WILDWOOD/VILLAGE MILLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
METHODIST MESSENGER
VOLUME 21, NUMBER 1 JANUARY, FEBRUARY 2017
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
HAPPY NEW YEAR
As we begin 2017, it's good to look back at the accomplishments of 2016. We had a very successful year by all accounts. Our membership added 15 new members, which is the most we've seen in many years. Your giving was extraordinary; all of you gave well over the figures we had budgeted for the year. Our Outreach Committee added the Warren UMC Food Pantry (Cecil's) to our giving opportunities, and our Education Committee had quarterly children's events (including our first Tweens and Teens (TNT) event). Our Worship Committee had us well organized for all of our worship services, and they did a particularly amazing job for our Holy Day seasons (Christmas and Easter).
So as we begin 2017, we start knowing that God is blessing us and we can accomplish great and mighty things in His name this year. January and February are very important months because this is where all the planning takes place. Prayerfully consider your part in the ministry of our church. If you are not already serving, I pray that this New Year will challenge you to consider where God wants you to use your gifts.
Here is the schedule for the New Year’s Planning process.
Jan. 9-13 Pastor meets with Committee Chairs
Jan. 16-20 Committees meet for Calendar Planning
Jan. 23 Long Range Planning Meeting
Jan. 29 District Leadership Training
Feb. 26 Church-wide Celebration Brunch
Feb. 27 Church Council Meeting
THANK YOU
Rene’ and I would like to say a huge thank you to our church family for your wonderful generosity in the form of our Christmas gift. Your love knows no bounds, and we are overwhelmed by your love and support. We are so blessed that you have demonstrated so beautifully what it means to be the body of Christ. Keep up the good work because you love is an inspiration to all those around you.
WVMUMC Phone: 409-834-2234 Sunday Morning
P.O. BOX 332 Fax: 409-834-2809 9:00am Worship Service
5943 FM 3063 www.wvmumc.org 10:05am Refreshments
AT WILDWOOD RESORT Office Email: secretary.wvmumc@aol.com 10:15am Sunday School
VILLAGE MILLS, TX 77663
Staff
Pastor: Rev. Randy Carrion Secretary: Chelsea Hartman Choir Director: Chelsea Hartman
randy.wvmumc@aol.com secretary.wvmumc@aol.com Handbell Director: Jeanne Jones
409-834-2222 (home) 409-834-2234 (Office) Organist: Barry Johnson
409-543-9026 (cell) Pianist: Chelsea Hartman
Nursery: Dawn Stanley
PRAYER CONCERNS
Please notify Jan Wright, prayer team coordinator, with any prayer, illness, or hospital concerns. 409-834-2410
CHURCH MEMBERS
Jack Barbee Gerry Blackman Juanita Bridwell Randy & Rene Carrion
Tom Clark Dale Hillyer
Jim Horn Brady & Merline McCoy
Tim & Janie Meredith Ollie Murphy
Ray & Nancy Reid Ed Spears
Jan Wright
Family & Friends
Rose Ann Brashier Jerry Brewer
Sherry Burkes Tommy Clegg
Emmet Greene Austin Halter
Kay Kelly Ricky Keltz
George Marsh
Eldon & Christine Reed
Regina Rudrud George Sanner
Scot Smith Bob Tate
Butch Troy
"Earth has no sorrow Heaven cannot heal."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
January
01 Elva Fell 02 Nancy Bigham
06 Dianne Barnett 09 Laurie Cox
11 Tom Stafford 13 Patti Johnson
13 Molly Armour 16 Jim Norwood
19 Madalyn Fry 19 Brady McCoy
21 Sandy Westhoven 22 Madell Jornet
22 Max Clay
25 Cindy Urban
29 Harold Woodrom
February
01 Beverly Thibodeaux 03 Debbie Cox
07 Baylor Cox 07 Beaux Cox
07 Trish Schreiber 11 Merline McCoy
11 Ray Reid 12 Kolton Cox
12 Karen Norwood 13 Wanda Carroll
14 David Peters 14 Charmaine Garner
19 Jim Barnett 19 Art Walton
21 Patrick Stidham 25 Tommy Compton
26 Rob Rosetta 26 Jann Stewart
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
January
13 Scott & Karen Miller
17 Jerry & Jann Stewart
24 Gary & Sharon Wornick
October
02 Tim & Kathy McDonough
03 Robert & Gloria Brewer
05 Don & Barbara Hickman
06 Jack & Alberta Pedigo
26 Jim & Dianne Barnett
NEWS FROM THE PEWS
OUTREACH
During the month of November, we collected various household necessities, and in December, we participated in the Angel Tree giving program. The Outreach committee divided 218 bars of soap, 79 bottles of dish detergent, and 398 rolls of toilet paper between the Christian Loving Care Center in Kountze, the food pantry in Warren, and Caring is Sharing in Woodville. Thank you so much for your donations and support! Here are the upcoming donation items.
Food Item Donations
JANUARY 2 lb bags of Sugar
FEBRUARY 2 lb bags of Flour
We also collect empty egg cartons. You can bring those at anytime. Please bring donated items and place them in the outreach box in the Fellowship Hall, to the left of Pastor Randy's office. Thank you!
"TNT" TEEN GAME NIGHT 2016
On December 14th, nine youth gathered at the church for a time of fun and games. Food was served, there was a white elephant gift exchange, board games were set up, and s’mores were roasted outdoors beneath the pavilion. Also set up outside was a couple lawn games, including box hockey, which the kids loved!
Pastor Randy stepped in and beat every single challenger. Kirstin Stanley then made a come back and beat the Box Hockey Champ.
It was a fun night, and we look forward to the next time!
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY
On Sunday, February 5, we will have our “Souper Bowl of Caring”. There will be a meal featuring homemade soups from members of the congregation! If you’d like to enter your own pot of soup/gumbo/chili/stew, there is a signup sheet in the Fellowship Hall. So far, there are 7 contenders, including last year’s winner, Trish Schreiber. Have a taste of everyone’s dishes, and then contribute to your favorite. The person who raises the most money wins! All proceeds will benefit the Kountze and Warren schools, buying supplies for students grades K-12.
LAST SUNDAY MEALS
The Last Sunday Meals will resume this month! January 29th, join us after Sunday School for an Italian feast!
VITAL SIGNS
OF THE CHURCH
MEMBERSHIP
Total Net Membership
December 2015 December 2016
173 166
ATTENDANCE
Worship Average
December 2015 December 2016
71 77
August Sunday School Average
44
NOVEMBER 2016
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
BUDGET PERFORMANCE
Nov. YTD
Contributions $12,929 $166,229
Expenses $14,252 $159,374
Difference $ -1,323 $ 6,855
2016 Budget $178,149
OTHER ITEMS IN Nov.
Checking Account $ 80,998
Money Market Fund $ 10,083
Total $ 91,081
Restricted Funds $ -64,581
Available Funds $ 56,500
MUSIC CORNER
CHOIR
Welcome Barry Johnson, our new organist!
Thank you to all who participated in the Christmas cantata, it was a wonderful performance! The choir will be back in the loft on Sunday, Jan. 22nd singing O Praise the Name. Come join us for practices on Tuesdays at 7pm in the music room.
~Chelsea Hartman, Director
HANDBELLS
The handbell choir will play Jan. 15th for the morning worship service. We will present Carol of the Bells, Let Heaven and Earth Sing Gloria, and Silent Night, featuring Zach Cheney on Baritone. We always welcome anyone who is interested in playing / learning to play. Come join us Tuesday evenings at 5:15pm.
~Jeanne Jones, Director
"Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; give to Him glorious praise!" (Psalm 66:1-2)
CALENDAR
Jan. 5 10:00 am Homebound Communion
Jan. 8 9:00 am Special Guest Speaker: Gideon Frank Williams
Jan. 10 6:45 pm Outreach Committee Meeting
Jan. 15 9:00 am Handbells Play
Jan. 23 6:30 pm Long-Range Planning Committee Meeting
Jan. 28 8:00 am United Methodist Men Breakfast
Jan. 29 9:00 am 5th Sunday Contemporary Service
11:30 am Last Sunday Meal—Italian
Feb. 5 11:30 am Souper Bowl Sunday cook off!
Feb. 9 10:00 am Homebound Communion
Feb. 26 11:30 am Last Sunday Meal—Mexican
Feb 27 6:30 pm Church Council Meeting
Regular Scheduled Program
TUESDAY
8:30 am Prayer Group
9:30 am Exercise Group
5:15 pm Handbell Practice
7:00 pm Choir Practice
THURSDAY
9:15 am Exercise Group
PUBLICATION STATEMENT
THE METHOTDIST MESSENGER is published every other month by the Wildwood/Village Mills United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 332, Village Mills, TX 77663, (409) 834-2234, Chelsea Hartman, Publisher. Church-related news items should be mailed, e-mailed, or delivered to the church office for receipt by no later than the 15th of the month prior to publication. Items are published on a space available basis and are edited at the discretion of the publister. When moving, please promptly send change of address notice to the church office.