BELMONT UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
Paul Smith, Pastor
Belmont, Texas
October – November, 2007
Celebrating “Funny Sunday” on September 16th
Open House Month Held in September
The Belmont UMC Worship Committee planned an interesting month of worship services during September. These services had special events to celebrate God and invited those in the community to participate. A fellowship breakfast, which was served on the first Sunday before the service, was followed by a tribute to educators, current and retired teachers, administrators and workers in the area schools, and in our church. Also honored were volunteers – our firemen and ladies club members. On September 9th we celebrated “Young Christian’s Sunday with Ashley and Brooke participating in the servi
ce. “Funny Sunday” was the theme on September 16th and September 23rd was reserved for “Bring a Friend to Church”. September 30th was designated as “Singing Sunday” .What a wonderful way to worship during the month of September!
What a view from the pulpit!
Church Conference Scheduled
Our annual church conference is scheduled for October 8th at 7:00 p.m. at our Church. This is when the new budget is approved, new committee members are elected, pastor’s salary approved and other church business will be conducted. All members are encouraged to participate. Rev. Terrence Hayes, the District Superintendent (DS) will conduct the meeting. The meeting will be preceded by a light sandwich supper starting at 6:00 p.m. We will need sandwiches, chips and dip and cookies made for this supper. A sign up sheet will be passed around at church so everyone can indicate what they will bring. Your help is greatly appreciated. A listing of the current officers and committee members is included in this newsletter.
Annual Community Thanksgiving Supper
Although plans have not been finalized for our annual Thanksgiving Supper, we anticipate it will be held in November prior to Thanksgiving at the Community Center. The supper, which is sponsored by the Belmont UMC, will again be a coordinated event between the Church and the Belmont Ladies Club. Turkey and dressing will be provided. Everyone attending will need to bring two side dishes (i.e. one vegetable, one desert or two vegetables). Last year the price per family was $8.00 and $4.00 per singles. The supper has been a great success in the past. Not only is the food outstanding so is the fellowship! When the date is selected, an announcement will be made at church and posted on our new sign. Be sure to watch for the date!
Christmas Gift Bags
Even though it seems a long time before Christmas, it will be here before we know it! The Christmas bags won’t be prepared until sometime in December but we need to begin remembering those shut-ins who should be placed on our “shut-in” list. Therefore, please let Shirley Dozer or Vernelle Jones or Pastor Paul know the names and addresses of those who need to be remembered this year.
Congratulations to Kyle and Sarah Wundt!!
Kyle Wundt and Sarah Jackson were married on September 8th.We ask God’s blessing on their marriage and we are thankful that they have made their home in Belmont.
Belmont Volunteer Fire Department Fund Raiser
The BVFD would like to thank the community, surrounding towns and businesses for their support of their annual barbecue. This fund raiser which was held on Saturday, September 15th met with great success!.Over $17,000 was raised from the auction, raffle, meal and donations. Approximately 500 delicious barbeque meals were served and this year there were many generous donations made.
Money from this fund raiser will be used to maintain present equipment and training of personnel and can be used to purchase any new equipment that may be needed. Our firefighters not only fight fires but also respond to medical emergencies and other disasters. What a tremendous asset they are to our community!
Coming Events-Mark Your Calendars
October 3rd-Evangelism worship-held at the Schulenburg First UMC at 5:30 p.m. Ralph Thompson, San Angelo District Lay Leader, will share his story about how a small membership church experienced transformation. He will give the “how to’s” on transforming congregations which are in decline. Many ideas will be shared. If you are interested in attending, please let Ellen (424-3528) or Connie (424-3568) know by Monday, October 1st, so that we can call in the number of people attending.
October 8th-Church Conference at 7:00 p.m. preceded by a sandwich supper at 6:00 p.m. at our Church.
Date to be announced-Annual Thanksgiving Supper held in November-watch sign for date!
November 18th -Bishop’s Thanksgiving Gathering-5:00 p.m. in Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum
Ashley and Brooke helping to lead the service during “Young
Christian’s Sunday”. What wonderful young Christians these
two young ladies are!
From Pastor Paul-Butterfly Byway
We live in a very special place. We are right on the edge of one of nature’s super highways; indeed it just might be the original Trans-Texas Corridor! No matter how you feel about the currently proposed project; this might just get your interest. Or maybe you’re one of those individuals who could tell me a thing or two new. This time of the year it is used by millions traveling south. They come from all over the North American continent east of the Rocky Mountains. And they pass right beside us. They don’t make a lot of noise and indeed it’s reasonably likely that most of you don’t even notice. Butterflies generally; Monarchs, specifically (Danaus plexippus).
The Monarchs make the longest migration of any butterfly in the world. To quote MonarchWatch.org: “In all the world, no butterflies migrate like the Monarchs of North America. They travel much farther than all other tropical butterflies, up to three thousand miles. They are the only butterflies to make such a long, two way migration every year. Amazingly, they fly in masses to the same winter roosts, often to the exact same trees. Their migration is more the type we expect from birds or whales.” I find it fascinating! God has made this tiny, delicate creature and somehow it makes one of the longest, most improbable, celebrated migrations in the entire world! (Right through this area of Texas, peak time of abundance: early to mid October.) They survive the winter in Mexico because they can’t survive the cold. Same forest. Same area in the forest. “Often the same tree!” Up to 3000 miles to often find the same tree! I can’t even find the same parking spot at Wal-Mart! To me, that is not even the most mind-boggling part. The most mind-boggling part is this, the ones who find the “family tree” have never been there before. Butterflies have relatively short lives. The ones coming south now are descendants of the ones who went north last spring. To further quote MonarchWatch.org: “However, unlike birds and whales, individuals only make the round-trip once. It is their children's grandchildren that return south the following fall.” So now you have it. Pick a tree any tree (or spot or church). Travel between 1000 and 3000 miles away raise a family and finish your life there. Raise kids and grandkids. Finally have great-grands and ask them to return to that original tree, spot, church that you so dearly loved in your early years. You can’t leave them anything tangible. How would they find their way? Odds are you aren’t even around to tell them directly. How do you do that? Science still doesn’t understand how the Monarchs do it. But if we want our kids, greats and grands to find our tree, spot, church or faith, we had better be sure to tell them often and well. That’s the least we can do if we expect them to find their own way back! Here’s to your journey!
A Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) stops in Tyler,
Texas on Friday, Sept. 21, 2007 to drink nectar
from a Lantana bush, on its Southward migration back to Mexico for the winter.(AP)
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Birthdays and
Anniversaries
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October Birthdays |
November Birthdays |
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Bill Jones- 4 |
Annette Roecker- 4 |
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Fred Bush III- 7 |
Dorothy Kallies- 9 |
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Shari Lee- 19 |
Greg Terry- 15 |
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Vernelle Jones- 21 |
Mary Ann Bush- 19 |
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Jean Esther Powers- 21 |
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Matthew Shannon- 26 |
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Kyle Wundt- 19 |
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October Anniversaries |
November Anniversaries |
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Danny & Kathy Collins- 15 |
Gaston & Ophelia Thurmond- 4 |
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John & Jacqueline DuBose- 22 |
Randy & Dolly Meyer- 22 |
If any of the birthday or anniversary information is incorrect or your information has been omitted, please let Connie or Shari know.
Remember, you can view & print the newsletter as well as other related church information at: http://www.gvtc.com/~wgandre/bumc.htm.
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Budget Information
Budget For 2007: $20,540 (average of $1711 per month)
Average amount (January thru August) of Sunday offering received per month: $770
Your continued support is always appreciated. You may send your gifts and offerings to P.O.Box 906 Belmont, TX 78604
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Blessings to Those on the Prayer List
Joyce Brown, Fleming Goss, Gene and Marge Iley, Royce & Jewel Towns, Gaston and Ophelia Thurmond, Will & Sandi Gandre, Sandra Lee Wills, Dora Towns, Curtis & Flo Breaux, Ann Brown, Polly Hester, Polly Schweihs, Charlene Green, Gerald Keith, Marilyn Musick, Frances Buchholtz, Eddie Bayer, John Michael Cardwell, Lynne McCarty, Alvin Hewell, Gary Lacina, Sherri, Lindsay & Zoe Escalante, our nation, leaders and military.