Soul Sisters

Week of December 4, 2006

This Week At College Mound UMC:
Monday - CHURCH NIGHT OUT - 7:00pm at Four Winds Restaurant

Wednesday - Sr. High UMYF - 7:00pm; Wednesday is also "St. Nicholas Day", many

     people exchange Christmas gifts on this day of the year instead of Christmas Day,

     which is focused on as a Holy Day of worship!

Wednesday - Soul Sisters - 6:30pm

Worship at Windsor December 10th - 2:30pm. The residents of Windsor Care Center will be visited by the "Spirits of Christmas Present" this Sunday as the entire cast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will present their play at 2:30pm in the cafeteria. In addition, we'll also hand out some Christmas cards and "gifts" to the residents there!

The Cast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and the Chancel Choir will have a PIZZA PARTY at 4:30pm in the fellowship hall. There will be no other activities that evening as the day will be spent in rehearsals and preparations for our Christmas Play and Choir Concert!!!

The United Methodist Women will host a Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 13th, at 7:00pm in the fellowship hall. They will also supply the refreshments for the evening. In addition to several wonderful "presentations", we will reveal this fall's "Secret Friends"!!! All are welcome to attend!!!

This year's Choir Concert will take place on Saturday, December 16th, at 7:00pm in the sanctuary! This is a great time to invite your friends who attend other churches, as they as usually committed to attend their own performances on Sunday mornings! It's also a great time to just invite others to come and hear the Christmas story presented in the music of the Christmas Season! The choir will also present their special again on Sunday morning, Dec. 17th, at the 11 o'clock service of worship! Please come and support our choir! They've worked really hard to make this a special gift to everyone!!! (And check out the Family Calendar section of KLTY's website - 94.9 - we're listed there along with our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service!)

December 17th will be "A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS" and ALL CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!   The night begins at 6:00pm in the pavilion with this year's special presentation of "A Charlie Brown Christmas"!!! Following the play, there will be a "Visit from St. Nick" and our yearly Christmas Party!!! Please bring your favorite Christmas Party Foods to share with all!!!

JUST ANNOUNCED: "Another Night in December" - the concert, Friday, December 22nd, 7:00pm in the sanctuary! Refreshments will follow in the fellowship hall!!!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion - 9:00pm in the sanctuary!

"Friends of St. Nicholas" - you are invited to help out St. Nicholas as we prepare to make gifts available to others this Christmas who might not otherwise be able to provide them for their children or families. If you'd like to help, please see Sue Hanby or the Pastor. If you know of someone who needs our help, please let them know!!!

PARTY CALENDAR: if your class or group is having a Christmas party or event, let us know so we can put it on the calendar!!! Choir Party - Friday, Dec. 15th, Jr. High UMYF - Sat., Dec. 16th, Sr. High UMYF, Sat., Dec. 16th.

It's a busy time, and we've played around with the dates several times, but here's the latest date we've come up with: OPEN HOUSE AT THE PARSONAGE - MONDAY, DECEMBER 18TH - 5:30-8:00PM!!! EVERYONE IS INVITED!!!!

From Larry, 9/15/06

"IT'S CHRISTMAS TODAY!!!" Well - it's Christmas PLAY PRACTICE and CHOIR PRACTICE today at 4:30pm and at 6:30pm!!! And in between we will have a CHRISTMAS PARTY SNACK SUPPER at 5:30pm in the fellowship hall!!!

We'll begin our play practice for this year's production: "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at 4:30pm in the Sanctuary! EVERYONE IS INVITED TO BE IN THE PLAY!!! We NEED and we WANT "children of any age"!!!

We'll also begin our Choir's practice for their Christmas Musical - so now is the time to come and join your Choir and help them out for this very special time in the life of our church!!! Choir practice will be at 6:30pm (or immediately following the evening vespers service).

We also invite you to bring your favorite CHRISTMAS PARTY FOODS for our snack supper tonight at 5:30pm in the fellowship hall! Use your imagination here and your good taste!!! Dena always liked "sausage balls" - but since she's a vegetarian now, I'll have to make them without "real" sausage!!! You bring whatever is your favorite Christmas Party Food!!!!

Practice will be every Sunday at 4:30pm for our Christmas Play, and at 6:30pm for Choir practice!!! Come and join us!!!

Guess what?!?!?! BOTH VOLLEYBALL TEAMS WON LAST MONDAY NIGHT!!! Team 2 played at the TCA (Terrell Christian Academy) Gym and won in two games! Team 1 played at the 1st Baptist Church Gym and played three pretty hard games to finally come out with a V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!! Ya'll come on out and watch our games!!! Team 2 will play this week at 7:00pm and Team 1 will again play at 8:30pm!!!

Our Tuesday Night Bible Study had last week off due to the E-Terrell event, but we'll be in full swing this Tuesday at 7:00pm in the fellowship hall!!! Come and join us for our study, "Next Door Savior"!!!

The United Methodist Women will have their next meeting this Wednesday, Sept. 20th, at 2:00pm in the fellowship hall!!! Fall is off to a great start and we hope every lady at College Mound who is able will come and make it to the meetings!!!

The Jr. High UMYF will have their next meeting this Wednesday at 6:30-8:00pm in the youth center! We'll talk about a number of things - maybe even sign a "get-well card" for Dakota Brewer, who broke his arm in his football game and had to have surgery this last week!

Soul Sisters will also have their next meeting this Wednesday, Sept. 20th, at 6:30pm!!! YES! WE ARE MEETING! SOUL SISTERS HAS STARTED BACK UP AFTER THE SUMMER BREAK!!! COME AND JOIN US!!!

Don't forget next Sunday afternoon, September 24th, is our FAIR FOOD FESTIVAL!!! Play practice will be from 4:00-4:45pm and we will have our FAIR FOOD FESTIVAL from 5:00-6:00pm!!! Sausage on a stick, turkey legs, popcorn, cotton candy, nachos, fries, and CORN DOGS are all provided for you!!! YOU BRING ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU ASSOCIATE AS FOODS OF THE "STATE FAIR OF TEXAS"!!!!! The King's usually bring Belgian Waffles, some of you have brought Funnel Cakes, others have even had a go at FRIED TWINKIES!!! SURPRISE US!!! Bring your version of the foods of the State Fair of Texas (we will put out the "bowl" for offerings to help with expenses)!!! AND INVITE AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS!!!!!

Also a word about two other special events coming up on Wednesday evenings:
- CANDY APPLE NITE will be on Sept. 27th from 6:00-7:00pm for all children & their parents; and from 7:00-8:00pm for the Youth Department! We will supply everything you need and we'll also watch the Disney cartoon about "Johnny Appleseed"!!!

- BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS service will be on October 4th at 6:00pm in the parking area between the sanctuary and education building. If possible, please have your animals caged, or on a leash, etc. This will be a short, but very "interesting" service after the tradition of St. Francis, but adapted from the Book of Worship of the United Methodist Church! Again, invite and bring your friends AND YOUR FAVORITE ANIMALS!!!!

OCTOBER-FEST!!! Every Sunday in October is a Festival!!!

- We begin with the very meaningful "World Communion Sunday" on October 1st - and don't forget to thank Henri Samuels, who makes a loaf of bread for EVERY CHILD IN THE CHURCH on this special occasion!!!

- The next Sunday, Oct. 8th, is CHILDREN'S SUNDAY, and our entire Children's Department will be in charge of the whole morning service!!! They will also host a lunch for us following the morning service of worship!

- October 15th will be YOUTH SUNDAY at College Mound as our youth will be responsible for the morning service of worship! What a dedicated and committed group of youth we have! You don't want to miss their enthusiasm and energy for worship!!! The Sr. High UMYF will host an all-you-can-eat HAMBURGER LUNCH immediately following the morning service. What a great time to invite and bring others to our church!!!

- LAITY SUNDAY will be October 22nd! I'm surprised to hear many of you ask, "What is LAITY SUNDAY?" In a nutshell - YOU ARE!!! Laity Sunday is that time in the life of the church that we celebrate YOU! The Laity, not the clergy, will be responsible for the morning service and bringing the message of what God has been doing in your lives and in the life of our church!!! Bob Watson, our Lay Leader, will have a number of you involved in different ways with the service of worship that morning!

- And yes, that afternoon will also be special as we will have a HEALTH FAIR immediately following the morning service! Sue Hanby and others are working furiously at this point putting a very interesting afternoon together! There will be blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, lots of brochures and pamphlets to look at for all sorts of health issues. We may even have the "Healing Hearts Ministry" girls here! Afterall, health includes not only physical, but emotional and spiritual issues too! We may even have some HEALTHY EATING going on for lunch that day!!!

- October 29th will be the conclusion of our Sunday School Rally Days. What better time to celebrate our Sunday School than with an ALL SAINTS CELEBRATION!!! And of course, we will also have our FALL FESTIVAL THAT AFTERNOON IN THE PAVILION!!!

- And while we're at it - let's just remind everyone that November 5th will be our service of "Dedication for the Lord's Acre Auction Items"!!!

We could go on and on, the following after that is our "Celebration Sunday" following the auction! The Sunday after that is Thanksgiving Sunday and then we're into the Advent and Christmas Season!!! In other words, every Sunday is a celebration of the presence of Christ in our lives!!! They are all special!!! YOU ARE SPECIAL!!! Please make an effort wherever you go this week to pass that on to someone else!!! INVITE AND BRING SOMEONE TO SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHURCH!!! You might not only help in changing their lives, but CHANGE THE WORLD!!!

Larry

HEY GANG! DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS??? It's time to tell your nominating committee what job(s) you want to do this coming year as leaders of the church!!! The forms will be handed out the next couple of Sundays. Please take the time and effort to look them over and turn them in at the table in the back of the sanctuary!!! This is so important as we begin to look ahead to 2007 and our Church's Leadership!!! And we remind you that our "CHURCH CONFERENCE" will be on Tuesday, November 14th, at 5:00pm in the fellowship hall!!! Please try to be present!!!! All reports should be typed and handed in before that time!!!

Raye Gibson has shared with us the dates and locations for the "Singing Men of Texas". They will be at First Baptist in Wills Point on January 11th at 7:00pm. If you can make it, go and hear this wonderful group singing and sharing their faith - and Wills Point is SO CLOSE!!!

Snack Supper Volunteers Needed: Sunday nights in October!!!! Please sign up today!!!

REMEMBER: SUNDAY SCHOOL MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!!!!! CALL AND INVITE AND BRING SOMEONE TO SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEK!!!!

From Larry, 6/4/06

TONIGHT'S THE N NIGHT!!! THE YOUTH CHOIR FROM ST. STEPHEN'S UMC IN MESQUITE WILL PRESENT "GODSPELL" IN CONCERT!!! The concert will begin at 7:00pm in the pavilion (dress COOL and CASUAL)!!! Chairs are provided - but if you want to bring a "more comfortable chair from home" - FEEL FREE TO DO SO!!!

And don't forget the COOKOUT from 5:30-6:30pm!!! HAMBURGERS, HOT DOGS, FRIES, ONION RINGS - and all the trimmin's: COST - DONATION TO THE COLLEGE MOUND UMYF!!! We will also have drinks, popcorn, and SNOW CONES available during the concert!!!

We are among the first church's who are honored to receive the St. Stephen's Youth Choir as they begin their summer concert tour!!! We will also be receiving a "love offering" to help them out with their ministry of music (please give GENEROUSLY)!!!

ANNUAL CONFERENCE begins Sunday after!!! If anyone would like to attend the sessions of the North Texas Annual Conference in Plano, then please be at the parsonage no later than 7:00am on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday!!! Conference runs until 5:00pm each day, at which time we'll return. This is YOUR conference and it would be worth your while to attend and see how the United Methodist Church conducts it's business and worship!!! The highlight (for some of us) is the reading of the appointments on Wednesday. This usually begins about 10:30am. If you've never been on hand for this part of conference "it's MOVING"!!! Come and join us!!!

The Sr. High UMYF will meet this Wednesday, June 7th, from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Youth Center. Please bring your $50.00 deposits for the Summer Trip WHICH IS JULY 17TH, 18TH, 19TH, AND 20TH TO GALVESTON, TEXAS!!! That is a change from our original plan - but with the change we feel that we can allow more people to attend the event! And don't forget that we have our ONE AND ONLY FUND RAISER OF THE SUMMER on Sunday, June 11th (Fried-chicken dinner)!!! You need to participate - AND BRING A DESSERT!!!

Soul Sisters is scheduled to have their next meeting on Wednesday, June 7th, at 6:30pm in the Jr. High Class in the Education Building. Ya'll come!!!!

The STAGES CLASS will continue to meet in the fellowship hall!!! If you've not been to class yet - COME!!! If you're home from college - there is a COLLEGE CLASS that meets in the education building!!! Both the College Class and the STAGES Class will plan an evening activity SOON!!! COME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL!!!!

Our next opportunity to worship with the residents at Windsor Care Center will be on June 11th at 2:30pm!!!! Come and join us for a great time!!!! They really look forward to and appreciate your presence!!!

Got "flag"??? Remember "Flag Day" is Wednesday, June 14th!!! Fly 'em PROUD!!!

The Youth meeting schedule for the summer is:

June 7th - Sr. High

June 14th - Jr. High

June 21st - Sr. High

June 28th - VBS

July 5th - Jr. High

July 12th - Sr. High

July 19th - Jr. High

July 26th - Sr. High

Aug. 2nd - Jr. High

Aug. 9th - Sr. High

All youth meetings are on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00pm in the Youth Center in the pavilion!!! INVITE AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS!!!!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS APPROACHING FAST!!! This year's theme for VBS is: "FIESTA! WHERE KIDS (and adults) ARE ON FIRE FOR JESUS!" We will begin each evening with a snack supper at 5:30pm and conclude by 8:30pm. There are classes for all age groups - including ADULTS!!! We will also have a nursery for infants and small children (new)!!! Each night promises to hold a surprise for celebrating the gift of LIFE in Jesus Christ!!! So INVITE AND BRING everyone you can!!! For more information, please contact Susie Arredondo or Lisa Carney!!!

Just so you can be getting ready, July 2nd will be a special morning service of worship as we celebrate July 4th!!! Wear your red, white, & blue (wow - there were a lot of you who did that this last Sunday for Memorial Sunday), and come as we celebrate our FREEDOM of worship and our country's "birthday"!!! There will be no evening service due to the 4th of July holiday weekend.

For your information:

Larry's schedule for the summer will be -

June 4th - 7th - Annual Conference in Plano

July 2nd - 11th - Bev & I will be on vacation at South Padre (with Paul & Sylvia)

July 17th - 20th - with Sr. High Trip to Galveston

July 24th - 27th - with Jr. High Trip to San Antonio

Aug. 17th - 20th - anniversary weekend with Beverly to Salado

You can always call the cell phone (214-384-4665) or call the parsonage and leave a message - Dena will be there to forward them or give them to us when we check in.

"GOOD GRIEF, CHARLIE BROWN!" We're all familiar with those words from Charles Schultz's loveable characters. And we're also familiar with the "loveable Charlie Brown"! But a reminder: he's loved by US - not by the rest of his fellow characters! He always seems to be left out. Even when he does receive an INVITATION to a party or event, someone's there to remind him that "IT WAS PROBABLY A MISTAKE!"

I wonder how many people are "OUT THERE" who identify with Charlie Brown - they never are invited to much, if anything in their lives. They are just so "ordinary" that they disappear into their surroundings and are never noticed, never given any attention, and are never included in OUR LIVES!!!

Well - LEARN A LESSON!!! What did God do??? He included us in GOD'S LIFE by coming to us and living WITH US!!! God didn't wait for us to come to Him - HE CAME TO US!!! Maybe we shouldn't wait for people to COME TO CHURCH - we are the Church that GOES OUT TO THE PEOPLE!!!

LEARN ANOTHER LESSON - when Jesus was calling the disciples (followers), He used the INVITE AND BRING method!!! Again - He didn't wait for them to come to him, he went to them, and invited them to COME AND SEE, to COME AND BE A PART!!!

Let's continue to be individuals, a fellowship, a church that goes OUT to the world and INVITES AND BRINGS other!!! After all, we have a good example of that in the God who has come to us time and time again!!!

And let's be INTENTIONAL ABOUT IT!!! We don't want anyone to feel left out! And we certainly don't want them to think the invitation "was a mistake"!!!

INVITE AND BRING!!!

Larry

From Larry 2/28/06

If you'd really like some great exercise and learn how to do a few dance moves, then mark down Thursday nights in March at 7:00pm to come and learn how to dance!!! We'll meet at 1st Christian Church and Scott and Charlotte Gilmore will be our instructors. There will be a small fee - but it's well worth it!!! And it will be good practice to get you in shape for our SPRING FLING ON APRIL 1ST IN THE PAVILION!!! We'd also love to have pictures of YOU in the 1950's!!! They will be scanned and put on disc and we'll be showing those during the dance that night!!! We'd also like to know your favorite songs of the 1950's - so please write them down and give to Vickie Reed, Larry, or Brenda Gonzalez! What was your favorite food during the 1950's??? We'd also like to know that so we can add it to the menu for our 50's Diner we'll have during the dance. Cost for the dance & diner is a donation to the youth department!!! We'd also like you to be inviting as many of your friends as possible to the dance!!! It will take place from 7:00-10:00pm in the pavilion! And if you have old records that you don't need or want, please donate them to the youth department and we'll be using them for decorations! Oh, and please dress appropriately - whatever that means - for a 50's dance!!! We'll have prizes for the "best dressed" in the 50's theme!!!

Soul Sisters continue their study of "Bad Girls of the Bible" on Wednesday, March 8th and 22nd, at 6:30pm in the Jr. High Classroom of the Education Building. It's a great study!!! Come and join in!!!

Mark it down on your calendar - APRIL 8TH - MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD AND FISH FRY!!! More information will be forthcoming!!!

From Larry, 2/22/06

Don't forget that the Jr. High UMYF will meet tonight from 6:30-8:30pm and help with refreshments for the AIM FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM which begins at 7:00pm in the fellowship hall.

The Aim for Success program is for ALL ADULTS who would like to attend and Sr. High Youth and their guests (but your guest needs their parents to be there)!!! It will last from 7:00pm - 8:00pm, and then the final thirty minutes will be for adults only from 8:00-8:30pm. It's during that time that the Jr. High will help with refreshments!!!

Jr. High UMYF will meet with Brenda and you'll also be talking more about our summer events and trip!!! You are supposed to bring any dates that you already have committed during the summer months to help us plan a time that we can all be available for this trip!!!

We also have our MARDI GRAS PARTY & PARADE & LUNCH this Sunday right after church - so dress up in purple, green, and gold!!! WEAR A MASK!!! Bring a wagon, bike, trike, etc. to use as a "float" for the parade!!! Or just make a poster - tack it to a pole or stick - and wave it in the air as we have our parade!!! HAVE FUN!!!

We will need EVERYONE ON HAND (youth & parents) for our FAT TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER next week!!! GET HERE AS SOON AS YOU CAN AFTER SCHOOL IS OUT!!! The supper is from 5:30-7:30pm...and this is a fund raiser for the youth department!!!

Ash Wednesday services will be the next night at 7:00pm in the sanctuary.

WE NEED A FEW GOOD VOLUNTEERS for Saturday's OPEN HOUSE AT THE NESLERS!!!! Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm (or we can do this with several people in shifts)!!! We really need the most help from 11am - 1:00pm for the lunch. Max & Sue would like us to help serve the drinks. So let me know if you can help!!! We DO need your help!!!

The YOUTH DEPT. will also be in charge of the ST. "PATTIES" DAY hamburger lunch on Sunday, March 19th (and it will also be KITE DAY following - so bring your kite)!!! Some of you may or may not be back from Spring Break - but we'll need everyone that can to be on hand to help. Again, this is a good chance to help with our fund raising efforts! With two groups and two trips, we need to do as good a job on these events as possible!!!

Do you have any ideas for our SPRING FLING on April 1st??? This is the 50's Dance and "diner" on the Saturday of the time change (spring ahead). It will be in the Pavilion. Do you have a karaoke team that wants to do one of the 50's songs??? Ideas for decorations??? Menu??? Anybody wanta wear roller skates to serve hamburgers and fries??? Think about it!!!

See ya'll tonight!!!

Larry

From Larry, 2/16/06

The Soul Sisters will be looking again at those "Bad Girls of the Bible" this Wednesday at 6:30pm. They are in much "cozier" digs as they are meeting in the Jr. High classroom in the Education Building.

From Larry, 2/11/06

The Men's Group AND THEIR GUESTS will meet this Wednesday, Feb. 15th, at 7:00pm at the Country Kitchen for our first meeting!!! We will have a special guest speaker, Allan Tracy, who will be with us. Allan does a lot of mission work, and is getting ready for a trip to Ghana in the very near future! Come and join us!!!

And the MARDI GRAS LUNCH AND PARADE will be the next Sunday, Feb. 26th, immediately following the morning service of worship. It will take place in the pavilion! There will be lots of "CAJUN" food, music, and our PARADE - complete with tossing the beads, coins, and maybe other "trinkets" of interest!!! The children's department is the sponsor for this event, and they would appreciate any donations to help with their expenses! For more information please contact Susie Arredondo or Lisa Carney!!! AND PLEASE INVITE SOMEONE!!!

The next meeting of the UMW and Soul Sisters will take place on Wednesday, February 22nd. The UMW meets at 2:00pm in the fellowship hall. Soul Sisters will meet at 6:30pm in the Jr. High Class room (it's "cozy")!!!

AIM FOR SUCCESS SEMINAR, a course on sexual abstinence education, will take place from 7:00-8:30pm on Wednesday, February 22nd, in the fellowship hall. This is for all youth who are in Sr. High (grades 9-12) and their parents. You must have a parent with you in order to attend this event. ALL PARENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND!!! The session will last until 8:00pm at which time the youth will leave for refreshments while the parents have a closing thirty minute session with the leaders. This seminar is open to all Sr. High High Youth and All Parents, not just those who attend College Mound UMC. Please invite and bring them to this meeting!!!

OPEN HOUSE AT THE NESLER HOME will take place on Saturday, February 25th!!! Lunch and refreshments will be provided!!! Mark down this important date of renewal and celebration!!!

FAT TUESDAY ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT PANCAKE SUPPER IS COMING on February 28th from 5:30-7:30pm!!! Fat Tuesday or "Shrove Tuesday" marks the last date before we begin the solemn season of Lent with "Ash Wednesday" Services the next night at 7:00pm in the sanctuary with the imposition of ashes. Shrove Tuesday comes from the word "Shrive," which means to confess. It was a day of confession before the Lenten Season began. It also used up different foods in the home that were forbidden during Lent, and one of the best ways to do this was through making pancakes. The word "Mardi Gras" is French for "grease" or "Fat Tuesday" - and many people saw the day as a last chance to "indulge" themselves before the season of Lent, at which time many people "gave up" something.

Many people still have "pancake races", begun when they ring the Shriving Bell, or Pancake Bell, which was used to call people to confession. The first one to reach the church with their hot skillet and pancake, flipped at least three times, received a new prayer book and a kiss from the pastor (we'll not do that one)!!! So invite your friends and family to College Mound's version of FAT TUESDAY from 5:30-7:30pm on Feb. 28th!!! The Youth Department will be our hosts and would appreciate a donation to the youth fund for this event. Who knows - we may even have our own "PANCAKE RACES" that night!!!

JUST A REMINDER: VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - JUNE 25TH - 30TH!!! MARK IT DOWN!!!

From Larry, 2/2/06

The Soul Sisters, under Sue Hanby's leadership, have begun a new study, "The Bad Girls of the Bible". Come and join them at 6:30pm in the fellowship hall!!!

From Larry, 1/28/06

5th - SOUPer Bowl Sunday (Soup luncheon at 12noon - take out available): Also collecting

         items for food drive!!! No evening activities

8th - UMW - 2:00pm in fellowship hall

        Soul Sisters - 6:30pm in fellowship hall (Bad Girls of the Bible)

        Jr. & Sr. High Youth - 6:30pm (NOTE TIME CHANGE!) in the Youth Center

11th - Lovelady - Parade and Cookoff

          Jazz Ball in Terrell

12th - Worship at Windsor - 2:30pm (Valentine's)

22nd - UMW - 2:00pm - fellowship hall

            Soul Sisters - 6:30pm

            Jr. High UMYF - 6:30pm

            AIM FOR SUCCESS - Sr. High Youth & Parents, Parents only of Jr. High Youth -

            7:00-8:30pm - fellowship hall

26th - MARDIS GRAS LUNCH & PARADE - noon - in the Pavilion

27th - Monday Sunday School - 10:00am - Colonial Lodge

          Volleyball Games - Teams 1 & 2 at 8:30pm

28th - FAT TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER - 5:30-7:30pm - fellowship hall

March 1st - ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES - 7:00pm - Sanctuary

From Donna Reynolds, 11/2/05

I hope this finds everyone doing well today. I wanted to let you know that I may not be able to make the meeting, Soul Sisters or Auction on Thursday evening. I have to go to Dallas to have X-Rays done on my Right Foot again. It doesn't seem to be getting any better and the Doctor is concerned that I may have a Stress Fracture and not just Arthritis and a damaged nerve. I keep praying to have the strength to get through this, because after almost another year of shots monthly in my foot it gets kindof hard to stay positive. At least it is not life threatening. Thank God. See it's not so bad...it could be worse. On a more positive note...I had a wonderful time Sunday evening at the Fall Festival. Thank you Sue for my Gingerbread Man...it still looked great on Monday for my office Halloween Dress up. Well...I guess I better go for now and get some work done. Have a Great Day!!!

God Bless all of you!!!!!!!!

Donna

From Larry, 11/4/05

This will be our last regular season volleyball play this Monday before our Tournament begins the following Monday! Come on out and cheer our teams on to V I C T O R Y!!!

There will be no Bible Study this Tuesday in order that we might have this time to set up for the Lord's Acre Auction!!! We will only have two more sessions left - Nov. 15th & 29th - before our break until we begin our Lenten Study in February!!!

We will have worship at Windsor this Sunday at 2:30pm and celebrate "Thanksgiving" with them in song and message!!!! There will be no other evening services (rest up after a well-earned Lord's Acre Auction), so come on out and worship with the residents at Windsor Care Center - including our own Hollis Hindman, Lorena Marshall, and Thelma Harmotta!!!

Speaking of "Thanksgiving & Celebration," we will have our "CELEBRATION SERVICE" in the pavilion next Sunday, November 13th!!! We will also celebration "The Lord's Supper" at this time. Don't forget to come to Sunday School, too!!! It DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

The next meetings of the UMW and Soul Sisters will take place on Wednesday, November 16th. The UMW will meet at 2:00pm and the Soul Sisters at 6:30pm in the fellowship hall of the church! Come on, ladies - and have a great time of fellowship and study in the Lord!!!

The next scheduled BLOOD DRIVE will be on Sunday, November 27th, during the morning and afternoon hours!!! Please do your best to give the gift of life!!!

Yes, it's coming before you know it!!! November 27th will be the first Sunday in Advent!!! Each class should think about decorating their door for the Christmas holiday!!! Make it interesting and tell a story!!! In fact, use this theme: "I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!" in honor of our church's 160th anniversary!!!! Later that afternoon we will have a covered dish supper (NO! It doesn't have to be all "green" - that's St. Patrick's Day!!!) at 5:30pm in the fellowship hall and then take part in our traditional "Hanging of the Greens" Service at 6:00pm! If you have dates for class parties, functions, etc., please let us know so that they can be put on the December calendar (especially since Larry has lost most of his dates from his Palm)!!!

And speaking of Christmas, if you know of anyone in need for food, clothes, toys, etc., please let us know so that we can be planning on how to help them out! Many of you have extra turkeys or hams from your work (Nucor, Madix, etc.) that you've donated in the past. Thanks! If you know of specific children, also let us know how we might help them this Thanksgiving and Christmas season!

Church Night Out will be on Thursday - December 1st!!!! Reserve that night!!! We'll let you know where as soon as possible!!!!

If you signed up for a snack supper in November, please let Larry know - as he's lost his calendar dates! Next Sunday we don't meet - November 20th we need to have someone do snack supper, and November 27th (BLOOD DRIVE THAT MORNING) will be a covered dish meal. Do you have any ideas for December 4th & 11th??? Usually the 11th is a PIZZA NIGHT for the choir program participants (long rehearsal nights). The 18th of December will be our ALL CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY and our musical, "NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING" that evening at 6:00pm in the pavilion!!! The choir's Christmas Special will take place the morning of the 18th at the 11 o'clock service in the sanctuary!!! We are also talking about the Sunday schedule for December 25th - YES, CHRISTMAS IS ON A SUNDAY, AGAIN, THIS YEAR!!! What do you think? No Sunday School - worship at 10:00am??? Sunday School and Worship at the regular time??? Let us know!!!

From Donna, 9/20/05

I will not be able to make the meeting tomorrow night, I will be helping feed the evacuees. American National Bank has been doing the Dinner on Wednesday Nights. I will miss everyone!

If you would please pass on this following information:

Kay Dean and Thelda Flanery have both approached me about the United Methodist Women's Meeting on this Saturday, 9/24/05. It is the same luncheon that the Soul Sisters helped them with last year. It is being held in Duncanville, and they would love for all of us to join them. They will be leaving the church about 7:30 am (carpooling) and should be back about 1:30 pm Saturday. If anyone is interested in going, would you please ask them to let me know, so I can pass it on.

Also, I do not have the candles in yet, but should get them in next week.

Also, I am going to jail, 10/7/05 for MDA and will need your help to get out or if you are like Earl, to keep me in. HA! HA! I will let you all know more about this real soon.

I think that is all I know about at this time. Oh yeah...is there anyone special the Soul Sisters would like to send a Birthday Card or Get Well Card to. I am going to start doing that again.

Thank you for your time and God Bless All of You!!!!

Love,

Donna

From Larry, 9/17/05

The Soul Sisters had a great group at their last meeting and EXPECT MORE TO COME THIS WEDNESDAY as they meet at 6:30pm in the fellowship hall! Also on the agenda will be "the plan" to talk about their trip to Glen Rose and "The Promise" coming up in just a short while - Sept. 30th & October 1st!!!