First United Methodist Church

201 E. Hospital Street, Nacogdoches Texas 75961

NEWSLETTER
Volume 8, Issue 4
April 2015

WORSHIP/SUNDAY SCHOOL TIMES

8:45 am
Contemporary Worship Service
9:45 am
Sunday School
10:55 am
Traditional Worship Service

Church Office (936) 564-8308

Fax (936) 564-8582
Email: info@fumcnac.org
Website: www.fumcnac.org

Office Hours: Mon-Thur: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm; Fri: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm. Closed for lunch 12:00 -1:00 pm

MARCH
March 30 - April 3
Holy Week Noon
Services by Nacogdoches
Ministerial Alliance
Prayer Room for Adult and
Children

APRIL
02 - Maundy Thursday
Service at 6:00 pm in the
Family Life Center
03 - Good Friday Service at
6:00 pm in the Sanctuary
05 - Easter Sunday
7:00 am Easter Sunrise
Service at Oak Grove
Cemetery
7:45 am Breakfast in the FLC
8:45 am Contemporary
Worship Service
9:45 am Easter Egg Hunt/
Sunday School
10:55 am Traditional
Worship Service
April 9 - 11 - Youth Garage
Sale
13 - Primetimers at 10:30 am
- FLC
April 13-14 - Week of the
Young Child
19 - Celebration Sunday at
12 noon - FLC
Coffee with the Pastor New Member Class at 4:30
pm - Parlor

MAY
03 - Confirmation Sunday
05 - Preschool Cinco de
Mayo
10 - Mothers Day
15 - Preschool Year-End
Program
17 - Graduation Sunday
24 - Pentecost Sunday
May 24-27 Texas Annual
Conference

EASTER SUNDAY - April 5

First United Methodist invites you to celebrate Easter with us
7:00 am
7:45 am
8:00 am
8:45 am
9:45 am
10:55 am

Easter Sunrise Service at Oak Grove Cemetery

with Dr. Jeff McDonald
Breakfast in the Family Life Center
Flower Cross on the Front Lawn
Celebrate! Contemporary Worship Service
Sunday School and Easter Egg Celebration
in the Family Life Center
Traditional Worship Service

Easter Cross of Flowers

You are invited to bring flowers from your yard
to decorate the cross on the front lawn of the
Church between 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. You are
welcome to bring your camera and take pictures of your family with the cross.

Easter Egg Celebration 9:45 am in the Family Life Center

Easter eggs have been a Christian tradition for hundreds of
years. Childrens Ministries is hosting its annual Easter Egg
Hunt for all children through the sixth grade. Babies and children 18 months and younger need to bring a dozen eggs filled
with age appropriate goodies and their Easter baskets.
Children 19 months of age through sixth grade should bring a
dozen treat-filled eggs in their baskets. Basket parking is available in the hallway just outside the Sanctuary.

CHILDRENS SUNDAY - April 12

Join us on Sunday, April 12 as we celebrate Childrens Sunday during both the
8:45 am Contemporary Service and the 10:55 am Traditional Worship Service

YOUTH GARAGE SALE - April 9 to 11

Youth Garage Sale - Fundraiser for Youth Missions on Thursday & Friday, April 9-10, from
8:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Saturday, April 11 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

A Note From The Pastor

Did you know that Easter is the only day on the Christian calendar that is set by
the moon? Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal
equinox. I think that is great that we see new life springing up in flowers and
buds on the trees and we experience a new life in the risen Savior.
I love the words to the hymn by Eleanor Farjeon, or you may remember it being
sung by Cat Stevens:
Morning has broken like the first morning;
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word!
All around us we are seeing new life springing up! I hope that you are
experiencing the joy of being Easter people.
See you in church Sunday.
Peace,

A Note From The Associate Pastor

Greetings Church,
Katie and I wish to express our deepest and most
sincere gratitude for all the love and support weve
received over the past few months. Thank you to all
who have treated us to meals, invited us into your
homes, and shown us all manner of kindness through
new friendships and encouragement.
We especially want to thank you all for the beautiful
wedding shower. To all who helped plan and prepare,
we are so very grateful. The food and snacks were
delicious and the details (such as fairies hidden on
the table) showed your thoughtfulness in planning. To
all who brought us cards and gifts, we cant thank you
enough! And to all who helped us purchase a new
bed, we are completely overwhelmed (in a good
way)! We wanted to update you that the bed has
been paid for, and we are planning to use the extra
money towards either a dinning room table or a bedroom set. We feel so incredibly blessed!
Katie and I are so lucky to have such a wonderful church family. You all have been and continue to be such a blessing!
Thanks Again,

Trent and Katie

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PALM SUNDAY/HOLY WEEK - March 29 - April 3

Why Do We Wave Palms?
On Palm Sunday, we remember when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people greeted him
by waving palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna!." "Hosanna" means "save us," and the palm was the symbol of Jewish independence. The people were welcoming a messiah that they thought would liberate them
from the rule of the Roman Empire. As they soon found out, Jesus wasn't the kind of messiah they expected
him to be.
On Palm Sunday, we take the part of the crowd joyfully welcoming their messiah. Sometimes, Jesus isn't the
kind of messiah we expect him to be. During Palm Sunday and Holy Week, we are confronted with the kind of messiah
Jesus really is: a messiah who leads us to the cross and the fulfillment of the resurrection.

Holy Week Prayer Room

Holy Week and Easter are the most important times of the church year and throughout Christian
history we, as Christs followers, have sought ways to draw closer to Him and to grow spiritually
during this most un-ordinary time. Along with such Means of Grace as fasting, and the special
worship services of Holy Week, the Prayer Room can be a powerful piece of this experience for
you.
During Holy Week, the parlor is transformed. It becomes a sacred space a place where
the Passion of Christ is represented in nine stations designed to lead you in prayer through the events leading to Jesus
crucifixion and resurrection. Each station employs a passage of scripture -- perhaps God speaks to you through that
scripture or -- you may want to use the suggestions that are provided to guide your thoughts and prayers on that theme.
If you desire even more direction, a booklet is also made available that provides a detailed description of each station
and suggestions for prayer. You may spend as much or as little time at each station as you need resting in His Word
and His presence, seeking the message of Holy Week and Easter.
However long you spend in this sacred space, it will be sacred time. There is no task for you to accomplish, no
schedule to keep, no award to earn. You arent going to be evaluated, judged, or measured. You will be in a safe place
where there is no one to impress, no one to disappoint. The room is set aside from the world for this week, and you are
invited to come in and allow God this space in the busyness of your ordinary life to bring you into His extraordinary
peace.
The Prayer Room will be open Monday, March 30th through Thursday, April 2th from 8:30 am until 4:30pm There
is no sign-up and no limit to the number of people who may be in prayer in the room at one time. Come when you are
able.
This room will be open again for scheduled prayer times after Maundy Thursday service, on Good Friday,
and again after Good Friday Tenebrae service. Scheduled prayer times are designed to give you, or you and
your family, a personal and uninterrupted time for prayer: a signup sheet is available in the Church Office.
Give yourself the gift of unhurried prayer at least once during this Holy Week to draw nearto listen to His voice
saying to you, Come. Be with me.

Easter Prayer Clock - Prayer Vigil at Home (April 3 - 5)

Just what is a prayer vigil? An idea many centuries old, vigil indicates time of vigilance, wakefulness, a watch. Our
church family will be in continuous prayer from Good Friday evening until Easter Sunrise. We invite you and your family
to commit to pray one hour at home during the Prayer Vigil. A signup sheet is available outside the Sanctuary.

Maundy Thursday, April 2

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is the Thursday of Holy Week where we commemorate the institution of the Lords
Supper, or Holy Communion. Maundy is from the Latin word for command. It reminds us of Jesus words in John 13:34,
A new commandment I give to you. At this service we are reminded of Jesus and the disciples celebrating the Passover meal. Prior to the meal Jesus washes the feet of the disciples to remind them, and us, of our role as servants.
This year our Maundy Thursday service will be held in the Family Life Center at 6:00 pm. We will meet around tables
much like the Disciples did at that first Lords Supper. This is a family-friendly service where all ages are welcome. Our
music will be led by members of the Contemporary Service Praise Team.

Good Friday, April 3

Good Friday is the day where we remember Jesus Christs death on the cross. This somber service is sometimes called
A Service of Darkness, or Tenebrae Service. Tenebrae comes from the Latin word meaning darkness. Our service this
year will center around the seven last words Jesus spoke from the cross. The service will be in the Sanctuary at 6:00
pm, and the Chancel Choir will lead our music as candles are extinguished after each song and scripture reading. During
the service children are invited to Room 212 to experience the Childrens Prayer Room.
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Newsletter

HOLY WEEK NOON SERVICES by

Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance
Community Holy Week Noon Services
By Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance
Monday, March 30 thru
Friday, April 3, 2015

Featuring Pastors and Music Leaders from churches throughout the

Community. Services at 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary of the
First United Methodist Church, followed by a luncheon
at 12:30 pm in the Family Life Center. Donation: $5.00 per plate.
There will be Holy Week Prayer Stations in the Parlor of the First United Methodist Church.
All are invited to spend time in prayer any time throughout the week.
MONDAY, MARCH 30
Minister: Rev. Leonard Sweat of St. James Baptist Church
Liturgist: Rev. Wanda Cuniff Christ Episcopal Church
Song Leader: Dr. Tod Fish First United Methodist Church
Organist/Pianist: Christina Harmon Christ Episcopal Church
Ushers: Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Lunch by Sacred Heart Catholic Church; Menu: Orange Chicken, Parsley Rice, Green Beans with onions and
Waldorf Salad (chopped apples, tossed walnuts and salad dressing) and Peach Cobbler
TUESDAY, MARCH 31
Minister: Rev. James Rowland St. Marys Catholic Campus Ministry
Liturgist: Dr. Sharon Templeman Westminster Presbyterian Church
Song Leader: Dr. Michael Dean First Christian Church
Organist/Pianist: Dr. James Pitts - Westminster Presbyterian Church
Ushers: First United Methodist Church
Lunch by First United Methodist Church; Menu: Chicken & Dressing, Salad and Dessert
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
Minister: Rev. Steve Newton Westminster Presbyterian Church
Liturgist: Deacon Rafael Landeros Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Song Leader: Rev. George Patterson Austin Heights Baptist Church
Organist/Pianist: Dr. Andrew Parr St. Marys Catholic Campus Ministry
Ushers: Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church
Lunch by Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church; Menu: Chicken Spaghetti, Salad, Bread and Dessert
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
Minister: Rev. Trent Oliver First United Methodist Church
Liturgist: Rev. Leo Douglass St. Pauls CME
Song Leader: Frank Pratt Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Organist/Pianist: Carole Deptula Fairview United Methodist Church
Ushers: Westminster Presbyterian Church
Lunch by Westminster Presbyterian Church; Menu: Baked Potato and Salad
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
Minister: Rev. Lani Rousseau Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church
Liturgist: Walter Deptula Good News Church Fellowship
Song Leader: Dr. Debbie Dalton - Westminster Presbyterian Church
Organist/Pianist: James Faucett - Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church
Ushers: Austin Heights Baptist Church
Lunch by Austin Heights Baptist Church; Menu: Lasagna, Green Beans, Bread and Dessert

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CHILDRENS MINISTRY
SAVE THE DATE
Vacation Bible School
July 20 24
We are stepping back in time and traveling to Nazareth to see
what life was like when Jesus was a boy. We will explore
authentic traditions, build strong relationships with other family members, try new crafts and games, smell and taste foods
Jesus might have eaten, and learn from Mary, Jesus mom,
about Gods incredible love for us.

FUMC SUMMER SCHEDULE

Calendar Events MAY - AUGUST 2015
MAY
02 - Wesley Foundation Benefit Auction
03 - Confirmation Sunday
10 - Mothers Day
15 - Preschool Year-End Program
17 - High School Graduation Sunday
24 - Pentecost Sunday
24-27 Texas Annual Conference
JUNE
Childrens Ministry - Faith/Family/Fun Summer Activities in June:
Meet for SFAs 2 pm Wednesday Movies; Meet for Skate-O-Rama 6 pm $1.00 Way Back Wednesday;
Thursday Afternoon Swims @ SFA Recreation Center Pool
01 - I Can Sunday
07 - Service Sunday
07-13 - SH UMARMY to Navasota, TX
20-27 - Jr./Sr. Mission Trip to Belmopan, Belize
21-27 - Hosting UMARMY at FUMC Nac
21 - Fathers Day
22-26 - East District Camp at Lakeview
28 - Patriotic Sunday
JULY
01 - I Can Sunday
04 - 4th July Ice Cream Social
16-19 - JH Mission Trip to Big House, Longview, TX
19 - FUMC Blood Drive
20-24 - VBS
27-31 - SH Beach Retreat to Laguna Beach, FL.
AUGUST
01 - I Can Sunday
16 - Youth Sunday/Celebration Sunday
21 - Back-to-School Bash
30 - Promotion/3rd Grade Bible Presentation
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ANNOUNCEMENT
Floy Bousman receiving the AAUW Business Women Award
Floy Bousman has been a business woman in Nacogdoches for more than 70
years. She has spent her entire career working for, owning, and managing small businesses. The businesses she and her husband, Lindy, built were located at the corner
of North and King Street and included Nacogdoches' first drive-in grocery store, and
first Mexican restaurant (El Monterrey) as well as her gift shop, the House of
Gifts. Over the years, she and her husband sold the businesses, but retained the property, which she continued to manage until his death in 1983. Bousman is committed to
and continues to encourage the support of local businesses. She loved the years
spent serving the public in the restaurant and retail stores she and her husband operated. Proud of the part she played in the growth of Nacogdoches, Bousman will celebrate her 96th birthday this year, but she has no plans to retire. She has two daughters
and four grandchildren. She is active at First United Methodist Church. If you would
like to come and support her on this award, the tickets are $25.00 which supports
scholarships. The event is at the Grand Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Center at SFA
on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 pm. Contact Bernice Wright -936-645-7216 or Lynn Solomon - 936-560-3039 for tickets.

MISSION NEWS
I CAN SUNDAY for H.O.P.E., April 5th
Every first Sunday of the month is designated as I can Sunday. We ask that you bring non-perishable food for
H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Eat). Monetary contributions can also be given by placing a check payable to HOPE in
the offering plate. Food items especially needed are: Canned meats, peanut butter, cereals, pastas, mac-n-cheese,
canned fruits and vegetables, soups, dried and canned milk, baby food, dried beans and peas, nutritious bars and
snacks, and cooking oils. Laundry and dish detergents are also needed. Place food in the baskets provided at the entrance of the Sanctuary, or on the missions table in the hallway. In addition, you can add joy to a needy childs life on
their birthday by filling a Birthday Bag with items for a birthday celebration. Information for contents can be picked
up at the Missions Table.
CELEBRATION SUNDAY FOR CARING MINISTRIES, April 19th
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who
comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received
from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

FUMC is fortunate to have members who dedicate themselves to caring for others in our congregation, community, and world. We will have a church-wide celebration for Stephen Ministry, Loving Outreach, Grief Support,
and Prayer Ministry at noon on Sunday, April 19 th, in the FLC. During both church services, the six new Stephen
Ministers (Bobbie Forsythe, Becky Smith, Terry Smith, Tip Smith, Ann and Bill Wilson) will be commissioned. Members
from all four ministries will be involved in assisting during the services. Afterward, we will gather in the FLC for a covered dish luncheon, and you will have the opportunity to visit with those involved and learn more about these Outreach
Ministries. Bring a large serving of your favorite comfort food and join in the fun and fellowship.
THANK YOU!!
Our Service Sunday on March 8th was very successful despite the rain. Ab Abernethy was so appreciative that
we honored him with this Service Sunday, and the team who were to do clean-up on his project of the Banita Creek Trail
didnt let the rain stop them. They put on their rain gear and out they went. Twenty-two of our members visited eighteen
of our members who can no longer attend church activities. They were blessed to have this opportunity to share Gods
love with these individuals, two of which passed away the following week. A Love INC client received an inside home
repair by several of our men. Two outside Love INC projects had to be postponed until March 29 th. Thanks to all who
participated in sharing your love with the people of our congregation and the community. Our next Service Sunday is
June 7th.

Volume 8, Issue 4

Page 6

FUMCNAC CALENDAR

MARCH
29 - FUMC Blood Drive at 8 am - FLC
Lenten Study at 5:30 pm - Youth
Center
Confirmation Class @ 6:30 pm Rm 211
March 30 - April 3 - Holy Week Noon
Services/Prayer Room for Adults
and Children

APRIL
02 - Maundy Thursday Service at
6:00 pm
03 - Good Friday Service at 6:00 pm
05 - Easter Sunday
7:00 am- Easter Sunrise Service at Oak Grove Cemetery with
Dr. Jeff McDonald
7:45 am-Breakfast in the Family Life Center
8:00 am-Flower Cross on the Front Lawn
8:45 am-Celebrate! Contemporary Worship Service
9:45 am-Sunday School and Easter Egg Celebration in the FLC
10:55 am-Traditional Worship Service
07 - Worship Committee Meeting - Library
April 09 - 10 - Youth Garage Sale from 8 am - 4 pm - FLC
April 11 - Youth Garage Sale from 8 am to 2 pm - FLC
Heart-to-Heart Chorus - rehearsal - Choir Room at 9 am - performance at The Arbor at 10 am.
Evangelism Committee Meeting at 4:30 pm - Library
Board of Trustees Meeting at 5:30 pm - Library
12 - Childrens Sunday
13 - Primetimers at 10:30 am - FLC
April 13-14 - Preschool Week of the Young Child
14 - Childrens Ministry Team Meeting at 5:30 pm - Conf Room

UMW Circle VI Meeting - Parlor

16 - Missions Committee Meeting at 6:30 pm - Conference
Room
19 - Celebration Sunday for Caring Ministry at 12 noon - FLC
Coffee with the Pastor - New Member Class at 4:30 pm Parlor
20 - UMW Circle III Meeting
21 - UMW Circle I Meeting at 9:30 am - Library
UMW Circle II & IV Meeting at 9:30 pm

UMW Circle VII Meeting at 10:00 am

30 - SPRC Meeting at 5:30 pm - Library

ROOM RESERVATIONS
If you are planning to reserve a room in the Church for a meeting,
gathering, etc., a request can be made either by completing a Building Use Form that can be found in the Workroom or online
www.fumcnac.org, scroll down to the bottom of the home page and
click resources, church forms and then building use.
ACCESS ACS
To obtain an ACCESS ACS user ID, logon to www.fumcnac.org,
click the ACCESS ACS link at the bottom of the page. For more
information, kindly contact
Sharon Bright at 936-564-8308 or email
sharon.b@fumcnac.org.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
The next Newsletter will be dated Wednesday,
April 22, 2015. Articles for this issue should be emailed to sharon.b@fumcnac.org by 3:00 pm Wednesday,
April 15, 2015.
BULLETIN and E-News DEADLINE
Please email all information to sharon.b@fumcnac.org for our
weekly Bulletin/E-News by 3:00 pm on Tuesdays.

Regularly-Scheduled Meetings
Mondays:
Mens Emmaus Reunion Group meets at 6:30 am in the Parlor (1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays)
HRT Emmaus Reunion Group meets on Mondays at 5:15 pm - Barbara LaFours
Girl Scout Troop 1406 meets on Mondays at 6:00 pm in the Scout Lodge
Tuesdays:
Girl Scout Troop 1016 meets every other Tuesday at 5:30 pm in the Scout Lodge
Celebrate Service Rehearsal at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Wednesdays:
Christian Writers Fellowship at 5:45 pm in the Room 206
YoWe (Youth on Wednesday Evenings) at 6 pm-Worship and Message; 7 pm-Small Groups
Bell Choir Rehearsal at 6:00 pm in Room 207
Chancel Choir Rehearsal at 7:00 pm in the Choir Room.
Thursdays:
Grace Emmaus Reunion Group meeting at 8:30 am in the Library
Heart-to-Heart Chorus at 9:30 am in the Choir Room and performances at Nursing Homes at 10:30 am (2nd & 4th Thursdays)
Sundays:
Youth Praise Band practice at 4:30 pm in the Youth Lounge
Cub Scouts meets at 5:00 pm in the Scout Lodge
Youth on Sunday Night 5:30-Youth Open Gym; 6:30 pm-Youth Snack Supper; 7:00 pm-Youth Bible Study

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Newsletter

Our Staff
DR. JEFF McDONALD
Senior Pastor
jeff.m@fumcnac.org
REV. TRENT OLIVER
Associate Pastor
trent.o@fumcnac.org
JEFF CAMPBELL
Director of Youth Ministry
jeff.c@fumcnac.org
ELSA JORDAN
Director of Childrens Ministry
elsa.j@fumcnac.org
LISA LABOSKY
Director of Preschool
lisa.l@fumcnac.org
DR. TOD FISH
Director of Music Ministry
tod.f@fumcnac.org
DR. GARY WURTZ
Celebrate Worship Leader
gary.w@fumcnac.org
DR. ANDY PARR
Organist
andy.p@fumcnac.org
SHARON BRIGHT
Office Manager
sharon.b@fumcnac.org
KATHY THOMAS
Financial Secretary
kathy.t@fumcnac.org
JIM JENKINS
Building Manager
jim.j@fumcnac.org

PRAYER CONCERNSUPDATED, Wednesday, March 18 (am)

For a more up-to-date Prayer List, kindly contact our Church Office564-8308.
J. R. Wright, Marsha Woznock (Ernestine Fountains daughter), Amy Ames (Debra Bankstons
niece), Mark Holl, Quinn William, Bryant Goodall, William Franklin, Ab Abernathy, Jack Matthews,
Caceal Dean (Mary Harbordths niece), Audre Smith (Natalie Andersons mother), Jim Morris,
Charles Shepherd, Savannah Coonts (Jerry & Mary Lynn Andis great-granddaughter), Erik Robberson (Rev. Barbara Robbersons son), James Scott, Alicia Ross (Natalie Andersons co-worker),
Jarrell Grout, Elvin Ervin, Mary Snyder, Jake Sanford, Ashley Akin (Mary Akins granddaughter),
Kittie Dobbs, Virginia Kerr, Audry Quick, Steve Goldstein, Barbara LaFour, Bill Tucker, Gary
LaFour, Katherine Beckwith, Amy Risner, James Lee (Jo Taylors husband), Sandie Shepherd
(Charles Shepherds sister-in-law), Candyce Wagnon (Terry Smiths daughter), Doug Smith (Sam
Smiths brother), Carolyn Andrews, C. D. Thomas.
Our Hearts Goes Out To
Betty Carter and family on the passing of her husband, Richard Carter
Rev. Frank Richardson and family on the passing of his wife, Fran Richardson
C. D. Thomas and family on the passing of his wife, Monette Thomas
The family of Shirley Crawford (Betty Fords friend) on her passing
The family of Ernestine Fountain on her passing
Leah Kahn and family on the passing of her father, Jerry Lackey
Names will remain on a published prayer list for 90 days. The prayer team appreciates current updates on requests. Please email your requests and updates to info@fumcnac.org If
you know of a member of FUMC who is in the hospital or who will be having surgery, kindly contact the Church Office - 564-8308. EMERGENCIES, call 936-585-2294.

The mission of the First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches is to make disciples through
Christ-centered service and outreach. With Gods help, we will do this through witnessing,
teaching and loving.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

First United Methodist Church

201 E Hospital Street
Nacogdoches, TX 75961

NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
NACOGDOCHES, TX
PERMIT NO. 11