.

Our mission is accomplished every summer when thousands of youth and adult volunteers sacrifice a week of

their vacation to join God’s ARMY. Using a local Methodist church as a base camp where they sleep on the floor

and eat ARMY food, participants spend the week providing free home repairs for low-income, elderly, and

disabled homeowners in the surrounding area.

District Summer Camp (June 22-26)—Each summer, children and youth from throughout North America visit

Lakeview for a unique Christian camp experience in the Texas Piney Woods. Our camps provide young people

and teens with the opportunity to get closer to God through worship, education, activities, and involvement with

others seeking the same goal.

Lakeview provides a safe and welcoming environment for campers to enjoy nature and to further themselves as

good people through activities such as the David Barber Challenge Course, gospel teachings and interaction with

others.

While camp is a learning experience, it is also a fun one. Campers (completed 3rd grade through high school)

can bask in the serenity of our 1,300 acre property or take part in individual and team recreational activities

including: Boating and Kayaking, Fishing, Hiking, Basketball/Softball/Baseball/Soccer, Beach Volleyball,

Swimming and Water Slide, Archery, Challenge Course, Gaga Pits

BIG HOUSE (July 29—August 2)is an acronym which stands for Believing in God, Helping Others Understand

through Service Everywhere. Our mission is "To prepare youth and adults to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ,

by providing opportunity to be in mission to churches in need everywhere."

We want to give opportunity for youth to come together and grow in their Christian experience, through all aspects

of our mission trip, whether it be on the work site, or in fellowship with one another. Camps include participants

who have completed the 6th through the 8th grade from all over Texas. These youth come together with the help

of adults to work on churches and homes of those who are in need, and are unable to do the work themselves.

At BIG HOUSE, the students and adults come together on Thursday, meet their teams and begin planning work on

their selected site. It could be a home they are painting, or a church they are cleaning and repairing, or perhaps

it's working in a church food pantry. The work sites are varied and endless. In the evenings everyone will relax

after a wonderful dinner at the evening activities. You might be swimming or playing messy games regardless,

there is fun to be had by everyone. The camp wraps on Sunday morning with worship at the host church.

BIG HOUSE is a very busy and spiritually fulfilling 4 days for these junior high students. Please plan to join us in

service to others this summer!

Page 9 Volume 15 , Issue 2

Family Life Center Update

In December and January the New Building Committee spent some time with the

congregation to present an update on the progress of the Family Life Center and to

gauge the opinion of the congregation on whether or not we should proceed. We

are happy to report that more than 94% of the congregation agreed that we should

move forward with trying to construct our new building. The Committee has also

spent quite a bit of time over the last several months meeting with general

contractors to try and determine how much this building will cost and who we will

use to do the actual construction. After much deliberation we have chosen Rhodes Building Systems to be our

contractor. Over the next few months the Committee will meet with Rhodes to work on the details and

specifications of the Family Life Center so that we can finalize the plans and the cost for the building. We will also

be meeting with a Methodist-affiliated organization that will help us with the financing of this project. The plan is to

then present our proposed project in the latter part of spring to the committee in the West District which approves

all construction project like this one. Afterward we will present it to our congregation for a final vote on whether or

not to go forward with construction. If you have any questions or comments, please contact the pastor or the chair

of the New Building Committee, Chuck Moore. Thank you.

2015 LUMC C O M M I T T E E M E M B E R S

Administrative Council

Rebecca French (Chair), Mike Organ (Vice Chair), Andrew Woodward, Chuck Moore, Willis Brewer, Nancy Organ, Robert

Ahrendt, Debbie Nuckols, Mary Beth Gibson, Stephanie Kellenberger, John Gibbs, Sarah Hallum, Jan Lynn, Krista Townsend

Lay Leadership Committee

Michael Peschke (Chair), Wanda Townsend, Jan Lynn, Chuck Moore, Dana Brewer, Andy Woodward, Terrie Smith

Staff Parish Relations Committee

Nancy Thomas, Cindy Jackson, Pat Rao, Stacy Stover, Chester Smith, Cinda Lewis

Finance Committee

Willis Brewer (Chair), Rebecca, Chuck Moore, Pastor Michael Peschke, Barry Lynn, Andrew Woodward, Nancy Organ

Board of Trustees

Chuck Moore (Chair), Cindy Herklotz, Tate Townsend, John Gibbs, Candy Biehle, Elaine Gibbs, Rob Kellenberger, Robert

Ahrendt, Rebecca French

Memorials

Sarah Hallum, Jeannine Brewer, Janie Ahrendt, Priscilla Brister, Nancy Organ

Thank you for serving!

Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and en-

large my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from

harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Volume 15 , Issue 2

With Deepest Gratitude

LUMC family,

Thank you for your dedication to Lexington

Backpack Buddies. Because of you, we are able to

feed the youngest and most vulnerable in our

community.

~The Backpack Buddies Group

... I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did.

Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

2 Timothy 1:3

Thank you to everyone helping with Enchilada

Lunch. We appreciate it!

~Janie & Jeannine

Our Angel Tree ministry was again successful during December in delivering gifts to twenty-four children

from their incarcerated parents. Many of the children attended our annual Angel Tree Christmas party

where food, fun, and crafts made for a joyful party. Many thanks to all the volunteers for contacting

families, delivering gifts, bringing children to the party, setting up the crafts and art, food, drinks,

decorations, etc. Pastor Michael told the Christmas story and we all enjoyed that. Our

ministry team will stay in contact with the children via cards and letters during the

year. For those old enough, we will offer scholarships to attend Lakeview with our

youth. If you are called to help in this wonderful ministry during the year or at next

Christmas, please contact John Gibbs.

F R O M O U R C O M M U N I T Y

Missionaries of Hope Festival

Father Joseph Nisari of Holy Catholic Family will be going to Pakistan to spread the Gospel. This is a fundraiser to help

him on his journey:

The Missionaries of Hope Festival will be held at Holy Family Parish Activity Center in Lexington on Saturday, February

15th, 2015, from noon until 4 p.m. The family-oriented event will feature a fried chicken/BBQ lunch, with traditional

Pakistani side dishes and dessert.

Tickets are $9 for adults, and $4 for

children, and are available at the door.

There will also be entertainment, a Silent

Auction and a Bazaar – filled with exotic

Pakistani crafts, jewelry and clothing.

Mark your calendars now – and plan to

attend this fun-filled family event and

help a worthy cause at the same time.

The Voice

M E T H O D I S T C H I L D R E N P R O G R A M S

M&Ms

Dates to remember:

Spring Break: March 18

Last M&M’s: April 22

For Children age 3 through 5th grade

Sunday School teachers include Ms. Jan Alexander, Mrs. Jan Lynn, Mrs. Jennifer Marek,

Mrs. Trudy Doerfler and Mrs. Belinda Robertson.

The children's Sunday school began a new lesson series on September 1st. The new series

is Grow, Proclaim, Serve. Children will hear the Bible story, apply the Bible message and

then live out the message in their lives.

Each session is divided into three sections. The 1st section is a large group where the

children will meet in Room 2. Children will be introduced to a Bible story and Bible verse.

Then the children will be divided into two age groups. One group will explore the lesson deeper and do a craft

activity and the other age group will have a snack, play games related to the Bible story and practice Bible

verses. Then the two groups switch.

It’s time to order Vacation Bible School

materials. Please join me and take the perfect

opportunity to learn about multiple VBS

programs all at one time! I need help on

February 28th at 10 a.m. in Austin. Please call

me at 773-4277. I would love to take the

church van filled with VBS volunteers. Have a

happy Valentine’s Day!

Jan Alexander, Co-Chair Vacation Bible School

If you are interested in helping out or would like to register a child for this semester,

please let the office know.

Thank you!

Save the Date for Vacation Bible School

July 6—10, 2015

Volume 15 , Issue 2

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for

one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,

you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

A note on membership in the church Maybe you have visited with our

congregation a few times and you have

wondered what it would be like to be a

member. Or perhaps you have been

“visiting” for a few years now and are

thinking about making that plunge into

membership. No matter what your

situation might be, the most important

thing about membership is making a

commitment to all the other people who

are part of this congregation. Members

make the commitment to be there for

each other; to help each other grow in

love of God and love for God’s world. If

you are considering making that

commitment then please contact me to

learn more about membership in our

congregation.

Thank You,

Rev. Michael Peschke

Blue & Lexington United Methodist

Church

(979) 773-2728

2-Sunny Adams

4-Leanna Owens

6-Tripp Kellenberger

6-Stacey Stover

7-Rhyder Taizan

7-Dorothy Ann Spence

8-Terry Moore

9-Kenn Miller

9-Tanner Retzlaff

13-Ricky Braly

15-Ellie Doerfler

16-Garrett Gerdes

16-Jennifer Marek

23-John Johnson

23-Sue Kelley

25-Chase Ahrendt

25-Connie Ward

28-Janie Johnson

F E B R U A R Y B I R T H D A Y S

Lexington Backpack Buddies Update God truly has a hand in this program. Our funding continues to come

in and support for the program is growing! The second Soup & Bread

lunch of the year was at St. James Lutheran Church and it turned out

great. So many people from the community came together to help

bake bread, make soup, desserts and salads. We had a wonderful

turnout—about 100 people which is awesome for our Monday lunch

fundraiser.

Our monthly “feed the teachers” have been successful. Individuals

and / or groups in the community cater a lunch for the elementary

school teachers on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for $5. All

proceeds go to Backpack Buddies. So far, we have raised over $500!

If you would like to participate, please let the office know.

This year, we plan to begin a program to help end the cycle of poverty.

We have begun communication with Texas Workforce Commission

who is eager to work with us. More details to follow.

As always, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support!

Save the Date!

Backpack Buddies

Power Hour

Monday, February 2nd

9 a.m.

Lexington UMC

The Voice Page 7

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have

shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

Building Fund

In Memory of …Ronnie Exner

by… Willis & Jeannine Brewer

In Memory of …Hartense Rodgers

by… Willis & Jeannine Brewer

In Memory of …V.L. Thompson

by… Henrietta Thompson

To make a memorial place “memorial“ in the

subject line of your check & drop in the offering plate or by the

A Gift was given to Lexington UMC Memorial Fund

In Memory of …John Ashley

by… Karen Ashley

In Memory of …John Ashley

by… Trail Ride Friends

In Memory of …John Brice


In Memory of …Helen Plant


In Memory of …Mrs. Nicholson


The Voice Feb. 2015

Documents

Transcript of The Voice Feb. 2015