Lytle United Methodist Church P.O. Box 608

Lytle, Texas 78052-0608

(830) 772-3345

Lytleumc.com

Facebook.com/lytleumc

JANUARY 2019

Youth “Biscuits & Gravy” Brunch Fundraiser Sunday, January 20, 2019, 10 AM– 12 Noon, Fellowship Hall

During the Youth Mission Trip this past summer our youth became very close to the Spiritual Director,

Kayne Ramos, who has had a call placed on his heart to plant churches overseas. God has opened doors

and Kayne has been accepted into a Discipleship Class in California. As a sign of support and love the

youth are praying for him and raising funds to help with the cost of his tuition.

Menu: Biscuits & Gravy, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Fresh Fruit, Tea / Coffee

$5 Suggested Donation

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6 Month Break Through

Prayer Campaign November 2018 – April 2019

The church has initiated a six-month prayer campaign to

ask God to guide us as a church, and as individuals and

families. Please pray a simple pray for guidance and

break-through each day, either at 6:10 AM or 6:10 PM.

When God answers the prayer, please let us know through

our Sunday prayer forms, through a call or by email. If it

is a break-through in your personal life, let us celebrate.

If it is a message for our church, let us heed and obey.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in

everything by prayer and supplication with

thanksgiving let your requests be made known

to God. – Philippians 4:6

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A Free Simulcast Event at Lytle United Methodist Church

January 26, 2019 – 6 to 8 PM Invite everyone you know for this free marriage enrichment event

Get your New Year started right

Church Schedule January 6 - Epiphany Sunday. Youth Breakfast Tacos.

January 7, Monday - Food Pantry, 6 to 7 PM.

January 11, Friday - Koinonia Emmaus Community gathering at St. Paul’s in Hondo. Starts at 6:30 PM.

January 13 - Baptism of the Lord Sunday.

January 14, Monday - First United Methodist Women meeting of the year, at 2:30 PM at the home of Jeanice Farmer. All the ladies of the church are invited.

January 15, Tuesday - Administrative Council and Finance meeting.

January 20 - Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. - “Biscuits & Gravy” fundraiser, 10 AM to noon. - Rehearsal starts for Spring dinner theater, 2 to 5 PM..

January 26, Saturday - Adopt a Highway Pick-Up Day. Meet at the church at 7:30 AM. - “Fight-Night”: fun date night marriage seminar at the church. 6 to 8 PM.

January 27 - Faith Commitment Sunday.

January 29, Tuesday - Trustees meeting at 7 PM.

February 6, Wednesday – MAD Club (Music, Art & Drama) begins.

March 30 & 31, Saturday & Sunday – Dinner Theater to raise funds for the church food ministry.

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Youth News

January 2019

January 19: April’s Family will

be hosting a Birthday Party for

April in the Fellowship Hall.

The youth are invited.

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Hope to

see everyone there!

January 20: Bonfire at the

Boyd’s house. Meet at the

church at 3:00 pm or you may be

dropped off at the Boyd’s house

at 3:15 pm. We will have a

scavenger hunt and bonfire. We

will return to the church at 7:15

pm or you may be picked up at

the Boyd’s house at 7:00 pm.

Other Important Dates

Put These Dates on Your

Calendar!

February 8 – 10, 2019:

Spiritual Retreat at H.E.B.

Foundation Camp in Leakey,

TX.

March 1, 2019 - March 2,

2019: Yard Sale and Bar-B-

Que Fund Raiser for the

mission trip.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3

4

5

6 U.M.Y.F.

At the Church

4 pm – 6 pm

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 U.M.Y.F.

At the Church

4 pm – 6 pm

14

15

16

17

18

19 Birthday Party

for April

6 pm – 10 pm

Youth are invited

20

Biscuits and Gravy

Fundraiser

U.M.Y.F

3 pm – 7:15pm

At the Boyd’s

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

U.M.Y.F.

At the Church

4 pm – 6 pm

28

29

30

31

June 15 – 23, 2019: Mission Trip to Crownpoint, New Mexico

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Youth Breakfast Taco Sales

Moving to 1st Sunday each Month

Communion Sunday and breakfast tacos sounds like a good combination—after

all, the last supper was a meal. The breakfast taco are made and sold by the youth group

in the fellowship hall after 9 AM worship to raise funds for their summer mission trip.

The next sale is February 3rd. Come hungry and support our youth.

Worship in January (Saturday at 6 PM and Sundays at 9 AM)

Epiphany Sunday – January 5th & 6th

Baptism of the Lord Sunday – January 12th & 13th

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday – January 19th & 20th

Faith Commitment Sunday – January 26th & 27th

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Methodist Food Pantry Fund Raiser

Dinner Theater and Silent Auction, March 30 & 31 Everybody knows that whatever you need, you can find it at Hurley

Squonk's general store, the Hitchin' Post. But the normal, laid-back pace

changes when a young couple from out of town enter. They have picked

today to elope and are in a bit of a hurry. But his overbearing mother and her

meek secretary have put the bumbling sheriff on their trail to stop the

wedding. And if this weren't enough, two men burst in to hold up the store!

Only their weapon turns out to be… well, it gets a little crazy here. This hilarious slice of life outside a

Texas town will keep you in stitches.

This new dinner theater, a fund raiser for the church’s food pantry, will take place on Saturday

Night, March 30, at 6 PM and Sunday Night, March 31, at 5 PM, and will include dinner. There will also

be a silent auction each night – so think about what items you could donate for the food pantry

ministry. A sign-up sheet to volunteer to help with the play is posted on the church bulletin board.

Rehearsals will start on Sunday, Januray 20 from 3 to 5 PM. Please keep this ministry in your prayers.

M.A.D. Club Starts Again February 6 (Music, Art and Drama)

Our children’s ministry program, M.A.D. Club, went great in the

fall. Children from 2nd grade through 6th grade gathered every Wednesday

from 4 to 6 PM to do art projects, play games, eat snacks, and work on a

Christmas musical. This musical, called “Straight Outta Bethlehem,” was

the Nativity meets “Anne” as a group of orphans living at the Bethlehem

Inn encounter the baby Jesus. The performances went great on Dec. 5 & 9

and we thank all of you who came to watch and support this ministry.

We will be having a spring session of MAD Club as well in 2019, again meeting on Wednesday

afternoons from 4 to 6 PM. It will meet from February 6 through April 24, with musical

performances on April 24 & 28. Please get the word out to all the families you know, and we can

always use more volunteers. We need people to provide snacks at 4 PM, do publicity, help with art,

a video/computer operator and people willing to help with music and drama. Help us reach the

children and families of our community with the Good News of Christ through M.A.D. Club.

SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY NEWS

Being a part of a small group Bible study is uplifting,

encouraging and fundamental to Christian growth. We have several

small groups presently meeting, including three on Wednesdays (at

the Bennets at 10 AM, at the Farmers at 6:30 PM and at the Martins at

7 PM). In addition we have Sunday morning groups and the United

Methodist Women, who meet once a month on the 2nd Tuesdays at

2:30 PM. We also encourage you to start your own group. All it takes is someone willing to be a host.

The church will provide materials that are easily used or you can select your own study. If you are

interested in being part of an existing group, or starting one, please call the church at (830) 772-3345.

Adopt a Highway Pick-Up Day, Saturday, January 26 at 7:30 AM

Our church has adopted highway 463, starting from the Lytle water tower

and heading out beyond Lake Shore Estates, and we are responsible for

picking up litter four times a year. Our next “Adopt a Highway Day” is

Saturday, January 26. We will meet at the church at 7:30 AM for breakfast

taco provided by the church. We will then head out to clean up as a service

to our community. We will be done before 10 AM.

Prayer Concerns

• Anna Honn (sister-in-law of Becky Escalante)—amputation of leg today • Rob Hinnant—serious accident, multiple broken bones • Jim Sanders (Laurie Beth Scantlin’s uncle)—in ICU • Dorothy Highsmith • Dorothy White—now at Country Life

• Cozel Foster

• Jonelle King • Death of Katie Russell—pray for family and friends • Hunter Erwin—8th grader in Devine with rare syndrome in hospital • Bobby Pilgrim—stage IV lung cancer • Pamela and Bobby Frick—Bobby with cancer • Debbie Hunt—severe back pain, comprehension fracture • Kim Davis—polyarthritis, pain not controlled • Rose Lynn—home on hospice • Mark Downing—prayers for diagnosis of leg/back problems • Cole Kelley (friend of Shelle McMillan)—just had bone marrow transplant • Elaine Kroger—in rehab • Phillip Escalante (Felix’s brother)—diagnosed with bladder cancer • Mary Snyder—now at Country Life

• Kathryn Davison—awaiting liver transplant • Elaine Douglas (Michelle Keith’s mother)—for continued healing • Irma Kelley – stage IV breast cancer

• Robert Meyer (Brent and Lisa’s father)--cancer • Nell Nixon (Annette’s sister) dementia, poor health, prayers for Annette as well • Raymond Orta—stage 4 cancer, and for salvation • Annie Rhoades—health • Robert Hunt—health • Charles Baker (Bethel Kay Bateman’s nephew) on hospice • Martha Foster (Shelle McMillan’s mother)—dementia • Felix Escalante—health • Nancy Burns—health • Molly Melton (Malcolm Brown’s daughter)— brain tumor, on hospice • Marsha Boener (Michelle Keith’s aunt)—breast cancer • Jay Bateman (Jack’s son)—mouth cancer • Pastor Scott Martin and all of our church staff, and their families

• Our military and their families and our president and government

• Our missionaries around the world • For persecuted Christians around the world • For victims of human trafficking and for an end to human trafficking

Our Church Family Military • Ian Simons—Air Force • Brandon Hunt—Army Reserves • Ross Moffitt (Chris and Fred Brauchle’s grandson)—Air Force • William Reichel—Army, in Germany • Forrest Keith—Kevin Keith’s son, Navy • Kyle Pringle—Army • Josh Orbinati—Michele Brown’s nephew, Coast Guard • Craig Wolf—Air Force • Jonathan Heiman—Navy • Jon and Brianna Hartwig—Army, Jill Daggs’ daughter and son-in-law • Joyce Biggs (George Bahlmann’s great-niece)

Emmaus Community Gathering Changes Time Starting in January the Southwest Texas Kononia Emmaus Community is changing their meeting

time on a trial basis. Instead of meeting at 7:30 PM for worship, with a fellowship meal afterwards, they

will meet at 6:30 PM for a fellowship meal, with worship afterwards, starting at 7 PM. This should allow

people to get home much earlier. So meet on Friday, January 11 at St. Paul Lutheran in Hondo at

6:30 PM. The gathering will be here in Lytle in March.

The Walk to Emmaus is a very special Christian retreat. Many of our church family have attended

and we would recommend it for anyone interested in deepening their faith. Applications for being a

“pilgrim” on these walks, or any walk, are located in the church entranceway, or online. For those who

have already attended a walk, it’s time to start thinking about being part of a team. Applications for being

a team member can be found online, or can be obtained from the church office. If you would like more

information about Walk to Emmaus, call the church office or pick up a brochure from the information

rack in the church entranceway.

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Food Pantry Ministry Our food pantry continues to help over 70 families twice a month. In January

the food pantry days are January 7 and 21. Our workers have been terrific, but we can

always use more. Just come at 2:30 PM to help

sack or at 5:30 PM to help prepare for the 6 to 7

PM rush. Thank you for supporting the Methodist Food Pantry.

We would also like to thank the Community National Bank for

a nice monetary gift to the food bank, and for caring about the hungry

in the Lytle Area. We would also like to thank the City of Lytle for

providing food and money to the food bank from the very successful

Christmas hay ride held on Saturday, November 24th.

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Children’s Sunday School Program Our children’s Sunday school program is “VBS Style” where

the children rotate through three stations in groups that are age

inclusive (Kinder through 5th grade) just like in our summer VBS

program. The first station is opening music, games and movie clips

which introduces the Bible story and Bible truth for the day. Then the

children move to the Bible Station where they “dig-in” to the story and

the Bible truth. Finally, they move to the third station for crafts and

other activities to drive the truth home. Bring your children so they

can take part in the fun and grow in their faith.

Thank you to all our Sunday school teachers for their dedication. We have classes for children, youth and adults, 10:15 to 11:15 AM.

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New Prayer Garden Cross Our church prayer garden is blessed with a new cross, as you can see

in this picture. Thank you to Malcolm Brown for designing, constructing and

installing this cross, under the guidance of the Board of Trustees. Malcolm

has constructed and installed crosses for churches across the area. Please

come to the prayer garden to see this beautiful cross and to pray.

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“Stop Human Trafficking” Gala Prevailing Word Church, March 23 at 6 PM.

Tickets are $25 and there will be a silent auction as well to raise funds to bring an end to modern

day slavery, which takes place in an alarming degree even here in south Texas. The money raised will

support the A21 campaign and Ransomed Life, non-profit entities that not only bring awareness to our

communities, but also provide mentoring and education to survivors. Register online at

TOPTIER.ONLINE or call (210) 718-5112.

Guy’s Group

The guy’s group meets

regularly on Monday

nights from 7 to 9 PM at

the church for a time of

fellowship, mentoring, and

study. God calls us to

support and encourage one

another and everyone is

welcome. Dinner is

provided.

Thank You!!

To all who helped prepare

the church for Christmas.

Special thanks to Rose

Lynn for procuring all the

poinsettias. Thanks also to

all those who served with

such grace as church

leaders in 2018.

Church Wifi Equipped

As a continuation

of our sound system

project, the whole

church has now

been wired for

Wifi. The wires

were placed by our

sound system

contractor, the four wifi units were

purchased from the memorial fund, but

the system was set up for free by

Richard Daughtery, son of Dennis

Daughtery who is a faithful member of

Lakehills UMC. The units are in the

sanctuary, office, fellowship hall and

youth building, and the network name

and password are the same everywhere:

Network: lytleumc

password: holyspirit987

(all lower case)

UMW This month’s meeting of the

United Methodist Women will

be on Monday, January 14, at

2:30 PM at the home of Jeanice

Farmer. There will be a

program, led by Ann Van

Winkle, as well as a time for

fellowship and refreshments. A

new year is beginning and all the

women of the church are invited

to be part of the UMW. Call

Bethel Kay Bateman at

(210) 415-0783 for more details.

The Creative Team

The Creative Team designs the

worship services and series and

we are always looking for new

people to be part of the team.

Our next meeting will be this

Sunday, January 13.

Christmas Poinsettias From Kathleen and

Jim Alexander in memory of

Larry and Ann Jackson

From Linda Bahlmann

in memory of her mother,

Iva Craig

From Linda Bahlmann

in memory of George Bahlmann

From Linda Bahlmann in honor of her brothers

Lee, Donald and Ray Craig

From Linda Bahlmann in honor of her sisters

Judy Jenkins, Jeannie Taylor and Marsha Moore

From Jack and Bethel Kay Bateman

in memory of friends and family they lost this year

From Brad and Nan Boyd in memory of

Francine Boyd, and in honor of Bryan Boyd

and Leon and Rose Thumann

From John and Trisha Broach in honor of Merna May

From John and Trisha Broach in honor of Edith Broach

From Catherine Carroll in memory of Alfred Carroll

From Catherine Carroll in honor of

her kids and grandkids

From Ricardo Castillo in memory of Encarnacion and

Francisca Castillo and Nikki Holley

From Joe and Jill Daggs in memory of

Eugene and Allyne Daggs

From Joe and Jill Daggs in memory of

Robert and Geneva Smith

From Carl Ernest in memory of

his beloved wife and son, JoAn and David Ernest,

and in honor of Irma Bayne and the choir

From Ruble and Jeanice Farmer

in loving memory of Jeffrey Lee Farmer

From Mary Nell Gray Hall in memory of

Mr. and Mrs. William M. Gray

From Deb Herman in memory of

Donald and Betty Risberg

From Betty Kroeger in memory of Ernie Kroeger

and in honor of Karla and Jim Dominguez

From Scott and Linda Martin in honor of Vera Martin

From Betty McGinnis in memory of John McGinnis

and in honor of their children and families

From George and Shelle McMillan in memory of

Chad Foster and Bob McMillan and in honor of

Martha and Cozel Foster and Laura McMillan

From Terry Miles in memory of Joshua Miles

From Danny Ohlhausen in honor of Irma Bayne

From Danny Ohlhausen in memory of Alice Ohlhausen

From Danny Ohlhausen in memory of Ila Hasker

From Billy and Linda Stewart in memory of

J. D. and Frenchy Grant, and in honor of their

children, grandchildren and great grandchildren

From Ann Vanwinkle in memory of

Howard VanWinkle and in honor of their kids

From Bob and Garnett Wagner

in honor of Bobby and Suzie Sollock and children

From Bob and Garnett Wagner in honor of their

children, Lori, Lanissa and Reagan, and their children

From Lois Wanjura in memory of Franklin Wanjura, Sr.

and in honor of her wonderful family

From Frank & Pam Wanjura

in memory of Helen and Richard Wanjura

From Frank & Pam Wanjura

in honor of their grandchildren

From Lisa and Mike Wells

in memory of Don and Barbara Smith

From Lisa and Mike Wells

in memory of Reid and Pat Wells

New Weekly Worship Planning Meeting

Those interested in helping plan the weekly worship services are invited to gather in the choir room on Tuesdays at 1 PM. We will be working to

design services that truly connect us to God.

Christmas Updates and Thanks!

Hanging of the Greens Thank you to all those involved in our Hanging of the Greens service (especially Irma Bayne and the

choir). The “Hanging of the Greens” was wonderful, as was the reception afterwards. Congratulations to

our cookie contest winners: Liam Simons, McKinzy Bazan, Linda Stewart and Heather Simons.

Christmas Around the World, December 9 Thank you to Becky Escalante and all the Sunday School children and teachers for putting together the

“Christmas Around the World” children’s pageant, presented during the covered-dish brunch and

Christmas party on December 9. The play highlighted the Christmas story and Christmas music from

around the world—specifically songs from China, Argentina, Iraq, Russia and the United States.

The Angel Tree/Project Hope and the Christmas Offering The Angel Tree/Project Hope is bringing the light of Jesus Christ to more lives. 95 children (29 families)

were helped this year by our church—that’s over 300 presents! The church would like to thank all those

who took part in this important Christmas ministry of our church, including those listed below:

The Stewarts The Escalantes The Boyds The Kirk Jacksons The Batemans

The Wells Family Gloria Johnson The Ralphs The LaFonds The Nortons

Betty McGinnis The Simons Family Emily Milam The Daggs The Bob Wagners

Chris Brauchle The Wanjuras The Martins The Broaches The Keiths The Bennets

Chessa Mapes The Sollocks The Foxworths The Kyle Jacksons The Alexanders Terry Miles

The Dominguez Family The Morenos Elaine Douglas The Pruetts Ann VanWinkle

Malcolm & Rhonda Brown The Scotts The Meyers McKinzy Bazan Lois Wanjura Kellie Meyer

Linda Bahlmann The Villarreals and everyone else

Thanks also go to those who put together, worked as hosts, and provided cookies for our Angel Tree Open

House and “Good News Walk-Though” on December 18th and 19th.

A big thank you as well to all those who gave to our Dec. 23rd Christmas Offering for local missions.

Special Music Sunday, December 23 Thank you to Irma Bayne, Annette Nixon, and the choir for the beautiful music all through the Christmas

season, but especially for the special music on December 23. On that day they were joined by the Living

Dust praise band, under the leadership of Jim Pruett, for some beautiful combined anthems and praise

music. We are blessed by all our talented singers and musicians.

Saturday Night Contemporary Worship Service

Saturday nights are a great time for folks who work on Sundays and for the younger crowd. The service

features uplifting and encouraging praise songs, prayer, and preaching from Pastor Scott Martin. Please

get the word out to anyone who might be attracted to a contemporary Saturday night worship service.

Tuesday Morning Prayer Group

at the Church, 9 to 10 AM

Please come and join the weekly one-hour prayer group, led by the

pastor, on Tuesday mornings. The group meets from 9 to 10 AM to

pray for those on the church prayer list, for the families of the church,

and for the city, the country and the world. OH GOOD… YOU’RE NOT BUSY

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Backpack Ministry Thank you Thank you to all the people helping provide food to children and their families through the school

backpack ministry. Each week a backpack filled with food is taken to the school to help 14 families.

Thank you to all who help, and to Nan Boyd for coordinating this effort.

Trustee News and Thank-You’s

The Trustees have been busy throughout 2018. Special thanks to trustee head Nan Boyd. We would like

to highlight some recent projects that were completed, and thank some people who made it possible:

1. Thank you to Brent Meyer for coordinating our roof work. In December leaks in the church parlor and

the fellowship hall were repaired.

2. Thank you to Ricardo Castillo, and his assistants, for all the electrical repairs they did, including fixing

one of the lights attached to the fellowship hall.

3. Thank you to Kyle Jackson and the guy’s group for getting and installing a new air conditioning and

heating unit for Connie Scott’s office.

Our Church’s Purpose To reach out to our community and beyond to share the Good News of Jesus Christ

in word and deed, and to welcome people into this body of Christ

where we might all be filled with God’s strength and vision.