First United Methodist Church

201 E. Hospital Street, Nacogdoches Texas 75961

NEWSLETTER
Volume 9, Issue 6
June-July-Aug 2016

JUNE
05 - Ignite Youth Splash
Kingdom (2-5 pm)
10-13 - MissionNac
13 - Primetimers - FLC
13-17 - East/West District
Camp
20-24 - VBS Decorating
21 - VBS Work Night - FLC
beginning 3 pm
22 - VBS Adult Training at
6 pm - FLC
23-26 Jr. High Big House 26
- VBS Adult (make-up)
Training at 6 pm - FLC
Youth VBS Training 6:30 pm Youth Center
27 - July 1 - VBS

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

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation
Bible
School
Surf Shack

JULY
4 - 4th July Ice Cream Social
at 7:30 pm Front Lawn
10-16 - Youth UMARMY Athens TX
11 - Primetimers - FLC
25-29 - Sr. High Beach
Retreat (Laguna Beach)

AUGUST
08 - Primetimers - FLC
10 - September Newsletter
Deadline
12-13 - FUMCNAC
Garage Sale
17 - Preschool Meet the
Teacher
19 - Back-to-School Bash at
7 pm - SFA Rec Center
21 - Youth Sunday
28 - Promotion Sunday/3rd
Grade Bible Presentation

SEPTEMBER
12 - Primetimers - FLC
14 - October Newsletter
Deadline
25-30 - Saga Brown Mission
Trip (UMCOR)

We still need volunteers. Please consider helping

with VBS, no assistance is too small. Follow the registration link and tell us how youd
like to serve. Remember.it takes a village.
Continued on page 3

A Note From The Pastor

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't
think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at
all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He
didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless,
obedient deathand the worst kind of death at thata crucifixion.
Philippians 2:5-8

Sometimes it amazes me how narcissistic our culture has become. Remember

when Muhammad Ali was boxing and his trademark phrase was I am the greatest! Another celebrity recently said, I never cease to amaze my own self.
In place of pride, Jesus invites us to take on a life of humility. John Ortberg, in his book
The Life Youve Always Wanted writes, humility involves a Copernican revolution of the
soul, the realization that the universe does not revolve around us. If we can grow into our
humility, as Jesus calls, what a gift it could be. It is the freedom to stop trying to be what
we are not, or pretending to be what were not, and accepting, as Ortberg says, our appropriate smallness. In the words of Martin Luther, humility is the decision to let God be
God.
I am also amazed at the number of ways folks from this church who will be selfless this summer. Serving as delegates to Annual Conference, going to U M ARMY or Big House, serving as a camp counselor at Lakeview, and right here
in our own community through our summer programs like VBS.
Im looking forward to a fantastic summer!
Peace,

A Note From The Associate Pastor

12

After he washed the disciples feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, Do you know what Ive
done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you speak correctly, because I am. 14 If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed
your feet, you too must wash each others feet. 15 I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. 34 I give you
a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. 35 This is how everyone will
know that you are my disciples, when you love each other. ~John 13:12-15, 34-35

We dont always do a good job of connecting our beloved scripture verses to the stories in which they are contained. Not many realize that Jeremiah 29:11 (plans to prosper you) is written to the Israelite people during their exile in
Babylon as a message of hope that took nearly 2 generations to come to fruition. Likewise Luke 11:9 (ask and it will be
given to you) in context is not about getting everything we want. Just a few verses earlier, Jesus already demonstrated
what that asking looks like in the Lords Prayer - namely for Gods kingdom to come. And finally, my personal favorite, Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things) in context is a word written from prison and poverty. Its not an affirmation of abilit y to
achieve anything, but to endure everything. In each of these cases, we lose something precious when we dont take context into account. We miss out on hearing the real hope our God is whispering in that still small voice, and we replace it
with a vain shadow of hope filtered through the lens of our desires.
Perhaps the most common (and most tragic) place we do this is found in John 13, in Jesuss command to love
one another. To often this command to love is used in shallow, feel good ways, yet Jesus does not demonstrate a shallow
love in the verses that come before. No the love Jesus demonstrates is one that makes me personally uncomfortable.
He removes his clothing, kneels down before his disciples and takes the place of the most lowly servant. Then with a bowl
of water and a towel from his waist, he washes the feet of Judas - his betrayer. This is the love by which the world will know
that we are Jesuss disciples. Its a love that embraces not only the friend who looks or thinks like us, but also the enemy
who wishes us harm. Anything less than that sort of love is an affront to the God who loved us first.
Friends, holy scripture is more than a collection of one-liner motivational quotes. It is the testimony to the very
real work of God throughout history as one who promotes love, justice, and wholeness across each and every barrier that
divides us. May we be a people who refuses to settle for a shallow love but instead seeks the love of God in every situation.

Blessings,

Page 2

Newsletter

Continued from page 1 - Vacation Bible School - SurfShack - June 27 - July 1

VBS TRAINING: If you have agreed to help here are the training dates.
ADULT TRAINING - Wednesday, June 22 at 6:00 PM in the FLC.
Adult Make-up Training will be Sunday, June 26 at 6:30 PM in the FLC.
YOUTH TRAINING - Sunday, June 26 at 6:30 PM in the Youth Room
Lindsey and Lawren will conduct the meetings.

WORK NIGHT DATE: June 21 - 3 pm 8 pm. Come help us get ready with a
work night and pizza at church.

PRAYER: We pray for all of our events and we welcome your prayers to prepare
all hearts for leading, receiving and sharing the love of Christ.

DONATION REQUESTS: We need the following items to be donated or loaned for total awesomeness at the Surf Shack. Please carefully
label your loaners and deliver them to the Godly Play Room (Room 212)
any time between now and July 20th for use in decorations.

beach towels
beach umbrellas
beach balls
life preservers
beach chairs
tiki lights
tiki hut
surf boards
grass skirts
other beach stuff

CHILDRENS MINISTRY - SUMMER ACTIVITIES

SUMMER CAMPS:
Art, Bee Garden, Cooking, Prayer, Summer Reading, Fishing in Athens, Drive Through Safari near Jacksonville
DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH ANY OF THESE, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
SUMMER WEEKLY EVENTS:
Monday ~ Family Devotions
Tuesday ~ Library (June 7 10 AM and June 14 5:30 PM)
Wednesday ~ SFA Movie at 2:00
Wednesday ~ Parents Night Out (5:30 8:00)
Thursday ~ Cinemark Movie at 10am - Thursday ~ afternoon swim at SFA
Friday ~ Random Act of Kindness
Saturday ~ Tend Your Bee Garden at home
ONE-TIME EVENING EVENTS:
Putt-putt (June 21 3PM 8PM) work night and pizza at church
Bowling (rent three lanes) (July 26 6PM 8PM)
Skating (August to be announced)
Splash Kingdom (July 12 4PM 6PM)
Play Date for 4 and under (Date/Time/Location to be announced)
Page 3

Newsletter

FUMCNAC SUMMER CALENDAR

21
22
23-26
26
26
27-Jul 1
04

06
10-16
12
20
26
25-29

05
Ignite Youth Splash Kingdom (2-5 pm)
08
Youth Mission Wednesday
10-13
Mission NAC
13-17
East/West District Camp
19
Fathers Day
20-24
VBS Decorating
VBS Work Night - FLC (3-8 pm) - Start with Work Night, Pizza for dinner
and then head to Putt-Putt
VBS Adult Training at 6:00 pm - FLC
Jr. High Big House Mission Trip (Caldwell, TX)
VBS Adult (make-up training) at 6:30 pm - FLC
Youth VBS Training at 6:30 pm - Youth Center
Vacation Bible School
4th of July Ice Cream Social at 7:30 pmFront Lawn
Ignite Youth - Road Trip to H-Town
(Food Bank, Zoo, Astros Game)
Youth to UMARMY (Athens, TX)
Children's Ministry - Splash Kingdom
Ignite Youth Mission Sunday
Childrens Ministry - Bowling (6-8 pm)
Sr. High Beach Retreat (Laguna Beach)

September - Newsletter Deadline

FUMCNAC Garage Sale
Preschool Meet The Teacher
Back-to-School Bash at 7:00 pm @
SFA Rec Center
21
Youth Sunday
Ignite on Wednesday Nights - starts back
Promotion Sunday/3rd Grade Bible Presentation
10
12-13
17
19

24
28
14
25-30

October - Newsletter Deadline

Saga Brown Mission Trip (UMCOR)
Page 4

Newsletter

MISSION NEWS
NISD SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM
The FUMC Missions Committee needs your help in partnership with the NISD Summer Lunch
Program. A $20 donation will purchase one bag of food to serve one child over the weekend.
FUMC will be providing approximately 210 weekend bags to children over the summer
months. Approximately 473,000 people in East Texas are at-risk of hunger today, according to
the American Communities Survey, which roughly equates to 1 in 4 children and 1 in 5 adults
who don't know where their next meal is coming from.
Donations can be made by check with "Summer Feeding Program" noted in the memo line or
online at the link below. Food donations will continue to be accepted through the "I Can" drive. Thank you for your support! Online donations on our website or check to FUMC under memo Summer Feeding Program

UMCOR Sager Brown Mission Trip - September 25-30, 2016

Weve got some exciting news for you! This year our church is going on a mission trip to
Sager Brown in Baldwin, LA. Sager Brown is one of two depots that serve as the headquarters for UMCORs relief-supply network. Each year over $4 million in
supplies pass through the depot on its way around the world to assist in
disaster relief efforts. Locally, Sager Brown is also involved in many
food distribution and housing rehabilitation projects, as they reach out
to their surrounding community.
On September 25-30th of this year, our church will be taking a group
of 12 people to Baldwin, LA to work alongside the team at Sager
Brown, and we want you to be one of those 12! There is work to do for
anyone of any age, skill-set, or ability; the only requirement is a servants heart. So please save the date and consider joining us this September.
The cost of the trip will be $150 per person. This price includes your meals and room for the
week. Also, scholarships are available, so please dont let money hold you back! If you are interested or would like more
information, please contact Rev. Trent Oliver at 936-564-8308 Ext. 25 or at trent.o@fumcnac.org.

FUMCNAC PRESCHOOL
Preschool Teacher openings for the Fall 2016-17 school year:
Half day or Full day. If interested, please contact Lisa Labosky at (936) 560-4631 or lisa.l@fumcnac.org

THANK YOU!
A special thanks to all who helped with Teacher Appreciation at TJR School. Several people baked cakes and others
hosted the "cake and coffee day " for all teachers and staff. Workers were Dorothy Franks, Helen Brown, Sue Parsons,
Dottie Johnson, Connie Lester, Amanda Oldham, Beverly Dushane, Cindy Himes, Sharon Scifres, Lenee McDonald, Jeff
McDonald, and Patsy Hallman.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Todd and Paige Brown (son Jackson Brown) - 3508 Churchill Dr., Nacogdoches TX 75965.
Page 5

Newsletter

FUMCNAC CALENDAR
29 - June 1 Texas Annual Conference
30 - CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED in observance of Memorial Day
JUNE
01 - Mens Basketball Devotional at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room and FLC at 6:30 pm
02 - Board of Trustees Meeting at 5:15 pm in the Library
Missions Committee Meeting at 6:30 pm in the Conference Room
05 - Ignite Splash Kingdom (2 - 5 pm)
08 - Ignite Youth - Mission Wednesday
Mens Basketball Devotional at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room and FLC at 6:30 pm
09 - Evangelism Committee Meeting at 4:00 pm in the Library
Church Council Meeting at 5:30 pm in the Parlor
10-13 - MissionNac
13-17 East/West District Camp
13 - Primetimers at 10:30 am in the Family Life Center
19 - Fathers Day
20 - UMW Circle III meeting at 6:30 pm
21 - UMW Circle VII meeting at 10:00 am
VBS Work Night in the FLC (3:00 - 8:00 pm)
Start with Work Night, Pizza for dinner and then head to Putt-Putt
22 - Adult Training at 6:00 pm in the Family Life Center
23-26 - Jr. High Big House Mission Trip (Caldwell, TX)
23 - Finance Committee Meeting at 5:30 pm - Library
26 - VBS Adult (make-up training) at 6:30 pm in the Family Life Center
26 - Youth VBS Training at 6:30 pm in the Youth Center
27 - July 1 - Vacation Bible School
JULY
04 - Fourth of July Ice Cream Social at 7:30 pm on the Front Lawn
06 - Ignite Youth - Road Trip to H-Town (Food Bank, Zoo, Astros Game)
07 - Board of Trustees Meeting at 5:15 pm in the Library
10-16 - Ignite Youth UMARMY (Athens, TX)
11 - Primetimers at 10:30 am in the Family Life Center
12 - Childrens Ministry - Splash Kingdom
14 - Evangelism Committee Meeting at 4:00 pm in the Library
17 - FUMCNAC Blood Drive at 8:00 am in the Family Life Center
18 - UMW Circle III Meeting at 6:30 pm
19 - UMW Circle VII Meeting at 10:00 am in the Parlor
20 - Ignite Youth Mission Wednesday
25-29 - Sr. High Beach Retreat (Laguna Beach)
26 - Childrens Ministry - Bowling (6 - 8 pm)
AUGUST
04 - Board of Trustees Meeting at 5:15 pm in the Library
08 - Primetimers at 10:30 am in the Family Life Center
Page 6

Newsletter

FUMCNAC CALENDAR
10 - September Newsletter Deadline
11- Evangelism Committee Meeting in the Librry
12-13 - FUMCNAC Garage Sale
15 - UMW Circle III Meeting at 6:30 pm
16 - UMW Circle VII Meeting at 10:00 am in the Parlor
17 - Preschool Meet The Teacher at 5:30 pm in the Family Life Center
19 - Back -to-School Bash at 7:00 pm at the SFA Rec Center
21 - Youth Sunday
24 - Ignite on Wednesday Nights starts back
28 - Promotion Sunday/3rd Grade Bible Presentation
SEPTEMBER
12 - Primetimers
14 - October Newsletter Deadline
25-30 Saga Brown Mission Trip (UMCOR)
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. For more information contact Jim Jenkins 936-564-8308 or email jim.j@fumcnac.org

ACCESS ACS

To obtain an ACCESS ACS user ID, log on 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

Articles Due for Next Newsletter

The next Newsletter will be dated Thursday, September 1, 2016. Articles for this issue should be emailed to
sharon.b@fumcnac.org by 3:00 pm Wednesday, August 10, 2016.

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:
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:
Heart-to-Heart Chorus at 9:00 am in the Choir Room and performances at Nursing Homes at 10:00 am
(2nd & 4th 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 (will not meet in summer)
Ignite Youth on Wednesday Evenings (will not meet this summer - starts up Aug 24)
Mens Basketball Fellowship at 6:30 pm - Family Life Center
Bell Choir Rehearsal at 6:00 pm in Room 207 (will not meet this summer)
Chancel Choir Rehearsal at 7:00 pm in the Choir Room. (will not meet this summer)
Thursdays:
Grace Emmaus Reunion Group meeting at 8:30 am in the Library
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
(will not meet this summer - starts up September 11)
Volume 9, Issue 6

Page 7

PRAYER CONCERNSUPDATED, Thursday, June 9, 2016 (9 am)

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

Michael Dixon, Jana Rusell Diana Hensley, Jane Rouse, Raymond and Romy Kieffer
(requested by Patrick Houser), Russ Hairston, Richard Buxton (requested by Al Smith),
Dianne House, Steve Goldstein (Nancy Princes brother-in-law), Martin Houser, Peggy
Mason (Jean Dodges sister), Richard Thomas, Judy Williamson, Judi Thomas (Hunter
and Totsy Cunninghams daughter), Austyn (requested by Carolyn Davis), Ellen Bankston, James Stalling, Mary Akin, Dorothy Clagett, Mike Rigsby, Leon Dorsey, Alison Agnew, Richie Courvelle, Kristy McLean, Jackie Harbordt, Betty Wood, Bob Solomon, Opal
Cotton, Floy Bousman, Stacy Grunburg, Jim & Bonnie Meyer, Bill Teague, Benjamin
Bowser, Sara Keller, Cecil Dorsey, Joey Ross, Jessy Wheeler (requested by David and
Carol Stanley), Kim Hibbard Williams, Ann Falloure (requested by Sheila Smith), Rick
Schotts (requested by Ellen Bankston), Pat Almany, Calin Reneau, Bill Tucker, Bryan
Greer, Lindsey Borrows, Harold Bogan,Conroy Hughes (friend of Al Smith), Seth Wurtz
(Gary Wurtzs nephew), Larry Honeycutt (requested by Natalie Anderson), Mazie
Farmer, Kittie Dobbs, Kevin Fike, Willie (requested by Debra Bankston), Brent Slaton, A.
L. Mangham, Charles Warlick.
Military Personnel in Combat Zone
Jack Duffin, Jake Trotter, Westen Kuenstler, Wesley Floyd
Names will remain on a published prayer team 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