If you have bible software (I realize that’s a geeky way to start an article) I challenge you to do a search for the word “fear” in the New Testament, if you can. It will come up a bunch. The word fear is used a lot in the bible generally and the New Testament specifically. Why? Because scripture describes well the human condition, and we are a bunch of ‘fraidy cats’.

In Mark 5 you will find one of my favorite healing stories, The Gerasene Demoniac. Jesus and the Disciples are on the opposite shore of the Sea of Galilee, in Gentile country. A man possessed by a Legion of evil spirits accosts Jesus and Jesus heals the man by sending the Legion into a herd of pigs, who then rush down the bank into the water and are drowned. The swineherds rush off to tell the local townsfolk what happened. The townsfolk come out to the scene, see the Gerasene Demoniac sitting clothed and in his right mind—something to be thankful for—but they react with fear and ask Jesus to leave. Barbara Brown Taylor was right when she said, “God is in the business of raising the dead, not all of whom are willing.”

If we humans don’t understand it, we are afraid of it. And rather than look into what it is that we are afraid of, we mock it, we criticize it, and most of all, we try to convince others to be afraid of it too.

I can’t remember the first time I heard it nor do I remember who said it, but I like this observation: “Doubt is not the opposite of Faith; Fear is the opposite of Faith.” Think about it: Doubt gets you to asking questions and looking for answers. That leads to faith in many cases. A little doubt is good for faith; it gets faith moving forward and helps you grow. Fear on the other hand causes you to usually withdraw and not move forward. We humans excel at being afraid.

During the remainder of this Lenten season, let’s ask Jesus to take away the fears we have of things we don’t understand. If we make an effort to learn about our fears, they have a way of evaporating. Let’s work on getting a faith that works.

Blessings,

Rev. Tom Stephenson

REMEMBER that on March 17th we will begin sending the Newsletter out electronically. If you have not given the church office your email address please do so before March 15th, and remember that the Newsletter is also available on the church website. If you do not have a computer please fill out the form below and return it to the office before March 15th.

Ushers: Team #2- 8:15 – Dr. Rollie Allen, Archie & Laqueta McLellan

11:00 – Bill Bailey, Brown Claybar, Sandy Sanford, Richard Estes,

Ken Hillsten, O’Neal Waldrop

Altar Guild: 8:55– Virginia Sanford 11:00– Barbara Allen/Beth Holm

Greeters: 8:55– Dal & Debbie Moreau 11:00– Harriet & David Dubose

Parking Lot Greeters: 8:55– Dina & Greg Defrates

11:00– Sandra & Mike Hoke

Lay Reader: 8:15 – Laqueta McLellan 8:55 – Dal Moreau

11:00 – Daniel Grooms

Acolytes: Kyle Stephenson/Emily Lafley

Ushers: Team #3- 8:15 – Jim & Marilyn Snider, Vernon Murray

11:00 – John Holm, Al Vasquez, Jerry Windham, Jim Armstrong

Altar Guild: 8:55- Virginia Sanford 11:00– Janet Bland/Joy Gilliam

Greeters: 8:55– Trisha & Bobby Anderson 11:00– Judy & Gerald Taylor

Parking Lot Greeters: 8:55 - Jeannie & Errol Waguespack

11:00– Bill Bailey

Lay Reader: 8:15 – Sue Harris 8:55 – Joy Hughes

11:00 – Betty Merchant

Acolytes: Hayley Peet/David Graham

UMW Board Meeting at 9:30 a.m.

Chancel Ringers - Wednesdays 6:00PM

Keenager Koir -Wednesdays 10:30AM

The Chancel Choir is preparing to perform Part Three of Handel's Messiah at 11:00 a.m. on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010 in the sanctuary. Messiah is an English oratorio composed by Georg Frideric Handel, and is one of the most popular works in the Western choral literature. The libretto is drawn entirely from the King James and Great Bibles, and interprets the Christian doctrine of the Messiah. Messiah, often incorrectly called The Messiah, is one of Handel's most famous works and is considered to be one of the greatest works in the history of music.

In the summer of 1741 Handel, at the peak of his musical prowess but depressed and in debt, Handel began setting Charles Jennen's Biblical libretto to music at his usual breakneck speed. In just 24 days, Messiah was complete (August 22 - September 14). The premiere happened on April 13, 1742 at the Music Hall in Dublin, and Handel led the performance from the harpsichord. Messiah was repeatedly revised by Handel, reaching its most familiar version in the performance to benefit the Foundling Hospital in 1754. Although the work was first performed during Lent, it has become common practice since Handel's death to perform Messiah during Advent, and often feature only the first section of Messiah plus the "Hallelujah" chorus. The work is also heard at Eastertide, and selections containing resurrection themes are often included in Easter services.

Interestingly, a majority of the texts used to tell the story of Messiah were selected from the prophetic books of Isaiah, Haggai, Malachi, and others found in the Old Testament. The work is divided into three parts. Part One is primarily concerned with the Advent and Christmas stories. Part Two chronicles Christ's passion, resurrection, ascension, and the evangelization to the world of the Christian message. Part Three which our Chancel Choir will perform on Palm Sunday, is based primarily upon 1st Corinthians, but also uses text from Romans and Revelation, as well as a single quotation from Job ("I know that my Redeemer liveth") The great finale "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain") is taken from Revelation.

The Chancel Choir may include Part Two's finale, the Hallelujah Chorus in their performance of Part Three on Palm Sunday or, more likely, may save it for Easter Sunday. This beloved chorus is undoubtedly the most widely recognized piece of choral composition ever written. In many parts of the world including the United States, it is the accepted practice for the audience to stand for the performance of "Hallelujah!". Tradition has it that King George II rose to his feet at this point. As the first notes of the triumphant Hallelujah Chorus rang out, the king rose. Royal protocol has always demanded that whenever the monarch stands, so does everyone in the monarch's presence. Thus, the entire audience and orchestra stood too, initiating a tradition that has lasted more than two centuries. It is lost to history the exact reason why the King stood at that point, but the most popular explanation is: As was and is the custom, one stands in the presence of royalty as a sign of respect. The Hallelujah chorus clearly places Christ as the King of Kings. In standing, King George II accepted that he too was subject to the Lord of Lords.

There is another story told about this chorus that Handel's assistant walked in to Handel's room after shouting to him for several minutes with no response. The assistant reportedly found Handel in tears, and when asked what was wrong, Handel held up the score to this chorus and said, "I thought I saw the face of God."

On Palm Sunday (March 28th), we will have all three morning services, but Messiah, Part Three will only be performed at 11:00. It will be a wonderful beginning to Holy Week. Make plans to be there.

Mary Louise McKee

Davie Thompson

John & Beth Holm

Sue & Gus Harris

Davie Thompson

Davie Thompson

Davie Thompson

8:55 a.m. 91

11:00 a.m. 143

10:30 a.m. 43

8:55 a.m. 98

11:00 a.m. 150

8:15 a.m. 43

8:55 a.m. 86

11:00 a.m. 136

10:30 a.m. 45

8:55 a.m. 102

11:00 a.m. 143

Our deepest love and sympathy

are extended to :

Elaine Cooper and family upon the passing of her sister Katherine Silvia.

Arnulfo Arcira, Addie Wallace, William Ferguson, Wayne McCann, Bruce Bauer, Roy Luebke, Cal Siegel, Lessie Spikes, Jesse Gunstream, Heather Rogers

THANKS

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for all the concerns, prayers and food during my time of illness. I would also like to say a special thank you

to those on the Caring Ministry team.

Elizabeth Williams

HOLY WEEK

We will have all three morning services, but Messiah, Part Three will be performed at 11:00 service

only. We will have the Procession of the Palms during Sunday School.

6:00pm service in the Chapel

6:00pm service in the Chapel

8:15am service in Chapel

8:55am service in Praise Center

9:50am Sunday School

11:00am service in Sanctuary

WEDNESDAY LUNCH WITH THE LORD

Join us for a brief service celebrating the Lord's Supper each Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel. Formerly the Keenager's, we are inviting the downtown community for "Lunch with the Lord." Led by Doug Rogers, Director of Music and Fine Arts, and Beth Tatum, Student Associate Pastor, we'll feed our bodies and souls. A light lunch will be available for donation immediately afterwards in the Praise Center.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

The need for prayer support from our Church’s Prayer Ministry continues to grow. Our ministries’ outreach is now serving in a global capacity. Besides our Church family/community, the web site of our Church has also become a resource for prayer requests from other Texas cities (e.g. League City, Lancaster, Graham, Austin). The Prayer Ministry has been experiencing an influx of requests submitted from other states (e.g. Florida, New York, Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, Georgia.This year we have received internet requests from several foreign countries (e.g. Europe - France & Netherlands, Middle East - Oman, Asia - China.When the new web site of FUMC - Orange is completed, it should attract many more visitors from a wide variety of locations. Our Prayer Ministry has a host of partners who constantly respond to every prayer request. Do you feel a calling from God to be a part of this Ministry - an Intercessor on behalf of others - if so, contact Kristen (886-7466) at the church office for more details? This is another avenue to serve within our Church towards Missions Outreach and experience the love of God in a unique way.

Regular Meeting

9:30am-12:00pm

Wednesday, March 24th

Play Date

10:30am-12:00pm

MOPS is a wonderful outreach opportunity for our church by providing

the means to meet the needs of mothers of children ages birth through kindergarten.

We will have regular monthly meetings, play dates, and a variety of other activities throughout the year.

 “MOPPETTS” activities and care for the children will be provided while Moms have adult time during

the regular scheduled meetings. We still need many volunteers for MOPPETTS

First United Methodist Church will begin its spring Wednesday Night Live classes on January 13th. A light meal will be served at 5:00 in the Praise Center located on the corner of 5th and Pine Street. Classes will begin at 6:00 in the Education Building adjacent to the Praise Center. Classes include: The Jesus I Never Knew, by Philip Yancey, Money Matters by Michael Slaughter, and an overview of the New Testament. For information please call the church office 886-7466

Wednesday Night Live

Come join us on Wednesday nights! A light meal will

be served at 5:00 in the Praise Center. Classes will

begin at 6:00 in the Education Building.

Momentum for Life, by Michael Slaughter – presented

by Pastor Tom Stephenson

“In the journey of life and faith, most good things don’t happen magically or suddenly. They are the result of a predetermined desire, an ongoing commitment to work toward the desired goal or outcome. What keeps us moving forward? Momentum” Slaughter’s book serves as a guide for the journey and fuel for the climb.

 If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat, by John Ortberg, presented

by Susan Pennington

Do you want to know Jesus like never before? Then step over the gunwales – the Master of the sea is waiting for you! In this 6 week session journey on learning to trust God, Ortberg teaches “water walking skills: finding your call, transcending fear, risking faith, managing failure, and waiting on Christ.

Wednesday Night Live

To enroll in the Kroger Neighbor to Neighbor plan have the cashier scan this barcode before scanning your Kroger Plus Card. Once the barcode is scanned the first time it will remain active for one year, and every time you use your Kroger Plus Card, a percentage of your purchase will go to the Kroger Neighbor to Neighbor Donation fund.

March 7th-10th

NO Youth or Confirmation this week

Cost: $75.00

Sunday, March 14th

1:30pm at FUMC Silsbee

Saturday, March 20th

9:00am-1:00pm

Easter: Peter's Story

March 7 K-2nd: Cooking/Wendy Stephenson

3rd-5th: Art/Trisha Anderson

March 14 K-2nd: Art/Trisha Anderson

3rd-5th: Cooking/Wendy Stephenson

March 21 K-2nd: Storytelling/Cindy Reynolds & Donna Benefield

3rd-5th: Science/Danielle Heil

March 28 K-2nd: Science/Danielle Heil

3rd-5th: Storytelling/Cindy Reynolds & Donna Benefield

Volunteers Needed Kid Appreciated

The Youth Neighborhood Outreach Study Lab is every Monday through the fall and spring (excluding holidays).

Tutoring/Learning will be offered from 3:15 – 4:40 p.m. and recreation offered from 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Men and women volunteers are needed for less than 2 hours a week to mentor these youth.

Stop by on your way home from work and offer your knowledge, skills or just to get some exercise

during the recreation time. These kids will experience God’s love through your time.

Beverly Blalack at 886-4832 or the church office at 886-7466.

Faith at 9:30am

Joy at 10:00am

Thursday, March 18th

Love at 6:30pm

UMW Board Meeting at 9:30 a.m.

To inspire others to protect and love the earth that God has entrusted to us.

Recycle aluminum cans the 2nd Sunday of each month.  Recycle paper and bulletins in the church office.  Supply coffee mugs for the kitchen to cut down on paper cup usage (each person is responsible for washing and putting away his/her mug after each use—anyone drinking coffee at church is invited to use a mug, this is not just for the staff). Recycle magazines, paperback books and jigsaw puzzles by donating them to the Seafarer Center in Beaumont. Place them in the marked box in the foyer of the Praise Center. Remember to bring your empty aluminum cans with you to church every 2nd Sunday of the month.

Switch to “cold” for every load to make a huge impact: about 90% of the energy required to wash clothing is used to heat the water.

Also, remember to bring your non-perishable food items every 4th Sunday for the OCS Collection.

Plans are being made for other recycling projects. We’ll keep you posted!

The Going Green for God committee has started recycling the bulletins from Sunday worship, and they need your help. If you do not keep your Sunday bulletins, we ask that you please place them in the designated baskets as you leave on Sundays.

TIP: How to be “Green” when Cleaning around the House

Wipe up with old t-shirts and dish cloths instead

of buying sponges or using paper products that

will just end up in a landfill.

Ellen Weimers, Daniel and Linda Grooms, Mike

and Sandra Hoke, Carolyn and Ken Hillsten,

Angela Abshire.

Our monthly needs:

Receipts as of February 28:

Thank you to some very special people

I am sure that by now everyone is aware of the new nametags and has seen the display in each of the worship areas. It is the hope of the Staff and the worship committee that everyone will be diligent in wearing these tags for all services that are attended. I want to thank several people in particular and many in general for the implementation of the tags. Bob Couser, with his expertise in wood working, cut, sanded and stained the frames for the net in the Praise center and the tapestries in the Chapel and the Sanctuary . He and John Cochran spent most of a morning hanging those in the Chapel and Praise center. Jeanelle Cochran sewed the wonderful tapestries for the Chapel and the Sanctuary. She is very gifted and willingly gives of her time. Husband John was the follower for this project and installed the Sanctuary tapestries. Joy Hughes found the net and cleaned it and was instrumental in the placement and arrangement of the net on the boards. I must thank Ken Hilsten for being available to find materials needed and his general thoughtfulness in helping all of the workers. There were many who gave time and energy to make the nametags, and who separated them according to the service attended. Thank all of you very much. You are the unsung heroes!! Please look for your nametag at the service that you normally attend. If you don’t find one, place your name on the paper that is available for each service. Please remember that the Staff determined that children must be in the 6th grade in order to have a tag.

Thank you all for helping to get this outreach program started.

Judy Taylor

Since our first blood drive was such a huge success (25 units were collected), Lifeshare has asked if we will schedule additional drives. Knowing First UMC is such a giving community, I have scheduled the next 3 blood drives. They are

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Thank you again to all who were able to give the "Gift of Life" in August. Watch for the sign up for the next blood drive or call Danielle 670-7489.