m a r v i n u m c . c o m

A P U B L I C AT I ON O F M AR VI N U NI TE D ME TH ODI S T C HU RC H

March/April 2021

Marvin kids deliver JOY bags— see page 4 inside!

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Marvin Church, this year the Discipleship Team is creating a Discipleship Pathway, marking the steps in the process of being and making disciples for Christ. Like the first disciples, we are all called to make disciples (who make disciples who make disciples.) To mark the pathway, we are gathering information about our church family (Christ’s body) by using a resource called the Reveal Survey.

A spiritual life inventory, the Reveal Survey gives great insight into the spiritual life of a congregation, providing vital data to our discipleship strategy. The Reveal Survey is not about individual preference, but about individual behavior.

Think with me for a second about the stages of our human development:

1. We are born into this world as infants;

2. We grow and develop as children;

3. We continue to develop as adolescents;

4. And then we mature into adults.

What if there are stages of spiritual development that correlate to the stages of human

development? What if there is a continuum that represents the faith journey, with four stages on that continuum:

1. Exploring Christ

2. Growing in Christ

3. Close to Christ and

4. Christ-centered.

Think about how Jesus related to his disciples:

He took 12 men from different walks of life and began a movement that revolutionized the world. He related differently to those 12 men over the course of three

years together.

Jesus met those 12 men right where they were and moved them from a life of not knowing or caring who Jesus was to a life that was Christ-centered.

On one end of the continuum, someone who’s just starting out, exploring who Christ is, may feel more like a stranger with Jesus, and on the other end, someone whose life is Christ-centered tells everything to Jesus, feels everything with Jesus, is motivated by Jesus in all of life—again, that’s the end goal. Spiritually speaking it is as natural a progression as is human development.

If we have 100 people take the Reveal Survey we’ll know that x-percent of them self-identified as Exploring

eflections from the pastor

Christ, x-percent of them as Growing in Christ, etc. We won’t know why they did (they will) or who they are, but we’ll know what Marvin Church looks like and how we

can help more of us move along the continuum of growing ever more like Jesus Christ. In three years, we will take the Reveal Survey again to see how we’ve grown and where we need to get moving.

Finally, let me say the creation of a Discipleship Pathway is a marathon, not a sprint. Our goal is to make disciples. Not members. Not to increase programming or worship attendance. But to make disciples. And as we do that, as we focus on being and making disciples, it will improve the whole, including membership, programs and worship. But again, it starts with making disciples.

Think with me if you will about a healthy church. A vibrant church. A church that is making disciples.

Think about the spiritual practices of the disciples in that church.

Think about the behaviors of the

disciples in that church.

Think about the influence in the community of the disciples in that church.

Think about the partnership with God.

Think about the creativity from the Most Creative One.

Think about the Kingdom of God. Right here. Right now.

I don’t want to go to that church.

I want to be that church.

I am that church.

And so are you.

Marvin Church, please go now and take the Reveal Survey; we have just until March 21. Find a link to the Reveal Survey on the website and in the Messenger. Your completely anonymous participation will help us better understand who we are as a congregation and how we can best strategize for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

DR. MARC DONALDSON

DR. MARC DONALDSON

MarvinLife Page 3

Easter at Marvin What is Lent?

Lent is a season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, which began on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17 this year) and ends on Holy Saturday (before Easter). It is a season of reflection and preparation: We reflect on our need for a Savior and we prepare to celebrate the victory of Christ, raised from the dead on Easter Sunday.

Easter Offering for Missions Our Easter Offering for Missions benefits four outstanding partner ministries: St. Paul Children’s Foundation, Hiway 80 Rescue Mission in Tyler, Vida Abundante UMC and UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Each of these Christ-centered ministries make a real difference in the world as they meet physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

To help make a difference, just mark your contribution “Easter Offering for Missions” and bring it or mail it to the church by Easter Sunday, April 4.

Lilies and fans Donate Easter lilies to decorate the sanctuary or fans to help keep East Texans cool! Honor or remember friends and loved ones by making a gift in their name. Cost is $15 each. Fans will be distributed through PATH and St. Paul Children’s Foundation.

Pick up an order form in the Welcome Center or order and pay on the website (add a $1 fee for web orders). The deadline to order is March 19.

Holy Week Meditation Concert | 12:05 p.m. March 31, chapel

Holy Thursday Taizé Service | 6 p.m. April 1, chapel | Experience the beauty of silence and meditation through Taizé music and worship.

Good Friday Messiah concert | 5:30 p.m. April 2, sanctuary | Experience the genius of George Frederic Handel’s setting of the Holy Week passion with the Chancel Choir and orchestra.

Good Friday service | 7 p.m. April 2, Herd Worship Center | Hear the story again of the ultimate sacrifice. Join us for a time of reflection, scripture readings and contemplation.

Easter, April 4 Sunrise service | 6:30 a.m. in the courtyard

Sanctuary services | 8:15, 9:30 and 11 a.m. with orchestra, lilies and choir

Kids butterfly release | 10:30 a.m. in the courtyard | A grab-and-go breakfast is available before and after the release for kids and their families. This is a great chance for family photos in the beautiful courtyard.

Easter at Bergfeld Park | 10:30 a.m. | Join Core for one big outdoor community service with live music and worship, and stay for lunch (food trucks will be on site), photos and family fun.

No, it’s not Christmas … we are talking about our JOY Bags! Over the last few weeks, a team of 18 people traveled all over

Tyler and the surrounding areas to deliver JOY Bags to 120 of our Marvin kids and families.

The JOY Bags contained a family craft project, candy and snacks and a weekly devotional and activity booklet that partners with our Sunday School curriculum. We also teamed up with the Missions Department and our families are coloring cards to share with the healthcare workers of Tyler.

A huge thank you to our Marvin Kids Staff, our Children’s Ministry Team and the Delivery Team for making this possible:

Staff: Britney Macedo, Amber Harper, Ana Avelar, Diedra Gilmore, Emily Niebuhr, Hanna Cannon, Hannah

Herrington, Homeira Lamea, Lasonia Wooten, Queen Barnes, River Wiebe, Sam Gibbs, Terry Dews

Delivery Team: Kate Iglesias, Holly Freeman, Andre Markle, Jennifer Davis, Chasity Dunham, Lindsay Patton, Jennie

Ables, Karen McBee, Heather Sinclair, Heather Jones, Bridget Fry

Children’s Ministry Team: Nicole Robbins (chair), Allison O’Neal, Laura Jackson, Jennifer Monk, Rachel McClanahan

It’s a

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Kids

-ful time of year!

Fun days for kids coming!

Coming up are our Pre-k Play Day from 8:30 a.m. until noon March 9 and Kids

Camp from 8:30 to noon March 9 and 11. RSVP required, so head to the website for more details!

ATTENDANCE

Jan. 3 ............................................ 337

Jan. 10 .......................................... 391

Jan. 17 .......................................... 440

Jan. 24 .......................................... 449

Jan. 31 .......................................... 498

Feb. 7 ............................................ 448

STEWARDSHIP

Thank you for your tithes, pledges and gifts.

Your gifts* through January: $329,767

Actual expenditures through January: $247,937

2021 ministries and missions annual budget: $4,306,000

*This total includes all offerings, contributions

and other gifts.

2021 BUDGET

Tithes, offerings and gifts............................$4,306,000

Apportionments and Missions ........................ $559,962

Worship and communications ................ $216,465

Congregational ministries and education ................... $349,275

Maintenance, utilities and services........................ $494,800

Our people ......................$2,385,998

Administrative..................... $299,500

Total budget requirements ...................$4,306,000

Marvin United Methodist Church

300 W. Erwin Street, Tyler, Texas 75702

903.592.7396

MarvinLife Page 5

ETERNAL FLAME FUND

In honor of Jennifer

Beall, Stephanie & Trey

Beall, Debbie & Jerry

Burks, Becky & Glenn

Duncan, Lisa & Mark

Gatlin, Vicki & Webb

Harvey, Debbie &

Toms Hays and Mary

Elizabeth & Alan

Jackson

Bonnie & Tab Beall

In memory of

Charlotte Clark

Mildred Kitchens

In memory of

Gen. Ben Gann

Letha & Chris Bowen

In memory of

Larry Harwood

Paula & John Perkins

In honor of Diane &

Terry Hawkins

Sue Dickerson

In memory of

Mildred Hill

Cheryl, Frank, Trey and

Bolt Parker

In memory of

Andy Hodges

Betty Ann & Don Smith

In memory of

Mary Ann Holcomb

Barbara & Don Osada

In memory of

Piggy Howell

Shawn Mowles

Shari & Russell

Newhouse

Jan & Jim Knowles

Polly Richardson

Gaye & Ron

Schoenbrun

Cheryl Threlkeld

In memory of

Jack Johns

Gere Gleim

Betty Ann & Don Smith

In memory of

Leonard Leifer

Mrs. Robert M.

Bergfeld

Polly Richardson

In memory of

Letitia McCrea

Betty Ann & Don Smith

In memory of Julie

Nichols and Bill Reeves

Paula & John Perkins

In memory of

Jenny Prothro

Flora Wilson

In memory of

Punkin Turner

Ann & Brad Brookshire

Ruth & Roe Buckley

Jane & Mike Coker

Pat Crow

Elen & Jan Garrett

Billie Hartley

Mary Irwin

E & S Joseph Family

Partnership LTD

Ann & Roy Lilly

Marion Wilcox, Jr.

Garden Club

Chaley & Jim McCain

Anita Nourse

Margaret & Jim Perkins

Brenda & Eric

Pottkotter

Cynthia & Whit Riter

Stephenie & Randy

Roberts

JoAnn Simons

Patti & Jim Wright

In memory of

Stan Watson

Joann & Butch Adair

Sandy & Lin Barker

Paula & Joe Bates

Bonnie & Tab Beall

Melissa & George

Brigman

Pamela & David

Brown

Edwina Bulman

Alice & Stephen Burket

Sandy Byerly

Linda Dowling

Elen & Jan Garrett

Marilyn & John Hardy

Carol & Jerry Hopkins

Sandy & Jon Johnston

Cindy Kelly

Barbara & Don Osada

Paula & John Perkins

Becky & Jim Robertson

Kay & George Rook

Elizabeth & Tom Russell

Daisy & John Saleh

Seekers Class

Suzan & Michael

Simpson

Betty Ann & Don Smith

Monica & Carey

Woods

MISSIONS

In honor of

Dean Chapman

Dawn, Gary,

Chapman & Callan

Herwood

In memory of

Valentina Ermachenko

Susan Miller

In memory of

James Wilkins

Edwina Bulman

MUSIC

In memory of

Bob Rogers

The Rogers Foundation

In memory of

Stan Watson

Charlotte Wilson

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Students

It’s not too late to consider making an Estimate of Giving for 2021! Marvin Church operates on a one year annual budget from January through December. The annual budget includes ministries, missions, pastoral and ministry staff, administrative staff, facility security and utilities, Christian

discipleship and education, worship, communications and so much more!

Ways to give: check; online; text-to-give 903.630.8446; Tithe.ly app; or in the offering plate.

The stewardship of Lent—what to add? Lent is the season that the church sets aside for us to intentionally

reflect on our relationship with God, others and ourselves; a time to reflect on those things that bring us closer to God and others and those things that keep us separated from God and others.

Consider what to add during this season of Lent instead of what to take away.

If you’ve never made a financial commitment to give to Marvin on a regular basis, consider pledging a specific amount to Marvin each week during Lent. Look for ways that God is with you and what He “adds” to your heart, mind and soul through the Lenten commitment.

It’s not too late!

Stewardship Memorials and gifts as of Nov. 10

Sunday Morning Students | 10-10:45 a.m. in the Student Center | MH and SH breakout groups. Wear your mask.

Sunday Night Students, sixth through12th grades | 6-8 p.m. in Fair Gym first and finish in the Student Center | Games, worship, message and dinner together! Wear your mask.

Midweek Downtown Student Bible Study, sixth through 12th grades | 6-7 p.m. in Fair Gym | Bring your Bible and wear your mask.

High School Midweek Student Bible Study, ninth through 12th grades | 7-8 p.m. at the Fry's,

2210 Mulberry Grove. Wear your mask.

Spring Break "Serve and Play" Days | March 8, 9 and 11 | Serve

on mission in the morning and have a fun activity in the afternoon. Check the Student Ministry webpage for more details. For all students and yes, wear your mask … still!

Get involved with Marvin students

MarvinLife Page 7

Mark your calendars for our annual Great Day of Service (done in a whole new way!) set for Saturday, March 20. We are doing things differently this year, but this “hands-on” mission event offers a creative variety of service projects for all ages.

First of all, drive through the Elm Street parking lot between 9 and 10 a.m. to get your “to go” breakfast from Chick-fil-A at no cost! Then you will get supplies for the mission project you choose. Because of the

nature of the day, child care will not be provided.

Registration will open on March 1. Go to the Marvin website, call the Missions office or sign up in the Welcome Center on Sunday

mornings.

Some of the projects for that day include:

Blanket Kits for Children in Crisis | Pick up fleece blankets to tie at home.

Buckets of Love | Pick up a colorful plastic bucket at Marvin and then purchase items to fill it. We’ll provide a suggestion list and the name of a Marvin homebound person. Plan to do a porch drop-off on Saturday or

during the week.

Marvin loves our firefighters

| Pick up a roll of banner paper at Marvin, find your other artistic supplies and create a support and encouragement banner for one of our fire stations. This is a great family project!

Marvin loves our community helpers | Pick up a roll of banner paper at Marvin, find your other artistic supplies and create a support and encouragement banner for one of our police stations or the sheriff’s department. This is a great family project!

Marvin loves our schools | Pick up a roll of banner paper at Marvin, find your other artistic supplies and create a support and encouragement banner for one of our public or private schools. This is a great family project!

Bless your neighbor | Find someone in your neighborhood and ask if you can help them with a task such as raking leaves, doing yard work, washing windows, sweeping porches, the list goes on and on!

Bloom where you are planted | Pick up a flower pot at Marvin. Secure your own soil and flowers and return your potted plant to the Welcome Center on Sunday or Monday. These will be given to our mission partners to bring smiles!

Organize Marvin Mission storage locations | Meet at Marvin at 9:30 a.m. (after eating your “to-go” breakfast) and help us organize and inventory our storage off-campus. You will need to wear a mask and plan to social distance. We will need trucks for this project!

Marvin Menders | Project to be announced!

Cool Info: Don’t forget about our Chick-fil-A breakfast! Take a photo of you or your group at work and text it to 903.780.1259.

Great Day of Service 2.0!

Missions

A note of appreciation

We received this note from Lt. Col.

Dealer Goldsmith, commander,

62nd Attack Squadron:

“Thank you for your care

package, warm words, and

overall support of our nation’s

military professionals. This

deployment has been unique,

and we appreciate the taste of

home that you sent us. Please

remember that you, the American

citizen, are worth our sacrifice.

While I am here and when I return,

the Lord is a light upon my path.

May I follow His Spirit and not my

own.”

Bring toilet tissue for PATH this month We are collecting toilet tissue for PATH (People

Attempting to Help) in March. Each day people who live in poverty face daily decisions about things we take for granted in life. They struggle to

provide food and shelter to their families and often have to go without basics such as toilet tissue.

Please bring your donations to the collection center outside the Welcome Center and help give comfort to those in need.

Serve Night is March 15

Our March Serve Night will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 15, in Pirtle Hall. We’ll prepare materials for the Great Day of Service. This is a great opportunity to round up your family after dinner and do a fun mission project that will make a big difference in the lives of others! You don’t need to sign up, just show up!

300 W. Erwin Street

Tyler, TX 75702

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 568

Tyler, TX

Welcome to Marvin

Laura Burton

Cindy Day (photo not available)

Laura Milikan (photo not

available)

MEN’S RETREAT—“CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A RELIGION OF ESCAPE BUT OF RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE A COVENANT PEOPLE, AND BEING THE CHURCH IS A SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITY.” THIRTY-SIX MEN GATHERED AT LAKEVIEW IN FEBRUARY WITH SPEAKER MIKE WHANG FOR FELLOWSHIP, RENEWAL AND A STUDY OF COMMUNITY.

Thank you Marvin congregation After the tragic loss of Pastor Mark McWilliams of Starrville Methodist Church earlier this year, our congregation sent notes of support and pastors and staff attended the funeral. We received the following thank you note from Rosemary McWilliams, the wife of the pastor, and the Starrville congregation:

“Thank you for your outpouring of condolences, prayers and cards and for the singers with beautiful voices which made Pastor Mark’s funeral so perfect. We are very grateful for all your support and love.”