SEPTEMBER 2010
VOL 5, ISSUE 9
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Soaring Eagles

A Newsletter of Faith and Friends




We are excited about a new semester of Wednesday Night Live beginning September 15th for ten weeks. Children will have a snack, homework help time, free play, choir, Bible Study, and supper before pick up at 6:50. We will be studying Old Testament stories in the fall and New Testament stories in the spring. The Sixth Graders will have a special music class with Jackie Roberts that will include music appreciation and piano training.


Application forms are available in the church office. If you know a neighbor who needs this information, please contact Susan Johnson at 793-6356 or sjohnson@281.com. We give scholarships to many families, so contributions to that fund are always appreciated. Volunteers are also very welcome. Just contact Susan.





SAVE THE DATE!!!!!

FIRST UMC FAMILY PICNIC

OCTOBER 3RD AT THE HOME OF

WAYNE & MARY BROWN!!




From the Pastor's Heart...

                       

            Wade and I enjoy watching the flurry of activity around our hummingbird feeder. We fill and hang it up and soon one lone bird approaches cautiously, nervously hovering around to see if it’s safe to grab a quick drink. Without fail, as soon as he lands and begins to drink, another one swoops down to scare him away. There’s a large tree nearby and it seems they live in and around it. And they have a terrible time learning that it’s okay to share! The feeder actually has five feeding stations, yet only one bird can cautiously drink before one or two more come in and remind the nervous, new bird “who’s in charge”! I’m not sure why we are so intrigued by that drama except it sadly reminds us of the human nature we so often witness.


           Have you ever worked in a place or volunteered in an organization where you’ve encountered those who are always reminding others “who’s in charge”? It can be frustrating to be told you did something “wrong” or to be given detailed criticism of exactly what you did wrong… “we don’t do it that way”. Or maybe it sounded more like, “we’ve never done it like that before”. It’s as if to say, “you can’t drink at this feeder because you don’t do it right”. Or the more subtle message that means, “there’s no place for you here; we don’t need your help”. Seems there’s always someone “in charge” who criticizes and lets others know they don’t measure up. Five feeding stations and yet, not welcome? No room for others? No room for a new, hungry bird?


           Somehow that doesn’t sound like Christ-like behavior. The truth is, as we work together to bring others to Christ, we must live our lives in a way that reflects Christ-like behavior. Anything less is unacceptable and inappropriate in light of the cross. Birds fight to get near one of the five feeding stations but at Christ’s table there is room for all. People with different ideas and different ways of doing things can come and feed there, side by side with those with whom they respectfully disagree. No one has the right to declare sole ownership or right to the love that Christ offers. There’s plenty for us all. That was demonstrated to us with the cross in the most powerful example of love humankind has ever known.


           How can we do any less? How can we criticize or grouse or complain because people don’t do things “the right way”, or the way we think it should be done? Whenever we get frustrated or think we need to remind someone else “who’s in charge”, cast your eyes upon the cross and remember who really is in charge. You might be surprised! Thanks be to God!


Thanks be to God!
Ellen



PRAYER BIBLE STUDY

Are you looking at enriching your relationship with God? We have the answer! On Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm beginning September 22nd, we will be offering a 6 week prayer study that follows the Lectionary calendar. Pastor Ellen usually uses the Lectionary calendar when preaching.


Mark this date on your calendar now!! Look for more information to follow! If you have questions, please contact Debbie Clark at 512-797-4413 or the church office to sign up early.



Church Conference – September 26th

Following the 10:50 worship service and Potluck Luncheon

 

Our annual church conference has been scheduled for Sunday September 26th at 1pm. Our new district superintendent, Rev. Bill Henderson will be on hand to preach the 10:50 worship service and lead us in this annual business meeting following the potluck lunch. But it is so much more than a business meeting! Church conference is also an opportunity to celebrate the exciting ministries of the church, to thank God for guiding us, AND to ask for God’s continued guidance as we seek new ways of reaching out beyond our four cozy walls. This will be Rev. Henderson’s first visit with us, so please put this date on your calendar and plan to be with us in worship and for the church conference meeting! All are invited to attend and participate.

 





Notes From FUMC Members & Friends


From John & Rosemary Lopes & Family


To the members of First UMC,

We would like to express our appreciation and thank you for your many prayers, calls, and well wishing cards. We feel once again in our lives the power of prayer is awesome. God Bless You!


From the Family of William T. Bayer, Jr.


The family of William T Baryer, Jr. wishes to thank all of you for sending the trays of food during our stressful time. WE had attended the church only a few times and were overwhelmed by your kindness. We had never attended a church more friendly and I hope to continue coming.

Sincerely, Georgina Bayer & Family


From the Family of Capt. Jason & Buck Holbrook


We wish to thank all of the members of First UMC for all the prayers, love and support you have shown us at the death of my brother and uncle.

Stoney Holbrook


Amazing Grace!

Dear Pastor Ellen: Thank you so much for your generosity, thoughtfulness and hospitality during our CTCYM trip to Burnet. I served as one of the cooks. I have never worked so hard on such little sleep and yet-had so much fun. Your members were so generous with their donations and warm friendliness. Your youth members made us feel so comfortable. Again-thank you for your thoughtfulness and “Amazing Grace”.

Sincerely, Jana Lewis, St. Barnabas UMC in Arlington


From Caitlin Boyce

Dear Pastor Ellen & Church Family: I want to thank you for all the kindness and support that you have shown me. I also want to thank you for the beautiful Bible. I will cherish it always. Thank you for all your prayers.








FIRST UMC ADULT EDUCATION FUND PROGRAM


Purpose:


To provide financial assistance to adult members of the First UMC of Burnet who wish to develop or improve their job skills by enrolling in an accredited university, college, trade school, online course or correspondence course.


Application Requirements:


Must be a member of FUMC of Burnet for a minimum of six months.

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Must participate regularly in church activities, i. e. Sunday morning worship, Sunday School or other church functions.

Will be required to furnish a one page essay explaining why the applicant is going back to school and why he/she should be considered for a “scholarship”.


General Information:


Although the existing Scholarship Committee will administer this program, all funds will come from donations, memorials, etc and are placed in a separate designated account marked “Adult Education Fund”.


The maximum amount available for any given course of study is $750.00 for the first semester, with the opportunity to apply for an additional scholarship for the second sememster provided they have maintained a B average.


This program is not available for study toward advanced degrees except ministerial students.


An application form is now available from the Scholarship Committee and the applicant will be required to show proof of enrollment including numbers of course hours and the actual cost of the courses to be studied. The applications and essays will be reviewed and considered by the existing Scholarship Committee.


If you have any questions on the Adult Education Fund, please speak with Pastor Ellen or Scholarship Committee Chair, Bill Foulds.

  


 

F.A.I.T.H – 5 - FAITH ACTS IN THE HOME

You want a great relationship with your kids? You want openness, honesty, caring and sharing in your family? You want to raise a child to be a strong, thoughtful, empathetic, positive, healthy adult out in the world some day? You can’t buy that. You have to invest in it. And the investment is the most expensive currency you own – your TIME – aimed at that most precious young person in your life.

Rev. Nancy McDougall will share specific ways to empower and equip you in passing on your Christian faith to your children by establishing a nightly “Home Huddle” where family members involve themselves in active listening, scripture, faith talk, prayer, and blessings every night.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us on Wednesday nights beginning Sept. 22nd from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. We’ll be meeting in the Fellowship Hall for this valuable learning opportunity! Our last class will conclude on October 20th. Call the church office (756-2229) or e-mail Nancy to register (nancymcd@nctv.com).

 

New Programs Offered By La Care

 

“Healthy Options Program for the Elderly (“HOPE”) is a grant program that provides extra food for senior citizens (age 65+ there is no screening process). The food will be delivered to La Care on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and distributed on the 2nd Thursday from 9 until 11 a.m. Volunteers can help either on Tuesday or Thursday.

 

At this time La Care would like to purchase “tote bags” for the senior clients to pick up their groceries and not need to collect plastic bags that are hard to carry. If you would like to contribute to this important way to reduce, reuse and recycle just make your check out to either La Care or FUMC of Burnet and place “Tote Bags” in the memo portion of your check.

 

 





SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1st        Gene Eddings

4th        Linda McGill, Margaret Fry, Curtis Jackson

5th        Kristine Robinson, Bucky Pauling

6th        Douglas Riff

7th        Earl Jones

8th        Jordan Hanlon

10th      Coleman Posey, David Overley

11th      Faye Davis, Jay Winn

12th      Chase Mardis

13th      Carter Caruthers

14th      Donna Roberts, Casey Clark

15th      Lucille Gazaway, Mary Kay Eddings

17th      Lavelle Haynes

18th      Beau Pauling

21st      Eloise Carlisle, Billy Jo Hammond, Ty Kirkpatrick

22nd     Evelyn Johnston

23rd      Chase Stevenson, Darla Ferguson, Jennifer Benjamin

24th      Carol Heine

25th      Joanne Claiborne

27th      Tara Canty

28th      Richard Haynie, Kathy Golson

29th      Jake Scott, Debra Dickens

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

1ST        Tomas Cain, Ben Cain

3rd        Bill Johns, Cody Barnett

4th        Guy Stephenson, Sonny Ritchie

5th        James Haire,Dortha Collins, Barbara Bird, Bill Rundzieher

6th        Virginia Hammond, Janie Howard

7th        Dorothy Null, Amy Sethman

8th        Carol Meyers

9th        Willa Mae Palmer, Jimmy Evans

10th      Brenda Haire, Roseanne Hayman, Kinzee Blend

11th      Willa First, Ruth Waggoner, Geoff Saunders, Martha Hicks, Sean Moore

12th      Jacob Robinson

13th      Martha Reeder, Lori Kirkpatrick

15th      Stoney Holbrook

16th      Paden Collins

17th      Villie Quirl

20th      Jim Shillingburg, Allen Posey

21st      James Craig

23rd      Ashlea Beckner

24th      Charlotte Overley, Mathew Fidler

25th      Cindy Dalrymple

26th      Josh Alexander, Stuart Thompson

27th      Tammy Collins

29th      Jeff Collins

30th      Kristen Nantz



The Publisher apologizes for any birthdays left off this list. Please help us update our records. Call or email and give us your birthday!





Nurse Ministry

 This article is a continuation from last month, with focus this month on ectoparasites that live on the body, in clothing and in beds. I am referring to bedbugs, fleas, lice, ticks and mites. Fleas, bedbugs and lice are insects that live and feed on humans. Mites live in peoples skin and cause scabies. Ticks and mites take blood meals from humans.
Bedbugs, head lice and crab lice do not carry disease, but their biting can be a serious nuisance. Certain fleas and lice can transmit disease like typhus, and plague, while biting mites can carry scrub typhus. Ticks can cause Lyme disease and viral diseases.
 Bedbugs have become more prevalent in hotels, motels and even department stores. In hotels, do not leave your bags on the floor. Check the bedding before you climb into bed. Their excreta may be visible as small dark brown or black marks on bed sheets, walls and wallpaper.
When returning from a trip, wash all your clothing in HOT water and try to keep the used clothing from contact with "clean" areas. Even the best hotels and motels are experiencing some issues currently. Repellents are useful for travelers, but may not last the entire night.
 Fleas feed on mammals and birds. Their bites can cause irritation, discomfort and loss of blood. Cat fleas can transmit tapeworms. Fleas avoid light and are found in the hairs of animals, in beds and in people's clothing. Fleas move around by jumping and leave marks on clothing and bedding of undigested blood ejected by the flea. Humans are most commonly bitten by the cast flea and less commonly by the dog flea. Heavy infestations may cause allergic reactions and dermatitis. Repellents may be used by humans and the animals need to be treated routinely. The sand flea or jigger is unique among fleas because the female burrows into the skin. It feeds on body fluids and deposits eggs. An infestation causes irritation and itching. After hiking, wash all your clothing in hot water and take a hot bath using lots of soap. Should an infected area appear, clean with alcohol or iodine.
 There are 3 kinds of lice. The head louse, the crab louse and the body louse. Children often have head lice and the louse lives in the hair on the head. The eggs or nits are found at the base of hair at the back of the head and behind ears. Head lice are spread by close contact and yes, by using each others comb. There are effective shampoos and lotions for treatment.
 As we travel, be aware of the cleanliness of the lodging. Even the very best accommodations could have these culprits waiting for us. I often travel with bug spray and people spray. I have been known to "fog" the room before we get too comfortable or settled.
 Food and drink in the room can be an attraction for insects, also. 
 These critters are disgusting I know, but some of us live with them every day. I tutor second grade and have dealt with a few head lice problems and horrified parents.  
    If you have any questions or issues with these parasites, contact the health department or your physician. Your health could be at issue.







 


WNL CHILDREN’S CHOIR


Once again, we music teachers look forward to a few new children and many who have participated in the past. They grow and change so much in just a few weeks or months! Singing songs about God’s creation and also about famous persons in the Old Testament will remain in these students’ memory as they grow into adulthood. If you love children and can visit our classes between 3:50 and 5 pm, I invite you to do so. Children know when they are loved and cared for by our church members and it is good for them to get to know you also. I may even send you a personal letter asking you to visit our class. Please pray for our children and youth and all those who teach or help in some way. The big date to remember is: SEPTEMBER 15TH when we will sing that day!!


JUBILEE RINGERS


Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Bell Ringers plan to begin practice on Monday, September 13th at 6 pm in the Choir Room. We will ring on the third Sunday in October, November and December.

 WE ARE PRAYING THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE WILL FEEL THE CALL TO JOIN US! Everyone feels a little nervous when thy first begin to practice ringing – we’ve all been there at one time! Every person in the group is willing to help and encourage you. Even those who have been ringing for several years make mistakes. We just laugh and start over until everyone can get it right! If you have questions, please call Peggy Barnett (715-0027), Jackie Roberts (793-6383) or Kristine Robinson (512-755-4886). Call and get your name on the roster.

A Stewardship thought: If you are interested in making any special gifts to your church, feel free to discuss this with your pastor. The pastor will help put you in touch with appropriate advisors.




 

August 17, 2010

Dear Families & Friends,

            Identity is the core of who we are.  It is shaped by the people, places and experiences in our life.  We define our identity based on the labels we are given (smart… athletic… nerd), by the roles we live (parent… student… employee), and by the people we surround ourselves with.  We set up our identity so that it can be crushed.  What happens when we no longer hold the roles or labels that define us!?  Imagine teenagers whose roles and labels change all the time.  Their identity constantly changing.  No wonder these are the years they struggle the most with “Who Am I!?”

            We also put pressure on youth to always do their best, make good grades, live up to our expectations, and be good Christians.  What now if they fail?  We are forced to wear masks covering who we really are and how we truly feel to live up to the expectations of others.  I recently had a conversation with a youth where he finally admitted that he wasn’t happy.  Everyone expects him to always be upbeat and have strong faith but sometimes he struggles like everyone.  The expectations on him force him to hide who he truly is at times and bottle up his anger and frustrations.  A youth from another church told me a couple days ago that he doesn’t act himself in front of his youth pastor. 

            I have worked very hard to ensure the youth here have a safe Christian place where they can be themselves.  They can talk about their issues without being judged.  Let’s all admit that when we were teenagers we made mistakes, we didn’t always make the best choices, and we certainly didn’t always agree with our parents.  We need the youth to know that as a church we care regardless of flaws because God made us the way we are and we should be proud of that.  We need to work to form our youth’s identity on Christian faith (something that can’t be destroyed) instead of on labels and roles. 

            David Dunn sings a song called “This is For You” that reaches out to Christian youth struggling with being themselves.  One of the main lyrics goes, “this is for you… you who are afraid to be you.”  What if we all tried to reach out to the youth with love and say, “This is for you.  You who are afraid to be you!”  Can you imagine the impact!?  I want to take a second to thank all the youth volunteers who have done just that.  God bless.



Sincerely,



Sean Moore

Director of Youth Ministries





SEPTEMBER 2010 Calendar